will@cvradio.com
The new director of Utah State Universitys Child Care Nutrition Program (CCNP) said the programs primary function is to feed nutritious meals to children who might not otherwise get them.
Michael Diehl (deal) assumed his new job in early January.
We will setup anyone interested in doing home daycare, Diehl said. We do a kitchen inspection, we make sure the home is safe and we set that provider up for serving more nutritious meals for the children they care for.
Right now the CCNP is serving over 1500 children statewide enrolled in certified home care or in centers. The program operates out of the Center for Persons With Disabilities at USU.
We estimate that for children enrolled in a home daycare or childcare setting, 75 percent of their meals every year will be consumed in those settings.
The Utah State Board of Education approved the CCNP and six other organizations that administer the program statewide.
Eating healthy can be expensive, and day care is a notoriously low-paying profession. The cost makes it harder for providers to offer healthy meals and snacks. The CCNP offers training on healthy foods and reimburses participating providers according to Federal guidelines. It has provided reimbursements to licensed in-home day care providers in northern and eastern Utah for more than 20 years.
Though nutrition for young children is vital, the programs goals go beyond that, Diehl said. Staff members also want to help instill good habits that children will take with them throughout their lives.
We do most of our work in the greater North Region of the state but we service the Price area, Emery County, Moab and Blanding and we are looking to go more statewide as much as possible.
To find out more about the Child Care Nutrition Program call 1-800-540-2169.
Opinion / Columnist
Higher wages and modern facilities are magnets for Africa's health workers
In search of greener pastures
Financial losses mount
Is brain drain a crime?
Stemming the flow of talent
Dressed in full medical gear and clutching a folder, Folu Songonuga, a physiotherapist, walked briskly across the lobby in the offices of Activa Rehabilitation Services in Orange, New Jersey, United States. An elderly man, evidently in pain, had just been wheeled into an inner room, and Dr. Songonuga was on his way to tend to the patient."I see up to 20 patients a day," Dr. Songonuga, a Nigerian by birth but now a naturalized American, told Africa Renewal. Together with his compatriot Olufemi Dosumu he owns the rehabilitation business, established in 1996, and they plan to expand to other states.Dr. Songonuga obtained a bachelor's degree from Obafemi Awolowo University in western Nigeria before migrating to the United States, where he later bagged a doctorate in physiotherapy. He is one of thousands of Nigerian health workers based in the US.With the incentive of higher pay and modern facilities, Africa's top doctors, like Dr. Songonuga, stream overseas in search of greener pastures."I left Nigeria because I wanted to earn more money, learn new things and to practise in a better environment," he said.On average, surgeons in New Jersey earn $216,000 annually, while their counterparts in Zambia make $24,000. Kenyan doctors earn on average $6,000 per annum.Osahon Enabulele, a former president of the Nigerian Medical Association, estimates there are about 8,000 Nigerian doctors in the United States. Yet in their motherland, only about 35,000 doctors attend to the country's 173 million citizens, according to Folashade Ogunsola, a professor of medicine and chairman of the Association of Colleges of Medicine of Nigeria.The World Health Organization (WHO), the UN body responsible for promoting international public health, puts Nigeria's doctor-to-population ratio at 0.3 per 1,000 persons, which is grossly inadequate. The country needs at least 237,000 doctors, says Dr. Enabulele.According to 2015 WHO data, the doctor-to-population ratio in Liberia and Sierra Leone (two countries recently hit by the Ebola epidemic) is even worse: 51 doctors for Liberia's population of 4.5 million (0.1 per 1,000 people) and 136 doctors for Sierra Leone's 6 million people (0.2 per 1,000). Ethiopia has 0.2 doctors per 1,000 and Uganda has 0.12 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants, while South Africa and Egypt, at 4.3 and 2.8 per 1,000 respectively, have better ratios."About 44% of WHO member states have less than one doctor per 1,000 population," reported the health body in 2015. "Countries with the lowest relative need have the highest numbers of health workers, while those with the greatest burden of disease must make do with a much smaller health workforce."Africa bears "more than 24% of the global burden of disease, but has access to only 3% of health workers and less than 1% of the world's financial resources," according to WHO.The poor state of health systems in many African countries is another red flag to medical professionals. Even before Ebola hit Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone in 2014, up to 57% of facilities in these countries were in poor condition, with "poor service readiness," meaning "lack of diagnostics and essential medicines in many facilities," noted WHO.Despite the critical need for doctors, the government of Uganda recently approved a plan to recruit over 200 doctors and nurses to Trinidad and Tobago. The Ugandan government promoted the initiative, maintaining that it could "further accelerate the existing excellent bilateral relations." The Caribbean country has provided financial aid and training for Uganda's oil and gas industry and its police force in the past.But a local think tank, the Institute of Public Policy Research Uganda (IPPR-U), challenged the wisdom of the government's move. "While the government is bent on exporting health workers, thousands of Ugandans are dying daily," the group said. "Sixteen women die daily giving birth." The think tank took the matter to court, accusing the government of violating "the constitutional rights of Ugandans to access basic medical services."The court ruled against the IPPR-U, but not before the think tank drew attention to the precarious state of Uganda's health care system.Similarly, last year five of the six doctors working in Kenya's Lamu County resigned, leaving just one to tend more than 100,000 county citizens. The doctors complained of low wages, poor working conditions and insecurity; some wanted to go into private practice while others planned to move to South Africa or elsewhere.Countries that invest in the training of health workers suffer financial losses when these educated professionals emigrate, according to a 2011 research by a group of Canadian scientists led by Edward Mills, chair of global health at the University of Ottawa. The researchers studied nine sub-Saharan African countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe) and estimated that these countries suffered a loss of about $2.1 billion from investments for all doctors working in destination countries up to 2010. It costs African nations between $21,000 and $59,000 to train each doctor, the Canadian team found.Africa's loss is rich countries' gain: the research estimated that financial benefits amounted to $2.7 billion to the UK, $846 million to the United States, $621 million to Australia and $384 million to Canada. Rich countries should provide financial and logistical support to Africa's health institutions, the researchers recommended.Five years ago the United States provided $130 million for training in 13 medical schools in sub-Saharan Africa, including the University of Zambia, the University of Zimbabwe, the University of Botswana, Nigeria's University of Ibadan and Ghana's Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. The money would also benefit about 20 American medical schools that have agreed to collaborate with the African universities in this programme. Non-governmental organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are also funding health programmes across the continent.Some African and Western aid workers have referred to Africa's medical brain drain as a crime, stirring a debate on the morality and legality of international medical recruitment.In a 2011 article published by The Lancet, a British medical journal, the aid workers wrote, "High-income countries, such as Australia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, the US, the United Arab Emirates, and the UK have sustained their relatively high physician-to-population ratio by recruiting medical graduates from developing regions, including countries in sub-Saharan Africa.In contrast, more than a half of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa do not meet the minimum acceptable physician-to-population ratio of 1-per-5,000 WHO standard."WHO's code of practice on international recruitment of health care workers, adopted in 2010, in an attempt to tackle problems caused by medical brain drain, urged wealthy nations to support affected countries; however, the code is a moral guide rather than an enforceablelegal instrument.In April 2001, heads of state of African Union countries met and pledged to allocate at least 15% of their annual budgets to improving the health sector. At the same time, they urged donor countries to "fulfil the yet to be met target of 0.7% of their GNP as Official Development Assistance (ODA) to developing countries."Twelve years later, only six countries (Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Rwanda, Togo and Zambia) had hit that target. The majority of the countries performed poorly, blaming lack of adequate financial resources and competing domestic priorities for the failure.Kasonde Bowa, a professor of urology and dean of Copperbelt University School of Medicine in Ndola, Zambia, told Africa Renewal that medical brain drain can be tackled with improved remuneration and investments in postgraduate training, because "it is very easy for doctors who train abroad to remain abroad." US law, for instance, allows foreign medical students to remain in the United States if they agree to work in rural areas. The UK and other countries also regularly make it easier for health care workers to get work permits than for others.Dr. Bowa studied in Scotland, and, unlike others who stayed after completing their studies, he returned to Zambia to practise and teach. "I didn't go to Scotland on my own; I was sponsored and I had an obligation to come back," he said.Dr. Bowa calls for investment in modern equipment for medical facilities, particularly hospitals, as well as incentives such as access to housing and land and a clear-cut career path for health workers, especially those in rural areas. "They must have an opportunity to rise."Indications are that demand for health workers in Australia, Canada, the UK, the United States and other rich countries will continue to rise. The US Council on Physician and Nurse Supply estimates a shortage of 200,000 doctors between 2012 and 2022.Laurie Garrett, a senior fellow at the US Council on Foreign Relations, concurs: "For the foreseeable future, every health provider [in the United States], from Harvard University's health facilities all the way down to a rural clinic in the Ethiopian desert, is competing for medical talent, and the winners are those with money."A health worker from a poor country is good "for a diabetic or someone with heart disease in rural Nebraska," writes Matt McAllester, a New York Times editor. "[Patients] may be unaware, however, that their gain is a poor country's loss."The loss could well be the lives of hundreds of diabetic patients in Africa's villages.
Opinion / Columnist
Encouraging local production, right policies the way out
Inhibiting factors
Suspicions
Progress in some countries
Recourse to traditional medicines
Approximately 1.6 million Africans died of malaria, tuberculosis and HIV-related illnesses in 2015. These diseases can be prevented or treated with timely access to appropriate and affordable medicines, vaccines and other health services. But less than 2% of drugs consumed in Africa are produced on the continent, meaning that many sick patients do not have access to locally produced drugs and may not afford to buy the imported ones.Without access to medicines, Africans are susceptible to the three big killer diseases on the continent: malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Globally, 50% of children under five who die of pneumonia, diarrhoea, measles, HIV, tuberculosis and malaria are in Africa, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The organisation defines having access to medicine as having medicines continuously available and affordable at health facilities that are within one hour's walk of the population.In some parts of Zimbabwe, for example, some nurses give painkillers to sick patients as a "treat-all drug," says Charles Ndlovu, a Zimbabwean living in Botswana. Some of his family members have been treated in hospitals in Zimbabwe. With most medicines unavailable, the nurses have little choice.Dave Puo, from Mpumalanga in South Africa, says that in his country, "when you seek medical attention, you are often informed that there is no medication and advised to go to the big hospitals," which the majority of the poor cannot afford. "The system does not care about your [empty] pockets."About 80% of Africans, mostly those in the middle-income bracket and below, rely on public health facilities, reported the World Bank in 2013. With public health facilities suffering chronic shortages of critical drugs, many patients die of easily curable diseases.Several factors inhibit access to medicines, but the major ones, according to the WHO, are the shortage of resources and the lack of skilled personnel."Low-income countries experience poor availability of essential medicines in health facilities, substandard-quality treatments, frequent stock-outs and suboptimal prescription and use of medicines," says the world health body.Africa's inefficient and bureaucratic public sector supply system is often plagued by poor procurement practices that make drugs very costly or unavailable. Added to these are the poor transportation system, a lack of storage facilities for pharmaceutical products and a weak manufacturing capacity.Africa's capacity for pharmaceutical research and development (R & D) and local drug production still has a long way to go, say experts. Only 37 out of 54 African states have some level of pharmaceutical production. Except South Africa, which boasts some active local pharmaceutical ingredients, most countries rely on imported ingredients.The result is that Africa imports 70% of its pharmaceutical products, with India alone accounting for nearly 18% of imports in 2011. Pharmaceutical imports in Africa include up to 80% of the antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) used to treat HIV/AIDS, according to trade data."Many African governments spend a disproportionate amount of their scarce resources on procuring medicines," writes Carlos Lopes, former executive secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.To produce medicines, a country must abide by Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP), which are enforced by the United States and other governments to ensure the quality of manufacturing processes and facilities. Many African countries do not have the technical, financial or human resources required for high-scale drug production.But Egypt, Morocco, South Africa and Tunisia have made progress in local pharmaceutical productions. Morocco is Africa's second-largest pharmaceutical producer (after South Africa), and has 40 pharmaceutical manufacturing companies that supply 70% of products for local consumption and also exports to neighbouring countries. Countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania are currently developing production capacity.Many African political leaders and development experts believe that the world's biggest pharmaceutical companies are reluctant to offer technical support to African manufacturers. For example, in 2001, 39 international pharmaceutical companies dragged the South African government to court to challenge its plans to manufacture and import cheap, generic HIV/AIDS drugs.The companies claimed that South Africa's plans breached their patent rights. Although they later withdrew the matter from court following pressure from groups that advocate for international access to medicines, South Africa's late president Nelson Mandela accused the companies of exploiting the developing world by charging exorbitant fees for HIV/AIDS drugs. "That is completely wrong and must be condemned," he said at the time.There is evidence, however, that local production improves access and brings down the cost of medicines. "Ever since the high-tech generic drug production [facility], Cinpharm-Cameroon, was set up, it is relatively easier for Cameroonians to have access to medicines," says Mr. Lopes. "Now a low-wage earner can access a course of antibiotics at a lower price than a Kenyan counterpart." Worth $24 million, Cinpharm-Cameroon produces 40 different drugs.The Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) regulation of the World Trade Organization (WTO), in force since 1986, curtails the right of companies to manufacture generic drugs, forcing countries to rely on brand-name products. However, the WTO in 2006 granted developing countries a 10-year waiver to manufacture generic drugs using the intellectual property rights of big pharmaceutical companies overseas.Despite US objections, the waiver, which expired this year, was extended until two-thirds of WTO members decide to remove it. Experts believe that is unlikely to happen, as the US appears to be the only big country insisting on its removal.WHO director-general Dr. Margaret Chan remarked in 2010 that the debate on access to medicine is often clouded by suspicions: "Suspicions that the rules governing international trade in pharmaceutical products are rigged to favour the rich and powerful; that economic interests will trump health concerns."The debate, Dr. Chan added, is complicated by deep mistrust. "Countries unskilled in trade negotiations fear they will be tricked or duped. Countries fear that pharmaceutical companies will use unfair tactics, really, every trick in the book, to reduce competition from lower-priced generics."Dr. Chan added that, while the ethical argument of not depriving people of access to life-saving medicines is a reasonable one, the for-profit pharmaceutical companies respond to market forces. "What incentives does this industry have to fix prices according to their affordability among the poor?"Availability of medicines is one thing, but affordability is another important factor. Countries such as Ghana and South Africa have made efforts to make drugs affordable through insurance schemes, but these efforts have been largely feeble. Overall, insurance schemes cover less than 8% of the population of sub-Saharan Africa and do not cover prescription medicines on an outpatient basis.To underscore the problem of affordability, WHO notes that treating a child for malaria in Uganda with artemisinin combination therapy will cost a household the equivalent of 11 days' income. In Kenya, a seven-day treatment course of ciprofloxacin antibiotic could cost a month's wages.Despite obvious difficulties, some countries are making strides in improving access to medicine. Botswana is among the countries that could be malaria-free by the year 2020, reports WHO.Director-general of Botswana's health ministry Shenaaz el Halabi told Africa Renewal, "We have seen a tremendous improvement in our health care system in recent years."Ethiopia has made considerable progress too, particularly in the control of HIV and treatment of malaria, tuberculosis and other diseases. "Ethiopia's increased investments in expanding effective health coverageit rose to 95% in 2013 to 2014has already improved health indicators in the population, reducing child mortality and HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis," states WHO.Faced with difficulties in accessing modern medicines, many Africans resort to ritual and herbal remedies, known across diverse African societies as traditional medicine.But Ali Arazeem Abdullahi, a sociology professor at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, cautions that "it is a general belief in medical circles [in Africa] that traditional medicine defies scientific procedures in terms of objectivity, measurement, codification and classification."Acknowledging there are quacks that should be checkmated, Professor Abdullahi called for political will to rebrand and standardize traditional medicine practices.Experts believe that Africa's solutions to improving citizen access to medicine could lie in stimulating local production, developing the right policies and infrastructure, and training and retaining its medical talents.
Opinion / Columnist
Africa is finally making headway in its decades-long fight against malaria
The road to elimination
More monitoring and research
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced in December 2015 that the global incidence of malaria had finally been slowed, thanks in large part to a massive rollout of mosquito nets, anti-malaria medicines and indoor residual spraying of insecticides. The news was particularly welcome in Africa, where the disease has been the deadliest.Malaria is caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female anopheles mosquitoes.Between 2000 and 2015, malaria mortality rates in Africa fell by 66% among all age groups. Among children under five, who are the most vulnerable to the disease, fatalities fell by 71%, from 694,000 to 292,000 deaths, during the same period.Progress in the use of mosquito nets has been impressive. WHO data shows that in 2000, just 2% of the 667 million people living in sub-Saharan Africa at that time slept under mosquito nets. By 2015, more than half of Africa's 1 billion people were using bed nets.In addition, Margaret Chan, the director-general of WHO, wrote in the foreword of the World Malaria Report 2015 that "a rapid expansion in diagnostic testing and the availability of antimalarial medicines has allowed many more people to benefit from timely and appropriate treatment."A coordinated approachEfforts to prevent malaria have also resulted in significant health care cost savings. Sub-Saharan countries saved up to $900 million on the costs of malaria case management between 2001 and 2014, notes the world health body. Mosquito nets represented the biggest cost savings, followed by artemisinin-based combination drug therapies (ACTs) and indoor residual spraying.An ACT consists of an artemisinin-based compound combined with a drug from a different class.Medical experts recommend the use of a combination of drugs because using one drug can speed up the development of drug resistance in parasites.Much progress in the malaria fight has been the result of global partnerships and funding schemes established in 2000. A notable partnership is the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) initiative, which was set up by WHO, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank. Under the RBM, over 500 development groups, private- and public-sector organizations and research and academic institutions have pooled their resources and expertise to fight the disease.High-profile partnerships are effective, as they put pressure on governments to fight diseases, stated the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an American public health institute, in a 2011 report.The report commended leaders in malaria-endemic countries for their commitment to treating malaria control as a national priority, as they agreed to do under the 2001 Abuja Declaration and Frameworks for Action on Roll Back Malaria and the UN Millennium Development Goals.Funding for malaria programmes has reached unprecedented levels. Money has come in through schemes such as the US President's Malaria Initiative and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Global financing for malaria control increased from $960 million in 2005 to $2.5 billion in 2014, according to WHO's World Malaria Report 2015.Yet despite recent progress the fight is far from over. Africa, the epicentre of the disease, is still vulnerable. Last year 88% of the 214 million cases and 90% of the 438,000 malaria deaths reported worldwide occurred in the WHO African region. The region includes Algeria but excludes Sudan and Somalia.While malaria is no longer the leading cause of death of children under the age of five in Africa (pneumonia is), the disease still threatens the young, killing a child every two minutes, according to non-profit organization Malaria No More. Progress made in African countries has also been uneven.Algeria, Botswana, Cape Verde, Eritrea and Swaziland have all experienced sharp decreases in malaria cases, while just two countries, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria, account for more than 35% of all malaria deaths worldwide. Of these two, Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, faces greater risk. Some 100,000 Nigerians die from malaria every year, states Malaria Consortium, a non-profit organization fighting the disease.The Nigerian government has launched a national malaria elimination programme, ramping up the distribution of mosquito nets and access to drug therapies, and expanding a plan for vector management.Cote d'Ivoire, Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda also have high incidences of malaria. Countries with swampy terrain and humid weather are fertile breeding grounds for malaria-carrying mosquitoes. In addition, weak public health systems and conflict mean that many patients do not have access to treatment or malaria-prevention tools.Dr. Christian Happi, a leading malaria researcher from Cameroon, says donors and aid groups need to move beyond distributing malaria control tools and focus more on monitoring how they are used."Many groups talk about the number of drugs and mosquito nets they have provided. Numbers make a good public relations campaign," Dr. Happi, who specialises in molecular biology and genetics, said in an interview with Africa Renewal. "Are we keeping track of how these tools are used? The answer is no."While more than 1 billion mosquito nets have been distributed in sub-Saharan Africa since 2000, there are doubts about whether people are using them properly. The New York Times published a story in 2015 revealing that impoverished fishermen in Mozambique, Nigeria and Zambia were using mosquito nets as makeshift fishing nets.One of the biggest hindrances to eliminating malaria in Africa is the prevalence of monotherapy, the use of only one drug to fight malaria. Although public health experts have warned that monotherapies can lead to drug resistance in parasites, the practice continues in many countries.Dr Happi says African countries lack the robust monitoring systems needed to study drug resistance in parasites. "Behaviours of parasites change all the time. We need to collect blood samples and study them periodically. But African countries lack the resources to do this."Although progress in the fight against malaria in Africa is undeniable, experts insist its leaders should maintain the same determination that has brought recent successes.
CAMEROUN :: ABOUT DIALOGUE ON FEDERATION WITH REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON
All these are unacceptable and all those doing that uninformed and misdirected negotiations should stop. The people of Southern Cameroons are not for it.
In 1961, West Cameroon leaders met with East Cameroon political leaders in Foumban to draw the constitution of the Federal Republic of Cameroon. That conference was a fatal error for the people of Southern Cameroons. How? / Why? As we now know in retrospect, Foumban turned out to be the setting for the annexation of Southern Cameroons and, following in the wake of annexation, the dismantling of Southern Cameroons statehood and carving that state into two provinces of the Republic of Cameroon. Could these have been avoided? If so how?
Before the UN plebiscite of February 1961, it was OK for Prime Minister Foncha to hold bi-lateral talks/negotiations with Ahidjo in order to ascertain precisely where he was leading Southern Cameroons to. But once the General Assembly of the UN adopted Resolution 1608 XV prescribing an International Post-plebiscite conference (paragraph 5 of that resolution) the bilateral talks between Southern Cameroons and Republic of Cameroon should have stopped and the UN directives in paragraph 5 of Resolution 1608 XV implemented. The bi-lateral talks could not be a substitute for the International Post Plebiscite Conference which both the UN and the UK were to attend. Southern Cameroons decolonization was a matter for the UN and the UK not an internal matter of the Republic of Cameroon. Republic of Cameroons occupation of the Southern Cameroons cannot be justified under international law.
Presently there is a flurry of secret meetings with Ministers from Yaounde with some Southern Cameroonians. If a meeting is one by the Minister of Justice talking professional issues with Lawyers, we have no comments. If the meeting is one by teachers with the Ministers of Education on professional matters, we have no comments. However, if the meeting is one in which any Southern Cameroonians (lawyers and teachers included) selected (and invited by a Minister) are sitting to talk about Federation, we wish to strike a note of warning. In the first place, such Southern Cameroonians should read the story of The Washermans Donkey which follows in Part II of this article and ask themselves what became of the defunct Federal Republic of Cameroon (1961-1972). Who killed it?
Secondly, they must learn from the bitter experience of Foumban. The leadership of La Republique du Cameroun tricked our leaders and summoned them (even chaired) the bi-lateral talks in Foumban without the presence of the U.K and the UN. Ahidjo succeeded in Foumban to revise the constitutions of his country and to annex the Southern Cameroons. And striking to note, this was the same Ahidjo who earlier as Prime Minister of La Republic du Cameroun had told the United Nations: We do not wish to bring the weight of our population to bear on our British brothers (by which he meant Southern Cameroonians) We are not annexationists
In other words, if our brothers of the British zone wish to unite with an independent Cameroun we are ready to discuss the matter with them but we will discuss it on a footing of equality
Today the two States Federation (both equal in status) is defunct, and Southern Cameroonians do not want to hear that someone from Southern Cameroons is negotiating Federation on their behalf.
Please, take note.
We know those of our leaders who made the mistake in 1961 to sideline the UN prescribed international conference and went to Foumban.
A cross Section of Ministers At The Bamenda Meeting (27/12/2016) Wilson MUSA
The meeting between Teachers Trade Unionists, members of Government and Stake holders in the education sector resumes today following a nine hour deliberation Thursday January 12, 2017 at the North West Governors office.
In his opening speech, Director of Cabinet at the Prime Ministers Office, Paul Goghomu Mingo said the teachers should demonstrate a sense of patriotism and responsibility. He said the wish is that children should go back to school and cover up for time wasted. Mr Goghomu reiterated the fact that Government is already doing something to solve the problems raised by teachers in the English sub system of education citing the deployment of over 100 teachers to the North West and South West regions in secondary schools and the Presidents decree on the creation of 1000 jobs for bilingual teachers.
The deliberation took hours and a huge crowd at the governors office waited for the white smoke in vein. The ad hoc committee went point after point and later went on break by 5pm. It was only after 8pm that the meeting was adjourned.
Trade Union leaders maintained that the strike will continue even after adoption of resolutions unless the President of the Republic decrees them.
The meeting was later adjourned by 8pm after 8 of the 18 points had been scrutinized.
A trade Union leader said "The strike will only be lifted by the Consortium after clear deliberations and at a press conference when it becomes necessary."
Radio Hot Cocoa Will It Be Reopened Soon Wilson MUSA
The President of the National Communication Council, NCC Peter Essoka has lifted the ban on the Bamenda popular Radio station, Radio Hot Cocoa FM 94.
He gave the orders Thursday in a meeting held with over 50 Journalists in the North West Region in the presence of NCC member Charles NDI CHIA and Station Manager of Radio Hot Cocoa, one time CRTV Journalist Gideon TAKA.
Radio Hot Cocoa will however not broadcast its program Biggest Breakfast Show till further notice.
Before making a statement on the activities of the radio, Peter Essoka took time to explain to media men and women present to exercise a sense of responsibility especially in times of crisis like the present situation in Bamenda. He also urges them to always verify information gotten from Social Media before disseminating because most of them are lies.
Radio Hot Cocoa was sealed on Tuesday January 10, 2017 by the Senior Divisional Officer for Mezam in the North West Region, Songa Pierre accompanied by his close collaborators The seal which took place around 4: 30PM indicated that the decision is a temporal suspension of the radio from going on air due to what they described as unethical practice in the morning program called the Biggest Breakfast Show BBS anchored by Kiven Brenda and Mbaku Jude.
For the first time since the strike began, frank dialogue effectively began yesterday January 12.
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The venue was the North West Governors conference hall where the members of the Inter-ministerial Ad hoc Committee to review and propose solutions to the concerns raised by Cameroon Anglophone Teachers Trade Unions meeting is holding.
After the last meeting that ended in a fiasco as the trade union leaders walked out, this time around all were present and ready to dialogue. One aspect that set the stage was that the government granted some of the demands of the trade union leaders such as the inclusion of trade union leaders as well as educational stake holders from the South West Region and also the release of some of the young people that were caught in Bamenda, transferred and detained in Yaounde after the December 8, 2016 confrontations with the
forces of law and order. With these, all came prepared to spend long hours for the betterment of the Anglophone subsystem of education.
The Ministers of Higher Education, Jacques Fame Ndongo, Secondary Education Jean Ernest Masssena Ngalle Bibehe and that of Basic Education Youssouf Hadidja Alim were all on sit to give instant solutions to some of the issues raised by the teachers trade unions. While opening the meeting, the committee Chairperson Professor Paul Ghogomu Mingo requested members to work as a team and to show a high sense of responsibility as well as bring in meaningful proposals for a successful English Subsystem of education. He called on stakeholders to consider the school children that have been home for more than one month and pleaded with them to pity the school children and that they should not be the sacrificed generation, consequently they should bring up recommendations for
schools to reopen soonest.
Concerns Already Addressed He reminded them that the government has already shown good faith in addressing some of the concerns raised by the teachers before the Thursdays January 12, 2017 meeting, such as the redeployment of teachers, which he said the North West and South West have received about 100 in the less than 200 teachers affected.
He further explained that this is just the first step by the Minister of Secondary Education as more is to come. He asked stakeholders to dialogue with a constructive spirit and as children of one nation to consolidate the most cherished English sub system of education
in Cameroon.
Worth mentioning is that this time around even the agenda was put up for correction and adoption before the meeting. The meeting that started at 11: 17 am saw members in conclave till about 5 p.m. when they came out for a break. Information that filtered out was that the committee had discussed and agreed on three out of the 18 points put up for discussions. They included, firstly the creation of a Polytechnique for the Anglophone subsystem for the GCE Advanced level Technical students, secondly that a French department be created in ENS Bambili which will train French teachers to teach in English schools. To this, the Minister of Higher Education said it will be done before the end of next week. Thirdly, the redeployment of Francophone teachers who have studied under the francophone system and are teaching in Anglophone subsystem to go back to the francophone subsystem.
To this it was said that the process is ongoing and will end by January 30, 2017. In all, frank and genuine dialogue is currently on and from the look of things the deadlock might be broken at the end of the meeting.
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Thursday, January 12, 2017 at 8:44PM
The wait is almost over. The Android Nougat 7.0 update for the Samsung Galaxy S7 is landing as an over-the-air update in Europe and should be rolling out to more markets soon. For those whove joined the beta program, its highly likely youll be getting the update first when it reaches your market. The update is 215MB in size and comes not just with the Nougat update but with a new UX added in the package and other performance modes and improvements. Just keep your eye out for the update to head your way and make sure you have enough battery (or charge your S7) while you update your phone.
Source: BGR
"Although police block off either side of our march on Yass Valley Way, they aren't strong bollards or water barriers or anything, so it [boosted security] is definitely something we need to take into consideration."
And all this thanks to a draconian system of computer-generated comparison and correspondence, put in place by a Commonwealth government which allegedly combines Liberal and Conservative values in the best tradition of Sir Robert Menzies. Apparently Menzies was fond of making threats against some of the most vulnerable individuals in the community. When it comes to people on Centrelink, traditional values of protecting the rights of individuals and families is thrown out the door for the same of mantras of selective economic rationalism.
AFIX, a group of internet exchange point (IXP) operators from across Africa, brought together by a shared need to coordinate and exchange knowledge, has welcomed the DjIX as its most recent member.
Anthony Voscarides of the DjIX, colocated at the Djibouti Data Center (DDC) in Djibouti City, said: We are honoured to be included in the esteemed company of all members of the African IXP Association. There are currently 36 active Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) located in 33 cities in 28 countries in Africa.
The DjIX is an open peering platform, which leverages the DDC ecosystem and its unique access to Djibouti Telecoms 11 international and regional fibre cable systems. It is designed to enhance regional internet connectivity, capacity, and performance.
We share the same goals and objectives which are to enable operators across the region to exchange internet protocol (IP) traffic directly, reduce costs, improve speed, latency, and redundancy in their internet connections for the good of the internet and the rapidly growing internet communities across all of Africa, added Voscarides.
Africa is arguably the fastest growth region for new Internet services in the world. The need to coordinate and foster the growth and development of the Internet has become increasingly important. We are pleased to actively support AFIX in its mission to help Africas progression towards a digital economy and to reap the full benefits of the Internet that will help drive economic and social well-being in the region.
Kyle Spencer, co-coordinator of AFIX, said: The addition of the Djibouti Internet Exchange to our growing community is another milestone in our collective efforts to improve internet connectivity in Africa. We believe they will make a significant contribution to the social and economic development of both Djibouti and the wider region.
Vietnams Viettel wholly owned by the countrys Ministry of Defence will own 49% of Myanmar National Tele & Communications (MNTC). Star High Public Company, which has another 28%, is owned by the Myanmar army via a holding company, Myanmar Economic Corporation.
Myanmars army ran the countrys government for most of the last 60 years and organised a coup in 1962 until the National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, won the first free elections in decades in 2016.
More information about the planned launch is expected tomorrow, Saturday, when MNTC is due to hold a press conference.
The minister for transport and communications, Thant Sin Maung, was quoted by Reuters as saying the operator will help advance telecommunication in townships, rural mountain towns and will contribute to improving transportation, healthcare and education necessary for the people living in rural areas.
It was widely rumoured at the beginning of 2017 that the Viettel bid would win the licence, but the minister has now officially signed the contract with MNTC. The whole process has taken over a year.
The new company, which now has a 15-year licence, will compete with Ooredoo and Telenor, which won the first commercial licences in the former Burma and began services in 2014. Ooredoo paid $1 billion for its licence and Telenor $500 million. It is believed that MNTC is paying $300 million.
The countrys third operator was state-owned Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications, which has a joint venture with KDDI of Japan.
The Myanmar Times quoted U Zaw Min Oo, chief external relations officer of MNTC, saying that the telco could start issuing SIM cards later this year, but that it will not launch services until 2018. He added: We will do our best in this market, and we will try to ensure our communication networks reaches 95% of the population.
Viettel has said it plans to invest $1.5 billion in MNTC. The third and smallest shareholder in the new licensee, with 23%, is Myanmar National Telecom Holding Public, which represents 11 local companies.
Viettel has a number of mobile investments worldwide, including Cambodia, Peru and Tanzania.
Russia Decriminalizes Domestic Violence, Legalizing The Order of Things
A Change.org petition calling for Russia to implement stronger, not weaker, domestic violence laws
As womens rights activists around the word inch slowly closer to properly addressing and combating domestic violence, Russia just took a step in the opposite direction.
On Wednesday, Russias lower house of parliament, the Duma, voted to decriminalize battery within the family, downgrading it from a criminal offense to an administrative offense.
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The new law, supported by 368 out of 370 senators, means that family violence that does not result in medical treatment or sick leave for the victim is not criminal (completely disregarding the severe mental health effects of domestic violence). If violence occurs more than once per year, it can potentially still be considered criminal, although its not clear under what circumstances.
Russian journalist Olga Bobrova wrote in November that domestic violence is dangerously normalized in Russia, and that the new law only legalizes the order of things, which was strengthened in the minds of Russians.
Changemakers argued that the law should reflect the traditional power dynamics within the family, and should not "contradict the system of social values that society holds on to, ultraconservative senator Yelena Mizulina told the Moscow Times.
Because apparently laws are meant to protect unfair power dynamics rather than those who suffer from them. Ugh.
You may or may not remember Senator Mizulina as the author of the so-called gay propaganda law, which made exposing minors to representations of non-traditional relationships a crime in Russia.
Official data on domestic violence in Russia is limited. According to the BBC, Estimates based on regional studies suggest some 600,000 women in Russia face physical and verbal abuse at home and 14,000 die from injuries inflicted by husbands or partners each year - almost 40 a day. A 2010 report to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women stressed the inadequacy of Russian law in dealing with domestic violence, recommending the introduction of protective orders for victims, rehabilitation programs, and recategorization of family violence from private to public prosecution. Definitely didn't mention decriminalization. Nope.
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A Russian petition on Change.org was already calling for stronger measures, not weaker ones. You can sign it here.
Published January 13, 2017
Image: Change.org
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- T. S. Eliot
Thoughts After Lambeth
"The World is trying the experiment of attempting to form a civilized but non-Christian mentality. The experiment will fail; but we must be very patient in awaiting its collapse; meanwhile redeeming the time: so that the Faith may be preserved alive through the dark ages before us; to renew and rebuild civilization, and save the World from suicide."
Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh.blog spot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work.
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..Abu Yehuda..13 January '17..In May 1948, with the end of the British Mandate, various Arab nations invaded Palestine with the encouragement of their patron, Britain, with the intention of seizing the territory for themselves. In particular, Jordan (then called Transjordan) occupied Judea, Samaria and eastern Jerusalem, killing or driving out the Jewish population of these areas.The Mandate, which was established for the benefit of the Jewish people and which called for settlement of Jews in what was then called Palestine, echoed the language of the Balfour declaration, which referred to a national home for the Jewish people. The Zionist leadership of the(the pre-state entity in the land of Israel) quite reasonably interpreted this as a sovereign state. But the British preferred to see it become part of its Arab client states or at least ruled by Arabs. They had gotten used to Palestine as part of their empire, and didnt trust the Zionists. They also feared Soviet influence over a Jewish state, since the leadership of therepresented the left wing of Zionism. And of course the usual anti-Jewish attitudes played a role.So Britain subverted the Mandate by being partial to the Arabs throughout its existence, encouraged Arabs from the region to immigrate to Palestine, fought against Jewish immigration even for Jews fleeing the Holocaust tried to prevent the declaration of the Jewish state in 1948, and supported the Arab invaders with arms and even British officers.In 1949, the new state of Israel and Jordan signed a ceasefire agreement which delineated the boundary between the Israeli- and Jordanian-controlled areas. Moshe Dayan drew a line on a map with a green pencil, and this boundary henceforth was called the Green Line. The cease-fire agreement very clearly stated that the Green Line was not a border; it had no political significance and only marked the locations of the opposing forces at the time of their disengagement. The Jordanians were adamant about this, because they viewed the situation as unsatisfactory and temporary:
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The results of the 'Upper Division Grade Limited Departmental Competitive' exam results, 2016 has been released by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC). Candidates can view it on the SSC official website.
The computer based examination was held on December 3, 2016 and December 31, 2016 at various centres across the nation. Over 270 candidates had appeared for the exam.
How to check the SSC UGLDC Exam 2016 results:
In order to check the same, all the candidates need to follow the below mentioned steps:
Log on to the official website ssc.nic.in
Click on relevant link
Click on the activated link 'Upper Division Grade Limited Departmental Competitive Examination, 2016. Declaration of result of Paper-1 for evaluation of Paper-II'
The results will be displayed
Take a print out of the same for future reference.
The examination was held to fill vacancies in the Select List of Upper Division Grade of various Services/ Cadres for posts in:
Central Secretariat Clerical Service
Railway Board Secretariat Clerical Services
Armed Forces Headquarters Clerical Service
Central Hindi Directorate
M/o Human Resource Development (Deptt.of Higher Education)
Central Vigilance Commission
Central Administrative Tribunal (PB)
Ministry of External Affairs
Ministry of Environment and Forests
About SSC
Staff Selection Commission (SSC) is an organization under Government of India to recruit staff for various posts in the various Ministries and Departments of the Government of India and in Subordinate Offices. This commission is an attached office of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) which consists of Chairman, two Members and a Secretary-cum-Controller of Examinations. His post is equivalent to the level of Additional Secretary to the Government of India.
The Estimates committee in the Parliament recommended the setting up of a Service Selection Commission in its 47th report (1967-68) for conducting examinations to recruit lower categories of posts. Later, in the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, on 4th November 1975 Government of India constituted a commission called Subordinate Service Commission.
On 26th September 1977, Subordinate Services Commission was renamed as Staff Selection Commission. The functions of Staff Selection Commission were redefined by The Government of India through Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions on 21st May 1999. Then the new constitution and functions of Staff Selection Commission came into effect from 1st June 1999. Every year SSC conducts the SSC Combined Graduate Level Examination for recruiting non-gazetted officers to various government jobs.
The updated Mercedes S-Class will gain the most advanced autonomous systems in the market to further establish its leading position in the market.
The news came from Ola Kallenius, the companys research and development boss who spoke to Autocar at the Detroit Motor Show.
Mercedes continues the tradition of offering simply the best with the S-Class, and the upcoming mid-life facelift model proves just that, as it not only is going to adopt new powertrains but is also going to feature the first intelligent integration of sensor and map data on a production car.
The system will allow the new S-Class to read upcoming corners with the use of its sensors and the on-board map data and decide whether the vehicles speed is too high or not, braking the car if necessary, driving it through the bend and resume at its original speed.
And while the existing system will steer itself along 80% of Germanys autobahns and a small number of highways, the new system will be effective on almost all autobahns and 80% of highways, explained Kallenius to the publication.
If you use the indicators approaching a 90-degree turn, it will drop your speed until you can make the turn. Kalenius also noted that their system must be capable of predicting all potential scenarios. You dont want to be going around a blind bend, discovering the white lines have disappeared and being a meter out at the exit, he added.
The self-driving system will also bring the car to a full stop, switch on the hazard lights, unlock the doors and call the emergency services if the driver takes his hands off the wheel for a longer period and all warnings fail as an extra safety measure, proving that the road to a fully autonomous vehicle is still a few years away.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops
PHOTO GALLERY
Following a previous announcement made by Honda earlier this week, Ford has gone down the same road and is now recalling more vehicles fitted with the defective Takata-made airbag inflators.
The latest action represents primarily a planned expansion of previously recalled vehicles to new geographic regions, as the Michigan-based automotive giant explains, covering a total of 816,309 cars, including 654,695 in the US and federalized territories, and 161,174 in Canada.
Included in this list are the 2005-2009 and 2012 Ford Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2006-2009 and 2012 Fusion, 2007-2009 Ranger and Edge, 2006-2009 and 2012 Lincoln Zephyr and Lincoln MKZ, 2007-2009 MKX, and 2006-2009 Mercury Milan. Owners of these vehicles will soon be contacted by the manufacturer, informing them of the issue, and after an appointment will be made with an official dealer, technicians will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge.
Ford states that its not aware of any injuries or deaths associated with this condition in the aforementioned cars. However, the dangerous airbag inflators, which are known to explode with excessive force in the event of a crash, have already claimed 16 deaths worldwide, and are responsible for more than 150 injuries.
PHOTO GALLERY
As it does every year, the Tokyo Auto Salon hosts a great number of customized vehicles and concepts, which happens to be something that Honda Access knows a great deal about.
For those who dont know, Honda Access deals in automotive customization. Its a subsidiary of the Honda Group, tasked with manufacturing accessories for cars and bikes, focusing on the preferences of local buyers.
Its very similar to Toyotas TRD division, which also brought a few concept cars to Tokyo, a group highlighted by the Aggressive and Extreme versions of the C-HR. Without further ado, heres what Honda had cooking for us this year:
T880 CONCEPT
Based on the idea that a working/utilitarian car is a cool car, the T880 Concept is meant to take the idea of the classic Honda Acty truck to the next level. The Acty model has already reached its fourth-generation and throughout its life cycle, has been available as both a truck as well as a small van.
The retro-modern concept actually reminds us of the second-generation Acty, thanks to its round headlights.
VEZEL GEAR CONCEPT
The Honda Vezel Gear is as utilitarian as they come. This crossover has a strong visual presence and is meant to attract people who are generally very active, especially outdoors.
The fact that it says Climb Park Base Camp Since 2010 on it, makes it even easier for us to identify its target market obviously, people who arent afraid to climb the occasional mountain.
S660 NEO CLASSIC PROTOTYPE
Honda first brought the S660 Neo Classic to last years Tokyo Auto Salon, where it won the grand prize during the Custom Car contest. This particular model does look a bit more sporty than the original (thanks to its racing livery), though the overall shape and details remain the same aside from the new wheels and mirrors that is.
PHOTO GALLERY
Kia Motors have been toying with the idea of bringing a Nissan Juke rival on the European market for quite some time, and it seems that they have already taken a first step into launching it.
The Korean automaker recently trademarked the Stonic name, which JustAuto believes will be used on the upcoming sub-compact crossover for Western markets.
While its said to be introduced this year, dont expect to see it in Geneva, as Kia will focus on promoting the Stinger diesel and a new Picanto. Instead, rumor has it that the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, is the event chosen by the Koreans to unveil the B-segment SUV, which will challenge the likes of the Renault Captur, Opel/Vauxhall Mokka, Peugeot 2008 and others.
Nobody outside the company knows what it looks like, but its believed to use the same architecture as the Dongfeng Yueda Kia KX3, a similarly-sized vehicle that is aimed at the Chinese market, but which is considered too unsophisticated for Europe.
Its still too early to talk about where it will be assembled, but its likely that Sohari, in South Korea, where the KX3 is put together, could be assigned for producing the Stonic, alongside factories in Slovakia and Mexico.
Note: Chinese market Kia KX3 pictured
PHOTO GALLERY
It only took a few days after the 2018 Lexus LS world premiere in Detroit for someone to give the Japanese brands next-gen luxury sedan a two-door Photoshop treatment.
As imagined here by X-Tomi, the LS Coupe would try to snatch some sales from the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe, a task that seems a lot more difficult than just going after the sedan, which is probably why Lexus has no current plans for such a model.
Those looking into a Lexus flagship will have to settle either for the four-door LS, which will launch in no less than 90 countries, worldwide, and reach US shores by the end of the year, with pricing info to be announced close to that date, or better yet, the much more sportier and edgier LC 500.
The new Lexus LS offers a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that uses F1 tech and is good for 415 horsepower and 442 pound-feet (600 Nm) of torque, allowing for a 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) sprint in 4.5 seconds.
PHOTO GALLERY
There may be a new generation Leaf in the pipeline, but until it breaks cover, Nissan has substantially modified the current one, fitting it with self-driving technology.
The zero-emission vehicle will demonstrate its autonomous driving abilities to government officials and technical and safety experts, who will be given the opportunity to test the technology on the streets of London, as of next month.
Nissans latest announcement follows a visit to the brands Technical Center Europe (NTCE) in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, by the UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Greg Clark, who said:
Government and industry are working together to build on our world class reputation for excellence as a leading location for automotive R&D and manufacturing. We want to see centers, like Nissans here in Cranfield, continue to develop, making us a world leader in the development and testing of auto technology so we can anchor the next generation of vehicle manufacturing and its supply chain here in the UK.
A few years will pass until Nissan (and other automakers) will launch a fully autonomous car aimed at consumers, but until then, the company is getting ready to implement the semi-autonomous technology in the facelifted Qashqai and next generation Leaf, both of which have been officially confirmed to be coming soon.
PHOTO GALLERY
Practically every Rolls Royce that leaves the factory today is a bespoke creation, but the British luxury car maker can create some really special cars, if the customer is willing to pay for it.
In a world where exclusivity is considered to be the most treasured value, Rolls Royce has managed to build some truly unique versions of its models, satisfying the needs of its most demanding customers.
With the help of the companys designers, engineers and craftspeople, Rolls Royce will practically let you do anything you want with its cars.
In commissioning these extraordinary objects in close collaboration with our designers they create a timeless legacy, often profoundly inspired by the most important moments in their lives, said Torsten Muller-Otvos, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Rolls-Royce will never stray from this path, ensuring the precious relationship between patron, house and artisan is never derogated by proliferation.
Phantom Zenith Collection
In its last year of production, the Phantom Coupe and Phantom Drophead Coupe said goodbye in spectacular fashion with the Zenith Collection. The final 25 cars came with a meticulously engineered and crafted glass-shelf on the rear split tailgate to serve champagne while each car came with a single piece of the Phantoms assembly line, complete with the exact co-ordinates from the place where the metal was extracted.
The Peace and Glory Phantom
This is one of the final bespoke Phantom Extended Wheelbase models, created for a customer in Vietnam. The companys craftspeople were able to replicate the pattern of a tigers fur in the rear center console, with the rest of the cabin finished in a two-tone design of Moccasin and Fawn Brown leather which features multiple custom motifs stitched into the hide and laid into the veneer by hand.
The Blue Magpie Phantom Drophead Coupe
Built for a customer in Taiwan, this Phantom Drophead Coupe comes with an exterior finished in Silverlake with an Andalusian White bonnet and an engraved Spirit of Ecstasy in gold. The headrests are embroidered with the blue magpie which lives only in Taiwan with the boot floor finished in teak with white maple inserts.
Dusk until Dawn
To celebrate the opening of the Rolls Royce Summer studio in Porto Cervo, the companys team created bespoke versions of both the Wraith and the Dawn. The Wraith is finished in a two-tone Premiere and Jubilee Silver paint on a very vibrant interior which combines Tailored Purple, Purple Silk and Powder Blue leather trim, with ostrich leather on the center consoles and door panniers.
The Dawn is finished in Emerald Green with matching interior accents on Seashell leather. The interior is also fitted with open-pore teak which is enhanced by a bespoke jewel with emerald stones and mother of pearl that adorns the display lid.
Rolls Royce Inspired By The Greats
Commissioned by a dealer in the Middle East, this Ghost pays tribute to the work of the great classical composers. A clef-like motif can be found both on the outside and inside where its adorned on the clock, laid in the wood and stitched into the headrests. One of the highlights is the barrel oak veneer dashboard panel which features a folded back design, revealing underneath the dark ebony woodwork which is inscribed with the exact musical notation from the owners favorite piece.
Nautical Dawn for Pebble Beach
Inspired by the high-performance yachts, a nautical-themed Dawn was ordered from a customer in Florida. The car was delivered to her at the 2016 Pebble Beach and is finished in a combination of Arctic White with a Midnight Sapphire windscreen surround and bonnet. A teak rear deck, Canadel teak interior panels and a cabin clock inspired by the owners favorite watch are included in the many bespoke details across the car.
Michael Fux Blue Pebble Beach Dawn
US collector Michael Fux ordered one of the boldest examples of the companys bespoke designs. Fux even developed his own color, dubbed Fux Blue which will remain exclusive to him alone, while the cabins fittings, leather and veneers are finished in Arctic White creating one of the most unusual vehicles in this list.
After the cheating emissions scandal hampered its global efforts to push diesel models, VW decided to play the EV card, and one of the vehicles that will come out of this strategy is a zero-emission SUV.
The battery-powered model will be previewed by a study in late April, at the Shanghai Auto Show, and its production version is expected after 2020, as the brands second EV to ride on the MEB modular architecture, as AutoNews reports.
Speaking with the publication at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, the Volkswagen head of design, Klaus Bischoff, states that the SUVs fate has been already decided, but he refused to give word on whether this will be a compact or a midsize model.
In the meantime, the automaker is focusing on an entirely new electric concept, the I.D. Buzz, which is celebrating its premiere in Motor City. It follows the BUDD-e concept from 2015 and comes with a futuristic design, an 111 kWh battery, and two electric motors that push it from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 5 seconds.
By presenting the study in Detroit, Volkswagens ultimate goal is that of generating enough interest to put it into series production, according to Bischoff.
VW T-Prime GTE Concept pictured
PHOTO GALLERY
Photo: The Canadian Press
After 15 months on the job, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is embarking on a cross-Canada tour, ostensibly to reconnect with Canadians or at least those who can't afford $1,525 to bend his ear in private.
It seems Trudeau and other federal cabinet ministers have a fondness for political fundraising events held behind closed doors, far away from prying eyes.
In political slang, it's better known as cash-for-access, not to be confused with its kissing cousin, pay-to-play.
Read more.
Photo: NBC2 News
A maid of honour did everything she wasnt supposed to.
The Florida wedding was beautiful to start, but turned ugly.
The woman is facing several charges, reports Florida's NBC-2 News.
She was a mess," guest Robert Templeton said to NBC-2. "She drank almost a whole entire bottle of Fireball."
David and Jennifer Butler thought everything was running smoothly on their big day. The bride and groom had their cake and first dance, but maid of honour Amanda Willis was just getting going.
"She just went up to the best man and grabbed his keys out of his pocket and jumped in his car," said Templeton.
Willis almost hit the best man, the grooms brother, as she was backing out.
After driving, she went back inside, grabbed a bottle of rum and guzzled it, according to the bride.
Police arrived at the wedding, but Willis claimed to have an asthma attack. She was taken to a local hospital, where she exposed herself to deputies, assaulted two medics and kicked over her bed pan.
The bride said the two are no longer friends.
Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer
A Penticton man is now facing 12 charges in connection to a shooting incident that took place early Monday morning in the city.
Harley McBride, 35, was originally facing one charge of assault with a weapon, but several firearms offences have been added.
A bail hearing set for McBride in Penticton court on Thursday was adjourned to Monday, as there is outstanding disclosure.
The police investigation on the matter is also ongoing.
McBride requested to be released on bail on Thursday as, he claimed, he has been sitting in cells, unable to make phone calls. However, he will remain in custody at least until the hearing on Monday.
There is a publication ban on any evidence released in court.
Photo: RCMP Marek James Anisimowicz
Coquitlam RCMP are on the lookout for a violent offender who attacked a police officer.
Police are hoping tips from the public can help them locate Marek James Anisimowicz, 36, of Burnaby.
Anisimowicz is wanted for assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm and flight from police.
On Dec. 30, 2016, at about 4 p.m. at the corner of Mary Hill Road and McAllister Avenue in Port Coquitlam, a Port Moody police officer was trying to arrest a man.
The suspect is accused of struggling with the police officer before getting into a car and driving away. The Port Moody Police officer was injured in the process, but his injuries are not life-threatening and it is hoped he will make a full recovery, said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin.
An extensive investigation by Coquitlam RCMP has not been able to locate the suspect, and a Canada-wide arrest warrant was issued.
Anisimowicz is 511 tall, about 221 pounds, with dirty blonde or brown hair and he could be wearing glasses.
Anisimowicz has a distinctive neck tattoo with cursive writing on the right side of his neck and was last seen wearing all dark clothing, grey Air Jordan shoes and a black and white scarf with faces on it.
There is a strong possibility that Anisimowicz has left B.C., said McLaughlin. If you see Anisimowicz, do not approach him. Please call 911 immediately.
Anyone with information that could locate Anisimowicz, are urged to call Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550 and ask for Cpl. Scott Grimmer. To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or go to solvecrime.ca.
Photo: The Canadian Press
Despite having the second highest poverty rate in Canada, British Columbia has yet to develop a poverty reduction plan a fact a think-tank is urging the government to change.
A recent report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, titled Long Overdue: Why B.C. Needs a Poverty Reduction Plan, highlights the province's lack of a plan and pushes for change.
Strong policies are urgently needed to dramatically reduce and ultimately eliminate poverty in our province, the report states. Comprehensive and ambitious poverty reduction plan for B.C. is long overdue.
The report states that B.C. has a poverty rate of 13.2 per cent, the second highest in the country. And poverty rates have remained similar to rates prior to the 2008 recession, and much higher than historic lows in the 1970s and 1980s.
While the government touts 'jobs' as its answer to poverty, a large share of the poor have already taken such advice and are currently employed in the low-wage labour market, says the report.
The think-tank says the current poverty gap could be erased, eliminating all poverty in the province, with $5.8 billion.
The report suggests several steps the government can take to reduce poverty:
Photo: Contributed
A Falkland-based hunting show is getting a big-name sponsor.
Bushnell Canada has announced it will be the title sponsor of Trigger Effect.
Bushnells Trigger Effect is a hunting TV series that films the adventures of hosts Dean Trumbley and Kent Michie along with their professional staff of Jason Bellows and Chris Kitt.
The team films all over the world and across Canada.
This seasons episodes will include hunting wild boar Louisiana, whitetail in Manitoba and black buck in Argentina. Utilizing the career/educational backgrounds of the hosts and pro-staff, Bushnells Trigger Effect has a heavy education aspect to the show, but still focuses on footage of action-packed hunts.
Photo: Google Maps
The District of Hudson's Hope on the edge of the Peace River in northeastern B.C. has reached a $1-million agreement with BC Hydro for compensation to mitigate the impacts of the Site C hydroelectric dam.
A joint news release from Hudson's Hope and Hydro says they've reached a partnership agreement after extensive discussions.
The release says the funding includes a one-time payment of $442,000 in recognition of lands affected by the dam project and a donation of $268,000 to support community facilities and infrastructure.
Community leaders has previously said the $8.8-billion dam under construction on the river would put over 1,000 hectares of land in the district territory at risk of erosion.
Hudson's Hope Coun. Dave Heiberg says the agreement will support quality services and infrastructure for district residents.
The controversial dam has faced protests and legal action from landowners, First Nations and human-rights groups, but construction is moving ahead with the federal government approving permits last year to allow work to begin on diverting water flows.
UPDATE FRI 12:00 p.m.
It was business as usual at Theo's Restaurant in Penticton, Friday, after a fire at the location on Thursday night.
It was just a chimney fire and there was no other damage, according to owner Nikos Theodosakis.
"Things are going well, and the restaurant is open," he said.
UPDATE THURS 8:00 p.m.
Diners at Theos Restaurant had their meals interrupted Thursday evening after a chimney fire ignited.
Fire crews were called to the Main Street restaurant at 6:52 p.m. and were met by flames shooting out the top of the chimney.
The whole inside flue was built up with creosote and was burning quite well, but no extension beyond the chimney itself, said fire captain Rae Simpson.
Simpson said his crews gained access to the top of the roof, and extinguished the fire from the top down.
Restaurant owner Nikos Theodosakis said they had the chimney cleaned last month.
Despite that, I guess there was a bit of creosote build up it ignited. Its happened in the last 40 years about three or four times.
Both Simpson and Theodosakis said the fire caused light smoke throughout the restaurant.
ORGINAL THURS 7:40 p.m.
Firefighters rushed to Theo's Restaurant on Penticton's Main Street Thursday evening to find flames shooting from the chimney.
Crews were called to the downtown restaurant just before 7 p.m. and quickly climbed to the roof to fight the blaze.
The restaurant was evacuated and Main Street was reduced to one lane, as firefighters knocked down the flames and prevented them from spreading.
Photo: File photo
A Canadian Pacific Railway freight train carrying coal derailed near Ashcroft Thursday afternoon.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has confirmed the incident and says two investigators have been deployed to the scene.
An unknown amount of coal has reportedly been spilled into the Thompson River.
TSB spokeswoman Julie Leroux says 29 cars derailed around 3:45 p.m.
CP Rail spokesman Jeremy Berry says there were no injuries to the crew and no dangerous goods were involved in the incident.
Berry says CP Rail is taking the incident extremely seriously and has enacted its emergency response process.
The cause of the derailment is still unknown, and the Transportation Safety Board expects to learn more once investigators survey the scene Friday morning.
Photo: Contributed
The Delta Police Department is the first police force in Canada to use GPS-enabled darts to track vehicles they suspect may try and flee.
The StarChase Pursuit system has been installed in eight Delta police cars, allowing an officer to fire the dart at a vehicle, preventing the need for a dangerous chase.
The police force has had a policy of not engaging in high-speed chases, due to the danger it poses to the public.
"In 2016 we had over 70 fail-to-stop incidents in our area," Delta PD spokesperson Sharlene Brooks told CTV News.
Suspects had become wise to the fact they wouldn't be followed.
An officer used the new dart system for the first time Wednesday night, after noticing a driver behaving suspiciously.
"He felt if he activated his lights it may initiate a flight from police," Brooks said.
Before the officer turned on his lights, he launched the dart.
The driver ended up pulling over when instructed.
- With files from CTV Vancouver
Photo: RCMP
A drunk driver picked the wrong car to hit.
Just after 11 p.m. Thursday, an RCMP cruiser was T-boned by a small car leaving an alley onto 5th Avenue in Kamloops.
It struck the cruiser without stopping, hitting it by the driver's door and with enough force to push the police car off the road and onto the sidewalk.
The crash happened near St. Paul Street.
Roads were icy at the time, but the driver, a 20-year-old Kamloops woman, appeared to have been drinking, says Staff Sgt. Edward Preto.
She was taken to the Kamloops police detachment for a breathalyzer test, which she failed.
The driver was released on a promise to appear in Kamloops Provincial Court on Feb. 2 on charges of driving over 0.08 blood-alcohol level.
Damage to the police car was significant, and it is not longer driveable.
There were no injuries in the collision.
Photo: Google Street View
A mother and infant were struck by a utility truck while crossing the street in suburban Victoria, Thursday afternoon.
They were rushed to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after the collision in a Langford intersection.
The woman was carrying her baby while crossing Veterans Memorial Parkway.
The truck was turning left onto the street. Police say the driver, who was ticketed for failing to yield to a pedestrian, was blinded by the sun.a
Police provided first aid until paramedics arrived.
with files from CTV Vancouver Island
Photo: Contributed
A 12-year-old New York City boy is accused of pulling a gun on a classmate and demanding that she give him her chicken nugget.
Police say the boy first approached the girl inside a McDonald's in Harlem on Tuesday and asked her for one of her Chicken McNuggets. When the girl refused, police say the boy followed her as she walked to a nearby subway station and pointed a gun at her head, demanding that she give him a nugget.
Police say the girl smacked the gun away and told the boy to leave her alone.
The girl reported the incident to school officials the next day and the boy was taken into police custody for attempted robbery. The gun was not found, and it's unclear if it was real.
Photo: The Clarion Ledger
Luke and Hillary Gardner never have a problem remembering each other's birthday. After all, the husband and wife were born the same day. And so was their son, 27 years later this past December.
The odds of that happening are about one in 133,000, statisticians say. And that's a lot less likely than getting hit by lightning sometime in your lifetime, which some put at roughly one in 12,000.
They weren't aiming at a joint birthday when their son Cade Lee Gardner was conceived, said Luke Gardner, an assistant pastor at a Baptist church in northeast Mississippi and a student at a nearby campus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
"I really didn't even put it together until we got pregnant," he said in a telephone interview Wednesday. "Then we realized, 'Oh, wow!'"
Using a smartphone app, he said, his wife calculated a due date of Dec. 15, three days before their joint birthday. Her obstetrician called it for Dec. 19.
So the couple from Baldwyn, Mississippi, got in some exercise to try to hurry the baby up a bit. The night of Dec. 17, Gardner said, "we went walking" around the parking lot at First Baptist Church of Baldwyn, where Gardner is outreach pastor.
Whether or not the exercise sped things up, Cade was born at 10:01 a.m. on Dec. 18 exactly 27 years after his parents' birthdate.
"Hillary is exactly six hours older than me," Luke Gardner said. She was born at 8:10 a.m. and her husband at 2:10 p.m. on Dec. 18, 1989.
The chance of meeting someone born the same day as you is one in 365, explained Tumulesh Solanky, chair of the math department at the University of New Orleans. He said the chance of two people being born on the same day and having a baby on their birthday is about 1/365 times 1/365.
"That comes out to .0000000751 seven zeros and then 751," or about 7.5 in a million, he said, which comes to about one in 133,000. Statisticians note that this ignores such factors as leap years and the fact that births are not evenly spaced throughout the year.
Photo: The Canadian Press Construction on the presidential reviewing stand on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House.
The inauguration of a new president requires the recitation of a 35-word oath. That's it. Dress it up with some hoopla and glitz, though, and pretty soon you're talking real money.
Donald Trump will have it to spend.
Trump's Presidential Inaugural Committee has raised a record $90 million-plus in private donations, far more than President Barack Obama's two inaugural committees. They collected $55 million in 2009 and $43 million in 2013, and had some left over on the first go-round.
But while Trump has raised more money for his inauguration than any president in history, he's aiming to do less with it. Lead inaugural planner Tom Barrack said this week the Trump team wants to avoid a "circus-like atmosphere" in favour of a more "back to work" mindset that surrounds Trump "with the soft sensuality of the place."
Trump's committee has declined to provide details on how it's aiming to spend its hefty bankroll. Steve Kerrigan, CEO for Obama's inaugural committee in 2013 and chief of staff in 2009, said the $90 million fundraising haul looks like overkill.
"I can't imagine how they are going to spend that amount of money and why they would even keep raising money," he said. "We planned the two largest inaugurations in the history of our country and we never spent anywhere near that."
Trump this week promised a "very, very elegant day" with "massive crowds."
Trump is holding three inaugural balls; Obama had 10 balls at his first inaugural. Trump's team also hopes to keep its parade to 90 minutes. The longest parade, with 73 bands and 59 floats, lasted more than four and half hours, at Dwight Eisenhower's first inauguration, in 1953.
And don't forget all those portable toilets. There were 1,100 along the parade route in 2013.
More than 5,000 active duty service members and 7,500 National Guard members will take part, too.
Photo: The Canadian Press
Robert Spencer said he often saw children playing on the porch of the home across the street from his in their northeast Baltimore neighbourhood. When he looked out the window early Thursday morning, the home was in flames.
Spencer ran toward the fire, but it was so big and hot he couldn't help them. Six of the family's nine children were killed, while their mother and three of her other children were able to escape but were injured, a fire official said.
"I heard the kids crying. My daughter heard them. They said: 'Help, help,' and you know, couldn't save them, couldn't save them," Spencer said. "There was just too much fire there."
All six bodies were recovered from the home Thursday, fire department spokesman Chief Roman Clark said.
Clark said the children killed were two boys, ages 9 months and 2 years; 3-year-old twin girls; and two girls, ages 10 and 11.
Investigators are searching for clues about what caused the fire.
Firefighters encountered heavy flames coming from all three floors of the home when they answered the call about 12:30 a.m. Thursday, and they attacked the blaze from outside, Clark said. The third floor collapsed and the second floor partially collapsed. The fire was so hot that it melted parts of a car that had been parked in front of the house.
The children's mother and two boys, ages 4 and 5, were in critical condition Thursday at a hospital. Clark said an 8-year-old girl who helped rescue her younger brothers was in "good shape."
William Malone said all nine are his children with Katie Malone, who's a staff member for Rep. Elijah Cummings' district office.
William Malone told The Associated Press he wasn't home at the time of the fire because he was at work for a restaurant. He said one of the three children taken to the hospital after the blaze has since been released.
"I'm still in shock to be honest," said Malone, who was reached by phone at a relative's home. He said he doesn't know what may have caused the fire. Clark said William Malone told him he had recently changed the batteries in a smoke detector in the house.
Photo: The Canadian Press
The International Space Station's solar power grid got three more top-of-the-line batteries Friday during the second spacewalk in a week.
Commander Shane Kimbrough and French crew member Thomas Pesquet plugged in three new lithium-ion batteries, adding to the three hooked up last week.
Just like before, the station's robotic handyman saved the spacewalkers considerable time and risk by removing the decade-old nickel-hydrogen batteries and positioning the new ones for wiring. The robot is named Dextre, short for dexterous, with 11-foot-long arms that were operated remotely by flight controllers in Houston.
Kimbrough and Pesquet hustled through the job. Within three hours, the men successfully wrapped up the battery work.
Pesquet, a rookie astronaut, became France's first spacewalker in 15 years. He called it "a big day."
"Better bring our A-game," Pesquet said in a tweet Thursday evening, "to be safe & efficient."
NASA describes the lithium-ion batteries as critical upgrades to the space station's solar power system. Eighteen more need to be installed over the next two to three years, for a total of 24. The next batch will arrive late this year or early next.
The batteries store electrical power generated by the massive solar wings and are used to run equipment when the 250-mile-high lab is on the nighttime side of Earth.
Both the new and old batteries are the same size: about 3 feet long and wide, and 1 1/2 feet tall, or about as big as half a refrigerator. But the new lithium-ion batteries can hold more charge and keep it longer, and so only half as many are needed 24 instead of 48.
Nine of these old batteries will be trashed at the beginning of February, burning up in the atmosphere along with the trash-filled Japanese cargo ship that delivered them last month.
For the Jan. 6 spacewalk, Kimbrough paired up with the other American on board, Peggy Whitson, the world's oldest and most experienced spacewoman. The lab is also home for three Russians.
Photo: CTV
A crash involving a stolen pickup closed one of Vancouver busiest streets for hours, early this morning.
Two men were arrested after the truck ran a red light and T-boned an SUV at Granville Street and West 16th Avenue.
Police were already responding to the reported theft from the Harwood and Burrard area when the collision happened.
One man was arrested at the scene, and another was tracked down and taken into custody with the help of a police dog.
A woman in the SUV suffered minor injuries, as did one of the suspects.
Granville Street was reopened by 8 a.m.
with files from CTV Vancouver
Photo: Mike Mortenson
He may have lost his home, but Mike Mortenson has not lost his positive attitude.
Mortenson and his two roommates were burned out of their Old Kamloops Road home when a chimney fire spread to the attic, heavily damaging part of the house.
Everyone escaped unharmed and numerous items were even saved from the burning home. Members of the BX/Swan Lake and Armstrong/Spallumcheen fire departments spent hours putting out the stubborn fire Thursday.
Mortenson has been put up in a hotel for three days, but he is not sure what he is going to do when that time runs out.
It's well known the vacancy rate in the North Okanagan is very low, and matters for Mortenson are even more complicated because he needs a place to park his logging truck.
The former Grand Prairie resident moved to the Okanagan last July and has been saving up to buy his own place, but the fire threw a curve ball into his plans. He says it will still be several months before he is able to purchase his own chunk of land.
But through it all, Mortenson is remaining optimistic things will all work out.
When he posted pictures of the fire on social media with a statement he needs a new place to live, the community rallied with tips on accommodations in the city.
There was also an outpouring of offers ranging from clothes to household items.
We are trying to come up with a game plan now, he said. He is looking at all options, including buying a fifth wheel to live in.
Right now, I'm trying to focus on working. I'm going to need as much capital as I can get.
But, Mortenson admits he does not have a good answer to his looming homeless situation.
I don't know where to go and there is nowhere to put my stuff, he said. I'm trying not to let that get me down. I was stressing about it last night, but there is really nothing you can do. I'm hopeful it will all work out.
Mortenson said the only real requirement he has is somewhere to park his truck, noting the rental could be short term as he saves up to buy his own place
Anyone interested in helping can text Mortenson at 1-587-777-0475.
Photo: Contributed
The BC Centre for Disease Control says more than 70 people have become ill from eating oysters that may have been raw or improperly cooked in homes or restaurants.
The centre says the outbreak has occurred in various parts of the province and more cases are expected.
Dr. Eleni Galanis, an epidemiologist at the centre, says testing in several cases confirmed the presence of norovirus, and the illness is suspected in the other cases.
She says norovirus and other bugs can be killed by cooking oysters to an internal temperature of 90 C for 90 seconds.
Galanis says in a release that eating oysters during the summer is linked to a higher risk of illness from naturally occurring bacteria, but other microorganisms such as norovirus can be present all year.
Anyone who becomes sick with diarrhea and vomiting after eating oysters is advised to call BC HealthLink at 811, and people with severe or persistent symptoms should see a doctor.
Snow will turn to rain Thompson-Okanagan - 10:39 am
Photo: Google Street View
Someone is targeting local auto parts stores in a month-long crime spree.
Vernon RCMP Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy said police have seen a rash of break and enters and attempted break and enters to automotive-based businesses in the last month.
The first was on Dec. 20 at about 4:45 a.m., when someone attempted to break the front door of Vernon Battery on 25th Avenue in Vernon.
Damage was done to the door, but the suspect did not manage to get inside, said Noseworthy.
Just after that incident at about 5 a.m., someone did manage to break into Napa Auto Parts on 43rd Avenue in Vernon where gloves, a battery and a saw were stolen.
Then on Dec. 23, at around midnight, Napa Auto Parts on 43rd Avenue was hit again.
In this incident, a portable TIG welding system was stolen. Surveillance video showed a white truck with a flatbed was used to come and go from the scene, said Noseworthy.
Then the local Lordco auto parts store became the focus of the thief.
On Dec. 30 employees of Lordco reported that overnight someone broke into a storage unit in the back compound and stole 16 Firestone airbag suspension kits.
On Jan. 9, 2017, Lordco employees came to work to find that the storage unit had again been broken into overnight and three Firestone airbag suspension kits were taken.
And on Jan. 11, someone once again broke into the storage unit in the fenced compound at Lordco and stole 45 Walker mufflers, 11 of which had catalytic converters on them.
Members of the Vernon Community Policing Office have been working with local businesses to enhance their security measures in an effort to prevent further crimes.
The public is being cautioned that buying such items second hand could result in you purchasing stolen goods, said Noseworthy, adding the crimes are being actively investigated by police.
Anyone with information about any of the incidents is asked to call police at 250-545-7171, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Photo: snoriderswest.com
It's known as the Houseboat Capital of Canada and now Sicamous can lay claim to a winter title.
The Shuswap community near Salmon Arm was named the snoriderswest.com's Sledtown Showdown Champion of Western Canada for 2017.
Yorkton, Sask., was the runner up in the annual contest that has the public vote on their favourite area to hit the powder.
Close to 15,000 people voted in the third-annual contest.
The Eagle Valley Snowmobile Club maintains four separate sledding areas and said on its website members are proud and honoured to receive the award. A huge thank you to all the sledders that voted for us, we will work hard to show our appreciation this season.
Photo: Castanet Staff
We now know the total cost for B.C. to bring royalty to the province.
But it's unclear specifically how much it cost to tour them around the Okanagan Valley last fall.
The province released a breakdown of its costs Thursday, saying taxpayers spent a total of $613,363 on the royal tour of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their two young children.
While in the province, Will and Kate spent a day in the Okanagan, visiting UBC's Okanagan campus and sampling foods at Mission Hill winery in West Kelowna. However, the specific costs of those events are not available.
"With respect to the Taste of BC event in West Kelowna (at Mission Hill) costs remained low as the produce was generously donated by B.C.s agriculture sector and we were not charged to use the venue," said Karen van Marum, a spokeswoman with the province.
"The only costs incurred were for some travel of chefs to attend."
Meanwhile, the City of Kelowna paid $6,640 toward the visit: $4,214 for fencing, $2,100 for staff time and $326 for in-kind services and waived fees.
Photo: Kevin Rothwell
UPDATED: 1:30 p.m.
The West Kelowna RCMP were assisting a Greyhound bus that was having mechanical issues Friday morning.
Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey of the Kelowna RCMP says the officer remained with the bus until a tow truck came to remove it from the roadside.
ORIGINAL: 1 p.m.
RCMP were taking particular interest in a Greyhound bus in West Kelowna, Friday.
Police were seen on board and around the bus, at Highway 97 and Gossett Road, just before 11 a.m.
The bus was hooked up to a heavy wrecker tow truck, and another bus was seen in the parking lot of a nearby shopping centre.
It's not yet known if police were looking for someone on the bus or if it was a simple breakdown.
Castanet has reached to both Greyhound and the RCMP for more details.
The bus, No. 6272, was bound for Vancouver, according to the sign in its windshield.
The incident caused a brief traffic tie-up in the southbound lanes of Highway 97, heading into downtown Westbank.
Photo: Google Earth
UPDATE 2:45 p.m.
The Grand Forks RCMP is confirming the incident occurred at around 6 p.m on Thursday.
In a statement, Cpl. Janelle Shoihet said officers responded to the scene and seized a weapon. The man who shot himself is now in stable condition.
RCMP Victim Services are also providing support to the members of the family, hospital staff and witnesses.
UPDATE: 2:25 p.m.
The BC Nurses Union says a man walked into the emergency room of the Boundary District Hospital in Grand Forks on Thursday evening and shot himself.
President Gayle Duteil said the man was airlifted to Vancouver Hospital after the incident. Staff were not physically hurt, but are very traumatized and are being assisted by Interior Healths crisis management team.
Our information tells us that this man entered the hospital through the ambulance bay, which is in the back of the hospital, and didnt say anything before he shot himself. There wasnt a lot of forewarning and staff were caught off-guard, Duteil said.
Of course they are extremely distraught as a result. Unfortunately, this is just the tip of the iceberg. There is nothing protecting our members and other front-line staff from this sort of violence. I fear that the problem is only going to get worse.
Duteil added small communities are not immune to the growing number of violent incidents.
At many of these small hospitals, there isnt a security guard or any line of defence between the front door and the triage area. Sometimes locking the doors after hours is the only option.
The BCNU says they spoke with senior management at Interior Health on Friday morning, and will be discussing a future partnership to address the problem of hospital violence. However, the union called on all levels of government, including the Ministry of Health to get involved.
ORIGINAL 1:20 p.m.
The BC Nurses Union is set to make a comment on a shooting in the emergency room of the Boundary District Hospital in Grand Forks, which took place on Jan. 12.
Union President Gayle Duteil will be releasing details on the apparent incident at 2 p.m. Friday.
Neither Interior Health or the RCMP detachment in Grand Forks were willing to offer any comment until after the Nurses Union press conference.
Castanet will post more information as it becomes available.
Photo: Professional Bull Riders
The family of a 25-year-old champion bull rider who died Monday will be donating his brain to scientific researchers to help scientists learn more about traumatic brain injuries.
Ty Pozzobon, the 2016 Professional Bull Riders Canada champion and a four-time PBR World finalist, was found unresponsive near his home in Merritt Monday morning.
The BC Coroners Service has said the death is not suspicious.
In a statement following his death, Pozzobon's mother Leanne highlighted the importance of understanding the implications of head injuries.
On Friday, the family announced they would be donating Pozzobon's brain to Nucleus Bio, a research team based out of Vancouver.
We are grateful to be working with the Pozzobon family to better understand the underlying correlation between traumatic brain injury, concussions and depression that we understand Ty had been struggling with, the research team wrote in a statement.
Our work along with the generous and timely donation of Ty Pozzobons brain has the potential to help advance science and our understanding of the human brain leading to better treatments and patient outcomes for those who experience head and brain injuries and depression.
A funeral for Pozzobon will held Saturday at the Merritt Civic Centre at 1 p.m.
Photo: CP Rail
Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. says no coal cars ended up in the Thompson River near Ashcroft after a train derailed Thursday afternoon but some coal did get into the water.
CP Railway did not say in an update on the accident how much coal was in the river, but it says no dangerous goods were involved.
There were no injuries to the crew.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has sent two investigators to the scene to assess what happened.
The railway says 29 cars derailed at about 3:45 p.m. from a westbound freight train about seven kilometres west of Ashcroft.
If you have just started your journey in an online casino or are looking for a new site to play,...
Caribbean: Rock Hard Cement starts exporting
13 January 2017
Rock Hard cement company has is about to enter markets outside of its homebase of Barbados. Eight months ago it was experiencing a difficult time exporting, but it can now compete in other Carribean markets.
Chief Executive Chairman, Mark Maloney, said a ship off-loaded cement in Barbados last week, and would proceed to St Lucia before heading to St Vincent and the Grenadines and Guyana.
In addition, Rock Hard cement could soon be available in another three countries. "Rock Hard Cement is also looking to work with distributors in Grenada, Dominica and Antigua as well as in markets further north in the coming months," the businessman said.
Mr Maloney had told Barbados Today in April last year the company was setting up a facility in Trinidad and Tobago, with plans to distribute the product to other territories including Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Panama, Suriname, the eastern Caribbean, the French-speaking nations and South America.
The battle for control of the cement market here intensified last August with Rock Hard firmly defending the quality of its product in the face of allegations that it was misleading consumers.
In a statement announcing Rock Hards expansion into new markets, he said the company continued to see "a good response" for its product, pointing out that since its entrance here in November 2015, the product has been well received and was "also doing well" in Trinidad and Tobago.
In addition to new markets, Mr Maloney announced improvements to the packaging of the product, pointing to a change from polypropylene cement bags to Kraft three-ply cement bags and plastic later bags, "to ensure that the product is delivered to the customers with the best packaging."
Published under
Medcem Cameroons local shareholder outlines plans
ICR Newsroom By 13 January 2017
The Cameroonian part-owner of the countrys newest cement producer, Medcem, has spoken of the ambitions behind his partnership with Turkish investors, Business Cameroon reports.
Emmanuel Peughouia is the owner of the Quifeurou group of hardware stores and plans to use this network of outlets to distribute Medcems product. Quifeurou has 56 stores in 35 locations in Cameroon, Chad and the Central African Republic.
We are very proud to be the first Cameroonian business to invest in this sector, which, for several decades, remained inaccessible to nationals, Mr Peughouia said, speaking at the opening of the 0.6Mta Medcem plant in December.
Turkeys Eren Holding is the other major shareholder in Medcem.
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The Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga announces the educational program Israel in Conflict: Origins to BDS will begin on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 6:30 (dinner) with discussion from 7-8 p.m.
Classes will run for six consecutive Wednesdays with the exception of Feb. 15. Classes with dinner are $72. Classes without dinner are $36. Readings and materials will be available for each class and participants will be expected to read assigned materials before coming to each session. They will be the basis for discussion.
To register call 493-0270 ext.10; rsvp@jewishchattanooga.com or visit the Federations website www.jewishchattanooga.com.
Review for Israel in Conflict: Origins to BDS:
What is BDS? The Boycott, Divestment and Sanction movement targeted at Israel has been a growing concern particularly on college campuses across the United States. Coupled with recent activity at the United Nations regarding Israel, the Federation thought it would be a community asset for people to be made aware of modern Israels history.
Content will include the mandate for Palestine, the establishment of the State of Israel, UN Security Council Resolution 242, the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, a history of the BDS movement and much more.
The series will be led by Dr. Norton Wheeler, a retired history professor (Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas and Missouri Southern State University in Joplin). Dr. Wheeler also teaches occasional history classes at UTC.
The Jewish Federation and is programs are open to everyone regardless of religious affiliation. The Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga builds and fosters a strong unified Jewish community and strives to ensure its well-being and continuity locally, in Israel, and throughout the world.
Thursday, on Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Day by Presidential proclamation, Tennessee announces a collaboration between non-government organization (NGO) agencies in each of Tennessees four regions. The Tennessee Anti-Slavery Alliance ensures quality protective services are provided to local human trafficking victims in the most effective and efficient way possible, officials said. "This organized effort is a direct answer to the need for a response system for trafficking survivors in coordination with Governor Haslams 'Tennessee Human Trafficking Services Coordination and Delivery Plan.' This plan is a statewide response to the increased dedication to end human trafficking in Tennessee."
Its extremely important that the state of Tennessee is unified in the response to and prevention of human trafficking in all forms, said Jerry Redman, CEO of Second Life Chattanooga. Were proud to be part of this effort here in the Greater Chattanooga Southeast Tennessee region and will continue to build awareness and support victims of human trafficking with the help of our partners through The Tennessee Anti-Slavery Alliance.
"The trafficking of minors for sex is happening every day in our state. Nearly every county in Tennessee has reported at least one case of human trafficking, and on average 94 children are trafficked in the state every month. The average age of entry into sex trafficking is 13 years old," officials said.
Second Life works directly with law enforcement in regards to finding and helping human trafficking victims effectively and efficiently, said Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond. On behalf of the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office, we support The Tennessee Anti-Slavery Alliance and are committed to continuing efforts to end human trafficking.
Tennessee received an A for the strength of human trafficking laws on the Shared Hope Internationals Protected Innocence Challenge 2016 report card. However, the study sites that the lack of specific protective responses may leave them vulnerable.
Training on the issue of human trafficking has become incredibly important, said Chattanooga police Chief Fred Fletcher. For service providers, including Law Enforcement across the state of Tennessee to be uniting together as one to combat trafficking and protect victims is a powerful statement. We are ready to continue the fight alongside of Second Life and support The Tennessee Anti-Slavery Alliance to the best of our abilities.
"The Tennessee Anti-Slavery Alliance consists of four non-profit organizations that are dedicated to supporting the identification and recovery of human trafficking victims. The organizations manage all human trafficking referrals in their designated region, while providing on-the-ground comprehensive, specialized support for victims and their families. They assist law enforcement agencies in sting operations, ensuring victims receive medical and mental health support, safe housing, healing within survivor communities, substance abuse recovery, legal services, legislative assistance, and job training, among other services," officials said.
We work closely with Second Life and fully support The Tennessee Anti-Slavery Alliance to help bring greater awareness to the victims of human trafficking across the state, said Valerie Radu, executive director of the Family Justice Center. Each case of human trafficking is different and our mission is to serve the victims by getting them the mental and medical support they need to heal.
The Tennessee Anti-Slavery Alliance:
West Tennessee:
Restore Corps
RestoreCorps.org
Executive Director Rachel Haaga
901-410-3590
Lower East Tennessee:
Second Life
SecondLifeChattanooga.org
CEO Jerry Redman
423-994-4857
Middle Tennessee:
End Slavery Tennessee
EndSlaveryTN.org
Executive Director Derri Smith
615-806-6899
Upper East Tennessee:
Grow Free TN, Powered by CCAHT
GrowFreeTN.org or CCAHT.org
Executive Director Kate Trudell
865-236-1046
If you need help or suspect a case of human trafficking, call: Tennessee Human Trafficking Hot Line at 1-855-558-6484.
A father and son team in the START-UP NY program have invented a liquid metal printing machine that could represent a significant transformation in manufacturing. A breakthrough idea five years ago by former University at Buffalo student Zack Vader, then 19, has created a machine that prints three-dimensional objects using liquid metal.
Vader Systems is innovating and building the machines in a factory in the CrossPoint Business Park in Getzville. Zack's father Scott, a mechanical engineer, is the CEO. Zack is the chief technology officer. His mother, Pat Roche, is controller.
The machine is so novel it represents a quantum leap in the ability to print three-dimensional objects in metal. Other metal printers exist, but most use a process of laying down powered metal and melting it with a laser or electron beam. In that process, some particles of the powder do not get melted, creating weakened spots.
Manufacturers are very interested in the Vader machine, with one automotive parts maker expressing an interest in eventually buying at least 50 of them. A printer with multiple nozzles could cost more than $1 million.
UB engineering faculty and students work closely with the company
UB has been a source of intellectual assistance, grants and personnel for the startup as it transforms from a brilliant idea into an industry.
The Vaders were working on their invention in the basement of their home in Amherst when Scott decided to reach out to UB for help. "We were working alone in our basement and tackling some pretty deep technical problems," he said.
"We knocked at the door of the university and they welcomed us in," he said. "They set up an impressive first meeting with faculty experts within UB, and they said, 'What are you trying to do? What are your problems and how can we help?'"
The Vaders now have three faculty advisors, are part of the START-UP NY tax-free entrepreneurial program and have won grants from UB's Center for Industrial Effectiveness (UB TCIE), UB's Center for Advanced Biomedical and Bioengineering Technology (UB CAT) grant and a National Grid grant through UB.
In addition, and perhaps most importantly, Scott Vader said, access to university students for internships has helped the company grow. Vader Systems already has hired three mechanical engineering graduates.
"This is what makes really good young engineers, to go from the theory and being able to mix in an internship with a local industry," he said. "They realize that the lab they took is something a company really needs."
Inspiration spawned by disappointment
Zack Vader, now 24, started focusing on metal printing when his plans to hire a company to 3-D print parts for a microturbine generator were stymied. No company could print the parts he needed, so he decided to make his own metal printer. His breakthrough came when he thought to expose molten metal in a confined chamber with an orifice to a pulsed magnetic field. The transient field induces a pressure with the metal that ejects a droplet. That was the key to making droplets of liquid metal eject from a nozzle.
Professor Edward P. Furlani, PhD, in UB's Chemical and Biological Engineering and Electrical Engineering departments, said that Vader's process mimics drop-on-demand inkjet printing and is based on the principles of magnetohydrodynamics, i.e. the manipulation of conductive fluids using a magnetic field. In Vader's device, an electrically-pulsed magnetic field permeates liquid metal in an ejection chamber and creates circulating electrical currents that interact with the magnetic field to produce a pressure that squeezes a droplet out of the ejector nozzle.
"It's a transformative technology," Furlani said. "It's very exciting interdisciplinary engineering. I think its application base will continue to broaden and expand for the foreseeable future."
Ciprian N. Ionita, PhD, a research assistant professor in the Biomedical Engineering Department -- a joint effort of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UB -- foresees the Vader Systems printer ultimately printing out custom stents and other surgical devices right in the hospital.
"This is a game changer," he said. The metal powder used in the current metal printing processes is a contaminant that is difficult to clean up and can be toxic inside the body.
The Vader printer also will be valuable making custom knee and hip replacements, he said.
Cheaper, faster, better
The third UB professor advising the Vaders, Chi Zhou, an assistant professor in the Industrial Systems Engineering Department and a 3-D printing expert, said another advantage of the Vader system is that it is "much, much cheaper" than using powered metal.
"I can see at this stage that it can complement traditional metal printing, but later, maybe 10 years later, it can dominate the metal printing market because it can print better quality, cheaper and faster," Zhou said.
Zhou has helped write original open-source software to control the printer. "If they want to add functionality, we can. We have the source code," he said.
One of the most fascinating qualities of a 3-D printer is that a complex part is just as cheap to make as a simple part.
"Complexity does not add cost," Zack Vader said, which is the opposite of traditional manufacturing. That makes the machines very attractive to companies making many complex parts.
Steel printing on the horizon
On a Vader machine, a strand of aluminum is fed into a heat element that melts it at 750 degrees Celsius. The liquefied metal is then passed to a ceramic tube that forms an ejection chamber and has a submillimeter orifice. A magnetic coil surrounds the tube and receives a short-lived electrical pulse to create a pressure within the tube that ejects a droplet of liquid metal through the orifice. The ejected drop is projected downward onto a heated platform that maneuvers to create solid 3-D shapes based on layer-by-layer deposition and the coalescence of the droplets.
Zack Vader said plans are to modify the device, adding nozzles to make it faster. Eventually the machines will be able to melt and print steel at 1,400C.
As the machine evolves, the Vaders plan to expand their operation into an assembly line manufacturing facility. Applications for the device run the gamut. Scott Vader said the automotive industry may be interested in making parts that are now solid metal into hollow and honey-combed structures. The hollow parts would be lighter, stronger and much cheaper. And as for the tiny generator that Zack Vader was hoping to print, it may emerge again someday, now that the technology to make it is advancing.
"That's just been put on the shelf for a while," he said.
Dag Kittlaus, co-founder of Siri,was diagnosed with the same type of pancreatic cancer that killed Steve Jobs. (Keri Wiginton / Blue Sky)
A Chicago-area entrepreneur who helped create Siri is recovering from the same disease that claimed Steve Jobs.
Dag Kittlaus , who sold artificial intelligence platform Viv to Samsung last fall, told Re/code that he found out during a routine doctor's visit in November that there was a large, lemon-sized tumor growing on his pancreas. He co-founded and sold Siri to Apple in 2007.
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It was the same type of cancer that took the Apple co-founder's life in 2011, Kittlaus told Blue Sky in an interview Thursday. "The minute I heard 'pancreatic cancer,' I thought of Steve, because I worked right alongside him up until the time he died and I watched him deteriorate," said Kittlaus, 49. "That was scary to think about."
The type of cancer that afflicted Jobs and Kittlaus, neuroendocrine cancer of the pancreas, accounts for 5 percent of all pancreatic tumors and tends to grow more slowly than other common types, according to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. A National Cancer Institute study found the five-year survival rate to be 42 percent, much higher than the survival rate for all types of pancreatic cancer overall.
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Kittlaus said doctors gave him a 1.5 percent chance of survival, considering all the factors. The day after he learned his diagnosis, surgeons at the University of Colorado removed his spleen, gallbladder and 40 percent of his pancreas.
He said some of the members of the medical team had worked with Jobs during his illness, and that one of the nurses who cared for him was named Siri. He described those coincidences as "strange parallels."
Since the surgery, Kittlaus' odds have improved. He said doctors believe they removed all of the cancer, but that they will continue to monitor him.
Kittlaus, who splits his time between the Chicago suburbs and the Denver area, said he took medical leave of almost two months before recently returning to work. He commutes to Samsung's offices in California, but said plane travel is still uncomfortable for him, as the incision from the surgery is not yet fully healed.
He said he no longer saves the best wine for special occasions dinner with good friends will do and that he's more aware of his nutrition and spending time carefully. His family is a priority, but he said he continues to get fulfillment from work.
"Work for me is about doing things that I'm interested and passionate about and want to do no matter what my health is like," he said.
He told Re/code that he learned "tomorrow is promised to no one."
aelahi@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @aminamania
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 16 The companys offices span783,800 square feet. (Keri Wiginton / Blue Sky)
Insurance company Zurich North America moved into a new Schaumburg campus last year, drawing attention from the Tribunes architecture critic Blair Kamin, who called the new building a powerful display. The massive 11-story office includes more than an acre of green roof space, walking trails, a fitness center and a variety of seating options for work. Goettsch Partners was the architect for the building, and CannonDesign designed the interiors. Jennifer Kyung, Zurich North Americas head of high performance culture, took us for a tour.
Boeing won a $22 billion deal from an Indian budget carrier, pulling off a feat in a single-aisle market ruled by its European rival Airbus.
SpiceJet plans to buy 155 planes, of which 55 were carried over from old orders after renegotiations, the airline based in Gurgaon near New Delhi said in a statement on Friday. It also has options for 50 more, including wide-body aircraft.
The commitment, the largest ever for Boeing from an Indian airline, comes at a time when both the Chicago-based planemaker and Airbus are facing slowing sales and the highest level of delivery deferrals in at least 15 years following a decade-long shopping spree by jetliners. It will also help Boeing widen its footprint in the South Asian country, where most of SpiceJet's low-cost rivals fly Airbus planes.
"Outside of India, Boeing has been doing reasonably well in Asia, with the exception of China," said Richard Aboulafia, an aerospace analyst with Fairfax, Virginia-based Teal Group. "Airbus has enjoyed a strong advantage in India, particularly since Airbus is strongest in single aisles, and the Indian market is heavily weighted towards single aisles."
Though Boeing sold fewer jets than it delivered last year as it navigated a market downturn, demand for the narrow-body planes such as the 737 Max remained strong. India needs 1,850 new aircraft worth $265 billion in 20 years, with single-aisle planes making up a bulk of the new deliveries, according to Boeing forecasts.
Asia Pacific will need 15,130 new airplanes valued at $2.3 trillion in the next 20 years, as economic growth in the region boosts middle-class population. That's 38 percent of the global estimate of 39,620 aircraft, according to Boeing's outlook.
Friday's deal adds to the 348 jetliner sales garnered by the Chicago-based planemaker in India. SpiceJet and AirIndia Express are the only budget carriers to use Boeing aircraft in India, while IndiGo, Go Airlines India and the local unit of AirAsia all fly Airbus jets.
SpiceJet shares jumped as much as 4.2 percent after the deal was announced.
After knocking off the options, a previously unfulfilled and renegotiated deal for 42 jets and an earlier undisclosed order for 13 planes, SpiceJet's firm orders are for 100 737 Max 8 aircraft, which at list prices are worth about $11 billion before discounts. Bloomberg News reported on Jan. 6 that the carrier was close to signing a deal for at least 92 planes valued at $10.1 billion, and may boost the total if final talks yield substantial discounts and favorable maintenance contracts.
"We spent a considerable amount of time negotiating and finalizing the commercial terms, including maintenance of the aircraft," Chairman Ajay Singh said in an interview, adding deliveries will start July 2018 through 2024. "It was important for us to get all the commercial terms right."
For SpiceJet, the order signals its resurgence after almost collapsing more than two years ago. The expansion will help it compete against IndiGo, which has some 400-odd aircraft pending delivery from Airbus and controls the world's fastest-growing major aviation market with a 42 percent share. A representative for Airbus declined to comment.
SpiceJet currently operates a fleet of 32 Boeing 737 jets and 17 Bombardier Q400 turboprops, according to the company. It controls 13 percent of a market that has seen local carriers almost double to 11 in the past five years.
India, where an emerging middle-class is flying for the first time and passenger traffic is growing at double the pace of nearest rival China, is a crucial market for Boeing and Airbus. In 2015, IndiGo, operated by InterGlobe Aviation, ordered 250 planes from Airbus valued at $27 billion. That followed a 2006 deal for 100 A320 planes and 180 A320neos in 2011.
While the potential for growth is prompting airlines in the country to order more planes, they also have a challenge to tackle: Airport infrastructure that hasn't kept pace with the times. Limited landing and parking slots mean longer time spent circling above airports such as Mumbai during peak hours, wasting precious fuel.
"India is an important market both Airbus and Boeing can't ignore," said Shukor Yusof, founder of aviation consulting firm Endau Analytics. The SpiceJet order would give Boeing "a lifeline. There's a lot more to grow in India than other parts of Asia."
Bloomberg's Julie Johnsson and Debjit Chakraborty contributed.
Institutional Capital, the Chicago firm that was once honored by Morningstar for its outstanding international mutual fund, is losing its MainStay ICAP mutual fund business.
The ICAP International Fund's former manager and ICAP founder, Robert Lyon, won the prestigious Morningstar Manager of the Year award in 2005 but died a couple of years later. After Lyon's death, the firm was acquired by New York Life, which confirmed Thursday that it plans to turn over the management of ICAP MainStay funds to Epoch Investment Partners.
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Epoch and ICAP are both New York Life businesses and manage the investments in various MainStay mutual funds. The MainStay mutual funds are also part of New York Life's business. Shareholders in the ICAP MainStay funds will be asked during the next few months to approve the change in investment advisers.
"It's the end of the relationship between ICAP and MainStay," said Susan Wasserman, analyst for Morningstar.
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At the end of December, ICAP was managing $7.5 billion, according to MainStay spokeswoman Allison Scott, including $4.6 billion in the MainStay ICAP Equity Fund, MainStay ICAP Select Equity and MainStay ICAP International fund and MainStay Map fund. In addition to the mutual funds, the Chicago firm has managed investments for institutions such as pension and endowment funds.
Over the last 10 years, ICAP mutual funds "have not performed well and have been losing assets," Wasserman said. In addition, fund managers Jerrold Senser and Tom Wenzel retired, she said. Senser, along with Lyon, won Morningstar's Manager of the Year in 2005. Christopher Kirtley, who has been the manager of the international fund, will continue to work with Epoch as investing responsibilities pass from ICAP to Epoch, Wasserman said.
Epoch Investment Partners is based in New York. Over the next several months, a majority of the ICAP employees in Chicago will be terminated, Scott said.
gmarksjarvis@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @gailmarksjarvis
Northern Trust Corp. headquarters are seen Feb. 25, 2009, in downtown Chicago. The financial services firm is paying more than $4.2 million to settle a lawsuit over investment losses that occured during the 2008 financial crisis. (Scott Olson / Getty Images)
Northern Trust Corp. will pay more than $4.2 million to settle a lawsuit filed by a group that includes two Pontiac, Mich., pension systems over investment losses that occurred during the financial crisis.
The Chicago-based financial services firm violated its fiduciary and contractual duties when it "invested its clients' assets in risky, long-term investments ... that plummeted in value," the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, had alleged.
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The settlement, approved by Judge Jorge Alonso on Wednesday, will be paid to a group of institutional investors, including a Pontiac, Mich., police and fire retirement system that was among the plaintiffs.
Avi Josefson, partner of law firm Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann, which was co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs, said in a court filing last month that the settlement, which received preliminary approval in September, represented "a very favorable result" for the plaintiffs given the "significant risks involved in" not settling, including that they could recover less or nothing.
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"Defendants have mounted a vigorous defense to settling plaintiffs' claims at every stage of this litigation," his filing said. Northern Trust claimed that the financial crisis of 2008 was unforeseeable and that the crisis, not its allegedly questionable investment decisions, was largely responsible for any losses the plaintiffs suffered.
A spokesman for Northern Trust said the firm was pleased to have resolved the litigation.
Other pensions that had sued Northern Trust and settled earlier included the Public School Teachers' Pension and Retirement Fund of Chicago.
In 2015, the Tribune reported that Northern Trust would pay $60 million to settle two class-action lawsuits filed in 2009 by retirement plans unhappy with how Northern Trust ran its securities lending program.
Plaintiffs in those lawsuits included ExxonMobil Savings Plan, the Firefighters' Retirement System of Louisiana and the Chicago teachers' pension fund.
They said Northern Trust "imprudently invested" collateral received from its securities lending activities.
The class-action case that included Exxon was settled for $36 million, while the lawsuit brought by parties including the Chicago fund was settled for $24 million, documents showed.
The group that included Exxon had losses exceeding $130 million.
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byerak@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @beckyyerak
A deployed airbag is seen in a Chrysler vehicle at the LKQ Pick Your Part salvage yard on May 22, 2015 in Medley, Florida. A total of 42 million vehicles are expected to be recalled by 2019, NHTSA announced Friday, December 9, 2016. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images)
Detroit Takata Corp. has agreed to plead guilty to a single criminal charge and will pay $1 billion in fines and restitution for a years-long scheme to conceal a deadly defect in its automotive air bag inflators.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Detroit announced the deal Friday, hours after it unsealed a six-count grand jury indictment against three former Takata executives who are accused of carrying out the scheme by falsifying and altering test reports that showed the inflators could rupture.
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Takata inflators can explode with too much force, spewing shrapnel into drivers and passengers. At least 11 people have been killed in the U.S. and 16 worldwide because of the defect. More than 180 have been injured. The problem touched off the largest automotive recall in U.S. history covering 42 million vehicles and 69 million inflators. It will take years for the recalls to be completed.
"The risk that they allowed to happen is really reprehensible," said Barbara McQuade, the U.S. Attorney in Detroit, whose office worked on the two-year investigation.
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Under the deal, Takata will pay a $25 million criminal fine, $125 million to individuals injured by the air bags and $850 million to automakers that purchased the inflators.
A federal judge will be asked to appoint attorney Kenneth Feinberg to distribute restitution payments. He handled restitution in the General Motors ignition switch and BP oil spill cases, among others.
Payments to individuals must be made soon. Automakers must be paid within five days of Takata's anticipated sale or merger. Takata is expected to be sold to another auto supplier or investor sometime this year.
"Automotive suppliers who sell products that are supposed to protect consumers from injury or death must put safety ahead of profits," McQuade said. "If they choose instead to engage in fraud, we will hold accountable the individuals and business entities."
The Justice Department was criticized for failing to charge individuals in earlier high-profile cases against automakers General Motors and Toyota. Now it's done so twice in one week. On Wednesday, prosecutors disclosed the indictment of six Volkswagen executives when they announced the settlement of a criminal probe into the German company's emissions-cheating scheme.
On Friday, prosecutors unsealed a Detroit federal grand jury indictment of three former Takata executives, Shinichi Tanaka, Hideo Nakajima and Tsuneo Chikaraishi. All were suspended by the company last year.
According to an indictment, as early as 2000 the trio falsified and altered reports to hide from automakers tests that showed the inflators could rupture. Each was charged with six counts of conspiracy and wire fraud. Takata was charged separately with one count of wire fraud. All three worked for Takata in Japan and the U.S. Takata has its U.S. headquarters in the Detroit suburb of Auburn Hills, Michigan.
"Defendants commonly referred to the removal or alteration of unfavorable test data that was to be provided to Takata customers as 'XX-ing' the data," the indictment says. In June 2005, Nakajima said in an email that "they had no choice but to manipulate test data, and that they needed to 'cross the bridge together.'"
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Unlike most other air bag makers, Takata's inflators use explosive ammonium nitrate to fill the bags in a crash. But the chemical can deteriorate over time and burn too fast, blowing apart a metal canister. Authorities said the inflator problems were hidden from Takata's customers.
In 2008, when Takata's inflators began experiencing ruptures on the road, the three executives and others continued to withhold information from customers, the indictment said. As a result, automakers paid Takata more than $1 billion for tens of millions of faulty inflators. McQuade said the investigation is ongoing.
Tanaka served as executive vice president of inflator global operations, while Nakajima was director of engineering in the automotive systems laboratory and Chikaraishi was chief of Japan-Asia inflator operations, according to prosecutors.
All three are now in Japan, and McQuade said her office will work with authorities there to extradite them to the U.S. for trial. "Extradition is not automatic. It is discretionary with Japan," she said. But she added that her office has had success in extraditing Japanese executives in automotive parts price-fixing cases.
As of 2015, Takata was the second-largest supplier of air bags in the world, accounting for 20 percent of the air bags sold.
The government said Takata had minimal internal controls and failed to notice its executives' misconduct for years. Senior Takata executives learned in 2009 that their employees had falsified air bag reports, but failed to take disciplinary action against them until 2015.
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McQuade said Takata wanted to make profits on air bags "knowing that they were creating a risk for the end user, soccer moms like me who drives around in my Ford Edge with my kids, who at any moment could get involved in a fender-bender and send a metal projectile into my face."
Associated Press
President-elect Donald Trump takes questions from reporters in New York Wednesday during his first press conference since July. His influence on the auto industry was palpable during the press preview at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Tuesday, January 10, 2017. (Seth Wenig/AP )
DETROIT -- The auto industry's biggest players have gathered at the North American International Auto Show, as they do every January, to showcase their latest electric vehicles, SUVs and pickup trucks. This year, however, the cars varnish over a deepening unease about the industry's standing with President-elect Donald Trump.
The president-elect has taken to Twitter four times in the new year to laud some automakers and admonish others. The latest to get his attention is Fiat Chrysler, which unveiled plans to grow two U.S. auto plants, creating 2,000 new jobs in the Midwest.
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You can feel his presence here. Michelle Krebs, a senior analyst at AutoTrader.com, said of President-elect Trump at NAIAS.
"It's finally happening," Trump tweeted. "Fiat Chrysler just announced plans to invest $1BILLION in Michigan and Ohio plants, adding 2000 jobs."
The Italian American auto giant, which timed its announcement for the annual auto show, insisted its move was part of a year-old business strategy and not a response to presidential goading. It will continue to make hundreds of thousands of cars south of the border and sell them on American soil.
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New policies under the Trump administration, however, such as a proposed 35 percent tax on goods from Mexico, could warp the company's future.
"It's possible that if the economic tariffs that are imposed by the U.S. administration on anything that comes into the United States, if they are sufficiently large, it will make the production of anything in Mexico uneconomical," Fiat Chrysler chief executive Sergio Marchionne said Monday in Detroit, "and therefore we will have to move on."
Asked about future investments in Mexico, Marchionne poked at the uncertainty under Trump, saying he won't change course in the country without a stronger understanding of the future trade climate.
"I need clarity," he told reporters in Detroit. "I need rules. And right now, they're all on the table."
Trump's attacks have forced some automakers to defend their contributions to the U.S. economy and have left others quietly pondering what would happen if they, too, wind up in the crosshairs.
He blasted General Motors on Jan. 3 for making a much smaller number of U.S.-sold Chevrolet Cruze hatchbacks in Mexico. He condemned Toyota two days later for opening a new plant in Mexico (though he got the location wrong).
"I think Trump's impact on the auto industry will be the number one question that auto executives here are asked," said Michelle Krebs, a senior analyst at AutoTrader.com. "You can feel his presence here."
The auto industry supplies about 10 percent of manufacturing jobs in the United States. Still, invoking the steady decline of auto jobs stirs up powerful nostalgia.
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"It's a pretty iconic American industry," said Josh Bivens, the research and policy director at the Economic Policy Institute, a Washington think tank. When Trump mentions the country's gradual loss of automaking jobs, "he is harkening back to the past, when the auto industry played a larger role in building the country."
Other auto companies have used the show to trumpet investments in U.S. manufacturing.
When unveiling the latest version of the Camry, the most popular sedan in America, Toyota president Akio Toyoda told media here that the car has long been assembled at a plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, and emphasized that would continue with the new model.
"They make a Camry nearly every minute. It is this type of teamwork that has helped Toyota produce more than 25 million vehicles in the U.S. over the last 30 years," Toyoda said, reiterating a statistic the company touted last week following Trump's rebuke.
Toyota also said Monday that it would invest $10 billion in manufacturing in the United States over the next five years.
Earlier in the day, Ford revealed plans to bring the Ranger and Bronco truck lines back to the U.S. market in 2019 and 2020, respectively. The company also reminded the audience that it pledged to roll out 13 electric vehicles globally in the next five years. Both trucks and at least half of the electric vehicles will be produced in the United States, due in part to a $700 million investment that Trump hailed when it was announced by Ford last week.
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Fiat Chrysler said Sunday it will expand plants in Warren, Michigan, and Toledo, which are slated to produce Jeep trucks and SUVs, including the much-hyped luxury Wagoneer. The plan aligns with the company's goal to focus more on trucks and SUVs as demand shrinks for smaller cars. (Fiat Chrysler would not provide details about the future 2,000 positions.)
"These investments and these products being built in Michigan and Ohio have always been planned - we've just been waiting for them to make the announcement," said AutoTrader's Krebs. "They're just making sure they tout it earlier and louder so that President-elect Trump hears them."
Otherwise, she said, the company could incur his wrath.
The automaker, whose shares rose 1.69 percent Monday morning, said it will also equip the Michigan factory to assemble Ram heavy-duty models, which are now made in Mexico - but only if demand spurs a production upswing, a spokesperson clarified Monday.
As of Sunday, the company has no plans to move any of its truck line north of the border.
Fiat Chrysler runs seven facilities in Mexico, according to its website, and shipped nearly 477,000 vehicles in 2015. About 91 percent of those cars and trucks, a representative said, were sold in the United States.
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Trump, meanwhile, has said he wants to punish companies that outsource manufacturing jobs with steep tariffs and "terminate" or renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, which enables a flow of goods between the United States, Mexico and Canada. Since late November, the president-elect has singled out firms on Twitter and reached a still-murky deal with Carrier, the air conditioning company, to keep 800 jobs earmarked for Mexico in Indiana.
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John Lavelle of Like Minds Brewing, pictured working in the brewery in June, is taking much of his brewing operation to Milwaukee, where he lives. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
Finch Beer Co. and Like Minds Brewing have struck a deal for Finch to take over the Near West Side brewery where Like Minds launched a mere 18 months ago.
Finch is hoping the agreement will finally bring stability after a chaotic five years, while Like Minds couldn't refuse an unexpected windfall after recent changes in mission and ownership.
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The breweries worked for about six weeks to forge the deal signed Thursday, which amounts to a turnkey operation for Finch at 1800 W. Walnut St., where it will acquire Like Minds' brewing equipment and assume the lease.
Terms were not disclosed, but Like Minds founder John Lavelle said he is walking away with enough money "to financially secure the brewery for the next five years."
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Like Minds will continue to make sour and wild ales at the Milwaukee brewpub it opened last fall, while its "clean" beers those without wild yeast, which include a double IPA and an imperial stout will be brewed under contract at Great Central Brewing, which sits across the street from the space Like Minds is vacating.
The deal came together after Finch managing partner Jamie Lisac caught wind of Like Minds' brewpub opening in Milwaukee where Lavelle lives and asked if the company would be interested in selling its Chicago operation.
Lavelle said he was hesitant to surrender his Chicago brewery, but that the financial security was too much to pass up after an eventful 18 months for Like Minds.
When launching in late 2015, the brewery planned to make food-focused beers inspired by the eclectic cooking of Lavelle's co-founder, Justin Aprahamian, who is a James Beard-award winning chef and also lives in Milwaukee.
The script quickly veered, however, as early batches of beer were deemed unworthy of going to market and the partners parted ways with their original brewer. Lavelle took over as brewmaster and began pursuing his interest in barrel-aged, sour and wild ales, which can take months to produce.
Craft beer maker Finch Beer Co. will leave Finch Kitchen, the brewpub it opened this summer, and close its production brewery to move to the former Like Minds brewery. (Joseph Hernandez/Chicago Tribune)
Last month, Lavelle bought out Aprahamian, who wanted to focus on his Milwaukee restaurant, Sanford, and his family, which is due to add a second child in the coming weeks.
As a smaller company making highbrow beers, Lavelle said, selling his 30-barrel brewhouse in Chicago to operate his seven-barrel operation in Milwaukee made sense. Add his unease about the slowing growth in craft beer, and the deal made even more sense, he said. (The Brewbound website reported this week that craft sales at U.S. supermarkets were up 6.9 percent in 2016 down from growth of more than 20 percent in 2015, according to Chicago market research firm IRI.)
"For us and the style of beers we do, we can't afford to compromise in terms of quality," Lavelle said. "The easy thing is to rush out beer, but this (sale) gives us the freedom not to."
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For Finch, the deal was a matter of survival. Its lease was up on the Elston Avenue brewery where it opened nearly six years ago, and the brewery was determined to continue in a new home on new equipment, Lisac said. If the deal with Like Minds hadn't gone through, the company was exploring backup scenarios to continue brewing out of other operations.
Lisac said he hopes Finch is making beer in its new home by the end of February, but that operations are contingent on licensing from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. He hopes to open a taproom sometime in 2017. The building was formerly a warehouse for wine barrel-aged beers for Goose Island Beer Co., which sits a block north.
Finch Beer Co. will move into the building that Like Minds Brewing is leaving at1800 W. Walnut St. Finch is buying Like Minds' brewing equipment and assuming its lease. Like Minds is moving much of its brewing to Milwaukee. (Josh Noel/Chicago Tribune)
With a new brewery, Lisac said, the goal is stability for a company that has traveled its own muddled path. Finch was founded as Finch's Beer Co. in 2011 by Ben Finch, whom investors including Lisac forced out of the company last year due to operations they deemed questionable, from inconsistent beer quality to prioritizing expansion in other states over establishing a foothold in its home market.
Ben Finch did little to win local hearts and minds when announcing plans to build a state of the art brewery on the Chicago River that never materialized, followed by a plan to build a brewery near his home in suburban Long Grove that also didn't happen.
Though the beer was available in nearly 20 states within three years, it could only be found in a modest number of local places. Still, production grew from 2,200 barrels to 10,200 barrels in 2015, which made Finch one of the larger breweries in Illinois.
Production dropped to about 8,000 barrels last year, Lisac said, as Finch battled equipment problems and looked to the future.
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"We took a little bit of a step back last year partly by design and partly due to things out of our control," Lisac said.
With Ben Finch out of the company, Finch Beer Co. opened a brewpub, Finch Kitchen, in the former Breakroom Brewery at 2925 W. Montrose Ave., last summer. It also announced plans to build a production brewery in the space behind the brewpub. However, that plan fell through, and Finch Kitchen closed in December due to an untenable relationship between Finch and the Breakroom founders, who continued to hold the lease on the property.
"Being able to take over the Like Minds brewery had a huge impact on our decision to exit Finch Kitchen and a partnership that clearly was not working," Lisac said.
"Now we just want to put our head down and make great beer. With this brand new, state of the art brewery, we'll be putting behind us all the operational issues that have plagued us for the last five years."
In recent weeks, Chicago's craft beer industry has also seen the closing of Ale Syndicate Brewers and Arcade Brewery, which made beer at Ale Syndicate.
jbnoel@chicagotribune.com
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To many of us at McCormick Place on Tuesday night, it felt a lot like the end of a Chicago dream. You know, those final, increasingly melancholy moments of reverie before someone wakes you up by screaming in your face.
So what's worse? The rousing, or your dread thereof?
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That was the question that hung over the night, articulated by those standing in security lines, an unintended consequence of the decision by a president who was formed in Chicago to break from protocol and return to his hometown, and its people, to say goodbye.
By doing so, Barack Obama had created a natural bookend to his victorious beginnings in Chicago's front yard. Late on that November night in 2008, cameras had abandoned cramped TV studios filled with pundits and novel touch screens and settled on an expanse of inner-city green, filled with throngs of happy people of many stripes. "All climaxed in the park's overtly populist mix of open space, throbbing humanity and urban excitement," I wrote at the time. After, I'd stood outside Tribune Tower with an editor, watching waves of Chicagoans pouring down the Magnificent Mile, shouting their excitement as they promenaded through the street.
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But that was a fall night filled with improbable outdoor warmth. Tuesday was rainy and raw.
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 75 President Barack Obama boards Air Force One at O'Hare International Airport on Jan. 10, 2017, in Chicago. (Alyssa Pointer / Chicago Tribune)
Obama's event was in the threadbare section of chilly McCormick Place, the marquee space being previously reserved for a recreational boat show, aimed mostly at the 1 percent. Even the images and videos selected by the White House to occupy Obama's supporters during the wait for the president his chopper stymied by high winds seemed to emphasize Obama's fragility, the fragility of an ideal.
Pete Souza, a gifted former staffer at this newspaper who became the official White House photographer, has two dominant modes of documentation. One is to photograph Obama from behind or to the side Souza's lens sharing the presidential gaze on Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer or Stonehenge, emphasizing not awe at the president or his office, but the president's awe at what the world contains. In those silhouettes and contextual portraits, Obama invariably appears small, his famous ears often prominent. When these shots were seen in rapid succession, as they were Tuesday night by the audience for the speech, there was a sense of "Where's Waldo?," but it was easy to see yourself, whoever you may be, in the man, comfortable in the confines of his own skin, staring out in wonderment. Usually at natural marvels, or at some poignant nexus of sacrifice and change.
Souza has always loved shooting Obama with children in his candids, kids pull on Obama's hair, get up in the presidential visage, wondering about what may be his thing, or just craving a conversation. Unlike adults, who often seem overwhelmed or sycophantic, the kids in Souza's shots are mostly just interested in the man as a man, as he demonstrably is interested in them. He usually has either copied their antics, or joined in with them, and with an ease few parents can muster.
Obama has been the first selfie president, the first president to venture Between Two Ferns, and for all the attention being given to how Donald Trump has mastered and upended the media (and so stipulated), the Obama video library that played at McCormick Place on Tuesday suggested a man who figured out somewhere in his second term that he was the first president who can, and probably should, serve as the host, reporter and analyst of himself.
Was Obama's final speech a night of the people, as was the case in 2008? Or was this all a show for Anderson Cooper and his panel in the visually prominent booth of CNN, a network news operation that did not yet know of its imminent date with Trumpian pique on Wednesday?
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One sensed ambivalence from the stagecraft. Efforts had been made to successfully accommodate thousands of ordinary people, but the central space also wanted to pretend those supporters were not fully there, except for the token bleacher of populist proxy, a weird pointer to campaign staging. The main space you saw on TV was a managed square of VIPs, insiders and potential donors to Obama's presidential library, but the standees were in a chutelike rectangle, down and off to the side. The semiotics put them outside the space, which had not been the case in 2008. Not that anyone seemed to mind. It was understood that Obama had only one chance left to address the world from Chicago. He did his best to talk to everyone.
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Rhetorically speaking, though, it's hard to craft a message of hope, or even to recount your accomplishments, when everyone in the room knows of all the feverish work being done at that very moment to undo that which represents the values at your core. And when you are also trying to advocate for the peaceful transition of power to those undoers, as Obama clearly was determined to do, his dire warnings of an atrophying democracy notwithstanding, you inevitably tie yourself in knots. For all his self-awareness, Obama did not address the elephant in the room, the central failure most painful to those in attendance his proven inability to pave the way for a simpatico successor.
How could he? What would have been the point?
He was left to speak for history. And so he did, crying out for decency and civility, arguing that the extremes of inequality risked dangerous corrosion to the democratic ideal. In a cold room on a tough night, he quoted Harper Lee, of the need to walk a mile in the shoes of another, of the advisability of putting away your self-congratulatory Facebook feed, of the dangers posed by any abandonment of the American sense of common purpose. He argued for respect for facts while managing to hide his incredulity at having to do so. He said that science and reason mattered. In this moment, that needed to be said, too. Incredible as that seems.
Obama said democracy can buckle when it gives way to fear, and that democracy is threatened when it is taken for granted.
There was a sadness and an ecumenical wisdom to all these words, despite the hope for hope in the room. He promised to be a good citizen for the rest of his days. And in doing so, he seemed to grow older.
Perhaps the most poignant moment came when Obama said that he suspected, and rightly so, that many present still could not believe they had pulled off the last eight years. He suggested that his much-loved wife, Michelle, was of that mind and that he harbored some of the same disbelief himself. He was like Prospero in that moment: "We are such stuff as dreams are made on; and our little life is rounded with a sleep."
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Thousands of the people who loved him then let out a sigh part valedictory, part bereaved, part stoic. They wandered out into the night, not quite knowing where they were, since whenever you leave McCormick Place, you never quite know where you are.
But the wake-up call from Trump Tower was only hours away.
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)
"Wait Wait Dont Tell Me!" judge and scorekeeper Bill Kurtis and guest-host Tom Hanks at a live taping of NPRs Wait Wait Dont Tell Me! on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at the Chase Auditorium in the Chase Tower in Chicago. (Andrew Gill/NPR)
What's it like when a major motion picture star surprises everyone by deciding to serve as guest host of a public radio comedy news quiz?
Two primary answers came Thursday night at Chicago's Chase Bank Auditorium, where Tom Hanks yes, that Tom Hanks subbed for vacationing Peter Sagal at the helm of "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me!", the hit NPR show produced out of Chicago's WBEZ-FM 91.5.
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Answer 1: The show does not become something other than itself. Yes, there was the fact of Hanks, star of no small number of beloved films, standing on the Chase auditorium stage.
"This is the Chase Bank theater in Chicago?" he asked. "I haven't seen a room this bland since Kim Jong Un stood still for 45 minutes of spontaneous applause."
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Panelist Paula Poundstone kept saying things like, "I can't believe I'm five feet away from you." In general there were more references to Sully and Woody and, yes, to "Bosom Buddies," Hanks' old sitcom, than is typical.
And panelist Faith Salie, right as they got started in the 456-seat theater, asked Hanks, "How often do you get to perform live?"
"Oh, these days?" the 60-year-old actor deadpanned. "About twice a week."
At another point, he said in mock ire to the others on the stage, "I've come a long way, and I've volunteered my time. This is the last (expletive) 'Bosom Buddies' reference."
But even if he is, up at street level, a pretty big deal, in the subterranean theater in the Loop, Hanks was wholly up to the task of shepherding "Wait Wait" through its format of questions, limericks, tall tales and, especially, improvisational banter coming off the news.
Wearing a V-neck sweater and dark jeans, he charmed, he jested, he mock-blustered, he thought quickly on his feet, he poked fun at Sagal and at the panelists, also including "Live Wire" host Luke Burbank. He even read promos for sponsors like Carmax and St. Petersburg-Clearwater, who will probably be very happy to get Tom Hanks at NPR prices.
This guy apparently has some talent in the performing arts, and it's not just an ability "to be told what to do and to do what you're told," as he at one point summed up "the secret to any actor's career."
Answer 2: The trains do not run on time. Taping of content for this week's show went for 2 hours and 14 minutes, plus another 15 or so for the usual retakes of audio that hadn't come out quite right the first time and then maybe 20 more for Hanks to field questions from the audience.
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Whether the starting point is a more typical 90 minutes of material or this week's 134, on Friday editors have to cull that to under an hour to send a finished show out to NPR stations for airing beginning Saturday.
The thing is, though, while trimming so much stuff may feel merciless, editors will have what felt in the room like a whole lot of great material to work with. This was the week of President Barack Obama's farewell, after all, of Donald Trump's first news conference as president-elect and of the publication of certain unsubstantiated documents alleging unsavory activities by citizen Trump while visiting Moscow. If you can't make funny out of that batch of events, you probably can't make funny.
It'll be interesting Saturday, though, to hear how many of the in-theater references to bodily functions make it to the on-air version. We can probably safely repeat one of them here: Salie pointed out the irony of Trump's nominee for CIA chief Mike Pompeo saying, "I take these leaks seriously."
Hanks, meanwhile, did an impersonation of Trump yelling, "Don't be rude" to a reporter at his news conference. And after telling of going to Obama's speech at McCormick Place on Tuesday night, Hanks said the Obama years had not been without scandal.
"Those mom jeans," he reminded us.
Not surprisingly for a first timer, his performance was more self-conscious than Sagal's. "The script says 'wait for applause to die,' " he shared at a moment when there wasn't any applause. But despite the length, the show didn't feel disorganized, just maybe a little looser than usual and a little more festive.
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Leading the joviality was the host, who invited joking about this perhaps puzzling career move. "I'm going to have an ocean of people," he said, "coming up to me and saying, 'Hey, I heard you on "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me!" Why did you do that?'"
"Be honest," Poundstone had said to him earlier. "Was this a bet?"
The reason he agreed to host the show he called "the top of the NPR heap" has to do, Hanks would explain, with his daughter who knows someone who works at the Onion, and who got word to him that the guest-hosting stint was available. Executive producer Mike Danforth had a key role in it, too, Sagal explained last month, saying Hanks has long been a fan of the show.
The producers had announcer Bill Kurtis read promos for fake movies about the career suicide the actor was committing by guest-hosting ("Tom Hanks as you've never seen him before in 'I Used to Be Big' ").
But in truth it's a pretty canny move: Hanks gets to display his talent for being amiable and funny in a new format and a surprising place. He does so before the show's audience of 6 million people, more than he would get on any of the TV late-night shows. And the people who listen to NPR and "Wait Wait" are pretty much the audience for the kinds of movies Hanks makes these days.
When it was over, he said the point of any movie or TV project isn't the money or prizes it takes in. It's the quality of "the hang," the time the people making the project spend together on the set.
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Seeing the "Wait Wait" offices might have shocked him: "It's a sad little folding table in the sad little stepchild section of WBEZ," he said.
But, he added, "the hang was fantastic." It probably wasn't bad for the people he was hanging with either.
sajohnson@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @StevenKJohnson
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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox)
Young queens - think of them as a way to get your mind off old presidents. "Victoria," premiering Sunday on PBS' "Masterpiece," stars Jenna Coleman as the teenager who in 1837 became England's queen for the next six decades. It joins Netflix's Queen Elizabeth II drama "The Crown" as yet another escape into the opulent, occasionally melancholy history of British royalty.
"Victoria," created and written by Daisy Goodwin, will almost certainly please public television's core audience, who are happiest when hoofs clop, gravel crunches and maids curtsy. It's an adequate way to ward off the chill of winter's remaining Sunday nights, but it's not much more than that. Predictable to the bone - and at times maddeningly redundant - "Victoria" too often feels like a period drama about the making of a period drama, rather than a deep, authentic breath of rarefied air.
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To be honest, the excellence of "The Crown" (which won two Golden Globes this week, including best actress for its star, Claire Foy) pretty much steals most of "Victoria's" thunder, while making its weaknesses more apparent. (And to be fair, "The Crown" cost approximately a gazillion more dollars to make.)
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Goodwin delays giving Victoria much of a personality for several episodes, perhaps because the queen herself was such a blank slate at 18. The series opens on the morning she learns that the time has come for her to ascend the throne (she'd been preparing for it most of her young life) and spoiled Victoria impetuously sets about ignoring the advice of her stressed-out mother, the Duchess of Kent (Catherine Flemming) and her scheming adviser, Sir John Conroy (Paul Rhys). "You have my mother in your pocket, but you will never, ever have me," Victoria spits at Sir John at one point.
The young queen immediately warms to the country's prime minister, Lord Melbourne (Rufus Sewell), who carefully teaches and advises Victoria on all the things she doesn't know. Not only does she depend on him, she develops a serious crush on him - as does the viewer, because Sewell is so much more interesting than anyone in the palace.
The task of pairing Victoria with the perfect spouse takes up the bulk of the first three episodes. Although Alexander, the future Russian czar, piques her interest early on, two of Victoria's first cousins, Albert (Tom Hughes) and Ernest (David Oakes) are brought in to try their luck. Though he feigns disinterest, Albert nevertheless falls for Victoria and she falls for him - and who wouldn't, with his floppy snowboarder hair, hipster mustache and brooding silences?
By the time that deal is sealed, one realizes there's not much else going on. Little squabbles and national crises rise up (cue the angry Chartist mob) and in due course waft away. Goodwin also chooses to set at least half of "Victoria" downstairs with the servants, where animosities and working-class travails play out like pages from a script that "Downton Abbey" discarded. The series is clearly tasked, at least in the States, with filling the void "Downton" left behind.
In fact, the more you watch of it, the more cold and calculating "Victoria" seems, as if was made for moving PBS tote bags rather than moving hearts.
"Victoria" (two hours) premieres on "Masterpiece," Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on PBS. Continues weekly through Feb. 19 and concludes on March 5.
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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox)
Altered thinking or so-called "chemo brain" can persist for months after breast cancer patients undergo chemotherapy. (Katarzyna Bialasiewicz / iStock)
"Chemo brain" the mental fog common after breast cancer treatment can persist for six months, new research shows.
The finding comes from one of the largest studies to date to look at chemotherapy-related thinking problems that plague many women treated for breast cancer. Those problems can include memory lapses, attention issues and difficulty processing information.
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When researchers compared hundreds of U.S. women six months after chemotherapy ended with hundreds of healthy women, they found more than one-third of the chemotherapy group had a decline in thinking scores versus less than 15 percent of the others.
"The bottom line is, this is a real problem, patients are having difficulties, and we need to acknowledge it is one of the difficulties of treatment," said Dr. Patricia Ganz.
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Ganz is director of cancer prevention and control research at the University of California at Los Angeles Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.
She's also co-author of an editorial accompanying the study, which was published recently in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Chemo brain can affect daily life in many ways, said study author Michelle Janelsins.
Patients say they make mistakes when writing down numbers, forget names of people they know, and don't remember the way to a familiar destination while en route, explained Janelsins. She's an assistant professor of surgery, radiation oncology and neuroscience at the University of Rochester Medical Center and the Wilmot Cancer Institute in New York.
The researchers aimed "to really assess the problem (of chemo brain) in a very methodical and comprehensive way by including a nationwide sample," Janelsins said.
Her team looked at 581 patients treated for breast cancer at multiple sites across the United States, comparing them with 364 healthy people without breast cancer. The average age was 53.
The researchers analyzed patients' perceived impairment and also how others perceived the mental difficulties.
A month after chemo ended, 45 percent of patients reported a significant decline in so-called cognitive abilities, but only one in 10 in the comparison group did. The problems got better with time but did not disappear.
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After six months, 36 percent of patients still felt their mental ability had declined, compared with about 13 percent of the others.
Similar problems were experienced by women whether they received hormone therapy and/or radiation treatment after chemotherapy or chemo alone, the study found.
The researchers reported that younger women, black women and those with more anxiety and depression at the study start were more likely to have greater declines in brain functioning.
The researchers can't say why chemotherapy drugs seem to lead to the fuzzy thinking. Nor can they say there's a direct cause-and-effect relationship. They do know certain people are more vulnerable.
The important finding, Ganz said, is that some patients still had problems six months later.
While some researchers dismiss self-reporting as an untrustworthy research method, she disagreed. "If the patients tell you they are having (cognitive) difficulties, we have to acknowledge that and figure out a way to help," she noted.
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"The good news is, there are large numbers of women who get better," Ganz said.
There may be biological reasons some patients are more prone to chemo brain, she said. She generally refers those who don't improve to a neuropsychologist. The focus then is on helping patients overcome the problems.
"There may be things we can do to organize their lives," Ganz said. Patients might begin to use planners or "sticky notes," she explained, to help remember things.
Exercise can also help, Janelsins said. In an earlier study, she found that patients who engaged in gentle yoga saw improvement in thinking function.
The study findings aren't a reason to change clinical practice at this point, Ganz and Janelsins agreed. What's needed, they said, is more information on which patients are most likely to develop the thinking problems.
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The Fonseca brothers, John and Lucas, were introduced to bearded dragons at an Animal Adventure Camp at the San Diego Humane Society last summer. They now have one as a pet. (Angie Fonseca )
The Kuerner brothers, John, 4, and Will, 6, had fun last summer gathering branches and leaves for bird nests, touching real bird feathers and gathering nuts and berries for wildlife all as part of a Backyard Buddies program at PAWS in Seattle.
But the experience wasn't just fun, it was also meant to teach the kids about respecting animals and treating them humanely.
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While shelters have offered children and teens general humane education for about 50 years, in the past few decades, more programs like PAWS' have been popping up, teaching children or teens through special summer events, camps or volunteering. Many parents and shelter staff say the programs help nurture a better sense of responsibility and compassion for animals.
"I think my kids really only see these animals from afar, so it was able to make it more real for them by literally bringing things closer to them," said Sarah Kuerner, the boys' mom. "It's something they can understand now. ... It really helps connect the dots."
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Last summer, Lucas and John Fonseca, 8 and 10 years old respectively, got to meet a bearded dragon.
"They look really cool and when I held it, it just was super calm," said John, who now has one of the lizards as a pet.
John and Lucas love hanging out with dogs, cats and bunnies, but for their mom, Angie Fonseca, learning to respect and treat animals humanely was an even better reason she enrolled her sons in Animal Adventure Camp, a program for 5-to-13-year-olds at the San Diego Humane Society. Fonseca is a former humane society employee who continues to volunteer.
Lucas and John learned to ask permission to pet a dog, read its body language and stroke it gently on the back. They also learned to interact safely and gently with small mammals.
"We're really trying to teach those kids, especially that caring for animals goes beyond the basics of food, shelter and water, and that spending time with them and giving them enrichment is also important," said Amelia Curtis, education manager at the San Diego Humane Society.
The Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago started a half-day program called "The Pact," in 2009, where children learn about the responsibilities related to caring for domesticated pets. They also put on the play "Androcles and the Lion," the folk tale about the slave who removes a thorn from the lion's paw. The animal shelter also has a vet mentoring program for teens as well as programs for kids of all ages to read to cats, feed rabbits and guinea pigs, and make pet toys.
"You realize how much love and care go into the animals here," said Brenda Castillo, 16, of Chicago, who attended a caretaking program in August.
During that program, teens helped stock food and litter supplies in cages and clean an office where a bunny, her babies and a dove were living while awaiting adoption.
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At PAWS Chicago, 12- to 17-year-olds volunteer on weekends with their parents, greeting visitors, cleaning and stocking cages, and playing with pets in the Family Service program, which began in 2008.
"It has become an amazing program that engages hundreds of families each year," said Celene Mielcarek, volunteer program director.
Emma Seppala, science director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University School of Medicine, said encouraging children to identify their own emotions helped them empathize with pets.
"Animals have the same range of basic emotions as we do. Fear, happiness and calmness. ... So when a child is able to identify that in himself, then you can start to talk about how that exists in others too," said Seppala, author of "The Happiness Track: How to Apply the Science of Happiness to Accelerate Your Success."
Janice Neumann is a freelancer.
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Donald J. Trump becomes the 45th president of the United States on Jan. 20. Will you pray for him?
That's a question many Americans will be facing especially the millions who voted for someone else in November. Surely, we all want what's best for the country. But, after such a contentious election, are we willing to pray for Trump as his administration takes power?
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Whatever the answer, and whether it is voiced silently in private or publicly as a faith community, the question speaks to a larger issue: Should we, as Jesus famously instructed in the Gospel of Matthew, love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us? Should we pray for colleagues we resent at work, the neighbors we clash with over local politics, the so-called friends who continually snub us and the family members who wound us so with their words?
"The most radical commandment is to love our enemies," said Robert Trawick, a professor of religious studies at St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkhill, N.Y. "It's very easy to love the people we like. That doesn't cut it."
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Whether "good" people can and should pray for "bad" people (who's who so often depends on the beholder) is an ages-old conundrum. I posed the question to clerics, professors, writers and faith-based activists.
Stephen T. Asma, a Columbia College Chicago philosophy professor and the author of, among other works, "Why I Am a Buddhist: No-Nonsense Buddhism with Red Meat and Whiskey," wrote in an email that ancient Greek and Roman pagans would have prayed for those they love. Mainstream Christianity's call to pray for strangers and enemies means, he wrote, "your religious piety is more profound, if you can muster the strength to (pray) for people you don't even like. That's the kind of piety that tilts toward sainthood."
Jane Larkin of Dallas, who has described herself as the "Jewish half of an interfaith couple," said the Ten Commandments tell us to honor our mothers, fathers and elders we don't have to like or love them.
"We're called upon to do it," explained Larkin, author of "From Generation to Generation: A Story of Intermarriage and Jewish Continuity."
"Me? I pray for peace, and leave the ways in which it can be effected open," wrote Vasudha Narayanan, director of the University of Florida's Center for the Study of Hindu Traditions in Gainesville, Fla., in an email. "If that means praying for the wicked souls, yes, why not, after all, who is to say I am better or worse than them in so many ways?"
The Rev. Peggy Clarke, minister at the First Unitarian Society of Westchester in Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y., wrote in an email that, as a Unitarian Universalist, she doesn't "divide" people into "good" and "bad." In praying for one "who has done bad things, I am shifting my own way of understanding them, knowing them to be human and vulnerable and in need of a new way. I am recognizing our interdependence."
Prayer "is a practice that changes me, changes my heart," said the Rev. Canon Michael Hunn, the presiding bishop's canon for ministry within the Episcopal Church, who is based in New York City and Raleigh, N.C. Pray for someone, and "it's hard to see them as an enemy for very long."
Asma believes prayer helps the person praying by "giving religious people a sense of hope and influence in situations where they have little or no real power. This is not just delusional, but psychologically helpful even if it's placebo effect."
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But both Hunn and Trawicksee prayer as a call for action. Hunn talks of it as a "lament," a "crying out against injustice. And Trawick points out that one can pray for another "without being a patsy."
"Praying for an enemy doesn't mean you have to accept everything they do,'' explained Trawick, who is Presbyterian, circling back to the recent election.
"We need him to succeed in some ways,'' Trawick said of Trump. Praying for him to fail would be akin to how the Republican-dominated Congress reacted to President Barack Obama, he pointed out.
Sahar Alsahlani, who comes from the Shiite tradition of Islam and is an interfaith peace activist, said the incoming administration stands for almost everything liberal faith-based activists are against. Yet, she hopes Trump finds "some sort of internal peace" to govern wisely.
"Do I want him to fail? No. I wish him the best," said Alsahlani. "All we can do is organize, mobilize, show faith through community service."
And pray. Praying for our leaders is a tradition, Hunn noted.
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"We try to surround them with prayer, whether we like them or not,'' he said.
wdaley@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @billdaley
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President-elect Donald Trump can likely expect some pointed words from the Rev. Michael Pfleger, pastor of St. Sabina Catholic Church in Chicago, when Pfleger takes the stage Monday to offer the keynote address at a Martin Luther King Jr. holiday service in Atlanta.
The King Center chose Pfleger because of the work he's done at the South Side parish, which has been a haven for children and the elderly, along with efforts to fight racism.
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Pfleger, noting that King's 88th birthday comes just days before Donald Trump's inauguration as the 45th president of the United States, said his speech would focus on the "true Dr. King," who worked in the trenches of the early civil rights movement and who spoke prophetically about the negative effects of racism, rather than what he called a "watered down version," of the icon.
"This is four days before the installation of a president who I feel Dr. King would be very, very concerned about," Pfleger said of the service in Atlanta, which is King's birthplace. Critics have gone after the president-elect for his anti-immigration comments and have raised concerns that his administration's policies could hurt the poor. "I don't think I can be honest with Dr. King without addressing four days from his birthday what's happening in this country and the state of our country right now."
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Added Pfleger: "At this time I think (King's) voice is needed more than ever in our country."
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Of late, the president-elect has quickly responded via Twitter whenever he's faced criticism, most recently after Meryl Streep called him a bully during her speech at the Golden Globe awards. He tweeted that Streep's a "Hillary flunky" and "over-rated."
The anti-crime crusading priest with deep ties to Chicago's African-American community has long called King his personal hero after witnessing attacks on the late civil rights leader during his infamous housing march through Chicago's Marquette Park neighborhood in 1966.
"Being (in Atlanta) and being invited by the family to stand at his church, in his pulpit, on his birthday and his name it's an honor, but it's also very intimidating to want to live up to your hero and then speak on behalf of him," Pfleger told Chicago Inc. by phone. "When people ask me why I'm in ministry today, he's the reason."
"We are extremely honored to have Father Mike as keynote speaker for the King Center's annual commemorative service," King's youngest daughter and King Center CEO, Bernice, said in a news release. "He's a shining example of a true modern-day activist and social warrior."
The president-elect's press office did not respond to a request for comment.
wlee@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @MidNoirCowboy
Richard Stephenson, founder of Cancer Treatment Centers of America, left, and his ex-wife, Alicia Stephenson, head into the McHenry County Courthouse on Oct. 17, 2016. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)
The ex-wife of Cancer Treatment Centers of America 's multimillionaire founder testified Thursday that she has a poor credit score and debts that include hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid lawyer fees, and has had to pay taxes on her monthly maintenance and on income she is entitled to but does not receive.
Alicia Stephenson, who teared up early into her morning testimony in McHenry County court and asked the judge for a break, separated from Richard Stephenson in 2007 when she moved out of the 120-acre Tudor Oaks estate in Barrington Hills where he continues to live.
The marriage was officially dissolved last year but more than seven years after Alicia filed for divorce the courtroom drama drags on because they have not been able to agree on a financial settlement. She is seeking more than $400,000 in monthly maintenance, arguing that she is entitled to maintain the lavish lifestyle she had during the 18 years before the divorce filing, including private jets, household staff, multiple homes, and extravagant parties and vacations.
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During testimony Thursday, Alicia Stephenson claimed that since her separation she has paid $16,680 annually on a life insurance policy that benefits her mother, brother and daughter as well as her ex-husband. She said there are trusts in which she has ownership from which she has not received income. A representative from Richard Stephenson's camp said outside court that he does not receive income from those trusts either because the income is reinvested, but that their value will be divided between the former couple once they reach a financial settlement.
During their marriage, Alicia Stephenson testified, she advised her husband on matters concerning the family's various businesses, planned various family gatherings and oversaw high-end renovation projects, landscaping and staffing matters for their various homes. She said she also helped manage the Tudor Oaks farm where the couple kept many Haflinger horses after having fell in love with the breed during their honeymoon in Austria.
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Alicia Stephenson said she advised her husband on philanthropic contributions and worked with several charities, including a nonprofit fundraising arm of her husband's network of cancer hospitals.
Her lawyer, Elizabeth Felt Wakeman, noted that Alicia Stephenson chose to work outside the home even though the prenuptial agreement she signed stated she did not have to. She testified that her husband wanted her to be more involved in his work.
"We were partners," she said. "He wanted my input and my participation."
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Her lawyer asked why he wanted her involved.
"It promoted the image of the family, the image of CTCA, the image of our philosophies," she said.
She also testified that, during the marriage, she was never given any limits for expenditures such as commissioned artwork, jewelry, couture clothing, luxury linens, draperies and furnishings. Each of their homes had their own collections of expensive silver and flatware, china and crystal. Alicia Stephenson said it was a level of extravagance she hopes to afford in her new life.
In later testimony, she said that when she moved out of Tudor Oaks, she took personal belongings such as clothing, purses and about $2 million in jewelry. But she left behind an extensive Santa Claus collection and said that when she asked for it back, she was told that she was "entitled to nothing" because she had left.
She said since leaving the marriage she has had to shop at more modest retailers such as Bed Bath & Beyond, has accrued credit card debt and recently struggled to obtain a loan to buy a new 2017 Audi Q7.
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"I'm living on very limited funds compared to what I lived on during marriage," she said.
Amanda Marrazzo is a freelance reporter.
Illinois State Police on Thursday arrested a Chicago man in connection with threats he allegedly sent to Gov. Bruce Rauner in a letter and emailed to the DuPage County sheriff.
Eric M. Pence, 24, faces a felony charge of threatening a public official for the threat to Rauner and a misdemeanor charge of harassment using an electronic communication device for the threat to DuPage County Sheriff John Zaruba.
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Pence is being held at the DuPage County Jail in lieu of a $250,000 bond, police said.
Pence was convicted in DuPage County in 2013 of traveling to meet a 12-year-old when he was 19 years old, according to the Illinois Child Sex Offender registry, which also lists Pence's residence as Carol Stream.
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Illinois State Police (ISP) arrested Eric M. Pence, 24, of Chicago, for sending a threat letter to the Governor. The preliminary investigation also revealed Pence sent threatening emails to the DuPage County Sheriff. Photo provided by Illinois State Police (Illinois State Police)
In a news release, Zaruba said Pence was later charged and convicted of electronic harassment with obscene messages for contacting the 12-year-old in his previous case.
Zaruba said he received "numerous" harassing emails from Pence.
"Harassment and threats against elected officials are a serious matter, and we cannot stand by and allow this type of criminal conduct to occur," he said.
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Ben Baker long alleged that Chicago police Sgt. Ronald Watts planted drugs on him during a 2005 arrest at the now-shuttered Ida B. Wells public housing complex. He was freed after spending a decade in prison and shares his thoughts on his wrongful imprisonment. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune) (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
As a victim of torture by Chicago police decades ago, Darrell Cannon has heard promises of reform before.
With the U.S. Justice Department expected to release its report Friday on a long-standing pattern of civil rights violations by Chicago police, Cannon, who spent decades in prison for a murder he didn't commit, isn't about to jump for joy.
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"Why did it have to take so long? That's the question," Cannon told the Tribune of reform efforts. "I don't want to prejudge anything. But as far as having indelible impact, I am skeptical."
Sources have told the Tribune that the federal investigation launched more than a year ago in the fallout over the shooting of black teenager Laquan McDonald has found that Chicago police have systematically violated the civil rights of citizens through unconstitutional arrests and excessive force.
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The report faulted officers for unnecessarily escalating situations, leading to violent confrontations that put officers and citizens in danger, according to a source with knowledge of the report. The department also fails to "fully document and meaningfully review officers' use of force" criticism of the lack of accountability for officer misconduct, the source said.
Darrell Cannon was one of the first victims to accuse former Chicago police Cmdr. Jon Burge of torture. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune 2011)
Outgoing Attorney General Loretta Lynch is scheduled to announce the findings at a news conference at 10 a.m. Friday at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago. U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and police Superintendent Eddie Johnson are expected to attend.
The report's release marks a landmark moment for the country's second-largest police department as well as one of the last acts of President Barack Obama's Justice Department, which was unusually active in intervening in troubled police departments at a time in which video-recorded police shootings of African-Americans spurred heated protests.
But while the report will likely be heralded as a meaningful step toward reform, the road to fixing deeply entrenched problems in the scandal-plagued department promises to be long and filled with potential obstacles.
Even if Emanuel signs an agreement in principle to work with federal authorities something he did not commit to in remarks Thursday to reporters it will be months before a consent decree would be worked out and filed in federal court.
In the meantime, the shifting political climate in Washington has left activists concerned whether the commitment to change will remain firm both in the nation's capital and in Chicago.
President-elect Donald Trump has supported aggressive law enforcement, and his nominee for attorney general, Alabama Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions, has criticized consent decrees a key federal tool for forcing compliance in police departments under scrutiny.
Some of those harmed by police abuses told the Tribune this week that regardless of the role of federal authorities this time around, they remained skeptical that real reform will come to a police force that has resisted change in spite of a litany of scandals.
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Mayor Emanuel talks at Union Station about a Justice Department report on the Chicago Police Department to be unveiled Friday. Jan. 12, 2017 (John Byrne / Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune)
"They messed over a lot of people," said Ben Baker, who spent 10 years in prison after he was framed on a drug case by a corrupt police sergeant. "A lot of people lost faith in the justice system and the Police Department. (But) you have to believe that all of them are not bad. There has to be some good ones out there. If something was to happen to me or my kids, I would still call the police."
National policing experts say the process can work, albeit slowly. Jonathan Smith, the former head of special litigation for the Justice Department, said many people he's spoken to in Chicago's beleaguered communities have expressed doubts. But he's told them that with time and effort, change can happen.
"The department ... broke over decades," Smith said. "These problems didn't just emerge this week. They go to the core of the way the department functions and it will take a long, sustained effort to fix them."
Baltimore a guidepost
Congress first authorized the Justice Department to conduct so-called pattern or practice civil rights investigations in the mid-1990s after the infamous Rodney King beating in Los Angeles. It first investigated the Pittsburgh Police Department in 1997. Since then, it has opened 69 formal investigations and entered into 40 reform agreements, according to Justice Department statistics.
The most common findings in its probes are discriminatory policing based on race and ethnicity, improper use of force, First Amendment violations, unlawful searches and stops, and gender bias, according to the statistics. But the Justice Department has also targeted patterns of police abuse against mentally ill persons or discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation, the statistics show. And one department was faulted for undercounting rapes.
The release of the Chicago report continues a process that is expected to play out much like a similar probe of Baltimore police that was launched in 2015 after the highly publicized death of black arrestee Freddie Gray.
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More than five months after the Justice Department issued a scathing report in that case, the Baltimore police on Thursday entered into a consent decree with federal authorities to institute sweeping reforms, including de-escalation techniques before resorting to violence and new policies on transporting prisoners.
Like other consent decrees filed in other cities, the 227-page agreement in Baltimore will go before a federal judge for approval and the appointment of an independent monitor to update the court on progress on reforms a process that will likely last years. The Baltimore decree also calls for a community oversight task force.
In addition to Baltimore, the Justice Department is continuing to work with Cleveland police after reaching a consent decree in 2015. The probe had concluded officers engaged in unnecessary and unreasonable force with shootings, head strikes, Tasers, chemical spray and fists. They were also cited for using excessive force against the mentally ill.
It could be months before any such agreement is reached in Chicago if one is struck at all. Asked about the Justice Department report on Thursday, Emanuel said he didn't know many of the specifics contained in the report and wouldn't commit to adopting all its recommendations for reform. He also did not pledge to pursue a consent decree.
"I don't know what the next administration's going to do, but I do know what we are going to do in Chicago, which is to build off the reforms we've made in the last year, and continue to make those type of investments in the future," the mayor said.
Emanuel also did not commit to signing what's known as an "agreement in principle" an acknowledgment of problems and a willingness to work with the Justice Department to fix them. He said the city would work with the new administration but would ultimately do what is "in our interest."
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Still, hope remains that eventually a consent decree will be reached in Chicago that can make a difference.
Departments that have gone through this process have "come out the end a much better agency," said Robert Stewart, a national policing expert who has overseen reforms in Chicago and other departments.
"There is a much closer tie to the community," Stewart said. "There is improved transparency. And there is an active early intervention program that deals with problem officers.''
This excerpt from video released to the public shows the most complete version of the shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. It is edited for length by the Chicago Tribune. Warning: This video contains graphic images. (Chicago Tribune)
Laquan McDonald's legacy
However it ultimately plays out, the release of the Chicago report will close one chapter of a saga that started nearly 14 months ago with the release of police dashboard camera video of white Officer Jason Van Dyke shooting McDonald 16 times in October 2014.
The city fought for more than a year to avoid releasing the video even as it agreed to pay $5 million to McDonald's family before a lawsuit was even filed. Months later, a Cook County judge ordered the video's release as part of an open records lawsuit, sparking furious and prolonged protests over the graphic images.
Along with the controversy stoked by the shooting itself, the department's handling of the case revealed an institutional tendency to quickly justify shootings. Several officers gave reports and accounts indicating McDonald lunged at Van Dyke with a knife, contradicting the video showing the teen walking away. Commanding officers also promptly signed off on the reports and initially ruled the shooting justified.
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The fallout has been extensive. Just after the video's release, Emanuel fired then-police Superintendent Garry McCarthy, and Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez lost her bid for re-election last year after criticism for failing to charge Van Dyke with murder until it became clear the video would become public.
Consequences are certain to continue as the city seeks to fire Van Dyke and four other officers involved in the case, while Van Dyke's criminal prosecution goes forward and a special grand jury hears evidence of a potential cover-up involving other officers.
McDonald's death brought cries for policing reform to a head in Chicago, but discontent with the city's police reaches back decades, particularly among African-Americans.
Protests over law enforcement in the last year were rooted both in recent shootings as well as past grievances, from a team of detectives led by former Cmdr. Jon Burge accused of systemic torture of African-American defendants on murder charges to a rogue squad of tactical officers who terrorized minority communities, robbing drug dealers and bursting into homes without search warrants.
Beyond the headline scandals, many of the city's African-American and Hispanic residents have voiced distrust of police because of run-ins with cops they found disrespectful or aggressive, as well as disciplinary authorities who seemed indifferent or inept.
Previous calls for police reform in Chicago gained limited traction even as the city hemorrhaged hundreds of millions of dollars in legal verdicts and settlements in lawsuits alleging abuse or misconduct by police. The city's police are in part responsible for dozens of wrongful convictions that sent many minority defendants to prison for decades and even put others on death row for crimes they didn't commit.
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But all of it paled in comparison to the firestorm ignited by the video of the McDonald shooting. Michael Robbins, an attorney for the McDonald family, told the Tribune he never anticipated the case would become a metaphor for police misconduct, not just in the city but nationally as well.
He noted, however, that Chicago's policing problems have been documented before without any meaningful change.
"I am hopeful," he said of the Justice Department report. "But I am cautiously optimistic. I have been doing this a long time."
Commitment to reform?
Lynch announced the investigation into the Police Department in December 2015, but Emanuel jumped ahead of her agency by commissioning his own report, from his handpicked panel, the Police Accountability Task Force. That panel released its own report in April accusing the department of racial bias that has hurt African-Americans and calling for reforms in police discipline, among other areas.
Before the McDonald scandal broke, the city had almost never ruled a shooting by an officer unjustified, and Tribune investigations have shown that the city agency responsible for looking into use of force and alleged police misconduct, the Independent Police Review Authority, has been slow and prone to clearing officers, even in cases in which evidence suggested wrongdoing.
Emanuel moved to abolish the agency, which will be replaced later this year by an office slated to have a bigger staff and a broader mandate to conduct investigations.
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Among other key reforms is officer training. The Police Department had previously provided little training to police beyond the academy, but it has recently rolled out new instruction on defusing tense situations and dealing with the mentally ill.
Ongoing Department of Justice investigations and enforcements Consent decree or other type of agreement Open investigation Note: There are two ongoing investigations in Orange County, Calif. The DOJ is enforcing two agreements on Maricopa County, Ariz., a consent decree and a post-judgment order.
Sources: Department of Justice and Tribune reporting.
Meanwhile, the department is finalizing new use of force rules that could limit when officers can shoot people, among other changes. The city plans to equip officers citywide with body cameras by the end of 2017.
Any reforms to come to the department immediately will be overseen by Johnson, Emanuel's handpicked superintendent.
Despite the mayor's insistence that he's committed to improving the 12,000-strong police force, some local activists and lawyers have voiced fears that Emanuel's resolve will wane if Trump's Justice Department relaxes its stance.
At his Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday, attorney general nominee Sessions said he was wary of the Justice Department painting allegations of police wrongdoing with too broad a brush.
"I think there's concern that good police officers and good departments can be sued by the Department of Justice when you just have individuals within a department who have done wrong, and those individuals need to be prosecuted," Sessions said. "Filing a lawsuit against a Police Department can have ramifications sometimes beyond what a lot of people think."
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Craig Futterman, a law professor at the University of Chicago and frequent police critic, said he's worried Trump's advocacy for aggressive policing could prompt Emanuel to slow down on reform efforts if political pressure on him wanes.
"The culture just doesn't change by itself," he said. "This mayor, this administration has repeatedly shown it lacks the political will to do it on its own."
Smith, the former Justice Department supervisor, said he's concerned the rhetoric from the incoming administration in Washington "suggests there is some tension between constitutional policing and public safety."
"In fact, you can't have one without the other," Smith said.
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Chicago Tribune's John Byrne contributed.
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After a year-long investigation of the Chicago Police Department, the U.S. Department of Justice released a 164-page report on Jan. 13, 2017. The report condemns Chicago police for excessive force, lax discipline and bad training. (Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)
In perhaps the most damning, sweeping critique ever of the Chicago Police Department, the U.S. Department of Justice concluded Friday that the city's police officers are poorly trained and quick to turn to excessive and even deadly force, most often against blacks and Latino residents, without facing consequences.
The 164-page report, the product of more than a year of investigation, paints the picture of a department flawed from top to bottom, although many of the problems it cites have, for decades, been the subject of complaints from citizens, lawsuits by attorneys and investigations by news organizations.
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As such, the report is an indictment of sorts of city officials who, the report said, have paid lip service to the community's complaints as well as the need for reform of the Police Department and the various city agencies responsible for its oversight.
Taken together, the Chicago Police Department's flaws have "helped create a culture in which officers expect to use force and not be questioned about the need for or propriety of that use," the Justice Department said in its report, made public Friday by U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch.
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In response to the federal investigation, Mayor Rahm Emanuel agreed to enter a court-enforced agreement with the Justice Department on a wide range of reforms, Lynch and other officials announced. While the report lauds some of the changes Emanuel has made to policing in recent months, it cautions that further reforms are needed and that real change is unlikely to last without outside monitoring.
What's more, the report takes Emanuel to task for his efforts to get ahead of the report, saying some efforts have been insufficient.
For his part, the mayor continued to voice his backing of the federal investigation while at the same time insisting the report's findings of systemic problems don't portray most cops.
"The incidents described in this report are sobering to all of us," he said. "Police misconduct will not be tolerated anywhere in the city of Chicago, and those who break the rules will be held accountable for their actions. Misconduct not only harms the individuals affected, it damages the reputation of the Chicago Police Department.
Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx reacts to this mornings Dept of Justice report on the Chgo Police Dept. Jan. 13, 2017. (Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune)
"At the same time, it is important to recognize that the incidents of misconduct cited in this report do not represent the values of the city of Chicago. And I believe firmly they do not represent the good work of the vast majority of the men and women of the Chicago Police Department, I said it earlier, who put their lives on the line every day."
At a news conference, Lynch said the department's pattern of excessive force "is in no small part the result of severely deficient training procedures and accountability systems."
"CPD does not give its officers the training they need to do their jobs safely, effectively and lawfully," Lynch said. "It fails to properly collect and analyze data, including data on misconduct complaints and training deficiencies, and it does not adequately review use-of-force incidents to determine whether force was appropriate or lawful or whether the use of force could've been avoided altogether."
All of these issues, she said, have led to "low officer morale and erosion of officer accountability."
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The investigation was launched after the court-ordered release of a video showing a white police officer shoot black teenager Laquan McDonald 16 times. The incident became a flashpoint in police-community relations after Emanuel and city officials worked to keep the video from the public for about a year.
In its findings, the Justice Department was particularly critical of foot pursuits by officers the subject of a recent Tribune investigation. The report said the foot chases too often end with unarmed individuals being shot. The Justice Department also faulted officers for shooting at vehicles without justification.
The report hammered hard at how officers fail to de-escalate tense situations, often resulting in shootings that were avoidable and unnecessarily endangered officers as well. The Justice Department ripped officials responsible for investigating police shootings and other uses of force for failing to hold officers accountable or issue meaningful discipline.
The report cited a pervasive "code of silence" that leads officers to lie to protect themselves and colleagues. Disciplinary authorities, in turn, have rarely brought cases against officers who lied, even when their statements were contradicted by video, while officers are almost never held accountable for even the worst shootings, it found.
Although the vast majority of the report was critical of the police, it also suggested that officers were victims of a sort desperate for change but poorly served by a lack of training that often put them in harm's way.
But as much as the Justice Department suggested that most of the city's 12,000 officers wanted to do better, it chronicled so many abuses that the report is yet another black eye for a department with a long, controversial history that includes torturing suspects and dozens of wrongful convictions. Indeed, the Justice Department's report offered confirmation of a story often told about Chicago police that they take gang members into rival territory to threaten them into cooperating.
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Besides addressing police shootings, it dealt with other police issues, such as how officers target minorities in enforcement and, in many instances, treat them badly and, in some cases, unconstitutionally: manhandling even children and holding them unless they can produce a gun, for instance.
One of the report's key findings echoed a contention black and Hispanic Chicagoans have made for decades that police unfairly target minorities. The report said DOJ investigators had "serious concerns about the prevalence of racially discriminatory conduct by some CPD officers." Statistics cited by the DOJ show that CPD has used force almost 10 times more often against blacks than against whites.
Justice Department officials tracked the Police Department's problems all the way to the police academy, where officers learn to be police but end up shooting people who pose no threat and using a Taser on people who simply didn't follow spoken commands.
The report criticized use-of-force training at the academy, noting that Justice Department investigators observed a training video made decades before that "was inconsistent with both current law and CPD's own policies." When officials spoke to recent academy graduates, only 1 in 6 "came close to properly articulating the legal standard for use of force."
The report said that while Emanuel has widely expanded the department's stock of Tasers, too many officers have been run through training programs too quickly, "without proper curriculum, staff or equipment." As a result, according to the report, many officers are "uncomfortable with how to use Tasers effectively as a less-lethal force option the very skill the training was supposed to teach."
The report's release marks a landmark for the country's second-largest local police department and one of the last acts of President Barack Obama's Justice Department. But the report comes as serious questions loom about the future of police reform nationwide. President-elect Donald Trump has supported aggressive law enforcement, and his nominee for attorney general, Alabama Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions, has criticized consent decrees.
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Local activists and lawyers have voiced fears that Emanuel's resolve to change policing will wane if Trump's Justice Department relaxes its stance, but the mayor has said he's committed to improving the 12,000-strong police force. During the 13-month investigation, Emanuel pressed changes in line with reforms that federal authorities have tended to seek in other departments: tightening use-of-force policies and stepping up training and discipline.
The report's release answered a key lingering question as to whether Emanuel would agree to formal court supervision of reforms. In her statement, Lynch said the city had signed an agreement to work with federal officials on a consent decree. An independent monitor will oversee the process.
Winning the trust of the community, however, will not be easy. Chicago police, the report states, must show "communities racked with violence that their police force cares about them and has not abandoned them, regardless of where they live or the color of their skin."
Ongoing Department of Justice investigations and enforcements Consent decree or other type of agreement Open investigation Note: There are two ongoing investigations in Orange County, Calif. The DOJ is enforcing two agreements on Maricopa County, Ariz., a consent decree and a post-judgment order.
Sources: Department of Justice and Tribune reporting.
"That confidence is broken in many neighborhoods in Chicago," the report said.
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Getting buy-in from rank-and-file officers, many of them overwhelmed by surging violence and weary of constant criticism, also will be difficult. But Superintendent Eddie Johnson said the department was working hard to regain the community's trust and would continue to do so. He noted how the department has boosted its training of officers in the past year, including in crisis intervention, and how it solicited input from the public on a new use-of-force policy.
"Quite simply, as a department, we need to do better," he said. "And you have my promise and commitment that we will do better."
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Chicago Tribune's John Byrne and Steve Schmadeke contributed.
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Using stingray devices, police can zero in on the location of a particular cellphone and identify the serial numbers of all phones in the area. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)
A Chicago attorney on Thursday filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Chicago Police Department's use of a secret cellphone tracking system, arguing the practice should require a warrant and violates individual privacy.
Jerry Boyle, who is also a longtime volunteer for the National Lawyers Guild, brought the case after police intercepted information from his cellphone at a Black Lives Matter protest for Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2015 on the West Side, according to the lawsuit.
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As a volunteer, Boyle frequently attends protests to monitor police activity and to offer legal services to anyone who may be arrested.
"The people of Chicago should be able to exercise their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech, association and assembly without being spied upon by police," Boyle said in a news release. "Government spying on its citizens without appropriate judicial oversight is inconsistent with the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution."
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Bill McCaffrey, a spokesman for the city's Law Department, said the city has not been served yet and cannot comment. A Police Department spokesman also declined to comment.
Loevy & Loevy, a civil rights law firm that has sued police in a number of high-profile cases, is representing Boyle and seeking class-action status for the case.
Calling the practice of intercepting cellphone information secretive and widespread, Boyle's attorneys assert the city has an "arsenal" of devices to carry out such work and has no policy dictating how officers should handle the collection of personal information or when the technology should be used.
Cell site simulators are devices that mimic cell towers and can collect data from phones, including text messages, internet browsing history, location tracking and phone call content, according to the lawsuit. When police deploy a cell site simulator, also referred to as "Stingrays" based on the name of a popular model, the device captures data from any phone in its range not just the intended target.
When the device is in use, it drains cellphone batteries and can lead to dropped calls. The devices can reach cellphones more than a mile away from them and capture data from up to 60,000 phones simultaneously. The lawsuit doesn't make clear how Boyle knew his phone information was being intercepted.
Based on invoice statements obtained through public records requests, CPD spent more than a half-million dollars on cell site simulators, software upgrades and other related products from 2005 to 2010, the lawsuit states.
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"The Chicago Police Department can't give its officers weapons that have the power to search and seize our most personal information without any instructions about how to use them," Craig Futterman, a lawyer representing Boyle, said in a news release.
"That's like giving officers guns and telling them to go get the bad guys without even teaching them how to shoot. We've recently seen how this lack of surveillance oversight has played out at the NSA (National Security Agency), where employees abused surveillance tools to spy on their spouses."
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Controversy over the devices has landed CPD in court before. Cook County Judge Kathleen Kennedy in January 2016 ordered CPD to turn over its records involving the devices as part of a lawsuit brought by a local activist.
A law that goes into effect this year requires police to delete all data not related to the target of an investigation at least once every 24 hours, or within 72 hours if the simulators are used to identify an unknown communication device.
The lawsuit lists as defendants the city, former CPD Superintendent Garry McCarthy and current Superintendent Eddie Johnson, among other department leaders.
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Hoping to bring better stewardship to a troubled institution, Gov. Bruce Rauner plans to name Paul Vallas as one of four new trustees to the Chicago State University board, an unexpected arrangement between former political rivals.
The appointment of Vallas, who ran Chicago Public Schools from 1995 to 2001, and the other board members will be effective Monday. The other trustees are Chicago attorneys Tiffany Harper and Nicholas Gowen, and World Sport Chicago executive director Kam Buckner, the Tribune has learned.
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"Chicago State is a critical institution for the city of Chicago and Illinois," Rauner said in a statement. "These four transformational leaders bring the experience and expertise that is needed to help ensure the university's long-term success."
The appointments mark a significant shift on the board, which will now be controlled by Rauner appointees, and comes at a time of turmoil for the 150-year-old Far South Side campus.
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The school, long plagued by financial mismanagement, administrative scandal and poor academic achievement, has struggled throughout Illinois' 18-month budget impasse that has halted regular funding for the state's public universities. The university laid off 40 percent of its staff earlier this year, and a string of infrastructure failures has further jeopardized the campus' already strained budget.
Among other tasks, the new board will be responsible for choosing the next president after the last president resigned in September after only nine months in the position. The university is now led by an interim president. The board also faces the challenge of earning the confidence of a university community that has long distrusted its leaders.
Faculty union president Robert Bionaz, a critic of university leadership, said he was unfamiliar with the new trustees but pleased the governor acted quickly to name replacements.
Bionaz said he will be in a "wait-and-see mode" to assess what impact they will have.
"This is a first step, and that's all it is," Bionaz said. "We prefer seven out of seven (trustees) be replaced, frankly. There hasn't been any dissent for just about anything. Almost everything is voted on unanimously. That speaks to me of a board that's lazy. The incoming board members, hopefully, will take into consideration that the staff and the students really need to be consulted as to what course of action needs to be taken."
The trustees' six-year terms require Illinois Senate confirmation. The board includes seven trustees appointed by the governor and a student.
Rauner has been critical of Chicago State in the past, including after the board gave former president Thomas Calhoun a $600,000 severance package last fall. Rauner's administration has argued that universities statewide suffer from bloated administrative costs and poor financial oversight, but has singled out Chicago State several times.
"Chicago State is a very important institution. We'd like to see them do well," Rauner said last year. "I would like to be very supportive of them. But in the past, for many years, they've had management problems and they've had significant financial difficulties. And I'd like to see them better-run."
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Rauner said he chose Vallas for the Chicago State position because of his "decades of transformational educational administration experience." In addition to his experience with CPS, Vallas has worked with school districts in Philadelphia, New Orleans and Bridgeport, Conn.
"The Governor believes Paul's background in education, management and finance put him in a unique position to add value to the Chicago State board," Rauner's spokeswoman said in a statement.
Still, Rauner's choice of Vallas for a Democratic spot on the board is somewhat surprising given the attack-dog role the former CPS chief played against Rauner on financial and tax issues while serving as the lieutenant governor candidate during Pat Quinn's unsuccessful 2014 re-election bid.
During the campaign, Vallas, who was returning to Illinois politics after serving as a turnaround specialist for out-of-state school districts, contended Rauner was too wealthy to be Illinois governor. He quickly backtracked by saying Rauner's policies were driven "by his wealth" and business practices developed as a successful equity investor.
Rauner, in turn, criticized Quinn for picking Vallas instead of then-city Treasurer Stephanie Neely, an African-American, saying it was a symbol of how Democrats were taking the black vote for granted.
Vallas has always kept an eye on Illinois politics even considering a GOP bid for Cook County Board president in 2009. Vallas' political past in Illinois also includes narrowly losing the 2002 Democratic governor primary to Rod Blagojevich.
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Vallas, 63, declined to comment.
Buckner, a 31-year-old Democrat, previously oversaw government and neighborhood relations for the Chicago Cubs and worked as a deputy to New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. He also is a lecturer in the public policy studies department at the University of Chicago.
Rauner said Buckner's expertise in "policy, advising and neighborhood relations" would help Chicago State.
Buckner, who grew up on the city's South Side, said he went to Chicago State for summer camps and classes. He said his priorities include raising the university's graduation rate, which was 11 percent in 2015, and resolving the school's fiscal issues.
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"We have to be able to support not just what's going on at the school, not just what the agenda is in Springfield, but I think we have to be able to independently think and be responsible to the taxpayers," Buckner said. "There has been a lot of conversation about if Chicago State is worth saving. The way I look at it, the question is not whether the school is worth saving but what are we willing to do to save it? It's a pillar of the community and I'm excited to get started to try to help start some change."
Harper, 34, is an in-house counsel for Chicago law firm Grant Thornton LLP, specializing in negotiating and drafting contracts, bankruptcy, human resource and general litigation. Rauner said her legal experience "will be a major asset." Chicago State faces several pending lawsuits.
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Gowen, a partner at Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella PC, specializes in commercial litigation.
Harper and Gowen could not be reached for comment.
The new trustees will join board chair Marshall Hatch and vice chair Horace Smith, along with Nikki Zollar and student trustee Paris Griffin. They will replace trustees Anthony Young, James Joyce, Michael Curtin and Spencer Leak, whose terms expire Monday.
drhodes@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @rhodes_dawn
David Westbrook, a single father of two kids, has been on the Chicago Housing Authority's waiting list for housing assistance for years. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune)
Several people were arrested Friday morning after about three dozen housing advocates attempted to disrupt Chicago's annual interfaith breakfast in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.
The protesters interrupted Mayor Rahm Emanuel's remarks at the Hilton Hotel, 720 S. Michigan Ave., after earlier blocking the entrance and sitting in doorways to try to prevent people from entering.
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Police pleaded with protesters who refused to leave the turnstile doorways. Officers began forcing the doors open to allow people to attend the breakfast.
The protests came on the heels of a report by the bipartisan Center for Tax and Budget Accountability that said the Chicago Housing Authority socked away cash, paid off most of its debt and overfunded its pension plan while tens of thousands of families languished on a waiting list for assistance.
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Emanuel was a couple minutes into his speech when about a dozen protesters walked into the back of the ballroom chanting "What do we want? Keeping the Promise! When do we want it? Now!"
The Keeping the Promise ordinance is a measure housing advocates have supported that would give the City Council power to hold the Chicago Housing Authority accountable for the amount of affordable housing the agency is creating.
Emanuel paused in his remarks as police tried to get the protesters to leave. Then he attempted to continue speaking before stopping again as protesters stood among the tables of diners chanting for the mayor to "support the CHA, give the homeless a place to stay."
After about five minutes, the protesters were ushered out the back doors of the ballroom. Emanuel then called attention to their action as being in keeping with King's legacy.
"While we may not agree - and whether we do or not on the tactic at a breakfast which will honor Dr. King - their message (is) about fair housing and equal access to housing, and if we know anything about the history of our city, Dr. King's presence in Chicago was exactly about that message about housing," Emanuel said, asking attendees to applaud the protesters.
jgrotto@chicagotribune.com
A 20-year-old man was shot in the chest while he was driving in the 7200 block of South Washtenaw Avenue late on Jan. 13, 2017, police said. He was later pronounced dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center. (Elvia Malagon / Chicago Tribune)
Three men were killed and six other people, including a 17-year-old boy, were wounded in shootings from Friday to early Saturday.
The most recent attack happened about 3:30 a.m. in the Englewood neighborhood. A man was killed and a 26-year-old woman was critically wounded after five to six men entered a home in the 6000 block of South Carpenter Street and opened fire.
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The men shot the man multiple times, and he was pronounced dead at 3:48 a.m. at the scene. He was identified as Tyrone Blake, 25, of the 6100 block of South Indiana Avenue, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.
The 26-year-old woman was also shot multiple times, and she was taken in critical condition to Stroger Hospital.
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Outside of the home, a man, who did not want to be identified, said he learned about the shooting after a woman, who lives in the home where the shooting took place, knocked on his door and asked to use his phone.
He said the woman told him that she heard a group of men asking who was in the home. She told him that she heard the men go upstairs and then she heard gunshots.
"I don't know," he said as he looked at the home. "I don't get it."
In Marquette Park, a 20-year-old man was fatally shot about 9:50 p.m. as he was driving in the 7200 block of South Washtenaw Avenue in the Marquette Park neighborhood on the South Side, police said. Someone inside a white Ford Explorer fired shots at the man as the two cars crossed paths at the intersection of 72nd Street and Washtenaw Avenue.
The 20-year-old man was taken in critical condition to Advocate Christ Medical Center. He was later pronounced dead. The Medical Examiner's Office identified him as Devonta Spraggins of the 7200 block of Talman Avenue.
A white sedan could be seen on the corner crashed into a black SUV. The driver's door was riddled with bullet holes and the window had been shot out.
Michael Rivers and his 28-year-old neighbor tried to figure out what happened as they watched officers search for evidence and guard the crime scene. Both didn't hear gunfire and realized something happened only when they saw police cars.
"It's scary," Rivers said. "We don't see things like this."
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They described the neighborhood as a tight-knit community. Violence does not usually happen where they live, though they said there are shootings on other blocks farther away.
The 28-year-old woman, who did not want to be identified, said neighbors here stay in touch and look out for each other.
"You can't do wrong because you getting told on," she said.
Some of their neighbors include city workers, some who are now retired. As they looked at the crime scene, they noticed a building on the corner where the shooting took place had cameras and is owned by a retired officer.
"Whatever happened is on those cameras," she said.
"So be it," Rivers said.
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About 4 p.m., 21 year-old Diamond Woods was in a dispute with someone outside in the 600 block of North Central Avenue in the Austin neighborhood when someone on foot shot him multiple times, police said.
Woods suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was taken to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park where he was pronounced dead, police said.
No one was in custody in any of the homicides.
A 17-year-old boy was critically wounded in a shooting at 12:30 a.m. Saturday inside a taqueria, Sanchez Tacos, in the 4000 block of West Ogden Avenue in the Lawndale neighborhood, police said.
He was inside the restaurant when an altercation broke out among a group of men. One of the men in the group pulled out a gun and opened fire, hitting the teen multiple times, police said. The boy was taken in critical condition to Mount Sinai Hospital.
Spent shell casings could be seen outside the restaurant. From outside the restaurant, officers could be seen inside viewing surveillance video of the shooting along with workers.
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The video shows men placing orders at the restaurant. At some point, two people begin struggling with each other with a third man joining in what turns into a scuffle. The video later shows at least two men on the ground.
No one was in custody.
In other shootings:
In the Little Village neighborhood, a 21-year-old man was shot in the right leg about 11:40 p.m. in the 2300 block of South Kedzie Avenue. He was standing on the street when someone inside a passing car shot at him. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where his condition was stabilized.
A 28-year-old man was wounded in a drive-by shooting about 11:30 p.m. in the Washington Heights neighborhood, police said. He was getting out of a vehicle in the 10500 block of South Sangamon Street when someone inside a passing car shot him in the left arm. He was taken in good condition to Advocate Christ Medical Center.
About 5:15 p.m., a 19-year-old man was shot in the 4000 block of West Madison Street in the West Garfield Park neighborhood. He was standing on the sidewalk when he heard shots and was struck. He was taken to Stroger Hospital, where his condition was stabilized, police said.
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A 23-year-old man was shot about 11:30 a.m. in the 1900 block of South Homan Avenue in the city's Lawndale neighborhood, police said. He was walking when he was approached by more than one person and shot in the leg. The victim left the scene and went to the 3200 block of West Cermak Road where he got help, police said. He was taken in serious condition to Mount Sinai Hospital.
Janaya Simmons speaks about the death investigation of her next-door neighbors in Lake in the Hills on Jan. 11, 2017. Carla Lopez-Mejia and her children, Ezequiel Garcia, 11, and Ariana Garcia, 8, were found dead Jan. 10. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)
Amid an outpouring of support for grieving relatives and classmates, police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a mother and her two children in an apparent murder-suicide.
Authorities said that Carla Lopez-Mejia strangled her son Ezequiel Garcia, 11, and daughter Ariana Garcia, 8, before hanging herself in their Lake in the Hills home. Their bodies were found Tuesday by first responders who had to break through the door of the townhouse to get inside.
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Officials have released few details in recent days.
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 9 Mourners, including the children's father, Luis Garcia, far left, and his brother, Adam Garcia, center, blue suit, stand outside St. Mary Catholic Church in Huntley on Jan. 18, 2017, as the caskets containing the bodies of Carla Lopez-Mejia and her two children, Ariana Garcia, 8, and Ezequiel Garcia, 11, are wheeled out following the funeral service. Officials said Lopez-Mejia strangled both children and then hanged herself. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
The time of death for all three family members was 12 to 24 hours before the 911 call, said McHenry County Coroner Anne Majewski. That call came in just before 3 p.m. on Tuesday, police said. Authorities have not revealed who placed the 911 call, which police said was to report an unresponsive subject.
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Authorities also have said the children's bodies were found on the home's second floor and the mother's on the ground floor.
As family and community members try to process the grim news, efforts are underway to assist the family and others who are grieving.
As of Friday evening, an online fundraising effort reported contributions topping $25,000, with the campaign trending on GoFundMe.com.
The person who set up the site identified himself as Adam Garcia of Huntley, who said he was the brother of Luis Garcia, the children's father.
The children "were my brother's life and joy," Adam Garcia wrote. "He loved them both very much and made sure they were well taken care of."
"Izzy and Ariana were full of energy and loved playing outside together. Izzy loved building things and video games. Animals were Ariana's love and passion. They both loved their dog Gumball and would always play with him. Our family is going to miss their endless love for life," the post said.
Garcia asked for $30,000 to cover all funeral and burial and other expenses, adding, "Our family thanks everyone for their thoughts and prayers at this difficult time."
Students at Martin Elementary School visiting Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dogs Friday, Jan. 13, 2017, in Lake in the Hills, Ill. Ariana Lopez-Mejia and Ezequiel Lopez-Mejia, who were strangled by their mother Carla Lopez-Mejia before she committed suicide earlier in the week, were a student and former student at the school. The dogs visited the school to provide some relief for their classmates. (Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune) (Erin Hooley, Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)
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According to the GoFundMe site, visitation for the children has been set for 3-8 p.m. on Tuesday at Defiore-Jorgensen Funeral and Cremation Service, 10763 Dundee Road in Huntley. A funeral Mass is planned for 2 p.m. on Wednesday at St. Mary Catholic Church, 10307 Dundee Road in Huntley.
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At Martin Elementary School in Lake in the Hills, where Ariana Garcia was a third-grader, comfort dogs were brought in on Friday to provide some cheer to her classmates. Ezequiel Garcia was in sixth grade at the adjacent Marlowe Middle School. Some classmates this week have been wearing blue in remembrance of Ezequiel and pink in honor of Ariana.
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 9 Students at Martin Elementary School pet Adeena, a Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dog, on Jan. 13, 2017, in Lake in the Hills. Ariana Lopez-Mejia and Ezequiel Lopez-Mejia, who were strangled by their mother before she committed suicide earlier in the week, were students at the school. The dogs visited the school to provide some relief for their classmates. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)
According to an online obituary, both siblings were born in Elgin and their mother in Mexico. Lopez-Mejia married Luis Garcia in Woodstock in 2009 and had worked in customer service for a bank, the obituary said.
Despite the ongoing investigation into the deaths of the Garcia children and their 27-year-old mother, McHenry County State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally said all indications are that this was a murder-suicide.
Robert McCoppin is a Tribune reporter; Amanda Marrazzo is a freelance reporter.
rmccoppin@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @RobertMcCoppin
A 72-year-old man has been charged with trying to sexually assault a Chicago Fire Department paramedic who was taking him to a hospital after he crashed his car Wednesday night on the South Side, officials said.
Roy U. Hall struck a pole in the 3300 block of South King Drive about 9:30 p.m. and an ambulance was called, according to Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford. While on the way to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Hall tried to assault the paramedic, a 36-year-old woman, he said.
When the ambulance arrived at the hospital, Hall was restrained by security and the paramedic was treated for minor injuries, Langford said.
"We're very concerned. Our paramedics are trying to help people,'' he said.
Hall, of the 7700 block of South Calumet Avenue, was charged with aggravated battery of a protected employee and attempted aggravated criminal sexual abuse causing bodily harm, police said.
He was due in bond court Friday.
VenusLa'V Caston is an ex-offender who works as a CTA apprentice cleaning rail cars in Chicago. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)
The union representing CTA rail workers voted against an extension of a jobs program for felons, which could result in the loss of jobs for 63 people, CTA officials said Friday.
The Second Chance program provides felons and other hard-to-place workers with temporary jobs cleaning buses and trains, and employs about 200 people. Amalgamated Transit Union Local 308, which represents rail workers, and ATU Local 241, which represents bus workers, had agreed in principle with the CTA on Dec. 30 to extend the program before it was set to expire, according to CTA President Dorval Carter.
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Kenneth Franklin, president of Local 308, said Carter's statement that an agreement had been reached was "premature" because membership had not yet voted. Membership since has voted not to extend the program, Franklin said.
In a statement, Carter said Local 308's decision is "shortsighted, unfortunate and surprising."
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"Unfortunately, the Union has changed its mind and instead chosen to punish dozens of men and women who were on the path to better lives," Carter said. Second Chance workers pay union dues.
CTA is in discussions with Local 308 and Local 241, officials said, so whether the rail workers will lose their jobs is unclear.
The unions are negotiating four-year contracts with the CTA, and have been without contracts since the end of 2015. Franklin said voting against the program was not a form of retaliation.
Franklin said the union is looking to preserve and improve its health insurance and fair wage increases in its contract negotiations, among other things.
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Union leaders have told the Tribune they supported the Second Chance program but wanted the CTA to raise wages for the temporary workers from $10.50 to $15 an hour. The CTA had agreed to the union's request for wage increases, according to a letter from Carter to Franklin obtained Friday by the Tribune.
In the letter, Carter said it was "oddly ironic" that the discussion was taking place right before the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday because the program supports equality, opportunity and justice.
Franklin said a "real second chance in life" would be to give workers full-time jobs.
Late last month, multiple civic leaders including U.S. Reps. Bobby Rush and Danny Davis spoke in favor of the program and urged union cooperation.
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The Second Chance program was interrupted at the end of 2013 due to a dispute with Local 308 but was reinstated less than two months later.
mwisniewski@tribpub.com
Twitter @marywizchicago
Welcome to Clout Street: Morning Spin, our weekday feature to catch you up with what's going on in government and politics from Chicago to Springfield.
Topspin
Gov. Bruce Rauner marked two years in office by answering questions on Facebook Live Thursday, acknowledging frustration at the state's ongoing budget impasse but saying he's hopeful about developments in recent days.
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The Republican governor praised bipartisan talks in the Senate that produced a sweeping budget proposal and the unveiling of an economic plan by Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan as "major breakthroughs." It's early in the process for both proposals, and significant political challenges could block their paths forward.
"This is an exciting time," Rauner said. "These are major steps in the right direction."
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Still, he also assured his roughly 350 viewers that he planned to "stay the course" in his battle with Democrats who control the Illinois General Assembly, declaring "I will never give up."
As he has done in the past, Rauner used the time to promote his initiatives, reading questions picked by his staff that allowed him to express support for a property tax freeze, term limits and school choice, which usually translates to vouchers that give students state funds to attend private schools.
The governor did read one seemingly critical question. He was asked what he has "honestly accomplished" during the first two years of his term, which have been marked by bickering and uncertainty.
"Obviously, we're frustrated, there are some things we haven't been able to get the General Assembly to do yet," Rauner said, before ticking off a list of what he views as his successes.
They include changes to the criminal justice system to help push down the prison population, an overhaul of the state's outdated computer systems and new contracts with several employee unions. He did not mention, though, an ongoing contract battle with the state's largest employee union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31.
The governor is scheduled to deliver his annual State of the State speech Jan. 25, followed by his budget proposal Feb. 15. (Monique Garcia)
What's on tap
*The federal Department of Justice is expected to release a report on its conclusions from the 13-month investigation into conduct at the Chicago Police Department.
*Mayor Emanuel is scheduled to attend the city's Interfaith Breakfast in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.
*Gov. Rauner has no public events.
What we're writing
*Landmark moment for Chicago police as Justice report to be released.
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*Ratings agency says big tax hike is 'most likely' CPS fix.
*Rauner to name former CPS chief Paul Vallas to board of troubled Chicago State.
*Illinois Supreme Court weighs whether hospitals must pay property taxes.
*Crisis communication firms are early beneficiaries of Trump's upcoming presidency.
What we're reading
*Head of U. of C. Medicine's long-sought trauma center: Violence is 'disease.'
*Maine college to unveil rare image of Lincoln's inauguration, the first captured by photograph.
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*Blizzard '67: Imagine the snow begins to fall and doesn't stop.
From the notebook
*Axelrod and Obama's final White House days: Former Obama adviser and campaign guru David Axelrod will take part in a discussion on Tuesday at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., after a premiere of a new documentary, "The End: Inside The Last Days of the Obama White House."
After the screening, CNN's Jake Tapper will moderate a discussion with Axelrod and Obama's former White House press secretary, Jay Carney. The documentary is a CNN Films production.
A release about the film says it offers an "extraordinarily candid and intimate portrait of the people working closest to the Obamas."
"Viewers go inside the offices, sit in meetings, and see first-person reflections for an emotional, visual diary of the ambitions, achievements, heartbreak, and history of the past eight years, told through the people who have shared the Obamas' journey," the release said.
The event in Washington -- free and open to the public -- is at 7 p.m. in the National Archives' William G. McGowan Theater. Reservations can be made online. (Katherine Skiba)
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*On the Sunday Spin: Tribune political reporter Rick Pearson's guests are Richard Monocchio, executive director of the Housing Authority of Cook County; Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza; and WBEZ-FM reporter Lauren Chooljian. The show airs from 7 to 9 a.m. on WGN 720-AM.
Follow the money
*Track Illinois campaign contributions in real time here and here.
Beyond Chicago
*Justice Department inspector general to investigate pre-election actions by department, FBI.
*Newly leaked, uncorroborated dossier on Donald Trump circulated in D.C. for months.
*Obama brings Biden to tears, awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
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*Obama scrapping "wet foot, dry foot" immigration policy for Cubans.
A massive property tax hike is the "most likely" way for the financially teetering Chicago Public Schools to find its way out of a sea of red ink, a major Wall Street ratings agency said Thursday a conclusion district officials were quick to reject.
A tax hike of "more than $400 million annually" is one of three "painful options" the district could consider if it fails to secure more state funding and runs out of rope in its ongoing practice of borrowing money and cutting costs to stay afloat, according to a pair of reports on city and school finances issued by Moody's Investors Service.
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The new tax revenue would be used to make debt payments now covered with state aid meant for the classroom. The two other options are pushing off contributions to an already underfunded teachers' pension system or declaring bankruptcy, the reports state.
CPS officials are weighing a series of cost-cutting options after Gov. Bruce Rauner late last year vetoed $215 million in teachers' pension fund relief money the district was counting on to help balance the budget for this school year. The district has depleted its once substantial reserves and has relied on short-term borrowing to pay its bills. Moody's concluded that CPS could max out its legal authority for short-term borrowing as soon as next year.
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District spokeswoman Emily Bittner said the school district rejects Moody's suggestions, particularly the idea of bankruptcy, which couldn't happen without legislation from the state. She said CPS would find a way to "maintain a balanced budget this year" as it continues to seek more state funding.
The Moody's reports acknowledge a major CPS tax increase could weaken "the city's political and practical ability to increase taxes" to continue addressing its own problems. They were released as Mayor Rahm Emanuel's top financial aides were preparing next week's sale of nearly $1.2 billion in bonds. The timing created some consternation at City Hall.
"You cannot tell me the timing of these reports is not based very much on when they know we're going to market," city financial spokeswoman Molly Poppe said. "You're driving up our borrowing costs. Taxpayers are the ones who pay that."
But David Jacobson, a spokesman for Moody's, said both reports had been in the works since November. "We put the report out this week so it does not interfere with the sale next week," Jacobson said.
The critical reaction from City Hall was in keeping with Emanuel's previous characterization of Moody's as "irresponsible." Earlier this week, Emanuel's administration released a letter from the mayor asking the top executive at Moody's to withdraw the firm's junk rating of the city's creditworthiness. In the letter, Emanuel said the firm's evaluation fails to account for progress that has been made in addressing the financial problems that he inherited upon taking office six years ago.
"We don't understand their methodology," Poppe said Thursday. "We don't understand how they come to their conclusions. The mayor said as much in his letter."
Richard Ciccarone, president and CEO of Merritt Research Services, noted that Moody's has been hired in the past to rate city bond issues, even though the city stopped using the agency in 2014 after it issued a series of downgrades on city debt. Ratings agencies typically continue to rate the debt of an issuer for the life of the bonds, he said.
"Clients tend to look for rating agencies to confirm their positions at the time of a bond sale, so that's not unusual," Ciccarone said of the reports issued Thursday.
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Moody's in recent months has not followed the lead of other ratings agencies that have changed the city's financial outlook to stable from negative. It is currently the only major ratings agency to place the city's credit rating in junk territory.
In Moody's report on city finances, the agency gives Emanuel credit for raising taxes to significantly increase contributions to the city's four government worker pension systems, for pledging to stop pushing debt off into the future at higher cost, and for ridding variable-rate debt from the city's financial portfolio.
But the agency also concluded that the city's overall pension debt would grow for 15 more years under Emanuel's plan, which in the early to mid-2020s would "necessitate further tax increases or reductions in city services" absent "continued and robust economic expansion." The city's own bond documents also note that future tax increases and budget cuts may be needed.
Moody's said CPS' financial woes create drag on the economic health of the entire city, saying "continued negative headlines about CPS could discourage some businesses and residents from moving to or remaining in the city."
Over the past six years, CPS has increased annual property taxes by a total of $477 million. That includes the maximum increase allowed by the state each year for school operations, about $45 million for school construction projects authorized by the City Council and another $250 million for pension contributions approved by the state.
The Moody's reports state that CPS also has the authority to collect property taxes on more than $400 million in annual bond debt now covered with general state aid. It's a scenario detailed in a Tribune story published in March.
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In an accompanying report, Moody's cites a litany of causes for the district's financial problems, including years of spending more than it takes in, "overly optimistic budget assumptions" and rapidly rising pension costs. By the end of the current school year, CPS said its operating fund balance will be $88 million in the red, the report states.
Moody's acknowledges that CPS officials have "not publicly contemplated" any of the three "painful options" and concedes they could "ultimately prove costly, controversial and unsustainable."
Legislators in the past have resisted moves to further put off paying down debt to the teachers pension fund and, although Rauner has raised the specter of CPS bankruptcy, Emanuel has consistently opposed it.
The "best case scenario" is providing more money for the district's operating costs and pension contributions, states the report, which also notes that Illinois government is grappling with its own financial woes and lacks "political consensus" on helping CPS.
hdardick@chicagotribune.com
jjperez@chicagotribune.com
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Twitter @ReporterHal
Twitter @PerezJr
Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Tom Vilsack delivers the keynote address during the PUSH EXCEL and Rainbow PUSH Coalition Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Breakfast onJan. 16, 2012.Vilsack, who has led USDA for eight years, told employees in an email that Friday is his final day. (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune)
WASHINGTON Secretary Tom Vilsack left the Agriculture Department a week before his tenure ends and before President-elect Donald Trump has chosen his replacement.
Vilsack, who has led USDA for eight years and was President Barack Obama's longest-serving Cabinet secretary, told employees in an email that Friday is his final day. The email did not say why he was leaving early. He has said he wants to remain involved with agriculture after leaving government, but has not detailed those plans.
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As Vilsack leaves the department aides said Friday morning that the former Iowa governor had left the building and was boarding a flight to his home state some in farm country are worried that agriculture may be a low priority for the new administration. It is the only Cabinet position Trump has not moved to fill, yet rural voters were key to delivering him the presidency.
"When that individual is named, he or she will be at a tremendous disadvantage, in terms of getting up to speed on all this department does," Vilsack said in a statement, noting he was confirmed on Obama's first day in office.
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Farm-state lawmakers in Congress say they are eagerly awaiting the decision.
"We brought him home," Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts, the Republican chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said Thursday of delivering on Trump's win. "Farmers, ranchers and small town America brought him home. So obviously they'd like to see a secretary of Agriculture that would be their champion. That hasn't occurred yet. So we hope it will."
According to exit polls conducted for AP and television networks by Edison Research, about 17 percent of voters in this year's election were from small cities or rural areas, and 62 percent of them said they voted for Trump. But Trump has little agricultural history, and spoke rarely about farm issues on the campaign trail.
"People don't know what he stands for in agriculture and everyone's waiting for the secretary to be named so you can get some clues," said Roger Johnson, head of the National Farmers Union. Johnson said there is a "growing, intense frustration" that a secretary hasn't been named.
Trump and his team have interviewed several candidates, including former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue and former California Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado. They have also talked to potential candidates from Texas and Indiana, home state of Vice President-elect Mike Pence. Ted McKinney, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, was at Trump Tower on Thursday.
Kansas' other senator, Republican Jerry Moran, heads the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that oversees USDA. He said he contacted incoming Trump chief of staff Reince Priebus this week about the search and told him that who the secretary of agriculture is "matters greatly," and "if there were any problems in that regard I was to be of help."
Moran said he was reassured that the Trump team is working hard to find the right person.
"I am absolutely convinced this is a priority issue for the transition," Moran said.
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Incoming White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, in a daily briefing call with reporters on Friday, played down any talk of a delay with the agriculture selection, saying that the president-elect had given it the same amount of attention and consideration as his other Cabinet picks.
Spicer said Trump had met with "several" qualified candidates and would make a decision in the near future. Trump will be sworn in Jan. 20.
Vilsack is one of the nation's longest-serving agriculture secretaries and has remained generally popular in farm country as he worked to balance the needs of high-dollar production agriculture with other growing parts of the industry, including organics. During his tenure, he also focused on rebuilding rural communities, making school meals healthier and resolving civil rights claims against the department.
As for his next steps, he said in a statement that "I intend to be involved in promotion of agriculture and rural America, I hope to be connected to a university and work with young people, and I want to spend time with my family in Iowa."
Michael Scuse, undersecretary for farm and foreign agricultural services, will be acting secretary until Trump is inaugurated.
Associated Press
Former attorney general Eric Holder Jr. made an urgent appeal to Democrats on Thursday to focus more attention on state elections, as he framed the coming battle over redrawing congressional districts as a pivotal fight in the effort to rescue the party from an era of Republican-dominated governance.
"Presidential elections are obviously important, but we lost sight of the fact that if you want to have a representative in Congress, you've got to make sure that you have state legislatures that are drawing districts that will yield a representative in Congress," Holder said.
Putting his own twist on a gripe that President-elect Donald Trump repeatedly made during his campaign, Holder asserted that the "biggest rigged system in America is gerrymandering."
The former top prosecutor made his remarks during an appearance at the left-leaning Center for American Progress, where he formally launched the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC). With Holder as its chair, the group will aim to influence the way districts are carved out after the 2020 Census.
No comparable Democratic groups exist. Republicans have been deploying hefty resources to state politics for years through national initiatives such as the billionaire Koch brothers' vast political network. President Barack Obama, who is not only a former boss but a friend of Holder's, intends to put some of his post-presidential weight behind the NDRC's efforts.
The organization's launch comes at a low moment for Democrats. They are confronting deep uncertainty about their party's future and faced with a daunting rebuilding project. A string of stinging electoral defeats has diminished their ranks in governors' mansions and state legislatures in recent years.
On top of that, Republicans will assume control of the White House and Congress next week when Trump is sworn in.
Holder said his organization's strategy will focus on three areas: making electoral gains in governors' races and other state contests relevant to redistricting, arming Democrats with the legal firepower for court fights over maps, and trying to affect the ballot initiatives aimed at changing the maps.
The push will face tests this year in the Virginia governor's race and possible special state legislative elections in North Carolina, which Holder identified as early priorities for the committee.
In most states, the drawing of congressional and state legislative maps falls upon state legislatures, with governors also having a say in the final product. After the election, Republicans control 32 state legislatures and 33 governorships, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Democrats acknowledge that Republican success in state elections leading up to the redistricting conducted after the 2010 Census helped them grab and cement their control of the U.S. House. The GOP holds a 241-to-194 advantage over Democrats.
"I think what we are seeing now is gerrymandering on steroids," Holder said.
In addition to the challenges Democrats face in state races and the U.S. House, they are at serious risk of becoming a smaller minority in the U.S. Senate during the 2018 midterms.
Twenty-five Democratic senators face reelection, compared with just eight Republicans. Adding to their challenge: Some Democratic senators are up in ruby-red states that Trump won.
The battle for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination could also be a bruising affair for the party, as there is no clear front-runner.
But Holder encouraged Democrats to keep their heads up. "This is not the time for despair and retreat," he said.
Republicans argued that Democrats stand to have little success with Holder's endeavor.
"As Democrats continue pondering what went wrong for them last November, they appear to have landed on the wrong scapegoat," Republican State Leadership Committee communications director Ellie Hockenbury said in a statement responding to Holder's remarks. "Republicans at the state and federal level are winning at historic numbers not seen in generations because we are running superior candidates with better ideas."
The NDRC is organized as a 527 group under the tax code. Kelly Ward, a veteran Democratic operative who spent the past four years helming the House Democrats' campaign arm, is serving as the interim executive director of the committee. The NDRC board consists of strategists with experience in state legislative and gubernatorial contests.
Democrats don't expect much in the way of partnership from the incoming administration on voting matters. Both stylistically and on policy, there are clear differences between Holder and Trump.
During a question-and-answer portion of his talk Thursday, Holder chided Trump over his criticism of the media at a Wednesday news conference.
" 'I'm not answering your questions. You're fake news,' " Holder quipped in response to a question from CNN that echoed Trump's dismissal of the news organization on Wednesday.
On a more serious note, Holder said he is not expecting to be able to work closely with the Trump administration on voting issues because of stark differences in their philosophies.
"I'd certainly look for opportunities to work with the incoming administration, but I'm not going to be naive," Holder said. "I don't think that their views are going to be consistent with ours."
He added: "Miracles happen, I suppose. But I wouldn't be banking on that."
In "The Godfather," a Mafioso prepping young Michael Corleone to assassinate some rivals gives him a pistol for the job. After firing a bullet into the cellar wall, Michael complains, "Ow! My ears!" His friend says, "Yeah, I left it noisy. That way, it scares any pain-in-the-ass innocent bystanders away."
The Corleones would have had little interest in a bill that would allow gun owners to obtain silencers without the federal permits required since 1934. Some people like the deafening boom of a gunshot. Most shooters don't, and the National Rifle Association is pressing for enactment of the proposed Hearing Protection Act, which also has the endorsement of Donald Trump Jr., an avid trophy hunter.
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The proposal horrifies gun control advocates, who see it as a favor to homicidal maniacs. The Violence Policy Center in Washington argues that silencers pose a grave danger to public safety because they "enable mass shooters and other murderers to kill a greater number of victims more efficiently."
Some perspective is in order. Right now, getting a federal firearm permit requires a $200 fee, an extensive background check and a wait of several months. Possession of a silencer without a permit is a felony that carries a 10-year prison sentence. Under the proposed change, silencers would be treated like ordinary guns. Criminals would be ineligible, since they can't pass the required federal background check for purchases. Only law-abiding adults would have legal access.
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The industry prefers the term "suppressor" because the devices don't eliminate the noise; they merely diminish it. The American Suppressor Association attests, "On average, suppressors reduce the noise of a gunshot by 20-35 decibels, roughly the same sound reduction as earplugs or earmuffs." A shot from a 9 mm pistol equipped with a silencer is about as loud as a thunderclap.
Recreational shooters and hunters would like to have silencers because they don't want to damage their hearing but dislike using ear protection. If the Occupational Safety and Health Administration had been around in the 1930s, gun rights lawyer Stephen Halbrook quipped to The Washington Post, it probably would have mandated their use.
Silencers also reduce the recoil and improve the accuracy of guns. For the average gun owner, there is no downside. There are collateral benefits, too. In rural and unincorporated areas where shooting is allowed, they minimize the disturbance to neighbors and wildlife.
It's not hard to imagine how they could be deployed for bad purposes. Yet there are some 900,000 registered silencers in this country, and they are rarely used in crimes.
Chicago has a lot of bloodshed, including 762 homicides and more than 3,500 shootings, last year, but silencers figure in little or any of it. Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesman for the Chicago Police Department, told me, "We seldom recover silencers. Sometimes you may get a gun with a makeshift silencer, but even that is rare."
A report last year by the Violence Policy Center cites a handful of shootings in which silencers were used. But the paucity of examples confirms that they are not of great interest to criminals. An earlier study by Paul A. Clark published in the Western Criminology Review found only two federal court cases involving the use of a silencer in a murder between 1995 and 2005.
He also unearthed eight cases in which "a silencer was actively used during commission of a crime but not used to physically injure anyone." That works out to one serious silencer-related crime per year, in a country that in 2005 had 16,740 homicides and 417,000 robberies.
Supporters of the status quo say this merely proves the effectiveness of strict regulation. But improvised versions can be fashioned out of flashlights, oil filters or metal conduits. YouTube has numerous videos providing guidance for the do-it-yourselfer.
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If silencers were truly valuable to ordinary criminals, there would undoubtedly be a thriving black market and plenty of crimes committed with them. But the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives traced only 125 silencers in 2015 not all of them connected to crimes. As Clark notes, a minimally clever miscreant can get the same noise reduction by wrapping his gun in a towel or pillow.
Any useful technology can be put to villainous ends. But the existing rule on silencers is a major hassle for the law-abiding and an irrelevance to criminals.
Steve Chapman, a member of the Tribune Editorial Board, blogs at www.chicagotribune.com/chapman.
schapman@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @SteveChapman13
Some of his White House predecessors have well-publicized reservations about Donald Trump, but they do plan to attend the Jan. 20 swearing-in ceremony.
Presidents have not always followed such inauguration protocol.
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President John Quincy Adams boycotted his successor's 1829 inauguration which was as much a brawl as the previous year's election, which Adams lost to Andrew Jackson.
Four years earlier, in 1824, Jackson had lost to Adams. Jackson had received more votes but not a majority in the Electoral College, sending the election to the House of Representatives. A third candidate gave his support to Adams, making him president and leaving Jackson looking for revenge.
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Both elections were marked by wholesale mud-throwing.
Adams' partisans called Jackson's wife, Rachel, "Jezebel." Previously married, she wed Jackson before her divorce was final. For good measure, the Adams supporters claimed that Jackson's father was biracial and his mother was a prostitute. Jackson's supporters fired back with an allegation that, as ambassador to Russia, Adams had doubled as a pimp. They claimed he had American girls render sexual services to the czar.
Aside from hating each other, Jackson and Adams represented different readings of an American president's specifications. Adams was a Harvard man, and his father had been president. Jackson was an outsider, a precursor of presidents such as Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, who seemed to come out of political nowhere. Carter was Georgia's governor; Clinton was Arkansas' chief executive.
When they squared off, Adams was favored by the East Coast elite. Jackson's supporters were from the West and more rural areas.
Their dress and demeanor were noted by James Nimroll, a Pennsylvania man who in 1897 recalled to a Tribune reporter what he had seen at Jackson's inauguration, 68 years earlier.
"It seemed as though every uncouth backwoodsman and rough-in-country had made a descent upon the capital. Fully half the crowd wore pistols and had their trousers tucked into their boots," Nimroll said. "The joy of the Jackson men knew no bounds, and they were determined to give him such an inauguration as had never been seen before."
Nor has it ever been topped (though prudence dictates postponing final judgment, given Trump's flair for spectacle).
Jackson's nickname was "Old Hickory," earned when he was a general during the War of 1812 and stood ramrod fast alongside his men when the going was tough.
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Nimroll recalled of the 1829 inauguration, held that year on March 4: "Every man carried a hickory stick. Horses were decorated in hickory bark. Women wore necklaces of hickory nuts."
Many of his supporters were frontiersmen and first-time voters. In the U.S., voting originally had been limited to property owners. But that requirement was being dropped in states such as New York, doubling the number of voters in the years between the two Adams vs. Jackson contests.
That shift in the weight of the electorate was represented by the log cabin that Jackson's supporters brought to his inaugural procession. He had been born in just such a crude dwelling, which became a symbol of America as a country where a poor boy could grow up to become president.
Members of Washington's high society shuddered at that thought, even as they peeked at the parade from their second-story windows. If they held the curtains open long enough, they would have seen something else remarkable: Jackson's inauguration parade lacked the customary military detachment.
Adams, who left Washington a few days earlier, had refused to allow soldiers to participate. So Jackson's supporters improvised a militia, as Nimroll noted: "A number of the old revolutionary soldiers volunteered, however, to act as Jackson's escort, and they surrounded his carriage as he rode to the Capitol, constantly bowing to the right and left to such complimentary shouts as 'Go in Andy, we put you there!' 'Bully for you, Old Hickory!' 'Give fits, Andy!'"
Jackson himself was in a somber mood. Martin Van Buren, soon to be secretary of state, saw Jackson in the White House, late in the day. "I found no one with him except his intimate friend, Maj. (William Berkeley) Lewis," Van Buren noted. "His health was poor, and his spirits depressed as well by his recent bereavement of his wife, as well as the trials of personal and political friendship which he had been obliged to encounter in the organization of his Cabinet."
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Jackson attributed his wife's death to the abuse she suffered at the hands of his political enemies. He intended to skip the evening's inaugural balls and wanted to keep the other ceremonies to a minimum. He delivered a crisp speech at the Capitol and was sworn in by the Chief Justice John Marshall.
Then things began to get out of hand. "Thousands and thousands of people, without distinction of rank, collected in an immense mass round the Capitol," Margaret Bayard Smith, a Washington socialite, wrote to a friend. Many were determined to follow Jackson to the White House along then-unpaved Pennsylvania Avenue. Job-seekers wanted to button-hole him. Others wanted to join an open house that was to be held there.
"Country men, farmers, gentlemen, mounted and dismounted, boys, women and children, black and white, carriages, wagons all pursuing him to the President's house," Smith wrote.
It was what Rep. James Hamilton Jr. called in a letter to Van Buren a "Saturnalia."
Unable to move through that crowd, Smith and her party went to her house nearby. Three hours later, they resumed their journey to the White House.
Jackson was already gone. He had been pushed up against a wall by an ever-growing crowd of well-wishers. Fearing he'd be crushed, friends had spirited him out a window and taken him to a hotel, where he remained until the party ended.
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It was some party, noted Smith. "But what a scene did we witness!" she wrote. "The majesty of the People had disappeared, and a rabble, a mob of boys, negros, children, scrambling fighting, romping. What a pity what a pity! No arrangement had been made, no police officers placed on duty and the whole house had been inundated by the rabble mob. We came too late."
Order was restored only by the quick-thinking White House staff. They pushed the alcoholic beverages being served out a window, and the snickered guests followed. Contemporary accounts of the damage done to the White House ranged from a few broken glasses to Oriental rugs ruined by guests who didn't know, or didn't care, to remove their muddy boots.
Modern historians have picked up the argument, which then and now divides on ideological lines. Jackson's opponents, and their present-day counterparts, say the moral of the story is we need to be vigilant against the possibility of mob rule.
Jackson's supporters, and their counterparts, say the episode was exaggerated by democracy's enemies.
As a member of the upper crust, Smith saw the torch of history being passed.
"Ladies and gentlemen only had been expected at this Levee, not the people en masse," she wrote. "But it was the People's day, and the People's President and the People would rule."
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rgrossman@chicagotribune.com
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It's happened before: Truman's defeat of Dewey had hints of Trump-Clinton
President-elect Donald Trump's popularity soared in the days leading up to the election, but they have since dropped to pre-election levels. (Justin Lane / EPA)
WASHINGTON The shortest honeymoon on record is officially over. Normally, newly elected presidents enjoy a wave of goodwill that allows them to fly high at least through their first 100 days. Donald Trump has not yet been sworn in and the honeymoon has already come and gone.
Presidents-elect usually lie low during the interregnum. Trump never lies low. He seized the actual presidency from Barack Obama within weeks of his election cutting ostentatious deals with U.S. manufacturers to keep jobs at home, challenging 40-year-old China policy, getting into a very public fight with the intelligence agencies. By now he has taken over the presidential stage. It is true that we have only one president at a time, and for over a month it's been Donald Trump.
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The result is quantifiable. A Quinnipiac poll from Nov. 17-20 the quiet, hope-and-change phase showed a decided bump in Trump's popularity and in general national optimism. It didn't last long. In the latest Quinnipiac poll, the numbers have essentially returned to Trump's (historically dismal) pre-election levels.
For several reasons. First, the refusal of an unbending left to accept the legitimacy of Trump's victory. It's not just the demonstrators chanting "not my president." It is leading Democrats pushing one line after another to delegitimize the election, as in: he lost the popular vote, it's FBI Director James Comey's fault, the Russians did it.
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Second, Trump's own instincts and inclinations, a thirst for attention that leads to hyperactivity. His need to dominate every news cycle feeds an almost compulsive tweet habit. It has placed him just about continuously at the center of the national conversation, and not always to his benefit.
Trump simply can't resist playground pushback. His tweets gave actor Meryl Streep's Golden Globes screed priceless publicity. His mocking Arnold Schwarzenegger for bad "Celebrity Apprentice" ratings compared with "the ratings machine, DJT" made Trump look small and Arnold (almost) sympathetic.
Nor is this behavior likely to change after the inauguration. It's part of Trump's character. Nothing negative goes unanswered because, for Trump, an unanswered slight has the air of concession or surrender.
Finally, it's his chronic indiscipline, his jumping randomly from one subject to another without rhyme, reason or larger strategy. In a week packed with confirmation hearings and Russian hacking allegations, what was he doing meeting with Robert Kennedy Jr., an anti-vaccine activist pushing the thoroughly discredited idea that vaccines cause autism?
We know from way back during the Republican debates that Trump himself has dabbled in this dubious territory. One could, however, write it off as one of many campaign oddities that would surely fade away. Not so, apparently.
This is not good. The idea that vaccines cause autism arose in a 1998 paper in the medical journal The Lancet but was later found to be fraudulent and had to be retracted. Indeed, the lead researcher acted so egregiously that he was stripped of his medical license.
Kennedy says that Trump asked him to chair a commission about vaccine safety. While denying that, the transition team does say that the commission idea remains open. Either way, the damage is done. The anti-vaccine fanatics seek any validation. This indirect endorsement from Trump is immensely harmful. Vaccination has prevented more childhood suffering and death than any other measure in history. With so many issues pressing, why even go there?
The vaccination issue was merely an exclamation point on the scatter-brained randomness of the Trump transition. All of which contributes to the harried, almost wearying feeling that we are already well into the Trump presidency.
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Compare this to eight years ago and the near euphoria overblown but nonetheless palpable at the swearing-in of Barack Obama. Not since John F. Kennedy had any new president enjoyed such genuine goodwill upon accession to office.
And yet it turns out that such auspicious beginnings are not at all predictive. We could see it this same week. On Tuesday night, President Barack Obama stood giving a farewell address that only underscored the failure of a presidency so bathed in optimism at its start. The final speech, amazingly, could have been given, nearly unedited, in 2008. Why, it even ended with "yes we can."
Is there more powerful evidence of the emptiness of the intervening two terms? When your final statement is a reprise of your first, you have unwittingly confessed to being nothing more than a historical parenthesis.
Washington Post Writers Group
Charles Krauthammer is a Washington Post columnist.
letters@charleskrauthammer.com
A painting, right, is seen on the U.S. Capitol walls after it was rehung by members of the Congressional Black Caucus after it was removed by Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., on Friday because he found it offensive on Jan. 10, 2017, in Washington, DC. (Joe Raedle, Getty Images)
Congress has a lot of touchy issues to deal with these days, including one quite literally beneath their feet.
A painting, "Untitled #1," by former Missouri high school student David Pulphus, has been on display in the busy underground walkway between the Cannon House Office Building and the Capitol since June 2016.
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But as the new year arrived, the painting touched off a cultural tug-of-war after some Republican lawmakers noticed what was in it.
In a montage of images, the painting shows a street protest in St. Louis, near Ferguson, Mo., confronting police. Some of the figures have the heads of animals, including the heads of razorback pigs on the police.
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Three times, Republican lawmakers (Reps. Duncan Hunter of California, Doug Lamborn of Colorado and, as a team, Dana Rohrabacher of California and Brian Babin of Texas) have taken the painting down and delivered it to the office of Rep. William Lacy Clay , a Missouri Democrat whose district includes Ferguson.
Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., speaks to the media before a painting he found offensive and that he removed is rehung on the U.S. Capitol walls on Jan.10, 2017, in Washington, DC. The painting is part of a larger art show hanging in the Capitol and is by a recent high school graduate, David Pulphus, and depicts his interpretation of civil unrest in and around the 2014 events in Ferguson, Mo. (Joe Raedle, Getty Images)
Each time, Clay promptly returned the painting to the wall. "I do not agree or disagree with this painting," Clay told reporters at one rehanging. "But I will fight to defend this young man's right to express himself because his artwork is true for him and he is entitled to that protection under the law."
Clay is right, although Speaker Paul Ryan weighed in Thursday, saying in a radio interview that he would take steps to have the painting, which he called "disgusting," removed.
The painting was one of more than 400 entries approved for yearlong display by the nationwide Congressional Art Competition. Since 1982, the contest has asked students in each congressional district to submit artwork, which is judged by a panel in each of the districts, not the congressmen.
Yet I expected that, sooner or later, a dust-up like this would happen. Art and politics don't always mix well. Art thrives on free expression of different points of view. Politics gives us political correctness in various forms, such as the belief that police should be depicted only in a respectful way.
Pulphus' painting expresses a vision that, right or wrong, is closer to that of protesters in the streets of Ferguson. His vision is more negative than my own. Yet I find the picture to be less "disgusting" than the social problems it is trying to critique, social problems that we Americans need help from Congress to solve.
Civil unrest in Ferguson made national headlines after the 2014 shooting of black teenager Michael Brown by white police Officer Darren Wilson. Although Wilson was found not guilty of wrongdoing in the death, which he said was in self-defense, Ferguson has become an important if imperfect rallying symbol for crusaders against the use of deadly force by police.
One might take Pulphus' painting as a wake-up call to attack the root causes of our racial, social and political divides. Instead, some people want to hide the art.
But lawmakers should be cautious about that. Attempts to censor can come back to bite you.
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I am reminded of another art vs. politics dispute in which the racial roles were reversed. In 1988, a group of angry black Chicago aldermen marched into the esteemed School of the Art Institute of Chicago to take down a painting of the late Chicago Mayor Harold Washington only months after his death.
The artwork, titled "Mirth and Girth," was painted by David K. Nelson, a student with a reputation for outrageously irreverent work, according to news reports. The portrait depicted the mayor wearing only a bra, G-string, garter belt and stockings.
Those were tense times along racial fault lines in Chicago politics. Washington was revered in many black Chicago households, much as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Legal experts called the seizure an unconstitutional act by vigilantes. Telephone lines to City Hall , the School of the Art Institute and black radio stations lit up with angry callers on both sides of the dispute.
Yet barely a day after the painting was taken down it was put back up, an acknowledgment that freedom of expression should never lose out to politics.
Ironically, one of the leading aldermen in that protest was Bobby Rush , a former Black Panther leader who has since became a popular Democratic congressman and member of the Congressional Black Caucus, which has been supporting fellow member Clay and the display of Pulphus' painting.
The moral of this story: Don't rush to censor someone else's expression; you might want to protect your own freedom of expression someday.
Clarence Page , a member of the Tribune Editorial Board, blogs at www.chicagotribune.com/pagespage.
cpage@chicagotribune.com
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Twitter @cptime
Officials with Goldfish Swim School, a private family swim school, said this week that they'll be making a splash in Arlington Heights this summer at the former quarters of a boating supply retailer in the village. (handout / handout)
Officials with a private family water safety and swim school said this week that they'll be opening a new location in Arlington Heights this summer at the former quarters of a boating supply retailer in the village.
The Goldfish Swim School, which has seven locations in Chicago and the suburbs, and 40 locations across the U.S., will open its new 8,300-square-foot facility in late June or early July in the Annex Shopping Center at 63 W. Rand Road, which is the former site of the now shuttered West Marine boating supply store, officials said.
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"We're moving to Arlington Heights, because we know it is a really family-focused community," said Devang Kothari, a Goldfish Swim School franchisee, and the owner of the new location in Arlington Heights.
Providing half-hour-long swim instruction and water safety classes to children ages 4 months to 12 years old, Kothari said the school offers small class sizes, with a 4:1 student to teacher ratio, and an assortment of classes held at times convenient for today's busy families.
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"We cater our classes to have something for everyone from stay-at-home parents and nannies who like daytime classes during the week, to evening and weekend classes for working parents," Kothari said.
While Kothari said he was well aware of the extensive public swim program offered by the Arlington Heights Park District, he said his swim school would not duplicate those classes but offers an alternative for local families.
"The park district is great, and we know there is a segment of the community that likes their swim programs, and they offer a great service," Kothari said. "The park district also offers kids the chance to compete on a swim team, but that's not our focus. What we provide is continuous swim instruction for all ages, even during the winter months."
Kothari who said he recalls shivering during his childhood swim lessons at an indoor pool said his new aquatic facility in Arlington Heights will offer a "tropical vacation" atmosphere, featuring a "shiver free" pool with 90-degree temperatures, an air conditioned viewing gallery for parents to watch lessons, private changing rooms, and a snack bar and retail shop.
"I learned to swim the old-school method, where my father took me into the deep end of the pool and said, 'here you go,'" Kothari said. "Now, as the father of two children, I appreciate that Goldfish Swim School offers a kinder, gentler approach."
Michael Mertes, the village's business development coordinator, said this week that with construction of the school's swimming pool and a remodeling of the space taking place in the coming months, village officials will be working with Goldfish as it seeks building permits for the project.
"We'll be involved as they go through the process, and we're looking forward to them getting open," Mertes said.
kcullotta@tribpub.com
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Twitter: @kcullotta
Mrs. Alma Jean Carter, an employee of the Chattanooga Police Department School Patrol Division, turns 80-years-old on Friday.
Mrs. Carter is a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School (Memphis) where she was a varsity cheerleader; and attended LeMoyne-Owen College.
She was married to the late deacon, Mr. Eugene R. Carter, Sr. and has three sons, Jerryl Arnold, Minister Eugene R. Carter, Jr. (Sherrine) and Brett L. Carter (Jovette). She has four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Carter has been employed by the Chattanooga Police Department School Patrol Division for over 40 years. She loves her career.
She is a longtime faithful member of Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church where she serves on several ministries including Youth Ministry, Someone to Care and others. She has worked with the youth of Union Hill for almost 50 years, is a member of the Philos of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, and a founding member of the Hwy 58 Krystal Club.
Mrs. Carter has never met a stranger. She is a very loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, god-mother, and friend to many.
A 52-year-old Chicago woman has pleaded not guilty in connection to an August robbery of an elderly woman in Aurora.
Annette Minnis was indicted in November on charges of robbery and aggravated battery alleging she pushed down a 67-year-old Aurora woman in order to steal her purse containing credit cards, cash, personal identification and an iPhone, according to court records. Minnis is free on $150,000 bail.
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Aurora police said they were able to catch Minnis with the help of a witness who photographed the license plate on Minnis' car and a relative of the elderly woman who tracked the stolen phone to an apartment in Downers Grove where the woman's purse was located.
Minnis is scheduled to return to court before Kane County Judge James Hallock on March 9.
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Dan Campana is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
A 23-year-old Geneva man accused last year of an attempted Batavia carjacking faces new legal trouble after a recent incident inside the Kane County Jail.
Kane County Sheriff's Lt. Pat Gengler said Marvell Frye was involved in an altercation with a corrections officer, which prompted prosecutors to charge him with misdemeanor counts of resisting a peace officer and battery, as well as a felony count of aggravated battery to a peace officer. Additional details about what occurred were not immediately available.
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Frye has been in the jail on charges of attempted vehicular hijacking, retail theft and assault since his arrest in May. Prosecutors allege he stole a jacket from a Batavia store, used a small wrench to assault a furniture store manager and then accosted a woman in a Randall Road store parking lot in an attempt to take her Chevy Suburban, all in one day.
While a court date has not been set in the new case, Frye is due back in court before Kane County Judge D.J. Tegeler on Wednesday for what is expected to be a hearing relating to his fitness to stand trial. Frye's attorney expressed doubt in his client's ability to assist in his defense, which prompted the judge to order a county psychologist to evaluate Frye to determine whether he is dealing with any mental illness.
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Dan Campana is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
Batavia School District 101 officials informally agreed to vote down a three-year $180,000 consulting contract to improve student performance by redesigning schools' schedules to make them more efficient.
However, Board of Education members did not rule out having the same work done by district administrators or by a different consulting firm.
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"We'd be buying a classic business analysis to find out if the way we're spending time and money meets our goals. That information would help us make hard decisions. The question is, is it valuable enough for the price we're talking about," said board President Cathy Dremel.
District Management Council, a Boston-based educational consulting company, had proposed a three-year project to revamp building schedules for the district's eight schools. The first year would focus on the elementary school schedules, with emphasis on enabling teachers in art, music and other "special subjects" to serve more than one school, while the second year would be spent reorganizing Rotolo Middle School's schedule and the third year would focus on Batavia High School's schedule. The object would be to improve the amount and quality of instructional time without hiring more teachers, said District Management Council Chief Executive Officer John Kim.
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"In all cases, DMC will work closely with building principals and central office leaders utilizing a multi-step, collaborative process to help create building schedules that support best practices in teaching and learning. In the process, DMC will ensure that each school can blend their individual priorities with the district's goals in order to provide services that are most appropriate for their students," Kim wrote in his letter presenting the proposal. "We will help develop and implement a systemic approach to scheduling that will help improve student outcomes, support all educators and achieve this in a cost-effective manner."
Superintendent Lisa Hichens pointed out that improving school schedules could help the district weather Illinois' long-running financial crisis.
"There's no new money (from the state) coming to Batavia, so we have to make sure we're getting the most use of what we have," she asserted.
While board members agreed that analyzing and overhauling the district's schedules and other processes could remove some inefficiencies, they hesitated to spend $180,000 without knowing how much money the project would save in operating costs. Several board members also expressed concern that teachers and principals could feel threatened by being questioned about their schedules and teaching practices.
"I don't see how bringing in outsiders will make staff feel more comfortable than using our own people," said board member Tina Bleakly, referring to an in-house district analysis several years ago that officials agreed disrupted school operations.
Board member John Dryden said his research into DMC's operations gave him little confidence that its services would justify the cost.
"I'm a little dismayed that this for-profit company is not publishing regularly in academic journals. That doesn't increase my confidence in their methods," he stated. "I called three districts that are using DMC. One is very pleased, but it's very different than us a huge district that's more interested in raising their literacy rates. The Pennsylvania district (officials) weren't sure they were going to renew for the third year. DMC's employee turnover rate is very high, so we couldn't be sure the same people who started our project would be working on it by the end. The third district seemed to be pretty happy with the service, but agreed that the fee is horribly expensive."
The board agreed to discuss whether to look for a different consulting firm, ask administrators to analyze the schedules or drop the project entirely at its February meeting.
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Denise Linke is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News
Oswego trustees are discussing whether to offer an option to purchase additional Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund military-service pension credit as a benefit for village employees who are veterans.
Assistant Village Administrator Christina Burns said the military service credit is designed to partially compensate veterans for their service in the armed forces. She said the village's police pension fund already permits military service credit.
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Trustees at a recent Committee of the Whole meeting endorsed the idea of offering the option both as a benefit to civilian employees who served in the military and as a recruiting tool for the village. However, they want to consider the potential fiscal impact to the village.
"An employee requested the village look into the topic of offering a military service credit," Burns said.
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Municipalities have authority to adopt a resolution to allow for the purchase of IMRF military service credit of either two or four years of service.
"It is common for municipalities to offer the military service credit, but it is not a requirement," Burns said.
She said that if it's approved, there would be a cost to the village and to the employee. The village has three employees that would qualify, but that could change in the future.
"By having the additional military service credit, the employee gets additional years of service, and it increases their monthly pension payment," she said.
She said that from the village's standpoint it can be a recruiting tool, but it does have a financial impact. She said employees would work with IMRF to purchase their portion of the military service credit. She said IMRF would apply the village's share to the village's pension contribution rate.
"This cost is added as a percentage of the village's total IMRF rate each year," she said.
Burns said that if all three workers purchased a full four years of service, the impact to the village would be $3,379 in 2018.
The village's total IMRF contribution is $407,088 a year.
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Trustee Luis Perez requested a fiscal impact spreadsheet.
"The percentage increase is not a lot, but I would feel comfortable knowing whether we would feel comfortable with offering two years or four years," Perez said. "My heart is in it, but it is also my obligation to look at the fiscal impact," he said.
Village Administrator Dan Di Santo said it is difficult to develop an exact cost to the village.
"It means from this point forward any new employees who served in the military could buy into it," he said, adding that the IMRF revised the program in recent years to extend it to four years.
He said that while initially it would have a relatively low budget impact, it does affect the village.
"We are in some trying budget times, so any additional expense to the budget is something," Di Santo said.
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Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
Students (from left) Owen Minnihan, Damen Wessel, Sofia Corral, Emerson Gilla and Cole Williams helped hold the letters spelling "DREAM" as part of the assembly at Holy Angels School in Aurora honoring Martin Luther King. (Jon Langham / The Beacon-News)
As the four young men of color, dressed in jacket and tie, prepared to address the Holy Angels all-school assembly commemorating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, it was obvious the faces looking back at them Friday morning from the auditorium bleachers in Aurora were predominantly white.
Which was just fine with Clayton Muhammad, founder of the Boys II Men mentoring group these four featured speakers have been actively involved in for many years.
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For one thing, Muhammad believes it's good for the mostly white students to see that young minority men "are not always what is portrayed on TV or the news."
Plus, the skin color of this pre-K through eighth-grade audience was not as critical as their ages because "this is," he insisted, "the generation that can pull it all together."
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Students at Holy Angels participate in a Martin Luther King Jr. program Jan. 13, 2016. (Denise Crosby / Beacon-News) (Chicago Tribune)
Certainly for one hour on this chilly January morning the kids from Holy Angels did just that by listening intently to the message the four members of Dr. King's college fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, delivered about the Civil Rights icon's dream that children of all races would be judged by character and not the color of their skin.
By using each of the five letters in the word DREAM, Julian Miller, Chris Moss, Wade Robinson and Yuije Sansone also focused on the relevancy King's words can have in the lives of these youngsters: D for determination; R for resiliency; E for education; A for aspiration; and M for motivation.
I have to say, it's no small feat to get 500 youngsters, including a row of preschoolers sitting cross-legged on a gym floor, to pay attention to anything short of a big-screen car crash or psychedelic light show, especially on the last day of the school week. Yet, not only was there minimal fidgeting, even from the pee-wee section, the students listened respectfully. They were engaged, enthused and, at times, seemed genuinely moved by the message Muhammad and his proteges so passionately shared with them.
About 500 Holy Angels students were enthusiastic listeners to the Martin Luther King presentation. (Jon Langham / The Beacon-News)
Muhammad, who is also communication director for the city of Aurora, has given a similar presentation the last few years at Holy Angels on MLK Day when the public schools are not in session. This Monday, however, the private school also has the day off, so he agreed to come on Friday, and like last year, delivering the bulk of the program was placed on the shoulders of these younger men who are in college or are recent graduates.
"It's time to start passing the torch," Muhammad said, noting the dearth of young voices ready to take over for the generations before them who have pushed so hard for equal rights.
Speaking of young voices, one of the most impressive parts of Friday's program was when the Holy Angels School Choir presented a goose-bumps rendition of "Go Down Moses;" and later the amazing, "Amazing Grace."
The students' voices were also featured in a powerful video, created by technology teacher Sheridan Gurbal, that blended their innocent faces and heartfelt wishes with the soaring oration of Dr. King in his "I Have a Dream" speech delivered in 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The children's words echoed the dreams of those past and present: that all families have the food and homes they deserve; that all children have a chance to learn to read and write; that terrorist attacks stop and the world finds peace; that all people, regardless of skin color or where they came from, are treated equally.
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Director Jodi Taylor leads the Holy Angels Choir in singing "Go Down Moses" at the start of the assembly honoring Martin Luther King. (Jon Langham / The Beacon-News)
"And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual "Free at last. Free at last. Thanks God almighty, we're free at last."
As Dr. King's words on the video came to an end, you could have heard a pin drop, until the students broke into applause, including those 3- and 4-year-olds squatted on the gym floor.
"From diversity to inclusion," noted Muhammad of the hundreds of young faces before him.
They could, indeed, be the generation that brings it all together.
Dcrosby@tribpub.com
Chapa LaVia endorsement
As Global Data Sciences Inc. enters its 10th year of business in Aurora, we celebrate and renew our commitment to seeing the City of Aurora develop sustainable, scalable business opportunities designed to help our community thrive and achieve the strongest reputation possible in the areas of economic growth, high-paying jobs, and true innovation in technology, education and culture.
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The next mayor of Aurora will face multiple challenges. Transformation from a real-estate driven culture to a truly business and economic-centric culture in city government, coupled with ensuring true accountability in city services, and independent development organizations are but a few. However, the result will be a true economic presence which will drive business and culture to Aurora.
After having reviewed the candidate group, coupled with my own corporate experience by unsuccessfully attempting to bring jobs, industry, and innovation to Aurora and the frustration of working with various investment agencies tasked with business growth and city government, both of which lack accountability, all I can say is, the time for change is here.
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As a lifelong resident and business owner, I offer my support to Linda Chapa LaVia to become the next mayor.. She brings experience, passion, and a clear understanding of not only how things need to work, but how to get things done!
Aurora needs a mayor with strong business roots, a genuine love for community, and a proven track record of bringing opportunities to Aurora in spite of the challenges.
Her critics say her relationship with Downstate has somehow tainted her. I offer that she has built a relationship which has benefited only one entity -- our city!
Michael T. Mantzke, president and CEO, Global Data Sciences Inc.
Guns or people behind violence?
It's all the gun's fault. It was walking or driving around, angry and alone, and walked in during a fight and opened fire. People were shocked that it was there because no one would be stupid enough to settle any dispute by choosing to shoot someone. Nope. Gotta be the gun's fault, you know, because there's so many of them walking around.
In years past, there must have been fewer of them wandering around because during disputes, people either entered into a bout of fisticuffs, exchanged insults and slurs, pushed and shoved, and then walked away.
Yeah, those darn guns. Funny that they seem to only walk around in areas of higher crime, poverty, welfare, lower education, less family structure. You have to wonder why. Why would guns only be in these areas?
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It's probably because no one else outside of those places ever disagrees, fights, or argues. Yeah, that's it. They only fight in "those areas."
Apparently, guns drive around in "those areas," looking for something to do. If it is the fault of the gun, then we shouldn't give them driver's licenses.
Or, could it be a conscience-less, morally devoid, self-centered, self-destructive group of humans who haven't the thought process to solve a problem in any other manner?
762 killings, 4,368 shootings in Chicago in 2016; already two in Aurora this year.
2017 should be "The Year of No Driver's Licenses for Guns."
Mark Werthmann, Aurora
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Cost of child-rearing 'inestimable'
The U.S. Department of Agriculture claims the cost of raising a child from birth through age 17 is $233,610, or almost $14,000 annually. As the father of seven children, let me say that this is nonsense.
Moreover, the Department of Agriculture fails to identify the multiple benefits of raising children, such as the physical, spiritual, intellectual and emotional advantages. These benefits are not just unquantifiable, but inestimable. The value of raising, nurturing and training children far surpass the outlandish financial estimates of Washington D.C. bureaucrats.
With this seemingly exaggerated cost estimate, how do we expect to encourage married couples to return to the healthy birth rate of more than 2.1 in the United States? We're shortsighted if we fail to see that the current U.S. trend is unsustainable and portends economic trouble, including lower living standards for most citizens. We simply have to look at Japan, Greece or Italy for a lesson in the detriment of low birth rates.
Federal officials are simply out-of-touch with Middle America. Most of us don't spend hundreds of dollars on a hammer and we spend far less than they estimate to raise a child each year. The government can learn something from working families.
David E. Smith, executive director, Illinois Family Institute
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The April 4 Clarendon Hills Village Board election has no candidates from Citizens for Clarendon HIlls. (Chuck Fieldman / Pioneer Press)
Two years after its slate of candidates for the Clarendon Hills Village Board was soundly defeated, Citizens for Clarendon Hills representation is noticeably absent from the ballot for April 4 municipal elections.
"There was no discussion about having anyone run in this election coming up," said John Jasper, a Steering Committee member of C4CH. "There were no members, or people we knew as a group, who exhibited interest in running."
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Village Board member Eric Stach was supported by C4CH and elected in 2013. However, he is not seeking re-election and was defeated in the 2015 election for village president by write-in candidate Len Austin, who received 64 percent of the vote.
Jasper, Andy Schmidt, and Maureen Kevin, Village Board candidates who joined Stach on the Voice for Clarendon Hills slate in 2015, each received about 11 percent of the votes. That was about half of the vote totals accumulated by Greg Jordan, Carol Jorissen and Don McGarrah, who were on the My Clarendon Hills slate with Austin.
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Jasper said Friday the 2015 loss likely was a factor in no C4CH-backed candidates running in 2017.
"Being soundly defeated certainly didn't encourage anyone," he said. "The caucus system here doesn't encourage everyone to run, and the caucus carries so much weight that it is difficult to run against them. Why go to the trouble of running when you know that group is there?"
Suzanne Austin, co-chairman of the Clarendon Hills Community Caucus, said no one from C4CH asked to be interviewed by the caucus for a possible endorsement in the 2017 election.
"I'm kind of surprised they didn't have someone to run," she said. "I thought they would have had an interest."
Jasper said C4CH continues to meet "as needed."
"I expect to continue for the foreseeable future," he said. "Hot topics seem to bring people together."
C4CH originally formed in 2011 to campaign against what turned out to be a failed Clarendon Hills referendum seeking home-rule authority. The group bills itself as "an active grassroots watchdog group of residents dedicated to advocating for a responsible and efficient government that operates within its means."
C4CH came out against both 2016 referendum attempts by Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary District 181 to sell bonds to fund the building of a new Hinsdale Middle School. The referendum passed in November.
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cfieldman@pioneerlocal.com
Twitter @chuckwriting
The Chickamauga Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution honored Jan Moses with the Community Service Award during their January meeting. The individual or organization receiving this award must have contributed to the community in an outstanding manner through voluntary heroic, civic, benevolent service, or by organizing or participating in community activities.
Mrs. Moses is a wife, mother and grandmother. She has worked as a full-time paralegal with the Minor Law Firm in Dalton for 30 years.
Her commitment to volunteerism began in her childrens schools and her church. In 1986 she co-founded the local chapter of the Make-A-Wish foundation. She continues to volunteer with Make-A-Wish and serves on several committees within the organization.
She is a founding member of Hats from the Heart, the MaryEllen Locher Foundation, and is a co-founder of the Miracle League of Chattanooga. Mrs. Moses has contributed to MELs Club, Concert to Inspire, Pink Bowl, Hoops for Hope, the Inspire Luncheon, and the Volley for a Cure Luncheon. She has also been a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald house for many years.
Mrs. Moses received a certificate and a pin in recognition for her outstanding and long-term commitment to volunteerism.
Teatro dei Piedi present Sonata for 4 Feet as part of Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival Jan. 20-21 at Beverly Arts Center in Chicago. (Photo courtesy of Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival)
The "delight" of puppetry is that audiences understand the characters on stage are not real and yet they behave in a way that appears to be alive, said Blair Thomas, founder and artistic director of Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival.
"What I like about puppetry," Thomas said, "is it's a language outside of our human language. It employs this marvelous mixture of movement and visual design to speak to us in a way that bypasses our intellectual thinking and can surprise and delight."
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That is expected to be the case when Beverly Arts Center hosts Teatro dei Piedi's "Sonata for 4 Feet" Jan. 20-21 as part of the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival's 11-day event featuring performers from Canada, Chile, France, Italy, Korea, the Netherlands and the United States in 20 different shows and more than 90 total performances.
Beverly Art Center, Blair Thomas & Co. and Istituto Italiano di Cultura/Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago in association with Instituto Cervantes in Chicago present Veronica Gonzalez and Laura Kibel from Italy's Teatro dei Piedi in a production that features stories ranging from romantic to ridiculous told through the actors' feet.
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"(The show is) an amalgamation of mime and puppetry with the performers using their own human bodies to create these very unique characters where their own feet become the heads of these puppets," Thomas said.
"It's a surprising mixture of physical comedy and dexterity to create a very engaging performance that uses no spoken word."
During its inaugural year, the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival featured 12 presenting partners. In year two, that number has doubled, with the inclusion of the Southland stop among its 22 venues.
"One of my experiences as a young theater artist in Chicago was that I got very influenced by the International Theatre Festival of Chicago that took place in the 1980s and 1990s in Chicago," Thomas said via phone from the festival's office in Chicago.
"There was one production by a company that really changed the way I look at theater entirely and it set me on a path that led me to start the Redmoon Theater, which was a company I ran back then. There is no major city with an international puppet theater festival.
"There had been one in New York for a decade and it discontinued in 2000. I really felt like I wanted to build on the receptive environment in Chicago for theater and for contemporary work to establish Chicago as a place where we can have a festival of national prominence."
Thomas said it was the reception from Beverly Arts Center when he staged "The Selfish Giant" there in 2015 that made him partner with the venue.
"This is an incredible venue and a very receptive audience. We wanted to figure out how to bring something to Beverly Arts Center. They were very rooted in their community and so that's a valuable thing," he said.
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"There's an audience there and they're interested in having positive experiences in theater and, in this case, it works for family audiences. It's a totally great space in terms of artists working. There's a really broad stage that's an excellent facility to perform in."
Thomas started his first puppet company, the Palace Puppeteers, at the age of 10 and has been immersed in puppet theater since the founding of Blair Thomas & Co. in 2002.
Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
'Sonata for 4 Feet'
When: 7 p.m. Jan. 20; 11 a.m. Jan. 21
Where: Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago
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Tickets: $20 adults; $12 students
Information: 773-445-3838, 312-977-9483, www.beverlyartcenter.org or www.chicagopuppetfest.org
Etc.: presented by Teatro dei Piedi; part of Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival
Despite impassioned pleas from Crete Township residents and the Will County board members who represent them, the board agreed to seek grant funds for a grade separation on Crete-Monee Road at the site of a proposed intermodal terminal.
Those residing in unincorporated residential neighborhoods adjacent to the proposed terminal viewed the county's action as "a symbolic vote of Will County wanting the intermodal," said Tim Piepenbrink, who lives 70 feet from CSX's property line.
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The county board held special meeting Thursday, prompted by a Jan. 15 deadline to apply for a grant from the Illinois Commerce Commission for a grade separation on Crete-Monee Road, at the request of CSX Railroad, which wants to build the intermodal from Crete-Monee Road to Goodenow Road, about a half mile west of Illinois 1. A government agency must apply for the grant.
Efforts by some board members to table the grant application for one year failed, and members voted 18 to 5 to pursue the grant for CSX, noting that there is no guarantee the grants would be available next year.
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Board member Laurie Summers, D-Crete, who, as a resident, opposed a similar plan on this site 10 years ago, urged her colleagues to table it, saying CSX has no development plan and there is no infrastructure to support such a project.
"We need a regional plan," she said.
Board member Judy Ogalla, R-Monee, who also represents this area, said Crete Mayor Mike Einhorn did what he wanted without considering or notifying the unincorporated residents, citing a "lack of trust," and a "lack of communication" with government officials.
"We need to do what we can to protect these people," Ogalla said, noting residents in her district, county board District 1, have been dealing with the South Suburban Airport, the proposed Illiana toll road, the proposed Great Lakes Basin Railroad and this intermodal.
If the grant is awarded and county officials believe its chances are slim CSX would provide the 40 percent match, and no county funds would be used for the project.
Crete-Monee and Goodenow Road both are county highways, and the Will County Division of Transportation would be involved in planning for the grade separation and deciding whether it would be an overpass or underpass, said Bruce Gould, the county's director of transportation.
Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >
Several residents spoke out against the board's action, even though county officials said the grade crossing grant and the intermodal were separate issues.
Tom Livington, CSX's regional vice president of government and community affairs, stated at a previous meeting the rail company would pursue the intermodal plan with or without the grade separation.
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Debbie Piepenbrink said she was "mad, sad and insulted," that CSX and Crete think the intermodal is a "community friendly" plan.
"We stand to gain nothing from this," she said.
"I understand their concerns for the future, but this is a safety issue," said board member Mike Fricilone, R-Homer Glen. "It impacts everyone who drives on that road."
"Throughout Will County, grade separations are a welcome sight," said County Executive Larry Walsh, D-Elwood, noting that many communities want them.
slafferty@tribpub.com
Saint Alphonsus/St. Patrick Elementary School in Lemont recently has raised money needed to remain open next school year, school officials said.
The school needed to raise $350,000 by Feb. 26 to cover next year's operating deficit or face possible closure, said Anne Masselli, a spokeswoman for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago.
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Principal Renee Payne said the fundraising goal was reached in less than a month with the help of parents, parishioners, residents and businesses.
"Our school community has rallied together to see that our school continues its long tradition of education in Lemont," she said.
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Payne also said that organizers at St. Xavier University, Providence Catholic High School and Marist High School also have donated to the school's "Celtic Fund" beyond the $350,000 to help ensure school operations for years to come.
"We are well on our way toward the $1 million goal we set which will move us into the future," she said.
The school's declining enrollment in recent years that had caused a strain on its finances, Masselli said
She said the Archdiocese also would like to see a 90 percent student retention rate for the 2017-18 school year.
Payne is confident that enrollment will be increased with the help of increased marketing in areas the school attracts students, including Lemont, Woodridge, Lockport, Downers Grove, Darien and Romeoville.
"Numerous efforts are being made to enroll new students," she said.
Frank Vaisvilas is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Will County Judge Carla Alessio Policandriotes Wednesday hands out American flags to the seven graduates of the county's veteran's court program. Since it's beginning in 2012, 18 veterans have graduated from the program. (Alicia Fabbre / Daily Southtown)
For years, Dan Miller fought his demons.
He didn't want to talk about his troubles with his friends for fear of being labeled or treated differently. He was a Marine and a cop, after all.
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On Wednesday, Miller was one of seven celebrating their graduation from Will County's veterans court program. The program, which began in 2012, aims to help veterans charged facing criminal charges get their lives back on track.
County officials Wednesday thanked the latest graduating class for their service and said they were glad to be able to provide a helping hand when they took a wrong turn.
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Miller, a retired Oak Lawn police officer, found his way in the program in late 2014. The 48-year-old Manhattan man faced DUI and aggravated assault charges stemming from an incident in March of 2014.
"I was scared, tired, and I wanted to quit," Miller said during Wednesday's graduation program. "I came to veterans court ... and I realized it was not the end of the road."
All seven graduates went through an intensive program involving counseling, drug testing and regular visits with Will County Judge Carla Alessio Policandriotes, who presides over veterans court. Several counties across the state, including DuPage and Cook, have similar programs. The program is open to veterans who have been honorably or generally discharged from service.
"I'm glad I got the chance to go to veterans court," said Miller. "I think I had to go through this for me to find a new normal for my life."
Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >
In the last two years, Miller has learned he suffered a traumatic brain injury during one of his three tours of duty in Iraq. He said he also has been treated for post traumatic stress disorder, something he only came to grips with after the 2014 incident.
Miller, who took medical retirement from the Oak Lawn Police Department last year, now works with the Wounded Warrior Project and travels the country to speak to veterans.
Other graduates shared similar stories of finding their way through the court program.
Kevin Watkins, a Marine veteran, landed in veterans court on drug charges. The 55-year-old Romeoville resident has been clean for two years and four days, but before veteran court he had a 30-year-old drug habit. Before his arrest, Watkins said he prayed to God asking for help.
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"I'm getting my life back and I have a purpose in life again," he said after graduation. "Drugs and alcohol took all that away."
Since its inception in 2012, the Will County veterans court program has had 18 veterans graduate. Participants in Wednesday's graduation ranged in age from their late 20s to late 60s.
Alicia Fabbre is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Henry County, a rural piece of western Illinois sliced by two interstates and the home of the "Hog Capitol of the World," is hardly the place you would expect important constitutional issues to be argued, but it is.
Larry Vandersnick, a Republican former judge and prosecutor, developed misgivings about a common government tactic, civil forfeiture, which allows government to seize property from individuals even when they have never been convicted of a crime.
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From his office in Cambridge, a picturesque town of 2,100, he becomes a soldier in a battle that is being fought in Washington, Springfield and county seats across the nation.
"I guess I've seen the light on part of the war on drugs," he said. "Laws like these were passed in the early 1990s all across the country as part of it, but civil forfeiture has become a lot more common in the last 10 years. And it is hurting innocent people."
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Civil forfeiture is basically a money grab by government.
And instead of just nabbing yachts from drug lords, it has caught plenty of ordinary people in its net as well.
Last year, Vandersnick read in the The Dispatch and Rock Island Argus about Judy Wiese, a 70-year-old housekeeper who lost her car.
She lent her 2009 Jeep Compass to a grandson so he could drive to work.
The car was seized by police because the grandson's driver's license was revoked.
Wiese told the newspaper that her grandson had told her otherwise. Judy was just a grandma helping out a grandson. She hadn't broken any laws.
Vandersnick donated his legal services and got the car back for her, but most folks aren't so fortunate.
"This is about money. Government looks at this as a way to bring in lots of money," Vandersnick said. "Part of the problem is that much of the money goes to the police department itself, so they have an incentive to do things like this."
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And we are talking big money. Really big.
Since 2005, Illinois has pocketed more than $319 million from private citizens throughout the state. Federal law enforcement took in more than $404 million in Illinois over the same time period, Hilary Gowins, of the Illinois Policy Institute, told me.
The Institute along with the American Civil Liberties Union is leading the charge to reform civil asset forfeiture laws in Illinois.
In a cash-strapped state like Illinois, it will be an uphill slog.
Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >
But justice is priceless. And other states have seen the light.
New Mexico, Nebraska and North Carolina allow asset forfeiture only when a person has been convicted of a crime. And California recently passed a law banning forfeiture in most cases unless a conviction has been made.
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Illinois should do the same.
No one should have what they own taken from them unless they have been found guilty.
And we should expect our police to defend the private property of Illinois residents not take it away.
That may be common sense, but it's not the law.
Scott Reeder is a veteran statehouse journalist and works as a freelance reporter in the Springfield area.
Something as simple as a phone call can make a big difference.
Volunteers and professionals who help survivors of domestic violence want to spread a message across the south suburbs and through the state.
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They're asking people to call their legislators and urge passage of a state budget that immediately restores $18 million in funding for domestic violence programs.
Lives are at stake, they say.
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"We know this could be a matter of life and death," said Jennifer Gabrenya, executive director of Homewood-based South Suburban Family Shelter. "As (fewer) services are available across the state, you're going to see more people with serious injuries or deaths because they don't have that safety net."
I spoke with Gabrenya about a call to action issued by South Suburban Family Shelter and other agencies affected by the budget impasse. First, they want constituents to call their state lawmakers.
Phone calls can have an impact. Earlier this month, Republicans in Congress proposed gutting the Office of Congressional Ethics. Lawmakers reversed course, partly due to the large volume of phone calls they received from citizens opposed to the idea.
"The more noise you can make, the more people are likely to look at it," Gabrenya told me.
Social services agencies and the people they serve have been bearing the brunt of the two-year-long stalemate over the state budget. Due to delays in funding, providers have laid off staff and reduced services.
The state's backlog of unpaid bills is estimated at $11 billion. Vendors have to wait for funding because most state expenditures including funding for public schools, pension fund payments and state employee payrolls continue due to court orders or other action.
Providers have been absorbing the costs and continuing to serve clients because the state contracted with them to do so. They figured they'd eventually get paid.
That was their understanding when Gov. Bruce Rauner and the legislature approved a six-month stopgap budget that was in effect from the beginning of July to the end of December.
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But in mid-December, providers say, they were formally notified by Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary James Dimas that funding for domestic violence services was not included in the stopgap budget.
"This was a complete surprise to us," Gabrenya said in a statement accompanying the call to action. "We have already spent six months providing vital services and now we have no indication of when a budget that includes domestic violence funding will be passed so we can be paid for our work."
Other providers are issuing a similar plea for action. The Crisis Center for South Suburbia, based in Orland Park, says the lack of state funding threatens its ability to provide a wide range of services, including an emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling, legal advocacy, and education and prevention programs.
"For the first time in over 20 years, I am truly concerned that we will not receive our funding," Diane Veltman, director of finance, said in a statement on the center's website. "It could have significant ramifications for our programs."
The center is facing a loss of $400,000 in state funding and is urging people to contact lawmakers and the governor.
"Please help us educate legislators that without these services, families will not be safe and will face continued trauma and homelessness," Veltman said.
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The center's website, www.crisisctr.org, includes contact information for local legislators and the governor.
I reached out to the Department of Human Services on Friday to ask about the funding situation and the communication Dimas sent to agencies last month.
"Despite the governor proposing funding for domestic violence programs in both his budget proposal and stopgap proposal, there is currently no general revenue fund appropriation for domestic violence programs for fiscal year 2017," Meredith Krantz, the department's director of communications, said in an email response.
"However, domestic violence programs are still receiving some funding through special state funds and federal funds," she said. "We fully intend to pay all domestic violence programs that have contracts with the state in full once the General Assembly passes a balanced budget alongside meaningful structural changes."
In its call to action, South Suburban Family Shelter said the state indicated in its December notification that funding might be restored if a state budget is approved.
"This notice falls short of offering an explanation, but does provide assurances that the contracts will be honored when a budget is passed," the shelter's statement said.
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Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >
Calling legislators is one of three steps the shelter wants people to consider. The second is donating money to the shelter to allow it to continue providing services while the state remains without a budget. Donations may be made at www.ssfs1.org.
Gabrenya told me the shelter already has laid off three staff members, reduced hours, cut back on some programs and eliminated others. Managers have taken a pay cut, she said.
"This is a devastating blow for us and our sister agencies," she said in the call to action. "We are forced to make heartbreaking and infuriating decisions that threaten the safety of some of our state's most vulnerable citizens."
The third step the shelter asks is for people to tell seven other people about the first two steps. They want people to use the hashtag #tell7 on social media.
"There is something people can do," Gabrenya told me. "We believe in the idea that telling seven other people will make a difference."
tslowik@tribpub.com
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Twitter @tedslowik
Elgin will have several events beginning this weekend to celebrate and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The city will host its 32nd annual celebration honoring the civil rights leader, with a handful of events dispersed throughout the three-day weekend. This year's theme: "Nonviolence is the answerThe foundation of such method is love."
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Beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Elgin Community College will have a prayer breakfast that is already sold out. The city's MLK celebration committee will present the 2017 Dr. King Humanitarian Award to a nominee who demonstrated teachings and work in line with King's ideals.
Sunday's schedule is more packed as both Larkin High School and the Hemmens Cultural Center will cater activities oriented toward students. At 10 a.m. Sunday, about 50 students will participate in a Socratic seminar, intended to be a more open-minded opportunity where students can share and ask questions on a variety of topics. The students in grades 4 through 12 submitted essays in order to participate in the Larkin seminar.
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"In these times we live, it's important we hear from students," said Ron Raglin, School District U46's assistant superintendent of educational support programs and alignment. "Relationships, violence, non-violence, how are they processing the informationhow are they processing it?"
All the essays are on the theme of nonviolence, added Raglin.
The festivities shift to the other side of the Fox River late Sunday afternoon for a free event held at the Hemmens honoring Dr. King, which begins at 4 p.m. The 2017 Dr. King Scholarship winners will be announced at the tribute, along with winners from both an art contest and the Socratic seminar. Raglin will serve as master of ceremonies for the Hemmens event.
On Monday morning, organizers will sort donated food before eight local food pantries pick up the goods as part of the Dr. King Food Drive. Raglin said Bartlett High School, Canton, Ellis and Kenyon Woods middle schools collected canned goods leading up to the food drive. According to a U46 news release, more than 50,000 pounds of food have been collected the past five years, making it one of the most successful food drives in the Fox Valley.
Lastly, the annual MLK Day of Service and Youth Leadership Conference begins at 9 a.m. Monday in the Heritage Ballroom at the Centre of Elgin. Sarah Culberson, philanthropist, educator and author will give the keynote address. Culberson wrote the book "A Princess Found," an autobiography documenting her search and ultimate discovery of her biological family; her biological father is royalty, and she is a princess of a royal family in the African country of Sierra Leone. Culberson, now in her 30s, was adopted at one year old by a West Virginia couple.
raguerrero@tribpub.com
No one answered as Joseph Wars knocked on the door of an elderly woman. He was there to deliver some food as member of a Virginia Jaycees Club.
Wars walked to his car to leave when the door suddenly opened. The elderly woman gave him the biggest hug he's ever had in his life, he said. "Tears started falling out of her eyes," he recalled.
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"She told me 'don't ever let anyone convince you there isn't a God. I was on my knees praying when you came to the door. I have absolutely no food in the house,'" he said.
The 73-year-old has never forgotten that experience. It has impacted his work as an organizer for the Dr. King Food Drive, which is one of the events being held this weekend to commemorate the Martin Luther King holiday. It is sponsored by the Dr. Martin Luther King Commemorative Committee and the Human Relations Commission for the city of Elgin.
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Wars has been organizing the Dr. King Food Drive since it began six years ago.
Last year, seven tons of food were donated, he said. The sight of so much food overwhelmed Wars. "The feeling is amazing," he said. "It makes you so proud of the fact you live in Elgin and Elgin continues to prove itself to be a great place to live, work and play. (The donation) speaks very highly of the people" of Elgin.
This year, the goal is eight tons, he said.
"It's one of those things, you hope and you pray it is going to happen," Wars said. "I think we are on track. You don't know until the final count is done."
A food drive is a natural fit for the Dr. King holiday, Wars said. In a February 1968 sermon titled "Drum Major Instinct," the Civil Rights leader talked about wanting to be remembered not for being a Nobel Peace Prize winner but for what he did throughout his life to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, Wars said.
"His whole effort was basically centered on helping those less fortunate," Wars said. The food drive "ties in very nicely with his overall teaching and preaching."
Donations can be dropped off at the Elgin Police Department, 151 Douglas Ave., or Elgin area fire departments. Volunteers will collect and sort items from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Church of the Brethren General Office, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin. Food will be distributed to local food pantries from 9 a.m. to noon Monday.
Volunteers are still needed for both days, Wars said. The King Holiday has been earmarked as a national day of service as opposed to a day off and volunteers come from different organizations such as church groups, the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin and the YWCA, he said.
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"We can always use a lot of volunteers," he said. Anyone interested in volunteering can call Wars at 847-742-2228.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
The number of fatal crashes in Kane County increased by 86 percent last year, and overdose deaths increased by 55 percent, resulting in a higher number of autopsies than budgeted in the coroner's fiscal 2016 budget, Coroner Rob Russell said.
Russell's 2016 budget provided funding for 150 autopsies, a figure the coroner felt comfortable projecting based on several years' worth of data.
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But "last month was another bad month," Russell said at a meeting of the County Board's Judicial and Public Safety Committee on Thursday. "We had double the amount of autopsies from the previous year. It capped off a bad year."
County statistics show there were 62 drug deaths, 49 related to heroin, 39 deaths in motor vehicle crashes and 49 suicides as of mid-December, according to the coroner's office. There was a spike in deaths in May and again at the end of October and the beginning of November, the statistics show. Those deaths usually require an autopsy along with a toxicology text, officials said. A coroner must request an autopsy for any unnatural or unexplained deaths, according to Illinois state statutes.
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The coroner's office is asking for a budget adjustment of about $75,000 to cover the cost of the 194 autopsies performed in the last budget year. In addition to more fatal car crashes and drug overdoses, the number of suicides increased by 9 percent last year, Russell said.
Russell said he is working to implement programs or get involved with programs to help deal with issues such as drunk driving, texting and driving, drug addiction and suicide prevention.
"We are figuring out how to respond and hopefully be more proactive," the coroner said.
County Board member Bill Lenert asked if the number of autopsies required last year was an anomaly or the figure is trending higher.
"It's hard to say," Russell said, adding the coroner's office conducted 141 and 143 autopsies in previous years. "It's a very tough thing to determine. This year, my hope is it's an anomaly. But I can't answer it. The heroin epidemic continues to roll on, and people are dying every day."
The committee approved the resolution, which now moves to the Executive Committee, then the whole County Board for approval.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
Audra Morgan has been named the executive assistant for Pinnacle Financial Partners in Chattanooga. She is located at Pinnacles downtown office, 801 Broad St.
Audras enthusiasm, professionalism, and experience made her an ideal fit for this role, said Ryan Murphy, area manager for Pinnacles client services group. Im confident clients and associates will enjoy working with her.
Ms. Morgan brings six years of financial services experience to Pinnacle. She was most recently a service specialist at Pinnacles downtown location.
Previously she was a branch and relationship banker at Branch Banking & Trust. Ms. Morgan began her career at Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union as a financial consultant.
A 21-year-old South Elgin man is heading to prison after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, a class 2 felony, authorities said.
Lewis C. McCracken, of the 100 block of Josephine Drive, was sentenced Wednesday to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, according to a Kane County State's Attorney's news release.
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McCracken was at a party in April 2016 in the 500 block of Sunset Drive. He left and then came back wearing a blue bandana and carrying a Winchester Model 50 12-guage shotgun, the release stated. A witness saw McCracken coming through the door and wrestled the gun away from him, firing it at McCracken, who was struck in the abdomen, it stated.
Under Illinois law, McCracken is eligible for day-for-day sentence and was given credit for 281 days served in the Kane County jail, it stated.
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Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
After a meeting with Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner (not shown), Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan prepares to address the media at the State of Illinois Building in Chicago in December. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)
The state of Illinois still does not have a budget after two years of the stalemate between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan.
While it was reported that Rauner was hoping lawmakers returning to Springfield could reach an agreement in the two days before the new legislature was sworn in Wednesday, it did not happen. Now Democratic Senate President John Cullerton supposedly will present a budget plan, and Senate Republican leader Christine Radogno has said the goal is to get Senate approval before the end of this month.
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Local municipalities can only watch and wait.
"Carpentersville's financial policies require a substantial cash reserve. We have used the reserve to carry us through the period when the state was not releasing money that was due us. The reserve has also helped us overcome the fact that the state is continuously five to six months behind in sending sale tax money," Carpentersville Mayor Ed Ritter said.
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"We have not had to curtail any services at this point and will be able to continue all current services unless there is some change in state law such as the state keeping any portion of money that normally comes to the village to cover its own deficit. Such a move would dramatically affect all local governments and probably require some type of service cuts to make up the lost revenue."
His counterpart in Elgin, Dave Kaptain, said, "There has not been an impact upon the city of Elgin thus far. We will wait and see if another temporary budget is passed in the near future."
All of this bickering makes the state an embarrassment to the rest of the country and leaves local governments up in the air on how to serve their residents.
Kaptain expressed concerns for social service agencies that "will feel the impact almost immediately because of minimal reserve funds and the constant demand for the services they provide."
Although taxpayers continue to pay their taxes on time, our state government officials need to establish some common ground to get the state back on track. Rauner wants major changes to make Illinois more attractive for new businesses, while Madigan is looking to keep doing business as usual.
Our state officials must put their differences aside and make concessions. The longer the state goes without a budget, the more difficult it will be for Illinois to recover, if it can recover at all.
Linda McDaniel-Hale is a Fox Valley resident who offers opinion on local topics.
In a 7-0 vote, the Glenview School District 34 Board of Education approved the hiring of the new superintendent at a special meeting Thursday.
Dane Delli, who has more than 25 years experience in education, will begin as District 34 superintendent July 1 under a three-year contract, according to a district press release and the contract.
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"I feel very honored that you've chosen me and entrusted me in this very important role at this very important time in your school district," Delli said at the meeting. "It's a responsibility that I take very seriously, and I will not disappoint you."
Delli has served as superintendent for the River Trails School District 26 since July 2007, according to the press release. He previously worked as a high school teacher, middle school principal, high school principal, assistant superintendent and university professor, it said.
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The approval of Delli's contract, with an annual base salary of $245,000, follows a six-month search to fill the position after former Supt. Michael Nicholson announced in May 2016 that he would resign. Griff Powell and Patricia Wernet are serving as interim superintendents for the 2016-2017 school year.
The board hired School Exec Connect to conduct a national search for the superintendent. Board President Cathe Russe said 52 people applied for the position, and six were brought in for interviews. A "confidential committee" composed of district administrator, parents, union leadership and staff met with three finalists, she said.
The district did not reveal Delli's name until the meeting, which was announced just days in advance. The district said in a Jan. 9 press release that it "anticipated" the approval of the superintendent candidate's contract before the meeting.
The district declined to share his name beforehand because Delli needed time to tell his current district that he will be leaving and because the district doesn't have to announce individuals' names before they are hired, Russe said.
Russe said the board hired Delli because he has "a wealth of transferable, pertinent experience," and because he is an "accomplished team builder." As the District 26 superintendent, Delli led the development and implementation of two multi-year strategic plans and demonstrated "a focused and effective approach to implementing" those plans, she said.
"The other thing that really drew us to (Delli) is that, consistent with the board philosophy and this district's philosophy, he has demonstrated that children are at the center of his decision making," Russe said.
An Ohio native, Delli has lived in Highland Park for 16 years with his wife LeeAnn, a kindergarten teacher for Lincolnshire-Prairie View School District 103, and three children: Gabe, 16, Elizabeth, 13, and Emma, 10, Delli said.
Delli said his next step is getting to know the Glenview community, the district's schools, staff and teachers and allowing the community to get to know him. In the next few months, Delli said he will work with Wernet and Powell to begin the transition of roles.
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Lyon Elementary School Principal Kevin Dorken said the district's principals and assistant principals are looking forward to meeting and working with Delli.
"We are excited and optimistic to have you come on board and will do everything we can do to help you be successful," Dorken said.
Shonne Fegan-Ehrhardt, a co-president of the Parent Teacher Association Council, also welcomed Delli and told him that District 34 is a collaborative district with high parent involvement.
"It'll be interesting for you to get to know some of the parents and some of our issues, and we really look forward to working with you," she said. "Hopefully you'll stay and stick around for a while."
The meeting ended with a reception for community members to meet Delli.
akukulka@chicagotribune.com
A Lake County Circuit judge will rule on a sentence Tuesday for Nicholette Lawrence, a Waukegan woman who pleaded guilty to murder in the beating death of her 11-year-old daughter.
Following the conclusion of Lawrence's emotional two-day sentencing hearing Friday, Judge James Booras said he would announce his sentencing ruling Tuesday after further reviewing case materials. Lawrence faces 20 years to natural life in prison for the death of Raashanai Coley.
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Assistant State's Attorney Fred Day said that graphic testimony and images provided in court Thursday and Friday demanded that the state request a sentence of life in prison.
Defense attorney Keith Grant, citing Lawrence's unconditional guilty plea and an abusive childhood, said he knew she faces a long sentence but asked the judge to provide her with hope "for some small sliver of life after prison."
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The hearing concluded with a tearful statement from Lawrence, 35, to the court in which she said she took full responsibility for her actions and said that after taking numerous classes in jail, she hopes to educate other women about the factors that led to the death of Raashanai.
"I just want to say to you and everyone that I am truly sorry for what has happened," Lawrence said. "There is not a second of the day I am not tormented by (the) pictures in my mind. I rarely sleep.
"But it's not about me. I hope someday to help others so they don't have to be filled with the sadness and grief of causing something so horrible to their own child."
Grant said Lawrence was part of a classic "cycle of abuse" caused by violent, drug- and alcohol-addicted parents, having allegedly been physically and sexually abused by her own parents and others at a young age. He said she learned violence and abuse as "the norm" as a very young child, and never recovered.
Grant said there were claims that Lawrence was sexually abused as young as the age of three, and that "by the time she was 12 her mother was smoking pot with her. This was the only life she knew."
Grant said Lawrence had a miscarriage after becoming pregnant at 13, and that she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as a teenager.
"If she were a soldier, we'd be saying that she saw combat; that we understand," Grant said. "But this was just a little girl."
Grant said that violence and abuse was so prevalent in her young life that it was normalized for her.
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Day focused on the suffering of Raashanai, who he said "looked like someone out of a prison camp" when she was recovered from the home of Lawrence and her husband. Testimony from a young half-brother, police and paramedics during the hearing described a malnourished girl who was isolated, rejected by her parents and frequently beaten for at least months prior to her death.
Lawrence called 911 the evening of Sept. 5, 2014, two days after she had punched her 67-pound daughter in the stomach, a blow that perforated her insides and caused an infection that killed her, according to autopsy reports.
Police and paramedics testified Thursday that by the time they were called to the home Sept. 5, the child was no longer breathing and could not be revived.
A Waukegan paramedic testified that the girl "appeared very frail and thin. She appeared very emaciated, almost as if she were a cancer patient." He also described her severely distended stomach due to the injury.
Autopsy photos shown in court showed apparent scars and marks all over her thin body.
In arguing for a sentence of natural life in prison, Day said the girl was killed by the person who she should have been most able to trust and count on, and that children continue to look up to and love their parents "even when that love is not returned."
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Day said Raashanai's last words were, "You gave me too much medicine, Mommy" when Lawrence gave her daughter anti-gas medicine in an attempt to address the severe stomach problems.
"There is no metric, no measure, for what has been taken from us and Raashanai primarily Raashanai," Day said.
During the hearing Thursday afternoon, video clips from an iPhone recovered by Waukegan police from the home depicted the girl's pleas and cries as her mother audibly beat her and screamed obscenities at her as Raashanai cried and pleaded for her to stop.
Those clips were recorded April 3 and 5 of 2014, less than six months before Coley died, according to Day.
Raashanai's half-brother, who was six at the time, said in an interview with investigators that his parents told him and his sister that Raashanai was "bad," and that they kept her locked up in a small closet in their bedroom that contained only a sink and a covered window.
The boy said Raashanai was often beaten by her mother, who sometimes used her hands and sometimes used a belt. He said a stick was also used by family members to beat Raashanai on occasion.
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Prosecutors said that a belt and a stick similar to the ones described by the boy were recovered from the house.
Authorities said police received a domestic violence call to the home in 2011, reported by a neighbor, and that when officers arrived and saw marks on her face, Raashanai acknowledged she had been struck.
The half-brother indicated in his interview that it was that incident that led to a major change in the girl's parents' attitude toward her.
Authorities said no evidence has been provided or found to implicate Lawrence's husband in Raashanai's death. Raashanai was Lawrence's child from a former relationship, while two of Raashanai's siblings were the children of both Lawrence and her husband, who lived in the home until Raashanai's death.
jrnewton@tribpub.com
Twitter @jimnewton5
Ekaterina Tikhonova plays Cinderella and Valeria Tselischchev portrays Prince Charming in the Stage Ballet Theatre of Russia performance of aCinderellaa Jan. 20 at Genesee Theatre. (Photo courtesy State Ballet Theatre of Russia)
Igor Levin said the story of Cinderella is about having a dream, losing it and then finding it again.
Add to that story luscious music by Sergei Prokofiev, elaborate costumes and sets, and professional Russian ballet dancers, and you've got a production Levin said all ages will enjoy.
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The State Ballet Theatre of Russia presents "Cinderella" Jan. 20 at Genesee Theatre, which Levin said is a perfect venue to perform the story of a young girl seeking her Prince Charming with help from two magical fairies.
"It's a good theater for classical ballet. It's an old traditional theater. The stage, the sound everything's the best," he said.
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Levin is producer of the Russian ballet traveling troupe that has been performing at Genesee annually for several years, he said.
A trombonist with a ballet company in Russia, Levin came to the United States 24 years ago to organize a company that would bring Russian ballet to other countries.
"Americans really like Russian ballet," because of its high classical style, he said. Cinderella was choreographed by Russian ballet dancer Vladimir Vasiliev.
Young audiences will enjoy the performance because "they like seeing Cinderella become a princess," he said.
Adults like it because, "This is a whole live story from when people dream about a great future and then make it to a great future," he said.
"Everything they do uses classical ballet style," he said of the 55-member troupe that started its Cinderella tour Dec. 3. All were trained in Russian classical ballet, he said.
One of his favorite parts in "Cinderella," he said, is when she and the prince dance the waltz. The melody is beautiful, he said, and one that's familiar to people around the world.
"Cinderella is one of the greatest classical ballets of all time," Levin said, "and we're happy to bring it to the Genesee."
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The Russian ballet troupe has performed in the Netherlands, China, Hungary, Italy, Austria, Yugoslavia, Germany and Japan.
The State Ballet Theatre of Russia was founded by legendary dancer and former prima ballerina of The Bolshoi Theater Ballet, Maya Plissetskaya. The theater is directed by award-winning dancer Nikolay Anohkin.
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
Cinderella: State Ballet Theatre of Russia
When: 7:30 p.m., Jan. 20
Where: Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan
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Tickets: $22.50-$62.50
Information: 847-263-6300; www.geneseetheatre.com
Nicholette Lawrence alternately cried and buried her face in her hands as her sentencing hearing for the murder of her 11-year-old daughter unfolded Thursday in an audio- and video-assisted depiction of cruelty and brutality.
Lawrence, 34, of Waukegan, previously pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder and faces a sentence of anywhere from 20 years to life in prison in the death of her daughter, Raashanai Coley.
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Raashanai died Sept. 5, 2014, two days after her mother punched her in the stomach, a blow that perforated her stomach and eventually killed her, according to autopsy reports.
Police and paramedics testified Thursday that by the time they were called to the home on Sept. 5, the child was no longer breathing and could not be revived.
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They said the 11-year-old was found on the floor of a bedroom amid vomit, emaciated and with her stomach severely distended.
Evidence at the hearing suggested that Raashanai had suffered for much longer than two days.
In a videotaped interview shown Thursday morning with the girl's younger half-brother, which was recorded after Lawrence's arrest, the child said his sister had been kept in a locked closet in her parent's bedroom, rarely fed and often beaten.
On Thursday afternoon, video clips from an iPhone recovered by Waukegan police from the home depicted the girl's pleas and cries as her mother beat her and screamed at her. The picture was wandering, appearing to show a video game screen as the swearing, screaming woman scolded the child and loud whipping sounds could be heard.
Nicholette R. Lawrence, who pleaded guilty in October 2015 to the murder of her 11-year-old daughter. (Lake County Sheriff's Office)
Those video clips were recorded April 3 and 5 of 2013, the year before Coley died, according to Assistant State's Attorney Fred Day.
Lawrence's attorney, Public Defender Keith Grant, had objected to the clips being played, arguing that his client had already unconditionally pleaded guilty to murder and to the blow that killed Raashanai, as well as agreeing to an age-difference sentencing enhancement that could land her in prison for life.
Grant also said the clips apparently depicted corporal punishment, which isn't illegal.
But Lake County Circuit Judge James Booras said the state claimed the clips depicted abuse and could show additional crimes.
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Grant responded that if the clips depicted crimes, they were "crimes she hasn't been charged with."
"I know a crime when I see one, Mr. Grant," Booras said as he instructed prosecutors to play the clips in court.
During the interview with the girl's half-brother, who was 6 years old at the time, the child told an investigator that he and his siblings were "not allowed" to talk about Raashanai because she was "B-A-D," spelling out the word with emphasis.
When asked how she was bad, he responded that she would steal food. Under questioning, he said Raashanai was not allowed to eat with the family and did not eat regular meals.
The boy told the investigator under gentle questioning that Raashanai was kept locked in a closet in her parents' upstairs bedroom most of the time, and that the closet had a sink but no toilet, and her mother would get angry and beat her if she used the sink as a toilet.
Raashanai was often beaten by her mother, the child said, sometimes with her hands and sometimes with a belt. He said a stick was also used to beat Raashanai.
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When asked, the boy said he and his 7-year-old sister got good Christmas presents the year before, but when asked what Raashanai got for Christmas, he responded "nothing."
He also said she used to go to school but was then home-schooled "because she was bad."
The child said when visitors came to the home, Raashanai remained locked in the closet upstairs, and that friends never came to see her.
He said his parents told him and his sister that if they talked to anyone about her, their parents would "get in trouble," and someone might call the police.
The boy said he, his sister, his mother and father lived in the home, not mentioning Raashanai until he was asked about her. He said he also had an older brother, who stayed with friends.
The boy indicated that Raashanai apparently was labeled bad by Lawrence and her husband after she told police she had been hit.
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Authorities said police received a domestic violence call to the home in 2011, reported by a neighbor, and that when officers arrived and saw marks on her face, Raashanai acknowledged she had been struck.
The boy said that a few days before he was taken to live with a relative, Raashanai got sick and had "a big belly" even though she was "skinny." He said she cried a lot at that time, and that he was told she had eaten bad sauerkraut.
The videotaped interview was played for more than an hour, and for most of that time, Lawrence sat at the defense table with her face buried in her hands, appearing to cry softly at times.
In the afternoon, Waukegan police Detective Justin Shields, the first to arrive at the scene, said Lawrence told him the child had become sick after eating sauerkraut for her first time. Shields also said he noticed the child was extremely skinny and "malnourished," but that her stomach was distended and bloated.
He said he also noticed bruises and scars on the girl's body.
Waukegan firefighter-paramedic Dustin Rynders said that while rescue personnel attempted to revive the girl, it appeared from the look of her face and skin she had been dead at least a half-hour before they arrived, about four minutes after receiving a 911 call.
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"She appeared very frail and thin," Rynders said. "She appeared very emaciated, almost as if she were a cancer patient."
Autopsy photos of Raashanai shown in court showed her with extremely thin arms and legs, a distended stomach and markings all over her body.
After the cellphone clips were shown, Booras suspended the hearing until Friday morning, when the defense is expected to provide evidence, and closing arguments are expected.
It was not clear Thursday afternoon whether Booras will rule on a sentence Friday or set a separate date for his decision.
Lawrence has been held in Lake County Jail on $5 million bail since she was arrested and charged with the murder.
jrnewton@tribpub.com
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Twitter @jimnewton5
Hannah Grispo, a then-5-year-old pediatric cancer patient at Edward Hospital in Naperville, poses in 2012 with the toys available at Edward's Treasure Chest. (Edward Hospital)
Every time Colleen Kisel's son walked through the hospital doors, he knew it was going to be painful. Just 7 years old, Martin Kisel had acute lymphocytic leukemia, which required multiple painful tests each week.
Martin's been in remission for two decades, but Edward Hospital in Naperville is one of 50 locations around the country that benefits from a foundation inspired by his experience. Colleen Kisel established the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation in 1996 with the goal of ensuring any child who comes to the hospital for cancer treatment also has something happy to look forward to, she said.
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The organization, based in Orland Park, provides toys for children and teens with cancer. Its purpose is to offer comfort and distraction from painful procedures by providing a toy or gift card after every visit, Kisel said.
"My little boy didn't have a sucker or a sticker," she said. "I devised a plan of bribery because he was scared to death to go to the hospital. He didn't know what cancer was. All he knew was every time he waked through the doors, it hurt."
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Like many children with cancer, Martin routinely had procedures that included painful bone marrow draws or spinal taps, which were in addition to radiation and chemotherapy treatments. "Treasure chests" filled with toys are now located in all of the child cancer treatment centers in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, and as well as many in other states.
"We serve every little one in the whole state of Illinois, in the whole state of Indiana, in the whole state of Wisconsin," Kisel said.
At Edward, the Treasure Chest program was established in 2012 in memory of former Treasure Chest Foundation board member Nancy Lee Reff, who died in 2011, according to a foundation news release. At the time, it was the 42nd location for the organization, which now has 50, Kisel said.
Melissa Slattery, a certified child life specialist at Edward, said the program has been a real asset for the hospital.
"The treasure chest symbolizes an accomplishment for children as they endure difficult and painful procedures," Slattery said.
"(It) gives them something to look forward to before they leave and always brings a smile to their face. The chest contains items not only for younger children but gift cards (from places) like Target, iTunes, Google Play, Starbucks, etc., that are great rewards for teens enduring treatment as well. The program is a wonderful way to recognize the achievements of these kids as they navigate their cancer journey."
The foundation ships out toys to each of the locations on a consistent timetable to ensure no one runs out of gifts to distribute. Sixty to 120 pounds of toys are delivered every month, she said, adding up to about 120,000 toys annually.
"We're highly organized," Kisel said. "Nobody calls or sends a reminder."
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Because children with cancer only seek treatment from major institutions with that specialty, Kisel said she is certain she is reaching everyone in the tri-state area.
Most of the toys the program distributes come from residents in the suburban Chicago area, despite the fact that they're sent all over the country, she said. About 80 percent of them are received during the Christmas season, she said.
"Our community provides enough toys to supply the kids in the nation," she said. "We don't have (distribution) locations in Colorado, California and Miami."
For more information about the foundation, go to www.treasurechest.org.
Erin Gallagher is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
Bethel Bible Village President Kevin Beirne and Board Chair Kevin Whiteside have announced the appointment of Kim Shumpert as director of development.
Kim is a valuable addition to our Bethel team, said Mr. Beirne. She has 18 years of experience in both the nonprofit and private sector, most recently as Director of Business Development NEA Division for Baldwin & Shell Construction Company and as the Executive Director of City Youth Ministries in Jonesboro, AR.
She also served as coordinator of Community Involvement for the eStem Public Charter School in Little Rock, Ar. In 2006, she served as team leader for a federal government initiative and was awarded the Social Security Administration Commissioner's Citation for service.
Ms. Shumpert has a B.S. in Public Administration from Harding University and Masters in Public Administration from Arkansas State University. She is a member of the Southeastern Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals and Chattanooga Womens Leadership Institute.
Kim is a Chattanooga native who has recently returned here from Arkansas, said Mr. Whiteside. She understands the important role Bethel plays as a resource for children and families in crisis in our region.
I feel called to work with Bethel because I have witnessed how the transformative power of healing can change a childs life and future, said Ms. Shumpert. Bethel is a place where children and families become stronger and learn unity. These qualities are sometimes in short supply in our world and it is exciting to get to focus on what bonds us together rather than the things that can divide us.
Big change happens one person at a time. At Bethel, I see this happening every day, she said. Each child who overcomes brokenness, who earns a diploma, who finds a way to self-sufficiency, walks into a stronger personal future. Cumulatively, we create a stronger Chattanooga.
Ms. Shumpert is married to Brad Shumpert, Real Estate Council at Hutton Company, in Chattanooga. They have two children and attend Clear Creek Church of Christ.
A power tool company based in China will consolidate some of its North American offices to create a new headquarters in Naperville along the Interstate 88 corridor.
The 1203 E. Warrenville Road location built in 2015 for Swedish company SKF will become the new home of Chervon North America, part of Nanjing, China-based Chervon Holdings, one of the world's largest manufacturers of power tools and related products.
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The company produces the EGO line of cordless outdoor products, including snowblowers, lawn mowers, leaf blowers and trimmers sold at home improvement stores such as The Home Depot.
Joe Turoff, chief marketing officer for Chervon North America, said his company chose the site because it best fit the company's needs.
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"Considering the location of our current employees, Naperville seemed like the perfect city," Turoff said.
The company plans to consolidate 75 workers from its current headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as well as from its offices in South Barrington and Geneva.
Another 37 employees will come from Chervon's acquisition of Mount Prospect-based Robert Bosch Tool's Skil and Skilsaw brands, which was completed Jan. 1.
Plans also are in the works to hire 25 new workers this year and another 75 over the next three years.
Considering the demographics and the skills of area workers, Turoff said, "Naperville is a perfect location for talent acquisition."
Because Chervon is a global company with locations in China, Europe, Australia and North America, Turoff said a lot of people will be traveling to and from Naperville, so easy access to the airports also was a factor.
Turoff said officials from the city and the Naperville Development Partnership have been integral in helping bring the company to Naperville. "The community has been fantastic, and it's been great working with Christine Jeffries (president of the Naperville Development Partnership)," he said.
Turoff said he expects workers will move into their new offices in May.
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A year and a half ago SKF, which makes bearings, seals and lubrication systems, backed out on its plans to move into the two-story office, research and development facility on about 13 acres at the northwest corner of Warrenville Road and Lucent Lane.
The Naperville City Council approved the design plans for the building in August 2014. SKF had planned to bring 200 jobs to the city.
subaker@tribpub.com
Twitter @SBakerSun1
City to offer firefighter physical ability test
Naperville has become the fourth city in Illinois to offer firefighter candidates a physical ability test.
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The Candidate Physical Ability Test is a standardized test that many departments nationwide, including Naperville, require to show an applicant's ability to perform basic firefighting tasks.
The test consists of eight activities that potential firefighters must complete while wearing gear.
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Naperville will administer the test at 1200 W. Ogden Ave. Previously, the test was only available in Decatur, Glenview and Indian Head Park.
The test will also include an orientation and mentoring process that begins eight weeks prior to the physical test to help candidates train.
The first session begins with an orientation on Feb. 18 and a final test on April 9. For more information, go to www.naperville.il.us/cpat.
No DUI arrests during holiday crackdown
The Naperville Police Department made 82 traffics stops during its holiday season "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign but none were for driving under the influence of alcohol.
The crackdown was held Dec. 16 through Jan. 1, according to a department news release. Fourteen citations for drivers and passengers not wearing seat belts were issued.
"We're hopeful that the positive results of this most recent campaign mean that people are taking this critical drive sober message to heart," Naperville Police Sgt. Derek Zook said in the release.
Park district to host state-of-parks address
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Residents interested in attending the State of the Naperville Park District address can make reservations through the park district web site.
The event will be held Feb. 4 at the Fort Hill Activity Center, 20 Fort Hill Drive. Doors open at 8:45 a.m. and the address will begin at 9:30 a.m. A light breakfast will be served.
This year, the district will feature a new format, with NCTV's Liz Spencer hosting a talk show-style event with audience participation.
The event is free, but reservations are required.
The Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Board of Education president said during a recent meeting that it will be a "heavy slog" to convince voters to approve an operating referendum that would result in an increase on their property tax bills.
Voters in District 97 will be asked come April to approve two separate referendums allowing the school district to issue $57.5 million in school building bonds and to raise the limit on what school officials can request in property tax dollars each year.
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The board voted unanimously Jan. 10 to place both referendums on the April 4 ballot.
Voters will also be asked to approve a 1 percent increase in the property tax extension rate totaling an additional roughly $13.3 million in revenue. According to a district presentation, property owners with an annual $10,000 property tax bill would see an increase of $740, or $74 per every $1,000 they currently pay.
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According to a district presentation, the $57.5 million bond issuance will not impact residents' property tax bills because they'll "essentially renew the existing capital bonds issued in 1999 that funded the middle schools and elementary building upgrades."
The increase in tax revenue will, district officials estimate, gradually bring the district's fund balance up to 27 percent of its operating budget in five years time based on current projections for enrollment, expenditures and state funding, wrote Chris Jasculca, senior director of policy, planning and communication for District 97, in an email interview following the meeting.
In recent months, school officials have said that the district's fund balance would go into the red next year in the absence of dramatic cuts to services or the passage of a referendum.
Voters last approved an operating referendum in 2011, and according to a district presentation, officials viewed the measure as a "stopgap" and predicted a new operating referendum would be required sometime between 2017 and 2019.
School officials have cited increases in enrollment as a key factor driving the need for an increase in tax revenue. According to the district's presentation, this past fall marked the first time in 40 years that enrollment surpassed 6,000 students.
Board officials discussed how best to explain to the community the need for the operating referendum.
"I think the enrollment story is the lead topic," said board member Holly Spurlock. She said the district needs to explain to taxpayers that the massive influx of students to the district stems from people with school-aged and younger children moving into homes previously occupied by residents with no school-aged children. Because the homes were already built rather than newly constructed, the district did not see a rise in property tax revenue commensurate with the costs of educating more kids, Spurlock said.
Board member Graham Brisben said approval of the operating referendum would essentially mean that the district can continue to "deliver the education we've become accustomed to with this surging number of kids."
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Board President Jim Gates said selling voters on the referendum this year is "going to be much tougher" than it was six years ago because the additional revenue is required for the district to reach its longterm goals, which may be seen as esoteric or amorphous, rather than to pay for a concrete initiative like a playground or a school building.
If the bond issuance is approved, approximately $37.6 million will be used to keep buildings operational and their "core functionality" intact, including upgrades that would make facilities compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Acts and work on fire alarms, lighting, power distribution, roof and plumbing repairs, according to a district presentation. The remaining roughly $20 million would be used to convert existing spaces into learning areas and for the creation of additional classrooms at Abraham Lincoln Elementary and Longfellow Elementary schools, according to the presentation.
Board members and district employees are barred from advocating for or against a referendum, according to Jasculca. He wrote that the board is able only to provide "factual information" about the referendums.
Multiple organizations have expressed an interest in hosting public forums or meetings about the referendums, and Jasculca wrote that the district hopes to have specific dates, times locations for these events finalized in the coming days.
Lee V. Gaines is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
A pair of trustee candidates and one village clerk candidate will remain on the spring ballot per the ruling of the Oak Park Electoral Board, but their fight may not be over.
During a Jan. 12 meeting, the electoral board voted to keep incumbent village trustees Peter Barber and Glenn Brewer and village clerk candidate Lori Malinski on the April 4 ballot. The three were endorsed by the Village Manager Association.
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Residents Kevin Peppard and Robert Milstein had argued the three needed to submit petitions of 251 signatures each to appear on the ballot, however, the three submitted one petition containing 735 signatures.
"The minimum signature requirement is mandatory," Milstein said. "It's clear to me that it's not 'You have a little bit of the vote or a little bit of the signatures.' It's you have them or you don't. You either win or you lose."
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Following the meeting, Peppard said he would seek to challenge the board's ruling.
"We've got five days [to appeal], and we're going to take it to court," Peppard said.
The parties had cited the case McNamara v. Oak Lawn, in which John J. McNamara and George A. Pappas filed a joint petition to run for village president and village clerk, respectively. An Oak Lawn Electoral Board ruled the candidates be removed from the ballot, however, the motion was overturned and they appeared on the April 5, 2005 ballot, court records show.
The parties also cited Jackson Hicks v. East St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners, in which the electoral board determined "substantial compliance" as the candidate had come close enough to the required signatures to remain on the ballot. The case was overturned, however, by the Illinois Supreme Court, court records show.
"The Jackson Hicks case did not overturn McNamara," Oak Park Village Attorney Paul Stephanides said. "[The McNamara court] declined to deprive the candidate for their right to run on the ballot."
The electoral board voted 2-1 to keep the three on the ballot, with Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb and Village Trustee Colette Lueck casting yes votes.
"The issue is the court says you can make a mistake to have people work together as a threesome, but there is no remedy, " Lueck said. "Therefore, it's up to this board to decide what that remedy is. It gives this board the option to leave people on or throw them off."
Lueck said she felt the candidates "failed" according to the McNamara ruling, but said that doesn't disqualify them from running for office.
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"McNamara doesn't require they be thrown off the ballot because of that failure," Lueck said. "It doesn't mean you have to remove this particular slate of candidates from the ballot. That is our choice to decide what to do."
Electoral board member and Oak Park Village Clerk Teresa Powell cast the no vote.
"I believe past case law allows three people to run jointly, however, the law, as I've clearly seen it in the presentations, says that each of those three candidates must collect enough petition signatures to have gotten on the ballot on their own," Powell said. "That requirement for 753 signatures in this case is not outweighed by the fact that you circulated petitions as a team. You still need to get to that threshold. You fell short."
Before the hearing, Powell had asked the board to meet again on Jan. 17 as she worried the board's decision was made with "prepackaged decisions," and wanted to hold a vote at a later date. Her motion did not receive a second and was not voted on.
According to Abu-Taleb, each party was asked to file legal briefs following an initial hearing Jan. 5. Those briefs were then handed to Stephanides, who wrote an opinion that was circulated to electoral board members before the Jan. 12 meeting.
Milstein called that process "disturbing," and he left the hearing table prior to the board's vote.
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"I'm hearing someone who is an elected official telling me that something's been decided already," Milstein said. "If that's true, you all should recuse yourselves, step down and let's go to court. We will go to court if this goes down 2-1."
Abu-Taleb said the board's intention was to use each party's briefs, the village attorney's opinion and information discussed at the meeting to make its final decision.
"We work for the village," Abu-Taleb said. "Paul is the village attorney, therefore, he is our attorney. He got the briefs on [Jan. 9], and he did his homework. The notion we should come to this meeting unprepared and come to this board without being prepared is insane to me."
Peppard said he disagreed with that line of thinking.
"Normally, the decisions would have been written afterward, and we could have gotten them on Monday," Peppard said after the meeting.
Resident Greg Marsey attended both electoral board meetings, and asked board members to be more transparent should future hearings be needed.
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"This has been the strangest experience for me," Marsey said. "I appreciate your explanation as to your consideration of an opinion you got from the village attorney regarding legal briefs you got earlier in the week. Not releasing [those briefs and opinion] makes it appear your decision was strongly influenced by that information. It's critical the public trust that process."
sschering@pioneerlocal.com
Twitter: @steveschering
The owner of Park Ridge's first store to sell only beer is asking the city to loosen restrictions on the amount of alcohol he can serve and sell.
Ryan Tracy, who opened Beer on the Wall at 106 Main St. in late November, approached the Park Ridge Liquor License Review Board on Jan. 9, asking for changes to the city's liquor code that would accommodate his business, which sells packaged beers to go and to drink inside the establishment.
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One of the changes Tracy requested deals with how much beer he can serve each customer per day. According to the city's liquor laws, no more than 24 ounces of beer can be served on-site within a 24-hour period. This law restricts customers to two, 12-ounce beers, Tracy said, and he is asking that the beer limit be raised to 48 ounces per customer per day.
"A lot of people have really embraced the concept; they want to hang out, they want to play board games, they want to play some Nintendo, they want to talk with friends, make this a meetup place and host events here," Tracy said. "That 24-ounce limit for us is a hindrance to a lot of that. And it's a hindrance to a lot of people who want to hang out longer."
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Tracy said that when he opened Beer on the Wall, he envisioned that the majority of his sales would be in packaged beers. But since opening on Nov. 25, he has noticed a greater number of customers choosing to order in, he said, which is why he hopes to see the in-store service amount expanded.
Tracy is also asking the city to change its law that single containers of cold alcoholic beverages, sold to go, must be at least 750 ml. Tracy explained that allowing smaller amounts of cold beer to go will let commuters to buy a drink for their trip on the Metra train, which stops just across the street from his shop.
According to its website, Metra allows riders to bring alcohol on board, with the exception of certain festival days.
In addition, Tracy is asking the city to raise the limit for beer "flights" from 12 ounces to 16 ounces.
Park Ridge acting Mayor Marty Maloney said any changes to the liquor ordinance must be approved by the City Council, which is expected to discuss Tracy's request on Jan. 23.
Specializing in craft beers, Beer on the Wall currently sells about 500 different brands of beer, with about 25 percent of them produced by Chicago-area breweries, Tracy said. Eight different draft beers are also sold.
Tracy, of Niles, acknowledges that 12 to 15 years ago opening a shop selling just beer and allowing it to be consumed on site without food also being sold might not have been possible in Park Ridge, as liquor laws tended to be much more conservative than they are today.
Many people seem to think that is still the case, he indicated.
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"Everybody who comes through here is shocked that we're open," Tracy said. "They're blown away. They think we have some terrible story about trying to get our permits and licenses to be open, but as far as liquor goes, we didn't have a whole lot of issues."
The city did allow WineStyles, a shop that specializes in wines, but also sells cheeses, chocolates and gifts, to open on Northwest Highway in 2007. That shop has since added craft beers as well and also hosts tastings.
Though Beer on the Wall does not sell food on site, patrons can have meals delivered from Harp and Fiddle, located next door, and FJ Ernesto's, which is just down the street.
On Fridays, Beer on the Wall hosts tasting events from a craft beer brewery, and Tracy hopes to add educational classes for those who want to learn more about craft beers. Additional seating is also in the works.
"I really wanted to open a liquor store that was craft beer-focused, and having the tasting portion was kind of a back burner, almost secondary thought to the whole business plan," Tracy acknowledged. "But within six weeks, it's becoming clear people want to try more stuff and drink it on site."
Hours and more information about Beer on the Wall can be found at www.wehavegreatbeer.com.
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jjohnson@pioneerlocal.com
Twitter: @Jen_Tribune
A gaping hole remains where a Cadillac crashed through the side of a Park Ridge home at Castle Drive and Greenwood Avenue on Jan. 13. (Jennifer Johnson / Pioneer Press)
Police suspect a medical emergency may have caused an elderly driver to crash through the side of an occupied house in Park Ridge on Friday morning.
The crash occurred shortly before 11 a.m. at the northwest corner of Greenwood Avenue and Castle Drive on the city's south side, police said.
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Ron Davis, administrative services supervisor for the Park Ridge Police Department, said a preliminary investigation determined that an 84-year-old Park Ridge man was driving north on Greenwood Avenue approaching Granville when his black Cadillac drove through a stop sign and then sideswiped two trees and a lamp post before plowing into the side of a brick, split-level home at 1330 S. Greenwood.
Video taken by the homeowners' daughter Cindy Cronin shows the entire hood of the Cadillac inside her parents' family room, a gaping hole in the wall.
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Donna Larson, who has lived in the house with her husband, Ed, for the last 34 years, said she was sitting at her kitchen table when the Cadillac crashed through her wall, coming to rest just a few feet in front of her.
"We had just finished breakfast," she said. "I was sitting there, and my husband had just gotten up. All of a sudden, it was like a bomb [had gone off]."
Larson, who was facing the family room into which the car crashed, remembered seeing a large stuffed chair flying toward her. Two hours after the crash, the chair remained overturned on the ground, surrounded by bricks and dust.
"I couldn't get off the seat. I was just petrified," Larson recalled.
Pieces of brick and other small debris flew and landed under and around the Larsons' kitchen table, but neither Donna nor her husband, Ed, were injured.
"It frightened me to death because I thought that was it," Donna Larson admitted.
Ed Larson said he was standing just around the corner, washing dishes, when the crash happened.
"When I looked up, there was dust everywhere," he said, his first thoughts turning to the safety of his wife.
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Emergency crews were able to remove the driver from the car and take him to the hospital, said the Larsons, who live just blocks from the Park Ridge fire station at Cumberland and Devon avenues.
The driver remained at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge on Friday afternoon with injuries described as "non-life-threatening," Davis said.
"Right now it's suspected he suffered a minor medical event that led to the accident occurring," Davis said.
City building crews have determined that the Larsons can remain in their home, he added.
Despite the damage to her house and furnishings, Donna Larson said she is thankful the car did not hit the house of her neighbor next door.
Young children live there, she said.
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jjohnson@pioneerlocal.com
Twitter: @Jen_Tribune
Senator Lamar Alexander on Friday praised employees and volunteers at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for their work in welcoming a record 11,312,785 visitors to the park in 2016, the U.S. National Park Service Centennial.
Documentarian Ken Burns said the national parks are Americas best idea, so the Great Smoky Mountains National Park must be Americas very best idea because each year it attracts nearly twice the visitors of any other national park and last year it broke its own record with more than 11 million visitors, Senator Alexander said. The parks dedicated employees and nearly 2,250 volunteers who donated over 100,000 hours of service had a busy year and deserve a lot of credit.
He said, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of Americas greatest treasures and it has a tremendous economic impact in East Tennessee. In 2015, visitors to the Park spent more than $874 million and supported nearly 14,000 jobs in surrounding communities.
Senator Alexander said he hopes even more visitors will come to the park in 2017 which will help the area recover from the deadly wildfires that spread through Sevier County and Gatlinburg in November: Having even more visitors come to the Smokies in 2017 will increase tourism revenue and support more jobs which will help the area rebuild and recover.
Senator Alexander marked the 100th anniversary of the U.S. National Park Service by hiking in the Smokies with Tennessee students and Superintendent Cassius Cash and honoring the service of park employees.
No criminal charges will be filed against a Gary police officer who wounded a man last fall.
The Lake County prosecutor's office determined that Gary police Patrolman Arthur Lemme was acting in self-defense when he shot and wounded Antoine D. Williams, who was charged this week with battery resulting in bodily injury to a public safety officer, carrying a handgun without a license, battery, resisting law enforcement and drunken driving.
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The incident began at about 11:52 p.m. Oct. 13 when Gary police Detective Richard Scott III of the department's crime scene unit heard a police radio dispatch of a call of shots fired and an officer down in the area of 5th Avenue and Colfax Street. Scott, who was off duty and on his way home, drove south on Colfax toward 15th Avenue after being unable to locate anyone, and learned from the dispatcher that the incident happened at 15th Avenue and Colfax. At about 8th Avenue, he was flagged down by individuals and found a silver Audi wrecked over the railroad tracks. The driver, identified as Williams, told him he'd been shot by police, according to court documents.
A witness in the 700 block of Colfax Street told police he heard a loud noise outside his home and saw a gray or silver car, referring to the Audi, crashed against a light pole, documents said.
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Lemme reported he was dispatched to a call of a suspicious vehicle just west of 15th Avenue and Colfax Street and found the car sitting in the middle of the street.
In an interview with Lake County police investigators, Lemme said when he walked up to the silver Audi, the driver was passed out or asleep and a loaded .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun was in plain view on Williams' lap, court records state. Lemme, who was in uniform and in a marked police squad, identified himself as a police officer several times. Williams rolled down the window, and Lemme grabbed the gun and put it on the car roof, then told Williams to get out of the car. "Why, I didn't do anything," Williams replied, according to court records.
Lemme told Williams not to put the car in gear, but Williams put the gear shift into drive, and Lemme told investigators he felt himself being pulled. Lemme then fired his gun at Williams, who took his foot off of the gas pedal and Lemme was able to free himself from the car, which continued moving forward and rolled over railroad tracks, then started driving away, documents said. The handgun fell from the car roof.
Dust and gravel kicked up from the car driving over the tracks caused Lemme to lose sight of the car. Lemme let the dispatch center know that the car may have driven into Hammond, and a short time later he heard a call involving the Audi at 8th Avenue and Colfax Street, where Williams was found, documents said.
During the incident, Lemme had soreness to his left elbow. His left hand was inside the car reaching for the keys in the ignition and his right hand was gripping his police handgun as he pointed it at Williams' chest. Lemme told investigators he was in fear for his life because he thought he was going to be dragged, run over or pulled under the car as Williams drove away, court records state.
Williams, 35, also is charged with carrying a handgun without a license, a Level 5 felony. He has a prior conviction for carrying a handgun without a license.
Williams was treated at Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus for a gunshot wound to the upper chest.
Ruth Ann Krause is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Gary
Liberty Baptist Church: 2301 Roosevelt St. A clothing give away will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 14. Information: 219-944-0377.
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Marquette Park United Methodist Church: 215 N. Grand Blvd. Senior yoga will be at noon Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Cost is $3 Tuesday and Friday and $4 Thursday, which includes lunch. First Saturday Outreach Lunch is at noon the first Saturday of each month. Sunday School is at 9:15 a.m. and services at 10:15 a.m. Information: 219-938-4106.
West Side Leadership Academy: 900 Gerry St. The Northwest Indiana Ecumenical Committee will host the 48th Annual Ecumenical Service to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at 11 a.m. Jan. 16 in the academy auditorium. The theme is "The Call to Stand Tall and Serve." The keynote speaker is Bishop Dale L. Cudjoe, pastor of Christ Temple Church (Holiness) USA. Other speakers include Congressman Pete Visclosky, Senator Eddie Melton, Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson and Dr. Cheryl Pruitt. The celebration will include choirs and winning essayists.
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Merrillville
Saint Andrew Church: 801 W. 73rd Ave. An All You Can Eat Soup Kitchen, Salad Bar and Bake Sale will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 29 in St. Andrew's Ameling Hall. The cost is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors 62 years and older, $4 for children 12 years and younger and $18 for a family of two adults and children. Carry outs are $7 per quart and $4 per pint. Proceeds benefit the Deacon George Modrak Tuition Assistance Fund for Aquinas School. Information: contact Rick or Tina Dravet at 219-662-2437.
Portage
St. Peter Lutheran Church: 6540 Central Ave. A spaghetti dinner will be from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 25. The meal includes spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, dessert and a drink. The cost is $8 in advance for adults or $8.50 at the door and $4 for children from four to 11 years old. Children three years and younger are free. Dine in and carry out are available. Tickets and information: 219-762-2673.
Staff report
Chuck Sell and his dog Dixie brave the cold to shovel his sidewalk in Crown Point on Dec. 11, 2016. (Jim Karczewski / Post-Tribune)
Revenues skidded 11.6 percent in December at the region's five casinos, due in large part to snowy weather, but the yearly picture was not as gloomy.
Total revenues from January through December slipped 2.8 percent compared to 2015.
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The casinos took in a total of $73.27 million in December, compared to the $82.85 million they raked in the same month the previous year, according to the monthly revenues report released by the Indiana Gaming Commission.
Every casino in the region experienced a decline in year-over-year revenues for the month, which was expected because of snow over a couple of weekends before Christmas. Casinos take in more on weekends.
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"Weather, weather, weather," said Steve Cox, vice president of finances for Horseshoe Hammond, about December's decline.
Revenues at Illinois casinos dropped 4.1 percent year-over-year last month, but Cox said, "The weather impacts things a little differently around the lake."
Illinois did not have as much snow accumulation as Northwest Indiana last month.
Also hurting the casinos was the fact that Christmas Eve fell on a Saturday.
"It was kind of a rough month. I'm ready for 2017 to kick it off," Cox said.
For the year, the five casinos brought in a total of $967,820,455 in revenues compared to 2015's total of $976,656,526, according to the IGC.
Ameristar Casino in East Chicago and Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City showed gains for the year, while Horseshoe Hammond Casino and Majestic Star Casinos I and II in Gary declined during 2016 compared to 2015.
Ameristar's yearly revenues were $229,658,931 in 2016 compared to $225,992,338 in 2015 and Blue Chip's were $161,957,776 compared to $157,436,110.
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Horseshoe Hammond had yearly revenues of $418,542,159 compared to $432,836,537, Majestic Star I took in $90,607,298 compared to $92,350,530 and Majestic Star II brought in $67,054,291 compared to $68,041,011.
For the month of December, Ameristar took in $17.76 million in revenues compared to $20.08 million the same month the year before. Blue Chip brought in $12 million compared to $13.61 million, Horseshoe Hammond raked in $31.84 million versus $36.44 million, Majestic Star I took in $7.14 million compared to $7.31 million and Majestic Star II brought in $4.52 million compared to $5.41 million.
Karen Caffarini is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
A request to dismiss charges filed last year in the 1980 killing of Hammond police officer Larry Pucalik against a Griffith man was denied Friday.
Lake Superior Court Judge Salvador Vasquez ruled that a delay by the state in the filing of charges against James Hill was not deliberate. The judge also found that new evidence had been uncovered after initial charges were filed in 2012 against Hill and two other men. Charges were dismissed against Hill and co-defendant Larry Mayes in 2014.
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Defense attorney Scott King said he may seek to appeal Vasquez's ruling after he confers with Hill.
Jason Gore, an agent with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the lead investigator in the Pucalik killing, said a gun trafficker he was investigating, Jimmy Dale Woods, had agreed to provide information in the spring of 2009. He and other investigators reviewed the case file, which filled five banker's boxes, and conducted interviews with about 10 people.
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In a statement, Mayes, Hill's co-defendant in the 2012 case, came to Woods' mother's home in Gary shortly after Pucalik was killed, Gore said. Woods said Mayes was agitated and told Woods he thought he killed somebody. Mayes said Hill and "Mike" were driving around looking to rob somebody and picked out a woman working the desk alone at the Holiday Inn-Southeast in Hammond. During the robbery, Pucalik came out of the back room and went for his gun, and Mayes told Woods he shot the man and fled without getting any cash. Mayes identified Hill as the driver, Gore said.
Meanwhile, retired Hammond police Capt. Michael Solan Jr., who supervised the Pucalik investigation until his retirement in 2007, said he'd spoken with Woods in 1983 and knew about the information about Mayes visiting Woods at his mother's home. Solan said Woods also implicated Hill and Pierre Catlett at the time.
King argued that Hill, who at the time was a 17-year-old high school student, can no longer use his great-grandmother and great-uncle, with whom he was living at the time, as alibi witnesses because both of them are deceased.
King suggested that authorities timed the charges against Hill, 54, who has sued Hammond police after his rape conviction was overturned because of a due process violation during discovery. Charges of murder, murder in perpetration of robbery and attempted robbery were filed against Hill within days of his pretrial conference in the federal case, which is on hold until the state case is resolved.
Mayes, 67, who had charges against him dropped in 2014, had sued Hammond police in federal court in 2010 after his rape conviction was overturned. When the murder charge was filed in 2012, however, the federal court civil case was stayed. Mayes eventually was awarded more than $7 million, King said.
Mayes was deemed incompetent for trial and his case was dismissed in December 2014.
Catlett, 66, is incarcerated in an Illinois prison in an unrelated case. Catlett has yet to appear in court on the murder charge filed in 2012.
Ruth Ann Krause is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Realtor Kim Odegard says 2016 was her best year in the business and says clients are still coming from Illinois. (Karen Caffarini / Post-Tribune)
The Northwest Indiana housing market had a strong year in 2016, with both new construction and the number of houses sold seeing double-digit gains over 2015 and the median selling price eclipsing those during the housing bubble.
"We haven't matched the number of transactions in the peak years, but we have done better in the price of homes," said Peter Novak Jr., CEO of the Greater Northwest Indiana Association of Realtors.
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According to statistics provided by GNIAR, 10,970 houses were sold in its seven-county region at a median selling price of $147,000 last year. This reflects a 10.6 percent hike from the 9,915 housing units sold in 2015 and a 5 percent jump from the $140,000 median selling price.
The seven counties include Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Starke, Jasper and Pulaski.
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Novak said the most homes sold in GNIAR's coverage area in one year was 11,588 in 2006, during the housing bubble.
He said the region previously reached its peak median selling price for homes in 2007, at $134,000.
"We surpassed that peak in 2014, and 2015 and 2016 were even better," Novak said.
Lake, Porter hot markets
Lake and Porter counties' percentages practically mirrored those on the seven-county level, according to the GNIAR statistics.
Lake County had an 11.5 percent bump in the number of houses sold, from 5,670 in 2015 to 6,320 in 2016. The median sales price increased 5.1 percent, from $138,000 to $145,000.
Porter County's percentages were even closer to area-wide numbers, with a 10 percent jump in the number of houses sold and a 5.2 percent hike in median sales price.
There were 2,333 units sold in 2015 at a median price of $171,000, compared to 2,456 houses sold at a median price of $179,899 in 2016.
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Novak said Lake County sales are due in part to buyers crossing the Illinois border.
"Lake County is getting the highest percentage of Illinois transplants," Novak said, pointing out that Porter County is farther away from the Chicago job market.
Kim Odegard, a Schererville resident and Realtor, said Illinois residents make up a large portion of her client base.
"About 25 (percent) to 30 percent of my business last year was people from Illinois coming this way and there are a number of people in the pipeline looking to do the same," Odegard said.
New homes on the rise
Vicky Gadd, executive officer of the Home Builders Association of Northwest Indiana, said the Construction Market Report showed a 13 percent hike in the number of construction permits taken out in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties as of the end of October.
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There were 1,152 permits taken out in 2016 compared to 1,019 in 2015.
She said this compared to a 14 percent hike in the number of construction permits taken out state-wide, according to the Indiana Builders Association.
Gadd said housing is expected to be on an upward steady path.
"Builder confidence is better," she said, adding builders are waiting to see what effect an expected mortgage rate hike would have on the market.
Gadd said she had no data on whether any new subdivisions are going up.
"But new construction is still hot in St. John and Crown Point," she said.
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Novak said a tight inventory is driving up the price of homes and the inventory gets even tighter during the winter months.
"We were having around six months supply of inventory and now it's under five months, at about 4 1/2 months. It's a really tight market in terms of homes available," he said.
He said new construction typically provides a relief valve in this instance, but there aren't as many new homes going up.
Looking forward
Novak said inventory will remain tight in 2017, according to various economists.
"They agree it's a great time to sell. At the end of the day, we need more sellers to satisfy demand," Novak said.
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He said some economists are also predicting there will be another downturn sooner or later, but it won't have as great an effect on housing as the last recession did.
"One of the biggest differences is that before, we had a very high supply of inventory, too," Novak said. "When demand fell dramatically because of the recession, we were left with a very high level of inventory. We had to slash prices to sell them," he said.
Now, he said, there is a very high demand but not a large inventory.
"If demand went away, prices would fall, but there would be less price slashing," he said.
Odegard said 2016 was her best year since she started in real estate in 1992 and her expected closures are already up from last January.
Karen Caffarini is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
A bill before the Indiana General Assembly aims to push Lake County to consolidate its small voting precincts.
Rep. Harold Slager, R-Schererville, filed a bill to establish a commission to develop a plan to consolidate Lake County voting precincts with less than 600 active voters. Proponents say the legislation will create savings for the county, while detractors decry consolidation efforts as making it difficult for residents to vote.
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As more people go to early voting locations, Dan Dernulc, chairman of the Lake County Republican Party, said the county will have to look at consolidation. Combining the smaller precincts would give voters the same if not better level of service, Dernulc said, and save money for taxpayers.
"It's a money-saving idea," Dernulc said.
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"It would hit Lake County very hard," especially the northern communities, said John Buncich, chairman of the Lake County Democratic Party. Buncich said people who live where they can't use public transportation, don't have a vehicle or are disabled might not be able to get to a consolidated precinct.
The legislation would charge the Board of Elections to create a committee to evaluate the precincts, Slager said, and propose a plan to consolidate eligible precincts. Slager said some precincts can't be combined because of an inability to cross districts and other boundaries.
Dernulc said he thinks it would be worth it for both parties to get together and figure out how to develop a consolidation plan.
No one has consulted with the county's Democratic Party or asked for data to see if there should be a reduction in the number of precincts, Buncich said.
The Lake County Board of Voters and Elections is not looking at what precincts would be affected until the legislature has its final word on the bill.
Slager had put in a similar bill in 2014, which passed but wound up being challenged by Buncich. The Indiana Supreme Court ruled against Buncich's challenge, but Slager said the ability to move forward with a consolidation effort had expired.
"We're right back where we started," Buncich said.
The Board of Elections in 2014 estimated that consolidating polls with fewer than 500 active voters could net $87,000 in savings per election year, according to court documents, based on the determination that more than 70 precincts could be combined.
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Slager said that within five years the cost savings to the county would be in excess of $500,000.
"That's the No. 1 driving factor," Slager said. "We think the numbers are going to be huge."
The costs to run elections are going up, Slager said, and attendance at the polls is declining as more people opt to vote early.
The Board of Elections continues to open new remote and early voting locations, Slager said, and those come with a cost, whether through staffing or buying new machines. Those costs also go up each year, he said, and it makes sense to find savings to reduce the cost to the taxpayer.
If precincts are consolidated into larger polling locations, Buncich said, that could cost more than having individual locations. He said multiprecinct voting locations cost more for staffing and require additional voting machines.
From an economic perspective, Jerome Prince, Gary's Democratic city chairman, said he understands the potential advantages of consolidation but is concerned not all the factors have been considered.
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Prince said he'd be concerned if voters are more than slightly inconvenienced if precincts are consolidated and if that results in their inability to vote.
Should consolidation move forward, it could cut 50 percent of the small precincts in Lake County, Buncich said, and that could affect people's fair and reasonable access to the polls.
Dernulc said he understands the concerns that the precincts could be difficult to get to, but party officials are smart enough to put precincts in a place so as to not create a burden for voters.
Slager said he's not seen any evidence to support the claim that consolidating precincts would inhibit someone's ability to vote.
He said issues and candidates get voters out, not the location of their polling places.
Voters have 30 days for early voting, absentee ballots and traveling polls if they cannot make it to their precinct on Election Day, Slager said.
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"If somebody wants to vote, they can vote," Slager said.
Prince said that while early voting and absentee voting are options, many voters want the experience of going to the polls on Election Day and want to vote that way.
Slager said he anticipates the bill will pass the legislature, much as the similar one had during the 2014 session.
Buncich said that if pushing for precinct consolidation is such a cost-saving measure, why not include all of the state's 92 counties.
"Why only Lake County?" Buncich said.
Buncich said he's talked with other legislators and party members and is pushing for further study before moving ahead with any precinct consolidation.
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"Hopefully, this will be put on a burner," Buncich said.
clyons@post-trib.com
Twitter @craigalyons
Portage police and fire departments are at full staffing after two new officers and a firefighter were sworn in before a crowd of family and residents.
Safety was on everyone's minds as two police officers had been killed in the line of duty the day before in Orlando, Fla..
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"To the families and loved ones of the officers we just swore in, I promise you we will take care of them, train them to be the best officers they can be," Police Chief Troy Williams said, noting what happened in Florida.
The two new police officers, Mary-Louise Drzich, 25, of Hammond, and Mark Speckhard, 26, of Valparaiso, will begin training at the Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in a few days, and then will have field training until July, when they will begin working on their own, Williams said.
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Speckhard served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including two tours in Afghanistan, after high school and before attending the University of Evansville. He joined the Portage department after working at the Porter County Juvenile Center. He said he has wanted to be a police officer since high school.
Drzich, who graduated cum laude with a degree in criminal justice from Ball State University, will be the seventh woman on the Portage department, making up what Williams said may be the largest contingent of female officers in any Northwest Indiana department.
"At first, the number of women on the department wasn't something I was thinking of, however, I think it's kind of neat to work with other female officers," she said.
Chesterton resident Michael Coslet, 24, brought the fire department to 72 firefighters, said Portage Fire Chief Tom Fieffer. Coslet left the Chesterton department to join Portage, a bigger city with a high call volume and larger department, he said.
Safety of firefighters also was noted with Fieffer saying the National Fire Protection Agency is recommending that all firefighters wear bullet-proof vests when working.
"I think the murdering of police officers is much more prevalent than what you'll see with firefighters, but there are cases of being murdered, also," Fieffer said. "I think that's a different line of duty, but, our jobs are not that dissimilar."
Michael Gonzalez is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Portage Police Chief Troy Williams demonstrates the emergency call system in the new police department's "safe room." (Michael Gonzalez / Post-Tribune)
The Portage Police Department is throwing the doors of its new facility open to everyone from Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to people buying goods online to people running for their lives.
The idea is to make the new station a community hub and find ways for police to interact with Portage residents, Police Chief Troy Williams said.
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"When we were designing this place, we kicked around different ideas on how to bring people here," Williams said.
Decals for Safe Trade and Safe Place, national designations, dot several windows in the new, $2.5 million police department. The department wanted to do more in its former 15,000-square-foot space on Irving Street, but taking over the former University Center at 6260 Central Ave., with its 34,000 square feet means more space that can be offered to community groups, Williams said.
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The lobby is brightly lit, with a soaring atrium and padded seats and benches, and the lobby and parking areas are video monitored and recorded.
Williams said his department now offers a safe room, a 6-foot-by-6-foot room for anyone fleeing stalkers or attackers. The small but brightly lit room is Kevlar lined and bullet proof and is at the front entrance to the station.
The room has a video camera that sends images into the dispatch center and an emergency call system.
The safe room is open 24 hours a day and can be easily accessed by police, Williams said.
The lobby also will be a Safe Trade area, one of almost 350 law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and Canada to seek the designation, said Peter M. Zollman, founding principal of the AIM Group, a media consulting company that launched the program about three years ago.
The AIM group began the program in response to learning about people being killed while meeting with fake buyers through on-line purchasing programs.
Now, law enforcement and other government agencies can post the Safe Trade decal on their properties, and people can make their exchanges in a safe location, he said.
"Police departments all around country and Canada are doing it, and it's also good for community relations," Zollman said. "It gives people reason to visit police departments and feel good about it."
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The St. John police and LaPorte County Sheriff's departments also use Safe Trade, according to the program's website.
The police department has joined the fire department, several Portage businesses and other government offices in becoming an official Safe Place, Williams said.
"Obviously, we're a police department so we should be safe, so it made a lot of sense to at least get that designation out there so youth and teens know this place is also covered."
Williams also encouraged parents to use the police station lobby as a safe child custody exchange place, and several community groups, like Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, have already begun asking to use the new station's two classrooms and a training room for meetings.
At least one scout troop already has begun using one of the classrooms as a meeting place, Williams said.
"There's lots of opportunities for us to connect with the community," he said.
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Michael Gonzalez is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
The State Board of Accounts is asking former Porter County Auditor Bob Wichlinski to reimburse the county more than $2,000 for a computer and related items that were purchased on a county credit card and not returned at the end of his term.
The report was forwarded to the Office of the Indiana Attorney General and Porter County Prosecutor Brian Gensel.
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"All I can say on the record is I received the report from the State Board of Accounts and I'm reviewing it," said Gensel, who received the report Thursday, the day it was filed.
Wichlinski did not return a call for comment. His four-year term as auditor came to an end Dec. 31, 2014, after he lost a re-election bid to Democrat Vicki Urbanik.
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The audit, for his last year in office, notes that the equipment was purchased from the auditor's nonreverting fund using a county credit card. Several of the items could not be located in the auditor's office or the county's information technology department.
The total cost of the items was $2,038.22, and they included a Lenovo U530 Touch computer; a Sandisk memory card; Windows Pro Pack and Microsoft Office 365 Home Premium software; three HP Officejet printers; and a Samsonite Xenon 2 slim briefcase, according to the report.
"Public funds may not be used to pay for personal items or for expenses which do not relate to the functions and purposes of the government unit," the audit notes, adding that person expenses paid by the government are the obligation of the responsible official or employee.
The audit also states that "funds misappropriated, diverted or unaccounted for through malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance in office" may be the personal obligation of the responsible official or employee.
The audit states that Wichlinski was invited to an exit conference scheduled Aug. 24, which he didn't attend, and the contents of the report were sent to him by certified mail. He was given the opportunity to respond to the comments by Sept. 7 and had not responded as of Sept. 22.
Amy Lavalley is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
SmartBank has announced the addition of Matt Jenne and Beau Burris to its Cleveland leadership team. Mr. Jenne will serve as senior vice president, Cleveland market leader. Mr. Burris will serve as first vice president, relationship manager.
We are thrilled to have Matt and Beau on board, and they have already hit the ground running, said Billy Carroll, SmartBank president and CEO. Their combined years of experience in the financial industry along with their wealth of knowledge and Bradley County roots give SmartBank tremendous upside potential in its newest market.
Mr. Jenne brings with him more than 23 years of banking experience. Prior to joining the SmartBank team, he served as market leader for United Community Bank. Mr. Jenne currently serves as chairman of the Board for The United Way of the Ocoee Region, and recently completed his term as president of the Cleveland Family YMCA. Mr Jenne resides in Cleveland with his wife and two sons, and is a member of First United Methodist Church.
SmartBanks dynamic banking model is a perfect fit for the Bradley County market, said Mr. Jenne. We are a community bank, and we have the ability to offer a wide array of products and services both commercially and to consumers. I am eager to introduce the SmartBank brand and exceptional client service to the Cleveland community.
Mr. Burris joins SmartBank with more than 24 years of banking experience. He most recently served as vice president of commercial lending for United Community Bank. Mr. Burris is actively involved in the Cleveland community where he serves as board treasurer for Junior Achievement of the Ocoee Region, board member and current president for the Cleveland/Bradley Business Incubator, and various roles within other local organizations. Mr. Burris resides in Cleveland with his wife and daughter, and is an active member of the Central Church of Christ.
On December 9, 2016, SmartFinancial, Inc., parent company of SmartBank, and Atlantic Capital Bancshares, Inc., parent company of Atlantic Capital Bank, N.A., announced that SmartBank has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Cleveland branch office and assets of FSG Bank, a division of Atlantic Capital Bank. SmartBank has agreed to assume approximately $33,000,000 in customer deposits and purchase approximately $32,000,000 in loans and other assets affiliated with the Cleveland branch. The acquisition is planned to close by the end of first quarter.
A South Shore train sits stalled in Burns Harbor as ice on the lines shut down the train line as Northwest Indiana suffered through freezing rain making driving difficult in Burns Harbor, Ind., on Jan.12, 2017. (Mark Davis / Post-Tribune)
An influx of pothole crews will be hitting the roads Friday around Northwest Indiana after a freeze-thaw cycle culminating in freezing rain Thursday devastated area roadways.
The Indiana Toll Road was shut down for about 45 minutes and South Shore riders were left stranded for up to five hours Thursday in Chicago's Hegewisch section after the ice prevented the train from making it up the incline at 111th Street.
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Public works directors from around the region say they will be working fast to patch the potholes that have reopened in the heaving and contracting roadways as they tried to battle a week of deep freeze single-digit temperatures followed by Tuesday's 50-degree temperatures and Wednesday's thunderstorms and freezing rain.
"It just looks like bombs went off all over. We have to get to those fast," Gary Gleason, Hammond's public works director, said. Expect to see a pothole crew in each of the city's six districts Friday, he said. He said it will be a busy day of patching to try and get the potholes filled before more damage to the roads can occur.
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Gleason said city workers were able to stay on top of the overnight freezing rain. A water main break in the Robertsdale neighborhood around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday kept city workers on their toes as well. About 750 tons of salt and 1,500 gallons of calcium chloride were used to keep the ice at bay, he said. Crews started Wednesday evening and worked through the night, he said.
"Ice does kick our butts way worse than snow," he said.
In Valparaiso, Public Works Director Matthew Evans described the weather as a "minor icing event."
"We have had in the past significant icing events that shut down the city," Evans said. This time around it was patchy black ice and a glazing in some areas. The main roads remained mostly clear. He said the unusual combination of cold, rain and even thunder and lightning in the middle of January has been a problem
"The weather has been very difficult in terms of dramatic cold. It's destroying roads, causing them to heave. When that happens, it causes potholes and cracking," Evans said.
Patch previously put down has worked its way out causing potholes to reappear. He said the city is working to stay on top of the weather and the conditions it creates.
South Shore riders trying to avoid the icy road conditions found their own problems on the rail line.
Passengers who board at the East Chicago Station on Indianapolis Boulevard said they were stuck on the 6:20 a.m. train until around 11:30 a.m. with no heat and overflowing toilets because of the weather. Engineers tried and failed to get past the incline at 111th but were able to get the train back to the Hegewisch station, where many riders, including Juwanda Franklin, of Gary, called an Uber to get her back to East Chicago.
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"The 5:40 a.m. was down, so (conductors) loaded everyone on that train onto the 6:20 a.m. (The 6:20 a.m.) one's the express train, but they stopped at Hammond, and then at Hegewisch, so a six-car train was on an eight-car train with the eight-car people," Franklin said. "(Engineers) passed Hegewisch and were moving slowly until they got to the incline. They backed up three times and finally got over the hill but saw they couldn't go further because of the ice.
"Needless to say, I've been trying to get to work since 6:20 this morning. I am going home and having a glass of wine."
A Highland woman who asked that her name not be used had a friend pick her up from Hegewisch. The man warmed up her car and scraped her windows while she thawed out.
"There was one train -- the 4:20 a.m. -- that we heard got out, but the 5:45 was parked," the woman said, motioning toward the train still on the East Chicago platform. "Our train was going slow and then tried three times to get up the bridge. It wasn't scary, but they should've just stopped when they saw it was going to be hard."
The woman said her fellow passengers remained calm and good-humored throughout the ordeal. The only concern for some was a pregnant woman who's a week away from her due date, she said.
"It was standing-room-only but she was sitting down, and she started getting hot," the woman said. "We told the conductors to open a door or something for her, and they would every so often. But everyone was calm and making jokes because it happens. It's nature.
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"But they really should've stopped. I've been stuck on a train for three hours once, but this was 5 1/2 hours."
For Franklin and the Highland woman, their bosses understood, they said. Kevin Reed, of Crown Point, however, is a contractor and didn't have his phone charger on him.
"I couldn't get a receipt for my ticket unless the conductor gave it, and you had to ask them because they weren't just handing them out," Reed said. "I'm pretty sure my boss wants me to come in, so now, I'm going to get in my car and hope the Skyway is safe to drive. And I'm still out $300 for the time I missed."
Scott Redigar, Crown Point's director of public works, said this year's weird weather created prime conditions for mild flooding and standing water in various areas throughout the city overnight Wednesday. Late dropping leaves, many still in parkways waiting to be collected, combined with the strong gusting winds meant a lot of the catch basins throughout the city became blocked with debris.
"It was scattered throughout," Rediger said of the standing water. Greenwood Avenue near Indiana Avenue, the low-lying areas of Lake Street and some areas on the north end of the city had standing water issues. Crews were out in full force salting and clearing catch basins.
Roads were relatively clear during the worst of the freeze in the morning and unlike in some other communities, schools opened without a delay because the routes were treated.
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"We also have pot hole trucks out in full force," Rediger said.
While local communities had fewer issues with the freezing rain, icy conditions on the Indiana Toll Road Thursday morning resulted in 18 crashes near the Calumet Avenue interchange prompting the closure of all lanes of the roadway for cleanup, Sgt. Tim Moon with the Indiana State Police said. There were no serious injuries.
"Today caught us flat footed," Moon said. "This morning we had some problems with ice that kind of snuck up on ice. Within two hours, everything was under control."
Toll road officials are better prepared for any weather expected Friday or Saturday and he does not expect to see a repeat of the icy road conditions, Moon said.
In Merrillville, it was all hands on deck with trucks out to salt, Richelle Adams said. The town experienced some icing conditions particularly from 89th to 93rd streets on Chase Street, near 90th Avenue and Mississippi Street, and near 84th Drive and Merrillville Road.
"Everyone available was out to salt," she said.
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The same was true in Lake County's unincorporated areas, where Duane Alverson with the county's highway department, said its roads were 90 percent clear with all drive lanes open by early afternoon.
"We're in good shape," Alverson said. "All our trucks are out, they are hitting their routes and getting the material down."
Some areas experienced standing water, in part because the ground is too frozen to absorb the rainfall. He said the department is ready for any weather that may come Friday or Saturday.
"We don't expect too much more precipitation," Alverson said.
Carrie Napoleon and Michelle Quinn are freelance reporters for the Post-Tribune.
What's Quickly? It's where readers sound off on the issues of the day. Have a quote, question or quip? Call Quickly at 312-222-2426 or email quickly@post-trib.com.
We will go from our first black president to our first blackmailed president.
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On Jan. 20, the USA will find out that this year's election was actually a reality show and it will be cancelled next year. Boy, did the Media fool everyone.
The reason the Democrats lost the 'swing' states was that they didn't remember to acknowledge the little people.
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It was a sad day to see we will lose the Hammond City Court. Make no mistake, this was a political move not in the best interests of Hammond taxpayers. It was that a Democrat Mayor did not like a Republican Judge. Politics over benefits continues to rule in Northwest Indiana.
The five presidents prior to the Orange One with no political experience were Taylor, Grant, Taft, Hoover and Ike. Four of those five you'll recognize as our very worst and most inept presidents ever. The fifth Ike was successful because he was smart enough to bring in competent advisers to whom he actually listened. Trump isn't nearly that smart. Where do you think this is headed?
So we now have evidence that Russia did hack the DNC and were in contact with Trumps campaign. Well what do we do? Any ideas, Trump supporters?
Donald Trump has spread all sorts of misinformation and fake news about others (just ask Obama, Clinton, and Cruz), but is outraged when the same thing happens to him.
To the person who said President Obama did not do anything for the black race, just watch Trump and Carson. You really do not have a clue.
Kellyanne Conway, a Trump spokesperson, said recently, "You (meaning us, the people) always want to go by what's come out of his mouth, rather than look at what's in his heart." Huh?! How're we supposed to know what's in Trump's socalled heart unless he processes it through his so-called brain and then says it out of his mouth?
Post Tribune Twice-weekly News updates from Northwest Indiana delivered every Monday and Wednesday >
Trump needs to stop treating the media like they are his doormat. He has been coddled for far too long. They are only doing their job. Just answer the question, it's not that difficult.
Trump calls it a political witch hunt and fake news. Sane people say "what took you people so long to see the light?"
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How despicable it is that Hollywood celebrities can soapbox their political opinions on national TV and force the rest of us to hear this hogwash. There should be industry standards that do not allow such rubbish. Does not this woman know that her friend lost the election for the very reasons that she represents?
Who doesn't have salacious information about Trump? He brags about every crude and smutty thing he has ever done. Hold tight, there is more where that came from.
Last night President Obama gave his farewell speech in Chicago, wiped a tear from his eye talking about his daughters and how proud he is to be there father. Being a father of three daughter I get it. Coming from Chicago it's to bad he didn't do more for your child that was lost to violence in Chicago. I think people from Chicago should of demanded it, and I hope the next president will address it.
According to Trump, the forced President Obama to produce his birth certificate to prove where he was born. Now Trump must provide his tax returns to prove that he has no financial debts to Russia.
Read more at www.post-trib.com/quickly
A Skokie man has been charged with murder and aggravated domestic battery in connection with the March 2016 slaying of a 31-year-old Skokie woman who was the the mother of his child inside her home, authorities said.
Jermaine Powell, 38, of the 8200 block of Keating Avenue, Skokie, was charged Thursday.
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He was already being held in Cook County Jail on unrelated charges when these additional charges were announced.
Powell was denied bond on the homicide and domestic battery charges and is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 2, police said.
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Catherine Benyamin, 31, was found dead March 24 in her home in the 8200 block of Keating Avenue after Skokie police and fire personnel conducted a well-being check on her that had been requested by a family member, police said. The cause of death was later determined to be strangulation, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.
Police said they then began a search for the woman's 10-month-old son, Joshua Powell, and the boy's father, Jermaine Powell. The boy was discovered unharmed after he was dropped off March 24 at a church near Halsted Street and Roosevelt Road in Chicago, police said.
Jermaine Powell was arrested March 27 in the 2700 block of West Jackson Boulevard and charged then with criminal trespass and he had a warrant issued against him for a parole violation, according to authorities.
The investigation into Benyamin's death continued while Powell was jailed.
According to police, the lengthy investigation that followed was conducted by the Skokie Police Department, in cooperation with the Cook County state's attorney's office and the North Regional Major Crimes Task Force, leading to the charges against Powell.
Thursday's charges come nearly 10 months after Benyamin was killed because, "there were additional interviews, laboratory analysis, subpoenaed records that were all part of a thorough investigation," said Skokie police Chief Tony Scarpelli.
It's possible that more charges will be filed upon Powell's appearance in court next month, police said.
"It was a horrific incident," said Scarpelli. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Although it took awhile to get to today, we're pleased there is at least some sense of closure."
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Scarpelli said Powell still has to be prosecuted so there is "a road ahead."
"But today is significant insofar as the crime has been charged, and our efforts will stay diligent throughout the prosecution process," he said.
misaacs@pioneerlocal.com
@SKReview_Mike
Two people suffered minor injuries during an armed robbery Thursday at a Starbucks in Glen Ellyn, police said.
One of the people injured was a 22-year-old man who was robbed of a computer he had intended to sell to another man at the coffee shop at 691 Roosevelt Road, police said.
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The man had advertised the computer on Craigslist and arranged to meet the potential buyer at the coffee shop.
Bill Holmer, Glen Ellyn's deputy chief of police, said the victim got nervous after talking with the "buyer" and attempted to walk away. The "buyer" then attempted to take the computer by force and used a small knife to cut the seller.
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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 100 Charge: drug induced homicide; Read more (DuPage County State's Attorney: Arrest does not imply guilt, and criminal charges are merely accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty and convicted.)
A Starbucks employee attempted to assist the seller and was also injured by the knife. The robber ran out of the coffee shop with the computer.
Holmer said both the seller and the employee were treated onsite by paramedics and did not require hospitalization.
The robber was described as a bearded black man, about 6-foot-4 with a large build. He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and black pants.
Holmer said police interviewed a number of witnesses who were at Starbucks at the time of the robbery and are also reviewing surveillance footage. Holmer said the two men communicated about the sale through text messages. Holmer said police are attempting to track the phone used by the robber.
A Spring Grove woman is dead following a single-vehicle crash on the Edens Expressway in Northfield on Wednesday.
Illinois State Police said Amy Michelle Keel, 33, was driving south on I-94 in a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe that had been reported stolen in Waukegan that morning. Waukegan police could not confirm if Keel stole the SUV.
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According to Trooper Woodrow Montgomery, the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed when the driver attempted to change lanes and instead drove off the road and onto an embankment near the Willow Road interchange in Northfield at about 12:15 p.m.
Keel wasn't wearing a seatbelt when the Tahoe hit a fence and then a light pole, Montgomery said. She was taken to Evanston Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, he said.
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According to Montgomery, the middle and far right lane of the southbound Edens was temporarily closed after the crash. Northfield police provided support to the state police during the investigation, Police Chief William Lustig said Thursday.
Commander Joe Florip of the Waukegan police said the vehicle was stolen from the Speedway at Route 120 and Green Bay Road. The owner of the vehicle had left the keys inside it while going inside the station, he said; when the owner returned, the vehicle was gone.
According to Waukegan police, there was no vehicle chase by the department. Montgomery said Jan. 13 that to his knowledge, no other police department gave chase either.
According to Lake County court records, Keel had arrests in the county for possession of a controlled substance, DUI, possession of paraphernalia, theft, and possession of stolen property.
Kathy Routliffe is a Pioneer Press reporter. Frank Abderholden is a Lake County News-Sun reporter.
kroutliffe@pioneerlocal.com
Twitter: @pioneer_kathy
fabderholden@tribpub.com
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Twitter @abderholden
By: James Zheng
Editor: Jake Liddle
Equity transfers are a common component of the mergers and acquisitions process. Taxation of equity transfers are often a complex issue; if entities have incorrectly calculated their tax obligations, then they risk being reprimanded by tax authorities. In this article, a case study will provide a scenario exploring several issues that hinder clear tax declaration when executing an equity transfer.
Case study
An equipment manufacturing company based in Nanjings New High Tech Zone (Company D) is a leading enterprise within its industry, with a registered capital of RMB 30.3679 million. It obtained high tech enterprise status in 2015, and before entering the market, had a sales income of RMB 60 million. Its shares are distributed between Ms. Wang, a natural person, who holds 6.55 percent, and a limited responsibility company, hereafter Company A, which holds 93.45 percent.
In May 2015, Ms. Wang transferred her total shares of Company D to Mr. Li, also a natural person, with a transfer value of RMB 2.09 million. Ms. Wang was represented by Company Ds financial manager at the High Tech Zones local tax bureau to declare IIT, and her original capital total was RMB 1,990,465.19. The tax declaration calculation is as follows:
Stamp duty: 2,090,000 x 5 10,000= RMB 1,045.
Individual income tax (IIT): (2,090,000 1,990,465.19 1,045) x 20% = RMB 19,697.96.
The local tax bureau made a due audit of Company D, and discovered that according to the provided financial reports, as of May 31, 2016, its total net assets stood at RMB 50,331,939. Ms. Wangs corresponding share was RMB 3,296,742 (50,331,939 x 6.55%). Under Article 12 of the State Administration of Taxations Administrative Measures on Individual Income Tax on Income Derived from Equity Transfer (hereby referred to as the Measures), which requires that the declared income derived from equity transfer is less than the net assets corresponding to the equity, the equity transfer was clearly undervalued. Therefore, the local tax bureau modified the income derived from the transfer according to Company Ds present net assets of RMB 3,296,742. Thus, Ms. Wang was obliged to pay an IIT of RMB 261,046.4 ((3,296,742 1,990,465.19 1,045) x 20%). Ms. Wang had no objection, and was willing to comply with the appraisal and ratification of the tax department and the amount of tax returns suggested. Proceedings appeared to be going smoothly, until tax officers took issue with Company Ds financial information from the previous three years.
When Company D was established in 1991, its registered capital stood at US$757,700, with Ms. Wangs original share at 40.89 percent, and Company As share at 59.11 percent. The tax bureau discovered that in March 2015, Company A injected RMB 25.5 million in capital into Company D, and when the capital injection was finalized, its registered capital stood at RMB 30,367,800, of which Ms. Wangs share was 6.55 percent, and Company As share was 93.45 percent. The tax bureau took issues with the following:
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Before the capital injection: Company Ds net assets was RMB 31,403,843.65, and Ms. Wangs share of the net assets as calculated was RMB 31,403,843.65 x 40.89% = RMB 12,841,032.
After the capital injection: Ms. Wangs share of the net assets as calculated should have been (RMB 31,403,843.65 + 25,500,000) x 6.55% = RMB 3,727,202.
After the capital injection, where did Ms. Wangs RMB 9,113,830 go?
Regulatory analysis
There are three main questions to ask:
Did Company A benefit from Ms. Wang during Company Ds capital increase in March 2015? Was Ms. Wang obliged to pay tax under this capital increase? How is the transaction taxed?
Firstly, Company As net asset share was:
Before the capital injection: RMB 31,403,843.65 x 59.11% = RMB 18,562,811.98
After the capital injection: (RMB 31,403,843.65 + RMB 25,500,000) x 93.45% = RMB 53,176,641.89
Company As net asset share increased by RMB 9,113,830 after the capital injection, discounting the capital injection itself (RMB 53,176,641.89 RMB 18,562,811.98 RMB 25,500,000). Therefore, Ms Wangs missing share went directly to Company A. According to the Company Law of the Peoples Republic of China, the capital increase is legal as it was an agreement by the board of shareholders. However, a value transfer did occur, and Ms Wang and Company A did not provide an explanation why.
Secondly, according to Article 3 of the Measures, Ms. Wang did not conduct an equity transfer, and therefore has no tax obligation. However, while the local tax bureau does not think that it could lead to a tax evasion case, Ms. Wang could be obliged to pay IIT for the share rights transfer.
Thirdly, Article 4 of the Measures states that, In the case of equity transfer by an individual, the taxable income amount shall be the balance from deduction of the equitys original value and reasonable expenses from the income derived from equity transfer, and the individual shall pay individual income tax as per income from transfer of property. The income derived from the transaction has been confirmed as RMB 3,296,742, and both parties are in agreement. However, the local tax bureau and Company D did not agree on expenses. Ms. Wang and Company D think that the expense of the transfer is the original value of Ms. Wangs equity share of RMB 1,990,465.19, and the capital increase does not factor in. The tax bureau thinks that during the capital increase, the net asset of Company D had increased, and that therefore, Ms. Wangs share value had changed. Thus, according to the tax bureau, the expense should be calculated as Ms. Wangs original share value minus the amount of value transfer during the 2015 capital increase. Here, the value transfer is not classed as income derived from transfer, but still needs to be offset from the expense:
Expense of the transfer: RMB 1,990,465.19 RMB 9,113,830 = RMB 7,123,364.81
Taxable amount of this transfer: RMB 3,296,742 (- RMB 7,123,364.81) RMB 1,045 = RMB 1,041,9061.81
IIT: RMB 10,419,061.81 x 20% = RMB 2,083,812.362.
Key takeaways
In the event of a shareholders capital increase, the portion of other shareholders assets will be diluted. This may mean that the shareholders of the diluted shares, in fact, transfer equity value to shareholders who conduct the capital increase. Such transfer of value may not be subject to capital gains tax regarding the capital increase and the subsequent share dilution, but it will have an impact on future transfer of shares as the cost base of capital gains taxes. The case study explored in this article shows that it is important for entities conducting equity transfer during the M&A process to fully consider issues, such as base registered capital and capital increase when declaring tax.
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Understanding Mergers & Acquisitions in China
In this issue of China Briefing magazine, we set out to guide foreign investors through the mergers and acquisitions process, from initial market research, to set-up procedures and regulatory hurdles, and finally through important due diligence considerations. With experience in Chinas M&A market since 1992, Dezan Shira & Associates is perfectly positioned to ensure that the M&A is the right investment vehicle for your companys venture into China.
Tax, Accounting, and Audit in China 2016
This edition of Tax, Accounting, and Audit in China, updated for 2016, offers a comprehensive overview of the major taxes that foreign investors are likely to encounter when establishing or operating a business in China, as well as other tax-relevant obligations. This concise, detailed, yet pragmatic guide is ideal for CFOs, compliance officers and heads of accounting who must navigate the complex tax and accounting landscape in China in order to effectively manage and strategically plan their China-based operations.
An Introduction to Doing Business in China 2016
Doing Business in China 2016 is designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in China. Compiled by the professionals at Dezan Shira & Associates in June 2016, this comprehensive guide is ideal not only for businesses looking to enter the Chinese market, but also for companies who already have a presence here and want to keep up-to-date with the most recent and relevant policy changes
Co-sponsored by the Research Center for Social Development of Islamic Countries of Hebei University and Iran Tehran Book City, organized by the School of Journalism and Communication of Hebei University, an international symposium on Confucius and Saadi in Contemporary: The Cultural Giants and Their Culture kicked off on Jan 8 in Baoding, North Chinas Hebei province.
An international symposium on Confucius and Saadi in Contemporary: The Cultural Giants and Their Culture kicked off on Jan 8 in Baoding, North Chinas Hebei province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
A total of 120 participants, including experts and scholars from China and Iran, had an in-depth study focusing on the similarities and differences in thinking and values between Confucius and Sadi, one of the most famous poets in Iran,.
Yang Xuexin, vice president of Hebei University, delivered the keynote speech. From his point of view, Confucius and Saadi are outstanding representatives of eastern civilization. The culture and civilization they have advocated for reach people all over the world.
Mohamed Raisuli Almas, cultural counselor of the embassy of Islamic Republic of Iran in China, said that the people of China and Iran are diligent and peace loving, the collision of the two cultures will complement each other. The great thinkers such as Saadi and Confucius will lead the way to peace, friendship and harmony.
The seminar has offered a solid platform to better understand the two cultural giants. Scholars believe that Confucius and Saddi may have differences in specific ideas but the core of their ideas is interconnected.
Saadi was one of the major Persian poets and literary men of the medieval period. He is not only famous in Persian-speaking countries, but has been quoted in western sources as well. He is recognized for the quality of his writing and the depth of his social and moral thoughts. He is widely recognized as one of the greatest poets of the classical literary tradition.
Confucius was a Chinese politician and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 BC) of Chinese history. The philosophy of Confucius emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity. Following the victory of Han over Chu after the collapse of Qin, Confucius' thoughts received official sanction and were further developed into a system known in the West as Confucianism.
If you ever visit the terracotta warriors and find them a bit underwhelming, it might be because you have been taken to the wrong place.
Fake terracotta warriors were destroyed by police in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province. [File photo: Weibo]
Authorities in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Wednesday evening raided a fake resort and destroyed over 40 copycat terracotta warriors.
Spanning an area of over 600 square meters, the fake statues were found at the "Suyuanqinhuangling resort" in Lintong, the same district as the mausoleum of Emperor Qinshihuang, founder of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), where the real terracotta warriors are found.
Offered high commission, unlicensed guides and illegal taxi drivers often led unsuspecting tourists to the resort to see the fake warriors, confusing visitors and damaging tourism in the district, a local official said.
Following an online complaint, the district government held an urgent meeting Wednesday, starting a campaign that led to the raid.
An enforcement group of police, tourist, traffic and pricing departments was also established.
The official said that the district government had started an investigation to hold the relevant persons responsible and to prevent damage to order in the tourism market.
As the world's largest underground mausoleum, the 56 square km Mausoleum of Qinshihuang draws tourists from around the world. An army of more than 7,000 life-sized terracotta warriors and horses was discovered at the site in 1974.
Dr. Jay Sizemore spoke to the Chattanooga Hamilton Place Rotary Club this week. His presentation included information on infectious diseases such as Hepatitis C and HIV and progress that is being made in treating and managing both. He addressed pandemic diseases such as Ebola and Zika, and spoke to the advantages of vaccines for both children and adults. Additionally, he addressed the seriousness of over-prescribing antibiotics and the overuse of antibiotics. He said this can create a bacteria resistant to antibiotics which proves to be extremely serious in treating diseases especially in the young and elderly.Dr.Sizemore is a native Chattanoogan and Baylor School graduate. He received his BS in psychology from Duke University in Durham, NC, and earned his MD from UT. He completed an internal medicine internship at Johns Hopkins Hospital and completed an Infectious Diseases Fellowship and obtained a masters of science in public health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Currently, he serves as partner in the ID Group and an assistant professor at UTC College of Medicine where he is medical director of the Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention Programs at Erlanger Medical Center. Since 2005, he also has served as the medical director of Chattanooga CARES, the Ryan White funded clinic serving over 600 HIV infected individuals in southeast Tennessee.
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Communist Party chiefs of China and Vietnam agreed in Beijing on Thursday that two countries should expand cooperation in various fields including maritime exploration and put ties on the right track.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (L), who is also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds a welcoming ceremony for Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, before their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 12, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]
Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, held talks with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong at the Great Hall of the People.
Xi hailed the growth of the all-round strategic cooperative partnership, citing progress in friendship, political trust, cooperation and cultural exchanges.
Likening the two countries as "comrades and brothers," Xi said China views relations with Vietnam strategically and from a long-term perspective, and hopes that the two countries will properly manage and control disputes.
Xi suggested cementing political trust through close contact between top leaders and parties to offer strategic guidance. He proposed expanding military and security cooperation, and coordinating on global issues.
The two should advance people-to-people exchanges, in particular among the youth, and boost cooperation in education, culture, media, tourism and sports, Xi said.
With regard to maritime disputes, Xi urged both sides to increase communication and consolidate mutual trust, in order to lay a solid political foundation for the settlement of disputes and work together on maritime exploration and cooperation.
Trong also spoke of expanded maritime cooperation and achievements in trade, investment, tourism, defense, security and non-governmental exchange.
Trong's visit comes as both countries celebrate the 67th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
It is Trong's first China visit since he was re-elected chief of the CPV last January, and his first foreign trip in 2017. He is also the first foreign leader China has received this year, which reveals the importance both sides attach to their partnership.
Trong congratulated Xi on China's achievements under the leadership of the 18th CPC Central Committee.
Hailing the visits between himself and Xi in 2015, Trong said the progress in relations between the two countries and parties is exciting.
Healthy Vietnam-China ties are in the fundamental interests of parties, nations and peoples, he said. It is the top priority of Vietnam's foreign policy to enhance partnership with China.
Vietnam hopes to combine its "Two Corridors and One Economic Circle" plan with China's Belt and Road Initiative, he said.
Xi promised support for Vietnam in hosting the 2017 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings.
Trong arrived in Beijing earlier on Thursday for a four-day official visit.
Flash
With US secretary of state nominee Rex Tillerson threatening to make trouble for China over the South China Sea, observers said Beijing should continue its buildup in the area and tighten relations with countries involved in the area's territorial disputes.
China, which remains firm on its territorial rights, also should approach the incoming administration of US president-elect Donald Trump through all available channels to control differences and manage any potential crises, they said.
At a confirmation hearing at the US Congress on Wednesday, Tillerson, the former Exxon Mobil chairman and CEO, said China's access to the islands is "not going to be allowed", after he was asked if he supported a more aggressive posture toward China.
In response, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Thursday that the tension in the South China Sea "has cooled down", and China and countries in the area have returned to two-way talks.
It is hoped outsiders to the region will "respect this consensus" on bilateral talks, Lu said. He added that he will not comment on hypothetical questions when asked how Beijing would react to the United States blocking access to China's islands.
Zuo Xiying, a research fellow at the National Academy of Development and Strategy at Renmin University of China, said Beijing "should continue the needed buildup there including administrative and defense measures and clearly tell Washington that it will not back down on this matter of territorial sovereignty".
While the Obama administration preferred to pressure Beijing with the rule of law, US military threats against China in the South China Sea may increase this year, Zuo said. "Both sides should fully manage potential crises by better using existing communication channels and institutions to avoid an accidental clash," he said.
Jonathan Pollack, a senior fellow at the John L. Thornton China Center of Brookings Institution, said of Tillerson's testimony, "Such strongly worded complaints directed against China suggest that US-China relations could be entering a much more contentious phase as the Trump administration assumes power."
Zuo Xiying said China should cement ties with Southeast Asian countries involved in the dispute to "diminish the legitimacy of US meddling" in the area.
Wu Shicun, president of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, said it is time for China to increase political mutual trust with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and "work on the weak link, two-way security cooperation".
"There are still some strategic doubts or security concerns about China among some countries along the sea. ASEAN's increased sense of security will help reduce doubts about China," Wu said.
Flash
China and Ukraine on Thursday marked the 25th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties with a major photo exhibition.
The exposition held in the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine, featured about 30 pieces of photography, depicting the scenes of historical meetings between the senior officials of the two countries.
The ceremony kicking off the exhibition was attended by some 100 guests, including Ukrainian government representatives, local and foreign diplomats and business people.
While addressing the ceremony, Andriy Zayats, the State Secretary of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, hailed the sustainable development of relations between the two countries, saying Kiev attaches a great importance to its ties with Beijing.
"China has been and remains one of the key partners of Ukraine in the broadest sense. Our relations have always been characterized by a high level of mutual understanding, trustful political dialogue, a continuous development of cooperation in trade, economic, financial, credit and investment sectors, science and technology, agriculture and other areas," Zayats said.
Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Ukraine Du Wei at the ceremony said that the exhibition is designed to show the development of the bilateral relations between China and Ukraine throughout the years.
"This exhibition is dedicated to the 25th anniversary of relations between our countries, and it showcases the historical path our countries have traveled through the wind and rain. But our governments and our peoples have always carried out a very effective cooperation for the benefit of our states," Du said.
A visitor of the exhibition named Andriana Vlasova said she was deeply impressed by the exposition as she discovered much new about the development of relations between China and Ukraine.
"I really liked the exhibition! It is very interesting because it reflects relations between Ukraine and China and how they have been developing. Also, I learned a lot about China, about the development of new technologies in this country," Vlasova told Xinhua.
She was echoed by another visitor, Marina Kozlova, a student at the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine. She said the exhibition is an important tool to boost people-to-people exchanges between China and Ukraine and develop the bilateral ties.
"As a diplomat-to-be, I think that cooperation with China should be a priority for Ukraine as currently, the Asian vector of Ukraine's policy is developed not at full potential. In my opinion, the prospects for economic cooperation are the most promising," Kozlova told Xinhua.
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Turkey and Russia signed an agreement on Thursday to establish mechanisms and coordination for the safety of military aviation in Syria, the Turkish army said.
The meetings were held in Moscow between the Russian and Turkish military representatives to ensure the flight security during operations in Syria, the Turkish General Staff said in a statement on its website.
"The purpose of the deal is to specify the mechanisms for coordination and cooperation for flight safety of the Russian Aerospace Forces and Turkish Air Force during offensive against terrorist targets," the statement said.
Ankara and Moscow are experiencing improved relations after Turkey and Russia brokered a nationwide peace deal in Syria.
A nationwide cease-fire deal in Syria was reached in December 2016 with the efforts of the two countries.
Russia reportedly began hitting the Islamic State (IS) positions near al-Bab.
The Russian support came after Turkey criticized the U.S.-led international coalition for not backing its military offensive against IS.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin are also likely to meet next month within the scope of a Turkey-Russia High Level Cooperation Council (HLCC) meeting, the Daily Sabah reported citing a diplomatic source.
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U.S. President Barack Obama said Thursday that the U.S. is ending a longstanding policy that granted residency to Cubans who arrived in the U.S. without visas.
Known as "wet-foot/dry-foot" policy, the special U.S. immigration policy for Cuba has been in place for more than 20 years.
"By taking this step, we are treating Cuban migrants the same way we treat migrants from other countries," Obama said in a statement.
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The Syrian army accused Israeli warplanes of targeting a key airbase west of the capital Damascus after midnight Friday, state TV reported.
A military statement said Israeli warplanes fired several rockets from outside the Syrian airspace, targeting the vicinity of the Mazzeh airbase in the Mazzeh neighborhood, causing fire in the area.
It branded the attack as a "desperate move to support the terrorist groups" in Syria.
The Syrian army warned Israel of the repercussions of this "flagrant aggression," stressing that Syrian military forces will continue to eliminate the terrorist groups across Syria and to "cut off the hands standing behind it."
The strikes that targeted the base caused a series of explosions that were clearly heard in the areas near Damascus.
Heavy fire and smoke billowed in the area, as ambulances and firefighters rushed to the scene.
The vicinity of the airbase was heavily hit last month, and the Syrian army said then that Israeli rockets landed near the base.
Also, on Nov. 30, 2016, Israeli warplanes fired rockets on military posts in western Damascus, causing property damage, according to a military statement.
Israel often justifies its strikes either as retaliation against stray shelling targeting areas under its control in the Golan Heights area or as strikes targeting posts of the Lebanese Hezbollah group inside Syria.
However, the Syrian government has repeatedly accused Israel of rendering support to the rebel groups in Syria, which the government of President Bashar al-Assad deems as terrorists.
CHI Memorial Medical Group welcomed Sheena Cox, FNP. Ms. Cox received a bachelors in nursing from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and her masters in nursing from Middle Tennessee State University. She is certified as a nurse practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
Ms. Cox joins Greg Nieckula, M.D., and Maggie Greene, FNP-BC, at CHI Memorial Internal Medicine Associates Signal Mountain.
Monday
Friday
8 a.m. 4:30 p.m.
Ms. Cox welcomes new patients age 18 and above. The office is located at 1238 Taft Highway, Suite 170, Signal Mountain, TN 37377. Office hours areTo make an appointment, or for more information, call (423) 886-2004
The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission was presented a preview of the 2017-18 waterfowl and other migratory bird hunting seasons at its first meeting of 2017. The one-day meeting was held Friday (Jan. 13) at the Bass Pro Shops in the Pyramid.The presentation in regard to waterfowl and other migratory birds was made at the January meeting due to recent changes in the timing of the federal regulation process. States will now set their waterfowl, dove and other migratory bird seasons early in the calendar year as compared to late summer in previous years.Jamie Feddersen, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agencys Migratory Game Bird Program leader, shared proposed season dates and bag limits for all migratory bird species.The TWRA is also recommending an operational statewide Sandhill crane hunting season. For the past four years, an experimental sandhill crane hunting season has been held in a limited area in southeast Tennessee. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved an operational season for Tennessee.The agency is proposing a two-week shift in the American Woodcock season. Currently this season starts the last Saturday in October and the shift would have it beginning the second Saturday of November. Other seasons will remain intact with only date changes.The commission will set the 2017-18 regulations at its next meeting on Feb. 17 in Nashville.Ducks Unlimited representatives made their annual visit to a commission. DUs Dave Kostersky and Tim Willis discussed Tennessees efforts with Duck Unlimited and prairie Canada to create and enhance wetlands.The commission had asked the TWRA to review its big game check-in system. The commission is requesting that the agency check the potential cost of implementing a tagging system and the cost of surveying hunters to calculate a big game harvest estimate. This technique will complement the annual reported harvest from check-in.The TFWC passed a resolution to honor Wade Bourne, an outdoors writer and broadcaster who recently passed away. A resident of Clarksville, he contributed to many publications through the years as served as editor-at-large for Ducks Unlimited magazine and as a senior write for Bassmaster magazine.Mr. Bourne was a host/co-host for Ducks Unlimited TV the past 10 years, and for the past seven years, hosted the weekly hunting/fishing program Advantage Outdoors TV on the Nashville Network. Among his many honors was induction into Legends of Outdoors Hall of Fame and the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.
Staff have pillow fight to decompress in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, Sep 23, 2015. [Photo/VCG]
Employees in China's internet firms are working longer hours than their counterparts in financial companies, indicating the heavy pressure in China's booming internet industry, a report said on Thursday.
The average working time for internet workers exceeds 10 hours per day while financial service employees often leave the office at 5 pm, according to the Smart Transportation Report 2016.
The report was based on data from Didi Chuxing, the largest car-hailing platform in China. The firm claims it operates in 400 cities and has nearly 400 million users.
Financial employees also tend to go to high-end shopping malls to enjoy their nightlife while software developers at internet firms often go directly home, the report added.
In 2016, e-commerce firm JD.com Inc topped the list in terms of working hours among major Chinese internet firms. Its arch rival Alibaba Group Holding Ltd ranked third.
"Last year, China's e-commerce industry was under mounting pressure. The competition intensified as the economy slowed down and players have stepped up efforts to conduct large-scale promotions," said Shen Meng, director of Chanson & Co, a boutique investment bank.
Qihoo 360 Technology Co Ltd, China's biggest internet security company, came second. The report did not offer detailed figures.
"It is natural for us to leave the office at 11 pm, because everything is changing rapidly in the internet sector and we should always be ready," said Ma Min, a software developer in Shanghai.
The report also said that traffic conditions in China's major cities improved slightly in 2016. The average car speed in Beijing, Shanghai and other first-tier cities increased 0.7 percent to 24.7 kilometers per hour in 2016.
In contrast, Xi'an, in northwestern China, was the most congested city in 2016, closely followed by the southwestern metropolis of Chongqing.
File photo shows a seal placed on several 100 yuan notes. [Photo/IC]
China saw slower year-on-year tax revenue growth in 2016, data from the nation's tax authority showed on Thursday.
Slower growth of tax revenue points to higher short-term pressure on government spending, but the economy will benefit in the long run after tax cut policies for enterprises gradually show results, experts said.
China collected 11.59 trillion yuan ($1.67 trillion) in taxes last year, up by 4.8 percent year-on-year, but lower than the 6.6 percent growth rate in 2015, data from the State Administration of Taxation showed.
The growth rate of tax revenue was 1.9 percentage points lower than the 6.7 percent GDP growth rate, showing a wider difference compared with a year ago.
The tax revenue growth rate continued to run slower than that of GDP growth starting in 2012.
Wang Jun, director of the administration, said tax cut policies played a major role in the slowing trend of tax revenue, referring to value-added tax reform launched in 2012.
The reform aimed to replace standard business income taxes with a value-added tax.
The reform spread to the construction, real estate, finance and consumer services sectors last year.
If tax revenue continues to slow down, this would put pressure on government spending in the next year, according to Zhang Lianqi, a financial expert whom the ministry consults.
"But if taking a long-run perspective, say, three to five years, that would be a different scenario," said Zhang.
Zhang said enterprises that benefited from the tax reform would revitalize the economy in the long run, after the nation relies less on stimulus measures.
Hu Yijian, a professor of economics at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, said slower growth of tax revenue should not be a concern in the long run.
Hu said "slowing of tax revenue shows that progress has been made in squeezing out asset bubbles", because a large proportion of tax revenue came from the capital market in the past several years.
Hu suggested that because a further slowing of tax revenue growth is likely, governments should cut excessive spending.
A statement released after the Central Economic Work Conference in December showed that the government put a high priority on prevention of financial risks.
Chinese brands of televisions accounted for 30 percent of the global market in 2016, an increase of 3.2 percent year-on-year as Chinese home appliance companies stepped up efforts to expand overseas through mergers and acquisitions, according to All View Cloud, a Beijing-based consultancy.
Chinese TV sales were 50.89 million units last year, up 7.8 percent from 2015, with the value reaching 156 billion yuan ($22.5 billion), said AVC.
Chinese TV manufacturers have expanded their global influence by M&A. In 2016, Qingdao-based Haier Group completed the purchase of GE Appliances for a staggering $5.58 billion. LeEco announced in July that it acquired Vizio, a major US TV brand, for $2 billion in cash.
"The export of Chinese TV brands achieved rapid growth, with a year-on-year growth of 26 percent. Chinese brands are reaching out to the world," said Weng Zhenhua, general manager of the TV department at AVC.
He added that TV manufacturers are also making efforts to upgrade technologies, so OLED, laser TV and QLED will become the main direction of the next generation of TVs.
The 55-inch screen TVs were the most favored category among consumers last year, taking up 23.9 percent of the total market share, up 8.4 percent year-on-year, according to AVC. It is also estimated that the demand for large-screen TVs will continue in 2017, with the market share of over 55-inch TVs reaching 39 percent.
Weng estimates that TV sales will reach 53.01 million units in 2017, up 4.2 percent year-on-year, and the revenue will reach 164 billion yuan, a rise of 5.1 percent.
Xie Fan, the sales general manager of TCL multimedia said: "We are excited to see that Chinese TV brands witnessed an explosive growth in global market last year. The global sales of TCL surpassed 20 million units, with the growth rate in overseas market reaching 50 percent."
Xie cited curved screen displays, which give an immersive experience, as an example of the mediumand high-end products, which are a potent new force in the global consumer electronics market.
This is the first time that Chinese brands have surpassed their South Korean counterparts, ranking first in global market in terms of sales, while the shipment of South Korean TV brands dropped about 3 percent last year.
A worker tests a new production line for train bearings in ZWZ Group's factory in Wafangdian, Northeast China's Liaoning province, Jan 12, 2017. [Photo by Dai Tian/chinadaily.com.cn]
Chinese industry giant is set to place first home-developed bearings into the country's bullet trains.
With the new production line going through trial run, ZWZ Group will manufacture the first batch and conduct on board test in the second half of this year, said Meng Wei, the company's chairman, on Thursday.
"Such a move will end an era of high-speed train makers in China relying on importing the crucial part," Meng told China Daily.
Headquartered in Wafangdian, Northeast China's Liaoning province, ZWZ is the country's number one bearing company. It reported 5.5 billion yuan revenue and 100 million yuan net profit in 2016.
The company signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the country's train manufacturer CRRC Corp last July. Train and automobile bearings now account for 20 percent of its sales, said Meng.
He added that the ZWZ Group has also teamed up with ultra-precision technological giant Taylor Hobson in opening a joint quality inspection lab.
"The two sides have committed 20 million yuan on equipment purchase, and experts of Taylor Hobson will help with our employees' training," said Meng.
The moves come as the 79-year-old State-owned enterprise (SOE) seeks to upscale and optimize its business structure, coinciding with an overall effort to revitalize northeast economy.
Once known as the country's "eldest son" since its founding, Liaoning was an industrial bastion in the 1950s and 1960s, before losing its steam due to inefficient State driven economy and an exodus of young talent.
"Difficulty in attracting top tier talent remains the company's biggest problem," said Meng,"We need to play catchup on promoting soft environment."
CHONGQING - Chongqing Oil and Gas Trading Center was set up Thursday to deepen energy price reform and enhance international energy cooperation, China's top economic planner said.
It is the second national-level trading center for the commodity market following Shanghai Oil and Gas Trading Center founded in 2015.
The new trading center aims to further deepen China's oil and gas price reform and strengthen energy cooperation with overseas countries, sources with the National Development and Reform Commission said.
China's southwestern city Chongqing has rich oil and gas resources and plays a leading role in the exploration and production of shale gas across the country.
Shareholders mainly come from large enterprises in the oil and gas industry.
HANGZHOU - Chinese people are expected to take 8.4 million carpool trips during the upcoming Spring Festival travel rush, Chinese on-demand mobility (ODM) firm Didi forecast on Thursday.
Although railways have long been top choice for the annual migration known as "chunyun" in China, train and air services cannot fully meet the mammoth transportation demand. To meet these needs, Didi launched its ride-sharing service Hitch ahead of last year's "Chunyun."
The month-long travel rush, which starts on Friday this year, is forecast to see 356 million trips via railways, up 9.7 percent year-on-year.
Didi said on Thursday that the number of carpool trips is forecast to account for 11.8 percent of high-speed railways' passenger volume.
Didi began releasing its "chunyun" data in 2016, when it reported more than 1.9 million Hitch rides.
The service allows users to pair travelling needs not only within a city but also across the country, making it possible for drivers to take passengers when travelling home for the Chinese new year.
Hitch customer Li Xiu, 25, is a white-collar worker in the eastern city of Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province. She failed to book railway tickets online to return to Hangzhou from her hometown in Dezhou city, Shandong province, although she managed to get a ticket to her hometown.
Li said the carpool cost her 480 yuan ($69) for the 990-km trip, which is about the same as a ticket for the high-speed train.
Didi said most of the carpool bookings were made for trips with a distance between 50 and 1,000 kilometers, while distances beyond 1,000 km accounted for 3 percent of the total.
Liu Qing, president of Didi, said the Hitch service has given passengers an alternative to conventional transportation and helped ease China's heavy transportation pressure during "chunyun."
Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum takes an exclusive interview with China Daily. [Photo by Fu Jing/China Daily]
The past year has seen pressing challenges to the global economy and counteracting these will be a key feature of the World Economic Forum in Davos. In a nutshell, globalization is at risk.
China, however, remains a driving force both economically and in reshaping the multi-polar world and improving global governance. And encouragingly, Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the Geneva-based forum, has invited President Xi Jinping to deliver the opening address on Jan 17 during his state visit to Switzerland.
Xi will also visit the Lausanne-based International Olympic Committee and the headquarters of the World Health Organization in Geneva, and address a conference at the United Nations Office in Geneva before wrapping up his first overseas tour of 2017.
Schwab, whose organization started cooperation with China in 1979, has attached great importance to Xi's participation, the first for a Chinese president, and said it is relevant to the theme of the forum, which is Responsive and Responsible Leadership.
As the world is in transition into a multi-polar geopolitical and economic structure and China now equals the United States in terms of economic power, he predicts that Xi will be highlighting how China will play a positive role in global affairs at the forum.
Following is the text of the full interview conducted by China Daily journalist Fu Jing with Schwab.
China Daily: Can you tell us what should be the dominating theme of this year's World Economic Forum and why you think it is?
Schwab: In 2017 we are living in a truly multi-polar world where declining levels of global cooperation around our key shared challenges is a very real possibility. Against this backdrop, our theme reflects the clear need for those in positions of power to act both responsively by listening to, and understanding, the expectations of their people, and responsibly by being bold in providing and delivering a vision for a future that is sustainable and socially inclusive.
The areas where responsive and responsible leadership are needed the greatest include fostering growth, ensuring the global economy is more sustainable and socially inclusive, designing systems for better global cooperation and preparing the world for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
This last area is of critical importance, as technology and innovation have the propensity both to eliminate so many jobs and positions but also to help humanity by creating millions more roles and building stronger societies. The imperative is to act now so that we have the governance and the values in place so that technology serves humanity rather than challenges it.
China Daily: Every year, China is a key topic in Davos. What are the major themes related to China? And what are your expectations of Chinese participants?
Schwab: China is an emerging superpower and we expect the country to play an increasingly active role as a responsive and responsible global leader. Areas where we are already seeing this happen is in catalyzing support for protecting the environment through the COP-21 Paris Agreement, acting as a champion for international trade and investment and in supporting development and infrastructure finance and moves to develop and expand the global digital economy.
At the meeting, there will be many sessions and discussions on how China's economy is adjusting to serve consumers, supporting innovation and upgrading its industrial base. Not to mention the country's role in global trade, investment and finance.
But participants also want to know more about China, and Chinese leaders. We are very pleased to be welcoming true world-class innovators of the likes of Jack Ma and Wang Jianlin, for example. And as China becomes better known for its innovative strength, we expect Chinese expertise to play a greater and more visible role in many critical areas of discussion, whether on infrastructure development, clean power or the Internet of Things to name just a few.
China Daily: China has started to play a proactive role in reforming global governance. As you observe, what is the major progress China has made with the rest of the world in previous years in improving global governance?
Schwab: As I mentioned, one of this year's core Davos discussions will be focused on updating and redesigning our systems for international cooperation in a world that is increasingly complex and multi-polar. China's leadership in the areas of climate change in support of the COP-21 Paris Agreement and its recent leadership of the G20 are good examples of the kinds of fostering such collaboration.
We also take encouragement from innovative approaches China has taken in the fields of infrastructure finance, through the AIIB and NDB and trade and Investment through the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and One Belt, One Road initiatives.
I liked President Xi Jinping's use of a well-known Chinese proverb at this year's B20 summit when he said, people with petty shrewdness attend to trivial matters while those with great wisdom attend to governance of institutions. This to me perfectly sums up the importance that global governance holds for the collective health of our international community and reflects China's willingness to contribute to a fairer, more prosperous and sustainable planet.
China Daily: Clearly, the West entered a financial and economic crisis in 2008-09 before the world came together to find solutions. What is your view on the status quo now and the black swan events that have happened in the G7, almost one after another. How do you comment on the political crisis facing the West now?
Schwab: Political events in 2016 have made it very clear that levels of trust between political leaders and those that elected them have come under great strain. Burdens placed on leaders in today's complex and interconnected world have never been greater and the imperative now is for leaders to work together to strengthen our global systems, and to re-imagine new ways for international cooperation. One of the greatest challenges facing many of the G7 countries is the fact that income inequality has been allowed to increase, and leaders have lost their ability to listen to the needs of people.
Restoring this sense of responsiveness in 2017 and giving leaders the tools to set their country on a more inclusive path in 2017 will be one of the priorities at our annual meeting.
China Daily: Switzerland is a tiny country but one of global competitiveness and huge soft power, an excellent example for China. How should both countries carry on the momentum to deepen the partnership?
Schwab: Switzerland has a great number of competitive strengths: it is home to a number of world-class innovative companies and possesses excellent academic research establishments that work well with the private sector to commercialize new technology.
It also has a highly efficient, flexible labor market and a stable macro-economic environment. Switzerland's small size in terms of population has acted as a strong incentive to develop deep trading relationships with the EU and other partners around the world and to invest in developing its richest natural asset, its people, to help them develop entrepreneurial talents. Openness to trade and to developing innovation and entrepreneurial talent are all areas that China and Switzerland can work together on.
China Daily: China's businesses have made big strides in investing overseas, especially in Europe. And Switzerland is a major country which has facilitated such deals but some other countries have erected walls. So in your opinion, how do you comment on China's investment prospects in Europe in the coming years?
Schwab: China and Europe are important economic partners. About one third of China's outbound investment goes to Europe every year. I believe this is beneficial for China and for Europe. Political changes in 2016 have created a momentum for protectionism, however, we believe that when it comes to economic development, as with all other global challenges, international cooperation is the best way to create a win-win scenario.
This does not mean that globalization should be allowed to develop without any intervention. In its current form, it has been allowed to create an imbalance between winners and losers within countries and we have been arguing for over twenty years that market mechanisms need to be created to ensure greater returns on social inclusion and human development than our current system delivers.
It is my deep desire that at this year's annual meeting we are able to advance ideas and solutions that deliver a new, more human-centric model for growth and development.
China will continue to be a huge market supporting world economic growth and a hot destination for foreign investment, President Xi Jinping told a Swiss newspaper on Friday ahead of his state visit to the country.
"We meet at a time of angst about the prospects of the world economy, growing backlash against economic globalization, and rising populism and trade protectionism," Xi wrote in an article for the Neue Zurcher Zeitung, a leading Swiss daily newspaper.
Xi will visit Switzerland from Jan 15-18 to attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum at Davos on Jan 17.
He will also visit the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, the World Health Organization and the International Olympic Committee on Jan 18.
"There is a stronger call for revisiting and changing the current paths of development, systems of wealth distribution and models of governance," Xi wrote. "The direction of the world economy is a subject of heated discussion."
In the article, Xi spoke highly of Switzerland's support for the internationalization of the RMB, its participation in the founding of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and mutual visa exemption for diplomatic passport-holders.
"We may actively explore the possibility of upgrading the Free Trade Agreement, and set a good example of promoting the free and open international trade and investment system," Xi said in the article.
The two countries may also step up China-Europe cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative through the AIIB and the cooperation mechanism between China and Central and Eastern European countries, Xi wrote.
The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives, put forward by Xi in 2013, aim to revive ancient trade routes, with an emphasis on infrastructure.
Switzerland was among the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, and was among the first group of European countries to recognize China's market economy status. The first industrial joint venture China entered into was with Switzerland.
China and Switzerland established an innovative strategic partnership in April during a state visit to China by Johann Schneider-Ammann, the country's president at the time. It was the first such partnership China had developed with another country.
Switzerland is also an observer country in the partnership between China and 16 Central and Eastern European countries.
General view of the Volkswagen power plant in Wolfsburg, Germany, September 22, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]
Volkswagen AG took a major step toward resolving one of the darkest chapters in its history on Wednesday, agreeing to plead guilty in the US to an emissions-cheating scandal and agreeing to pay $4.3 billion in penalties, while prosecutors announced charges against five individuals in Germany.
VW admitted to using false statements to import cars to the US and obstructing investigations when authorities grew suspicious of the emissions levels from the diesel engines. Among the executives charged today with conspiracy were Heinz-Jakob Neusser, who was suspended in 2015, Jens Hadler and Richard Dorenkamp.
The emissions cheating undermined the sterling reputation of German engineering and threatened the viability of a company that vies with Toyota Motor Corp as the world's biggest carmaker. Volkswagen pressed to resolve investigations and lawsuits as quickly as possible, while working to repair its reputation with car buyers and dealers. It's now selling more cars and trucks than ever, offsetting declines in the US with strong sales in China. The company and its executives are still under investigation in Germany and it faces investor lawsuits in the US and at home.
"Volkswagen deeply regrets the behavior that gave rise to the diesel crisis," Chief Executive Officer Matthias Mueller said in a statement. "We will continue to press forward with changes to our way of thinking and working."
Seven charged
Neusser was head of engine development and a member of the VW brand's management board. Lawyers for him and Dorenkamp didn't immediate respond to requests for comment. Representatives for the other men couldn't immediately be reached.
A total of seven men have been charged so far, with one US-based engineer pleading guilty in September and cooperating in the probe. Over the weekend, Oliver Schmidt, VW's liaison with US environmental regulators, was arrested in Miami as he was returning to Germany from vacation. Germany doesn't extradite its nationals to the US and Attorney General Loretta Lynch said at a press conference in Washington on Wednesday that it's "too early" to say how it would handle prosecutions for individuals there.
VW admitted in 2015 that about 11 million diesel cars worldwide were outfitted with so-called defeat devices, embedded algorithms used to game emissions tests. The settlement pushes the cost of the scandal to more than $23 billion in the US and Canada and will force the company to increase the money set aside to pay fines and compensate affected customers, which currently totals 18.2 billion euros ($19.1 billion).
The government and Volkswagen have been trying to reach a settlement by Jan. 20 before Donald Trump is sworn into office and many of the people who have been overseeing the case step down.
'Obfuscated, denied'
"The investigation is still open and it is ongoing," Lynch said. "Volkswagen knew of these problems and when regulators expressed concern Volkswagen obfuscated, they denied, and they ultimately lied."
The Volkswagen plea, filed in federal court in Detroit, serves as a capstone for Lynch's enforcement of corporate misconduct and stands as one of the top environmental cases pursued under President Barack Obama.
Investigated in just over 16 months, the Justice Department case also delivers on promises to hold individuals accountable.
In 2014, as US suspicions increased about the real level of emissions from VW diesel cars, engineers and supervisors plotted ways to hide the defeat device, according to court documents. The next year, when regulators threatened not to certify 2016 models for sale in the US, Volkswagen's senior officials in Wolfsburg, Germany, were told at a July 27 meeting about the deception.
Senior VW managers approved a plan in August 2015 for what the automaker's employees would say in an upcoming meeting with California regulators, prosecutors allege. That plan called for Volkswagen employees to continue concealing the existence of the emissions device.
Hired lawyers
Dozens of Volkswagen officials in Germany have hired US criminal defense lawyers over the past several months as the Justice Department ramped up its investigation, Bloomberg reported last month. US authorities have traveled to Germany to arrange interviews with managers and seek cooperation.
VW has suspended or pushed out about a dozen executives in the aftermath of the scandal including former Chief Executive Officer Martin Winterkorn, who has denied any knowledge of the cheating.
VW has been making strides to wrap up other outstanding lawsuits in the US On Friday, the EPA and California regulators gave their first approval to a plan to fix to some of the cars. A San Francisco judge has approved $14.7 billion settlement that requires the company to fix or buy back about 480,000 of the cars in the US with 2.0-liter engines cars. VW is awaiting approval on a $1 billion deal concerning 3.0-liter engines.
Bloomberg
In a case involving the dismissal of a tenured teacher, the Tennessee Supreme Court has held that the Court of Appeals award to the teacher of partial back pay was not authorized under the Tennessee Teacher Tenure Act (Tenure Act). It also held that the teacher could not appeal the timeliness of her school board hearing because she did not raise that objection to the school board.
Rogelynn Emory taught French and English in several different high schools in Memphis, Tennessee. For several years, school administrators noted that Ms. Emory exhibited unusual behavior, had difficulty managing her students, and displayed a low level of teaching skill. In late 2005, the city school system notified Ms. Emory that she was being charged with inefficiency, that is, teaching below the acceptable standard, and would be discharged. Under the Tenure Act, Ms. Emory demanded a hearing before the city school board.
In 2006, the school board held a three-day hearing on the charges against Ms. Emory, in which Ms. Emory was represented by an attorney. Both Ms. Emory and the school board presented testimony from numerous witnesses, Ms. Emory testified on her own behalf, and there were over 20 exhibits spanning a 10-year period in which Ms. Emory taught at several different high schools. The testimony from the school board witnesses showed that Ms. Emory had poor classroom management, lack of teaching skills, and was unwilling or unable to receive constructive criticism and improve. The school board voted to uphold Ms. Emorys dismissal.
Ms. Emory filed an action in the Shelby County chancery court under the Tenure Act, asking the court to review her dismissal. For the first time, Ms. Emory argued that the school board hearing was held too late; she pointed to a provision in the Tenure Act stating that a school board hearing for a teacher must be held within 30 days after the teacher sends a demand for a hearing, and noted that her school board hearing was held many months beyond the thirty-day limit. Ms. Emory asked the chancery court to set aside her dismissal because the school board hearing was untimely.
The chancery court upheld the school boards dismissal of Ms. Emory, and Ms. Emory appealed. The Court of Appeals declined to reinstate Ms. Emory because the school board hearing was held too late, but it awarded Ms. Emory partial back pay.
The Tennessee Supreme Court granted permission for both Ms. Emory and the school board to appeal. Both argued that there was nothing in the Tenure Act giving the Court of Appeals the authority to award Ms. Emory partial back pay. Ms. Emory argued that she was entitled to full reinstatement because the school board hearing was held too late, while the school board argued that Ms. Emory was entitled to no relief at all, and that her dismissal should be upheld outright.
On appeal, the Tennessee Supreme Court agreed with both parties that there was no basis in the Tenure Act for the Court of Appeals award of partial back pay to Ms. Emory, so it reversed the back pay award.
As to Ms. Emorys claim that she was entitled to reinstatement because her hearing was held too late, the Supreme Court noted that, during the entire three-day hearing before the school board, neither Ms. Emory nor her attorney objected to the hearing being held after the 30 day limit in the Tenure Act. Had she done so, the Court observed, the school board could have dismissed the charges, started the termination process over again, and held a timely hearing. Instead, Ms. Emory waited until the school board heard three days of evidence and reached a decision to dismiss her before raising the argument to the chancery court that the hearing was held too late.
The Court noted that, on appeal, Ms. Emory did not question the fairness of her school board hearing and could not point to any way in which the result would have been different if the hearing had been held sooner. Rejecting Ms. Emorys request for reinstatement as a teacher, the Court said, we would achieve little more than irony by voiding Ms. Emorys dismissal and remanding this case for the [school] board to start the termination process anew, over 10 years after her employment was terminated and 20 years after the events underlying the termination, solely to vindicate a delay in the hearing that Ms. Emory did not believe warranted even a mention in the [school] board proceedings. It added that allowing a party to hide an ace up her sleeve for appeal would undermine fair play and finality of judgment. For that reason, the Court affirmed the chancery courts decision to uphold the termination of Ms. Emorys employment.
To read the unanimous opinion in Rogelynn Emory v. Memphis City Schools Board of Education, authored by Justice Holly Kirby, go to the opinions section of TNCourts.gov.
Lei Jun, founder and CEO of Xiaomi Corp, speaks at the company's new product release ceremony in Beijing, May 10, 2016. [Photo by Feng Yongbin/For China Daily]
Xiaomi Corp, one of China's most valuable technology startups, is shooting for more than 100 billion yuan ($14.5 billion) of revenue in 2017 while expanding its global business and deepening research into artificial intelligence and online finance.
Billionaire co-founder Lei Jun laid out his goals for the year at an employee gathering on Thursday, at which he also said the company will explore new ways to sell smartphones and other products, Xiaomi marketing executive Zico Lau wrote on his verified WeChat messaging account.
Xiaomi was last valued at $45 billion in 2014, when it drew comparisons to Apple Inc after doubling revenue that year and climbing to the top of the Chinese smartphone market. But the company missed its 2015 shipments target and has since fallen behind local rivals OPPO and Huawei Technologies Co at home.
Lei had set a target of 100 billion yuan for 2015 but the closely held company hasn't disclosed its revenue performance since.
"Our little target in 2017 is for revenue to surpass 100 billion yuan," Lei wrote. "Our core strategy will be technological breakthroughs, new retail models, internationalization, smart workers and internet finance."
Xiaomi secured $1.1 billion in 2014 from investors including GIC Pte, All-Stars Investment Ltd and DST. The company is now counting on India to provide the next leg of growth: sales there surpassed $1 billion in 2016.
Bloomberg
BEIJING - China will invest big in information infrastructure in the next three years as a way to help develop the new economy and foster growth momentum.
About 1.2 trillion yuan (around $170 billion) will be channeled into internet projects, mainly broadband and mobile network improvement, according to guidelines released Thursday by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
The document sets a number of goals.
By 2018, a total of 90,000 kilometers of high-speed fiber-optic trunk cables will be built, expected to expand the broadband network coverage to all urban areas and 90 percent of the countryside.
China will add 2 million 4G base stations, mainly for townships and villages, and boost the proportion of mobile network users to 75 percent of its population.
The number of points of presence connected to overseas networks will be increased to 120, up from the current 80, in a bid to enhance connectivity to the rest of the world and satisfy rising demand for international exchanges.
The country will also promote IPv6 networks, support R&D for 5G technology, and encourage businesses to use cloud computing and big data.
The government will cut red tape, strengthen financing support, and attract private capital to join the program.
Confronted with sluggish traditional sectors, China is vigorously developing and applying information technology to upgrade industrial models and create new growth points.
The "Broadband China" strategy was floated in August 2013 to improve internet service.
Li Pei, a linguist and wife of Guo Yonghuai, one of the founding fathers of China's atomic bomb, hydrogen bomb and satellite, passed away in Beijing on Thursday, according to the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The university, where Li served as a professor of English, released an obituary on Thursday, saying that Li, 99, died of disease in the early morning.
Born in Jiangsu province on Dec 20, 1917, Li was admitted by Peking University to study economics in 1936. She then studied at Cornell University in the United States in 1947.
She married Guo in 1948 and returned to China together with her husband and only daughter in 1956.
After returning, Li worked in Zhongguancun, which has become a high-tech and innovation hub dubbed "the Silicon Valley of China". Li participated in the establishment of hospitals and Western cookie shops, and was regarded as one of the most important inaugurators of Zhongguancun, the university said.
In 1961, Li started teaching English language at the University of Science and Technology of China and transferred to the university's graduate school in 1978. The graduate school was renamed the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, where Li worked until she retired in 1987.
After retiring, Li established the Zhongguancun Forum and invited eminent scholars from many fields, including historian Zi Zhongyun and economist Li Yining, to give lectures.
Li helped to arrange a total of more than 600 forums from 1998 to 2011 at Zhongguancun, and she was given affectionate nicknames such as "the prettiest rose of the Chinese Academy of Sciences" and "a beacon of Zhongguancun".
Li had a reputation for being mentally strong. She was isolated and inspected for more than six years during the "cultural revolution" (1966-76). Her husband died in an airplane crash in 1968, while her only daughter died of disease in 1997.
Li once said to students of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences: "Life still goes on whatever difficulties we have encountered. So we should continue to live with a positive attitude; we should learn to conquer difficulties, rather than be conquered".
The obituary said Li devoted her life to education and nurtured groups of outstanding young people. "Her death is a big loss to education in China," the university said in the obituary.
A farewell ceremony will be held at Beijing Babaoshan Cemetery on Jan 17.
Calls have been made for the gibbon to be classified as an endangered animal
Chinese scientists announced on Thursday in Kunming, Yunnan province, that less than 200 hoolock gibbons distributed in the province are actually an entirely new species, known as the Gaoligong hoolock gibbon (Hoolock tianxing).
In the past few years, two subspecies of hoolocks have been reclassified as species of their own - Western hoolock gibbons and Eastern hoolock gibbons. The newly announced species was originally considered an isolated population of Eastern hoolock gibbons.
As the first ape species ever named by Chinese scientists, tianxing, which means "heaven's movement" or "skywalking" in Chinese, are also known as Skywalker hoolock gibbons.
An international team of scientists led by Fan Pengfei, one of China's leading primatologists from Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, identified the new species and announced their discovery in a paper published on Wednesday in the American Journal of Primatology, a monthly peer-reviewed science journal.
In 2007, Fan and his colleagues began studying Eastern hoolock gibbons. Between 2008 and 2009, they conducted a comprehensive survey in Yunnan province and began regularly monitoring three hoolock populations, accumulating a large number of photos of the ape.
"Studying the photos closely, I found that gibbons in China don't have white beards or white fur around their eyes, and they have thin eyebrows with a wider space between them," Fan said. "Male Skywalker hoolocks have black or brown fur in their pubic region. Their features are different to Eastern hoolocks."
According to Fan, all hoolock gibbons have white eyebrows and some have white beards, but Skywalker hoolocks have distinctive downturned brows that stand out against the black fur on their head.
In 2010, Fan made a research plan and invited more scientists to join the project. A comprehensive study of the genetic characteristics of wild gibbons and museum specimens, and assessment of coat color patterns and tooth morphology followed.
Finally, 15 members of the research team concluded that the population of hoolocks distributed to the east of the Irrawaddy and Nmai Hka rivers are actually morphologically and genetically different to Eastern hoolock gibbons distributed west of the rivers, and are a new ape.
According to Jiang Xuelong, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Kunming Institute of Zoology and co-author of the paper, Skywalker hoolocks are scattered in fragmented forests in the Gaoligong Mountains in Bao-shan, Tengchong county and Yingjiang county. They are distributed at between 500 meters and 2,700 meters above sea level.
With a population in China of less than 200 and an unknown population in Myanmar, which is "probably much smaller because of limited distribution areas", Jiang said that the team has called for the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources to classify gibbons as endangered.
"In the past 20 years, the gibbon disappeared from several of its historical distributing areas in Yunnan," Jiang said. "Fortunately, half of the present population are living within the Gaoligong National Nature Reserve, where they have already been put under better protection."
A stage shot from Jianzhen's Journey to Japan. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Jianzhen's Journey to Japan, a China-made opera adapted from the legend of Chinese monk Jianzhen's tenacious attempts to travel to Japan to promote Buddhism in the eighth century, will kick off its first appearance in China at the National Theater of the Performing Arts in Beijing next month.
"There are numerous monuments and mausoleums in the world that commemorate historic figures, but we are fortunate to sing his praises in the form of opera," said Tang Jianping, the opera's composer.
During his 10-year stay in Japan, Jianzhen not only propagated Buddhism, but also contributed to cultural exchanges by introducing China's calligraphy, architecture, music and medicine.
The troupe toured in Japan, performing five times in Tokyo, Nara and Kyoto in December last year. The premiere was staged in Tokyo on Dec 20, the anniversary of Jianzhen's arrival in the country 1,263 years ago.
The performances were well-received in Japan. Former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who saw the performance, called the play "phenomenal".
Cheng Yonghua, China's ambassador to Japan, said the story of Jianzhen is familiar to the people of the two countries. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations and the spirit of Jianzhen as an envoy between China and Japan to promote cultural exchanges should be carried forward.
Jianzhen (688-763), known as Ganjin in Japan, made six attempts to visit Japan at the invitation of Japanese monk Yoei from 743 to 753.
The first five attempts failed and the last one left Jianzhen blind from an infection, but the resolute monk finally made it to Kagoshima, the southwestern tip of Kyushu Island, on Dec 20, 753.
It was Jianzhen's determination and courage that inspired the composer Tang Jianping to tell the Chinese story in an international language opera.
The main cast made several trips to Japan, even retracing the route Jianzhen traveled, to get a better understanding of the great monk.
Jianzhen died in 763, and a statue of him still stands in Nara.
Jiangsu Performing Arts Group will stage two shows of Jianzhen's Journey to Japan at the China National Theater of the Performing Arts on Feb 5 and 6.
Max Baucus, the current US ambassador to China, will leave Beijing for home on Jan 16. In a video bidding farewell to the Chinese, Baucus said he saw huge potential for cooperation between the US and China.
"It's really not easy for us to leave," said his wife Melodee Hanes. "We have made so many good friends here...I'm absolutely certain we will be back." President-elect Donald Trump's transition team has issued a mandate requiring politically-appointed ambassadors like Baucus who were installed by President Barack Obama to leave their posts by Inauguration Day (Jan 20).
President Xi Jinping welcomes Vietnam's ruling party chief Nguyen Phu Trong at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday. WU ZHIYI / CHINA DAILY
Vietnam vows to 'expand maritime cooperation' in party leader's visit
Beijing and Hanoi vowed to expand maritime and security cooperation on Thursday, further calming the waters of the South China Sea, where tensions have subsided since a transfer of power in the Philippines last year.
The agreements were among over a dozen sealed by President Xi Jinping and Vietnam's ruling party chief Nguyen Phu Trong in Beijing.
The meeting of the leaders and its timing was significant.
Trong's four-day visit, ending Sunday, is happening in close order with the visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry to Vietnam, starting Friday, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's arrival in the Southeast Asian nation on Jan 16. Observers said the visits reflect the complexity of relations among the four nations.
"We should strengthen strategic cooperation and keep boosting mutual trust, so as to lay a more solid political foundation for the settlement of maritime issues," Xi said at the meeting. "At the same time, we should push forward joint exploration and cooperation in the sea."
Xi, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, suggested expansion of military exchanges and deepening of security cooperation. Trong said Hanoi will "expand maritime cooperation" with Beijing and seek results in areas like security, trade and youth communication. He affirmed that Hanoi takes relations with Beijing as "the top priority of long-term foreign policy".
This is the first visit to China for Trong, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, since his re-election in January 2016. Xi and Trong last exchanged visits in 2015.
The two leaders witnessed the signing of 15 cooperation documents on Thursday, covering areas including national defense, financing, railways and Party cadre training.
In a rare arrangement for visiting foreign leaders, Xi and Trong also had an informa chat as they were having tea, a common culture in both countries, before starting dinner.
"The trip right before the visits of US and Japanese leaders also reflects the importance Hanoi attaches to Beijing," said Pan Jin'e, an expert on Vietnamese studies with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Pan said Vietnam favors conflict control in the South China Sea and is carefully watching progress on a code of conduct for the South China Sea. China said on Wednesday it will finish a framework with Southeast Asian nations by the middle of the year on the code.
Tensions in the South China Sea have abated since Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has taken steps to mend relations with China since taking office in June.
"The visit comes at a good time for both sides to have a pragmatic discussion on the South China Sea. It is expected that Vietnam will be cooperative on the issue in the near future," Pan said.
Jia Duqiang, a senior Southeast Asian studies researcher at the academy, said, "China will also deepen ties, especially under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative."
As for bilateral security cooperation, Jia said last year also brought a good sign: in October Chinese warships visited Vietnam's Cam Ranh Bay, a port of symbolic significance, for the first time.
Contact the writers at lixiaokun@chinadaily.com.cn
Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja, capital of Nigeria, on Thursday.Zhang Baoping/ Xinhua
It is "a correct political choice" for Nigeria to order Taiwan to move its trade mission from the capital of Abuja, since the one-China principle is globally recognized, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.
The order came while Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen was on a Latin America trip aiming to expand the island's "international space" after the African nation of Sao Tome and Principe cut official ties with Taipei last month.
Analysts said Taiwan will continue to be marginalized by the international community if it keeps challenging the one-China principle, because Beijing will never compromise on the national sovereignty issue.
At a regular news conference, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang spoke highly of Nigeria's decision, saying it removed a barrier to healthy development of China-Nigeria ties.
"It proves again that sticking to the one-China principle is in accordance with the will of the people as well as the international trend," he said.
The one-China principle holds that the Chinese mainland and Taiwan are parts of one China.
Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama announced the order on Wednesday after meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Abuja. Taiwan will no longer enjoy privileges because it isn't a country recognized under international law, Onyeama said.
The two countries signed a joint declaration after the talks, in which Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to the one-China policy. Taiwan has no "diplomatic ties" with Nigeria but has an office for handling business affairs in Abuja.
Wang said after the meeting that Taiwan's business office has been engaged for years in activities that have obviously violated the one-China principle. In April last year, President Xi Jinping and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari reached an important consensus on sticking to the one-China principle, he said.
Wang Hailiang, a researcher of Taiwan studies at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, said that Beijing has sent warnings to Taipei many times after Tsai, the island's leader, challenged the one-China principle in a congratulatory phone call to US president-elect Donald Trump in December.
"Beijing wants to send a signal not only to Taipei but also the international community that it has firmly resolved to safeguard national sovereignty," he said.
During a transit stop in Houston, Texas, on her way to Latin America, Tsai did not have a chance to meet with Trump's transition team on Saturday, which shows that Trump is acting more prudently on the one-China principle with the approach of his inauguration next week, Wang Hailiang added.
Currently, 21 countries and governments, mainly small nations and islands in Latin America, Oceania and Africa that rely heavily on economic aid from Taiwan, have official ties with the island.
He tells judicial, law enforcement agencies to improve their capabilities
President Xi Jinping has urged all judicial and law enforcement agencies to improve their capabilities by innovating mechanisms and methods to better guard against and handle risks and challenges.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in an instruction presented at a central conference on political and legal work in Beijing on Thursday.
Xi hailed the agencies' contributions to national security and social stability and praised the role they have played in social and economic development.
The president emphasized that 2017 will be an important year for the Party and the state, and he asked judicial and law enforcement agencies to make the protection of national political security, especially the security of the regime and system, their top priority.
Xi instructed the agencies to improve their prediction and early warning systems to ensure a safe and stable social environment for the 19th National Congress of the CPC, which is scheduled for the second half of the year.
Full commitment to judicial reform is needed so that the quality, efficiency and credibility of judicial services continue to improve, Xi said.
All Party committees must focus on security and stability, he said, adding that their work will help lead judicial and law enforcement development.
Xi's instructions were read out by Meng Jianzhu, head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee.
Conference participants stressed that judicial and law enforcement agencies should make the best of technology to ensure security and stability, and they should address problems at the source.
The agencies should strive to raise the credibility of the judicial system, make the public feel safer and more satisfied, and create a sound social and legal environment for the building of an all-around moderately prosperous society, participants said.
Zhang Danli (right), a 32-year-old female software engineer, works with a colleague at the offices of Mtime, an online movie portal in Beijing.Zou Hong / China Daily
Independent clubs are addressing the gender imbalance that discriminates against women in China's tech sector. Xu Wei reports.
The question software engineer Wang Jing is asked most frequently focuses not on how a person learns to write code, but how a woman learns to write code.
Wang, a 28-year programmer for a video-hosting service in Beijing, said people's curiosity about how she managed to land a job as a programmer is almost troubling.
"They ask 'How on earth did you become a programmer'? and 'How on earth did you land this job'?" she said.
However, the fact that she is one of just five woman programmers in a team of more than 60 also gives her a very special role, one she describes as a "mood blender" - someone who can neutralize a staid, nerdish atmosphere.
Wang believes that women can add a feminine influence to the male-dominated workplace, even though her workload is no less taxing than those of her male counterparts.
"No offense, but some programmers are just nerdish people. They don't know how to live life, but women do. We can offer snacks when the team is working overtime and decide the location of dinner parties," she said.
Outnumbered
Wang's workplace is typical of a sector long dominated by men, even though women occupy well-placed technical positions.
The gender imbalance in the industry is evidenced by several independent reports conducted and published by programming websites in China.
According to statistics released in October by 100offer, a website that provides employment opportunities for software engineers, men outnumber women by 4-to-1.
A report published in 2014 by Codeforge, a source-code sharing website, showed that only 20 percent of programmers in China are female.
The Codeforge report, which polled more than 1 million programmers, also found that the gender imbalance is driven by the nature of the job, including the irregular lifestyle that results from the frequent need to work extra hours.
Wen Yang, who started the Coding Girls Club, an organization in Beijing that offers free programming seminars and training courses for women, said the unfair treatment of women in the sector is not obvious until it comes to salaries.
"Mostly, this unfair treatment is not obvious or palpable. The ideological indoctrination that women are not suitable to work as programmers and have poor logical thinking is behind the gender imbalance in the industry," he said.
"This ideology and indoctrination is a form of bias in the strongest and most far-reaching way."
Hostile attitudes
China's booming internet sector has resulted in growing demand for programmers. According to a 2015 report by the US management services researcher Boston Consulting Group, the internet industry - which maintained compound growth of 50 percent between 2011 and 2014 - was directly responsible for the creation of 1.7 million jobs in China in 2014.
However, according to the 100offer report, the highly competitive industry has displayed a hostile attitude toward female programmers, who are generally offered lower salaries than their male counterparts for the same position.
For positions in either Java programming or front-end development, male programmers are usually offered 10 percent, or 3,000 yuan ($432.50) to 4,000 yuan, more than their female equivalents.
"During the recruitment process, many companies worry that female programmers will marry and have children at some stage, which means they will have to devote a substantial amount of time to their family life," said Kang Wenjuan, a recruitment consultant with 100offer.
The company's report also found that the wage gap widens with experience - the salary gap between male and females programmers is about 24 percent for those with more than five years' experience.
The problem has also been noted by Hired, a job search platform in the United States. In a report published last year, the platform said that there is a wage gap of 7 to 8 percent between male and female software engineers in Silicon Valley.
"On average, we found that companies offer women 3 percent less than men for the same roles, with some companies offering as much as 30 percent less," the report said.
Kang, from 100offer, said her company's research established that age is also a major factor in the employment of female programmers. Those ages 26 to 29 and with three to four years work experience have a significantly higher chance of landing a job with an internet company. After that, things begin to deteriorate.
"There are significantly fewer opportunities for female programmers ages 30 or older. The situation is particularly bad for those who are single, and those who are married but have not yet had children," she said.
The gender bias is also deep-rooted, according to a paper published in July by researchers at California Polytechnic State University and North Carolina State University.
They found that when a female programmer in the US contributed to an open-source project, the work was more likely to be accepted by their peers than contributions by men, but only if the people judging the work were unaware that the programmer was female. The same work was more likely to be rejected if their gender was made public.
The researchers suggested that female programmers are at least as competent and sometimes more skilled than the average programmer on GitHub, one of the world's largest web-based hosts of source code. "It shows that women face a giant hurdle of 'gender bias' when other people assess their work," they said.
Kang, the recruitment expert, said 100offer is optimistic that its report will attract greater attention to the income disparity between male and female software engineers.
"The situation will only improve when more female programmers join the workforce. We also need events to motivate female coders and entrepreneurs to speak up," she said.
Proficiency is paramount
However, not all female programmers have found the gender bias so obvious.
Zhang Danli, a 32-year-old who works for Mtime, an online movie portal, said gender only plays a minor part, and programming proficiency determines a person's position in the workplace.
"Some startups might prefer young, male programmers because they are more adaptable to working extra hours. But for some major corporations, gender is no longer an issue," said Zhang, who has changed employers three times in the last six years.
Su Xunbo, Zhang's team leader who is responsible for the development and maintenance of Mtime's app, said female programmers offer diversity to his team, which is composed of two women and six men.
"Programmers' meetings can be at daggers drawn. In the midst of red faces and even clenched fists, a woman's voice can have a surprising effect, including the power to calm everyone down," he said.
However, Wen Yang, from Coding Girls Club, said his organization believes that women deserve the right to use programming as a springboard for their careers, and it has set a target to provide programming training to 1,000 women across China in the next three years.
"Programming is essentially an intellectual activity, an area with no gender differences. We believe there is a trend by which the gender imbalance will disappear in the future," he said.
"It is a not a matter of whether it will happen, but when it will happen."
A volunteer teaches women at a free software programming workshop organized by Rails Girls in Shenzhen, Guangdong province.Wen Yang / For China Daily
The tech sector's strong gender imbalance has led to a rise in nonprofit organizations dedicated to closing the gap in the field of software engineering.
A report conducted by Codeforge, a source-code sharing website, shows that in 2014 only 20 percent of programmers in China were female.
Rails Girls, a campaign started in Finland by two programmers, one male and one female, aims to provide women with the tools and a community to understand technology and develop their own ideas.
The organization hosted its first Chinese workshop in Beijing on Dec 15, 2012, before arranging a further 17 in six other cities. Wen Yang, who helped to host the Beijing event and later became a part-time volunteer with the organization, said Rails Girls has now provided free programming workshops to more than 1,000 women in China.
"Some of the women were inspired by our events and took up positions as programmers," he said, adding that some have even started their own internet companies and their own websites.
In June, Wen quit his job at a State-owned enterprise and established the Coding Girls Club, an organization that offers women free programming workshops and seminars. So far, the club has organized two training sessions, attended by 32 women, but the organizers aim to help 1,000 women to become programmers in the next three years.
However, Wen conceded that it remains difficult for women to take up programming through workshops, adding that only two of the women who attended the Rails Girls workshops over the years have made the grade.
Although most Rails Girls courses are sponsored by internet companies and programmers volunteer to give the lessons, the time frame can make things difficult, according to Wen.
"The fact that Rails Girls can only provide free one-day workshops makes it difficult for internet companies and professional programmers to devote themselves to the course," he said, adding that the club is now looking to promote programming among women in China's third- and fourth-tier cities.
"We hope women will be able to achieve a rise in their social and economic status by mastering programming skills," he said. "We are aiming to provide more long-term support via programming courses, so women will gain a high degree of proficiency."
(China Daily 01/13/2017 page6)
Guangdong provincial department of communications has said it will adopt Internet Plus and big data technology to ensure everything runs smoothly during the Spring Festival travel rush.
The department is collaborating with Chinese internet giant Tencent to establish a big data analysis and forecast platform, which it hopes will improve its ability to organize, coordinate and deal with emergencies during the period.
It also launched an official WeChat account on Wednesday to inform passengers about any issues with the province's transport network and help them complete their journeys home.
Guangdong, which is home to myriad foreign-funded companies, joint ventures and private-run firms, is estimated to have more than 20 million migrant workers more than any other province.
Every year, it is one of the busiest regions in the mainland during the Spring Rush, which takes place between Jan 13 and Feb 21 this year.
According to official forecasts, more than 131 million people will leave and arrive in Guangdong over the period.
Of them, 29 million will travel by rail, 95 million by land or water and 7 million will fly.
Most migrant workers will aim to leave the province before the Lunar New Year begins on Jan 27 and return after the festival.
Three Chinese tourists pose for a selfie next to the River Thames in London.[Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]
Beijing residents were the biggest spending Chinese tourists last year, paying on average 4,100 yuan ($594) per trip, according to a report by China's largest online travel agency Ctrip.
Shanghai residents followed, spending 3,892 yuan on each trip, but overtook the capital when it came to overall spending on travel. Second and third-tier cities such as Shenyang, Whenzhou and Dalian also ranked high on the list due to the growing popularity of overseas routes in these regions.
In 2016, Chinese people spent a total of 4.66 trillion yuan on 4.56 billion trips, or three trips for every 1.3 people.,About 97 percent of their destinations were within the country's borders, while only 2.6 percent ventured overseas.
Domestic tourism revenue reached 3.9 trillion yuan in 2016, a 14 percent increase from the previous year. The report found that destinations with good environment, climate and distinctive character such as Hainan, Yunnan and Sichuan province often lure more tourism dollars.
Trips to Lhasa in Tibet autonomous region, Urumqi in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and Lanzhou in Gansu province cost the most partly due to the longer traveling distance and time involved.
Almost 110 billion yuan was spent by Chinese people on overseas holidays. On the other hand, foreign sightseers spent $120 billion in China last year.
The report also noted that more people booked their trips online in 2016, spending some 603 billion yuan in online transactions. Ctrip said the main online spending of its users was on transportation, hotels and tourism products such as tickets and tour groups.
The priciest deal available on Ctrip website is an 80-day round-the-world trip worth 1.38 million yuan, while the cheapest is one yuan admission to some tourism attractions..
Most of the travelers were aged between 25-55 and 35-45 year olds spent the most on their trips, the report said.
Ctrip predicts that Chinese people will make over 5 billion trips at home and abroad this year and the overall spending is expected to create a new record of more than 5 trillion yuan.
Zhao Xuecheng, 22, was abandoned by his biological parents after his face was badly burned in an accident in 1994.
He was found under a bridge in Xiangyang, Central China's Hubei province, by Li Xianyu, a sanitation worker who had no children of her own.
Because he was found on a snowy day, Li and her husband named him Zhao Xuecheng, which means "happening in the snow".
They took him to a hospital but could not afford the high price of plastic surgery, so instead bought some medicine to heal his wounds themselves.
When he reached age 7, Zhao's foster parents tried to enroll him in a primary school, but he was rejected by all the local schools due to his disfigurement.
Because of this, he grew up home-schooled and when the time came to find a job, he found no one wanted to employ him either.
So Li, 68, and her husband decided to use their entire life savings to pay for their adopted son's surgery.
"We are getting old and he has to making a living by himself," Liu said. "All we can do now is use all our savings, 30,000 yuan ($4,350), to help him."
This month, the family arrived at Chongqing's Southwest Hospital affiliated to the Third Military Medical School. Their 30,000 yuan just about covered Zhao's first surgery after the hospital deducted some fees.
However, he will need to go under the knife again in six months and next time it is expected to cost more than 80,000 yuan.
To cover the cost, his parents reached out to the local media and have started to receive donations once Zhao's story was reported.
The shift in China's economy toward services and consumption underlines the country's success, indicating the obvious in shifting its development pattern and deepening a new round of market-oriented reform since 2013, said Jiang Jianguo, minister of the State Council Information Office, in Geneva on Wednesday.
Speaking ahead of President Xi Jinping's visit to Switzerland next week, Jiang said the growth of the service industry has contributed 58.5 percent to the country's economy in the first three quarters of 2016. Consumption meanwhile generated 71 percent of the country's economic growth during the period.
"The service industry has become the main engine of China's economy and consumption has played an even bigger role," Jiang said at a seminar organized by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Geneva-based International Center for Trade and Sustainable Development.
Investigators considering arrest warrant for head of tech giant
The head of Samsung Electronics was questioned on suspicion of bribery on Thursday in an influence-peddling scandal that led to President Park Geun-hye's impeachment.
Park remains in office but has been stripped of her powers while the Constitutional Court decides whether to uphold the December impeachment and make her the first democratically elected leader to be forced from office.
Park has denied wrongdoing.
Jay Y. Lee, the vice chairman of Samsung's electronics division and the son of group chairman Lee Kun-Hee, was greeted by protesters holding signs calling for his arrest and accusing him of being the president's accomplice as her arrived at the prosecution office in Seoul.
"I am very sorry to the South Korean people for not showing a better side," he said.
Investigators will now decide whether to seek an arrest warrant against Lee, 48, said special prosecution spokesman Lee Kyu-chul.
Parliament impeached Park over allegations she allowed a friend, Choi Soon-sil, to exert inappropriate influence over state affairs.
Choi is accused of colluding with Park to pressure big businesses, including Samsung, to contribute to nonprofit foundations backing the president's initiatives.
Choi, in detention and on trial on charges of abuse of power and attempted fraud, has denied wrongdoing.
Prosecutors named Lee as a suspect on Wednesday and are investigating whether Samsung gave 30 billion won ($25.28 million) to a business and foundations backed by Choi in exchange for the national pension fund's support for a 2015 merger of Samsung C&T Corp and Cheil Industries Inc.
Lee in December denied accusations the conglomerate sought to curry favor with Park or Choi to secure the 2015 merger.
Proving improper dealing between Park, or Choi, and Samsung will be key to the prosecutors' case, analysts said, noting their goal was to prove Park or her surrogates took bribes in exchange for favors.
The special prosecution spokesman said investigators were also looking into whether Lee lied during a December parliamentary hearing about Samsung's involvement in the scandal, as well as whether he could be charged with breach of trust or embezzlement.
The special prosecution has not begun investigations into any other conglomerates. Dozens of South Korean corporate groups made contributions to the two foundations, but Samsung's donations were the largest.
The scandal has triggered weekly rallies calling for Park to step down. She has apologized and said this month that the pension fund's support for the Samsung companies' merger was in the national interest.
If Park were to leave office, a presidential election would be held within 60 days. Among the expected contenders is former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Jay Y. Lee's arrest or indictment would be a blow to Samsung, which has been streamlining its business to ensure a stable transfer of control from the ailing Lee Kun-hee to his children.
Jay Y. Lee, vice-chairman of Samsung, bows as he arrives at the prosecution office in Seoul, South Korea, to be questioned over bribery allegations.Ahn Youngjoon/ Reuters
(China Daily 01/13/2017 page12)
Karen S. Kingsbury introduces contemporary Chinese writer Eileen Chang to the Western world by publishing translations of Chang's essays and fiction. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Her work has inspired Oscar-winning director Ang Lee and she is considered one of the most important Chinese writers of the 20th century, but Eileen Chang has yet to make a major impact in the West.
Translator Karen S. Kingsbury says she is determined to change that and persuade Western readers to understand why Chang is worthy of their attention through a biography she is working on.
"I am not planning just to write an English version of the already existing biographies in Chinese. I will try to speak to an American audience to explain why Eileen Chang is so worth their attention," says Kingsbury.
When Kingsbury first read Chang's Love in a Fallen City in Chinese, her Chinese wasn't very good. "But it's like a magnet that pulls you into it, and you become a translator because of that text," recalls Kingsbury.
The American academic wrote her doctoral dissertation on Chang, completing it in 1995, the same year Chang died in Los Angeles of cardiovascular disease.
Since then, Kingsbury has published translations of Chang's Love in a Fallen City and Half a Lifelong Romance.
Kingsbury's translation of Love in a Fallen City was first published in Renditions, a literary journal run by Chinese University of Hong Kong, for a special issue in memory of Chang in 1996.
Together with translations of Chang's other short stories, it was later published by Penguin in 2007, and it has been selling steadily since then.
The Chinese zodiac assigns an animal to each year of a 12-year cycle, beginning with rat and continuing through ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and finally pig. 2017 is the Year of the Rooster.[Photo/Xinhua]
As Chinese communities worldwide are expecting the Spring Festival that falls on Jan 28 this year, a new book is helping to bring the annual cultural celebration to life for Argentine readers.
"Chinese Horoscope 2017: The Year of the Rooster" by Gustavo Ng, an Argentine writer of Chinese descent, delves into the Chinese zodiac, its symbols and predictions.
"Argentines are very interested in this, in everything that has to do with the Chinese culture, especially the zodiac," said Ng, who was asked by Argentina's leading publishing house Editorial Atlantida to write about the topic.
"They asked me this year to write a book about the Chinese zodiac in general, and about the Year of the Rooster in particular...and the result is this book," Ng said.
The Chinese zodiac assigns an animal to each year of a 12-year cycle, beginning with rat and continuing through ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and finally pig. 2017 is the Year of the Rooster.
"The book about the Chinese horoscope is one of the bestsellers," said Ng.
"It's very interesting that Argentina and China have had strong economic ties for several years now, but for average Argentines, the connection is through the Chinese zodiac and the Chinese New Year," added Ng.
On its website, Editorial Atlantida touts the book as "the first Chinese horoscope written in Spanish by someone of (Chinese) descent," and a "new bridge for cultural exchange."
The author has traveled to China and found the Chinese are well versed in their traditions.
"A year and a half ago I traveled throughout China for two months. I was very keen on asking the Chinese about the zodiac and I realized that they have very, very extensive knowledge of it," said Ng.
Ng, whose mother is Argentine and father is Chinese, feels his roots in and ties to China give his books an edge.
"I am adding a Chinese dimension that other authors, who are not of Chinese origin, simply would not be able to provide," he said.
Rex Tillerson, former chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil, is seated prior to testifying before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing on his nomination to be US secretary of state, on Capitol Hill in Washington, US January 11, 2017. [Photo\Agencies]
It remains a question whether United States president-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Rex Tillerson, former Exxon Mobil Corp chairman and chief executive, as secretary of state will get through Senate scrutiny.
If he is appointed, it remains to be seen to what extent his views against China will translate into US foreign policies. After all, what we heard at Wednesday's confirmation hearing before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee was essentially his personal policy inclinations.
Not only were his views divergent from, even contrary to, those of Trump on some critical issues. He openly conceded he is yet to have a serious, in-depth discussion with Trump on foreign policy imperatives.
These boil down to one simple pointhis remarks at the Wednesday hearing, sensational as they were, turned out to be of little reference value except for judging his personal orientations.
The backlash that has ensued is understandable. It is certainly no small matter for a man intended to be the US' diplomat in chief to display such undisguised animosity toward China.
Tillerson labeled China's reclamation projects in the South China Sea as "an illegal taking of disputed areas without regard for international norms", in obvious disregard for the essential truth that all those activities took place well within the country's persistent, historical territory.
Blaming the "extremely worrisome" state of affairs in the South China Sea on an "inadequate US response", the US secretary of state nominee even claimed China's access to those islands should "not to be allowed". Which sounded intimidating, though he stopped short of elaborating how to achieve it.
And like Trump, he blamed Beijing for "not being a reliable partner" in dealing with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Such remarks are not worth taking seriously because they are a mish-mash of naivety, shortsightedness, worn-out prejudices, and unrealistic political fantasies. Should he act on them in the real world, it would be disastrous.
As many have observed, it would set a course for devastating confrontation between China and the US. After all, how can the US deny China access to its own territories without inviting the latter's legitimate, defensive responses?
Tillerson wanted a reality-based China policy that is "based on what we see and not based on what we hope". But what he presented was based more on what prejudice and arms-spurred self-righteousness make him believe and hope rather than on real-world realities.
What happened on Wednesday shows that if and when confirmed, Rex Tillerson needs to first acquaint himself with the ABCs of China-US relations and diplomacy at large.
Models of residential buildings are seen at a sales center in Zhengzhou, Henan province, September 23, 2016.[Photo/VCG]
AN INCREASING NUMBER OF RURAL RESIDENTS in Central and West China have chosen to settle in nearby counties as a result of the preferential property purchasing policies. China Youth Daily commented on Thursday:
The trend of rural residents buying homes in small cities is supposed to be a win-win outcome. Against the backdrop of the nationwide urbanization, many less developed cities aspiring to jump on the bandwagon have built plenty of cheap housing to attract investors and homebuyers, but these have turned out to be few.
As they struggle to reduce the property glut, the local governments provide favorable policies for purchasing the newly built houses, which are particularly popular among local rural dwellers eyeing urban resources such as better schools and hospitals.
However, the infrastructure and public facilities in these small cities have not kept pace with the expansion of these cities.
This has created problems ranging from traffic jams and inefficient waste disposal to urban flooding.
The dilemma facing both urban and rural governance has a lot to do with the flawed approach to addressing the urban housing glut. Successful urbanization, in the eyes of many local governments, is only about building houses and selling them.
That has missed the target of promoting urbanization, which in essence aims at granting rural residents equal access to quality urban resources, not luring them to cities without offering them sufficient public services.
Only a limited number of rural residents enjoy the luxury of resettling in metropolises such as Beijing and Shanghai, and those left behind yet craving a taste of better life should be given fairer access to quality public services too.
E CHINA DAILY ditor's note: China and Norway decided on Dec 19, 2016, to normalize relations after six years of freeze. Norway's Foreign Minister Borge Brende talked with China Daily's Mo Jingxi about his expectations for bilateral ties:
How does Norway evaluate the significance of the recent development in the China-Norway relationship?
We are pleased that we could announce the full normalization of our political and diplomatic relations with China during my visit to Beijing in December. The normalization of relations is the result of long-term diplomatic efforts to restore the trust between our two countries. My visit before Christmas proved to underline the positive message of cooperation and mutual respect and trust that is described in the joint statement. We hope to move our relationship forward toward cooperation and dialogue on a broad range of topics.
China is now the world's second-largest economy, and the two countries have just agreed to seek a free trade deal. What does Norway expect from future bilateral cooperation in trade and economy?
We have great hopes for increased trade and investment as a result of a free trade agreement. China and Norway have complementary economies, and I believe both countries will benefit greatly from enhanced economic cooperation. Norway has solid expertise and experience in sectors such as environmental technology, maritime, offshore oil and gas exploration and fish farming.
Chinese enterprises are now investing in various foreign countries. How about the investment environment for Chinese investors in Norway? Are investors offered any preferential policies?
Norway has an open economy that welcomes foreign direct investment. This includes investments from China, as has also been the case over the past years. As an advanced, knowledge-based economy, Norway is an attractive destination for Chinese investment.
Norway has become a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. How can Norway make use of the AIIB and other China-initiated strategies such as the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road?
We are pleased with the development of the AIIB and the speed of the process. Deputy Minister Tone Skogen attended the bank's inaugural meeting of the Board of Governors in Beijing in January 2016. I was also very pleased to welcome the president of the AIIB, Jin Liqun, to Norway in September last year. Norway is already an active member of the AIIB, and we hope that the bank will prove to be an important vehicle for Norwegian investments in Asia.
Norway's sovereign wealth fund is currently the world's largest of its kind, and has already made substantial investments in China. From the Norwegian side, we are looking forward to continuing the cooperation with the AIIB and increasing our engagement in the other China-initiated strategies.
The two countries started cooperation in the Arctic in 2004.What is the latest progress of cooperation, for example, in joint gas and oil exploration at sea?
Norway has the ambition to be a knowledge hub for polar issues and research. We have a large portion of our population living above the Arctic Circle in a region that generates wealth for the entire country. We have had a longstanding and mutually beneficial cooperation with China on Arctic issues. China has established a research facility on the island of Svalbard. Research in the Arctic is pivotal to understanding climate change and how it affects our environment, and the changes are happening faster in the Arctic than anywhere else. Norway also welcomed China's participation as an observer in the Arctic Council in 2013.We look forward to exploring further avenues of cooperation with China in the Arctic.
Norway is a good tourist destination with natural beauty and clean air. Is your country considering some policies, such as a free visa policy that some countries have implemented, to attract more Chinese tourists?
We are very pleased with the rapid increase in Chinese tourists to Norway, and we look forward to welcoming more tourists from China in the years ahead. Norway has taken steps to facilitate swift processing of visas for Chinese nationals, and we are continuously looking at ways to further enhance our services in this regard.
How about the two countries' potential for cooperation in other areas, such as environmental protection, science and technology?
China and Norway already have extensive cooperation in environ-mental protection, science and technology, but this cooperation has the potential to be expanded and deepened. Some of the most promising areas for enhanced cooperation are green finance and clean energy. Norwegian educational and research institutions have also shown great interest in broadening the cooperation with their Chinese counterparts. The government's "Panorama"-strategy on research and higher education lists China as one of the six priority countries. There is great potential for expanding the contacts in many fields, ranging from climate research, the environment and environmental technology, energy, aquaculture, agriculture, polar research, and the humanities and social sciences.
How can Norway facilitate cooperation between China and other Nordic countries?
The Nordic countries were among the first to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, and since then we have enjoyed longstanding and friendly relations. While each Nordic country values its own bilateral relationship with China, there are some areas where there may be room for further coordination.
US President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrive to board Air Force One for travel to Chicago to deliver a farewell address, from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, US, January 10, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]
US President Barack Obama did not forget to poke China even in his farewell speech in Chicago Tuesday evening, saying that "Russia and China can not match our influence around the world unless we give up what we stand for."
On the same day at the United States Institute of Peace, National Security Advisor Susan Rice, with successor Michael Flynn by her side, declared that "failure to move forward on the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement) is eroding American regional leadership and credibility, with China standing to gain strategically and economically."
Such unprovoked jabs once again reflect the zero-sum mentality of Obama and some of his aides on international relations. Under Obama, the geopolitical rivalry between the United States and both China and Russia has deteriorated. People never hear Chinese leaders using such toxic language about the US in their speeches to the Chinese public even though they have plenty of ammunition.
However unpredictable president-elect Donald Trump might be, I feel a bit relieved knowing that Obama only has less than 10 days in office, so I don't have to hear him yelling again "the US, not China, should make the rules".
A Pew Center survey a year ago showed that only 38 percent of Americans have a favorable view of China, compared with a global media of 55 per-cent across 39 countries. That in part has to do with the toxic rhetoric about China frequently spewed out by Obama and other US politicians.
For these politicians, demonizing China is a good distraction from the US' own problems.
While Obama touted the US was the world's wealthiest and richest nation on Tuesday, what appeared in my mind is the homeless on the street in freezing winter days in Washington and New York City. The Washington Post reported that the number of homeless families in the US capital has soared by more than 30 per-cent compared from a year ago.
Most Americans don't have a sense of the real picture of international affairs, especially China-US relations, after hearing repeatedly the toxic rhetoric from their politicians.
For example, the US-China Business Council, which represents more than 200 US companies in China, released a report on Tuesday on US-China trade relationship. The report finds that the rhetoric about the negative impact of China on US economy is both misleading and exaggerated.
Instead of killing US jobs, it finds trade with China is responsible for the creation of 2.6 million American jobs. Trade with China has helped boost US economic growth and helped a typical US household save up to $850 in 2015. Meanwhile, the trade deficit, which Trump likes to fear monger, is grossly over-exaggerated.
It is a report that speaks very positively of the US-China economic relations. However, when I asked USCBC President John Frisbie why US leaders such as President Obama have never talked about these huge positive aspects to the US public, he politely chose not to answer the question.
It is despicable that Obama and other US politicians, who are well aware of the hugely mutual beneficial trade relations, have chosen to keep silent all these years while letting fake news and misinformation about bilateral trade relations spread and indeed spreading themselves.
It is no secret that US politicians like to use fake news and misinformation to their own advantage. People have seen plenty of the tricks in the last presidential election cycle. Now after the election, Democrats and Republicans are fiercely accusing each other of disseminating fake news.
It is time to stop the spreading of fake news and misinformation about China-US relations.
The author is deputy editor of China Daily USA. chenweihua@chinadailyusa.com
President Xi Jinping meets with members of the Berggruen Institute's 21st Century Council in Beijing, Oct 28, 2014. [Photo provided by Nathan Gardels]
China has become the de facto world leader seeking to maintain an open global economy and battle climate change.
President Xis appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos next week comes at both an auspicious and inauspicious moment.
It is an auspicious moment because President-elect Donald Trump has all but announced Americas withdrawal from the world it has largely made over recent decades and from which Asia has most benefited. His America First policy promises protectionist tariffs and walls as well as a retreat from trade and climate pacts, and perhaps, even long-standing military alliances.
With Europe mired in inward-looking disarray, that leaves China as the one major power with a global outlook. Ready or not, China has become the de facto world leader seeking to maintain an open global economy and battle climate change. In effect, President Xi has become the general secretary of globalization.
The inauspicious aspect is the reverse: China's core leader is speaking to the converted from the pulpit in the foremost church of the global elite that gathers annually in Davos. Aligning with global business elites in such a high profile manner places China even more squarely in the negative sights of the populist wave sweeping the Western democracies. It affirms in their minds that China is the main enemy of the working and middle class in the West. As top Trump advisor Steve Bannon has explained the worldview that defines the new US administration, " I'm an economic nationalist. The globalists gutted the American working class and created a middle class in Asia. The issue now is about Americans looking to not get fed over."
What China can do
China is correct to insist on an open and reciprocally-fair global economy and to take the lead on climate change. But it would be wise to pay attention to the concerns of the populist constituencies. The unobvious benefits of interdependence need to be made manifest. Jack Ma had the right approach when he met with Trump to propose ways in which American small businesses which create most US jobs can sell directly to Chinese through Alibabas on-line platforms.
China should also work with the Trump administration to find ways to recirculate its huge reserves earned from a trade surplus with the US into badly needed infrastructure investment in the US, which Trump has pledged to revamp.
Members of the incoming Trump administration have made it clear they dont buy into the scientific consensus, affirmed by world leaders last year in Paris, over climate change. Here China should work with the American states, such as California, that are committed to stopping global warming. California has one of the largest carbon-trading permit markets in the world. China this year is expanding its pilot projects (set up with the help of California officials) on cap and trade to the whole country. There should be a concerted effort to deepen these markets with California and other subnational entities around the world.
Its that time of year again, when the World Economic Forum (WEF) holds its annual meeting for movers and shakers in Davos, the famous Swiss ski resort. This year the event is to be held from Jan 17-20 and is sure to be keenly followed by all who are concerned about how the future of China intersects with the problems that beset todays world. There are two specific reasons why this years Davos is going to be especially interesting.
The first of these is that Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has never been to Davos before, is attending the WEFs 47th edition. The second is that the conference focuses on the theme of Responsive and Responsible Leadership.
The concept of responsible leadership is one which China has been actively seeking to address for the past few years. Beijing is currently trying to demonstrate its willingness to take on a leading role in world affairs through the Belt and Road Initiative, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and a raft of other projects.
It is therefore a shame that some other leaders of global powers, such as Germanys Angela Merkel and Americas Donald Trump, will not be present to discuss the direction the world should take through 2017 and beyond. Trump has a good excuse: he is being inaugurated as US president. However, Merkels decision not to attend is something of a mystery.
Nevertheless, getting down to the nuts and bolts of this meeting of global elites, the WEF wants to set an agenda for global leaders by suggesting discussion of five areas where humanity needs to face up to change.
The first of these is the necessity of preparing for what the WEF likes to call the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Technological changes mean that workers are faced with new challenges due to robots and artificial intelligence. Other innovations such as biotechnology, quantum computing and driverless cars are going to bring important and lasting changes too.
There can therefore be little doubt that the global economy needs to reset. China is already putting itself in prime position to be at the forefront of the coming tectonic shift in the relationship between technology and the economy via its world-leading investment in renewable energy.
Several recent reports show that China is now the worlds biggest investor in renewables, having pumped more than $100 billion into the domestic scene in 2015, which is more than twice as much as the US. Overseas investments also soared by more than 60 percent in 2016.
Thus, Xi is in a strong position to demonstrate to the Davos elites that China is the global leader on addressing climate change, global warming and environmental degradation. This is particularly the case since the US under Trump is seemingly likely to slash budgets for investment in green technologies.
One of 40 fake Terracotta Warriors is smashed in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, on Wednesday night.[Photo provided to China Daily]
Several platoons of fake Terracotta Warriors were smashed to bits in Xi'an early on Thursday after the city launched a crackdown on misleading museums and tricky tour guides.
Officials from the Shaanxi provincial capital's public security, tourism and commerce bureaus destroyed 40 copycat statues at the Suyuan Qin Terracotta Army, a privately owned attraction, after complaints of scams targeting tourists.
Xi'an is home to the world-famous Qin Shihuang Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum, which has thousands of life-size statues of soldiers, horses and carriages dating back to the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC).
Authorities were alerted after a visitor from Wuhan, Hubei province, posted on WeChat this month about being cheated in late 2016 by a fake police officer, fake taxi driver and fake tour guide, who took him to an attraction posing as a Terracotta Warriors museum.
After seeing the complaint, the city's Party secretary, Wang Yongkang, ordered officials in Lintong district, which houses the real museum, to investigate and clean up the tourism market.
"The Terracotta Warriors and Horses are one of the world's wonders and attract millions of domestic and foreign tourists every year, "he said.
The statues were unearthed in 1974 about a kilometer from the Mausoleum of Qin Shihuang, resting place of the first emperor of a unified China. They quickly became one of the nation's hottest tourism destinations.
Alleged Filipino "comfort woman" Narcisa Claveria, 87, gestures as she addresses supporters during a rally outside the Japanese Embassy to protest the two-day visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Jan 12, 2017, in suburban Pasay city south of Manila. [Photo/IC]
MANILA - Aging Filipino "comfort women" staged a protest on Thursday in front of the Japanese Embassy in Manila ahead of the visit by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the country.
The protesters urged Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte anew to raise their plight in his meeting with Abe who starts on Thursday afternoon his overnight official visit in Manila and Davao City, Duterte's home city.
Duterte, who made a visit to Japan last October, will welcome Abe at the Malacanang presidential palace. A state banquet awaits Abe at the palace after the welcome ceremony at the palace ground, Duterte's office said.
"We call on Duterte not to forget to bring up with Abe the still unaddressed demands by our fast aging and diminishing lolas (grandmothers) for formal apology from the (Japanese) government to all Asian comfort women and restitution for the hurt they inflicted on thousands of women," said Rechilda Extremadura, executive director of Lila Pilipina, an organization of World War II comfort women.
"Our lolas also want Duterte to resist renewing the possibilities of letting new Japanese troops conduct exercises, train local security forces, and make bases in our country to avoid another brutal campaign of war and pillage."
She lamented that the previous Philippine administrations have ignored the plight of the Filipino women who were forced to work in Japanese military brothels as sexual slaves during World War II in talks with the Japanese government.
Gabriela, a women's organization, also warned Duterte not to ditch the "comfort women" issue for economic aids.
"Duterte should not take the so-called aid and loans as cosmetic beams to paper over the cries of comfort women for genuine justice and recognition," said Joms Salvador, secretary general of Gabriela.
Like Bayan and Lila Pilipina, Gabriela also raised the alarm over Japan's plan "to return to its aggressive wartime stance."
Lila Pilipina (League of Filipino Women) has documented 174 "comfort women" who have gone public since early 1990s. Only 70 of them remain alive, including Bustamante.
Another group, the Malaya Lolas (Free Grandmothers), has documented 90 but the number dwindled to 33 following the death of the rest over the years.
Both groups are demanding official apology, just compensation, and inclusion of the comfort women issue in Japan's historical accounts and textbooks.
The Philippine government has intentionally avoided discussions of the issue in bilateral talks with Japan.
US President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Vice President Joe Biden in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, US, January 12, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]
WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama surprised Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday by awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction in an emotional White House ceremony that celebrated their partnership over eight years in office.
"This is an extraordinary man," Obama said of his friend and running mate at a surprise ceremony with staff, family and friends of the vice president.
"For the past eight years, he could not have been a more devoted or effective partner in the progress that we've made."
Biden, who was unaware that the ceremony would take place, became visibly moved when Obama said he would bestow on him the highest civil honor in the United States.
It will be the last such award that Obama gives before he and Biden leave office on Jan. 20.
"I had no inkling," Biden, 74, said after receiving the medal. "I get a lot of credit I don't deserve," he said, proceeding to give a roughly 20-minute impromptu speech thanking Obama and honoring the extended Biden family.
Biden and Obama became close friends during their time in the White House. Biden was a US senator from Delaware when Obama chose him to be his running mate in his 2008 presidential campaign.
The vice president told an anecdote about Obama offering to help the Bidens financially during Biden's son Beau's illness. Beau Biden died of brain cancer at age 46 in 2015.
First lady Michelle Obama and the Obamas' daughters, Malia and Sasha, also attended the ceremony.
Ban Ki Moon (C), former Secretary-General of the United Nations, gives a speech after arriving at the Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea, Jan 12, 2017. Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday tried hard to show his people-friendly identity as he returned to his home country, South Korea, following the end of his 10-year tenure in the top UN post.[Photo/Xinhua]
SEOUL - Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday tried hard to show his people-friendly identity as he returned to his home country, South Korea, following the end of his 10-year tenure in the top UN post.
Ban arrived at an airport in South Korea's west port city of Incheon in the afternoon, holding a press conference with hundreds of local journalists crowding the airport lobby together with Ban's supporters.
The former South Korean foreign minister has never declared his official run for presidency in his homeland, but he has long been viewed as the most powerful contender of the conservative camp in the next election.
An early presidential election is widely forecast to be held here as President Park Geun-hye was impeached in the National Assembly on Dec 9 with an overwhelming majority.
A team of people has prepared in Seoul for Ban's possible presidential campaign ahead of his comeback to South Korea.
Ban said in the televised press conference that he will have opportunities to listen to various public opinions from the next day, noting that he will make a "disinterested" decision.
He did not elaborate on what decision he will make, but his comments indicated his official run for presidency in the near future as he noted that it would not take long before he decides.
Ban got on the airport railroad following the press conference to get to the Seoul station. From there, he will be driven by a passenger car to his residence in southern Seoul.
Using the public transport seemed aimed at creating the people-friendly image. Before getting on the subway, he dropped by a convenient store, TV footage showed.
Ban plans to visit the national cemetery on Friday, before going to his native area in North Chungcheong province to meet with his mother and other family members over the weekend.
From next week, Ban will embark on a national tour to take the people-friendly move by communicating with the locals across the country.
During the press conference, Ban made lots of political comments, but he is not expected to decide on whether to throw his hat in the presidential ring until the Lunar New Year's holiday comes in late January.
Ban said he was ready to "burn my own body," strongly indicating his entrance to the political circle despite risks and oppositions. Many of lawmakers in the opposition camp have asked Ban to remain as a respected diplomat rather than entering into politics.
The former UN chief said that South Korea should achieve a grand unity, vowing to devote himself to uniting the divided country into one.
Ban said his country should end various internal divisions, including wealth inequality and conflicts in ideologies, regions and generations, stressing that the grand unity must be achieved.
The former South Korean career diplomat reiterated his pledge to devote himself to his homeland, saying public wish shown in the square must be cherished.
Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans took to the streets every Saturday night since the scandal involving the impeached president emerged in late October. Protesters still demand the first South Korean female leader step down voluntarily.
Touching on security situations, the former UN head said he recognized the importance of security during his 10-year UN secretary-general tenure.
He said it was urgent for South Korea to draw up countermeasures to resolve the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear issue and solidify relations with the countries, including the United States, China, Russia and Japan.
File photo shows British Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at the EU Council headquarters for a European Union leaders summit in Brussels, Belgium October 20, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]
LONDON - British Prime Minister Theresa May is to give details on Tuesday about her plans for Britain's exit from the European Union.
A Downing Street spokeswoman confirmed to Xinhua on Thursday night that May will deliver a speech to set out more on the government's Brexit plans.
No details have been released by Number 10 on how much of the strategy will be outlined by May.
The prime minister has resisted calls from opposition MPs as well as some of her own pro-remain Conservative MPs to spell out her demands to parliament.
Apart from saying "Brexit means Brexit" and that Britain will negotiate the best possible deal with Brussels, little has been said about what Britain will seek in its post-Brexit relationship with its EU neighboring countries.
Last week she indicated that details of her strategy would be given "within weeks", so the confirmation that she has set Tuesday as her chosen day came as a surprise.
May has already said she aims to trigger Article 50 process by the end of March to start a two-year negotiating period with the EU.
May's official spokeswoman said: "She will be making a speech on Tuesday, setting out more on our approach to Brexit, as part of preparing for the negotiations and in line with our approach for global Britain and continuing to be an outward-looking nation."
U.S. Attorney General Will Come To Chicago To Release Police Investigation Findings
By Rachel Cromidas in News on Jan 12, 2017 9:02PM
Attorney General Loretta Lynch / Getty Images / Photo: Chip Somodevilla
The U.S. Justice Department is on the eve of releasing the findings of a year-long investigation into the Chicago Police Department, which will likely describe constitutional rights violations made by Chicago police.
The Sun-Times is reporting that U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch will be in Chicago Friday morning to announce the findings herself alongside her colleague Vanita Gupta, who heads the Justice Department's civil rights division, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon.
Fardon is the federal prosecutor for northern Illinois. Emanuel's participation in the press conference likely signals that the city will sign a court-enforceable "agreement in principle" to address the findings of the report, as opposed to disputing them.
The DOJ report comes amid speculation that a Trump administration will not be interested in scrutinizing city police departments like Chicago's that face accusations of misconduct. For example, PEOTUS Donald Trump's Attorney General appointee Jeff Sessions told a Congressional committee at his Wednesday confirmation hearing that he believes low police morale is to blame for Chicago's gun violence problem. The Justice Department's effort to release its report on Chicago and find some closure with city officials before President Barack Obama leaves office makes sense, given the lack of clarity around Trump's plans to "fix" Chicago's crime problem by talking to a guy he knows and using the federal government to boost police moralewith no mention of reforming troubled police departments.
Meanwhile, Chicago Police Union President Dean Angelo Sr. told the Sun-Times that Emanuel shouldn't sign an agreement with the DOJ before the findings are released.
No one should agree to anything, Angelo said of talks between the city and the feds. At this stage, its a report on their findings and their study. Its not a mandate. Its nothing that anyone should be jumping to agree to unless they already have it. And if they already have it, how do they have it when no one else has it? Where is the transparency and professionalism related to that? I dont get it at all.
Angelo did not immediately respond to Chicagoist's requests for comment this afternoon.
PARIS - French President Francois Hollande hailed the stable relationship between China and France in his speech to the diplomatic corps in Paris Thousday.
The momentum came after the bilateral ties had ridden out the upheavals a few years ago, and "the efforts of all have allowed us to strengthen our ties with this great country," Hollande said.
China-France ties have been consolidated especially since 2014, when the two countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations, added Holland.
"We have been able to accompany China on the international scene, and it has played a major role in the fight against climate change," he said.
Hollande also stressed that France intends to strengthen ties with all the countries in the Asia-Pacific.
Representatives from Chinese for Peaceful Unification-Northern California, Chinese for Peaceful Unification-West America, and Committee to Promote the Reunification of China-San Francisco gather in San Francisco to protest Tsai Ying-wen's stopover in San Francisco. LIA ZHU / CHINA DAILY
Members of three groups in San Francisco Bay Area gathered on Thursday to protest Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen's planned stopover in San Francisco on Friday as she returns from a Central American trip.
In a joint statement, Chinese for Peaceful Unification-Northern California, Chinese for Peaceful Unification-West America, and Committee to Promote the Reunification of China-San Francisco said Tsai's real intention was to "transit" through the US to challenge the one-China principle.
"As overseas Chinese, we firmly believe the peaceful reunification of China is an inevitable and irresistible trend. We advise Tsai Ying-wen to recognize the international situation and give up the unrealistic 'Taiwan independence' attempts as early as possible," says the statement.
"We will keep a close eye on her secessionist activities and attempts, and firmly oppose the 'two Chinas' and 'Taiwan independence'", the statement says.
En route to Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador, Tsai arrived in Houston on Jan 7 and left the following day. On her return, she will arrive in San Francisco on Friday.
In Houston, Tsai met with Texas Republican politicians, including US Senator Ted Cruz. In San Francisco, she was expected to meet with some political dignitaries as well on Saturday, according to Fred Tzou, president of Chinese for Peaceful Unification-Northern California.
Although Tsai's itinerary was not released, the groups have managed to get the information, and a protest is organized at her hotel on Saturday, said Tzou.
"At least 200 people have been mobilized to attend the protest," he added.
Tzou said that since Tsai took office in May, she rejected the 1992 Consensus, and the good relationship that had been maintained between both sides across the Taiwan Straits has been affected.
"Domestically, she promotes 'cultural Taiwan independence', internationally, she is willing to be used by the US and Japan like a chess piece," he said.
At the press conference, Guobao Wu, honorary president of the Committee to Promote the Reunification of China-San Francisco, said the older generation of overseas Chinese has benefited from the growth of China, and the growth was a result of the peaceful development in cross-Straits relations.
"Taiwan independence" will not only hurt the interests of Taiwan people but also jeopardize the interests of all the Chinese people, he said.
"As the world's largest two economies, the US and China should have a friendly and healthy relationship based on mutual respect and equality," says the joint statement. "We hope the new administration in the US will adhere to the one-China policy and support the peaceful development of cross-Straits relationship."
Chinese asset management firm GF Fund Management launched a new exchange traded fund (ETF) on the London Stock Exchange on Thursday, on a wave of new of shore products that help foreign investors access China's growth.
The ETF launch comes as sluggish growth in international markets has prompted investors to eye China for opportunities, although regulatory restrictions makes that difficult for retail investors.
GF Fund Management's United Kingdom subsidiary, GF International, has used its Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor license to invest in Chinese stocks that underlie the ETF.
Known as the GF International-FTSE China A UCITS ETF, the product tracks a portfolio of stocks, including 779 firms listed on stock markets in Shanghai and Shenzhen.
The FTSE Global China A Index is developed by FTSE Russell, the London Stock Exchange Group's index provider and differs from most emerging market indexes by including Chinese stock market shares.
In this context, the GF International ETF is likely to be in demand after A-shares are included in FTSE Russell's mainstream indexes.
"China is the world's second-largest capital market and offers international investors rich opportunities," said Miller Guo, CEO of GF International.
GF International is the eighth Chinese firm to issue an ETF on the London Stock Exchange, although GF International is the first to be responsible completely for the ETF's investment management and distribution. Other Chinese ETFs are distributed via third-party or joint-venture products.
Mark Makepeace, CEO of FTSE Russell, expects to see investors and issuers progressively use FTSE Russell transition indexes, such as the FTSE Global China A Index.
PietroPoletto, head of ETF at the London Stock Exchange Group, said the exchange has recently experienced significant growth in ETF trading.
"We continue to see investor appetite for access to Chinese equity markets, and the listing of a new ETF reinforces London's position as a center for international finance."
The growth of overseas ETFs tracking Chinese shares comes as China opens up its stock markets for foreign investors by increasing quotas for foreign institutional investors to buy A-shares.
More significantly, stock connects between China's A-share markets in Shanghai and Shenzhen with Hong Kong are also rapidly allowing foreign investors to buy Chinese shares through Hong Kong. Hong Kong's offshore status means there are no restrictions on foreign investment.
Events and stories coming up in the next few days
HK Fashion Week attracts 1,500 worldwide exhibitors
The Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter will be held from Monday to Thursday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. More than 1,500 exhibitors from 19 countries will showcase their latest designs. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council organized the show.
Expert painting a picture of the arts scene in China
The Scotland China Association is hosting a talk by artist and club member Roy Petrie on Jan 24 titled Art in China. The club, which holds meetings in both Glasgow and Edinburgh, was founded in 1966 and is aimed at people with a strong interest in China, both past and present. The lecture is set for the Garnethill Multicultural Centre on Rose Street, Glasgow.
Investors and UK property developers sharing insights
The China Investors Club will hold a roundtable discussion on Jan 24 titled Chinese Investment into UK Property. Participants will discuss whether Chinese investors have changed their buying patterns recently and, if they have, what UK property developers can do to adapt to this new environment. The event is set for the London Capital Club on Abchurch Lane in London.
Leeds ready to herald the start of Year of the Rooster
The Chinese Students and Scholars Association at the University of Leeds will celebrate the Lunar New Year at the organization's Chinese Spring Gala in Leeds City Hall on Jan 27. Attendees will welcome the Year of the Rooster. The rooster is viewed in Chinese culture as a trustworthy, peaceful and brave-hearted entity.
It is totally understandable for China or other countries in the region to safeguard their security interests, the Foreign Ministry said, after China and Russia agreed on further countermeasures against the planned deployment of a US missile defense system in the Republic of Korea.
Beijing and Moscow announced on Thursday that they share serious concerns and are firmly opposed to Washington and Seouls plan to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system in the ROK.
They urged both the United States and the ROK to respect their security concerns and stop the deployment process, according to a statement released in Moscow after the sixth China-Russia consultation on the security situation in Northeast Asia.
On Friday, Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada inspected the THAAD system when visiting a US air base in Guam.
"We have no concrete plans to introduce THAAD, but we want to explore what is possible," Inada was quoted by Kyodo News Agency as saying.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang reiterated on Friday that the deployment of THAAD will not only seriously affect Chinas security interests, but also threaten the strategic balance in the region.
"Of course, we dont expect intensified tensions to appear in the region. However, if regional countries, no matter whether China or other countries, have reasonable and just security concerns, then it is understandable that they take necessary measures to safeguard their own security interests," he said.
China and Russia expressed strong opposition after the US and ROK announced in July that the advanced anti-missile system, whose radar could cover parts of the two countries, will be deployed in the ROK by the end of this year, in response to threats from the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.
Yao Yunzhu, a senior researcher at the PLA Academy of Military Science, said the deployment of THAAD will make it easier for Chinas missiles to be monitored and tracked, thus breaking the current strategic balance between China and the US.
"Once it is completed, China may take actions to increase its strategic deterrence as well as defense capability, to resume the balance," she said.
According to Yao, since China and Russia have conducted joint military exercises and anti-missile technical exchanges before, it is possible that there will be more such activities if THAAD is deployed.
China has a great opportunity to take the lead on advocating for globalization and greater openness during a time of uncertainty in the West, says Richard Graham, a British MP and chairman of the All Party Parliamentary China Group.
"The danger of 2017 is the world closes in on itself. The question is what can be done to maintain globalization and retract protectionism," says Graham. So China's role is particularly important because of the size of its economy and her ambitions overseas."
Graham was speaking to China Daily ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, which will be attended by China's President Xi Jinping.
The top-level Chinese presence at Davos comes at a time when China is advocating in favor of globalization. Xi led a forum of Asia Pacific leaders in Peru in November that vowed to fight protectionism, just days after Donald Trump won the US election after pledging to pull out of the 12-nation Trans Pacific Partnership.
Graham says China has a chance to spearhead growth through large umbrella projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative in order to enhance trade and investment between Asia and Europe through infrastructure spending.
"That benefits wide parts of the world, and influences economic expansion," says Graham, adding that the UK can become an important partner for China on the Belt and Road Initiative and on other projects in third countries.
The UK can contribute valuable cultural understanding in parts of Africa and the Commonwealth, he said. The UK's expertise in project management, planning and design could also be useful in infrastructure projects in Belt and Road countries.
Graham said the two sides discussed collaboration on infrastructure projects in Afghanistan when Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi met Prime Minister Theresa May in London in December.
The British government has announced it will invest up to $50 million in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank for a fund to help the Belt and Road countries to prepare infrastructure programs.
This month saw another milestone with the launch of a new Chinese rail freight service along the Belt and Road route.
Graham says China has in recent years shown increased international leadership due to its growing ambitions and confidence. Xi's attendance at Davos is "another symbolic step forward in China's presence on the global stage".
"China's presence on the global stage has been accelerating considerably, partly as a result of the growth in confidence, continued economic success and very stable political situation, against a situation in the West where we've had a major financial crisis, from which many countries are still recovering," he says.
The 2008 financial crisis and its aftermath have led to some in the West to question the benefits of globalization, leading to support for protectionism. But in China outward expansion and domestic market liberalization momentum are continuing, Graham says.
"I think there are opportunities for nations like the UK who believe in free trade and openness to engage more and more with China," he says, referring to proposals for a UK China Free Trade Agreement raised by British Chancellor Philip Hammond in July.
Graham says the UK still sees bilateral collaboration between China and the US as very important, especially to help multinational organizations such as the UN Security Council become more effective. "We really want to try to work constructively with both of our partners."
Another Food Hall Is Landing Downtown This Summer
By Stephen Gossett in Food on Jan 12, 2017 9:42PM
Rendering by Jeremy Rumas
Joining the ever-swelling ranks of Revival Food Hall and Latinicity, a brand new food hall is expected to land downtown later this summer.
Dubbed Wells St. Market, the lunch court will span 10,500 square feet at 205 W Wacker Dr., just south of the Chicago River, near Wacker and N. Wells St.
We still dont know exactly what restaurants will call Wells St. Market home, but we do know there will be eight spaces, so running the table won't be as intimidating as it is elsewhere. The spots will be occupied by at least some locally based dining options, along with others from outside Chicago. We have a major New York-based food name that is a tenant, and we also have a true Chicago upstart that has never had a permanent location," Michael Marsal, founder of the Alvarez & Marsal Property Investments, which is partnering on the venture, told the Tribune.
The space itself will undergo quite the facelift, too. Karen Herold of Studio K (Girl & the Goat, Maple & Ash, GT Fish & Oyster) will redo the interior, and open-able wall-sized windows will be installed along the exterior, according to the Trib.
Woman Crashes Stolen Car Into 5 Parked Vehicles & A Home On Same Block
By Stephen Gossett in News on Jan 12, 2017 10:23PM
In what sounds like a Florida Man story but is all Chicago, a woman is in custody after crashing a stolen car into five parked cars and a house on the same block in Portage Park on Thursday morning, Chicago police said.
The suspect stole a car that was warming up unattended in the 4800 block of W Warwick Ave., Officer Thomas Sweeney, a Chicago police spokesman, told Chicagoist. When officers arrived on the scene at around 8:30 a.m. they discovered the woman had allegedly struck five different parked cars and the house, Sweeney said.
No injuries were reported.
Charges are pending as of late Thursday afternoon.
What To Expect From DOJ Report On Chicago Police Abuses Of Power
By Rachel Cromidas in News on Jan 13, 2017 3:31PM
City Hall, via senor codo/Flickr
The U.S. Department of Justice is on the verge of releasing a big and potentially damning report on Chicago Police misconduct, developed from a year of investigation into the police department's practices.
Sources have told Chicago news outlets to expect the findings, slated to be announced in a 10 a.m. Friday morning press conference, to show the Chicago Police Department has committed a pattern of constitutional civil rights abuses. Those abuses, reporting, will center around the department's use of force and racial disparities in how suspects are treated. According to our reporter, the press conference is crowded and tense:
Justice Department investigators reportedly study CPD by scrutinizing police records, interviewing officers, conducting ride-alongs with beat cops and meeting with people of color to discuss their treatment by police, among other tactics. Based on how the investigation was conducted, sources within the police department told the paper that they expect the report to make vague criticisms against how police conduct street stops, but offer no specific examples to go on.
Theyre going to say we violated peoples Constitutional rights but they wont have any specifics, one department employee told the paper. Theyre going to say we stopped people without justification, but they wont have any examples of that. So its almost impossible to respond to it. Were not going to be able to defend ourselves, and then were going to be left with having to deal with this.
The employee also pointed out that some of the most likely advice from the DOJthat CPD could use better de-escalation training and an improved system for investigating shootings of civilians by policeare already in the works:
Theyve given us some feedback on use of force policy and body camera policies, but in a very aloof way We dont want to tell you what to do, but you might want to do this. We adjusted some things, mostly because it was best practices. Theyre not likely to tell us anything we dont already know. And theyre not likely to say, Were revealing something new for the whole world to see. Its going to be short on facts and long on implications.
In a separate report, the Sun-Times says that the DOJ will specifically discuss misconduct with the Independent Police Review Authoritythe supposedly independent body tasked with investigating police misconduct and police shootings, which has been rife with controversy and accusations of rigged decision-making. The DOJ reportedly reviewed over 100 IPRA files which showed investigators that the organization rarely questioned police officers' narratives of events when it came to questions of misconduct. (The Laquan McDonald shooting scandal serves as one high-profile example of how police narratives can be misleading or glaringly wrong.)
The DOJ has investigated 20 city police departments under the Obama administration according to the AP, with the goal of negotiating "consent decrees," or court-enforcable settlements that will mandate how cities should reform their police departments based on the findings. The most recent and high-profile case is Baltimore; the DOJ announced its latest findings on the city's police last week, along with a binding settlement. But in Chicago it seems unlikely the DOJ and the city will reach a binding agreement before the Trump administration takes office, and PEOTUS Donald Trump's Attorney General appointee, Jeff Sessions, has criticized some of the DOJ's efforts as undermining police morale. So it's very as-yet-to-be-seen how a Trump DOJ will deal with Chicago.
In the meantime, the current DOJ aimed to wrap up its investigation before Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration. Attorney General Loretta Lynch will be presenting the findings alongside Mayor Rahm Emanuel and top regional federal prosecutor Zachary Fardon. Though some outlets were reporting earlier this week that Emanuel would sign an "agreement in principle" with the DOJ (the step before reaching a consent decree), Emanuel seemed to indicate otherwise in a Thursday afternoon press conference.
The Tribune is calling it a "landmark" day for CPD, but people they interviewed about the news seem largely skeptical that it will have an impact or present new information:
"They messed over a lot of people," said Ben Baker, who spent 10 years in prison after he was framed on a drug case by a corrupt police sergeant. "A lot of people lost faith in the justice system and the Police Department. (But) you have to believe that all of them are not bad. There has to be some good ones out there. If something was to happen to me or my kids, I would still call the police."
(Photo : Getty Images) Bitcoin faced further erosion of 10 percent in its value as Chinas central bank announced that it may investigate unauthorized financing and market manipulation.
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China continues its offensive against Bitcoin, sending the value of the cryptocurrency to the bottom. Bitcoin faced further erosion of 10 percent in its value as China's central bank announced that it may investigate unauthorized financing and market manipulation.
Bitcoin saw a massive surge in its value as it gained over 125 percent in 2016. In contrast, the value of yuan declined by nearly 7 percent during the same time period. It is widely believed that Bitcoin may be used for transferring money outside of China, bypassing the regulations imposed on such transactions in the country.
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The People's Bank of China announced on Wednesday that it will carry out site inspections on Jan. 17. The investigation will focus on checking the proper licensing of the enterprises carrying out trading and determining if appropriate anti-money laundering systems have been implemented.
The investigation is expected to cover various Bitcoin exchanges including OKCoin, Huobi, and BTCC. It is reported that the PBOC officials in Beijing visited Huobi and OKCoin offices on Wednesday. The bank released a statement saying that "spot checks were focused on how the exchanges implement policies including forex management and anti-money laundering."
Similarly, the PBOC officials in Shanghai visited BTCC to check for fund security risk, unauthorized financing, and market manipulation.
The Bitcoin market plummeted following the announcement. The value of the currency tumbled to nearly $785 before recovering. Currently, Bitcoin is valued closed to $805 mark. The Bitcoin trading is dominated by Chinese investors, causing alarm among the regulators.
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TagsThe People's Bank of China, Huobi, bitcoin
(Photo : Getty Images) The US may file a complaint against China in the World Trade Organization for its subsidized aluminum products.
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The Obama administration may file a complaint against Chinese subsidies on its aluminum products, which is likely to be submitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Thursday. This step is expected to further erode the crumbling trade relationships between the two countries.
The complaint will be filed by the US Trade Representative's office and is expected to list "artificially cheap loans" from Chinese banks as a cause of concern. The complaint is also likely to cite supply of artificially low price inputs such as coal, alumina, and electricity to Chinese aluminum manufacturers.
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The US has expressed its concerns that such imports from China are creating excess capacity. The country has also blamed China for hurting American industry and workers with its subsidies to Chinese aluminum industry.
In October last year, two US senators from Ohio, along with six other senators, had asked the government to launch a WTO complaint against Chinese practices. Ohio is one of the biggest manufacturing hubs for the US aluminum industry.
Senator Sherrod Brown, an Ohio Democrat, said in a statement issued late on Wednesday, "When China drives down aluminum costs by cheating, Ohio workers and manufacturers pay the price."
China is one of the most prolific aluminum producers in the world, accounting for more than half of the entire global production of aluminum.
It is expected that the United States will pursue the consultation with China for solving the issue. The upcoming complaint will be the 16th complaint filed by the Obama administration over the past eight years.
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TagsBarack Obama, WTO, china
(Photo : Getty Images) Reuters reported that Chinese bank regulators are telling financial institutions to keep foreign currency regulations a secret and have instructed analysts to refrain from making any negative reviews about the future prospects of yuan.
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In an exclusive report, Reuters claimed that Chinese banking regulators are pushing financial institutions to keep foreign currency regulations a secret. These regulations are primarily concerned with curbing the flow of capital outside the country.
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The report also claimed that the authorities have instructed analysts to refrain from making any negative reviews about the future prospects of yuan. It is believed that these steps have been undertaken to control the panic and reduce the risk of further downslide of yuan value.
It further claimed that State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) has given verbal instructions to banks to specifically vet all the cross-border transactions over $5 million or more. Earlier, this limit was set at $50 million.
SAFE released a statement on Wednesday with its Shanghai branch claiming that it has not adopted new steps for controlling cross-border payments and forex conversions. However, it advised banks to exercise proper safeguards to ensure authenticity of the transactions as well as the compliance with the rules.
However, these claims have been rubbished by the SAFE, which is a part of The People's Bank of China. It said that the media reports making such allegations are "inaccurate, and is misleading public opinion and disturbing normal operations of the Forex market."
China is currently looking to control the value of its currency and to stem the capital outflow from country. Yuan is currently on a declining spree and is down to its lowest level since 2009. The country is also grappling with the issue of declining reserves, which fell to $3.05 trillion in November.
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TagsThe People's Bank of China, state administration of foreign exchange, foreign exchange
(Photo : Getty Images) One person sustained injuries after a four-storey residential building he was in collapsed in Shanghai.
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One person was injured after a four-storey residential building in Shanghai exploded and collapsed on Wednesday night.
The South China Morning Post reported that the incident occurred at around 9 p.m. in a second floor flat along Kongjiang road in Yangpu district, Shanghai.
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The walls of the second and third floors reportedly collapsed following the explosion, leaving one person trapped under the debris.
The male victim was rescued from the tragic incident and rushed to hospital. After thorough assessment, his injuries were declared "non-life-threatening."
A statement issued by government officials cited a natural gas leak as the cause of the tragic Wednesday night incident.
Meanwhile, residents in the area recalled of hearing a loud bang. One resident who lives at the bottom of the building explained that she had been preparing to sleep when the incident occurred.
"When the debris started to fall, I wore my husband's trousers and ran outside to escape," she said.
GB Times reported that an old couple and their grandson were lucky to escape the incident and sustain very minor injuries.
Police officials have blocked any entrance close to the scene. While affected victims were temporarily relocated to a nearby hotel.
Residential buildings collapsing are not quite as common in China as compared with industrial buildings.
Last week, 12 construction workers perished in Henan province after a gas leak led to an explosion at the Dengfeng City colliery.
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Tagschina, Shanghai, Building Collapse
(Photo : YouTube Screenshot) A smartwatch running on the Android Wear operating system.
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Several reports claimed that Google has been busy working on the next update to its smartwatch operating system. It is widely believed that Google will roll out Android Wear 2.0 into the public in February.
Google is yet to pick an exact release date, but it has been reported that the tech giant has been sending out memos notifying developers of the impending changes. This is to make sure that all unsupported Android Wear code are properly fixed and updated or else they will be unavailable in the Play Store, according to Engadget.
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One major change that Google is trying to push is the feature that allows apps to run in standalone mode. This means that Android smartwatches do not have to depend on a connected smartphone in order to connect to a Wi-Fi network or install apps.
This standalone feature was one of the hallmark features that Google promised to the Android Wear 2.0 update. Google first announced this feature way back in May 2016 during the company's annual I/O Developer Conference.
In September 2016, Google delayed the release of the Android Wear 2.0 update in order to make sure that all bugs are fixed. Aside from major changes in terms of its software, Google is also planning to release two smartwatches from two unconfirmed manufacturers.
Google confirmed to The Verge that the two upcoming smartwatches will not carry the Google or Pixel branding. However, these will still be considered as flagship devices and will be the first models to run on the updated Android Wear 2.0 platform.
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TagsGoogle, Android Wear, Google Android Wear, android wear 2, Android Wear 2.0, Android Wear 2.0 update
(Photo : Getty Images) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently said the test launch of an ICBM is in its final stages.
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The United States government has deployed a high-tech radar to keep watch of potential long-range missile launches by Kim Jong Un's North Korean government in the coming months. This is the first US government response to Pyongyang's declaration that it has the capabilities to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile.
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The sea-based X-band radar (SB-X) has the capabilities to track long-range missile launches and provide other crucial data. The radar, which will be stationed at the port of Hawaii, has been deployed for several times in the past to monitor North Korean missile activities.
According to a US defense official, the radar can only remain at sea for a certain undisclosed period of time, so military officials try to calculate the most significant times for deployment.
Generally, the SB-X radar is sent north of Hawaii and stationed about halfway to Alaska for the optimum location to track a potential North Korea missile launch headed for Alaska, Guam, or the West Coast of the United States.
The United States government is identifying additional surveillance assets to help monitor activity on the Korean Peninsula.
"If the missile is threatening, it will be intercepted. If it's not threatening, we won't necessarily do so," US Defense Secretary Ash Carter told journalists on Tuesday.
"It may be more to our advantage to, first of all, save our interceptor inventory, and, second, to gather intelligence from the flight rather than do that (shoot it down) when it's not threatening," Carter added.
The North Korean communist leader recently declared that Pyongyang is in the final stages of its plans to test launch an intercontinental ballistic missile.
On Wednesday, the US treasury froze all US property interests and assets belonging to seven North Korean government officials. In a statement, the treasury said the sanctions were imposed because of the communist country's continued abuse of human rights.
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TagsNorth Korea, Kim Jong Un, US
A vase decorated with blooming flowers sold for 22.425 million yuan ($3.24 million) at a Beijing auction on Wednesday night. The vase, from the Emperor Qianlong period (1711-1799) in the Qing Dynasty (1644 -1911), was stolen and taken to the UK in 1860, and had appeared at auctions many times.
The vase is from the Qianlong period in the Qing Dynasty. [Photo/Chinanews.com]
The piece, from the Guang Tang Bi Que auction house, was made using a Western porcelain making technique. It was part of a former collection at the UK's Fonthill House.
"The piece is a major porcelain from the middle and late Qianlong period", Qian Weipeng, a porcelain authentication expert, said. "The large vase is like a flower just before budding", "We have counted the flowers on the vase, and it has more than 100 varieties, with many we can't even tell the names."
"As the economy peaked during the Qianlong period, so the emperor hoped flowers would bloom around the country, which symbolizes a prosperous future", Qian said.
The vase appeared at auctions overseas many times, and the latest transaction was during a London sale in 2003. A Chinese businessman from Zhejiang province bought the piece for about 4.8 million yuan.
(Photo : Getty Images) Former UN Chief Ban Ki-Moon has hinted that he could join the race to become the next South Korean President.
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Former United Nations chief Ban Ki-Moon returned to his native South Korea on Thursday, arriving in the middle of an increasingly tense battle to succeed the country's recently impeached President Park Geun-Hye.
Ban's poll ratings have been high for long, but perceptions that his policies could be aligned with President Park Geun-Hye's corruption-tainted government has seen his support get eroded.
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"I have already said I am willing to give my all for the country, and my determination remains unchanged," Ban said to an enthusiastic crowd at Incheon International Airport, with his speech being interrupted by a crowd of admirers chanting of "Ban Ki-Moon."
Ban is yet to officially declare his candidacy in the Presidential race and said that he will make a decision on his political future soon, noting that the decision will not be made for personal gain.
In anticipation of his return to South Korea, Ban's rivals have been snapping at him. Oppositions are exploiting the perception that he is an elite old-guard bureaucrat who is out of touch with voter grievances such as corruption, slowing economic growth, youth unemployment, and the country's powerful conglomerates.
Late last year, the wide-ranging grievance sparked mass demonstrations. Furthermore, last Tuesday's indictment of Ban's brother and nephew in a Manhattan court over a foreign corruption case could further harm his presidential ambitions.
Ban said that he has dedicated his life to public service and has nothing to be ashamed of it.
Robert Kelly, a professor of political science at Pusan National University in South Korea, believes that Ban is a bureaucrat of the old school and that is not the kind of leader that South Koreans want to elect for now.
Meanwhile, Ban is set to receive the Order of Civil Merit, one of South Korea's highest civilian honors, confirming his ties to South Korea's political elite.
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TagsBan Ki Moon, South Korea, Park Geun Hye
(Photo : Getty Images) At least a third of the fatalities recorded in the Syrian war are children.
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Activists in Syria said they have given the United Nations evidence of alleged war crimes committed by Russian and Iranian-backed militias in the battle for Aleppo, Syria's second city. The Syrian activists wanted the militia to face justice for killing civilians and other war-time atrocities.
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On Wednesday, Fadel Abdul Ghany, head of the Syrian Network for Human rights, and Husam Alkatlaby, director of the Violations Documentation Center, met with United Nations investigators as they pressed the UN to probe crimes committed during the long-drawn siege of Aleppo last month.
According to Ghany, activists found a similarity between the violations committed by the Russians and the (Syrian) regime, and sometimes, the Russians exceed the regime in some kinds of violations.
"We recorded the killing of 1,305 civilians at the hands of Russian forces," Ghany told the media, in reference to the victims who perished in Russian air strikes between July and December last year. Approximately one-third of the recorded fatalities were children.
Ghany said that all the incidents they presented to UN investigators are violations of the international humanitarian law (IHL). The activist added that lots of the incidences amount to war crimes, especially the ones targeting vital civilian centers.
According to Ghany, the Russian air force was trying to target specific points such as hospitals and schools.
A local ceasefire was reached on Dec. 15 after months of air strikes and the Syrian army closing in on the besieged areas of Aleppo. The ceasefire allowed tens of thousands of civilians and opposition fighters to leave the city.
Ghany said that since the Russian air force began its campaign on Sep. 30 last year, they have killed a minimum of 4,000 Syrians. The activists documented 31 cluster munition attacks in Aleppo by Russian forces and three by Syrian government forces. They also accused Russia and Syria of using banned incendiary weapons.
The Syrian government has rejected accusations that it has carried out human rights abuses. It has also denied alleged torture, extrajudicial killings, and use of chemical and incendiary weapons on civilians.
Russia said that accusations of war crimes against its armed forces are part of a western-backed propaganda campaign.
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TagsAleppo, Syria, Russia, war
(Photo : Getty Images) Chinese firms spent a record $45.6 billion on acquiring foreign firms the last year.
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China witnessed a sharp increase in its overseas investment in 2016, with a record spending of $45.6 billion on acquiring foreign firms. The surge in the acquisition volume led to resistance from foreign countries, leading to the breakdown of some very prominent deals.
Chinese firms are now increasingly targeted by foreign governments for their investment practices. In the past year, Chinese company Fujian Grand Chip Investment's attempt to buy German chip company Aixtron was vehemently opposed by the US government. The deal also failed to receive the approval of The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.
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US regulators also objected to the $3 billion deal proposed by a Chinese consortium for the acquisition of lighting unit of Dutch company Philips. In the wake of such stern actions from western governments, Chinese companies are now opting for new insurance products, which may compensate Chinese groups for losses incurred from such failed deals.
According to Financial Times, several insurance group, under the lead of Aon, are now offering insurance products, which compensate for the "reverse break up" fee. The insurance product is likely to be in high demand as the upcoming Trump administration is expected to further tighten the scrutiny of Chinese companies.
It is reported that such insurance product was bought by a group of Chinese and Hong Kong companies last year. The consortium had extended a $3.6 billion bid for US printer firm Lexmark. Aon has claimed that this insurance product will help the Chinese companies in making more competitive bids for foreign companies.
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TagsAixtron, Philips, Aon
(Photo : Getty Images) Clapper rejected a suggestion by Trump that the agencies were responsible for the story going public.
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The US director of intelligence, James Clapper, denied that the US intelligence community leaked claims that Russia is in possession of compromising personal information on Donald Trump.
In a statement on Wednesday, Clapper, a key adviser to the president on security and intelligence, rejected a claim by Trump that the country's intelligence agencies were behind the story going public.
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In the unusual statement that put a spotlight on the tensions between spy chiefs and Trump, Clapper said he told the incoming president that US intelligence agencies made no judgment about the reliability of the allegations.
The claims were summarized in a two-page report prepared for Trump and President Barack Obama.
Clapper's statement is the first public confirmation from a US official that the report exists and that it had been presented to the President, the President-elect, and eight congressional heads.
During his first news conference as President-elect on Wednesday, Trump accused US intelligence agencies of being responsible for leaking the "nonsense" report to the media. Trump suggested that such a move by the intelligence agencies would be "a tremendous blot on their record."
Before the news conference, Trump had taken to his Twitter account that intelligence agencies should have never allowed the "fake" news to leak.
"One last shot at me. Are we living in Nazi Germany?" Trump tweeted.
On Thursday, Trump confirmed that he had received a call from Clapper, saying that the spy chief had called him to denounce the false and fictitious report that was illegally circulated.
However, Rep. Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said he was skeptical of Trump's claims that Clapper denounced the report.
"Sadly, you simply cannot rely on the President-elect's tweets or statements about what he's receiving in intelligence briefings, and that's a real problem," Schiff said during a TV interview.
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Tagsdonald trump, US intelligence, Russia
(Photo : USMC) An F-35B, the SVTOL variant Taiwan wants.
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All of the first 10 Lockheed Martin F-35B Joint Strike Fighters belonging to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121) are now at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan today (Jan. 12), marking the first permanent international deployment of the U.S. stealth fighter.
The F-35Bs departed their former base at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona on Jan. 9 with the first fighters arriving at Iwakuni on Jan. 11. The remaining six stealth jets will be delivered in June by the USS Wasp (LHD-1), a Landing Helicopter Dock amphibious assault ship of the U.S. Navy.
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"The transition of VMFA-121 from MCAS Yuma to MCAS Iwakuni marks a significant milestone in the F-35B program as the Marine Corps continues to lead the way in the advancement of stealth fighter attack aircraft," said the United States Marine Corps in a statement.
VMFA 121, also known as the "Green Knights," flies the Marine Corps version of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, the F-35B. This variant is a short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) jet that will replace current inventories of both the F/A-18 Hornet and the AV-8B Harrier II in the fighter and attack roles.
VMFA-121 will be the first F-35 squadron permanently based in Japan. Lt. Col. J.T. Bardo, commanding officer of VMFA-121, said Marines with the squadron are both excited and honored to be part of this move.
The squadron was based at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 13 (MAG-13) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW).
On Nov. 20, 2015, VMFA-121 accepted delivery of the first three F-35B jets, becoming the first operational F-35B squadron in the Marine Corps Operating Forces and the first operational F-35 squadron in any service.
The deployment of VMFA-121 to Japan is part of Washington's rebalancing strategy to increase the U.S. Navy's presence in the Pacific. Once in Japan, the USS Wasp will be part of the United States Seventh Fleet Forward Deployed Naval Forces.
VMFA-121 became the U.S. military's first operational F-35 squadron in July 2015. Since then, the squadron has continued to fly sorties and employ ordnance as part of its normal training cycle.
The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has ramped-up the frequency of its long-range patrols that regularly pass close to Japan's airspace and has promised to send far larger formations in the future.
The possibility remains high these future patrols will be shadowed by the Marine F-35Bs from Iwakuni, but the PLAAF won't know it because aerial radars on their Xian-H-6 bombers and Shenyang J-11 multi-role fighters can't detect the Marine stealth jets.
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TagsLockheed Martin F-35B Joint Strike Fighters, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, VMFA-121, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Green Knights, F-35B, Lt. Col. J.T. Bardo
(Photo : US Navy) The Laser Weapon system or LaWS being tested aboard the USS Ponce.
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The U.S. Navy plans to accelerate the deployment of high-energy laser weapons generating up to 150 kilowatts of power to arm many of its surface warships.
The move to a 150 kW solid state laser marks a huge leap from today's testing regime begun in 2014 where the Navy began sea trials of a 30 kW prototype Laser Weapon System, or LaWS, aboard the USS Ponce (AFSB(I)-15).
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LaWS, which has been used operationally in the Persian Gulf, gives the U.S. Navy precision accuracy at low cost.
A preliminary plan for the introduction of the 150 kW weapon was presented Jan. 10 at the 29th National Symposium of the Surface Navy Association in Virginia.
"The Office of Naval Research, right now, with DARPA (the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) and with our organization, is looking at doing a lot more with lasers," said Rear Admiral Ronald Boxall, Director, Surface Warfare Division (N96).
He said the enhanced laser capabilities are among the innovations being explored by several organizations within the navy.
"You'll hear more about it over the next few months as we figure out where we're going, but by this time next year (2018), I'd like to report to you that we have already got a new laser."
He said the plan is to install a 150 kW system aboard the Paul F. Foster, a decommissioned Spruance-class destroyer now serving as the Self Defense Test Ship for the Naval Surface Warfare Center.
"Then shortly after that we want to get it operational on either a carrier of a destroyer or both," noted Admiral Boxall.
"That's kind of the way we want to go. We'll see if we can get there. I think we can."
The Navy's Office of Naval Research (ONR) will perform a shipboard test of a 150 kW solid-state laser weapons system, said Admiral Bill Moran, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, at a recent meeting in Washington, D.C.
ONR coordinates, executes and promotes the science and technology programs of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
Once accepted into service between 2017 and 2021, the 30kW LaWS will enable the Navy to effectively neutralize aerial drones, swarm boats and other threats by destroying or crippling them with an intense beam of laser heat that melts internal circuitry and machinery.
In operation, the 30 kW LaWS can be aimed accurately at targets by a U.S. Navy warship's Phalanx close-in-weapons-system (CIWS) radar. LaWS has an effective range of 1.6 kilometers.
LaWS is finding favor within the US armed forces because its laser light "ammunition" is cheaper than conventional explosive rounds. Its laser light beams can be fired for as little as one dollar per shot, while conventional rounds and missiles cost thousands of dollars each.
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TagsU.S. Navy, high-energy laser weapons, 150 kilowatts of power, Laser Weapon System, LaWS, USS Ponce, Rear Admiral Ronald Boxall
(Photo : Getty Images) Chinese state media reported on Friday that China and Russia have agreed to take 'countermeasures' against THAAD Deployment in Korean Peninsula.
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China and Russia have vowed to take "countermeasures" in response to US' plan to deploy an anti-missile system in the Korean peninsula, Chinese state media reported on Friday.
However, both nations have not specified what countermeasures they would be taking.
A statement issued by state-media Xinhua quoted China and Russia urging "the United States and South Korea to address their security concerns and stop the deployment of THAAD on the Korean Peninsula."
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The statement offered nothing new, as both nations have made similar pleas ever since the US and South Korea announced that they would deploy the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system.
Both South Korea and US argued that anti-missile system is only aimed at countering any possible attack by North Korea, which belligerently carried out several missile and nuclear tests last year.
But Beijing and Moscow refuted this argument as they claimed that THAAD instalment would severely compromise on their regional security. Both countries also claimed that such a drastic move would do nothing in lowering tension in the Korean peninsula.
Foreign ministers of Russia and China last year held a strategic meeting in Beijing where both nations decided to stand in unity on contagious issues like North Korea and South China Sea. The move was apparently aimed at countering America's increasing influence in the US region.
As part of this decision, both nations carried out a joint anti-missile drill in May last year. The military exercise was carried out as soon as South Korea and US started mulling over the deployment of THAAD. Both also held a joint navy drill in the disputed South China Sea in September.
Meanwhile, South Korea's finance minister said that Seoul may respond to what it perceives as an in-direct retaliation by Beijing against THAAD deployment. The statement was apparently in response to China's recent decision to reject South Korean carrier's application to add charter flights between the two countries.
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TagsChina and Russia, THAAD missile system, THAAD deployment, South Korea, China and South Korea, Russia, china
(Photo : Getty Images) Chinese analysts said they doubt that the US would go through with Tillerson's suggestion to block China from accessing its islands.
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Chinese analysts expressed doubt that the US can carry through US Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson's suggestion that Washington should prevent China from accessing its artificial islands in the South China Sea.
The Chinese military and political experts said on Thursday that any attempts by the US to block Beijing's access to its man-made islands would only send Beijing to increase its military presence in the region and establish an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in the disputed sea, a military move it made in the East China Sea on 2013.
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Tillerson on Wednesday told US senators during his confirmation hearing that Beijing's island building and deployments of military weapons to its controlled as well as disputed territories were "illegal" and that it was the responsibility of Washington to deny Beijing access to these islands.
Access
"We're going to have to send China a clear signal that, first, the island-building stops and, second, your access to those islands also is not going to be allowed," he said.
Although Tillerson was raring to pursue his suggestion, he, however, could not provide the Senate Foreign Relations Committee details on how this was going to be done.
Yuan Zheng, a Chinese analyst at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of American Studies, said he doubts the US would dare go through with Tillerson's suggestion saying the South China Sea waters was not American territory.
"I don't think the US will stop China from accessing its own islands in the South China Sea," he said.
ADIZ
"China is not Cuba, and the South China Sea is not the Caribbean. The South China Sea is not under the US sphere of influence. It's China's territorial waters," he stressed,
Yuan emphasized that China would have no other recourse but to set up an ADIZ over the disputed waterway if US would attempt to block Beijing's access to the islands.
Wu Xinbo, a researcher at a Shanghai university, said China would not hesitate to deploy more military arms and equipment to its artificial islands if the US military intensifies its pressure on Beijing in the strategic waterway.
Wu said the US military is running out of options in policing the disputed sea saying that it could only step up its freedom of navigation operations with their warships in the waters.
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Tagsair defense identification zone (ADIZ), rex tillerson, South China Sea, East China Sea, Washington, Beijing, artificial islands, strategic waterway, President Xi Jinping
(Photo : Getty Images) Alibaba's "One Belt, One Road" strategy means expanding its presence in central and Eastern Europe.
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Alibaba has a plan of developing a European logistics center in Bulgaria, evaluating the opportunities for investments in the country.
The press office of the Bulgarian government said that Bulgarian outgoing Prime Minister Boyko Borisov held a talk with Alibaba's officials. Bulgarian outgoing Deputy Prime Minister for EU Funds and Economic Policies Tomislav Donchev, and high-ranking representatives of Alibaba Group were present in the business meeting. There were representatives from GS-Solar Company and GoldPoly Group as well. Outgoing Bulgarian Consul General to Shanghai Dimitar Abadzhiev accompanied the delegation.
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Alibaba Group's ideas for investments are linked to setting up a logistics center to back up their operations in Europe. The project will also include trading of Bulgarian goods and foods in the international market, the government said.
The meeting discussed the overall assessment shared on the activation of the bilateral business contacts from the previous years after the Bulgarian participation on highest level in the 16+1 initiative. It also talked about the economic forums organised and opportunities for discussion of concrete protects between the two countries representatives of the business.
Moreover, the meeting also tackled Alibaba Groups plan to create an investment in logistic center in Bulgaria. Other agendas include GS-Solar Companys plan to build a solar panels factory as well as GoldPoly Groups interest in purchasing Bulgarias tobacco products.
Bulgaria may be able to take advantage of China's biggest e-commerce companys "One Belt, One Road" strategy, where it will expand its presence in central and Eastern Europe. This strategy will help Bulgaria in export industry.
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TagsAlibaba, Bulgaria, Logistics Center, One Belt One Road, GS-Solar Company, GoldPoly Group, Tobacco, solar panels factory
(Photo : H&K) M27 IAR being fired.
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United States Marines that invade China's man-made islands in the South China Sea will probably be using new polymer magazines for their M4 assault rifles a lot more reliable than the aluminum magazines on the QBZ-95, the standard bullpup assault rifle of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
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Exhaustive tests over the past five years convinced the Marine Corps to adopt the PMAG GEN 3 magazine made by Magpul Industries in Wyoming as the official magazine for its M4s, giving Marines an extra advantage in firefights.
That edge is no magazine stoppages after over 20,000 rounds fired, which is what the tests proved. That's over 600 30-round M4 magazines, a total no Marine is ever going to fire in combat in his lifetime.
Experience has proven magazine problems are a primary culprit in an M4 malfunctioning in combat. Magpul claims the risk of stoppage is massively reduced with the use of its PMAG. It said PMAG is the first commercial magazine adopted as the official standard for the Marine Corps.
PMAG GEN 3, which loads a standard 30 rounds, can be used on the M4, M16, M27IAR (Infantry Automatic Rifle) and M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon). It works with all types of bullets, including the tricky M855A1.
The test show the polymer PMAGs didn't melt because of its special advanced material. Magpul also said PMAG also passed military testing against dust, grime, UV exposure and salt fog.
One of the big advantages of PMAG GEN 3 is it loads from stripper clips. It inserts rapidly on a closed vault with a full 30 rounds. There is a smart over-insertion stop to protect against hard-core magazine changes and drops.
There's a window that on the side that shows the shooter just how many rounds he has left with a quick glance at the orange coil. This magazine drops free without fuss, making reload very quick and efficient.
Unlike aluminum magazines, PMAG is very easy to disassemble and clean.
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TagsUnited States Marines, South China Sea, PMAG GEN 3 magazine, Magpul Industries, M4 assault rifle, M4 assault rifles
Her work has inspired Oscar-winning director Ang Lee and she is considered one of the most important Chinese writers of the 20th century, but Eileen Chang has yet to make a major impact in the West.
Karen S. Kingsbury introduces contemporary Chinese writer Eileen Chang to the Western world by publishing translations of Chang's essays and fiction. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Translator Karen S. Kingsbury says she is determined to change that and persuade Western readers to understand why Chang is worthy of their attention through a biography she is working on.
"I am not planning just to write an English version of the already existing biographies in Chinese. I will try to speak to an American audience to explain why Eileen Chang is so worth their attention," says Kingsbury.
When Kingsbury first read Chang's Love in a Fallen City in Chinese, her Chinese wasn't very good. "But it's like a magnet that pulls you into it, and you become a translator because of that text," recalls Kingsbury.
The American academic wrote her doctoral dissertation on Chang, completing it in 1995, the same year Chang died in Los Angeles of cardiovascular disease.
Since then, Kingsbury has published translations of Chang's Love in a Fallen City and Half a Lifelong Romance.
Kingsbury's translation of Love in a Fallen City was first published in Renditions, a literary journal run by Chinese University of Hong Kong, for a special issue in memory of Chang in 1996.
Together with translations of Chang's other short stories, it was later published by Penguin in 2007, and it has been selling steadily since then.
(Photo : Getty Images) Shanghai Disney Resort issued an apology after one of its rides malfunctioned mid-air with visitors.
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Shanghai Disney Resort issued an apology statement on Wednesday after one of its rides malfunctioned, leaving nearly 90 people stuck mid-air for over 30 minutes on Tuesday night.
"We offer our deepest apology towards the affected visitors," the statement read. "The cast members on the ground rendered their services and assistance to the visitors in a timely manner."
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The group affected was looking to be entertained at the 4D "Soaring Over The Horizon" ride. However, the trip came to a stop shortly after the visitors were lifted into the air as the indoor flight motion simulator attraction experienced a technical glitch.
The visitors, which were only strapped with safety belts, were suspended six storeys high above the ground with their legs dangling in the air for 30 minutes.
The Jakarta Post reported that one person identified as Xiao Wan, who was on the ride at the time, said that there was total darkness following the incident.
"We were told to keep calm as we wait for it to be fixed," Xiao said.
He added that even though the machine broke down and they were all left suspended mid-air, panic only started when the lights came back.
"It was then when everybody realized they had been elevated so high above the ground. Our legs were dangling," Xiao said.
Rescue workers assisted the hapless people to climb off the ride, one group at a time. Rescue operation ended at 8:18 p.m., the Star Online noted.
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Tagschina, Shanghai, Shanghai Disney Resort
(Photo : Getty Images) Police destroyed over 40 fake Terracotta warriors in Shaanxi Province.
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Police in China's Xi'an worked hand in hand with tourists to raid and destroy a fake resort, which housed over 40 copycat Terracotta Army on Wednesday night.
The police in the region raided the fake Suyuanqinhuangling resort in Lintong. The resort covered a total of 600 square meters, which displayed the fake army.
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China.org reported that tourists had been misguided to the venue given that it is in the same region where the real Terracotta army is located, according to an area official.
"Offered with high commission, unlicensed guides, and illegal taxi drivers, they often led unsuspecting tourists to the resort to view the fake warriors," the official said. "They not only confused visitors but also damaged the tourism in the district."
He added that a special force has been developed to ensure that any victim found to have been part of the illegal act was brought to justice and also to ensure that no further damage in inflicted in the tourism industry.
The officials had been responding to a growing online concern by various visitors who wanted to view the Terracotta army but sent to a wrong location. The official explained that what ticked the visitors off were the small number and the aging factor of the terracotta warriors on location.
The real Terracotta army has over 7,000 warriors, horses, and chariots and dates back to 1974. They are also housed in Lintong at the world's largest underground mausoleum. The Terracotta army was built to protect Emperor Emperor Qinshihuang the founder of the Qin Dynasty (201-206BC) in the afterlife.
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Tagschina, Terracotta Army, copyright infringement
(Photo : US Army) U.S. Special Forces
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The U.S. Army is through fighting ragtag guerillas in small insurgencies and is instead totally focusing its training and equipment on fighting bloody conventional wars to defeat China and Russia.
It's hard seeing where the U.S. Army will do battle against the People's Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) in Asia other than in an American invasion of the Chinese mainland or in an invasion of North Korea.
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This means most of the ground warfare in Asia will be left to the United States Marine Corps whose forte is amphibious assaults against enemy held island strong points such as China's man-made military garrison islands in the South China Sea.
The Army is training to quickly destroy Putin's Russian Army in a coming war along the western borders of the Russian Federation.
Its live-fire combat training exercises now involve large-scale battles featuring new technologies, drones, tanks, artillery, missiles and armored vehicles.
The Army is expanding its training to include a renewed ability to fight a massive, enemy force and to transition from its 15 years' experience in counterinsurgency. The new and integrated training regime reflects this re-focus on conventional warfare.
This integrated training is called "Decisive Action."
It includes the use of drones; Air Force air assets; Army attack aviation; tanks; armored vehicles; artillery and infantry units.
It spells out the main tactics and techniques being drilled into today's dogfaces. These tactics and techniques are identified by unique Americanisms such "Kill what You Shoot at;" "Synchronize Indirect Fire" and "Call-in 9-Line," (meaning providing aircraft with attack coordinates from the ground).
The more realistic live-fire combat exercises now include a wide range of emerging technologies to better anticipate the tactics, weapons and systems China and Russia are likely to employ.
Key tactics and weapons China and Russia will deploy are aerial drones and swarms of mini-drones; advanced computing technology; electronic warfare to blind the enemy and the use of longer-range precision weaponry such as anti-tank missiles and guided artillery rounds.
Executing Decisive Action means the Army has returned to the Cold War era tactic called "Combined Arms Maneuver." This warfighting method synchronizes weapons, technologies and war assets to overwhelm, confuse and destroy the enemy.
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TagsU.S. Army, china, Russia, People's Liberation Army Ground Force, Decisive Action, Combined Arms Maneuver
(Photo : Getty Images) A column of U.S. Army vehicles moves into Poland from Germany.
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The first Brigade Combat Team from the U.S. Army entered Poland on Jan. 12 to put the fear of God into Vladimir Putin, his weak Russian Army and their shared plans to resurrect the long-dead communist empire.
Armored fighting vehicles of the U.S. Army 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team (BCT) belonging to the U.S. 4th Infantry Division from Fort Carson, Colorado rumbled into Poland from Germany, heralding the largest U.S. military deployment in Europe since the end of the Cold War in 1991.
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Over the next few months, 3,500 men; 87 M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks; 144 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles and 2,500 other vehicles of the 3rd BCT will be deployed to Poland. The move of the U.S. Army to the doorstep of Russia seeks to deter wanton Russian aggression in Eastern Europe as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
Russia has repeatedly threatened Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania with invasion in the past.
Most of the men and equipment of the 3rd BCT will be deployed across Poland. Others will go to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary to train with local troops.
"To arrive at this point so swiftly is proof that when we work as a team ... no challenge is too large to overcome, no distance is too far to cross, when the need arises," said U.S. Army Col. Christopher Norrie, who led the convoy.
"The main goal of our mission is deterrence and prevention of threats."
He described the new mission as a "cornerstone" to preserving freedom across Europe.
Polish Army Maj. Gen. Jaroslaw Mika, whose soldiers will be training with some of the 3rd BCT's 3,500 troops, said he's thrilled they are here.
He said it's important to "be together, to build our common relationship and to provide more security" -- not only for Europe but the world.
Polish Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz said on the state TV that the NATO deployment puts an end to Russia's influence in the region.
"Even after 1989 we had to continuously wonder whether the Russians won't veto this or that action," said Macierewicz.
"Russia's veto power in Central Europe, in Poland, has ended once and for all."
The British will also be deploying to Russia's western border with Europe.
UK Secretary of State for Defense Michel Fallon confirmed the Royal Air Force will deploy Eurofighter Typhoon multirole fighter jets to Romania in 2017 while the British Army will deploy 800 men to Estonia in May.
The UK in July 2016 said it will deploy one of four battalions to NATO's enhanced forward presence in the Baltic States and Poland. The deployment will include armored Infantry equipped with Warrior armored fighting vehicles; tactical UAVs and a troop of Challenger 2 main battle tanks.
"Backed by a rising defense budget, this deployment of air, land and sea forces shows that we will continue to play a leading role in NATO, supporting the defense and security of our allies from the north to the south of the alliance," said Fallon.
Tensions between Russia and NATO have been increasing ever since Russia annexed the Crimea region in 2014. Some analysts claim Putin is bent on resurrecting the Soviet Union's communist empire, either by threatening war or going to war against NATO.
Those tensions have been worsened by Russia's role in the Syrian civil war and by deploying large number of warships from the Russian Navy to the Mediterranean Sea.
NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said recent tactics by Moscow had forced NATO to respond.
"Russia has tripled defense spending," he said. "Russia has invested heavily in modern military equipment. They are conducting large-scale no notice exercises close to NATO borders,. But perhaps most importantly, Russia has been willing to use military force against neighbors.
"We have seen that in Georgia and we have seen it in Ukraine with illegal annexation of Crimea and the continued destabilization of Eastern Ukraine. So therefore NATO has to respond. "
Several NATO member states have promised troop contributions to a force of 4,000 soldiers to be spread across Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. To begin in early 2017, the deployments are key to NATO's effort to reinforce territory threatened by Russia.
"Close to our borders, Russia continues its assertive military posturing," said Stoltenberg at the start of talks among NATO allies in late 2016.
"It is important and it is necessary that NATO responds when we see the substantial and significant military buildup of Russia over a long period of time."
"These actions threaten our interests, our security," said Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
"Especially as it concerns a third party building up its military presence near our borders. It's not even a European state."
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TagsU.S. Army, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team (BCT), U.S. 4th Infantry Division, Poland, Russian aggression, M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks, Europe, NATO, Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz
On the eve of Chinese New Year, the must-have dish on every Cantonese dinner table is the magnificent and auspicious poon choi, which contains up to 20 luxury ingredients served in a big wooden or clay-pot bowl. The dish literally translates to "basin feast" because the dish was originally served in a washbasin.
Poon choi, the main dish on Cantonese dinner tables on the eve of Chinese New Year. [Photo provided to China Daily]
The story goes that the dish was invented during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) to serve a young emperor when he and his army fled to the area around Guangdong province and Hong Kong. To treat them, local villagers cooked all the best food available and placed them in big washbasins for sharing.
With all the delicacies served together in a round container, the dish fosters auspicious meanings of unity and prosperity, and is served during traditional holidays and celebrations.
Cooking the dish is tedious work: It can take up to four days, including time spent preparing the ingredients. Each ingredient needs to be cooked separately, and then layered in a container and cooked again slowly with gravy.
Eating poon choi on Chinese New Year's eve is a family tradition, especially in the Cantonese-speaking regions in South China. Although today many families skip the tedious work, they don't skip the food, whether they eat out or have it delivered to their home.
We had a brief conversation with Cheng Chi Keung, executive Chinese chef at Yue, the Chinese restaurant at Sheraton Grand Beijing Dongcheng Hotel, to get to know a bit more about the dish.
A Hong Kong native, the 58-year-old Cheng has worked in Beijing for 27 years and calls himself an "old Beijinger". No matter how busy he is, he cooks this dish for his family in Hong Kong every year, he says.
This year, chef Cheung has prepared three poon choi options: vegetarian (288 yuan or $41), cow's feet (688 yuan) and traditional seafood (1,280 yuan), each enough for as many as 10 people.
A Senate committee in Pakistan will look into the countrys strict blasphemy laws after a 24-year-old report recommended an investigation into their validity.
Pakistans blasphemy laws are often used by extremist Muslims to persecute the Christian minority. Perhaps the most notable example of this persecution is of Christian woman and mother Asia Bibi, who was imprisoned and given the death penalty on trumped-up charges that she blasphemed against Islam.
Christian Today reports that 95 percent of Pakistans population is Muslim, which makes it difficult for Christians and other minorities to find support when accused of blasphemy.
Pakistan ranks fourth on Open Doors recently released 2017 World Watch List for countries where Christian persecution is most severe.
The blasphemy laws prescribe life imprisonment for the desecration of the Quran, which can take many forms, and the death penalty for defiling the Prophet Mohammed, which is also often broadly applied.
Pakistans Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif declined to comment on the proposed discussion by the Senate Committee for Human Rights.
Since the blasphemy laws have been in place for so long in Pakistan, and since they are tied so closely to the dominant religion of the country, progress is likely to face strong opposition.
Tahir Ashrafi, head of the prominent Pakistan Ulema Council of Muslim clerics, has said the council would support enacting a law to punish those who abuse the blasphemy laws, but would oppose changing the laws themselves.
"Make new laws to punish those who abuse blasphemy laws," he said. "But no one can even think about changing this law."
Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com
Publication date: January 13, 2017
Lord Nash, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the School System in the United Kingdom, said Friday that the governments plan to force registration and inspection of Sunday School and other out-of-school events drew 18,000 responses.
Lord Nash said the government is determined to regulate in this area but needs to tread carefully because many of these organizations are small, open for only a few hours a week and staffed by volunteers.
The out-of-school settings plan allows schools regulator Ofsted the legal power to inspect and to investigate any setting in England that gives instruction to children for more than six to eight hours a week. This would include Sunday Schools and other secular activities, such as music lessons and other groups.
But Christian leaders are worried it gives the British government too much control over whats being taught.
Giving Ofsted a say in whats taught in churches is a profoundly offensive idea, said Simon Calvert, deputy director for public affairs for The Christian Institute.
Why in the world would you target church youth groups as part of any counter terrorism strategy? I mean, none of the 7/7 bombers were radicalized in Sunday schools.
Its a dangerous distraction for the counter terrorism service to be looking at whats going on in Sunday schools.
In pushing the new law, some British leaders are particularly worried religious groups are teaching children intolerance.
If you are teaching intolerance, we will shut you down, former Prime Minister David Cameron said when he announced the plan.
Publication date: January 13, 2017
California inmate Shiloh Quine became the first inmate in the United States to receive taxpayer-funded gender reassignment surgery. The 57-year-old is serving life in prison for kidnapping, robbing, and shooting Shahid Ali Baig, a 33-year-old father of three, in Los Angeles in 1980.
The state of California agreed to pay for the surgery in a settlement reached with Quine in August 2015. Joyce Hayhoe, a spokesperson for the official who oversees prison medical care in California, said the procedure, medication, and counseling could cost as much as $100,000. The attorneys at the Transgender Law Center, which represents Quine, dispute that figure.
Kris Hayashi, the Executive Director at the Transgender Law Center, said this represents progress for Transgender Americans. For too long, institutions have ignored doctors and casually dismissed medically necessary and life-saving care for transgender people just because of who we are. She further added that the settlement, represents progress for all transgender people who have ever been denied the medical care we need.
The daughter of Quines victim, Farida Baig, fought his reassignment surgery through the courts. She said, It just made me dizzy and sick. I'm helping pay for his surgery; I live in California. It's kind of like a slap in the face."
Taxpayers outside of California will help pay for Quines surgery as well. Up to 95 percent of allowable charges could be reimbursed by the federal government.
Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com
Publication date: January 13, 2017
Korean American Campus Mission (KCM), one of the largest Korean American college ministries in Southern California, hosted its first-ever Winter Conference from January 2 to 5.
The campus ministry, which has a presence in eight universities, has had a tradition of hosting an annual University Retreat during the winter break season, but this is the first time that the ministry has hosted the Winter Conference.
The Winter Conference has many similar elements to the past University Retreats, but it was different in that it was a unique opportunity for all eight campuses to come together given the winter break schedule, explained Sam Bay, special events director of KCM.
Themed Redemption, the conference was also an opportunity for ministry leaders to fully share the vision of KCM to all of the campuses and to push our Short Term Missions, Bay added. The conference focused on redemption from sin and shame during the first day, redemption from pain during the second, and redemption to the world during the last day.
Through this conference, may Jesus lead you to deeper repentance, deeper healing, and a deeper commitment to take the gospel to the ends of the earth through Short Term Summer Missions, Richard Kim, lead pastor of Gospel Life Mission Church and director of KCM, said in a welcome statement to conference attendees.
Richard Kim; Steve Bang Lee, college pastor at Living Hope Community Church; Sam Bay; and Eugene Park, intern pastor at Gospel Life Mission Church and creative and missional director of KCM, were among those featured as plenary session speakers.
The conference also offered nine seminars on topics such as discerning calling; dating and marriage; choosing to stay or leave a church; friendships; gray area issues such as drugs and alcohol; and difficulties in the Asian American family context, among others.
Attendees were also sorted into mixed-campus small groups and game groups, the former which were also separated by gender.
KCM has a presence in universities including Biola University, Pepperdine University, UC Irvine, UCLA, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, and the University of Southern California.
Fuller Theological Seminary, located in Pasadena, CA, recently hosted the film director Martin Scorsese in a private screening and interview session that took place at the Laemmles Playhouse on January 7.
The event featured a screening of Scorseses recent film, Silence, which follows the story of Jesuit missionaries who try to build the church in Japan in the 17th century, based on a Japanese novel by Shusaku Endo published in 1966. Makoto Fujimura, Christian artist and director of Fullers Brehm Center for Worship, Theology, and the Arts, was a consultant to Scorsese for the film, and was also present during the screening event.
I hoped this film would reach you, Fuller; you, the religious community, Scorsese said at the screening. But I also hoped it was wider than that and not that narrow.
Scorsese also praised Fujimura, saying he is a remarkable artist and writer. Fujimura wrote a book which records his own reflections on Endos novel, called Silence and Beauty, which Scorsese described a quietly eloquent meditation on art and faith, and where they converge.
It has been an honor to advise Mr. Scorsese on this film Silence as a special advisor, Fujimura said. This film truly honors Endo and the martyrs of the Japanese past; it is a profound gift given to the generations to come.
Scorsese, who grew up Catholic, had the idea of making Silence after reading and being captivated by Endos novel, which sold some 800,000 copies in Japan. At the interview session in Pasadena, Scorsese said he hoped Silence would pose for the audience questions such as, What does it mean to live a daily Christian life? How does one, if they are not able to or are not clergy, how does one express and live a true Christian life?
In another interview with the Los Angeles Times, Scorsese said one of his greatest mentors was a priest at St. Patricks Old Cathedral in New York.
I couldnt understand how he let go his pride in order to serve. In a way, Silence is an attempt to work through that question almost 60 years later. Because thats the very thing Rodrigues is struggling with as well, said Scorsese. Father Sebastiao Rodrigues is the main character in the story.
Scorseses filmography includes works such as Mean Streets, Good Fellas, Shutter Island, and The Wolf of Wall Street. Scorsese had directed another film related to Christianity in 1988, called The Last Temptation of Christ.
Meanwhile, the private screening and interview was coordinated through the film arm of Fullers Brehm Center for Worship, Theology, and the Arts, called Reel Spirituality. The interview session was moderated by Kutter Callaway, assistant professor of theology and culture at Fuller.
Though the Obama administration has just one week left in office, Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to a Paris peace conference this weekend in a last-ditch effort to advocate for the two-state solution he strongly endorsed last month.
In an unusually blunt December 28 address, Kerry said that Israels settlements in the West Bank are obstacles to the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians. No one thinking seriously about peace can ignore the reality of what the settlements pose to that peace, he said, calling on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the settlements and allow for Palestinian development.
Israeli officials and defenders of the Jewish state are concerned by Kerrys remarks, as well as the recent unanimous passage of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which declared the settlements illegal. The United States historically abstained from the vote, allowing the resolution to pass.
Kerry will attend the January 15 event in Paris alongside representatives from 70 nations.
Donald Trump and his ambassador to Israel nominee, David Friedman, support the settlements. Trump criticized the UN Security Council resolution, tweeting last month, We cannot continue to let Israel be treated with such total disdain and disrespect, and Stay strong Israel, January 20th is fast approaching!
More than half of white evangelicals say that the United States isnt supportive enough of Israel, according to a 2015 Pew Research Center survey. As CT reported last year, Pew found that Israels Christian minority tends to believe the opposite: 86 percent say the United States is too supportive.
Three Christians with expertise in the Israeli-Palestinian ...
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TIME recently published a piece on housework and parenting asserting that until men share the invisible workload that drags women down, women will never be free. Lisa Wade reports on a study by sociologist Susan Walzer in which Walzer found that women do more of the intellectual, mental, and emotional work of childcare and household maintenance. She writes,
We have come a long way toward giving women the freedom to build a life outside the home, but the last step may be an invisible one, happening mostly in our heads. To truly be free, we need to free womens minds. Of course, someone will always have to remember to buy toilet paper, but if that work were shared, womens extra burdens would be lifted. Only then will women have as much lightness of mind as men.
Wade is exploring a well-known and seemingly unresolvable debate: In a post-industrial society where the home space is often cleaved from the work place, who does the domestic work around the house? How do men and women share (if at all) the tedious work of mopping floors, changing diapers, and dashing to the grocery store when the milk runs out? And for those who work outside the home, how do they balance both?
In her recent book, Unfinished Business: Men, Women, Work, Family, Anne-Marie Slaughter argues that in order to understand the unique challenges that women face, we also need to understand the unique challenges that men face, and in order to find tenable solutions, we have to treat the enigma not as a "woman's problem" but rather as a broader "caretaking problem" that involves both women and men. As Christians wrestling with the biblical vision of Gods unique design for men and women, this ...
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home World Algerian Christian gets one-year prison sentence for Facebook post
An Algerian Christian has been sentenced to a year in jail after he was convicted of offending Islam on his Facebook page.
Samir Chamek, a 33-year-old theater actor in Algeria's northern area of Wilaya de Bouira, was detained by the police after cyber-crime officers saw pictures and comments on his Facebook page that were considered to be offensive towards Islam. He was charged under Article 144, which prohibits any "writing, drawing, statement or any other means" that denigrates Muhammad or the precepts of Islam.
Chamek, who converted from Islam in 2005, said the interrogation conducted by the security forces at the police station frightened him.
"The atmosphere inside made me think of the interrogations that one sees on films. Even though I had no reason to be afraid, I was afraid. Yes, the atmosphere curled my hair and turned my insides," Chamek told Morning Star News.
An officer then ordered him to open his Facebook page on the police computer and print the entire content, including photos, links on Quranic verses, and other subjects. Chamek said that the interrogation was focused on Quranic verses and caricatures, some of which were about Muhammad.
After being interrogated for five hours, he received a summons to appear before a judge, who asked him the same questions he had answered at the police station. He initially received a two-year sentence and a fine of 50,000 Algerian dinars (US $450), but the judge gave him a harsher verdict.
"The judge of the court, in agreement with the attorney general, condemned me in my absence to five years in prison and to pay a fine of 100,000 Algerian dinars, accusing me of having infringed Islam and the person of the prophet," he said.
After he received his five-year sentence, Chamek secured an attorney in Bouira and appealed his case. Earlier this month, his sentenced was reduced to one year and the fine was cancelled.
His attorney, believing that he should not be punished in any way based on freedom of speech and religion, is planning to appeal the case to the Supreme Court in Algiers.
An Algerian Christian named Slimane Bouhafs was also accused of offending Islam and Muhammad in a Facebook post. He was sentenced by the Court of Setif to three years' imprisonment last September.
home Life Florida becomes latest state to propose ban on abortions after 20 weeks
Florida has become the latest state to introduce a bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, the period when fetuses are said to be capable of feeling pain.
The bill, known as the Florida Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, was sponsored by Sarasota state Rep. Joe Gruters and state Sen. Greg Steube.
"I just can't imagine a baby having to feel pain and going through this. This is an issue that I feel passionately about." Gruters told the Gainesville Sun.
The current law in Florida bans abortions in the third trimester of pregnancy or after 24 weeks.
The proposal came after a similar legislation was passed in Ohio and Kentucky.
The bill would make it a third-degree felony to conduct an abortion after 20 weeks, except in cases when the mother's health is at risk, Mother Jones reported. It would also require doctors to report every abortion to the state's health department, and it has a provision that would allow parents to sue their abortion providers for actual or punitive damages.
Florida lawmakers have debated a similar bill in 2011, but it was stalled. Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who identifies as pro-life, has not publicly stated whether he would support the bill, but he has approved other restrictions on later abortions in the past.
Nebraska was the first to pass the 20-week ban in 2010. Since that time, the measure has been passed into law in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Pro-abortion advocates have challenged the legislation in several states, including North Carolina and Georgia.
The Florida proposal includes a provision to establish a legal fund to pay for the state attorney general's defense against challenges to the bill.
According to Life News, the bill has gained widespread public support. A poll conducted by inc./WomanTrend indicated that almost 64 percent are in favor of the legislation while only 28 percent were opposed to it.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a similar legislation in 2015, but the bill was stalled in the Senate.
Signing the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act into law was one of the promises made by President-elect Donald Trump during the campaign period.
home World Scottish church allows reading of Quranic passage denying Jesus is God's son
A Quranic passage which denies that Jesus was the son of God was sung during a church service in Scotland last week.
The passage from Surah 19 was reportedly sung in Arabic during the Eucharist service at St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Glasgow to mark the feast of the Epiphany, according to Express.
The reading was given by a Muslim law student named Madinah Javed at the invitation of the cathedral's provost, Rev. Kelvin Holdsworth.
The verse supposedly stated that Mary was "ashamed" after giving birth to Christ and that Jesus miraculously spoke from his crib claiming he was a "servant of God."
The girl singing the passage concluded the recitation with verses 35 and 36 which is translated as: "It does not befit God that He begets a son, be He glorified. To have anything done, He simply says to it, 'Be', and it is."
The service has been described in a post on the cathedral's Facebook page as a "wonderful event."
Retired Anglican bishop Michael Nazir-Ali condemned the reading, saying it was inappropriate for the feast of the Epiphany, which celebrates the revelation that Jesus was the Son of God.
"It is particularly insensitive to have this passage read in Church on the Feast of the Epiphany when we celebrate not only Christ's manifestation to the gentiles but also his baptism and the divine declaration, 'you are my beloved son in whom I am well pleased,'" said Nazir-Ali.
The former bishop urged Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, to publicly distance the Church of England as well as the wider Anglican Communion from the event.
The conservative group Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) UK also asked Welby to intervene.
Rev. Dr. Gavin Ashenden, the chaplain to the Queen, has called on Holdsworth to issue an apology and hinted that he should resign.
"Our interfaith relations require both integrity and competence. The strategy in Glasgow appears to have been short of both," Ashenden wrote in a blog post.
A Lambeth Palace spokesman said that the complaints will be passed on to St. Mary's Cathedral, but it stated that the Archbishop has no jurisdiction because the cathedral is outside of the Church of England.
Taiwanese host Dee Hsu poses for fashion magazine. Hsu is well known for her quick-witted caustic humor. From 2004 to 2015, she co-hosted Kangsi Coming with Kevin Tsai. [Photo/Official Weibo account of Our Street Style]
home World U.S. senator and congressman condemn harsh sentence of Pastor Yang Hua
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Chris Smith have issued separate statements on Wednesday expressing their concerns about the harsh sentencing of Chinese pastor Yang Hua.
Yang, whose real name is Li Guozhi, is the pastor of Living Stone Church in Guiyang, the capital of the Guizhou province. He was taken into police custody on Dec. 9, 2015 for trying to prevent authorities from confiscating a church hard drive during a raid. He was charged with "divulging state secrets" and was formally arrested on Jan. 22, 2016.
The pastor pleaded not guilty at a closed-door hearing in Nanming district court last month. Four days after the hearing, the court handed down the verdict, sentencing him to two and a half years' imprisonment.
Rubio and Smith, who are the co-chairs of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), released their statements condemning the verdict on Yang.
"These believers desire nothing more than to peacefully live out their faith, yet the Chinese government is treating them as enemies of the state as depriving them of their most basic rights," Rubio's statement read, as reported by China Aid.
Smith described the Yang's sentence as "another sad demonstration of China's efforts to suppress and control independent religious activity." He called for the unconditional release of Yang as well as the other pastors of Living Stone Church.
"Given the persistent growth of religious belief in China it is unclear why, other than uninformed fear and stubborn ideological orthodoxy, less counterproductive approaches are not being considered. Pastor Yang Hua, and the other Christian leaders from the Living Stone Church, should be released immediately and unconditionally," he stated.
Yang's lawyers, Zhao Yonglin and Chen Jiangang, had alleged that he was tortured by the prosecutors in order to obtain a confession. Yang requested that the prosecutors be barred from the case, but the court permitted them to remain.
Last September, the lawyers discovered during a visit with their client that he had been suffering from serious health conditions.
Yang's wife, Wang Hongwu, said after the trial that he could only walk with assistance from detention center guards. She disclosed that Yang will likely appeal the case, but he has yet to be allowed to meet with his lawyer.
$60-Million Bible Center Is Set to Rise in Philadelphia
Did the Bible play a crucial role in the writing of the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, thus serving as the bedrock of American life?
The question arose anew after the American Bible Society announced that it is building a $60-million centre across from Independence Mall in Philadelphia, The Philadephia Inquirer reported.
According to the Society, the Faith & Liberty Discovery Center will be devoted to promoting the importance and influence of the Bible in American life across from Independence Mall.
It is in Philadelphia, the largest city of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, where America's Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the Constitution in 1787.
The centre is scheduled to open in fall 2018. But even though the opening date is still more than a year away, the centre has already triggered a debate on the importance of the Bible in American life.
In a news conference on Wednesday, Roy Peterson, president and CEO of the American Bible Society, pointed out that America's founders relied heavily on the values and ideas in the Bible in drafting the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, according to the Inquirer.
"The framers were inspired by words of scripture," Peterson said, adding that to understand the DNA of America, "you need to know something about the Bible."
Daniel Dreisbach, an American University professor who is an expert on the Constitution, supported Peterson, saying the "Bible provided the basic building blocks of American civic life."
In apparent anticipation of an issue that critics could raise, he said a Bible centre near Independence Mall should not be seen as a violation of the principle of the separation of church and state.
"There's a distinction between education and proselytising," Dreisbach said.
However, not everyone is in conformity with their views.
Kermit Roosevelt, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania Law School and a great-great-grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt, said he's not sure if it's historically accurate to say the nation's founders based their ideas on what's written in the Scripture.
"I don't think the U.S. Constitution reflects Christian ideals or doctrine. The Bible is not useful to interpret the Constitution," Roosevelt said.
He said the founders actually wanted religion not to get mixed with government.
Francis Graham Lee, an emeritus professor of political science at St. Joseph's University, shares Roosevelt's view
He clarified, however, that he's not against the building of the new Bible centre and is, in fact, supporting it since it will be "good for business" and attract tourists.
'A Heavenly-Minded Man': The Legacy Of George Fox And The Quakers
Today marks the anniversary of the death of George Fox, the founder of the Society of Friends, popularly known as the Quakers. The movement he founded has endured as tradition not quite like any other in Christian history. But who was Fox, and what makes Quakers different?
Fox, born in 1624, was raised in a strict religious household, but was an outside at many levels. He was an English Dissenter because he opposed the state Church, the Church of England. He tired of what he called "professors", those with a shallow, superficial faith, and he believed the Church of England to be full of them.
Fox became a wandering preacher with his own Christian message, sharing his ideas about the 'Inner Light' that can guide a Christian's life. As he put it in his journal in 1694: "The Lord showed me, so that I did see clearly, that he did not dwell in these temples which men had commanded and set up, but in people's hearts ... his people were his temple, and he dwelt in them."
Followers of his message became known as 'Friends of the Light', or simply 'friends', and later 'The Religious Society of Friends'.
The group got their name of "Quakers" because the troublesome Fox once found himself before a judge, whom Fox told to "tremble at the word of the Lord". In the eyes of many in society the Quakers were dangerous radicals and they were imprisoned and persecuted across the years.
The Quakers were indeed radical. They emphasised an alternative way of life: they opposed alcohol and promoted manners and simplicity of dress. They were also passionate social activists, preaching peace, social justice, and lobbying for the abolition of slavery.
They also had a unique understanding of church gatherings. Quaker meetings had no music, formal ritual, or clergy to lead them. Rather members at the meeting would wait silently for the Spirit to move, perhaps prompting someone to share a word from God.
Their anti-establishment ways meant that many considered them to be blasphemers. One early Quaker leader, James Nayler, was severely punished by Parliament for re-enacting Christ's entry into Jerusalem by riding into Bristol on a donkey: he was whipped, branded on the forehead with a 'B' for 'blasphemer' and had his tongue bored through with a red hot iron.
Fox suffered ill health in his later years and died in 1691. William Penn, Quaker and founder of Pennsylvania, wrote of Fox: "In all things aquitted himself like a man, yea, a strong man, a new and heavenly-minded man."
But what of the Quaker legacy?
They were a key part of businesses that are still influential, such as confectionery companies like Rowntrees and Cadburys. These businesses integrated social justice into their practices, and led the way in transforming labour laws, and marrying profit and philanthropy. Top banks like Barclays and Lloyds were also founded by Quakers and shared their emphasis on ethical, honest business.
Quakers today maintain this emphasis on social justice, particularly a passion for peace, often publicly advocating against war and promoting nuclear disarmament. The Quakers, as pacifists, do not serve in the military. They are deeply committed to social care, prioritising care for society's most vulnerable. Their concern for equality in 2009 led the Quakers in the UK to advocate for same-sex marriage in 2009.
Theologically the Quakers tend to elude precise faith commitments. The Quakers UK website states on its 'faith' page: "Although we have our roots in Christianity, we also find meaning and value in the teachings and insights of other faiths and traditions." They don't advertise any particular creeds, instead simply stating that "there is something of God in everyone".
The Quakers have come along way since the 1600s. They've certainly maintained their "outsider" status, as well as their social convictions about peace and equality, though many would label them as being quite far from orthodox Christianity.
George Fox founded a movement that has endured for more than 400 years and profoundly influenced the world today. He can be remembered as a man who stood for his convictions whatever the cost, and taught Christians to be more than mere "professors" of religion, cultivating instead a deep, still, yet passionate kind of faith.
Abuse After Cathedral's Quran Reading Prompts Police Investigation
Offensive comments directed at clergy at St Mary's Cathedral, Glasgow, have prompted a police investigation after the Quran was read at a service last week.
Police Scotland confirmed it is investigating remarks after the Epiphany service contained a recitation from the Islamic holy book denying Jesus was the son of God a key Christian doctrine.
"Police Scotland will not tolerate any form of hate crime and encourages all communities to continue working together to ensure no one feels threatened or marginalised," a spokesman told Christian Today.
St Mary's Cathedral has recently received a number of offensive messages online which have been reported to @policescotland. St Mary's Glasgow (@thecathedral) January 12, 2017
We are grateful to @policescotland for their support today. St Mary's Glasgow (@thecathedral) January 12, 2017
Very Rev Kelvin Holdsworth invited the reading from Madinah Javed, a law student from Glasgow, at the January 6 service to celebrate Epiphany, the coming of the Magi to worship Jesus.
But Javed went beyond the passage translated for the congregation in the service sheet to include verses that explicitly denied Jesus was God's son a fundamental difference between Islam and Christianity.
It is not clear whether Holdsworth authorised the extra verses or whether he was unaware Javed had recited the controversial passage.
Holdsworth has declined to speak to Christian Today.
The Cathedral defended the reading in a statement online but did not comment on the declaration that Jesus was not God's son.
"We listened with interest to the story that Muslims tell of the annunciation of Jesus in the Quran," the statement read.
"Such readings have happened a number of times in the past in this and in other churches and have led to deepening friendships locally, to greater awareness of the thing we hold in common and to dialogue about the ways in which we differ."
The Cathedral initially posted a video on Facebook of the reading describing it as a "wonderful event".
The post has since been deleted but it read: "The congregation was also reminded during the service that it is not only Christians who give honour to Jesus. We were joined by friends from two local Muslim communities."
A video of the incident on YouTube prompted outrage from some Anglicans with calls for him to quit. The video has also been removed.
Rev James Paice, a leading member of the conservative GAFCON UK grouping, called on the Archbishop of Canterbury to intervene in an open letter to Lambeth Palace.
This came after the former Bishop of Rochester, Michael Nazir-Ali, also called for action.
""The authorities of the Scottish Episcopal Church should immediately repudiate this ill-advised invitation," he said in a statement.
Rev Peter Ould, a conservative Anglican from Canterbury, wrote in a blog post: "It's one thing to share examples of Muslim scriptures in a non divine service context, it's another to specifically incorporate them into Anglican liturgy."
Madinah Javed has been contacted for comment.
Algerian Christian Gets Year In Jail For Facebook Post
An Algerian Christian has been sentenced to a year in jail for a post he made on Facebook.
Samir Chamek, 34 was found guilty of insulting Islam on its prophet on the social media platform Facebook, on January 8, 2017. He was sentenced to a year in prison by the court in Bouira, Algeria, World Watch Monitor reports.
Chamek will appeal his sentence, taking his case to the Algerian Supreme Court.
The incident took place in December 2015. Pictures and comments were seen on Chamek's Facebook page by Bouira Police's cyber crime officials which were said to be "accusing the prophet Muhammad of terrorism and murder and comparing the prophet to Hitler, mentioning the persecution and massacre of the Jews".
Chamek was detained by police and then released. He told World Watch Monitor: "I was arrested and taken to the police station, where I was interrogated for nearly five hours. I was asked to open my Facebook page, which I did."
In July 2016, Chamek was fined 100,000 Algerian dinars ($900 USD). When Chamek appealed, the prosecution lobbied for a heavier sentence, and Chamek was given five years in jail alongside the fine in October. Chamek appealed that sentence, and now just faces the one year imprisonment.
Chamek insists that he is not guilty. "I will appeal to the Supreme Court," he told WWM. "I explained to the judge that I only shared publications from other people, and I do not master the computer and French (which many Algerians speak) very well."
Another Algerian Christian, Slimane Bouhafs was sentenced to three years' imprisonment in September 2016 for offending Islam on Facebook.
There are just 39,000 Christians among Algeria's population of more than 40 million, which is predominantly Muslim. Conversion from Islam, or an attempt to convert someone else, is illegal and Muslim converts are forced to worship in secret.
Persecution watchdog Open Doors ranks Algeria at number 36 on its 2017 World Watch List, which lists the 50 countries where it is hardest to be a Christian.
Christian Mother and Son Who Escaped Clutches of ISIS Say Children Were Being Brainwashed to Kill 'With Pleasure'
Survivors of the Islamic State (ISIS) reign of terror in the Middle East have been telling horrific tales that can chill people's bones down to the spine.
A Christian mother and her son who managed to escape the clutches of ISIS told the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need that they witnessed forced conversions to Islam as well as the training of child killers.
Jandark Benham Mansour Nassi, 55, and her son Ismail, 16, were seized by ISIS fighters from their home in Bartella, a predominantly Christian town in Northern Iraq, and taken to Mosul.
"I was very afraid," said Jandark, a widow. "Our names were written down, and we had no idea where we were and what would happen to us. We were completely shut off from the outside world. Shortly after, we received permission to return to Bartella, but at a checkpoint we had to convert to Islam and when we refused, they hit us. My son was put in prison. He was only 14 years old."
In prison, Ismail saw gun-toting jihadi children, the so-called "cubs of the caliphate," who he said were being taught to kill ISIS captives. "Once, when I was going to the mosque with the jihadists early in the morning, our path was blocked," he recalled. "Suddenly we were passed by men in orange suits, held at gunpoint by a group of Daesh children. The children executed them with pleasure."
Another time, Ismail ran into a big crowd on the street and saw a woman with her hands and feet tied. The terrorists drew a circle around her and told her she would live if she managed to get outside the circle. However, Ismail said it was impossible given how she was tied.
"While her relatives were crying and begging for pardon, the jihadists threw stones at her until she died," he said.
Personally, Ismail said the jihadists threatened to kill him if he did not to convert to Islam. Out of fear, he agreed. He was even forced to go to a "correctional camp" and learn the Quran. They also wanted him to marry one of their own, but Ismail objected, saying he was still too young.
As for his mother, they tortured her for not knowing anything about their religion. "Men were obligated to pray in the mosque on Friday. Anyone who would walk on the streets during the Friday prayer would be beaten. In the mosque, we were told that Assyrians were evil and that Christians did not believe in the right way," he said. "My mother should have to pray at home but she did not pray to Allah."
Thankfully, Ismail and his mother was able to find safety in Erbil, where thousands of Christians are now seeking refuge. "Daesh snipers tried to shoot us. We ran for cover into a house. After hours of fighting, my mother and I were able to leave the house, waving a white flag. Soldiers of the Iraqi liberation army welcomed us. We were free," Ismail said.
Church Of Sweden Is Losing Members At A Record Rate
A record number of people are leaving the Church of Sweden, according to new figures. The statistics show 86,000 members of the Church left in 2016.
Given the population of the whole country is around 10 million, the drop in membership is significant. It's worth noting that before disestablishment, church membership was automatic upon birth, whereas now comes with baptism, so many of those who are now leaving may never have actually been active church members.
The Church of Sweden formally separated from the state in 2000 and since then the number of Swedes deciding to sever their ties has increased. Despite this, official figures show 63 per cent of the population are members and pay the 'Church tax' accordingly.
Like many European countries, Sweden's Church was established by law for many generations. In neighbouring Norway, a similar separation between the state and the Church is taking place, with January 1, marking the formal 'divorce'.
A similar process of membership decline is under way in Norway, where thousands of people have been opting to leave the former state Church.
The Scandinavian Lutheran Churches have histories which stretch back to the Reformation and beyond and have played key roles in the shaping of their countries' history and culture. The future is looking much less certain, though, with the Church of Sweden predicting the fall in membership will continue for the next few decades at least.
Could We See An End To Pakistan's Notorious Blasphemy Laws?
Pakistan's controversial blasphemy laws are set to be debated by a Senate committee after years of criticism over their misuse.
A senior official, senator Farhatullah Babar, told Reuters the Senate Committee on Human Rights will start discussions on the laws as early as next week, based on recommendations from a 24-year-old report.
He said it would be the first time in decades that any parliamentary body had considered a formal proposal to stop the abuse of the blasphemy laws.
At least 95 per cent of the Pakistani population is Muslim, and Islam is enshrined in the constitution as the state religion. The US Commission for International Religious Freedom last year said the country's blasphemy laws "intrinsically violate international standards of freedom of religion of belief" and accused the Pakistani government of failing to provide adequate protections for faiths other than Islam.
The laws prescribe life imprisonment for the desecration of the Qur'an and the death sentence for "defiling" the Prophet Mohammed, 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 people are currently on death row or serving life sentences for blasphemy in Pakistan than in any other country in the world. The imprisoned include Asia Bibi a Christian mother-of-five who has now been awaiting her death sentence for more than six years and whose case has made headlines across the globe.
However, though campaigners say the laws are frequently misused by people wishing to settle scores or target religious minorities, there remains a significant portion of Pakistani society who support the laws remaining in place.
Many religious conservatives consider even criticising the laws as blasphemy in 2011, Pakistani governor Salman Taseer was assassinated by his bodyguard after calling for reform of the laws. His killer, Mumtaz Qadri, was hailed as a hero by Muslim hardliners, and tens of thousands of supporters attended his funeral after he was executed last year. A shrine built over his grave on the outskirts of Islamabad is still visited by thousands.
According to Babar, the committee would consider a proposal making it binding to investigate complaints before registering a case, to ensure "genuine blasphemy" had been committed. He also said the committee would debate whether life imprisonment was an adequate punishment, instead of the mandatory death penalty.
The subject is incredibly contentious, though, and if the committee makes any recommendations it would be only the first step in a long process to bring about change in how the laws are enforced.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's office declined to comment on the Senate committee's moves.
His party's support would be needed for any measures to move forward, and while legislation protecting women's rights has been passed and Sharif has reached out to minorities, it is unclear if he would risk a backlash over blasphemy.
Tahir Ashrafi, head of the influential Pakistan Ulema Council of Muslim clerics, said it would oppose any change. "Make new laws to punish those who abuse blasphemy laws," he told Reuters. "But no one can even think about changing this law."
Asia Bibi was scheduled to face her final appeal last October, but it was cancelled at the last minute after the judge declared a conflict of interest. In earlier trials and appeals Islamic extremists packed out the courts in an attempt to intimidate the judge into upholding her death sentence. Campaigners said the failure to overturn her conviction in spite of overwhelming evidence of her innocence is probably at least in part because of threats to their own life by Islamists.
In the case of her final appeal, it is not known why the judge waited until the day it was set to declare he could not oversee the case. Andrew Boyd of persecution charity Release International told Christian Today: "What we do know is that there is an extreme climate of intimidation."
Wilson Chowdhry of the British Pakistani Christian Association was more forthright. "Judges are being frightened, and it's preventing them from conducting this case in an appropriate manner, and bringing justice," he told Christian Today.
But despite the real threat of backlash, there are signs that the Pakistani government may be taking a firmer stance against Muslim hardliners.
Last week, police arrested 150 activists rallying in support of the blasphemy laws on the anniversary of the assassination of Salman Taseer. Authorities have also resisted a demand to register a blasphemy case against Shaan Taseer, Salman's son, over a Christmas message calling for prayers for those charged under the "inhumane" legislation.
"This government has shown a firmer stance than the government when my father was martyred," Shaan Taseer said.
Pakistan's 2.5 million Christians live in hope that these are signs of greater freedoms to come.
Additional reporting by Reuters.
England Has One, America Never Has. Is A State Church A Good Idea?
Globally, the Church is thriving. Thousands are coming to faith daily in China, parts of Africa and South America. Yet here in Europe the story is one of decline. There are bright spots amid that decline, but still the overall trend is toward a reduction in the number of believers, both committed and nominal.
In the US, some feel that the precedent set by Europe is one which America will follow in due course.
Into this mix, this morning we reported that the number of adherents to the Church of Sweden is in free fall. 86,000 members of the Church left in 2016 the highest number ever in a single year. A similar pattern has emerged in Norway.
In both these countries, the official state Church has been disestablished after hundreds of years. In 2000, Sweden's Church separated formally from the state, while January 1 this year saw the same thing happen in Norway. Across the bridge in Denmark, the state Church remains officially established. Yet the same reason which has seen many thousands of nominal Norwegians and Swedes officially sever their links with the Church is at play there too. To avoid paying the Church tax a levy which supports the work of the Church people who are officially members, even if they rarely attend, are leaving. After an atheist advertising campaign, over 10,000 people decided to leave the Danish Church earlier this year.
Finland has a similar story to tell, of high institutional membership, but low levels of participation. There, though, there are interesting signs of a reawakening of belief.
On the whole, though, projections suggest the decline in numbers of the official (and formerly official) state Churches of Europe may continue for decades to come.
It leads to the question which has been asked repeatedly in the US and the UK over generations what use is a state Church?
In the USA, there has never been an officially established national Church. However, some states did have official Churches. By 1833, though, the final official links between the Congregational Church and the State of Massachusetts had been severed. This means that for most of its history, the US has been a 'Christian country' (demographically, Christian faith was the biggest religion, Judeo-Christian values were the basis of much of the law and culture etc.) without having an established Church.
In Great Britain, we have a very different history. The Church in Wales was disestablished in 1926, but both England and Scotland retain their established Churches to this day. Constitutionally, the Church still plays a central role in British life. Prayers are said in Parliament at the start of each day, Bishops still sit in the House of Lords by right and the Queen remains the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
Significantly, the system in England and Scotland works differently from elsewhere in Northern Europe. There is no Church tax here, so there is no financial incentive to leave. In fact, it is tricky to know what membership actually entails. One in 10 infants are still baptised in the Church of England, but figures show that only around 750,000 people are regular attenders at church something like 1.5 per cent of the population. There is no obvious way to 'leave' the Church of England either, unlike in Norway where an online system allowed people to opt out.
With there being no change likely in Great Britain in the near future, Christians in the UK and US live with very different systems. But what are the advantages and disadvantages of the two systems?
The USA, free of the encumbrance of state religion, has a vibrant and thriving Christian Church. Because many flowers were allowed to bloom, there have been a wide variety of movements. Some of them have been inspirational, such as Pentecostalism, while others have been considered heretical Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons and Christian Science, for example.
The entrepreneurialism of American Protestantism has led to great dynamism and the experience of the Great Awakenings, which transformed the religious landscape of the country would undoubtedly have been different had there been an established Church. Yet that dynamism has led to overreach. The excesses of the prosperity gospel and the exploitative end of televangelism were also partially a fruit of the free-market in religious ideas.
How about the other side of the pond? England's and Scotland's established Churches and their closeness to the political and cultural elite have insulated the UK from the more extreme expressions of political Christianity that have proved so divisive in America. The British equivalent of the Religious Right has happily remained marginal for this reason.
Yet, it also seems that some of the dynamism that characterises American Christianity has been lacking in the UK. We have certainly had revivals, from Wesley's Methodist movement to the pit villages of South Wales in the early 20th century. But to many Brits, the default version of Christianity they have been offered is a more 'woolly' version of established Anglicanism. Having said that, there is vibrancy to much of the Church of England still and its establishment does make it visible to many non churchgoers who still feel a sense of ownership of 'their' parish church.
Is establishment or disestablishment preferable, then? There are arguments for both. It's a question made even more interesting when looking at China, which has a state-sanctioned (though not officially linked) Church and various underground networks, too, and where much of the future shape of Christianity will be decided.
Should we agree with Danish theologian and philosopher Soren Kierkegaard, who described the established Church as, "from the Christian point of view, an impudent indecency"?
Ultimately, there probably isn't a 'right' answer as such, unless you are a thoroughly committed secularist or Nonconformist. In the US and UK, there is little state interference with the Church and that is as it should be. Sadly, elsewhere, authoritarian regimes such as China do regulate how the official Churches can behave. The Church is at its best when it is committed to the Gospel helping as many people as possible to love God and neighbour. This can, and does, happen in both established and other Churches. It's that we should be focused on.
French Evangelicals Defy Decline - Open A New Church Every 10 Days
Evangelicalism in France is on the rise, a study by the National Council of Evangelicals in France (CNEF) has found.
The study reported by Evangelical Focus shows around 35 new evangelical churches were opened in France last year or three a month.
Daniel Liechti, the president of the CNEF's New Church Plants Committee told French newspaper La Croix that the growth of evangelical Christians in France had been steady during the last 20 years. However, he said: "Within two years we may be able to say that this pace is even accelerating slightly more."
The study takes account of churches that have closed, leading to an accurate picture of growth in France. However, it refers only to churches that are in membership with CNEF, which represents around 70 per cent of all evangelical churches in the country.
There are around 650,000 evangelical Christians in France, around a third of all Protestants, and according to CNEF study the numb has increased tenfold in the last 60 years.
France is an overwhelmingly Catholic country, with an estimated 56 per cent of the population having been baptised. However, it suffers from an aging and over-stretched priesthood and a shortage of vocations, and weekly mass-going is estimated at only around six per cent.
Front face of Nokia 6 [Liu Zheng/chinadaily.com.cn]
Finnish startup HMD Global has unveiled its first ever Nokia branded android phone that exclusively targets Chinese consumers.
The Nokia 6 was debuted last week at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
At a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday, HMD Global chief executive officer Arto Nummela, expressed his optimism about the market potential of China.
"We believe that we've had an in-depth understanding of the Chinese market and we've prepared to meet the competitions," Nummela said. "Chinese consumers are very well-educated and they know what they are demanding, their energy impressed me each time I have visited the nation."
It is the first handset released under the Nokia brand since 2014, when Nokia sold its devices and services division to Microsoft Corp.
The Nokia 6 will be equipped with a 5.5-inch full high definition display with 2.5D Gorilla Glass on top, and will have the latest Android Nougat operation system installed out of the box.
Nokia's logo is seen on the rear cover of Nokia 6. [Liu Zheng/chinadaily.com.cn]
Che Xiangguang, general manager of products and business development division of HMD Global Greater China Region responded to questions about the decision to power the device with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor, recognized as a low-end product of the US chip maker.
He said that performance, power dissipation and user experience have to be balanced when manufacturing the phone.
The device has been released for pre-order on local e-commerce platform JD.com with a price at 1,699 yuan ($245), and it will start shipping January 19.
The platform will provide marketing and distribution services for HMD in China over the next five years, under a strategic agreement signed recently between the two companies.
Industry observers suggested that the once well-known brand Nokia would face challenges re-entering the fiercely competitive middle-range market, lead by domestic vendors Huawei, Vivo, Oppo and Xiaomi.
Counterpoint Technology Market Research director James Yan told China Daily that to select e-commerce as their beginning distribution platform was a wise move, as it will save costs and be efficient.
HMD Global chief executive officer Arto Nummela delivers a keynote speech at the launch ceremony of Nokia 6 held in Beijing, January 11, 2017. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Yan also remains cautious that the brand may require a certain transition time to adapt to a market that has changed rapidly in recent years.
He expected 50,000 to 100,000 devices to be shipped per month.
Jin Di, research manager at IDC China, also noted the competition in the mid to high-end smartphone markets in China was heating up.
She said that although the brand still has some influence in industry circles, Nokia would face a big challenge if they are not be able to target their own niche market.
"The world's android phone community has seen serious product homogeneity and the Nokia phone maker has to deploy differentiation strategy to compete with the other vendors of the country," Jin said. "As the brand has faded for years in the market, difficulties will appear as HMD chooses local distributors and mobile carriers to promote new products."
How Will The Next Bishop Of London Be Chosen?
The Bishop of London Richard Chartres retires next month after 10 years. He is among the most charismatic as well as most orthodox of all the Bishops in the Church of England. Not only has he held together the Church's most diverse diocese, he has led it to remarkable growth. Evangelical, Anglo-Catholic, even liberal all have thrived on his watch. Not least, as Dean of the Chapels Royal, he has built an extraordinarily strong relationship with the Royal Family. His last public engagement as bishop will be Candlemas at St Paul's Cathedral on February 2.
1. So Bishop Richard Chartres is retiring. Do we know who will succeed him?
As Christian Today reveals exclusively today, the favourite is the Bishop of Chelmsford, Stephen Cottrell, followed by the Bishop of Gloucester Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Stepney Adrian Newman, Bishop of Birmingham David Urquhart and Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, Rose Hudson-Wilkin.
2. Some of those are women. How likely is it a woman will be chosen?
No woman currently has the experience as a bishop that many in the diocese believe is needed to lead it, simply because they have not been consecrated for long enough. London is one of the top five dioceses the order is Canterbury, York, London, Durham, Winchester. The next one of these to become vacant after London will be York, in three years when Archbishop John Sentamu turns 70. Church leaders certainly want a woman in one of the top jobs so if a woman does not get London, it is likely one will go to York. In a way that makes more sense because they will have more experience, although Archbishop Justin Welby went to Canterbury after just one year at Durham. Chartres did not himself ordain women priests and everyone knows God has a sense of humour. Under the Holy Spirit, anything is possible.
3. Who chooses the next bishop?
HM The Queen actually makes the appointment. She is Supreme Governor of the Church of England which is established by law. But that is just the end of a very very long process.
4. How does the process start?
First the current incumbent must leave his post which actually hasn't happened yet so it has not started, even though speculation about the successor has begun. As soon as Richard Chartres has gone, at the start of February, the London diocese will appoint members of its Vacancy in See committee. This committee must work out the "challenges and priorities" for the next bishop. It draws up a "statement of needs" and also elects six people from the diocese to serve on the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC). In addition, both the Prime Minister and the Archbishop of Canterbury have "appointments secretaries". These are in effect civil servants who advise the Church throughout the process. They are involved at every stage, including the Vacancy in See committee, and produce a "memorandum" to help the Church.
5. What is the Crown Nominations Commission and what does it do?
The CNC nominates the successful two candidates in order of preference to the Prime Minister who advises the Queen, who makes the appointment. The convention is for the first name to be chosen. The CNC is made up of six diocesan members, six members elected by the General Synod and the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. The synod members are elected every five years, an event that is imminent at the next synod in February.
6. How do they choose the candidates?
A long list and a short list are drawn up by the CNC which must meet at least twice. First though an advertisement is placed in the national and Church press. Anyone can nominate someone or apply themselves. Four candidates are called for interviews. Meetings for London will be held at Lambeth Palace, Archbishop Welby's office, and last all day. The precise dates will remain private, though.
7. How long will it all take?
A long time. After the appointment is made, there has to be a formal election in the diocese, a confirmation of election and then an enthronement at St Paul's cathedral. London will hopefully have its new bishop by next Christmas.
Iraq Forces Advance On Second Mosul Bridge In Battle To Retake City
Iraqi special forces pushed forward to reach a second bridge that links eastern Mosul to the city's west, which is still fully controlled by Islamic State, a military statement said on Friday.
Troops further north meanwhile battled to try to seize the strategic Mosul University area, capture of which would help parallel advances towards bridges over the Tigris river, a Reuters correspondent nearby said.
Elite counter-terrorism service (CTS) units reached the southern Second Bridge, also called Freedom Bridge, one of five running across the river that bisects Mosul from north to south, the military statement reported by state TV said.
Iraqi forces have now reached two of the bridges, after fighting their way to the southernmost Fourth Bridge several days ago.
All the bridges have been hit by US coalition air strikes in an effort to hamper Islamic State militants' movement across the city. US and Iraqi military officials say Islamic State has caused further damage to at least two of them to try to hamper any Iraqi advance across the river.
Iraqi forces are now in control of most of eastern Mosul. Assaults on the west, which Islamic State still fully holds, will be able to begin once they have secured the east bank of the Tigris.
In Mosul's northeast, CTS forces battled to drive militants out of the Mosul University area, the Reuters reporter in a neighbouring district said.
An Iraqi officer said army units backed by air strikes had meanwhile taken control of Hadba district, north of the university, and would aid the assault on the complex.
The recapture of the university would enable further advances because it overlooks areas closer to the river, a commander said this week.
The ultra-hardline group seized nuclear materials used for scientific research from the university when they overran it in 2014, the United Nations says.
The US-backed campaign to drive Islamic State out of Mosul, involving a 100,000-strong force of Iraqi troops, Kurdish fighters and Shi'ite militias, began in October.
Mosul's recapture will probably spell the end of the Iraqi side of its self-style caliphate, which the group declared in 2014 in vast areas spanning northern Iraq and eastern Syria.
Missing Mexican Priest Found Dead Another Martyr To Drugs Cartels?
A Mexican priest missing since early Januaary has been found dead, the Catholic Church has revealed.
Fears had been raised for the safety of Father Joaquin Hernandez Sifuentes, who ministered in the state of Coahuila, which is plagued by drug cartel violence.
A statement from the state's Saltillo diocese said it had been informed his body had been discovered. It released no other information, said Fox News.
The statement said: "Father Joaquin was someone who looked for perfection in everything he did; the desire to always innovate in his work, has been reflected in love by the faithful, including during the past 10 days."
Hernandez was due to go on holiday on January 3 but is thought to have been abducted. A friend went to his house at the church and found his room in disarray.
While no details have emerged about the circumstances of Hernandez' death, he is the latest of more than 30 priests to have been killed in Mexico since 2006, most of them in areas plagued by drug violence.
In November, Father Jose Luis Sanchez Ruiz, a priest and human rights activist, was been found alive but tortured after being abducted in the state of Veracruz, the third priest to have been kidnapped since September. The other two were shot and killed.
Accordng to Bishop Fidencio Lopez, Sanchez Ruiz was "dumped, with notable signs of torture" at an undisclosed location.
She Saved Hundreds Of Twins From Being Murdered. Who Was Mary Slessor?
Just over 100 years ago today, a great woman of God died of fever in a remote village in Nigeria. She was Mary Slessor of Calabar, and she had given her life to minister to the people there.
Born in 1848 in Aberdeen to a poor family her father was a shoemaker but became an alcoholic and could not continue his trade she was inspired to become a missionary by the death of David Livingstone. After training, she arrived in what is now Nigeria in 1876, at the age of 28.
Slessor suffered badly from malaria at her mission station in Calabar and was forced to return to Scotland. However, on her recovery she returned to Calabar and worked among the Efik people, learning their language and immersing herself in their culture.
She's remembered particularly for her campaign against human sacrifice and particularly the murder of twins, who were regarded as cursed and abandoned in the bush. Slessor sent out 'twins missioners' to find them and would bring them back to her mission compound to be raised. She is believed to have saved hundreds of lives in this way. She was also a pioneer in education, creating the Hope Waddell Training Institute in Calabar where the children could be given practical vocational training.
She was increasingly recognised for her achievements, being awarded the Order of St John of Jerusalem in 1913. When she died of fever in a remote village on January 13, 1915, she was given the equivalent of a state funeral. The Union Jack covered her coffin and flags at government buildings were flown at half-mast. There are statues to her at various locations in Calabar today and she is still revered by the Efik people.
The 6 Religious Leaders Who Will Pray At Trump's Inauguration
Donald Trump has chosen the largest group of clergy and religious leaders to pray and speak at his inauguration next week.
Six pastors and other faith leaders will pray or offer a blessing of some form more than have done so at the inauguration of any other US president.
Trump's list of names is diverse, ranging from the Hispanic evangelical Samuel Rodriguez to Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Jewish Rabbi Marvin Hier.
Since 1989 Presidents have chosen just one or two people to pray at their inaugurations, with Ronald Reagan in 1985 the last to have a Rabbi. The bigger and more extravagant range of figures is typical of Trump who tops Richard Nixon's choice of five leaders at his inauguration in 1969.
The six names display a variety across different faith traditions. But they all have one thing in common all have some form of personal connection to Trump or have publicly supported him.
Franklin Graham
The son of famous evangelist Billy Graham, who prayed at the ceremonies for Richard Nixon, George Bush and Bill Clinton, has himself already prayed at the ceremony in 2001 for George W Bush.
The younger Graham refrained from publicly endorsing Trump during the campaign but frequently indicated his strong support for the Republican. After a video showing lewd comments Trump made about women, Graham said: "The crude comments made by Donald J Trump more than 11 years ago cannot be defended. But the godless progressive agenda of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton likewise cannot be defended... The most important issue of this election is the Supreme Court."
He has repeatedly referred to the importance of the Supreme Court, which Trump has vowed to flood with conservative judges.
The outspoken figure, who has taken over from his father at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse, has faced calls to step down from praying over accustions that he has an "extremist" attitude towards Islam.
Paula White
White, a preacher from Florida, is known for her teaching on "abundancy" and her own lavish lifestyle.
The televangelist is credited with Trump's much-heralded "conversion" and has defended his enormous wealth.
"Every day you're [living] your destiny, designed by God and discovered by you," White said in a recent sermon. "You're either in a position of abundance, you're in a position of prosperity, or you're in a position of poverty. Now that's in every area of your life... You're living abundant in your affairs of life and that includes your financial conditions or you're living in poverty."
She will be the only woman to pray on January 20 and only the second woman in history after civil rights campaigner Medgar Evers's widow, Myrlie Evers-Williams, was the first in 2013.
Rabbi Marvin Hier
The first Rabbi to be chosen since Reagan's second inauguration in 1985, Hier has said it is a "particular honour" to be chosen and said it "shows the greatness of America".
Hier's parents fled Poland before the Holocaust and he now runs the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. The project aims "to confront all forms of prejudice and discrimination in our world today".
As a result of this role, Hier has also faced calls to step down because "Trump's entire presidential campaign encouraged the opposite".
Fellow Rabbi Jason Miller wrote in TIME: "He [Trump] denigrated immigrants, mocked the disabled and disrespected women."
He added: "By refusing this role, Rabbi Hier would be making a loud statement in defiance of prejudice and hate. He has the opportunity to proclaim to the world what his institution stands for."
Samuel Rodriguez
Rodriguez, along with Cardinal Dolan, is one of the more surprising entries to the list.
Born to Puerto Rican parents, he is the President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) and an ordained minister in the pentecostal Assemblies of God denomination.
He is the first Hispanic leader to pray at a presidential inauguration.
Unlike Graham and White, Rodriguez was not afraid to publicly criticise Trump during his campaign.
"I'm actually very opposed to his [Trump's] rhetoric on most issues," he said. "At the top of the list, his rhetoric on immigrants, on immigration, is unacceptable.".
Rodriguez agreed to pray at the inauguration after "prayerful deliberation and discussion", he told NPR, and decided he could not miss the chance to pray on "the quintessential political platform on the planet".
Rodriguez hopes through engaging with Trump, he can shift his attitude towards Hispanic voters, 30 per cent of whom voted for the Republican.
"There was a bit of angst due to the fact that throughout the course of this campaign, the rhetoric and tone, as it pertained particularly to the immigrant community, did not line up with the ethos or the values of the NHCLC," he said, adding he had heard a "change of tone" in recent weeks.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan
Cardinal Timothy Dolan is the most prominent Catholic leader in the US, the Archbishop of New York.
In a statement after his invitation he said: "I am honoured to have been asked to offer a reading from Scripture at the upcoming presidential inauguration, and look forward to asking Almighty God to inspire and guide our new President and to continue to bless our great Nation."
He told critics he would have been just as honoured had Hillary Clinton won and invited him.
"We pastors and religious leaders are in the sacred enterprise of prayer. People ask us to pray with them and for them. That doesn't mean we're for them or against them," he told Catholic News Service.
"That's our sacred responsibility."
The arch-conservative and fellow New Yorker has met Trump twice before and has, like Rodriguez, not been afraid to criticise his attitude towards immigrants.
"I am not in the business of telling people what candidates they should support or who deserves their vote," he wrote in the Washington Post. "But as a Catholic, I take seriously the Bible's teaching that we are to welcome the stranger, one of the most frequently mentioned moral imperatives in both the Old and New Testament."
Dolan will read from Wisdom chapter 9, a text in the Catholic Bible where Solomon asks for wisdom to lead Israel according to God's will.
Bishop Wayne T Jackson
As leader of Great Faith Ministries in Detroit, Jackson played a key role in Trump's campaign by giving him a rare audience in front of a black church.
The African-American pastor, like White, has been accused of being a prosperity gospel preacher. He lives in a multimillion dollar mansion in Detroit and drives luxury cars. His invitation to pray is seen as Trump returning the favour.
After facing criticism for his endorsement of Trump, Jackson said the billionaire's wealth was a sign God had blessed him.
"Donald Trump is an example of someone who has been blessed by God," said Jackson. "Look at his homes, businesses, his wife and his jet. You don't get those things unless you have the favour of God."
Trump's Inauguration: Why Who Prays Is Always Controversial
Donald Trump's six religious leaders who will join him on stage at his inauguration have a perilous task.
The lineup of pastors, clergy and rabbis at presidential inaugurations are always controversial.
Seen to be praying, offering a benediction, reading or simply being on stage is seen by watchful churchgoers as an endorsement of everything that particular President stands for.
Equally being prayed for or inviting someone to read or give a blessing is also seen by some to be the President endorsing everything the pastor stands for.
Louie Giglio is the most famous victim of such controversy. The Atlanta-based pastor was set to give a blessing at Obama's 2013 inauguration. But in the build a sermon he had given on homosexuality in the mid 1990s was dug up. In it he condemned the "aggressive agenda" of gay rights, saying being gay was a sinful choice and LGBT people would be blocked from "entering the Kingdom of God".
The "only way out of a homosexual lifestyle ... is through the healing power of Jesus," he says in the sermon. "We've got to say to the homosexuals, the same thing that I say to you and that you would say to me ... it's not easy to change, but it is possible to change."
The furore that followed eventually led to him stepping down.
Michael Wear, Obama's faith adviser described the controversy as "easily the worst period of my time working for the president".
He wrote: "Liberals were the sharks who smelled blood in the water."
Rick Warren faced a similar backlash after he was announced in the line up for Obama's first inauguration in 2009. This time it was both from conservative evangelicals who opposed the first black President's swearing in as well as LGBT activists.
Warren, who was equally unequivocle in his opposition to gay marriage, stood his ground and delivered his invocation managing to get Jesus' name mentioned in four different languages.
Wear summed up the different inaugurations: "In 2009, our diversity demanded we accept that there will be voices we disagree with in public spaces. In 2013, diversity required us to expel all dissent."
This year's line up has its own set of controversy albeit without the hysteria of 2013.
Franklin Graham has faced calls from the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) to stand down for his "extremist" views on Islam. Graham has been unapologetic in his belief that Islam is incompatible with American values.
"Every Muslim that comes into this country has the potential to be radicalised and they do their killing to honour their religion and Muhammad," he wrote on Facebook in 2015.
""[T]rue Islam cannot be practiced in this country. You can't beat your wife. You cannot murder your children if you think they've committed adultery or something like that, which they do practice in these other countries," he once told CNN.
CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:"If President-elect Trump truly seeks to unite our nation as he promised in his acceptance speech, he will limit the list of those offering prayers at the inauguration to religious leaders who work to bring us together, not to create divisions between faiths."
Similarly Samuel Rodriguez and Cardinal Timothy Dolan have also faced criticism from their own Hispanic and Catholic communities.
Rodriguez accepted the invitation after "prayerful deliberation and discussion" and Dolan told critics he would have been just as honoured had Hillary Clinton won and invited him.
"We pastors and religious leaders are in the sacred enterprise of prayer. People ask us to pray with them and for them. That doesn't mean we're for them or against them," he said.
Rabbi Marvin Hier, head of the Museum of Tolerance, have also been told to refuse the offer.
Fellow Rabbi Jason Miller wrote in TIME: "He [Trump] denigrated immigrants, mocked the disabled and disrespected women."
He added: "By refusing this role, Rabbi Hier would be making a loud statement in defiance of prejudice and hate. He has the opportunity to proclaim to the world what his institution stands for."
'We Want Real Change': Gay Lobby Groups Join Forces To Fight For LGBT Inclusion In The Church
The fight for LGBT inclusion across the UK Church is to get a boost as two groups that have for decades lobbied for change merge.
Changing Attitude and the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) announced on Friday that they will be joining forces.
"We've been working closely with Changing Attitude for some time now and we have so much in common, and so much to gain from working together," said LGCM's chief executive Tracey Byrne.
"We both bring wisdom and experience to our work, and Changing Attitude's deep understanding of the Church of England is complemented by LGCM's insights from across and beyond the denominations. We want to see all that energy, commitment and vision combined to bring about real and lasting change."
LGCM has been working for more than 40 years to lobby for the full inclusion of gay, lesbian and bisexual people in the life of Christian churches, while Changing Attitude has focused on the Church of England for two decades.
"We have a really firm foundation from which to build a new movement which draws in all people of goodwill who want to see the Church welcome LGBT people on equal terms with our sisters and brothers," Byrne said.
A spokesperson for Changing Attitude, Jeremy Timm, said: "This is a really exciting opportunity for us to further LGCM and Changing Attitude's work, to make ourselves a resource and a force for change in the Churches as they continue in their journey of understanding in relation to sexuality and gender.
"We firmly believe we can do this better together and as both boards of trustees have been talking and listening to one another over the past six months, we've become really excited and energised about what the future holds."
Jeremy Pemberton, LGCM's chair of trustees and a Church of England clergyman who in December lost a claim he was discriminated against when his licence to practise was removed after he married his gay partner, said the new merger would bring transformation for LGBT people in the Church.
"If we're going to reach out to a new generation with the message that the gospel is good news for everyone, then we'll all need to commit ourselves to making that a credible and authentic claim for LGBT people too," he said.
"That will involve humble listening and prophetic action at every level of the Churches, from our leaders and from the many people we know are longing for change. The new movement will be uniquely placed to resource that kind of transformation."
Why The Archbishop Is Right The North Of England Needs A Better Deal
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has become renowned for his interventions on behalf of Christians around the world. From his graphic advocacy of Fair Trade to his campaign against the rule of Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, the Ugandan-born cleric is a tireless advocate.
This week, though, he was championing a cause much closer to home. Sentamu used a speech in the House of Lords to call for the devolution of more political power to the north of England. As Archbishop of York, he has jurisdiction over the northern dioceses of England, so he might well be expected to speak out on behalf of them.
His rhetoric, though, wasn't just aimed at an increase in money or resources. The Archbishop said: "We need economic policies which build on the assets of people in community. People are not just units to be moved around the country to wherever they are needed. People become human among their neighbours and in their communities."
In arguing for the benefits of national prosperity to be shared more evenly between south and north, Sentamu said he was actually making a case for the whole country to be improved. "The state of the north is important," he argued, "because, unless we get things right in the north, the whole country will be more divided, less prosperous and more unhappy."
In this way, the Archbishop is acting not just as a church leader, or even as a politician, but using a prophetic voice to speak truth to power.
I've written before about the attitude some in the Church seem to have to the north of England (It isn't grim up north, it's glorious. Why don't more Christians realise it?) Sadly, this attitude is in evidence throughout political, economic and cultural life in the UK.
Too often, the north of England is ignored, maligned or even laughed at. But this was the heartland of the industrial revolution. The prosperity which built modern Britain was the result of the labour of countless people working in the 'dark satanic mills' of the North, as well as other industrial areas of the UK. We simply wouldn't be anything like the country we are today were it not for the colossal cultural, economic and yes, financial contribution of the north.
By speaking out, the Archbishop has highlighted what has been obvious in the last year a divided society is an unhappy society. The post-industrial heartlands of the north of England which have been overlooked and left behind for generations finally drew attention when they voted for Brexit. If the post-Brexit settlement then leaves the status quo in place and the people remain distant from power, what have we learned? What have we gained?
This is where the Archbishop's powerful call for devolution comes in. In Catholic Social Teaching, the idea of subsidiarity is very important. It means that decisions should be should be made at the lowest possible level. This is what has been lacking in the north of England over the last 40 years. As state power was centralised to London by various local government reforms in the 1980s and 90s, so too was economic power. The industrial heartland of the country was stripped of its significance and we came to rely more and more on the increasing influence of the City of London as a financial centre.
The IPPR North (a think tank whose report prompted the debate in the House of Lords) has what looks like an exciting agenda for the north of England. This is where the Church comes in. There is a call for ideas even crazy, radical ideas to be submitted to form part of new plans for the rebuilding of the north. Churches across the north of England are already engaged in important work. Why not take the chance to offer a vision of what the future could look like? You can do so here.
The Bishop of Leeds, Nick Baines, is a passionate advocate for the north of England. In a blog post in 2013 he argued for the importance of cultural institutions such as the National Media Museum in Bradford. "Ultimately the decisions taken will speak eloquently of our national communal priorities," he wrote. "These will betray our ideological as well as economic assumptions. And underneath it all will seethe a pile of questions about our anthropology, our fundamental philosophy of the common good, and the gap between our words of 'social solidarity' (for example, "we are all in it together") and the reality we fear to face."
This is just as true in 2017. For the sake of the whole country, we mustn't allow the south east to dominate the rest. God cares just as much about every blade of grass in our green and pleasant land. So should we.
How my fathers Brillo Box made $3 million
In 1969 Lisanne Skylers father paid $1,000 for a Warhol. Just over 40 years later it sold for $3 million in a record-breaking Christies auction. Unfortunately, hed swapped the work for another decades earlier. The story, as Skyler explains, became the subject of a film
Warhol shocked the art world with his Brillo Boxes many critics questioned how they could be considered art. Why did your parents choose to buy one? Lisanne Skyler: My parents were extremely culturally forward for their time, and many of the artists they collected including Warhol, Lichtenstein and Twombly are now hugely sought-after. A lot of the art they collected was edgy, and they were always questioning what art was. Brillo Box (3 Off) was only the second piece my father bought. A friend advised him that it would be a good piece to start out with, and it was certainly striking. He took it home to my mum, and she absolutely loved it. I think she really connected with Warhol and understood what he was trying to do with his work.
Open a larger version of this image Andy Warhol (1928-1987), Brillo Box (3 Off), 1963-64. Silkscreen ink and house paint on plywood. 13 x 16 x 11 in (33.3 x 40.6 x 29.2 cm). Sold for $3,050,500 on 10 November 2010 at Christies in New York. 2017 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York and DACS, London
How did they acquire Brillo Box (3 Off)? LS: When my father began collecting, one of the first people he met in the art world was Ivan Karp [the New York gallerist who championed the work of artists including Claes Oldenburg, Warhol, Lichtenstein and Rauschenberg]. Karp was an incredible figure, and a big supporter of Warhol. According to records, the box belonged to Karp, who sold it to my father for $1,000 in 1969 something that only makes the piece more special. Your father asked Warhol to sign Brillo Box a fact that later added to its rarity and value. Was he aware of this at the time? LS: Warhol didnt generally sign his work then. When my father asked him to do so, in red crayon, he knew it was a little gauche though it seemed to tickle Warhol. Of course, for those in the know, it was obvious that no one but Warhol could have made the work. But there was an investing side to my father, and he wanted to authenticate the work. That little signature became a very special part of the story.
Video: Brillo Box (3 Off) (HBO Documentary Films)
How old were you when Brillo Box was sold? Were you aware of it growing up, either as an object that your parents owned, or which they had sold on? LS: I was around two years old. My parents didnt have Brillo Box for long, but it definitely made an impact on us; there was always that one picture of it in the family album. At first, I didnt realise it was a work of art, and thats probably what attracted my parents to the piece they had a sense of humour. I grew up in New York in the Eighties. At that time the city associated Warhol more with celebrity and Studio 54 than with art but, as I got older, I discovered his work for myself. As a filmmaker, I could particularly relate to him: Warhol documented so much of our culture, capturing what mattered to us, what was profound, fascinating or disturbing. The film trailer shows a picture of you on top of Brillo Box as a baby something that seems unimaginable given the works value today. Was art very much a part of your home? LS: The walls of our apartments were completely covered in art, but that photograph is one of the only records of a work in our collection. My parents were more interested in documenting their kids which wasnt particularly helpful when it came to researching a film! Unlike painting, however, sculpture doesnt recede into the background, but prompts interaction. My parents made a plastic case for Brillo Box and used it as a coffee table as did gallerist Leo Castelli, who rested a phone on his. Their decision to put a baby on it seems unimaginable today, but that photograph inspired me. The Warhol became this mystery: how is it wed had it and let it go? And what was the deeper impact of art on my familys life, and on society? How did you react when you heard that the same sculpture your parents bought in 1969 for $1,000 had sold at Christies 40 years later, in 2010 for $3 million? LS: It was surreal. Brillo Box was something I felt a deep tie to sometimes we dont remember things from life, but we remember them from photographs and they become iconic. Before the sale I had been making a fictional film that looked at family life in the 1970s, and I started to think about my own childhood, and being dragged around galleries in SoHo by my parents something that I now see as incredibly special. I wanted to make a film about that experience with art, but I didnt want the focus just to be on my family. I wanted to look at the economic aspects of art, and how works change hands. My mother called me to tell me it was fall auction season at Christies the idea that our Brillo Box might be up for sale seemed crazy but, to my amazement, I found a yellow Brillo Box, signed in red crayon.
For my parents, I think the film was a way of working through what had happened; they were able to acknowledge that they are part of the story of the work
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Carnival Cruise Line is bringing its newest ship to Galveston, the company announced Thursday.
The 133,500-ton Carnival Vista will begin sailing from Galveston on Sept. 23, 2018. It will offer two different seven-day western Caribbean itineraries departing every Sunday. The first itinerary includes calls at Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, and the second itinerary will visit Mahogany Bay (Isla Roatan), Belize and Cozumel, according to the news release.
Carnival Vista, which debuted in 2016, will join Carnival Freedom and Carnival Valor sailing year-round from Galveston.
MORE: Galveston cruise terminal continues to expand as passenger lists grow
In 2014, roughly 642,000 people boarded cruises in Galveston. That increased to 834,616 in 2015 and was expected to hit about 875,000 last year and 950,000 this year, the former Port of Galveston director Michael Mierzwa told the Chronicle in December.
Carnival also announced Thursday that guests wanting a longer cruise can ride along as Carnival Breeze is repositioned from Galveston to Port Canaveral, Fla. The 14-day cruise, beginning Sept. 16, 2018, will call at Grand Cayman, Aruba, Curacao, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica and St. Maarten.
Donald Trump, the U.S. President-elect blustering about a trade war against China, is all smiles after meeting Jack Ma, a leading Chinese entrepreneur.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump meets with Jack Ma, the founder and executive chairman of Alibaba Group in Trump Tower on Jan. 9. (Photo: VCG)
In a 2015 Op-Ed for the Wall Street Journal, Jack Ma, the founder and executive chairman of Alibaba Group, outlined his company's vision for helping U.S. jobs and exports:
Our U.S. strategy is simple and clear: We want to help U.S. entrepreneurs, small business owners, and brands and companies of all sizes sell their goods to the growing Chinese consumer class. Chinese consumers will get to buy the American products they want. This, in turn, will help create American jobs and increase U.S. exports.
Creating American jobs is the mantra of none other than the U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. This would explain why he and Jack Ma met in New York on Jan. 9 in Trump Tower, now effectively an alternate White House where Trump regularly meets power brokers.
Jack Ma promised during the meeting to help create 1 million U.S. jobs over the next five years by enabling small businesses to sell goods on Alibaba's tremendously successful e-commerce platforms.
Alibaba has 450 million active users selling 100,000 brands on its various platforms with total gross merchandise sales of $485 billion for the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2016. This is higher than $482 billion of revenues reported by Walmart, the world's largest brick-and-mortar retailer, in its fiscal year ending on January 31, 2016.
While it's still early days to say how Alibaba would bring U.S. business owners into play in China's lucrative e-commerce, certain industries may benefit from Jack Ma's U.S. ambition more than others.
In the same WSJ Op-Ed, Jack Ma believed fresh foods, cosmetics and baby products made in the U.S. and Europe could be highly competitive in the Chinese market. In a more recent interview with CNBC, Alibaba spokesman Robert Christie said, "We know there's big demand for everything from makeup to vitamins to lotions to clothes in China."
Before a family apparel company in Georgia could send its first shipment to a Chinese port, however, obstacles of Trump's own doing need to be removed.
During the presidential campaign, Trump threatened a trade war against China, vowing to impose a 45 percent punitive tariff on Chinese imports to save American jobs. Of Trump's 7 Point Plan To Rebuild the American Economy by Fighting for Free Trade, three specifically target China's monetary policy and trade practice.
A trade war with China, however, is exactly what it would take to derail Jack Ma's newly unveiled plans to boost the U.S. job market and by extension Trump's professed goals of doing the very same.
A vicious cycle of tariff slapping could take hold between the world's two largest economies should Trump follows through with his threats of calling China out on its so-called currency manipulation and unfair subsidies, in turn pushing up U.S. export prices for Chinese consumers.
The U.S. government has consistently ignored calls to label China a currency manipulator since 1994.
Could Trump's high profile meeting with Jack Ma, the face of Chinese entrepreneurship, hints at a change of tack for the impetuous President-elect's trade policy towards China?
His raucous rhetoric and antics aside, Trump is a businessman at heart. He could do much worse than strike a deal with one of the world's biggest companies, and by the same token, one of the world's fastest growing economies.
Lora Hines/Houston Chronicle
Houston's Episcopal Health Foundation has approved $3.2 million in grants to 17 community groups across the state in the ongoing fight to improve the health of Texans by attacking underlying causes, the foundation announced Thursday.
More than $1.15 million was given to six groups in Harris County alone including the University of Texas Health Science Center, SEARCH Homeless Services, Patient Care Innovation Center, Family Services of Greater Houston, Hope and Healing Center and Northwest Assistance Ministries.
A family friend of the Obamas was bit by one of their dogs during a visit to the White House, TMZ reported on Thursday.
On Monday, an 18-year-old girl was visiting the Obamas and went to give Sunny, one of the familys Portuguese Water Dogs, a kiss on the cheek. Sunny responded by biting the guest on the face, leaving a wound which required stitches from White House physician Dr. Ronny Jackson.
Nearly a century ago this week, Prohibition took effect and the business of speakeasy bars was born.
On January 16, 1919, the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified and it prohibited the "manufacture, sale or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes." The passing of the las wasn't acceptable to business owners in the alcohol and libations industry.
The Taste of Italy Houston calls itself the country's largest food and wine trade fair devoted exclusively to Italian products.
And for the first two years, the trade show was open only to those in the wine and food industry. Until this year: The 2017 Taste of Italy Houston, to be held on March 6 at the Omni Houston Hotel, is welcoming the public to its extravaganza for the first time.
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A committee of Houston Community College trustees criticized but ultimately approved a proposed campus carry implementation plan on Thursday. The full board will consider the plan next week.
Four-year public universities began complying with the state law on Aug. 1, but the law will not be enacted at two-year institutions like community colleges until next August.
Though the proposal passed out of the board governance committee, a key concern among HCC trustees was how the institution could block handguns from areas with high school students. Community colleges like HCC teach thousands of dual-credit and other high school students per semester.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in late November that these institutions could take students ages into account as they decide where and when license holders can carry concealed handguns on campus. But he said that community colleges cannot categorically prohibit handguns from campus, even if high school students are attending class with college students.
Besides areas that are gun-free by law like polling locations, school sporting events and areas where a K-12 school-sponsored activity occurs HCC plans to block weapons from early-college high school areas that are segregated from the general campus area. A committee will review applications to create weapons-free zones in places like laboratories, health care facilities and day care centers.
Vice Chancellor Kim Beatty said Thursday that high school students taking community college courses must adhere to the campuss policies as a whole, including concealed carry. All independent school districts will be notified of the college's policy, she said.
"We are allowing 18 and 19 year olds who have no formed judgment to be carrying weapons aroundsomeone elses kids, trustee Zeph Capo said.
On lawmakers in Austin, Capo said, if the day comes where blood flows on our campusit is on their hands and their heads.
Capo voted no, but other committee members, despite criticizing the state law, advanced the college's policy for full board consideration at next Thursdays meeting.
HCC plans to present its approved policy to a legislative committee in February.
Upcoming maintenance at Pasadena Refining Systems is expected to trigger even more releases of air pollution from the troubled refinery.
Officials with Petrobras, the state-owned Brazilian oil company that owns the refinery, announced this week they are planning turnaround operations that will start Friday and could run for 50 days.
In preparation for that operation, plant managers notified the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality that the first 72 hours of the job could result in the release of a ton of fine particulate pollution and almost a ton of sulfur dioxide.
That amount is on top of the estimated release of 15 tons of fine particulate pollution that was expected last week as a result of repairs to the plant's fluid catalytic cracking unit.
"A turnaround for a company with their history of compliance problems and accidents is something that people in Houston should pay attention to," said Luke Metzger, director of Environment Texas. "Even on a good day, it's a major polluter in Houston. And it looks like there are some bad days ahead."
Officials with Petrobras haven't responded to questions about how the turnaround will affect air quality.
They have, however, provided some details about the turnaround, which will address several units within the refinery and draw about 1,000 contractors to the plant.
The company has developed a plan to help minimize heavy vehicle traffic near the Washburn Tunnel, Petrobras officials said in a statement.
Some energy analysts have said the timing seems a bit early for a typical turnaround maintenance, but that could involve needing more expensive work after a fire and explosion last March that injured one worker.
"The suspicion is it's not in the best of shape," said Sandy Fielden, Morningstar's director of oil and products research, describing the refinery as the Houston area's weakest performing.
Seeing as how it's Petrobras' only U.S. refinery and it uses Texas oil, not Brazilian crude, it may make sense that financially struggling Petrobras could try to sell it.
"Maybe what they're trying to do is dress it up for a sale," Fielden said.
Petrobras has owned the facility for 10 years. It has been linked to the massive corruption scandal unfolding in Brazil known as "Operation Car Wash."
In July, a lightning strike caused the plant to emit 21 tons of potentially dangerous pollutants into the air and a shelter-in-place order was called for the Galena Park area. In 2011, the refinery had another fire.
Last month, Environment Texas and the Sierra Club notified the plant of their intent to sue in federal court under the Clean Air Act on allegations the refinery spewed out illegal levels of particulate matter, by the hour, over the course of five years.
Particulate matter is a mix of microscopic particles and liquid droplets, including acids, organic compounds, metals, soot and dust. According to federal environmental regulators, particulate matter exposure is linked to a range of serious health problems, increased emergency room and hospital visits, decreased life expectancy and aggravated asthma.
The EPA has said that 75,000 people live within three miles of the plant. There are eight nearby schools, a Headstart program and several daycare centers in the surrounding area.
Jordan Blum of the Houston Chronicle contributed to this report
Some schools in the Klein Independent School District received a grant before the fall semester ended. The Klein ISD Education Foundation awarded $76,800 in classroom and educator grants in December.
"The grants allow our teachers to take an idea that is outside of the box and not part of the district's standard curriculum and offer an opportunity for advance learning for our students," said Cindy Doyle, director of community relations for the district's education foundation. "The advance learning opportunities include new methods, materials, virtual tours, and STEM labs."
The mission of the nonprofit organization, which was established in 2000, is to generate and distribute resources to the Klein Independent School District to enrich, maintain, and expand programs needed to meet the district's stated mission of excellence in education.
"It is critical that the foundation has a strong relationship with the district because everything the foundation does is in support of the district," Doyle said. "Our sole purpose and mission is to support the educational mission of Klein ISD."
The organization aims to provide direction and support for innovative academic and enrichment projects and staff development activities for the Klein Independent School District.
The board is able to budget $150,000 for a school year. For the fall and spring semester of 2016-17, the foundation board budgeted $75,000 for teacher grants.
Continuing a 15-year tradition, the foundation presented the award as part of awarded grants to schools, teachers, and district staff twice a year. The foundation was proud to announce that the amount of grants given increased from the spring semester by $2,300 which allowed the foundation to fund 13 grants to 13 campuses, which included one $25,000 lead the spark grant, which is open to campus principals within Klein ISD to help support existing or new student programs.
"The bond between the Klein ISD Education Foundation and our district is significant and extraordinary," said Bret Champion, KISD superintendent of schools. "I love that the foundation works together with our district to make a positive impact on all students."
In order to be considered for a grant from the foundation, teachers have the option to apply for educator grants each semester. Foundation directors and district representatives judge the grants. Grants are awarded based on funds allocated by the Klein Education Foundation each semester.
"Once approved the grants become a reality for our teachers and their students," Doyle said. "Whether the grant benefits one classroom, an entire grade level, or an entire campus, the students now have an opportunity that they would have had otherwise."
The champions of the award learn of their accomplishment with a surprise visit from the Celebration Express bus that arrives at their campus.
Grant winners for the fall 2016 semester included the following schools: Eiland Elementary ($6,900), Grace England Pre-K Center ($6,300), Vistas High School Program ($6,700), Klein Forest High School ($7,500), Greenwood Forest Elementary ($2,000), Therapeutic Education Campus (TEP) ($1,700), and Hassler Elementary ($750).
The other award recipients include Klein Collins ($1,200), Klein Collins High School ($1,000), Kreinhop Elementary ($2,000), Hildebrandt Intermediate ($750), Northampton Elementary and Haude Elementary ($15,000), and French Elementary ($25,000).
The largest award, a $25,000 lead the spark grant, was presented to French Elementary. The sponsors for the grant were Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott, LLP. Principal, Carole Mason served as the grant writer. The grant supports the Fueling the Heart, Mind & Imagination program, which allows the elementary school to partner with Hildebrandt Intermediate and Klein Oak High School to support an integrated Fine Arts curriculum in their feeder pattern. The grant will provide the opportunity for students to attend professional performances and then return to their schools to perform original musicals. Students will have access to theater stages, costuming and puppetry to use for their performances through a partnership with Alley Theater.
Northampton Elementary and Haude Elementary were recipients of one of the largest awards. The sponsor for the $15,000 grant was Campus Kids, LLC. The grant will afford the opportunity for the collaboration between the two schools to help all students participate in learning to code with Ozobots and Osmos. Through this learning opportunity, students from each grade will participate in competitive challenges that might include designing a house, building a bridge or finding the pot of gold.
Klein Forest High School's $7,500 grant will benefit the campus's Career Technology Building (CTE) in the criminal justice department. The sponsor for the award was the Houston Northwest Medical Center and the grant writers were Josslynn Victorian, Christopher Smith, Keith Glazener, and Mickey Ethridge. The grant will fund a small CTE building that will be constructed for use in curriculum simulations. The school's architectural engineering students will create and design the building, construction technology students will build the freestanding structure, and criminal justice students will use the small building for demonstrations of tactical entry, search skills, and hostage situations.
The board hopes to increase the foundation's fundraising in order to increase funds that benefit KISD.
To date, the Klein ISD Education Foundation has awarded more than $1.5 million in educator grants to teachers in the Klein ISD.
"When our teachers receive grant funds from the foundation for their innovative thinking, we all win. Students win because the grants unleash new pathways for learning, and the district wins because KEF partners with us to create successful citizens that leave our system sealed with a purpose and direction for their lives," Champion said.
Klein Education Foundation
7200 Spring Cypress Rd.
Klein, TX 77379
832-249-4754
www.kleinisdeducationfoundation.net
Klein Education Foundation Social Media Accounts
Facebook: facebook.com/kleinisdeducationfoundation
Twitter: twitter.com/kleinfoundation
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/klein-isd-education-foundation
YouTube: youtube.com/user/kleinedufoundation
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Mayor Sylvester Turner wants to turn Super Bowl 51 attention into a long-term opportunity for Houston.
Turner hosted Hollywood film industry stars Thursday night at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Houston. His goal? Highlight the city as a place where filmmakers need to be shooting movies.
$10,000 PER NIGHT: Houston dream home rentals for Super Bowl LI
"Last time Super Bowl was in Houston was 2004. I'm glad that it's coming, but what do we do in the interim? Wait for another Super Bowl? No. The assets are still here," Mayor Turner told the press. "We cannot build a city for yesterday, and you just can't build a city for today. You have to build a city for Millennial's and others who are here and want to come to the city. We have to build a city for tomorrow."
Actor and producer Obba Babatunde told Fox News that he sees the potential for diverse shooting locations around town.
HOUSTON'S FIRST BIG GAME: Fun facts about Houston's first Super Bowl in 1974
"One of the things about the architecture here is you can go to one part of the city and be in the South. You go to another part of the city and you're in the North," he told the station.
Conference attendees will on Friday tour potential filming locations around Houston.
About WEF Annual Meeting
Themed "Responsive and Responsible Leadership", the 47th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting will be held in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland from January 17 - 20, 2017. The annual meeting has been a global platform in engaging leaders from across business, government, international organizations, academia and civil society in peer-to-peer working sessions. It aims to rededicate leaders from all walks of life to achieve common goals and drive new initiatives.
Having created a stellar body of work, Martin Scorsese has earned the right to put aside mainstream expectations from time to time.
The director, a spiritual person who in his youth studied to be a priest, made biblical issues resonate through profane classics such as "Goodfellas," "Raging Bull," "Taxi Driver" and "The Wolf of Wall Street." In "The Last Temptation of Christ" and "Kundun," he followed his fervor as a filmmaker to tell stories about peaceful religious leaders in turbulent times.
He continues with "Silence," which might be called a theological thriller. A devastating, demanding, heartbreaking film about Catholic faith and oppression in 17th-century Japan, it works on more than one level, taking you on a far greater emotional journey and leaving you with more food for thought than any genre film in memory.
Based on the acclaimed 1966 novel by Shusaku Endo, himself a rare Japanese Catholic, "Silence" concerns two idealistic young Portuguese Jesuits in a crisis of faith. Fathers Rodrigues and Garrpe (Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver) are determined to travel to Japan to locate their mentor, Father Ferreira (Liam Neeson), a missionary who has fallen out of contact. After originally embracing Christianity, Japan has outlawed it, and the dictatorial shogun works to unroot almost all Western influence. It's rumored that Ferreira publicly disavowed his religion under torture. He may be dead.
More Information 'Silence' Rated R: for violence and torture Running time: 161 minutes xxxx See More Collapse
Ferreira's former students doubt it all. Even though being a Christian in Japan is extremely dangerous, they set out to find him, protected (or so they believe) by their strong faith.
Is it not preached that martyrdom is glorious?
They smuggle themselves to a remote ocean village where Japanese converts worship secretly and view the clerics' appearance as something akin to a miracle.
Scorsese's use of fog, cloudy sunlight against the hills, campfire and muted natural sounds creates a foreboding environment reminiscent of Akira Kurosawa's bravura historical films. It's a place where Rodrigues and Garrpe hope to keep the light of Christianity burning, although their confused flock doesn't see their religion, or the Christian God, in the way the church teaches.
The film becomes edgier in short order. The Jesuits look from their secret hiding place to see the villagers persecuted and brutalized by the shogun's troops. Those who refuse to reject their faith by publicly trampling on the fumie, a bronze image of Christ, are killed.
The priests split apart to hide. Rodrigues becomes the central character as he embarks on an increasingly obsessive mission to understand a stark world laced with cruelty, futility and suffering.
Is it his role as a priest to instruct believers to follow the path of Jesus and sacrifice their lives for him as he did for his flock? Or to encourage them to embrace blasphemy and survive? The piety, valor and hypocrisy in question wage a disturbingly ambiguous battle beneath his deeply held - and increasingly wavering - religious convictions.
The always fascinating Garfield is excellent once again as the determined yet vulnerable protagonist, capturing the anguished mind of Rodrigues and bringing him fully to life. He carries much of the film on his own shoulders, giving everything to the role, and it shows.
A bone-chilling counterweight comes from Issei Ogata as the shogun's agony expert, Inoue, a specialist in boiling-water showers and seaside crucifixions. His smiling, legalistic lectures to Rodrigues about the cultural and spiritual discord Christianity would bring to Japan can't be observed without thinking of countless other atrocities inflicted in the name of countless other religions. Ogata, a comedian, delivers steely calm and blithe arrogance in a mannered but magnetic performance.
"Silence," co-written by Scorsese and his frequent collaborator Jay Cocks, presents deep questions and shuns answers. God's refusal to reply when humanity suffers is an enigma that eludes understanding, and the film presents it in a way that speaks to the devout and nonbelievers alike.
Scene by magnificently sculpted scene, the film lifts difficult themes to eye level and challenges us to unfold them. This is a religious film with no preaching, but it still is effective in what it sets out to achieve - a rare and outstanding accomplishment.
A fourth-grader who delivered a speech about what Martin Luther King, Jr., would have thought about Muhammad Ali's contributions to society has won the 21st annual oratory competition named for the civil rights leader.
Nhedrick Jabier, a student at Crespo Elementary School whose family moved to the Houston area three years ago from Puerto Rico, earned top honors in the competition held at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Christ in downtown Houston, according to a news release from the Houston ISD.
HPD
The search is continuing for a woman with medical concerns who disappeared early Thursday from her home in south Houston.
Patricia Bryant, 68, left about 4 a.m. Thursday from her apartment in the 100 block of Charleston Park Drive. Houston police said she is in the early stages of dementia.
Police are on the hunt for a capital murder suspect accused of shooting a man during an attempted drug deal robberyt.
Transito Villalobos, 26, is facing a possible death penalty charge, but authorities have not been able to find him.
The murder case stems from a brazen mid-afternoon fatal heist on Dec. 21 that left Miguel Picon dead in a strip mall parking lot in the 8900 block of Braeswood.
The suspect and eventual victim had been texting for days to set up a drug deal, prosecutors allege, though Picon initially refused to sell to someone he didn't know.
But finally, four days before Christmas, they agreed on a meet-up spot.
It was just before 4 p.m. that Villalobos walked up to Picon's Toyota Matrix, leaned into the open driver's side window and pointed a gun at the victim's head, according to surveillance footage cited in court documents.
Picon's girlfriend, who was in the passenger seat, identified Villalobos as the man who she says obscenely demanded money and shot her boyfriend in the head.
A few seconds later, Villalobos fled the scene on foot, court filings allege.
Responding fire crews rushed Picon to Ben Taub Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Afterward, investigators probed the killing until the state was able to file a murder charge on Friday.
Prosecutors also filed a conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery charge against Eloy Kenneth Yaxon, who is accused of introducing the two men so that Villalobos could rob Picon.
Anyone with information as to the wanted man's whereabouts is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
A teenager accused of fighting with a police officer will remain in jail on $500 bail after being accused of interfering with a homicide investigation Wednesday night at a volatile scene in north Harris County.
Raychard Brown, 17, appeared Thursday in probable cause court in downtown Houston after being charged with interfering with the duties of a public servant.
Police responding to a report of shots fired in 1100 block of Verde Trails Drive around 8:50 p.m. found two groups of people fighting.
In the middle of the melee, they found a 17-year-old lying in the road. He had been hit by a car and possibly shot. The teen, whose identity has not been released, died.
Investigators said a man later called 911, saying he had run over someone as he sped away from the fracas. Afterward, deputies determined at least one person had fired gunshots after the vehicle that hit the victim. Five to six bullet casings were found on the ground.
Detectives are trying to unravel the events that led up to the disturbance, shooting and apparent hit-and-run collision. The person or people who fired gunshots have not been found. There were about 70 people at the scene. The driver of the car is being interviewed.
"This a pretty complicated investigation," said Sgt. Ben Beall, a homicide investigator with the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
As officials tried to break up the unruly crowd, Brown apparently got into a confrontation that ended with the assault of a Harris County Precinct 4 deputy constable.
Brown was accused of creating a disturbance nearby, and the altercation ensued when a deputy confronted him. Investigators said Brown and the officer went to the ground before the fight was broken up.
The deputy had minor injuries and was checked out at the Texas Medical Center as a precaution, according to Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman.
In magistrate court Thursday, Brown said little except that he planned to ask for a court-appointed lawyer.
brian.rogers@chron.com
twitter.com/brianjrogers
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Southeast Texans spent much of last weekend bundled in layers of warm clothing after a cold front pushed freezing temperatures to the area.
But the biting cold was nothing compared to the winter ice storm that hit 20 years this week.
Five days into 1997, an arctic blast blew cold air through the region and brought temperatures down to the 40s, according to previous Enterprise reporting.
A week later, another blast mixed moved into the region.
"What makes it so rare is that the cold air was here long enough to drop the temperature and then still here when the moisture arrived," a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles told the Enterprise in 2007.
The blast moved in on Jan. 10. By Jan. 12, it snowed in Port Arthur, and heavy sleet fell in Beaumont, Orange, Port Arthur and much of southwest Louisiana, according to Enterprise archives.
On the morning of Jan. 13, freezing rain fell.
Ice gathered on tree branches, causing them to snap and fall onto power lines. Outages spread across the region to more than 90,000 homes, according to archives.
"Chilled people flocked by dozens to hotels, motels and shelters where electricity remained," an Enterprise archive read.
Others braved the winter storm in their unheated homes.
"No one escaped this one," then-City Manager Ray Riley told the Enterprise in 1997. "Anywhere we have trees, we have problems."
Take a look back at the storm that hit Southeast Texas 20 years ago in the slideshow above.
Behind the Beijing Cancer Hospital, one of China's most famous hospitals for the treatment of cancer, is a desolate park under renovation. At one corner of the park is a dilapidated area, with a run-down car repair shop on the outside and a frozen, lifeless river nearby. This quarter is home to a number of what have come to be known as "cancer hotels." Despite the name, these are not hotels in the traditional sense, but spare rooms within people's homes that are rented to patients and their families seeking treatment in the hospital, which is just a three-minute walk away.
The hallway of a rundown cancer hotel near the Beijing Cancer Hospital on Jan. 4, 2017. [Photo by Zhang Lulu/China.org.cn]
Underground cancer hotels
Ms. Zhang, a woman in her 60s who declined to give her full name, runs one such hotel. Her hotel, like the others tucked secretively in the area near the hospital, looks like an ordinary brick house from the outside, but when one lifts the thick black-and-blue blanket on the door (which is used in winter to block heavy wind), one finds a two-story modest house, crammed with cartons, groceries and a variety of other things.
Each room in Zhang's hotel is less than 12 square meters, with nothing more than three or four beds and a TV set. The guests share a communal toilet, which the attentive Zhang tidies up every morning. A communal kitchen lies on each floor, enabling patients to cook for themselves. A room costs 100 yuan (US$14.5) to 120 yuan per night, less than half of the price of the budget hotels nearby.
"The kitchen is really helpful, they can cook for themselves. Think how much they could have to pay staying in an average hotel!" Zhang said.
Patients coming from outside Beijing to be treated in the city's hospitals often have to wait for check-ups, diagnoses and treatment, which can take a considerable amount of time. In order not to add to the often staggering medical bills, many patients resort to staying at the relatively cheap cancer hotels nearby, which have sprung up in major Chinese cities in recent years.
A total of 4.3 million cancer cases were diagnosed in China in 2015, or almost 12,000 cases per day. About 2.81 million people, or 7,500 people every day, died from cancer that year.
Ms. Zhang and many of her guests have become friends, and she listens to their woeful tales when they need a sympathetic ear.
A man in his 40s diagnosed with lung cancer had to go home without further treatment, as the family had reached the end of their means and had a son in college to support. The man's wife, who did not tell her husband the truth, confided to Zhang during a long night of tears.
Zhang is particularly saddened by young patients. She talked about a fresh college graduate who was misdiagnosed with breast cancer in her hometown and had her breasts cut off for nothing.
"She was so pretty you know. How is she going to date and get married? So young!" she bemoaned.
Though not providing the services one often finds in an average hotel, Zhang lends a helping hand whenever she can. "They often don't know where to find the most suitable hospitals for their specific illnesses as they are from outside the city, so I often tell them where to find the best hospitals and doctors," she said, taking out a notebook where she keeps the information and experience gained as a Beijing native familiar with many of the city's hospitals, which number over 1000.
Zhang and her neighbors who run such hotels shy away from the media, as the hotels are not officially registered. To register the hotels would incur costs relating to security, fire control and many other things, for which the patients would have to bear the brunt, Zhang said.
Some of her guests never come back, which means they have probably given up hope, but some have their illnesses cured here, Zhang said.
Rows of two-story brick buildings, known locally as "cancer hotels," act as cheap accommodation to cancer patients seeking treatment in Beijing, on Jan. 4, 2017. [Photo by He Shan/ China.org.cn]
'Beijing has the best doctors and equipment'
A 60-year-old man from central China's Henan Province, who preferred to remain anonymous, was one of the cancer hotel occupants in the rundown area. He has been in Beijing with his wife since May 2016.
He said he used to stay in nearby budget hotels which cost about 300 yuan a night, but later moved to an 80-yuan-a-night room with two beds in the cancer hotel.
The man, wearing an apparently fake fur coat and a white-and-green mask, was strolling in the dense grayish smog near the hospital with his wife in the afternoon. They went to a nearby market to buy some Chinese pancakes and pork -- a rather meager dinner -- to cook at their hotel kitchen.
He said he began to cough and had a persistent fever in January 2016. A check-up at a local hospital in the city of Cangzhou of Hebei Province, where the family ran a small business, did not find any serious illness. Seeing no improvement, he got a second check-up five months later and was told that he may have lung cancer.
Upset about the failure to diagnose his case in the initial check-up, he decided to seek treatment in Beijing.
"Medical resources in my home city are not as good as in Beijing," he said. "Beijing has the best doctors and equipment."
He is not alone. A surprising number of cancer patients seek medical care in China's biggest cities, like Beijing and Shanghai. Among the country's top 100 hospitals, Beijing is home to 23, and Shanghai to 19, according to a ranking published by the Hospital Management Institute of Fudan University.
After two rounds of chemotherapy, the man had surgery and then two more rounds of chemotherapy.
"Chemotherapy is very painful, but to survive, you have to endure it," he said.
Crushing medical bills
Adding to the pain are the huge medical bills. Though the country's health insurance system covers almost all of China's 1.4 billion citizens, the coverage is rather basic, and patients often have to drain their savings to pay for their treatment.
Reimbursement rates are lower in better hospitals, which means that patients who turn to higher-level hospitals often have to pay more.
The man with lung cancer has spent 280,000 yuan -- including nearly 20,000 yuan for each round of a 21-day chemotherapy treatment using a drug from France -- since coming to Beijing. But only 80,000 yuan was reimbursed by medical insurance, as the French drug is not covered.
"The reimbursement is quite inadequate compared with the actual cost, as imported drugs -- which are usually expensive -- are not covered by insurance," said his wife, who frowned from time to time in an apparent sign of distress.
Medical insurance covers less of the treatment cost in Beijing than it does back home, she added.
Official data as of the end of 2015 showed that around 44 percent of the country's registered poor families were dragged into poverty because of illness.
Gao Chao, a doctor at the Beijing Cancer Hospital, said that about 80 percent of patients in the hospital are from outside Beijing.
"If the patient's family cannot afford the medical expenditures, we will advise him to return to his local hospital for treatment, which enjoys higher rate of reimbursement, and give him our treatment plan," he said. "That will be helpful to him."
The main building of the Beijing Cancer Hospital in western Beijing on Jan. 4, 2017. [Photo by He Shan/ China.org.cn]
Overcrowded hospitals, insufficient beds
Official data shows that Beijing's top-level hospitals received more than 110 million patients as of the end of 2014. As cancer diagnoses have soared over the past few years, it is more difficult to secure a bed in a cancer hotel in Beijing.
"Sometimes, a patient has to wait for as long as a month to get a bed," said Dr. Gao.
For 35-year-old Pang, seeking treatment for his mother in Beijing is becoming increasingly difficult.
"There are more patients than two years ago," said Pang, who came to Beijing with his mother from Shanxi -- a province more than 500 kilometers away from the capital city -- after she was diagnosed with stage three gastric cancer in 2014.
To get chemotherapy and arrange check-ups, he and his mother have to travel to Beijing once every two weeks.
"Now we have to schedule a CT or B scan at least one week ahead," he said. "Two years ago, the waiting time for a check-up was only two or three days."
Pang chooses to stay in a cancer hotel whenever he comes to Beijing on his own, but when his mother comes to Beijing along with him, they usually stay in a better hotel. "I try to make my mother feel comfortable." he said.
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A Chinese-led international team of scientists has identified a new species of apes after discovering significant differences between gibbons living in China and their counterparts in other countries.
A white-browed gibbon living in the Gaoligong Mountain (Gaoligongshan) National Nature Reserve in Southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Photo by Zhao Chao/Provided to chinadaily.com.cn)
Previously, the white-browed gibbons living in China were believed to belong to the eastern hoolock species.
However, after carrying out physical and genetic comparisons with other gibbons, scientists concluded that the primates living in Gaoligong mountainous area belong to a different species.
They've named the new species the Gaoligong hoolock gibbon or Tianxing hoolock gibbon, meaning "skywalker" or "heaven's movement".
Gibbons in Southwest China don't have white beards or white fur around their eye sockets, and they have thin eyebrows with a wider space between them.
The findings have been published in the American Journal of Primatology, a monthly peer-reviewed science journal.
Less than 200 Gaoligong hoolock gibbons live in China, one-tenth of the wild giant panda numbers, China Central Television reported.
Scientists have called for greater protection of the animal.
They said in the report that "the new species should be categorized as endangered under IUCN criteria."
"The discovery of the new species focuses attention on the need for improved conservation of small apes, many of which are in danger of extinction in southern China and Southeast Asia."
Hoolock gibbons mainly live in mountainous areas in Bangladesh, India, China and Myanmar. They spend most of their time in the treetops, swinging through the forests with forelimbs, spending little time on the ground.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (C) presents award certificates to physicist Zhao Zhongxian (R) and pharmacologist Tu Youyou, who won China's top science award, at an annual ceremony held to honor distinguished scientists and research achievements in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 9, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)
On Jan. 9, Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed the country's top scientists and innovators to the annual science and innovation awards ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, a tradition that honors distinguished scientists and research achievements. The most prestigious recipients of the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award, 2015 Nobel laureate Tu Youyou and academician Zhao Zhongxian, were awarded prizes for fundamental contributions to pharmaceutical science and sustained breakthroughs in superconductivity research.
It is encouraging that the country's senior officials are highly supportive of continued investment in science and innovation, demonstrated by the fact that both President Xi and Premier Li Keqiang were present at the ceremony. Indeed, science is seen as a valuable pursuit by the higher echelons, and science and innovation budgets have been increasing annually for quite some time now.
This high level of support likely originates from the backgrounds of numerous government officials and of the country's senior leadership, many of whom hold science or engineering degrees. As a consequence, and of course also because of the relatively strong Chinese economy, the funding landscape for both basic and applied research is healthy - in particular compared with the rather dire funding climates in the USA and Europe, where success rates of grant applications have dropped to the single digits in some fields.
The award ceremony in Beijing highlighted many of the nation's recent key achievements through prizes dedicated to the three "big awards," including the Top Natural Science Prize, the Prize of Science and Technology Invention and the Science and Technology Progress Award. Seven individual scientists, including five foreign experts, 279 domestic projects, and an international collaboration with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, headquartered in Mexico, received well-deserved recognition.
The headline-grabbing prize projects were, however, largely dominated by achievements in applied science and technology. While these have the potential to lead to tangible results that may feed into the country's increasing GDP on short and medium timescales, it is crucial for the nation's development of a healthy, internationally competitive science base that sustained support of the basic sciences - so-called "blue skies" research - is reflected similarly through high-level recognition.
Sustained investment in blue skies research reflects a long-term vision that goes beyond immediate economic returns. History has taught us that some of the most important breakthroughs in science have come from speculative, curiosity-driven research. Assessment of projects entirely on their economic potential has a stifling effect on a country's research output. Our colleagues in countries such as the U.K. are, unfortunately, all too familiar with the unintended and often devastating consequences of government policies that favor applied over basic research.
Indeed, there are numerous examples of unexpected applications resulting from curiosity-driven research. To name but a few, research in the early 20th century of reactions between ions and molecules in the interstellar medium - the gases that occupy the space among the stars - led to the development of a technique to measure trace gases. That same technique is now used as a non-invasive method for clinical diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring, including for breath testing and also for pollution monitoring. It has found additional practical applications in animal husbandry, specifically for measuring the release of noxious gases from animal waste and the sulphurous gases and fatty acids emitted by cows.
Technological developments aimed at supporting blue skies research are often translated into real-world applications soon after their development. As a case in point, precision cameras developed for gamma-ray astronomy are now routinely used to screen cargo containers for radioactive materials at airports and other security-sensitive areas.
Second, so-called "superconducting tunnel junctions," which are used on telescopes to measure low levels of radiation, are undergoing development to detect fluorescence from tagged biological materials. This will improve DNA identification in medical and forensic techniques such as genetic profiling.
And indeed, one of the most successful imaging devices of recent decades has been the charge-coupled device, or CCD, developed for astronomy and particle physics and now found in cameras everywhere, including common mobile devices.
Finally, the technology of "adaptive optics" has been developed to compensate for the blurring of starlight by the Earth's turbulent atmosphere. It has been warmly welcomed in medical optics, where its uses include imaging the retina in unprecedented detail - which allows for the early detection of diseases and abnormalities - and enhancing vision.
For Chinese science to become and remain a crucial player on the world stage, it is indeed imperative that applied and basic research go hand in hand.
Richard de Grijs is a Dutch professor of astrophysics at the Kavli Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics (Peking University) in Beijing.
Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
Flash
China and Russia have agreed to take further countermeasures in response to the proposed deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD), officials from both countries said Thursday.
The countermeasures will be aimed at safeguarding interests of China and Russia and the strategic balance in the region, said a statement released after the sixth China-Russia consultation on security situation in the Northeast Asia.
The two countries reiterated their serious concerns about and firm opposition to Washington and Seoul's constant attempts to deploy THAAD anti-missile system in South Korea, according to the statement.
China and Russia urged the United States and South Korea to address their security concerns and stop the deployment of THAAD on the Korean Peninsula, it said.
Seoul and Washington abruptly announced a decision in July last year to deploy one THAAD battery by the end of this year, triggering strong opposition from China and Russia as the U.S. missile defense system's X-band radar can peer into territories of the two countries.
The United States and South Korea claim that THAAD will be used to neutralize missile threats from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, while China and Russia believe the powerful system will harm their strategic interests.
Both China and Russia believe the current situation in the Korean Peninsula and in the Northeast Asia is complicated and sensitive, the statement said.
The two countries urged all relevant parties to exercise restraint to prevent activities which could aggravate tensions, it added.
They also reaffirmed their insistence on the goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, safeguarding peace and stability of the peninsula, and searching for solutions through dialogue and consultation.
The two countries also agreed to strengthen communication and coordination to jointly cope with the situation in the Northeast Asia.
Thursday's meeting was co-chaired by China's Assistant Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou and Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov.
Flash
French President Francois Hollande hailed the stable relationship between China and France in his speech to the diplomatic corps in Paris Thousday.
The momentum came after the bilateral ties had ridden out the upheavals a few years ago, and "the efforts of all have allowed us to strengthen our ties with this great country," Hollande said.
China-France ties have been consolidated especially since 2014, when the two countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations, added Holland.
"We have been able to accompany China on the international scene, and it has played a major role in the fight against climate change," he said.
Hollande also stressed that France intends to strengthen ties with all the countries in the Asia-Pacific. Endi
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As Anne Sung and Holly Flynn Vilaseca took their oaths of office and became Houston ISD's newest Board of Education trustees on Thursday, their husbands swaddled their months-old babies in one hand and held holy books in the other.
Sung's 11-month-old daughter, Sarita, and Flynn Vilaseca's 13-month-old, Nicolas, hardly made a peep as their mothers became leaders of the nation's seventh-largest school district.
Sung was elected as the District 7 trustee and will replace Harvin Moore, who resigned from the board last summer. Vilaseca was unanimously appointed by the board Monday to fill the District 6 seat vacated by Greg Meyers, who resigned at the board's December meeting.
Both new members will serve through 2017. Then their seats will be back up for election.
"I'm excited, energized and as pumped as ever," Flynn Vilaseca said after the ceremony. "I'm ready to serve my district and the City of Houston to the best of my ability."
Flynn Vilaseca, who is fluent in English and Spanish, worked as a bilingual teacher at HISD's Windsor Village Elementary School as a Teach for America corps member from 2004 to 2006.
Since leaving the school, she has worked with Battelle for Kids, K12 Inc., and thinkLaw, which encourages the teaching of critical thinking through case law.
Sung, an HISD and Harvard graduate, is currently chief strategy officer and vice president of Project GRAD Houston. She previously taught in Houston ISD and the Rio Grande Valley with Teach for America and was named Teacher of the Year by Lee High School in 2011.
The election and appointment of Sung and Flynn Vilaseca come at a time of rapid change in Houston ISD. The district hired Richard Carranza as superintendent in August, and district and school board leaders continue to press the state to better fund Houston schools.
Outgoing Trustee Harvin Moore, who served on the board for 13 years, said it's a "fairly unprecedented time for the district."
"The real financial emergency we've had unfolding before us for some years now keeps getting worse relating to state funding," Moore said. "And there has been a lot of leadership turnover in our district, which is very tough on an organization. So I hope the best for the new Superintendent in rebuilding the top administration staff and retaining the best people that we have."
Sung and Flynn Vilaseca said top priorities include ensuring equity in terms of the number of talented teachers, funding and facilities across Houston's campuses. Flynn Vilaseca said she would also like to focus on lobbying the state to abandon "recapture," which takes money from so-called property-rich districts to assist those with lower property values.
Houston ISD officials have argued that because 75 percent of district students are considered low income, the money it pays to the state for recapture would be better spent locally.
Sung also hopes to make sure the board and district are operating ethically and transparently, particularly in the way it spends money.
Both also plan to focus on improving student achievement, especially among the district's lowest-performing students.
"We need to bring attention back to doing what's right for students and preparing them for life after high school," Sung said. "We need to make sure we align what we're teaching with what's happening in the world."
Sung and Flynn Vilaseca said their teaching experience gives them an edge because they know the inner workings of the district and how central administration decisions can affect the classroom.
Their teaching experiences taught the two new board members about equity, student achievement and the struggles that lower-income and minority students face. Sung said her ability to empathize as a former teacher and mother will inform her decision-making.
"Having worked in HISD schools, I understand what's worked and what hasn't worked," Sung said. "Because of that background I'll be able to work with the board to translate a vision into actual governance and policies to make a difference."
An elderly man and woman were found dead in their home in west Harris County, police said Thursday.
Around 9:10 a.m., Houston police went to the 1100 block of Ridgecrossing for a welfare check after a relative reported being unable to reach the pair.
Jose Antonio Diaz snaps his fingers and shuffles his feet as the trumpets blare around him.
There are no classes today but the high school band director is hard at work.
"Man, y'all playing pretty good," he says, doling out a hard-earned compliment to his Latin jazz ensemble.
That no doubt has something to do with the musicians' talent. But it also has a lot to do with Diaz, a tireless taskmaster who has been coaxing sweet sounds out of students at MacArthur High School for 32 years.
He's done it with the school's jazz ensemble, the marching band, its symphonic band, concert band, winter guard, indoor percussion and jazz combo, transforming the school's once-average music program into one that regularly scores Division I placements.
His influence, though, hasn't been limited to the northeast Houston campus. He reached out to the broader community, creating an acclaimed nonprofit music institute, and has won a number of arts and music awards in Houston and beyond.
Though it's usually his students who soak up the limelight, the 55-year-old Aldine ISD teacher is now firmly in the national spotlight after years of working quietly behind the scenes to bring music - especially Latin music - to the masses. Diaz is one of 10 finalists nationwide for the Grammy Foundation's Music Educator Award, which will be presented on stage at the glitzy Los Angeles music show in February.
"I think for us it's not only his skill in the classroom that stands out but what he's done in the community as well," said Grammy Foundation Vice President Scott Goldman. "Many of these teachers all have an impact but what he's done as an advocate for Latin jazz and salsa is truly remarkable."
Diaz's former students include three Grammy winners, a former member of Beyonce's all-female band and a slew of other professional musicians. He was among more than 3,000 educators nominated for the award, now in its fourth year.
"He should have already been nominated a long time ago," said BraShani Lewis, one of his current students, a 17-year-old senior percussionist whose love for music has flourished under Diaz's strict tutelage.
"Working with him I realized I wanted a career in music," she said during a quick interview between songs. "Before, it was just a habit. But with him I realized this is what I wanted to do in life."
Beyond the classroom
Diaz has shared his symphonic skills with generations of MacArthur High School musicians.
After graduating from the University of Arkansas and finishing a Texas Christian University fellowship, he started working at the Aldine high school and soon took over as band director. Over the years, he has adapted to the changing times in a district of 69,000 students that is now 71 percent Hispanic and 25 percent black, with 82 percent of students considered economically disadvantaged.
His focus is on the kids and the music.
"One of the things I found out pretty early on is that you can't keep teaching kids the same way from generation to generation," he said. "The way kids learn constantly changes, as technology improves, as the culture changes."
After building up the school's program, he turned to the community, founding the nonprofit Diaz Music Institute in 2000.
The institute helps provide music education to low-income communities through workshops, festivals and the award-winning Caliente, the Latin jazz ensemble that presents its Noche Caliente performance annually at Miller Outdoor Theatre. It has twice been selected as a finalist by the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities for the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards.
"They've played at the Midwest Clinic three times," Diaz said. "It's considered to be the most important musical activity for instrumental music of this kind in the world so when a group is asked to perform at this event, it's like winning the Super Bowl."
Diaz has brought home a number of awards himself. In 2014, he was awarded a Hispanic Heritage Award by the mayor's office. He also won the Arts in the Community Award, been inducted into DownBeat Magazine's Jazz Education Hall of Fame and TCU's University Band of Fame, and been awarded a Houston Arts Alliance Individual Artist Grant and the acclaimed Berklee College of Music's John LaPorta Jazz Educator of the Year award for 2016.
"He doesn't accept mediocrity," said Robert Martinez, a former student who later worked on a 2007 Latin Grammy-winning album.
"But the main thing I think he provided was the opportunity and the platform. It's invaluable. You can't really put a price tag on that."
Marcie Chapa, a former student who went on to play in Beyonce's all-female band for five years, said that Diaz stands out for his ability to connect with students and bring out the best.
"He can pull out of kids that not many teachers can pull out of," she said. "I'm grateful for what he pulled out of me because if I hadn't experienced that with him I probably wouldn't be where I am today."
Grammy spotlight
That knack for bonding with students helped Diaz stand out from the thousands of qualified educators nominated for the Grammy Foundation Music Educator Award.
After evaluating all initial nominations and questionnaires, the foundation whittled the list down to just under 300 quarter-finalists, who were then asked to send in videos to showcase their teaching style. Twenty-five semifinalists were named in October and after another round of scrutiny, the 10 finalists were announced in December.
The winner - who will be honored on stage during the awards show and will walk away with a $10,000 honorarium - is to be announced during the week leading up to the Grammys. The other nine finalists and their schools will each receive $1,000.
"We've had literally thousands of educators nominated from all over the country. So the fact that he is among the finalists is truly an achievement in and of itself," Goldman said.
"We have found story after story of music educators at every level who have made and continue to make a difference in the lives of young people unlike any others that we could imagine. These people are all individually extraordinary."
A Texas Southern University professor was arrested Wednesday after allegedly punching a police officer, according to court documents.
The arrest took place during the early morning hours Tuesday at a motel during a prostitution sting, according to the Harris County District Attorney's office. When a deputy attempted to arrest 52-year-old Christopher Tymczak, he allegedly punched the officer in the face.
Tymczak, an associate professor of physics at the historically African-American university, also was charged with forgery in September after submitting documents with forged signatures to the college's human resource department.
Keisha David, the associate vice president and chair of the human resources department, stated in court documents that she "had never signed any documents for the defendant" and "that was not her handwriting." That case is pending.
Tymczak also sued Texas Southern University this past August for discrimination.
He currently remains in Harris County Jail without bond.
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Police have identified a man and woman found shot to death Thursday morning at a home in southeast Houston.
The pair was found about 10 a.m. inside a house in the 5200 block of Dewberry near Cavanaugh, according to the Houston Police Department.
Police identified the victims as Michael Williams, 48, and Loretta Marie Alexander, 47. Both lived at the residence. They had been shot and died at the scene, investigators said.
It is unclear exactly when they were shot, police said. Investigators said a friend who went to the house Thursday morning found Williams and Alexander.
"What we're seeing right now is that somebody that is not here at the house right now did the shooting," Detective Kelly McDonald with the Houston Police Department told reporters at the scene.
Less than 24 hours before the deadly shooting, police were called to the home for an unrelated disturbance involving another roommate.
"We don't believe that the roommate came back to the scene or did anything at this point in time," McDonald said.
Demetria Mathis, a neighbor and friend, told reporters Thursday that she had heard a series of booms around 2 a.m. Thursday.
She discovered the victims when she went to the house Thursday morning retrieve her cell phone, telling authorities that she found he door open and spotted a body on the couch and another on the floor.
Anyone with information about the shooting are urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
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A San Antonio freelance photographer is recovering from injuries suffered from a motorcycle crash on an Interstate 10 exit ramp early Thursday.
Kody Melton, a freelance photographer with the San Antonio Express-News, said he was heading home from downtown on the Loop 410 westbound exit from I-10 around 12:30 a.m.
He said he came in "a little too quickly" and lost control of his motorcycle. The motorcycle slid into the guardrail of the exit ramp and flipped over, falling about 40-feet, according to a report from KSAT-TV.
Melton broke his upper and lower right arm and suffered severe road rash on his back.
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"I'm just trying to process it all," Melton said. "I'm a little shocked. I didn't expect the night to go that way."
He said he's been riding dirt bikes his entire life, but he's only been riding street motorcycles for about a year. He said he recently bought the Harley Davidson Sportster 883 Iron he crashed.
But despite the wreck, Melton said he's "definitely" going to keep riding.
In addition to shooting event photos for mySA.com, Melton is also a resident photographer with the Esquire bar and the restaurants Downstairs and El Mirador. He won't be able to take photos for another few weeks, the nurses told him.
RELATED: SAPD: Suspect at large after road rage shooting on I-35 near Live Oak
He'll remain in University Hospital for a couple more days while he recovers. Friday he had surgery on his arm and shoulder. His family has established a GoFundMe account to help cover medical and other expenses while he recovers over the next six weeks.
Melton's best friend, 28-year-old David Galindo, who also rides motorcycles, said he's glad it was the motorcycle that went over the guardrail and not Melton.
He said yesterday was the first day Melton wore a full-face helmet usually he wears a half-skull helmet and that it saved his life.
He said riding motorcycles "is always a risk."
"You always risk yourself and you just have to be smart and drive defensively. It's just one of those things."
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Houston's procedures for approving a key form of low-income housing perpetuate segregation and violate the Civil Rights Act, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has found, also concluding that Mayor Sylvester Turner's rejection of a Galleria-area housing project was based on racially motivated opposition from neighborhood residents.
The federal housing agency's findings, detailed in a scathing 14-page letter sent Wednesday, fault the city for "blocking and deterring affordable housing proposals in integrated neighborhoods" and require Houston to implement a series of corrective actions.
Those remedies include: Providing the remaining construction costs for the mixed-income apartment complex at 2640 Fountain View, which Turner blocked in August, or else financing an alternative in a so-called "high opportunity" census tract; developing a formal policy to ensure the placement of tax credit housing does not maintain segregation; helping recipients of housing choice vouchers find homes in low-poverty neighborhoods; and establishing a local fair housing commission to diminish housing segregation.
"The city's refusal to issue a resolution of no objection for Fountain View was motivated either in whole or in part by the race, color, or national origin of the likely tenants," Garry Sweeney, director of HUD's Fort Worth's regional office of fair housing and equal opportunity, wrote in a letter to Turner. "More generally, the department finds that the city's procedures for approving Low-Income Housing Tax Credit applications are influenced by racially motivated opposition to affordable housing and perpetuate segregation."
HUD opened its five-month investigation into potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act - which prohibits recipients of federal funding from discriminating based on race, color or national origin - after Turner declined to sign off on the Houston Housing Authority's proposed Fountain View development.
The project would have been the agency's first in a low-poverty, low-crime neighborhood with good schools and access to jobs. However, it sparked fierce community and political opposition.
Turner cited "costs and other concerns" in blocking the 233-unit, $53 million project.
The mayor reiterated those worries Friday and said he is "in strong disagreement" with HUD's conclusions, pledging to use "all available avenues to challenge their findings."
"We are taking a hard look at the letter, but there should be no misunderstanding about my commitment to providing options for low income families. I do not believe that only wealthy areas can provide what our children need," Turner said in a statement. "I have chosen to stay in the neighborhood where I grew up and I will not tell children in similar communities they must live somewhere else. Our underprivileged families should have the right to choose where they want to live, and that choice should include the right to stay in the neighborhoods where they have grown up."
Turner added that the city and the housing authority are set to announce a plan shortly to provide vouchers for up to 350 low-income housing units in neighborhoods with high-performing schools.
The potential political fallout of HUD's findings are somewhat unclear for Turner, a progressive African-American mayor who speaks passionately about the need to mitigate the city's vast inequality.
AUSTIN State Sen. Van Taylor on Thursday outlined his renewed effort to pass ethics reform legislation through the Republican-controlled statehouse, recalling the bruising fight two years ago over political expenditures by nonprofits that dashed hopes of a comprehensive package.
The Plano Republicans outline, much of which was approved by both chambers last session, includes revoking the office and pension of any politician convicted of a felony, as well as requiring elected officials to disclose their government contracts and other potential conflicts of interest. It also calls for new disclosure rules on lobbyists who wine and dine lawmakers beyond a certain amount of money, and for creating a stronger barrier between lobbyists and politicians.
Unfortunately, everything I just laid out was voted on and got very strong support in the House and Senate, but none of it got to the governors desk, Taylor said at the Texas Public Policy Foundations 2017 Policy Orientation. In what went wrong, we also got an idea of what the roadmap is for the future.
Taylor did not directly mention the major roadblock last session that killed any chance legislators would send an ethics reform bill to Gov. Greg Abbott. In the waning hours of the 2015 session, House and Senate negotiators could not agree on whether to require non-profits which engage in political activity to disclose their largest financial contributors.
The House would not consider a bill without the so-called dark money provision, while the Senate stood firm that it could not be included. At the time, Taylor argued that currently anonymous donors to non-profits should be protected. State Rep. Byron Cook, a Republican from Corsicana and the Houses lead negotiator, said disclosing their identities is absolutely essential to any ethics reform bill.
On Thursday, Taylor characterized the 2015 outcome as two bills that passed each other in the night, adding that there is no excuse for lawmakers not to agree on language this session considering their wide agreement on several proposals last time.
So I got a record vote of pretty much everybody supporting the idea of the change, he said. When I talk to my colleagues about this, I say, Im going to ask for ethics reform, but dont worry youve all voted for it before.
The dark money issue came up briefly when Joe Pojman, executive director of the anti-abortion group Texas Alliance for Life, urged legislators to require the disclosure of anonymous donors.
Some of these elections are decided by 30 votes or fewer. It makes a big difference, Pojman said. Expenditures are reported, but the donors are not. Thats a lack of transparency. That undermines confidence in the election process and in the elected officials who benefit from those ads.
The events moderator ended the panel after Pojmans remarks without giving Taylor a chance to respond, saying they exceeded their time.
In a Dallas Morning News op-ed, however, Taylor seemed to hint at his displeasure at the Houses role in previous debates.
This is not to say the ethics reform framework I am proposing is all we need. Of course it is not, he wrote. But policy proposals are disingenuous if they are used to sabotage substantive ethics reform where wide agreement within the Legislature already exists.
Taylor, a one-term state senator, reportedly plans to run for the states 3rd Congressional District seat now held by retiring U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson.
Ty Pozzobon, the 25-year-old professional bull rider found dead Monday, died by suicide, the Calgary Herald reports.
The publication reported that Pozzobon, who was at his home in Merritt, British Columbia visiting family, was suffering from depression due to multiple concussions.
It came as a shock to everybody simply because although the family knew he was suffering depression and anxiety, he was still moving forward day-to-day, making plans, making coffee dates, signing contracts, a family friend told the Herald.
RELATED: Report: Professional bull rider Ty Pozzobon dies at 25
On Tuesday the family released a statement on Pozzobon's death and referenced the concussion issue.
"It's important that people know about the implications of head injuries as a result of concussions," said Leanne Pozzobon, the bull rider's mother.
The Professional Bull Riders organization released a statement Tuesday saying they would recognize and celebrate Pozzobon this weekend in Chicago.
PBR Medical Director Dr. Tandy Freeman told the Herald he last evaluated Pozzobon for a concussion before the end of the 2014 season.
I cant speak to what was going on with Ty at this stage," Freeman said, according to the report. "The last that I saw Ty, he was the same guy I had been acquainted with for several years.
RELATED: Family releases statement on professional bull rider Ty Pozzobon's death
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Rider Relief Fund, the organization that provides financial assistance to riders injured in the competitive sport of bull riding.
The native of Merritt, British Columbia, leaves behind his wife Jayd, along with his parents, Luke and Leanne, and his sister Amy. He was planning to return to Texas where his wife lives, the Calgary Herald reported.
Staff writer Chris Eudaily contributed to this report.
kbradshaw@express-news.net
Twitter: @kbrad5
The summers final Live on the Waterfront concert was held Wednesday evening at Prince Arthurs Landing. The popular series in Thunder Bay has completed nine weekly shows that began on July 13. Wednesdays concert was unique as it was held one hour later in the evening to mesh with the 10 p.
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Its hard for me to imagine the New York City Police Department without Steven McDonald in it. I was 13-years old when a suspected bicycle thief fired three shots from a .22 caliber revolver and left McDonald for dead in Central Park on July 12, 1986. My fathers prayerslike those of every NYPD cop at the timewere answered when McDonald miraculously survived the attack.
Our heroes are usually a mixture of myth and caricature. Not so with McDonald, who despite being paralyzed from the neck down remained with the NYPD until his death this week from a heart attack at 59. There were two ways to move forward, McDonald said after the shooting. And that was to love and forgive the boy who shot me, or as other people have done, condemn him, criticize him in the harshest terms for what he did to me and my family and friends. But God was there in our lives, guiding us, inspiring us. Detective First Grade Steven McDonald was no myth. He was the real deal.
In the years following his injuries, the strength that McDonald and his family exhibited became an indelible part of the cityand beyond. He took an event that was out of his control and used it to carry out a mission that was within his control by spreading a message of forgiveness. If Steven McDonald could forgive the kid who paralyzed him, the rest of us could probably find a way to forgive those who commit much smaller offenses in our own lives. The humble, wheel-chair bound cop inspired presidents, cardinals, and world-famous athletes, yet most of his good works never made the front pages. Many who live in the New York area can recall when McDonald lent his support to a local cause, spoke to students at a school, or stood alongside his brothers and sisters in blue as the policing profession became a convenient foil for opportunistic politicians.
Even as the world learned his name and heard his story, McDonald remained a cop at heart. He wore his NYPD uniform and detective shield Number 104 with beaming pride. Just last month, he spoke before a roll call at the 33rd Precinct stationhouse in Washington Heights. He was again talking about forgiveness and the need to redefine ourselves in our occupation. That is what motivates us, McDonald said to those assembled. We want everybody to feel safe and everybody to feel the peace that we all need.
Since 1986, McDonald inspired every New York City police officer to become better than we thought we were capable of being. When my academy class took the oath in 1997, McDonald talked to us about the role we would play in the city we all loved. While his words motivated us to be a positive force in the lives of those we encountered, the example he set proved the point. The most important thing we can take away from my father is his mission of love, compassion, and forgiveness, said McDonalds son Conor, who was born six months after the shooting. That cannot die. That has to keep going. That has to transcend.
The promise to remember the fallen is as permanent as the oath to serve and protect. The NYPD is good at saying goodbye to our heroes but we never get used to it.
Photo by NYRangers.com
BNM anunta concurs pentru postul vacant de expert coordonator (durata determinata) responsabil de control pe teren si din oficiu a sistemelor de plati
Journalists are masters of narrative. The language of journalism reflects this: You have to get the story; the story will run on the front page; dont get behind the story.
The very idea and promise of America is one great saga of humble beginnings, hard work, redemption and reward. This is why Hollywood plots still bear the influence of Joseph Campbell, the famous explicator of world myths, whose description of the heros archetypal journeycall to adventure, trial and travail, acquisition of wisdom/love/wealth/power, return as hero to ordinary lifeis really a sophisticated variation on the old Horatio Alger tales of rags to riches.
Even when journalists are dismantling a narrative, they do so with another narrative. Consider The Wall Street Journals remarkable recent story about Theranos director George Shultzs grandson, who blew the whistle on the company and whose grandfather then hung him out to dry. The tale of the wise and good politician turned conscientious private citizen was abruptly replaced with the tale of the good and fearless young man. Or Edward Snowden, whose exposure of state secrets has spawned one story after another: the heroic whistleblower, the naive and tragic truth-teller, the unwitting traitor whose talents, appropriated by the Russians, led to Trumps election. In every case, one story has been replaced with, or challenged by, another. But the permutations have always been in the service of building or dismantling a narrative.
What makes Trump so difficult to write about is that he presents no story. Like a cubist portrait, he changes your perception of reality by the minute.
Now along comes Donald J. Trump, and our first non-narrative presidency. Trump has not merely, at the behest of his supporters, disrupted the status quo. He has exploded the great American story that lay beneath it. What makes Trump so difficult to write about is that he presents no story. Like a cubist portrait, he changes your perception of reality by the minute. At Wednesdays news conference, he went from being a gracious president-elect, to spiteful winner, to briefly charming self-deprecator (Im also very much of a germaphobe, by the way), to accuser, to bully, to defender of jobless Americans and neglected veterans, to wily evader, todisappearing back up into his Ayn Randian tower. While his lawyer was talking, he could be seen looking out over the crowd with wariness and curiosity, as if searching for clues to who he was at that moment.
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For the people who oppose him, fear him, or despair of being governed by him, Trump is a disaster. But the media, expected to provide clarity, cannot agree on just what he is or will be. The peculiar effect of a cipher, and especially a cipher given to unpredictable statements, is that the emptier he is, the more he accrues the illusion of enigmatic depths. Trumps emptiness is a magnet for one narrative after another. There are so many to choose from.
Trump is an authoritarian who will use the pretext of a war or a terrorist attack to curb civil liberties, repress elements of the population he finds undesirable, tighten the borders, and suppress the media.
Trump is an unusually greedy businessman who, like all businessmen, hates chaos and unpredictability and will keep the country on an even keel as he, along with his cronies, proceeds to empty the national coffers and strip the republic bare.
Trump is a needy performer, who will be too caught up in how he is treated by the press and the public to govern.
Trumps hatred of the press, expressed on Twitter, spells the doom of a free press.
Trumps hatred of the press, expressed on Twitter and immediately responded to by the entire press, guarantees that speech will remain free, even as it becomes sicker and more dysfunctional.
There has never been a presidential administration, at least in modern memory, that was not a product of a great history-making narrative. In the depths of economic despair, FDR was an American aristocrat with the common touch who did not give a hoot about turning against the interests of the class he was born into. In the heady atmosphere of victory that cost the lives of so many people from ordinary walks of life, Harry Truman was the humble son of a farmer who never graduated from college and became a haberdasher. Eisenhower, who had saved the nation from European and Japanese dictators, made America feel safe amid a perilous new world order. Then there was Kennedy, the handsome Harvard prince of Camelot who promised adventure after Eisenhowers drab stability; and LBJ, the former teacher born poor in Texas devoted to freeing the country from poverty; and Nixon, the earnest common man who was the tribune of the silent majority who felt excluded by the war on poverty, and on and on.
In the end, journalists and eventually historians poked holes of various sizes in these narratives. But the exposures of falsehoods were also narratives, which drew their energy from stories that betrayed themselves.
Trump, on the other hand, offers several scenarios of the future, each of which refutes the other.
The booming economy will benefit media organizations and the creative class generally, which will have the result of keeping the resistance to Trump mostly symbolic.
The booming economy, which will benefit only the growing top of society, will have the effect of making the resistance to Trump all the more impassioned.
Trump will withdraw from the presidency almost immediately upon assuming it. He will allow the Republican leadership, as well as his cabinet appointees, to run the country.
Trump has been only performing the appearance of being the captive of Republican leaders. The moment he becomes president he will seize on the first occasion on which Republicans do not accommodate him, accuse them of obstructing him, and cause his supporters to rise up in outrage and indignation.
The opposition to Trump will eventually tire of becoming hysterical over his every act or utterance and quietly evolve to adapt itself to Trumps own daily evolutions.
Of course, Trumps people insist they have a grand narrative, and one that got Trump elected. Making America Great Again consists of disgust with a status quo that has the elites keeping everyone down, of preening nationalism on the world stage, strident economic nationalism, and the freedom to be politically incorrect.
Yet Trump is a born parodist and ironist. He delights not only in deconstructing his own narratives; he takes pleasure in turning them into travesties of themselves. He hires Goldman Sachs bankers even as he rails against economic elites. He allies himself with Putin even as he proclaims that America will once again be the dominant power in the world. He seems to welcome the public refutation of his declarations that he has saved American jobs. He relishes substituting crass indecency for contrarian political incorrectness. His blatant, defiant ironies and parodies are the proof of his power.
The peculiar effect of a cipher, and especially a cipher given to unpredictable statements, is that the emptier he is, the more he accrues the illusion of enigmatic depths.
Journalists can oppose a narrative that is made up of empty platitudes about truth and justice. But it is almost impossible for a journalist to get an effective handle on actions guided by nihilistic irony.
How do you settle on a story that makes sense of Trumps real/imagined/tenuous/opportunistic/troubled/wary/dangerous relationship with Putin, and his seeming allegiance to the ruthless Russian leader? Whichever interpretation you choose, it is a burlesque of patriotism, Realpolitik, good, old-fashioned decency, and political horse sense.
How do you build a story out of Trumps antagonism with the countrys intelligence services, which were once the mendacious bete noires of the American left and the cherished assets of Republican presidents, and now are heroes of the American left and the chief bugbears of the incoming Republican president?
A dramatic reversal has taken place in American politics. It used to be that the elite, cosmopolitan segments of society scorned the reassuring tales provided by religion and the comforting mythology of American life, regarding them as fictions that the masses needed to live by. Urban cosmopolitans believe that they dont need stories with which to console themselves. But now it is those very people, the heartland people, the masses beyond the cities so hungry for inspiring stories, who have dispensed altogether with the gripping American narratives that have, through all their fluctuations, kept the country together for so long.
He delights not only in deconstructing his own narratives; he takes pleasure in turning them into travesties of themselves.
Of course, narratives can limit and oppressfor example, the pernicious narratives that led us into wars in Vietnam and Iraq. A powerful lie can have the alluring shape of a beautiful story. But such tales sow the seeds of their own destruction. A story needs to hang together. Its various parts all have to add up. A journalist can pull on the weakened component of a story, on a contradiction or inconsistency or fabricated fact, and the story, no matter how powerful, starts to come apart.
By contrast, Trumps wild unpredictability deconstructs itself. That is one reason why it is, in the eyes of Trumps followers, immune to being exposed and condemned by the media. When the very nature of the man is contradictory and self-undermining, it is difficult to contradict or undermine him. The media cannot use a narrative woven out of the truthe.g., the integrity of the country depends on the integrity of its elected officialsin order to expose lies that are composed of fragments. It is like trying to use water to remove an oil stain.
Is Trump deliberately creating, or causing to be created, one contradictory narrative after another in order to keep the media and everyone else off balance? It hardly matters. A press without a story to begin with is like a sculptor with clay but no idea what to do with it. Anything seems possible, and the result is paralysis.
Trump will start one or more wars in order to distract the country from his plunderings and depredations.
Trump is surrounded by rational people who will restrain his most dangerous impulses.
Trump is surrounded by rational people dependent on Trump for power and wealth who will justify and rationalize their self-interest even as Trump becomes dangerously irrational.
Trumps children and his son-in-law, mindful of their futures, will restrain Trumps worst impulses.
Trumps children and his son-in-law, intoxicated by a level of power and privilege they have never experienced, will afflict the country with one scandal after another.
Trump will rise to the occasion, act like a statesman, and after four years retire and write his most sensational bestseller yet, The Art of Personal Growth.
No one has any idea of what will happen, and when it does, it will both be something that no one had even conceived of, and, finally, for better or for worse, a story that journalists can set to work on.
Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today
Lee Siegel , a widely published writer on culture and politics, is the author of six books and the recipient of a National Magazine Award for Reviews and Criticism.
For the eight years he was in office, President Barack Obama snubbed the Chicago press corps, ignoring repeated interview requests from local reporters in his adopted hometown.
Thendays before he returned this week to deliver a farewell address to 18,000 people at the McCormick Place Convention Center on Tuesdaythe White House invited five Chicago TV journalists to Washington and offered each one a four-minute interview. (Obama declined multiple requests from the Chicago Tribune, according to the citys largest daily newspaper, which published a front-page story Sunday on his mixed record in championing the city and its concerns. The White House also declined multiple interview requests from the Chicago Sun-Times.)
Once he left town, I kind of feel he left our beat, says Mary Field, executive producer for Chicago Tonight, a TV news program on public station WTTW.
The eight-year wait left a lot of ground to cover. NBC 5 political editor Carol Marin finally got a chance to ask Obama about Rod Blagojevich, the disgraced former Illinois governor who was sentenced to prison in 2011 for trying to sell Obamas Senate seat. Obama declined to comment on whether he would commute Blagojevichs 14-year sentence before leaving office, and instead spoke more generally about the presidential pardon process.
Any Chicago reporter who expected special access to the White House because of working here was disappointed, says Peter Slevin, an associate professor at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, whose biography of Michelle Obama was published in 2015. It was very hard for so many Chicago journalists to get access. He left here and set out to be the president of the country. (Slevin told CJR in a 2015 interview that Michelle Obama declined to be interviewed for his book.)
Jim Kirk, publisher and editor in chief of the Chicago Sun-Times, says access to Obama was limited for a lot of journalists and not just the local press.
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I think one of the hallmarks from a press standpoint from his tenure in the White House is that hes done very few news conferences, Kirk says. Access to him in general has been difficult outside of the prepared, scripted things hes done throughout his presidency. From a local standpoint, were fairly disappointed.
When Obama came home to Chicago on Tuesday night, local reporters disappeared into the pack of hundreds of journalists with press credentialsand were shooed away from the four large coffee urns that CNN had set up for its employees. Before the speech, the presidents motorcade stopped at Valois, a restaurant on the South Side, according to the White House pool report. He sat for an interview there, not with a Chicago reporter but instead with Lester Holt, the weekday anchor for NBC Nightly News.
In his nearly hour-long address, Obama talked about his roots in community organizing in Chicago. He gave a nod to the South Side, where Michelle Obama grew up and where the couple first settled down after they were married. Otherwise, he declined to talk about the city now led by his former chief of staff, Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Throughout his speech, Obama sounded more like the community organizer that he once was in Chicago than a politician. He called on people to believe in their own ability to change, to get out and make a difference, to talk to a stranger in person instead of on social media. And his crowdmany of those same steadfast supporters who embraced him years agoembraced the message.
Obama has not changed, and thats why so much of his speech was not about politics, says Slevin, who attended the address. It was about values. This is who he has always been in Chicago.
His relationship with the press also has gone relatively unchanged. Local journalists who covered him during his early political career in Illinois say he didnt become more elusive when he moved to DC. Rather, he was always carefully managed and hard to pin down for an interview.
Marin, a former Chicago Sun-Times columnist and reporter, recalls that 18 months passed during Obamas first presidential campaign before he agreed to talk to the newspaper about his relationship with fundraiser Tony Rezko, who was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison on corruption charges related to his private business dealings. Even before he was elected, we had trouble, she says.
In addition to Marin, the other local TV reporters invited to interview Obama before his farewell speech included Jay Levine, who stepped down as chief correspondent for CBS 2 earlier this year; Judy Hsu from ABC 7; Muriel Clair from WGN; and Dawn Hasbrouck from Fox 32. For each reporter, the interview was the firstand almost certainly the lastduring Obamas presidency. Chicago Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg was not granted an interview but instead was tapped to provide the local pool reports from Obamas visit.
They picked, Marin said. Each of us was directly contacted by the White House. Somehow we were selected.
Although these kinds of interviews are typically called sit-downs, meaning the reporter and the subject sit for their conversation, the White House required the Chicago journalists to stand. The president did the same. Each of the stations promoted the interviews with their reporters as an exclusive. Nonetheless, Hsuthe last of the local five to interview Obamacalled her interview an extraordinary opportunity.
Because the brevity of the interviews limited the reporters ability to ask follow-up questions, Hsu said the news team at ABC decided it was better to ask the president to look ahead to how he might help Chicago after leaving office, rather than looking back at what couldve been done differently.
Her first question to Obama was about gun violence. Mr. President, she asked, our city, your city, is being torn apart by gun violence. How will you use the considerable power that you have after leaving office to help Chicago reclaim its streets?
Obama told Hsu that he had already assigned the Justice Department to investigate the Chicago Police Department. (The Justice Departments report is expected to be released today, after a year-long investigation into the fatal shooting of teenager Laquan McDonald by a Chicago police officer, an event that was captured on video.) He called Chicago a strange exception to falling crime rates in other cities. What I intend to do is to build off of some of the work that has been done in other cities to intervene in violence, provide better support for youth that are at risk.
All five TV reporters asked Obama about the gun violence in Chicago, and Obama made passing references to the Justice Department investigation. Levine, of CBS 2, even told the president that its got to be frustrating that the most powerful man in the free world cannot stop the violence in his hometown.
But in his farewell address, Obama didnt talk about the violence, even though it has scarred many of the communities whose members have been most passionate in their support for him. Chicago had more than 700 murders in 2016, up from 495 the year before. Eight more people were killed the week before Obama returned to Chicago to give his speech. Chicago has been in the national spotlight, the poster child for policing issues, gun violence, says Kirk, the top editor at the Sun-Times. We would have liked to hear from him on those very issues.
Marin also was surprised the president didnt use a portion of his speech to talk about the killings.
For as long as it went, there wasnt a discussion of the blood in Chicagos streets, she says. I was waiting for some reference to what one does about this intractable, tragic problem. Its a problem that has shaped Chicagoans lives in profound ways, but the reference never came.
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Jackie Spinner is CJRs correspondent for Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin. She is an associate journalism professor at Columbia College Chicago and a former staff writer for The Washington Post. Follow her on Twitter @jackiespinner.
A New Jersey family whose son got his foot stuck in a mall escalator and had to have his toes amputated has filed a lawsuit against the mall and the company that made the escalator.
Celestino Rivas and Maria Jimenez, of Trenton, said in the suit filed last month that their then-7-year-old son was left disabled and disfigured by the Dec. 14, 2014 accident at the Oxford Valley Mall in Langhorne, Pennsylvania.
The Simon Property Group owns the mall and declined to comment. The Schindler Corp. made the escalator and didnt respond to calls seeking comment.
NJ.com reported that the boys right foot was dragged into a gap between the step he was standing on and the edge of the escalator, according to the suit. The escalator continued moving down, trapping his foot.
The suit said someone in the mall was able to push the emergency stop button for the escalator, and Jimenez tried unsuccessfully to pull her sons foot out of the machine.
The boys mother, father and aunt watched as fire and medical crews worked for about 20 to 30 minutes to free his foot, the suit said. The boy was rushed to the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, where doctors amputated his right toes and continued to operate on his foot and leg over the course of the next month.
The familys attorney, Craig Hubert, said the family was traumatized by the incident and faced sizable medical bills after multiple hospital visits.
The suit said the corporation and the mall were both negligent in maintaining and repairing their escalator and in supervising upkeep of the machine.
Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Climate-based disasters caused $46 billion in damage and killed at least 138 in the 48 contiguous U.S. states last year, with inland flooding emerging as the costliest weather event for the first time since 1997.
The number of billion-dollar occurrences was the second-highest since 1980, with one less than the 16 in 2011, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information. It was also the second warmest year behind 2012 over 122 years, and the 20th consecutive warmer-than-normal year.
The seven types of disasters noted in the yearly report including droughts, hurricanes and winter storms are closely watched by scientists and industries to gauge how changing patterns affect peoples lives. Storms and rising seas have opened discussions on whether, and how, to build on coastal areas, and who pays in the event of a disaster. Warmer temperatures can have profound effects on both energy and agriculture.
We have not arrived in our climate of the future, but we have certainly left our climate of the past, said Deke Arndt, chief of the National Centers climate monitoring branch. Our institutions will need to use this information and the details within it to make better bottom-line decisions.
The year was notable for its widespread warmth, with virtually all states having annual average temperatures in the top 10 percent on record, the report said. The average annual temperature was 54.9 degrees Fahrenheit (12.7 Celsius), or 2.9 degrees above the 20th century average.
Alaska had its warmest year on record with an average annual temperature of 31.9 degrees, 1.6 degrees warmer than its previous high set in 2014.
Rising Precipitation
Beyond the temperature data, the 48 states had the fourth straight year of above-average precipitation. Average annual precipitation was 31.7 inches (80.5 centimeters), or 1.76 inches above the long-term average. Researchers have long said the warmer the world becomes the more moisture the atmosphere will carry.
It was the first time that more than two inland flooding events caused losses exceeding $1 billion each. Hurricane Matthew in October and flooding in Louisiana in August topped the 2016 list causing $10 billion in damage each. Matthew killed 49 people in the U.S., while 13 died in Louisianas floods.
In April, Houston was hit by flooding that killed eight people and cost an estimated $2.7 billion, according to the agency. At least 1,300 roads and bridges were washed out in West Virginia by flooding there in June.
Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.
Starr Companies Names Greytok Leader of Newly Formed Excess Casualty Division
Starr Companies announced the promotion of Layla Greytok, vice president, as the leader of its newly formed Excess Casualty Division, a combination of the Excess Commercial Accounts and Excess National Accounts units. In addition, several zonal underwriting managers have been appointed to provide our broker partners and clients with local, senior-level access. These changes are effective January 1, 2017.
Senior members of Laylas management team include, Warren Puffer, New York Zone; David Meyers, Eastern Zone; Laurie Jo Prager, Central Zone; and Leonard Streeter, Western Zone.
Arch Insurance Group Appoints Parsons RVP Construction for U.S. Western Region
Matthew Parsons has joined Arch Insurance Group as regional vice president for Arch Insurance Groups U.S. Construction division for the Western Region effective January 1, 2017. He will be based in our San Francisco office and will be responsible for managing all aspects of its Construction business in the Western region.
Parsons was most recently the underwriting manager National Insurance Construction for Liberty Mutual in San Francisco. Prior to that, he held various positions within Liberty Mutual in Boston and Washington, D.C., underwriting construction risks including OCIPs and CCIPs and other commercial casualty risks.
Giomi Appointed Vice President of Litigation and Liability Claims, Seibels Claims Solutions
The Seibels Bruce Group, Inc., an insurance services provider of business process outsourcing (BPO) solutions, announced the appointment of Ron Giomi to vice president of Litigation and Liability Claims within the claims division of the company, Seibels Claims Solutions, Inc.
In this new leadership position, Giomi will oversee the management of litigation and liability claims for Centauri Insurance, Gulfstream Property & Casualty Insurance Company, and St. Johns Insurance Company, and liability claims for Security First. He has over forty years of experience in the insurance industry, and has been a member of the Seibels team since 2002.
Giomi also teaches insurance courses and seminars, such as AINS and policy training, to Seibels team members.
Prior to joining Seibels, he was the manager of Commercial Claims at Nationwide for over seventeen years. Giomi also has experience working for Cigna and Federated Insurance.
He holds several insurance designations including CPCU, AIC, AIM, ARP and ARe.
A new study finds huge variation in where patients who receive post-surgical care will end up, depending on where they had their operation. And that variation in turn leads to huge differences in how much their care costs.
The study, published in Health Affairs by a University of Michigan team, looks at the impact of sending patients home with some in-house or outpatient help, compared with sending them to a skilled nursing facility or an inpatient rehabilitation center.
The researchers looked at the type and cost of post-hospital care received by hundreds of thousands of patients covered by traditional Medicare in the 90 days after they had one of three common operations: hip replacement, heart bypass surgery, or removal of a part of their colon, called colectomy. They divided patients up by which hospital they had their operation at, and looked over a three-year period at how those hospitals compared.
Some hospitals, they found, had average post-acute care costs for a surgical patient that were three times as high as other hospitals.
But after the researchers looked closer at where each of those hospitals tended to send their patients, those cost differences shrank markedly.
In the end, a hospitals decision to send a post-surgery patient to an inpatient rehabilitation facility was the key driver of total 90-day post-hospital costs. To a lesser extent, the decision to send the patient to a skilled nursing facility also drove costs, compared with prescribing in-home care or outpatient rehabilitation.
Doctors have little official guidance or objective measurements to help them decide which patients will do best in each setting, says Lena Chen, M.D., M.S., the lead author of the study and an assistant professor at the U-M Medical School.
Based on these findings, and others, we can see that its going to be really important to find out which type of care setting will have value to which patients, and when, she says. We need to better understand how to do whats best for each patient.
The need for such tools is even more important now, because hospitals are increasingly being penalized or rewarded financially by Medicare for the total cost of their surgical patients care even in the weeks after the patient leaves the hospital.
Accountable care organizations and bundled payment programs are all incentivizing hospitals and health systems to do things that will get the most value out of Medicare dollars including spending on post-hospital care. For instance, the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program is penalizing hospitals that spend more than their peers on episodes of care that start just before a patient enters the hospital, and ends 30 days after they leave the hospital.
More about the study
The researchers looked at Medicare data from 2009 to 2012 from 231,744 hip replacement patients treated in 1,831 hospitals; 218,940 bypass patients treated in 1,056 hospitals, and 189,229 colectomy patients treated in 1,876 hospitals. They accounted for differences in patient populations and the prices for care in different parts of the country.
Even though skilled nursing facilities charge for every day that a patient is there, the length of stay in such facilities didnt matter nearly as much as the decision to send a patient to such a facility or to a rehab facility, compared with the lower-cost home-based or outpatient care.
How to decide which patients could benefit most from each type of post-hospital care will rely on good uniform measures of how well patients are functioning at the time they leave the hospital and the time they finish their post-hospital care. The agency that runs Medicare is testing a tool called the Continuity Assessment Record and Evaluation (CARE) Item Set that will help with this.
But also important, Chen says, is the amount of social support a patient has whether he or she has a relative or friend available to help out at home or transportation to outpatient rehab appointments, for instance. The availability of high-quality post-acute care in the local area around the patient also matters a lot. Those factors couldnt be included in this study.
Educating patients and families about their post-surgery options before and after the operation is also important, she notes. If patients understand the different options and how the type of care differs from setting to setting, they and their loved ones can convey what they prefer. And that can be factored in as the doctor is preparing to write the discharge orders and the care team is making the arrangements for post-hospital care.
And while much effort is going into helping reduce length of stay in nursing facilities, Chen notes, the need for research on what patients get the most benefit from what post-acute care settings may be even greater from a cost perspective. Once providers better understand what setting has value and when, the payment system can better incentivize appropriate decisions, she notes. Right now, we know so little about what is the best, and who gets the most benefit from the highest-cost options.
In addition to Chen, the studys authors are U-M researchers Edward C. Norton, Ph.D., Mousumi Banerjee, Ph.D., M.S., Scott Regenbogen, M.D., M.P.H., and Anne Cain-Nielsen, M.S., and former Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health System researcher John Birkmeyer, M.D. Chen, Norton, Banerjee and Regenbogen are members of the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. All the U-M authors are members of the U-M Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy. Chen is also serving as a Senior Advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Policy in the federal Department of Health and Human Services.
Source: University of Michigan
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A visitor to Akron Children's Hospital neonatal intensive care unit at Summa Akron City Hospital was later diagnosed with tuberculosis.
(Summa Akron City Hospital)
AKRON, Ohio -- A case of pulmonary tuberculosis in a Summit County resident has been confirmed by Summit County Public Health.
Before being diagnosed, the person visited Akron Children's Hospital neonatal intensive care unit at Summa Akron City Hospital in mid-November through mid-December, according to the Health department said. So visitors to the NICU during that time should get a TB test at the end of February, to make sure they have not been infected.
The disease takes 10 to 12 weeks to appear. Infants in the NICU are at low risk of exposure. Health officials are in contact with families of about 50 infants who were NICU patients at the time.
"Even though risk is low, because kids are susceptible, because of their age, and in consultation with infectious disease doctors at Children's, we're following standards for infants who might possibly be exposed," said Dr. Margo Erme, medical director of the Summit County Health Department.
Summa-Akron City Hospital and Akron Children's Hospital operate the unit at Akron City Hospital.
Health agencies are taking an aggressive stance in advising adults who visited the hospital as well, because it is difficult to quantify how much time they spent there and some people might not remember when they visited.
Adults can be tested at their own doctors' offices or the health department. To make an appointment call, the Clinic Appointment Line, 330-375-2772.
According to Erme, there is no risk to visitors of other parts of the hospital, or to the general public, because:
The
A person who is exposed to the disease cannot infect another person, unless the disease is active
In the United States TB disease is an uncommon and potentially serious illness that usually involves the lungs but can affect other parts of the body.Treatment also varies by person and can last from a year to 18 months.
Tuberculosis symptoms include coughing that lasts three or more weeks, coughing up blood, chest pain and fatigue.
For more information, contact Summit County Public Health from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at 330-375-2662 and 330-283-6380 after hours on weekends or holidays. or visit www.scphoh.org.
RAVENNA, Ohio - A man indicted in connection to a Ravenna double homicide Saturday entered a not guilty plea Friday in Portage County Common Pleas Court.
Javon Thomas, 26, of Akron, is facing two charges of murder. The indictment was handed down Thursday, according to court documents.
Thomas is scheduled for a pretrial hearing at 1 p.m. May 12 in Judge Laurie Pittman's courtroom. His jury trial is set at 9 a.m May 23.
Attorneys David Sed and John Laczko, who represented Thomas during his arraignment, requested that Thomas' bond be lowered noting that their client has a valid home address in Akron, has no criminal history and had a job before his arrest.
Pittman increased Thomas' bond to $2 million from $1 million.
Thomas did not address the judge during the hearing.
Francis Riccardi, division chief for the Portage County Prosecutor's Office Criminal Division, told the court that there may be additional indictments as the case is an ongoing investigation.
Thomas is accused of killing 20-year-old Austin Tiller, of Stow, and 24-year-old Brian Brack, of Canton. Another victim suffered non-life threatening injuries.
The shooting happened shortly after 4:30 a.m. in the 700 block of Woodgate Boulevard.
Shots were fired after an argument between several people inside of the apartment, police say. No other information has been released from police.
Thomas' case has shaken the Portage County community where homicides are rare.
In another case, David Darnell Calhoun Jr. is accused of killing a pregnant woman and her friend in broad daylight in late-November.
A discovery hearing is scheduled for Feb. 1 in Portage County Common Pleas Court Judge Becky Doherty's courtroom. He is being held in Portage County Jail on a $6 million bond, court records say.
If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Friday's crime and courts comments section.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Justice Department's inspector general announced he will investigate aspects of how FBI director James Comey and the DOJ handled the investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails.
IG Michael Horowitz will look into the press conference Comey held announcing Clinton would not be charged, but sharply rebuked her email management and use of a private server.
Horowitz will review Comey's decision to send two letters to Congress about the investigation, just weeks and days before the election. The first letter sent in late October informed Congress the investigation had been reopened. A second letter was sent days before the election saying the investigation was closed again.
The inspector general will also look into whether FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe should have recused himself. When McCabe's wife ran for office in Virginia, she received $500,000 in contributions from Clinton ally Terry McAuliffe, Governor of Virginia.
In addition, Horowitz will look into whether DOJ congressional liaison, Peter Kadzik, improperly alerted the Clinton campaign about a potentially damaging congressional hearing that was coming up.
It's unknown if the inquiry will cover Bill Clinton's private meeting with Attorney General Loretta Lynch in her plane on an airport tarmac, but it should.
Hillary Clinton and her campaign staff have repeatedly and bitterly blamed Comey's late October letter to Congress for her election loss. They claim the letter swayed late deciding voters, allowing Trump to win the electoral college.
The liberal Huffington Post recently published a story featuring interviews with late deciding voters who said Comey's letter had little or no bearing on their decisions not to vote for Clinton.
Comey said he welcomes the inquiry and will cooperate. Comey praised Horowitz as "professional and independent" and said, "I hope very much he is able to share his conclusions and observations with the public because everyone will benefit from thoughtful evaluation and transparency."
Transparency has never been a word associated with Hillary Clinton and her campaign. Hopefully the inspector general will let us know if he also comes across any of the following:
-The thousands of deleted Clinton emails.
-A Clinton campaign message that resonated with working-class voters.
- Hillary Clinton's candor
- Her 'deplorables' speech
- A list of VP candidates with the names of Sanders,Warren & Brown scratched off.
- Clinton's travel itinerary in the states she ended up losing.
- Enthusiastic support from women & millennials that matched what Sanders had.
- A strategy for turning out former Obama voters.
- Bill Clinton's baggage.
- Hillary's trade deal flip-flops.
- Deposited six-figure speaking fee checks from Wall Street.
- Polls showing Clinton tied or losing in Ohio, long before Comey sent his letter.
- Results of the Michigan primary she lost long before long before Comey's letter.
- News reports of the Benghazi embassy attack
- News reports of the Libya debacle
- A record of accomplishment as secretary of state.
- Her private server scrubber.
Those touch on some of the real reasons Clinton lost to Trump, and why she should have never been nominated over far more worthy and viable options like Vice President Joe Biden.
The unaccountable failed Clinton campaign is hoping the IG finds Comey to be a worthy scapegoat for their election loss. Comey's colleagues have long found him to instead be a straight arrow who follows the law and does is job, which is what he did in the Clinton investigation.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Retailer Macy's announced earlier this month that it would close 68 stores across the nation and lay off 10,000 employees, continuing the long, slow decline of department stores in the modern era.
None of the remaining stores in Northeast Ohio are included in the closings, but Macy's stores at Midway Mall in Elyria and the Chapel Hill Mall in Akron closed last year, and the location at the Richmond Town Center closed in 2015.
Macy's isn't only department store chain struggling to adjust to evolving consumer preferences.
Sears recently said it would close its store at Richmond Town Square and The Limited, once the cornerstone of Les Wexner's retail empire, recently announced it would shutter all of its stores.
These struggles are a far cry from the early part of the 20th century, when departments stores dominated downtowns across the United States (including Cleveland's, which once featured eight downtown department stores).
The retailers have been slow to adapt to a changing business landscape in which consumers prefer buying goods online and can easily find better deals on high-end goods using their smart phones.
And even at brick and mortar stores, shopping habits have shifted in favor of discount retailers like T.J. Maxx.
This isn't the first time the department store industry has had to find itself. The department stores of downtown Cleveland had to migrate to the suburbs when Clevelanders left the city to settle in nearby towns. And the once grand emporiums were forced to scale back with the rise of shopping malls.
With Macy's and Sears announcing that they plan to restructure, we looked into the history of department stores and talked to industry insiders about the struggles of modern stores.
The department stores' heyday
Cleveland State University urban studies and business professor Richard Klein describes now-shuttered urban department stores that resemble sprawling shopping malls of the 1990s and early 2000s.
"When I first came here in 1967, they were still operating in downtown (Cleveland)," Professor Klein said. "I remember going and thinking how magnificent they looked. They knew how to cater to the customer, whoever that customer might be."
Massive stores like Higbee's, Halle Brothers and the May Company towered over Cleveland's streets for much of the 20th Century. Halle Brothers, for example, was founded in 1891 and closed in 1982.
"They grew as a result of the industrial revolution" which was marked by increased productivity, lower manufacturing costs and a growing middle class, Klein said.
Manufacturers tried to open their own stores, Klein said. "But that proved too costly. That opened a way for innovative merchants to consolidate their resources and form larger corporations to sell items to the public. Department stores came as a result of that."
The giant retailers gave Clevelanders a way to buy everything they needed in one place. Consumers could buy clothes and groceries, but they could also stop at a restaurant, buy an easy chair, and find a toy for their kids without leaving the building.
"Some of them had playlands and miniature amusement parks right inside the buildings," Klein said.
Today downtown Cleveland has no department stores.
The retailers that once dotted downtown Cleveland fell prey to the same forces as modern department stores like Macy's: economics and evolving consumer preferences.
The Consumer Goods Pricing Act of 1975 marked the beginning of the end for the sprawling urban shopping centers, Klein said.
Before Gerald Ford signed the act into law, "quality merchandise had to be sold by reputable dealers and would have to be sold at a fair market price," Klein said.
For the first time discount stores could sell high-end goods, cutting into department stores' profits.
And in the 1970s, a new generation of shoppers emerged that considered price more important than customer service and the downtown department stores slowly began to fold, Klein said.
Higbee's survived the longest, lasting into the 21st century until it was purchased by Dillard's.
They were supplanted by retailers like Macy's and Kohl's, which catered to an increasingly suburban clientele in shopping malls
Problems in the modern era
In 2017, the retail industry again seems poised for a massive shift.
Those shoppers who continue to visit brick and mortar stores increasingly patronize discounter discounters like T.J. Maxx.
T.J. Maxx's profits eclipsed those of Macy's for the first time in 2015, the New York Times reported recently, and the gap continues to widen.
But the biggest challenge for departments stores is a problem that's long vexed retailers of all stripes in 21st Century: the internet.
The threats posed to department stores by online retailers like Amazon is well-documented.
Younger shoppers show a preference for online shopping and stores have been slow to adjust, said Mariana Mitova, a professor in Bowling Green State University's apparel merchandising and product development program.
"Even the younger kids are very familiar with making purchases on the app store or online very easily," she said. "All they need is mom or dad's credit card and they can do that on their own."
But the internet poses other less publicized, but no less disruptive problems.
"It's not just the internet, but the way customers use the internet to shop," Mitova said. "For the past few years we've seen customers doing price comparison in the stores through their smart phones," cutting into department's stores profits.
Department stores have tried to get in front of the digital revolution with gadgets of their own, she said.
Employees use tablets to demonstrate products, they've installed body scanners to help customers make choices about their clothing size, and they've hosted parties in their stores to draw in customers, she said.
But with new apps and online shopping outlets appearing so quickly, new struggles seem to emerge as soon as department stores adapt to the old ones.
"The changes are happening too fast for large stores to keep up and implement and innovate quickly or tune in to what customers really want," Mitova said.
Department stores and malls
For years, department stores like Macy's and Kohl's have served as the cornerstones of shopping malls across the country and it's difficult to talk about one without mentioning the other.
And as malls have struggled, so have department stores, said Joe Tokosh, a Ph.D. student at Kent State University whose doctoral work involves the study of malls.
"For example: I used to work at a shoe store in a shopping mall, and it's not what it was even six years ago," he said. "If the malls start to fail, the departments stores start to fail."
Online retailers, he said, make it difficult for any type of any type of brick-and-mortar store to stay afloat.
Suburban shopping malls started to pop up in the late 20th Century and today it seems like they are everywhere. Cuyahoga County alone has Crocker Park, SouthPark Mall, Great Northern Mall, Westgate, The Shoppes at Parma, Tower City, Severance Town Center, Legacy Village and Beachwood Place.
Vacancies at many of those malls continue to rise as shoppers abandon their stores in favor of online retailers.
As malls expanded in their heyday, so did the department stores, creating convenience when they were popular, but compounding their problems when the began to struggle.
"Department stores are over-saturated," Klein said. "Convenience is a great thing, but after awhile it doesn't generate profits anymore."
But Klein remains optimistic that the modern stores will adapt.
"I think Macy's is learning now," he said. "They're not going to expand to the point that its names loses the sense of prestige."
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- An employee of Cleveland's law department was arrested Thursday on suspicion of public intoxication, according to police reports.
Christopher Heltzel, 31, of Cleveland Heights, was arrested about 11:30 p.m. Thursday on Mayfield Road near Kenilworth Road in Cleveland Heights. No formal charges have been filed in Cleveland Heights Municipal Court.
A citizen called police and reported a man acting in a "bizarre manner," police reports say.
Officers noted in police reports that Heltzel was standing outside his car "flailing his arms wildly" with music blaring from the speakers.
Heltzel appeared intoxicated, police reports say. He identified himself to police as an assistant Cleveland prosecutor.
Heltzel was described in police reports as "extremely antagonistic and combative." He quoted case law and told police about his extensive knowledge in criminal law, police reports say.
Officers reported they explained to Heltzel that they were checking on a complaint from a citizen, police reports say. Heltzel smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot and glassy eyes, according to police.
Officers asked him if he had been drinking and Heltzel told them he last had alcohol about four hours prior, police reports say.
Heltzel told officers he was listening to an album and was having a good time.
The officers wrote that they believed he was causing alarm, annoyance and inconvenience to residents and arrested him on suspicion of drunken disorderly conduct.
Heltzel was taken to the Cleveland Heights City Jail "with great difficulty because he continued to be antagonistic and combative," police reports said.
Cleveland City spokesman Dan Williams said the city does not comment on pending legal cases. It is unknown if Heltzel has an attorney.
If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Friday's crime and courts comments section.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The city of Cleveland announced Friday afternoon that it will hold a press conference to announce administrative charges in connection with the fatal shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice.
The announcement comes after a yearlong investigation into the actions of two Cleveland police officers involved in the shooting. The investigation also focused on the 911 call-taker who first received a report of a "guy with a gun" and the police dispatcher who sent officers to Cudell Recreation Center on Nov. 22, 2014.
Cleveland city officials announcing disciplinary actions for officers involved in Tamir Rice shooting Posted by cleveland.com on Friday, January 13, 2017
The press conference is scheduled to begin about 5:30 p.m. at Cleveland City Hall, officials said in a news release..
Cleveland.com will cover the press conference on Facebook Live.
The announcement comes approximately one year after a Cuyahoga County grand jury elected not to bring criminal charges against police officer Timothy Loehmann and Frank Garmback.
Former Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy McGinty said last year that he recommended the officers not be charged because, at the time, they believed Tamir was holding a real gun instead of an airsoft pellet gun with its orange tip removed.
It also comes after a Cuyahoga County Probate Court judge approved a $6 million settlement between the city and the boy's family. The settlement is likely the largest the city has ever paid for a police-shooting case.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- You may have heard about the criticism launched at the Cleveland Clinic this week, after a controversial vaccine column written by Dr. Daniel Neides.
So what happened?
Last week's installment of Neides' column, which he has written for cleveland.com for about three years, caused backlash when it questioned the need for some vaccines and raised questions about the links to autism.
Officials at the Cleveland Clinic said they did not support the column, and appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken.
Members of the anti-vax movement have come to Neides' defense online, and the column is causing a lot of heated discussion.
In case you missed it, watch the video above.
If you have questions about the process in which the column was published on cleveland.com, click here.
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Akron-Canton Airport applied de-icing chemicals to its runway before freezing rain hit early Tuesday morning, allowing the airfield to remain open, while Cleveland Hopkins airport was forced to shut down.
(John Kuntz, cleveland.com)
CLEVELAND, Ohio - While decision-makers at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport determined that weather conditions Tuesday morning prevented them from applying de-icing chemicals -- forcing the airfield to close when freezing rain hit -- their colleagues at Akron-Canton Airport made a different decision that allowed runways to stay open.
Cleveland airport assistant director Fred Szabo said in an interview Tuesday that a team of airfield maintenance foremen and other experienced supervisors made the collective decision not to treat the airfield in advance of the storm, because high winds would scatter the chemicals before they could be effective.
In an interview Thursday, Akron-Canton airport President and CEO Rick McQueen said his airfield maintenance crews were able to "stay ahead" of the freezing rain with liquid de-icer - despite facing similar wind conditions as Cleveland -- and did not have to close the runway.
McQueen acknowledged that every storm requires a different approach, that weather varies throughout Northeast Ohio, and that freezing rain is "the enemy of every airport."
But he said the airport has never faced a situation in which weather conditions precluded the application of de-icing chemicals before a storm.
"We haven't had that situation here, to date," McQueen said. "But also, our equipment -- the nozzles are only about two to three feet off the ground. The material doesn't have far to travel before it hits the runway. So you don't get a lot of wind drift."
Cleveland's decision to hold off on applying de-icing chemicals led to a nearly two-hour shutdown of the airfield, delaying and canceling flights throughout the day.
According to an operations report obtained by cleveland.com, airport officials noted at around midnight that a National Weather Service forecast had predicted snow for the region within the hour, followed by freezing rain.
As the snow began, crews got to work clearing the runways, noting some difficulty maintaining good braking conditions on taxiways.
At around 4:30 a.m., the report states that a freezing rain cell had passed Toledo and was expected to hit the airport between 5 and 6 a.m. Crews began planning a pretreatment strategy, according to the report.
But at 5:18 a.m., the report states that "crews will not put down chemical at this time due to high wind."
In the two hours before the storm hit, sustained winds of 21.9 mph and 15 mph were recorded at Hopkins, according to the National Weather Service and Weather Underground, a subsidiary of the Weather Channel Companies.
In that same timeframe, winds of 17.3 mph and 23 mph were recorded at Akron-Canton airport.
Just after 6 a.m., a snow/sleet mix had begun falling in Cleveland, and 10 minutes later, trucks began spreading chemicals - even though sustained winds had reached their peak for the morning at 26.5 mph.
The freezing rain started at 6:50 a.m., triggering reports of poor braking conditions on the taxiways until all air traffic was halted at 7:13 a.m.
In an interview Friday, Szabo cautioned against comparing airports and snow removal operations, especially of such different scales. He noted that the amount of pavement crews are responsible for at Hopkins is dramatically greater than at Akron-Canton.
"I would say it's very difficult to consider that apples to apples," Szabo said. "I've talked to field maintenance and operations folks who have been here for decades, and they all felt, in retrospect, that even if we had pre-treated the runways, it would not have made a difference. Sometimes weather just gets the better of you."
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Ohio is making adjustments to what math and English skills it expects students to learn, diverting - a disputed amount - from the multi-state Common Core standards.
(Dale Omori/The Plain Dealer)
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The state school board will vote next month on several adjustments to state learning standards that shift them further away from the controversial Common Core.
The changes range from asking students to learn about money at younger grades to adjusting statistical analysis expectations to bringing back old expectations that students draw upon personal experiences and apply those to literature they read in class.
Some changes, like those above, affect what students are expected to learn and when. But most are just refinements of the language to add clarity or context.
How much Ohio's standards will differ from the Common Core standards that Ohio adopted in 2010, even after the changes, is still being debated. But Ohio Department of Education officials say the changes aren't intended to be a re-write, just an adjustment based on what teachers have learned through using them.
State testing director Jim Wright said the standards will be reviewed and adjusted regularly, not shelved for years until someone decides to throw them out and start over.
"We're making improvements," Wright said. "We're making clarifications. As people use them, they figure out ways to improve them."
He added: "We're trying to make this a system that can grow."
The department had two public surveys about revisions last year and collected feedback from several education organizations, including both major teachers unions in Ohio and the Ohio Council of Teachers of English Language Arts and the Ohio Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
See below for a full comparison of all of the old standards to the new proposed ones.
Highlights include:
- Instead of leaving all discussion of money to second grade, kindergarteners will use pennies as a counting tool. They will add dimes and learn the names and values of both in first grade.
- Students will learn the metric system first, starting in fourth grade, because it reinforces the base 10 number system. The usual American measurements - ounces, gallons, miles - will come in 5th grade.
- More details of how early stages of statistical analysis will start in 6th grade. The changes call for teachers to use the Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics Education from the American Statistical Association.
- Setting a new plan for how several geometry concepts are presented over time.
English Language Arts changes include:
- Adjustments to how students are supposed to identify and describe themes of literature and present summaries.
- Better distinguishing between "point of view" - whether something is written in first-person or third-person - and "perspective" - a person's position or approach to something.
- Asking students to "activate prior knowledge and draw on previous experiences" to compare two texts or to compare the text to students' own experiences.
Ohio students used to be asked to relate what they read to their own life, but the Common Core de-emphasized that. The standards, until this new adjustment, focused on having students write about what was in the text, not their own lives.
The changes don't have unanimous support, with some complaints centering on them not going far enough to ease the expectations on young students.
Board member Sarah Fowler, whose district includes all or part of Geauga, Lake and Portage counties, said she still considers some expectations to be inappropriate for the youngest grades. She particularly objected to asking kindergarten students to write instead of focusing on reading.
"There's a huge emphasis on the students being able to compose writing, as opposed to learning how to write - as in drawing the letters," she said.
And she objected to one kindergarten standard asking students, with adult help, to write and publish their work.
"It isn't just using an app to learn letter sounds and being interactive," she said. "Its asking a student to perform several higher level functions."
Elyria teacher Dawn Neely-Randall, who attracted some national attention with anti-testing pieces in the Washington Post, said she considers the updated standards little different from the Common Core.
She said she is most bothered by how many writing requirements students have by third grade to quickly pull together multiple sources and cite portions of text to defend answers to questions.
Since the standards will serve as the basis for state tests, she said those expectations are unreasonable for young children.
"The new standards are like the old," she said, "only with some new requirements morphed up to demand failure."
Here is a comparison of proposed new English learning standards and the Common Core ones Ohio adopted in 2010. See below for a similar math comparison.
Tigerair flights from Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth to Bali which began last March are flying under Virgin Australia's licence and using its pilots until Indonesia grants approvals for Tigerair to operate them on its own.
"As a result of these services, Tigerair Australia will be able to bring around 2,000 customers back to Australia."
"After consultation with the Indonesian Government, Tigerair Australia has been granted permission to operate flights from Bali to Australia until Monday 16 January 2017 to enable Australians who are currently in Bali to return home," Tigerair said in a statement.
The budget carrier, wholly owned by Virgin Australia Holdings , had cancelled flights on Thursday and put Friday's flights under review after Indonesia revoked its permission to fly due to a bureaucratic technicality.
Indonesia has cleared Tigerair Australia to operate flights from Bali to Australia until Monday, allowing around 2,000 stranded passengers to return home, the airline said on Thursday.
Virgin Australia had previously operated the flights itself but shifted them to low-cost arm Tigerair in an attempt to restore its international division to profitability.
While Tigerair did not give details about the new administrative requirements, a source familiar with the matter said Indonesia earlier this week changed the agency that oversees Tigerair's operations.
Authority was taken from the department that dealt with regularly scheduled flights and switched to the department that handles charter operations, meaning more stringent sales requirements, said the source who was not authorised to speak publicly about the matter.
"(Tigerair) did not meet the rule for chartered flights. They should not sell tickets in the territories of Indonesia," Agoes Soebagio, a spokesman for air transport at the Indonesian ministry, said.
Tigerair Chief Executive Rob Sharp had earlier appealed to the Indonesian government to offer the airline a grace period to operate flights while it worked through the new requirements.
"If the Indonesian government does not wish to honor the current agreement, we are asking them to give us a grace period so that we can continue to fly while we work through the new requirements together," he said in a statement.
"This would help us to support our customers who make an important contribution to tourism in Indonesia."
Bali, which is known for its beaches, mountains and paddy fields, is a popular holiday destination for Australians.
Tiger said that flights to Australia from Bali from Tuesday 17 January onwards were under review and cancelled flights from Australia to Bali from Jan 13-20. Flights from Australia to Bali from Jan 21 onwards were also under review, it said in the statement.
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Bobby Yip | Reuters
Property developer China Vanke , embroiled in a high-profile corporate power tussle for over a year, said on Thursday its No. 2 shareholder China Resources Group will sell its entire 15.31 percent stake to Shenzhen Metro Group. The stake sale comes just less than one month after the developer called off an asset-swap deal to make subway operator Shenzhen Metro its largest shareholder. Vanke will transfer 1.69 billion A-shares listed in Shenzhen, equivalent to a 15.31 percent stake, at 22.0 yuan a share, with the transaction totaling 37.2 billion yuan ($5.40 billion), the country's second-largest developer said. "China Resources will not own any of the company's shares after the transaction," Vanke said in a filing to the Shenzhen stock exchange.
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Vanke's shares, which were suspended from trade in both Hong Kong and Shenzhen earlier in the day, will resume trade on Friday. Tencent Finance, a local news website, first reported earlier on Thursday that China Resources would sell its 15.2 percent stake to Shenzhen Metro Group. It was not immediately clear if such a move would help Vanke fend off its biggest shareholder, financial conglomerate Baoneng which has built up a 25 percent holding and has sought to oust management. It would also fall short of a previous Vanke plan to make Shenzhen Metro its No. 1 shareholder through an asset swap worth $6.9 billion. Vanke last month called off the deal with Shenzhen Metro saying it could not get major shareholders to agree. China Resources previously opposed the Shenzhen Metro deal but has said it was not working with Baoneng to replace Vanke's board. "The shares (in Vanke) were bought by China Resources' former chairman and may not fit into its current portfolio," David Hong, head of research at CRIC Hong Kong, said.
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Chinese state media sharply criticized President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of State for his aggressive stance on the South China Sea.
During his confirmation hearing in the Senate on Wednesday, former Exxon Mobil Chairman and CEO Rex Tillerson compared China's controversial island-building in the South China Sea to Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
Tillerson said that China's island-building in the South China Sea needed to end and the mainland's access to the area "is not going to be allowed."
State-owned China Daily responded with an editorial on Friday calling the remarks "intimidating, though he stopped short of elaborating how to achieve it."
The editorial noted that the remarks represented Tillerson's personal policy preferences as the nominee said he had yet to have an in-depth foreign policy discussion with Trump.
"Such remarks are not worth taking seriously because they are a mish-mash of naivety, short-sightedness, worn-out prejudices, and unrealistic political fantasies. Should he act on them in the real world, it would be disastrous," the editorial said.
"What he presented was based more on what prejudice and arms-spurred self-righteousness make him believe and hope rather than on real-world realities."
The significance of this to Cramer is that Amazon chose to take a path that didn't exist just a few months ago. Many other stocks have taken the same action since the election after being bogged down by gridlock in Washington that stifled growth.
"This action reminds me of the old days when we had companies that had so much business and so much room for expansion that all you wanted was for them to keep investing in order to grow," the " Mad Money " host said.
Amazon 's announcement to create 100,000 jobs in the U.S. by 2018 on Thursday marked a shift in the business paradigm for Jim Cramer.
Say what you want about Trump's style or grace, if you think having business people surround the president will help us produce more jobs, as I do, than we are going to see a lot more growth.
An employee stacks boxes filled with merchandise for shipment at the Amazon.com distribution center in Phoenix, Arizona.
Industrials have rallied on the belief that demand will grow with a government in Washington that is no longer in the way and with the notion that Donald Trump will work with businesses that create jobs in the U.S. Delta also confirmed its business grew in December, echoing the sentiment of United Airlines . Homebuilder KB Home also said things have gotten better since the election.
The market will now be drawn to these kinds of stocks, Cramer said. Not just the companies that were oldies-but-goodies because of their consistent slow growth and decent dividend.
"It is a seismic shift in stock picking, and Amazon is the most extreme example," Cramer said.
These days investors seem to care about who visits Trump than they care about the Federal Reserve. Trump has targeted some sectors, with pharma being the latest, but to Cramer, Trump is much more pro-business than President Barack Obama.
"Say what you want about Trump's style or grace, if you think having business people surround the president will help us produce more jobs, as I do, than we are going to see a lot more growth," Cramer said.
That means more stories like Amazon will bubble up, and fewer tales about companies firing employees to make the numbers.
This marks a new paradigm. Investors are now buying companies where demand has picked up and not those using artificial ways to boost their stock price.
Those are the stocks Cramer says to buy right now. Anything else and he says you may have a loser on your hands.
Ramp agents work on Emirates Airbus A380. Alexander Hassenstein | Getty Images
Emirates is set to boost flights to Hong Kong with the arrival of a 615-seater superjumbo service for the first time. The Dubai carrier will commence regular service with the aircraft on its Dubai-Bangkok-Hong Kong service flights EK384/385 from October 1, according to aviation data tracking service Airline Route. The airline told the Post that it would also deploy the aircraft to the city over the Lunar New Year in response to the high demand for travel during the holiday period. The existing service operated with a 517-seater aircraft will be replaced and dwarfed by the 615-seater double-decker aircraft. First class will be axed entirely and some business class seats on the service will be removed and replaced with additional economy class seats instead. First class seats on the existing flight will be removed and replaced with newer aircraft that have installed more economy class seats in that space.
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With the addition of more seats, it also means more cheap airfare opportunities for travellers to Bangkok and Dubai. Emirates's low fares strategy has caused must anger and frustration among rival airlines in Asia, Europe, and the United States. The airline currently operates four daily flights between Dubai and Hong Kong, including one operated via Bangkok, three of which are served by the largest aircraft in the world, the Airbus A380. More from the South China Morning Post:
Etihad flight lands safely after seeking emergency landing in Hong Kong
China'will retaliate' if US blocks access to South China Sea islands
China'strade woes look set to last: ministry Will Horton, a Hong Kong-based aviation analyst at CAPA Centre for Aviation, said the upgrade of the Emirates flight to 615 seats was ideal for cost-conscious Hongkongers. "The routing through Hong Kong and Bangkok brings the aircraft back to Dubai in time for European connections. So hub efficiency is maintained," Horton said. "Emirates grows Bangkok capacity at key hours and can offer a lower-cost option for the Hong Kong market compared to the non-stop to Dubai, and also make a play in picking up local Hong Kong-Bangkok traffic."
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Lee Jae-Yong, vice chairman of Samsung leaves to adjourn for lunch during a parliamentary hearing over the Choi Soon-sil probe at the National Assembly on December 6, 2016 in Seoul, South Korea.
Yonhap News Agency said the special prosecutor was still considering whether to seek a warrant to arrest the 48-year-old Lee, the third-generation leader of South Korea 's largest conglomerate, or chaebol.
Prosecutors have been investigating whether Samsung provided 30 billion won ($25.28 million) to a business and foundations backed by Park's friend, Choi Soon-sil, in exchange for the national pension fund's support for a 2015 merger of two Samsung affiliates.
Samsung Group leader Jay Y. Lee left the South Korean special prosecutor's office early on Friday, more than 22 hours after arriving for questioning on bribery suspicions in an influence-peddling scandal that could topple President Park Geun-hye.
Yonhap cited the special prosecution office as saying Lee denied wrongdoing related to the key suspicions over which he was being questioned, and that investigators did not plan to summon him for further questioning.
An official in the special prosecutor's office was not immediately available for comment. A Samsung spokeswoman declined to comment.
Lee was named as a suspect on Wednesday and summoned on Thursday morning for questioning.
The corruption scandal has engulfed the highest reaches of South Korea's elite, with Park impeached by parliament in December, a decision that must be upheld or overturned by the country's Constitutional Court.
Park, who has been stripped of her powers in the meantime, has denied wrongdoing.
Samsung has acknowledged making payments to two foundations at the center of the scandal, as well as to a consulting firm controlled by Choi, but has repeatedly denied accusations of lobbying to push through the controversial 2015 merger of affiliates Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries.
Late last month, the head of South Korea's National Pension Service, the world's third-largest pension fund, was arrested after he acknowledged that he had pressured the fund to approve the $8 billion merger between the two Samsung Group affiliates while he was head of the health ministry, reversing an earlier public denial.
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America's expected withdrawal from the much-ballyhooed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is widely expected to prop up an alternative trade deal backed by China. Some analysts aren't so sure. The U.S. exit from the TPP is set to be finalized once president-elect Donald Trump enters office next week and may jeopardize the fate of the TPP, the world's largest trade deal. With Washington backing away, that leaves the door open for Beijing to push forward the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which was first launched in 2012. But infighting among RCEP participants, particularly India, may plague the pact regardless of the TPP's fate. RCEP covers 16 nations, versus the TPP's 12 members, but many believed it will be an easier deal to ink because it's nowhere as far-reaching as the TPP.
New Delhi, 2014: Activists of AIDS Healthcare foundation (AHF) protest against trade deals that minimize the supply of affordable generic HIV pills. Anil Shakya / Pacific Press / LightRocket / Getty Images
RCEP aims to knit together bilateral free trade agreements among the Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) nations with six external countries: China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and India. The TPP on the other hand consisted of a brand new agreement that covered numerous provisions missing in RCEP, including labor standards, environmental protection and anti-corruption. However, the contrasting priorities of the RCEP players are proving to be the biggest obstacle to success. Members are floundering to bring RCEP to conclusion and they have postponed the deadline from Dec. 2016 until the end of 2017, pointed out Meredith Miller, vice president at Albright Stonebridge Group. One of the prickliest topics on the agenda is intellectual property (IP). Japan and South Korea are suggesting IP policies that may increase medical treatment costs and restrict access to affordable generic medicines for people in several countries, prompting vocal backlash from New Delhi ministers as well as international health organizations. India is often dubbed as the 'pharmacy of the developing world' for its massive production of generic medicines that treat communicable and non-communicable diseases. "Proposals in the RCEP negotiations are trying to introduce IP measures far tougher on access to medicines than what is required under international trade rules," Leena Menghaney, South Asia head of Medecin Sans Frontiers' Access campaign, said in an April statement.
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On Thursday, Vice President Joe Biden accepted the Presidential Medal of Freedom With Distinction, the highest honor a civilian can receive. Getting to that podium, however, was not without difficulty. Biden's lengthy career in politics has featured multiple personal and professional setbacks, including the deaths of three family members.
Still, it seems Biden has lived by the advice his father once gave him: "Champ, the measure of a man is not how often he is knocked down, but how quickly he gets up."
Biden's career, with all of its ups and downs, teaches three valuable lessons about success.
Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images
1. Struggles, even tragedies, don't need to keep you from pursuing your goals In November 1972, at 30 years old, Biden was elected to the Senate, winning by a margin of just 3,000 votes. Only a month after the professional victory, disaster upended his life.
While shopping for a Christmas tree, Biden's wife Neilia and daughter Naomi were killed in a car accident. His sons Beau and Hunter were badly injured but survived.
Biden initially said he would not accept the Senate nomination, but after Majority Leader Mike Mansfield kept calling him, he agreed to take office. Biden took his oath from his sons' hospital room.
He went on to pursue a career in politics, rising to become Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee in 1987.
2. Learn from mistakes to ensure your legacy In 1988, Biden entered the presidential race, but reports of plagiarism during law school and false claims about his academic record derailed his campaign. He later admitted to mistakes and pledged to be more candid in the future. Over time, Biden became seen by many as a uniquely honest public figure. A 2015 CBS News/New York Times poll found that Biden topped the list of the most trustworthy politicians in either party. In 1991, Biden faced controversy again, this time over his handling of the Clarence Thomas Supreme Court confirmation hearings, which involved allegations of sexual harassment by one of his employees, Anita Hill. Biden did not call three other witnesses who could have echoed Hill's charges, a move that some progressives found unfair.
In the years that followed, Biden promoted legislation that foregrounded women's concerns. In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed into law the Violence Against Women Act, which Biden had introduced to Congress. And as Vice President, he became a chief advocate for the Obama administration's campaign to combat sexual assault on college campuses. The VP also racked up other accomplishments: He oversaw a $840 billion economic stimulus package, led the administration's task force to strengthen the middle class, worked to reduce gun violence and became a key player in U.S. foreign relations.
The "bromance" that President Barack Obama has developed with Vice President Joe Biden has inspired millions of Americans, as well as countless memes. But it's more than mutual fondness that has kept the two men collaborating successfully for so many years.
When the President surprised the Vice President with the Medal of Freedom Thursday, the two revealed some of the reasons why they have functioned so well as a team. Here are five secrets to Obama and Biden's success, which are also the kind of leadership strategies that could help your company run more smoothly. All of the quotes from Obama and Biden below are from their comments at the Medal of Freedom ceremony.
They value honesty, even when it's hard Obama and Biden tell each other what they think. "Behind the scenes, Joe's candid, honest counsel has made me a better President and a better Commander-in-Chief," said Obama. "From the Situation Room to our weekly lunches, to our huddles after everybody else has cleared out of the room, he's been unafraid to give it to me straight, even if we disagree in fact, especially if we disagree. And all of this makes him, I believe, the finest Vice President we have ever seen."
The conversations haven't always been easy. "We've disagreed, and we've argued, and we've raised our voices," said Biden. "We made a deal we'd be completely open, like brothers with one another."
They insist on authenticity Obama and Biden bring their full selves to work, and it helps them connect. "Folks don't just feel like they know Joe the politician, they feel like they know the person: What makes him laugh, what he believes, what he cares about, and where he came from," said Obama. "Pretty much every time he speaks, he treats us to some wisdom from the nuns who taught him in grade school or from an old Senate colleague."
Every single thing you've asked me to do, Mr. President, you have trusted me to do. That's a remarkable thing. Joe Biden Vice President of the United States
"About six months in, the President looks at me, he said, you know, Joe, you know what surprised me? How we've become such good friends. And I said, surprised you?" said Biden, laughing. When the people in charge of an operation get along and trust one another, employees often feel more confident that their company is being well-run. They also may be more likely to enjoy their work experience.
They give each other space Obama and Biden respect each other enough to not micro-manage. Each lets the other work to his strengths. "Mr. President, you have more than kept your commitment to me by saying that you wanted me to help govern," said Biden. "Other people don't hear it that often, but when someone would say, 'Can you get Joe to do such and such?' He says, 'I don't do his schedule. He doesn't do mine.'"
"Every single thing you've asked me to do, Mr. President, you have trusted me to do. That's a remarkable thing. I don't think according to the Presidential, Vice Presidential scholars that kind of relationship has existed. I mean, for real," said Biden.
They present a united front While Obama and Biden argue behind closed doors, when they go out of the Oval Office, they are in sync. "They know when I speak, I speak for you," said Biden, referring to audiences around the world. "And it's been easy, Mr. President."
Optimism among small-business owners has soared as entrepreneurs hope that President-elect Donald Trump will enact policies aimed at helping them. Trump has promised to ease regulation. While some on Main Street cheer the goal, changing anything substantial about regulation is easier said than done. But there are other ways that a Trump administration can make life easier for small businesses. Consider this five-step plan his first 100 days agenda for Main Street.
Encourage large companies and the federal government to hire small businesses "Trump should create tax requirements to source more from U.S. based small supply chain companies, and use incentives to get companies to pay these suppliers more quickly and invest in them with technology and skills training," says Karen Mills, a senior fellow at the Harvard Business School and former head of the Small Business Administration. She served under President Obama from 2009 to 2013. "Instead of squeezing their supply chain constantly, large companies, in exchange for enormous tax benefits, should treat their small business suppliers like partners, creating more value and more jobs at home." Also, Trump should maintain and potentially expand the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, a competitive awards-based program that aims to encourage small-business owners to pursue technical innovations, says Martin Baily, the Bernard L. Schwartz Chair in Economic Policy Development and a senior fellow in Economic Studies at Brookings. "This is a program that gets large federal agencies like the DOD [Department of Defense] and NIH [The National Institutes of Health] to provide a percentage of their innovation funding to small businesses," he tells CNBC.
Streamline communications with the government Communicating with the government is almost always inefficient. But it doesn't have to be. "Trump needs to double down on the investments in technology made in the last several years, designed to streamline the federal government's interaction with the average consumer and small business owner," says Mills. Mills recommends making all government forms digitally available with auto-filled required fields so that entrepreneurs don't have to complete the same fields over and over. Further, the Trump administration can generate a single access point for all government resources for small-business owners. "There should be one website that coordinates the federal, state and local requirements and tells the small employer what they need to pay to which agency," says Baily. In particular, new hire paperwork requirements are a headache and need to be improved, he says.
Lower taxes for small-business owners Trump campaigned on the promise that he would lower corporate taxes from 35 percent to 15 percent. Eighty-three percent of small-business owners are incorporated such that they pay business taxes on their individual tax returns, so to ensure that all entrepreneurs see a reduction in taxes, Trump needs to lower individual income taxes, too, Todd McCracken, president and CEO of the National Small Business Association, tells CNBC.
Centralize and coordinate efforts McCracken says small-business needs must be prioritized by the Oval Office and plans to help Main Street must be organized on a federal level. "Elevating small business at every level can start with the White House both through maintaining the cabinet-level position of the Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration and through convening a White House Conference on Small Business to develop a cohesive small-business agenda, something that hasn't been done in more than 20 years," says McCracken.
An interior view of office space at the Googleplex, the corporate headquarters complex of Google, Inc.
When I speak to some of the largest employers in the world, they unanimously agree that their biggest challenge is retention. Many employees, especially Millennials, are unable to see a career path at their current company, so they look outside of their company for other opportunities to advance. I believe the solution to a high attrition rate is career mobility, which is the movement of employees across different roles, either vertically or horizontally, within an organization. In a study by Futurestep, 87 percent of companies believe that internal mobility programs would definitely help with retention, yet only one third have these programs. Even the companies that have mobility programs aren't good at effectively communicating their talent needs and fail to keep updated records of employee skills.
Some managers worry about letting one of their employees move into a new role on a different team. Managers who try to block these employees frustrate workers. So, instead of looking at new roles within their company, workers search outside of it and leave when the next opportunity presents itself. As a result, the manager has to replace good, ambitious workers, which is costly and time intensive and affects productivity. Why not work with employees instead?
Intel employees walk by a sign as they enter their office in Santa Clara, California. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images
The topic of career mobility is more important today than in years past because the competition for top talent is increasing as our economy has recovered. The BLS reports that the unemployment rate today is five percent, which is down from 9.5 percent back in 2009. 76 percent of employees are looking for or open to a new job. Companies that want to increase their retention rate need to become more fluid, help employees build internal career paths and create cultures where managers are supportive, not restrictive. A new study by Future Workplace and Cisco links career mobility to organizational success. The study found that companies that embrace internal career mobility increase employee engagement (49%) improve employee productivity (39%) and improve employee teamwork (39%). Companies that have mobility programs are also more likely to be considered a "best place to work" by their employees. In order to create an effective talent mobility program, you need to focus on three improvements: Internal hiring, flexibility and training by project.
First, companies need to develop a culture that embraces internal hiring, where employees are given the first opportunity to apply for roles over external candidates. When employees feel that they are empowered to apply for other roles and advance within your company, they are more likely to choose that option. A study by Future Workplace and Saba found that 66 percent of employees would first look at open positions at their current company before looking elsewhere. By hiring internal candidates first, it boosts moral and gives talent a chance to grow, while saving you money from finding and training an external candidate.
Boston Globe | Getty Images
Second, it's essential to promote flexibility at your company in order to remain competitive as an employer. In a recent global study with Randstad, we found that the top benefit that Gen Z workers and Millennials want is flexibility. Employees are expected to be reachable outside of the office by phone or email and the 9-to-5 workday no longer exists. Aside from telecommuting and flexible schedules, more companies should allow employees to do work outside of their job description. An example of this is Google's 20% program, which prevents employees from having to do the same projects everyday and allows them to be more creative.
A visitor uses a cell phone in the Google offices in Berlin, Germany. Adam Berry | Getty Images
Third, companies should focus on training employees by assigning them new projects so they are challenged and more engaged in their work. For instance, Intel boasts an employee development tool called DOT, which connects talent to short-term needs to match development goals. If you're in the accounting department but are interested in taking on a marketing project, you can apply for it without giving up your current job. This way, you can learn, and grow your network, in a different department with little risk to your manager. In the Randstad study, we found that both Gen Z workers and Millennials agree that the most effective training program is cross-functional projects.
Career mobility will continue to become more relevant as the war for talent heats up in 2017 and beyond. Companies that create programs around it will increase their retention and employee satisfaction rates, while those that don't will suffer productivity and financial losses.
Verizon's AOL is doubling down on video with a new studio in New York City.
The 13,412-square foot production facility, called Build Studio, formally opened on Thursday and includes a street-level main stage area and four other film-ready areas set up for livestreamed, multi-camera content.
"We treat this like a live broadcast entity," said Suzanne Lindbergh, executive producer of Build Studio.
AOL hopes to livestream more than 75 events, like concerts and interviews per month, with about 4 hours of live content each day.
"It blurs what a web series should look like versus what broadcast should look like," Lindbergh said.
Though primarily dedicated to the AOL Build series a live interview show that features actors, musicians and other celebrities the studio will be available for use for AOL properties like Huffington Post, as well as Verizon shows on its streaming network go90. Build's segments are also available as on-demand content on platforms like Fios1 Network and Google Play , and some episodes will appear on the Sony PlayStation Network and NYC Life Channel 25, the official broadcast network of New York City.
In addition, the studio has several areas ready for branded content opportunities,at a time when consumer complaints about "ad fatigue" are continuing to increase. For example, the downstairs lounge area features prominent background bar that can serve branded cocktails, said Jesse Chambers, vp of monetization for AOL's iBrands.
"We talk about the space being a physical and digital cultural experience," said Chambers. "It's not only a unique experience for consumers. It opens up the opportunity to work with partner brands to build their brands."
U.S. stock futures this morning, as earnings season begins in earnest with a flood of quarterly results from financials that have been red hot since Election Day. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq was coming off its first down session of the year. (CNBC)
Bank of America (BAC) this morning reported adjusted that beat estimates, but revenue that missed. Dow component JPMorgan (JPM) on earnings and revenue. (CNBC)
Wells Fargo (WFC) posted fourth-quarter results that on the top and bottom lines. The bank is coming off one of the most difficult years in its 165-year history. (CNBC)
BlackRock (BLK), the world's biggest asset manager, this morning reported adjusted quarterly earnings the , while revenue missed. Meanwhile, Americans don't feel as "euphoric" about President-elect Donald Trump as the stock market does.
this morning, on lingering doubts about international producer compliance with supply cut targets. U.S. crude prices surged on Thursday, but were on pace to snap a four-week winning streak. (Reuters)
China's more than expected in December and import growth cooled, against the backdrop of gyrations in the Chinese currency since Donald Trump won the U.S. presidency. (CNBC)
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Tyler Laprade is a software developer in Manhattan and a landlord in Ohio and Alabama. The 24-year-old was already invested in the stock market, but he wanted to diversify, as well as receive steady monthly income from his investments. "The market's good sometimes, it's bad sometimes, but rental income is consistent. Each month you get the same amount from the tenant. You don't have to worry about how much it's going to be, so there is less variation from month to month," said Laprade.
But Laprade couldn't invest in his pricey backyard because the cost of getting in was too high compared to the returns. He wanted to purchase homes in the $50,000 to $100,000 range, which are few and far between in the New York City area. So he turned to a company called HomeUnion for help.
"I'm a young, working professional. I don't have time to fly all over the country looking at hundreds of houses, seeing which has the best cash flow," he said. "HomeUnion takes the stress out of it for me."
Irvine, California-based HomeUnion was founded in 2009, during the height of the foreclosure crisis, as something of a middleman for individual real estate investors looking to become landlords. It helped smaller investors to compete with big institutional firms that were scooping up distressed properties across the nation by the thousands and creating a whole new asset class of single-family rentals.
David McNew | Getty Images
"What we are changing is allowing these retail investors to invest in a more institutional way," said Don Ganguly, co-founder and CEO of HomeUnion. "A retail investor didn't have data, didn't have a way to calibrate assets, didn't have a way to do due diligence in neighborhoods. If they even were able to do all that, they didn't have a good way to go acquire that property, manage it remotely. So as a result of that most people were investing in their own backyards."
HomeUnion does the legwork from start to finish. Operating in 11 local markets, it locates properties, renovates them to a company standard, finds renters, manages the property and, perhaps most importantly, advises the clients. All, of course, for a fee. It also has a lending arm, selling the loans to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which allow individuals to qualify for up to 10 investor loans. Ganguly likens the company to any other investment firm.
"It's similar to you walking into like a Fidelity, saying 'I've got to invest.' They put you in a set of mutual funds, and they manage those funds for you. We've sort of taken the same type of playbook by being able to calibrate residential real estate you couldn't calibrate," said Ganguly. "We've got 100 million properties, we've got 200,000 neighborhoods, we've got 20 years of transaction data, we rank neighborhoods from A plus to C, and they rank based on yield, risk and the amount of growth we expect, so we can take these just like you can take an A bond or BBB bond those kind of calibrations actually help us to match investor preferences to assets as opposed to the old way."
While one of the largest, HomeUnion is part of a fast-growing cottage industry of online real estate investment management firms. Institutional investors got a lot of attention during the housing crisis, but in the end they only purchased about 300,000 properties, barely a nibble at the total stock of about 18 million single-family rental homes. As institutional investors now pull back on buying, small investors, who make up the vast majority of the market, are facing less competition and are looking for more assets.
Pitfalls remain
Tyler Laprade Source: Tyler Laprade
Wally Charnoff began tracking foreclosures at the height of the housing crash watching distressed home sales, prices and rents. His data were so deep that his company quickly attracted institutional investors.
"When Wall Street came into the space, a lot of tools and sophistication chased them in," said Charnoff. "Once Wall Street said, 'Hey this is an asset class that we're going to pay attention to,' then companies started developing data analytics, technologies, acquisition tools."
His small company, RentRange, grew exponentially. Just over a year ago it was acquired, along with real estate search firm Investability, by Altisource , a financial services firm for the real estate and mortgage markets. Charnoff now heads Investability, an online residential real estate search and acquisition platform that relies heavily on housing market data analytics.
"All of the products and services we've developed, we try to keep the pricing model and the offerings themselves geared towards helping the investor put their money to work as efficiently as possible," said Charnoff, who adds that the fees are in line with the traditional real estate fees you would pay when you buy a home to live in.
Investability and HomeUnion operate nationally; many others focus on local markets. These firms make it easy to invest, but they don't negate the risk involved in any real estate transaction. As the nation learned barely a decade ago, home prices go up, but they also go down. Ironically, the epic housing crash was the impetus for the rise of these companies. Becoming a landlord is now easier, but the pitfalls remain.
"It's normally a very rosy picture, but sometimes tenants don't pay their bills, tenants move out and you have to turn the property, dishwashers break, roofs leak, so one thing I'd say is when you purchase real estate as an investor, it's really important to have a good project manager," said Charnoff, whose company helps investors secure property management as well. "It's really important to understand some of the expenses that go into owning single family rentals as an investment and really be prepared for times when the income isn't there and when the house might need maintenance or repair."
Rental demand is currently high, as the nation's home ownership rate recently hit a 50-year low. The housing market is improving, and home sales are rising, but so are mortgage rates and home prices. Rentals have historically made up at least 10 percent of the single-family housing stock, but about a million more rental homes were added over the course of the foreclosure crisis.
"I see servicing the single family rental space as a growing industry. I think we're going to see more and more market entrants enter the space," said Charnoff.
'Holy grail of real estate'
Investors with exposure around the world are not feeling the same level of euphoria as the U.S. stock market since Donald Trump won the presidency, BlackRock chief Larry Fink told CNBC on Friday.
Fink said he's certainly not denying that confidence is up since the election.
"I'm not suggesting this is short-lived or long-lived, because I don't know yet," he said in a "Squawk Box" interview. "We are seeing better numbers out of Europe, better potential numbers here in the United States, and probably better numbers in Japan."
But he said, "The story is not as euphoric as it feels in the U.S. equity markets."
Since the election, based on Thursday's close, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 8.5 percent, the Nasdaq was up 6.8 percent, and the S&P 500 was up about 6.1 percent.
The chairman and CEO of the world's largest asset management company, with $5.1 trillion in assets under management, said he could paint a bullish scenario or a more cautious scenario for U.S. stocks based on the execution of Trump's policies.
The wildcard, according to Fink, would be how quickly Trump's pro-growth policies such as tax cuts get adopted, and how ambitious they turn out to be. There's not enough information yet, he added.
Other factors to consider, Fink said, are whether those policies significantly increase the federal deficit or heighten tensions with key trading partners, which would be headwinds for stocks.
"We have high expectations for ... Trump's administration to effectuate some of the policies that he says he's going to set forth, whether it's tax policy or infrastructure," Fink said.
He did warn, however, "It always takes longer and is more difficult to roll out."
Regardless of Trump's policies, the U.S. economy has "growth momentum going on already," Fink said.
Fink appeared on "Squawk Box" shortly after BlackRock reported mixed quarterly results. BlackRock's adjusted earnings beat estimates, but revenue fell short of expectations.
"I don't see as much transformation in regulation [under Trump]. And in fact, banks are going to be in very good shape going forward, even with a modest change in regulation," he said.
Fink is a member of Trump's strategic and policy forum, chaired by fellow billionaire Steve Schwarzman, chairman and CEO of private-equity powerhouse Blackstone.
In an October appearance on "Squawk Box," ahead of the election, Fink warned investors about using passive money management strategies, such as exchange-traded funds, to try to achieve more aggressive returns usually associated with active management.
At the time, Fink also said retirees should stay in stocks because they're living longer and need to generate the kind of returns needed to live on in retirement.
As markets were crumbling at the beginning of last year, Fink had told CNBC he thought there was "not enough blood in the streets," and predicted another 10 percent drop. The market did about half that, bottoming out on Feb. 11, 2016.
On CNBC Friday, Fink reflected on that call, pointing out that he had advised investors to stay in stocks and not try to time the market.
Correction: A BlackRock spokesperson said Fink was referring to global investors when he said "the story is not as euphoric as it feels in the U.S. equity markets."
WHEN: Tuesday, January 17that 10AM ET
WHERE: CNBC's "Squawk on the Street"
In a CNBC EXCLUSIVE interview, CNBC's Steve Liesman will sit down for an exit interview with Treasury Secretary Jack Lew at 10AM ET on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" Tuesday, January 17th. Topics include: tax reform, trade, the economy, dealing with China, and lessons learned from his time in office, among others.
Transcript to follow the interview.
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Following are excerpts from the latest episode of the CNBC Conversation with Tania Bryer and Karl Lagerfeld.
TB: Karl your collaboration with Fendi is the longest in
KL: In the history of fashion I know yes it should be in the Guinness Book, uh?
TB: It should be, yes. But when you started with them Karl could you ever imagine that it would have lasted this long?
KL: Nobody could myself included you know. This goes back to nineteen hundred and sixty five, the world we live in today is not the same world any more. Everything has changed, and nothing has changed more than the world of fashion.
TB: Can you remember though when you first met the Fendi sisters?
KL: Of course I can, very well. There were five sisters who had a new salon because before they were in a shop in the Viale Plaza and they wanted somebody who could add a little young touch to a special collection of young fur. I don't know how young fur can be, but, you know, this period was about youth obsession even worse than today. And I said you have to make a different label and in three seconds I did the two 'Fs' 'Fun Fur'. It wasn't Fendi Fur. It was Fun Fur. But after two years it became the logo for everything Fendi.
TB: And how did it evolve over the years Karl, the collaboration between the two of you?
KL: The whole evolution of the whole thing uh? It is difficult to say this, this thisThen they started the ready-to-wear 1977 and also we mix the ready to wear with the fur and all that. There was one idea they didn't like but in the end we did it later but much later when the business [inaudible] to mix fake fur with real fur. It is still an idea everybody is scared of, not me because I'm scared of nothing.
TB: You're not scared of anything?
KL: No, of myself a little bit, that's all.
TB: Where do you think that came from Karl, that you're not scared of anything?
KL: You know, if you're in this business and you are scared, then you better do something else. No - and they were open to it, especially Carla Fendi, they were open for everything new, every change, I mean this was full of energy. They had tons of energy and I think I had a little good energy too. So it worked, it was great. The 70s were great, the 80s... After that it was a little different because you know the world of fashion changed so much that in the end it became a LVMH business, which is very good, because when Bernard Arnaud really invested in it, and look what Fendi is now. He really made a huge thing out of Fendi huh? And I think the top of the top of the evolution of Fendi was the show on the on the fountain of Trevi, what is a moment you can never repeat.
TB: It must have been incredible at the Trevi Fountain?
KL: I said it was a magical moment for Fendi and for me also and for everybody involved all the people who worked for, even for the girls on the water knew that they were doing an iconic moment that will not come back every day because there is no other fountain like that. And it's not easy to do that uh?
But you know I don't think in terms of anniversary you know the year before that was me working 50 years for Fendi. I don't look at my old work. I mean they made nice books, the books were made without me the one from last year and the one from this year. I personally I'm not interested in my own past. I'm only interested in today perhaps tomorrow.
TB: But you've done so much, there's still so much left to do but when you look back would you not think of learning from things or nothing like that?
KL: No there is a famous song by Billie Holiday said easy to remember and hard to forget. Me is easy to forget and hard to remember. But I'm easy to work with because I'm quite polite. No, because some are not hmm?
TB: Oh really?
KL: Oh apparently. They are nice conserved for the outside huh? And you know I don't do a computer, I don't have a studio, twenty people sketching. I sketch myself everything and I'm pretty good on it because I wanted to become an illustrator at the beginning. I believe in sketching because there is something very sensitive in sketching, you know, in sketches that you don't have out of a computer that looks the same like everybody, even if later on the dresses are OK but I like to sketch and I like to see trails made after my sketches that look the same. It is you know, what I like.
TB: Do you think there are not enough of the younger designers Karl - none of them seem to sketch, they are all on computers..?
KL: Yes but you know today it's very different, first of all some of the younger designers are not that young. And also you know they are art directors, I'm not an art director, so they have people and then they make a choice and then they go out after the show and make believe they did it all. It's the way every studio is organized today. But not mine.
TB: And Karl are their particular designers that you think are very good?
KL: Yeah many.
TB: Who are some of your favourites?
KL: I like Miuccia Prada because I think she is [inaudible] And in France there are several people I like, you know it's also difficult to say because I'm friendly with so I don't really know their clothes. I like Riccardo Tisci from Givenchy a lot, I like the girl who does Chloe, what I did for over 20 years. I like Phoebe from Celine - no. no, there are many people I like uhI like Comme des Garcon even if it's not wearable in the classic sense but I think there is a spirit and things like this.
What I don't like are designers who are fake intellectuals and who call themselves 'we are very intellectual'. No, no, no dressmaking is dressmaking. Philosophy is philosophy but you don't have to mix it.
TB: You think sometimes they take themselves too seriously?
KL: Beyond! Beyond! And I don't give you names because it wouldn't be nice, I couldn't care less.
TB: There are none that you can actually name Karl?
KL: No, no because I don't want to - but the list is not that short!
///BREAK///
TB: Karl you had Kendall Jenner open the show at the Trevi Fountain and you photographed her for the 2016 collection.
KL: Yes and we did also the catalogue and the advertising with her. No, no, we worked a lot with her, not for the first time huh? She's a nice kid you know.
TB: What is it about her that you like so much do you think?
KL: I thought she was right for Fendi you know. And I like her personality. There's something very sweet about her.
TB: And you also photographed her sister Kim Kardashian
KL: Yes but not for collections
TB: No for Harper's Bazaar. Yes. How were they Karl. How did you find them?
KL: I photographed them before and I knew both of them for a long time. So there was no problem at all because if you have to photograph famous people - and I will say something pretentious - if you are vaguely famous yourself it is much easier. If they are in front of an unknown photographer, they would not relax like they do in front of me. I had done for another magazine when she was pregnant and I met her several times. Him I knew even longer. Normally I don't have problems with people.
TB: And with Kanye West, his attitude, do you think he's very brilliant at his strategy. Or people can find him arrogant?
KL: Yes but when you know him you see it all differently and the mother is very funny, I like the mother. She is so funny.
TB: Karl of course you spend a lot of time in Rome and also in Paris too.
KL: I go between the two cities because I have a plane.. I may be commercial but I don't fly commercial! No but I you know I cannot because people bother me to a degree you don't have an idea. Ah! They want selfies and things like that. It's my fault. I'm too easy to recognize.
TB: Does it bother you though You don't want to be?
KL: Bother no, but there's a moment you are tired of it. Especially if you have to go to those gates, you check in and they take some photosno, no, no, no, no, no. That's in my contracts uh.
TB: Can you go anywhere Karl do you think without being recognized?
KL: No I go nowhere. Nearly never.
TB: But does that upset you that you can't go anywhere?
KL: No I always have bodyguards and things - ridiculous. But you know, you can't have the butter and the money for the butter.
TB: Karl, can I take you back when you were growing up in a town very close to Denmark in Germany. And I just would like to ask you if you don't mind a little bit about your childhood...
KL: My childhood was very simple I only wanted one thing - to get out of there and to be grown up. I hated to be a child. That's why I could speak English, German and French when I was six. No I had a nice childhood in a period when the world was not that great. There is nothing I can say against uh? I'm not still recovering from an unhappy childhood. No. Everything was perfect.
I never played with children. I only was sketching and reading. And it was also a country estate, quite isolated. No I didn't even have anything to do with my sister and half-sister. I always was isolated from the rest uh? I was at the best of terms with my father and even better terms with my mother who thought it was perfect like this as long as I was not creating trouble because girls created trouble and were sent to boarding schools in the second! And from there they were married off. Because my mother had no patience. She was right!
TB: Your mother must have been very proud of your own success?
KL: No. She never mentioned that. And she preferred Sonia Rykiel dresses to what I did because it remind her to the 20s. No no no. She never saw a show of mine. She said no I don't go to see people my son works for. They were people from another era.
TB: And they let you go to Paris very young, did you enjoy being there by yourself?
KL: My father had offices in Paris we had a whole thing - it was easy even in those years for me. And then one day in the street I saw a huge poster for a contest for the international wool fashion office which was then very important Australian organization. So the poster was a sketch from [inaudible] the poster said send a sketch in of a suit, of a dress, of a coat , something done in wool. So I made a few sketches, sent them, forgot them. And six months later I got a telegram because in those days you got telegrams saying you won the first prize for the coat and there were 200,000 people in the world who had done this thing. And then the coat was made by Balmain which was a very successful house then. And he asked me if I wanted to enter a studio.
TB: And what was Paris like in those days Karl?
KL: It was a very safe place but it was like an old movie about Paris you know. It still looked like a Paris from another era. No burka
TB: Well I wanted to ask you about that Karl because the Burka is banned obviously in France, there's been a lot of controversy recently about the Burkini and the women on the beaches. Policeman saying
KL: Yes but I don't discuss these subjects, they are not mine. I don't know how they will find a solution for that. I prefer not to think about it but it's a very unpleasant problem.
TB: But for women to be told 'you can wear this, you can't wear this'
KL: No I hate this attitude against women because you know my life, and my work is dedicated to women, so I think it's horrible.
///BREAK///
TB: I'm going back to all the collections that that you have for Chanel, for Fendi. You also have Karl Lagerfeld.
KL: Yes but it's a very different story, not the same price and it's very digital. It's completely different thing, things are less expensive. This is a very young funny thing because I don't want any competition and that is sometimes done mostly by assistants because they have to work on my personality you see .I couldn't do it myself sometimes, I mean I do a lot of things but all those Choupette things and all those funny things. That's OK, but that's another story. And Fendi and Chanel is very easy for me because Fendi is my Italian version and Chanel my French version. And I never mix things. I had never a problem that a Chanel thing looked like a Fendi thing or a Fendi looked like Chanel. I have no personality. I have two!
TB: And you were talking just a little bit before about Choupette because she appears in Karl Lagerfeld. What's the story with Choupette?
KL: Choupette is such a strange thing because I never thought that I could fall in love with an animal like this. A friend of mine gave it to one of my mates, saying I'm leaving for two days, could you keep it for two weeks. When he came back I thought I'm sorry Choupette is mine. I don't give Choupette back. And she became a world famous star you know. She has her own fortune for the things she did in Japan and in Germany for cars and things like that. And whenever I go somewhere children say to me, how is Choupette? But you know you have to see her you would fall instantly in love with her because she's unbelievable. With huge sapphire eyes and beautiful white fur. She's unbelievable huh. Very coquettish. But she's over-groomed and everything. She has several maids. She's never alone when I'm not there. Oh no no Even if she sleeps she doesn't want to be alone. She's like a chic lady, like a kept woman with her personal maid. There's a lot of things to do, to wash her eyes five times a day, to brush her white hair and things like.oh no, no.no.no.no she is a full time job.
TB: She sounds like she has a wonderful life Karl.
KL: It is a wonderful life, I think so too. She's traveling with me and her maid when I go to another country. She's never alone.
TB: How has she changed your life?
KL: How that changed my life? I never thought it could change that way. I think I became a better person.
TB: Really?
KL: Yes I think so, very strange huh? And she gives something magical that I understand the Egyptians from 4000 before Jesus Christ, for them the cats were the most important animal huh. I understand that. And she gives energy, it's very strange. When I have her next to me I feel like a telephone what is recharged!
TB: And you surround yourself with people that you trust?
KL: Oh yeah, no no.. Even my servants uh? They are spoiled like family. They get apartments, houses, cars and everything. You know they do more for me than anybody else. Except sketching, I don't know how to do anything I'm totally stupid. I don't know how to cook, I don't know how to clean. I don't know nothing huh. And my mother always said you have to learn nothing because then you have to make an effort to have always enough money that somebody is doing it for you. That was how I was brought up.
TB: But you achieved it Karl could you imagine at that age when your mother was telling you that could you think you could achieve all this?
KL: Yes in a way yes. But I remember as a child one day I sat in this special room in this country house and I said to myself, it was ridiculous, I think I will become a legend.
TB: Really?
KL: I was perhaps eight. I saw myself like a kind of fairy tale. I mean in fact more a horror story. But it's very strange. But. I remember the moment, but after that I never thought about it again.
TB: In your mind is that what you were working towards Karlor you just let things
KL: Yes sometimes but not all the time. I was enjoying what I was doing. And I was very lucky you know my parents gave me tons of money and cars and everything. I mean I had a very spoilt youth because in the fashion people didn't make fortunes, it's not like today uh.
TB: What's so interesting Karl is that you say your parents spoilt you, you had everything in your childhood but yet you had this work ethic, you know, to work so hard and achieve...?
KL: Yes lots of class but working class.
TB: Because normally people that can be spoilt they don't want to work hard but you never stop
KL: No it's very bad to be spoiled, if you are not ready to be spoiled. If I think I would have not been spoiled, if I had not the possibility to do something, to be ambitious enough not to fall in the easy trap of the 60s No never. I was never tempted. I was always an outsider. No alcohol, no drugs, no nothing Nothing. Not because I'm against it, I just don't like it.
TB: I know you don't like the word Karl but marketing you know how does that ?
KL: Yes but I do marketing without doing marketing, you know. I never make meetings, you sit in the studio and we discuss a little with the president and the studio head and that is all. The rest they can do what they want but they do the right thing anyway.
TB: But revamping these brands and I'm thinking about the business side of things, do you get involved.
KL: You know the business is not mine and I work for a flat fee. So if they made a mistake it's their fault is not mine. But they don't, they do pretty well. No the people here are great and the people at Chanel are great. So I'm lucky, when I see how much it turns in other house, they change. Most of the people I work with have never worked for somebody else. So I mustn't be that horrible!
TB: And do you ever think about your legacy?
KL: No I will not be around for that so Who cares!
TB: You have given, and still give so much to the industry
KL: As long as I don't repeat myself, then it's ok. I laugh about myself. I am my best cartoon.
TB: Well Karl, I know that you have a lot to do, so thank you so much for spending time with me.
KL: Thank you, nice to talk to you.
President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping. Getty Images
Chinese President Xi Jinping is about to take center stage at the ultimate gathering of globalists from the world over, and he hopes to make his country the middle of global attention while he's at it. Xi will speak before elite business and political leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos next Tuesday, just days before populist President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office in the United States. Beijing will use the appearance in Switzerland to favorably contrast Xi and China with Trump and the United States. Already before taking office, Trump has leaned hard on American companies to keep operations in the U.S., and he has chosen vocal China critics for top positions on trade and defense. In contrast, Xi is expected in his opening plenary speech to play up China as a proponent of globalization.
"I think China's trying to send a signal that it's the world's most responsible stakeholder. The U.S. by contrast is a greater source of anxiety, tensions and volatility," said Scott Kennedy, deputy director, Freeman Chair in China Studies, at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
"The growing tensions between the U.S. and China gives this a bigger, larger significance than it otherwise would have," he said.
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Xi will be the first Chinese president to attend the World Economic Forum's Davos gathering and comes as part of a state visit to Switzerland, just ahead of the Lunar New Year. Xi is a well-traveled Chinese leader who is also expected to consolidate his own power within China at a Communist Party congress this fall. As the leader of the world's second-largest economy, Xi will embrace the opportunity at Davos to show that the international community needs to pay attention to China's interests. "More than ever, China has to raise a voice, when we know President-elect Trump is challenging, criticizing China," said Richard Attias, who produced the World Economic Forum in Davos for 15 years and now heads consulting firm Richard Attias & Associates. "When you are challenged you need to react and I think what President Xi is doing is right." At Davos, the Chinese "will talk to the businesses coming to explain to them, despite all the promises of President-elect Trump, [that] China will still be an interesting place to invest and include in your strategies," Attias said. Beijing has taken several recent steps to position more at the center of global trade and finance. Last January, China launched the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to serve as a financing alternative to the U.S.-led World Bank. More recently, China is stepping in replace the United States as the central player in Pacific trade, following the U.S. Congress' failure to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement that was negotiated by the Obama administration.
'... increased tensions in coming years'
Official Moscow continues to deny using compromising materials to target politicians, but the practice is actually so pervasive in Russia there is even a word for it kompromat.
President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov called on journalists Friday to stop discussing an unsubstantiated dossier, claiming Russians had dirt on Donald Trump.
The dossier, initially posted online by Buzzfeed, claims that Russia has compromising information on the president-elect, including, among other things, a variety of sexual and financial allegations.
More from USA Today:
Trump's 6 a.m. tweetstorm lashes out at intel, Clinton
Intel chiefs briefed Trump, Obama on unverified, salacious allegations concerning Russia and president-elect
'Pulp fiction': Russia denies 'compromising materials' on Trump
The dossier, purportedly prepared by a former British intelligence agent hired by Trump's political opponents, has been roundly denounced by Trump, who tweeted on Friday: "Totally made up facts by sleazebag political operatives, both Democrats and Republicans FAKE NEWS! Russia says nothing exists..."
Trump tweet
"It's not that kompromat is always gathered on purpose," Gennady Gudkov, a retired Federal Security Service (FSB) colonel and a former opposition parliamentarian, told USA TODAY.
"Say a person stayed at a room in a hotel that was already bugged and started doing things he shouldn't be doing. And then it turns out the person was famous. It's a matter of luck for [the security services], and material like this can surface on anyone," he said.
"You don't even have to be a person of interest. They just gather everything like a vacuum cleaner and then see what they can use."
Given the opportunistic tendencies of the Russian security services, just how paranoid should business people or tourists travelling here be?
"The moral of the story is don't book the most expensive rooms and suites which are most likely to be used by the rich and powerful if you want discretion," said Mark Galeotti, an expert on Russian security at the Institute of International Relations in Prague in the Czech Republic.
"Seriously, the FSB hardly monitors foreigners with quite the same profligate enthusiasm as the KGB, but it will make an exception for powerful and influential people. I'm not convinced they would have regarded Trump as worth watching in the earlier years, but he may well have put himself in the spotlight simply by his high-doling habits."
The more pervasive practice is gathering dirt as a means of internal repression and a number of opposition figures have borne the brunt of deliberately-orchestrated sex scandals.
In 1999, a sex video featuring someone who looked like the then-prosecutor general, Yuri Skuratov, and two prostitutes was aired on national television. It came shortly after Skuratov launched a number of corruption probes. against officials in then-president Boris Yeltsin's government.
The scandal ended when Skuratov was dismissed the following year amid pressure from the newly-elected Putin, who had been head of the FSB when the videotape emerged.
In 2010, Ilya Yashin, a prominent opposition leader, said he wasn't too surprised when a girl he had been dating for a few weeks turned out to be a honey trap.
"It was a surprise when she invited me to her apartment and there was [another girl] and they both dragged me to bed," he wrote of the incident on his blog. "I would be lying if I said I resisted."
Yashin knew something was afoot when Katya Gerasimova, his girlfriend, brought out a bunch of sex toys.
"That was the first time I thought it was a provocation. 'Should I smile? Are we being filmed by a hidden camera?'" he wrote.
They were being recorded and Yashin became one of a number of opposition figures including the liberal Viktor Shenderovich and the nationalist Eduard Limonov who were shown on national television having sex. The same woman Gerasimova featured in all the videos.
"Our security services are using these tactics to discredit government opponents," Gudkov said. He added that methods that are supposed to be used to protect the government from its "foreign enemies" are being turned on its own citizens.
"This surveillance is in violation of the constitution. This information is then given to certain media outlets and then the rumor mill starts," he said.
Even if the "dirt" is innocuous, as it was with Yashin, the way the information is spun causes popularity ratings of the politicians involved to plummet, Gudkov said.
Last April, Mikhail Kasyanov, a former prime minister and leader of the liberal People's Freedom Party (PARNAS), was shown by the pro-Kremlin NTV channel having sex in a hotel room just as his party was preparing regional campaigns for parliamentary elections.
The video sought to expose not just the sex (Kasyanov is married), but his conversations with his partner Natalia Pelevina, an opposition activist, in which they plotted building a front against fellow oppositionist, Alexei Navalny.
"As a result of this propaganda, the opposition's negative rating is higher than its positive rating," Gudkov said. "This is reflected in the political campaigns."
While gathering dirt may be a staple of intelligence agencies everywhere, its aggressive use in Russia has been taken to a new level.
"How are the Russians different? Essentially by their greater willingness to take risks and possibly expend political capital by using kompromat," Galeotti said.
Russia's government, meanwhile, has persistently denied using these tactics. "Pulp fiction," the presidential spokesman Peskov said earlier this week about the allegations.
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Choupette, a white-haired cat, is no ordinary four-legged feline especially with fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld being her owner.
Having inspired a number of Lagerfeld's products, Choupette has become a famous face in the fashion world, garnering her own social media following, participating in some campaigns and even has her own set of personal maids. It should come as no surprise then, that her success and keeping up with appearances is "a full-time job" for the likes of her owner, Karl Lagerfeld. "Choupette is such a strange thing because I never thought that I could fall in love with an animal like this," Karl Lagerfeld, fashion designer and owner of Choupette, told CNBC's Tania Bryer.
Karl Lagerfeld attends the 'Corsa Karl Und Choupette' Vernissage on February 03, 2015 Franziska Krug | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images
According to Lagerfeld, he came across the white-haired cat when he spent two weeks with animal, looking after Choupette when one of his friends, reportedly fashion model Baptiste Giabiconi, went traveling. "When he came back I thought I'm sorry Choupette is mine," said Lagerfeld.
"She's (become) a world famous star. She has her own fortune for the things she did in Japan and in Germany, for cars and things like that." In March 2015, Lagerfeld said in an interview with The Cut, that Choupette had earned three million euros ($3.18 million) during 2014 from participating in two projects: one for cars in Germany, and the other for a beauty product in Japan.
During the "CNBC Conversation" episode, Lagerfeld explained how Choupette could at times be "a full-time job", with the cat traveling alongside Lagerfeld and a maid, when they go overseas.
"She's over-groomed and everything. She has several maids. She's never alone when I'm not there. Oh no no Even if she sleeps, she doesn't want to be alone. She's like a chic lady, like a kept woman with her personal maid."
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Fiat Chrysler's U.S.-listed shares recovered from an initial 18 percent slump to finish Thursday's session around a tenth lower in value following the surprise announcement from the U.S. government environmental agency regarding the carmaker's alleged violations of the Clean Air Act. However, the extent of Thursday's sell-off may turn out to be unwarranted once further details emerge, suggested the auto research team at Evercore in a note to clients that afternoon. This assertion found support in initial trading on Friday morning wherein FCA's shares listed on the Milan bourse opened up more than 5 percent. "Based on our initial understanding and what the company is telling us, it seems that the allegations and any potential remedy are not as severe as investors' first take," read the research.
Sergio Marchionne, chief executive officer of Fiat Chrysler Alessia Pierdomenico | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Yet the analysts had sympathy for traders' caution, especially when the company's net debt position stands among the highest in the industry. Evercore estimates Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' (FCA) automotive net debt would have fallen to around 4.7 billion euros ($5.0 billion) by the end of 2016. "Given FCA's balance sheet, we can see why investors may wish to sit on the sidelines until further information and details are released by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), CARB (California Air Resources Board) and the company," the note stated. Evercore's analysts also stressed that the situation as was determinedly repeated by chief executive Sergio Marchionne to various media throughout Thursday - was very different to the travails faced by Volkswagen. Importantly, FCA was not being accused of fitting an emissions defeating device as its German rival had done but rather of failing to disclose that it allegedly used software which affects emissions. The research team says having such software is "standard practice across the industry".
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Turning to potential software remedies such as an ECU/software flash which the Evercore analysts believe would likely provide a sufficient fix, the latter were relatively sanguine. "The cost associated with this is relatively immaterial and,once more, should not be compared with costs incurred by Volkswagen," read the note. However, details have since emerged which state that in addition to any remedies, a maximum potential fine, capped at $4.6 billion, could also be payable. Marchionne's spirited defence of his company, the world's seventh largest automaker, included him telling reporters on Thursday his accusers within the EPA must be "smoking illegal material" if they were trying to draw parallels between the situations facing Volkswagen and FCA. Nonetheless, the European Union (EU) said late Thursday it would look into Germany's separate allegation of hidden software on certain models sold in Europe, which are different vehicles to those involved in the EPA case. This development was followed on Friday morning by the U.K.transport ministry vowing to also seek information from the company regarding emissions-related software.
The website of America's new cyberczar former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani is running on outdated, unprotected software that even the most basic attacker could breach, said security researchers.
The person or people who set up Giulianisecurity.com which as of Friday afternoon is offline made no effort to fortify the site from hackers and had not updated the software since it was downloaded in 2012, said Dan Tentler founder of security company Phobos Group. (This problem was first reported by Gizmodo.)
While on a plane from his mobile device, Tentler was able to pull up a browser and quickly see "read me" files that even the most basic web administrator would remove from view to make it harder for an attacker to compromise a website, he said.
"This is really, really, really basic it barely even qualifies as security," he said. "Those files give you all the information you need to do nefarious things."
"And as Leonardo DiCaprio and I explained to the president-elect, when we met with him in early December, he can walk away from the Paris agreement, but the vast majority of what the U.S. committed will happen anyway, thanks to state and local renewable energy deployment, energy efficiency programs, regional cap-and-trade programs, and by Californias clean car emissions standards."
So how do we put policies in place that finish the job, while stimulating sustainable economic growth worldwide?
The Trump administration could make a deal with China that pledges to keep the U.S. in the Paris agreement, striving to meet its carbon-reduction goals, in exchange for China committing to peak emissions in 2025.
This first part of the Big Idea would actually be the easiest to achieve. I'll bet China could now easily commit to peaking its pollution five years earlier because, since the original deal was made for peaking in 2030, China has made great strides in energy efficiency, deployment of renewable energy, and replacing the dirtiest coal-fired boilers and power plants with cleaner ones (yes, still coal, but far less polluting than their predecessors).
And as Leonardo DiCaprio and I explained to the president-elect, when we met with him in early December, he can walk away from the Paris agreement, but the vast majority of what the U.S. committed will happen anyway, thanks to state and local renewable energy deployment, energy efficiency programs, regional cap-and-trade programs, and by California's clean car emissions standards (which were essentially federalized into the CAFE fuel economy rules that are now delivering more fuel-efficient vehicles to American consumers, something that is obvious good for everyone).
The second part of the Big Idea might be harder to achieve, except for the fact that the president's pick for Secretary of State is Rex Tillerson, currently the CEO of Exxon Mobil. To help the world achieve the goal of limiting warming to 2 degrees centigrade or less, the U.S. and China would agree to implement a price on carbon emissions of at least $25/ton by 2025 and call on the other signatories to the Paris agreement to do likewise. That price, whether implemented with a simple carbon tax or through a market-based cap-and-trade program (such as the systems already in place in parts of the U.S., Canada, Europe, and China) would force polluters to pay to clean up those emissions and/or provide the incentive to avoid polluting in the first place.
But why would a Trump administration and a conservative-dominated Congress with many members who deny climate science or are openly hostile to climate solutions want to engage in 25 by 25? It is worth quoting directly from a speech by Rex Tillerson to answer that question:
"At Exxon Mobil, we share the view that the risks of climate change are serious and warrant thoughtful action. Addressing these risks requires broad-based, practical solutions around the world. Importantly, as a result of the Paris agreement, both developed and developing countries are now working together to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, while recognizing differing national responsibilities, capacities and circumstances. In our industry, the best hope for the future is to enable and encourage long-term investments in both proven and new technologies, while supporting effective policies. Which is what we are doing. We have long supported a carbon tax as the best policy of those being considered. Replacing the hodge-podge of current, largely ineffective regulations with a revenue-neutral carbon tax would ensure a uniform and predictable cost of carbon across the economy. It would allow market forces to drive solutions. It would maximize transparency, reduce administrative complexity, promote global participation and easily adjust to future developments in our understanding of climate science as well as the policy consequences of these actions."
Although Mr. Tillerson has not specifically called for the carbon tax to be $25/ton, some of his Exxon colleagues have supported that level in various meetings, presumably with his blessing. Critics will say $25 may not be enough, but it's a meaningful down payment on getting polluters to pay for dumping their waste into our shared atmosphere, instead of making the whole world subsidize that unsustainable business model.
So how would President Trump explain this deal to those constituents who agreed with his previous contention that climate change was a hoax perpetrated by the Chinese? First, he could say he had gotten a better deal than President Obama (China agreeing to peak emissions sooner). Second, he could say that regardless of one's views on climate science or policy, the 195 nations that signed the Paris agreement will keep their commitments and will need a lot of American technology to do so. If we walk away from our commitment, those nations will shop somewhere else, resulting in America losing jobs and income that could otherwise help us achieve Mr. Trump's lofty goal of 6% economic growth.
A headline that declares "President Trump and Exxon Mobil Agree to a $25 Carbon Tax by 2025 in Climate Deal with China" may be thought at first to be another wave of fake news. But if we don't embrace big, bold initiatives that simultaneously address the sustainability of our environmental and economic future, the real headlines will be far more unbelievable.
, despite concerns about not having a ready replacement and the potential financial cost of repealing President Barack Obama's landmark health insurance law.
The House voted 227-198 to instruct committees to draft legislation by a target date of Jan. 27 that would repeal the 2010 Affordable Health Care Act, often called Obamacare. The Senate approved the same measure early Thursday.
No Democrats supported the initiative.
With this vote, Republicans began delivering on their promise to end Obamacare, which also was a campaign promise of President-elect Donald Trump. The program, which expanded health coverage to some 20 million people, has been plagued by increases in insurance premiums and deductibles and by some large insurers leaving the system.
The resolution passed by the House and Senate does not need presidential approval, since it is part of an internal congressional budget process. But once the Obamacare repeal legislation is drafted, both chambers will need to approve it, and a presidential signature will be required.
By that time, Trump will have been sworn in as president and he has urged Congress to act quickly to repeal and replace the Democratic program.
Obamacare was enacted nearly seven years agoover Republican objections in an effort to expand coverage and give new protections for people with pre-existing health conditions and other barriers that left them without insurance.
In the past few years, the House has voted more than 60 times to repeal or alter Obamacare but Republicans had no hope a repeal would become law as long as Obama was president.
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The Iran nuclear deal faces a minefield of grievances that could scuttle the accord as President-elect Donald Trump takes over U.S. policy and Iranian factions wage a bitter fight over who will eventually succeed the nation's supreme leader. The landmark deal remains vulnerable because it created a temporary solution to Iran's nuclear program, but did not address critical disputes between Washington and Tehran. Whether or not the nuclear pact buckles under the weight of those unresolved issues now depends on how each side responds to one another's almost inevitable provocations. On the campaign trail, Trump said he would renegotiate the agreement, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which was reached in 2015 between Iran and six world powers, including the United States, that put limits on Tehran's nuclear program and lifted international sanctions on the country.
I have a very difficult time imagining the Trump administration encouraging European banks to go into Iran, and that's going to make the Iranians very angry. Cliff Kupchan Eurasia Group chairman
Some analysts say that is unlikely because the other parties to the accord France, Germany, the U.K., Russia and China support the agreement. The U.S. risks sparking a crisis with its European partners if it pulls out and attempts to make it difficult for foreign companies to do business in Iran. Still, the deal could fracture if the U.S. or Iran treads too stridently over any number of fault lines. "I think there will be sparks from both sides, but both sides have significant reasons to de-escalate, as well," said Cliff Kupchan, chairman of political risk consultancy Eurasia Group.
U.S. sanctions
Iran still faces unilateral U.S. sanctions over its ballistic missile testing, human rights record and support for U.S.-designated terrorist groups. The negotiations over Iran's nuclear program were never meant to address these issues or remove the related sanctions, but Tehran has still accused the United States of violating the nuclear deal by extending the sanctions last year. Congressional Republicans have already prepared new sanctions legislation, and analysts say it's very likely Trump will cooperate with lawmakers to pass new measures. Iran has angered Washington by conducting ballistic missile tests since signing the nuclear deal. It has also intervened in conflicts in Syria and Yemen to support forces the U.S. opposes.
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"You could easily see a scenario whereby in the next few months Iran does something provocative in the Middle East, Congress and the new Trump administration respond with new sanctions and Iran says, 'Well, you've just abrogated your end of the deal, so therefore we're going to recommence our nuclear activities,'" Karim Sadjadpour, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said last month on the Carnegie Podcast. To be sure, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei both threatened retaliation if the United States extended the sanctions, but they have not delivered.
Iran's economy
Iranians have also been frustrated by the pace of economic improvement after the lifting of sanctions last year, and officials have frequently blamed the United States. U.S. sanctions have a chilling effect on investment in Iran because the United States has tremendous influence over the international banking system, and has fined foreign financial institutions for dealing with Iranian businesses in the past. Kupchan said it's surprising just how hesitant international banks have been to provide financing in Iran, despite efforts by the Obama administration to assure them it is safe to do so. The Iranian leadership's frustration may only grow under Trump. "I have a very difficult time imagining the Trump administration encouraging European banks to go into Iran, and that's going to make the Iranians very angry," he said.
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Still, analysts say many leaders in Iran prefer Trump to Hillary Clinton. They see him as a deal-maker who is uninterested in nation building or regime change. They also see opportunity in his suggestion that the United States could partner with Russia Iran's ally in the Syrian civil war to fight Islamic State terrorists. "What excites them is what Trump will do in a place like Syria, what Trump might be willing to do in the so-called campaign against terror in the Middle East," said Alex Vatanka, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute.
Conflicts in the Persian Gulf
That does not eliminate the possibility of military clashes between Iran and the United States. This week, a U.S. Navy destroyer sailing toward the Persian Gulf fired warning shots at vessels manned by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps when they approached at high speed, according to the Pentagon. The incident followed a slowdown in such confrontations. But Vatanka says this could become more common in the coming years as hard-liners, who include the Revolutionary Guards, jockey for power with moderates. That power struggle is fueled by both sides' efforts to put forward a successor to Iran's 77-year-old Supreme Leader Khamenei when the time comes to replace him. Hard-liners see an opening to consolidate power after the death of Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, former Iranian president and the moderates' most influential ally, Vatanka said. Those efforts could exacerbate tensions with the United States. "They've proven again and again they're willing to provoke the U.S. to score points domestically," he said. "Up to this point, they've gotten away with it in terms of not paying the price for it."
Iranian Revolutionary Guards drive a speedboat in front of an oil tanker at the port of Bandar Abbas. Atta Kenare | AFP | Getty Images
It's starting to look like J.C. Penney will be the next department store chain to put its physical footprint under the shrink ray.
Just one week after Macy's and Sears detailed the upcoming closures of a combined 218 stores, Cowen and Company analyst Oliver Chen said that Penney's could ultimately chop its count by some 30 percent. Such a move would leave the chain with roughly 700 locations, and free up cash to invest in its best stores.
Chen's comments come just a few days after Penney's CEO Marvin Ellison said the company is getting ready to downsize its fleet. Ellison made his remarks at a real estate conference in Dallas, and they were reported by The Dallas Morning News.
"While there are only four J.C. Penney stores that lose money, we do expect store closures to come out of J.C. Penney next year," Chen told investors, explaining that the chain has room to increase the portion of its sales that are generated online.
Ellison has been reluctant to shutter stores, closing just seven Penney's locations last year. On a call with analysts in August, the CEO explained that his stores typically get a lift in malls where a Sears has shut down. Meanwhile, he reiterated the company's commitment to physical stores, saying more than 50 percent of its online orders touch bricks and mortar in some way.
Traditional retailers have been under pressure to shrink their store fleets amid falling revenues and productivity. Though Penney's performed better than its peers over the holiday, its comparable sales still registered an 0.8 percent decline. Department stores were by far the worst-performing retail segment in December, with sales tumbling 8.4 percent over the prior year, according to the Commerce Department.
A spokesman for J.C. Penney told CNBC the company has not yet announced details regarding potential store closures for the year.
Back in 2015, the chain closed 40 locations.
Delaying new rules over retirement planning will help U.S. bank profits, according to one expert.
Congressman Joe Wilson, a Republican from South Carolina, introduced a bill last Friday designed to delay the introduction of the Department of Labor (DOL) fiduciary rule for two years.
The new DOL regulation, which requires financial advisers to act in the best interests of their clients when addressing retirement accounts, was due to begin on April 10.
Jeffrey Saut, Chief Investment Strategist at Raymond James told CNBC Friday that the fiduciary rule is damaging to banks.
"The new rule will force asset managers to cancel active management accounts and switch to passive management.
"This means investment banks will receive lower fees," he said by telephone.
Saut believes rather than protecting the retail investor, the new rules would force them in to poor investments.
"The investing public is selling active and buying passive at a time when they should be doing the opposite," he said.
Saut said the bill to delay the legislation by two years would effectively "kill it" and ultimately protect bank fees.
Joining the call to delay the bill is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The business lobby group said Wednesday that the bill was too expensive, unwieldy for advisors and has an unrealistic timeline.
Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson said on Friday the aerospace company is "close to a deal" to bring down the cost of its F-35 program following repeated criticisms from President-elect Donald Trump.
"I certainly share [Trump's] views that we need to get the best capability to our men and women in uniform. And we need to get it at the lowest possible price," Hewson told reporters on Friday after a meeting at Trump Tower.
"I'm glad I had an opportunity to tell him that we are close to a deal that will bring the cost down significantly from the previous lot of aircraft for the next lot of aircraft," she said. "And, moreover, it's going to bring a lot of jobs to the United States. In fact, we're going to increase our jobs in Fort Worth by 1,800 jobs."
Hewson's discussions with Trump mark her second such meeting.
Trump has been critical of Lockheed's programs' delays and costs. In December, Trump said via Twitter that "billions of dollars can and will be saved on military (and other) purchases" once he takes office in January.
During his press conference Wednesday, Trump criticized the F-35 program again and even suggested Boeing 's F-18 fighter could be an alternative. "It's way, way behind schedule and many billions of dollars over budget," he said.
"There's an attempt here to come to some sort of reconciliation (with Lockheed)," said Richard Safran, Buckingham Research Group director of equity research. He said there's "an expectation or hope on Lockheed's side that they can get the cost down similar to what Boeing promised for the F-18."
The analyst said Trump's "heart seems to be in the right place to save taxpayer's money." Safran suggested one way to perhaps save money is to do a multiyear procurement on the F-35 instead of the current low-rate initial production lots.
Indeed, if the government were to agree to a large block buy on the F-35 fighter it could change the economics of the aircraft's costs. Analysts say a large block buy could give Lockheed the chance to do a better deal with its partner contractors and supply base through a commitment of several years of production.
Since his election, Trump has focused on defense costs. His comments have led to volatility in industry stocks such as Boeing and Lockheed.
"This is just classic political posturing on both sides," said Moody's analyst Russell Solomon, who covers the aerospace and defense industry. "It won't have a discernible adverse impact on the company. But it's an indication that everything is in negotiation these days."
Added Solomon, "The F-35 is critically important to the country in terms of global defense and NATO partners. A lot of interested parties here in making sure that this program continues and continues to grow as expected so that they can get the operating efficiencies that they've committed to."
In a written statement issued after her meeting, Hewson said: "I look forward to continuing to work together with President-elect Trump to drive the costs down on this critical military capability."
Hewson said the meeting with Trump was "outstanding" and plans to create "thousands and thousands" of jobs. She also said she gave the president-elect ideas on how to drive the program's cost down further.
Lockheed has an earnings call coming up later this month and they will likely get asked by analysts about the outlook for the F-35 given Trump's recent criticism.
"The question now is going to be what's your relationship with the president-elect and his transition team," said Safran.
According to Safran, Lockheed's CEO has "a very good reputation within government circles. She has very good negotiating skills."
Hewson inherited some of the problems with the F-35 from her predecessor. "She had to do a good job of smoothing over some ruffled feathers," Safran said.
The F-35 stealth fighter program is expected to cost more than $1 trillion over its projected 55-year life cycle. Lockheed said Wednesday it delivered the 200th operational jet of the F-35 to Japan, one of the nine original partner nations buying the aircraft.
WANG ZHAO | AFP | Getty Images | Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and Chinese President Xi Jinping inspect Chinese honor guards during a welcome ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on April 12, 2016.
It urged Nigeria to reconsider, saying: "The foreign ministry seriously objects and condemns the unreasonable actions by the Nigerian government."
The protest highlighted Taiwan's frustration with Beijing's use of diplomatic and economic power to isolate it internationally. Taiwan's foreign ministry said it had been asked to move the office, which handles business affairs, to the former capital Lagos.
Taiwan objected on Thursday to an "unreasonable" Nigerian request to move its representative office out of the capital Abuja, a day after China announced plans to invest a further $40 billion in the African country.
Beijing regards Taiwan as a renegade province, ineligible for state-to-state relations and to be taken back by force if necessary. The sensitivity of the issue was underlined last month when China protested after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump accepted a congratulatory phone call from the president of the island.
On Wednesday, after meeting his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Abuja, Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama was quoted by state news agency NAN as saying: "Taiwan will not have any diplomatic representation in Nigeria and also they will be moving to Lagos, to the extent that they function as a trade mission with a skeletal staff."
NAN quoted Wang as saying China planned to invest $40 billion in Nigeria, in addition to current projects already worth more than that amount.
A statement on the Chinese foreign ministry's website said the two sides had agreed to stick to Beijing's "one China" policy, that Taiwan is a part of China.
Nigeria's presidency issued a statement on Thursday in which it said media reports that Nigeria had cut ties with Taiwan were incorrect.
"The correct position is that the official relationship between Nigeria and Taiwan has been at the level of trade representation and this has not changed from what it used to be," said a statement by the president's spokesman, Garba Shehu.
The emailed statement did not refer to Taiwan being asked to move its Abuja office.
Taiwan has 21 formal allies, only two in Africa. Last month, former African ally Sao Tome switched its diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China.
In countries with which Taiwan has no formal diplomatic relations it often sets up trade and commerce offices, in capitals and major cities.
While economic ties between the mainland and Taiwan have grown considerably in recent years, their relations have worsened since Tsai Ing-wen, who heads a pro-independence party, was elected president of the island last year.
Online radio service Pandora Media said it would reduce its U.S.-based workforce by about 7 percent as it seeks to become profitable in the fiercely competitive market for music streaming.
The company also announced that it expects to surpass its previous fourth-quarter revenue forecast, propelled by gains in advertising revenue and paid subscribers. Shares of Pandora were up 6.8 percent at $12.81 in extended trading.
Pandora and its chief rival, Spotify, have struggled to find a sound business model amid razor-thin margins in the music industry. Hurt by competition from new entrants such as Apple and Amazon that can afford to lose money on music, Pandora's revenue growth has been losing steam for several quarters, while its losses have deepened. Shares of Pandora, which is expected to report its fourth-quarter results on Feb 17, are down almost 70 percent from their all-time high in March 2014.
Pandora said the job cuts, which would be executed by the end of the first quarter in 2017 and do not include recent acquisition Ticketfly, are intended to reduce operational costs. As of Dec. 31, 2015, Pandora had 2,219 employees.
The company said revenue would exceed its previous forecast of $362 million to $374 million. Subscription radio service Pandora Plus, launched last fall, had attracted more than 375,000 new subscribers by the end of December, Pandora said.
Pandora Chief Executive Tim Westergren, who returned to the company last year, said in an interview last week that the company's strategy is beginning to come into place.
The company has integrated its acquisition of Ticketfly, opening up a new stream of revenue, and it is putting the finishing touches on an on-demand music streaming service, which has long been missing from its lineup.
A top priority has been mending Pandora's relationship with the recording industry, which grew strained through years of fights over music rights, Westergren said.
"Part of the cloud we had to come out from under was those years of essentially talking with the industry only in Washington," he told Reuters. "That's just not a place where healthy relationships are formed."
Music executives now appreciate that a robust Pandora is good for the health of the industry at large, said Jason Peterson, director of Cinq Music, a music label.
"We should be doing everything we can to support the market development that these retailers do," he said.
The U.K.'s Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to give a speech on the Britain's divorce from the EU next Tuesday.
However, analysts are cautious about the extent to which the prime minister will provide financial markets with clear details on how she sees the future relationship between the U.K. and the EU unfolding.
"One should prepare to be disappointed on the level of detail," Kallum Pickering, senior U.K. economist at Berenberg, told CNBC over the phone.
According to Pickering, Prime Minister May's remarks will be "more of the same" where she will reiterate that she will look for "the best possible deal for the U.K.".
Theresa May promised to set out her approach to Brexit in the new year ahead of triggering the formal process of leaving the EU, article 50, by the end of March.
Richard Mylles, political analyst at Absolute Strategy, told CNBC on Friday that he cautions against expecting too much extra information from Theresa May's speech on Tuesday.
"Theresa May is in a deceptively weak position when it comes to Brexit," Mylles said. Even though Theresa May is more popular than the opposition leader, she needs to please the Eurosceptic and Pro-EU members within her party.
"Fundamentally she has a very small majority," Mylles recalled, adding that Prime Minister May supported the pro-EU campaign in the lead up to the referendum.
The rising crowds descending on the World Economic Forum's annual summit in Davos each year are forcing the event's organizers to consider housing some staff in temporary 'container pods' as a solution to the growing accommodation crunch.
The pre-fabricated modular units are indeed being considered as one of several options for World Economic Forum (WEF) employees as of 2018, says Yann Zopf, a spokesman for the non-profit organization in emailed comments to CNBC.
However, according to Zopf, earlier attempts by the media to characterize the pods as akin to transportation boxes stretch reality.
"They are not containers actually and even less 'shipping containers' as some wrote but temporary wood structures like these," explained Zopf, indicating products constructed by Uffer as an example (shown here).
Zopf said that at the 2017 conference, as in prior years, staff would be housed in apartments although the pressure on supply is continuously augmented by an approximately 10 percent increase in WEF employees each year, some of which would be attending the summit.
Shoppers carry Tiffany bags while walking on Fifth Avenue in New York.
The luxury market seems to have found a bottom and investors are betting that Tiffany will be the next beneficiary.
Following more than a year of sluggish sales at the high end, luxury retailers are starting to gain traction. Compagnie Financiere Richemont , which owns the Cartier brand, on Thursday reported its most robust quarterly revenue gain in nearly three years.
The results followed a solid set of numbers from Louis Vuitton parent LVMH , whose sales also accelerated in the latest quarter. Shares of Tiffany were 2 percent higher in early trading Friday, adding to Thursday's nearly 4 percent jump.
The stock was last changing hands near $82.
"Following a rapid slowdown in the global luxury market that began in [the second half of 2015], demand trends appear to be stabilizing for both Tiffany and the luxury space in general," Wells Fargo analyst Ike Boruchow told investors.
Boruchow on Friday upgraded Tiffany's stock to market perform from underperform, noting the category overlap it has with jewelry conglomerate Richemont. Meanwhile, the blue-box label will face easier comparisons in 2017, and should see a boost from the stronger economy and higher stock markets.
Still, it won't be smooth sailing for Tiffany, whose New York flagship sits next door to Trump Tower. With the shop accounting for some 10 percent of its global revenue, the heavy police presence and congestion on Fifth Avenue are expected to weigh on Tiffany's results.
While reporting its third-quarter earnings, Tiffany's management team said it had seen an "adverse effect" on traffic at that store, though it maintained the company's full-year outlook.
Tiffany has also struggled to connect with millennial shoppers. And even as the luxury market shows signs of stabilization, the latest report from Bain and Altagamma shows that wealthy consumers prefer to spend their fortunes on travel and wine over jewelry and handbags.
The high-end jeweler typically reports holiday sales ahead of its fourth-quarter earnings release. For the holiday quarter, Wall Street expects Tiffany to report a 1.4 percent revenue increase, with sales ringing in at $1.23 billion. The same consensus estimate from Thomson Reuters predicts earnings per share will decline 1.4 percent, to $1.44 a share.
Trump himself has also seen his approval ratings slide again after a brief uptick following his surprise Electoral College win. A Quinnipiac pol l out this week showed that just 37 percent of Americans approve of the way Trump is handling his job as president-elect to 51 percent who disapprove. The numbers are the reverse of Obama, who had a 55 percent approval rating in the poll.
A recent Pew survey found that 55 percent of Americans disapprove of the job Trump has done to explain his plans while 39 percent approve. The Pew poll said just 41 percent approve of Trump's Cabinet picks while 49 percent disapprove.
There is limited enthusiasm for Trump's Cabinet choices, with 52 percent saying they are average or better and 44 percent considering them below average or poor, according to Gallup. Only 10 percent viewed Obama's choices as average or poor.
The latest numbers for Trump, beset this week by fresh reports of Russian efforts to boost his candidacy, are stark. A new poll from Gallup shows that just 44 percent of Americans approve of his presidential transition efforts while 51 percent disapprove. By contrast, 83 percent approved of President Barack Obama's transition in 2008. Even George W. Bush, who like Trump lost the popular vote, enjoyed a 61 percent approval rating of his transition as he prepared to enter the White House.
Donald Trump will enter the White House next week as one of the most unpopular presidents in recent American history. And he will be pushing an agenda that most Americans don't support.
Other readings for Trump in the poll also showed signs of serious trouble. A 53 percent majority said Trump is "not honest" and 62 percent that he is "not level-headed." On average, Trump has a 48.7 percent unfavorable rating among Americans to 42.7 percent favorable.
Trump's inauguration next Friday might improve these numbers if he can deliver a unifying speech and convince Americans that he has clear plans to spark economic growth and ease fears that he is a thin-skinned hot head prone to lashing out at even the slightest criticism. But major protests planned for the inaugural weekend could dampen some of these efforts and galvanize Trump's opposition.
Trump also faces a broader problem once he takes office. His priorities are not widely shared by the American public. A new poll conducted for Politico and the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health found that the top three priorities for Trump voters are repealing and replacing Obamacare (85 percent), stopping future illegal immigration (78 percent) and major increases in defense spending (67 percent).
The numbers are much lower for the general public. Just 44 percent say repealing at replacing Obamacare should be a top priority while 38 percent say immigration and 43 percent say increased defense spending.
The most popularity priority for the general public at 49 percent major government spending on infrastructure is the least popular among Trump voters at 50 percent. There are also major differences on immigration in general. Fully 57 percent of Trump voters view undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. as a "very serious problem" compared with just 30 percent of the general public. The public at large is also much more inclined to support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants than are Trump voters.
On taxes, the poll found that "a majority of both the general public and Trump voters oppose lowering taxes on big businesses and upper-income Americans. Only 39 percent of Trump voters and 22 percent of the general public believe corporate taxes should be lowered. Only 18 percent of Trump voters and 13 percent of the public think taxes on upper-income Americans should be lower." Trump's initial agenda includes major tax cuts for both individuals and corporations.
Trump and the Republican Congress will also be on very dangerous ground making repeal of the Affordable Care Act without an immediate replacement that ensures people are not deprived of existing coverage their first agenda item.
For the moment, Trump's deep unpopularity does not appear to be a problem for him with the Republican Congress. The president-elect remains popular with an aggressive base that delivered him an Electoral College win even as he lost the popular vote by 3 million. Most Republicans on Capitol Hill live in fear of crossing Trump and angering his supporters.
That means the incoming president will get most or all of his Cabinet picks confirmed and will have a relatively free hand in passing his congressional agenda. But if Trump's approval rating sinks further, the president-elect could wind up ceding the agenda to Republicans on Capitol Hill, led by House Speaker Paul Ryan.
Ryan and the rest of the GOP won't hesitate to move to protect their own political futures ahead of the 2018 midterm elections if it appears the occupant of the White House is dragging them down.
And should Trump wind up in significant trouble over his own business conflicts or his relationship with Vladimir Putin and the Russians, he could wind up relying on a Republican Congress that views him as radioactive.
Ben White is Politico's chief economic correspondent and a CNBC contributor. He also authors the daily tip sheet Politico Morning Money [politico.com/morningmoney]. Follow him on Twitter @morningmoneyben.
Twelve years ago I went to work as a branch chief for the Arizona Game & Fish Department. In Arizona, like in most states, wildlife conservation is wholly funded by people who hunt and fish. And nationwide, hunting and fishing has been in decline for decades.
Though we were a government agency, we were funded like a business. We received no money from the state budgetour customers funded the entire operation. The Department engaged in marketing and educational efforts to try and create more hunters and anglers, but we also needed to raise our license fees.
So, as a government agency, we did what we needed to do to raise our prices:
We pushed for years to get legislation passed that would allow the Department to increase fees. Once the legislation passed, we entered the rule making processan arcane and overlooked part of lawmaking that happens at the state and federal level. During rule making (the part of the process I managed), we traveled to something like nine different cities in Arizona to get public input.
(Side note: On one of these trips I learned the hard way that there are no bathrooms on a six-passenger, government owned planelet alone the gold plated toilets the Trump family is used to.)
After traveling to these nine cities and gathering public input, we put together a final rule making package, which was then approved by the gubernatorially appointed Game & Fish Commission, which was made final when it was approved by a special council in the Governor's office that approved rules for all agencies.
We needed to increase our prices. Our customers supported that price increase. To raise those prices we had to engage in a years-long process, making compromises the entire way.
That's just how government worksexcept, in this case we were deciding how much the residents of one state should have to pay to shoot and eat squirrels (I learned when I joined the Department that squirrel hunting is a real thing). We weren't trying to repeal the 2,700 pages of Obamacare.
In the public sector, you can't pull a Tim Cook and simply say, "Cut the cord off those ear buds, make them easier to lose, and charge people $200 for it."
The public sector is designed to move slowly, and it's an environment former private sector candidates and appointees have struggled with.
CICERO, N.Y. SRCTec, LLC has agreed to pay the federal government more than $6.3 million to settle claims regarding problems with replacement parts that it sold to the U.S. Army for radar equipment.
SRCTec manufactures a lightweight counter mortar radar system and associated replacement parts under contracts with the Department of the Army, U.S. Attorney Richard Hartunian said in a news release issued Thursday.
Cicerobased SRCTec is the for-profit subsidiary of SRC Inc., the former Syracuse Research Corporation.
The allegations concern SRCTecs invoicing for the radar system and spare parts, Hartunians office said.
The probe of the allegations fell under the U.S. False Claims Act, a law that imposes criminal and civil penalties on people or companies (often federal contractors) for falsely billing the government, making false representations about a delivered product, or under-stating an obligation to the government.
Under the settlement, SRCTec will pay more than $2.1 million in cash and provide more than $4.25 million in in-kind equipment at no charge to the Army.
The firm has separately agreed to replace or repair the affected parts at its own expense, Hartunians office said.
Our office is committed to ensuring that federal programs receive products that perform as paid for, and we pursue False Claims Act claims vigorously. The stakes are particularly high when the procurement involves protection for our nations warfighters. This settlement reflects the importance of the case, the fine work of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Commands Major Procurement Fraud Unit and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and SRCTecs disclosure of the problem and cooperation in addressing it, Hartunian said in the news release.
Lisa Mondello, director of corporate communications & public relations, provided a company reaction in a statement emailed to BJNN on Friday.
While we disagree with the Department of Justices claim and we believe there was no wrongdoing, we decided to settle out of court in order to avoid what would be a significant disruption to the company, our employees and our customer, and to allow us to fully focus on our critical mission of providing the best products and services to our customers. This was a minor calibration issue and did not impact the ability of the radar to identify incoming mortar or artillery rounds. As stated in the Department of Justice release: the systems ability to perform their sense and warn function was never impacted.
The problem
The case SRCTec settled with the U.S. Department of Justice related to an issue with one of its radar programs that the company reported to the Army and resolved, Mondello said in the statement.
The settlement consists primarily of SRCTec providing spare parts to the Army, which continues to buy additional radars from us, Mondello added.
After several communications with our customer [the U.S. Army], the matter drew the attention of the U.S. Department of Justice, which contacted us and opened an inquiry. Per the Department of Justice release: This settlement reflects SRCTecs disclosure of the problem and cooperation in addressing it, the company statement noted.
SRCTec became aware of the problem in March 2013 and worked on solving it in the ensuing months, Hartunians office said.
SRCTec did provide information related to this issue to the Army as soon as it was discovered, Mondello said in the company statement.
SRCTec in March 2015 requested a meeting with the Army, which was held the following month. In the meeting, SRCTec disclosed how it learned of and ultimately solved the problem, according to Hartunians office.
During the time period covered by the settlement agreement, SRCTec invoiced the Army for radar systems and other equipment, which the Army verified as operable, at a cost of tens of millions of dollars, the office added.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com
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The Presidency on Thursday said there was no truth in media reports suggesting that Nigeria has cut ties with Taiwan.
It said the relationship between Nigeria and Taiwan had been at the level of trade representation and that has not changed.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, stated this in a statement made available to journalists.
The statement read, The Presidency dismisses incorrect media reports to the effect that Nigeria has cut ties with Taiwan.
The correct position is that the official relationship between Nigeria and Taiwan has been at the level of trade representation and this has not changed from what it used to be.
Taiwan trade office is the only Taiwanese representation in Nigeria and Nigerias trade office in Taipei is our only representation in Taiwan.
Nigeria recognises and will sustain the One China policy and nothing has happened so far to change that level of relationship.
The Nigerian Army says it has no plans to attack The Gambia or any other country.
The Army in a statement by it Director, Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, said it was not true that it was mobilising troops to remove Yahya Jammeh as is being reported.
For the avoidance of doubt, Nigerian Army is not planning to attack any country, it said.
Armed FBI agents move into the area of a parking garage on the airport property. Laura Sperber from Legend Numismatics was ordered out of her rental car at gunpoint and the vehicle searched as authorities determined what would happen next.
Traumatized travelers wait on the tarmac outside Terminal 2 at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International awaiting instructions on what to do after a gunman killed five passengers and wounded nearly a dozen more Jan. 6.
Coin conventions, especially the Florida United Numismatists convention, are annual gatherings of collectors and professional numismatists sharing mutual hobby interests.
They can be chaotic at times and very exciting, but generally not life-threatening.
Hobbyists dont expect to be subject to repercussions from a gunmans fatal attacks, as they were Jan. 6 at the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, where travelers met untold panic and terror as events unfolded.
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Some 10,000 people were affected, as the airport completely shut down while heavily armed officers from multiple federal, state and local law enforcement agencies converged on the scene, even after the alleged shooter was taken into custody.
Coin World spoke with four numismatists who were at the airport at the time of the shooting and its aftermath three who were in Delta Airlines Terminal 2 where the fatal shootings occurred in the baggage claim area and one who was trying to return her rental car.
Here are their stories.
Beth Deisher
Beth Deisher, who retired in 2012 after 27 years as Coin World editor, was talking with numismatist Patrick Heller shortly before 1 p.m. as she waited to board a Delta Airlines plane at Terminal 2 for her eventual return to Ohio via Detroit.
Then, Armageddon.
Uniformed TSA security agents came running through the gate area, telling everyone to get down.
Shortly thereafter, additional authorities ran into the gate area, announcing there was an active shooter and telling people to run for their lives, Deisher said. Travelers were told to leave their carry-on luggage and other belongings behind. To avoid the human stampede, Deisher said she laid down in one of the four-seat, bench-type seats, as Heller dropped to his knees while also shielding her.
The terminal floor rumbled as screaming travelers cascaded down a jetway to a staircase and flowed out onto the tarmac. Some people fell or were knocked to the ground, and some were injured when people behind stepped on them, she said.
Deisher said her limited mobility, from a painful bone spur in her back at the top of her spine, forced her to remain inside the terminal, but she encouraged Heller to head down the jetway.
Deisher said she phoned her husband to inform him there was an active shooter, but she was safe. It was the first of many texts she would send to update her husband and others of her situation.
Shortly, a TSA officer found a wheelchair in the terminal for her to use. Deisher said looking out the terminal window she saw thousands of people who had evacuated Terminal 2 and surrounding terminals onto the tarmac.
Some people eventually were cleared to return to Terminal 2, but soon thereafter, a false report of another shooter prompted an announcement over the public address system to evacuate again.
Deisher and Heller were briefly reunited, but were separated again as events unfolded and people were sent back outside.
Several hours would pass before buses arrived to transport the nearly 10,000 people from four terminals to the Everglades Port Authority, three miles away, since the airport was shuttered as a crime scene.
We were escorted to the buses by armed guards, Deisher said. The second half of our harrowing experience lay ahead of us. We were unaware that 10,000 people would be dumped out at the Port Authority to fend for themselves and find transportation to a safe place.
Throughout the eight-and-a-half-hour ordeal at the airport, I took no pictures, opting instead to save battery power on my iPhone. That decision proved crucial for surviving the remaining three hours it would take to make it to safety.
Patrick Heller
Heller, owner emeritus and communication officer for Liberty Coin Service in Lansing, Mich., said that after the first announcement to get out of the terminal, he and Tom Coulson, current owner and CEO of Liberty Coin Service, headed down the jetway from the gate where their flight was to originally depart.
Once on the tarmac, travelers stood between aircraft, or under them, to get out of the sun. People were on cell phones seeking and exchanging information about what was going on.
Heller said he sent group text messages to his wife and co-workers to inform them that he and Coulson were safe. Heller said his wife told him CNN was reporting details of the shootings and that she had seen him and Coulson on their news reports.
She was more terrified than I was, Heller said.
Less than an hour after leaving the terminal, Heller and Coulson returned inside the terminal after seeing others do so and met up again with Deisher.
However, authorities ordered a complete evacuation of the terminal and Heller said he, Coulson and Deisher headed out. Outside, he regrouped with Coulson, but both became separated from Deisher.
By then, Heller said travelers from other terminals were now on the tarmac.
Heller said he and Coulson were among a group that moved between Terminals 2 and 3 before being directed across the airport to the hangars.
When I saw families out on the tarmac and walking across the airport I could see the parents trying to keep their children calm, with a high rate of success, at the same time they were trying to keep themselves from freaking out, Heller said. You could tell in the way the parents would look at each other when the children didnt see.
My wife said that between CNN and two local television stations she saw me eight times and Tom a few times. She was probably the one most worried that tragedy would befall us. She was really glad to see us home.
Heller said he was in a group of approximately 500 people in one hangar.
We tried to stay well inside the hangar, figuring we didnt want to be among those by the door who were closest to the terminals, Heller said. What we were told was that the airport was considered an active shooting site, so we would have to stay there until the whole airport was cleared.
When, several hours later, buses arrived to transport passengers to Port Everglades Authority, Heller said he and Coulson were able to arrange transportation to an airport across the state in Fort Myers after rescheduling their flight to the morning of Jan. 7.
Deisher had done the same thing.
Laura Sperber
Professional numismatist Laura Sperber and her business partner in Legend Numismatics, George Huang, were at the airport trying to return a rental car.
Sperber said she had driven within a few feet of a parking garage when the vehicle was suddenly surrounded by law enforcement officers from multiple agencies donned in tactical gear.
They wouldnt let us go any further, Sperber said. The response from law enforcement was massive FBI, ATF, U.S. Marshals, sheriffs deputies, even some from Floridas Bureau of Wildlife.
She said she had arrived at the airport close to 1:30 p.m., around the time that a false report of the possibility of a second shooter was issued.
Sperber said she had entered the airport property on a road different from the main entrance, to avoid traffic, only to be confronted by what looked like an army of law enforcement officers swarming the area, as FBI agents ordered her and Huang out of the car at gunpoint and began searching the car.
It was quite traumatic, Sperber said.
Sperber said she and Huang were detained for several hours during the vehicle search before they were allowed to leave in the rental vehicle.
Sperber said she ended up taking a flight back to New Jersey from Palm Beach International Airport on Jan. 8.
Todd Imhof
Imhofs experiences in Terminal 2 as the shootings began, and the aftermath, are events that hed rather soon forget.
It was not a good day for me, but much worse for others, said Imhof, executive vice president for Heritage Auctions.
If one person from the four interviewed by Coin World could be considered as being in the wrong place at the wrong time, Imhof would be it.
Imhof was working his way through the TSA airport security checkpoint when the sounds of gunfire erupted. Imhof said he was close to the top of the escalators leading to and from the Baggage Claim area for Terminal 2.
I heard a bunch of snaps, but didnt know where they were coming from, Imhof said. Everyone was ordered on the floor. Panic and pandemonium ensued. It was 10 to 15 minutes of sheer terror.
Imhof says he doesnt know if hell ever be able to forget the panic-stricken looks on the faces of people looking for cover or the crying children.
I wasnt in the line of fire but still felt like I was in one of those TV disaster movies, Imhof said.
Imhof said he would not normally have been in that situation. In his duties for Heritage, he usually handles details and oversight for auctions involving U.S. coins, which were still being held at the FUN show.
However, Imhof said, he was asked to fly from FUN to New York City to help with the world and ancient coin auctions to be held in conjunction with the New York International Coin Convention, and his flights were scheduled on Delta Airlines.
Normally, when working U.S. coin auctions, he travels on American, which would have put him at a different terminal.
On Jan. 6, Imhof was delayed leaving the convention center to the airport when his Uber transportation failed to show; he had then called for a taxi back to the hotel before going to the airport to check in.
Several hours passed, after the airport was locked down as a crime scene, before Imhof would be able to leave the airport.
During that time, he met an 85-year-old woman who spoke broken English and who had been on a cruise ship.
Imhof said he stayed with the woman throughout the ordeal until she could be reunited with her granddaughter.
More 2017 FUN Coverage:
Great Beards on Coins exhibit wins top award at FUN: Sam Gelberd is the recipient of the Heritage Auctions Award for Excellence in Numismatic for 2017 at FUN for Great Beards on Coins.
2017 Florida United Numismatists convention in the record books: The bourse floor of the Florida United Numismatists convention Jan. 5 to 8 in Fort Lauderdale was bustling with collector activity.
MoDOT prefers flyover ramps at 70 and 63
Following public and stakeholder meetings, MoDOT is moving ahead with its preferred idea of a flyover at the 70/63 connector.
The hacking group that stole cyberweapons suspected to be from the U.S. National Security Agency is signing off -- but not before releasing another arsenal of tools that appear designed to spy on Windows systems.
On Thursday, the Shadow Brokers dumped them online after an attempt to sell these and other supposedly Windows and Unix hacking tools for bitcoin.
The Shadow Brokers made news back in August when they dumped hacking tools for routers and firewall products that they claimed came from the Equation Group, a top cyberespionage team that some suspect works for the NSA.
Those tools contained several previously unknown and valuable exploits, lending credibility to the hacking group's claims, according to security researchers.
The Shadow Brokers' latest dump includes 61 files, many of which have never been seen by security firms before, said Jake Williams, founder of Rendition InfoSec, a security provider.
Hes been examining the tools, and said itll take time to verify their capabilities. His initial view is that theyre designed for detection evasion.
For instance, one of the tools is built to edit Windows event logs. Potentially, a hacker could use the tool to selectively delete notifications and alerts in the event logs, preventing the victim from realizing theyve been breached, he said.
If you simply remove a record or two, then even an organization that is following the best security practices, presumably, wouldnt notice the change, he said.
On Thursday, the Shadow Brokers said they released the Windows hacking tools for free because a Kaspersky Labs antivirus product could already flag them as harmful.
The clandestine group previously tried to auction off a whole set of hacking tools for 1 million bitcoins or what was at the time US$584 million. But after several months, that auction only managed to generate 10 bitcoins.
Despite theories, it always being about bitcoins for TheShadowBrokers, the group said in broken English in their supposed final message.
However, Williams believes the Shadow Brokers are likely spies working for the Russian government. This latest dump was a message to the U.S, he said.
Williams points to the timing. In recent weeks, U.S. intelligence agencies have been claiming the Kremlin tried to influence the U.S. election. Based on those findings, President Barack Obama has already ordered sanctions against Russia and vowed covert action.
If they are Russian, this is a shot across the bow, Williams said.
Its unclear how the Shadow Brokers managed to steal the hacking tools. But they claim to have many more in reserve. The group has said their arsenal of supposed Linux and Windows-based hacking tools is still up for sale at 10,000 bitcoins.
On Thursday, Microsoft said it's investigating this latest batch of hacking tools that have been released.
Iain Dale is Presenter of LBC Drive, Managing Director of Biteback Publishing, a columnist and broadcaster and a former Conservative Parliamentary candidate.
Next week Ill be writing this diary from my favourite city in the whole world, Washington DC. It will be my first visit there since the autumn of 2012, when I covered the re-election of Barack Obama. This time Ill be there because Donald Trump will be sworn in as President during my LBC Drivetime show.
Washington in January can be a very cold and bleak place, but on a sunny winters day it can also be very beautiful indeed. My great fear is that we get one of those famous east coast snowfalls, though. Normally Id regard such a thing as a great adventure, but since my dads funeral will take place on the following Monday, I have a natural fear of not getting back in time.
Regular readers will know that I dont have a massively high opinion of Americas new president. However, even I had some sympathy this week when he had to deal with unverified and rather lurid allegations involving Russian and activities which The Sun described as cavorting one of those words beloved by tabloid newspapers but rarely used by normal people in real life.
What has it come to when so-called reputable news organisations publish what can only be described as tittle-tattle? The BBCs Ten OClock news programme on Wednesday was among the worst offenders, revelling in providing viewers with full details of all the single-sourced allegations, and their reporter Paul Wood sounding as anti-Trump as you could be.
Contrast this account with the ensuing saccharine-based report from Chicago on Barack Obamas farewell speech. It was as if he had died. The reporter did everything but break down in tears at the departure from office of this allegedly titanic figure.
The contrast in the respective treatments of Trump and Obama could not be more stark. BBC television news editors should look at their own editorial guidelines, for I am pretty sure they breached them on Wednesday.
I come into London most days by train, using the Tonbridge line into Charing Cross. Its run by Southeastern. By and large the service is not bad, with most trains running to time, and with relatively modern rolling stock. Southeastern is run by the same company as runs Southern Rail Govia. How it can run one franchise area fairly efficiently whilst appearing to be completely incompetent in a neighbouring only it can explain.
It may well be the case that the two rail unions concerned, ASLEF and the RMT, are continuing to hold Govia to ransom over the operation of driver-only operated trains, but Southern Rail has been a shambles for some time. Passengers who use the service are at the end of their collective tether.
The Transport Secretary is a man who prides himself on being knowledgeable about the railways (and I can vouch for the fact that he is). As a commuter himself, he will be familiar with the frustrations of passengers who cannot rely on their trains to get themselves to work each day.
I think the time is rapidly approaching and some would say it passed a long time ago for him to intervene and relieve Govia of the Southern Rail franchise. Its management has proved itself to be a complete and utter failure. The only thing stopping him is the fact that he couldnt be seen to be giving into the rail unions. But this situation cannot be allowed to continue for much longer, as local MPs are doubtless telling him.
Over Christmas, we bought a rather large new television. Since then Ive hardly watched any normal TV and instead have been binging on series via Netflix and Amazon Prime. On Wednesday night I finished watching The Crown, a ten episode drama detailing the early years of The Queens reign. Its one of the best things I have seen on TV in years. It must have had a massive budget given the lavish sets. The acting is brilliant, especially by Claire Foy who plays the Queen and Matt Smith who plays the Duke of Edinburgh. Others stars of the show are the actors who play Princess Margaret and Winston Churchill. Its worth a subscription to Netflix on its own.
The other series Id recommend is Designated Survivor, if you like politically themed dramas as much as I do. Kiefer Sutherland is the star: he plays a junior US cabinet minister who is thrust into the presidency after the entire US political establishment is killed in a terrorist attack on Capitol Hill during the Presidents State of the Union address. Rather like an MP is held hostage during the Queens Speech, a member of the US cabinet or Congress has the same experience during the State of the Union, and on this occasion that duty falls to Sutherland. The series then tracks the aftermath and the challenges that Sutherland faces as a rather hapless and inexperienced politician who has greatness thrust on him. Its preposterous in many ways but hugely entertaining.
Finally, if you have Amazon Prime, take a look at The Man In The High Castle. Its a counterfactual drama set in the United States during the early 1960s, with Germany having won World War Two. The USA has been split into three parts, with Germany occupying the eastern and central parts, the Japanese the West Coast and a neutral zone in between. It has a bit of a slow start, but once you get into it, its quite gripping. And if you dont like that theres always The Grand Tour, starring Jeremy Clarkson and his two mates!
If you havent already done so, do download my weekly Brexit Briefing podcast on iTunes. Its posted each Friday morning, and this week features a sparky debate between Nicky Morgan and Paul Nuttall.
That awkward moment when youre a Cabinet Minister meeting an ex-Cabinet Minister for breakfast in a posh Westminster eateryand the waiter decides to sit you at the next table to two of Westminsters biggest gossips.
All Ill tell you is that Andrew Pierce and I werent the cabinet ministers in question. Suffice it to say they insisted on moving to a table over the other side of the restaurant. Was it something we said?
Lewis Baston is author of Reggie: The Life of Reginald Maudling and several books about British general elections. He is a consultant on politics, elections and constituencies.
It is not just a trick of the calendar that early January seems like a time of new beginnings, at least here in northern Europe.
The days are starting to feel longer again, and whatever the weather may throw at us in the next few weeks, there will always be spring and fresh green shoots not far ahead. The duality of looking backwards and forwards, and passing through a gateway, is recognised in the name of the month of Janus.
In politics, the holiday period sometimes provides a reset, in which time spent out of the hothouse of Westminster and with families restores a bit of perspective and what may seem like a vital struggle in December looks like a storm in a teacup in January.
It is not an infallible rule the Westland affair straddled 1985 and 1986, and 2017 so far looks like picking up exactly where the wild ride of 2016 dropped us.
The New Year inspires some people to start new political projects and parties. It may be little noted elsewhere, but today marks the coming of age of the Socialist Labour Party (SLP), founded on 13 January 1996 by National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) President Arthur Scargill.
The immediate cause of Scargills breach with the Labour Party was the partys approval of abandoning the old Clause IV and its commitment to common ownership. It marked a point where a part of the traditional left decided that the Labour Party under Blair was beyond redemption. The patience of others of rather similar views like Jeremy Corbyn, who waited for the wheel to turn again, turned out to be justified, at least from their point of view.
Alastair Campbell did not express any disappointment in his diary about the breakaway: I put out a line to PA [Press Association] that it was a powerful signal how much we had changed. Arthur was locked in the politics of half a century ago. It also dented the Tory line that the stakeholder economy speech signalled a return to union power.
The SLP attracted more support than many such ventures do, with Scargill joined by left wing notables like film director Ken Loach, and more working class and trade union support than is usual for the far left, but no MPs. It has struggled electorally, with its high point being 6.8 per cent in the East Ham constituency in May 1997. It was a long way from Scargills triumphs as the organiser of picketing in the miners strike of 1972 or leading one side of a class conflict in 1984.
The SLP occupies a fairly narrow slice of the ideological spectrum, being opposed to Communist Party and Trotskyite factions and devoted to left symbolism such as mourning comrade Fidel and honouring Soviet, even Stalinist, history. In the referendum, it lined up in favour of leaving the EU.
The history of the SLP is one that has been written and re-written countless times, with different dates, actors and issues but the same basic story. In January 1976 Labour MPs Jim Sillars and John Robertson formed the Scottish Labour Party (another SLP), which had a brief flowering of enthusiasm from Scottish intellectuals but did not put down roots and vanished when its MPs lost their seats in 1979.
Its long-term significance was as an opening from the left to Scottish Nationalism. Sillars went on to join the SNP and won the Glasgow Govan by-election in 1988.
Splinters from Labour were not only to the left. The most important breakaway reached a crucial moment in January 1981 when the Limehouse Declaration was made by the Gang of Four, calling on Labour to return to its social democratic roots after the victories of the left on policy and internal organisation in 1979-81.
Although the SDP itself was not formally founded until March, Limehouse was the moment when it started to exist in peoples minds. Other splinters to the right were less significant National Labour and Mosleys New Party in 1931, the National Democratic and Labour Party (NDLP) during and shortly after the Great War, and even tinier groups like Desmond Donnellys Democratic Party (1969).
On another 13 January, in 1893, there was a new venture of rather greater significance. The Independent Labour Party (ILP) was founded at a conference in Bradford.
Following an outbreak of industrial unrest, local labour parties had been established in a number of West Yorkshire towns and the ILP merged these bodies. It attracted the support of the Independent Labour MP Keir Hardie, but it was primarily a grass-roots initiative to establish a socialist party that would organise and contest elections.
This was distinct from the quest for working class and trade union representation in Parliament, which started with the Lib-Lab MPs elected as Liberals, the occasional Conservative working class candidacy (James Mawdsley in Oldham in 1899), and the Labour Representation Committee of 1900, which became the core of the Labour Party.
The ILP always had a separate organisation and identity from Labour, even after affiliating to the party. After Labour became a party of government in the 1920s there were strains between the pragmatic trade unionism that dominated Labour and the idealism of the ILP; the ILP disaffiliated in 1932 and set out on its own.
It was an electoral force in a few areas, particularly Glasgow, until the death of its charismatic leader James Maxton in 1946, at which point its MPs joined the Parliamentary Labour Party. While it stopped contesting elections, it remains in existence as Independent Labour Publications. The ILP is refreshingly reasonable and non-sectarian among the various left groups, and is more or less in line with the politics of people like Clive Lewis and Owen Jones.
This brief canter through the history of Labour breakaways has not even attempted to cover the history of the far left in all its complexity there are two other entire traditions out there, the Communist Party and the various splinters of the Trotskyite movement.
It would take a book to do it justice, and fortunately Evan Smith of the Hatful of History blog has done this for the period since 1956 in his 2014 book Against the Grain. The interested reader is also advised to seek out a copy of David Boothroyds fascinating and meticulously researched 2001 Guide to the History of British Political Parties.
The left is more culturally disposed to splitting and breakaways than the right, at least in Britain. It is often said, accurately, that the Labour Party is founded more on Methodism than Marx, and the confluence of those two streams explains a lot about why the left splits and why theological analogies are appropriate.
At its core, the Protestant tradition is about individual conscience and the right to read and interpret sacred texts, and to found new churches when a new interpretation is made, or when the old church abuses its authority. In this light, Scargills party was an understandable response to the adoption of heretical doctrines by the Labour Party.
One of the fascinating, unique things about the British Labour Party and its history is the contribution of Catholicism to the culture of a radical party. The Irish Catholic working class electorate was among the first voting blocs to adhere to Labour in the 1900-22 period, and there is something Catholic about the loyalty and love that Labour people have for their party, an institution that they know is flawed and often complain about in private but will vehemently defend against outside criticism.
Even when the main non-conservative party of government was the Liberal Party, it was prone to breakaways. Some of these drifted into the embrace of the Conservatives for instance the Liberal Unionists (1886), Constitutionalists (1924) and the National Liberals (1931 vintage), and others found their way back to the main party like the National Liberals (1917 vintage). Both the Conservative Party and the Labour Party hybridised with Liberal ideas and politicians in the 1920s.
The British centre-right, by contrast, has tended not to suffer from breakaways and splinters. This distinguishes it from the far right, which has a farcical history of splits and personality conflicts between its would-be Fuhrers. Individual defectors from the Conservatives to the centre and left have been absorbed into Liberal, SDP and Labour parties rather than setting up new forces.
Tendencies to the right, which have sometimes looked like nascent new parties, have usually been intended to pressure the Conservative Party in the desired direction rather than supplant it. This was the case with the shadowy Anti-Waste and Empire Free Trade movements in the inter-war years, and to some extent the Referendum Party in 1997.
Although in sociological and doctrinal terms the Church of England has not been the Tory Party at prayer for many years, the imprint of Anglicanism is still there in the culture of the Tories. The Tories and the Church of England tend to broad tolerance of ideology and style, from evangelical to High Church to essentially agnostic, as long as the formalities and pieties are observed.
If the Labour Party is more Methodism than Marx, then the Conservatives are more Anglican than Ayn Rand, and can pat themselves on the back accordingly. Happy New Year.
Since the referendum, we in Britain have tended to talk about the EU as one monolithic negotiating outfit in the forthcoming Brexit talks. The EU wont accept free trade without free movement, the EU has more to lose than us from tariff barriers, and so on.
Its easy to forget that the people we will be dealing with are many and varied and the faces and balance of power among them could change at various points in the process.
At the most fundamental, well see two broad groups: the dogmatists and the pragmatists.
The dogmatists will parade the Unions articles of faith as sacrosanct no compromise on the four freedoms, even though most free trade in the world happens without free movement of people, continued authority for the ECJ over Britains affairs if it strikes any kind of deal, ever closer union as a sacred cow, and so on. This group is dominated by the senior figures in the EU institutions, particularly the Commission, thanks to the nature of their jobs and the fact that they dont have to be accountable to the voters whose businesses and jobs they might ruin by their dogmatism.
They do have some allies beyond the EUs capital, as todays reports of the Maltese government demanding the ECJ retain legal authority into the 2020s demonstrates, though their commitment to the integrationist dream tends to be more patchy and somewhat softer than that of people whose entire lives are dedicated to the cause.
The pragmatists are less well-organised, and often conflicted over the ongoing crisis of a political project in which they, too, believe, but they have different priorities. They might well like the four freedoms, the ECJ and ever closer union, but either from principle or due to the practicalities of seeking election they would be alarmed at the prospect of trade barriers being erected to punish Britains disobedience. They are more likely to reside in the parliaments and governments of member states, and will find it harder to get organised due to not working on the same corridors, unlike the bulk of the dogmatists. Some of them will disappear and be replaced through national elections later this year, too, making any co-ordinated action to defend their self-interest rather more difficult.
At the moment, the build-up to the Brexit negotiation is dominated by dogmatists. We hear pronouncements from Commissioners, or from Guy Verhofstadt, and are prone understandably, though mistakenly to take them as carved in stone representations of what the EU intends toward us. It would be a mistake to copy them down as authoritative and immovable, though. Such people no doubt have a part to play in the process, but they dont pay the EUs bills or give it any of its tattered legitimacy. The people who do the member states do not all feel quite so dreamy about the European ideal or so hard-edged about the need to maintain its purity of essence at any cost. Their voters certainly arent all willing to lay down their livelihoods for Brussels.
It isnt hard to imagine the Brexit talks taking two phases. The first, in which the dogmatists lead in Brussels, aided by having a fixed position and a close, stable working relationship. And the second, in which the pragmatists, slower to start but ultimately more powerful, tap the Commission and others on the shoulder and say Our voters wont let us pay the price of your dogma. A British strategy has to take into account the fact that the people we are talking to do not all have the same goals.
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A shopkeeper on the Lizard has hit out at a "dying community" and warned that residents should get used to closures if they do not support their local businesses.
Jeremy Allerton, 43, said he was not surprised when he heard the local post office could close - and believed his and other businesses could follow if residents did not use them all year round.
He considered taking the service on at The Lizard in order to "give something back" to his village but, facing dwindling custom at The Lizard Stores, decided against it.
(Image: Greg Martin)
Mr Allerton, who believed that community spirit within the village was dying, now plans to move into the tourism industry once his contract with the Premier chain expires in the near future.
The concerned shopkeeper mentioned that The Lizard has seen many changes over the years, with many of his regulars leaving the village or passing away, and struggled to recognise many people who now live on The Square.
He added that he was most concerned by customers who only used his shop to pick up free-ads, flick through newspapers without buying, buy discounted items or pay with coupons.
"In 2008 it was a good little village, but it has changed," he added. "I used to have long queues, now I just get the same people coming in now and then.
"Some people just want a paper at 6am and a pint of milk at 9pm and think I should stay open until then and they get in a huff because of my opening hours and where I place the products."
The shop was closed for two weeks over Christmas and is now shut for business on Sundays. Customers complained to Mr Allerton but he had little sympathy as he felt they did not support him throughout the year.
"Basically the people that are making the most fuss about the shop and causing the problems and giving me grief they are not speaking to me, they are demoralising me," he said.
(Image: Greg Martin)
"They're even saying to my mother and other people in the village that I should sell the shop.
"What they don't realise is that those who would buy the shop, I've got people interested, would not do newspapers and groceries they would be art galleries and fast food outlets."
Mr Allerton has plans to move into the tourism industry soon as he believed it was becoming the only profitable business strategy in the area.
He has already started stocking popular Cornish brand names - including Polgoon wines and Roskilly's ice cream - and has noticed that they were "flying off the shelves" compared to day-to-day groceries.
He said he was left "devastated" every time he saw a supermarket van drive through the village, which he said was several times a day, as he believed he can offer the same items and prices locally.
(Image: Greg Martin)
"I feel completely hurt and demoralised," he said. "I've been snubbed by people. They don't talk to me.
"They hate me so much, but I feel they have no right. My business is subsidising so much I'm actually paying to provide them with their papers.
"They expect me to drive at 100mph with my foot to the floor even though there's no fuel."
"All this time I've tried to give the village a good shop and all I see is supermarket vans going around the village all day long.
"I feel that the post office in the Lizard should be on one of the supermarket vans, as that's where everyone seems to get everything. They've destroyed everything else so they should make the effort."
The Minnesota man suspected in the beating death of a UW-Stout student from Saudi Arabia last October was charged Thursday afternoon.
Cullen M. Osburn, 27, 3423 Washburn Ave. N., Minneapolis, faces charges in Dunn County of felony murder and battery with bodily harm of Hussain Saeed Alnahdi, 24, in downtown Menomonie on Oct. 30.
Dunn County District Attorney Andrea Nodolf reports that Osburn was arrested in Minnesota and will need to be extradited.
In a news release issued Friday afternoon, Menomonie Police Chief Eric Atkinson said that after Dunn County Judge Rod Smeltzer signed the arrest warrant on Thursday, the Hennepin County Violent Offender's Task Force in Minnesota assisted MPD in locating and apprehending Osburn in the St. Paul metro area.
According to the criminal complaint:
Alnahdi, an international student from Saudi Arabia, came to UW-Stout to study English. He was a junior majoring in business administration. He and his roommates were drinking at home when they decided to go out to the local bars around 1 a.m. on Oct. 30.
A witness called 911 at 2:11 a.m. to report that a man involved in a fight in front of Toppers Pizza on Main Street was injured. When Menomonie police and emergency personnel arrived, they found Alnahdi unconscious and bleeding from his nose and mouth.
Initially transported to Mayo Clinic Health System-Red Cedar in Menomonie, Alnahdi was airlifted to Mayo-Eau Claire where he died the following day of a traumatic brain injury.
Osburns sister, Mariah Hughes, told investigators she was inside Toppers waiting for a pizza when she heard something hit the window and left the building, realizing that a fight had occurred. Osburn later told her Alnahdi had grabbed a chain around his neck and he may have pushed Alnahdi backwards.
Mariah Hughes said she was at the scene with Joshua Sims, William Hall and her brother, Deonte Hughes, who stated that he saw Osburn being grabbed by two men, and all three men went outside to see what was going on.
In Halls account of what took place, he said that from what he was told by Deonte Hughes, Osburn did not push Alnahdi, but rather two pieced him punching Alnahdi twice in the face in rapid succession. After pulling him off Alnahdi, Deonte Hughes said he saw Osburn heading west.
Evan Walters, a friend of Alnahdis, tells a different story of what he witnessed after saw Alnahdi smoking a cigarette outside Toppers and stopped to talk to him.
Both men were approached by a man who began to argue with Alnahdi in an aggressive and confrontational tone. Walters wasnt sure what precipitated the argument, but said Alnahdi began yelling back. When Walters tried to separate the men, the man pushed him away.
Although Walters said he did not see Alnahdi get punched by the man, he did see his friend fall to the ground. Lying flat on his back, Walters said Alnahdis eyes were open, but he was not responsive and blood began to come from his mouth and nose.
With Halls assistance, Walters sat Alnahdi up when he began to make a coughing sound and appeared to be having difficulty breathing.
Earlier, Nina Simonette told investigators she remembered walking past Toppers and passed between Alnahdi and another man. Hearing a disturbance, she turned around and heard the man asked Alnahdi what he had just said. She saw Alnahdi put his hands in the air as if to indicate he didnt want a problem.
Simonette said both men began yelling at each other and she saw the man strike Alnahdi. She thought the man tried to hit the Saudi native a second time, and Alnahdi hit his head on the side of the building when he fell.
Phone call
On Nov. 2, an MPD investigator received a call from Osburn who stated he was very scared and wished to fully cooperate with law enforcement. Osburn adamantly declared the altercation was not the result of anybodys race, but did not want to say anything else without an attorney.
On Nov. 3, Osburn phoned the investigator again to tell him he would call the following day to schedule an interview. When police tried to call Osburn on Nov. 4, the phone number was disconnected and attempts to locate him proved futile.
A couple of weeks later, police heard from an unnamed 17-year-old witness who said he and his friends went to Kwik Trip on South Broadway in the early morning hours of Oct. 30 after a fraternity party. The teen said a man approached his vehicle and said he had just punched somebody who was bleeding out.
The man then said he needed a ride to campus. The teen said he had no idea where campus was and that he needed to get home.
The man stated hed just have to [expletive] punch me, too, the witness said.
Surveillance video from Kwik Trip showed at 2:16 a.m., a white man that matched the teens description, including wearing a red bandanna around his neck, walking in the stores front doors. A receipt showed Osburn used his debit or credit card to purchase a pack of cigarettes.
Osburn is currently incarcerated at the Hennepin County Jail awaiting extradition next to Dunn County.
When we booked our tickets for our trip to Australia we thought, its kinda crazy to go that far and not see New Zealand! So we tacked on a couple weeks and got some help from our friends at World Odyssey who pointed us in the direction of the best places to stay, things to see and do. The first stop, Queenstown on the south island of New Zealand. If youre unfamiliar with New Zealand, heres a tidbit I didnt realize before planning our adventure, the islands are totally different in terms of scenery and climate. The south island has glaciers, lots of impressive mountains, snow, crazy beautiful waterfalls and lots and lots of green. The north island is warmer with idyllic beaches, crystal clear blue water, cave jumping and surfing. Choosing just one was impossible, so we did a sprinkling of both.
From everything we read, splurging on a helicopter ride was worth every penny. Heres why, its a landscape unlike any other and seeing it from the air was easily an experience of a lifetime. Plus there really isnt an easy way to get to places like Milford Sound or walk on a glacier 6,500 feet high other than a helicopter. So the first thing we did when we arrived in Queenstown was book a tripwe used Over The Top and loved the staff and experience. This was actually Elins first experience in snow. I realized it as I was taking pictures of her walking around. She called it noooooo and thought it was crunchy. Too, stinking cute. The famous Milford sound thats really an amazing sight to see. Those little dots there are kayaks! Our helicopter pilot landed on the beach right by Milford sound so we could play around on the beach a bit. We collected rocks to bring home as a souvenir. Back in Queenstown we took a tour of a working sheep farm that we got to by boat which was fun. They give you a full demonstration of our they shear the sheep and served a high tea. The farm also had a ton of animals and we got to feed some baby sheep by bottle. I was ready to take one home they were so sweet. The Farm we went to was called Walter PeakI highly recommend for the kiddos. Our ride, the TSS Earnslaw steamship dating back to 1912. My favorite part was this sweet old lady playing a grand piano inside. Shed hand out music sheets so you could sing along to some classics. Strangers became friends, it was one of those perfect unexpected moments. Shop the clothes were wearing here:
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Abortion is now legal in Kentucky. Kentucky's new abortion bill requires women to undergo an ultrasound and listen to the fetal heartbeat first before undergoing this process.
Despite the approval of the Kentucky's New Ultrasound Abortion Law, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is attempting to stop its implementation.
ACLU filed its lawsuit against the newly passed law on Monday, Jan. 9 because it "violates longstanding constitutional principles," which includes the right to privacy. The union also added the bill's requirements force physicians to submit a "government-mandated, ideological message." The lawsuit was filed on behalf of EMW Women's Surgical Center in Louisville, state's sole abortion provider.
Along with this bill is a 20-week abortion ban that requires physicians to show and describe the ultrasound to women before they get an abortion, according to Motto.The two papers have been signed into a law by Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin.
Despite the filed federal suit, it seems Bevin is not worried, "We anticipated as much. That's what they do. It's what liberals always do when they don't like something, they sue," he told WHAS-AM.
The bill has been passed because of 83-12 vote and it came during the third day of the state's 2017 General Assembly session. The Kentucky's new Republican House majority took its first step on January 5.
According to the sponsors, the bill protects the health of the women and provides the important materials in order to help them make an informed choice, Reuters reports. The abortion rights advocates for legal access for abortion and they contend such laws are created to scare and shame women seeking an abortion.
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January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and early detection is very important in curbing the potentially-fatal disease. For decades, Pap smears have been used to screen women but now, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) committee has voted to replace it with a new DNA test designed to detect human papilloma virus (HPV), one of the culprits in the development of cervical cancer.
The new test, cobas viral DNA test, detects the presence of HPV 16 and 18, the two strains that are responsible for most of the cervical cancer cases. Manufactured by Roche Molecular Systems, the test is now recommended by the FDA as a co-test with Pap smear, according to a new study.
Currently, both tests are recommended for all women ages 30 and 65 years old every three years, or Pap smear testing alone every three years. However, for women 21 to 30 years old, they are advised to undergo Pap testing every three years, Fox News reports.
HPV And Cervical Cancer Link
"The human papilloma virus (HPV) causes almost all cases of cervical cancer, which is a common sexually transmitted infection," Dr. Bingham-Alexander, an OB/GYN at NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital in Cortlandt Manor, explained as reported by Lohud, part of USA Today.
"There are two types of HPV: low-risk type HPV (non-cancer associated type) and high-risk type HPV (cancer-associated type)," he added.
Aside from cervical cancer, HPV has been linked to other cancers such as vulva, vaginal and anal cancers. Low-risk cases, however, often manifest as benign genital warts. Genital HPV infection is very common and can persist for years, but very few women infected with the virus develop cervical cancer.
Preventing Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer cases plummeted over the past several years thanks to early detection and prevention of the disease. Since annual Pap smear tests were introduced in the 1950s, the cases of cervical cancer, which was once the number one cancer in women, has dramatically decreased.
However, despite the decline in reported cases, preventing and curbing the disease are still important today.
"Today, we know cervical cancer can be prevented with proper screening to find pre-cancers before they develop into invasive cancer," Dr. Bill Cook, an OB/GYN physician, said as reported by the Corsicana Daily Sun.
"If a pre-cancer is found, it can be treated, stopping cervical cancer before it really starts," he added.
HPV vaccines have been deemed helpful in preventing cervical cancer too. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), young women and men should receive HPV vaccination at 11 or 12 years age to provide the best protection long before the start of any sexual activity.
Boosters or catch-up vaccines are recommended for males through age 21 and for females through 26 years of age. In women, the vaccine may help protect against two HPB types that cause about 70 percent of cervical cancer cases.
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For decades, doctors and parents alike would always tell kids to eat carrots to have a better eyesight. This mentality about carrots started to the World War and has been taken into the modern times. This famous food myth can now be debunked as scientists say that it does not really make you read better or see well.
The History
During the war times, the British Air Force has gunned down a German aircraft, allegedly through eating carrots. The U.K. Ministry of food rolled out a propaganda campaign detailing the pilots' superb carrot-enriched night vision.
As a result, the civilians ate more carrots to help them function even during blackouts. Now, the belief has been taken into the modern times, as many people still believe that eating more carrots would mean having a better eyesight, the Scientific American reports.
However, it turned out to be a mere propaganda as the Air Force was utilizing radar to locate German bombers.
Why Do People Still Need To Eat Carrots?
Despite the famous food myth has been debunked, carrots do have a hefty dose of nutritious elements that can help the body in many ways.
According to Insight Vision Center, eating carrots do help in maintaining healthy eyes due to the presence of vitamin A and lutein. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, a carotenoid pigment which is an essential precursor for vitamin A. The lack of this vitamin in the body increases the risk of getting cataracts, xerophthalmia, and macular degeneration. In severe cases, it might lead to blindness.
Moreover, lutein is an essential antioxidant found in carrots. This increases the pigment density in the macula which can protect the retina, reducing the risk of macular degeneration.
Though vitamin A can't correct the vision people are born with and of course, can't give ultra-night vision, it can actually maintain vision and prevent diseases of the eyes.
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The Honest Company, co-founded by actress Jessica Alba, is recalling its organic baby powder over skin and eye infections.
The California-based company said that recent tests on the product show that possible contaminations from microorganisms that could cause infections were found.
"With the full knowledge and under the guidance of the FDA, we've decided to voluntarily recall this product out of an abundance of caution," Christopher Gavigan, co-founder, said in a video posted on the company's website.
The product is distributed in the United States in 4-ounce containers with UPC #817810014529, Fox 29 reports. The company said the voluntary recall is out of an abundance of caution. Moreover, no other products of the company are affected by the recall.
One customer asked the company for help after his daughter experienced rashes on her face and eye after using the product.
"I don't care about the refund, how serious is the infection? My daughter now have serious rashes on her face and eye," Kenny said in a comment on theThe Honest Company, co-founded by actress Jessica Alba, is recalling its organic baby powder over skin and eye infections.
The California-based company said that recent tests on the product show that possible contaminations from microorganisms that could cause infections were found.
"With the full knowledge and under the guidance of the FDA, we've decided to voluntarily recall this product out of an abundance of caution," Christopher Gavigan, co-founder, said in a video posted on the company's website.
The product is distributed in the United States in 4-ounce containers with UPC #817810014529, Fox 29 reports. The company said the voluntary recall is out of an abundance of caution. Moreover, no other products of the company are affected by the recall.
One customer asked the company for help after his daughter experienced rashes on her face and eye after using the product.
"I don't care about the refund, how serious is the infection? My daughter now has serious rashes on her face and eye," Kenny said in a comment on the video posted.
Another customer posted that her son also experienced rashes.
"I've been using this powder on my son for the last two months. He is now 3m old and has an unexplained, undiagnosed rash. Hoping this contaminated powder is not the cause. Does Honest have any suggestions on how I proceed in ruling this out?" Candice Horvath said.
Not The First Time
The Honest Company was founded to provide organic products for the family. It has built itself as a toxin-free, eco-friendly lifestyle products company. However, the company experienced a string of difficulties last year.
In 2015, consumers took to social media to complain about the company's SPF 30 sunscreen. In fact, an investigation has been done to question the ingredients of the company's detergent. Its Premium Infant Formula has been challenged by a lawsuit because it was falsely mislabelled as organic since it contains 11 synthetic ingredients, Fox News reports. video posted.
Another customer posted that her son also experienced rashes.
"I've been using this powder on my son for the last two months. He is now 3m old and has an unexplained, undiagnosed rash. Hoping this contaminated powder is not the cause. Does Honest have any suggestions on how I proceed in ruling this out?" Candice Horvath said.
Not The First Time
The Honest Company was founded to provide organic products for the family. It has built itself as a toxin-free, eco-friendly lifestyle products company. However, the company experienced a string of difficulties last year.
In 2015, consumers took to social media to complain about the company's SPF 30 sunscreen. In fact, an investigation has been done to question the ingredients of the company's detergent. Its Premium Infant Formula has been challenged by a lawsuit because it was falsely mislabelled as organic since it contains 11 synthetic ingredients, Fox News reports.
See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare
U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy introduced legislation Tuesday that would return authority to states for determining the protected status of gray wolves.
The Wausau Republicans plan would let states manage Western Great Lakes and Wyoming gray wolf populations within their boundaries after two U.S. District Court rulings in 2014 put the animals under the protection of the federal Endangered Species Act.
Duffy represents the Seventh Congressional District, which covers the northern two-thirds of Chippewa County.
In Wisconsin, we cherish our wildlife and work diligently to conserve our natural resources, but the Endangered Species Act has allowed courts to misuse judicial oversight to stop science-based wildlife management from moving forward to delist the gray wolf, Duffy said in a statement.
Two state lawmakers from Northern Wisconsin expressed support Tuesday.
A joint statement from state Sen. Tom Tiffany, R-Hazelhurst, and state Rep. Adam Jarchow, R-Balsam Lake, said, The overpopulation of gray wolves on Wisconsins landscape is harming farmers, hunters and residents of rural Wisconsin.
Last August, the state Department of Natural Resources said a record number of hunting dogs had already been killed by wolves for the year. As of the close of Wisconsins bear season in October, at least 40 hunting dogs were confirmed killed by wolves, far exceeding the previous record of 23.
Opponents have argued removing the species from the federal list benefits a handful of people who want to hunt the animal and say a strong wolf population helps the states ecosystem as a whole.
Gov. Scott Walker has asked President-elect Donald Trump to help on several issues after he is inaugurated, including the legalization of gray wolf hunting in Wisconsin.
It pays to wear a seat belt.
Two drivers on Highway 124 found that out Thursday afternoon.
The Lake Hallie Police Department and Chippewa Fire District responded to a traffic accident and downed stop light Thursday afternoon at northbound Highway 124s intersection with 40th Avenue in the village.
Police Chief Cal Smokowicz and officers Adam Meyers and Travis Hakes responded to the scene.
The official report has not been released, but Hakes said a pickup truck traveling northbound on Highway 124 toward Chippewa Falls collided with another vehicle making a left turn from southbound 124 onto 40th Avenue.
It was not clear how fast the vehicles were traveling.
It was clear how fortunate the drivers were. The vehicles knocked down one of the traffic lights on the northbound side of the highway, but hit no other oncoming traffic and both drivers walked away without injury.
It just goes to show utilizing safety equipment is important, Hakes said. Everyone wearing seatbelts and the air bag deployment that occurred in both vehicles directly resulted in their safety.
The utility pole, unfortunately, wasnt so lucky.
Generally, the drivers insurance company will cover repairs for damages, Hakes said. Because the pole was owned by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, they will send an electrician out to rewire and reset it fairly quickly.
Hakes said damages to utility poles happen more frequently than youd think. He estimated they get calls for damages like that roughly once a month in the village.
WASHINGTON Will Donald Trump deprive President Obama of what we have come to think of as a normal post-presidency, the relatively serene life of reflection, writing, philanthropy and high-minded speeches to friendly audiences?
In recent decades, we have become accustomed to the idea of ex-presidents who leave political combat behind. They might occasionally speak out on behalf of their party: Bill Clinton was an effective explainer in chief for Obama at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. But with some exceptions (Jimmy Carter on the Middle East comes to mind), they usually avoided trying to influence policy. In their above-the-fray roles, former commanders in chief sometimes improved their standing in the polls. George W. Bush is a prominent example of the less controversy/more affection dynamic.
But former presidents have not always pulled back from politics. John Quincy Adams had the most unusual post-White House career. Two years after leaving the presidency, he embarked on a nearly 17-year stint in the House of Representatives where he was one of the countrys most eloquent agitators against slavery and for Indian rights.
Martin Van Buren and Theodore Roosevelt both left the White House only to seek the presidency again on third-party tickets Van Buren in 1848, TR in 1912.
Its already clear that Obama, leaving office at a young 55, intends to pursue something more than the quiet life. He will lay down some preliminary markers on policy next week in a Farewell Address. He has signaled that he wants to energize a new generation of Democrats and help rebuild a party that he will leave in less than optimal shape. Democrats control neither the House nor the Senate and have seen their share of governorships and state legislative seats decimated.
He is already lined up to work with Eric Holder, his former attorney general, to help Democrats in gubernatorial and legislative races. Their goal is to fight Republican gerrymanders by influencing the drawing of congressional district boundaries after the 2020 census.
And it would be good to see Obama visit Appalachia and the old factory towns and cities where Trump did well to connect with white working-class voters who have soured on progressive politics.
But Obama could be pushed toward a larger role if Trump proves to be as profound a threat as his opponents fear. It may fall to the president of hope and change to become the national spokesman for opposition and even resistance on civil liberties, civil rights, press freedom, the rights of immigrants and religious minorities, and the United States standing in the world.
A largely offstage but lively debate is already unfolding over Obamas coming role. In one view, Obama should recede and allow new voices in his party to take the lead. The Democrats path back to power, this argument goes, will best be blazed by a younger generation that can declare its independence from the politics of the past exactly what Obama himself did in 2008.
A related argument sees Obama as inciting a negative reaction if he becomes too vocal, too quickly. Even if the apolitical post-presidency has rather shallow historical roots, it has become something of a norm that Obama ought to be careful about challenging.
But these qualms might be most useful as a guide to how and when Obama should engage. In the unlikely event that Trump governs in a more moderate way, Obamas activism might not be necessary. And even if Obamas voice is needed to rally dissent, it would be a mistake for him to jump into the debate too quickly. His witness should be seen as an emergency measure, the actions of a leader who could not sit by while his country was in peril.
Obama can take risks in confronting Trump that more conventional politicians, with their futures ahead of them, might not. He has the capacity to seize the countrys attention on the issues that matter. Here, the accustomed behavior of ex-presidents could work in Obamas favor. His fellow citizens would see him as speaking out reluctantly and despite his desire to move on to a new phase in his life.
He would have to calibrate his interventions. He doesnt want to become a daily commentator on all things political. But his popularity as he departs and the record he leaves behind on job creation and growth give him added credibility with a broad swath of Americans.
My hunch is that Obama would prefer to hang back from politics. My expectation is that Trump will not give him that option.
Applications & OS News
Microsoft Aims To Make Cortana Platform Smarter With Acquisition Of AI Startup Maluuba
Lindsey O'Donnell
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Microsoft is scoping out machine learning technologies that could make its Cortana personal system stand out, announcing on Friday it will acquire artificial intelligence (AI) startup Maluuba.
The acquisition of Montreal-based Maluuba will help Microsoft further focus on natural language deep learning, especially question answering and decision making, said Harry Shum, executive vice president for Microsoft's Artificial Intelligence and Research Group, in a blog post.
"Maluubas expertise in deep learning and reinforcement learning for question-answering and decision-making systems will help us advance our strategy to democratize AI and to make it accessible and valuable to everyone consumers, businesses and developers," he said.
[Related: Channel Beat: Microsoft Reorganization Is Boon For Partners]
Microsoft did not disclose the terms and conditions of the acquisition, including the price. As part of the acquisition, Microsoft will also bring Montreal Institute for Learning Algorithms head Yoshua Bengio on board as an advisor. Bengio was previously an advisor to Maluuba.
Maluuba, founded in 2011, has raised $11 million in equity funding, according to Crunchbase. The company focuses on improving computer systems' reading comprehension, memory and common sense reasoning abilities.
Microsoft has invested in artificial intelligence through its Cortana Intelligence Suite, which is a personal assistant for Windows 10. In September, Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft also formed the Artificial Intelligence and Research organization, which the company said would double down on its AI product efforts through research.
Michael Goldstein, president and CEO of LAN Infotech, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Microsoft partner, said that focusing on artificial intelligence is a smart move for Microsoft especially given the widespread adoption of Amazon's personal assistant, Alexa.
"Microsoft wants Cortana to be like Amazon Alexa," he said. "At CES, we saw that Amazon was everywhere everyone was looking to license its Alexa technology. With Microsoft's purchase, they can start to look at bringing Cortana to that level and license it in a similar way."
Virtual smart home assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Home have been gaining traction over the past year and will continue to do so. An October report by Gartner predicted that spending on virtual personal assistant-enabled wireless speakers would reach $2.1 billion by 2020. Beyond the consumer market, Goldstein said, Microsoft can also pave the way for other high-end artificial intelligence applications, including in the medical field.
"It would make sense for Microsoft to tie deep learning systems into their technology, like Cortana or HoloLens," he said. "Artificial intelligence has both a consumer play - but also a high-end play."
Tortured Human Rights Lawyer Believes He May Die Contact: ChinaAid Media Team, 432-553-1080 cell, 888-889-7757, 432-689-6985, media@chinaaid.org
TIANJIN, China, Jan. 13, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- Traumatized by more than a year of torture, a prominent Christian human rights lawyer in China's Tianjin municipality fears he might die of medical conditions.
Li Chunfu (pictured), a rights attorney, was released on bail yesterday, emaciated and aged. When his spouse noticed he was fearful of entering his own apartment, she wept.
Since his release, Li revealed to his wife that he was subjected to medical examinations almost daily while being held in an unofficial "black jail." The authorities diagnosed him with high blood pressure, even though he has never suffered from it before, and fed him unknown medications. Li also claimed that his heart is damaged and believes he does not have long to live.
Li was likely tortured while imprisoned, prompting his fear. His family is calling for immediate professional help.
Li disappeared into police custody on Aug. 1, 2015, shortly after his brother, Li Heping, was apprehended during a nationwide crackdown on human rights defenders. On Dec. 6, Wang Qiaoling, Li Heping's wife, learned that her husband had been charged with "subversion of state power" and was to be prosecuted.
During his incarceration, Li Chunfu was held incommunicado.
"The Chinese regime's Nazi-style brutality enacted against innocent peaceful rights defense lawyers such as Li Chunfu should be condemned by everyone with a conscience," said China Aid's president and founder, Bob Fu. "This is a barbaric act against humanity that is in absolute violation of international standards that prevent arbitrary detention and torture and are meant to protect human rights defenders."
In 2012, Li Chunfu was part of a delegation that traveled to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Texas to meet with Members of Congress, State Department officials, the Congressional Executive Commission on China, and personnel from the Human Rights Watch, the Center for East Asian Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, and Baylor Law School.
China Aid reports abuses, such as those experienced by the Li family, in order to obtain international aid for persecuted Christians and promote religious freedom, human rights, and rule of law.
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Channel programs News
CRN Exclusive: Global Knowledge Hires Channel Chief, Launches Massive Partner Offensive
Michael Novinson
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Business training and certification provider Global Knowledge plans to triple its channel revenue within the next three years by engaging more deeply with large, multinational resellers.
The Cary, N.C. company has hired former Hewlett Packard Enterprise executive Aaron Mills as its vice president of channel sales to lead the indirect revenue charge. Mills told CRN exclusively that, in addition to growing channel revenues, he also wants to make the channel responsible for a larger percentage of the company's overall sales. The channel accounts for 15 percent of Global Knowledge's revenue today and Mills wants the channel to make up 45 percent of the company's sales within two or three years' time.
"The channel has historically been a very modest part of the strategy and resource commitment and the investments the company has made," Mills said. "I wanted to do something that was progressive and forward-looking in terms of the ways the industry was changing."
[RELATED: Top 15 Moneymaking Certifications For 2016]
But Mills plans to change that with a new training credits program and strong deal protection and registration provisions, which he hopes will appeal to larger solution providers that work with Fortune 1000-type companies. Although Global Knowledge is the largest player in the IT training market, Mills said the company commands just single-digit market share in the $10 billion sector.
"It's an incredibly fragmented market," Mills said. "The vendors and OEMS are increasingly dependent on the channel to go and provide the support for companies moving forward."
Most of Global Knowledge's business today is conducted between the company's direct sales force and Fortune 500 companies or federal government agencies, Mills said. Global Knowledge hopes to capture more new business, and upper mid-market enterprises since the company's large, group instruction environment and digital delivery models also work well for sub-Fortune 500 firms.
All told, Mills said Global Knowledge hopes to grow its community of channel partners from 178 today to more than 250 in the future. Prior to joining Global Knowledge, Mills spent more than 14 years in HPE's sales organization, culminating in a role leading servers, storage, networking and services sales in the United States, Canada and Latin America.
The world of IT training appealed to Mills due to the confluence of organizations reducing their commitment to in-house IT training and rapid changes in the cloud, security, and software-defined data center spaces. Mills said his mission is to make Global Knowledge the most visible, channel-friendly organization in the IT training ecosystem.
"I think that knowledge development and skillset enhancement is going to be an empowering and enabling part of the enterprise," Mills said.
In the long-term, Mills said that means Global Knowledge needs to mirror the route to market of its large OEM partners such as Cisco, Dell EMC, Hewlett Packard, Lenovo and Microsoft. Mills said that will help avoid situations where, for instance, an end user buys a Microsoft solution from a channel partner, but then purchases training related to that solution directly from Global Knowledge.
Global Knowledge will not be putting a hard deck in place, Mills said, meaning that channel partners can compete for even the very largest of accounts. Global Knowledge's direct sales force has an internal teaming agreement in place with the company's channel, Mills said, meaning that the company's direct sales reps get half the commission and full quota credit on each deal carried out by channel partners.
The company's new Global Training Credits (GTC) program, however, will only be available through the channel and will provide Global Knowledge's direct sales reps with full quota credits and commission on deals completed by channel partners.
Under the GTC program, Mills said end users can pay upfront for a large batch of training credits and consume them over time in a variety of different technology and category areas. The program is intended to make it easier for end users to consume large quantities of Global Knowledge material since they don't have to decide on a specific course and time before making a purchase.
Meanwhile, Mills said implementing deal registration should help protect resellers by avoiding a wide-open environment that would hinder their ability to upsell or craft their own margin experience.
Although Global Knowledge competes against other IT training providers such as Learning Tree, Fast Lane, Skyline and New Horizons, Mills said Global Knowledge is able to differentiate itself through a much larger course catalog that goes deeper with a broader selection of vendors. Additionally, Mills said Global Knowledge trainings can be consumed anywhere in the world, not just in the United States.
"Global Knowledge, far and away, has the most breadth and heterogeneous mixes of courses anywhere," Mills said.
World Wide Technology (WWT) has its own training catalog, but requires a minimum number of students and can only deliver the curriculum in person, said Stefanie Coburn, WWT's senior manager of field marketing and learning.
The Maryland Heights, Mo.-based company, No. 12 on the CRN Solution Provider 500, uses Global Knowledge when an end user is training just one or two of their employees or when the customer prefers the lower cost associated with remote, virtual training, Coburn said.
Presidio, meanwhile, uses Global Knowledge's Cisco, EMC and VMware curriculum to train its own salesforce and resells the courses to end users, according to Randy Olsson, Presidio's vice president of the strategic technology group, networking and security. The New York-based company, No. 22 on the CRN SP 500, doesn't offer certification-type training from its internal staff, Olsson said.
Insight Enterprises believes that Global Knowledge's new GTC program will give customers more flexibility to consume courses over time, according to David Mayer, vice president of product management and software.
The previous selling model requires end users to bid out a small portion of the overall budget for individual training courses, Mayer said, which often aligned poorly with how clients prefer to budget. Mayer said the GTC model will also enable Tempe, Ariz.-based Insight, No. 15 on the CRN SP 500, to move away from a project-based approach and engage with clients in more long-term strategic thinking.
"They're making the right investment," Mayer said. "We're bullish on where they're at and where they're going."
Cloud News
Channel M&A Kingpin Martinwolf Celebrates 20th Anniversary: After $5 Billion and 150 Deals, Market For IT Services Businesses Is Hotter Than Ever
Steven Burke
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Even after building a channel M&A business that has brought 150 deals worth $5 billion to fruition, Marty Wolf still refers to himself as an "IT industry guy."
It's not a moniker Wolf takes lightly given that it is his and his team's knowledge of the nuts and bolts of the IT services business that has made Martinwolf M&A Advisors one of the pre-eminent deal-makers in the channel.
Wolf, in fact, spent 12 years as a solution provider and distribution executive before he decided to take on the Ivy League world of New York investment bankers with little more than a Compaq laptop and a $350 mini-fridge filled with sodas.
[Related: 15 M&A Deals Reshaping The Channel: December 2016]
"I never worked for an investment bank," said Wolf, who later Friday along with 12 associates will celebrate the official 20th anniversary of the company he started at the Stadium Pub, a short walk from his office. "Our differentiator is we really understand the business, how these companies operate and make money. We can explain it and articulate it clearly and we know who it makes sense to go to and not go to. We don't need to run a spreadsheet for that. That is our advantage. Much of what happens in M&A is not finance. It is an understanding of how these things come together. We take great pride in the fact that when we work with buyers they get the results they want, and when we work with sellers we hit the bid."
Getting the "results" both buyers and sellers are looking for has led to deals in 20 countries with the biggest and best in the technology business including Microsoft, CSC, Bain Capital and Silver Lake. It has also resulted in Martinwolf selling the technology services divisions of seven Fortune 500 companies including General Electric's training division, Staples' managed services business, Johnson Controls' network infrastructure business and Insight's wholesale division. Among the companies that have done multiple transactions with Martinwolf: Rolta, Insight and Softchoice.
"It's unbelievable, when I started this business I never thought we would have people march into our office from all over the world," said Wolf, who as founder and president of the firm that carries his name is up before dawn working the phones and frequently travels overseas twice to India in the last month -- to get deals done. "We punch above our weight class. We are closing a deal now with one of the top private equity groups. You can't make this stuff up."
Wolf's inspiration in starting the business came, in part, from an encounter with a New York investment banker who was selling the $1 billion Merisel distribution business that he had headed up. That young investment banker associate's first question to Wolf: "What is a SKU?"
"We were a distributor and he didn't know what a SKU was," said an incredulous Wolf, who prides himself on hiring executives with industry expertise rather than those with investment banking experience. "I thought, this is the wrong guy to sell the business."
Wolf, who has a business degree from his beloved University of Michigan, credits two channel industry legends he worked with for giving him an MBA of sorts in the rough-and-tumble, fast-paced technology business: former Computerland CEO Bill Tauscher and former Computerland President and Compucom CEO Ed Anderson.
"I learned from the best," said Wolf. "I watched and listened and got an MBA and a Ph.D. in this business. I didn't even know what working capital was until Tauscher taught me that. He is a financial guru and sales impresario."
As for Anderson, Wolf says he is nothing short of a technology genius. "Nobody understood the technology better than Ed," said Wolf. In fact, Wolf recalls touring an HP printer factory with Anderson and then-CEO Lewis Platt with Anderson knowing more about "unannounced products" and the future road map than some HP executives themselves.
Wolf says it a passion for working with what he calls the "smartest, hardest-working and thoughtful business leaders" on the planet that has been the spark that has kept him putting in endless hours -- long days and nights -- into deals that can sometimes takes years to complete.
"What I love most is working with really smart people that you learn a lot from," said Wolf. "The owners and CEOs running these IT services businesses are the best businesspeople in the world period. I'd match them up against the leader of a similar-size business in any other industry consumer and packaged goods, retail, financial services. They have to have more skills. It's a tougher business. And one of the reasons why is the vendors are so unpredictable. There is a not a complete overlap between what the vendors want and the customers want. You have to make it work."
Most solution providers earn less than 10 percent EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amoritization) a far cry from many industries that earn 25 percent after taxes. "There are channel companies that spend almost 100 percent of their gross margin on SG&A and then you have companies that spend 50 percent," he said.
Among the CEOs Wolf considers the best and brightest that he has worked with over the years: CDW CEO Tom Richards, Insight Chairman Tim Crown, former Saber Corp. CEO Nitin Khanna, and Strategic Products and Services founder John Poole. "These are business visionaries," said Wolf. "These are executives that could have gone to work for General Electric and taught them something."
Wolf says one of his greatest career highlights was doing a deal to sell the $200 million distribution business for two companies that he previously worked for that had combined Computerland and Inacom. That deal saved the jobs of hundreds of employees who would have been put out of work as a result of the eventual bankruptcy of Computerland-Inacom. "The people we saved were very happy," he said.
Among the employees who have worked side by side with Wolf the longest are 18-year veterans Linda Youk Wolf's indefatigable executive assistant the front line of sorts for the company. ("People are predisposed to like me after they talk to Linda," said Wolf. "She's my right arm.") and Managing Director Anthony Lembo, the former Dataflex president ("He knows more about finance than anyone I know," Wolf said.)
Among the credos that have served Wolf well over the years: Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh's "Who's got it better than us?" rallying cry and the Galaxy Quest motto of "Never Give Up! Never Surrender!"
"I believe and live that Galaxy Quest motto and so do the executives in the channel," said Wolf. The perfect example, said Wolf, is PCM founder and CEO Frank Khulusi, who started the company as PC Mall and has reinvented the business multiple times in the wake of vendor channel and technology shifts.
"Frank Khulusi is like the energizer bunny," said Wolf. "He keeps on coming back for more. The value of his business is up 300 percent this year. That is why I love this business."
Some Martinwolf statistics: The average deal takes about five months from start to finish; the shortest deal done was 87 days; the longest deal to complete was 18 months, although the company has helped reposition one company in a deal that took four years; the first deal done by the company was the sale of a Lafayette, Ind., solution provider for $2.5 million paid out over three years; and one of the most impressive deals that was eventually flipped: the purchase of a minority investment by Bain of VXI Global ,which had a $460 million valuation and then sold last year to Carlyle Group for $1.7 billion.
The valuation numbers have changed considerably since Wolf started the business 20 years ago. Product-oriented solution providers in those early days were valued at 60 percent to 80 percent of sales. Now those same product-oriented solution providers are valued at 15 percent to 25 percent of revenue.
"When I started in the business, solution providers made over 25 percent on product and the business was growing at 25 [percent to] 35 percent per year," said Wolf. "Today, product margins are less than 15 percent and the PC market has been flat for five years. That is why the product-oriented businesses are worth less. They generate less profit and there is less growth and the future stream of earnings is less."
That said, the valuations of cloud services companies fueled by recurring services revenue have skyrocketed, said Wolf. It is that rise in the valuations of the cloud services companies that has Wolf optimistic about an increasing number of M&A deals in the years ahead.
"Cloud is much more disruptive than people really want to talk about," he said. "It upsets the ecosystem in terms of capitalization and so forth. The future of the business is in transformation. We have been arguing for some time that the core competency of solution providers is as customer aggregators. They collect and service customers. You need to be vertical, which means you provide real solutions the more proprietary the better -- or horizontal. However, if you are too horizontal you either need to be consolidated or be a consolidator. If you are not doing one or the other you are in the bankruptcy gap -- the chasm that you don't want to be in. We expect to see a lot more M&A. There are very few options for companies to go public. We are looking forward to many big deals ahead."
Mobility News
Lawsuit Seeking To Change Apple's iPhone App Policies Could Alter Risk Picture For Enterprises
Kyle Alspach
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The revival of an antitrust lawsuit against Apple over the company's policy of requiring iPhone apps to be sold through its App Store will be watched closely by enterprise mobility professionals.
The lawsuit by a group of consumers argued that Apple has created a monopoly with its App Store policy, which prohibits developers from selling iPhone apps on their own.
Initially filed in 2011, the lawsuit was dismissed in 2013 but has now been revived by a federal appeals court in San Francisco. The lawsuit is seeking class-action status, and a lawyer for the plaintiffs told Bloomberg that the suit could ultimately seek hundreds of millions of dollars in damages from Apple, Cupertino, Calif.
At Troy Mobility, an enterprise mobility solution provider based in Peabody, Mass., Chief Customer Officer Paul Troisi said the structure of Apple's App Store has "made it significantly easier for enterprises to work with their applications."
Apple has "a proven process" for approving iPhone apps and "in general, Apple has done a really good job of making sure that the apps that are going out there are clean and have been certified to prevent any types of malicious takeovers or malware," he told CRN.
"As far as I'm concerned, with all of the vulnerabilities out there, having a closed ecosystem bodes well for enterprises," Troisi said. "The only people complaining about having a monopolistic approach to applications are the consumers."
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to a recent court filing in the case, "Apple argues that it does not sell apps but rather sells 'software distribution services to developers.' In Apple's view, because it sells distribution services to app developers, it cannot simultaneously be a distributor of apps to app purchasers."
Apple "analogizes its role to the role of an owner of a shopping mall that 'leases physical space to various stores,'" the appeals court wrote in the filing. "Apples analogy is unconvincing. In the case before us, third-party developers of iPhone apps do not have their own 'stores.' Indeed, part of the anti-competitive behavior alleged by Plaintiffs is that, far from allowing iPhone app developers to sell through their own 'stores,' Apple specifically forbids them to do so, instead requiring them to sell iPhone apps only through Apple's App Store."
home Tech Android Wear 2.0 release date, features news: Google to launch new smartwatch OS in early February
Android Wear 2.0, Google's new smartwatch operating system (OS), was touted to arrive in late 2016 but had been delayed in order to further refine the software. Now, a notification from Google that was sent to developers reveals that the latest version of Android Wear will be released in early February.
In the letter that was obtained and published by Android Police, Google announced that Android Wear 2.0 would be arriving in a few weeks and that apps that have not been optimized for the new platform will not appear in the on-watch Play Store. Google urges developers to make the necessary changes before Android Wear 2.0 is released.
It can be recalled that when the new smartwatch OS was introduced at Google's I/O conference in May 2016, one of the most exciting features would be the ability to run standalone apps. This means that the smartwatches would no longer be dependent on smartphones. Support for Android Pay and the Google Assistant are also expected to arrive via the upcoming update.
Alongside the arrival of Android Wear 2.0, Google has already confirmed that it will be releasing two new flagship smartwatches. In an interview with The Verge last December, Jeff Chang, product manager of Android Wear at Google, said that these will be the first devices to launch following the new smartwatch OS.
Chang also revealed that the new smartwatches will not have Google or Pixel branding. Instead, Google collaborated with the manufacturer, which they have yet to introduce.
The list of smartwatches that will be receiving the Android Wear 2.0 update include the Moto 360 Gen 2 and Sport, the LG Watch Urbane and Watch R devices, the Fossil Q lineup, the Casio Smart Outdoor Watch, Tag Heuer Connected, Michael Kors devices, Huawei Watch and Huawei Watch Ladies, the ASUS ZenWatch 2 and the ZenWatch 3.
However, it is important to note that access to the new features of Android Wear 2.0 will still depend on the specific smartwatch models and whether they have the necessary hardware to support them. For example, only devices with near-field communication (NFC) will be able to support Android Pay.
South Korea plans to boost its cruise business, offering $83.3 million in financial benefits to cruise lines calling at country ports, according to the Oceans and Fisheries Ministry.
The country is also said to be funding Korean Cruise Line, a new start-up that is said to be in the market for a medium-sized second-hand cruise ship. Funding will come from mostly the private sector, although the government plans to contribute about 10 percent, according to The Korea Herald.
"According to experts, the number of cruise passengers could be more than 100,000 people if a cruise ship of between 50,000 and 70,000 tons is placed in service," Oceans and Fisheries Minister Kim Young-suk said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency.
It is not the first Korean start-up, as the most recent, Harmony Cruise, sailed an inaugural season in 2012 with the 760-passenger Club Harmony.
The line was operated by Seoul-based Polaris Shipping, which also had 13 cargo ships at the time. The ship sailed three- and four-night sailings from Busan and was in the market for a year before operations were stopped due to soft demand.
home World Indian Government says Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil ignored advice not to go to Yemen
A senior Indian government official has said that the Catholic priest who was kidnapped by suspected Islamic militants ignored the advice not to go to Yemen.
Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil, a member of the Salesian Order, was abducted from the Missionaries of Charity old-age home in the city of Aden. Sixteen people, including four nuns, were killed by the militants during the raid.
Last month, a video message surfaced online in which Uznhunnalil begged the Indian government and the Vatican to come to his rescue.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has drawn criticism from his political opponents for failing to secure Uzhunnalil's freedom. M.J. Akbar, Deputy Foreign Minister, said that the priest went to Yemen against the government's advice not to go.
"Fr Uzhunnalil went to Yemen ignoring the government's instructions. We are yet to find out where he is and the efforts to rescue him are continuing," said Akbar, as reported by Manorama Online.
"He might not have noticed our efforts to save him and that could have made him criticize the government," he continued.
In the video, the priest said that he is "very sad and depressed" that no efforts were being made to get him released.
"If I were a European priest, I would have been taken more seriously. I am from India. I am perhaps not considered as of much value," he lamented.
The day after the said video surfaced online, the Catholic Bishop of the Arabia region, which includes Yemen, issued a statement saying they are working with international and local diplomatic channels to negotiate for Uzhunnalil's release.
External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj vowed that the government would spare no effort to secure the priest's freedom.
"I have seen the video from Father Tom. He is an Indian citizen and the life of every Indian is most precious," Swaraj said.
In Uzhunnalil's home state of Kerala, the Communist party stated that its members would send 50,000 postcards to Modi to call on the government to take action.
On New Year's Day, the opposition Congress party launched a petition also urging the government to intervene. V.A. Thomas, the priest's cousin, told World Watch Monitor that rallies have been organized by civil society groups and political parties in the Keralan town of Ramapuram this week to put pressure on the government.
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Inauguration Day is coming and and people have mixed feelings about the new president. Here are some of the ways Connecticut residents are voicing their opinions about Inauguration Day.
In Greenwich there will be both a celebration and a protest. A protest against the upcoming Trump presidency is set outside the Havemeyer Building on Greenwich Avenue. Selectman Drew Marzullo is expected to speak at the event.
Organizer Samarpana Tamm, a member of the Greenwich Democratic Town Committee and a longtime advocate for civil rights and LBGTQ issues, said the rally, "Speak Out: Hate Can't Win," is for anyone of any political party or with no party affiliation.
The party for Trump's supporters will take place at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 20, Inauguration Day, at the St. Lawrence Society in Cos Cob.
Tod Laudonia, who is president of the St. Lawrence Society in addition to his duties as town tax collector, said he expects the Trump inauguration fete to be a great celebration.
"We're always looking to do events that create fun and excitement," Laudonia said. "We were planning a party no matter who won. It's a historic event and it's a great chance for everyone to get together and have a party."
In Danbury, CT Students for a Dream rallied the weekend before the inauguration. "There is a sense of disappointment about the election, but there is also a sense of renewed commitment," said Carolina Bortolleto, a co-founder of the statewide advocacy group, CT Students for a Dream. "This has motivated a lot of people to get involved in speaking out."
The Sunday afternoon event, at the Ecuadorian Civic Center on West Street in downtown Danbury, was part of a national Day of Action planned in about 50 cities. The event is in response to Trump's campaign promise to build a wall on the Mexico border, triple the number of federal immigration agents and reverse President Obama's amnesty policies for immigrants already in the United States.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. As lawmakers seek out a legislative lesson to the mass shooting at a baggage claim area at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, its instructive to put this shooting in its proper historical context.
The shooter, Esteban Santiago, legally purchased the 9 mm handgun he used to kill five people and wound six others in the Terminal 2 baggage claim area early Friday afternoon.
That doesnt make him an anomaly among Americas growing list of mass shooters. It makes him part of the overwhelming majority.
About four of every five mass shooters in America bought their guns legally, according to research done by The Washington Post, Mother Jones magazine, Everytownresearch.org, and other news organizations.
You might think that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which studies traffic fatalities and other common ways that Americans die, might have done some research on the topic of gun violence and its perpetrators. But Congress in 1997 passed a law the forbids CDC from conducting any research that might advocate or promote gun control.
So instead, you can peruse the master index of mass shootings compiled by Mother Jones, a detailed listing of every shooting in a public place in America since 1982 that claimed at least four lives. To find it online, Google Mother Jones mass shootings full data.
Youll see how Esteban Santiago fits right in. Thats hes just another legal gun owner who lost his mind before he lost his legal access to firepower. Its not a new story line.
Hes not much different from Jason Brian Dalton, the 45-year-old Uber driver from Kalamazoo, Michigan, who imagined that the Uber symbol on his mobile phone had become the Devil and had taken over his body. Dalton, who had legally bought 11 long guns and four handguns, went on an indiscriminate shooting spree in February, firing 30 rounds that killed six people and wounded two others.
Santiago, like Omar Mateen, the shooter who killed 49 and wounded 53 in an Orlando nightclub this summer, worked as a security guard. And Santiago had a history of military service, like Gavin Long, a former Marine who served in Iraq and was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, before shooting six Baton Rouge police officers, killing three of them, also last summer.
Santiago told the FBI two months ago that his mind was being controlled by the CIA. Three years ago, Pedro Alberto Vargas, 49, a concealed weapons permit holder in Hialeah, told a 911 dispatcher that his mind was being controlled by witchcraft. Then he set $10,000 in cash and his apartment on fire, and shot and killed seven people with his Glock 9 mm semiautomatic handgun.
Another mass-murderer, in Florida, Silvio Leyva, a legal immigrant from Cuba, bought a 9 mm handgun from a gun dealer at a Tampa-area flea market in 1999, and used it later that year to go on a shooting spree that began at the Radisson Bay Harbor Hotel, where Leyva worked as a housekeeper.
Friends and family said that Leyva, who killed five people, had suffered from depression and had started wearing only white clothing as his obsession with the mystical practices of Santeria developed.
When will the next mass shooting in America occur? Well, there hasnt been a period of more than three months without one since 2009, according to the data.
So whats the fix?
Theres a bill in the Florida Legislature that attempts to address mass shootings like the one that happened on Friday by allowing Floridas 1.7 million concealed weapons permit holders to bring their guns into airports.
That assumes all legal gun owners are sane gun owners.
Theres an ever-growing set of data that proves otherwise.
Frank Cerabino writes for The Palm Beach Post. Email: frank_cerabino@pbpost.com.
A US religious delegation is currently on an official visit to Cuba with the objective of exchanging with their Cuban counterparts and explore possibilities for cooperation.
The members of the delegation attended a religious ceremony on Wednesday for epiphany at the Avenida Theater in Havana as part of their activities in the country that began on Monday and will run until Friday.
Rev. Jay Wittmeyer, Executive Director of the Brethren Brothers Church said that one of the objectives of the trip is to establish contact with the Cuban Council of Churches and learn about their work.
According to Wittmeyer, this is the first time a representation of the Brethren Brothers Church travels to Cuba and will serve to understand the difference between the image presented in the US about Cuba and reality.
The Head of the Religious Affairs Department of the Cuban Communist Party, Caridad Diego Bello said that the Council of Churches maintains good relations with the World Service of Churches for over 30 years and have carried out several projects and joint work. The delegation is scheduled to meet with Cuban authorities.
US university group visits Cuban school
Submitted by: Juana
Education
Havana
United States
01 / 12 / 2017
A group of American university professors and students had a loving exchange at Josue Pais Garcia elementary school in the city of Camaguey Interested in knowing Cuban reality, especially its educational system.
According to Granma newspaper, the pioneers themselves were in charge of providing the visitors with all the necessary information about Cuba, through a pleasant tour of the center's history room and the presentation of a brief and emotional artistic show with songs and poems that was acclaimed by the US group.
Professor Genny Ballard explained that they are 31 students of Spanish and Economics from one of the universities of Kentucky who come to discover Cuba, its way of life, culture, music and people, who are very warm and open.
The Cuban educational system, she said, is known worldwide for its good results. That is why for our students it has been important to visit one of its schools, since many of them, once graduated, will also work as teachers and they were very impressed with what they saw.
The members of the US delegation became interested, among other things, in the services offered by the school, free of charge, teacher training variants and the perspective for future studies of Cuban children.
I already want to come back and I am not yet gone, "said Emmely Ovalle Perez, who added that on her first visit to Cuba she has felt like at home, because I like its culture and food, the people are friendly and communicative. I'm really enjoying my stay here, she noted.
Joint Statement between the governments of Cuba and the United States
CubaHeadlines now reproduces the full text of the joint statement between the governments of the Republic of Cuba and the United States of America, signed in Havana on Thursday, January 12, 2017:
MOTIVATED by an interest in the normalization of bilateral relations consistent with the Purposes and Principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, including those related to the sovereign equality of States, settlement of international disputes by peaceful means, respect for the territorial integrity and political independence of States, respect for equal rights and self-determination of peoples, non-interference in the internal affairs of States, and promotion and encouragement of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all;
ENCOURAGED by the re-establishment of diplomatic relations on July 20, 2015 based on mutual respect and the political will to strengthen bilateral relations and establish new understandings in various areas of common interest;
AWARE of the necessity to facilitate regular migration to the benefit of both countries, and to discourage irregular migration;
COMMITTED to preventing irregular migration, impeding departures from the Republic of Cuba that risk loss of human life, combating acts of violence associated with irregular migration, such as trafficking in persons and alien smuggling; and beginning the regular return of Cuban nationals, as set forth in this Joint Statement.
The United States of America and the Republic of Cuba have agreed to take a major step toward the normalization of their migration relations, in order to ensure a regular, safe and orderly migration.
The Joint Communiques dated December 14, 1984 and September 9, 1994 and the Joint Statement of May 2, 1995 remain in effect except as modified by this Joint Statement (collectively known as 'Migration Accords'). This Joint Statement is not intended to modify the Migration Accords with respect to the return of Cuban nationals intercepted at sea by the United States or the return of migrants found to have entered the Guantanamo Naval Base illegally.
In this framework, the United States of America shall henceforth end the special parole policy for Cuban nationals who reach the territory of the United States (commonly referred to as the wet foot-dry foot policy), as well as the parole program for Cuban health care professionals in third countries. The United States shall henceforth apply to all Cuban nationals, consistent with its laws and international norms, the same migration procedures and standards that are applicable to nationals of other countries, as established in this Joint Statement.
1. From the date of this Joint Statement, the United States of America, consistent with its laws and international norms, shall return to the Republic of Cuba, and the Republic of Cuba, consistent with its laws and international norms, shall receive back all Cuban nationals who after the signing of this Joint Statement are found by the competent authorities of the United States to have tried to irregularly enter or remain in that country in violation of United States law.
The United States of America and the Republic of Cuba state their intention to promote changes in their respective migration laws to enable fully normalized migration relations to occur between the two countries.
2. The United States of America and the Republic of Cuba shall apply their migration and asylum laws to nationals of the other Party avoiding selective (in other words, discriminatory) criteria and consistent with their international obligations.
3. The United States of America shall continue ensuring legal migration from the Republic of Cuba with a minimum of 20,000 persons annually.
4. The United States of America and the Republic of Cuba, determined to strongly discourage unlawful actions related to irregular migration, shall promote effective bilateral cooperation to prevent and prosecute alien smuggling and other crimes related to migration movements that threaten their national security, including the hijacking of aircraft and vessels.
5. The Republic of Cuba shall accept that individuals included in the list of 2,746 to be returned in accordance with the Joint Communique of December 14, 1984, may be replaced by others and returned to Cuba, provided that they are Cuban nationals who departed for the United States of America via the Port of Mariel in 1980 and were found by the competent authorities of the United States to have tried to irregularly enter or remain in that country in violation of United States law.
The Parties shall agree on the specific list of these individuals and the procedure for their return.
6. The Republic of Cuba shall consider and decide on a case-by-case basis the return of other Cuban nationals presently in the United States of America who before the signing of this Joint Statement had been found by the competent authorities of the United States to have tried to irregularly enter or remain in that country in violation of United States law. The competent authorities of the United States shall focus on individuals whom the competent authorities have determined to be priorities for return.
As from the date of signing of this Joint Statement, the Parties shall carry out the necessary procedures for its implementation. The Parties may meet and revise such procedures from time to time to ensure effective implementation.
The competent authorities of the United States of America and the Republic of Cuba shall meet on a regular basis to ensure that cooperation under these Migration Accords is carried out in conformity with their respective laws and international obligations.
Signed on the 12th day of January, 2017, in Havana, Cuba, in the English and Spanish languages, both texts being equally authentic.
In the first three verses of Psalm 2, David speaks of the nations raging against God and His anointed, who is Jesus. He describes leaders from around the world, who will be working together to remove the influence of Gods Word from society (2:3). They see Gods Word as bonds and cords that hold them back, keeping them in bondage to biblical values that they see as totally outdated.
Despite the fact that many of these leaders will possibly come from Christian heritages, they will believe that Gods Word is irrelevant and restrictive in light of their more advanced way of the thinking. David even mentions that this coalition of leaders will enforce laws in direct opposition to Gods ways.
Does this not sound eerily similar to what we see today?
Across the world, there has been a rapid acceleration of the hostility toward Gods ways and those who follow them. I was born in 1955 and can remember well the upheaval in the 1960sthe sexual counterculture and the civil rights movement.
When Time magazine famously asked, Is God Dead? on its cover in 1966, the general public was shocked and critical of the magazine for insinuating Gods demise in a nation rooted in Christianity. Yet the changes that era brought seem small compared to what has happened in recent years, where popular cultureparticularly in Americahas gone from being opposed to Gods Word to outright loathing it. I have never seen the cultural climate shift as quickly as it has in the last five to 10 years.
Christians in the Crossfire
As a result of this remarkable shift, Christians are getting caught more in the cultural crossfire. What used to be the exceptionbelievers being maligned for standing on Gods Wordis in the early stages of becoming the norm. Consider some of these well-known U.S. cases in the long and growing list of believers ridiculed in recent months for their public stances on biblical values:
Kentucky clerk Kim Davis spent five days in jail after defying a federal court order to issue same-sex marriage licenses in Rowan County. Amid an intense national debate, major media outlets and everyday bloggers alike lambasted Davis for her Christian faith, particularly when her emails went public and revealed that she called herself a soldier for Christ and, amid the increasing backlash from her stance, said God is still alive and on the Throne.
Christian bakers Melissa and Aaron Klein closed their Oregon business following ongoing threats, protests and harassment from the LGBT community. After refusing to bake a wedding cake for a lesbian couple in 2013, the Kleins were ordered by the state to pay $135,000 in damages and slapped with a gag order that prevents them from speaking about their decision.
The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice revoked chaplain David Wellss credentials as an ordained ministeralong with those of several other volunteer chaplains from churches in Warren Countyafter they refused to sign a state-mandated document ensuring that they would never call homosexuality a sin in their work with young inmates.
I mention only a few cases in America; I could mention many more. And throughout Europe, where Christianity has long been on the decline, the situation is decidedly more severe because of laws passed in the name of securing human rights (including religious freedom) that in fact stigmatize Christians.
For example:
A hospital in Eksjo, Sweden, fired nurse Ellinor Grimmark after she said she would not perform abortions due to her Christian beliefs.
Christian pediatrician David Drew, who had an unblemished 37-year record as a clinical director at Walsall Manor Hospital in England, was fired according to a review panel for trying to motivate his coworkers by sending out a 16th-century prayer of Saint Ignatius Loyola.
In Cornwall, England, Christians Peter and Hazelmary Bull opened their home as a bed and breakfast but were fined, harassed and eventually forced to sell the property after refusing to let a gay couple share a double room, because they believed in the importance of marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
Friendly Fire in the Church
These situationsand hundreds of others like themprove that we are experiencing a dramatic change in the cultural climate, both in the United States and around the world. The temperature is rising, as is the heat against Christians in particular.
As believers, we would be foolish to expect sympathy from the secular world. Jesus tells us, You will be hated by all nations for My names sake (Matthew 24:9).
Indeed, the United States and many post-Christian nations have a long way to go before their level of Christian persecution can compare to places such as North Korea, Somalia, Iraq or Syria. Though I pray that level never increases, the point remains
for those of us in America: The cases listed aboveand countless othersare still reminders that our country is rapidly shifting even farther away from its Christian roots. And within the last decade, the acceleration of decidedly anti-Christian activity is startling.
If Christians do not wake up to see what is happeningboth overtly and behind the sceneswe will end up accelerating our own persecution.
That is not Gods desire for those who follow Him. He has given us His Holy Spirit, who lives within us and can help us to understand these times. I believe that same Holy Spirit is calling the American churchand believers all around the worldto recognize the growing crisis and respond according to His will, as shown in Psalm 2.
This is an extract from Mike Bickles newest book from Charisma HouseGods Answer to the Growing Crisis, released today.
Question: How have you had to stand firm your beliefs in your workplace, school, family, etc.?
County-specific poll may foretell whether Pa. is going blue or red
Miss Rudd must now tear up these rules, and tackle the political correctness which has warped the police's priorities
In an innocuous speech to the Conservative Party conference last year, Home Secretary Amber Rudd praised migrants for enhancing our economy, society and culture, and pledged to cut migration and deport foreign criminals.
The only controversy was caused by Labour politicians seizing upon one proposal, that firms reveal how many foreign workers they employ an idea previously put forward by Ed Miliband to falsely accuse her of racism.
Now we learn that, following a complaint from an Oxford University physics professor, Joshua Silver who admits he didn't see the speech West Midlands Police deemed it worthy of investigation as a possible hate crime.
It has now been labelled a 'hate incident' under guidelines (endorsed by Miss Rudd) which say it must be recorded as such if an allegation is made, even if there is no evidence of prejudice.
The Mail deplores any abuse of minorities. Real hate crimes deserve relentless investigation, and their perpetrators the most draconian punishments.
But isn't the obvious danger that by labelling as 'hate incidents' things that clearly aren't, we risk undermining the importance of genuine complaints?
Indeed, doesn't this episode fuel the suspicion that the scale and seriousness of so-called hate crimes reported last year were exaggerated by opponents of Brexit?
Miss Rudd must now tear up these rules, and tackle the political correctness which has warped the police's priorities.
When half of all recorded crimes 1.9million a year go unsolved, haven't officers got better things to do?
Protect REAL news
In his report into the Press, Lord Justice Leveson dedicated just 12 out of 2,000 pages to the growth of online news.
He was also clear about its low importance, concluding 'people will not assume that what they read on the internet is trustworthy', and making no recommendations about how to regulate social media or non-newspaper websites.
The scale of this omission has been exposed by events in the US this week, where an online news organisation, Buzzfeed which first gained attention for amusing lists has published a dossier of explosive allegations against President-elect Donald Trump involving Russian secret agents.
In his report into the Press, Lord Justice Leveson dedicated just 12 out of 2,000 pages to the growth of online news
In doing so, its editors made no pretence of having verified the contents, and simply told the public they should make up their own minds.
Social media sites are already struggling under a torrent of so-called fake news, with significant implications for democracy.
Meanwhile, newspapers like the Mail face the greatest threat to their future in modern history. Those which refuse to sign up to a state regulator, Impress, funded by former F1 tycoon Max Mosley, could be forced to pay both sides in any libel case even if they published the truth.
When fake news can spread around the world in an instant, why are we shackling the responsible Press?
First Mark Carney, who disgracefully allowed the Bank of England to become an agent of Project Fear, says the EU has more to lose than the UK from Brexit. Now the City's main lobbying group has dropped demands for Britain to stay in the single market and retain so-called 'passporting' rights for financial services firms. It's not before time, but the Mail welcomes these clear signs the City appears to be coming around to Brexit.
This newspaper has little hope for a 'revolutionary' new system of cameras mounted on bin lorries to help spot potholes before they form. Wouldn't councils be better off fixing the millions already blighting our roads?
Over the past few weeks, shoppers at our local Sainsbury's in South London may have noticed a grey Ford Focus, parked with apparent selfishness astride two bays.
They may be forgiven for concluding that the car's owner is a practitioner of 'Clarkson parking' an expression new to me, until I saw it defined in yesterday's paper.
I must throw up my hands at once and admit that the car is mine. But to the charge of Clarkson parking, as I understand the term, I plead not guilty.
For if I've got this right, a true Clarkson parker named after Jeremy, pugnacious former presenter of Top Gear is someone who deliberately leaves his car straddling two bays, so as to discourage other motorists from parking too close to him.
The driver in question is not me but the beloved youngest of our four sons, whom I've been trying to teach how to reverse into a parking space alas, with little success so far
His fear is they may scratch his precious paintwork when they open their doors or try to manoeuvre supermarket trolleys through the gap between their cars.
But there's nothing deliberate about the positioning of that modest Ford Focus outside Sainsbury's, Saturday after Saturday, when it's time for the Utleys' weekly shop. On the contrary, the driver's failure to park neatly between the white lines of the bay is a source of constant distress and humiliation to him.
Reader, there's a clue in the L-plates. For the driver in question is not me but the beloved youngest of our four sons, whom I've been trying to teach how to reverse into a parking space alas, with little success so far.
Reluctance
It was last autumn, after he had twice failed his driving test, when I felt I could dodge my paternal responsibilities no longer. I had helped teach two of his older brothers to drive (son number three, mercifully, has shown no interest) and I suspect other parents may understand my reluctance to repeat the experience.
Indeed, there are few duties of parenthood more nerve-racking than sitting in the front passenger seat beside our learner offspring, desperately worried that they're going to hit someone or something, but anxious not to shatter their confidence by showing our terror.
Indeed, I rank driving instructors among the bravest of the brave, not far behind the Armed Forces
How many of us have found ourselves stamping instinctively on imaginary brakes in the passenger footwell, sucking in breath through our teeth or trying to laugh off some dreadful mistake?
'Whoops! What was that, Dad?'
'Ha! Ha! Don't worry. You just drove over that rather high kerb when you turned the corner. But carry on, you're doing fine,' (and never mind that you've just jarred your father's spine, almost given him a heart attack and knocked ten years off the life of the car's rear suspension).
After countless such incidents with his older brothers, I reckoned my nerves weren't up to going through it all over again with son number four. So instead, I left it all to the professionals, shelling out a fortune in lessons and thinking it cheap at the price to let someone else take the strain.
Indeed, I rank driving instructors among the bravest of the brave, not far behind the Armed Forces.
But when the lad failed for the second time, my conscience got the better of me that, and my fear of paying for more lessons until the crack of doom (not to mention driving tests at 85 a pop, including the written theory paper, which expires after two years).
As the youngest, he had always had the worst deal from his dad. By the time he came along, I'd long grown sick of reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Boris The Birthday Mole to small boys, leaving the bedtime storytelling mostly to his mother.
I'd also run out of money for the private schools where his two oldest brothers went, while most of his clothes were hand-me-downs.
After all that, I realised it would be brutally unfair to deny him the driving practice I'd given the others. So I bit the bullet, coughed up another small fortune to add him to the car's insurance and so began our weekly adventures in Sainsbury's car park.
Determined
In the boy's defence, I should say he's pretty competent at driving forwards, give or take the occasional stalling of the engine and crashing of gears. Indeed, there are moments when I feel almost relaxed sitting beside him, breaking into a cold sweat only a couple of times as we tootle along the roads around our home.
It's only when it comes to reverse- parking that I wonder why on earth his driving instructor thought him ready to take his test (or is he just determined to swell the Government's coffers, at 85 a time?)
Enough to say that he just hasn't quite got the hang of it yet, turning the steering wheel clockwise when he should be turning it anti-clockwise and then telling me I'm wrong when I try to put him right. 'No, Dad, that's not how my instructor tells me to do it. You'd fail if you did it your way in the test.'
The difference is that when I do it my way, the car ends up squarely in the middle of the marked bay, where it is meant to be. When he does it his way, even after five attempts, it ends up at a rakish angle, straddling two bays.
When I was learning, more than 40 years ago, other road-users were considerate to drivers with L-plates, showing patience when they stalled, crashed their gears or had trouble parking
And unless there's a shortage of spaces (in which case, we swap places and I re-park the car myself) we tend to leave it like that. The point to grasp is that we don't do it on purpose.
It's those who do it deliberately the Clarkson parkers who have raised such a storm this week. This was after a 24-year-old from Doncaster was named and shamed on a Facebook page, headed 'Parking like a t**t', for hogging two bays with his 16,000 second-hand Astra GTC VXR.
With apparently unconscious irony, Luke Varley defends himself for parking so badly by saying he always straddles two bays to protect his car from 'clowns who can't park or drive'. He has done it, he says, ever since someone parked too close to him, damaging his car and driving off without leaving a note.
Frustrating
The controversy has divided the nation. Surprising numbers mostly men, I notice have expressed sympathy for Mr Varley, including some who say that parking bays are too narrow for today's wider cars.
Others have pointed out that since 1954, around the time when many car parks were laid out, the waistline of a typical British male has grown from 34in to 37in, making it hard for fatter drivers and passengers to get in and out of cars if others are parked in adjoining bays.
The only answer, they argue, is to grab two spaces.
I have to say I'm in the opposite camp. Since few experiences are more frustrating than driving around endlessly searching for a parking place, it strikes me as shockingly mean-spirited of drivers deliberately to occupy two. And aren't there far more important things in life to worry about than the faint risk of the odd scratch to a car's paintwork?
But then Clarkson parking bears the authentic stamp of this selfish and materialist world, in which so many seem to have forgotten the golden rule that we should behave towards others as we would wish them to treat us.
If you want to know what I mean, try taking a learner driver for a spin in 2017. When I was learning, more than 40 years ago, other road-users were considerate to drivers with L-plates, showing patience when they stalled, crashed their gears or had trouble parking.
Today, in London at least, they are utterly merciless, flashing their lights, honking their horns, tailgating and flicking V-signs at them if they make the slightest mistake. Have they all forgotten that they were once learners themselves?
Food pictures make up a large majority of the pictures posted on Instagram.
But with so many posted on the social media platform every day, how can you make yours stand out?
Here, FEMAIL brings you the best tips for styling and photographing your meals to ensure they grab the most likes on the 'gram.
Colour: Use contrasting colours to take your Instagram food pictures to the next level
Be colourful
Bright and bold hues will make your food pictures pop, so make sure to pick ingredients with this in mind.
Paul McGrath, the group executive of cafe The Grounds of Alexandria - one of Australia's most-Instagrammed spots last year - told Nine Kitchen: 'Choose ingredients with contrasting colours.'
For instance, top a dish with a floral garnish and layer bright rasperries on a chocolate cake for a picture that draws attention.
Props: Use thoughtful props and backgrounds to take a picture that will draw attention
Be stylish
Food stylist Nicolas Ghirlando says using props and a well-chosen background can 'make or break' a shot.
Mr Ghirlando, who has spent a decade perfecting the art of food photography, recently shared his tips with Femail.
'No food is going to look good on awful props and a bad background,' he advised.
He said if you're shoot on a kitchen table or bench, avoid showing anything distracting like plug sockets or mess in the room.
'And dont use massive rimmed bowls so that takes up lots of the image and the food is tiny.'
Simple: Don't overcrowd a plate or a picture with too many things, just focus on one or two
Keep it simple
Don't overcrowd the plate, advised Mr McGrath.
He said: 'If you overthink it, it can cause confusion and chaos,' says McGrath.
To get the best picture possible, choose to focus on a couple of the details rather than everything, he added.
All natural: Daylight brings out the best in food, but be wary of harsh sunlight
Love natural light
Most photographers will agree that using natural light is the best course of action to take a flattering picture no matter the subject.
Food is no exception, with Mr Ghirlando advising foodies to shoot their photo by a window in diffused light if possible.
'Harsh sunlight produces strong shadows and interior house lights give the food a horrible colour cast,' he said.
'Try and keep it as natural as possible and reflect light into dark areas with some white card or, as I have done on occasion, a white chopping board.'
Composition: Think about how the food is framed in the shot and use the rule of thirds
Clever composition
Think carefully about how you see the food in the frame of the shot.
Mr Ghirlando urges amateur photographers to consider the rule of thirds - where the frame is cut into three sections horizontally and vertically.
'Where those lines intersect are golden points that the eye is drawn too. Use them well,' he said.
Post-production: Use tools to bring out the colours in your picture or use a filter to improve it
Put a filter on it!
Even if you don't have the best camera or lighting, you can improve your images in post-production.
That doesn't always mean overuse of a filter (keep it realistic!) but you can use editing tools to bring out the best in your picture.
So don't be afraid to experiment with saturation tools to bring out the colours or sharpen to make the edges crisper in an iPhone pic.
Snap fast: Take the picture quickly to ensure you've captured the presentation at its best
Don't be slow
Be as quick as possible when it comes to snapping meals, especially home-made ones.
For instance, don't let the herbs on a dish wilt before you've gotten the perfect shot.
'Make sure that just as you are about to shoot everything is looking perky and hasnt dried out or collapsed,' Mr Ghirlando adds.
'Replace wilting herbs (especially coriander, the herb that wilts in seconds) and give meat a little last second saucing if it needs it.'
Half-baked: Ingredients look better when they're whole so take pictures before food is ready
Don't cook it all the way
Photographer Jonathan Gregson encouraged aspiring food photographers to capture some meals before they're ready to eat to get a better picture.
'Food, particularly stews and curries, look a lot stronger when the ingredients are still whole and recognisable,' he said.
'Your meat should look plump. Photograph your dish and then pop back in the oven to finish cooking before eating.'
She's one of Australia's greatest sporting heroes, but Leisel Jones won't be making a return to the pool.
The 31-year-old, whose trophy case includes an impressive nine Olympic medals, three of them gold, admits while she does miss competitive swimming she won't be making a comeback.
But while she doesn't swim laps anymore, swimming still remains a large part of her life with the former Olympian set to launch an active swimwear label called All I Sea.
In an interview with Husskie, Leisel said: 'I miss the competition because I'm a competitive person and I miss the racing, but I don't miss the hours of training and the early mornings'.
New chapter: She's one of Australia's greatest sporting heroes, but Leisel Jones won't be making a return to the pool
'I also don't miss the smell of chlorine,' she continued.
'I really liked the routine of training and hitting my targets but there's so much more to life than following a black line forever.'
Now that she doesn't need to be in peak physical form at all times, Leisel said she enjoyed the occasional dip in the ocean but rarely swam laps.
Simply put, she said she didn't 'see the point' anymore.
Miss it: The 31-year-old (pictured right, and at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008) retired in 2012
'Im not training for anything specific and I dont feel as good in the water,' she said.
While she was once the best in the world, she now prefers going for a swim in the ocean.
Asked if she'd ever return to swimming full-time after retiring following her last Olympic Games in London 2012, she replied: 'Hell no!'
She's now focusing on her fashion line, launching this summer, which she says was born out of both frustration and passion.
Ms Jones explained she returned from a holiday in Hawaii more than a year ago where was annoyed to discover that she couldn't find any high-quality active swimwear for when she went paddle boarding or hiking.
No looking back: Leisel Jones is pictured with her business partner Keri Kitay
She met her business partners Keri Kitay and Scott Henderson to discuss their goals for the upcoming year and deciding they shared the same passion: to create swimwear that can be worn year-round.
Their label All I Sea is a collection of swimwear that is both stylish and functional.
Leisel added part of the reason why she wouldn't return to the pool is after being retired for a few years, it would be near impossible for her to return to her former self.
She said she was lucky to have achieved everything she had, and wanted, from the sport, but would never be able to get back to the same level she was on before.
'I would need a live-in chef, personal masseuse, and personal assistant to get me there,' she said.
'Ain't nobody got time or money for that.'
A mother's beach picture has gone viral after she decided to share a happy moment with her children, despite her body hang-ups.
Kirsten Bosly recently traveled with her husband and children - eight-year-old Beckett and Bronte, five - from Perth to visit her parents in Tasmania.
The 41-year-old said she usually packs board shorts to cover up her stomach and thighs on the beach, but this time she forgot them.
But on a trip to Kingston Beach she suddenly had a moment of clarity and decided to ditch her cover-up and enjoy her holiday without feeling ashamed of her body.
And while she normally hates being pictured even fully-clothed, she asked her husband to snap a picture of her in a one-piece with their kids.
Inspiration: Kirsten Bosly shared this beach picture with her children and it's gone viral
Delighted with how happy she and her children looked in the pictured, she decided to share it on her Facebook blog page 1MotherBlogger in a bid to inspire others to not let their body hang-ups stop them from living life.
'Today marks a new beginning for me,' she wrote alongside the picture, which has amassed more than 3,000 likes since Sunday.
'For most of my life I have hated my body. Despised it. Loathed it. Resented it. Wanted so very much for it to change; for it to be smaller, thinner... less "fat".
'I've avoided pictures most of the time as I disliked how I looked in them. Not any more!
'The truth is, I'm tired of being ashamed of my body; it's done nothing but support me for 41 years.
'So today I let go. I let go of the hatred and resentment of this body of mine and chose to enjoy it for what it is: my body.
'I look at this photo and all I can see is how happy we are and that's awesome. I finally feel free and it feels f****** awesome!'
Life's too short: The 41-year-old usually packs board shorts to cover up her stomach and thighs on the beach, but forgot them this time
Ms Bosly said she posted the picture because she hoped it would inspire at least one other person.
'If it gives one person a different attitude or the confidence to try something new then my mission is accomplished,' she told Daily Mail Australia.
And although she said she'd received some hurtful comments, she's also been inundated with messages from women who thanked her for the inspirational post.
'I'd take a thousand people calling me a beached whale for one message like that,' she said.
Ms Bosly said she also suffers from depression and anxiety.
'So for anyone who thinks they can't get there due to mental health concerns, I assure them that they can,' she said.
The mother-of-two said a meme recently inspired her to have more pictures of herself taken with her children to look back on in the future.
'I don't want my kids to see a mother who is cowering in shame,' she added.
'It was like something went off in my brain that day. I thought, "what am I doing? No one is looking at you!"
'There were better photos that showed less cellulite or made me look slimmer but that one stood out because we looked so happy.'
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have attended a special concert to raise funds for people still working to return to their homes, more than a year after devastating flooding.
Charles and Camilla travelled to Ballater, Aberdeenshire, for performances by Professor Paul Mealor and the Aberdeen University Chamber Choir.
Around 600 homes and 100 businesses were devastated when the River Dee burst its banks and swept through the village and surrounding areas amid Storm Frank in December 2015.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall during a performance of Robert Burns poetry with music by Professor Paul Mealor and the Aberdeen University Chamber Choir, at Glenmuick Church, Ballater, Aberdeenshire
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, signs the visitors book ahead of a charity concert to aid people still trying to return to their homes a year after devastating floods in Ballater
A charity album featuring the poetry of Robert Burns and music composed by Professor Mealor has been recorded to raise funds for the Ballater Flood Appeal, which was established by Charles in the aftermath of the flooding.
The album was performed at Glenmuick Church in Ballater, which the Queen visited in September on a visit to see the progress of flooding repairs.
Charles, known as the Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland, was staying at Balmoral when the floods hit in late 2015 and visited Ballater.
He contributed to a fundraising drive to rebuild the devastated caravan park and is now supporting the redevelopment of the town with the opening of a restaurant named The Rothesay Rooms.
The down-to-earth royals joined in a rousing chorus of Auld Lang Syne during the performance
The Prince of Wales known as the Duke of Rothesay while in Scotland, signs the church visitors book before attending a performance of Robert Burns poetry with music
Prof Mealor said the decision to donate all revenue from sales of the album to the appeal was down to strong links with the Deeside community.
'The Chamber Choir has performed regularly at events in Royal Deeside, including at celebrations at Balmoral, in Braemar and in Crathie Kirk,' he said.
'We have got to know the people of this area through our concerts and they have been a tremendous support to the choir over the years.
Charles and Camilla got 2017 off to a good start by attending a charity concert in Aberdeen for their first official engagement of the year
Prince Charles wore a traditional kilt while his wife wrapped up against the January chill in an elegant grey coat
'We thought it would be appropriate to give something back in recognition of that support.'
In October last year, the future king opened his own Highgrove restaurant and shop in Ballater.
The venture, named the Rothesay Rooms, was aimed at attracting visitors to the area after it was ravaged by flooding and providing young people with training in the kitchen.
The 'pop-up' initiative in Royal Deeside was intended to breathe new life into the derelict former Co-op and was expected to create up to 15 new jobs for local people.
Charles's idea for the project stemmed from a comment made by local butcher, Barry Florence, following the floods.
He said that during a visit to HM Sheridans, Mr Florence had asked him: 'Why don't you put a Highgrove Shop in Ballater?'
Simon bought the 125-year-old converted barn with his wife Anya four years ago and the living room is his haven
1 BIG BROTHER
My wife Anya and I bought this 125-year-old converted barn in the middle of nowhere four years ago. Its just us here with our son Jake, five, and our one-year-old dog Obi, whos half-Alsatian, half-collie.
I spend much of my life travelling, so this place is a blissful refuge. Despite my job Im very family-oriented this picture is of me aged six on a beach holiday in England with my brother James, whos two years younger, on the left.
Hes a photographer now and were still close, although he lives in France.
Simon's father-in-law David Courts is a renowned jewellery designer and he gave him this silver skull ring
2 ROCK STAR
My father-in-law David Courts is a renowned jewellery designer and he gave me this silver skull ring for Christmas two years ago. Its a replica of the iconic ring he made for Rolling Stone Keith Richards in 1978 which he always wears on stage.
Davids in his 70s now and he had an amazing life in the 60s and 70s hanging out with rock stars like the Stones and Jimi Hendrix and I love hearing his stories. The ring is utterly beautiful and whenever I wear it I feel like a rock star for a split second.
3 HEADHUNTERS
This sword was given to me by a Dayak tribe in Borneo while I was making the series Equator in 2006. Theyre known for being ruthless headhunters but they made a point of telling me theyve moved on from killing people now.
The blade is marked with five dots to represent the number of kills it completed. The tribe adopted me and conducted a ceremony, which involved lots of chanting and hugging and me being smeared in chicken blood. Then they gave me this sword.
4 I'M A LUMBERJACK
I love my chainsaw because its essential for our life on Dartmoor. The house has electricity, but is so far off the grid we dont have gas. I have to keep our biomass boiler burning to give us hot water and heating, as well as make sure theres plenty of wood for this stove.
I get a great sense of satisfaction going out like a real man to cut wood to keep my family warm. It connects me with my distant ancestors and lets me forget for a few hours that Im actually a feeble urbanite!
This picture is of James aged six on a beach holiday in England with his brother James, whos two years younger, on the left
5 HARD CASE
My faithful Pelican travel case has been everywhere with me for 15 years. It only cost 100, but its bombproof, waterproof and, most importantly, idiot-proof. It reeks of happy adventures because its been over oceans, up mountains and across deserts.
I even used it to hide from gunfire in Mogadishu, and it easily survived when it fell into the Amazon because it floats and kept everything dry. The downside is that it weighs 5kg, so its no good for family trips on Ryanair.
6 MATERIAL WORLD
I bought this beautiful length of fabric known as a suzani in Kazakhstan for about 10 when I travelled across Central Asia for my first TV series Meet The Stans in 2003.
It would have been used to decorate a tribal tent and it was the first major souvenir I brought home, so it means a lot to me.
Ive stopped bringing souvenirs back now because its hard to find authentic stuff these days. Everything seems to be shipped in from China, and Anya doesnt want any old rubbish in the house!
Simon is appearing at Destinations: The Holiday And Travel Show at Manchester EventCity 19-22 Jan, and Olympia London 2-5 Feb. Visit destinationsshow.com.
The nations favourite love guru Fred Sirieixs eyes are twinkling more than usual because hes ramped up the romance in his new show.
First Dates Hotel, a spin-off from the phenomenally successful First Dates, has airlifted the setting from Londons Paternoster Chop House restaurant where a succession of pre-matched blind daters meet for the first time to an idyllic boutique hotel in the sun-drenched countryside of southern France.
There, after sharing cocktails and dinner, the first daters can get to know each other better by meeting up again the following day.
Fred Sirieix has taken the famous dating show overseas where first daters can get to know each other better by meeting up again the following day
Fred says the plan behind his new show is most certainly not to give the singletons the chance for some overnight intimacy, more the opportunity to further any romantic connection they might make, which they dont get with the London restaurant experience.
At the restaurant we have about 14 dates a day and its very intense, he explains. But the hotel is just unbelievable. Its in an old medieval village with cobbled streets. Its so beautiful and when you arrive there time just stops.
'Youre instantly in a bubble, so theres more time for love to blossom. The beauty is the daters are more relaxed, open and adventurous their anticipation and excitement is visible.
So its not like at the restaurant where some people have their date at four oclock and go back to work as soon as its over.
He is accompanied by regular staff from Londons Paternoster Chop House Laura, Sam and Cici (pictured)
'In the hotel the most important thing we can give them is time. We have just five couples a day and they have two days to relax, to get to know one another. We also got to understand and know them too.
Does he think the fact they have bedrooms each has their own is a bit dangerous? Fred is horrified.
Non! Non! Its in line with the vision and values of the First Dates restaurant, its all about the first date and helping people to find love. It doesnt get any more sexy than it does in the restaurant show.
Stand-up comedian Tom and art teacher Bella are just two of the daters paired together in the new format of the show
Fred says that he is not interested in what the couples get up to in their own rooms and is simply there to help them find love
'Were not trashy and were not interested in what they do in their own rooms. Our intentions are to help them find love. What they have is more time to meet and get to know each other.
As such the setting was of paramount importance and it took four months for the shows producers and Fred to find and approve it.
This turned out to be Le Vieux Castillon, a four-star boutique hotel in the medieval village of Castillon-du-Gard, where the 33 rooms cost up to 500 a night. Being French Im biased, but France is the most romantic place, smiles Fred.
It took a fortnight for the crew to rig the hotels terrace, restaurant, bedrooms and poolside with 80 cameras. Fred is joined on the show by his familiar TV staff waiters Sam, Laura and Cici and barman Merlin, for whom a bar has been built in the restaurant plus receptionist Juliette.
It took a fortnight for the crew to rig the hotels terrace, restaurant, bedrooms and poolside with 80 cameras. Pictured: Cici and Laura lounge by the pool
The guests come to reception and we take them to their room. Then they have a coffee and get changed, go to the bar and have an aperitif, says Fred.
And then they meet their dates before dining alfresco. They can have a drink by the pool afterwards, and then go back and do their own thing.
He admits theres more at stake with the hotel than in the restaurant as daters are checked in for two nights, whether they like each other or not.
If things are going well, they have a chance for a second date the next day. They go on bike rides or picnics, swimming or looking at the scenery, says Fred. But if things dont go well, they have to deal with what happened the night before.
Stand-up comedian Tom Houghton, 31, from Brighton, wanted to remain philosophical when he was matched with art teacher Bella Franks, 26, from London in this weeks episode. Tom had never had a long-term relationship.
A friend applied for me as I dont like the baring yourself in public aspect, says Tom. But First Dates is about helping people, so I knew they wouldnt set me up with a crazy man-eater.
One of the reasons First Dates has become cult viewing is Freds smooth-talking manner
Then when I realised it was abroad and in a hotel, that was the cherry on the cake. The location is a catalyst for making yourself open to romance it feels special. When the sunset hits you cant help but feel a bit romantic.
But Tom was determined to keep his expectations reasonable. My motto was to be happy and humble. I thought, Even if I make a friend thats a bonus. Then this 6ft leggy blonde wearing an Audrey Hepburn hat and sunglasses stepped out as I was sipping on my half a lager.
'I felt flattered by the matchmakers and thought, Thank you very much. Ive never had a long-term relationship as I wanted to have a great time in my 20s, but now Im in my 30s Im more open to it. With Bella we were very matched in our attitudes and I realised she wasnt desperate for love either as, like me, shes happy as she is.
But Manchester flatmates Kate Humphreys and Charlotte Bithell were more hopeful of a good match when they both applied to the First Dates Hotel.
In January last year we needed a plan to find nice boyfriends so we applied. We were accepted and paired with Adam and Dean, who were also flatmates and lived near us, says HR manager Kate, 26, who will be seen on the show next week with Charlotte.
We all met for drinks but had our dinner dates separately. Charlotte and Dean got on like a house on fire. Adam was great too but he doesnt like girls who wear make-up. I love wearing it and Im not going to change.
But Id recommend the experience of First Dates Hotel to anyone as it gave me so much confidence. Before I was the chubby girl with ginger hair and glasses. I wasnt confident. But after going on the show I came away thinking, You know what Im all right. It gave me the confidence to have more dates.
Naturally, Kate was charmed by Fred, who lived up to his reputation by greeting every guest as if they were the person he most longed to meet. Hes always on hand to dispense words of wisdom, although he insists hes just there to observe.
We dont intervene, people are in their own bubble. We make sure they have everything, and part of our job, without intruding, is to try and work out how theyre feeling and what theyre thinking just so we can deliver better service.
He did, however, offer words of wisdom to one First Dater. One chap was not quite hitting the spot with a girl as some of his comments were not always appropriate the wrong side of borderline. Afterwards, he opened up to me and said that hed messed up. We had a chat and in the morning he had realised his mistakes.
In First Dates I see mini-relationships forming in two or three hours. Its fascinating. But the human heart is very difficult to understand.
One of the reasons First Dates has become cult viewing is Freds smooth-talking manner. Key to this is that he understands what it is to love and also fall out of love. He is father to Andrea, 12, and Matteo-Lucien, seven, but his 12-year relationship with their mother, Alex, ended recently and he now has another partner.
Hes still surprised by the proposals First Dates brings him. Has he ever taken one up? I dont have time, he chuckles. But I dont get as many as you think. Its nice to be in a position where people watch your show because its good though.
So whats his ideal venue for a first date? I like to go to restaurants but if youre stuck with the wrong date for two hours its not good! he laughs.
The best thing is to have two or three tapas dishes and a glass of wine. If its going well you order the whole menu, otherwise you just say, Thanks very much. Im going to go now. I havent got a chat-up line. They just come out, or they dont. Its organic.
Courtesy, care and respect are his mantras and he remains the high priest of romance with the First Dates Hotel his new temple of love. I cried once during the show, but I also laughed uncontrollably a lot, he says. Im glad I laughed more than I cried because romance is all about fun, after all.
First Dates Hotel is on Mondays at 10pm on Channel 4.
Tyra Banks is the latest celebrity to release her own emoji app, and her collection includes plenty fan favorite catchphrases and a few unexpected icons.
Called TyTyMojis, the new supermodel sticker pack 'is F-I-E-R-C-E', according to the Apple Store.
But while it pays homage to some of the most memorable moments on America's Next Top Model, the app also contains some head-scratchers that fans might have a hard time finding the opportunity to use.
Joining in: Tyra Banks released her own emoji and sticker app this week
Wanna be on top? TyTyMojis pay homage to the star's modeling career and America's Next Top Model
Iconic: She even references an episode of ANTM where she told a model to take a 'ho' look and make it fashion
Her catchphrases like this one with breasts in the H's appear too
Huh? Oddly, there is a teapot with three spouts as well
Booty tooch: Tyra strikes plenty of poses as her cartoon self
A cartoon version of Tyra, of course, pops up across the board in a variety of poses. She winks, conveys different emotions, and even changes her hair.
Tyra, 43, also rocks a few costumes, including the one-piece swimsuit she was famously ridiculed for in 2006, which she later rewore on TV and told critics to 'kiss my fat a**'.
For ANTM fans, there are a bunch of famous lines from the show, as well as Tyra Mail and a card that reads 'I have one photo in my hands'.
Lovers of the show can text their friends messages like 'I was rooting for you' and 'We were all rooting for you', something Tyra tearfully yelled at contestant Tiffany Richardson in cycle 12 when Tiffany copped an attitude.
Learn something from this! She also references an early season when she yelled a contestant, one of the most memorable moments in show's history
ANTM love: Even though she no longer hosts the show, it pops up a lot in the app
Body confidence: She doesn't back down from reminding fans of this moment, when she told her critics to 'kiss my fat a**'
Available now: The app has 69 stickers in all and costs 99 cents
She is seen booty tooching her words and striking the 'ho but make it fashion' pose.
'Smize', 'flawsome', and 'no neck monster' also make appearances, as do several pairs of smizing eyes.
But there are a few inexplicable icons that don't seem to have much to do with Tyra or the show. There's a spilled teacup, an overturned salt shaker, and a candy heart with the word 'daddy'.
The 69 emojis, available for 99 cents, also, oddly, include a teapot with three spouts, pouring into three cups simultaneously.
When it comes to fashion, we are all inspired by what we see; whether it be a well dressed celebrity, a blow-your-mind catwalk presentation or even a super stylish every-day passerby.
As fashion editors, we're moved by all of the above, and then some. We're exposed to under the radar labels; we get a first hand look at collections months before they hit stores; we're tapped into brands with chic-yet-cheap offerings and we shop - a lot.
To share our knowledge, FEMAIL brings you Style Swoon, an insider's view of the latest, greatest and on the verge. We hope this weekly Friday series will serve as a buying guide and point of inspiration for the clotheshorses and fashion fanatics alike.
CELEBS FAVORITE UP-AND-COMING SHOE BRAND
'It' girls: Emma Roberts, 25, (left) and Karlie Kloss, 24, (right) are both fans of the up-and-coming shoe brand By Far
After seeing a gap in the market for high quality yet affordable fashion footwear, twin sisters Valentina Bezuhanova and Sabina Gyosheva and their longtime friend Denista Bumbarova launched Bulgarian shoe brand By Far in 2015.
Since then, stylish stars Karlie Kloss, 24, and Emma Roberts, 25, have become fans of the up-and-coming brand's sleek footwear.
The line's cool and youthful designs are made with Italian materials and produced in the owners' native Bulgaria. Prices range from $187 to $368.
CHANEL IMAN'S COOL LOOK
Model behavior: Chanel Iman, 26, looked incredibly cool as she hit the streets of New York City recently
Let's face it, winter dressing can be a bit boring and not so flattering. Thankfully we can look to Chanel Iman, 26, for a enough sartorial inspiration to get through the cold months ahead.
The model/actress stepped out recently looking cool (while keeping warm!) in a stylish parka by Moose Knuckles, which she layered over a black crop top and trendy jeans.
Chanel completed the look with a pair of Dear Frances booties in the same burgundy shade of her jacket's fur lining.
Re-create her cozy-chic look with the items below.
GET THE LOOK (Clockwise from top left) Boohoo top, $7, boohoo.com Moose Knuckles parka, $1,795, mooseknucklescanada.com Dear Frances booties, $550, dearfrances.com Mango earrings, $12.99, mango.com Frame jeans, $ 315, net-a-porter.com Advertisement
DRAPER JAMES FLASH SALE
Classic style: Reese Witherspoon's fashion brand Draper James will be having a flash sale this Monday during which the actress' favorite pieces will be on sale for up to 75% off
If you are a fan of Reese Witherspoon's classic preppy style, you are in luck!
The 40 year-old actress' fashion brand Draper James will be having a 48-hour flash sale starting Monday, January 16 and ending Tuesday, January 17.
Some of Reese's favorite pieces from the collection (including the dress and jacket she is wearing below) will be on sale for up to 75% off. Happy shopping!
Party dress: The 'Winston Shift Dress' is currently $285 but will be on sale Monday for $199.98. Shop it at draperjames.com
Avocado focused meals aren't going out of trend anytime soon.
Instagram is full of photos of people's smashed avocado on toast, Buddha bowls with chickpeas and sliced avocado, or zesty guacamole.
And if you simply search the social media platform for the hashtag #avocado, there are more than three million photos tagged.
Green goddess: Avocado has been the hottest food trend on Instagram in recent years
Guac and go: Now one restaurant is opening up that has a menu based on the superfood
And now one on trend restaurant is opening that has pledged to only serve meals that contain avocado.
The Avocado Show, which is set to launch early in the year, is a foodie paradise in Amsterdam that has dedicated itself to the food.
Given the love for the superfood, it's surprising it's taken this long for the concept of an avo-only restaurant to happen.
Perfect: The Avocado Show is due to open in Amsterdam in early 2017
Mashed and smashed: The founders are three friends who all share a love for avocado
The idea came from three friends, Julien Zaal, Ron Simpson, and Jaimie van Heije, who told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad that people had been very positive about it so far.
The three men will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at The Avocado Show, with a focus on late night diners.
They hope to provide an alternative for late night club goers who might want a burger with avocado rather than a drunken donor kebab.
Morning to evening: They're going to serve up breakfast, lunch and dinner at the food spot
'The possibilities are endless': Avocado chocolate shakes, avocado burgers and avocado ice cream will be on the menu
The restaurant won't just be serving up smashed avocado either, with menu items including avocado burgers, avocado ice cream, chocolate smoothies with avocado and breaded avocado fries.
'The possibilities are endless,' Mr Simpson said. 'Our only rule is that the dishes need to contain the green superfruit in one way or another.'
It certainly seems like it will be popular, with the restaurant gaining more than 3,000 Instagram followers before they even open their doors.
An angry shopper has blasted the supermarket Asda for ripping off customers after it doubled the price of its smoothies following a switch from cartons to plastic bottles.
Dog walker Christina Faerber, from Richmond in London, has said that the price of her favourite Orange, Mango and Passion Fruit smoothie has recently increased to 1.50 from just 80p.
But she claimed yesterday that the only thing that has changed about the product is the packaging - while the quantity and the juice drink itself have stayed the same.
Christina Faerber was furious after the price of her favourite Orange, Mango and Passion Fruit smoothie increased to 1.50 following a change from cartons to plastic bottles at Asda
Tweeting furiously online, she posted a picture of the old carton next to the new rebranded smoothie in its bottle packaging.
She wrote: '#RIPOFF angry that carton smoothie changed to bottle and NEARLY DOUBLED PRICE. Same weight, same smoothie.'
She went on: 'Carton last week was around 86p. Bottle this week 1.50. Same product, same weight. Pretty much double price.'
An Asda spokesman said that the supermarket had 'updated the specification' of its juices and smoothies to improve the quality of them.
Asda now sells its smoothies in plastic bottles rather than cartons - and has raised the price to 1.50 from just 80p despite not changing the drink itself, it's thought
But it is unclear from the statement if the drink itself has been improved, rather than just the packaging. MailOnline has contacted Asda for clarity.
Asda apologies to Christina on Twitter, writing: 'We do try to keep our prices as low as possible for as long as possible, sorry for any disappointment caused.'
The Orange, Mango and Passion Fruit smoothie is not the only drink to have increased in price at Asda.
The supermarket has also raised the price of its Pineapple, Coconut and Banana, and Stawberry and Banana smoothies.
It comes after news this week that boxes of Mr Kipling cakes have shrunk after the manufacturers blamed Brexit for rising prices.
Asda's price hike follows a series of product price rises, from Mr Kipling this week to the shrinking of Malteser pouches and the widening of Toblerone peaks due to 'Brexit'
Boxes which contained nine cakes are being shrunk to include only eight.
Premier Foods, which owns Mr Kipling, has also announced its intention to raise prices across its range of brands which include Oxo stock cubes. They are expected to rise by a 'single digit mark'.
Premier Food's move follows the shrinking of Malteser pouches and the gap between Toblerone's famous peaks bars being widened.
And Nestle has warned it may have to increase the price of KitKat bars because of the falling pound.
An Asda spokesman said: 'Weve recently updated the specification of our juices and smoothies to improve the quality and variety of our offer, whilst still offering great value.'
When five-year-old Rylee Bernosky first started complaining of headaches and nausea last month, her parents assured her it would pass.
But one evening, a week before Christmas, the headaches started coming on stronger, hitting in waves of 15-20 minutes.
Eventually, Rylee woke her mother up in the middle of the night in agony. She rushed her to the closest hospital in Volusia County, Florida.
Hours later doctors delivered a diagnosis he had never anticipated: it was a rare form of cancer.
A CT scan revealed a giant malignant tumor growing at the back portion of Rylee's brain.
Her only chance at life was immediate surgery to remove the tumor at Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital in Orlando, an hour's drive away.
It meant the little girl spent Christmas recovering in a hospital ward with the terrifying prospect of eight months of chemotherapy ahead of her.
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Tragic: Rylee Bernosky, 5, was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer three days before Christmas after complaining of a headache. It meant she required immediate surgery
Christmas morning: Rylee in the hospital on Christmas after surgery to remove her tumor. The tumor, Medulloblastoma, accounts for less than two percent of all primary brain tumors
In happier times: The five-year-old, described as joyful and energetic, was rushed into surgery at Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando, Florida, where the tumor was successfully removed
Rylee's father Wade told Daily Mail Online: 'Everything about how this situation came up on us has been life-changing. I don't know what to expect.
'We're just praying and hoping that she pulls through and the survival rate she got provides some hope and optimism for that.'
Wade, who shares custody of Rylee with her mother (Rylee splits her time between her mother and Wade and his girlfriend Tori), explains that looking back, the symptoms all make sense.
But at the time, it was easy to assume they were just minor.
'She'd complain of a headache but it would be gone after 15 to 20 minutes,' Wade said.
'Her balance was a little off and she was tripping over things.
'Then she started complaining of headaches at school. At first, we didn't think much of it. We were thinking, "Oh just like any kid trying to get out of school".
'But then she started throwing up at school.'
At first, Wade suspected stomach ulcers or an allergic reaction. But a headache that woke Rylee up after midnight to the hospital, had her taken to the local hospital by her mother. Wade arrived soon after. The CT scan revealed a large mass on her brain.
WHAT IS MEDULLOBLASTOMA? Medulloblastoma is a fast-growing, high-grade tumor. It accounts for two percent of all primary brain tumors and 18 percent of all malignant pediatric brain tumors. Approximately 70 percent of all cases occur in children under age 10 Signs and symptoms: Appetite changes
Behavioral changes
Increased pressure on the brain (i.e., headache, nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness, as well as problems with coordination)
Unusual eye movements Treatment consists of surgical removal of the tumor followed radiation, and then chemotherapy Five-year survival rate, or what percent of children live at least five years after the cancer is found: Average-risk disease: 70% - 80%
High-risk disease: 60% - 65%
Infants with localized disease: 30% - 50% Source: American Brain Tumor Association Advertisement
Medulloblastoma is relatively rare and accounts for less than two percent of all primary brain tumors and 18 percent of all pediatric brain tumors, according to the American Brain Tumor Association.
Approximately 70 percent of all cases are found in children under age 10.
The tumor, Wade said, was preventing the brain from draining fluid, which in turn was causing Rylee's symptoms of headaches and a lack of balance.
Rylee was transferred to Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital in Orlando where she received surgery to remove the malignant tumor.
Although the surgery was a success, the five-year-old has a long road to recovery.
Last weekend, tests revealed Rylee's removed tumor in fact falls into a subtype: WNT Medulloblastoma.
Although this type is considered to be the least common, doctors told the family that Rylee has a 90 percent survival rate with chemotherapy and state-of-the-art radiation treatments.
Since her diagnosis, Rylee has received multiples MRIs, an MRA and a spinal tap to determine her amount and length of treatment.
Meanwhile, her family has set up a GoFundMe account to help cover the cost of her surgery recovery and where updates are posted on Rylee's health.
So far well-wishers have donated $11,800 towards the goal of $50,000.
But that's not the only thing. Rylee has also been flooded with letters of good will - from people all over the country, and even in Canada.
Rylee's grandmother Kimberly came up with an idea to set up a P.O. Box for Rylee in the hope that friends could send her get-well cards and wishes.
Within days, however, they were overwhelmed by the support of people Rylee had never even met.
Wade said: 'Originally, we just shared it with our Facebook friends. Like "If anyone wants to send any cards to cheer Rylee up, we have an address".
'People started sharing it on Facebook and pretty soon she was getting cards from California, from Washington. It's been nice to see.'
Wade said that cards and letters aren't the only things Rylee has been sent. Packages have included coloring books, art activities and stuffed animals.
'Since she won't be able to go to that many places while she's undergoing treatment, it's nice that she has lots of things to play with,' he added.
It has been an incredible boost for Rylee, who has always loved getting mail, and always checks the mailbox when she visits her grandparents' home.
Returning from the hospital following a routine checkup, Rylee plays with a sparkler on New Year's Eve.
Rylee pictured having donuts with her teacher at the beginning of January. Her father, Wade, hopes that in 10 months from now his daughter will be able to go back to school
Dozens of cards and letters, and even packages have been sent to Rylee through the PO Box that her grandmother set up
Rylee's next step is doctor's appointments as she prepares to undergo extensive chemo and radiation.
Following 34 rounds of radiation treatment, Rylee will be sent back to Arnold Palmer to receive chemotherapy for six months.
Her first round of proton beam therapy radiation starts on January 24.
A highly effective form of radiotherapy, it uses a high energy beam of protons rather than high energy X-rays, delivering targeted doses to the cancerous areas.
The treatment has been particularly effective treating cancers of the skull and the spine.
Its meticulous precision has been shown to effectively attack tumors while leaving surrounding muscles and tissues unaffected,
It is the same treatment that famously cured six-year-old British brain cancer sufferer Ashya King, who was forced to fly to Spain amid a high profile battle as the treatment is not yet available in the UK.
Rylee's father, Wade said: 'We'll have to be in Jacksonville, from Monday through Friday, so she can receive her treatments.
The family of a 68-year-old woman who suffered right up until her death are sharing her story in an attempt to fight for the right to die.
Flora Lormier, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) when she was 20 but her condition significantly worsened over the past two years.
Left in constant pain, she had begged her husband and daughter to help her die multiple times.
The debilitating condition had blighted her body, causing her to be paralysed from the neck down.
In hope of bringing about a change to the law on euthanasia, her husband, Tom, and daughter, Tracey Taylor, have released pictures of her in her final days.
Showing her in a fragile state, she was left as just a pile of skin and bones before she eventually passed away naturally in December.
Flora Lormier, suffered from multiple sclerosis since she was 20 but her condition worsened over the past two years. She begged her family to help her die (left, taken by her daughter Tracey Taylor in her final days, and pictured right at a family wedding when she was younger)
Ms Taylor, from Glenrothes, Scotland, told the Daily Record: 'Mum was just left to suffer it was torture, absolute torture. We were all around her when she passed but it wasn't peaceful.
'These pictures are what people need to see this is why we are fighting for the right to die.
'There wasn't a thing we could do to help free her from her pain. We had morphine and sleeping pills and she begged us to help her end it, but we couldn't.
'She was like a prisoner of war who had been in a concentration camp.
'So why is it OK for a human to suffer? The Government need to see why people want the choice to decide when to die.'
Mr Lormier, who is registered blind, spent the past two years caring for his wife every day.
Showing her in a fragile state, she was left as just a pile of skin and bones before she eventually passed away naturally in December (pictured with her husband of 51 years, Tom, during her final weeks)
Her daughter, Tracey Taylor, said: 'These pictures are what people need to see this is why we are fighting for the right to die' (pictured together in the months running up to her death)
Currently both euthanasia, defined as ending someone's life, and assisted suicide, referred to as helping in someone's quest to stop living, are illegal under English law (pictured showing Ms Taylor holding her mother's frail hand in her final days)
Married for 51 years and having had three children together, he witnessed her deteriorate quickly.
MS affects the brain and spinal cord, causing a range of symptoms that can be severe.
THE LAWS ON EUTHANASIA Many believe they have a 'right to die' and should be able to commit suicide under their own terms. It would allow those with terminal illnesses to bring an end to their misery before dying as a result of it. But under the Suicide Act 1961, it is illegal in Britain to help someone end their life - known as assisted suicide. It carries a maximum 14-year prison sentence. While euthanasia, the act of deliberately ending someone's life to relieve them of suffering, is regarded as either manslaughter or murder depending on the circumstances. It is punishable with a maximum penalty of up to life imprisonment. However, suicide in itself is not deemed a criminal act. MPs voted against an Assisted Dying Bill last year by 336 votes to 118 in the first vote of its kind in 20 years. It suggested giving terminally ill patients with less than six months to live a lethal dose of drugs to take themselves if they so wished. Two doctors and a High Court judge would have been needed to approve each case. Source: NHS Choices Advertisement
But there is no cure the for the condition, and the average life expectancy is 10 years below normal.
He told the newspaper: 'She didn't want to be a burden. She was the nurses' and carers' favourite as she never complained.
'She was always apologising if she had ulcers and if they got worse, she'd say sorry. It got really degrading in the end.
'She'd lie in the bed and say, 'I don't want to be here' and, 'I don't want to see you tomorrow'. She was struggling to talk but we knew what she was saying.'
Currently both euthanasia, defined as ending someone's life, and assisted suicide, referred to as helping in someone's quest to stop living, are illegal under English law.
Depending on the circumstances, the former is regarded as either manslaughter or murder, the NHS say.
Euthanasia can be defined in two ways: active or passive.
Active euthanasia - where someone purposely intervenes - is currently only legal in Luxembourg, Holland and Belgium.
In these countries, terminally ill patients are allowed to receive help to die so long as they meet certain criteria.
A person must make a request to end their life, be deemed as mentally able enough to decide for themselves and they must be in clear pain.
In most instances, sufferers are given an overdose of sedatives or muscle relaxants which cause a coma - leading to death.
While passive euthanasia - where doctors stop giving sufferers their medication - and assisted suicide are legal in Switzerland, Germany, Mexico and five US states.
A&E departments are struggling to cope with the increasing pressure, new statistics show.
More than four in 10 hospitals in England have declared a major alert in the first week of 2017, the NHS say.
While nearly half of trusts believe their emergency units are being overwhelmed due to bed shortages.
Overall, 226 serious alerts were issued by hospitals experiencing major pressures over a period of six days.
The data, which covers the period up to last Sunday, shows the number of alerts were more than six times higher than the previous six days.
More than four in 10 hospitals in England have declared a major alert in the first week of 2017
Only 34 serious operational pressure alerts - when a hospital is growing busier - were issued in the six days previous.
They are designed on a scale of one - which shows it can cope with demand - to four, when it is 'unable to deliver comprehensive care'.
Overall, 58 NHS trusts across last week reported they were at level three on at least one day.
While a further eight reported level four at least once during the week - meaning patient safety was at risk.
In total, 25 trusts declared major alerts every day between January 3 and 8.
The number of major alerts - previously called red and black alerts - is the highest of the winter.
These figures come after the British Red Cross warned hospitals were facing a 'humanitarian crisis' due to their increasing demand
An NHS England spokesperson, said: 'A&E visits were higher last week than the week before, but emergency hospital admissions moderated slightly.
'The number of OPEL 3 and 4 days increased, compared with the previous week, but the number of A&E diverts fell.'
They also said that despite norovirus being 77 per cent higher than last year, the flu peak is probably still to come.
A&E departments are known to be dealing with their busiest winter in 15 years as some doctors claim they have never seen it so bad.
The British Red Cross warned hospitals were facing a 'humanitarian crisis' last week after an elderly woman died after spending 35 hours waiting on a trolley.
She passed away at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, while another - also on a trolley - suffered a fatal aneurysm in the same department.
However, Prime Minister Theresa May rejected the claims of a crisis, called the statement 'overblown and irresponsible'
Jeremy Hunt earlier this week begged people to stay away from crisis-hit hospitals and announced a set of drastic measures to try and ease the burden
Red Cross chief executive Mike Adamson said: 'The British Red Cross is on the front line, responding to the humanitarian crisis in our hospital and ambulance services across the country.
'We have been called in to support the NHS and help get people home from hospital and free up much-needed beds.'
HUNT TOOK KIDS TO A&E TO AVOID WAITING TO SEE A GP Jeremy Hunt once admitted taking his children to casualty just so he did not have to wait to see a GP. During a debate with MPs in November 2014 he said: 'I took my own children to an A&E department at the weekend precisely because I did not want to wait until later on to take them to see a GP. 'We have to recognise that society is changing and people do not always know whether the care that they need is urgent or whether it is an emergency, and making GPs available at weekends will relieve a lot of pressure in A&E departments.' He did not say when or why he went to A&E, or which of his three children he had taken Jack, six, Anna, four, or two-year-old Eleanor. Advertisement
Earlier this week Jeremy Hunt also begged people to stay away from crisis-hit hospitals, despite him admitting to taking his son there instead of seeing his GP in 2014.
A third of people using casualty units did not need to be there, the Health Secretary claimed.
He pointed to cases of broken fingernails, drunkenness and back ache, before announcing drastic measures to ease pressure on the NHS.
Mr Hunt suggested the four-hour treatment target - which has been in place since 2000 - could be limited to serious cases.
He previously said: 'This Government is committed to maintaining and delivering that vital four-hour commitment to patients.
'But since it was announced in 2000, there are nearly nine million more visits to our A&Es, up to 30 per cent of whom NHS England estimate do not need to be there. And the tide is continuing to rise.'
However, Prime Minister Theresa May rejected the claims of a humanitarian crisis, instead labeling it as just 'huge pressures'.
She also called the charity's claim 'overblown and irresponsible'.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused her of being 'in denial' about the crisis in the NHS yesterday in the House of Commons.
Scientists are racing to create a vaccine for the plague - before terrorists develop the deadly disease into a weapon.
The illness is largely seen as a thing of the past, best known for wiping out a third of Europe's population during the Black Death of the 1300s.
But experts warn it is one of the most likely candidates for a bioweapon - especially given the increasing rate of antibiotic resistance.
Lead researcher Dr Ashok Chopra, whose research is being backed by the Department of Defense, warns the scenario is a more realistic prospect than we think.
'Terrorists can easily grow the bacteria and make the strains resistant to antibiotics,' Dr Chopra, a microbiologist and immunologist at the University of Texas microbiologist, told Daily Mail Online.
'The pneumonic plague is very contagious and very hard to treat. It could kill millions.
'Think of the Black Death of the 14th century. It is not unrealistic that we would experience the same number of mass casualties. It could be quite devastating.'
Researchers warn terrorists could easily kill millions using the plague as a weapon - inflicting the same damage as was seen in the 14th century, when Europe lost a third of its population
There are three strains of the plague - pneumonic, bubonic, and septicemic - all caused by bacteria called Yersinia pestis.
The most common type is the bubonic plague, typically found on animals and transmitted to humans via fleas.
It was the bubonic plague that caused the Black Death, as well as America's first outbreak in 1900 when infected animals were imported from Asia to San Francisco.
However, the pneumonic plague, which is airborne, is fatal almost 100 percent of the time.
Crucially, all strains are hard to diagnose, with symptoms resembling a cold or the flu.
Antibiotics is the only cure - but if it isn't administered in time, it is barely effective.
And with strains of the plague already showing antibiotic resistance, experts warn we need to fast-track a back-up plan.
In fact, one strain has already proven resistant to chloramphenicol - a highly toxic antibiotic that is often used as a 'last resort'.
Dr Chopra warns it is incredibly easy to repurpose the pneumonic plague, making it resistant to all antibiotics.
'It is really easy to grow the organism. You require a very low dose and not very sophisticated equipment,' he told Daily Mail Online.
'Antibiotic resistance is a major problem already, and terrorists can easily make strains antibiotic-resistant, so there should be alternates.
'A vaccine is the best way because your immune system has already been triggered, so the pathogen should be killed.'
There are three strains of the plague - pneumonic, bubonic, and septicemic - all caused by bacteria called Yersinia pestis. Dr Chopra warns all three could be made antibiotic resistant
Dr Chopra was among the scientists drafted in by the CDC to study anthrax after the anthrax attacks of 2001, when deadly bacteria were sent to congressional members by mail.
It was then that the CDC and NIH warned scientists to start looking at Yersinia pestis as one of the most malleable bioweapons.
Fifteen years later in 2016, the World Health Organization upgraded the bacteria to a tier 1 pathogen - the highest level it could be, warning that it is an imminent threat.
Having studied Yersinia pestis since 2002, progress has been slow.
But Dr Chopra insists we have reached significant milestones in the last few years.
'We have tested two animal models and the results are promising,' he told Daily Mail Online.
Having a chicory salad for lunch could stop you from getting dementia, scientists claim.
A component of the vegetable helps to reduce memory loss - one of the earliest signs of the disease, a new study has found.
Chicoric acid may help prevent the formation of toxic clumps, known as amyloid plaques, in the brain.
These are believed to be the signature hallmark of the disease, affecting the organ's ability to work effectively.
And experts believe the substance, which also resides in lettuce and dandelion, could be used in future to prevent the build-up of clumps.
A component of chicory helps to reduce memory loss - one of the earliest signs of the disease
Chinese researchers discovered it worked by blocking a major brain pathway known to cause the amyloid plaques.
These form when proteins fold abnormally in the brain, having toxic effects on the organ and causing memory loss.
To test the effects of chicoric acid on memory, Chinese researchers used three groups of mice.
Some rodents were given lipopolysaccharide (LPS), while others received both this and chicoric acid. A control group was also assessed.
Their learning and memory capabilities were evaluated four hours after being injected through two separate tests.
They found the LPS-only group took a longer time to find a specified platform compared to the control group.
Chicoric acid was discovered to help prevent the formation of toxic clumps in the brain - the signature hallmark of dementia
But the rodents who received the chicoric acid supplements were much quicker at performing the task, the study published in The FASEB Journal found.
The Northwest A&F University, in Yangling, researchers then removed the platform and instead marked a target area to assess how they responded.
Those treated with chicoric acid displayed a significant increase in the average time spent in the designated area.
While those who only received LPS spent less time there - even compared to the control group.
This comes just days after a Canadian study found couch potatoes are just as likely to get dementia as those born with a specific gene.
Their findings mean that even without genetic risk factors, over-65s who rarely exercise are among the most likely to develop the disease.
Amid conflicting claims, French DJ David Guetta's concert on Thursday has been cancelled with the organisers citing the law and order situation following the fallout of the molestation incident.
The event was being billed as one of the biggest events in the city's annual cultural calendar.
However, senior police officials said there was no law and order issue for the cancellation of the event.
David Guetta had scheduled a special gig called Guetta4Good for a charitable cause in Bengaluru, but the show was cancelled
The permission was denied because of elections to Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) as the entire police force will be deputed to manage security during the elections.
The police claimed that the organisers approached the department at the last minute on January 10.
The organisers said, they hope to reschedule the concert if they get the permission from the authorities and the artist but, there is no clarity on this.
Shows in Mumbai, New Delhi and Hyderabad will be held as per the schedule.
'We, at Sunburn, tried our best to make it happen, but the authorities understandably are not prepared to take any chances. Hence, today's concert unfortunately stands cancelled,' informed the organisers, on Thursday.
Bengaluru Rural Superintendent of Police said the concert has not been cancelled, but the organisers have been asked to reschedule for a later date, due to polls.
The recent Bengaluru molestation case had raised questions over law and order conditions in the city
Bengaluru IG (Central) Seemanth Kumar Singh denied of any law and order issue and said that the police will seek a clarification from the organisers.
Grammy award winner, Guetta was scheduled to headline a special gig called Guetta4Good in Bengaluru for a charitable cause, kickstarting his four-city tour from Bengaluru before moving to Mumbai, Hyderabad and New Delhi.
The French DJ is also a record producer, remixer and songwriter. Guetta enjoys immense popularity in India and first performed in the country in 2012.
The profits from the special charity performance at the gig, put together by the organisers of Sunburn - one of India's biggest electronic dance music festivals - was supposed to go towards educating underprivileged children.
'India is a magical place. The energy that I get from the country and the fans creatively inspires me. Music can change lives,' Guetta had said in a statement last month.
Guetta first toured India in 2012. Other than his charity gig, Guetta will performing in Mumbai on January 13, in Hyderabad on January 14, and in Noida on January 15.
Hollywood superstar Vin Diesel arrived in Mumbai to a festive welcome, and declared visiting this country was 'a childhood dream come true.'
Diesel, 49, landed in his private jet and received a warm, traditional Indian reception.
He is here on a two-day trip to promote his new film, xXx: Return Of Xander Cage, which also marks the Hollywood debut of Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone.
Clad in an all-black ensemble of designer leather jacket, pencil heels, T-shirt, tight slacks, and shades, Deepika personally turned up to greet Diesel
Clad in an all-black ensemble of designer leather jacket, pencil heels, T-shirt, tight slacks, and shades, Deepika personally turned up to greet Diesel and the film's director DJ Caruso as they left the airport and drove to the Lower Parel Five star hotel, where Diesel will be occupying the Presidential Suite.
Shortly after arriving, Diesel took to Instagram to post a 'Diesel on Fire' snapshot of himself with Deepika.
Diesel received a warm and traditional welcome in Mumbai
'So honoured to be here in India for the first time. The xXx Global tour has been great and now I and @deepikapadukone are going to share this film with her country today. As a child I always dreamed of visiting India. Thank you Paramount for making this dream come true,' the actor captioned the picture.
Indeed, Diesel had reasons to be excited after the warm reception he was accorded on arrival.
As the Hollywood hunk stepped out flaunting his beef in a simple grey tee with matching boots and white trousers, a group of women, clad in traditional nauvari sarees, arrived in bikes to welcome him.
Diesel along with director Caruso were welcomed with the traditional teeka on their forehead amid dholak, nagada and tutari beats.
A group of women, clad in traditional nauvari sarees, arrived in bikes to welcome Diesel
The actor struck a few quick poses for the gathered paps with co-star Deepika and director Caruso.
'The greatest welcome ever!... Wow and a blessing to go with it,' Caruso later tweeted.
Diesel's India visit is packed with activity and he started the evening with a press interaction.
Other activities on his roster include interacting live with fans at Mumbai's Phoenix Mills and attending the film's India premiere.
Vin Diesel (Left) and Deepika Padukone pose during a press conference for the promotion of xXx: Return of Xander Cage
A grand party is scheduled to be organised too, to be attended by several Bollywood celebrities. xXx: Return Of Xander Cage is the third film in the super spy action thriller franchise.
The sequel marks Diesel's return to the series 15 years after he starred in the first film.
He had gone missing from the second film. Deepika apart, the new film stars an assortment of international stars including Donnie Yen, Tony Jaa, Nina Dobrev, Ruby Rose and Samuel L. Jackson.
The actor, 35, looked sharp in a burgundy suit as he posed for pictures.
A differently abled Delhi government official has accused the DDA of discrimination after the land-owning agency 'relieved' him of his duties within a day of his appointment as director of public relations.
Dr Rishi Raj Bhati, the public relations officer (PRO) at Delhi Transco Limited, says he joined the Delhi Development Authority on January 10 on deputation and was handed the relieving letter the next day.
The letter clearly mentioned that the nature of the job at DDA would have caused him problems that would also not be in the organisation's interest.
Dr Rishi Raj Bhati, the public relations officer (PRO) at Delhi Transco Limited, says he joined the Delhi Development Authority on January 10 on deputation and was handed the relieving letter the next day
'...The post of Director (PR) in DDA, by nature, involves field works in which the officer may have to be present on various sites of DDA like the construction and demolition sitesContinuance of Rishi Raj Bhati to the post may put him in probable inconvenience and may not be in the interest of DDA also.
'He is, therefore, being sent back to his parent organisation with immediate effect,' it reads.
Experts say many such issues agitate a vast majority of people with mental and physical disabilities in India. They face discrimination and stigma on a daily basis.
Bhati alleged that it was a clear case of discrimination on the ground of physical disability.
He said his appointment was made following due procedure, yet the appointment was revoked citing 'disability'.
'I received a warm welcome in the DDA office on my joining on January 10, after I got the appointment letter in November last year.
'As a courtesy, I met the DDA vice-chairman in his office. However, the next two hours of my stay at the new office proved to be the worst of my life. I was verbally told to go back (to Delhi Transco). The next morning, i.e. January 11, I was handed the relieving letter,' Bhati told Mail Today.
There was no response from the DDA on the issue. DDA's Commissioner (PR), D Sarkar refused to comment saying he was unaware of the matter.
Mail Today is in possession of the appointment and relieving letters issued by the agency to Bhati.
The development comes as a jolt to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for empowerment and equal opportunity to 'divyang' ('divine body') a term he coined for the differently abled people in the country.
The Modi government also rolled out a number of initiatives like Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign) for the physically challenged.
India has more than 20 million people with physical or learning disabilities and many of them live in poverty because they lack access to education and employment.
Psychiatrists said such treatment would have a damaging impact on the mental and physical health of a disabled person, and the situation should have been handled better.
'Relieving him in a day shows discrimination on the basis of his disability. This will certainly harm his self-esteem and he will not be able to concentrate on his previous job mainly due to a sense of rejection,' said Dr Nand Kumar, associate professor of psychiatry at AIIMS.
He also questioned the DDA's move saying the ministry of social justice and welfare has already earmarked the type of jobs for disabled people and no organisation can discriminate in violation of the laid norms.
Bhati shot back a letter to the DDA: 'I am an established public relations professional performing similar duties for the last 16 years with high degree of efficiencyI disagree with your assessment and the decision to repatriate me on the basis of my physical disabilities is condemnable,' he wrote in a letter to the DDA's commissioner (personnel).
Bhati was given the appointment letter by the DDA on November 15.
The agency had issued vacancy notification for the post of Director (PR) in April 2016.
'After due process, I was selected for the post and got the letter of appointment on deputation. The vacancy advertisement had no mention of handicapped,' he said.
'.the competent authority has approved the appointment of Rishi Raj Bhati for the post of Director (PR)the services of the officer may be placed at the disposal of DDA initially for a period of one year that may be extended up to 5 years on year to year basis with mutual consent of the lending and the borrowing departments,' the appointment letter reads.
In a Facebook post, Bhati also said that he had served in the Delhi Transco, the power transmission utility of Delhi government, for the last 16 years with satisfaction of the authorities.
During this period, he claimed, his services were termed 'Excellent' 14 times and 'Very Good' on two occasions in the annual appraisal reports.
Amid the ongoing controversy over the poor life quality of the central paramilitary forces' jawans, a serious comparison is being made of their facilities with that of the military forces.
If one compares tasks assigned to the paramilitary forces - BSF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB and the NDRF - their nature of job is somewhat similar to that of the Army when it comes to internal security.
According to government data, the nine lakh personnel-strong paramilitary forces, with the CRPF being the largest, is currently deployed in more insurgency affected areas than the army.
A number of jawans from paramilitary forces have recently complained of poor amenities leading to questions on status.
'When it comes to fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, tackling Naxals in dense forests of Chhatisgarh or facing attacks of hardcore insurgents in places like Manipur, the first people to be rushed are from either the Central Reserve Police Force or some other paramilitary force,' said an official from the Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMF).
Compared to this, the Army refused to be dragged into anti-naxal operations a few years ago as it felt that it should not be used in operations against its own people and should stick to its job of fighting conventional wars.
Army is deployed in Jammu and Kashmir and Northeastern states.
'The first set of people to be rushed to any poll, anti-riot or organizing any religious congregation, they are from the CRPF or BSF,' said former BSF additional director general PK Mishra.
The officer claimed that even while guarding the borders, the BSF gets deployed at tougher locations and terrains on the Line of Control and the International Border in J&K.
However, allowances paid to the soldiers of military and paramilitary for deployment in high altitude areas and field areas is different as military personnel get better remuneration.
At entry level, jawans in paramilitary get a gross salary of Rs 21,000 while an Army jawan gets Rs 35,000.
'An Army jawan gets military service pay of Rs 2,000 at the lowest rank while the BSF or CRPF trooper does not get any such benefit,' Mishra said.
The Ministry of Home Affairs had proposed to the Seventh Pay Commission a 'special pay' on par with the Army and has also batted for a better leave structure for the personnel who are deployed for counter-insurgency operations across the country, but the proposals were not passed.
The Army has concept of two years of field posting in counter insurgency or border areas but there is no such concept for paramilitary outfits (picture for representation)
A large number of paramilitary forces officers have quit in the last five years due to stagnation and tough working conditions.
Around 9,000 personnel quit BSF, CRPF, ITBP, CISF and SSB because of poor working conditions from 2010 to 2015, sources said.
The Army has concept of two years of field posting in counter insurgency or border areas but there is no such concept for paramilitary outfits.
A CISF jawan on Thursday shot dead his four senior colleagues with his service rifle in a fit of rage following a heated argument over a dispute on leave issues in Bihar's naxal-hit Aurangabad district, officials said.
The incident was reported around 12:45am at the Nabinagar Power Generation Company Ltd (NPGCL) unit which is guarded by the force.
Constable Balveer Singh, hailing from Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, fired about two dozen bullets, killing head constables Bachha Sharma and Amarnath Mishra on the spot, while assistant sub-inspector G S Ram and head constable Arvind Kumar later succumbed to grievous injuries in a nearby hospital.
The site where a CISF constable opened fire and killed four of his colleagues in Aurangabad district of Bihar
The incident took place when the victims and some others had assembled for a shift change.
Balveer, who had recently undergone a month-and-half-long de-stressing course in Yoga, was reportedly agitated over an administrative issue regarding his leave after he resumed duty on January 4.
A heated argument ensued and the CISF jawan lost his cool, firing his rifle multiple times, superintendent of police Satyaprakash said.
He was quickly overpowered by other CISF personnel and handed over to police who arrested him.
But before that could be done his targets lay sprawled on the blood splattered floor.
Sources said the trooper was sent for a special yoga session between November 10 and December 24 last year at the CISF's training institute in Deoli in Rajasthan.
Following that he had gone on leave to his home before resuming duty on January 4.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) unit in Nabinagar is deployed at the NPGCL unit as part of its mandate to secure the facility against threats from naxals and other extremist elements.
NPGCL is a Joint Venture of the NTPC and Bihar State Electricity Board. The CISF said a Court of Inquiry has been ordered into the incident.
With Britain in the throes of a big chill, thousands of travellers are set to find their travel plans scuppered over the coming days.
With inches of snow forecast and high winds adding to the mix, Heathrow Airport yesterday took the precautionary step of cancelling 80 flights.
Elsewhere across the country - especially in the North - there has been disruption to train travel, with strong winds blowing debris across tracks.
We have put together a guide detailing what your rights are concerning cancelled or delayed travel plans...
If your flight has been delayed or cancelled you should be able to claim compensation
Flight delays or cancellations due to bad weather
If your flight has been delayed by at least three hours or cancelled then you have the right to compensation under European law.
Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers are entitled to up to 600 (509) in compensation when their flight lands at their destination more than three hours late.
But airlines don't always have to pay out and can avoid doing so if the delay is caused by an extraordinary circumstance, such as bad weather or crew strikes.
Previously, airlines routinely refused to pay out for delays caused by technical faults, claiming they counted as extraordinary events.
But in 2014 two landmark Supreme Court rulings declared that carriers should pay out when a delay was caused by a technical fault.
We explain below when you're entitled to compensation, how to claim it, what to do if your claim is rejected and we have included template letters for you to use.
When would you not receive compensation on cancelled flights?
If the carrier offers you an alternative flight with a similar schedule, the compensation may be reduced by up to 50 per cent.
With cancelled flights, you won't receive compensation if:
the cancellation was due to extraordinary circumstances for example due to bad weather, or
you were informed two weeks before the scheduled flight date, or
WHAT IF EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES DO OCCUR? Airlines have a duty of care to look after stranded passengers, even if cancellations are due to extraordinary circumstances out of their control. If you have been left stuck and out of pocket by your airline, then you will need to keep a record of what you have spent, including receipts and try to reclaim from airline using the EU rule.
you were offered an alternative for the same route with a similar schedule to the original one.
In the event of re-routing, you will not be entitled to compensation if the arrival time does not exceed the scheduled arrival time of the flight originally booked:
(a) by two hours, in respect of all flights of 1500 kilometers or less; or
(b) by three hours, in respect of all intra-Community flights of more than 1500 kilometres and for all other flights between 1500 and 3500 kilometres; or
(c) by four hours, in respect of all flights not falling under (a) or (b),
the operating air carrier may reduce the compensation provided for by 50 per cent.
How does compensation work for delayed flights?
Under EU rules, airlines must pay compensation for cancelled or heavily delayed flights, but how much youre entitled to depends on the flight you booked and the amount of time youve been delayed by.
The flight must have departed from an EU airport, operating by any airline, or it must be arriving into an EU airport and be operated by an EU airline. The 'EU airport' also includes the following countries; Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
It also needs to have been at least three hours late arriving at your destination to be eligible for compensation and the ruling that outlines these rights is Regulation (EC) 261/2004
The amounts available start from 250 (212) for flights of less than 1,500km long which are delayed by at least three hours and go up to 600 (509) for flights of more than 3,500km between an EU and non-EU airport, delayed by at least four hours.
What exactly are my rights?
Regulation (EC) 261/2004 requires that airlines compensate passengers if their flight is cancelled or heavily delayed.
They must also offer you meals, refreshments and hotel accommodation as appropriate whilst you wait for a rearranged flight.
They should also cover any transport costs between the hotel and the airport. There are no time or monetary limits on the provision of this assistance.
If your airline does not provide assistance, keep your spending to a minimum, make sure you get receipts and claim reimbursement from your airline when you get home.
HOW MUCH YOU'RE ENTITLED TO IF YOUR FLIGHT IS DELAYED Delay to your arrival Flight distance Amount of compensation At least three hours Less than 1,500km 250
Between 1,500km and 3,500km 400 More than 1,500km and within the EU 400 Three to four hours More than 3,500km, between an EU and non-EU airport 300 At least four hours More than 3,500km, between an EU and non-EU airport 600
Download Regulation (EC) 261/2004
How to claim compensation for a delay
Passengers can claim by telling the airline their flight number, names of passengers and the reason for the delay (we have included template letters at the end of this guide).
If you cant remember how long the delay was, the website Flightstats.com is free to use and will show you how long a flight has been delayed for, although it wont state what the delay was for.
If the claim is rejected, but you believe it's valid you can escalate it to the ombudsman or the relevant regulator (this will depend on the airline). If you still dont get the answer you believe is right it is possible to take the airline to the small claims court.
Can my airline turn down my claim?
Airlines don't have to accept every claim and they can turn them down if 'extraordinary circumstances' apply. However if this is the case, the airline still has a duty of care to passengers.
The rules state that airlines must provide passengers with accommodation, meals and refreshments and transport between the airport and accommodation. Airlines are breaking the rules if they shirk this obligation.
If your airline turns down your claim under extraordinary circumstances you can challenge this if you do not believe it to be true. Write back to the explaining why this is not the case and explain that you will take the matter up with the Civil Aviation Authority if it is not settled properly.
Rules: You should be able to claim compensation for flight delays dating back six years.
A classic example is airlines claiming technical faults as extraordinary circumstances. However, this can be challenged.
The problem is that many airlines are still trying to wriggle out of such claims. This is because the regulation gives no definition of exactly what extraordinary circumstances are, but does give some examples.
It says: 'As under the Montreal Convention, obligations on operating air carriers should be limited or excluded in cases where an event has been caused by extraordinary circumstances which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken.
'Such circumstances may, in particular, occur in cases of political instability, meteorological conditions incompatible with the operation of the flight concerned, security risks, unexpected flight safety shortcomings and strikes that affect the operation of an operating air carrier.'
The crucial part of this is that it says 'which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken'.
This means that you can challenge the technical faults defence on the basis that an airline should have reasonable expectation that things can go wrong on an aircraft and should have contingency plans in place, ie replacement parts or access to them where it operates.
If your flight is delayed by more than three hours you should be able to claim from your airline
If your airline tries to claim extraordinary circumstances, challenge them to explain exactly what they were and why they could not have been reasonably avoided. The onus is on them to prove this.
How far back can I claim?
Regulation (EC) 261 does not set a time limit on how far back claims can go, instead stating that this should be determined by the laws in respective EU countries.
In the UK, the statute of limitations law is six years, so by this logic an airline should consider claims for delays dating back six years from the time the claim is submitted.
Some airlines have used legal loopholes to avoid paying out here too. In 2104 we reported the case of a Monarch passenger who found the airline was delaying their claim while it waited for a court ruling.
When that ruling arrived in passengers' favour, the This is Money reader tried to claim only to be told that he was out of the six years.
When he contested this on the basis it was Monarch that delayed things not him, he was told that despite having been in touch regularly over the years, as he had not made a court claim within the past six years he was outside the allotted time period.
Monarch said: 'If a customer presents their claim to an airline within six years but does not issue court proceedings and the six years have now expired, they are unfortunately unable to claim.
You will not be able to claim compensation if you are delayed because of bad weather
'It is our customers' responsibility to seek legal advice from either the Citizen's Advice Bureau, Civil Aviation Authority, or otherwise in order to find out if they need to take any action to stop time running out under the Limitation Act.'
What will happen when I ask for compensation?
If you are not given the assistance that you are due, you will need to make a claim against the airline.
You will need receipts and proof of expenses and they must be reasonable.
What about travel insurance? Most travel insurance policies should cover passengers for extra expenses incurred if they are stuck. Depending on the policy, this could cover the knock-on effects of not being able to fly. Cancelled hotels, trips and other expenses already paid out could be reclaimed under your travel insurance. It is important to check your policy carefully to see what is covered, any exclusions and the relevant excesses. Once again keep any extra spending to reasonable level, hold onto receipts and if in doubt, call your insurer before paying for anything. Travel insurance does not override airlines duty of care, but you cannot claim for the same thing twice.
It is always unclear what airlines will do when faced with claims. Some may try and refuse to pay and stave off claims.
If this happens passengers need to use the courts to force payment.
The best way to do this is through the small claims track of the county court.
How to use the small claims court
What can't I claim?
Your expenses should be reasonable such as a hotel similar to the standard of the one you were staying in or a simple meal.
Living it large and then trying to charge it to the airline is unlikely to work.
You are also unlikely to find airlines paying for the expense of you abandoning your flight and navigating your way home yourself.
Although, if you have taken the simplest and best-value route you may be covered and if you had been advised to get yourself home and that you would be reimbursed by the airline, then you should state this and claim.
This is Money has heard a lot of reports of airlines trying to fob off passengers, deny they are issuing reimbursements or claim that this is not the law. That is untrue and while you may need to be persistent, you should get your money.
If your airline does claim extraordinary circumstances, they need not pay the compensation amounts above but still have a duty of care to look after you and get you where you are meant to be going.
You should tell them that under Regulation (EC) 261/2004 Article 5 you are entitled to be reimbursed or re-routed under Article 8 and also offered assistance, including accommodation, meals and transport under Article 9.
You should also state that under Article 5, airlines are able to not pay compensation in accordance with article 7 in the case of 'extraordinary circumstances', but crucially that this extraordinary circumstances clause does not apply to the entitlement to assistance under Article 9.
Reclaim: The sample letter below can be copied and pasted to help you with your claim.
The sample reclaim letters
We have provided a sample paragraph and letter for you to use. Either copy and paste the paragraph into your letter, or use the letter template and add your personal details into it.
Copy and paste the text, as needed, adding in your details. For more advice visit the Civil Aviation Authority website .
Delays or cancellations not classed as extraordinary circumstances
Dear Sir/Madam
I am writing regarding flight [flight number] on [date] from [departure airport] to [arrival airport] with the scheduled departure time of [scheduled departure time].
My booking reference is [booking or reservation reference if available]. This flight arrived [number of hours] hours late at [airport] (or) This flight was cancelled and I arrived late on [time and date of arrival].
The passengers in the party were [names of party].
The judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union in Tui & others v CAA confirmed the applicability of compensation for delay as set out in the Sturgeon case. As such, I am seeking compensation under EC Regulation 261/2004 for this delayed flight.
My scheduled flight length was [number of kilometres see here if you need to check flight length http://gc.kls2.com /], therefore I am seeking [if less than 1500km: 250, if more than 1500km but less than 3500km: 400, if more than 3500km: 600) per delayed passenger in my party. The total compensation sought is ].
I look forward to hearing from you and would welcome a response in 14 days.,
Yours faithfully,
[passenger name]
Delays or cancellations classed as extraordinary circumstances
Dear Sir/Madam
I am writing regarding flight [flight number] on [date] from [departure airport] to [arrival airport] with the scheduled departure time of [scheduled departure time].
My booking reference is [booking or reservation reference if available]. This flight arrived [number of hours] hours late at [airport] (or) This flight was cancelled and I arrived late on [time and date of arrival].
Unfortunately, your airline failed to meet its obligations under EU rules and did not provide me with the assistance it should have in the form of rerouting home / accommodation / meals / transport to the airport. [Delete as applicable.]
I am therefore asking you to please compensate me for ----. I enclose receipts.
The EU rules that state that I should have been assisted by yourselves are in Regulation (EC) 261/2004. In this Article 5 states that in the case of cancellation or delay of more than one day I am entitled to be reimbursed or re-routed under Article 8 and also offered assistance, including accommodation, meals and transport under Article 9.
Article 9 states:
1. Where reference is made to this Article, passengers shall be offered free of charge:
(a) meals and refreshments in a reasonable relation to the waiting time;
(b) hotel accommodation in cases
where a stay of one or more nights becomes necessary,
or where a stay additional to that intended by the passenger becomes necessary; (c) transport between the airport and place of accommodation (hotel or other).
2. In addition, passengers shall be offered free of charge two telephone calls, telex or fax messages, or e-mails.
3. In applying this Article, the operating air carrier shall pay particular attention to the needs of persons with reduced mobility and any persons accompanying them, as well as to the needs of unaccompanied children.
Under Article 5 part 3, airlines are able to avoid paying compensation in accordance with Article 7 in the case of 'extraordinary circumstances', but this extraordinary circumstances clause does not apply to the entitlement to assistance under Article 9.
A 2014 ruling ratified by the Supreme Court, in the case of Huzar vs Jet2, says that European airlines can no longer claim technical faults as extraordinary circumstances, so must pay out compensation for flight delays of longer than three hours such cases.
I thank you for your assistance with this and await your response.
Yours faithfully
Train delays or cancellations due to bad weather
National Rail - which oversees all train lines - says customers must be able to claim compensation if they arrive more than an hour late.
Grand Central, Great Western Railway and South West Trains are the only companies that stick to this 60-minute rule. If you are travelling with any other train company, such as Virgin or Great Northern, you can claim compensation if you are delayed over 30 minutes.
National Rail - which oversees all train lines - says customers must be able to claim compensation if they arrive more than an hour late
To claim, you need to submit a form online or in the post. Most firms do this through a Delay Repay compensation scheme.
Keep hold of all your receipts and make a note of the time you arrived at your destination.
If you don't have it any more - as most likely it was gobbled by a machine at a ticket barrier - you should be able to use your receipt or credit card statement.
Eurostar delays or cancellations due to bad weather
If your Eurostar train has been delayed or cancelled by more than one hour, you are entitled to compensation even if the reason for the delay - such as bad weather or strike action - is out of Eurostar's control.
For delays between 60 minutes and 119 minutes, you can claim a refund of 25 per cent of the price of your single ticket or a Eurostar e-voucher to use on a future journey to the value of 25 per cent of the fare which you paid. You can also pass on your e-voucher code for someone else to use.
For a delay of 120 - 179 minutes, you can claim either a refund of 50 per cent of the fare or an e-voucher for 50 per cent of your paid fare.
For a delay of three hours or more, you can claim either a refund of 50 per cent of the fare or an e-voucher for 75 per cent of the fare.
Hang on to your ticket, wait 24 hours, then claim online.
You can claim for an e-voucher to use against a future journey at https://compensation.eurostar.com/#/
If your Eurostar train has been delayed or cancelled by more than one hour, you are entitled to compensation
You can claim cash at prr.eurostar.com
With a delay of more than one hour, you may decide not to travel, in which case you can exchange your ticket for free and travel on another date within 120 days (90 days if your booking involves onward travel with another train company), subject to availability
or/
Request a full refund, regardless of your original ticket conditions.
Make sure you keep your original tickets and all your receipts youll need these to make your claim.
If your Eurostar train is delayed or cancelled and you need to stay the night and youre going to miss your onward journey, Eurostar provides:-
A taxi - if youd prefer to spend the night at home or at a friends place, they will cover the cost of a taxi for you to get there, up to 50 per taxi
A hotel stay - up to 150 per room per night
Meals - up to 50 per person per 24 hour period
If you have any other expenses, read your policy and talk to your insurance provider about whether you can claim for them.
Ferry cancellation rights due to bad weather
If your ferry service is cancelled or departure is delayed for more than 90 minutes due to bad weather, you should be offered the choice between:
an alternative sailing at the earliest opportunity at no additional cost
refund of the ticket price within seven days.
Ferry operators dont have to offer compensation if the delay was caused by weather conditions
Meals, snacks and Refreshments should also be provided if theyre available and can be reasonably supplied.
No overnight accommodation has to be offered though or costs reimbursed if the delay is caused by weather conditions.
Ferry operators dont have to offer compensation if the delay was caused by weather conditions.
UK retailers have hogged the limelight this week given the barrage of trading updates released to the market, with high street stalwarts such as Debenhams, Next and the big supermarkets dominating the business pages.
Its easy to forget then that the junior market has a few well-known brands itself, with two AIM biggies in particular showing the old boys a thing or two and proving what most already knew to be true: online shopping is taking over.
While the High Street chains posted what can best be described as anaemic growth total, ASOS and Boohoo put them to shame. The fast-fashion websites posted hefty sales growth of 36per cent and 55per cent respectively over the peak trading season as more and more people did their shopping online.
On a high: While the High Street chains posted what can best be described as anaemic growth total, ASOS and Boohoo put them to shame
Both enjoyed exceptional growth across the pond too, with Boohoo more than trebling its revenue in the States. The solid figures sent shares in ASOS up 5 per cent over the week, while Boohoo was also trading almost 3 per cent higher come Friday afternoon.
A couple of other familiar AIM-listed retailers, SuperGroup and AO, updated the markets, although the City was left somewhat disappointed by both.
SuperGroup owner of the Superdry brand saw a 20 per cent year-on-year increase in peak trading sales, although the market had hoped for little more given last years relatively soft comparatives.
Household appliance specialist AO slumped by 12 per cent on Thursday after its sales fell short of analyst expectations. It wasnt particularly upbeat on its outlook either, citing the 'uncertain' economic environment.
Dressed to impress: Boohoo more than trebled its revenue in the States - the solid figures sent shares almost 3 per cent higher come Friday afternoon
With the seemingly never-ending retail updates, the ebb and flow of the oil price over the past few days has been largely ignored by the papers; though not by a few savvy investors.
The likes of Petro Matad, EnQuest and Gulf Marine Services all saw their share prices gush higher towards the end of the week as OPEC members (for once) followed through with the plans to reduce output.
At the same time China - the worlds biggest consumer of commodities - has upped its imports of the black stuff this week, which also bodes well for an industry still in recovery mode.
Petro Matad has actually had an astounding week and is up more than 60 per cent.
Alongside the improved outlook for the industry, the group confirmed that it expects to receive US$5million from supermajor Royal Dutch Shell within the next week or two as part of an exit payment agreed last summer.
That sent the share price into overdrive which even caught management by surprise, forcing Petro to come out on Thursday to explain that there were no further updates.
Sticking with fossil fuels, shares in Edenville Energy soared 63 per cent higher this week as it started trial mining at its Rukwa coal project in Tanzia following 'significant' interest from several companies looking to snap up its product.
The group said it was now 'confident in the long-term market' for coal following the interest, and is hopeful that initial mining will kick off at some point in the current quarter.
More generally as well, the AIM All Share Index has enjoyed another good week of gains, which comes on the back of a decent little run for the junior market.
The talk in the City has been of the Santa rally over on the FTSE 100, but the AIM All Share has consistently outperformed its bigger brother over the past few weeks.
The small caps index has gained more than 6 per cent since this time last month. Its headline-grabbing sibling is only up by 4.7 per cent over the same period.
Another of those to track the indexs climb is Greatland Gold. The precious metals explorer unearthed two potential large gold zones at the Ernest Giles project in Western Australia.
The firm said several of the zones were up to 60m thick and pretty close to the surface, exciting investors.
The share price rose sharply on Thursday following the news earlier that morning before cooling off a little by Friday afternoon.
Onto a different metal, and demand for uranium has been tipped to outstrip supply this year for the first time in more than a decade after the number one supplier, Kazatomprom, decided to curtail production at its Kazakh mines by 10%.
One of the firms that will likely benefit from this is Uranium Resources, which saw its share price go radioactive this week, although like Petro the board was at a loss as to the dramatic rise.
Even with a 25 per cent fall on Friday, shares were still up more than 40 per cent for the week.
And we couldnt go through the article without mentioning the weather, could we? It seems it isnt just the UK that has been hit by snow. Ariana Resources has also been caught in the cold in Turkey, where the cold spell is hampering the ramp-up at its Kiziltepe gold mine.
What the smart money knows is the mine should be in cash-generative production in a matter of weeks. Thats perhaps why there was decent backing for a top-up fundraiser which brought in an extra 900,000.
And remember, had you invested in Ariana this time last year youd have more than doubled your money.
Casino trader Banc de Binary is shutting down in the face of scathing criticism over claims it targeted vulnerable investors.
The Israeli-owned firm, which once sponsored Liverpool FC, allowed unsophisticated investors to trade in high-risk binary options.
It is based in Cyprus - but because of a loophole in EU rules, the business could offer services in Britain without being regulated by the Gambling Commission or Financial Conduct Authority.
Waving goodbye: Casino trader Banc de Binary is shutting down in the face of scathing criticism over claims it targeted vulnerable investors
In the face of heavy pressure after the Mail highlighted stories of pensioners who had lost their savings, Banc has given up its Cypriot licence.
Binary options firms allow punters to bet on market movements without buying stocks and shares.
There has been a string of complaints about Banc, including from a 50-year-old divorcee who lost 12,500 in a matter of days.
A Money Mail investigation found that eight in ten binary options customers end up losing all their cash within five months.
At some binary firms, just three in 100 customers ever make a profit.
The industry is regulated by the Gambling Commission but the FCA is expected to take responsibility and is set for an aggressive crackdown.
The National Grid will not be broken up despite fears over conflicts of interest.
Critics said the company should not be allowed to continue as both owner and operator of Britains power grid.
But energy regulator Ofgem will separate the two arms of the company, rather than breaking it up.
Staying whole: The National Grid will not be broken up despite fears over conflicts of interest
The power operating division will become a separate company still owned by National Grid, Ofgem said following a review.
Ofgem said an independent operator would keep household bills down by promoting competition and innovation.
National Grid charges power companies to transport electricity and ensures enough supply.
Critics say this dual role could mean it has an incentive to buy too much electricity and not support efforts to cut power use.
Dermot Nolan, chief executive of Ofgem, said: Having a legally separate system operator will allow it to take on a more proactive role in managing the system and working with others, mitigating any conflicts of interest.
Polygamous King of Swaziland breaks up with his 12th wife (after she cheats on him)
Queen allegedly cheated on her husband with the country's justice minister
Wife claims she was banned from leaving or seeing her husband as punishment for the alleged betrayal
The polygamous king of Swaziland has kicked his twelfth wife out of his royal palace following claims she cheated on him with one of his friends, it was reported today (sun).
Officials working for King Mswati III, 43, ordered Nothando Dube, 23, to vacate her official residence last week, according to a report in South Africa's Sunday Times.
The eviction comes after the Queen, the twelfth of the monarch's 14 current wives, claimed she was being held as a prisoner in the palace following allegations made last year that she had cheated on her husband with the country's justice minister.
Shunned: King Mswati III has ordered his 12th wife to leave the royal residence over allegations she was unfaithful
The Sunday Times today reported how the dispute came to a head when Mrs Dube tried to leave her residence to visit a hospital after one of her children injured herself while playing.
The Queen claimed she was physically prevented from leaving the royal palace by a security guard whom she later attacked with pepper spray.
She told the newspaper: 'He threatened to hit me, saying I am not going anywhere with my child, who was bleeding from a deep wound.
'I had to protect myself so I sprayed him in the eyes.'
The violent altercation happened on November 12 at the secluded palace where Mrs Dube claims she had been held prisoner for more than a year.
The wife has previously spoken about how she had been prevented from seeing her husband since it was claimed last August that she had been caught having an affair.
King Mswati, Africa's last remaining absolute monarch, was said to be furious after the mother of three of his children was found in bed with Ndumiso Mamba, his close friend and the country's then justice minister.
Evicted: Nothando Dube claims that she was banned from leaving the palace or seeing her husband as punishment for the alleged betrayal
Queen Dube was placed under house arrest and Mr Mamba was sacked from the cabinet following the scandal, which was made public after pictures emerged of the bashful minister hiding in the base of her royal bed.
Since then, the wife had been held at the royal palace where she was allegedly banned from leaving or seeing her husband as punishment for the betrayal.
But Mrs Dube, a former Miss Swaziland who married the king when she was 16, was finally forced to leave the royal household following last week's row.
The Sunday Times reported that the matter was reported to the landlocked southern African state's Queen Mother, who decided she had been disrespectful by attacking the guard and should be kicked out.
The Queen told the newspaper her children remained at the palace following her eviction.
She said: 'I couldn't even take all my stuff, because they just said 'you have to pack and leave now'.
The Queen's sudden departure from the royal household has been condemned by human rights campaigners.
Lucky Lukhele, spokesman for the Swaziland Solidarity Network, criticised the king for LaDube's 'brutal eviction'.
Under Swazi tradition the monarch goes into 'seclusion' away from public view each spring before a ceremony to mark the first fruits of the year.
Mr Lukhele said royal sources claimed he had informed his mother he wanted his twelfth wife to have been removed this year by the time he returned.
Ceremony: The king in traditional dress for the annual Reed Dance at Ludzidzini, Swaziland in August last year
Mr Kuhele, whose campaigning organisation is based in neighbouring South Africa, said: 'The ill-treatment that Mrs Dube has endured and the subsequent separation from her children is a very inhumane act'
Last week's eviction is reportedly the third time a Swazi queen has been forced to leave the royal household since 2004.
King Mswati is known to have at least 14 current wives and scores of children.
Under Swazi tradition the polygamous monarch is permitted to choose a new bride each year from a selection of the country's prettiest virgins who dance topless for him at the annual 'Reed Dance' festival.
His wives are each given homes within the king's string of official residences located around the tiny landlocked kingdom, which lies between South Africa and Mozambique.
However the royal family's lavish lifestyle has come under fire in recent months from campaigners who have demanded democracy in Swaziland.
King Mswati currently rules his 1.2 million subjects through informal discussion with the country's cabinet, whom he appoints himself.
But this year the authorities have been forced to quell a string of protest against his autocratic rule.
The monarch, who was educated at Britain's Sherborne School, has repeatedly refused to consider reform.
Political opposition parties in the country are banned and activists are routinely arrested or assaulted.
Despite the criticism of his rule, Mswati enjoys backing from neighbouring South Africa, who recently propped up the economy of its junior neighbour with a POUNDS 215m loan.
Swaziland is a former British protectorate which gained independence in 1968. The vast majority of its citizens live in poverty.
The population has also been ravaged by Aids and has one of the highest rates of infection in the world.
British tourist spends 3,000 to bring home stray dog she found on beach in Mauritius (to join cat she brought back from Cyprus)
Animal lover Karen Garner is spending nearly 3,000 to bring home a stray dog she found on holiday in Mauritius.
The 47-year-old, from the village of Hopeman in Moray, Scotland, spent most of her week-long trip to the Indian Ocean island securing ownership of the pooch.
She came across the emaciated dog, which she has named Jean Paul, at her hotel and began feeding it scraps.
Animal lover: Karen Garner with the dog she is spending 3,000 on bringing home to Scotland from Mauritius Rescued: Jean Paul the dog on the beach in Mauritius And it is not the first time Ms Garner has come to the aid of a needy animal - 18 months ago she rescued a stray cat while on holiday in Cyprus, which left her with a 2,000 bill. After deciding she wanted to keep Jean Paul the dog, she drove him across Mauritius to an animal welfare group and paid to leave him there.
She said he will be vaccinated before being quarantined for six months. Ms Garner, who went to Mauritius with partner Barry Atkins, will then pay to fly the pooch back to the UK. She estimated the entire process would cost 2,700, which is coming out of her savings - but said Jean Paul was worth it. 'I am not flash with my money, but thought I should use the last of my savings to do this.' However, the experience has put her off returning to the tropical island because she found the sight of stray dogs 'heart-breaking'.
Furry friend: Karen Garner previously forked out 2,000 to rescue a stray cat from Cyprus
'My whole holiday was spent running around trying to save this dog,' she said. I was so worried that I could not relax. If I hadnt done this then I think he would have died.'Ms Garner decided on the second day of her holiday that she wanted to rescue the animal.
Human remains found in Panama are positively identified as California woman missing since 2011
Yvonne Baldelli, 42 , went missing in November 2011 while living in Panama with boyfriend Brian Brimager, a former Marine
Local discovered a skull and women's clothes in a military-style backpack
Brian Brimager, 37, is accused of dumping bloody hotel mattress in the ocean, but not yet of her murder
He is also accused of sending fake emails and withdrawing cash from her bank
Panamanian officials have identified the skeletal remains of a California woman who disappeared in 2011 in Panama after arriving in the country with her boyfriend.
DNA testing confirmed that the remains found last week on the island province of Bocas del Toro came from Yvonne Lee Baldelli, who was last seen there in November 2011.
A man who was cutting bushes found a bag containing Baldelli's remains on August 20 and contacted police.
Identified: Human remains found in a bag on an island off of Panama have been identified as those of Yvonne Baldelli, a California woman who went missing in November 2011
The 42-year-old woman from Laguna Nigel, California, arrived in Panama with boyfriend Brian Brimager in September 2011. Her family reported her missing the following January.
Baldelli's family has said Baldelli, a clothing designer, was frequently out of touch so they did not immediately suspect anything was wrong.
Panama police say Brimager left Panama for Costa Rica and the United States about 10 days after last being seen with Baldelli.
A local on Isla Carenero discovered a 'green military style' backpack containing a human skull, some bones and women's clothing, according to law enforcement.
A photo released by Baldelli's sister was taken in Bocas del Toro, Panama. Panamanian and US authorities have worked together to first find the 42-year-old's body and then try to find her killer
Grim discovery: A man cutting back bushes on August 20 on Panama's Isla Carenero found a 'green military style' backpack containing a human skull, some bones and women's clothing
Charged: Brimager was arrested by the FBI at his California home and charged in connection with the 2011 murder of his girlfriend Yvonne Baldelli, though he was not charged specifically with her murder
Her sister, Michelle Faust, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Brimager, an ex-Marine, is being held in California on obstruction of justice charges.
'The whole family has been very sad and desperate...we didn't know where Yvonne was,' Faust said. 'The good thing about today is that once the evidence (from the remains) is studied we will be able to bring her home.'
Panamanian investigators and FBI agents are working together on the case.
Last year, FBI agents and Panamanian forensic specialists found traces of blood on the walls and floor of the hostel El Sapo in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, which is the popular tourist spot where Baldelli was last seen.
Scene of the crime? Baldelli and Brimager lived in this house while in Panama and the FBI has said it will search the water for more remains
Brimager, left, was arrested in June in connection with the murder of Baldelli, right. Later, at Brimager's arraignment, prosecutors referred to him as the killer but did not formally press homicide charges
Baldelli, a fashion designer, had been in a relationship with Brimager for about two years, according to prosecutors
Baldelli was last seen at a steakhouse in the town of Bocas del Toro with Brimager on November 26, 2011, according to the U.S. Attorney's office, which also said he physically abused her before she went missing.
He has not been charged with murder but faces ten counts of obstruction of justice and one count of false statement to a federal officer.
Brimager is accused of dumping a bloody mattress in the ocean to cover up his girlfriend's death after searching online for how to get the stains out.
He is said to have packed her belongings into garbage bags and left them outside the hostel for disposal.
The indictment claims that on November 29 Brimager began sending fake emails to a hotel manager, friends and family from Ms Baldelli's account.
Justice? Baldelli, a fashion designer, was last seen in a Panama steakhouse in November 2011. Brian Brimager faces obstruction of justice and other charges, though not homicide, in relation to his ex-girlfriend's murder
It also states that on his way back to California he made a two-day layover in Costa Rica and used her ATM card to make it look like she was withdrawing money.
This was to back up the retired Marine's story that had Ms Baldelli had 'broken up with Brimager and was headed to Costa Rica with a man named Tony Gonzales.'
'Brimager impersonated Baldelli over email in an attempt to trick her friends and family into believing she was still alive, thereby obstructing, influencing and impeding investigation into her disappearance and suspected death,' the indictment says.
The indictment adds that when Brimager landed in San Diego on December 12, 2011, another woman, known as K.W., met him at the airport.
'He proposed to her two days later and they married shortly thereafter,' the document states.
Brimager faces a maximum sentence of 205 years in prison and a $2.5million fine if found guilty of every charge.
Easy life? The 42-year-old beauty had just been laid off from her job when she and Brimager decided to escape to the easy life
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With dust billowing into the sky, this is the moment a hillside crumbled to the ground at a busy construction site in Ecuador killing two workers and injuring eight more.
The hillside collapsed after an earthquake triggered a landslide at a quarry site in Ecuador, seven miles north of the capital of Quito.
It killed two employees of a Chinese contractor that works for the city. Eight more were injured.
A further three people are still missing from the quarry after the landslide in the Catequilla area of the country, near the Equator.
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The hillside collapsed after an earthquake triggered a landslide at a quarry site in Ecuador, seven miles north of the capital of Quito
The earthquake triggered a landslide at a quarry in the Catequilla section of Quito - seven miles north of the capital near the Equator - that killed two employees of a Chinese contractor that works for the city
The site was covered in thick layers of dust after the earthquake caused a landslide at a quarry, causing panic among the workers on the ground
Relatives of the victims killed in the landslide are consoled after the hillside collapsed which killed two workers and injured eight more
Rescue workers carry the body of a person killed in the earthquake, that struck the Catequilla section of Quito - seven miles north of the capital near the Equator
Two men look on at the Catequilla quarry, following a landslide caused by a 5.1 magnitude earthquake that rattled the area
Earth and dust spills after a landslide at a quarry in Catequilla, north of Quito, where three people are still missing
Rescue workers tried to retrieve bodies following the landslide in Catequilla, near the country's capital of Quito
The earthquake killed two workers at the site in the Catequilla section of Quito and rescuers tried to retrieve the three missing bodies
Rescue workers were at the quarry in Quito where there was a landslide. Located along the so-called 'Ring of Fire', a horseshoe-shaped, seismically turbulent area of the Pacific Ocean, Ecuador is prone to earthquakes
Workers were evacuated from the quarry in Catequilla, near Quito, after an earthquake caused a landslide
Parts of Quito were covered in clouds of dust that formed from moving earth at the nearby quarry, and the capital's Tababela airport was temporarily suspended.
Another landslide engulfed a vehicle on a road north of the city, but the driver escaped unharmed, rescue workers said.
The 5.1 magnitude quake struck the Ecuadorian province of Pinchincha on Tuesday, causing buildings to sway and sent people running into the streets.
In total, four people have been killed and eight others injured.
People had to walk along the Pan-American Highway after Tuesday's earthquake left part of the road unusable
A police vehicle carried people along the Pan-American Highway, as workers cleaned up debris from the road
At least 44 medium-intensity aftershocks have been registered since the quake struck on Tuesday. Mr Rodas, mayor the city, said: 'We have four victims to lament'
People gathered on the streets of Ecuador's capital, Quito, after hearing about the earthquake
Parts of Quito were covered in clouds of dust that formed from moving earth at the nearby quarries, and the capital's Tababela airport was temporarily suspended
One victim, who has yet to be identified, died in a health facility in Catequilla.
Another, a four-year-old boy, died in a different area of the capital. He was killed when sacks of rice fell on top of him, according to the mayor of Quito, Mauricio Rodas.
Mr Rodas, mayor the city, said: 'We have four victims to lament.'
Eight other people were also injured because of the shallow earthquake that set off at least 44 medium-intensity aftershocks since it struck on Tuesday.
The US Geological Survey said the quake was centred 14 miles northeast of Quito at a depth of 4.8 miles.
At least 44 medium-intensity aftershocks have been registered since the quake struck.
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Medics, marines and sailors waved farewell as a Royal Navy ship left for Sierra Leone today, loaded with aid, food, water and equipment to help treat people infected with the deadly Ebola virus in a bid to stop it spreading.
Prime Minister David Cameron has called for other countries to do more to tackle the epidemic, which has so far killed more than 4,500 people and has been deemed the 'most severe acute health emergency in modern times' by the World Health Organisation.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Argus, a navy ship, left Falmouth Docks in south west England for the 10-day journey to Sierra Leone - one of the west African countries worst hit by the disease.
The ship is carrying equipment to build medical units and life saving medical materials as well as thousands of bottles of water. It is due to stop at Gibraltar en route to collect more supplies to ensure as many people as possible can be treated.
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The ship is carrying equipment to build medical units and life saving medical materials as well as thousands of bottles of water
A total of 380 personnel including medics and marines are on board the ship bound for Sierra Leone to treat patients infected with Ebola
Merlin helicopters will travel with the ship during its 10-day journey to Sierra Leone to support medical teams and aid workers on board
Around 380 personnel - including 80 medics and 80 marines - set sail on the ship today as dozens lined the decks of the ship to wave goodbye to onlookers as it left the dock after waiting for high tide.
The ship could be stationed off the west coast of Africa for up to three months and is being termed a 'floating hospital'. It has a casualty unit and 100 beds but no patients will be brought aboard to prevent further transmission of the disease. Instead it will be used as a forward base for medics, engineers, soldiers and aid experts to build specialist medical units.
Captain David Eagles said all crew will be subject to strict checks to prevent the spread of Ebola.
Any personnel infected with Ebola will be treated on shore and flown to a British treatment clinic in Kerry Town.
Earlier today David Cameron said Ebola was 'the biggest health problem facing our world in a generation' as he called for countries to do more to tackle the crisis.
The ship is travelling with three Merlin utility helicopters, air crew and engineers to provide transport and support to medical teams and aid workers.
The personnel on board include medics who will use their expertise to try and combat the deadly outbreak of Ebola in west Africa
People lined Falmouth docks to bid farewell to the ship and its 380 personnel as it left for Sierra Leone today
Troops with landing craft will escort personnel ashore and protect teams deployed on the ground.
Captain David Eagles, 52, of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, said his crew will be subjected to 'tough' regulations while aboard the giant ship to keep it sterile.
They will be banned from going ashore throughout the deployment and the Royal Marines who do will face a stringent decontamination process to re-board.
The Ebola epidemic has gripped west Africa where the majority of deaths have occurred. In Sierra Leone (above) burial teams abandoned the bodies of victims of the disease when they went on strike earlier this month, as people gather round a suspected victim
Volunteers working in west Africa have been wearing special protective clothing to treat patients in a bid to stop Ebola spreading
Medics will take their temperatures twice a day and anyone who shows signs of Ebola will be flown to a British treatment clinic in Kerry Town.
Captain Eagles said: 'The initial anxiety of the ship's company and families has now been replaced by pride in what is a very good mission as a part of the wider UK mission to save lives in Sierra Leone and contribute to the safety of the UK.
ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY ARGUS The ship is part of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), part of the Royal Navy It is classed as naval/naval auxiliary vessel The ship is 175.1 m (574ft 6ins) long It has a speed of 18 knots (33 km/h) RFA Argus has a casualty unit and 100 beds A total of 380 personnel, including 80 medics and 80 marines are on board 3 Merlin helicopters, air crew and engineers will travel with the ship Gross tonnage: 26421t
'The four building blocks to keep our people safe are the education, the training, the supervision and the leadership.
'I am confident that we have those pillars in place.'
The WHO said the number of Ebola cases in West Africa could exceed 9,000 this week.
Heathrow airport also started screening passengers arriving from the worst hit countries for signs of the disease and more British airports are due to do the same.
Speaking at an Asia-Europe summit in Milan, David Cameron said: 'This is the biggest health problem facing our world in a generation.
'I think it's time for other countries to look at their responsibilities and their resources and act in a similar way to what Britain is doing in Sierra Leone, America's doing in Liberia and France is doing in Guinea.
'Other countries now need to step forward with resources and action because taking action at source in west Africa, that is the best way to protect all of us here in Europe.'
Britain is taking the international lead role in tackling Ebola in Sierra Leone due to its historic links. Sierra Leone gained independence from Britain in 1961.
Three Merlin utility helicopters, air crew and engineers are travelling with RFA Argus as it travels to Sierra Leone to treat Ebola patients
First of three Merlin Mk2 helicopters from 820 Naval Air Squadron is pictured touching down on the RFA Argus as it sails to Sierra Leone
Captain Eagles said personnel on the ship will be subject to stringent testing before they can re-board to prevent spread of Ebola
Prime Minister David Cameron spoke at the Asia-Europe summit when he said countries need to do much more to tackle Ebola and help stop the spread of the deadly disease, which has killed more than 4,000 people mostly in west Africa
But Britain's International Development Secretary Justine Greening said other nations needed to pull their weight in the region.
'It is simply not going to be a tenable approach to simply leave the UK to work with Sierra Leone, the US with Liberia and France with Guinea and for no other countries to get involved,' she told BBC radio.
'The international community now needs to wake up to this crisis and start putting resources in.'
A British army medical team arrived in Sierra Leone on Thursday to work at a British-supported treatment centre.
Also this week Heathrow airport started screening arrivals from the worst-affected region for the deadly disease. This was due to be launched at London Gatwick by the end of this week and will be extended to Manchester and Birmingham airports.
The ship has been loaded with materials to build medical units as well as life saving supplies and will stop off at Gibraltar to collect more
Earlier this week Lt Susan Jeffreys checked medical equipment in the ship's on board hospital ahead of its departure for Sierra Leone
The ship has been loaded with life saving medical supplies and equipment to build on shore medical units to treat Ebola patients
People watched from Falmouth Docks as the ship left for Sierra Leone today (left), after being loaded with supplies this week (right)
As the RFA Argus set off for Sierra Leone David Cameron said countries must do more to tackle the Ebola pandemic in west Africa
WHO assistant director-general Dr Bruce Aylward previously said that if the world's response to the Ebola crisis isn't stepped up within 60 days, 'a lot more people will die' and health workers will be stretched even further.
Ebola spreads through close contact with a sufferer's bodily fluids, such as blood, sweat, vomit, faeces, urine, saliva or semen. It can be incubated for 21 days and symptoms include a fever, flu-like body aches and abdominal pain, and then vomiting and diarrhoea.
William Pooley, 29, is the only British person known so far to be diagnosed with Ebola. Mr Pooley, a nurse, caught the deadly disease while working in a hospital in Sierra Leone.
He was flown back to the UK by the RAF and treated at the Royal Free Hospital in London inside a specially designed polythene 'patient isolator' tent, tended by dozens of staff in the tailor made unit.
He recovered from the disease and has since said he plans to return to the country to help other patients.
William Pooley (pictured left) is the only known Briton to be diagnosed with Ebola and was successfully treated at the Royal Free Hospital in London. The virus (right) is passed on through close contact with bodily fluids such as blood, sweat, vomit and saliva
American Apparel is heading north of the border after Canadian clothing brand Gildan Activewear won a bankruptcy auction with a bid of around $88 million, it was announced on Thursday.
The Montreal-based apparel maker won the auction after it raised its offer for the failing fashion retailer, a person familiar with the matter said.
Gildan's takeover marks the end of an era for the iconic Los Angeles-based company, which was founded in 1998 by an eccentric Canadian university drop-out and grew to become a part of US popular culture thanks to its racy advertising.
Gildan will not take any of American Apparel's 110 stores, but will own its brand and assume some of its manufacturing operations, the source said.
The deal was approved by a bankruptcy judge on Thursday.
American Apparel was acquired in a bankruptcy auction by Canadian apparel maker Gildan Activewear. Above is an American Apparel store in New York City
American Apparel declined to comment, while Gildan did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The source asked not to be identified because details of the bankruptcy auction are confidential.
The auction for the retailer also attracted an offer from California-based apparel maker Next Level Apparel, a source said earlier on Monday.
However, Gildan won after raising its original $66million stalking horse bid, the source added.
In 2014, American Apparel founder and then-CEO Dov Charney (above) was removed from the company after poor sales performances and sexual harassment allegations
The bankruptcy auction also attracted interest from e-commerce giant Amazon.com Inc, competitor Forever 21 Inc and brand licensor Authentic Brands Group LLC, which led a consortium to acquire Aeropostale Inc out of its bankruptcy last year, sources said last week.
American Apparel's struggles show the major challenges facing brick-and-mortar retailers as more consumers shop online.
Several US retailers, including Aeropostale Inc and Pacific Sunwear of California Inc, have filed for bankruptcy in recent months.
Gildan plans to assume ownership of some of American Apparel's manufacturing plants in southern California, one of the largest garment-making operations in the United States with about 3,500 employees, sources have previously said.
Gildan makes most of its garments offshore, with close to 90 percent of its 42,000 employees in low-cost Caribbean and Central American countries.
It has yarn-spinning and distribution centers in cheaper parts of the United States, including North Carolina and Georgia.
American Apparel filed its second Chapter 11 in November with about $177 million in debt after the failure of a turnaround plan implemented by its owners, a group of former bondholders.
AA was founded in 1998 by an eccentric Canadian university drop-out and grew to become a part of US popular culture thanks to its racy advertising (as demonstrated above)
This ad featuring a young girl underwater was issued in 2003. The company came under fire for the suggestive ads
The company filed its first Chapter 11 in October 2015, and emerged early last year.
The company's finances had deteriorated quickly.
In 2013, it recorded sales topping $633million, capping off a period of growth.
In 2014, founder and then-CEO Dov Charney was removed from the company.
The controversial Charney allegedly called some of his staff sluts and pigs, punched holes in tables and threw things' during his tenure as CEO.
Gildan makes most of its garments offshore, with close to 90 percent of its 42,000 employees in low-cost Caribbean and Central American countries. Above is a shirt made in Honduras
Charney was ousted by the board of the Los Angeles-based company in June 2014, citing allegations of a long list of offenses, including violation of sexual harassment and anti-discrimination policies and the misuse of company funds.
It also claimed Charney had repeatedly engaged in conduct which had led to former employees making claims of harassment, discrimination and assault.
Charney's legal woes coincided with steep losses of revenue and declining economic performance.
Zhao told police in the 911 call 'I need some help'. He said that his daughter was last seen sleeping in the back of the restaurant earlier that day, and described what she was wearing
A father called 911 to say that his five-year-old daughter was missing before her body was found stuffed in the wall of the family's Chinese restaurant.
Liang Zhao, 34, called authorities on Monday to say that he couldn't find his daughter who had been asleep the last time she was seen.
The body of Ashley Zhao was found hidden in Ang's Asian Cuisine in North Canton, Ohio, after a day long search.
Full audio of the call reveals that Zhao told police 'I need some help'. He said that his daughter was last seen sleeping in the back of the restaurant earlier that day, and described what she was wearing.
During the call he told police: 'She was sleeping there, I picked up my older daughter from school, we went to work and let her sleep.
'Then we got busy, and then we started cleaning up and we opened the door and she's not here.
'We saw her, like all of us, myself, my wife, my daughter.'
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Liang Zhao, Ashley's father, called authorities on Monday to say that he couldn't find his daughter who had been asleep the last time she was seen
Police allege the girl's mother, 29-year-old Mingming Chen, struck Ashley in the face several times with her fist on Monday morning
Police issued a statewide endangered child advisory during her search.
Dogs were used to scour a woodlands area behind the restaurant, while locals also helped with the search.
Officers found the five-year-old's 'concealed' body in the restaurant during the search.
Police allege the girl's mother, 29-year-old Mingming Chen, struck Ashley in the face several times with her fist on Monday morning.
Ashley had a green liquid coming from her mouth when Zhao found her, and the father then tried to wash it off. While doing so, he realized she was not breathing, the Stark County Sheriff's Department claims.
He then performed unsuccessfully performed CPR on his daughter, who was already dead, according to ABC 5.
Police allege that Zhao tried to revive her, and then helped conceal her body upon realizing the truth.
Jackson Township police haven't provided details on how she was hidden.
Chen is charged with felonious assault and murder. Court records didn't list an attorney for her Thursday.
Authorities have said the Chinese woman isn't a naturalized citizen and therefore might face deportation.
Police allege that Zhao tried to revive her, and then helped conceal her body upon realizing the truth. Jackson Township police haven't provided details on how she was hidden
Chen (left), who is not a naturalized citizen, is charged with felonious assault and murder. Court records didn't list an attorney for her Thursday. Zhao (right), a legal citizen, is charged with complicity to murder and complicity to commit felonious assault
Zhao, a legal citizen, is charged with complicity to murder and complicity to commit felonious assault.
He maintains his innocence, according to a statement from the office of his attorney, Jacob Will, who said it would be premature to discuss the facts of the case.
Chen had applied for asylum in the United States in 2009 while claiming she was persecuted by the Chinese government as a follower of Falun Gong, a meditation practice outlawed by China's government, and federal judges have twice denied her petitions to stay in the US, WEWS-TV reported.
The law director in Massillon, where the murder case is being handled before potentially being presented to a county grand jury, indicated that authorities were trying to sort out whether a deportation order was in place for Chen, WEWS reported.
The body of Ashley Zhao was found hidden in Ang's Asian Cuisine (pictured) in North Canton, Ohio, after a daylong search
The parents said little during their initial court appearance Wednesday. They were jailed, each with a $5million bond. A public defender representing them for that appearance told a judge that Chen likely will need a translator for court proceedings
Authorities have said Chen (left) isn't a naturalized citizen and therefore might face deportation. Chen had applied for asylum in the United States in 2009 while claiming she was persecuted by the Chinese government as a follower of Falun Gong, a meditation practice outlawed by China's government, and federal judges have twice denied her petitions to stay in the US. Zhao (right) has been in the United States for over 20 years
The parents said little during their initial court appearance Wednesday. They were jailed, each with a $5million bond. A public defender representing them for that appearance told a judge that Chen likely will need a translator for court proceedings.
Zhao told the judge he has lived in the United States for over 20 years.
A leaked intelligence 'dossier' that claims Donald Trump is being blackmailed by the Russians came from a corporate espionage firm in Washington that Democrats, Republicans and private companies have relied on for years to dig up dirt on competitors.
Despite the secretive nature of its work, Fusion GPS has been at the center of a number of political controversies.
The secretive firm, which is run by three former Wall Street Journal reporters, was hired by Planned Parenthood to push back against undercover videos that appeared to show officials selling fetal tissue.
The firm also worked for Democrats in 2012 to uncover dirt on one of Mitt Romney's top donors, leading to charges from conservatives that the Obama campaign was engaging in 'Nixonian' tactics.
The Fusion GPS intelligence firm, which was co-founded by former Wall Street Journal reporter Glenn Simpson (pictured), was first hired by a Republican donor in 2015 to dig up dirt on Trump
Peter Fritsch (left) and Thomas Catan (right), both former reporters at the Wall Street Journal, are also co-founders of the firm
The Fusion GPS headquarters are registered to this office building in Northwest Washington D.C.
Fusion GPS enlisted a former British spy, Christopher Steele (pictured), to compile information for the 'dirty dossier'. The final - discredited - report cites several unnamed and allegedly highly-placed Russian sources who claim the Kremlin has been cultivating Trump as an intelligence asset for years. Steele runs the firm with fellow ex-spy Christopher Burrows (right)
Attack: How Trump responded on Friday morning to the discredited dossier
Fusion GPS is run by three former Wall Street Journal reporters: Glenn Simpson; Tom Catan; and Peter Fritsch.
Simpson was educated at George Washington University, and worked for Roll Call in Washington and the Wall Street Journal. He left there in 2009, and later spoke of his discontent at the paper after it was bought by Rupert Murdoch.
Catan grew up in the U.S. and Britain and attended the London School of Economics.
He later became editor of a business magazine in Mexico, worked for the Financial Times in New York and Argentina, and was the Spain correspondent for The Times, according to an online biography.
He covered antitrust issues while at the Wall Street Journal and also worked for it in Madrid.
Fritsch was the Wall Street Journals foreign bureau chief for Mexico, Brazil, Southeast Asia and Northern Europe, before becoming the papers national security editor.
According to the New York Times, Fusion GPS was originally hired by a Republican donor who has not been publicly identified to dig up dirt on Trump in 2015.
After Trump won the nomination, the firm began working with Democrats and honed in on Trump's links to Russia.
To help investigate Trump's alleged Kremlin connections, Fusion GPS enlisted a former British spy, Christopher Steele, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Steele, who had been posted in Moscow in the 1990s, currently runs a private intelligence firm - Orbis Business Intelligence - in Britain with Christopher Burrows. Both men are now in hiding.
How the two firms came to work together remains unclear. None of the three Fusion founders worked in Russia.
The 'dossier' compiled by Steele cites several unnamed and allegedly high-placed Russian sources who claim the Kremlin has been cultivating Trump as an intelligence asset for years.
According to the discredited report, the Russians recruited Trump through blackmail and by bribing him with women. It claims the Putin government has a videotape of Trump hiring prostitutes to urinate on a hotel bed in Moscow while he watched.
Although the dossier was pitched to a number of news outlets since the summer, so far no outlets have been able to verify the allegations.
The claims first went public this week, after CNN reported that US intelligence officials were looking into the dossier and had briefed Obama and Trump on its contents.
One of the allegations in the unverified and discredited report was that Trump hired prostitutes to urinate on a hotel bed in a Ritz Carlton in Moscow while he watched
At a news conference Wednesday, Trump hit back at news organizations who reported on the dossier, calling CNN 'fake news' for reporting on the questionable information
That report is disputed by NBC, which says that the intelligence chiefs did not brief Trump on it orally and gave a summary document to his Washington staff, not to him or his aides in New York.
Either way, CNN's report was the trigger for Buzzfeed to publish a copy of the report - despite acknowledging it contained errors and could not be verified.
That decision led to a firestorm of criticism for Buzzfeed and a robust denial from Trump.
He blasted the claims as 'fake news', and said he is a 'germophobe.'
Some of the assertions have also been contradicted directly. In one instance, the report claimed Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen held a 'clandestine meeting' in Prague with 'Kremlin representatives,' in August.
But Cohen said on Wednesday that he has never been to Prague.
Simpson and his company did not respond to requests for comment.
DailyMail.com can disclosed that although the report was shopped around to reporters by Democratic operatives shortly before the election, Fusion GPS had also been quietly promoting the dossier since as early as last summer, sources say.
Fusion GPS was founded by first by Simpson, shortly after he left the Wall Street Journal in 2009, and works with corporate and political clients who wanted to commission private investigative journalism.
The information these firms uncover is not necessarily intended to go public, but can be used by clients to help with lawsuits, mount pressure campaigns against competitors or negotiate better business deals.
While the vast majority of political campaigns still rely on traditional 'opposition research groups' to dig up information on opponents, that information is largely limited to public records.
Steele currently runs his own private intelligence firm in Britain, named Orbis Business Intelligence from this prestigious central London address
Spy Christopher Steele had been posted in Moscow in the 1990s and now lives in Farnham, Surrey. He has been in hiding since the story emerged.
Part of the document is seen above. Click here to see the full document first published by Buzzfeed
Campaigns have increasingly been turning to firms like Fusion GPS, which use source networks to find information that is not readily accessible or in the public domain.
While many of these firms prefer to operate in the shadows, Fusion GPS has been at the center of several high-profile political debates in the last few years.
In 2015, a group of pro-life activists released a series of undercover videos that appeared to show Planned Parenthood officials agreeing to sell fetal tissues obtained through abortions to medical researchers.
The videos set off a political firestorm, with Republican lawmakers calling for criminal investigations and for the federal government to cut off funding to Planned Parenthood.
In response, Planned Parenthood launched a defensive public relations campaign, hiring Fusion GPS to investigate the videos and the activist filmmaking group, the Center for Medical Progress.
An analysis by Fusion GPS claimed that the videos were edited in a deceptive way a charge that was denied by the filmmakers.
Fusion GPS was also reportedly hired in 2012 to dig up information on a major Mitt Romney donor, Frank VanderSloot, such as his divorce records. The revelation led to criticism from the Wall Street Journal that Democrats were engaging in 'Nixonian' tactics by trying to smear Republican supporters.
Other clients include Denis Katsyv, a Russian businessman, who lso reportedly enlisted Fusion GPS to help defend against U.S. federal charges of money-laundering last year.
The firm's work for Katsyv led to recent allegations that Fusion GPS failed to properly register as a foreign agent, according to Politico. The firm denied this, saying it was not required to register because it did not engage in actual lobbying.
The short life of Grace Packer has been revealed as an appalling litany of neglect and abuse before she was brutally raped and murdered.
The 14-year-old was strangled to death last July in a remote house in Pennsylvania after being tortured for hours by her adoptive mother, Sara Packer, and her boyfriend, Jacob Sullivan, according to a criminal complaint.
They later dismembered and dumped her body, the complaint stated.
Sullivan confessed to the killing in hospital last week after he and Packer failed in a joint suicide pact.
He admitted that his girlfriend, a former Northampton county adoptions supervisor, had been 'sexually aroused' by the rape of her daughter, the affidavit states.
They were charged this week with rape, murder and abuse of a corpse in the killing.
Grace Packer, 14, was strangled to death and later dismembered in a house in Pennsylvania after being tortured by her adoptive mother, Sara Packer and her boyfriend, Jacob Sullivan
Sara Packer (left) and Jacob Sullivan (right) have been charged this week with rape, murder and abuse of a corpse in the killing
The couple were in a 'polyamorous' relationship with another woman, named as Katherine Allbright - a 38-year-old social worker
Description: How Allbright described herself on Facebook. 'INTJ' is an abbreviation for 'introversion, intuition, thinking, judgment', and is one of 16 psychological types on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator - which says it can also be called 'the mastermind'.
Grace Packer was adopted by Sara Packer and her husband, David Packer (above), in 2004. He was arrested in 2010 for sexually abusing Grace when she was nine. The couple later divorced. He also assaulted her older foster sister
The couple were in a 'polyamorous' relationship with another woman, investigators said.
Now she can be named as by DailyMail.com as Katherine Allbright - a 38-year-old social worker currently employed by Delaware County.
Allbright is being treated as a 'person of interest' in the case but has not been charged with any crime.
Her attorney, Sharon Meisler, did not respond to requests for comment by DailyMail.com.
Allbright is a social worker who uses Facebook to describe herself as 'INTJ'.
It is an abbreviation for 'introversion, intuition, thinking, judgment', and is one of 16 psychological types on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator - which says it can also be called 'the mastermind'.
MORE SEX ABUSE IN HOUSE OF HORRORS David Packer not only sexually abused Grace, his wife's adoptive daughter: he also abused her foster sister. The girl was not Grace's biological sister. Extraordinarily, Sara Packer said that she knew that he had sexual contact - but said that the girl was 18 at the time. The Lehigh County District Attorney, James Martin, told the Philadelphia Inquirer that it was 'bizarre in itself'. Prosecutors were unable to prove that Sara Packer knew about the abuse. Advertisement
The lifelong abuse of Grace Packer allegedly began when she was a toddler.
She was born in August 2001 and was named Susan by biological parents, Rose and Rodney Hunsicker in Reading, Pennsylvania.
A lawyer for the Hunsickers told AP that they lost custody of the toddler over allegations that other adults were sexually abusing their young children.
The three-year-old was adopted by Sara Packer and her husband, David Packer, in 2004, and her name was changed to Grace. The Packers also adopted her one-year-brother while an older sister, aged six or seven, went to another foster home.
'It sounds like this poor girl went through hell,' said lawyer David Tornetta, who had fought for the birth parents to keep their three young children.
He called them good people who perhaps lacked the money and skills to care for them. The birth parents lost contact with all three of their children.
At the time she gained custody of Grace and her brother, Sara Packer was a year into her job at the Northampton County's Children, Youth and Families Division, where she was involved with foster care and adoption services. She was promoted to supervisor in 2007.
David Packer was arrested in 2010 for sexually abusing Grace when she was nine years old and another 15-year-old foster child.
Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin confirmed to WFMZ Grace was one of David Packer's two victims.
David Packer was convicted and jailed in 2011. He has since been released and is registered as a sexually violent predator.
Sara Packer lost her $44,000-a-year adoptions supervisor job in 2010, immediately after her husband's arrest.
She was never charged, but there was some concern she was aware of the abuse and didn't stop it, Martin told the Associated Press.
Investigators in several northeast Pennsylvania counties are now trying to determine how many foster children the Packers took in before he went to prison in 2011 and whether any other children were abused.
Following her husband's jail sentence, Sara Packer began a relationship with Jacob Sullivan. Sara and David Packer divorced in August 2016.
Police had established how the pair met but Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub was unable to provide details to DailyMail.com.
Some reports suggest that Allbright had been in a relationship with Packer and Sullivan for the past 18 months.
In mid-December, the threesome moved into a basement apartment in Horsham, Pennsylvania.
Allbright had a board-certified, social worker's license from the state of New Jersey which expired in August 2016.
On her Facebook page, she described herself as 'homoflexible, lesbian/pan, feminist, very liberal, sex positive, poly, INTJ, social worker, advocate'. The description has since been deleted.
Sara Packer, pictured leaving court in Newtown, Bucks County on Sunday
Grace Packer's corpse was kept in the attic of this rented home for four months. According to their neighbor, they had both tried to commit suicide in the basement
Chaotic house of horrors:
According to a LinkedIn profile, Allbright works as an HIV medical case manager for Family and Community Services of Delaware County.
She has previously worked for the New Jersey Division of Disability Services, has been employed as a social worker and a LGBTQ coordinator.
Neighbor Stephanie Budney told DailyMail.com that she met Allbright and Sullivan as they moved into the rented apartment below her.
Allbright, 38, told Budney that the couple had moved from Quakertown to be closer to her boyfriend's ex and his children.
'It was Kate and Jake who moved in,' Budney said.
'I asked them if they lived in the area and Kate said, 'No, we live in Quakertown now but it's kind of far for him to see his kids. His ex lives nearby with the kids and it will be a lot closer for him.'
Sullivan is believed to have two biological children and to have been married previously. It is not clear whether he was employed at the time of his arrest.
Budney said: 'They were a little odd but nothing alarming. She [Allbright] was a lot friendlier than he was.
'He [Sullivan] was quiet and barely said anything. At times, it seemed like he wanted her to stop chatting and move along with what they were doing.
'Kate left regularly around 8am but his car never left. He maybe left the apartment once in the time they were here. I assumed he didn't work or anything.
'He said they were 'homebodies.'
The neighbor said the couple made no mention of their third partner, Sara Packer, or her two adopted children.
Budney, 26, said neither she nor her boyfriend had seen Sara Packer at the home. Packer is listed as living at the Horsham apartment on a police criminal complaint.
'I don't know if she was really living there or that was just the address that she gave to police. I've been in that apartment before and there's nowhere to hide,' the neighbor said.
'Their entrance is on the side of our porch. They have small windows but they were completely covered.
'She [Packer] could easily have sneaked in and been there the whole time. We just didn't know and we never would have known.'
Budney was told by a property manager that a little boy would be staying part-time at the apartment. It is unclear if this was Packer's adopted son or one of Sullivan's biological children.
Sullivan's car can still be seen in the backyard of their rented Quakertown home
Suicide bid: The couple allegedly attempted suicide in their lower level apartment's basement
Grace Packer's original missing persons poster says she stole $300 from her mother
Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub would not comment on whether Allbright's involvement in the case had been ruled out.
According to Allbright's Facebook page, she and Packer had an exchange over a burger recipe in August 2016 a month after Grace Packer was murdered.
Allbright also shared a link about Donald Trump with a 'Jake Sullivan' in August 2016 although it is unclear whether this profile belongs to the accused.
Grace Packer was last seen alive at a family picnic on July 4, 2016.
According to the police criminal complaint, her mother and Sullivan had been plotting to kill the girl since October 2015.
On July 8, Packer and Sullivan reportedly drove Grace from the family home in Abington to a remote, rented house in Quakertown.
The 14-year-old was allegedly beaten by Sullivan and then raped by him while her mother watched.
Sullivan admitted the pair had discussed him raping Grace before she was murdered and that she had remained conscious during the attack, the complaint states.
According to the affidavit, Sullivan also admitted to investigators he had sexually assaulted Grace on two prior occasions on the days leading up to the murder.
The teen was poisoned with over-the-counter medication her mother had bought, bound, gagged and left to die in a stifling attic closet, the complaint states. The pair then returned to their home in Abington.
When they came back to the Quakertown house at 3am, they found Grace was still alive.
The 14-year-old lived in this house in Glenside, Pennsylvania, before moving to Quakertown where she was brutally murdered
Sullivan then allegedly strangled her. 'He explained it was more physical and took much longer than he expected,' according to the affidavit.
The girl's body was smothered with cat litter to hide the smell of decomposition.
On July 11, Sara Packer reported her daughter missing telling police the teen may have run away from their Abington home after an argument and had stolen $300 from her.
She raised suspicions when she failed to drop off a promised photograph of her daughter to police and moved without telling them, taking Grace's 12-year-old brother with her.
Police learned in September that Packer's children had been withdrawn from the Abington School District and moved 35 miles away to Quakertown.
Following a police visit to Packer's Quakertown home on October 11, Packer and Sullivan allegedly dismembered Grace's body in the bathtub with a saw.
Detectives would later find the receipts for the saw and spare blades in Packer's possession.
The girl's remains were dumped across woodland in Luzerne County and over the following weeks, the accused allegedly disposed of other evidence.
Neighbor Stephanie Budney (pictured) told DailyMail.com that she met Allbright and Sullivan when they moved into the rented apartment below her
The remains were found by hunters on October 31. Grace's body was identified through dental records.
Sara Packer also reportedly profited off her daughter's murder, lying that Grace was still alive so she could collect her social security checks.
She cashed in $712 monthly for her care, never disclosing that Grace was not at the home.
The mother was charged with obstruction of justice and was named a person of interest in Grace's murder in December.
According to the police report, Packer 'withheld critical information' and gave 'misleading statements'.
She was released after posting $1,000 bail despite objections from the prosecutor and was believed to have moved into the basement apartment in Horsham with Sullivan and Allbright.
On December 30, Allbright made a 911 call when she found her boyfriend unconscious after a suicide attempt at the home.
'I don't know if you have watched the news lately. Someone we were involved with was recently... It's a big mess. It's a big mess and I don't really know how to explain it. But oh my God,' she told the dispatcher, according to the affidavit.
Grace Packer's remains were discarded on an isolated road. The medical examiner identified her body through dental records
Allbright later found Packer unconscious at the apartment and drove her to hospital. Police believe that Packer and Sullivan made a suicide pact.
Sullivan allegedly made a hospital-bed confession to staff as he recovered, revealing that he and Packer had murdered her daughter.
Neighbors had not seen Allbright, who is originally from New Jersey, at the Horsham apartment since Packer and Sullivan's suicide attempts.
She returned on Tuesday afternoon with her lawyer and detectives who searched the basement home. Investigators were seen leaving the home with a box.
Her lawyer, Sharon Meisler, told NBC10 on Tuesday that her client was cooperating with the investigation.
David Packer's involvement in the rape-murder of Grace Packer has been ruled out, Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub told DailyMail.com in an email.
David Packer refused to speak to DailyMail.com at his home on Tuesday, citing the 'ongoing investigation'.
When asked about Grace Packer, he said only: 'She was my daughter.'
Following their arrests last weekend, Sullivan apologized as he was led into court from the hospital, telling reporters: 'I'm sorry for what I did to the girl.'
Weintraub said he was not aware of the 44-year-old facing any prior child sex abuse allegations.
Packer said nothing when she was led into the same court.
Relatives of Sara Packer and Jacob Sullivan refused to comment when contacted by DailyMail.com.
Neighbors were devastated to find out who had been living on their quiet street. 'I'm happy their suicide attempt didn't work,' Stephanie Budney said. 'I want to attend the trial.'
Packer and Sullivan are being held without bail in Bucks County Jail and are due in court for a preliminary hearing on January 20.
Weintraub said that the death penalty was being considered in the case.
A memorial service for Grace Packer is to be held on Monday at 3.30pm at the North Penn VFW in Glenside, Pennsylvania.
More than half of New South Wales will soar above 40C and Southern Queensland could break a temperature record as the blistering Australian heatwave reaches its fourth day.
The tiny NSW outback town of White Cliffs is bracing for its hottest day of the week with the mercury set to hit 47C on Friday.
Although Sydney city centre is expecting a top of 35C, the humidity will make it feel much hotter and temperatures will shoot up to 43C in Penrith.
These young women were seen soaking up the sun at Bronte Beach in Sydney's east as the mercury climbed on Friday
More than half of New South Wales will soar above 40C and Southern Queensland could break a temperature record as the blistering Australian heatwave reaches its fourth day
'The humidly with the amount of moisture in the atmosphere won't let up all day,'BoM duty forecaster Rob Taggart told the Daily Telegraph.
'To top all that off we are in for a warm night with a minimum temperatures unlikely to fall below 25C. It's going to be a really muggy warm night. And after such a hot day, it's going to be unpleasant.'
Bourke, in the state's north-west, is expecting a blistering top of 46C - its fourth consecutive day above 40C. Dubbo will hit 43C.
For Sydneysiders, there will be a brief break in the scorching weather on Sunday with a top of 25C.
In southern Queensland, the small southwestern town of Thargomindah could set a new record for the state's highest January minimum temperature on Friday morning.
The current record of 34.5C was set in Birdsville in 2003.
It's possible the mercury won't dip below that in Thargomindah on Friday, with a minimum of 33C forecast.
Sydneysiders popped down to Bronte Beach on Friday for a swim to escape the heat
Dozens of swimmers were seen in the water next to Bronte pool on Friday afternoon
For Sydneysiders, there will be a brief break in the scorching weather on Sunday with a top of 25C. Bondi Beach is pictured on Sunday
Sydney is expected to reach a top of 35C by the end of Friday
Sydney residents tried to keep their pets cool ahead of day four of the heatwave. This family made their dog ice blocks
FORECAST: WHAT THE WEATHER LOOKS LIKE AROUND AUSTRALIA SYDNEY Friday : Min 28, Max 35. Hot. Cloudy Saturday: Min 26, Max 31. Shower or two Sunday: Min 22, Max 25. Shower or two Monday: Min 20, Max 28. Partly cloudy BRISBANE: Friday : Min 26, Max 34. Partly cloudy Saturday: Min 25, Max 34. Showers Sunday: Min 25, Max 31. Possible storm Monday: Min 24, Max 31. Early shower ADELAIDE Friday: Min 13, Max 25. Rain clearing Saturday : Min 16, Max 24. Cloudy Sunday : Min 15, Max 28. Cloud clearing Monday: Min 16, Max 36. Sunny DARWIN Friday: Min 25, Max 33. Possible shower Saturday : Min 27, Max 33.Possible storm Sunday : Min 27, Max 33. Possible storm Monday: Min 26, Max 32. Possible storm MELBOURNE Friday : Min 14, Max 26. Rain. Windy. Saturday : Min 16, Max 23. Cloudy Sunday : Min 14, Max 23. Cloud clearing Monday: Min 12, Max 31. Sunny CANBERRA Friday : Min 22, Max 38. Hot. Little rain Saturday : Min 19, Max 31. Shower or two Sunday : Min 15, Max 29. Partly cloudy Monday: Min 14, Max 33. Mostly sunny PERTH Friday : Min 13, Max 27. Sunny Saturday : Min 16, Max 35. Sunny Sunday : Min 18, Max 32. Sunny Monday: Min 16, Max 27. Sunny HOBART Friday : Min 12, Max 24. Humid. Rain. Saturday : Min 15, Max 21. Possible rain Sunday : Min 12, Max 22. Partly cloudy Monday: Min 14, Max 26. Mostly sunny Advertisement
'The potential is definitely there,' BOM meteorologist Andrew Bufalino said.
A top of 34C is forecast in Brisbane, five degrees above the average daily maximum for this time of year.
The mercury hit 35.6C in the capital on Thursday, but forecasters have warned Saturday could prove even hotter.
Acting Health Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has urged people to regularly check the colour of their urine to ensure they stay hydrated.
'If you are feeling that your urine is dark, you should make sure that you increase your fluid intake - that's the best way of making sure you keep yourself safe,' he said on Thursday.
Temperatures are expected to return closer to average on Sunday when a trough should bring rain and thunderstorm activity.
Melbourne residents had different weather issues on Friday, with showers and gale-force wind hitting the city early in the morning.
Many were seen struggling with their umbrellas as they left Flinders Street Station.
Although Sydney city centre is expecting a top of 35C, the humidity will make it feel much hotter and temperatures will shoot up to 43C in Penrith
'The humidly with the amount of moisture in the atmosphere won't let up all day,' Sydney BoM duty forecaster Rob Taggart said
Acting Health Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has urged people to regularly check the colour of their urine to ensure they stay hydrated
The decision of a top intelligence official to brief Congress on the existence of unverified potentially compromising information on President-elect Donald Trump made it nearly certain the information would ultimately get out, critics say.
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper has said he does not believe the intelligence community leaked compromising information about President-elect Donald Trump even as he justified sharing the information a wider pool of elected officials who might ultimately spill the beans.
Clapper issued an unusual statement defending the decision to share the existence of potentially compromising information on Trump withe the 'gang of eight' top intelligence leaders on Capitol Hill after Trump fingered the intelligence community as the possible culprit.
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper (center) defended the decision to inform policymakers about the existence of potentially compromising information on Donald Trump. he said the intelligence community made no judgement on whether it was reliable
'Part of our obligation is to ensure that policymakers are provided with the fullest possible picture of any matters that might affect national security,' Clapper said in a statement.
'The [intelligence community] has not made any judgment that the information in this document is reliable, and we did not rely upon it in any way for our conclusions.'
He noted that the document had been 'widely circulated' among the 'media, members of Congress, and congressional staff.'
Trump went further than Clapper did in a tweet, saying 'James Clapper called me yesterday to denounce the false and fictitious report that was illegally circulated. Made up, phony facts.Too bad!'
Although CNN initially reported that a two-page summary had been provided to Trump and to President Obama, a statement said the information had been prepared.
NBC intelligence reporter Ken Dilanian told MSBNC's 'Morning Joe' that Trump had not in fact been briefed on the information and that it was taken to his Washington transition office because of the sensitive nature of the material.
We have a very good source, a senior intelligence official who tells NBC News that Trump was not actually briefed orally on this dossier or the summary of this dossier included in his briefing papers during the actual briefing on the Russian hacking and that it was actually included with the larger written document that wasnt even dropped off at Trump Tower because there wasnt a classified room to deliver his office,' he said. 'It was delivered to his office in D.C.'
Dilanian observed: 'I mean theres a lot of ways you can deliver this information to president-elect Trump. You could tell [incoming national security adviser] Mike Flynn, right? Youre in secure rooms with him all the time. Why did they summarize it in a way that they knew was going to the Gang of Eight, the leaders of Congress, and had the potential to leak?
That prompted co-host of 'Morning Joe' Joe Scarborough a former House member to say, 'You know if that information goes to the Gang of Eight its going to be all over the place. And sure enough it was.'
Scarborough speaks frequently with Trump by telephone and has known him for years.
Vice President Joe Biden says that he and President Barack Obama were briefed on on the dossier that claimed the Russians had evidence Donald Trump participated in filthy sex acts and they blew it off outright
Trump has said there's no truth to the contents of the discredited dossier. He called it 'fake news' and cracked a joke about being a 'germophobe' in response to a claim in the document that he received a golden shower from a prostitute in a Moscow hotel room
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told Donald Trump Wednesday evening that he did not believe leaks about the Russian dossier came from the US Intelligence Community
Clapper's statement said that he and Trump agreed that the leaks were 'corrosive and damaging to our national security' and that the dossier was 'NOT a US Intelligence Community project'
President-elect Trump claimed in tweet Thursday morning that Clapper denounced the report as 'false and fictitious' in their call on Wednesday
The Gang of Eight refers to the majority and minority leaders of the House and Senate, plus the Republican and Democratic leaders of both chambers' Intelligence committees.
Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday that he and President Obama had been briefed on the existence of the unverified material on Trump.
Obama apparently asked, according to Biden: '"What does this have to do with anything?,' CNN reported.
After CNN reported on the existence of the two-page summary Tuesday, BuzzFeed published the 35 pages of documents prepared by an ex-British spy including the salacious details it was based on.
This had the effect of getting the purported dirt out into the open.
BuzzFeed editor Ben Smith explained the publications reason to release the dirt dossier.
Referencing the CNN report, he told MSNBC: 'They not just had it, they were starting to act on it.
He referenced public statements by then- Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, who in October wrote FBI Director James Comey referencing 'explosive information' about Trump.
Not having it: Donald Trump went after Buzzfeed and CNN on Wednesday
Distance: CNN anchor Jake Tapper (left with Wolf Blitzer) later said Buzzfeed's decision to publish the entire dossier largely unverified was 'irresponsible journalism that hurts us all'
Initial story: CNN said in their original report that the two-page synopsis had been 'presented' to Trump last week (above)
'In my communications with you and other top officials in the national security community, it has become clear that you possess explosive information about close ties and coordination between Donald Trump, his top advisors, and the Russian governmentThe public has a right to know this information,' Reid wrote in October.
Smith continued: 'Harry Reid had written the letter referring to it. When you have an object that is in play, that is having consequences for the way our elected leaders are acting, you do have to ask the question of why should I suppress that?'
Smith added, using language that wouldn't be helpful in court: 'We are now in an era when you have to engage in false statements. Its an environment where you no longer have the luxury and where the legacy media has at times turned away from saying there's all the crazy stuff on the internet and said we're not going to touch it, we're going to stay out of it, we're just going to let it spread. I think this is a place where sunlight is a disinfectant.'
Explanation: On Tuesday, Buzzfeed editor-in-chief Be Smith posted the email he sent to staff that explained their decision to publish the entire dossier
Paul Pillar, a CIA veteran who spent 28 years in the intelligence community and now teaches at Georgetown University, said he doubted disseminating the information to congressional leaders and overseers was critical to the leak.
'I don't think access to the Gang of 8 was the critical factor in this case as far as leak potential is concerned,' Pillar told DailyMail.com. 'Awareness of the dossier seems to have been much more widespread than is true of some other things that get briefed to the Gang of 8.'
Lawmakers have been known in the past to divulge secrets when they weren't supposed to, to the great frustration of intelligence chiefs who are obliged to keep Congress in the loop about classified information but also want to protect their sources and methods.
As just one example, federal investigators concluded in 2004 that then-Senate Intelligence Committee chairman Richard Shelby had passed on classified intercepted messages to CNN and to a Fox News reporter following a classified briefing.
Much of the East Coast experienced unseasonably warm weather on Thursday, especially for December, while the West Coast was hammered with blizzards and rain.
The temperature reached a jacket-free 65 degrees in New York City, in contrast with the residents of Portland, Oregon, who shivered in a record snowfall.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler on Wednesday declared a state of emergency through Saturday for the city after roughly a foot of snow fell in the area, the heaviest daily snowfall in a decade.
This was the latest round of precipitation unleashed by what meteorologists call an 'atmospheric river' - a dense plume of moisture flowing from the tropical Pacific into California and the West.
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Highs in the 40s and 50s were seen from the central Plains and into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with parts of the South hitting the high 70s and low 80s
On Thursday, New York City beat its record high of 65 degrees, set in 1890, when a temperature of 64 was recorded
The unseasonably warm weather in New York City won't last for long. Thursday night's temperature will dip to about 45 degrees, with light snow expected on Saturday
December was a particularly wet month for California, which has struggled through years of drought, and the rainfall has intensified in the past week, Reuters reported.
The heavy rain triggered flooding, mudslides and rockslides in California on Sunday.
'This is an unusual event. We haven't had to do anything like this for 10 to 11 years,' Doug Carlson, spokesman for the California Department of Water Resources, told CNN.
In Sonoma County, north of San Francisco, the Russian River has been flooding since Monday morning.
Workers shovel snow in Mammoth, California, on Saturday. The snow and rain that has pummeled the state in recent days has helped eliminate the drought in the northern portion
The Truckee River near Reno, Nevada, overflowed its banks late Sunday and officials said the waterway could stay at the flood stage for days
Local media showed photos of people in the small town of Guerneville navigating flooded streets by canoe.
The rain in Guerneville had stopped on Wednesday, but floodwaters won't recede until late today, said Hannah Euser, a Sonoma County spokeswoman.
During the rainfall, a small tornado touched down in the Sacramento area on Tuesday.
The National Weather Service issued several flood advisory warnings for areas of Northern California.
Mitch Brown operates a skid steer, removing snow so water can flow freely, preventing flooding in Soda Springs, California, on Saturday
The weather service also issued winter storm and avalanche warnings for the Sierra Nevada region around Lake Tahoe, where up to seven inches of snow was forecast to fall by this afternoon.
Rainfall along the US West Coast is expected to end by tonight.
This month's strange weather flip can be pinned on El Nino, which stems from warmer than normal temperatures in the Pacific Ocean.
WHAT IS EL NINO? El Nino is caused by a shift in the distribution of warm water in the Pacific Ocean around the equator. Usually the wind blows strongly from east to west, due to the rotation of the Earth, causing water to pile up in the western part of the Pacific. This pulls up colder water from the deep ocean in the eastern Pacific. However, in an El Nino, the winds pushing the water get weaker and cause the warmer water to shift back towards the east. This causes the eastern Pacific to get warmer. But as the ocean temperature is linked to the wind currents, this causes the winds to grow weaker still and so the ocean grows warmer, meaning the El Nino grows. This change in air and ocean currents around the equator can have a major impact on the weather patterns around the globe by creating pressure anomalies in the atmosphere Advertisement
El Nino effects include warmer than normal temperatures in the northern US, cooler than normal in the southern US.
Record highs in the 40s and 50s were seen from the central Plains and into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, according to The Weather Channel.
Last year marked the second hottest year on record in the US - and the world - since record keeping began in the 19th century.
At 65 degrees, New York City beat its record high, set in 1890, when a temperature of 64 was recorded.
But the abnormally balmy temperatures aren't expected to last for long.
In New York City, tonight's temperature will dip to about 45 degrees, and light snow is expected on Saturday.
There's potential for a widespread mess of snow, sleet and freezing rain beginning Friday from Texas, spreading into parts of the Northeast next week.
The 40 football supporters from each country will reportedly be instructed to deliver positive messages about their experience in the Gulf state and report critical social media posts. The Times claims that the idea is that the fans should sit together, singing and playing for the television cameras. Influencers and celebrities have also reportedly been signed up by Qatar, which counts David Beckham as an official ambassador. Supporters from Wales have also signed up to the so-called Fan Leader Programme, along with 30 other nations' fans. But critics have said they are being used as part of a 'sinister, distasteful' marketing exercise. In return for staying in Qatar for a minimum of two weeks, they will enjoy free flights and accommodation as well as 60-a-day spending money on a pre-loaded card from tournament sponsor Visa. They will also reportedly receive complimentary tickets to the opening ceremony and matches having signed a 'code of conduct' before they take off for Doha on November 17. They will be urged to post favourable comments about the tournament on social media and to report 'any offensive, degrading or abusive comments' by others to the organisers, preferably with screenshots. One document seen by the paper, sent to fan leaders, says of the opening ceremony: 'In celebration of the fans around the world, over the period of five minutes, fan chants from each nation will be played and you will be expected to stand up, sing the song/chant, wave your flags and represent your country'.
The mother-of-four who was hit and killed by a rubbish truck at a fast food restaurant on Wednesday was 12-weeks pregnant.
Robin Moolenaar, 45, from Hackham in Adelaide was doing the 'shopping run' and picking up dinner for her children when she was struck and killed in a Hungry Jacks carpark at about 9.30pm.
Her partner David Sunderland has gone back to the crash site trying to figure out how the accident happened, The Adelaide Advertiser reports.
Robin Moolenaar from Hackham, Adelaide was struck and killed by a garbage truck on Wednesday afternoon she died on the scene
Her partner David Sunderland, pictured, revealed Ms Moolenaar was 12-weeks pregnant when she was killed - he is still in shock
The distraught father said he was 'shocked' following the tragic accident - and revealed he was 'meant to do the run' to the shops.
He also revealed Ms Moolenaar was pregnant with her fifth child - she had told him just two weeks before the tragic accident.
Mr Sunderland described his partner of eight years as a 'good chick' who always made him laugh.
Ms Moolenaar died at the scene after a garbage truck moved forward to empty the large industrial bins behind the fast-food restaurant.
It's been reported that a witness at the scene saw the woman walking through the car park after shopping at the nearby Woolworths supermarket when she was struck by the garbage truck.
The witness believed the victim was in the truck driver's blind spot and he didn't see her.
The 45-year-old pedestrian died after being hit by a rubbish truck in a Hungry Jacks car park
The incident took place at a Hungry Jacks car park in Hackham in Adelaide (pictured)
A witness said the victim looked to be in the rubbish truck driver's blind spot
Senior Constable Rebecca Stocks said little could be done to save the woman when emergency services arrived.
'The pedestrian, a 45-year-old from Hackham, sadly died at the scene,' she said.
'[It was] very distressing for witnesses and also emergency services, workers who attended the scene.'
This was the second traffic accident in 24 hours. Earlier in the day a school bus carrying up to 30 young children collided with a garbage truck at Para Hills in Adelaide.
Emergency services were called to the intersection of Nelson and Kesters roads after the collision on Wednesday afternoon.
Four children were taken to hospital for shock and minor injuries.
A Muslim taxi driver will fight accusations he assaulted a female passenger and tried to stop her leaving his cab during a late-night journey.
Mian Amer Mehboob, 45, from Pakistan, was charged with indecently assaulting a 25-year-old woman who got into his taxi late on December 16.
Police said the woman left a licensed premises in the city centre about 11.45pm and took Mehboob's taxi to Leichhardt in Sydney's inner west.
Mian Amer Mehboob, 45, from Pakistan, was charged with assaulting and indecently assaulting a 25-year-old woman
Police said the woman left a licensed premises in the city centre about 11.45pm and took Mehboob's taxi to Leichhardt in Sydney's inner west
It's alleged the taxi driver indecently assaulted her a number of times during the trip and once in Leichhardt, tried to stop her leaving the cab.
Mehboob appeared in the Downing Centre Local Court on Friday, and his lawyer indicated the taxi driver was pleading not guilty to both the assault and the indecent assault charges.
Mehboob, who is on bail, was excused from having to appear in court when the case returns on February 24.
Mehboob appeared in the Downing Centre Local Court on Friday, and his lawyer indicated the taxi driver was pleading not guilty
He is the co-founder of one of Britains biggest mobile phone companies, Carphone Warehouse, which has turned him into a billionaire.
Now, Sir Charles Dunstone, who is the chairman of TalkTalk, has expressed fears that technology could turn against him.
Definitely with computers and mobiles we are being spied on with their own cameras and recorders. You have to be careful, he warns.
Look at Facebook founder [Mark] Zuckerberg even he tapes over the camera on his devices. It worries me. I mean, the average man, or even woman, might look at porn through apps and everything you do is being recorded.
Now, Sir Charles Dunstone, who is the chairman of TalkTalk, has expressed fears that technology could turn against him
Im a married man with a young family, so I dont do that, but it is a worry and its too late to do anything about it. Big Brother is already with us!
Keen sailor Sir Charles, 52, was speaking at the Blue Marine Foundation Boat International Ocean Awards at Restaurant Ours in Londons Chelsea when he expressed his concern.
Uppingham-educated Sir Charles co-founded his original mobile phone business in 1989, working out of a chums Marylebone flat with a 6,000 loan and his prescience earned him a fortune.
After years of dating a succession of gorgeous girls, the affable entrepreneur is happily married to City PR executive Celia Gordon Shute. They live in Norfolk with their three young children. Im living a lovely life now, he enthuses.
Sir Charles is still concerned about the economy, mind you.
Re Brexit, I think the worst is yet to come weve been flung off a skyscraper and we are down to the 50th floor, but the pavement is coming . . .
But his phone does come in handy for following Donald Trump on Twitter. He adds: God knows why he cant be more presidential like Obama.
Sam Cam's glam clan pay their respects
It was a sad occasion, but Annabel Astor, mother of Samantha Cameron, and her glamorous daughter-in-law Lohralee Astor wife of William Astor, Sam Cams half-brother still found something to smile about. They were attending the funeral of the 12th Duke of Malboroughs uncle, Lord Charles Spencer-Churchill, who died aged 76 on December 21.
The Duke, better known as Jamie Blandford, 61, led mourners at the service held at the church of St Mary Magdalene, near the family seat of Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.
Sir Nicholas Soames and Laura Lopes, daughter of the Duchess of Cornwall, were among the congregation.
Annabel Astor (left), mother of Samantha Cameron, and her glamorous daughter-in-law Lohralee Astor (right)
The day Branson crash-landed
There's one celebrity who definitely wont be a passenger on Sir Richard Bransons Virgin Galactic space flight service.
Mike Oldfield, whose 1973 Tubular Bells album was Virgin Records first hit, says: I wouldnt like to go in his spaceship with him, no.
The 63-year-old musician explains: I once made the mistake of going in a [hot air] balloon with Richard Branson. He was the pilot, and we came very close to going down one of the gigantic chimneys at Didcot Power Station.
Finally, after flying so high that we were out of options, we crash-landed on a bakery in Oxford. We had to be rescued by the fire brigade.
I made my mind up then that anything thats to do with Richard and flying, I dont want to be part of it. Once bitten . . .
Huma Abedin was spotted having dinner at a trendy Italian restaurant in Manhattan, just hours after her disgraced husband Anthony Weiner stepped out in public for the first time since his stint in rehab for sex addicts .
Hillary Clinton's top aide dined out at Il Cantinori on 10th Street on Thursday night with two male friends and another guest.
A diner told DailyMail.com Huma and her ensemble sat at a corner table and enjoyed a cheerful, cozy night out.
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Huma Abedin, fresh off her disgraced sex pest husband making his first outing in New York since leaving rehab, has stepped out for dinner in Manhattan
This menu shows what diners can choose from when they visit the trendy Manhattan restaurant
The restaurant's desert menu is also posted online, allowing people to pick out what they want ahead of time
Abedin then left the restaurant alone and strolled back home to her apartment.
The night out comes just hours after sex pest Weiner was seen for the first time since he returned from rehab with the hope of reconciling with his estranged wife.
The disgraced former politician checked into an exclusive all-male sex rehabilitation center in Tennessee last October, after it had been revealed was sending sexually charged texts to an underage girl.
But Weiner is back in New York City, and was spotted during a rare public outing on Thursday.
Abedin dined out at Il Cantinori on 10th Street with two male friends on Friday night. She is pictured walking home
The popular dining spot in located at 32 E 10th Street in downtown Manhattan
A diner told DailyMail.com Huma and her ensemble sat at a corner table and enjoyed a cheerful, cozy night out. The top Clinton aide is seen walking home after dinner
Abedin left the restaurant alone and strolled back home to her apartment
At the end of the night out Abedin went inside her apartment and shut the blinds to get some sleep
Anthony Weiner has been seen for the first time since he returned from rehab with the hope of reconciling with his estranged wife, Huma Abedin
The former congressman sported a black jacket and olive khakis as he strolled the streets of Manhattan with his young son.
He also had a camouflage cap pulled low across his face.
It came after it was reported the 52-year-old is hoping to rescue his relationship with Abedin.
Sources told the New York Post on Thursday that Weiner is hopeful that he will make amends with his wife.
Weiner was spotted in New York as he walked on the streets with his son, Jordan, on Thursday
Weiner was wearing a camouflage cap as he tried to blend in being out in public for a rare outing
The source said: 'Anthony did a month in rehab and is undergoing further outpatient treatment in New York. He and Huma continue to co-parent their son.
'He is spending a lot of time at their apartment, and lives the rest of the time with his mother.'
The source, however said that the divorce is still on: 'A reconciliation is very unlikely.'
Abedin herself was spotted leaving home to make the school run alone on Thursday morning - and the 40-year-old was not wearing her wedding ring.
The disgraced former congressman appeared to fake a smile when he spotted the photographer
Weiner has returned to New York after a stint in a rehab clinic to help battle his sexting issues
The political operative went without a coat on the unseasonably warm Manhattan morning, wearing only a royal blue dress, a patterned orange silk scarf, fishnet stockings and black pumps.
If Weiner is to convince Abedin to take him back, the incident that saw him land in rehab will not be the only embarrassing sexual misadventure she will have to forgive.
Weiner grudgingly resigned from his position in the US House of Representatives in 2011 when he accidentally tweeted a nude photo of himself that he meant to send to another woman. At the time, Weiner and Abedin had been married for less than a year.
Huma Abedin made the school run alone Thursday morning, the day after a new report said her estranged husband Anthony Weiner is hoping she'll call off their divorce
Abdein went without a coat on the unseasonably warm January morning in New York City
Then, as he was running for New York City mayor in 2013, more sexually explicit photos were leaked, which Weiner sent to a 22-year-old Indiana woman named Sydney Leathers.
For a while, Weiner was frontrunner, far ahead of Bill de Blasio.
But in July there came a dramatic development: screen shots of more sexting that Weiner sent under the alias 'Carlos Danger'.
That scandal effectively brought his comeback campaign to a stop.
Huma Abedin announced her separation from Anthony Weiner in August. Weiner is, however, still spending time with Abedin and their son, Jordan, in their Manhattan apartment
The divorce announcement came after it emerged that Weiner had sent a photo of his crotch to a woman while his son was next to him
The most recent scandal came happened this past August, when it was revealed that Weiner continued to sex other women. One of the photos obtained by the New York Post shows Weiner laying next to his son in one photo to sent to another woman.
That was the straw that broke the camel's back for Abedin, who immediately announced her separation from Weiner in the final months of Clinton's campaign.
'After long painful consideration and work on my marriage, I have made the decision to separate from my husband,' Abedin said in a statement at the time. 'Anthony and I remain devoted to doing what's best for our son, who is the light of our life.'
A few weeks later, DailyMail.com revealed that Weiner was sending sexually charged texts to an underage girl.
In September, DailyMail.com reveled that Weiner was having a sexual online relationship with a 15-year-old girl (left). Despite news of the months-long relationship, Weiner still spends time at his and Abedin's Manhattan apartment in Union Square (right)
Abedin and Clinton have reconciled their relationship following the FBI investigation that rocked Clinton's campaign just days before the election
DailyMail.com broke the story in September: Weiner carried on a months-long online sexual relationship with the teen during which she claimed he asked her to dress up in 'school-girl' outfits for him on a video messaging application and pressed her to engage in 'rape fantasies'.
The investigation prompted an FBI investigation, during which computers were seized and the discovery of emails led to the re-opening of an investigation into then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton just days before the election.
Investigators found thousands of emails related to the FBI's probe into Clinton's private email server while looking into Weiner's laptop.
Clinton and her husband Bill have since blamed FBI director James Comey's decision to launch the probe, just before the election, as one of the reasons she lost.
When another sexting scandal caused Weiner to resign from the New York mayoral race in 2013, Abedin stood by his side
Weiner kept a low profile following the shocking revelations in October.
During Weiner's 2013 mayoral race, he was caught sexting then-22-year-old Sydney Leathers (pictured above)
'I have repeatedly demonstrated terrible judgement about the people I have communicated with online and the things I have sent,' he told the DailyMail.com in a statement after his scandal broke.
'I am filled with regret and heartbroken for those I have hurt.'
He then checked himself into The Ranch, a 2,000-acre recovery facility near Nashville, Tennessee, in early October, where he was seen horseback riding. Stays at the facility cost up to $30,000 a month.
The New York Post previously reported that he cut short his rehabilitation for sex addiction at the ranch because he 'ran out of money'.
Abedin and Jordan spend the holiday season in the Hamptons, with her mother Saleha Mahmood Abedin, and sister Heba Abedin. During the same time period, Weiner was seen wandering Manhattan alone.
Meanwhile, Abedin appears to have rebuilt her relationship with Clinton following the scandal.
The aide was spotted back at the Democrat's side last month in their first appearance together since the election.
They spent five hours inside the office before Abedin and an unidentified woman walked Clinton to a waiting vehicle and sent her on her way with a box of documents.
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A necklace of tidal lagoons should be built along the west coast of Britain to generate clean electricity by harnessing the power of the waves, a report recommends.
And the first of these revolutionary tidal lagoon power stations should be in Swansea Bay, it says.
The 1.3billion project would be the world's first tidal lagoon power station and would create a pioneering role for the UK in an industry with global potential.
Rising and falling tides would power huge turbines that would generate enough electricity for 155,000 homes, it is claimed.
Former Tory energy minister Charles Hendry, who was commissioned by the Government to produce the report on the project, said building it would be a 'no regrets policy'.
If successful it would pave the way for a 'necklace' of even bigger lagoons along the west coast.
Unlike wind or solar power 'tides are predictable for all time', and would reduce Britain's reliance on foreign energy sources.
Mr Hendry said that for 'around the cost of a pint of milk each year per household', the UK can start a new global industry. It will also help meet targets to reduce the amount of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide produced.
If the Swansea project is given the go-ahead by the Government, Tidal Lagoon Power Ltd will build a six-mile long breakwater enclosing 4.5 square miles of Swansea Bay.
As the tide rises, water will force its way through 16 enormous turbines, each 23ft wide. When the tide ebbs, the rotors will turn the opposite way also generating electricity.
Unlike wind or solar power 'tides are predictable for all time', and would reduce Britain's reliance on foreign energy sources
The 'pathfinder' project at Swansea would help with regeneration in South Wales, creating around 2,000 jobs in construction and manufacturing. It could go ahead as soon as 2018, and would take four years to complete.
If successful, further larger projects could be built at: Cardiff Bay; Bridgwater Bay in Somerset; Newport; Colwyn Bay and West Cumbria. If all six projects were built they could have a total capacity of 17.6 gigawatts, equivalent to around 30 per cent of the country's current electricity capacity.
Cardiff would be more than three times bigger than Swansea and would create around 12,000 jobs and generate more power around 2.8 gigawatts. This is comparable to the new Hinckley C nuclear power station, which will generate three gigawatts.
The 'pathfinder' project at Swansea would help with regeneration in South Wales, creating around 2,000 jobs in construction and manufacturing
Once the Swansea project is built, there should be 'pause' of up to two years to assess the effect on nature and wildlife, before proceeding with bigger projects such as Cardiff. Commenting on the Swansea scheme, Mr Hendry said: 'I don't think I've ever been to a community where people are so enthusiastic about a new power station.' Paul Flynn, Labour MP for Newport, praised the project, and said 'tidal power is Wales's North Sea oil'.
Some environmental groups such as Greenpeace welcomed the scheme, but the Marine Conservation Society said it had 'serious concerns about the impacts of tidal lagoons on sensitive coastal habitats and species'.
Business Secretary Greg Clark said the Government would consider the report and decide what was in the best interests of the UK's energy in the long term.
With his five-a-day Playboy bunny habit, celebrity-laden lifestyle and penchant for ludicrously lavish parties, Victor Lownes proudly practised what Playboy preached.
He was good-looking, dashing, sexy and rich. He could fly a plane, ski and gamble like James Bond, ride to hounds like a country squire and owned homes in Belgravia, Hertfordshire, Manhattan, Spain and Colorado.
He was also the brains behind Hugh Hefners bunny girl brand. He helped Hefner build his magazine empire, came up with the idea to open Playboy Clubs staffed by bunnies and ran all the groups British clubs and casinos in the Sixties and Seventies, transforming a sepia-tinted Britains sexual landscape in the process.
Victor Lownes was the brains behind Hugh Hefners bunny girl brand and helped him build his magazine empire (Pictured, Lownes with Bunnies at Stringfellows in London)
But Lownes, who has died of a heart attack aged 88, was most famous (or, perhaps, infamous) for his parties.
They were frequent, legend-ary and outrageous, drawing celebrities in droves, among them Jack Nicholson, Warren Beatty, Tony Curtis, John Cleese, Peter Cook, Tom Stoppard, Michael Caine, Judy Garland and The Beatles.
Most went on all night. One Lownes spectacular held at Stocks, his 42-room country pile, in July 1979 to mark the 25th anniversary of Playboy magazine, was attended by more than 2,000 guests and went on for 25 hours.
Diversions included a fairground, aerobatic displays, 8,000 bottles of champagne, 500 bottles of whisky, hot-air balloon rides, vials of amyl nitrite in every room (known as poppers, said to enhance sexual pleasure), naked romps in the bushes and hundreds of Playboy Bunnies and Playmates as garnish.
(For those not in the know, a Playmate is a model in the magazine, while a Bunny is a hostess in a Playboy club).
But the bulk of the action centred on Europes biggest hot tub the size of a swimming pool and heated to tropical levels, big enough to accommodate dozens and with violently powerful jets designed to thrill in all the right places.
Victor Lownes (pictured, in 1980) ran all of Playboy's British clubs and casinos in the Sixties and Seventies
The writer Auberon Waugh son of author Evelyn was one of the 2,000-plus guests.
I think the party must have been quite happy, he once said. But if you asked me where I spent the night, I have absolutely no idea.
Stocks also doubled as the Playboy Bunnies UK training camp, a sort of boarding school where aspiring Bunnies spent six weeks learning the correct way to walk, dress and smile.
They were also instructed into how to squeeze themselves into magically uplifting corsets, brush up their mental arithmetic (vital for bob-tailed croupiers) and, more often than not, grabbed the opportunity to hook up with Lownes for some special Victor time.
Lowness lifestyle was every promiscuous bachelors fantasy something he was fully aware of and utterly delighted by.
As he once put it himself, rather ungallantly: Power is an aphrodisiac. In the Bunnies world, I was No 1. It was a feather in their cap to go out with me.
Even the relentlessly priapic Hefner reportedly envied Lowness set-up.
Lowness lifestyle was every promiscuous bachelors fantasy something he was fully aware of and utterly delighted by (pictured, in 1972)
Victor Aubrey Lownes III was born in 1928 in Buffalo, New York, the eldest son of heirs to the Yale locks fortune and great-grandson to the patriarch of the U.S. Tobacco Company.
But his golden childhood came to an abrupt halt when he was 14, borrowed a .22 rifle for a hunting trip in the Everglades and accidentally shot dead a schoolfriend.
Shamed and ostracised, he was packed off to the Military Institute in Roswell, New Mexico, then to the University of Chicago for his undergraduate and MBA degrees.
It was in Chicago that he met and, aged just 18, married Judith Downs, a saxophone-playing, part Cherokee daughter of a wealthy rice farmer from Arkansas.
They married in 1946, had two children Val and Meredith and lived in a big, sprawling house.
But safe, solid suburban life wasnt for Victor.
After seven years of happy families, he was off. He moved back to Chicago to start a new chapter as a louche playboy.
He met Hefner at a party and they hit it off immediately, discovering a mutual passion for girls, money, sex, power and self-indulgence.
Lownes met Hugh Hefner at a party and they hit it off immediately, discovering a mutual passion for girls, money, sex, power and self-indulgence (pictured, Lownes in 1979)
Hefner had just created Playboy magazine. Victor wrote a few articles for him and a year later became Playboys promotions director.
He was a natural. He dreamt up Playboy Clubs (with bunny girl hostesses), hired Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin and a string of other big-name acts to sing in them, began the long-running ad campaign What Sort of Man Reads Playboy? and bought 25 per cent of the business for just $400 from Hefner.
In 1963, he moved to London, ready to take advantage of the recent change in the law legalising gambling.
He arrived with an extravagant splash, placing an advertisement in the personal columns of The Times that read: Millionaire seeks a flat in the most fashionable part of London. Rent up to 100 a week.
He settled on a house in Montpelier Square, opposite Harrods, which immediately became a mecca for A-list celebrities such as Peter Sellers, Tony Curtis, Telly Savalas and Shirley MacLaine.
Three years later, on July 1, 1966, he opened the first British Playboy and Casino Club at 44 Park Lane. Everyone who was anyone was at the opening night, including feminist protesters in the street outside.
It was seven storeys high, nicknamed the hutch on the park and included restaurants, a nightclub and apartments and suites available to rent by the day, week or month to Playboy members.
Lownes dismissed criticism of the bunny outfits as idiotic, saying: The girls liked their costumes because they showed off their bodies.
It was an immediate success. Similar ventures followed in Manchester and Portsmouth.
Lownes dismissed criticism of the bunny outfits as idiotic, saying: The girls liked their costumes because they showed off their bodies' ( pictured, with a Bunny in 1978)
While his business life went from strength to strength, his private life was complex, busy and, some might say, consciously eccentric.
He had a pet monkey called Dulcie and a bush baby (which was not house-trained) that perched on the picture rail in his bedroom. He would hold court from that bedroom sporting a deep tan, hairy chest, gold chain and little else, dictating letters to a string of secretaries.
And, of course, there were the girls. Endless girls.
Like his club members, he liked all sorts and, he once admitted, all sorts of breasts, too big, small, perky or pleasingly overblown. But he always insisted that while bedding girls was one of his twin passions (along with money), it was not his main activity.
It was my hobby, a sport, he would say.
So there were models, party girls, scores of Playmates and Bunnies and the occasional illegitimate child. A moral existence it certainly was not.
Asked how his behaviour chimed with the clubs strict rule about not cavorting with the Bunnies, he once said: Members cannot touch the Bunnies, but there is nothing to say the proprietor cant.
Lownes said that bedding girls was 'my hobby, a sport', an attitude that saw Private Eye nickname him Victor Disgusting Lownes (pictured, in fancy dress with two Bunnies in 1971)
When Private Eye nicknamed him Victor Disgusting Lownes, he claimed to be surprised. But he adored Playboy and everything it stood for.
Privately, publicly and commercially, I think sex is good, he said.
When he wasnt having sex or selling sex, he was partying with his celebrity friends, in particular, his close friend Roman Polanski, the film director.
When Polanski married the actress Sharon Tate (who was later murdered by members of Charles Mansons family) in 1968, Lownes not only threw a stag night party, but a huge wedding night bash the next day.
Polanski thanked him with a solid gold 22-carat statue of a penis, which Lownes proudly displayed in a glass cabinet, ceremoniously unveiled at yet another party thrown in the statues honour.
By the mid-Seventies he seemed unassailable. Publishing and gambling were the most lucrative businesses around.
He was the highest-paid executive in Britain his 250,000 salary even making it into the Guinness Book of Records with a valuable erotic art collection and a string of properties.
By the mid-Seventies Lownes was the highest-paid executive in Britain his 250,000 salary even making it into the Guinness Book of Records (pictured, in 1974)
Stocks, which he bought in 1972, had 19 bedrooms, four cottages, gold-plated taps, monogrammed wallpaper in the loos, waterbeds, four-poster beds, a huge bunny fridge filled with champagne and 40 resident trainee Bunnies.
It had previously been a girls boarding school. Unfortunately, they moved the girls before I could get there, he used to joke.
But Lownes wasnt the sort to care.
He was deeply immodest, with a vast ego and an insatiable appetite for attention, obsessively studying his Press clippings and berating his PR girl for not getting him more exposure.
There were also fallouts with his friends, including a vicious row when, after producing the Monty Python film And Now For Something Completely Different, he insisted on an enormous credit.
When Polanski ran over budget on Macbeth (a film that Lownes had persuaded Hugh Hefner to bankroll), then badmouthed him in an interview, the infamous gold penis was sent back to the director in a rage.
Finally, in 1981, he and Hefner fell out when Lownes was sacked amid claims of gambling irregularities but perhaps more likely for stealing Hefners girlfriend, Marilyn Cole.
For decades Lownes had no wish to settle down, until he met Marilyn Cole , a former Playmate of the Year and the pair got married in 1984 (both pictured)
For decades, afraid of what he saw as the misery of suburban domesticity, Lownes had no wish to remarry.
I tried to avoid saying I love you. I didnt want anybody to have any illusions, he said.
Until, that is, he met Marilyn, from Portsmouth, a former Playmate of the Year and the magazines first full-frontal centrefold.
Though she was 21 years his junior, they had an on/off relationship for years and in 1984 they married. They have been together ever since.
After his business split from Hefner, things quietened down. Lownes turned Stocks into a country club and conference centre, ran a club of the same name on the Kings Road in Chelsea, then receded into the shadows.
His last few years were lived quietly, apart from a brief unsuccessful venture into ten-pin bowling.
Lord knows if he was faithful, but the marriage endured to the end, mainly, I suspect, because of Marilyns tolerance levels.
As she put it: I loved and respected him as he was, an alpha male, like James Bond. I didnt try to change him and wasnt demanding.
That was, of course, just how Victor Disgusting Lownes liked his women.
Jenna Bush Hager broke down in tears Friday morning after she and sister Barbara read aloud the heartfelt letter they penned for Malia and Sasha Obama as the girls prepare to exit the White House after eight years at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
'It's amazing how eight years go by and they become these really amazing women,' said an emotional Jenna.
'And we just wanted to make sure they knew.'
The Bush twins are two of just a handful of Americans who have lived in the White House as children of the president, moving in when their father assumed office in 2001.
Their letter bookends the one the two sisters first wrote back in 2009 to Malia and Sasha when they first entered the White House.
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Emotional moment: Jenna Bush Hager broke down in tears on Today (above) while speaking about Malia and Sasha Obama
Sasha, aged seven (middle left), and 10-year-old Malia (middle right) enjoying their first taste of fame as they celebrate their father's victory in the 2008 Presidential Election at Grant Park in Chicago
In the beginning: The Bush twins also recall first meeting Sasha, then 7, and a 10-year-old Malia to give them a tour of the White House
The twins however were 20 - two years older than Malia is now - when their father, became president.
Jenna and Barbara write in their letter of first meeting Malia, then 10, and a 7-year-old Sasha to give them a tour of the White House.
'We saw both the light and wariness in your eyes as you gazed at your new home,' reads the letter.
The note goes on to remind the two girls all that they have been able to see and experience in the past eight years, and let them know how remarkably they have handled themselves under the glare of a spotlight they did not ask for.
'We have watched you grow from girls to impressive young women with grace and ease,' write Barbara and Jenna.'
'And through it all you had each other. Just like we did.'
'In eight years, you have done so much. Seen so much,' write Barbara and Jenna of the experience the Obama girls have had while their father was in office.
THE BUSH TWINS' LETTER IN FULL Malia and Sasha, Eight years ago, on a cold November day, we greeted you on the steps of the White House. We saw both the light and wariness in your eyes as you gazed at your new home. We left our jobs in Baltimore and New York early and traveled to Washington to show you around. To show you the Lincoln Bedroom, and the bedrooms that were once ours, to introduce you to all the peoplethe florists, the grounds-keepers and the butlerswho dedicate themselves to making this historic house a home. The four of us wandered the majestic halls of the house you had no choice but to move in to. When you slid down the banister of the solarium, just as we had done as 8-year-olds and again as 20-year-olds chasing our youth, your joy and laughter were contagious. In eight years, you have done so much. Seen so much. You stood at the gates of the Robben Island cell where South Africas Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for decades, your arms around your father. You traveled to Liberia and Morocco with your mom to talk with girls about the importance of educationgirls who saw themselves in you, saw themselves in your parents, saw who they could become if they continued to study and learn. The Bush daughters first became familiar with the White House during the presidency of their grandfather, George H W Bush You attended state dinners, hiked in national parks, met international leaders and managed to laugh at your dads jokes during the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon, all while being kids, attending school and making friends. We have watched you grow from girls to impressive young women with grace and ease. And through it all you had each other. Just like we did. Now you are about to join another rarified club, one of former First Childrena position you didnt seek and one with no guidelines. But you have so much to look forward to. You will be writing the story of your lives, beyond the shadow of your famous parents, yet you will always carry with you the experiences of the past eight years. Never forget the wonderful people who work at the White House. Our greeter as 7-year-olds at our grandfathers Inauguration was Nancy, the White House florist, who ushered us in from the cold. She helped us make colorful bouquets of winter flowers for our grandparents bedside. Twenty years later, Nancy did the flowers for Jennas wedding. Cherish your own Nancy. We stay in touch with our Secret Service. They were part of growing up for us: there for first dates, first days and even an engagement and a honeymoon. We know it wasnt always easythe two of you and the two of us were teenagers trailed by men in backpacksbut they put their lives on hold for us. Obama blows out candles on his cake at his 43rd birthday celebration with his family Enjoy college. As most of the world knows, we did. And you wont have the weight of the world on your young shoulders anymore. Explore your passions. Learn who you are. Make mistakesyou are allowed to. Continue to surround yourself with loyal friends who know you, adore you and will fiercely protect you. Those who judge you dont love you, and their voices shouldnt hold weight. Rather, its your own hearts that matter. Take all that you have seen, the people you have met, the lessons you have learned, and let that help guide you in making positive change. We have no doubt you will. Traveling with our parents taught us more than any class could. It opened our eyes to new people as well as new cultures and ideas. We met factory workers in Michigan, teachers in California, doctors healing people on the Burmese border, kids who lined the dusty streets of Kampala to see the American President, and kids with HIV waiting to get the antiretroviral drugs that would save their lives. One tiny girl wearing her finest lavender dress looked young, which she was not. She was little because she was sick. Her mom admitted that she might not live to see these drugs work, but her brothers and sisters would. After meeting this girl, Barbara went back to school and changed her major, and her lifes path. You have lived through the unbelievable pressure of the White House. You have listened to harsh criticism of your parents by people who had never even met them. You stood by as your precious parents were reduced to headlines. Your parents, who put you first and who not only showed you but gave you the world. As always, they will be rooting for you as you begin your next chapter. And so will we. Advertisement
'You stood at the gates of the Robben Island cell where South Africas Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for decades, your arms around your father.
'You traveled to Liberia and Morocco with your mom to talk with girls about the importance of educationgirls who saw themselves in you, saw themselves in your parents, saw who they could become if they continued to study and learn.
'You attended state dinners, hiked in national parks, met international leaders and managed to laugh at your dads jokes during the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon, all while being kids, attending school and making friends.'
The letter was first published by Time.
The Bush twins were 18 - the age Malia is now - when their father, George W Bush, became president in 2001
Barbara Bush (left) and Jenna Bush Hager (right) at their father's inaugural ball in 2001. Their experience growing up in the White House wasn't always pleasant, they wrote to the Obamas
As Malia heads to Harvard this fall, while Sasha remains in Washington to finish high school, the Bush twins advised them to take advantage of this youthful period of their lives.
'[Y]ou wont have the weight of the world on your young shoulders anymore. Explore your passions. Learn who you are. Make mistakes - you are allowed to.
'Enjoy college. As most of the world knows, we did', the Bush twins wrote, a nod to the much-reported brushes with the law they both experienced while drinking underage.
But they wrote that developing relationships with the permanent staff in the White House helped them adjust.
'You will be writing the story of your lives, beyond the shadow of your famous parents, yet you will always carry with you the experiences of the past eight years,' the Bush twins wrote.
They encouraged Malia, 18, and Sasha, 15, to take advantage of this youthful period in their lives and to not be afraid of making mistakes
They advised Sasha, now 15, and Malia to 'take all that you have seen, the people you have met, the lessons you have learned, and let that help guide you in making positive change'.
'You have lived through the unbelievable pressure of the White House. You have listened to harsh criticism of your parents by people who had never even met them', the Bush twins wrote.
They also encouraged the Obama daughters to find ways to incorporate the lessons they learned in the White House into their future plans.
In particular, Barbara Bush noted the impact of one meeting with an HIV-positive girl who was waiting for antiretroviral drugs that could save her life.
Barbara wrote that after meeting this girl she changed her college major and life's path.
She went on to become the founder and chief executive of Global Health Corps.
Jenna Bush Hager is a correspondent with the Today show.
This isn't the first time the Bush twins have written a letter of encouragement to the Obama sisters. A similar note was published in The Wall Street Journal in 2009
'You stood by as your precious parents were reduced to headlines. Your parents, who put you first and who not only showed you but gave you the world. As always, they will be rooting for you as you begin your next chapter. And so will we'.
This isn't the first time the Bush twins have written a letter to the Obama sisters.
A similar inspirational letter was published in The Wall Street Journal in 2009.
John Hayes has been shunted back to Transport. At just 58 years of age, Mr Hayes considers himself one of the grand old men of government, a stooping consigliere able to counsel the Cabinets pups.
Stout, shortish Hayes is the sort of fogey who addresses colleagues in their sixth decade as young man. In the street he wears a hat with much-thumbed brim.
His affability is mottled by the patina of verdigris and he loves to quote literary giants Cicero, Ruskin, and perhaps a couplet from Showaddywaddy for bathetic effect.
At Transport Questions yesterday he could be found on the front bench alongside his Secretary of State, Chris Grayling.
John Hayes has been shunted back to Transport. At just 58 years of age, Mr Hayes considers himself one of the grand old men of government, a stooping consigliere able to counsel the Cabinets pups
The ostentatiously bookish Hayes beside leaden-witted Grayling: Parliament has this knack for comic contrasts.
Poor Grayling, yesterday placing a hand on one hip as he bawled partisan abuse at Labour, has little grasp of what a clog-hoofed donkey he is at oratory; yet he was brave on Brexit last year, so we must not be too harsh.
Mr Hayess ministerial progress has been a mid-table affair. In 2010 he was an Education minister. After two years he was switched to Energy before becoming Minister without Portfolio.
There came a journey to Transport before translation to Security Minister at the Home Office (big job). Last July he was returned to Transport, parked in a siding. His florid flourishes had felt at odds with the Security brief.
David Cameron found Hayes an amusing courtier but Mrs May saw him up close in her department. I suspect he irritated her greatly.
At Transport Questions yesterday he could be found on the front bench alongside his Secretary of State, Chris Grayling (pictured)
Mr Hayes, however, is irrepressible, a bon-mot seldom far from his puckering lips.
He may be slightly absurd, the sort of over-courtly Osric whom Shakespeare would have punctured by poignard in the 4th Act, but Westminster needs its variety turns. He has not betrayed disappointment at his return to humdrum Transport.
Instead he has embarked on one of the more interesting missions in Whitehall: to improve public-transport design and make its architecture more beautiful.
Yesterday he promised a new design guide for transport buildings. He would seek to expunge the crass modernists and harsh brutalists.
The Hayes campaign against the cult of ugliness began last November with a speech which he described yesterday as being rapturously received and beautifully articulated.
Such boasting may sound prattish but Mr Hayes does it with self-mockery. Thus does he hope to deflect criticism.
In his November speech he argued that there was something profoundly elitist about the way ugliness has been imposed on us by todays architects. Show-offish designers were rewarded by critics and investors, eager to associate themselves with the momentary shock of brash novelty.
Few of the culprits would choose to live or spend their own working lives in the structures they make. We have had enough of the desecration of our towns and cities.
The Government is spending billions of pounds on transport projects. Mr Hayes, describing himself as a David to take on the Philistines, said he intended to use that money in part to revitalise the public realm of the beautiful.
David Cameron found Hayes an amusing courtier but Mrs May saw him up close in her department. I suspect he irritated her greatly
Those of you sitting on delayed and crowded trains today may say what hot air. Why is a Transport minister talking about beauty? That is an easy argument to make but it is the attitude that landed us with the design horrors of, for instance, Londons Euston Station, Birminghams old New Street (now much more beautiful with an amazing roof) and the horrible roads that ruined Plymouth in the mid 20th century.
Mr Hayes, while accepting the limitations of his immediate executive power and swallowing that pride, is aiming for something that may be far more important in the long term. Concern about beauty in public-sector design is something thoroughly Tory and properly meritocratic, but it was badly neglected by the Conservatives in recent years. The Cameroons appeased modernism terribly.
A minister who can give bullying, Marxist, brutalist architects a kick up the rump would be very much worth having.
Armed Forces minister Mike Penning branded Jeremy Corbyn a Russian 'collaborator' last night after he criticised Britain's role in Nato
Armed Forces minister Mike Penning branded Jeremy Corbyn a Russian 'collaborator' last night after he criticised Britain's role in Nato.
Mr Penning, a former soldier, hit out at the Labour leader after aides said he opposed the deployment of hundreds of British troops to Estonia.
A senior spokesman for Mr Corbyn infuriated Labour MPs on Wednesday by briefing reporters that he believes the deployment is 'escalating tensions' with Russia.
The spokesman also suggested that Labour is not committed to defending countries such as Estonia if they are attacked by Russia despite the principle of common defence being the cornerstone of Nato.
Last night Mr Corbyn held clear-the-air talks with his own shadow defence secretary Nia Griffith, who was said to be 'livid' about the anti-Nato comments which emerged while she was recording a message of support for Nato.
Mr Penning said Mr Corbyn was unfit to be put in charge of Britain's defences. 'It is unprecedented for a Leader of the Opposition to attack the defensive deployment of British troops on Nato territory,' he said.
Mr Corbyn's questioning of Labour's support for Nato caused anger in Labour's ranks
'These comments suggest he would rather collaborate with Russian aggression than support Britain's Nato allies.
'As with Trident, everything Labour says and does shows that they cannot be trusted with Britain's national security.'
Mr Corbyn's questioning of Labour's support for Nato caused anger in Labour's ranks.
Former frontbencher Michael Dugher said the Labour leader's team appeared to be 'continuing to fight the Cold War for the wrong side'.
Former Nato secretary-general Lord Robertson warned last night that Britain was 'sleepwalking to a potential calamity' over its failure to prepare for the threat posed by Russia and Islamic terrorism.
Mr Penning said Mr Corbyn was unfit to be put in charge of Britain's defences
'We're grossly under-resourced to meet the challenges of the coming years,' he said.
The row came as a former Labour general secretary reopened the row over Mr Corbyn's decision to hand Shami Chakrabarti a peerage after she conducted a 'woefully inadequate' inquiry into Labour's anti-semitism crisis.
Lord Triesman told Parliament's House magazine the party was experiencing 'really quite serious' examples of anti-semitism. Labour has denied that Lady Chakrabarti was offered the peerage in return for soft-pedalling on the party's problems with anti-semitism.
Syria has accused Israel of bombing a military airport used by Assad's forces near the capital city of Damascus.
State television quoted the Syrian army as saying several rockets were fired at Mazzeh airport from an area near Lake Tiberias in northern Israel just after midnight.
The country's army chiefs warned of repercussions following what it called a 'flagrant' attack on a major strategic base used by Syria's elite Republican Guard.
The cause of the explosions was not clear, sources claiming the sounds heard in parts of the capital suggested they could be Israeli warplane strikes.
Syria has accused Israel of bombing a military airport used by Assad's forces near the capital city of Damascus
Images and videos purporting to show explosions at the airport were uploaded to social media by several eyewitnesses.
State news agency SANA also reported the blasts and said that ambulances were rushing to the scene.
The airport has previously been used to fire rockets at former rebel-held areas in the suburbs of Damascus. State television did not give any further details.
The base was first constructed by the French and is found south-west of Damascus, and is said to be used as a private airport by the Assad family.
State television in Syria quoted the army as saying several rockets were fired from an area near Lake Tiberias in northern Israel just after midnight
The cause of the explosions was not clear, sources claiming the sounds heard in parts of the capital suggested they could be Israeli warplane strikes.
Syrian sources have reported several Israeli air strikes on Syrian territory in the course of the war, including in the Mazzeh area.
Israel has in the past targeted positions of Lebanon's Hezbollah group where the Iranian-backed group is heavily involved in fighting alongside the Syrian army.
Israeli defence officials have voiced concern that Hezbollah's experience in the Syrian civil war, where it has played a significant role and recently helped the Syrian army regain the eastern sector of the city of Aleppo, has strengthened it.
Rebels operating in the area have said Hezbollah's major arms supply route into Damascus from the Lebanese border has been recently targeted air strikes.
Damascus airport was also hit by air strikes in 2013. Israel neither confirmed nor denied involvement in striking targets inside Syria.
Millions of motorists face higher premiums to fund crazy payouts for uninsured drivers.
The European Union has ruled that even motorists who break the law by driving without insurance should be protected if their car is damaged.
However it means that law-abiding drivers who do pay for cover face an increase in bills to cover the cost.
The European Union has ruled that even motorists who break the law by driving without insurance should be protected if their car is damaged
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling last night said he was furious that hardworking drivers will foot the bill for the irresponsible actions of criminals.
But he added that, until the UK leaves the EU, he is powerless to stop it.
The Cabinet minister, who backed the Brexit campaign, promised to return to the current rules once we have quit the bloc when we will be free to rip up the edict.
Under current British rules, protection is given to motorists whose car is damaged by an uninsured driver. A body called the Motor Insurers Bureau charges every insurer in the country a levy to meet the bill.
The cost some 256million last year, or around 10 per driver is passed on to motorists through their premiums.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling last night said he was furious that hardworking drivers will foot the bill for the irresponsible actions of criminals
However if the motorist who is the victim of the crash is also uninsured, they are exempt from receiving any compensation.
COST OF COVER HAS ALREADY GONE UP 95 Car insurance premiums have risen by 95 in a year and many elderly drivers are paying more than ever. The average annual premium has reached 767 and continues to surge towards the all-time high of 858 of 2011. However, many older motorists are already paying record sums after seeing annual increases of more than 20 per cent. The average cost for a 63-year-old is up 19 per cent over the past 12 months to 493.34, while for a 66-year-old it is up 23 per cent to 449.54. Drivers over the age of 71 have seen an increase of 11 per cent in just the last three months 21 per cent in a year taking their average to an all-time high of 497.21. Amanda Stretton from Confused.com, which compiled the figures, said: As [average premium] prices climb, it seems only a matter of time before were back at the 858 peak. James Dalton, from the Association of British Insurers, said: Pressure is growing on premiums. Cold-callers and ambulance-chasing lawyers are still exploiting the [claims] system, driving up costs for honest motorists. In addition, the Government has increased Insurance Premium Tax, and repair bills are going up as cars get more sophisticated. Advertisement
Despite the added cost, the EU has now ruled that a common system should be in place across the continent in which no driver is excluded.
The MIB will now have to collect extra cash to cover the cost which will again be passed on to UK drivers, further hiking their premiums. The new system will start on March 1.
The Department for Transport said that, if it did not make the changes, the Government faces being fined and paying out damages to uninsured, illegal drivers itself. Mr Grayling said: It cannot be right that hardworking, law abiding drivers will foot the bill for the irresponsible actions of those who decide to break the law and drive without insurance.
As a result of European law, the Government is forced to make these changes to the compensation paid out by the MIB. We are bound by our EU obligations but we are leaving the EU and we will want to come back to this.
Paul Ryman-Tubb, chief technical officer at the MIB, said: Whilst we will deal with these claims in a professional manner, the principle of using honest premium paying motorists money to pay for the damage to an uninsured drivers car seems crazy.
It is illegal to drive without insurance, and those caught face a 300 fine, six points on their licence and their vehicle being sold or crushed. If the case goes to court they also face a further fine.
If there is a claim for compensation after an accident involving an uninsured driver, the MIB will carry out a thorough investigation. However under the new set-up, uninsured drivers will still be reported to police with the consequences of their law-breaking likely to outweigh any compensation.
The EU has previously made controversial rulings about insurance.
In 2012, it said that charging men and women different prices for cover was illegal under gender equality rules.
Before this, British insurers could charge different premiums as long as it could be proved that there was a link between a persons gender and their driving habits.
Tributes were paid yesterday to Anthony King, one of the country's best known political commentators, who has died aged 82
Tributes were paid yesterday to Anthony King, one of the country's best known political commentators, who has died aged 82.
Professor King was a renowned expert on British elections and helped the BBC with its coverage for 20 years.
David Dimbleby, who shared many election nights with the Essex University lecturer, said: 'It's very sad news, completely unexpected to me.
'Tony King was passionate about the way government worked, he was extraordinary.'
'He also played a public role. He was on the committee for standards in public life, on a committee on reform of the House of Lords, so he was sort of embedded, in the way we do our politics.
'We used to have lunch every so often in between elections to talk about how things were going and he was always absolutely fascinating.'
Prof King also provided election analyses for a number of newspapers, including the Daily Mail.
He moved to the UK from Canada in the 1950s and was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, where he gained a doctorate in politics.
He went on to become one of Britain's leading experts in the political sciences and wrote extensively on the people and trends that have shaped Parliament over the past 50 years.
His works included the history of the Social Democratic Party, Margaret Thatcher's leadership style and the rise of the career politician.
Politicians and friends yesterday recalled one of his most famous observations, as Tony Blair swept to a landslide victory in 1997. He said: 'It is an asteroid hitting the planet and destroying practically all life on earth.'
When Tony Blair swept to a landslide victory in 1997, he said: 'It is an asteroid hitting the planet and destroying practically all life on earth.'
Poll expert Professor John Curtice said that his colleague had the great skill of being given a dry statistic at 3am on election night and being able to turn it into something interesting.
He said: 'He was extraordinarily urbane and extraordinarily elegant in his turn of phrase.'
Ex-Tory leader Michael Howard said politicians and the country owed Prof King a 'great debt' for making the coverage of politics 'lively and interesting.'
University of Essex vice-chancellor Prof Anthony Forster described his colleague as a 'giant of political science'.
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Thousands of families have been forced to flee their homes as life a threatening storm surge hits the UK with severe flooding set to cause chaos.
Emergency services had to evacuate 7,000 homes in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, while evacuations also took place in the seaside villages of Jaywick, Mistley and West Mersea in Essex, and along the Suffolk coast.
Huge waves battered Scarborough and Whitby, in North Yorkshire, and smashed into the lighthouse at Seaham, County Durham. Last night there were 180 flood warnings in place, including 17 of severe flooding where there is a danger to life.
In London, the Thames Barrier was closed, for the 177th time in its history, ahead of concerns that the river may burst its banks.
On the Yorkshire coast, the Hull tidal barrier, the second largest flood defence in the UK, was also closed.
The second day of the Big Chill also brought travel chaos on the roads and rail networks, as heavy snow and hurricane-force winds of 80mph battered Britain.
After the temperature plummeted as low as -9C in some areas overnight, snow turned to ice, creating treacherous and dangerous conditions for rush hour drivers.
A number of crashes on the roads brought major routes to a standstill, as commuters struggled to get to work.
Norwich Airport was forced to close due to 'unsafe levels' of snow and Cross-Channel rail operator Eurostar cancelled two trains between London and Paris due to 'weather conditions' in south-east England and northern France.
The Big Chill swept in from Arctic Canada yon Thursday and forecasters are predicting another cold snap, from the Baltic region, to hit the South East next week.
Huge waves crash against Seaham Harbour today, as the North Sea is whipped up by a low pressure system sending a storm surge down the North Sea coastline of England
Streets close to the harbour and slipway are flooded by sea water as a tidal surge causes flooding in the coastal town of Whitby in Yorkshire
A man clears foam covered sea water away from drains as a tidal surge causes flooding in Whitby, Yorkshire
A lady makes her way through the snow on a mobility scooter in Filey, in Yorkshire, the North of England was covered in a blanket of snow
In London, the Thames Barrier has been closed this evening ahead of concerns that the river may burst its banks
Waves crash into the sea wall at Seaham Harbour as the east coast was braced for a storm surge this afternoon
Rough seas batter Walcott as dawn brakes on the Norfolk coast as spring tides, high winds and winter weather combine to cause flood warnings
Flooding precautions were taken along a footpath on Newcastle Quayside with barriers erected earlier this afternoon
Mountain rescue services arrive on the harbour at Whitby as flooding is caused by stormy conditions on the Yorkshire coast
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Members of the Household Cavalry wait for the changing of the guard as snow falls in London this afternoon
Huge waves crash over the lighthouse at an area known as South Gare in Redcar, in North Yorkshire, this afternoon
People fill sandbags on the seafront in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, as Norfolk Police said the risk of flooding in the area is expected to peak at 9.30pm
Firms in Great Yarmouth stack sandbags around doorways in the town centre amid warnings of flooding later this evening
One man took his life into his own hands when he tried to surf the waves along the coast at Skegness, in Lincolnshire
Pedestrians struggle to cross the Millennium Bridge in London today. The severe weather threatens winter chaos across Britain, as snow, wind and ice continues to cause problems for transportation and pedestrians
Snowy conditions on Hampstead Heath, North London, as arctic conditions hit the British capital this afternoon
People barricade themselves in a hotel with sandbags as the coastal town of Whitby in Yorkshire, is hit by tidal flooding
More than 100 people have been watching the waters rise in Skegness, in Lincolnshire, this evening and pictured, police officers survey the scene while on patrol
A Met Office spokesman told MailOnline: 'It's going to be damp on Sunday and Monday, but on Tuesday we will see a North West - South East divide.
'The South East will see wintry weather come in from Scandinavia and the Baltic region on the continent, while the North West will have clouds coming in from the Atlantic which will raise the temperature.
'Areas, such as Kent, will be particularly affected, whereas Scotland could see up to 10C in place like Aberdeen.'
Night temperatures in the South East will remain in the negatives - similar to what most of the country has seen from the Big Chill this week.
PC'S SELFIE WARNING A Great Yarmouth policeman took a selfie at the scene of a crash to highlight the dangers of driving in snowy condition. The had come off the road on the A663, where snow had fallen overnight and throughout today. Great Yarmouth Police's Twitter account posted the picture, saying: 'Drive to the conditions of the road #A663' A Great Yarmouth policeman took a selfie at the scene of a crash Advertisement
Mark Sitton-Kent, of the Environment Agency, said: We ask anyone tempted to go to the coast for a thrill or to take pictures to stay away, you would be putting yourself in unnecessary danger. The combination of gale-force winds, high tides, dangerous waves and a coastal surge means parts of the East Coast are extremely dangerous.
A storm surge occurs at high tide when a low pressure weather system makes the sea level rise, and high winds push the water towards the coast, making it pile up.
A surge caused widespread flooding on the East Coast in December 2013, while in 1953, 307 died when one was triggered by a storm in the North Sea.
The Environment Agency yesterday moved almost five miles of temporary barriers and 25 pumps to protect towns. Among the towns most at risk were Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, where evacuation notices were posted through doors strongly advising people to leave and stay with family or go to one of a number of rest centres set up.
In other parts of the country emergency services dealt with accidents as snow and sleet that fell on Thursday turned to ice when temperatures plummeted overnight, bringing treacherous driving conditions. Some roads were closed and flights delayed or cancelled.
In Stoke-on-Trent, a baby girl was born in the back of a police car after her parents vehicle broke down in a snow storm as they were en route to the hospital. Mother and baby were doing well last night.
The bad weather is now expected to ease over the weekend. But extremely cold conditions will return on Tuesday, particularly in the South East where wintry weather will blow in from Scandinavia and the Baltics.
Yesterday morning rescue teams were putting an evacuation plan into action in Jaywick, near Clacton-on-Sea, with police officers going door-to-door informing residents of the evacuation.
However, some are refused to leave their homes. Only 80 agreed to be evacuated, as many vowed to stay put despite warnings that a storm surge threatened to flood their properties.
Matthew Woolston, who lives close to the seafront, says: 'My friends say they are going to stay in their houses and see it out.
'They say they have been evacuated so many times they don't believe it mass flooding is going to happen.
'I am not going anywhere, I don't think there's a danger and the sea looks too calm.'
Local police chiefs also urged residents to leave.
'We're not crying wolf,' says the district policing commander for Tendring, Ch Insp Russ Cole, who admitted that reaction to the evacuation plea had been 'mixed.'
He added: 'We have been looking at the forecast for the last week and the best information we have from all of the agencies involved are that we are facing a perfect storm of a spring tide of 4.2m (14ft), a storm surge coming down the North Sea, truly inclement weather of snow and rain and winds of between 40 and 50mph (64 and 80kph)
Members of the coastguard help clear debris off a street after flooding in the coastal town of Whitby in Yorkshire
Police patrol the scene at Skegness in Lincolnshire, as people have been warned to stay away from Britain's beaches as storm conditions batter our coastline
The police and army were due to begin evacuating 2,500 homes from the deprived seaside village of Jaywick on the coast of Essex at 10am
Authorities have issued a red alert for flooding and residents have been advised to leave there homes until the alert is over
A firefighter gives information on flood risks to a resident in Jaywick, in Essex, as severe flood warning have been issued
Emergency services gather at Jaywick as efforts are made by the police and army to evacuate 2,500 homes
An elderly woman, in Jaywick, Essex, strokes her cat after being evacuated to endring education centre - which is being used as a temporary refuge for those moved out of their homes
A woman prepares for a night away from her home as she carries an inflatable mattress at Tendring education centre in Jaywick, Essex
A boy beds down for the night on an inflatable mattress in a Tendring education centre, as families are evacuated from their homes in the coastal town of Jaywick, Essex
A lorry has come off the road near the Drumochter Pass on the A9 in the Scottish Highlands. Pictured is a recovery truck at the scene
Heavy snow on the roads brings traffic to a standstill on the northbound A19 in Peterlee, County Durham, this morning
Lives could be at risk as severe flood warnings are in place for parts of the east coast with residents urged to evacuate their homes
Stubborn residents in the storm-threatened village dubbed 'Benefits on Sea' are refusing to leave their homes
A woman attempts to jog in snowy conditions as wintry showers fall over Hampstead Heath in North London today
A transporter lorry jack-knifed near Maidstone on the A249 northbound between the M20 junction 7 and the M2 junction 5 early this morning due to black ice and poor weather conditions
Drivers faced disruption on the A1, near Brownieside, after a lorry jacknifed in Northumberland on Friday morning
A farmer inspects a taxi after it crashed onto his land in icy conditions near Coalville in Britain
A lorry has come off the road near the Drumochter Pass on the A9 in the Scottish Highlands as heavy snow affected the area
Traffic gets stuck on the A515 after heavy snow between Buxton and Ashbourne in the Derbyshire Peak District
EX-ARMY OFFICER WHOSE CAR FLIPPED IN SNOW HAD EQUIPMENT STOLEN WHILE HE CALLED FOR HELP A retired Army officer, whose car flipped in the snow storms battering Scotland, had 3,500-worth of equipment stolen when he went to phone for help. Duncan Francis could not get a mobile signal following the crash so he left his Land Rover on its side in a ditch and walked to get help. But in the 20 minutes Duncan was away from his stricken vehicle, belongings including his laptop, camera and a top-of-the-range mountaineering jacket he received for Christmas were stolen. A retired Army officer, whose car flipped in the snow storms battering Scotland, had 3,500-worth of equipment stolen when he went to phone for help The 57-year-old from Balquhidder, Stirling, said: 'I can't believe how unlucky I've been that some scrot came past on a rarely-travelled road in the short time I was away and felt free to lift my gear.' The climber was on his way to climb in the Aviemore area where he planned to try out his brand new Crux Shok mountaineering jacket worth 190. Advertisement
'There is a really strong chance of water coming in over the top of the sea wall and round the back of Jaywick from the St Osyth end.
'I need residents in Jaywick, Mistley and West Mersea to comply with police instruction and evacuate immediately.
'Latest forecasting tells us that risk has moved to the next high tide expected just after midnight.
'The threat has led to a severe flood warning being put in place for tonight's high tide.
'Keeping residents safe is our only priority and we will be evacuating residents from Jaywick, Mistley and West Mersea and need people to comply with our instructions. That evacuation is most safely executed in daylight hours.
'We are activating our evacuation plans and are working closely with other partners including the other emergency services, local authorities, health and social care.'
The warnings take in Clacton to Lee Wick, West Mersea, The Strood and adjacent marshland, and Tidal River Stour at Mistley, including the Quay and The Walls, all in Essex.
Coastal communities in Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex have been told they should be prepared for large waves and possible flooding.
Nine schools in Lincolnshire, including five in Skegness, were shut yesterday, according to the county council.
The Ministry of Defence said about 100 soldiers from the Catterick army base were deployed to Skegness on the Lincolnshire coast where about 3,000 residents were urged to leave their homes or move upstairs.
Minister for the Armed Forces Mike Penning praised troops who were deployed to areas which are at risk.
'We like to be in front of the problems, but traditionally we have always waited for the problems to come,' he said.
'Now we have tried to get in first - to be there alongside the other emergency services and I'm really proud of what our troops are doing today.'
Norfolk Police said residents in around 5,000 properties had been urged to evacuate their homes, a figure which could rise to 7,000, while Suffolk police had identified around 1,880 properties at risk.
The Environment Agency anticipates severe flooding in Felixstowe Ferry and Bawdsey Quay, Felixstowe Ferry Hamlet and the Deben Marshes, isolated riverside properties on the Deben Estuary, and Tidal Orwell at Ipswich Quay.
Residents in approximately 5,000 properties in Norfolk have been told to leave their homes. Depending on risk, this could rise to 7,000 later in the day.
Snow and ice covers the hill tops in the Lake District, in Keswick. The Met Office has issued a yellow be aware warning for much of the country, as snow, flooding and high winds are expected to cause disruption
The Angel of the North surrounded by a blanket of fresh snow in Gateshead this morning following a spell of overnight snow
Pictured is a snow-covered Stonehenge this morning. Around eight inches of snow has fallen in some parts of Britain overnight
A blizzard of snow sweeps across Clapham Common with an icy Northerly wind. Even so, it does not deter dog walkers, joggers and cyclists
Walkers brave the snow and wind close to the summit of Pen Y Fan on January 13, 2017, in the Brecon Beacons, Wales
An umbrella helps this person brave the light snowfall in Cambridge this afternoon. The area was largely unaffected yesterday
A tractor with a snow plough attached clears the A93 in Spital of Glenshee, in Scotland, this afternoon. Police closed the road
Two snowboarders walk beside the A93 in Spital of Glenshee, Scotland. The Met Office has issued a yellow be aware warning for much of the UK, as snow, ice and winds are expected to cause disruption until late on Friday.
This afternoon snow covered Blickling Hall, part of the National Trust's Blickling Hall Estate, near Aylsham
FAMILIES SCRAMBLE TO SAFETY FROM FALLING TREE Families scrambled for their lives when a huge 50-ton tree smashed down on their homes in Kent last night. The 30ft tree was blown over on to the houses in Stanley Road, Cheriton, as snowstorm winds of more than 50mph blasted the area. Families were evacuated from three terraced homes after the tree, growing at the roadside, toppled on to their roofs just after 9pm. Three terraced homes had to be evacuated last night as winds sent a large tree crashing down onto the properties. The 30ft tree was blown over on to the houses in Stanley Road, Cheriton, as snowstorm winds of more than 50mph blasted the area It fell crossways, its massive boughs blocking the doorways of two of the houses. Neighbours said a couple walking up the road towards Cheriton High Street had a lucky escape - the ground shook 'like an explosion' behind them as the tree came down. A new Kia Rio, parked on the driveway of one of the houses, was battered and dented when part of the tree crunched on to its roof. Neighbours helped to move the debris so that one woman trapped in her home could get out. It is understood that she has gone to stay with her daughter who lives in Folkestone. The crashing tree also brought down telephone cables. Folkestone fire station watch manager Giles Parker said 'Most of the people could get out but one lady couldn't so we cut the branches back and we made sure they all had somewhere safe to stay for the night.' Kent Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to the scene at around 9pm to reports that the 30ft tall tree had fallen on to three homes and a car, also bringing three telephone cables down as it fell. Firefighters cut away branches to allow the residents to leave their homes before handing the scene back to Kent Highways. Contractors worked overnight and into this morning to cut the tree away from the homes. Firefighters remained at the scene for an hour and 30 minutes. Work has now begun to cut up and remove the fallen tree. Neighbours have been out this morning trying to clear the remaining logs that are blocking the pathway between the houses. Advertisement
Superintendent Dave Buckley said: 'A multi-agency co-ordinating group has been convened twice to ensure appropriate plans and resources are in place.
'The group is planning for potential disruption for a prolonged period of up to 12 hours and households in those affected areas should be mindful of this.
'I would also urge members of the public not to put themselves at risk by gathering near to the water's edge to watch the waves - while I accept they may be impressive, you are putting yourself in danger's way. We would ask people to keep away from the seafront and flood water.'
Speaking yesterday, a spokesman for Norfolk County Council said three schools were closed. Two were being used in the flood effort - Caister Academy has been turned into an emergency flood evacuation centre and Cliff Park Ormiston Academy into a rest centre.
JAYWICK FEARS REPEAT OF 1953 WHICH KILLED 35 Jaywick was last at the centre of an evacuation during a storm surge in 2013 which did not lead to severe flooding. Residents of the infamous village are braced for disaster ahead of a planned evacuation sparked by a brutal 'danger to life' storm. Locals in the deprived seaside settlement in Essex - which starred in the 'poverty porn' TV show Benefits by the Sea - fear their homes could be destroyed. People thought the sea surge - sparked by gale-force winds and heavy rain - could be a repeat of a 1953 tragedy where 35 people died in a horrific North Sea Flood Biggest flood disaster to hit the holiday bungalow town of Jaywick, near Clacton, Essex, was in 1953 where 35 people drowned And others thought the sea surge - sparked by gale-force winds and heavy rain - could be a repeat of a 1953 tragedy where 35 people died in a horrific North Sea Flood. The Environment Agency has issued a warning that today's flood could pose danger to life when it hits at lunchtime. Ahead of a planning evacuation of 2,500 homes some thought they could be leaving their properties for the last time. Despite the warning no one has headed to an emergency shelter set up in nearby Clacton-on-Sea, which has been kitted out by worried officials. 'There's not a lot you can do it's nature,' said James Teer, 52. 'There were emergency services round last night warning us about it asking if we wanted to go to the shelter. 'I'm just going to work, hopefully when I come back it's not under water. 'I'm just praying everything will be alright.' Another thought the windswept beach and relative quiet could be the 'calm before the storm' and worried the sea surge could be a repeat of 1953's tragedy Another thought the windswept beach and relative quiet could be the 'calm before the storm' and worried the sea surge could be a repeat of 1953's tragedy. Retired tiler Geoff Hibbert, 58, said: 'I know a pilot who has looked at some maps and he says it might be really bad from the satellite. 'He said actually the wind is going the same way as it was in 1953. 'At the moment all we have had is the police knocking on our doors and the siren annoyed our dog.' However one man who did not want to be named said: 'It ain't going to happen, it's a load of old bollocks. They have said this all before.' Advertisement
A winter scene greeted residents in Bristol this morning as the West Country gets its first snowfall for 2017
A number of crashes on the roads have brought major routes to a standstill, as commuters struggle to get to work
Snow hit Manchester (pictured) as it did across the country, which made driving and walking conditions bad
Incredible moon this morning - just before sunrise. Taken at Cowdray Golf Course in Easebourne, West Sussex
A ROUGH NIGHT FOR THE HOMELESS WHO SLEPT IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES AND HEAVY SNOW It was a rough night for homeless people across the country as the Big Chill sweeped in, bringing heavy snow and freezing temperatures. Pictures emerged of people sleeping rough on the streets of Manchester last night, which experienced an extremely cold snap. A man was seen sitting cross-legged, covered in a blanket and wearing a blue jacket. He was given a hot drink from a passer-by on the street. Another image showed a woman sitting at a building entrance, wearing only a jacket and jeans as she tried to sleep in the cold. A man was seen sitting cross-legged, covered in a blanket and wearing a blue jacket. He was given a hot drink from a passer-by on the street Pictures emerged of people sleeping rough on the streets of Manchester last night, which experienced an extremely cold snap Another image showed a woman sitting at a building entrance, wearing only a jacket and jeans as she tried to sleep in the cold It was a rough night for homeless people across the country as the Big Chill sweeped in, bringing heavy snow and freezing temperatures Advertisement
Inspector Mark Hilson briefs soldiers from Alma Company, 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, who are supporting local authorities in Skegness
One social media user made a video of this heavy goods vehicle being towed from a motorway in Kent
Following the first evacuation in Jaywick, neighbouring towns and villages of Mistley, Manningtree and Colchester followed suit
Mark Sitton-Kent, national duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: 'Gale-force winds and high tides are likely to create large and dangerous waves along parts of the east coast on Friday and Saturday.
'These conditions could also cause flooding to coastal roads and could impact properties.
'We understand that powerful tides can be dramatic, but please do not put yourself at unnecessary risk by going to the coast for a thrill or to take pictures. Please do not drive through flood water: just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.
'We are prepared to take action wherever it is needed. We have moved resources and equipment to the coast and the Army is on standby to assist if needed.'
Tidal gates on the east coast have been closed ahead of the high tides.
POLICE ADVICE TO EVACUATED TOWNS Work with local officers to ensure they follow advice and direction given about evacuations
Pack a bag of clothes and have any essential medical items ready for when you need to leave home
Ensure any valuables and or expensive electrical items such as televisions are stored in higher areas in your home should there be a flood
Contact friends or relatives who live outside of the area to see if there is somewhere else you can stay Advertisement
The weather proved too much for one lorry driver whose vehicle jacknifed in the middle of the road in the early hours of this morning.
Sussex Police closed the A23 between Handcross and Pease Pottage at 2.30am before reopening it at 5.30am following the incident.
Sussex officers were also forced to close the A27 at Clapham, near Worthing, for around two hours due to severe flooding.
Police dealt with said 10 fallen trees in Sussex and two busses in Brighton and Hove buses crashed - bringing traffic to a standstill.
Snow also settled on the ground in Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Surrey, and Oxfordshire.
Bedfordshire Police issued a warning to drivers about the conditions. Inspector Jamie Langwith, of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire Roads Policing Unit, said: 'Poor weather conditions can lead to an increased risk of crashing, so it's important that people respect the roads and take additional care when driving.
'It's important to prepare for a journey in adverse weather conditions and avoid minor roads which may not be gritted where possible.'
On the A1 after a lorry jacknifed in Northumberland on Friday morning. It happened during rush hour on the northbound stretch of the A1 at Brownieside, near the B6347 junction.
Emergency services arrived at the scene and the road was blocked until the vehicle was cleared away from the carriageway.
Northumbria Police said there was heavy snow across the region and drivers were being advised to take care on the roads.
A spokesman said: 'Make sure you leave extra time for your journey and drive responsibly when you do get behind the wheel.
'The roads across the region are passable with care but some minor roads will be badly affected, particularly in Northumberland, so make sure you reduce your speed.
'Our officers will be working with the local authorities to ensure roads are safe and assist anyone who gets into difficulty.'
A man clears snow from the forecourt of a petrol station in Ballater, Aberdeenshire. Up to eight inches of snow was recorded in Scotland
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT A STORM SURGE What is a storm surge? A storm surge is a change in sea levels. A low pressure system, moving north to south down the North Sea, has caused sea levels to rise while strong winds around that system have caused water to pile up. This has created a concentrated 'bulge of water' which is moving towards Britain. Met Office forecaster Craig Snell compared the phenomenon to the traffic on a motorway when one of the lanes has been closed. Are storm surges common? Storm surges are relatively rare, with the last major one reported in December 2013. But it is the combination of the storm surge with the highest tides of the month and strong winds which is putting the east coast at risk of flooding. Craig Woolhouse, deputy director of flood incident management at the Environment Agency, said: 'That bulge of water is coinciding with high tides in places, creating high sea levels and a potential risk. 'On top of that there are very strong north to north-westerly winds and those are creating high waves which have the potential to break over the top of coastal defences.' Where is most at risk of flooding? The coast of Norfolk is particularly vulnerable because of the direction of the wind, and severe Environment Agency warnings have been issued on the coast of Suffolk. While tides on Friday morning were lower than forecast, the danger was not over as higher tides were expected in the afternoon. Mr Woolhouse said: 'You can take a breath - but then you've got to prepare for the next tide.' How long will the storm surge pose a threat? It is expected that the greatest risk would pass after the second high tide - around 6pm in the North on Friday through to 7am on Saturday on the south-east coast. Mr Snell said the band of sleet and snow moving down the east coast would ease on Friday evening and the lighter winds would reduce the threat. Advertisement
Elsewhere, 16 vehicles were involved in an accident on the northbound A19 in the Easington area of County Durham, causing rush-hour delays for commuters.
And around 50 vehicles were stuck on the northbound A1 Western Bypass, on the slip road for Etal Lane, at the Kenton Lane junction, due to bad weather. The area was cleared by around 7.15am.
Commuters in Kent were left stranded on a train for more than three hours - down to a 'heavy collection of ice' according to rail bosses.
Around 80 passengers were stuck on an early morning London-bound train between St Mary Cray and Chislehurst on the Kent, south east London border, due to the icy conditions.
Despite hours of waiting, rail operators Southeastern have still not managed to get rescuers to retrieve travellers.
A spokesman for the train company said a rescue train had attempted to come to their aid, but also lost power due to 'heavy ice and wintry conditions'.
Buses were sent to collect the passengers who have been trapped since the train broke down at 6.15am yesterday.
A Southeastern spokesman said: 'Passengers are being taken off a train and transferred to buses after the train stopped between St Mary Cray and Chislehurst this morning due to lack of power.
'The passengers are being taken to a nearby station. The train stopped at 6.15am due to a heavy collection of ice on the third rail in that area resulting in a loss of power.
Severe warnings of ice, strong winds and snow have been issued by the Met Office for today and tomorrow
Floods minister Therese Coffey said: 'Our absolute priority is protecting lives, homes and businesses from the threat of coastal flooding currently facing the east coast.
'That is why we have soldiers on the ground helping to warn and evacuate people alongside the emergency services and Environment Agency teams, who are putting up temporary defences.
'We're working closely across government to monitor the situation as it develops and I ask people to check their flood risk, keep a close eye on updates and follow any advice from the Environment Agency and the emergency services.'
There are fears that the weather conditions may also badly affect Tube and train services.
Mick Cash, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said: 'A combination of staffing and maintenance cuts means that rail and Tube services are running on a knife edge at the best of times.
'Any adverse weather conditions are almost guaranteed to tip us over that edge.'
Heathrow Airport has been forced to cancel 80 flights as the adverse weather reached the South East. Pictured is an infographic from the airport on the winter policy
This graphic from Ventusky shows the current winds over Britain and can be altered to show snow cover and thunderstorms
I survived the blizzard of 2017! Warnings about the 'snow storm' in London are met with a flurry of hilarious tweets mocking meltdown in the capital
By Anthony Joseph and Siofra Brennan for MailOnline
Warnings of a 'snow storm' in London have been met with a flurry of hilarious online posts mocking the meltdown in the capital.
The Met Office issued severe weather warnings for snow in the capital for yesterday and today.
Heathrow Airport even cancelled 80 flights in anticipation of the storm which was forecast.
A mere sprinkling was seen in London last night and people took to Twitter to mock what they believe was an overreaction.
Rantmedia was also braced for Snowmageddon, but the closest they got was this bear
Bexhill College tweeted a meme which read 'I survived the blizzard of 2017' and wrote: 'Hope you've all made it in today. Good luck to anyone taking their exams! #snowmageddon #bexhill'
Des Kelly posted a picture of patches of the white stuff on a road and said: 'Complete shutdown in Bristol today. Incredible scenes. #Snowmageddon'
Another user posted a picture of a road passage in Norway with two walls of snow at either side, and said: 'UK is reeling under #Snowmageddon (i.e. More than an inch of snow). Meanwhile in Norway'
Funchickgem shared a 'step by step guide on how to build a snowman out of all the snow we've had today' showing a puddle with two sticks, and a carrot nose with eyes made from stones.
Emily Knott poked fun at 'half of the UK' rushing to the supermarket to bulk buy bread and milk after spotting a single snowflake.
And a dejected Izaaz shared a sorry looking picture of a pavement with the merest sprinkle of melting flakes.
RobMcGill2 joked that London had been evacuated after a few flakes fell from the sky
Adamfidler joked about building a snowman with a light dusting of white, powdery flakes
Georgina Diaz had been looking forward to icy conditions but her fantasies of a wintry day were left unfulfilled
CarSnapped saw more of the white stuff in his snow globe than outside the window
A dejected Izaaz shared a sorry looking picture of a pavement with the merest sprinkle of melting flakes
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for combinations of high winds, snow and ice - and the freezing temperatures are set to last for another week.
After the temperature plummeted as low as -9C in some areas overnight, snow has turned to ice, creating treacherous and dangerous conditions for rush hour drivers.
A number of crashes on the roads have brought major routes to a standstill, as commuters struggle to get to work.
Brian couldn't hide his disappointment after his hopes for a snow day were dashed
Lixwm joked that the predicted 10cm of snow had falled in North Wales, but not quite in the way that was expected
MrFuji used a scene from The Simpsons to descriv
Bin lorries are to be fitted with cameras in a 'revolutionary' scheme to spot potential potholes with councils saying they need billions of pounds to fix those that already exist.
The cameras will spot cracks or other damage to the road surface that, if not repaired, will turn into potholes.
The Department for Transport last night claimed the cameras officially a 'pothole-spotter system, comprising high-definition cameras, integrated navigation system and intelligent software' would revolutionise the way the issue was dealt with.
But council bosses said that while the new technology was a good idea, it would not help to fix the millions of potholes already blighting the nation's roads.
Bin lorries are to be fitted with cameras in a 'revolutionary' scheme to spot potential potholes
They estimate that the current backlog will take 14 years to fill in and have been demanding 1billion a year to ease the misery of motorists.
Instead, ministers have allocated just 70million, which they say will help repair more than 1.3million potholes.
Martin Tett, transport spokesman at the Local Government Association, said it was nowhere near enough.
'Substantially more funding is needed to bring our roads up to scratch,' he said. 'A 12billion current backlog of road repairs would already take councils more than a decade to clear.
'Councils fixed a pothole every 15 seconds last year despite significant budget reductions leaving them with less to spend on fixing our roads.
'Our roads crisis is only going to get worse unless we address it as a national priority. This means the Government providing long-term and consistent funding to invest in the resurfacing projects which our road network desperately needs.'
The RAC said that last year drivers made more than 31,000 claims against local councils for potentially 'life-threatening' vehicle damage, mostly to the suspension and wheels
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron dismissed the latest initiative. 'This money will be, in practice, about as useless as the ministers announcing it,' he said.
'We are facing a 12billion pothole black hole and the Government announces this a couple of cameras attached to bin lorries. It's cheap, gesture politics of the worst kind.'
Self-styled 'Mr Pothole' campaigner Mark Morrell said: 'It's all well and good collecting this information but what are they going to do with it?'
The RAC said that last year drivers made more than 31,000 claims against local councils for potentially 'life-threatening' vehicle damage, mostly to the suspension and wheels.
The LGA also said inadequate roads were putting businesses at a competitive disadvantage.
The DfT said that, overall, councils were being handed 1.2billion to spend on roads this year. It includes 801million for improving the condition of roads outside of London. Some 75million will be made available to help repair and maintain local highway infrastructure, such as bridges, lighting and rural roads.
Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: 'This Government is investing record amounts improving and maintaining highways across the country to help motorists.
'The funding we have allocated today is focused on relieving congestion and providing important upgrades to ensure our roads are fit for the future helping to build an economy that works for everyone.'
The bin lorry cameras will be piloted by operators in York and Thurrock, Essex.
Councils already fill nearly two million potholes a year but they estimate that fixing every pothole on the nation's roads would take 14 years at the current rate. That is a third higher than in 2006, when the backlog of repair work stretched to 10.9 years.
A 61-year-old teacher will face court on Friday charged with indecently assaulting a 16-year-old girl he met at a Sydney school last year.
It is alleged the teacher sent the 16-year-old girl sexually explicit text messages before arranging to meet her in a park in Sydney's inner west on New Year's Eve.
The teacher was charged with five counts of aggravated indecent assault - following the alleged meeting in a Marrickville park on December 31.
A NSW man has been charged over the indecent assault of a 16-year-old girl in Marrickville last year (stock image)
The teacher is also accused of calling the teenager, police said.
The man, who will appear in Sutherland court, was arrested over the charges on Thursday.
Police went to a home in Kingsgrove at 9.30am on Thursday where he was taken into custody.
The man who was also charged with inciting a person 16 years or over to commit act an of indecency, and using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend has also been slapped with a Personal Apprehended Violence Order
A Left-wing American friend confessed a few days ago that he was beginning to like Donald Trump: Hes got no mental teleprompter, he told me admiringly, no notes, no filter, no volume control. He just says stuff, and sometimes hes got a point . . .
My friend has been uncontactable since Wednesdays press conference. I think he might either be in Heaven or in hospital from shock. Because this was the most madcap performance by an incoming president since the 19th century, when Andrew Jackson took a bullet in the arm in a bar fight with a Senator.
It was a wild ride terrifying, exhilarating, sometimes just plain pinch-yourself odd. It was proper in only in one respect: a proper beginning to the era of Donald Trump.
His line dismissing the sex tape news It was a group of opponents that got together, sick people, and they put that crap together was vintage Trump
Let us deal briefly with the notion that the 45th president is unwittingly or not an agent of the Kremlin. Yes, yes I know this would normally be enough of a big deal, but there is so much more we need to get to. The allegations of sexual oddness in Russian hotel rooms are highly unlikely to be proved one way or the other, so they sit in the background, toxic to some but not fatal.
His line dismissing the sex tape news It was a group of opponents that got together, sick people, and they put that crap together was vintage Trump.
No lawyer would have advised a client to say that. No spin doctor would have massaged and sculpted our dear old English language into that phrase. He just blurted it out; plain and lumpy and utterly, utterly Trump.
And then, when you thought wow, it got wilder still. I confess when I heard the posh English tones of my friend Robert Moore, Washington correspondent of ITV News, asking about conduct you now regret in hotel rooms, I did think he was on a hiding to nothing; that Trump would contemptuously ignore his question and move on to the next.
But no! He gave Robert the low-life line of the whole affair. He would not have done those disgusting things in Russia because I am also very much of a germaphobe, by the way. Believe me. There was laughter. And around the poorer parts of America, in diners and bars, there will have been grins and admiration for the sheer chutzpah of the man.
The same people will have appreciated the pile of documents flourished at one point by one of Trumps lawyers.
The documents were there ostensibly to prove Mr Trump is properly distancing himself from his business interests during his time in office. But they meant much more than that. The true extent of that handover is questionable, not least because those hes asking to look after his business affairs while in office happen to be his sons.
But the documents spoke loudly. Yes sirree, they were telling his TV audience, this fellow has to go through the same legal and administrative hoops as all you folks out there have to go through to get anything done, and look at the effort he makes.
His opponents will call it a piece of fraudulent theatre. It may well have been but I reckon it worked.
You see, one of the reasons low-income Americans admire rich people is that they are do-ers who seem to live gilded lives, and not on the backs of the poor.
Its the professional classes they dont like the lawyers and doctors and teachers, who invade their lives with bills and lectures. The people who look and sound like Hillary Clinton.
Trump was showing that he, too, was under the cosh of the miserable lawyers he even had one come to the podium.
And he was demonstrating that, despite this, he had admirably emerged with his businesses intact. I am no psychology professor, but this seemed to me to be playing to the gallery i.e. those ordinary Americans who are so fed up with the political class with something bordering on genius.
I am no psychology professor, but this seemed to me to be playing to the gallery i.e. those ordinary Americans who are so fed up with the political class with something bordering on genius
I am not suggesting for a minute that Trump acted civilly or gave convincing answers to all the questions. Poor Jim Acosta, the correspondent from CNN one of Americas biggest cable networks was brushed away having seen his outfit unfairly abused because it reported the existence of the Moscow dossier, and left ranting like a drunk at a bus-stop as the President-elect moved on.
Trumps was not a fair and open and reasonable performance by normal standards. But when he gave a good shot at answering questions you had the real feeling that he was going to say something surprising or shocking, and that even the worlds most powerful supercomputer, primed with Trump algorithms, could never have managed reliably to predict what it might be.
Was he about to declare war on China? At one point during the press conference, during a question about trade, he appeared to be veering in that direction, saying China had taken total advantage of us economically . . . in the South China Sea by building their massive fortress.
I wondered about the Chinese translators back in Beijing trying to make sense of it. Collars will have been damp by the end of the section in which he talked of China respecting us more under his administration. But he lost interest and just moved on.
This was the most madcap performance by an incoming president since the 19th century, when Andrew Jackson took a bullet in the arm in a bar fight with a Senator.
The same with Mexico. I love the people of Mexico . . . the government of Mexico is terrific, he declared. But then: Mexico has taken advantage of the United States.
But then again: I dont blame them. And then, after that: Its not going to happen any more . . . they will pay for the wall. He was, of course, referring to the wall hes promised to keep out illegal Mexican migrants.
How will they pay? They will reimburse us . . . it will happen.
Clear? Not really. Cogent? Hardly. But effective: well, perhaps. And this is the serious point.
No lesser figure than Dr Robin Niblett, director of the foreign affairs think-tank Chatham House, acknowledged to me on the radio yesterday that unpredictability is not a bad thing in a world leader.
Obama, he suggested, had become predictably cautious. He has surely got a point: if this new Presidents pronouncements occasionally bring Americas enemies out in a sweat, is that a bad thing?
Dr Robin Niblett, director of the foreign affairs think-tank Chatham House, said Barack Obama had become predictably cautious
As for his friends, well Trump keeps them guessing, too. Among the answers he gave very firmly and clearly on Wednesday was an absolute corker on the pharmaceutical industry which is supposedly on his side.
For months during the election campaign, smarty-pants commentators (yes, including me) said that a Hillary Clinton victory would be bad for the big pharmaceutical companies because she wanted to reduce the amount spent on drugs by the U.S. healthcare system.
Under Trump, we said, all would be fine. Well, The Donald confounded all of us. The drugs companies are getting away with murder! he declared. He would reduce the prices they can charge.
He didnt say how. Or when.
But his remarks will have had many Democratic party members cheering him (Hillary would never have had the courage to say such a thing) and many Republicans, aghast at this attack on a massive American industry, reaching for their heart medication.
One of the genuinely funny barbs was at the expense of a Republican Senator called Lindsey Graham (pictured)
What will the Republicans in Congress do if Trump remembers what he said in a few weeks and wants to act on it. Will they humour him? Ignore him? Fight him?
Sooner than you think, they might choose the latter option. One of the genuinely funny barbs was at the expense of a Republican Senator called Lindsey Graham. He is a big cheese in Washington and a widely respected Russia expert with a dim view of President Putin a traditional Republican.
But to Trump he was a joke he crushed him in the contest to get the Republican presidential nomination and at the press conference chose to crush him again. Ive been competing with him for some time. Hes going to crack that one per cent barrier some day, Trump said in a jab at his poor performance in the presidential primaries.
Cue more laughter. And another reason for Graham to plot revenge. In a Senate where Trump has a majority of just four, this might be unwise. And plenty of Republicans in lesser roles are also supporting Trump only as a stop-gap until they can figure out a way to get their party back from the clutches of the loud-mouth New Yorker. They have, in many cases, sold their souls to him. They may intend to buy them back.
D onald Trump turns everything upside down. He is a Republican president capable of saying things (and maybe doing things) that a Left-wing Democrat would be happy with. He is a human tornado. An alpha male maelstrom. We are on a collision course with normality.
But it also showed a propensity seemingly unprecedented in a President for picking fights. Those he chose this week with CNN, China, Mexico, the drugs industry and senior Republicans could just be the start.
Some of the men in suits in Washington may feel that dull old Vice President-elect Mike Pence might be a better bet
So while the press conference was in many respects a success, I do wonder whether he might quickly prove too unpredictable, too combative, for the men in suits in Washington. Men who might be thinking, if Trump carries on like this, that dull old Vice President-elect Mike Pence might be a better bet. And who, sooner than we think whether by arrangement or impeachment could try to force the Donald to step aside.
If they succeed, it would be a bitter blow to the millions of working-class Americans who voted for Trump, folk who felt he alone among politicians understood their aspirations, and who would have been thrilled by his extraordinary, rumbustious performance this week.
It would again confirm their view that the political establishment looks after its own while the little people are brushed aside.
Justin Webb was North American Editor of the BBC until 2009.
It's considered the most unlucky of numbers. But number 13 could actually be lucky for home buyers.
Those willing to live at number 13 could save themselves as much as 9,000, research suggests.
Homes with this number are typically three per cent cheaper, analysis by the property website Zoopla found.
Those willing to live at number 13 could save themselves as much as 9,000, research suggests (file image)
Developers often miss out the number 13 when building new homes. And one in three said they would be less likely to buy a house if it was number 13, the survey found, as more than two-fifths considered themselves to be superstitious.
It carried out the research to coincide with Friday 13 - which is today.
Nearly a quarter of those surveyed said they would not exchange, complete or even move into, a property on Friday the 13th.
Nearly half said they had a lucky number, and a further one in five said they would be more likely to buy a property if it featured their favoured digits.
While seven was found to be the most popular lucky number, the research also found that some people actually believed the number 13 attracts good luck rather than bad.
Thirteen was identified as the next most popular lucky number in the survey, after seven.
Those willing to take the risk could make a considerable saving of around 8,974 on the average UK property, which is valued at 300,012.
The research found that properties at number one - typically the first home on the street - were the most expensive, with an average price of 319,318.
The next most expensive is 100, with an average value of 311,107, followed by number two ranked in third place, with a typical value of 308,468.
Lawrence Hall, a spokesman for Zoopla, said there could be opportunities for buyers to secure a bargain on Friday the 13th - a date when some other buyers may be put off making decisions.
Our research shows that properties at number 13 are around 3 per cent cheaper than the average UK property, which could provide a significant saving on homes with high asking prices, he said.
More than 2,800 homeowners took part in Zooplas survey.
The research found that properties at number one - typically the first home on the street - were the most expensive, with an average price of 319,318 (file image)
In Britain, 28 per cent of streets do not have a number 13 address, separate research found, and some owners seek permission of their local council to change it to a name or 12a.
There are several explanations put forward for why the number 13 is considered unlucky: some say it is because 13 is considered to be an irregular number and is also the number of witches you need to form a coven. Others say it is because Judas was the 13th to sit down for supper.
In 2013 the number of marriages in England and Wales fell - blamed in part on couples being suspicious of starting married life in a year marked by unlucky number 13.
The fear of the number 13 is known as triskaidekaphobia.
A Tennessee high school senior has raised more than $12,000 for her college tuition after claiming her parents cut her off when she started dating an African-American student.
Allie Dowdle created a GoFundMe account in a desperate attempt to raise money to pay for school after her mother and father said they wouldn't give their financial backing - because they didn't approve of her new boyfriend.
The 18-year-old claims that when she told her parents she was dating a black student named Michael Swift, her dad told her she was not allowed to see him again.
Tennessee teen, Allie Dowdle (right), has raised more than $10,000 after claiming that her parents cut her off after she started dating African-American student, Michael Swift (left)
'My parents have chosen to no longer support my future, stripping me of all my resources including my personal savings, my car, my phone, and my education and leaving me on my own to pay for college,' she wrote on the GoFundMe page.
Dowdle said she and her boyfriend have been seeing each other discreetly since she told her parents, but things went awry over Christmas when Swift approached them again.
Her father, Bill Dowdle, told the New York Daily News that issues with interracial dating in the South means the relationship wouldn't have been his 'preference'.
But he has insisted that his attitude was 'never about race', and is adamant that he isn't a racist.
Dowdle's father told the Daily News that he and his wife would accept whomever their daughter wanted to date.
According to Bill Dowdle, he and his wife disapproved of Swift in part because Allie had started seeing him in secret.
Dowdle (left) said she and Swift (right) have been seeing each other discreetly since she told her parents, but things went awry over Christmas when her boyfriend approached them
According to Dowdle's father, Bill Dowdle, he and his wife (pictured above) disapproved of Swift in part because Allie had started seeing him in secret.
Swift is a 19-year-old college soccer player at Clemson University in South Carolina, where he's a freshman studying sports communication.
Prior to college, he was part of the Philadelphia Union Academy team and went to a $20,000-a-year all-boys high school in Memphis, which is about a half-hour drive from Dowdle's hometown of Eads, but just across the street from Dowdle's $20,000-a-year private all-girls high school.
It is unknown how Dowdle and Swift initially met, but Dowdle is also a student athlete - she played soccer at her high school this fall.
When it comes to Allie's college tuition, her father said he decided to cut off her college money because she has been spoiled and 'it became obvious that she needed to go out in the world and grow up', according to the Daily News.
Allie Dowdle wrote on her GoFundMe that the $12,000 would 'cover the first year of my remaining out of pocket tuition for college'.
While it is unknown where Dowdle plans on attending college, she wrote that she has to have the funds by May 1.
She said that she is unable to get a job because she doesn't have consistent transportation in her rural town, which has a population of around 6,400 people.
Her father, Bill Dowdle, said that his daughter dating a black man may not be his 'preference' because of 'issues' involved with biracial dating in the South. He said that he and his wife disapproved of Swift (left with family) in part because Allie had started seeing him in secret
It's unclear what university Dowdle is attending, but her father did say that he and his wife (pictured above with Dowdle) would help their daughter graduate
Early Friday morning, Dowdle posted an update on her GoFundMe page saying that it wasn't her 'intention to deliberately hurt my family'.
'My actions reflect my conscious decision to do what I believe is right.
'To my family, I say once again I am genuinely sorry for any pain I have caused you, but I do not regret my decision to support my future through a GoFundMe campaign,' she wrote.
She concluded her update by thanking all of those who donated to the campaign.
But several commenters said the push to have others pay for her education portrayed privilege.
User Marissa Kizer wrote on the page: 'Sending a white girl from a middle-class family to college is not fighting racism.'
'In fact, expecting to avoid work, student loans, etc. and be treated like a hero for dating a black guy seems pretty racist to me.'
It's unclear what university Dowdle is attending, but her father did say that he and his wife would help their daughter graduate.
Hospitals are failing to raise concerns about incompetent locums, the doctors watchdog warns today.
The General Medical Council says some managers refuse to alert other hospitals about potentially unsafe agency workers who demand up to 155 an hour to cover shifts.
Some told locum agencies not to supply them with certain doctors but didnt make a formal complaint.
Hospitals are failing to raise concerns about incompetent locums, the doctors watchdog warns today (file photo)
They also failed to provide frank feedback to the GMC about the individuals, leaving them free to work at other trusts possibly endangering patients.
The regulators warning backs up widespread concerns about locum doctors who cover for serious shortages of staff on the NHS.
Some fly in from abroad or drive in from elsewhere in the UK and do blocks of back-to-back shifts at hospitals.
Experts say they tend to be less competent than their full-time colleagues, partly because they are unfamiliar with the system of working.
But growing numbers of doctors are stepping down from their permanent posts to become career locums because they can earn more money, but with less responsibility.
Demand is soaring, particularly in understaffed departments such as A&E and elderly wards.
There are 8,500 locum doctors in Britain, hired out by 86 agencies.
The GMCs findings are published in a report today investigating new, five-yearly revalidation checks for all doctors introduced in 2012.
Medical experts say locum doctors tend to be less competent than their full-time colleagues, partly because they are unfamiliar with the system of working (file photo)
These require all doctors to provide evidence that they are still competent to practice. Sir Keith Pearson, chairman of the GMCs revalidation advisory board, said he was concerned that some locums and doctors were falling outside the most exacting standards.
He said hospitals may be failing to alert the GMC or other trusts about incompetent locums because they fear being sued by the medics.
The General Medical Council also highlighted how doctors were failing to get enough feedback from patients some of whom were too scared to say what they thought.
As part of the revalidation process, doctors are required to gather at least 50 questionnaires from patients about their treatment.
But the GMC warned that some patients were put off providing negative feedback in case it affected the care they received.
Demand for agency doctors is soaring, particularly in understaffed departments such as A&E and elderly wards (file photo)
Dr Mark Porter, chairman of the British Medical Association (BMA), warned that locums could be falling through the cracks.
He added: Locum agencies should all do what the best do, which is to organise and provide continued professional development, appraisal and revalidation for these doctors.
Jane Mordue, of the patients campaign group Healthwatch England, said: Making it easier for patients to give regular feedback on their experiences is absolutely essential to helping doctors and other NHS staff know how they are doing and improve where they need to.
Health minister Philip Dunne said: We know there is more to do to ensure that revalidation is as effective as possible for doctors.
The report identifies a crucial issue with locums being revalidated for the roles they are undertaking, so well want to see further progress in future.
Glenn Armstrong (pictured) was arrested Thursday in the death of his father, 83
A man who served prison time in the 1990s for threatening to kill President Bill Clinton has been arrested in connection with the death of his father, after a multi-state manhunt.
Police conducting a welfare check on Wednesday discovered Walter Armstrong, 83, dead in the Blackstone, Massachusetts home he had shared with his son, Glenn Armstrong, 48.
The younger Armstrong was missing, as was the father's truck, a black 1995 Chevrolet S-10 extended-cab pickup.
With an autopsy pending, Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. deemed the death a homicide, and sought Armstrong, who had an outstanding arrest warrant on unrelated charges, for questioning.
A manhunt ensued, and police caught a break on Thursday nearly 300 miles away, in New Jersey.
Police were conducting a welfare check on Wednesday at the Massachusetts home of Walter Armstrong and his son (pictured) when they discovered the father dead inside
Police issued this alert seeking Armstrong after discovering his father's body. Authorities said his criminal record, including a threat to Bill Clinton, made Armstrong a person of interest
Glenn Armstrong fled 300 miles in his father's 1995 Chevy truck (pictured). He was arrested in a New Jersey hotel parking lot on Thursday after the truck ran out of gas.
Police say Armstrong, driving his father's Chevy, ran out of gas in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. He was arrested without incident in a hotel parking lot there, on a Massachusetts warrant accusing him of failing to submit DNA, they said.
Early, the prosecutor, said Armstrong's history immediately made him a person of interest in the elder Armstrong's death.
"He has served several sentences in the past, one of those in 1994, for threatening to kill President Bill Clinton," Early said.
In August of 1994, Clinton was vacationing on Martha's Vineyard when Armstrong approached a ticket agent at a ferry servicing the island and said he was going to kill the president.
Then-President Bill Clinton vacations on Martha's Vineyard with wife Hillary in this file photo. Armstrong was arrested in 1994 for threatening to kill Clinton for 'taking away his children'
The threat against Clinton came only a few weeks after Secret Service agents detained Armstrong outside President George H.W. Bush's home in Kennebunkport, Maine, the Telegram & Gazette reported.
Armstrong blamed both of the presidents for taking away his children, the newspaper reported his friends saying.
He was sentenced to 21 months in prison and was credited with time served. A federal judge ordered him to serve three years of supervised release and to undergo psychiatric therapy.
More recently, the prosecutor in his father's homicide said Armstrong was sentenced in 2015 to about nine months in jail for assault and battery and was released in about the last year and a half.
A New York correction department employee has been busted for allegedly moonlighting as a prostitute.
Geliesha Smith, 26, was arrested at a Brooklyn motel on Friday night after allegedly offering to have sex with an undercover police officer for $120.
The undercover cop signaled for backup after she propositioned him inside a room at the Days Inn, the New York Post reports.
New York correction department employee Geliesha Smith, 26, was arrested at a Brooklyn motel on Friday night after allegedly offering to have sex for $120 with an undercover cop
Smith was arrested and charged with prostitution.
Her Backpage advertisement features a video of her giving a man oral sex and promising potential clients a 'one of a kind experience' with a 'sexy petite body'.
'Hi Guy's i'm LISA. This is a one of a kind experience! I have a BEAUTIFUL face to match my Sexy Petite body,' her ad reads.
It features photos of herself with her contact details edited onto her body parts.
Her Backpage advertisement features a video of her giving a man oral sex and promising potential clients a 'one of a kind experience' with a 'sexy petite body'
The undercover cop signaled for backup after Smith allegedly propositioned him inside a room at the Days Inn in Brooklyn on Friday night
Smith has been employed at the Department of Correction as a civil employee for the Federal Narcotics Task Force since March 2016.
She was earning $75,000 a year but was suspended immediately following her arrest.
Smith, who has no prior criminal convictions, was arraigned in Brooklyn Criminal court and released without bail.
WikiLeaks founder julian assange will agree to be extradited to the United States to face possible espionage charges if President Obama grants clemency to military document leaker Chelsea Manning.
Manning, a transgender former U.S. solider, is serving a 35-year sentence for handing 700,000 sensitive military and diplomatic documents to WikiLeaks.
'If Obama grants Manning clemency Assange will agree to US extradition despite clear unconstitutionality of DoJ (US Department of Justice) case,' WikiLeaks wrote on Twitter on Thursday.
Julian Assange will agree to be extradited to the United States to face possible espionage charges if President Obama grants clemency to military document leaker Chelsea Manning
Assange has been living in the Ecuadoran embassy in London since June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden to face sexual assault allegations.
Manning, who went by the name Bradley Manning before her transition, is reportedly on Obama's short list for a possible commutation of sentence.
She has already made two suicide attempts while incarcerated at the maximum-security US Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth and went on a hunger strike last year in an attempt to get officials to allow her to undergo gender reassignment surgery.
Manning, a transgender former U.S. solider, is serving a 35-year sentence for handing 700,000 sensitive military and diplomatic documents to WikiLeaks.
Manning, who went by the name Bradley Manning (right) before her transition, is reportedly on Obama's short list for a possible commutation of sentence
Manning's supporters have long argued that the 35-year sentence in a maximum security correctional facility was excessive.
Her supporters are hoping Obama will pardon her before leaving office but the White House has said the president will not be granting the former solider clemency.
High-profile government whistleblower, Edward Snowden, also made an appeal to Obama on Manning's behalf this week.
'Mr. President, if you grant only one act of clemency as you exit the White House, please: free Chelsea Manning. You alone can save her life,' the former NSA contractor said in a tweet.
Manning, pictured in 2013, is serving a 35-year sentence for handing 700,000 sensitive military and diplomatic documents
An East Harlem student was allegedly held at gunpoint by her 12-year-old classmate who demanded that she give him a McDonald's chicken nugget.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) told ABC 7 that it was the boy's second attempt to get a McNugget from the girl.
Police said the incident unfolded at a McDonald's along Third Avenue and East 103rd Street on Tuesday.
An East Harlem student was allegedly held at gunpoint by her 12-year-old classmate who demanded that she give him a McDonald's chicken nugget. Police said the incident unfolded at a McDonald's (pictured) along Third Avenue and East 103rd Street on Tuesday
When he asked her for a McNugget, she refused and walked away. Police said the boy allegedly followed the girl into the 103rd Street No 6 subway station (file photo). He then preceded to point a gun at the girl's head and asked for a McNugget
When he asked her for a McNugget, she refused and walked away.
Police told ABC that the boy allegedly followed the girl into the 103rd Street No 6 subway station.
He then preceded to point a gun at the girl's head and asked for a McNugget, police said.
The girl, whose age hasn't been revealed, smacked the gun away and told the boy to leave her alone.
Police told the station that the girl was unharmed and boarded the train, where she saw the boy showing another student the gun.
The girl reported the incident to school officials the next day.
Police took the boy into custody and he was arrested as a juvenile for attempted robbery, according to NBC New York.
As of Thursday night, authorities hadn't specified if the child had been released.
Annie Dunne (pictured) was badly injured
The company involved in a horrific fruit-picking accident where an Irish backpacker was scalped and lost an ear has been fined $60,000.
Annie Dunne from Tipperary in the Republic of Ireland was cleaning a conveyor belt at a packing shed in Shepparton, Victoria, on November 7, 2015, when the accident happened, The Age reports.
The packing shed used two conveyors to deliver pears for distribution.
While cleaning underneath one of the conveyors, her hair got caught up in a rotating drive shaft and her scalp was ripped from her head.
One of her ears was also torn off in the nasty incident. Ms Dunne had been trying to complete the requirements of rural employment to gain a second year on her working holiday visa.
The company, T&R Contracting Shepparton Pty Ltd, pleaded guilty in Shepparton Magistrates Court on Thursday.
The company pleaded guilty to one breach of the OHS Act 2004 for failing to provide a safe working environment for Ms Dunne - by not providing instruction and training.
As well as the fine of $60,000 that was handed down, the company was also ordered to pay legal costs of $8,091.
The company that runs the packing shed, Kalafatis Packing Pty Ltd, and its manager Dimitrios Vagelatos, are now also facing charges over the incident. They are due to appear in court in February.
WorkSafe's Executive Director of Health and Safety, Marnie Williams, said it was 'staggering' that the machines were being cleaned by the workers while they were still in operation.
'All workers at this business were exposed to serious risks to their health and safety because a safe system of work was not in place,' she told The Age.
Ms Dunne (pictured) had her head scalped and her ear torn off in the horrific accident
'There was no requirement to isolate the conveyors from energy sources during the cleaning process and no training provided to workers.'
A crowdfunding campaign raised more than $35,000 to help with her recovery from her serious injuries.
Irish media reported immediately after the accident that her family is well-known in their hometown and dozens had taken to social media to show their support for the young woman.
'Everyone was shocked to hear the news and we're all hoping that their daughter makes a quick recovery,' a family friend told the Independent.
A Melbourne Muslim cleric and another man have been charged over the forced marriage of a child.
Imam Ibrahim Omerdic, 62, was charged with conduct that caused a minor to enter into a forced marriage at Noble Park, Melbourne, on September 29 last year.
Omerdic appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday morning along with a 34-year-old man, who appeared before the court via video link.
Imam Ibrahim Omerdic, 61, has been charged with conduct that caused a minor to enter into a forced marriage at Noble Park on September 29 last year
The man, 34, has been charged with sexual penetration of a child under the age of 16 and being a party to a forced marriage.
A DVD of the ceremony being conducted at a Melbourne mosque may form part of the evidence, the court was told.
The girl was in court, The Age reports.
Omerdic's bail was continued and the 34-year-old man was further remanded in custody until his next appearance on February 3.
Omerdic is the imam of the Bosnian mosque in Noble Park in Melbourne and is listed as a Muslim marriage celebrant.
Omerdic is the imam of the Bosnian mosque in the Melbourne suburb of Noble Park (pictured) and is listed as a Muslim marriage celebrant
OUT: Health Minister Sussan Ley (left) has resigned after it was revealed she used taxpayer funded trips to attend a NYE function with businesswoman Sarina Russo (right)
Embattled Turnbull government cabinet minister Sussan Ley has resigned from the frontbench.
It follows revelations she used taxpayer-funded trips to buy property and attend New Year's Eve functions.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced her resignation on Friday afternoon, his first press conference since the politicians' expenses scandal broke last week.
He announced a new independent agency to manage parliamentarians' work expenses.
'Australians are entitled to expect that politicians spend taxpayers' money carefully, ensuring at all times that their work expenditure represents an efficient, effective and ethical use of public resources,' he said in Sydney.
'As politicians, backbenchers and ministers, we should be as careful and as accountable with taxpayers' money as we possibly can be.
'We are dealing with other people's money.'
GONE: Ms Ley said she had an 'incredibly difficult week' thanks to 'ongoing media speculation'
Ms Ley claimed allowances for a flight, a chauffeur driver and an overnight stay on May 9, 2015 when she bought a two-bedroom apartment in this building at Main Beach, on the Gold Coast
The independent parliamentary expenses authority will monitor and adjudicate all claims by MPs, senators and ministers to ensure taxpayer funds are properly spent, Mr Turnbull said.
It will be governed by an independent board and will include a person experienced in auditing, the president of the remuneration tribunal, a former judicial officer and a former MP.
Parliamentarians' expenses will be made available monthly and in a searchable format, he said.
'We owe the people of Australia the greatest transparency and the greatest accountability,' he said.
The prime minister has announced a new watchdog to oversee parliamentary expenses
'Having this information available regularly - monthly, as I said - that will ensure, I believe, a great change in transparency and accountability.'
Mr Turnbull said he would make further announcements about ministerial arrangements next week.
The government will also continue to implement the recommendations of a report handed down in 2016 following the Bronwyn Bishop expenses scandal, he said.
A woman who received an anonymous letter in the mail claiming her close friend and politician husband were having an affair has slammed the 'faceless accuser' who left the note for her children to find.
The Queensland woman wrote an angry social media post slamming the unknown writer of a letter she received in the post which falsely named her husband as a cheat.
She was also furious that her daughter, nine, was the first to read the letter which meant she had to explain to the young girl what an affair was.
The Queensland woman wrote an angry social media post slamming the unknown writer of a letter she received in the post which falsely named her husband as a cheat
The woman's husband was falsely accused of having an affair with a family friend.
'Your husband is having an affair ... please do not believe his bull****. Make no mistake, HE IS.
'A lot of people know the truth,' the anonymous letter read.
The woman was the intended recipient of the letter but her nine-year-old daughter was the first to read its words.
The woman's nine-year-old daughter was first to read the letter which was sent to the family home
The angry wife explained her daughter had collected the mail from the letterbox and was excited to find an actual letter.
She told Daily Mail Australia the letter didn't make her suspect her husband of cheating it just made her disappointed with her community.
'I feel for (my friend) - everyone has a breaking point and she has been attacked before.'
'On opening the envelope I had to quickly whip your letter away before she read the word 'bulls**t'.
'She'd already read what was previous to that,' the woman wrote.
The mother went on to explain to the 'faceless accuser' that the woman named is actually a close family friend
'Anyway, we then embarked on a discussion about what an 'affair' was and I had to try to explain that there are people in the world bent on hurt and destruction.'
The mother went on to explain to the 'faceless accuser' that the woman named is actually a close family friend.
'Recently we've had dinner dates, doggy visits, and quick drop ins.
'I've witnessed first-hand- yes first hand (not rumoured) - the relationship between her and my husband and I'm going to have to advise you that you really do need to hire a better private investigator or upskill yourself.'
The woman's husband also spoke with Daily Mail Australia about the attack and claims there have been 'whispers' of the alleged affair since April last year.
The woman's husband also spoke with Daily Mail Australia about the attack and claims there have been 'whispers' of the alleged affair since April last year
'I had heard it a few times but nothing too sinister but to get this letter in my mailbox to my wife is one step too far,' he said.
He claims people are lashing out at the woman he is accused of having an affair with because she is a 'strong and capable woman'.
He says his wife of 20 years - who he has known since high school will stand by him.
'She is my partner for life and has no doubt that I am faithful to her.'
The mother asked her friends and family to share the post in the hope that she can reach the person who printed out the original letter. The post has been shared 200 times.
One Nation has made a spectacular return to the Queensland parliament for the first time in almost eight years after former LNP racing minister Steve Dickson announced his defection to the resurgent political force.
The member for Buderim announced he was jumping ship at a press conference with Pauline Hanson in his electorate on Friday morning.
His defection further muddies the complex power dynamic in Queensland's hung parliament, reducing the opposition LNP to 41 seats, behind Labor's 42 and bolstering the ranks of the cross bench to five MPs.
Pauline Hanson (left) welcomed Steve Dickson (right) to the One Nation party on Friday
But being One Nation's only state MP will not automatically make him the party's leader, according to Ms Hanson who says the leadership question is yet to be resolved.
Senator Hanson said she now wanted to give the major parties in the state 'hell'.
'They won't know what happened to them - I've got good strong candidates and I've got the support of the public,' she said.
Mr Dickson, who was racing minister in the Newman government, emailed his former LNP colleagues to notify them of his defection on Friday morning and phoned state president Gary Spence shortly before the press conference.
He said both the LNP and Labor were out of touch with the electorate.
'The major parties have lost their way, now we have a chance to step up to the plate,' he said.
Mr Dickson (pictured) said both the LNP and Labor were out of touch with the electorate
Ms Hanson (pictured) believed that 'it was just through sheer frustration' that Mr Dickson made the shock change of political party
Senator Hanson said there were no deals done to get Mr Dickson to join her party.
'I believe that it was just through sheer frustration that Steve felt that he was not being able to be a voice for the people of Queensland in his electorate,' she said.
'He has seen what I have been able to achieve, and it was through sheer frustration that he did not feel like he was a voice for his electorate and that is why he came to One Nation.'
Mr Dickson attributed his defection to a lack of action from Labor and the LNP on his push for an amnesty for medical cannabis users.
He said his appeals for action on the matter fell on deaf ears in the major political parties and Senator Hanson was the only one willing to take up the issue.
Heavy rain in the Australian Outback has brought with it the appearance of strange crustaceans known as a Shield Shrimp.
They get their name from their distinctive 'shield' which protects the head and the front portion of their body.
There is a huge surge in population of the curious desert creatures following wet weather in Central Australia and they can be found in muddy puddles and pools of water.
Heavy rainfall in the Australian outback has brought with it the appearance of strange crustaceans known as a Shield Shrimp
There is a huge surge in population of the curious desert creatures following wet weather and they can be found in muddy puddles and pools of water
Expert Michael Barritt told ABC Radio Darwin that the odd-looking crustaceans aren't like the 'true shrimp' people would eat.
'Forget about prawns and that sort of look. They look a bit shrimp-ish but have this big shield across the tip of their bodies.'
However, the shield offers little protection against ravenous fish and birds that linger at waterholes to eat them as they drying up.
There is one species of the Shield Shrimp in Australia known as Triops australiensis, they can grow up to 90mm long as adults.
They're well-adapted to the hot and dry desert conditions of Australia's Red Centre, with eggs remaining dormant for years until there is heavy rain.
In response to a post about the Shield Shrimp on Northern Territory Parks and Wildlifes Facbook , Leslie Bannon posted her own encounter with the creatures.
'We were very lucky to see these this year,' she wrote.
'A couple in our pond were actually red. The water was absolutely full of babies.'
The underside of the Shield Shrimp, who get their name from their distinctive 'shield' which protects the head and the front portion of their body
They're well-adapted to the hot and dry desert conditions of Australia's Red Centre, with eggs remaining dormant for years until there is heavy rain
A shield shrimp compared to the size of a human hand, they can grow up to 90mm long as adults
When enough rain comes along the shield shrimp: 'hatch and go crazy trying to feed as much as they can on micro-organisms and bacteria in the water, according to Mr Barritt
Mr Barritt said when enough rain comes along the shield shrimp: 'Hatch and go crazy trying to feed as much as they can on micro-organisms and bacteria in the water.
'They want to be able to have their eggs back into the drying surface before the waterhole dries out.'
The expert added that following their feeding frenzy and the dry conditions return, the freshly laid Shield Shrimp eggs can last up to seven years buried in the sand or dirt.
There's a reasonable chance the shrimp can be found at Redbank Waterhole in Owen Springs Reserve, Palm Valley in Finke Gorge National Park, and at Napwerte / Ewaninga Rock Carvings Conservation Reserve in Central Australia, according to Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife.
A shocking video has emerged showing a dog chained to the top of a cage as its owner drives down a highway.
Brenna Cronin posted the disturbing footage to Facebook on Wednesday after she spotted the helpless struggling animal tied to the moving trailer on Interstate 95 in Florida.
She said the dog had 'the letter S branded into his right back leg'.
Animal services are now investigating after they viewed the 'disturbing' clip. But the owner has insisted he did nothing wrong - as the dog likes riding on the top of the cage.
A shocking video has emerged showing a dog (pictured) chained to the top of a cage as its owner drove down Interstate 95 in Florida. Brenna Cronin posted the disturbing footage to Facebook on Wednesday
The video shows the dog, which appears to be a pit bull, chained to the top of a cage sitting on a trailer.
As the woman's car passed the Chevrolet SUV, the dog managed to stand up.
At least two other dogs appeared to be in the cage as well.
The video has been shared more than 8,000 times and, as of Thursday night, had one million views.
After the video surfaced, the dog's owner spoke to Action News Jax, but said he did not want to be interviewed on camera.
He insisted he did nothing wrong and said the dog prefers to ride on top of the cage instead of inside.
Paul Studivant, the Operations Manager of the St Johns County Division of Animal Control, told the station they're conducting an investigation along with Flagler County Animal Control. 'Very disturbing to see,' said Studivant.
In St Johns County, it's illegal to transport uncovered dogs. They have to be secured inside a pet carrier or cage.
Studivant said a wellness check was conducted on the animals and if authorities determine the incident took place in St Johns County, the owner may be fined $93.
As the woman's car passed the Chevrolet SUV, the dog managed to stand up. At least two other dogs appeared to be in the cage as well. The video has been shared more than 8,000 times and viewed more than one million
They are known as nature's followers - subservient animals content to fit in with the herd rather than stand out.
But as this video proves, in every family there is always a black sheep willing to go against the grain.
This is the dramatic moment a female shepherd was trampled and then butted into the ground after her herd was spooked by a car.
This is the moment a German shepherd was rammed to the floor by her herd after a car approached and startled them
Believed to have been filmed in Germany, the footage shows a female shepherd leading her sheep down a country road.
But when a car approaches things quickly go wrong as the shepherd's dog gets distracted from its task of controlling the animals.
As the canine runs toward the vehicle the sheep gather together at the side of the road before deciding to run the other way.
A particularly large sheep rams the woman in the back and leaves her sprawled in the middle of the road while her dogs are distracted
The shepherd manages to get to her knees but makes the mistake of turning her back on the sheep before being hit again
At this point one particularly large sheep takes advantage of the chaos to ram the shepherd in the back of the legs, causing her to fall down.
The woman lays stunned on the tarmac for a few moments as the sheep backs off, before managing to get up to her knees.
But she makes the mistake of turning her back on the sheep who runs back over before butting her in the back, sending her tumbling to the ground again.
The sheep then starts stomping on her before the car drives over and scares it away. The footage was filmed in 2014 but has recently gone viral.
A digital hacking group known for helping authorities break into smartphones has been hacked.
Cellebrite was targeted by the hackers, with tech site Motherboard saying on Thursday that it had obtained 900 gigabytes of data related to the Israel-based company.
It said the trove of data includes customer information, databases and technical data about the company's products.
A digital hacking group known for helping authorities break into smartphones has been hacked (stock image)
Cellebrite released a statement Thursday acknowledging that one of its external web servers had been hacked, adding that that it's investigating the extent of the breach.
Motherboard said an unidentified hacker gave him 900 gigabytes of data from Cellebrite's servers.
In a series of messages posted to Twitter, the website said most of the data consisted of technical information, evidence and log files but that some of the information contained customer data.
In an article, Motherboard wrote the trove contained messages from authorities in Russia, Turkey and the Arab Gulf.
Cellebrite was targeted by the hackers, with tech site Motherboard saying on Thursday that it had obtained 900 gigabytes of data related to the Israel-based company
Cellebrite, founded in 1999, has contracts with the FBI dating back to at least 2013 (stock image)
Cellebrite could be in for more unwelcome attention. Motherboard said it would 'likely be doing more stories from the data.'
According to Cellebrite, the server in question included a database backup of an old license management system. It said the hackers accessed basic user contact information and encrypted passwords for users who had not yet moved to the company's new system.
While Cellebrite says it's not aware of any risk to customers as a result of the breach, it's still advising them to change their passwords.
The company, founded in 1999, has contracts with the FBI dating back to at least 2013.
Cellebrite claims to do business with thousands of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, militaries and governments in more than 100 countries
The firm makes devices that allow law enforcement to extract and decode data such as contacts, pictures and text messages from more than 15,000 kinds of smartphones and other mobile devices.
It also makes commercial products that companies can use to help their customers transfer data from old phones to new ones.
The company found itself in the spotlight last year after some industry observers speculated that it might have helped the FBI hack into an iPhone used by one of the killer in the San Bernardino, California, mass shooting.
That phone was the subject of a major legal fight between the FBI and Apple; the company refused to help break iPhone security. The FBI dropped its case after finding another way into the phone.
Cellebrite claims to do business with thousands of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, militaries and governments in more than 100 countries. But its involvement in the San Bernardino case was never proven.
The US is set for a devastating confrontation with China and should be prepared for war if it attempts to block Beijing in the South China Sea, state media has warned.
Prospective US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was told to watch his mouth by the Chinese government mouthpiece after the former ExxonMobil CEO told US senators that he would seek to deny Beijing access to the artificial islands they have been building in the South China Sea.
China's actions in the region are comparable to Russia's invasion of Crimea, he said, a comment that did not sit well with the nuclear-armed Asian giant.
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Advertisements for a magazine showing various cover stories, including ones featuring US President-elect Donald Trump, at a newsstand in Shanghai
If Tillerson acted on his threats, Chinese state-owned China Daily warned 'it would set a course for devastating confrontation between China and the US'.
Satellite photos show China has been hard at work building military facilities in the contested waters, which are also claimed by the Philippines and Vietnam, among others.
Under US President Barack Obama, Washington has claimed Beijing's activities in the region threaten freedom of navigation and overflight through the commercially and strategically vital waters.
But is has not taken a position on the ownership of the islets, reefs and shoals that sit in one of the world's hotspots.
Tillerson, however, explicitly said that the territories 'are not rightfully China's.'
'Unless Washington plans to wage a large scale war in the South China Sea, any other approaches to prevent Chinese access to the islands will be foolish,' the nationalistic Global Times wrote in an editorial.
Former ExxonMobil executive Rex Tillerson testifies during his confirmation hearing for Secretary of State before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, January 11, 2017
The paper, which is thought to have some insight into the thinking of more hawkish members of Chinese Communist Party, added that Tillerson better 'bone up on nuclear power strategies if he wants to force a big nuclear power to withdraw from its own territories'.
It has previously called on Beijing to increase its nuclear arsenal after Donald Trump threatened to upend decades of US policy on Taiwan by suggesting he could recognise the island, which China regards as an indisputable part of its sovereign territory.
China's official reaction to the comments was muted, with foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang politely urging Washington to mind its own business.
'The South China Sea situation has cooled down and we hope non-regional countries can respect the consensus that it is in the fundamental interest of the whole world,' he said.
Both papers, despite their warnings, agreed that it was too early to tell if Tillerson's words were more bark than bite.
'It remains to be seen to what extent his views against China will translate into US foreign policies,' the China Daily said.
But, the Global Times warned, that does not mean that the Trump administration should think Beijing has not heard his team's outspoken anti-China rhetoric.
The president-elect has filled his team with hardliners like Peter Navarro, the author of 'Death by China', and has threatened to declare Beijing a currency manipulator and slap it with 45 percent tariffs.
A child bride was raped the day after she was forced into marrying her 34-year-old Islamic husband, police have alleged.
The girl, who is younger than 16, was allegedly forced into marrying the man in a traditional Islamic ceremony by a prominent Muslim marriage cleric last year.
In the days following the marriage, the girl's new husband allegedly sexually penetrated her.
Imam Ibrahim Omerdic, 61, (pictured) has been charged with conduct that caused a minor to enter into a forced marriage at Noble Park last year
When he appeared via videolink in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday he broke down in tears throughout the hearing, more than once, the Herald Sun report.
He will remain behind bars until his next appearance on February 3.
The underage girl was also in court and watched on as the man she was allegedly forced to marry was remanded in custody.
The Muslim cleric who married the two at Noble Park, Melbourne last year was also charged.
Imam Ibrahim Omerdic, 62, was charged with conduct that caused a minor to enter into a forced marriage.
Omerdic appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday morning along with a 34-year-old man, who appeared before the court via video link
Omerdic appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday morning along with the 34-year-old husband.
A DVD of the ceremony being conducted at a Melbourne mosque may form part of the evidence, the court was told.
Omerdic is the imam of the Bosnian mosque in Noble Park in Melbourne and is listed as a Muslim marriage celebrant.
Omerdic's bail was continued.
Pauline Hanson attacked the new Australia Day lamb ad for 'destroying' the national identity in favour of political correctness.
The One Nation senator called those behind the annual Meat & Livestock Australia ad 'ratbags' shoving aside celebration of the national day.
The controversial commercial doesn't mention Australia Day, or even the name of the country, a single time.
Pauline Hanson attacked the new Australia Day lamb ad for 'destroying' the national identity in favour of political correctness
It features a multicultural beach barbecue attended by all the groups which make up the nation's population, arriving one by one as they did over history.
But when asked what occasion they are celebrating, the hosts - who are Indigenous Australians - simply reply: 'Do we need one?'
Finally a group of refugees are spotted and someone shouts 'look, it's the boat people' to which a reveler played by celebrity chef Poh Ling Yeow asks 'aren't we all boat people?'
Australian Lamb's new advert focuses on a group of indigenous Australians having a beach barbecue before they are join by other ethnic and cultural groups
The One Nation senator called those behind the annual Meat & Livestock Australia ad 'bloody idiots' and 'ratbags' shoving aside celebration of the national day
Senator Hanson insisted she wasnt 'knocking' Aboriginals or any other group, but urging them to see themselves as 'Australians'.
'It really is pretty sad, isnt it? Its bloody idiots out there, ratbags. Its pretty sad when its basically shutting us down for being proud of who we are as Australian citizens,' she told News Corp.
'Its the day we celebrate forming our nation, our federation, our government, and its being shoved to one side for this political correctness and making everyone feel good about themselves.'
Among the first to arrive are the European settlers, including Dutch, British and French, who all bring distinct foods with them
Then come other European settlers - Dutch, French and Germans who arrive on tall-ships - bringing their own traditional foods and drinks to the party
The outspoken anti-immigration politician said people came to the country form elsewhere because they wanted to be Australians.
'Its taking away the whole identity and suppressing who we are as Australians. Im saddened by this, I really am,' she said.
'I think its a constant battle by people like myself to actually get out there and say we are proud to be Australian, thats who we are, its our identity. Were destroying our own identity, who we are, to make other people coming in feel good.'
The outspoken anti-immigration politician said people came to the country form elsewhere because they wanted to be Australians
As more and more guests arrive, one asks Adam Gilchrist where the back yard is for a game of cricket before he boasts: 'There's about 4,00km of it back there'
However, the National Farmer's Federation - whose members stand to benefit from the annual boost in lamb sales - said the response from farmers was 'blood fantastic'.
NFF president Fiona Simson said the ad dealt with the thorny issue in an 'innovative and edgy' way and got people talking about lamb.
The ad starts with a group of native Australians searching for the perfect spot to set up for a barbecue before other guests start to arrive.
First come European settlers - Dutch, British, French and Germans who arrive on tall-ships - bringing their own traditional foods and drinks to the party.
Next come the Chinese, bearing a box of fireworks, naturally purchased from the ACT suburb of Fyshwick.
The Greeks, Italians and Serbians are next to arrive, led by former AFL player Sam Kekovich, who is now the 'lambassador' for Australia.
Gilchrist then makes his appearance when asked where the back yard is, bragging 'there's about 4,000km of it back there', before offering them an esky lid for a wicket.
Several other Pacific Islander groups turn up, before someone shouts out 'look, it's the boat people'.
At one point the advert gets political as a ship of 'boat people' arrive, before celebrity chef Poh Ling Yeow asks: 'Aren't we all boat people?'
The advert finishes with a huge firework display over the beach before their slogan 'you'll never lamb alone' appears on the screen
One reveler, played by celebrity chef Poh Ling Yeow, then asks 'aren't we all boat people?', before they cheer in celebration.
The advert finishes with a huge firework display over the beach before their slogan 'you'll never lamb alone' appears on the screen.
Salah Abdeslam (pictured) has previously refused to respond to questions from French judges about the massacre in Paris
The main suspect in the ISIS attacks in Paris has boasted that he is 'not ashamed' of who he is - and gets adoring letters from fans calling him a 'star' and an 'idol.
Salah Abdeslam has previously refused to respond to questions from French judges about the massacre on November 13, 2015 which claimed 130 lives.
But correspondence with an anonymous woman who has been writing to him in prison shows he has been 'talkative for the first time', according to the Liberation newspaper which published extracts of the messages.
'First of all, I'm not afraid of letting anything slip because I'm not ashamed of what I am - and then what worse could be said than what's already been said,' Abdeslam wrote, according to the extract from his investigation file.
'I'm writing to you without knowing how to start, I got all your letters and I don't know whether I've enjoyed them or not, they definitely let me spend a bit of time in the outside world,' he continued.
'Since you've been straightforward I will be too, if I ask you what your intentions are it's to reassure myself that you don't love me like a "star" or an "idol" because I get messages like that and I don't endorse that because the only person who deserves to be adored is Allah,' he wrote.
Abdeslam received messages from a number of correspondents but only replied to one woman, the newspaper wrote.
Abdeslam is accused of having provided logistical support to the seven jihadists who died at the various scenes of the terror attacks: the Bataclan concert hall, the Stade de France national stadium, and several bars and restaurants in central Paris
The 27-year-old was transferred to France from Belgium in April following his arrest in a police raid in Brussels during which he was shot in the leg
The 27-year-old was transferred to France from Belgium in April following his arrest in a police raid in Brussels during which he was shot in the leg.
His two lawyers said in October they would no longer defend him given his refusal to answer questions.
The Belgian-born French national is believed to be the only jihadist survivor of the attacks in the French capital.
Abdeslam is accused of having provided logistical support to the seven jihadists who died at the various scenes of the terror attacks: the Bataclan concert hall, the Stade de France national stadium, and several bars and restaurants in central Paris.
Meanwhile, Belgium has charged two suspects with providing false documents to a man linked to the November 2015 Paris attacks, who later blew himself up on a crowded Brussels metro, federal prosecutors said.
The pair, a man and a woman, were 'suspected to have provided Khalid Bakraoui with the false documents afterwards used in preparation of the Paris attacks,' prosecutors said.
The Belgian-born French national (pictured being arrested) is believed to be the only jihadist survivor of the attacks in the French capital
Bakraoui was the suicide bomber at a Brussels metro station while his brother Ibrahim and another man attacked Brussels airport in coordinated suicide attacks that killed 32 people on March 22 last year.
Belgian press reports said the suspects identified Thursday as Farid K. and Meryem E.B. were the same people who were arrested during an anti-terror raid on a home in the Brussels district of Laeken on Tuesday.
Farid K. has 'been charged with participation in the activities of a terrorist group, falsification of documents and use of false documents,' the prosecutor's office said.
Meryem E.B. 'has been charged with falsification of documents and use of false documents,' it said.
Belgian Khalid Bakraoui (pictured) was the suicide bomber at a Brussels metro station in March
Bakraoui's brother Ibrahim and another man attacked Brussels airport (pictured) in coordinated suicide attacks that killed 32 people on March 22 last year
Farid K. has been placed in police custody while Meryem E.B was released under 'strict' conditions, it added.
Some 20 people have been charged in Belgium in connection with the Paris attacks. Investigators say the Paris and Brussels attacks were carried out by the same cell.
Investigators said Bakraoui used a false name to rent an apartment in the southern Brussels district of Forest that was raided one week before the metro and airport bombings.
A French woman police officer and three Belgian colleagues were wounded in the March 15 shootout at the apartment in which an Algerian Islamist suspect was killed.
Police found in the apartment the fingerprints of Paris attacks fugitive Salah Abdeslam, the only known jihadist to have survived the massacres there, and arrested him three days later in central Brussels.
Prosecutors also believe Bakraoui used a false name and Belgian identity card to rent a flat in the southern Belgian city of Charleroi which served as a base for the Paris attackers.
A woman has called on her fellow New Zealanders to make an effort to correctly pronounce Maori place names.
Auckland resident Hana Botha vented her frustration with mispronunciation in a Facebook video that was viewed over 130,000 times as of Friday.
She said knowing how to pronounce place names shows 'the most basic level of respect.'
A woman has called on her fellow New Zealanders to make an effort to correctly pronounce Maori place names
Auckland resident Hana Botha vented her frustration with mispronunciation in a Facebook video that was viewed over 130,000 times as of Friday
She said knowing how to pronounce place names shows 'the most basic level of respect'
'It honestly boggles my mind how many people don't even attempt it,' Ms Botha said.
'I don't get them right all the time either, they're hard. You have to think about them; sometimes you have to try two or three times.'
She said she often corrects people when she hears them pronouncing place names in the wrong way.
Tauranga and Taupo were two examples of commonly mispronounced place names, Ms Botha said.
Ms Botha received a lot of positive replies, and some flak, for her passionate speech.
One commentator wrote she shared Ms Botha's post after hearing a 'radio ad for an event in Hairy-Tonga.'
'Like that's even a place. It's Heretaunga!!!! Thanks for giving a s*** Hannah it does make a difference cos good luck trying to find Hairy-Tonga. Definitely not on the map.'
'So cool to see this,' another supporter wrote.
'My parents generation were beaten for speaking Maori in school by teachers and principles. For some te reo was their first language. So grateful to see the respect 4 for our culture and not suprised by the ignorant haters either. Tautoko.'
Ms Botha said she often corrects people when she hears them pronouncing place names in the wrong way
It's a potentially life-saving function that has been used by the emergency services for the past 15 years, but very few people are aware of its existence.
There may come a time when a 999 call needs to be made but talking will put a person or others in more danger.
The solution? Press '55' when given the option to do so.
Hundreds of thousands of silent 999 calls are made to the police annually, with operators using the 'silent solution' to help filter out accidental calls.
There may come a time when a 999 call needs to be made but talking will put a person in more danger. Met police commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe is pictured in the 999 control room
When a person calls 999, an operator asks which service they require. If they dont answer, they are prompted to tap the handset, cough, or make a noise.
They are then given the option to press 55. If there is no response to any of the prompts, the call is terminated.
A police spokesman told the Express and Echo: 'Please do not think that just because you dial 999 that police will attend.
'We totally understand that sometimes people are unable or too afraid to talk, however it must be clear that we will not routinely attend a silent 999 call.'
The reason is that the emergency services dont know whether the call was made by accident, perhaps after mis-dialling.
It is hoped that by spreading awareness of the function, the emergency services will be able to act more efficiently and save lives.
Last November it emerged a woman murdered in her home by a violent ex-boyfriend while her ten-year-old son slept upstairs dialled 999 during the attack, only to be ignored by police.
When a person calls 999, an operator asks which service they require. If they dont answer, they are prompted to tap the handset, cough, or make a noise. They can then press 55
Kerry Power, 36, was strangled by David Wilder after she tried to make a so-called silent solution emergency call when he entered the house.
She had been told by police to make an emergency silent call from her mobile phone if she felt she was in danger.
But they apparently failed to explain to her the silent solution protocol, under which she was supposed to give a signal such as a cough or a tap to the handset to indicate it was not a hoax or accidental call.
Instead, Miss Power did not make a sound, and her call could not be put through to Devon and Cornwall Police because of its automated voice system.
As a result, no officers were dispatched to her home in Plymouth in the early hours of December 14, 2013.
Wilder, 44, later pleaded guilty to murdering the primary school secretary and was jailed for life.
The Hungarian camerawoman who was seen tripping up Syrian refugees at a border crossing has been put on probation for three years after being convicted of disorderly conduct.
In September 2015 Petra Laszlo was filmed tripping up a Syrian father carrying a crying child and kicking out at a refugee girl as they attempted to flee across a field on the Hungarian-Serbian border.
She later apologised for her actions and denied accusations of racism, and in court she said: 'I turned and saw several hundred people charging toward me. Everybody was shouting. It was quite incredibly frightening.'
But Judge Illes Nanasi said Laszlo's behaviour 'ran counter to societal norms' and he rejected her claims to have been trying to defend herself.
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Laszlo, 41, was fired by the N1TV website, which is owned by the Far-Right anti-immigrant Jobbik Party, after the footage was made public.
Her lawyer, Ferenc Sipos, said she did not appear in person at yesterday's court hearing because she had received death threats but hoped to be vindicated.
He said: 'It is not a crime if somebody acts to defend herself...she was in danger, and she tried to avert this danger with her actions.'
Nearly 400,000 migrants and refugees passed through Hungary in 2015.
The flow slowed to a trickle after Prime Minister Viktor Orban ordered razor-wire fences built along Hungary's southern border and beefed up laws to prevent illegal border crossings.
Petra Laszlo (above) worked for Hungarian news site N1TV which is run by the anti-immigration far-right Jobbik party
In the footage, which spread rapidly across the Internet, Laszlo, can be seen tripping a man sprinting with a child in his arms, and kicking another running child near the town of Roszke, close to the border with Serbia.
In a letter to Hungarian newspaper Magyar Nemzet shortly after the incident she said she was 'truly sorry' for the incident, which prompted outrage when the footage was shared online.
She wrote: 'The camera was shooting, hundreds of migrants broke through the police cordon, one of them rushed to me and I was scared.'
Claiming something then 'snapped in me', she added 'I just thought that I was being attacked and I had to protect myself.'
She added: 'It's hard to make good decisions at a time when people are in a panic and many hundreds of people rushing. I'm sorry about what happened... I take responsibility for it.'
'I'm not a heartless, racist children-kicking [camerawoman]. I do not deserve the political witch hunts against me, nor the smears, [or] the death threats... I am truly sorry.'
She wrote: 'As I watch the footage now, it's like I'm not watching myself. I honestly regret what I have done and take responsibility for it.'
Vile: Petra Laszlo was caught on camera kicking a young refugee girl as she flees with other migrants from a police line during disturbances at Roszke
The clip showed the refugee falling to the floor with the child underneath him before he turned to shout at her.
Another clip filmed from another angle shows her kicking a young girl across the thigh as she is trying to flee police.
Laszlo was sacked with immediate effect after the TV station saw the footage online, and she has been subjected to torrents of justified hatred on social media
A statement posted on the station's website read: 'A N1TV colleague behaved unacceptably at the Roszke reception centre.
'The cameraman's employment was terminated with immediate effect.'
Disgusting: The Hungarian video journalist can be seen kicking the little girl across the legs with all her might
Shameful: Laszlo, who attacked both the little girl and tripped up a father carrying his child, is now facing a criminal investigation into her actions, and she has been sacked from her job
Outraged social media users took to Twitter at the time and set up a Facebook group called The Petra Laszlo Wall Of Shame to condemn her actions, labeling her 'pathetic' and 'disgraceful'.
Davie McLaughlin wrote: 'It would appear that a Hungarian camerawoman has become this month's American dentist. This time, it deserves every ounce of condemnation.'
Usman Ali Khan added: 'Such pathetic behaviour of a #Hungarian camerawoman deliberately tripping a refugee carrying a child.'
And Tim Marshall, a foreign affairs analyst, said: 'From the angle where Hungarian 'camerawoman' kicks the child I don't think the benefit of doubt applies... Disgraceful.'
The man Laszlo tripped was one of several hundred migrants who fled after being angered at the treatment by Hungarian police.
The migrants had been part of a group of 1,500 people who had been waiting for hours at a refugee collection point near the Roszke crossing.
Hungarian camerawoman Petra Laszlo was caught kicking and tripping over migrants as they escaped from police officers who were making them wait on the border between Hungary and Serbia
Laszlo, working for N1TV, was filming the crowds of Syrian refugees as they ran across a field from Roszke camp. Above, the man who gets tripped over is pictured moments before carrying a crying child
The man was caught off guard and landed heavily with the child underneath him while the woman continued to watch
This is the shocking moment a punch-up broke out at 35,000ft forcing a London-bound jet to make an emergency landing.
Dramatic footage on board the Middle Eastern Airlines flight from Beirut shows two men squaring up before they launch in to a frantic brawl sparking chaos on board.
The younger man can be seen repeatedly punching the older passenger amid violent scenes that reportedly forced pilots to make an unscheduled stop in Istanbul, Turkey.
Chaos: Shocking video captured the moment a punch-up broke out at 35,000ft between two passengers (left and right)
Violence: The younger man can be seen repeatedly punching the older passenger amid violent scenes that reportedly forced pilots to make an unscheduled stop in Istanbul, Turkey.
Passengers and staff piled in as they tried desperately to intervene and break up the fight in the aisle.
Video taken on a mobile phone eventually shows the two grappling men being pulled apart and forced to opposite ends of the jet.
The man behind the camera, sitting in a seat just yards away, can be heard chuckling about the incident before saying, 'it's so funny'.
According to online reports, the fight took place on Wednesday during a flight from Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport and the plane had to make an emergency landing in Istanbul.
MailOnline has contacted Middle Eastern Airlines for comment this morning.
Peacemakers: Passengers and staff piled in as they tried desperately to intervene and break up the fight in the aisle
Dramatic: Footage on board the Middle Eastern Airlines flight from Beirut shows two men squaring up before they launch in to a frantic brawl sparking chaos on board
Airline staff and fellow passengers desperately attempt to break up the fight
Miles Hughes, 18, has been found guilty of attempted murder and rape after attacking a 15-year-old in a graveyard
A teenage rapist who carved his name on a schoolgirl's arm before leaving her for dead in a graveyard is facing years behind bars.
Miles Hughes talked about serial killers and monsters before asking: 'How would you react if I said I was going to kill you?'
He then used a Stanley knife to etch his name on his 15-year-old victim before launching the horrific sex attack.
Hughes, who was 17 at the time, repeatedly stabbed her in the neck and chest, but ran off when a member of the public spotted the attack in north London's Hampstead cemetery.
He told police he laughed and smiled as he fled the scene.
A female friend recalled how Hughes said he was happy he had carried out the attack and enjoyed seeing the victim distressed.
Hughes dialled 999 to say he had murdered a girl in the graveyard and police arrived at his home to find two hand drawn pictures in his bedroom drawers.
One was of a clown's face adorned with a swastika and the numbers '666', while a second sketch of a person bore the words: 'Anger creates Monsters, Hatred gives them reason.'
Hughes told cops the drawings were a depiction of voices in his head and admitted he had intended to kill the 15-year-old.
Hughes left his young victim for dead in Hampstead cemetery in north London after the attack
He claimed in court they had consensual sex before he lost his temper, but had only meant to cause 'really serious harm'.
The teenager pleaded guilty to wounding with intent but was found guilty of attempted murder and rape at the Old Bailey.
Judge John Bevan, QC, remanded him in custody ahead of sentence on February 24.
Hughes met his victim in July last year before taking her to a quiet area of West Hampstead graveyard, where they chatted and listened to music.
Hughes talked about serial killers and how they were created, and he started to poke the knife towards her neck, asking: 'How would you react if I said I was going to kill you?'.
'The defendant then moved to her left arm and started to carve his name into her left bicep with the knife,' said prosecutor Jane Osborne.
Hughes pushed his victim back onto the floor and climbed on top of her holding the knife in his hand, then covered her mouth until she was choking.
In a police interview, the victim told how he pulled his trousers down and raped her.
A jury at the Old Bailey (pictured) convicted the 18-year-old of attempted murder and rape
'He wouldn't accept the fact I had to go. He was sat on top of me saying, "you're going to tell the police," she said.
'He said, "there are voices in my head saying I need to kill you".
'I started to cry. He started to cry and said, "I'm sorry". He went to stab me but he grabbed my other arm.'
She said she tried to fight back, but was repeatedly knifed in the neck and chest, leaving her with puncture wounds, lacerations and scratches.
Hughes finally fled when a member of the public shouted 'get off', allowing the girl to get help and call for an ambulance.
Hughes returned home and dialled 999, telling them he had killed a girl by stabbing her in the throat.
He admitted: 'I intended to cause her really serious harm and nothing else,' but insisted: 'I was not intending to kill her.'
Hughes, of Camden, north London, admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He denied but was convicted of attempted murder and rape.
A female student has died after being overcome from noxious fumes in a 'chemical incident' at a university halls of residence.
The woman, who was in her 30s, was found unconscious inside her flat on the campus of Bournemouth University, Dorset, by a fellow student.
She was pronounced dead at the scene at around 8.10pm last night.
It is unknown exactly what chemicals were involved but the incident prompted students to leave the campus amid fears of an imminent explosion.
Fire crews wearing protective masks and suits rushed to address and were later be seen removing a bin containing potentially hazardous materials from the premises.
Crew members wearing protective gear were spotted removing a bin containing potentially hazardous materials
The workers were seen removing the been and walking it through the car park in Dorset
The property was declared safe and the cordon lifted at 2.15am this morning.
Dorset police have launched an investigation but confirmed the woman's death is not being treated as suspicious.
The victim was believed to be a post-graduate student at the university.
Dave Wheeler, 29, a post-graduate student who lives in a flat in the same university block, said: 'I had just got back from a rehearsal and there were police and ambulances everywhere.
'I went indoors and there was a knock on the door from a police officer who told us we had to evacuate the building because of a chemical incident.
'We all moved to another building where we stayed all evening.
'We were not really told what happened, just that it was a chemical incident. I returned to the room at 11.30pm.
'This morning we found out all the grisly details - that it was a death but it's not being treated as suspicious.'
Josh Wilde, a first year student, said: 'At about 9.30pm I saw blue flashing lights go past my room and my mates and I went out to investigate.
'There were three fire trucks including one incident support unit. I saw lots of police officers so I could tell it was a big incident.
'I spoke to a police officer who told me it was something to do with dangerous chemicals.
'A friend saw two firemen carrying yellow bags I guess to dispose of harmful chemicals.
'I'm a bit stunned. Obviously it's tragically sad that someone has died. My thoughts go out to the family of the person involved. It's really sad.'
A spokesman for Dorset police said: 'Dorset Police were informed of a sudden death of a woman aged in her 30s at an address in Gillett Road in Poole.
The woman's body was removed from a property in Gillett Road in Poole, Dorset, (pictured)
Fellow students at Bournemouth University (pictured) were evacuated amid 'explosion' fears
'It was also reported that the property contained unknown chemical substances. Dorset Police officers together with Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service attended the address.
'As a precaution residents in the surrounding properties were evacuated while the substances were removed.
'There were no suspicious circumstances, next of kin have been informed and the coroner notified.'
A spokesperson for Bournemouth University said: 'We were made aware of an incident on Thursday evening on our Talbot Campus and can confirm the death of one student, whose next of kin are being informed.
'Our thoughts and support are extended to them.'
They added: 'Emergency services responded and we are actively working with the police on this matter and making support available for any students who have been affected.
'This was an isolated incident that poses no risk to staff and students on campus this morning.'
An anonymous radio hacker has embarrassed ISIS by breaking onto their frequency and sending a message to Daesh leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi that 'Mosul will be liberated'.
Iraqi News, quoting a local agency, Alsumaria News, reported the hacker was heard on the ISIS radio channel yesterday and said: 'The hacking is the first of its kind in areas west of Mosul that are considered a key headquarters for the extremist group. Members of the Islamic State suffered confusion due to the hacking.'
ISIS uses a wireless communication system to launch attacks and relay orders to jihadis in Iraq and Syria.
The hacking of his radio frequency will have come as a huge embarrassment to the so-called 'caliph', Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (pictured)
The incident comes as Iraqi special forces entered Mosul University, a key strategic target in the battle to oust ISIS from the city.
Two Iraqi Army officers said troops entered the university grounds early today and secured parts of the compound, located in eastern Mosul.
The move comes a day after Iraqi army forces north of the city linked up with Kurdish forces pushing in from the city's eastern edge.
Iraqi special forces are pictured firing at an ISIS drone during clashes in the east of Mosul this week. They are said to have captured Mosul University today
The sprawling university compound, a symbolic landmark in Iraq's second-largest city was once used by ISIS militants as a base.
Officials had said the militants had used the school's chemistry laboratory to produce chemical weapons.
Mosul is the biggest city still under ISIS control and if they lose it they will be left with only Raqqa, in Syria, to defend.
Thomas Felty, 36, died on January 4 in an Upper East Side apartment after George Lopez, 50, and Patrick Walsh, 33, discovered that he wasn't breathing
A former NBC producer was found dead in a drug-filled New York apartment where police also found nearly $27,000 cash in a laundry basket.
Thomas Felty, 36, died on January 4 in an Upper East Side apartment belonging to 50-year-old George Lopez.
The men he was with - Lopez and 33-year-old Patrick Walsh - were arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance after calling 911 when they discovered that Felty had stopped breathing at around 5am.
When authorities arrived at the apartment, police found an abundance of drugs, including three gallon-sized and six half-gallon-sized bags containing methamphetamine, the New York Post reported.
Thomas Felty, 36, died on January 4 in an Upper East Side apartment after George Lopez, 50, and Patrick Walsh, 33, discovered that he wasn't breathing
Felty's cause of death is still pending further tests, but a police source said Felty had an enlarged heart and had taken narcotics the night of his death
Two other large bags including 100 orange ecstasy pills, 34 Molly pills, 16 additional 'cat shaped' ecstasy pills, 56 unidentified additional pills and $26,985 in cash in a laundry basket.
A duffel bag at the apartment included hundreds of ecstasy pills, cocaine, marijuana, meth, and 58 green diazepam pills.
Felty's cause of death is still pending further tests, but a police source told the Post that Felty had an enlarged heart and had taken narcotics the night of his death.
The former producer, originally from Bristol, Tennessee, had met up with Walsh and Lopez earlier in the day and returned to Lopez's apartment, where they all fell asleep.
When Walsh and Lopez woke up, they found that Felty wasn't breathing.
An obituary posted on Felty's hometown Bristol Herald Courier website says that he worked as a producer for NBC, Universal and several independent production companies.
He attended Mars Hill University and later received a Master's Degree from Brooklyn College, where his thesis focused on Arrested Development being a 'modern allegory'.
Felty was also a member of the Writers' Guild of America.
"...king of the hate left..."--
"As my friend Capper -- the best Wisconsin blogger ever -- says, there will be more. There's always more." - karoli
"...the psychiatrically attuned Capper..."--
"This is really great of you! I'm so proud to know someone like you"--
"Capper, a reasonable (and maybe even likeable) Lefty..."--
"capper, the Sidney Freedman of the hate left..."--
"I love capper because, well, what's not to love. But I also hate capper for alerting me to nonsense like this."---
"Capper, you really have a knack for this kind of writing. Really."--
"Crap. I agree with capper. Can Armageddon be far behind?"--
"capper is right. OMG, did I actually say that?"--
A robber wielding a blood filled syringe held up a bank in Ballina on Wednesday.
The male suspect got away with an unknown amount of cash.
The robbery was reported after 3pm at a Greater Bank branch on River Street in the north coast NSW town, police said.
The robbery was reported after 3pm at a Greater Bank branch on River Street in the north coast NSW town of Ballina (file photo)
A bank teller who handed over money to the robber was uninjured, police said.
The suspect was last seen fleeing on River Street.
Officers from Richmond Local Area Command are investigating the robbery.
Police gave no description of the man, and would not reveal the amount of money stolen in the robbery.
An important figure in the Catholic church has warned that everyone in Italy will 'soon be Muslim' due to the country's 'stupidity'.
Italian Archbishop, Monsignor Carlo Liberati, said that the growing number of Muslim migrants in Europe and increasing secularism will lead to Islam becoming the continent's foremost religion.
The Bishop Emeritus of Pompeii said: 'In 10 years we will all be Muslims because of our stupidity. Italy and Europe live in a pagan and atheist way, they make laws that go against God and they have traditions that are proper of paganism.
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Muslims hold Friday prayers in front of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy October 21, 2016
Italian Archbishop Monsignor Carlo Liberati talks at a seminar. He claims Muslim immigration and secularism will see Italy become a non-Christian country
'All of this moral and religious decadence favours Islam.'
He added: 'We have a weak Christian faith. The Church nowadays does not work well and seminaries are empty.
'Parishes are the only thing still standing. We need a true Christian life. All this paves the way to Islam. In addition to this, they have children and we do not. We are in full decline.'
Italy has become a prime destination for Muslim migrants with some 330,000 people from Africa, the Middle East and Asia arriving by sea over the past two years.
Many are fleeing war and cross the Mediterranean sea from North Africa via a dangerous boat ride.
The number of Muslims residing in Italy has skyrocketed from 2,000, during the 1970s, to over two million at the end of 2015, according to official Italian statistics.
Figures also show the country has 5,014,437 foreign nationals residents as of January 1, 2015, an increase of 92,352 on the previous year.
And Liberati claims the increasing number of new arrivals, including Eastern Europeans and Romanians migrating to the country since the expansion of the European Union, have impinged on the quality of life for native Italians.
He said: 'We help without delay those coming from outside and we forget many poor and old Italians who are eating from the trash. We need policies that take care of Italians first: our young people and the unemployed.
'I am a protester. If I were not a priest, I'd be out there demonstrating in the squares. What is the point of so many migrants that instead of thanking for the food we give them, they just throw it, spend hours with their cell phones and even organise riots?'
The Arch bishop even chided the fact the Catholic church donates money to the recent migrants.
Muslim men share an embrace in Rome, the capital of Italy during a protest against the closure of unlicensed mosques last year
A general view of a St Peter's Square in the Vatican. Liberati says Catholicism won't be the foremost religion in Italy in ten years time
He said: 'Giving money to migrants wandering around town is not only wrong, but morally harmful because we encourage their behaviour and they get used to that, not mentioning the fact that we already feed them.
'I think sometimes this creates a beggars' network. I remember that my father went to work very hard as a migrant in Australia so I could go to the seminar. So he has experienced in his own skin the discomfort of poverty and the noble virtue of gratitude.'
A six-week-old baby has been left with potentially life-long difficulties after she was prescribed more than 28 times the recommended dosage of an alcoholic medicine used to treat reflux and became 'drunk'.
Jessica Brough, 24, told Daily Mail Australia she took her six-week-old daughter Grace to her local GP in Padstow, south-west New South Wales on Sunday because she was suffering with reflux.
Ms Brough described her daughter's symptoms to the doctor, and after 'not even five minutes' the appointment was over and the young mother had a script for Zantac.
She was prescribed 10mls Zantac twice a day, rather than the recommended dosage of 0.7mls once a day.
Mother Jessica Brough said Grace was prescribed 10mls Zantac twice a day, rather than the recommended dosage of 0.7mls once a day
When she handed the script over to the pharmacist, Ms Brough said she noticed the first sign that something was not right.
The pharmacist told her it was unusual that a baby had been prescribed injections, and was urged to double check with the doctor.
Ms Brough was told to return to the doctor's surgery where she was handed an amended script for a syrup instead of an injection.
When she handed the amended script across to the pharmacist, the woman's reaction was again one of shock.
'She said 'oh that's a large dose, good luck giving 10mls to a six-week-old' then gave it over to us,' Ms Brough said.
'She became extra drousy and when she was awake, really cranky,' Ms Brough said of her daughter Grace (pictured)
Grace (pictured) became 'drunk' from the high dosage of reflux medicine she was prescribed by her GP
When she got home and started giving Grace the prescribed dosage, Ms Brough said she knew something was wrong 'pretty much immediately'.
'She became extra drowsy and when she was awake, really cranky,' she told Daily Mail Australia.
Ms Brough said she grew so worried about her daughter's reaction that she resorted to online forums for help but with no success.
On Wednesday, four days after first giving her daughter 28-times the recommended daily dosage, a health nurse visited the family home.
This was when the alarm was raised.
Jessica Brough's son Noah (right) alongside six-week-old Grace (left) as she lay sick in hospital
Ms Brough was advised she should take her daughter to hospital immediately, as the dosage she had been giving her was far too much.
When she arrived at Campbelltown Hospital, six-week-old Grace was tested for alcohol poisoning.
Her liver and heart were both tested and she was given a brain ultrasound.
'As a parent, testing your baby for alcohol poisoning, that's just something no parent ever wants to hear,' Ms Brough said.
'I started panicking and had to go to the bathroom because I was having a panic attack, it was really traumatising.'
During the testing Ms Brough was told 'Grace is drunk' and later on when Grace grew cranky and tired, Ms Brough was told she was suffering from 'a hangover'.
Ms Brough said she cried with relief when the tests came back 'all good' but said Grace's battle wasn't over yet.
Jessica Brough with her two children Noah and baby Grace, who is being treated for alcohol poisoning in hospital
'The brain ultrasound ruled out defect, but it couldn't rule out whether there will be developmental delays that could develop as a result of giving that much alcohol to a six-week-old,' she said.
'It's a horrible feeling for us to sit with for years to come, wondering if she's sitting up at six months, crawling at six-months.
'We have to be even more vigilant and worried than a normal parent.'
The mother-of-two was told her daughter could have died if the nurse didn't intervene when she did.
'I want to cry just thinking about her, she saved grace's life, if it wasn't for her, Grace wouldn't be here, it would have been a horrible outcome,' she said.
Jessica Brough's son Noah holding baby Grace, who continues to recover in Campbelltown Hospital
Ms Brough said she didn't harbour resentment towards the doctor or pharmacist, she simply didn't understand how such a huge mistake could be made.
'I'm not a monster, I understand people make mistakes, but with a six-week-old baby there is no room for mistakes,' she said.
She said the pharmacist sent her an apology via a text message, but the doctor had not.
Speaking on Friday, Ms Brough said Grace was still in hospital and they were unsure when she would be well-enough for release.
'She is still drowsy from the alcohol content in the medication but that is slowly starting to decrease and she is coming back to my alert beautiful seven-week-old,' she said.
Errors: Former Royal Marine Robert Welch was given insulin instead of Dextrose during a fatal mix-up at a hospital in Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, in June of last year
A hospital blunder killed a 93-year-old war veteran after he was given the wrong drug - and staff didn't realise he'd collapsed for an hour, an inquest heard.
Former Royal Marine Robert Welch was given insulin instead of Dextrose during a fatal mix-up at a hospital in Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, in June of last year.
Mr Welch, who fought in the Burma campaign during the Second World War, was being treated for a Urinary Tract Infection when junior nurses made the error, the inquest into his death was told.
He became hypoglycemic and went into cardiac arrest - but it took staff at Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital up to an hour before they found him slumped in his bedside chair.
His son Andrew Welch, 63, an NHS surgeon from Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, said: 'This was just an absolute tragedy and as part of my dad's legacy this can not happen again.
'I don't want to slam the two nurses involved and the coroner commented on my reasonable approach to the incident.'
Andrew's wife Chris Welch added: 'What happened is something that should not happen in hospitals, it doesn't matter the age of the patient - that could have been a 30 or 40 year old.'
The inquest at Cleethorpes Town Hall, North East Lincolnshire, heard post mortem examination results which revealed Mr Welch died as a result of cardiac arrest, caused by an insulin overdose.
He was resuscitated after three attempts with a defibrillator used by the emergency 'crash team' at the hospital on June 30.
He became hypoglycemic and went into cardiac arrest - but it took staff at Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital (pictured) up to an hour before they found him slumped in his bedside chair
But the most senior doctor, Dr Christopher Gooch, had to tell Mr Welch's son that the prognosis for his father was that he could not survive.
Mr Welch had been in hospital for five days when he medicine mix-up occurred, but had been treated for his UTI, his son said.
Grimsby and North Lincolnshire coroner Paul Kelly, who gave a narrative conclusion, said Mr Welch had been administered medication 'other than that which had been prescribed'.
He told the court: 'I am noting the difference in the accounts from nursing staff.
His son Andrew Welch, 63, an NHS surgeon from Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, said: 'This was just an absolute tragedy and as part of my dad's legacy this can not happen again'
'Inadequate supervision of relatively junior nursing staff together with inadequate training in the preparation of medication contributed to the mistake.'
But the coroner said he would not make any findings to prevent any similar deaths because the hospital Trust which runs the hospital had put measures in place to introduce new guidelines.
Giving his condolences to Mr Welch's family, Mr Kelly said: 'It would have been quite easy for you to be super critical, but that is not a route you have taken and you have shown courtesy and restraint.'
Andrew Welch, who is Medical Director of Newcastle Hospitals, responsible for the treatment of patients who use the 2,000 beds in Freeman Hospital and The Royal Victoria Hospital.
He said his father was fit and healthy up until six months before his death and would enjoy walks and rode horses well into his 80s.
Mr Welch was a coxswain for landing troops in the Royal Marines during the Egyptian and Far East conflicts and later became a civil servant after leaving the forces.
Following the hearing, his son said: 'I was quite confident they (hospital trust) had grasped the nettle - they have reacted quickly and I am comfortable with what they have done.
'My dad had a good life and was on the decline, obviously if this would have happened to someone younger then it would have been an abysmal.
The coroner said he would not make any findings to prevent any similar deaths because the hospital Trust which runs the hospital had put measures in place to introduce new guidelines
'My main aim was to make sure it does not happen again and they have taken it seriously and have reacted positively.'
The consultant surgeon, who said he had taken the high ground, added: 'It is a really tough time in the NHS because of all the pressures they face and they are doing their best.
'The trust has been criticised in the past but I do not believe that my father's experience should undermine public confidence as effective action appears to have been taken.'
Susan Peckitt, deputy chief nurse at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital, said: 'We would like to offer Mr Welch's family our sincere condolences for their sad loss.
'We have now put a number of measures in place to reduce the chance of a medication error such as this happening again.'
These measures include new guidelines of hyperkalaemia in adults, annual training on providing IV medications and fluids and a review of staff skills-mix on the ward involved and additional training to the staff involved.
A Sky TV comedy featuring Joseph Fiennes as Michael Jackson will not be broadcast following a backlash from the late pop superstar's family.
Fiennes was to portray the King of Pop as part of the Urban Myths series starting on January 19.
But, earlier this week, Jackson's 18-year-old daughter Paris said she wanted to 'vomit' after seeing a teaser clip of the actor as her father.
Sky Arts has said now said it is dropping the episode, titled Elizabeth, Michael And Marlon, adding the decision was supported by Fiennes.
Anger: There has been outcry that white actor Joseph was playing the black singer
The new series features reenactments of fabled tales about famous stars - and one the episodes planned for Thursday nights over the next month was to feature a supposed road trip which Jackson, Dame Elizabeth and Marlon Brando are said to have taken following the September 11 terror attacks.
Shakespeare In Love star Fiennes was to play Jackson, Brian Cox was Brando and Stockard Channing starred as Taylor, the famous actress who is Paris's godmother.
The show, understood to have been produced by Sky Arts, has been in the pipeline for months and would have cost hundreds of thousands of pounds to produce.
After a trailer of clips from the series was shown, Paris Jackson joined the singer's fans in condemning the show.
The trailer shows Jackson, Taylor and Brando being stopped by a fictional police officer and Jackson frolicking in a forest.
Paris said the show was 'disrespectful' and campaigners complained that a white actor should not play black musician Jackson.
A spokesman for the channel said today: 'We have taken the decision not to broadcast Elizabeth, Michael And Marlon, a half-hour episode from the Sky Arts Urban Myths series, in light of the concerns expressed by Michael Jackson's immediate family.
'We set out to take a light-hearted look at reportedly true events and never intended to cause any offence. Joseph Fiennes fully supports our decision.'
Paris Jackson has said the casting of white actor Joseph Fiennes to play her father (right) made her 'want to vomit'
It is not known whether the episode will be shown abroad, although following the outcry that is very unlikely.
Reports before the show was pulled said no air date had been scheduled for the U.S., according to vulture.com.
The U-turn comes after Paris went on Twitter to complain.
She wrote: 'I'm so incredibly offended by it, as I'm sure plenty of people are as well, and it honestly makes me want to vomit.
'It angers me to see how obviously intentional it was for them to be this insulting, not just towards my father, but my godmother Liz as well.
'Where is the respect? They worked through blood sweat and tears for ages to create such profound and remarkable legacies. Shameful portrayal.'
She added: 'He made a point of it plenty of times to express his pride in his roots. He would never have wanted this.'
Tweets: Paris revealed her feelings in a series of strongly worded social media posts
A petition had been signed by more than 20,000 people to boycott the upcoming TV episode.
Urban Myths tells a collection of fabled tales including one about Jackson - who died in 2009 aged 50 - taking a road trip from New York to Los Angeles with Dame Elizabeth and Marlon Brando following the September 11 terror attacks.
Jackson's fans were angry that a white actor was used to play the popstar
Ben Palmer, who directed four episodes of Urban Myths, had previously defended the casting of Fiennes as Jackson.
He told The Guardian: 'We were casting Michael Jackson in 2001 and that obviously is a challenge in terms of the physical resemblance.
'We were really looking for the performance that could unlock the spirit, and we really think Joe Fiennes has done that. He's given a really sweet, nuanced, characterful performance.'
The petition against the show, which also stars Brian Cox as The Godfather star Brando, was set up on the website Care 2.
It reads: 'It's easy to see why the story would make a compelling film - but it's harder to understand why the actor best known for his role in Shakespeare In Love was the first choice to play one of the world's most iconic black musicians.'
The petition describes how Jackson suffered with skin condition vitiligo throughout his life, thereby causing the lightening of his skin.
The author of the petition, Julie Rodriguez, wrote: 'This casting is an insult to the very real professional struggles and health issues Jackson dealt with during his lifetime.
'It's bad enough when actors of colour are denied opportunities to play fictional characters of their own ethnicity due to the preferential treatment of white actors.
'But it's absolutely inexcusable for a film to whitewash a movie based on an actual human being, whether his appearance was typical of what we expect a black man to look like or not.'
A passer-by got nasty surprise after finding a severed finger in a blood-stained toilet block, sparking a social media search for the dismembered body part's owner.
The gruesome discovery was made last month at Balmoral Beach, on Sydney's North Shore, driving police to search for the owner and unravel how the finger got there.
The deepening mystery was solved after a social media post revealed the owner had got their finger trapped between a door and the frame.
A passer-by got nasty surprise after finding a severed finger in a blood-stained toilet block
Police noted it was rare to find body parts handed in off the street, and said they were powerless to solve the case with fingerprints.
There was no victim or witness found, compounding their difficulty in solving the case.
'The appendage has been examined by the forensic pathologist confirming it is in fact human and the injury is non-life threatening,' Harbourside Police said in a Facebook post.
'The injury would appear to have be caused by a rock or something similar whilst possibly swimming or diving.'
Police thanked members of the public for helping to crack the case.
'Well thank you for all the comments, as a direct result of the post we have now identified the young owner of the 'Finger'.'
The mystery was solved after a social media post revealed the owner had got their finger trapped between a door and the frame
But it seems they may have spoken too soon as some commenters used the opportunity to take them to task.
'Looks like someone has finally given you 'the finger', well more like the digit' one commenter wrote.
'Wouldn't be the first time,' police responded.
Sophie Renouf was out with her three-year-old son Finley (pictured together) when he was attacked by six squirrels in Cornwall
The fattest squirrels in the country are so greedy they have started attacking children for their food - leaving a three-year-old boy needing emergency hospital treatment.
The rodents have swelled and become obese following a mild winter which has seen them feasting on snacks and food left on the frost-free ground.
And now those based at the Tehidy Country Park in Camborne, Cornwall, are turning their insatiable appetite towards toddlers.
Visitors says the squirrels are attacking people in a bid to get hold of food they might be carrying.
Among those to suffer at their claws is Sophie Renouf and her three-year-old son who was attacked by a gang of them.
Ms Renouf, 23, was enjoying a walk in the woods with Finley when he reached out to feed one of the creatures.
But he was horrified when five more suddenly burst out of the undergrowth and leapt on him.
Ms Renouf, of Redruth, Cornwall, said: 'There was literally one squirrel there and my son, as you would, fed him as usual.
'Next thing, six of them came running out of the hedge and then, all of a sudden, all I remember is him screaming.
'I looked - and there was blood pouring out of his hand.'
Tearful Finley was rushed from the scene to the minor injuries unit at nearby Barncoose Hospital.
But he was immediately transferred to the Royal Cornwall Hospital where medics spent three hours treating his puncture wounds and bandaging his fingers.
The squirrels in the Tehidy Country Park (left) are said to be some of the best fed in the country. And it seems they are so hungry they attacked Finley Renouf (right)
Meanwhile, Zach Mitch, from Redruth, fed the hungry squirrels with his father Ryan in Tehidy
His mother now wants to warn others about the dangers of feeding wild squirrels.
She said: 'I just want to let other people know. I don't want other children to go down there and get bitten.
'A girl I used to go to school with messaged me on Facebook and said they'd tried to bite her little girl as well.
Squirrels do not hibernate but in the cooler months they put on up to a quarter of their body weight in fat reserves to keep them warm.
They also grow a thicker winter coat which can make them appear bigger.
But those in Tehidy have this year supplemented their survival techniques with eating at their normal summer levels.
Experts say that because of the unseasonably warm climate in the region they have been left fatter than ever.
As a result the squirrels living in the woodland have grown something of a fearsome reputation.
They have even been known to attack adults and children who dared to get between them and their next snack.
Several walkers say they have noticed the squirrels carrying a bit of extra timber.
The rodents have swelled and become obese following a mild winder which has seen them feasting on snacks and food left on the frost-free ground
Visitors says the squirrels are attacking people in a bid to get hold of food they might be carrying
Wildlife expert and TV presenter lolo Williams admitted that squirrels do normally look bigger at this time of year - but the extra food that's been available this winter has made them unusually large.
There are still plenty of nuts and seeds about, with the frost-free soil giving plenty of offerings for squirrels.
Mr Williams said: 'Because of the mild wet weather there has been an abundance of food for squirrels.
'There has been no shortage of nuts, seeds and fungi for them to eat and store.
'With the extra layers of fat and thicker winter coat this can make them look much bigger.'
A revolting video has emerged on Chinese social media showing how a vendor prepared rats for cooking.
The man grabbed rodents from a cage, dunked them into a bucket of boiling water and ripped the fur off the struggling animals.
The vendor can be heard in the video chatting casually in Cantonese, a dialect in southern China's Guangdong Province where people use rat meat in various dishes.
Not on your normal menu: A live rat was pulled out from a cage. Being held by the tail, the creature wiggled violently before being put into boiling water
The 23-second-long video shows the man pulling one live rat out of a cage filled with a dozen rats.
Being held by the tail, the creature wiggled violently.
Then the man put it into a bucket of boiling water. To prevent it from escaping, he placed a lid over the red container.
Disgusting: Footage, believed to be taken in southern China, show the man dipping a struggling rat into a bucket of boiling water
Cruel: To prevent the rat from escaping, he placed a lid over the red container
The rat can be heard squeaking in pain and tapping the bucket as it was drowning.
Despite the rat's struggles, the man swished it around the boiling water before dipping it into another basin filled with cold water. This is a common procedure in Cantonese cooking used to prevent the loss of water from the meat.
While the rat was still alive, the man threw it onto the floor and started stripping the rat of its fur.
Hot and cold: The boiled rat was then thrown into a basin of cold water, a common procedure in Cantonese cooking used to prevent the loss of water from meat
While the rat was still alive, the man threw it onto the floor and striped the rat of its fur
He repeated the same steps twice to process two other rats.
As he processed the rodents, the worker can be heard discussing with his colleagues whether or not they would need a scissor to cut the tails of the rats.
The video was posted to Chinese video platform Miaopai by user Qi Di Times on January 12.
It is believed to be filmed in southern China as the conversation was carried out in Cantonese, a dialect spoken in China's Guangdong province and Hong Kong.
Rat meat can be grilled, fried and steamed to make different Guangdong dishes.
It is also served raw in certain Chinese specialties.
One famous dish is 'San Zhi Er' or three squeaks. Baby rodents are served alive to the diners with a plate of sauce, according to People's Daily.
The dish is called San Zhi Er, or three squeaks, and is said to be a delicacy in Guangdong
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Hidden deep in the Himalayan forest is one of the world's last enduring nomadic tribes who are resisting attempts to move them into permanent settlements.
The Raute tribe has no permanent home and frequently moves between camps.
They will vacate a camp whenever a member dies to avoid bad spirits, but not before burying their dead in an upright position and piercing their skull to allow their spirit to be released into heaven.
Living as hunter-gatherers and eating the meat of langur and macaque monkeys - a controversial choice in the Hindu dominated country of Nepal, where monkeys are considered to be the reincarnation of the God Hanuman.
The Raute people dressed in their traditional clothing around the campsite as a child, left, holds a large, round contraption
Members of the tribe carry huge pots on their heads down the hill towards the campsite which has a bridged entrance
A mother smokes a cigarette as her three children chomp down on balls of what appears to be rice outside their tent
A woman stands barefoot on top of a felled tree as she smashes away at it with an axe deep in the Himalayan forest
A young girl carries a child on her back (left) while another two children are dressed up in matching outfits (right)
A child outside a tent made of material and branches from a tree with an huge stick as a woman walks by in the background
Children keeping warm around a fire by pushing their feet near the flames inside a tent with a bag hanging overhead
With the assistance of a local journalist, Danish photographer Jan Mller Hansen spent three days in January 2016 travelling from Nepal's capital of Kathmandu into a remote forest in Accham District, Nepal to document the isolated group - who call themselves the Kings of the Forest.
The Copenhagen-based photographer said: 'The Rautes want to get along with everybody, but they are afraid of attending school and settling in villages.
They have their own and completely distinct ethnic identity, but have also become part of a stigmatised underclass in the larger Nepalese society.
'The Rautes themselves claim that they have royal ancestors and have high-caste status.
'This is their way of dealing with the strong and persistent efforts of villagers to assimilate them.
'Everything they obtain from the forests, villages and markets they will share in the large group.
'The Rautes do not accumulate any kind of property or material wealthy.
'They only own what they can carry on their back from one forest camp to another.'
Migrating between 300 and 3,000 metre altitudes, the Raute people move according to seasons, staying at high altitudes during the monsoon season and transitioning to lower subtropical forests during the dryer winters.
Men and boys in their traditional Raute attire in which they hunt and gather various monkeys to feed their families
Three women adorning a mass of beads and clad in floral material with what appears to be weapons on their hips
A woman holds her child in a blanket on the left while a woman grips what appears to be some sort of pipe on the right
A woman smokes around the fire as the Raute tribe members huddle around the flames in an attempt to keep warm
When Jan visited the group there were only 156 of the nomadic group left, as many other Rautes have been resettled by the Nepalese government.
Consequently the aborigines are extremely wary of outsiders and none are permitted to sleep inside the camp or accompany them on hunting trips, so accessing the camp at all involves long negotiations.
Firstly the photographer had some tense negotiations with the tribe Headman, Mayn Bahadur Kalyal and his wife, who asked him to buy them a large rooster in return for accessing their camp.
He said: 'You cannot visit the Rautes without providing something to the community.
'This is very much about reciprocity. You give and take.
'I had also brought a book about the Rautes written by an American anthropologist.
'It turned out that the man pictured on the front page of the book was the late father of the Headman's wife.
'She had never seen the photo and she was very moved seeing it.'
During his visit to the camp Jan was also escorted out to negotiate more offerings with the senior headman, which ultimately made the trip his most expensive photography expedition to date.
He parted ways with six packs of cigarettes, two large packets of tobacco, oranges, 55 caps, a big box of biscuits, a cockerel and money towards the purchase of five goats.
As the tribe is further exposed to the outside world they face a growing list of dangers, including the deforestation, environmental degradation, water insecurity, a decline in biodiversity, population encroachment by settlers and potential resettlement imposed by the Government of Nepal.
A boy wrapped up in a cover deep in the Himalayan forest in the nomadic tribe resisting attempts to move them into homes
A mother sits in the dirt inside the temporary camp as her child breastfeeds under the watchful eye of another youngster
A man lies down next to simmering pots of food as two children face the fire to keep warm under the protection of a woman
A woman carries four pots up the hill and away from the campsite as what appears to be a young boy runs after her
A father wearing a hat and a blanket holds his young child as an older child seeks warmth (left) and a tribeswoman (right)
Women of the Haute tribe huddle together while holding their children in the camp in the Accham District, Nepal
Despite the gradual encroachment of settlers, the Raute people have no interest in assimilating with the outside world or engaging in Nepal's most common religion - Hinduism.
Jan said: 'The Rautes respect other religions and beliefs but they insist on keeping their own.
'They do not want to assimilate into the Nepalese society and despite being under great pressure for many years, they have managed to keep their own identity and culture.
'They have no written history and claim to be unaware of their ancestral heritage more than four generations back.'
Instead the remote aborigines believe in a sun god known as Berh - who represents eternity - and regard themselves as children of the sun god and see the stars as God's temples.
They also worship the moon and rely on their Shaman to reach out to deities, spirits and demands.
Jan said: 'The Rautes respect the religions and beliefs but they insist on keeping their own.
'They do not want to assimilate into the Nepalese society and despite being under great pressure for many years, they have managed to keep their own identity and culture.
'They have no written history and claim to be unaware of their ancestral heritage more than four generations back.'
Smoke billows into the air from a fire at the camp (centre) and a fire is seen burning inside a home in the campsite (left)
The Haute tribe members stand around a fire to keep warm with their faces illuminated in the darkness by the flames
Two men shape wood collected from the surrounding forest into furniture for trade in Accham District, Nepal, January 2016
A young Raute baby peeks out of her shroud in Accham District, Nepal, where they migrate if someone dies in the camp
While befriending the Raute people with basic Nepali - the aborigines speak their own language called Kamchi - Jan was struck by their endurance and unwavering dedication to their lifestyle.
He said: 'All over the world you see that indigenous people and their cultures are disappearing.
'We are losing so much in terms of cultural diversity when unique and colourful people, religions, beliefs and traditions disappear.
'I don't think that we realise what's going on with global development.
'I just hope that people appreciate that people can be different and live different lives.
'For some people this is still possible.
'It is tough and harsh to live like the Rautes and I don't want to romanticise or ignore the challenges that they face in their everyday life, but respect for people and different cultures is important.
'That's what I want to pass on to the viewers who see my images.'
A woman drugged, kidnapped and locked in a dungeon for a week at a farm house by a man dubbed 'Sweden's Fritzl' has appeared on television to describe her ordeal.
The victim, who calls herself Isabel Eriksson to protect her true identity, was drugged by Martin Trenneborg who then took her to his homemade bunker in Kristianstad, southern Sweden.
Eriksson revealed in an interview how she woke to see a 'tin roof and a man sitting on a chair next to me, just looking at me'.
She also described to Swedish Television's Skavlan programme how her captor 'wanted us to sleep together' because he 'always wanted to have body contact'.
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A woman who calls herself Isabel Eriksson, to protect her true identity, has described being drugged, kidnapped and locked in a dungeon for a week at a farm house by a man dubbed 'Sweden's Fritzl'
Predator: Martin Trennebourg (pictured), a doctor branded the 'Swedish Fritzl', was sentenced to ten years in prison for abducting the woman and locking her in a homemade bunker at his home in Sweden
She said: 'I remember that he fed me strawberries. That I do emember. It is very hard to talk about. But after that I fell asleep everything was completely black.
'I saw a tin roof and a man sitting on a chair next to me and just looking at me. And I saw that I had a needle in my arm which I I hurriedly pull off. Then he said that he has kidnapped me and will have me locked up for a few years
'First when I woke up in the bunker, I tried to attack him to escape. I attacked him with two spikes but I was still sedated, so it was not a good attempt.
'He said that if I try again he would fix me up in chains in bed and feed me only with crispbread.
'I did not know if I'm above or below ground, it was very cold and dusty. On the stone floor there were cement bags. He say that he had built everything himself, and he was proud of what he'd done.
Dungeon: Trenneborg meticulously planned the abduction over a long period of time and subjected the victim to serious risk by sedating her and keeping her locked up in this soundproof bunker (left) for almost a week
'He had brought my dog in the bunker when I was kidnapped. He went out and rested her every morning.
'After a few days he came in with a black plastic box. He said she had to poop in the box, otherwise he would get rid of her. The dog was very important for me in there.'
Eriksson, in her 30s, also told the show she woke up in the chamber to find a needle sticking in her arm and immediately took it out when she came too.
Trenneborg was last year sentenced to ten years in prison for the 2015 abduction but was acquitted of aggravated rape.
In a unanimous verdict, Stockholm District Court said Martin Trenneborg meticulously planned the abduction over a long period of time and subjected the victim, to serious risk by sedating her and keeping her caged up in a soundproof bunker for almost a week.
Planned: Police found two rubber masks in Trenneborg's bedroom, which the woman said he used as disguises during their journey from Stockholm to Kristianstad
The 39-year-old doctor, who claimed he was suffering a mental disorder at the time, was ordered to pay 180,000 kronor (15,000) in damages to the woman.
But the court said it found insufficient evidence that Trenneborg subjected the victim to sexual intercourse when she was sedated.
Trenneborg abducted his victim after meeting her for a date in Stockholm last September, while she was working as an escort.
Terrifying ordeal: Trennebourg drove his 350 miles to his home near Kristianstad in southern Sweden where he locked her in a soundproofed cell inside this home-made bunker (seen above on the left of the picture)
He used a wheelchair to transport her as well as two rubber masks, of a bearded man and an older woman, to hide their identities.
He drove her 350 miles to his home near Kristianstad in southern Sweden where he locked her in a soundproofed cell.
The sexual nature of his crime coupled with his underground prison earned him the moniker of the 'Josef Fritzl of Scandinavia.'
Fritzl is currently serving life imprisonment in a maximum security Austrian psychiatric facility following his 2009 conviction for rape and murder following the incarceration of his own daughter, Elisabeth, in a cellar beneath his home for 24 years.
Miss Eriksson told how she did manage to get out on a few occasions, but was put off trying to flee by the vast wilderness she was surrounded by, and also was given false hope that she was being rescued when he came in wearing another mask.
Hidden: Pictures of the bunker showed how it had a small covered courtyard to keep the captive concealed while she was outside
'He came in one day wearing a mask, it looked very genuine, she said.
'I did not understand who it was and hoped that someone had come to save me.
'I told the person who I am and hoped the person will be able to help me. But that was when the doctor pulled off his mask. He said I looked very surprised and thought it was fun, as a joke.
'He was calm all the time, but at the same time very intimidating at times.
After a few days, he came with a gun and told me to shoot him, the doors are open, but I did not want to shoot anyone. Moreover, I did not know if the doors were open, either.'
She added: 'When I realized that I could not overpower him, I put any plans of that to rest.
'The bunker was so escape-proof that I could not get out. Instead, I realized that I had to start to play my cards right, so that he would not see me as a threat.
'I chose to be courteous and neutral. He would start trusting me and hopefully that would give me the chance to escape.
'I did get out on a few occasions. There was an exercise yard outside the bunker. But the only thing I saw was a lot of forest and did not know where I was.'
Dr Trenneborg, who claims to be a member of the high-IQ club Mensa, admitted feeding his victim strawberries laced with Rohypnol on September 12 last year before driving her to his home (above)
Trennenborg, who studied medicine at the prestigious Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, before working as a GP in Stockholm and Kristianstad, spent far less time tormenting his victim, but prosecutors say his crime was just as heinous.
Dr Trenneborg, who claims to be a member of the high-IQ club Mensa, admitted feeding his victim the strawberries laced with Rohypnol on September 12 last year, before driving her to his home in Skane in southern Sweden and entombing her in the secret bunker.
Six days later, he walked into a police station in Stockholm along with the woman.
Prosecutors say he returned to the capital to collect some of her belongings.
But when he discovered police were looking for her and had changed the locks on her apartment, he decided to pretend they were a couple and everything had been a misunderstanding.
Trennebourg is seen (left) in this courtroom sketch next to his lawyer Mari Schaub who described the doctor as a lonely 'sad and depressed person' who wanted a partner and did not intend to hurt anyone
But police became suspicious, interviewed her away from him and he was arrested shortly afterwards.
Prosecutors alleged that he had sex with her while she was unconscious.
Prosecutor Peter Claeson said his plan was clearly to keep the victim locked up for 'a long time' in the bunker, which was about 60 square metres in size, sound and light-proof.
It is also alleged that he took blood samples from the woman while she was in captivity to check them at the clinic where he worked to ensure she did not have any sexually transmitted diseases.
The swabs were allegedly logged as belonging to an 'unidentified refugee'.
How he came to know the woman or choose her for his macabre dungeon, is unclear.
According to a Swedish newspaper, they spoke for the first time on the telephone on September 10 last year and two days later he turned up to her flat.
Trenneborg admits drugging the woman and taking her away, but denied rape.
He also wanted his lawyer to get the kidnapping indictment reduced to a less serious charge of 'deprivation of liberty.'
His lawyer, Mari Schaub, described him as a lonely 'sad and depressed person' who wanted a partner and did not intend to hurt anyone.
It was a defence reminiscent of the plot of the John Fowles book The Collector, about a socially awkward man who kidnaps a woman to confine her in a pathetic bid to make her fall in love with him.
Mrs Schaub said: 'He is a man who was mentally depressed and, when at the police station, complied with all the requests of the police. He is very much in regret of what he has done.'
When police searched the bunker they found an Ikea pine bed, a desk and a kitchen area with sink, hot plate and a fridge stocked with fresh produce.
In January last year, it was reported how she described her ordeal in the bunker r.
Arriving at her home with champagne and gifts, he drugged her with Rohypnol-laced strawberries dipped in chocolate before kidnapping her
'It felt like one long nightmare. When I woke up I had two needles stuck into my arm. He was sitting on a chair beside the bed,' she said.
'I remembered that it felt very surreal and I told myself that it could not be real. Suddenly he started talking to me in Swedish.
'He told me that the door was the same as they have in bank vaults, that the walls were made of thick concrete and that no one would hear me scream how much I tried and that it is impossible to get out from there.
'He also said that if I was going to attack him and kill him. All I would have been left with was a stinking corpse. There was no way for me to get out of the bunker without his assistance.
'There was a small room beside the kitchen in the bunker. When I asked him what that was supposed to be in the future he said that it would be his own torture chamber. He said it with a smile and I don't know if he was joking.
'He was uncomfortably quiet all the time. And I did not know what would happen if he would torture me, kill me or rape me.
Dungeon: Trenneborg, who worked as a freelance physician, is believed to have built the 60 square meter bunker himself, starting in 2010
'At one point he told me that if I were to try to escape, he would punish me by chaining me to the bed and I would get nothing to eat but crisp bread.'
'He only said that he would keep me there a few years and that he would release me after that', she told police during her interview.
Trenneborg, who worked as a freelance physician, is believed to have built the 60 square meter bunker himself, starting in 2010.
The concrete-enforced walls are 12.5 inches thick and the bunker has a bedroom, functioning toilet and a fully fitted kitchen.
The dungeon even had a small, covered courtyard, where the person living there would be able to go outside without being seen by neighbours.
The victim also told police of her life inside the bunker, and how Trenneborg made 'feeble' attempts to groom her to make her want to stay.
The victim, who calls herself Isabel Eriksson to protect her true identity, was drugged by Martin Trenneborg who then took her to his homemade bunker in Kristianstad, southern Sweden
She revealed Trenneborg made clear his intention was to keep her locked up 'as a girlfriend', to 'have sex two or three times a day, clean and cook'.
'He would come in at around half past seven in the morning, and then he would take me out in the court yard he built.
She described how he then left her alone in the bunker, returning after work at around six.
'Every time he came I didn't know what was going to happen, whether he would rape me or torture me or murder me.
'On the Wednesday he said he wanted us to sleep together, so I was to shower in his house, and then I cooked meat hash while he showered and then he wanted us to sleep together.
'Then he told me that from then on this is how it is going to be, us sleeping together, every night.
She told a medical examiner that it was obvious that Trenneborg wanted to lie down and cuddle, and that he had told her it was 'okay' for her to keep her underwear on.
He asked her to put her head on his chest and placed her hands on his body. She told the doctor she did not sleep a wink that night.
Trenneborg also told her of his plans to bring in another woman, saying he had a 'celebrity' in mind, or possibly the woman's own mother.
The doctor drugged the woman using chocolate-dipped strawberries, marking which of the berries he had laced with Rohypnol by drawing on the stem leaves
Disturbing: The two masks were found in the doctor's bedroom in his home in Kristianstad
'He said that he wanted to bring another woman to the bunker. He was targeting some kind of celebrity. His plan was to dress as a plumber and knock on his victims door and then kidnap her.
'He said that he would kidnap the other woman as soon as the bunker was ready. I would be in two months, give or take according to him.
'He wanted to install a shower with hot water and a couple of other things before taking in another woman.
'He asked me if my mum was as pretty as me. Then he said that perhaps my mum could be the other girl in the bunker. The thought of him bringing my mum to the bunker, scared the life out of me.
After a few days the doctor drove back to the woman's home in Stockholm to bring her some personal possessions, only to discover that she had been reported missing and police had broken into her flat.
The doctor is believed to have panicked, and brought the woman to Stockholm where they visited a police station together on September 18.
Prosecutors said the doctor forced the woman to tell police a fake story that she was safe and well, in order to call off the search, but officers grew suspicious and took her to one side.
Report: Russia is giving uranium to Iran
According to unidentified Iranian diplomats, Iran will receive a huge shipment of natural uranium from Russia, as compensation for exports consisting of 40 metric tonnes, or 44 US tons of reactor coolant. Two senior diplomats said that the transfer was recently approved by Americas outgoing Obama administration, along with five other world governments, who seek to keep the Tehran committed to a landmark nuclear pact.
Iran is scheduled to receive 116 metric tonnes, which is nearly 130 US tons of natural uranium. Approval is still required from the UN Security Council as a formality, but shouldnt be an issue considering the other five powers are permanent members of the Security Council.
Uranium can be enriched to serve several different purposes. It can be used as reactor fuel, for medical and research purposes; or to form the core of an atomic bomb. Iran insists they have no intentions of weaponizing the uranium, but their activities will be closely monitored under the nuclear pact, which should keep them peaceful.
Tehran received a similar shipment of natural uranium back in 2015. That batch was part of the negotiations that led to the nuclear deal. That shipment was also a trade with Russia, who received enriched uranium in return. The new shipment will be the first since the inception of the Iran nuclear deal one year ago.
The two senior diplomats demanded anonymity regarding the news because they are not allowed to discuss confidential details of Irans nuclear program. They spoke before a scheduled meeting in Vienna, which consisted of representatives from Iran, the US, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany. The purpose of that meeting was to review complaints from Iran alleging that the US is reneging on sanctioned relief pledges, which were included in the Iran nuclear deal.
The incoming Trump administration and many US lawmakers are already skeptical about the deals effectiveness at keeping Irans nuclear program peaceful in the long term. They might view this new natural uranium trade with Russia as more evidence that the Tehran have received too many concessions.
Starting from the date when the Iran nuke deal was implemented, any natural uranium transferred to Iran will be under strict surveillance by the UNs International Atomic Energy Agency for 25 years. Tehran has not disclosed what they will do with the uranium, but could store it, or could export it as low-enriched uranium.
The shipment could be enriched to make ten or more simple nuclear bombs worth of weapons grande uranium. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the arrangements are subject to the careful monitoring and inspections that are included in the deal to ensure that Iran is living up to the commitments that they made.
Sources:
Yahoo.com
IbTimes.com
A mute, unidentified man found wandering the streets of suburban Melbourne has baffled police and hospital staff.
Victoria police reached out to the public on Friday night with a photograph of the mystery man, hoping for help in determining his identity.
The photograph, taken in a Box Hill Hospital bed, shows a shirtless man with sparse facial hair and sunburnt cheeks, lying on his back with his eyes closed.
Victoria police reached out to the public on Friday night with a photograph of the mystery man, hoping for help in determining his identity
Officials have been unable to communicate with the man, even after police brought in Cantonese, Mandarin, and Korean translators.
'He also does not speak English,' police wrote in a release.
He was discovered on Albion Street by a member of the public on Thursday night, police said.
The man appeared 'disoriented' and suffered from sunburn, police said.
Although he appeared otherwise uninjured, he was transported to Box Hill hospital, a Victoria police spokesperson said.
'We checked him over into the hospital, and until we can work out who he is, that's where he's staying,' the police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.
The man was discovered on Albion Street by a member of the public on Thursday night and taken to Box Hill Hospital (pictured)
The man had been released from the emergency department on Friday night and was being examined in the wards, according to an Eastern Health spokesperson.
'We are still not sure whether his lack of communication is due to injury or a pre-existing medical condition,' the spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.
'We are still doing tests to determine whether he might have an illness or any sort of condition.'
Anyone with information about the man is urged to contact Box Hill Police Station on 03 8892 3200.
Two friends living in Newcastle and Birmingham met up in Spain because two return flights were cheaper than one rail fare between the two English cities.
Lucy Walker had planned to travel to Birmingham to see her university friend Zara Quli but was shocked to discover that the return trip would cost 105.
The 27-year-old, who teaches English as a foreign language, looked online and found that she could travel from Newcastle to Malaga for less than 20 return with Ryanair.
Lucy Walker had planned to travel to Birmingham to see her university friend Zara Quli but was shocked to discover that the return trip would cost 105
Lucy, left, looked online and found that she could travel from Newcastle to Malaga for less than 20 return with Ryanair. Zara found flights from Birmingham for 55.59
The flights (route pictured in red) cost a total of 75, 30 less than a single rail fare between the two cities (in purple)
The pair decided to go to Malaga and were enjoyed Spanish tortillas, coffee and olive oil in the sun instead of seeing each other in either Newcastle or Manchester
Zara, a 26-year-old charity worker, also found flights from Birmingham for 55.59 with Spanish budget airline Vueling and hostels were as cheap as 10 per night.
With the two return flights costing 30 less than a rail ticket, the pair were reunited in Malaga on Saturday, January 7, and spent three nights enjoying the 20C weather.
Former Nottingham University student Lucy said: 'Trying to travel last-minute in the UK is always such a kick in the teeth as they put such a big premium on it.
'There are always these last minute deals for flights and so we just checked for a better deal.
'We realised it was cheaper for the both of us to go to Malaga instead.
'Considering I try to be environmentally friendly it is not something I would normally do but the train is so expensive and this was just so much cheaper.'
Tthey both flew to Malaga on a three-day trip totalling 6,000 miles, and managed to save 30 on travel compared to what they would have spent on a 200-mile rail ticket
Lucy paid 9.99 each way for her tickets with Ryanair, and Zara paid 55.29 return to travel with Vueling.
The flights were cheaper than the rail fares between Birmingham and Newcastle would have been, despite the two cities being only 200 miles apart.
RAINY WEEKEND IN NEWCASTLE...OR FLY TO MALAGA FOR LESS Newcastle to Birmingham by rail Distance: 200 miles, 400-mile round trip, cost of one return fare 105 Newcastle to Malaga Distance: 1,350 miles, 2,700-mile round trip, 9.99 each way Total cost: 19.98 Birmingham to Malaga Distance: 1,100 miles, 2,200-mile round trip Cost of outbound flight: 36.99 Cost of return flight: 18.30 Price of flights: 55.29 Total cost of both flights: 75.27 Saving: 29.75 Advertisement
The distance between the UK and Malaga is roughly 1,500 miles, meaning Lucy and Zara made round-trips of about 3,000 miles to see each other.
Lucy said: 'It was more expensive to check a bag in than the cost of the tickets. You get quite a generous hand luggage allowance though so we didn't even need to.'
The pair spent two nights in a hostel for about 10 a night then travelled to Granada where they stayed for one night in a hotel for 11 each.
Lucy added: 'Everything is cheaper out there, lots of things that add up in the UK, like the transport to get from the airport into the city is just one euro eighty, about 1.50.
'It works out a lot cheaper when you go out for a drink too. The law in Granada is they have to bring you tapas when you order drinks.
'They start off quite basic but by the time you are on your third drink they start to bring out prawns and things.
'It's only about two euros for a bottle of beer which is a lot cheaper than over here and by the time you have had a few drinks and the tapas you are stuffed for the price of one cocktail in London. We had a lovely time.'
A swimwear model who was jailed for 15 years for murdering her British millionaire ex-boyfriend has had nearly two years knocked off her prison term by a Spanish appeal court.
Pretty Slovakian Mayka Kukucova, 26, was jailed last year for breaking into Andrew Bush's home on the Costa del Sol in April 2014 and shooting him dead in front of his stunning new Russian girlfriend.
Her lawyers announced after the emotionally-charged trial in Malaga they would appeal her convictions and sentence, even though she could have been jailed for up to 22 years.
Infatuation: Kukucova dated the miilionaire jeweller nicknamed the 'King of Bling' for two and a half years after he gave her a job in one of his Gold Trader shops in Bristol
Today appeal court judges in the city of Granada announced they were clearing her of breaking into Bristol-based jeweller Mr Bush's home near the holiday resort of Estepona, for which she had been given an extra six month sentence.
Ms Korotaeva (pictured), who now lives in Tenerife, gave evidence along with Mr Bush's daughter Ellie, and his sister Rachel
They also said they were reducing Kukucova's murder sentence from 15 years to 13 years and nine months, saying they were taking into account her confession lacked 'total veracity' because she had alleged self-defence.
The ruling, meaning she will serve two years less in jail, was delivered in a 13-page written document by the three appeal judges after an appeal hearing at a court in Granada last month.
Kukucova, who has been in prison since being extradited from Slovakia to Spain a month after shooting her ex dead with a .38 revolver, was not present at the appeal.
Mr Bush, 48, was gunned down on April 5, 2014 as he arrived at his luxury rented villa for a romantic getaway with his new lover Maria Korotaeva, 24.
His killer fled the crime scene in Mr Bush's Hummer and dumped it at a nearby beachside car park before returning to her homeland with a new boyfriend who flew to Madrid to meet her.
She was extradited to Spain after handing herself in and claiming the revolver went off during a violent struggle after he attacked her and pointed the weapon at her.
A jury rejected her claim she acted in self-defence and out of 'insurmountable fear'.
Rages: Bush bundled her into a taxi and sent her back to the hotel room where they were staying where she is said to have put his Apple computer under a tap in revenge for their row
They accepted prosecutors' claims she stayed in the villa for two days, slept in his bed while waiting for him and flew into a jealous rage after seeing him arrive with his new love.
Mr Bush, who made his money in the jewellery trade, had originally employed Kukucova in one of his shops in Bristol.
Kukucova broke down repeatedly as Ms Korotaeva, who now lives in Tenerife, gave evidence along with Mr Bush's daughter Ellie, 22 and his sister Rachel, 45.
The pretty blonde is in prison in Granada after being moved from a jail near Malaga following a fight with another inmate while on remand awaiting trial.
Tears: Mayka Kukucova reacts in court after being found guilty last Friday following a four-day trial
Ellie told the trial Kukucova stalked her dad after they ended their two-and-a-half year-long relationship in November 2013.
She also accused the Slovakian beauty of assaulting him during a family holiday to Dubai and then ruining his computer by running it under a hotel tap.
The appeal judges accepted Kukucova had not broken into her victim's home, stating she had enjoyed use of the house while she was dating Mr Bush and it had to be assumed she had let herself in with keys because there was no sign of a forced entry.
But they said: 'There is an initial situation in which there there is a row or a dispute and that situation is interrupted when Mr Bush goes outside to talk with his girlfriend.
'When the dispute is reinitiated moments later, the accused is "waiting" for her victim with a firearm she uses to fire off three shots without the victim being able to react by fleeing or defending himself.'
She told the court she let herself in with a spare key and was simply picking up belongings she had left in the house during the time she and Mr Bush dated.
Mr Bush's ex-wife Sam Mason (pictured) said the family and their daughter were 'devastated' by his death
Mr Bush's ex-wife Sam Mason called Kukucova 'low life scum' last year when she was convicted
Syed Hoque has been jailed for five and a half years for sending gun money to his extremist nephew in Syria
A probation officer has been jailed for five and a half years for using the aid convoy on which Alan Henning travelled to smuggle money and equipment to his nephew who was fighting in Syria.
Syed Hoque, 37, from Luton, sent 4,500 on two convoys to Syria so that his nephew, Mohammed Choudhury, from Mile End, East London, could buy a sniper rifle.
In one conversation, the nephew boasted to his uncle that he wanted to behead individuals and drag their heads behind his car.
Alan Henning was kidnapped after delivering aid to Syria on one of the convoys used by Hoque and his associates to send the money.
Mr Henning was later beheaded by the ISIS killer known as Jihadi John.
Hoque was helped by a 'quartermaster' called Mashoud Miah, 27, also from Mile End, who had spent time in Syria and then returned to Britain. Miah was jailed for two and a half years.
Judge John Bevan QC, told Hoque he had 'abused' the aid convoys and used them 'as a vehicle for your own ends.'
Aid worker Alan Henning was taken to Syria on a convoy used by Hoque and other extremists
Father-of-four Hoque (left) was jailed for five-and-half-years. His associate, gas fitter Mashoud Miah (right) was jailed for two-and-a-half years for his part in the plot
The judge told Hoque: 'The honourable principles of law and criminal justice into which you have been indicted were clearly cat aside to support illegal activity in a foreign country you had nothing to do with.'
The judge said Hoque, a father of four, had shown 'contempt' for Britain, describing it as the 'land of great kuffar and sin.'
'There is something unattractive about you encouraging your 22-year-old nephew to risk his life fighting for al-Nusra, a proscribed terrorist organisation while you encouraged him from the safety of a flat in Luton,' the judge added.
'I am sure you held some extreme views and encouraged your nephew to embrace them. You seem to have lost track that he was your own flesh and blood.'
The judge told Hoque: "You regarded yourself as the only sheriff in the town, a self-appointed policeman justified in interfering in the affairs of a foreign country by the provision of money and clothing and, at some point, a Dragunov sniper's rifle."
Choudhury left the country on September 6 2012 on a flight from, Heathrow to Cairo, and has never returned.
Pictures sent between Choudhury to Hoque include one of a fighter with a Kalashnikov
A photo of a Draganov sniper's rifle was also sent between the men. Prosecutors said the men were attempting to help terrorists become 'night snipers'
He was said to be fighting with a group called Jabhat al-Nusra, an al-Qaeda linked group who wanted to establish sharia law in Syria.
Messages between Hoque and Choudhury revealed conversations about the purchase of a Draganov sniper rifle, a nightscope and an AK-47 assault rifle.
Choudhury told his uncle he was going on training missions on firearms and bomb-making and sent him images of weapons.
Hoque 'actively encouraged' Choudhury, repeatedly offered and provided financial support and helped him research equipment such as the nightscope.
Hoque travelled with Miah on a convoy, organised by a charity called Children in Deen that left Britain on July 25 2013, carrying 3,000.
Miah, a gas fitter, remained in Syria for some time before returning, and Hoque messaged him to say he wanted to fund a team of night snipers.
A further 1,500 was sent in Sterling and Dollars, on the later convoy used by Henning, leaving on December 21 2013.
Robert Goldsmith faces charges after neglecting to tell arresting officers that two people were inside the car he was driving when it crashed into a South Florida canal, authorities say
A suspected drug dealer faces charges after neglecting to tell arresting officers that two people were inside the car he was driving when it crashed into a South Florida canal, authorities say.
Robert Goldsmith, 30, got out of the car through a window but 24-year-old passengers Hannah Gonzalez and Marquis Garcia died Tuesday night, police say.
Goldsmith was ordered held without bond during a first-appearance hearing Thursday, The Sun-Sentinel reported
A Sunrise police report says authorities received a tip that Goldsmith was selling crack cocaine.
They also found out Goldsmith had an active warrant for aggravated battery with a firearm and attempted robbery with a firearm, and was allegedly purchasing items stolen in burglaries, NBC Miami reported.
They arranged a sting with an informant who posed as a buyer. When police moved in, Goldsmith sped away and drove into a nearby canal.
Gonzalez and Garcia were in the vehicle's backseat, according to The Sun-Sentinel.
However, the informant didn't spot people in the backseat due to it being dark out, Local 10 reported.
Authorities received a tip that Goldsmith was selling crack cocaine. They arranged a sting with an informant who posed as a buyer. The sting was set up for an apartment complex at 3200 Northwest 84th Avenue, NBC Miami reports
Police say Goldsmith didn't tell them right away about the passengers in the car.
The report was quoted by The Sun-Sentinel as saying: 'Not until after Goldsmith was physically removed from the water, detained by detectives and questioned as to other occupants of the vehicle did he utter to detectives that there were two other subjects.'
Detectives went into the water, yet couldn't get inside the car, according to Local 10.
The car was removed from the water, and the bodies of Goldsmith's passengers were discovered, the TV station reported.
Authorities arrested Goldsmith for aggravated fleeing, driving with a suspended license, two counts of murder, and selling cocaine, according to NBC Miami.
Video courtesy of 7 News Miami
Denmark is under a serious and frightening threat from Russian hackers and missiles, according to the country's defence minister.
Claus Hjort Frederiksen has warned Danish hospitals and power grids are under threat from hackers and that weapons of mass destruction are being installed in Kalingrad which could reach Copenhagen.
He believes the two-pronged attack to be a major risk, and has called for action to be taken as Vladimir Putin's aggression appears to continue to be ramp up.
Denmark's defence minister Claus Hjort Frederiksen has warned of the 'serious' threat
'We need to make it clear in Denmark that we are all under one type of threat or another. And we need to act,' he said in an interview with Berlingske newspaper.
Reacting to the national risk assessment report issued by the Danish Defence Intelligence Service last month, he said the threat was both serious and frightening, according to The Local, but he raised further fears by referencing intelligence he has obtained from top military officials.
He has also held talks with the outgoing US secretary of defence Ashton Carter about what he calls a threat that poses physical and virtual dangers.
'We can confirm that the Russians are right now installing new missiles in Kalingrad that can reach Copenhagen.
'That is of course a major risk,' he said.
The missiles have a rance of about 440 miles, which places Berlin within its reach.
A missile is launched from the Kaliningrad Region during a military exercise back in 1999
Mr Frederiksen believes Russian hackers are likely to target Denmark in a cyber attack from multiple sources.
It is feared the coordinated effort could disrupt political elections and wreak havoc with the Danish health service and national grid.
He said the attacks would go further than to 'spread and angst and insecurity among the population'.
'State-supported Russian hacker groups are ready to attack hospitals, infrastructure and the electrical supply by breaking into computer systems and creating a mess of notices and treatments within the health system,' he said.
The defence minister has called for a reaction and wants to see the military upgraded.
Theresa May has finally moved to distance the government from the row over an ex-MI6 agent's claims that Russia has a 'dirty' dossier on Trump - insisting he has not worked for the UK authorities for 'years'.
After days of stonewalling by Downing Street, the Prime Minister attempted to quell speculation about official involvement following fresh allegations that the intelligence services knew ex-spy Christopher Steele was talking to the FBI.
Britain's former ambassador in Moscow Sir Andrew Wood has also admitted he told Mr Trump's sworn enemy, Republican senator John McCain, about the outlandish claims in the memos.
At a press conference with New Zealand counterpart Bill English in Downing Street today, the PM insisted the ex-spy behind claims that Russia has a 'dirty' dossier on Donald Trump has not worked for the government for 'years'
The PM commented on the row for the first time ater days of stonewalling by Downing Street
Asked about the controversy at a press conference with her New Zealand counterpart today, Mrs May insisted it was a 'longstanding' rule in government not to comment on intelligence matters.
But she added: 'It is absolutely clear that the individual who produced this dossier has not worked for the UK government for years.'
Earlier today, diplomat Sir Andrew, 77, spoke about his role in fueling controversy and said he does not believe Mr Steele would 'make things up' - but also conceded that he might not have 'drawn the correct judgement'.
The President-elect has again lashed out over the affair, calling Steele a 'failed spy' employed by 'sleazebag political operatives' and suggesting he wants to sue the ex-MI6 agent if he ever comes out of hiding.
He tweeted: 'It now turns out that the phony allegations against me were put together by my political opponents and a failed spy afraid of being sued'.
But Russia has ratcheted up the tensions by claiming Steele has never left MI6, and blaming the British government for the memos.
Security sources have indicated that Mr Steele spoke to UK Government officials before handing the dossier to the FBI.
There are fears that the row could derail Mrs May's forthcoming trip to the US for her first meeting with Donald Trump
Sir Andrew Wood, left, met with Senator John McCain in Canada last year and discussed lurid claims about Trump's sex life - but denies he handed him the dossier
Sir Andrew described alleged dossier author Christopher Steele (pictured), a former MI6 spy who has since gone into hiding, as 'professional and thorough'
Steele, 52, was described as a 'confirmed socialist' as a Cambridge student, circled in 1985 with, among others, DJ Paul Gambaccini (second from right, front row) and That's Life star Chris Seale (front row, centre left)
The boss of MI6 is also said to be 'livid' that the ex-spy's actions have put them in an extremely difficult position with the new US administration - just weeks before Mrs May is due to make a crucial visit to Washington where she will try to lay the groundwork for a post-Brexit trade deal.
Tory MPs and former Ukip leader Nigel Farage have urged Mrs May to distance the UK from the memos and make clear to Mr Trump's team that the authorities had nothing to do with it.
But asked this morning if the government had yet been in touch with Team Trump to reassure them there was no government involvement in the Steele memos, a spokesman for the Prime Minister said merely: There is contact between the UK and the President-elect's team about plans for the forthcoming visit.
Pressed on whether the government had been aware of the FBIs reported request to talk to the ex-agent about his memos, the spokesman said: 'How the FBI conducts an investigation is a matter for the FBI.
'It is not commonplace for us to get into specifics.
Donald Trump vented fury at Mr Steele and political opponents in a series of Tweets, even suggesting he may sue the ex-spy
The Foreign Office said it would not be commenting on reports that Steele spoke to government officials before handing his memos to the FBI.
A senior No10 source insisted Team Trump have had 'every opportunity' to raise concerns about British involvement with officials.
'They have raised no concerns with us,' the source added.
In an alarming Twitter post last night, the Russian embassy in London suggested Steele was still working for MI6 and briefing both ways against Mr Trump and Moscow.
A Russian embassy spokesman said the tweet which said MI6 officers are never ex reflected the mood in Russia.
Sir Andrew said today: 'They are speaking in their experience of KGB officers I suspect'.
Following the tweet, Tory MP Crispin Blunt, who is conducting an inquiry into Russia, said it was a sign UK-Russian relations were the 'worst they could get in peace time'.
Mr Blunt, an ex-army officer and foreign affairs select committee chair, said: 'For a peace time political relationship, it is about as bad as it could get.'
Former ambassador Sir Andrew Wood (left) has admitted he told John McCain about outlandish allegations in memos prepared by ex-spy Christopher Steele (right)
MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger is said to be 'livid' that Mr Steele's actions have put the service in a difficult position
Ex-Russia ambassador defends British spy at centre of Trump dossier as he admits telling John McCain about its contents
A former British ambassador to Russia has today admitted he told John McCain about the contents of the 'dirty' Trump dossier - but denied handing it to the President-elect's sworn enemy.
Sir Andrew Wood, 77, believes its author Christopher Steele, 52, a former MI6 agent he knows from Moscow, is right to have vanished amid claims he fears for his life.
The diplomat says the salacious file 'was pretty much public' last Autumn and spoke to Senator McCain about its contents at a Canada security conference at the time of the US election.
Sir Andrew Wood (pictured alongside former Prime Minister Tony Blair) was British ambassador to Moscow between 1995 and 2000
Donald Trump has again lashed out over the affair and tweeted: 'It now turns out that the phony allegations against me were put together by my political opponents and a failed spy afraid of being sued'.
Donald Trump has again lashed out over the affair, calling Steele a 'failed spy' employed by 'sleazebag political operatives' and suggesting he wants to sue the ex-MI6 agent if he ever comes out of hiding.
He tweeted: 'It now turns out that the phony allegations against me were put together by my political opponents and a failed spy afraid of being sued'.
The row has plunged Britain and Russia into a fresh outbreak of Cold War hostilities with Russia claiming Steele has never left MI6 and security sources say he spoke to UK Government officials before handing the dossier to the FBI.
But today he admitted that bogus sex claims could have been maliciously fed to Steele by his Russian sources.
Sir Andrew Wood is now at the centre of the row but denies ever having a copy of the report, and attempted to defend Steele, once MI6s top spy on Russian affairs who lived in the shadows until being unmasked as the alleged author of the dirty dossier on Donald Trump.
Trump blasts 'phony allegations' cooked up by 'failed spy' and 'sleazebags' Donald Trump has accused 'sleazebag political operatives' of making up facts in the dirty dossier, which contained unconfirmed secrets about the president-elect, and ensured a hacking report on the documents would be released in 90 days. Trump has said there's no truth to the contents of the discredited dossier, which contained unverified information about Trump participating in alleged sex acts, that was published earlier this week by Buzzfeed. In early-morning tweets on Friday, Trump wrote: 'It now turns out that the phony allegations against me were put together by my political opponents and a failed spy afraid of being sued. 'Totally made up facts by sleazebag political operatives, both Democrats and Republicans - FAKE NEWS! Russia says nothing exists. 'Probably released by 'Intelligence' even knowing there is no proof, and never will be. My people will have a full report on hacking within 90 days!' Advertisement
Sir Andrew said: 'I know him to be a very professional operator who left the secret service to operate his own company.
'I do not think he would make things up - but I do not think he would always draw the correct judgement'.
Steele has been accused of 'appalling judgement' over the 'shaky' file containing far-fetched claims about the president-elect's sex life in Russia and MI6 boss Sir Alex Younger is said to be livid.
One senior intelligence source called him 'an idiot' and told The Sun: 'Chris should never have accepted this bit of work.
'It was always going to come out at some stage, as was his involvement with it, and that is deeply embarrassing to the service.'
Steele, who spied in Moscow in the 1990s, packed his bags and fled his 1.5million Surrey mansion this week and could be abroad or in a safe house.
On fears for his safety Sir Andrew said: 'The Russians would like to know where he got his information from, assuming it is true. They (the Russians) are accustomed to taking action'.
The British ambassador to Russia between 1995 and 2000 has confirmed he met McCain, an outspoken critic of Trump, at a security conference in Canada in November.
He was there in his role as Associate Fellow for Russia and Eurasia at The Royal Institute of International Affairs, better known as the Chatham House think tank.
Describing his exchange with John McCain he said: 'I know Chris Steele and the report we are talking about had already been seen by quite a lot of people in Washington but not by Senator McCain. I told him I was aware of what was in it but had not read it myself and still haven't'.
Sir Andrew told McCain it contained claims about Trump's links to the Russians and his 'sexual behaviour' - and that the US politician then sought out a copy himself from elsewhere.
One of his aides was instructed to look for a man with a copy of the Financial Times and that's how the individuals met, with the source taking McCain's emissary back to his house and giving the American a copy of the documents.
Spooks: The Russian embassy in London suggested Steele was still working for MI6 and briefing both ways against Mr Trump and Moscow on Twitter - Sir Andrew suggested they were judging Steele by their own standards
Sir Andrew and McCain discussed Trump's vulnerability to blackmail amid allegations contained in the discredited dossier.
He said: 'We spoke about how Mr Trump may find himself in a position where there could be an attempt to blackmail him with Kompromat (a Russian term for compromising material) and claims that there were audio and video tapes in existence.
'There were stories about his treatment of women and we know that the FSB and KGB do regularly use honeytraps'.
He added: 'I dont think I have done anything wrong at all in what I have done'.
The document, which has opened up a deep diplomatic crisis, was delivered to FBI chief James Comey by Republican John McCain, but Sir Andrew insists it was not from him.
Sir Andrew Wood's five years as British Ambassador to Russia coincided with the arrival of Vladimir Putin first as FSB security service chief then premier, and finally acting president.
Pictured: Mr Steele's 1.5million home in Surrey, bristles with CCTV cameras, which is still empty today
He has been married twice to two American women - and his first wife died while he was posted to Belgrade and he had to look after their baby son.
In a series of major developments yesterday, it emerged:
Trump calls Christopher Steele a 'failed spy' and suggests he is on the run to avoid being sued
Sources told the Daily Telegraph that Mr Steele spoke to government officials before handing the dossier to the FBI;
Until 2009, Mr Steele worked as one of MI6s foremost Kremlinologists heading the spy agencys Russia desk;
He was the first person to conclude Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko had been murdered in a Kremlin-sponsored hit, and Litvinenkos widow said Mr Steeles life was in danger;
Mr Steele and his late wife suffered constant harassment by the KGB during his posting to Moscow in the early 1990s, including an incident when Russian agents stole his wifes favourite shoes;
Orbis, a company co-owned by Mr Steele, made 1million in profit in the past two years;
He worked with the FBI from 2010 onwards and helped them smash corruption at FIFA. The UK Football Association also employed him
Neighbours have said Steele fled home in his car on Wednesday.
IRATE MI6 BLAST 'IDIOT' EX-SPY OVER 'SHAKY' TRUMP FILE The former British spy behind the 'dirty' Donald Trump dossier has been cut off by MI6 and bosses believe he is an 'idiot'. Current MI6 boss Sir Alex Younger is said to be livid that Steele agreed to take on the work and has caused worldwide embarrassment to British secret services. Other spies believe that he has fallen into a Kremlin trap and was fed false information about Trump and extraordinary claims he was filmed paying prostitutes to do a 'golden shower' sex game on a presidential suite bed once slept on by Barack Obama. One senior intelligence source called him 'an idiot' and told The Sun: 'Chris should never have accepted this bit of work. 'It was always going to come out at some stage, as was his involvement with it, and that is deeply embarrassing to the service.' Advertisement
He had asked them to look after his three cats, and there were claims last night he was in an MI6 safe house. He could also be abroad.
Russia's relations with Britain went into the deep freeze last night as Moscow blamed MI6 for the dossier of sordid claims about Donald Trump.
In an alarming Twitter post, the Russian embassy in London suggested the dossiers alleged author, former British spy Christopher Steele, was still working for MI6 and briefing both ways against Mr Trump and Moscow.
It came as American sources claimed that the UK Government gave the FBI permission to contact Mr Steele, who is in hiding after vanishing shortly before the damning dossier made headlines around the world.
In an alarming Twitter post, the Russian embassy in London suggested Steele was still working for MI6 and briefing both ways against Mr Trump and Moscow.
A Russian embassy spokesman said the tweet which said MI6 officers are never ex reflected the mood in Russia.
Sir Andrew said today: 'They are speaking in their experience of KGB officers I suspect'.
Following the tweet, Tory MP Crispin Blunt, who is conducting an inquiry into Russia, said it was a sign UK-Russian relations were the 'worst they could get in peace time'.
Mr Blunt, an ex-army officer and foreign affairs select committee chair, said: 'For a peace time political relationship, it is about as bad as it could get.'
Ex-ambassador to Moscow briefed McCain at security conference where Trump was the 'only thing delegates wanted to talk about' Sir Andrew Wood's briefing for John McCain about the Trump 'dirty dossier' was at the Halifax International Security Forum in Canada, pictured Sir Andrew Wood's briefing for John McCain about the Trump 'dirty dossier' was at an event dominated by discussion about his election as US president The meeting took place at the Halifax International Security Forum Canada in mid-November, which was dominated by gossip about the billionaire and his policies. One seminar at the event was even called Make Democracy Great Again - and included one of Trump's famous baseball caps getting its own stool on the stage. Other events included Russia: Putin the Block Back Together, and Because Syria: Im Your Friendly Neighbourhood Terrorist. Sir Andrew Wood admitted today that because Trump had just won a sensational election victory it increased the importance of the report drawn up by Chris Steele last year. There, Mr McCain sought the advice of Sir Andrew about the report on Mr Trump and the Moscow connection. He said its contents appeared to have increased importance because of the way 'by the way Trump talked about the hacking exercise and about the stories of his treatment of women'. Sir Andrew knew its details but insists he never read it or had a copy and has been forced to admit he spoke to Trump's sworn enemy McCain as the report was leaked to the press and published in full by Buzzfeed. The Halifax forum was attended by some of the world's most important politicians including UK Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon, French Defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and Republican Senator John McCain and Democratic Senator and 2016 vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine. Sir Andrew Wood was there in his role as Associate Fellow for Russia and Eurasia at The Royal Institute of International Affairs, better known as the Chatham House think tank. He spoke at an event called Maidan, Crimea and the Obstacles to Democracy in Ukraine - which appears to have been largely behind closed doors. Ahead of the event, when Trump was elected, experts said that the delegates would speak about little else than the billionaire and his impact on foreign and defence policy. Janice Stein, the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto said: 'For them, whatever else theyre worrying about, top of mind right now, is what will Donald Trumps foreign policy be? What will his security policy be? Will it be disruptive of the existing order? Are we going to see more change than we are going to see continuity?' Advertisement
US President Elect Donald Trump was scathing with the media after the document became public
Mr Steeles Cold War-style vanishing act reflects a career sparring with the KGB and its successor, the FSB.
Dossier of unverifiable sleaze Lurid sex claims The report states that in 2013 Trump hired prostitutes to urinate on the bed of the Presidential Suite at the Moscow Ritz Carlton, where he knew Barack and Michelle Obama had previously stayed. It says: 'Trump's unorthodox behavior in Russia over the years had provided the authorities there with enough embarrassing material on the now Republican presidential candidate to be able to blackmail him if they so wished.' Trump ridiculed the idea, pointing out that Russian hotel rooms are known to be rigged with cameras and describing himself as a 'germophobe'. Property 'sweeteners' The document states that Trump had declined 'sweetener' real estate deals in Russia that the Kremlin lined up in order to cultivate him. The business proposals were said to be 'in relation to the ongoing 2018 World Cup soccer tournament'. Russia 'cultivated' Trump for five years The dossier claimed that the Russian regime had been 'cultivating, supporting and assisting Trump for at least five years'. According to the document, one source even claimed that 'the Trump operation was both supported and directed by Russian President Vladimir Putin' with the aim being to 'sow discord'. A dossier on Hillary Clinton At one point the memo suggests Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov 'controlled' another dossier containing compromising material on Hillary Clinton compiled over 'many years'. Elsewhere in the document, it is claimed that Putin was 'motivated by fear and hatred of Hillary Clinton.' Peskov poured scorn on the claims today and said they were 'pulp fiction'. Clandestine meetings At one point the memo says there were reports of 'clandestine meetings' between Donald Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen and Kremlin representatives in August last year in Prague. However, Trump's counsel Michael Cohen today spoke out against allegations that he secretly met with Kremlin officials - saying that he had never been to Prague. It has now emerged that the dossier was referring to a different person of the same name. Advertisement
He joined MI6 after graduating from Cambridge University where he was described as a confirmed socialist.
As a young intelligence officer in Moscow, he was frequently harassed by the KGB once even complaining they had stolen his wife Lauras high-heeled shoes from their flat.
The couple faced down Russian tanks after the fall of the Soviet Union and highly capable Mr Steele went on to become head of MI6s Russia desk meaning he was one of the Secret Intelligence Services most senior spies.
It was no wonder he was considered hot property when he quit MI6 in 2009 to set up his own spies-for-hire firm, Orbis Business Intelligence.
Co-founded with another former MI6 officer, Christopher Burrows, it has earned 1million over the past two years and was instrumental in exposing corruption at world football body Fifa.
But it was Mr Steeles gold-plated contacts in Moscow that led wealthy opponents of Mr Trump to the black door of Orbiss discreet Belgravia office. They commissioned him to research Mr Trumps dealings in Russia.
He was born in 1964 in Aden his father was in the military and grew up in Surrey before attending Girton College, Cambridge, and becoming president of the Cambridge Union debating society in 1986 the same year in which Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was president of the Oxford Union.
Contemporaries recall an avowedly Left-wing student with CND credentials, while a book on the Unions history says he was a confirmed socialist.
A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: 'Boris never met or heard of him before so they did not meet or know each other during the Foreign secretary's time at Oxford.'
His work included collection information about corruption at football governing
Steele's work reportedly led to a lucrative deal to dig for dirt on Trump's dealings with Russia, where he worked for 20 years as a spy after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
But lurid claims made in the salacious Russian dossier about Donald Trump's sex life and bizarre footage allegedly held by the Kremlin's blackmail unit has seen him go to ground.
The explosive dossier alleged Mr Trump had been cosying up to Vladimir Putin and cavorting with Russian prostitutes. The president-elect has dismissed it as false and fictitious.
And as details of Mr Steeles extraordinary career emerged, Marina Litvinenko told the BBC: I believe it is very dangerous, particularly after the death of my husband, because when you just approach very specific information... you just easily might be killed.
Mr Trump called the dossier 'fake' and 'phony', even suggesting that US secret services had leaked it to damage his reputation before his inauguration.
He debunked the 'golden shower' claim by saying: 'Does anyone believe that? I'm a germophobe'.
Charismatic, widowed at a young age, and dangerously drawn to Russia: The incredible parallels between the two men at the heart of the Trump 'dirty dossier'
Sir Andrew Wood's five years as British Ambassador to Russia coincided with the arrival of Vladimir Putin
By Claudia Joseph in London and Will Stewart in Moscow
They will be intrinsically linked in the public consciousness as the two diplomats at the centre of the storm over who tipped off Senator John McCain about the dirty dossier.
But now the MailOnline has discovered the extraordinary parallels between former spook Christopher Steele and ex-Ambassador Sir Andrew Wood, who both rose to the top of their careers in the Foreign Office after becoming widowers.
While the cherished wife of former M16 officer Steele, died tragically young of a haemorrhage, Woods beloved wife Melanie was a 33-year-old mother of a baby son, when she passed away.
The following year, the charismatic widower married her sister Stephanie, who was ten years younger than her, and had another two children, who are, in an unusual twist, both half-siblings and cousins to his eldest son.
The similarities between the two mens lives were revealed in an interview that Wood gave after he retired as Ambassador to Russia and Moldovia at the turn of the century.
Incredibly the career diplomat, who has now admitting tipping off Senator John McCain about the dossier, also revealed that he had once vowed never to return to Russia after being posted to the spiritually depressing country during the 1960s.
Andrew Wood at the Moscow christening of his son in 1981 with his second wife Stephanie inside the British embassy
The 77-year-old, who was posted to Moscow by the British Diplomatic Service in 1964, and spent a year as Private Secretary to Sir Humphrey Trevelyan, claimed that diplomatic foreigners were treated with a great deal of suspicion in the former Soviet Union.
But Wood, who met McCain - an arch rival of Donald Trump - at a security conference in Halifax, Canada, was lured back to the country twice, leading to his high-profile role in one of Americas biggest scandals.
Woods beloved wife Melanie (pictured) was a 33-year-old mother of a baby son, when she passed away
He returned to the former Soviet Union in 1979, after the death of his first wife Melanie, and his marriage to her sister Stephanie sisters of American soap star Andrew Masset and as Ambassador to Russia and Moldova in 1995.
Wood, who was born in Gibraltar and went to Ardingly boarding school, in Sussex, was recruited to the Foreign Office in 1961 after reading history at Kings College, Cambridge.
After studying Russian and economics, the 24-year-old bachelor was posted to Moscow, where he worked as Third Secretary. But, in some ways, it proved a disappointment. When he left, three years later, he breathed a sigh of relief.
In an interview with the British Diplomatic Oral History Programme, Churchill College, Wood, who lives in a Georgian townhouse, in one of Islingtons most exclusive squares, said: When I left Moscow I did it with contradictory feelings. I was very grateful to have served there. It was an enormous country. I had seen things and understood things that I would never have done otherwise.
But on the other hand it was fundamentally a spiritually depressing country, because it was a place where the language was not literally dead, but its inner meaning was being lost because so much of it was used to tell lies in terms of propaganda.
It was a country where foreigners, particularly diplomatic foreigners were treated with a great deal of suspicion. I thought that for a lot of the staff the Embassy was both a miserable and happy place.
It was miserable in the sense that people felt as they were cut off and a bit beleaguered, and it was also happy for the same reason, because people there were happy to get together and you made close friends, and that was great.
It was particularly rough on the wives. I didnt have a wife then and there were obvious advantages in being one of the few bachelors around. That was all right for me really. But I thought that it was very difficult for the families and especially for the wives. So, I thought when I left there I am going to take steps to make sure I never go back there again.
After leaving Moscow in 1967, Wood got a plum posting, as First Secretary in Washington. He returned to London three years later, working at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office before being seconded to the Cabinet Office.
The Kremlin has ridiculed the idea it holds lewd videos of Mr Trump shot at Moscow hotel
It was while he was in the capital that he landed his wife, making it less likely he would return to the Soviet Union. He married Melanie, the daughter of Ford Motor Company executive Andrew Masset and his wife Lee, who were living in Chelsea, south west London, in 1972 when she was 27 and he was 32.
No10 defies mounting calls for clarity on what it knew about ex-MI6 agent's claims of Russian 'dirty' dossier on Donald Trump A spokesman for the PM has insisted it will not get into 'specifics' about the row despite reports that the intelligence services knew ex-spy Christopher Steele was talking to the FBI No10 defies mounting calls for clarity on what government knew about ex-MI6 agent's claims of Russian 'dirty' dossier on Donald Trump Downing Street is defying mounting calls for clarity over what the government knew about an ex-MI6 agent's claims of a Russian 'dirty' dossier on Trump. No10 insisted it will not get into 'specifics' about the row despite reports that the intelligence services knew ex-spy Christopher Steele was talking to the FBI. A British former ambassador to Moscow has also admitted he told Mr Trump's sworn enemy, Republican senator John McCain, about the outlandish allegations in the memos. The boss of MI6 is also said to be 'livid' that Mr Steele's actions have put them in a difficult position with the new US administration - just weeks before Mrs May is due to make a crucial visit to Washington where she will try to lay the groundwork for a post-Brexit trade deal. Tory MPs and former Ukip leader Nigel Farage have urged Mrs May to distance the UK from the memos and make clear to Mr Trump's team that the authorities had nothing to do with it. But asked if the government had yet been in touch to reassure Team Trump there was no government involvement in Steele memos, a spokesman for the Prime Minister said: There is contact between the UK and the President-elect's team about plans for the forthcoming visit. Pressed on whether the government had been aware of the FBIs reported request to talk to Steele about his memos, the spokesman said: 'How the FBI conducts an investigation is a matter for the FBI. 'It is not commonplace for us to get into specifics. Advertisement
Surprisingly, when Masset died in 2004, he was working in Guadalajara, Mexico, one of the regions where Trump has alienated with his suggestion of building a wall perhaps a portent of his feelings about the President-elect.
Melanie was the eldest of five siblings Valerie, now 70, Andrew, 67, who starred as Larry Walsh in the US soap Days of Our Lives, Hilary, 64, and Stephanie, 62.
The couple had a son in 1975 before Wood was posted to Belgrade as First Secretary and Head of Chancery, the following year. But, tragically, in 1977 his wife died.
My first wife died when I was there and I remained very grateful for the way my colleagues and the local people, mostly Serbs, supported me and our then baby son, he added in his interview with Jimmy Jamieson.
Life in Belgrade was interesting and agreeable because it was quite a lively culture, a new language to get a grip on, and the rather unusual possibility of talking freely about issues with a socialist/communist group in power.
It was an interesting comparative study with the life of the Soviet Union and it was interesting on the whole. Britain has had quite a longstanding and reasonably intense relationship with Yugoslavia.
After being widowed for a year, Wood married his sister-in-law Stephanie in Mexico, where her father was working. The couple moved to Moscow the following year, where their daughter Laura, now 35, was born. Their son Patrick, 31, arrived when they were posted back to London.
Wood undertook his third stint in Moscow as British Ambassador between 1995 and 2000, coinciding with the arrival of Vladimir Putin - first as FSB security service chief, then premier, and finally acting president.
He oversaw the UK embassy across the Moscow River from the Kremlin during some of the most momentous and fraught times in post-Soviet Russia, seeing the decline of the ailing vodka-soaked rule of Boris Yeltsin and the rise of ex-spy Putin, who was among the first to publicly question his second bloody war in Chechnya, an early sign of the new leader's ruthlessness.
He also choreographed Tony Blair's first visit to Moscow as prime minister (briefly losing touch with the Prime Minister in the crowds on the metro), represented Britain at the burial of the remains of the last Tsar Nicholas II and attended the funeral of former Soviet first lady Raisa Gorbachev in 1999 (watching her sobbing husband Mikhail Gorbachev lean over her open coffin to give her one final hug).
However, Wood, who was once famed for his discretion in his dealings with the Russians, has slowly become more disgruntled with Russian politics.
In recent years, he has become a regular at Western conferences about the country, expressing concern about the direction they are going under Putin. Last month he was scathing about Russian claims to have had nothing to do with hacking the US election.
Russia always denies bad news, he said on Sky News. The Putin regime has a strong record... of this sort of behaviour. What you will see is a pattern of increasing disappointment with what Russia did, he warned. Seizing Ukraine, or seizing Crimea in Ukraine, and invading part of the rest of eastern Ukraine.
Their actions in Syria have been in support of a regime which even in this world is notable for its use of torture and its indiscriminate bombing and killing of its own civilians. Their denial of any unwelcome fact is routine. They had no doping, they had nothing to do with bringing down the MH370, and so on and so forth.
Revealed: 'Ordinary 'citizen' John McCain dispatched a trusted aide across the Atlantic to get dirty dossier from ex-spy after former British diplomat told him about blackmail tapes Sen. John McCain said he did 'what any citizen would do' in turning over the dirty dossier, which contained unconfirmed secrets about the president-elect, over to the FBI. The Guardian charted the path of how the dossier came to be and how it was that McCain got his hands on the controversial documents. The story of the dossier began with an investigative firm in Washington, D.C., being tapped by one of Trump's primary allies to dig up some opposition research on the Republican hopeful. In turn, that firm outsourced the research to a 'retired western European former counter-intelligence official, with a long history of dealing with the shadow world of Moscow's spooks and siloviki (securocrats),' explained the Guardian. Shortly after the election,John McCain (centre) was attending a conference in Canada and spoke with a 'former senior western diplomat' who knew of the dossier's existence. Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal identified the ex-spy as Christopher Steele. By the time the contractor had started digging, Trump's primary opponent had dropped out. But the firm found a Democrat who wanted dirt on the now Republican nominee instead. The Guardian pointed out that just because a Democrat was willing to pay for the information that didn't mean that said Democrat was Hillary Clinton's campaign or the Democratic National Committee. Sometimes donors seek out this information in order to ensure they've made a sound investment. The contractor, who the Guardian didn't name, but the Wall Street Journal identified as Steele, reportedly found the information that he dug up to be concerning. He and another ex-British diplomat, Christopher Burrows, run their own company, Orbis Business Intelligence. 'If the allegations were real, their implications were overwhelming,' the Guardian wrote. So over the summer he delivered the intelligence he had gathered from his Russian sources, living within the country and also in the west, to former colleagues in the FBI. The Guardian suggested he also delivered the documents to his country's own intelligence service. As fall approached, and he heard nothing about any FBI investigation into the documents, he was persuaded to tell journalist David Corn, of Mother Jones, of their existence. The veteran reporter wrote about the dossier on October 31. The intelligence agent, the Guardian reported, was worried about an FBI cover-up, as the bureau seemed to be spending most of its time and energy on an investigation into Hillary Clinton's private email server. It wasn't until mid-November, and after the presidential election, that the chips fell in place for the dossier to make its more public way to Washington. London headquarters: This is the prestigious London headquarters of the intelligence firm run by an ex-spy who authored the discredited dirty dossier on Trump On November 18, at the Halifax International Security Forum, McCain was introduced to a 'former senior western diplomat' who had set eyes on the documents and knew who put them together, telling the Arizona Republican that the individual was 'highly reliable.' That man can now be named as Sir Andrew Wood, British ambassador to Moscow from 1995 to 2000. Wood told the Independent that he had met McCain, spoken to him about Trump, and about the potential for him to be compromised. In a carefully nuanced statement he said: 'Yes I did meet Senator McCain and his aides at the conference. 'We spoke about the kind of activities the Russians can be engaged in. 'We also spoke about how Mr Trump may find himself in a position where there could be an attempt to blackmail him with Kompromat [a Russian term for compromising material] and claims that there were audio and video tapes in existence.' He added: 'I would like to stress that I did not pass on any dossier to Senator McCain or anyone else and I did not see a dossier at the time. I do know Christopher Steele and in my view he is very professional and thorough in what he does.' He did not however address whether he told McCain there was a dossier - and how to get it. Clearly, somebody did. Ultimate recipient: The FBI Director James Comey was handed the document by McCain after its extraordinary transatlantic journey From there, McCain dispatched a 'trusted emissary' who flew across the Atlantic to meet the source of the documents at an airport that the Guardian did not name. The aide was instructed to look for a man with a copy of the Financial Times and that's how the individuals met, with the source taking McCain's emissary back to his house and giving the American a copy of the documents. Within 24 hours, the dossier was in Washington, though the contents of the file couldn't be verified without an investigation. McCain, the Guardian said, was worried that his actions might be interpreted as revenge for some of the controversial comments Trump made about him such as knocking the fact that the longtime senator had been a prisoner of war. However, McCain decided to hand over the documents to FBI Director James Comey on December 9. 'Upon examination of the contents, and unable to make a judgment about their accuracy, I delivered the information to the Director of the FBI,' McCain said Wednesday in a statement about that matter.' McCain said in a statement: 'That has been the extent of my contact with the FBI or any other government agency regarding this issue' Advertisement
Inside the shadowy world of Chris Whatsit: How the brilliant Cambridge spy behind the Trump 'dirty dossier' was the first to reveal Litvinenko was poisoned by Putin's thugs - and how his wife's high heels were stolen by Kremlin spooks
Mr Steele was dubbed Chris Whatsit by his late wife Laura (pictured) on their first date because she could not remember his name but he revelled in being a man of mystery
The strange and fascinating world of the British spy known as Chris Whatsit was unravelling yesterday.
Christopher Steele was once MI6s top spy on Russian affairs and lived in the shadows until being unmasked as the alleged author of the dirty dossier on Donald Trump.
He was dubbed Chris Whatsit by his late wife on their first date because she could not remember his name but he revelled in being a man of mystery.
Now the 52-year-old is hoping to return to anonymity after fleeing his 1.5million home in Surrey, telling his neighbour to look after his three cats.
Mr Steeles Cold War-style vanishing act reflects a career sparring with the KGB and its successor, the FSB.
He joined MI6 after graduating from Cambridge University where he was described as a confirmed socialist. As a young intelligence officer in Moscow, he was frequently harassed by the KGB once complaining that they had stolen his wife Lauras high-heeled shoes from their flat.
The couple faced down Russian tanks after the fall of the Soviet Union and highly capable Mr Steele went on to become head of MI6s Russia desk meaning he was one of the Secret Intelligence Services most senior spies. It was no wonder he was considered hot property when he quit MI6 in 2009 to set up his own spies-for-hire firm, Orbis Business Intelligence.
Co-founded with another former MI6 officer, Christopher Burrows, it has earned 1million over the past two years and was instrumental in exposing corruption at world football body Fifa.
But it was Mr Steeles gold-plated contacts in Moscow that led wealthy opponents of Mr Trump to the black door of Orbiss discreet Belgravia office. They commissioned him to research Mr Trumps dealings in Russia. The sensational results include claims that the Kremlin keeps a blackmail file on the president-elect which is said to contain a video of Mr Trump with Moscow prostitutes who are engaging in a sexually perverted act.
Yesterday a friend of Mr Steele described him as an experienced professional and not the sort to simply pass on gossip.
Mr Steele was born in 1964 in Aden his father was in the military and grew up in Surrey before attending Girton College, Cambridge, and becoming president of the Cambridge Union debating society in 1986 the same year in which Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was president of the Oxford Union. Contemporaries recall an avowedly Left-wing student with CND credentials, while a book on the Unions history says he was a confirmed socialist.
Mr Steele was pictured in his Cambridge university days alongside DJ Paul Gambuccini and TV presenter Chris Searle, who had been invited to a debate.
Security conscious: More cameras are seen around Mr Steele's home. Neighbours say he left the property on Wednesday
University friend Lance Forman, 54, who was also in the photo, told the Daily Mirror: Chris was pretty amiable. But I remember he did try to stitch me up in a student political battle 30 years ago. Student politics could be vicious at that time but thats water under the bridge now.
In 1988, he met Laura on a double-date with his friend Neil, who became best man at their wedding in Berkshire two years later where Mr Steele danced like a Cossack.
Recalling the date, Neil said: Lauras diary of that day read Lunch 12.30 Sue, Neil and Chris Whatsit.
I failed absolutely, but Chris Whatsit was a fast mover by Christmas he had proposed to Laura and in July 1990 they married. Mr Steele was posted to Moscow months after the wedding. He and his wife lived in an apartment with a pet cat and she took a job with British Airways.
It was a momentous period in the aftermath of perestroika and the run-up to the collapse of the Soviet Union the following year, when Boris Yeltsin became the first president of the Russian Federation.
Neil said: The work was hard, the times were tough and there was constant harassment from the KGB. On one occasion, they even stole Lauras favourite shoes from their flat just before an official dinner. On the day Yeltsin stood on the tank to proclaim change, I rang Laura up. Characteristically, she told me that Chris was fine because hed been sent on the streets to find out what was going on.
The 'dirty dossier' includes claims the Kremlin keeps a blackmail file on Mr Trump which is said to contain a video of the President-elect with Moscow prostitutes who are engaging in a sexually perverted act
FIFA president Sepp Blatter resigned in 2015 after revelations about corruption in the soccer governing body, uncovered by Mr Steele's British-based company, Orbis Business Intelligence
What about you, I asked? Fine, she said, and hesitated slightly before saying she was a little concerned about the tank 500 yards away with its large gun pointing at their block of flats! Though he was spying on the Russians, 26-year-old Mr Steele worked under diplomatic cover as Second Secretary (Chancery), working closely with Sir Tim Barrow now our new ambassador to the EU in the cramped old British Embassy across the Moskva River from the Kremlin.
After spending three years in the Russian capital, Mr Steele returned to the UK in 1993. The Steeles moved to South Norwood, South-East London, and had two sons, Matthew and Henry, before the couple were posted to Paris in 1998, where Mr Steele took the title First Secretary (Financial). Their daughter Georgina was born in France two years later.
Their friend Neil recalled: They lived with the boys for a while in [the pop singer] Annie Lennoxs apartment on Rue Bonaparte before decamping to the beautiful village of Bougival up the Seine.
HOW DID THE DOCUMENT END UP IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN? It is alleged that Steele's firm Orbis Business Intelligence Ltd was recruited in 2015 to help Mr Trump's Republican rivals. The BBC claims he was initially hired by former Presidential candidate Jeb Bush. After Trump won the nomination, supporters of Democratic candidate Hilary Clinton recruited Steele to do the same job, according to reports. The dossier was handed to FBI director James Comey on December 9, it is claimed. Last week, the agency reportedly put the dossier before Trump. The FBI had first been tipped off two months before the election, in August last year, reportedly by Steele. When he heard nothing, he met with David Corn, a bureau chief from news website Mother Jones, which published extracts. Senator John McCain, an outspoken Trump critic, was allegedly handed the document late last year by an unnamed diplomat. Steele is believed to have passed a copy of the dossier to an FBI contact in Rome, and alerted his former bosses at British intelligence. On Tuesday CNN reported that a document had been presented by US intelligence officials claiming Russia had sensitive information which could embarrass or discredit Trump. It said the source was considered credible, but the claims had yet to be verified. The same afternoon, BuzzFeed published the full memos, packed with salacious allegations. In a press conference on Wednesday, Trump blasted both BuzzFeed and CNN. Advertisement
While they were living in France, Laura began suffering bouts of illness, and the couple moved back to England in 2002, settling in Surrey. Around this time, Mr Steeles work took him to Afghanistan, following the ousting of the Taliban after the 9/11 attacks on New York.
Sources said he was in an MI6 team at Bagram Airbase briefing Special Forces on kill or capture missions for high-value Taliban targets. But Mr Steeles interest and expertise in Russia did not diminish as he rose up the ranks.
He was a friend and contemporary of Alex Younger now head of MI6. He moved back to London where he became head of MI6s Russia desk. When Alexander Litvinenko was assassinated in 2006, the then head of MI6, Sir John Scarlett, turned to Mr Steele, who concluded that Mr Litvinenko had been poisoned in a Kremlin-sponsored hit.
But at home, events took a tragic turn. Beset with health problems, Laura died of cirrhosis of the liver in September 2009, aged just 43, at Frimley Park Hospital. At a memorial service, Mr Steele described his late wife as a liberal in every sense of the word and always on the progressive side of the argument.
He added: She had a dry sense of humour often at my expense.
Mourners were told by one friend: The Chris and Laura romance was a great love story that led to over 19 years of marriage and three beautiful children.
In any event, Mr Steele had decided to quit MI6 shortly before her death, and set up Orbis Business Intelligence with Mr Burrows. Company accounts signed off last month show it made 401,000 profit in 2015 and 621,000 profit in 2016.
The business thrived after Mr Steele fed the FBI with information on corruption at Fifa. He had been commissioned by the Football Association. US officials even met Mr Steele at his Belgravia office shortly before football officials were arrested over rampant and systemic corruption and long-time president Sepp Blatter resigned.
It was the Fifa work which is said to have led to the lucrative deal to dig for dirt on Mr Trumps dealings with Russia. Mr Steele was an ideal choice. During his years in Moscow, he had established personal contacts with KGB, then FSB, operatives, some of whom went into the private sector in Russias equivalent of companies such as Orbis.
One former Foreign Office official, who has known him for 25 years and considers him a friend, said: The idea his work is fake or a cowboy operation is false, completely untrue. Chris is a very straight guy. He could not have survived in the job if he had been prone to flights of fancy.
Someone else who once worked with him said: He is rather an oddball. Hard to get to know and somewhat introverted. Certainly he did not present the image of the gregarious or flamboyant spy.
Nonetheless, Mr Steele is not shy either. Dressed in a dinner jacket, he was seen laughing with old friends at a bicentenary debate at the Cambridge Union in 2015, while listening to speakers including former Tory leader Michael Howard.
At a centenary party for MI6, he was on a team of ex-spies who played University Challenge Intelligence officers v Intelligence historians hosted by Jeremy Paxman.
Steele reportedly bought his Surrey home with his second wife Katherine in July 2013, but he remains close to the family of his late wife.
Her father David Hunt, 79, said yesterday: We last spoke to him two weeks ago at our Christmas get-together, he was with us just after Christmas. He was fine. Weve just heard the news this morning and we are just a little concerned about it.
Mr Steeles neighbour Mike Hopper said he had left on Wednesday, asking him to feed the familys three cats while he was away.
He could be in an MI6 safe house, as senior British security sources have said emergency measures are in place to protect him.
Aysha Mehajer has claimed her social media account was hacked with a post hinting she was back together with her estranged husband Salim.
After a picture of Mr Mehajer was posted on his wife's Instagram account on Friday it looked as though the pair had reunited. The post included the caption 'Don't judge my choices without understanding my reasons.'
But only hours later the post had been removed from Mrs Mehajer's account and replaced with an image reading: 'No longer hacked for now,' with a rolling eyes emoji.
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Aysha Mehajer has claimed her social media account was hacked with a post hinting she was back together with her estranged husband Salim
The post included a picture of Mr Mehajer wearing headphones with the caption: 'Don't judge my choices without understanding my reasons'
Salim and Aysha were married in August last year when their self-proclaimed 'wedding of the century' shut down a Lidcombe street in western Sydney
Aysha Mehajer took to Instagram on Friday in a post that hints the pair have been reunited
The original post attracted a wave of support with many congratulating the controversial couple.
'If you're happy, that's all that should matter,' one fan wrote
'Good on you both. Love always wins,' another said.
Salim and Aysha were married in August 2015 when their self-proclaimed 'wedding of the century' shut down a Lidcombe street in western Sydney.
Barely a year later, Mrs Mehajer had reportedly packed her bags and left their mansion in Lidcombe, western Sydney, to stay with family in the NSW Illawarra region.
Mr Mehajer was then slapped with an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) taken out in Aysha's name by police in July last year, following a confrontation at her sister's Wollongong home.
Footage of Mr Mehajer threatening to rape Mrs Mehajer's parents in a vicious and expletive-ridden video message was released by A Current Affair
The footage was released in August shortly after the couple's case was heard in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court
Footage of Mr Mehajer threatening to rape Mrs Mehajer's parents in a vicious and expletive-ridden video message was released by A Current Affair in August shortly after the couple's case was heard in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court.
The controversial former Auburn deputy mayor was recently photographed at the exclusive Woolloomooloo Wharf with his rumoured girlfriend, Kim Kardashian lookalike Constance Siaflas.
The embattled property developer, who arrived with Ms Siaflas in a Ferrari, wore white shorts, revealing his full-leg tattoos which previously he denied having.
He was spotted a day after uploading to Instagram a picture of boat on Sydney Harbour and the words 'Good-bye Australia.'
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Salim and Aysha for comment.
Police have released footage of a naked woman stealing an Arizona deputy's car before what authorities say was a 70-mile high-speed chase that ended in a crash.
The clip shows Lisa Luna, 31, wandering around naked at a gas station in Gila Bend last week and getting into the cop's car as he gets her a blanket. She can be heard telling the officer that she was raped, an accusation that she later recanted.
Instead, Luna told deputies she was high on methamphetamine and spice at the time of the incident, police said. She later denied this too in an interview and said she had in fact been poisoned by a relative and felt 'possessed'.
Luna is currently held on a $50,000 bond at Maricopa County jail and has been charged with one count of theft and one of endangerment.
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Lisa Luna, 31 (pictured left in bodycam footage and right in a mugshot) is accused of stealing an Arizona deputy's car in Gila Bend before sending cops on a 70-mile high-speed chase
The 31-year-old, who has a criminal history and was wanted on an outstanding warrant, can be seen in the bodycam footage walking not far from the cop's car while completely naked.
An officer, identified as Deputy Francisco Campillo, asks her what happened, to which Luna replies: 'I was raped.'
'You were raped?' the officer asks.
'Yes, but I'm OK,' Luna replies.
He then tries to keep talking to her but Luna walks towards the back of the vehicle without responding.
Bodycam footage shows Luna wandering naked at a gas station before getting inside a deputy's vehicle while he fetches her a pink blanket (pictured)
Luna (pictured in the bodycam footage) says in the video that she was raped, an accusation she recanted two days later. She then said she was on drugs, police said
During an interview in jail (pictured), Luna told reporters she wasn't on drugs at the time of the incident and instead said she had been poisoned by a relative
Luna asks him for a jacket or something else to cover herself with, at which point the deputy goes to fetch a pink blanket at the back of the vehicle.
But when he returns, Luna is in the driver's seat and starts the pickup truck.
Police said the pursuit began just before 9am after Luna took off, leading multiple agencies on a chase along Interstates 8 and 10, ending near Eloy after she crashed into another vehicle and drove into the median.
The chase at times reached speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, chief deputy Ben Henry told KPHO.
Deputy Campillo, who held on to the door handle when Luna took off, was injured while trying to stop the vehicle. He has been treated and is now back on duty.
A news chopper caught the moment Luna was loaded on a stretcher into an ambulance after she crashed a deputy's vehicle, ending what authorities have called a high-speed chase
Luna was initially identified as a victim of sexual assault but recanted the accusation two days later.
She then told detectives that the effects of methamphetamine and spice had caused her to steal the vehicle, police said.
But Luna recanted that version too during a media interview from jail and this time said she had been poisoned by a relative.
'I don't know what it was, but all of it started after I confronted her about identity theft and poisoning me,' Luna told ABC 15.
Police said they hadn't previously heard the claims and would look into them.
She said she was walking to California when she took off her clothes.
'Right before that I remember my skin burning like I couldn't handle it, my skin was on fire. I started taking off my clothes, I felt like I was going to die,' Luna said.
She told reporters some of her memories of the incident were blurry.
'Like I felt like I was...I want to say possessed, like I didn't have control, like I didn't remember the whole ride until I had sobered up again,' Luna added.
Detectives were waiting for blood test results as of last week to confirm the alleged drug use and impairment.
Weekend Sunrise newsreader Talitha Cummins is taking Channel 7 to the Fair Work Commission for unfair dismissal after losing her job while allegedly on maternity leave, it has been claimed.
The 36-year-old had just given birth to her first son, Oliver, when Seven News heavyweight Craig McPherson dealt her the devastating blow.
Cummins, who courageously told her tale of alcoholism on ABC's Australian Story, has since lost the role to US correspondent Angela Cox, reports Daily Telegraph.
Weekend Sunrise newsreader Talitha Cummins claims she lost her job while allegedly on maternity leave
The 36-year-old newsreader was reportedly expecting to return to her role next month
It is alleged a human resources staffer for Seven believed Cummins had gone on regular leave, despite her co-stars bidding her farewell with a baby cake on air
Cummins reportedly received the call about her dismissal on the same day promotions began for the highly acclaimed ABC program.
The Gold Coast born newsreader was expecting to return to her role next month, but was offered a temporary role she was unable to take due to motherly commitments.
An unnamed source has told publication Cummins was left 'dumbfounded by the whole thing...It was a complete shock and a massive slap in the face.'
It is alleged a human resources staffer for Seven believed Cummins had gone on regular leave, despite her co-stars bidding her farewell with a baby cake on air.
An unnamed source has told publication Cummins was left 'dumbfounded by the whole thing'
Cummins had just given birth to her first son, Oliver, (pictured with her husband Ben Lucas) when she was dealt the devastating blow
The Gold Coast born newsreader was expecting to return to her role next month
Cummins reportedly received the call about her dismissal on the same day promotions began for her Australian Story episode going public with her alcoholism
The unfair dismissal battle comes hot on the heels of a storm of controversy over Seven West Media chief Tim Worner's affair allegations
The news comes after Cummins lifted the lid on her alcoholism, which at it's height saw her downing up to four bottles a night.
Cummins said she went public with her problem as a reminder that alcoholism can strike anyone at any time.
The unfair dismissal battle comes hot on the heels of a storm of controversy over Seven West Media chief Tim Worner's two-year sexual relationship with 37-year-old Amber Harrison.
Ms Harrison alleged Mr Worner had affairs with four other women including a television presenter and a well-known actress in a separate statement to the Australian Human Rights Commission.
A preschool in Arctic Norway brought a group of 5-year-old children on a school trip to see the slaughter and skinning of reindeer at a nearby farm.
The preschool later posted online photos of the eight children looking at the carcasses, chucking severed hooves into a rubbish container and dragging skins to a pile in the snow.
Dag Olav Stoelan, head of the Granstubben Barnehage preschool, said that Tuesday's outing was designed to teach the children about indigenous Sami who live in northern Norway - some of whom are involved in reindeer herding.
The children peer at the reindeer from over the fence before the animals were slaughtered and skinned in front of them
The trip was part of the kindergarten's pledge to teach children about Sami heritage in Norway of which reindeer play a crucial role
The children chuck the severed hooves into a rubbish container while standing on the blood stained snow
He told The Associated Press on Friday that 'it is important to show where the meat comes from,' adding 'we will do it again.'
Gory photos of the event were uploaded to Granstubben Barnehage's Facebook page which has attracted a mixed reaction from people across the world.
The class can be seen watching the reindeer over the fence before most of the herd were slaughtered and skinned.
Reindeer can also be seen hanging and dripping with blood from a pole during the slaughtering process.
The skins of the beasts were photographed lain on the snow with one boy shown to drag a skin to the pile, leaving a trickle of blood in his wake.
The students were even captured chucking the severed hooves of the beasts into a rubbish container.
The skins of the reindeer lay on the ground after they were slaughtered in front of the students who are aged five-years-old
This young student managed to drag a skin across the snow during the controversial school trip
Students unload the skins into a storage room. 'We believe in firsthand experiences and that sensory impressions strengthen children's learning,' the school said in a statement
One viewer of the images wrote: 'It's important that kids know where food comes from! I wish my kids could experience something like this!'
However another said: ' These pictures make me want to vomit. The school is brainwashing kids to normalise murder and suffering.'
Public dissections are common in Scandinavia. In Denmark, zoos have faced criticism for publicly dissecting animals in front of visitors, including children.
Granstubben Barnehage released a statement on Friday defending its decision to take the children to watch the slaughter amid much fanfare online.
The statement read: 'We respect the difference in opinion, and understand that some people might find these pictures somewhat offensive. However, this is what it looks like in an area where reindeer are slaughtered.
A reindeer lies in a heap of its blood after it was slaughtered as part of Sami cultural heritage program
The carcasses hang in a room on the Sami site. Reindeer meat is considered a delicacy in Norway and often served as a roast
A slaughtered reindeer hangs after being killed in Sami tradition. After uploading photos on its Facebook page Granstubben Barnehage gained both praise and condemnation for taking students to the event
'We believe in firsthand experiences and that sensory impressions strengthen children's learning. We were fortunate enough to be invited to partake in reindeer slaughter as part of the Sami cultural heritage program that ends February 6th.
'The parents or guardians were given the opportunity to opt out of participation on behalf of their child
'The children where thoroughly prepped in advance, and our staff made sure to guide them through experience and talk to them after.
'The Sami cultural heritage program is part of the national curriculum for kindergartens issued by the government. To teach Sami culture without talking about reindeer herding is impossible.'
An all-female 'gang' led by a mother and daughter flew in brides from Lithuania to marry Indian and Pakistani men in a 315,000 sham marriage visa plot, a court heard.
It is alleged that a total of 26 bogus marriages have been identified in which young Lithuanian women were booked on flights with Hungarian budget airline Wizz Air.
The court was told that they were flown to Luton Airport in Bedfordshire from Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania.
Lina Kezelyte, 32, was the 'ringleader' who recruited most of the brides, while her mother Valentina Kezeliene, 53, booked flights and helped launder the profits, the court heard.
Lina Kezelyte, 32, (left) and her mother Valentina Kezeliene, 53, (right) of Colindale, north London, allegedly led the gang
Beata Jarmolovic (left) Ruta Sperskaite (right) were also in the dock at Croydon Crown Court
Sometimes the marriage ceremony at a London-area registry office would take place the following day, with the bride returning home alone shortly after.
Typically ceremonies took place in registry offices from Camberley, Surrey, to Enfield, north London.
Investigators discovered that during the period of the conspiracy Lina received 315,376 into her five bank accounts, with 99,496 of it in cash.
She declared to HMRC she was earning an annual salary of 36,000.
Croydon Crown Court heard the grooms were often illegal overstayers, who had exhausted every legal means to remain and should have returned to their countries.
The five women on trial have all denied conspiring together between February 1, 2012 and August 28, 2014 to assist unlawful immigration by arranging the marriages and assisting the grooms.
They all also deny money laundering between the same dates, namely converting criminal property, the sham marriage fees.
Kezelyte and her mother, from Colindale, north London are in the dock with three other women.
Beata Jarmolovic, 28, and Renata Semasko, 29, both of Guildford, Surrey, and Ruta Sperskaite, 25, of East Finchley, north London, are also on trial.
A sixth defendant, Mohemmed Jemaldeen, 33, Edgware, north London who is accused of providing the grooms, faces the same two counts, but is absent from the trial.
Jonathan Polnay, prosecuting, told the court that as members of the EU, spouses of Lithuanian nationals have the right to permanently live and work in the UK.
He said: 'This case is about the subversion of that right for profit, to the detriment of those that play by the rules, by arranging sham marriages to fool the authorities into allowing the grooms to remain in the UK.
Renata Semasko, (pictured) from Guildford, also denies money laundering between 2012 and 2014
Croydon Crown Court in south London (pictured) heard the grooms were often illegal overstayers
'This conspiracy was to help non-EU national men to live and work in the UK via a sham marriage.
'They managed, in some cases, to fool the Home Office and other public bodies the marriages were genuine.'
Even when a visa application was rightly denied, the jury heard appeals to the Home Office were successful, with the grooms being allowed to stay as a legal spouse.
He added: 'These six defendants were involved in arranging these marriages, setting them up and running the show.
'Many of the grooms were desperate. They had already tried and failed to stay in the UK.'
The bogus brides were paid a fee and shown how to apply for a National Insurance number as soon as they arrived, which proved they were exercising their EU treaty rights, the court heard.
Mr Polnay added: 'The other defendants assisted in moving around the money and helped out at the weddings themselves.
Mr Polnay said: 'There is cash swilling around, a lot of it.'
The trial, which is expected to last seven weeks, continues.
A spooky Friday the 13th coincidence paired the widely-regarded number of the devil with Helskinki resulting in flight 666 to HEL.
The Finnair flight AY666 took off from Copenhagen at 12.15pm today and was expected to land in Finland at 3.50pm.
Although it got off to a bad start as the jet, which also happens to be 13-years-old, took of a minute late - it landed safely at its destination even making up nine minutes.
Flightpath of Finnair flight AY666 which left Copenhagen today and landed safely in Helsinki
Projected flightpath of the journey dubbed 'flight 666 to hell' ahead of takeoff this afternoon
The flight has been running for years, but the airline said it becomes popular whenever it lands on Friday the 13th.
Last year, it happened on May 13, and landed three minutes late without any problems.
Pilot Juha-Pekka Keidasto has previously told RT: 'It has been quite a joke among the pilots. I'm not a superstitious man. It's only a coincidence for me,'.
'If there's some passenger who is anxious about this 666, our cabin crew is always happy to help them.'
Flight tracker Twitter account Flightradar24 poked fun at the coincidence, saying: 'Would you dare to sit in row 13, on board Finnair flight 666 en route to Hel on Friday the 13th?'
A handout released by Airbus showing a computer rendering of a Finnair A350XWB
Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the number 13, which dates back to the late 1800s.
A specific fear of Friday the 13th is called Paraskevidekatriaphobia, which derives from the from the Greek word paraskevi meaning Friday, and dekatria meaning thirteen.
While the number 666 is widely regarded as the number of the devil, some argue the number is 616.
The fear of the number 666 is hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia.
A super-rich Kensington businessman is suing campaigners in the High Court, claiming they have blackened his name by falsely branding him a 'murderer.'
Multi-millionaire Issam Hourani says he was mortified in June 2014 when 'protesters' turned up 'right outside the front door' of his family's 7.5m apartment in London bearing placards with a picture of his face and the word 'murderer' splashed across the top.
Mr Hourani, who lives in Belgravia's exclusive Lowndes Square, claims he is being wrongly linked with the death of a Russian TV star, Anastaysia Novikova, who fell from the window of an apartment in Beirut in 2004.
He says that subsequent television and online footage showing the demonstration outside his home has damaged his reputation, caused a major business deal to collapse and could potentially come between him and his daughter.
A protest held outside a millionaire's home was staged using actors, a court has heard
Mr Hourani also insists the protest outside his home was bogus and consisted of 'unemployed dancers who had been paid to pitch up.'
He is now suing four individuals and a company he says have orchestrated the campaign against him, for defamation, in London's High Court.
Mr Hourani is a British national who was born in Lebanon, and now lives in London with his wife and daughter.
Mrs Justice Nicola Davies heard that he and his family previously owned assets 'worth billions of dollars' in Kazakhstan, but that subsequent political upheaval had seen much of that wealth seized by the state.
Heather Rogers QC, for Mr Hourani, claimed today that he was the victim of a 'campaign' to damage his reputation, which had allegedly been 'organised and paid for' by four individuals and a company in the US called Psybersolutions LLC.
The campaigners have repeatedly accused Mr Hourani and his brother-in-law, Rakhat Aliyev, of being complicit in 'abducting, imprisoning, raping and murdering,' TV newsreader Ms Novikova.
Issam Hourani is suing over the protest linking him to the death of Anastaysia Novikova
But Mr Hourani is adamant he was not involved in any way in Ms Novikova's death and that smearing him as a murderer is 'scandalous, false and without foundation'.
The court heard Mr Hourani's daughter has been left upset after seeing videos of the protest online.
Ms Novikova, a journalist for NTK television in Kazakhstan, was found dead on 19 June 2004, impaled on railings nine floors below an apartment in Beirut.
Mr Aliyev, who died in jail in Austria last year, was the former head of the Kazakh KGB.
She also told the court that Mr Hourani's case is that the protest outside his home was 'not a spontaneous grass roots protest, but organised and paid for.'
She said the defendants hired a company best know for advertising stunts and organising 'flash mobs' to send the protesters to Mr Hourani's home, 'Making it look like news and hiding the fact that this was a sponsored paid for exercise.'
The incident happened outside Mr Hourani's home in Lowndes Square, near Harrods
The company, Media Gang Ltd, 'didn't know what they were getting into' and had since made a statement in open court apologising and stating that Mr Hourani 'had nothing to do with to the death of Ms Novikova.'
Disputing that the demonstration was 'orchestrated', Anthony Hudson QC, for the defendants, told the court: 'The campaign was intended to draw attention to the mysterious and tragic death of Anastaysia Novikova.
'The statements complained of were or formed part of a statement on a matter of public interest, namely that those responsible for and or involved in the death of Anastaysia Novikova should be tried and brought to justice.'
The campaigners were 'exercising their rights to protest and freedom of expression,' and 'it was very much in the public interest and reasonable for these matters to be brought to the attention of the public,' he added.
Mr Hourani is seeking substantial damages and an injunction to prevent further publication of the material complained of.
A Japanese tourist spent a night at sea after strong currents pulled his surfboard six kilometres into the Tasman Sea.
The surfer was rescued by crewmen on board a 300-metre long container ship, who spotted him drifting around 9am Friday.
The 37-year-old had been floating for 16 hours after setting out from Bulli Beach, NSW, the Illawarra Mercury newspaper reported.
A Japanese tourist spent a night at sea after strong currents pulled his surfboard six kilometres into the Tasman Sea
The surfer was rescued by crewmen on board a 300-metre long container ship, who spotted him drifting around 9am Friday
'[Crew members] were able to lower the gangway he was able to paddle over and they basically just plucked him out of the water,' Post Kembla Water Police Sergeant Sean Netting told the newspaper.
'Most people that get themselves in that situation die. He's just so lucky that someone on ship spotted him,' the sergeant said, noting that hypothermia and drowning were the two biggest risks.
The man was uninjured but transferred to Wollongong Hospital for checks and fluid replacement, NSW Illawarra duty operations manager Inspector Norm Ree told the Illawarra Mercury.
'He said he couldn't paddle any more. He was just floating out there,' said Inspector Ree, adding that the man was 'very, very lucky.'
The surfer reportedly told rescuers that he was surfing alone around 5pm on Thursday. He paddled out behind the waves after they grew too big for him, and was swept out to sea.
The 37-year-old had been floating for 16 hours after setting out from Bulli Beach, NSW, the Illawarra Mercury newspaper reported
Three Alaska Airlines flight attendants were exposed to a white powdery substance while on board a flight from Seattle to San Jose - leaving two of the workers sick.
The attendants were sitting in the front of the plane when they saw and smelled a white powder blowing from the vents, ABC News reported.
Two crew members then reported feeling sick about a half hour before landing.
San Jose Fire Department and paramedics were called to the plane once it landed after the two flight attendants reported feeling sick after seeing and smelling a white powder
Video courtesy of KRON 4
The San Jose Fire Department and paramedics were called to the tarmac once the plane arrived at the airport at 6.54pm.
A Hazmat team met Alaska Airline flight 322 to investigate the substance and one flight attendant was taken to the hospital in a gurney.
The person's condition is unknown, but the other attendant was treated and released.
One crew member was taken to the hospital while the other was treated and released
A passenger told the news station he noticed a crew member holding his chest and complaining about feeling 'woozy.'
The Boeing 737-900 was carrying 181 passengers and six crew members. The crew members sitting in the front galley were exposed to the substance before departure and no passengers were affected on the flight, according to Captain Mitch Matlow.
Alaska Airlines spokeswoman Ann Zaninovich said the material has still not been identified, but it is believed to residue from a de-icing agent.
The substance was sprayed on the plane before leaving Seattle and according to the pilot, the agent has slipped through the vents before.
The airline said the material is not toxic and the plane has been taken out of service for inspection.
A reporter for the Cape Cod Times of Massachusetts snapped an incriminating photo on Thursday of the state's second-in-command parked in a spot reserved for the disabled.
Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito was being chauffeured by a state police driver, who has apologized for the inadvertent gaffe.
The lieutenant governor's black Ford Explorer can be seen hogging the disabled spot outside an office building in Barnstable, a town on Cape Cod.
There was no disabled parking placard or license plate visible on the vehicle.
Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito (pictured) was being chauffeured by a state police driver on Thursday when her SUV was spotted parked in a disabled spot
Pictured is the disabled parking spot outside an office building in Barnstable, Massachusetts, where a reporter photographed the SUV apparently parked illegally
Republican Polito was on the Cape to attend several events.
State police spokesman David Procopio tells the newspaper the trooper made an honest mistake and has apologized for unknowingly violating a 'cardinal rule.'
Procopio says the trooper was directed into the space, and neither he nor Polito knew it was a restricted spot.
Parking in a disabled spot usually carries a $100 fine in Barnstable.
Footage has emerged from inside a women's prison shows bikini-clad inmates partying - while appearing to snort cocaine.
The mobile phone clip was captured by one of the prisoners serving time at Curado prison complex in Recife, north eastern Brazil.
One dark-haired woman laughs as she sniffs what appears to be cocaine from a bowl before passing it to a friend on a bunk bed.
Other shots show a woman wearing gold jewellery, while dozens more inmates in hot pants stand around chatting, dancing, drinking beer and even posing for selfies - with no sign of guards.
Footage has emerged from inside a women's prison shows bikini-clad inmates (left) partying - while appearing to snort cocaine (right)
Other shots show inmates in hot pants standing around chatting, dancing, drinking beer and even posing for selfies (pictured)
The footage sparked outrage online after being handed to local blogger Carlos de Silva who shared it in his Facebook group.
He said: 'This is the Brazil of shame. The women were having a party inside a correctional facility. There was a lot of beer, marijuana and cocaine.
'They had the right to take selfies and just about anything else they wanted to. It's an insult to all the hard-working women who have to stay at home and work and look after their children.
'And it's all paid for by the taxpayer. It's disgraceful. Prison should not be a party like this.
The mobile phone clip was captured by one of the prisoners serving time at Curado prison complex in Recife, north eastern Brazil
The footage sparked outrage online after being handed to local blogger who shared it in his Facebook group
The video was captured on mobile phone at Curado prison complex in Recife, north eastern Brazil
'The person who gave it to me did not want me to say who they were. There could be big problems for them.'
Brazilians reacted with fury after the clip was posted online.
Celmo Ferreira said: 'Unfortunately, it is a prison, where you eat well all funded by those of us who work every day to afford this party.'
One dark-haired woman laughs as she sniffs what appears to be cocaine from a bowl before passing it to a friend on a bunk bed
Allyda Ferreira: 'The people here are working to sustain that bunch of bums.'
Angela Franca said: 'All of them have their nails made, watches, new hair cuts and everything else... while we work up at the crack of dawn with dark outside the house.. and not even time to get ready.
'Yet they're having a good life in their, maybe I want to be stuck too.'
Now, that's payback!
A Virginia man used 300,000 pennies to pay sales tax on two cars at the Department of Motor Vehicles in revenge over months of legal wrangling.
Nick Stafford delivered five wheelbarrows full of change, mostly pennies, at the DMV office in Lebanon, Virginia, on Wednesday.
The coins weighed in at 1,600 pounds.
Scroll down for video
Nick Stafford waits for his number to be called Wednesday as he stands beside of five wheelbarrows full of change, mostly pennies, at the DMV in Lebanon, Virginia
Stafford said he paid in coins to 'inconvenience' the DMV
On his website, Stafford said he owns four homes in two counties, and that in September 2016, he wanted to know where a Corvette he bought for his son should be registered.
Stafford was upset because he was unable to find out the direct number to the Lebanon DMV until filing a Freedom of Information Act request.
He wrote: 'Well, after waiting on the phone with the DMV in Richmond for over an hour I made an official FOIA request.'
'I requested the direct "private" unlisted phone number to the Lebanon VA DMV office,' Stafford explained. 'I asked for the "UNLISTED" direct phone number that only DMV employees and other government departments have access to.'
He said he called the Lebanon DMV, but that it informed him he wasn't allowed to call that number and hung up on him.
He wrote: 'Needless to say after MANY repeat phone calls to that same unlisted number (the number that I wasn't "allowed" to call) I finally got my question answered.
'To prove a point I called the Lebanon DMV office again and this time I asked for the direct "unlisted" private phone numbers to several other DMV offices: Clintwood, Vansant, Tazewell, Norton, Jonesville, Gate City, Abingdon, Marion and Wythville.'
He sued the state because he says he was denied the phone numbers.
Stafford filed three lawsuits, which were dismissed Tuesday, The Bristol Herald-Courier reported.
Nick Stafford fills one of five wheelbarrows full of change, mostly pennies, at the DMV in Lebanon. Stafford was paying the sales tax on two cars that he was titling
He wrote online that a Richmond Attorney General's Office showed up 'to personally hand me a list with all the phone numbers I had requested'.
Stafford explained: 'Since the state personally turned over the info to me during our court hearing, I had no objections when the Attorney Generals Office asked for a dismissal.'
He wrote online: 'You may ask, why go though all this trouble? In 2016 I paid nearly $300,000 just in state and federal income taxes and I have zero tolerance for any government employee refusing to follow the laws of the Commonwealth, that's why.
'It shouldn't matter if you pay $300 per year in income taxes or pay $300,000 per year in income taxes like myself, because the backbone of a free democracy / republic begins with government transparency, period.'
Stafford posted this message on Facebook Wednesday, describing his ordeal of unloading the pennies and having them counted
Stafford shelled out $165 for the lawsuits, two of which were against specific Lebanon DMV employees and one against the DMV itself, The Bristol Herald Courier reported.
He also paid 11 employees a total of $440 dollars ($10 per hour) to break paper rolls with hammers. He spent an additional $400 on five wheelbarrows, the report said.
Stafford told The Bristol Herald Courier: 'I think the backbone to our republic and our democracy is open government and transparency in government and it shocks me that a lot of people don't know the power of FOIA.'
Glenn Greenwald says there's an 'obvious open warfare' between the intelligence community and president-elect Donald Trump that's becoming 'quite dangerous.'
The award-winning journalist and author who co-founded The Intercept told Fox News' Tucker Carlson there's 'clearly extreme conflict' between career intelligence agents and Trump, who insisted their intelligence on Russian hacking was wrong, 'and a lot of subversion taking place.'
And Democrats are cheering it on, Greenwald said, because they're 'hoping' the CIA will 'undermine and subvert and destroy the legitimacy of Donald Trumps presidency before hes even inaugurated.'
'I think what youre seeing is actually quite dangerous.'
Glenn Greenwald says there's an 'obvious open warfare' between the intelligence community and president-elect Donald Trump that's becoming 'quite dangerous'
Trump initially rejected the intelligence community's assessment that Russia had meddled in the election, hacking Democrats' emails and giving the contents to anti-secrecy websites to publish.
It is now his belief that the Russians were involved, but it took three months for him to arrive at that conclusion, and he still says 'it could have been others also.'
Earlier this week a dossier containing gossip about Trump that was allegedly compiled for one of his primary opponents, and later, Clinton, was released online, setting off a days-long, international conversation about the president-elect's sex life.
The document claimed Trump engaged in 'perverted sexual acts' with prostitutes in a Moscow hotel room. Not only did the Russian government know about his dirty deeds, they allegedly had a tape of Trump getting a golden shower from a hooker.
Trump says the 'facts' in the book are 'totally made up' - and Russian government has denied that it has the videotape.
He's accused the intelligence community of passing the dossier to the media to hamstring his administration. Greenwald said this week in an Intercept article that he thinks it was the Clinton-supporting CIA.
'The Deep State unleashed its tawdriest and most aggressive assault yet on Trump: vesting credibility in and then causing the public disclosure of a completely unvetted and unverified document,' he said in a piece that denounced the tactics.
The CIA wanted Hillary Clinton to win the presidential election because Trump 'was a threat' to the institution's priorities and 'preeminence' in Washington, he told Carlson.
Now Democrats are 'hoping that, because they failed to do so, that this unelected faction in Washington will undermine and subvert and destroy the legitimacy of Donald Trumps presidency before hes even inaugurated,' Greenwald contended.
Greenwald said the CIA's 'number one foreign policy priority' in President Barack Obama's second term was the removal of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.
Clinton was 'quite critical of Obama for constraining them,' he said. She wanted to 'unleash' CIA. 'Whereas Trump an exact opposite position.'
'He was a threat to the CIA's primary institutional priority of regime change in Syria.' Greenwald said.
Democrats are cheering it on, Greenwald said, because they're 'hoping' the CIA will 'undermine and subvert and destroy the legitimacy of Donald Trumps presidency before hes even inaugurated'
'Beyond that, Clinton wanted a much more confrontational and belligerent posture toward Moscow, which the CIA has been acrimonious with for decades, whereas Trump wanted better relations,' he said. 'I think they viewed Trump as a threat to their institutional preeminence, to their ability to get their agenda imposed on Washington.'
Greenwald said the 'proxy war' between Trump-supporting factions within FBI and the CIA was on full display during the election.
FBI factions were 'undermining Hillary Clinton's candidacy in several different way' and the CIA was 'very strongly behind Hillary Clinton.'
Media outlets piled on, printing information provided to them by them by the CIA because they're ;aligned against Trump and will side with anybody who wants to subvert him,' Greenwald charged.
'I think it is quite dangerous if we start thinking about submitting to rule by these unelected, dark deep state overlords,' he told Carlson. 'I think it's the antithesis of democracy.'
Earlier this week a dossier containing gossip about Trump was released online. He's accused the intelligence community of passing the dossier to the media to hamstring his administration. Greenwald said he thinks it was the CIA
Greenwald is not a Trump supporter. He writes in The Intercept that there there are 'serious dangers posed by a Trump presidency' that 'are numerous and manifest.'
'Democrats, still reeling from their unexpected and traumatic election loss, as well a systemic collapse of their party, seemingly divorced further and further from reason with each passing day, are willing eager to embrace any claim, cheer any tactic, align with any villain, regardless of how unsupported, tawdry, and damaging those behaviors might be.'
They should focus on legitimate tactics to combat Trump, like civil disobedience and legal challenges, he said.
'Cheering for the CIA and its shadowy allies to unilaterally subvert the U.S. election and impose its own policy dictates on the elected president is both warped and self-destructive,' Greenwald wrote.
'There is no bigger favor that Trump opponents can do for him than attacking him with such lowly, shabby, obvious shams,' he said. 'When it comes time to expose actual Trump corruption and criminality, who is going to believe the people and institutions who have demonstrated they are willing to endorse any assertions no matter how factually baseless.'
Greenwald subsequently told Carlson he wants Democrats to oppose Trump in a 'cogent reasoned way and not cheer and root for the CIA to use their dirty tactics to undermine the president who just got elected.'
LINCOLN The Nebraska Farm Bureau on Thursday said Gov. Pete Ricketts' proposed tax reduction package "fall(s) short of moving Nebraska toward overdue tax reform" by not providing adequate property tax reduction.
"I understand politics, but I also understand good public policy," Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson said.
The Farm Bureau has proposed broadening the state sales tax base to provide dollar-for-dollar reductions in local property taxes, thereby creating more balance in the reliance on property, sales and income taxes.
"It's time for major solutions," Nelson said.
"It's critical the Legislature and Gov. Ricketts demonstrate to the vast majority of Nebraskans who want property tax reform that they've not only heard the message, but are willing to show leadership to act on property tax reform."
The Farm Bureau has "made it clear to the governor and others that smaller, Band-Aid solutions that provide minimal property tax relief are not the solution to the property tax problem," Nelson said.
In other reaction centering on property taxes, Mark Fahleson, chairman of Reform for Nebraska's Future, said "we hope (the governor) makes truly meaningful property tax reform a priority."
"Balanced reform is necessary to make Nebraska's tax code more equitable and sustain necessary investments in things like education," he said.
OpenSky Policy Institute raised concerns about the income tax cut trigger mechanism proposed by the governor.
That provision could result in automatic tax cuts "even if the state doesn't have the resources needed to adequately fund schools, roads and other drivers of a strong economy," OpenSky executive director Renee Fry said.
The income tax cut plan proposed by the governor would result in "little to no tax savings" for middle-class Nebraskans, she said, while granting large tax reductions to the wealthiest Nebraskans.
The Holland Children's Movement in Omaha said that "limiting the state's future ability to invest in children and adapt to unforeseen crisis is unwise."
"We don't want Nebraska to follow Kansas down a road to fiscal crisis where all bets are off," Holland chief operating officer John Cavanaugh said.
Meanwhile, Democratic State Chair Jane Kleeb said Ricketts is "modeling our state after Kansas" and that would result in "a lose-lose for everybody."
Kleeb posted a Democratic rebuttal on Facebook following the governor's State of the State address to the Legislature.
"We need a hard-hat revolution to create jobs, keep young people from leaving our great state and to ensure working class families can stop treading water," Kleeb said.
"Gov. Ricketts failed to deliver any bold plans on extending public education, developing clean energy, making health care affordable and ensuring our public is safe from the risks of overcrowded prisons," she said.
"Pulling ideas from extremist groups is no way to lead our great state," Kleeb said.
Edward Snowden has asked Barack Obama to grant Chelsea Manning clemency over himself, despite having spent months campaigning to get a presidential pardon.
'Mr President, if you grant only one act of clemency as you exit the White House, please: free Chelsea Manning. You alone can save her life,' the former intelligence analyst wrote on Twitter Wednesday.
Manning is currently serving a 35-year sentence at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, for disclosing classified and sensitive information to Wikileaks. She has attempted suicide twice since being sentenced in 2013 and has repeatedly asked for better treatment for her gender dysphoria.
Edward Snowden (left) asked President Barack Obama Wednesday to grant Chelsea Manning (right) clemency over himself. Manning is serving 35 years at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
The former US Army soldier is on a short list for a possible commutation, a Justice Department source said Wednesday. Meanwhile, Snowden has been charged with espionage and has been living in exile in Russia since leaking classified documents related to US and UK surveillance in 2013.
Snowden's plea comes the day before Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange said he would accept extradition to the US if Obama grants Manning clemency.
Manning has asked Obama to grant her time served, while Snowden has been asking for a pardon for himself. Both are forms of clemency that can be awarded by the president.
Lawyers have denounced Manning's detention conditions. The former soldier said she was kept in solitary confinement for nearly a year and hasn't been allowed to grow her hair longer than what is required for male inmates.
'Hair is the most important signifier of femininity in American society, and it is especially important to me as a person confined in an all-male environment, so not being given access to this, while receiving other treatment, has been a never-ending nightmare,' Manning wrote in a plea for clemency.
The former US intelligence analyst pleaded Obama to free Manning if it were the only act of clemency he granted during his final days at the White House
Manning (pictured) has attempted suicide twice behind bars, saying she was kept in solitary confinement for nearly a year and asking for better treatment for gender dysphoria
Manning's aunt told NBC News that a commutation in the last days of Obama's presidency might be her last hope for the near future.
'I have more hope right now than I have the entire time since she was sentenced,' Deborah Manning told the network. 'I do think it's the last hope for a while.'
The comment came as a Justice Department source told NBC News that Manning was on a short list to receive a possible commutation.
Snowden meanwhile has asked for a presidential pardon since November.
'Yes, there are laws on the books that say one thing, but that is perhaps why the pardon power exists for the exceptions, for the things that may seem unlawful in letters on a page but when we look at them morally, when we look at them ethically, when we look at the results, it seems these were necessary things, these were vital things,' he previously told The Guardian.
The former intelligence analyst however put his own case aside while making a plea for Manning on Wednesday.
Assange too sided with Manning over himself when he said he would agree to face extradition to the US if Obama granted the former soldier clemency.
'If Obama grants Manning clemency Assange will agree to US extradition despite clear unconstitutionality of DoJ case,' Wikileaks tweeted Thursday.
Obama has made the biggest use of presidential clemency in modern history. He granted 153 commutations and 78 pardons in December, meaning he has showed mercy to 1,324 individuals so far.
Former Honolulu police officer Jessie Laconsay has been sentenced to ten years in prison for sexually assaulting his girlfriend's 14-year-old daughter
A former Honolulu police officer has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexually assaulting his girlfriend's 14-year-old daughter.
Jessie Laconsay pleaded no contest to six sexual assault counts in November.
He had been charged with four counts of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of third-degree sexual assault.
Prosecutors say the 37-year-old Laconsay assaulted the girl over a two-and-a-half year period.
Thursday's sentence was part of a plea deal Laconsay made with prosecutors.
The initial charges would have carried a mandatory 20-year prison term.
Laconsay's girlfriend - who is also a police officer - discovered her boyfriend and her daughter having sex on a living room couch, KITV reported.
She found them having sex in June, according to a police affidavit for an arrest warrant. The girl told her mother they have had sex before, which Laconsay denied.
Laconsay was yelling and crying, then fled in his police car, the document said.
The next day, police put out an all-points bulletin seeking help finding Laconsay.
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Prosecutors say the 37-year-old Laconsay assaulted the girl over a two-and-a-half year period
Video courtesy KHON
A police corporal and an officer found him parked at a beach on Oahu's North Shore with cuts on his wrists.
While the corporal was treating Laconsay's injuries as they waited for an ambulance, Laconsay kept saying he was sorry for 'letting us down,' the affidavit said.
He resigned after 10 years with the department.
Prosecutor Kyle Down read out loud a letter from the victim on Thursday, KHON reported.
It said: 'I used to be happy and outgoing, always showing a smile on my face. But since this incident, my happiness and joyfulness has vanished.
'...I would like to ask Mr. Laconsay, why did he have the desire to do this to me in the first place? Because I felt like he took away my innocence as a young woman.'
Laconsay, according to the station, said: 'I have no disdain for neither the family or my own. I wish them the best and I pray that God blesses them for the rest of their lives.'
The devastated father of a baby boy who mysteriously died last week arrived at his son's Brooklyn funeral in handcuffs.
Ahmed Mohammed, 26, was in custody when his son's mother took their baby boy to the hospital covered in bruises, already dead for 24 hours last Saturday morning.
Mohammed arrived at the Islamic International funeral home in a Department of Correction van.
He was given one hour to say goodbye to his seven-month-old son Dameen, who was laid to rest in a tiny coffin covered with a colorful cloth.
Police arrived at this Staten Island home after seven-month-old Dameen Mohammed's mother took him to the hospital. Authorities said he had already been dead for more than 24 hours
Police could be seen outside the home of Dameen's mother, Anwar Jawad, searching for evidence after his mysterious death
Mohammed could be seen hugging Anwar Jawad, Dameen's 25-year-old mother, before he was taken away.
'They hugged for long,' Award Elmatbagi, the funeral director, told the New York Daily News.
'Ten minutes, they were hugging and kissing each other.'
Mohammed is currently in custody after he was arrested twice for drug possession last year.
He made headlines in April 2016 after leading the NYPD on a car chase through Staten Island.
A cause of death for the seven-month-old, who reportedly had bruises all over his back and chest, has not yet been determined
Mohammed was arrested after he ran through several red lights and stop signs, crashed into a light pole and then tried to flee on foot, according to SILive.
Now the mother of Mohammed's child may soon be facing an investigation of her own.
Authorities said they were facing a 'horror show' of an investigation after Dameen was taken to the hospital with bruises on his chest and back.
Doctors also found that Dameen was dehydrated and weighed only 8 pounds, 10 pounds less than the average boy his age.
They immediately contacted police, who arrived at the hospital just before 7am.
Jawad told police that she realized her son didn't look well early Saturday and drove him from her New Springville, Staten Island home to her mother's house in Brooklyn.
They then decided to take Dameen to the hospital, where Jawad asked to speak to her lawyer when she was approached by police officers.
Dameen's father Ahmed Mohammed, who was in custody at the time of his son's death, arrived at the Islamic International funeral home (pictured) to attend the funeral
Both officers and Elmatbagi have said that Jawad seemed devastated by her son's death.
'She was crying, and she didn't want to communicate or any anything to anybody,' Elmatbagi told the Daily News.
'Some people, they are saying that they feel sorry for her, she might go to jail.'
'She was real sad,' he added. 'She was crying.'
Jawad's Staten Island home was blocked off with crime scene tape as investigators searched for evidence, according to SILive.
Neighbors said that most of the community knows each other well, but that residents inside Jaward's home 'usually keep to themselves'.
Officials said that there are no records of police responding to complaint's at the home in recent years.
An official cause of death has not yet been determined and both the NYPD and Administration for Children's Services continue to investigate.
Notorious Australian terrorist Khaled Sharrouf has been killed by an airstrike in Iraq, 18 months after he was believed dead.
The jihadist died alongside three other Australian jihadists in the under-siege ISIS stronghold of Mosul on Tuesday, according to Iraqi news reports.
Iraqi Air Force bombers were said to have leveled a compound in Mosuls al-Hadba neighbourhood, after a tip from the country's intelligence services.
Notorious Australian terrorist Khaled Sharrouf (R) has been killed by an airstrike in Iraq, 18 months after he was believed dead
Sharrouf, 36, rose to infamy after posting 'iconic' images of his seven-year-old son holding a severed enemy head in Syria that disgusted the world.
The report referred to Sharrouf as the 'commander of ISIS' Australian Brigade' and the base as its 'headquarters of Australian leaders', quoting a security source.
The other Australians, referred to as Sharrouf's 'aides', listed as killed were Mohamed Abdel Karim (Abu Waleed al-Australi), Abdullah Ismail (Abu Aisha) and Sedrouf (Abu Taiba al-Australi).
They have no public profiles and the report by IraqiNews.com crediting Alsumaria News is the firs ever mention a specific Australian unit within the jihadist group.
The jihadist died alongside three other Australian jihadists in the under-siege ISIS stronghold of Mosul on Tuesday, according to Iraqi news reports
The report referred to Sharrouf as the 'commander of ISIS' Australian Brigade' and the base as its 'headquarters of Australian leaders', quoting a security source
The Foreign Affairs and Attorney-Generals Departments both said they could not confirm the accuracy of the reports.
Sharrouf was reported dead in June 2015 in a drone strike on a convoy in Syria, along with his friend Mohamad Elomar whom he fled Sydney with in 2013 to join ISIS.
Whether he was actually dead was long debated, with claims his car was borrowed by a doctor and his family when it was destroyed.
In March last year his 14-year-old daughter Zaynab, and child bride of Elomar, said she 'knew for sure he was dead' - only for his mother-in-law Karen Nettleton to claim he was alive and imprisoned by ISIS just two months later.
Sharrouf, 36, rose to infamy after posting 'iconic' images of his seven-year-old son holding a severed enemy head in Syria (pictured) that disgusted the world
The Foreign Affairs and Attorney-Generals Departments both said they could not confirm the accuracy of the reports
Before joining ISIS, Sharrouf served almost four years jail for his role in the 2005 Pendennis terror conspiracy to attack in Sydney and Melbourne.
On Tuesday, the same day he was supposedly killed in Mosul, U.S. Government all but officially confirmed it believed he was alive.
The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control announced financial sanctions against him and Australian ISIS recruiter Neil Prakash, who was captured in Turkey in November.
Hundreds of commuters were delayed when a train was forced to crawl along behind a stubborn swan that waddled along the tracks for two miles.
Train staff were in a flap when the Teddington to London Waterloo service was forced to slow down to just two mph shortly after leaving the station this morning
Commuters two stops away in Kingston were baffled when the announcer claimed the South West Train was delayed because a 'swan was refusing to get off the track'.
A bemused passenger photographed the bird waddling along with the slow-moving train just a metre behind, as it pulled into Kingston Station
A bemused passenger videoed the bird waddling along with the slow-moving train just a metre behind, as it pulled into Kingston Station.
South West Trains later joked that the animal 'did apologise for the delays while with our staff'.
Dan Billinghurst, 23, rushed to the station to catch the 9.33am train to Waterloo. But when he turned up he saw a service in the distance just crawling along.
He said: 'The train was rolling into the station at two mph. People commuting to work were getting frustrated and one man was so annoyed he got on the tracks waving his laptop in one hand and tried to manhandle the bird.'
Mr Billinghurst added: 'Some people were laughing but some people were late for work.
'It was one of the most bizarre things I have ever seen.'
The Kingston line is often hit with morning delays and most commuters took the swan's antics in good humour.
South West Trains later joked that the animal 'did apologise for the delays while with our staff'
Noel Cullen referred to it as 'Reggie Perrin moment', after the famous sitcom character who was once late for work because a 'badger ate a junction box at New Malden', which is also in the borough of Kingston.
Another witness added: 'I kid you not, only in Kingston. The train has been travelling at swan speed from Teddington. So glad the waddling swan decided to hop off after passing the Kingston station platform.'
Student Bee Whitaker, 20, was waiting for the delayed train into central London.
She said: 'The train from Kingston was delayed because a swan had gotten on the track at Teddington.
'It waddled from Teddington to Kingston with the train following it. Nothing was getting the swan off the track until it was finally removed at Kingston.
The swan had a rest on the track just outside Hampton Wick station between Kingston and Teddington
'When we got on the train the announcement said that it had waddled from Teddington to Kingston.
'People were irritated by the delay but then when they saw what it was everyone was asking each other about it and laughing as well as taking photos.'
A spokesman for South West Trains said the bird was removed just after 10:30am by trained Network Rail staff.
He said: 'There was a swan on the line near Kingston for a short time. It was removed around 10.30 today. Services returned to normal shortly afterwards.'
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Rarely seen photographs taken by a British soldier of the Arab revolt, which took place during the First World War, are due to be auctioned off later on this month.
The images, which were taken by Mounter Harry Druquer of the Army Service Corps from 1917 to 1919, give an insight into the British forces and their interaction with Mesopotamia, known today as Iraq, as they battled Germany's allies, the Turkish Ottoman Empire.
A central figure during the conflict was Lawrence of Arabia, who was an adviser to the son of the revolt's leader, Sherif Hussein of Mecca.
Amongst Druquer's 130 photographs are snapshots of the barren desert landscape, British forces packed like sardines into cluster barges and soldiers trudging through the mud.
Druquer also kept seven diaries which documented British fortunes as they sought to defeat the Ottoman forces.
The photographs and diaries, together with Druquer's ink maps, are tipped to sell for 2,000 at auction on January 25.
Poppy Walker, of London-based Forum Auctions, which is auctioning off the images and diaries, said: 'These diaries and images reveal life in the army in a not very well documented part of the First World War.
'They are significant because they give a snapshot of life in the army in the desert interacting with local people, supply problems, heat, flies and a longing to go home.'
Rarely seen images taken by British soldier during the Arab revolt in WW1 are due to be auctioned off later on this month. In the photograph above, a convoy of horse and carriages are seen preparing to start a 1,000 mile trek to Damascus
The fascinating images show British forces' interaction with the native population of Mesopotamia, now known as Iraq, as they battled Germany's allies, the Turkish Ottoman Empire. For centuries before the First World War, Mesopotamia had been part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire
Germany had for many years before the war developed Turkey as an ally which it saw as an important part of their eastern expansion. The Turkish army, much of its trade and commerce were led by German advisors. However, the year before Druquers first diary, 1916, was a challenging one for the British forces, with the humiliating siege of Kut Al Amara
Later on that year, the Arab revolt, in which Lawrence of Arabia was a central figure, was launched against the Ottoman Empire. Lessons were learned from the fall of Kut and after several decisive triumphs, Baghdad was captured in March 1917. This image shows a group of people waiting together in Baghdad on a pier head
Above is the Hit Camp along the bank of the Euphrates, which is one of the longest rivers in Western Asia. The climate was a new experience for the British forces, with temperatures soaring above 40C
Regular flooding was also another weather condition the forces had to battle through. Several men are seen here wading through the water and mud
A image of the landscape shows the various tents at the Oxford Bucks camp and Hit town in 1918. People are seen working and sitting down
Here, the first party of British troops are seen leaving Hit for England in 1919.The lack of medical arrangements meant wounded men spent up to two weeks on boats before reaching any kind of hospital
In total, more than 40,000 British and Indian forces were killed, with a further 50,000 wounded during the Arab revolt. On the Ottoman side, there were 325,000 deaths. In one extract from his diaries in September 23, 1917, Druquer marvels at the shooting prowess of the Kurdish forces
It said: 'Along the edge of the water were hundreds of tortoises and birds and wild fowl were plentiful at which the Arabs started shooting but without hitting as far as I could see.' Above shows camp along the bank of the Euphrates
Flies, mosquitoes and other vermin led to high levels of sickness and death during the conflict through disease. A soldier, Mr M.J Taylor, is seen sitting in his car at Old Hit, in October, 1918
In another diary entry, Druquer writes with trepidation about an impending 1,000 mile trek to Damascus and Constantinople. This image shows several woman packing their empty cases on to boats before they sail down the river
Seven diaries, which documented British fortunes as they sought to defeat the Ottoman forces, will also be auctioned off with the photographs. They are expected to fetch 2,000. Druquer was born in West Hampstead, London, in 1881. He was a commercial traveller before the war and died in 1947
Above shows a cluster of people leaving on several barges in 1919. British forces closed in on the Turks throughout the autumn of 1917 and into the spring of 1918. The fighting carried on until October 1, when Turkey signed the Armistice
A Chinese restaurant has been accused of serving human feet after a waiter posted a gruesome picture - allegedly taken in its kitchen - on social media.
The grim photo shows what looks like two severed and partially decomposed human feet in a blue bowl.
It surfaced after a diner from Slovenia went with friends to a restaurant in Padua, in northern Italy and asked for the Chinese delicacy of bear paws.
A Chinese restaurant has been accused of serving human feet after a waiter posted a gruesome picture - allegedly taken in its kitchen - on social media
The waiter, who was not named in reports, claims his picture of human feet were the 'bear paws' that were later served to the Slovenian and his friends.
After seeing the disturbing picture on social media, a regular Italian customer reported it to the authorities.
Police and food standards officials inspected the restaurant and found 55lbs of meat and frozen fish of doubtful origin.
They also found dirt and grease all over the refrigerators, on the floors and on the oven, reports said.
The picture surfaced after a diner from Slovenia went with friends to a restaurant in Padua, in northern Italy and asked for the Chinese delicacy of bear paws
Packages of frog legs and crab meat were reportedly found to be well beyond their expiry dates.
Police have consulted a forensic pathologist about the feet picture, who said they appeared human, and say they are still investigating the image's origin.
The restaurant's legal status and whether it is still operating are unclear.
Officials from Donald Trump's transition team asked the EU leadership which country will be the next to follow Britain through the exit door.
Anthony Gardner, the outgoing US ambassador to the EU, said the President-elect thinks the Brussels club is 'falling apart'.
He revealed that in a phone call with the EU leadership, a member of Mr Trump's transition team discussed Britain's vote to leave the EU in June last year and asked: 'Who's next?'
Officials from Donald Trump's transition team asked the EU leadership which country will be the next to follow Britain through the exit door
Mr Gardner, appointed by EU enthusiast Barack Obama who will leave his post as Washington's man in Brussels next week when Mr Trump enters the White House, said the question was 'reflective of the perception' of the EU among the incoming administration.
He blamed Nigel Farage, the former Ukip leader, who Mr Trump nicknamed 'Mr Brexit,' for spreading a Eurosceptic feeling in Washington.
Unlike UK diplomats, US Ambassadors are political appointments. Mr Trump has said all ambassadors will be out of their jobs on transition day next Friday - defying the convention that they stay on temporarily while replacements are made.
The departing ambassador blasted Mr Trump's attitude towards Brussels, telling reporters: 'For us to be encouraging Brexit is the height of folly.'
Mr Gardner refused to name the officials on either end of the phone call, nor the EU institution they were talking to.
Anthony Gardner, US ambassador to the EU, blamed Nigel Farage, pictured, the former Ukip leader, who Mr Trump nicknamed 'Mr Brexit,' for spreading a Eurosceptic feeling in the US
Donald Trump supported Britain leaving the EU and nicknamed Nigel Farage 'Mr Brexit'. Pictured, the former Ukip leader with the President-elect in Trump Tower in November
Pressed on the phone call between the Trump transition team and the EU, he said: 'That was the one question that was asked. It's reflective. This is reflective of the general perception of the EU and it's a misperception.
'It's a perception that Nigel Farage is presumably, you know, disseminating in Washington. And it's a caricature.'
Mr Gardiner said Brussels was well aware of Mr Trump's anti-EU stance.
'It's not a surprise, right,' he said. 'That's what is the mentality of this team: this thing is falling apart. Who's next?'
Although he will be stepping aside from his post as US ambassador to the EU next week, Mr Gardiner said he hopes to stay in Europe by taking up a diplomatic post elsewhere on the continent.
He promised to continue speaking out in favour of the importance of US-EU relations, saying: 'I might as well go out in a ball of flames.'
Mr Trump was a keen supporter of Brexit and his transition team has assured UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson that Britain will be 'front of the line' for a free trade.
The President-elect's stance is in stark contrast to Mr Obama's approach. In his high profile state visit to Britain during the EU referendum campaign last year Mr Obama warned that the UK would be at the 'back of the queue' for a free trade deal with the US after Brexit.
A British man who is serving life in an American prison for a double murder despite continually proclaiming his innocence claims he is fighting for his life with a flesh eating bug - but is being denied hospital treatment.
Former self-made millionaire Krishna Maharaj, 77, who was once the second biggest racehorse owner in the UK, was convicted in 1987 of the murders of two men, Derrick and Duane Moo Young, in the Dupont Plaza hotel in central Miami.
He spent 15 years on death row before his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in 2002 and he is currently incarcerated at South Florida Reception Center.
Krishna Maharaj, who is serving life in an American prison for a double murder despite continually proclaiming his innocence. He has pleaded with Boris Johnson to help him get medical treatment today or else he will die
However, he has always pleaded his innocence and his lawyers have contended for years that Colombian drug cartels were responsible for the deaths of the two men.
In 2011 he was struck down with necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh eating bacteria, and almost died after claiming prison staff were too slow in seeking medical attention for him.
Now, his human rights lawyer Clive Stafford Smith has said that Maharaj is close to death once again after contracting the infection for a second time in his leg.
And he has wrote a letter to Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson demanding the Foreign Office ensure Maharaj is taken to hospital for treatment today, or if not he could die.
In 2011 he was struck down with necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh eating bacteria, and almost died after claiming prison staff were too slow in seeking medical attention for him and is suffering the infection yet again
In the letter, the elderly prisoner pleads: 'Please could you help me as urgently as you can. The top of my right leg is in a worse condition than when I had to be sent to Kendall Hospital.
'Any competent doctor who inspects my leg right now will order me to be sent to Larkin Hospital that is the current institution on contract to this prison. It is imperative that I am sent to hospital immediately if I am not going to lose my leg and my life.'
Last time Maharaj was ill, his wife Marita claims she was unaware of whether her husband was still alive after she says prison guards refused to keep her updated on his condition.
And today she added: 'I hate to think what it was like last time, when I was worried for weeks on end whether he was dead or alive. Please see what can be done today!
'Please let me know so I can reassure him, and so I don't spend the weekend worrying whether he is alive.'
Originally from Trinidad, Maharaj moved to Peckham, South London, in 1960. With the help of a 1,500 loan he quickly built up a thriving food import business.
Clive Stafford Smith (left), attorney for Krishna Maharaj and Maharaj's wife, Marita Maharaj, who have also spoken of their concern
A fixture of the swinging London social scene, he loved collecting Rolls-Royces, but his greatest passion was racehorses.
At one time he owned 110 the second-biggest stable in Britain. In 1974 his horse King Levanstell won the prestigious Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot, defeating a thoroughbred owned by the Queen.
He then began to invest in property in the 1980s and formed a business with Derrick Moo Young, a respectable Florida businessman.
But Maharaj says he soon discovered that Moo Young had embezzled 300,000 from the firm. The bodies of Derrick and his son Duane were found in room 1215 of the Miami Plaza Hotel on October 16, 1986.
Derrick, 53, had been shot six times. His son, 23, died from a single bullet from a gun placed in his mouth as he knelt by the bed.
Maharaj has always insisted that he was having lunch 30 miles away at the time an alibi supported by five witnesses, who were never called to testify.
Maharaj, 77,was convicted in 1987 of the murders of two men, Derrick and Duane Moo Young, pictured, in the Dupont Plaza hotel in central Miami. Several former members of Colombian drug cartels, who have admitted that Mr Maharaj was not involved in the murder
Maharaj has always insisted that he was having lunch 30 miles away at the time of the murders an alibi supported by five witnesses, who were never called to testify
But his fingerprints were in room 1215. Maharaj said he had been let into the room for a business meeting there earlier that day, but the man he was waiting for did not turn up.
In 2014, his lawyers filed a motion seeking to reopen the case by forcing the U.S government to hand over documents which could clear his name.
The filing set out testimony provided by several former members of Colombian drug cartels, who have admitted that Mr Maharaj was not involved in the murder.
Instead, the cartel members say the Moo Youngs were murdered on the orders of drug baron Pablo Escobar.
However, a US court rejected the motion in 2015 and Maharaj's earliest release date remains 2040 meaning he will die in jail.
A Connecticut man has been charged with murder after police say he intentionally mowed down his girlfriend and another man, who later died.
Stefan Scerba, 33, of Oxford, was taken into custody in Waterbury on Wednesday and was arraigned the following day on multiple charges, including felony murder.
According to police, Scerba and his girlfriend were helping Alford Craine with a car issue on Wednesday when an argument broke out between the men.
Stefan Scerba, 33, was arrested in Waterbury, Connecticut, after police say he intentionally mowed down his girlfriend and a stranded motorist, who later died
Witnesses told police Scerba threatened his girlfriend and Craine with a gun, before jumping in his pickup truck and reversing it into them, striking both of them, according to Republican-American.
Craine was taken to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Scerba's girlfriend suffered broken arms.
Police say after the fatal incident, the 33-year-old suspect headed to a bar, where he had a couple of drinks and played video games.
Scerba was arrested at a friend's house after he left the bar. He told police Craine threatened him with a gun.
On Thursday, a judge ordered Scerba held on $3million bond at the New Haven Correctional Center.
LINCOLN As with any proposed budget document, the devil and angel, as it were are in the details.
And details filled Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts' nearly 100-page budget proposal, released Thursday with his State of the State address to the Legislature.
"He gave a lot of proposals, but I don't know what the real-world ramifications are," said Omaha Sen. Burke Harr. "I was a little disappointed there wasn't anything in there that directly addressed how to grow our economy in our state. ... I want to know what we're doing today to help stimulate and grow the economy."
A number of senators said they appreciated Ricketts' proposals.
"I thought what was laid out in front of us was a very responsible approach to our state government spending," said Lincoln Sen. Mike Hilgers. "And it was geared to giving tax relief to hardworking families."
Besides outlining how he proposes to spend tax money, he has numerous proposals for cutting spending in specific agencies, part of a plan to address the projected revenue shortfall of close to $900 million in the next two years.
Some senators were sorry to see proposed cuts within the Department of Health and Human Services, including 2-3 percent cuts in rates for community providers for children and family services, developmental disabilities and Medicaid services.
In the development disabilities community, providers are the wheels on the car, said Omaha Sen. Bob Krist. And if those providers are not equitably paid, they will be lost.
Annette Dubas, executive director of the Nebraska Association of Behavioral Health Organizations, said providers have a lot of financial ground to make up from years of low rates. Over the past several years those rates have been slowly going up, but this would be a step backward.
Cuts would affect access to essential services for the state's residents who need them, she said. "We'll be seeing consequences in other areas, whether it's Corrections, emergency services or what have you."
The governor would take $75 million from the reserve to pay for a Reception and Treatment Center at Lincoln Correctional Center that would provide critical health care beds and expand core support functions for the prison and the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center.
It is Corrections Director Scott Frakes' highest priority for capital investments for the prison system, Ricketts said.
With 33 years experience, "he knows this industry," the governor said. "When he tells me this is his next priority, I believe him."
But Krist said reducing the cash reserve to $500 million would leave it about $120 million too low, according to the Legislature's fiscal analysts and outside economists.
He also has concerns about paying for new construction for the prisons, he said. Given the financial outlook, constructing buildings may not be the best idea at this time.
Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte, chairman of the Education Committee, saw Ricketts' proposals for spending as a bit optimistic, believing that the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board, which meets in February and again in April, could lower the projections for tax collections in the coming years because of prospects for the agricultural economy.
"In ag, I haven't seen any indication we're turning around," Groene said. "Ag will pay some taxes this year because of carry over incomes from '15, but '17 ... is going to be worse, unless something drastically happens between now and harvest of next year."
The University of Nebraska budget took some hits with budget cuts, which Groene, the Education Committee chairman, thought was OK.
"They're bloated," he said. "The governor made a good point. We spend more for that one (institution) than we do for basically all of state government, all the departments. ... I would say a lot more Nebraskans get affected by the state departments than the university."
The governor's farmland valuation proposal, to value ag land based on income potential rather than market value, is not a fix for high property taxes, Groene said. It's more like a tweak. If valuations are lowered, and state aid doesn't make up the loss to school districts, those districts will just increase their tax rates, he said.
Ricketts had been conferring with his state agencies since June on getting the cuts needed to meet the projected $900 million revenue shortfall, and had put spending constraints in place to balance the budget, which is required by state law.
Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion said there's no way to create a budget with a shortfall that size that everyone would be pleased with and that wouldn't cause pain for someone, somewhere.
The governor's proposals are fair, he said, and he liked the governor's idea of using of revenue growth triggers for cutting income tax over time.
He expects competing bills to address property taxes, in addition to that proposed by Ricketts and introduced by Sen. Lydia Brasch of Bancroft.
"This is a long session. A lot of times what we end up with (in Revenue Committee) at the end of the year is not what we started out with," Smith said.
Sen. Bill Kintner of Papillion also liked Ricketts' income tax cut proposal to go slowly, wait for rising revenue triggers and cut spending along the way was a responsible way to do it.
Was it soon enough for tax cut crusader?
"It is what it is, and we'll take it. I'll cut any tax, any time, any place," Kintner said, paraphrasing economist Milton Friedman.
Ricketts' budget proposals included taking money out of the state's rainy day fund, or cash reserve, reducing it to just over $500 million. The cash reserve is at $637.6 million now.
The hard-to-get Arby's venison sandwich will come to two Nebraska locations later this month after the company acquired more venison.
The sandwich was offered at 17 locations across the country this past fall - where it caused lines out the door and left many patrons famished as demand way outstripped supply.
But residents and visitors to largest-city Omaha or state-capital Lincoln may be in luck, as Arby's was able to procure enough venison to make more sandwiches.
The sandwich will be offered at one location in Lincoln on January 18 and one in Omaha on January 19.
The Arby's venison sandwich includes a thick-cut steak and crispy onions on a toasted roll with a berry sauce
Customers waited outside of an Arby's fast food restaurant offering venison sandwiches in Plainwell, Michigan this November. The sandwich sold out within one hour
Arby's brand president Rob Lynch told USA Today: 'We had a lot of people from different states asking why they didn't get the version being such a big hunting state, and one of those was Nebraska.'
The company started its venison meat burger to attract customers who hunt and is exploring other options including elk, wild boar and other game meats as future options.
The Atlanta-based chain offered venison burgers this past October and November at 17 locations across six states: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Georgia.
The sandwich was part of the company's 'It's Meats Season' campaign, which celebrated the start of hunting season.
A man eats an Arby's venison meat Sandwich at a Michigan franchise this past November. There were only 120 burgers available at each location
This location in St. Louis Park sold out of its venison sandwiches in just 15 minutes
The decadent sandwich features thick-cut venison steak and crispy onions on a toasted roll with juniper berry steak sauce.
The patties are made with free-range farmed deer that feed on fresh grass with with premium cut top and bottom round steaks from the hind quarter.
The meat came from a New Zealand farm and the chops were slow-cooked and then vacuum-sealed before being shipped to the individual locations, which then reheated the meat and assembled the sandwich.
Arby's announced that it will sell its popular venison meat sandwich in two Nebraska locations this July
At one location in St Louis Park, Minnesota, there was a line out of the door before the 10am opening. Customers were limited two sandwiches per person but they still sold out in just 15 minutes.
And the burger sold out within an hour at each of the four Michigan locations at which it was sold.
Customer Paul Speedy told MLive his burger was 'really delicious, and his son Aeden added: 'I think it's seasoned really well, and it's juicy and tender.'
Ty Pozzobon was found dead in his home in Merritt, British Columbia on Monday
A bull rider from British Columbia ended his own life after the effects of multiple concussions heightened his depression.
Ty Pozzobon's mother found her 25-year-old son dead in his home in Merritt, British Columbia on Monday morning.
Now, his family is speaking out about the hidden mental anguish of those who suffer from traumatic brain injury.
They are hoping doctors can study Pozzobon's brain to learn how to help others who have had multiple concussions. Surgeons from Vancouver went to the hospital in Merritt on Wednesday to examine his brain.
Pozzobon's mother Leanne Pozzobon told the Calgary Herald: 'Its important that people know about the implications of head injuries as a result of concussions.'
Pozzobon was a professional bull rider for seven years. He was the 2016 Professional Bull Riding Canada Champion and a PBR world finalist. The cowboy also had 14 top 10 finishes in the PBR circuit.
Mr Pozzobon is survived by his wife Jayd Pozzobon (left) who lives in Texas
Concussions account for 15 percent of bull riding injuries according to PBR's medical director Dr Tandy Freeman who evaluated Ty Pozzobon (pictured)
Pozzobon spent the majority of his time in Texas with his wife Jayd Pozzobon. He had plans to return to the lone star state.
Gail Jones, a family friend said no one saw it coming. Mr Pozzobon spent time recovering between competitions and sought medical care for his concussions.
She told the paper: 'It came as a shock to everybody simply because although the family knew he was suffering depression and anxiety, he was still moving forward day-to-day, making plans, making coffee dates, signing contracts.'
'He was very much moving forward but being drawn down by mental illness.'
Leanne Pozzobon (left) wants to raise awareness about the hidden dangers of concussions. Her son Ty Pozzobon (center) ended his life on Monday after battling depression
Mr Pozzobon (left) had plans to return to Texas where his wife Jayd Pozzobon (right) lives
The funeral will be held on January 14 and is expected to be attended by hundreds of mourners.
Mr Pozzobon's mother wrote on Facebook: 'We request your understanding that you may be asked to go to the Crossroads Church in Merritt where there will be a live feed of the service.'
'All are welcome to come back to the Civic Centre after the service for catered refreshments.'
'The family is overwhelmed with all the love and support received from the Nicola Valley community and abroad. Thank you again for this understanding.'
The CEO of PBR Sean Gleason said: 'Ty Pozzobon was a cowboy through and through and loved being a professional bull rider.'
'His infectious personality and enthusiasm for doing what he loved touched so many of us, and we will remember him always.'
PBR's medical director Dr Tandy Freeman evaluated Mr Pozzobon after the 2014 season. She said 15 percent of bull riding injuries are concussions.
There is a strong correlation between head injury and depression.
According to Brainline.org: 'For every 10 people who do NOT have a brain injury, approximately one person will have depression.'
'For every 10 people who DO have a brain injury, approximately three people will have depression.'
If you need to speak to a counselor, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 by calling 1-800-273-8255
A Hollywood producer said she had her genitals patted down by TSA after a female employee confused the word IUD with IED - thus mistaking a reference to a mode of contraception for a confession about carrying an explosive device.
Emma Koskoff, a longtime producer of Martin Scorsese, told The Hollywood Reporter in a story published Friday that she was traveling from New York to Los Angeles last month when she was pulled for an extra security check.
The 'Silence' producer had gone through the scanner and was told she would have to undergo an additional check on her groin, neck and wrist. She was wearing a Cartier Love bracelet, which is tedious to remove.
Koskoff said she joked about her IUD (intrauterine device) showing up on the scanner, but caused a panic when a female TSA employee thought she was referring to an IED (improvised explosive device).
Producer Emma Koskoff (pictured right next to Martin Scorsese and Andrew Garfield) said she had her genitals patted down by TSA after a staffer mistook the word 'IUD' for 'IED'
'She suddenly wouldn't even look at me and then she said something into her walkie-talkie,' Koskoff said. 'The supervisor comes over and calls for the head of security because they thought I was talking about an IED.'
Koskoff, a mother of two who has also worked on 'The Wolf Of Wall Street', said 'the scene got gnarly for a minute'.
She told the website it took several minutes to clear up the confusion.
'The woman, who was in her mid-30s, didn't know what an IUD was, which is fine,' Koskoff said, adding that the extra pat-down was not an issue for her.
'I'm all for making sure that no one has bombs on themselves and people being patted down for security purposes,' she said.
Koskoff, who had been running late for her flight, ran to the plane and made it on time.
IUDs have become increasingly popular for women who are worried that they might lose their access to healthcare. Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards told CNN earlier this week the organisation has seen a 900 per cent surge in women asking for the device, which can last for up to 12 years.
President-elect Donald Trump has an answer to a series of gaps that have been exposed between his views and some of his cabinet nominees he wants them to 'be themselves.'
Trump issued a proud missive about his cabinet selections who are cruising through the Senate in part due to a Democratic decision to do away with the filibuster for cabinet officials after several of them made statements that clashed with the official Trump line.
'All of my Cabinet nominee are looking good and doing a great job. I want them to be themselves and express their own thoughts, not mine!' Trump tweeted Friday morning.
He tweeted the public green light to his cabinet a day after several of the men set to lead his administration parted with him.
'All of my Cabinet nominee are looking good and doing a great job,' said Trump, urging them to 'express themselves'
It's doubtful the statements by nominees jettisoning the Trump line came about by accident.
Trump transition spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters Friday the team had held 35 mock hearings with nominees to prepare them. He said they prepped 4,712 questions, with 75 hours of preparation. He said nine individuals played the role of senators in hearings.
In just one of of the departures from Trump rhetoric, Rex Tillerson, Trump's pick to lead the State Department, called Russia a threat in his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
'Russia today poses a danger, but it is not unpredictable in advancing its own interests, Tillerson said 'Our NATO allies are right to be alarmed at a resurgent Russia.'
But he wouldn't go along with Florida Senator Marco Rubio's effort to get him to brand Russian President Vladimir Putin a 'war criminal.'
Tillerson, the ExxonMobil CEO has been criticized for his ties to Russia and his relationship with Putin. But to get confirmed, he must win over dubious Russia critics in the GOP like Rubio and Senator John McCain.
IRAN AWAY FROM TRUMP'S POSITION: United States Marine Corps General James N. Mattis (retired) defended keeping the Iran deal in place, although Trump wants to rip it up
SHOWING HIS MEDAL: Former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson went as far as to call Russia a 'danger'
THERE'S SOMETHING BETWEEN US: Retired Marine Gen. John Kelly said a 'physical barrier' with Mexico wouldn't do the job
THIS IS TORTURE: Alabama senator Jeff Sessions wouldn't go for Trump's backing of 'enhanced interrogation methods'
Retired Gen. James Mattis, who Trump has hailed on the campaign trail for his 'Mad Dog' monicker, defended the Iran deal negotiated by the Obama administration with other foreign power.
'When America gives her word, we have to live up to it and work with our allies,' he said, the New York Times reported in its roundup of the times nominees parted with Trump.
Retired Marine Gen. John Kelly even spoke ill of Trump's signature issue, a wall on the U.S. Mexico border.
He called said a 'physical barrier in and of itself will not do the job,' and said, It has to be really a layered defense.
Alabama senator Jeff Sessions, in line to be attorney general assuming he can overcome criticism about his civil rights record, wasn't about to sign on to Trump's controversial statement about reinstating 'enhanced interrogation techniques' that many consider torture.
'Absolutely not,' he said.
Uma Thurman was accused of being mentally ill by her ex Arpad Busson in Manhattan Supreme Court on Friday during the first day of their custody battle over daughter Altalune 'Luna' Florence.
While questioning a court-appointed psychologist, Busson's lawyer Peter Bronstein asked if his client had explained her that Thurman 'had serious mental illness and this was a point of conflict because the mother resented being accused of having a serious mental illness.'
Dr. Sara Weiss confirmed that she was told this multiple times by Busson and also noted it in her reports according to the New York Post.
When then asked however about the three medications Thurman was taking to treat depression, anxiety and insomnia and how they likely reacted to the alcohol she drank with them, Thurman's lawyer objected and managed to shut down the line of questioning.
The medications Thurman is currently taking according to Bronstein are Triazolam, Wellbutrin and Klonopin.
Dr. Weiss later said under cross-examination that Thurman had 'some Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder' and 'mild learning disability,' but no 'personality disorder.'
Also on Friday, Bronstein stated that his client was not happy with the choice of school Thurman had made for their child, finding that other students there were 'disheveled and dirty.'
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Day in court: Uma Thurman was accused of having a serious mental illness and mixing her medication will alcohol during her custody trial on Friday
Sleek: The medications Thurman is taking were said to be Triazolam, Wellbutrin and Klonopin
Baby daddy: Luna was conceived at the same time Thurman was fighting Busson to keep a million dollar ring, Busson's lawyer said in court on Friday
Kids: Thurman has alleged that Busson frequntly cancels his scheduled visits with Luna (Luna above in center flanked by Thurman's son Levon and daughter Maya, whose father is actor Ethan Hawke)
The Oscar-nominated actress, 46, arrived to court on Friday dressed in black from head-to-toe, while her billionaire ex was seen entering the courthouse in a perfectly tailored navy-blue suit while carrying a copy of the Financial Times.
Things got off to an eventful start in the courtroom, with Dr. Weiss telling the courtroom that Thurman and Busson, 53, should not be allowed in the same room together when their daughter is present.
Dr. Weiss added that Thurman and Busson have a toxic relationship, which their daughter should be shielded from.
Bronstein later said that Luna was conceived at the same time Thurman was fighting Busson over whether or not she would be able to keep a million dollar ring.
One of the reasons that Busson is hoping to change the current agreement according to his lawyer is because it has been difficult for him to travel to new York after a fungal infection resulted in doctors having to remove part of his lung.
Busson also cannot be in the country for more than 120 days for tax reasons it was revealed on Friday.
Bling: Uma showing off her her 20-karat engagement ring in 2012 (above)
Busson was taken to task as well by Dr. Weiss on Friday, who noted that 'Mr. Bussons visits are focused on his needs rather than his daughters.'
As an example she recounted how Luna was once sent to the Bahamas to be with her father, who then left the island to see a Rolling Stones concert in Cuba with his son.
On another occasion, Busson had Luna flown to London to be with him and the left her with his ex Elle MacPherson while he went to a soccer game.
'At this point I dont think that these people should be in the same room together with Luna until they have a little more ability to kind of be comfortable with each other,' testified Dr Weiss.
She also stated that while Busson is a good father to his daughter, and the young girl enjoys her time with him, he should not be allowed to spend more than seven days with the girl.
Dr. Weiss said that this was important because the young girl was already showing signs of separation anxiety.
That number was given in response to Busson's request asking to have Luna for 10 days a month plus extended vacations.
Fate: Thurman gave birth to Luna in 2012 (left with Busson while pregnant) and then split with her money man beau (right in 2013) two years later
Difficult days: Thurman looked emotional back in May leaving an afterparty for the Met Gala in the midst of her custody battle (above being comforted by actor Andrew Rannells)
The couple is also fighting over Luna's education.
Luna is currently enrolled in private nursery school at St. Ann's, located in the city's Brooklyn Heights neighborhood.
Annual tuition for the nursery school is $25,000.
Past graduates at the school include Lena Dunham and Jemima Kirke of Girls, designer Zac Posen and Oscar-winner Jennifer Connelly.
'He felt they had small classrooms, they were cluttered, that the atmosphere was depressing, that the kids looked dirty and disheveled,' said Busson's lawyer.
Justice Matthew Cooper jumped in at that point saying: 'Thats going to really upset a lot of Brooklyn Heights parents.'
He then appeared to make a joke about Busson's residence in England by adding: 'Maybe it doesnt compare with Eton.'
Earlier in the day, the judge in the case also took some time to publicly criticize the warring parents in front of the court before the trial got underway.
'Reasonable people work these things out,' said Justice Cooper.
Good Samaritan: Thurman helped a videographer who fell over on Friday outside court (above)
Busson is asking to have Luna for 10 days a month plus extended vacations (above on Friday)
Thurman is challenging Busson's request, alleging, among other things, that he often cancels his scheduled visits with young Luna.
It is expected that the trial will last a week.
On Thursday, a judge denied Thurman's request to have the proceedings closed to the media.
There seemed to be no ill will however on Thurman's behalf, as the actress took some time to help a fallen videographer on Friday while making her way into court.
It was revealed back in October that that former couple would be going to trial after they were still been unable to come to an agreement over the custody of their daughter.
Busson, 53, is a French-born financier who currently runs Gottex Fund Management Holdings, an Swiss investment company.
He began dating Thurman back in 2007, proposing to the actress the following year and then calling it off a year after that in 2009.
The two then quickly reconciled and in 2012 Uma gave birth to their daughter, Luna.
In 2014, the pair broke up for good, and since that time have been battling over their daughter.
Battle for baby: Thurman and Busson split in 2014, and have been fighting over custody of Luna ever since (Luna and Thurman swimming on left; doing yoga on Mother's Day on right)
Kids: Busson has two teenage sons, Arpad and Aurelius, whose mother is Australian supermodel Elle MacPherson. She once watched Luna in London while her husband went to a soccer match it was revealed in court
Busson filed a motion for temporary visitation rights on August 31 after first filing paperwork in the custody case, in which Thurman is the defendant, back in October of 2014.
Exes: Thurman and MacPherson in 2007
Shortly after their breakup, Busson slapped Thurman with a lawsuit demanding more custody of their daughter.
He also demanded the power to make important life decisions for their daughter.
Thurmans representative released a statement after the lawsuit was filed: It is unfortunate that this very private discussion regarding Mr. Busson's visitation rights and his participation in decision making has been made public.
However, we are optimistic that a fair agreement for both sides will be reached out of court.
In September 2015, the couple finally reached a settlement, and the judge praised them for putting aside their issues aside for the benefit of their daughter.
At the time, the judge was quoted saying both parties had compromised very little to reach the settlement.
The terms of the deal, however, were sealed from the public and the terms remain confidential.
It was reported at the time that Thurman and Busson signed a three-year plan on how they agreed to co-parent their daughter.
Siblings: MacPherson posted a photo of son Arpad with Luna last year on Instagram
Husbands: Uma has been married twice before, first to Gary Oldman (left in 1991) and then to Ethan Hawke (right on 2002)
Busson headed back to court on August 31 however, making it clear that he wanted more custody of Luna.
He filed a Pendente Lite Visitation, which is usually only filed during an on-going battle, with one person seeking to have the judge award temporary visitation until the outcome of the case.
Once the final order on custody and support is issued by the judge, the temporary decision is voided.
It is unclear why he filed for temporary visitation rights if the couple reached a settlement last year.
Thurman also has two teenage children, son Levon and daughter Maya, with ex-husband Ethan Hawke.
She was also married to actor Gary Oldman for two years.
Busson has two teenagers as well, sons Arpad and Aurelius, whose mother is Australian supermodel Elle MacPherson.
President-elect Donald Trump won't wait long to try to initiate a new thaw with Russia, with preparations already underway to line up a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin after Trump is sworn in.
Trump's transition revealed the preparations for the call with Putin, who is considered an adversary by the Obama administration and many congressional Republicans, in a call with reporters Friday.
Incoming White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Trump's incoming national security advisor, retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, laid the groundwork for the call in his own contacts with Russia's ambassador to the U.S., Sergey Kislyak.
'The call centered on the logistics of setting up a call with the president of Russia and the president elect after he was sworn in. And they exchanged logistical information on how to initiate and schedule that call.'
LETS TALK: President-elect Trump's transition revealed that plans are in the works for a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin
Spicer pointedly said the call was not about new sanctions the Obama administration slapped on Russia following a report on Russian interference in the U.S. elections.
'That was it, plain and simple,' he said.
President Barack Obama's press secretary said Friday afternoon that the White House was not aware that the call beforehand, to his knowledge.
The Obama spokesman, Josh Earnest, was 'not prepared to say it was entirely appropriate' even though it 'sounds like' the call was above board not knowing what was said.
The incoming and outgoing White House press secretaries were responding to a column in the Washington Post that stated Flynn had spoken to Kislyak after the imposition of the new sanctions, meant to punish Russia for what the intelligence community says was interference in the U.S. elections.
The article noted that Flynn has close Russia ties, having appeared on Russia Today and gotten a speaking fee from the Kremlin-backed network.
It cited a senior U.S. government official as saying Flynn phoned Kslyak several times on Dec. 29, the day the Obama administration announced it was kicking 35 Russian officials said to be spies out of the country to retaliate for the hack.
Trump himself questioned the sanctions immediately after they got announced. Trump has called repeatedly for improved relations with Moscow and has repeatedly refrained from criticizing Putin although he did say in a Wednesday press conference that Russia was behind U.S. election hacking.
National Security Adviser-designate Michael Flynn is hammering out the logistics for the call with the Russian ambassador to the U.S.
The arrangements for the call began with 'Merry Christmas' texts between Flynn and the Russian ambassador
'On Christmas day, General Flynn reached out to the ambassador, sent him a text that said, "I want to wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year, I look forward to touching base and working with you and I wish you all the best,"' Spicer said.
'The ambassador texted him back wishing him a Merry Christmas as well. And then subsequently on the 28th of December said, "Id like to give you a call, may I?" He then took that call on the 28th,' Spicer said.
Putin sent New Year greetings to Trump and congratulated him on his election.
Spicer told reporters this morning that Flynn and Kslyak 'exchanged logistical information' and 'that was all.'
Asked Friday afternoon he was bothered by Flynn's talks with the Russian representative, President Barack Obama's spokesman said it 'depends on what he said.'
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said he 'obviously' has 'zero insight' into what was communicated. Earnest said that would have to come from the Trump transition team.
It 'sounds like' the call did not cross a line, but Earnest said he 'can't pass judgement' on the call, though, because he 'wasn't privy to it.'
'As a general matter, on principle, you can imagine why these kinds of interactions may take place,' he said, emphasizing again that the content of the discussion would determine 'whether we would have significant objections.'
''I'm also not prepared to say it was entirely appropriate without knowing the content of their conversations,' he said.
An Austrian town is looking to employ someone to live in a hermitage that has no heating nor running water in what appears to be one of the worst jobs in the world.
Saalfelden in the state of Salzburg is looking for a candidate to move into a 350-year-old building, that is built into a cliff-face, to meet and greet Christian pilgrims who frequent the site's chapel for prayer and self reflection.
Local resident Alois Moser and Saalfelden's mayor Erich Rohrmoser, will select the new hermit and have told a radio station the traits they are looking for in their new employee.
A general view of the Vacant bench on a hill in Salzburg, Austria. Saalfelden is looking for a candidate to move into a 350-year-old building, that is built into a cliff-face
The state of Salzburg is mountainous and lies close to the German border
Moser told state broadcaster ORF that they want 'a self-sufficient person who is at peace with their self, and willing to talk to people, but not to impose'.
He also said the successful candidate should have a Christian outlook and be ready to greet visiting pilgrims and locals who make their way up the steep cliff face to the house.
The chosen candidate will be selected more on the basis of personality than training and professional experience but will need to be prepared to live without a computer and television, job specifications say.
The parish have stressed the position, which runs from April to November each year, is unpaid despite the sacrifices one would have to make when accepting the post.
Although it appears to be an unattractive proposition the role was has been widely coveted in the past.
In 1970 a man fired a shotgun at the hermitage doors but didn't injure the resident in the attack.
The area is famed for its skiing and cold temperatures in winter meaning the post is only active from April to November
But the hermit became so frightened that he went back to his home in Styria in southern Austria.
The motive behind the shooting turned out to be jealously as the gunman was a someone who had unsuccessfully applied for the job himself, reported The Local.
The hermitage, one of few left in Central Europe still in use, has been uninhabited since a Viennese pastor and psychotherapist left last autumn, to return to his normal life in the capital after a year.
His replacement is wanted to fill the void this coming April and the deadline for applications is March 15, 2017.
A mother-of-five has spoken of her 50-year search for her missing sister and admitted: 'I hope somebody killed her'.
Cathy Phillips said the alternative scenario - that Maria Aldridge had been held captive for almost five decades - was too painful to bear.
Maria was just 17 when she vanished without a trace while she was a student nurse at Birmingham's Dudley Road Hospital in 1968.
Every police lead in the hunt for the teenager went cold - including a mysterious personal ad to a Nurse M, published in the Birmingham Mail on June 1 that year.
Mother-of-five Cathy Phillips (left) has spoken of her 50-year search for her missing sister Maria Aldridge (right, aged nine) and admitted: 'I hope somebody killed her'. Maria was 17 when she vanished while a student nurse at Birmingham's Dudley Road Hospital in 1968
It read: 'Nurse M - Meet 7pm. 63 bus, Monday, June 3rd. Hope to see you, Simon'.
Ms Phillips, who now lives in Ontario, Canada, told BBC WM: 'I think someone killed her. I hope somebody killed her. I wouldn't like to think she was being kept hostage.
'There is always that chance. People do turn up 40 or 50 years later.'
Cathy said her older sister's disappearance had a devastating impact on her family, and especially her mother, Mary.
She said: 'I always pictured my mother waiting by the kitchen window for Maria to come by the side of the house all of her life.
'I don't think it hit me at first. I felt more cross than angry.
'No policeman sat us down and said she was missing so I didn't have that panic. I just thought she would show up.'
Police have examined a number of lines of inquiry over the years.
Cathy and the girls' mother, Mary, went looking for Maria but were instead handed her belongings by a matron who said she was no longer there. Mary even reported the disappearance to police working on the Fred and Rose West inquiry in the 1990s - but drew a blank. (Above, Maria, left, and Cathy, originally of Stourport, Worcs)
A man believed to be called Paul Gough travelled to Maria's family home in Stourport, Worcestershire, to tell her mother that she had disappeared from the hospital dormitory where she was living during her training.
Mary and Cathy went looking for her but were instead handed her belongings by a matron who said she was no longer there.
Mary, who died in 2005 aged 93, spent the rest of her life looking for Maria.
She even reported the disappearance to police working on the Fred and Rose West inquiry in the 1990s.
But checks against the human remains discovered below the patio and in the cellar at 27 Cromwell Street in Gloucester drew a blank.
Police reopened Maria's case in 2009 following a review of an inquiry into a headless female body found in Norfolk and checks were made against her name.
Details were passed to detectives at Rose Road police station in Harborne, south-west Birmingham.
They discovered a letter from Maria to her mother dated February 28, 1968 in which she wrote of her experiences in Birmingham, including nights out at the old Locarno nightclub, then in Hurst Street, in the city centre.
In the letter she also referred to a number of friends, including two believed to be student nurses, called Sue and Evelyn, and others named Dave Olfrey, Patrick McGill, Christopher Fair and Jim Taylor.
Det Sgt Stewart Nicol, from West Midlands Police, said at the time: 'Our missing person file on Maria Aldridge remains open and we would welcome any information on her whereabouts.
'Unfortunately, no new details came to light from the last appeal to trace Maria, but we hope she is still alive and, for whatever reason, she simply decided to leave the life she knew and begin afresh elsewhere.
'We remain keen to know she is safe and well, and if she would like to confirm this to us in confidence then she can do.'
Anyone with information should call police on 101 or the Missing People's charity on freephone 116 000.
A priest who is the only person who ever visits racist mass murderer Anders Breivik in prison said his role was to 'try to make things a little bit better for the most despised person' in Norway.
Father Tormod Klovning told a court today he would not feel safe talking to Breivik if it were not for the Silence Of The Lambs-style glass wall that separates them during his visits.
Breivik, 37, went on the rampage in July 2011 killing 77 people in Oslo and on the nearby island of Utya, where he hunted down members of the youth wing of the Norwegian Labour Party, who were holding a summer camp on the island.
Father Tormod Klovning (pictured, left) is the only person who ever visits Breivik (right) in prison, where he is held in solitary confinement
At his trial Breivik, a Far-Rightist who was violently opposed to immigration and especially Muslims, claimed the massacre was a 'pre-emptive attack against traitors'.
Since his incarceration he has been in solitary confinement and Father Klovning is the only person from outside the prison to visit him.
Breivik's mother Wenche died in 2013 and his estranged father Jens has had no contact with him since he was 16.
A glass wall protected visitors like FBI profiler William Graham (Edward Norton, right) when they visited serial killer Hannibal Lecter (left) in The Silence of The Lambs. A similar wall protects Father Klovning when he visits Breivik
Today Father Klovning told a hearing at the high-security Skien prison where Breivik is serving a 21-year sentence, that the killer needed 'human contact'.
The Norwegian government is appealing against a lower court's ruling that Breivik's isolation in prison is violating his human rights.
Father Klovning, 48, was appointed to visit Breivik once a week, but admitted today the job was 'professionally challenging'.
Referring to the glass wall which, like Hannibal Lecter in the film Silence Of The Lambs, protects visitors, he said: 'It's strange to meet a person 90 times without shaking hands.'
Breivik (pictured) appears in the makeshift courtroom of Skien prison, surrounded by guards. He said yesterday that isolation had 'damaged' him and made him more extreme in his views
Father Klovning said his conversations with Breivik were confidential but he said they talked about a wide range of subjects.
'We also talk about the path that led to the insane day and Utya,' said the Lutheran priest.
Breivik, who made a Nazi salute when he appeared in court on Monday, said yesterday his solitary confinement in prison had deeply damaged him and made him even more radical in his neo-Nazi beliefs.
The hearing in a makeshift courtroom in the gym of the prison in Skien, 85 miles from Oslo, is due to end next Wednesday with a ruling due next month.
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Talk about racking up frequent flyer miles.
With Barack Obama set to leave the Oval Office, he can look back on eight years of international jet-setting on Air Force One, which took him a total of approximately 569,480 miles.
That is roughly the equivalent of traveling around the globe 23 times.
These calculations were reached by mapping experts with Esri UK, a company that specializes in location data using geographic information systems software known as ArcGIS.
A new interactive map produced by Esri UK shows the flight path taken by Air Force One between each location during the Obama presidency.
It also includes dots placed on Obama's destinations with brief descriptions including the name of the country, data, and summary of his trip.
The animated timeline starts automatically and can be replayed using the Play arrow or moving the slider.
Based on information compiled by the State Department's Office of the Historian, the 44th president was the third-most traveled commander-in-chief in US history.
During his tenure in the White House, Obama made a total of 156 trips abroad.
That is well short of the previous Democratic occupant of 1600 Pennsylania Avenue, Bill Clinton, who in his eight years made 210 visits to foreign soil.
Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush, is the second-most traveled president, having made 190 trips abroad.
A new interactive map (above) produced by Esri UK shows the flight path taken by Air Force One between each location during the Obama presidency
President Barack Obama (above) boards Air Force One during a refueling stop at Lajes Field, Azores on the island of Terceira on November 18, 2016
In his eight years as president, Air Force One took Obama approximately 569,480 miles. Here he is seen above with Cuban President Raul Castro on March 21, 2016, in Havana
Obama traveled roughly the equivalent of 23 times around the globe during his time as president. Here he is seen meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican on March 27, 2014
The most frequent destination on the president's foreign policy agenda was Germany, which Obama visited 16 times. Here Obama is seen with Chancellor Angela Merkel (left) during the G-7 summit in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, in June 2015
While Obama traveled often, he did not fly as much as Bill Clinton, who in his eight years as president made 210 visits to foreign soil. Here Clinton is seen with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat (right) in Gaza on December 14, 1998
George W. Bush (left) is the second-most traveled president, having made 190 trips abroad. Here Bush is seen ducking after a man throws a shoe at him during a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad on Dec. 14, 2008
Bush's father, George H.W. Bush, is the fourth most-traveled president, having made 77 trips abroad - an impressive feat considering that unlike the other names at the top, 'Bush Senior' served just one term in office.
Ronald Reagan is fifth, with 60 trips.
The outgoing president's most frequent destination was Germany the country which wields the most financial and political clout in the European Union today, according to US News and World Report.
Obama visited Germany a total of 16 times during his presidency. Second on the list is France, which he visited 11 times.
The president traveled to Britain six times. He was in Mexico and Afghanistan five times each.
Among the most notable foreign trips made by Obama include his historic visit to Cuba in March and his trip to the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis in March of 2014.
LINCOLN Gov. Pete Ricketts presented the Legislature Thursday with an agenda that combines proposed income and property tax reductions with state budget cuts and restrained spending growth.
"The reductions we make to the budget to balance it and continued attention to controlling spending will allow us to cut taxes and grow Nebraska," the governor said in his State of the State speech to the Legislature.
"This isn't easy," Ricketts acknowledged. "It will require Nebraska grit."
Ricketts said he will partner with Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion, chairman of the Legislature's Revenue Committee, to propose a gradual reduction in the top state income tax rate beginning in 2020 as long as state revenue growth exceeds 3.5 percent at the time.
In addition, he said, he will support legislation sponsored by Sen. Lydia Brasch of Bancroft, chairwoman of the Legislature's Agriculture Committee, to change the methodology of assessing ag property value from a market-based system to "an income-potential system."
That, he said, would slow the growth of agricultural land valuation increases beginning in 2019. If the system were in place for 2017, he said, it would reduce ag land valuations in Nebraska by about $2.2 billion.
While the governor said local taxing entities and county assessors would have "plenty of time to prepare" for such a change, the new valuation formula presumably would have a moderate-to-substantial impact on future funding available to support local schools and local government, particularly in agricultural areas of the state.
Ricketts said his current budget proposal would provide a 2.7 percent average annual increase in state aid for local schools.
However, in the long term, history has demonstrated that additional state aid without local school spending restraint only leads to additional spending and higher local property tax rates, the governor said.
The balconies in the legislative chamber were almost filled for the governor's address, a ceremonial moment in the Legislature.
Ricketts said his overall plan is based on "controlling spending" and not only avoiding tax increases to address the current shortfall of state revenue, but building in future tax cuts as a means of stimulating economic growth.
At the state government level, the governor said, he has instituted reforms and is proposing efficiencies, including merger of the Department of Roads and Department of Aeronautics into a new Department of Transportation. Nebraska is the only state with a Roads Department instead of a Transportation Department.
Earlier, Ricketts announced a proposal to move the Division of Veterans Homes from the Department of Health and Human Services to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
He also is proposing repeal of a number of regulations that he said are unncessary and hamper job growth.
A dramatic decline in farm income led to the current state revenue shortfall.
"Farm income has gone from $7.5 billion a few years ago to $4.5 billion in 2015 and may have declined to about $4 billion last year," the governor said.
"In a year where we have to make difficult budget decisions, we have to favor the taxpayer," Ricketts said. Thus, despite declining revenue and budget shortfalls, he said he is determined to pursue built-in future tax cuts.
"I will not support any effort to raise taxes on Nebraskans," he said.
"Raiding the property tax credit relief fund, raising sales taxes (or) taxing food and groceries would all harm Nebraska families and be bad for our economy," Ricketts said.
"The way to grow revenues is to grow the number of people who live here and create more and better-paying jobs," the governor said. "To do that we have to be more competitive."
The income tax plan he is sponsoring along with Sen. Smith would reduce the top rate by roughly one-tenth of 1 percent per year, beginning in 2020, as long as revenue growth exceeds 3.5 percent. The proposal would ultimately take the top rate down from 6.84 percent to under 6 percent.
"If our revenue doesn't grow fast enough, the tax rate doesn't come down," Ricketts said.
The top rate in Nebraska applies to any income above $29,830 for individuals annually or above $59,660 for couples.
At a news conference following his address, the governor said he will remain determined to "keep trying to provide tax relief."
Later, Ricketts embarked on a statewide tour that will take him to 17 events over the next seven days. He'll be at Columbus Municipal Airport at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday.
A convicted murderer who was allowed into Britain despite being jailed in the Netherlands after decapitating a woman has been jailed for life for a 'horror film' attack on two police officers using a hammer.
Afghan-born Jamshid Piruz, 35, served six years of a 12-year jail term imposed in August 2007 for the 'cold-blooded' killing of his tenant in Almere a year earlier, according to Dutch court documents.
Hove Crown Court heard that after arriving in Britain in December 2015 to visit relatives, Dutch citizen Piruz missed his return flight home from Gatwick Airport on January 4 2016.
Afghan-born Jamshid Piruz attacked Police Constables Jessica Chick and Stuart Young with a hammer
He went on to be arrested and prosecuted for assault after he spat at a member of easyJet staff who told him he would need to buy a new ticket.
After appearing in court and being ordered to pay compensation, he went on to burgle some garages in Crawley, West Sussex, where he stole some tools including a hammer.
On January 7, police were called after a member of the public saw Piruz attempting a further break-in which led to him attacking Police Constables Jessica Chick and Stuart Young.
Dramatic police bodycam footage showed Piruz being cornered by officers in a tool shed before he lashed out with a claw hammer.
Firearms officers Tasered Piruz three times but to no effect, because of the thickness of his clothing, other than to make him angry
Pc Young, who was hit in the neck during the attack, described it as 'akin to a horror film'
Francesca Lewington, prosecuting, said that firearms officers Tasered Piruz three times but to no effect, because of the thickness of his clothing, other than to make him angry.
She described how PC Chick was trapped screaming behind a pillar by Piruz, who swung the hammer at her.
PC Young, who was hit in the neck, described it as 'akin to a horror film'.
PC Chick told the court: 'I have never been so scared in my life, I have never been in a situation where I thought "This is it, I am going to die or I am going to be brain dead"'.
Unemployed Piruz pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to burglary, two counts of attempting to cause GBH with intent and affray.
Pc Chick told the court: 'I have never been so scared in my life, I have never been in a situation where I thought "This is it, I am going to die or I am going to be brain dead"'
Jailing Piruz to serve a minimum of six years, Judge Jeremy Gold QC told him: 'This was an incident of truly terrifying violence, the officers were in fear of their lives and you had no reason to attack them whatsoever.'
He said the defendant suffered 'acute psychotic episodes' and told him: 'You are potentially a very dangerous man and you are prone to outbursts of potentially fatal violence when you are stressed, with little or no ability to control those outbursts.'
Mrs Lewington said that Piruz, who has claimed to be married with a daughter, was born in Afghanistan and was granted asylum in the Netherlands at the age of 16 following the death of his parents.
She said he was jailed for 12 years, of which he served six, for killing his tenant in 2006, who he had locked in a room before beheading her.
Simon Blackford, defending, said his client, who sobbed in the dock, was remorseful for his actions and added: 'He suffers from post traumatic stress disorder after he witnessed the murder of his parents by the Taliban when he was 11 years old and subsequent experiences living in Kabul during the war.'
After he admitted his crimes in court last week, MPs condemned the shocking lack of checks on offenders from the EU which left gaping holes in UK border controls.
Tory MP Henry Smith, who represents Crawley, said: The country has got to have tougher border controls. Clearly, being a member of the EU did not protect us on this occasion.
A very dangerous individual was allowed to travel here without us having prior knowledge that hed committed murder in the Netherlands.
Pc Chick was trapped screaming behind a pillar by Piruz, who swung this hammer at her
It is staggering that someone could assault staff at Gatwick and then a couple of days later attack two police officers.
Why was the information that he was a violent offender not available to us from our EU partners?
This is an appalling example of the kind of people who are getting into the country undetected.
When EU nationals arrive at the border, their passport details are checked against a watchlist of suspected terrorists and foreign criminals compiled by the border agency.
But unless an offender is high profile, is known to have committed crimes in several countries, or is on the Interpol wanted list, the system is unlikely to be aware of their previous convictions leaving a gaping hole in our border controls.
Politicians have called for Home Secretary Amber Rudd to introduce a tougher US-style warning system to flag up whether any traveller has a conviction
Except in the most extreme circumstances, Brussels does not force member states to share information on known criminals who might be planning to travel.
France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Poland flag up potential dangermen to the UK so they can be put on a watchlist and turned away at the port or airport.
But if countries do not warn the UK that a dangerous offender is on the way and some do not even keep information of convictions for their own internal use there is little we can do to stop them slipping through the net.
Even if a new arrival does have a known conviction, they cannot automatically be picked up and refused entry.
Normally, a person can be excluded from the UK only if they pose a genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat to society and the public.
This means that it is not enough for an EU citizen to have a serious criminal conviction if it is some time in the past, the UK may fall foul of Brussels directives if they refuse to allow that person into the country.
In a bid to tighten up Britains borders, the Government has finally negotiated access to the Second Generation Schengen Information System, known as SIS II, which has details of 250,000 wanted or missing people.
But the system, used by 28 countries, will only issue alerts about the most dangerous on-the-run criminals as well as suspected jihadists returning from Syria and Iraq, missing people and stolen goods.
The baby girl who was kidnapped from a Florida hospital by a woman dressed as a nurse 18 years ago has defended her abductor after she was found living with her in South Carolina.
Kamiyah Mobley, now 18, was found alive and well in South Carolina living under the name Alexis Manigo. The 51-year-old woman she long-believed to be her mother, Gloria Williams, was arrested and charged with kidnapping.
The teenager took to Facebook to defend Williams on Friday as news of the woman's arrest spread.
'My mother raised me with everything I needed and most of all everything I wanted,' she wrote. 'My mother is no felon.'
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Kamiyah Mobley, now 18, was found living in South Carolina on Friday living under the name Alexis Manigo. Gloria Williams, 51, has been arrested for kidnapping the girl from Florida
Kamiyah Mobley (left in a composite created by police) was kidnapped by a woman pretending to be a nurse (right) 18 years ago. This week she was found alive in South Carolina
The mystery of Kamiyah Mobley became a national sensation when she was stolen from her mother Shanara Mobley's arms at the University Medical Center in Jacksonville in July 1998.
Williams had suffered a miscarriage about a week before she drove the three hours from South Carolina to Florida and abducted baby Kamiyah, Walterboro Live reports
Jacksonville police said the teenager found out on Friday morning that the woman who raised her in Walterboro, South Carolina her whole life was not her real mother.
Within hours, Kamiyah was able to reconnect over FaceTime with her birth parents Shanara Mobley and Craig Aiken who cried 'tears of joy' after a detective told them their baby had been found.
My mother raised me with everything I needed and most of all everything I wanted. My mother is no felon. Kamiyah Mobley
Williams, who also has two biological children who grew up with Kamiyah, will be extradited back to Florida and is being held without bond, according to Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams.
Kamiyah, who has graduated high school and is believed to have a steady boyfriend, was allowed to spend a few emotional moments with Williams in court on Friday.
She cried 'Momma' through the caged window of a security door after Williams waived extradition to Florida, News4JAX reports.
Williams could face up to life in prison if convicted.
The news came as a shock to neighbors who have only ever known Kamiyah to be Williams' daughter. They say Williams seemed like a normal person who was employed as a social worker, volunteered and attended church every Sunday.
'She wasn't an abused child or a child who got in trouble. But she grew up with a lie for 18 years,' Joseph Jenkins, who lives across the street, told the Associated Press.
Investigators are currently speaking with Williams' family to learn more about the abduction. Authorities have not yet determined Williams' links to Jacksonville.
Tears of joy flowed freely for Kamiyah's biological parents Craig Aiken (pictured left on Friday) and Shanara Mobley (pictured right in 1998 after her daughter was abducted)
Kamiyah was allowed to speak to Williams on Friday from behind a caged window before the 51-year-old was extradited from South Carolina to Florida
Kamiyah Mobley, now 18, was found alive and well in South Carolina on Friday living under the name Alexis Manigo
A cousin of Gloria Williams said the revelation was 'brand new to all of us.'
Tesha Stephens spoke briefly with reporters on Friday outside the Walterboro home where Kamiyah was raised. She said she didn't know how the young woman discovered her past.
'Right now she's holding up... She's processing everything and she's probably going to have to take this day-by-day,' she said. 'This was something brand new to all of us.'
The sensational news solves a cold case that accumulated more than 2,500 tips in search of the girl and captivated both the city and the country for more than a decade.
The case broke thanks to a tip received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children last year that led Jacksonville police to South Carolina. The source of the tip has not been revealed.
They found an 18-year-old woman with Kamiyah Mobley's birth date but a different name and quickly discovered that fraudulent documents had been used to establish her identity.
A DNA sample from the teen was taken and submitted to a crime lab, where it was matched with the original newborn DNA taken the day Kamiyah was born. The test confirmed the teen was, in fact, Kamiyah.
Gloria Williams, 51, (left) has been arrested and charged with kidnapping and interference with custody. Pictured right is a sketch police released of the suspect after the kidnapping
Williams was arrested on Friday morning at her home (pictured) in Walterboro, South Carolina. Kamiyah was not present at the time. She was raised there with Williams' two biological kids
Police said Kamiyah (right) found out on Friday morning that the woman who has raised her Gloria Williams (left) is not her real mother
Sheriff Williams said Kamiyah appears to be in 'good health' and a 'normal 18-year-old woman'.
He said she first 'had an inclination' a couple of months ago that she may have been involved in the national kidnapping case in some way. Authorities didn't say why she suspected this.
She doesn't act like we're brand new people. She acts like she's been talking to us a long time. Vera Aiken, Kamiyah's grandmother
Police said Kamiyah plans on staying in South Carolina for the time being and they don't know if she plans to reunite with her biological family.
'She's taking it as well as you can imagine,' he said. 'We have victim's advocates up there, she has a lot to process, a lot to think about.'
Gloria Williams was arrested on Friday morning at her home. Kamiyah was not present when she was taken in to custody.
Court records show that Gloria Williams has an extensive criminal record and has been found guilty of writing fraudulent checks and welfare fraud.
She was also charged with a minor crime for disturbing the peace two months after Kamiyah was abducted, Jacksonville.com reports.
The sheriff said Kamiyah had lived at the home with Williams and other members of her kidnapper's family. There are no other suspects at this time.
Kamiyah, pictured as a small child, was raised by Gloria Williams in South Carolina
Gloria Williams, pictured with the teen, was arrested at her home in Walterboro, South Carolina, early Friday morning
It was a tip last year that led Jacksonville police to South Carolina, where they found an 18-year-old woman with Kamiyah Mobley's birth date but a different name
But Kamiyah's father and grandmother, Craig and Velma Aiken, revealed they have already spoken to her on FaceTime, as did Kamiyah's mother Shanara, who has since had three more children.
Craig and Velma revealed that they immediately noticed that Kamiyah looked like her father, according to First Coast News.
'I can't wait,' Craig said of an upcoming reunion. 'It's been 18 years. I can't wait no longer.'
Velma, 66, said her granddaughter chatted with the family as if they had known each other her whole life.
'She looks just like her daddy,' she told The Associated Press. 'She act like she been talking to us all the time. She told us she'd be here soon to see us.'
Velma, who prayed she would see her granddaughter before the day she died, told the New York Daily News 'everyone broken down in tears' during the conversation.
She added that Kamiyah is 'well and looking good' but revealed the family has not set an official reunion date yet and don't want to rush her.
'We lost her for 18 years,' Velma said. 'We don't want to lose her again.'
Kamiyah's father Craig Aiken (pictured) revealed he has already spoken to her on FaceTime
Kamiyah's mother Shanara Mobley (pictured two days after the abduction) was just 16 years old when her daughter was taken from her arms
No pictures of Kamiyah had been taken before she was kidnapped, so police had to match babies to her footprints (pictured) while following leads
It was just after 3pm on July 10, 1998 when a woman wearing a blue floral smock and green scrub pants took eight-hour-old Kamiyah in a white blanket and disappeared.
Authorities said the woman had roamed the halls of the University Medical Center, now UF Health Jacksonville, for 14 hours, according to The Florida Times-Union.
She had spent five hours with Kamiyah and her mother Shanara, who had just turned 16 at the time, before saying the baby had a fever. Nurses thought she was a member of their family.
It was Velma who became suspicious when she saw the woman leave with a pocketbook slung over her shoulder as she carried Kamiyah away.
'I just feel like if I would have reacted on my feelings I could have done something,' Aiken said. 'I could have taken that lady out with my bare hands.'
But by the time the hospital staff was notified, it was too late.
Every floor and room of the hospital was searched. Police called bus and train stations and airports to look out for baby Kamiyah. The FBI became involved.
There were no pictures of Kamiyah and only grainy footage from the hospital surveillance camera of the suspect.
Authorities made a composite to try and illustrate what the newborn looked like. Sketches were released of the mysterious woman who had posed as a nurse.
Velma Aiken, the paternal grandmother of Kamiyah, gets a congratulatory hug from a family member on Friday
Kamiyah was taken from the the University Medical Center, now UF Health Jacksonville (pictured), on July 10, 1998 just eight hours after she was born
The case took over the county, where women who matched the sketch were stopped in local grocery stores and babies' footprints were compared to those taken from Kamiyah when she was born.
A $250,000 reward was offer and Kamiyah's story was told on CNN and America's Most Wanted.
Craig was in jail at the time of her kidnapping on a drug charge, according to WJXT.
Her disappearance led to even more time behind bars when Aiken, 19 at the time, revealed he was the father - and that Kamiyah had been conceived when Shanara was 15.
Aiken pleaded guilty and spent five months in prison, wondering if he would ever see the baby daughter he never had the chance to meet.
Shanara, who used to cut a piece of cake and put it in the freezer for each one of Kamiyah's birthdays, received a $1.5million settlement in 2000 after suing the hospital.
As the years passed the mother said she woke up every day knowing her firstborn was still out there - but that there was no way to reach or talk to her.
'I wonder, 'What does she like? What kind of food? What kind of colors? How smart is she? Does she have long pretty hair? Does she have my eyelashes?'' Shanara said in 2008.
Now, she may finally have the chance to find out.
'I always hoped and prayed this day would happen. I always felt she was alive. I always felt she would find us,' said Craig.
'Now we have the rest of our lives together.'
Two council binmen are facing disciplinary action after they leapt out of their dustcart to fight a driver and his passenger during a road rage row.
The refuse workers were filmed grappling with two men on Avenida de Belgica in Santa Cruz, Tenerife while still wearing their fluorescent uniforms.
A scuffle begins next to their truck, before spilling over to a zebra crossing by a junction.
The refuse workers were filmed grappling with two men on a road in Santa Cruz, Tenerife while still wearing their fluorescent uniforms
Waiting vehicles sound their horns while the four men square up against each other.
The footage, which seems to be filmed from an upstairs flat, then switches to show one of the binmen on the ground next to a car.
Onlookers are seen trying to break up the scuffle, including a man with a dog on a lead.
One of the binmen's opponents is left with a ripped shirt, and walks back to his car as his companion follows behind.
Urbaser, the company contracted to collect rubbish for the local council, said: 'We regret and deplore the incident that occurred as it constitutes a terrible exception to the normal efficient and discreet work our workers perform.
'We have launched an investigation which will try to clarify what happened and determine, if it is concluded such action is appropriate, what corrective and disciplinary measures should be taken.'
The incident on Thursday is thought to have started with a verbal row caused by one of the motorists involved refusing to give way at a junction.
The scuffle began next to their truck, before spilling over to a zebra crossing by a junction
One of the binmen's opponents is left with a ripped shirt, and walks back to his car as his companion follows behind
A local road safety group, commenting on the video, said: 'It's clear from this video Christmas is over.
'A high number of drivers turn into monsters at the wheel and this is a good example of that.'
Another social media user joked: 'As they help to clean up the streets, I hope it was a clean fight.'
A college in California that came under attack from hackers who launched a cyberattack disrupting the institution's email, voice mail and computer systems, ended up paying a ransom in Bitcoins.
School officials at the public community college in Southern California found a ransom note.
'You have just 7 days to send us the Bitcoin after 7 days we will remove your private keys and it's impossible to recover your files,' the attackers wrote in the note as seen by The Washington Post.
Los Angeles Valley College paid a cyber-ransom in order to get back online after the school's computer network came under attack, officials confirmed
The threatening note told college administrators at Los Angeles Valley College that all electronic files on the school's servers had been encrypted and could only be unlocked with a 'private key' which would only be given once payment had been received.
The hackers chose to use Bitcoin because it can be used anonymously, without using a centralized bank.
Ultimately, the $28,000 ransom was paid after officials decided it would be cheaper to pay up than to set up an entirely new IT system.
'In consultation with district and college leadership, outside cybersecurity experts and law enforcement, a payment of $28,000 was made by the District,' Francisco C. Rodriguez, the district's chancellor, said in a statement.
The cyberattack caused widespread disruption to online, email, financial aid and voicemail systems, including locking out 1,800 students and teachers from their computers
'It was the assessment of our outside cybersecurity experts that making a payment would offer an extremely high probability of restoring access to the affected systems, while failure to pay would virtually guarantee that data would be lost.'
'While much time will pass before this matter is resolved, we have already availed ourselves of the resources provided by the policy, including assistance of cybersecurity experts,' district officials said in a statement.
Officials chose to pay $28,000 in Bitcoins to unlock the ransomware, stating it was ultimately cheaper to pay the ransom than to remove the ransomware virus
After the payment was made, district officials say that access too the college's email and information system was granted.
The attack occurred during the winter break and highlights the vulnerability of businesses and institutions to malicious hackers who look to disrupt databases and networks.
In 2016, it is believed up to 20 educational facilities were hacked including the University of Virginia, the University of Central Florida, the University of Connecticut and Michigan State University.
Phil Lieberman, a cybersecurity expert, told the LA Times that attacks are common among companies and government agencies that use the Internet.
'The attacks generally come out of Eastern Europe and cannot be stopped because the United States does not have pacts with the countries where the attacks are launched,' he said.
Padma Lakshmi was spotted heading into JFK Airport in New York City early Friday morning with ex-boyfriend Adam Dell.
The pair then jetted off together, with the trip coming six years after it was revealed that Adam was the father of Padma's daughter Krishna.
Adam, 47, was forced to go to Manhattan Supreme Court in 2012 to get Padma to put his name on Krishna's birth certificate after DNA tests proved he was the father of 6-year-old Krishna Thea Lakshmi-Dell.
The venture capitalist brother of Dell computer firm founder Michael Dell also went to court to get more access to his daughter.
The couple spent years in court fighting over custody before eventually reaching an agreement.
Reunited: Padma Lakshmi and Adam Dell were spotted heading into JFK Airport in new York City on Friday (above)
Back in the day: The pair had a bitter custody battle after Lakshmi gave birth to her daughter, with the Top Chef host refusing to list Dell as the girl's father
Away they go: Dell is the father of Lakshmi's 6-year-old daughter Krishna Thea Lakshmi-Dell
Swiss miss: There is a good chance they are heading to Switzerland for the World Economic Forum in Davos, which takes place next week
Dashing off to Davos: Adam attends the event most years, as does his brother Michael Dell, founder of Dell Computers
Padma kept things casual for the pair's flight out of New York, dressed in a pair of high-waisted jeans, a striped sweater, leather jacket and scarf
Dad and mom: Krishna walking with her father Adam in 2015 (left) and with her mother Padma in 2016 (right)
Padma kept things casual for the pair's flight out of New York, dressed in a pair of high-waisted jeans, a striped sweater, leather jacket and scarf.
Adam was similarly attired in jeans and a sweater with a scarf wrapped around his neck.
The couple did not however appear to be travelling with their young daughter.
There is a good chance that the couple could be jetting of to Switzerland to attend the annual World Economic Forum in Davos.
Adam attends the event most years, and that would could explain why they left young Krishna back home.
This year's conference kicks off next Tuesday and runs through Friday.
Shocking sight: After their years-long battle, Padma and Adam seemed to have a better relationship these days (above with their daughter in 2015)
Money man: Adam is currently a partner at the private equity firm Austin Ventures in Texas
Relaxed look: Adam was dressed down in jeans and sweaters with a scarf wrapped around his neck
Keeping quiet: Padma made no mention of where she might be taking off to on her social media accounts
Take a good look: Padma and Adam both averted their eyes while being photographed on Friday
British beau: Padma was previously married to writer British-Indian author Salman Rushdie
In an interview last year, Padma admitted that when she found out she was expecting Krishna in 2009 the revelation 'sent a shock through my body' not only because she believed she could not have children, but she couldn't be sure of who her baby's father was.
The Indian-born star, who has struggled with severe endometriosis, which can cause infertility, explained to People that she had been told by her doctor she would never conceive 'the old fashioned way' because of her condition.
'I was shocked and elated,' she explained. 'And then I was like: "Hold on, wait a minute."'
At the time, Padma said that she was dating both the late IMG CEO and billionaire Teddy Forstmann, who died in 2011 aged 71, and Adam.
Surprise: In an interview last year, Padma admitted that when she found out she was expecting Krishna in 2009 the revelation 'sent a shock through my body'
More sruprises: Padma believed she could not have children and was not sure of who her baby's father was at the time she got pregnant
Medical condition: Padma's doctor said that her severe endometriosis would likely prevent her from conceiving children
Great feeling: 'I was shocked and elated,' said Padma of learning she was pregnant. 'And then I was like: "Hold on, wait a minute."'
Juggling: In addition to Adam, Padma was dating billionaire Teddy Forstmann, who died in 2011 aged 71
Reliving the past: In her memoir Love, Loss and What We Ate, Padma describes how soon after she found out she was pregnant she realized she was unsure of the child's paternity
Padma insisted that she was honest with both partners by telling them she was also dating others, but that didn't stop the pregnancy from coming as a shock to both her - and them.
Particularly as she and Adam had actually broken up in February 2009, almost exactly a year before her daughter was born, before 'falling back together briefly in June'.
In her memoir Love, Loss and What We Ate, she describes how soon after she found out she was pregnant she realized she was unsure of the child's paternity.
'A question began to nag at my giddiness: not so much "How?" but the far more uncomfortable "Who?"'
Describing the moment she told Teddy, who she claims was furious at the news, Padma said his face went 'white, then beet red'.
She writes: 'It was as if the room could not contain him, or as if his body could not contain his fury at the information he had just received.'
Baby girl Padma posted a photo of her daughter taking a nap earlier this month
Up front: Padma insisted that she was honest with both partners by telling them she was also dating others when she got pregnant
Reasons: Following a paternity test that showed he was not in fact the father, Padma claims Teddy 'implored' her to keep the results to herself
No go: Padma said she denied Teddy's offer to raise Krishna as his own after she was born
Good guy: Padma said Teddy accompanied her to the sonogram and pointed to the screen saying: 'This is all we need to think about. This is all that matters'
Generosity: Teddy reportedly had his will changed to give an undisclosed sum to Krishna before he died.
Change in plans: It wasn't until after Teddy's death, that Adam's name was added to Krishna's birth certificate
Following a paternity test that showed he was not in fact the father, Padma claims he 'implored' her to keep the results to herself and said he would raise the child as his own - an offer which she declined.
Then Padma said he accompanied her to the sonogram and pointed to the screen saying: 'This is all we need to think about. This is all that matters.'
He later reportedly had his will changed to give an undisclosed sum to Krishna before he died.
It wasn't until after his death, that Adam's name was added to Krishna's birth certificate, following a bitter custody battle between the two parents in the Manhattan Supreme Court, during which time Adam claimed his former partner tried to prevent him from seeing their little girl.
Public spat: Adam claimed his former partner tried to prevent him from seeing their little girl
Final thought: Padma dedicated her memoir to Teddy when it was released last year
Remembering: 'I think neither of us knew what was going to happen but he was resolute in making sure I wasnt alone,' Padma said of Teddy
Reflecting on the incident, she said: 'The fact that it was public was excruciating because its a very private matter but that was nothing compared to how I had hurt Teddy.'
She has dedicated her memoir to him and said the moment is a 'great example' of his character.
Paying tribute to his loyalty, she said: 'He wasnt going to leave my side. Maybe he didnt know if he could stay in a romantic relationship with me or not.
'I think neither of us knew what was going to happen but he was resolute in making sure I wasnt alone. He held my hand and he held it very publicly.'
A military historian who stole a logbook belonging in the widow of one of the heroes of the 1943 Dambusters raid is facing jail after he 'lied through his teeth' in court.
Alex Bateman, 48, persuaded Doris Fraser, now 92, to hand over the 10,000 piece of memorabilia which belonged to her late husband Flight Sergeant John Fraser.
Her husband had been a bomb aimer in the first wave of planes to attack the Mohn dam.
Alex Bateman, left, who was jailed last year on a child pornography charge, stole the logbook of Dambuster hero Flight Sergeant John Fraser, right, who was a bomb aimer during the attack
Bateman, who is a military historian, refused to return the 10,000 document to the former RAF man's widow, and even sent her a split envelope and claimed it went missing in the post
Bateman claimed Doris Fraser had given him the valuable historical document, pictured
When Mrs Fraser asked Bateman to return it he concocted a series of excuses to try and keep the document.
He sent the widow an envelope with a split in it and tried to claim the logbook had fallen out in the post, Wood Green Crown Court heard.
After it was miraculously 'found' in the sorting office, Bateman produced a Christmas card purportedly from Mrs Fraser gifting him the log book.
It read: 'Dear Alex, thank you for your letter but please keep the logbook, you might find it useful. All the very best for the New Year, Doris Fraser..'
A hand writing expert found there was 'strong evidence to suggest' the card had been written by someone other than by Mrs Fraser.
When the Fraser family went to the press about the theft in June 2003, Bateman claimed it had been stolen on a burglary.
The case was initially dealt with as a civil matter, but in May 2015 the Met police began investigating the historian for theft.
At trial, it emerged Bateman had accepted a caution for stealing documents from the national archives.
Family members of other airman in the Dambusters Squadron have also complained about memorabilia not being returned, although Bateman has not been prosecuted for these matters.
Sgt Fraser, pictured (circled) before joining the Dam Busters squadron, flew in the first wave of aircraft which attacked the Mohne Dam but was shot down in a later mission
Batemen, who was a former employee of Harrow High school, was jailed last year on a count of manufacturing indecent images of children and was sentenced to 12 months in prison
The investigation was hampered by the fact Bateman was jailed for 12 months in May last year for making indecent images of children.
Bateman denied one count of theft, but was convicted by a jury of seven women and five men after trial at Wood Green Crown Court.
He bowed his head and closed his eyes as the verdict was delivered.
Judge John Dodd said: 'I cannot see any alternative to a custodial sentence.
'The length of the sentence which I consider absolute inevitable, is now something I have to reflect on.
'He's lied through his teeth to this jury.
'He has done something dreadfully cruel, I think he has it in his power to tell the truth, and if he does choose to tell the truth and restore the original document that will help him enormously.'
Bateman will be sentenced on February 3 at Wood Green Crown Court.
John Fraser married his wife Doris on April 29, 1943, two weeks before the Dam Busters raid
Ft Sgt Fraser was shot down during the attack but bailed out and managed to walk 200 miles towards Holland only to be stopped just 30 miles short of Dutch border.
After being interrogated by the Germans, he spent the rest of the Second World War in a prisoner of war camp, and did not see his wife again until his release in May 1945.
Tragically, he was killed in a plane crash in 1962 in Canada where he had settled with his English bride after the war.
During his trial, his daughter Shere Fraser-Lowe explained how her heartbroken mother had not talked about her father for almost 40 years after his death, and had only started to open up about in correspondence with Bateman.
She said that around 2003 she had begun her own research into the Dambusters after decades of silence about the issue in her immediate family about her father.
It was then that Mrs Fraser told her she had been communicating with Bateman.
Bateman, pictured, will be sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court on February 3
Appearing via video link from her home in Washington State, Mrs Fraser-Lowe said: 'For the first time in 40 years she was able to speak about my father - there were a lot of tears and it was a long process.
'I first learned about the logbook in discussions with my mother - she did say she had been communicating with a researcher into 617 squadron.'
'In North America there's no fanaticism about collecting memorabilia about the Dambusters, especially collecting 617 squadron items.
'I learned that this type of material is considered very valuable and I leaned Mr Bateman had been in contact with my mother asking for more documents relating to the 617 Squadron and referring to other members of the squadron.'
The pair exchanged numerous emails and letters, but the relationship began to turn sour when she repeatedly asked him to return the logbook.
'I had no reason to believe that he was not being honest, I expected him to send the log book, he said he would put if in the post in the next few days.'
Mrs Fraser-Lowe began to get worried when she received the empty envelope.
'My mum broke down [in tears], right after I took care of my mum I made a phone call - I've kept the original telephone bill.
'It was a very brief phone call, but his demeanour spoke louder than words. He didn't seem surprised and I had called him straight away because I was worried about this.'
After Bateman claimed to have found the logbook at the sorting office, the pair continued to exchange emails, but Bateman still didn't hand over the book, even when Mrs Fraser-Lowe offered to make a trip to London to collect it.
In one letter, he said: 'Dear Shere, thank you for your email and the call last night.
'With recent events I am finding this a difficult and stressful time at a point when other matters arising in my life are equally stressful if not more so.
'I appreciate you may want to discuss the matter further but I must ask you to stop contacting me at home.'
'Your last few communications have proved quite upsetting - I've had a long and happy communication with your mother.
'I apologise for trying to send the log book through the post and I feel I may have done so in haste.'
He continues: 'The log book was actually gifted to me a number of years ago without condition and having given the offer of handing it over in person I do not see the purpose of you making a special journey to London before May [the date of the Dambusters reunion].'
The family had no further communication with Bateman after March 2003 and did not see him at the reunion that May, which had been organised to celebrate 60 years since the mission.
Mrs Fraser insisted that the logbook had never been given as a gift to Bateman to keep.
In a statement taken last summer, Mrs Fraser said: 'In 1996 I was in correspondence with Alex Bateman, he requested certain Dambusters items I had been left by my late husband.
'I sent him the log book in order to assist with his research. There was never any suggestion that this was anything other than a loan - he didn't return the log book and I later told my daughter this.'
'A Christmas card Mr Bateman claims was written by me granting him ownership, I did not send this.
It's not my hand writing or signature this card is a fake and I would never give my husband's logbook to a man I have never met.'
Bateman, pictured, claimed he needed the logbook to assist with his research on the raid
In a second statement, she said: 'The Christmas card wasn't written by me, it appears I didn't write this Christmas card, it has been faked.
'There are for other Christmas cards from me to Alex Bateman, I did write these cards and confirm they are my writing.
'The monetary value is irrelevant to me because I would never sell it, what's more important is the emotional value of the logbook belonging to my late husband and it should belong to me or my family - I was happy to lend it to Alex Bateman when I thought I was assisting his research into the Dambusters.
'I'm proud of my husband's achievements and in lending Mr Bateman the logbook I thought I was honouring his memory.'
Eventually Mrs Fraser-Lowe went to the 617 Air Crew Association - a society of former squadron members, their families and historians - to ask for help, and they advised she take the case to the Met Police.
In evidence, Bateman repeatedly claimed he had found letters and emails from Doris Fraser and her family, then later their solicitors, to be 'intimidating'.
'I wasn't expecting a letter straight away threatening me with court action - within three days of [claiming to own the log book].
'It was threatening and intimidating which I thought was rather strange.'
He denied sending an empty envelope to Canada, insisting the logbook really had been found at the sorting office.
Bateman repeatedly insisted that at no point did he consider himself the rightful owner of the logbook.
'I've said 'gifted' as in unconditionally lent to me. I've never said 'given' - I haven't said in communication that it was given to me or that it was unconditionally given to me.'
He said that although he knew the item was valuable, he wasn't concerned about its worth.
When admitted never telling Mrs Fraser how much the item was potentially worth, but said: 'I didn't [tell her] at any point because I don't see the monetary value in it. i only see the value of the information.'
He added: 'I don't collect Dambusters memorabilia.'
Bateman then claimed he thought Mrs Fraser-Lowe might be trying to get the logbook back without her elderly mother's knowledge.
Bateman, from Harrow, north west London was found guilty of one count of theft.
A Texas teacher who admitted to having sex repeatedly with her 13-year-old student and got pregnant with his child has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Alexandria Vera pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child and received the sentence Friday, KPRC reported. The former Aldine teacher, who has a six-year-old daughter, had admitted to having a sexual relationship with one of her eighth grade students.
Vera claimed the boy's parents accepted the relationship. Prosecutors said she had sex with him at least twice between September 30, 2015 and January 20, 2016.
The former teacher got pregnant with the victim's child in January. She had an abortion when investigators started looking into the case, court records state.
Former teacher Alexandria Vera (pictured in court in Houston Friday), 24, was sentenced to 10 years behind bars on Friday for having sex with one of her students
Prosecutors said Vera (pictured arriving to court with her attorney Ricardo Rodriguez Friday) had sex at least twice with the victim between September 30, 2015 and January 20, 2016
The former teacher faced a maximum sentence of 30 years. She will be eligible for parole in five.
Authorities originally charged her with continuous sexual abuse of a child, but changed it to a lesser charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child when she pleaded guilty.
A judge told the court at sentencing Friday that he doesn't believe Vera to be a threat to other children. But he said the sentence had to send a message.
'We want out educators to teach our students,' he said in court according to the Houston Chronicle. 'We want them to keep their hands off the students.'
The boy has been placed in foster care at least until August.
Vera (pictured left and right) told investigators the 13-year-old boy's family was accepting of the relationship. She became pregnant with his child but later had an abortion
Rodriguez (pictured left next to Vera Friday) called as a witness a therapist who said Vera had grown up witnessing domestic abuse and had a strong need for love
Prosecutors said in court that Vera acted deceptively and had the boy and his father stay at her home while pretending to date the father. They said Vera's daughter sometimes called the victim 'dad' and knew about their relationship.
Vera's defense attorney called as a witness a therapist, who said Vera had grown up witnessing domestic violence and had a strong need for love, as well as a 'big heart'.
'I think she was driven by being in love with him,' mental health professional Karen Lawson told the court.
Lawson painted Vera as a responsible person, who had worked jobs since the age of 14, bought her first home at 21, and put herself through college, KHOU wrote.
But the prosecution questioned Lawson over apparently pornographic photos of the victim found on Vera's cellphone, and said the teacher had allowed other students to have sex inside her house.
Vera (pictured left in a mugshot and right in a selfie) had an abortion after becoming nervous due to a visit from Child Protective Services in February, court documents state
Vera previously told authorities she met the boy during summer school. She sent him a message on Instagram after he missed class one day, according to the prosecution.
The teacher later told authorities she drove to the boy's house and picked him up, after which they kissed.
Vera drove to his home again the following day while his parents were away and the pair had sex for the first time that day, according to court documents. She told investigators that their relationship carried on afterwards and they continued to have sex.
Another student recounted seeing his classmate acted inappropriately with the teacher at school.
'He like grabbed her butt, and everybody saw it,' the student told ABC 13. 'And then they were talking about it.'
She said the boy's parents accepted their relationship and were supportive and excited when she became pregnant with their son's child in January 2016.
Vera had an abortion after becoming nervous due to a visit from Child Protective Services in February, court documents state. Officials came to the school to question her and the boy.
The 24-year-old briefly went on the run over the summer before turning herself in. Authorities had released her on a $100,000 while telling her not to contact the victim, not to go online, remain at home from 8 pm to 7 am.
She had to wear a GPS tracker and was not allowed to go near any school or talk to children.
In October last year Deputy Ben Fields (pictured) flipped over a female student's desk and dragged her across the class room after a dispute about her cellphone
Federal prosecutors won't charge a deputy who was recorded tossing a student out of a desk at a South Carolina high school after she refused to give up her cellphone.
The US Justice Department pursues civil rights charges when someone with authority intentionally violates civil rights, not when they use poor judgment or make a mistake, the agency said Friday in a news release.
State prosecutors also decided not to charge Ben Fields in the October 2015 confrontation at Spring Valley High School in Columbia, meaning Friday's federal action closes any criminal case against the officer.
In October of 2015, Deputy Ben Fields flipped over a female student's desk and dragged her across the class room after a dispute about her cellphone.
The deputy, called to intervene at Spring Valley High in Columbia, South Carolina, was relieved of his duty for failing to follow proper procedures soon after.
Two classmates recorded videos showing Fields flipping the teen out of her chair and tossing her across the room, sparking national outrage.
One was recorded by Niya Kenny, an 18-year-old who also verbally challenged the officer, saying what he was doing was wrong.
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Two classmates recorded videos showing Fields flipping the teen out of her chair and tossing her across the room, sparking national outrage
She was arrested as well and, like the juvenile girl, was charged with 'disturbing schools.'
The state prosecutor dropped the charges at the same time he cleared Fields.
Fields's boss, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, said at the time that he wanted to throw up after seeing a video showing Fields wrap his forearm around the student's neck, flip her and the desk she was sitting in backward, and then toss the teen toward the front of the room before handcuffing her.
The video has led to changes and reviews in how police officers are used in schools.
A Department of Justice agreement now requires Richland County to provide intensive annual training for deputies working in more than 60 schools on how to de-escalate situations and avoid bias.
Richland County's Sheriff Leon Lott said his nearly 90 officers in schools went through the agreement's training this summer.
The DOJ agreement says officers should focus on criminal conduct and that their 'duties shall not include involvement in classroom management or school discipline matters that should be appropriately handled by school staff'
Additionally, the US Justice Department sided with the American Civil Liberties Union's challenge of South Carolina's disturbing schools law, saying it disproportionally leads to more minority students being charged.
According to the ACLU, about 1,750 students were referred to the Department of Juvenile Justice in 2014-15 for disturbing schools and 71 per cent were black.
'These types of adolescent behavior should never be met with arrest,' said ACLU attorney Sarah Hinger.
'A criminal charge in school dramatically reduces a student's likelihood of graduating and steers them toward 'ongoing involvement with the criminal justice system,' Hinger said.
Sheriff Lott is also pushing South Carolina legislators to change the disturbing schools law, saying it is abused and turns police officers into school disciplinarians.
According to the ACLU, about 1,750 students were referred to the Department of Juvenile Justice in 2014-15 for disturbing schools and 71 per cent were black
Getting deputies 'out of the roles of discipline and classroom management has already made a significant impact,' Lott said in a statement.
A lawyer for Fields said the deputy feels vindicated by the decision not to file charges because Fields always thought he was justified under the law using the force he did when the student refused to follow his repeated commands and struck him in the face.
Most of the 15 witnesses interviewed by investigators said the teen was flailing her arms and they either didn't see or couldn't tell if she hit the deputy.
The student wrote 'yeah I did' in a text message to a friend who asked if she had hit the officer, according to the state prosecutor's report.
Fields, who had worked as a deputy in schools for seven years, wants to work in law enforcement again, attorney Scott Hayes said.
'He's a good officer. I hope someone gives him a chance,' Hayes said.
An autopsy report says that 22-year-old Ferguson Claude Laurent Jr. (above) suffered 10 gunshot wounds on November 3
A black man who was killed by North Carolina police who were executing a 'no-knock' search warrant this past November suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
An autopsy report says that 22-year-old Ferguson Claude Laurent Jr. suffered 10 gunshot wounds.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said Laurent was shot once in the head, five times in the torso, twice in the right upper arm, once in the right forearm, and once in the left wrist and forearm, The Salisbury Post reported.
Laurent did not have any drugs or alcohol in his system at the time he was killed, according to the autopsy.
Laurent was shot when officers went to a residence to serve the warrant.
Salisbury Police Chief Jerry Stokes has said Laurent fired once at police officers, and one officer, who has been identified as Karl Boehm, fired two shots in response.
Boehm was placed on restricted duty after the shooting pending an investigation.
A department statement said it doesn't have copies of the autopsy and toxicology results, but expects more details once the State Bureau of Investigation completes its investigation and the district attorney reviews the report.
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Salisbury Police Chief Jerry Stokes has said Laurent (right) fired once at police officers, and one officer, who has been identified as Karl Boehm (left), fired two shots in response
Officers said that they recovered illegal drugs and weapons from Laurent's home.
A 'no-knock warrant' is one where law enforcement has the right to enter a suspect's property without any prior notice.
Police say they were searching for drugs and weapons at Laurent's home.
The chief of the Salisbury Police Department said that officers gave Laurent a warning by alerting him to their presence before they entered his home.
Police say that they first used a flash bang in the hallway before Laurent opened fire on them, according to WSOC-TV.
In the wake of the November 3 shooting, local members of the community questioned the use of 'no-knock warrants,' according to The Salisbury Post.
The Laurent shooting put renewed focus on the controversial practice of 'no-knock' warrants.
Officers said that they recovered illegal drugs and weapons from Laurent's home (seen above)
Civil liberties advocates have argued that the practice should be stopped because it denies citizens their constitutional rights that protect them from unlawful searches and seizures.
'No-knock' incidents have led to cases where homeowners have opened fire at police because they believed they were targeted for a home invasion.
'The tactic is appropriate in a few limited situations, such as when hostages or fugitives are involved, or where the suspect poses an immediate threat to community safety,' wrote Radley Balko, an analyst with the Cato Institute.
The president's spokesman refused to speak ill of Sunny Obama, the first family's youngest Portuguese water dog, after a biting incident with a friend of Malia Obama.
The 18-year-old girl was left bloodied and scarred after Sunny bit her during a visit to the White House on Monday.
Social media posts which surfaced online show the teen - who DailyMail.com is not naming - getting stitched up at the office of the president's physician.
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters Friday, 'Both Bo and Sunny have been genuine ambassadors to the American people.
Obama family dog Sunny bit one of first daughter Malia's friends during a visit to the White House on Monday. The teen posted pictures of the aftermath on Snapchat
The girl, who DailyMail.com is not identifying by name, was left bleeding from the face after she tried to pet Sunny. The president's physician stitched the wound up
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters Friday, 'Both Bo and Sunny have been genuine ambassadors to the American people. Sunny is seen on the left. The girl is on the right, after her stiches
'Thousands of people have had the opportunity to interact, play with dogs, pet with dogs,' he said, noting that he himself and his young son were among the White House visitors who had interacted with them.
Earnest said he was not aware of Sunny biting anyone else.
'They have represented themselves and our country quite well,' he said of the first family's pets.
Sources told TMZ Sunny bit Malia's friend when she leaned down to to pet and kiss the pup.
'I f****** hate Sunny' the girl wrote in one picture, showing her laying down on an examination chair as Malia smiles nearby.
'Malia thinks it's funny,' the girl wrote in another Snapchat photo.
Dr. Ronny Jackson, the president's physician, reportedly evaluated her and decided to stitch the wound up.
The teen was allegedly upset when he told her it could leave a small scar.
While Malia graduated from high school last spring, she is still living with her parents because she's taking a gap year before starting at Harvard next fall.
Sunny is the younger of the Obamas' two Portuguese water dogs, a generally docile breed.
The elder, Bo, was promised to the Obama daughters if their father won the 2008 election. The first family bought Sunny from a breeder in the Great Lakes area in August 2013.
Sources tell TMZ that the girl was upset when she learned that the bite could leave a small scar. Above, the first daughter in one of the girl's Snapchat photos
This isn't the first time that Sunny has misbehaved in front of guests. She jumped on a two-year-old girl at a White House Christmas party in 2013
Sunny (bottom left) is the younger of the Obama family's two Portuguese water dogs. The elder, Bo (bottom right), was promised to the Obama daughters when their father won the 2008 election. The Obama family pictured above in their 2016 Easter portrait (From left to right: First daughter Malia, first lady Michelle, president Obama and first daughter Sasha)
While Bo has been an upstanding First Dog, his four-year-old female companion has been more unruly.
Three years ago, the dog knocked over a two-year-old girl at the White House, who was attending a Christmas party for military families.
Sunny has also been a bit harder to potty train than Bo.
In an interview with People magazine, the president and first lady revealed that Sunny has a penchant for defecating near the Lincoln Bedroom.
'So Sunny is a wonderful dog. But there have been times where she just decided that the area near the Lincoln Bedroom and my office at the other end of the hall from her crate is included in being outside when it comes to pooping, which is not true. Its still the inside. She didnt always understand that,' the president said.
'She knows that shes doing something wrong because shell run and sneak [past me],' he said.
'Sometimes Ill be in my office, and Im doing my work and Ill see this like scurrying - and I got to get up and run before she does her thing, because if Im too late then theres a little gift that she leaves.'
The first lady said that Sunny hasn't done this in awhile, saying 'she's gotten much better'.
Mere weeks after the tragic death of actress Carrie Fisher, Disney executives are said to be scrambling to ensure the legal rights that will allow them to bring back her beloved character Princess Leia in future films.
The plan may involve the kind of digital wizardry that allowed Disney to bring back Peter Cushing's Moff Tarkin character from the original 1977 film in the recent blockbuster 'Rogue One,' despite the fact that Cushing died in 1994.
That approach, so cutting-edge that the filmmakers had an alternate script prepped in case the effects failed, may be similar to Disney's plans for resurrecting Princess Leia, which were first reported by BBC Newsnight.
'Rogue One' (spoiler alert!) also briefly features another digital resurrection: that of the young Princess Leia, played by Norwegian actress Ingvild Deila, with digital footage of Fisher from 'A New Hope' superimposed on her face.
Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia in 1977's 'A New Hope' is pictured left, and a reconstruction of her character using archive footage in December's 'Rogue One' is shown right
Disney used cutting-edge digital techniques to bring back Moff Tarkin, the character originally played in 1977 by Peter Cushing (pictured left). Cushing died in 1994
Although Fisher had reportedly already finished shooting scenes for 'Star Wars: Episode VIII,' slated for release in December, her character was expected to play a major role in the following installment as well.
Fisher was 19 when she filmed 'A New Hope' in 1977.
In the 2015 'The Force Awakens,' set 30 years after the original trilogy, Fisher returned as General Leia Organa.
In another case of digital resurrection, the filmmakers behind 'Fast & Furious 7' managed to create a stand-in for actor Paul Walker, who died with several key scenes left to shoot.
Walker's two brothers stood in for the remaining scenes, and were digitally enhanced to resemble Walker by Peter Jackson's special effects studio, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Recent advances in digital resurrection techniques have opened a can of ethical worms, with some actors moving to control or restrict rights to their images after death.
Actor Robin Williams, who died in 2014, prohibited any commercial use of his image until 2039.
When five-year-old Saroo was adopted from a Calcutta orphanage by an Australian couple, his life changed forever. But growing up in Tasmania, he never forgot his first home and decades later began the painstaking search for his mother. His heart-breaking quest inspired the film Lion, starring Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel, which is released here next Friday. Here is Saroo's story . . .
My heart was in my mouth as I approached the place I remembered as my childhood home, a single room in a rundown building in a small and dusty town in central India. The last time I was here I was five years old, a barefoot boy in a grimy pair of black shorts and a white, short-sleeved shirt with several buttons missing.
Now I was 30, dressed in Western clothes and looking very out of place. Growing up half a world away, with a new name and a new family, wondering whether I would ever see my loved ones again, I had convinced myself that if I ever found my way back home, they would be here waiting, wondering what became of me.
If so, they would surely be astonished to hear about the events that had separated me from them in the first place, events I ran over endlessly in my mind as I was growing up with John and Sue Brierley, the loving Australian couple who had adopted me in 1987.
I was then six, according to official documents that showed my birthday as May 22, 1981.
Unbroken bond: Saroo with his mother Fatima Munshi and his Indian family
But the year had been estimated by the Indian authorities and the date was the day I had arrived at the orphanage in Calcutta from which I had been offered for adoption.
The Brierleys often pointed to that city on the map of India they had pinned to my bedroom wall so that I would feel more at home. But I wasn't from Calcutta.
A train had taken me there from a station near my home town which I thought was called something like 'Ginestlay'. I wasn't sure of the name, but what I did know was that it was a long way from Calcutta and that no one had been able to help me find my home town or my family.
All I had to connect me with them were the memories I brought to mind over and over again, trying to ensure I didn't forget a thing.
Often I recalled the cramped house in which I was born and which we shared with another family, joining them in the courtyard on long, warm evenings while someone played the harmonium and others sang.
I had a real sense of belonging and well-being on those nights. The women brought out bedding and we huddled together, gazing at the stars, before closing our eyes in sleep.
His heart-breaking quest inspired the film Lion, starring Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel, which is released here next Friday
My mother Fatima Munshi was very beautiful, with long, lustrous hair, but she had made an unwise choice of husband in my father, a building contractor.
When I was around three, and my older brothers Guddu and Kallu were nine and six, he met another woman and abandoned us, leaving my mother to bring us up on our own.
She was pregnant with my sister Shekila and soon after giving birth she had to go out to work on building sites, carrying heavy rocks on her head in the hot sun, six days a week, from morning until dusk.
Eventually she moved us all to the tiny single-room flat to which I would return with such trepidation all those years later.
With a floor made of compacted cowpats and mud, it was probably only about three yards square, so it was fortunate that we were rarely all there at once.
Loving family: Nicole Kidman, David Wenham and Sunny Pawar star in the new film Lion as John and Sue Brierley, the loving Australian couple who adopted Saroo in 1987
Often my mother sought work in other towns and was away for days at a time. And still she couldn't earn enough to provide for us so we lived one day at a time, often begging for food from our neighbours.
Harsh as this sounds, we were reasonably happy. I loved the hours I spent watching over Shekila, her grubby face smiling at me as we played peek-a-boo, and I delighted in chasing butterflies or glow-bugs when it got darker.
Often I hung out with my brothers, whom I adored and looked up to. But by the time they were 14 and 11, they were spending very little time at home.
They lived off their wits, scouring the streets for whatever they could find to subsist on and sleeping nights in railway stations, where they sometimes earned food or money for sweeping.
One night, Guddu agreed that I could accompany him to a place that sounded something like 'Berampur'.
Growing up in Tasmania, Saroo never forgot his first home and decades later began the painstaking search for his mother
It was about an hour down the line from our local station and it was supposed to be easier to find money and food there. By the time we arrived, I was so exhausted that Guddu told me to have a nap on a platform bench while he scavenged for food. When I woke later, the station was deserted and I couldn't see him anywhere.
There was a train at the platform where we'd got off so I climbed into an empty carriage, presuming Guddu was further along, searching beneath the seats for whatever he could find.
There was plenty of room to stretch out and in a few moments I was sleeping peacefully again.
When I awoke, the sun was glaring straight into my eyes and I realised with a jolt that the train was rattling along the tracks.
Shortly after he was adopted, aged six
I can still feel the icy chill of panic that hit me when I realised the doors at either end of the carriage were locked. I was trapped, my heart beating triple-time as I ran up and down, yelling out my brother's name, begging him to come and get me.
After many hours and what seemed like an eternity to a child of that age the train slowed until it was hardly moving at all.
Staring wide-eyed from behind the bars of the window, I saw crowds of people.
Suddenly, someone opened one of the doors to my carriage. Without a moment's thought, I leapt out onto the platform in Calcutta, one of the most intimidating and dangerous cities in the world.
With no money, food or identification of any sort, I had no idea where to go or what to do.
I called out 'Ginestlay? Berampur?' hoping someone would tell me how to get back there.
But there were many children begging around the station and I was just one more poor kid crying something out, too small to make anyone stop and listen.
I stayed on the platform even after everyone had left, sleeping on and off and eventually giving up on finding help. One thing I knew was that if a train had brought me to where I was, a train could take me back home again.
Finding the right one was an intimidating prospect. There were very many lines running out of the national hub of Calcutta's Howrah station, but day after day I caught a different train out of the city.
Shuttling between platforms and travelling new routes, I hoped I'd see something I recognised. Yet without fail, I'd end up in some unfamiliar place, remaining there until the train began the return leg to the sprawling red station that was my starting point.
Growing up half a world away, with a new name and a new family, Saroo wondered whether he would ever see his loved ones again
I don't know how many weeks or even months I lived on the streets around Howrah station, but somehow I survived, working out which scraps of food tossed on the ground could be safely eaten.
Bits of fried food, such as a samosa, were pretty safe once you scraped off the dirt, but they were highly prized and sometimes I found myself shoved aside or punched by other children. We were like wild dogs fighting over a bone.
One day I was befriended by a railway worker who offered me shelter in the shack he shared with his workmates.
He told me he knew someone who could help me, but I knew something wasn't right when my 'saviour', a man in a neat suit, turned up and invited me to lie on the bed next to him.
I bolted, chased by the railwayman and his friends, and only escaped by hiding in a leaking sewerage pipe, ignoring the cobwebs and the foul-smelling water running over my hands.
Saroo found his childhood home by painstakingly searching on Google Earth - and his adoptive parents encouraged him to go back and find his family
That terrifying experience reinforced my suspicion of other people, but fortunately I let my guard down when I was approached by a teenager about the age of my brother Guddu.
I have no idea what made him take an interest in me, but after I had told him my story he took me to the local police station and from there I was sent to an orphanage run by the wonderful Mrs Sood.
After I had spent a few weeks there, she explained no one had been able to find 'Ginestlay' or 'Berampur', but I was being offered a new home with a family who lived in another country Australia.
A part of me had already accepted I would never see my family again and what choice did I have? Keep searching for a train to a place not even the adults could find?
I told Mrs Sood I wanted to go and soon found myself embarking on a startlingly different life with the Brierleys in Hobart, the capital of Tasmania.
It took me a while to adjust to what seemed to be a city of gleaming palaces, including their home. There were four bedrooms for only three people, a kitchen full of food and a fridge I loved standing in front of, just to feel the cold air come out when it opened.
Rooney Mara and Dev Patel in Lion. Mara plays Lisa, Saroo's girlfriend, in the new film
It all seemed amazingly exotic, but by the time I began high school, the map of India on my bedroom wall was overshadowed by posters of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and my other favourite groups.
I ended up working with Mum and Dad in their business, selling industrial hoses. But I never stopped thinking about my Indian family.
Sometimes I would lie in bed, trying to send my mother telepathic messages to let her know I was alive and well. Or I'd visualise myself walking through the streets of my home town, opening my family's front door and watching over my mother and Shekila as they slept. For many years, it seemed these trips would remain imaginary. My searches on the early versions of the internet failed to turn up anything resembling 'Ginestlay' or 'Berampur'. But then along came Google Earth.
As anyone who has used this free computer software knows, its satellite imaging means you can sweep across the world like an astronaut and zoom down on spots you are interested in, rendering them in astonishing detail.
Logic dictated that if I followed all the train lines out of Kolkata, as Calcutta was now known, I would eventually find my starting point.
Night after night, I was on the laptop, staring at railway lines and zeroing in to places I might recognise in my five-year-old mind.
Saroo went back to his childhood home and found his mother - who had never given up hope that he was alive
It was a repetitive, forensic exercise and my girlfriend Lisa sometimes looked at me as if I might be crazy.
I began to wonder that myself, but then, one night in March 2011, I spotted a station with a water tower like one I remembered seeing near 'Berampur'. There was also a horseshoe shaped road that looked familiar.
When I clicked on the blue symbol that revealed the town's name as Burhanpur, my heart nearly stopped. From there, I dragged the cursor miles along the train line until I saw a town called Khandwa, which had a bridge over a big river, just like the one I had played in as a child.
Almost frozen with excitement, I followed a route with the cursor that I had gone over and over in my head since I was a little boy so that I would never forget it.
Sure enough, it took me along a maze of streets and alleys to a neighbourhood called Ganesh Talai as close to my childhood mispronunciation of 'Ginestlay' as you could hope for.
Was this where my Indian family were still living? There was only one way to be sure, but it was weeks before I found the courage to raise with Mum and Dad the question of going to India.
Saroo spent almost all of his life in Australia - but now has two families, one in Tasmania, and one in India
Even then I edged round to it I asked them what they would do in my situation. They said it was obvious: I had to go. Who wouldn't want to visit to make sure?
Lisa felt the same way and so I embarked on the long journey back to the house I'd last seen as a child. When I got there, it looked so tiny, but it was unmistakable.
But it was abandoned, the floor my mother had swept clean was dusty from disuse. Hollowed out with disappointment, I had no idea what to do next.
But my appearance marked me out as a foreigner in these streets so far from the tourist trail and a man asked in English if he could help.
This was the first person I'd been able to talk to since I arrived in India and my story tumbled out as I showed him photos of me as a child.
He looked surprised, but then led me down an adjacent alley. After only about 15 yards, he stopped in front of three women standing at a doorway, all looking at me.
'This is your mother,' he said and I realised there was something familiar about the one in the middle.
She was slender and seemed so small, with greying hair pulled back in a bun, and wearing a bright yellow floral dress.
Despite the years, I knew the fine bone structure of her face the instant I looked at her. In that moment she seemed to know me, too.
She stepped forward, took my hands and held them, and stared into my face with wonderment. I was thinking clearly enough to understand that whatever turmoil I was feeling, at least I'd had some chance to prepare. For my mother, 25 years after losing him, her son had simply reappeared.
Later, she described her reactions better than I ever could mine: she said she was 'surprised with thunder' that her boy had come back and that the happiness in her heart was 'as deep as the sea'.
I had thunder in my head, too.
Saroo lost his family for 25 years after mistakenly boarding a train to Calcutta when he was just five-years-old
As she took me to her house, a crumbling brick dwelling just around the corner, people came flocking to see me.
There was shouting and laughing, but eventually two special guests were ushered inside: my brother, Kallu, and sister, Shekila.
Neither had any cause to learn English, so this was a reunion of tears, smiles and speechless wonder, before some simple communication via well-wishers who could translate.
It was bittersweet to be so close to my family and yet still cut off in this fundamental way.
But where was Guddu? Of all the stories I wanted to hear, his was top of the list. That's when I was told the hardest news I've ever heard.
Guddu hadn't come home after that night I disappeared. My mother found out a few weeks later that he had fallen from a moving train and died. She'd lost two sons at once.
I couldn't imagine how she had borne it, but, as I was to learn, she had never given up on the idea that I might come back.
Just as my search for her had shaped my life, so her faith that I was alive had shaped hers.
Though she could have gone to Burhanpur to live with Kallu and his wife, she had wanted to stay near the house she had been living in when I disappeared so I could find her if ever I came back.
Nicole Kidman, winner of the international star award for Lion, and Dev Patel, pose backstage at the 28th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala
When it was time for me to return to Australia a time that came around far too quickly I felt the wrench of leaving deeply.
But one thing was obvious, the trip between India and Australia between my homes was one I was destined to make many times, not least to make my mother's life more comfortable as best I could.
Too old to carry stones on her head any more, she worked as a cleaner. Despite the hardness of her life, she told me she was happy.
Nevertheless, my first step as a successful businessman is to relieve her of the burden of renting a place to live. I look forward to seeing her settled in a home she can call her own.
My desires for myself are less clear. I was never searching in the hope of somehow getting back to the life I had missed.
I am not Indian. I have spent almost all of my life in Australia and I have bonds there that cannot be challenged or broken.
But I am not conflicted about who I am or where to call home. I have two families, not two identities. I know who I am: I am Saroo Brierley.
Adapted from Lion by Saroo Brierley (Michael Joseph, 8.99). Saroo Brierley 2017. To buy a copy for 6.74 (offer valid to January 21), tel 0844 571 0640 or visit mailbookshop.co.uk. P&P free on orders over 15.
President-elect Donald Trump has told his cabinet picks to 'be yourself' and not to worry if they diverge from some of the controversial policies he has promoted online and on the campaign trail.
'We want them to be themselves,' Trump told reporters in Trump Tower, when asked about a series of ongoing confirmation hearings for his cabinet selections in the Senate.
Trump, who is famously reluctant to apologize, even said that the nominees may be the ones who are 'right' on some issues.
'I told them, Be yourself, and say what you want to say, dont worry about me, Trump continued
'Im going to do the right thing, whatever it is. I may be right, they may be right. But I said, "Be yourself."
He added: 'I could have said Do this, say that, I dont want that, I want them all to be themselves.
'All of my Cabinet nominee are looking good and doing a great job,' said Trump, urging them to 'express themselves'
Trump's comments come after a series of nominees, facing confirmation in the Senate, have diverged from his policy statements on a U.S.-Mexico wall, Russia, Iran, torture, and a raft of issues.
Trump began Friday with a proud missive online about his cabinet selections who are cruising through the Senate in part due to a Democratic decision to do away with the filibuster for cabinet officials after several of them made statements that clashed with the official Trump line.
'All of my Cabinet nominee are looking good and doing a great job. I want them to be themselves and express their own thoughts, not mine!' Trump tweeted Friday morning.
It's doubtful the statements by nominees jettisoning the Trump line came about by accident.
Trump transition spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters Friday the team had held 35 mock hearings with nominees to prepare them. He said they prepped 4,712 questions, with 75 hours of preparation. He said nine individuals played the role of senators in hearings.
In just one of of the departures from Trump rhetoric, Rex Tillerson, Trump's pick to lead the State Department, called Russia a threat in his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
'Russia today poses a danger, but it is not unpredictable in advancing its own interests, Tillerson said 'Our NATO allies are right to be alarmed at a resurgent Russia.'
But he wouldn't go along with Florida Senator Marco Rubio's effort to get him to brand Russian President Vladimir Putin a 'war criminal.'
Tillerson, the ExxonMobil CEO has been criticized for his ties to Russia and his relationship with Putin. But to get confirmed, he must win over dubious Russia critics in the GOP like Rubio and Senator John McCain.
IRAN AWAY FROM TRUMP'S POSITION: United States Marine Corps General James N. Mattis (retired) defended keeping the Iran deal in place, although Trump wants to rip it up
SHOWING HIS MEDAL: Former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson went as far as to call Russia a 'danger'
THERE'S SOMETHING BETWEEN US: Retired Marine Gen. John Kelly said a 'physical barrier' with Mexico wouldn't do the job
THIS IS TORTURE: Alabama senator Jeff Sessions wouldn't go for Trump's backing of 'enhanced interrogation methods'
Retired Gen. James Mattis, who Trump has hailed on the campaign trail for his 'Mad Dog' monicker, defended the Iran deal negotiated by the Obama administration with other foreign power.
'When America gives her word, we have to live up to it and work with our allies,' he said, the New York Times reported in its roundup of the times nominees parted with Trump.
Retired Marine Gen. John Kelly even spoke ill of Trump's signature issue, a wall on the U.S. Mexico border.
He called said a 'physical barrier in and of itself will not do the job,' and said, It has to be really a layered defense.
Alabama senator Jeff Sessions, in line to be attorney general assuming he can overcome criticism about his civil rights record, wasn't about to sign on to Trump's controversial statement about reinstating 'enhanced interrogation techniques' that many consider torture.
'Absolutely not,' he said.
A Maryland high school student shot his classmate during an argument at an apartment complex near the campus, according to police, and a search is under way for the gunman.
Prince George's County police spokeswoman Jennifer Donelan tweeted that the incident began unfolding at around noon Friday, not long after a group of students walked out of Suitland High School - a public school known for its performing arts magnet program.
During a scuffle that broke out between the teens at a nearby housing complex on Brooks Drive, Donelan said one student fired multiple shots, striking another student in the leg.
Shots fired: A student at Suitland High School in Maryland is suspected of shooting a classmate near the campus Friday (scene pictured)
During an argument at a nearby housing complex on Brooks Drive, one student fired multiple shots, striking another student in the leg
The unnamed victim was transported to an area hospital with non life-threatening injuries
Another round pierced a window of a school annex building and lodged in the ceiling, but no one else was injured.
According to Donelan, the injured student was helped back to the campus, where an administrator was flagged down, reported Fox DC. He was then taken to a hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
Police are searching for the unidentified shooter, who is thought to have fled the area.
Police are pictured investigating the shooting near the school, which was placed on lockdown
On the hunt: A K9 officer is scouring the area for clues as part of a search for the gunman
Suitland High School was placed on lockdown after the shooting, but it has since been lifted. Classes at the school were cancelled for the test of the day
Prince Georges County Lt. David Coleman told the station WTOP the students involved in the armed altercation had left the campus and went to the apartment building next door for the purpose of having a fight.
An Uber driver is accused of beating up a passenger so badly he broke bones in the man's face after refusing to take him from Philadelphia to New Jersey.
Major Craig Fuller, 56, was arrested Wednesday and has been charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, Philly.com reported. The passenger's attorney confirmed that Fuller was the suspect in the case.
Joseph Fusco, 31, said he was severely beaten up on December 22 while trying to go home in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, in an Uber car after a Christmas party in Philadelphia. He said he got into the passenger seat, but the driver refused to take him to his destination.
The driver pulled Fusco out of the vehicle and 'stomped and kicked' him 'while he was already unconscious', breaking several bones in the passenger's face and knocking out some of his teeth, Fusco said in a lawsuit against Uber.
Uber driver Major Craig Fuller (left), 56, is accused of beating passenger Joseph Fusco (right), 31, after refusing to take him from Philadelphia to Cherry Hill, New Jersey in December
Fusco said he asked the driver initially to take him to Cherry Hill, which Fuller refused. The passenger said he asked a second time, at which point the driver assaulted him.
A picture of Fusco shows him badly bruised after what he has described as a violent attack.
The passenger was later charged for a 28-minute ride, which Uber reimbursed, according to the suit.
Fusco is accusing Uber of negligence, fraud and misleading statements about how safe the app is, NJ.com wrote.
Fuller was found guilty in 1984 of carrying a firearm in a public place and was placed on probation, Philly.com previously reported citing court records.
Authorities set his bail at $10,000.
Drivers do not find out passengers' destinations until they get in the vehicle, according to Uber.
The company is cooperating with the investigation and was no longer employing Fuller.
President Barack Obama's final week in the White House will see him honor the Chicago Cubs for their World Series win, deliver his final presser and make a speech to members of his staff before he takes a final flight on Air Force One.
It's building up to be a busy week for the soon-to-be ex-president, who is constitutionally mandated to turn over power to his successor, President-Elect Donald Trump, at noon on Friday, Jan. 20.
The Obamas will host a tea party for the Trumps on Friday before the inauguration, then take the traditional flight to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Marine One for a final farewell.
President Barack Obama's got a busy week ahead - he's honoring the Chicago Cubs at the White House, doing a presser and giving a speech at Joint Base Andrews to staff
A former president by then, Obama will 'deliver remarks to a group of staff that will be gathered there,' White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said.
'Then he and Mrs. Obama will depart Joint Base Andrews on their last flight aboard the presidential aircraft to a destination to be announced.'
The Obamas are going on vacation after they depart the White House. It's not clear where or when their journey begins.
OBAMA'S FINAL WEEK AT THE WHITE HOUSE MONDAY: President will honor the Chicago Cubs at the White House for their 2016 World Series win. Later, he'll participate in a service project in observance of the federal holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. TUESDAY: He'll attend meetings at the White House. WEDNESDAY: Obama will speak his last press conference as president. THURSDAY: More White House meetings. FRIDAY: The president and first lady will welcome the president-elect and his wife Melania to the White House at a small tea party and reception. He'll then motorcade to U.S. Capitol with Donald Trump for his successor's swearing in and inaugural address. The Obamas will depart the Capitol via helicopter, as is tradition, en route to Joint Base Andrews. There, they will deliver remarks to 'a group of staff that will be gathered there to bid farewell.' 'Then he and Mrs. Obama will depart Joint Base Andrews on their last flight aboard the presidential aircraft to a destination to be announced,' the White House says. Advertisement
They still own a house of the South Side of Chicago. It's possible they could drop by their old home before jetting to parts unknown, as they intend to reside for several more years in Washington.
Obama's spokesman, Josh Earnest, suggested Monday that the Obamas would begin their vacation immediately after Trump is sworn in.
'The President and First Lady will be leaving town shortly after the inaugural ceremony, ' Earnest said Monday. 'But they will return, of course, to their rented house here in Washington, D.C.'
Tuesday the president and first lady flew to Chicago, their final trek on Air Force One of Barack Obama's presidency, for a farewell speech at the city's convention center.
They were joined at the event by Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill, as well as several cabinet members, including Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Housing Secretary Julian Castro, and current and former senior staff.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel attended, he was Obama's first chief of staff in the White House, as did David Axelrod, a former senior adviser to the president.
Obama's spokesman says he'll speak to staff directly at Andrews on Friday before he takes the traditional post-presidency flight on AF1.
As Yahoo News' Oliver Knox reports, Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush, did an Andrews hangar event, too. Some 2,000 former staffers were present for the remarks that came before the Bushes' flight to Midland, Texas.
There, they attended a welcome home rally and concert, drawing in the final drops of presidential fanfare before becoming private citizens.
The Obamas are milking their final days in office for all the worth, too, throwing a party last Friday for their celebrity friends and a surprise ceremony this past Thursday for Biden. The president awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, the highest possible honor for a citizen.
They have no public events on their schedule this weekend, as they prepare for their exit from the White House.
The Obamas will host a tea party for the Trumps on Friday before the inauguration, then take the traditional flight to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Marine One for a final farewell
The Obamas and Trumps will ride to the Capitol together on Jan. 20. The Obamas are seen with the Bushes at the White House on Inauguration Day in 2009
The head of Trump's inaugural committee said Tuesday that the sitting president had extended a formal invite to the president-elect and first lady-in-waiting to have tea at the White House before they ride to the Capitol together for Friday's swearing in.
The Obamas joined the Bushes at the White House on Inauguration Day for refreshments before they rode in the presidential state car to the Capitol in keeping with tradition,
Because Bush was president until noon, he rode in the seat of honor on the right side of the Cadillac. Obama sat on the left side of 'The Beast,' as Bush's car was nicknamed.
A new version of the limousine is due to make its debut at Trump's inauguration. General Motors was commissioned in 2013 to design the vehicle on a $15 million contract.
It will be Obama's final ride in the car he fondly calls The Beast as well as president. He and Michelle will leave the Capitol grounds after Trump's swearing in by helicopter, another tradition.
An email sent to administration officials outlining the Friday afternoon event said, 'All appointees are invited to JBA to say farewell to President and Mrs. Obama at a sendoff ceremony.
'The event location is indoors but the site is not well heated so we encourage anyone interested in attending to dress warmly,' it said, according to Yahoo News.
Obama leaves the White House with George W. Bush on his last day in office. They rode in the presidential state car together to the U.S. Capitol
Because Bush was president until noon, he rode in the seat of honor on the right side of the Cadillac. Obama sat on the left side of 'The Beast,' as Bush's car was nicknamed
Obama will leave the Capitol grounds after Trump's swearing in by helicopter, another tradition
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The danger posed by our open borders was revealed this week when I hired a small plane to fly me across the English Channel to Britain's South Coast without undergoing proper identity or security checks.
Within 18 minutes of taking off from an airstrip in Calais, the plane was able to land at a quiet airfield near the white cliffs of Dover and I continued my journey to London.
My short trip showed the shocking ease with which illegal migrants, terrorists or foreign criminals can still slip into the UK by private plane, despite claims by successive governments that our border controls are being tightened.
Daily Mail Investigations editor Sue Reid hired a Piper Chieftain light aircraft to fly across the Channel from Calais
The aircraft took off from Calais Dunkirk Airport in France, just a short distance from the now-demolished jungle camp
The journey between Calais and Lydd Airport in Kent took only 18 minutes on the twin-engined light aircraft
Crucially, I found a major flaw in the passport-checking system both in France, when I boarded the plane, and at the end of the flight, when I walked through a nearly deserted Lydd Airport in Kent to hail a taxi.
My breeze into the UK made a mockery of the border security that is meant to protect us.
It also underlined a warning made to the Government a year ago that thousands of tiny planes and boats enter the UK every year without their passengers being vetted.
Theresa May, who was then Home Secretary, was informed by MPs that gaps in our border security are easily exploited by anyone who wishes to harm us and our way of life.
In response, the Home Office promised to increase checks on all passengers travelling to Britain on private aircraft.
Officials said computer systems to vet passengers would be improved to identify impostors.
The procedure involves general aviation reports (GARs), which must be filed by pilots before a flight from abroad, detailing all passengers' names and their passport numbers. If this is not done, it is illegal for the plane to make the journey to the UK.
Yet my flight from Calais to Kent on Thursday exposed glaring holes in the system.
It followed a similar exercise last September when I hired an inflatable boat with space for eight on the South Coast and travelled to France past a Navy warship, stayed the night in a hotel and returned to Dover without a single check or question.
This time I decided to test the air route, after it was revealed this week that a rogue pilot-cum-people-trafficker had dropped three illegal Albanian immigrants at a tiny airstrip in Seething, Norfolk, after flying them there from Germany.
The former flying instructor from Lithuania had been hired for 5,000 euros, but the plot was foiled after a member of the public reported suspicions about what turned out to be two test flights last May. Border police then monitored the Lithuanian's activities and caught him the following month.
Worryingly, passports were not checked either leaving Calais or arriving at Lydd Airport, in Kent, pictured
The pilot was put on trial at Norwich Crown Court and jailed for six years for assisting people smuggling. The judge said: 'Small airfields . . . are defenceless . . . in my judgment there are dozens of small airfields in East Anglia which are extremely vulnerable to this sort of people smuggling.'
On Wednesday, Mail photographer Jamie Wiseman and I arranged to fly with a reputable charter company operating out of Lydd Airport, 14 miles south of Ashford in Kent and 70 miles from London.
For 1,220 the firm offers flights from France which can take just 15 minutes, depending on the weather.
The company's boss agreed to send a pilot and plane to collect us at Calais airport, a few miles away from the town centre, at 11am the next morning.
He explained that by law we had to give our personal details for the GAR form at least 24 hours before take-off. These included our names and passport numbers but significantly (and routinely, it would appear), no photograph or copy of our passports was required.
According to the government website, GARs can be submitted online to the Home Office or by email to the HMRC National Co-ordination Unit.
It also states that 'information is automatically sent to the correct Border Force Office, which covers both Customs and Immigration' as well as to 'the correct police force(s) that require it, which includes Special Branch'.
I duly emailed the charter company, giving my correct name, Susan Reid, but deliberately adding the wrong passport number in order to test whether checks would be made properly.
In accordance with the rules, our details were forwarded by the company to border officials working for the Home Office.
If the immigration control system was working properly, someone would have spotted that the name and passport number didn't match.
This should have alerted them to the possibility of either a genuine mistake on my part, or that a bogus passenger might be planning to travel to the UK who could be a threat to security.
If Home Office promises are to be believed, I ought to have been stopped by a suspicious official before I left Calais.
At the very least, I thought border officials or even a member of Special Branch, the police unit that monitors home security, would be waiting at Lydd to question me about my real identity.
In fact, nothing of the sort happened. I could have been a foreign criminal, an ISIS terrorist or an illegal migrant.
We breezed through Calais airport without being stopped. At 10.40am on Thursday we parked our car there and walked to the small terminal, where we spotted our pilot. He had 'Air Crew' printed on his jacket. He had flown from Lydd and arrived at 10.24 in a Piper Chieftain, which can take nine passengers.
There was not one police officer or border official to meet us, either French or English. There was no one to check our luggage. No electronic scanners or sniffer dogs. No body searches.
Although it was mid-morning, the terminal was nearly empty apart from some men in the coffee bar.
Our pilot shook my hand, led us to the plane and talked us through the safety drill.
We took off a few minutes later, heading first over Calais itself and then over the cleared stretch of land where the infamous Jungle camp, housing 5,000 migrants waiting to get to the UK, once stood.
The area is still a magnet for migrants. Indeed, French authorities said recently that between 30 and 50 arrive there every week.
If they could afford it, all would surely jump at the chance to take the same route I did. In fact, compared with the fee of up to 13,000 charged by people-traffickers to smuggle a migrant illegally across the Channel in a lorry, our 1,220 air fare looks cheap.
It wasn't long before we landed at Lydd, as clouds threatened.
AFTER THE JUNGLE, NEW MIGRANT CAMPS POP UP Migrant numbers in a camp near Calais have 'dramatically increased' since the closure of the Jungle, officials said yesterday. Police also warned they were being 'overwhelmed' by the recent resurgence in those trying to sneak on to Dover-bound lorries and trains. It comes less than three months after the Jungle's demolition. After the shanty town was bulldozed in October, its 6,000 inhabitants were moved to reception centres across France and Calais introduced a 'zero-tolerance' policy towards new arrivals. Migrants have been discovered in a new camp near NOrrent-Fontes, in northern France, about 35 miles from Calais Others are living in the Steenvoorde camp in northern France, which is 40 miles from the Calais camp which was cleared last year But despite this, there are now up to 50 migrants a day caught in Calais, and as many as 100 a week are found hiding in trucks en route to the UK. The population of the Grande Synthe camp, on the outskirts of nearby Dunkirk, has risen from 500 in mid December to 1,320. The mayor of Grande Synthe, Damien Careme, said: 'We are making efforts to reduce the size of the camp but the migrant numbers have increased dramatically since the Calais Jungle shutdown.' Meanwhile, around 130 mainly-African migrants live in a camp next to a motorway just outside the elegant village of Steenvoorde, 50 miles from Calais. Another 60 live in the Norrent-Fontes camp, 35 miles south-east of Calais. Advertisement
I felt tense. Surely a border official would be waiting to question me about my fake passport details. The false number would, I thought, have been run through the computer and sounded a security alert.
But no. It took less than a minute to walk from the plane to the terminal with my overnight bag. Again, as in Calais, there was no visible security.
I could have been carrying large sums of money that I was intending to launder, drugs or guns.
The absence of checks was despite government guidance that all passengers must have the correct documents, including a passport, to enter the UK and to comply with customs requirements.
There were merely two female receptionists at an information desk so I asked them for a taxi to Ashford railway station. Fifteen minutes later, I was on my way.
This seemingly lax security is perhaps explained by the government website that covers what it calls our 'Border Force's expectations of airfield operators'. It says: 'On arrival: Border Force and the police do not legally require [flight] operators to check the details of the passports of arriving passengers and crew against information provided on a GAR. Border Force also does not legally require operators to ask passengers or crew if they have goods to declare for customs purposes.
'Similarly the police do not legally require operators to question passengers or crew for police purposes. If an operator carries out such action, they do so on a voluntary basis.'
Clearly, the border and security system is a farce. Particularly disturbing is that Lydd Airport, while small, is not a grass airstrip or flying club of which there are hundreds in Britain which must be harder to police. It is described on its website as a fully licensed port of entry to the UK.
The site says: 'Lydd Airport has direct contact with Border Force, Customs and Special Branch throughout our operational hours. We require all pilots to fill out a GAR for themselves and all their passengers on board the aircraft for departing and arriving flights from abroad.'
It is precisely the size of airport where you would expect incoming passengers to be checked properly.
Others have previously raised concerns, though. Last year, David Bolt, Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, issued a major report on small air and sea port security.
It said that during the previous two years, 170 suspicious people had entered Britain without being checked against a list of possible terrorists and criminals when they should have been. Of these, 134 had arrived at small airfields.
Mr Bolt blamed 'inconsistent' checking of suspect flight paperwork such as GARs by Border Force officials.
His criticism coincided with a whistleblower's warning that illegal migrants were using light aircraft to breach border controls, particularly on the East Coast.
I asked the Home Office last night why deliberately faked information on my GAR form did not ring alarm bells. A spokesman said it could not make public how many of the forms border and security authorities receive each year, or what proportion are checked.
The department later added: 'Border Force works with domestic and international partners to gather intelligence and target suspicious activity in the skies and seas. We carry out detailed risk assessments and our officers physically meet any flight considered to be high risk.
'Border Force also carry out regular visits to airfields around the UK to conduct checks on lower-risk traffic and to maintain relationships with the aviation community.
'We use ever-changing methods against criminals looking to bring harm to communities in the UK.'
Alan Dunn, the whistleblower who took early retirement from Border Force after 30 years' service, sounded the alarm that migrants and people smugglers were two or three steps ahead of those guarding our ports and airfields.
For centuries, the 21-mile-wide strip of water that we call the English Channel has successfully protected this country.
Now, as I discovered this week, that is no longer true because we have a border-control system that is clearly not up to scratch.
Overwhelmed by sheer numbers and understaffed it may be. But is that really any excuse for offering an open door to Britain?
US spies warned intelligence services in Israel not to share information with Donald Trump's team for fear of it being passed on to the Kremlin, according to an extraordinary claim in the Israeli media.
American officials told their Israeli counterparts that Moscow could have 'levers of pressure' over Trump, it is alleged.
The claim has been made in newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, but has not been verified.
The president-elect has repeatedly denied Russia has leverage over him, and has branded allegations in a dossier penned by a former MI6 spy as 'garbage'.
Israeli intelligence officials were briefed not to share information with Donald Trump's team, in case it was passed on to the Kremlin, it has been alleged
Donald Trump has again lashed out over the affair and tweeted: 'It now turns out that the phony allegations against me were put together by my political opponents and a failed spy afraid of being sued'.
Relations between Trump and the US intelligence services have been strained in recent months, with the incoming President repeatedly rubbishing CIA and FBI conclusions that Russian hackers had attempted to influence the Presidential election.
He blasted security services earlier this week after the notorious 'dirty dossier' became public.
Now it is claimed US figures have briefed their Israeli counterparts to be cautious with Trump's team.
The latest story, penned by investigative journalist Ronen Bergman, cites a recent meeting between US and Israeli officers.
The 'dirty dossier' which has caused a diplomatic crisis this week, was reportedly written by former MI6 agent Christopher Steele (pictured), who has gone into hiding after being linked to the controversy
He wrote: 'Israeli officials who attended that meeting said that their American counterparts spoke despairingly about the election of Trump, who has repeatedly lashed out at the American intelligence community.'
And his report added: 'The American officials went on to say that they believed that Putin has "levers of pressure" over Trump - but refrained from going into any detail.'
It is not known what these 'levers of pressure' are, but this is likely to refer to the dossier, penned by former MI6 agent Christopher Steele, which was passed to the FBI last year.
It sparked a diplomatic storm after it was published by BuzzFeed this week.
US spies allegedly warned that information passed to Donald Trump's team could end up in the hands of the Kremlin
The document made a string of salacious allegations about Trump's conduct during a 2013 visit to Moscow, claiming the president-elect had been compromised.
Both Trump and the Kremlin deny the findings.
The Yedioth Ahronoth article alleged that Israeli officials were told to be careful about sharing information with the White House after Trump takes office, until the new administration has shown it can be trusted.
The article does not state where or when the alleged meeting took place.
Trump has angrily denied that he has been compromised by Russia, tweeting today that the 'phony' allegations came from 'my political opponents and a failed spy afraid of being sued'.
Dossier of unverifiable sleaze Lurid sex claims The report states that in 2013 Trump hired prostitutes to urinate on the bed of the Presidential Suite at the Moscow Ritz Carlton, where he knew Barack and Michelle Obama had previously stayed. It says: 'Trump's unorthodox behavior in Russia over the years had provided the authorities there with enough embarrassing material on the now Republican presidential candidate to be able to blackmail him if they so wished.' Property 'sweeteners' The document states that Trump had declined 'sweetener' real estate deals in Russia that the Kremlin lined up in order to cultivate him. The business proposals were said to be 'in relation to the ongoing 2018 World Cup soccer tournament'. Russia 'cultivated' Trump for five years The dossier claimed that the Russian regime had been 'cultivating, supporting and assisting Trump for at least five years'. According to the document, one source even claimed that 'the Trump operation was both supported and directed by Russian President Vladimir Putin' with the aim being to 'sow discord'. Putin 'wanted to cause divisions in the West' The report claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin himself had endorsed moves to encourage 'splits and divisions in the West. A dossier on Hillary Clinton At one point the memo suggests Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov 'controlled' another dossier containing compromising material on Hillary Clinton compiled over 'many years'. Elsewhere in the document, it is claimed that Putin was 'motivated by fear and hatred of Hillary Clinton.' Clandestine meetings At one point the memo says there were reports of 'clandestine meetings' between Donald Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen and Kremlin representatives in August last year in Prague. However, Trump's counsel Michael Cohen today spoke out against allegations that he secretly met with Kremlin officials. Advertisement
Former British ambassador to Moscow, Sir Andrew Wood, 77, described Steele as a 'very professional operator'.
Sir Andrew, who was ambassador between 1995 and 2000, said: 'I know him to be a very professional operator who left the secret service to operate his own company.
'I do not think he would make things up - but I do not think he would always draw the correct judgement'.
Steele has been accused of 'appalling judgement' over the 'shaky' file containing far-fetched claims about the president-elect's sex life in Russia and MI6 boss Sir Alex Younger is said to be livid.
The relatives of James Bryant (pictured at his wedding) were threatened with legal action
An elderly Alzheimers sufferer who was kicked out of his care home after being wrongly accused of owing 17,000 in fees died from the stress of the event, his family said yesterday.
James Bryants relatives were threatened with legal action and then given just four weeks to find somewhere else for him to live after they refused to pay the huge bill.
They complained to an ombudsman, which found in their favour and asked the nursing home and the local council to apologise. But the apology has come too late for Mr Bryant, who died, aged 90, eight months after he was kicked out of the home.
Daughter Janet Marshall believed the stress of the move caused his condition to deteriorate. We were told moving him would have a detrimental effect, and it did, she said.
My dad was poorly and could not communicate but my sister said she thought he had an idea of what was going on. People of that generation do not like to owe money and he would have been very upset at the prospect of owing anyone a penny.
The dispute centred on who was responsible for paying for Mr Bryants care after the death of his wife and highlights the complex rules over care funding.
Mr Bryant, who was a military wireless operator at Bletchley Park in the Second World War, moved into Roebuck Nursing Home in Stevenage in April 2011. He had been diagnosed with Alzheimers and his wife Evelyn, who he married in 1953, and daughters Janet and Jill could not provide the care he needed.
He was eligible for funding from Hertfordshire council, which agreed a reduced rate of 550 a week with Roebuck.
The standard rate was 880. But problems at the home began following the death of his wife in December 2013. It meant the family home could be sold and pushed Mr Bryants assets above the threshold for help with care costs.
It took 17 months for the daughters to sell the house due to legal complications his care fees switched to 880.
However, Roebuck owner Nilufa Somani argued that he should have paid that rate from the day his wife died and received backing from Hertfordshire council.
The authority later admitted it had been wrong but the care home continued to demand payment, culminating in a bill for 16,958 in January last year.
On February 18 Mr Bryant was given four weeks to leave as a result of the outstanding debt and he was taken out in an ambulance last March.
Mrs Marshall said: By this stage it had become personal they just wanted to get the money. And because the council had told them the wrong information, they thought they were right and evicted my dad. It was very upsetting.
Mr Bryant being loaded into ambulance outside as he was being removed from the Roebuck Nursing Home in Stevenage, Hertfordshire
After the familys complaints, the Local Government Ombudsman concluded that the council advice was wrong and the nursing home was wrong to chase the payment. It said the home should not have kept 5,000 the family had overpaid.
Last November, nursing home manager Moira Edmondson sent an email blaming mistakes on the council and apologising for any distress.
Mrs Marshall remains angry over the treatment of her father and dismissed the apology from Roebuck as insincere.
She described both the Care Quality Commission, which she said did little to help, and the Local Government Ombudsman as toothless organisations.
Britain desperately needs an organisation with powers to support and defend families in such situations, she said.
Mrs Somani owns the care home with husband Hassanali, through Finecare Homes, which had operating profits of 750,000 last year. She did not respond to a request for comment.
Hertfordshire council apologised over its role and said it was instigating a financial checklist to improve the understanding of policies.
Ms Edmondson said: 'We are, and remain, in the healthcare environment to provide a safe and caring service to the vulnerable elderly.
'We have a good reputation with Hertfordshire County Council and with Continuing Health Care (CHC); providing an excellent service to our residents.
'There is an association between moving a resident and an earlier than expected demise. However, we are not privy to Mr Bryants medical progress since leaving Roebuck and therefore cannot make comment.
'It is worthy of note that a premature death, if it occurs, does happen quite quickly. Sadly, Mr Bryant passed away eight months after the move.
'Roebuck asked for private fees only after being informed by HCC to do so. Please see attached letter from HCC to Roebuck.
'The amount retained in total was 5218.51 whilst awaiting the Ombudsmans decision. When these recommendations were received, the appropriate action was taken.'
A university in China has installed female urinals as part of a move to save water.
The school hopes that 160,000 litres (160 tonnes) will be saved every day from the change, reports Huanqiu, an affiliation with the People's Daily Online.
Females using the system are given funnels made from paper to help them use the urinals, which are placed inside pink cubicles.
Saving water: Shaanxi Normal University in Xi'an, China, has installed female urinals
Bizarre: Paper funnels are also handed out in the bathrooms to assist female students
Shaanxi Normal University in Xi'an, north-west China, has introduced female urinals.
The university claims that there is too much water wastage at the school.
Signs installed in the toilets read: 'If every girl stands up to urine, Shaanxi Normal University saves 160 tonnes of water a day!'
Signs installed in the toilets say the female urinals can save the school 160 tonnes of water a day
The university later issued a statement on its Weibo account claiming that only one set of urinals was installed.
However, pictures posted by Huanqiu show that at least three urinals have been installed.
In addition, women on campus are free to opt in or out of the urinals although the school said that the unconventional female toilets could help save water and cut down on the spread of diseases.
The school also claimed that it had had female urinals installed at its campus for several years.
Many people have commented on Chinese social media site Weibo about the toilets.
One user said: 'How can it save water? What's the rationale?'
While another commented: 'Will they get their pants wet? Then they have to use more water to clean their pants.'
And one user wrote: 'How does it work? What's on the designer's mind?'
There are devices invented to help women urinate standing up such as the Shewee. This device is often used by women at festivals or when camping.
This is the shocking moment a Chinese kindergarten teacher violently slams a deaf pupil on the floor before repeatedly kicking him for being 'too naughty'.
The footage was reportedly taken in September 2016 in the city of Shenyang and later uploaded online on January 12, reports the People's Daily Online.
The kindergarten later revealed that the woman involved in the incident has been dismissed.
Horrible behaviour: The woman can be seen crouching down in front of the boy
Tragic: The woman slams the deaf boy to the floor as another child can be seen watching
She then picks the boy up and slams him again in a horrific incident watched by other kids
Staff at the school named Haitun Ying'er Kindergarten admitted on January 12 that the incident had occurred.
In the footage, a child can be seen lying on the floor while another child and the woman are sat down.
She can then be seen grabbing the child as it makes a noise.
Becoming increasingly frustrated, she then pushes the child around before then slamming the child against the floor.
Wrong: As the woman slams the boy to the ground, another child can be seen watching
Sickening: The woman can be seen kicking, almost standing on the young boy
Rage: At one point, the woman becomes so enraged she picks up the screaming child
She then starts kicking and scolding the child as it continues to cry.
According to reports, the woman also pinched the child and said that he was 'too naughty'.
The footage was taken by a member of staff who said that the school's principal had threatened him.
The creator of the video said that the woman conducting the vicious beating was surnamed Zhang.
They also said that the child had been attending the school for a long time and the parents to not take the child back home every day.
Zhang has been dismissed but another person also responsible for beating in the school was not allowed to come in for two days.
There have been over 7,000 comments on the video.
One user commented: 'Those without a caring heart should not be a kindergarten teacher.'
And another said: 'She doesn't deserve to be a teacher.'
While another wrote: 'The kindergarten should raise their standard for recruitment.'
Disgusting behaviour: She can also be seen kicking and stamping on the child
They are some of the most feared creatures in the animal kingdom, but until now little has been known about the predatory actions of rattlesnakes.
But researchers have now used 3D-cameras to capture a rattlesnake striking a rat for the first time.
The high-speed camera shows that while the snake is quick with its attacks, it often misfires, missing out on a meal at the last minute.
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Researchers have used 3D-cameras to capture a rattlesnake striking a rat for the first time. The high-speed camera shows that while the snake is quick with its attacks, it often misfires, missing out on a meal at the last minute
HOW DOES THE RAT GET AWAY? The results suggest that kangaroo rats might amplify their power when under attack by rattlesnakes via 'elastic energy storage.' Mr Higham added: 'Elastic energy storage is when the muscle stretches a tendon and then relaxes, allowing the tendon to recoil like an elastic band being released from the stretched position. 'It's equivalent to a sling shot - you can pull the sling shot slowly and it can be released very quickly. 'The kangaroo rat is likely using the tendons in its lower leg - similar to our Achilles tendon - to store energy and release it quickly, allowing it to jump quickly and evade the strike.' Advertisement
Researchers from the University of California, Riverside, were interested in the antagonistic predator-prey system between the rattlesnake and kangaroo rat.
Timothy Higham, who led the study, said: 'Predator-prey interactions are naturally variable - much more so than we would ever observe in a controlled laboratory setting.
'Technology is now allowing us to understand what defines successful capture and evasion under natural conditions.
'It is under these conditions in which the predator and prey evolve. It's therefore absolutely critical to observe animals in their natural habitat before making too many conclusions from laboratory studies alone.'
The researchers wanted to explore the factors that determine the success or failure of a strike or escape.
In the case of the rattlesnake and kangaroo rat, the outcome appears to depend on both the snake's accuracy and the ability of the kangaroo rat to detect and evade the viper before being struck.
Mr Higham said: 'We obtained some incredible footage of Mohave rattlesnakes striking in the middle of the night, under infrared lighting, in New Mexico during the summer of 2015.
'The results are quite interesting in that strikes are very rapid and highly variable. The snakes also appear to miss quite dramatically - either because the snake simply misses or the kangaroo rat moves out of the way in time.'
While several previous studies have examined snake strikes, this is the first study to quantify strikes using high-speed video in the wild.
To collect data, the researchers radio-tracked rattlesnakes by implanting transmitters.
Once the rattlesnake was in striking position, the team carried the filming equipment to the location and set up the cameras around the snake.
While several previous studies have examined snake strikes, this is the first study to quantify strikes using high-speed video in the wild
The team then waited for a kangaroo rat to come by for the snake to strike.
Mr Higham said: 'We would watch the live view through a laptop quite far away and trigger the cameras when a strike occurred.'
The video suggests that rattlesnakes in nature can greatly exceed the defensive strike speeds and accelerations observed in the lab.
The results also suggest that kangaroo rats might amplify their power when under attack by rattlesnakes via 'elastic energy storage.'
The results suggest that kangaroo rats might amplify their power when under attack by rattlesnakes via 'elastic energy storage'
Mr Higham added: 'Elastic energy storage is when the muscle stretches a tendon and then relaxes, allowing the tendon to recoil like an elastic band being released from the stretched position.
'It's equivalent to a sling shot - you can pull the sling shot slowly and it can be released very quickly.
'The kangaroo rat is likely using the tendons in its lower leg - similar to our Achilles tendon - to store energy and release it quickly, allowing it to jump quickly and evade the strike.'
French astronaut Thomas Pesquet has floated into space on his first-ever spacewalk today, along with American astronaut Shane Kimbrough.
The mission aims to help upgrade the power system outside the International Space Station with new, refrigerator-sized lithium-ion batteries and finish other power maintenance.
You can watch the six-hour spacewalk live below, and Nasa is streaming it here.
This still image taken from video provided by Nasa shows US astronaut Shane Kimbrough, left and French astronaut Thomas Pesquet during a space walk outside the International Space Station
THE AIM OF THE SPACEWALK The men's goal for the six-and-a-half hour spacewalk is to finish power maintenance work. This includes connecting several modern lithium-ion batteries, which weigh about 428 pounds (194 kilograms) each, to store power for the orbiting lab as it flies in Earth shadow. The work was started earlier this month during a spacewalk by Kimbrough and American astronaut Peggy Whitson. Advertisement
Wearing a white spacesuit with the French flag on one shoulder, Pesquet along with American astronaut Shane Kimbrough switched on their spacesuits' internal battery power at 11:22 GMT (06:22 ET).
This marked the official start of the spacewalk more than a half hour earlier than scheduled.
'This is Pesquet's first foray into the vacuum of space,' a Nasa commentator said as a live broadcast from the US space agency showed Pesquet's booted feet dangling out of the airlock as he made his way outside.
The men's goal for the six-and-a-half hour spacewalk is to finish power maintenance work.
This includes connecting several modern lithium-ion batteries, which weigh about 428 pounds (194 kilograms) each, to store power for the orbiting lab as it flies in Earth shadow.
The work was started earlier this month during a spacewalk by Kimbrough and American astronaut Peggy Whitson.
By the end of the mission, 12 old nickle hydrogen batteries, of a total of 48 on board the ISS, will be replaced with the newer lithium-ion types as part of this month's spacewalks.
Eventually, all will be replaced and upgraded.
The men's goal for the six-and-a-half hour spacewalk is to finish power maintenance work. This includes connecting several modern lithium-ion batteries, which weigh about 428 pounds (194 kilograms) each, to store power for the orbiting lab as it flies in Earth shadow
French astronaut Thomas Pesquet (pictured) posted pictures of the space station on Facebook yesterday, showing the location of the batteries and the Quest airlock, which is the entry and exit portal for spacewalkers
Pesquet, 38, is the fourth French astronaut to perform a spacewalk.
He posted pictures of the space station on Facebook yesterday, showing the location of the batteries and the Quest airlock, which is the entry and exit portal for spacewalkers.
'We will get a closer look of the outside of the space station,' he wrote.
'Peggy says it is even more beautiful when you are out there than looking through the windows.'
Back at mission control in Houston, Texas, Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano orchestrated the spacewalk and could be heard giving the pair of men directions.
The European Space Agency described Parmitano's role as lead communicator as 'a recognition of ESA's expertise in Station operations.'
Parmitano went on two spacewalks during his six-month mission in 2013.
Shortly after the start of one of those spacewalks, Parmitano's helmet began filling with a water leak and he had to be rushed back inside the station for emergency aid.
Parmitano is also a friend of Pesquet's after they trained together for six years in the European astronaut corps.
Parmitano said that ahead of Friday's spacewalk, he gave Pesquet some words of advice: go slow and take plenty of pictures.
Cats should be fed five times a day including at night - instead of just twice to stop them getting overweight.
Lots of small meals would stop cats overeating, as this more closely replicates how cats eat in the wild.
Rather than eating 'little and often', as they would naturally do in the wild, large meals can lead to cats overeating, researchers advise.
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Cats should be fed five times a day including at night - instead of just twice to stop them getting overweight (stock image)
HOW YOU SHOULD FEED YOUR CAT Cat behaviour experts advised cat owners to make feeding time more like a 'hunt'. In the wild, cats would spend much of their time around 12 hours a day hunting for food. They would have lots of small meals for a typical wild cat perhaps catching around ten mice. Without this mental stimulation, cats can become 'bored and frustrated' and engage in 'attention-seeking' behaviours such as wreaking destruction in the home, or showing signs of 'withdrawal' and depression. To go some way to recreating a sense of adventure at meal time, scientists suggest owners could make meal times for cats more fun by creating 'puzzle feeders'. They suggest putting cat food inside used toilet rolls glued together in the shape of a pyramid. This would allow cats to use their paws to reach in to get their food, helping them to be more mentally stimulated. Advertisement
Eating a lot at one go leads to a cat's overriding their inclination to stop when they feel full.
And as cats are active at night, owners should consider using timed feeders that release food in the hours of darkness.
In further advice, cat behaviour experts also advised cat owners to make feeding time more like a 'hunt'.
In the wild, cats would spend much of their time around 12 hours a day hunting for food.
They would have lots of small meals for a typical wild cat perhaps catching around ten mice.
Without this mental stimulation, cats can become 'bored and frustrated' and engage in 'attention-seeking' behaviours such as wreaking destruction in the home, or showing signs of 'withdrawal' and depression.
To go some way to recreating a sense of adventure at meal time, scientists suggest owners could make meal times for cats more fun by creating 'puzzle feeders'.
They suggest putting cat food inside used toilet rolls glued together in the shape of a pyramid.
This would allow cats to use their paws to reach in to get their food, helping them to be more mentally stimulated.
A recent review of 'puzzle feeders' in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery found that they reduced signs of stress, helped weight loss, decreased aggression towards humans and other cats, reduced anxiety and fear and eliminated attention seeking behaviour, the authors said.
Putting food in a different place to the last time will also go some way to help cats 'engage their senses in searching for the food', the authors said.
To go some way to recreating a sense of adventure at meal time, scientists suggest owners could make meal times for cats more fun by creating 'puzzle feeders'
They also advise keeping water bowls away from food, as cats instinctively prefer water separated from food sources. It is thought they have evolved to understand that water that is close to food sources may be contaminated.
Dr Ellis, a feline behaviour specialist, said: 'The way we feed our cats generally does not match the lifestyle they were designed for. Cats have undergone little in the way of selective breeding during the domestication process and therefore have an instinctive need to hunt.
'This modern lifestyle could be dangerous to pets, but by making a few simple changes to the way we feed them, we can help our cats to live longer, healthier and happier lives.
'The plan, based on scientific evidence, helps every cat owner mimic the conditions cats would usually contend with to get their food.'
The cat feeding plan was devised by Dr Sarah Elllis and Dr Lizzie Rowe on behalf of the charity International Cat Care and will be presented at the Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Fair, which takes place between March 15 and 18 in Birmingham.
Social media posts have revealed that ISIS has modified commercial drones to drop bombs.
Coalition air forces have hit ISIS-made drones and drone production sites in both Syria and Iraq.
According to press releases from the Combined Joint Task Force, coalition military forces conducted 32 strikes against ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq on January 12th alone, hitting an ISIS drone launch site in Northwestern Iraq.
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A US central command official told Defense One : 'Over the last two months, coalition forces have observed about one adversary drone every day around Mosul'
With the exception of just one day (January 10th), the forces have hit ISIS drones, drone launch sites or drone production sites daily since January 7th.
A US central command official told Defense One: 'Over the last two months, coalition forces have observed about one adversary drone every day around Mosul.
'The Coalition has struck a number of what we believed to be unmanned aerial vehicle facilities in Mosul.
Iraqi soldiers have captured various kinds of drones from ISIS terrorists, especially quadcopters (pictured) - a drone with four rotors that help lift it
'We spend considerable time researching and developing target lists to ensure maximum effects against ISIS.'
Iraqi soldiers have captured different kinds of drones from ISIS terrorists, especially quadcopters- a drone with four rotors that help lift it.
The drones have been found to be carrying various types of bombs, including grenades and mortars.
Quadcopter drones were reportedly captured by Iraqi Rapid Response Units in Mosul on January 4th
Iraqi Rapid Response Units reportedly brought down two drones on January 4th.
And on January 7th, Peshmerga forces in Mosul shot down a drone that may have been a quadcopter.
According to Kurdish Rudaw news, the drone dropped ten bombs before it was shot down.
Footage was recorded showing the moment the Peshmerga forces shot down the drone.
Some of the drones even deploy hidden explosives.
In October, a drone that crashed near a Peshmerga camp outside Mosul suddenly exploded when the soldier took it apart.
The battery pack inside the drone hid an IED - an improvised explosive device - that exploded, killing two Peshmerga soldiers.
IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) are homemade bombs are homemade bombs that are sometimes used with destructive devices.
IEDs are used by criminals, vandals, terrorists, suicide bombers, and insurgents.
Because they are improvised, IEDs can come in many forms, ranging from a small bombs to a sophisticated device capable of causing massive damage.
What makes IEDs especially dangerous is that they can can be easily carried, concealed, transported or thrown by a person.
The term IED came into common usage during the Iraq War that began in 2003.
IEDs consist of a range of components that include an initiator, switch, main charge, power source, and a container.
IEDs may be surrounded by or packed with other materials such as nails, glass, or metal fragments designed to increase the amount of shrapnel thrown by the explosion.
Iraqi forces have retaken at least 80 percent of east Mosul from Islamic State jihadists, the spokesman of the special forces spearheading the campaign said Wednesday
ISIS's use of drones as weapons isn't new.
In August 2015, the US Central Command announced that an ISIS drone had been destroyed in an airstrike.
In November, Popular Mobilization Units (PMU's) shot down a huge drone, with footage showing the drone below.
Iraqi forces have retaken at least 80 percent of east Mosul from Islamic State jihadists, the spokesman of the special forces spearheading the campaign said Wednesday.
Over the past two weeks, Iraqi forces have overrun several districts and, for the first time, reached the Tigris River that runs through the heart of the city.
But the western part of Iraq's second city remains largely in IS hands.
Colonel Brett Sylvia, who commands an "advise and assist" US unit in Iraq, said on Wednesday: 'There's a lot of fight that's left to do in western Mosul,' noting that IS had conducted extensive defensive work.
Still, he said, IS resistance had weakened in several areas.
European Capital of Culture Tallinn is Estonia's renaissance gem
The best view of Tallinn is from Patkuli, a viewing platform next to the Presidents residence. From this rocky vantage point in Toompea you can see the Old Town spread out below like a toy fort. With its white stone battlements and red conical roofs, Tallinn has to be one of the prettiest places ever designated European Capital of Culture.
The citys aristocracy lived up here in the citadel of Toompea. Below, inside the 15th century walls, is where Hanseatic merchants made their money. The two parts of this city did not get on.
At the top of Luhike jag, one of the narrow streets that connects the Old Town and Toompea, is a big wooden door once securely fastened shut at night.
With it's onion-dome churches, white stone battlements and red roofs, Estonia's capital Tallinn is best viewed from up on high
The merchants put the lock on their side because they didnt want the toffs - who were idle and frequently short of food and money - coming down and raiding the prosperous Old Town.
Walking around Toompea, its difficult to imagine that this citadel, built by the Danes when they conquered Tallinn in 1219, was a rundown, half-empty and dangerous place to visit in the last days of Soviet Estonia.
But since 1991, all of Tallinn has been given a new lease of life. The dainty, baroque Toompea Palace, now home to Estonias parliament, has a bright new coat of pink paint.
Walking through Toompea, Tallinn's old town area, can reveal a mixture of Baroque palaces and cosy side-streets
The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, a dazzling concoction of domed red and white turrets, looks as though it has been beamed down from Moscow.
And the Cathedral of St Mary bristles with so many coats of arms that you can hardly seeits newly whitewashed walls. Only the Knights House, a meeting place for Toompeas gentry, seems in need of repair.
This low, green, 19th-century palazzo was designed to recall the architecture of Renaissance Florence, and in Communist times it was the Estonian National Library, then an art museum. Now it just looks tired.
I leave Toompea, walking down Pikk, a long street that runs through the Old Town down to where the sea once washed against the walls of medieval Tallinn. The city made its money trading with Russia, Denmark, Sweden and Germany.
Understandably, they all thought it would be a good idea to own Tallinn, which is why there were so many invasions and why the citys walls were built so high. In fact, the Estonians could regard their capital as actually Estonian for only 20 years in a very brief window between 1920 and 1940.
The country regained its independence in 1991, and Tallinn has bounced back from a difficult time when it was caught between two warring giants, Germany and Russia.
The city led the Baltic economic recovery, something you can tell just by looking at all the splendid restaurants and cafes lining Vene Street: Egoist is one of the top dining rooms in northern Europe, Tschaikovski is a Russian restaurant in the old KGB listening station, and Toscana the best Italian in town.
Vene also boasts Josephine and Chocolats de Pierre, two upmarket cafes for weary shoppers. Eating and admiring architecture are two of Tallinins great pleasures.
Both are possible around Town Hal l Square. Peppersack is a medieval-style restaurant inside a medieval merchants house. Its name is derived from the dismissive nickname aristocrats in Toompea gave their more industrious mercantile neighbours.
Tallinn's Alexander Nevski Cathedral is a classic example of Russian Revival architecture
In 1520 one merchant refused to be intimidated by this sneer any longer and defiantly adopted the name Hans Pepersack. Its also worth calling in at the Kalev Marzipan Room nearby on Pikk, an old-style cafe and museum that celebrates Tallinns claim to have invented the almond paste 500 years ago.
When taking a break from eating, tourists can wander Old Town and up to Toompea with their cameras at the ready and their mouths open.
Given the number of times Tallinn has been fought over, it really is extraordinary that the city has managed to keep most of its architecture intact. The Black Heads House on Pikk, next to the Swedish embassy, is a little Renaissance palace where in the 15th century unmarried merchants could lodge.
The Town Hall Pharmacy is unchanged since its facelift in the 17th century, but parts of its interior date back to 1422.
Next to it, Saiakang alley is a narrow, cobbled medieval street that used to be full of bakeries.
The name means Bread Walk. I cut through Katariina Kaik, a busy route that runs from Vene alongside the ruins of the 13th-century church of St Catherine, which is lined with shops producing handmade goods: leather-bound books, ceramics and jewellery.
It empties out behind the heavily buttressed city wall, that looms tall. By paying 30 krooni (1.50) you can climb up one of the many towers and walk along the ramparts, which are protected from the weather - and besieging armies - by red-tiled roofs.
Soldiers, standing there during the 16th-century Livonian Wars, would have watched over the same view as they defended their city against one invading army after another.
Looking in the other direction out to sea, you understand why Tallinn was fought over for so long.
The port has gradually moved more than 300 yards from the city walls to follow the retreating sea, but beyond it lies a huge, sheltered bay ideally placed for trading between Russia, Germany and Scandinavia.
Tallinn was very much a merchants city and it still is today busy, buzzing and beautiful, too.
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When this Italian ex-architect quit his city job to become a shepherd, his life could hardly have changed more dramatically.
Marco Sgarbi had no experience with sheep farming when he made the career leap, but did hold a profound desire to immerse himself in the countryside, and a growing passion for photography.
He ended up working at the Paugnano cheese farm in Radicondoli, nestled in the Tuscan Hills, with no-one but a pack of dogs, a flock of sheep and his camera to keep him company.
Sgarbi explains that this moody image is of the field adjacent to the farm's barn. 'The sheep are never happy to enter this field,' he says, 'but if the weather threatens heavy rains it is better to have the sheep nearby so we can tend to them as soon as possible'
'To get this picture I had to scare the sheep with a hand gesture,' says Mr Sgarbi. 'They do not like to be touched. But they love to play'
Pictured is another shepherd that Sgarbi worked with called Maurizio, with dogs Gino and Kira
This beautiful shot shows two sheep playing together. Sgarbi says that the sheep are particularly fond of this pasture
Sheep gather in the morning mist: Sgarbi says that scenes like this contrasted starkly with the chaos of the rush hours he endured getting to his office in previous years
Speaking to MailOnline Travel, Mr Sgarbi explains: 'All I could see in the city was waste - people wasting food, wasting energy on jobs that don't make them happy. I'm much better off in the mountains and among animals.'
He was placed at the farm in 2011 after joining the WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) scheme, where he trained for seven months until he was hired as a shepherd.
'It was tough but great,' he recalls. 'I woke up every morning full of curiosity.'
The sheep dairy industry - which involves the regular slaughter of lambs - may seem like a peculiar calling, given Mr Sgarbi is a vegetarian.
Friends forever: Kira (the dog on the far right) got on famously with the farm's red cat. Sgarbi said: 'The red cat grew up with Kira and is very confused. He does not know whether to be a dog, a cat or a sheep (see image on the left). When I returned to the barn with the sheep, the red cat came to meet us and was always pleased to see us'
'This pine forest above the farm,' says Sgarbi, 'is where Gino and I went hunting. I hunted for photographs, he hunted deer. But he never got one. The dog pictured is a Maremma shepherd, an ancient breed that specialises in protecting the flock from wolves. And those working for Paugnano farm are very good. No wolf has claimed a sheep'
'To produce milk, the sheep must have a lamb, which is removed from them so we can take the mother's milk for the next nine months, after which the cycle is repeated,' he explains.
'I slaughtered many lambs - males are sold for meat - and it was very difficult for me as a vegetarian. It's not a nice thing to do but it's part of the process.'
Despite this, Mr Sgarbi says he held a deep affection for all the animals he worked with.
'I formed a special bond with each animal,' he remarks.
'The shepherd dogs, which protect the flock from wolves, are incredible. They're almost wild themselves. I had to establish myself as their pack leader, which was a great honour.'
This image shows sheep at a gate, ready to return to the farm, with dogs on the perimeter to protect them from predators
A small kitten enjoying the sun on a bale of hay. When the sun hits the hay the scent of summer grasses is emitted, says Sgarbi
Here the red cat is stealing milk that was actually set out for the farm's puppies
Here the red cat is pictured being affectionate with his sheep friends, says Sgarbi
This eye-catching image was taken in late August when the grass was golden. Sgarbi says that it seems here as if the sheep are afloat on an undulating sea
This field, and its walnut tree, is located about one-and-a-half miles from the farm in an area called Colle Talli. Sgarbi describes it as a 'very wild place'. Leaves from the walnut tree are used to give the cheese a special taste, he says
Mr Sgarbi is pictured here nuzzling up to one of his sheep. He says that he formed a bond with all of his animals
The barn cat, too, won his heart.
'He was born with the sheepdogs and thinks he's a dog,' Mr Sgarbi explains. 'Sometimes he would follow us out to pasture. He loves the sheep and they in turn adore him.'
Mr Sgarbi left the farm when he fell in love, he says, and since moved to be with his partner in Bologna. The couple have dreams of some day securing their own land and opening a petting zoo, and a library in the woods.
In the mean time, he still comes back to visit Paugnano once a month.
'The dogs go crazy with joy when they see me,' he says.
It's safe to say the lambs probably don't.
Sgarbi says that sheep are farmed animals that could not survive without man, that we've made them dependent on us. But he explains that some things about them have remained wild - they do not like being followed by someone while they are grazing. This sheep, he says, is a watchman and 'soon will warn the flock of my presence'
This dog is called Gino and in the background is the Tuscan town of Radicodoli, which Sgarbi describes as 'beautiful'. Gino, he says, was a 'great friend' and his favourite breed of dog
Its not just dazzling attractions, new climates and unfamiliar cuisine that can surprise you when youre on holiday.
Some of the biggest eye-openers are the people and how they navigate their day-to-day in a destination.
From the politeness of Canadian drivers to the punishment for stealing in Nigeria, seasoned travellers have taken to an online forum to reveal the most memorable culture shocks they have experienced.
Crossing the road in Nigeria
Crossing the street in Nigeria is a hair-raising experience as pedestrians will literally push you onto one side of the road while theyre crossing said one Quora poster
Thousands of Quora members have been sharing their most jaw-dropping moments on a thread with the top comment centring on life in Nigeria.
American poster Daniel Ndukwu explained how dangerous the drivers are in the country with fender benders being a frequent daily occurrence.
As such, crossing the street in Nigeria is a hair-raising experience as pedestrians will literally push you onto one side of the road while theyre crossing.
He noted that if there is a crowd of pedestrians waiting to cross theyll stop cars coming at 100kmh by sheer force of numbers.
Outlining Nigerias swift and shocking sense of justice he claimed if you mistakenly hit a pedestrian with your car, all the other pedestrians would beat you senseless.
Revealing another harrowing first-hand example of this community response, he added: Its called jungle justice and I've only experienced it once in my life. If you get caught stealing in the marketplace, everyone will stop what theyre doing and attempt to beat you to death. I do mean everyone. Men, women, and children... Its scary, its heart wrenching.
Women only train carriages in Japan
Several countries including Japan implement women only carriages on public transport
Several countries implement women only carriages on public transport.
But if youre unaware of the rules (and are male) you may incur awkward stares or worse the wrath of fellow passengers.
Oman Hedvat admitted it was very embarrassing after he entered one by accident and realised only too late.
Apologetic bows in Japan
A number of travellers were astounded and humbled by Dogeza culture (the kneeling bow) used to express a deep apology in Japan.
American holidaymaker Lila Adamson shared a story of lingering after a meal at a restaurant to chat with her companion when she was approached by a waiter.
She said: He kneeled on the floor and bowed, asking our forgiveness but that it was very busy and they wondered if since we were done with our meal, could they please have the table for other patrons? He was extremely apologetic about even asking us, and I dont think either of us were offended, but in fact felt awful for staying so long and delaying others from enjoying the food!
The politeness of Canadian drivers
Canadians have a global reputation for good manners and this it seems also extends to the roads.
A bemused Jacek Karaszewsk wrote: Canadian drivers will stop and wait until you cross the street 99.5 per cent of the time. Traffic volume, crosswalk or not, red or green light, doesnt matter. If you want to cross the street or give the vague impression you might want to, the entire road traffic will stop for you.
Illustrating a classic Canadian politeness loop he added: Canadian drivers actually guilted me into crossing the street on a few separate occasions, even though I had no such intentions - but they stopped and I would feel bad not doing that.
Spanish time
Admittedly sharing a culture shock from the 1980s, Paul Farr described how Spanish time really exists.
He wrote: [Back home in the US] If you are supposed to meet someone at 6pm, and you show up at 6.20pm, you are expected to apologise for being late. Perhaps you might even atone by picking up the tab or buying a round. In Spain, a friend might arrive at 6.55pm and think nothing of it.
He added that store opening times are suggestions and tardiness was never viewed as impolite or rude, just a normal inconvenience of life.
Phallus paintings everywhere in Bhutan
People in Bhutan draw phalluses on their homes to protect their families from evil spirits
Beyond graffiti in bathroom stalls or scrawled on school desks, its not common for people in the West to see phallic drawings very often. But several visitors to the Himalayan wonderland of Bhutan were surprised by the decorative art adorning the outside of houses.
Swister Yong explained: They come in various sizes, colour schemes and embellishments. I was stunned by the penis images as Bhutan is a conservative society.
The reason behind those paintings on the wall is to protect their families from evil spirits and to promote fertility.
The Finnish obsession with saunas
Pooja Gautam was astonished to discover that every apartment, house and even a student block had saunas in them.
She shared: What was more shocking to me was that people went to saunas completely naked.
In fact its considered unhygienic to attend saunas clothed.
Sharing a bathtub in Japan
In Japan, at night, its common to wash in the shower then soak in a hot bath afterwards.
But Ms Guatam was surprised to find after mindlessly draining the water out and leaving the tub empty she was supposed to leave it there for the whole household to have a soak in with the same batch of hot water used by everyone.
The open nature of Americans
For visitors to the United States the touchy-feely culture was a shocker.
One poster Habib Fanny mused: Here, it seemed like everybody wanted a hug.'
He also didn't know what to make of how forthcoming people are with personal matters. He shared: Youd meet strangers in the bus and have a conversation with them where theyd proceed to tell you their dad was dying from cancer, or that their parents were getting divorced.
The only evidence she had a baby in this photograph... is the baby.
Candice Swanepoel shared a scarcely-believable Instagram shot of her post-baby body on Thursday.
The 28-year-old shared the frame with strapping son Anaca, who just 14 weeks ago was still residing in her belly.
'Happy 2017 from us': Candice Swanepoel showed off incredible post-baby figure in a bikini Instagram shot with three-month old Anaca on Thursday
In the shot, the supermodel wears a sexy two-piece black bikini, flaunting her flawless snapback figure.
While there is plenty of babyfat on show, it is all contained in the cheeks and thighs of her bouncing baby boy.
Like his mom, Anaca proudly shows off his body in just a diaper.
'Happy 2017 from us,' she captioned the gorgeous moment, as she gazes adoringly at her new son.
Cute: The South African beauty has been sharing lots of snaps of the tot with her 10.3million followers since his birth on October 5
The South African beauty has been sharing lots of snaps of the tot with her 10.3million followers since his birth on October 5.
She used one in particular - of her newborn breastfeeding - to protest about how many women were made feel ashamed for doing so in public, or even kicked out of public places.
'I have been made to feel the need to cover up and somewhat shy to feed my baby in public places but strangely feel nothing for the topless editorials I've done in the name of art..?'
Shamed: She used one in particular - of her newborn breastfeeding - to protest about how many women were made feel ashamed for doing so in public, or even kicked out of public places
'The world has been desensitized to the sexualization of the breast and to violence on tv...why should it be different when it comes to breastfeeding?' Candice continued.
'Breastfeeding is not sexual it's natural- Those who feel it is wrong to feed your child in public need to get educated on the benefits breastfeeding has on mother and child and intern on society as a whole. #mothernature'.
She has been dating the baby's father, Brazilian model Hermann Nicoli, since October 2005.
The couple announced their engagement in August 2015, with news of their first baby arriving just seven months later; they have yet to announce a wedding date.
She's known for being a hands-on-mum.
But on Friday, TV star and WAG Rebecca Judd uploaded a picture to Instagram that showed her baby twins, Tom and Darcy, dressed in the wrong monogrammed onesies.
The Melbourne-based beauty said that the mix-up was a 'loooooong story' as she shared the snap with her 595,000 followers.
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A lack of Judd-ment? On Friday Rebecca Judd took to Instagram to share her cute snap of her three-month-old twins Tom (left) and Darcy (right) wearing each other's monogrammed onesies, with Bec saying the sartorial mix-up was a 'loooooong story'
The picture showed her three-month-old sons lying on a patterned bedspread, each wearing an outfit that was designed for the other.
Tom wore a white onesie with a large capital D emblazoned on it, while Darcy wore an matching outfit with a T embroidered onto the chest.
'Twin spam!' Rebecca captioned her snap, before clarifying which son was which.
Working mum: Bec juggles being a doting mother-of-four with her duties as a model, presenter and blogger
'Oh and they are in the wrong onesies (loooooong story). Tom actually on the left, Darcy on the right'.
Bec has turned off comments on her Instagram account, so fans weren't able to ask the WAG whether the mix-up with the outfits was due to her not being able to tell her twins apart.
Tom and Darcy are identical twins, as opposed to fraternal twins, meaning their are strikingly similar in appearance.
Brood: On Thursday Bec uploaded her an adorable photo of her four young children spending time with her nephew, Levi
It's believed Bec, who is also mum to five-year-old son Oscar and two-year-old daughter Billie, has enlisted the help of a nanny to help her juggle the demands of motherhood with her hectic career.
In addition to her modelling and presenting roles, Bec is also at the helm of a popular lifestyle and fashion blog, titled Rebecca Judd Loves.
However, the star still manages to make time for her brood, with the devoted mother frequently taking to Instagram to share adorable snaps of her clan.
Fit mama: Bec frequently posts family snaps to her Instagram account, including this one with her two oldest children Oscar and Billie
On Thursday, Bec uploaded a precious picture of all four of her children, accompanied by her nephew, Levi.
'Family,' the stunner simply captioned her snap.
Later in the day, Bec - who is married to AFL superstar Chris Judd - uploaded a photo of a flash Land Rover Discovery 7, which is due to be released in March.
High-profile pair: Bec announced that the 'Judd clan are counting down the days' until the new luxury Land Rover is released
'The Judd Clan are counting down the days,' wrote Bec about the luxury vehicle, which will retail for at least $78,000.
The price tag will likely be small change for the high-profile couple, with Chris once the highest-paid star in the AFL.
A Herald Sun report from 2010 claimed that Chris earned 'about $1 million a season' at the time of the article's publication.
Blake Lively discussed her diverse background in a new beauty campaign by L'Oreal Paris.
The 29-year-old actress stars alongside a bevy of other beauties to promote the cosmetic line's new True Match foundation, which has expanded to 33 shades.
'I'm English, Irish, German and Cherokee,' the make-up brand's spokesmodel revealed. 'So my family's sort of from all over.'
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'My family is from all over': Blake Lively discussed her Cherokee background in a diversity campaign for L'Oreal Paris
The blonde hair, blue-eyed beauty added in a second video: 'To look back far into my heritage and see where everybody came from, you know, it's neat.'
Blake - who shot the campaign while she was pregnant with her second child - wore a plunging black dress that showed off her burgeoning belly.
'It's neat to be in this country that has such diversity and such culture. There's such a variety of colours because everyone's skin has such different nuances,' she continued.
'Different nuances': The 29-year-old actress stars alongside a bevy of other beauties to promote the cosmetic line's new True Match foundation
'I like when I'm wearing make-up to look like I'm not wearing make-up,' the Gossip Girl alum explained.
'I like not wearing much, so this is just something that just compliments and enhances your own natural beauty without adding a mask on top of it.'
The Age of Adaline actress is featured in the ad with several other models who are comprised of Indian, Spanish, Creole, Kenyan, Asian and Dutch origins.
Radiant! Blake - who shot the campaign while she was pregnant with her second child - wore a plunging black dress that showed off her burgeoning belly
Luscious locks: The blonde hair, blue-eyed beauty wore her golden tresses in relaxed waves which cascaded past her shoulders
On Sunday the mother-of-two took to Instagram and posted an inspirational quote ahead of the campaign's launch.
'"Because Im worth it" is an iconic belief that resonates with so many, for good reason. Now more than ever that simple phrase is a powerful reminder to us all, as woman are coming together, rising up, and standing for their value.
'We are worth it. We are different shapes and sizes. We are different colors. We are beautiful inside and out. We are kind. We are brave. We are vulnerable. We are flawed. We are perfect. We are worth it,' the California-born cutie continued.
'We are worth it': The Age of Adaline actress is featured in the ad with several other models who are comprised of Indian, Spanish, Creole, Kenyan, Asian and Dutch origins
'We each have a story to tell': Numerous models from different backgrounds promote the cosmetic line's True Match which has expanded to 33 shades
'And we each have a story to tell. Which is why I was so moved by the Your Skin, Your Story campaign. It's a beautiful illustration that we are in this together. And we are listening to one another and celebrating each other for both our similarities, and our differences. Now THAT'S beautiful. -Me,' Blake signed off with a smiling face emoji.
The award-winning starlet gave birth to her second daughter in September with husband Ryan Reynolds, 40.
Blake and Ryan met while filming Green Lantern in early 2010, and the two began dating in October 2011 before they tied the knot in September 2012.
The happy couple also share two-year-old daughter, James, who they welcomed in December 2014.
Their whirlwind romance culminated in a romantic engagement last July.
And Lisa Curry seems determined to let everyone know that her Elvis impersonator fiance Mark Tabone is off the market.
The 54-year-old was spotted proudly flashing her diamond engagement ring while attending the annual Parkes Elvis Festival in rural New South Wales on Wednesday, where her beau was performing on stage with several scantily-clad female dancers.
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He put a ring on it! Lisa Curry was seen flashing her diamond engagement ring at the Parkes Elvis Festival, where her fiance Mark Tabone was performing
Sporting a white dress and a colourful kaftan, the former swimmer was seen holding up her left hand so that her sparkler was on display.
The mother-of-three had her blonde locks tied back into a slick bun, and kept her makeup simple with lashings of mascara and a pink pout.
Moments earlier, her fiance - who is referred to as Australia's Ultimate Tribute Entertainer on his website - was belting out Elvis tunes on stage.
He's taken! Lisa's gesture was made as her beau took to the stage with a pair of scantily-clad female dancers
With his hair styled in a sleek quiff, the 50-year-old strutted the stage while two female dancers, dressed in black bikini tops and tiny embellished hot pants, danced alongside him.
Mark later changed costumes, sporting a white tuxedo jacket with his black trousers.
The Queenslander then slipped into another iconic Elvis costume, donning a pale blue one-piece suit with a large silver belt.
Entertainer: Mark, who is based in Queensland, is referred to as Australia's Ultimate Tribute Entertainer on his website
After the show, Mark joined Lisa as they chatted to festival guests, while he also posed for photos with fans.
The couple weren't shy about packing on the PDA, sharing a kiss before walking away hand-in-hand.
It is understood the love birds touched arrived in the country town of Parkes earlier that day for the event, which has been running for 25 years.
The look of love: Lisa proudly walked hand-in-hand with her man at the festival, as other guests looked on
Lisa - who split from her iron man husband Grant Kenny in 2009 after tying the knot in 1984 - has often been spotted watching from the sidelines at Mark's gigs.
The couple confirmed their engagement in October by sharing the news in New Idea magazine.
'I planned exactly how I was going to do it and booked a yacht, a swim in the Blue Lagoon and a sail along the cliffs,' said Mark, who popped the question during a holiday to Malta in July.
Love birds: The couple weren't shy about packing on the PDA, sharing a kiss during the night
Proud as punch: Lisa seemed determined to let everyone know she was engaged, holding her sparkling diamond ring up in the air
His biggest fan: Lisa has previously been spotted watching from the sidelines at Mark's gigs
In August the couple spoke to Daily Mail Australia about that same holiday in Malta - where Lisa was introduced to Mark's family.
'Mark had a couple of shows in Canada and then we decided to go to Malta to see his family,' Lisa said.
'He had a school reunion over there as well. It was really nice to see everyone.'
For Lisa - who has three children with her ex-husband Grant - this engagement marks a significant new chapter in her life.
Popular: Mark appeared happy to oblige with taking photos with fans after the show
Engaged: Lisa and Mark became engaged in July during a holiday to Malta, just seven months after confirming their romance
'When I found myself single, I became quite happy doing my own thing and honestly thought I would never find anyone worth loving again,' she admitted to New Idea.
Lisa confirmed she was dating Mark back in December, just weeks after splitting with boyfriend of five years Joel Walkenhorst, 33.
Meanwhile, it was confirmed in April that Grant had fathered a child with radio personality Fifi Box, 39, after several years of speculation.
Mark on the other hand ended a 25-year marriage before meeting Lisa.
She's usually found in raunchy, barely-there ensembles for her party nights out.
And despite the freezing temperatures, Charlotte Dawson did her best to emulate the skimpy look as she headed to the launch of Ainscow Hotel in Manchester on Thursday.
The Ex On The Beach star, 23, stole the spotlight in a tiny figure-hugging denim dress which she paired with sexy thigh-high Luxe To Kill boots as she strutted along to the venue.
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Always on party mode! Charlotte Dawson, 23, paid no attention to the chilly weather as she stepped out in style for the launch of Ainscow Hotel in Manchester on Thursday
The denim pinafore style garment fell at a thigh-skimming level, allowing the reality star to clad her legs in the eye-catching footwear.
The open-toe boots showed off her lean legs and added to her frame as she posed up a storm.
Doing her best to wrap up warm in style, she opted for a thick, shaggy white coat.
Her glossy red mane was styled in glam waves and cascaded down her front, complementing her heavy duty make-up look.
Double denim: The Ex On The Beach star stole the spotlight in a tiny figure-hugging denim dress which she paired with sexy thigh-high boots as she strutted along to the venue
Standing tall: The denim pinafore style garment fell at a thigh-skimming level, allowing the reality star to clad her legs in the eye-catching footwear
Stylish touch: Doing her best to wrap up warm in style, she opted for a thick, shaggy white coat
The beauty harboured all of her essentials in a chic nude-coloured quilted handbag, which was draped on one shoulder.
Clearly in high spirits, Charlotte was spotted doing a fun dance with her pals which saw them raising their legs up.
Meanwhile Charlotte recently hinted that a wedding could be on the cards with her new man Matt Sarsfield.
And after only one month of dating she sparked engagement rumours as she sported a giant diamond ring during a cosy date with her beau in Buckinghamshire in December.
Stunner: Her glossy red mane was styled in glam waves and cascaded down her front, complementing her heavy duty make-up look
Having fun: Clearly in high spirits, Charlotte was spotted doing a fun dance with her pals which saw them raising their legs up
Party girl: Charlotte is a lover of a great night out
Charlotte and Matt are believed to have begun dating in November, and confirmed the romance after Jemma Lucy quipped that she was in a relationship with the EOTB star.
MailOnline have contacted Charlotte's representatives for comment.
Charlotte also spoke about her late father Les Dawson on This Morning recently, when she was asked how she would feel when she got married without her dad giving her away.
She explained: 'Watching the wedding back I looked at them and it was true love, it made me feel so proud and happy to be his daughter.
'I think Ive met 'The One' now, hes called Matthew, so hopefully.
Smitten: Charlotte recently sparked engagement rumours after she began dating rugby player Matt Sarsfield in November
'(My dad will) be there down the aisle (in spirit). Ive asked my mum to give me away.'
She also admitted she is glad to have now settled down from her wild ways seen on Ex On The Beach, which she is sure her dad, who died of a heart attack in 1993, may not have approved of.
Charlotte added: 'I wanted to do the show to prove to everyone that Im not always going out partying and getting drunk.
'Im a nice normal girl who loves a chippie and a glass of Prosecco... but I think my dad would find a bit cringe.'
They've been engaged for over a year.
But Shanina Shaik still isn't in a hurry to walk down the aisle with DJ Ruckus, with the model revealing on the Today show that she's enjoying the 'long engagement.'
However, while the 25-year-old is happy to take her time, she did admit that she's come closer to choosing the kind of wedding dress that she wants.
'We're doing it slowly, we have a long engagement which is quite nice!' Shanina Shaik spoke to the Today show about her engagement with DJ Ruckus
'We're doing it slowly, we have a long engagement which is quite nice,' the Victoria's Secret stunner confessed.
'But I can tell you I do have an idea for my dress, so I'm really happy about that.'
The Australian model is currently back home in Melbourne to participate in the Portsea Polo.
'But I can tell you I do have an idea for my dress, so I'm really happy about that,' she gushed
Shanina recently opened up about bring beau DJ Ruckus Down Under for the holidays.
'I just celebrated my first Christmas in Melbourne with my fiance,' she gushed to the Daily Telegraph.
'We had an amazing time, I never tire of being back in my hometown.'
'I just celebrated my first Christmas in Melbourne with my fiance,' Shanina recently told the Daily Telegraph
Last month, the couple celebrated their one year engagement.
Shanina, who is now based in LA where her sought-after DJ partner lives, has said she would like a small wedding, but that it won't be held in Australia.
Speaking to KIIS FM's Kyle & Jackie O Show the Victoria's Secret Angel ruled out her homeland but suggested the Caribbean as a possible wedding destination.
With a Sling Ring, Dr Strange has no problem appearing in two places at once.
The same can not be said for Benedict Cumberbatch unfortunately, who will have to reshoot his Avengers: Infinity Wars scenes after everybody else has finished.
According to Page Six, Broadway actor Aaron Lazar has been hired to stand in for the 40-year-old for filming in Georgia, due to scheduling conflicts.
Seeing double: Benedict Cumberbatch's body double Aaron Lazar (R) will play Dr Strange in Avengers: Infinity War due to a scheduling conflict - but Disney will reshoot all close-ups
The Brit is currently also playing Thomas Edison in The Current War, which tells the story of the famous inventor's race against George Westinghouse to create a sustainable electricity system and market it to the American people.
The film, which also stars Michael Shannon, Nicholas Hoult, Katherine Waterston, Tom Holland and Sienna Miller, is currently shooting in the Sherlock star's hometown on London.
Instead Lazar, who stands at just an inch above Cumberbatch's six-foot, will shoot all his scenes as the Sorcerer Supreme for the third Avengers film.
Then, Benedict will reshoot all the scenes in which Dr Strange's face can be seen, as well as recording all dialogue.
Busy: The Brit is currently also playing Thomas Edison in The Current War, which tells the story of the famous inventor's race against George Westinghouse to create a sustainable electricity system and market it to the American people
Packed: It is not yet known how big a role Dr Strange will have in the Marvel Cinematic Universe ensemble film, which also features all the characters of the previous Avengers moves, plus the Guardians of the Galaxy, with more being announced all the time
'They are not digitally superimposing Cumberbatch onto another actors performance,' a Disney source told the site.
It is not yet known how big a role Dr Strange will have in the Marvel Cinematic Universe ensemble film, which also features all the characters of the previous Avengers moves, plus the Guardians of the Galaxy, with more being announced all the time.
They will team up to take on Infinity Gauntlet-wielding intergalactic bad guy Thanos, played by Josh Brolin.
CV: Lazar has starred in The Wold Of Wall Street and J Edgar on the big screen; The Good Wife and Quantico on the small screen, and in Les Miserables and Sting's The Last Ship on stage
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story recently reopened the debate about CGI-assisted performances.
In the spin off, the character of General Wilhuff Tarkin - originally played by the 20-years-deceased Peter Cushing - was brought to life by digitally alter another actor's appearance.
The then-60-year-old Carrie Fisher also played a far younger version of herself using the same trick.
Lazar has starred in The Wold Of Wall Street and J Edgar on the big screen; The Good Wife and Quantico on the small screen, and in Les Miserables and Sting's The Last Ship on stage.
He spends his nights laughing it up on the Late Late Show.
But James Corden will soon have a day job as well, as he is reportedly set to star in the much anticipated Ocean's Eight film, according to Deadline.
The 38-year-old chat show host signed on to take a supporting role in the talent-packed spinoff film.
Multi-talented: It seems James Corden will soon have a day job to accompany his late night gig, as he is reportedly set to star in the much anticipated Ocean's Eight film
Interestingly, his joining the film has meant a few morsels of information about the previously unknown plot have surfaced.
While it was in fact known the heist movie was set in New York City, Corden's hiring has revealed a new character: an insurance investigator.
According to the source, James will play an insurance company employee who becomes suspicious of the ensemble of crafty women.
Although the plot has been kept under wraps, a shooting location at New York's Met seems to back up reports that the girl gang will attempt a heist at the glitzy Met Gala.
Old school: Matt Damon will reprise his role as Linus Caldwell from Ocean's Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen, filmed between 2001 and 2007 (pictured in Ocean's Thirteen)
The all-star cast includes Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Dakota Fanning, Helena Bonham Carter, Mindy Kaling, Rihanna and Awkwafina among others.
Matt Damon will reprise his role as Linus Caldwell from Ocean's Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen, filmed between 2001 and 2007.
Sandra also serves as a tie-in to the original Ocean's franchise. She plays the sister of Clooney's character, Danny Ocean.
Keeping it rolling: James will continue to host Carpool Karaoke segments on his late night program
Oceans Eight is due to hit theaters on June 8, 2018.
Meanwhile, James has been gearing up for the unveiling of his Carpool Karaoke spinoff, and announced on Monday the new series will actually have a succession of hosts, while he continues to captain the segment on his show.
Celebrity pairs including Alicia Keys and John Legend, Ariana Grande and Seth MacFarlane, and Blake Shelton and Chelsea Handler will be featured on the 16-episode series to be released weekly on Apple Music.
He's the funny weatherman who's not afraid to make himself the centre of the joke.
But this time, Sunrise's Sam Mac has done his own parody of Channel Nine newsreader Amber Sherlock's now-infamous tantrum over fellow journalist Julie Snook's dress.
In a live cross from The Hunger Games exhibit at the ICC in Sydney Harbour on Friday, Sam pretended he was being told by Hollywood actress Jennifer Lawrence that they both could not be wearing white in the same shot.
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'I'm sorry Jennifer!' Sunrise's Sam Mac has done his own parody of Channel Nine newsreader Amber Sherlock's now-infamous tantrum over fellow journalist Julie Snook's dress
'Jennifer Lawrence is just talking to me, apparently we can't both be wearing white,' Sam joked as he stood in front of the iconic wedding dress featured in the second installment of The Hunger Games series.
'I'm so sorry Jennifer, yeah, I can hear you. I've just been flat out, I've been flat out,' he apologised, referring back to Julie's explanation to Amber.
His skit got plenty of laughs from the hosts back the studio, with David Koch and Angela Cox both left in stitches over the parody.
Just for laughs: In a live cross from The Hunger Games exhibi in Sydney Harbour on Friday, Sam pretended he was being told by Hollywood actress Jennifer Lawrence that they both could not be wearing white in the same shot
Like the original clip, Sam asks for a black jacket and puts it on to break up the monotony.
'Look, I'll put this on. I'm sorry to do that on your wedding day. Too much white,' he pretended to tell Jennifer.
After the skit, Kochie said: 'We laugh at it, but I would hate for anyone to publicly show what we get up to during commercial [breaks].'
The Sunrise presenter was not the only one who poked fun at Amber Sherlock's off-air meltdown.
'Wardrobe will be furious': The viral video showed Amber Sherlock (centre) scolding fellow journalist Julie Snook (left) for also wearing white, as Julie gave an icy stare in return
Meanwhile, Sophie Monk and her best friend Oscar Gordon also took to Instagram to upload a hilarious parody of the off-air cat-fight between Channel Nine journalists that is trending right around the world.
Dressed in a white T-shirt, Sophie played the part of a disgruntled Amber, scolding Oscar who was in the role of fellow journalist, Julie Snook.
In the parody, the news desk in the original video was replaced by the flash interior of Sophie's hotel room at the SilverStar Mountain Resort in the province of British Columbia.
The pair sat perched on a couch for their re-enactment.
Poking fun: On Friday, Sophie Monk uploaded a video that showed her and her best friend Oscar Gordon parodying the viral video of newsreader Amber Sherlock having a meltdown over fellow journalist Julie Snook wearing a white top
'I need Oscar to put a jacket on, I told him before,' Sophie said, sending up Amber's testy tone.
'Right Soph, I haven't had time,' replied Oscar, nailing Julie's icy stare.
'Honestly, I have not had time, I've been flat chat,' he continued.
Diva behaviour: Sophie pretends to order a producer to get a black jacket, as Oscar nails Julie Snook's icy stare
Fake smiles: The hilarious parody then cuts to Oscar wearing a black jacket as the pair
'I made this CLEAR two hour ago,' Sophie interrupted, rolling her eyes and using exaggerated hand movements.
'It's blue for one,' said Oscar, referencing his shirt. In the original video, Julie tells Amber her top is blue, only for Amber to insist that it looks white.
Sophie then gets out her iPhone, and dismissively starts texting as Amber does.
'Can someone go to the wardrobe, just go and get... I've got two black jackets there. Just got and get one,' Sophie demanded.
The clip then cuts to the pair with smiles on their faces, as they sit in awkward silence, with Oscar now wearing a black hooded ski jacket.
The two couldn't hold their composure for long, breaking out into laughter over their hilarious clip.
Hilarious: Sophie's fans loved the pair's parody, with one viewer writing, 'This is brilliant. Made my day'
'So silly,' Sophie giggled.
The radio star captioned her post, 'Have you seen the newsreader meltdown over a white dress? Couldn't help myself'. She also included the crying-with-laughter emoji.
Fans loved Sophie and Oscar's imitation, with one writing, 'This is brilliant. Made my day.'
Gisele Bundchen set aside a bit of Wednesday for a shopping trip at a Whole Foods in Beverly Hills.
Strolling along beside her was her younger sister, Gabriela Bundchen, who's two years the globally famous model's junior.
For her day out running errands, Gisele had pulled on a par of faded, pale blue jeans that tightened about her vertiginous legs.
Errand-running: Gisele Bundchen and her younger sister Gabriela set aside a bit of Wednesday for a shopping trip at a Whole Foods in Beverly Hills
She'd tucked the hems into the small, camel-coloured leather boots she'd selected, and carried a black leather Chanel purse.
The 36-year-old's wavy brown hair cascaded freely over the intricately patterned black, grey and white scarf she'd draped round her neck.
Her cloud grey jumper, which she'd layered over a black top, draped about her enviably trim torso.
Street style: The 36-year-old's wavy brown hair cascaded freely over the intricately patterned black, grey and white scarf she'd draped round her neck
Meanwhile, the 34-year-old wore a Persian blue blouse with a few buttons undone, to the point of nearly baring a trace of cleavage.
Carrying the shopping as the sisters emerged from the grocery shop, Gabriela had opted for a pair of skintight dark jeans and peach platform boots.
Outside the shop, the sisters spent a bit of time perusing a slew of bouquets that had been assembled for display.
Seeing what's out there: Outside the shop, the sisters spent a bit of time perusing a slew of bouquets that had been assembled for display
Beauty in blue: The 34-year-old wore a Persian blue blouse with a few buttons undone, to the point of nearly baring a trace of cleavage
Mrs Tom Brady has, in fact, got five sisters: in addition to Gabriela, there are Graziela, Patricia, Rafaela and Raquel.
Patricia, as it happens, is Gisele's fraternal twin, born five minutes after her in Tres de Maio, which is in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande Do Sul.
The erstwhile Victoria's Secret Angel's told Vanity Fair that after growing up surrounded by siblings, she's got a penchant for 'a big family.'
Big family: Mrs Tom Brady has, in fact, got five sisters: in addition to Gabriela, there are Graziela, Patricia, Rafaela and Raquel
Bag duty: Carrying the shopping as the sisters emerged from the grocery shop, Gabriela had opted for a pair of skintight dark jeans and peach platform boots
'I love children,' she said in a 2009 interview. 'When you come from a big family, you see that growing up youre learning how to share.'
Gisele, who's since had two children via Brady, said: 'Your sisters have got your back; youre not alone in this - "We all support you!"'
Said she: 'Your family provides that; it gives you a sense of safety, and its a very grounding feeling. Thats why I feel I can fly away, because I have those roots and theyre so deep.'
The Young Offenders tells the true-ish story of two teenage scallywags from Cork, Conor and Jock
The Young Offenders (15)
Rating:
Verdict: Delightful Irish comedy
Among all this weeks big-budget Hollywood offerings, heres an Irish film made on a relative shoestring that is as entertaining as any of them.
It tells the true-ish story of two teenage scallywags from Cork, Conor and Jock (endearingly played by Alex Murphy and Chris Walley), who hear that a 440 million (380 million) shipment of cocaine has washed up on the coast.
So they steal a couple of bikes and head to the seaside in the hope of finding a bale or two to fund a lifestyle so lavish that they will have an English butler, and a house full of lava lamps.
The film is energetic and silly, but also rather sweet, smartly written and directed by Peter Foott and, at times, very funny indeed
Naturally, none of this goes smoothly, and meanwhile they are being pursued by a policeman intent on nailing them for bike theft. Its energetic and silly, but also rather sweet, smartly written and directed by Peter Foott and, at times, very funny indeed.
SING (Republic)
The soundtrack to Sing, a forthcoming cartoon film about animals in a singing contest, is an entertaining affair packed with pop covers and strong original material.
Scarlett Johansson (who voices a punk-rock porcupine) delivers a perfectly acceptable indie-rock pastiche on I Dont Wanna.
The exuberant Faith, written by OneRepublics Ryan Tedder and sung by Stevie Wonder and Ariana Grande, should be in the frame for Oscars recognition, although Reese Witherspoons novelty take on Taylor Swifts Shake It Off falls disappointingly flat.
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The soundtrack to Sing, a forthcoming cartoon film about animals in a singing contest, is an entertaining affair packed with pop covers and strong original material
Scarlett Johansson (who voices a punk-rock porcupine) delivers a perfectly acceptable indie-rock pastiche on I Dont Wanna
JACKIE (Warner Music)
Film scores offer an opportunity for pops more inventive thinkers to push experimental sounds into the mainstream, and the music from the forthcoming Jackie Kennedy biopic starring Natalie Portman is a case in point.
Surrey musician Mica Levi made her name with Noughties indie band Micachu And The Shapes, but she has found her niche as a film composer leaning towards classical music. This album, out today on CD and vinyl, reiterates her indie ethos by blending distorted strings, piano and woodwind.
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LA LA LAND (Interscope)
Victorious at the Golden Globes last Sunday, La La Land comes with a soundtrack in thrall to the golden age of the Hollywood musical.
This theatrical tour de force is dominated by romantic jazz plus song-and-dance pieces. Complete with an orchestra and choir, Another Day Of Sun sets the singalong tone, while the sweet-voiced Emma Stone and co-star Ryan Gosling combine well on the quietly catchy City Of Stars.
The best performance, though, comes from John Legend on punchy soul number Start A Fire.
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Victorious at the Golden Globes last Sunday, La La Land comes with a soundtrack in thrall to the golden age of the Hollywood musical
HELL OR HIGH WATER (Milan)
Like Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood, Nick Cave has made a successful move from alternative rock into the soundtrack business.
The Australians instrumental score for the Western crime thriller Hell Or High Water recorded on guitar, piano and chamber strings with Bad Seeds bandmate Warren Ellis is dark and brooding but never overbearing.
A selection of twanging country numbers by Waylon Jennings, Townes Van Zandt and Chris Stapleton emphasise the West Texan setting.
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ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY (Walt Disney)
No bad feeling about this one. Hastily put together by composer Michael Giacchino, who replaced original choice Alexandre Desplat at short notice, the Rogue One soundtrack sticks to the tradition of exhilarating Star Wars scores while adding darker, more ominous touches.
Giacchino says original Star Wars composer John Williams was his first music teacher, and he incorporates fleeting hints of familiar melodies in his thunderous orchestrations, with a piece called Krennics Aspirations echoing Williamss daunting Imperial March.
Rating:
The Rogue One soundtrack sticks to the tradition of exhilarating Star Wars scores while adding darker, more ominous touches
ARRIVAL (Deutsche Grammophon)
Johann Johannsson is another who uses soundtracks to try fresh ideas. The Icelandic composers latest work, for sci-fi film Arrival, involves using the hums and warbles of the human voice as a wordless instrument.
With the addition of piano loops and ghostly sounds that echo David Bowies Low, the outcome is suitably otherworldly. Away from the screen, these pieces dont work quite as well as Johannssons score to the Stephen Hawking biopic The Theory Of Everything, but his contributions to the forthcoming Blade Runner 2049 will be worth hearing.
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SING STREET (Decca)
The music for this coming-of-age film set in Eighties Dublin is a classic example of the soundtrack album as period playlist. With Duran Durans Rio, The Jams Town Called Malice and The Cures Inbetween Days all here, it frames its chosen era perfectly.
A clutch of new songs also pay affectionate homage to the days of shoulder pads and Walkmans: songwriter Gary Clark, once of Scottish trio Danny Wilson, is being tipped for a best song nod at the Oscars with the energetic Drive It Like You Stole It.
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Aubrey Plaza arrived looking sleek and trim at the Television Critics Association's 2017 Winter Press Tour in Pasadena, California on Thursday.
The day was devoted to 21st Century Fox's FX cable channel.
Plaza, 32, was joined by her cast mates from her hit show, Legion, as she strutted the blue carpet.
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Stunner! Aubrey Plaza arrived looking sleek and trim at the Television Critics Association's 2017 Winter Press Tour in Pasadena, California on Thursday
The Parks and Recreation star was dressed from head to toe in olive green.
She wore a pointed-toe stiletto in the exact same hue as her slim cut, sleeveless tank and pant combo.
Plaza wore rust-colored eye shadow to match her fiery locks, which she wore half-pulled back from her face.
Looking good in green: She wore a pointed-toe stiletto in the exact same hue as her slim cut, sleeveless tank and pant combo
The actor and comedian was in good company, as much of the cast joined her on the arrivals carpet for the press tour.
Katie Aselton, 38, and Rachel Keller, 25, also opted for full-length attire for the event.
Aselton paired a simple grey top with a pleated, metallic skirt that hit mid-calf, and Keller wore cream, floor-length gaucho pants with a three-qaurter length, off the shoulder green top.
Beauties! Legion co-stars Katie Aselton, 38, and Rachel Keller, 25, also opted for full-length attire for the event
In good company: The actor and comedian was in good company, as much of the cast joined her on the arrivals carpet for the press tour
Seeing stars! Other stars in attendance on Thursday included Man Seeking Woman's Jay Baruchel and Holly Taylor of The Americans
Other stars in attendance on Thursday included writer and actor Louie Anderson, Man Seeking Woman's Jay Baruchel, Holly Taylor and Noah Emmerich of The Americans, and Emily Rios of From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series.
In addition to her role on Legion as Lenny Busker, Plaza will also appear in two feature films, which will open the same week, according to IMDB.
She'll play the title character of Ingrid Thorburn in dramatic comedy Ingrid Goes West, out January 20, as well as Fernanda in the comedy The Little Hours, which premieres on January 19.
They became household names as the nation's favourite television pairing on ITV's This Morning.
And Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan traded in their picture-perfect daytime personas for a showstopping night-time look as they attended the Cirque du Soleil: Amaluna at the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday in London.
The blonde beauty, 68, absolutely oozed glamour as she showed off her trim figure in a sensational black gown while cosying up to her husband.
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Date night: Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan traded in their picture-perfect daytime personas for a showstopping night-time look as they attended the Cirque du Soleil: Amaluna at the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday in London
The figure-flattering number tamed her ample assets in place with a halterneck style neckline.
She paired the look with a matching long suede coat, which allowed her heels to poke through slightly as she posed.
Her shoulder-length blonde locks were glammed up with a chic blow-dry and complemented her heavily outlined eyes, bronzed cheeks and pink pout.
Richard was also dressed to impress in a fitted suit, which he teamed with a stylish coat.
All eyes on her: The blonde beauty, 68, absolutely oozed glamour as she showed off her trim figure in a sensational black gown while cosying up to her husband
Show-stopper! The figure-flattering number tamed her ample assets in place with a halterneck style neckline
Wrapping up: She paired the look with a matching long suede coat
His look was completed with a white shirt, tie and gloves to ensure his warmth.
The couple first appeared on television screens together 15 years ago and have been married for an impressive 30 years.
Richard and Judy are best known for presenting This Morning from 1988 to 2001 before hosting daily chat show Richard & Judy from 2001 until 2009.
While Judy prefers to be away from the small screen these days, she has made occasional appearances on Loose Women.
She is also a keen author and continues to contribute to the popular Richard and Judy book club.
Stunner: Her shoulder-length blonde locks were glammed up with a s blow-dry and complemented her heavily outlined eyes, bronzed cheeks and pink pout
Handsome: Richard was also dressed to impress in a fitted suit, which he teamed with a stylish coat
Richard recently told Huffington Post about the hardest lesson he has learned.
He said: 'Based on an experience we had during a holiday in Death Valley when my son Tom was 15, I would have to say its...
'Always check the rear seat of the car before driving off with the family in it, otherwise you could actually drive for 40 minutes before you realise youve left your son behind at the garage.
'And itll be a very quiet and fearful journey back, until you spot him waving in the road at the point you left him.'
Meanwhile, the likes of Ola Jordan, Kristina Rihanoff and Ella Eyre also attended the Cirque du Soleil event.
Live By Night
Rating:
Verdict: Turgid and derivative
Live By Night is a period gangster film based on a novel by Dennis Lehane. It has impressive credentials. Its director, writer and star is Ben Affleck, Sienna Miller plays his girlfriend and Brendan Gleeson his father.
Affleck is also co-producer, with Leonardo DiCaprio among others.
Now, Affleck is older than his brother Casey, more accomplished and more famous. But this week the spotlight shifts.
Live By Night is a period gangster film based on a novel by Dennis Lehane. It has impressive credentials. Its director, writer and star is Ben Affleck, Sienna Miller plays his girlfriend
The younger sibling has been getting rapturous reviews for his performance in a very good film, Manchester By The Sea (see above).
But Live By Night is not much of a film and Affleck is not especially good in it. He is never wooden as an actor, but he can be stolid. He is at his most stolid here.
He plays Joe Coughlin, who returns to Boston from World War I determined never to follow orders again, and becomes a crook, robbing banks and illicit poker games.
Soon he is recruited by an Irish gangster, Albert White (Robert Glenister), but when Albert finds out that Joe is having an affair with his sexy Irish girlfriend Emma (Miller), their relationship goes south and so, in due course, does Joe.
He signs up with Alberts deadly rival, Bostons mafia boss Maso Pescatore (Remo Girone) and heads down to Tampa, Florida, where he oversees a rum-running business, builds a casino, takes on the Ku Klux Klan and falls out with the local police chief (Chris Cooper). Somewhere in all of this, a decent film lurks. But it is weighed down by a screenplay so cliche-ridden and derivative that really, it deserves to sleep with the fishes.
Live By Night borrows heavily from the rich treasury of Prohibition-era gangster movies without remotely adding to it
Affleck has miscast himself, though its hard to know who could have breathed much credibility into Joe, a character we are meant to admire for his strong moral and romantic fibre, despite all those ruthless criminal activities
Live By Night borrows heavily from the rich treasury of Prohibition-era gangster movies without remotely adding to it. And Affleck has miscast himself, though its hard to know who could have breathed much credibility into Joe, a character we are meant to admire for his strong moral and romantic fibre, despite all those ruthless criminal activities.
In its favour, the film does have Gleeson at his world-weary craggiest, a few other fine performances (notably by Miller and Cooper), and gleaming production values so burnished that you can practically see your face in them.
But its two hours and nine minutes feels twice as long.
Billie Piper is in early discussions about making her New York theatrical debut in the transfer of Yerma, the controversial Young Vic production in which she gave an award-winning performance as a woman unable to have children.
Simon Stones contemporary adaptation of Federico Garcia Lorcas work (which he also directed) played to packed houses at the London theatre last summer.
Stone said Lorca had written a 20th-century Greek tragedy, and gave ample warning that he was not going to handle the piece with kid gloves.
Billie Piper is in early discussions about making her New York theatrical debut in the transfer of Yerma
Theres a lot about this play Im going to be vandalising, he told The Guardian before proceeding to do just that, in the most spectacular fashion.
His interpretation divided audiences, but punters and critics were united in their praise for Pipers performance as a childless woman relentlessly searching for ways to become pregnant.
She went on to win the Evening Standard Theatre award for best actress. The Young Vic and Pipers representatives are in discussions with the Park Avenue Armory in New York about showcasing Yerma there for a limited run in 2018 (again with Stone at the helm).
There had been overtures from producers to move it to Broadway, but the actress was not able to commit to a long enough run to make it financially viable.
Her two sons Winston, eight, and four-year-old Eugene are her priority, and doing a three or four-month run in a Broadway house would not have worked.
Everyone is working to make this happen, but theres nothing to confirm, a spokesman for Piper told me.
Oyelowo and Craig pack a punch in this brutal, wartime Othello
Director Sam Golds adaptation of Shakespeares Othello hurls us into the hell of Iraq. David Oyelowos Moor has become a U.S. army general; and Daniel Craigs Iago a cocksure ensign.
The piece seethes with rage: fuelled by the jealousy of insecure men. Its both startling, and unsettling as all great theatre needs to be.
Whats so brilliant is that both leading men (pictured) truly deliver. Its as though they realised that here was an opportunity to produce great work, and they determined to enter the very souls of their characters, no matter how painful the journey.
Director Sam Golds adaptation of Shakespeares Othello hurls us into the hell of Iraq
For the show, the auditorium of the New York Theatre Workshop has been clad, from top to bottom, in plywood (even the seating!), like some sort of temporary mess hall, where the men and women sleep, shower, eat, grunt and groan. Oyelowos Othello is a man of amazing strength, so that very little force is needed to do away with Rachel Brosnahans Desdemona. The sound effect of her neck being snapped back is devastating.
Craigs big, lad-like Iago reminds us that before Bond, the actors skills were forged on the stage. Itll be interesting to see how his work with Gold informs his next foray into the world of 007, should he stay on as Bond.
The sad news is that there are, as yet, no plans to transfer this Othello to Broadway or the West End.
However, it makes me eager to see what Gold will do next, with his forthcoming production of Hamlet, starring Oscar Isaac, at the Public Theater this summer.
A winner you'll never forget...
Aaron Taylor-Johnson won the best supporting actor Golden Globe last weekend for his scene-stealing performance as a psychopathic redneck in Tom Fords film Nocturnal Animals
Aaron Taylor-Johnson won the best supporting actor Golden Globe last weekend for his scene-stealing performance as a psychopathic redneck in Tom Fords film Nocturnal Animals.
Thus far in awards season, the sublime Mahershala Ali, one of the stars of Barry Jenkinss magical Moonlight film, had won everything. (And Im thrilled Moonlight carried off the best dramatic film award at the Globes.)
But I wasnt surprised that Taylor-Johnson is starting to catch up. I noted here, months ago, how great he is in the picture its the only performance from Fords film that has stayed with me.
In fact, there was a lot more of him, but Ford had to trim the role. What remained was still pretty intense.
Im hearing that Taylor-Johnson is outstanding, too, in Doug Limans Iraq war thriller The Wall.
With the birth of Stephanie Davis' child expected to be announced imminently, many fans were shocked to learn that her ex Jeremy McConnell had jetted off to Thailand.
But a friend of the 26-year-old Irish model has reportedly spoken out in his defence - saying he's within his rights to take the break as he has nothing tying him down.
' Jeremy is simply having a well deserved holiday in Thailand with his pals,' the source told The Sun. 'Im not sure why hes getting so much grief for posting a selfie of him having a drink.
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'No ties': Pals of Jeremy McConnell have reportedly defended the Irish model for going on holiday to Thailand with his friends as his ex Stephanie prepares for the birth of their child
Due date: Stephanie Davis is preparing for the imminent birth of her first child
'Hes young free and single with no ties. But of course if the baby is his then Im sure hes going to support Steph and the boy.'
MailOnline has contacted a representatives for Jeremy McConnell and Stephanie Davis for comment.
The defence comes as another of Stephanie's exes - Same Reece - spoke out after he was betrayed by the actress as her affair with Jeremy in the Celebrity Big Brother house humiliatingly played out on national TV.
The 23-year-old former Hollyoaks actress is currently in labour with the child she claims to share with Jeremy, yet Sam still lashed out at as she referenced current CBB stars Nicola McClean and Jamie O'Hara.
Oh dear... Stephanie's ex-boyfriend Sam Reece appears to remain scorned by her affair with Jeremy, after she hooked up with the Irish model in the CBB house despite being in a relationship in the outside world
Stephanie entered the Celebrity Big Brother in January 2016, when she was in a long-term relationship with Sam, who she professed her love for in the early stages of her stay, before she fell for Jeremy.
While she was in the house and grew progressively closer to the Irish hunk, Sam denounced any connection with his girlfriend after which she became embroiled in an extremely tempestuous relationship.
The couple suffered a fractious and brief time together, with rumours of infidelity and blazing rows plaguing their dalliance, before Stephanie announced her pregnancy in May, with Jeremy vehemently denying paternity.
She has now gone into labour, after which Sam seized his moment to take a swipe - as he referenced the situation between Nicola and Jamie.
Fuming: The 23-year-old former Hollyoaks actress is currently in labour, with the child she claims to share with Jeremy, yet Sam still lashed out at as she referenced current CBB stars Nicola McClean and Jamie O'Hara
Something to smile about? Stephanie entered the Celebrity Big Brother in January 2016, when she was in a long-term relationship with Sam, who she professed her love for in the early stages of her stay, before she fell for Jeremy
Lost love: She has now gone into labour, after which Sam seized his moment to take a swipe - as he referenced the situation between Nicola and Jamie
They enjoyed a drunken flirtation, after which she lamented how her acts would appear to her husband Tom Williams on the outside.
Seemingly taking a doubt hit at both Nicola and Stephanie, the handsome model penned: 'Someone else gone in #CBB and forgets about her fella on the outside'.
Adding insult to injury he also filmed a Snapchat video in which he read the tweet before taking a large sip of tea. Stephanie's fans were less than impressed with the gesture and swarmed his Twitter with comments.
He hit back at the comments by urging his followers to calm down: 'Chill out guys Jesus.. Why so serious.. Sat here laughing head off'.
Chill out guys! He hit back at the comments by urging his followers to calm down: 'Chill out guys Jesus.. Why so serious.. Sat here laughing head off'
On the way: It was reported on Wednesday that Stephanie is focused on the 'safe arrival of her son' as she is said to have been taken to hospital on Tuesday to welcome her first child, according to The Sun
It was reported on Wednesday that Stephanie is focused on the 'safe arrival of her son' as she is said to have been taken to hospital on Tuesday to welcome her first child, according to The Sun.
The pregnant actress who announced her pregnancy last May, is thought to welcome Jeremy McConnell's baby in the coming hours, after the chosen godfather teased on Twitter that he'd 'never been so excited.
A source told the newspaper: 'Steph is so excited that the day has finally come that she will meet her son. At the moment she is focusing on welcoming her little boy her priority is his safe delivery and spending some quality time with him.'
Stephanie has been noticeably absent from social media for the last two weeks and the friend insists that while she is grateful for fans' support, 'her attention is on getting to grips with being a mum.'
Terrence Howard's ex-wife has filed legal documents seeking to drop her assault lawsuit against the actor.
Michelle Ghent sought to dismiss the lawsuit without prejudice giving her the option to refile it in the future, according to an article on Thursday by TMZ.
The lawsuit filed in July 2015 alleged that Howard, 47, assaulted Ghent during a 2013 vacation in Costa Rica.
Legal maneuver: Terrence Howard, shown last September in Los Angeles, was named as a defendant in an assault lawsuit that his ex-wife has moved to dismiss
Ghent alleged in the lawsuit that Howard grabbed her by the neck during an argument, pushed her against a bathroom wall and threatened to kill her.
Howard has claimed it was mutual combat and he was pepper sprayed during the fight.
A source told TMZ that no settlement was reached and Howard was not paying Ghent to end the lawsuit.
Lawyers' fees were mounting on both sides and the source said Ghent decided to leave the legal fight, according to TMZ.
Happier times: Michelle Ghent and Howard are shown in January 2011 in Park City, Utah
An attorney for Ghent however said she was moving to dismiss the case because she didn't want Howard's children who were on the vacation to testify as witnesses and it wasn't about the money.
Howard and Ghent divorced in 2012.
The actor and his wife Miranda Pak in August welcomed their second son together Hero.
Going strong: Howard and wife Mirana Pak are shown last month in Los Angeles
Hit show: Taraji P. Henson and Howard are shown in a 2015 still from Empire
They also are parents to a 20-month-old son Qirin Love.
Howard also shares daughters Aubrey and Heaven and son Hunter with two-time ex-wife Lori McCommas.
The Chicago native has been starring in the Fox music drama Empire since its premiere in January 2015.
The Kite Runner
Rating:
Ben Turner, who used to play one of the nurses in TV's Casualty, takes the lead in a slightly gamey stage adaptation of Khaled Hosseini's best-selling Afghan tear-jerker The Kite Runner.
This 2003 novel helped Westerners to a better understanding of Afghanistan just as George W. Bush was taking the U.S. ever deeper into war there.
It tells of a self-tormenting teenager, Amir, who with his father flees Kabul after the 1979 Soviet occupation. Some two decades later Amir returns to Taliban-run Afghanistan to confront his ghosts.
It tells of a self-tormenting teenager, Amir, who with his father flees Kabul after the 1979 Soviet occupation
Misfortune abounds. This show would certainly suit those who like stage characters to be subjected to everything life can possibly throw at them.
Civil war, sociopathic gay rape, parental neglect, suicidal tendencies, cultural self-repression, cancer, tribal and caste divisions and more, we've got it.
A cheery night out, it ain't.
At times you can almost hear the gears changing as the plot prepares for another assault on your tear ducts.
Mr Turner plays Amir both in adolescence and adulthood, no visual effort being made to differentiate the two.
Amir also serves as narrator as the story roams from the 1970s to the 21st century.
This production, a joint venture between Nottingham Playhouse and Liverpool Everyman, has a multi-tasking cast who cover the territory not only in Afghanistan but also San Francisco, where Amir and his dad Baba (Emilio Doorgasingh) make their new life.
At times you can almost hear the gears changing as the plot prepares for another assault on your tear ducts
Barney George's design has a back-wall featuring some fence pallisades of a Kabul compound which double up as the San Francisco skyline.
As the audience assembles, a cross-legged tabla player pats out some musical accompaniment, which might make disrespectful souls think of a curry house.
This is one of several moments where the show teeters on the brink of self-parody.
In childhood, Amir's best friend is the slightly younger Hassan (well played by Andrei Costin). The two boys seem inseparable until Hassan is cornered by a bully. Amir, who has a cowardly streak, fails to defend his little friend.
Slosh-slosh go buckets of pathos as Amir scolds himself, wringing his guts at his secret cowardice.
That failure to look after Hassan drives the entire story perhaps more than seems justified.
Amir comes across as a bit of an old woman, really. Some of the acting is a little patchy (though not from Mr Turner, who does fine). I am not sure I once believed I was actually in Kabul.
Nicholas Karimi is miscast as the nasty bully. When his character reappears 22 years later, he is wearing not only a pair of sunglasses, but also a spectacularly bad beard.
Amir comes across as a bit of an old woman, really. Some of the acting is a little patchy
That face fungus is a real corker, a collector's item for connoisseurs of dodgy stage make-up.
It really needs a programme mention all of its own.
If melodramatic sagas are your bag, you may well enjoy this show, despite a few moments of frightful corn in Matthew Spangler's script.
The sweep of the story gives us a sense of Afghanistan's cyclical woes, the loneliness of exile, the pride of cultural self-esteem.
We also eventually see Amir starting to come to terms with himself.
About time, too.
She's the PR maven immediately recognisable thanks to her immaculately coiffed blonde hair, designer wardrobe and slim physique.
And it appears that Roxy Jacenko's signature look is rubbing off on her Sweaty Betty staff if a new photo is anything to go by.
On Friday, the socialite shared one of her famous lift selfies on Instagram, which featured her young employees who all bare a striking resemblance to their boss.
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Roxy's clone army: Jacenko shares selfie with eerily similar staff ... After blasting 60 Minutes for labelling employees 'lookalike workaholics'
In the social snap, Roxy poses centre with the camera, wearing her favoured active wear and sunglasses.
Surrounding the svelte mum are some of her golden haired employees, which are are all dressed in snappy black outfits, as well as sporting tanned limbs.
Some of the employees even copy Roxy by making a peace symbol as they grin for the camera.
'A staff of 20 Roxy lookalike workaholics': In August last year a 60 Minutes interview revealed the striking similarities between Sweaty Betty employees
'My Girls,' the mother of two captions the photo.
The striking similarities was not lost on Roxy's fans, with people quick to comment on how identical everyone looked.
'#roxyclones,' one follower quipped, while another wrote: 'I can come join you ladies to bring some brunette to the team.'
'Brunettes are very welcome in our office': The label infuriated Roxy, with the PR maven hitting back at on Instagram with a photo of her employees showing some more diversity
After one fan quizzed where all of the brown haired staff were, Roxy's mother Doreen Jacenko responded: 'The brunettes are at the hairdressers.'
It's not the first time people have commented on the similarities between Sweaty Betty's staff.
During an 60 Minutes interview in August, her employees were described as 'Roxy lookalike workaholics', with the description also proving catchy with watching audiences on social media.
Favourite camera location? The photo shared was one of Roxy's infamous elevator selfies
The label infuriated Roxy, with the PR maven hitting back at on Instagram with a photo of her employees showing some more diversity.
'For the half-wits who today suggested I have blonde 'clones' - a little research and you might discover that brunettes are very welcome in our office,' she wrote.
She's the radio broadcaster and TV presenter turned soap star.
And Fifi Box's career isn't the only thing in her life that has recently transitioned, with her new relationship with co-star Damien Richardson appearing to be going from strength-to-strength.
The 39-year-old was spotted out for the first time with her new love in Melbourne last week, as reports emerged the couple are already 'expecting a child'.
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Stepping out: Fifi Box was spotted out for the first time with her new love and Neighbours co-star Damien Richardson in Melbourne, last month
The pair were casually dressed as they enjoyed a dinner for two at a Vietnamese restaurant.
The blonde beauty showed off her cleavage in a cream dress, teamed with a peach striped cardigan with a fringed bottom and beige wedge heels.
She slung her yellow handbag across her shoulder as she checked her phone, while Damien pulled his car keys out to prepare for the ride to their next stop.
Romantic: The pair enjoyed a date night
New love: The pair were casually dressed as they enjoyed a dinner for two at a Vietnamese restaurant
Let's drive: The bearded actor looked relaxed in a blue, black and white striped T-shirt as he lead his lady to their car following the meal
The bearded actor looked relaxed in a blue, black and white striped T-shirt as he lead his lady to their car following the meal.
The happy duo headed to a more unconventional destination for the second part of their date, the Hangman's Night Tour at Melbourne's Old Gaol.
The lovebirds met on the set of Neighbours in July last year when Fifi was cast as Damien's love interest, Brooke Butler.
Career evolution: Fifi is a radio broadcaster and TV presenter turned soap star
Action! The lovebirds met on the set of Neighbours in July last year when Fifi was cast as Damien's love interest, Brooke Butler
Quality time: The real-life couple's relationship appears to mirror their on-screen relationship as Brooke Butler and Gary Canning on Neighbours
A report from Woman's Day recently claimed sources close to the private couple believe they're expecting a baby together.
Insiders allegedly told the publication Fifi is 'keeping an even bigger secret' than her romance with Damien and there are whispers she might be pregnant.
The magazine asserts there are 'rumors' circulating the couple are 'already preparing to welcome a sibling' for Fifi's three-year-old daughter, 'Trixie' Belle Box.
Sports legend Grant Kenny, 53, was revealed to be Trixie's father last year.
Damien is father to three children, Maisie, Bertie and Lottie, with his estranged wife Nicole.
Something different? The happy duo headed to a more unconventional destination for the second part of their date, the Hangman's Night Tour at Melbourne's Old Gaol
He's been hard at work since arriving in Australia to film the sequel to Pacific Rim.
But Scott Eastwood took a well deserved break on Wednesday, going for a surf at iconic Bondi Beach.
The hunk was seen showing off his enviable physique as he strolled on the sand with his board in the Summer heat.
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Raising temperatures: Scott Eastwood took a well deserved break on Wednesday, going for a surf at iconic Bondi Beach
The Suicide Squad heartthrob stripped down to a pair of board shorts, exposing his washboard abs and buff biceps.
The star pulled a brooding gaze, perhaps coming to terms with the sweltering Australian summer.
Scott's toned legs flexed as they pushed through the sand.
Looking good! The hunk was seen showing off his enviable physique as he strolled on the sand with his board in the Summer heat
Too hot: The star pulled a brooding gaze, perhaps coming to terms with the sweltering Australian summer
Muscles: Scott's toned legs flexed as they pushed through the sand
In one image, the 30-year-old clutched the side of his ripped torso, perhaps nursing a stitch after riding some waves.
In another, beachgoers got a good look at his biceps as he tightened his grip on the board.
Hurting: In one image, the 30-year-old clutched the side of his ripped torso, perhaps nursing a stitch after riding some waves
Buff biceps! In another, beach goers got a good look at his biceps as he tightened his grip on the board
Like father, like son: Scott is the son of legendary actor, Clint Eastwood
Ouch! The actor got a nasty gash on his forehead during an on-set accident on Wednesday after his surf session
The hunky US-native has been filming Pacific Rim: Maelstrom in Brisbane and Sydney.
Since touching down in the country, he's been snapped fitness training in Bondi, and even took a trip to the famous 'Big Banana' in Coffs Harbour.
He spent New Year's Eve on Sydney Harbour, later claiming the city put on the best end of year fireworks display in the world.
Pacific Rim: Maelstrom is scheduled for a 2018 release.
Busy boy! Since touching down in the country, Scott has been snapped fitness training in Bondi
Big Banana! He Even took a trip to the famous 'Big Banana' in Coffs Harbour
Coming soon! Pacific Rim: Maelstrom is scheduled for a 2018 release
She's been documenting her lavish Caribbean getaway on social media, for her 1.8 million Instagram followers.
And it seems Tash Oakley is relishing in her New Year escape, judging by the beaming smile on her face in her latest bikini snaps.
The Australian blogger, 25, reflected on her love of bikinis in an Instagram post on Friday while flaunting her natural curves in a matching maroon and white swimsuit.
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Blonde bombshell: Australian blogger Tash Oakley (pictured) has shared more photos from her lavish Caribbean getaway to Instagram
Pure bliss: The 25-year-old posed for a photo in a bikini and earlier shared this image of her and boyfriend Gilles Souteyrand (pictured) relaxing together on the sandy beaches
'Even before I wore a bikini as part of my work I wore one almost everyday,' Oakley captioned the image.
Some seven hours earlier, she continued her spam from the Caribbean with a photo of her looking thoughtfully out over a beautiful blue lagoon.
Wearing a white robe and a towel around her head, it appeared Oakley had only just jumped out of the shower when the snap was taken.
Lovers: Souteyrand also took to social media to share an image of the pair from a different angle
Romantic getaway: Oakley and her beau have been dating since mid-2015 and posted regular updates about their relationship to social media, including during this trip to Anguilla
Happy couple: 'Winter, spring, summer or fall,' Oakley wrote with a love heart emoji in one caption of her and Souteyrand
While she's spent much of the trip to the East Caribbean sea - just off the coast of Anguilla - with her gal pals, she's also had plenty of time to spend with her beau.
Laying on the beach, the blonde bombshell looked smitten as she cuddled up to influencer boyfriend Gilles Souteyrand.
'Winter, spring, summer or fall,' Oakley wrote with a love heart emoji at the end.
Souteyrand posted a similar photo of the couple from a slightly different angle, also posting a cute caption: 'Always in the sand'.
And indeed Oakley has spent plenty of time in the sand over recent days, enjoying every minute alongside the crystal blue water.
Over the earlier days of her holiday she shared a picture of herself sporting a black strapless, one-piece swimsuit as she stared over the water at sunset.
Thoughtful: Tash Oakley has taken to Instagram to share a reflective picture of herself looking out over the beautiful blue waters of Anguilla
Fashion shoot: Another post included snaps of her modelling an edgy, holiday look at the exclusive Malliouhana, An Auberge Resort, in Anguilla.
Leggy: The statuesque model showed off her trim pins in a midi length, acid wash denim skirt with a thigh split
'Enjoy the little things in life, because one day you will look back, and realize they were the big things,' she captioned the image, including a star emoji.
Another post included snaps of her modelling an edgy, holiday look, at the exclusive Malliouhana, An Auberge Resort, in Anguilla.
She captioned the post: 'Lunch today at one of the most beautiful hotels I've ever seen!'
The statuesque model showed off her trim pins in a midi length, acid wash denim skirt with a thigh split.
She also put on a busty display in a strapless bodysuit which exposed her cleavage thanks to ribbon detailing down the centre.
Tash and her business partner Devin Brugman also flaunted their flawless bikini bodies on a yacht.
Under the sun: In another shoot, she shows off her pert derriere in a white one-piece swimsuit and accessorising with round black sunglasses
Holiday mode: Bikini blogger Tash and her business partner Devon showed off their bikini bodies on a yacht on Wednesday
The vacation snaps come weeks after Tash shocked fans by revealing that she airbrushes her social media snaps, most of which picture the bronzed beach-bunny posing provocatively in barely-there swimwear.
'I think that everyone is doing that (retouching) because of what they see in the media,' she told The Daily Telegraph.
'I think with the general population are just trying to follow exactly what they see with pictures being edited'.
Having a ball: In another snap, Tash, Devin and another gal pal were pictured jumping off a luxury yacht into crystal clear Caribbean waters
Double trouble! Tash touched down in Saint Barthelemy last week alongside her best friend and business partner Devin, before promptly flaunting her travels on Instagram with this festive snap
Tash's photos are gazed upon by some 1.8 million Instagram fans, many of whom are young girls who aspire to look just like her.
In October last year, unflattering paparazzi snaps of Tash at the beach surfaced online, prompting many fans to question whether her Instagram-worthy physique was genuine.
Rather than owning up to doctoring her images, Tash claimed she was 'proud' of her body and that 'I pose in swimwear everyday of my life so I know my angles.'
'I think that everyone is doing that': Last year, Tash shocked fans by revealing that she airbrushes her social media snaps, most of which picture the bronzed beach-bunny posing provocatively in barely-there swimwear
They're currently on a well-deserved holiday.
And on Friday, Dr Susan Carland took to Instagram to share an adorable snap of her and husband Waleed Aly enjoying their relaxing break.
In the photo, the happy couple pose side-by-side, with tea cups in hand.
Tea for two: Susan Carland took to Instagram from a mystery location on Friday to share a loved-up snap of her with her Project star husband Waleed Aly drinking tea while on an overseas holiday
'On to cup of tea number eleventy million,' Susan captioned.
She added the hashtag 'DrinkingTheCountryDry'.
Susan, who obtained her PhD in 2015, is a prominent writer, university lecturer and activist, whilst Waleed is the host of popular panel program The Project.
In the picture, Susan looked loved-up, barely hiding her smile behind the white tea cup and saucer.
High-profile couple: Susan and Waleed have been married for fourteen years
She wore a lilac hijab, and a white patterned button up shirt. Susan accessorised with an Apple watch and pearl earrings.
Meanwhile, her TV star husband looked laidback in a blue zip-up.
Perhaps not sharing his wife's partner's penchant for tea, Waleed raised his eyebrows to give a slight smile.
Last week Susan shared another snap of what appears to be her favourite drink.
Tea lover: Susan stated that she was 'Drinking the country dry', and appeared to live up to her word, posting another snap of her favourite drink last week
The activist took a flat-lay shot of a cup of tea, accompanied by a side of chicken bacon.
'Breakfast!' Susan wrote, later adding a hashtag that said 'KeepinItHalal'.
38-year-old Susan converted to Islam almost two decades ago, when she was still a teenager.
Rare couple shots: The last time Susan shared a snap cuddled-up with Waleed was six months ago
Loved-up: This snap shared last year shows a beaming Susan as her husband plants a kiss on her cheek
Although they haven't revealed the location of their holiday, it's believed the pair are in Sri Lanka.
Another photo shared by Susan last week shows the pool at what is believed to be the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo.
Susan and Waleed have been married for 14 years and share two children, but it's a rare occurrence when the couple appear in Instagram snaps together.
Susan's latest picture is the first couple photo she has uploaded in six months.
She's returned to Australia ahead of the star-studded Alfa Romeo Portsea Polo this weekend.
And Shanina Shaik turned heads as she stepped out to host a private event at The Baths restaurant in Sorrento, VIC, on Friday.
Stunning in a bodycon black-and-white dress and embellished heels, the 25-year-old looked picture perfect as she attended the function.
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Stunner: Shanina Shaik dazzled as she stepped out for a lunch event at The Baths in Sorrento on Friday
The former Victoria's Secret model showed off her toned arms and bronzed pins in the mid-length dress, which featured gold details at the straps and waist.
The US-based beauty added height to her look with a pair of strappy jewel-encrusted heels, as well as a rose gold watch.
She kept the rest of her accessories simple, sporting stud earrings and delicate rings.
Back home: The 25-year-old has returned to Melbourne ahead of the Alfa Romeo Portsea Polo on Saturday
Golden girl: The former Victoria's Secret model's dress hugged her svelte figure perfectly, while touches of gold added glamour to her look
The catwalk queen also carried a burgundy box clutch to add an extra layer of glamour to her ensemble.
Sitting at the table, Shanina was seen flashing her impressive diamond ring, which was given to her by fiance DJ Ruckus.
Earlier on Friday, the model revealed she's enjoying her 'long engagement' to the American DJ, whose real name is Gregory Andrews.
Elegant: Shanina wore a burgundy clutch and kept her accessories minimal for the event
'We're doing it slowly, we have a long engagement which is quite nice,' Shanina confessed.
'But I can tell you I do have an idea for my dress, so I'm really happy about that.'
Shanina recently opened up about bringing her beau Down Under for the holidays.
Loved-up: Earlier on Friday, the US-based beauty told the Today show she's enjoying her 'long engagement' to DJ Ruckus
'I just celebrated my first Christmas in Melbourne with my fiance,' she gushed to The Daily Telegraph.
'We had an amazing time, I never tire of being back in my hometown.'
Shanina grew up in Melbourne and is of Australian, Lithuanian, Saudi Arabian and Pakistani descent.
He was known for being the quirkiest contestant on the most recent season of The Bachelorette.
And Ben Lyall has proven himself to be the owner of a downright bizarre Instagram account.
On Friday, the 32-year-old miner's playfulness reached new heights when he uploaded a revealing selfie in which he stands stark naked with only a Pringles can covering his modesty.
Once you pop, you can't stop: The Bachelorette's Ben Lyall was always known for being quirky, but the Sydney based electrician took his his bizarre behaviour to a new level on Friday, uploading a naked selfie
'Its (sic) 2017, I'm single and ready to Pringle,' Ben wrote over the top of his nude image.
It seemed the star was excited for the weekend, as he included the hashtag 'ItsFridayBitches.'
He also included the hashtag 'IveGoneTooFar.'
No stranger to showing off: Ben stripped down for this snapped posted on Thursday
And perhaps referencing his size, Ben included 'TicTac' and 'IHaveToHoldIt' referring to the Pringles can.
Ben is no stranger to showing off his buff body on Instagram, in his usual outlandish style.
On Thursday, he uploaded a beach snap with the caption 'Another w**k photo of me with minimal clothing.'
Bizarre: Ben flaunted his behind in this outlandish snap posted two months ago
Quirky: Ben made his reality TV debut on The Bachelorette 2016
Late last year, Ben caught the attention of his Instagram followers posting a bizarre belfie as he posed on the edge of a pool.
The self-deprecating star wore nothing but a black G-string in the snap.
Ben, who was booted from The Bachelorette by Georgia Love, has also shared a number of shots in his budgie smugglers.
A tweet can be worth a thousand words, even if actually less than 140 characters.
Kourtney Kardashian posted a cryptic tweet to social media on Thursday, amid rumors of reconciling with the father of her children, Scott Disick.
'I've got trust issues,' the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star wrote around mid-day.
It's also been reported that the reality star might be expecting baby number four, which is likely to be Scott's, according to Radar Online.
Uh oh: Kourtney Kardashian posted a cryptic tweet to social media on Thursday, amid rumors of reconciling with the father of her children, Scott Disick
A tweet is worth a thousand words: 'I've got trust issues,' the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star wrote, seen here shooting for her reality show with Scott Disick in December
Kourtney, 37, and Scott, 33, have had a notoriously rocky relationship, but it seemed the two had been back on solid ground after a recent series of romantic trips.
It was also confirmed by two independent sources that the parents-of-three were officially an item again, after one and a half years apart, as reported by E! News on December 1.
But this vague tweet from Kourtney comes as Scott is apparently visiting Atlantis the Palm in Dubai, from the looks of his Instagram account.
Back to old habits? The fashionista's tweet was posted within a few hours of a photo posted by Scott of him being welcomed to the resort by a person submerged in a large aquarium in scuba gear holding a sign that read, 'Welcome Scott'
The fashionista's tweet was posted within a few hours of a photo posted by Scott of him being welcomed to the resort by a person submerged in a large aquarium in scuba gear holding a sign that read, 'Welcome Scott.'
Prior to that, Scott posted two photos dining in Dubai with Kim Kardashian, 36, joking about sitting so far apart on either end of the table.
'Thank god for the family plan phone package or we couldn't talk over dinner,' he wrote with one photo.
The entrepreneur was apparently filming for the season 13 of the Kardashian-Jenner family's hit reality show, with cameras in the background.
Family dinner: Prior to that, Scott posted two photos dining in Dubai with Kim Kardashian, 36, joking about sitting so far apart on either end of the table
Resorts and nightlife have long been a sore spot for the couple, with Scott struggling to control his alcohol intake and resulting intoxicated behavior.
It's not clear whether Kourtney is with her beau and sister on this trip, but she was spotted without Scott in Calabasas on Tuesday, heading to her car after shooting scenes with their son, Mason Dash, 7.
Their other children, Penelope Scotland, 4, and Reign Aston, 2, did not appear to be with their mother.
Going solo: Kourtney was spotted without Scott in Calabasas on Tuesday, heading alone to her car after shooting her own scenes for Keeping Up With the Kardashians
If there is something fishy going on, maybe that's why Kourtney has been snapping all those fitness shots.
The business woman might be taking a page out of her younger sister, Khloe Kardashian's book, and going for a Revenge Body of her own.
This sporty and toned snapshot with friend Stephanie Shepherd was posted to both of their social media accounts on Saturday.
Olympia Valance celebrated her 24th birthday in Bali last week.
And the Neighbours star has been continuing the celebrations since arriving back in the country, holidaying with friends in Byron Bay.
The brunette beauty's latest exploits in the idyllic coastal town were documented on her Instagram story on Friday, as she cut a stylish figure in a leopard print dress.
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Birthday girl: Olympia Valance has been continuing to celebrate her 24th birthday since arriving back in her homeland, holidaying in Byron Bay with friends
The actress snapped a selfie with a friend as they sat on a patch of grass, with Olympia sporting a pair of round sunglasses.
A thin gold necklace hung around her neck and three bracelets were worn on her wrist as her friend looks on in the background.
The lingerie model followed it up with a picture of the sun setting behind the leafy horizon.
The lingerie model followed it up with a picture of the sun setting behind the leafy horizon
Party: The beauty used her Instagram Story to document the day as she went horse riding, popped champagne and tucked into a chocolate cake
On Thursday, Olympia stripped off for what looked like a topless selfie, which she shared to Instagram.
The TV star was pictured soaking up some sun on the beach with a gal pal as they left little to the imagination.
Sporting a wet mane and minimal makeup, the brunette cheekily poked her tongue out while strategically lying on her stomach to conceal her modesty using her beach towel.
Cheeky: Olympia had no qualms about stripping off for what looked like a topless selfie, which shared to Instagram on Thursday
Camping out: The soap star also shared snaps of a series of white tents alongside the caption 'home for the next few days'
Her friend could also be seen in the snap sunning herself without a top on.
The soap star also shared snaps of a series of white tents alongside the caption 'home for the next few days' followed by a lake tagged in Byron Bay.
Before heading to Queensland, Olympia celebrated New Year's in Bali with boyfriend Greg Cannell before she was joined by family and friends for her birthday.
Documenting her day on Instagram, the actress went for a horse ride before heading off to a restaurant and being presented with her birthday cake.
Celebrations: Olympia celebrated New Year's in Bali with boyfriend Greg Cannell before she was joined by family and friends for her birthday
She credited her man for taking beautiful photos of her for use on social media.
And Millie Mackintosh and her boyfriend Hugo Taylor were pictured leaving Brown's hotel in London on Friday.
Millie, 27, was clutching a bunch of flowers as she exited the venue with her man, 30, following closely behind her.
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Good night? Smiling Millie Mackintosh clutched flowers as she left Browns hotel in London with Hugo Taylor on Friday... after branding him the perfect 'Insta-boyfriend'
She shielded her eyes behind a pair of dark sunglasses as she scraped her hair back off her face.
She wore a black top and matching jacket as well as grey jeans tucked into sexy thigh-high boots.
She carried a Liberty tote bag on her arm while Hugo had a gift box in hand.
Tired? She shielded her eyes behind a pair of dark sunglasses as she scraped her hair back off her face
Since embarking on their romance last year, Millie and Hugo have kept fans entertained with a stream of snapshots from their travels and exploits.
The pretty brunette has revealed that one of the factors she so adores about her beau is his precision when it comes to taking the perfect picture for Instagram.
'I love taking pictures, and Ive got a very good boyfriend as well who will take literallyhe takes a lot of pictures very quickly, he just knows the angles,' the former Made In Chelsea star cooed in an interview with GLAMOUR.
Insta attraction: Millie recently gushed about her beau Hugo Taylor's ability to take the perfect shots for Instagram
She added: 'He hands me my phone and theres about fifty different options and Im like, "Thats why I hired you, thank you." Thats the key, its the patient Insta-boyfriend.'
During her interview, which took place on Wednesday as part of the publication's week-long #ThePositivityProject pop-up initiative, the beauty also spoke about why living in the limelight is something that appeals to her.
'I think maybe somewhere deep inside me Ive always been a bit of an attention seeker,' she admitted.
Telling all: The reality TV star-turned-designer made the revelation on Wednesday during an interview for GLAMOUR's week-long #ThePositivityProject pop-up initiative
Shots: Since getting back with Millie in May, Hugo has shared countless shots of his belle
Holding on tight: Millie shares a slew of snapshots from their recent getaway to Cape Town
And while Hugo, 30, is able to capture his belle in a flattering light at all times, Millie revealed that a years-old hair disaster once left her far from camera ready.
She said: 'I went through a phase of hating being called strawberry blonde, which actually now Ive really embraced because its quite a rare hair colour
'So I used to dye it a really toxic shade of blonde that I once did at my friend's house when I was about 14 and I came back to school with like bright yellow hair and it was like straw and instantly wouldn't dry nicely because it was so brittle.'
Naked ambition: Over the festive season, Millie shared a completely nude snap on Instagram
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
Over the festive season, Hugo's camera skills were pushed to the limit, as the couple enjoyed a sun-soaked break in Cape Town, South Africa.
Last week, Millie shared a sweet snap of the duo cosied up in front of a blissful setting while Hugo sent temperatures soaring with a slinky lingerie snap of his girlfriend.
Clearly proud of his stunning partner, Hugo took to the photosharing site to post a sexy snap of the reality beauty sitting at his feet in a negligee.
Bust-booster! Millie put on a busty display as she posed in a retro black bikini as she enjoyed her 18th holiday of 2016
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
Looking sensational as she went make-up free, the stunner gave a cheeky grin to the camera while sizzling in her silky number.
The silk lingerie boasted tiny spaghetti straps which sat on her slender shoulders while the plunging neckline flashed her perky cleavage.
While Hugo was opting for sexier snaps, Millie went for a more romantic look as she shared a stunning image in which the couple cosied up in front of a lake.
Pucker up, baby! Millie and Hugo looked more in love than ever as they packed on the PDA in yet another social media snap
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
Looking angelic in a white maxi dress, the fashion designer held on to her boyfriend's arms as they looked out onto the sunset.
She added a caption reading: 'New favourite place for sunset' - after which the stunning shot amassed over 11,000 likes in just one hour.
Throughout the trip, the couple worked hard on their tans, though two weeks ago Millie flashed a look at some painful looking sunburn on her derriere.
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 her getaway
Sporting a tiny black bikini, red skin was on show as the star climbed the steps to head back to her villa after another beach day.
Meanwhile, while Millie has 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 Instagram.
Proud of her gym honed physique, the former reality star posted the incredibly saucy snap of her gazing out of her hotel room in the nude to her 1.3 million followers. Captioning her naked pic, she cheekily wrote: 'My morning view'.
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
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
Last year was turbulent for Millie - announcing her split from rapper husband Professor Green, 33, in the early part of 2016 - though she was able to take her mind of things with plenty of exotic holidays.
Her trip to South Africa marked her 18th vacation for 2016 alone.
Since reuniting with Hugo in May, Millie has taken her globe-trotting to Monaco, Mauritius, Greece and France's Antibes, among many other destinations.
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
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
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.
But the union was not to last and ended rather dramatically when Millie discovered Hugo had cheated on her with her friend, Rosie Fortescue.
Quite the contrast...: In 2015, Millie (centre with ex-husband Professor Green) was celebrating her second Christmas with her now-ex-husband, her parents and grandfather
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
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.
Make-up free Millie: The former Made In Chelsea let fans know that she was happily watching the sun rise in South Africa during the festive season
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, and they eventually tied the knot in September 2013.
The rapper has since moved on with model Fae Williams.
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
They're unofficial sisters-in-law thanks to their husbands being band mates in Mumford & Sons.
And on Thursday evening Carey Mulligan and Dianna Agron kept things in the musical family as the two Hollywood stars enjoyed a girls' night out in London.
Leaving their rock 'n' roll husbands at home, Carey, 31, and Dianna, 30, headed to a special screening of La La Land without their respective partners.
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Girls' night out: Carey Mulligan and Dianna Agron kept things in the musical family as the two Hollywood stars enjoyed a girls' night out in London, on Thursday
Heading to the Picturehouse Central in Soho to watch the award-winning film, the two screen sirens looked to be enjoying some downtime together.
Carey, who is married to front-man Marcus Mumford, kept things chic and simple as she braved the foul weather to enjoy a night out.
Wrapping up against the snow and rain, the Suffragette actress threw a large billowing overcoat over her slender frame.
The London-born star also wore a pair of jeans to combat the cold whilst she added another practical touch to her outfit by wearing a pair of black Chelsea boots.
Leaving the boys at home? Leaving their rock 'n' roll husbands at home, Carey, 31, and Dianna, 30, headed to a special screening of La La Land without their respective partners
She topped her wintry look off with a warm scarf around the neck and a black handbag slung over one shoulder.
Wearing her dark locks swept into a side-parting, Carey allowed her pretty features to come to the fore; with the silver screen siren only opting to wear a minimal amount of make-up.
Diana followed her friend's lead and chose to wrap up warm against the freezing cold conditions.
Siter act: Heading to the Picturehouse Central in Soho to watch the award-winning film, the two screen sirens looked to be enjoying some downtime together
Showing off her own wild style, the former Glee star donned a thick leopard-print coat to combat the snow.
She teamed the voluminous garment with a black top and skinny-fit jeans, keeping to a casual theme like her pal.
The American star rounded her look off with a pair of funky black boots, though she was sure to keep her accessories to a practical minimum - only choosing to carry an umbrella and a bag.
Carey married Marcus (R) back in 2012, while Diana tied the knot with Marshall (L) last year in an intimate ceremony
Ahead of the hype: The two Hollywood stars braved the cold to catch a special screening of the award-winning La La land, starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling
Wearing her long blonde locks loose, the I Am Number Four actress - who is married to banjo and guitar player Winston Marshall - let her tresses tumble down past her shoulders.
Opting for a minimal palette of make-up, Dianna added a vampy edge to her look by plumping up her pout with a bold slick of purple lipstick.
The pair looked to be enjoying a catch-up without their significant other; though it's not surprising the two are close friends.
Carey married Marcus back in 2012, while Diana tied the knot with Marshall last year in an intimate ceremony.
Guy Pearce took to the stage at the Palm Springs International Film Festival on Thursday night.
The actor joined his When We Rise costars in a Q&A session at Palm Springs High School, following the world premiere of the TV miniseries.
On what was day 11 of the two-week festival, the 49-year-old graced the red carpet in a smart ensemble complete with a shirt and tie.
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On the mic: Guy Pearce took to the stage at the Palm Springs International Film Festival on Thursday night after the premiere of When We Rise
The Prometheus star donned a navy blue overcoat as he arrived at the event ahead of the first look at the opening 84 minutes of When We Rise.
Grey was his preferred choice of colour for shoes, trousers, waistcoat and tie, which he teamed with a white shirt.
Guy appeared on stage with producer Gus Van Sant, writer Dustin Lance Black, costar Austin McKenzie and the man he portrays in the series, Cleve Jones.
Dapper: For his moment in the spotlight on day 11 of the two-week festival, the 49-year-old graced the red carpet in a smart ensemble complete with shirt and tie
Got all the answers: The actor joined the co-stars and crew of When We Rise in a Q&A session at Palm Springs High School after the miniseries' world premiere
The eight-hour miniseries, which airs on ABC on 27 February, spans the LGBTI rights movement from the Stonewall Riots in 1969 to its recent gains, culminating in the 2015 Obergefell v Hodges ruling that made same-sex marriage legal in America.
The event's official Facebook page reported 'tears and much applause' from those in attendance at the screening.
Guy plays LGBTI activist Cleve, whose memoirs When We Rise: My Life in the Movement partially inspired the series.
Latest role: Guy plays LGBTI activist Cleve, whose memoirs When We Rise: My Life in the Movement partially inspired the series
Part of the team: Guy appeared on stage with producer Gus Van Sant, writer Dustin Lance Black, co-star Austin McKenzie (right) and the man he portrays in the series, Cleve Jones (middle)
Guy, who stars alongside Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie O'Donnell and fellow Australian Rachel Griffiths in When We Rise, told The Age earlier this week that during filming he could feel the ongoing struggle that the LGBTI community is faced with.
He said: 'It's something we felt while making the show, this feeling of how tenuous civil rights for minority groups still are, whether they're gay rights or women's rights or rights for people with disabilities.'
'It's this sort of two steps forward, one step backwards feeling of how precarious recognition still is. It was a really moving project to work on.'
She admitted last year that she planned to breastfeed until her daughter Sophia was ready to stop.
And now Tamara Ecclestone has been praised by fans for openly promoting the act on social media.
Taking to Instagram on Friday, the socialite, 32, posted a photo of her breastfeeding her sweet two-year-old - which was met with admiration from fans, who praised her for 'normalising' the extended act.
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'Way to go mama!': Tamara Ecclestone was praised by fans on Friday for openly promoting the act of extended breastfeeding on Instagram
'Always so helpful': The socialite, 32, joked that her 'helpful' husband Jay Rutland was have a snooze on their private jet a she breastfed their daughter
Tamara uploaded the intimate photo while she patiently awaited the take-off of her flight in the heavy snow.
But while she breastfed Sophia, she joked that 'helpful' husband Jay Rutland was enjoying a nap on-board the private jet.
However while she referred to her turbulent journey in the caption, writing: 'Delays delays delays and finally we are off', it was the depiction of breastfeeding which captured attention.
With Sophia approaching the age of three, many followers complimented the mother-of-one for openly supporting extended breastfeeding in the public eye - with one user writing it was 'wonderful to see' the act 'normalised'.
Standing her ground: The post comes in light of Tamara's admission last year that she will continue to breastfeed Sophia until she has 'had enough'
Not bothered: The post comes in light of Tamara's admission last year that she will continue to breastfeed Sophia, who she shares with Jay Rutland (R), until she has 'had enough'
NHS ADVICE ON BREASTFEEDING... The NHS website says: 'It's recommended that you breastfeed your baby exclusively (give them breast milk only) for the first six months of their life. 'According to Rosie Dodds of the NCT (formerly National Childbirth Trust), this means women sometimes think they should breastfeed for six months and then stop. However, breastfeeding still has lots of benefits for you and your baby after six months. It protects them from infections and there's some evidence that it helps them to digest solid foods. It also continues to provide the balance of nutrients your baby needs. If you aren't sure whether or not to continue with breastfeeding, you can contact the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212. Advertisement
Meanwhile many other users quickly came to agreement, with a second passionate mother writing: 'Absolutely adore positive extended bf in the media! My lb was 3 in October and we are going strong'
A further fan acknowledged the act was completely 'natural', while others encouraged her to continue by writing: 'Way to go mama!!' and 'Good for you!'
The NHS website says: 'It's recommended that you breastfeed your baby exclusively (give them breast milk only) for the first six months of their life.
'However, breastfeeding still has lots of benefits for you and your baby after six months.
'It protects them from infections and there's some evidence that it helps them to digest solid foods. It also continues to provide the balance of nutrients your baby needs.'
However, it's not for everyone and every parent should feel able to make their own decision on how they feed their child.
The 2010 Infant Feeding Survey polled more than 10,000 women and showed that 81 in every 100 start breastfeeding, up from 76 five years before that.
After one week less than half of all new mothers are still exclusively breastfeeding.
And only one in every 100 managed the full recommended six months, according to the NHS Information Centre.
Backlash: Defending herself about feeding Sophia at age 2 to FEMAIL last year, she explained: 'Mums should really listen to their intuition; no one knows their baby better'
The post comes in light of Tamara's admission last year that she will continue to breastfeed Sophia until she has 'had enough'.
Talking to Fabulous magazine, the Formula One heiress revealed she had faced huge backlash for feeding her toddler - but fiercely fired back at haters by explaining: 'Yes, Sophia is two-and-a-half and yes, a lot of people wouldnt breastfeed now. But its so comforting for her and she loves it.'
HOW MANY WOMEN BREASTFEED? The 2010 Infant Feeding Survey polled more than 10,000 women and showed that 81 in every 100 start breastfeeding, up from 76 five years before that. After one week less than half of all new mothers are still exclusively breastfeeding. And only one in every 100 managed the full recommended six months, according to the NHS Information Centre. Advertisement
While she is subject to cruel trolls on a regular basis, the brunette beauty revealed that she tries to ignore their hurtful words, as she is the only one who knows what is best for her child - like many other mothers.
Earlier this year, she shared a very clear message for her trolls in an interview with FEMAIL, stating: 'I would tell them to go eat their dinner in the toilet.'
She continued: 'I think all mothers should support each other and stick together instead of picking flaws. It's tricky as parenting is one of those things everyone seems to have an opinion on and a lot of the time it's unwanted and can be so cruel.
'I am doing my best as a mum by following my heart and intuition. I feel mums should really listen to their intuition; no one knows their baby better.'
However Tamara, who shares Sophia with her husband of three years Jay Rutland, previously confessed she had not expected her open attitude towards breastfeeding to spark such a reaction, as she believes it is such a natural thing to do.
Addressing the matter on Loose Women last summer, Tamara said: 'I posted a picture of myself breastfeeding and it was never meant to invoke such a reaction, but I wanted to normalise it and I'm glad it's being talked about.
'There's no cut-off point, I'll stop when she's ready, when she doesn't need it. But at the moment it just feels right.'
Host Vicky Pattison then quickly questioned: 'But she has teeth now?'
To which the salon owner replied: 'She has never bitten me. Some of my friends ask me if I want to have Botox or whatever, but none of that matters to me anymore. My daughter is the most important thing.'
Sophia was born in March 2014, and Tamara has been very open with her parenting ever since - posting endless snaps of her little girl and their trips out together daily on social media.
The pair now appear to be jetting off on yet another trip in the most recent snap - despite having spent Christmas and New Year in Gstaad, Switzerland, at her billionaire father Bernie Ecclestone's luxurious chalet.
She's the Balinese princess, known for her lithe figure and symmetrical facial features.
And Lindy Klim stunned once again, in a snap captured to Instagram on Friday.
The 39-year-old posed alongside photographer Sam Bisso, flaunting her trim pins and slender waist in a high-cut swimsuit, while on a campaign shoot for Lounge The Label, in Bali.
Model looks! Lindy Klim, 39, took to Instagram on Friday, posing alongside photographer Sam Bisso in Bali, drawing attention to her trim pins and slender waist in a high-cut swimsuit
'Shooting today with one of my favourite photographers @sambisso for @loungethelabel,' Lindy captioned the snap, alongside the hashtags #bali and #campaignshoot.
The black and white image saw Lindy sporting a one-piece swimsuit that showed off her lithe arms, slender waist and enviably trim pins.
Resting her right arm on photographer Sam Bisso's shoulder, Lindy also drew attention to her luscious locks.
The ambassador appeared to sport a minimal makeup palette, allowing her natural beauty to shine through.
Vista: Lindy also shared a series of behind-the-scenes snaps from the shoot, to her Instagram story on Friday
Picturesque: Stunning ocean views made it the perfect location to shoot a campaign for a contemporary fashion label
Lindy also shared a series of behind-the-scenes snaps from the shoot, to her Instagram story on Friday.
The ex-wife of former Olympic swimmer Michael Klim was sure to capture the stunning Balinese vista.
An infinity pool looked out to the ocean, making it the perfect location to shoot a campaign for a contemporary fashion label.
While another image saw Lindy giving the camera a close-up look at her striking facial features.
This time the beauty appeared to sport black overalls and had her dark tresses swept up into an effortless style.
Beauty: Another image saw Lindy giving the camera a close-up look at her striking facial features
Effortless: Lindy was seen working her best angles for photographer Sam Bisso, while covering her slender frame in an off-the-shoulder jumpsuit
Nearby on location was Lindy's fiance Adam Ellis.
A clip shared to the star's Instagram story, saw the English property developer walking down a paved walkway in casual attire, and carrying a surfboard in one arm.
Lindy affectionately drew a love heart around the image.
Her love: Another clip shared to the star's Instagram story, saw the English property developer walking down a paved walkway in casual attire, and carrying a surfboard in one arm
Moving forward: Lindy announced her split from husband Michael Klim, 39, in February 2016, after a decade of marriage
Lindy announced her split from husband Michael Klim, 39, in February 2016, after a decade of marriage.
They share three children together, daughters Stella and Frankie, and son Rocco.
She has since moved on with Adam Ellis, her engagement revealed in October last year, after a romantic getaway to Morocco.
Her engagement came to light, after friends of the couple congratulated them on the happy news, via Instagram.
'Amazing, congratulations,' one social media user posted, while another added: 'Congrats on the engagement (sic).'
Meanwhile, Michael has also moved on, enjoying a blossoming relationship with Balinese fashion designer Desiree Deravi.
New love: She has since moved on with Adam Ellis, her engagement revealed in October last year, after a romantic getaway to Morocco
She's just wrapped up her latest big screen project, Our House.
So it was no surprise to see Nicola Peltz certainly looking every inch the Hollywood siren as she headed out for a night on the town in Los Angeles, on Thursday.
Slipping into a seriously saucy LBD for her evening at Catch in West Hollywood, the 22-year-old actress made sure that all eyes were on her.
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Going Hell for leather: Nicola Peltz certainly looked every inch the Hollywood siren as she headed out for a night on the town in Los Angeles, on Thursday
Opting for a low-cut, thigh-grazing number in leather, the Transformers: Age Of Extinction star showed a serious amount of skin.
Thanks to a plunging neckline, which also featured sheer detailing, Nicola flashed more than a hint of her cleavage.
The figure-hugging dress also allowed the rising movie star to flaunt her lithe pins to the max.
Seriously saucy: Slipping into a seriously saucy LBD for her evening at Catch in West Hollywood, the 22-year-old actress made sure that all eyes were on her
And, adding a pair of towering black stilettos to the mix, the blonde beauty ensured that her pins were thrust further into the limelight.
The actress accessorised her look with a smattering of sparkling jewellery, whilst she also clutched her trusty iPhone in one hand.
Wearing her blonde locks arrow-straight, down past her shoulders, the alabaster beauty allowed her strikin features to shine through.
Pins on parade: Opting for a low-cut, thigh-grazing number in leather, the Transformers: Age Of Extinction star showed a serious amount of skin
Towering and tottering: And, adding a pair of towering black stilettos to the mix, the blonde beauty ensured that her pins were thrust further into the limelight
The Hollywood beauty made her eyes pop with a sultry smokey eye effect, whilst she also defined her pout with a slick of coral lipstick.
Nicola is best known for playing the daughter of Mark Wahlberg's character in the 2014 action flick Transformers: Age Of Extinction.
Aside from her prominent acting role, it's been Nicola's dating life that has turned her into something of a noteworthy face.
The blonde was previously linked to Justin Bieber in the summer and was thought to have shared many dates with the pop prince at the start of 2016.
She is not one to shy away from flashing her toned midriff.
And Chantel Jeffries kept up with appearances on Thursday, rocking a stylish streetwear look that bared her svelte waist.
The 23-year-old ex of Justin Bieber donned a black crop top and trendy track pants. laced along the sides, as she arrived at the star-studded Los Angeles restaurant, Catch LA.
Cool cat: Chantel Jeffries rocked a streetwear style on Thursday as she arrived at Los Angeles hotspot, Catch LA
The DJ paired the look with fishnet tights underneath her pants, exposing some net on her flat stomach.
She threw a fitted camouflage jacket over her outfit and opted for pointed stiletto boots.
Chantel - who also runs her own make-up business - rocked the perfect contour look wearing highlighted bronzer and blush, finishing off with a nude lip.
The strawberry blonde beauty topped off the look with a half-up hairdo as her bangs were parted in the middle, sweeping across her forehead.
Flawless figure: The 23-year-old ex of Justin Bieber flashed a bit of her toned midriff wearing a black crop top and trendy track pants, laced up along the sides
Netted and naughty! She opted for fishnet tights underneath her pants, which lay on her flat and toned stomach
The Wihelmina model- who calls herself CeeJay The DJ on social media - has been spending her time lately spinning tables across the country.
Her most recent gig was DJing last week in Miami, Florida at Komodo Lounge and before that in St. Bart's for New Year's Eve.
Chantel is also climbing up the ranks in her modeling career as she previously starred alongside rapper A$AP Rocky in ad campaign for Guess.
Famous for her figure! The Wihelmina model kicked it with Keke Palmer on Tuesday flaunting her svelte figure and side boob in a black dress
CeeJay The DJ: The Instagram star has been spending her time hitting up clubs and events as the DJ; pictured here in Miami last week
The Instagram star first shot to fame in 2014 when she began dating pop star Justin Bieber.
She was famously with him in his rented Lamborghini at the time of his Miami arrest for DUI, drag racing and resisting arrest in January, 2014. They were believed to have briefly reunited this summer.
Despite the breakup, she has remained great pals with another one of his exes, Barbra Palvin. The beauties were seen together at the same restaurant on a gal pals' night out in November.
Adriana Lima was spotted arriving to the set of Ocean's Eight early Friday morning in New York City.
The 35-year-old supermodel looked striking even with her hair still in pins as the glam team worked to complete her look on the rainy day.
The native Brazilian will be featured in a cameo as she is set to join a star-studded, all female main cast for the fourth installment in the casino heist series made famous by George Clooney's and Brad Pitt's 2001 revival of the original 1960s Rat Pack film.
Pinned down: Adriana Lima looked striking even with her hair still in pins as the glam team worked to complete her look on the set of Ocean's Eight in New York on Friday
Commanding attention in all black from head to toe, Adriana wore a simple, long sleeved high-low dress with a scoop neck, sheer tights and ankle booties with a chunky heel.
The stylists on set topped the ensemble off with a black fuzzy jacket, seen on Adriana as she left wardrobe and before she had a stitch of makeup on her face.
Her lips popped in a peachy shade and her eyes smoldered with a smoky look under perfectly arched brows.
Working with the greats: The native Brazilian will join a star-studded, all female main cast for the fourth installment in the casino heist series made famous by George Clooney and Brad Pitt
It was a quick turnaround for the supermodel, who had a late night Thursday before her early call time Friday.
Adriana posted a photo to Instagram on Thursday at around 10:30 PM eastern time, just as she ended her professional responsibilities for the day.
'Just finished work,' she captioned the selfie, still dressed to the nines and in a full face of makeup, as she relaxed on a couch.
Late nights, early mornings: It was a quick turnaround for the supermodel, who had a late night Thursday before her early call time Friday, seen here in an Instagram photo posted Thursday
Hurry up and wait: The much-anticipated Ocean's Eight is scheduled to premiere in June 2018
Adriana will be playing alongside the greats for her role in the film, with the all-girls team of thieves led by Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett.
Other members of the cast include rapper and actor Awkwafina, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson and Rihanna.
Fashion first: Anna Wintour - pictured in New York City in June 2012 - is also expected to be making a cameo according to a Thursday report from Page Six
Adriana is not the only one from the high-fashion world as Anna Wintour is also expected to be making a cameo according to a Thursday report from Page Six.
Apparently the celeb-favorite Met Gala will be recreated in the flick as designers including Alexander Wang and Zac Posen will also be making appearances.
The much-anticipated Ocean's Eight is scheduled to premiere in June 2018.
Priyanka Chopra has been rushed to the hospital after suffering a fall.
The 34-year-old Indian actress took a tumble while performing a stunt for her hit FBI TV series Quantico, according to TMZ.
The incident took place late on Thursday night and she suffered a concussion.
Ailing: Priyanka Chopra has been rushed to the hospital after suffering a fall. The 34-year-old Indian actress took a tumble while on the set of her hit FBI series Quantico, according to TMZ
Tough job: The actress often performs difficult stunts. Here she is seen in October in NYC while shooting the top rated show
Her rep told TMZ: 'Yes, we can confirm there was a minor accident ... and [she] will return to work after the weekend.'
She is now resting at home.
The Baywatch star was not present during a Friday press appearance for her small-screen drama.
Confirmed: Her rep told TMZ: 'Yes, we can confirm there was a minor accident ... and [she] will return to work after the weekend'
A source told the site that she was taken to the ER after she slipped while shooting a stunt and fell so hard on the floor that her head hurt.
It was added that she was 'examined, treated and discharged a few hours later.'
Standing out: In 2015, she began starring as Alex Parrish on Quantico
She was last seen looking in great health as she wore a plunging gold lace dress at Sunday's Golden Globe awards in Beverly Hills.
The star has already finished shooting Seth Gordon's action comedy Baywatch, in which she will play the main antagonist opposite Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron. The film is due out May 26.
Chopra has become an overnight hit in Hollywood after working steadily in her native India.
In 2000 she was the winner of the Miss World pageant.
She made her Bollywood debut in 2003's The Hero then starred in the critically acclaimed 2004 thriller Aitraaz.
Starring roles in the successful productions Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Krrish (2006) and Don (2006) established her as a leading actress of Indian cinema.
In 2008, she won the National Film Award for Best Actress for playing a troubled model in the drama Fashion.
In 2015, she began starring as Alex Parrish on Quantico. She is the first South Asian woman to headline an American network series.
Stephanie Davis has welcomed her baby boy into the world today.
The former Hollyoaks star, 23, gave birth naturally to her first child at a hospital in Liverpool after reportedly going into labour for 48 hours.
'We are delighted to confirm that our client Stephanie Davis gave birth to a baby boy on Friday. Mother and baby are doing fine,' a representative for the actress told MailOnline.
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Congratulations! Stephanie Davis, 23, has welcomed her baby boy into the world today
The Celebrity Big Brother star, whose baby's name is yet to be revealed, is believed to have been in labour for a gruelling two days.
A source told The Sun: 'The baby's taking his time, but we're hoping that he will arrive today. Steph is so excited that the day has finally come that she will meet her son.'
While the brunette beauty is celebrating giving birth, her ex-boyfriend Jeremy McConnell - who has denied the baby is his, despite Stephanie insisting he is the father - is on holiday.
The Irish model today revealed he was 'delighted' for his former flame - but still echoed his former denial of the baby being his.
He told The Sun: 'I am delighted that Steph has safely had the baby, of course if he is my son I will absolutely step up and do what I can to support him.'
Finally here! The Celebrity Big Brother star, whose baby's name is yet to be revealed, is believed to have been in labour for a gruelling two days
Big day: 'Steph is so excited that the day has finally come that she will meet her son. At the moment she is focusing on welcoming her little boy', a source told The Sun
Controversy: Jeremy McConnell, 26, was accused of sleeping with a fan's girlfriend after a nightclub appearance- as his pregnant ex Stephanie Davis prepares to welcome her first child
It comes as a friend of Jeremy McConnell defended the Irish hunk for jetting off to Thailand for a lad's holiday, despite his ex's due date being imminent - saying he's within his rights to take the break as he has nothing tying him down.
' Jeremy is simply having a well deserved holiday in Thailand with his pals,' the source told The Sun. 'I'm not sure why he's getting so much grief for posting a selfie of him having a drink.'
Despite, Jeremy's long-haul trip, the star is ready to come back at a moments notice.
His representative told MailOnline: 'Jeremy is currently in Thailand enjoying a short holiday with friends, which has been booked for sometime.
'He has an open return ticket should he need to return to the UK before the end of his trip'.
Proud mother: She has documented her pregnancy enthusiastically on social media
Assembling her baby kit: The reality star threw herself into making a cot for her baby
Worrying times: Stephanie hasn't had the easiest of pregnancies as she was struck down with acute morning sickness in the first and second trimester and then she experienced some bleeding
The Beauty School Copouts star has certainly been enjoying himself since splitting with Stephanie - and was most recently accused of sleeping with a fan's girlfriend after a nightclub appearance.
Leaked Twitter messages appear to show the Celebrity Big Brother star, 26, arranging to meet up with a partygoer at his hotel.
Twitter user Liam Topham made the claims about his girlfriend on social media, and shared screenshots of their supposed DMs, according to the Daily Mirror.
The chat begins with the girl writing in the early hours of the morning: 'Listen, this has to be on the sneak yea as we both have our privacy at stake.'
An account that appears to be Jeremy's replies: 'I'm in hotel. Iv no privacy I'm single', before adding: 'Wont say anything'.
'No ties': Pals of Jeremy McConnell have reportedly defended the Irish model for going on holiday to Thailand with his friends as his ex Stephanie prepares for the birth of their child
Pucker up: Jeremy McConnell set tongues wagging again as he enjoyed a steamy New Year's Eve kiss with a mystery blonde on Saturday night
A source told MailOnline: 'The messages concerned date back to May last year, we wont be making any comment on them its just old stories being recycled.'
Liam claimed his girlfriend met Jeremy while sharing the same table in the VIP area of the club, writing : 'She met him in a club appearance, they paid for VIP booths so he sat at their table, s**t aye'.
And Jeremy McConnell set tongues wagging again as he enjoyed a steamy New Year's Eve kiss with a mystery blonde on Saturday night.
Tragic: The couple bought a puppy Simba together, who Stephanie reportedly gave to Jeremy when she discovered she was pregnant - and hasn't seen since
Tumultuous times: The former lovers have had a bitter back-and-forth war of words since splitting up
In the past: The couple found love in the Celebrity Big Brother house back in January 2016
Jeremy and Stephanie embarked on a toxic romance after meeting on CBB which culminated in a bitter split shortly before she announced she was expecting Jeremy's child - claims he vehemently denies.
She has maintained constantly throughout her pregnancy that Jeremy is the father, yet the Dubliner has lashed out at her claims and insisted he wants a paternity test upon the arrival of the little boy.
Speaking about the saga, the actress revealed that she was going to 'privately sort' the issue out with her former flame, but insisted that he knew the truth.
She told new! magazine: 'Jeremy knows the truth. I'm keeping (the DNA test) private. I'll sort that with him. If I could have done one straight away, I would have, but it was too dangerous for the baby.'
Words to be had: Speaking about confusion over the baby's paternity, Stephanie revealed that she was going to 'privately sort' the issue out with her former flame, but insisted that he knew the truth
Blossoming baby bump: The actress regularly showed off her pregnancy in tight dresses
His first child? The former Hollyoaks actress is due to welcome her first child in January, but Jeremy has expressed concerns that he may not be the father
Excited mummy to be: Stephanie wrote a lengthy post ahead of her labour day
Just weeks before Stephanie gave birth, Jeremy had told the Daily Star: 'I was in a position where we broke up for a period of time. I found out she was pregnant, but in the meantime I knew she was with other people.'
He added that once the baby is born he will ask for a paternity test, and will 'step up' if he is proven to be the father.
'I can't do anything while the baby's in there,' he explained. 'When it comes out I would step up to the plate. All I want is clarification. If I find out it's mine I'll be the best dad.'
A source close the star told MailOnline: 'Jeremy has tried to contact Steph on a number occasions but he hasn't heard back.
Former flames: Stephanie previously dated model Sam Reece, who she endured a bitter split from after she struck up a fling with Jeremy on CBB - despite still being with Sam
Sweet: Stephanie shared an adorable Instagram collage that saw her recreate a sweet 2013 snap with her mother Pauline on Christmas eve
'If he is the father then of course he going to do step up and do the right thing.'
Stephanie hasn't had the easiest of pregnancies as she was struck down with acute morning sickness in the first and second trimester and then she experienced some bleeding, which she feared was a sign of her losing her baby, in the third trimester.
She has been noticeably absent from social media for the last two weeks and the friend insists that while she is grateful for fans' support, 'her attention is on getting to grips with being a mum.'
However, doctors quickly established that her baby was fine and she had colitis. Stephanie then started experiencing Braxton Hicks - irregular practice contractions that can be felt around mid-pregnancy and increase in frequency and strength as the pregnancy progresses - and pressure at the bottom of her stomach last month.
Getting ready: Stephanie has been noticeably absent from social media for the last two weeks and the friend insists that while she is grateful for fans' support, 'her attention is on getting to grips with being a mum'
He's an iconic nineties rap artist.
But P Diddy is less than pleased with what has become of modern hip hop culture, and wasn't afraid to share his views in an angry speech.
The I'll Be Missing You star, 47, branded the culture 'dead', before deleting his social media accounts.
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'I'll be missing you?' P Diddy is less than pleased with what has become of modern hip hop culture,and branded the culture 'dead', before deleting his social media accounts.
The father-of-six took to his now-deleted Instagram page and explained: 'It's too much c***ery and buffoonery going on. The culture's getting killed... I'm in amazement by what's going on in the world..
'It's too much c**ning and buffooning going on, too much... I can't believe this is what hip-hop has become... (sic).
'Believe me, when I get my thoughts together, I'm going to figure out a way to articulate myself because this conversation ain't even for the whole world to hear, it's just for us. (sic)'
Santa daddy: P. Diddy, 47, posed as Santa on his $72million yacht in the Caribbean
In a recent interview Diddy, real name Sean Combs, revealed he keeps his three Grammys in a special room which he calls his 'Sunday room', and fantasises about taking time out to relax among the awards.
'[It's] this room that just feels intimate, that just feels like it would be the perfect place to do a photo shoot reading the New York and L.A. Times on a Sunday, so I call it my Sunday room.
'I don't get to use it a lot, but I fantasise a lot about myself being calm enough to sit down and read the papers and have some coffee and just act really sophisticated and look up at my Grammys. I just haven't gotten to doing that part of it yet.'
The whole gang: The Ciroc spokesperson spent the holiday alongside Dave Chappelle, Donnell Rawlings, Russell Simmons, French Montana, and more
Over the holidays the Bad Boy For Life rapper made the most of his Instagram account, sharing a photo of himself donning a full Santa costume on Christmas Eve.
The music mogul and multimillionaire posed confidently in front of an elaborately decorated Christmas tree on his super-yacht where he celebrated the holiday in the Caribbean island of St. Barths.
Around his neck was a diamond-studded chain, and he added a pair of circular sunglasses.
Christmas gold: He and 18-year-old son Christian Combs flaunted their Christmas presents, which appeared to be gold chains with large medallions
The Ciroc spokesperson spent the holiday in the yacht-filled harbor of Gustavia in St. Barths alongside Dave Chappelle, Donnell Rawlings, Russell Simmons, French Montana, and family.
The Revolt TV founder hosted the holiday celebrations on Oasis, his $72 million superyacht.
The yacht - which measures at 59.4m - easily housed the large crew and their families.
The father-of-six shared photos of himself and his children enjoying their extravagant getaway with his habitual hashtag #FamilyFIRST.
He and shirtless son, 18-year-old Christian Combs flaunted their Christmas presents, which appeared to be gold chains with large medallions.
Bonding: Diddy also enjoyed father-son time with 22-year-old son Justin Combs as the two hit the island to ride ATVs
Diddy also enjoyed father-son time with 22-year-old son Justin Combs as the two hit the island to ride ATVs.
St. Barths is the celebrity destination for New Year's Eve, and Diddy and his entourage traditionally spend the evening before the new year on his mega-boat before hitting up billionaire Roman Abramovich's annual star-studded party.
The Hollywood heavyweights focused on family and good friends this year - as the men's female counterparts were not seen on the vacation.
Solo: Khloe Kardashian's ex, French Montana, was sans current girlfriend Iggy Azalea as he enjoyed the views and activities of the French island
Khloe Kardashian's ex, French Montana, was sans current girlfriend Iggy Azalea as he enjoyed the views and activities of the French island solo.
French also posted a video of himself working out on Diddy's yacht, facing a picturesque view of the pristine blue Caribbean waters.
The Ain't Worried About Nothin' rapper ominously released a new song titled Ain't My Girlfriend the day before the holiday.
Jeremy McConnell is still refusing to confirm he's the father of his estranged ex Stephanie Davis' baby boy - despite her finally giving birth today.
The Irish model revealed he was 'delighted' for his former flame after she welcomed her new bundle of joy after a reported 48 hours in labour - but still echoed his former denial of the baby being his.
Jeremy - who is currently on holiday - told The Sun Online: 'I am delighted that Steph has safely had the baby, of course if he is my son I will absolutely step up and do what I can to support him.'
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'I am delighted': Jeremy McConnell, 26, congratulated his ex Stephanie Davis after she gave birth today but still refused to confirm he was the father
'Any timescale for that is in Stephs hands now. I did reach out to her some weeks ago but didnt hear back,' Jeremy explained the situation further.
Jeremy and Stephanie embarked on a toxic romance after meeting on CBB a year ago which culminated in a bitter split shortly before she announced she was expecting his child - claims he vehemently denies.
She has maintained constantly throughout her pregnancy that Jeremy is the father, yet the Dubliner has lashed out at her claims and insisted he wants a paternity test upon the arrival of the little boy.
Speaking about the saga, the actress told new! magazine: 'Jeremy knows the truth. I'm keeping (the DNA test) private. I'll sort that with him. If I could have done one straight away, I would have, but it was too dangerous for the baby.'
Adamant: Stephanie, who welcomed her new bundle of joy after a reported 48 hours in labour, has always insisted the baby is his
'If he is my son I will absolutely step up': Jeremy revealed he will do his best once he's confirmed as the father of the newborn (Pictured February 2016)
Meanwhile, just weeks before Stephanie gave birth, Jeremy had told the Daily Star: 'I was in a position where we broke up for a period of time. I found out she was pregnant, but in the meantime I knew she was with other people.'
'I can't do anything while the baby's in there,' he explained. 'When it comes out I would step up to the plate. All I want is clarification. If I find out it's mine I'll be the best dad.'
A source close the star told MailOnline: 'Jeremy has tried to contact Steph on a number occasions but he hasn't heard back.
'If he is the father then of course he going to do step up and do the right thing.'
Tumultuous times: The former lovers have had a bitter back-and-forth war of words since splitting up
In the past: The couple found love in the Celebrity Big Brother house back in January 2016
Snap happy: The former Hollyoaks has keenly documented her pregnancy on social media
Meanwhile a representative for Stephanie confirmed her happy news to MailOnline on Friday, stating: 'We are delighted to confirm that our client Stephanie Davis gave birth to a baby boy on Friday. Mother and baby are doing fine.'
The former Hollyoaks star, whose baby's name is yet to be revealed, is believed to have been in labour for a gruelling two days.
A source told The Sun: 'The baby's taking his time, but we're hoping that he will arrive today. Steph is so excited that the day has finally come that she will meet her son.
'At the moment she is focusing on welcoming her little boy - her priority is his safe delivery and spending some quality time with him.'
The birth comes after a close pal of Jeremy defended the inked hunk for jetting off to Thailand for a lad's holiday, despite his ex's due date being imminent - saying he's within his rights to take the break as he has nothing tying him down.
He's finally here! The former Hollyoaks star, whose baby's name is yet to be revealed, is believed to have been in labour for a gruelling two days
'No ties': Pals of Jeremy McConnell have reportedly defended the Irish model for going on holiday to Thailand with his friends as his ex Stephanie prepares for the birth of their child
'Jeremy is simply having a well deserved holiday in Thailand with his pals,' the source told The Sun. 'I'm not sure why he's getting so much grief for posting a selfie of him having a drink.'
Despite, Jeremy's long-haul trip, the star is ready to come back at a moments notice, with his representative telling MailOnline: 'Jeremy is currently in Thailand enjoying a short holiday with friends, which has been booked for sometime.
'He has an open return ticket should he need to return to the UK before the end of his trip'.
The Beauty School Copouts star has certainly been enjoying himself since splitting with Stephanie - and was most recently accused of sleeping with a fan's girlfriend after a nightclub appearance after a barrage of Twitter DMs were revealed.
And Jeremy he also set tongues wagging again as he enjoyed a steamy New Year's Eve kiss with a mystery blonde earlier this month.
Jennie Garth's love life has seen a few topsy-turvy years. In 2013 she divorced Peter Facinelli then in 2015 she wed Dave Abrams.
Now the Beverly Hills, 90210 vet has explained to InTouch Weekly it has taken a toll on her figure and she wants to get back into shape.
'I've sort of fallen off the workout train and I haven't been as diligent lately,' she confessed.
More to love! Jennie Garth looked fabulous in a bikini in 2015, but has told InTouch Weekly she wants to lose weight for her husband Dave Abrams
In the '90s: Garth on Beverly Hills, 90210
The 1990s icon then added: 'I'm definitely going to get back on that, though.'
And then Jennie pointed out she is the older woman in her marriage.
'I'm married to a much younger man, and I want to stay looking good for him as long as possible,' she admitted.
The beauty is 44-years-old while her spouse is 35-years-old, which means a nine-year difference.
The TV favorite has been looking just fine on the red carpet, but with the heavy scrutiny for a Hollywood star, it's understandable she feels pressure.
And she has been in front of the camera plenty lately.
She looks great in both photos! Garth also touched on her workout routine, confessing she has not hit the gym lately; on the left she is seen in 2016 and on the right she is pictured in 1999
Last year she starred in the TV movie Time To Dance and she also made an appearance on Robot Chicken.
In the same interview, Garth admitted she would like another child.
She already has three daughters - Luca, 19, Lola, 14, and Fiona, 10 - with ex-husband Facinelli.
'It would be amazing to have more kids,' the icon said. 'We would be happy with just one. But we're also happy with the girls we have, so whatever comes our way!'
Baby fever: Garth is trying for fourth child with new husband. Here they are seen in 2015
Her best friend Tori Spelling, who played Donna to Garth's Kelly on 90210, is pregnant with her fifth child with husband Dean McDermott.
Jennie added: 'Dave has never been a father, and he's taken on the role of stepdad to my girls so seamlessly.
'I have to give him so much credit for that, because it is a handful and a half.'
The clan: She already has three daughters - Luca, 19, Lola, 14, and Fiona, 10 - with ex-husband Peter Facinelli
It helps too that she involves Peter.
The Twilight vet was with Jennie, her new husband and the three girls on Halloween making it a very modern family.
'I would never lie and say it's always been roses. I have to pat myself on the back - and Peter and David, who helped bridge the gap - for getting to this place.
The ex: The Twilight vet was with Jennie, her new husband and the three girls on Halloween making it a very modern family
Twelve years a spouse: The actors were wed from 2001 until 2013; here they are seen in 2010
'We're all in it for the girls. It's been a journey though.'
As far as how she made peace with Facinelli, who was briefly engaged to Jaime Alexander of Blindspot fame, she said 'you have to give yourself time and room to heal.'
Her good friend Spelling is expecting a fifth child. Jennie said they are still very close. 'She's like my sister. We speak weekly. We're both always crazy busy but we're always there for each other and no one can make me laugh like she does.'
The past: As far as Spelling, she said: 'She's like my sister. We speak weekly. We're both always crazy busy but we're always there for each other and no one can make me laugh like she does'; here they are pictured in a 90210 cast shot from 1990
As far as her other 90210 co-star Shannen Doherty, who is battling cancer, she said: 'We're in touch from time to time. She's one of the strongest women I've met in so many ways.'
Garth also touched on her workout routine, confessing she has not hit the gym lately.
Blac Chyna will not be prosecuted after being busted for possession of ecstasy in Texas last year.
The former stripper, 28, who is engaged to Rob Kardashian, 29, has had the case against her dismissed, TMZ reported Friday.
The website said prosecutors in Austin filed to drop the third degree felony charge against Chyna, and a judge agreed.
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Good news: Blac Chyna, pictured last weekend in Las Vegas, will not be prosecuted in Texas for drug possession after being busted with ecstasy last year, TMZ reported Friday
Family snuggles: After the news became public, Chyna posed sweetly, snuggling on her Snap story with her two children, King Cairo Stevenson and Dream Renee Kardashian, on Friday
After the news became public, Chyna posed sweetly, snuggling on her Snap story with her two children, King Cairo Stevenson and Dream Renee Kardashian.
Her son King Cairo, 4, was born to her ex Tyga, who is now in a relationship with her fiance's younger half-sister Kylie Jenner, 19.
The model gave birth to her two-month-old baby girl, Dream Renee Kardashian, on November 10, 2016 with her current partner, Rob, long after she found herself in legal trouble in the Lone Star State.
Hugging it out: Chyna shares her son, King Cairo, with ex Tyga, who is now dating her fiance's half-sister, Kylie Jenner; She shares her daughter, Dream Renee, with her current partner, Rob
Chyna was arrested for public intoxication and drug possession on January 29, 2016, after British Airways refused to board the tattooed exotic model on a London-bound flight due to her intoxication and verbal aggression.
She had admitted to a Saxon Pub bartender that she had taken Xanax, and she became 'verbally aggressive' when he refused to serve her more alcohol.
Police said they found two pills in her sunglasses case.
When police arrived at the airport she reportedly smelled of alcohol, and officers described her behavior in the arrest warrant as 'unpredictable.'
They said she was 'going from extremely angry, cursing at everyone then to crying.'
No trial: The former stripper, pictured in her mug shot after being taken into custody, smelled of alcohol and her behavior was 'unpredictable', according to the arrest warrant
Faced third degree felony charge: She was arrested at Austin International Airport after being denied boarding on a flight to London. Cops found two ecstasy pills in her glasses case
Chyna's arrest occurred just as she and Rob started dating.
The only son of the Keeping Up with the Kardashians momager drove all the way from Los Angeles to Texas to pick up his girlfriend, covering 1,400 miles in 26 hours.
The couple have had a rocky relationship since announcing their engagement in April and confirming their pregnancy in May.
They have split up a number of times and engaged in arguments, hurling insults at each other via social media and having their rows documented on their E! reality series, Rob & Chyna.
They pair have currently reconciled after appearing to part ways over Christmas.
The annual trip to meet Santa Claus usually results in a picture to treasure.
But Saint West certainly wasn't in the mood, screaming with unmistakeable horror after he was handed over to the grinning man in red in a new image shared by Kim Kardashian.
While the confused one-year-old's distress is understandable, his big sister North no doubt had a few requests to make of Santa Claus.
Poor baby: Saint West screams with horror as he meets Santa Claus while concerned big sister North looks on in a new picture shared by mom Kim Kardashian
However instead of complaining, the three-year-old instead showed herself to be a caring big sister, watching over her wailing brother with concern.
The picture was shared by Kim Kardashian on her paid-for website KimKardashianWest.com, as part of a series of images of her family, including husband Kanye West.
Whereas Kim once used the app to directly communicate with her fans by sharing her thoughts, she now seems to have out-sourced the hard work.
Meeting the pony: The picture was shared by Kim Kardashian on her paid-for website KimKardashianWest.com, as part of a series of images of her family
Her new look website has something of a Beyonce vibe, with a a series of low-fi shots of the family enjoying the holiday season, combined with videos and moving gifs.
No doubt the 36-year-old has other things on her mind.
Recent days saw the arrest of the alleged mastermind behind her terrifying Paris heist, which saw her robbed at gunpoint of an estimated $10million of jewels.
Proud mom: Her new look website has a Beyonce vibe, with a a series of low-fi shots of the family enjoying the holiday season, combined with videos and moving gifs
As revealed by DailyMail.com, a French prosecutor revealed that the person responsible for the break-in at Kim's hotel in Paris in October has now been charged.
This comes after four other suspects were charged over Kim's ordeal this week, just days after 17 people were arrested in connection with the case.
Kim - who has children North, three, and Saint, 13 months, with husband Kanye West - is said to be feeling 'deeply relieved' over the arrests.
Indeed she even returned to work on Friday, with a paid appearance at a make-up class in Dubai.
Cannabis can relieve pain, but carries risks: US report
Marijuana and cannabis can help to safely alleviate pain for some patients but many uncertainties remain about their health and safety risks, according to a major scientific review published Thursday.
A committee of the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine looked at more than 10,000 scientific abstracts to reach its nearly 100 conclusions.
The report by a 17-member panel offers a "rigorous review of relevant scientific research published since 1999," said a statement from NASEM.
Marijuana, is the most popular illicit drug in the United States, with recent nationwide survey showing more than 22 million Americans ages 12 and older reported using the drug in the past 30 days Paul J. Richards (AFP/File)
Cannabis, the scientific name for the plant whose dried buds and leaves make marijuana, is the most popular illicit drug in the United States.
A recent nationwide survey showed more than 22 million Americans ages 12 and older reported using the drug in the past 30 days.
Nine in 10 adult users said it was for recreational purposes, with just 10 percent saying it was solely for medical purposes.
"For years the landscape of marijuana use has been rapidly shifting as more and more states are legalizing cannabis for the treatment of medical conditions and recreational use," said Marie McCormick, chair of the committee and a professor of maternal and child health at Harvard University.
"This growing acceptance, accessibility, and use of cannabis and its derivatives have raised important public health concerns."
She said the report aims to address the fact that the "lack of any aggregated knowledge of cannabis-related health effects has led to uncertainty about what, if any, are the harms or benefits from its use."
- Benefits -
The report found that patients who used cannabis to treat chronic pain were "more likely to experience a significant reduction in pain symptoms."
Adults with multiple sclerosis-related muscle spasms also improved their symptoms when using certain "oral cannabinoids" -- or man-made, cannabinoid-based medications.
Conclusive evidence was also found that these oral cannabinoids could prevent and treat nausea and vomiting in people with cancer undergoing chemotherapy.
"Smoking cannabis does not increase the risk for cancers often associated with tobacco use -- such as lung and head and neck cancers," added the report.
The committee "found limited evidence that cannabis use is associated with one sub-type of testicular cancer."
- Risks -
Risks of cannabis use however include the possibility of triggering a heart attack, but more research is needed to understand "whether and how cannabis use is associated with heart attack, stroke, and diabetes."
Smoking cannabis can lead to bronchitis and chronic cough, but "quitting cannabis smoking is likely to reduce these conditions" and it remains unclear if there is any link to respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, or worsened lung function.
When it comes to mental health, the committee found that "cannabis use is likely to increase the risk of developing schizophrenia, other psychoses, and social anxiety disorders, and to a lesser extent depression."
Thoughts of suicide can increase among heavy cannabis users, and may make bipolar disorder symptoms worse.
But in people with schizophrenia and other psychoses, "a history of cannabis use may be linked to better performance on learning and memory tasks," it said.
The more people use cannabis -- and the younger they start -- the more likely they are to develop a what is known as "problem cannabis use."
But the committee found limited evidence that cannabis use increases the rate of initiating other drug use.
Even if brain functions such as learning, memory, and attention are impaired after using cannabis, researchers found few signs of long-term damage in people who have stopped smoking it.
In pregnant women, some evidence has shown that smoking cannabis during pregnancy is linked to lower birth weight, but the relationship with other pregnancy and childhood outcomes is unclear.
Accidents among children, including ingesting cannabis, have risen sharply since the substance was legalized in some parts of the United States.
Not surprisingly, the report found "substantial evidence" that cannabis use is linked to impaired driving and vehicle crashes.
Advocates of medical marijuana said the report showed that cannabis can help people, and urged the federal government to legalize it.
Marijuana is currently a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, which means it is determined to have has no medical value.
"This report is vindication for all the many researchers, patients and healthcare providers who have long understood the benefits of medical marijuana," said Michael Collins, deputy director of national affairs at the Drug Policy Alliance.
Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML, a lobbying group that aims to legalize marijuana, pointed out that the evidence is not new.
"Yet for decades marijuana policy in this country has largely been driven by rhetoric and emotion, not science and evidence," he said.
Explosions hit Damascus military airport: Syria state TV
A series of explosions ripped through a military airport on the western outskirts of Damascus overnight Friday, Syrian state TV reported.
An AFP correspondent heard several explosions and saw a large fire inside the Mazzeh military airport, with smoke visible across the capital.
State news agency SANA also reported the blasts and said that ambulances were rushing to the scene.
A general view shot shows a neighbourhood in the Syrian capital Damascus LOUAI BESHARA (AFP/File)
SANA TV, which is close to the regime, said the airport had been bombed.
Syrian sources have reported several Israeli air strikes on Syrian territory in the course of the civil war, including in the Mazzeh area.
Spain hopes to sell warships to Saudi Arabia
Close ties between the royal families of Spain and Saudi Arabia could help Madrid conclude a lucrative deal to sell warships to Riyadh, much to the alarm of rights groups.
They claim the sale would be illegal under international law and accuse the oil-rich kingdom of carrying out war crimes in its military campaign in Yemen, which has killed thousands of civilians.
Spain's King Felipe VI will on Saturday begin a three-day official visit to the Middle Eastern country at the invitation of Saudi Arabia's King Salman.
Spanish media have linked a visit by King Felipe VI to Saudi Arabia to a much anticipated deal to sell Avante 2200 corvettes built by Navantia to the Middle-Eastern country JOSE LUIS ROCA (AFP/File)
Spanish media has linked this visit to a much anticipated deal to sell Avante 2200 corvettes for an estimated two billion euros ($2.1 billion).
"We can only confirm that negotiations are very advanced to build five warships which would be sold to the Saudi navy," a spokesman for state-owned Spanish ship builder Navantia told AFP.
Spain is currently the seventh largest arms exporter in the world.
Its arms exports jumped by 55 percent in 2011-15 over the previous five years, according to the Brussels-based Group for Research and Information on Peace and Security.
And its sales to Saudi Arabia, the country with the highest military expenditure per capita, are on the rise.
- Friend of Saudi royals -
Felipe's father, Juan Carlos, who reigned from 1975 to 2014, "had and still has an exceptional personal relationship with the Saudi royal family, which has boosted economic ties", said Ana Romero, who was written several books about the former king.
Juan Carlos was a close friend of Saudi Arabia's late King Fahd, who reigned from 1982 to 2005, and is close to his brother King Salman.
Fahd offered Juan Carlos a yacht and the two would meet frequently, in private, in France and at the Saudi monarch's luxurious palace in the upmarket beach resort of Marbella on Spain's southern coast.
Juan Carlos was credited with playing a decisive role in 2011 in helping a Spanish consortium win a contract worth 6.7 billion euros ($7 billion) to build a high-speed railway linking the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
"There has always been a suspicion that Juan Carlos was a great lobbyist not only for Spain but also to aid his friends, close businessmen and maybe even himself," said Romero.
"Everything is different with Felipe VI: nobody thinks he can do something like that, Spanish entrepreneurs do not travel with him and his trips are much more controlled by the state."
If the deal for the five corvettes goes ahead, it would provide jobs for over 2,000 people for several years, said Jose Antonio Fernandez Vidal, a representative of Spain's biggest union, Comisiones Obreras, in the northwestern region of Galicia, which is home to a major shipyard.
"We are awaiting this like rain in summer to create jobs in shipyards," he said.
Spain's jobless rate of 18.9 percent is the second highest in the European Union after Greece.
The contract is not a done deal yet as Saudi Arabia is slashing spending with falling oil prices having led to a drop in revenues.
And Spain faces stiff competition.
France hopes to sell another type of navy ship to the Saudis, said a source at French defence contractor DCNS.
During 2014-15 Spain was the fourth biggest exporter of weapons to Saudi Arabia after the United States, Britain and France, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
- 'Clearly illegal' -
"The question is: is the contract legal or illegal. And it is clearly illegal," said Alberto Estevez, an expert on arms sales at the Spanish branch of Amnesty International.
A 2013 United Nations global arms trade treaty bans the sales of arms which could be used in attacks against civilians or other violations of humanitarian law, he said.
A Saudi-led coalition began air strikes over Yemen in March 2015 after Huthi rebels and their allies, troops loyal to ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh, overran much of Yemen.
Riyadh feared the Huthis would take over all of Yemen and move it into the orbit of Shiite Iran, Sunni Saudi Arabia's regional rival.
A coalition of rights groups in Spain, including Amnesty and Oxfam, has outlined dozens of alleged war crimes carried out by the Saudi-led coalition, such as the bombing of hospitals and schools.
The Spanish corvettes could be used for more than just patrols, warned Jordi Calvo, a researcher at Barcelona's Study Centre for Peace J.M. Delas.
Australia toughens rules on politicians' expenses after scandal
Australia toughened oversight of politicians' expenses on Friday after a senior minister quit over the purchase of a luxury flat during a taxpayer-funded trip.
Public outrage has been building over revelations Health Minister Sussan Ley bought a Aus$795,000 (US$595,000) apartment on the glitzy Gold Coast during an official work trip -- which she claimed was an impulse buy.
Ley stepped aside earlier this week amid an investigation and resigned Friday.
Public outrage has been building in Australia over revelations of ministers making questionable expenses claims TORSTEN BLACKWOOD (AFP/File)
This and further revelations of other ministers claiming expenses to attend sporting events sparked the move by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to set up an independent agency to administer and oversee all claims by parliamentarians.
As part of the changes, expenses would be disclosed monthly and be accessible in an searchable database. Under the current system, expenses are disclosed twice a year.
"I am firmly of the view that transparency is the key. Sunlight is the best medicine," Turnbull told reporters in Sydney.
He said the new body would mimic Britain's model, which was established in 2009 following a parliamentary expenses scandal where several MPs were jailed.
"It will make a very important change to the way in which expenses are undertaken, and, indeed, the way in which they are recorded and the way in which they are reviewed," he added.
This is not the first time the ruling conservative Liberal-National coalition -- which was narrowly returned to power after elections in July last year -- has been rocked by an expenses scandal.
Parliamentary Speaker Bronwyn Bishop resigned in August 2015 after using taxpayers' money for trips, including spending Aus$5,000 on an 80-kilometre (50-mile) helicopter ride for a political fundraiser.
Then prime minister Tony Abbott's delay in removing Bishop, who was seen as his political mentor, in part contributed to his eventual ouster by Turnbull the following month.
Turnbull said recommendations that stemmed from a review after Bishop's scandal would continue to be implemented.
"We should be, as politicians, backbenchers and ministers, we should be as careful and as accountable with taxpayers' money as we possibly can be," he said, adding that he would announce Ley's replacement next week.
"We are dealing with other people's money."
Kerry starts swansong tour in Vietnam with Asia push
John Kerry began his swansong tour as US Secretary of State in Vietnam on Friday, defending Washington's 'pivot' to Asia in the face of President-elect Donald Trump's threat to dump a key regional trade deal.
Vietnam has been at the centre of President Barack Obama's Asia embrace, marked by the lifting of a wartime-era arms embargo, major growth in trade and the signing of the massive Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact.
Yet years of effort to secure support for the trade deal, the cornerstone of Obama's Asia strategy, have unraveled spectacularly with Trump vowing to scrap the pact on his first day in office.
US Secretary of State John Kerry delivers a speech on bilateral ties from the Ho Chi Minh University of Technology and Education on January 13, 2017 Alex Brandon (Pool/AFP)
The TPP aimed to unite Washington's east Asian allies in trade, creating a counterbalance to a rising China and rewarding political and economic reform.
All that is now in question with Trump blaming unfettered global trade for the loss of American jobs.
But Kerry sought to reassure his Vietnamese hosts that Washington was not set to turn its back on trade or its Asian allies.
"Now, it's no secret that the future of the Trans-Pacific Partnership in itself is uncertain," he said, admitting that globalisation has proved "unsettling" for American voters.
- Political and personal -
"So I cannot predict what the new American administration is absolutely going do with respect to trade, but I can tell you that the reasons for the TPP haven't changed."
Speaking in Vietnam's buzzing commercial centre Ho Chi Minh City, Kerry insisted that free trade creates jobs and that "protectionist trade policies won't work".
He also urged the communist nation to stay the course with economic reforms and embed environmental and labour protections chiselled out during the complex TPP negotiations.
Vietnam War-era naval officer Kerry's visit, his fourth to the communist country as America's top diplomat, is both political and deeply personal.
He won a Silver Star for his service during the Vietnam War after beaching his patrol boat and storming ashore to shoot dead a Viet Cong ambusher in Ca Mau province in 1969.
Kerry ultimately came to see the war as a mistake and after his return from combat campaigned for peace. Later, as a senator then as secretary, he worked to normalise ties.
In Hanoi on Friday morning, Kerry met acting foreign minister Bui Thanh Son and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
"There have been a lot of steps forward but there are still some challenges as you know," he said, after a reporter asked him about Vietnam's patchy rights record.
The communist country routinely jails dissidents and government critics.
- Trade alliance -
On Saturday, Kerry will head to the Bay Hap river in Ca Mau on Saturday to revisit the site of his 1969 ambush and discuss how to protect the region's delicate ecosystem from climate change.
The relationship between the two countries has transformed since the painful and bloody war era.
The United States is Vietnam's top export market and trade between the pair has tripled in recent years, along with a major boost in US investments in the manufacturing hub.
"Kerry's visit underscores the importance of Vietnam in the US-Asia policy," Netherlands-based Vietnam analyst Jonathan London told AFP.
Simmering tensions with Beijing over its military build-up on islands in the South China Sea were also on the agenda.
Vietnam is seeking US backing in the face of increasingly aggressive actions by China in the strategic waterway.
Washington has remained neutral in disputes with China in the South China Sea, insisting that freedom of navigation must be respected in the oil-rich shipping route.
But Trump's nominee to replace Kerry, former oilman Rex Tillerson, this week called for sending a "clear signal" to China to stop building on disputed islands.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) was intended to be the cornerstone of Obama's Asia strategy
Alex Brandon (POOL/AFP)
The US and Vietnamese delegations held talks at the Office of the Government in Hanoi, on January 13, 2017 Alex Brandon (POOL/AFP)
Shakib double ton crushes New Zealand in first Test
Bangladesh hammered New Zealand with a double century by Shakib Al Hasan in a record-breaking second day of the first Test in Wellington on Friday.
But they kept declaration plans after reaching 542-7 on day two, and New Zealand insisted they were still in the game.
Shakib scored a Bangladesh innings record of 217 and captain Mushfiqur Rahim added 159 in a 359-run stand, which set a record for any Bangladesh partnership.
Shakib Al Hasan is bowled for 217 by Neil Wagner as Bangladesh reach 542-7 against New Zealand in Wellington Marty Melville (AFP)
Mushfiqur described the tourists' position as "really satisfying".
"Let's see," was his message to New Zealand when questioned whether a declaration was likely overnight.
"That's one job done but there's still three days to go. Anything's possible," he said, adding Bangladesh were determined to erase their nightmare build-up to the Test when they lost all six one-day and Twenty20 matches.
Shakib called his seven hours at the crease "one of proudest days" of his career as he moved up to second on the list of prolific Bangladesh batsmen with 3,146 to his name behind Tamim Iqbal's 3,405.
He said he did not realise he had broken Tamim's record for the highest Test innings by a Bangladesh player until he reached 207 and saw the opener stand and applaud in the stands.
"I thought his score was 214 but when I ran that single and saw Tamim was clapping I thought OK -- the highest."
- Black Caps still hopeful -
But as Bangladesh bathed in the glory of dominating the first two days of the Test, and blasting 388 runs at nearly four an over on the second day, New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee refused to accept a result for the home side was out of the question.
"They've come out and played extremely well after losing the toss and they've played in an aggressive manner," he said, indicating the Test could go down to the wire on the fifth day.
"We'll come back with a plan of hopefully knocking these (last three wickets) over and then trying to go as big as we can."
Shakib and Mushfiqur both fell in the final session after setting Bangladesh up for their 542, which is the third-highest first innings at the traditional bowl-first Basin Reserve in its 59-Test history.
With the wind and rain that disrupted day one out of the picture, New Zealand had early success in the fourth over when Mominul Haque fell for 64 and honours were even with Bangladesh at 160-4.
But for the next 82 overs Shakib and Mushfiqur were in command as they batted at nearly 4.4 an over and with an element of luck.
Shakib was dropped on four by Mitchell Santner late on the first day and dropped by Ross Taylor on 189.
He survived a tight appeal on 137 when wicketkeeper BJ Watling took what appeared to be a sensational diving catch down the leg side only for replays to show he briefly grounded the ball on hitting the turf.
It was Wagner who eventually claimed the wicket when a tired Shakib chopped an attempted cut onto his stumps.
Mushfiqur had a heart-stopping moment on 78 when an inside edge off Trent Boult brushed the stumps but the bails stayed on and the ball went through to the boundary.
Boult eventually claimed his wicket with a wide delivery that Mushfiqur attempted to drive but succeeded only in edging to Watling.
Japan's Abe enjoys Duterte's folksy diplomacy in Philippines
With a visit to Philipine President Rodrigo Duterte's bedroom, having one of the world's rarest birds named in his honour and guided by a sockless host, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had a morning to remember on Friday.
Duterte, a charismatic politician known at home for his folksy charm, dropped many of the formal protocols normally associated with visits by a head of government as he took Abe on a tour of his beloved southern home city of Davao.
Abe's day began with a visit to Duterte's "simple home" for a breakfast of sticky rice cakes and mung bean soup, a presidential aide said, with the leaders dining at a wooden table before heading for a look around Duterte's house.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (2nd L) is handed a stuffed Philippine eagle by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at a hotel in Davao City, Mindanao on January 13, 2017 TED ALJIBE (AFP)
"We also showed him how the president enjoys the comfort of his own bed, including his old and favourite mosquito net," Duterte's aide, Christopher Go, wrote on Facebook alongside a photo of the leaders smiling while standing next to the bed.
The leaders later had a casual meeting at a hotel overlooking the sea, where Duterte was photographed in a checkered shirt and long pants but no socks -- a familiar look for the 71-year-old who takes pride in his informal fashion style.
Abe's next activity saw him standing in front of a stuffed Philippine eagle, the national bird and one of the world's most endangered.
A ceremony saw a two-year-old eagle named Sakura after the famous Japanese cherry blossom.
Abe was given a photo of the eagle, which is kept at a nearby sanctuary, as well as a fluffy toy version draped in indigenous clothing.
Abe, normally blue-suited and politically conservative who nevertheless showed off his fun side last year when he dressed up as video game icon Super Mario at the Rio Olympics' closing ceremony, appeared to enjoy the day.
He smiled and laughed throughout the eagle ceremony, and ended his Davao trip at a Japanese-language school where he was greeted by singing and flag-waving children.
Abe was the first foreign leader to visit the Philippines since Duterte took office just over six months ago.
His two-day trip began on Thursday with a much more formal itinerary in the capital of Manila, where he held meetings with Duterte at the presidential palace.
Abe was also the first head of government to visit Davao, the largest city in the southern Philippines that is 1,500 kilometres (900 miles) from Manila.
Duterte, a longtime mayor of Davao before becoming president, has made developing the southern Philippines a top priority, arguing the region has been neglected by "imperial Manila".
Abe flew from Davao to Australia on Friday afternoon as part of a trip that will include Indonesia and Vietnam.
Poland to Trump: improved Russia ties must not harm us
Poland on Friday told US President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration that any improvement in Washington's ties with Moscow cannot come at the cost of harming Warsaw.
"You can't criticise anyone for wanting to improve relations with Russia," Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski said.
"We're Russia's neighbours and we would also want this. This is our message to the Americans: we like this, but not at our cost," he told RMF commercial radio.
US President-elect Donald Trump has suggested his Republican administration will seek to improve relations with the Kremlin Don Emmert (AFP/File)
Waszczykowski's comments come just a week ahead of the inauguration of Trump, who has suggested his Republican administration will seek to improve relations with the Kremlin.
Tensions between Russia and the West have escalated over the past two years, triggered by Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and its military campaign in Syria a year later.
In response, US President Barack Obama's administration ordered the deployment of an armoured brigade to NATO's eastern flank in a bid to reassure Poland and other allies rattled by frequent Russian military exercises near the region.
The brigade's arrival in Poland on Thursday -- as part of one of the largest deployments of US forces in Europe since the Cold War -- drew a swift and angry response from the Kremlin which described it as a "threat" on its "doorstep".
The Obama adminstration has also pushed a hard line on maintaining sanctions on Russia for its actions in Ukraine.
"Since November 8, Donald Trump is behaving rationally, warning about Russia," Waszczykowski said.
"They (the Trump administration) think rationally, as we do, and their view of the world and of competition with Russia is similar to ours."
Poland has long been wary of its Soviet-era master Russia.
Since shedding communism in 1989, Warsaw's foreign policy has been focused on building buffers against Moscow, namely through its 1999 membership of the NATO Western defence alliance and 2004 entry into the European Union.
Sri Lanka clamps down on tuk-tuks as death toll mounts
Sri Lanka on Friday tightened the rules governing the around one million tuk-tuks -- rickety three-wheel taxis -- on its streets after road traffic accidents claimed a record 3,000 lives last year.
The transport ministry said all tuk-tuks must now have head and tail lights, and made it an offence for drivers to smoke while carrying passengers.
All three-wheelers will also have to be fitted with fare meters and issue receipts to passengers, it said in a notice in the country's official gazette.
The vast majority of tuk-tuks in Sri Lanka have been imported from neighbouring India and most of them are in poor condition Ishara S. KODIKARA (AFP)
The transport ministry also made it mandatory for the ubiquitous tuk-tuks to have electrically operated windscreen wipers and cabin lights.
Police estimate that 3,000 people died on Sri Lanka's roads last year and about 15 percent of those were tuk-tuk passengers.
Another 100,000 people are seriously wounded in traffic accidents each year in Sri Lanka.
Last month, the government announced raising the minimum traffic fines from about 500 rupees ($3.3) to 25,000 rupees ($166) in a bid to make Sri Lankan roads safer.
French, US astronauts install batteries outside space station
French astronaut Thomas Pesquet floated into space on his first-ever spacewalk Friday, and helped install three new, refrigerator-sized lithium-ion batteries to upgrade the power system at the International Space Station.
Wearing a white spacesuit with the French flag emblazoned on one shoulder, Pesquet and American astronaut Shane Kimbrough switched on their spacesuits' internal battery power to mark the official start of the spacewalk at 6:22 am (1122 GMT).
"This is Pesquet's first foray into the vacuum of space," a NASA commentator said as a live broadcast from the US space agency showed Pesquet's booted feet dangling out of the airlock as he made his way outside.
US astronaut Shane Kimbrough(top) and French astronaut Thomas Pesquet remove a battery outside the International Space Station on January 13, 2017 Handout (NASA TV/AFP)
The pair made speedy progress. About three hours into the spacewalk, they had finished their main goal to connect adapter plates for three modern lithium-ion batteries.
Then, they carried out a series of maintenance tasks, and the spacewalk ended five hours and 58 minutes later at 12:20 pm (1720 GMT).
A NASA commentator described the outing as "completely successful."
The new batteries weigh about 428 pounds (194 kilograms) each, and replace older, but far lighter, nickel hydrogen batteries.
The batteries' role is to store power for the orbiting lab as it flies in Earth shadow.
The space station travels at a speed of more than 17,000 miles (27,350 kilometers) per hour, and circles the Earth about every 90 minutes, periodically moving through light and darkness.
After a spacewalk earlier this month by Kimbrough, 49, and veteran US astronaut Peggy Whitson, 56, a total of six lithium-ion batteries are now installed.
Eventually, all 48 of the old batteries on board will be replaced with new ones.
- First outing for Pesquet -
Pesquet, 38, is the fourth French astronaut to perform a spacewalk, and the 11th European.
It was Kimbrough's fourth career spacewalk.
Pesquet posted pictures of the space station on Facebook Thursday, showing the location of the batteries and the Quest airlock, which is the entry and exit portal for spacewalkers.
"We will get a closer look of the outside of the space station," he wrote.
"Peggy says it is even more beautiful when you are out there than looking through the windows."
The spacewalk was the 197th for maintenance and assembly at the orbiting outpost, a global science collaboration of more than a dozen nations including Russia, the United States and Japan.
- Friend at mission control -
Back at mission control in Houston, Texas, Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano orchestrated the spacewalk and could be heard giving the men directions.
The European Space Agency described Parmitano's role as lead communicator as "a recognition of ESA's expertise in station operations."
Parmitano went on two spacewalks during his six-month mission in 2013.
Shortly after the start of one of those spacewalks, Parmitano's helmet began filling with a water leak and he had to be rushed back inside the station for emergency aid.
Parmitano is also a friend of Pesquet's. They trained together for six years in the European astronaut corps.
Parmitano said that ahead of Friday's spacewalk, he gave Pesquet some words of advice: go slow and take plenty of pictures.
Pesquet, 38, is the fourth French astronaut to perform a spacewalk, and the 11th European
Five questions on Paris Mideast peace conference
Representatives from around 70 nations are to meet in Paris on Sunday to try to chart a course toward restarting moribund Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
Here is a brief explanation of one of the world's most intractable conflicts.
What is the conflict?
Palestinians walk past the Dome of the Rock at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City on January 13, 2017 AHMAD GHARABLI (AFP)
The conflict in its modern form dates back to 1947, when the United Nations proposed two states on the territory -- one Jewish and the other Arab. Israel came into being as a nation the following year.
In 1967, Israel seized the West Bank and east Jerusalem from Jordan during the Six Day War with neighbouring countries.
It later annexed east Jerusalem, where key Christian, Jewish and Muslim holy sites are located, and continues to occupy the West Bank.
The Oslo accords of the 1990s laid out what is commonly referred to as the peace process.
Efforts at an agreement have been centred on a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders, with Jerusalem as a shared capital. It would see Israel withdraw from territory it occupied, though likely with land swaps.
It is also meant to resolve longstanding issues such as the status of Jerusalem -- one of the most difficult in the conflict -- and the right of return for Palestinian refugees and their descendants.
But more than two decades after the Oslo accords, the Israeli occupation remains and two deadly Palestinian intifadas have erupted, in addition to sporadic violence that continues today.
There have been growing warnings that the chances of a two-state solution are slipping away. The Paris conference's aim is to put it back on track.
Why are negotiations stalled?
Both the Israelis and Palestinians say they are willing to talk, but haven't done so face-to-face since 2014.
The Palestinians say years of negotiations have not ended the occupation and have pursued an international approach.
They want a stop to Israeli settlement building before further talks, among other demands.
Israel wants face-to-face talks and calls on the Palestinians to recognise the country as a Jewish state.
The Palestine Liberation Organisation has long recognised Israel, but it believes doing so as a Jewish state would preempt negotiations on refugees' right of return.
Both sides also face domestic challenges that make concessions harder.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leads what is seen as the most right-wing government in the country's history, with members of his cabinet opposed to any Palestinian state.
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has grown unpopular, with a recent poll showing some 64 percent of Palestinians want the 81-year-old to resign.
He also doesn't control the Gaza Strip, another part of the Palestinian territories and which is run by Hamas, the Islamist movement that refuses to recognise Israel.
What role do settlements and violence play?
Settlements are Israeli Jewish communities inside the West Bank, considered illegal under international law.
There are now around 600,000 Israelis living in West Bank and east Jerusalem settlements, considered a major obstacle to peace since they are built on land the Palestinians see as part of their future state.
Many warn that settlement expansion is eating away at any chance of a two-state solution.
A UN Security Council resolution passed on December 23 called for a halt to settlements after the United States did not use its veto -- the first such successful resolution since 1979.
At the same time, Israel argues that the conference rewards Palestinian violence.
A wave of Palestinian knife, gun and car-ramming attacks, mainly by lone-wolf assailants, erupted in October 2015.
The violence has greatly subsided in recent months, though sporadic attacks continue. On January 8, a Palestinian rammed a truck into a group of Israeli soldiers, killing four of them.
What to expect from the conference?
The conference will be held without the Israelis and Palestinians.
Israel has rejected the meeting, with Netanyahu saying he will refuse international "diktats," but the Palestinians have welcomed it.
Abbas spoke by telephone with French President Francois Hollande ahead of the meeting and will visit Paris "in the coming weeks" for bilateral talks, Hollande's office said Thursday.
For the Palestinians, the mere fact that the conference is being held is a victory.
But they also want concrete results, such as a follow-up mechanism and a timeframe to end the occupation.
What about Trump?
The inauguration of Donald Trump as US president on January 20 will likely bring far more favourable Washington policy toward Israel.
Trump condemned the UN resolution against settlements and has nominated David Friedman, a supporter of settlement expansion, as his Israeli ambassador.
On Tuesday, a senior Palestinian official said when it comes to Trump "all indications are negative".
Burqa ban splits Morocco
Morocco's ban on the sale and production of burqa full-face Muslim veils beloved of Salafists has sharply divided opinions in the North African country.
"The burqa is not an item of clothing just like any other... it's an instrument of oppression, a horrific negation of women, an insult to half of humanity," according to award-winning French-Moroccan novelist Leila Slimani.
Slimani, in an opinion piece on news website Le360, said the burqa ban signalled that Morocco was moving "towards greater equality between the sexes".
Most women in Morocco, whose King Mohammed VI favours a moderate version of Islam, prefer the hijab headscarf that does not cover the face Fadel Senna (AFP/File)
Another vocal supporter, Nouzha Skalli, a lawmaker and former family and social development minister, said the ban constituted "an important step in the battle against religious extremism".
While there has been no official announcement, media reports said the interior ministry order banning the burqa would take effect this week.
"We have taken the step of completely banning the import, manufacture and marketing of this garment in all the cities and towns of the kingdom," Le360 quoted a high-ranking interior ministry official as saying.
Interior ministry officials on Monday started carrying out "awareness-raising campaigns with traders to inform them of this new decision", said another website, Media 24.
Le360 said the measure appeared to be motivated by security concerns, "since bandits have repeatedly used this garment to perpetrate their crimes".
Most women in Morocco, whose King Mohammed VI favours a moderate version of Islam, prefer the hijab headscarf that does not cover the face.
The niqab, which leaves the area around the eyes uncovered, is also worn in Salafist circles and in more conservative regions in the north, from where thousands of jihadists have gone to fight in Syria and Iraq.
Writers and intellectuals have condemned the burqa ban.
"No authority in the world has the right to impose a dress code on a woman or a man for their everyday life," wrote columnist Abdellah Tourabi, in a view widely shared on social media in Morocco.
Is the burqa foreign to Moroccan culture? he asked.
Sure, but "slim jeans were not the apparel of the sultans and our grandmothers were not crazy about Victoria's Secret bras", Tourabi said.
On the web, a social media commentator suggested the interior ministry go further by banning makeup "as it used more to cover up women's faces".
The Salafists have been less subtle in their criticism.
Outspoken preacher Abu Naim condemned "the Satan-worshippers" and "atheists serving the interests of the Jews" behind the burqa ban.
And yet, Morocco "considers the wearing of the Western swimsuit on the beaches an untouchable right", was the bitter comment of another preacher, Hammad Kabbaj.
Oussama Boutaher, coordinator of a committee which defends Islamist detainees, said the ban was outright "discriminatory" and would turn devout Muslims into "second-class citizens".
French-Moroccan award-winning novelist Leila Slimani called the burqa "an instrument of oppression, a horrific negation of women" Martin Bureau (AFP/File)
Israel fears fresh UN initiative after Paris conference
Israel's UN ambassador on Friday raised concern over possible moves at the Security Council to adopt a new measure to build on the Paris Middle East conference.
Around 70 countries and international organizations meet in Paris on Sunday to reaffirm support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, just days before Donald Trump takes office as US president.
Sweden's Ambassador Olof Skoog, who holds this month's presidency of the Security Council, said however that there were no immediate plans for council action.
A Palestinian protester throws stones towards Israeli security forces during clashes near Nablus, in the occupied West Bank, on December 9, 2016 JAAFAR ASHTIYEH (AFP/File)
"We are witnessing an attempt to promote a last-minute initiative before the new US administration takes office," Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon said in a statement.
"Supporters of the Palestinians are looking for further anti-Israel measures at the Security Council."
The council is planning to meet on Tuesday to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, its first meeting since the adoption of a resolution demanding an end to settlements built on Palestinian territory.
Asked about discussions on council action, Skoog said "I don't think that's correct."
"Let's see where we are next Tuesday, the main event now is Sunday's conference in Paris."
French Ambassador Francois Delattre said there were no plans to adopt either a draft resolution or a statement following the Paris conference.
"France has no such plan under preparation," Delattre told AFP.
The Paris meeting aims to revive the moribund Israeli-Palestinian peace process, amid fears of fresh violence if Trump implements a pledge to recognize the contested city of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed the Paris meeting as "a rigged conference, rigged by the Palestinians with French auspices to adopt additional anti-Israel stances."
Israel reacted with fury after the United States refrained from using its veto at the council, allowing the anti-settlements resolution to be adopted by a vote of 14-0.
Top DJ David Guetta's Mumbai concert called off
French DJ David Guetta's concert in Mumbai was called off Friday after authorities refused permission, a day after another one of his concerts in southern India was cancelled.
The Grammy-winning dance music producer was scheduled to perform in Mumbai on Friday as part of a four-city India tour.
But police refused to give its go-ahead for the concert, saying organisers had not complied with permission formalities.
The Grammy-winning French DJ David Guetta had been scheduled to perform in Mumbai on Friday as part of a four-city India tour ATTILA KISBENEDEK (AFP/File)
"The permission has been rejected by the Mumbai police. Legal formalities have not been completed by the organisers," Virendra Mishra, a senior Mumbai police officer, told NDTV news network.
"They haven't shared any type of formal papers, any type of permissions and no security plan has been communicated to us."
The Mumbai-based organiser, Sunburn, confirmed the cancellation late Friday, hours after fans had already gathered outside the concert venue.
"Due to unforeseen circumstances, #SunburnArena@DavidGuetta in Mumbai has been cancelled for 2dy," it posted on Twitter.
Guetta, best known for hits like Titanium and When Love Takes Over, has a massive following in India with some 4,000 people expected to have attended his Mumbai concert.
The 49-year-old musician was supposed to kick-off his India tour in the IT hub of Bangalore on Thursday but authorities cancelled the gig, saying it clashed with a local election and that security would be a problem.
"(Bangalore) cancellation has been completely out of my control and I just feel very sorry for all the fans that were looking forward to attend," Guetta said in a statement posted on Twitter.
Guetta is scheduled to perform in Hyderabad and Delhi at the weekend.
US embassy Jerusalem move 'assault' on Muslims: mufti
Jerusalem's Grand Mufti on Friday branded plans by President-elect Donald Trump to move the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem an "assault" on Muslims across the globe.
"The pledge to move the embassy is not just an assault against Palestinians but against Arabs and Muslims, who will not remain silent," Muhammad Hussein said in a sermon at Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem's Old City.
On Tuesday, Palestinian leaders called for Friday prayers at mosques across the Middle East this week to protest Trump's campaign pledge.
Palestinians walk past the Dome of Rock at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City, on January 13, 2017 Ahmad Gharabli (AFP)
There have been warnings that the move would constitute recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital and could inflame tensions in the Middle East and possibly sink what remains of peace efforts.
"The transfer of the embassy violates international charters and norms which recognise Jerusalem as an occupied city," Hussein said in his sermon, avoiding mentioning Trump by name.
The Palestinians regard east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, while Israel proclaims the entire city as its capital.
The city's status is one of the thorniest issues of the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israel occupied the West Bank and east Jerusalem in 1967. It later annexed east Jerusalem in a move never recognised by the international community.
Mohammad Shtayyeh, a senior Palestinian official and Fatah central committee member, said on Tuesday that the Palestinian leadership had been informed by diplomatic contacts that Trump could call for the move in his inauguration speech on January 20.
Multiple blasts blamed on Boko Haram kill two in Nigeria
At least two people were killed and 15 others injured in a series of explosions in northeastern Nigeria, police said, in an attack the state government blamed on Boko Haram.
The blasts happened at about 9:00 am (0800 GMT) on the outskirts of Madagali, in the far north of Adamawa state, which has been repeatedly targeted by the Islamist militants.
Both police and the state authorities confirmed there were explosions at a checkpoint manned by local hunters as well as at a military post and a bus station.
Madagali has long been a hotspot for Boko Haram attacks, despite being liberated from militant control NIGERIAN ARMY PRESS SERVICE (AFP/File)
But with communications difficult in the remote area, there was confusion about the exact nature of the blasts.
Adamawa state police spokesman Othman Abubakar told AFP the blasts involved female suicide bombers. "Two people were confirmed dead and 15 others injured. Four female suicide bombers exploded and died.
"The fourth bomber was shot by soldiers and exploded while heading towards her target," he added.
Adamawa state information commissioner Ahmad Sajo earlier said bombs were planted and detonated remotely, and gave a lower toll of one dead and three injured.
He said the government "strongly" believed Boko Haram fighters who were ousted from camps in the nearby Sambisa Forest were behind the explosions.
The former national park lies just across the border in neighbouring Borno state, which has borne the brunt of the fighting in the conflict with Boko Haram since 2009.
The Nigerian military said last month it had retaken control of the forest after a months-long counter-offensive.
Boko Haram fighters are also known to have been holed up near Madagali in the Mandara mountains, which separate northeast Nigeria and Cameroon.
Madagali is nearly 280 kilometres (175 miles) north of the state capital, Yola, by road and has long been a hotspot for Boko Haram attacks, despite being liberated from the militant control.
On January 5, three teenage girls were shot dead at a checkpoint in the remote town on suspicion of planning a suicide attack.
On December 9, at least 45 people were killed in two suicide bombings at the busy markets in Madagali, a year after a similar strike killed 17.
Suicide attacks, particularly by young women and girls, have been a regular feature of the conflict since mid-2014, even when Boko Haram held swathes of territory in the northeast.
Checkpoints, bus stations, mosques, churches, schools and markets have been targeted repeatedly since the start of the insurgency in 2009 to inflict maximum civilian casualties.
Syria workers enter rebel area to restore Damascus water
Syrian government workers entered a formerly rebel-held area near Damascus on Friday to begin restoring water to the capital after weeks of shortages, a local governor said.
Speaking to reporters near the Ain al-Fijeh spring in the Wadi Barada region, Alaa Ibrahim said a deal had been reached for the army to take control of the area and crews would restore water as soon as possible.
Mains water from Ain al-Fijeh has been cut since December 22, after fighting damaged key pumping infrastructure northwest of the capital, leaving 5.5 million people facing shortages.
Damascus residents fill plastic containers with water provided by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent in the capital on January 10, 2017 LOUAI BESHARA (AFP/File)
"We have halted military operations in Ain al-Fijeh and started reconciliation with the militias there," Ibrahim told reporters.
"God willing, the pipe will be fixed within three days... rapid measures will be taken to get water to Damascus tomorrow."
Ibrahim said that rebels who refused the deal or belonged to former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham would be offered passage to opposition-held Idlib province.
"All of Wadi Barada will be secured within hours," he added. "Water will not be cut off to the city of Damascus again."
Ahmad Ramadan, a member of the opposition National Coalition, confirmed there was a deal in Wadi Barada but said it was only to allow repair crews in and had no "military or political consequences."
- Syrian flag raised -
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, confirmed that repair crews had reached Ain al-Fijeh and begun work, adding that the Syrian flag had been raised in the area.
The government has struck a series of deals in formerly opposition-held areas, often requiring rebels to hand over their weapons and replace the opposition flag with the Syrian one in return for a halt to fighting.
The opposition criticises this as a "starve or surrender" tactic, saying they are forced into deals by government sieges and heavy bombardment.
Government forces have battled rebels in Wadi Barada for weeks, and President Bashar al-Assad personally pledged that the area would be recaptured.
The government accuses rebels, including Fateh al-Sham, of deliberating cutting water to the capital.
But the opposition says pumping equipment was damaged in government strikes and denies Fateh al-Sham is present in the area.
The fighting has threatened a fragile nationwide truce brokered by government ally Russia and rebel backer Turkey in place since December 30.
- New peace talks -
The truce is intended to pave the way for fresh peace talks this month in the Kazakh capital Astana aimed at finding a solution to Syria's conflict after nearly six years of war.
The talks are being organised by Moscow and Ankara, along with regime ally Iran, but the United States has been notably absent from the process despite being a key player in previous peace efforts.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, insisted on Thursday that US officials would be invited to the talks, set for January 23.
"The United States should be definitely invited, and that is what we agreed with Russia," he said.
"Nobody can ignore the role of the United States. And this is a principled position of Turkey."
But Moscow, a key ally of President Bashar al-Assad's government, declined to comment on Cavusoglu's statements.
"I cannot say anything about this for now," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
He added however that Russia is "interested in the broadest possible representation of the parties who have a bearing on the prospects of a political settlement in Syria."
The talks will begin just three days after US president-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said last month he hoped to work with the incoming administration on Syria.
More than 310,000 people have been killed since the conflict began with anti-government protests in March 2011, and over half of Syria's population has been displaced by the violence.
Syrians wait to fill plastic containers with water provided by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent in the capital Damascus on January 10, 2017 LOUAI BESHARA (AFP/File)
Turkey says Russia accord will prevent warplane clashes in Syria
Turkey on Friday said an accord with Russia to coordinate their air forces in Syria will prevent clashes between its warplanes and those of Russia and also the regime of Bashar al-Assad.
Ankara and Moscow have since the onset of the Syrian conflict in 2011 stood on opposite sides of the civil war, with Russia backing Assad and Turkey calling for his ouster.
But joint coordination efforts have intensified after Turkey and Russia patched up diplomatic relations strained by the shooting down of a Russian warplane over Syria by Turkish forces in November 2015.
A Russian Sukhoi Su-35 bomber lands at the Russian Hmeimim military base in the northwest of Syria on May 4, 2016 Vasily Maximov (AFP/File)
Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Isik confirmed Russian statements that Moscow and Ankara had agreed to coordinate their air forces in Syria.
"The accord made with Russia includes coordination. Within this, the appropriate coordination will be made to ensure Turkish aircraft do not come into confrontation with those of Russia or the regime in Syria," he said, quoted by the Anadolu agency.
Ankara has always vehemently denied any secret contacts with the Assad regime during the Syria conflict.
However, Turkish officials have on occasion acknowledged that Assad is a player who cannot be ignored in Syria and could potentially stay on in a post-war transition.
Russia and Turkey have spearheaded a shaky ceasefire in Syria, which Moscow and Ankara hope will lead to Syria peace talks in Kazakhstan beginning on January 23.
Both countries are active on the ground in Syria. Russia has been there since September 2015 to bolster Assad, and Turkey launched an incursion against jihadists and Kurdish militia on the border area in August 2016.
Mali urges Gambia's leader to avoid 'bloodbath' and step down
Mali's president called Saturday for Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh to step down and avoid an unnecessary "bloodbath" by clinging to power and forcing a potential military intervention.
The Gambia's political crisis dominated a summit co-organised by Mali and France as Gambian president-elect Adama Barrow made a surprise appearance to meet with west African leaders seeking their help to end the impasse.
"On January 19, I dare to hope that African wisdom will convince our brother (Jammeh) that the good Muslim that he claims to be understands the greater good for The Gambia, which does not need a bloodbath," President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita told journalists.
Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh ISSOUF SANOGO (AFP/File)
Barrow is expected to take power on January 19 when Jammeh's mandate runs out, but the strongman has refused to cede power after disputing the result of a December 1 election won by Barrow.
"We have made a strong gesture. First, we have received the president," said Keita, referring to Barrow.
Barrow flew to Bamako unexpectedly on Friday after holding crisis talks in Banjul with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, Liberian leader Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Ghana's John Mahama.
Malian and Ghanaian sources confirmed to AFP heads of state had also received Barrow on the margins of the summit.
The leaders of at least 30 nations had gathered in Bamako to discuss jihad on the continent and Africa's impact on the European migrant crisis -- but the Gambian crisis ended up topping the agenda.
- Military option -
The Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS), a 15-nation bloc, has repeatedly called on Jammeh to respect the result of the vote and leave after 22 years in power.
The spectre of a military intervention rose after declarations by the United Nations and African Union in recent days that boots on the ground could get the green light without a rapid resolution of the crisis.
Mohamed Ibn Chambas, head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel, said on Friday that ECOWAS would ask the Security Council to approve the deployment of troops to The Gambia if Jammeh continues to refuse to leave office.
ECOWAS has made clear in the past force will not be ruled out as a last resort.
Meanwhile, west African defence chiefs met in Abuja to discuss the crisis, Nigeria's chief of defence staff said, "as part of efforts to mitigate the political impasse," notably including neighbouring Senegal.
In a sign of Barrow's growing international clout, French President Francois Hollande met the president-elect and was pictured shaking his hand.
There are just four days left of Jammeh's five-year term, but he warned the international community on Tuesday that "undue external interference" was unnecessary.
Jammeh has said he will not stand aside until the country's Supreme Court decides on his legal challenge seeking to annul the result of last month's polls, which he had initially conceded.
The ruling however is unlikely to happen before May.
- Jihadist threat -
It was Hollande's last trip to Africa as president before his term ends, and Keita described him as the "most loyal" of French presidents to the continent.
In a bid to help crush the jihadist threat, France has trained more than 20,000 African soldiers every year since 2013, according to a French diplomatic source.
Hollande said French forces would stay in Mali "for as long as the African countries -- and there's not just Mali -- decide."
"Our goal is to train African armies to secure the Sahel-Sahara zone," Hollande said. "But it will be long, because we face terrorist groups that are particularly well-armed and determined to destabilise the entire region."
Another issue at the summit was the sensitive topic of migration to Europe.
Underscoring this, Keita said his country would "never" sign any agreement that would allow Europe to deport Malian citizens living illegally back to his nation.
The Dutch foreign ministry signed a joint declaration on the EU's behalf on December 11 which it said would "enable the return from Europe of Malian migrants," an agreement Mali later said was misunderstood.
Meanwhile overshadowing the summit was an admission by the French defence ministry on Friday that French soldiers deployed to northern Mali had killed a child during a counter-terror operation in November, and promised an inquiry into the 10-year-old boy's death.
According to the French-language magazine Jeune Afrique, the victim was buried in secret by the soldiers.
French President Francois Hollande (L) and Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita give a joint press conference following the Africa-France summit in Bamako on January 14, 2017 STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN (AFP)
Gambian President-elect Adama Barrow
Gambian president-elect Adama Barrow Seyllou (AFP/File)
Gambia gained its independence from Britain in 1965
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari (right) held crisis talks in Abuja on January 9, where regional leaders discussed the political situation in Gambia SUNDAY AGHAEZE (AFP/File)
Trump's war on offshoring jobs easier said than done
In his high-profile battle against offshoring US jobs, President-elect Donald Trump has threatened Mexico, China and multinational corporations with punitive tariffs and retaliation.
But to make good on such threats, Trump will have a narrow set of legal tools at his disposal and risks exposing the United States to retaliation.
Swept into the White House in part on a promise of bringing jobs back to the United States, the president-elect this week reiterated his vow to slap a "major border tax" on companies that use cheap Mexican labor to export to the US market.
Donald Trump was swept into the White House in part on a promise of bringing jobs back to the United States J.D. Pooley (Getty/AFP/File)
But can he really do this?
The US Constitution gives Congress the authority to impose taxes and regulate foreign commerce but it grants the president the power to negotiate international trade pacts, which still are subject to approval by lawmakers.
Over the 20th century, however, Congress significantly extended the president's authority in matters of trade.
- Broad powers from Congress -
"Current US laws give the president an enormous control over restricting trade," said Gary Hufbauer, a former senior Treasury Department official in charge of trade policy who is now at the Peterson Institute in Washington.
Adopted in 1917, the Trading with the Enemy Act allows the president to suspend imports from countries during periods of conflict. President Franklin Roosevelt used the law in 1941 to freeze trade with Japan and some analysts say Trump could try to use it today, on the basis of continuing hostilities in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Other retaliatory measures could be on surer legal footing. The 1974 Trade Act allows the executive branch to impose duties on a country's imports if its trade practices are "unreasonable," or to suspend a treaty if it imposes an economic "burden" on the United States.
One of Trump's favorite targets, the North American Free Trade Agreement, which links the United States with Canada and Mexico, could be an inviting target under the Trade Act.
The law also allows the administration to slap surcharges on imports for a maximum of 150 days to correct a "disequilibrium" in the US balance of payments. The United States habitually runs a massive deficit with China, for example.
Even if permissible under the law, such actions still could carry serious economic and political risks.
"It would set off a round of retaliation," said Clif Burns, a Washington attorney specializing in trade matters. And "countries would probably try to back that up by filing complaints at the WTO or a dispute under NAFTA."
- A subtler tack -
Imposing import duties on individual companies, as Trump has threatened against General Motors or Toyota, is a taller order. The Constitution guarantees equal protection under the law, which could prohibit such tailor-made sanctions.
Burns said Trump could still invoke the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which would allow him to take temporary measures in cases of exceptional danger to the economy that would be less likely to become bogged down in the courts.
"When you try to challenge a presidential action taken under this law, the president normally says that's it's the exercise of his foreign policy power and the courts generally agree with that," Burns said.
Trump could also opt for a subtler tack: imposing duties not on the business but on the specific parts it uses, in particular for the auto sector, Hufbauer said.
"He could name the highly itemized kind of products that the company imports, such as cars chassis of a certain size or engines."
AU asks Gambian President Jammeh to step down
The African Union (AU) Friday urged Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh to respect last month's election results and quit power peacefully, warning of "serious consequences" if his actions cause a crisis.
The AU's Peace and Security Council said "as of 19 January 2017, outgoing President Yahya Jammeh will cease to be recognised by the AU as legitimate President of the Republic of The Gambia".
Jammeh conceded defeat immediately after the December 1 poll but soon afterwards issued a statement saying investigations had revealed "unacceptable errors" by the electoral authorities and that he would no longer concede to opponent Adama Barrow.
The AU Council warned Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh "of serious consequences" if his actions sparked "political disorder ISSOUF SANOGO (AFP/File)
The Addis Ababa-based AU's intervention comes as a West-African mediation team, led by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, arrived in Banjul on Friday for crisis talks as fears grew of a refugee exodus caused by the political impasse.
The AU Council warned Jammeh "of serious consequences" if his actions sparked "political disorder, humanitarian and human rights disasters, including loss of innocent lives and destruction of properties."
It also called on Gambia's defence and security forces "to exercise utmost restraint... including the respect for the freedom of speech".
Jammeh, who took power in a 1994 coup, has made clear he will not quit until the Supreme Court decides on a legal case he has lodged aimed at having the result annulled and fresh elections called.
Japan's Takata pleads guilty, to pay $1 bn in airbag scandal with US
Japan's Takata Corporation, one of the world's biggest suppliers of auto safety equipment, agreed to plead guilty to fraud and pay $1 billion to settle its faulty airbag scandal, US officials announced Friday.
The United States also has indicted three former Takata executives in the case, bringing the first criminal charges in a scandal over exploding airbags that caused the largest US auto safety recall.
The individuals, who left the company in 2015, were charged with fraud for hiding the flaws in the airbags, so far blamed for 16 deaths and 100 injuries worldwide, according to documents filed in federal court in Michigan and made public on Friday.
Three former Takata executives who left the company in 2015 were charged with fraud for hiding the flaws in the airbags used by nearly every major carmaker, according to documents filed in federal court in Michigan Kazuhiro NOGI (AFP)
Coming just days after the US charged six Volkswagen executives in that company's "dieselgate" emissions-cheating scandal, the Takata settlement accelerates the pace of corporate prosecutions in the final days of President Barack Obama's administration.
Takata CEO Shigehisa Takada said his company had taken "aggressive action" to remedy the situation.
- 'Deeply regrets' -
"Takata deeply regrets the circumstances that have led to this situation and remains fully committed to being part of the solution," he said in a statement.
The company has been ensnared since 2013 in a scandal over airbags blamed for exploding with deadly force, sending metal shards into passenger compartments.
Most major auto manufacturers have been forced to recall vehicles because of the defect, including General Motors, Honda, BMW and Tesla, in what has been described as the largest-ever auto safety recall.
Under the terms of the agreement with the US Justice Department, which has yet to be approved by a judge, Takata will pay a $25 million fine, establish a $125 million fund to compensate victims and pay $850 million in restitution to affected automakers.
In an indictment handed down on December 7, but kept secret, the government charged the three executives who all had worked at Takata facilities in Japan and the United States.
They were identified as Shinichi Tanaka, who was executive vice president for global inflator operations; Hideo Nakajima, who was head of engineering at the company's automotive systems labs; and Tsuneo Chikaraishi, who was chief of the airbag inflator operations department for Asia.
- 'Manipulated data' -
Barbara McQuade, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, told reporters on Friday she believed the three were in Japan and said the US would work to win their extradition to face trial in the United States.
"The three Takata executives routinely discussed in email messages the to need to falsify reports to their customers," McQuade said.
"They falsified and manipulated data because they wanted to make profits on their airbags knowing that they were creating a risk for the end user. The risk that they allowed to happen is really reprehensible."
Some 100 million Takata airbags have been recalled worldwide over a defect that can send metal and plastic shrapnel hurtling from the inflator canister toward drivers and passengers when an airbag is deployed.
A Texas teenager died in March after a Takata airbag in her Honda Civic ruptured in a crash, sending a metal fragment into the side of her neck, according to media reports. A pregnant Malaysian woman suffered a similar fate in 2014.
US regulators have said the problem is more dangerous in southern parts of the United States with warmer and more humid climates.
In November 2015, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration imposed a record $200 million civil fine against Takata for providing inadequate and inaccurate information to regulators about the defect.
General Motors in 2015 settled with US authorities for $900 million over faulty ignition switches which could shut off during operation and were linked to more than 100 deaths. No executives were prosecuted in that matter.
Ugandans facing Cup blackout
Uganda's state owned Uganda Broadcasting Corporation will be unable to broadcast Africa Cup of Nations matches live for a lack of funds, a senior official said Friday.
"We needed about 600,000 euros ($650,000) to acquire the rights but this has not been possible for now," UBC Managing Director Winston Agaba told AFP.
Uganda are playing in their first finals since a surprise run to the final in 1978, when the country was run by dictator Idi Amin.
Uganda "Cranes" national football team poses for the official picture before the 2018 World Cup group E qualifying football match between Uganda and Congo, at the Mandela National stadium in Kampala, on November 12, 2016 John Batanudde (AFP/File)
Five questions on the Paris Mideast peace conference
Representatives from around 70 nations will meet in Paris Sunday to try to chart a course toward restarting moribund Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
Here is a brief explanation of one of the world's most intractable conflicts.
What is the conflict?
The Palestinian West Bank village of Azmout (foreground) and the Jewish settlement of Elon Moreh are seen on January 13, 2017 Jaafar Ashtiyeh (AFP)
The conflict in its modern form dates back to 1947, when the United Nations proposed two states on the territory -- one Jewish and the other Arab.
Israel was founded the following year after British forces withdrew, with hundreds of thousands of Arabs fleeing the war that broke out.
Their descendants make up a large percentage of the Palestinian refugees across the Middle East.
In 1967, Israel seized the West Bank and east Jerusalem from Jordan during the Six Day War with neighbouring countries, while another conflict followed in 1973.
It later annexed east Jerusalem, where key Christian, Jewish and Muslim holy sites are located, and continues to occupy the West Bank.
The Oslo accords of the 1990s laid out what is commonly referred to as the peace process.
Efforts at an agreement have centred on a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders, with Jerusalem as a shared capital. Israel would withdraw from territory it occupied, though likely with land swaps.
Other longstanding issues include the status of Jerusalem and the right of return for Palestinian refugees.
There have been growing warnings that the chances of a two-state solution are slipping away. The Paris conference's aim is to put it back on track.
Why have negotiations stalled?
Both sides say they are willing to talk, but haven't done so face-to-face since 2014.
The Palestinians say years of negotiations have not ended the occupation and have pursued an international approach.
They want a stop to Israeli settlement building before further talks, among other demands.
Israel wants face-to-face talks and calls on the Palestinians to recognise the country as a Jewish state.
The Palestine Liberation Organisation has long recognised Israel, but it believes doing so as a Jewish state would preempt negotiations on refugees' right of return.
Both sides also face domestic challenges that make concessions harder.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leads what is seen as the most right-wing government in the country's history, with members of his cabinet opposed to any Palestinian state.
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has grown unpopular, with a recent poll showing some 64 percent of Palestinians want the 81-year-old to resign.
He also doesn't control the Gaza Strip, which is run by Hamas, the Islamist movement that refuses to recognise Israel.
What role for settlements and violence?
There are now around 600,000 Israelis living in West Bank and east Jerusalem settlements, considered a major obstacle to peace.
A UN Security Council resolution passed on December 23 called for a halt to settlements after the United States withheld its veto -- the first such successful resolution since 1979.
At the same time, Israel argues the conference rewards Palestinian violence.
A wave of Palestinian knife, gun and car-ramming attacks, mainly by lone-wolf assailants, erupted in October 2015.
Israel accuses the Palestinian leadership of encouraging attacks through incitement and by lionising dead assailants.
What to expect?
The conference will be held without the Israelis and Palestinians.
Israel has rejected the meeting, with Netanyahu saying he will refuse international "diktats," but the Palestinians have welcomed it.
Abbas spoke by telephone with French President Francois Hollande ahead of the meeting and will visit Paris "in the coming weeks" for bilateral talks, Hollande's office said Thursday.
For the Palestinians, the mere fact the conference is being held is a victory.
But they also want concrete results, such as a follow-up mechanism and a timeframe to end the occupation.
What about Trump?
The inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump on January 20 will likely bring more favourable Washington policy toward Israel.
Trump condemned the UN settlement resolution and has nominated David Friedman, a supporter of settlement expansion, as his Israeli ambassador.
A senior Palestinian official said the week when it comes to Trump "all indications are negative".
Israel fears the Paris conference will produce measures that will be taken to the UN Security Council before Trump becomes president.
Israel and the Palestinians: peace efforts Thomas Saint-Cricq, Laurence Saubadu (AFP)
Abbas may 'reverse' Israel recognition if Trump moves embassy
Th Palestinians may consider "reversing recognition" of Israel if Donald Trump moves the US embassy to Jerusalem, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas said in an interview released by the French daily Le Figaro on Friday.
"I wrote to president(-elect) Trump to ask him not to do it. Not only would this move deprive the United States of all legitimacy in playing a role in conflict resolution, it would also destroy the two-state solution," Abbas was quoted as saying.
Trump -- who takes office next Friday -- has said he plans to acknowledge Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocate the US embassy there from Tel Aviv.
In an interview on January 13, 2017, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas claimed that Palestine may consider a reverse recognition of Israel if President-elect Donald Trump moves the US embassy to Jerusalem Abbas Momani (AFP/File)
The move is bitterly opposed by Palestinians, who see it as a destructive and unilateral action as the status of the city is still contested.
The United States and most UN member states do not recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, and the city's status is one of the thorniest issues of the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israel supports Trump's plan and has encouraged previous US presidents to take similar steps but to no avail.
If the embassy transfer takes place, "there would be several options for us, and we would discuss them with Arab countries," Abbas said.
"Reversing our recognition of the State of Israel is one of them. But we hope that it doesn't reach that point, and that, on the contrary, we will be able to work with the next American administration," he added.
Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) recognised each other under the 1993 Oslo agreements. But the process which was supposed to deliver a lasting peace is moribund.
More than 70 countries meet in Paris on Sunday at a conference expected to reaffirm support for the "two-state solution" in which Palestinian and Israeli states would live side-by-side in peace and security.
The Paris meeting "may be the last chance for implementing" the two-state solution, Abbas warned.
Film historian and author Betty Lasky dies at 94
LOS ANGELES (AP) Film historian and author Betty Lasky has died. She was 94.
Lasky's longtime friend Mark Penn said Thursday that Lasky died Saturday in Los Angeles from complications from pneumonia.
The daughter of Paramount Pictures co-founder Jesse L. Lasky, Betty Lasky developed an interest in film history at a young age. She contributed articles about Hollywood to Players Showcase Magazine in the 1960s. In 1983, she published a book on the history of RKO studio called "RKO: The Biggest Little Major of Them All."
In this 2002 photo provided by Bart Bragg, author and film historian, Betty Lasky, poses with a portrait of her father, Jesse L. Lasky, at the Lasky-DeMille Barn, now the Hollywood Heritage Museum, in Los Angeles. Lasky's longtime friend Mark Penn said Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, that Betty Lasky died Jan. 7, at age 94 in Los Angeles, from complications from pneumonia. Penn said memorial plans are pending. (Bart Bragg via AP)
Lasky also donated a collection of her father's artifacts to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Margaret Herrick Library in Beverly Hills, California.
The Latest: Man says in 911 call he can't find his daughter
MASSILLON, Ohio (AP) The Latest on the death of a 5-year-old girl whose mother is charged with murder (all times local):
7:30 p.m.
The father of a 5-year-old Ohio girl whose mother is charged with murder in their daughter's death reported the girl's disappearance in a 911 call the day before her body was found in the family's restaurant.
Liang Zhao is heard in the call released Thursday saying he can't find daughter Ashley Zhao and needs help. Police say the child's body was found Tuesday in the North Canton restaurant.
Police allege Mingming Chen struck her daughter several times with her fist Monday and the girl died. Court records don't list an attorney for Chen, who's from China.
Liang Zhao is charged with complicity counts. His attorney says he maintains his innocence.
A judge has ordered the couple's 6-year-old daughter remain with child welfare authorities for now.
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8:49 a.m.
Authorities say a woman charged with murder in the death of her 5-year-old daughter in Ohio is from China, isn't a naturalized U.S. citizen and therefore might face deportation.
Ashley Zhao's parents reported her missing Monday. Police say her body was found Tuesday at the family's restaurant in North Canton.
Police allege that 29-year-old Mingming Chen struck Ashley in the face several times with her fist on Monday morning, and the girl died.
Chen also is charged with felonious assault. Court records list no attorney for her.
Ashley's father, 34-year-old Liang Zhao, is charged with complicity counts. Authorities say he's a naturalized citizen. His attorney says Zhao maintains his innocence.
The parents are jailed on $5 million bonds.
Navajo Nation: 5 found dead in New Mexico have Arizona ties
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) Navajo Nation officials say two sisters and their three young daughters who were found dead in New Mexico were originally from the Arizona community of Red Valley.
Tribal officials say Navajo Nation Council members are mourning the deaths of Vanessa George and her two children Zoe and Chloe plus Leticia George and her daughter Haleigh.
The FBI in Albuquerque is awaiting preliminary autopsy reports on the five bodies found in a remote area on the western edge of Santa Ana Pueblo.
An FBI spokesman says foul play by another party isn't suspected in the deaths.
Officials at Santa Ana Pueblo say the victims are not tribal members or affiliated with the pueblo in any way.
Island adventure for Jordan Spieth, Smylie Kaufman
HONOLULU (AP) The fishing didn't quite work out for Jordan Spieth and Smylie Kaufman.
The kayak wasn't much better.
Not long after Spieth watched good friend Justin Thomas shoot 59 at the Sony Open, he decided to join Kaufman for an island adventure .
While walking on the 11th fairway with playing partner Justin Thomas (not pictured), Jordan Spieth points to something off the course during the first round of the Sony Open golf tournament, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
It was all that.
They abandoned plans to fish from the shore, especially when Kaufman's first cast landed a few feet in front of him. So they wandered out in a two-man kayak. Spieth put his phone in a plastic bag. Kaufman held onto his. They were surprised by a few waves, especially the one that broke on top of them and toppled the kayaks.
As Kaufman tried to climb back into the kayak, another wave got them.
"Chasing a sea turtle 'crush' was a bad idea," Kaufman tweeted. "That's when our fishing trip took a turn for the worst. Lost the fishing poles but survived."
Moments later, Spieth saw a plastic bag floating on the water. It had enough air in it to float, and his phone was safe. Spieth thrust both arms in the air and celebrated as if he had just won a tournament. Kaufman wasn't so fortunate.
By late afternoon, when the S.S. Minnow made it back to shore, Kaufman put his water-damaged phone in a bag of white rice.
"An old college trick," Spieth said.
Kaufman removed the phone, filled with replies to his Instagram, and they were blurred.
Spieth pulled out his phone, and it was in good enough shape for him to watch video of their wobbly entry into the water, the kayak capsizing and Spieth finding his phone.
Ex-Cleveland Catholic Charities employee admits to $2M theft
CLEVELAND (AP) A former employee involved with managing funds for Cleveland Catholic Charities has admitted to embezzling more than $2 million from the organization.
Cleveland.com reports (http://bit.ly/2jpYMwT ) 58-year-old Michelle Medrick pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of bank fraud in Cleveland federal court. The North Royalton woman is facing more than five years in federal prison when she's sentenced in April.
Medrick worked at Catholic Charities for 26 years, where she managed accounts for Parmadale a family services facility that the organization runs in Parma.
Prosecutors say she embezzled the funds sometime between 2008 and last year. Medrick admitted to writing nearly 1,500 checks made payable to "cash" from Catholic Charities' account.
Catholic Charities president and CEO Patrick Gareau says the organization remains dedicated to assisting northeast Ohio's most vulnerable.
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Kerry defends trade pact on last trip as top US diplomat
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (AP) Secretary of State John Kerry, making his last trip as the top U.S. diplomat, defended the 12-nation trade pact that the incoming administration said it would scrap and urged countries to refrain from provocative acts in the South China Sea.
"I can't predict what the new administration is absolutely going to do with the trade, but I can absolutely tell you that the fundamental reasons for the TPP haven't changed," Kerry told students of University of Technology and Education in southern Ho Chi Minh City on Friday, referring to the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement.
He said the U.S cannot grow unless it's able to sell goods to the rest of the world.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, second from left, pauses while speaking with Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, at the Office of the Government, during their meeting Friday, Jan. 13, 2017 in Hanoi, Vietnam. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
Kerry admitted that the future of the TPP, the centerpiece of the Obama administration's pivot to Asia, is in doubt when Donald Trump is sworn in as president next week. He, however, believed that U.S commitments to the region will not change.
"Shift in our administrations in Washington is not going to alter or fundamentally undermine the commitments of the United States to prosperity and stability and security of the Asia-Pacific," he said, adding that "our friendship doesn't depend on individuals or personalities."
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said President Barack Obama had dedicated a significant portion of his last term to TPP, which he said would allow the U.S. to impose higher labor, environmental and human rights standards and protection for intellectual property as well as give U.S. businesses access to some of the fastest growing economies.
The deal would have slashed 18,000 taxes that other countries impose on American goods and services, he said.
"But unfortunately, Congress did not take action on the agreement that the Obama administration negotiated, and that's unfortunate because early indications are that other countries are prepared to move forward without the United States," Earnest told reporters in Washington. "It means that other country's products are going to be cheaper for some countries to import, and that's going to put U.S. businesses at even greater disadvantage."
Kerry said that the U.S. and Vietnam have shared support for security and freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, which Vietnam along with China and four other government claims in whole or in part.
"We believe all countries in the region, whether big or small, that they all refrain from provocative acts that add to tensions or might lead to greater militarization of the area," he said.
He also repeated the U.S. opposition to coercion or threat of force "by any state to assert its claim over another... and I'm confident that the next administration will continue to adhere with the same good faith to that policy."
China claims virtually the entire South China Sea. The U.S. has challenged Beijing's assertiveness and the construction of islands in the disputed waters by sending warships close to the man-made features.
Kerry, a Vietnam War veteran, also praised relations with his former foes, saying two-way trade had jumped from just $451 million 20 years ago, when U.S.-Vietnamese ties were normalized, to more than $45 billion.
The number of Vietnamese students studying in the U.S. also has increased from 800 to 21,000, while American visitors to the communist country rose from 60,000 to half a million.
Kerry, however, urged greater respect for human rights in Vietnam.
The U.S and some European governments often criticize Vietnam for arresting or jailing people who peacefully express their views. Hanoi has said it only jails law breakers.
Kerry and Sen. John McCain, who was held prisoner of war when his Navy jet was shot down over Hanoi during the war, were key participants in the efforts to normalize relations in 1995.
Earlier Friday, Kerry held separate meetings with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and acting Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
He is scheduled Saturday to tour the Mekong delta province of Ca Mau, where he fought almost 50 years ago.
Kerry then travels to Paris to attend a conference on Middle East peace and to London, where he will meet Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to discuss Syria.
The most traveled top diplomat in U.S history ends his trip by attending the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos on Jan. 18, just two days before Trump is sworn in with former oilman Rex Tillerson nominated as Kerry's replacement.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, shakes hands with Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, at the Office of the Government, before their meeting Friday, Jan. 13, 2017 in Hanoi, Vietnam. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, speaks with Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, far right, at the Office of the Government, during their meeting Friday, Jan. 13, 2017 in Hanoi, Vietnam. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, shakes hands with Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, at the Office of the Government, before their meeting Friday, Jan. 13, 2017 in Hanoi, Vietnam. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, arrives with Vietnam's acting Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before their meeting Friday, Jan. 13, 2017 in Hanoi, Vietnam. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry greets police officers as he boards his plane at Hanoi Airport as he departs, Friday, Jan. 13, 2017 in Hanoi, Vietnam. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, second from left in foreground, posses with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, third from left in foreground, and their delegation at the Office of the Government after their meeting Friday, Jan. 13, 2017 in Hanoi, Vietnam. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
Iraqi forces in IS battle raise flag over Mosul University
MOSUL, Iraq (AP) Iraqi special forces raised the Iraqi flag above buildings within the Mosul University complex Friday as they battled Islamic State militants for control of the city, according to senior Iraqi officers and the U.S.-led coalition.
The troops entered the university grounds in the morning hours and by afternoon they had taken control of a neighborhood on the northeastern edge of the university compound and the technical institute within the campus, according to special forces Brig. Gen. Haider Fadhil and Maj. Gen. Sami al-Aridi.
By evening, Iraqi forces had also taken control of the Nineveh governorate and council buildings, according to a statement from the U.S.-led coalition.
People inspect a bridge destroyed by Islamic State militants in a neighborhood recently liberated from Islamic State on the eastern side of Mosul, Iraq, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017. Small stalls and carts have sprung up outside the bombed-out restaurants and cafes in eastern Mosul, selling fresh vegetables, cigarettes and cellphones to the thousands of civilians still living in neighborhoods where the Iraqi military has driven out the extremists of the Islamic State group.(AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed)
"Work still needs to be done but ISIL's days in Mosul are quickly coming to an end," said U.S. army Col. John Dorrian, a spokesman for the U.S.-led anti-IS coalition, using an alternative acronym for the Islamic State group.
Al-Aridi, who was overseeing the assault Friday, said, "We broke through the terrorists' defenses and we destroyed their lines and their units and their bases."
The university is located in the eastern section of Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city which is divided by the Tigris River into roughly an eastern and a western half.
Sgt. Saad Jabar said that over the past two years since IS seized Mosul in a 2014 blitz that captured much of northern and western Iraq, the militants have had time to prepare for an assault by Iraqi forces, building tunnels and getaways across the city, including on the university grounds.
"They had reinforced their positions and had plans. They knew where to come in and where to get out," Jabar said.
The push into Mosul University came a day after Iraqi army forces north of the city linked up with troops pushing in from the city's eastern edge. Iraqi forces have largely surrounded Mosul, but the most significant advances on the city have come from the eastern front and in the eastern half of the city. IS still controls Mosul's west.
The university, founded in the 1960s, was one of the top educational institutions in Iraq, drawing students from all over the country and reflecting the city's once diverse ethnic makeup. As the security situation in Mosul deteriorated following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, enrollments declined.
After the city fell to IS in the summer 2014, the sprawling complex was shuttered, most of the professors fled and the university was quickly converted into a base by the militants who used its medical and engineering departments.
Residents fleeing Mosul say the university had been largely destroyed by airstrikes and artillery fire. The U.S.-led coalition said that since Dec. 29, coalition planes have dropped at least 43 munitions on the university in a series of strikes targeting laboratories IS used to research chemical weapons, buildings used to build car bombs and other IS command and control points.
The U.S.-led coalition supporting the Iraqi forces offensive on Mosul told The Associated Press on Friday that the Islamic State group "warped the purpose of a beloved institution of higher learning when they used the university for military purposes."
"The entire university has been burned," said Muhammad Dhia, a 26-year-old former university student who was fleeing Mosul on Thursday to try and complete his studies in Baghdad.
"I think it will take at least two or three years to rebuild," he added.
Iraqi special forces Lt. Gen. Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi told the AP it was unclear if the complex was still being used as an IS base. Under heavy bombardment from US-led coalition airstrikes, IS has repeatedly moved bases out of government buildings and under cover of civilians. Earlier this month, Iraqi forces retook a hospital that had been converted into an IS base.
Regardless, al-Saadi said retaking the university would be a major symbolic victory in the fight for Mosul.
As the Mosul operation enters its fourth month, Iraqi forces have retaken about a third of the city that has been under tight IS control for more than two years. While Iraqi officials initially pledged the city would be "liberated" this year, the fight is likely last many more months.
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Spain: 2 arrested for suspected links to Islamic State
MADRID (AP) Spanish police on Friday arrested two people for suspected links to the Islamic State group, the Interior Ministry said.
In a separate operation, the ministry said police seized 8,000 guns and rifles Thursday and arrested five Spaniards suspected of buying disused weapons to recondition them and put them on the black market for international extremist and organized crime groups.
The ministry said that the two people arrested Friday in Spain's North African enclave city of Ceuta had undergone a long process of radicalization and formed part of a group that was advancing toward carrying out terror activities.
In this photo released by the Spanish Guardia Civil on Friday, Jan. 13, 2017, Spanish Guardia Civil officers stand guard in front of a house during a terrorist operation in Ceuta, Spain. Spanish police on Friday arrested two people for suspected terrorism offenses linked to the Islamic State group, the Interior Ministry said. The ministry said the two arrested Friday in Spain's North African enclave city of Ceuta had undergone a long process of radicalization and formed part of a group that was advancing toward carrying out terror activities. (Spanish Interior Ministry via AP)
It said police were searching six houses and premises in the city, which is bordered by Morocco on one side and the Mediterranean Sea on the other.
There were no immediate details on the identity of the detainees.
The ministry said Spanish police have arrested 180 suspected jihadi activists over the past two years, many of them in Ceuta.
Spain has been one step below maximum security alert since attacks in Europe and elsewhere in 2015.
The ministry said Thursday's operation stemmed from an investigation into the guns used in the suspected jihadi attack on a Jewish museum in Brussels in 2014 that killed four people. It wasn't immediately clear if police found that the arms used in the attack came from the Spanish group.
The arrests were made in several towns across northern Spain.
A ministry statement said the group bought the out-of-commission weapons legally but reconditioned and sold them illegally.
In this photo released by the Spanish Guardia Civil on Friday, Jan. 13, 2017, Spanish Guardia Civil officers stand guard in front of a house during a terrorist operation in Ceuta, Spain. Spanish police on Friday arrested two people for suspected terrorism offenses linked to the Islamic State group, the Interior Ministry said. The ministry said the two arrested Friday in Spain's North African enclave city of Ceuta had undergone a long process of radicalization and formed part of a group that was advancing toward carrying out terror activities. (Spanish Interior Ministry, via AP)
Congress clears legislation allowing Mattis to run Pentagon
WASHINGTON (AP) Congress approved legislation Friday that allows retired Marine Gen. James Mattis to run the Pentagon in the Trump administration.
The House easily cleared the bill, 268-151, despite complaints from many Democrats that Republicans had rushed the measure unnecessarily. The Senate overwhelmingly passed the legislation a day earlier. A White House spokesman said President Barack Obama would sign the measure if Congress approved it before he leaves office.
The bill grants a one-time exception for Mattis from the law that bars former service members who have been out of uniform for less than seven years from holding the top Pentagon job. The restriction is meant to preserve civilian control of the military. Mattis, 66, retired from the Marine Corps in 2013.
Defense Secretary-designate James Mattis testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Congress last granted an exception to the law in 1950 for George Marshall, a former five-star Army general and secretary of state.
Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said the panel held no substantive hearings to examine the impact of the legislation. He also faulted Republicans for not pushing back when the Trump transition team refused to allow Mattis to testify before the panel Thursday afternoon after he had completed his confirmation hearing in the Senate.
"We are being treated as irrelevant," Smith said.
Rep. Mac Thornberry of Texas, the committee's top Republican, blamed the transition team for "short-sightedness." But he rejected Smith's assessment.
"We're not irrelevant because if we do not vote for this legislation, (Mattis) does not serve," Thornberry said.
He also said that passing the bill before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in ensures a seamless transition at the Pentagon at a time when the United States faces an array of threats.
"The fact is unless we pass this bill today we are not able to have a secretary of defense on Jan. 20," Thornberry said. The House will not be in session next week.
The Senate passed the legislation by an 81-17 vote with 30 Democrats backing the bill. The legislation is separate from a Senate confirmation vote on Mattis. But the strong bipartisan support signals there are no real hurdles to approving Trump's choice for defense secretary.
During a military career than lasted four decades, Mattis served in numerous senior military positions, including commander of U.S. Central Command in charge of all American forces in the Middle East.
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Norway's crown princess to media: leave my oldest son alone
OSLO, Norway (AP) Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit is asking Norwegian media to leave her oldest son alone.
Mette-Marit says Marius Borg Hoiby, her son from a previous relationship who has no royal title or official duties, has in recent years "been exposed to pressure" from some media "that I don't feel is worthy of them."
He "is not a public person," she added.
Norway's future queen made headlines in 2001 when she married Crown Prince Haakon, because she was a single mother who had lived a freewheeling life with a companion with drug offense conviction.
Indonesia narcotics chief blames pilots on drugs for crashes
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) Most of Indonesia's airline accidents have involved pilots who tested positive for drugs, including a Lion Air jet that slammed into the sea four years ago while trying to land on the tourist island of Bali, the chief of the national narcotics agency said.
Budi Waseso made the comments Thursday at a ceremony on Bali to inaugurate traditional village security guards as anti-drug volunteers.
The comments are another blow to the image of the country's airline industry after a video circulated online last month showing an apparently intoxicated pilot in the cockpit of a Citilink passenger plane. News reports this week said two pilots of another airline, Susi Air, owned by the country's fisheries minister had recently tested positive for drugs.
FILE - In this Saturday, April 13, 2013, file photo, the wreckage of a Lion Air plane sits on the water near the airport in Bali, Indonesia. The head of Indonesia's narcotics agency says most of the country's airline accidents have involved pilots on drugs, including a Lion Air jet that slammed into the sea four years ago while trying to land on Bali. Budi Waseso made the comments Thursday at a ceremony inaugurating Bali's traditional village security guards as anti-drug volunteers. (AP Photo)
"Almost all air accidents in Indonesia, whether it was just a skid or whatever, the pilots are indicated to be positive for drugs," Waseso told reporters.
Earlier in the day he told the event attended by Bali's governor that a Lion Air pilot in the spectacular 2013 crash had "hallucinated" that the sea was part of the runway.
His comments are at odds with other official accounts. After the crash, which miraculously caused no fatalities among the 108 people on board, the transport ministry said the pilots had not tested positive for drugs. The final report blamed the accident, which occurred in rain, on poor communication between the pilots and inadequate trading.
Lion Air, the National Transport Safety Committee and the Ministry of Transport declined to comment.
Indonesian airlines were previously barred from flying to Europe and the United States but foreign air safety regulators have upgraded the country, allowing some airlines to resume flights. The U.S. aviation regulator upgraded Indonesia's safety rating in August.
3 suicide bombers kill 2 on market day in northeast Nigeria
YOLA, Nigeria (AP) Three women suicide bombers, including two carrying babies on their backs, detonated explosions Friday at a checkpoint Nigeria's northeastern town of Madagali where people were being searched before entering a bustling weekly market, witnesses and an official said.
The blasts killed the women, the babies and two self-defense fighters who wanted to search the bombers, they said.
The fighters' challenge likely saved many lives. In December, two women suicide bombers killed 57 people and wounded 177, including 120 children, at the Madagali market. Last week, three girl suicide bombers were killed on the outskirts of the same town.
Residents blamed Boko Haram Islamic extremists for the attacks. Madagali is 150 kilometers (90 miles) southeast of Maiduguri, the largest city in northeast Nigeria and the birthplace of Boko Haram's insurgency.
"They blew up themselves after they were intercepted by local vigilantes stationed at the checkpoint at the entry to town," resident David Abawu said by telephone. "Two vigilantes lost their lives in the process."
Two of the bombers had babies strapped to their backs who also died, Adamawa state spokesman Ahmed Sajo told The Associated Press.
Nigeria's military and civilian self-defense fighters who work with them have intercepted many suicide bombers in recent months.
Boko Haram has used dozens of female suicide bombers, including girls as young as 7, raising questions about whether some of them are coming from their thousands of kidnap victims. A Nigerian army bomb disposal expert also has said some explosives carried by suicide bombers are being detonated remotely, indicating the carriers may not be acting of their free will.
President Muhammadu Buhari declared last month that Boko Haram had been crushed, but it is unlikely there will be a swift end to the suicide bombings and attacks on remote villages and army outposts.
UK's Sky scraps show with Joseph Fiennes as Michael Jackson
LONDON (AP) A British broadcaster said Friday it was canceling a TV comedy starring Joseph Fiennes as Michael Jackson after the program was condemned by the late musician's family.
Sky Arts said it has decided not to broadcast the program "in light of the concerns expressed by Michael Jackson's immediate family." It said Fiennes "fully supports our decision."
Sky had been criticized for casting the white "Shakespeare in Love" star as the King of Pop in "Elizabeth, Michael and Marlon." The half-hour program also features Stockard Channing as Elizabeth Taylor and British actor Brian Cox as Marlon Brando.
FILE - In this Feb. 17, 2016 file photo, actor Joseph Fiennes attends AOL's BUILD Speaker Series to discuss the film, "Risen" in New York. Fiennes has been cast in Hulu's adaptation of Margaret Atwood's award-winning novel, "The Handmaid's Tale." Sky Arts released a trailer of its upcoming "Urban Myths" series on Jan. 11, 2017, which will feature one episode with Fiennes playing Michael Jackson. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
Jackson's daughter Paris tweeted that she felt angry after watching a trailer for the show, which was due to be broadcast next week.
"I'm so incredibly offended by it, as I'm sure plenty of people are as well, and it honestly makes me want to vomit," she wrote.
"It angers me to see how obviously intentional it was for them to be this insulting, not just towards my father, but my godmother Liz as well."
The show is an episode in the "Urban Myths" series, which Sky says looks at "remarkable stories from well-known historical, artistic and cultural figures, which may or may not have happened in real life."
It centers on a possibly apocryphal cross-country road trip taken by Jackson, Taylor and Brando after the Sept. 11 attacks.
Sky said it was intended as "a light-hearted look at reportedly true events and never intended to cause any offense."
France investigating Renault for possible emissions fraud
PARIS (AP) French authorities are investigating carmaker Renault for suspected fraud in its diesel emissions controls, denting the company's share price as the global fallout spreads from revelations of emissions cheating at Volkswagen.
Renault insisted Friday that its cars are not equipped with pollution cheating software, and that the company complies with all French and European laws.
Shares in partially state-owned Renault one of France's leading manufacturers dropped 4 percent Friday but later recovered to trade 1.6 percent lower at 84.91 euros.
FILE - In this Jan. 19 2016 file photo, the Renault logo is pictured on a Renault showroom, in Paris. French magistrates are investigating suspected fraud by carmaker Renault involving its diesel emissions controls, in the wake of the Volkswagen emissions cheating scandal. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
The Paris prosecutor's office said three investigating judges have opened a judicial inquiry into Renault's emissions controls practices and whether they "made merchandise dangerous for human health."
The probe is based on an initial investigation by the Economy Ministry's fraud department, which handed its findings to prosecutors in November.
French authorities raided Renault company premises after Volkswagen was found to have used engine software to cheat on U.S. diesel emissions tests. Renault recalled 15,000 cars last year because they spewed out excessive levels of harmful gases, but the company insisted there was no intentional wrongdoing.
Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has said that despite the Volkswagen scandal, the company will continue developing diesel technology, particularly for SUVs and other high-end cars.
In a statement Friday, Renault took note of the investigation but said its "vehicles are not equipped with cheating software affecting anti-pollution systems." It said the company supports European moves to toughen emissions testing and has taken steps to reduce its own cars' emissions over the past year.
French prosecutors are carrying out a separate probe into Volkswagen's emissions practices in France.
Tentacles of the Volkswagen scandal are continuing to reach across the industry more than a year later: The U.S. government accused Fiat Chrysler on Thursday of failing to disclose software in some vehicles that allows them to emit more pollution than allowed.
Maintenance stems clashes over Syrian capital water source
BEIRUT (AP) Maintenance workers arrived in Syria's rebel-held valley near Damascus Friday to fix the water facility there, signaling an end to the violent standoff that has dried out the capital for weeks and threatened a fragile cease-fire, activists and the government said.
For days, negotiations stalled, failing to restore the water flow to the capital restricted since Dec. 22 and to end a government offensive there to uproot rebels in control of the area for years. The U.N. says the capital has suffered a water shortage that has affected nearly 5.5 million residents. The fighting has trapped nearly 100,000 residents of the opposition-held valley.
A cease-fire that went into effect on Dec. 30 was threatened by the ongoing violence. Rebel groups threatened to withdraw from planned talks because of the violations.
FILE - This file frame grab from video provided on Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016 by Step News Agency, a Syrian opposition media outlet that is consistent with independent AP reporting, shows smoke rise from the government forces shelling on Wadi Barada, northwest of Damascus, Syria. Opposition activists and Syria's state TV said on Friday, Jan. 13, 2017 that maintenance workers have arrived in the rebel-held valley near Damascus to fix the water facility there, ending a violent standoff that has dried out the capital for weeks. (Step News Agency, via AP, File)
By late Friday afternoon, however, the opposition Wadi Barada Media Center posted pictures of maintenance equipment arriving in the water-rich Barada Valley. The local governor told Syrian state TV a deal had been reached, and water would soon flow back into Damascus. He said it could resume as early as Saturday.
In Ankara, Turkish Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said the talks scheduled to take place in Astana, Kazakhstan, will take place on time on Jan. 23. Turkey, which supports the Syrian opposition, brokered the cease-fire with Russia, an ally of the Syrian government.
The ceasefire "in spite of all violations by the (Syrian) regime, seems to be holding," Kalin told reporters. "Now the representatives of the opposition and (Syrian) regime will come together and discuss. The general principles to which we subscribe are ending the fight, keeping Syria's territorial integrity and clearing Syria of terrorists."
Shortly thereafter, reports emerged that shelling and fighting had resumed in the area. It was not clear if the maintenance crew had withdrawn. But with darkness setting in, it was unlikely maintenance would take place.
Earlier on Friday, the Syrian army and the opposition monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said government forces had made new territorial gains in the Barada Valley, capturing the village of Basima after heavy airstrikes and shelling.
The opposition has long controlled the Barada Valley northwest of Damascus through which the river of the same name flows to the capital. Recapturing the valley would mark a new government victory, despite the cease-fire.
Opposition members have been meeting for days in Turkey. One opposition representative there said Turkey is keen on making the Astana summit a success, and is working with the Syrian groups to ensure the cease-fire doesn't crumble. In an informal proposal drafted Friday, the opposition groups called for an end to the fighting in the Barada Valley and other areas before a delegation is formed. The opposition representative spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed door consultations.
"They are not conditions but are procedural points. The (truce) agreement in Ankara states that there should be a cease-fire in all of Syria except in areas where there is Daesh," he said referring to potential stumbling blocks, using the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group.
Previous talks to restore the Barada Valley water flow and impose a cease-fire there faltered, according to rebel groups, because the government demanded fighters surrender and evacuate the area. Other government offensives have succeeded in evacuating other parts of Syria and areas near the capital after a tight siege and a punishing bombing campaign.
The government and the opposition have traded blamed for the recent standoff.
The Wadi Barada Media Center said government and Russian aircraft had bombed the Ain el-Fijeh water processing facility, puncturing its fuel depots and contaminating the water stream. Damascus officials denied attacking the facility and said they were forced to shut off its water supply after opposition forces poured gasoline into the river.
Underscoring the negotiation grind, the two sides interpreted Friday's agreement differently.
Fuad Abu Hattab, an exiled resident of Barada Valley who is part of the opposition group following the talks, said the agreement would not force anyone to leave the valley nor mean Syrian soldiers taking control of the area. The maintenance equipment would enter the area accompanied by civil police to protect it, he said.
But briefing reporters, local governor Alaa Ibrahim said fighters would hand in their weapons and that those who refused would be move to Idlib province the opposition stronghold in the north.
The Observatory, which relies on a network of activists on the ground, also said only policemen would protect the station and that rebel fighters would remain.
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Associated Press writer Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, contributed to this report.
Italy under pressure over regulation of Fiat Chrysler
BERLIN (AP) Italy has come under pressure over how it regulates Fiat Chrysler, which Germany and the U.S. accuse of using software that can allow some diesel engines to emit more pollution than legally permitted.
The European Union's executive branch said Friday it is following up on German complaints against Italy.
German Transport Ministry spokeswoman Svenja Friedrich noted that Fiat Chrysler had refused to meet German authorities over the issue, and Italy had canceled a "mediation" meeting with the European Commission scheduled for the end of the month.
The Fiat logo on a car on display in a car reseller in Milan, Italy, Friday, Jan. 13, 2017. The U.S. government is accusing Fiat Chrysler of failing to disclose software in some of its pickups and SUVs with diesel engines that allows them to emit more pollution than allowed under the Clean Air Act. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
"We urge the EU Commission to insist on a new appointment in the near future," Friedrich said. The Commission said Friday that it has repeatedly asked the Italian authorities to come up with convincing explanations on the emissions of the model and is continuing its efforts.
The Commission has a limited role in emissions regulation and is seeking to act as a go-between for Germany.
In the EU, each nation's regulators have the responsibility of enforcing the rules on companies, but they may be more or less stringent.
Carmakers can choose the EU country where they want their cars tested for emissions controls. Because the emissions criteria are set for the bloc as a whole, approval in one country means that type of vehicle can be registered in any of the other 27 member states as well.
The comments come a day after the U.S. government accused Fiat Chrysler of failing to disclose software in some 104,000 vehicles of its pickups and SUVs with diesel engines that allows them to emit more pollution than allowed under the Clean Air Act.
The use of such software has come under extra scrutiny since German automaker Volkswagen admitted to using them to cheat on diesel emissions tests in the U.S.
Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has denied wrongdoing in response to the U.S. probe.
Italian consumer group Altroconsumo called on Italy's Transport Ministry to distribute data on diesel emissions in Italy, saying it had pledged to do so in September 2015 but had not yet followed through. Altroconsumo is heading up a class-action suit against Volkswagen in Italy, with more than 23,000 VW buyers joining the case so far.
Another consumer group, Codacons, said Friday it was making a formal request to prosecutors to investigate whether any of the engines being investigated in the U.S. are sold in Italy.
UN human rights envoy visits troubled Myanmar state
SITTWE, Myanmar (AP) The U.N. human rights envoy for Myanmar arrived Friday in tense Rakhine state, where soldiers are accused of widespread abuse of members of the Muslim ethnic Rohingya minority, including torture, rape and killing of civilians and the burning of thousands of homes.
U.N. rapporteur Yanghee Lee began a three-day visit to western Myanmar to probe the situation in northern Rakhine, where an army crackdown has driven an estimated 65,000 people to flee across the border to Bangladesh in the past three months.
The crackdown began in October after nine policemen were killed in attacks by a shadowy group along the border. The army denies any abuses, but Rohingya sympathizers say hundreds of civilians have been killed. The claim cannot be independently verified because authorities have limited access of aid workers and journalists to the area. Official figures put the death toll under 100 and don't make clear the circumstances under which the deaths took place.
The estimated 1 million Rohingya face official and social discrimination in Buddhist-majority Myanmar. Most do not have citizenship and are regarded as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, even when their families have lived in Rakhine for generations. Communal violence in 2012 forced many to flee their homes, and more than 100,000 still live in squalid internal displacement camps.
Lee is on a 12-day visit to Myanmar at the invitation of the government, during which she is to meet political and community leaders, representatives of civil society, victims of human rights violations and members of the international community. Lee said she will present a report to the U.N. Human Rights Council in March.
On Friday, Lee visited the Rakhine capital, Sittwe, in the southern portion of the state, where she said she was hopeful she could get permission to visit the most affected area in the north.
She visited an enclave in Sittwe where 4,000 Rohingya are confined, but residents there were pessimistic that her mission would improve their situation.
"We want to tell her about the difficulties we have here. We are so much in trouble. We have been living in here like in prison for almost five years," said Tin Soe, a 46-year-old Rohingya man in the Aung Mingalar community.
"In five years, there have been many things that the government and international communities are doing, but nothing has changed for us here," he said, adding that only Myanmar's government could improve their conditions.
"We have been living here for generations and the government keeps saying that we are not citizens of this country. It really hurts me. We should have our citizens' rights," he said.
Forty-year-old Zaw Zaw, another Aung Mingalar resident, also questioned why nothing had changed despite several previous visits by Lee to the area.
"We live here without any freedom inside this area, which is like living inside a box. We are all controlled in many different ways under the law by the government," he said. "My potential is wasted because I am not allowed to work anywhere."
This is Lee's fifth mission to Myanmar. Previous visits provoked the wrath of extreme Buddhist nationalists. One, a firebrand monk named Wirathu, branded her a whore after she criticized laws on race and religion.
The crisis in Rakhine state has been the biggest test for the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi since it took power last year.
Mexico names new ambassador to United States
MEXICO CITY (AP) The head of the North American Development Bank, Geronimo Gutierrez Fernandez, will be Mexico's new ambassador in Washington, the Mexican government said Friday.
Mexico's Foreign Affairs Ministry announced the appointment in a statement that also said Mexico's current ambassador in the United States, Carlos Manuel Sada Solana, will become undersecretary for North America. Sada will represent Mexico at the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.
Gutierrez's appointment requires ratification by the Mexican senate.
In his new job, Gutierrez will face Trump's promise to build a border wall and deport thousands of immigrants.
Prior to his post at the bank, Gutierrez served as Mexico's undersecretary for North America and undersecretary for Latin America and the Caribbean.
He has been the managing director of the bank in San Antonio, Texas, since 2010. It offers low-interest financing to projects aimed at improving environmental and living conditions in communities along the U.S.-Mexico border, such as water supply and waste treatment improvements, identified by its sister organization, the Ciudad Juarez, Mexico-based Border Environment Cooperation Commission.
The bank was created under the North American Free Trade Agreement and began operations in November 1994 with capitalization from both countries. Trump has said he wants to renegotiate the agreement known as NAFTA.
Eligible projects must be located within about 62 miles north of the Arizona, California, New Mexico or Texas boundaries with Mexico, according to the NADBank website. Eligible projects for Mexico must be within 186 miles south of the U.S. border in the states of Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Sonora and Tamaulipas.
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Online:
http://www.nadb.org/
Jude Law stars as a disruptive pontiff in HBO's 'Young Pope'
NEW YORK (AP) In HBO's absorbing new drama "The Young Pope," Jude Law plays the title character, American-born Lenny Belardo, who, through divine intervention or woeful human error (this will be hotly debated), is made Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church at the tender age of 47.
A disruptive, puzzling presence who describes himself as "intransigent, irritable and vindictive," Pope Pius XIII from the start of his papacy is at cross-purposes with the Vatican's appalled establishment. Swiftly, efforts by the College of Cardinals to bring him down catch fire.
The 10-episode series also stars Diane Keaton and James Cromwell among its international roster.
This image released by HBO shows Jude Law, left, and Silvio Orlando from the HBO series, "The Young Pope," premiering Sunday at 9 p.m. EST. (Gianni Fiorito/HBO via AP)
"The Young Pope" was created, directed and written by Italian filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino (whose 2013 film, "The Great Beauty," won the Oscar for best foreign language film). This week, he and Law, whose credits include "The Talented Mr. Ripley," ''Cold Mountain" and Guy Ritchie's "Sherlock Holmes" films, sat down in New York to talk about their bold collaboration, which premieres Sunday at 9 p.m. EST.
Here are highlights from that conversation (with assistance from Sorrentino's translator):
SORRENTINO: The idea for 'The Young Pope' really stems from my high school years with Catholic priests as teachers. I was able to observe the solitude of those priests, and how much their lives were structured. And also how their universe marginalized the feminine aspect in the service of the masculine. I was able to draw on memories of those five years.
But although the film is incidentally about the Catholic Church, it's also about a wider circle, which is the issue of faith the question of believing or non-believing which sooner or later affects us all.
LAW: At the core of our series is its humanity. We penetrate the layers of curiosity and intrigue surrounding the very human institution of the Catholic Church, and explore how people interact within it.
Preparing for my role, I initially felt it was necessary to look at papal history and the history of the Vatican. But answers really lay more in the character I was playing, which I think says an awful lot about where the heart of this show lies. I had to understand the backstory of the orphaned Lenny who he was, what got him to the position of pope, and what motivated him as a human being, not as a religious strategist.
SORRENTINO: The most challenging part of making a film is the writing. I started writing this when I was finishing my previous film, 'Youth' (2015). But it's hard for me to quantify how long it took, because I wrote whenever I had time on my hands even in between going to the bathroom and getting dressed.
With a fully realized script in hand, Sorrentino and his actors could tackle "The Young Pope" as a single 10-hour movie more than as 10 separate episodes. But that didn't make the project's magnitude any less daunting.
LAW: I underestimated how hard-wired I was to playing a part for a two-hour period. Keeping the arc of your character's journey as subtle and measured as possible, and also sustaining the necessary level of intensity, was quite a challenge over 10 hours.
SORRENTINO: When you make a movie, often you have the feeling that the result is due to luck or enthusiasm. But in this case, you needed a lot more than enthusiasm you needed dedication. To be able to keep that level of attention and concentration for a seven-month (production) period that is an accomplishment in and of itself. I presume I succeeded in it, which I think is connected to this fact: I finally learned the job. For the first time, I had the awareness that I've learned to be a filmmaker!
Asked how he chose Law as his pope, Sorrentino replied there were many reasons. Then he shared one.
SORRENTINO: I'm always very interested in an actor's way of walking. This is one of my parameters for whether I like an actor or not. In 'Road to Perdition' (a 2002 crime drama also starring Tom Hanks and Paul Newman), Jude did something that I thought was genius: He came off as BORED while he was walking to kill somebody. He wasn't excited, he didn't have guilt about what he was going to do. I really liked that. It was a lot of fun to watch. After that, I thought it would be a great idea to work with Jude.
LAW: It was a very rewarding and happy time. I felt safe with Paolo. Maybe it was partly me maturing as an actor, but it seemed wonderful to be able to come to (the) set and just think about what I had to do, rather than: 'Are we getting this?' In the hands of Paolo, I knew that he wasn't just going to GET it, he was going to elevate anything we did.
And, odds are, they aren't finished with their happy partnership.
LAW: When we went into this, the idea was: 'This is it, in its entirety.' But then the ideas grew.
SORRENTINO: I would love to do a second season. I am writing it now!
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EDITOR'S NOTE Frazier Moore is a national television columnist for The Associated Press. He can be reached at fmoore@ap.org and at http://www.twitter.com/tvfrazier. Past stories are available at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/frazier-moore
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Online:
http://www.hbo.com/the-young-pope
This image released by HBO shows Jude Law from the HBO series, "The Young Pope," premiering Sunday at 9 p.m. EST. (HBO via AP)
FILE - This Jan. 12, 2016 file photo shows Italian director Paolo Sorrentino on the set of his TV series "The Young Pope", featuring actor Jude Law, in Venice's St. Mark's Square in Italy. The 10-episode series premieres Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017 on HBO. (AP Photo/Luigi Costantini, File)
Critics upset after Norwegian kids watch reindeer slaughter
OSLO, Norway (AP) A preschool in Arctic Norway is facing online criticism for taking 5-year-old children on an outing to view the slaughter and skinning of reindeer at a nearby farm.
The criticism erupted on Facebook after the school posted photos of eight children looking at reindeers, a culled animal hanging above a blood pool, a child dragging bloodied skins in the snow and snowsuit-clad children tossing carcass bits into a container.
Dag Olav Stoelan, head of the Granstubben Barnehage preschool, says Tuesday's daytrip was designed to teach the children about the indigenous Sami who live in northern Norway and are often involved in reindeer herding.
In this photo taken on Tuesday Jan. 10, 2017, a child gets out of a truck filled with slaughtered reindeer in Henning, Norway. A preschool in Arctic Norway is facing online criticism for taking 5-year-old children on an outing to view the slaughter and skinning of reindeer at a nearby farm. (Granstubben Barnehage via AP)
Hundreds of thousands of reindeer roam freely across the region and provide work for those in the country's sparsely populated northern wilderness.
"There are many reindeer outside," Stoelan said Friday, speaking by telephone from the preschool near the city of Steinkje, 515 kilometers (320 miles) north of Oslo, the capital. "This is not the first time we have done it."
"It is important to show where the meat comes from," he told The Associated Press, adding "we will do it again."
The preschool has had previous outings to see pigs being slaughtered at other nearby farms.
Stoelan said once parents had agreed to let their children participate, preschool employees talked to the children about the farm before and after the outing. Preschool teacher Therese Johnsen told the local daily Troender-Avisa that none of the children had reacted negatively.
Negative reactions, however, did come on the school's Facebook wall, where some people wrote that "the kindergarten is making sure we get more psychopaths among us" and "people who are killing animals are not far away to killing human beings."
Public dissections of animals are common in Scandinavia.
In October 2015, a Danish zoo faced criticism and online protests for publicly dissecting a lion in front of children. The Copenhagen Zoo, meanwhile, made international headlines a year earlier when it killed a giraffe for inbreeding reasons, then dissected it and fed it to lions in front of visitors, including children.
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Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, contributed to this report.
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Follow David Keyton on Twitter at @DavidKeyton
The Latest: Slippery conditions cause problems in Slovenia
PARIS (AP) The Latest on severe weather in Europe (all times local):
7:00 p.m.
Snow and ice are causing traffic problems in Slovenia, closing part of a highway leading toward the Adriatic coast. The official STA news agency says slippery conditions led to a number of accidents in the country on Friday.
A man tries to keep his balance as waves hit the seawall at the beach in Anglet, southwestern France, Friday, Jan.13, 2017. (AP Photo/Bob Edme)
Authorities have urged truck drivers to park at the nearest rest area to avoid skidding.
The STA agency says problems with lorries have led to the closure of a section of the highway connecting the capital Ljubljana with the sea port of Koper. The report also says a border crossing with Croatia has been closed.
In Ljubljana, doctors reported treating an increased number of fractures and sprains caused by falls on icy streets.
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5:15 p.m.
Dutch water management authorities have closed several locks across waterways to prevent flooding as a high tide coinciding with a strong storm over the North Sea pushes up water levels near the coast of this low-lying nation.
Locks in the Haringvliet south of Rotterdam and the Hollandsche Ijssel east of Rotterdam were closed to protect low-lying areas. Locks also were closed in the 32.5-kilometer (20-mile) Afsluitdijk dike that separates the IJsellmeer inland sea from the Wadden Sea north of Amsterdam.
The national water authority says that several other major locks weren't expected to close because water levels weren't high enough.
Around 26 percent of the Netherlands lies below sea level and a further 29 percent is within river flood plains, meaning that 55 percent of the country is considered susceptible to flooding, according to the government's Environmental Assessment Agency.
The nation of 17 million people relies on a vast network of dams, locks, canals and pumping stations to prevent flooding.
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4:50 p.m.
French police say that a big tree snapped in a powerful gust of wind and killed a 43-year-old woman in front of her children.
She was killed in the hills above Nice in the south of France as she was leaving her house with her children to take them to school on Friday morning.
The children called their father who used a chain saw to try to free his wife from under the fallen Cypress tree. But she was already dead when a fire crew arrived, according to Lt. Col. Dominique Blasius with the gendarmerie for the Alpes-Maritimes region.
He said that "she was hit on the head. This happened in front of her children."
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3:50 p.m.
The Vatican is letting homeless people sleep in a Rome church during a spell of unusually cold weather for the Italian capital.
In Rome lately, nighttime temperatures have dropped below freezing.
The Vatican say that around 30 people, Italians and foreigners, have accepted the invitation to sleep inside St. Calixtus church, whose foundations were laid near a well where Pope Calixtus I was martyred in 222.
Inside the church, which is Vatican property, the homeless are using sleeping bags or blankets. Since the stone interior of the church is cold itself, electric heaters have been placed on the floor.
Pope Francis has stressed helping those on society's margins. The Vatican has also let homeless people get warm in some of its vehicles parked near St. Peter's Square at night.
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3:25 p.m.
British authorities have put the military on standby in the event of flooding along the east coast of Britain. Warnings have been issued.
Environment Agency national duty manager Mark Sitton-Kent says that "the combination of gale-force winds, high tides, dangerous waves carrying rocks and a coastal surge means parts of the east coast are extremely dangerous."
Snow has also hit parts of Britain.
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12:50 p.m.
A hunter in Germany has put on show a block of ice containing a fox that he says fell into the chilly Danube and drowned, in what he calls a warning of the dangers of the icy river.
Franz Stehle has told news agency dpa that the block containing the fox was extracted from the ice on Jan. 2 and put on display outside his family's hotel in Fridingen. The town is on the upper reaches of the Danube, close to its source in southwestern Germany.
Stehle says that it's not unusual for animals to break through the frozen surface of the river in winter. He says he's seen a frozen deer and wild boar before.
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11:50 a.m.
Violent overnight storms have hit northern France injuring scores and leaving 200,000 homes without electricity.
Strong winds caused havoc for some rail passengers who were stranded overnight Thursday to Friday in a high-speed Thalys train after a tree was blown onto the tracks.
The 210 passengers spent the night without electricity, heating and liquids in the train that was travelling from Brussels to Paris. The track has now been cleared.
France's Interior Ministry said Friday that about 46 people were injured overnight in weather-related accidents, although none seriously and it reported no deaths.
Authorities said areas worst hit included Normandy and Picardy where respectively 76,000 homes and 61,000 homes were without electricity Friday and that emergency services were called out 4,041 times to deal with the storms' impact.
A woman holds her umbrella as she walks during strong winds in Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, Jan. 13, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
People fish on a frozen lake on the outskirts of Bucharest, Romania, Friday, Jan. 13, 2017. The Romanian capital experienced milder weather after a week of blizzards and extreme cold that caused a major disruption of the road and railway transport.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
A block of ice containing a drowned fox who broke through the thin ice of the Danube river four days earlier sits on the bank of the Danube river in Fridingen, southern Germany, Friday, Jan. 13, 2017. (Johannes Stehle/dpa via AP)
In this undated photo a view of the St. Calixtus church in Rome. The Vatican is letting homeless people sleep in a Rome church during a spell of unusually cold weather for the Italian capital. In Rome lately, nighttime temperatures have dropped below freezing. The Vatican say that around 30 people, Italians and foreigners, have accepted the invitation to sleep inside St. Calixtus church, whose foundations were laid near a well where Pope Calixtus I was martyred in 222. (L'Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP)
Waves crash into the sea wall at Seaham northeast England Friday Jan. 13, 2017. The North of England was covered in a blanket of snow while the east coast was braced for a storm surge that could cause flooding. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)
CORRECTS NAME OF CITY TO ERLENSEE -The debris of a roof of a house in Erlensee Germany, photographed Friday Jan. 13, 2017 after strong storms hit parts of Germany. (Boris Roessler/dpa via AP)
Snow-covered cars stand in the yard of a car dealer in Koenigstein near Frankfurt, Germany, Friday Jan. 13, 2017. (Frank Rumpenhorst/dpa via AP)
Members of the Household Cavalry wait for the changing of the guard, as snow falls on Horse Guards parade in London, Friday, Jan. 13, 2017. London and the southeast of England were hit by a snow storm Thursday evening and more snow was forecast for Friday (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
A Metropolitan police woman wrapped up against the cold, watches members of the public, as a section of the Household Cavalry wait for the changing of the guard on Horse Guards parade as snow falls in London, Friday, Jan. 13, 2017. London and the southeast of England were hit by a snow storm Thursday evening and more snow was forecast for Friday. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Ex-nurse accused of killing Canada seniors faces charges
WOODSTOCK, Ontario (AP) A former nurse accused of killing eight seniors in two long-term care homes in Canada is facing six new charges.
Ontario Provincial Police said Friday that the new charges against Elizabeth Wettlaufer include four counts of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated assault in relation to people in her care.
The latest charges are related to incidents that allegedly occurred from June 2007-August 2016.
The fresh details come as Wettlaufer is set to appear Friday in a court in Woodstock, Ont.
Wettlaufer was charged in October with eight counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of residents at nursing homes in Woodstock and London, Ont.
The Latest: Funeral for paralyzed officer draws to a close
NEW YORK (AP) The Latest on the funeral for NYPD Detective Steven McDonald (all times local):
Noon
The casket of a police officer known for forgiving a teen gunman who paralyzed him in 1986 has been carried out of St. Patrick's Cathedral to the sounds of church bells and salutes by hundreds of uniformed officers.
Police officers fill New York's Fifth Avenue prior to the funeral for Steven McDonald at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Friday, Jan. 13, 2017. McDonald died on Tuesday, 30 years after a robbery suspect shot him in Central Park. The officer publicly forgave his assailant and went on to become an international voice for peace. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Police helicopters also flew over Fifth Avenue on Friday as mourners left the funeral of Detective Steven McDonald.
During the service, the 59-year-old McDonald was eulogized as a hero who embraced forgiveness over spite and as a die-hard hockey fan. Among the speakers was former New Rangers great Adam Graves.
McDonald died on Tuesday, 30 years after robbery suspect Shavod Jones shot him in Central Park. The officer publicly forgave his assailant and went on to become an international voice for peace.
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11 a.m.
A police officer known for forgiving a teenage gunman who left him paralyzed is being eulogized at his funeral at St. Patrick's Cathedral and remembered for having lived a full life despite his disability.
In his remarks, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Detective Steven McDonald was "synonymous with all that is great about our police department and our city."
McDonald's widow and police officer son attended a service where he was remembered as someone who never showed self-pity.
The 59-year-old McDonald died on Tuesday, 30 years after robbery suspect Shavod Jones shot him in Central Park. The officer publicly forgave his assailant and went on to become an international voice for peace.
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10 a.m.
A hearse carrying the body of Detective Steven McDonald has arrived at St. Patrick's Cathedral for the funeral of the officer known for forgiving a teenage gunman who left him paralyzed.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner James O'Neill joined scores of police officers on Friday to watch police motorcycles and a bagpipe band escort the hearse down Fifth Avenue to the front of the Manhattan church. They stood in silence as pallbearers took McDonald's casket inside.
The 59-year-old McDonald died on Tuesday, 30 years after robbery suspect Shavod Jones shot him in Central Park. The officer publicly forgave his assailant and went on to become an international voice for peace.
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12:20 a.m.
Funeral services are set for a New York City police officer known for publicly forgiving a teenage gunman who in 1986 left him paralyzed from the neck down.
The funeral for Detective Steven McDonald is planned for Friday morning at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan.
The 59-year-old McDonald died on Tuesday, 30 years after robbery suspect Shavod Jones shot him in Central Park. The officer publicly forgave his assailant and went on to become an international voice for peace.
McDonald had spoken of his hope that Jones would join him on speaking tours. But shortly after Jones' release from prison in 1995, he died in a motorcycle accident.
FILE- In this Aug. 30, 2004 file photo, New York Police Officer Steven McDonald recites the Pledge of Allegiance before the morning session of the Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden in New York. On Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, officials said McDonald, who was paralyzed by a bullet and became an international voice for peace after he publicly forgave the gunman, died at the age of 59. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
FILE - In this July 5, 2006 file photo, paralyzed New York City police officer Steven McDonald poses with his wife, Patti McDonald at their home in Malverne, N.Y. McDonald, who was paralyzed by a bullet and became an international voice for peace after he publicly forgave the gunman, died Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017 at the age of 59. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)
FILE- In this Aug. 31, 2004 file photo, disabled former New York City police officer Steven McDonald addresses delegates, as family members stand beside him at Madison Square Garden during the Republican National Convention in New York. McDonald, who was paralyzed by a bullet and became an international voice for peace after he publicly forgave the gunman, died Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, at the age of 59. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke, File)
FILE - In this Oct. 30, 1986 file photo, NYPD Officer Steven McDonald, paralyzed after being shot in Central Park earlier in the year, receives a New York Mets baseball jacket from Mets' president Fred Wilpon, left, in McDonald's room in New York's Bellevue Hospital. They are jointed by then Mayor Ed Koch, second from left, and McDonald's wife Patti. McDonald, who was paralyzed by a bullet and became an international voice for peace after he publicly forgave the gunman, died Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017 at the age of 59. (AP Photo/Mario Suriani, File)
FILE - In this March 15, 2015 file photo, New York City Detective Steven McDonald, his wife Patti, and son, Conor, smile after receiving the Spirit of Giving Award at the Kelly Cares Foundation's 5th Annual Irish Eyes Gala held at the JW Marriot Essex House in New York. McDonald, who was paralyzed by a bullet and became an international voice for peace after he publicly forgave the gunman, died Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017 at the age of 59. (Photo by Stuart Ramson/Invision for Kelly Cares Foundation/AP Images, File)
FILE - In this March 1, 1987 file photo, Cardinal John J. O'Connor places a towel on Conor Patrick McDonald, the month-old son of paralyzed officer Steven McDonald, seated in wheelchair, while McDonald's wife Patti smiles during the christening ceremony in New York. McDonald, who was paralyzed by a bullet and became an international voice for peace after he publicly forgave the gunman, died Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, at the age of 59. (AP Photo/David Bookstaver, File)
FILE - In this Dec. 22, 1987 file photo, New York City Police Officer Steven McDonald, who was shot in the line of duty, is honored on the ice at the Philadelphia Flyers-New York Rangers hockey game in New York's Madison Square Garden with his wife Patti. McDonald, who was paralyzed by a bullet and became an international voice for peace after he publicly forgave the gunman, died Tuesday, Jan 10, 2017 at the age of 59. (AP Photo/Wilbur Funches, File)
FILE - In this July 11, 1989 file photo, New York police detective Steven McDonald, left, who was paralyzed by a gunman's bullet in Central Park in 1986, poses with his wife Patti Ann and his son, Conor, at a party in New York for their book "The Steven McDonald Story." McDonald, who became an international voice for peace after he publicly forgave the gunman who shot him, died Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, at the age of 59. (AP Photo/Susan Ragan, File)
FILE - In this Feb. 29, 1988 file photo, paralyzed police officer Steven McDonald receives applause from members of the New York City Police Department as he arrives for funeral services at Seaford, N.Y., for slain officer Edward Byrne. McDonald, who was paralyzed by a bullet and became an international voice for peace after he publicly forgave the gunman, died Tuesday, Jan 10, 2017 at the age of 59. (AP Photo/David Bookstaver, File)
FILE- In this Jan. 25, 1995 file photo- New York City police officer Steven McDonald talks to students at a junior high school in New York. McDonald, who was paralyzed by a bullet and became an international voice for peace after he publicly forgave the gunman, died Tuesday, Jan 10, 2017 at the age of 59. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
FILE- In this Dec. 10, 1988 file photo, Heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, right, meets with paralyzed police officer Steven McDonald at the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association Christmas party held at Jimmy Weston's restaurant in New York. McDonald, who was paralyzed by a bullet and became an international voice for peace after he publicly forgave the gunman, died Tuesday, Jan 10, 2017 at the age of 59. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
African Union to cease recognizing Jammeh as Gambia's leader
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) The African Union says it will cease to recognize Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh as the country's legitimate leader as of Jan. 19, when his mandate expires.
Friday's decision by the AU's Peace and Security Council comes as West African leaders are visiting Gambia in a last-ditch effort to persuade Jammeh to accept his recent election defeat and step down.
The international community has expressed support for President-elect Adama Barrow, who insists he will take power with his Jan. 19 inauguration. Jammeh's party is contesting the results in court, claiming irregularities.
Teachers in Philadelphia plan a Black Lives Matter week
PHILADELPHIA (AP) A teachers' organization in Philadelphia is encouraging teachers to wear Black Lives Matter T-shirts and buttons and provide lessons on the movement every day for one week.
The Caucus of Working Educators, a faction of the teachers union, is developing lessons plans and curriculum ideas for teachers of grades from kindergarten through high school for the week of Jan. 23. The plans, distilled from the movement's 13 guiding principles, such as embracing diversity and globalism, will be available online , organizers said Friday.
"The vast majority of students that we serve are black, and it's important to affirm the lives of our students," said co-organizer Charlie McGeehan, who is white and teaches high school humanities at The U School, where students work on solving real-world problems.
The organizers said more and more educators are signing on every day, but they don't have an exact number of participating teachers.
"We had 500 buttons and shirts and distributed those and ordered more," McGeehan said.
Amy Roat, who teaches English as a Second Language at Feltonville School of Arts and Sciences, said the idea is to engage students in current events and help them learn about other people. Most of her students are Latino, Asian and Arab-American.
"We are a school that is very inclusive and we talk about a lot of good, juicy stuff," she said. "Black Lives Matter functions with 13 principles that I think are good and healthy for kids to learn about."
She said she hasn't heard any complaints or gotten any blowback from teachers, principals or parents.
Roat, who is white, said they planned the curriculum for a week after Martin Luther King Day, to build off the momentum of marches, protest and actions.
Talk of developing the curriculum got started in October, after a school district in Seattle had a "Black Lives Matter at School" day, McGeehan said.
"We were inspired," he said.
A school district spokesman didn't comment directly on the caucus's plans but said the district provides regular avenues for students to learn and express themselves.
A spokesman for the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, the main teachers union, said it couldn't comment on the plans because it wasn't a union-sponsored activity.
The Black Lives Matter movement largely emerged in 2014 after several high-profile killings of unarmed black men and boys by police officers. It has since evolved from its social media presence and protests in multiple cities to a national platform with a policy agenda that also addresses issues including mass incarceration, and systemic inequality against African-Americans.
For McGeehan, he plans to incorporate the materials during his 40-minute advisory period, and can see ways it could come up in English and social studies classes.
"We want to show the complexity and diversity of the Black Lives Matter movement," he said.
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Greek prosecutor against extraditing last 4 fugitive Turks
ATHENS, Greece (AP) A prosecutor at Greece's Supreme Court argued in a hearing Friday against extraditing the last four of eight Turkish servicemen who fled by military helicopter to Greece after last year's failed coup.
Nikos Pandelis told judges that they faced "no alternative" but to reject the Turkish extradition request on human rights grounds, as the men would not receive a fair trial in Turkey.
In separate sessions at the same court this week, other prosecutors have recommended rejecting the extradition demands for the other four, using similar arguments. All eight men deny Turkish allegations that they were involved in the July 15 military attempt to seize power.
Three Turkish military officers in suits wearing handcuffs, escorted by Greek police officers, arrive at the Supreme Court in Athens Friday, Jan. 13, 2017. A prosecutor at Greece's highest court recommended Tuesday and Wednesday the court reject an extradition request for four other Turkish servicemen, who fled to Greece after a failed July military coup in their country. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The court is expected to issue its verdict on all the servicemen on Jan. 23. The prosecutors' recommendations are not binding, but even if judges accept the extradition demand Greece's justice minister would have the power to block it.
The case has complicated relations between Greece and its larger neighbor amid talks on reuniting the island of Cyprus, whose Greek and Turkish communities have been divided since a Turkish invasion in 1974.
It has also embarrassed Greece's left-wing government, which initially signaled it would return the eight, as they were accused of trying to overthrow Turkey's elected leadership. Respected public figures have rigorously defended the men's right to asylum in Greece.
In a joint statement to The Associated Press Friday, the eight men cited threats they had received from Turkish officials, and spoke of the dire conditions in Turkish prisons.
"We wouldn't have a fair trial," the statement said. "There have been many suicides in Turkish jails, and there is constant talk of bringing back the death penalty."
"Turkey's finance minister said that if we return to Turkey we will be placed in five-foot (1.5-meter) cells, and that we will beg for death," the statement said.
The men added that their families in Turkey have been victimized, with their wives losing their jobs and health care access and having their bank accounts seized.
Real-life Perry Mason pleads guilty to $110K jewelry theft
NEWPORT, Vt. (AP) This Perry Mason has pleaded guilty and been convicted.
Perry Mason of Hardwick, Vermont not to be confused with the fictional television criminal defense lawyer played by Raymond Burr pleaded guilty Thursday to breaking into a Greensboro jewelry store in 2014 and stealing $110,000 worth of items.
The Caledonian Record reports (http://bit.ly/2jMxG6I) the 48-year-old Mason received a sentence of two to 30 years, most of it suspended. Before reaching a plea agreement, Mason had been facing up to life in prison as a habitual offender with three or more prior felony convictions, including burglaries.
Mason was arrested after some of the jewelry was sold to a Burlington pawn shop. The shop owner recognized it and alerted police. Since then, two other men have been charged with possessing stolen property.
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Polish president signs disputed budget, win for ruling party
WARSAW, Poland (AP) Poland's president has signed into law the 2017 budget, which the centrist opposition denounces as illegal.
The budget has been the focus of a bitter dispute between the populist ruling Law and Justice party and the opposition parties Civic Platform and Modern, which say the way it was passed by the lower house of parliament on Dec. 16 was illegal.
They staged a blockade of parliament for nearly four weeks demanding a repeat vote but gave up their protest this week.
A general view of the parliament session hall as opposition lawmakers gather around the podium with a list of ten freedoms that they say are violated by the ruling party, as they end their protest, in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017. Opposition parties blocked the session hall since Dec. 16 to protest a budget that according to them was passed illegally. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)
Still, they appealed to President Andrzej Duda to not sign it and instead send it to the Constitutional Tribunal for review.
Journalist killed by masked gunmen in Pakistan
QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) Pakistani police say masked gunmen have shot and killed a journalist in southwestern Baluchistan province.
Police officer Muhammad Ali said Friday that 37-year-old Muhammad Jan was returning home late Thursday night when targeted in Kalat, some 160 kilometers south of the provincial capital Quetta.
Ali said the Jan was working for Urdu language daily Qudrat, and also teaching at a school. He said police were searching for the culprits who escaped on a motorcycle.
No group has claimed responsibility for the killing. Baluchistan is the scene of a low intensity insurgency by Baluch separatist groups. Islamic militants also operate in the province.
Nigeria army memo: Prepare 800 troops for Gambia if needed
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) A Nigerian army memo orders officers to prepare a battalion of 800 troops for a possible military intervention in Gambia, where the longtime leader has refused to accept his election loss and step down.
West Africa's regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States, has said it has a standby military force ready to enter Gambia if President Yahya Jammeh does not cede power when his mandate expires next Thursday. Jammeh, who has ruled since he took power in a 1994 military coup, is challenging his Dec. 1 loss.
The Nigerian memo dated Wednesday and seen by The Associated Press is signed by the chief of army staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, and describes the force as ECOMIG, or ECOWAS Mission in Gambia.
Army spokesman Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman denies Nigeria's military is readying such a force.
Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari led a regional delegation to Gambia on Friday to try to persuade Jammeh to step down. Nigerian legislators have voted to allow Buhari to offer asylum to Jammeh as the region seeks a peaceful solution to the crisis.
The West African regional bloc has said the standby force would be led by Senegal, which almost completely surrounds Gambia.
Gambia, with just 1.9 million people, had an army of just 900 troops as of 2013, according to the South Africa-based military news site defenceWeb.
Nicole Kidman calls for Americans to support Trump
Nicole Kidman says it's time for Americans to come together to support President-elect Donald Trump.
Kidman tells the BBC that now that Trump has been elected, "we as a country need to support who's ever the president because that's what the country's based on."
Kidman was born in Hawaii to Australian parents and holds dual citizenship in Australia and the U.S.
FILE - In this Jan. 8, 2017, file photo, Nicole Kidman arrives at the 74th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. Kidman told the BBC in an interview released Jan. 10, 2017, that Americans need to support President-elect Donald Trump because supporting the president is "what the countrys based on. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
She says she's "always reticent" to comment on politics, and describes herself as more "issue-based." Kidman says she's "very committed to women's issues" like battling breast and ovarian cancer.
Malta church goes beyond pope in remarriage guidelines
VATICAN CITY (AP) The Vatican is making clear Pope Francis supports letting divorced and civilly remarried Catholics receive Communion under certain conditions by publishing a set of new guidelines in the pope's own newspaper that go beyond even what he has said.
The Catholic Church in Malta issued the guidelines Friday on applying the divisive Chapter VIII of Francis' document on family life that concerns ministering to Catholics in "irregular" family situations. The Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, published the guidelines in full.
The Maltese church said that if a Catholic in a new civil union believes, after a path of spiritual discernment searching for God's will that he or she can be at peace with God, "he or she cannot be precluded from participating in the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist."
Church teaching holds that unless divorced Catholics receive an annulment, or a church decree that their first marriage was invalid, they are committing adultery and cannot receive Communion. For a variety of reasons such annulments often cannot be obtained.
Citing Jesus' teaching on the indissolubility of marriage, some conservatives have insisted the rules are fixed and that the only way these Catholics can receive Communion is to abstain from sex. Progressives have sought wiggle room to balance doctrine with mercy and look at each couple on a case-by-case basis.
In his 2016 document "The Joy of Love," Francis said pastors should help individual Catholics ascertain what God is asking of them. Using vague language and footnotes, he linked such discussions of conscience with access to the sacraments.
The Maltese bishops go further and say flat out that if certain conditions are met, these Catholics cannot be excluded from the sacraments.
In another footnote, Francis argued that abstaining from sex can endanger fidelity and the good of the children in the new union.
The Maltese bishops, led by a former Vatican heavyweight, Archbishop Charles Scicluna, went further saying it may actually be "humanly impossible" to live as brother and sister.
Several bishops conferences have issued similar documents interpreting the question for their priests. Francis has already personally endorsed the Argentine bishops' version, which makes a similar opening.
Significantly, more conservative interpretations that rule out the sacraments for these Catholics have been ignored by the pope and the Vatican.
6 more charged in Kardashian West jewelry heist in Paris
PARIS (AP) Hailing the "remarkable work" of French police, Paris prosecutors on Friday announced preliminary charges against six more suspects in the armed jewelry heist of Kim Kardashian West.
That brings the total number of people charged so far in the probe to 10. All but one of the suspects are men, including at least one previously known to police for robbery and money forgery.
Robbers are believed to have forced their way into the apartment where Kardashian West was staying during Paris Fashion Week in October. They allegedly tied up the reality TV star and stole more than $10 million worth of jewelry. Authorities are now looking at a possible inside job.
Kim Kardashian West's fans queue for attending her make-up masterclass at Musichall in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday, Jan.13, 2017. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
The preliminary charges filed Friday against six suspects ranging in age from 29 to 72 covered an array of alleged crimes. They included: armed robbery in an organized gang; kidnapping; criminal association; illegal possession of firearms including a Kalashnikov rifle and ammunition; use of forged papers and a fake identity, and complicity.
Preliminary charges the first in the case were also filed against four other people on Thursday.
Paris prosecutors have identified the 10 suspects only by their first names and surname initials and their dates of birth. Those charged Friday were:
Aomar A., 60; faces preliminary charges of armed robbery in an organized gang, kidnapping, criminal association, illegal possession of ammunition, using a fake identify and false papers.
Pierre B., 72; preliminary charges of armed robbery in an organized gang, kidnapping and criminal association.
Didier D., 61; preliminary charges of armed robbery in an organized gang, kidnapping, criminal association and illegally possessing a Kalashnikov rifle.
Francois D., 54; preliminary charges of armed robbery in an organized gang, kidnapping, criminal association and possession of false papers.
Harminy A., 29; preliminary charges of armed robbery in an organized gang, kidnapping and criminal association.
Christiane G., 70. The only woman among the 10 was handed preliminary charges of complicity in armed robbery and kidnapping, criminal association and the illegal possession of ammunition.
On Thursday, Kardashian West's sister, Khloe Kardashian, welcomed the filing of charges as a "kind of closure" and denounced the robbery as "a disgusting act."
Rich or poor, nobody deserves "anything to be taken from them," she told The Associated Press.
FILE - In this Oct.3, 2016 file photo, a French police officer enters the residence of Kim Kardashian West in Paris. Paris police Monday Jan.9, 2017 say 16 people have been arrested over Kim Kardashian jewelry heist. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)
Immigrant groups to rally against Trump's planned crackdown
WASHINGTON (AP) Immigrant rights advocates are planning demonstrations at dozens of rallies across the country this weekend in what they are calling a "first salvo" against President-elect Donald Trump's pledged hard line on immigration.
Union leaders and young immigrants are organizing more than 50 protests and cultural events from Philadelphia to Phoenix on Saturday with an aim toward highlighting the power of the immigrant rights movement. Immigrants living in the country illegally also hope the events will make it clear to the incoming administration that they don't plan to leave the country despite Trump's calls for a border wall, tougher immigration enforcement and mass deportations.
"This is our first salvo to what may be a long, drawn out campaign," said Jorge-Mario Cabrera, spokesman for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles.
FILE - In this May 1, 2006, file photo, thousands of demonstrators march along Wilshire Boulevard during an immigration protest near MacArthur Park in Los Angeles. Immigrant rights advocates are planning demonstrations at dozens of rallies around the country this weekend in what they are calling the first salvo against President-elect Donald Trumps pledged hard line on immigration. Union leaders and young immigrants are organizing more than 50 protests and cultural events from Philadelphia to Phoenix on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017 with an aim toward highlighting the power of the immigrant rights movement. (AP Photo/Ric Francis, File)
The protests mark the latest chapter in a movement that has evolved considerably since 2006, when more than a million people took to the streets to protest a Republican-backed immigration bill that would have made it a crime to be in the country illegally. The bill was widely viewed as overly harsh and sparked a backlash that culminated in massive May Day marches across the country.
The crowds this weekend are expected to be nowhere near as big as then, including rallies at a church in Washington and teachers' union hall in Chicago. In Los Angeles and San Jose, California, groups are holding cultural events to show their support of immigrants and opposition to Trump's proposals.
Times have clearly changed since 2006. The protests born of anger and frustration a decade ago with the immigration bill haven't been repeated in recent years as the playbook evolved and advocacy groups started making direct appeals to lawmakers and the president.
After multiple proposals failed in Congress, President Barack Obama in 2012 launched an executive effort to protect some young immigrants from deportation.
The creation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, aimed at helping one of the loudest and most sympathetic immigrant groups, was heralded as a good first step by advocates who hoped it would be a prelude toward overhauling immigration laws.
But that didn't happen, and Republican-led states pushed back against Obama's plans to expand the program.
Now the focus is on the next administration, and the future of the movement seems as uncertain as Trump's plans.
As a candidate, Trump promised his supporters stepped-up deportations and a Mexican-funded border wall, but it is unclear which plans the celebrity businessman will act on first, and when. And many immigrants are fearful of the campaign rhetoric but less motivated to protest in the absence of specific actions.
"Right now, all we have is these vague kinds of promises," said Chris Zepeda-Millan, a professor of ethnic studies at University of California, Berkeley. "Attacks have to occur for people to mobilize."
One factor that could influence what actions immigrant activists take going forward and how much support they draw is how Trump handles the group of more than 750,000 young immigrants covered by Obama's DACA program. Many are college-educated and politically savvy and have been willing to hold sit-ins and risk arrest to push for immigration changes.
They are also factoring prominently in many of Saturday's events. Instead of protests, a coalition of immigration groups in Phoenix will have a news conference and information clinic where young immigrants will deliver personal testimony about how Obama's program changed their lives. A separate event includes a panel with immigration attorneys and experts on how to prepare for changes under Trump.
What is certain is that the immigration rights movement has come a long way since its most public stand in 2006. And the days of nearly everyone staying entirely in the shadows are likely over.
"Coming forward as undocumented and unafraid has been really a hallmark" of the movement in recent years, said Cecilia Munoz, who heads Obama's Domestic Policy Council and was a top official with the National Council of La Raza during the early days of immigration protests. "The immigration rights movement has developed enormously ... and 2006 was a moment in which people came forward and decided, 'We are not invisible anymore.'"
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Associated Press Writer Astrid Galvan contributed to this report from Phoenix. Taxin reported from Santa Ana, California.
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Search for suspect in officer slaying expands to small city
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) Authorities in a small central Florida city 40 miles southwest of Orlando are warning residents that a fugitive wanted for the fatal shooting of an Orlando police officer may be hiding in the area.
The Haines City police posted on social media Friday that 41-year-old Markeith Loyd is believed to have family in the area. A reward of $100,000 is being offered for information that leads to his arrest.
Authorities have been searching for Loyd since Master Sgt. Debra Clayton was killed Monday in the parking lot of an Orlando Wal-Mart.
FILE - This undated photo provided by the Orlando Police Department shows Markeith Loyd. Loyd is wanted for killing an Orlando police officer outside a Wal-Mart in Orlando, Fla., Monday, Jan. 9, 2017. (Orlando Police Department via AP, File)
Clayton's funeral service is planned for Saturday.
A police motorcade escorted a hearse with her body through downtown Orlando.
Orlando Police Department workers lined the street outside as the motorcade passed headquarters.
Candles and TV lights illuminate the crowd during a vigil at Wal-Mart store where an Orlando police sergeant was killed Monday and for an Orange County Sheriff's Office deputy killed during a manhunt of the suspect, in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP)
Tricia Dennis and Orlando city commissioner Regina Hill, far left, pay their respects at a makeshift memorial to honor an Orlando police sergeant killed Monday at the parking lot of a Wal-Mart store and an Orange County Sheriff's Office deputy before a candlelight vigil at the store in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP)
Family and friends honor two law enforcement officers during a candlelight vigil in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. Authorities raised to $100,000 the reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in the fatal shooting of the Orlando police sergeant on Tuesday as he eluded hundreds of officers on the second day of a massive manhunt. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP)
Nine-year-old Nyasia Bell, from left, 6-year-old Nahla Bell and their aunt, Evelyn McKay, light candles during a vigil at a Wal-Mart store, where an Orlando police sergeant was killed Monday, and for an Orange County Sheriff's Office deputy killed during a manhunt of a suspect, in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. Authorities raised to $100,000 the reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect in the fatal shooting of the Orlando police sergeant on Tuesday as he eluded hundreds of officers on the second day of a massive manhunt. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP)
Obama to bid farewell to staff at end of last week in office
WASHINGTON (AP) President Barack Obama will bid farewell to staffers who worked in his administration during an event at Andrews Air Force Base on Inauguration Day, just after President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in.
The White House on Friday disclosed Obama's public schedule for his last week as president. He'll start Monday by hosting the Chicago Cubs to celebrate their World Series victory. He'll also attend a Martin Luther King Jr. Day service event.
Obama will hold his final news conference Wednesday in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House. He'll spend his last full day as president Thursday packing up, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.
Inauguration Day activities will start for Obama when he and first lady Michelle Obama host Trump and his wife Melania for tea and a small reception at the White House. Then Obama and Trump will go together by motorcade to the Capitol for the inauguration.
Killer whales could have quiet space off Washington coast
SEATTLE (AP) The federal government is considering whether it should set up an area off Washington's San Juan Island where endangered killer whales would be protected from motorboats and other disturbances.
Most motorized vessels would be banned under a proposed whale protection zone sought by three conservation groups.
Puget Sound orcas face multiple threats, including pollution, lack of prey and impacts from boats. The zone is a common-sense approach that can be implemented immediately, Orca Relief Citizens' Alliance, Center for Biological Diversity and Project Seawolf said in a petition filed with NOAA Fisheries.
FILE -- In this photo taken July 31, 2015, an orca whale leaps out of the water near a whale watching boat in the Salish Sea in the San Juan Islands, Wash. The federal government is considering a petition that calls for a whale protection zone on the west side of Washington's San Juan Island. Three groups have asked NOAA Fisheries to establish an area that would restrict most motorized vessels in order to protect endangered southern resident killer whales from noise and other disturbances. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
The agency announced Thursday it is seeking input from industry, tribes, government agencies and others on the November petition before deciding whether to proceed.
NOAA Fisheries said studies indicate that the whales forage less in the presence of boat traffic. The orcas rely heavily on underwater sounds to find food and communicate, and boat noise may disrupt that process.
Killer whales can be found in many oceans, but this small distinct population can typically be found in Puget Sound from spring to fall. They use unique calls to communicate with one another and eat salmon rather than marine mammals.
The orcas were listed as endangered in 2005. NOAA Fisheries says they're among the species most at risk for extinction in the near future. With the loss of seven animals in 2016, the population is down to 78.
"We're looking at every option and every opportunity to address the threats to these whales," Barry Thom, administrator of NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region, said in a statement Thursday.
NOAA Fisheries considered a similar no-go zone in 2011 but declined to move forward, citing strong opposition at the time.
"The petition presents an opportunity to revisit that idea and get input from the public on this type of protection for the whale," Lynne Barre, NOAA Fisheries recovery coordinator for the southern resident killer whales, said in a statement.
Jeff Friedman, U.S. president of the Pacific Whale Watch Association, told KING-TV in Seattle that the primary challenge the whales face is lack of salmon. "This petition is a really big distraction for the real issues facing the southern resident killer whales," he told the Seattle station.
In 2011, the agency adopted rules requiring boats to stay 200 yards from the whales and out of their path.
But the petitioners say those protections and voluntary measures haven't been sufficient to protect the whales.
They're proposing a zone larger and wider than the one considered in 2011. They're also asking for an additional -mile buffer to give the whales "more quiet and rest" in their key habitat area and for the rules apply between April 1 to Sept. 30.
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This story has been updated to correct in the first line that the zone would be off Washington's San Juan Island, not the coast.
Online:
NOAA Fisheries: http://bit.ly/2jsEJ0H
Motorist who aided wounded trooper recalls fear, confusion
PHOENIX (AP) An Arizona man who helped a wounded state trooper said Friday he was afraid and confused when he saw three bodies and pulled over on a freeway.
Authorities say another motorist had just shot and killed a man who wounded Trooper Edward Andersson early Thursday on Interstate 10 west of Phoenix.
Brian Schober, a 44-year-old systems engineer, told The Associated Press that he saw the trooper's vehicle parked in a traffic lane marked with flares when he first came upon the nighttime scene.
Emergency personnel gather at the scene where an Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper was shot, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, at the scene of a rollover accident on Interstate 10 near Tonopah, Ariz. An Arizona state trooper stopped to help at a car wreck along the remote highway Thursday when he was shot and wounded in an ambush by a man who was bashing the officer's head against the pavement until a passing driver shot him to death, authorities said. The trooper suffered a severe wound to his shoulder and upper chest but he is expected to recover at a hospital. (Mark Henle/The Arizona Republic via AP)
He said he didn't think twice about stopping when the motorist who had shot the attacker flagged him down.
"It looks wrong with a civilian flagging down a car when there's an officer there something's wrong," Schober said, recalling his reaction. "But what can I do? There's no time to think."
The former volunteer emergency medical technician said both wounded men were on the pavement along with a woman who authorities say was fatally injured after being ejected from the attacker's vehicle when it rolled over earlier.
Schober said he used Andersson's radio to summon help and began using the first-aid kit from Andersson's vehicle to begin cleaning blood from the trooper's head.
Emergency personnel soon arrived and determined that Andersson had been shot in the chest and a shoulder.
State Department of Public Safety officials said the attacker had been on top of Andersson and was pounding the trooper's head on the pavement before the other motorist shot the attacker.
Schober had nothing but praise for the motorist who shot the attacker, calling him "good Sam" short for good Samaritan.
"The officer would have been dead had the good Sam not arrived and not fired," Schober said.
Arizona and virtually all states have a "defense of third person" law that allows someone to use deadly force against another who is threatening or injuring a third person.
Eugene Volokh, a law professor at UCLA, said such laws are akin to self-defense statutes. The laws have been around for centuries.
"When somebody wants to help, it surely makes sense that the law would allow him to help and that is in fact what the law allows him to do," Volokh said.
Andersson was doing well after undergoing surgery, Department of Public Safety Director Frank Milstead said Friday on Twitter.
DPS officials said Andersson was ambushed while putting out flares after coming across the roll-over scene and checking on a report of shots being fired at another vehicle.
Authorities were still conducting interviews to piece together what happened.
"The two people that know 'why' passed away," said Capt. Damon Cecil, a DPS spokesman, referring to the attacker and the woman in his vehicle.
There's no video of the attack because neither Andersson nor his vehicle had a camera, Cecil said.
The Identities of the dead woman and the attacker were not released pending notification of relatives. The identity of the motorist who shot the attacker was withheld at his request, authorities said.
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AP reporter Astrid Galvan contributed to this report.
Emergency personnel gather at the scene where an Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper was shot, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, at the scene of a rollover accident on Interstate 10 near Tonopah, Ariz. An Arizona state trooper stopped to help at a car wreck along the remote highway Thursday when he was shot and wounded in an ambush by a man who was bashing the officer's head against the pavement until a passing driver shot him to death, authorities said. The trooper suffered a severe wound to his shoulder and upper chest but he is expected to recover at a hospital. (Mark Henle/The Arizona Republic via AP)
Paris meeting marks end to Obama's failed Mideast diplomacy
WASHINGTON (AP) The Obama administration's eight years of unsuccessful Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy will come to a crashing end this weekend, with chances for a Mideast peace deal at perhaps their lowest ebb in a generation. A Paris peace conference attended by Secretary of State John Kerry isn't expected to produce any tangible progress.
At a time when President-elect Donald Trump's administration is promising a fundamental shift toward Israel, the State Department said Kerry was only participating in the French-hosted event to ensure America's interest in a two-state solution to the conflict is preserved. The blunt statement reinforced the dwindling hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough.
Kerry "feels obliged to be there because we have an interest in advancing a two-state solution, and we also have an interest in ensuring that whatever happens in this conference is constructive and balanced," department spokesman Mark Toner said.
No one expects a plan to emerge that could lead to new Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. While more than 70 countries are attending, though neither Israel nor the Palestinians, the U.S. is primarily focused on shielding the Jewish state from unfair criticism and ensuring concerns about Palestinian incitement to violence aren't ignored.
But the administration may find its voice ignored. While the U.S. received credit from close allies in Europe and elsewhere for abstaining from a December U.N. Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, America's partners have grown tired with its leadership on the peace process. Obama's efforts in 2009-2010 and 2013-2014 both failed.
But Kerry and other administration officials fear an even worse scenario emerging: the incoming Trump administration moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and ending Washington's longstanding opposition to Israeli settlements on land claimed by the Palestinians.
The embassy relocation would be the symbolic gesture. Trump and his choice to be ambassador to Israel have telegraphed the commitment, which would ostensibly recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital after decades of insisting that the city's status must be determined by direct negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians.
A shift on settlements could prove more dramatic, making a Palestinian state all but impossible to cobble together.
Kerry's biggest decision in Paris may be a political one: Whether to sign the concluding document if it includes a specific warning to Trump against moving the embassy. The Palestinians, Arab nations and others are pushing the issue, fearing the U.S. move could spark a new conflagration in an already inflamed region. French officials say the warning could be in the document.
Kerry's signature would be a shot across the bow of Trump's foreign policy and further undercut President Barack Obama's promises for a smooth transition of power. Republicans and even many Democratic lawmakers reacted angrily to the administration's U.N. vote in December and a subsequent speech by Kerry on the Israeli-Palestinian impasse. The House of Representatives even condemned the Security Council resolution.
Israel is bracing for a new U.S. policy. On Friday, the West Bank settlers' council said it will send a delegation to Trump's presidential inauguration next week after receiving an invitation.
In his Senate confirmation hearing this week, Trump's choice to succeed Kerry as secretary of state, former Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson, voiced support for a two-state solution. But he said it may be unrealistic. The sides haven't even negotiated indirectly since the process Kerry led collapsed in 2014.
Given the stalemate and the U.S. changes that may be coming, even preserving the concept of two states Israel and Palestine living side-by-side and in peace could prove difficult.
Nevertheless, the Paris conference aims to make that a priority.
In a clear message to Israel and the Trump administration, the dozens of countries attending are expected to reiterate their opposition to Israelis settlements and call for Palestine's establishment as "the only way" to ensure peace in the region.
A draft of the final communique statement obtained by The Associated Press urges Israel and the Palestinians "to officially restate their commitment to the two-state solution." It tells Israel that no changes to its pre-1967 borders will be recognized if the Palestinians aren't in agreement.
2 Chinese citizens held in deadly Istanbul nightclub attack
BASEL, Switzerland (AP) A Turkish court has remanded in custody two Chinese citizens over their alleged links to a deadly gun attack on an Istanbul nightclub.
In a report Friday, Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency named the two suspects as Omar Asim and Abuliezi Abuduhamiti. They are accused of membership in an "armed terror organization" and of assisting in 39 counts of first-degree murder.
A gunman killed 39 people at Istanbul's Reina nightclub, a swanky venue by the Bosporus where scores of people had gathered to celebrate the New Year.
The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility, saying the attack was in reprisal for Turkish military operations in northern Syria.
Christopher Hubbart (pictured), 65, also known as the notorious 'pillowcase rapist'
A notorious serial rapist who muffled victims' screams with a pillowcase had his freedom revoked Friday and was ordered to return to a California state mental hospital for violating the terms of his release, prosecutors said.
Christopher Hubbart, 65, who was dubbed the 'Pillowcase rapist' for sexually assaulting dozens of women between 1971 and 1982, was recommitted to Coalinga State Hospital for at least a year, Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said.
Hubbart had violated several terms of his conditional release, including failing five polygraph tests, when he was arrested in August.
'Christopher Hubbart is a prolific serial rapist and even after years of treatment he remains a danger to women,' Lacey said.
'Today's ruling reaffirms our belief that he should remain in a state hospital for additional treatment.'
Hubbart has been in and out of prisons and state psychiatric hospitals since his first rape conviction in 1972 and has acknowledged raping at least 40 women
Hubbart was ordered released from the state hospital in 2013 after doctors said he had completed treatment and was fit to live in the community. He had been deemed a sexually violent predator in 2000 after serving his prison sentence.
Prosecutors and advocates for women objected to his release and there was difficulty finding a landlord willing to rent to him.
He was released from the state hospital in 2014 to live under 24-hour guard in a small house in Lake Los Angeles, an unincorporated area in the high desert of the Antelope Valley, about 40 miles north of downtown.
But even the remote location proved to be a problem.
Protesters routinely demonstrated outside the house, shouting that he should be locked up, carrying signs saying 'burn in hell' and even burning effigies of him.
Democratic Rep. Lewis: Trump not a 'legitimate president'
WASHINGTON (AP) Democratic Rep. John Lewis says he's doesn't consider Donald Trump a "legitimate president," blaming the Russians for helping the Republican win the White House.
The Georgia congressman and leader in the civil rights movement of the 1960s said he will skip next week's inauguration of Trump at the Capitol, joining several other Democrats who have decided to boycott the historic event.
"You know, I believe in forgiveness. I believe in trying to work with people. It will be hard. It's going to be very difficult. I don't see this president-elect as a legitimate president," Lewis said in an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" that will air on Sunday.
FILE - In this Jan. 11, 2017 file photo, Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga. testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington at the confirmation hearing for Attorney General-designate, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Lewis says hes doesnt consider Donald Trump a legitimate president, blaming the Russians for helping the Republican win the White House. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)
"I think the Russians participated in helping this man get elected. And they helped destroy the candidacy of Hillary Clinton," Lewis said.
U.S. Intelligence agencies have said Russia meddled in the election to help Trump win. After spending weeks challenging that assessment, Trump finally accepted that the Russians were behind the election-year hacking of Democrats that roiled the White House race. However, he also emphasized that "there was absolutely no effect on the outcome of the election including the fact that there was no tampering whatsoever with voting machines."
Lewis explained his decision to stay away from the inauguration as "you cannot be at home with something that you feel that is wrong, is not right."
He said it will be the first inauguration he has missed in three decades, a time that includes Democrats and Republicans taking the oath of office.
The 16-term congressman testified earlier this week against Trump's choice of Sen. Jeff Sessions to be attorney general, citing the Alabama Republican's record on ensuring minorities have the right to vote. Lewis was beaten and bloodied during the fight for civil and voting rights.
Republican Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri, who met with Trump Friday, said he considered Lewis a friend and great man, but "the idea of constantly looking for ways to delegitimize the results of an election, no matter how unhappy you are about it, isn't the best example we set."
Democratic Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona said Friday on the House floor that he, too, would be staying home. He said the move is not motivated by disrespect for the office. He said he is staying home to protest what he called "disrespect" shown to Americans by the incoming administration and by the actions being taken in Congress. He said the majority of voters did not vote for Trump.
Clinton received 2.9 million more votes than Trump but lost the Electoral College vote.
"I will be at home in Arizona, meeting with seniors, the immigrant community, folks that care about the environment and climate change, health care providers," Grijalva said.
Other Democratic lawmakers who have announced plans to skip the inauguration include Reps. Barbara Lee of California, Earl Blumenauer of Oregon, Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and Luis Gutierrez of Illinois. They cite an array of reasons, but have one at least one thing in common. All represent heavily Democratic districts.
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Ordinary Cubans fret about end to US immigration policy
HAVANA (AP) Ordinary Cubans worried Friday about the economic problems that could be caused for some people by the sudden end to a once-easy pathway to life in the United States, saying many people who already left the island to take advantage of the earlier American immigration policy could wind up back home with nothing.
President Barack Obama on Thursday ended the possibility of automatic legal residency for any Cuban who touches U.S. soil. Those people who were in the middle of trips to get to the United States could be the biggest losers, some Cubans said.
"There are people who have sold houses, renounced everything, and today they are in limbo," said Leonardo Serrano, a 47-year-old who works for a firm that operates with private and government investment. "They won't be able to get there, and when they return they won't have anything."
FILE - In this Aug. 26, 1994 file photo, Cuban refugees float in seas, 60 miles south of Key West, Fla. President Barack Obama announced Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, he is ending a longstanding immigration policy that allows any Cuban who makes it to U.S. soil to stay and become a legal resident. Obama said in a statement. "By taking this step, we are treating Cuban migrants the same way we treat migrants from other countries. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)
Average Cubans and opponents of the island's communist leaders said they expected pressure for reform on the island to increase with the elimination of a mechanism that siphoned off the island's most dissatisfied citizens and turned them into sources of remittances supporting relatives who remained on the island.
The repeal of the "wet foot, dry foot" policy went into effect immediately after a Thursday afternoon announcement. It followed months of negotiations focused in part on getting Cuba to agree to take back people who had arrived in the U.S.
Cubans fearful of an imminent end to a special immigration status bestowed during the Cold War had been flocking to the United States since the Dec. 17, 2014 announcement that the U.S. and Cuba would re-establish diplomatic relations and move toward normalization. About 100,000 left for the United States after the declaration of detente, many flooding overland through South and Central America and Mexico in an exodus that irritated U.S. allies and other immigrant groups and spawned bitter complaints from the Cuban government.
"It was creating serious problems for the security of Cuba, for the security of the United States and for the security of our citizens left vulnerable to human trafficking, migratory fraud and violence as a result of the incentives created by these preferential policies," said Josefina Vidal, Cuba's top diplomat for U.S. affairs.
Obama is using an administrative rule change to end the policy. Donald Trump could undo that rule after becoming president next week. He has criticized Obama's moves to improve relations with Cuba. But ending a policy that has allowed hundreds of thousands of people to come to the United States without a visa also aligns with Trump's commitment to tough immigration policies.
"This was bound to happen at some point," said Havana taxi driver Guillermo Britos, 35. "It could impose a more normal dynamic on emigration, so that not so many people die at sea, but it could also take an escape valve away from the government, which was getting hard currency from the emigrants."
President Bill Clinton created the "wet foot, dry foot" policy in 1995 as a revision of a more liberal immigration policy that allowed Cubans caught at sea to come to the United States become legal residents in a year.
The two governments have been negotiating an end to "wet foot, dry foot" for months and finalized an agreement Thursday.
"Effective immediately, Cuban nationals who attempt to enter the United States illegally and do not qualify for humanitarian relief will be subject to removal, consistent with U.S. law and enforcement priorities," Obama said in a statement. "By taking this step, we are treating Cuban migrants the same way we treat migrants from other countries. The Cuban government has agreed to accept the return of Cuban nationals who have been ordered removed, just as it has been accepting the return of migrants interdicted at sea."
A decades-old U.S. economic embargo, though, remains in place, as does the Cuban Adjustment Act, which lets Cubans become permanent residents a year after legally arriving in the U.S.
Under the terms of the agreement, Cuba has agreed to take back those turned away from the U.S., if the time between their departure from Cuba and the start of deportation hearings in the U.S. is four years or less. Officials said the timeframe is required under a Cuban law enacted after Congress passed the Cuban Adjustment Act.
Administration officials called on Congress to repeal the Cuban Adjustment Act.
Officials said the changes would not affect a lottery that allows 20,000 Cubans to come to the U.S. legally each year.
But Cubans who had left their homeland and were trying to reach U.S. soil when the decision was announced lamented the policy change.
"It has fallen on us like a bucket of water because were never thought that at this point and with so little time before Obama leaves office that his government would make this horrible decision," said Eugenia Diaz Hernandez, a 55-year-old Cuban in Panama whose voyage with her daughter and granddaughter had taken her through Guyana, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. "We are adrift."
Relations between the United States and Cuba were stuck in a Cold War freeze for decades, but Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro established full diplomatic ties and opened embassies in their capitals in 2015. Obama visited Havana last March. Officials from both nations met Thursday in Washington to coordinate efforts to fight human trafficking.
Obama said the Cuban Medical Professional Parole Program, which was started by President George W. Bush in 2006, is also being rescinded. The measure allowed Cuban doctors, nurses and other medical professionals to seek parole in the U.S. while on assignments abroad. The president said those doctors can still apply for asylum at U.S. embassies around the world.
People already in the United States and in the pipeline under both "wet foot, dry foot" and the medical parole program will be able to continue the process toward getting legal status.
Anti-Castro Cubans in Miami were mixed in their responses, with some expressing anger at Obama for what they called another betrayal of ordinary Cubans. Others said they thought the measure would increase pressure for change in Cuba.
"People who can't leave, they could create internal problems for the regime," said Jorge Gutierrez, an 80-year-old veteran of the Bay of Pigs invasion. But he added, "From the humanitarian point of view, it's taking away the possibility of a better future from the people who are struggling in Cuba."
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Associated Press writers Matthew Lee and Kevin Freking in Washington, Gisela Salomon and Michael Weissenstein in Miami and Bill Barrow in Atlanta.
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Follow Alicia A. Caldwell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/acaldwellap and Julie Pace at www.twitter.com/jpaceDC
Tourists ride in classic American convertible cars past the United States embassy, right, in Havana, Cuba, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017. President Barack Obama announced Thursday he is ending a longstanding immigration policy that allows any Cuban who makes it to U.S. soil to stay and become a legal resident. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
FILE - In this March 22, 2016 file photo, President Barack Obama speaks at the Grand Theater of Havana, Cuba. President Barack Obama is ending a longstanding immigration policy that allows any Cuban national who makes it to U.S. soil to stay and become a legal resident, a senior administration official said Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Desmond Boylan, File)
Marleine Bastien, executive director of Haitian Women of Miami (FAMN), reacts after hearing the news that President Barack Obama repealed a longstanding immigration policy known as "wet foot, dry foot" which allows any Cuban who makes to U.S. soil to stay and become a legal resident, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, in Miami. Bastien was attending vigil to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the earthquake that devastated Haiti in 2010. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Cuban migrant Yarisel Isac Wilson, 20, right, cries as she talks about her journey to the U.S. at a migrant shelter in Panama City, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017. President Barack Obama announced Thursday he is ending a longstanding immigration policy that allows any Cuban who makes it to U.S. soil to stay and become a legal resident. The repeal of the "wet foot, dry foot" policy is effective immediately. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)
A man runs past a Cuban flag near the United States embassy, behind right, in Havana, Cuba, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017. President Barack Obama announced Thursday he is ending a longstanding immigration policy that allows any Cuban who makes it to U.S. soil to stay and become a legal resident. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Cuban-American and veteran of Bay of Pigs Armando Gutierrez, proudly shows his Brigade ring, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, in the Little Havana area in Miami. Gutierrez said he agrees with Obama's ending the policy that allows Cubans who arrive in the United States to stay and become legal residents. Gutierrez, who arrived to the U.S. in 1959, and referred to those leaving Cuba to the U.S., said if they want their freedom, they should stay in Cuba and fight for it over there. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)
Cuban migrant Ulises Ferrer, 39, points out his route to the U.S., during his stay at a shelter in Panama City, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017. President Barack Obama announced Thursday he is ending a longstanding immigration policy that allows any Cuban who makes it to U.S. soil to stay and become a legal resident. The repeal of the "wet foot, dry foot" policy is effective immediately. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)
Explosive device injures top official with Chile's Codelco
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) The Chilean state-run mining company Codelco says the president of its board of directors is recovering from injuries caused by an explosive device that was delivered to his home on Friday.
Codelco said in a statement that Oscar Landerreche is in "fine health conditions after being victim of an explosive device that he received at home." The world's top copper producing company said it "drastically condemns these types of acts that will be investigated" to find those responsible.
President Michelle Bachelet also repudiated the attack, saying the bomb was delivered as a gift and that Landerreche's young daughter was at home.
"Fortunately, nothing happened to her or the other members of her family, only Oscar has injuries," Bachelet said.
The attack is rare in Chile. The South American country is widely regarded as one the region's most stable and safest.
Landerreche, 44, is an economist and has been heading the board of directors at Codelco since 2014. His father, who is also named Oscar Landerreche, told local radio Biobio that the explosive package was delivered by a woman as gift from the faculty of the University of Chile.
Sir Andy Murray will play Ukraines Illya Marchenko in the first round of the Australian Open and could meet Roger Federer in the last eight.
Murray, the world number one and top seed, was drawn in the same quarter as Federer, who is seeded a lowly 17th after missing the second half of last season through injury.
No.1 Andy Murray will open his #AusOpen 2017 campaign against Ilya Marchenko. #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 13, 2017
Roger Federer, a 4-time champion at Melbourne Park, falls in Andy Murray's quarter and will take on a qualifier in the first round #AusOpen #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 13, 2017
The Scot is chasing a fourth grand slam title of his career and his first in Melbourne, where he has reached the final five times.
Andy Murray
In the womens draw, Britains Johanna Konta, seeded ninth, was handed a tricky opening tie against Belgiums Kirsten Flipkens.
Heather Watson and Naomi Broady will both face Australian opponents, with Watson playing the experienced Samantha Stosur and Broady up against Daria Gavrilova.
The top half of both the #AusOpen men's and women's singles draws will be played on Monday, with the bottom halves on Tuesday #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 13, 2017
Last time out...
Djokovic saved FIVE match points to beat Verdasco in Doha last week. They meet again at the #AusOpen. Popcorn. Ready. pic.twitter.com/e8qOLA8BI4 #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 13, 2017
Britains three other male participants see Kyle Edmund face Santiago Giraldo, Dan Evans play Facundo Bagnis while Aljaz Bedene was paired with Victor Estrella Burgos.
Marchenko, ranked 93rd in the world, and potentially Yen-Hsun Lu in round two represent a kind start for Murray but the 29-year-olds route could become tougher from the third round onwards.
Potential SF match-ups for the #AusOpen 2017 men:
No.1 Murray v No.4 Wawrinka
No.3 Raonic v No.2 Djokovic #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 13, 2017
Projected men's QFs...
Murray v Nishikori
Wawrinka v Cilic
Monfils v Raonic
Thiem v Djokovic #AusOpen #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 13, 2017
The British number one is then due to meet big-serving American Sam Querrey, who beat Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon last year, before a potential fourth round match-up with the unpredictable Frenchman Lucas Pouille.
Pouille demonstrated his threat by ousting Rafael Nadal at the US Open in September.
Federer was always the banana-skin in the draw but Murray would certainly start as favourite against the 35-year-old, who is playing his first competitive tournament since Wimbledon. Fifth seed Kei Nishikori is arguably a more likely opponent in the last eight.
Stan Wawrinka is Murrays potential semi-final opponent before another possible showpiece against second seed Djokovic, to whom the Briton has lost four previous finals here.
Djokovic, a six-time Australian Open champion, surrendered the world number one spot in November but undoubtedly remains Murrays biggest threat. The Serbian was given one of the tougher opening rounds in Spains Fernando Verdasco.
Ive obviously never beaten him here, Murray said. Ive lost to him four or five times, a couple of them were tough matches, a couple of them were very easy for him so I need to try to turn that around here.
Theres a good chance that if I want to win the event Ill have to play against him. Hes played unbelievably here, I think hes won six times, which is an incredible record.
First practice on the Rod Laver Arena this year... feels good to be home! pic.twitter.com/76tuBBJ6is Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 12, 2017
Dear #AusOpen trophy , @DjokerNole and I would love to win you back soon...
Tennis Australia pic.twitter.com/meUtTVjgSd Angelique Kerber (@AngeliqueKerber) January 13, 2017
Hopefully I can get by him this year but hes definitely my biggest rival and someone Ive been competing against for 18 years now.
Federer was handed the smooth start he would have hoped for after his lengthy period away. He will face qualifiers in both the opening two rounds. Ninth seed Rafael Nadal opens up against Germanys Florian Mayer.
Projected womens QFs
Kerber v Muguruza
Halep v Kuznetsova
Pliskova v Radwanska
Cibulkova v Serena#AusOpen #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 13, 2017
There was no such comfort for Konta, however, who made a superb run to the semi-finals at Melbourne Park last year, but has landed in a brutal section of the draw.
After Flipkens, whom she lost to at Monterrey last year, the British number one may need to overcome the big-hitting 19-year-old Naomi Osaka, US Open semi-finalist Caroline Wozniacki, world number six Dominika Cibulkova and then Serena Williams just to reach the last four.
Serena Williams v Belinda Bencic. Played two. One win apiece.
Hands up if you're excited about this blockbuster... pic.twitter.com/3McSACrSD0 #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 13, 2017
Williams, who is bidding to win an Open-era record 23rd grand slam title, faces Swiss up-and-comer Belinda Bencic in round one.
A fashion model who has made thousands of pounds from dating older men - including an 86-year-old - insists she is looking for Mr Right.
India Irvin, 26, was looking to find a stable boyfriend when a friend told her about dating site WhatsYourPrice.com.
Now India, of Lewisham, south London, is given wads of cash, taken to designer shops and dines in the worlds most exclusive restaurants - courtesy of her `sugar daddy dates.
sugar daddy whatsyourprice.com cash gifts
Picky India only dates men aged 40 and older - even going out with one man who is 60 years her senior.
They went to a burlesque show in London for their first date and India was given 800.
She says the 86-year-old reminded her of a granddad, with endless stories to tell.
SUGAR DADDY whatsyourprice.com money gifts cash
"Since I started doing this two years ago, Ive made 30,000 from men in London, New York, Berlin, Milan and Washington DC," she said.
"Its a lot of fun. But ideally I would love to meet `the one. I always keep it at the back of my mind that this could be the guy for me. And I think I will meet him on the website."
India started using WhatsYourPrice, which allows men to bid for dates with attractive women of their choosing, after a friend raved about dating "full time sugar daddies".
"She was in school and had so many bills to pay and told me shed got a really great lifestyle and cash. I thought it sounded pretty great," she said.
On her first date, India, originally from Harlem, New York City, was given almost 500 at the start and taken shopping afterwards.
The most she has been paid for one date is 2,000 which was transferred electronically to her account.
SUGAR DADDY whatsyourprice.com money gifts cash
But while some people assume India sleeps with the men she meets, she insists she never has.
"Before I meet a guy I always let him know it will be strictly a date. Just an introduction, not prostitution or escorting, which a lot of girls do," she said.
"I make sure I let him know its just a chance to meet and a chance for them to give me cash."
SUGAR DADDY whatsyourprice.com money gifts cash
India always asks for money upfront, as soon as she arrives on the date, and visits designer shops afterwards to be bought gifts.
From wads of cash, trainers, an iPad and a laptop to designer bags and jewellery, India estimates she has made around 30,000 so far.
The most she has been paid for a date is 2,000 but has had her rent paid for six months by another sugar daddy too.
Be with someone who looks at you like I look at pizza #pizza #Bella #love RP @9lima #milano #hood #eat #foodporn A photo posted by Indi (@eyeoccupy017) on Jan 10, 2017 at 3:22am PST
"London is my favourite place to date, as people are extremely generous and really kind", she said.
But while India is happy to make money from her dates, she insists she is also romantic and is still looking for love.
"I wont date just anyone", she explained.
SUGAR DADDY whatsyourprice.com money gifts cash
"They have to be the exact kind of person I am looking for.
"Really, I would love to find a husband and create a great life together. The person I would want to be with would need to be really stable."
Indias background, being raised by a single mum with little money, means she wants to create a stable life for herself.
SUGAR DADDY whatsyourprice.com money gifts cash
"I grew up really poor, my mum worked several jobs and I had to stay home alone, so this is the lifestyle I want now," she explained. "Of course, I want a great personality, but money is a really big thing."
India says she wants to make friends of her dates, as well as hoping to meet her future partner.
"I didnt have a problem meeting guys. But what attracted me to the site was the money and the maturity level of the men you meet on there.
SUGAR DADDY whatsyourprice.com money gifts cash
"I set my age group of 40 upwards. I like to meet guys who are older, mature and stable with no drama. Some of them are married, but it doesnt bother me."
While she hasnt told her family about the site, India says shes not ashamed of it and insists she has seen and experienced things which she wouldnt have been able to otherwise.
"When I find The One I wont go on the site anymore", she added.
A woman has told of the horrifying moment police knocked on her door - to arrest her husband of 15 years on suspicion of being a paedophile rapist.
Michelle Baxter, now 54, had not long celebrated her crystal anniversary to Peter Yates when the officers came to her house on December 11, 2014.
Two and a half years later, Yates appeared in the dock at Preston Crown Court, where he was jailed for life.
The court was told how he had lured girls to his then home with sweets, before attacking them.
Michelle, who is in the process of divorcing Yates on the grounds of unreasonable behaviour, said she did not know the man she married was a paedophile and rapist.
Despite this, she has been hounded in the street. People have called her offensive names and she cant even go to the supermarket without being tormented.
Paedophile husband
She said: "He didnt just groom his victims he groomed me.
"That carried on to the bitter end.
"I need people to understand that I knew nothing."
If you feel unsafe in your relationship, read our guide to recognise the warning signs of abuse and how to get help. https://t.co/kt51SpFwR8 Victim Support (@VictimSupport) January 10, 2017
Michelle, a former carer, first met Yates when she moved to Darwen, Lancashire where she still lives in October 2000, shortly after her first marriage broke down.
The pair bonded over their love for dogs and Michelle walked down the aisle after a whirlwind three month courtship.
There was one major hiccup, though.
Paedophile husband
"Peter told me hed been accused of being a paedophile in the 1990s," she explained.
"He said his second wife, who has now died, had family who were making up tales to get money for the house.
"But he was charming and lovely to me, so I believed him that the vicious rumours werent true.
Paedophile husband
She added: "He was the perfect gentleman to my family. Everybody that met him thought he was a lovely man."
Peter continued to charm Michelle, who was blinded by love, with lavish trips to Egypt.
He also bought her several dogs and chickens.
PTSD affects about 1 in 3 people who suffer trauma, such as prolonged sexual abuse, violence or severe neglect https://t.co/MCKbJchyeI NAPAC (@NAPAC) January 6, 2017
But over time the relationship turned sour and Michelle began to notice his unusual quirks.
Rather than staying in Darwen, he took her to Accrington, 10 miles away, for their weekly food shops.
His job as supervisor of a CCTV monitoring station meant working four days on and four days off and he also timed their sex life to fit in with his shift pattern.
Paedophile husband
Michelle said: "On the fourth day off he had to make love in the afternoon - wed be in bed between 3pm and 3.30pm.
"I used to bring it up and tell him I was fed up with it. It was the same every time, with no spontaneity.
"But he always had some excuse."
Paedophile husband
Yates, who had four children from two previous relationships, including his eldest, Shaun, 44, was often out of the house, pursuing his photography hobby.
So when, by 2008, their married life was punctuated by arguments, Michelle tried to raise his spirits by buying him photography gadgets and cooking him tasty meals.
That was until December 11, 2014, when her world came crashing down, after the police arrived on their doorstep and took him in for questioning.
Paedophile husband
That night, Yates told her the accusations that had been made in the 1990s had resurfaced.
And, unable to accept that her marriage had been a sham, she believed him when he insisted he was innocent.
But doubt stirred in her mind when, a few days after the police interview, he drove her to a tip and disposed of a bashed up laptop.
Paedophile husband
When Yates was interviewed again on March 13 2015, he still maintained his innocence.
By then, though, the couples relationship was breaking down and Michelle began to fear the worst.
Just a few days later on June 30, police turned up at their home at 6.30am and arrested Peter.
If youve been affected by childhood abuse, its never too late to get support. https://t.co/nQ8xNdazG6 Victim Support (@VictimSupport) December 19, 2016
Distraught, Michelle started divorce proceedings immediately.
Still, Yates wrote loving letters from jail protesting his innocence.
But on June 9, 2016, after a seven week trial at Preston Crown Court, Yates, 67, of Darwen, was found guilty of 36 child sex offences against girls including seven counts of rape and 22 counts of indecent assault.
Paedophile husband
He was jailed for 25 years for the crimes committed in the 1980s and 1990s.
His son, Shaun Yates, 44, of Birmingham, was also sentenced to eight years, after he was convicted of two counts of rape.
Yates Snr was given a Sexual Harm Preventation Order.
Paedophile husband
Shocked Michelle said: "I was in denial. I thought to myself: `No I havent married a paedophile, you would have known.
"You dont know, though, because they dont just groom the children they groom everybody around them.
"I dont think he ever loved me, but Im not bothered about it, because I wouldnt want a paedophile to love me.
Paedophile husband
She continued: "I dont think Ill ever be in a relationship again. I love the countryside and dogs and Ill be happy without someone.
Justin Thomas made history by becoming the youngest man to record a sub-60 round on the PGA Tour after carding a magnificent 11 under par 59 on the opening day of the Sony Open in Hawaii.
The 23-year-old American registered two eagles, eight birdies and a solitary bogey in Honolulu, as he became only the seventh man to break 60 on the PGA Tour.
Al Geiberger, Chip Beck, David Duval, Paul Goydos, Stuart Appleby and Jim Furyk are the other players to have achieved a below-60 round. Duval had previously been the youngest man to hold the record after managing the feat in 1999, aged 27.
Justin Thomas
Justin Thomas watches himself shoot 59.
Kind of surreal. pic.twitter.com/P4NKCWOjx0 PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 13, 2017
Thomas, who last week emerged victorious in the SBS Tournament of Champions, also in Hawaii, sits three shots clear of nearest challenger Hudson Swafford, who made nine birdies and a bogey in his 62.
Reflecting on a remarkable last few days, Thomas told PGA Tour Radio: Its been a good week or so now. It was a fun day out there, it was the most Ive ever had it rolling.
My birdies were all very easy and I just had a lot of good luck and kept leaving it in the right spots.
I didnt drive it as well on the back nine but I got down to the magic number and thats all that matters.
It's been a pretty good week for Justin Thomas. #TheTakeaway pic.twitter.com/7BE0XZ3HrV PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 13, 2017
The world number 12 spectacularly chipped in from a bunker on the 10th hole, his first, as he started and ended the day with eagles.
His only bogey came on his second hole but he entered the turn in 29 with five birdies in his next seven holes while he also picked up shots on the first, second and fourth before a near 15ft putt sealed his history-making moment.
He said: When I chipped in on 10 on my first hole for eagle, you cant really think of a much better start than that. Once I turned on that front nine everything was coming pretty easy up until then so it was just trying to ride the momentum and keep trying to make birdies.
When I was on the 18th fairway I started thinking about 59. I dont know whether thats a good or a bad thing but I just knew I was driving it well and if you drive it well, I hear you can make a lot of birdies.
South Africas Rory Sabbatini is on seven under, while Scotlands Russell Knox is among eight players a shot further back.
One of Labours most prominent moderates, Tristram Hunt, has announced he is standing down from Parliament to become director of the Victoria & Albert museum in London.
Immediate speculation began that Ukip leader Paul Nuttall may stand for the Stoke-on-Trent Central seat, which voted overwhelmingly for Brexit in last years referendum.
The V&As Trustees are delighted to announce @TristramHuntMP as new director of @V_and_A. Details: https://t.co/CHMoqTmet6 V&A (@V_and_A) January 13, 2017
In a resignation letter to party leader Jeremy Corbyn, Mr Hunt said he had become frustrated over how Labour should respond to the shockwaves hitting mainstream politics.
Tristram Hunt
But he inisisted he had no desire to rock the boat and said anyone who interpreted his decision to quit that way is just plain wrong.
Historian Mr Hunt said serving in Parliament had been both deeply rewarding and intensely frustrating and told of the harrowing effects of poverty and inequality he had seen during his work as an MP.
Ukip will fancy their chances in Tristram Hunt's seat of Stoke-on-Trent Central. They were second in 2015 & need an 8.4% swing to win. Ian Jones (@ian_a_jones) January 13, 2017
Really sad @TristramHuntMP sees his future outside politics now. Big loss. So many MPs fear Labour going nowhere under @jeremycorbyn ALASTAIR CAMPBELL (@campbellclaret) January 13, 2017
He added: The frustration, of course, came with the inability to address those factors and implement our policy programme following our defeat in 2015 and, more broadly, about how the Labour Party should respond to the social, cultural and economic forces which have rocked mainstream social democratic and socialist parties from India to Greece to America.
There were very few jobs that would have convinced me to stand down as MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, but the post of director of the V&A the worlds greatest museum of art, design and performance is just that.
Labour may decide to try and "bury" the Copeland and Stoke-on-Trent by-elections on May 4, the same day as this year's local elections. Ian Jones (@ian_a_jones) January 13, 2017
Although the longer they leave it, the greater the risk of other MPs joining the exodus and May 4 becoming almost a mini-general election. Ian Jones (@ian_a_jones) January 13, 2017
Thank you @TristramHuntMP for your service to the people of Stoke-on-Trent & to the Labour Party. Best of luck in your future role @V_and_A Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) January 13, 2017
Mr Hunt is the second centrist Labour MP in a matter of weeks to quit Parliament for a job outside politics, following Jamie Reed, who announced last month that he was standing down as MP for Copeland to take up a post at the Sellafield nuclear plant.
Their decisions to quit politics are being seen by Westminster-watchers as a sign of Labours moderates losing hope of reversing the partys shift to the left.
"I have no desire to rock the boat now": Tristram Hunt's full resignation letter as he quits as Labour MP to become V&A director pic.twitter.com/hizcQb7Wk1 PA Media (@PA) January 13, 2017
Mr Hunt refused to serve in the shadow cabinet following Mr Corbyns shock leadership win in September 2015.
He was among leading Labour moderates whose seats are facing significant boundary changes, leaving him vulnerable to de-selection attempts by hardline supporters of Mr Corbyn.
Labour has held Stoke-on-Trent Central since the constituencys creation in 1950, with a vote-share of 66% and majority of 49.5%, making it one of the partys safest strongholds in 1997.
But its majority has since fallen to 17%, with Ukip surging by 18 points to take second place in 2015, and Stoke voted 65.7% for Leave in last years EU referendum, making it a tempting venue for Mr Nuttall to attempt to make good on his promise to replace Labour as the party of choice for working-class communities in the Midlands and North of England.
Ukip chairman Paul Oakden said the party will be fighting hard to win the seat, but gave no indication of whether its leader would stand, saying only that a candidate will be announced on January 21.
Tristram Hunt's resignation from Stoke will be followed by many others. Labour is doomed. Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) January 13, 2017
The museum said the MP had been at the forefront of political, cultural and public life for the last decade.
Chairman Nicholas Coleridge said: He has a highly compelling mixture of experience across public life, the arts, history, education and academia, and knows our collections well from his writing and broadcasting.
Mr Hunt is likely to enjoy a significant pay rise with his move from Westminster to the V&A in well-heeled Kensington.
More than four in 10 hospitals in England declared a major alert in the first week of the year as the health service came under increasing pressure.
Some 65 out of 152 trusts raised the alarm as bed shortages intensified and A&E departments became overwhelmed.
Overall, NHS hospitals issued 222 serious alerts in six days, saying they were experiencing major pressures.
The data from NHS England, which covers the period up to last Sunday, shows the overall number of alerts was around six times higher than the previous six days.
There were 222 operational pressure alerts at either level 3 or 4 across the six days to January 8, compared with 34 from December 28 to January 2.
Overall, 59 NHS trusts across the week reported they were at level 3 on at least one day, while six reported level 4 at least once during the week meaning patient safety was at risk.
In total, 25 trusts declared major alerts every day between January 3 and 8.
Read @Jeremy_Hunt statement to Parliament https://t.co/OcaYbkkUky on #mentalhealth improvements and maintaining NHS performance standards pic.twitter.com/D7DHwTfyHA Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) January 9, 2017
.@Jeremy_Hunt you have failed our NHS & our country. Your own local hospital has declared a state of emergency. Stop dithering & take action Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) January 13, 2017
The number of major alerts previously called red and black alerts is the highest of the winter.
The figures come as trusts confirmed to the Press Association that they have cancelled operations and procedures to ease pressure.
The John Radcliffe in Oxford confirmed it had cancelled all non-urgent planned operations and admissions on Friday and Monday.
Around 20 procedures have been cancelled at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust while planned procedures have also been postponed at Leicesters Hospitals, although the trust declined to say how many.
Under the Tories our NHS is in crisis. Watch @jeremycorbyn hold Theresa May to account at #PMQs and RT if you're with us pic.twitter.com/FFtjJvbnW3 The Labour Party (@UKLabour) January 12, 2017
NHS bosses have warned that the flu peak has not yet hit the NHS.
Prime Minister Theresa May acknowledged the system was under pressure.
Silverstone is in talks with the government about saving the British Grand Prix according to British Racing Drivers Club president Derek Warwick.
The future of the historic sporting event a permanent fixture on the Formula One calendar since its inception in 1950 was recently thrown into doubt after the BRDC, owners of the Northamptonshire circuit, suggested they may activate a break clause to cease grand prix racing there beyond 2019.
Silverstone agreed a 17-year deal to stage the British Grand Prix from 2010, but are struggling to afford the race fee paid to Formula One Management Group, of which Bernie Ecclestone is the chief executive.
Unlike several other circuits on the Formula One calendar, Silverstone receives no government backing.
But Warwick believes the government, Formula Ones new American owners Liberty Media, or indeed Ecclestone, 86, could be prepared to broker a deal to safeguard the British Grand Prix.
It is not widely known, but we are talking to the government to see if there is any help there, Warwick said at the Autosport International Show in Birmingham on Friday.
We have had meetings with Liberty and (Formula One chairman) Chase Carey. He understands our dilemma.
Silverstone is in talks over government funding to secure its #F1 future, BRDC president Derek Warwick says. https://t.co/4cDfkvQuRz pic.twitter.com/RPRJExZUCE Autosport (@autosport) January 13, 2017
Even Bernie is calling us and saying lets set up a meeting and talk about it.
I feel there is light at the end of the tunnel, and I think we will have a grand prix past 2019.
Triple world champion Lewis Hamiltons success has attracted record crowds at Silverstone in recent years.
But the demands of the hosting fee, which goes up by five per cent every year from 12million in 2010, to 17m this year and 26m in 2026 has placed a heavy burden on the circuits owners.
Damon Hill (David Davies/PA)
Damon Hill, the 1996 world champion and former BRDC president last week called on the government to step in.
Speaking to Press Association Sport, Hill said: This is a much-loved national event but, for whatever reason, it has always been very difficult to get additional funding from government.
Maybe now is the time to look at the British Grand Prix in the context of what is happening elsewhere and realise that it is an extremely good shop window for waving our banner and pointing to our brilliance in this field.
Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri believes Premier League leaders Chelsea can be caught.
The defending champions host Chelsea on Saturday with Antonio Contes side five points clear at the top of the table.
Their 13-game winning league run ended with a 2-0 defeat at Tottenham this month but the Blues remain in the driving seat to regain the title they won in 2015.
Claudio Ranieri (Peter Byrne/PA)
WATCH: Claudio Ranieri was impressed with Wilfred Ndidi's performance last week and says he could make his league debut on Saturday. #LeiChe pic.twitter.com/XBcMY7CVOV Leicester City (@LCFC) January 12, 2017
Chelsea have only lost three times in the league during Contes first season in charge but Ranieri feels they are not guaranteed the title.
Yes, they can be caught, said the 65-year-old, who managed Chelsea between 2000 and 2004. They started not so well but after a few matches Conte understood the team and the players.
They made a good start and lost to Tottenham after 13 (straight wins) which is an amazing achievement. We expect a lot from them but we are ready to fight and win.
Yes its harder (to win from the front). But I think everyone wants to be up there and not behind, that is much better. But the league is very long and they must be careful.
Just two days to go until we take on Chelsea.
Remember this from @Mahrez22 last season? #LeiChe pic.twitter.com/52YN5hvzvd Leicester City (@LCFC) January 12, 2017
I am a sporting man, I want the best to win the title but of course, if I had to give someone the title, why not Chelsea?
I expect a strong reaction from them. They are old champions and they want to make up for defeat.
Leicester replaced Chelsea as champions, with the Blues finishing 10th last season, but Ranieri believes normality has returned to the Premier League.
"We expect a lot from them but we are ready to fight and win."
Claudio Ranieri says we're well prepared for #LeiChe https://t.co/7wkTIxYXfI pic.twitter.com/HXS91an7sP Leicester City (@LCFC) January 13, 2017
Last season was something strange, said the Italian, who is without Leonardo Ulloa (thigh) and unlikely to select Jeff Schlupp as he nears a move to Crystal Palace.
Britain will try to strike a free trade agreement with New Zealand when it leaves the European Union, Theresa May has said.
The Prime Minister said, after a working lunch with her New Zealand counterpart Bill English at Downing Street, that the two countries agree on the potential for a bold new trading relationship after Brexit.
International Trade Secretary Liam Fox will visit the Commonwealth nation in the coming months to begin a bilateral dialogue between the two nations with the ultimate aim of striking a trade deal.
Prime Minister Theresa May greets New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English in Downing Street (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
The small Oceanic country of less than five million people is believed to be seen in Government circles as one of the best prospects for an early trade deal once Britain quits the EU.
It is also one of the global five eyes partners who share their security intelligence with the UK, along with the US, Canada and Australia.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Mr English, Mrs May said the two countries have a strong and growing trading relationship worth more than 3 billion a year.
Britain is also the second largest foreign investor in New Zealand and its fifth largest bilateral trading partner, she said.
Mrs May went on: As two island nations we know that trade is essential to the prosperity of our countries and so its natural that we share a firm, deep-rooted belief in the power of free trade and open markets to drive economic progress and the importance of ensuring the benefits of growth are shared widely and fairly.
Pleased that Theresa May is talking about a free trade deal with New Zealand but we can't allow the EU to hold us back forever Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) January 13, 2017
While the UK remains in the EU we will work together to support an EU-New Zealand trade deal and we will also look to the future and how we can expand our trade and investment partnership.
Through our new bilateral trade dialogue, we will push for greater global trade liberalisation and reform, share expertise, and identify ways to strengthen our own trade relationship.
Mr English said he wanted to see a trade deal concluded as soon as possible after Brexit, and his country was the ideal partner for the UK to demonstrate its ability to secure a high-quality agreement.
Following a meeting with the NZ PM, Theresa May has said "we agree on the potential for a bold new UK-New Zealand free trade agreement" (PA) Open Europe (@OpenEurope) January 13, 2017
Asked how soon a deal could be reached, the New Zealand premier said: With respect to the trade agreement, we would hope that we could negotiate as soon as possible after the exit is completed.
If the UK want to demonstrate that they can negotiate a high-quality trade agreement, then New Zealand is the ideal partner for that.
Mrs May added: New Zealand is an important country for us precisely because of the historic ties that we share, the shared values that we have, the shared belief in free trade that we have.
I think its natural that we would look to a partner like New Zealand. Of course we will be negotiating a free trade agreement but we will be looking to get an agreement that is going to work for both sides.
Mrs Mays comments appear to suggest that Britain will leave the EU customs union after Brexit so it can strike trade deals with other countries outside the tariff-free zone.
Gabriel Jesus may have to wait for his Manchester City debut but captain Vincent Kompany could return at Everton on Sunday.
Jesus, the Brazil striker signed from Palmeiras last summer, officially joined City this month but his registration has not yet gone through.
City insist that, contrary to some reports, there has not been a snag with the 19-year-olds signing but the process of administration is taking some time.
Pep Guardiola (Richard Sellers/EMPICS)
Gabriel Jesus has not been registered in time to play for Man City at Everton this weekend, City say #mcfc Andy Hampson (@andyhampson) January 13, 2017
He cannot play - papers, manager Pep Guardiola said at a press conference. When Palmeiras and the FA solve the problems he will be able to play.
Most of the paperwork has been done and the club are confident the remainder will be completed soon, meaning Jesus could be available to face Tottenham in the Premier League next weekend.
The issue may not have overly concerned Guardiola this week, however, with the Spaniard having previously said the player needs to build up match fitness in training.
One player who is in contention though is Kompany, who has been declared fit after two months out with a knee injury.
Guardiola explains why Jesus cannot yet play #mcfc pic.twitter.com/iHXBoKATUM Andy Hampson (@andyhampson) January 13, 2017
Guardiola said: He has trained. The last two or three days he was a full part of the training sessions, so he is back.
Kompany has not played a full match since April and has been hampered by a series of problems in recent seasons, with his latest injury being his 35th since joining City in 2008.
There is feeling the Belgium defender now needs a run of games to prove he has a long-term future at the club and Guardiola hopes he can stay fit.
He said: Hopefully he can play and be used for the second part of the season.
PEP: Kompany trained - hes back. Hopefully he can play and be able to be used for he second part of the season. #efcvcity #mcfc Manchester City (@ManCity) January 13, 2017
PEP: We cannot deny how good he is at his top level. He has a strong mentality and he knows what he has to do. #mcfc Manchester City (@ManCity) January 13, 2017
Kompany seems likely to be included in Citys Champions League squad for the knockout stages despite his problems.
The 30-year-old may have been vulnerable because of the form of Yaya Toure, who was not included for the group stages because of limits on overseas players but now looks set to be restored at someones expense.
However, Ilkay Gundogan is now likely to make way after suffering a season-ending knee injury. Jesus can also be accommodated because Kelechi Iheanacho, after two years at the club, can now be registered as homegrown.
Guardiola said: I didnt think about that but we are going to see. Now Gundogan is out and I think Kelechi goes in another (list), so Gabriel Jesus can be in that position and Yaya can be in that position.
PEP: (On Stones) He has lots of time, we are here to help him reach the huge level were sure he has. #mcfc Manchester City (@ManCity) January 13, 2017
PEP: (On Stones returning to Everton) He is strong enough, I dont have doubts. #efcvcity #mcfc Manchester City (@ManCity) January 13, 2017
PEP: I think all former players come back they want to show how good they are. They dont have regrets, complaints, completely opposite. Manchester City (@ManCity) January 13, 2017
City, fourth in the table, face a difficult test at Goodison Park in a match that sees defender John Stones return to his former club.
Guardiola is confident the England international, who joined City in a 50million deal last summer, can handle any abuse from home fans.
Guardiola said: He is strong enough, I dont have doubt about that.
Jose Mourinho might have a successful sideline as receptionist if his stint as Manchester United boss goes awry.
Journalists and cameramen descended on the Aon Training Complex on Friday to hear from the Portuguese ahead of Sundays Premier League clash with rivals Liverpool.
Mourinho cut a relaxed figure little surprise after a nine-match winning run and his friendliness even extended to a surprise caller.
Jose Mourinho (Martin Rickett/PA)
Midway through an answer about United supporters, a loud ringing echoed around the room as one of the phones recording his press conference went off on the desk in front of him.
Put it on silent next time, mate! pic.twitter.com/RreuxH1vDJ Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 13, 2017
Initial surprise probably at the volume of the ringtone as much as anything was followed by Mourinho deciding to have a chat with the caller.
Its for you, he said to the sheepish reporter after exchanging initial pleasantries.
Wait a second, please he told the caller before handing over the handset.
Six more suspects have been charged over the armed robbery of Kim Kardashian West in Paris.
It raises the number of people facing preliminary charges to 10.
The Paris prosecutors office praised the remarkable work of the French anti-bandit crime squad.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West (PA)
Robbers are believed to have forced their way into the private apartment where Ms Kardashian West was staying during Paris Fashion Week in October.
They allegedly tied up the reality TV star and stole more than 8.1 million worth of jewellery, with authorities now looking at a possible inside job.
Leinster became the first team to qualify for the Champions Cup quarter-finals thanks to a thumping 57-3 bonus-point win over 14-man Montpellier at the RDS.
Leo Cullens side, who propped up their European group last year, are now nine points clear at the top of Pool 4 ahead of their final round trip to Castres Olympique next Friday.
They had two tries on the board before Frans Steyns red card for a reckless 26th-minute tackle on his opposite number Jonathan Sexton Montpelliers third sending-off in as many European games.
Luke McGrath
RED CARD! Francois Steyn is sent off for a high, late hit on Johnny Sexton. #LEIvMON Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) January 13, 2017
Adam Byrnes try just two minutes later, adding to earlier converted efforts from captain Isa Nacewa and man of the match Jack Conan, had Leinster leading 24-3 at half-time.
Montpellier, who won Octobers home fixture 22-16, caved in as tireless flanker Conan completed his hat-trick, and Luke McGrath, Cian Healy and Garry Ringrose also crossed.
South African fly-half Steyn missed a long-range penalty attempt in the opening minutes before a forward pass foiled onrushing centre Joe Tomane.
Lineout. @thelock112 breaks through the Montpellier line. Sexton with a big pass wide to Isa who finishes! #LEIvMON Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) January 13, 2017
On the quarter hour Leinster full-back Nacewa popped up twice with his second run resulting in a try wide on the right. After Nic Whites cover tackle had denied Leinster initially, the subsequent lineout ball saw Rory OLoughlin break through midfield and then Sextons scooped pass fed Nacewa for his sixth try of the tournament, converted by Sexton.
Deft distribution from Sexton and Conan soon sent Nacewa scampering up the opposite left wing, retrieving his own kick and showing great hands to send the supporting Conan over for a deserved seven-pointer.
Barely two minutes later, a brilliant burst forward by winger Byrne had Leinster hunting for another try and Steyns attempted tackle in his 22, which saw his swinging arm connect forcefully with Sextons head, led to referee JP Doyle producing his red card.
With Sexton briefly off the pitch, Nacewa turned the central penalty into three more points and just as overworked Montpellier tried to draw breath, Byrne beat Joffrey Michel to Luke McGraths box-kick near the right touchline, linking with Conan whose excellent return pass, under pressure from two defenders, saw Adam Byrne touch down and replacement Ross Byrne convert.
Adam Byrnes wing colleague OLoughlin did well to defend a kick through and deny Timoci Nagusa a try closing in on the interval.
Soon after the restart scrum-half Whites terrific last-ditch tackle prevented Rob Kearney from scoring, the Ireland international having replaced a limping Nacewa, but Leinsters bonus point arrived in the 54th minute when the strong-carrying Conan barrelled past two defenders to go in under the posts. Sextons conversion took him past the 500-point mark in European Cup rugby.
The he hosts added serious gloss with four tries three of them converted by Ross Byrne between the 63rd and 74th minutes. Scrum-half McGrath started the scoring blitz with a snappy break from a maul 25 metres out.
Audit showed quality issues at Areva's Creusot foundry
By Geert De Clercq
PARIS, Jan 12 (Reuters) - The Creusot Forge foundry unit of French nuclear group Areva, which is under judicial investigation for suspected falsification of manufacturing documentation, had recurring quality issues, according to an external audit of the firm.
The 2015 audit report by Lloyd's Register Apave, which was ordered by Areva, was published by French anti-nuclear group Sortir du Nuclear, which said it obtained it from French nuclear regulator ASN under a freedom of information request.
Areva did not immediately return a request for comment on the report, but Areva components manufacturing head David Emond said on Wednesday irregularities in its manufacturing tracking records posed no safety problems and that Areva is overhauling its quality control monitoring.
Inspection agency Lloyd's Register Apave, which interviewed Creusot staff and did audit checks in June-July 2015, said that since 2010 activities at Areva Creusot Forge have been generally well-organised and controlled.
But it added that records of internal audits from 2011 to 2014 demonstrate that there are "consistently over 40 negative quality-related findings each year", and that Creusot Forge has not carried out comprehensive root-cause analysis.
In addition, Apave said that it continued to exceed its own targets for closing non-conformance issues.
"This indicates that wider and common issues requiring management attention may not be recognised within Areva Creusot Forges," the report said.
Apave said it was not possible to reach an overall conclusion regarding activities before 2010.
"This is really worrying. It shows that the internal processes are not straight," Sortir du Nucleaire spokeswoman Charlotte Mijeon said.
Following the discovery of weak spots in the reactor vessel of a nuclear plant under construction in Flamanville, France in 2014, the ASN ordered Areva to audit its Creusot foundry.
Areva said in May 2016 that some manufacturing documentation for components made at Creusot Forge may have been falsified and launched a review of 6,000 nuclear component manufacturing files from the 1965-2013 period.
French and foreign nuclear regulators - including the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission - have said that the documentation irregularities, of which Areva has informed its customers, pose no safety risk.
But utility EDF in June 2016 halted its Fessenheim 2 reactor after irregularities were found in tracking files for one of its steam generators, while in October it extended the outage of its Gravelines 5 reactor after finding a major irregularity in the control files for a new Creusot-made steam generator it was about to install.
EU says expects answers from Italy over alleged Fiat emissions cheating
By Alissa de Carbonnel
BRUSSELS, Jan 12 (Reuters) - The European Commission on Thursday called on Italy to provide proof against Germany's allegation that Fiat Chrysler used illegal exhaust emissions defeat devices, stepping up pressure on the group amid accusations against it in the U.S.
Germany has asked the EU executive to mediate its dispute with Italy, which rejected its allegations of hidden software on the Fiat 500X, Fiat Doblo and Jeep Renegade models that allowed excess diesel emissions.
Germany's motor vehicle authority KBA began testing the vehicles of several manufacturers, including Fiat Chrysler, after Volkswagen's admission of cheating on emissions tests.
An EU source said that testing carried out on one Fiat 500X vehicle at the EU's own vehicle testing laboratory north of Milan showed suspicious emissions behaviour.
Fiat Chrysler declined to comment.
The German KBA motor vehicle authority had previously said it found a device that throttles back the models' exhaust purification system after 22 minutes - just longer than official regulatory tests.
Fiat Chrysler said at the time that its cars conform to current emissions rules and do not contain defeat devices.
In a sign of mounting frustration in Brussels over what EU officials see as governments colluding with the powerful car industry, the Commission said it was now up to Italian authorities to prove no wrongdoing.
"The German authorities have expressed serious concerns," Commission spokeswoman Lucia Caudet told Reuters. "We have repeatedly asked Italian authorities to come forward with convincing answers as soon as possible."
An EU official said Brussels shares Germany's concerns.
The Commission expects to conclude the Italian, German talks on Fiat Chrysler's compliance in coming weeks but it has little power to enforce a settlement.
In a system the Commission is now seeking to overhaul, national watchdogs approve new cars and alone have the power to police manufacturers - though once approved in one country, vehicles can be sold across the bloc.
As part of a widening clampdown on health-threatening nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution levels in the wake of the VW scandal, the Commission in December began legal action against Germany, Britain and five other EU member states for failing to police emissions test cheating.
Isak becomes Sweden's youngest scorer with Slovakia strike
Jan 12 (Reuters) - Teenager Alexander Isak celebrated his first start for Sweden by becoming his country's youngest-ever scorer in a 6-0 friendly thrashing of Slovakia in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Having made his debut against Ivory Coast in the first match of Sweden's winter tour on Sunday, the AIK striker crowned his second cap with a slick goal after 19 minutes.
Aged 17 years and 113 days, he comfortably beat Erik Dahlstrom's record from over a century ago. Dahlstrom was 18 years and one day old when he scored against Finland in Stockholm in 1912.
Gambian president's party seeks to block rival's inauguration
By Lamin Jahateh
BANJUL, Jan 12 (Reuters) - The political party of Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh, who lost an election last month but has refused to accept his defeat, filed a request on Thursday with the Supreme Court for an injunction aimed at blocking the swearing in of his rival.
The question of whether Gambia can install opposition figure Adama Barrow as president is seen as a test case for African democracy in a region accustomed to coups and political unrest.
Barrow, who won the poll and has received the support of the international community, has said he will go ahead with his inauguration on Jan. 19 despite Jammeh's rejection of the result.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Emmanuel Fagbenle, confirmed receipt of the petition, which was filed by Jammeh's Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC).
"It is filed today with the court registrar," said Fagbenle, who did not say when a decision on the petition might be made.
Aziz Bensouda, the secretary general of the Gambia Bar Association, said an injunction would be unconstitutional.
"The inauguration of the president-elect should be held when Jammeh's term officially ends. The court does not have any mandate to put an inauguration on hold," he said.
The election defeat of Jammeh, a former coup leader, after 22 years of increasingly authoritarian rule was celebrated across the tiny West African nation, and the incumbent initially accepted the result.
However, in a U-turn a week later that drew international condemnation, he denounced what he claimed was widespread fraud.
The APRC filed a challenge to the poll results, but the Supreme Court was unable to hear the petition on Tuesday after several judges failed to show up.
Fagbenle adjourned the hearing until Jan. 16.
The Supreme Court, which rights campaigners say is heavily influenced by Jammeh, has not sat in over a year. Two chief justices have been dismissed since 2013. One of them was jailed.
The court hired four foreign judges from Nigeria and Sierra Leone to hear Jammeh's appeal. Legal sources said this week that the judges had not yet arrived in Gambia.
Regional bloc ECOWAS has sought to negotiate Jammeh's peaceful departure and Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari is leading a mediation mission to Gambia on Friday.
On Thursday, Nigeria's lower house of parliament approved a motion to authorise Buhari to offer Jammeh asylum if he steps down.
However, ECOWAS has also hinted at possible military action if he stays beyond the end of his term in office next week, raising the prospect of violence.
The U.S. Department of State, which has already advised against travel to Gambia, warned American citizens on Thursday to avoid the capital Banjul's city centre. Embassy staff were required to be off the streets by 6 p.m. (1800 GMT) until further notice.
U.S. troops' move to Poland unnerves Kremlin
By Anna Koper and Andrew Osborn
WARSAW/MOSCOW, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Poland on Thursday welcomed several thousand U.S. troops along with tanks and heavy equipment under a planned NATO operation to beef up its Eastern European allies, vexing the Kremlin, which said the troops' presence is a threat to Russia.
The largest U.S.military reinforcement of Europe in decades of around 2,700 troops, out of 3,500 planned, arrived as part of operation Atlantic Resolve, aimed at showing Moscow Washington's commitment to its allies.
"The main goal of our mission is deterrence and prevention of threats," U.S. Army Colonel Christopher R. Norrie, commander of the 3rd Armoured Brigade Combat Team, said at a welcome ceremony in Poland's western city of Zagan.
Poland and the Baltic former Soviet Republics requested U.S. and NATO troops after Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula in 2014, fearing further military operations in the region by President Vladimir Putin.
The Kremlin, which has previously criticised NATO for its reinforcement in Eastern Europe, said on Thursday the deployment was an aggressive step along its borders.
"We consider this a threat to us," Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin's spokesman, told journalists on a conference call. "We are talking here about a third country stepping up its military presence in Europe near our borders."
MATTER OF INFLUENCE
Modernisation of the army has been a key priority for Poland's year-old government run by the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, which built its popularity partly on promising greater security capabilities.
On Thursday, Polish Defence Minister Antoni Macierewicz said on the state TVP Info news channel that the NATO deployment puts an end to Russia's influence in the region.
"Even after 1989 we had to continuously wonder whether the Russians won't veto this or that action," said Macierewicz, who has been seeking better ties and contracts with the U.S. military.
"Russia's veto power in Central Europe, in Poland, has ended once and for all."
Moscow, however, has already deployed in retaliation nuclear-capable Iskander missiles in its European exclave of Kaliningrad, in a move the U.S. State Department said was "destabilising to European security."
The U.S. deployment to NATO's eastern flank includes more than 80 main battle tanks and hundreds of armoured vehicles. The military unit will rotate through several countries, including Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania.
Cyprus talks to resume on Jan 18, UN hopes for 'last effort'
GENEVA, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Talks to resolve the decades-old division of Cyprus ended without agreement on Thursday but with a plan for officials to reconvene on Jan. 18 to tackle the thorny security question, before a fresh attempt to forge a political deal.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told Reuters he was confident that the participants were determined to make a "last effort" to find a solution.
There was no precise date set for the foreign ministers of the three guarantor powers of the process - Greece, Turkey and Britain - to meet again.
"The discussions today underscored the participants' intention to find mutually acceptable solutions on security and guarantees that address the concerns of both communities. They recognised that the security of one community cannot come at the expense of the security of the other," said a statement issued by the U.N. from the one-day conference.
"They also acknowledged the need to address the traditional security concerns of the two communities while at the same time developing a security vision for a future united federal Cyprus."
The east Mediterranean island has been partitioned between ethnic Turks and Greeks since 1974, when Turkish forces invaded in response to an abortive Athens-inspired coup aimed at union with Greece. An accord has eluded generations of diplomats and NATO allies Greece and Turkey have come at times to the brink of war over Cyprus, a former British colony.
"The conference on Cyprus which started today will continue at the level of the technocrats on Jan. 18 to discuss the issue, more specifically the issue of security and guarantees, the concerns which exist and the (various) approaches and when the results are known there will be a continuation of the Cyprus conference with the same composition we had today," said Greek Cypriot government spokesman Nikos Christodoulides.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, speaking to a Geneva news conference, said Turkey's guarantorship remained "vital" for Turkish Cypriots but there would be a referendum following any agreement.
China's December crude oil imports, fuel exports hit record
By Chen Aizhu
BEIJING, Jan 13 (Reuters) - China's crude oil imports jumped to a record high in December as refiners stepped up purchases ahead of a possible OPEC deal to cut supply and bolster prices, and as more independent refiners won import permits.
Exports of refined fuel also surged to a new high as the country's giant state refiners shipped more product offshore in the face of a growing domestic surplus, adding to pressure on Asian refining margins.
Crude imports hit 36.38 million tonnes in December, data from the Chinese General Administration of Customs showed, or 8.57 million barrels per day (bpd). This was up 9 percent from November and well above the previous record of 8.04 million bpd set last September.
China's December imports also exceeded the 8.09 million bpd imported by the United States in July, its highest level for 2016 to date, according to data from the Energy Information Administration.
For calendar 2016, China's crude imports reached a record high at 381 million tonnes, up 13.6 percent or by 912,000 bpd over 2015, marking the strongest annual growth by volume on record, market analysts said.
"My gut feeling is that the joint cut by OPEC and non-OPEC in early December stirred up strong interest from refiners and traders to bet on higher prices, particularly from those independent refiners which have not exhausted the usage of quota at the time," said Harry Liu, oil analyst with consultancy IHS.
The hefty increases in imports were driven primarily by a new group of importers, independent oil plants also known as "teapots", which were allowed into the market in late 2015 in a bid to encourage more private participation in the oil sector.
Higher imports were also due partly to declining domestic crude oil production as dominant state oil and gas majors shut down high-cost wells because of weak global oil prices.
Independent refiners are expected to buy more oil this year on a view that Beijing will provide import quotas to more teapot plants while keeping quotas steady for existing importers, a move that should help erode the global supply glut.
Seng Yick Tee, a researcher with consultancy SIA Energy, said he expected China's crude imports to rise by 600,000 bpd in 2017, with teapots accounts for two-thirds of the increase.
Exports of refined oil products exports last month rose nearly 25 percent on a year earlier to a record 5.35 million tonnes, topping November's previous record of 4.85 million tonnes.
Fuel exports for the whole of 2016 rose a third year-on-year to 48.3 million tonnes, while imports were down 6.5 percent at 27.84 million tonnes, as refinery output far exceeded fuel demand growth at home.
A decision by Beijing to scrap teapots' fuel export quotas will see the country's state refiners dominate the export scene, while teapots divert more of their surplus barrels to state-run companies.
(1 tonne = 7.3 barrels for crude oil)
Poland - Factors to Watch Jan. 13
Following are news stories, press reports and events to watch that may affect Poland's financial markets on Friday. ALL TIMES GMT (Poland: GMT + 1 hour):
RATINGS
Rating agencies Fitch Ratings and Moody's Investors Service are expected to review Poland's sovereign rating later on Friday, with analysts saying they are not expecting any changes.
CONSUMER LOANS
The National Bank of Poland has criticised the draft of a consumer loans bill prepared by the Justice Ministry in order to limit profits for lenders who grant them, Puls Biznesu daily said. The central bank has said the ministry's plan may eventually limit mortgage lending, which would harm the economy.
PENSION FUNDS
Pension funds in Poland bought shares worth 531 million zlotys ($129.05 million) in December, Puls Biznesu said, quoting Trigon brokerage data.
PUBLIC TENDERS
The ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party plans to amend public offering law in order to scrap an obligation to call public tender for listed company shares when investors want to buy up to 5 or 10 percent of shares in a short period of time, Puls Biznesu said.
EU BUDGET
A group of European experts has proposed that the European Union cuts spending on its cohesion policy, of which Poland has been a major beneficiary, the daily Rzeczpospolita wrote, citing a document prepared by the experts.
EU MONEY
According to data from Poland's Ministry of Development, by the end of 2016 there had been deals signed for about a quarter of the total of the European Union's cohesion funds earmarked for Poland for 2014-2020, the daily Rzeczpospolita wrote.
FURNITURE
France plans to tighten furniture production standards, which could hit many Polish producers, the business daily Parkiet, reported.
****Reuters has not verified stories reported by Polish media and does not vouch for their accuracy.****
Hungary to boost defence spending to 2 pct of GDP -minister
By Krisztina Than and Gergely Szakacs
BUDAPEST, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Hungary will increase its defence spending gradually to 2 percent of its economic output by 2026 from 0.95 percent now, Defence Minister Istvan Simicsko said on Thursday.
Hungary, which joined NATO in 1999, spends less on defence than other eastern European members Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria.
Although military spending among NATO members has increased because of Russia's annexation of Crimea and the crisis in Ukraine, only Britain, Poland, Greece and Estonia meet the goal of spending 2 percent of gross domestic product on defence.
Top NATO and European military officials have called for higher spending after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump questioned whether Washington should protect allies that do not spend enough on their own defence.
Simicsko told Reuters that Hungary's annual defence spending would increase by 0.1 percent each year, which means a rise to about 350 billion forints ($1.21 billion) this year.
"By 2026 we will could reach 2 percent (of GDP)," he said.
The minister said Hungary would embark on a defence development programme, which would include the procurement of military helicopters.
He said that four of Hungary's Russian Mi-17 helicopters were being refurbished in Russia at the moment and declined to say how many functioning helicopters Budapest had on hand.
Some were deployed to patrol the EU's Schengen border with Serbia to the south, he said.
"I would not exclude the possibility that a (helicopter) tender would be put out before (2018) elections," he said, adding that any decision on actual purchases could only be made after the parliamentary elections.
"We have to operate until then, that's why we made the decision to refurbish some of our Russian helicopters," he added.
Simicsko declined to say how many and what type of helicopters Hungary would want to purchase, but said that a force of 30 to 40 helicopters could be considered "significant" for a country the size of Hungary in the region.
PRESS DIGEST - RUSSIA - Jan 13
MOSCOW, Jan 13 (Reuters) - The following are some stories in Russia's newspapers on Friday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
VEDOMOSTI
www.vedomosti.ru
- Russia could use its high-precision weapons to partially replace nuclear arms as a deterrent, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Thursday.
- Low-paid migrant workers are disincentivising Russia's businesses from modernising industry, Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets said on Thursday in an attempt to explain the slow down in Russia's economic development.
- Audi and BMW have suspended deliveries of some models to Russia after the installation of Russia's ERA-GLONASS navigation systems became mandatory for all cars sold in Russia from 2017.
KOMMERSANT
www.kommersant.ru
- Andrei Gerasimov, who heads the FSB security service's Information Security Centre in charge of the investigation of cyber crimes, could leave his post, the daily says, citing its sources.
- At least six people, including four militants allegedly aligned with the Islamic State group, were killed in Russia's Chechnya region during an operation conducted by local police last week. More than 20 people suspected of preparing terror attacks in Russia were detained during the raid, the daily reports.
IZVESTIA
www.izvestia.ru
- Roskomnadzor, Russia's communications watchdog, has blocked 160 internet resources which used to provide young people with instructions on how to avoid obligatory service in the army.
- Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich has recommended that Russia's agriculture watchdog, Rosselkhoznadzor, cuts spending on the trips abroad of its experts since Russia has reduced food imports.
MOSKOVSKY KOMSOMELETS
www.mk.ru
- A group of activists protesting against the transfer of St.Isaac's Cathedral in St.Petersburg to the Orthodox Church are planning to challenge the legality of the decision by the city authorities. The transfer could increase the financial burden on the city budget, and lead to reduced access for tourists to the museum at the Cathedral, which has been functioning for the last 80 years, the daily says.
- A migrant couple from Tajikistan have changed the name of their son to "Putin" at the initiative of the boy's grandfather, a great fan of the Russian President, the daily reports.
Korean minister says "comfort woman" statue outside Japan mission inappropriate
SEOUL, Jan 13 (Reuters) - South Korea's foreign minister said on Friday there was nothing wrong with erecting a statue in memory of women forced to work in Japanese brothels in World War Two, but its location outside a Japanese consulate was inappropriate.
The statue of the young "comfort woman" in the southern city of Busan has rekindled a feud over wartime history between South Korea and its past colonial ruler and prompted Japan to temporarily recall its ambassador.
The term "comfort women" is a euphemism for girls and women, from South Korea, China, the Philippines and elsewhere, forced to work in Japanese military brothels. South Korean activists estimate that there may have been as many as 200,000 Korean victims.
"The issue of a girl statue in Busan is unfortunate," Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se told lawmakers, referring to the southern city.
"Our government is not against the instalment of a girl statue... but I think we need to pool our wisdom on the issue of location."
He did not say if the statue would be moved.
The statue, which depicts a barefoot girl sitting in a chair, was erected near the Japanese consulate at the end of last year.
Japan said the statue violated an agreement to resolve the issue.
Le Pen's currency proposal not "credible", says Luxembourg finance minister
By Michelle Price and Lisa Jucca
HONG KONG, Jan 13 (Reuters) - A proposal by France's National Front leader Marine Le Pen to ditch the euro and return to a national currency that would be part of a basket of European currencies with a system to manage exchange rate fluctuations is "not very credible", Luxembourg's finance minister said on Friday.
Speaking to Reuters during a visit to Hong Kong, Finance Minister Pierre Gramegna said the euro had been strengthened by a series of crises in the European Union, including the Greek sovereign debt crisis.
He said improving fiscal conditions among euro zone countries allowed for greater integration and public spending.
"I think the euro is strengthening permanently. That doesn't mean everything is perfect in the euro zone," Gramegna said.
"But I don't think it's a very credible alternative to revert to the currency baskets that we used to have before and that haven't worked," he added, commenting on the proposal by Le Pen to return to a system similar to the pre-euro era.
"I think that today the euro is more credible than it was at its inception, and certainly strengthened compared to the Greek crisis."
Le Pen, the far-right leader who hopes to be elected president of France in May, outlined her proposed alternative to the euro currency, which she has long said France should leave, in an interview with Reuters earlier this month.
Her comments evoked the era of the European Currency Unit (ECU) basket which was used as a unit of account by members of the bloc in the two decades leading up to the introduction of the single currency in 1999.
It existed in parallel with the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) which attempted to narrow fluctuations between the currencies of member states.
Gramegna said falling annual budget deficits and a decline in debt across Europe had given the bloc more room to increase public spending, bringing the EU more in line with the promised expansionist policies of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
"One still has to be careful, some countries have more room for manoeuvre than others," he said.
"I think we have suffered from a lack of investment in the European Union since the world financial crisis. Europe needs more high quality investment and to a certain extent this is similar to what President-elect Trump has said."
Some leading EU figures have called for London's euro-denominated trade clearing business to be relocated to a euro zone city following Britain's vote last year to quit the European Union. Britain is resisting those calls.
Zimbabwe reverses telecoms price hike after public backlash
HARARE, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Zimbabwe has reversed a decision to impose a drastic increase in mobile phone data charges, which provoked an angry response from customers and critics who accused President Robert Mugabe's government of trying to curtail the use of social media.
Last year activists used the Internet to mobilise the biggest anti-government protests in a decade, bypassing traditional opposition parties as anger grew over Mugabe's handling of the economy.
Econet Wireless, the southern African nation's largest mobile telephone company, raised data charges by a multiple of 25, in line with new regulations from the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe.
But Information Communication Technology Minister Supa Mandiwanzira said in a statement on Friday that the tariff increases were "shockingly high" and blamed mobile phone companies for "gluttonous corporate greed".
Mandiwanzira said that the new prices had been proposed to the regulator by mobile phone companies.
Econet did not immediately respond to emailed questions.
"I have directed the immediate suspension of the tariff increases that were effected two days ago to the dismay of many mobile phone users," Mandiwanzira said.
Econet's cheapest data package, which came into effect on Wednesday night, gives users 10 megabytes of data for $1, compared with 250 megabytes per dollar previously.
UK opposition Labour lawmaker quits to become museum director
By Kylie MacLellan
LONDON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - A senior lawmaker from Britain's opposition Labour Party and critic of its leader Jeremy Corbyn said on Friday he would resign from parliament to take up the role of Director of London's Victoria and Albert Museum.
In a letter to local Labour party members, Tristram Hunt, a lawmaker since 2010 and a former education spokesman for the party, said he did not want to "rock the boat" by standing down as the representative for Stoke-on-Trent in central England.
"The extraordinary privilege of serving in Parliament has proved both deeply rewarding and intensely frustrating," he said in the letter, sent to Reuters by his office.
Hunt said the frustration had included the party's inability to implement policies to tackle issues such as poverty and inequality following its defeat in the 2015 election, and questions over how it should respond "to the social, cultural and economic forces which have rocked mainstream social democratic and socialist parties."
Labour have held Hunt's constituency of Stoke-on-Trent central since it was created in 1950, but the popularity of the anti-EU United Kingdom Independence Party has been on the rise in the area, which voted strongly in favour of Brexit in last June's referendum.
At the 2015 election, UKIP came second with nearly 23 percent of the vote, and increase of more than 18 percentage points on their 2010 result.
Nepal fails to deliver relief to quake survivors - rights group
By Gopal Sharma
KATHMANDU, Jan 13 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Nearly two years since Nepal's devastating earthquakes, millions of survivors languish in makeshift shelters as the government has failed to deliver billions of dollars pledged in aid for rebuilding, a human rights group said on Friday.
The comments from Human Rights Watch (HRW) came a day after Nepal sacked the head of its reconstruction agency and replaced him with his predecessor in a political game of musical chairs that is worsening the plight of quake survivors, critics say.
"It is disturbing that the government has dragged its heels on tending to urgent humanitarian needs of earthquake victims," Brad Adams, New York-based HRW's Asia director, said in a statement. "There is no excuse for this dithering, and the government should be held accountable for this negligence."
Almost 9,000 people died and more than half a million homes were destroyed when the 7.8- and 7.3-magnitude earthquakes rocked the impoverished Himalayan nation in April and May 2015.
Almost two years on, many of the estimated 8 million people affected continue to live in tarpaulin and bamboo tents due to delays in the government disbursing funds for them to rebuild their homes.
Government officials blamed the delays on Sushil Gyawali, CEO of the National Reconstruction Authority, claiming he failed to coordinate relief work with government ministries and mobilise the personnel necessary for reconstruction work.
Gyawali, a civil engineer appointed a year ago, denies the charges and is seeking legal action against the dismissal.
Officials say rebuilding will now speed up with the reappointment of his predecessor Govind Raj Pokharel, who was fired in 2015 when a new government took charge.
"I'll focus to overcome this and mobilise required human resources," Pokharel told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "The work has been delayed, but we will be able to complete in time."
Pokharel was vice chairman of the National Planning Commission at the time of the disaster and played a key role in preparing a national action plan to rebuild the nation.
Aid agencies and donors blame political instability and successive changes in government for the delays. The country has had three new governments since the disaster.
They also blame the slowed response on political parties who spent months squabbling over a new constitution, rather than focusing on reconstruction efforts in the disaster's aftermath.
While more than 60,000 houses have been reconstructed, the government says more than 150,000 families have yet to receive any of the funds pledged for rebuilding.
For these survivors, who have endured two monsoon seasons and two winters in tattered tents, the political infighting and squabbles at the top provide little hope.
"I have no alternative but to wait for government support like I have been doing all these months," said 52-year-old tailor Karna Bahadur Pariyar, sitting cross-legged inside a blue tarpaulin tent in a relief camp on the outskirts of Kathmandu.
"Whoever comes to the post means little for us."
Copper touches 5-week high on optimism over metal demand
By Eric Onstad
LONDON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Copper hit a five-week high on Friday while aluminium climbed to its highest in nearly 20 months on optimism about metals demand following strong economic data from top metals consumer China and the United States.
Benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange surged to an intraday peak of $5,912 a tonne, the highest since Dec. 7. At the close it was bid up 1.2 percent at $5,909, having failed to trade in closing open outcry activity.
Copper gained over 5 percent on the week, the biggest weekly rise since late November.
"China's demand outlook still looks favourable," said Xiao Fu, head of commodity market strategy at Bank of China International (BOCI) in London.
Underlining strong demand was data on Friday showing China shipped in a record 4.95 million tonnes of copper in 2016, up 2.9 percent from a year earlier, with December imports up almost 30 percent from the previous month.
"Aggregate financing in December was very strong, so that will have an impact because there's a two-month lag in its effect on the economy," she said.
Data showed on Thursday that Chinese banks extended 1.04 trillion yuan in net new yuan loans in December, far more than economists had expected.
"We're quite positive for this year for copper. The copper/nickel and copper/zinc ratios are still low so there's room for copper to re-rate relative to other metals," BOCI's Fu added.
On Friday, data showed U.S. retail sales rose in December amid strong demand for automobiles and furniture, while producer prices showed the biggest year-on-year gain in just over two years.
Investors might also be positioning for the inauguration next week of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump amid expectations about his stimulus policy and infrastructure investment, said Richard Fu, head of Asia and Pacific at broker Amalgamated Metal Trading in London.
LME aluminium rose to its highest in nearly 20 months, supported by expectations that Chinese smelters would shut over the northern hemisphere winter, one trader said, as Beijing encourages plants to close to curb pollution and free up scarce coal supplies for heating.
LME aluminium gained 1.1 percent to end at $1,809 a tonne, the highest since May 19, 2015.
Nickel prices followed a similar pattern to Thursday when major producer Indonesia eased a ban on ore exports, initially sliding but rebounding in afternoon European trade.
LME nickel closed up 1.7 percent at $10,450, bouncing from earlier losses of around 2 percent.
Indonesia introduced new rules on Thursday that will allow exports of nickel ore and bauxite and concentrates of other minerals under certain conditions in a sweeping policy shift by the big global supplier.
A trader in Asia said the drop in prices had opened a window for Chinese traders to import, which cushioned losses.
Zinc closed 2.3 percent higher at $2,791 and lead surged 4.8 percent to $2,224, with both metals touching the highest since Dec. 16, while tin ended up 0.4 percent at $21,145.
PRICES
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Three month LME aluminium
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Three month LME zinc
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Three month LME nickel
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Three month LME tin
Relatives row over successor to Rwanda's exiled king
By Clement Uwiringiyimana
KIGALI, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Relatives of Rwanda's late king, gathered in Kigali for his funeral on Sunday, have rejected a move by his chief courtier to hand his crown to a father-of-two living in a terraced house in England.
Clan elder courtier Boniface Benzinge posted a message on Facebook this week saying the title would pass to the monarch's nephew, Emmanuel Bushayija, described as a naturalised Briton from Sale in Manchester in media reports.
But other members the royal family did not recognise the pretender, pastor Ezra Mpyisi told reporters, speaking for several relatives who also attended the press conference.
"We heard of surprising news that they have crowned a new king. This is a wrong ... He is the so-called king but he is not a real king. Only the Rwandans can choose a new king," Mpyisi said this week.
The pastor's outrage was not matched on the streets of the capital, where media have largely shrugged off the tussle.
Few people outside his ancestral home of Nyanza province know much about the last king Kigeli V Ndahindurwa, whose body was flown back to Rwanda this week after his death in October.
He was deposed in 1961 after just two years on the throne, then left Rwanda, which became a republic when it won independence from Belgium in 1962.
The king had spent more than six decades in the United States, living in relative obscurity and running a charity for refugees from Rwanda, a nation plagued by decades of ethnic killings until genocide tore it apart in 1994.
President Paul Kagame's government had said the king could return but only as an ordinary citizen, which he rejected.
In a video posted on Facebook on Monday, the old king's courtier Benzinge named the new king as Yuhi VI Bushayija, and said he was speaking on behalf of another faction in the family, opposed to the burial in Rwanda. Bushayija has not commented.
It was not immediately clear how many members of the family Benzinge, or Pastor Ezra Mpyis, speak for.
The chief courtier is head of a group of clan elders, called the Abiru, who traditionally have the role of declaring the new king.
"He's not the real king": Rwandan royals argue over succession
By Clement Uwiringiyimana
KIGALI, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Relatives of Rwanda's late king, gathered in Kigali for his funeral on Sunday, have rejected a move by his chief courtier to hand his crown to a father-of-two living in a terraced house in England.
Clan elder courtier Boniface Benzinge posted a message on Facebook this week saying the title would pass to the monarch's nephew, Emmanuel Bushayija, described as a naturalised Briton from Sale in Manchester in media reports.
But other members the royal family did not recognise the pretender, pastor Ezra Mpyisi told reporters, speaking for several relatives who also attended the press conference.
"We heard of surprising news that they have crowned a new king. This is a wrong ... He is the so-called king but he is not a real king. Only the Rwandans can choose a new king," Mpyisi said this week.
The pastor's outrage was not matched on the streets of the capital, where media have largely shrugged off the tussle.
Few people outside his ancestral home of Nyanza province know much about the last king Kigeli V Ndahindurwa, whose body was flown back to Rwanda this week after his death in October.
He was deposed in 1961 after just two years on the throne, then left Rwanda, which became a republic when it won independence from Belgium in 1962.
The king had spent more than six decades in the United States, living in relative obscurity and running a charity for refugees from Rwanda, a nation plagued by decades of ethnic killings until genocide tore it apart in 1994.
President Paul Kagame's government had said the king could return but only as an ordinary citizen, which he rejected.
In a video posted on Facebook on Monday, the old king's courtier Benzinge named the new king as Yuhi VI Bushayija, and said he was speaking on behalf of another faction in the family, opposed to the burial in Rwanda. Bushayija has not commented.
It was not immediately clear how many members of the family Benzinge, or Pastor Ezra Mpyis, speak for.
The chief courtier is head of a group of clan elders, called the Abiru, who traditionally have the role of declaring the new king.
Obama's EU envoy says Brexiteer Farage misleading Trump
By Julia Fioretti
BRUSSELS, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Barack Obama's envoy to Brussels warned Donald Trump against the "lunacy" of backing an EU break-up, saying Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage may have given the incoming U.S. president a false impression that more countries might follow Britain out of the bloc.
Anthony Gardner, a banker who has run U.S. relations with the European Union for three years, made the frank comments on Friday in a final news conference a week before Trump has ordered all Obama appointees to quit.
Gardner condemned the move as an unprecedented "guillotine exit" that had disrupted public servants' lives.
Referring to Trump's welcome for the British vote to leave the EU and the apparent influence of Farage in the Trump camp, Gardner said: "For us to be the cheerleaders of Brexit and to be encouraging Brexit Mark 2, Mark 3, is the height of folly."
Gardner said Farage, an EU lawmaker and Trump ally, had written to him recently requesting a meeting. The U.S. envoy said Farage's views were the "polar opposite" of his own and he thought Farage had misled Trump's transition team on the state of the EU.
Describing calls to EU institutions from Trump's aides in recent weeks, Gardner said: "That was the one question that was asked - basically, 'What's the next country to leave?'. Which is kind of suggesting that the place is about to fall apart."
"It's just reflective of the general perception, a misperception, a perception that Nigel Farage is presumably disseminating in Washington and it's a caricature."
He said it would be "fundamentally flawed" for the United States to ignore the EU as "dysfunctional" and instead focus on key allies like Britain and Germany.
"We should not depart from 50 years of foreign policy with regard to the EU," he said. "We should not become the cheerleaders for Brexit, particularly if Brexit appears more likely to be a hard, disorderly unmanaged Brexit."
"A hard Brexit or a fragmentation of the European market would be very bad news for American business," he added.
"They've understood it ... and we need to make the case."
Gardner urged Europeans and the incoming administration not to break ranks on sanctions against Russia over Ukraine - Trump says he wants better relations with Moscow after he takes office next Friday. And he urged U.S. diplomats to speak frankly to the new leadership, even if that carried risks to their careers.
He spoke of his "respect" for Britain's EU ambassador, who resigned this month in a sign of behind-the-scenes arguments in London over Brexit. Ivan Rogers, he said, had "paid the price" for telling political leaders things they did not want to hear.
Belgian, French women held in Hungary for "terrorism-linked activity"
BUDAPEST, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Hungarian authorities said on Friday they had detained a Belgian woman aged 18 and a French woman aged 19 as they were heading for Syria to join groups linked to Islamic State.
The two women were detained under European arrest warrants for suspected "terrorism-linked activity" on Thursday at 0100 GMT as they were trying to cross into Serbia on a bus from Vienna to Sofia, police said in a statement on their website.
Gyorgy Bakondi, security adviser to Prime Minister Viktor Orban, told national news agency MTI the two women had been en route to Damascus. One submitted a fake passport at the border checkpoint, he said.
Government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said they had been planning to join extremist groups related to Islamic State.
The two women were detained at Roszke, the chief border crossing into Serbia.
Despite Saudi signals, OPEC unlikely to deliver all promised oil cuts
By Alex Lawler and Rania El Gamal
LONDON/ABU DHABI, Jan 13 (Reuters) - OPEC is unlikely to deliver fully on its target to cut production despite Saudi Arabia saying it had trimmed more than it had committed to, OPEC delegates say, but compliance of 80 percent would be good and as low as 50 percent acceptable.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is planning to cut its output by 1.2 million barrels per day to 32.50 million bpd from Jan. 1. Russia and other non-members are planning to cut about half as much.
OPEC and the independent producers are cutting supplies to remove a global glut and prop up prices, which at $56 a barrel are half their level of mid-2014, hurting the revenue of exporting nations.
"Compliance won't be 100 percent, it never is," said an OPEC source, who added that an overall rate of 50 to 60 percent would be good enough, based on past compliance levels.
Top exporter Saudi Arabia and Kuwait said on Thursday they had cut production by more than they committed to. Kuwait, the head of a committee to monitor compliance which meets on Jan. 22, said this was to "lead by example".
But OPEC as a whole has a patchy record of complying with its agreements, and previous non-OPEC pledges to curb output have proved largely token. Compliance is voluntary as OPEC has no mechanism to enforce its agreements.
Based on statements by producing nations so far, there has been over 60 percent compliance, Kuwait's oil minister said on Thursday.
OPEC Secretary-General Mohammed Barkindo said he was sure countries would follow through on the deal.
"I remain confident that ... this historic and landmark decision will be implemented fully," Barkindo told Reuters on Friday. He added that the Jan. 22 meeting would decide on what level of compliance would be acceptable or not.
Last time OPEC cut its output, in 2009, following agreements the year before, it initially made 60 percent of the reduction and compliance peaked at higher rates, according to estimates from the International Energy Agency and other analysts, some of whom see that as a reasonable target this time.
"We should see 60-70 percent compliance once again," Daniel Gerber of Petro-Logistics, a consultant which assesses OPEC supply by tanker tracking, told Reuters in December.
The cuts in 2009 were more than OPEC achieved in previous price collapses, such as during the late 1990s when countries initially did not follow through on pledges. OPEC's historical average compliance rate is 60 percent, according to the IEA.
"Normally for OPEC, good compliance is near 80 percent," said another OPEC delegate. "It won't be 100 percent."
COMPLIANCE CONCERNS
Compliance with the 2009 OPEC cuts peaked at about 80 percent, according to the IEA. This was enough to help support a rise in oil prices, which began 2009 at $46 and stood at $69 by the end of June that year.
Three months into that last OPEC cut, Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies showed the highest level of adherence. Saudi Arabia made a larger cut than it had to then, based on the IEA numbers, so history looks set to repeat itself in 2017 if Saudi Arabia's comments on Thursday are borne out.
Next was Algeria, which implemented almost all of its commitment. Venezuelan compliance was 69 percent, more than that of Angola and Iran which both delivered less than half of their pledged reduction.
This time, while compliance in the Gulf OPEC members is expected by analysts to be high, industry and OPEC sources do not expect a similar level across the board.
"There is a concern about Venezuela and Iraq not being committed to the cuts," said an industry source involved in the global cut talks, who added Russia appeared to be complying with the deal.
Iraq, which initially resisted joining the cut, said this week it was reducing production. Cash-strapped Venezuela, which pushed hard to bring the global deal together, has also said it intends to.
Russia reduced production by 100,000 barrels a day in the first few days of January, industry sources told Reuters. That reduction, or at least part of it, is down to unusually cold temperatures in Siberia that have forced work at oil rigs to grind to a shivering halt.
Potential production growth in countries exempted from making a cut, Libya and Nigeria, could undermine reductions elsewhere. They both boosted production in December, even though OPEC supply overall fell.
"If things go well in those countries, it could be quite hard for OPEC to maintain a 32.50 million bpd production target," Gerber of Petro-Logistics said.
Trump adviser had 5 calls with Russian envoy on day of sanctions -sources
By Jonathan Landay and Arshad Mohammed
WASHINGTON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Michael Flynn, President-elect Donald Trump's choice for national security adviser, held five phone calls with Russia's ambassador to Washington on the day the United States retaliated for Moscow's interference in the U.S. presidential election, three sources familiar with the matter said.
The calls occurred between the time the Russian embassy was told about U.S. sanctions and the announcement by Russian President Vladimir Putin that he had decided against reprisals, said the sources. They spoke on condition of anonymity, citing internal U.S. government deliberations about the issue.
The calls raised fresh questions among some U.S. officials about contacts between Trump's advisers and Russian officials at a time when U.S. intelligence agencies contend that Moscow waged a multifaceted campaign of hacking and other actions to boost Republican Trump's election chances against Democrat Hillary Clinton.
On Dec. 29, U.S. President Barack Obama announced he had ordered the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats suspected of being spies and imposed sanctions on two Russian intelligence agencies over their involvement in hacking U.S. political groups.
The administration told Russian Ambassador to the United States, Sergei Kislyak, an hour before the decision was made public, one of the sources said.
The phone calls between Flynn and Kislyak were first reported by Washington Post columnist David Ignatius.
A Trump official confirmed one phone conversation between the two men on Dec. 29, and said their understanding was they did not discuss the sanctions.
The three sources stressed to Reuters that they did not know who initiated the five calls between Flynn, a former three-star Army general who headed the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency under Obama, and Kislyak. Nor did they know the contents of the conversations, and declined to say how they learned of them.
One source said there was nothing intrinsically odd or wrong about a Russian diplomat speaking to a member of Trump's team following the U.S. announcement. Moscow, the source added, probably would want to have some sense of what Trump's team thought about the measures.
That sentiment was echoed Friday by State Department spokesman Mark Toner. "This building doesn't see anything necessarily inappropriate about contact between members of the incoming administration and foreign officials," Toner said.
TIMING
The other two sources, however, said the timing of the calls raised a question about whether Flynn had given Kislyak any assurances to soothe Russian anger over the U.S. moves.
If that were the case, it would have raised a possible entanglement with the Logan Act. The 1799 law bars unauthorized U.S. citizens from negotiating with foreign governments with which the United States has disputes. It is aimed at preventing the undermining of official U.S. government positions.
Alexey Mosin, a spokesman for the Russian embassy in Washington, said: "The Embassy does not comment on multiple contacts, which are carried out on a daily basis with local interlocutors."
Flynn raised eyebrows among some U.S. foreign policy veterans when he was pictured sitting at the head table with Putin at a banquet in Moscow in late 2015 celebrating Russia Today, an international broadcasting network funded by the Russian government.
However, Flynn has also expressed skepticism about Moscow's intentions - a view that does not seem to fit Trump's vision of closer ties with Moscow.
Classified documents that the heads of four U.S. intelligence agencies presented last week to Trump included unsubstantiated information compiled by a private security firm suggesting Moscow had compromising personal and financial details about Trump. Trump called a dossier that contains salacious claims about him in Russia "fake news" and "phony stuff."
One of the sources said the U.S. actions "took the Russians by surprise." Russian officials threatened to shutter the Anglo-American School of Moscow, the source said. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov proposed tit-for-tat expulsions.
But on Dec. 30, Putin announced that he would not retaliate. Trump praised Putin for the decision, writing in a Twitter post, "Great move on delay (by V.Putin). I always knew he was very smart!"
Trump spokesman Sean Spicer earlier Friday said Flynn and Kislyak had spoken on Dec. 28, the day before Washington announced the expulsions and sanctions.
But a Trump official acknowledged later in the day that they held one conversation on Dec. 29 about setting up a telephone call between Trump and Putin after Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, was aware of only one phone call between the two that day and did not know if they spoke again since.
After the Nov. 8 election, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the Interfax news agency that the Russian government was in touch with members of Trump's political team during the U.S. election campaign and knew most of his entourage.
At a news conference on Wednesday, Trump declined to answer whether anyone connected to him or the campaign had contact with Moscow during the campaign and said he had no loans or business deals with or in Russia.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest on Friday said it remained unclear whether such a call between Flynn and the Russian ambassador would be objectionable .
Citadel pays SEC $22.6 mln to settle charges of misleading customers
By Charles Levinson
Jan 13 (Reuters) - Citadel Securities, the market-making arm of billionaire hedge-fund manager Ken Griffin, has agreed to pay $22.6 million to settle charges that it misled customers about the way it priced trades, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said on Friday.
The SEC found that between 2007 and 2010, Citadel used two algorithms to execute stock trades on customers' behalf that gave investors a worse price for their trades, even when Citadel knew better prices existed elsewhere. The SEC penalized Citadel for failing to disclose the use of those algorithms to clients.
"This affected millions of retail orders," said Stephanie Avakian, the acting director of enforcement at the SEC.
Citadel neither admitted nor denied the findings.
"We take very seriously our obligations to comply fully with all laws and regulations," Zia Ahmed, a spokesman for Citadel, said in a statement.
Citadel executes approximately 35 percent of the daily trading volume in retail equity shares on U.S. markets, the SEC said. Between 2008 and 2010, the two algorithms handled approximately 2.6 percent of the total number of retail orders handled by Citadel's algorithmic trading engine, and 0.6 percent of the firm's overall order flow, the SEC said.
Reuters first reported on Thursday that Citadel was nearing a settlement with the SEC.
Citadel, whose hedge fund manages around $25 billion in assets, agreed to pay $5.2 million in disgorgement of ill-gotten gains and a penalty of $16 million.
SEC rules require U.S. brokers to seek the "best execution reasonably available" on stock orders, a standard meant to ensure that all customers get a favorable price and a swift trade.
Citadel is the latest firm to settle with the SEC over routing practices.
While the SEC has fined other firms over order routing, experts say this appears to be the first time any regulator has waded into one of the most contentious strategies in the high-speed trading world.
The practice, known as latency arbitrage, is generally defined as when a firm exploits the difference between stock prices on a slower public data feed known as a SIP and the numerous faster private data feeds provided at a hefty cost by each exchange.
Some Citadel supporters say that the order does not relate to the strategy. They say the firm did not simultaneously trade into and out of stocks based on information from the private data feeds so its activities do not meet the definition of latency arbitrage.
The SEC did not explicitly reference latency arbitrage in its order, but set out factual findings consistent with it, six sources told Reuters including two individuals familiar with the SEC's thinking.
"The SEC's order finds that two algorithms used by Citadel Securities did not internalize retail orders at the best price observed nor sought to obtain the best price in the marketplace," the SEC said in a news release announcing the settlement. "These algorithms were triggered when they identified differences in the best prices on market feeds, comparing the SIP feeds to the direct feeds from exchanges."
The SEC said in its findings that Citadel used an algorithm known as "FastFill" that was triggered when it noticed that a stock order was priced more favorably on a faster private data feed. It then executed the order off the slower public data feed, even though that price was less favorable for the client, the SEC said. Experts said these findings were consistent with the practice of latency arbitrage.
"The settlement is an admission (by the SEC) that latency arbitrage exists and there are strategies designed to profit from it," said Jeff Alexander, a partner at Babelfish Analytics, a firm that analyzes market structure for institutional investors and whose work gives him access to private trading data from large investment firms.
Latency arbitrage is the practice of trading on the difference in prices between fast and slow stock exchange data feeds, which is what the SEC found Citadel did, said former SEC lawyer Ty Gellasch, who now runs Myrtle Makena LLC, a financial consulting firm specializing in market structure.
However, three experts with ties to Citadel told Reuters they concurred with the firm. They said the SEC's findings did not deal with the practice of latency arbitrage.
"Best execution and latency arbitrage are certainly interesting topics - but that is not what this matter is about," said former SEC Commissioner Dan Gallagher, who joined Patomak Global Partners, a Washington D.C.-based financial consulting firm, as president in January 2016, three months after leaving the SEC. "The Citadel Securities SEC Order involves disclosures which did not adequately describe how orders were filled. Simple as that."
Citadel is a Patomak client.
The SEC's case against Citadel has already raised questions about the SEC's broader regulatory regime for monitoring trading abuses.
The SEC currently requires firms such as Citadel, that execute retail stock trades on behalf of investors, to report their execution statistics to the SEC to show that they are indeed giving customers the best reasonably available price. But it requires them to report trades only against the data coming over the slower public feed in those reports.
If firms were pricing orders based on slower public feeds, when better prices may exist on faster private feeds, as Citadel was just found to have done, then the SEC's routine monitoring protocols would be unable to catch them, critics say.
"You can't have a regulatory environment where you claim to have best-execution standards and then mark the reports off the slow feeds," said Alexander. "That makes no sense whatsoever."
Defence lawyers made their final pitch to the jury at a human-smuggling trial yesterday, arguing their clients provided humanitarian assistance to Sri Lankan Tamils fleeing persecution in a country ravaged by civil war, challenging the Crowns view that the accused illegally organized the MV Sun Seas arrival in Canada, the Globe and Mail reported today.
Kunarobinson Christhurajah, Lesly Emmanuel, Nadarajah Mahendran and Thampeernayagam Rajaratnam have each been charged under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act with organizing the cargo ships voyage across the Pacific. The MV Sun Sea docked in B.C. in August, 2010, carrying 492 people 380 men, 63 women and 49 children. The ship was the second Tamil migrant vessel to arrive in the province in less than a year and drew considerable attention.
The trial for the four men began in B.C. Supreme Court in October and closing arguments started Thursday.
Casey Leggett, the lawyer representing Mr. Christhurajah, reminded the jury it heard from 10 Crown witnesses who were aboard the ship. Mr. Leggett said those witnesses described the horrific violence they had endured in Sri Lanka one man testified his younger sister was killed when their house was hit by a bomb, another said he was tortured by police and others described fleeing to refugee camps or young men being taken away in white vans and never heard from again.
Mr. Leggett said there is no evidence his client profited financially from the voyage. He said Mr. Christhurajah has been accused of helping passengers find accommodation before the trip and handing out food, among other things. However, Mr. Leggett said dozens of people volunteered and did whatever they could to ensure the MV Sun Sea and its passengers safely made it to Canada.
My submission is that there is no evidence from which you could draw the conclusion that my client, Mr. Christhurajah, was not acting for a humanitarian purpose, he said.
What had happened to the 2016 development activities with all the funds allocated? Why does this government repeat same for 2017 as well?
The Parliament commenced this year after vacation with a bill presented by Prime Minister Wickremesinghe to centralise developments sustainably.
Titled Sri Lanka Sustainable Development bill, it provides for the establishment of a Sustainable Development Council (SDC). As reported, it provides for the formulation of A national policy and strategy on sustainable development that would be valid for a period of 15 years.
The bill also requires the SDC to have a legal framework in place for implementation of national policy and strategy.
On 25 of November, 2016 the Development (Special Provisions) Bill was Gazetted. It was based on a Cabinet Paper presented by PM to co-ordinate development across the country. Yet, all Provincial Councils rejected it as encroaching on devolved subjects.
Popularly called the Super Ministry bill it is laid aside for now.
This development bill comes to Parliament in less than a fortnight after the Super Ministry bill was rejected. This new Sri Lanka Sustainable Development draft bill was presented to the Cabinet of Ministers by the Prime Minister as Document No. 10 on July 22, 2016.
At the same Cabinet meeting, another, also for development and tabled by the President as Document No. 09 was approved. This was titled, Organization for Nation Development with Civil-Military Coordination.
Surprisingly none seems to be interested to know why there should be two bills for development by the President and the Prime Minister.
While the two separate documents on national development were approved by the Cabinet of Ministers at the same meeting, Minister for Development Strategies and International Trade, gets his proposal as document No. 65 also approved to establish a State controlled consultancy company in collaboration with a Singaporean company named Surbana Jurong.
This new company would facilitate foreign investment for development. How this Singaporean company was picked to sign an MoU with the BOI-SL remains an unanswered question that could cross the line of corruption as well. It is also intriguing how the Minister for Development Strategies decided in advance that such a foreign collaborated consultancy firm was required, even before the SDC was established to formulate a national policy and strategy on sustainable development.
There is similar contradiction with the Prime Minister laying down his governments economic policy framework in parliament on two occasions within a year. First on 5 November 2015 and the second on 27 October, 2016.
The Prime Minister laid down his governments economic policy and strategy the second time, for the next 5 years valid up to end 2021. In less than 3 months he presents to parliament the Sri Lanka Sustainable Development bill to establish and mandate the SDC to formulate a national policy and strategy on sustainable development for the next 15 years.
Any reasonable explanation for this confusion at the highest level?
On top of all this multiplicity and overlapping of responsibility for undefined development efforts by different ministers and creation of different agencies, the Speaker Karu Jayasuriya too has appointed a Parliamentary Committee for sustainable development, headed by Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala.
The development saga of this unity government does not end just there. Two months ago, the governments budget for 2017 presented and adopted in Parliament now holds the Government responsible for development across the country.
Promising such development, the 2017 budget was approved to establish EPZs for environmentally highly sensitive operations in Hambantota, Puttalam and Kilinochchi.
These will have 50 per cent tax reductions for 05 years to come. The government allocated Rs.21,000 million to cluster 14,022 GN divisions into 2,500 cluster villages as rural economic units. An Aquaculture Park is to be established in Batticaloa with an initial allocation of Rs.100 million.
Again, Rs.750 million was allocated to develop fisheries harbours in Chilaw, Mirissa, Kalmunai, Valvettithurai, Karai Nagar and Puranawella with capacities for repair and manufacture of boats. Underutilised or unutilised State land will be given for dairy farming with investments of Rs.25 million.
For seed quality improvement Rs.100 million was allocated with unutilised State land offered. A 50 per cent tax holiday is given for drip irrigation and greenhouse technology.
Mini industrial parks are to be set up in Moneragala, Jaffna/Vanni, Puttalam, Ampara for MSM enterprises with investment on MSM enterprises offered 50 per cent reduction on tax. They are some of the proposals for development as designed and planned by the government.
(http://www.media.gov.lk/news-archives/683-budget-2017)
Interestingly, identical projects were funded on proposals Finance Minister Karunanayake brought before Parliament with his budget for 2016 presented in November 2015. There should have been an evaluation report tabled in Parliament on those 2016 proposals before the 2017 budget was discussed. That would have revealed to the people what had happened to those 2016 budget proposals approved for development.
In previous years budget, these included among others, proposals to establish a Regulatory Authority to streamline the MSME sector. It was proposed to register all Micro Financing Agencies for an annual fee of Rs.25,000 per unit.
Rs.500 million was allocated for a MSMEs Credit Guarantee Scheme as initial capital. Mini-industrial parks were proposed as MSME incubators in Moneragala, Puttalam, Jaffna/Vanni, and Ampara with applicable tax rates reduced by 50 percent for a period of 03 years with an allocation of Rs.150 million for the purpose.
For greater collaboration between the private sector and government to produce high quality seeds, unutilized state land were proposed to be allocated as an incentive. A sum of Rs.1,000 million was allocated for this purpose.
Half tax holidays were granted to companies that use drip irrigation methods, greenhouse technology and endeavour to introduce high yielding seeds. A life insurance cover of Rs.1 million was approved for the fishermen who meet with accidents when at sea.
Rs.750 million allocated for development of Fishery Harbours in Chilaw, Mirissa, Kalmunai, Valvettithurai, Karai Nagar and Puranawella.
Rs.100 million for an Agro Livestock and Fish Processing Park connecting the districts of Anuradhapura, Vavuniya and Kilinochchi. Rs.100 million to National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA) to undertake programmes to enhance fish breeding capacity.14,022 Grama Niladhari divisions to be developed into 2,500 cluster villages as complete rural economic units with an allocation of Rs.21,000 million. (http://www.ft.lk/article/499335/BUDGET-2016-FULL-SPEECH---PROPOSALS)
What had happened to these 2016 development activities with all the money allocated? Why does this government repeat same for 2017 as well?
Clearly nothing had happened in 2016. But, it is necessary for the public to know how the money allocated in billions of rupees was disbursed.
They also raise another important issue. With billions allocated and spent in 2016 for numerous high profile development activities and more included in the 2017 budget approved by Parliament with much more allocations, the government also promises to carry through all the Chinese funded projects that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa started, including the Colombo Port City Project, the Magampura MR Harbour expansion and the Mattala International Airport.
The Prime Minister meanwhile told Parliament he is ready to relocate the Hambantota Industrial Zone that was ceremoniously launched on January 76, to Polonnaruwa, Kandy or Nuwara Eliya, if Hambantota people dont need it.
Despite such industrial zones as proposed need a modern harbour facility in very close proximity for its operations, it is not only disappointing when the Prime Minister offers relocation to places as interior as Polonnaruwa, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, it also says the government is not serious about development.
This government not only lacks any seriousness in what they do, but also prove they are pretty amateurish in what they do.
They prove theres no coherence in thinking in the government when the same cabinet meeting adopts 03 proposals that should come as one integrated proposal from the most appropriate ministry with others identified as line ministries and agencies.
That does not happen, partly because every minister has a stake in how much allocations can be secured. And this again is a government that adopts same budget proposals with big majorities, two years running.
More importantly it begs answers to the question, why the government that in two consecutive years proposed and adopted numerous development activities with billions of rupees allocated to them, now want a bill passed in Parliament to formulate a national policy and strategy on sustainable development that would be valid for a period of 15 years?
Those already approved and funded were also highlighted as eco-friendly, sustainable and planned for many years ahead.
What would any new planning under the proposed Sustainable Development Council do with these ongoing development projects and with all those Chinese funded mega projects?
With all the development that the government is harping on, and investment that it promises to bring in, is there any necessity to establish new agencies and consultancies for more development planning?
All this can have only one answer. This government is gunning for heavy centralisation of the State to have all funding under such centralised agencies.
What comes out of it, in terms of delivery to people is not whats important. Duplicity in budgets proves it all.
Disaster Management Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa today warned of an imminent food shortage, power and energy crisis and a scarcity of water for agriculture by March this year because Sri Lanka will not have any significant rain until mid March.
However, he told reporters that the government would take all possible measures to mitigate the effects of bad weather and appealed to the people to use water and power sparingly.
The government has decided to import 250,000 metric tons of rice to offset any possible food shortage. We will do our best to soften the impact of the prolonged drought. The Irrigation Department has already curtailed the supply of water for agricultural purposes in certain areas so as to provide drinking water. Our main concern is the welfare of the people, the minister told a news conference held at the Information Department.
When asked by a journalist, he said deforestation could not be named as the direct cause for the dry spell and added Sri Lankas forest cover still remains at around 23%.
With regard to the payment of compensation to those affected by the Salawa explosion, the floods in Kegalle and the landslide, the minister said a plantation company had agreed to release 350 acres of land to build houses for those displaced by floods and landslides in Aranayaka.
He said the government would pay Rs.400,000 on a staggered basis for 20 perches of land to those who have found a safe location to build their homes. (SAJ)
Video by Janaka
The historical Couch-Palanquin believed to have been used by the late Rev. Fr. Joseph Vaz who was elevated to sainthood by Pope Francis during his visit to Sri Lanka in 2015 was displayed at St. Francis Xaviers Church in Gurugalla, Avissawella recently, where a large number of devotees from many parts of the island visited and venerated it.
He was born on April 21, 1651 in Benaulim, India and was ordained an Oratorian priest later.
Fr. Joseph Vaz visited the island during the Dutch period when the Catholics of Sri Lanka were being subjected to persecution by the Dutch authorities. History records that these Catholics who lived mostly in the coastal areas fled to safety during these attacks. The Dutch were imposing Calvinism as the official religion after taking over from the Portuguese. He travelled throughout the island bringing the Eucharist and the sacraments to clandestine groups of Catholics. Later in his mission, he found shelter in the Kingdom of Kandy where he was able to work freely. By the time of his death, Vaz had managed to rebuild the Catholic Church in the island.
He arrived in the island disguised as a beggar and mixed with the suffering and attended to their religious needs. Volumes were written on the mission of Fr. Joseph Vaz and he is hailed as champion of protecting the Catholic denomination, its rites and teachings. In his pursuit to protect the Catholics and their ardent faith in the face of severe oppression and harassment by the Dutch, Fr. Joseph Vaz moved from village to village, caring for devotees and nursing the sick. Folklore reveals that he had lived in Ruwanwella, Kegalle and Karawanella disguised as a beggar.
Although born in India, Fr. Vaz is known as the Apostle of Ceylon. On 21, January 1995, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Colombo. He was canonized on January 14, 2015 by Pope Francis in an open-air mass ceremony at the Galle Face Green in Colombo.
During the exposition of this historical Couch, the Parish Priest of St. Francis Xavier, Awissawella, Rev. Fr. Gratian Hapuarachchi said the couch was kept for several days in the church and that several Holy Masses and other rituals were held with the participation of a large number of devotees. These services were held under the patronage of the Bishop of Ratnapura, Rev. Dr. Cletus Chandrasiri. This couch, dating back to more than 400 years has now become an historical artefact. This exposition was made possible with the intervention of the Gurugalla Apelapitiya Sri Sudharmarama Viharadhipathi Ven. Dammarathana Thera and Maniyangama Raja Maha Viharadhipathi Ven. Abanwala Hemalankara Nayaka Thera. The couch was returned to the Raja Maha Viharaya where it has been kept for many years.
This priceless artifact which has a religious importance for Christians was preserved by the Ven. Monks at Maniyamgama Rajamahaviharaya and Rev. Fr. Hapuarachchi was grateful to the Buddhist monks for making it available for exhibition at the church. The Couch was preserved and protected because of the Ven. Monks and this is what we called religious harmony and coexistence, Fr. Hapuarachchi said. This is a valuable treasure belonged to the temple and after the exhibition and religious veneration we returned it to Rajamahaviharaya, he said.
The five policemen remanded in connection with the killing of two Jaffna University students were further remanded till January 27 by Jaffna Magistrate S. Satheeshkaran today.
The five policemen were arrested by the CID on October 21 in Jaffna. (Romesh Madusanka)
The question remains as to how Sri Lanka is going to justify its rejection of foreign participation in the accountability process after co-sponsoring the UNHRC resolution
The question about the involvement of foreign judges in the mechanism to investigate the allegations of Human Rights violations during the last phase of the war between the security forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) has come to the fore again.
After a few stories about the comments by politicians in the media, the issue made headlines when the Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms handed over its report to former President and the Chairperson of the Office of the National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR), Chandrika Kumaratunga on January 5.
In spite the Task Force having discussed many issues, only its recommendation on the involvement of foreign judges in the accountability mechanism had been highlighted by the media.
However, reminding us of the fate of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) - both appointed by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the recommendation was rejected by the very government that appointed the Task Force.
The LLRC recommended the creation of a domestic mechanism to investigate the alleged Human Rights violations was rejected by the Rajapaksa government leading to the intervention by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
The same fate had befallen on the APRC when it reportedly recommended a set of proposals on the devolution of power. Besides, the APRC report never saw the light of day.
Soon after the report prepared by the Task Force headed by Manouri Muttettuwegama was handed over to Kumaratunga, so many Ministers rushed to reject the recommendation for the involvement of foreign judges.
Cabinet Spokesmen, Ministers Rajitha Senaratne and Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena told journalists that President Maithripala Sirisena had already rejected the international involvement.
Senaratne further stated that the United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner Prince ZeidRaad Al Hussein had accepted the Sri Lankan position during his visit to the island in February last year.
Buddha Sasana and Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe went on to reject not only the recommendations but also the Task Force as well. He said he did not have confidence in the Task Force.
However, as if to counter the remarks made by Senaratne on the UN Human Rights chief, the UNHRC in its twitter account on the same day said Zeid has always urged the creation of a hybrid court in Sri Lanka, while giving a link to a news item in the UNHRC website, which in turn had given another link to the report Al Hussein had presented to the Human Rights council in 2015, to prove what it said his unchanged position
The Secretariat for Coordinating Reconciliation Mechanisms formed by the Cabinet on December 18, 2015 and headed by Mano Tittawella and the Task Force under it, comes under the Prime Ministers Office.
The Secretariat is tasked with the design and implementation of Sri Lankas reconciliation mechanisms. Another purpose of the Secretariat and the Task Force seem to be showcasing to the world the efforts by the new government towards reconciliation among various communities.
Although many members of the Task Force are associated with NGOs it is not an entity totally outside the State machinery.
Had the government leaders such as the President and the Prime Minister been against the foreign involvement in the accountability process throughout the period since they came to power, there wouldnt be anything to discuss at this juncture, when the Ministers reject the foreign judges on behalf of the government.
However, it was puzzling as to what the future relationship between the international community and Sri Lanka would be, when the latter rejected one of its own commitments to the former.
The relationship between the international community and the Sri Lankan government had been soured during President Mahinda Rajapaksas tenure as the government went back on its words on the accountability issue.
Rajapaksa had personally given an assurance to UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon a week after the end of the war that the accountability issue would be addressed.
Despite the LLRC report being the only Sri Lankan commission report that the international community had accepted, though with reservations, the Rajapaksa government did not take follow up actions with its recommendations. This backtracking game resulted in three resolutions against the Sri Lankan government adopted in the UNHRC and an international investigation into the war crimes allegedly committed by the security forces and the LTTE.
President Sirisenas government attempted to show the world that it was different from the previous regime in respect of Human Rights and democracy.
And Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera called on the world to not judge the new government by the broken promises, experiences and u-turns of the past during the UNHRC session in September 2015.
In fact the government took several measures towards reconciliation including the appointment of civilian Governors to the Northern and Eastern Provinces as demanded by the Tamil political parties, removal of ban on Tamil diaspora organisations and the lifting of the blocking of certain websites including the Tamilnet run by the LTTE.
In spite of the growing cordial relationship between the Sri Lankan government and the UNHRC the UN Human Rights Chief on September 16, 2015, released a report on Human Rights abuses by Sri Lankan government forces and the LTTE during Sri Lankas civil war, while calling for the establishment of a special hybrid court integrating international judges, prosecutors, lawyers and investigators.
However, after discussions between the Sri Lankan and the US officials, the US initiated resolution adopted at the UNHRC called on the participation of Commonwealth and other foreign judges, defence lawyers and authorized prosecutors and investigators in a Sri Lankan judicial mechanism.
It did not call for a hybrid court.
With this agreement Sri Lankan authorities who co-sponsored the resolution argued that investigation against selected security forces personnel would clear the name of those forces of human rights violations.
However, President Sirisena dropped a bombshell in January 2016 during an interview with BBC by saying he did not agree with the foreign participation in the accountability process. Until then no Ministers protested against the foreign judges.
Two weeks after this interview was published Zeid Al-Hussein visited Sri Lanka during which he also said that Though the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) makes a recommendation on the judicial process into alleged war crimes or on the involvement of foreign judges, it was the sovereign right of Sri Lanka to decide.
This was what Minister Senaratne had referred to recently.
Again in June last year the Human Rights Chief had apparently gone back to his original position and said in a report on Sri Lanka that The High Commissioner remains convinced that international participation in the accountability mechanisms would be a necessary guarantee for the independence and impartiality of the process in the eyes of victims, as Sri Lankas judicial institutions currently lack the credibility needed to gain their trust.
Hence, it now seems that many Sri Lankans, including Minister Senaratne, had misunderstood what Al Hussein had said during his Sri Lanka visit.
Although both Sri Lankan leaders and the UN Human Rights chief had apparently been wavering between participation and non-participation of foreign judges, it is the UN version that would finally be counted.
Therefore, the question remains as to how Sri Lanka is going to justify its rejection of foreign participation in the accountability process after co-sponsoring the UNHRC resolution.
After all, Sri Lanka had appealed to the international community to not judge the new government by the broken promises, experiences and u-turns of the past.
By Zahara Zuhair
Foundation stone laying ceremony of the Nestle Lankas newest state-of- the-art factory in Pannala took place yesterday with the participation of President Maithripala Sirisena and many other distinguished invitees.
The Rs.5 billion project, an expansion to the existing facility in Pannala, is so far the biggest investment in the country by Nestle Lanka and, is expected to be completed by 2018.
Through the investment, the company plans to expand its production capacity of its dairy and coconut-based products.
Nestle Lanka Managing Director Shivani Hedge said that they have been continuously investing in Sri Lanka, and this latest investment will help them to enhance capacity, and contribute towards countrys economic development.
This will be Nestles largest investment in this country. Nestle, has a turnover of 90 million Swiss francs and operates in 190 countries around the world with 500 factories for last 150 years, she said adding that they started manufacturing in Sri Lanka in 1984.
She said their intention is to enhance the quality of lives of people in Sri Lanka.
Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said with about 45 percent of fresh milk produced locally, the governments aim is to increase it up to 65 percent in one and half years.
He also invited Nestle Lanka, to make use of the restoration of GSP Plus to Sri Lanka.
In parallel to foundation laying ceremony, a farmer felicitation event also took place with the participation of 100 Nestle farmers.
Nestle has been operating in Sri Lanka for over 110 years, being a local multinational that manufactures products locally, largely using local ingredients.
As Sri Lankas largest private sector collector of fresh milk, collecting one third of the total commercially available fresh milk, and one of the worlds largest exporters of coconut milk powder, Nestle supports the livelihood of over 25,000 local farmers and their families.
It was noted that its average annual payment to local farmers for procuring these raw materials was around Rs.6 billion alone.
Amidst a volatile political atmosphere, United Peoples Freedom Alliance Parliamentarian, former State Minister of Provincial Council and Local Government Priyankara Jayarathna recently tendered his resignation from his ministerial portfolio. In an interview with our sister newspaper Lankadeepa, the Minister responded to questions about the cause of his resignation.
Why did you accept the state minister portfolio?
As you know, I represent Anamaduwa, a seat where voters are known for their leftist political ideologies. During the time the national government was being formed, the central organisation of the electorate wanted me to join the government.
Why was such a request made?
Anamaduwa was an area which was ravaged by violence. Those who believed that a repetition of such violence was impending demanded that I joined the government and take up a portfolio.
Then, why did you resign?
Considering the prevailing political situation, I convened central organisations on several occasions in December. During these meetings, Buddhist prelates in the area, political activists and ardent supporters of the party insisted on my resignation from the government.
Why did they demand your resignation?
The so-called national government is a jumble of affairs. The people are convinced that the governments way is vague and that they are incapable of serving the people. They insisted on my resignation and even warned that they would take severe action if I failed to do so.
Were you intimidated?
I am an elected member. Dont forget that I am not a National List parliamentarian. We have to be responsive towards the difficulties people endure. Therefore I decided to resign.
Were there any other reasons that led you to resign?
I am a politician with a conscience and therefore I must listen to the needs of the people. The country is presently following a policy of selling national resources. I dont want to be part of such sinister activities. As for your question about other reasons, there are several other reasons. The immature UNP parliamentarians say we are clinging to the UNP government. They have forgotten their origins and are not aware of the nature of a national government.
However some have alleged that your resignation was caused by the governments unresponsiveness to your problems.
That is wrong. If I wanted the government to help solve my problems, I would have stayed in government. I dont have such severe problems.
Why did you wait for two years to take this decision?
This national government was formed only for two years. The governments behaviour was quite different from what we expected. The political environment in my electorate is not similar to that of Colombo or any other part of the country. Most people here have leftist political ideologies and do not like a government of this nature.
Anyway, your resignation has not been accepted by the President
I met the President and informed him that I was handing over my official vehicle and other government properties. For this visit, I used my private vehicle. Even if my resignation is not accepted in future, I will work only as an SLFP parliamentarian.
What was the Presidents reaction to your resignation letter?
He asked me not to make hasty decision as I have a good future and to take collective decision with the party.
What was your response?
I told him everything that I have told you already. If I added anything more it would be that I could not change my stance over the matter.
Did you inform the President of your resignation before you handed over your letter?
I didnt inform him prior to my decision but I informed my political friends that I would take a decision by the end of the month. The President gave me a call on the 10th and asked whether I had any problem.
And what was your answer?
I told him I had no problems but also informed him of my wish to meet and speak with him. Later on, I met the President with my resignation letter.
You worked with Minister Faiszer Musthapha. Did you have any difficulty in collaborating with him?
I had no problem with the minister and there were no restrictions enforced on my work.
Did you speak to the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa before your resignation from the government?
There were no special conversations as such. The news of my intended resignation had reached several people by December 31. Mahinda Rajapaksa was among those who called me that morning. He called me at about 11.30 a.m. and inquired If I was attempting to resign from my portfolio.
What was your response to the question?
I said that I was on my way to hand over the resignation letter. Then he told me to make the right decision without any fear.
Are you now part of the Joint Opposition?
There was no special invitation from the JO but most of them are my friends. They all spoke to me following my decision.
In Parliament will you be seated as a member of the SLFP Parliamentarian or as a Joint Opposition MP?
We are all SLFPers and contested the general election under the UPFA with the symbol of the betel leaf. I still dont know where to sit in Parliament.
Whom do you acknowledge as your leader, President Maithripala Sirisena or former President Mahinda Rajapaksa?
I am a SLFPer. President Maithripala Sirisena is my leader. The former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is also my leader. I have been working under four party leaders during my political career. I joined the SLFP when Sirimavo Bandaranaike was leader of the party. When I was elected as a Provincial Council member, my leader was Chandrika Bandaranayaka. Since 2005 I was under the leadership of Mahinda Rajapaksa and now the present leader is Maithripala Sirisena.
What if you receive an invitation from the Joint Opposition?
Its too early to respond to such queries. Everything will be decided after discussions.
What are your views on the progress of the country?
I honestly regret the state of the country and the aggravation of the problems it is confronted with. On the one hand we have made a decision to give 15,000 acres of land to China. Meanwhile there are attempts to create a super minister post. These have become detrimental issues, therefore I think 2017 will be a decisive year in many aspects.
Are you indirectly saying that President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe are incapable of developing the country?
No, what I am saying is that we must take separate paths in governance. A single party government whether SLFP or UNP. There are obvious clashes between these two parties. Now each member is blaming the other. Clashes arising due to these differences of opinion are now obvious to the entire country.
Is your resignation a precursor of some greater plan?
I did not negotiate my terms with anyone. I had discussions only with the people of my electorate. There are no other agreements.
However you have predicted that more minsters from Gampaha, Kalutara and Galle will leave the government.
Yes I did. They told me that discussions in this regard are in progress. I told them I that took this decision as I wanted to continue in politics.
Do you expect more parliamentarians to leave the government?
We have had long discussions. They will take the right decision at the right time.
Already the security provided to you has been removed.
Yes, my Ministerial security detail has been replaced with security measures which a parliamentarian is entitled to.
Will there be further repercussions?
Whatever the repercussions, I am confident my people will protect me.
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had made a statement that the government will be toppled in 2017.
The next General Election is due in 2020. But it is possible to gain power in Parliament if Parliamentarians begin to shift.
Are there any plans for this purpose?
I am still not aware of such a thing. My stance is to have an SLFP government.
What if the President asks you to accept the ministerial post again?
I will not accept.
Are you confident that you will not accept the portfolio?
I will accept a portfolio under an SLFP government but not under an Unity Government with the UNP.
Sri Lankas external sector performance improved in September 2016 as exports grew for the second consecutive month and tourist earnings rose narrowing the trade deficit, data released by the Central
Bank showed.
Though Sri Lankas main export item, textile and garments, which account for 43 percent of total exports earnings, contracted 7.1 percent year-on-year (YoY) to US$ 382.2 million, total export earnings grew 5.7 percent YoY to US $ 897.6 million.
The European Commission this week proposed to restore GSP Plus trade concession to Sri Lanka. Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said yesterday the country will rake in additional US $ 1.4 billion from the tariff concession.
European Union also recently lifted the ban on fisheries imports from Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, earnings from transport equipment soared over 450 percent YoY to US $ 31.1 million due a handing over of a ship to Singapore, the Central Bank said.
Export earnings from agricultural products in September rose 8.9 percent YoY US $ 224 million, with earnings from tea exports recording a 8.9 percent YoY growth to US $ 114.9 million.
However, the cumulative export earnings for the first nine months of 2016 stood at US $ 7.76 billion, down 3 percent YoY.
Meanwhile, import expenditure in September fell 2.5 percent YoY to US $ 1.54 billion, largely owing to lower vehicle imports and globally reduced oil prices. Vehicle imports in September fell 51.9 percent YoY to US $ 60.8 million while the cumulative figure for the nine months fell 41 percent YoY to US $ 607.9 million.
Sri Lankas oil bill in September fell 22.1 percent YoY to US $ 176.3 million while for the nine months it fell 18.6 percent YoY to US $ 1.67 billion.
Further, the lower import expenditure registered on fertiliser, mineral products and building materials contributed largely to the decline in the overall import expenditure during the month.
On a cumulative basis, expenditure on imports during the period January to September 2016 decreased by 1.7 percent to US $ 13.94 billion, mainly due to the declines recorded in the importation of vehicles for personal use and business purposes, fuel and rice.
China, India, Singapore, Japan and UAE were the main import origins during the first nine months of 2016, accounting for about 57 percent of total imports. Accordingly, Sri Lankas trade balance in September narrowed 12 percent YoY to US $ 645 million due to the combined effect of an increase in exports and a decline in imports.
However, the cumulative trade deficit during the first nine months of 2016 remained almost unchanged at US $ 6.18 billion in comparison to US $ 6.18 billion recorded during the same period of 2015.
Meanwhile, cumulative earnings from tourism increased to US $ 2.5 billion during the first nine months of 2016 when compared to US $ 2.18 billion during the same period in 2015.
Receipts from workers remittances declined marginally by 1.1 percent YoY to US $ 577.9 million during September 2016 compared to US $ 584.2 million in September 2015. However, cumulative inflows from workers remittances grew 3.9 percent to US $ 5.38 billion. Foreign investments at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) recorded a net inflow of US $5.1 million in September 2016.
However, the cumulative foreign investments in the CSE during the first nine months of 2016 recorded a net outflow of US $ 19.02 million, which included net outflows of US $ 20.44 million from the secondary market and an inflow of US $ 1.42 million to the primary market.
Also, foreign investments in the government securities market recorded a net inflow of US $ 82.2 million during September 2016 while on a cumulative basis, foreign investments in the government securities market was a net inflow of US $ 48 million during the first nine months of the year in comparison to a net outflow of US $ 920.2 million during the corresponding period of 2015. During the first nine months of 2016, long-term loans to the government recorded a net inflow of US$ 866.0 million, in comparison to a net inflow of US $ 177.6 million during the first nine months of 2015.
Accordingly, during the first nine months of 2016, the overall balance of payment (BOP) is estimated to have recorded a surplus of US $ 243.1 million, in comparison to a deficit of US $ 2.31 billion recorded during the corresponding period of 2015.
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) is in favour of constitutional proposals which do not require the people's approval at a referendum, Party spokesman and State Minister Dilan Perera said yesterday.
He said President Maitripala Sirisena's mandate was to carry out changes which did not need a referendum because holding a referendum could be risky given the trend in some other countries where governments had been defeated.
See what happened in Italy, Colombia and Britain where the people did not vote on the question asked but used it as an opportunity to protest against those governments, the state minister said and added that it would be best to avoid a referendum.
We need a referendum for the executive presidency to be abolished, he asked. "Six months I said that President Sirisena would be the next presidential candidate." (Kelum Bandara)
Calls for key domestic structural reforms prior to far-reaching trade pacts
Says every trade pact has winners and losers; urges special safety nets for losers
Stresses Sri Lanka cannot escape from its geography when trading
Points out a lot depend on quality of the agreement, negotiations
Sri Lanka is at least three decades behind in getting into a much deeper trade, services and investment agreement with India, and therefore the country is now in a catch-up phase of the lost opportunities through its proposed Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA), according to an international economist.
Sri Lanka, in my view, is playing catch-up. When we liberalised in 1977, I would have thought, if I were designing Sri Lankas trade strategy, I would have said in a logical sense, eight years after you have a certain set of reforms, (then) you begin to consider a trade agreement with the largest economy in terms of geography because trade
follows geography.
Sri Lanka is doing this (ETCA), 25-30 years too late. So, we are playing catch-up on regional trade, said Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja, Advisor to the Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), delivering a public lecture on slowdown in exports and its implications for Asia and Sri Lanka, hosted by Advocata Institute, an independent public policy think tank in Colombo.
He, nevertheless said, the timing for such an agreement is immaterial given the huge market that will open up for Sri Lanka.
I think the timing doesnt matter for it, we should get that market access, Dr. Wignaraja said in response to a question by Mirror Business on whether Sri Lanka is ready to open up its market access in the current context given its limited domestic capacity.
Meanwhile, he rejected the idea that Sri Lankas large trade gap with India should close doors for a deeper trade and investment accord with the fastest growing large economy in the world because he was of the view that the ETCA would potentially bring in Indian investments into Sri Lanka, which in turn will create manufacturing and thereby creating jobs for the locals.
If we want to get into them (value chains), if you want to create manufacturing jobs in this country, you have to use as many engines as you can. (So), an ETCA will help potentially, Dr. Wignaraja added.
However, he urged the policy makers to make key structural reforms and to create safety nets for losers because every trade deal has winners and losers.
So, as the first thing, we have got to think a little bit about what kind of FTA utilization we want. So, the first thing that we want to think about is, what is the domestic reform agenda and what are we going to open up (and) we put those things into FTAs and we lock in those structural reforms (into FTAs). Thats the way you see those (FTAs) in East Asia and you do it that way, he explained.
Apart from ETCA, Sri Lanka plans free trade agreements (FTAs) with China and Singapore.
Dr.Wignaraja said a trade pact with Japan would also be beneficial for the country, which could be later expanded into a region-wide FTA.
Cautioning on the possible losers of FTAs, he stressed on providing adjustment assistance to them by way of re-training them in new industries and developing safety nets.
Dr.Wignaraja said a lot would depend on the quality of the agreement and how far the policy makers pay attention to those losing sectors resulting from far reaching trade pacts, such as ETCA.
It was only the other day Razeen Sally, an Associate Professor at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at National University of Singapore said, ETCA may not result in market access and competition in the scale that is expected due to the toxic politics played by both sides and the poor negotiations, particularly from the Sri Lankan side, which could undermine the true potential of the trade pact.
We are not going to see that many new markets opened, new competition and forging of much deeper integration between Sri Lanka and India because of politics of both sides and particularly of politics here (Sri Lanka).
The negotiations werent prepared here and certainly the communication with the Sri Lankan public was not done, Professor Sally told a recent forum also organized by Advocata Institute jointly with Echelon business magazine.
Sri Lankan Prime Minster Ranil Wickremesinghe and Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka YI Xianliang attended the launch of an industrial zone in the Hambantota district on January 7. It is reported that hopefully China will invest billions into the zone within the next three to five years. What businesses does the Sri Lankan government plan to develop in the industrial zone? How will the zone help in the development of Sri Lanka?
At the outset, I would like to thank the China Daily for the opportunity given to me to provide our views with regard to the Hambantota Port and the proposed Industrial Zone in the same district in Sri lanka. My responses to your questions are as follows:
Sri Lanka built a large seaport in Hambantota with the support of an Exim Bank credit facility commencing around 2009. The Ports Authority of Sri Lanka managed the port upon its completion but it unfortunately did not prove to be a viable entity business-wise, even though some ships carrying vehicles were diverted to Hambantota from the Colombo Port. Since the new port had been built using a loan, the loan had to be paid back in time along with the interest. Unfortunately the revenue the port generated was insufficient.
Therefore, the Government of Sri Lanka, with the concurrence of the Government of China, decided to invite Chinese shipping companies to lease out and run it on a Private partnership basis.
Accordingly, the Sri Lankan government called for proposals and two Chinese companies submitted proposals. The proposal submitted by China Merchants, which offered USS 1.12 billion for an 80% stake for 99 years was recommended by the relevant technical committee. Here I must mention that China Merchants is already involved in seaport business in Sri Lanka, as they manage the Colombo International Container Terminal very successfully. That is the only port capable of handling 18,000 TEU capacity vessels in South Asia.
When the Industrial Zone adjoining the Hambantota Port was ceremonially opened, the Chinese Ambassador in Sri Lanka informed the gathering that Chinese investors would invest US$ 5 billion in the zone during the next three to five years.
Sri Lanka needs to accelerate its export base, as its current export earnings are equivalent to only 50% of its import bill, leaving Sri Lanka with a very unfavourable balance of payment. It is up to investors to identify suitable industries. Sri Lanka would like to provide employment opportunities to the countrys human resources, so labour-intensive industries would be welcome. Further, investors who use local raw materials, such as mineral sands, graphite and agricultural commodities would generate income opportunities for Sri Lanka. As the Hambantota Port includes a bunkering facility and a Tank Farm Project, investments relevant to both ship repairs and building would be useful.
Protests broke out on the day the industrial zone was launched. Protestors are reported to have said they are worried about a Chinese colony and that their lands may be taken to develop the zone. What is the Sri Lankan governments attitude towards that zone? Will it stop the development of the zone because of the protests and if so why?
In Sri Lanka, protesting against the governments work has become a hobby for some people; fortunately, these people constitute a small minority. From the time any new project was introduced since 1948, some of our people have opposed it. Even when the well-known Rubber-Rice Agreement was signed in 1952, under which China sold rice to Sri Lanka at a price below the world market and bought Sri Lankan rubber at a price above the world market, one member of Parliament voted against it in Parliament. It was only one out of 101 members of Parliament at that time. When land settlements were introduced in the 1940s, some people protested. During the introduction of large Multipurpose Development Projects such as Galoya in 1948 and Mahaweli in the 1980s and Economic Reforms which included special Economic Zones for foreign investors in the late 1970s, some people protested. But those projects were implemented and Sri Lanka is now enjoying the benefits of those projects.
Even now only a few hundred politically-motivated participants have been protesting. Calling it a Chinese Colony is baseless. No human settlements have been planned, for Chinese people or even for Sri Lankans under this project. Only a few senior Chinese managers would arrive to manage the investments, China Merchant has managed the Colombo International Container Terminal since 2011, managing a 2.4 million TEU capacity terminal, while employing only 22 Chinese nationals within their 1,200 capacity workforce. Of these 22 Chinese nationals, only a few live in Colombo with their families.
The Sri Lankan Government will utilize only government land in Hambantota and the adjoining districts for this investment project. Most of the land used to build the Seaport, the Hambantota Airport and the 23 km highway connecting the Airport and Seaport were government lands. The Government has already given assurance that human settlements and farmland already in use would not be taken away.
The Governments attitude towards the proposed Industrial zones is extremely positive. The Government will not stop these initiatives. The people and the Government of Sri lanka have invested more than US$ 2.0 billion, if I include the value of the land used for the Seaport, Airport and the highway connecting these two projects. Of this USS 2.0 billion, US$ 1.5 billion was financed by the Chinese Exim Bank loan, which we must pay back with interest in due time. Therefore, no sensible government would stop the proposed industrial parks. The business viability of both the Seaport and the Airport would totally depend on the success of investments in Hambantota and its adjoining districts. We have already used almost 15,000 acres far the Sea Port, Airport and highway. If we would do not build the industrial parks, the land already used would be wasted, which would be a national crime.
It is reported that Sri Lanka is planning to grant 80 percent of the Hambantota ports stake to China Merchants Port Holdings on a 99-year lease. Could you confirm this? Has a deal on such granting been signed? If not, when will it be signed?
The agreement has not yet been signed. It is true that the investor has asked for 80% of the Hambantota Ports stake on a 99 lease. The final decision will be taken soon, as we need an investor who has the capacity and a proven track record. China Merchants has been in Sri Lanka since 2011 and their expertise and leadership in managing seaports is well known.
Could you share with us the reasons why the Sri Lankan government decided to grant 80 percent of the stake of the Hambantota port, which was constructed by a Chinese Company to China Merchants Port Holdings on a 99-year lease?
It is true that the seaport in question was built by another Chinese company; that company has built a magnificent seaport. Their capacity in engineering and construction is excellent, which is why they were able to build such a mega project in time. However, China Merchants has a greater reputation with regard to port handling. That may be the reason for the selection of China Merchants.
Chinese investments have also joined the construction and development of the Colombo International Financial City (formerly known as the port city). What is the role of Chinese companies in the development of Sri Lankas ports and other infrastructure? How have Chinese investments helped Sri Lankas economic growth?
It is true that the Colombo International Financial City, which was earlier known as Port City, is going ahead. The construction of the Financial City is supported by the relevant government agencies. The construction company has already planned to do promotional work while constructions are ongoing.
What is your governments attitude towards Chinese investments in your country?
As I mentioned earlier, the Sri Lankan Governments attitude towards Chinese investment is positive. This is not a new thing; after Sri Lanka introduced economic reforms in the late 1970s, all successive governments have actively encouraged foreign investment. In fact, Chinese investment became the largest source during the past ten years. We are aware of Chinas policy of Going Global. Therefore, Chinas policy and our policy regarding foreign investment have become complementary.
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, and Fr. Edmond Tillakaratne and Rev. Fr. Anthony Fernandopulle, Secretary of the National St. Joseph Vaz Secretariat at the media briefing to announce the year of St Joseph Vaz
Pix by Pradeep Pathirana
The Catholic church has declared 2017 The year of St Joseph Vaz and hopes to discover further details about Sri Lankas great apostles life as well as the places he visited. There will also be a special focus on poverty alleviation and the spreading of harmony among different religions and racial groups- virtues St Joseph Vaz brought to Sri Lanka.
The Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith told a media conference We know that he came to Sri Lanka in 1687 and died in January 1711. However, our intention is to reveal more information about his courageous work towards Sri Lankas Catholics and the world.
The Cardinal added that St Joseph Vazs burial place was yet to be discovered.
It was revealed that the saint had gifted a cross to a family at Sillale in Jaffna and that the familys descendants still had this cross. Another such cross has been found at the Mahagalgamuwa Church in Kurunegala.
The St Joseph Vaz year will be inaugurated today at a special service to be held at 6 p.m. at St. Lucias Cathedral in Kotahena and will be presided over by the Cardinal. St Joseph Vazs cloak will be taken to St Anthonys Church, Kochikade for public veneration this morning. From there, it will be taken to St Lucias cathedral at 4.30 p.m. today. Tomorrow (15), every parish will conduct special observances to mark the year of St Joseph Vaz. Catholic schools will mark the event on January 16.
In Jaffna, the celebrations will be held on Monday at the Kondadi Shrine of St. Joseph Vaz. The ceremony will be presided over by the Bishop of Jaffna Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin Bernard Gnanapragasam.
The ceremony in Mannar will be held at the Church of St. Joseph Vaz at Madhukarai on January 16.
In Chilaw, the ceremony will be held at the St. Joseph Vaz Shrine, Wattakkalliya on January 22. It will be presided over by Chilaws Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Valence Mendis.
In Kandy, the year will be inaugurated tomorrow at the St. Joseph Vaz Shrine at the National Seminary, Ampitiya. It will be presided over by Kandys Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Vianney Fernando. In Galle the event will be held tomorrow at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Holy Rosary. It will be presided over by Galles Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Raymond Wickramasinghe. In the Trincomalee diocese all parishes will celebrate the event tomorrow while it will take place in the the Anuradhapura diocese at St. Joseph Vaz Church, Pemadura on January 22. In Rantapura, the ceremony will be held at the Cathedral of Sts Peter and Pauls Cathedral on January 22, presided over by the Bishop of Ratnapura Rt. Rev. Dr. Cletus Perera. In Batticaloa, the opening ceremony will be held at the Church of St. Joseph Vaz at Thannamunei tomorrow.
According to the cardinal, another feature of the St Joseph Vaz year will be the focus on restoring the dignity of impoverished and marginalised people. Accordingly, a free morning meal is to be distributed to children in schools located near parish churches.
Pilgrimages will also be arranged to Goa, the birthplace of St Joseph Vaz.
Another highlight will be a new vision by the church to promote reconciliation. St. Joseph Vaz set a tremendous example for reconciliation by learning both Tamil and Sinhala, the local languages in Sri Lanka. He not only spoke both languages but lived peacefully with people belonging to both ethnic groups, Cardinal Ranjith said.
Following in the footsteps of St Joseph Vaz, we should live peacefully with people belonging to other ethnic groups. We hope that those who belong to other religious and ethnic groups will also cooperate with us in bringing about reconciliation, he added.
Volunteers from the American Association of Retired Persons will provide free tax assistance to all taxpayers with middle and low income, with special attention to those ages 60 and older.
To receive help filing federal, state and local taxes, or rent rebate applications, taxpayers must bring copies of their income and any other information pertaining to the tax year 2016. They should also bring proof of health insurance, as well as receipts for anything bought online that wasnt taxed.
Residents should also bring copies of their property taxes in 2016.
Tax help will be available from Feb. 1 to April 15 at four sites in Cumberland County:
Carlisle Baptist Church, 701 Walnut Bottom Road, Carlisle. Help is available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Appointments can be made by going to the church on those days. Do not call the church for appointments.
South Middleton Township Building, 520 Park Drive, Boiling Springs. Help will be available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays. To schedule an appointment, call the township building at 717-258-5324.
Big Spring Senior Center, 91 Doubling Gap Road, Newville. Help will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays. Call 717-776-4478 to make an appointment.
The Cottages of Shippensburg, Community Room, 200 Cottage Drive, Shippensburg. Help will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. To schedule an appointment, call 717-530-1573 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
HARRISBURG Abigail Beidel will never forget her eighth birthday party at the Blue Mountain Rolling Rink in Roxbury.
After we skated, everyone told me to sit down and close my eyes, the North Newton Township resident recalled yesterday at the 101st Pennsylvania Farm Show. I did and my Aunt Heather Ocker handed me a black Nubian goat named Flower. I hugged Aunt Helen and was happy.
Five years later, Beidel is a confident goat owner showing six dairy goats at the Farm Show. Ocker, also of North Newton Township, also is showing goats there. Both couldnt be happier.
We have 18 Nubian and Toggenburg dairy goats and seven fainting goats, Ocker said. We also raise beef cattle. We use our goat milk for the beef and to make cheese, soap and the best ice cream ever.
The last three days of the Farm Show feature goats dairy goat showmanship competitions on Thursday, open dairy goat judging on Friday and Boer or meat goats on Saturday.
Pennsylvanias goat industry is thriving, said Helen Snyder, Farm Show Dairy Goat Department superintendent. Pennsylvania ranks fourth nationally in goats after California, Wisconsin, Texas and Iowa. Goat meat and goat milk are going mainstream.
That was obvious at the Pennsylvania Livestock Association booth in the Farm Show where there was a strong demand for walking goat tacos.
Demand is up 10 to 15 percent over last year, said Michael Firestine, livestock association board member. People arent accustomed to eating goat meat but want to try it.
He said that goat meat is higher in protein and lower in calories and cholesterol than other meats. Snyder said goat meat is the most consumed meat in the world while goat milk is the most consumed milk.
We have a lot of goat farms in Pennsylvania, she said. We export both goat meat and goat milk. This show is the nations largest goat show that limits entries only to Pennsylvania goats and owner. Its Pennsylvania pride.
Snyder said 420 goats were entered in goat judging, including 112 in the youth show. Participants led goats around the show ring in classes as a judge evaluated. Andrew Bowman of Slatington won the Best in Show in the youth division for Peppermint, his six-year-old Saanen.
He beat 111 Alpines, sturdy goats known as heavy milkers; Lamanchas, known for tiny ears; Nigerian Dwarfs, miniature goats popular for milking and pets; Nubians, who have long floppy ears; Saanens, a large white goat breed; Toggenburgs, high-spirited goats and Recorded Grades.
Ive been showing at the Farm Show since 2006, he said. This is what I worked for all year.
Beidel, a Big Spring Middle School student and Cumberland County 4-H Goat Club member, chatted about her goats between showing them in various classes. She won second prize in youth dairy showmanship.
My goats are my friends, she said. I know my goats and they know me. They follow me around like dogs. I feed them every day after school.
She said she loves showing the goats at the Farm Show and staying overnight in the complex with her Aunt Heather.
Another Cumberland County goat farm, owned by Shane and Fran Gilbert of Dickinson Township, houses 40 Boer or meat goats. Shane Gilbert, who grew up on a dairy farm in Wheatfield Township near Duncannon, said he bought his first goats to diversify.
My dad didnt agree with me buying goats, he said while preparing some for judging. He thought they were worthless, but Fran and I raised them. Then, when beef prices went down and goat meat prices went up, he got into it too. Now, Dad has goats along with his beef cattle.
Gilbert said Boer goats are fairly easy to raise and like being outside, although they have access to a barn in bad weather. He said they weigh five pounds at birth and 90 pounds at market weight by nine months.
We sell to the New Holland Sales Stables, he said. They sell them to ethnic groups and to New York. Our family eats goat meat if its barbecued.
Snyder said the price of goats has risen due to some states developing huge dairy goat operations.
Wisconsin has a 3,000-head goat dairy, she said. Other states have big goat dairies, too. The biggest Pennsylvania goat dairies milk 100 to 200 heads.
HAVING THEIR OWN RODEO
Hours before the Circuit Finals Rodeo kicked off, cowboys, cowgirls and kids who want to be like them roped dummies, rode simulated bucking bulls and barrel raced on stick horses.
The professional rodeo riders couldnt stop smiling. The 120 youngsters laughed in delight and waved cowboy hats.
The Circuit Finals Rodeo annual Exceptional Kids Rodeo, a laid-back part of the 101st Pennsylvania Farm Show, lets youngsters be in touch with their inner cowboys and cowgirls.
This is a wonderful event for us, said Betsy Harris, First Frontiers Circuit Finals president. We reach out to children who might not get to see a rodeo. These things let them feel rodeo. We give them T-shirts, scarves, cowboy hats and a lot of happiness. Were happy too.
The Large Arena echoed with laughter on Thursday as children from many backgrounds became rodeo champions for an hour.
Brandyn Castro, 10, of Lebanon laughed as he lassoed a metal steer. McKayla Herb of Loyalton first tried her hand at lassoing and then held a stick horse as a cowboy pushed her wheelchair around barrels in the events cloverleaf pattern.
That was a workout, Herb said.
Cowboy Chris Soto, a farrier and rodeo participant, admitted having as much fun as Herb.
Nearby, several Milton Hershey School students tried out models of saddle bronc and bucking bulls. Melvina Mills, 5, found the saddle bronc scary but fun, too while Isaac Via, a seventh-grader, hung onto the bucking bull like an experienced cowboy.
Cowboy J.R. Myers of Felton, a professional rodeo rider for 11 years, said he loves explaining to children what he does. This is fun, he grinned.
ITT Inc. manufactures and sells engineered critical components and customized technology solutions for the transportation, industrial, and energy markets worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Motion Technologies, Industrial Process, and Connect & Control Technologies. The Motion Technologies segment manufactures brake pads, shims, shock absorbers, and energy absorption components; and sealing technologies primarily for the transportation industry, including passenger cars, trucks, light- and heavy-duty commercial and military vehicles, buses, and trains. The Industrial Process segment designs and manufactures industrial pumps, valves, and plant optimization and remote monitoring systems and services; and centrifugal and twin screw positive displacement pumps, as well as aftermarket solutions, such as replacement parts and services. It serves various customers in industries, such as chemical, energy, mining, and other industrial process markets. The Connect & Control Technologies segment designs and manufactures a range of engineered connectors and specialized control components for critical applications supporting various markets, including aerospace and defense, industrial, transportation, medical, and energy. This segment's connector product portfolio includes electrical connectors, such as circular, rectangular, radio frequency, fiber optic, D-sub miniature, micro-miniature, and cable assemblies, as well as control products consist of actuators, valves, and pumps and switches for flow control applications; rate controls, seat recline locks, and elastomer isolators for aircraft interiors; elastomeric bearings for rotorcraft vibration isolation; heaters, hoses, and composite ducting for environmental control systems; and advanced composites for engine applications. ITT Inc. was incorporated in 1920 and is headquartered in White Plains, New York.
Argan, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, operations management, maintenance, project development, technical, and consulting services to the power generation and renewable energy markets. The company operates through Power Industry Services, Industrial Fabrication and Field Services, and Telecommunications Infrastructure Services segments. The Power Industry Services segment offers engineering, procurement, and construction contracting services to the owners of alternative energy facilities, such as biomass plants, wind farms, and solar fields; and design, construction, project management, start-up, and operation services for projects with approximately 15 gigawatts of power-generating capacity. This segment serves independent power project owners, public utilities, power plant equipment suppliers, and energy plant construction companies. The Industrial Fabrication and Field Services segment provides industrial field, and pipe and vessel fabrication services for forest products, industrial gas, fertilizer, and mining companies in southeast region of the United States. The Telecommunications Infrastructure Services segment offers trenchless directional boring and excavation for underground communication and power networks, as well as aerial cabling services; and installs buried cable, high and low voltage electric lines, and private area outdoor lighting systems. It also provides structured cabling, terminations, and connectivity that offers the physical transport for high-speed data, voice, video, and security networks. This segment serves state and local government agencies, regional communications service providers, electric utilities, and other commercial customers, as well as federal government facilities comprising cleared facilities in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Argan, Inc. was incorporated in 1961 and is headquartered in Rockville, Maryland.
The number of inmates being housed at State Correctional Institution at Camp Hill is expected to increase by roughly 1,000 because of a plan to close two other prisons in the state.
That has some local officials concerned about the possible impact on Cumberland Countys criminal justice system.
Any case from (SCI Camp Hill) is a drain on an already overburdened system, Cumberland County District Attorney David Freed said.
As of January, roughly 2,500 prisoners were housed at SCI Camp Hill. While an increase of 1,000 may sound alarming, corrections officials said it would bring the prison back up to a level it consistently saw before 2016.
We are bringing Camp Hills population back to pre-2016 levels, Department of Corrections spokeswoman Susan McNaughton said via email. ... Staffing levels have remained the same. The DOC will simply bring SCI Camp Hills population back to normal and historic operational levels.
SCI Camp Hill is the states central diagnostic and classification center for male inmates entering the system. Inmates are first housed at SCI Camp Hill for three to four months before being placed in another facility. Some prisoners also remain at SCI Camp Hill to serve their sentence.
Increase
The increase in prisoners will largely come from more inmates remaining at the facility rather than being transferred to another, according to William Nicklow, director of the Office of Population Management for the Department of Corrections.
However, with an increased prison population comes the potential for more crime.
Through a search of court records The Sentinel was able to identify nine cases that likely originated from SCI Camp Hill in 2016. Over the three years prior, when the prison population was at the level it is expected to return to, there was no significant increases in cases arising from the prison hovering from eight cases in 2015 to 13 cases in 2014, according to court records.
(T)he prison has operated previously at a higher population level, and its relationship with local law enforcement, (Pennsylvania State Police) and the courts was excellent and able to handle the amount generated at that level, McNaughton said. We do not expect any issues associated with our returning Camp Hill to a previous population level.
Freed said that while the caseload may be small, the cases that come out of the prison tend to tie up more court resources, including requiring a single courtroom to be available for an entire week for a trial.
Were just asking questions, Freed said. I may be convinced ultimately that this is the right thing to do. I have the utmost respect for (Pennsylvania Secretary of Corrections) John Wetzel and his team.
I dont think a prosecutor and corrections officials are going to agree on everything, Freed said. We have different missions. ... Its a wait-and-see thing, and Im looking forward to hearing what they have to say.
The state prison population has fallen by nearly 2,500 inmates since December 2011, according to report provided by the Department of Corrections.
With the closure of two prisons, the prison system would utilize roughly 86 percent of its available beds, according to the Department of Corrections report.
Dunelm Group plc retails homewares in the United Kingdom. The company offers furniture and beds products, which include bedroom, living room, dining room, and other furniture, as well as bed and mattresses, and sofas and chairs; bedding products comprising bed linen, dorma, baby and kid's bedding, and duvets, pillows and protectors; curtains and rugs; and venetian, roller, roman, vertical, and made to measure blinds. It also offers range of home decor products, such as mirrors, clocks, ornaments, pictures and frames, candle and home fragrance, flower and plants, vases, kid accessories, cushions, bean bags, and letterbox flowers, as well as housewarming, engagement, anniversary, and wedding gifts; lighting products, including ceiling and wall lights, table and desk lamps, floor lamps, and pendants and lamp shades; and paint, wallpaper, DIY and upcycling, and haberdashery products. In addition, the company provides kitchen and utility products comprising cooking, dining, electrical, utility, and pet products; towel and bathmats, and bathroom accessories, as well as furniture and decor products; storage products, such as travel and luggage, home, clothes, and kitchen storage; kids bedroom, nursery, and accessories products; outdoor products, which include garden furniture and decoration, and entreating and dining products; and trends christmas products and winter essentials. It operates through a network of 177 stores and 2 distribution centers, as well as sells its products through an online store at dunelm.com. Dunelm Group plc was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Syston, the United Kingdom.
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. provides cybersecurity solutions worldwide. The company offers firewall appliances and software; Panorama, a security management solution for the control of firewall appliances and software deployed on a customer's network, as well as their instances in public or private cloud environments, as a virtual or a physical appliance; and virtual system upgrades, which are available as extensions to the virtual system capacity that ships with physical appliances. It also provides subscription services covering the areas of threat prevention, malware and persistent threat, URL filtering, laptop and mobile device protection, and firewall; and DNS security, Internet of Things security, SaaS security API, and SaaS security inline, as well as threat intelligence, and data loss prevention. In addition, the company offers cloud security, secure access, security operations, and threat intelligence and cyber security consulting; professional services, including architecture design and planning, implementation, configuration, and firewall migration; education services, such as certifications, as well as online and in-classroom training; and support services. Palo Alto Networks, Inc. sells its products and services through its channel partners, as well as directly to medium to large enterprises, service providers, and government entities operating in various industries, including education, energy, financial services, government entities, healthcare, Internet and media, manufacturing, public sector, and telecommunications. The company was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California.
Dear Editor:
President Ronald Reagan often used the phrase, Trust but verify when speaking of the Russians. This phrase came to mind again Wednesday as I was listening to Mr. Trumps press conference when he said that only the Press was interested in seeing his tax returns.
I would like to see his tax returns so that I can verify the trust he wants me to have in him. Perhaps he could release them to a Congressional committee to be examined rather than releasing them to us, the voters? Or release them to a special task force made up of experienced Republican and Democrat accountants chosen by Mr. Trump who could act on the voters behalf?
The fact that he will not release the returns makes it look like there is something in them that he wants to keep hidden. If this is not the case, and he would like to increase confidence in his new administration, he should release his returns immediately. Verification builds trust.
Deb Fulham-Winston
Carlisle
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On Thursday, President Barack Obama said that he terminated the policy of 22 years that allowed Cubans arriving on U.S. soil without visas to stay and be given legal residency. The move was unexpected but long sought by the government of Cuba.
In a statement, Obama said that effective immediately, all Cuban nationals attempting to enter the U.S. illegally and who do not qualify for humanitarian relief are subject to removal, which is consistent with U.S. law as well as enforcement priorities.
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Through the taking of this action, we are treating migrants from Cuba the same as we treat migrants from every other country, said a press release from the government.
The move puts a finishing touch on the efforts of Obama as the president to end the more than half century of hostility between Cuba and the U.S. and establish normalized diplomatic relations and ties with the Caribbean island government that prior U.S. presidents have sought to punish and isolate.
The action by Obama will be through a new regulation by the Department of Homeland Security and a deal with the government of Cuba, which Obama said agreed to accept the return of Cuban citizens.
The policy, known as wet foot, dry foot, which goes back to 1995, received its name due to its unusual rules that required Cubans caught attempting to reach the U.S. by sea to be sent back to Cuba; yet those who arrived on U.S. soil and were caught, could stay and eventually apply to become a permanent resident.
The policy was a way for the U.S. to attempt to weaken the government of Fidel Castro, through welcoming thousands of Cubans that were fleeing repression.
However, recently it has been a magnet for economic refugees that has enticed many Cubans to take the perilous journey to reach the U.S. where they can enjoy legal status unlike other migrants from other countries.
The recent changes in policy have drawn sharp criticism from Obamas opponents who argue a thaw in relations with Cuba would reward Cubas dictators, and ignore their abuses of human rights.
A New Jersey Democrat Senator Robert Menendez said the announcement made by Obama will serve to tighten a noose that the Castro regime maintains around the necks of its people.
He said that Congress was not consulted on Obamas move.
A security adviser to Obama said that before most Cubans that came, absolutely needed to leave the country, but today those coming are seeking economic opportunity.
Madison County residents may have noticed a new kind of traffic in and around Fredericktown in the last few weeks. A group of former Kentuckians belonging to the Mennonite faith are in the process of establishing a community of families north of Fredericktown, giving area leaders and business owners the opportunity to extend a warm welcome.
Fredericktown City Administrator Doug Friend said he was approached by some members of the Mennonite group and asked about the possibility of accommodations being made in the way of parking locations for their horse-drawn buggies. The city is currently considering locations to install hitching posts for that purpose.
Were still working out a few things, said Friend. Well probably try to target [them] around city hall.
Friend said he spoke to county officials as well as local business owners about accommodations for the Mennonite community.
Ive talked to a couple of private businesses, and just gave them a heads up, Friend said.
He also said he probably wasnt the only person approached by members of the Mennonite community about establishing parking areas.
The county installed a hitching post in a gravel parking lot north of the courthouse, near the old jail. First District Commissioner Tom Stephens said during the County Commissions Jan. 3 meeting the hitching post had been in place since Dec. 28.
Friend said the city is keeping the location of the hitching post placed by the city in mind while considering additional locations.
The county put theirs in kind of a central location, Friend said. And weve talked about a couple other potential areas we could do.
Local businesses have also made efforts to accommodate the Mennonites. According to Friend, Gifford Lumber Company has put a hitching post up on its property and other businesses have expressed a desire to do the same.
Every one that I talked to indicated they thought that was a good idea, Friend said. I would think if they do any amount of trade there, then they would accommodate them.
Friend said the city has also ordered signs to caution automobile drivers about the presence of horses and buggies to help prevent accidents. Additionally, at the city council meeting Jan. 9, Friend mentioned the possibility of contacting state authorities to see about placing signs cautioning drivers to the presence of horses and buggies on Highway 00.
Were just trying to be as accommodating as we can, Friend said.
Former Gov. Jay Nixon might not have a state park named after him much longer if bills filed this week in Jefferson City by two local lawmakers are eventually passed by the Missouri Legislature.
Sen. Gary Romine, R-Ste Genevieve, and Rep. Paul Fitzwater, R-Potosi, announced Thursday that they had filed legislation in the Missouri House and Senate that would rename Jay Nixon State Park to one that would honor one of the earliest families to settle on the land around the mountain located in Reynolds and Iron counties Proffitt Mountain State Park.
State lawmakers werent pleased at all last week when it was learned that the Missouri Department of Natural Resources had purchased land two years ago in Reynolds County for the development of a state park using ASARCO settlement funds and then decided to name it after Gov. Jay Nixon, who finished his second and last term in office Monday.
Romines and Fitzwaters displeasure over not being made aware until last week of the DNR land purchase and naming the park for Nixon was further heightened when it came to light that the land had been owned previously by Thomas Hennessey Jr. who in June 2010 shot and killed his neighbor Carl Jones outside the Town and Country grocery store in Ironton after the pair had fussed and feuded over disputed easement rights for years. Upon learning that the park had been named for Nixon, Jones' granddaughter garnered a sizable number of signatures online to have it named instead for her late grandfather.
With this week's filing, Romine and Fitzwater are, if nothing else, taking the first step in having the new state park named, if not for Jones, for someone they consider more worthy of the honor and neither Fitzwater or Romine are mincing words about how they feel the whole situation has been handled by DNR and the former governor.
Jay Nixon used the money from the ASARCO settlement as a slush fund to purchase lands for state parks outside of the Lead Belt, then turned around and named a park after himself on his way out the door, Fitzwater said. This is highly offensive to the people of Reynolds and Iron counties. A park should be named to honor someone of historical significance and ties to the area. Our bills will correct this wrong.
Romine agreed, and added that Nixon naming a park after himself was the height of narcissism.
This is tantamount to a slap in the face of my constituents, Romine said. Nixon must think pretty highly of himself to think he could get by with naming a park after himself after he misused the funds meant for remediation and restoration of the Lead Belt area. Its a double whammy.
RICHMOND It's been 12 days since Bryce E. Reeves, a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, went public with information alleging one of his rivals, Jill Holtzman Vogel, was involved with an email that accused him of having an affair.
The tension between the GOP state senators lingers; a lawyer for Reeves this month sent Vogel and her husband a letter threatening a defamation lawsuit.
The third candidate for the nomination, Del. Glenn R. Davis Jr. of Virginia Beach, hasn't weighed in. As Vogel and Reeves continue to risk political damage from the dispute, Davis continues campaigning for the June nomination.
Davis
After the opening day of the 2017 General Assembly session on Wednesday, Davis headed out of Richmond to a meet-and-greet in Rockingham County.
"Hes doing what he needs to do to put himself in a good position for this lieutenant governors race," said Del. Terry G. Kilgore of Scott, a Southwest Virginia Republican who's been talking to Davis about finding new uses for coal. "Any of the three right now have a chance to win the nomination."
Davis announced his campaign in March, a few days after Reeves and Vogel announced. He pitched himself as a businessman and jobs creator, a message he's stuck to since.
Davis started his first information technology company out of his one-bedroom apartment in Virginia Beach in 1999. He travels in an RV called "Mellow Yellow" because of the color of its interior seats.
He served on the Virginia Beach City Council before his election to the state House in 2013 in District 84. He was re-elected in 2015 without a challenger.
Former U.S. Rep. Tom Davis of Northern Virginia helped kick off Davis's formal launch party in December in Virginia Beach, calling the 43-year-old a bright, fresh face and a new generation of leader focused on business. Because of that, he said, Davis could gain support in Northern Virginia, where Republicans have had trouble winning votes.
The kickoff was attended by major players in Hampton Roads business and politics. Former Gov. Bob McDonnell, who as a state lawmaker employed Davis as his legislative aide, showed up.
Davis, CEO of OnCall Telecom, said he understands why people could view him as an underdog and admitted in an interview Thursday to a wonky focus.
"I understand what causes entrepreneurs heartaches," he said. "I can't be something I'm not. I won't do red meat."
Vogel and Reeves
Vogel on Wednesday tried to cast a positive tone on her relationship with Reeves. Both have sons who are Senate pages, and shortly after the session convened, she walked to Reeves' desk, a warm smile across her face, to whisper with him as a photographer captured the scene.
Reeves, in an interview later Wednesday, said he still wants Vogel and her husband, Alex, to agree to allow a third-party forensic technology expert to analyze the email communication that led to the trouble between them.
The email, sent last fall to some Reeves supporters, accused the married father of two of having an affair with a campaign aide.
Reeves, a former Prince William County narcotics investigator, wanted to find out who sent it.
The email came from the name "Martha McDaniel" at the account staffordforfreedom@gmail.com.
Not finding anyone in Stafford County named "Martha McDaniel," Reeves filed a defamation lawsuit against Martha McDaniel, which allowed him to subpoena Google and two other companies to find the IP address for staffordforfreedom@gmail.com.
According to records obtained through court-ordered subpoena, the IP addresses go the Vogels' Fauquier County residence, and their next-door neighbor. And a pin to verify the Gmail address after its creation was sent to the cellphone of Alex Vogel for confirmation, according to the records, which Reeves provided to reporters.
Earlier this month, Vogel issued a statement saying she was horrified by the incident and that she and her husband were not involved with the email.
Her campaign manager issued a statement that said, in part: "Regrettably, in this day and age, there are many ways a person can send an anonymous email and make it appear to have originated from another sender."
And in a statement this week to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Vogel wrote: "I have made clear to Senator Reeves that my husband and I had nothing to do with this email. I am excited about session and look forward to working with Senator Reeves and all my colleagues."
The safest car seat for your child
Aside from the car itself, your child's car seat is their primary protection in a crash. So it's important to pick the safest seat for every stage of their development.
Consumer Reports recommends that children move through three types of car seats as they grow. Babies should ride in a detachable, rear-facing-only infant seat that snaps in and out of a base that's anchored to the vehicle.
After that, they should move to a convertible seat that's first installed facing the rear, then switched to forward-facing as the child gets older.
And last, kids should transition to a booster seat, which raises them up to allow the car's seat belts to fit safely.
Conventional wisdom has been that parents should keep children in an infant seat until they have outgrown it based on height or weight. But Consumer Reports' crash-test results, combined with the fact that many babies will outgrow their infant seat by height rather than weight, refine that transition point. Consumer Reports now advises parents to move their children from infant seats to rear-facing convertible seats by their 1st birthday to prevent potential head injuries.
Once your child does transition to a convertible seat, Consumer Reports and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend keeping them rear-facing until he or she is at least 2 years old or has reached the maximum weight or height limit for a rear-facing convertible seat. Why? Because real-world crash data show there's a reduced rate of head and spine injuries when children ride facing the rear.
Getting the Right Fit
Your child seat should fit not only your child but also your car. If you can't test-fit a seat before purchasing it, make sure you can return or exchange the seat if it doesn't work out.
Here are some tips to help you install a child seat in your vehicle:
-- Carefully read the manuals for both the car and the seat.
-- Check the recline angle of rear-facing seats. That's critical, especially for newborns. An overly upright seat may allow an infant's head to fall forward, obstructing his or her breathing. Look for rear-facing seats with a built-in level indicator to help you get the seat properly reclined.
-- Child seats can be installed using your vehicle's seat belts, but it's often easier to get a secure fit using LATCH, a standardized system of anchors built into most vehicles since September 2002.
-- To secure a forward-facing child car seat, always attach and tighten the top tether, whether the seat is installed with the LATCH system or a seat belt.
-- You might have to remove the vehicle's head restraint to allow a forward-facing seat to fit properly against the vehicle's seatback.
-- Make sure that the harness is tight enough; you shouldn't be able to pinch any fabric at your child's shoulder.
-- Go to safekids.org to find out where and when you can have your seat installation checked for free.
To learn more, visit ConsumerReports.org
Drones are changing your world
Depending on what you've read, drones are devastatingly effective weapons of war, the next big threat to personal privacy, a revolutionary leap in video technology or hazardous toys capable of chopping your fingers off.
Consumer Reports looks at some of the innovative ways that researchers and pioneering companies are developing to use these flying robots right now.
-- Package delivery. In an interview with CBS' "60 Minutes," Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said about 86 percent of the orders the online retailer ships weigh less than 5 pounds. That's lightweight enough to be delivered by drone. Amazon is now testing autonomous aircraft that can drop a book or a pair of shoes at your home within 30 minutes of receiving an order. So it's not difficult to imagine a day when you no longer have to rush out to the store in your pajamas for a quart of milk.
-- Agriculture. In recent years, farmers have discovered that drones are very useful for monitoring the health of their fields. When fourth-generation grain and apple farmer Jeff VanderWerff gets a commercial license, he plans to put the craft to use on the family's 1,800-acre Michigan grain farm. Aerial imagery from a drone equipped with an NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index) camera could help him accurately estimate the yield of a crop in July, rather than waiting until harvest in October. With special software, he could analyze that imagery, spotting crops beset by diseases, weeds and flooding while there's still time to save them. And he could then use the drone to efficiently apply fertilizers and pesticides.
-- Photos and videos. The soaring panoramas captured by drones are compelling enough to have made their way into movies such as "Captain America: Civil War," and "The Wolf of Wall Street," as well as CNN's coverage of the earthquakes in Italy and Ecuador a year ago. According to Consumer Reports, real estate agents and travel hot spots are embracing the technology, too, to promote their scenic offerings.
-- Humanitarian aid. Some 1.3 billion to 2.1 billion people on the planet don't have access to essential medicines, the World Health Organization says, often because they live in hard-to-reach places. To address that concern, California drone-maker Zipline signed a deal with the government of Rwanda last February to shuttle supplies to remote areas on demand. With "Zip" drones, which cover a roughly 50-mile radius, a health center in Rwanda can send a text message to order blood for a patient with severe malaria-related anemia, and it shows up via parachute within 40 minutes.
Consumer Reports notes that similar efforts involving organizations such as UNICEF and Doctors Without Borders and the companies Matternet and Vayu are already underway in Malawi, Madagascar and Papua New Guinea. Last August, the Obama administration announced that it would partner with private-sector firms to begin testing the idea on Maryland's Smith Island, Washington's San Juan Islands and Nevada's Pyramid Lake Tribal Health Clinic.
To learn more, visit ConsumerReports.org
DEAR ABBY: I need your help in dealing with an old "frenemy." "Jenny" and I were friends in high school, but she constantly berated me and accused me of taking advantage of her. She would make herself feel better by putting me down.
After she went away to college, she got pregnant by a non-boyfriend. When she had an abortion, she swore me to secrecy because she didn't tell the father. Shortly thereafter, he came to me and tricked me into telling him. To this day, Jenny still blames me and says I was out to get her and ruin her life.
Jenny spread rumors about me around our group of friends, on the internet, and told my mom horrible lies about me. She even threatened a lawsuit. Ten years later, she still pops up out of the blue to attack me. A year ago, she sent me a message saying she wished I had died in a tornado that struck my area. She sends taunts about an old boyfriend of mine who got married and had a kid.
I never respond because that's what she wants. She pops up at the worst times and makes me feel worse. How should I deal with her? -- AT A BOILING POINT IN TENNESSEE
DEAR BOILING: Continue to ignore this troubled woman. Block her anywhere you can, and delete any messages that leak through so you won't have to see them. If you have mutual friends who don't know the whole story, you should have enlightened them years ago -- and the same goes for your mother.
Jenny appears to have serious issues. She isn't a "frenemy." She is strictly bad news, so recognize it and move on.
DEAR ABBY: While preparing a letter at work, I noticed that it was going to be mailed to a married lesbian couple. Typically, the correct way to address an envelope to a woman would be to Ms., Miss or Mrs. and to a male it's either Mr. or Master, depending upon his age.
What's the proper way to address a gay couple? Is M/M still used in place of Mr. and Mr. and Mrs. and Mrs.? -- PROPER IN ILLINOIS
DEAR PROPER: According to Steven Petrow's "Complete Gay and Lesbian Manners," the correct way to address the envelopes of married gay and lesbian couples should be (in alphabetical order):
Mr. Bradley Burch and Mr. Mark Foster
Ms. Cecelia Carter and Ms. Diane Grant
Or, if the couple shares the same last name:
Mr. Bradley and Mr. Mark Burch
Ms. Cecelia and Ms. Diane Carter
DEAR ABBY: Now that I'm older, I often find it hard to remember all the names and amounts of my prescriptions when I visit my various doctors. To help myself, I now carry in my wallet a small copy of a spreadsheet listing all my medication information. That way, I can give accurate details to the physician.
I'd like to pass my solution on to other readers who may have the same need to be precise and up-to-date when visiting the doctor. -- IN GOOD HEALTH IN AUSTIN
DEAR IN GOOD HEALTH: That's a suggestion worth sharing. And while you are at it, you should also list for your doctor any vitamins, supplements and over-the-counter meds you take on a regular basis. This information can also be stored in your smartphone, if you have one.
DEAR ABBY: If you go to a party and bring something (chips, soda, etc.), what is the rule of etiquette about taking it home when you leave? -- PRACTICAL IN IDAHO
DEAR PRACTICAL: When someone brings food to a party, it could be considered a host/hostess gift. Before taking any of it home, first ask your host or hostess if it would be all right. While some people wouldn't mind, others may, so you shouldn't assume that because you brought something that the leftovers are yours.
DEAR ABBY: My son's girlfriend of five years and her 8-year-old daughter have been living with my son for the last four years. She has recently started introducing my husband and me as her daughter's "grandparents." Tonight she asked for details about my father so her daughter could include them in a paper she is writing about her "family." The daughter's father and his current wife had twins recently, and I understand from her mother that she is somewhat jealous.
I feel uncomfortable with this new description of our relationship, although I don't want to hurt the girl. Should I say something to my son's girlfriend or my son? -- FAMILY DETAILS IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR FAMILY DETAILS: The word from here is: Keep your lips zipped! If you object, it will cause only hard feelings. You say your son and his girlfriend have been living together for four years. If they should have a child together, do you plan to treat that child differently? Face it, you ARE in the role of a grandparent. My advice is to accept it graciously and act accordingly.
DEAR ABBY: I'm an 18-year-old girl and on my way to Navy boot camp. I'm excited about my enlistment, but I have a few troubling distractions.
The first is my mother, "Dana." I moved in with my dad a year and a half ago, and it has been an amazing, positive change. But any contact I have with Dana or my grandmother screws me up majorly. I become mopey, have a bad attitude, and I'm just an all-around bad person to be around. This upsets my dad and my stepmom, "Ashley," whom I consider to be my true mom, because it affects them and my three sisters.
They say I need to forgive and let go, since obviously I won't get an apology from Dana for how she raised and treated me. What I need is advice on how to forgive and remove her from my life without hurting her feelings or making it worse at home. -- ON MY WAY TO BOOT CAMP
DEAR ON YOUR WAY: It isn't necessary to forgive a toxic parent. What you need to do is distance yourself from her, which will happen soon as you depart for boot camp. If being around Dana depresses you, see her as little as possible and don't feel guilty about it. Do not demand or expect an apology from her and don't offer one, because separating oneself from someone who mistreated you is healthy.
DEAR ABBY: I'm 57 and have been married for 25 years. My husband has retired and is ready for me to do the same. I enjoy my work, and I am delaying my retirement because he wants to move to another state.
Abby, all I can think about is how I will be forced to start all over with a new church, new doctors, new friends, etc. That's incredibly stressful for me, and I don't want to do it. It takes me a while to warm up to people, and I don't do it easily. To me, it would not be an exciting adventure.
I have told him I don't want to do this and why. He responds that if I want to visit my friends I can always "hop on a plane." He said he's tired of the cold and wants to move. All I can think about is having to sell our home, buy another one, learn a new area, make friends, find a new church. I have all of that here. Maybe he should be a snowbird? -- DON'T WANT TO START ANEW
DEAR DON'T WANT: If you and your husband can afford two places, perhaps you should both be snowbirds. It couldn't hurt to rent a place for a few months to see what life would be like in a new community. That's what I recommend to readers who contemplate making a drastic change -- such as relocation -- in their lives. If you do that, you might find that the "natives" are friendly and the community is congenial. However, if that's not the case, it could help you to avoid making a costly mistake.
DEAR ABBY: My daughter has been divorced less than a year and is dating again. (She's the one who left the marriage.) However, she keeps many pictures of her ex-husband on her Facebook page. She says he was a big part of her life, and she refuses to take them down. She thinks if a guy can't accept it, then he isn't the right guy. Do you agree that she's sending the wrong message? -- TAKE THE PHOTOS DOWN
DEAR TAKE: Personally, I do. A picture is worth a thousand words, and what it shows those who see hers is that she hasn't emotionally let go of her ex-husband. However, if men date her after looking at her Facebook page and seeing his pictures posted there, it's working for her, and I can't offer a criticism. Because you can't stop her, I suggest you accept it.
DEAR ABBY: It's that time of year when you print your gift ideas for seniors column. When my dad was alive, he, like many others, was on a fixed income. Among his pleasures was watching ballgames and keeping up with current events. So I contacted his cable company and arranged to pay his cable bill for a period of time as a gift. This can be arranged for any increment of time to match the gifter's budget -- from one month to a year. It allowed Dad to enjoy his TV and have some extra spending money that would otherwise have gone to paying the cable bill. -- ROSEMARY IN PENNSYLVANIA
DEAR ROSEMARY: You are a good daughter. Thanks for sharing your idea. It's a thoughtful one, and I'm sure my readers will thank you for the suggestion.
DEAR ABBY: You missed the mark in your answer to "Mother Doesn't Know Best" (July 7), whose 8-year-old stepson arrives for visits in old, ill-fitting clothing, even though the father purchases new clothes for him on every visit.
I live in Ohio, and the state considers housing, food, electricity, gas and running water as part of the makeup of child support. I know this firsthand. You also need to know if the mother is working and if she contributes to her son's support. What about other expenses (toys, haircuts, uniforms, etc.)?
Part of the problem may be that Stepmom and Dad live across the country and aren't there to see what exactly goes on day to day. Yes, the little boy shouldn't be showing up at their home in clothes that are too small, but even Stepmom said he was putting on weight. -- MITZI IN DAYTON, OHIO
DEAR MITZI: Your points are well taken. However, the majority of the feedback I received about that letter pointed out that children arriving in old clothes for visits with their dads is a popular ploy that some custodial mothers use in order to get new clothes, and some even return the clothes for cash. Read on:
DEAR ABBY: I had a divorced girlfriend I had confided in about this same problem. She said, "Don't you know? We always send the kids to their dad's in their worst clothing. That way, they'll have to buy them new stuff during the visit."
You can't assume that because a child arrives in worn or ill-fitting clothes that the custodial parent is unfit or that the child doesn't have lots of better clothing at home. -- MRS. D. IN VIRGINIA
DEAR ABBY: Please suggest that when Stepmom and Dad buy clothes for his son, they mark the labels with the boy's initials. The mom may be returning the items for cash and buying something she wanted for herself. -- MOM WHO KNOWS
DEAR ABBY: I am writing this as I sit in a hospital at my daughter's bedside. When staff comes into her room, she asks them to wash their hands in front of her before putting on their gloves. Several doctors took offense at this. We even posted a note on the door, asking the staff to wash up inside the room. Were we wrong? She doesn't want to increase her risk of infection. I would think that a patient worried about proper hygiene would not be sneered at by the people trying to get her healthy. -- TRYING TO STAY HEALTHY
DEAR TRYING TO STAY HEALTHY: Bravo to you for speaking up! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hospital-acquired infections have cost the hospital industry $30 billion and resulted in 100,000 patient deaths. A 2013 New York Times article reported that unless pushed to do so, hospital workers wash their hands only as little as 30 percent of the time they interact with patients. The problem is so widespread that some hospitals must monitor workers via video cameras or have them wear electronic badges to "encourage" compliance, while others have resorted to "bribing" workers to do the right thing.
You were not wrong to ask staffers at your daughter's hospital to wash their hands. Nobody should feel reluctant to ask for something that is standard procedure.
Because many patients in hospitals and care facilities feel vulnerable and dependent, they fear that staff will "dislike" them if they ask for too much. For patients to request handwashing is not only in their best interest, but also the hospital's. Too often, change doesn't happen in the medical profession until patients speak up and advocate for their own well-being. You would not have been "sneered at" if your request hadn't made those individuals feel defensive.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069
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He has been cited by Rush Limbaugh, quoted in the New York Times, featured at Real Clear Politics and Lucianne.com and interviewed on radio, TV and in social media.
Inducted into the Philadelphia Public Relations Hall of Fame, for many years he served as a Lecturer in Corporate Communication at Penn State University. A former President of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association (PPRA) he has lectured at Rowan University, Temple University, The College of New Jersey and Arcadia University. He has conducted workshops on public relations for thousands of participants throughout the nation and has taught countless others the art of public speaking. He has also advised numerous lawyers, judges, public officials and political candidates.
Cirucci is a prolific writer and his op-ed pieces have appeared in the Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Courier-Post and other publications.
A native of Camden NJ, Cirucci is a former President of the Philadelphia chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. Cirucci served as Associate Executive Director of the Philadelphia Bar Association for nearly 30 years. He served as Chair of Penn State University's Professional Advisory Board for the Corporate Communication major at Penn State Abington and on the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Judicial Selection Commission.
He received his MA degree from Rowan University and his BA from Villanova University. He has been named a Distinguished Alumnus of Rowan's public relations program and received the E. A. "Wally" Richter Leadership Award, the highest honor from the National Association of Bar Executives' Communications Section. He has also been honored by numerous other local, state and national groups.
Cirucci's passions include politics, the popular culture, books and authors, art, communication, music, theatre, movies, dining and travel. In his hometown of Camden, Cirucci taught fifth grade at the Ulysses Wiggins Elementary School named for the founder of the Camden NAACP. There he was one of the first teachers in the country to teach African-American history to inner city students. He later served as editor of a local weekly newspaper, as Assistant to the Township Manager of Cherry Hill Township and as Associate Director of Communications at the New Jersey State Bar Association.
He's Dan Cirucci, the founder and editor-in chief of the Dan Cirucci Blog, Matt Rooney's sidekick on Save Jersey's videocasts and one of the most widely honored public relations professionals in his field. He's also been a public relations consultant to numerous organizations and individuals and hosted The Advocates on RVN-TV.
$5 Cover for anyone in costume. $10 for everyone else.
Do you want to have fun while helping a great cause? Get dressed up in your favorite crazy costume and come to Blind Bob's for a night of music, comedy, video games, and giving.
Relive your childhood at Geek Gala in Benefit of Dayton Childrens Hospital
Geek Gala is Dayton's hottest costume dance party for a cause. Last year, you helped raise over $2200 for Extra Life Dayton in support of Dayton Children's Hospital. This year we want to raise even more by making this party even bigger and better!
This year, we will once again have video game consoles set up for you to play, as well as the regular arcade cabinets and pinball Blind Bob's always has in the back. Also, VR! Also new this year: The Legend of Geek Gala Costume Contest, coordinated by staff from Through the Ages Fabric and judged by professionals who know their costuming! We will have some killer prizes to be announced later. Raffles! We are excited to let you know about all the cool raffle prizes we have coming your way this year. Hawthorn Hill Photography will be on hand to take pictures of you in your costume. Every person who walks in the door will get 2 free library passes and a free booth upgrade to Cardboard Crowns board game cafe. ($20 value)
Drink specials!
$5 Cover for anyone in costume. $10 for everyone else.
All costumes welcome! This is a judgement-free party!
Sorry, kiddos; this event is for adults 21+ only.
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The new hires will largely support new Amazon fulfillment centers in states such as Texas and California, expanded delivery capabilities and its money-minting Amazon Web Services cloud computing business.
New York: Amazon plans to hire 100,000 full time workers over the next 18 months, highlighting its ambitious expansion plans - and the sharp contrast the e-commerce powerhouse strikes against traditional brick-and-mortar retailers, many of which are cutting jobs and closing stores .
Amazon has long been known for investing the money it makes back into its businesses, and it's doing that with a vengeance. The new hires will largely support new Amazon fulfillment centers in states such as Texas and California, expanded delivery capabilities and its money-minting Amazon Web Services cloud computing business.
The numbers are generally in line with Amazon's past hiring plans. Amazon, which had a total of 306,800 full-time and part-time employees globally at the end of September, hired a total of 123,700 globally during the 15 months ended in September, according to quarterly filings.
Amazon Hits The Gas
Amazon said Thursday its US. workforce has grown from 30,000 in 2011 to over 180,000 at the end of 2016. By comparison, Walmart - the world's largest retailer - employs about 2.4 million people worldwide, including 1.5 million workers in the US.
Baird analyst Colin Sebastian said the announcement shows that Amazon's hiring appears to be accelerating.
"We view this announcement positively in terms of the current trajectory of Amazon's businesses, as well as management's confidence in the long-term outlook," he said. "The hiring is consistent with our view that Amazon will continue to invest aggressively in its retail, media, technology and logistics businesses."
Trump or no Trump?
The news comes a month after President-elect Donald Trump met with tech leaders, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Throughout the presidential election campaign Trump and Bezos clashed after Trump attacked Bezos and The Washington Post, which Bezos owns. But they appeared to make nice when Bezos attended the meeting in December.
Sean Spicer, the incoming White House press secretary, noted in a call with reporters on Thursday that Amazon made the announcement after the meeting, when Trump urged tech leaders to keep jobs in the US.
Spicer said that Trump was "pleased to play a role" in the job gains. Amazon did not immediately respond to a request to comment on what role, if any, Trump had in the jobs announcement.
Baird's Sebastian downplayed the politics factor, noting only that the online retailer may have deployed some "political capital" in the timing and details of its announcement.
"We suspect there is little, if any, shift of employment at Amazon from international locations to the US.," he said. "Moreover, we expect the pace of hiring internationally to accelerate as well."
Meanwhile, Back at the store
Things are much less rosy at traditional brick-and-mortar retailers. Last week , the Limited said it would close all its stores and Macy's moved forward with plans to close 68 stores and said it will cut more than 10,000 jobs. There have been unconfirmed reports Walmart is also planning layoffs.
"The move from bricks to clicks is causing major disruption in the retail industry," said economist Diane Swonk.
New Delhi: SCI had come up with FPO in 2010 and had raised Rs 582.45 crore through the fresh issue. In a filing to BSE today, the company said it will seek shareholders' approval through postal ballots for "re-deployment of Rs 330 crore received as refund from shipyards which were originally part of the proceeds of the further public offer".
"The company had utilised 100 per cent of FPO funds... However, due to default of the shipyards in fulfilling the obligations, the company had to rescind the shipbuilding contracts for four vessels and re-negotiate the shipbuilding contract for one vessel," it said.
The company had received an amount of Rs 330.65 crore as refund from the shipyards on rescission of the shipbuilding contracts. The said amount is unutilised as on date as the company did not come across any viable proposal to invest the same, it said.
"Keeping in view the prevailing market condition, the Board of directors of SCI is of the opinion that in addition to the amended objects of utilisation as contained the resolution passed on January 1, 2015 through postal ballot, the said amount should be utilised towards repayment of financial obligations w.r.t the vessels acquired by SCI since 2011 i.e. after the fresh issue of shares," the company said.
Anti-dumping duty imposed under this notification shall be effective for a period not exceeding six months and shall be paid in Indian currency
New Delhi: India has imposed anti-dumping duty on certain variety of steel products imported from China and European Union to protect the domestic players from cheap inbound shipments.
The duty was slapped on 'pre-painted, colour coated or organic coated flat steels in coils or not in coils whether or not with metallic coated substrate of zinc, aluminium-zinc or any other substrate coating, excluding plates of thickness 6mm or more'.
The Department of Revenue in a notification said that the anti-dumping duty is being imposed for six months on the imports from these countries. The measure follows recommendation by the Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) that these steel items was being exported by these countries at below the normal value and the domestic industry has suffered material injury because of such imports.
An anti-dumping duty equivalent to the difference between the landed value of steel products and USD 849 per tonne will be imposed on the products, the notification said.
"The anti-dumping duty imposed under this notification shall be effective for a period not exceeding six months (unless revoked, superseded or amended earlier)...and shall be paid in Indian currency," it added. While DGAD recommends the duty to be levied, the Finance Ministry notifies it.
Countries initiate anti-dumping probes to determine if the domestic industry has been hurt by a surge in below-cost imports. As a counter-measure, they impose duties under the multilateral WTO regime.
Anti-dumping measures are taken to ensure fair trade and provide a level-playing field to the domestic industry. They are not a measure to restrict imports or cause an unjustified increase in cost of products. The government has earlier also imposed minimum import price on 19 steel products till February 4.
India has slapped duty on pre-painted, colour coated or organic coated flat steels in coils or not in coils.
New Delhi: India has imposed anti-dumping duty on some steel products imported from China and the European Union to protect the domestic players from cheap inbound shipments.
India has slapped duty on pre-painted, colour coated or organic coated flat steels in coils or not in coils whether or not with metallic coated substrate of zinc, aluminium-zinc or any other substrate coating, excluding plates of thickness 6mm or more.
The department of revenue in a notification said that the anti-dumping duty is being imposed for six months on the imports from these countries.
New Delhi: With an objective to facilitate acceptance of subscriptions for Further Fund Offer of CPSE ETF, NSE has introduced an online facility for the investment and subscription of exchange traded fund on its e-IPO platform.
National Stock Exchange (NSE) would conduct a mock session for new 'e-ETF' on e-IPO platform on January 13 and January 16-17 in order to familiarise with the new facility.
"An online facility for the investment and subscription of ETF shall be available to trading members of capital market segment with valid ARN on existing web based e-IPO platform," NSE said in a circular.
The move comes after NSE received approval from Sebi to extend its stock exchange mechanism currently being used for accepting subscriptions for Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) to Further Fund Offer (FFO) of CPSE ETF.
The issue size of Further Fund Offer, which will open on January 17 and close on January 20, is Rs 4,500 crore with a greenshoe option of Rs 1,500 crore.
Central Public Sector Enterprises Exchange ETF, which functions like a mutual fund scheme, comprises scrips of 10 PSUs -- ONGC, Coal India, IOC, GAIL (India), Oil India, PFC, Bharat Electronics, REC, Engineers India and Container Corporation of India.
The FFO is open for all categories of investors including anchor, retail, retirement funds, QIBs, non-institutional investors and Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs). An upfront discount of 5 per cent is being offered to all categories of investors.
The government had launched its first CPSE ETF in March 2014, taking the ETF route to disinvestment for the first time. It had raised Rs 3,000 crore through the ETF then.
Mumbai: After back-to-back cancellation ofhis concerts in Bengaluru and Mumbai, French DJ David Guetta will keep his date with fans here with authorities giving nod to the event tomorrow.
The two time Grammy award-winning artiste will perform at the Hitex Exhibition Centre in Gachibowli and police officials said the organisers, Sunburn, had approached them last week and permission has been granted.
"Permission has been granted for the concert," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Madhapur Zone) Vishwa Prasad told PTI.
The organisers had sought permission for holding the event last week and the same has been accorded, another police officer said, adding the concert should end by 10 PM.
Around 4,000-5,000 people are expected for the event, he said.
"Welcome to Hyderabad David Guetta. Look forward to hosting you tomorrow. @cyberabadpolice committed to ensure a glitch free event as always," the official Twitter handle of Hyderabad police posted, which was retweeted by Sunburn Arena.
The two will be seen alongside Shahid Kapoor in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmavati'.
Mumbai:
Actor Ranveer Singh was seen smiling from ear to ear at the premiere of rumoured girlfriend Deepika Padukone's Hollywood debut xXx: Return of Xander Cage, and he said he is proud that the actress is representing India internationally.
The Indian premiere of xXx was held here last evening and the occasion was graced by Bollywood bigwigs like Karan Johar, Shahid Kapoor, Sudhir Mishra, Irrfan Khan and Ranveer.
"It is a proud moment for me. I am very excited about the night. It is a big Hollywood film; we have some special guests in the city. It is the premiere of 'xXx', starring Deepika, who is a special co-actor of mine and I am looking forward to watching the movie," he told reporters.
"Deepika is a gifted actor and an amazing movie star, someone whom I really admire. I am extremely proud of her," the actor said.
The star attraction of the evening was actor Vin Diesel, Deepika's co-star in xXx.
Asked about his opinion on Vin and Deepika's on-screen equation, Ranveer said, "The chemistry looks good in the promos, but rest I can only say after watching the movie."
The film is releasing in India tomorrow, week before its US release. The third installment of the xXx has been directed by DJ Caruso and also stars Nina Dobrev, Ruby Rose and Samuel L Jackson.
Bengaluru: The red faces over the police's inability to manage rowdy elements wrecking New Year's eve celebrations in the central business district could be eclipsed on Thursday by the uproar on social media set off by irate music lovers in the city when Thursday's sold-out concert by Grammy Award-winning French DJ and music producer David Guetta was called off at the very last minute.
Fans went berserk with instant tweets and posts. The organiser of the Guetta concert, Karan Singh, CEO of Sunburn squarely blamed the police, who he claimed did not permit them to host the show, citing law and order issues. Police however have a different story to tell. IGP, Central Range, Seemanth Kumar Singh, said the organisers, preparing for the event for over six months, only approached the police two days ago.
The permission was denied mainly because of the APMC elections the same day. The organisers were expecting 15-20,000 people. At least, 5-6,000 policemen need to be deployed for such a big event apart from ensuring free flow of traffic. As we had already deployed policemen for election bandobust, we told them we could not provide security."
The recent molestation incidents "have nothing do with the police denying permission for the event," he said.
It looks like Anu Emmanuel is the new golden girl of the South Indian film industry. After signing films with Pawan Kalyan, she is now set to star in director Gautham Menons next film, starring Vikram in the lead.
Apparently, the Majnu actress wont play the female lead but will play a key role in the thriller which will primarily be shot in the US.
She was finalised after several names were considered because of her US connect, reveals a source. A female lead is yet to be zeroed in on. Buzz is that A.R. Rahman will score music for the film.
The film will see Vikram play a RAW agent whos out to solve a murder mystery. The film will be shot at several foreign locales like the US, UK and Dubai.
Doctors may prescribe sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen to help transgender patients develop the physical characteristics tied to their gender identity. (Representational Image)
Doctors who specialize in conditions involving hormones need more training on how to treat people who are transgender, suggests a new study.
Researchers found that transgender health was part of the curriculum at less than three quarters of endocrinology training programs that responded to an online survey. Additionally, more than 80 percent of practicing specialists said they had never received training on transgender medicine.
"We were aware that a deficit in education likely existed, however it was surprising how big this deficit is amongst clinicians in practice," wrote lead author Dr. Caroline Davidge-Pitts, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Gender identity is how people view themselves, that is, as male, female or something less specific. People who are transgender have gender identities that differ from the sex assigned at birth.
While awareness and acceptance of transgender issues has increased in the past decade, providing optimal care for patients is still challenging, the researchers write in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
Endocrinologists often have a key role in that care. They specialize in the endocrine system, which regulates the body's hormones, and they may prescribe sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen to help transgender patients develop the physical characteristics tied to their gender identity.
Information is lacking on how much doctors in endocrinology training programs are taught about transgender care. There is also not much information on the training of doctors who are already in practice.
For the new study, the researchers sent a web-based survey to directors of 104 endocrinology training programs and received answers back from 54. About 94 percent said teaching about transgender care is important, but only about 72 percent included the topic in their curricula.
All programs covered the principles of hormone therapy for transgender patients, but only about 63 percent taught trainees to take comprehensive social and sexual histories on those patients. Also, only 40 percent taught trainees how to conduct physical exams on transgender patients.
"Endocrinology fellowships continue to face challenges adding transgender health topics to the curriculum and we need to be proactive about finding ways to improve this," Davidge-Pitts told Reuters Health.
The research team also sent surveys to nearly 7,000 medical doctors who were members of the Endocrine Society, but only a very small percentage - 411 doctors - responded. About 80 percent said they had treated transgender patients at some point during their career, but a similar proportion said they were never trained in the specifics of that specialized care.
Most of the doctors reported confidence in using proper terminology, taking histories and providing hormones, but few showed similar confidence discussing psychosocial and legal issues, surgical interventions and screening guidelines.
"In my view, the notable thing is that they're saying 'train me more,'" said Dr. Joshua Safer, medical director for Transgender Medicine and Surgery at the Boston University School of Medicine.
The researchers found that directors of training programs desire online programs for trainees and teachers, lectures and would like to attend meetings that discuss transgender topics. Similarly, practicing endocrinologists who responded to the survey wanted online training and presentations about transgender topics at academic meetings.
Safer, who was not involved with the new research, is working to update the Endocrine Society's 2009 guidelines on transgender care. "The real take-home message is the clinical population still feels unprepared," he told Reuters Health.
The new guidelines should go a long was to closing that gap, he added.
For far too long have we put the responsibility of climate change and its solutions on governments of the world. While there is no doubt that countries play a major role, the role of the private sector is crucial too. It is heart-warming, encouraging and delightful to see that they have pledged to do their part in an overwhelming manner.
"It is imperative that businesses take an active role in meeting the goals set out by the Paris Climate Agreement", Anna Walker, Senior Director of Global Policy and Advocacy, Levis Strauss & Co.
"All parts of society have a role to play in tackling climate change, but policy and business leadership is crucial. The Paris Agreement was a bold step towards a cleaner, brighter future, and must be protected. IKEA will continue to work together with other businesses and policy makers to build a low-carbon economy, because we know that together, we can build a better future", Lars Petersson, President, IKEA USA.
"HP reaffirms its support for the Paris Climate Agreement and the global efforts to address climate change. We believe that working with like-minded businesses and governments, we can reinvent how we do business and transition to a new low carbon economy." Nate Hurst, Chief Sustainability & Social Impact Officer, HP Inc.
Sometimes the fear of the worst, propels us to making commitments. Hand on our hearts, fingers crossed, we make pledges, like boy scouts. In this case, it was Donald Trump's anti-environmental stance that got these commitments from the over 600 businesses. In an open letter, they sent to Trump called 'Business backs low carbon USA', they appeal to Trump as a businessman, in hopes that he will heed the advice of those likeminded in the commercial sense, and understand that climate change is a real threat to the economic health of the country. Investors who have signed the letter collectively manage more than US$2 trillion and include the New York State Common Retirement Fund and the California State Teachers Retirement System. That is a lot of backing from the private sector.
Lest you feel that business need to be coerced by the Trumps of the world, the Green Peace Click Clean report says that Apple, Google, and Facebook, along with the data center company Switch, are spearheading the greening of the IT sector, when it comes to their energy sources. That's the good news. With the IT sector accounting for nearly 7% of global electricity consumption, and considering the rapid rate at which internet platforms, services, and devices are being adopted worldwide, shifting the energy sources for the operations of those companies over to renewables will remain a challenge in the years to come.
Greenpeace says that global internet traffic is anticipated to triple by 2020, with some 4 billion users embracing the digital age by then. Hence greening the IT space for a more sustainable future, is a good thing. However we see many challenges particularly from East Asia. "We must see East Asian internet companies exhibiting the will to commit to 100 percent renewable energy, particularly as they expand to markets around the world. Leading IT companies in the United States have already shown that the majority of the industry recognizes that clean power is both good for the environment and good for business. East Asian companies must step up to embrace that reality as well", said Jude Lee, Greenpeace East Asia Senior Climate and Energy Campaigner.
The sari was made after the trader saw an earlier craze of saris with Narendra Modi on them. (Photo: Twitter/ANI News)
It has been more than fifty days since demonetisation but the country has still not got over the phase and the craze. Creative people are making the most of this time and creating something different; a Rs 2,000 note sari is the most recent.
According to media reports, a Surat trader has cashed on the opportunity to make Rs 2,000 saris, literally. Rs 2,000 note is new in India. Few days back saree with Modi jis face also came. So, we thought of coming up with this saree. The reason was to try something new, trader Shiv Shaini told ANI. Every six-metre long sari has about 504 notes printed on them. The saris are priced at just Rs 160 and the demand for is supposedly a lot from states in which the elections are soon going to be held like Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Goa and Manipur.
This is not the first time that people have come up with creative ways to make the most of the demonetisation phase. Earlier, a demonetisation-themed cake was also on auction in Kolkata.
One of Indias most renowned kite-makers, 57-year-old V.K. Rao, who lives here in Bengaluru, has dedicated himself to his greatest passion. The going is tough but that doesnt stop Rao as he attempts to scale greater heights every day. He talks to aknisree karthik about his journey, his latest experiments and the struggle to keep the ancient tradition of kite-flying alive.
Makara Sankranti or Uttarayan, marks the New Year and the start of summer. In several regions across South India and Gujarat, people celebrate by flying kites this is customarily done at dawn, so people would get the best from the early summer sun. In Karnataka, the tradition is especially common in the northern parts of the state. The countrys best known kite-maker, popularly known as the Kite Man of India lives here in Bengaluru and this is the busiest time of year for him!
V. Krishnaji Rao, whose face lights up as he pulls out his magnificent kites There are miniatures as small as three centimetres and larger models shaped like snakes and dragons that are as large as 60 feet. There are also the parafoil kites, which have pockets in them that act as parachutes. Hes done it all and even holds the Limca record for flying 600 kites with a single string. I was the one who invented the technique of flying a series of kites on one string, he said, proudly.
He passion took an unlikely route. Rao grew up in a conservative household in Mysuru, where his father was part of the security at the palace. He expected all of us to observe Ashada Ekadasi every year and fast through the day. This is near-catastrophic for young, hungry children and Raos father, in an attempt to help the kids forget their hunger, gave them kites and materials to make their own. We were given materials like paper, gum and sticks to make our own kites, Rao explained.
Thats where his story began. Today, kite-flying is still Raos greatest passion, one that has fetched him much national and international acclaim. Rao grew up to become a photographer and would come to Bengaluru often to cover marriages and other functions. The whole month of Ashada was a holiday for us as no marriages or significant ceremonies took place during that time, Rao said. In 1988, during one such lean period, he came upon an advertisement inviting people to participate in a kite competition in Ramanagara.
His childhood love was re-ignited and Rao got together with a group of friends, raised a small sum of money and made an 11-foot kite that could be dismantled and put together once more. I wasnt even aware of the exact rules, but I came third, he said. From that point on, lean months for his photography business were spent participating in kite festivals and competitions across India. I was the only person representing India and Karnataka at the International Kite Festival held in Gujarat in 1989. I received my prize from Edmund Hillary, who was Chief Guest that year, Rao recalled.
His kites are more than just about winning awards, of course. He uses them as a means to react to political happenings of the time - the first kite he made in 1988 for the competition in Ramanagar bore the words Free Nelson Mandela. One kite asked people to vote for the Taj Mahal being made one of the wonders of the world, too. During the last assembly election, he asked people to come out and caste their votes.
Unfortunately, support from the government isnt easy to come by, which is disappointing for Rao, who wants to pass on his knowledge to younger generations. I teach those who are interested through the Kite Clinic Club, Rao said. He also visits schools, colleges and community gathering to teach the art of kite-making. I dont charge the underprivileged and the physically challenged, although those who can afford it pay me a nominal fee, he added.
Over 10,000 students have passed through his hands and more than 460 have gone on to become experts of international acclaim. His 24-year-old son, Niranjan, seems to have been bitten by the bug too he won the second prize in the International Kite Festival held in China in 2015.
His most recent experiment is an exciting one. For the last six years, Rao has been working on a kite that can lift a man into the air. He remarked, with a smile, The idea is to attach a bucket to a group of about five big kites, which can lift a man as they rise. He hopes, above all else, however, that he is able to start a kite-school someday.
Chennai: In a daylight murder, an AIADMK functionary was hacked at his office in Pammal by 6 members of a gang who had covered their faces with masks, around noon on Thursday.
The entire episode of hacking was recorded in the CCTV cameras installed in the office.
Supporters of the deceased resorted to a road roko later in the day near Kathipara Grade separator demanding immediate arrest of the culprits involved in the crime. The deceased, Abu Sali (35), a native of Nellai who was a resident of Pallavaram, was running a scrap business and had his office in Nagalkeni where he was murdered.
Six people came in 3 bikes at around 11.45 am when Abu Sali and a woman employee were present. Four men, who had masks on, stormed into the shop and chased away the woman aide. They then hacked Abu Sali multiple times until he collapsed. They washed their machetes in the office sink and then rode away on their bikes. Abu Sali passed away before help from 108 ambulance arranged by the neighbours could arrive, said a senior police official.
Cops from Shankar Nagar, Pallavaram and Chromepet rushed to the scene since the location falls bordering areas of the police station. The CCTV records from the front facade could not pick up the vehicle numbers since the assailants had covered the registration numbers with muck.
The deceased was the organiser of the minority unit of AIADMKPammal (urban). Preliminary investigations revealed the deceased as the nephew of Mohammed Ali, a businessman who was kidnapped from Pallavaram last month for a ransom of Rs 2 crore.
The deceased played an active role in pursuing a complaint which led to the arrest of Syed Mohamed Ali aka Rafiq (54), a history-sheeter. We are pursuing all aspects including previous enmity arising out of the busting of the kidnapping racket. The modus operandi suggests the role of a hired hit squad, a police source revealed.
Similar incidents have occurred so far in the city and Ranga Reddy district in the last three months of 2016. (Representational image)
Hyderabad: A 15-day-old girl was dumped in a drain by a 35-year-old woman early on Thursday morning at Jeedimetala. An old man who came to relieve himself saw the woman get down from an autorickshaw, throw a package into the drain and walk away. By the time, he alerted the police the child was dead.
Eleven similar incidents have occurred so far in the city and Ranga Reddy district in the last three months of 2016. Three incidents were reported from Jawahar Nagar, Shamshabad and Kamathipura. Cases were reported from Kukatpally, Meerpet, Hayathnagar, Santoshnagar and Nerdment also.
Mrs Anuradha Rao of the Child Welfare Commission said, "Women who face desperate poverty abandon children. Earlier, empty cradles were provided at anganwadi centres in all districts and panchayats where poor women could deposit their babies. The government had also allotted funds for it. But it has been stopped. Now innocent children are being killed."
Sources said the Child Welfare Department has scrapped the scheme which was started in Ranga Reddy, Nalgonda and Karimnagar areas in 2014 as no funds were allotted for it.
Bengaluru: In a fit of rage a realtor shot at his wife's paramour in her presence on Friday and she in turn took her injured lover to a hospital, where he was brought dead, and she later committed suicide at a nearby lodge.
The incident took place around 3 pm near Acharya College in Soladenahalli. The deceased have been identified as Amith Keshavamurthy, a resident of MEI Layout in Bagalagunte, and Shruthi Gowda, who was working as a Panchayat Development Officer of Gollahalli panchayat in Nelamangala and a resident of Kaggalipura off Kanakapura Road.
Amith was practicing as an advocate along with is his father Keshavamurthy, while Shruthi has been married to Rajesh, a realtor for several years. The police have detained both Rajesh and his 78-year-old father Gopalakrishna, who surrendered before them. According to the police, both Amith and Shruthi were distant relatives and had an extra marital affair for more than a year.
Both the families had come to know about it and they warned both to stay away from each other. However, they had continued their affair. Meanwhile, Rajesh was keeping tabs on his wife's movements and installed a GPS in her car. "On Friday morning, Shruthi went to office as usual. During lunch hour, Rajesh contacted her over phone and asked where she was, and she replied she was in a meeting. But Rajesh found out that her car was moving towards Hesaraghatta Road as he was tracking its movement through his mobile phone," police said.
An enraged Rajesh decided to put an end to this and left with his father. He also took the licenced revolver of his father. They tracked the car near Acharya college. On seeing Shruthi sitting with Amith in the car, the father and son picked up a fight with Amith. Following a heated argument, Rajesh shot Amith in the chest. The accused then went to the Soladevahalli police and surrendered, while Shruthi drove Amith to the nearby Sapthagiri Hospital. As the doctors declared him brought dead, she left the hospital.
The police rushed there but could not find Shruthi. Again, Rajesh tracked her car and informed police about its location. The police found the car parked at a lodge close to the hospital where Shruthi had hanged herself. "Both the accused are claiming that they shot Amith. The FSL experts are examining to find out who fired the shot, the police said.
The incident took place in Khandalg-amur village in the district, police said. (Representational Image)
Bhopal: In a shocking incident, a baby delivered by a 13-year-old rape survivor, inmate of a government-run residential school for tribal girls in Alirajpur district in Madhya Pradesh, was reportedly buried alive to save her family from shame, police said on Friday.
Police exhumed body of the newborn and sent it for postmortem. The incident took place in Khandalg-amur village in the district, police said.
We exhumed the body and sent it for postmortem The baby was delivered by a rape survivor and was buried in the village without bringing the matter to the notice of the police, Udaygarh police station in-charge Mote Singh Nayak said. Sources said, the girl delivered a child on the intervening night of December 31-January 1.
New Delhi/Lucknow: With the prospect of the Election Commission freezing the Samajwadi Partys bicycle symbol looming large, both father Mulayam Singh Yadav and son Akhilesh Yadav, who are locked in a bitter fight over the control of the party, have a Plan B ready.
The EC is expected to adhere to the precedent set during the split in Uttarakhnad Kranti Dal in 2011, sources said. The EC had frozen the symbol (chair) and had asked both factions to contest on fresh symbols.
With filing of nominations for the first phase of assembly polls drawing closer, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday asked his ministers and legislators not to worry about tickets as he finetuned with his close aides Samajwadi Partys strategy.
As his father and SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and warring uncle Mr Shivpal camped in New Delhi, Mr Akhilesh remained closeted with his confidants at his 5 Kalidas Marg official residence to discuss the poll scenario. Don't get trapped in the symbol dispute. It is before EC and will get resolved, he told party workers.
Party insiders said Mr Akhilesh was working on a new list of candidates, keeping out those facing criminal charges and accommodating deserving aspirants.
They said former ministers Narad Rai, Om Prakash Singh, Shahdab Fatima and Ambika Chaudhary might find place in the new list along with Arvind Singh Gope and Ram Govind Chaudhary.
Likewise, some tainted nominees, including Atiq Ahmed, Mukhtar Ansaris brother Sibghatullah, and Amanmani Tripathi, son of a murder convict, given ticket by Mulayam and Shivpal could be dropped.
While Atiq is a politician with criminal background, Ansari is gangster-turned-politician heading the Qaumi Ekta Dal, whose merger with SP was strongly opposed by Akhilesh, before he had to give in to pressure from Mulayam.
It may be recalled that Mr Mulayam had announced candidates for all but eight of the 403 Assembly seats on December 30. Later the Akhilesh camp had circulated through social media an unsigned list of 250 candidates.
The site where a CISF constable shot down four of his colleagues in Aurangabad district of Bihar on Thursday. (Photo: PTI)
Patna: Upset over poor working conditions, a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) head constable fired indiscriminately at his colleagues, killing four of them, including a senior, at a power plant in Bihars Aurangabad district on Thursday. The accused was immediately overpowered and arrested.
A report said that the head constable, Balveer Singh of Uttar Pradeshs Aligarh, was agitated over poor sleeping arrangements in his barrack, while another account attributed the incident to leave-reported disputes he had with his seniors.
This is the latest in a string of cases in which facilities being provided to paramilitary jawans have come under scrutiny.
Those killed were identified as head constables Amarnath Mishra and Bacha Sharma and assistant sub-inspector G.S. Ram. The identity of one deceased head constable was not immediately known.
Sources said that the Union home ministry has sought a detailed report on the incident.
The accused had in 2008 joined the CISF that guards Indias most vital civil and government installations, including airports and atomic plants.
Those killed were unarmed and off-duty when the incident took place at a Nabinagar Power Generation Company Ltd unit, 175 km from capital Patna, where they were stationed. NPGCL is a joint venture of the national thermal power corporation (NTPC) and Bihars state electricity board.
The police said the accused recently attended and returned from a yoga training, often made mandatory for jawans to reduce stress. Aurangabads superintendent of police (SP) Satyprakash said the accused was being questioned. The CISF said a court of inquiry has been ordered into the incident.
Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Friday allowed the RSS to hold a programme, which is to be attended by its supremo Mohan Bhagwat, at the Brigade Parade Ground here tomorrow.
Rejecting refusal of permission by Kolkata Police, Justice Joymalyo Bagchi directed that the programme be held at Brigade Parade Ground, subject to some restrictions including a cap of 4,000 on the number of attendees.
The police had refused permission to the organisers to hold the programme, both for an earlier venue of Bhukailash Park in the western part of the city and Brigade Parade Ground.
The petitioners submitted before the court that Makar Sankranti Utsav is an annual event and is organised on a specific date and cannot be postponed as suggested by Advocate General Jayanta Mitra.
The petitioners' counsel, Anindya Mitra, also submitted that the organisers had already taken permission of the Army, which is the custodian of the Maidan area where the Brigade Parade Ground is situated in the heart of the city.
Specifying the restrictions, Justice Bagchi directed that the organising secretary, Kolkata Mahanagar unit of RSS, which is holding the programme where drills and other activities would be held with the participation of Mohan Bhagwat, would have to give an affidavit before the court that no person without proper registration and identity card be allowed to attend the programme.
The organisers would have to give an undertaking to the court as also the Kolkata Police authorities to bear the cost of any unruly behaviour by any person related to the programme scheduled to be held from 2 PM to 6 PM tomorrow.
The court also directed that the police might remove any person who was not an invitee and would also have to ensure adequate deployment of force to ensure maintenance of law and order.
Justice Bagchi directed that the organisers would have to furnish the names of all attendees to the court and the police.
The organisers had initially sought permission from the police to hold the programme at Bhukailash Park in the western part of the city, which had been refused on the ground that roads leading to the park were narrow and that there would not be adequate space for around 5,000 people as proposed by the organisers.
It was also said that as Bhagwat enjoys Z-plus category security, it would not be advisable to hold the meeting there owing to security perceptions.
The organisers had then approached the court seeking direction to the police to allow them to hold the function there or alternatively at Brigade Parade Ground.
Justice Bagchi had on January 11 directed the commissioner of Kolkata Police to consider their application within 24 hours and communicate its decision to the organisers.
The police said that owing to the ongoing Gangasagar Mela for which a transit camp was set up at Babughat at the other end of the Maidan and also because of deployment of force for that purpose, it would be not be possible to give permission to the event at Brigade Parade Ground.
Following the refusal, the petitioners moved the court again today seeking permission to hold the rally at either Bhukailash or Brigade Parade Ground.
Passing the order, Justice Bagchi observed that the crux of the reason for refusal of permission is congregation of pilgrims for Gangasagar, but there has been no application of mind to the fact that attendance to the programme is by invitation only.
Justice Bagchi also observed that adequacy of space at Brigade Parade Ground was not an issue.
The court points out that during Durga Pujas many pandals are erected in the city and many stand cheek by jowl, but permission is granted to all these pujas.
Justice Bagchi observed that reasons cited by the authorities for declining permission were vague and non-specific in nature.
The high court quashed the order of police authorities denying permission for the RSS programme not only on the ground that it was not in consonance with its order of January 11 but also on merits.
The order came a day after a division bench of the high court allowed 'Sansad Mela' at Asansol in the constituency of Union minister Babul Supriyo.
The Asansol Municipal Corporation had denied permission to the fair designed to showcase the central government's programmes on the ground that the venue at Loco Stadium of Eastern Railway would not be able to accommodate a large gathering and thus may pose a security and safety hazard.
The RBI had disclosed to a Parliamentary panel that it was advised by the Modi government to approve demonetisation, contradicting the government. (Photo: File)
Mumbai: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has refused to divulge details regarding the number of demonetised notes already at banks on the evening of November 8, the day on which Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a ban on currency of Rs 500 and Rs 1000.
Responding to an RTI query, the RBI claimed an exemption, citing danger to the life or physical safety of anyone who disclosed this information to the public.
The RBI also refused to divulge details on its preparations for demonetisation and studies it used to forecast the impact of the move, claiming that revealing information on these sensitive matters would endanger India's sovereignty, integrity and security.
Earlier, the RBI had disclosed to a Parliamentary panel that it was advised by the Modi government to approve demonetisation, on November 7, just a day before the PMs speech. This is in stark contrast to Union Power Minister Piyush Goyals assertion before Parliament on December 16 that it was the RBI which suggested withdrawal of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes.
In a 7-page note to the Parliament's Department-Related Committee of Finance headed by Congress leader M Veerappa Moily, the RBI stated that the Government had on November 7, 2016 "advised the Reserve Bank that to mitigate the triple problems of counterfeiting, terrorist financing and black money, the Central Board of the Reserve Bank may consider withdrawal of the legal tender status of the notes in high denominations of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000."
The RBI's Central Board met the very next day to "consider the Government's advice," and after "deliberations," decided to "recommend to Central Government that the legal tender status of the banknotes in the high denominations of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 be withdrawn."
The Union Cabinet headed by Modi met within hours of that recommendation on November 8 and banned circulation of old 500 and 1000 rupee notes.
Kozhikode: Education minister C. Raveendranath on Thursday visited the house of Jishnu Pranoy, student of Nehru Engineering college, Pampady, who allegedly committed suicide.
The minister assured all help from the government in ensuring justice to the family of Jishnu, who are not satisfied with the probe and the first information report that was based on the information provided by the college.
The minister said that educational institutions should shoulder a social responsibility. If they fail to do so, the government and society will have to interfere. Soon after the tragedy, the university was asked to submit a probe report and they found that there was no evidence of malpractices at the exam hall, the minister said.
The minister was accompanied by E.K. Vijayan and DYFI leader Muhammed Riyas. The family welcomed the move to probe the death by the Crime Branch.
One of the students who was undergoing treatment in Government General hospital (Beach), Kozhikode, complained at Vellayil police.
Kozhikode: Eight Malayali students, were allegedly beaten up and held back by the college management in Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, for resisting the attack on one among them in the mens hostel.
The students, who escaped from captivity by jumping the hostel wall, reached their homes in trucks.
One of the students who was undergoing treatment in Government General hospital (Beach), Kozhikode, complained at Vellayil police.
Shinto K., first year mechanical engineering diploma student at Excel Group of Institutions, Namakkal, complained that his roommate, Shafeeq, from Palakkad, was beaten up with a cane by their hostel warden, and in a scuffle that followed, the warden fell on the floor. In retaliation to that incident, the students were locked up in a room in the hostel on January 9 and beaten up with leather belts and logs.
He added that mobile phones of students were taken up by authorities so that they could not contact the outside world. After complaining to the principal, the phones were returned and on Tuesday night, they jumped the wall and boarded some cargo lorries that came on the way. Vellayil police registered a case and investigating. Shinto, son of Ramesan, hails from Pantheerankavu.
Saudi Arabia had two days ago increased India's Haj quota by 34,500. This means, around 1.70 lakh devotees can undertake the pilgrimage from India. (Photo: AP)
New Delhi: The government has formed a high-level panel to look into the Haj subsidy issue in light of a 2012 Supreme Court order on gradually reducing and abolishing subsidy given to pilgrims by 2022, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said here on Friday.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event, the Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) said the panel, inter alia, is expected to figure out if the pilgrims can travel to Saudi Arabia paying less or equally if there is no subsidy.
"Questions and issues about Haj subsidy have been raised from time to time. We have formed a high-level committee to study in detail different aspects related to the subsidy," Naqvi said.
The committee is doing its work and will hold talks with various stakeholders and furnish its recommendations "soon", he added.
"We have given a free hand to the committee to conduct its study. But the thing which needs to be looked into is whether the Hajis (pilgrims) can travel spending less or paying equal charges in the absence of subsidy," he said.
Saudi Arabia had two days ago increased India's Haj quota by 34,500. This means, around 1.70 lakh devotees can undertake the pilgrimage from India.
Naqvi made the remarks on the sidelines of his meeting with representatives of the Anglo-Indian community.
Lauding the community for its contribution towards nation building, Naqvi said his ministry will work for their empowerment in a dedicated manner.
The community representatives, including MLAs from various states, hailed the meeting with the Union minister as "historic step".
"I am happy that we had very fruitful and constructive discussions with representatives of Anglo-Indians from different parts of the country. The Ministry will work dedicatedly for their empowerment," he added.
New Delhi: The Home Ministry today directed all paramilitary forces to ensure speedy redressal of jawans' grievances and inform everyone about the existing mechanism to resolve their problems in the wake of a personnel complaining about "poor quality" of food being served in BSF.
In a communication, the Home Ministry told BSF, CRPF, CISF, SSB, ITBP, NSG and Assam Rifles to conduct independent inquiry once a complaint from any jawan is received on any matter and try to resolve it as early as possible.
The seven paramilitary forces have been asked to inform their personnel about the existing grievance redressal cell and register complaints, if any, without any fear, official sources said.
The forces were also told that no jawans should be harassed by their superiors if a complaint is lodged by him or her.
The paramilitary forces were told to accept complaints of jawans through e-letters. Among the seven forces, one has already started receiving the complaints through e-letter, other six have been told to follow suit, sources said.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said that all service personnel should take precautions while posting anything on social media.
"Jawans will be told to be cautious while using social media so that country's security is not compromised and morale of the forces is not affected," he told reporters here.
Sources said guidelines on using social media by paramilitary personnel would be re-issued.
As per the social media guidelines, a jawan has to take permission from superior officer before posting any content, picture, video thereon. No content related to security affairs should be uploaded on social media and no secret information, picture should be uploaded by any paramilitary personnel. All paramilitary personnel must be extremely cautious while using Tweeter, Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram etc., sources said.
BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav in a video that was uploaded on social networking sites had complained about poor quality of food being served to them.
The jawan, wearing camouflage uniform and carrying a rifle, claimed that while government procures essentials for them, the higher-ups and officers "sell it off" in an "illegal" manner in the market and the personnel have to suffer.
He also posted other videos in which he claimed that the quality of food served was not good.
The BSF has maintained that there was no shortage of ration in Yadav's post and security personnel deployed along the border never complained about food.
New Delhi: Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat on Friday made it clear that more surgical strikes cannot be ruled out as India has the "right to retaliate" if Pakistan does not react positively to offers of peace.
Gen Rawat also said India needs to "wait and watch" the Pakistani response in Jammu and Kashmir.
He accepted that challenges of proxy war, insurgency and terrorism will keep India embroiled for "years to come".
The Gen said the DGMOs of both sides have spoken to each other and want peace and tranquillity along the Line of Control (LoC).
The two officers spoke on November 23 and since then there has been relative peace along the LoC, he said.
Asked if surgical strikes conducted along the LoC, and operations conducted in Myanmar, would now be part of the doctrine, the Army chief said, "We have told the adversary to accept peace and in case that offer is not reciprocated this method of operations (surgical strikes) shall continue".
He also said the aim is to ensure peace and tranquillity and it (surgical strike) shall not be needed if there is peace. "Our offer to the adversary is if you reciprocate offer of peace in the same manner, the need to conduct a surgical strike will not arise," he said addressing his first annual press conference here after taking over as the Army chief on December 31.
He also said proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir was started to target India's secular fabric under which "people" moved out from the state.
Army chief said to ensure the secular credentials of the country are not affected, one must make sure the state reverses to what it was before 1989 with "everybody there" living in harmony.
He was referring to the exodus of Kashmiri pandits when the militancy started in the state. The central government has already made it clear that it wants to ensure that the displaced Kashmiri pandits are rehabilitated in the state.
The Army chief said the proxy war, terrorism and insurgency target the secular fabric of our country. "We are a secular country and we need to ensure that" it remains so.
Gen Rawat said one could see what happened when the proxy war was started in the valley in 1989.
"The secular credentials of our country was what was targeted and people were moved out from that state. So when we are looking at harmonious relationship and making sure that these credentials are not affected, we have to make sure that Jammu and Kashmir reverses to what it was pre-1989 with every body there living in harmony," he said.
New Delhi: The number of infiltration attempts by Pakistan-based terrorists has seen a jump after India conducted surgical strikes across the Line of Control (LoC) in September 2016 to destroy militant launch pads.
According to a report in DNA, Intelligence agencies have released a report claiming they have identified 12 terror launch pads in the neighbouring country, that are still being used for infiltration bids.
A report by intelligence agencies states that 300 terrorists are waiting to infiltrate Indian from these launch pads. The report also said that the surgical strikes inflicted a lot of damage on militant groups.
The DNA report states that Lojab Valley, Rajwar forest, Bandipora, Kazikund, Rafiabad and Naugam are some of the vulnerable areas that serve as contact points for terrorists and their handlers who help them with their nefarious designs and provide them financial support.
Terrorists have reportedly become more desperate than ever to infiltrate India and carry out attacks ever since India sent a clear message that it would not take such attempts lying down. The report says that security agencies have evidence of fence-cutting in some areas, which serve as evidence on the spike in infiltration bids.
"Usually, the infiltration reduces during winter as the terrain gets tough due to heavy snow in some areas. But in view of the current situation, it could be a tough winter for the forces," a security official is quoted in the report.
Pakistan-based militant groups also tried to take advantage of the situation in the restive Valley post Burhan Wanis death and asked their members to carry out as many terror strikes as they could on Indian forces.
JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar and 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed became increasingly emboldened and increased their terror rhetoric. They called for vengeance after the death of Wani, who was the poster boy of the militant group Hizbul Mujahideen.
They also tried to milk the unrest in Jammu and Kashmir by trying to recruit angry locals for Jihad, fuelling security fears for the forces. At least 100 youth have reportedly gone missing in the Valley in the last few months and may have joined terror outfits.
A vigilant India has increased its forces along the border and has deployed more troops than before.
"Soon after our raids, they have increased deployment in areas they consider vulnerable. Precautionary deployment is roughly 25 per cent of a full mobilisation aimed to plug the gaps," an army officer said.
Patna: Union Minister and LJP president Ramvilas Paswan, who was admitted to the ICU of a hospital here late last evening after he complained of breathlessness, is stable now, doctors attending on him said on Friday.
"Paswanji's health is stable now," Doctor Pramod Kumar, head of cardiology unit of Paras HMRI Hospital where the minister is admitted said.
Kumar is among the team of doctors keeping a close watch over the 70-year-old Minister.
Doctor Sanjeev Kumar of AIIMS Patna, another member of the team treating the minister, also said that Paswan's health condition is stable now.
A team of doctors are examining him, he said. R C Meena, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Paswan, said that a decision to shift the minister to Delhi would be taken later in the day as per recommendations of the doctors attending on him.
Ashraf Ansari, spokesman of LJP said, party workers were thronging the hospital after hearing of Paswan's health condition.
Bihar LJP president Pashupati Kumar Paras, who is brother of the minister, had said that after a complaint of breathlessness, Paswan was taken to the hospital around 8:30 PM yesterday and admiited to Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Paswan, Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs, earlier arrived here yesterday on a four-day tour of the state during which he had some political engagements in Patna, Khagaria, Begusarai and Mokamah before hosting Makarsankranti feast in Patna on January 15.
Doctor Sanjeev Kumar of AIIMS Patna had last night said that Paswan was suffering from Left Ventricular Failure caused by drop of oxygen in the body but was stable and responding to treatment.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar personally talked to the doctors to enquire about the health of Paswan.
Governor Ramnath Kovind and RJD president Lalu Prasad also enquired about the health of Paswan.
Prasad, accompanied by his sons Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, who is Health Minister of Bihar, paid a visit to the Paras Hospital to see Paswan.
Chennai: A day after the Supreme Court rejecting the plea to pass judgement on Jallikattu before Pongal, the DMK on Friday launched its state-wide protest against the Centre for failing to ensure that the bull-taming sport could be conducted on the occasion of Pongal.
DMK workers led by their working president MK Stalin and Kanimozhi, were seen protesting near the Collector's office on Friday.
Jallikattu is our tradition but now Centre and State government have failed to get us the permission to conduct it, Stalin said.
The opposition party blamed both the AIADMK led-government in the state and the BJP govt at Centre for "not taking appropriate, timely steps" to ensure a decision in favour of Jallikattu.
Earlier on Thursday, a bench comprising justices Dipak Misra and R Banumathi told a group of lawyers, who requested for the verdict, that it is unfair to ask the bench to pass an order.
The apex court, however, said that the draft of judgement has been prepared but it was not possible to deliver it before Saturday when Jallikattu is to be organised.
Recalling the assurances of both Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan that efforts would be made to conduct the stalled sport, DMK Working President MK Stalin asked, "What answers are they going to give now? What is going to be their answer to the Tamil Nadu people and the youth?" He wanted Panneerselvam and Radhakrishnan to answer the people on the present situation, adding his party continued to be firm in its stand supporting Jallikattu.
Referring to his party's January 3 protest in Madurai urging the State and Central governments to take immediate steps to conduct Jallikattu, he said "still both the governments did not give importance to this issue."
"As usual, though Chief Minister Panneerselvam wrote a letter to the Centre on the issue, he did not visit Delhi," Stalin had said in a press release in Chennai adding the Chief Minister did not exert pressure on the issue over the Union government.
"The Central government did not take any step to promulgate an ordinance to facilitate conduct of Jallikattu," he said.
CHENNAI: Buckling under the pressure of the intensifying agitation of students and youth, the opposition parties are now backing the idea of defying the Supreme Courts jallikattu ban. This has put the AIADMK government of O. Panneerselvam in a tight spot. Small outfits have already shown their contempt for the SC order and conducted the sport in a few places like Thiruvanthiapuram in Cuddalore district.
The state government is being pushed into an unenviable position of having to choose between quelling the efforts to defy the ban or risk facing a contempt petition in the Supreme Court. The government could face strong resentment among the people if it chooses to go against the popular opinion and suppresses the attempts to defy the jallikattu ban. However, an ordinance by the Centre to allow the traditional game could save the state government from the growing crisis.
The opposition leaders expressed shock at the Supreme Courts refusal to hear Tamil Nadu governments petition to take up the jallikattu case immediately.
Any government that suppresses students protest will fall: Stalin
While the Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin warned that any government that suppressed student agitations would fall, BJP senior leader Subramanian Swamy demanded the dismissal of the state government if the Supreme Court order is defied. Opposing Swamy's demand, a group of students gathered before the state BJP headquarters here and tried to lay siege to the building. They were dispersed by the police using mild force.
When asked if the DMK would defy the ban and organise jallikattu, Stalin said he would discuss with senior leaders if the party itself should organise the sport or support other outfits defying the jallikattu ban.
TNCC chief S. Thirunavukkarasar accused the BJP government at the Centre of not taking proper action to hold jallikattu and asked why the AIADMK MPs had not raised their voice in Parliament for the sport.
When asked about outfits defying the ban at a press meet in Delhi, he said under the prevailing circumstances, such things are inevitable.
The PMK openly supported defiance of the Supreme Court order if the Centre did not issue an ordinance to allow the sport. Party founder S. Ramadoss said no force could stop the conduct of jallikattu throughout the state with the support of all sections of people.
CPI state secretary R. Mutharasan said oppressive acts had not succeeded and asked the concerned parties (the Centre and Supreme Court) to safeguard their honour by respecting people's sentiments. VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan asked the state government to face contempt of court to protect Tamil culture.
Protests remind of 1965 anti-Hindi agitations
DMK working president M.K. Stalin on Thursday said the students protest demanding the lifting of jallikattu ban reminds the 1965 anti-Hindi agitations and warned of a big rebellion in the state if the demands of students are not met.
Tamil people support jallikattu at Greenville in South Carolina.
Addressing the students of New College, who held a demonstration demanding permission to jallikattu, he expressed the DMK's support to the agitations. Citing the promises of Union Minister Pon. Radhakrishnan and state BJP president Tamilisai Soundarrajan on holding the sport this year, Stalin said permission for jallikattu had not been obtained yet.
A member of Hindu Makkal Katchi douses himself with cow dung, at Sastri Bhavan, demanding the conduct of jallikattu. (Photo: DC)
The DMK leader asked the state and central governments to approach the Chief Justice of Supreme Court and create a conductive atmosphere for conducting jallikattu. He also urged the centre to issue an ordinance to hold the sport.
Welcoming Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam's meeting with AP counterpart Chandrababu Naidu to solve the drinking water crisis, he said the same efforts should have been made on the jallikattu issue too. He also announced that he would lead a protest on January 13 demanding permission for jallikattu. TNCC chief S. Thirunavukkarasar said his party would participate in the protest.
Career consultant and educationist Jayaprakash A. Gandhi said, This new rule will affect about 40 engineering colleges in the state." (Representational image)
CHENNAI: Aiming to bring down the vacant seats in the engineering colleges, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has decided to not to give fresh approval for the engineering courses that have less than 30 per cent admissions of the approved intake for five years in a row.
The council has released approval process handbook for the year 2017-18. Among the new set of rules introduced for approval of institutions in 2017-18, one of the prominent rule is the non-approval of courses that have had the poor intake in the last five years.
Institutions having courses where the admission is less than 30 per cent of approved intake for the last 5 years consistently and if it continues for the current academic year, such courses shall be closed next year with the approval of the council, the council has stated in the handbook.
Career consultant and educationist Jayaprakash A. Gandhi said, This new rule will affect about 40 engineering colleges in the state. At these colleges, they never had admission for several years in many branches. Only in mechanical and computer science branches, they managed to get some admissions.
Even some of the top colleges wanted to shut down the secondary courses like automobile engineering and production engineering for lack of interest among the students.
AICTE should not encourage even the top colleges to start secondary courses like petrochemical engineering. Even in abroad the specialised courses are available only at the PG level. The companies only prefer the core engineering branches at the UG level. These students are getting discriminated in the exams like GATE. So, AICTE themselves should not allow these courses, he added.
A private college principal speaking on condition of anonymity has welcomed this move. He said it will not affect the major engineering colleges. This move will also help bring better quality to engineering education.
Students and activists of various student organisations hold protests on the campus of Nehru College of Engineering & Research Centre at Pampady on Monday.
Thiruvananthapuram: The Nehru College of Engineering and Technology, Pampady, Thrissur on Thursday suspended three staffers over the suicide of Jishnu.
They are vice-principal M.K. Sakthivel, teacher C.P. Praveen and PRO Sanjeev K. Viswanathan, whom students accused of harassing Mr Jishnu.
They had dismissed these allegations claiming that they had only advised Jishnu against cheating in the exam. The college management which agreed to help the police probe also sought the cooperation of students to conduct the BTech exams scheduled for Friday and afterwards.
Meanwhile, students of the Toms College of Engineering, Kottayam, submitted a complaint to education minister C. Raveendranath on Thursday alleging that they are not even allowed to go home on holiday claiming it as fully residential campus.
They claimed the chairman of the college would personally visit the hostel rooms of all female students in the evenings. They are denied privacy and even not allowed to wear shawls when the chairman was around. They are often asked to read what is written on others T-shirts.
Meanwhile, 120 self-financing engineering colleges affiliated to Kerala Self-Financing Engineering College Management Association in the State observed a shutdown Thursday against the vandalisation of their state head office here by activists of the KSU.
National Investigation Agency (NIA) team and Mumbai Police raids the Islamic Research Foundation office headed by Zakir Naik at Dongri in Mumbai. (Photo: PTI/File)
New Delhi: Islamic Research Foundation of Indian Islamic preacher Zakir Naik today challenged in Delhi High Court the Centre's decision to immediately ban the organisation, claiming no reasons were given for taking such action under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, before whom the matter was listed, heard part arguments on behalf of the organisation and the Centre and asked the government to produce the relevant record on January 17 so that the court can see whether there was material for urgent ban of IRF.
IRF, in its plea, has challenged the November 17, 2016, notification of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) which had imposed an immediate ban on the organisation under UAPA.
According to IRF, the notification gives no reason and cites no material for taking such a step as was required by the law laid down by the Supreme Court.
It said the immediate ban was imposed without giving them any show cause notice.
As per the Centre's notification, read out in the court by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain, the need for taking the "urgent step" was felt in view of the apprehension that Indian youths could be "radicalised" or "motivated" by the alleged statements and speeches made by IRF and its members, including its President, Naik, to join terror groups like ISIS, which is a cause of global concern.
Opposing the maintainability of the plea, the ASG said the government did not want to wait for some "catastrophic" incident or "pralay" to happen before taking a decision.
He argued the notification mentions that Naik was making statements which not only allegedly extolled Osama bin Laden but also promoted terrorism.
He also said that as per the notification, Naik was also accused of making statements which were "derogatory of other religions" and thus, "spreading communal disharmony".
He said that Mumbai Police had already lodged an FIR against six others of IRF on a complaint by the father of a Kerala-based youth who joined ISIS.
ASG Jain further said that some terrorists and ISIS sympathisers arrested by the authorities have allegedly claimed "they were inspired by the fundamental statements made by IRF".
The ASG said the matter is now before the Tribunal, set up under the UAPA, which will take up the issue on February 6 on which date the organisation will be provided all the affidavits filed by the government.
IRF, on the other hand, contended that dates or content of the alleged speeches and statements have not been mentioned in the notification.
It also said the Tribunal refused to accept or admit, before February 6, its plea challenging the immediate ban and thus, it had to come to the high court.
It said that it was limiting its plea to the immediate ban and not raising the issue of freezing of its accounts under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act.
New Delhi: Indicating that any direct combat role for women officers in the Army would meet with logistical difficulties, Army chief Gen. Bipin Rawat said that equal opportunities also means equal responsibilities and pointed to certain difficulties like lack of toilets in rugged terrain during patrols. He said its up to women to decide if they are willing to join men in frontline combat role without separate and additional facilities.
He mentioned that when out on tanks, the men sleep under the tank during the night with no separate facility. Noting that women are present in combat arms of the Army like the Corps of Signals, Engineers and the Army Air Defence wing, except on the frontlines, Gen. Rawat pointed out that there are no toilet facilities when they go out on patrol.
You have to see society as whole. I have said that if we induct women into combat role, they will have to share equal responsibility like their male counterparts because equal opportunity must come with equal responsibility. Which means that they will have to perform exactly the same task, he said.
Now at night, when you halt, a blue sheet is pulled out and everybody sleeps under it together. There is no toilet. Everybody gets his bottle, he goes out, God knows where. If women are willing to move in that environment, then the women folk themselves need to take a call. Once women are willing to take this kind of call, we will address this issue, he said.
Suggestion boxes are on the anvil
In the light of an Army jawan complaining on social media about certain tasks of a Sahayak or buddy (referred to by some earlier in the Army as an orderly) and the worrying trend of paramilitary and Army soldiers taking to social media to air their grievances, newly-appointed Army chief (COAS) Gen. Bipin Rawat on Friday announced that he is putting in place a COAS suggestion cum grievance box at the Army headquarters.
Throught this box, soldiers can write to him about any grievances. The idea will also be put in place at the level of all formations subsequently, he said at an annual interaction in the Capital ahead of Army Day that falls on Sunday.
However, soldiers/officers will need to disclose their identity while making the grievance but Gen. Rawat assured that the system in place would ensure their identities are not leaked.
Two or three officers will be tasked with maintaining a confidential register. The drop box will be sealed and sent to the chief so that only he can look into the grievances.
Bengaluru: Bengaluru police have taken the legal route to end the 'burn' over charges they had been cavalier over granting permission for a David Guetta concert in the city. Bengaluru rural police are set to issue a legal notice on Saturday, to 'Sunburn' - the organizers of the David Guetta charity - for allegedly "misinforming the public," "showcasing the police in poor light for their lack of following the protocol," and "showing the city in a poor light," an officer told Deccan Chronicle.
The concert, set for January 12 was cancelled barely hours before the event after the organizers failed to get the mandatory police permission. The concert, just like a previous concert of the hugely popular French DJ and Grammy award winner in March 2012, was sold out. City Police Commissioner Praveen Sood told this newspaper he was deeply disturbed at the way the image of Bengaluru was being "sullied on fictitious grounds".
"The event was not even being held in the city and yet there was propaganda against the city and the police. We didn't have any knowledge about the concert and came to know of it much later," said Mr. Sood, insistent that Bengaluru is a safe city.
Seemanth Singh, IGP (Central Range) said: "We are going to issue a legal notice to the organisers to ask them to explain why they didn't seek police permission much ahead of the concert and why they have shown the police in poor light. They approached us only on January 10, while the tickets for the concert were sold much ahead and Bengaluru was mentioned as the venue." They should have shown the correct venue. Why did they misinform the public?
And now they are blaming the police for denying them permission, while attributing lack of law and order in Bengaluru as the reason behind this," said the officer, pointing to the advertisement that fails to mention the venue of the concert as being in the outskirts of the city and not the CBD where the New Year's eve molestation took place. Bengaluru Rural SP Amit Singh said that if 'Sunburn' was expecting a crowd of 20,000 for the concert, they should have taken police permission to ensure crowd safety much earlier.
Madurai: Alanganallur, the epicentre of Jallikattu the traditional sport held on Maatu Pongal Day, looks like a fortress with more than 1,000 policemen guarding the tiny village to ensure that villagers dont defy the Supreme Court ban by conducting Jallikattu.
Madurai police have erected barricades around the Vaadivasal (entrance through which the bulls enter the track) and have also deployed police personnel outside the residences of bull owners.
They also got 107 bull tamers to sign a bond promising they wont participate in the event, if held, defying the ban.
More than 2,000 police deployed in villages
The police force has been deployed with redoubled strength both in uniform and plainclothes in Alanganallur, Palamedu and Avaniyapuram, which are places globally know for the conduct of jallikattu during the Pongal festival. The local people are trying to find ways to pull the wool over the eyes of police and go ahead with the conduct of impromptu jallikattu to satisfy the demand that has picked up enormously this year.
All the Vadivasals (the entry point of the bulls into the arena) have been blocked with barricades and a wall of police personnel guard them. Every bull in the three villages with the potential to run in the jallikattu arena now has a policeman standing next to it and keeping a close watch on its movements.
Bull fighters among the police have been identified by the department and asked to come for special duty to these villages with a view to capture the bull that may be let surreptitiously into the arena.
"The police from other districts have already mingled with the locals in mufti to collect vital information from the villagers so that we can prevent jallikattu enthusiasts from mobilising the bulls," said a police source.
The five major road routes including Thanichiyam main road, sugar mill road, Palamedu road to Alanganallur village are being guarded by police. Even the othayadi pathi (small roads) used by farmers for transportation of agricultural products have also been brought under the police scanner.
"We are not against conducting jallikattu, but we have to obey the orders of the court which has temporarily banned the sport," said a senior police officer on the request of anonymity.
The police and revenue officials have also executed bounds under section 107 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) for keeping peace for six months from around 200 people who were suspected to mobilise youths for conducting jallikattu. "The police have also received a written statement from us declaring that we wouldn't send our bulls for the event," said a bull owner from Avaniyapuram where jallikattu would first be organised on January 14 each year when the sport was permitted.
"We have explained the legal position to the villagers and they have also assured to cooperate with us. We have also mobilised sufficient police forces for deployment as per requirements in these villages," SP, Vijayendra S Bidari told Deccan Chronicle.
Meanwhile, villagers from Alanganallur have decided to organize a rail roko on Saturday and hoist black flags in their homes condemning the apex court on Saturday. Some youths are also said to be secretly planning to conduct the event.
Avaniyapuram shops closed to condemn centre on jallikattu
All the shops on Avaniyapuram near Madurai where the first jallikattu event would be organised on Thai pongal as per tradition, downed their shutters condemning the central Government for not taken steps to conduct the sport on Friday.
Various forums also organised a protest in Avaniyapuram on the same issue. Nearly 500 youths took out rally at various places in Madurai city and 200 more youths went on a bike rally from Madurai to Alanganallur. Actor turned MLA Karunas also participated in the protest in Madurai.
The bull, Ramu, tethered with a long rope, tied to a stone in the middle of the arena, gives a tough fight during an impromptu jallikattu held at Karisalkulam village in Madurai on Friday morning. (Photo: K. Manikandan)
Madurai: An impromptu jallikattu event at Karisalkulam village saw four bulls of the famous Pullikulam cattle breed charging through the Vadivasal and engaging the local youths for around an hour during Bhogi Pongal on Friday morning.
By the time the police arrived at the scene, the jallikattu was over and each and every villager offered himself to be arrested thus putting the police in a piquant situation. We are ready to go to jail to safeguard the Tamil tradition, said the youths.
Earlier, as news of bulls being let through the Vadivasal (the entry point of the bull into the arena) people from neighbouring villages rushied to the open ground near Ayyanar temple. In the past, jallikattu was held inside the village in connection with the festivities of the Ayayanar temple. Jallikattu was not held in the past two years and this year the youths were determined to hold it and were encouraged by growing support for the sport all over the state with even college students sitting in the streets in protest.
The bull tamers, who have been eagerly waiting to lay their hands on the humps of the bull near the makeshift Vadivasal, raised their voices in unison when the bull owner released the bulls into the arena.
While some fell into the hard ground unable to match its speed, Moorthy, a famous bull tamer, managed to grab the hump of two bulls for a few metres. In formal competition, a tamer holding a hump of the bull for 15 metres in the arena from the Vadivasal was declared as the winner.
But none could go close to Ramu, who was tethered with a long rope and tied to a stone in the middle of the arena. The bull running around in circles is called `Vadam Jallikattu' one of oldest forms of the sport in which the bull and the bull-tamers fight face-to-face.
Nobody could win my Ramu even in famous Alanganallur jallikattu held in 2013 where it stood majestically in the arena and played with the tamers for nearly 15 minutes, said Deepak who had purchased Ramu for `1.5 lakh two years ago.
People who had gathered in the ground raised loud noises in jubilation encouraging the bull-tamers to catch the bulls. I rushed from Palamedu after I heard about the event. See the hairs standing on my hand, said 45-year-old Veeriya Perumal, who has been watching the sport for nearly 30 years. Today I felt like I really celebrated Pongal nearly after two years, said Arul, a software professional from Madurai.
Meanwhile, when the police tried to remove the Vadaivasal, the youths gathered around it and raised slogans We are fighting to safeguard Tamil culture. You arrest all of us, but don't destroy our cultural symbols,
Respecting their sentiments, the police and revenue officials left the area after getting assurances from the people that they wouldn't conduct the event again.
Bull tamer Moorthy invites judges to witness
Famous bull-tamer Moorthy (29) from Mettupatti village, who had acted as Kamal Haasan's double in the jallikattu scene in the film Virumandi appealed to the apex court judges to respect Tamil culture.
Moorthy's taming skills draw the attention of jallikattu enthusiasts during an impromptu holding of the event at Karisalkulam village in Madurai on Friday. "I invite the honorable judges to visit our villages and witness the sport. Only then will they understand that we are not harming the bulls," he said.
Moorthy, who has been taming the bulls from childhood, had won metals in thousands of events. "I had sustained 15 cut injuries while trying to tame the bulls, but we never caused any injuries to them. They are like one among our family members," he said.
Explaining the nuances of the bull taming, Moorthy said that not more than two bull tamers were allowed to tame the bull. "We either need to run hugging the hump of the bulls for 15 metres in the arena or remove the price money tied near its horn."
But it was misinterpreted by the PETA as if the bull tamers were causing harms to the bulls. "That is why we are inviting the judges to view the event and learn about our culture," he added.
Panaji: Let us cross the bridge when it comes, Defence minister Manohar Parrikar said on Friday, as he parried questions on his possible return as Chief Minister of Goa if BJP wins the Assembly polls, a day after Union minister Nitin Gadkaris remarks on the issue set off speculation.
I can only say that let us cross the bridge when it comes. (Nitin) Gadkariji has said what we wanted to say, Parrikar told reporters here when asked whether he will be back in the state as Chief Minister after Goa polls.
Parrikar made the remarks when he accompanied BJP candidate Siddharth Kuncolienkar for filing his nomination papers from Panaji constituency.
The constituency was earlier represented by Parrikar, a former Chief Minister, till he was elevated to the Central cabinet after the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
Gadkari, while addressing a press conference here on Thursday, had said that the next Chief Minister would be decided in a democratic way by the elected representatives.
This leader can either be from the elected representatives or we can even send (someone) from the Centre, he had told the media here, setting off intense political speculation.
Parrikar and his Cabinet colleague Sripad Naik hail from the coastal state, but despite repeated queries, Gadkari had on Thursday declined to reveal if he was hinting at one of them.
Naik on his part said he was willing to head a government in his home state if the party asked him to do so.
I have not asked for it. Also, Manohar Parrikar has not asked for it, the AYUSH minister said.
Last week, the Supreme Court had upheld the High Court decision of December 26, 2016, to ban cockfights in AP. (Representational image)
Hyderabad: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to pass any fresh order to stop cockfights in AP. The bench, comprising Chief Justice J.S. Khehar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, declined to pass any fresh order when it was submitted that the High Court direction in this regard was not being followed.
An urgent petition was filed by Ms Gauri Maullekhi on behalf of the Animal Welfare Board seeking fresh orders to the AP government as cockfights were being organised in the state unabated, flouting the ban ordered by the High Court.
The bench declined to entertain the petition, stating that there was no need for an urgent hearing of the matter. Last week, the Supreme Court had upheld the High Court decision of December 26, 2016, to ban cockfights in AP. The court had directed the AP government to ensure that no cockfights took place during Sankranti.
Hyderabad: The Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Shabbir Ali on Friday accused MIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi of working on the Sangh Parivar agenda by seeking an end to Haj subsidy.
He demanded the MIM chief to withdraw his statement. He said the Haj sop, which was started in 1932 by the British, has helped poor Muslims to undertake at least one Haj pilgrimage.
Excise officials said it would be difficult to relocate such a large number of outlets by the March 31 deadline stipulated by the Supreme Court. (Representational image)
Hyderabad: The government is trying to mobilise the support of other states to file a review petition in the Supreme Court over its recent orders to close liquor shops and bars located within 500 metres of national highways.
The state government wants the distance to be reduced to 50 or 100 metres. The court had ruled against liquor shops near highways to restrain drivers from having easy access to liquor. This was part of an attempt to stem the rising number of accidents on highways.
The government wants clarity on whether the 500-metre norm would be applicable to national highways passing through the core areas of cities and towns. Over 160 shops are located in the core areas of the capital but fall within 500 metres of national highways passing through the city.
The Telangana state Excise department has approached its counterparts in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab and Tamil Nadu and convened a meeting next week on ways to proceed on the issue.
Statewide, the government will have to close 1,140 out of 2,140 liquor shops. The state has over 800 bars, of which 450 face closure due to the new rule.
Excise officials said it would be difficult to relocate such a large number of outlets by the March 31 deadline stipulated by the Supreme Court. They are also encountering stiff resistance from shop and bar owners.
The excise laws need to be amended to implement the SC orders. Under the existing state laws, it would not be possible for the government to order their relocation. It can only persuade owners to relocate, said a source in the Excise department,
Most owners have said they would not be able to recover the licence fee between Rs 30 lakh and Rs 1.08 crore if they shift by March 31. Their licence is valid till October, he said.
The national highways which pass through TS towns and cities include NH-44 (Adilabad-Mah-bubnagar), NH-65 (Zah-eerabad-Kodad), both of which pass through Hy-derabad, apart from NH-143 (Hyderabad-Chhattis-garh); NH-63 (Nizamabad-Chinnur) and NH-167 (Karnataka-Jadcherla). Parts of NH-30 and NH-61 also pass through Telangana state.
A majority of the liquor shops are located along NH-44 and NH-65 where licences were given to 300 and 200 shops respectively.
he goof-up has since gone viral in social media, causing much embarrassment for the student. (Photo: Video grab)
Patna: In a major goof-up by Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC), one of the applicant was issued an admit card that carried a topless image of a popular regional actress.
According to reports, the girl shares the same first name as the actress, but has a different surname. The applicant was shocked to find the image in what was supposed to be her ID card. The goof-up has since gone viral in social media, causing much embarrassment for the student.
The student, from Nalanda, had applied for the First Inter Level Combined Competitive (P.T.) exam.
The BSSC is yet to issue a statement over the issue.
Earlier last year, Bihar shot to infamy after it emerged that the state higher secondary topper, Rubi Rai, did not know what political science was, calling it prodigal science, which eventually lad to unearthing of a big degree-for-cash nexus involving politicians, state educational board and local criminals.
New Delhi: With back-to-back incidents of men in uniform voicing their concerns over social media, a top paramilitary commander on Thursday said this trend of airing grievances was "not the healthiest and correct" way
He also said that there was a need for the officers to interact more with personnel to ensure that they remain in contact with them to avoid such incidents.
"It is not a good thing to bring out these issues through the social media. It is not the healthiest way of doing things. It is like if you don't get anything, you go and do this. Use of social media for this purpose is wrong as they (troops) have various forums for grievance redressal."
"Having said that, I will add and ask my senior officers to take further efforts to engage with the personnel more often and ensure that they remain in contact with them much more than they are now," CRPF Director General K Durga Prasad said.
The chief of country's largest paramilitary force said in any situation, whether there is a "video or no video", the efforts to ensure welfare and other benefits for the men and women of the force is an "ongoing effort."
"What my jawan has said in the video is about the facilities that he wants to get on par with other forces like army when he takes similar risks. We have already brought these issues to the notice of the 7th Pay Commission and the government," he said.
Prasad further said that the force, beginning October last year, has started issuing an e-letter that reaches every jawan in the force, informing them about what all was being done for them by the government and the force headquarters in Delhi.
"We have also requested to the government that the pension system of these men, which was stopped in 2004, should be introduced again," he said.
After the videos of BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav went viral on social media, another clip posted by a CRPF constable has surfaced wherein the trooper has demanded "parity" for paramilitary personnel in pay and other benefits at par with the army.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), country's largest paramilitary with about 3 lakh personnel, on Thursday said it has taken "cognisance" of the issues raised by the jawan, who identified himself in the video as Jeet Singh.
New Delhi: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) on Friday asserted that they will leave no stone unturned in opposing the practice of Jallikattu.
Speaking on the probability of Centre rolling out an ordinance in favour of the people of Tamil Nadu, who are for the bull-taming sport, Nikanj a PETA activist said that if needed they will even challenge the ordinance in the apex court.
"This was a very expected decision given by the Supreme Court. And I want that the government or the court should not succumb to the pressure of people or government of Tamil Nadu against Jallikattu. If an ordinance is passed then it would be seen as murder of democracy and an insult to the constitutional process," Nikanj said.
"If the government wants to get through with help ordinances then what is the meaning of the judicial process. If the Supreme Court has banned Jallikattu then it must have done that after look all aspect of the sport. The Supreme Court has given a verdict after going through all the reports, that how bulls are beaten, how they are fed with alcohol and then tortured and all this so that a man can tame them. We will do everything it takes to stop oppose this sport, if an ordinance is brought we will challenge the same in the Supreme Court," he added.
The apex court yesterday turned down a plea for delivering its judgment on Jallikattu before the harvest festival of Pongal in Tamil Nadu on Saturday.
The apex court's ruling has caused uproar in Tamil Nadu. Protests were carried out across Tamil Nadu, with some organisers saying they will organise the sport despite the apex court ruling.
Rejecting the sport, which is held in Tamil Nadu during the Pongal festivities every year, the apex court said, "It's unfair to ask the bench to pass the order.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during the 350th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh at Gandhi Maidan in Patna on Thursday. (Photo: PTI/File)
Patna: Days after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was seen sharing the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a Prakash Parv event, his party has now invited leaders of the opposition party in the state for a special meal to celebrate the Makar Sankranti festival.
According to an NDTV report, the event will be hosted by JDUs Bihar chief Vashista Narayan Singh, who has confirmed that his party has sent out invitations to the BJP. Both the JDU and its RJD host the event every year, but allies are never invited. This is the first time that an opposition party has been extended invites, perhaps signalling that Nitish is warming up to his former ally.
Makar Sankranti will be celebrated this Sunday, however, the BJPs Bihar chief Nityanand Rai said that they are yet to receive any invitations. In the case that they do, they will have to consult their leaders at Delhi, before they commit to attending the celebration by the JDU.
The BJP and JDU used to be allies in Bihar, but had broken off their ties in 2013, just ahead of the general elections. Up until then, BJP leaders were a regular feature at JDUs celebrations of the religious festival.
Only last week, the BJP announced that it would participate in the human chain called by Nitish Kumar in support of prohibition.
Bihar is planning to form the world's longest human chain, which will be over 3,000 km long, on January 21, involving more than two crore people, to express its commitment towards liquor ban.
BJP support of human chain backing of Prohibition is construed in media as a result of Modis effusive praise of Nitish Kumar at the concluding function of 350 'Prakash Parva' in Patna on January 5 on prohibition.
Barasat: Renewing her attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on demonetisation and arrest of her party MPs, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today dared the CBI to arrest her and all TMC MPs and MLAs.
"Sudip Bandyopadhyay was arrested because he has protested (against demonetisation). There was no evidence. Tapas Pal (MP) was also arrested. You arrest all our MPs and MLAs including me. I want to see how much space you have in jail," she said while inaugurating the 'Jatra Utsav' here.
"People cannot protest. If you protest Conspiracy Bureau of India (CBI) will arrest you. But don't get scared. Go on fighting," she said.
Claiming that the Rose Valley chit fund scam case had links with LIC, Banerjee said "You find out. But, will the Finance Minister or the Prime Minister be arrested for that?" she asked.
"I am the only one shouting against demonetisation. I have no interest. I am fighting for the people. The country's economy has slowed down. Modi government will be responsible if there is a price rise and starvation," the TMC supreme said.
Banerjee said "Even Mahatma Gandhi's picture was replaced by that of PM Narendra Modi (in the 2017 calendar and diary of Khadi and Village Industries Commission). After sometime you will find his picture on currency notes. It is Gandhiji's charkha. Just imagine what is happening in the country."
Stating that all the white money of the common people was deposited in the banks, she asked "Where is the black money? Modi government could not bring black money even from Switzerland."
Banerjee alleged that to support a few big business houses, the Modi government has brought disaster for the country.
"They are advocating for plastic money. They are asking women to leave their batua (purse)...they will not leave their batuas, rather they will stop voting for you," she said.
New Delhi: The Congress on Friday launched a scathing attack on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Sakshi Maharaj terming him a breed of politicians nurtured on divisive politics.
"I have fought Sakshi Maharaj on two occasions. I know what his politics is. I know what his personality is all about. This is a breed and brand of politicians who have been nurtured on divisive politics, on politics of the other, on politics of hate, politics of ridicule and they have prospered. They have come so far that they are now part of a government," Congress leader and former External Affairs minister Salman Khurshid said.
Commending the Election Commission for its immediate action, Khurshid hoped more and more involvement of people to turn people against the kind of politics played by making such comments.
"I don't always agree with the Election Commission but on this occasion what they are doing is to be commended. I think this is just the beginning of the battle. We have a long way to go and a lot of good people have to pitch in and ensure that we turn the mood of the country against this kind of politics," said Khurshid.
Meanwhile, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) also did not miss the chance to hit out at BJP, saying that the party is in a habit of playing politics based on religious polarisation.
"Sakshi Maharaj is a Bharatiya Janata Party (BBJP) member and many other ministers of the party have passed similar comments. BJP is in a habit of doing politics based on religious polarisation," BSP member Sudhindra Bhadoria said.
The EC on Thursday censured Sakshi Maharaj for violating the Model Code of Conduct and the Supreme Court's decision not to seek votes in the name of religion.
The EC in its letter issued to Maharaj said he being a reputed political leader/MP is expected to be more circumspect in his public utterances during the upcoming assembly elections.
The Election Commission also issued a stern warning to the BJP MP, saying strict action would be taken in case of any violation of the Model Code of Conduct in future.
Addressing a gathering in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, last week, Maharaj had urged all political parties to come together to frame "population control" laws.
"This population rise is not because of Hindus. The population has risen because of those who support the concept of four wives and 40 children. It is not acceptable," he said.
New Delhi: The Election Commission on Friday will hear the ownership battle over Samajwadi Party's bycycle symbol between the party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son Akhilesh Yadav. The two leaders arrived at the office of the poll body here to put forth their stands.
Candidates from both, Mulayam and Akhilesh camps cannot fight election on 'cycle' symbol at the same time, therefore, the EC will have to take a call on the issue before the filing of nominations begins.
With the prospect of the EC freezing the bicycle symbol looming large, both father Mulayam Singh Yadav and son Akhilesh Yadav, who are locked in a bitter fight over the control of the party, have a Plan B ready.
While the party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav intends to merge his faction with another party, Lok Dal, and use its symbol two bullocks and a farmer tilling land, Akhilesh Yadav, on the other hand, is likely to float his own party, the Akhil Bharatiya Samajwadi Party, with motorcycle as its symbol.
On Thursday, Akhilesh Yadav held a meeting with party workers and assured them that he would soon start campaigning.
On Friday, the full Election Commission, headed by chief election commissioner Nasim Zaidi, will hear both the sides and take a decision on the party symbol based on the deposition by lawyers of both the camps.
On Thursday morning, Lok Dal national president Sunil Singh had a meeting with Mulayam Singh Yadav, Shivpal Yadav and Amar Singh, apparently to look at the options of a merger.
The meeting, at Mulayam Singh Yadavs New Delhi residence on Ashoka Road, was also attended by a couple of lawyers, who will represent the Mulayam faction at the Election Commission.
Emerging from the meeting, Amar Singh told this newspaper that though efforts were on resolve differences, in the event of EC freezing the symbol, we are looking at the options of Mulayam faction contesting on the Lok Dal symbol.
Asked whether the Mulayam faction would be called Lok Dal, Sunil Singh said, We are looking at all options. The Lok Dal website claims that the outfit was founded by former PM Charan Singh in 1980 and had all the top regional satraps. The names of the regional leaders listed by the website include Devi Lal, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Nitish Kumar, among others.
Mumbai: Hinting that it is prepared to go solo in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls, the Shiv Sena, in a veiled threat to senior ally BJP, said whosoever tries to oust it from the Mumbai and Thane civic bodies would "dig its own grave".
Dubbing the use of state machinery and money power in the run-up to the polls as "unfortunate for democracy", it asserted that no one has been able to root out Sena's influence on the masses.
The election to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which is ruled by the Shiv Sena for 20 years, is likely to be the highlight of the next month's civic polls. The Sena and BJP together rule the Mumbai, Thane and Akola civic bodies, which are going to polls on February 21.
"Politics today is devoid of principles and the feeling of serving people, and has become selfish. People of the state are ready to eliminate these selfish people and ensure the hoisting of the saffron (Sena) flag in Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations," an editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' said.
"Whoever tries to bring down the saffron flag in Mumbai, will dig its own grave. History bears testimony to that," it asserted.
The Sena also said that while campaigning for states like Uttar Pradesh, Narendra Modi does not merely address the people as a BJP leader but as the Prime Minister, rolling out freebies and promises to people.
"This is unfortunate in a democracy. Whenever the party in power goes into the battlefield for elections, it does so with the power of the entire administration and money. The Sena has battled such people and has been able to retain the saffron flag across the state," it said.
"The roots of Sena are strong that no one has been able to uproot it. It is the Sena alone fighting for the relevance of Mumbai. There are some whose love for Mumbai emerges only prior to the civic polls," the ruling alliance partner quipped.
Newly recruited Shiite fighters, known as Houthis, display their skills during a parade aimed at mobilizing more fighters into battlefronts to fight pro-government forces in several Yemeni cities, in Sanaa, Yemen. (Photo: AP)
Karachi: The wealth and pomp of several Muslim monarchies notwithstanding, the world of Islam is in tatters. Torn by internal strife, lack of focus on starving millions and controlled by greed as well as external powers, Muslim governments are in a state of disarray.
Tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran have reached such levels that they are waging proxy wars against each other in Syria and Yemen. Iranian pilgrims were not able to perform Haj last year. The wars have created major humanitarian crises, producing famine, poverty and millions of refugees with nowhere to go.
These political games are aimed at grabbing power and space within the region, and politics and religion are being exploited to the detriment of civilians. Divides have been created amongst an already polarised Muslim world. Sectarian feelings are worked up on social and mainstream media, where pictures of atrocities allegedly committed by one or the other party are posted.
In Pakistan, each year, hundreds of firebrand clerics are banned from entering the more sensitive areas of the country during Muharram. Members of minority sects are regularly and brutally attacked, ostensibly by the Pakistani Taliban or their splinter groups, but also by others. The pulpit is often used to spread hatred.
Centuries of textualist interpretations of the Quran, belief in questionable ahadith and tribal and patriarchal customs have created a troubling rhetoric, comprised of social and religious demands by self-righteous clerics.
Pakistans policies of the 1980s led to the mushrooming of brutal fanatics who have used Islam for wanton killing. Recognition of this fact and the rise of internal terrorism led to Operation Zarb-i-Azb. What is now needed, more than ever, is a zarb-i-fikr, a term so aptly coined by Javed Ahmed Ghamidi for reversing the narrative used by extremists and their supporters. I am using this term here in its wider sense.
The Muslim world, its scholars and leaders who are seriously concerned about the rapid deterioration of Muslim politics and society, must find alternative routes of thought and create platforms of open discourse and debate. This must happen at local, country, regional and global levels. The objectives would include development of tolerant and pluralistic societies, as Muslim societies should be, but equally to take measures for technological and economic progress through inclusiveness, education and social cohesion.
The approach to this could include analysis of what is going wrong and acceptance of responsibility, without emphasis on Western conspiracies.
Countries Pakistan in particular could begin to accept differences of religious opinion and clamp down on those who oppose freedom of expression, not the other way around. Too many instances in the distant and near past indicate that succeeding governments have either supported or buckled under the pressure exercised by groups that would have Pakistanis live under fear.
A scholar of the calibre of Fazlur Rahman had to leave the country in the 1960s because of his ground-breaking work on the Quran. Many Muslims who would like to hold discussions on religious matters cannot do so for fear of being branded apostates or blasphemers. In contemporary times, laws on domestic violence and patriarchal killing are either resisted or toned down. The recent bill in Sindh on criminalising forced conversions is being touted as un-Islamic. Laws have been based on questionable interpretations and implemented for personal gains against unsuspecting innocents.
Today, the message of Islam, which called for rational thought and deliberation, discussion and a free and open mind and freedom of choice, must be reiterated. The individual must be free to follow any religion or sect of her/his choice and the state must turn its attention to the welfare of people.
Scholars need to come together and discuss exactly what they are bickering about and whether their stances are aligned with Islamic teachings. Muslims should be free to discuss what the Sharia means to their individual and collective lives and which form of it may or may not be relevant.
The thousands of alims churned out by madrasas must be monitored for what they learn and subsequently do. Khutbas in mosques need to be assessed and any vitriolic content removed. Institutions such as the Council of Islamic Ideology that have been blamed for promoting misogyny must be done away with. These measures must have the protection of laws with teeth. Research should be encouraged in matters related to Islam and joint research with other countries should be carried out. An Islamic renaissance is essential.
By arrangement with Dawn
US President Barack Obamas farewell address earlier this week was a masterful review of his work, the vision he never ignored and the challenges ahead. Looming in the backdrop was of course President-elect Donald Trump. An intelligence report on the Russian role in the American elections and Mr Trumps links to Russian President Vladimir Putin has generated controversy and Obama-Trump bitterness. How then does the Obama presidency rate as it ends on January 20?
His meteoric rise and triumph in 2008 was so unique and historical and the expectations so high that it was natural to fear that he may fall well short of the promise of Yes We Can. Two speeches revealed his vision as his presidency commenced.
At Prague in April 2009 he announced that the US will ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and seek a nuclear weapon-free world. This begot him a Nobel Prize as some pointed out, not for what he had done but what he intended to do.
In June at Cairo University he delivered a masterly address, often called A New Beginning speech, which examined the complex links between West, Islam and radicalisation. Having inherited two wars from his predecessor in Afghanistan, dubbed a war of compulsion, and Iraq, characterised a war of choice, he was contextualising US intervention as not anti-Islam but anti-radicalisation of a great religion. He argued that no purely military battle against radicalisation could work if the minds and hearts of Muslims were not won over.
However, simultaneously a financial crisis was breaking in out in America, building up since 2008, over the governments backing of home loans by banks like Fannie Mae. By mid-2009 even the vaunted Citibank was in trouble. Separately, US automobile majors like General Motors ran into financial distress.
President Obama met both the challenges head-on, refinancing tottering organisations to minimise distress to the people and ensuring their survival and future revival.
The Arab world, meanwhile, exploded with popular uprisings against autocratic leaders, some of them close allies of the US. Popularly called the Arab Spring, it began from a Tunisian street in December 2010 and swept east, overthrowing leaders in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and creating instability in Yemen, Bahrain and later Syria. Mr Obama faced the dilemma whether or not to support allies like President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt or let largely peaceful protests vent public ire, leading perhaps to a largely bloodless transition to representative and popular governments. The logic flowing from his Cairo University speech was that US sought partnership with the Islamic nations and not indirect control of their destinies through military dictators fed and armed by the US. Despite Saudi ire over the US not backing Mr Mubarak to the hilt, Mr Obama let the forces of protest play out, ensuring that the Egyptian Army stayed neutral and allowed the transition to popular rule.
Unfortunately,though, Mr Obama erred on two counts. First, in countries like Egypt the only well organised opposition after decades of state repression of dissent was in the mosque and in the form of the Muslim Brotherhood. They seized control of the popular uprising leading to the election of a President sympathetic to their cause. Once in power they began imposing their agenda and social control that belied the open and multi-religious ethos of Egypt, which has a substantial Christian Coptic population. The Egyptian military eventually turned the clock back.
Second, in tribal societies like Libya or multi-ethnic nations like Syria or bi-religious states like Bahrain and Yemen, the minute the dictators hand was lifted or even weakened, schisms ancient and deep resurfaced. Mr Obama withdrew US troops from Iraq in December 2011 as the post-Arab Spring madness was unfolding in Syria. The Sykes-Picot line separating Iraq and Syria is a post-World War I cartographic absurdity, dividing peoples of the same race, religion or history.
Moreover, in Iraq from late 2011 till the capture of Mosul in June 2014, the US ignored poor governance by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, alienating Iraqi Sunnis. Compounding the problem was the haphazard arming of anti-Assad Sunni groups in Syria by the Saudis, Qataris and the CIA. The blame for emergence of the dystopian ISIS and its spread in a flash to Iraq and the fall of Mosul must rest at Mr Obamas doorstep.
The Obama presidency began after Indias high romance with President George W. Bush, who unshackled India from decades of discriminatory technology control regimes and sanctions by approving the US-India civilian nuclear deal. India also feared a re-hyphenation of India and Pakistan when US special envoy Richard Holbrooke began mooting visits to the region. Mr Obama was not India-focused till his visit in October 2010, perhaps distracted by the banking crisis at home and the troop withdrawal from Iraq and the drawdown in Afghanistan. But eventually he resumed from where George W. Bush had left US-India relations.
Mr Obama became the first US President to visit India twice in his presidency, being chief guest at Indias Republic Day in 2015. He enhanced defence cooperation, enlarged areas of cooperation, increased intelligence-sharing and counter-terrorism cooperation and openly committed the US to supporting Indias permanent membership of the UN Security Council and the four technology control regimes like the Nuclear Suppliers Group, etc. In his farewell speech, he rightly noted his successes at reversing recession, rebooting auto industry, unleashing job creation, shutting down Irans nuclear programme, eliminating Osama bin Laden, 9/11s mastermind, and opening a new chapter with Cuba, among other things. Two of his big achievements Obama healthcare, extending cover to millions, and the Paris Agreement on climate change are likely to be negated by his successor. So he philosophically concluded that the work of democracy has always been hard, contentious and sometimes bloody. A good lesson from the worlds oldest democracy to India, the biggest.
The Supreme Courts dismissal of the plea for a probe into corruption charges against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others, including former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit, is based purely on inadmissibility of evidence. Having weighed the evidence the petitioner was asked twice to bring something substantial and considered it again in the light of various pronouncements, including of the Constitution Bench, the courts conclusion had a definitive ring to it. A set of insinuations based on diary entries and random computer ramblings cant possibly be in-depth material of evidentiary value in launching a probe or prosecution against high constitutional functionaries. The case was lost on the merit of evidence submitted and it was churlish of the petitioner-lawyer to berate the court for declaring the case devoid of merit.
Its a sacrosanct principle of democracy that no one is above the law. Its a fair expectation that complaints against anyone of corruption in public life be examined thoroughly, perhaps in direct proportion to the gravity of the office held. However, it also stands to reason that the highest constitutional authorities be protected over flimsy charges being hurled against them. If Prime Ministers and chief ministers, who are chief executives of the nation and the states respectively, are tied down by corruption charges motivated purely by politics, their role in the administration could be severely circumscribed.
This is not to suggest that chief ministers havent been guilty of corruption. In fact, many have been proved to be corrupt and have been prosecuted by Central agencies and even disbarred from holding office after being unable to prove themselves innocent under the strict provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Truth to tell, the country has a huge threshold of tolerance on corruption in high places. But given the nature of the court processes and appeals procedures, even those found guilty are walking around freely even if they are technically only out on bail. Where the system fails is in ensuring through prosecution of the corrupt till the bitter end even in cases where the evidence is clinching. Some cases have even gone on for decades without final judgments being delivered.
On the political front, the verdict brings huge relief to the PM as those who picked up the flimsy charges and tried to blow them up by projecting them as earthquake-inducing are exposed as users of borrowed material for political manoeuvring. The evidentiary inadequacy of this particular case should not, however, stop the efforts of those who are committed to fighting corruption in public life in India even if they know how much the system is loaded against nailing corrupt politicians. A lot more than innuendo is needed to nail corruption in high places.
An army marches on its stomach. Napoleon understood this well two centuries ago, but those responsible for running the Indian State are slow to grasp this fundamental mantra, or the discussion over a BSF jawans uploading a video on the quality of food served in a mess on the Line of Control in sub-zero temperatures wouldnt have made the country do a double-take, as is seen from the social media content of recent days.
To this poignant discussion around the worse than sub-standard mess food has been added the raising of concern over the conditions of service, including pay and leave, for those who dont belong to the officer cadre that is shorthand for the governing classes or the owning classes.
This aspect of the plight of the trooper has come through a CRPF jawan seeking better pay through the social media. A jawan of the CISF, which guards vital institutions, on Thursday turned his gun on off-duty and unarmed senior colleagues in Bihar when he was denied leave. He is likely to face the death penalty, but theres hardly any doubt that little attention is paid to the psychological conditions of young soldiers on duty in extremely difficult physical terrain and hostile conditions, far from home and typically without communication with loved ones for long stretches even in this age of digital media.
Each case is different. Issue around mess food are serious and a clear indication that the officers in charge make money from traders and let the men serving under them eat anything at all. The fact that the jawan still puts in solid work to guard our security is a marvel.
The better pay demand raised by the CRPF man is worth considering, although seeking parity between paramilitary forces and the Army, Navy and Air Force is a far more complex matter. But this doesnt mean that a legitimate debate is not due. Parliament must consider the question.
The issue of leave is not so intractable. This is a very old problem. Shootouts have occurred before, but the matter has gone unaddressed. Leave and other terms of service are decided typically by civilians who have very little understanding of the ground realities for those who serve most of a days 24 hours standing for the firing to begin or a bomb to go off in their face.
The BSFs basic reaction was to shoot the messenger to run down the man who spoke about food conditions, raking up his record of bad behaviour. Well, punish him if necessary for that, but dont ignore what he says about life while performing active duty. Fixing a few officers may also be necessary after an independent inquiry, not an in-house charade.
Christians celebrate the baptism of Lord Jesus in the first fortnight of the year. Baptism from Greek, baptiso means dyeing or washing. Christians disagree about the when and how of baptism. Catholics perform infant baptism by affusion (pouring of water) and some Christian denominations baptise by aspersion (sprinkling of water), while Baptists practise believers baptism whereby adults are baptised by full immersion in water after professing personal belief in Christ. Differences notwithstanding, Jesus baptism is significant in many ways.
The gospel narratives portray Jesus, though sinless, standing in line with sinners, waiting to be baptised by John the Baptist. Knowing who Jesus is, John protests: I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me? Jesus replies that he has come to save sinners. Indeed, when Christs birth is announced, his mother, Mary, is told: You shall name him Jesus for he will save his people from their sins. In Aramaic, Jesus means God saves. Baptism, then, signifies salvation a dying to sin and rising to new life.
Second, at Jesus baptism Gods voice is heard, saying, This is my son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased. Christians believe that baptism initiates one into Gods family, entrusted with the task of becoming an exemplary child of God by emulating the life of Christ.
Third, after his baptism, Jesus embarks upon his mission to proclaim the good news (gospel) of God being father-mother of all peoples, thereby stressing the need to inculcate virtues like love, joy, peace, justice, equality, fellowship and care for the earth.
This weekend, we remember an exemplary Indian Christian, Devasahayam Pillai (1712-1752), who belonged to an influential family and was put in charge of state affairs under the then Diwan of Travancore, Ramayyan Dalawa.
Upon learning about Jesus from his friend, Eustachius de Lannoy, Devasahayam opted for baptism as an adult in 1745. Truly, he seemed dyed in Christ-colour, for his life mirrored Christ-like love, joy, serenity, service and self-sacrifice.
After suffering many tortures, punishment and imprisonment on account of his faith, Pillai was shot dead on January 14, 1752. On December 2, 2012, emeritus Pope Benedict XVI declared him as Blessed one step away from being declared Saint. His tomb is venerated at the St. Francis Xaviers Cathedral, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu.
Water rituals like baptism remind us of our constant need of cleansing and conversion. Sacred rivers like the Ganga and Jordan challenge us to respond to the ebbs and flows of the lives of all Gods children. Martyrs like Pillai dyed with godliness and ready to die for others inspire us to so live that well probably hear God whisper: You are my beloved child. I am proud of you.
When you are abroad, the last place you want to go is an Indian embassy dinner. The food is rate contract stuff and you always get an uneasy feeling that somebody is making money, or all the good stuff has been interdicted before it reached the pantry. The quality of food is a uniform third-class. Even the duty-free booze doesnt make up for bad food for all you usually have on offer is Johnny Walker Red and tetrapack wine and tetrapack orange juice.
I will never forget a particularly memorable reception at our Washington D.C. embassy. They had chips and white bread cheese sandwiches with Joey Gallo wine in gallon jugs, Tropicana orange juice in tetrapack containers served in styrofoam cups and paper plates. It was a plate deal and guests were advised to stay with one paper plate each by handwritten signs on both sides of the plates stack. Its a prudent thing, but nevertheless a cheap thing to do for an aspiring superpowers embassy in the most powerful capital in the world.
Not very long ago I went to a dinner reception hosted by an Indian ambassador who had presented his credentials to a bicycle-riding royal in the morning. The cultural item was a Bollywood dance by the daughter of a friend of the ambassador. She danced to canned music from a tinny-sounding boom box. After the cultural item, the ambassador and a ranking foreign ministry official of the host country, who kept his bicycle clips along with his hat on the umbrella rack, treated us to two very boring speeches.
But what I could not get over was the shiny packets of Haldiram bhujiya that were kept in corners as light eats with the liquor. The food was the usual around-the-corner Indian restaurant stuff. But what I couldnt help noticing were the chilly bhajias served as a main dish. I always thought this was handcart food outside toddy shops in Telangana. I sauntered around a bit, put a Haldiram moong dal packet in my pocket and fled to my hotel. Where I got room service to send up a nice, small, single malt and some fish which were swimming in the bay less than 24 hours earlier.
This kind of dinner is par for the course, except when you are in a city where there is no embassy and just a consulate. I recall a few good occasions with our consuls. Once in St. Petersburg, the Indian consul treated a couple of us to a fine lunch at one of the nicer restaurants overlooking one of the canals. Our consul-general at Shanghai hosted a former FS, a former general, and myself, a former nothing, to a great meal at an Indian restaurant. The CG obviously was a regular customer and the chef went all out to make it a memorable feast. The Indian ambassador in Germany recently hosted a group of us in Frankfurt for the ADB conference to a brilliant lunch in a nice hotel. It probably has something to do with the IFS (B) staffers in embassies who apparently have a weakness for rate contractual arrangements.
In direct contrast to this was a dinner hosted by Kuldip Nayar in 1990 when he was high commissioner in London. The Queen owned the residence and the high commissioner, being a good Indian tenant, was not vacating. But I had a feeling that Her Majesty wanted the tenants out because the upkeep of the place was much to be desired. The loos were wet with splash and one look at it my plumbing mercifully clogged up.
But the food was something. Some dishes were still in their tinfoil casseroles. It was definitely rate contract stuff and a consequence of a well-greased, long-term business relationship. Some of the crockery had seen better days and cutlery was mixed and has just come from under the tap. But worse was the conversation. His deputy, a St. Stephens man, was probably longing for his college canteens oily cutlet. What was on the table was a Varanasi meal. No booze, not even wines in gallon jars. I narrated the dinner and style to the Prime Minister, who being a minor royal himself had a good laugh and said he was not planning to visit London soon. His government fell sooner than that.
But my big problem with Indian diplomatic dinners is not so much the food as the conversation. Most of them will keep telling you about all the wonderful things they did to retrieve the relationship from the drains where the previous envoy put them. They will tell you about how they buttonholed the host PM or President and placed India in a better perspective. The art of good conversation is near dead among our diplomats. The guys who can talk about bovine colic are still many levels below.
Bad food apart, you have to listen to the empty boasts of ambassadors who are near or past their use-by date. One former ambassador to Washington actually told me that it was he who orchestrated the big and flourishing IT partnership and that it was a construct of Indian diplomacy.
I was left wondering what those Tamil and Telugu-speaking young people in the US, who blazed a new trail in our economic relationship, would have to say about this? I was tempted to ask the ambassador if he also engineered the Y2K crisis that created huge software openings for Indian code writers and programmers? I also wanted to ask him if it was our embassy and missions in the US who got our hi-tech managers jobs in all the big IT services and software companies.
Lets leave embassies and go to higher places. A good place to eat is at Rashtrapati Bhavan. I have had high tea there with Presidents Narayanan and Abdul Kalam. The bakery items were top class. But the RB banquets, I am told, are the usual contractual stuff, but from Ashoka Hotel, which is also nothing much to write about.
Indian PMs can be good hosts. The food is of a superior quality, though not as mouth-watering as the descriptive official menus make them out to be. Most PMs I have broken bread with were indifferent to food, with the exception of Atal Behari Vajpayee. He loved good food.
Once I was summoned by him to brief him on the performance of PSUs. I worked hard for a couple of days preparing a presentation. When I arrived at 7 RCR, I was promptly ushered into his living room. He started with his characteristic Kya ho raha hai? After which we made some small talk. Then he popped the question Kuch khayenge? I nodded and he summoned some refreshments, it was just after the breakfast hour. Soon some wonderfully fluffy idlis with two kinds of chutney, kachoris (from Lucknow, he told me) and petha, obviously from Agra, arrived in wonderful bone china. We ate while he extolled the virtues of each item as he insisted I have some more. He was a good host. Then it was washed down with flavourful Darjeeling tea. We had now used up my half hour at the gate of everlasting fame with me being unable to make my presentation. I was ushered out. That lost opportunity still makes my mouth water.
US scientists have ramped up predatory behavior in mice by stimulating a region of the brain known for its role in emotions like fear and pleasure, according to a study published Thursday.
The experiment turned the lab mice into super-eating machines, vigorously attacking food, bottle caps, and sticks as prey, said the findings in the journal Cell.
However, scientists cautioned that their goal was not to create an army of killer mice.
Rather, it was to better understand how the brain works and perhaps one day improve the treatment of degenerative brain diseases that affect motion and coordination.
"A major issue for neuroscientists is how the brain figures out how to respond appropriately to objects in the world," lead author Ivan de Araujo, associate professor of psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine, told AFP.
"Predatory behavior is the perfect model. It is a great window into how the brain solves the problem of how we respond to external stimuli by moving our bodies in an appropriate way."
Mice are omnivores, and will eat fruit, vegetables, insects and meat. They are natural hunters, even though they are more often thought of as prey for larger creatures like snakes, hawks and cats.
Researchers decided to see how mice's behavior would change if certain neurons were stimulated using a process called optogenetics, which is also being experimented with to restore muscle movement in people who have been paralyzed, and to treat those with epilepsy or Parkinson's disease.
Using an implantable brain device and a laser to activate certain neurons in the part of the brain known as the amygdala, researchers found two different pathways to changing a lab mouse's behavior -- one that triggered the animal's pursuit of prey, and another that signaled it to bite and kill.
"We could make them more efficient hunters in the sense that they would spend less time to be able to capture live prey and subdue it and kill it," said Araujo.
"Perhaps more strikingly, when we used a bug made of plastic that was moving around the cage, we could make the animals pursue an object that they would normally avoid," he added.
"We triggered the behavior toward objects that were not live prey."
The amygdala is an almond-sized region of the temporal lobe known for its role in emotions like fear and pleasure, as well as motivation and survival instincts.
Not killing machines
However, researchers also noted that when other mice were included in the experiments, they did not attack each other.
"I wouldn't like people to think that this could be used for generating aggression," Araujo said.
"In fact, I don't think this is actually possible. I think the behavior is very specific to looking for food. They showed no interest in attacking things that are as large as they, or other mice."
The brain stimulation only worked under the control of lab technicians, and if any of the mice were to escape, they would likely soon become another animal's meal, he said.
"We are uncovering brain areas that weren't known before to have a direct relationship to muscle activity," explained Araujo.
"Over the long term, I expect this would help us understand why motor disease and degeneration affect mastication (chewing) and swallowing, which are very traumatic effects of motor diseases in people."
Asked for comment on the study, psychiatrist Monica Michell of Lenox Hill Hospital in New York said what is new about the research is how it delineates the exact pathways for predatory behavior, and that its location is in the amygdala was "not all that surprising."
"Anybody who has a dog knows that no matter how well-fed they are, if they see a squirrel they will run," she said.
"In terms of humans, it sort of confirms what we have been believing for a while -- that the amygdala is involved in emotions and that aggressive behavior is hard-wired and part of our makeup."
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Flipkart has announced an Apple Festival that will held for 4 days on its website between 10 January and 14 January. The e-commerce platform is offering great deals and offers on Apple products including the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s and iPhone 6. Additionally, interested buyers can find many of other Apple products such as Apple smartwatches, iPhone accessories like cases, chargers and more on sale as well. The sale ends today.
Flipkart is offering up to five per cent discount on Axis Bank Buzz Credit Cards and an additional Rs 3,000 discount on regular exchange value on iPhones.
The jet black variant of the iPhone 7 Plus (128GB) is available at up to Rs 23,000 discount on exchange. There is also a No-cost EMI plan wherein regular EMIs begin from Rs 3,976 per month. While the 32GB variant is available at Rs 70,399 and the 256GB variant is available at Rs 92,000.
Apples iPhone 7 is available for Rs 65,000 after a 7 per cent discount. Its No-cost EMI plan starts at Rs 5,417 per month and buyers can avail a Rs 5,000 discount in addition to an extra Rs 3,000 off. There is also a Rs 23,000 discount on exchange and Axis Bank Buzz credit card users can avail an additional 5 per cent discount.
Apples iPhone 6S can be bought at Rs 31,990 and users can enjoy a discount of Rs 24,000 discount on exchange and an additional Rs 4,000 discount on regular exchange value. EMI plans for this product start at Rs 1,552 per month. The prices vary depending on the storage and colour variants.
There is a Rs 15,000 discount on exchange on iPhone5S (16GB), which is currently selling at Rs 19,999. Users can enjoy a Rs 10,000 discount on Apple Watch and flat 50 per cent on Apple accessories.
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Nokia last year announced that it licensed HMD Global to produce Nokia-branded mobile phones and tablets. (Picture: Nokia 6)
Nokia put its recently-launched Nokia 6 device up for pre-registration in China on 11 January. The company confirmed that the device will be put up for sale in the Chinese market on January 19. The device is listed by JD.com , China s biggest online retailer and Nokias exclusive sales partner for the country, for a price of CNY 1,699 ($245).
The company also released a teaser video of Nokia 6 on its Facebook page on 12 January that read, Get ready! The Nokia 6 is coming to China ! More announcements to follow on February 26th, Save the date. On the basis of this, it appears like the company is planning to make the next big announcement on Feb 26.
The Nokia 6 smartphone features a hybrid, in-cell 5.5-inch screen with full HD resolution and 2.5D Gorilla Glass. The device is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor with X6 LTE modem and offers 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage.
Nokia last year announced that it licensed HMD Global to produce Nokia-branded mobile phones and tablets. HMD Global is planning to spend around 400 million euros to market the Nokia brand for the next three years.
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Most women in Morocco, whose King Mohammed VI favours a moderate version of Islam, prefer the hijab headscarf that does not cover the face. (Photo: PTI)
Rabat: Morocco's ban on the sale and production of burqa full-face Muslim veils beloved of Salafists has sharply divided opinions in the North African country.
"The burqa is not an item of clothing just like any other... it's an instrument of oppression, a horrific negation of women, an insult to half of humanity," according to award-winning French-Moroccan novelist Leila Slimani.
Slimani, in an opinion piece on news website Le360, said the burqa ban signalled that Morocco was moving "towards greater equality between the sexes".
Another vocal supporter, Nouzha Skalli, a lawmaker and former family and social development minister, said the ban constituted "an important step in the battle against religious extremism".
While there has been no official announcement, media reports said the interior ministry order banning the burqa would take effect this week.
"We have taken the step of completely banning the import, manufacture and marketing of this garment in all the cities and towns of the kingdom," Le360 quoted a high-ranking interior ministry official as saying.
Interior ministry officials on Monday started carrying out "awareness-raising campaigns with traders to inform them of this new decision", said another website, Media 24.
Le360 said the measure appeared to be motivated by security concerns, "since bandits have repeatedly used this garment to perpetrate their crimes".
Most women in Morocco, whose King Mohammed VI favours a moderate version of Islam, prefer the hijab headscarf that does not cover the face.
The niqab, which leaves the area around the eyes uncovered, is also worn in Salafist circles and in more conservative regions in the north, from where thousands of jihadists have gone to fight in Syria and Iraq.
Writers and intellectuals have condemned the burqa ban.
"No authority in the world has the right to impose a dress code on a woman or a man for their everyday life," wrote columnist Abdellah Tourabi, in a view widely shared on social media in Morocco.
Is the burqa foreign to Moroccan culture? he asked.
Sure, but "slim jeans were not the apparel of the sultans and our grandmothers were not crazy about Victoria's Secret bras", Tourabi said.
On the web, a social media commentator suggested the interior ministry go further by banning makeup "as it used more to cover up women's faces".
The Salafists have been less subtle in their criticism.
Outspoken preacher Abu Naim condemned "the Satan-worshippers" and "atheists serving the interests of the Jews" behind the burqa ban.
And yet, Morocco "considers the wearing of the Western swimsuit on the beaches an untouchable right", was the bitter comment of another preacher, Hammad Kabbaj.
Oussama Boutaher, coordinator of a committee which defends Islamist detainees, said the ban was outright "discriminatory" and would turn devout Muslims into "second-class citizens".
Officials determined that Aban did not voluntarily self-disclose the apparent violation to it, and that the apparent violation constitutes a non-egregious case. (Photo: Representational Image)
Washington: A Chennai-based company has agreed to pay a penalty of USD 17,500 in a settlement with the Department of Treasury to settle its potential civil liability for an apparent violation of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations.
The apparent violation by Aban Offshore Limited of Chennai occurred on June 27, 2008 when company's Singapore subsidiary placed an order for oil rig supplies from a vendor in the United States with the intended purpose of re-exporting these supplies from the United Arab Emirates to a jack-up oil drilling rig located in the South Pars Gas Fields in Iranian territorial waters.
In a statement, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) at the Department of Treasury said that it determined that Aban did not voluntarily self-disclose the apparent violation to it, and that the apparent violation constitutes a non-egregious case.
Killings peaked at 104 per 100,000 residents in 2015, the highest rate for any nation not in open war that year. (Photo: Representational Image/AP)
San Salvador: El Salvador, one of the world's deadliest countries, has recorded a rare day without a single homicide.
National Civil Police commissioner Howard Cotto said at a news conference on Thursday that no murders were reported the previous day in the gang-plagued Central American nation.
The last time the country went a full day without any killings was Jan. 22, 2015, according to records kept by The Associated Press. It also happened once in 2013 and on two days the year before that.
The nation of about 6 million people averaged 14.4 murders a day last year. Killings peaked at 104 per 100,000 residents in 2015, the highest rate for any nation not in open war that year.
Homicides fell by about 20 percent in 2016, but it was still one of the most violent countries with 81.2 murders per 100,000 residents.
Warring gangs known as "maras" are involved in drug trafficking, organized crime and extortion rackets in the country.
Washington: An Indian American sexual assault victim has appealed to US lawmakers in a stinging testimony to reject the nomination of Senator Jeff Sessions as Attorney General for his support to President-elect Donald Trump who has faced accusations of sexual assault.
Testifying before the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee, Los Angeles-based Amita Swadhin, founder of Mirror Memoirs, said that Sessions is not fit for the job and alleged that he is anti-women.
"I am here on behalf of survivors of rape and sexual assault to urge you not to confirm Senator Sessions as Attorney General," Swadhin said.
In the wake of Trump's comments about groping women becoming public, she said Sessions was quoted stating he does not characterise that behaviour as sexual assault.
"Let me be clear, Senator Sessions stated he does not characterise non-consensual genital grabbing as sexual assault," she said.
"Furthermore, in reference to President-elect Trump's comments, Senator Sessions told Fox News 'This thing is overblown. Everybody knows that Trump likes women'. While he criticised President-elect Trump's inappropriate language, at no point did Senator Sessions condemn the behaviour Trump had admitted to engaging in," Swadhin said.
"I was one of those survivors. I am a victim of violent crime, in the form of eight years of rape and over a decade of psychological, verbal and physical abuse by my father, beginning when I was four years old," said Swadhin who was born in Ohio to Indian immigrants and raised in New Jersey.
"In addition to direct violence from my father, I grew up watching him abuse my mother in a textbook case of domestic violence and marital rape, until she finally found the courage and support to leave him when I was 15 years old," she said.
"As a publicly out survivor of child sexual abuse, many people, mainly in my father's family and community of friends and colleagues, have dismissed my story as a private family matter or have diminished the impact of this violence on my present-day life," she said.
"I live with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and struggle every day to be well. It directly and negatively impacts me when people disbelieve or attempt to discredit me or other survivors.
"So, to watch our President-elect admit to forcibly kissing women and grabbing them by the genitals, and to hear Senator Sessions say this behaviour does not constitute sexual assault, and then to consider him leading the Department of Justice has been incredibly triggering," she rued.
The US she said, needs an Attorney General who will continue the progress we have made since the initial passage of VAWA (Violence Against Women Act), someone committed to improving and enforcing our laws to ensure the most vulnerable victims of crime can come forward to seek accountability and to access healing.
Panama City: "Obama has screwed all Cubans," Yadiel Cruz, a Cuban in Panama bitterly told AFP Thursday upon learning the US president has suddenly made it tougher for migrants like him to get into America.
The 33-year-old summed up what many compatriots were feeling as they digested the news in a Catholic shelter in Panama's capital, a waypoint on their overland trek to the United States.
But, he declared, "for me, I'm not going back." Around him, dozens of other Cubans expressed sadness or anger.
Much of the fury was directed personally at US President Barack Obama for announcing that he has scrapped, with immediate effect, a 1995 policy that had given near-automatic entry to the US to Cubans who set foot on American soil, regardless of their visa status.
Now, like those who attempted to cross by water, they could face deportation back to Cuba unless they convince US officials they were afraid of being persecuted or had valid humanitarian reasons to be let in.
The move, made just days before Obama leaves office and hands the reins over to Donald Trump, known for his anti-immigration stance, rattled nerves, sparked frustration and evoked tears here.
Obama has 'hurt us
"We feel sadness because we are all coming with a dream that comes from pain, hunger and a lot of work to get this far," said Lorena Pena, a woman four months pregnant who left Cuba with her husband and four-year-old daughter.
Obama, she said, "screwed up, because what he's done is hurt us -- so he really isn't as good as everyone says."
Ulises Ferrer, a carpenter from Havana, said: "We don't know what we're going to do now. But what we're certain of is that we're not going back to Cuba unless we're dead."
The shelter they were in, a simple set-up run by the Caritas charity and featuring just one bathroom, is in the Ancon neighborhood of Panama City.
It was established months ago to accommodate some of the stream of Cuban migrants who had been passing through Central America on their way to Mexico and then to the United States.
The "Wet foot, Dry foot" policy Obama scrapped had meant that many of them felt they were on their way to a new life in America, once they reached the border.
Their destination hasn't changed. But now the reception and easy access they had hoped for is less likely.
If they are accepted into the United States, though, a 1966 law, the Cuban Adjustment Act, is still valid and offers them a fast-track to residency and legal employment.
Arduous trek
The Cubans in Panama were on an overland route that has already been used by tens of thousands of others.
The number of migrants from their Communist-ruled island spiked in 2015 and 2016, after Washington and Havana agreed to a thaw in their long hostile relations.
Many of those fleeing feared exactly what came to pass Thursday: that the rapprochement would see the door close on Cuban migrants being given automatic US entry and residency.
The wave of Cubans, along with a decision by Nicaragua to close its border to them, created a backlog in Panama and Costa Rica that prompted both countries last year to try to shut out arriving Cubans.
Waiting for Trump
But while numbers have dropped, the flow hasn't ceased. Many Cubans coming up from South America now pass through the Darien Gap -- an inhospitable, swampy, snake-infested stretch of jungle dividing Panama from Colombia.
"We are thousands of Cubans who have crossed through the middle of the jungle, rivers and dangers," said Yanisel Wilson, a 20-year-old who crossed through the Darien gap two days earlier.
Getting to even that point has meant running a gauntlet of thieving police officers, gangs and money-sucking people-smugglers along the way.
"I'm going to wait a few days to watch the news and see what gets decided. Here we will wait for Donald Trump to take over and see if he will help us," Wilson said.
The ordeals the Cuban migrants have gone through speak to their unwavering determination to reach America, regardless of Obama's policy change.
"Where can we go?" asked one Cuban, Julio Hernandez. "We can't go back, nor go on. It's like we're in a stranded boat and don't know what to do."
Washington: In a tough message to Pakistan, James Mattis, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for US defense secretary, has said that if confirmed, he would tell Islamabad the need to "expel or neutralise" externally-focused militant groups operating with impunity within the country.
In his written written submission to the Senate Armed Services Committee ahead of his confirmation hearing yesterday, Mattis noted that "conditioning our security assistance" to Pakistan has a mixed history, "but I will review all option."
"If confirmed, I will work with the State Department and the Congress to incentivise Pakistan's co-operation on issues critical to our national interests and the region's security, with focus on Pakistan's need to expel or neutralise externally-focused militant groups that operate within its borders," said Mattis.
The 66-year-old Marine general, who retired in 2013 after serving as commander of US Central Command, was responding to a question if he supports conditioning US aid to Pakistan.
Nick-named as "Mad Dog" Mattis, the retired general told lawmakers that Pakistan has "learned some hard lessons" because of its dealings with the Afghan Taliban, as violence in that country reflects.
"I believe they should do more to collaborate with their neighbour. We should urge Pakistan to take further actions against the Taliban and the Haqqani network," Mattis said. Haqqani network, which is linked to al-Qaeda, has been blamed for several deadly attacks against Western and Indian interests in Afghanistan, including the 2008 bombing of the Indian mission in Kabul.
"Sanctuaries and freedom of movement for the Afghan Taliban and associated militant networks inside Pakistani territory is a key operational issue faced by the Afghan security forces. If confirmed, I will examine efforts to deny sanctuary to the extremist forces undermining the stability and security of Afghanistan," he said, responding to a query.
Arguing that countries in the region "have the responsibility to support the reconciliation process" in Afghanistan, Mattis said the countries in the region "should increase pressure on the Afghan Taliban and associated militant networks" to stop their campaigns of violence.
He said US' ties with Pakistan have had highs and lows. "We have long faced a lack of trust within the Pakistani military and government about our goals in the region, If confirmed, I will work to build the trust that we need for an effective partnership," he said.
For years Pakistan has battled internally-focused extremist organisations within its border and with US help, he said.
"In a sign of its commitment, its military has suffered significant casualties in this counterinsurgency effort," Mattis said, adding that the US has conducted military exercises with Pakistan in an effort to increase thrust and interoperability.
Rex Tillerson said he does not support blanket travel ban against Muslims. He also disagreed from Donald Trump on the Paris deal.
Washington: Donald Trumps nominee for secretary of state signaled on Thursday that he is prepared to diverge from the US president-elect on numerous key issues, notably nuclear non-proliferation, climate change and Russia, which he branded a danger.
Despite accusations of being too cozy with the Kremlin, former ExxonMobil chief Rex Tillerson told skeptical senators at his confirmation hearing that he would take a firm line with Moscow as he contradicted Mr Trumps oft-proclaimed determination to improve ties with Americas former Cold War foe. On trade, his position countered that of Mr Trump, who has vowed to rip up the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a massive free-trade agreement negotiated by 12 countries, on his first day in office. I do not oppose TPP, Mr Tillerson said.
The US will send a clear signal to China that it must abandon its artificial islands in the South China Sea, he ned, hitting out at the communist giant for its extremely worrisome activities in the disputed waters.
Washington: Donald Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon put Russia at the top of a list of threats to US interests on Thursday and told Congress that America must be ready to confront Moscow where necessary, even as he backed Trump's bid for better relations.
The remarks by retired Marine General James Mattis were the latest by one of Trump's Cabinet picks that veered away from the president-elect's campaign rhetoric, which included praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin and pledges to improve ties with him.
Secretary of State nominee, Rex Tillerson on Wednesday also expressed views at odds with Trump on key foreign policy issues like nuclear proliferation, trade deals, climate change and relations with Mexico.
Mattis said Russia, China and Islamist militants were presenting the biggest challenge to the U.S.-led world order since World War Two, and called for Congress to lift spending caps undermining military readiness.
"I'm all for engagement but we also have to recognise reality in what Russia is up to," Mattis said, adding there were a "decreasing number of areas" where the United States might cooperate with Moscow.
Asked about the main threats to U.S. interests, Mattis said, "I would consider the principle threats to start with Russia."
Mattis said he wanted to meet with the new Trump national security team to "craft a strategy to confront Russia for what it's done," when questioned about the possibility of new US sanctions.
Due to enter the White House in eight days, Trump on Wednesday acknowledged that Russia likely hacked the Democratic National Committee and emails of top Democrats during the 2016 presidential election campaign, a conclusion reached by U.S. spy agencies.
Mattis cited Russian involvement in hacking and information warfare among the challenges posed by Moscow. Others include treaty violations, destabilising activities abroad and "alarming messages from Moscow regarding the use of nuclear weapons."
Strong backing for NATO
He also accused Russia of trying to undermine NATO. Unlike Trump, who appeared to question the alliance during his campaign, Mattis strongly embraced it calling NATO central to America's defence.
"We recognise that he (Putin) is trying to break the North Atlantic alliance," Mattis said.
Senator John McCain, the Republican chairman of the committee, said he "could not be happier" about Mattis' nomination. He warned sternly against optimism about engaging with Putin.
"Putin wants to be our enemy. He needs us as his enemy. He will never be our partner," McCain exclaimed.
Mattis also singled out China for its activities in the South China Sea, where it has been building man-made islands with anti-aircraft and anti-missile batteries.
Together with Russian activities and the threats of Islamist extremists, Mattis said China was part of mounting assault on global stability, and the relationship with Beijing needed to be carefully managed.
"I think it (the world order) is under the biggest attack since World War Two, sir, and that is from Russia, from terrorist groups, and with what China is doing in the South China Sea," he said.
Mattis railed against defence spending caps imposed by Congress and, when pressed, said he did not believe the U.S. military was strong enough to properly deter potential adversaries.
Waiver needed
Mattis, who retired from the military in 2013, is technically ineligible for the job since he has not been a civilian for at least seven years. That means Congress would need to grant him a waiver, something it has not done since 1950, but appears inclined to do now.
After Mattis' testimony, the waiver cleared its first hurdle in Congress when the Senate Armed Services Committee approved it. The full Senate later backed the waiver by an overwhelming 81-17 vote, reflecting the strong support Mattis enjoys in Congress.
Mark Cancian, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said he expected bipartisan support for Mattis would help him overcome limited opposition.
"The other thing he has going for him is that he may be a restraint on some of Trump's more extreme impulses," Cancian said.
Mattis, 66, has tried to persuade Trump privately against the use of waterboarding, which simulates drowning, as an interrogation tactic. Top U.S. officials, many lawmakers and human rights groups have denounced waterboarding as torture.
Trump's pick for CIA director took a similar line during his confirmation hearing on Thursday, saying he would stand firm if necessary against Trump on the issue of so-called enhanced interrogation techniques.
Mattis was fiercely critical of Iran, cautioning that Tehran's "malign influence" in the region was growing.
"Iran is the biggest destabilising force in the Middle East and its policies are contrary to our interests," Mattis said in written responses to the committee.
Still, Mattis did not echo Trump's campaign threat to rip up a nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, under which Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear program in return for relief from economic sanctions. Mattis said the deal was imperfect but that the United States should uphold it.
"When America gives our word, we have to live up to it," Mattis said.
Approximately 2,000 jobs at the nation's largest law enforcement agency are empty, with the Border Patrol, a part of CBP, recently slipping below 20,000 agents for the first time since 2009. (Photo: Representational Image/AP)
San Diego: David Kirk was a career Marine pilot with a top-secret security clearance and a record of flying classified missions. He was in the cockpit when President George W. Bush and Vice Presidents Dick Cheney and Joe Biden travelled around the nation's capital by helicopter.
With credentials like that, Kirk was stunned to fail a lie detector when he applied for a pilot's job with US Customs and Border Protection, which guards 6,000 miles of border with Mexico and Canada. After two contentious polygraph sessions that lasted a combined eight hours, Kirk said, he drove home "with my tail between my legs," wondering how things had gone so wrong.
Two out of three applicants to the CBP fail its polygraph, according to the agency more than double the average rate of eight law enforcement agencies that provided data to The Associated Press under open-records requests.
It's a big reason approximately 2,000 jobs at the nation's largest law enforcement agency are empty, with the Border Patrol, a part of CBP, recently slipping below 20,000 agents for the first time since 2009. And it has raised questions of whether the lie detector tests are being properly administered.
CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske said the failure rate is too high, but that it's largely because the agency hasn't attracted the applicants it wants. He and other law enforcement experts contend the polygraphs are generally working as intended at the agency, which has been trying to root out bribery and other corruption.
But others, including lawmakers, union leaders and polygraph experts, contend that the use of lie detectors has gone awry and that many applicants are being subjected to unusually long and hostile interrogations, which some say can make people look deceptive even when they are telling the truth.
Republican Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona said he suspects CBP examiners fail applicants to justify their own jobs. He said he worries applicants are being wrongly branded with a "scarlet letter" in the eyes of other potential government employers.
"There seems to be no good explanation, and when we hear so many anecdotal stories, it starts to look like a trend where they feel like they have to fail them, a certain number," he said. "It makes you angry that people would be put through that."
In December, the Homeland Security Department's inspector general said it was reviewing whether CBP's polygraphs are effective in hiring. The hiring difficulties have become so acute that the Border Patrol recently took the unusual step of asking Congress to use money earmarked for 300 jobs for other purposes. That raises doubts about President-elect Donald Trump's pledge to add 5,000 agents.
Taking a polygraph became a hiring requirement at CBP in 2012 after a huge hiring surge led to more agents getting arrested for misconduct.
James Tomsheck said that when he was CBP's chief of internal affairs from 2006 to 2014, about 30 applicants admitted during the lie detector test that they were sent by drug cartels; one said he killed his infant son.
One applicant revealed his brother-in-law wanted him to smuggle cocaine on the job, and another said he used marijuana 9,000 times, including the night before his test, according to the Government Accountability Office.
Interviews with six applicants who failed to clear the polygraph fit a pattern: The examiner abruptly changes tone, leveling accusations of lying or holding something back. The job-seeker denies it and the questioning goes in circles for hours. Some are invited for a second visit, which ends no differently.
Luis Granado applied to the Border Patrol in 2014 with military experience and a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona. His father is an agent, and Granado used to proudly try on the badge as a boy.
"This was my dream job," said Granado, 31, who is now a full-time Air Force reservist in Tucson, Arizona. "I wanted to follow in my dad's footsteps forever."
He said the examiner scolded him for answers that were "too emphatic, too fast" and told him to stop grinding his teeth.
Granado said the examiner was troubled by an admission that he cheated on a test in high school. When he denied ever belonging to a cartel or terrorist group, the examiner stopped and said, "Well, I think you're being deceptive," according to Granado. After two sessions that lasted a total of 12 hours, his conditional job offer was rescinded. CBP declined to comment on individual cases.
CBP's Kerlikowske put the agency's polygraph failure rate at about 65 percent. The AP asked law enforcement agencies across the country for two years of lie-detector data for job applicants, including police departments in the nation's 10 largest cities and in major towns along the Mexican border. The eight that supplied numbers showed an average failure rate of 28 percent.
Tomsheck said that when he was CBP's internal affairs chief, other federal agencies, including the FBI and Secret Service, had failure rates of less than 35 percent. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the only federal agency that supplied data to the AP, failed 36 percent in the last two years.
Mark Handler, editor in chief of the American Polygraph Association, said failure rates of about 30 percent are typical in law enforcement hiring.
Kerlikowske explained that the agency isn't getting the applicants it wants because the relatively new CBP, created in 2003, "doesn't have a brand" and is unfamiliar to some.
Among other possible reasons offered by some experts for the agency's failure rate: CBP may have higher standards than local departments, and it get less-experienced applicants who have never taken a lie detector before.
The duration of CBP's testing strikes some experts as unusual.
"If there's an exam that lasts four to eight hours, your polygrapher is either incompetent or a fool or both," said Capt. Alan Hamilton, commanding officer of the Los Angeles Police Department's recruitment and employment division. His department's exams last no longer than 90 minutes.
Handler said prolonged, accusatory interviews can lead to failures for people who are telling the truth. Lie detectors measure blood pressure, sweating and breathing.
Polygraphs are generally not admissible in court, and federal law bars private employers from using them to hire. The military doesn't use them to screen enlistees, and some law enforcement agencies don't use them in hiring, including the New York Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
CBP, under pressure to hire, recently loosened standards on previous marijuana use and, under a law that took effect in December, can waive polygraphs for veterans with top-secret clearances.
Kirk, 47, of Friendswood, Texas, applied to CBP in 2013 after 20 years as a Marine officer and calls it one of the worst experiences of his life. In the Marines, "one of our biggest mantras is our honesty and integrity," he said. "Someone calling me a liar, I take it very personally."
During the 2013 polygraph exams, he said, he was accused of cheating on his wife and mishandling classified information and was told he acted like a drug trafficker trying to infiltrate the agency. Kirk vehemently denies the allegations.
The accusation of marital infidelity "almost made me want to jump across the desk," said the father of four. He told the examiner that he tried marijuana in college and says the biggest mark on his record is a speeding ticket.
"They treated me like a criminal," said Kirk, now a private pilot. "I don't know who was better qualified than me to fill this position."
New York: The far-right French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen visited Donald Trumps headquarters but left without meeting the US president-elect or any of his staff, aides said on Friday. The National Front leader, who has praised Mr Trump, was spotted having coffee at Trump Ice Cream Parlor on the lower-level lobby of Trump Tower. Also sighted with Ms Le Pen was George Guido Lombardi, an Italian businessman who lives in Trump Tower and whom Politico described as Mr Trumps self-professed contact to Europes far-right parties. Asked by journalists if she was there to meet Mr Trump, Ms Le Pen refused to respond.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, hands a gift to visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie to the President's residence at Dona Luisa Village in Davao City. (Photo: AP)
Davao: With a visit to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's bedroom, having one of the world's rarest birds named in his honour and guided by a sockless host, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had a morning to remember on Friday.
Duterte, a charismatic politician known at home for his folksy charm, dropped many of the formal protocols normally associated with visits by a head of government as he took Abe on a tour of his beloved southern home city of Davao.
Abe's day began with a visit to Duterte's "simple home" for a breakfast of sticky rice cakes and mung bean soup, a presidential aide said, with the leaders dining at a wooden table before heading for a look around Duterte's house.
"We also showed him how the president enjoys the comfort of his own bed, including his old and favourite mosquito net," Duterte's aide, Christopher Go, wrote on Facebook alongside a photo of the leaders smiling while standing next to the bed.
The leaders later had a casual meeting at a hotel overlooking the sea, where Duterte was photographed in a checkered shirt and long pants but no socks a familiar look for the 71-year-old who takes pride in his informal fashion style.
Abe's next activity saw him standing in front of a stuffed Philippine eagle, the national bird and one of the world's most endangered.
A ceremony saw a two-year-old eagle named Sakura after the famous Japanese cherry blossom.
Abe was given a photo of the eagle, which is kept at a nearby sanctuary, as well as a fluffy toy version draped in indigenous clothing.
Abe, normally blue-suited and politically conservative who nevertheless showed off his fun side last year when he dressed up as video game icon Super Mario at the Rio Olympics' closing ceremony, appeared to enjoy the day.
He smiled and laughed throughout the eagle ceremony, and ended his Davao trip at a Japanese-language school where he was greeted by singing and flag-waving children.
Abe was the first foreign leader to visit the Philippines since Duterte took office just over six months ago.
His two-day trip began on Thursday with a much more formal itinerary in the capital of Manila, where he held meetings with Duterte at the presidential palace.
Abe was also the first head of government to visit Davao, the largest city in the southern Philippines that is 1,500 kilometres (900 miles) from Manila.
Duterte, a longtime mayor of Davao before becoming president, has made developing the southern Philippines a top priority, arguing the region has been neglected by "imperial Manila".
Abe flew from Davao to Australia on Friday afternoon as part of a trip that will include Indonesia and Vietnam.
Manila: Mr Abes two-day visit to the Philippines is the first by a foreign leader since Mr Duterte took office in the middle of last year, highlighting Japans importance as the Southeast Asian nations top trading partner and foreign aid donor.
Mr Abe is also intent on maintaining Japans strong ties with the Philippines as Mr Duterte shakes up his nations foreign policy with a shift away from the US, both nations longtime ally, in favour of China and Russia.
The trip began with a warm welcome by Duterte at the presidential palace, with the Philippine leader then winning much sought-after backing for his drug war that has claimed about 6,000 lives and raised concerns of mass extrajudicial killings.
On countering illegal drugs, we want to work together with the Philippines to think of relevant measures of support, Mr Abe said afterwards, according to an interpreter.
Mr Abe said Japan would help with drug treatment programmes and facilities.
Mr Duterte has railed against US President Barack Obama and European politicians for criticising his drug war.
London: British Prime Minister Theresa May will unveil more on her Brexit strategy in her long-awaited speech next Tuesday that will be keenly watched globally for the country's future ties with Europe and its resolve to remain a global and outward-looking nation.
May, who assumed office after David Cameron resigned following the Brexit vote, has been under pressure to unveil more details on the UK's plan to leave the European Union (EU) and had told a Parliamentary committee last month that she would be making a speech on the issue early in the New Year.
"She will be making a speech on Tuesday, setting out more on our approach to Brexit, as part of preparing for the negotiations, and in line with our approach of global Britain and continuing to be an outward-looking nation," her spokesperson said yesterday.
According to UK media reports, UK foreign secretary Boris Johnson and Brexit secretary David Davis have been involved in drawing up the contents of the speech.
The government is still awaiting a Supreme Court judgement on whether it must consult Parliament before triggering Article 50, which May has said she wants to do by the end of March. The verdict is expected later in the month.
May had told MPs on Parliament's Liaison Committee in December: "I will be making a speech early in the New Year setting out more about our approach and about the opportunity I think we have as a country to use this process to forge a truly global Britain that embraces and trades with countries across the world."
The speech will be keenly studied for indications on Britain's plan for its future relationship with Europe, with curbs on the freedom of movement of people and access to the single market being the key concerns.
"We will, outside the European Union, be able to have control of immigration and be able to set our rules for people coming to the UK from member states of the European Union. We also, as part of that Brexit deal, will be working to get the best possible deal in the trading relationship with the European Union. Anybody who looks at this question of free movement and trade as a sort of zero-sum game is approaching it in the wrong way," May had said in her first interview of the year with 'Sky News' over the weekend.
It will be hoped that some of the uncertainty about how the government will conduct exit negotiations with the EU will be tackled in the speech ahead of invoking Article 50, which will trigger a two-year period for the negotiations to be completed.
Paris: The main suspect in the Paris attacks said he was "not ashamed" in a letter to a woman who has been writing to him in prison, according to extracts published in the French press Friday.
Salah Abdeslam has refused to respond to questions from French judges about the November 13, 2015 attacks in which 130 people died at the hands of Islamic State group jihadists.
But in correspondence with an anonymous woman published by the daily newspaper Liberation he appeared "talkative for the first time," the paper said.
"First of all, I'm not afraid of letting anything slip because I'm not ashamed of what I am and then what worse could be said than what's already been said," Abdeslam wrote, according to the extract from his investigation file.
"I'm writing to you without knowing how to start, I got all your letters and I don't know whether I've enjoyed them or not, they definitely let me spend a bit of time in the outside world," he continued.
"Since you've been straightforward I will be too, if I ask you what your intentions are it's to reassure myself that you don't love me like a 'star' or an 'idol' because I get messages like that and I don't endorse that because the only person who deserves to be adored is Allah," he wrote.
Abdeslam received messages from a number of correspondents but only replied to one woman, the newspaper wrote.
The 27-year-old was transferred to France from Belgium in April following his arrest in a police raid in Brussels during which he was shot in the leg.
His two lawyers said in October they would no longer defend him given his refusal to answer questions.
The Belgian-born French national is believed to be the only jihadist survivor of the attacks in the French capital.
Abdeslam is accused of having provided logistical support to the seven jihadists who died at the various scenes of the terror attacks: the Bataclan concert hall, the Stade de France national stadium, and several bars and restaurants in central Paris.
Spanish media said the much anticipated deal to sell Avante 2200 corvettes for an estimated two billion euros ($2.1 billion). (Photo: Videograb)
Madrid: Close ties between the royal families of Spain and Saudi Arabia could help Madrid conclude a lucrative deal to sell warships to Riyadh, much to the alarm of rights groups.
They claim the sale would be illegal under international law and accuse the oil-rich kingdom of carrying out war crimes in its military campaign in Yemen, which has killed thousands of civilians.
Spain's King Felipe VI will on Saturday begin a three-day official visit to the Middle Eastern country at the invitation of Saudi Arabia's King Salman.
Spanish media has linked this visit to a much anticipated deal to sell Avante 2200 corvettes for an estimated two billion euros ($2.1 billion).
"We can only confirm that negotiations are very advanced to build five warships which would be sold to the Saudi navy," a spokesman for state-owned Spanish ship builder Navantia told AFP. Spain is currently the seventh largest arms exporter in the world.
Its arms exports jumped by 55 percent in 2011-15 over the previous five years, according to the Brussels-based Group for Research and Information on Peace and Security.
And its sales to Saudi Arabia, the country with the highest military expenditure per capita, are on the rise.
Friend of Saudi royals
Felipe's father, Juan Carlos, who reigned from 1975 to 2014, "had and still has an exceptional personal relationship with the Saudi royal family, which has boosted economic ties", said Ana Romero, who was written several books about the former king.
Juan Carlos was a close friend of Saudi Arabia's late King Fahd, who reigned from 1982 to 2005, and is close to his brother King Salman.
Fahd offered Juan Carlos a yacht and the two would meet frequently, in private, in France and at the Saudi monarch's luxurious palace in the upmarket beach resort of Marbella on Spain's southern coast.
Juan Carlos was credited with playing a decisive role in 2011 in helping a Spanish consortium win a contract worth 6.7 billion euros ($7 billion) to build a high-speed railway linking the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
"There has always been a suspicion that Juan Carlos was a great lobbyist not only for Spain but also to aid his friends, close businessmen and maybe even himself," said Romero.
"Everything is different with Felipe VI: nobody thinks he can do something like that, Spanish entrepreneurs do not travel with him and his trips are much more controlled by the state."
If the deal for the five corvettes goes ahead, it would provide jobs for over 2,000 people for several years, said Jose Antonio Fernandez Vidal, a representative of Spain's biggest union, Comisiones Obreras, in the northwestern region of Galicia, which is home to a major shipyard.
"We are awaiting this like rain in summer to create jobs in shipyards," he said.
Spain's jobless rate of 18.9 percent is the second highest in the European Union after Greece.
The contract is not a done deal yet as Saudi Arabia is slashing spending with falling oil prices having led to a drop in revenues.
And Spain faces stiff competition.
France hopes to sell another type of navy ship to the Saudis, said a source at French defence contractor DCNS.
During 2014-15 Spain was the fourth biggest exporter of weapons to Saudi Arabia after the United States, Britain and France, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Clearly illegal
"The question is: is the contract legal or illegal. And it is clearly illegal," said Alberto Estevez, an expert on arms sales at the Spanish branch of Amnesty International.
A 2013 United Nations global arms trade treaty bans the sales of arms which could be used in attacks against civilians or other violations of humanitarian law, he said.
A Saudi-led coalition began air strikes over Yemen in March 2015 after Huthi rebels and their allies, troops loyal to ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh, overran much of Yemen.
Riyadh feared the Huthis would take over all of Yemen and move it into the orbit of Shiite Iran, Sunni Saudi Arabia's regional rival.
A coalition of rights groups in Spain, including Amnesty and Oxfam, has outlined dozens of alleged war crimes carried out by the Saudi-led coalition, such as the bombing of hospitals and schools.
The Spanish corvettes could be used for more than just patrols, warned Jordi Calvo, a researcher at Barcelona's Study Centre for Peace J.M. Delas.
They can be equipped with missile systems or cannons, and helicopter launch pads, he said.
Paris: The European Union endured a series of political shocks and strains in 2016 that threatened to tear the bloc apart: an ongoing migration crisis; the United Kingdoms vote in June to exit the union; lacklustre growth and stubbornly high unemployment in the eurozone; terrorist attacks that killed and injured scores; and surging support for populist and anti-EU political parties.
Against this recent history, there can be no doubt that 2017 will be one of the most important and fateful years in the EUs six-decade history.
There are five acute dangers facing the EU in 2017. These are not isolated challenges. Instead, they are intertwined and mutually reinforcing. Addressing one of them would be a formidable test. That all five are happening simultaneously presents an unparalleled trial for European leaders.
The rise of the far-right
Voters in France, the Netherlands, Germany, and possibly Italy will vote in national elections in 2017. Populist, anti-EU parties are expected to perform strongly in all four contests.
Frances presidential election is likely to pit former prime minister Francois Fillon and nominee of the centre-right Republicans against Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Front, in the second round of voting in May.
Support for the National Front has surged in recent years. In the 2012 presidential election, Le Pen received less than 18% of the vote, failing to make it to the second round runoff. But recent polls show her receiving as much as 24% of the vote in the first round this year.
While polls suggest that a Le Pen victory is unlikely (current forecasts show Fillon getting 65% of the votes to Le Pens 35% in the second round), following a year of electoral surprises from Brexit to Donald Trumps triumph in the US presidential election it would be foolish to write Le Pen off completely.
In the Netherlands, polls show the anti-immigration, anti-EU Party for Freedom in the lead ahead of parliamentary elections in March. Party leader Geert Wilders proposes the closure of mosques in the Netherlands, as well as a Dutch exit from the EU.
In Germany, for the first time since the end of World War II, the far-right could make substantial electoral gains in parliamentary elections, likely to be held in September. The Alternative for Germany party is currently polling around 13%, virtually ensuring that it will clear the 5% threshold and attain representation in Germanys federal parliament.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel remains popular, and her Christian Democratic Union party leads comfortably in the polls. But her decision to allow more than a million migrants into Germany last year has been attacked from all sides of the political spectrum, and her position could be weakened further if there are additional terror attacks in Germany, following the truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market in December 2016, which killed 12 people.
Terrorism
The Christmas market attack in Berlin showed that Europe remains vulnerable to terrorist violence.
According to Europol, the EUs law enforcement agency, 151 people died from terrorist attacks in the EU in 2015, and a further 360 were injured. The same year, there were more than 200 failed, foiled, or completed terrorist attacks in EU member states, and more than 1,000 people were arrested on terrorism-related charges.
These trends continued in 2016. Scores have been killed and hundreds more injured in attacks in Belgium, France, and Germany. French police arrested five Islamic State operatives in Strasbourg and Marseilles suspected of planning an imminent attack.
Europol estimates that as many as 5,000 Europeans have gone to fight in Syria or Iraq, and hundreds have returned home. Many others across Europe have become radicalised online or by local recruiters. They have formed terrorist cells across the continent, lying dormant but capable of planning, financing, and executing deadly attacks.
As a result, many Europeans fear that terrorist violence in their homelands has become the new normal.
Watch out for Russia
Tensions between the West and Russia are at their highest level since the end of the Cold War. Over the past several years, Russia has emerged as a much more aggressive and unpredictable power, invading and annexing Crimea in 2014 and supporting separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine.
Since 2012, Russia has been rapidly modernising its military, making it a much more formidable threat to European and NATO defence planners. Russia is building and expanding bases in the Arctic, has made big increases to its military budget, conducted several large-scale military exercises that simulate war with NATO, deployed its military in foreign conflicts such as Syria, stationed nuclear weapons in the Kaliningrad region bordering Poland and Lithuania, and upgraded its military equipment. Russian fighter planes also regularly enter or skirt the airspace of NATO countries.
European and NATO military planners worry that Russia might seek to expand its power and influence in the Baltic states. A recent war-gaming exercise from the Rand Corporation showed that Russia could seize one of the Baltic capitals within 60 hours.
Following revelations that Russia had interfered in this years US presidential election, signs indicate that it may try to do the same in European elections this year. In an attempt to destabilise or disorient Europe, Russia is pursuing a disinformation and propaganda campaign intended to bolster politicians and political parties sympathetic to Russia and its interests in Eastern Europe.
Russia has also cultivated a number of fringe or extremist political groups across Europe, such as the far-right Jobbik party in Hungary and the National Front in France.
A new migration crisis
Following a controversial agreement reached between the EU and Turkey last March, the number of migrants reaching Europe dropped dramatically in 2016. According to the UN refugee agency, 359,000 migrants and refugees reached Europe in 2016 down from more than a million in 2015 with Italy now the top destination.
But the EU deal with Turkey appears on the verge of collapse. EU-Turkish relations have become increasingly strained following Julys failed coup attempt in Turkey, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogans subsequent crackdown on dissent. Following a non-binding vote by the European Parliament in November to suspend EU membership negotiations with Turkey, Erdogan threatened to cancel the agreement and let the flow of migrants into Europe resume.
The United Nations estimates that 2.8 million refugees are currently in Turkey. An return of migration on the scale of 2015 would put significant stress on Europes system of open internal borders, threatening to permanently undo one of the EUs signature achievements.
A teetering eurozone
For almost a decade now, the eurozone has been in a near-permanent state of crisis. Far from ushering in a period of greater political unity and economic integration in Europe, the euro has introduced new grievances and inequalities among the countries that use it.
Fed up with austerity, tepid economic growth, and an unemployment rate of just below 10% in the eurozone, which is much higher for young workers, many Europeans have become disenchanted with the single currency. Across the 19 countries that use the euro, only 56% of respondents in a recent poll said it was a good thing for their country, down five points from last year. Only 41% of Italians polled thought the euro was good for Italy.
The European Commissions Autumn 2016 economic forecast warned that uncertainties and vulnerabilities in the European economy remain large and widespread. Greece is in a veritable economic depression. Its economy has shrunk by more than a quarter since 2010 and 23% of its available workforce is unemployed. Italys economy is smaller than it was a decade ago, and its national debt stands at more than 130% of GDP.
Italian banks hobbled by 360 billion of bad loans and a weak national economy are in desperate need of recapitalisation. Monte dei Paschi di Siena, Italys third biggest bank, flunked the European stress test on financial institutions in July, ranking last of the 51 banks tested.
The failed referendum on constitutional reforms in December 2016 presented a further dose of economic and political uncertainty for the eurozones third-biggest economy. Italys anti-establishment, anti-euro Five Star Movement is currently polling neck-and-neck with the Democratic Party, still led by Matteo Renzi, who resigned as prime minister after the referendum.
Parliamentary elections could be held as early this year. The Five Star Movement advocates a non-binding national referendum to determine whether Italy should abandon the euro.
One countrys exit from the eurozone could set in motion an unravelling of the entire currency area. The political fallout from the economic pain and uncertainty that would result would be immense.
End of an era?
The European project of political and economic integration has been one the greatest achievements in modern history. For decades, it has brought peace and prosperity to a continent shattered by cycles of war, economic turmoil, and political extremism.
But European integration has never proceeded in a linear manner. For much of its history, the EU has stumbled through one crisis after another. As Jean Monnet, one of the founding fathers of European integration, said, I have always believed that Europe would be built through crises, and that it would be the sum of their solutions.
But Monnet also said that solutions had to be intelligently proposed and skillfully applied. That is the challenge that confronts European leaders today: can they apply the right solutions to Europes present troubles? They must show citizens that the EU can help address the current difficulties, rather than making them worse. Otherwise, the very future of the union may be at risk.
Hunt stepped down to take charge of the Victoria & Albert (V&A) Museum in London, one of the world's greatest museums. (Photo: AP)
London: The UK's Opposition Labour party was on Friday rocked by the resignation of one of its popular MPs Tristram Hunt, who lamented the "swing away" from mainstream social democratic and socialist parties in countries like India, Greece and America.
Hunt stepped down to take charge of the Victoria & Albert (V&A) Museum in London, one of the world's greatest museums.
In his resignation letter, the left-leaning Member of Parliament (MP) from Stoke-on-Trent in England's West Midlands region lamented the "swing away" from mainstream social democratic and socialist parties in countries like India.
The letter reads, "Visiting schools and colleges in Stoke and across the country... highlighted the harrowing effects of poverty and inequality upon social mobility.
"The frustration, of course, came with the inability to address those factors and implement our (Labour) policy programme following our defeat in 2015 and more broadly about how the Labour Party should respond to the social, cultural and economic forces which have rocked mainstream social democratic and socialist parties from India to Greece to America".
While he has been critical of Jeremy Corbyn as Labour party leader and the direction in which he has taken the party, Hunt insisted his departure was not intended to "rock the boat".
"There were very few jobs that would have convinced me to stand down as MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, but the post of Director of the Victoria & Albert (V&A), the world's greatest museum of art, design and performance, is just that. It brings together all my lifetime passions of education, historical scholarship, meshing past with present and public engagement," he said in the letter.
He has previously served as education secretary in the Labour shadow cabinet and?the former TV historian was elected to represent Stoke-on-Trent in 2010 and was re-elected in 2015 with a majority of 5,179 votes.
The far-right, anti-immigrant UK Independence Party (UKIP) came second, making a by-election extremely tough for Labour.
Hunt had refused to serve in the shadow cabinet following Corbyn's leadership victory in September 2015.
He argued that the Labour leader should have done more to persuade its voters to back the 'Remain' campaign during last year's EU referendum.
The V&A welcomed Hunt's appointment, which would bring "widespread expertise" to the world-famous museum.
Chairman Nicholas Coleridge said, "He has a highly compelling mixture of experience across public life, the arts, history, education and academia, and knows our collections well from his writing and broadcasting".
Hunt's departure from politics will trigger a by-election in his constituency, the results of which will inevitably be seen as a verdict on Corbyn's leadership of the party.
Spanish media has linked this visit to a much anticipated deal to sell Avante 2200 corvettes. (Photo: AFP)
Madrid: Close ties between the royal families of Spain and Saudi Arabia could help Madrid conclude a lucrative deal to sell warships to Riyadh, much to the alarm of rights groups.
They claim the sale would be illegal under international law and accuse the oil-rich kingdom of carrying out war crimes in its military campaign in Yemen, which has killed thousands of civilians.
Spain's King Felipe VI will on Saturday begin a three-day official visit to the Middle Eastern country at the invitation of Saudi Arabia's King Salman.
Spanish media has linked this visit to a much anticipated deal to sell Avante 2200 corvettes for an estimated two billion euros ($2.1 billion).
"We can only confirm that negotiations are very advanced to build five warships which would be sold to the Saudi navy," a spokesman for state-owned Spanish ship builder Navantia told AFP.
Spain is currently the seventh largest arms exporter in the world.
Its arms exports jumped by 55 percent in 2011-15 over the previous five years, according to the Brussels-based Group for Research and Information on Peace and Security.
And its sales to Saudi Arabia, the country with the highest military expenditure per capita, are on the rise.
Friend of Saudi royals
Felipe's father, Juan Carlos, who reigned from 1975 to 2014, "had and still has an exceptional personal relationship with the Saudi royal family, which has boosted economic ties", said Ana Romero, who was written several books about the former king.
Juan Carlos was a close friend of Saudi Arabia's late King Fahd, who reigned from 1982 to 2005, and is close to his brother King Salman.
Fahd offered Juan Carlos a yacht and the two would meet frequently, in private, in France and at the Saudi monarch's luxurious palace in the upmarket beach resort of Marbella on Spain's southern coast.
Juan Carlos was credited with playing a decisive role in 2011 in helping a Spanish consortium win a contract worth 6.7 billion euros ($7 billion) to build a high-speed railway linking the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
"There has always been a suspicion that Juan Carlos was a great lobbyist not only for Spain but also to aid his friends, close businessmen and maybe even himself," said Romero.
"Everything is different with Felipe VI: nobody thinks he can do something like that, Spanish entrepreneurs do not travel with him and his trips are much more controlled by the state."
If the deal for the five corvettes goes ahead, it would provide jobs for over 2,000 people for several years, said Jose Antonio Fernandez Vidal, a representative of Spain's biggest union, Comisiones Obreras, in the northwestern region of Galicia, which is home to a major shipyard.
"We are awaiting this like rain in summer to create jobs in shipyards," he said.
Spain's jobless rate of 18.9 percent is the second highest in the European Union after Greece.
The contract is not a done deal yet as Saudi Arabia is slashing spending with falling oil prices having led to a drop in revenues.
And Spain faces stiff competition.
France hopes to sell another type of navy ship to the Saudis, said a source at French defence contractor DCNS.
During 2014-15 Spain was the fourth biggest exporter of weapons to Saudi Arabia after the United States, Britain and France, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
'Clearly illegal'
"The question is: is the contract legal or illegal. And it is clearly illegal," said Alberto Estevez, an expert on arms sales at the Spanish branch of Amnesty International.
A 2013 United Nations global arms trade treaty bans the sales of arms which could be used in attacks against civilians or other violations of humanitarian law, he said.
A Saudi-led coalition began air strikes over Yemen in March 2015 after Huthi rebels and their allies, troops loyal to ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh, overran much of Yemen.
Riyadh feared the Huthis would take over all of Yemen and move it into the orbit of Shiite Iran, Sunni Saudi Arabia's regional rival.
A coalition of rights groups in Spain, including Amnesty and Oxfam, has outlined dozens of alleged war crimes carried out by the Saudi-led coalition, such as the bombing of hospitals and schools.
The Spanish corvettes could be used for more than just patrols, warned Jordi Calvo, a researcher at Barcelona's Study Centre for Peace J.M. Delas.
They can be equipped with missile systems or cannons, and helicopter launch pads, he said.
Lijiang, Yunnan: A woman has been accused of butchering her pet cat and dumping her carcass outside a pet shop in Lijiang city in China's Yunnan province.
According to a report in the Daily Mail, the woman bought the five-month-old male British Shorthair from a pet store for 305. However, she soon realised that she did not have enough money to raise the cat.
The incident came to light when the pet shop owner found a plastic bag outside his shop. She was shocked to find the butchered remains of the feline inside the bag. After examining the cat's remains, she found out that it was the same feline that she sold a couple of days ago.
The pet shop owner knew that the woman who had bought the cat was the culprit as she had tried to return the cat, a day after buying it. However, the shop owner refused to take back the cat and give a refund.
The shop owner then informed the police ware carrying out an investigation.
The 19-year-old Pakistani teenager, who survived a near-fatal attack by the Taliban, said her interview was not easy and like any other student she was anxiously waiting for the result, Geo News reported. (Photo: AFP)
Islamabad: Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani Nobel Laureate and education activist who aspires to become Prime Minister one day, has given an admission interview at the prestigious Oxford University for studying politics, philosophy and economics, media reports said on Friday.
The 19-year-old Pakistani teenager, who survived a near-fatal attack by the Taliban, said her interview was not easy and like any other student she was anxiously waiting for the result, Geo News reported.
The youngest Nobel Peace prize winner, who has documented her experiences growing up in Pakistan's Swat Valley under Taliban rule in the book 'I am Malala' co-written with Sunday Times journalist Christina Lamb, is aspiring to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics, the report said.
These three majors are usually the degrees chosen by prominent British politicians, civil society activists and media representatives.
Malala, her father Ziauddin Yousafzai and her mother Toor Pekai are now based in Birmingham where Malala attended Edgbaston High School for Girls.
She has expressed her desire to become Prime Minister of Pakistan in many interviews.
In one of her speeches this year at an event in Sharjah, she said, "Before I thought women could only be teachers or housewives. But when I saw women role models they broadened my vision. (Former prime minister) Benazir Bhutto who led my country, artists, astronauts, entrepreneurs, athletes".
She said it was then when she realised that she could become anything she wanted in her life, "from becoming a doctor to becoming the prime minister of Pakistan and fixing all the issues".
Malala shot to international fame after emerging defiant from the assassination attempt on a school bus in Swat valley in October 2012.
While living under the Taliban rule, she wrote a blog under a pseudonym which featured her thoughts on girls' education.
At least 1.8 million copies of her autobiography, published in October 2013 has been sold worldwide.
Hours after organisers called off French DJ David Guettas international music concert citing law and order issues, Bengaluru Rural district police issued notices to the company Sunburn.
The police issued the notice seeking explanation why action cannot be taken against the organisers for blaming the police and defamed the city's reputation to cover their own lapses.
IGP Central Range, Seemanth Kumar Singh issued notice to the company following a tweet by Sunburn CEO Karan Singh blaming the police. Due to the present law and order situation in Bengaluru following the events that transpired around New Year's Eve, the authorities have recommended against holding the David Guetta concert scheduled today in the city, he said in the tweet which was later deleted.
We have sent notices to Sunburn over their remarks and are also contemplating legal action against them, said Seemanth Kumar Singh.
Bengaluru Rural Superintendent of Police Amit Singh said organisers had approached him for permission just two days before the concert, scheduled on Thursday.
The SP denied permission stating there were APMC elections on Thursday in Rajanakunte in Doddaballapur taluk, where the concert was planned in an open air field on Embassy Riding School premises. The organisers had also asked for permission to serve liquor at the venue.
Two days is too short a notice to make security arrangements. Moreover, for us, elections were a priority. They were given options of re-scheduling the event, said Amit Singh.
The Bengaluru district police said that organisers had approached the city police for a venue within the city, but they were denied permission for unknown reasons after which they approached the Raja-nakunte police for permission.
Company backtracks
We are in touch with the Bengaluru police. As far as the tweet is concerned, it has been removed and there is a fresh tweet by Sunburn. No comments on the controversy, said Shailendhar Singh, chief orga-niser of Sunburn in Bengaluru.
We lost a great opportunity of David Guetta performing for us this time. He had offered to perform for free and use the funds raised for educating unprivileged children in India. It took us two years to get him here, and it depends on his next availability, he added.
Natarajan Chandrasekaran, the Chairman-designate of Tata Sons, tonight said he will reach out to everyone as he will look to bind the USD 103-billion group, create shareholder value and run business on ethics and values Tatas are known for.
Chandrasekaran, 53, who headed Tata Group's most successful company, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd, expressed his gratitude to interim Chairman Ratan Tata and the board for giving him the responsibility.
"It's a huge honour and privilege to be appointed first to the board of Tata Sons and now to be Chairman of Tata Sons. It's a privilege and is a huge responsibility," he told reporters shortly after the Tata Sons board chose him as Chairman.
Chandrasekaran, the first non-Parsi Chairman of Tata Group, said the conglomerate has had many tall leaders who have steered it through challenges and business ups and downs.
"They have had phenomenal leaders who have contributed to making the Group what it is today. While I feel very honoured, I also feel overwhelmed because I don't think anyone can easily get into this job. This position requires several leadership qualities and compassion and I feel I will grow into this role over a period of time," he said.
The responsibility, he said, requires "binding the Group together (and its) the three-tier structure" with the "phenomenal" work that Tata Trusts - the majority holders of Tata Sons - has done very silently over a century in contributing to the society.
Interestingly, his predecessor Cyrus P Mistry was sacked for "growing and untenable trust deficit between Tata Sons and the Tata Trusts."
Chandrasekaran said Tata Sons did pioneering businesses and stood by the operating businesses in "good times and more importantly, in bad times."
"We all have a purpose and I look forward to working with everybody, building relationships not only for my business performance but to bring the business performance, to create shareholder value which is fundamental with ethos and values which the Group is known for," he aid.
Stating that he would need a lot of support, he said said it is not one man's job and needs a collective leadership. "I will reach out to everyone."
Tata Group, he said, is not just pioneer but also in multiple business and has held "the highest importance to running business on ethics - in terms of value."
It lives in the hearts of people of this country. "They touch people in nook and corner of the country and the common man always says 'Tata humara company hai' (Tata is our company). So it is that kind of heritage that makes it such a special group," he said.
He said he wants to reach out to the larger Tata Group and its employees that he is "really privileged to have the opportunity to be with them."
"Finally, I would like to show my gratitude for the board of Tata Sons and Mr Ratan Tata for placing their confidence and faith in me to lead this group," he said as he went on to thank business community for showing their support and appreciation to him.
Earlier, in a statement he said Tata group is at an inflection point said his aim would be to help progress the conglomerate "with the ethos, ethics and values that the Tata group has been built on".
"It will be my endeavour to help progress the group with the ethos, ethics and values that the Tata group has been built on."
He further said he is "humbled and honoured to be chosen to lead a truly great institution that occupies a unique position in the hearts of people in India and the world".
"I am proud to have been part of the Tata family for over 30 years and assuming this position is a great privilege," he added.
Popularly known as Chandra, who was the chief of the group's crown jewel TCS also thanked the Tata Sons Board and Ratan Tata "for their confidence in me to lead this trusted institution that has a rich heritage".
Defending the move of Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) to publish Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photo on its 2017 calendar and table diary, KVIC chairman V K Saxena said there is "no rule or tradition" that only Mahatma Gandhi's picture can be published on these items.
The explanation came amid protests from various sections of society especially Gandhians and from opposition political parties, who alleged that KVIC is trying to "replace" Mahatma Gandhi with Modi through such acts.
Refuting such allegations, Saxena claimed the Prime Minister's appeal actually helped in boosting the sale of Khadi and eventually helped lakhs of Khadi weavers.
"I want to first ask whether anyone can replace Gandhiji? Is Gandhiji's stature so small that he can be replaced so easily ? He can... never ever can be replaced. This whole controversy is unnecessary and out of the context," Saxena told PTI.
"There is no such rule or tradition that we can publish only Gandhiji's photo on our calendar or on the cover of diary. His (Gandhiji's) photo was not there in 2002, 2005, 2011, 2013 and 2016," the KVIC chairman said.
KVIC is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament. Saxena was appointed as Chairman of KVIC in October 2015 by the Centre. Controversy erupted when KVIC published their calendar and diary with a photo of Modi weaving khadi on a charkha (spinning wheel).
According to Saxena, sale of Khadi has increased many fold after Modi appealed the citizens to embrace Khadi. "During the last 10 years, the growth rate of Khadi sale was around two to seven per cent. But, after the Prime Minister's appeal, it has gone up to 34 per cent in 2015-16. This had a direct impact on the lives of spinners, who are now getting sufficient work due to this sudden increase in demand," Saxena said.
He also said the cover photo of the Prime Minister is also "relevant to the core values" of KVIC. "This photo was taken in Ludhiana on October 18 last year when the Prime Minister distributed 500 charkhas to women at an event. It was published in all major national as well as international newspapers. This photo itself serves as an appeal to citizens to embrace Khadi," Saxena said.
Yesterday, upset over Mahatma Gandhi's picture missing on the calendar of the KVIC, a section of its workers in Mumbai staged a protest, and sought to know why the image of the father of the nation was left out, while featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a brief protest, dozens of workers associated with the KVIC, who gathered at suburban Vile-Parle, said they were raising the issue since Mahatma Gandhi has been the driving force behind the Khadi movement.
Stating that any "discernible pattern" of clients worrying about adverse visa policies is yet to be seen, Infosys CEO Vishal Sikka today expressed hope that policies of the new Trump administration would be friendly towards business, innovation and entrepreneurship.
"In terms of the new administration, the new President is going to take office next week. President-elect Trump himself is an entrepreneur and has a very business-friendly, innovation-oriented background. So, I expect that the policies of the administration are going to be friendly towards business, innovation and entrepreneurship," he said.
He added that if companies continue to focus on delivering value and innovation, "things will be okay".
There are concerns that the new government in the US, under Donald Trump, is likely to push for a stricter visa regime to curb "abuse" of H1-B and L1 visas used by foreign workers.
The move is likely to significantly impact Indian IT firms, which get about 60 per cent of their revenues from the US.
"Of course, visa policies and immigration related policies may change and we have to watch and see what happens there," he said.
Sikka said there would be some impact of the H1-B depending on the nature of the policy that is enacted but added that "it is not something he is overly concerned about".
Noting that some clients did reach out to Infosys, Sikka said: "So far, there is no discernible pattern in client behaviour."
"Many clients have reached out, because everybody is trying to figure out what this means but I wouldn't say there is any noticeable discernible pattern. So as we see the policies take effect, we will let you know. We are waiting and watching," Sikka said.
Sikka said the company has been increasing the number of local hires in its international markets, including the US.
"We have quite a bit of H1-Bs and we also have a lot of local hires... we had articulated that we have to become much more local and locally-oriented in our strategy in the market and globally...So ultimately, regardless of the visa policies or so forth, the right thing to do for innovation is to have a lot of rich local talent," he said
Islamic Research Foundation of Indian Islamic preacher Zakir Naik today challenged in Delhi High Court the Centre's decision to immediately ban the organisation, claiming no reasons were given for taking such action under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, before whom the matter was listed, heard part arguments on behalf of the organisation and the Centre and asked the government to produce the relevant record on January 17 so that the court can see whether there was material for urgent ban of IRF.
IRF, in its plea, has challenged the November 17, 2016, notification of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) which had imposed an immediate ban on the organisation under UAPA.
According to IRF, the notification gives no reason and cites no material for taking such a step as was required by the law laid down by the Supreme Court.
It said the immediate ban was imposed without giving them any show cause notice.
As per the Centre's notification, read out in the court by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain, the need for taking the "urgent step" was felt in view of the apprehension that Indian youths could be "radicalised" or "motivated" by the alleged statements and speeches made by IRF and its members, including its President, Naik, to join terror groups like ISIS, which is a cause of global concern.
Opposing the maintainability of the plea, the ASG said the government did not want to wait for some "catastrophic" incident or "pralay" to happen before taking a decision.
He argued the notification mentions that Naik was making statements which not only allegedly extolled Osama bin Laden but also promoted terrorism.
He also said that as per the notification, Naik was also accused of making statements which were "derogatory of other religions" and thus, "spreading communal disharmony".
He said that Mumbai Police had already lodged an FIR against six others of IRF on a complaint by the father of a Kerala-based youth who joined ISIS.
ASG Jain further said that some terrorists and ISIS sympathisers arrested by the authorities have allegedly claimed "they were inspired by the fundamental statements made by IRF".
The ASG said the matter is now before the Tribunal, set up under the UAPA, which will take up the issue on February 6 on which date the organisation will be provided all the affidavits filed by the government.
IRF, on the other hand, contended that dates or content of the alleged speeches and statements have not been mentioned in the notification.
It also said the Tribunal refused to accept or admit, before February 6, its plea challenging the immediate ban and thus, it had to come to the high court.
It said that it was limiting its plea to the immediate ban and not raising the issue of freezing of its accounts under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act.
In a tough message to Pakistan, James Mattis, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for US defense secretary, has said that if confirmed, he would tell Islamabad the need to "expel or neutralise" externally-focused militant groups operating with impunity within the country.
In his written written submission to the Senate Armed Services Committee ahead of his confirmation hearing yesterday, Mattis noted that "conditioning our security assistance" to Pakistan has a mixed history, "but I will review all option."
"If confirmed, I will work with the State Department and the Congress to incentivise Pakistan's co-operation on issues critical to our national interests and the region's security, with focus on Pakistan's need to expel or neutralise externally-focused militant groups that operate within its borders," said Mattis.
The 66-year-old Marine general, who retired in 2013 after serving as commander of US Central Command, was responding to a question if he supports conditioning US aid to Pakistan.
Nick-named as "Mad Dog" Mattis, the retired general told lawmakers that Pakistan has "learned some hard lessons" because of its dealings with the Afghan Taliban, as violence in that country reflects.
"I believe they should do more to collaborate with their neighbour. We should urge Pakistan to take further actions against the Taliban and the Haqqani network," Mattis said.
Haqqani network, which is linked to al-Qaeda, has been blamed for several deadly attacks against Western and Indian interests in Afghanistan, including the 2008 bombing of the Indian mission in Kabul.
"Sanctuaries and freedom of movement for the Afghan Taliban and associated militant networks inside Pakistani territory is a key operational issue faced by the Afghan security forces. If confirmed, I will examine efforts to deny sanctuary to the extremist forces undermining the stability and security of Afghanistan," he said, responding to a query.
Arguing that countries in the region "have the responsibility to support the reconciliation process" in Afghanistan, Mattis said the countries in the region "should increase pressure on the Afghan Taliban and associated militant networks" to stop their campaigns of violence.
He said US' ties with Pakistan have had highs and lows. "We have long faced a lack of trust within the Pakistani military and government about our goals in the region, If confirmed, I will work to build the trust that we need for an effective partnership," he said.
For years Pakistan has battled internally-focused extremist organisations within its border and with US help, he said. "In a sign of its commitment, its military has suffered significant casualties in this counterinsurgency effort," Mattis said, adding that the US has conducted military exercises with Pakistan in an effort to increase thrust and interoperability.
Nearly 30 years ago, Donald Trump was confident he would win the US presidential election -- as an independent in 1996, according to recently uncovered files from Czechoslovakia's Communist-era secret police.
Czechoslovakia was the home nation of Trump's first wife, Ivana, a model, athlete and businesswoman who became the mother of his three oldest children: Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric.
A year before the 1989 collapse of communism in many parts of Europe, details about Ivana Trump's 1988 visit back to her homeland were recorded in a classified police report.
The October 22, 1988 report claimed that Trump refused to run for president in 1988 -- despite alleged pressure to do so -- because he felt, at 42, he was too young. But the secret report said he intended to run in the 1996 US presidential race as an independent, when he would be 50.
"Even though it looks like a utopia, D. TRUMP is confident he will succeed," the police report said, based on information from an unspecified source who talked to Ivana Trump's father, Milos Zelnicek, about her visit.
It was unclear where the alleged "pressure" was coming from. The report is interesting because, in the United States, there was little public knowledge that Trump would consider a presidential run until a 1988 interview on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
"I would never want to rule it out totally," he said then. "I think I'd win," he added. "I wouldn't go in to lose." But Trump didn't create an exploratory committee until about a decade later, when he launched a bid for the Reform Party nomination ahead of the 2000 presidential election. He dropped that effort about four months later.
Trump's first wife was born Ivana Zelnickova in 1949 in the Czechoslovak city of Gottwaldov, the former city of Zlin that just had been renamed by the Communists, who took over the country in 1948. She married Trump, her second husband, in 1977.
As she kept traveling home across the Iron Curtain on a regular basis, Ivana became a tempting target for the powerful, deeply feared Czechoslovak secret police agency known as the StB.
"The State Security was constantly watching (Czechoslovak citizens living abroad)," said Libor Svoboda, a historian from the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes in Prague.
"They were coming here, so they used agents to follow them. They wanted to know who they were meeting, what they talked about. It was a sort of paranoia. They were afraid that these people could work for foreign intelligence agencies. They used the same approach toward their relatives as well."
Rayhan Alem, 22-year-old native of Badakhsan province in Afghanistans far northeast, had wanted to be a midwife since she was a teenager, which was when she had first heard of a neighbour succumbing to childbirth.
The story of why I wanted to become a midwife started in my own village. When I was a high school student, I was walking back home from school one day and learned that my neighbours wife had died in childbirth. It really pained me and I thought if I became a midwife, I could help the women of my village and assist with safe deliveries. When I discussed this with my father and mother and other family members, they really appreciated my idea and assured me that they would always be on my side. This boosted my morale and made my decision to become a midwife stronger, she narrates.
How she started out
After she graduated from high school, Alem sought admission to a midwifery school and successfully completed a two-year programme. She finished her training from Kabuls Midwifery Institute of Higher Education in early 2015 but without any work experience to back her up, she wasnt able to find a job in any of the Afghan capitals maternity hospitals.
Fortunately, with support from UN Women, she was able to secure an internship at Ali Seena Hospital that has given her the opportunity to prepare for a fruitful career. After graduation, I had to work in a hospital to practise my skills. Luckily, (at the time) I also heard about UN Womens internship programme. I successfully passed the entrance exam and attended two months of training where I picked up valuable skills such as being a good listener, preparing a CV, applying for jobs, and interview techniques and a lot of other things, she explains.
The internship
As part of its mission to empower women economically, UN Women Afghanistan started a comprehensive Internship Programme in December 2015 for 50 female university graduates seeking to enter the job market. The six-month programme is implemented by the Afghanistan Holding Group, a human resources consulting firm, and funded by UN Women.
The women first receive two months of classes on professional development skills including personal development and leadership, office management, use of office equipment and tools, language and communication, preparing a CV, applying for jobs, and sitting for an interview. They are then placed in a four-month internship at government offices, NGOs, private firms, and financial and other institutions to gain practical work experience in their chosen fields. UN Women provides the women stipends during the internship period.
After Alem completed two months of in-class training she was placed at Ali Seena Hospital, where she worked for four months. During my first two months, I assisted other midwives during delivery, and in the next two months, I will get the chance to attend deliveries independently. This is a golden opportunity for me to practice midwifery and develop the skills midwifery requires, she elaborates.
Earning peoples trust
As soon as she is done with her practice stint at Ali Seena Hospital, she will go back to her province, Badkhshan, and work at the government clinic in my village. I know that I will have a very difficult time there because I am a recent graduate with less experience in this field, and I assume that women who come to the clinic for delivery or to receive guidance on their pregnancy may not trust my ability and expertise but I am ready to work hard to prove myself to people and win their hearts, she says confidently.
Everyone knows that the shortage of midwives in Afghanistan is a big problem and this is one of the reasons behind the high mortality rates. I believe with the increase in the number of skilled midwives, the mortality rates will decrease. I am sure that all midwives will be very proud of their work because they are saving the lives of mothers and babies.
My role as a midwife will impact service delivery because I am a skilled and trained midwife and it is obvious that when midwives are properly trained, of course, they can offer cost-effective and quality services to the community, she adds.
Alem acknowledges that if UN Women didnt have the internship programme, my dream to become a skilled midwife [may] never have come true. She recalls, with a smile, During the first day of my in-class training, I couldnt speak in front of others because I was so shy. But after receiving training on leadership and communication skills, I am able to apply the skills I learned and speak with my own voice.
Indeed, with the right kind of support young women like Alem are being empowered to bring about a positive change in their already distressed communities.
Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief and Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed today claimed that Kashmiri militants are giving a "befitting reply" to India at Akhnoor, Uri and other places in Kashmir.
Speaking at a large Kashmir Conference rally at Faisalabad, some 130 kms from Lahore, Saeed said "Indian army is responsible for the killing of 650,000 Kashmiri Muslims. Now the Kashmiri Mujahideen are giving a befitting reply to India at Akhnoor, Uri and other places".
He said the "Mujaheedin are destroying India".
"India cannot stop them from carrying out their mission...It is not me alone but now Baloch people and other Pakistanis are with us," he said, adding Baloch leader Shahzain Bugti has joined hands with him.
Bugti, chairman of Jamhuri Watan Party, announced his support at the rally for the Kashmir cause saying Balochistan is with Kashmiri people.
"As many as 50,000 Baloch youth are ready to join the Kashmir freedom movement and waiting for Hafiz Saeeds call," Bugti said.
"Participation of the leader of Bugti tribe in Kashmir Conference is a message to India that Baloch are joining the Kashmir freedom movement," he said.
The alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attack also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying if India stopped the river waters of Pakistan then there would "blood in the rivers".
"We will stand with Kashmiris for Kashmir's freedom as Pakistan is incomplete without it," he said.
Saeed who has a bounty of USD 10 million on his head hailed former Pakistan army chief Gen Raheel Sharif's appointment as head of a 39-country Islamic military alliance.
A human-rights advocacy group has voiced concern over the attacks on religious minorities in India often led by vigilante groups and the blocking of foreign funding to NGOs as well as the pressure on media and civil society groups critical of the government's policies.
Human Rights Watch (HRW), in its 'World Report 2017', however, lauded steps taken by the Narendra Modi government towards financial inclusiveness for the economically marginalised and the massive drive to improve sanitation.
It said authorities also failed to address attacks and harassment against religious minorities by vigilante groups claiming to be supporters of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.
"India's crackdown on civil society groups threatens the country's rich tradition of people's movements," said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
"Instead of punishing the messenger by hindering their work, the government should engage with activists to improve access to rights and justice," Ganguly said.
The rights organisation added that authorities in India continued to use sedition and criminal defamation laws to prosecute critics, often describing them as "anti-national."
"Hindu vigilante groups attacked Muslims and Dalits over suspicions that they had killed, stolen, or sold cows for beef," it said.
Taking note of "some positive developments" in the country in 2016, HRW said the Modi government took steps toward ensuring greater access to financial services such as banking, insurance and pensions for economically marginalised Indians and sought to make modern sanitation available to more households through the 'Swachch Bharat' campaign.
In July, the Supreme Court of India took a strong stand against impunity for security forces, ruling that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) does not protect soldiers from prosecution for abuses committed while deployed in internal armed conflicts, it said.
The report also took note of the "crackdown" on violent protests in Jammu and Kashmir beginning in July last year, saying the government failed to ensure accountability for police and soldiers in Kashmir and in other states or to repeal the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
"The BJP came into office with the promise of development and foreign investment, but has been unable to contain its supporters who engage in vigilante violence. Repression and an ostrich approach to problems will only make investors doubt India's commitment to basic rights and the rule of law," ," Ganguly said.
In the 687-page 'World Report', its 27th edition, Human Rights Watch reviews human rights practices in more than 90 countries.
In his introductory essay, Executive Director Kenneth Roth writes that a new generation of authoritarian populists seeks to overturn the concept of human rights protections, treating rights as an impediment to the majority will.
For those who feel left behind by the global economy and increasingly fear violent crime, civil society groups, the media, and the public have key roles to play in reaffirming the values on which rights-respecting democracy has been built.
Indias leading two-wheeler manufacturer Hero MotoCorp on Friday (IST) launched the all-new Glamour in the Argentine capital for its global market including India.
Unveiling the product, Hero MotoCorp Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Pawan Munjal said the product launch marks the companys effort to evolve into a major global player.
The Argentina launch clearly marks one more step in going global and our efforts to take the Hero brand to 50 countries by the end of 2020. More importantly, it is the first global product launch which gives a clear message that we are doing what we are talking, he said.
The new Glamour is totally developed at the Hero Motorcorp R&D centre with its 125 cc new BSIV-compliant engine that also features the i3S technology. It will be known as the Ignitor for the Latin American markets like Argentina, Colombia, and Peru.
The air-cooled single-cylinder engine produces a power output of 11.4 BHP and a maximum torque of 11 Nm, providing the Glamour with 27% added power and 6% more torque.
Munjal said that Argentina is the 35th overseas market where Hero is present with its four products like the Ignitor, Hunk, Hunk Sports, and the scooter, Dash.
We have appointed Marwen SA as our sole distributor in the country, and it has its own assembly line. We will bring completely knocked down (CKD) units from India, and it will be distributed through 30 to 40 dealer showrooms in the first year. Once we stabilise our sale, we will also look at local manufacturing so that prices can be brought down, he said.
The company CEO added that the global business will add 10% of its total revenue. Hero MotorCorp will go to Mexico soon, and after that well head to the Brazilian market. We aim to become among the top-two brands in Argentina over the next 2-3 years, he said.
The highly fragmented Argentine two-wheeler market is led by Motomel and other Chinese proudcts. We will differentiate our products on aftersales and service. We hold a definite edge over Chinese brands and products on performance, parts, durability, and ditribution network, he said.
Hero MotorCorp has a plant in Colombia to cater to the Central and South American markets.
Now that forces supporting the Syrian government have completed the takeover of Aleppo, and Russia, Turkey and Iran have negotiated a tenuous cease-fire, it is more than likely that President Bashar al-Assad and the regime he oversees will continue to govern Syria, in one form or another.
In an interview with French media published last week, Assad stated that Aleppo signalled a tipping point in the course of the war and that the government is on the way to victory.
But if that is the case, what will Assad actually win? Lets take a look at the numbers (while the following statistics are estimates, they will, if anything, get worse with the continuing matrix of wars in Syria). More than 80% of Syrians live below the poverty line. Nearly 70% of Syrians live in extreme poverty, meaning they cannot secure basic needs, according to a 2016 report. That number has most likely grown since then.
The unemployment rate is close to 58%, with a significant number of those employed working as smugglers, fighters or elsewhere in the war economy. Life expectancy has dropped by 20 years since the beginning of the uprising in 2011. About half of children no longer attend school a lost generation.
The country has become a public health disaster. Diseases formerly under control, like typhoid, tuberculosis, Hepatitis A and cholera, are once again endemic. And polio previously eradicated in Syria has been reintroduced, probably by fighters from Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Upward of 5,00,000 are dead from the war, and an untold number of Syrians have died indirectly from the conflict (the price for destroying hospitals, targeting health care professionals and using starvation as a weapon). With more than two million injured, about 11.5% of the pre-war population have become casualties. And close to half the population of Syria is either internally or externally displaced.
A 2015 survey conducted by the United Nations refugee agency looking at Syrian refugees in Greece found that a large number of adults 86% had secondary or university education. Most of them were under 35. If true, this indicates that Syria is losing the very people it will most need if there is to be any hope of rebuilding in the future.
The cost of reconstruction will be astronomical. A March 2016 study estimated that the total economic loss as a result of the conflict was $275 billion; industries across the country are decimated. Added to this will be the cost of needed repairs to infrastructure, which the International Monetary Fund estimates to be between $180 billion and $200 billion.
Paying for rebuilding would require uncharacteristic generosity from the international community, but there is no reason to believe other countries would want to reward Assad for out-brutalising the other side. His allies Russia and Iran have their own economic woes and are unlikely to be of much help.
In order to survive, the Syrian regime has had to rely to an extraordinary degree on Russian and Iranian forces, and their proxies, like Hezbollah. It really wasnt the Syrian Arab Army that retook Aleppo. Indeed, the Syrian military is stretched so thin by geography and attrition that last month it lost most of the city of Palmyra (again) to the Islamic State while pro-government forces were shifted to the north.
And although Assad still maintains some independence, Moscow and Tehran, and even Hezbollahs leader Hassan Nasrallah, will have much to say in Damascus moving forward. Not only will Assad have to listen, he will probably have to withstand the pressure of his patrons urging him to step down at the end of his presidential term in 2021.
Finally, the battle is, in reality, far from over. Neither Assads government nor the rebels he is fighting have achieved their goals. The opposition can no longer overthrow the regime, but an active insurgency by armed opposition elements is all but assured, backed by regional patrons, such as Saudi Arabia, which in no way wants to see its rival, Iran, sail toward complete victory.
And by their very nature, insurgencies require much less state support than opposition forces trying to hold and govern territory. Assad would then see what the former United Nations Syria envoy Lakhdar Brahimi has called the Somalisation of Syria.
Assad would oversee a government that, like Somalias, will reign, but not rule, over the entire country. Instead, a number of forces the government, opposition militias, Kurdish militias, pockets of the Islamic State will control sections of territory.
Rump state
And how would Assad rule the rump state? Pre-existing patronage networks have been shattered and replaced by semi-independent warlords, militias or local governing bodies. This is even the case in government-controlled areas, where pro-regime militias and gangs who remained loyal would expect rewards.
Indeed, the Syrian leadership grossly underestimates how far the Syrian population as a whole has moved away from it. Syrians by and large have for years now been empowered by living, surviving and governing on their own. It is an utter delusion if the regime thinks it can return to anything close to the status quo ante.
The Syrian government may have a representative to the United Nations, have embassies in some countries, stamp passports and print currency, but it is hardly a state. Assads control, power and legitimacy have been severely circumscribed, whether he and his supporters know it or not.
He will have to depend on continuing large-scale assistance from outside if he wants to restore even a portion of what Syria was. But it is a new Syria. He is the one who will have to reshape his political system to fit this new reality, rather than the other way around.
The Tamil Nadu Police on Friday imposed Section 144 in several districts to prevent the illegal conduct of Jallikattu during Pongal.
Protests erupted across the state, condemning the Centre for not taking steps to enable the smooth conduct of the bull-taming sport.
Referring to Chief Minister O Panneerselvams assertion on Thursday that Jallikattu would be held this year, the agitators, including DMK working president M K Stalin, sought a clarification from him.
Apart from political parties, students have been at the forefront in staging protests across the state by organising rallies, hunger strikes and blocking roads. Thousands of youngsters and Jallikattu fans organised a huge human chain near Marina Beach here.
Defying the apex court ban, supporters organised Jallikattu in Trichy and Madurai districts, saying they were ready to go to jail for doing so. In Madurai district alone, about 50 bulls and several hundred tamers participated in the event.
Police said about 50 Jallikattu organisers were arrested for conducting the sport at various places in Madurai, Trichy, Thanjavur and Tirunelveli districts, among others, besides taking into custody several bull tamers.
Activists write to Prez, PM
Animal rights activists have written to the president, prime minister and environment minister against promulgating an ordinance allowing the bull-taming event.
People for Ethical Treatment of Animals India and Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisation have said Jallikattu is illegal according to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the 2011 ban of the environment ministry to use bulls for
performances.
A Jodhpur court on Friday summoned actors Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre and Tabu to appear before it on January 25 in the blackbuck poaching case. Chief Judicial Magistrate Dalpat Singh gave these directions after the completion of examination of all the witnesses in the court.
The verdict in the case against Salman under the Arms Act will be pronounced on January 18.
On July 25, 2016, the Rajasthan High Court acquitted Salman in the 1998 poaching cases, saying there was no evidence to prove that the animals were shot dead with the actors licensed gun.
The Election Commission on Friday reserved its verdict on the dispute over the Samajwadi Partys cycle symbol.
The hearing lasted about five-and-a-half hours, during which the rival factions pleaded that the symbol should be allotted to them.
...the counsel of Mulayam Singh argued that the symbol should be allotted to them. The Election Commission has reserved its verdict, Kapil Sibal, counsel of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, told reporters.
Former Solicitor General Mohan Parasharan appeared on behalf of SP chief Mulayam before the commission.
Sources claimed that during the hearing, Mulayam took a conciliatory approach towards his son and withdrew his claim of being the national president of the party.
He informed the commission that he is the margadarshak of the party, a position he was given during the convention that elected Akhilesh president of the party.
He is also said to have told the commission that there is no rift in the party and the internal dispute of the party will be resolved.
The statement of the senior leader is in consonance with the stand he has been taking during the last three-four days.
The final round of the battle, which unfolded at the doorstep of the Election Commission, was without any noise from either side. One of the key players in the family feud, Amar Singh, was conspicuous by his absence.
Mulayam was accompanied by his brother Shivpal Yadav to the poll panel office. Ram Gopal Yadav, another brother, was accompanied by senior SP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Agrawal. Both sides refrained from talking to the media.
Mulayams argument is that the convention that elected Akhilesh was illegal because it was called by Ram Gopal, who was expelled from the party two days before the convention was held.
Akhilesh countered this, saying 55% of party delegates endorsed his election, while the party constitution requires endorsement from only 40% of the delegates.
The Akhilesh camp also claimed that majority of the MPs, MLAs and party delegates are with him.
A government-appointed panel is proposing to recommend 100% reservation for Kannadigas in employment in the information technology and biotechnology
sectors.
The state government, last year, had constituted a 21-member panel to revise the 30-year-old recommendations of the Sarojini Mahishi Committee recommendations to suit the present day needs of providing employment for Kannadigas.
The panel, headed by Kannada Development Authority chairman S G Siddaramaiah, is likely to submit its report to the state government next week.
The panel will recommend to the government to come out with legislation to give statutory status for providing reservation for Kannadigas in the private sector.
The panel has proposed to change the definition of Kannadigas. The present definition includes any person born in Karnataka or who has lived in the state for not less than 15 years. The panel is proposing to suggest that it be changed to a person born in the state or who has studied in Kannada medium from classes 1 to 10 in Karnataka or outside.
The panel is proposing to recommend that 80% white and blue collar jobs in all private sector firms be reserved for Kannadigas and 100% reservation in Group C and D jobs.
The Sarojini Mahishi Committee had recommended 65% reservation for Kannadigas in Group A jobs, 80% in Group B and C and 100% in Group D.
The Siddaramaiah panel has recommended conducting interviews for recruitment in banks in Kannada and that a representative of the state government be included in the selection panel constituted for recruiting employees in companies having a staff strength of more than 100.
The Information Technology department will soon set up instrumentation incubators to encourage startups in the emerging areas of robotics, nano-technology, 3-D printing, system design and clean technology among others.
These incubators will come up at Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Shivamogga and Kalaburagi and, the state government recently released Rs 70 crore for the purpose. Besides, Rs 30 crore has been released for innovation.
Incubation centres provide an eco-system for startups helping them with services, technology know-how and office space. At present, most of the startups in the state are confined to software, mobile apps and internet applications.
We feel that Information Technology and Information Technology Enabled Services in the state have matured and the time has come for the next big leap forward. We plan to diversify by encouraging startups in the areas of aerospace, robotics, gaming, animation, system design and manufacturing, Minister of State for IT&BT Priyank Kharge told DH.
In this direction, the state government has decided to provide a fillip to instrumentation incubators and hardware accelerators. At these centres, startups can get access to industrial tools and machinery on rent on a need basis by paying nominal fees. Some of the equipment required for development of products are very expensive and startup companies may not be able to buy them. They can rent them at the incubation centres, Kharge said.
In Bengaluru, the incubation centre will come up at the state-owned Keonics complex at HSR Layout.
In other places we are looking for complexes owned by the government or we will take them on rent to set up the centres, the minister said.
The number of companies that have registered with the state governments startup cell has increased from 27 around four months ago to 2,357 till date. Startups that enrol with the booster kit of the cell get access to software tools, mentors, legal and accounting consultants besides state funds.
Kharge said his department will now make Startup Open House a monthly affair wherein the minister and department officials will interact with company representatives.
The National Highways division of the Public Works Department has decided to terminate the contract with Chennai-based GVR Infra Project Private Limited for executing the second phase of work on Shiradi Ghat development.
The process for selecting the new contractor is expected to commence in a week.
The Rs-118 crore contract for laying a 13-km road from Kempuhole guesthouse to Addahole (near Gundya) and 21-km tar road from Heggadde to Gulagalale was awarded to GVR Infra Project Private Limited. Since the contractor failed to begin the work even 13 months after the award of contract, the PWD decided to terminate the contract. The work order was issued in December 2015 and the company was expected to complete the work by June 2017. The company was paid an advance of Rs 4.5 crore for purchase of material.
Lakshmana Rao Peshwe, chief engineer, National Highways division of PWD, told DH that a high-level committee of the department decided to scrap the contract with GVR, 10 days ago.
Proposal submitted
Movement of vehicles on the ghat stretch is not possible during rainy season if the work is not completed by June-end. Hence, the department has submitted a proposal to the chief minister for inviting short-term tender.
Senior Supreme Court advocate Brijesh Kalappa has resigned from the post of legal adviser to the state government.
Instead, he will be representing Karnataka in the Supreme Court in the Cauvery river dispute cases. I am associated with Cauvery water dispute for over a decade...The final argument will commence on day-to-day basis from February 7 in the Supreme Court. As legal adviser (with minister of state rank) I could not appear on behalf of the state (sic), he stated in a statement to the media.
Kalappa is also a Congress spokesperson.
In a shocking incident, a married woman committed suicide minutes after her lover, an advocate, was reportedly shot dead by one of the family members of her husband near Acharya College in Soladevanahalli police limits on Friday.
Shruthi Gowda (33) rushed profusely bleeding Amit Keshavamurthy (35) to Sapthagiri Hospital, where the doctors declared him brought dead. She then committed suicide by hanging herself at a lodge on Hesaraghatta Road.
Shruthis husband Rajesh, a realtor and a GP member, and her father-in-law have surrendered to the Soladevanahalli police along with the licensed revolver used in the crime. The police are yet to ascertain who pulled the trigger. Amit Keshavmurthy, a resident of MEI Layout in Bagalgunte, was married and had a son. He studied law at London and returned to the city only eight months ago, police said.
Amit was practising law under his father Gopalkrishna. He was having an affair with Shruthi, a panchayat development officer at Gollarahalli GP in Nelamangala taluk.
According to the police, The duo had gone on an outing to Hesaraghatta after Amit met Shruthi at her workplace. She drove Amit in her husbands Maruti Swift, to Hesaraghatta at around 3 pm. Rajesh had doubted his wifes fidelity and had fitted a GPS device to the car.
The lovers had parked their car at an isolated place near Acharya College. They were shocked to see Shruthis husband and father-in-law. Soon there was a scuffle and two shots were fired at Amit. Shruthi drove a profusely bleeding Amit to Sapthagiri Hospital.
She admitted Amit to the emergency ward and slipped out of the hospital without giving any information to the hospital authorities except the patient's name. She then rented a room at a lodge nearby and committed suicide.
Amit suffered two bullet wounds in his left chest and on his right arm. The hospital authorities said he was brought dead. It is yet to be ascertained whether he suffered multiple bullet injuries. We are still questioning Shruthis father-in-law and husband, DCP North Labhu Ram told DH.
Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat is ready to give some time to his Pakistani counterpart Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa to improve the border situation.
Gen Rawat would, however, further strengthen the perimeter security of the army camps following last years terror attacks in Uri and Nagrota.
Asked about his expectation from the new Pakistan army chief, Gen Rawat said, He is also new in the job. Lets wait and watch if he is also for peace and tranquility. In case they (Pakistani soldiers) act wrongly, we reserve the right to retaliate.
In a curious coincidence, many years ago, the existing chiefs of the Indian and Pakistan Army served in Congo under the United Nations flag, both heading a unit each, under the overall command of Gen Bikram Singh (then a brigadier) who later became the army chief. However, Rawat and Bajwa didnt serve concurrently.
Gen Rawat said he even spent a night with 36 Punjab a part of the Pakistan Army in Congo where troops from India and Pakistan served in a professional manner.
Use of technology
On improving the security of the army camps in Jammu and Kashmir, Rawat said the army would increasingly use technology to guard the perimeter of its camps.
We are relying excessively on human beings in protecting the camps. Lapses happened due to human error, weather and climate. We now have to factor in technology and imbibe it so that the men on the task get adequate rest, Rawat said.
The army chief said the Northern Command was working on psychological warfare and nullifying the impacts of those who indoctrinate the youth in Jammu and Kashmir with jihad and separatist ideologies.
Rawat said Pakistan has promised the return of Indian soldier Chandu Babulal Chouhan, who inadvertently crossed over to the other side in September.
He will be repatriated after completing some formalities, he said.
The Indian Army has recommended to the government to abolish the age-old and much abused system of having sahayaks (batmen) for officers, at least in peace stations, Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat said on Friday.
Sahayaks are ordinary soldiers doing the work of a manservant in the houses of officers in static posts like the army headquarters in Delhi. They will be replaced by civilian servants.
In field areas, sahayaks are still required because of the buddy-pair concept in the infantry. We proposed to the government to have buddies only in forward areas, Gen Rawat said in his annual media interaction ahead of Army Day on January 15.
While the navy and the air force abolished the sahayak system long ago, the army has received flak from parliamentary panels several times for continuing with the demeaning and humiliating practice of employing jawans (soldiers) as sahayaks.
The announcement comes in the wake of a video from Lance Naik Yagya Pratap Singh, posted in 42 infantry brigade. I had written an application to the prime minister in which I have said that soldiers, who act as sahayaks, should not be made to polish the shoes of officers, he said.
Lance Naik Singh said when the Prime Ministers Office wrote back to his brigade asking it to investigate the matter, he was tortured by the brigadier. The brigadier tortured me to such an extent that I would have taken an extreme step, he said in the video.
Asked to comment, Gen Rawat said sahayaks should not be forced to do something they do not like doing happily.
The army currently has more than 25,000 sahayaks allocated to serve officers from the rank of a major or colonel. At times, even the junior commissioned officers get sahayaks. Ours is a very large army wherein individual grievances cant be ruled out. We have taken cognisance of Singhs complaints, said an officer.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Friday rejected its chairman K V Thomass view on summoning Prime Minister Narendra Modi over demonetisation, citing a rule that bars summoning ministers, following strong objections from BJP MPs.
The committee issued an official statement referring to the Direction 99 of Directions by the Speaker which states that though officials may be called but not the ministers to give evidence or for consultation to examine estimates and accounts for a ministry. Ministers include the prime minister as well.
However, it said, the chairperson, when considered necessary, but after its deliberations are concluded, may have an informal interaction with the minister.
The issue came up as a controversy erupted following Thomass remarks that the committee could call the prime minister if it is not satisfied by the deposition of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Urjit Patel and finance ministry officials on note ban.
BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey, Bhupinder Yadav and Kirit Somaiya raised the issue during a meeting of the PAC and insisted that the panel cannot summon the prime minister, as it has no such powers.
Soon after Thomass remarks became public, Dubey wrote a letter to Thomas saying it was wrong, unethical and against laid out parliamentary procedures.
Sources said Thomas clarified that what he meant was the committee can summon the prime minister if the panel takes a unanimous view. He cautioned against killing the institution.
A similar row had erupted in 2013, when BJP MP Murli Manohar Joshi, who was leading PAC, had said former prime minister Manmohan Singh can be asked to appear before the parliamentary watchdog in the 2G scam. The ruling Congress had objected to it.
Subsequently, the Joshi-led committee had summoned principal secretary to Singh to give evidence on the scam, recalled a member of that PAC.
He had agreed to come, but could not present himself before members due to ruckus created by the Congress members at that point of time. Subsequently, the panel withdrew its decision, he pointed out.
A BJP member claimed that they were not briefed on the chairmans decision to summon the prime minister and the questionnaire was sent to secretariat without taking the members into confidence, alluding to a disconnect between the chair and ruling members.
Iceland last used the death penalty on January 12, 1830 with the beheading of farm servants Agnes Magnusdottir and Fridrik Sigurdsson.
Only threadbare details survive to posterity about their crime: one night in 1828, Agnes roused a neighboring farm to give the alarm that Natan Ketilsson's farmhouse, where she worked, was afire.
Neighbors were able to quench the blaze quickly enough to realize that Ketilsson himself had not died because he was trapped in the flame -- but because he had been stabbed to death, along with another man known as a criminal, Petur Jonsson.
Agnes, 33, and teenager Fridrik were arrested for murder and eventually beheaded on a desolate hill on the frozen northern coast where a mossed-over stone still silently marks the spot.*
Why were these men killed? If the stones remember, they aren't telling and in the scantiness of documentation the job has fallen to literature instead, for there is something to be said for an unexplained double murder in the ashes of a half-burned farm and the novelty of a woman being the very last human to have her head chopped off in Iceland. (On execution day, Fridrik went first.)
Burial Rites, by Hannah Kent Agnes Agnes was Natan's lover , but the farmer had a reputation for womanizing and, so all suspect, eyes for Fridrik's young girlfriend;** the inference of a jealous domestic psychodrama perfectly cast on the fringe of the Arctic Sea, of chilly twilit tables gathering furtive eyes above with wandering hands below, seems hard to resist. And then there was the strange coda, while verdicts were sent to Denmark for confirmation, of the condemned simply living and working among the community waiting to execute them. Nineteenth century rural Iceland was a little short on jail cells and surplus provisions.
After studying on an exchange program in Iceland, Australian Hannah Kent found this speculative environment a rich source for her well-received first novel, Burial Rites . (There's a lengthy and interesting podcast interview with her by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation here .)
Kent's drama has made headway in Hollywood, with Jennifer Lawrence said to be keen on playing the tragic lead; if it someday does hit the silver screen, however, it won't even be the first on its subject matter -- witness the 1995 film Agnes
The criminals Fridrik Sigurdsson and Agnes Magnusdottir were today moved out of custody to the place of execution, and following them to the execution site were the priests Reverend Tomasson and Reverend Thorvardur Jonsson, an assistant priest. The criminals had wished that the latter two help them prepare for their deaths. After the priest Johann Tomasson completed a speech of admonition to the convict Fridrik Sigurdsson, Fridrik's head was taken off with one blow of the axe. The farmer Gudmundur Ketilsson, who had been ordered to be executioner, committed the work that he had been asked to do with dexterity and fearlessness. The criminal Agnes Magnusdottir, who, while this was taking place, had been kept at a remote station where she could not see the site of execution, was then fetched. After the Assistant Reverend Thorvardur Jonsson had appropriately prepared her for death, the same executioner cut off her head, and with the same craftsmanship as before. The lifeless heads were then set upon two stakes at the site of execution, and their bodies put in two coffins of untreated boards, and buried before the men were dismissed. While the deed took place, and there until it was finished, everything was appropriately quiet and well-ordered, and it was concluded by a short address by Reverend Magnus Arnason to those that were there.
Actum ut supra.
B. Blondal, R. Olsen, A. Arnason
(From the Magistrate's Book of Hunavatn District, 1830 -- as quoted in the epilogue of Kent's Burial Rites)
* The milestone murderers, or at least their heads, rest in Tjorn
** This young woman, Sigridur Gudmundsdottir, was condemned to death with the other two but got to keep her head in the end.
Iceland did not become independent of Denmark until 1944
The victim's brother was the executioner.
Source: ExecutedToday.com , January 13, 2017
The government swung into damage-control mode on Friday as a controversy erupted over Prime Minister Narendra Modi replacing Mahatma Gandhi on the calendars and diaries issued by the Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC).
While the Opposition expressed outrage over the calendars and diaries featuring Modi, the KVIC aggressively defended its decision. The prime minister and his picture on our calendars and diaries show commitment to khadi at the highest level in the government, KVIC chairman V K Saxena told DH.
Kalraj Mishra, Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, the nodal ministry for KVIC, emphasised that Modi had not replaced Gandhi and that his picture appeared only on one page of the calendar.
Gandhiji has his own place...nobody can take it, Mishra told reporters, as the Opposition leaders had a field day attacking the prime minister for his obsession with himself bordering on narcissism.
The Mangalyaan effect, said Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, accusing Modi of trying to take credit for the promotion of khadi.
Rahul had earlier criticised Modi for trying to appropriate credit for the landing of Mangalyaan on Mars, a mission launched by the Congress-led UPA government.
A self-projection obsession, a self-love obsession and obsession bordering on narcissism has unfortunately become the hallmark of the honourable prime minister, Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee reacted sharply on Twitter.
Becoming Gandhi requires years of austerity. One cannot become Gandhi by acting to spin the charkha; this would only ridicule them, Kejriwal tweeted.
Gandhiji is the Father of the Nation. Modi ji what??? wondered Banerjee on Twitter.
Mahatma Gandhis great-grandson Tushar Gandhi lamented that Bapus charkha was the source of income for the poor people. Now it has become a photo prop.
Saxena said there were several instances when Gandhis picture was not featured on KVIC material. In 1996, 2002, 2005, 2011, 2013 and 2016, Gandhiji was not there on the calendar and diary. There is no rule that only Gandhis picture has to be on the calendar, he said.
Myuran Sukumaran (left) and Ben Quilty in Kerobokan's art workshop Artist Ben Quilty co-curated an exhibition of works by Bali-9 member Myuran Sukumaran. It's a bittersweet elegy to the redemptive magic of art.
Brushstrokes are declarations. Myuran Sukumarans swirls of paint, gingerly daubed onto canvas then layered heavily and deliberately are the markings of a man declaring his faith in the life-giving power of art even as the prospect of death was closing in.
When I first met Myuran, he was very humble, quite shy but had a fierce fire and thirst for knowledge about painting, smiles Ben Quilty, who alongside Michael Dagostino, is the co-curator of Another Day in Paradise. The exhibition brings 100 paintings by Sukumaran, who was executed in April last year with fellow Bali Nine member Andrew Chan, to Sydney for the first time. He wanted to learn, he wanted to do it. Although the Australian media fed us the message that he was this violent, aggressive enforcer, I met a big, quiet, strong person who was protecting huge swathes of people in that prison. Everyone really respected him. Hed become an extraordinary man.
Myuran Sukumaran A body of work entitled The Last 72 Hours, made during his final imprisonment on Nusa Kambangan Island, is harder to take in without blinking back tears. Australian artists Abdul-Rahman Abdullah, Megan Cope, Jagath Dheerasekara, Taloi Havini, Matthew Sleeth and Khaled Sabsabi were also invited to respond to Sukumarans paintings with pieces that call for empathy as well as the importance of human rights. Today, the galleries inside the Campbelltown Arts Centre, a short drive from Sukumarans old primary school, are dotted with works painted by the fledgling artist while he was incarcerated at Balis Kerobokan jail. Along the main wall, a series of self-portraits one in which his image is doubled, another in which a skull floats above his supine body as a memento mori are harrowing and powerful, hinting at a search for alternate psychological destinies, even as his external fate was fixed.A body of work entitled, made during his final imprisonment on Nusa Kambangan Island, is harder to take in without blinking back tears. Australian artists Abdul-Rahman Abdullah, Megan Cope, Jagath Dheerasekara, Taloi Havini, Matthew Sleeth and Khaled Sabsabi were also invited to respond to Sukumarans paintings with pieces that call for empathy as well as the importance of human rights.
Painting is like learning to write and if you have a lot to say, you need to learn how to use language, says Quilty, who became close friends with Sukumaran and later, the biggest advocate for his plea for clemency, after he received an email from his Melbourne barrister seeking advice on new painting techniques. His language was visual and he wanted to learn how to use it, to speak about who he was. He was a quiet man with a big smile but there was a lot going on. Hed studied philosophy and thought through all the different aspects of what had led him to this gruesome predicament. He wanted to be able to talk about it.
Quilty, who counts a portrait series of Indonesian and Australian politicians among the artists most moving pieces, also believes that the lack of public empathy around Chan and Sukuraman is more complex than it first appears.
Part of it is due to the colour of Myurans skin, he says, with a pause. A lot of the criticism Andrew and Myuran received wouldnt have been leveled at European inmates. I feel as if he looked the way I did, if he was a sixth-generation Irish-Australian, there would have been a far less brutal response in the Australian public. Painting those politicians was so pivotal for him; he had been painting self-portraits but he wanted to engage with the prime ministers of Australia and the president of Indonesia, whod become the protagonists of his life and future. I want people think more broadly about compassion in our community. Because there are people here who hated him until the moment he died. I want them to come to this exhibition and respond to his humanity. The suggestion that all men who deal drugs should be executed is brutal, simplistic bullshit that needs to be called out.
For Quilty, whose own artistic trajectory has sought the darker corners of what it means to be a young man in Australia, its Sukumarans brushstrokes that matter now.
Myuran was just on a mission to learn how to harness his visual language and in the last 72 hours you got the sense that he was on fire, he says. As an artist, you start to get a sense that through a practice you are leaving a legacy, and if youre sensitive and passionate and good, that legacy will outlive you. They took his life but he had a voice and that voice will continue reverberating after hes gone.
Another Day in Paradise shows at the Campbelltown Arts Centre, as part of the shows at the Campbelltown Arts Centre, as part of the Sydney Festival , from January 13 to March 26, 2017.
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Source: Broadsheet , Neha Kale, January 12, 2017
On January 11, the inhumane mullahs regime executed a prisoner in Urmia Prison, northwest Iran. The day before another prisoner was sent to the gallows in Maraghe Prison, northwest Iran.
On January 8, two other prisoners were hanged in public on charges of theft in the town of Sarpol Zahab in Kermanshah Province, western Iran.
Youths are being hanged in public at a time when senior regime officials, their family members and close friends are involved in the largest embezzlement cases of Irans history.
One example amounted to nearly $3 billion, and those involved in such thefts and plundering of the Iranian peoples God-given riches remain safe and sound from any accountability.
At least 21 executions have been registered from January 1 to this day.
In the meantime during the past few days 22 prisoners in Central and Gohardasht prisons of Karaj have been transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions.
Four inmates in Maraghe Prison are scheduled to be executed shortly.
The Iranian Resistance calls for urgent action by international human rights organizations to save the lives of these 26 prisoners.
The Iranian Resistance calls on all people across Iran, especially the brave youth, to protest barbaric executions and rise to the support of the families of those executed, families of prisoners.
Source: NCRI , January 12, 2017
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Mahira Khan Will Not Come To India But Will Still Promote Raees; Here's How!
Scottish MPs are being urged to make research into type 1 diabetes top of their agenda once again.
Families, who are affected by the condition, have joined up with campaigners to ask the Scottish Parliament to help find a cure by investing into more research.
Scotland has the third highest rate of type 1 diabetes in the world and numbers, especially in children under five, are on the rise.
Last month the government pledged a further 10m would be invested in continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and to help people monitor and treat their condition more easily.
An 11-year-old from Bathgate in West Lothian recently received an insulin pump which has aided her in managing her condition better
Speaking to the BBC, Amalia Holma, who was told she had type 1 diabetes when she was three, said: I do finger pricks but I also check the CGM quite a lot to make sure my levels are ok. I can also feel when Im going to go low and when Im high.
Type 1 diabetes was new to Amalias family as no one else in their family had ever had the condition before, so they had to learn all about it and how to manage it day to day.
Amalias father Dave, said: It was an absolute rollercoaster because we had no history of this in our family, that we are aware of.
No-one in our family has had type 1 diabetes so we knew very little about it. So it was a complete shock for us, stunned and then a very fast learning curve about how to deal with it.
Before Amalia was given an insulin pump she would have to be woken up at random times throughout the night to ensure she was not suffering from a hypo.
The family now want more technology to be available to children to avoid the 19,000 injections they will otherwise receive by the time they are 18.
In Scotland, there are around 3,200 insulin pumps being used, which is an increase of more than 400 per cent since 2010.
The recent funding, which has been promised to the cause, will also help to provide more CGMs, which will be given to people who suffer regularly from severe hypos and young children.
Gunsynd announced on Friday that it has signed a subscription agreement with Oyster Oil & Gas , a junior oil and gas exploration and production company quoted on the Toronto Venture Exchange in Canada, to invest 0.125m as part of a wider fundraising with existing investors of 0.25m.
The AIM-traded firm said Oyster is listed on the TSV Venture Exchange, and is an international energy group focused on oil and gas exploration and production activities in underexplored hydrocarbon basins.
It currently operates four blocks in the Republic of Djibouti - three blocks located onshore and one offshore - and is also the sole interest holder in one onshore block in the Republic of Madagascar.
Gunsynd said it is investing CAD 0.2m, or 0.125m, at a price of 20 Canadian cents per share for 1,000,000 shares in Oyster.
The company will also receive a warrant over an equivalent number of shares at a strike price of 27 Canadian cents exercisable up to 20 January 2018.
This initial investment into Oyster offers the company the opportunity to participate in a large, multi-billion barrel prospective resource at what we believe to be a compelling valuation and complements our portfolio of near term oil production companies, said Gunsynd chief executive Hamish Harris.
A new Leaf ? 2 witnesses called by Hsieh Yi-han's defense team said that her chances of rehabilitation were high, and the court paid heed to their testimony
The High Court yesterday overturned Hsieh Yi-han's death sentence, sentencing her to life imprisonment after she was convicted of committing a double murder at Mama Mouth Cafe in 2013.
Hsieh was sentenced to death by 3 lower courts, with the Supreme Court returning the case to the High Court twice for retrial over the murder of businessman Chen Chin-fu and his wife Chang Tsui-ping in February 2013.
At that time, Hsieh was a manager of the Mama Mouth Cafe in New Taipei City's Bali District. She was accused of killing the couple for money and dumping their bodies into Tamsui River, where their bodies were found washed up on shore a few days after they were killed.
Hsieh's defense lawyer called on 2 expert witnesses in the 2nd retrial, a psychiatrist and a Christian pastor, who had provided counseling to Hsieh during her incarceration, the court said.
The expert witnesses testified that the chances of Hsieh's rehabilitation were high. The court overturned her death sentence based on this testimony, it said.
The ruling can be appealed.
Several family members of the victims attended the ruling and afterward said that they felt distraught and could not accept the decision, vowing to appeal to the Supreme Court.
In a separate civil case in 2014, the High Court ruled that Hsieh must pay NT$9.99 million (US$312,823 at current exchange rates) compensation to Chen's siblings and Chang's mother.
Chen's sister said it was clear that Hsieh was greedy and after learning that Chen was wealthy planned to kill the couple.
"She killed 2 people for money. She deserves the death penalty. It is the only way justice can be served," she said.
Although Hsieh was found guilty and the court fined her, the families have not received any payments, Chen's sister said.
Chen family lawyer Wei Yi-lung said the ruling did not meet society's expectations.
Hsieh committed a heinous crime for money and fabricated stories about why she did it, even laying blame on the victims, Wei said.
In another ruling yesterday, the High Court upheld a death sentence for Huang Lin-kai, who was convicted of murdering his girlfriend and her mother in October 2013.
Huang, who was 19 and in compulsory military service at the time, went to his girlfriend's house and strangled the mother to death, before raping his girlfriend and strangling her to death with rope.
The retrial judgement said Huang had no regard for human life and committed highly vicious acts.
Given that he is likely to reoffend if released, the court said it decided to uphold the death sentence from a lower court's decision.
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Source: Taipei Times, January 11, 2017
Isle of Man-based Manx Telecom said it has been trading in line with expectations, even with an expected revenue decline from the data centre business.
The AIM-listed company said it had been trading in line with expectations in 2016, with cash flow supporting its progressive dividend policy.
As anticipated, revenue levels in the data centre business were lower than 2015 due to a decline in low margin kit sales and some customer consolidation, but was largely offset by a return to good levels of growth in the global solutions business.
The core domestic business of fixed line, broadband, data and mobile remained solid during the year ended 31 December.
High speed broadband services now reach 93% of premises, and take up continues to expand with 40% of the broadband customer base now on a very-high-bit-rate digital subscriber line (VDSL) or VDSL+, while the 4G network continued to perform well and mobile subscriber numbers were up year-on-year.
In December, the company agreed to provide connectivity to facilitate communications firm China Unicom's mobile and roaming product in the UK.
Shares in Manx Telecom were down 0.5% to 198p at 1005 GMT.
The Mayor of London has warned that Britain is falling into a muddled Brexit, which would affect the whole country, not just the capital.
In a speech at Mansion House on Thursday, Sadiq Khan said it was deeply concerning that we still appear to have muddled thinking at the heart of government so soon before the negotiations are set to start.
"For months now, Ive been arguing against a hard Brexit. But the only thing that would be as damaging as a hard Brexit is a muddled Brexit."
The mayor echoed Sir Ivan Rogers, Britains former ambassador to the EU, who resigned last week criticising the government's ill-founded arguments and muddled thinking over Brexit.
Khan has called on the government to prioritise access to the single market, for UK firms to be able to recruit skilled workers from the EU, and for a transitional agreement to be put in place with the EU.
He warned over the knock-on impact on jobs and billions of lost revenue if proper agreements arent negotiated and if Britain doesn't get the necessary transitional agreements in place, which would hit the entire country, not just London, adding that it was not too late for the government to take note and set a new tone.
Prime Minister Theresa May is to give a major speech on Brexit on Tuesday, after mounting pressure from MPs and business figures to provide greater clarity over the governments approach to Brexit.
Credit Suisse has downgraded environmental utility infrastructure company Pennon Group to underperform from neutral and lowered the price target to 680p from 800p.
The broker said that the downside in energy-from-waste (EfW) is materialising faster than it anticipated and it sees risk of a potential liability associated with an unconsolidated financing joint venture.
The risks the bank forecasts with EfW include local authority counterparty risk, exposure to competitive pricing which analysts predict will intensify from 2020, execution risk on construction of the Glasgow pant and financing risk with a potentially expensive new hybrid. It added that it sees no drivers of sustainable medium-term upside to pricing.
The earnings per share forecast fell to 35.59p from 36.69p for 2017.
The cut in EPS by 3-4% and price target is primarily due to the banks valuation of the companys subsidiary Virador, including the Greater Manchester contract and Avonmouth EfW.
It also points to the companys Peninsula MB joint venture, estimating that loss of tax credits could reduce earnings per share (EPS) by around 7 to 10% per annum going forward.
On the plus side the bank values the companys second subsidiary, South West Water (SWW) at a premium to reflect outperformance among its peers but sees bond yields as the main near term driver for UK Water valuations.
The share price fell 3.57% to 780.10p at 1017 GMT on Friday.
Japanese gaming firm Nintendo has announced that the release date for its new Switch console will be 3 March this year, with the new device costing 279.99 in the United Kingdom.
The eagerly-awaited console could be make-or-break for Nintendo after its last release, the Wii-U, flopped and failed to replicate the success of its predecessor.
The Nintendo Switch was announced for the first time in October of last year, revealing a new format of combining a hand-held console which can attach on to a home console.
At an event in Tokyo to mark the latest in-depth look at the Switch, Nintendo revealed a number of games that would be launched along with it in March, including Mario Odyssey and Splatoon 2.
"The first two weeks of sales will be critical for Nintendo, and they will have to sell the 2 million units they forecast for the quarter. The Switchs success will be determined at the start," said Ace Research Institute analyst Hideki Yasuda.
2016 represented a successful year for Nintendo following the release of its global hit smartphone game "Pokemon Go", which led to its stock price rocketing in July.
Chinese trade was weaker than expected in December - a result which some economists labelled "concerning" - leading to the first shrinkage in the full-year surprlus since 2011.
Asias largest economy saw net exports fall from $44.2bn in November to $40.8bn in December.
In US dollar terms, exports declined by 6.1% year-on-year following a drop of 1.6% in the month before (consensus: -4.0%), with Novembers print having been revised lower from an initial reading of +0.1%.
Imports on the other hand rose by 3.1%, which was nevertheless also down from the 4.7% clip recorded in November.
According to Julian Evans-Pritchard, China economist at Capital Economics, shipments to developed economies "held up well" last month while those to emerging markets slowed.
"Looking ahead, its hard to see conditions becoming much more favourable to Chinese trade than they already are. Further upside to economic activity, both in China and abroad, is probably now limited given declines in trend growth. Instead, the risks to trade lie to the downside the likelihood of a damaging trade spat between China and the US has risen in recent weeks following Trumps appointment of hardliners to lead US trade policy, " Evans-Pritchard said.
On a brighter note, various economists pointed out how exports had fared better when measured in yuan terms, as a direct consequence of the yuans depreciation versus the greenback.
When measured in local currency terms exports were 0.6% higher year-on-year (consensus: -0.1%).
Negative base-effects had also played a role in the magnitude of the drop seen in exports, given how sales overseas had strengthened in December 2015, Evans-Pritchard said.
US president-elect Donald Trump went on the offensive against Hillary Clinton once again, saying his former rival was "guilty as hell" following the launch of an investigation into the FBI's actions during the election campaign.
Trump had spoken very little about Clinton since his widely unexpected victory over the Democrat in November, but took to Twitter once again to denounce her, just one week before he was due to enter the White House.
FBI director James Comey's decision to open the investigation into Clinton's use of a private email server just 11 days before the election shook up the race.
"What are Hillary Clinton's people complaining about with respect to the FBI," Trump tweeted. "Based on the information they had she should never have been allowed to run - guilty as hell."
"They were VERY nice to her. She lost because she campaigned in the wrong states - no enthusiasm!" Trump added.
On Thursday, the Inspector General of the Department of Justice Michael Horowitz said he would be investigating "certain actions" by the FBI and the department relating to the election
Clinton's public appearances had been few and far between since she was defeated by Trump, with very few sightings of the former secretary of state apart from one speech given at a charity fundraiser in December.
She was cleared of any wrongdoing just days before the 8 November election, but Trump's latest comments brought the issue to light again.
European stocks rose on Friday as investors cheered the release of US bank earnings.
The benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 added 0.95%, Germanys DAX was up 0.94%, Frances CAC 40 was 1.20% higher and the FTSE Mibtel jumped 1.87%.
Meanwhile, oil prices were weaker amid doubts that planned production cuts will do enough to curb the supply glut, with Brent crude down 0.65% to $55.65.
Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at Oanda, said: Earnings season has possibly come just at the right time as the Trump trade appears to have been exhausted in the absence of any details on his stimulus plans.
The Dow has come extremely close to breaking above 20,000 on a number of occasions but it would appear just the idea of ambitious spending and tax cutting plans is not quite enough to take us to the next level. Perfect time then for earnings season, an opportunity for corporates to convince us that these levels are built on strong foundations, not just the prospect of fiscal stimulus.
Bank of Americas fourth-quarter earnings exceeded expectations on Friday thanks in part to a solid performance in the bond trading divison, although revenue fell a little short. Net income in the final quarter rose 43% from the same period a year ago to $4.7bn, with earnings per share up 38% to 40 cents, beating expectations of 38 cents per share.
However, revenue came in at $19.99bn, up from $19.58 the year before but slightly below expectations of $20.85bn.
Similarly, in Europe stocks were also given a boost by healthy gains in the banking sector, with Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, Societe Generale and BNP Paribas all in the black and the Stoxx Europe 600 banks index up 2.03%.
Investors were also digesting data showing Chinese trade was weaker than expected in December, leading to the first shrinkage in the full-year surplus since 2011. Asias largest economy saw net exports fall from $44.2bn in November to $40.8bn in December.
In US dollar terms, exports declined by 6.1% year-on-year following a drop of 1.6% in the month before (consensus: -4.0%), with Novembers print having been revised lower from an initial reading of +0.1%.
Imports on the other hand rose by 3.1%, which while also down from the 4.7% clip recorded in November nevertheless came in ahead of analysts forecasts.
In corporate news, French media company Technicolor slumped on the back of a profit warning, while London-listed pub group Mitchells & Butlers rallied on a well-received trading update, as it reported a particularly strong Christmas period.
Italian car maker Fiat Chrysler bounced back even as the UK department for Transport launched a probe into its emissions software after accusations it may be allowing excess diesel emissions.
French autoparts maker Valeo advanced as it announced it is raising its stake in Japans Ichikoh Industries in order to expand its car-lights business into Japan and Asia.
European stocks rose on Friday as investors looked to the release of US bank earnings for direction.
At midday, the benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 rose 0.59%, Germanys DAX was up 0.60% and Frances CAC 40 was 0.83% higher.
Meanwhile, oil prices were weaker amid doubts that planned production cuts will do enough to curb the supply glut, with West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude down 1% to $52.45 and $55.43 a barrel, respectively.
Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at Oanda, said: Earnings season has possibly come just at the right time as the Trump trade appears to have been exhausted in the absence of any details on his stimulus plans.
The Dow has come extremely close to breaking above 20,000 on a number of occasions but it would appear just the idea of ambitious spending and tax cutting plans is not quite enough to take us to the next level. Perfect time then for earnings season, an opportunity for corporates to convince us that these levels are built on strong foundations, not just the prospect of fiscal stimulus.
Bank of Americas fourth-quarter earnings exceeded expectations on Friday thanks in part to a solid performance in the bond trading divison, although revenue fell a little short. Net income in the final quarter rose 43% from the same period a year ago to $4.7bn, with earnings per share up 38% to 40 cents, beating expectations of 38 cents per share.
However, revenue came in at $19.99bn, up from $19.58 the year before but slightly below expectations of $20.85bn.
Earnings are still due from banking heavyweights JP Morgan and Wells Fargo.
In Europe, stocks were given a boost by healthy gains in the banking sector, with Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, Societe Generale and BNP Paribas all in the black and the Stoxx Europe 600 banks index up 1.13%.
Investors were also digesting data showing Chinese trade was weaker than expected in December, leading to the first shrinkage in the full-year surplus since 2011. Asias largest economy saw net exports fall from $44.2bn in November to $40.8bn in December.
In US dollar terms, exports declined by 6.1% year-on-year following a drop of 1.6% in the month before (consensus: -4.0%), with Novembers print having been revised lower from an initial reading of +0.1%.
Imports on the other hand rose by 3.1%, which was nevertheless also down from the 4.7% clip recorded in November.
In corporate news, French media company Technicolor slumped on the back of a profit warning, while London-listed pub group Mitchells & Butlers rallied on a well-received trading update, as it reported a particularly strong Christmas period.
Italian car maker Fiat Chrysler skidded as the UK department for Transport launched a probe into its emissions software after accusations it may be allowing excess diesel emissions.
French autoparts maker Valeo advanced as it announced it is raising its stake in Japans Ichikoh Industries in order to expand its car-lights business into Japan and Asia.
London stocks edged higher on Friday, led by a rally in housebuilders, as investors analysed Chinese trade data and looked ahead to the release of US retail sales figures.
At 1156 GMT, the FTSE 100 rose 0.30% to 7,314.55 points.
The index was topped by Barratt Developments, which saw its shares recover from the previous session when it reported a 6% drop in annual house sales following a sharp fall in business in London.
The housebuilder said it cut the price of some of its most expensive London homes by 10% to spur business.
After a miserable day yesterday the bargain hunters have stepped in to rescue Barratt Developments, with the temptingly-low forward valuation and signs of healthy cash flow clearly providing an incentive, said IGs chief market analyst Chris Beauchamp.
Sector peers Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon were also in the black.
ITV was another riser after Goldman Sachs added the buy-rated stock to its Conviction List, saying its is one of the most likely M&A candidates in its coverage, as it took a look at the European media sector.
In contrast, mining shares were the worst performers, pulling back from gains on Thursday as metal prices fell. Fresnillo, Rio Tinto and Randgold Resources were in the red.
In economic data, the China trade surplus narrowed to $40.82bn in December from $44.61bn, surprising analysts who had expected a surplus of $47.55bn. Exports declined 6.1% on the year in December, compared to forecasts for a 3.8% decline and the previous months 0.1% increase. Imports rose 3.1% in December, more than the 3% increase expected and after a 6.7% gain in November.
A strong end to the year for global manufacturing failed to prevent a decline in Chinese trade growth last month, according to Capital Economics.
Looking ahead, its hard to see conditions becoming much more favourable to Chinese trade than they already are. Further upside to economic activity, both in China and abroad, is probably now limited given declines in trend growth.
On this side of the pond, the Bank of England said demand for bank lending among small and medium sized British firms continued to slump in the last three months of 2016 amid worries about Brexit.
However, demand for bank borrowing by large companies remained unchanged during the period, according to the Banks quarterly Credit Conditions Survey.
The attention now turns to US retail sales at 1330 GMT, which is expected to show a 0.7% rise in December. The University of Michigans consumer confidence index is also due at 1500 GMT along with data on business inventories.
Market Movers
FTSE 100 (UKX) 7,312.51 0.28%
FTSE 250 (MCX) 18,337.31 0.18%
techMARK (TASX) 3,412.43 0.33%
FTSE 100 - Risers
Barratt Developments (BDEV) 516.00p 3.61%
Kingfisher (KGF) 354.10p 2.88%
Merlin Entertainments (MERL) 483.30p 2.37%
Taylor Wimpey (TW.) 174.80p 2.16%
Whitbread (WTB) 4,118.00p 2.01%
Persimmon (PSN) 2,009.00p 1.98%
St James's Place (STJ) 1,079.00p 1.89%
ITV (ITV) 206.70p 1.82%
TUI AG Reg Shs (DI) (TUI) 1,142.00p 1.60%
Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 1,888.00p 1.56%
FTSE 100 - Fallers
Fresnillo (FRES) 1,387.00p -2.46%
Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 664.00p -1.92%
Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 340.60p -1.25%
Smurfit Kappa Group (SKG) 2,129.00p -1.11%
BAE Systems (BA.) 611.00p -1.05%
Compass Group (CPG) 1,453.00p -0.89%
Rio Tinto (RIO) 3,376.00p -0.84%
Hammerson (HMSO) 563.50p -0.62%
United Utilities Group (UU.) 890.50p -0.61%
Micro Focus International (MCRO) 2,135.00p -0.56%
FTSE 250 - Risers
SIG (SHI) 106.70p 13.75%
Grafton Group Units (GFTU) 581.00p 7.49%
International Personal Finance (IPF) 172.80p 5.49%
Mitchells & Butlers (MAB) 272.00p 4.53%
Daejan Holdings (DJAN) 6,190.00p 3.17%
Travis Perkins (TPK) 1,461.00p 2.74%
Ascential (ASCL) 289.50p 2.70%
Crest Nicholson Holdings (CRST) 515.50p 1.88%
Bellway (BWY) 2,623.00p 1.63%
Ladbrokes Coral Group (LCL) 120.90p 1.60%
FTSE 250 - Fallers
Dunelm Group (DNLM) 704.00p -5.12%
Pennon Group (PNN) 778.50p -3.77%
Ferrexpo (FXPO) 130.90p -3.04%
Euromoney Institutional Investor (ERM) 1,140.00p -2.98%
AO World (AO.) 158.40p -2.40%
Evraz (EVR) 223.10p -2.23%
Just Eat (JE.) 519.50p -1.98%
Kaz Minerals (KAZ) 422.60p -1.97%
Polymetal International (POLY) 919.00p -1.92%
Capital & Counties Properties (CAPC) 278.10p -1.59%
Irish building materials company Grafton Group s revenue rose as it expanded the Selco merchanting brand in the UK.
Revenue surged 13.4% in the year ended 31 December to 2.51bn, compared to last year, and increased 10.4% in constant currency.
For the merchanting sector, which accounts for 92% of total revenue, the UKs revenue rose 6.6% as Selco outperformed the merchanting market in the country with seven branches opened in the year including in Croydon and Wembley in December, which increases the network to 47, with further openings planned in 2017.
The FTSE 250 company said the rate of revenue growth picked-up in the last quarter in the UK merchanting business was mainly under the Buildbase and Plumbase brands, although the market remained price competitive.
In Ireland, revenue climbed 26.7% for the third successive year, or 11.9% in constant currency, as the mercantile business outperformed a recovering construction market, driven by growth in residential repair, maintenance and improvement activity.
Meanwhile Isero, the Netherlands merchanting business the company bought in November 2015, performed well supported by economic growth and a recovery in the residential new build and repair, maintenance and improvement markets.
The company recently bought Gunters en Meuser, a distributor of tools fixings and ironmongery from 14 branches, in order to provide the Netherlands business with a presence in the greater Amsterdam area where Gunters en Meuser is the market leader.
However, the Belgian merchanting business continued to experience difficult market conditions, as overall revenue in the country rose just 0.9% due to softening demand, especially for larger project work.
Nicholas Hyett, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said that if there is a slump in construction, the repair market would help make the company resilient.
He said: Builders merchant Selco has outperformed the wider sector, and the focus on the repair, maintenance and improvement market should help make it more resilient in the event of a downturn in new builds.
In the retailing sector, which accounts for 6% of total revenue, the Woodie's DIY business in Ireland reported an increase in volumes due to a more favourable retail market.
The manufacturing sector, which accounts for 2% of total revenue, saw the UK mortar manufacturing business experience stronger demand in the second-half of the year from its house builder customer base and also increased revenue from a 2015 acquistion of a packaged mortar products business.
Chief executive Gavin Slark, said: "The group finished the year on a more positive note and saw the benefit during 2016 of its exposure to multiple markets. We had an active year on the development front with the opening of seven new Selco branches, the completion of two bolt-on acquisitions in the UK and we agreed to acquire Gunters en Meuser in the Netherlands.
A strong balance sheet and excellent cash generation from operations support these developments and our ongoing strategic initiatives."
Shares in Grafton were up 7.53% to 581.17p at 1318 GMT.
A judge for the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on Tuesday declined to delay the execution of convicted killer Ricky Gray, which is scheduled to take place January 18.
Gray's attorneys argued in December that the drugs to be used during the execution were untested and potentially torturous.
Judge Henry Hudson concluded that "any discomfort experienced by Gray in the execution process is unlikely to cause serious pain or suffering." He also concluded that the possibility of pain was outweighed by the harm done if the execution was delayed.
Gray's attorney, Lisa Fried, stated that "it is unconstitutional ... to carry out an execution that risk chemically torturing a prisoner to death." No other state has used the mixture of drugs to be used at Gray's execution.
His attorneys plan to appeal.
Capital punishment remains a controversial issue in the US and worldwide. Last Wednesday the Florida Supreme Court issued a 1-paragraph order informing judges and prosecutors that the state's death penalty procedure is unconstitutional, marking the 2nd such order in 3 months.
In October the US Supreme Court vacated the death sentence of an Oklahoma man convicted of killing his girlfriend and her 2 children in a case where the trial judge permitted family members to recommend the sentence to the jury.
In May a Miami judge ruled that Florida's revamped death penalty law is unconstitutional because it does not require a unanimous agreement among jurors to approve executions.
In April Virginia's General Assembly voted to keep secret the identities of suppliers of lethal injection drugs.
In 2002 the Supreme Court held in Atkins v. Virginia that the Eighth Amendment's proscription on cruel and unusual punishment makes the execution of individuals with intellectual disability unconstitutional, which was considered in the Moore v. Texas case.
In November, Oklahoma became the 1st state to have the death penalty explicitly added to their state constitution as legal. According to a report by the Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC), only 5 out of 31 states that have the death penalty held executions in 2016.
Source: jurist.org, January 12, 2017
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New steakhouse featuring bourbon poured down a bone
The new steakhouse, from Thompson Hospitality Group, features a unique menu of smoked old-fashioneds and bone marrow luges
Blog Hinangai
While there is much discussion in Guam about the economic benefits of increasing the islands military presence, the damages/dangers that they represent are rarely mentioned. This blog, a supplement to the Peace and Justice for Guam Petition, is meant to counter that by providing information about the US military in Guam, with the hopes of steering policy away from a dangerous unilateralist course to more sustainable notions of regional development and a strengthening international solidarity.
Malia and Sasha, eight years ago on a cold November day, we greeted you on the steps of the White House. We saw both the light and wariness in your eyes as you gazed at your new home. We left our jobs in Baltimore and New York early and traveled to Washington to show you around. To show you the Lincoln Bedroom, and the bedrooms that were once ours, to introduce you to all the peoplethe florists, the grounds-keepers and the butlerswho dedicate themselves to making this historic house a home. The four of us wandered the majestic halls of the house you had no choice but to move in to. When you slid down the banister of the solarium, just as we had done as 8-year-olds and again as 20-year-olds chasing our youth, your joy and laughter were contagious.full letter at linkVery classy and lovely. I had forgotten they were in the White House as children, too.
Looks like Gov Brown and his DOJ thugs lost this one. Talk about progressive Gestapo tactics....
A Clovis family won a court case against the California Department of Justice that forces the state agency to return 500 guns it had confiscated from Albert Sheakalee.
The CA DOJ raided Sheakalees house in 2015, alleging he was listed in the states Armed Prohibited Persons (APPS) database. Sheakalees attorney won the case by arguing that the CA DOJ had not notified Sheakalee that he was on the APPS. Moreover, his attorney, Mark Coleman, stated that the justice department broke a promise to Sheakalee to keep the raid confidential until a court hearing determined whether he was mentally fit to own guns.
According to the Fresno Bee, Sheakalee was arrested, but he had no prior criminal history. Upon arresting him, the CA DOJ said Sheakalee could not own firearms as a result of being taken into custody under Welfare and Institutions Code 5150. That code allows officers to take an individual for evaluation if that person is believed to pose a threat to themselves or others.
No charges were ever brought against Sheakelee; nonetheless, the CA DOJ held onto the guns. It took the suit from Mark Coleman to get them back.
Kamala Harris was California attorney general when the raid and arrest took place. On November 19, 2015, the Bee reported that Harris said DOJ agents went to Sheakalees home and seized 209 handguns, 88 shotguns, 234 rifles, 181 standard capacity magazines, then high capacity magazines, 100,521 rounds of various ammunition and ten assault weapons, including a .50 caliber bolt-action rifle.
Harris publicized the raid in a news release, saying, Removing firearms from dangerous and violent individuals who pose a threat to themselves and the public is a top priority for the California Department of Justice. I thank our Bureau of Firearms special agents for their bravery in carrying out these dangerous investigations and their commitment to keeping our communities safe.
The guns have now been returned to Sheakalee.
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SPOKANE (AP) Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane apparently will not become the second base to get the new air refueling KC-46A tankers.
The next wing of the new Pegasus tankers built by Boeing will go to Joint Base Maguire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey.
. . .
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WASHINGTON (AP) The Obama administration has agreed to provide disability benefits totaling more than $2 billion to veterans who had been exposed to contaminated drinking water while assigned to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
Military personnel must have served at Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1953 and December 1987.
. . .
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By BETH J. HARPAZ
AP Travel Editor
iStock photo [enlarge] The one spot Arthur Frommer says he'd return to over and over is Paris.
NEW YORK This year the legendary travel guidebook writer Arthur Frommer celebrates 60 years since the publication of his 1957 book, Europe on $5 a Day.
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MADRID (AP) Officials in Spain say the number of tourists visiting the country has soared by 10 percent in 2016, setting a record figure for the fourth consecutive year as economic concerns and terrorism fears continued to lure visitors away from rival Mediterranean destinations.
Energy and Tourism Minister Alvaro Nadal said Thursday that 75.3 million tourists arrived in Spain last year.
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Who is Martin Luther King Jr?
Wait a second, another street named after Martin Luther King Jr.? Why are there multiple road ways named after this man?
There I was driving south of highway 95 in Las Vegas, it was a beautiful day and I took an exit to get onto the 215 headed toward the Las Vegas International Airport. I see the exit for Martin Luther King Blvd. and I think nothing of it as I have made this drive plenty of times to pick up students. Once I had a bus filled with excited students and Military Working Dogs, I headed back to the base. At this time of the day, traffic was ridiculous. As I sat in traffic I looked ahead and noticed I was at the Martin Luther King Blvd exit again. Thats when I had a thought, why does every state have a road way named after this man? Traffic began to move and the thought left my mind.
We all know who Martin Luther King Jr. is, right? But I asked myself, what do I know about this man? I know he is a Baptist minister who led the peaceful civil rights protests in the 60s. I also know he was married and later, assassinated. Could it be that this is all I know about this great legend whose legacy is still making headway today? That inspired me to learn more about Martin Luther King Jr. after I had a great leader tell me We stand on the shoulders of giants (Lt. Gen. Mark Nowland).
After going through many sources I focused on details that I felt most people do not know. Martin Luther King Jr. was actually born Michael and his father later changed his name. Martin excelled in school and started college at only 15 years old. He eventually earned a doctorate which is why doctor proceeds his name. He has even won a Nobel Peace Prize.
Many may know he is a minister, the beginning of his infamous journey began when he was recruited by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in order to help promote the bus boycotts in Montgomery, Alabama. This was a 381 day boycott of segregated buses. People were dedicated to this cause, they walked miles and miles to get to work. He used love, peace and the power of words to protest.
Even though the bus boycott is where he started his voyage, the march on Washington, which supported jobs and freedom was how he was most famously remembered. That is where the infamous I have a dream speech was made.
Martin Luther King Jr. was shot at a motel in Memphis, Tennessee on his way to dinner. There was an open casket funeral in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. Whoever said patience is a virtue was right. It took 15 years to see a day dedicated in his honor. He was the first non-United States President to get a federal holiday named after him.
To answer my first question, why are there multiple road ways named after this man? Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. believed in a nation of freedom and justice for all, and he encouraged all citizens to live up to the purpose and potential of America by applying the principles of nonviolence to make this country a better place to livecreating the "Beloved Community".
For more information on Martin Luther King Jr. please visit the Equal Opportunity SharePoint site at https://dm.eim.acc.hedc.af.mil/355FW/EO/Lists/Announcements/AllItems.aspx or contact the Equal Opportunity office at 228-5509.
References
https://www.deomi.org/SpecialObservance/MLK2017.cfm
http://www.thekingcenter.org/
Nigeria asks Taiwanese trade officials to move their representative office from the Nigerian capital Abuja to Lagos, the commercial hub. The move comes after the visit of China's foreign minister to the country. Nigeria's request underlines Nigeria's support for Beijing's "One China" policy. Under the policy China demands severance of relations with Taiwan, as China regards it as rebel-held territory within Chinese borders. Also, president elect Donald Trump had heightened tensions between the US and China by suggesting that his administration could reconsider nearly four decades of US support for "One China" a provocation that, according to some analysts, had spurred China's recent actions.
"The foreign ministry seriously objects and condemns the unreasonable actions by the Nigerian government," Taiwan said on Thursday in a statement urging Nigeria to reconsider its decision. After meeting Wednesday with his Chinese counterpart, Nigerian foreign minister Geoffrey Onyeama said Taiwan would not have any diplomatic representation whatsoever in Nigeria and "a trade mission with a skeletal staff" would operate in Lagos, state news agency NAN reported. According to commentators, Nigeria would not be the first nation in recent weeks to snub Taiwan after meeting with Chinese officials. Sao Tome and Principe, an island nation off the west coast of Africa, last month decided to cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan, which Taiwan had condemned as an "abrupt and unfriendly decision." With the move, Taiwan now has only two formal Taiwan allies in Africa. Globally, only 22 states formally recognised Taiwan. According to Wang Kao-cheng, the dean of the Tamkang University College of International Studies in Taiwan, Trump's comments on the "One China" policy and other recent changes to the trilateral relationship among Taiwan, the US, and China might have led to Beijing's efforts in Sao Tome and Principe, as The Taipei Times reported.
A local group is submitting an appeal to licenses for planned oyster farms in west Donegal, plans they say would cover a 99-acre area.
The group, Coiste Timpeallachta an Ghaoth, the Channel Environmental Group, is also applying for an oral hearing.
A spokesperson for the coiste said people do not oppose oyster farms and said local communities have lived easily alongside long-standing farms.
The group is opposed to the size and scale of these proposals, he said.
On December 15th of 2016, a public notice published in the Democrat reported the minister for agriculture, food and the marine decided to grant aquaculture and foreshore licenses to nine applications, including four for Gaoth Dobhair Bay between Braid and Carrickfinn to the west, and Rann na Monadh and Rann na Feirste to the east.
Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh of Altan is among the local residents who oppose the plans.
We are not against what was there for 25 years it was in harmony with the locality and nobody had any issues with what was there, Mairead said.
Its the scale of the expansion that I am personally against, she said, adding that the site was an area of conservation.
She said the scale was wrong for an area of such exceptional beauty, noting that nearby Donegal Airport at Carrickfinn last year was named one of the worlds 10 most scenic landings.
The applications together cover a total area of about 40.6 hectares, about 99 acres, at nine sites. There are a small number of sites there now. Its the rapid expansion its alarming, the coiste spokesperson said.
He said the state must strike a balance between commercial and public rights, and preserve the unique aspects of Irish culture and heritage.
The coiste was also critical of what the spokesperson called a lack of public consultation. He said a committee on environmental issues that arose from an inaugural local community development meeting last month came across the public notice. He said they had not been aware of the applications earlier, though applicants had published earlier notices.
The spokesperson said people would like to see applications posted in churches, in community centres and in places of easy access so that people can see it.
Remi Louis, coordination manager for Celtic Kerber Ltd, one of the four applicants, said the company employs local people and he is in Donegal every couple of months, but had not been told of local concerns.
He said the company, with offices in Sligo, has done everything properly since 2011, when they first made their application. We have nothing to hide, he said.
Mr. Louis also said he has not yet received the license. We did everything they asked, now we are waiting for the answer, he said.
The Donegal Democrat has been informed of the following deaths:
- Christy McDyre, Middlesex and Glenties
- Frances McLaughlin, Letterkenny/Dublin
- Charles McGlynn, Cloghan
- WP Curran, Letterkenny/Dublin
- Harry Blake, Letterkenny
- Mary Orr, Newtoncunninaghm
Christy McDyre, Middlesex and Glenties
The death has taken place of Christy McDyre, 19 Cranmer Close, East Cote, Middlesex and formerly of Derries, Kilraine, Glenties.
Viewing will take place at Shovlins Funeral Home, Sandfield, Ardara from until 6.20pm on Friday evening. Removal to St. Conal's Church, Glenties to arrive at 7pm.
Funeral Mass on Saturday morning at 11am followed by burial in the local cemetery. Family flowers only and donations, if desired, to the Irish Heart Foundation.
Frances McLaughlin, Letterkenny/Dublin
The death has taken place of Frances McLaughlin, 1 Harvey New Line Road, Letterkenny / Rathmines, Dublin.
Her remains will repose at the home of her sister and brother-in-law, Veronica and Paul Trayers, Sessiaghoneill, Ballybofey from 7pm today, Thursday.
Funeral leaving their home on Saturday at 9.15am for Requiem Mass in St. Mary's Church, Cockhill at 11 am, followed by interment in the adjoining churchyard.
Charles McGlynn, Cloghan
The death has taken place of Charles McGlynn, Cloghanbeg, Cloghanl. Reposing at his home with Rosary each night at 9 p.m. Requiem Mass on Saturday at 12 noon in The Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Glenfin, with burial afterwards in Kilteevogue Cemetery.
Family time each night from 11 p.m till 10 a.m and on the morning of the funeral. Family flowers only please.
WP Curran, Letterkenny/Dublin
The death has occurred in St. Vincents Hospital, Dublin, of W.P. Liam CURRAN late of
Glenageary, Dublin and Letterkenny.
.Removal Friday from Quinns of Glasthule to Our Lady of Victories Church, Sallynoggin, arriving for 5pm. Funeral Saturday, after 10am Mass, to Shanganagh Cemetery.
Family flowers only, please.
Harry Blake, Letterkenny
The death has occurred of Harry Blake late of 50 Upper Main St., Letterkenny.
His remains will repose at his late home from 12 noon on Friday 13th January. Funeral on Sunday 15th January at St Eunans Cathedral for 12 noon Mass with burial afterwards in the family plot in Conwal Cemetery.
Family flowers only please, donations in lieu, if desired, to Donegal Hospice, c/o Paschal Blake Funeral Director, Stony Arch, New Line Road, Letterkenny.
Family time from 10pm to 12 noon and on the morning of the funeral.
Mary Orr, Newtoncunningham
The death has occurred at Letterkenny University Hospital of Maisie Orr, late of Rylands, Newtowncunningham. Her remains are reposing at her residence. Funeral from there tomorrow, Saturday January 14th, at 2pm for service in Ray Presbyterian Church at 2.30pm. Burial afterwards in the family plot. Family time from 11pm to 11am.
Family flowers only, donations, if desired, to Ray Presbyterian Church Hall Fund, care of Gibson Funeral Directors, Convoy or any family member.
* If you wish to have a death notice included, please e-mail: editorial@donegaldemocrat.com and include a contact telephone number for verification.
A dangerous cliff rescue carried out by members of a Donegal coast guard team that probably saved the life of a walker will be recalled on tonights Late Late Show on RTE One.
The rescue of the hill walker, who had slipped 400 metres down cliffs at Slieve League on New Years Day 2013, was carried out by Killybegs Coast Guard.
As weather conditions made an airlift of the patient impossible, members of the coast guard team had to abseil down the 400 metres to rescue the man who was trapped on a ledge in a rescue that took nine hours to carry out.
Tonights Late Late Show will feature an interview with Bernard Lucas, husband of coastguard volunteer, Caitriona Lucas, who tragically died during a rescue mission in September last year.
The mother-of-two was the first member of the Irish Coast Guard to lose their life during a rescue mission. Her family will be in studio to talk to host Ryan Tubridy about the devastating impact of her death and to pay tribute to her.
The programme will will be celebrating the work of the Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI, hearing from members hailing from all around the country and some of the people who owe their lives to their tireless efforts.
Shane McCrudden, deputy officer in charge of the Killybegs Coast Guard, will appear on the show.The walker rescued from Slieve League that day, Cormac Nolan from Carlow, later said it was a miracle he survived.
He had slipped and slid 400 metres, unable to stop his descent until he came to rest on a ledge.
The coast guard team were tasked to the incident at 1pm after the caller raised the alarm on one of two mobile phones he had with him.
It being a holiday, the rescue had the benefit of all 24 members of the coast guard team.
After arriving at the car park at the cliffs, they had to carry 3.5 tonnes of equipment to the top of Slieve League, which took over an hour. Two climbers abseiled down to the level of Mr Nolan, who was 28 years old at the time, only to find they were 150 feet to the left of where he was stranded.
The decision was made for them to ascend and a new rope rig be established so climbers could descend to the casualty.
It took three hours for the climbers to ascend, the old rig to be taken down and a new one set up before two fresh climbers were able to descend.
Light was supplied to the rescue effort by the Sligo 118 Coast Guard helicopter and the Arranmore RNLI all-weather lifeboat.
The team were in touch during the rescue with the casualty on his work phone. That phone probably saved his life, Shane McCrudden told the Donegal Democrat. He had a work phone which was an old Nokia and his personal phone which was a smart phone. The smartphone had lost power and that Nokia phone probably saved his life.
A doctor who was walking the cliffs presented himself to the team and waited as the rescue was carried out to give first aid.
When the climbers got to Mr Nolan it was assessed he was a walking casualty suffering from mild hypothermia.
It took an hour to take the causality up attached to a climber, while the other climber waited on the rope.
By the time the second climber reached the top, it was 10pm.
The Killybegs Coast Guard team were awarded the Michael Heffernan Bronze Medal for Marine Gallantry for the rescue.
Four of the seven newly elected Coffee County Constables were sworn into to perform the duties of constable possibly for the last time on Thursday morning at the Coffee County Courthouse in Elba.
On Monday, the Coffee County Commission unanimously approved a resolution to abolish the constable position per the request of Sheriff Dave Sutton.
Citing liability issues and the fact that the county simply does not use the constables, the commission passed the resolution and it will now be sent to the Alabama Legislature where, if it is passed as a local bill the position will be abolished when the new constables four-year terms end in 2020.
Longtime Coffee County Constable Howard J. Verner said that the Sheriffs Office refuses to accept the constables assistance despite repeated offers.
I havent had any cooperation from the sheriff since Ive been a constable and Ive made several offers to assist the sheriffs department, Verner said Thursday morning. Ive bought two brand new vehicles to assist in the duties of the constable and the sheriff never availed himself to my services. We could be a great asset to the county in serving papers.
Boyd Hartzog , a 45-year law enforcement veteran, along with Verner and Howard Lee, have expressed their displeasure with the fact that the commission neither notified any of the constables nor the public that a vote was going to be held on abolishing the position.
Enterprises Mike Nowicki, a longtime law enforcement veteran serving for years as deputy sheriff in both Wisconsin and Georgia, agreed with Verner and Hartzog about the way the commission went about the resolution being wrong, but also agreed with Suttons stance on the position.
It does not surprise me its not the first time the sheriff has felt the constables were antiquated and he doesnt want to work with us however, I support him because the constables are antiquated and a liability not only to the county but to the state, so I support Dave very much, Nowicki said. Ive known him for a long time and his working relationship with me is not like with Mr. Verner so I dont have a problem with whats going on.
Nowicki cited many of the issues that Deputy Sheriff Ronnie Whitworth brought up Monday in regards to training for constables.
One of the things that is important here is training, Nowicki said. Constables are not required to have any training whatsoever and anyone that is running the roads (as law enforcement) that is not trained is definitely a liability.
While it is true that there are no requirements for training or law enforcement background to be a constable, it is also true that many constables still possess that training and law enforcement background.
Hartzog has been an investigator in the military, a state trooper, police officer, deputy sheriff and even New Brocktons police chief. Hartzog also receivs 100 hours of training per year and is still certified by the state as a law enforcement officer.
According to Verner, Alabama Sen. Jimmy Holley has been contacted regarding this matter and Hartzog confirmed that he has spoken to a lawyer to find out if there is anything they can do in regards to the way the matter was handled by the commission.
The Coffee County Board of Registrars will be losing longtime registrar Denine Richey this month as she begins her new career as an Elections Analyst in the office of Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill.
The Board of Registrars hosted a Farewell Reception at the Coffee County Farm Center Complex Thursday afternoon attended by members of the Coffee County Registrars Office, Coffee County Commission, Coffee County Sherriffs Department, Sen. Jimmy Holley and State Rep. Barry Moore among others.
Both the Coffee County Commission and Secretary of States Office issued proclamations in honor of Richeys service with the Board of Registrars and the board presented Richey with a plaque as well.
Richey was named the 2015 Pilot Club Enterprise Woman of the Year and has been a central figure for the Coffee County Board of Registrars Office for nearly a decade.
Weve always had a great relationship with the commission office, probate office, circuit clerks office and 911 with all of the things weve needed to do over the years, Richey said. To be able to work for the last eight-plus years and thoroughly enjoy every single person you come into contact with and work with and know that everyone is working together is such a privilege. Im going to miss seeing all of you and having that.
Holley noted Richeys leadership qualities as being a key to her success.
This young lady has exhibited all of the leadership qualities you would want with a public servant, Holley said. We in Coffee County appreciate the way you handled this job and the way you made people feel when helping them register to vote.
I thank you for your service and I think you on behalf of the people of Coffee County and State of Alabama.
Moore grew up with and attending Enterprise High School with Richey and said that while Coffee County is losing a great public servant, the state will reap the benefits of her work.
I was upset when I heard she was leaving, Moore said. I know John Merrill and hes a hard working guy and hes able to spot hard working people. She was always working and I think John recognized that in her.
She does a great job and we were honored to have her serve for us for eight years and there is no doubt she will do a fine job at the next level.
Fellow registrar Linda Blake said that it was Richey that trained her when she first began working with the Coffee County Board of Registrars and she knows that after being trained by her Richey will do a fantastic job taking her knowledge to the Secretary of States office.
Sadly, we will miss seeing Denine every day but we are absolutely thrilled and excited for her as she continues her work as an Elections Analyst for the State of Alabamas Elections Division located in Montgomery, Blake said. Were proud of you and wish you the very best.
Richey will begin her work with the Secretary of States office on Jan. 17.
The Holden Commodore, as we know it, will die October 20, 2017.
While the Commodore name will live on with an imported model but the last Australian-made example will roll of the production line in Elizabeth, South Australia in October, two years after Holden announced plans to end local manufacturing. The first Australian-made Holden, the 48-215, went into production in November 1948.
Richard Phillips, executive director of manufacturing, confirmed the date today, saying it would bring closure to the remaining production lining employees.
"While this confirmation isn't a surprise for anyone and we've been working toward this for nearly four years, we can now confirm the actual date for our people and our suppliers. Putting our people first and foremost has always been our highest priority," Phillips said.
"This October may bring to a close more than 60 years of vehicle manufacturing by Holden at Elizabeth but I know it will be business as usual for our manufacturing workforce until then we have tens of thousands of world-class cars to build in coming months and I know we all want to see Holden have great success in Australia for many years to come."
Of the 700 employees to have already left the company since it announced its closure plans in January 2014, the company claims 69 per cent have found re-employment within 12 months of leaving.
"It's not surprising that their skills, work ethic and flexibility are highly sought after and they are leaving a legacy for Holden that deserves to be honoured by ensuring this company has a bright and successful future," said Holden managing director, Mark Bernhard.
The end of the Australian-made Commodore will begin Holden's new era as a fully-imported brand. As an importer the company has committed to launching 24 new models between 2014 and 2020 to totally overhaul its line-up.
Beyond that Holden will continue to employee 300 designers and engineers at its Melbourne head office as part of its role within General Motors' global plans.
"Holden continues to change but we are proud to retain a significant presence in Australia for the long-term that includes more than 300 people across our local design and engineering workforces, in addition to the approximately 700 corporate staff and 10,000 people employed across our dealer network," Bernhard explained. "Holden remains committed to Australia and our customers for many, many years to come."
Ford closed its Broadmeadows plant on October 7, 2016 ending a 90-year run building cars in Australia.
Holden's announcement leaves Toyota as the final manufacturer left to make its final production date public. The Japanese brand is committed to building the Camry and Aurion models in its Altona facility in Melbourne until "late" in 2017.
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LEBANON The Lebanon City Council on Wednesday approved a set of regulations on a 4-2 vote allowing people to open recreational marijuana stores in Lebanon's highway commercial zone and downtown.
The regulations also allow for establishments that produce, process or distribute recreational marijuana to operate in Lebanon's industrial zone.
Walt Wendolowski, community development manager, presented an ordinance that limited recreational marijuana stores to the highway commercial zone, which is the commercial development south of Oak Street. That ordinance would have prohibited retail stores in downtown.
City councilor Jason Bolen strongly disagreed with not allowing recreational stores downtown.
"I feel that is prohibitive to to the entrepreneurial freedom to citizens in Lebanon," he said, adding that it wasn't the city council's job to regulate what types of stores should be open in downtown.
Bolen made a motion to allow the establishment of recreational marijuana stores in the "Central Business Commercial District," which is what downtown is called in official city documents. That motion passed on a 4-2 vote.
Wendolowski said the city needed to create a set of regulations surrounding several aspects of recreational marijuana because Lebanon citizens, in the November election, shot down a city council ban prohibiting the sale, distribution and production of recreational marijuana.
The approved ordinances prohibit setting up recreational marijuana stores in the mixed-use area of Lebanon, which often includes residential areas, Wendolowski said. Retail stores also are not allowed within 1,000 feet of a school, not allowed within 250 feet from a park, and must be 1,000 feet away from another pot store.
"So in other words you're not going to see a situation where there's one, two, three operations next to each other," Wendolowski said.
A retail facility must be in a permanent structure.
"So you're not going to see someone with a temporary use with a van in someone's parking lot," Wendolowski said. "You cannot operate this as a home occupation."
Walk-up or drive through facilities are prohibited.
The ordinance was passed as an emergency measure and goes into effect immediately, city attorney Tre Kennedy said.
In other business, the city council approved an amendment expanding the definition of smoking to any Inhalant Delivery System, Kennedy said.
This was done to add to the ban of smoking in Lebanon city parks, and using the phrasing "Inhalant Delivery System will address any new products that come on the market, Kennedy explained.
Hardly a week goes by without news of automation displacing humans from the workforce. Automation is a disruptive force that is transforming every industry, raising questions about the work that people do and the future relationship between man and machine.
The recent study, The Future of Businesses and Jobs in Asia Pacifics Digital Economy, highlights that regional executives are highly concerned about the future of jobs due to the impact of digital; 98% of the executives surveyed feel that many jobs will be lost to robots, making them reluctant to augment job effectiveness with machines. In fact, when it comes to leveraging machines for their own benefit, regional executives lag their counterparts elsewhere by 50%. Strikingly, only 21% believe digital will give them a personal career advantage and improve their job satisfaction.
How to beat the bots?
The downside to automation, of course, is that some tasks and full jobs will be assumed by machines. All of us will need to enhance our current skill sets but probably not in the way many expect. It may sound counter-intuitive, but in a world of more pervasive technology, activities that humans do well will be even more important in 2020 than today. Analytical, communication and learning skills, as well as the ability to relate to other people, are all vital for business success. But in the coming years, these very human traits things we do naturally, but computers struggle with will become even more essential in our personal and work lives and for our businesses.
On average, 80% of Asia Pacific executives feel that analytical (ability to add value to other information, conduct knowledge work, and use models and other analytical tools) and global operating skills (ability to work across countries and business cultures) will be more important in 2020. As Alphabets Eric Schmidt rightly notes, The biggest issue is simply the development of analytical skills. Most of the routine things people do will be done by computer, but people will manage the computers around them, and the analytical skills will never go out of style.
Machines may help improve productivity, but they arent producing the ideas that move businesses forward. For instance, software bots today cant dance, sing, adjudicate a trial, comfort a patient, ask insightful questions, teach a child or lead a team. They can help, but they cant do it. Being able to apply judgment, creativity and the human touch are all far outside the purview of current and near-future technologies, and this will remain the case for some years to come, even as the new machines become more capable. The work ahead will require us to double down on the activities where humans have and will continue to have an advantage over silicon (for example, collaborative problem-solving, creativity, abstract thinking, adapting to change, balancing a work life with a personal life, and so on). The work ahead wont so much be about beating the bots as about being better humans in the digital economy.
Unlearning the past will be the biggest challenge
Despite the analytical, global operating and innovation skills showing the continuing value of human work in the digital age, Asia Pacific executives are slow in unlearning the past to learn new things. Only 35% of regional leaders surveyed compared with the global average of 60% feel they need to be more focused on learning skills to access and apply new information from different data sources. In fact, they are almost 20 percentage points behind in honing their strategic thinking and leadership skills. This shows that many employees and businesses in Asia Pacific have not yet fully thought through how to take advantage of the opportunities and mitigate the risks produced by new waves of technologies.
Roll over risks before they roll over you!
The future of your career will not be determined by your last job title, but will be based on the new skills you can develop for the work ahead. Changing business models often translate to skill set imbalances. Robots and machine learning are likely to replace specific human tasks over the next five to 10 years, challenging workers to focus on new skills and adjust to rapid changes in core job skillsets. This trend requires organisations to acquire and nurture the skills that are required today but also fit tomorrows needs.
Regional executives must execute their digital vision with bold precision to meet the greater ambitions of what it means to be truly digital because the ultimate success will require an open mind, perseverance and courage. You have the power to choose whether digital transformation works for or against you and your business.
About the author
Manish Bahl is a Cognizant Senior Director who leads the companys Center for the Future of Work in Asia Pacific. A respected speaker and thinker, Manish has guided many Fortune 500 companies into the future of their business with his thought-provoking research and advisory skills. Within Cognizants Center for the Future of Work, he helps ensure that the units original research and analysis jibes with emerging business-technology trends and dynamics in Asia Pacific, and collaborates with a wide range of leading thinkers to understand how the future of work will take shape.
SWEET HOME New Sweet Home Mayor Greg Mahler said his goals leading the city council in 2017 will be economic development and improved health care opportunities for the communitys 9,000 residents.
Its all about bringing job opportunities into the community, Mahler said. We have to see economic growth because that affects every aspect of our communitys well-being.
Mahler who is halfway through a four-year term of office was elected mayor by his fellow council members at a Tuesday evening meeting. Also taking the oath of office based on the Nov. 8 election results were incumbents Dave Trask and Diane Gerson and newcomer Lisa Gourley.
Trask was elected as mayor pro-tem.
Mahler follows in his father Johns footsteps when it comes to public service. John Mahler served on the city council in the 1980s.
Greg Mahlers first experience on the council was completing a term in the mid-1990s.
I saw it as an opportunity to help the community that at the time I felt was in turmoil, Mahler said. It was also when the community wanted to develop a new fire hall. Our old one was in bad shape and outdated.
Mahler returned to the council eight years ago, again completing a term of office after the death of Bob McIntire.
I felt like the community was headed in the wrong direction, Mahler said. I wanted to help bring some positive change.
That change, Mahler said, can be summed up in one word: jobs.
We are currently developing an incentive program that would give companies that expand or bring in new jobs some breaks when it comes to city fees, Mahler said. We also want to become more business friendly in terms of dealing with the city.
Mahler said that new City Manager Ray Towry brings several years experience in economic development to the position.
A major project for 2017 will be renovation of the former Sweet Home Ranger District building into a new City Hall. The city purchased the building last year for $750,000.
Mahler said he strongly supported the purchase of the building because the city needs a new City Hall and because construction of an entirely new building would cost several million dollars.
Mahler expects the total cost of the City Hall project to be less than $1.5 million, and the property is large enough that the city will be able to develop a park there.
Some people are concerned because we will be moving City Hall more toward the center of town and away from downtown, but all studies show the community businesses are moving in that direction, Mahler said.
The city had built up a fund over several years to pay for the building and the expected sale of the former water plant property on Ninth Street will help pay for renovations, Mahler said.
As part of the communitys economic development goals, the city plans to improve several parks, starting with Sankey Park.
City staff has been working with the University of Oregon Community Planning Workshop, which has developed a master plan to improve the park that is in the heart of downtown Sweet Home. Estimated cost is about $400,000, but could be undertaken in phases.
We have great recreational opportunities and lots of water to attract industries, Mahler said. But people also want all of the amenities expected in a good community and that includes parks, education and police and fire protection.
As a long-time fire department volunteer, Mahler also believes improving the citys health care services is important.
We have the largest fire district in the state at more than 1,100 square miles, Mahler said. We cover to the top of the pass and all of the logging roads between here and there, Mahler said. We probably average two or three air ambulance flights per month.
An ad hoc health committee has been meeting regularly for the last year, including representatives from Samaritan Health Services.
Mahler believes the community needs an Urgent Care type of facility in addition to the current Samaritan Health Services clinic.
Im excited about 2017, Mahler said. I think that we can do a lot as a council and there is a bright future for the community. I think we are on the right track. I like the council members. We dont always agree with each other, but we have some new faces on the council and they are bringing fresh ideas to the table.
Albany City Councilor Rich Kellum had the right idea when he and other councilors were considering whether to offer a $50,000 grant to a local business that was thinking about leaving town:
Said Kellum during Wednesday's meeting of the council: "The bottom line is: Is it worth it? That's all there is to it."
In other words, does the deal pencil out for the city? In the case of the Albany business Ameri-Tool, the answer is simple: Yes. And the council did the right thing on Wednesday night when it unanimously voted to approve the $50,000 proposal. (The money will come from economic development funds that the city set aside from its settlement deal when an agreement for a PepsiCo bottling plant fell through; the fund still has more than $3 million available.)
The new owner of Ameri-Tool, Todd Piller of Lebanon, has big plans for the injection mold plastics company. But Piller also had in hand an attractive offer from Deschutes County to move the business and its 25 employees to Redmond.
And, truth be told, Ameri-Tool is exactly the kind of traded-sector business that economic development officials love to lure to their communities. The fact that the business pays an average wage of $25 an hour makes it even more attractive.
So Pillar did what any businessperson would do: He went to city of Albany officials to see if they had any interest in matching the offer from Redmond.
They did.
Before the meeting, Kellum confessed to some hesitation about the deal: "I'm a little bit skeptical of a person who says 'give me money or I'll leave'," he said. But, as he noted later, the bottom line clearly favors this deal.
For starters, the city does get something out of the deal: In return for the grant, Piller is agreeing to keep Ameri-Tool in town for 10 years. Had Ameri-Tool pulled up stakes and moved, you could have bet the loss to Albany's economy in terms of those high-paying jobs and assorted property taxes over the next 10 years would have certainly been much more than $50,000.
But there's an additional potential payoff: Piller said he would use the money to pursue certification that would allow it to bid on a range of much larger contracts from the federal government and defense industries. If Ameri-Tool has success in winning those, the company could grow: He told the City Council that he could add 50 employees to his payroll over the next few years.
Any economic development official will tell you that it's much easier to retain jobs than it is to lure new companies to town, especially with the competition between communities for businesses at such a fever pitch. And the fact that these jobs at Ameri-Tool are relatively high-paying just increases the stakes.
It's taken the better part of a decade for Linn County to recover the jobs that were lost when the International Paper mill in Millersburg shut its gates. And the jobs that our recovering economy has generated generally have not been as well-paying as jobs that we have lost. (This is part of the reason why the economic recovery here never has felt as robust as it has elsewhere in Oregon.) So it wouldn't have made much sense for the council to play a game of economic chicken with Ameri-Tool.
And it's worth noting that this sort of deal is available only to a small number of businesses: It won't do, for example, for the owner of a fast-food joint to try to reach a similar agreement with the city. But in the right circumstances and when the numbers pencil out it makes perfect sense. (mm)
To all jet setter out there who are planning a get-away to Vietnam anywhere between July 13, 2009 to September 30, 2009 this is your chance to grab an opportunity to check-in one of the most awesome hotel Ive ever stayed.
Accorhotels.com is having a Vietnam Hotel Super Sale you can book a room for as low as $45 if you book from now until July 13, 2009 only!
Why do you have to stay in a nice hotel when you can spend the money for accommodation for something else right? But with this awesome Vietnam hotel sale you dont have to settle for a cheap transient motel. Aside from Novotel, Accor Hotels also tied up with Accor Grand Mercure and Mercure hotels, which are among the nicest hotels Ive ever been.
But honestly I would suggest you try Novotel, any Novotel will do. Their service is superb like this Novotel in Ha Long Bay which is the first 4 star internationally recognized hotel in this popular region in Vietnam which is 3 hours away from Hanoi. It has 214 beachfront hotel 214 where you can have an overlook of the idylic seascape. which is great for business travel or family holidays, the hotel boasts modern interiors and great facilities including WiFi Internet!
Edmonton is one of the provinces in Alberta, Canada and if I am not mistaken that is where a loved one temporarily resides. Compared to the Philippines their land area is so huge and less populated than here and so most of them know each other by face in there. So I think most of those who try the edmonton chat line in one way or the other have bumped in to each other before and so a personal meet is very much possible than talking with someone 10,000 miles away.
I recently met up with a friend who was telling me about her trip to Europe. Shed finished her travels with a holiday in the Canary Islands, off the south of Spain. The sun, sea and strangely beautiful landscapes sounded so amazing that I immediately started planning my own trip!
It didnt take much searching around online to find last minute holidays in Lanzarote; as a popular Canaries destination, there are lots of deals going, especially if youre just looking for a late winter holiday like me.
Its not hard to see why its such a popular island near to Africa, the climate is really warm and sunny all year-round. Apart from the chance to sunbathe and swim, one thing that really appeals to me is the environmental conservation on Lanzarote. There arent any big high-rise hotel complexes or concrete shopping malls to spoil the view!
Im fascinated by different landscapes, and looking at my friends travel photos I was amazed at Lanzarotes beautiful, lunar-like appearance, formed long ago by the volcanic activity on the island. Im planning to take a trip to the national park to see a house thats built in five bubbles of petrified lava flow, and afterwards maybe eat dinner at a restaurant where they cook the food using volcanic heat from underground rocks!
There are fantastic watersports in Lanzarote, too, and Ive found a surfing school that has a great reputation so Ill be learning to ride the waves. Id love to do some diving as well, especially because the seas around Lanzarote have amazing shipwrecks, caves, and all kinds of marine life, including the graceful manta rays
Of course, I want to get some relaxation time in as well so Im thinking of heading for the shopping and sightseeing in the old town of Teguise, which used to be the capital. There are big colonial mansions and cobbled streets, so lots of quaint and fun photo opportunities! However, Im told that the best restaurants are in La Graciosa, which is a tiny island to the north of Lanzarote. There are no cars allowed there, only bikes and feet!
Its not long to go until I fly off to the Mediterranean. I havent had chance to see much of the Northern hemisphere, so it will be a really different experience for me. Have you ever been to Lanzarote or any of the other Canary Islands? Tell me all about it below!
Stay gorgeous everyone!
As some of you know, my active involvement in issue advocacy and politics was ignited by one man more than any other: Barack Obama. He inspired me to be the change I wish to see in the world.
After working to get him re-elected in 2012, both as a neighborhood team leader and Michigan Deputy Digital Director, I realized that was the kind of work I wanted to do full time. One of the first places I began using my writing to educate and engage others was Eclectablog.
When I first reached out to Chris Savage about writing a post, he said he insisted on paying all of his writers and didnt have the budget at the time. I begged him to let me say what was on my mind and he did. Not long after, he brought me on as a paid contributor, for which I will be forever grateful.
Since then, Chris has significantly expanded Team Eclectablog to bring diverse viewpoint to the task of making sure Progressive voices are heard both ours and yours. We provide information that can help you make better voting decisions and take actions to support elected officials and policies that work for the good of the people and push back against those that dont. Your contributions make our work possible.
In the final days of President Obamas administration, what lies ahead in the next four years feels stark and painful. But President Obama has made it clear that we can and must continue the work we started together. Im committed to that task, as I know you are, too. At Eclectablog, well continue covering the issues we know matter to the Progressive community and we will fight to protect the progress weve made. We are all part of President Obamas legacy, both those of us who work to educate and engage, and those of you who read and act on the information we share.
If you find what we do here important and are able to help support us financially, we would be most grateful. There are two ways to help. First, you can use the handy PayPal forms at the top of the right sidebar to make a one-time donation via Paypal or to set up a monthly donation. Second, you can send a check (which avoids Paypal taking out a percentage of your donation) to Chris Savage, P.O. Box 32, Dexter, MI 48130. Please make the check payable to Eclectablog.
To sweeten the pot this time, for every donation of $75 or more, we will send you Anne Savages incredible photomosaic of Barack Obama titled Out of Many, We are One. This image, created out of the faces of people attending his rallies in 2008, appeared as a two-page spread in TIME magazine in their January 2009 Person of the Year issue and has been on the cover of magazines and books around the world:
Thank you for your continued support.
[Photos by Anne Savage.]
Amazon on Thursday announced it will create more than 100,000 new jobs across the United States over the next 18 months, ranging from entry-level opportunities to positions for engineers and software developers. All will be full-time jobs with full benefits.
Many of the jobs will be in new fulfillment centers currently under construction in Texas, California, Florida, New Jersey and other states.
The company increased investments in its fulfillment centers and in video content in 2016, Chief Financial Officer Brian Olsavsky said in a conference call following its third-quarter earnings report last fall.
The announcement shows Amazons bullish on the U.S. economy, said Andreas Scherer, managing partner at Salto Partners.
Although most of the new jobs will be in Amazons growing number of fulfillment centers, the companys aggressive expansion of its cloud business also means more jobs for engineers and software developers to run its massive IT infrastructure, he told the E-Commerce Times.
Further, Amazon is seeking new ways to handle its own package delivery, which means significant job opportunities to support the logistics value chain, Scherer said.
What About the Robots?
Amazons fulfillment centers are highly automated. The company has deployed at least 45,000 robots in them so far, and plans to continue automating processes. That raises the question of whether the fulfillment center new hires might be replaced by robots.
The short answer: not any time soon, said Seth Lippincott, a senior research analyst at Nucleus Research.
Amazon will need to hire a lot of very smart people to successfully implement the automation projects it has planned, he told the E-Commerce Times. Those high-skill, technical jobs arent going to be replaced by automation.
Further, Amazon is taking on Walmart, which did over (US)$70 billion in U.S. net sales, Lippincott noted, and the turf grab seems to make more sense in the near term than trying to squeeze out efficiencies.
Making America Great Again
Amazon is summarizing the jobs program in advance of the inauguration, observed Ray Wang, CEO of Constellation Research.
Its announcement shows that it is aligning with the overall Make America Great Again message on job creation, he told the E-Commerce Times.
CEO Jeff Bezos is offering an olive branch to President-elect Donald Trump by getting behind his job creation agenda, Scherer suggested.
The two had butted heads over the role of The Washington Post during the election, he noted. Bezos owns the Post.
Incoming president Donald Trump is now a gift to Amazon, suggested Trip Chowdhry, managing director of equity research at Global Equities Research.
Amazons announcement, Teslas pledge to build its gigafactories in the U.S., and Alibaba Groups promise to bring a million jobs to the U.S. are very good signals that companies expanding and investing in their footprint will do well, he told the E-Commerce Times.
Amazons Future Path
Amazons moves suggest it believes the American consumer market is still strong and will continue to be so, said Nucleus Researchs Lippincott.
Amazons North America sales in Q3 totaled $18.87 billion, which was below the $19.09 billion analysts had expected, he noted, but it might be going through some growing pains, where sales figures lag to catch up with the investments it has made. I dont think it is under threat in the e-commerce department.
Amazon Web Services brought in revenues of $3.23 billion in Q3, beating Wall Street projections of $3.17 billion, and analysts expect AWS to account for a growing proportion of the companys earnings.
AWS could deliver 43-50 percent revenue growth for the next three to five years, Global Equities Research projected last month.
There are a lot of potential areas where [Amazon] can expand, Lippincott suggested. Its technology plays are some of the fastest-growing parts of the business.
Jobs growth lies in the tech sector, Constellation Researchs Wang pointed out, and with Amazons investments in technology, it is gaining on its rivals, which gives it a competitive advantage.
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By Melissa Kravitz
As climate change makes it harder for avocado growers to produce the fruits, the criminal underworld has seized on avocados ever-growing popularity.
In January 2015, the Washington Post demonstrated how this once rare, seasonal and regional treat has become a supermarket and fast-food mainstay, with American avocado consumption doubling in the past five years, to about 4.25 billion avocados consumed annually in 2015. And with average avocado prices exceeding $1 per avocado in the colder months, its easy to see why this multibillion-dollar industry has inspired some criminal activityespecially as avocados are now considered a luxury item.
When it comes to growing avocados, getting them to fruition on a tree and having them ready to pick, literally those are dollar bills hanging on a tree, said Ken Beckstead, who grew up on an avocado ranch in San Diego and later worked for Texas Henry Avocado Corporation. Fruit thefts are a multimillion-dollar-a-year industry.
Money may not grow on trees, but for farmers without proper security or fences, Haas avocados growing openly are an easy target for criminals.
Youre on such a fine profit margin, said Beckstead, noting that the outsides and edges of avocado groves and a few rows in are most susceptible to avocado theft. Not only are these profits being stolen from the growers, but improperly cut avocados or avocados broken at the stem and left to ripen on trees are not sellable.
Growing an avocado is no easy task. An avocado tree needs 40-50 inches of rainwater per year to thrive. Thanks to the ongoing drought and summer heatwaves in California and negative effects of climate change in Mexico and the American Southwest, avocado farming has become more difficult.
While demand for avocados increases, so does the potential for theft. What everything centers around is water, Beckstead said. Theres such a drought in California, the water rates are so high that literally if you dont have a well and youre not pulling water up out of the ground, you cant afford to grow avocados anymore.
He also noted that other countries dont filter their water to the same standards as American growers, making it cheaper to irrigate their crops.
Worse yet, those who want to profit from avocado sales will do whatever it takes to grow the profitable fruits. In Chile, the second-biggest avocado growing region after Mexico, a river in the Ligua Valley was drained by 2014 to feed thirsty avocado plants.
Because theyre overexploiting the water by throwing it at the hills, the river has dried up, Ricardo Sanguesa, an avocado farmer in the region told Civil Eats. Water smuggling can deprive small farmers and local communities of the water they need to live, just to grow the green gold.
Some in the avocado industry, however, claim there is no connection between crime and avocados. Perhaps regionally, thats true. Ramon Paz-Vega, strategic adviser to the Mexican Avocado Producers and Packer-Exporters Association, believes there is no definitive link between the two.
The facts are that avocados have become a U.S. staple and a global cultural phenomenon. This popularity has created a more profitable business, which has led to job opportunities for thousands of people in the Mexican state of Michoacan, Paz-Vega said. Now, citizens of Michoacan have an opportunity to make a decent, productive and honest living. Without this crop, many of those small farmers and workers would be migrants or recruits of organized crime who want to capitalize on the success of others.
APEAM works with communities of growers and Mexican and U.S. officials to ensure we are protecting our farmers, their livelihoods, and the integrity of their work, Paz-Vega explained.
This contradicts investigative reports that a Michoacan drug cartel called the Knights Templar reportedly makes $152 million from avocado extortion. Ramon-Paz claims this report is based on outdated information and since early 2014, the Mexican government has taken strong action against organized crime in Michoacan, where the majority of the avocado industry is based.
Essentially, the state is now under the control and protection of the Mexican federal government, which has dismantled the cartels and defused their threats, he explained. In addition, USDA [U.S. Department of Agriculture] inspectors supervise our orchards and packinghouses on a daily basis. He is pleased that progress has been made to protect thousands of hard-working family farmers who have continued to work diligently to support their livelihoods and meet the growing consumer demand worldwide.
Even if we theoretically believe avocados from Mexico are crime-free, avocado smuggling isnt limited to North America. Following bad weather and bush fires in New Zealand and Australia, regional avocado prices hit a 50-year high and pilfering of avocados and black-market avocado sales spiked. In 2016, The Economist reported a smuggling epidemic of avocados from Panama to Costa Rica and a high likelihood of avocado criminal activity in Mexico.
Beyond alleged criminal activity, avocado farming has some proven negative effects on Mexican land. As Talia Coria, an official in Mexicos attorney generals office for environmental protection recently told the Associated Press, deforestation due to avocado farming is dire. Coria told the AP that between 30 to 40 percentbetween 15,000 to 20,000 acresof Michoacans annual forest loss is caused by avocado farming.
Whos buying these smuggled avocados?
There are so many unscrupulous restaurant market people there who can buy a pickup truck of avocados for half or quarter price, Beckstead said. Thats the problem: Theres a black market for the fruit.
Unfortunately, economics and ethics dont always pair together like chips and guacamole.
Thats really where the problem liesa direct supply chain to the restaurants, Beckstead said of the ongoing avocado underworld. As long as restaurants are willing to buy ingredients on the cheap, the avocado black market will persist.
Thankfully for conscious consumers, determining if guacamole ingredients are sourced ethically isnt difficult.
On the distribution side, Beckstead said that while working at Henry Avocado, he and his colleagues knew every farmer, every property. If someone was trying to sell avocados that were not in the proper picking and ripening bins, we knew right off the bat if they werent right, and the sheriff would get a call. Selling avocados out of a bag or pickup truck is a red flag, he said.
At supermarkets, all avocados should have a sticker denoting the producer or distributor. Of course, if youre in an avocado-growing region, you could also try and source directly from the farm yourself, or buy into a local CSA offering avocados.
And if youre at a restaurant, just ask where the avocados are sourced from. If the server doesnt know, ask to speak with a chef or manager until you get the answer: A restaurant without transparent sourcing isnt one you want to eat at. And removing demand for smuggled avocados is an effective way to end the practice once and for all.
Reposted with permission from our media associate AlterNet.
Extreme weather, from drought to heavy downpour, lambasted much of California over the last couple of weeks.
An atmospheric river brimming with moisture, known as the Pineapple Express, brought tropical Hawaiian water to California with some of the worst flooding since 2005. The river can carry up to 15 times the equivalent volume of the Mississippi River. According to NASA, Between 30 and 50 percent of the annual precipitation in the western U.S. comes from just a few atmospheric river events.
More than 350 billion gallons of water poured into Northern California reservoirs last week. Reservoirs from Mount Shasta to Lake Tahoe filled faster than any time since 1922. Lake Shasta is the states largest reservoir, a crucial water source enabling agriculture in the otherwise dry San Joaquin Valley. Lake Shasta is now 82 percent full.
Fifteen feet of snow fell on Mammoth Mountain in the eastern Sierras from Jan. 6 to 11. Kirkwood Ski Resort added 11 feet of snow in five days. Since Oct. 1, precipitation in the Sierra Nevada has been on pace with 1982-83, northern and central Sierra, and 1968-69, southern Sierra, as the wettest winters on record in modern times.
With the extreme rainfall came deadly mudslides, torrential flooding and hurricane-force winds. Thousands of people were forced to evacuate their homes. At least four fatalities are linked to rain, snow, mudslides and flooding.
Squaw Valley Ski Resort in Olympic Valley recorded a record-breaking 173-mph wind gust at its 8,700-foot peak. Thats equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane, which rips buildings off their foundations.
The National Weather Service reported a tornado that tore through the community of South Natomas in the states capitol Sacramento. It left a half-mile swath of destruction, shredding trees, and leveling metal awnings and a fence.
Though rainfall from December to late February is the normal pattern, San Francisco received more rain in the first eight days of January than it did during all of 2013.
Whats happening in the Bay Area is unusual, Tom Fisher, weather specialist for the National Weather Service in Oxnard, told the Los Angeles Times.
Heavy rains and winds in northern California took their toll in Calaveras Big Tree State Park, 90 miles east of Sacramento. A giant Sequoia named Tunnel Tree lost its footing and came crashing to the Earth.
More than 40 percent of the state is no longer in drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Most of that area accounts for Northern California and the Sierra Nevada.
Despite the staggering amounts of precipitation from the Pineapple Express, parts of Southern California received no measurable rainfall. As a result, those drought stricken areas doubled from 18 percent to almost 35 percent.
The drought has not let up on the Central Coast, said David Matson, assistant general manager of the Goleta Water District.
Los Angeles and Orange Counties along with parts of central California are officially still experiencing extreme drought. While Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties remain in exceptional drought. Santa Barbaras Lake Cachuma added a meager 3 percent to its water levels, which is only 11 percent full.
With more precipitation forecasted for next week, water-starved Southern California could get a reprieve.
More moisture will also help Californias parched forests. Over the last five years, 102 million trees have died from water starvation and bark beetle infestations.
Even though the U.S. Army Corp and the Obama Administration denied a key easement needed to complete the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) last month, the struggle against the controversial pipeline is far from over.
https://twitter.com/LeftonMain/status/804105831616630784
North Dakotas new Republican Gov. Doug Burgum has reaffirmed his favor of the project, telling Reuters that he is confident that the pipeline will be approved by Donald Trump when he comes into the White House.
I expect the worlds going to change dramatically on that day relative to finding resolution on this issue, Burgum said. I would expect that (Energy Transfer Partners, DAPLs parent company) will get its easement and it will go through.
The president-elect formally announced his support for the completion of the DAPL last month. His transition team noted that his support for the pipeline had nothing to do with his personal investments and everything to do with promoting policies that benefit all Americans.
Burgum has requested that the demonstrators clean up the protest camps near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation before spring floods from rain and melting snow create a potential ecological disaster.
According to Reuters, more than 300 vehicles, along with dozens of temporary dwellings and other detritus, have been abandoned at the encampment, with at least one campsite sitting on a flood plain.
Water Protectors camping near the Dakota Access Pipeline construction site. Dark Sevier/Flickr
The amount of cleanup that needs to take place is enormous, Burgum said. Weve got a potential ecological disaster if this land floods and all the debris flows downstream into tribal lands.
About 700 to 1,000 pipeline protesters remain at the Oceti Sakowin camp even though Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault IIs has requested them to leave due to the harsh winter conditions. The chairman said the pipeline fight will continue in court.
Burgum, a former tech executive who won the governors race with nearly 77 percent of the vote, took office last month as tensions mounted between DAPL protesters and law enforcement officials surrounding the $3.8 billion oil project. In November, police used items such as tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters in freezing temperatures.
The protests have been ongoing since last spring. The Standing Rock Sioux and their supporters say the 1,100-mile pipeline, which crosses the Missouri River and sacred sites, threatens their access to clean water and violates Native American treaty rights.
Proponents of the DAPL, which is expected to transport 470,000 barrels of Bakken crude oil per day, say the pipeline is the safest and most environmentally friendly way to transport the fuel.
The Army Corps announced on Dec. 4 that it will not provide the necessary easement and recommended an environmental impact statement (EIS) considering the Tribes treaty rights and route alternatives to the Lake Oahe crossing.
But in a video message released just 24 hours after taking office, Burgum criticized the Obama Administration for politically [stalling] a legally permitted project that had already been through an exhaustive review process and has twice been upheld by the federal courts.
I support the legal completion of this pipeline. Make no mistake, this infrastructure is good for our economy. And its the safest way to transport North Dakota products. Failure to finish it would send a chilling signal to those in any industry who wish invest in our state and play by the rules.
Dakota Access is adamant about completing the pipeline. The company has filed a lawsuit against the Army Corps claiming it had all the permits and permissions it required in order to complete a critical crossing at Lake Oahe.
In response, both the Army Corps and the Standing Rock Sioux filed a motion with the U.S. District Court in Washington, DC, on Friday asking the judge to throw out the companys lawsuit.
The Army Corps states in its brief to the court that the companys claim should be dismissed, the Bismarck Tribune reported.
There is no signed document conveying to Dakota Access an easement to construct a pipeline under Corps-managed land. The army is still considering (the) easement application, the Army Corps told Federal Judge James Boasberg.
The tribes attorney, Jan Hasselman of Earthjustice, said that Dakota Access created its own mess.
Its own choicesincluding building a significant portion of the pipeline before it had any permits and refusing to voluntarily cease construction in the disputed area around Lake Oahe, as the government repeatedly requestedare responsible for its current predicament, Hasselman said.
A press release from the Standing Rock Sioux also states that the Army Corps has not, and could not have, issued the easement yet. It further adds that the Army Corps decision to provide a full EIS on route alternatives for the pipeline was legally required and appropriate in light of the history of the Sioux.
DAPLs lawsuit is a desperate attempt to bully the government into getting the easement and violating Standing Rocks rights, Archambault said. It will not succeed. We look forward to working with the Corps on an EIS that fully takes into account our history and our rights, and are confident that the easement at Lake Oahe will ultimately be denied.
By Kieran Cooke
It was the worst nuclear accident in history, directly causing the deaths of 50 people, with at least an additional 4,000 fatalities believed to be caused by exposure to radiation.
The 1986 explosion at the Chernobyl power plant in Ukraine also resulted in vast areas of land being contaminated by nuclear fallout, with a 30-kilometer exclusion zone, which encompassed the town of Pripyat, being declared in the area round the facility.
A building in the abandoned town of Pripyat, which sits inside the Chernobyl exclusion zone. Ryan Roberts / Flickr
Solar Power Plant
Now two companies from China plan to build a one-gigawatt solar power plant on 2,500 hectares of land in the exclusion zone to the south of the Chernobyl plant.
Ukrainian officials say the companies estimate they will spend up to $1 billion on the project over the next two years.
https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/status/761571941471760384
A subsidiary of Golden Concord Holdings (GLC), one of Chinas biggest renewable energy concerns, will supply and install solar panels at the site, while a subsidiary of the state-owned China National Machinery Corporation will build and run the plant.
It is cheap land and abundant sunlight constitutes a solid foundation for the project, said Ostap Semerak, Ukraines minister of environment and natural resources.
In addition, the remaining electric transmission facilities are ready for reuse.
In a press release, GLC state work on the solar plant will probably start this year and talk of the advantages of building the facility.
There will be remarkable social benefits and economical ones as we try to renovate the once-damaged area with green and renewable energy, said Shu Hua, chairman of the GLC subsidiary.
We are glad that we are making joint efforts with Ukraine to rebuild the community for the local people.
Radiation that escaped as a result of the explosion at Chernobyl reached as far away as the mountains and hills of Wales in the UK, and a substantial portion of the radioactive dust released fell on farmlands in Belarus, north of Ukraine.
Till now the exclusion zone, including the town of Pripyat, has been out of bounds for most people, with only limited farming activity permitted on lands that are still regarded as contaminated.
Many former residents of the area are allowed back only once or twice a year for visitsto their old homes or to tend their relatives graves. However, a growing number of tourists have been visiting the Chernobyl area recently.
There has also been renewed interest in Chernobyl due to recent major engineering work at the plant, with a new steel-clad sarcophagusdescribed as the largest movable land-based structure ever builtbeing wheeled into position over much of the structure, to prevent any further leaks of radiation.
As yet, neither the Ukrainians nor the Chinese have disclosed the safety measures that will be adopted during the construction of the solar plant.
Chernobyl Wildlife
Ecologists who have visited the exclusion zone around Chernobyl say that there is an abundance of wildlife in the area, with substantial populations of elk, deer, wild boar and wolves.
Other researchers say there is still evidence of contamination, with limited insect activity and disease in many smaller mammals.
Reposted with permission from our media associate Climate News Network.
The Every Student Succeeds Act gives states new responsibilities and wide latitude to rethink how they determine if a school is successful.
But amid enthusiasm for that broader vision for accountability come questions and challenges as state leaders seek public opinions and buy-in from the educators and district-level administrators who will carry out their plans.
The big question: When redesigning a states accountability model, how bold of a change is too bold?
In addition to traditional accountability measuresEnglish-language proficiency, graduation rates, and scores on state achievement teststhe new federal education law requires states to incorporate at least one other indicator into their accountability systems. That indicator must be measured at the student level so that data can be disaggregated to show trends among groups of students, like racial groups and English-language learners.
The law lists a few examples of other indicators, including school climate and student engagement, but it gives states broad discretion about which, and how many, factors they select. Some examples suggested by state leaders and education policy watchers include college-going rates, access to arts and science education, and rates of chronic absenteeism.
Some advocacy and interest groups have pushed for state leaders to use the new measure to dramatically reshape their education systems to include more whole-child factors, like measures of social-emotional learning, student support, and schools ability to move the needle on student traits like grit and self-management.
Caution From All Corners
But the potential for big shifts in school accountability has also been met with caution from other corners of the education field: researchers who warn that some measurement methods arent ready to be used in high-stakes accountability; school leaders who say they lack the resources to meet some new, creative benchmarks; and the reality of the time and effort it takes to collect and assess new forms of accountability data.
Another concern: Data collection needs to be done in a way that is consistent across schools and districts.
It has great potential to allow states the flexibility of looking at some of the things we know are important in terms of what really constitutes a high-quality education, Kristen Amundson, executive director of the National Association of State Boards of Education, said of the new indicator. That said, potential doesnt always translate into actuality. The expectations for what [the other indicator] can do may be a little higher than what it can actually deliver.
Amundson said she expects some states to start with less-dramatic new accountability plans, adding data they already measure, like school suspension rates, rather than incorporating a host of factors related to students relationship skills and well-being.
Measuring School Performance Education Week asked teachers to select the area they would most like to see their states measure for ESSA accountability purposes. The largest share of survey respondents (23%) pointed to students social and emotional learning.
But some states may begin collecting data in those social and emotional areas to get baseline information, to gauge its reliability, and to explore the possibility of incorporating it into accountability systems in the future, she said.
Even under [No Child Left Behind], which was much more prescriptive, states changed accountability measures and metrics many times, Amundson said. I think the message states need to get outand some are alreadyis what weve said for a long time: School is much more than a single test score. This is our first attempt at it.
A survey of 634 teachers by the Education Week Research Center illustrates divisions in what states should track to gauge school quality and how they should measure those factors.
Social-emotional learning ranked the highest among a list of possible other indicators, with 23 percent of respondents saying they favored it. Also ranking among the top were student engagement, at 19 percent; college and career readiness, at 15 percent; and student mindset at 11 percent.
Respondents were also divided about how to measure their favored indicator. The highest preference, classroom observations specifically conducted for the purpose of measuring nonacademic factors, won support from 21.4 percent of respondents. Surveys of students won support from 13.4 percent, and surveys of teachers were favored by 10.4 percent of respondents.
While backers of social-emotional learning have suggested states use their new models to encourage it in schools, many have stopped short of encouraging them to directly measure students competencies in areas like self-management and growth mindset.
Thats because, well before President Barack Obama signed ESSA into law, high-profile education researchers warned that existing measurement methods of areas like social-emotional learning are prone to a host of biases that make them unreliable and unusable for accountability purposes.
Most measures of a students social and emotional skills development are done through self-report surveys, through which a student rates his or her own competencies.
Ideal, Not Reality
But some research has shown that students whove completed lessons on skills like self-control and relationship skills may actually rate themselves lower in those areas than their peers who have not completed such lessons because they have a better understanding of what the concepts mean and how much they have to learn. That means schools could actually see their social-emotional learning scores go down after they seek to assist students in these areas.
Currently, perfectly unbiased, unfakeable, and error-free measures are an ideal, not a reality, researchers Angela Duckworth and David Yeager wrote in a 2015 essay published in Educational Researcher that detailed an array of flaws with current measures.
That didnt stop a group of California districts, known as CORE, from incorporating student surveys about social-emotional learning into their accountability system, which was developed before ESSA was approved.
Leaders of that multimetric effort say schools use the data as a flashlight, not a hammer"meant to illuminate what does and does not work in schools and not to simply identify schools in need of heavy handed interventionsand that the accountability plan could be adjusted as better measures are developed.
They encouraged California leaders to consider their model, which also includes factors like suspension rates and how quickly English-language learners transition into mainstream classrooms, as the state designs its ESSA model.
Approaches to Measuring Accountability Indicators Education Week asked teachers to give their opinions on the best way to measure the performance area they would most like to see their states include in ESSA accountability systems. Roughly one-fifth of survey respondents said that classroom observations conducted to assess nonacademic factors would be the best method, making it the most commonly cited approach.
Californias new state-level accountability model, approved by the state board in the fall, does not incorporate measures of individual student traits. Rather, its list of school quality metrics includes measures of school climate that seek to gauge how safe and supported students feel at school.
Conditions for Learning
Boosters of social-emotional learning have said school climate measures, which are often also determined through student surveys, are much more reliable than self-report surveys of student traits because they measure students perceptions of their environment and, when gauging a school environments effects on learning, perception is reality.
A healthy school climate is necessary to help foster students social and emotional development, and it is also often the result of that work, said David Osher, a vice president at the American Institutes for Research.
We need both the capacity to learnlets say to learn mathematics, which includes my ability to self-regulate and to handle stressbut I also need to be in an environment in which I am able to learn, where I do feel safe, supported, and so forth, Osher said at a November panel on ESSA hosted by AIR in Washington. Those two are always fundamental ... If we ignore the environment, we ignore what creates the capacity.
Osher assisted the U.S. Department of Education in the creation of a free, online school climate survey tool that can be used by schools, districts, and at the statewide level. While the idea for that tool predated ESSAs passage, the survey results may be useful as states consider climate as an indicator, he said.
Still others have encouraged the use of broader proxy indicators that can be affected by a variety of school policies and practices. Rates of chronic absenteeism could be affected by anything from school health services to student engagement to wraparound services, advocates for those fields say. And states are already collecting data on attendance, leaving fewer hurdles to incorporating it into their accountability plans, they say.
Public Input
State leaders say that, whatever shape their plans ultimately take, they are working to communicate their discussions with educators and members of the public at large. They aim both to seek a wide array of input and to win cooperation and support when new systems are put into place.
Virginia hopes to create its plan to comply with ESSA as an offshoot of an ongoing effort to update its school accountability and accreditation at the state level, said Cynthia Cave, the assistant superintendent for policy and communications at the Virginia Department of Education.
State leaders have met with teachers, superintendents, business leaders, and members of the public in their efforts to determine how to measure school success, she said. In the end, they intend to choose a broad array of factors.
In an online survey accessible to anyone in the state, which received nearly 16,000 responses, participants were asked to rank 16 possible indicators. The top three choices were college and career readiness, graduation rates, and a measure of the quality of the learning environment.
I think the message states need to get out is ... what weve said for a long time: School is much more than a single test score.
Were asking How do you measure it? How do you define it? How will we decide what is good enough and what is not good enough? Cave said.
Amundson, of the national school boards group, said states are bound to face some resistance no matter what indicators they choose. She encourages state decisionmakers to be careful and deliberate and to anticipate some possible future adjustments.
In this country right now, where people dont trust institutions, if you only put into any system those things that would get 100 percent acceptance with no pushback, what are you left with? Puppies and cat videos on the internet, she said. I think state boards should do what is right.
Is there a disconnect between the academic mainstream and a vast number of Americans? No question. Is the disconnect a problem for academics? Without question.
Recently, I searched the term segregation in Google Scholar, and it yielded 1.75 million hits. The term intersectionality yielded over 32,000 hits.
In 2014, I ran as the Democratic nominee for superintendent of public instruction in Arizonathe states highest education office. I spoke with voters daily about the issues facing their schools and ideas for improving them. During the campaign, segregation was not brought up once. Not once. No one mentioned intersectionality. Not a single person. To me, it is evident that even though academics may want to believe they are speaking truth to power, few are listening.
How Left-Leaning Are Universities? Explore the geographic distribution of 2017 RHSU Edu-Scholars concentrations and the political composition of their universities faculty. Source: Mitchell Langbert, Anthony J. Quain, and Daniel B. Klein (Econ Journal Watch, 2016); Associated Press
For public-minded academics, meaning those who regularly engage with laypeople (in person) on education issues, this disconnect is a familiar challenge that we navigate routinely. The profession as a whole, however, has lost step with the general publicand with many politicians, for that matterbecause too few academics are public-minded.
Its too convenient and cliched to write that academics or our ideas are out of touch. The problem is that we have become complacent. We discuss our ideas comfortably to friendly audiences that do not question the applicability of our scholarship to those outside the room. We largely present to our own where too few are encouraged to ask the so what? question. In fact, the so what? question is often discouraged for fear of offending our colleagues.
See Also For more in this package, please visit:
But when I engage with laypeopleand, yes, politicians are laypeopletheir first question about education research is, in fact, So what? How does that study impact my students, my schools, my constituents? How does that study matter to my life? To be prepared to engage publicly means being prepared to answer these questions.
I am not arguing that education research is unimportant. Rather, I believe that academics are an essential voice in public and policy discussions. We need to work harder, and more explicitly, though, to connect education research with the general public. We must make the case for its importance outside academia just as ardently as we do within it.
Who Are the 2017 RHSU Edu-Scholar Rising Stars? This table lists the top 10 junior scholars who have not yet received tenure, according to the 2017 RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings.
I recognize the institutional barriers to engaging in public scholarship. The academic reward structure lists heavily toward peer-reviewed scholarship. Here, the institutional leadership must have the courage to value public scholarshipor, to go a step further, dedicate at least one faculty position to public scholarship, someone who is promoted based on contributions beyond those in peer-reviewed academic journals, such as crafting legislation or leading a task force.
My overarching concern for those in education policy, however, is that our disconnection with the general public means a disconnection with politicians, too. There is much that academics can do to engage with the public and, in turn, help shape the policy agenda.
We must begin by engagingin person. It is not enough to post, click send, and walk away.This one-sided communication is not engagement. The strongest factor in educating and influencing the political sphere is personal contact. This is a tall order because academics spend very little time with politicians, and virtually no time with politicians who hold an opposing or critical worldview.
The Public Influence of Edu-Scholars Linda Darling-Hammond, Diane Ravitch, and Gloria Ladson-Billings took the top three spots in the 2017 RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings. Click on the chart below to learn who took the other two spots. (The affiliations cited are drawn from the scholars CVs.)
We must have answers. Academic careers are built upon identifying problems. We problematize issues. We create contested spaces. Yet, to be productive in the public sphere, we need to translate this theorization into answers to practical, real-world policy issues. If you dont have answers to problems facing real people, politicians will stop asking you questions. Often, these answers are not idealized. Rather, they are the result of compromise and dialogue. They are the most actionable plan at the moment, rather than the scientifically best option.
Lastly, we need unlikely allies. If your work is so compelling that the legislature or the press needs to hear about it, then someone outside of academia should be willing to make your case. These unlikely allies include community members, business or nonprofit leaders, even politicians from the other party. If you cannot convince someone outside of academia (or beyond yourself) to discuss and promote your work, then its not of public importance.
Since running for officeand in spite of losing the electionI am still called upon by politicians from both sides of the aisle along with many community groups. My approach to public scholarship is the same as my approach to teachingto provide frameworks for people to better understand public education and make decisions. As academics, we do this well. Its time we make it known beyond our own.
Spurred by President-elect Donald Trumps promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, some education officials are wrestling with the possibility that student data might be used in new ways that could have harsh consequences for some students and families.
In recent weeks, the boards of Californias Los Angeles Unified and Santa Cruz city schools passed resolutions vowing to resist any requests for student information from federal immigration officials. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson supported their stance, calling on districts throughout the state to become safe havens for immigrant students. The Denver, Minneapolis, and District of Columbia school systems also affirmed their commitments to not share student data that might imperil undocumented students and families, unless compelled by law.
There are certainly records that could be part of our files that could be of potential interest in [deportation] proceedings, said Los Angeles school board chair Steven Zimmer in an interview. We are going to protect that information.
Schools generally do not track whether students or their families are in the country illegally. They do, however, typically collect and store a wide range of related data, including students country of origin, home language, and date of entry into U.S. schools. Schools also typically maintain directory information that includes students home addresses and phone numbers. In some states, they may also collect and store some students Social Security numbers, although schools are by law not allowed to deny enrollment to a student without such information.
In addition, dozens of state education departments maintain databases containing information used to determine if children qualify as immigrants under federal guidelines. The U.S. Department of Education operates the Migrant Student Information Exchange, which allows states to share educational and health information on migrant childrenmany of whom are immigrants, and some of whom may be undocumentedwho travel across state lines.
In the era of big data, such information could easily be combined with other data sets and used to make inferences about students immigration status, said Bill Fitzgerald, the director of the Education Privacy Initiative at Common Sense Media. The information held by schools and states could also be used to help locate or investigate individuals who may be subject to deportation, or to provide tips to immigration enforcement authorities.
However, none of those potential uses aligns with the original reasons for the collecting the data. And the information is legally protected by federal and state privacy laws, as well as a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that enshrines the right of undocumented children to a free public education.
But since his November election victory, Trump has nominated immigration hardliners to key Cabinet and advisory positions. And though elected officials in many liberal cities have vowed not to cooperate with federal immigration-enforcement authorities, millions of Trump supporters embraced his call for a crackdown on illegal immigration, according to pre-election surveys by the Pew Research Center.
Students Legal Protections
The resulting uncertainty alone could have a big impact on schools and families, said Monica Bulger, a senior researcher at Data & Society, a New York City-based research institute focused on the social and cultural issues arising from increasing use of data-based technologies.
Protecting and Sharing Data Some school district leaders are pondering the implications of shieldingor sharingwith federal authorities information pertaining to students immigration status. Three primary legal frameworks apply: Privacy: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act prohibits schools from sharing personally identifiable student information without parental consent. But the law contains exceptions for instances in which schools must comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena, and directory information, such as name and address, can be shared if there was prior notification. State privacy laws would also apply. Plyler v. Doe: This 1982 U.S. Supreme Court ruling holds that children in the United States are entitled to a free public education regardless of their immigration status. Districts must not chill the ability of undocumented students or the students of undocumented parents to enroll and attend school, which has direct implications for the sharing of student information. Vendors: The federal Stored Communications Act would govern any federal requests for student data collected and stored by technology vendors. The law allows law-enforcement authorities to access limited types of information (such as metadata) with a subpoena, which in some cases may be granted without judicial oversight. More concrete information about specific individuals typically requires a court-approved warrant, which can only be issued with probable cause. Source: Education Week
My concern is that right now there is a lot of fear and speculation, Bulger said. In an anti-immigrant environment, any data can become fair game to penalize families.
On the campaign trail, Trump called for the creation of a deportation force to round up and remove all of the countrys estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants. After winning the presidency, Trump said his immediate priority will be to deport 2 million to 3 million undocumented immigrants he believes to have criminal records. His remarks have not focused on school-age children.
Trump and his transition team have offered mixed signals on whether they might target undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children and willingly provided extensive information to the federal government as part of President Barack Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy. K-12 schools and districts and state education departments do not hold any of the information provided by those Dreamers.
Elected officials in hundreds of U.S. cities and other local jurisdictions have said they will work to limit their cooperation with any such plan.
The school board in Minneapolis is among those vowing to not let authorities from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement come on to their physical campuses without a valid warrant or court order. A resolution passed in December also states, District employees, contractors, volunteers and representatives shall not, unless compelled by a valid court order, by law or subsequent to receiving a signed release, disclose to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers any information about a students or familys immigration status.
Such a stance could be tested under a variety of scenarios.
Immigrant Students' Data a New Worry for Ed-Tech Companies Fears that the federal government could seek to use information related to immigration in ways that could be harmful to some students and their families are being felt in the ed-tech industry, as well as school districts. This isnt just an education issue. Its a data issue, said Bill Fitzgerald, the director of the Education Privacy Initiative at Common Sense Media. President-elect Donald Trump has consistently called for a crackdown on illegal immigrants, though the details of what that might mean have shifted throughout his campaign and presidential transition. Although there has been no explicit call for using student data to aid in immigration-enforcement actions, some school districts and immigrant advocates are preparing for a variety of possibilities. Immigration advisers to the Trump transition team did not return requests for comment. In the K-12 sector, a wide range of vendorsfrom makers of student-information systems to developers of educational software to online-service providerscollect and store huge amounts of student data. The information is generally protected by state and federal privacy laws, as well as the contracts between companies and school districts. Some ed-tech companies, such as San Francisco-based Clever, which helps thousands of districts manage the information they share with vendors, have long-standing policies of not collecting sensitive data they dont need to run their services. From our perspective, the best way to make sure a students immigration status isnt getting out is to not have it in the first place, Clevers CEO, Tyler Bosmeny, said in an interview. In other cases, companies may not have the technical ability to provide the data they store, at least in an unencrypted format. And tech companies would almost certainly challenge any broad federal request (or demand) for information on entire groups of people, said John Verdi, the vice president of policy at the Future of Privacy Forum, a Washington think tank. But theres still a considerable gray area. The federal Stored Communications Act would govern any federal requests for student data collected and stored by technology vendors, Verdi said. The law allows law-enforcement authorities to access limited types of information (such as metadata) with a subpoena, which in some cases may be granted without judicial oversight. More concrete information about specific individuals typically requires a court-approved warrant, which can be issued only with probable cause. Whether and how tech companies comply with more-targeted requests would likely be determined only after an extensive legal back-and-forth on the nature of the information being sought and how the concept of probable cause is interpreted, among other issues. Its uncharted territory, and I dont think it will be settled quickly, Verdi said. Tech companies holding lots of data have stood up for their users. But when there is a proper legal notice delivered, these folks comply with the law. Thousands Sign Resolution With so much still uncertain, more than 2,800 technology-industry workers have signed on to a pledge to resist any efforts to build a database of people based on their constitutionally protected religious beliefs or facilitate mass deportations of people the government believes to be undesirable. Trump, whose public statements have indicated changing stances on the details of immigration-related issues, has at various times voiced support for mass deportations and for a registry of all Muslims living in the United States. Among the specific commitments made by those supporting the neveragain.tech movement are to advocate for minimization of data collection and retention within their organizations, to support end-to-end encryption wherever possible, and to engage in responsible whistleblowing if they are unable to stop what they believe to be illegal or unethical uses of data. Ben Kraft, an infrastructure engineer at the Mountain View, Calif.-based nonprofit Khan Academy, is one of the ed-tech workers to sign on. Im not worried that [Khan Academy founder Sal Khan] is going to come up to me tomorrow and say, I need you to build a database of Muslims for me. Thats not our field, and I trust the leadership not to do that, Kraft said in an interview. But we do have a lot of data on our students, by virtue of recording logs for debugging and understanding how people are using our product, he said. Its something to think about going forward.
The most dramatic, but least likely: a massive federal effort to mine student records wholesale in a dragnet-style search for undocumented immigrants.
Such an untargeted approach would almost certainly face stiff legal challenges from schools and advocacy organizations. Two primary factors would be at play, said Francisco M. Negron Jr., the chief counsel for the National School Boards Association.
The first is privacy laws, especially the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Under FERPA, schools are prohibited under most circumstances from sharing personally identifiable student information without prior parental consent.
And the second is Plyler v. Doe, in which the Supreme Court ruled that children in the United States are entitled to receive a free public education, regardless of their immigration status. The federal departments of Education and Justice have repeatedly determined that schools may not pursue policies or practices that might discourage such students from enrolling or remaining in school.
Any broad federal requests or demands for data pertaining to students immigration status that might chill students from coming to school would be a concern, said Negron. For the time being, at least, they would also seem unlikely to survive a court challenge or win broad public support.
Anti-Immigration Strategies
Indeed, even hardline immigration opponents describe the idea of a federal fishing expedition using student records as far-fetched, and potentially counterproductive to their cause.
We should not be enforcing immigration laws at the schoolhouse door, said Ira Mehlman, the media director for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, or FAIR. The organization has been labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, which cites FAIRs ties to white nationalists and white supremacists.
Mehlman dismissed the charge as nonsense, saying FAIR does not support immigration restrictions based on such characteristics as race or religion.
Other scenarios are not so easily dismissed, said a variety of experts consulted by Education Week, including Muzaffar Chishti, the director of the New York City office of the Migration Policy Institute.
If, for example, a more aggressive U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency were seeking to locate a students family member whom ICE had already determined to be in the country illegally and guilty of a crime, information held by schools could prove valuable. And if federal authorities decided to go after undocumented immigrants with ties to criminal gangs, youths themselves could also become the subjects of targeted requests for information.
For a district hoping to resist sharing such data, FERPA could prove an inadequate legal shield, said Negron, of the National School Boards Association. A provision in the law allows schools to share personally identifiable student information without parental consent to comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena.
It also remains uncertain whether existing laws would prevent a districtor even a lone employeefrom proactively sharing some information that might help immigration authorities pursue enforcement actions.
Under FERPA, for example, schools may share a students directory information, which can include name, place of birth, address, and phone number, so long as they previously notified the students parent or guardian about the possibility of doing so.
And districts, schools, or individual employees could also choose to proactively share with authorities non-personally identifiable informationsuch as information about rapid growth in students who are foreign-born or who dont speak English.
That information could be used to support immigration enforcement actions in the surrounding community, such as raids of local employers.
Legal Strategy
Thats a strategy advocated by FAIR, despite its general statement that schools should not be the focus of immigration-enforcement actions.
What [school districts] should be doing is letting the federal government know if theyve got a growing number of students who appear to have all the characteristics of being in the country illegally, said Mehlman, the groups spokesman.
The general idea, Mehlman said, is to deter undocumented immigrants from staying in the United States by making it as difficult as possible for them to access jobs and public benefits. That was the strategy behind a wave of FAIR-backed laws passed earlier this decade in states such as Alabama and Arizona. In addition to making it a criminal offense for undocumented immigrants to register a vehicle or rent an apartment, the measures required school districts to ask new students to show proof of citizenship or lawful immigration status. Alabamas law also required districts to report that information to the state education department.
The laws were crafted with the help of Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who also works with FAIRs legal affiliate and is an adviser to the Trump transition team. After legal challenges from advocacy groups and the Obama-era Department of Justice, the laws were found to be unconstitutional. Kobach and Lou Barletta, a Republican Pennsylvania congressman who is also advising the Trump transition team on issues related to immigration, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
But immigration hardliners still support the general approach, leading some educators and immigration advocates to brace for a new wave of local and state ordinances and bills. If the U.S. Department of Justice is helmed by Trump attorney-general nominee Jeff Sessions, a GOP Alabama senator who has ties to FAIR, the federal government could support, rather than oppose, such measures.
Wait-and-See Approach
The shifting winds are already causing anxiety among undocumented immigrants and worry inside some school districts.
One example of the difficult decisions education officials now face: A number of privacy advocates suggest that districts prioritize minimizing the student data they collect and store. That could include deleting sensitive information related to students immigration status, so that it cannot be misused.
You cant leak what you dont have, said Fitzgerald of Common Sense Media.
But such a strategy could limit districts ability to access federal funding. It could also hamper their ability to provide targeted support to immigrant students, and to track their educational progress over time.
So while immigration opponents consider their strategy, and while some districts pledge to resist any changes they deem threatening to undocumented students and families, many education officials are taking a wait-and-see approach.
The threat of a protracted legal battle makes it unlikely that any major policy shifts will happen overnight. But the power shift underway in Washington is a reminder that there are no guarantees when it comes to the student data collected by schools, districts, and states.
The tragedy here would be if fear wins the day, and families stop sharing essential information and were not able to meet the needs of students, said Zimmer, the Los Angeles school board chairman.
Cobb achieves first compartment status in Brazil
Cobb-Vantress has become the first company in Brazil to receive certification for poultry compartmentalisation for avian influenza and Newcastle disease from the country's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA).
The certification was confirmed at a ceremony at the MAPA headquarters in Brasilia attended by Blairo Maggi, Brazilian Minister of Agriculture, and Francisco Turra, president of the Brazilian Association of Poultry Producers (ABPA), together with Monique Eloit, director general of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
Poultry compartmentalisation is based on MAPA's Normative Ruling No. 21 established in partnership with the ABPA. This model is aimed at protecting against avian influenza and Newcastle disease through highly traceable bird health procedures, in addition to a plan for quick and efficient action for disease control in the event of an outbreak.
Bruno Pessamilio, director of the Agriculture Defense Secretariat, explained that compartmentalisation is designed to ensure that products can reach markets even during a global poultry health emergency.
Jairo Arenazio, Cobb-Vantress executive director for South America, said the company had been working to expand foreign trade for the last 10 years. At that time with the company only exporting to five countries, substantial investments were made to open up the possibility of supplying markets worldwide.
"Today, we are exporting to over 20 countries in four continents," said Jairo Arenazio. "With the help of this new compartment status, which has become a quality hallmark for breeding stock produced in Brazil, Cobb intends to increase exports further."
He said compartmentalisation had become a 'point of no return' for the poultry industry: "We are raising the health bar in the Brazilian poultry industry and showing, once more, it is leading the world in innovation and establishing a worldwide benchmark."
Francisco Turra emphasised the private sector's effort to fight epidemics. "Animal health is our passport to the world. Never has an outbreak of avian influenza been registered in Brazil, and we are on the right path to prevention. Brazil will be an island of high poultry health status in the world."
Monique Eloit saw the Brazilian certification as just the beginning of extending the process of compartmentalisation worldwide. "I want to be back in Brazil in a few years and verify that the country remains free of diseases such as avian influenza," she added.
In 2004, OIE introduced the concept of 'compartments' to recognise businesses which operate to a high standard of biosecurity that they can ensure their facilities will remain disease free even in the event of a notifiable disease outbreak in the country.
In 2009, the UK introduced its own version of compartmentalisation. It adopted all the rules of the EU compartment standard, but additionally required enhanced serological testing and biosecurity.
- Cobb-Vantress
After Jan. 30, 2017, the base will not accept drivers licenses and state IDs from Kentucky, Maine, Montana and Pennsylvania.
This is an update to the REAL ID Act, which was initially implemented Sept. 15, 2016.
These new state licenses and IDs are being added to the originally listed states - Missouri, Minnesota, Washington or American Samoa as invalid for access to the installation without an escort. However, there are two exceptions -- Minnesota and Washington residents have an option to obtain an enhanced drivers license which are compliant with the new regulations.
This change aligns the Air Forces installation access policy with requirements of the REAL ID Act, which focuses on improving the reliability of state-issued identification documents, and helps prevent a persons ability to evade detection by using a fraudulent form of ID.
These adjustments will affect the way many of us bring visitors onto the installation. For example, if you are a military ID card holder and you want to bring someone on the installation who only has an ID from states listed, your guest will only be issued an escorted entry pass - meaning he or she must be escorted by you at all times while on the base unless you have an approved alternate form of ID.
The following are alternative forms of ID that license/ID card holders from these states can use to gain unescorted entry to the base when you sponsor them:
U.S. Passport.
U.S Passport Card.
Permanent Resident Card/Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551).
A foreign passport with a temporary (I-551) stamp or temporary (I-551) printed notation on a machine readable immigrant visa.
An employment authorization document that contains a photograph (Form I- 766).
Identification card issued by Federal, State, or local government agencies, provided it contains a photograph and biographic information such as name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color, and address.
U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Cards/Credentials.
PIV or Federally-Issued PIV-1 Cards (Personal Identification Verification) issued by the Federal Government.
PIV-I card (Personal identification verification-Interoperable Issued by Non-Federal Government entities).
DHS Trusted Traveler Cards (Global entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST).
Merchant Mariner card issued by DHS/ United States Coast Guard (USCG).
Border Crossing Card (Form DSP-150).
U.S. Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-550) and U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551).
U.S. Refugee travel document or other travel document or evidence of immigration status issued by DHS containing a photograph.
A Foreign Government Issued Passport.
If your guest has REAL ID Act compliant credentials, he or she may be issued an unescorted pass and will be allowed to enter and move around the base without an escort. As always, all personnel visiting Ellsworth AFB will receive a background check.
Contractors who possess a current Common Access Card (CaC) will not be affected by these changes. Additionally, if a contractor has a Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) card for access to the base, he or she is not affected until the card expires. However, once the card expires or is up for annual renewal, the contractor must have a REAL ID Act compliant credential to receive a new card. If he or she does not have a compliant credential, that individual will have to be escorted on the base to perform his or her work. Furthermore, if a contractor is on a current temporary (paper) pass and does not have a compliant credential, the pass will no longer be honored as of Feb. 1, and that person will need to be escorted onto the installation.
If you have any questions, please call the Visitor Control Center at (605) 385-2895 or visit the Dept. of Homeland Security website (https://www.dhs.gov/current-status-states-territories).
As Ive mentioned before, we dont make typical New Years Resolutions. Instead, Im always striving to find ways to be a little more efficient, find recipes that are a bit healthier, and, this year, my big Unofficial New Year Resolution was to find more ways to spend quality time as a family. Being from the land of 10,000 lakes, we have plenty of opportunity to get to the local beach and enjoy some water exercise and fun during the summer months but one of my ideas for the new year is to take advantage of the punch cards available to use the pool at our local hotel. I think this will be an awesome way to get the entire family active and out during our long winter months. To make this new endeavor more exciting, I turned to FINIS and was thrilled to be able to partner with them for this review.
FINIS is the worldwide leader in Technical Swimming Development and have a wonderful array technical gear, goggles, caps, swimwear, and accessories as well as a lineup of products geared just for kids!
One of the first products to catch my eye happened to be their Floating Island. Our 11, 9, and 6 year old have all taken swim lessons and their teachers have utilized a product like this so I wanted to get one for ourselves so we can continue to work on skills as well as utilize with our younger two kids. The Floating Island offers a large, safe learning environment for kids that is both flexible and sturdy. Created from EVA foam, it floats in the water while the holes allow water to seep through easily without hindering performance. Whether using it to swim, practice kicks, float on, or just play with, its tons of fun!
Also in their childrens line are Reusable Swim Diapers as well as Child Finz. With our first couple children, I took the typical throw-away route as I had no idea that reusable swim diapers were even an option. Once I discovered them, Ill never go back! They offer the same protection but so much more in the comfort department. Since most schools and pools require them, the FINIS Reusable Swim Diaper is a great choice. They are even available in a variety of patterns and sizes. Just wash and reuse over and over. Plus, the gentle woven polyester lining is soft again little ones skin and these Swim Diapers even offer UPF 50+ protection.
The Child Finz are just smaller in size and help younger swimmers gain confidence and learn the proper horizontal body position in the water. Offering a comfortable and flexible design, the adjustable velcro heel strap makes them easy to get on and off.
Next up, I wanted to share a few other products and accessories from FINIS including: Long Floating Fins, Foam Kickboard, and Surge Polarized Goggles. I love using the Foam Kickboard to practice and improve kicks for both myself as well as the kids and the design is made to help decrease stress on the shoulders during use. Weve purchased several cheap versions at local stores and every single one has snapped within a couple of uses. The FINIS Foam Kickboard is very high quality, flexible, and will definitely stand up over time.
The Long Floating Fins are appropriate for both fitness use as well as for competitive swimmers and comes in a variety of color coded sizes. I love the extra kicking power they provide while the soft and secure fit is also comfortable. Another great feature is that they are made from a floatable rubber which makes them perfect for utilizing in our Minnesota lakes during the summer!
Nobody in our family likes getting water in their eyes when swimming so the Surge Polarized Goggles are a great asset. These highest clarity fitness goggles are designed with wide curved lenses and feature patented side-button clips for easy strap adjustments. They are anti-fog, provide both UVA and UVB protection, and also offer glare protection.
So as you can see, FINIS offers some really great products and Ive just only began touching on all that they offer. All in all, everything weve experienced has been created with quality, comfort, and performance in mind. I know that our new FINIS products will be a great asset to helping get our family out and active together all year long. We are huge FINIS fans and I think you will be too!
Buy It: Head over to FINIS Inc. to see for yourself the great selection of products they offer.
Connect: Dont forget to like FINIS on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, and subscribe to their You Tube Channel for all the latest news and promotions.
Win It: FINIS Inc. is generously offering one of our lucky readers a prize duo of a Fin (winner may choose from the Long Floating Fins or Child Finz) and a pair of Surge Goggles! This giveaway is open to the US and Canada and will end January 27th, 2017. For your chance to win, enter the Giveaway Tools below. Good luck!
Entry Form
Im a city girl turned country by my awesome husband and we have three busy boys and two darling daughters. I love spending time with my family, reading Karen Kingsbury novels, and catching up with friends while our kiddos have play dates. Im blessed beyond measure and cant wait to see what God has in store.
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Police urge sex offence victims to come forward
Police are urging anyone who has been the victim of an historic sexual assault to come forward.
The appeal comes after a retired vicar appeared before magistrates in Douglas charged with indecently assaulting a schoolgirl in 1990.
The Public Protection Unit are keen to hear from any victim of any sexual offence recent or historic.
Officers say they can offer advice and listen to concerns as well as helping victims make a formal complaint.
Anyone wishing to speak to the unit can do so by calling Police Headquarters on 631212.
One Punch Man Season 2 is coming. This news was confirmed on the Japanese show's official Twitter account. Its first 12 episodes' season became extremely popular even in the West and the series was streamed via Daisuki and Hulu. According to Forbes, the show was even among the animations featured in Adult Swim's Toonami event in July 2016.
One Punch Man was launched as a webcomic and shortly after that, it was also developed into a manga which was written by Yusuke Murata. The action episodes were captured in frames, which added a kinetic facet to the story.
After Japanese show had success in its manga version, Madhouse was called in to make an animated re-telling of Saitama's adventures. Taking a page out of Murata's book, Madhouse also used keyframing.
One Punch Man follows the life of one bald man who wants to become a superhero. His name is Saitama and he can defeat any villain with just one punch (hence the name), but he thinks that such skill is pretty boring.
According to Breathecast, if One Punch Man Season 2 will follow the turn of events in the webcomic, Saitama will be fighting against the Monster Association soon. This villain group has 17 members, and each of them has a different disaster level (from "Demon" to "God").
Saitama will not manage to defeat the enemy group easy, according to reports. Reportedly, there are high chances that he will end up losing his "hero status."
So, he may have already weighed forces with Lord Boros in One Punch Man Season 1, but this particular enemy will most probably come back and take revenge for his defeat.
What do you think, who will be the next Saitama's villain in One Punch Man Season 2? Feel free to leave your comment below.
The much-anticipated Attack on Titan Season 2 promises to be full of action-packed adventure and mystery. The official trailer of the Japanese anime that released some time back gives sufficient hints about the story and the history of the huge creatures that are determined to destroy the last few human settlements behind the giant walls.
The trailer of Attack on Titan Season 2 was released by North American licensor Funimation on Christmas and it hints at more dangers for the human settlements. Spoilers suggest that some Titans could be lying together within the walls that have served as a defense for humanity against the gigantic humanoids. Theories imply that the protective walls are potentially dangerous and could lead to the collapse of humanity.
The trailer builds on the premise of the previous season that ended with the indication that some of the Titans could be killed or sent back by the Survey Corps. Now it is revealed that the man-eating giants are hiding in the walls as the trailer shows the partially hidden face of a giant that appears to be dormant within a crack in the outer wall.
As for the release of Season 2, the creators have confirmed that it would premiere in spring 2017, claims Screen Rant. The COO and Executive Vice President of Funimation Mike DuBoise has thanked the fans for keeping the series alive.
In a statement, he said that Attack on Titan has reached true cult status among anime fans. More than 3 years have passed since the last episode of Season 1 but the passion has not waned. Lastly, he said that they are looking forward to premiering it on FunimationNow.
Coming back to Season 2, though the trailer hints at dangers for humans, it will also explore the complex relations between the Titans and their prey.
There are indications that many Titans had been saving humans all this while and they are likely to be shape-shifters. There is talk of traitors as well as one member of the Survey Corps discusses the betrayer in their midst. Attack on Titan Season 2 is expected to stream on FunimationNow in April 2017 in Japan.
Nicole Kidman is already almost 50 years old but the A-list star still eyes to have more babies. However, it looks like his husband for 10 years Keith Urban contradicts the idea saying that he's already done being a new dad.
In an interview with BBC's 2 Victoria Derbyshire, the Moulin Rouge actress revealed that she still wants to have more kids. The 49-year-old star has four children; two from there are her kids from her past relationship with former husband Tom Cruise - Isabella (24) and Connor (21) while the other two are with his musician spouse, Sunday Rose (8) and Faith Margaret (6).
Although she now has four children, Kidman said that she still wants to have two or three more kids. "I love, love children. I love raising children," she said. She explained that having kids makes her feel good and she loves being surrounded by them.
The Others actress also described that she doesn't mind to experience again the ups and downs or raising kids. She loves to see them grow and teach them every step of the way.
However, Kidman's husband, Keith, doesn't want her plans of having another baby asserting that he is already "maxed out." "He's like, 'I'm done baby, I'm done. Let's just focus on what we have,'" she described. And although he disagreed with what she wants, the loving mother still feel "so blessed" with what she has.
People added that the Australian actress has no regrets in life and hates to use the said word. Instead, she would just give more to young people. In fact, she's already practicing it now with her nieces and nephews. Kidman also entertains the idea of adopting.
Meanwhile, Kidman also has something to say about the new president-elect of the United States of America. "[Trump's] now elected, and we as a country need to support whoever's the president because that's what the country's based on." But, she also admitted that she's quite reserved commenting about politics.
Prince William's visit to the Child Bereavement Centre in UK opened up some buried wounds and feelings about his mother, Princess Diana, as well as anger over her death. While sitting quietly with Aoife, a nine-year-old, he exchanged feelings about the loss of his mother, and said he could understand her grief over her father's death.
He told her, according to the US magazine: "Do you know what happened to me? You know I lost my mummy when I was very young, too. I was 15 and my brother was 12. So we lost our mummy when we were young as well."
Another woman, Lorna Ireland, explained that the Prince had talked to her 12-year-old son also. The Duke of Cambridge talked about his anger and said he found it tough to explain his mom's death. The boy's mother said that the way Prince William spoke to her son was "very personal and very special."
For a long time, the Princes William and Harry had never revealed their feelings about their mother. The 22-year-old Prince Harry began to talk about his sorrow only in her 10th death anniversary, according to E!: "William and I can separate life into two parts," he said.
"There were those years when we were blessed with the physical presence beside us of both our mother and father. And then there are the 10 years since our mother's death. When she was alive we completely took for granted her unrivaled love of life, laughter, fun and folly."
The references to their mother has not been too frequent but Kensington Place released a clip showing the royal couple contributing to the 'Memory Jar' Support Group session, whose support group is designed to walk families through their different stages of mourning.
Now, the Child Bereavement Centre is celebrating its 21st anniversary, so Prince William talked about his mother. Being a Royal patron of this unit in UK since 2009, he said, "What my mother recognized back then - and what I understand now - is that grief is the most painful experience that any child or parent can endure."
But the Prince was always called "weak" if they made their wishes public. The Royal Family does not want to talk about its feelings publicly.
Now, both brothers are different from the secretiveness that they felt at that time: "My mother died when I was very, very young and I don't want to be in the position. Now I'm so energized, fired up, to be lucky enough to be in a position to make a difference," explained Prince Harry.
South Africa went about trying to secure a 3-0 series whitewash by following up a first-innings score of 426 with four top-order wickets before the close of the second day
Sri Lanka 80 for 4 (Mathews 11*, Chandimal 3*) trail South Africa 426 (Duminy 155, Amla 134, Pradeep 4-78, Kumara 4-107) by 346 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
At least one Sri Lankan enjoyed himself at the Wanderers. The third Test followed a largely predictable path as South Africa went about trying to secure a 3-0 series whitewash by following up a first-innings score of 426 with four top-order wickets before the close of the second day but Nuwan Pradeep 's ferocious four-wicket burst at least gave Sri Lanka something for their tour diary as the Wanderers lived up to its billing as one of the premier arenas for fast bowling.
South Africa maintained a grip on the match despite losing their last seven wickets for 88, with Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada picking up a brace apiece to take their combined tally in the series to 31 at 15.03. Bad light brought an early close to the evening session, with Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal having battled through several overs of insistent probing as the clouds closed in above the ground. Sri Lanka's hopes of respectability will lie with their two senior batsmen.
They needed their top order to show steady heads after Pradeep and his whirling limbs had brought Sri Lanka back into the contest by taking 4 for 1 in 18 balls before lunch but Philander reinforced South African conviction that they had established a match-defining position with his first over with the new ball. Dimuth Karunaratne survived a review for caught behind to his third delivery but made certain of his fate two balls later when some seam movement from Philander's immaculate line drew a clearly discernible edge to Quinton de Kock.
Kaushal Silva and Kusal Mendis survived the odd streaky moment to reach tea but both fell soon after to Rabada. Another thin edge behind did for Silva to end a 47-run stand before Mendis, who struck six fours and a six and also saw the debutant Duanne Olivier put down a straightforward caught-and-bowled chance during a lively knock, was chiselled out by Rabada's bouncer, a simple catch lobbing off the gloves to gully. In the next over, Dhananjaya de Silva speared a drive point as Sri Lanka subsided to 70 for 4.
SA collapse and Pradeep's four-fers 88-7 South Africa's score on the second day. They began at 338 for 3 and were all out for 426. They scored those runs at rate of 2.57, compared to 3.75 on the first day
6 Number of four-wicket hauls for Nuwan Pradeep, without a five-for. Only Australia's Wayne Clarke, with seven, has taken more such hauls in Tests.
68.54 Percentage of South Africa's runs that came from the single partnership of Hashim Amla and JP Duminy, 292 out of 426 - the third-highest contribution from a partnership in an all-out innings for South Africa. The highest for them is 70.77%, when Alviro Peterson and Amla made 209 out of a total of 296 at Eden Gardens in 2009-10.
33 Wickets taken by Sri Lanka fast bowlers in this series - the second-most for them in any away series. Their highest is 41 wickets in New Zealand in 1990-91.
Success for the home quicks was not unexpected after Pradeep had gambolled in to cause havoc during the morning. South Africa's position was already bulwarked by the 292-run stand between JP Duminy and Hashim Amla but any hopes they had of batting on at their leisure disappeared amid a clatter of wickets in the second hour.
De Kock was the only South Africa batsman to make a notable contribution to the scorecard after the two first-day centurions and he was last man out as the persevering Lahiru Kumara also finished with four wickets. Following a slide of 4 for 14, with Pradeep on the rampage, De Kock's 34 helped swell the total to still-daunting proportions: only once in home Tests have South Africa lost after making 400 in the first innings.
The sight of the ball seaming, swinging and flying through with a hungry cordon awaiting was double-edged for Sri Lanka, foreshadowing as it did another searching examination for their batsmen. The first session was nevertheless one to savour for the tourists, arguably their best during a difficult series, as Pradeep's interventions caused South Africa to tumble from 364 for 4 to 378 for 8 in a rambunctious 30-minute period of play.
South Africa's captain Faf du Plessis - who was hit several times during his stay at the crease - may have spent lunch reflecting with satisfaction on his decision to get runs on the board first. This surface looked like only getting more treacherous to bat on.
Even if the odds were stacked against Sri Lanka, after a dispiriting first day in which South Africa made 338 for 3, Suranga Lakmal and Mathews began with just the sort of tight, probing spells needed if they were to wrest the match back their way. Amla and the debutant nightwatchman, Olivier, had added just eight to the total in as many overs, during which ball regularly beat bat, when Mathews finally made an incision, with the aid of DRS. Olivier pushed at a rising ball in the channel and tickled a fine edge to Chandimal.
The first hour was a cagey affair, as Amla attempted to retrench himself after marking his 100th Test with a revivifying hundred. Only 26 runs came, Olivier went and it could have been even better for Sri Lanka but for Mendis making an awful hash of taking a thick edge from du Plessis that looped to second slip, only to squirm from his grasp inches above the ground.
Lakmal was the unlucky bowler on that occasion and figures of 7-4-9-0 were scant reward for a spell of controlled away swing. Pradeep had no such complaints, however. In humid conditions and with the pitch having seemingly quickened up overnight, he proceeded to rip through South Africa's middle order.
Du Plessis, who had been worked over by several blows to the body, enjoyed a let-off on 1 but was taken at the second time of asking by Mendis when Pradeep had him fending at a back-of-a-length delivery. Two balls later, Temba Bavuma reached for an ill-advised drive only to see Silva snap up a sharp, overhead chance at third slip, extending a poor series for South Africa's No. 6.
There was more to come, too, as Pradeep feasted on the Bullring's famed pace and bounce. Amla was squared up by a beauty and Chandimal threw himself bodily to his right to cling on one-handed in front of slip; then Philander, having successfully reviewed a caught-behind off Kumara when his glove came off the handle, was removed by an absolute snorter that leapt from a length to take his thumb before settling in Chandimal's gauntlets once again.
Yesterday (11 January), the Council of the European Union extended the mandate of the EUs foreign mission EUCAP Sahel Mali for two years, until 14 January 2019. At the same time, the Council also allocated a budget of 29.7 million to the mission until mid-January 2018. The EUCAP Sahel Mali civilian mission works with Malis internal security forces, advising them on how to implement the reform in the security sector proposed by the government. The mission also provides training and strategic advice to the Malian police, gendarmerie and national guard, and to relevant ministries, in order to provide support for the security sector reform.
The EUCAP is part of the EUs comprehensive approach to security and development in the Sahel region. Its objective is to support Mali in ensuring constitutional and democratic order, establishing the conditions for lasting peace and maintaining authority throughout the entire territory. In addition to EUCAP, there are also two other missions underway in the region: EUTM Mali, which helps with the restructuring and reorganization of the Malian Armed Forces through advice and training, and EUCAP Sahel Niger, which supports the fight against organized crime and terrorism in Niger.
EUCAP Sahel Mali was launched on 15 April 2014 and Catherine Ashton, at that time High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said that EUCAP Sahel Mali is further proof of the EUs commitment to support reforms in Mali mission. The mission adds to our EUTM military training mission and the broader EU engagement in Mali by supporting the Malian internal security forces with European expertise. EUCAP works towards a lasting solution to the security challenges of Mali. Since the beginning of the mission, its head has been Mr. Albrecht Conze from Germany, while the headquarters of the mission are located in Bamako, Mali.
As Malta took over the EUs rotating presidency at the beginning of the new year, it was immediately accused of being a tax haven since some companies operating in the country pay as little as 5 percent tax on their profits. According to a report commissioned by Green MEPs, EUs smallest Member State would have been labeled a tax haven if the criteria defined by the European Commission for non-EU countries were applied to the EU. This is completely unacceptable and raises serious questions for the forthcoming EU presidency, said Sven Giegold, the Greens economic and finance spokesperson.
In theory, Malta has the highest corporate tax in the block but in reality a complex system of tax breaks allows companies to pay even zero corporate tax. This same situation applies to the taxation of dividends received by shareholders, which can also effectively get to the rate of 5 percent for trading companies after all discounts have been applied. In 2012-2015, the countrys regime on dividends generated in foreign countries allegedly deprived other countries of about 14 billion. Malta commented on the allegations that its tax regime had been scrutinized by the EU Commission before the country became an EU member in 2004. The fact that a country offers competitive tax rates does not make it a tax haven. Indeed, tax competition is something which many jurisdictions, including now the US and the UK, are embracing, the spokesperson said.
Valetta has also been accused of omitting the issue of tax legislation in its presidency program. However, although taxation is not one of the presidencys main priorities, it is mentioned in the official texts in fine print. The Maltese presidency will also carry forward work on a number of ongoing taxation files, most notably the direct tax and indirect tax packages of Autumn 2016. Key dossiers within these packages include the amendment to the Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive and the re-launch of the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base, the presidency program says.
Giovanni Grevi (European Policy Centre)
The election of Donald Trump as the new American President has shaken the foreign policy establishment and raised questions about the future direction of the US foreign policy. Trumps opinions go beyond the classical lines and it is impossible to assign them to one particular school of thought. Nonetheless, one can expect a fundamental shift away from the policy of outgoing President Barack Obama, whose two terms in the White House have so far been viewed with some unease.
Obamas supporters argue that the President professed a realistic approach in promoting American interests based on the cooperation with partners and engagement only when absolutely necessary. Obama distinguished between the principal matters of national security and did not succumb to the voices calling for an immediate response to the issues not entirely crucial to the US interests. His critics argue that through the strategy of unilateral concessions, Obama has weakened the United States in the eyes of its rivals and partners. Thus, a power vacuum has emerged, which encouraged rivals and challenged the US position as a security guarantor. For example, the Middle East is unstable and Russia, China and Iran are extending their spheres of influence.
In any case, Obama did not depart from the traditional elements of American foreign policy. Trumps philosophy could, however, mean the end of this practice. His approach to foreign policy is based on the opposition to the international liberal order and also on the nationalist and protectionist agenda. Trumps vision America First draws on the assumption that American interests are not supposed to be anchored in alliances, partnerships and multilateral institutions, whose establishment the United States had supported. This is, for example, reflected in Trumps plans to withdraw from the TPP or the Paris climate agreement.
According to Trump, American foreign policy should work on a transactional basis, whereby mutual relations between countries are considered based on their profitability for the United States. This view would have a major impact on the transatlantic relations. The cooperation of the United States with Europe would be more selective because the key US interests are elsewhere. This is further exacerbated by the inability of European countries to meet to a greater degree their financial obligations within NATO, which Trump repeatedly criticized in his campaign. The prospects of progress in the TTIP negotiations are similarly negative.
Trumps campaign created a clear picture of his worldview. How these views will be transferred to the concrete real day-to-day foreign policy depends on how big a role the new president will play in this area. The formulation of the US foreign policy is usually a result of conflicts, negotiations and compromises between relevant authorities as well as between the executive and the Congress.
(The study can be downloaded here)
Hi everyone, long time reader, first time member/poster. I need a little bit of advice.
A bit about me. I am 22 years of age, living in Australia. I hold a Bachelor of Arts and Im training towards my commercial pilot licence. My ambitions are to move to Canada and fly up north once I obtain my Australian licence and build some hours in the logbook - after I've converted my licence, of course.
I took the Express Entry self test and didnt meet the minimum point requirements based upon the answers I gave (I calculated I have 319 points and the minimum needed last year for a PR offer was 468). Then I considered an ordinary work visa, but I couldnt find my industry listed under the jobs options (if that makes sense). Its been my dream to move for a long time - my plan was to do two years flying in Australia, then moving - that way I have some flying experience and some money to support myself should I not find a job immediately, which is likely.
Am I missing something or have my dreams been thwarted? If anyone could offer me any advice on what to do or who to talk to, that would be genuinely appreciated. I did a free assessment based on information I supplied to an immigration lawyer based in QC and apparently my experience and skills arent good enough. I thought about flying down to Sydney and visiting the Consulate but they don't offer immigration advice.
Hearing that makes me absolutely devastated. When I visited Toronto last year, everyone I met welcomed me as if I was already home. And now Im being told that that dream of returning and making a life for myself, independently, has gone up in smoke.
Im not sure if it helps, but if I were to move, I wouldnt settle in Toronto or Vancouver or any of the big cities. Id go to a small town - not only to increase my chances of finding a job (thats aviation), but small town Canada looks incredibly interesting and Id love to settle in a small hamlet up north.
At the moment I'm lost and I'm thinking I should just cry and veto the whole idea, even though it's something I've wanted for years and years.
Thanks.
P.S.: I know that other Australian pilots have moved and worked in Canada, so either Im missing something or Im hopeless. I remember emailing a flight school and being told that a 21-year-old Australian recently found flying work in northern Sask., so it can be done. I just dont know what to do. Ive tried Googling but to no avail.
P.P.S.: Other people have told me - admittedly on the internet - not to bother because Canada trains her own pilots and I wouldnt be wanted. Not going to lie, that hurts a little bit.
EI: you need to reside in Canada in order to collect, as you will have to be willing and able to accept any suitable job offer. And you can't because you are not residing in Canada and are not able to accept any job offer because you are not allowed to work in Canada anymore.
Canadians and Permanent Residents who are on EI will not get EI benefit paid while they are traveling out of the country. Even out of the province can be a problem! (unless it's for a job interview that they are traveling)
Don't know about CPP.
I did my graduation from Delhi Open University, which is a part of Delhi University.
I want it to be assessed by WES.
But I don't know the exact process of getting it verified by DU for WES.
I found two forms. One from Delhi Open University website and the other from Delhi University website. Both have different procedures.
Also, I heard these days DU has started online payment for the same.
I am based in Dubai, UAE. I can't travel to India right now for this.
If there's any one who went through this kind of process or has any info, then please share.
I need this info very urgently so that I can register with WES as soon as possible.
Please help.
Thanks in advance.
The UK is not part of Schengen, so even as the spouse of a French national, you wind up having to apply for a visa to visit the UK. It's only within the Schengen zone where the spouse of an EU national gets consideration.
Cheers,
Bev
State healthcare fees for expats in Kuwait are increasing next month with the cost of some services increasing by 500% as officials say low fees have been too much of a financial burden.According to Health Minister Dr Jamal Al-Harbi the increases are long overdue and he said that those expats who think they cannot afford them should consider alternatives such as private health insurance. The fees relate to certain medication and services such as X-rays and blood tests but are still expected to be around 20% less than in the private sector. Al-Harbi pointed out that fees have not been increased for many years.It is also hoped that the increase in fees will lead to more expats using private healthcare facilities and that will ease the pressure on state provided services. Visitors face even higher charges as there will be separate scales for expats and visitors.For example a blood test charge will go up from $65 to $820 for expats and $1,540 for visitors. A cardiac test cost will rise from $33 to $165 for expats and $330 for visitors. Charges for a pregnancy ultrasound scan will increase from $33 to $100 for expats while a CT scan will rise to $260 and an MRI scan to $390.There are treatments and medications that are costly for the state and everyone has to pay for treatment, especially people on visitor visas, Al-Harbi added.According to officials around three million expats use the state public health service. They are being encouraged to move into the private sector and new clinics and hospitals are being built under the Health Insurance Hospitals Company for the use of expats.Overall three hospitals and 15 clinics are planned to be fully operational by 2020 with the first departments opening in the next couple of months. The ultimate goal is for all expats, except those on low pay will be required to have private health insurance.However, there are no guarantees about prices in the private sector. Some believe that the recent increase in electricity and water tariffs will mean private hospitals and clinics facing higher utility bills which will be passed on to customers.Currently costs differ from clinic to clinic in the private sector. According to the Union of Owners of Private Medical Professions, this is because rents and other costs vary depending on location so it pays to shop around.
Friday, January 13, 2017
This Pickles cartoon has Earl pondering the afterlife, and the fact that you cant take any worldly possessions with you wherever you go after you die. Hes especially concerned hell be leaving his clothing behind.
I dont like the idea of showing up in the afterlife in the buff, says Earl. His friend replies, I doubt the afterlife is looking forward to that either.
Which brings up the question, what will happen to your stuff that you cant take with you? And, how you want your next-of-kin to dispose of your lifeless carcass?
At a luncheon event, I asked a couple if they had made their funeral plans. Its just a tent! they replied, referring to their bodies as a temporary housing for their eternal souls. Which is one way to look at it.
Those of us who grew up going camping were taught to leave the campsite cleaner than when we found it. If you abandon your tent and leave the campsite a mess, youre not doing anyone any favors.
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Economist Arthur Laffer, adviser to President-elect Donald Trump, predicted a new era of national prosperity under the incoming Republican administration at a speech in San Antonio today.
We are looking at a manifestation of a revolution that is amazing and profound, Laffer, a former top economics adviser to Ronald Reagan, told an audience of about 140 people at a speech sponsored by Frost Bank at the Sonterra Country Club.
Laffer is known as a supply-side economist and for popularizing the theory called the Laffer Curve, which is said to demonstrate how lower taxes can boost revenues for governments by stimulating the economy. Laffer, 76, now operates a consulting company and has been playing a behind-the-scenes role in helping form Trumps economic team since the November election.
He criticized Trumps anti-trade stances Thursday but praised his plans to cut corporate and individual income-tax rates.
Laffer endorsed Trumps plan to reduce the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to to 15 percent.
The U.S. corporate tax rate is the highest in the OECD (the 35-nation Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), if not the world, Laffer said.
At 15 percent, the corporate tax rate would be the fourth lowest in the OECD and would stimulate economic activity.
It would not lose (tax) revenues. Total receipts would do well, Laffer said, recalling the reduction of the corporate tax rate in 1986 under Reagan from 46 percent to 34 percent.
Lowering taxes for high-income earners also will stimulate the economy, he said, citing the Reagan administrations cut in the highest income-tax bracket to 28 percent from 50 percent, and the hike in the lowest income-tax bracket from 12.5 percent to 15 percent. We were moving toward a flat tax, Laffer said of the Reagan administration.
Numerous congressional Democrats voted for the 1986 tax rates, including Ted Kennedy, Joe Biden and Harry Reid, said Laffer, who backed Democratic Presidents John Kennedy and Bill Clinton.
It was the right thing to do. Economics is not partisan, for Gods sake. Nothing is more powerful than prosperity, he said.
Repeal of the Affordable Care Act will improve the health care system, Laffer said, because an alternative plan will allow transparency in costs and increase competition.
Laffer predicted Trump will have four years to install his economic and tax policies, which Reagan did not have after Democrats regained control of Congress in the 1982 midterm elections.
Twenty-eight Democratic senators will be up for re-election in 2018, but only nine Republican senators. If you look at Trumps political risks, they are extremely low, Laffer said. Trump will have a four-year political run, which we (the Reagan administration) did not have. Once you get the ball rolling, it will be the biggest and best bipartisan era youve ever seen.
Laffer said Trump shares similarities with Reagan. Reagan also was not respected and was called a racist and bigot when he took office in 1980, Laffer said.
But Laffer said he sharply disagrees with Trumps anti-trade campaign messages. I am a free-trader. Theres nothing better than free trade. We make things better than other countries, making exports valuable to the U.S. economy because exports bring in money that pay for imports, he said.
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Im hoping a lot of the rhetoric will be just rhetoric, a ploy to negotiate a better deal in trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement, Laffer said.
Laffer noted that Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton also was anti-trade. I dont think protectionism is the way to go. It bothers me. Protectionism is a viral disease among politicians, he said.
Laffer said he believes Republican leaders in the U.S. Senate and House are pro-trade and would modify any bad (trade) legislation.
Fortunately, we live in a low-tax state, said public television executive Arthur Emerson after Laffers speech. But Texas also is a free-trade state that benefits from international trade. We cant be too secure that an economic agenda dealing with international trade, especially with Mexico, can continue (under Trump) to keep San Antonios and Texas international agenda thriving, said Emerson, CEO and president of KLRN-TV.
Regardless of political perspectives, there is a pro-business, pro-consumer momentum that was voted into office across all branches of government, said Tom Stringfellow, Frost Investment Advisors president. From Dr. Laffers perspective, this momentum will escalate domestic economic growth.
Laffer has provided economic consulting services to Frost Bank for several decades. He was also scheduled to speak Thursday in Houston and Fort Worth, Stringfellow said.
dhendricks@express-news.net
A Bexar County arbitration panel rejected arguments by Lowes Home Centers to value some of its San Antonio area stores as if they were empty instead of functioning businesses, according to a seven-page decision issued Wednesday.
Its an argument the North Carolina-based company has successfully used in Michigan and Indiana where major retailers have driven down property values and tax revenue. City officials say a victory for Lowes could cost area taxpayers more than $272 million over five years if the home improvement retailer wins.
Lowes is suing Bexar County to try to cut its property values in half for 10 area stores. The decision by the three-person panel is non-binding and only applies to four local stores, allowing Lowes to still challenge its property valuations in court.
Were evaluating the decision, Lowes spokeswoman Karen Cobb said in an email, adding, It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.
Lowes, Home Depot Inc., Kohls Department Stores, Target and Walmart are trying to persuade judges in Texas and elsewhere that their stores should be appraised as as so-called dark stores which are vacant buildings instead of fully functioning businesses. Appraisers generally value a property at its highest and best use, meaning at whatever function makes the most money from the property in its current condition.
However, retailers argue that their stores should be assessed as if the building were vacant and the property carried onerous deed restrictions thus lowering its marketability and value to potential buyers.
The chains 10 stores in Bexar County were valued between $80 and $85 per square foot in 2016. The appraisal district estimates those values would drop to roughly $30 a square foot if Lowes prevails in its lawsuit.
Lowes has said its seeking a fair assessment of its properties while the appraisal district estimates a $64.3 billion loss in commercial property value within five years if the big box chain is victorious and other retailers and businesses employ the same dark store appraisal strategy. Using the Bexar County Appraisal Districts figures, the city of San Antonio projected a $272.5 million loss in tax revenue within five years if the courts favor Lowes.
Recognizing the arbitration panels decision is advisory, we are pleased with the outcome and agree with the panels legal analysis and determination, City Attorney Andy Segovia said in a statement. We will continue to monitor the litigation process and work with other stakeholders to ensure statuary appraisal methods are preserved.
The dark store strategy is still relatively novel in Texas but has been successfully used in other states.
Lowes cut its Indiana property taxes by $120.8 million, resulting in a $49.9 million jump in taxes for Indianas other residents and businesses, according to a 2015 study commissioned by the Indiana Association of Counties. Taxpayers in Michigan have returned almost $100 million to retailers since 2013 after the Michigan Tax Tribunal handed down several favorable rulings to retailers who used the dark store argument, a 2015 study by the Michigan Association of County Treasurers showed.
Meanwhile, retailers including Lowes, Home Depot Inc., Kohls Department Stores, Walmart and Target have sued appraisal districts around Texas to try to bring down their property values. In many instances, appraisers have sought to settle out-of-court for fear drawn-out court battles could drain their meager budgets.
With at least one pending lawsuit from Lowes in Harris County, this likely marks the most progress a property value challenge using the dark store theory has made in a Texas court.
There have been no decisions from the court or an arbitration that have addressed this issue, said Karen Everston, an Austin-based attorney representing Bexar County Appraisal District. This is the first.
Though the decision is not binding, the document can be used as admissible evidence should the spat go to a full trial, Everston said.
Lowes and the appraisal district opted for the non-binding arbitration process after failed mediation attempts, according to the panels decision. The panel heard five days of testimony in October from witnesses and property appraisal experts.
Expert witnesses for Lowes testified that because the pool of potential buyers is small, there is great risk that the property will lie vacant and unrented for a long time, according to the document.
David Lennhoff, senior director of real estate consulting firm Altus Group, likened big box stores to a house with a built-in racquetball court: useful to the owner, but a drawback and a negative feature to most potential buyers, expensive to remove, the document said. Therefore, expert witnesses argued, the appraisal district should compare occupied stores to vacant big box properties.
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The panel ultimately sided with the appraisal district, which argued that comparable properties must reflect the same or highest and best use, according to the document.
Texas law does not support the notion that appraisal of the subject properties should be conducted as if they were vacant, the panel wrote.
jfechter@express-news.net
Twitter: @JFreports
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U.S. prosecutors said Friday they had charged three executives at Takata, the Japanese auto parts maker, with fabricating test data to mask a fatal air bag defect, a striking turn in a case that set off the largest automotive recall in U.S. history.
Prosecutors also announced that Takata had agreed to plead guilty to charges stemming from its fraudulent conduct, a rare feat. Takata, based in Tokyo, also was fined $1 billion.
The guilty plea and fine had been widely expected, but the charges against the executives added a new wrinkle to a case that has roiled regulators, led to congressional hearings and brought the Japanese manufacturer to the brink of bankruptcy. The air bags, which can rupture violently when they deploy, have been linked to at least 11 deaths and more than 180 injuries in the United States.
They falsified and manipulated data because they wanted to make profits on their air bags, knowing they were creating risk for the end-users, who are soccer moms like me, Barbara McQuade, a U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, said at a news conference in Detroit.
The indictments are the latest moves by the outgoing Obama administration to extract guilty pleas from companies and to charge individual managers and executives. Federal prosecutors this week also charged six Volkswagen executives for their roles in an emissions-cheating scandal.
The efforts are seen as a departure from the years after the 2008 financial crisis, when not a single top Wall Street executive went to prison.
Takatas executives are accused of especially egregious conduct.
According to the indictment, the executives were at the center of efforts to manipulate air bag safety data that continued for as long as 15 years. They knew as early as 2000 that the air bags metal inflaters could explode, prosecutors said.
But over the years, they routinely discussed falsifying those test results, discarding damaging information, an action referred to internally at Takata as XX-ing the data, the indictment said.
The executives, Shinichi Tanaka, Hideo Nakajima and Tsuneo Chikaraishi, were indicted by a grand jury in December. The accusations were unsealed Friday. All three had worked for Takata until around 2015 in the United States and Japan, the indictment said.
Takata will continue to cooperate fully with DOJ in connection with its ongoing investigation, the company said in a statement, referring to the Justice Department.
The three executives could not be reached for comment, and it was unclear who was acting as their legal representative. Neither the Justice Department nor Takata would provide any contact information.
Nakajimas name appears on various internal documents that have been unsealed as part of litigation against Takata, and he is often described as a liaison between Takatas Japanese and American operations. He was formerly director of engineering at Takatas research lab in Farmington Hills, Michigan, the Automotive Systems Laboratory.
Tanaka, the highest ranking of the three, was formerly listed as an executive officer at Takata headquarters and the companys chief director of procurement, as well as executive vice president of Takatas global inflater operations.
Chikaraishi also held various executive positions, including chief of air bag inflater operations for Japan and Asia. His name appears on numerous patent applications related to air bag technology filed in the United States.
McQuade stressed that investigations were still underway.
We will continue to investigate and if we are able to identify additional individuals, we will charge them as well, she said.
In recent months, Takata has cooperated with the investigation, McQuade said, including identifying culpable individuals. Prosecutors took that cooperation into account in pursuing penalties, she said.
Under the plea deal, Takata will pay a $25 million criminal fine, $125 million to individuals injured by the air bags and $850 million to automakers that purchased the inflators. A U.S. district court judge in Detroit has appointed attorney Kenneth Feinberg to distribute restitution payments.
Payments to individuals must be made soon. Money due to automakers must be paid within five days of Takatas anticipated sale or merger. Takata is expected to be sold to another auto supplier or investor sometime this year.
The plea will be entered by the Takata corporation, based in Tokyo, and signed by Shigehisa Takada, Takatas chief executive.
Prosecutors said the three indicted executives were thought to live in Japan. If so, it is unclear whether they will face a court in the United States. Japan has an extradition treaty with the United States, but in practice the Japanese government has discretion over whether to comply with any extradition requests from the United States.
Takata, however, has previously cooperated with authorities in this regard.
In 2013, three other Takata executives agreed to plead guilty for their roles in a conspiracy to fix the prices of seat belts sold in the United States. The executives also agreed to serve time in a United States prison.
Pointing to that precedent, McQuade said she thought the chances for an extradition were pretty good. She added, Its not an automatic, but were going to work hard at it in this case.
Even with the current administrations newfound interest in going after corporate executives, criminal charges against individuals in a case involving automotive safety defects are rare.
Prosecutors can struggle to surmount high legal standards and gaps in the oversight of carmakers gaps that stem from nearly five decades of hard lobbying from the auto industry to beat back efforts to strengthen criminal penalties. These gaps do not exist in some other industries such as pharmaceuticals or food.
Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts, Democrats who led congressional efforts to investigate Takata, called the Justice Departments effort to hold executives accountable overdue. They also urged regulators to speed up efforts to fix affected cars.
The message to corporate executives should be that fake safety tests and tragic deaths will result in stiff penalties, including prison, they said in a joint statement. This kind of criminal accountability is long overdue for lawbreaking corporate executives.
The effort to protect drivers from Takatas wrongdoing does not stop here, they continued. We must recall every single vehicle with a Takata air bag, they said, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration must accelerate the recall of these dangerous air bags to prevent yet another unnecessary and tragic death.
Takatas air bag recall in the United State has affected nearly 70 million air bags in 42 million vehicles.
Takata also faces a class-action lawsuit filed by owners of cars fitted with Takata air bags, among other litigation.
The risk they allowed is really reprehensible, McQuade, the U.S. attorney, said. We want auto suppliers to know they have to put safety ahead of profits. Cheaters will not be allowed to gain a competitive advantage.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The United States charged three Takata executives in a criminal investigation into the air bag maker and its exploding air bags, according to court records unsealed Friday.
The indictments are the latest moves by the outgoing Obama administration to extract guilty pleas from companies and to charge individual managers and executives. The efforts are seen as a departure from the years following the 2008 financial crisis, when not a single top Wall Street executive went to prison.
On Tuesday, the Justice Department announced the indictment of three former traders from some of the worlds biggest banks, accusing them of a conspiracy to manipulate prices in a currency market. The next day, it announced a guilty plea from Volkswagen, and criminal charges against six Volkswagen employees for their roles in the emissions-cheating scandal.
The Takata executives, Shinichi Tanaka, Hideo Nakajima and Tsuneo Chikaraishi, were indicted by a grand jury in Michigan. All three had worked for Takata until around 2015 in the United States and Japan, where Takata is based, the indictment said.
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In addition to those charges, the prosecutors announced that Takata will plead guilty to charges stemming from its fraudulent conduct, and pay a total of $1 billion in criminal penalties. The plea will be entered by the Takata corporation, based in Tokyo, and signed by Shigehisa Takada, Takatas chief executive.
It is unusual for a company to plead guilty to criminal charges.
The air bags, which can rupture violently when they deploy, have been linked to at least 11 deaths and more than 180 injuries in the United States.
Takatas air bags have triggered the largest automotive recall in U.S. history, affecting nearly 70 million air bags in 42 million vehicles.
Under the plea deal, Takata will pay a $25 million criminal fine, $125 million to individuals injured by the air bags and $850 million to automakers that purchased the inflators. A U.S. district court judge in Detroit has appointed attorney Kenneth Feinberg to distribute restitution payments.
Payments to individuals must be made soon. Money due to automakers must be paid within five days of Takatas anticipated sale or merger. Takata is expected to be sold to another auto supplier or investor sometime this year.
Automotive suppliers who sell products that are supposed to protect consumers from injury or death must put safety ahead of profits, said Barbara McQuade, the U.S. Attorney in Detroit, whose office worked on a two-year investigation into the company. If they choose instead to engage in fraud, we will hold accountable the individuals and business entities who are responsible.
Takata, based in Japan, has its U.S. headquarters in the Detroit suburb of Auburn Hills, Michigan.
According to the indictment, the three executives were aware of internal air bag test results, from about 2000, which showed that its air bags metal inflaters could explode.
But they routinely discussed falsifying those test results, discarding damaging information, an action referred to internally at Takata as XX-ing the data, the indictment said.
Takata did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and the whereabouts of the three executives was unknown.
Nakajimas name appears on various internal documents that have been unsealed as part of litigation against Takata, and was often described as a liaison between Takatas Japanese and American business. Tanaka was formerly listed as an executive officer at Takata headquarters and the companys chief director of procurement. Chikaraishi also held various executive positions, and his name appears on numerous patent applications related to air bag technology filed in the United States.
Nakajima allegedly emailed Tanaka and others around February 2004 to explain that he was manipulating test data for an inflator. About a year later, Tanaka sent an email to Nakajima, Chikaraishi and another person saying they had no choice but to give manipulated data to a carmaker, according to the indictment.
In a March 2005 email, Tanaka again indicated that unfavorable test data had been removed, and a month later directed a junior engineer to please do XX. Two months later, Nakajima said in an email to several people that they had to cross the bridge together and had no choice but to rig data.
If the three reside in Japan, it is unclear whether they will face a court in the United States. Though Japan has an extradition treaty with the United States, in practice the Japanese government has discretion over whether to comply with any extradition requests made by U.S. authorities.
Takata has previously cooperated with authorities in this regard, however.
In 2013, three other Takata executives agreed to plead guilty for their role in a conspiracy to fix the prices of seat belts sold in the United States. The executives also agreed to serve time in a U.S. prison.
Takatas air bags have set off intense scrutiny from regulators and from Congress, where company executives appeared to give testimony on their handling of the defect.
These indictments send a strong message that if company executives knowingly put deadly products on the market, they will be held accountable for their actions, said Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida, the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee, who led congressional efforts to look into Takata.
The company also faces a class-action lawsuit filed by owners of cars fitted with Takata air bags, among other litigation.
The Associated Press and Bloomberg News contributed to this report.
Takata Corp. is close to reaching a settlement agreement with the U.S. Justice Department that may be announced as soon as Friday and would include a fine as large as $1 billion and possible criminal charges, people with knowledge of the matter said.
The settlement with the Japanese air bag maker, whose devices have been linked to at least 17 deaths worldwide, is said to include a wire fraud charge and a fine ranging from the hundreds of millions of dollars to $1 billion, said one of the people, who asked not to be named because the discussions are confidential.
Closure with the Justice Department would wrap up the criminal portion of Takatas auto safety recall, which was the largest in history, and allow it to move forward with its hunt for a buyer.
The Justice Department started investigating Takata after its air bag inflators were found to degrade over time and sometimes explode with such force that they broke and shot shrapnel at vehicle occupants.
The manufacturer also has been accused by government transportation regulators and Honda Motor Co. of manipulating test data and playing down the gravity of the problem after the first victim was reported in 2008.
A settlement would help Takata move forward with its search for a buyer because it would give bidders more clarity about the companys legal challenges. Takata has been negotiating with several bidders for months, but the process has been hampered because buyers are trying to gauge exposure to legal risk and costly civil lawsuits.
Takata and its financial adviser, Lazard Ltd., have asked prospective buyers to complete their due diligence around February, with a successful bidder targeted to be announced in the quarter ending in March, people familiar with the matter said last month.
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Takata faces a cascade of recall costs, compensation and penalties after regulators ordered recalls scheduled through at least 2019 that could eventually exceed 100 million air bags used by more than a dozen automakers, including Honda, Volkswagen AG and General Motors Co. The recalls would phase out the use of ammonium nitrate as a propellant, a chemical that other inflator makers dont use.
The recall costs alone could amount to more than $8.8 billion, according to Takaki Nakanishi, an analyst at Jefferies Group. Takata, the third-biggest air bag maker in the world, started its search for a buyer last year.
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NEW BRAUNFELS Lane W. Waldrons treatment of his pregnant girlfriend was so disturbing kicking her head, taping her mouth and punching her in the abdomen that even he seemed unable to come to grips with it.
It wasnt me, not the real me, at least, he told a Comal County sheriffs investigator during a lengthy confession six months after the assault on Sarah Friloux, which prosecutors say caused the deaths of her unborn twins.
Waldron, 23, of Canyon Lake was indicted on two counts of capital murder a month after the April 14, 2015, incident. He also faces a charge of aggravated assault.
After five hours of deliberation Thursday evening, a jury convicted Waldron on one charge of capital murder. Because the state did not seek the death penalty, he was sentenced to a mandatory life term in prison.
Blaming his abhorrent behavior partly on a lack of church-going as a youngster, Waldron recalled drunkenly straddling Friloux, telling her to stop covering her belly with her arms, then hitting her there until the glow left her eyes.
I assumed I was performing an abortion, Waldron told investigator Frank Cockrell during the taped interview, four hours of which were played Tuesday for jurors
Waldrons attorneys, Gina Jones and Joseph Garcia, did not try to justify their clients actions. Jones called his conduct despicable but insisted in her closing argument that conclusive proof was lacking that he intended to cause the lack of one baby, Bethany.
Saying investigators had jumped to conclusions, Jones suggested that the miscarriages of Bethany and brother Bradley at 28 weeks of gestation resulted from a cause other than the beating.
The aggravated assault of Sarah Friloux is a trial for a different jury, Jones told the panel of nine women and three men.
Jones described Waldron as drunk out of his mind during the incident that left Friloux with a black eye, bruised arms and a bruised abdomen. Afterward, the couple had sex.
The defense cited the testimony of two forensic pathologists that the placental abruption that caused the death of Bethany could have resulted from Friloux merely being jarred, or less.
Sometimes it just happens, said defense witness Dr. Amy Gruszecki, a forsensic pathologist who concurred with the autopsy report prepared by Dr. Suzanna Dana of Central Texas Autopsies.
But after seeing an excerpt of Waldrons interview and reviewing photos of the battered Friloux, Gruszecki seemed to warm to the states theory.
Does the fact that the defendant chose to rape his victim anally and vaginally after he assaulted her contribute to her injuries? Assistant District Attorney Sammy McCrary asked.
Yes, Gruszecki responded over a defense objection.
Does the trauma appear to be intentionally inflicted? McCrary pressed.
Yes, Gruszecki said.
Both physicians said the placenta sustaining the fetus could have separated from Frilouxs uterus as a result of sex or from Friloux hitting a deer in her car before the assault.
You can never really know what caused the abruption, Jones told jurors in closing remarks. Be brave enough to say, I have a doubt.
Prosecutors dismissed those ridiculous theories and zeroed in on the physical evidence of Frilouxs beating and the defendants own statements.
Before attacking her, Waldron told Friloux that he didnt want to have babies with her because she didnt trust him, District Attorney Jennifer Tharp said, describing the defendant as a master manipulator with a history of domestic violence.
And after the beating that she says doomed the babies, Tharp said Waldron reassured Friloux that its better this way, since they couldnt afford to raise two children.
The testimony about sex possibly causing the placental abruption prompted state District Judge Jack Robison to suggest that the jury ought to be allowed to consider convicting Waldron on lesser charges of criminally negligent homicide or manslaughter.
But that option was out after McCrary, the assistant district attorney, noted that the elements of the crime laid out in the indictment included Waldron causing Bethanys death by striking Friloux. Our allegation is that he caused the death by hitting her in the stomach, not due to sex.
That left the jury to consider only the charge of capital murder.
After sitting through closing arguments, Friloux declined comment as she left the courtroom as the jury began deliberating.
zeke@express-news.net
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Law enforcement officers raided several locations in San Antonio on Thursday, looking for dozens of people accused of working for a ring that trafficked large amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine.
Some of the 33 named suspects were arrested in the raids, and others already were in custody, records show. Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration said the ring stretched to other Texas cities, including McAllen and Dallas. The source of the drugs is believed to be Mexico.
Its a citywide operation by multiple agencies, led by the DEA and our task force, said Dante Sorianello, assistant special agent in charge of the DEA in San Antonio. They moved primarily meth and cocaine. It is tied to the (cartel) cells in Mexico.
Many of the targeted suspects are members or associates of the Tango Blast gang, whose San Antonio sect is known as the Tango Orejon, law enforcement officers said. Its considered the biggest in San Antonio now, outnumbering the Texas Mexican Mafia in jail numbers, but is loosely structured, with a reputation for violence but without a hierarchy like traditional prison gangs.
Drug and gang activity in general contributed to the citys rising homicide rate in 2016. Law enforcement officials said many users of methamphetamine, in particular, have engaged in identity theft to support their addiction.
Among seven locations raided in San Antonio were homes in the 5500 block of Senisa Springs on the far West Side, in the 1800 block of West Gramercy Place, near the Art Deco District, and at Chalmers Avenue near Huron Street on the South Side.
Neighbors of the house on Senisa Springs said authorities arrived in at least three unmarked cars around 6 a.m. and that some of the officers were wearing tactical gear.
The wooden fence on either side of the house was broken down, and security cameras in front were disabled. Neighbors said the people who lived there had moved around November.
There have been drug raids in the neighborhood before, as well as shootings, said one neighbor, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The investigation has lasted nine months and resulted in seizures of nearly 50 pounds of meth, nearly 10 pounds of cocaine, more than $91,000 in cash, cars that include a BMW and a Mercedes, and several guns, officials said.
During the investigation, agents received a tip in October that a load of methamphetamine was coming to San Antonio from Houston, court records show. That month, agents arrested Laura Romero Zelaya, 38, of Houston and Jose Luis Alvarez Torres, 29, of San Antonio at a Super 8 Motel on North St. Marys Street after finding nearly 13 pounds of meth in a car there.
Both were indicted in November on federal drug charges and are among the 33 people named in a new indictment unsealed Thursday.
Others arrested were San Antonio residents Francisco Cerda, 43; Jon Paul Flores, 29; Pedro Sosa, 40; Pablo Rios, 43; Frank Montejano, 32; Andrew Flores, 32; Jorge Navarro, 32; Edward Saucedo, 33; Jesus Jesse Flores, 30; Isaac Hernandez, 33; Joseph Acevedo, 22; Maribel Rios, 37; Quintin Vega, 29; Alan Ramirez, 26; Victor Lamont Robinson, 29; Frank Zepeda, 22; Manuel Roel Castillo, 40, and San Juanita Rodriguez, 34.
Agents also arrested Joel Olivas, 44, of Arlington. The rest of those indicted were listed as fugitives. Most of those arrested were held without bail, pending hearings later this month.
All are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and some were also charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine; aiding and abetting with intent to distribute 500 grams, or slightly over a pound, or more of cocaine; and aiding and abetting with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
If found guilty, they could face a maximum of up to life in prison.
gcontreras@express-news.net
Staff Writer Caleb Downs with mysa.com contributed to this report.
A Webb County court-at-law judge has been indicted on a misdemeanor influence-peddling charge.
Judge Jesus Garza faces one count of gift to a public servant by a person in his jurisdiction, a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to a year in jail and/or a $4,000 fine. A grand jury in Laredo returned the indictment Wednesday.
According to the indictment, Garza asked an attorney to give a loan to a member of his staff in exchange for appointing her to represent a wealthy estate in a civil dispute. The staff member died last year.
The attorney who the indictment said was being considered for the appointment, Shirley Mathis, said, Im sorry, I cannot speak with you, and hung up when asked for comment.
Garzas attorney, Oscar O. Pena, released a statement saying Garza has helped resolve over 92,000 cases that have passed through his court while always respecting and protecting peoples right to due process.
With respect to the county court-at-law No. 2s case docket, Judge Garza will voluntarily work on options to ensure that pending cases are efficiently and expeditiously processed in a way that will not be affected by this event, will not cause delay and will maintain the publics confidence in the judicial process, Pena wrote. Garza maintains his innocence, according to the statement.
The Webb County Jail said Thursday afternoon that Garza had not been booked. A judge issued a warrant and a $2,500 bond for his arrest, according to court records.
The case is being prosecuted by the Texas attorney generals office.
jbuch@express-news.net
Twitter: @jlbuch
AUSTIN The slaying of Dallas officers last year is driving a bipartisan, multimillion-dollar effort to provide local law enforcement with bullet-resistant vests capable of stopping high-caliber ammunition.
Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick joined with state Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, on Thursday to tout a bill that would create a $25 million grant program in the governors criminal justice division for the effort.
We know that there are a multitude of issues as it relates to law enforcement, but let it be real clear that whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, we support law enforcement, West said in promoting Senate Bill 12. We hope that by doing this we will save law enforcement officers lives.
Lawmakers are examining every dollar because state revenues have been squeezed by struggles in the oil-and-gas industry and because of prior fiscal commitments to areas like transportation.
But Patrick pointed out that the state share of the budget is more than $100 billion.
When you have a tight budget, you make priorities, Patrick said. For me, the No. 1 priority is to protect those who protect us.
Patrick rushed to Dallas in July after officers were killed by a sniper.
The San Antonio Police Department currently has the best body armor on the market, said Sgt. Jesse Salame, but if there is an upgrade in the technology or grant funding that is related to equipment promoting officer safety we would be open minded to exploring those programs.
Houston has about 600 of the vests that protect against high-caliber fire that were paid for with private funds, said Ray Hunt, president of the Houston Police Officers Union.
Officers check them out as they check out cars or radios, and they put them on over their ordinary vests when responding to calls about an active shooter, Hunt said.
The vests last about 5 years unless they stop a bullet. If theyre shot, the vests arent used after that, Hunt said.
pfikac@express-news.net
Twitter: @pfikac
President Barack Obama is ending the so-called wet foot, dry foot policy that allows any Cuban who makes it to U.S. soil to stay and become a legal resident a unique fast track that allowed tens of thousands of Cubans to stream through the border in South Texas in recent years while other undocumented immigrants, primarily from Central America, were detained and ordered to go before immigration judges to seek asylum.
The Cuba policy, put in place in 1995, gave the migrants special treatment not available to other immigrants, a result of the long Cold War standoff between communist Cuba and the United States.
Effective immediately, Cuban nationals who attempt to enter the United States illegally and do not qualify for humanitarian relief will be subject to removal, consistent with U.S. law and enforcement priorities, Obama said in a statement released Thursday night. By taking this step, we are treating Cuban migrants the same way we treat migrants from other countries.
Obama began to normalize relations with Cuba in 2014 and opened an embassy in Havana a year later.
Driven by fears that the thawing relations would signal an end to the special treatment, thousands of Cubans fled to the U.S., often in arduous journeys that took them through Central America and Mexico.
The migrants typically crossed to Texas from Nuevo Laredo, simply walking across the international bridge into downtown Laredo, where they were greeted by volunteers whod give them shelter as they made arrangements to relocate in the U.S.
Not everyone in Laredo was happy with the arrangement. U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, said Thursday that when he spoke to customs officials in December, they still were seeing as many as 100 Cubans a day. For almost a year, Cuellar has been pushing for an end to the U.S. policy, which he said gave Cubans preferential treatment.
I think that all immigrants should be treated the same, and why should we be giving the Cubans this special preferential treatment? he asked. This is something we welcome, this is something that should have been done a long time ago.
Mirtha Benitez Vega, 44, fled Cuba because she said the government violated its peoples human rights and kept them in poverty. She crossed into the U.S. in Laredo in February and is living in New Jersey. Of Obama, she said, He betrayed us.
I wasnt persecuted, but I was a victim of the system, Vega said. I didn't have freedom of expression. I didn't have freedom of religion. I didn't have opportunities.
Since October 2012, more than 118,000 Cubans have presented themselves at ports of entry along the border, statistics published by the Homeland Security Department show.
During the 2016 budget year, which ended in September, a five-year high of more than 41,500 people came through the southern border.
An additional 7,000 people arrived between October and November.
Obama is using an administrative rule change to end the policy. Donald Trump could undo that rule after becoming president next week. He has criticized Obamas moves to improve relations with Cuba.
However, ending a policy that has allowed hundreds of thousands of people to come to the United States without a visa also aligns with Trumps commitment to tough immigration policies.
The Cuban government in the past has complained bitterly about the special immigration privileges, saying they encourage Cubans to risk dangerous escape trips and drain the country of professionals. But it also has served as a release valve for the single-party state, allowing the most dissatisfied Cubans to seek better lives outside and become sources of financial support for relatives on the island.
U.S. and Cuban officials were meeting Thursday in Washington to coordinate efforts to fight human trafficking. A decades-old U.S. economic embargo, though, remains in place as does the Cuban Adjustment Act, which lets Cubans become permanent residents a year after legally arriving in the U.S.
An official in Thursdays meeting said most Cubans fleeing the island have done so for economic reasons or to take advantage of the benefits they know they can receive if they make it to the U.S.
Cuellar said that policy also should should be scrapped.
I now call on our congressional leaders to finish the job and end the outdated Cuban Adjustment Act and repeal the special financial benefits they receive if paroled, he said in a statement.
The Cuban Medical Professional Parole Program, which was started by President George W. Bush in 2006, also is being rescinded. The measure allowed Cuban doctors, nurses and other medical professionals to seek parole in the U.S. while on assignments abroad.
People already in the pipeline under both wet foot, dry foot and the medical parole program will be able to continue the process toward getting legal status.
The preferential treatment for Cubans reflected the political power of Cuban-Americans, especially in Florida, a critical state in presidential elections. That has been shifting in recent years.
Older Cubans, particularly those who fled Castros regime, tend to reject Obamas diplomatic overtures to Cuba.
Younger Cuban-American voters have proven less likely than their parents and grandparents to define their politics by U.S.-Cuba relations.
Exit polls show Obama managed roughly a split in the Florida Cuban vote in 2012, and Trump in November won the same group by a much narrower margin than many previous Republican nominees.
Staff Writer Jason Buch contributed to this report.
Two years ago, San Antonio voters took the major step of approving a charter amendment that provided a living wage to members of the City Council.
One of the selling points for the council-pay amendment was that financial compensation could lure more serious candidates into the election process, and make our municipal races more competitive.
This year, were getting the first test of that argument, and it seems to be working.
Two years ago, only three council contests the mayors race, Rebecca Viagrans defense of her District 3 seat and Cris Medinas re-election in District 7 were even remotely competitive. The other eight races all were decided by a margin of at least 38 percent.
This year, were looking at the likelihood of nine competitive races. The only seats that appear safe at this point belong to Rey Saldana (District 4) and Shirley Gonzales (District 5). As of Thursday, 34 people have filed treasurers reports for the various council seats.
Its hard to pin down how much if any of this newly competitive climate can be attributed to the charter amendment, which raised council compensation from $20 per meeting to $45,722 a year, and brought mayoral pay up from $3,000 a year, plus a $20-per-meeting stipend, to $61,725.
After all, when you ask council candidates in any city why they decided to run, its invariably a variation on this theme: members of the community were frustrated with their unresponsive council member and they came to me, begging me to give voice to the long-suffering constituents.
No one ever says, Yeah, I noticed that council members are getting paid now, and I figured I could pocket some easy money and get a nice downtown office.
So we must look at council pay as a subliminal force in this municipal election cycle, one of many factors that have contributed to the emergence of some formidable new faces.
One factor is the City Hall restlessness which prompted North Side graybeards Joe Krier and Mike Gallagher to step down, and fellow North Sider Ron Nirenberg to give up his District 8 seat for a mayoral run.
Another can be seen as the residue of the Julian Castro era.
That factor didnt reveal itself in 2015, when most admirers of the former mayor assumed that his technocratic successor, Ivy Taylor, would be voted out in favor of a candidate either Leticia Van de Putte or Mike Villarreal who would restore Castros progressive urge to use the office for big, ambitious projects. Now, with Taylor looking like a favorite to win re-election, were seeing a mini-slate of candidates in the Castro mold: young, articulate, well-educated, progressive and committed to the concept of community activism.
In District 1, Michael Montano, an Ivy League-educated lawyer and tech entrepreneur who served a short stint in Castros mayoral office, is already offering echoes of Diego Bernals insurgent 2011 campaign. Montano is taking on incumbent Roberto Trevino, who won the council seat by appointment when Bernal resigned to run for the Texas House.
In District 2, East Side attorney and activist William Cruz Shaw will give incumbent Alan Warrick all he can handle.
In District 6, Melissa Cabello Havrda has joined the crowded race for the open seat, with the backing of Castros mother Rosie (who is part of the host committee for Havrdas January 18 campaign reception at La Botanica).
The most Castro-ish candidate on this years ballot might just be Ana Sandoval, who shares Castros old council district (7), high-school alma mater (Jefferson), degrees from Stanford and Harvard (plus an undergraduate stint at MIT), and fascination with environmental policy.
Montano stated that he couldnt really gauge the impact that council pay had on his political move, because it was already a fact of life in S.A. by the time he considered running.
It wasnt a comparative decision, Montano said.
But the District 1 challenger made it clear that he supports the concept of council pay.
We should treat and compensate city council members as the professionals they ought to be, he said. If you want people to be able to take it seriously, to really show up for their job like its a job and not be influenced by the potential for corruption, its important to have the City Council be compensated decently.
At least when it comes to our first election cycle in the council-pay era, people are definitely taking the City Council seriously.
ggarcia@express-news.net
Twitter: @gilgamesh470
Supply of new affordable homes across the countryside has remained 'static' as local authorities continue to 'ignore' the potential of Rural Exception Sites, the rural sector has warned.
Rural organisation CLA, which represents rural interests, says government data published on Thursday (12 January) shows that only 1,020 affordable properties were built in England on Rural Exception Sites over the past year, exposing a three-year low and highlighting the need for fresh ideas to solve the acute shortage of rural housing.
Rural Exception Sites are a key means of providing affordable homes in rural areas.
They are small patches of agricultural land outside a village boundary that would not otherwise get planning permission for housing.
Under the scheme, a landowner provides land at below market value on the basis the land is used to build affordable homes for local people.
'Three-year low in building rates'
CLA President Ross Murray said the core planning principle in the National Planning Policy Framework is the aim to support 'thriving' rural communities.
He said: These latest figures clearly demonstrate this is not being achieved. Rural Exception Sites are designed to provide much needed affordable homes for the local community in perpetuity and should be used to their maximum potential.
A three-year low in building rates is bad news for rural communities struggling with the cost of housing but unsurprising when coupled with the uncertainty caused by the Housing and Planning Act and the Governments extension of the Right to Buy to housing association tenants.
The figures also highlight large discrepancies between how local authorities are using Rural Exception Sites. Housing need is widespread but Cornwall Council has provided nearly one fifth of all affordable housing on these sites over the past five years while others have provided none at all.
'Untapped resource'
Mr Murray added the capacity of landowners to help develop the homes rural communities need is an untapped resource and that CLA proposals to increase supply carry little or no actual cost to the taxpayer.
He said: Landowners have strong multi-generational ties to their communities and are often local employers.
They wish to sustain that community for future generations, and long-term investment in affordable housing is an excellent way of doing this. However, there is not enough proactive engagement by local councils with landowners or incentives to bring sites forward.
To help increase the supply of affordable homes across the countryside the CLA called on the Government to introduce Permitted Development Rights to build affordable homes to rent on Rural Exception Sites.
Rural landowners have provided land for 8520 affordable houses on rural exception sites since 2010. To encourage more, the Government has been urged to introduce Permitted Development Rights for constructing affordable housing for rent on these sites to speed up delivery and reduce the 'significant and often disproportionate' upfront development costs.
Barleylands education programme has been shortlisted in the National Farm Attractions Network (NFAN) awards in the category of Best in Education for its work to inspire young minds.
The winner will be announced at the annual NFAN awards dinner on Wednesday 1st February at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, Brighton.
Farm parks are one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK visitor attractions market according to research from Visit England.
The National Farm Attractions Network is at the heart of the industry and celebrates excellence in its field with the annual awards.
The Barleylands education programme offers young people a host of hands on experiences, covering areas of the curriculum including geography, science, history, design and technology, literacy and maths.
With its long tradition in education and farming, Barleylands strives to provide the best possible educational opportunities for young people and caters for all learners from Early Years Foundation Stage to Key Stage 4.
Said Chris Philpot, Managing Director at Barleylands Farm: We welcome hundreds of school children every year to our farm to teach them about food, farming and the countryside.
Here, they can get up close to the animals, visit fields of crops by tractor and trailer, plant in our polytunnel, explore wildlife areas with every child having the opportunity cook from scratch using local produce.
We also offer bespoke days for school groups with themes including Georges Magic Medicine, Florence Nightingale, Ancient Greeks and Aztecs.
Farmers on the east coast of England are being warned to be vigilant over extreme weather as the Environment Agency has posted 11 severe flood warnings - meaning danger to life - due to the risk of tidal flooding.
The severe warnings - the agency's highest possible alert - are in place for coastal areas of Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Lincolnshire.
The high tide in Lincolnshire passed without any reported incidents on Friday morning (13 January), but forecasters said the risk would continue for another 24 hours, with further warnings issued in Suffolk from 21:45 GMT.
Lincolnshire County Council are urging farmers to move their livestock further inland away from the flood risk area if possible.
There are 88 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected and immediate action required, and 82 flood alerts.
An evacuation is under way in Jaywick, Essex, and a similar operation will begin in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, later this morning.
'Could affect properties on the coast'
The Environment Agency has said: Gale force winds combining with high tides are likely to result in large waves carrying dangerous debris, like rocks. The conditions are also expected to cause traffic disruption and could affect properties on the coast.
Environment Agency chief executive Sir James Bevan told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the first tide to hit the coast on Friday was "slightly under the height that we expected".
"The second, due this evening, may come out slightly higher than has been anticipated," he added.
"And so we will stay very active throughout the day on the ground, we will continue to warn and inform the communities that are at risk."
Flooding in the UK has been a hot topic of debate, mainly due to how the Government manages it and prevents it.
In November last year, thinktank Green Alliance released a report looking into the floods of winter 2015/2016 in Northern England, they explained the damage cost the economy 5 billion in 2015.
The thinktank warned if foods continue to be managed in the same way, damages could increase by as much as 150% by the 2080s.
Eighty people, including hill farmers and conservationists, have gathered under the banner of the 'Uplands Alliance' to talk passionately about England's 'high value' upland areas.
Organised and sponsored by the five northern National Park Authorities, the Alliance gathered in Penrith today (Friday 13 January) to develop ideas and actions needed to demonstrate the wide range of high value public benefits that the upland areas in the North of England generate for UK society.
They came from the Peak District to Northumberland, from Cumbria to the North York Moors as well as the Yorkshire Dales, Nidderdale, the Forest of Bowland, the North Pennines and the South Pennines.
The Alliance considered how to persuade the public and the Government to support continued and enhanced delivery of these benefits in future Government policy and public funding.
The workshop was addressed by Dame Helen Ghosh, Director-General of the National Trust, who said: We want to stand alongside our farm tenants in the uplands to look after this most wonderful legacy of landscapes, buildings and farming traditions and be partners with local communities to help them flourish.
Julia Aglionby, Chairman of the Uplands Alliance, said it was 'fantastic to see so much positive energy'.
There is substantial common ground between those who care about, manage, conserve and farm the uplands. We all value the northern uplands for their health, well being and environmental benefits. Going forward, with the appropriate support, we can enhance these while maintaining each areas distinctive cultural heritage and communities.
'Wide range of public goods and services'
Recently, one of the countrys most precious upland landscapes, the West Pennine Moors, was given special legal protection by Natural England for its nationally important wildlife, upland sheep farming and habitats.
Mike Burke, Natural Englands Area Manager for Cheshire to Lancashire said: The West Pennine Moors are truly special and wholly warrant this SSSI status. It confers special legal protection and recognises the national scientific importance of its mosaic of upland habitats and populations of breeding birds.
We will continue to work with all farmers, landowners and conservation groups across the area over the coming weeks and months to explain the importance of this designation and agree how we can work together to protect the area now and in the future.
The National Sheep Association has raised awareness about upland and hill sheep farming in the UK, with the group releasing a special report looking into the benefits of upland areas to British farming.
Sheep farming in UK upland and hill areas provides a wide range of public goods and services, from food production and environmental stewardship to landscape management and cultural heritage.
Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, explains: Upland farming's public goods go beyond its core agricultural outputs of food and wool; they include its foundation of fragile rural economies and communities, its creation and maintenance of landscapes and environments, and its contribution to tradition and heritage.
Gene-editing techniques could help to improve stocks of farmed pigs by boosting supplies of sperm from prized sires.
Scientists have created male pigs that could be used as surrogates capable of producing sperm that contains the genetic blueprint of sought-after pigs.
The surrogates have functional testes but do not have specialised stem cells that are required to produce sperm containing their own genetic information, the researchers say.
Stem cells from male pigs with desirable characteristics such as greater resilience to disease could be transplanted into the surrogates to produce limitless supplies of their valuable sperm.
Previous efforts to preserve sperm stem cells from prized pigs by transplanting them into surrogate pigs have so far had limited success.
Existing methods involve using chemotherapy drugs or irradiation to remove sperm stem cells from the recipients before transplanting donor cells. These approaches can also damage other tissues in the testes that are needed for sperm production, however.
Sophisticated genetic tool
Researchers used a sophisticated genetic tool called CRISPR/Cas9 to alter individual letters of the pigs genetic code leading to inactivation of a gene called NANOS2.
The scientists found that pigs with two copies of the DNA change do not have sperm stem cells and cannot produce sperm, making them completely sterile.
All other aspects of testicular development were completely unaffected and the animals are otherwise healthy. Female pigs were also unaffected by the change to their genetic code.
Pigs with only one copy of the DNA change are still fertile and could be used to produce more of the surrogate animals using conventional breeding techniques, researchers say.
The team says the breakthrough will allow farmers to preserve sperm from prized animals in perpetuity.
Researchers from the University of Edinburghs Roslin Institute, Washington State University, the University of Maryland and the US Department of Agricultures Animal Bioscience and Biotechnology Laboratory worked together on the project.
The study is published in the journal Scientific Reports.
Professor Bruce Whitelaw, Head of Developmental Biology at the University of Edinburghs Roslin Institute, said: This could dramatically improve the production efficiency and quality of farmed pigs, as well as enhancing other desirable traits such as disease resilience in production animals.
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs has today reassured a key priority for the Welsh Government - to secure 'unfettered access' to the EU Single Market.
Many farmers have concerns that restricted EU market access would have an adverse effect on the industry.
The Cabinet Secretary, Lesley Griffiths, met with Wales next generation of farmers to answer questions on the prospects of the industry postBrexit.
During a visit to Coleg Cambrias Llysfasi campus, which specialises in agriculture and farm skill courses, Miss Griffiths agreed to take questions from the aspiring farmers about the future of the industry in Wales following the decision for the UK to leave the EU.
The Cabinet Secretary reassured the students a key priority for the Welsh Government is to secure unfettered access to the EU Single Market.
The subject of EU funding was also raised, with the Cabinet Secretary saying she would expect the UK Government to make good on the commitment made during the referendum campaign that Wales would 'not lose a penny' as a result of leaving the EU.
The Cabinet Secretary said: As young farmers, they are the future of the industry and it is important their views on decisions which will affect them greatly are heard.
Since the referendum I have been engaging with a wide range of stakeholders to identify the full implications exiting the EU will have on the farming, food and environment sectors. Leaving the EU provides us with the opportunity to create a new, made in Wales approach and its important we work together to achieve the best outcome possible for Wales."
Ms Finlay said this was confirmed by chief justice John Latham, in PJ Magennis Pty v Commonwealth, when he said the States could acquire property "on any terms which they may choose to provide in a statute, even though the terms are unjust".
Events and things to do to celebrate Veterans Day in Cumberland County
Cumberland County will honor veterans for two weeks starting with the annual Veterans Day Parade on Saturday in downtown Fayetteville.
Medical device maker Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc. agreed Thursday to pay $30.5 million to resolve DOJ and SEC investigations into the companys repeat violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Under a deferred prosecution agreement (pdf) with the DOJ, Zimmer Biomet will pay a criminal fine of $17.46 million and retain an independent compliance monitor for three years.
The Warsaw, Indiana-based company also agreed to pay the SEC $13 million, consisting of $6.5 million in disgorgement and interest and a $6.5 million penalty. The SEC settled what it called repeat violations through an internal administrative order (pdf) and didnt go to court.
Biomet first faced FCPA charges from the DOJ and SEC in March 2012. It paid nearly $23 million to settle that enforcement action. Biomet then entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the DOJ and retained an independent compliance monitor for three years.
In 2013, Biomet learned about more potential anti-bribery violations in Brazil and Mexico and notified the monitor.
Zimmer bought Biomet in 2015 for about $14 billion. The combined company trades on the NYSE under the symbol ZBH.
As part of the DOJ action Thursday, a Zimmer Biomet subsidiary JERDS Luxembourg Holding S.ar.l. agreed to plead guilty to a one-count criminal information (pdf) filed in federal court in the District of Columbia. The DOJ charged JERDS with causing Biomet to violate the books and records provisions of the FCPA.
The plea agreement is subject to court approval. A hearing is scheduled for January 13.
Even after the 2012 DPA, the DOJ said Thursday, Biomet knowingly and willfully continued to use a third-party distributor in Brazil known to have paid bribes to government officials on Biomets behalf.
In Mexico, Biomet also failed to implement an adequate system of internal accounting controls at a subsidiary despite employees and executives having been made aware of red flags suggesting that bribes were being paid.
The DOJ said Biomet allowed the Mexican subsidiary, Biomet 3i Mexico S.A. de C.V. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of JERDS), to bribe Mexican customs officials through customs brokers and sub-agents. The bribed officials let 3i Mexico import dental implants without proper registration or labeling.
The 2012 enforcement action involved Biomets bribery of government officials in Argentina, Brazil, and China. The company also created phony financial records to conceal the bribes.
The three-year DPA from the 2012 case was extended by the DOJ for a year after Biomet reported to the monitor the suspected bribery in Brazil and Mexico.
At the end of the extended period, the DOJ said Thursday, the independent monitor was unable to certify that the companys compliance program satisfied the requirements of the 2012 DPA.
In June 2016, the DOJ said in a court filing that Biomet had breached the 2012 deferred prosecution agreement based on conduct in Brazil and Mexico.
After the DOJ told Zimmer Biomet it was in breach of the 2012 DPA, the company fully cooperated and provided information about individuals involved in the misconduct, the DOJ said Thursday.
But Thursdays action imposed another three-year DPA on Zimmer Biomet with an independent compliance monitor.
In 2011, the SEC subpoenaed Zimmer Holdings Inc. The subpoena asked for documents and records about sales activities in the Asia Pacific region. That subpoena was part of a wider FCPA investigation into the medical device industry.
But in late 2012, both the DOJ and SEC declined to take action against Zimmer.
Chad Phipps, Zimmer Biomets General Counsel, said in a statement Thursday: We are pleased to have reached this resolution involving legacy Biomet FCPA compliance matters.
Zimmer Biomet is committed to upholding the highest ethical and legal standards in our business practices across the globe, and we look forward to continuing to integrate the legacy Biomet business operations into our robust corporate compliance program, Phipps said.
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Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog.
Then Lt. Gentry Debord aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex in 2008 (Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class David Didier)A U.S. Navy lieutenant commander was sentenced to 30 months in prison Thursday for taking cash, luxury hotel stays, and prostitutes from a foreign defense contractor in exchange for classified Navy information.
Gentry Debord, 41, pleaded guilty in federal court in San Diego in October 2016.
Debord was based in Singapore. He served as a supply officer aboard the USS Essex and later as a logistics officer for the Pacific Fleet.
Singapore-based Glenn Defense Marine Asia provided fuel and supplies for Navy ships at Pacific ports.
From 2007 to early 2013, Debord passed classified Navy information to Glenn Defense CEO Leonard Glenn Francis. The information included details about competitors bids and an investigation into Glenn Defenses billing practices.
Francis, 51, is a Malaysian also known as Fat Leonard. He pleaded guilty in 2015 to bribing scores of U.S. Navy officials with travel, meals, cash, electronics, parties, and prostitutes.
Debord used code words with Francis, referring to prostitutes as cheesecake or bodyguards.
One Glenn Defense employee called Debord sex crazy in an internal email.
Debords attorney said his client had an addiction to sex.
The lawyer, Robert Schlein of San Diego, told the Washington Post that Debord was a young guy and he had this addiction, this sex addiction, that made him vulnerable.
Debord, who was married, asked a Glenn Defense executive to provide him with three hotel rooms, two cell phones, a van, and Singapore currency equivalent to about $1,500. He also asked for an apartment to use during a port visit.
Debord told Glenn Defense executives to inflate their invoices to the Navy to cover the cost of the bribes. He also approved invoices for services never rendered.
In addition to his 30-month prison sentence, Debord was ordered to pay a $15,000 fine and $37,000 in restitution to the Navy.
So far, sixteen defendants have been charged in the Fat Leonard case. Of those, 11 are current or former U.S. Navy officials.
Ten defendants have pleaded guilty. Seven have been sentenced to prison.
The longest prison sentence was given to former NCIS special agent John Beliveau. He was jailed 12 years for giving Francis confidential NCIS reports about investigations into him and his company.
The highest-ranking officer charged in the case is Rear Admiral Robert Gilbeau. He pleaded guilty in June to lying to investigators and destroying evidence about his relationship with Francis.
Three other Rear Admirals including the commander of naval forces in Japan retired last year after the Secretary of the Navy censured them for the Fat Leonard scandal.
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Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog.
Terrence Howard's ex-wife is dropping a lawsuit accusing him of assault.
Terrence Howard
The 'Empire' actor's second spouse, Michelle Ghent, sued the star in 2015 and claimed her former husband of strangling her during an argument and threatened to kill her while on vacation in Costa Rica, but according to court documents obtained by TMZ, she has now filed a request to dismiss the case.
And an insider told the website that Terrence - who had claimed there had been mutual combat between them - hadn't had to pay any settlement to have the case dropped.
Instead, Michelle decided to walk away from the row after lawyers' fees grew too high to continue.
However, Michelle wants the suit dismissed without prejudice, meaning she could refile it again in the future.
In 2015, the 47-year-old actor - who married Michelle in January 2010, but split from 11 months later, with their divorce finalised in May 2013 - had their settlement agreement thrown out on the grounds he signed it under duress.
Michelle had wanted the actor to pay more than his current $5,800-a-month agreement because of his recent success on 'Empire', but the judge agreed she had blackmailed him with threats of releasing naked photos and videos.
However, the judge also admonished Terrence over allegations of domestic abuse while delivering the ruling.
They said: "Terrence is a bully, but that doesn't mean he can't be bullied."
The 'Iron Man' actor - who has sons Qirin, 20 months, and Hero, four months, with wife Miranda Pak, and three other children from a past relationship - previously claimed in court that he signed his divorce settlement with Michelle under duress as she threatened to leak embarrassing footage of him, as well as audio of him engaging in phone sex with other women.
Michelle's lawyer asked Terrence why he said he loved her in an October 2013 phone call when he claimed she tried to extort him just a year earlier.
He responded: "I loved her, and I was afraid of her also."
Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla have shown their support for a charity album for the victims of flooding in Scotland.
Duchess Camilla and Prince Charles
The 68-year-old royal and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, travelled to the Scottish village of Ballater in Aberdeenshire where a concert was held to raise funds for those who were left devastated when flooding from the River Dee destroyed around 600 homes and 100 business in December 2015.
The charity album, entitled 'Immortal Memory', is a collection of music by the University of Aberdeen Chamber Choir, directed by composer Paul Mealor, and was premiered at the concert in Glenmuick Church on Thursday (12.01.17)
Prince Charles had been staying in Balmoral when the floods hit the village, and travelled to visit the destruction at the time.
He also contributed to a fundraising drive to rebuild a caravan park, and is supporting further redevelopment of the town with the opening of a restaurant called The Rothesay Rooms.
Speaking at the concert, Prince Charles said: "It was only a year ago when my wife and I came here, following the awful floods, and it was incredible to see how he had made such an enormous difference to so many people's lives who were having such a terrible time - as you all remember too well.
"I can never get over how remarkably resilient and courageous you all are for what you have had to put up with, and the way you have overcome these terrible challenges which have been thrown at you.
"It is a very special place, Ballater, and it has been wonderful to see how so many of the shops have been able to get back to trading again.
"And let us hope, ladies and gentlemen, that, from now on, things will greatly improve.
"This CD will make an enormous difference to the Ballater Flood Appeal."
'Immortal Memory' by the University of Aberdeen Chamber Choir will be available in selected record stores and available for digital download on Amazon and iTunes from January 20.
Prince Harry went to Africa to "get away" from the news of his mother's passing.
Prince Harry for Town and Country magazine
The 32-year-old royal was just 12 when his mother Princess Diana was fatally injured in a car crash in 1997, and he has now opened up about how his father Prince Charles whisked him and his brother Prince William away to Africa "straight after" the news of her death.
He said: "I first came [to Africa] in 1997, straight after my mum died. My dad told my brother and me to pack our bags - we were going to Africa to get away from it all. My brother and I were brought up outdoors. We appreciate nature and everything about it."
And the royal - who is in a relationship with actress Meghan Markle - admits his early visit to the continent has meant he has grown attached to the area, and "wishes" he could spend more time there.
He added: "This is where I feel more like myself than anywhere else in the world. I wish I could spend more time in Africa."
Prince Harry says he feels an "intense sense" of relaxation and normality when in Africa, and appreciates being able to go unnoticed.
Speaking in the latest issue of Town & Country magazine - which features photographs of the royal during a visit to Africa last year to work with African Parks on relocating 500 elephants - he said: "I have this intense sense of complete relaxation and normality here. To not get recognised, to lose myself in the bush with what I would call the most down-to-earth people on the planet, people [dedicated to conservation] with no ulterior motives, no agendas, who would sacrifice everything for the betterment of nature... I talk to them about their jobs, about what they do. And I learn so much."
Prince William and Prince Harry will honour their late mother Princess Diana with a National Kindness Day.
The late Princess Diana
The two royals lost their mother in a fatal car crash in Paris in 1997, and to mark the 20th anniversary of her tragic passing, the Diana Award - a charity which was established in 1999 to support young people's ability to change the world - has announced plans for a number of initiatives aimed at promoting the late Princess's qualities of kindness and compassion.
Prince William, 34, and Prince Harry, 32, will take part in a number of the planned events, which will include a National Kindness Day - where people are encouraged to do something nice for the sake of another - in March.
Tessy Ojo, chief executive of the Diana Award, said in a statement: "What's 2017 all about? It's about celebrating the legacy of Princess Diana, 20 years on. Diana, Princess of Wales was known worldwide for her values of compassion, her values of kindness and her values of service to others.
"Twenty years on, we at the Diana Award know that her values and her legacy live on through the tens of thousands of young people who only know her as an historic figure, but are committed to continuing those values."
As of yet, the events which will be attended by the royal brothers has not been confirmed, but Tessy claimed both Princes have been kept up to date and fully support the proposed programme.
Lenzing, a world leader in marketing and manufacturing man-made cellulose fibres from Austria, is presenting the Tencel lyocell fibre, at the ongoing Heimtextil 2017, the international trade fair for home and contract textiles, from January 10 to 13, 2017, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, demonstrating its worth in the hotel business in bed linens.Tencel fibre has no problem meeting the highest standards in bed linens. Years of product developments with international partners in industrial linens and bed linens manufacturers have led to success.
Lenzing, a world leader in marketing and manufacturing man-made cellulose fibres from Austria, is presenting the Tencel lyocell fibre, at the ongoing Heimtextil 2017, the international trade fair for home and contract textiles, from January 10 to 13, 2017, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, demonstrating its worth in the hotel business in bed linens.#
Susanne Jary, home and interior director at Lenzing said, Following intensive effort on our part, we have developed excellent bed linens for the hotel trade. Now business travellers or wellness guests can also experience Tencel bed linens. It was no easy task to get Tencel fit for industrial laundries. After years of cooperation with partners in industry, technical recommendations have been developed for cleaning hotel bed linens in industrial laundries.The American manufacturer, Valley Forge Fabric, works with internationally renowned hotel chains and specialises in Tencel in the segment of furniture fabrics and bed linens.Valley said, We are convinced that we have changed the way that our customers see textiles in the hotel sector. Ecological compatibility and health aspects now have an influence on their purchase decisions. For us it is important to tell this unique Tencel fibre story.The Austrian company HEFEL Textil is a pioneer in the field of production of Tencel bed linens. HEFEL Textil started to use the Tencel fibre in their bed linens as early as 1998. (GK)
Fibre2Fashion News Desk India
The anti-dumping duty imposed by India on Jute imported from Bangladesh and Nepal has forced Bangladesh to explore new options to urge India to lift it. The national jute advisory committee of the country has planned to engage with India by taking the diplomatic means to solve the issue that has put close to one-fifth of the countrys jute export at stake.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is expected to visit India next month, might also discuss this issue with India and urge the country to reconsider its decision.
Government of India imposed duty on jute as these imports are undercutting and suppressing the prices of the domestic industry. Imposed in the bracket of $6.30 to $351.72 per tonne, it is applicable on all forms and specifications of jute yarn/twine, jute sacking bags and hessian fabric for five years.
The anti-dumping duty imposed by India on jute imported from Bangladesh and Nepal has forced Bangladesh to explore new options to urge India to lift it. The national jute advisory committee of the country has planned to engage with India by taking the diplomatic means to solve the issue that has put close to one-fifth of the country's jute export at stake.#
The performance of the domestic industry has deteriorated in terms of profitability returns on investments and cash flow. Injury to domestic industry has been caused by dumped imports, said a revenue department notification issued on January 5.
Local players had complained about the imports of jute products and a probe was initiated on the same by the Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) in 2015.
Bangladesh had exported jute and jute goods worth $919 million in the financial year 2015-16 and more than $260 million worth of jute was imported by India. (KD)
Fibre2Fashion News Desk India
The Australian Government, Cotton Australia and the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) have together launched a partnership to support the training of approximately 225,000 cotton farmers in Pakistan, commencing with the 2017 season. The partnership has been established to support Pakistans ability to compete in premium international cotton markets.
Pakistani farmers will be trained in techniques for growing cotton with a focus on improved environmental, social and economic benefits, in line with the Better Cotton Standard System. The partnership will deliver practical tools and the latest environmental and cutting-edge management practices aligned with internationally recognised quality assurance for sustainable cotton production.
Pakistan is the fourth largest producer of cotton in the world and cotton is an important export earner for the country.
The Australian Government, Cotton Australia and the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) have together launched a partnership to support the training of approximately 225,000 cotton farmers in Pakistan, commencing with the 2017 season. The partnership has been established to support Pakistan's ability to compete in premium international cotton markets.#
The Australian government has committed AUD500,000 to this project which will be supported through the Australian aid programs Business Partnerships Platform. Australias contribution will be matched by AUD2.4 million from the BCI Growth and Innovation Fund. The BCI Growth and Innovation Funds matching funds come from BCI retailer and brand members, such as Adidas, Ikea, H&M, Levi Strauss & Co, Marks & Spencer, Cotton On, Tesco, Sainsburys, Tommy Hilfiger and Nike, according to a statement released by the Australian High Commission.
The partnership represents an important step forward for BCI in promoting cross-learning between cotton growing countries. This collaboration will deliver tangible value to cotton farmers in Pakistan as they gain access to the vast body of deep knowledge on good agricultural practices held by Cotton Australia, as well as being able to participate in BCI training programmes to promote more sustainable farming practices, said Lena Staafgard, chief operating officer, BCI.
The partnership will work closely with Cotton Australia and Australian cotton farmers who will share their world-leading practices, skills and experience with farmers in Pakistan. By promoting Australian cotton practices we will aim to help improve the global reputation of Pakistan cotton, safeguarding cottons future in Pakistan, said Margaret Adamson, Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan.
Australian cotton farmers are happy to share knowledge and experience to assist other cotton producers (in this case Pakistani) improve their sustainability, as this gives brands and retailers the confidence to use cotton in their products. More and more global brands and retailers only want to source cotton that has been responsibly produced, said Adam Kay, CEO of Cotton Australia.
The partnership brings together the worlds largest cotton sustainability programme, BCI, with some of the worlds largest retail brands that have committed to significant targets for sustainable cotton use in their products. (KD)
Fibre2Fashion News Desk India
The European apparel and textile confederation, Euratex, has highlighted the need for European Commission to tackle trade barriers in China and to address sector-specific topics, such as the overcapacities in the man-made fibres and yarns production. Euratex has reiterated that China does not meet the five criteria required to qualify as a market economy.
The European apparel and textile confederation, Euratex, has highlighted the need for European Commission to tackle trade barriers in China and to address sector-specific topics, such as the overcapacities in the man-made fibres and yarns production. Euratex has reiterated that China does not meet the five criteria required to qualify as a market economy.#
Euratex has welcomed the reflection process carried out by the European Commission over the last months to address the needs of the European industry and to tackle unfair trade practices. It has released its position paper on the Commissions proposal to change anti-dumping and anti-subsidy legislation.
The European apparel and textile confederation, Euratex, has highlighted the need for European Commission to tackle trade barriers in China and to address sector-specific topics, such as the overcapacities in the man-made fibres and yarns production. Euratex has reiterated that China does not meet the five criteria required to qualify as a market economy.#
Further to its letter to European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom in January 2016, Euratex has reiterated that China does not meet the 5 criteria required to qualify as a market economy, in its position paper.
The European apparel and textile confederation, Euratex, has highlighted the need for European Commission to tackle trade barriers in China and to address sector-specific topics, such as the overcapacities in the man-made fibres and yarns production. Euratex has reiterated that China does not meet the five criteria required to qualify as a market economy.#
However, Euratex adds that it is aware that the Commission has put efforts to tackle overcapacities and to strive for preservation of European jobs by proposing to change the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy legislation.
The European apparel and textile confederation, Euratex, has highlighted the need for European Commission to tackle trade barriers in China and to address sector-specific topics, such as the overcapacities in the man-made fibres and yarns production. Euratex has reiterated that China does not meet the five criteria required to qualify as a market economy.#
The European textile and clothing industry is currently struggling for competitiveness by continuous innovation and through the development of front-runner specialities. But, the industry needs fair trade in order to grow and create jobs. We thus welcome the improvement of the anti-subsidy proceedings allowing to take into account the new subsidies in the course of an investigation. Euratex is also looking forward for the Council and Parliaments approval of the withdrawal of the Lesser Duty Rule.
The European apparel and textile confederation, Euratex, has highlighted the need for European Commission to tackle trade barriers in China and to address sector-specific topics, such as the overcapacities in the man-made fibres and yarns production. Euratex has reiterated that China does not meet the five criteria required to qualify as a market economy.#
The position paper, however, adds that the Commissions proposal to change the AD-AS legislation by creating a new methodology for the calculation of the anti-dumping and introducing the concept of significant distortion may open a lot of uncertainty for the European companies.
The European apparel and textile confederation, Euratex, has highlighted the need for European Commission to tackle trade barriers in China and to address sector-specific topics, such as the overcapacities in the man-made fibres and yarns production. Euratex has reiterated that China does not meet the five criteria required to qualify as a market economy.#
Drawing attention on the necessity to focus on sectoral needs, the paper says, There are a number of questions revolving around the WTO compatibility, the drafting of the reports, the burden of proof, the management of the transition period, the timetable for adoption of this proposal and the subsequent reaction of China. Euratex joins its voice to that of the European business community to urge the Commission to strongly act and clarify these points.
The European apparel and textile confederation, Euratex, has highlighted the need for European Commission to tackle trade barriers in China and to address sector-specific topics, such as the overcapacities in the man-made fibres and yarns production. Euratex has reiterated that China does not meet the five criteria required to qualify as a market economy.#
Euratex has also highlighted the necessity to address sectoral problems through dedicated initiatives. Tackling barriers to trade in China, protecting IPR, ensuring stability of raw material prices and addressing overcapacities remain our priorities, it says. Euratex has asked DG Trade for setting up a specific task force on overcapacities in man-made fibres and yarns. (RKS)
Fibre2Fashion News Desk India
Innovative technologies and front end solutions developer Fujitsu Frontech North America has developed their smallest UHF RFID tag for high fashion apparel and accessories. The WT-A433L washable UHF RFID tag is 33 per cent smaller than its predecessor, the WT-A522L UHF RFID tag with improved washing durability, while also being virtually undetectable.According to the company, unlike most garment RFID tags, the WT-A433L tag is made from transparent materials and is virtually invisible when sewn into clothing or accessories.
Innovative technologies and front end solutions developer Fujitsu Frontech North America has developed their smallest UHF RFID tag for high fashion apparel and accessories. The WT-A433L washable UHF RFID tag is 33 per cent smaller than its predecessor, the WT-A522L UHF RFID tag with improved washing durability, while also being virtually undetectable. #
So, even though the WT-A433L UHF RFID tag is virtually undetectable when installed in the sheerest of garments, it provides positive identification of an item even if the sales tags have been removed, it informed.Measuring only 37mm x 10mm x 0.3 mm, the mini tag can easily be sewn into hems, seams, or under manufacturers labels and is home-wash, dry-clean, and ironing safe.Fraud and counterfeiting in high fashion apparel are on the rise. Attaching the Fujitsu Fashion tag mini in high-value garments and accessories can provide positive confirmation of an items authenticity and also help reduce incidents of fraud, said Randy Fox, vice president of sales and marketing, Fujitsu Frontech North America. (AR)
Fibre2Fashion News Desk India
An Angel With A Beautiful Soul
At the event, even Hollywood action star Vin Diesel, who will be sharing the screen space with Deepika Padukone in 'xXx: Return of Xander Cage', praised Deepika and called her 'an angel with a beautiful soul'.
She's The Queen: Vin Diesel
"I was waiting for the opportunity to come here. And she is the queen and angel who is such a blessing in my life. She has a such a beautiful soul. To be a part of the magic that is made on-screen is a blessing of my life," said Vin about Deepika, who is making her Hollywood debut with this film.
'There's No One Like Her'
"There is no one like Deepika. Though her origin is Indian, she is the queen of the whole world. I saw her in 'Bajirao Mastani' and she was mindblowing," said Vin, heaping praise on his co-star.
Vin Diesel On Working With Deepika
"Being in this city (Mumbai) is like a dream comes true. I wanted to work with Deepika from a long time. I met her years ago. She requested me she wants to do the premiere in her country. So the fact is that we are here to keep her promise," he added.
Awww!
"The love between two characters, me and Deepika in the film is the evidence of multi-culture global harmony we talk about," said 'The Fast and Furious' star.
Shahid & Ranveer
Deepika Padukone's Padmavati co-stars Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor were also spotted at the event to lend their support to her!
How Beautiful!
If this pictures doesn't make you go weak on your knees, we don't know what will!
A Proud Moment For Deepika
Deepika Padukone also mentioned that she is very proud to present her country to the world through the film and that her character is the representation of modern woman.
Proud To Represent India
"I feel so proud as an Indian to be representing our country India on the global stage. I also believe that female characters in a film like this have its due. You will get to see when you watch the film tomorrow (on Friday)," said Deepika.
The gorgeous Nargis Fakhri, apart from posting some really hot pictures of herself on her social media handle, shares deep philosophical quotes on love and life, which will keep you thinking about its true meaning. The actress captions her posts with deep philosophical quotes and also gives her own gyaan on how to achieve something in life or how to be happy in the midst of sadness.
Aamir Khan Opens Up About The Donald Trump & Meryl Streep Controversy!
In her recent Twitter post, Nargis Fakhri explained the what beauty of life means, and that is to be happy both inside and out. She said, "Beauty is about living your life. And being happy with yourself inside & out. And not worrying what people think of you. #happiness."
She also gave out some gyaan to her followers about opportunities and how to create them. She said, "Every great story on the planet happened when someone decided not to give up, but kept going no matter what #motivationmondays #story #goal," and "You can create opportunities! Often, it is not a matter of creating them, but becoming aware of them. #create #opportunities #motivate."
Anushka Sharma: I Have The Luxury Of Doing Lesser Films!
Nargis Fakhri has been posting deep philosophical messages on her social media handle for quite some time now. At first, her fans assumed it was just a one off incident but the actress kept on posting several philosophical quotes. By now her followers are used to it and look up to her messages quite seriously!
Pictures! Celina Jaitley Holidays In China Along With Her Husband Peter Haag
Here is a good news for the Malayalam movie audiences. Kerala Exhibitors Federation has finally decided to call off the cinema strike. The theatres of Kerala will start functioning from January 18, Wednesday.
The federation head Liberty Basheer and his associates decided to call off the cinema strike after a large number of members decided to quit the federation and join the new theatre owners association, formed under actor Dileep.
Reportedly, it was Dileep who played a major role in convincing the theatre owners to quit the Exhibitors Federation and form a new association. However, the industry members are extremely happy to know the news.
Several Mollywood celebrities, including actor Aju Varghese, congratulated Dileep and his for his brilliant movement which put an end to the cinema strike. The new theatre association will be officially announced on January 14.
Recently, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had openly criticised the Exhibitors Federation authorities for proceeding with the strike, by ignoring the producers association and Government's efforts to solve the issue.
If things fall in place, the delayed Christmas films, including Jomonte Suvisheshangal, Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol, Ezra, and Fukri will be released by the third and fourth weeks of January.
After a wonderful 2016, the Malayalam film industry has started off 2017 on a negative note, with the film strike hampering the hopes and aspirations of a number of people working in the industry.
While many film-makers and producers from the industry expressed their opinion on the same, the mainstream actors didn't talk about the issues much. But now, actor Prithviraj has voiced his opinion on the ongoing strike.
The actor took to Facebook to express his views on the same. Prithviraj started off congratulating Pulimurugan and the entire team for achieving something really big. Take a look at the Facebook post of the actor.
The actor has cleared his stand on the ongoing issue by expressing his support for the Producers and the Distributors association. He has strongly condemned the demand of theatre association for a higher profit share and he also believes that no A Class theatre in the state is running in a loss.
The has also remarked that much like any other sections in the film industry the years 2015 and 2016 were good ones for the theatre owners also.
He also pointed out the fact that how difficult it is for a producer to make profit out of his/her venture. The actor has stated that the profit share of multiplex centres are high but it should be remebered that the facilities in such centres are on the better side and moreover, a multiplex centre would play close to 15-20 shows in the releasing week of a movie.
He concluded by hoping that all the issues will be resolved soon. Well, a big pat on the back for Prithviraj for being daring and voicing out his opinion without fear.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2017) - Lupaka Gold Corp. (TSXV: LPK) (FSE: LQP) ("Lupaka Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has:
closed the Bridge Loan Financing (the " Loan ") previously announced on January 4, 2017 in the amount of $300,000, with a group of third-party individuals and Darryl Jones (CFO), a Company Insider (collectively, the " Lender s "), pursuant to which the Company has agreed to borrow a total of C$300,000 (the " Loan "), and
entered into debt settlement agreements (the "Shares For Debt") with 9 creditors of the Company, which includes 3 members of Management and the Board of Directors (collectively, the "Creditors").
The Loan
The proceeds will be used for the advancement of the Company's mineral properties and for general working capital purposes. The Loan is unsecured and will bear simple interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum, calculated and payable semi-annually with the first interest payment due on June 30, 2017 and each subsequent payment due each six months thereafter. The Loan and accrued and unpaid interest shall be repaid in full on or before the date that is two years after the Closing Date.
The Company has agreed to issue to the Lenders a total of 1,500,000 non-transferrable warrants, such number being equal to the amount of the Loan divided by $0.20. Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of C$0.20 per share for a period of two years following the Closing Date. The warrants and any shares issued pursuant to the exercise of the warrants will be subject to a statutory hold period under Canadian securities laws expiring four months and a day after the Closing Date. The Loan and issue of warrants has been approved by the TSX Venture Exchange.
Darryl Jones is an officer of the Company and his participation in the Loan is considered to be a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI 61-101"). The transaction will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involves such persons, will exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.
Shares For Debt
The Company has entered into Shares For Debt settlement agreements with 6 creditors of the Company and Gordon Ellis (CEO), Darryl Jones (CFO) and Stephen Silbernagel (a Director), the latter being officers and a director who are each considered a non-arms' length party, (collectively, the "Creditors"), whereby the Company would issue Common Shares at a deemed price of $0.15 per share. Pursuant to the Shares For Debt Agreements, $45,000 of debt would be settled and a total of 300,000 Common Shares would be issued.
Management believes that these Shares For Debt Agreements are in the best interests of the Company because the creditors have agreed to settle the debts owed to them for shares allowing the Company to preservice its cash for operating purposes.
The Company is relying on exemptions from the prospectus requirements found in section 2.14 of National Instrument 45-106 and applicable securities laws to issue the shares. The Common Shares issued in connection with the Shares for Debt transaction are subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus one day, and are subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this news release.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Lupaka Gold Corp., Investor Relations at +1 (604) 681-5900, e-mail: info@lupakagold.com or visit the Company's website at www.lupakagold.com.
OTTAWA (dpa-AFX) - The Japanese yen weakened against the other major currencies in the Asian session on Friday. The yen fell to 122.14 against the euro, 139.93 against the pound and 113.85 against the Swiss franc, from yesterday's closing quotes of 121.72, 139.45 and 113.42, respectively. Against the U.S. and the Canadian dollars, the yen dropped to 115.11 and 87.54 from yesterday's closing quotes of 114.71 and 87.25, respectively. If the yen extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 124.00 against the euro, 146.00 against the pound, 115.00 against the franc, 119.00 against the greenback and 89.00 against the loonie. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
INDIANAPOLIS (dpa-AFX) - Drug maker Eli Lilly and Co. (LLY) said Thursday that it has received a favorable court ruling regarding the vitamin regimen patent for its cancer drug Alimta. The court ruled that a proposed generic equivalent from Israel-based generic drug maker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (TEVA) would infringe on Eli Lilly's patent for Alimta.
Eli Lilly said the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld the district court's decision and ruled in its favor regarding validity and infringement of the vitamin regimen patent for Alimta. This is the third time in three years that a U.S. court to uphold the patent on Alimta.
In the case of Eli Lilly and Co. v. Teva Parenteral Medicines, Inc., et al., the court affirmed the earlier rulings by a district court that Alimta's vitamin regimen patent is valid and would be infringed by the generic challengers' proposed products.
Eli Lilly noted that if the patent is ultimately upheld through all remaining challenges, Alimta would maintain U.S. exclusivity until May 2022. This will prevent marketing of generic products for as long as the patent remains in force. The Alimta compound patent remains in force through January 24, 2017.
Michael Harrington, senior vice president and general counsel for Lilly said, 'The significant scientific research that Lilly performed in support of the vitamin regimen patent deserves intellectual property protection, which has been confirmed in every validity challenge to date. We continue to emphasize that protection of intellectual property rights is extremely important to the biopharmaceutical industry and the patients we serve.'
In March 2014, the U.S. Court for the Southern District of Indiana upheld the validity of the vitamin regimen patent. The same court again ruled in Lilly's favor regarding infringement of the vitamin regimen patent in August 2015.
In mid-June 2016, the German Federal Supreme Court granted the appeal by Eli Lilly in the case of Eli Lilly and Co. v. Actavis, vacating the prior decision denying infringement.
However, the UK High Court said in February 2016 that Alimta's vitamin regimen patent would not presently be infringed by Actavis marketing pemetrexed trometamol in the UK, France, Italy and Spain, with instructions to dilute the product only with dextrose solution.
In major European countries, the compound protection for Alimta expired in December 2015. The patent protection for the Alimta vitamin regimen will expire in June 2021.
LLY closed Thursday's trading at $77.15, up $1.89 or 2.51 percent on a volume of 11.90 million shares. In after-hours, the stock further gained $0.10 or 0.13 percent to $77.25.
TEVA closed Thursday's trading at $33.94, down $0.34 or 0.99 percent on a volume of 10.76 million shares. In after-hours, the stock further declined $0.04 or 0.12 percent to $33.90.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
Figure 1: Marketo diagram
Fujitsu Limited Public and Investor Relations Tel: +81-3-3215-5259 URL: www.fujitsu.com/global/news/contacts/
TOKYO, Jan 13, 2017 - (JCN Newswire) - Fujitsu today announced its collaboration with US-based Marketo, Inc., which develops and provides the world's leading engagement marketing platform in the marketing field. Starting today, Fujitsu will provide consulting services to assist companies in Japan with their deployment of the marketing automation platform from Marketo.Through this collaboration Fujitsu will offer consulting services to support the deployment of the "Marketo" engagement marketing automation platform. Fujitsu will also develop new functions that work to connect Marketo to the Fujitsu business management platform positioned within FUJITSU Digital Marketing Platform CX360, a suite of digital marketing-related products and solutions. This will enable consolidated management of program implementation, based on sophisticated segmentation, using email, website personalization, advertising tie-ins and other Marketo-based functions, in tandem with measurements of each type of marketing program's effectiveness. The result will be that companies are able to integrate their complex marketing activities, making them more efficient and optimized, while also having the capacity to deliver communications that maximize the lifetime value of customers.To contribute to customer business growth, Fujitsu will continue to enhance CX360 and to support ever-more powerful corporate marketing innovation to realize the optimal marketing approach for each and every customer.BackgroundCustomers in Japan today are surrounded by a growing volume of digital media, which is having a remarkable effect on their buying behavior. For example, among changes in purchasing behavior, customers gather product information from the internet, and to some extent have already narrowed down their prospective purchases prior to being contacted by a sales representative. Given this, few companies have found a way to mount a successful marketing response, and are still finding their way.With CX360, Fujitsu has systematized its products and solutions that support services ranging from consulting to implementation in order to deliver optimal marketing approaches to customers, and now, in collaboration with Marketo, it offers enhanced marketing automation.About the Collaboration with Marketo1. Providing consulting services for deployment assistanceFujitsu has signed a Service Partner Agreement(1) with Marketo and will now leverage the expertise it has gained in deploying and using Marketo, as well as its experience in marketing and system integration to provide consulting services to assist in Marketo deployments.Formulating strategies for using marketing automationThrough its marketing framework(2), Fujitsu helps companies formulate strategies to maximize the effectiveness of marketing automation by using data analysis to select target customers and target products and services, and selecting the content and channel based on a customer's journey. Fujitsu also designs a complete digital marketing system that connects marketing automation with multiple solutions, including customer relationship management (CRM) and content management system (CMS) solutions.All-around support with everything from deployment to everyday use based on Marketo knowhowFujitsu has been using Marketo internally since 2014 for SaaS products such as the file sharing and storage service usable from the internet with a Web browser or network driver, the FUJITSU Cloud Service Cloud File Server, and has automated scenario-based promotion that reacts according to the attributes and activities of potential-customer information. Given such experience, it has accumulated considerable expertise in implementing B2B marketing programs. Now Fujitsu's specialists, who have extensive experience with Marketo deployments, are offering total assistance with everything from deployment to operations to everyday use.In addition, Fujitsu Communications Services Limited will offer outsourcing service for mail marketing when Marketo has been deployed, and through this service, can also utilize the Marketo environment to set up dedicated trial environments to test tactics. In this way customers can verify the results from actual marketing automation programs and issues with them in advance.2. Developing new functionalityFujitsu has concluded a Technology Partner Contract(3) with Marketo, developing new functionality connecting Marketo with the business management platform provided in Fujitsu's CX360 solution.Marketing dashboardBy adding a marketing dashboard to the CX360 business management platform, which integrates data imported from Marketo with social media data from such sources as Facebook, Twitter, and websites using solutions such as Adobe Analytics or Google Analytics, users can enjoy consolidated management for measuring the effectiveness of multiple marketing programs, including marketing automation, web, and social media.Data linking functionalityFujitsu has built a system to automatically link analysis results from the CX360 business management platform with Marketo. This allows customer segmentation information to be generated based on customers behavioral patterns on the business management platform using multiple data sources, and allows real-time policies based on analyzing this data to be implemented through Marketo.EndorsementYasutaka Fukuda, President and Representative Director of Marketo KKIt gives Marketo great confidence that Fujitsu Limited has now launched consulting services to support implementing Marketo (engagement marketing platform), as we are the first collaborative business partner to expand Fujitsu's initiatives in the field of marketing automation. Marketo not only provides a tool, but also helps to accelerate success and business growth of both clients and partners through "Marketing Nation" which is a powerful, open ecosystem and built on partnerships with partners and customers. We are convinced that the collaboration with Fujitsu, continuing to provide high-quality system integration services to satisfy customers' needs, will maximize the value of ideal customer experience to accelerate business growth of customersFor more information: "Fujitsu Enables Real-Time Customer-Centric Marketing with Launch of CX360 Solution"http://www.fujitsu.com/global/about/resources/news/press-releases/2016/1104-01.html(1) Service Partner AgreementA partnership for business consulting, content creation, or supporting the implementation, operation and use of Marketo.(2) Marketing frameworkA framework that helps maximize customer experience value.(3) Technology Partner Contract (LaunchPoint Partner Contract)A partnership in which the partner connects its system to Marketo and offers its company's solutions to customers.About Fujitsu LtdFujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company, offering a full range of technology products, solutions, and services. Approximately 159,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702; ADR:FJTSY) reported consolidated revenues of 4.7 trillion yen (US$41 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. For more information, please see http://www.fujitsu.com.* Please see this press release, with images, at:http://www.fujitsu.com/global/about/resources/news/press-releases/Source: Fujitsu LtdContact:Copyright 2017 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Mitsubishi Corporation Telephone: +81 3 3210 2171 Facsimile: +81 3 5252 7705
TOKYO, Jan 13, 2017 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Corporation reached a basic agreement with AES Corporation and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL), which distributes electricity in Northern and Northwestern Delhi, to develop an energy storage demonstration project in India. The project will be concentrated in the grid sectors operated by TPDDL.Under the partnership, MC and AES will establish a 10 MW energy storage system at TPDDL's facilities. Administered jointly by the three companies, the energy storage system will contribute to stabilizing the grid network, which delivers power to over 7 million customers across the region. The project will be implemented using Advancion(1), the cutting-edge energy storage technology developed by AES Energy Storage, a subsidiary of AES.The Indian government has been undertaking a number of initiatives aimed at curbing chronic electricity shortage while at the same time reducing green-house gas emissions and improving air quality. One approach has been the proactive use of renewable sources such as wind and solar energy. However, the energy secured from these natural sources is not yet sufficient to fill demand-supply gaps or provide the stability required for the grid network. In light of this, electricity storage systems have proven to be a valuable option as they provide a back-up of energy supply, which addresses these and other concerns, including the risk of power outages caused by overloading at peak periods. The outlook for electricity storage systems is therefore very positive.This project will not only serve to demonstrate the contribution that advanced Advancion technology can make to stabilizing electricity grids, but it will also lay the groundwork for MC to develop projects of this nature successfully in India and in other parts of the Asia and Oceania region. More broadly, the introduction of Advancion in the region is likely to have a positive impact in terms of increasing the use of renewable energy, reducing costs related to power transmission and distribution, and lowering the volume of green-house gas emissions.(1) See this press release issued by Mitsubishi Corporation in February 2016 for more about its partnership with AES for the sale of Advancion technology across the Asia and Oceania region.About Mitsubishi CorporationMitsubishi Corporation (MC; TSE: 8058) is a global integrated business enterprise that develops and operates businesses across virtually every industry including industrial finance, energy, metals, machinery, chemicals, foods, and environmental business. MC's current activities are expanding far beyond its traditional trading operations as its diverse business ranges from natural resources development to investment in retail business, infrastructure, financial products and manufacturing of industrial goods. With over 200 bases of operations in approximately 80 countries worldwide and a network of over 500 group companies, MC employs a multinational workforce of nearly 60,000 people. For more information, please visit www.mitsubishicorp.com.Source: Mitsubishi CorporationContact:Copyright 2017 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
WISeKey International Holding Ltd (WIHN.SW) ("WISeKey") today announced that its first round of seed financing has been oversubscribed, raising $1.3 million for WISeKey India, a Joint Venture established in late 2016 with leading Indian entrepreneurs to deploy WISeKey IoT and Cybersecurity Platform to the Indian Market.
As per the terms of the Joint Venture, WISeKey India will localize WISeKey's Cybersecurity Platform and provide Indian customers both individuals and organizations trusted identities for the Internet of Things (IoT) objects and mobiles, enabling them to complete secure online transactions with confidence, trust the identities of others, and the identities of the IoT infrastructure. These transactions will run via localized Root of Trust ("RoT"), serve the Indian Ecosystem, and will benefit sectors such as telecom, manufacturing, retail, and e-commerce.
The deployment of the WISeKey India platform includes the development of a full RoT Public Key Infrastructure ("PKI"), a globally trusted Certification Authority applicable for several major initiatives of the Government of India, including the "Digital India Vision" campaign. These programs will help make the country e-ready for various e-governance applications such as the automation of income tax, passport, corporate law, e-procurement, and contract bidding.
Under the terms of the Joint Venture, WISeKey will create a WISeKey Cryptographic RoT in India for IoT manufacturers and chipmakers allowing them to add digital certificates on their chips at the hardware level to encrypt communication and authenticate devices. The first project is already under development for the use of semiconductors IoT chips and Asymmetric Keys to authenticate a very large number of products to be deployed in the country.
RoT serves as a common trust anchor, which is recognized by the operating system ("OS") and applications, to ensure the authenticity, confidentiality and integrity of on-line transactions. With the Cryptographic RoT embedded on the device, the IoT product manufacturers can use code-signing certificates and a cloud-based signature-as-a-service to secure interactions among objects and between objects and people.
At the heart of this dynamic joint venture initiative is the OISTE-WISeKey Cryptographic RoT which is now featured in over 2.6 billion of the 8 billion interconnected desktops, browsers, mobile devices, SSL certificates and IoT objects. The OISTE WISeKey Cryptographic RoT, a pioneer in the identification of objects, is ubiquitous and universal.
WISeKey India will also deploy a private-label mobile application and service platform that provides Near Field Communication (NFC) payment functions, pre-paid services capabilities, e-coupons, targeted advertising, the management of and access to personal user data.
Carlos Moreira, Founder and CEO of WISeKey said, "We are thrilled to close the first round of seed financing for WISeKey India to launch our trusted IoT infrastructure. With this initiative, we will positively affect the lives of millions of people by providing an interoperable 'environment' allowing identification, authentication, and authorization for billions of objects."
About WISeKey
WISeKey (SIX Swiss Exchange: WIHN) is a leading global cybersecurity company currently deploying large scale digital identity ecosystems with a patented process. WISeKey's Swiss based cryptographic Root of Trust ("RoT") provides secure authentication and identification, in both physical and virtual environments, for the Internet of Things, Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence. The WISeKey RoT serves as a common trust anchor to ensure the integrity of on-line transactions among objects and between objects and people.
To receive WISeKey's latest news, subscribe to our Newsletter or visit the WISeKey Investors Corner.
Disclaimer:
This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of article 652a or article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or a listing prospectus within the meaning of the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170112005975/en/
Contacts:
WISeKey
Youmna Abisaleh, +41-22-594-3000
Marketing Communications
yabisaleh@WISeKey.com
or
Investor Relations (United States)
The Equity Group, Inc.
Lena Cati, 212-836-9611
lcati@equityny.com
Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.
Regulatory News:
FCE Bank plc
Stabilisation Notice
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc (contact: Philippe Bradshaw, +44 20 7085 5213) hereby gives notice that no stabilisation, within the meaning of the rules under Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2273/2003 implementing the Market Abuse Directive (2003/6/EC), was undertaken by the Stabilising Manager(s)named below in relation to the offer of the following securities.
Issuer: FCE Bank plc Guarantor (if any): n/a Aggregate nominal amount: EUR 750m Description: Long 4yr Fixed Rate Notes XS1548776498 Stabilising Manager(s) The Royal Bank of Scotland plc (co-ordinating stabilisation manager) Banca IMI S.p.A. Barclays Bank PLC Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch
This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction.
This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. The securities referred to above have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. There has not been and will not be a public offer of the securities in the United States.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170112006184/en/
Contacts:
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
Philippe Bradshaw
+44 20 7085 5213
Seiichiro Toda s-toda@cj.jp.nec.com +81-3-3798-6511
TOKYO, Jan 13, 2017 - (JCN Newswire) - NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701) today announced that NEC Laboratories Europe is one of five members of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) who have initiated a new ETSI Industry Specification Group on Context Information Management (ISG CIM), together with the Open & Agile Smart Cities (OASC) organization.The ISG CIM will specify open standards for the context information management layer, running 'on top' of IoT platforms, enabling implementation of context-aware behavior in smart applications. This context information management layer accesses and updates information coming from different sources (IoT networks and information systems) that comprise the semantics of information, including data source, time of validity, ownership and many more. This will dramatically extend the interoperability of applications, helping smart cities to integrate their existing services and enable new third-party services.Cities are striving to use digital services to advance the quality of life of their residents, the efficiency of their operations, the growth of their economies and to increase their sustainability. At the moment, telecommunication systems, city infrastructure databases, car traffic management systems, and new Internet of Things (IoT) solutions all have their own specifications, and smart cities are held back by lack of interoperability for exchange of information between these platforms - which the new ISG CIM aims to overcome.A focus of the group will be collaboration with other standardisation activities in related areas, including ETSI TC SmartM2M and ETSI PP oneM2M. Groups such as EIP-SCC, W3C or ITU-T, and open source IoT software platforms such as FIWARE and OM2M will be closely consulted. The goal is to interoperate and to re-use existing work as much as possible. The ISG CIM work is intended to align with the EU's standardisation policies for the Digital Single Market.The five ETSI members of the new ISG CIM are Easy Global Market, imec, NEC, Orange and Telefonica. Beyond the initial focus of smart cities, the approach will be transferable to other applications, such as smart agriculture and smart industry.Organisations from all areas are welcome to join the ISG CIM initiative: non-ETSI as well as ETSI members, including research organisations, software houses and system integrators, SMEs, industrial partners, city groups and other stakeholders.The official ISG CIM Terms of Reference is available at https://portal.etsi.org/ and a call for participation to the first ISG CIM General Meeting on 9-10 February at ETSI headquarters in Sophia Antipolis, France, has been issued to ETSI Members. Please send enquiries to the convenor of the first ISG CIM meeting, Dr. Lindsay Frost (NEC Laboratories Europe, frost@neclab.eu).About NEC CorporationNEC Corporation is a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. By providing a combination of products and solutions that cross utilize the company's experience and global resources, NEC's advanced technologies meet the complex and ever-changing needs of its customers. NEC brings more than 100 years of expertise in technological innovation to empower people, businesses and society. For more information, visit NEC at http://www.nec.com.Based on its Mid-term Management Plan 2015, the NEC Group globally provides "Solutions for Society" that promote the safety, security, efficiency and equality of society. Under the company's corporate message of "Orchestrating a brighter world," NEC aims to help solve a wide range of challenging issues and to create new social value for the changing world of tomorrow. For more information, please visit http://www.nec.com/en/global/about/solutionsforsociety/message.html.Source: NEC CorporationContact:Copyright 2017 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. dollar retreated from its early highs against its major counterparts in the early European session on Friday. The greenback reversed from an early high of 115.18 against the Japanese yen, with pair trading down at 114.62. The greenback retreated to 1.0070 against the Swiss franc, 1.0651 against the euro and 1.2209 against the pound, off its early highs of 1.0113 and 1.0604, a 2-day high of 1.2140, respectively. If the greenback extends decline, it may find support around 113.00 against the yen, 0.98 against the franc, 1.09 against the euro and 1.235 against the pound. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2017) - Pistol Bay Mining Inc. (TSXV: PST) (FSE: OQS2) ("Pistol Bay" or the "Company') and AurCrest Gold Inc. (TSXV: AGO) ("AurCrest") are pleased to announce that the TSX Venture Exchange has granted approval of the Definitive Agreement under which Pistol Bay has the option to acquire from AurCrest all the mining claims held by AurCrest in the Confederation Lake greenstone belt southeast of Red Lake, Ontario. The TSXV approval requires Pistol Bay to file a NI 43-101 compliant technical report related to the Arrow Zone of the Confederation Lake Property by mid-March 2017.
The AurCrest property comprises 108 mining claims with a total of 321 claim units with an area of 5,136 hectares (12,700 acres), being the Confederation Lake Property and the Fredart Lake Property. It covers a 31 kilometre length of the Confederation Lake greenstone belt. It includes two substantial mineral deposits and a number of mineralized drill intersections that are in need of follow-up drill testing. Mineralization on the property is all of Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) type, dominated by zinc, copper and silver, with occasional associated gold values. In combination with the 100 percent optioned Dixie and Dixie 3 properties, the Company now controls 7,050 hectares (17,400 acres) containing most of the significant mineral occurrences over 43 kilometres of the total 60 kilometre length of the belt.
Mr. Desjardins, President of Pistol Bay, stated, "Pistol Bay is a major land holder in a very prolifically mineralized VMS-rich belt. Our holdings include the largest zinc-copper-silver deposit in the area, the second-largest VMS deposit remaining (Fredart Lake Property), and a portfolio of exploration targets ready for follow up drilling. Pistol Bay is engaged in compiling data and re-appraising the AurCrest property with a view to planning an aggressive exploration program that will generate new drill targets, as well as follow up existing target areas and known deposits."
Under the terms of the Agreement, Pistol Bay has the option to acquire a 100% interest in the AurCrest properties by paying AurCrest an aggregate of $250,000 and issuing an aggregate of 5 million common shares over four years with an initial payment of $25,000 and the issuance of 1 million common shares on closing, the payment of a further $25,000 within 90 days following closing and the payment of $50,000 and the issuance of 1 million common shares on each of the four anniversaries following closing. Each of the AurCrest properties is subject to a 2% net smelter returns royalty in favour of third parties.
Technical material in this news release has been prepared and/or reviewed and approved by Colin Bowdidge, Ph.D., P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101.
About Pistol Bay Mining Inc.
Pistol Bay Mining Inc. is a diversified Junior Canadian Mineral Exploration Company with a focus on precious and base metal properties in North America. For additional information please contact Charles Desjardins - pistolbaymining@gmail.com - at Pistol Bay Mining Inc.
About AurCrest Gold Inc.
AurCrest is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of gold properties. AurCrest has a portfolio of properties in Ontario, which include the Richardson Lake and Bridget Lake gold properties. For additional information please contact Ian Brodie-Brown, President and C.E.O. of AurCrest at (416) 844-9969 or ianbrodiebrown@gmail.com.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors
PISTOL BAY MINING INC.
"Charles Desjardins"
Charles Desjardins,
President and Director
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.
Cautionary note:
This report contains forward looking statements. Resource estimates, unless specifically noted, are considered speculative. Any and all other resource or reserve estimates are historical in nature, and should not be relied upon. By their nature, forward looking statements involve risk and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on factors that will or may occur in the future. Actual results may vary depending upon exploration activities, industry production, commodity demand and pricing, currency exchange rates, and, but not limited to, general economic factors. Cautionary Note to US investors: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission specifically prohibits the use of certain terms, such as "reserves" unless such figures are based upon actual production or formation tests and can be shown to be economically and legally producible under existing economic and operating conditions.
MILAN, January 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
The best businesses from Italy were honoured at an exclusive event last night at the Borsa Italiana, for The European Business Awards sponsored by RSM.
(Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/457273/European_Business_Awards_RSM.jpg )
The 38 firms were chosen by a panel of independent judges, including senior businesses and academic leaders, to be 'National Champions' in Europe's largest business competition.
At the event, the fourth in a series of events across Europe, attendees had the chance to speak to leading businesses in their field and hear from guest speakers including Luca Peryano, CEO of ELITE and Maurizio Lauri, President of RSM Palea Lauri Gerla.
Luca Peyrano, CEO, ELITE: "High growth ambitious businesses are essential to the growth of the Italian economy which is why we are delighted to continue supporting the European Business Awards. I would like to congratulate the National Champions selected this year.
"It is crucial that Italy's ambitious businesses from a number of sectors have access to suitable financing to help them invest, grow and become the big job providers of tomorrow. ELITE supports Italian and international companies achieve their goals, allowing them to become part of a vibrant community of excellence and opportunities".
Lead sponsor RSM, is the sixth largest network of independent audit, tax and consulting firms worldwide, and has supported the European Business Awards since its inception.
Maurizio Lauri, President of RSM Palea Lauri Gerla said: "RSM's partnership with the European Business Awards demonstrates our commitment to supporting successful businesses, such as those competing for these prestigious awards. Our best wishes and congratulations to all the Italian National Champions"
In the next round, the National Champions are taking part in the Public Vote, which opened on 9 January at http://www.businessawardseurope.com. Category winners and the overall winner of the public vote will be announced at the Gala Final in May 2017.
The European Business Awards was set up to support the development of a stronger and more successful business community throughout Europe. This year it engaged with over 33,000 businesses from 34 countries.
Further information about the National Champions and the Awards can be found at http://www.businessawardseurope.com and http://www.rsm.global
About the European Business Awards:
The European Business Awards' primary purpose is to support the development of a stronger and more successful business community throughout Europe.
For all citizens of Europe, prosperity, social and healthcare systems are reliant on businesses creating an even stronger, more innovative, successful, international and ethical business community - one that forms the beating heart of an increasingly globalised economy.
The European Business Awards programme serves the European business community in three ways:
It celebrates and endorses individuals' and organisations' success
It provides and promotes examples of excellence for the business community to aspire to
It engages with the European business community to create debate on key issues
The European Business Awards is now in its 10th year. This year it engaged with over 33,000 businesses from 34 countries. Last year's public vote generated over 227,000 votes from across Europe. Sponsors and partners include RSM, ELITE and PR Newswire.
http://www.businessawardseurope.com.
About RSM:
RSM is the sixth largest network of independent audit, tax and consulting firms, encompassing over 120 countries, 760 offices and more than 38,000 people internationally. The network's total fee income is US$4.64 billion.
RSM is the lead sponsor and corporate champion of the European Business Awards promoting commercial excellence and recognition of entrepreneurial brilliance.
RSM is a member of the Forum of Firms, with the shared objective to promote consistent and high quality standards of financial and auditing practices worldwide.
RSM is the brand used by a network of independent accounting and advisory firms each of which practices in its own right. RSM International Limited does not itself provide any accounting and advisory services. Member firms are driven by a common vision of providing high quality professional services, both in their domestic markets and in serving the international professional service needs of their client base. http://www.rsm.global
About ELITE:
ELITE is a full-service programme designed to share best practice and increase growth opportunities for fast growing companies, with a focus on understanding the capital markets. ELITE is an innovative programme based on exclusive training and a tutorship model, supported by access to the business and financial community. Its aim is to prepare companies for their next stage of growth and investment.
For further information on the programme, companies and the full list of partners, please go to:
http://www.elite-growth.com
About PR Newswire:
PR Newswire is the leading global provider of PR and corporate communications tools that enable clients to distribute news and rich content. We distribute our client's content across traditional, digital and social media channels in real time with fully actionable reporting and monitoring.
Combining the world's largest multi-channel, multi-cultural content distribution and optimisation network with comprehensive workflow tools and platforms, PR Newswire enables the world's enterprises to engage opportunity everywhere it exists. PR Newswire serves tens of thousands of clients from offices in Europe, Middle East, Africa, the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region.
For more information on PR Newswire please visit http://www.prnewswire.co.uk
MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK -- (Marketwired) -- 01/13/17 -- Licensed medical marijuana producer Organigram Holdings Inc. ("Organigram" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: OGI)(OTCQB: OGRMF) is pleased to announce the addition of Michel Robichaud to its Senior Management Team. Mr. Robichaud will join Organigram as of January 30th, 2017, as Director of Edibles & Extraction, a key role in the company's leadership vision within the Canadian cannabis landscape.
Mr. Robichaud brings a wide breadth of experience to the company as a formally trained chemist with over 20 years of senior business leadership experience. Most recently, he had led projects of an international scope with JD Irving, and has managed laboratory operations with International mining company Rio Tinto. As a black belt certified professional, Mr. Robichaud has led development projects fully leveraging the benefits of lean, six sigma & Theory of Constraint systems.
"This positon is a critical strategic pillar as it leads a team working closely with TGS Colorado, our partner in extract development," says Denis Arsenault, CEO of Organigram. "Michel's experience and professionalism will help us ensure competitive advantage, allowing us to leverage the experience of TGS and get to market faster."
"Our recent land purchase and focus on this opportunity communicates a clear strategy on extract and edible manufacturing as it relates to the legalisation of recreational marijuana. We're ecstatic about Mr. Robichaud joining the team and feel it's one more step in ensuring Organigram does the groundwork now to ensure full preparedness for the recreational marketplace," added Arsenault.
Following the recently announced expansion plans, Mr. Robichaud will lead the design, build and implementation stages of a new state-of-the-art facility for allowable edible products under what is currently being established as Canada's recreational framework for Cannabis.
About Organigram Holdings Inc.
Organigram Holdings Inc. is a TSX Venture Exchange listed company whose wholly owned subsidiary, Organigram Inc., is a licensed producer of medical marijuana in Canada. Organigram is focused on producing the highest quality medical marijuana for patients in Canada. Organigram's facility is located in Moncton, New Brunswick and the Company is regulated by the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations ("ACMPR").
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release contains forward-looking information which involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectation. Important factors - including the availability of funds, the results of financing efforts, crop yields - that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are disclosed in the Company's documents filed from time to time on SEDAR (see www.sedar.com). Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contacts:
Organigram Holdings Inc.
Larry Rogers
Chief Operating Officer
(506) 801-3567
Organigram Holdings Inc.
Giselle Doiron
Director of Investor and Media Relations
(506) 801-8986
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 01/13/17 -- Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. (TSX: SBB), ("Sabina" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada ("INAC"), with the agreement of other responsible ministers, has decided that the Back River Project ("Back River" or the "Project") should be returned to the Nunavut Impact Review Board ("NIRB") for further consideration under Section 12.5.7 (e) of the Nunavut Agreement.
On June 15, 2016, the NIRB recommended to the Minister of INAC that the Back River Project not proceed to the next phase of permitting at this time. Since that time, the Minister of INAC and the other responsible ministers have been considering the NIRB Report.
In her letter of January 12, 2017 to the NIRB, the Minister of INAC stated "After careful consideration...we are referring the Report back to the Board for further review or public hearings as the Report is deficient with respect to some ecosystemic issues. In our view, based on the process to date, it is premature to conclude that the Project would lead to unacceptable or unmanageable ecosystemic or socioeconomic impacts. There were a number of areas where there was insufficient information presented in the (NIRB) Report to support the conclusions of the Board, and where further information is required so that the ministers may understand the rationale behind the conclusions presented by the Board prior to making a decision on whether the project should proceed. This is particularly important in areas where the Board has expressed a lack of confidence or significant uncertainty while the Report and the broader record indicates that many of the participants (including Indigenous and non-Indigenous witnesses and subject matter experts) expressed confidence that the measures presented could mitigate and manage potential adverse effects to an acceptable level. A deeper inquiry into the issues identified by the Board might point to sound management approaches."
With respect to caribou, the Minister of INAC referred to the jointly proposed terms and conditions for caribou submitted by Sabina, the Kitikmeot Inuit Association ("KIA") and the Government of Nunavut and recommended further in-depth review of that submission to provide an opportunity for the Board and others to clearly understand the effectiveness of the proposed measures.
A link to a copy of the letter can be found here: http://www.sabinagoldsilver.com/assets/docs/media/Minister-Ltr-to-NIRB-Re-Final-Hearing-Report.pdf
Sabina has received broad based Inuit support for the Project both at the final hearings in April and since the NIRB Report in mid-June. Written letters to the Minister on behalf of Sabina and the Project have been received from the KIA (the land owner) Hamlet Councils, Hunters and Trappers Organizations, community representatives, as well as the Government of Nunavut.
Next Steps
Sabina will await direction from the NIRB on how the additional review of the Project is to proceed. We remain confident that there are no unresolvable issues which cannot be addressed during this period and look forward to working with the NIRB and others to address any outstanding concerns.
"We are extremely pleased that the Minister has determined that the NIRB should reconsider its recommendation regarding the Project," stated Bruce McLeod, President and CEO. "We understand and support the NIRB's desire for a high level of confidence in the mitigation and management proposed and believe that we have defined programs to address their issues. Sabina has continued to engage with the communities and work with the KIA and responsible government agencies since the final hearings to further advance our plans, including additional enhancements of our Wildlife Mitigation and Monitoring Program. We would like to thank the KIA, the Government of Nunavut and the various Kitikmeot community representatives and groups who expressed their continued support for the Project, and we look forward to reengaging with the NIRB to determine the best path forward. Back River is aiming to be one of the next gold mines in Nunavut providing much desired jobs, training, infrastructure and economic opportunities to the Territory with a best in class approach to protecting the environment."
Sabina Gold & Silver Corp.
Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. is a well-financed, emerging precious metals company with district scale, world class undeveloped assets in one of the world's newest, politically stable mining jurisdictions: Nunavut, Canada.
Sabina recently released a Feasibility Study on its 100% owned Back River Gold Project which presents a project that has been designed on a fit-for purpose basis, with the potential to produce approx. 200,000 ounces a year for approx. 11 years with a rapid payback of 2.9 years. At a US$1,150 gold price and a 0.80 exchange rate, the Study delivers a potential after tax internal rate of return of approximately 24.2% with an initial CAPEX of $415 million.
In addition to Back River, Sabina also owns a significant silver royalty on Glencore's Hackett River Project. The silver royalty on Hackett River's silver production is comprised of 22.5% of the first 190 million ounces produced and 12.5% of all silver produced thereafter.
The Company has approximately C$41.5 million in its treasury (September 30, 2016) and plans to end the year with approximately C$39 million.
Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws (the "forward-looking statements"), including our belief as to the extent, results and timing of and various studies relating to permitting and environmental assessment outcomes. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the future circumstances, outcomes or results anticipated in or implied by such forward-looking statements will occur or that plans, intentions or expectations upon which the forward-looking statements are based will occur. While we have based these forward-looking statements on our expectations about future events as at the date that such statements were prepared, the statements are not a guarantee that such future events will occur and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which could cause events or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and assumptions include, among others, the effects of general economic conditions, commodity prices, changing foreign exchange rates and actions by government and regulatory authorities and misjudgments in the course of preparing forward-looking statements. In addition, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Known risk factors include risks associated with exploration and project development; the need for additional financing; the calculation of mineral resources and reserves; operational risks associated with mining and mineral processing; fluctuations in metal prices; title matters; government regulation; obtaining and renewing necessary licences and permits; environmental liability and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain of our officers or directors; the absence of dividends; currency fluctuations; labour disputes; competition; dilution; the volatility of the our common share price and volume; future sales of shares by existing shareholders; and other risks and uncertainties, including those relating to the Back River Project and general risks associated with the mineral exploration and development industry described in our Annual Information Form, financial statements and MD&A for the fiscal period ended December 31, 2015 filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available at www.sedar.com.
Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, 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 forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We are under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws. This news release has been authorized by the undersigned on behalf of Sabina Gold & Silver Corp.
Bruce McLeod, President & CEO Suite 375 - Two Bentall Centre 555 Burrard Street Vancouver, BC V7X 1M7 Tel 604 998-4175 / Fax 604 998-1051 http://www.sabinagoldsilver.com
Contacts:
Sabina Gold & Silver Corp.
Nicole Hoeller
Vice-President, Communications
1 888 648-4218
nhoeller@sabinagoldsilver.com
www.sabinagoldsilver.com
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - A new national survey says Islamic State poses the biggest threat to the well-being of the United States under its next President Donald Trump. Trump, who is set to be sworn in the new US President next week, had sent strong anti-Muslim statements during campaign, but apparently toned down after he got elected. Overall, about eight-in-ten Americans (79 percent) say that the Islamic terrorist group is a major threat to the U.S. When he takes office next week, the President-elect will inherit an array of global threats in the view of the public. The survey by Pew Research Center, conducted during January 4-9, finds North Korea's nuclear program and cyberattacks from other countries as other major threats. Only modest changes were noted since last year in perceptions of these threats, but there are a few notable exceptions. Last April, just 42 percent viewed 'tensions with Russia' as a major threat; today, 54 percent say the same about 'Russia's power and influence.' Over the same period, the share of the public describing the refugee movement from countries such as Iraq and Syria as a major threat to the United States has declined nine percentage points (from 55 percent to 46 percent). There are substantial partisan differences in perceptions of most global threats. Nearly eight-in-ten Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents say global climate change is a major threat to the well-being of the United States, compared with only 25 percent of Republicans and Republican leaners. By contrast, Republicans are about twice as likely as Democrats to say the large number of refugees leaving Iraq and Syria is a major threat to the U.S. The public continues to view China as a serious problem, but not an adversary. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2017) - Los Andes Copper Ltd. (TSXV: LA) ("Los Andes", or the "Company") announces that it has extended the expiry date of its previously announced private placement (see Press Release December 2, 2016). The closing date will now be on or before February 16, 2017. The Private Placement is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.
For more information please contact:
Antony Amberg, President & CEO Tel: (56-22) 954-0450 Aurora Davidson, Chief Financial Officer
Tel: 604-697-6207
E-Mail: info@losandescopper.com or visit our website at: www.losandescopper.com
Certain of the information and statements contained herein that are not historical facts, constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the Securities Act (British Columbia) and the Securities Act (Alberta) ("Forward-Looking Information"). Forward-Looking Information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend"; statements that an event or result is "due" on or "may", "will", "should", "could", or might" occur or be achieved; and, other similar expressions. More specifically, Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such Forward-Looking Information; including, without limitation, the achievement and maintenance of planned production rates, the evolving legal and political policies of Chile, the volatility in the Chilean economy, military unrest or terrorist actions, metal and energy price fluctuations, favourable governmental relations, the availability of financing for activities when required and on acceptable terms, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, current and future environmental and regulatory requirements, the availability and timely receipt of permits, approvals and licenses, industrial or environmental accidents, equipment breakdowns, availability of and competition for future acquisition opportunities, availability and cost of insurance, labour disputes, land claims, the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates, currency fluctuations, expectations and beliefs of management and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in Management's Discussion and Analysis in the Company's financial statements. Such Forward-Looking Information is based upon the Company's assumptions regarding global and Chilean economic, political and market conditions and the price of metals and energy, and the Company's production. Among the factors that have a direct bearing on the Company's future results of operations and financial conditions are changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, a change in government policies, competition, currency fluctuations and restrictions and technological changes, among other things. Should one or more of any of the aforementioned risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from any conclusions, forecasts or projections described in the Forward-Looking Information. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise Forward-Looking Information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Not for distribution to United States Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States
COEUR D'ALENE, IDAHO -- (Marketwired) -- 01/13/17 -- Timberline Resources Corporation (OTCQB: TLRS)(TSX VENTURE: TBR) ("Timberline" or the "Company") announced today that it has initiated a US$1,250,000 private placement offering of Units of the Company at a price of US$0.25 per Unit, with an over-allotment option to increase the offering by up to 20%, solely to persons who qualify as accredited investors (the "Offering") under Rule 506(c) of Regulation D promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
Each Unit will consist of one share of common stock of the Company and one common share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"), with each Warrant exercisable to acquire an additional share of common stock of the Company at a price of US$0.40 per share until the warrant expiration date of January 31, 2020. The Company may accelerate the warrant expiration date if the price of the Company's common stock closes at or above US$0.90 for twenty consecutive trading days.
The terms of the Offering also include that the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file a registration statement under the Securities Act for resale of the shares of common stock and the shares of common stock underlying the Warrants to the extent allowed by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for working capital, costs associated with property and claim maintenance, and exploration expenses.
The securities offered in the Offering have not been registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold absent such registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. The Securities may be sold only to "accredited investors" (as defined in Rule 501(a) under Regulation D of the Securities Act), which for natural persons, are investors who meet certain minimum annual income or net worth thresholds. The Securities are being offered in reliance on the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Rule 506(c) and the Company is not required to comply with specific disclosure requirements that apply to registration under the Securities Act.
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission has not passed upon the merits of or given its approval to the Securities, the terms of the offering, or the accuracy or completeness of any offering materials.
The Securities are subject to legal restrictions on transfer and resale and investors should not assume they will be able to resell their securities. Investing in the Securities involves risk, and investors should be able to bear the loss of their investment.
Additional details about the Company, including the Company's Corporate Presentation, are available for viewing by accredited investors at: www.timberline-resources.com.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities nor shall there be any sale of the securities referenced herein in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is not permitted. The securities referenced herein have not been approved or disapproved by any regulatory authority.
About Timberline Resources
Timberline Resources Corporation is focused on advancing district-scale gold exploration and development projects in Nevada, including its Talapoosa project in Lyon County where the Company has completed and disclosed a positive preliminary economic assessment. Timberline also controls the 23 square-mile Eureka project lying on the Battle Mountain-Eureka gold trend. At Eureka, the Company continues to advance its Lookout Mountain and Windfall project areas. Exploration potential occurs within three separate structural-stratigraphic trends defined by distinct geochemical gold anomalies. Timberline also owns the Seven Troughs property in northern Nevada, known to be one of the state's highest grade, former producers.
Timberline is listed on the OTCQB where it trades under the symbol "TLRS" and on the TSX Venture Exchange where it trades under the symbol "TBR".
Forward-looking Statements
Statements contained herein that are not based upon current or historical fact are forward-looking in nature and constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Company's expectations about its future operating results, performance and opportunities that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. These statements include but are not limited to statements regarding the pricing or other terms of the Company's private placement offering of Units which includes the Company's common stock and warrants, composition or terms of the Warrant, expiration acceleration of the Warrant, the use of proceeds, timing or ability of the Company to file and bring effective a registration statement, re-sale of the common shares or shares underlying the Warrants, advancement of projects, and exploration potential. When used herein, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "upcoming," "plan," "target", "intend" and "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to Timberline Resources Corporation, its subsidiaries, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, risks related to changes in the Company's business resulting in changes in the use of proceeds, and other such factors, including risk factors discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2016. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements.
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.
Contacts:
Timberline Resources Corporation
Steven A. Osterberg
President and CEO
208-664-4859
info@timberline-resources.com
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 01/13/17 -- Alexandria Minerals Corporation (TSX VENTURE: AZX)(FRANKFURT: A9D)(OTC PINK: ALXDF) ("AZX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has begun a 12,500 meter winter drill program at Orenada Zone 4 and Triangle Too on its western Cadillac Break Properties in Val d'Or, Quebec.
Drilling started this week at Zone 4, where the Company has identified multiple, stacked, high-grade gold-quartz veins to a depth of roughly 300 meters. A second rig will begin drilling by early February on the Company's Triangle Too project located 2 kilometers west of Orenada. These are follow-up programs which will build on important earlier-stage drill programs which were completed in the last half of 2016 at both locations.
Eric Owens, President and CEO of Alexandria, stated, "As a result of our recent $5.1 million over-subscribed financing, Alexandria is well capitalized to ramp up our exploration efforts. Our drill results from both Zone 4 and Triangle Too late last year were encouraging and exciting. We are testing for high grade vein sets in both locations, and are anticipating substantial progress this year. This winter program is our largest drill program since 2014 and will direct our activities for the remainder of the year."
At Zone 4, recent Alexandria drilling has aided in the development of a new geologic model with focus on multiple, south-dipping, high-grade gold-quartz veins hosted within a broad zone of lower grade gold mineralization. Drill holes from recent Alexandria drilling have intersected up to 17.0 g/t gold, including 131.0 g/t gold over 0.4 m, within a broader zone grading 1.43 g/t gold over 158.5 meters (DDH OAX-15-054, see press release April 30, 2015).
The drill program at Triangle Too is an earlier stage program than that at Zone 4. Alexandria's first-pass drill program late last year provided the Company's first look at the subsurface geology on the project. Six of the seven holes, all shallower than 300 meters, intersected the critical geological ingredients that characterize this region, including gold-quartz veins, diorite plugs, and associated shear zones. The new round of drilling will follow-up by testing deeper on the diorite plugs, as well as drilling new, untested geophysical targets.
Additional Assay Results Forthcoming
Alexandria is also pleased to report that Company geologists have discovered unsampled drill core from pre-Alexandria drill holes at Zone 4, holes which have previously yielded assays similar to those in recent Alexandria drill holes. The Company has embarked on a re-logging and re-sampling campaign of all pre-Alexandria drill holes for which core exists. In addition to providing new assays, this program will also provide greater detail of the high-grade gold veins at Zone 4.
Other Activities
Elsewhere, the Company is also pleased to report that Probe Metals Inc., with whom Alexandria has entered into an Option and Joint Venture Agreement on the eastern portion of Alexandria's Cadillac Break properties, recently announced it will embark on an aggressive exploration program this year on the property. This program is designed to generate drill targets for testing in Q3 or Q4 of Probe's fiscal year.
Program design, management, and Quality Control/Quality Assurance are conducted by Alexandria's exploration group of which Phillippe Berthelot, P.Geo, is the Company's Qualified Person. Mr. Berthelot has reviewed the results in this press release. The QA/QC program is consistent with National Instrument ("NI") 43-101 and industry best practices and has been previously addressed in NI 43-101 reports found on the Company's website or on www.sedar.com.
Further information about the Company is available on the Company's website, www.azx.ca, or our social media sites listed below:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexandriaMinerals
Twitter: https://twitter.com/azxmineralscorp
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/AlexandriaMinerals
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/alexandriaminerals/
About Alexandria Minerals Corporation
Alexandria Minerals Corporation is a Toronto-based junior gold exploration and development company with strategic properties located in the world-class mining districts of Val d'Or, Quebec, Red Lake, Ontario and Snow Lake-Flin Flon, Manitoba. Alexandria's focus is on its flagship property, the large Cadillac Break Property package in Val d'Or, which hosts important, near-surface, gold resources along the prolific, gold-producing Cadillac Break, all of which have significant growth potential.
WARNING: This News Release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing of completion of the Private Placement, the use of proceeds of the Private Placement and receipt of regulatory approval of the Private Placement. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Alexandria Minerals Corporation relies upon litigation protection for forward-looking statements. 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.
Contacts:
Alexandria Minerals Corporation
Mary Vorvis
Vice President, Corporate Development
and Investor Relations
(416) 305-4999
Alexandria Minerals Corporation
Eric Owens
President/CEO
416-363-9372
info@azx.ca
www.azx.ca
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 01/13/17 -- Valens GroWorks Corp. (CSE: VGW)(CSE: VGW.CN)(the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion, by the Regional Inspectorate of the Office of Controlled Substances of Health Canada, of their final inspection of wholly-owned subsidiary Valens Agritech's ("VAL") 17,000 square foot R&D facility located in Kelowna, British Columbia.
The inspection is the final stage required to achieve licensing under our application for a Controlled Drugs and Substances Dealer's Licence to enable the cultivation and processing of marijuana (such as creating extracts or derivatives) for the purpose of research, for processing manufacturing derivatives, and for transporting product to other locations (including related packaging, possession, sale, delivery and research activities).
Final pre-inspection preparation included the installation of significant enhanced physical security measures, the establishment of specified record keeping procedures, and the engagement of a Qualified Person In Charge (QPIC).
The Company is therefore pleased to announce Dr. Yasantha Athukorala, Ph.D. as the QPIC for VAL, as well as VAL's Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Athukorala is an accomplished scientist with outstanding research and leadership skills and more than 7 years of experience investigating bioactive compounds from agricultural bio-resources. With a unique background of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Bio-resource Technology knowledge, Dr. Athukorala brings a demonstrated record of project and publication success, credited with discovering naturally-occurring bioactive compounds using enzymatic digestion, bioassay-guided extraction and fractionation procedures with potential commercial applications in food, health and bio-resource utilization industries.
Dave Gervais, President of VAL., stated, "We warmly welcome Dr. Athukorala to the Valens team as we gear up to commence operations pending receipt of Health Canada's Dealer's Licence approval. Yasantha is a dedicated and creative scientist with superb transdisciplinary communication, relationship-building and team leadership attributes, and will be supported by a fully qualified alternate QPIC as we ramp up operations".
About Valens GroWorks Corp.
The Company recently completed the acquisition of Valens Agritech Ltd. ("VAL"). VAL is a biotechnology company based in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, focused on cannabis cultivation and research, with assets and improvements that include a state-of-the-art 17,000 square foot R&D facility located in Kelowna, British Columbia.
Post-licensing, Valens anticipates participation in clinical trial programs researching the efficacy of medical cannabis for certain indications, and will also be seeking to capture a broad spectrum of medical marijuana users, as well as recreational users once legalized, in pursuit of its farm to pharma objectives.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
VALENS GROWORKS CORP.
Robert van Santen, Chief Executive Officer
Cautionary statements
This press release contains forward-looking information based on current expectations. Statements about the Company's expectations are all forward-looking information. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Valens Groworks assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. We seek safe harbor.
Contacts:
For further information, please contact:
Greg Patchell
+1.250.860.8634
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 01/13/17 -- DataGryd, a leader in data center development and operations in Manhattan, today announces the completion of infrastructure updates at its 60 Hudson facility, offering built-to-suit colocation opportunities to incoming tenants. In addition, as a Silver Sponsor of this year's Pacific Telecommunications Council (PTC) annual conference, DataGryd will discuss these recent developments with attendees at PTC'17: Changing Realities taking place January 15-18, 2017 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort.
Leveraging 15 megawatts of primary power and the latest infrastructure updates in cooling and backup within DataGryd's 60 Hudson Street facility in Lower Manhattan have resulted in 180,000 square-feet of immediately available colocation space. As the largest single footprint data center available in New York, DataGryd's Open-IX OIX-2-certified 60 Hudson Street data center is designed to meet the increasing demand for data processing and storage centers in New York's urban market, one of the world's most concentrated hubs of internet connectivity. Its enhanced infrastructure systems provide tenants with superior reliability via redundant power and state-of-the-art monitoring.
DataGryd's 60 Hudson data center delivers access to over 300 interconnected carriers and exchanges, with multiple Points of Entry (POEs) from diverse data network providers and direct fiber conduits. The high-density colocation space uses a proprietary MicroGryd technology, offering dual contingencies and delivering the highest value in energy efficiency with direct primary utility feeds offering up to 12,000 kW of power. The facility also offers a turn-key, high-power data center space known as the MegaSuite, which provides technology-driven operational efficiencies that result in reduced costs for entry and power. Each suite is tenant-optimized, delivering low operational and capital expenses to maximize clients' capital preservation. In addition to these offerings, DataGryd recently launched its new Cloud Core Ecology Solution (Cx2) at ITW 2016. This on-demand space leverages fortified colocation facilities and custom suites with minimal deployment requirements for burgeoning cloud providers.
"We are very excited to attend and be a proud sponsor of PTC'17 this year, and share with prospective clients and industry colleagues the latest offerings at 60 Hudson," shares Peter Feldman, CEO and Principal of DataGryd. "This conference will serve as a platform to expand awareness of our many services, including the MegaSuite and our Cx2 solution."
On Monday, January 16, 2017 at 3:30 p.m., Mr. Feldman will join industry colleagues from Paul Hastings, China Unicom Global Limited and Comcast Technology Solutions for the panel session Executive Insight Roundtable 4: Business Data Services: Market Realities. During this panel, Mr. Feldman will discuss the evolving landscape of the data services industry as well as the key drivers of change throughout the marketplace.
For more information about DataGryd's infrastructure updates at its 60 Hudson facility, visit www.DataGryd.com or schedule a meeting with Mr. Feldman at PTC'17 by emailing pfeldman@datagryd.com.
About DataGryd
DataGryd is a premier data center company headquartered in the heart of New York City and offering efficient space with state-of-the-art power and cooling infrastructure for multi-tenant collocation, data network, telecommunications, cloud, and large enterprise companies to operate. DataGryd's management has more than 100 years of combined industry experience and expertise in owning and operating data centers, acquiring real estate for institutional investors, and overseeing telecommunications network construction and engineering projects. For leasing information, please contact Mona Weisberg of Colliers International at mona.weisberg@colliers.com, or by phone at (212) 716-3894.
GAITHERSBURG, MD --(Marketwired - January 13, 2017) - UltiSat, Inc., a leading provider of end-to-end managed satellite network solutions, announced that the Defense Information Systems Agency Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization (DISA-DITCO) recently awarded a COMSATCOM Transponded Capacity (CTC) task order to UltiSat to provide Ku-band bandwidth capacity to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Deployable Communications Systems (NDCS). Services provided will support Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) missions around the world.
UltiSat has extensive experience and a proven track record for supporting U.S. Government and federal agencies as a trusted partner of secure, reliable managed network solutions. UltiSat will provide Ku-band bandwidth and backhaul in the continental United States (CONUS), and Ku-band bandwidth and backhaul outside the continental United States (OCONUS) in order to support NDCS GEOINT operations. This task order falls under the Future COMSATCOM Services Acquisition (FCSA) Schedule 70 contract vehicle.
UltiSat's Program Director Steve Roth said: "We are excited to partner with the NGA to support their critical mission responding to worldwide crisis or conflict events. Our ability to provide high availability connectivity between the NGA's communications systems deployed CONUS and OCONUS and the core network infrastructure is a key component to successfully delivering geospatial intelligence data. UltiSat is committed to helping NGA achieve its operational objectives."
About UltiSat:
Headquartered in Gaithersburg, MD, USA, UltiSat provides a wide range of satellite communications products, services, and infrastructure incorporating Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT), airborne ISR/COTM, teleport, and mobile satellite services for mission-critical applications. UltiSat delivers high-value solutions to end users in some of the most remote and harsh locations in over 135 countries on 7 continents around the globe. With customer networks that vary from a few sites to hundreds of locations, UltiSat's technical expertise and technology-agnostic approach ensures that our customers get the best-fit/best-value solutions. UltiSat customers include U.S. and foreign government agencies, government contractors, NGOs and multinational enterprises. For more information, visit www.ultisat.com.
Attachment Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2017/1/12/11G127273/UltiSat_Awarded_CTC0253_-_PR_FINAL_01-11-2017-72486ca671fdadbd8b6d0898c742105a.pdf
Media Contact:
Laura Moreno-Davis, MBA
Director of Marketing
Email contact
(240) 813-7578
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 01/13/17 -- Avrupa Minerals Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: AVU)(OTC: AVPMF)(FRANKFURT: 8AM) is pleased to announce that it has received the Slivovo Gold Project Study (the "Study") from its partner on the Project, Byrnecut International Limited ("Byrnecut"). The study contains detailed geological, geochemical, and geophysical information about the Slivovo gold deposit, as well as chapters covering environmental, social, metallurgical, mining, infrastructure and surface facilities, waste management, capital costs, and other studies.
Avrupa is currently evaluating the information contained in the Study and will advise Byrnecut as to how it will proceed in the joint venture. By delivering the Slivovo Gold Project Study, Byrnecut has earned into 85% of the Joint Venture entity, Peshter Mining JSC ("PMJSC"). Avrupa, through its Kosovo subsidiary, now holds 15% of PMJSC. To reach the 85% shareholder level in PMJSC, Byrnecut spent approximately 4 million euros at Slivovo.
Since the start of the joint venture in April 2014, Avrupa and Brynecut have made a gold discovery at Slivovo, calculated an initial NI 43-101 indicated resource estimate (See AVU news release of May 5, 2016), and produced an extensive study of the deposit. As expected, the Slivovo Study advises that further exploration, particularly drilling, is necessary to increase the size of the Slivovo gold deposit.
PMJSC has proposed a results-dependent, multi-stage drilling program for 2017 and beyond to potentially increase the amount of contained ounces of gold in the Slivovo deposit to a level that can sustain a profitable mining operation on the site. PMJSC has proposed an exploration budget in excess of 5 million euros to accomplish this goal.
After completion of the review of the Study, Avrupa will have the opportunity to choose to continue to invest in the Slivovo Project at the 15% shareholder level or allow Byrnecut to carry all future costs to a point where Avrupa would be diluted to a 2% net smelter royalty. To date, since discovery of the mineralized Slivovo outcrop, Avrupa has spent approximately 115,000 euros on the Project.
Avrupa is also pleased to report the receipt of Value Added Tax (VAT) return funds for the years 2011-2016, as stipulated by the tax laws and regulations of Kosovo. Future VAT returns should come in on a regular basis, now that the procedure for the returns has been established. The newly-received tax refunds have been used to complete certain payments, and will also be used for new exploration in Kosovo. Avrupa wishes to thank the Government of Kosovo for their efforts in establishing a working VAT return system.
Avrupa Minerals Ltd. is a growth-oriented junior exploration and development company focused on discovery, using a prospect generator model, of valuable mineral deposits in politically stable and prospective regions of Europe, including Portugal, Kosovo, and Germany.
The Company currently holds nine exploration licenses in three European countries, including six in Portugal covering 3,821 km2, two in Kosovo covering 47 km2, and one in Germany covering 307 km2. Avrupa has three joint ventures, two in Portugal and one in Kosovo, including:
-- The Alvalade JV, with Colt Resources, covering one license in the Iberian Pyrite Belt of southern Portugal, for Zn/Cu-rich massive sulfide deposits; -- The Covas JV, with Blackheath Resources, covering one license in northern Portugal, for intrusion-related W deposits; and -- Avrupa's partner at the Slivovo Gold Project in Kosovo is presently advancing the Project by funding and operating a pre-feasibility study.
Avrupa is currently upgrading precious and base metal targets to JV-ready status in a variety of districts on their other licenses, with the idea of attracting potential partners to project-specific and/or regional exploration programs.
On behalf of the Board,
Paul W. Kuhn, President & Director
This news release was prepared by Company management, who take full responsibility for its content. Paul W. Kuhn, President and CEO of Avrupa Minerals, a Licensed Professional Geologist and a Registered Member of the Society of Mining Engineers, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators. He has reviewed the technical disclosure in this release. Mr. Kuhn, the QP, has not only reviewed, but prepared and supervised the preparation or approval of the scientific and technical content in the news release.
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:
Avrupa Minerals Ltd.
1-604-687-3520
www.avrupaminerals.com
The week's biggest news, perhaps unsurprisingly, came from China. The country has long been at the centre not just of the PV industry - where it dominates the manufacturing of modules, and is the world's largest market, but also for storage, clean energy investment and renewables as a whole. A new report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) examines China's dominance of the clean energy industry, noting that the country's clean energy investments increased by US$32 billion in 2016 alone and now amount to a total $103 billion, 2.5 times that of their closest competitor. The report also outlines big moves in the Lithium-ion industry. Tianqi Lithium is now the world's largest manufacturer, and Chinese companies are looking to push Tesla off the top spot for electric vehichles and lithium-ion batteries. Further information published by China's National Energy Agency (NEA) show that this total investment could increase to US$361 billion by 2020. In spite of these enormous numbers, and installation figures, renewables will still likely only account 15% of China's consumption over the next 3 years, demonstrating the nation's insatiable thirst for energy. Suntech announces 20% efficiency for mass-production multi-PERC cell The PV industry's new norm of very low module prices has left manufacturers scrambling for better efficiences and innovative technologies, both to bring down production costs and develop cutting edge products that can differentiate from the wider module market. In the latest chapter of this ongoing saga, Chinese manufacturer Suntech this week announced the achievement of 20% efficiency for a mass production PERC cell. This will likely be the first of many breakthrough technology announcements in 2017, as big investments in research and development across the industry continue to push efficiencies higher, ...
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JACKSONVILLE, FL -- (Marketwired) -- 01/13/17 -- Green Energy Enterprises, Inc. (OTC PINK: GYOG) ("GYOG" or "the Corporation") is proud to announce that it is launching a revolutionary new insurance model available to a multitude of companies in the burgeoning USA MJ sector.
In keeping with The Corporation's mission to be a leader in its industry market places, the Board of Directors has carefully vetted a new insurance concept over the past several months with a recognized National Insurance Company provider which will position the Corporation to offer MJ companies with a wide variety of MJ insurance products and services on a monthly, quarterly, annual and bi-annual basis.
GYOG's CEO Donnell Vigil states, "We are thrilled to be able to launch this ground breaking new insurance model to the thousands of growing MJ companies across the USA whose business models possess a wide variety of ancillary products and services that will benefit from the protection insurance provides. Our new MJ insurance model is the first of its kind to launch in the MJ space and we expect to begin immediately securing clients this quarter. We will be providing a lot more details on our new insurance over the coming weeks and also expect to provide regular updates as new MJ clients begin to be secured."
We welcome calls or emails from the investment community and encourage you to follow us on Twitter @GreenEnergyEnt.
ABOUT GREEN ENERGY ENTERPRISES, INC.
Green Energy Enterprises, Inc. owns and operates 4 wholly owned Subsidiaries.
FLIGHT OPERATIONS
Based out of Jacksonville Florida, the corporation owns and operates two (2) flight and drone training schools. The schools, A-Cent Aviation, Inc. and Atlantic Aviation, Inc. focus on continuing education. A-Cent is SEVIS/SEVP (http://www.ice.gov/sevis/) certified to provide training to foreign students. Both flight operations use the certified Cessna Pilot Training curriculum for our flight students (http://www.cessna.com/learn-to-fly.html). Atlantic Aviation is an FAA Part 61 flight school and tailors its training to recreational flying and aircraft rental. A-Cent is an FAA Part 141 flight school (www.faa.gov), operates an FAA Part 91 Commercial Air Tour Operation, Computer Assisted Testing Service (CATS) (http://www.catstest.com) and a Comira testing facility (http://www.comiratesting.com). We offer flight training, drone training, bi-annual reviews, sightseeing tours, photography flights and will accept VA benefits under the GI bill (http://www.gibill.va.gov/). A-Cent provides light sport training and ground instruction for individuals and corporations seeking to operate Drones commercially and assist with drafting FAA Exemption 333 filings. Atlantic Aviation, Inc. is a recipient of an AOPA Excellence Award for 2012 and recognized as one of the top 50 flight school in the country. (http://flighttraining.aopa.org/awardwinners/2012winners.html). Both flight operations offer Light Sport training and are the only Light Sport training school in the Northern part of Florida. Schedule a Romance Flight with A-Cent Aviation or an Intro Flight with A-Cent or Atlantic Aviation. Look for discount offers we provide through Groupon (www.groupon.com), Living Social (www.livingsocial.com) or Local Flavor (www.localflavor.com). GYOG also owns a holding company Quasar Aircraft Corporation which holds and manages the aircraft used in GYOG's flight operations.
Text "Start" to (904) 310-4829 for offers, deals and updates on new programs and aircraft available offered by A-Cent Aviation, Inc.
HYDROPONIC GROW STORE
GYOG owns Grow Your Own Greenz, Inc., a hydroponic grow store in Colorado and is an ancillary service provider to the legal medical marijuana industry and organic agriculture industry. The Company sells everything needed to facilitate a one-stop shop for full hydroponic grow systems, equipment, supplies and nutrients. We offer trimmer rentals, installation and delivery. No job is too small or large for our knowledgeable staff to handle. Feel free to give us a call to answer questions about your grow. We have beginner grower deals available for the first time grower. Visit our Ecommerce site (www.GYOGz.com).
www.GYOGz.com
www.A-CentAviation.com
www.flyatlanticaviationinc.com
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/GreenEnergyEnt
http://www.facebook.com/A-CentAviation
http://www.facebook.com/GrowYourOwnGreenz
Twitter:
@GreenEnergy_Ent
@GYOGz
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and Quasar Aerospace Industries, Inc. under take no obligation to update such statements.
Green Energy Enterprises, Inc.
(904) 207-6503
(904) 207-6502
Donnell@GreenEnergyEnt.com
www.GreenEnergyEnt.com
DUBLIN, Jan 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Bunker Oil Market 2017-2021" report to their offering.
The global bunker oil market to grow at a CAGR of 3.36% during the period 2017-2021.
The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global bunker oil market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenues that are generated from the sale of the bunker oil products in the oil and gas downstream market. The report also includes a a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.
The latest trend gaining momentum in the market is shift in focus from EU to APAC. For the past three hundred years, Europe was the epicenter of most global trade. Being at the center of global power for centuries, the major trade in European countries was importing raw materials from their colonies to feed the industrial revolution powered facilities. The EU, with its highly-advanced economies, is still an important hub for global trade. However, its dominance is steadily shifting away to Asia.
According to the report, one of the major drivers for this market is growing LNG market. The demand for LNG, a marine fuel, is increasing significantly. Being odorless, non-toxic, and non-corrosive, it is used to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG). It also evaporates quickly when exposed to air, leaving no residue behind.
Further, the report states that one of the major factors hindering the growth of this market is stringent MARPOL regulations. The shipping industry must comply with the new sulfur limits in sulfur emission control areas (SECAs) from January 1, 2015. This means that ships, which are doing trade in the ECAs must use marine fuel with a sulfur content of not more than 0.10%. The main reason for these new regulations is the safety of ships, crew, and the marine environment.
Key Vendors:
BP Singapore
Chemoil Energy
Sentek Marine & Trading
Transocean Oil
Total Marine Fuels
Other Prominent Vendors:
Aegean Marine Petroleum Network
Consort Bunkers
EQUATORIAL Marine Fuel Management Services
ExxonMobil
Global Energy Trading
Golden Island Diesel Oil Trading
Panoil Petroleum
Searights Maritime Services
Seven Seas Oil Trading
Shell Eastern Trading
Singapore Petroleum Company
SK Energy International
Universal Energy
Vermont UM Bunkering
Wired Bunkering
Key Topics Covered:
Part 01: Executive summary
Part 02: Scope of the report
Part 03: Market research methodology
Part 04: Introduction
Part 05: Market landscape
Part 06: Market segmentation by product type
Part 07: Market segmentation by Geography
Part 08: Market segmentation by end-user
Part 09: Market drivers
Part 10: Impact of drivers
Part 11: Market challenges
Part 12: Impact of drivers and challenges
Part 13: Market trends
Part 14: Vendor landscape
Part 15: Key vendor analysis
Part 16: Appendix
Part 17: Extras
For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/svk2lk/global_bunker_oil
Media Contact:
Research and Markets
Laura Wood, Senior Manager
press@researchandmarkets.com
For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470
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U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907
Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716
SAN FRANCISCO, January 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
Data-centric Approach Drives Revenue Growth, New Offices
Vaultize, a data security, rights management and file tracking company, announced today that ExxonMobil and BNP Paribas along with several other Fortune 1000 companies have signed on as new customers. The company has grown its US and European revenue streams by over 700 percent in FY16 after opening a new global headquarters in San Francisco and a regional headquarters in New York.
The growth in revenue is largely due to key new accounts won by an expanding sales team. New US and European customers include BNP Paribas, ExxonMobil, Omnicom, Schellenberg Wittmer, Credit Agricole and Wipro. Vaultize has also won numerous new accounts in India, including Intas Pharmaceuticals, Qatar First Bank, and Yes Bank.
Vaultize has captured a growing share of the DRM, enterprise file sync and share, data encryption and file tracking industry due to its singular approach to data security and to the ever-increasing need for reliable, user-friendly security solutions. The company has pioneered a data-centric approach to security. Its platform is unique in that it protects clients against external threats and mitigates the risk of internal mistakes or sabotage causing lasting damage to an organization. Most data security solutions on the market merely protect against malicious outside parties. A notable lack of easily-deployable solutions in Western markets has also driven several customers to Vaultize.
"We selected Vaultize out of several options for their software features and ease of use and implementation at client side without installing any software," said Prashant Modi, Senior Manager of IT at Intas Pharmaceuticals. "Since working with Vaultize, we've seen quicker resolution to business security discussions and no data leakage."
Vaultize founders Anand Kekre and Ankur Panchbudhe began making headway in the US and European markets by bringing CEO James Mongillo on board in early 2016 and growing its US sales team. That team was responsible for securing early client wins including ExxonMobil, BNP Paribas, and Wipro.
"The market opportunity for Vaultize is immense and growing," said Vaultize CEO Jim Mongillo. "Data breaches are increasing and protecting your company's sensitive files at all times is absolutely critical. This is especially true for finance, legal, insurance, healthcare, and manufacturing companies. Hoping for the best is simply not an option. Vaultize protects your most important assets at the data level, and that's why we have experienced so much growth in 2016."
In addition to growing its western customer base over the past year, Vaultize has continued to improve its data security, rights management, and file tracking platform with numerous new features. A few recently deployed and upcoming features include encryption for at-rest data, better tools for tailoring each customer's experience to their unique industry compliance requirements, additional rights management parameters and better encryption enveloping, which will allow customers to protect a wider range of documents and files.
About Vaultize Technologies: Vaultize provides a comprehensive enterprise file security platform that enables continuous data protection, digital rights management, and unprecedented access control for zero data loss enterprise file sharing and VPN-free secure access.
The leaders of Vaultize founded the company in 2010 as a solution to mitigate security, data loss and compliance risks that arise from the use of consumer file sharing (like Dropbox), increasing data mobility, consumerization of IT and the growing trend toward bring-your-own-device (BYOD).
The Vaultize platform is engineered for 100 percent secure freedom for an organization's data through enterprise file sync and share (EFSS), mobile collaboration, VPN-free secure anywhere access with built-in digital rights management (DRM), mobile content management (MCM), data loss prevention (DLP) and end-to-end encryption capabilities.
Vaultize has a presence in more than 50 countries, with offices in the US, India, Singapore, and the Middle East.
The rating agency S&P Global Ratings raised its long-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on Iceland to A- from BBB+. At the same time, the A-2 short-term ratings were confirmed. The outlook is stable. This upgrade stems from Iceland's stronger-than-anticipated external performance characterized by a sizeable current account surplus and material growth in the CBI's foreign exchange reserves throughout 2016 as well as the Icelandic economy's robust growth dynamics and S&P's expectation of a continued reduction in the general government debt level as a percentage of GDP. The stable outlook primarily balances the potential for improvement in Iceland's external and monetary profiles, as capital controls are fully lifted, against the risk of the domestic economy overheating over the next two years. S&P could raise the ratings if capital controls are fully lifted without putting the balance of payments or financial stability at risk. S&P could also raise the ratings if the ratio of net general government debt to GDP declines materially faster than they presently anticipate. S&P could lower the ratings if they perceived that recent sizable wage hikes led to a significant overheating of the domestic economy, with heightened risks for the country's monetary, fiscal, or external stability. This could also be the case if further liberalization of capital controls proceeded in a disorderly fashion, placing renewed pressure on the Icelandic krona exchange rate and the financial system. Attached find report Attachment: https://cns.omxgroup.com/cds/DisclosureAttachmentServlet?messageAttachmentId=611123
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
DUBLIN, Jan 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Information Security Consulting Market - Global Forecast to 2021" report to their offering.
The information security consulting market size is expected to grow from USD 16.12 Billion in 2016 to USD 26.15 Billion by 2021, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.2% during the forecast period. The major growth drivers of the market include the increased network complexities due to third-party applications deployment and mergers & acquisitions across globe.
Major security types in information security are network security, application security, database security, and endpoint security. The application security type is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period because of the growing trends of Internet of Things (IoT), Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), and connected devices.
Network security holds the largest share of the information security consulting market in 2016. The growth is fueled by growing attacks on the critical network infrastructures of organizations. The Banking, Financial Services, & Insurance (BFSI) vertical is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, due to the increasing adoption of web and mobile-based business applications, which are susceptible to advanced cyber threats.
The Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and large enterprises are rapidly deploying information security consulting services. The demand for information security consulting services is increasing due its robust features to provide a holistic security. Its growth rate is specifically high in SMEs, where the adoption is rapidly increasing.
The North American region, followed by Europe, is expected to become the largest revenue-generating region for information security consulting vendors in 2016. This is mainly because, in the developed economies of the U.S. and Canada, there is a high focus on innovations obtained from Research & Development (R&D) and technology. The APAC region is expected to be the fastest growing region in the information security consulting market. The growth in this region is primarily driven by the growing adoption of web and mobile-based business applications.
Companies Mentioned:
ATOS SE
Accenture PLC
Aujas
BAE Systems PLC
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL)
Ernst & Young
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
International Business Machines Corporation
KPMG
Optiv Security Inc.
Pricewaterhousecoopers
Wipro Limited
Key Topics Covered:
1 Introduction
2 Research Methodology
3 Executive Summary
4 Premium Insights
5 Market Overview
6 Industry Trends
7 Information Security Consulting Market Analysis, By Security Type
8 Information Security Consulting Market Analysis, By Organization Size
9 Information Security Consulting Market Analysis, By Vertical
10 Geographic Analysis
11 Company Profiles
12 Key Innovators
13 Appendix
For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/grnc9g/information
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Research and Markets
Laura Wood, Senior Manager
press@researchandmarkets.com
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SHANGHAI, CHINA -- (Marketwired) -- 01/13/17 -- Department of Canadian Heritage
The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, met today with various cultural stakeholders and business people from Canada and China at a reception co-hosted by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai as part of a 7-day working trip in China. Minister Joly is the first Minister of Canadian Heritage to visit China in the past 12 years.
During her speech, the Minister underscored the importance of increasing diplomatic exchanges, strengthening cultural and economic relationships, and developing greater cooperation between Canada and China's creators and cultural industries in order to innovate and be successful on the international stage.
Minister Joly also indicated that she participated in the launch of a Canadian cultural and creative industry advisory group in Shanghai, comprised of representatives from Canadian companies who are present in the Chinese market. The group will convene on a regular basis to offer the Government insight and practical experience regarding opportunities for the Canadian creative sector. As we continue to develop Canada's Creative Export Strategy, this input will be instrumental in considering a possible future cultural trade mission.
This first meeting of the advisory group sets the stage for future discussions on how best to expand the reach of Canadian artists and cultural industries internationally and support emerging Canadian creative businesses wishing to penetrate the Chinese market. This innovative way of exploring opportunities in other countries highlights the Government of Canada's ongoing efforts to promote the excellence of Canada's creative sector internationally by expanding relations with Canadian cultural and creative companies established abroad.
Minister Joly noted that she looks forward to continuing to nurture Canada's cultural and economic relationship with the Chinese people and help create the conditions for more Canadian creative exports.
Quote
"Our Government understands the importance of giving Canadian creators and cultural entrepreneurs every chance to seize opportunities provided by international markets and audiences, and we see tremendous opportunity in China. Our goal is to enable and support Canadian creators and cultural entrepreneurs to increase their competitive position on the international stage to conquer new markets and contribute directly to Canada's overall economic and social prosperity."
- The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage
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To express an interest in participating in a possible future cultural trade mission in China, please contact us at: pch.missionchine-chinamission.pch@canada.ca
Contacts:
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Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
819-997-7788
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Canadian Heritage
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IRVING, TX -- (Marketwired) -- 01/13/17 -- ReadyCap Commercial, LLC (http://www.readycapcommercial.com), a leader in small-balance commercial real estate mortgage lending, has securitized $189 million of newly originated first-lien, conventional commercial real estate mortgage loans. Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Kroll Bond Rating Agency, Inc. assigned a "Aaa(sf)" and "AAA(sf)" rating, respectively to the senior most certificates of the approximately $162 million pool subset consisting of 61 fixed-rate assets including 42 whole mortgage loans and 19 senior participation interests in whole mortgage loans, each secured by first liens on 63 commercial and multifamily properties.
"ReadyCap is excited to execute our third small balance CMBS securitization of commercial real estate loans," said Anuj Gupta, President of ReadyCap Commercial, LLC. "We continue to progress as a nationwide multi-product real estate loan provider to the small balance marketplace ranging primarily from $1 million to $10 million in loans. ReadyCap also continues to demonstrate that traditional real estate underwriting discipline can be applied to small loans with consistency and is aligned with investors through its retention of risk in all transactions."
According to Moody's Pre-Sale Report, approximately 36.8 percent of the pool balance is secured by properties that represent asset classes Moody's considers among the least volatile. These sectors include multifamily (21.4 percent), industrial (8.3 percent), and anchored retail (7.1 percent). Furthermore, loans representing only 6.4 percent of the pool balance were secured by real estate located in small or tertiary markets, well below the Moody's 2015 and 3rd Quarter 2016 small market conduit averages of approximately 21.4 percent and 19.0 percent, respectively.
KeyBank National Association is the Master and Special Servicer. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC and Performance Trust Capital Partners, LLC served as placement agents. The offered securities were placed with a broad array of investors.
About ReadyCap Commercial, LLC
ReadyCap Commercial (www.readycapcommercial.com), headquartered in Irving, Texas, is a non-bank, portfolio lender offering financing for small-balance conventional, multifamily and bridge loans nationwide. ReadyCap and its affiliates have offices in the Bay Area, California; Los Angeles, California; Orange County, California; San Diego, California; Denver, Colorado; Fairfield County, Connecticut; Washington, D.C.; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Central New Jersey; New York City, New York; Charlotte, North Carolina; Austin, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah. Available financing for conventional commercial real estate and multifamily loans ranges from $750,000 to $10 million. Bridge financing is available up to $25 million and is offered through Ready Capital Structured Finance, a wholly owned division of ReadyCap. Founded in 2012, ReadyCap is an indirect subsidiary of Sutherland Partners, L.P., the general partner of which is Sutherland Asset Management Corporation ("Sutherland"). Sutherland, a REIT, is a publicly-traded real estate finance company that acquires, originates, manages and finances commercial real estate loans, and to a lesser extent, asset-backed securities where the underlying pool of assets consists primarily of commercial real estate loans and other real estate-related investments (NYSE: SLD).
ReadyCap Commercial, LLC
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DELRAY BEACH, FL -- (Marketwired) -- 01/13/17 -- Franklin Foods Holdings (Franklin), the World's fastest growing cream cheese company, announced today that Hochland SE, a privately-held Bavaria, Germany-based cheese company, has acquired Franklin Foods and its sister companies. Jon Gutknecht, current partner, president and CEO of Franklin Foods, will continue to lead Franklin and maintain an interest in the new venture. Franklin Foods will continue to operate independently as a wholly owned subsidiary of Hochland SE. Franklin's strong manufacturing and sales platform in the US cream cheese market complements Hochland's international growth strategy.
"We are thrilled to announce the acquisition," said Jon Gutknecht, CEO of Franklin Foods. "Hochland and Franklin share a common vision around providing superior customer service, creating best-in-class products, and ensuring a company culture that strives to make a difference for our customers and brands. As a company with a successful 100-year heritage, we are especially proud to join Hochland in 2017 as they celebrate their 90th Anniversary, and we look forward to many great years ahead."
The Franklin Foods acquisition follows the establishment of Hochland's US sales organization, Bergland Cheese USA LLC in 2014, and marks a significant strategic step by Hochland into the US market. As the fastest-growing cream cheese producer in the world, the combined entity will allow Franklin to continue its growth and deliver on its mission to re-Invent cream cheese for today's consumer.
"We are very excited about this acquisition," said Peter Stahl, CEO of Hochland SE. "Franklin's strong market position, nationwide distribution and two modern production plants offer Hochland the ideal platform for the successful implementation of our own brands and products in the USA."
Franklin Foods was established in 1899 in Vermont, originally under the name "Hahn's Cheese Company." Today, Franklin Foods is the third largest cream cheese producer in the USA. Franklin sells its own award-winning brands including Greek Cream Cheese, Green Mountain Farms and Hahn's, and private label products to food service companies and retailers.
Franklin Foods operates two manufacturing facilities in Casa Grande, Arizona and Enosburg Falls, Vermont, with corporate offices in Delray Beach, Florida. The company serves every food industry segment, conducts business throughout the United States and numerous international markets, and employs over 220 people.
The terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
About Hochland SE
Hochland SE is a family-owned business based in Heimenkirch in the Allgau. From the outset in 1927 the company has concentrated exclusively on the production, refinement and sales of cheese. The company has 10 production sites with a workforce of more than 4,200. In 2016, Hochland generated a turnover of roughly 1,2 billion Euro. As a result Hochland is one of the largest manufacturers and refiners of cheese in Europe. Hochland supplies all major cheese varieties to national and international markets. Hochland cheese is sold in over 30 countries and its name is synonymous with quality and ongoing product innovation. Hochland began doing business in Eastern Europe early on -- and was instantly successful in creating the brands Hochland and Almette. In Poland, Romania and Russia Hochland is the market leader in the field of processed cheese and cream cheese. Hochland's products are not only to be found in food retailers. The company also supplies the food industry and catering sector with product concepts especially developed for customers in all desired forms.
About Franklin Foods
Franklin Foods is located in Delray Beach, FL with manufacturing facilities in Enosburg Falls, Vermont and Casa Grande, Arizona. Franklin Foods is a Safe Quality Foods (SQF) Level 3 Certified cream cheese manufacturer. Franklin Foods began producing cheese in 1899 using fresh milk and cream from nearby farms. Today, the Franklin Foods tradition of excellent quality, delicious taste and dairy innovation continues. Franklin Foods is the fastest growing cream cheese producer in the World and is on a mission to Re-Invent Cream Cheese for today's consumer. Franklin Foods' award-winning products are distributed to industrial, institutional, foodservice, private label, supermarket and club store accounts across the United States and numerous international markets. For more information, visit www.franklinfoods.com
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - As lawmakers take the first steps toward repealing the healthcare reform law known as Obamacare, the results of a Quinnipiac University poll found little support for a complete repeal of the law. The poll found that just 18 percent of voters think President-elect Donald Trump and Congress should repeal all of Obamacare. Meanwhile, 47 percent of voters said parts of Obamacare should be repealed, while 31 percent said Congress should not repeal any of the law. Among independent voters, 58 percent favored repealing parts of Obamacare versus only 13 percent that prefer a complete repeal. The poll also found that voters are divided on whether Trump should support efforts to repeal Obamacare, with 48 percent saying he should and 47 percent saying he should not. Republican and Democratic voters are unsurprisingly split on the issue, while 44 percent of independents say Trump should support repeal and 49 percent say he should not. The survey also asked voters about the issue of climate change and found 45 percent are 'very concerned' about climate change, 29 percent are 'somewhat concerned' and 13 percent 'not concerned at all.' Fifty-nine percent of voters said Trump should not remove regulations intended to combat climate change, while 32 percent said he should. 'Not exactly a hearty endorsement of two highly controversial stances President-elect Donald Trump has taken,' said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. 'A split decision on scrapping Obamacare but no ambivalence on climate change,' he added. 'Preserve the planet, Mr. Trump,' is the stern advice of voters.' The Quinnipiac survey of 899 voters was conducted January 5th through 9th and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Crude oil futures fell Friday, posting a weekly decline amid lingering doubts that OPEC will curb supplies. While Saudi Arabia is said to have implemented quotas, Libya and Iraq are among the OPEC members that are reportedly resisting the output reductions. WTI light sweet crude oil was down 64 cents, or 1.2%, to end at $52.37/bbl. Prices were down 3 percent for the biggest weekly decline in two months. Data from Baker Hughes Friday revealed that the number of active U.S. rigs drilling for oil fell by 7 to 522 rigs this week. The count had risen ten weeks in a row. However, the number of gas rigs rose for a twelfth week in a row. In economic news today, U.S. retail sales were up 0.6 percent in December. Economists had expected retail sales to advance by 0.7 percent compared to the 0.1 percent uptick originally reported for the previous month. U.S. producer price growth came in line with economist estimates. The Labor Department said its producer price index for final demand rose by 0.3 percent in December after climbing by 0.4 percent in November. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Pinblock, Inc., a building system which reinvents construction sets by making every block exactly the same shape, is set to appear on ABC Television's award winning hit show "Shark Tank" on January 13, 2017 at 9:00 PM PST/EST. Watch and find out what happens when CEO Vladislav Smolyanskyy, a 21-year-old from Ukraine and now living in Brooklyn, New York, will go head to head with the most famous entrepreneurs in the world.
Pinblock's CEO will be pitching the Sharks with his epic display of block toys and his knowledge about the toy industry. Pinblock is a building toy that was solely designed for creative building. Every Pinblock is exactly the same, letting kids spend more time building instead of looking for the right piece. Pinblock's unique design unlocks completely new building possibilities, such as the elongated round connecting pins, which allow all Pinblock models to bend and turn.
What: ABC Television's "Shark Tank"
When: January 13, 2017 9pm PT/ET
: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q67B_HGugA
"We are thrilled to have been selected to participate on 'Shark Tank,'" said Vladislav Smolyanskyy, CEO of Pinblock. "I'm very grateful for the opportunity to work on my passion, expand my horizons and become a better entrepreneur while helping develop the next generation. Pinblock for me is a chance to inspire many young minds and therefore change the future of our world. Pinblock has been a great journey but we still have a long road ahead of us. Thank you for your support, contributions, and many happy moments that you chose to share with me and the Pinblock team."
About Vladislav Smolyanskyy
Vladislav Smolyanskyy was born in Ukraine and grew up under the influence of his self-made entrepreneurial father. While still a child, Vladislav lost his father and the family spiraled into very dark and hard times. In 2006 he and his mother immigrated to Brooklyn, NY where Vlad finally had an opportunity to step into his father's shoes, establish himself as an entrepreneur and bring happiness back to his family.
Feeling alone in a new country Vlad discovered his passion for learning, especially everything related to business. That obsession came in handy when with his friend, at 19 years old; Vladislav quit his job and started his first company within one of the most competitive industries in the country.
www.Pinblock.com.
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Pinblock, Inc.
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Vlad@pinblock.com
www.Pinblock.com
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Regulatory News:
Technip S.A. (Paris:TEC) (ISIN:FR0000131708) (ADR:TKPPY) and FMC Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:FTI, "FMC Technologies") announce that TechnipFMC plc ("TechnipFMC") secured today visa no. 2017-015 from the French stock market regulator (Autorite des Marches Financiers, "AMF") for its prospectus relating to the listing of its ordinary shares on the Euronext Paris regulated market (the "Prospectus").
The Prospectus was prepared as part of the admission to trading on Euronext Paris of all the ordinary shares of TechnipFMC that will be issued in connection with the completion of the combination between FMC Technologies and Technip. The AMF visa on the Prospectus was the last remaining regulatory approval required in connection with the closing of the combination.
Subject to the Business Combination Agreement, the combination will be completed after the close of business on January 16, 2017, which is the last day on which Technip shares will be traded on Euronext Paris. The last day of trading of the FMC Technologies shares on the NYSE will be January 13, 2017, given that January 16 is a federal holiday in the United States. The TechnipFMC ordinary shares will be listed under ticker "FTI" on January 17, 2017, starting from the opening of the respective trading sessions on Euronext Paris (9:00 a.m. CET) and on the NYSE (9:30 a.m. EST).
The Prospectus is available to investors outside of the United States on the respective websites of Technip and the AMF. An electronic copy of the Prospectus will be submitted to the U.K.'s National Storage Mechanism and will be available to investors outside of the United States for inspection.
The Prospectus is intended solely to comply with the EU Prospectus Directive, and was prepared in connection with the listing on Euronext Paris. The Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or to subscribe for or a solicitation of an offer to purchase or to subscribe for the shares described therein. TechnipFMC's registration statement on Form S-4 was declared effective by the SEC on October 24, 2016, and is available on the respective websites of FMC Technologies, Technip and the SEC.
About Technip
Technip is a world leader in project management, engineering and construction for the energy industry. From the deepest Subsea oil gas developments to the largest and most complex Offshore and Onshore infrastructures, our close to 29,400 people are constantly offering the best solutions and most innovative technologies to meet the world's energy challenges. Present in 45 countries, Technip has state-of-the-art industrial assets on all continents and operates a fleet of specialized vessels for pipeline installation and subsea construction. Technip shares are listed on the Euronext Paris exchange, and its ADR is traded in the US on the OTCQX marketplace as an American Depositary Receipt (OTCQX: TKPPY). Visit us at www.technip.com.
About FMC Technologies
FMC Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: FTI) is the global market leader in subsea systems and a leading provider of technologies and services to the oil and gas industry. We help our customers overcome their most difficult challenges, such as improving shale and subsea infrastructures and operations to reduce cost, maintain uptime, and maximize oil and gas recovery. The company has approximately 14,300 employees and operates 29 major production facilities and services bases in 18 countries. Visit www.fmctechnologies.com or follow us on Twitter @FMC_Tech for more information.
Important Information for Investors and Securityholders
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains "forward-looking statements." All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this report are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Forward-looking statements usually relate to future events and anticipated revenues, earnings, cash flows or other aspects of our operations or operating results. Forward-looking statements are often identified by the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "intend," "foresee," "should," "would," "could," "may," "estimate," "outlook" and similar expressions, including the negative thereof. The absence of these words, however, does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, beliefs and assumptions concerning future developments and business conditions and their potential effect on us. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include termination of the Business Combination Agreement by the parties; failure to obtain favorable opinions from counsel for each company to the effect of how TechnipFMC plc ("TechnipFMC") should be treated for U.S. tax purposes as a result of the proposed transaction; risks associated with tax liabilities, or changes in U.S. federal or international tax laws or interpretations to which they are subject, including the risk that the Internal Revenue Service disagrees that TechnipFMC is a foreign corporation for U.S. federal tax purposes; risks that the new businesses will not be integrated successfully or that the combined company will not realize estimated cost savings, value of certain tax assets, synergies and growth or that such benefits may take longer to realize than expected; failure to realize anticipated benefits of the combined operations; risks relating to unanticipated costs of integration; reductions in client spending or a slowdown in client payments; unanticipated changes relating to competitive factors in the companies' industries; ability to hire and retain key personnel; ability to successfully integrate the companies' businesses; the potential impact of announcement or consummation of the proposed transaction on relationships with third parties, including clients, employees and competitors; ability to attract new clients and retain existing clients in the manner anticipated; reliance on and integration of information technology systems; changes in legislation or governmental regulations affecting the companies; international, national or local economic, social or political conditions that could adversely affect the companies or their clients; conditions in the credit markets; risks associated with assumptions the parties make in connection with the parties' critical accounting estimates and legal proceedings; and the parties' international operations, which are subject to the risks of currency fluctuations and foreign exchange controls.
All of our forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties (some of which are significant or beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that affect the parties' businesses, including those described in FMC Technologies, Inc.'s ("FMC Technologies") Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other documents filed from time to time by FMC Technologies and TechnipFMC with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and those described in Technip S.A.'s annual reports, registration documents and other documents filed from time to time with the French financial markets regulator (Autorite des marches financiers or the "AMF"). We wish to caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of our forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law and regulations.
Important Notice
You must read the following disclaimer before continuing. This disclaimer applies to the following summary of the Prospectus (the "Prospectus Summary") and you are therefore advised to read this disclaimer page carefully before reading, accessing or making any other use of the Prospectus Summary.
The Prospectus has been filed with the Autorite des Marches Financiers (the French stock market regulator) pursuant to the requirements of the EU Prospectus Directive (Directive 2003/71/EC of November 4, 2003, as amended) in connection with the listing of the shares of TechnipFMC plc on Euronext Paris. No securities are being offered for sale or subscription in connection with the business combination between Technip S.A., and FMC Technologies, Inc. Accordingly, the Prospectus Summary is not intended to be an offer to sell or to subscribe for or a solicitation of an offer to purchase or to subscribe for the shares described herein, especially in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation would be unlawful under the laws of that jurisdiction.
The Prospectus is not being used, is not intended for use and may not be used, to make an offer of securities directly or indirectly in the United States of America, or by use of the U.S. mail or any U.S. means or instrumentality of U.S. interstate or foreign commerce or any facility of a U.S. national securities exchange.
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary consists of a series of key elements, referred to as "Elements". The Elements are numbered in Sections A E (A.1 E.7).
This summary contains all the Elements required to be included in a summary for this type of security and issuer.
Because some Elements are not required to be addressed, there may be gaps in the numbering sequence of the Elements.
Even though an Element may be required to be inserted in the summary because of the type of securities and issuer, it is possible that no relevant information can be given regarding the Element. In this case, a short description of the Element is included in the summary with the mention of the words "Not applicable".
Section A Introduction and warnings
Annexes and Element Disclosure requirement A.1 Introduction and Warning This summary must be read as an introduction to the Prospectus. Any decision to invest in the securities for which the admission to trading on a regulated market is being requested should be based on consideration of the Prospectus as a whole by the investor. Where a claim relating to the information contained in the Prospectus is brought before a court, the plaintiff investor might, according to the national legislation of the Member States of the European Economic Area or parties to the agreement on the European Economic Area where the claim is brought, have to bear the costs of translating the Prospectus before legal proceedings are initiated. Persons who have presented this summary, including any translation thereof and requested its notification pursuant to Article 212-41 of the AMF General Regulation, may be subject to civil liability only if the content of this summary is misleading, inaccurate or inconsistent when read together with the other parts of the Prospectus, or if it does not provide, when read together with other parts of the Prospectus, key information in order to assist investors who are considering investing in these securities. A.2 Subsequent Resale of Securities or Final Placement of Securities through Financial Intermediaries Not applicable.
Section B Company
Annexes and Element Disclosure requirement B.1 Legal Name TechnipFMC plc B.2 Registered Office One St. Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AP, United Kingdom Legal Form Public limited company incorporated and organized under the laws of England and Wales Applicable Legislation English law Country of Incorporation England B.3 Operations and Principal Activities TechnipFMC TechnipFMC is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of FMCTI. On December 9, 2015, TechnipFMC was incorporated under the laws of England and Wales as a private limited company under the name FMC Technologies SIS Limited, for the purpose of entering into the Business Combination Agreement. On August 4, 2016, the legal name of TechnipFMC was changed to TechnipFMC Limited. On January 11, 2017, TechnipFMC, formerly a private limited company, was re-registered as a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales. TechnipFMC has not conducted any business operations other than those which are incidental to its formation, to enter into the MOU, the Business Combination Agreement and the Merger Terms and in connection with the transactions contemplated by these agreements. As of the date of this Prospectus, TechnipFMC does not beneficially own any FMCTI Shares or Technip Shares. Following the Mergers, TechnipFMC will be the holding company of the combined businesses of FMCTI and Technip, and TechnipFMC Shares will be listed on the NYSE and Euronext Paris. Following the Mergers, TechnipFMC will: be a leader in Subsea, Surface and Onshore/Offshore, driven by technology and innovation;
build a comprehensive and flexible offering across each market from concept to project delivery and beyond; and
accelerate growth with a broader portfolio of solutions which will increase innovation, improve execution, reduce costs and enhance customer success. The principal executive offices of TechnipFMC are located at One St. Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AP, United Kingdom and its telephone number at that address is +44 203 429 3950. FMC Technologies, Inc. FMCTI, a Delaware corporation, is a global market leader in subsea systems and a leading provider of technologies and services to the oil and gas industry. FMCTI, which became a standalone company in 2001, designs, manufactures and services technologically sophisticated systems and products, including subsea production and processing systems, surface wellhead production systems, high pressure fluid control equipment, measurement solutions and marine loading systems for the energy industry. As of December 31, 2016, FMCTI had approximately 14,300 full-time employees, comprised of approximately 4,300 in the United States and approximately 10,000 in non-U.S. locations. FMCTI operates under three reportable segments: Subsea Technologies designs and manufactures products and systems and provides services used by oil and gas companies involved in deepwater exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas. The core competencies of this segment are FMCTI's technology and engineering expertise. FMCTI's systems control the flow of crude oil and natural gas from producing wells. FMCTI specializes in offshore production systems and has manufacturing facilities near the world's principal offshore oil and gas producing basins. FMCTI primarily markets its products through its own technical sales organization.
Surface Technologies designs and manufactures products and systems and provides services used by oil and gas companies involved in land and offshore exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas. FMCTI designs, manufactures and supplies technologically advanced wellhead systems and high pressure valves and pumps used in stimulation activities for oilfield service companies and provides flowback and wireline services for exploration and production companies in the oil and gas industry.
Energy Infrastructure manufactures and supplies liquid and gas measurement and transportation equipment and systems to customers involved in the production, transportation and processing of crude oil, natural gas and petroleum-based refined products. FMCTI Shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol "FTI". The principal executive offices of FMCTI are located at 5875 N. Sam Houston Parkway W., Houston, Texas 77086, United States, and its telephone number at that address is +1 281 591 4000. Technip S.A. Technip, a French societe anonyme, is the holding company of a world leader in project management, engineering and construction for the energy sector and offers a comprehensive portfolio of innovative solutions and technologies. As of December 31, 2016, the Technip group employed a workforce of approximately 29,400 people from 118 nationalities. Technip operates on five continents and in 45 countries. Technip's production facilities (for flexible pipes and umbilicals), manufacturing yard, logistics bases and spoolbases are located in Angola, Brazil, Finland, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States. As of December 31, 2016, Technip held an interest in or operated 21 vessels specialized in subsea rigid and flexible pipelines, subsea construction and diving support, four of which are under construction. Technip possesses integrated capacity and recognized expertise in Subsea, Onshore and Offshore. Technip is active in two segments of the global oil and gas industry, Subsea and Onshore/Offshore, which are described as follows: Subsea provides integrated design, engineering, manufacturing and installation services for infrastructure and subsea pipe systems used in oil and gas production and transportation. Technip is considered as one of the world leaders in the Subsea construction sector. Technip's focus on developing technologies allows Technip to offer its own technologies both as products and for installation processes.
Onshore/Offshore covers all types of onshore facilities related to the production, treatment and transportation of oil and gas, as well as transformation with petrochemicals such as ethylene, polymers and fertilizers. Technip Shares are listed on Euronext Paris under the symbol "TEC". Technip's American Depositary Receipts are traded in the United States in the OTCQX marketplace of the OTC Markets Group. The principal executive offices of Technip are located at 89, avenue de la Grande Armee, 75116 Paris, France, and its telephone number at that address is +33 1 47 78 24 00. Forsys Subsea Limited Forsys Subsea, a private limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales on June 1, 2015, is an affiliated company in the form of a 50/50 joint venture between FMCTI and Technip. Forsys Subsea combines the proprietary technologies of FMCTI and Technip to offer front-end engineering design services aimed at identifying opportunities through new technologies, services and standardization of equipment to significantly reduce the cost of subsea field development and maximize well performance. The 2015 agreement between FMCTI and Technip and the formation of Forsys Subsea also created an alliance between FMCTI and Technip and serves as the predecessor to the Mergers, and in part, the framework to a combined company. TechnipFMC US Merger Sub, LLC TechnipFMC US Merger Sub, LLC was formed under the laws of the State of Delaware on October 17, 2016 as a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of FMCTI. On January 9, 2017, FMCTI contributed its entire interest in the entity that wholly owns TechnipFMC US Merger Sub, LLC to TechnipFMC, making TechnipFMC US Merger Sub, LLC a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of TechnipFMC. TechnipFMC US Merger Sub, LLC has not conducted any business operations other than those incidental to its formation and in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement. The principal executive offices of TechnipFMC US Merger Sub, LLC are located at 5875 N. Sam Houston Parkway W., Houston, Texas 77086, United States, and its telephone number at that address is +1 281 591 4000. B.4a Significant Recent Trends Technip As announced by Technip on October 27, 2016: Technip teams are busy tendering on new projects, even if the picture is varied across geographic regions.
Onshore/Offshore remains quite robust and Technip continues to see opportunities to get involved early with customers, positioning itself for future projects. The resilience of this segment is underpinned by Technip's long-lasting client relationships, its front-end presence and its proprietary technology. Technip continues to be well positioned on a number of promising early stage Onshore/Offshore projects.
In Subsea, Technip is seeing pockets of growing demand, for example greenfield in the North Sea, and sustained interest for long tiebacks and field extensions. Also, Technip clients continue to work with Technip on securing structural cost reduction in offshore developments. This interest has accelerated over the last six months through the Technip FMCTI alliance, with 17 integrated early stage studies at the Forsys Subsea joint venture and Technip first follow-on business a fast track development of the Lancaster field in the North Sea.
Overall, Technip remains confident in its ability to drive change in its industry and therefore to enable its clients to make new offshore investments on a profitable basis, even in a low oil price environment.
Turning to Technip full year 2016 objectives, Technip Subsea guidance is upgraded with adjusted revenues expected above 5 billion and adjusted OIFRA around 700 million, while Technip Onshore/Offshore guidance remains unchanged in every respect.
Technip expects to enter 2017 with a good backlog and promising prospects, and intends to continue to drive costs down and focus on solid project execution. Based on these elements, Technip would expect for 2017: Subsea to deliver roughly stable adjusted margins on lower adjusted revenues and Onshore/Offshore to deliver rising adjusted profit and adjusted margins on slightly lower revenues. FMC Technologies, Inc. As disclosed by FMCTI in its report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on October 27, 2016: The low crude oil price environment over the last two years led many of FMCTI's customers to reduce their capital spending plans or defer new deepwater projects. These capital spending reductions have had an adverse effect on FMCTI's 2016 year-to-date inbound orders when compared to the prior year. However, in addition to continued project execution improvements, FMCTI has benefited from restructuring actions FMCTI took in 2015 by attaining more cost-effective manufacturing during 2016. FMCTI expects subsea revenues to decrease a third consecutive year in 2017; however, even with lower subsea revenue expectations, FMCTI believes the operational improvements and cost reductions made will protect operating margins and provide FMCTI with the capability to respond to the eventual market recovery.
Although FMCTI expects to continue to reach payment milestones on many of FMCTI's projects, FMCTI expects FMCTI's consolidated operating cash flow position in 2016 to slightly decrease as a result of the negative impact the decline in commodity prices will have on FMCTI's overall business. Given the recent downturn in the oilfield services industry, many of FMCTI's key customers have requested price concessions. Additionally, FMCTI's primary customer in Brazil has notified FMCTI of re-scheduling and potential cancellations of certain backlog deliveries. Consequently, any discounts, material product delivery delays or cancellations that may ultimately be mutually agreed to with FMCTI's key customers may adversely affect FMCTI's results of operations and cash flows.
FMCTI's customers are taking aggressive actions to lower their cost base. Accordingly, FMCTI remains focused on ways to reduce costs to FMCTI's customers by offering cost-effective approaches to FMCTI's customers' project developments, including customer acceptance of integrated business models to help achieve their cost-reduction goals and accelerate achievement of first oil. Many FMCTI customers are actively exploring ways to utilize FMCTI's standardized subsea production equipment as operators understand the cost and scheduling benefits that standardization brings to their projects.
B.5 Group Description Following Admission, it is expected that the structure chart of the group will be as follows: [Object Omitted] *Immediately following the consummation of the Mergers, it is expected that former Technip stockholders will own approximately 51.1% of TechnipFMC and former FMCTI stockholders will own approximately 48.9% of TechnipFMC, on a fully diluted basis as of January 4, 2017 (i.e., taking into account the effect of all the dilutive instruments, being performance shares and stock options for Technip and restricted stock units for FMCTI, using the treasury method). **FMCTI will be held by TechnipFMC through one or more wholly owned holding companies.
B.6 Major Stockholders Based on the information known to Technip and FMCTI as at September 30, 2016 (being the latest practicable date prior to publication of this Prospectus), the following persons are interested directly and indirectly in Technip Shares or in FMCTI Shares in such proportion that they would be interested directly or indirectly in 3% or more of the voting rights in respect of the issued ordinary share capital of TechnipFMC immediately following completion of the Mergers:
Name Number of TechnipFMC Shares* Percentage of issued TechnipFMC Shares* The Vanguard Group, Inc. 27,425,722 5.88% Blackrock Inc. 20,348,921 4.36% Bpifrance Participations** 18,205,220 3.90% State Street Corporation 17,958,480 3.85% J.P. Morgan Chase and Company 14,099,752 3.02% Immediately following completion of the Mergers. ** On November 8, 2016, Bpifrance Participations informed Technip that, as of November 4, 2016, it held 7.44% of Technip's share capital and 11.16% of Technip's voting rights. None of the TechnipFMC ordinary stockholders will have different voting rights attached to the shares they hold in TechnipFMC. As of the date of this Prospectus, TechnipFMC is not aware of any person or persons who directly or indirectly, jointly or severally, exercise or could exercise control over TechnipFMC following completion of the Mergers.
B.7 Key Financial Information See Element B.8 below. B.8 Key Pro Forma Financial Information TechnipFMC has been recently incorporated and has no operating history, except for those actions taken in furtherance to the Mergers, and no revenues. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information, which is referred to as the pro forma financial statements, give effect to the Mergers to be accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standard 3 "Business Combinations"("IFRS 3"), with Technip identified as the accounting acquirer. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of income have been prepared to give effect to the Mergers as if they had been completed on January 1, 2015. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of financial position has been prepared to give effect to the Mergers as if they had been completed on June 30, 2016. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are based on the historical consolidated financial position and results of operations of Technip and FMCTI. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements should be read in conjunction with the information contained in the sections entitled "The Mergers," "Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data For Technip," "Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data for FMCTI", "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Technip" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of FMCTI"of this Prospectus and the historical consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere, or incorporated within, this Prospectus. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information, which has been produced for illustrative purposes only, by its nature addresses a hypothetical situation and therefore does not represent the combined company's actual financial position or results.
As of and for the six
months ended
June 30, 2016 As of and for the
year ended
December 31, 2015 (In millions of U.S. dollars, except per share data) Revenues 7,145.0 17,865.5 Gross Margin 1,255.1 2,886.1 Operating Income (Loss) from Recurring Activities After Income (Loss) of Equity Affiliates 544.8 1,367.8 Net income/(Loss) for the year 241.4 167.9 Basic Earnings per Shares 0.52 0.33 Diluted Earnings per Shares 0.52 0.32 Total equity attributable to Shareholders of the Parent Company 12,440.5 not disclosed Cash and Cash equivalents 4,025.3 not disclosed Order intake 3,900.9 13,149.5 Backlog 18,411.5 22,831.1
B.9 Profit Forecasts or Estimates Not applicable. No profit forecast nor estimate for TechnipFMC has been included in the Prospectus. B.10 Qualifications in the Audit Report on the Historical Financial Information Not applicable. There are no qualifications in the audit reports on Technip, FMCTI or TechnipFMC historical financial information included in the Prospectus. B.11 Net Working Capital In the opinion of TechnipFMC, the working capital available to TechnipFMC, once the Mergers are effective, is sufficient for TechnipFMC to meet its requirements for a period of 12 months following the date of this Prospectus.
Section C Shares
Annexes and Element Disclosure requirement C.1 Type and Class of Securities TechnipFMC Shares whose admission to the regulated market of Euronext Paris has been granted will comprise all of the shares in the share capital of TechnipFMC to be issued in connection with the Mergers, i.e., approximately466,461,155 ordinary shares. The shares mentioned above are ordinary shares with a nominal value of one U.S. dollar ($1) and will be fully paid upon completion of the Mergers. Those shares do not exist yet on the date of this Prospectus. The TechnipFMC Shares will also be admitted to trading on the NYSE. Denomination: "TechnipFMC" ISIN code: GB00BDSFG982 Trading symbol: "FTI" C.2 Currency TechnipFMC Shares are denominated in U.S. dollar. Trading of the TechnipFMC Shares on Euronext Paris will be in Euro. Trading of the TechnipFMC Shares on the NYSE will be in U.S. dollar. C.3 Issued Share Capital See Element C.1 above. C.4 Description of the Rights Attached to the Shares Under English law and the TechnipFMC Articles, the main rights attached to the shares of TechnipFMC are the following: the right to participate in dividends declared;
the right to vote at meetings of stockholders;
the right to transfer title to a share;
the right to share in any surplus in the event of liquidation; and
a right of pre-emption in respect of the issue of equity securities. C.5 Restriction on the Free Transferability of the Shares Not applicable. TechnipFMC Shares are freely transferable and there are no restrictions on transfer while held through the facilities of DTC and/or Euroclear. The TechnipFMC board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, refuse to register the transfer of securities in certificated form in certain circumstances in accordance with the TechnipFMC Articles. C.6 Admission Admission of the TechnipFMC Shares on Euronext Paris after completion of the Mergers has been granted. Details of listing of TechnipFMC Shares are set forth in a notice released on January 6, 2017. Upon the opening of business on the first trading day after the Technip Merger Effective Time (i.e., January 17, 2017), TechnipFMC Shares will be traded on the listing line "FTI" by Euronext. The TechnipFMC Shares have been registered for issuance with the SEC and an application has also been approved for the TechnipFMC Shares to be listed, upon official notice of issuance, on the NYSE. C.7 Dividend Policy TechnipFMC intends to adopt a dividend policy in the future. Any future TechnipFMC dividends will remain subject to approval by the TechnipFMC board of directors and available distributable reserves of TechnipFMC. Following the effective date of the Mergers, it is expected that TechnipFMC will capitalize some or all of the reserves arising as a result of the Mergers by the allotment by TechnipFMC of a bonus share, which will be paid up using some or all of such reserves, such that the amount of such reserves, so applied, less the nominal value of the bonus share, would be applied as share premium and accrue to TechnipFMC's share premium account. It is then expected that TechnipFMC will implement a court-approved reduction of its capital in order to create distributable profits to support the payment of possible future dividends or future share repurchases.
Section D Risks
Annexes and Element Disclosure requirement D.1 Key Risks related to Technip, FMCTI and TechnipFMC and its Industry Key risks relating to Technip, FMCTI and TechnipFMC and its industry are listed below: Risk Factors Relating to the Mergers
The Business Combination Agreement may be terminated if certain tax opinions are not received.
The Mergers will not be consummated until January 16, 2017 and each of the parties has limited rights to terminate the Business Combination Agreement until such date.
Failure to complete the Mergers due to a termination of the Business Combination Agreement could negatively impact the stock price and the future business and financial results of FMCTI and Technip.
The number of TechnipFMC Shares that Technip stockholders and FMCTI stockholders will receive respectively in the Technip Merger and the FMCTI Merger will be based on a fixed exchange ratio that will not be adjusted to reflect changes in the market value of Technip Shares or FMCTI Shares. The value of the TechnipFMC Shares that Technip and FMCTI stockholders receive upon completion of the Mergers could vary based on changes in the market value of Technip Shares and FMCTI Shares.
The trading of TechnipFMC Shares after completion of the Mergers may cause the market price of TechnipFMC Shares to fall.
After the Mergers, stockholders of both companies will have a reduced ownership and voting interest in the combined company than they currently have and will exercise less influence over management.
Some of the termination rights may be waived by Technip or FMCTI without resoliciting Technip or FMCTI stockholder approval of the proposals approved by them.
Technip and FMCTI may have difficulty attracting, motivating and retaining executives and other key employees due to uncertainty associated with the Mergers.
Technip's and FMCTI's business relationships may be subject to disruption due to uncertainty associated with the Mergers.
The respective opinions of Technip's and FMCTI's financial advisors will not reflect changes in circumstances between the signing of the MOU and completion of the Mergers.
The ruling requested from the French tax authorities in connection with the Technip Merger could be denied or revoked after being obtained.
Risk Factors Relating to the Mergers that May Adversely Affect Holders of Technip Shares
The IRS may not agree that the Technip Merger is a tax-free reorganization.
Risk Factors Relating to the Combined Company Following Completion of the Mergers
The combined company may not realize the cost savings, synergies and other benefits that the parties expect to achieve from the Mergers.
TechnipFMC's industry is undergoing consolidation that may impact its results of operations.
Following completion of the Mergers, TechnipFMC may not be included in the S&P 500 or the CAC 40.
Technip and FMCTI will incur significant transaction and merger-related costs in connection with the Mergers.
Certain of the combined company's debt instruments will require it to comply with certain covenants.
The market price of TechnipFMC Shares after the Mergers may be affected by factors different from those that may currently affect the market price of Technip Shares and FMCTI Shares.
TechnipFMC Shares to be received by Technip stockholders and FMCTI stockholders as a result of the Mergers will have rights different from the Technip Shares and FMCTI Shares they hold prior to the Effective Times of the Mergers.
The TechnipFMC Articles provide that the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction to determine any and all disputes brought by a TechnipFMC stockholder (whether in its own name or in the name of TechnipFMC) against TechnipFMC and/or the TechnipFMC board of directors and/or any of the directors of TechnipFMC and it may be difficult to enforce judgments against TechnipFMC obtained in the U.S. or French courts.
The combined company's inability to integrate recently acquired businesses or to successfully complete future acquisitions could limit its future growth or otherwise be disruptive to its ongoing business.
The combined company's information technology systems may be vulnerable to hacker intrusion, malicious viruses and other cybercrime attacks, which may harm its business and expose the combined company to liability.
The combined company will be exposed to significant risks in relation to compliance with anti-corruption laws and regulations and economic sanctions programs.
The IRS may not agree with the conclusion that TechnipFMC should be treated as a foreign corporation for U.S. federal tax purposes.
It is uncertain whether Section 7874 will impose an excise tax on gain recognized by certain individuals.
Future changes to U.S. and foreign tax laws could adversely affect TechnipFMC.
U.S. tax laws and/or IRS guidance could affect TechnipFMC's ability to engage in certain acquisition strategies and certain internal restructurings.
Recent IRS proposed regulations and/or changes in laws or treaties could adversely affect the TechnipFMC group.
TechnipFMC may not qualify for benefits under the tax treaties entered into between the United Kingdom and other countries.
The effective tax rate that will apply to TechnipFMC is uncertain and may vary from expectations.
TechnipFMC and its subsidiaries will be subject to tax laws of numerous jurisdictions, and the interpretation of those laws is subject to challenge by the relevant governmental authorities.
French tax authorities may seek to treat TechnipFMC as tax resident in France.
TechnipFMC intends to operate so as to be treated exclusively as a resident of the United Kingdom for tax purposes, but the relevant tax authorities may treat it as also being a resident of another jurisdiction for tax purposes.
As an English public limited company, certain capital structure decisions may require stockholder approval which may limit TechnipFMC's flexibility to manage its capital structure.
English law will require that TechnipFMC meet certain additional financial requirements before it declares dividends or repurchases shares following the Mergers.
Transfers of TechnipFMC Shares may be subject to U.K. stamp duty or U.K. stamp duty reserve tax, which could potentially increase the cost of dealing in TechnipFMC Shares as compared to Technip or FMCTI Shares.
DTC and Euroclear Paris may not accept TechnipFMC Shares for deposit and clearing within their facilities or may cease to act as depository and clearing agencies for TechnipFMC Shares.
TechnipFMC's actual financial positions and results of operations may differ materially from the unaudited pro forma financial data included in this Prospectus.
The financial analyses and projections considered by FMCTI, Technip and their respective financial advisors may not be realized.
The combined company is exposed to foreign currency exchange risk.
The level of any dividend paid in respect of TechnipFMC Shares is subject to a number of factors, and there can be no assurance that TechnipFMC will pay dividends at the payout level which may be expected by the investors or at all.
Stockholders could be diluted in the future, which could also adversely affect the market price of TechnipFMC Shares.
The results of the United Kingdom's referendum on withdrawal from the European Union may have a negative effect on global economic conditions, financial markets and the business of the combined company, which could materially reduce the value of the TechnipFMC Shares.
TechnipFMC Shares will trade in Euros and in U.S. dollars.
Any future TechnipFMC dividends would be declared in U.S. dollars.
Risk Factors Relating to Technip's Business
Technip is party to contracts that expose it to material risks, which could cause Technip to incur losses on its projects.
Unforeseen additional costs could reduce Technip's margin on lump sum contracts.
New capital asset construction projects for vessels and plants are subject to risks, including delays and cost overruns, whichcould have a material adverse effect on Technip's financial condition and results of operations.
Technip faces risks relating to subcontractors, suppliers and customers.
Technip depends on third-party IP providers.
Equipment or mechanical failure could impact project costs and negatively impact Technip's financial results.
Technip's operations could be impacted by terrorist acts, uprisings, wars or social unrest, whether nationally or internationally, and by the consequences of such events. Furthermore, a number of projects are located in countries where political, economic and social instability could disrupt Technip's operations.
Technip's operations may cause harm to persons and assets, which could damage Technip's reputation or cause it to incur substantial costs.
Technip depends on the functioning of its information systems, which may not function or be subject to attack.
Technip may become the target of fraudulent acts.
The success of joint ventures or consortia in which Technip participates depends on the satisfactory performance of its partners' obligations.
Technip has made, and may continue to make, certain acquisitions, the impact of which may be less favorable than anticipated, or may affect its financial position or prospects.
Technip may not be able to retain its key personnel or attract the qualified employees it may need to maintain and develop its know-how.
Technological progress may render the technologies used by Technip obsolete.
Increasing competitive pressure may continue to drive prices and could result in fewer contracts meeting Technip's margin criteria.
A financial or economic crisis may impact the market for loans, letters of credit, bank guarantees and other guarantees necessary to Technip's operations.
The decrease in available export credits and bank loans may render the financing of certain projects more difficult for Technip's clients.
A reduction in investment in the oil industry could cause Technip's projects to be postponed or cancelled, which could negatively affect Technip's revenues and profits.
Technip's operations may suffer from adverse weather conditions.
Technip's current or former facilities are subject to environmental protection and industrial risk prevention regulations.
Climate change may adversely impact Technip's operations and income.
Technip could be held responsible for occupational diseases of its employees.
Stricter regulations regarding national content and social standards may expose Technip to higher costs, liability and reputational damage.
Pirates endanger Technip's maritime employees and assets.
Technip's employees and operators are subject to air travel risks.
Changes in laws or regulations may have a negative impact on Technip's business.
Changes in tax regulations or interpretations may negatively affect Technip's tax position.
Technip may fail to effectively protect its intellectual property, resulting in a loss of its competitive advantage and revenues.
Technip may be involved in costly and burdensome legal proceedings with clients, partners, subcontractors, employees and tax or regulatory authorities.
Technip faces risks relating to the expected exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union.
Technip's prior work in Iran related to certain past projects may be subject to U.S. sanctions, which could have an adverse impact on its business.
Technip is exposed to credit/counter-party risk.
Technip is exposed to liquidity risk.
Technip is exposed to currency risk, interest rate risk, commodity risk and other market risks.
Technip's insurance coverage may prove inadequate.
Technip's risk management policies and procedures may fail.
Risk Factors Relating to FMCTI's Business
Demand for FMCTI's products and services depends on oil and gas industry activity and expenditure levels, which are directly affected by trends in the demand for and price of crude oil and natural gas.
Disruptions in the political, regulatory, economic and social conditions of the countries in which FMCTI conducts business could adversely affect its business or results of operations.
The industries in which FMCTI operates or has operated exposes it to potential liabilities arising out of the installation or use of its products that could adversely affect its financial condition.
FMCTI's operations require it to comply with numerous U.S. and international regulations, violations of which could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Compliance with environmental laws and regulations may adversely affect FMCTI's business and results of operations.
FMCTI may lose money on fixed-price contracts.
Disruptions in the timely delivery of FMCTI's backlog could affect its future sales, profitability, and its relationships with its customers.
Due to the types of contracts FMCTI enters into, the cumulative loss of several major contracts or alliances may have an adverse effect on its results of operations.
Increased costs of raw materials and other components may result in increased operating expenses and adversely affect FMCTI's results of operations or cash flows.
A failure of FMCTI's information technology infrastructure could adversely impact its business and results of operations.
FMCTI's success depends on its ability to implement new technologies and services.
Uninsured claims and litigation against FMCTI, including intellectual property litigation, could adversely impact FMCTI's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
A deterioration in future expected profitability or cash flows could result in an impairment of FMCTI's recorded goodwill.
A downgrade in FMCTI's debt rating could restrict its ability to access the capital markets.
FMCTI's industry is undergoing consolidation that may impact its results of operations.
FMCTI's businesses are dependent on the continuing services of certain of its key managers and employees. D.3 Key Risks Related to the Shares The main risks related to the TechnipFMC Shares are the following: No trading market currently exists for TechnipFMC Shares.
There has been no prior public market for TechnipFMC Shares, and the market price of TechnipFMC Shares may be volatile.
TechnipFMC's maintenance of two exchange listings may adversely affect liquidity in the market for TechnipFMC Shares and result in pricing differentials of TechnipFMC Shares between the two exchanges.
Section E Offer
Annexes and Element Disclosure requirement E.1 Net Proceeds of the Offer Not applicable. Estimate of the Total Expenses of the Mergers and Admission The amount of the expenses incurred in connection with the Mergers and Admission, including the fees and expenses of financial advisors, lawyers, accountants, and communication consultants, is estimated at approximately $174 million. E.2a Reason for the Offer and Use of Proceeds Not applicable. E.3 Terms and Conditions of the Offer The timetable below sets out on an indicative basis the main steps of the Mergers and of the Admission:
May 19, 2016 Announcement of the Mergers October 24, 2016 Date of Effectiveness of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 October 25, 2016 Publication of the Information Document on the Technip website December 5, 2016 Technip Extraordinary Stockholders' Meeting and Technip Special Stockholders' Meeting FMCTI Special Meeting December 6, 2016 TechnipFMC stockholder meeting December 21, 2016 Issuance of the Technip Merger Order by the English Court January 6, 2017 Publication by Euronext of the merger notice and admission notice January 11, 2017 Re-registration of TechnipFMC as a public limited company January 13, 2017 Publication of this Prospectus Last day of trading of the FMCTI Shares on the NYSE (given that January 16, 2017 is a federal holiday in the United States) January 16, 2017 Last day of trading of the Technip Shares on Euronext Paris Completion of the Mergers January 17, 2017 Delisting of the Technip Shares from Euronext Paris Opening of trading of the TechnipFMC Shares on Euronext Paris (9:00 a.m. CET) Opening of trading of the TechnipFMC Shares on the NYSE (9:30 a.m. EST)
E.4 Material Interests to the Offer Not applicable. E.5 Selling Shareholder and Lock-Ups Not applicable. E.6 Dilution Resulting from the Offer It is expected that existing FMCTI stockholders will own approximately 48.9% of TechnipFMC on a fully diluted basis and existing Technip stockholders will own approximately 51.1% of TechnipFMC on a fully diluted basis, in each case immediately following completion of the Mergers. E.7 Estimated Expenses Charges to the Investor by the Combined Company Not applicable.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170113005678/en/
Contacts:
For Technip
Investors
Aurelia Baudey-Vignaud
P: +33 1 85 67 43 81
abaudeyvignaud@technip.com
or
Elodie Robbe-Mouillot
P: +33 1 85 67 43 86
erobbemouillot@technip.com
or
Media
Christophe Belorgeot
P: +33 1 47 78 39 92
cbelorgeot@technip.com
or
Laure Montcel
P: +33 1 49 01 87 81
lmontcel@technip.com
or
For FMC Technologies
Investors
Matt Seinsheimer
P: +1 281.260.3665
investorrelations@fmcti.com
or
Media
Lisa Albiston
P: +1 281.610.9076
media.request@fmcti.com
or
Lisa Adams
P: +1 281.405.4659
media.request@fmcti.com
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 01/13/17 -- NXGOLD LTD. ("NxGold Ltd." or the "Company"), (TSX VENTURE: NXN) is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated December 13, 2016 announcing the completion of an offering of 19,840,600 units (the "Offering") raising gross proceeds of approximately $4.9 million, it has closed an additional and final tranche of the Offering consisting of 2,116,000 units for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $0.5 million. This additional tranche was completed to respond to excess demand for the Offering.
As with the Offering, each unit issuable pursuant to this final tranche, consists of one common share of the Company (each, a "Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant") and was issued at a price of $0.25. Each Warrant is exercisable to purchase one additional Share at a price of $0.50 for a period of 36 months commencing on closing (the "Expiry Date"). If, at any time after May 14, 2017, the closing price of the Shares on the principal market on which the Shares trade is equal to or greater than $0.75 for a period of 20 consecutive trading days, the Company may accelerate the expiry of the Warrants, in which event the Expiry Date shall be the date (the "Accelerated Expiry Date") which is 30 days following the dissemination of a news release by the Company announcing the Accelerated Expiry Date.
The Company has not and will not pay any compensation in connection with this final tranche of the Offering. All securities to be issued pursuant to this final tranche of the Offering will be subject to a hold period expiring May 14, 2017.
The net proceeds will be combined with those of the Offering and used to satisfy the Company's short term obligations under its previously announced earn-in agreement with Meliadine Gold Ltd., pursuant to which the Company has an exclusive option to earn up to a 70% interest in the Peter Lake Property, and for working capital purposes.
About NxGold
NxGold is a Vancouver-based exploration company. NxGold has entered into an earn-in agreement with Meliadine Gold Ltd. to earn up to a 70% interest in the Peter Lake Gold Property. The Peter Lake Property is located approximately 40 km northwest of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. The Property covers 4,174 hectares immediately along trend from Agnico Eagle's advanced Meliadine Gold project (with applications pending to increase the size of the Property to 10,670 hectares). The earn-in agreement is subject to final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange, conditional acceptance having been obtained.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information.
This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including the use of proceeds of the Offering and receipt of final regulatory approval in connection with the earn-in agreement. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connation thereof.
Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, that regulatory approval to the Offering will be obtained, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms, and that third party contractors, equipment and supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct the Company's planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate.
Forward-looking information and statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual events or results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements, including, among others: negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party financing, uncertainty of additional financing, no known mineral reserves or resources, reliance on key management and other personnel, potential downturns in economic conditions, actual results of exploration activities being different than anticipated, changes in exploration programs based upon results, and risks generally associated with the mineral exploration industry, environmental risks, changes in laws and regulations, community relations and delays in obtaining governmental or other approvals.
Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or reissue forward-looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable securities laws.
Contacts:
Travis McPherson
Vice-President Corporate Development
NxGold Ltd.
+1 604 428 4112
tmcpherson@nxgold.ca
Starting up a company is really hard work: it can be an on-off game where a single mistake can compromise everything. But what happens when a company grows moving away from the start-up phase and going into the scale-up territory? It is highly probable that what youve relied on until that point wont work as well anymore: surely the company requires more structure and processes, making it harder to remain agile and innovative. This is particularly the case in the digital age when companies can scale up so quickly that it is hard to manage the process: but this is the typical challenge that a competent Board should solve and it is the reason why the company Board of Directors must definitely go through its own metamorphosis following the evolution of a company from the start-up to the expansion phase. This metamorphosis does not mean changing the basic rules to build the ideal Board. Apart from the start-up founders, the Board should always comprise people with a complementary skill set, who are able to support the CEO especially in a fast-growing technology environment.
A small number of board members has to represent the divergent views of all constituents (being it a representative democracy). In fact, the primary function of the board is to be a boss for the CEO, setting clear goals, measuring performance, and providing business governance.
The tech industry has its own rules and operates at a different pace compared to other industries. I was lucky in my career to have seen technology companies moving from seed to late stage up to a sale or IPO and one of the constant winning points has been the right Board at the right time whose members present this set of qualities (and no way one board member has all of them):
a. Able to cross-pollinate ideas even if he or she is in a different industry.
b. Set up the connections for major partnerships and deals.
c. Able to guide and provide a strategic viewpoint and perspective to the management on where the company is heading.
d. Ability in appointing the right people for important roles in the management team, particularly, CEO succession.
e. Help in setting up acquisitions or IPO process for the company.
f. Act as a check and balance to the management.
g. Mentor, task, and measure the executive team
Finally, some disruptive thoughts: in a sharing economy environment and in a rapidly digitalizing society, do we still need a single one-man show at the top called CEO or maybe it is preferable a stronger Board with no CEO, comprising key managers with separate responsibilities reporting to a senior Chairman (not acting as CEO)? And what if the CEO was substituted by an artificial intelligence?
FinSMEs
13/01/2017
Giuseppe Donvito, Partner of P101, began his career in Telecom Italias Strategy Division. In 2000, he joined Sofipa SGR and then moved to 3i Group plc as an Investment Manager. From 2006 to 2008, Donvito served as Vice President at HSBC Bank in London, where he also managed principal investments and leveraged finance activities in the European and Middle Eastern markets. Following an experience in UK with Neo Capital Private Equity, at the end of 2009, Donvito joined Futurimpresa SGR as a Managing Director. He holds a degree in Telecommunications Engineering from the University of Pisa and attended the Advanced Executive Program at the Kellogg Business School in Chicago (USA).
P101 is a venture capital firm focused on investing in digital and technology driven companies. Founded in 2013 by Andrea Di Camillo, the firm is managing a 65m fund, which has 25 companies in portfolio including including ContactLab, Cortilia, Tannico, Musement and MusixMatch. The vehicle, which partners with Italian private accelerators such as HFarm, Nana Bianca, Boox and Club Italia Investimenti to source investment opportunities, is backed by Azimut, Fondo Italiano di Investimento and European Investment Fund.
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2ND EDITION!!! I hope to have some news soon about the 2nd edition of hole in my heart. Sorry for the delay!
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From the New York Times
"Lorraine Dusky, a writer who relinquished a daughter as a young single mother in New York State in 1966, supports opening the records. She reported in her 2015 memoir that in the handful of states that offered women the opportunity to remove their names from original birth certificates, only a small fraction of women fewer than 1 percent chose to do so." -- Dont Keep Adopted People in the Dark by Gabrielle Glaser, June 19, 2018
From the New York Times "On FirstMotherForum.com, a blog that discusses issues among women who had given children up for adoption, Lorraine Dusky, one of the sites authors, praised the series (ABC's 10-episode Find My Family): 'Maybe this will be heard by people who think it is unloyal somehow for a person to search out his or her roots, parents, family, when it is a most natural desire of consciousness.' --Two Reality Shows Stir Publicity and Anger"--Dec. 6, 2009.
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Hollywood superstar Vin Diesel, who arrived in Mumbai for the world premiere of his upcoming film xXx: Return of Xander Cage that also features Bollywood sensation Deepika Padukone, said that his film is a celebration of global harmony.
After arriving in India to a traditional 'band-baaja' welcome that overwhelmed the actor, Vin addressed the Indian media at the Astor Ballroom of St Regis, Palladium in Lower Parel, Mumbai.
Also read: Vin Diesel in India with Deepika Padukone; welcomed with dhol, tilak: See all the photos
Recalling a childhood memory, he said: "It was a dream of a little boy to visit India, and all these years, I waited for an opportunity to come here. I would like to thank this queen here, this angel (indicating Deepika) who brought such a blessing in my life and made my dream come true," as he planted a kiss on Deepika's cheek.
Apparently, it was Deepika's idea to do a premier of the film here and Vin came here to keep his promise.
The evening was hosted by Mansi Scott and addressed by Sudhanshu Vats, the Group CEO of Viacom 18 followed by Ajit Andhare, the Chief Operating Officer of Viacom 18 who expressed their joy and pride at the occasion before Vin, Deepika and Director D.J. Caruso made their electrifying entry.
Vin, who had donned a beautiful black sherwani, was looking absolutely dashing alongside Deepika who dressed in golden Indian attire.
On the occasion, Deepika said: "Working with Vin was in my destiny. We have known each other for few years now and I loved working with him, it was an amazing experience. I would like to thank DJ Caruso and the xXx franchise to revive it with this film and have a faith on me to offer me the role of Serena."
Asked about what made them choose Deepika for the role, Vin said: "We were looking for the combination of beauty grace and physical strength to do all the action sequences. She is capable to do both with equal ease. Moreover, we share a chemistry that shows on screen. So she is the perfect one."
"To be a part of the magic that is made on-screen is a blessing of my life," said Vin about Deepika, who is making her Hollywood debut with this film.
"There is no one like Deepika. Though her origin is Indian, she is the queen of the whole world. I saw her in Bajirao Mastani and she was mind-blowing," said Vin, heaping praise on his co-star.
"Being in this city (Mumbai) is like a dream comes true. I wanted to work with Deepika from a long time. I met her years ago. She requested me about doing the premiere in her country. So the fact is we are here to keep her promise," he added.
"The love between two characters, me and Deepika in the film is the evidence of multi-culture global harmony we talk about," said The Fast and Furious star.
The movie is the third instalment of the xXX series after the 2002 film xXx and the 2005 entertainer xXx: State of the Union. It also stars Ruby Rose, Samuel L Jackson, Donnie Yen and Tony Jaa.
Deepika Padukone said that she is very proud to present her country to the world through the film and that her character is the representation of modern woman.
"I feel so proud as an Indian to be representing our country India on the global stage. I also believe that female characters in a film like this have its due. You will get to see when you watch the film," sad Deepika.
She plays the character of Serena Unger and shares steaming on screen chemistry with Vin Diesel. The actress who met Vin five years ago during an audition of another film that didn't worked out at the last minute, also shared her first memory of meeting Vin.
"I was so focused on the audition because I wanted that role. However, when he walked in and we started feeling chemistry between us, the nervousness went out of the window."
"During the shooting we bonded over things and now I know he is one of the special people of my life. I can always call him up and share things, and he will be there for me not just professionally but as a wonderful warm human being," she said.
After the huge success of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani, this is a highly ambitious project for Deepika, who is currently busy shooting for Padmavati alongside Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor.
XxX: Return of Xander Cage is releasing on Friday in India, and on 20 January in the US.
All your (Idris Elba) dreams can come true this Valentine's Day. Elba himself is petitioning on Facebook for you (yes, you) to be his Valentine's Day date.
Here's what the deal is. It's obviously for a good cause, and is essentially a fund raiser. If you log into omaze.com/idris the details are available. There are a host of options of every type of donation you can make. All the funds will go to an organisation called We Can Lead which works towards education for African girls.
Here's what written on their website, and tell us this is not an offer you can't refuse. We dare you.
Idris Elba needs a Valentine and he thinks youre just his type. No, this isnt a dream. Pinch yourself if you dont believe us. You (and a guest, if thats your thing) will join Idris for a candlelit meal at one of his favorite restaurants, where youll enjoy delicious conversation and great food. You can talk about anything you want to: movies, music, your deepest desires. Idris is a great listener. Hes also a great talker. Hes pretty much great at everything. I mean, have you seen Luther? Were just over here pretending not to be bitter. Flights and hotel included.
Meanwhile, Elba (while not battling rumours about being the next Bond), is next going to be seen in a show called Figher for the Discovery Chanel. He will also be seen in the film 100 Streets which will release in February. In 2016, the actor voiced characters in three films, Zootopia, The Jungle Books and Finding Dory. He was also in Star Trek Beyond.
So, what are you waiting for?
New Delhi: The automobile industry is looking forward to a harmonised duty regime under GST. As of now, the sector has to deal with multiple excise and other tax levies, which is inconvenient and introduces several inefficiencies. This really is the primary expectation of India's vehicle makers as the Budget 2017-18 approaches.
According to industry experts, central excise duty is levied currently at five different slabs, depending on vehicle size. And then there are various cesses. Effective duty rates therefore come to 12-15 percent, thus needlessly complicating the vehicle buying process. With GST expected to subsume all the various duty rates into two slabs, the industry could heave a sigh of relief.
This piece talks of how the auto supply chain expects a simpler tax regime with all indirect taxes being subsumed in GST. The industry expects that the Union Budget should be a precursor to such a simplified regime.
The second issue which may actually be more pertinent from in the budget is the old grouse of some car makers about the definition of a small car. In India, a small car is defined as one which is upto 4 metres in length and has an engine displacement of 1200 cc for petrol or 1500 cc for diesel. Industry veterans say one major Japanese car maker has asked for abolition of this definition in the budget. It believes this definition hampers the new and tougher safety and emission standards which are coming for Indian vehicles.
The definition of the small car has been a bone of contention for the industry for several years now, with some car makers always arguing against it, but to no avail. No where in the world is this definition valid to get duty concessions.
Demonetisation has already hurt the automobile sector, with sales slipping across two-wheelers and passenger cars in December. Industry body SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers) said combined sales of all vehicle categories declined by about 19 percent last month due to note ban and year end impact. The hardest hit were two wheelers, where vehicle financing is the least. With impending transition to GST, perhaps this sales decline will be reversed.
For full coverage of Union Budget 2017 click here.
Banks and oil marketing companies (OMCs) will bear transaction charges for the fuel bought using cards at petrol pumps, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said today.
"The decision is very clear. Consumers will not be burdened with Merchant Discount Rate (MDR). Retail outlets (petrol pumps) will also be kept out of its purview. Now it is between banks and OMCs how they share it," he said.
Pradhan was speaking to reporters after attending a meeting on the issue that was called by the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance. "It is a commercial decision and they (banks and OMCs) will sit together and sort it out," he said.
MDR is a charge levied on merchants by banks for accepting payments through credit and debit cards. This charge was passed on to consumers but post-demonetisation, the government, in a bid to promote digital payments, waived it till December 30. Banks, after that date, decided to pass on the MDR to petrol pump operators since the government mandate was very clear that consumers should not be burdened with any additional charge for using cards for payments. Petrol pump owners threatened to stop accepting card payments, forcing the government to broker a settlement.
Pradhan said banks and oil companies will continue to discuss as to who should bear these charges and in what proportion. "MDR charges will be levied as per RBI guidelines of December 16," he said. Asked if it will be shared equally between the oil marketing companies (OMCs) and banks, he said, "That is yet to be decided."
Pradhan said the government stands by its decision that customers using non-cash digital modes of payments will not have to pay any transaction charge. Also, the 0.75 percent discount on fuel rate for using digital payments will continue. "Banks and OMCs are discussing the issue. In the next couple of days a mechanism will be worked out so that MDR are levied from 16th," he said.
MDR of one percent on all credit card transactions and between 0.25 percent and one percent on all debit card transactions will be charged on fuel bought through cards. Pradhan said "neither the customers nor petrol pump dealers will bear additional charges on digital transactions at petrol stations". The government, he said, had issued guidelines in February 2016 stating that the MDR charge will not be passed on to the consumers and the stakeholders will take appropriate steps to absorb it.
There is something of a paradox when you consider Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata group often described in the effective but well-worn cliche as the salt-to-software conglomerate. The group with $120 billion in assets and $103 billion in revenues has its roots in the Parsi community and control in the hands of a few largely reclusive figures, and yet it is arguably the most respected of industry leaders in a nation of one billion people.
The holding company has its roots in the anti-colonial spirit of nationalism when Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata founded a steel mill near the remote jungles of what is Jharkhand and yet is today an ambitious global player selling technology solutions and luxury cars.
The holding company is closely held and yet determines the fortunes not just of its nearly 700,000 employees but also of hundreds of thousands of employees and possibly millions of shareholders or mutual fund investors who directly or indirectly hold stakes in about 30 listed companies that Tata Sons has been lording over.
The naming of Natarajan Chandrasekaran as the chairman of Tata Sons would hopefully resolve some of the contradictions and provide clarity to every kind of stakeholder, because the world economy and the Indian society are not what they used to be.
As someone outside the Parsi roots of the group, the elevation of Chandrasekaran announces an unqualified meritocracy in the Tata group, where ownership and cultural values of the Parsi trusts have long been the determining factor on who runs the conglomeration. The Tata Trusts, after all, control 66 percent of shares in Tata Sons Ltd.
Tongues are bound to wag that the 53-year-old Chandra will sing tunes set by Ratan Tata, who exercised his authority as a leader of the Tata trusts to summarily remove Cyrus Mistry as the chairman of Tata Sons last October. But Chandra has a track record in managing Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) as a listed company in the software sector that has competitors such as Infosys and Wipro that set high standards in corporate governance. The least he will enjoy is some start-up goodwill in boardroom discussions.
Ugly fights in courtrooms and the Company Law Board between Mistry and Ratan Tata following their fallout was a given after the controversial sacking of Mistry. So, the real game was -- and continues to be about winning back public trust both in terms of a broader corporate image as well as shareholder support in listed companies. Here is where Chandras appointment might score well.
We are heading for times when both government-run financial institutions such as the Life Insurance Corporation, which hold key stakes, as well as independent directors on the boards of listed Tata companies, will be under public scrutiny. Also, shareholder advisory firms such as InGovern are also playing a key role in shaping public opinion on corporate governance. For the Tatas, all this means a new era in which their decisions will not be trusted blindly but tooth combed for propriety. Chandra may well be the most credible face under such circumstances for the Tatas to restore credibility eroded in the Ratan vs Cyrus spat.
Last but not the least, TCS, which Chandra has been running since 2009 at the very top, is a multinational whose work involves learning about various industries as part of the domain knowledge that is central to effectively deliver software services and solutions. As a former global head of sales at TCS, Chandra is much more than a code geek catapaulted into the corner office. He is, inside, more of a strategy man with across-the-board credibility.
As digital technologies disrupt almost every industry on the planet, Chandras capabilities might provide more ballast to the Tata Sons in boardroom examinations of listed companies than the questionable assignment of someone from an old-world clan, howsoever, noble their past or their intentions maybe.
For these reasons, Chandra may just be what the doctor ordered for the Bombay House. His next big task would be in facing issues raised by Mistry and shareholder value experts on how the group is run or should be. The task by no means is easy.
(The author is a senior journalist. He tweets as @madversity)
Bengaluru: Stating that any "discernible pattern" of clients worrying about adverse visa policies is yet to be seen, Infosys CEO Vishal Sikka today expressed hope that policies of the new Trump administration would be friendly towards business, innovation and entrepreneurship.
"In terms of the new administration, the new President is going to take office next week. President-elect Trump himself is an entrepreneur and has a very business-friendly, innovation-oriented background. So, I expect that the policies of the administration are going to be friendly towards business, innovation and entrepreneurship," he said.
He added that if companies continue to focus on delivering value and innovation, "things will be okay".
There are concerns that the new government in the US, under Donald Trump, is likely to push for a stricter visa regime to curb "abuse" of H1-B and L1 visas used by foreign workers.
The move is likely to significantly impact Indian IT firms, which get about 60 percent of their revenues from the US.
"Of course, visa policies and immigration related policies may change and we have to watch and see what happens there," he said.
Sikka said there would be some impact of the H1-B depending on the nature of the policy that is enacted but added that "it is not something he is overly concerned about". Noting that some clients did reach out to Infosys, Sikka said: "So far, there is no discernible pattern in client behaviour."
"Many clients have reached out, because everybody is trying to figure out what this means but I wouldn't say there is any noticeable discernible pattern. So as we see the policies take effect, we will let you know. We are waiting and watching," Sikka said.
Sikka said the company has been increasing the number of local hires in its international markets, including the US.
"We have quite a bit of H1-Bs and we also have a lot of local hires... we had articulated that we have to become much more local and locally-oriented in our strategy in the market and globally...So ultimately, regardless of the visa policies or so forth, the right thing to do for innovation is to have a lot of rich local talent," he said.
India's largest and second largest information technology services companies have come out with their earnings in the backdrop of significant global and domestic uncertainty.
Infosys, one-time IT bellwether, has cut its dollar revenue guidance for the full year third time though the company reported a better-than-expected net profit for the quarter. Tata Consultancy Services, which saw a management change on Thursday, also beat the analysts estimates due to expansion in its digital business, giving rise to expectations of a demand revival.
However, Infosys' revenue guidance cut put a drag on the IT sector stocks on the BSE. At 1:26 pm, Infosys shares were down 2.2 percent, those of TCS were down 3.34 percent. IT index was down 1.6 percent while the Sensex was marginally down.
Here's a comparison of both the companies in 7 charts:
Revenue: Infosys saw a marginal 0.2 percent on quarter decline in revenue, while TCS saw a 1.5 percent rise. "Infosyss Dec 16 quarter revenue performance falls short of expectations with a 1.4% QoQ US$ revenue decline (-0.3% QoQ in constant terms) on account of drag at top clients," said brokerage firm Emkay in a post earnings note. According to the brokerage, the company witnessed a 13 percent fall in revenue from its top client. The decline from its top 5 and 10 clients were 7.4 percent and 9.1 percent respectively.
Meanwhile, Religare notes that TCS' revenue from traditional service lines like application delivery management, which saw a meagre 1.6 percent on year growth, continued to languish. The brokerage also notes that in terms of geographies for TCS, revenue from North America grew 2.2 percent, UK 1.7 percent and India 10.3 percent on quarter.
However, revenue from Europe declined 1.1 percent on quarter led by the communication and media segment. "Vertical wise constant currency (CC) growth in BFSI/manufacturing verticals was satisfactory at 2.1%/2.1% QoQ, while retail grew at 1.9% CC QoQ; communications & media declined 4.9% CC QoQ. TCSs digital revenues (16.8% of Q3 revenue) grew 6.6% QoQ," the brokerage said.
Net profit: Both Infosys and TCS have witnessed nearly 3 percent quarter on quarter net profit growth. However, it has to be remembered that the TCS growth is on a higher base than Infosys'. Emkay notes that Infosys' net profit beat, despite revenue miss, is a function of better margins and higher other income.
TCS' net profit has also been boosted by other income. Its "net profit at Rs 6778 crore (up 2.9 percent QoQ and 11 percent on year) was ahead of our expectation despite an unexceptional but in-line operating performance, supported by forex gains of Rs 370 crore", the brokerage said.
Margins: While Infosys witnessed a marginal improvement in operating margins to 25.1 percent from 24.9 percent in the previous quarter, TCS saw its margins remaining flat at 26 percent. However, Emkay credits the Tata group company for managing the margin in recent quarters. "We note that TCS has done a good job at protecting margins in recent quarters despite moderation in revenue growth and industry wide pressures on pricing and mix," the brokerage said in its post-earnings note.
The brokerage has also noted that it is the tight cost optimisation that enabled the company to partially offset the impact the rupee's appreciation against the pound sterling and euro.
Attrition: On this parameter, both the companies have witnessed an improvement. However, it has to be noted that 18.4 percent attrition rate for Infosys is still higher and scary. As far as TCS is concerned Emkay notes: "LTM Attrition has continued to moderate for four quarters in a row and is now the lowest since the quarter ended June 2014." This should come as a major relief for the Tata group company.
On the whole, however, analysts are confident about TCS. "TCS commentary provides confidence on our thesis of normalization in client spending going ahead as cyclical headwinds abate," Emkay has said in the note.
Religare, meanwhile, said, "We will be watchful of the management change and believe the new team will have to consistently deliver to maintain the sector premium."
The company on Thursday appointed Rajesh Gopinathan as CEO and N Ganapathy Subramaniam as COO after N Chandrasekaran was elevated to the post of Tata Sons chairman.
The Donald Trump administration which will take charge on 20 January in the US has announced that it will push for legislative measures to curb misuse of H1-B and L1 work visas significantly used by Indian IT professionals. In preparation, two lawmakers have already reintroduced a bill named Protect and Grow American Jobs Act. The move has raised fears that Indian IT firms may take hit if the Bill becomes a law.
The Bill, among other things, seeks to increase the minimum salary requirement for H1-B visa to $100,000 per annum from the present $60,000 and eliminate the Masters degree exemption. The legislation, the lawmakers argued, will help crack down on abuse and ensure that these jobs remain available for the best and brightest talent from around the world.
What does this spell for the Indian IT industry? A Nasscom report says that the industry pays equal wages to US nationals as well as Indians on H1-B visas. For instance, in 2013, while a US citizen was paid about $81,447 a year, an H1-B visa holder was paid $81,022, with an additional $15,000 on visa and ticket costs for the individual and his spouse/family. US companies hire from India simply because a large number of job openings with requirement of STEM skills (science, technology, engineering and math) are not filled. The report states it is this talent shortage that makes the US companies hire from India.
India has not much to fear, said Shivendra Singh, Vice President, Global Trade Development, Nasscom. He said Indian IT industry in the US has created 411,000 indirect and direct jobs and has been paying $5 billion in taxes early. Around 90 percent of H1-B visas is used by the top 7 Indian IT firms. In 2015, we got about 13 percent of the visa allocated which only goes to show that Indian companies do not take the majority of the visas issued, he remarked.
Singh pointed that the data from the US Labour Department points out to a shortage of skilled professionals in the industry. According to December 2015 projections by the US Labor Department, employment of computer and information technology occupations will grow 12 percent from 2014 to 2024. Since there is a shortage of native STEM skill experts, as many 2.4 million STEM jobs in the US would not be filled by 2018. The US will have to look at other countries to fill up these vacancies, Singh said.
While announcing Infosyss October-December 2016 results on Friday, Vishal Sikka, CEO was hopeful that policies of the Trump administration would be friendly toward business, innovation and entrepreneurship. Sikka pointed out that with president-elect Trump himself being an entrepreneur and has a very business-friendly, innovation-oriented background. He said the company has not seen any discernible pattern in client behaviour.
The US is highly dependent on Indian IT companies and it is wishful thinking, pointed out an analyst, for the US to alter drastically the functioning of Indian IT firms. However, that is not to say that no Indian IT firms will be impacted. Within the sector, those that require less specialised skills like the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) units and call centre jobs can be affected. However, the high point is that better-skilled jobs including coding and maintenance are likely to remain unaffected given their scarce availability and exclusivity, a paper by Greyhound Researchs Sanchit Vir Gogia and Anshoo Nandwaani reveals.
However, clients are worried, said Sikka, adding that many had reached out as they were all trying to figure out what this means. We are waiting and watching, said Sikka at a press conference after announcing Infosys earnings.
Visa rules
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in specialised fields. Under the H1-B visa programme, US-based companies hire highly skilled foreign workers, up to a maximum of 85,000 a year. Of these 65,000 are hired abroad and 20,000 from among foreign nationals studying in the US.
The H-1B visa program tends to be more critical to outsourcing firms than US tech firms, according to a Reuters report. For instance, more than 60 percent of the US employees of Infosys are H-1B holders, and the company in its annual report has cited an increase in visa costs as among factors that could hurt its profitability.
The top 10 recipients of H-1B visas in 2015 were all outsourcing firms, according to government data compiled by the IEEE-USA, a professional organization representing US engineer Sixty-five percent of H-1B petitions approved in the 2014 fiscal year went to tech workers, mostly from India, according to USCIS.
A number of companies including Disney and SoCal Edison had recenlty came under attack for abusing the programme.
Indo-US trade relations
Vishal Gondal, CEO, Goquii -- a California-based fitness technology venture said in a column in Tech2 that under Trump, Indian software companies who have been traditionally focused on software services will be forced to look at products and IP based solution. This shift from services to product will benefit both startup ecosystems of America and India and many of these companies will be looking at investments and acquisitions.
Gondal believes that the trade relations between India and US will strengthen leading to a powerful alliance owing to the geopolitical scenarios and rapid industrialisation in India.
However, there is no clarity on visa rules yet. Many experts believe that the $100,000 salary cap suggested may not come to be simply because that would be drastic. It is just a political statement, believes BS Murthy, CEO, Capital Leadership, an executive search firm based in Bangalore. Trump cannot get back jobs that have gone to other nationalities, but since that was his poll promise he can only ask for more jobs for native Americans. The jobs that are left vacant on account of lack of skill sets like STEM, for instance, can largely be filled only by Indians, says Murthy.
The gap in filling up jobs with native Americans will have to advertised. Since that is a lacuna that IT firms have been facing in the US for long now, they will have to continue to look overseas to fill up these vacancies. You cannot hire a local simply to fill up a job when the candidate is not the best fit, points out Kris Laxmikanth, Founder CEO and Managing Director, The Head Hunters India, Bangalore. He says that at Silicon Valley, a good software engineer is paid $100,000 annual salary and this goes up to $150,000 in three years. However, Laxmikanth says, that any change in visa rules would affect the industry and its margins. Right now, the IT industry margins are very good at 20 percent plus and this could come down to 10 percent if the Trump administration passes rules that go against the robust growth of the Indian IT industry.
Never was it easy to get a visa to the US. So more stringent rules is a misnomer, points out Dilkash Tasneem, head, global mobility and immigration, Thoughtworks India, which has a presence in 14 countries. The rules have been stringent for some time now and the Bill was introduced last year by Senators Durbin and Grassley, she says, adding that no Indian IT firm would be too bothered about the salary cap being raised, for instance, as the firms pay at par and often more than what the rules state.
Most US-based companies including many Fortune 500 firms are deeply invested and dependent on Indian IT service providers and neither they nor the Trump administration is in a postition to make drastic changes, says the Greyhound report.
It is a wait and watch game as of now for Indian IT firms. A campaign promise and a rule when in power is a different ball game, most aver.
The topic of research and development in India is an oft-debated one. There are plenty of views suggesting that the country is simply not doing enough to justify its place in the global economy vis-a-vis research or to achieve its own ambitions, particularly in light of the 'Make in India' initiative. The following is the second in a three-part series on research in India. You can read the first and second parts here and here respectively.
Innovation is the basic source of wealth creation within an economy and is beneficial, both for companies and for nations, in order to survive and develop in a commercial environment. An innovation economy effectively transforms knowledge into products, processes and services that jump starts economic growth, creates employment and improves the quality of life of the people. An innovation ecosystem includes a diverse array of participants and resources that contribute to, and are necessary for fostering innovation in an economy. These ecosystems are largely based on some kind of geographical concentration of entrepreneurs, investors, talent and universities like in the Bay Area in the US.
Generally, the innovation ecosystem has two aspects: The knowledge economy driven by fundamental research, and the commercial economy driven by the marketplace. However, the two economies are linked because the finance needed for a knowledge economy is sourced from the profits of the commercial sector. This also includes the funds for government research and development (R and D) which are derived from tax revenues.
Presently, the quality of infrastructure and ecosystem for innovation in India leaves much to be desired. So when we speak of innovation, we often focus on individuals and attribute it to people rather than the kinds of structures that promote a culture of innovation. Since our problems are multitude, one sector cannot address all of them. To make innovation happen, a suitable innovation ecosystem must meet different conditions. The government has to play a strong role and ensure three things: Funding, facility and flexibility.
The bulk of the spending, especially for basic research, comes from the government, through channels like direct funding of government research facilities, grants to universities and private-sector researchers, contracts for specific projects, and tax incentives. The rationale for a government role in funding this kind of R and D is that without such intervention the private sector may not be interested in investing in basic and translational science and research. They may concentrate only on applied research projects that fetch near term returns. Investment in research usually fetches later, but very impactful returns. For instance, in 1953, researchers like Watson and Crick; Wilkins, Stokes and Wilson; and Franklin and Gosling firmly established that DNA is a double helix with antiparallel nucleotide chains and specific base pairings. These insights gave birth to the new discipline of molecular biology and have led to great advances like genome sequencing. Today biotechnology applications are a booming business, some of which are based on key research findings developed in the 1950s.
While media and popular folklore may romanticise stories of scientist in shoebox facilities churning out great inventions, basic facilities have to be created for research to flourish. This includes not just physical infrastructure but talented people and better policies. Government support for R and D should be such that there is sufficient capacity to engage in effective research at the desired scale. This depends on the number of qualified scientists, engineers, and other technical workers. A strong interface between research and innovation communities across the country is needed.
The cycle of investment in research and its returns is well documented in history and even read in daily papers, but the problem with basic research is that the returns from a scientific advance seldom accrue to the inventor, more so if the new knowledge can be copied or diffused at low cost. To counter this, the government needs to set up an effective Intellectual Property framework. For example, granting the developers of new ideas strong and long-lasting claims to the economic benefits of their discoveries. Extending and expanding patent rights will also help to strengthen the intellectual property rights regime.
There is a need to create a flexible environment that allows and incentivises collaboration between industry and academia. Research and its application sometimes goes hand in hand and sometimes the impact is felt decades or centuries later- there is no one model. A free flowing exchange of ideas and collaboration will only help improve outcomes for all sides. Here too the government has a role to play. It can find a way for industry and academia to come together to solve a specific problem such that the returns can be licensed back to the industry. The academia should continue to make efforts to get resources and infrastructure necessary for spin off and incubation of technological achievements of research. For example, Pfizer and University of California San Diego have created teams of university and industry scientists that combine the best academic thinking with the drug development expertise of industry to accelerate the development of new drugs for patients.
Closer home, we do have incubators cells in academia like the Center for Innovation, Incubation, and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) IIM (Indian Institute of Management) Ahmedabad; Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) Bombay; Cell for Tech Innovation, and Entrepreneurial Training Society (TIETS) IIT Kharagpur. The government and industry could partner with academic institutes to open more such entrepreneurship cells that spark creativity, risk taking, and enthusiasm to find solutions to problems. These cells also facilitate an efficient transition of innovations from research labs to the market. This is a good way to improve job creation and economic activity.
At the community level too, such a flow of ideas needs to be facilitated and incentivised. The White Revolution in India is an example of how innovation when combined with governmental support boosted the economy of the country. Verghese Kuriens expert research and entrepreneurial skills helped make Indias dairy farming industry self-sufficient.
To avert economic downturn and arrest unemployment, it is imperative that the government be proactive in nurturing and encouraging the development of innovation ecosystems that foster basic research within academia and industry.
The author is Trustee, Infosys Science Foundation
Part 1: Local solutions needed to deal with unique problems
Part 2: Does R&D hold the key to fuelling economic development?
New Delhi: SpiceJet today announced an order for 100 new Boeing 737 Max aircraft for $11 billion at list prices, the second highest aircraft order ever from India. Combined with an earlier order, this means it will receive 155 narrow body jets between 2018 and 2024, besides also having purchase rights for 50 more wide body aircraft from the same manufacturer. The narrow bodies will be used to service the domestic market as well as select international destinations. The wide body fleet of 50 Boeings when SpiceJet does firm up the order for it will enable the airline to launch a long haul low cost service like Singapore Airlines subsidiary Scoot and Norwegian Air.
Anyhow, the new aircraft are 8 percent more economical on a per seat basis and about 20 percent better in fuel efficiency. Chairman and MD Ajay Singh said today the new aircraft will allow the airline to fly for an hour longer, which means new international destinations will anyway be added to its network. As of now, one in four SpiceJet flights or 25 percent of the network flies to international destinations, with 10 daily services to Dubai alone.
So why is SpiceJet going out on a limb to place a mega aircraft order which will require mega bucks? Singh said today that the domestic market has been growing at about 25 percent in recent years. Indian airlines together have about 400 aircraft now, even if we take growth at 20 percent going forward, this means 80 more aircraft are needed each year.as the market grows, appetite for fleet expansion also increases.
SpiceJet wants to obviously have a proportionate share of the domestic aviation pie. Remember, Indias domestic market is on track to surpass 100 million passengers by March this year for FY2017. This means India would overtake Japan to become the worlds third largest domestic market, behind USA and China.
In reaching this milestone, India will have achieved average domestic traffic growth of over 15 percent per annum since the liberalisation of the sector commenced in FY2004.
Fiscal 2017-18 is expected to be the third consecutive year of domestic growth above 20 percent, according to global research agency Centre for Asia Pacfic Aviation.
Passenger growth could be as high as high as 25 percent, though this may be tempered 3-5 percentage points due to the recent demonetisation.
Based on aircraft deliveries, competitive dynamics and the positive outlook for the economy, growth above 20 percent could continue for up to a further two years. In such a scenario, every Indian airline is looking at mega expansion, reason enough for SpiceJet to also chip in with a large order for aircraft. CAPA says Indian airlines are together scheduled to induct 60-65 narrow bodies and 10-12 regional aircraft in FY2018. The pace of aircraft inductions in FY2018 will be one of the key drivers of traffic growth, it says.
Earlier this week, GoAir placed a firm order for 72 A320neo aircraft, doubling its firm order book for the aircraft type to 144. It now operates a fleet of twenty three aircraft. With the neo induction, Go Air will expand its network and offer fliers better connectivity. The A320neo provides the latest technical innovations and unbeatable economics.This new order will further strengthen our network by adding more domestic and international routes in the years to come, said MD & CEO, Wolfgang Prock-Schauer. Market leader IndiGo already has 125 aircraft in its fleet and another about 400 on order, with staggered delivery schedules.
Almost all airlines use the sale and leaseback model to pay rational price for mega aircraft purchases. Singh of SpiceJet said this model and some other financing models were under consideration for the 100 new aircraft this airline will acquire. We will not raise fresh debt, neither will we need to infuse equity to finance this aircraft buy. We are looking at the cheapest finance options so that the balance sheet does not get impacted.
SpiceJet, which was briefly forced to ground its fleet in late 2014 when it ran out of cash, has about 13 percent of the Indian air passenger market. That is behind market leader IndiGo which has over 40 percent share, the Jet Airways group and state-run Air India. Besides the narrow bodies, SpiceJet also flies a fleet of the smaller Bombardier Q400 aircraft on regional routes.
Singh said he had been mulling an expansion of the small aircraft fleet too but these plans have been suspended for now. It is interesting to note that the governments regional connectivity scheme, for which airlines must place bids by Monday, relies almost entirely on airlines which have a fleet of small aircraft or are willing to acquire such a fleet. Singh said he will be placing his bids by Monday.
By Alex Lawler and Rania El Gamal
| LONDON/ABU DHABI
LONDON/ABU DHABI OPEC is unlikely to deliver fully on its target to cut production despite Saudi Arabia saying it had trimmed more than it had committed to, OPEC delegates say, but compliance of 80 percent would be good and as low as 50 percent acceptable. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is planning to cut its output by 1.2 million barrels per day to 32.50 million bpd from Jan. 1. Russia and other non-members are planning to cut about half as much.OPEC and the independent producers are cutting supplies to remove a global glut and prop up prices, which at $56 a barrel are half their level of mid-2014, hurting the revenue of exporting nations."Compliance won't be 100 percent, it never is," said an OPEC source, who added that an overall rate of 50 to 60 percent would be good enough, based on past compliance levels.Top exporter Saudi Arabia and Kuwait said on Thursday they had cut production by more than they committed to. Kuwait, the head of a committee to monitor compliance which meets on Jan. 22, said this was to "lead by example".But OPEC as a whole has a patchy record of complying with its agreements, and previous non-OPEC pledges to curb output have proved largely token. Compliance is voluntary as OPEC has no mechanism to enforce its agreements.Based on statements by producing nations so far, there has been over 60 percent compliance, Kuwait's oil minister said on Thursday. OPEC Secretary-General Mohammed Barkindo said he was sure countries would follow through on the deal."I remain confident that ... this historic and landmark decision will be implemented fully," Barkindo told Reuters on Friday. He added that the Jan. 22 meeting would decide on what level of compliance would be acceptable or not.
Last time OPEC cut its output, in 2009, following agreements the year before, it initially made 60 percent of the reduction and compliance peaked at higher rates, according to estimates from the International Energy Agency and other analysts, some of whom see that as a reasonable target this time."We should see 60-70 percent compliance once again," Daniel Gerber of Petro-Logistics, a consultant which assesses OPEC supply by tanker tracking, told Reuters in December.The cuts in 2009 were more than OPEC achieved in previous price collapses, such as during the late 1990s when countries initially did not follow through on pledges. OPEC's historical average compliance rate is 60 percent, according to the IEA."Normally for OPEC, good compliance is near 80 percent," said another OPEC delegate. "It won't be 100 percent."
COMPLIANCE CONCERNS
Compliance with the 2009 OPEC cuts peaked at about 80 percent, according to the IEA. This was enough to help support a rise in oil prices, which began 2009 at $46 and stood at $69 by the end of June that year.Three months into that last OPEC cut, Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies showed the highest level of adherence. Saudi Arabia made a larger cut than it had to then, based on the IEA numbers, so history looks set to repeat itself in 2017 if Saudi Arabia's comments on Thursday are borne out.Next was Algeria, which implemented almost all of its commitment. Venezuelan compliance was 69 percent, more than that of Angola and Iran which both delivered less than half of their pledged reduction.
This time, while compliance in the Gulf OPEC members is expected by analysts to be high, industry and OPEC sources do not expect a similar level across the board. "There is a concern about Venezuela and Iraq not being committed to the cuts," said an industry source involved in the global cut talks, who added Russia appeared to be complying with the deal.Iraq, which initially resisted joining the cut, said this week it was reducing production. Cash-strapped Venezuela, which pushed hard to bring the global deal together, has also said it intends to. Russia reduced production by 100,000 barrels a day in the first few days of January, industry sources told Reuters. That reduction, or at least part of it, is down to unusually cold temperatures in Siberia that have forced work at oil rigs to grind to a shivering halt.Potential production growth in countries exempted from making a cut, Libya and Nigeria, could undermine reductions elsewhere. They both boosted production in December, even though OPEC supply overall fell."If things go well in those countries, it could be quite hard for OPEC to maintain a 32.50 million bpd production target," Gerber of Petro-Logistics said. (Editing by Alison Williams)
This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Gilles Guillaume, Simon Carraud and Agnieszka Flak
| PARIS/MILAN
PARIS/MILAN European carmakers were drawn into a widening probe of diesel emissions testing on Friday, with French prosecutors examining Renault and British authorities seeking answers from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV.Volkswagen's VOW_p.DE admission that some of its diesel vehicles were fitted with software designed to hide their true level of emissions has highlighted that most cars spew out far higher levels of health-threatening nitrogen oxide (NOx) in everyday driving conditions than in laboratory tests. Shares in Renault fell more than 4 percent to their lowest level in around a month after a source at the Paris prosecutor's office said it had launched a judicial investigation into possible cheating on exhaust emissions at the French carmaker.Renault said it respected all laws concerning exhaust emissions, adding that its vehicles did not have software enabling them to cheat on emissions standards.The French clampdown follows allegations by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday that Fiat Chrysler, like Volkswagen, was potentially using illegal software to hide excess diesel emissions.No manufacturer other than VW has been found to have installed software designed solely for the purpose of circumventing emissions tests, but regulators in Britain and Germany say that carmakers have made extensive use of a "thermal window" which allows manufacturers to turn down pollution-control systems for the sake of protecting an engine. German investigators said they had found that some carmakers defined the "thermal window" in such a way that exhaust treatment systems were switched off most of the time. Switching off or throttling back emissions treatment systems in cold weather reduces the risk of condensation building up in catalytic converters, which may otherwise cause rust and reduce exhaust-filtering effectiveness in the long run.It also improves engine performance and stretches the intervals between refilling vehicles with urea, an expensive substance needed to extract NOx from exhaust fumes. Regulators across the globe are now seeking to determine when a "thermal window" engine management system becomes an illegal "defeat device."
Under U.S. law, there is an obligation for manufacturers to declare their emission control strategy. This has been the basis for EPA action against Volkswagen and now against Fiat Chrysler.NEW TESTING REGIME
The European Commission said it had been informed about the "worrying" EPA allegations and would look at what implications they might have for the European Union."We will now work with the EPA, national member state authorities and of course Fiat in order to establish potential implications for vehicles sold in the EU," it said.
The European Commission has limited powers to force polluting cars off European roads, since vehicle licensing in the EU is still conducted on a national level. But European regulators have introduced a more stringent testing regime designed to reflect everyday driving conditions in the wake of the VW scandal that will take effect this year.Under the revised Real Driving Emissions (RDE) cycle, the disparity between road and laboratory test results will be narrowed. SEEKING INFORMATION
Britain on Friday said it was urgently seeking information from the EPA over its allegation that Fiat Chrysler used hidden software to allow excess diesel emissions to go undetected."We are urgently seeking further information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency... and will also be seeking information from the manufacturer regarding vehicles in the UK market," a spokesman at the Department for Transport said.Fiat Chrysler Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne angrily rejected the allegations on Thursday, saying there was no wrongdoing and Fiat never attempted to cheat emissions rules with software detecting a vehicle was in test mode.Fiat's volatile shares surged 7 percent in Europe, after falling sharply in U.S. trading on Thursday, and were trading 5 percent higher at 1453 GMT.The automaker's stock has risen by around 70 percent this year since Donald Trump's election, on expectations of less stringent emissions policies under the next U.S. administration.But carmakers continue to face scrutiny in Europe. Earlier this week the European Commission called on Italy to cooperate with a German probe investigating allegations that the Fiat 500X, Fiat Doblo and Jeep Renegade models were equipped with illegal cheating software. Fiat rejects the allegations.Germany's motor vehicle authority KBA began testing the vehicles of several foreign manufacturers as part of a blanket probe of vehicle emissions after the Volkswagen scandal first came to light.And the country's transport ministry asked the European Commission to investigate Fiat's emissions after being stonewalled by Italian authorities. (Additional reporting by Alissa de Carbonnel in Brussels and Costas Pitas in London; Writing by Edward Taylor; Editing by Alexander Smith)
This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Before the unrest over the Bengaluru molestation incident settled, another ghastly crime against women shook Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha. On 6 January, eve-teasers thrashed three college girls when they protested their lewd comments on one of the not-so-busy thoroughfares in the city. And that was despite the fact that the road led to a tourist destination the Nandankanan zoo, which is frequented by thousands of visitors every day. Situated in the city precinct under the urban policing district (UPD), the incident occurred equidistant from two police stations in the area Infocity Police Station and Nandankanan Police Station and without any help coming from either of them. Both the stations are equipped with PCR vans and manned by personnel. To cover a distance of two kilometres, the PCR van took 40 minutes and by then the girls and the boy had been abused, beaten up and their mobile phones damaged.
The men in uniform inflicted more misery on the victims by questioning them and the boy accompanying them for being out, much before apprehending the accused and filing a complaint. All this happened in broad daylight and 15 to 20 passersby as videographed by one of them were mute spectators.
This mishap, which is one of the many such incidents happening in the city, raised serious questions over the claims of the Commissionerate Police (CP) on the safety of women in the state's capital. An education hub in eastern India, Bhubaneshwar houses the maximum number of reputed educational institutes and has seen a meteoric rise in student population. It is natural for the students to move out of their campuses on work or otherwise and it becomes the onus of state to provide them safety, at least within the city limits.
In August 2016, an NIFT Bhubaneswar student was reportedly molested outside her hostel with the security guards posted just 200 metres away. In protest, students staged road blockade but the police refuted any reports of such an incident. Similarly, a few months ago, another lady employee was abducted and molested inside a moving van while she was on her way back home from office late in the night, at a place which is a few metres away from Khandagiri police station.
Here is what the crime statistic report of the city states: Around 77 cases of rape were reported in Bhubaneswar UPD as against 87 cases in 2015, 71 in 2014, 52 in 2013 and 56 cases in 2012. In toto, a total of 144 cases of rape were reported from the city in comparison to 127 in 2015 and 138 in 2015. Though molestation and eve-teasing cases are recurring, the statistics show only 13 eve-teasing cases being registered in 2016 in contrast to 22 cases in 2015, which could also be indicative of the fact that many cases go unreported. However, the 2016 report does not have any mention about molestation cases in isolation. Ironically, the statistics has a lot of discrepancies in its comparative yearly analysis presented now.
There are some girls who retaliate and are successful but most turn into victims. And there are examples like that of Chinmayee Bhuyan who was inducted into the force as a special police officer for her bravery in dealing with snatchers and molesters (September 2016). Two days ago a girl in Cuttack also bashed up an eve-teaser and handed him over to the police.
However, the video footage of some of the recent incidents forces us to ponder if or not the security of women is a priority. First, the PCR vans have no fuel in times of emergency and invariably reach the spot late. Secondly, the passersby remain passive. Third, the police personnel use objectionable language at the crime spot in presence of women and question them baselessly instead of giving solace to them which indicates their insensitivity.
Every little act of outraging the modesty of women is a crime and every rape begins with eve-teasing and molestation. If rapes are to be stopped, eve-teasing and molestation too must. The police that functions under the home department is directly under the supervision of the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who is known for his polished behaviour and etiquette. The chief minister must ensure his force learns some of these and is made accountable and answerable. Bhubaneswar is bracing up to be one of the smartest cities in the country and security and safety should take priority. Else, Bhuwaneshwar will become a city where hooligans run riot and law keepers prefer to plod, and the women prefer to stay indoors.
On Friday, Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat addressed the media in Delhi and said that the jawans can raise complaints internally instead of resorting to social media.
In response to the grievance of the BSF constable who took to social media to talk about the bad quality of food served in the army, Rawat said, Army headquarters and the other commands have suggestion and grievance boxes. Anybody having any complaint can use those boxes to voice their dissatisfaction. We will address it, he said.
The Chief of Army Staff ensured that the identity of the army men who present their grievances will remain anonymous. Emphasising on a good relationship with the media, he said, "Through the media, I wish to reach out to the rank and file of the Army. Whatever complaint they have, they can address it through the excellent grievance redressal mechanism we have. Anyone irrespective of rank and service can reach out to me directly. We want them to come directly to us rather than through social media."
He said that the jawans should raise the matter internally as opposed to resorting to social media.
The Chief of Army Staff also suggested the possibility of another surgical strike against Pakistan in light of the various ceasefire violations over the months.
If a soldier writes to us regarding his greivances penning down his identity; will ensure that his identity is not made public: Bipin Rawat ANI (@ANI_news) January 13, 2017
He said Indias surgical strikes along the LoC in Kashmir can be repeated if the "situation warrants". He said that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir had been brought under control with the combined efforts of security forces, adding, "We have to be concerned about the proxy war and terror that are affecting the secular fabric of our nation.
"We are a secular nation. While we have conventional threats that we have to deal with, if there is something bothering us, we need to view the issue," he said.
If he is unsatisfied with the action taken, he can choose other ways (of voicing his grievance): Army Chief General Bipin Rawat pic.twitter.com/1kGwbaIoWy ANI (@ANI_news) January 13, 2017
He assured that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir has been brought under control.
"The last couple of months in Jammu and Kashmir witnessed some violence. It is the security forces who were working together. With their efforts, we were able to bring the situation under control. We have to ensure that the situation does not escalate. For that, we have to make the people of the state understand that whatever action taken by the government is to ensure peace and harmony."
While we've challenges along our borders,we've to be concerned abt proxy war,terror that are affecting secular fabric of our nation- B Rawat pic.twitter.com/egWgvLzNcr ANI (@ANI_news) January 13, 2017
Gen Rawat also emphasised on the importance of introducing new and advanced technology in the weaponry of the Indian Army.
"We have a very intellectual academia and if we are able to harness our energies, there is no way that we cannot provide modern weapons systems to our army. Therefore we need to keep pace with the emergent technologies. This is the time when we need to induct newer weapon systems," the Chief of Army Staff said.
New Delhi: Delhi Police has arrested a 21-year-old molester, known as 'Crazy Sumit', who would kiss young women on the streets and flee, and post videos of the 'prank' on social media.
Police said on Friday that the accused youth, identified as Sumit, is a final year BCA, student of WCTC college in Gurugram. His friend, Satyajeet Kadyan, 23, who helped him as a "camera man" to record the 'prank', has also been arrested.
Police arrested the two from Ashok Vihar Phase-3 area in Gurugram after raiding Sumit's house on Thursday late night, the officer said.
"We tracked Sumit and Kadyan after examining the CCTV footage of a restaurant where they were partying a couple of days ago in Gurugram. On the basis of their identities, we finally traced Sumit's address," a senior police officer told IANS.
"On questioning, Sumit told interrogators that he and Kadyan played the 'prank' for gaining publicity, and also claimed that the two girls who he kissed in the 'prank' videos uploaded in social media are known to him, and are his friends," the police officer said.
"Sumit has denied molesting any women. He said he kissed the young women with their consent. We are investigating the case and are waiting for the victims to come forward to give statement against him," the officer said.
Some more people may be involved in the case, such as service providers, and they will be arrested soon, police said.
Delhi Police on 7 January had assured of action against Sumit after his "kiss and run" videos on YouTube went viral.
Sumit maintained a YouTube channel by the name 'Crazy Sumit' where he uploaded videos of him approaching young women on the streets on some pretext and then running away after kissing them.
He also uploaded an 'apology' video on the same channel, saying the act was staged and he had no clue that the matter would escalate to this level.
New Delhi: After nine days of the continuous strike, the sanitation workers of East Delhi Municipal Corporation failed to arrive at a conclusion on Friday at a meeting held with the authorities over their dues and decided to continue with the agitation.
The fallout comes at a time when the residents of east Delhi are raring for a suitable solution of the acrimony.
Sanjay Gehlot, leader of the agitation told Firstpost after the meeting that the authorities failed to commit to fulfil their demands.
"Presently they have given us only assurance. But no concrete decision has been arrived at, he said.
Gehlot also said that the authorities have proposed for another round of meeting with the sanitation workers on Monday.
"Till Monday cleaning work will not resume. The decision to continue or not to continue with the strike will be taken only after the meeting, he said.
Gehlot also said that all the sanitation workers have received two months salary and the corporation is yet to pay the salary of one month.
The sanitation workers began their agitational programme after the corporation failed to pay three months salary.
The strike is not carried only in demand for three months salary. We want a permanent solution to the recurring problem regarding our salary, Gehlot said.
RV Untwal, another leader among the sanitation workers, said, This is the sixth time we are in agitation after Arvind Kejriwal took over as the chief minister in the year 2015. The corporation has not paid the arrear salaries for more than a decade.
Sanitation workers said that apart from clearing salary dues they have also been demanding cashless health insurance benefit from the corporation, which also has not been met.
We fall ill frequently due to constant exposure to dirt. But they are not provided with the cashless health insurance scheme despite repeated demands, they said.
The Friday meeting was held between the sanitation workers and additional commissioner Vivek Pandey.
Deputy Commissioner Atik Ahmed, who was privy to the discussion told Firstpost, We have discussed over all of their demands and told that we will soon let them know our decisions."
On Wednesday, Delhi heaved a sigh of relief as a section of sanitation workers withdrew agitation and joined work.
But a section of the workers continued with the strike. Today the decision to push the strike up to Monday has raised further anxiety among the Delhites.
Alleging negligence on the part of AAP-led state government, Satya Sharma, the mayor of East Delhi Municipal Corporation said, "I have been pursuing with the Delhi government to pay up the dues accumulated over the last four years. But we are yet to receive the funds."
She said that the Delhi government has dues amounting to Rs 527 crore.
The mayor further said that after trifurcation of the MCD in 2012, the East Delhi Municipal Corporation is left with huge financial liabilities but with minimum revenue sources to meet them.
"We have to pay Rs 125 crore to our 28,000 employees as monthly salaries. But we receive property tax of Rs 120 crore a year," Sharma said.
Recently Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia declared that Rs 119 crore has been released for payment of salaries but the agitating workers reiterated that it is too small an amount given the liabilities of the corporation.
Property tax constitutes 45 percent of the corporation's revenues as per the city development plan prepared by the Delhi government under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, that was implemented from the year 2005 to 2014.
"There are 128 unauthorised colonies in East Delhi from where we do not get any property tax," she said.
When asked what could be the permanent solution to the problem she said pleading helplessness that until the Delhi government pays the dues nothing can be done.
"The 4th Delhi Finance Commission recommended the Delhi government to pay Rs 5,000 crore to the Corporation. A permanent solution could be expected only if we receive this fund," the mayor of East Delhi Municipal Corporation said.
Even as the mayor blamed the AAP-led Delhi government for the crisis the AAP reacted sharply to these allegations.
In a press release issued by the media cell, AAP said that the BJP has turned the MCDs into national shame with its criminal negligence and monumental inefficiency.
AAP Delhi convenor Dilip Pandey said, "The Delhi government had tabled the 4th Finance Commission recommendations in the Delhi Assembly. We have even said that we are in favour of completely implementing them but the central government showed no interest in implementing its part."
It also alleged the BJP led MCDs of not doing their part to increase revenue.
Earlier the AAP ministers cited corruption as the reason for MCDs perennial fund crisis.
In 2015, Manish Sisodia tabled the recommendations of the 4th Delhi Finance Commission which suggested the state government share more of its revenue with the Municipal Corporations of Delhi.
In similar lines, it also suggested that the urban development ministry at the centre should also not deal with matters related to the Constitution and powers of the municipal bodies, which was picked up by the state government as a pretext to pass the buck on the centre.
The Delhi government decided to implement these recommendations only if centre does the same.
Even as the AAP-BJP mudslinging gathers momentum the fund crisis in the East Delhi Municipal Corporation remains unsolved, much to the woes of the residents of the capital city.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi's statement that Haj subsidy should be abolished in favour of education for Muslim girls is a progressive stance and deserves our wholehearted backing. Apart from highlighting a very real and woefully ignored issue, the Hyderabad MP's words go some distance in changing the discourse around Indian Muslims. It is an area we can no longer ignore.
One the most deep-seated and enduring ironies of Indian politics is that Muslims in India have remained ghettoized and their welfare stunted even as politicians spent almost seven decades singing paeans in their name. Their part in nation-building process has remained restricted to exercising their voting rights. As Muslims kept up their end of the bargain by choosing the leaders they thought would best address their issues, the governments (both in states and Centre) in turn created a few power centres from within the community, developed a relationship of narrow quid-pro-quo and abdicated their responsibilities.
A culture of empty appeasement has taken root. The tragic fallout is despite strength in numbers, Muslims have very little representation in key areas of Indian polity. Their socio-economic well-being and education uplift lag behind national average and are in some metrics below Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
According to the 2006 Sachar Committee report, dropout among Muslims in primary education are an epidemic. Statistics cited by Islamic Research Foundation International reveal about one-fourth of children aged between 6-14 have either never attended school in their locality or have dropped out. Consequently, they have a woeful representation among graduates (one out of 25) and postgraduates (one out of 50). Despite making up nearly 14 percent of the Indian population, they have only three percent presence in armed forces, five percent in Railways and 3.5 percent in banking.
Muslims add up to just three percent in administrative services such as IAS, IPS. India has one IAS or IPS officer among every 5.73 lakh Muslims, compared to one among every 1.08 lakh non-Muslims, quotes a report in The Indian Express.
Being the dominant power at the Centre, the Congress must shoulder lion's share of the blame for failing to bring Muslims within the welfare and development loop. It has perfected the model of tokenism in politics which is now assiduously followed and even bettered by a large number of parties.
In 2013, six years after the Sachar Committee highlighted the plight of Muslims in India, a paper called Six Years After Sachar: A Review of Inclusive Policies in India, by economist and chief scholar at the US-India Policy Institute Abusaleh Shariff found that status of Muslims in India have hardly improved a period ruled exclusively by UPA.
"Despite the governments publicised support for the Sachar Committee Reports recommendations to increase diversity in public spaces and to ensure the minorities proportionate benefits from mainstream institutions, the governments record is notably lackluster," the paper said, according to a report in The Hindu.
Owaisi's statement, that the subsidy amount of Rs 450 crore would be better utilized towards educating Muslim girls, is therefore a welcome change and carries far reaching import.
"This significant amount of Rs 450 crore, of haj subsidy, should be utilised for girl education. Create more girls schools, hostels... Rs 450 cr is a huge amount," he said on Wednesday. "As a Muslim, I do not get any government subsidy to go on Haj. A Haj is obligatory on Muslims who have their own financial wherewithal. We do not need any govt subsidy. Please give this money to the scholarships of girl students. This will make India and the Muslim community stronger," News18 quoted him as saying.
Education uplift of Muslim women, who have of late been at the forefront of a battle against regressive patriarchal practices, would have an exponential reformative effect on the entire community. Any step in this direction will also change the political discourse around Indian Muslims from appeasement to empowerment.
The government, which has formed a six-member panel to judge the efficacy and viability of Haj subsidy in light of Saudi Arabia's decision to hike annual quota for Indian pilgrims, must consider Owaisi's statement in all seriousness. This could be truly game changing.
In a recent turn of events, Jamaat-ud-Dawa head Hafiz Saeed claimed on Wednesday that four 'mujahideen' attacked an Indian military camp in the Jammu region on Monday and that they "returned safely, having suffered not a scratch."
He was addressing hundreds of Jamaat-ud-Dawa activists at an "orientation session" on Wednesday in Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
"They say they cleaned up 10 rooms and killed 30 soldiers, and destroyed the entire camp," he said.
According to the Indian version, on Monday, near Akhnoor, a camp of the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF), located two kilometres from the LoC was attacked by terrorists. This attack led to the death of three casual labourers of the GREF, while injuring another.
Four young men, day before yesterday in the evening, entered the camp at Akhnoor, Jammu. I am talking about something recent, its not an old event, it happened two days ago, Saeed said in a tape running a little more than two minutes, reported Hindustan Times.
Saeed described the attack as a 'surgical strike' on Indian soil by Pakistan and told his audience that jihad (holy war) was the only way to liberate Kashmir from India. He also said that it was the religious duty of people in Kashmir and Pakistan to take part. (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi also talked about a surgical strike, I had replied to Modi. Nawaz Sharif doesnt reply to Modi, I reply to Modi, by the grace of God. And he (Modi) only accepts my reply, not the reply of anyone else, he said.
Taking multiple digs on Modi, he said, I said Modi, you made a false claim, Indian troops are being dropped by helicopter and they ran a movie. They are very good at making magnificent movies. Movies are one thing, fighting is another, so they ran a movie about carrying out surgical strikes, we crossed the border and killed 40 jawans of Lashkar-e-Taiba and went back. This was a drama, a film made to fool the world.
Saeed added, But you have given an opportunity and the mujahideen will tell you what is a surgical strikeI am telling you about the strike carried out two days ago, in a place like Jammu where they say nobody dares to enter. Four mujahid entered the camp, cleaned up 10 rooms and killed 30 soldiers. They destroyed the camp, burnt it and all four came back safely.
Saeed has remained a bone of contention in the already strained relationship between India and Pakistan. He is wanted by India and the US for his alleged role in masterminding the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai that claimed 166 lives. He even carries a bounty of $10 million (over Rs 66 crore) on his head for his role in the attack.
Pakistan claims to have banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) but following the attack on the Indian Parliament in 2002, it re-emerged as Jamaat-ud Dawa (JuD). The United States has designated the JuD as a front for the LeT.
New Delhi: Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said on Friday that soldiers must raise their complaints internally and whoever has any complaint can also tell him directly.
Apart from officials, many army veterans, who had been a part of several important operations in India and abroad, opined that despite having a systematic redressal mechanism, Gen Rawat was left with little choice but to take up the issue in a press conference.
"Besides, other issues, the army chief was compelled to take up the issue of redressal of grievances on priority due to the recent videos posted on social media by BSF, CRPF, and other security forces jawans. Otherwise, there already exists a well-organized grievance redressal system within the defence services. Both home and defence ministries have taken a strong cognisance of this issue of airing grievances in public, which is against the service rules. If these type of incidents keep happening, it could pose a serious security threat," a Ministry of Defence official said on condition of anonymity.
Does army really have a grievance redressal system?
As the army chief on Friday stressed on grievance redressal mechanism and urged jawans to use suggestion and grievance boxes to register their complaints, one may wonder whether any redressal mechanism is really functional in the army or not.
"In the army, there is a systematic way of redressing grievances and complaints, and it has been in existence almost for the last 350 years when the British conceived army. There is a chain of command laid down in the army to redress grievances and complaints. Had there been so much grievances among forces in the way media is showing, wars couldnt have been fought and won," said army veteran and defence analyst Brig (retd) Narendar Kumar.
"Grievances are recorded in Sainik Sammelan book in detail and action taken thereafter. Besides, every day after roll-call grievances, if any, are recorded without questioning the complainant. If a jawan complains to his company commander and not heard, he can approach JCO and even thereafter if it remains unheard, strict action is taken against the officer. There is a systematic process. Moreover, politicians, bureaucrats, and media should stay out of it. Grievances of a jawan can only be solved internally. After all, its the jawan and the officer who go to war and not the others," he said.
Can airing grievances in public lead to anarchy?
Defence experts opined that airing of grievances in public would definitely lead to anarchy in the system. Besides, discipline, which is sacrosanct, the bonding within the armed forces is strong and doesnt require external intervention to solve issues and grievances.
"Forget going public for redressal, the internal mechanism is so strong that one need not even approach commanding officer. Wars are not fought with weak systems. There are SOPs (standard operating procedures), laid down rules and high level of grievance redressal mechanism. Outside intervention is not needed. Besides, discipline, its the brotherhood that binds the entire force in one fabric. During operations, there is no jawans, no officers they are all equal. In my three decades of service as an officer, I have spent 20 years with the jawans on field eating the same food that they do, sharing the same space they live," said defence and security affairs analyst Col (retd) Jaibans Singh, who had been a part of military operations in Sri Lanka, Jammu and Kashmir and the North East.
"A fractured army cant fight a battle. Soldiering is a ruthless business. A soldier has to face rigours of weather, human necessities, enemy, etc. My commander Brig FFC Balsara used to say dont mollycoddle men. In times of operations, you have to lead with ruthless streak. Going public with internal grievances will lead to anarchywhether its army or central paramilitary forces," said Kumar.
Hobnobbing with social media a threat to security
General Rawat also stressed on the need to counter the "enemy who will try tactics to destroy India's secular fabric".
Experts feel that airing grievances outside the system or on social media may lead to rumour mongering and cause a serious threat to national security. It can give the enemy an upper hand.
"As a soldier, I was trained to starve and maintain combat worthiness in operations. Thats the spirit each and every army personnel has within him. There are serious repercussions if a jawan airs his grievances on social media. Terrorists and enemy will trap the bad hat and use him to meet their purpose. Its a major security risk and can be disastrous," said Kumar, who had been a part of major military operations in Jaffna (Sri Lanka), Jammu and Kashmir and north Africa.
Singh had a word if caution against the use of social media.
"Now-a-days whoever feels use social media either to slam government or say irrelevant things. In army such things are not prevalent and if an army personnel resorts to social media, its a serious security breach. Strict action should be initiated against those breaching the law. Army cant be politicised," the former colonel said.
External affairs minister Sushma Swarajs recent threat to revoke the visas of Amazon.com officials may have paid off. Sometime after she voiced her displeasure, Amazon Canada removed doormats resembling the Indian tri-colour flag from its Canadian website. But serious questions about the rationality and wisdom of indulging in such hyper-nationalistic rhetoric remain.
Though not the first instance of its kind, such outright bullying by a high-ranking minister, has once again brought attention to the belligerent, nationalistic culture the Narendra Modi government has been encouraging and promoting since it came to power. For greater clarity in the matter, it may be useful to know that Amazons portals in the US, UK, France, and Germany have doormats depicting the American as well as the British national flags.
It may be equally relevant to draw attention to the paradox evident in the governments ideological and economic policies. The central dispensation and the ruling Bharatiya Janata party (BJP), on the one hand, want to pursue economic and social globalisation. On the other, it continues to subscribe to a narrow and dogmatic if not dangerous version of cultural nationalism.
According to a report in Reuters, Amazon is making a huge bet on India and has vowed to invest more than $5 billion as it takes on home-grown Flipkart and Snapdeal for a bigger share of the world's fastest growing internet services market. At an event in Washington, that was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, Amazons founder and chief executive officer Jeff Bezos said India was the company's fastest-growing market.
Considered in this light, Swarajs threat to Amazon seems to contain other dimensions. "Amazon must tender an unconditional apology," the External Affairs Minister tweeted. They must withdraw all products insulting our national flag immediately...If this is not done forthwith, we will not grant Indian visa to any Amazon official," she added. "We will also rescind the visas issued earlier." As if this was not enough, Swaraj instructed the Indian High Commission in Canada to take up the matter with the company.
Such a disproportionately aggressive response especially from a top government functionary tends to have a cascading effect on the public at large. These statements go a long way in emboldening an army of hyper-nationalist bullies whose numbers seem to be spiralling by the day.
More and more disturbing incidents have been coming to light across the country with rogue nationalists taking the law into their own hands. There are reports of them threatening, even physically attacking citizens, who they believe to be lacking in nationalistic fervour.
Instead of reining in such intemperate mobs, the message relayed from the top is adding fuel to fire. Just two days ago, three people were manhandled by a mob of more than 30 people for refusing to stand up for the national anthem at a movie screening in Chennai. They were there to attend a screening of a Bulgarian movie Glory at the Chennai Film Festival at Palazzo Cinemas, Vadapalani.
The incident comes a month after seven people were allegedly drawn into a fight after refusing to stand up during the playing of the national anthem. The Chennai police charged the seven under sections of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
We seem to be living in an atmosphere when any and every issue can be turned into a test of a citizens nationalism. Think of recent incidents in the post de-monetisation period when self-styled custodians of national honour were asking those complaining about serpentine bank queues to think about the agony of soldiers guarding our borders.
Ironically, despite such shrill nationalistic hyperbole at the top, ordinary soldiers of the Border Security Force continue to receive shoddy treatment. The three videos recently circulated by a BSF jawan revealing the dismal quality of their meals is a testimony to the hypocritical nationalism preached and practised by politicians.
But instead of addressing these complex issues, we seem to be more preoccupied with enforcing our standards on a commercial enterprise.
Patna: Union Minister and LJP president Ramvilas Paswan, who was admitted to the ICU of a hospital in Patna on Thursday evening after he complained of breathlessness, is stable now, doctors attending on him said on Friday.
"Paswanji's health is stable now," Doctor Pramod Kumar, head of cardiology unit of Paras HMRI Hospital where the minister is admitted told PTI.
Kumar is among the team of doctors keeping a close watch over the 70-year-old Minister.
Doctor Sanjeev Kumar of AIIMS Patna, another member of the team treating the minister, also said that Paswan's health condition is stable now.
A team of doctors are examining him, he said.
R C Meena, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Paswan, said that a decision to shift the minister to Delhi would be taken later in the day as per recommendations of the doctors attending on him.
Ashraf Ansari, spokesman of LJP said, party workers were thronging the hospital after hearing of Paswan's health condition.
Bihar LJP president Pashupati Kumar Paras, who is brother of the minister, had said that after a complaint of breathlessness, Paswan was taken to the hospital around 8:30 pm on Thursday and admiited to Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Paswan, Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs, earlier arrived in Patna on Thursday on a four-day tour of the state during which he had some political engagements in Patna, Khagaria, Begusarai and Mokamah before hosting Makarsankranti feast in Patna on 15 January.
Doctor Sanjeev Kumar of AIIMS Patna had on Thursday night said that Paswan was suffering from Left Ventricular Failure caused by drop of oxygen in the body but was stable and responding to treatment.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar personally talked to the doctors to enquire about the health of Paswan.
Governor Ramnath Kovind and RJD president Lalu Prasad also enquired about the health of Paswan.
Prasad, accompanied by his sons Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, who is Health Minister of Bihar, paid a visit to the Paras Hospital to see Paswan.
Top leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena both seem in favour of an alliance ahead of municipal polls to the country's richest municipal body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), next month. However, neither set of office bearers and party cadre seem too excited about the idea. With alliance talks set to start from Monday, karyakartas from both sides are insistent on going it solo.
Both Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and BJP's Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis are keen on a tie-up, fearing vote split, and a Congress victory if this happens. Moreover, even the IAS, IPS administrators are of the opinion that a tie-up between the saffron ideological partners is important for the benefit of the city.
However, if the two split ways over the next 35 days, it would hurt the Sena more. As elections draw nearer, there will be a slew of inquiries, and BJP has already made its stand clear that it's the Sena that is responsible for road work, nullah cleaning, and garbage collection.
Apart from Mumbai, nine other municipal corporations Thane, Ulhasnagar, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Akola, Solapur and Amravati will also witness polling on 21 February. Results will be declared on 23 February. Submission of forms will start from 27 January and will continue till 7 February. For 12 days after that, until 19 February, campaigning will be underway.
On Thursday, at the BJP state executive meeting in Thane, workers demanded the party go it solo. However, Fadnavis said an alliance with Sena would bring about development and transparency in governance. Addressing the meeting, Fadnavis admitted there are differences between the allies. Sena and BJP may be two different parties and they will remain different. But to avoid playing into Congress' hands, they should join hands, he said.
Soon after this, BJP started an official dialogue. Sena MP and party secretary Anil Desai confirmed that BJP state president Raosaheb Danve called Thackeray. From Monday onwards, the seat sharing formula will be discussed by the two party leaders, he added. "Shiv Sena has been in favour of an alliance with BJP since Day 1. We aren't ready for an alliance in pockets; we want a overall tie-up in all 10 municipal corporations, and all 26 zilla parishads," he said.
However, party workers from both sets want to go solo. Neither set of karyakartas are keen on an alliance. Contestants too are keen to try out their political fate; MLAs and MPs from both parties are constantly attacking each other. While BJP MP Kirit Somaiya and Mumbai unit president Ashish Shelar have directly highlighted corruption in the Sena controlled BMC, Sena leaders Ramdas Kadam and MLC Anil Parab have accused BJP of using Sena's support to grow. In the last two years especially, leaders of both parties have been confident of competing in all 227 wards.
On the other hand, if an alliance doesn't materialise, both parties will be accused of hurting each other's chances and indirectly helping out the Congress. Talking to Firstpost, a senior BMC official said that the next 35 days are crucial for everybody concerned. If the talks fail, both parties will be in serious trouble. The standard code of conduct has begun, but until 8 March, the current civic representatives will remain in place. "So we have to follow the orders of the mayor, standing committee chairman, educational committee chairman and BEST," he said.
So, if the Shiv Sena and BJP alliance can work smoothly, the BMC's roads department will hold a second phase of enquiry, but the report will not come out before the results are out. But if talks fail, Fadnavis may give instructions to civic commissioner Ajoy Mehta, who would have to obey the chief minister.
The first phase of roads' enquiry, in which 35 roads were checked by the additional municipal commissioner Sanjay Deshmukh, investigated the Rs 350 crore scam. For the first time in the history of the BMC, six contractors and three senior civic officials are behind bars. But the second phase is being delayed.
The civic body's enquiry department is also probing suspected engineers and staffers, and those who were found guilty in the Rs 100 crore nullah desilting scam. More than 14 tainted officials were suspended in September last year. But the final outcome has not yet come.
So you have senior BMC and police officials and MMRDA staff, including those working on the Mumbai Metro, who want a Sena-BJP alliance. Senior police officers know that if the alliance breaks, there will be daily worries for the force. On both sides, pressure is up and nobody can focus on the city's law and order situation. Senior MMRDA and MMRC officials also know that if the two parties contest solo, the actual work of digging and diversion of roads would grind to a halt. Agitations have been taking place everyday, and the project has been delayed by over two months, said a senior MMRDA official.
So you have the entire senior politicians and administrators, including police, BMC and MMRDA urging the warring partners Shiv Sena and BJP to join hands. If only the actual party workers would understand.
A day after the Supreme Court rejected a plea requesting permission to conduct jallikattu during Pongal in the state of Tamil Nadu, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader MK Stalin led a state-wide protest outside the collector's office in Chennai along with Kanimozhi on Friday.
Chennai: DMK workers gather near Collector's office. The party has called for a statewide protest today #jallikattu pic.twitter.com/FHaNniEHCj ANI (@ANI_news) January 13, 2017
Chennai: DMK workers protest near Collector's office. DMK working president MK Stalin and Kanimozhi also present. #jallikattu pic.twitter.com/Z78s3G9jet ANI (@ANI_news) January 13, 2017
Speaking with protesters gathered outside the secretariat office, Stalin showed his disapproval over centre's decision and said, "Jallikattu is our tradition but now the Centre and state governments have failed to get us the permission to conduct it." According to an ANI tweet, Stalin demanded reiterated the demand for an immediate ordinance to allow the sport during Pongal this year.
Centre government should bring an ordinance immediately and state government should ensure it: MK Stalin #jallikattu pic.twitter.com/byLDkQuBn9 ANI (@ANI_news) January 13, 2017
#jallikattu is our tradition but now Centre and State government have failed to get us the permission to conduct it: MK Stalin pic.twitter.com/zcNqN1iV61 ANI (@ANI_news) January 13, 2017
His statement came after the central government reportedly said that no ordinance will be promulgated to allow the traditional game jallikattu during Pongal this year. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Monday urged the central government to promulgate an ordinance to allow the holding of jallikattu.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Panneerselvam said jallikattu is an integral part of the Pongal festivities and the festival holds great importance for the people of Tamil Nadu.
In places like Coimbatore and Madurai, students took out rallies raising slogans seeking permission for jallikattu. They held placards expressing love for bulls and assured that the animals are not harassed during the sport.
Protest demonstrations were also held in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu. Film personalities including actor Sathyaraj, filmmaker Karu Pazhaniapan participated in a stir pledging support for jallikattu. Actor Simbu held a silent protest. More than 10,000 people converged at a ground in Coimbatore in support of jallikkattu while protests were staged in Sivaganga, Dindigul, Pudukottai and Salem districts.
However, the central government on Friday clarified that it didn't wish to intervene and that the Supreme Court ban on the sport will stay.
What is jallikattu?
Jallikkattu is a bull taming sport wherein a bull vaulter is expected to hang on to the bull's hump for a stipulated distance or for a minimum of three jumps by the bull. It is organised during the harvest festival of Pongal.
The Supreme Court in May 2014 banned jallikattu in Tamil Nadu. The court also held that bulls cannot be used as performing animals either for jallikattu events or for bullock cart races in the states of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra or elsewhere in the country.
The festival of Pongal is celebrated to thank the sun, rain and farm animals. It will be celebrated on 14 January.
With inputs from agencies
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Thursday moved the Calcutta High Court after they were denied permission to hold a rally by the Kolkata police, according to a report in NDTV. The case will be heard today, ANI reported.
RSS filed PIL in the Calcutta HC regarding denial of permission from Kolkata police for rally. Hearing on PIL tomorrow. ANI (@ANI_news) January 12, 2017
The RSS has planned a rally in Kolkata on Saturday (14 January) on the occasion of its chief Mohan Bhagwat's visit. On Wednesday, High Court judge Joymalya Bagchi asked the Kolkata Police to determine if the RSS could hold a rally in the city. However, the Kolkata police told them it could not grant permission to hold the rally and asked them to fix an alternative date, The Hindu reported.
The RSS has shortlisted two possible venues for the rally Bhukailash grounds in Kidderpore and Brigade Ground the cops turned down the first citing law and order issues and lack of adequate space, while the second venue was rejected because the ground was too big.
This move by the Kolkata police comes even as the relationship between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Bharatiya Janata Party is at a nadir, with the Trinamool Congress opposing demonetisation and reconsidering their support to the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The BJP's Bengal unit in-charge Sidharth Nath Singh will head to Kolkata today for a first-hand assessment of the situation India Today reported.
The Election Commission (EC) on Friday reserved its order on who gets ownership of the Samajwadi Party's cycle symbol, after four hours of deliberation. The Indian Express reported that after the split in the party last week, the two factions led by Mulayam Singh Yadav and son Akhilesh had approached the commission, both staking claim over the party and the symbol.
While Mulayam Singh Yadav appeared before the Election Commission, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav was represented by his uncle Ram Gopal Yadav and Congress leader Kapil Sibal.
During the first part of the hearing, the Akhilesh camp argued that a majority of MPs, MLAs and MLCs as well as the Samajwadi Party delegates were with Akhilesh. The Mulayam camp then argued that the convention in which Akhilesh was anointed as the party chief was against the Samajwadi Party constitution.
The pronouncement is likely to come next week, most probably on 17 January, India Today reported.
Attempts at striking some sort of a patch-up or compromise between the warring factions of the ruling SP having almost failed, both sides are now reconciled to a future of walking alone. Sources say that the factions of Mulayam and Akhilesh are bracing for "any eventuality", particularly in a situation where the Election Commission freezes the party's cycle symbol. While political and constitutional experts strongly feel that Mulayam is better placed in his claim for the symbol and that he is likely to get it since the SP Constitution clearly spells out in Section 14, that only the national president can call a convention, the numbers both of the lawmakers in the state assembly and party delegates seem to be stacked in Akhilesh's favour.
It seems Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has not learnt from his past mistakes like the infamous "poverty is just a state of mind" statement.
During his speech at the Jan Vedna Sammelan in New Delhi on Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi told people that he saw the Congress symbol an open palm in the photos of gods and saints belonging to various religions.
"I was told that the Congress party was around 100 years old. But one day, when I was going through some photos, I saw the Congress symbol in a photo of Shivji," said the Congress vice-president.
"I thought that was very strange. So I looked at some other photos. And I saw a photo of Guru Nanak ji and the Congress symbol was there too," Rahul said, adding that he also saw the Congress symbol in the photos of Buddha and Mahavir.
"I then asked Karan Singh ji (Congress leader): Why is the Congress symbol visible in every religion like Islam, Hinduism, Judaism?" Rahul said.
As if the speech could not get more absurd, Rahul then said, "Karan Singh ji told me: This means, daro matt (don't be afraid). Don't be afraid of the present conditions. Face the truth. Now, this is a strange thing that since 3000 or 4000 years before today, in every religion, you are being told this. The symbol is also there. And you are being told not to be afraid of your present and reality."
It is perhaps the biggest irony that Rahul Gandhi, of all people, was talking about facing reality. Because he himself cannot see that no one is really buying his magical theory that the Congress symbol was present in the photos of every religion.
Maybe Rahul was trying to tell us that all those gods and saints were actually Congress supporters.
By Rahul's logic, Goddess Lakshmi who is depicted sitting on a lotus must be a BJP supporter. And because almost all houses in India have a broom, the AAP symbol is present in every house.
We really can't say much about what the Congress vice-president was thinking while making this statement. But he probably does think that the people are fools who will be won over by nonsensical fairy tales rather than hard facts and sound reasoning.
You can watch Rahul Gandhi's speech here:
By Warren Strobel and John Walcott
| WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON An unprecedented pre-presidential inauguration feud between Donald Trump and intelligence agencies that soon will be under his command could harm U.S. security if not quickly defused, current and former government officials said.They said morale at the CIA and other agencies was already sagging because of disputes with Trump over whether Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered interference in the U.S. election and over leaks about an unsubstantiated dossier compiled by a private security firm suggesting Moscow had compromising information on Trump.Unless addressed, the disputes could prompt the departure of personnel and lead those who remain to take fewer risks to counter security threats, the officials said.In the last few months, Trump has expressed his willingness to deal with Putin and denigrated the work of the intelligence agencies. This week, the President-elect accused agencies of leaking the dossier's information to the media, but Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said he did not believe intelligence officials were responsible for the leak."People shooting at (the CIA) is pretty common. But usually its not the president," one former senior U.S. official said.Trump's transition team did not reply to email messages seeking comment."I think it's a recipe for disaster," said Daniel Benjamin, who served in senior White House and State Department counter-terrorism posts under Democratic presidents. Benjamin, now at Dartmouth College, said there was a "strong chance" people would leave and they have "tremendous value" to the private sector.Complicating the situation just a week before Republican Trump is sworn in, two of his nominees for top security posts set a different tone at their Senate confirmation hearings, heaping praise on the men and women who work in the secret world of intelligence gathering.Republican congressman Mike Pompeo, nominee for Central Intelligence Agency director, said on Thursday that he has seen CIA personnel "walk through fire."Separately, Trump's nominee for U.S. defence secretary, James Mattis, told senators that he had a "very, very high degree of confidence" in U.S. intelligence agencies. Mattis also put Russia at the top of a list of threats to U.S. interests.
A top official at one intelligence agency said a growing number of intelligence officers over the age of 50 and with at least 20 years of service, including at least five years overseas, have drafted and in many cases signed but not dated their resignation letters."There is great anxiety here about the President-elect's apparent disdain for the work we do and the dangers we face," a second senior intelligence official, at another agency, said.He and others spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters and morale at their agencies.RANCOR
The latest round of rancour began with a CNN report that Trump had been briefed Jan. 6 by intelligence and law enforcement chiefs on a two-page memo summarizing the unverified claims in the dossier. In blaming intelligence agencies for the leak, Trump wrote on Twitter: "One last shot at me. Are we living in Nazi Germany?"Spy chief Clapper called Trump before dinnertime on Wednesday to calm the waters. Trump and Clapper differed on what was said in the phone conversation.On Friday, Trump appeared to again blame U.S. spies for the leak."Probably released by 'intelligence' even knowing there is no proof and never will be," he said on Twitter.U.S. intelligence agency personnel "are kind of shell-shocked at being accused of being Nazis and intentionally leaking this stuff," the former senior official said.
The 17 U.S. intelligence agencies have combined budgets of more than $70 billion and tens of thousands of employees. They are responsible for everything from warning of terrorist attacks to supporting American troops on the battlefield and analysing the impacts of global trends such as climate change.Several former U.S. officials said the tensions with Trump were the worst they could recall since President George W. Bush and the CIA traded blame in 2003 and 2004 over the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. But Douglas Wise, a former senior CIA official, said it will be harder for Trump to "beat up" on his own intelligence chiefs once they are in place instead of officials appointed by Democratic President Barack Obama."I think things are going to change," Wise said.Still, tensions seem likely to persist after Inauguration Day on Jan. 20.Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, who will be Trump's national security adviser, led the Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency until he was fired by Clapper. He has a long-time suspicion of the CIA, according to Wise and others who have worked with him."What Pompeo said was somewhat reassuring, but it's not at all clear whether that matters, or whether Trumps apparent attitude and Flynns bitterness toward us is what counts," the second senior intelligence official said. (Reporting by Warren Strobel and John Walcott; additional reporting by Mark Hosenball, Jonathan Landay and David Alexander; Editing by Grant McCool)
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Geneva: Top diplomats from Turkey, Greece and Britain temporarily suspended talks aimed at helping unify long-divided Cyprus after failing to narrow differences Thursday on security guarantees for its ethnic Greek and Turkish communities.
Envoys to the UN-hosted talks in Geneva said foreign ministers from Cyprus' three "guarantors" now will step back from the process and let their deputies thrash out the options starting next Wednesday, with hopes of returning to the table if progress is made.
"Today, as the foreign ministers, we frankly shared our position on different issues particularly on security and guarantee issues," Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavotoglu told reporters late Thursday. "At the end, we found out that we have totally different positions."
"Today's meeting was very useful, (I'm) not disappointed," Cavusoglu added, saying that ideas were floated even if differences were not reduced.
The talks on post-reunification security featuring the foreign ministers came following three days of discussions between Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci on internal issues. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sought to play down expectations, saying there was no "quick fix" for decades of division in Cyprus.
Turkey invaded northern Cyprus in 1974 following a coup aimed at making Cyprus part of Greece. Turkish Cypriots, the minority, see Turkey's military might as their sole insurance against any Greek Cypriot hostility, and want those troops to remain in a final accord.
"The participants recognised that this is the time to bring the negotiations to a successful conclusion," a UN statement said, alluding to years of failed efforts for a deal. "This is a historic opportunity that should not be missed."
The Greek Cypriot president and the Turkish Cypriot leader are to keep discussing differences on issues such as returning homes and property to owners who were displaced when the island was cleaved along ethnic lines more than four decades ago.
Guterres said work will continue towards "a solid and a sustainable solution for Cyprus" that "will be a symbol of hope in a world where so many conflicts are emerging, where so many problems do not seem to come to an end."
"You cannot expect miracles and immediate solutions," he said.
Guterres said Anasastaides and Akinci made progress on issues like territory, property and relations with the European Union since they started meeting in Geneva on Monday.
The arrival of foreign ministers Boris Johnson of Britain, Nikos Kotzias of Greece and Turkey's Cavusoglu brought talks about security a key issue for both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots to the table for the first time in years of peacemaking efforts.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini also participated in the talks.
Turkey's Cavusoglu said the future talks would succeed if all sides "are sincere about a solution. But if we go around in circles, and if there is manoeuvring for short-term political interests, there will be no results."
Kotzias said earlier Thursday that the the main point of disagreement continues to be Turkey's insistence on keeping troops in Cyprus and the right to militarily intervene, which Greece opposes.
"We believe, and rightly so, that the guarantee system must be abolished," Kotzias told reporters.
He said Greece favours a plan to cobble together an international team of observers under UN Security Council auspices to oversee the implementation of a peace accord. Any deal should foresee the swift withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus, he said.
Greek Cypriots see the Turkish troop presence as a threat and an instrument of Ankara's influence on the island. They insist that Turkey, which isn't an EU member, should neither keep troops on Cyprus, which is part of the 28-nation bloc, nor have the right to intervene militarily there.
Anasastaides floated the possibility an international police force for Cyprus, without specifying who might set it up or lead it, a diplomat who attended the session said on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorised to provide details about the talks.
The ministers hoped to pave the way for their prime ministers to join, a possible signal that a wide-ranging accord could be on tap. Britain is a former colonial overseer in Cyprus, and today has two military bases on the island.
Any final accord would go before voters in both the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus that's recognised only by Turkey and the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus in the south. Guterres acknowledged that "referenda are not an easy challenge."
By Patrick Rucker and James Oliphant
| WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON U.S. Senate Democrats on Thursday pressed Ben Carson, Donald Trump's nominee to lead housing policy, on potential conflicts of interest between the agency he is set to run and properties in which the president-elect may hold a financial stake.The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) hands out billions of dollars each year to developers and landlords. Democrats grilling Carson during his confirmation hearing for the post expressed concerns that some of that taxpayer money could end up directed to Trump or members of his family."The president-elect is hiding his family businesses interests from you, from me, and the rest of America," Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, one of Trump's most vocal critics, told Carson. "He can divert taxpayer money into his own pockets without the American people knowing about it."Trump, a New York businessman who got his start in real estate, has refused to release his tax returns or provide detailed information about his holdings across the globe.On Wednesday, he announced that he would turn control of his business empire over to his two oldest sons and move his assets into a trust. Those moves, however, have not assuaged some critics who argue that, as president, Trump will still have undisclosed financial interests that could affect his policies.Pushed on the issue by Democrats, Carson at one point vowed he would monitor any potential conflicts of interest but said he was unsure about how to go about it.Asked how he would prevent conflicts, the retired neurosurgeon and former Republican presidential candidate told the Senate Banking Committee, "I would hope what would happen with this committee is that we could come up with a suggestion that might be acceptable to all sides."
Trump reportedly has an interest in the massive Starrett City housing project in the New York City of Brooklyn, which has received HUD funds. But Trump's real estate career has focused mainly on luxury housing, commercial real estate and resort properties.Earlier in the hearing, Carson was noncommittal when Warren asked him to ensure that no HUD programs would benefit Trump. "If there happens to be an extraordinarily good programme that is working for millions of people and it turns that someone you're targeting is going to gain $10 from it, am I going to say, 'No, the rest of you Americans can't have it?'" Carson responded.Carson is widely expected to be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate committee and full Senate.
Much of Thursday's hearing focussed on Carson's long-standing antipathy towards social-welfare programs, with some senators asking him whether he, in fact, supports HUD's mission to provide housing assistance to millions of Americans."I think the rental assistance programme is essential," Carson replied. He later, added, however that social programs have to operate within financial constraints. Much of Carson's remarks focussed on his well-documented background growing up poor in inner-city Detroit, saying he learned young what "housing insecurity" means. He provided few details in terms of U.S. housing policy or how he would revamp the agency, suggesting only that he was interested in making it more efficient.
If confirmed as HUD secretary, Carson would oversee an agency with a roughly $40 billion budget that not only helps the poor but underwrites mortgage loans for middle-class families.HUD's Federal Housing Administration (FHA) stands behind roughly one in five home loans and at least $1.1 trillion in debt - a number that Carson said was troubling.Outgoing HUD Secretary Julian Castro this week slashed HUD fees for mortgage default insurance, which he said would save the average HUD-backed homeowner $500 a year.Carson suggested that he would consider reversing that surprise move."Certainly, if confirmed, I am going to work with the FHA administrator and other financial experts to really examine that policy," he said. (Reporting By Patrick Rucker; Editing by Linda Stern and Jonathan Oatis)
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Barely a week before Donald Trump assumes office of the President of the United States, relations between him and US intelligence agencies are at their lowest ebb, with little signs of a rapprochement anytime soon. What could be more disturbing than intelligence agencies not being on the same page as the new president? It will have a direct impact on governance and sensitive issues of national and international security.
The main reason for this avoidable impasse seems to be the Russia factor. American intelligence agencies, professionally sound, have been alleging blatant Russian interference in the US presidential elections, ensuring Trump's victory and Hillary Clinton's defeat.
Reinforcing these claims, the Director of National Intelligence recently told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he was "even more resolute" in believing that Russia not only hacked the computers of the Democratic National Committee and others, but also disseminated classic propaganda using fake names. It is also alleged that Trump, during his campaign trail, openly encouraged Russia to spy on Clinton, hacking as many as 33,000 emails.
Judging by these circumstances, it would appear that Russia is in possession of something crucial, which is not only inhibiting Trump from taking Putin head-on, but also keeping him from supporting intelligence agencies' claims of interference by Russia on sabotaging the elections. Now what is this crucial factor that's putting Trump on the defensive? That's a trillion dollar question.
In this aspect, it appears pertinent to note that one of Trump's direct campaign managers Paul Manafort had worked for Putin's interests, and in connivance with the President-elect, is making marked efforts to appease Moscow. Also, Trump's NSA designate Lieutenant General (Retd) Michael Flynn enjoyed proximity to Putin to the extent that he was regularly appearing on Russian television and making frequent visits to Moscow at regular intervals.
There is, however, some inconsistency in his approach, as he privately condemned Russia cozying up to Iran. Other than him, secretary of state designate Rex Tillerson has also been claiming his own closeness to Putin. His business interests are borne by the fact that he, being CEO of Exxon Mobil, is thought to be commencing a $500 billion venture in Rosneft, a Russian oil giant with major shares held by the Moscow establishment.
Meanwhile, on Trump's part, he perceives that the office of the Director of National Intelligence had become "bloated", calling for a complete overhaul, including restructuring of the CIA. Ad interim, however, the relationship between Trump and the US intelligence outfits are of unease and deep mistrust.
This is being underlined here because a tentative rapport between the two has far reaching implications for India. India relies heavily on US intelligence inputs to preempt terror, specially terror emanating from Pakistan and IS. The flow of intelligence must continue to stem the global terror tide. Given the ambiguous, half-hearted and often conflicting overtures by Trump, Indian intelligence agencies must ensure cooperation for its own security interests.
It was perhaps a wise and swift step on part of National Security Advisor (NSA) AK Doval to have taken the initiative in meeting his US counterpart Michael Flynn preceded by a longish phone chat. Flynn, besides being head of the Defence Intelligence Agency (2012-2014), had served in Afghanistan and interacted with the Pakistan intelligence agencies (2009-2010). New Delhi sees in Flynn an Afghan and Pakistani hand who can be useful in sharing hard intelligence with India, especially because Indian interests and facilities on Afghan soil have been targeted time and again. An effective relationship between the two NSAs would make Indo-US cooperation professionally very useful.
Another key player in Team Trump is Defence Secretary designate Gen James "mad dog" Mattis, who had worked rather closely with the Pakistan military and intelligence establishments, during his tenure (2010-2013) as chief of the US Central Command. Importantly, Mattis had also used his good offices in facilitating a secret agreement with Pakistan to provide landing beaches and airstrips during the 2001 Afghan war. Mattis is known for his deep professional involvement, and the story goes that he exhorted his troops to grow beards to develop affinity with the Afghans.
In other words, both Flynn and Mattis merit deft handling with finesse to ensure Indian security interests remain intact and their past association with the Pakistan ISI and military don't prove to be impediments in strengthening Indo-US ties in the field of intelligence and security.
With Putin in de facto control of major geopolitical spaces, and given his interest in Afghanistan and Pakistan, a proactive intelligence tie-up with Washington seems a priority. It should also be remembered that Putin, though younger than Trump in age, has the advantage of vast presidential experience, and more significantly in this context, comes with a KGB background. The way he is seen to checkmate the US and its intelligence community, he will have a thick edge in the coming years. The Russia-China-Pakistan-Iran axis needs to be monitored and that too rather closely. There will be a huge responsibility on the shoulders of the man pitting himself as the world's most powerful leader.
The writer is a retired IPS officer, a security analyst, and senior fellow with the Indian Police Foundation
By Anthony Deutsch
International investigators have said for the first time that they suspect President Bashar al-Assad and his brother are responsible for the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian conflict, according to a document seen by Reuters.A joint inquiry for the United Nations and global watchdog the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) had previously identified only military units and did not name any commanders or officials.Now a list has been produced of individuals whom the investigators have linked to a series of chlorine bomb attacks in 2014-15 - including Assad, his younger brother Maher and other high-ranking figures - indicating the decision to use toxic weapons came from the very top, according to a source familiar with the inquiry. The Assads could not be reached for comment but a Syrian government official said accusations that government forces had used chemical weapons had "no basis in truth". The government has repeatedly denied using such weapons during the civil war, which is almost six years old, saying all the attacks highlighted by the inquiry were the work of rebels or the Islamic State militant group.The list, which has been seen by Reuters but has not been made public, was based on a combination of evidence compiled by the U.N.-OPCW team in Syria and information from Western and regional intelligence agencies, according to the source, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue.Reuters was unable to independently review the evidence or to verify it.The U.N.-OPCW inquiry - known as the Joint Investigative Mechanism - is led by a panel of three independent experts, supported by a team of technical and administrative staff. It is mandated by the U.N. Security Council to identify individuals and organisations responsible for chemical attacks in Syria.Virginia Gamba, the head of the Joint Investigative Mechanism, denied any list of individual suspects had yet been compiled by the inquiry."There are no ... identification of individuals being considered at this time," she told Reuters by email.The use of chemical weapons is banned under international law and could constitute a war crime.While the inquiry has no judicial powers, any naming of suspects could lead to their prosecution. Syria is not a member of the International Criminal Court, but alleged war crimes could be referred to the court by the Security Council - although splits among global powers over the war make this a distant prospect at present.The list could form the basis for the inquiry team's investigations this year, according to the source. It is unclear whether the United Nations or OPCW will publish the list separately.
'HIGHEST LEVELS'
The list identifies 15 people "to be scrutinized in relation to use of CW (chemical weapons) by Syrian Arab Republic Armed Forces in 2014 and 2015". It does not specify what role they are suspected of playing, but lists their titles.It is split into three sections. The first, titled "Inner Circle President" lists six people including Assad, his brother who commands the elite 4th Armoured Division, the defence minister and the head of military intelligence.The second section names the air force chief as well as four commanders of air force divisions. They include the heads of the 22nd Air Force Division and the 63rd Helicopter Brigade, units that the inquiry has previously said dropped chlorine bombs. The third part of the list - "Other relevant Senior Mil Personnel" - names two colonels and two major-generals.
Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, an independent specialist in biological and chemical weapons who monitors Syria, told Reuters the list reflected the military chain of command. "The decisions would be made at the highest levels initially and then delegated down. Hence the first use would need to be authorised by Assad," said de Bretton-Gordon, a former commander of British and NATO chemical and biological defence divisions who frequently visits Syria for professional consultancy work. The Syrian defence ministry and air force could not be reached for comment. CHLORINE BARREL BOMBS
Syria joined the international Chemical Weapons Convention under a U.S.-Russian deal that followed the deaths of hundreds of civilians in a sarin gas attack in Ghouta on the outskirts of Damascus in August 2013.
It was the deadliest use of chemicals in global warfare since the 1988 Halabja massacre at the end of the Iran-Iraq war, which killed at least 5,000 people in Iraqi Kurdistan.The Syrian government, which denied its forces were behind the Ghouta attack, also agreed to hand over its declared stockpile of 1,300 tonnes of toxic weaponry and dismantle its chemical weapons programme under international supervision.The United Nations and OPCW have been investigating whether Damascus is adhering to its commitments under the agreement, which averted the threat of U.S.-led military intervention.The bodies appointed the panel of experts to conduct the inquiry, and its mandate runs until November. The panel published a report in October last year which said Syrian government forces used chemical weapons at least three times in 2014-2015 and that Islamic State used mustard gas in 2015.The October report identified Syria's 22nd Air Force Division and 63rd Helicopter Brigade as having dropped chlorine bombs and said people "with effective control in the military units ... must be held accountable". The source familiar with the inquiry said the October report had clearly established the institutions responsible and that the next step was to go after the individuals.Washington on Thursday blacklisted 18 senior Syrian officials based on the U.N.-OPCW inquiry's October report - some of whom also appear on the list seen by but not Assad or his brother.The issue of chemical weapons use in Syria has become a deeply political one, and the U.N.-OPCW inquiry's allegations of chlorine bomb attacks by government forces have split the U.N. Security Council's veto-wielding members.The United States, Britain and France have called for sanctions against Syria, while Assad's ally Russia has said the evidence presented is insufficient to justify such measures.A Security Council resolution would be required to bring Assad and other senior Syrian officials before the International Criminal Court for any possible war crimes prosecution - something Russia would likely block. (Additional reporting by Ellen Francis in Beirut; Editing by Pravin Char)
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Washington: The US Justice Department on Thursday said it would probe a Federal Bureau of Investigation decision to announce an inquiry into Hillary Clinton's emails shortly before the November presidential election, a move she has blamed as a factor in her defeat.
The Justice Department's Office of Inspector General said in a statement that its investigation would focus in part on decisions leading up to public statements by FBI Director James Comey regarding the Clinton investigation and whether they may have been based on "improper considerations."
The controversy involved Clinton's use of a private email server for official correspondence when she was secretary of state under President Barack Obama, including for messages that were later determined to contain classified information. The office of Inspector General Michael Horowitz said it decided to open the review "in response to requests from numerous chairmen and ranking members of congressional oversight committees, various organizations and members of the public."
Although the FBI ultimately decided not to refer Clintons case for prosecution, Democrats said Comey's announcement damaged her with voters right before the election, and he faced complaints that his moves were politically motivated. Law enforcement authorities, including the FBI, by custom do not disclose information about investigations that do not end in criminal charges. If the review finds evidence of misconduct, any officials involved would be referred for disciplinary action. In a statement, Comey said the FBI would cooperate fully and he was "grateful" to Horowitz for the probe. "He is professional and independent and ... I hope very much he is able to share his conclusions and observations with the public because everyone will benefit from thoughtful evaluation and transparency regarding this matter."
Brian Fallon, Clinton's spokesman, told MSNBC on Thursday that Comey's actions "cried out for an independent review."Senator Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat in the U.S. Senate said Comey's statements were not fair, professional or consistent with the policies of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. President-elect Donald Trump, who will be sworn in 20 January, will not have the power to dismiss the probe. But federal law permits US presidents to dismiss inspectors general for federal agencies, as long as the president provides Congress a written justification for the removal 30 days in advance. Often leading crowds in chants of "lock her up!" during the election campaign, Trump as a candidate repeatedly accused Clinton of illegal conduct over the emails. In a debate in October, he vowed she would "be in jail" over the matter if he became president, but he has since said he would not pursue prosecution.
Pre- election announcement
Comey publicly announced the status of the agency's investigation into Clinton's emails two times in 2016. In July, Comey held a press conference and testified before Congress to explain why the FBI had decided not to refer Clinton for prosecution, explaining that she was "extremely careless" but should not be charged with gross negligence or any other federal crime. In October, less than two weeks before the 8 November election, Comey sent members of Congress a letter saying the FBI was resuming the investigation because of new emails found on the computer of disgraced former Representative Anthony Weiner, the husband of one of Clinton's top aides.
U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch had informed Comey the day before he sent the letter that doing so would conflict with official Justice Department guidance that instructs employees to "never select the timing of investigative steps ... for the purpose of affecting any election."Comey asked whether he was being explicitly directed not to send the letter, and Lynch never gave Comey the order not to do so, a senior government official told Reuters at the time.
On 6 November, Comey said the investigation into Weiner's computer produced no new evidence that would incriminate Clinton. Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, on Thursday commended Horowitz for opening the probe. "Conspicuously absent, though, is any specific reference to the attorney generals failure to recuse herself from the probe, particularly after her meeting with former President (Bill) Clinton," said Grassley in a statement.That half-hour meeting, which took place in June on board Lynch's plane while it was parked on the tarmac in Phoenix, drew criticism that Lynch was politically biased and unfit to oversee the investigation into Hillary Clinton's email server.Critics of Comey's decisions also said he could be in violation of the Hatch Act, a 1939 law that bars government employees from interfering with US elections.
By Laila Kearney
| NEW YORK
NEW YORK French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen was seen at Trump Tower on Thursday, but a spokesman for President-elect Donald Trump said she did not meet with him or his team."No meetings with anyone," transition spokesman Sean Spicer said. "It's a public building."Le Pen, whose National Front party holds anti-immigrant and anti-European Union views, was seen entering an elevator at the building, according to a Reuters witness, but she did not speak to reporters gathered there.George Lombardi, a Trump friend who lives in Trump Tower, told reporters that he had coffee there Thursday with Le Pen, who he said he has known for 20 years. He said Le Pen did not request a meeting with Trump.A day earlier, Lombardi said, they attended a party with people they believe might raise money for her campaign, including business people and diplomats."This is a perfectly privately encounter that she had with some friends of ours," Lombardi said. "Some people had been asking to meet her a long time ago, and she just happened to be here because I happen to live here."
Le Pen, who is currently projected to lose a runoff with conservative former prime minister Francois Fillon in next May's election, has struggled to raise money for her campaign both in France and abroad.She has also sought to burnish her credentials with foreign appearances. Her staff in April announced that she would go to Britain to campaign for that country's exit from the European Union but she ended up not going after being shunned by the Brexit campaign.Le Pen was seen at Trump Tower with Lombardi, Louis Aliot, her partner and vice president of National Front, and Ludovic De Danne, her international affairs adviser.
Her staff confirmed her visit to New York, characterizing it as a private trip."She took two days to have a break," campaign director David Rachline said.Trump Tower has been the site of a series of meetings between Trump, a Republican, and business and political leaders as he assembles his administration ahead of his Jan. 20 inauguration. It also has become a tourist destination since Trump's surprise November election victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton.
The group Human Rights Watch mentioned both Trump and Le Pen in a report warning that the rise of populist leaders threatens global human rights. It cited Trump's victory as well as Britain's move to leave the European Union led by Nigel Farage, who Trump has praised. Le Pen is expected to earn enough votes in the first round of presidential voting in April to enter a second round election set for May 7.Last summer Le Pen told a French magazine that if she were American, she would vote for Trump rather than Clinton. A week after Trump's victory, Le Pen said she, Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin "would be good for world peace." (Reporting by Laila Kearney and Alexander Besant in New York and Emily Stephenson in Washington; Editing by Bill Trott and James Dalgleish)
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By Ingrid Melander
| PARIS
PARIS Far-left firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon on Friday rejected calls to drop out of France's presidential election in favour of a mainstream Socialist candidate, saying those urging him to do so could get lost.Melenchon, running fourth in the polls, said he would stay in the race even if it meant splitting the vote and preventing any left-wing candidate from making it past the first round."What they would like is for me to step back .. and come like the burghers of Calais with a rope around my neck and give them the keys to the proletariat. Well they can get lost, this won't happen," Melenchon said in the colourful language he is known for.He was referring to the 14th century surrender of the leaders of Calais in northern France to the King of England in the Hundred Years' War, wearing nooses around their necks.Melenchon's stance matters because he is forecast, in the latest polls, to get 11.5 to 13 percent of the vote in the first round on April 23.
That would not be not enough for the 65-year old to make it to the May 7 run-off, but it would almost certainly prevent whoever becomes the Socialist Party (PS) candidate from advancing.Melenchon, who was a PS member for over three decades before slamming the door to create his own, more left-wing party in 2008, said the Socialists were so discredited after nearly five years in power that it was pointless for them to field a candidate. "The Socialist party can give up its own (candidacy) because it is useless," Melenchon said in an interview with Reuters and a small group of European journalists. "They have no unity, no headstart in opinion polls."
An Ifop-Fiducial poll last week showed Melenchon ahead of any of the candidates contesting this month's Socialist primaries, including ex-prime minister Manuel Valls. Socialist President Francois Hollande, deeply unpopular because of his failure to turn around the economy and bring down unemployment, announced last month he would not seek a second term. His former economy minister Emmanuel Macron, a centrist who is taking votes from the left and the right, is seen having a small chance of making it to the run-off. But most opinion polls show conservative Francois Fillon and far-right candidate Marine Le Pen going through to the run-off, with Fillon winning it.
On Sunday the PS will hold the second of three TV debates ahead of the Jan. 22 and 29 primaries. Both Melenchon and Macron have refused to take part in the contest, despite repeated calls from the Socialists for them to do so or step aside. Melenchon said that, if elected, he would want to overhaul European Union rules, in particular to change the workings of the European Central Bank and address Germany's trade surplus with the rest of the bloc. If doesn't work "then we would leave," he said, referring to France's EU membership.Melenchon gained 11.1 percent of the vote in the first round of the last presidential election in 2012, helped by Communist backing. (Reporting by Ingrid Melander; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
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BERLIN Divisions appeared in the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party on Friday over a planned meeting of European right-wing populist parties next week, from which several leading German media have been barred.AfD co-leader Joerg Meuthen distanced himself from the Jan. 21 meeting being planned by the Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF) group in the European Parliament. The AfD's other leader, Frauke Petry, still plans to attend the event in the western German city of Koblenz.Marine Le Pen from France's Front National, Geert Wilders from the Netherlands' Freedom Party and Matteo Salvini from Italy's Northern League also plan to participate, according to organisers, raising the profile of the event in a year when their parties are hoping for electoral breakthroughs.But the ENF, the smallest group in the European Parliament with members from 10 parties from nine countries, is facing criticism over its decision to ban some German public broadcasters, Der Spiegel magazine, Handelsblatt business daily and the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
"The event in Koblenz is a sole thing of the ENF, the AfD has nothing to do with it," Meuthen said. "This is not changed by the fact that one or other AfD politician will show up there."Among the AfD members planning to attend are Petry and her husband Marcus Pretzell, a member of the European Parliament who belongs to the ENF group.
Pretzell drew criticism on Thursday by announcing the media restrictions. A member of his staff was unable to give an explanation for the ban when contacted by Reuters.The AfD, which has strongly criticised Chancellor Angela Merkel for allowing more than a million refugees into Germany in the past two years, now has seats in 11 of Germany's 16 federal state assemblies.
Polls predict it will enter the federal parliament in September's national election with up to 15 percent of the vote, which would make it the third-strongest party. (Reporting by Hans-Edzard Busemann, Writing by Michael Nienaber; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
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James Mattis, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for US defense secretary, on Thursday accused Russia of trying to break up the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) and said the United States needs to stand up to its old foe.
The retired Marine Corps general's stinging criticism of Russia stands in sharp contrast to the views of his future boss. Trump has repeatedly praised the leadership qualities of its "very smart" President Vladimir Putin and advocated closer ties.
Mattis told his confirmation hearing that he believed the modern world order was under the biggest attack since the Second World War. "And that's from Russia, from terrorist groups and with what China is doing in the South China Sea," Mattis told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
His testimony came a day after Trump's pick for secretary of state, former ExxonMobil boss Rex Tillerson, said he too would take a firm line with Moscow.
Mattis noted that, like Trump, he was open to greater engagement with Russia, but stressed he only had "very modest expectations about areas of cooperation with Putin".
"I'm all for engagement, but we also have to recognise reality and what Russia is up to," he said, adding, "There's a decreasing number of areas where we can engage cooperatively and increasing number of areas where we're going to have to confront Russia."
US intelligence agencies say Russia interfered in the US Presidential Election 2016 to help Trump, and an explosive but unverified dossier published this week alleged Moscow had longtime ties to senior Trump advisors.
Mattis said Putin was working to undermine Nato, and he called the alliance "vital" for American interests noting that if the US did not have Nato, it would have needed to create it.
"Right now, the most important thing is that we recognise the reality of what we deal with Putin, and we recognise that he is trying to break the Nato," Mattis said.
China 'shredding' trust
With regard to China, which has a rapidly growing military, Mattis said it is "shredding trust along its periphery" as it builds up its military presence in the South China Sea.
In written testimony, he said America "must try to engage and collaborate with China where possible, but also be prepared to confront inappropriate behaviour if China chooses to act contrary to our interests".
Trump has frequently spoken out against China's trade policies and ruffled feathers in Beijing when he took a call from Taiwan's leader after the election.
Mattis sailed through the three-hour hearing with broad support, despite some senators expressing reservations that his appointment runs counter to decades of Pentagon tradition and US legal custom.
A cornerstone of US democracy is that civilians, not people in uniform, control the military, and the commander-in-chief is the president.
US law prohibits officers from serving as defense secretary for seven years after leaving active duty but Mattis only hung up his uniform in 2013.
Need integrated strategy on Islamic State
Mattis called for combating the Islamic State through an "integrated strategy" that goes after the terror group's recruiting and fund-raising besides delivering a military blow to them in the Middle East.
"I think we have to deliberate a very hard blow against IS in the Middle East, so that there is no sense of invulnerability or invincibility there. There has got to be a military defeat of them there, but there must be a much broader approach," Mattis said.
"This requires an integrated strategy so you don't squeeze them in one place and they develop in another and we are really right back to square one," he said.
Mattis was responding to a question from Senator Joni Ernest, who said that the Middle East region will inevitably remain a major focal point when talking about "Islamic extremism".
"However, I do believe that we need to look at other regions around the globe and we cannot turn a blind eye to IS in regions outside of the Middle East such as in Southeast Asia," he said.
US-Pakistan relations have highs and lows
Mattis said that Pakistan should take more actions against Taliban and the Haqqani network so as to "expel or neutralise" externally- focused militant groups operating within its border.
"If confirmed, I will work with the State Department and the Congress to incentivise Pakistan's co-operation on issues critical to our national interests and the region's security, with focus on Pakistan's need to expel or neutralise externally-focused militant groups that operate within its borders," said Mattis.
In his written written submission to the Senate Armed Services Committee ahead of his confirmation hearing, Mattis noted that "conditioning our security assistance" to Pakistan has a mixed history, "but I will review all option".
The retired general told lawmakers that Pakistan has "learned some hard lessons" because of its dealings with the Afghan Taliban, as violence in that country reflects.
"I believe they should do more to collaborate with their neighbour. We should urge Pakistan to take further actions against the Taliban and the Haqqani network," Mattis said.
Arguing that countries in the region "have the responsibility to support the reconciliation process" in Afghanistan, Mattis said the countries in the region "should increase pressure on the Afghan Taliban and associated militant networks" to stop their campaigns of violence.
He said that US' ties with Pakistan have had highs and lows.
Waiver granted
The 66-year-old Washington state native needs a special Congressional waiver only granted once before, for the famous World War II General George Marshall who served under President Harry Truman from 1950-1951.
The Senate voted by a large majority to grant one, and the House Armed Services Committee also approved the measure, clearing the way for a full confirmation vote. Politicians across the spectrum lauded Mattis, and his appointment appears to be a formality.
However, Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal said he would vote against the waiver for fear of setting a precedent. But even he declared: "Let me say that very bluntly, if ever there were a case for a waiver of that principle, it is you at this moment in our history."
"Your appreciation for the costs of war in blood, treasure and lives and the impact on veterans afterwards will enable you to be a check on rash and potentially ill-considered use of military force by a president-elect who perhaps lacks that same appreciation."
A colourful commander famed for his pugnacious aphorisms, the media dubbed Mattis "Mad Dog" for his battle-hardened swagger and the sort of blunt language Marines are famous for.
He has been quoted as saying, "Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet."
But Mattis also has a well-known cerebral side: he issued reading lists to Marines under his command, and instructed them that the most important territory on a battlefield is the space "between your ears".
Mattis would replace technocrat Ashton Carter, President Barack Obama's fourth Pentagon chief.
Senators also grilled Mattis over a slew of security issues, including North Korea's nuclear ambitions, women in combat and budget constraints.
Trump has said his administration "will begin a major national effort to rebuild our badly depleted military".
With inputs from agencies
Lahore: Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief and Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed claimed that Kashmiri militants are giving a "befitting reply" to India at Akhnoor, Uri and other places in Kashmir.
Speaking at a large Kashmir Conference rally at Faisalabad, 130 kms from Lahore, Saeed said, "Indian Army is responsible for the killing of 650,000 Kashmiri Muslims. Now the Kashmiri Mujahideen are giving a befitting reply to India at Akhnoor, Uri and other places."
He said the Mujaheedin are destroying India. "India cannot stop them from carrying out their mission. It is not me alone but now Baloch people and other Pakistanis are with us," he said, adding that Baloch leader Shahzain Bugti has joined hands with him.
Bugti, chairman of Jamhuri Watan Party, announced his support at the rally for the Kashmir cause saying Balochistan is with Kashmir. "As many as 50,000 Baloch youth are ready to join the Kashmir freedom movement and waiting for Hafiz Saeeds call," Bugti said. "Participation of the leader of Bugti tribe in Kashmir Conference is a message to India that Baloch are joining the Kashmir freedom movement."
The alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attack also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying if India stopped the river waters of Pakistan then there would "blood in the rivers". "We will stand with Kashmiris for Kashmir's freedom as Pakistan is incomplete without it," he said.
Saeed, who has a bounty of $10 million on his head, also hailed former Pakistan army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif's appointment as head of a 39-country Islamic military alliance.
By Laila Kearney
The United States Mint has unveiled a $100 gold coin featuring an African-American woman as the face of Lady Liberty for the first time in the history of U.S. currency.The 24-karat gold coin, which marks the Mint's 225th anniversary, was debuted on Thursday in the Department of the Treasury's Cash Room in Washington, D.C.It is the first in a series of gold coins featuring Lady Liberty, which has been used on American coinage since the late 1790s, as an ethnic woman, Mint Principal Deputy Director Rhett Jeppson said in a statement. Other editions will use designs representing Asian, Hispanic Americans and others "to reflect the cultural and ethnic diversity of the United States," Jeppson said.
"We boldly look to the future by casting Liberty in a new light... looking forward to ever brighter chapters in our nation's history book," Jeppson said.The coin's heads-side design by artist Justin Kunz depicts the profile of Liberty wearing a crown of stars with the inscriptions "Liberty," "1792," "2017" and "In God we trust."
Depicted on the reverse side, which was designed by Chris Costello, is an image of an eagle in flight. The inscription on the tails side include the nation's motto, "E pluribus unum," which translates to English from Latin as "Out of many, one." Phebe Hemphill and Michael Gaudioso, both based at the Mint's Philadelphia facility, sculpted the coin.
The Mint, which is the nation's only manufacturer of official coinage, is set to release the initial coin design on April 6. It will be issued biennially. (Reporting by Laila Kearney; Editing by Dan Grebler)
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MEXICO CITY Mexico must be ready to respond immediately with its own tax measures if the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump imposes a border tax, the country's economy minister said on Friday.Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, on Wednesday promised a "major border tax" on companies that shift jobs outside the United States, and such a measure could hobble Mexico's exports to its top trading partner."It is clear we need to be prepared to immediately neutralize the impact of such a measure," Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo said in an interview on Mexican television. "And it is very clear how - take a fiscal action that clearly neutralizes it," he said.
Guajardo said Trump's proposed tax "was a problem for the entire world" and that it "would have a wave of impacts that could take us into a global recession."
He has warned that U.S. corporate tax cuts proposed by Trump, as well as the border tax, could undermine foreign investment in Latin America's No. 2 economy.Mexico slapped a tax on U.S. high fructose corn syrup in the early 2000s after the United States refused to allow free trade in Mexican sugar.
(Reporting by Michael O'Boyle; Editing by Frances Kerry)
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Beijing: Prospective US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson better watch his mouth, angry Chinese media said on Friday, warning Donald Trump's nominee that his threats to block China in the South China Sea are fighting words.
The comments came after the former ExxonMobil CEO told US senators that he would seek to deny Beijing access to the artificial islands they have been building in the South China Sea.
China's actions in the region are comparable to Russia's invasion of Crimea, he said, a comment that did not sit well with the nuclear-armed Asian giant.
If Tillerson acted on his threats, Chinese state-owned China Daily warned "it would set a course for devastating confrontation between China and the US."
Satellite photos show China has been hard at work building military facilities in the contested waters, which are also claimed by the Philippines and Vietnam, among others.
Under US president Barack Obama, Washington has claimed Beijing's activities in the region threaten freedom of navigation and overflight through the commercially and strategically vital waters.
But is has not taken a position on the ownership of the islets, reefs and shoals that sit in one of the world's hotspots.
Tillerson, however, explicitly said that the territories "are not rightfully China's."
"Unless Washington plans to wage a large scale war in the South China Sea, any other approaches to prevent Chinese access to the islands will be foolish," the nationalistic Global Times wrote in an editorial.
The paper, which is thought to have some insight into the thinking of more hawkish members of Chinese Communist Party, added that Tillerson better "bone up on nuclear power strategies if he wants to force a big nuclear power to withdraw from its own territories."
It has previously called on Beijing to increase its nuclear arsenal after Donald Trump threatened to upend decades of US policy on Taiwan by suggesting he could recognise the island, which China regards as an indisputable part of its sovereign territory.
China's official reaction to the comments was muted, with foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang politely urging Washington to mind its own business.
The South China Sea situation has cooled down and we hope non-regional countries can respect the consensus that it is in the fundamental interest of the whole world, he said.
Both papers, despite their warnings, agreed that it was too early to tell if Tillerson's words were more bark than bite.
"It remains to be seen to what extent his views against China will translate into US foreign policies," China Daily said.
But, the Global Times warned, that does not mean that the Trump administration should think Beijing has not heard his team's outspoken anti-China rhetoric.
The president-elect has filled his team with hardliners like Peter Navarro, the author of "Death by China", and has threatened to declare Beijing a currency manipulator and slap it with 45 percent tariffs.
China is letting those comments slide for now, the Global Times wrote, but "if Trump's diplomatic team shapes future Sino-US ties as it is doing now, the two sides had better prepare for a military clash."
Washington: The Obama administration said on Thursday it was repealing a measure granting automatic residency to virtually every Cuban who arrived in the United States, whether or not they had visas, ending a longstanding exception to US immigration policy.
The end of the "wet foot, dry foot" policy, which allowed any Cuban who reached US soil to stay but returned any picked up at sea, is effective immediately. Cuban officials had sought the change for years. The Department of Homeland Security also ended a parole programme that allowed entry for Cuban medical professionals.
That programme was unpopular with Havana because it prompted doctors to leave, sapping the country's pooled of trained health workers. The shift had been in the works for months. It was announced abruptly because advance warning might have inspired thousands more people to take to the seas between the Communist-ruled island and Florida in order to beat a deadline.The US Coast Guard intercepts thousands of Cubans attempting the 90-mile (145-km) crossing to Florida every year, but tens of thousands who reach US soil, including via Mexico, have been allowed to stay in the country, while immigrants from other nations have been rounded up and sent home.
The United States and Cuba have spent several months negotiating the change, including an agreement from Cuba to allow those turned away from the United States to return. The administration had rejected Cuban entreaties to overturn the policy before President Barack Obama's historic visit to the island last year, although even some White House aides argued that it was outmoded given efforts to regularize relations between the former Cold War foes. "Wet foot, dry foot" began in 1995 under President Bill Clinton after an exodus of tens of thousands of Cubans who were picked up at sea by the Coast Guard as they tried to reach Florida.
Obama has been working to normalise relations with Cuba since he and President Raul Castro announced a breakthrough in diplomatic relations in December 2014. His administration has eased restrictions on travel and trade, allowing more US business with Cuba and improved communications with the island.
"With this change we will continue to welcome Cubans as we welcome immigrants from other nations, consistent with our laws. During my Administration, we worked to improve the lives of the Cuban people - inside of Cuba - by providing them with greater access to resources, information and connectivity to the wider world," Obama said in a statement.Cuban officials said the US policy had promoted illegal migration, people-trafficking and dangerous journeys across the Florida Straits on flimsy vessels.
'Fleeing a brutal regime'
The move to end the policy comes just eight days before the Democratic president turns the White House over to Republican Donald Trump, who has said the United States should get more concessions from Havana in exchange for improved relations.U.S. immigration policy has given Cubans benefits granted to nationals from no other country. Until now, virtually every Cuban who made it to US soil was granted the right to stay in the country, the right to apply for work permits and, later, green cards, which convey lawful permanent residency.
Some US lawmakers had been demanding a fresh look at the immigration rules, saying Cubans coming to the United States simply for economic reasons should not be automatically granted benefits intended for refugees."This is a welcome step in reforming an illogical and discriminatory policy that contrasted starkly with the treatment of deserving refugees from other countries," Senator Patrick Leahy, a Democrat, said in a statement.Republican Senator Jeff Flake also said eliminating the policy was in the US national interest. "It is a win for taxpayers, border security, and our allies in the Western Hemisphere," he said.
Flake and Leahy both support Obama's moves towards freer trade and travel with Cuba. But Democratic Senator Robert Menendez, a staunch opponent, called Thursday's announcement a betrayal of Cubans fleeing persecution."We should never deny a Cuban refugee fleeing a brutal regime entry into the United States," Menendez said.
The end of the "wet foot, dry foot" policy was first reported by the Associated Press, citing a senior Obama administration official.The Department of Homeland Security is also eliminating an exemption that prevented the use of expedited removal programs for Cuban nationals picked up at ports of entry or near the border.But an existing Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program is not affected by Thursday's announcement and remains in effect.
Houston: In a heartwarming open letter to Sasha and Malia Obama, former first daughters Barbara Bush and Jenna Bush Hager shared a bit of advice to the girls as they join "another rarified club, one of former First Children".
"We have watched you grow from girls to impressive young women with grace and ease," the Bush sisters wrote in a letter to the Obama girls.
"Now you are about to join another rarified club, one of former First Children a position you didn't seek and one with no guidelines. But you have so much to look forward to," it said.
"You will be writing the story of your lives, beyond the shadow of your famous parents, yet you will always carry with you the experiences of the past eight years," the Bushes wrote in their letter published on Thursday in Time magazine.
The Bush daughters, who first became familiar with the White House during the presidency of their grandfather, George HW Bush, recalled returning to the executive mansion in 2008 as young women to show the Obama girls around.
They gave them a tour of bedrooms that once belonged to them and showed them how to slide down the banister of the solarium.
"In eight years, you have done so much. Seen so much," the Bush sisters write, noting Malia and Sasha's meeting with Nelson Mandela in the cell where he was imprisoned for decades, as well as trips with their mother to Liberia and Morocco to speak with girls about the importance of education.
The Bush sisters stress to 15-year-old Sasha, and 18-year-old Malia, that there is much to look forward to, but urge them to keep close in their hearts the experiences of the past two terms.
One bit of advice was to stay in touch with those White House staff who made them feel at home and those who helped protect them.
As Malia prepares to attend college this fall at Harvard, while Sasha remains in Washington to finish high school, they encourage the sisters to enjoy this youthful period of their lives.
"And you won't have the weight of the world on your young shoulders anymore. Explore your passions. Learn who you are. Make mistakes you are allowed to."
"Enjoy college. As most of the world knows, we did," they say, a nod to the much-reported brushes with the law both Bush twins experienced while drinking underage.
Most importantly, 35-year-old Jenna and Barbara urge the Obama sisters to continue surrounding themselves with loyal and fiercely protective friends.
"You have lived through the unbelievable pressure of the White House. You have listened to harsh criticism of your parents by people who had never even met them," the Bush sisters conclude in their letter.
"Your parents, who put you first and who not only showed you but gave you the world. As always, they will be rooting for you as you begin your next chapter."
With the start of Cabinet nomination confirmation hearings, analysts are starting to get a better sense of the policy positions of Donald Trump's Cabinet. His nominee for Secretary of Defence, General James Mattis, appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) on Thursday. Mattis, a highly regarded scholar-warrior and subject of a November 2016 Firstpost profile, is almost unique in the incoming Trump Cabinet in that he enjoys broad support among both Democrats and Republicans in Washington.
Mattis' written statements to the SASC, as a part of the confirmation process, provide a window into his way of thinking about China, Pakistan and the US-India relationship. As such, Indian policymakers now have a much better sense of what to expect and what not to from the Pentagon he will now lead.
Analysts who've studied the trajectory of the US-India relationships in the recent past will attest to the fact that the US Department of Defence is one of the staunchest supporters of the recent uptick in that relationship.
One could argue, for example, that Ashton Carter, Obama's Secretary of Defence, was a driving force on the American side behind the slew of recently-signed military cooperation arrangements between the two countries. But it can also be argued that there is a disconnect between how the US military sees India's role and concerns in the eastern Indian Ocean versus how it perceives India as a player in the West.
For India, this is a question of how the US could assist New Delhi in meeting challenges emanating from China (the purview of the US Pacific Command) as well as that from Pakistan (the purview of the US Central Command). Mattis' responses to questions submitted to the SASC unfortunately shows that this disconnect is unlikely to be bridged immediately.
Take his position on China and the future of the so-called 'American pivot to Asia'. Mattis noted that the US "must seek to engage and collaborate with China where possible, but also be prepared to confront inappropriate behaviour if China chooses to act contrary to our interests" and that Chinese behaviour has "led countries in the region to look for stronger US leadership".
He was also oblique about the American One-China policy, a much-discussed subject following Taiwan president Tsai Ing-Wen's phone call to Trump, noting he would communicate "the likely consequences of any changes to US policy" to the president and the Congress if asked.
On India, Mattis was as enthusiastic as Carter has been. Calling the US-India relationship one of "utmost importance", he reiterated American support for Modi's 'Act East' policy, which seeks to make India a major military and diplomatic power in Asia-Pacific and thereby balance China.
The foundation of the US-India long-term strategic relationship is based on a "convergence of interests and shared democratic values", Mattis noted.
All this talk of shared values warms the cockles of Indian hearts and makes for great press copy. But the statements have to be taken in the context of the overarching tone of the incoming commander-in-chief, which is that transactional deal-making is likely to become the cornerstone of Trump's foreign policy. The theme of shared values is a great rhetorical device employed by western governments in the recent years seeking better relations with India. But it would be a mistake to think that values alone will drive the relationship forward. Remember that this is a government to be led by a man who is willing to make common cause with Vladimir Putin.
On Pakistan, Mattis' statements have been tremendously disappointing. The gist of his arguments point to a US policy of more-of-the-same. Mattis notes that as a sign of its commitment to fighting terrorism, the Pakistan military has suffered significant casualties in its counterinsurgency effort. He also notes that if confirmed, he will work with other arms of US government to incentivise Pakistan's cooperation on issues critical to our interests and the regions security. New Delhi should prepare for more coddling of Pakistan.
This must come as great disappointment to many in India who had hoped that a Trump White House will finally put an end to Pakistan's belligerence. As an article on Mattis early last December noted, as CENTCOM head, he was the go-between the Obama administration and Rawalpindi when the US-Pakistan relationship was at a Nadir following the Raymond Davis debacle and the killing of Osama bin Laden.
US military personnel who deal with the Pakistani brass often become a little too optimistic about the Pakistan military and its capability to follow Washington's diktat. Mattis' SASC statements worry many in New Delhi that he would be no different.
This is the essence of the PACCOM/CENTCOM disconnect which Mattis showed no signs of addressing or even appreciating in his India-specific remarks. The US expects and values India as a partner in its balance China initiatives while imagining that its policies in India's West (Pakistan, in particular) can operate independently.
Meanwhile, Beijing has cleverly forced New Delhi to frame Pakistan as a part of its China policies. The job for New Delhi's mandarins and interlocutors is clear: Convince Trump and his team that India's support for the US policies in the Asia-Pacific is, to a significant degree, contingent on its ability to modify Pakistan's behaviour.
The author is a fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi and a national security columnist for Firstpost. Views expressed here are personal. He tweets @AbhijnanRej
Yangon: Myanmar and Bangladesh have agreed to start consultation for verification and repatriation of refugees, said a statement of the Myanmar Foreign Ministry on Friday.
The statement came after the visit of Myanmar Minister of State for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Tin to Bangladesh as special envoy of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi over the last two days, Xinhua news agency reported.
The refugees concerned are those persons who fled armed men in the 9 October attacks on three border posts in Myanmar's Rakhine state.
The Myanmar minister met with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali during the state visit.
The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest, expressing the common desire to deepen bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries, the statement also added.
They also agreed to resume the existing annual bilateral consultation mechanism as well as to hold regular meetings between the two border security forces and army-to-army talks, it said.
The Bangladesh Prime Minister reiterated her country's zero tolerance policy on terrorism, making clear that Bangladesh would not allow its soil to be used for terrorist acts against its neighbouring countries.
She also sought Myanmar's cooperation to resolve the border issues through negotiation, according to the statement.
By John Miller
| ZURICH
ZURICH Swiss authorities say a planned protest by pro-Tibetan groups against Xi Jinping must end before his arrival in Bern on Sunday, in a bid to avoid the kind of confrontation that marked the last visit by a Chinese president 18 years ago.Members of Switzerland's Tibetan community and supporters can demonstrate for two hours before noon on Sunday in the capital's city centre, Bern municipal security director Reto Nause said on Friday. Xi flies into Zurich at noon on Sunday and is due to arrive later in the Swiss capital for a gala dinner. He will hold talks with Swiss officials on Monday and on Tuesday will go to the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.In 1999, demonstrators took to roofs overlooking the Swiss parliament with banners demanding "Free Tibet" during a visit by China's then-President Jiang Zemin.Police intervened when people tried to throw eggs at the Chinese delegation.This time, the area around the Swiss parliament building will be closed off from Sunday morning to Monday afternoon.Nause said the Tibetan community had agreed to limit the protest's duration and to its location in a square about three blocks from parliament.He said a balance had been struck between the protesters' interests and the security concerns of the Chinese visitors.
"I expect that members of the community will stick to this agreement, which we reached after intense but constructive dialogue," Nause told Reuters.Speaking to Swiss state broadcaster SRF, he said police would also be alert to potential disruptions by pro-China activists.After a failed uprising against Chinese rule nearly six decades ago, tens of thousands of Tibetans including spiritual leader the Dalai Lama fled into exile in neighbouring India and other countries. Switzerland's 6,500-strong Tibetan community is one of Europe's largest.Tenzin Nyingbu, president of the Tibetan community in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, said on Friday his group had sought a demonstration site as close to where President Xi would appear in Bern as possible but had to accept what he termed a "compromise."
"We have to find a balance that we could do something and (the) Swiss Government also doesn't have to face any problem due to our action," he said."We will do only the thing which is permitted by the Swiss authority. And also we have published an announcement to all Tibetans that the demonstration to the Chinese President is important, but more important is to keep dignity and respect."FREE SPEECH
Amnesty International raised concerns that the Swiss were caving in to Chinese pressure at the expense of civil rights."Berne's decision to only allow a demonstration away from the view of the Chinese delegation must be viewed as a critical restriction on free speech and assembly rights," Amnesty International said in a statement.During a visit to Switzerland in October, the Dalai Lama urged Tibetans to keeping fighting from abroad for more autonomy for Tibet within China.Beijing vigorously condemns foreign leaders who meet the "splittist" Dalai Lama. Trips abroad by Chinese leaders are often met with pro-Tibet protests, attempts by police to keep them away from the visiting delegation and pro-China counter-protests.Xi is the first Chinese president to attend the WEF. (Editing by Andrew Roche)
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Beirut: On Friday, Syria accused Israel of firing rockets that hit near a major military airport west of Damascus, triggering a fire, and warned Tel Aviv of repercussions without specifying whether it would retaliate for the attack, the third such incident recently according to the Syrian government.
In a statement carried on the official news agency SANA, the military said several missiles were launched just after midnight from an area near Lake Tiberias that fell in the vicinity of the Mezzeh military airport on the western edge of the capital. It did not say whether there were any casualties.
Residents of Damascus reported hearing several explosions that shook the capital. The Mezzeh airport compound located on the southwestern edge of the capital had been used to launch attacks on rebel-held areas near Damascus and has come previously under rebel fire.
The Syrian army statement said Israel through its attacks was assisting "terrorist groups" fighting the Syrian government.
"The Syrian army command and armed forces warn the Israeli enemy of the repercussions of this blatant attack and stresses it will continue its war on terrorism," the army statement said.
It was the third such Israeli strike into Syria recently, according to the Syrian government.
On 7 December, the Syrian government reported Israel fired surface-to-surface missiles that also struck near Mezzeh airport. A week earlier, SANA said Israeli jets fired two missiles from Lebanese airspace toward the outskirts of Damascus, in the Sabboura area.
The Israeli military has declined to comment on those incidents, and there was no immediate comment on today's reported attack.
But Israel is widely believed to have carried out a number of airstrikes in Syria in the past few years that have targeted advanced weapons systems, including Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles and Iranian-made missiles, as well as positions of the Lebanese Hezbollah group in Syria.
The Shiite group has sent thousands of its fighters to Syria to support President Bashar Assad's forces in the country's civil war, now in its sixth year.
Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman recently reiterated his government's position to not get involved in the Syrian war.
AMMAN Syrian army command said on Friday Israel had fired rockets at a major military airport west of the capital Damascus and warned Tel Aviv of the repercussions of what it said was a "flagrant" attack.Syrian state television quoted the army as saying several rockets were fired from an area near Lake Tiberias in northern Israel just after midnight which landed in the compound of the airport, a major facility for elite Republican Guards, and warned it would take revenge for the attack.
(Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Editing by Sandra Maler)
This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Washington: US spy chief James Clapper and President-elect Donald Trump gave different accounts of a phone conversation they had about a dossier of unverified, salacious claims linking Russia to Trump, who is locked in a war of words with the intelligence agencies he will command in eight days.
A newcomer to politics, businessman Trump has been at odds with US spy agencies for months, disputing their conclusions that Russia used hacking and other tactics to try to tilt the 2016 presidential election in his favour. On Wednesday, he acknowledged the point but opened a new battlefront, responding to media reports of unsubstantiated claims that he was caught in a compromising position in Russia by accusing intelligence agencies of practices reminiscent of Nazi Germany.
In a Wednesday night statement Clapper, director of national intelligence, said that in a call with Trump he expressed his dismay over media leaks. Clapper added that he did not believe the leaks came from US intelligence agencies. Clapper said he emphasized to Trump that the report was not produced by US intelligence agencies and that they had not judged whether the information was reliable. He did not say the document was false. By contrast, Trump suggested in a tweet on Thursday that Clapper agreed that the report was untrue.
"James Clapper called me yesterday to denounce the false and fictitious report that was illegally circulated. Made up, phoney facts. Too bad!" Trump wrote.Democratic congressman Adam Schiff, an opponent of the Republican Trump, was asked by CNN on Thursday morning about Trump's characterization of Clapper's statement that the document was false."Sadly, you cannot rely on the president-elects tweets or statements about what he's receiving in intelligence briefings. And thats a real problem," said Schiff, the leading Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.
"If people really want to know what Director Clapper had to say to Donald Trump, do not rely on Donald Trumps tweets, rely on Director Clappers statement."At a news conference before speaking to Clapper, Trump accused US intelligence agencies of leaking the document to the media.
Two US officials said the allegations about Trump, which one called "unsubstantiated," were contained in a two-page memo appended to a report on Russian interference in the 2016 election given to Trump and President Barack Obama. CNN reported on Tuesday about the existence of the memo. BuzzFeed published a fuller 35-page document produced by a former British foreign intelligence official that outlined the allegations of compromising behaviour by Trump and his purported ties with people in Russia.The claims were included in reports about Trump known as opposition research reports prepared for political rivals of Trump during the 2016 presidential election campaign.
ANKARA Two Chinese nationals of Uighur origin were arrested on Friday for suspected links to the mass shooting in an Istanbul night club on New Year's Eve, state-run Anadolu agency said.Two suspects, Omar Asim and Abuliezi Abuduhamiti, who are Chinese citizens, were remanded in custody on charges of being members of an armed terrorist organisation, and aiding in 39 counts of murder.Turkish authorities last week said the man who killed 39 people in an attack on an Istanbul nightclub was probably an ethnic Uighur.Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was revenge for Turkish military involvement in Syria.
Anadolu news agency also said 35 people had been detained so far in relation to the attack. Uighurs were among those detained, local media reports said.The Uighurs are a largely Muslim, Turkic-speaking minority in far western China with significant diaspora communities across Central Asia and Turkey.
The suspect, who authorities have not named, shot his way into exclusive Istanbul nightclub Reina and opened fire with an automatic rifle, throwing stun grenades to allow himself to reload and shooting the wounded on the ground.
Among those killed in the attack were Turks and visitors from several Arab nations, India and Canada. (Writing by Ece Toksabay; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Anna Koper and Andrew Osborn
| WARSAW/MOSCOW
WARSAW/MOSCOW Poland on Thursday welcomed several thousand U.S. troops along with tanks and heavy equipment under a planned NATO operation to beef up its Eastern European allies, vexing the Kremlin, which said the troops' presence is a threat to Russia.The largest U.S.military reinforcement of Europe in decades of around 2,700 troops, out of 3,500 planned, arrived as part of operation Atlantic Resolve, aimed at showing Moscow Washington's commitment to its allies."The main goal of our mission is deterrence and prevention of threats," U.S. Army Colonel Christopher R. Norrie, commander of the 3rd Armoured Brigade Combat Team, said at a welcome ceremony in Poland's western city of Zagan.Poland and the Baltic former Soviet Republics requested U.S. and NATO troops after Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula in 2014, fearing further military operations in the region by President Vladimir Putin.The Kremlin, which has previously criticised NATO for its reinforcement in Eastern Europe, said on Thursday the deployment was an aggressive step along its borders."We consider this a threat to us," Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin's spokesman, told journalists on a conference call. "We are talking here about a third country stepping up its military presence in Europe near our borders."
MATTER OF INFLUENCE
Modernisation of the army has been a key priority for Poland's year-old government run by the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, which built its popularity partly on promising greater security capabilities.
On Thursday, Polish Defence Minister Antoni Macierewicz said on the state TVP Info news channel that the NATO deployment puts an end to Russia's influence in the region."Even after 1989 we had to continuously wonder whether the Russians won't veto this or that action," said Macierewicz, who has been seeking better ties and contracts with the U.S. military."Russia's veto power in Central Europe, in Poland, has ended once and for all."
Moscow, however, has already deployed in retaliation nuclear-capable Iskander missiles in its European exclave of Kaliningrad, in a move the U.S. State Department said was "destabilising to European security."The U.S. deployment to NATO's eastern flank includes more than 80 main battle tanks and hundreds of armoured vehicles. The military unit will rotate through several countries, including Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania."Their arrival is just one small but meaningful example of how we are quickly building combat power here," Norrie said. (Reporting by Andrew Osborn in Moscow and Anna Koper in Warsaw; Writing by Lidia Kelly in Warsaw; Editing by James Dalgleish)
This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Just like last year, the 2017 federal tax return deadline doesn't fall on the usual date of April 15. Federal tax payments and personal income tax filings for the 2016 tax year are due on April 18, 2017. Those who file in two U.S. states, Maine and Massachusetts, score an extra day -- their filings are due on April 19, 2017.
Why the different deadline?
Taxes are traditionally due on April 15, but the IRS pushes off the due date if it falls on a weekend or holiday. IRS Publication 54 explains that "when the due date for doing any act for tax purposes -- filing a return, paying taxes, etc. -- falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the due date is delayed until the next business day."
In 2017, April 15 falls on a Saturday. The next business day, Monday, April 17, is a holiday in Washington, D.C. (Emancipation Day). Therefore, taxes are due on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. A similar thing happened in 2016, when taxes were also due on April 18 instead of April 15.
Those who file in Maine and Massachusetts get an extra day due to Patriots Day. Therefore, if you file in either of these states, you'll have until Wednesday, April 19, to submit your taxes and make any necessary tax payments. I mean, really -- it's only right that a holiday named "Patriots Day" would push off a tax deadline.
Use extra days to your advantage
The last day to make a contribution to an IRA for any tax year is when taxes are due. Thus, since 2016 taxes are due on April 18, 2017, that's the last day to make a contribution to your individual retirement account for the 2016 tax year.
Individuals who are 50 or older can contribute up to $6,500 to an IRA during a tax year, whereas younger savers can contribute $5,500. Making a contribution to an IRA before the tax deadline is a great way to catch up if you didn't maximize your IRA contribution during the last calendar year. It's not just a smart decision for your future; making a contribution to a traditional IRA can potentially reduce taxes you owe or result in a larger refund for the 2016 tax year.
What if you need more time to file your taxes?
It's not always possible to get your tax returns filed before the April deadline. Some tax forms get lost in the mail, and your accountant might not have time to squeeze you in before the April 18 deadline. Life happens. But the IRS is pretty forgiving.
You can file for an extension with Form 4868, which gives you until Oct. 17, 2017, to file your 2016 taxes. Importantly, an extension is only for paperwork. It doesn't extend the time you have to pay any taxes that may be due. For this reason, it's smart to make an estimated tax payment before the April deadline, to avoid penalties or interest on unpaid tax balances.
Dont blink, you could miss it. Technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, forcing companies to either adapt or get left behind.
There is no limit as the technology evolves as to what we can do with a lot of this autonomous capability, Charles Clowdis, transportation analyst for IHS, said. We just scratched the surface.
Agriculture, trucking and other industries have all invested in the use of autonomous vehicles, and now mining has set its sights on the technology, with Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) and Komatsu leading the charge.
In Australia, Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO), BHP Billiton (NYSE:BHP), and Fortescue Metals Group have all incorporated self-driving vehicles in their operations, using unmanned trucks to haul ore.
Our autonomous truck fleet has safely moved 240 million tons and now comprises 54 Caterpillar 793F trucks, representing approximately three quarters of the productive material movement for the Solomon Hub, Nev Power, CEO of Fortescue, told FOXBusiness.com.
And it has seen much success, not only in assuring safety, but also in efficiency. At Fortescues Solomon Hub operations, the mine utilizing self-driving trucks resulted in a 20% productivity improvement compared to the regular fleet, said Power.
Commodity prices have hit all-time lows, resulting in sluggish sales for equipment manufacturers and mining companies. So, why arent mines employing the technology in the United States in an effort to revitalize an industry in need of a new strategy?
Everyone knows autonomy is coming, and a lot of them are taking small steps. There just hasnt been the availability of capital or appetite, Drew Larsen, director of business development for ASI System Integration: Technology consulting + System integrators, said.
But that appetite is changing.
Its going to be a really critical technology for our mining business going forward. Theres tremendous pull from our customers now, starting really with their truck fleets and their drills, Jim Hawkins, director of technology enabled solutions for Caterpillar, said. I would expect in the next couple of years, we'll have autonomous trucks running in North America.
Unlike a truck with a person behind the wheel, autonomous vehicles dont need to take lunch breaks, or go to the restroom they can run 24 hours a day, seven days a week with only minimal stops for refueling.
Self-driving technology can result in a 15% to 20% increase in production, as well as reducing costs in fuel and maintenance, according to a study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development.
But as technology improves, the fear of job loss becomes a prominent issue. Just like in other transportation sectors where autonomous vehicles are eliminating the need for human drivers, mining companies self-driving fleets pose the same problem.
You used to have to have a driver that climbed up the ladders to get into those thousand-ton behemoths that hauled ore around from the pit to the smelter or whatever, said Clowdis. Now, if you can automate that, which I understand Broken Hill [in Australia] and all those big, big miners are doing, then yeah I can see [how] that could be an issue for jobs yeah absolutely.
However, Clowdis went on to add that he believes the workforce will adapt.
Although Caterpillar acknowledges there will be fewer truck driving jobs, Hawkins noted that the technology offers new opportunities in different areas such as a control center, where people can manage these self-driving trucks remotely.
More and more mining companies are developing a serious interest in autonomous technology, and Caterpillar has a number of deals kind of in negotiations and development at this point, said Hawkins.
Although Newmont Mining (NYSE:NEM), one of the larger mining companies in the U.S., wouldnt directly state whether theyre testing or planning to incorporate self-driving vehicles at their sites in the U.S., CEO Gary Goldberg said the company is, harnessing advances in automation, and integrating its information and operation technology systems to achieve the next tranche of safety and productivity improvements.
He went on to add, We use semi-autonomous equipment that can be operated remotely in our underground mines, and automated drill rigs that drill blast patterns more quickly and accurately in our surface mines.
The functional capabilities of this technology have offered new life to the mining industry, a report by Deloitte found, even claiming that companies could ultimately operate fully-autonomous mines in the U.S.
Absolutely. The technology is really there to do it today, its just a question of investment you know time and money to go do it, said Hawkins. The investment today is probably prohibitive to make a mine fully autonomous relative to the value prop, but that's quickly changing.
There is no doubt that mining is on the cusp of a major revolution, and autonomous technology is at the forefront of it all.
It's going to come faster than any of us are prepared for, said Clowdis.
Linda Bean, granddaughter of L.L. Beanas founder, on Friday said anti-Trump boycotts are part of a larger planato kill jobs.
aItas the bullies who want to go after, basically, our jobs,a she told the FOX Business Networkas Stuart Varney. aI believe itas just a smokescreen because the effect of a boycott is to kill jobs a boycotts and bullies kill jobs.a
Grabyourwallet.org recently called for a boycott of L.L. Bean (and 38 other stores including Walmart, Macyas and Bloomingdales), because Bean contributed $60,000 to a political action committee supporting President-elect Donald Trump. The Federal Election Commission said the donation exceeded the PACas individual donor limit of $5,000.
But Bean says the company shouldnat take heat for her political affiliations.
aIt was not the company donation. It was my personal donation and the company itself stays politically neutral,a she said. She noted that L.L. Bean has a ano endorsinga candidate policy.
The president elect thanked Linda for her support in a Tweet on Thursday.
Thank you to Linda Bean of L.L.Bean for your great support and courage. People will support you even more now. Buy L.L.Bean. @LBPerfectMaine Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2017
When asked if she would do it again, Bean said: aAbsolutely, I look at it as an opportunity.a
She added, aEvery one of these setbacks gives you an opportunity to say how great America is. How great it is to be free to vote for your own candidate and set the record straight.a
More on this... Linda Bean Calls Boycott Un-American, Trump Says Thank You in Tweet
Bean also discussed what itas like to be a conservative in the business world.
aYou know there are not many people who are in the upper-echelons of businessaprivate enterprise, who are Trump supporters,a said FBNas Varney. aThat is an elite group and the elites largely are for the left. Am I right there?a
aWell itas a strange paradox because look at whatas happened [with] the stock market,a she replied. aThose are the guys that are probably right there. Are they saying one thing and putting their money in another place?a
aBut you are an exception,a Varney responded. aMost people in the executive suite, I think, Iam told are for the left, not specifically [and] desperately for Donald Trump. Youare an exception to the rule.a
aIave always been maybe a little bit of a rebel,a answered Bean.
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) on Thursday said he hasnt changed his mind about the need to overhaul Medicare, but he also signaled that President-elect Donald Trump who made a campaign pledge to leave entitlements alone if elected -- hasnt, either.
"We've had a couple of conversations about it. Look, we don't all agree on everything. It's - I think people kind of know that," Ryan said during a televised town hall.
Earlier in the week, incoming White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus said more of the same.
I dont think President-elect Trump wants to meddle with Medicare or Social Security, Priebus said during a weekend talk show. He made a promise in the campaign that that was something that he didnt want to do.
Robert Quinlan, managing member of Quinlan Care LLC, discussed with FOXBusiness.com some already planned changes coming to Medicare in 2017, and what to expect under the new Trump administration.
Boomer: What changes should we expect for Medicare in 2017?
Quinlan: The annual deductible for Medicares Part B to cover doctor bills is slated to increase this year to $204 from $166 in 2016. We can also expect to see higher premiums and deductibles rise for Medicares Part D plans to cover our prescription drugs.
Boomer: Any predictions about the future of our current health plans and Medicare under the upcoming Trump administration?
Quinlan: I am expecting that President elect Trump will repeal portions of the current federal Affordable Care Act (ACA, sometimes called Obama Care) in the first 100 days of his administration. Some political watchers predict that he will execute a repeal and delay strategy to immediately repeal certain portions of the ACA, like the current IRS penalty if you do not have any health insurance. Under this scenario, we would experience a delay in new health care reform legislation until Congress passes new health provisions in 2017 or into 2018. Medicare changes will also be likely be proposed in 2017 or in 2018.
Trump has nominated Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Price of Georgia to be head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which regulates a large portion of our health care system. Price is a medical doctor/surgeon, and has been a sharp critic of the Affordable Care Act. He and others in our Congress have proposed major changes to Medicare like raising the age of eligibility for Medicare to age 66 or 67 (currently at age 65) and increasing Medicare premiums.
The bigger change to achieve more control over Medicares rising cost growth (swelling number of baby boomers and age-related expenses for illnesses from Americans) would be moving away from the current fee for service current model under Medicare Parts A and B and move into more private insurance health plans like the current Part C Medicare Advantage plans. Under this option called premium support, Medicare recipients would choose a private health plan and the federal government would make a predetermined contribution for medical expenses. Any unreimbursed balance due would be paid by the recipient. This option would be of major concern to many Americans who live on a fixed income with limited lifetime savings.
Boomer: How do I know what my monthly premium will be for my Medicares Part B that covers 80% of my doctor visits and outpatient procedures?
Quinlan: Your monthly premium for Part B is based on your annual income. The 2017 base monthly premium is $134, but not everyone is paying this amount. For people who have their Part B monthly premium directly deducted from their monthly Social Security retirement check (the majority of Americans choose this option) these Medicare recipients will pay less than the base monthly premium of $134. These people (about 70% of Social Security recipients) will be treated with a lower monthly premium under a provision called hold harmless in federal law. The average Part B premium protected by this hold harmless provision will be $109.
If your income is equal to or below $85,000 for an individual ($170,000 for couples), the 2017 base premium is $134. If your income is between $85,001 and $107,000 (and $170,001 and $214,000 for couples), the 2017 premium will rise to $187.50. Above $214,000 ($428,000 for couples) in annual income, the monthly premium will be $428.60.
However, not everyone is protected by the hold harmless provision. This provision will not protect you (you will face higher premium than the base premium) if you are new to Medicare (enrolled in 2016 or 2017) and people already paying higher-income related premiums like those in the above paragraph. In these cases, you will face higher monthly premiums for your Medicare Part B coverage.
Boomer: What if my annual income changes from one year to another?
Quinlan: The Medicare Part B premium and Part D for prescription drug coverage are based on your annual income from two years ago. So your 2017 premium for Medicare Part B will be based on your annual income in 2015.
VietJet Air has gone from start-up to Vietnam's largest private airline in five years. Now it is pushing overseas to keep up that growth and absorb a bumper order of more than 200 planes: no easy task in a cutthroat southeast Asian market.
The airline, which was set up in 2011, grabbed headlines with its bikini-clad flight attendants. It tapped a rich vein - a fast-growing economy and a young population that was starting to travel more.
But VietJet's next step will be more challenging, industry analysts and executives say, as it expands further beyond Vietnam into choked southeast Asia, competitive China or Russia, where VietJet's fleet of narrowbody jets would confine it to the country's east.
Infrastructure in the region is clogged and new airport slots are rare. Even Kuala Lumpur, a less crowded airport, is highly competitive, thanks to airlines like Air Asia .
That has raised questions about VietJet's ability to absorb one of the region's largest aircraft orders.
"(VietJet) have been extremely successful in the first five years but what they have done has been entirely domestic," said Singapore-based analyst Brendan Sobie at consultancy CAPA.
"The domestic market will start to slow and it is more difficult to expand internationally some people doubt that they can continue (growing) at the current rate."
According to CAPA, Vietnams domestic aviation market grew 30 percent in 2016 to 28 million passengers - nearly five times the growth rate of the broader economy.
At VietJet's gleaming offices in Ho Chi Minh City, its chief executive and founder, Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao - also Vietnam's first female billionaire - outlines plans to push into China, Australia and Russia, where she studied and first worked.
She dismisses concerns of excess competition, even in China, where local airlines have boomed. More than 10 Chinese carriers have begun flying since the aviation regulator relaxed a six-year suspension on new airline licences in 2013.
"Other countries are still doing business with China and VietJet also has its own advantages," she told Reuters.
"We can ally with Chinese airlines when wanting to expand in the countrys local market."
Unlike other new generation carriers in the region who have sought to set up alliances to gain clout without merging, VietJet has resisted.
TOO MANY PLANES?
Among the airline's most imminent concerns will be its large aircraft order - more than 200 planes, including more than 100 Airbus A320 family aircraft and 100 Boeing 737 Max 200s - a mixed approach rarely taken by low-cost or new generation airlines, who prefer to streamline engineering needs.
The Boeing order in particular, announced during a visit by U.S. President Barack Obama, prompted questions over whether the order was placed for political reasons. Thao dismissed this.
Industry sources, however, say some of the 200 planes on order may be subject to reconfirmation or other get-out clauses.
Thao says the airline has support to finance its orders, worth over $20 billion, but has given no detail. The group has 5 trillion dong ($221 million) in debt.
A Boeing spokesman said it had no change to its order. Airbus, which analysts say is most exposed to budget airlines in Southeast Asia including VietJet, declined to comment.
VietJet ended 2016 with some 40 aircraft but is targeting more than 200 by 2023.
And it is not without growth potential. Asia Pacific passenger growth is the fastest in the world. The carrier's pre-tax profit almost doubled last year to over $100 million and it sees its bottomline rising by almost a third this year, thanks to a low cost base.
An initial public offering to raise $170 million valued VietJet at $1.2 billion. Shares start trading in February.
"So far, so good," said analyst Shukor Yusof of Endau Analytics, describing growth so far as 'a feat'.
"But I'm a bit skeptical if this rapid growth can be sustained without affecting the airline's bottomline."
(Reporting by My Pham and Mai Nguyen in HANOI; Additional reporting and writing by Clara Ferreira Marques in SINGAPORE; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
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The energy industry is a global colossus in the overall economy, and oil giant and Dow component Chevron (NYSE: CVX) plays a key role in delivering oil and natural gas to the world. The integrated oil company combines exploration and production, pipeline and transmission, and refinery and marketing assets under a single corporate umbrella, and investors have seen good share price performance as well as healthy dividends that put Chevron's yield among the highest in the Dow. Yet one thing investors haven't seen from Chevron lately is a stock split, and some are getting impatient as the stock has climbed back into triple digits. Below, we'll look more closely at the history of Chevron stock splits to see whether the oil company is likely to make a move in 2017.
Image source: Chevron.
Chevron stock splits in the past
Here are the dates and split ratios for the stock splits that Chevron has done in the past:
Date of Split Split Ratio Feb. 14, 1951 2-for-1 May 18, 1956 2-for-1 Nov. 9, 1973 2-for-1 Feb. 6, 1981 2-for-1 May 11, 1994 2-for-1 Aug. 19, 2004 2-for-1
Data source: Chevron investor relations.
As you can see, Chevron has done stock splits when the company decided it was appropriate. With average annual returns of nearly 12% over the past 45 years, investors have been pleased with Chevron's long-term performance.
When Chevron has historically done stock splits
Chevron's stock split history points to past practices that were fairly common not only in the energy industry but across the stock market. In the run-up to its 1973 split, the stock climbed as high as $90 per share, motivating the oil company to do its first split in 17 years. After a long period of stagnant industry conditions, the oil boom in the late 1970s and early 1980s sent Chevron's share price as high as $117, and shortly thereafter, a split took Chevron's stock back below the $50 per share mark.
After Chevron's 1981 split, oil prices plunged, and that kept further splits unnecessary for a long time. It wasn't until 1994 that Chevron stock again climbed into the $90s, and the ensuing split continued the oil company's routine.
Interestingly, though, Chevron hasn't always taken every opportunity to do a split. In 1999, the stock price briefly climbed into triple digits, topping out at $105 per share. Yet Chevron didn't do a split at that point, and the ensuing bear market in stocks took care of the high stock price naturally. Only in 2004, when the stock again vaulted above $100, did Chevron pull the trigger one final time.
Why Chevron didn't do a stock split recently
Over the past 13 years, Chevron has exercised restraint in a way that has proven justified. In early 2008, the latest oil boom helped send Chevron shares to nearly $105, but the ensuing financial crisis posed a major setback for the company. It took until 2011 for the stock to regain triple-digit levels.
Yet from 2011 to 2014, Chevron quite consistently traded in the $110-$135-per-share range without doing a stock split. That seemed to signal a change in thinking. Even after 2015's oil price plunge sent the stock as low as $75 per share, Chevron managed to hold its own, and the subsequent recovery once again has put Chevron at a level at which the company would typically have done a stock split in the past.
Will Chevron do a split soon?
For its part, Chevron hasn't been outspoken on the question of whether it will split its stock in the future. Its quarterly conference calls haven't mentioned the issue, and Chevron's larger rival in the industry hasn't made any hints of doing a stock split, either.
That's not terribly surprising, given the changing attitude toward splits and share prices. Now, investors don't balk at all at a stock that costs more than $100 per share. Indeed, some companies seem to see high stock prices as a sign of fundamental success.
Chevron investors shouldn't expect a stock split to come in the near future. If a big jump in oil prices were to deliver extremely strong stock returns, then it's possible that share price gains above the all-time high near $135 could eventually spur a reaction. Regardless, long-term investors have to be happy with the profits that Chevron has produced for them over the years.
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Transcription
1 Language policy and language learning in Macedonia Which lessons may be adopted from the Swiss model? Gezim Xhaferri (Tetovo) Abstract The following paper will investigate the acquisition of Macedonian languages in public schools and universities, focusing on the Albanian and Macedonian languages. As the saying goes: "The more languages you speak, the more human you are". Abiding by this proverb, the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia should be encouraged to become multilingual by learning the national languages. The acquisition of the national languages in a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country like Macedonia is, in my opinion, a necessary step toward the establishment of smooth and peaceful communication between the country's two largest cultural groups (Macedonians and Albanians), and is therefore also a prerequisite for the successful integration of every citizen into their home country's society. This paper also investigates Switzerland's multilingual and multicultural society, which serves as a successful and positive example of how a nation can deal with a multilingual population and the integration of its population. With this in mind, the question is raised here whether the model of Switzerland's language policy and national language instruction can perhaps also serve as an example for the Republic of Macedonia. 1 Introduction The main objective of this paper is to gain new insight into the learning of local languages in the Republic of Macedonia, with the emphasis on the education system and the teaching of Macedonian and Albanian in the schools. The Republic of Macedonia, which is located in southeastern Europe, was admitted under the provisional reference of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia which resulted from a dispute with Greece about its name. Macedonia as a political entity dates back to 1945, having been one of the former Yugoslav Republics. In 1991, Macedonia declared its independence. In 2001, there was an armed ethnic conflict between the UCK (Albanian Liberation Army) and the Macedonian security forces. As a result of this conflict, substantial changes have been made to the Constitution, which resulted in the signing of the Ohrid Framework Agreement. This Agreement was supposed to grant more rights to the ethnic Albanians in the country. However, this Agreement has not been fully implemented, and is often misinterpreted by Macedonian politicians. Since 2005, Macedonia holds the status of a candidate for entry into the European Union. Macedonia is a multilingual country, with Macedonian being spoken by 64% of the total population of approximately 2 million people, and Albanian being spoken by 25% of the population. Besides these two languages, there are other minor languages spoken, such as Turkish, Serbian, Rumanian, Roma, etc. Language is the main pillar of preserving the identity of a nation. Identity is valued by a nation or an individual as a part of existence. It should be emphasized here that while the choice of a language should be considered as a main part of one's identity, it is also a crucial component
2 30 and tool towards the preservation of a group's identity, as well as a protective weapon in possible social conflicts (cf. Kummer 1990, cited in Angeleska 2006: 90). The most important issue for a minority is its use of the language as an instrument to organize public life in a given society (cf. Auburger 1992, cited in Angeleska 2006: 90). According to John Edwards (1984), school is considered to be one of the most important instruments for fostering ethnic identity, where the majority and minority rules influence each other on social matters. Learning two languages equally, and above all, using them as a means of communication between the minority and majority, is in my opinion a must towards communication without difficulties between the ethnic groups. Bilinguality also encourages the citizens of a given multilingual and multiethnic country towards an efficient education which will create a set of preconditions for successful integration of every citizen in a multicultural, multiethnic, multilingual society such as Macedonia. 2 Language policy in Macedonia Looking at the language policy in Macedonia, it should be emphasized that its main problem within the internal politics of Macedonia is the lack of legal regulations ensuring the status of the Albanian language as a legitimate mother tongue. This shortcoming affects 25% of the total population of the Republic of Macedonia. The signing of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, which put an end to the armed conflict between the UCK (Albanian Liberation Army) and the Macedonian armed forces in 2001, led to legal regulations, especially the modification of the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia. The Ohrid Framework Agreement clearly stated that, in addition to the Macedonian language and its Cyrillic letters, the official languages are obliged to include the language of any other ethnicity which makes up more than 20% of the total population of the country. Based on this agreement, the Albanian language and its Latin letters, which is the language of 25% of the total population in the Republic of Macedonia, is an official language of the country. It is obvious that the Macedonian negotiators were careful enough not to include the term "the Albanian language" in the new Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia. Even to this day, the Ohrid Framework Agreement, especially those parts that refer to use of the Albanian language within the country, is not fully implemented. In my opinion, the language policy of the country should regard both the Albanian and Macedonian languages equally. The Swiss language policy could serve as a very good model, as Switzerland is also a multilingual country. Starting with the education system of the Republic of Macedonia and the overall conditions regarding the learning of foreign languages in the country, I shall focus on the learning of local languages, i. e., on how the Macedonian and Albanian languages, as the main languages used in the country, are taught and learned. 3 The education system in the Republic of Macedonia The learning of foreign languages in the Republic of Macedonia starts in the first grade, i. e., at the age of 6, when English is introduced to the students as the first foreign language. In the 4 th grade, local languages are introduced to the students, with Albanian speakers obliged to learn Macedonian; by contrast, Macedonian speakers are not obligated to learn Albanian. Starting with grade 6, there are two other foreign languages introduced to the students on a compulsory basis. Students are given a choice between German and French. Students study all these languages until they finish their secondary education. In the last 20 years, there is an increased interest in learning German, although according to the official statistics of the Bureau for Development of Education of the Republic of Macedonia, French is still the second most popular language after English. In one way, the statistical data shows that the Republic of Macedonia is actually complying with the recommendations of the European Council regarding the strengthening of a multilingual and multicultural Europe, where each European citizen will
3 Gezim Xhaferri: Language policy and language learning in Macedonia 31 be able to speak at least two foreign languages in addition to his/her native language. On the other hand, the language policy of the Republic of Macedonia is very worrying in that Macedonian students do not learn one of the official languages of the country, Albanian. What is the situation regarding the learning of a second foreign language or a second local language, Macedonian or Albanian? Keep in mind that Macedonia, as a multilingual and multicultural society since its independence in 1991, imposes on the Albanian children the requirement to learn Macedonian starting with the 4 th grade, but the Macedonian educational system does not require the learning of Albanian by Macedonian students. From this, it can be concluded that when the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Macedonia refers to integration into a multiethnic and multilingual society, they solely mean the integration of the Albanian community into Macedonian society. I believe that the current language policy will not result in the successful integration of Macedonian society. Rather, the two largest communities need to be integrated equally into each other, a trend that has worked well in highly civilized and developed countries of Western Europe. At this point I raise the question: How would ethnic Macedonian citizens be integrated in the regions of Western Macedonia with 55% to 80% Albanian native speakers (cities such as Tetovo, Gostivar, Debar, Struga, Kicevo, etc.) when they are not learning the Albanian language? For a better integration of the Macedonian citizens into the regions dominated by an Albanian speaking population, knowledge of the local languages is of crucial importance for a successful multilingual society in the future. Instead of requiring the teaching of Albanian in elementary and secondary schools for Macedonian students (unlike Albanians who have been obliged to learn Macedonian since 1946), the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Macedonia, in January 2010, asserted that the Albanian children are "privileged" to start learning Macedonian from the 1 st grade in addition to their mother tongue. This was done without any psycholinguistic studies, neither didactic nor linguistic analysis, without public debates and without the involvement of experts from the field. The situation becomes even more difficult when students start to study English as a foreign language. The Macedonians, on the other hand, are at an advantage because they only have to learn Macedonian and English. By enacting this policy, the Macedonian politicians make it clear that the Macedonian language should dominate the Albanian language, despite the fact that it is spoken by more than 20% of the total population of the country, and by more than 8 million people in the region. These facts should be seen as motivation for Macedonian children to learn Albanian in order to facilitate better communication between the two ethnicities. We must not forget that the European Council recommends that all its member countries, as well as the EU countries, should learn the languages of their neighbors as often as they can. Citing the mental overload of Albanian children resulting from the decree of the Minister for Education of the Republic of Macedonia (according to which Albanian children should learn Macedonian starting with the 1 st grade), the parents of the children boycotted the learning of Macedonian. At the same time, they argued their case at the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Macedonia. A couple of months ago, the Constitutional Court decided in favor of the parents and struck down the law of the Ministry of Education. This supports the fact that overly hasty and politically-motivated decisions are often frivolous, unprofessional, and without any scientific foundation. Acting as a model of multilingualism for southeastern Europe as a whole is the South East European University in Tetovo. This University was founded in 2001, and in addition to English, the university offers, for the first time, Albanian language courses to the Macedonian speakers and Macedonian courses to Albanian students. This University was founded by the EU and the USA, which both support higher education in the Albanian language.
4 32 4 Would Swiss language policy be an appropriate model for the Republic of Macedonia? In my opinion, at the level of a country as a whole, a very good model for the learning of foreign and local languages in the Republic of Macedonia is the Swiss model. This is due to the fact that Macedonia is a multiethnic, multilingual and multicultural country, just like Switzerland. In multilingual Switzerland, there are 4 different languages spoken; German by 63.7% of the population, French by 20.4%, Italian by 6.5%, and the Retoroman dialects by only 0.5%. The Swiss politicians and authorities have intensively discussed the issue of the children's age in learning languages. Is it appropriate to start with English as a first foreign language, or should they start with one of the national languages? In 2004, the Swiss conference of Cantonal directors came to the decision that, starting from 2010 through 2012 at the latest, elementary school children in all obligatory public schools should learn two of the national foreign languages and one additional foreign language, English. In Central Switzerland where German is spoken, a 3/5 model was decided upon, which requires English to be taught starting from the 3 rd grade, with French added from the 5 th grade onwards. Up until now, German-speaking Swiss children learned only one foreign language, French. On the other hand, a group of researchers from the Education University in Central Switzerland in Luzern, lead by the Haenni Hoti (2009), has studied a new model in the framework of the national research program (Nationales Forschungsprogramm), known to the Swiss public as "Multilingualism and the language competences in Switzerland". This study, which examines the learning of the third language, has shown that the new model, including English from the 3 rd grade and French from the 5 th grade, is more effective than the old model. As such, it does not represent a threat to the children's motivation. This means that the language competences in the first foreign language, English, have a positive effect over the second foreign language, French. In other words, those who have previously studied English will learn French more efficiently. It has become clear that studying these languages in the reverse order would prove to be equally successful, said Haenni Hoti. Discussions among Swiss parents in many Swiss cantons regarding the introduction of English as a first language before one of the national languages, such as French, are highly controversial. The Western Swiss Cantons those located on language boundaries as well as Ticino believe that this approach endangers national cohesion. The Eastern Swiss Cantons, however, argue that this policy is based upon the prospective of market demands as well as the globalization phenomena (see "Die Einfuhrung des Englischen als erste Fremdsprache an Schweizer Schulen: vom Mythos zur Realitat" 2009). 5 Conclusion Swiss language policy towards the learning of foreign languages and/or national ones would be a very suitable model for a multilingual Macedonia. While, in Switzerland, German-speaking children learn French, and French speaking children learn German, in Macedonia, Albanian speaking children learn Macedonian but Macedonian speaking children do not learn Albanian. In contrast to the Swiss practice of English learning at 3 rd grade, starting early English language from the 1 st grade has become the practice in Macedonia, and for many reasons cannot be stopped. In addition, the second foreign language, the alternate national one, should begin as it does now with the 4 th grade. However, it should not only be offered to the Albanian speaking children, but to the Macedonian as well, just as in the Swiss education system.
5 Gezim Xhaferri: Language policy and language learning in Macedonia 33 References Angeleska, Meri (2006): "Sprache der Minderheit im Bildungssystem der Republik Makedonien Spaltung oder Integration? Fallstudie am Beispiel der albanischen Minderheit". In: Giemann, Hans-Joachim/Schneider, Patricia (eds.): Reformen zur Friedenskonsolidierung. Forschungen im Akademischen Netzwerk Sudosteuropa, Hamburg, Institut fur Friedensforschung und Sicherheitspolitik an der Universitat Hamburg: (= Hamburger Beitrage zur Friedensforschung und Sicherheitspolitik 144). Auburger, Leopold (1992): "Sprachminderheiten und die Stabilitat pluralistischer Gesellschaften. Systemtheoretische Uberlegungen". In: Seewann, Gerhard (ed.): Minderheitenfragen in Sudosteuropa. Munchen, Oldenbourg: "Die Einfuhrung des Englischen als erste Fremdsprache an Schweizer Schulen. Vom Mythos zur Realitat" (2009). accessed February 10, (= Nationales Forschungsprogramm Sprachenvielfalt und Sprachkompetenz in der Schweiz NFP 56). Edwards, John (1984): "Language, diversity and identity". In: Edwards, John (ed.): Linguistic minorities, policies and pluralism. London, Academic Press: Haenni Hoti, Andrea (2009): "Fruhenglisch fuhrt zu besseren Franzosischkenntnissen". (= Pressemitteilungen Schweizerischer Nationalfonds ). englisch_franzoesischkenntnisse.pdf, accessed February 15, Kummer, Werner (1990): "Sprache und kulturelle Identitat". In: Dittrich, Eckhard J./Radtke, Frank-Olaf (eds.): Ethnizitat. Wissenschaft und Minderheiten. Opladen, Westdeutscher Verlag: Ohrid Framework Agreement, accessed June 8, 2010.
European carmakers were drawn into widening investigations into diesel emissions cheating on Friday, with French prosecutors examining Renault and British authorities seeking answers from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV.
Volkswagen's admission that some of its diesel vehicles were fitted with devices which hid their true level of emissions has sparked a global regulatory push to combat excessive pollution and intense scrutiny of the carmakers.
Shares in Renault fell more than 4 percent to their lowest level in around a month after a source at the Paris prosecutor's office said it had launched a judicial investigation into possible cheating on exhaust emissions at the French carmaker.
Renault was not immediately available for comment. Its shares later recovered some ground, but still underperformed a positive pan-European STOXX Europe Autos index.
The French clampdown follows allegations by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday that Fiat Chrysler, like Volkswagen, was using illegal software to hide excess diesel emissions.
The European Commission said it had been informed about the "worrying" EPA allegations and would look at what implications they might have for the European Union.
We will now work with the EPA, national member state authorities and of course Fiat in order to establish potential implications for vehicles sold in the EU, it said.
The European Commission has limited powers to force polluting cars off European roads, since vehicle licensing in the EU is still conducted on a national level.
SEEKING INFORMATION
Britain said it was urgently seeking information from the EPA over its allegation that Fiat Chrysler used hidden software to allow excess diesel emissions to go undetected.
"We are urgently seeking further information from the US Environmental Protection Agency... and will also be seeking information from the manufacturer regarding vehicles in the UK market," a spokesman at the Department for Transport said.
Fiat Chrysler Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne angrily rejected the allegations on Thursday, saying there was no wrongdoing and Fiat never attempted to cheat emissions rules with software detecting a vehicle was in test mode.
Fiat's volatile shares surged 7 percent in Europe, after falling sharply in U.S. trading on Thursday, and were trading 3.5 percent higher at 1140 GMT.
The automaker's stock has risen by around 70 percent this year since Donald Trump's election, on expectations of less stringent emissions policies under the next U.S. administration.
But carmakers continue to face scrutiny in Europe. Earlier this week the European Commission called on Italy to cooperate with a German probe investigating allegations that the Fiat 500X, Fiat Doblo and Jeep Renegade models were equipped with illegal cheating software. Fiat rejects the allegations.
Germany's motor vehicle authority KBA began testing the vehicles of several foreign manufacturers as part of a blanket probe of vehicle emissions after the Volkswagen scandal first came to light.
And the country's transport ministry asked the European Commission to investigate Fiat's emissions after being stonewalled by Italian authorities.
(Additional reporting by Alissa de Carbonnel in Brussels and Costas Pitas in London; Writing by Edward Taylor; Editing by Alexander Smith)
The U.S. Justice Department on Thursday said it would probe a Federal Bureau of Investigation decision to announce an inquiry into Hillary Clinton's emails shortly before the November presidential election, a move she has blamed as a factor in her defeat.
The Justice Department's Office of Inspector General said in a statement that its investigation would focus in part on decisions leading up to public statements by FBI Director James Comeyregarding the Clinton investigation and whether they may have been based on "improper considerations."
The controversy involved Clinton's use of a private email server for official correspondence when she was secretary of state under President Barack Obama, including for messages that were later determined to contain classified information.
The office of Inspector General Michael Horowitz said it decided to open the review "in response to requests from numerous chairmen and ranking members of congressional oversight committees, various organizations and members of the public."
Although the FBI ultimately decided not to refer Clintons case for prosecution, Democrats saidComey's announcement damaged her with voters right before the election, and he faced complaints that his moves were politically motivated.
Law enforcement authorities, including the FBI, by custom do not disclose information about investigations that do not end in criminal charges.
If the review finds evidence of misconduct, any officials involved would be referred for disciplinary action.
In a statement, Comey said the FBI would cooperate fully and he was "grateful" to Horowitz for the probe.
"He is professional and independent and ... I hope very much he is able to share his conclusions and observations with the public because everyone will benefit from thoughtful evaluation and transparency regarding this matter."
Brian Fallon, Clinton's spokesman, told MSNBC on Thursday that Comey's actions "cried out for an independent review."
Senator Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat in the U.S. Senate said Comey's statements were not fair, professional or consistent with the policies of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
President-elect Donald Trump, who will be sworn in Jan. 20, will not have the power to dismiss the probe. But federal law permits U.S. presidents to dismiss inspectors general for federal agencies, as long as the president provides Congress a written justification for the removal 30 days in advance.
Often leading crowds in chants of "lock her up!" during the election campaign, Trump as a candidate repeatedly accused Clinton of illegal conduct over the emails. In a debate in October, he vowed she would "be in jail" over the matter if he became president, but he has since said he would not pursue prosecution.
PRE-ELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT
Comey publicly announced the status of the agency's investigation into Clinton's emails two times in 2016.
In July, Comey held a press conference and testified before Congress to explain why the FBI had decided not to refer Clinton for prosecution, explaining that she was "extremely careless" but should not be charged with gross negligence or any other federal crime.
In October, less than two weeks before the Nov. 8 election, Comey sent members of Congress a letter saying the FBI was resuming the investigation because of new emails found on the computer of disgraced former Representative Anthony Weiner, the husband of one of Clinton's top aides.
U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch had informed Comey the day before he sent the letter that doing so would conflict with official Justice Department guidance that instructs employees to "never select the timing of investigative steps ... for the purpose of affecting any election."
Comey asked whether he was being explicitly directed not to send the letter, and Lynch never gave Comey the order not to do so, a senior government official told Reuters at the time.
On Nov. 6, Comey said the investigation into Weiner's computer produced no new evidence that would incriminate Clinton.
Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, on Thursday commended Horowitz for opening the probe.
"Conspicuously absent, though, is any specific reference to the attorney generals failure to recuse herself from the probe, particularly after her meeting with former President (Bill) Clinton," said Grassley in a statement.
That half-hour meeting, which took place in June on board Lynch's plane while it was parked on the tarmac in Phoenix, drew criticism that Lynch was politically biased and unfit to oversee the investigation into Hillary Clinton's email server.
Critics of Comey's decisions also said he could be in violation of the Hatch Act, a 1939 law that bars government employees from interfering with U.S. elections.
(Reporting by Timothy Ahmann, additional reporting by Ayesha Rascoe; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Updated at 9:46 a.m. ET
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (NYSE:FCAU) is firing back at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over allegations that the automaker failed to disclose its use of software allowing higher tailpipe emissions in two diesel-powered models.
Regulators say 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs and Ram 1500 pickup trucks have engine-management software that alters the way they emit pollution. Based on EPA tests, the vehiclesequipped with 3-liter diesel enginesemitted nitrogen oxides at levels exceeding federal standards under normal driving conditions.
For consumers, the vehicles are safe and legal to drive, EPA officials said on a conference call with reporters. The EPA has not told Fiat Chrysler to cease sales of the affected diesel-powered vehicles.
This is a preliminary investigation into a procedure that is legal. This is not the same thing as Volkswagen at this point, Rebecca Lindland, executive analyst at Kelley Blue Book, told FOXBusiness.com. Its one thing to use a calculator on a math test if its allowed. Its another thing if you dont tell anybody.
Fiat Chrysler is pushing back on the EPAs claims, arguing that its software meets regulatory requirements.
The Italian-American automaker issued a statement saying it has spent months providing voluminous information to the EPA and other government agencies in an attempt to explain its emissions-control technology. Fiat Chrysler also said it proposed multiple fixes, including software updates that could be implemented immediately.
Waiting for Trump
In a little more than a week, the EPA will have a new leader.
President-elect Donald Trumps pick to head the EPA, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, has been a longtime critic of the agencys policies. Fiat Chrysler conveyed its intent to work with the incoming administration to present its case and resolve this matter fairly and equitably and to assure the EPA and FCA US customers that the companys diesel-powered vehicles meet all applicable regulatory requirements.
The company added that it looks forward to the opportunity to meet with the EPAs enforcement division and representatives of the new administration to demonstrate that FCA USs emissions control strategies are properly justified.
Fiat Chrysler intends to show that its technology bears no resemblance to a defeat device, or software that turns on the emissions-control system when a test is underway.
The EPA, which stopped short of accusing Fiat Chrysler of cheating on emissions tests, has initiated an investigation.
Shares of Fiat Chrysler plunged as much as 16% on Thursday, eventually closing 10.3% lower. The stock dipped another 2.1% to $9.74 a share on Friday morning.
This isnt the only ongoing feud between the auto industry and the EPA. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers accused the EPA of cutting short a mid-term review of the Obama administrations fuel-economy rules. The EPA, which had expected to draft final standards by April 2018, instead issued a recommendation to keep the rules unchanged. In response, the industry said it would seek changes once Trump takes office.
No VW Ties
Fiat Chrysler stressed that the EPAs accusations are different than the diesel scandal that has plagued Volkswagen. Anyone who compares the two cases is smoking illegal material, CEO Sergio Marchionne told reporters.
Volkswagen has acknowledged that up to 11 million vehicles around the world were equipped with software that helped vehicles cheat on diesel-emissions tests. The German automaker will buy back or fix nearly 580,000 affected vehicles in the U.S.
In a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, Volkswagen pleaded guilty and agreed to pay $4.3 billion in fines. The DOJ also announced charges against six Volkswagen supervisors from Germany.
If I found a guy like that, I would have hung them on a door, Marchionne said when asked about employees potentially breaking the law, according to USA Today.
Renault also faced questions over its diesel-emissions controls this week. French authorities said Friday they are investigating whether the manufacturer cheated on emissions tests. Renault, which issued a recall last year for an emissions issue, said its vehicles comply with the law and dont contain cheating software.
It seems like Nicole Kidman's pitch for unity has backfired.
The Hawaii-born actress, who was raised in Australia, said it's time to let go and accept the results of the election.
"I would just say he's now elected," Kidman said in an interview with the BBC earlier this week. "And we as a country need to support whoever the president is, because thats what the countrys based on."
Kidman's comments were met with backlash on social media.
However, others were pleased to hear an opinion from Kidman that differs greatly from most of her Hollywood colleagues.
A restaurant just outside the nation's capital found a way to turn an unsavory rumor about President-elect Donald Trump into a golden opportunity-- but not without inciting some serious controversy.
Mark Bucher, owner of Community restaurant in Bethesda, Md., told Fox News.com that hisTrump-inspired Golden Showers burger was completely non-partisan and says it's just a joke.
The burger combo, (officially sold for just one day on Wednesday) included a beef patty topped with yellow self-tanning cheddar cheese, a heavy dose of yellow mustard-- and a tiny pickle topper. The dish was served with a fresh glass of lemonade.
The idea stemmed from a brainstorming session with Buchers cookbook partner Nevin Martell, a local food writer. The two are collaborating on a burger cookbook.
One of the chapters is 'Vanity' burgers, so, we had to take advantage of this mention. It was too out there. We had to jump on it, Bucher says.
The $20 meal included a side of golden fries and a lemon-glazed doughnut, for an "unforgettable happy ending. Additionally, $5 from each sale was donated to Planned Parenthood. Bucher believes the restaurant raised around $100 from the dish.
But he also raised some vehement reactions among pro-life supporters. Many took to Facebook and Twitter to denounce the dish, calling it "disgusting" and "inappropriate."
Eaterys Golden Shower burger mocks Trump, funds abortion https://t.co/dqpH3nCvIV via @worldnetdaily BOYCOTT THAT EATERY BANKRUPT THEM ! martin Baccetti (@tinimarty8) January 13, 2017
Students for Life of America also released a statement condemning the restaurant's use of humor to fund Planned Parenthood.
This restaurant can certainly do as it pleases and serve the food they want to but what a horrible business move to support the nations largest abortion vendor and not take a second to look at the scandal-ridden non-profit and maybe reconsider that decision, SFL President Kristan Hawkins said in a statement.
Pro-lifers were right to take the opportunity to use the Community Restaurants Facebook page to expose Planned Parenthood for the criminal enterprise that they are and publicly force patrons to rethink their support of the abortion giant.
But others found humor in the restaurant owner's culinary stunt.
Bucher says even after the promo ended people were lining up in droves to support the restaurant-- and the burger promotion. The restaurateur says a few people were even asking for the burger Thursday "so, we made it for them."
Bucher has done a few burger parodies in the past. There was the Charlie Sheen burger, offering a free side of coke.
But in this years highly sensitive political climate, Bucher says the Golden Showers burger was more controversial than intended.
This one kicked back pretty hard. I did it as fun or a parody, but Right to Life supporters mobilized in a millisecond. Just check out our social feeds, he says.
Despite some of the backlash, Bucher is still slated to serve his food at several upcoming inaugural events.
FOR THE LATEST FOOD FEATURES FOLLOW FOX LIFESTYLE ON FACEBOOK
His restaurant will cater a ball and a VIP dinner for the Creative Coalition, a nonprofit advocacy group made up of artists and entertainers. Members include Alec Baldwin, Seal, Sting, and Susan Sarandon.
It [the backlash from the Right to Life supporters] doesnt scare me or preclude me from doing it again. Its the discussion everyone wants to have, Bucher says.
I have a feeding ground of opportunities with the Obamas staying in Washington and the Trumps living a block away.
A breast cancer awareness campaign went viral after a 38-year-old patient shared the image of 12 lemons, each showing a different sign of breast cancer, on social media. Erin Smith Chieze originally found a similar image two years ago, and credited it with saving her life after she used it for reference and was subsequently diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. Her January 10 Facebook post was shared over 33,000 times.
I knew all about self exams, but a picture of what to look for keyed me into knowing I had a terminal disease, Chieze wrote in the post.
The post shows an image from the Worldwide Breast Cancer Organizations Know Your Lemons campaign, of 12 lemons each bearing a different defect that corresponds with a lesser-known symptom of breast cancer.
Chieze posted the image partly in response to a social media game where users posted hearts to secretly indicate breast cancer awareness support.
We need to give REAL information, not cute hearts, she wrote on Facebook.
The rapid popularity of the post left Chieze with mixed emotions.
"If feels odd," the full-time nursing student and mother told Bustle. "I just wanted to write a note to my friends and family, hoping to provide a visual tool similar to what I saw, that just might help someone else. But now knowing that this may reach a much larger audience, I feel grateful that maybe just one person out there will see it, get to their doctor and have the chance of much greater outcomes."
The most common symptom of breast cancer is usually a lump, but other symptoms are indicative:
These include blood stained nipple discharge, nipple inversion or flattening, dimpling or tethering including an orange-peel appearance of the skin over the breast, lumps in the armpit or neck, or any redness which may suggest inflammation or persistent pain, Kislaya Thakur, an expert at BMI The Blackheath Hospital in London, told The Sun.
About 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime, according to BreastCancer.org.
Transcription
1 Investigating land-use/cover changes along the East-West Economic Corridor in Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand Stephen Leisz Associate Professor of Geography Colorado State University
2 Objective Research question: what, if any, is the impact of improved transportation routes on land-use/land-cover change in the EWEC? Have rural and urban land-use/cover changes taken place within the corridor? What are the drivers of these changes? Has urban expansion/urbanization taken place? What is the nature of urbanization (extension of already urban areas, infilling, or rural urbanization)? What are the drivers of these changes? Are cross-border teleconnections evident in the corridor? What are they? Are they related to roads or other types of connectivity?
3 Study Area: The East West Economic Corridor from Khon Kaen, Thailand to Da Nang, Vietnam Initiated in 1992 as part of ASEAN Free Trade Area Objective: improve the regions connectivity and key sectors of the economy through improving the transportation infrastructure Funded by ADB, Japan, local countries
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5 Background conditions in the EWEC Central Vietnam Poorest region of the country Two historical urban areas (Da Nang, Hue) Southern Laos One of poorest regions of Laos Largest Province One urban area (Savannakhet) Northeast Thailand Poorest region of Thailand Poor agricultural potential Not well connected to capitol Largest urban area is Khon Kaen
6 Methods Fieldwork Ground truth data collection Interviews with province and district officials Targeted interviews Impact of EWEC from their perspective Recent changes drivers of those changes from their perspective Village/commune level research Focus group interviews Semi-structured interviews Random sample of households (n=30) Transects Livelihood systems Recent changes Land-use/cover change analysis Hypertemporal analysis of 212 scenes MODIS EVI data from 2002 to 2014 to identify areas of recent change (Kmeans unsupervised clustering, analysis of change in harmonic signature) Landsat multi-date analysis: Stacked NDVIs (1986 present) (unsupervised clustering ) Individual NDVI image thresholding Year-to-year change Identify details of recent changes Longer change trends (1986 to present) High resolution image analysis Ground truth for medium resolution data Evidence to support changes
7 Hypertemporal analysis Identified areas of change Evidence of urban infilling and expansion from 2006 to 2014 Evidence of rural land cover changes 2006 to 2014 Cluster busting is being done to further investigate areas Results: Vietnam
8 Da Nang Urban Areas in Vietnam Expansion of residential areas Infilling of urban areas New industrial zones Only 2 rural districts left in the Da Nang area
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11 Hue Urban growth in last decade Infilling of urban areas Expansion of city to southeast and northwest Thue-Tien Hue Province
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15 Dong Ha, Quang Tri Province Dong Ha newly constructed in last 20 years Extension of city to south (industrial zones) Some infilling (residential)
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18 Changes in Rural Areas in Quang Tri General trends Highway 9 upgraded Secondary roads connecting Highway 9 to villages built and/or upgraded Changes in agricultural crops / farming system Cassava for industrial purposes replacing upland rice in swidden systems; replacing acacia trees on upland fields Acacia trees replacing upland rice on some upland fields Question: are these changes evident on the landscape? Evidence from two cases
19 Case 1 near main corridor road - stacked NDVI (available Landsat 5, 7, 8 all images from March and April) - unsupervised classification (K-means) - interpreted to indicate land-cover change and direction of change
20 Case 1
21 Case 1
22 Case 1 Decrease in upland rice; Upland fields moved from distant mountain areas to the roadside; overall decrease in upland fields (?!) Houses/village center moved nearer to road, building material change, paved over paths, electricity Drivers Better connectivity (road upgrades) Information (middlemen, extension agents) introduction of hybrid cassava from Dong Ha Starch Factory
23 Case 2 recently connected to corridor roads - stacked NDVI (available Landsat 5, 7, 8 all images from March and April) - unsupervised classification (K-means) - interpreted to indicate land-cover change and direction of change
24 Case 2
25 Case 2
26 Case 2 Expansion of paved roads in commune/village Expansion of upland fields Introduction / expansion hybrid cassava Drivers Better connectivity (road extension, road upgrades) Information (middlemen, extension agents) introduction of hybrid cassava from Dong Ha Starch Factory, acacia extension agents, wood processing companies
27 Laos Results from fieldwork Savannakhet City has grown evidence it is further expanding Industrial zones created Increased tourism Rural factories have been built along East- West Highway New university
28 Changes in Urban Areas Savannakhet City Industrial zone expansion Edge expansion Infrastructure upgrades Drivers Connectivity with Thailand Tourism Factories University
29 Changes in Rural Areas 2 cases Case 1 near main corridor road Changing farming system; new crops integrated into swidden/fallow Banana cassava, Actinodaphne cochinensis tree (locally yam bon in Vientam boiloi ) Drivers Connectivity (road extension, upgrade of road conditions) Information (middlemen, extension agents) Introduction industrial banana (from Vietnam) Introduction hybrid cassava (from Vietnam) Demand for boiloi (from Vietnam)
30 Case 2 - near upgraded secondary road Changing farming / livelihood system; new crops and activities integrated into swidden/fallow Swidden rice transitioning to wet paddy Actinodaphne cochinensis tree (locally yam bon in Vientam boiloi ) Cattle Recent industrial banana Hybrid cassava Drivers Connectivity (road extension, upgrade of road conditions) Information (middlemen, extension agents) Cattle buyers (gained access after bridge built on secondary road from Vietnam) Demand for boiloi (from Vietnam) Introduction industrial banana (from Vietnam banana blight in Vietnam) Introduction hybrid cassava (from Vietnam)
31 Changes in Urban Areas Thailand In-filling of open areas within the cities Residential mainly Services Multi-local urban expansion not continuous / concentric along edges Drivers improved access to Bangkok Political considerations (from interviews)
32 Changes in Rural Areas Northeast Thailand Factories are being placed in NE Thailand rural areas Large factories agribusiness (starch factories, dairy, sugar, rice mills); non-agribusiness (Panasonic) Small family run factories (statue making) proliferating along roads Changes in farming / livelihood systems (family members working in local factories, not on land) Drivers Improved connectivity (road access) Information Weather in Bangkok area (recent consecutive year flooding) Questions What is the impact on farming - Do families decrease cropping? Increase? Or change annual crops to tree crops (less work)? How do village infrastructures change?
33 Conclusions (so far) Cross border teleconnections urban areas Vietnam Da Nang and Hue investment from outside of Vietnam (China, Japan, U.S.) and other locations in Vietnam (Hanoi and HCMC); demand from other locations for starch, tourist services Dong Ha political considerations (Hanoi); international and national investment / international and national demand (starch company, wood processing) Savannakhet Investments from Thailand, university (government investment), tourism (especially cross-border for visas from Thailand) Khon Kaen Investment from other areas in Thailand (pushed out by floods), international
34 Cross-border teleconnections (and cross-border urban to rural areas) Vietnam Industrial crops (cassava, acacia) Rural urbanization (especially in K lu - the beginnings of this?) Laos Cross-border trade in cattle (Laos -> Vietnam) Banana (disease pushed crop out of Vietnam, needed for food processing industry in Vietnam) Hybrid cassava introduced from Vietnam Demand for Actinodaphne cochinensis from Vietnam Factories from Thailand (industrial zones and sugar factories in rural areas); Factories from Vietnam (starch factory and wood processing) Thailand Factories in rural areas (relocating from other parts of the country); Rural urbanization (livelihoods and consumer tastes)
35 Overall Results and Conclusions (to date) EWEC has increased connectivity between countries Changes in farming and livelihood systems in rural areas leading to changes in both the land-use and the land-cover (image analysis for Vietnam; evidence from interviews in Laos) Expansion and infilling of urban areas evident in the image analysis (for Vietnam) Rural urbanization on-going in Thailand, starting in Vietnam, is Laos next? Tourism is a driver in all three countries External investments and international trade demands are drivers in Vietnam and Laos Overt government policies are drivers in Vietnam and Thailand Cross-border investments are direct drivers in Laos and indirect drivers in Vietnam Crop disease transmission is a driver in Vietnam/Laos What does all this mean regarding trees on the landscape?
36 Other activities of the project Presentation of initial results to provincial governments in Da Nang, Hue, Dong Ha
37 Two Trainings at Savannakhet Basics of remote sensing and satellite image processing University Fieldwork - Collection of socioeconomic data collection - Groundtruthing with GPS
38 Training of Students Master s student at CSU participated in fieldwork using data collected and analysis of Landsat Imagery in his thesis work. Master s Thesis: (working title) Teleconnections and landuse / cover changes in one village in central Vietnam (to be completed Fall 2015) Ph.D. student at Khon Kaen University Ph.D. student at Khon Kaen University is benefiting from analysis done in conjunction with this project (focus on changing rural livelihoods in Northeast Thailand) results are being incorporated into Ph.D. Dissertation
39 Initial Outputs Presentations Leisz, S. (2014) Road development, rural and urban land-cover changes and urban expansion. Urban Land Teleconnections from Concept to Implementation, Urban Transitions and Transformations, 2nd International UGEC Conference, November 6 8, 2014, Howard Civil Service International House, Taipei, Taiwan. Leisz, S. (2015) Rethinking the relationship between roads / connectivity and landuse/cover changes in the East-West Economic Corridor. South Dakota State University, March 16, Papers (in preparation more to come) Shirai, Y., A.T. Rambo (submitted) Structure and Income sources of rural households in a rice-growing village in Northeast Thailand. Journal of Southeast Asian Studies. Kyoto University. Nguyen Thi Bich Yen (draft) Su thay oi he thong cay trong thich ung voi phat trien co so ha tang va ieu kien khi hau: truong hop nghien cuu o thon Ta Lang, xa Hai Phuc, huyen akrong, tinh Quang Tri (Changing cropping systems as a function of the development of infrastructure and: case studies in the village of Ta Lang, Hai Phuc, akrong district, Quang Tri province) Working Title: Rethinking the role of roads and land-use/cover changes, the case of the East-West Highway from Da Nang, Vietnam, to Khon Kaen, Thailand. Working Title: Cross-border teleconnections and land-use changes, the case of Vietnam and Laos. Working Title: Teleconnections across scales, the case of Quang Tri Province in Vietnam.
40 Thanks to: Partners at Vietnam National University of Agriculture (previously Hanoi University of Agriculture) New Partners at Faculty of Agriculture and Environment at Savannakhet University Partners at Khon Kaen University Villagers in Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand who hosted us, and Local administrators in Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand who met with us and provided information and feedback The NASA LCLUC Program for its support of this project
41
42 Example Analysis Areas of no change Series1 Linear (Series1) Series1 Linear (Series1) Areas of some change in last 4 years Areas of change in last 7 years
If it sometimes seems like the idea of antibiotic resistance, though unsettling, is more theoretical than real, please read on.
Public health officials from Nevada are reporting on a case of a woman who died in Reno in September from an incurable infection. Testing showed the superbug that had spread throughout her system could fend off 26 different antibiotics.
It was tested against everything thats available in the United States and was not effective, said Dr. Alexander Kallen, a medical officer in the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions division of health care quality promotion.
Although this isnt the first time someone in the US has been infected with pan-resistant bacteria, at this point, it is not common. It is, however, alarming.
I think this is the harbinger of future badness to come, said Dr. James Johnson, a professor of infectious diseases medicine at the University of Minnesota and a specialist at the Minnesota VA Medical Center.
Other scientists are saying this case is yet another sign that researchers and governments need to take antibiotic resistance seriously. It was reported Thursday in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a journal published by the CDC.
The authors of the report note this case underscores the need for hospitals to ask incoming patients about foreign travel and also about whether they had recently been hospitalized elsewhere.
The case involved a woman who had spent considerable time in India, where multi-drug-resistant bacteria are more common than they are in the US. She had broken her right femur the big bone in the thigh while in India a couple of years back. She later developed a bone infection in her femur and her hip and was hospitalized a number of times in India in the two years that followed. Her last admission to a hospital in India was in June of last year.
The unnamed woman described as a resident of Washoe County who was in her 70s went into hospital in Reno for care in mid-August, where it was discovered she was infected with what is called a CRE carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae. Thats a general name to describe bacteria that commonly live in the gut that have developed resistance to the class of antibiotics called carbapenems an important last-line of defense used when other antibiotics fail. CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden has called CREs nightmare bacteria because of the danger they pose for spreading antibiotic resistance.
In the womans case, the specific bacteria attacking her was called Klebsiella pneumoniae, a bug that often causes of urinary tract infections.
Testing at the hospital showed resistance to 14 drugs all the drug options the hospital had, said Lei Chen, a senior epidemiologist with Washoe County Health District and an author of the report. It was my first time to see a [resistance] pattern in our area, she said.
A sample was sent to the CDC in Atlanta for further testing, which revealed that nothing available to US doctors would have cured this infection. Kallen admitted people in this field experience a sinking feeling when theyre faced with a superbug like this one.
I think its concerning. We have relied for so long on just newer and newer antibiotics. But obviously the bugs can often [develop resistance] faster than we can make new ones, he said.
Doctors and scientists who track the spread of antibiotic resistance the rapidly proliferating swarm superbugs see this case as a big red flag.
If were waiting for some sort of major signal that we need to attack this internationally, we need an aggressive program, both domestically and internationally to attack this problem, heres one more signal that we need to do that, said Lance Price, who heads the Antibiotic Resistance Action Center at George Washington University.
There is international recognition of the threat, which an expert report published last year warned could kill 10 million a year by 2050 if left unchecked. In September, the UN General Assembly held a high-level meeting on antibiotic resistance, only the fourth time the body had addressed a health issue.
The woman in Nevada was cared for in isolation; the staff who treated her used infection control precautions to prevent spread of the superbug in the hospital. Chen and Randall Todd, a health department colleague, told STAT testing was done to look for additional infections, but so far none have been detected.
Johnson said its likely, though, that other people in the US are carrying similar bacteria in their guts and could become sick at some point. Its possible that this is the only person in the US and she had the bad luck to go to India, pick up the bad bug, come back and here it is, we found her and now that shes dead, its gone from the US. That is highly improbable, he said.
People have asked me many times How scared should we be? How close are we to the edge of the cliff? And I tell them: Were already falling off the cliff, Johnson said. Its happening. Its just happening so far on a relatively small scale and mostly far away from us. People that we dont see so it doesnt have the same emotional impact.
Health officials in Ohio said nearly 50 people may have been exposed to tuberculosis (TB) in the neonatal intensive care unit at an Ohio hospital by a patient unaware of their diagnosis at the time. Those at risk of exposure include infants, visitors and staff, Fox 8 reported.
Officials said the person, who was identified as a Summa County resident, visited Akron City Hospital in November and December but was not diagnosed until January 3. TB bacteria typically attacks the lungs but can affect the kidney, spine and brain, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Not all who are infected with TB exhibit signs of illness, but those that do may complain of a persistent cough, pain in the chest, blood in phlegm, weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, fever, chills or sweating at night.
The risk for infection is low, but because TB can be more serious in young children we would like to evaluate these infants and begin them on a protective antibiotic, Dr. John Bower, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Akron Childrens Hospital, told Fox 8. We have set up a clinic and are providing this care at no cost to our patient families.
While officials stressed that there is no risk to the general public, caregivers, older children and other individuals who visited the unit during the same time period as the infected patient are encouraged to get tested for TB in 6 to 8 weeks.
This would be about 10 to 12 weeks after the last potential exposure, which is the time for the body to develop its response to the TB bacteria, Dr. Margo Erme, medical director of the Summit County Health Department, told Fox 8.
For more information, call Summit County Public Health at 330-375-2662, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or 330-283-6380 after hours or weekends. The county also created an FAQ page for the public.
I'm excited to tell you about my new book coming out on Feb. 7th! It's called "The Deplorables' Guide to Making America Great Again!"
After President Reagan brought morning to America, Conservatives went into hibernation. We grew complacent. And faster than you could say, "Read my lips," there was a community organizer bunking in the White House.
President Obama called us bitter. Hillary Clinton called us deplorable. But Donald Trump called us Americans. And he promised to make our nation great again.
But there is still a clear and present danger looming in the distances.
Yes. We elected Donald Trump. We saved the Supreme Court. And we're going to defend American sovereignty. But winning was just the beginning. My book offers practical advice on fighting and winning the war on traditional values.
It lays out the plan to fight back against the secular humanists and the gender revolutionaries and the social justice warriors.
My book has been endorsed by a who's who of deplorable Americans including Duck Commander Phil Robertson, Tony Perkins, Dr. Robert Jeffress, and the Benham Brothers.
Governor Mike Huckabee wrote: "The Deplorables' Guide to Making America Great Again" should be required reading for every high school student and every patriot in America. Page after page Todd reminds us that every generation has a responsibility to defend our freedom. Todd delivers a dose of deep-fried reality served up with a heaping helping of his signature Southern humor."
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Health care reform has been a big part of the election of 2016. While the Affordable Care Act (aka ObamaCare) has taken center stage, many have wondered what may happen to the pharmaceutical and medical device industries under a Trump presidency. Wednesday, President-elect Trump made the answer quite clear no more price gouging.
In the last year, we have all heard about the significant price hikes of the Epi Pen made by Mylan pharmaceuticals. Mylan and CEO Heather Bresch are just one example of price gouging, price fixing and collusion among pharmaceutical companies.
Many other drugs are also increasing in cost at alarming rates, without any real plausible explaination. Most concerning is the fact that while consumers have seen a 500 percent increase in the cost of the Epi Pen, Ms Bresch has seen a nearly 700 percent increase in her own salary over the last few years.
Mylan is definitely not alone in its greed. Last year the CEO of Turing, Martin Shkreli increased the price of an important (and relatively cheap) drug in the treatment of HIV related illness nearly 5000 percent.
Countless other cases of inflated drug prices have come to light in recent months.
In Europe, a precedent has been set when in late 2016 drug maker Pfizer was fined a record 85 million pounds by the National Health Service for unfairly raising the price of an old epilepsy drug by 2,400 percent.
It is clear that price gouging is not limited to newly developed or expensive biologic/designer drugseven the price of insulin (which has been around for decades) has gone up nearly 300 percent.
Insulin and other medicines like it are drugs that are used to treat common diseases (like diabetes) that many patients NEED daily just in order to LIVE.
Are we now going to allow some in the pharmaceutical industry to maximize their profits at the expense of the health of children with Type I diabetes?
Wednesday, President-elect Trump took dead aim at the pharmaceutical industry in his noon press conference. He made it clear that he will take steps to regulate the pharmaceutical industry because they are getting away with murder.
Mr. Trump stated that he will seek to immediately allow Medicare to negotiate drug pricesno longer will government programs be forced to pay whatever pharmaceutical companies ask.
He suggested that open bidding by suppliers to provide drugs for Medicare would be an important way to manage cost and potentially save billions of healthcare dollars.
Mr. Trump noted that the pharmaceutical lobby has been a dominant force in Washington and has been instrumental in keeping prices high. It appears that the President-elect will take quick steps to address the growing national crisis of drug costs.
Currently the U.S. pays far more for drugs than any other developed nation. We bear the costs of research and development for the rest of the world. While it is critical to innovation that we reward new developments, we must create limits to how much (and for how long) drug makers can charge exorbitant prices.
Its Time that We Hold Pharmaceutical Executives Accountable
As a physician and patient advocate, one of the biggest barriers to treatment in my practice is the cost of therapy.
Patients want to get well and want to do what is needed to stay healthy. However, many simply cannot afford to purchase their medicationseven with assistance programs.
Pharmaceutical companies MUST do better and I believe that President Trump will work to make sure that they provide quality products at AFFORDABLE prices in the future.
Congress MUST look at amending patent protection laws and must also review the rules and regulations concerning the production and cost of generic medications.
We must allow Americans to purchase drugs from reputable pharmacies from Canada and other locations in order to lower costs at home.
Most importantly we must ensure that our government does not overpay for common, low cost drugs simply to line the pockets of pharmaceutical executives and shareholders.
Initially following the election, drug stocks soared as investors anticipated less regulation and more free market competition in this space.
Wednesday, things retreated immediately following his comments with the health sector already down several percentage points. Mylan and Bristol Myers Squibb immediately dropped nearly 4 percent while others such as Pfizer and and Allergan dropped 3 percent.
It is my hope that leaders in the pharmaceutical world will begin to work with Mr. Trump and Congress to find better and most cost effective ways to lower the cost of needed and life saving prescription drugs.
It appears that with the signing of the 21st Century Cures Act in December, the process for getting drugs approved by the FDA will become much more streamlined and less costlyproviding a cost reduction to the pharmaceutical and device industries that should be passed along to patients.
I believe that in his press conference Wednesday, President-elect Trump showed that he is going to stand up for patients and work to reduce the cost of health care in the U.S.
While drug prices are just one aspect of a very complex system, I think that it is a great place to start.
Finally, my patients may be able to afford their pills.
There are many definitions of the Yiddish word chutzpah: temerity, audacity, nerve, are chief among them.
Any of these definitions aptly fit the upcoming, and grandly-named, Paris Conference on Middle East Peace. Seventy countries will soon gather in the French capital to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and more likely than not, will proposeor perhaps will try to impose a solution to it.
Israel will not be in attendance, and for good reason.
French authorities, in introducing the idea for this conference seven months ago, said that they were compelled to act on the issue, which they presumptuously profess was necessary to bring the parties together. The conference spokesman says that discussions will center within three working groups, dealing with civil society, institution building and economic assistance.
This all may have been another exercise in international conference futility, as the Geneva peace conferences of decades past attest, had it not been for the passage of Resolution 2334 in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the speech of Secretary of State John Kerry outlining his six principles late last month.
Huge assemblages of diplomats from dozens of countries, some of which dont even have relations with Israel, normally wind up letting off steam at these gatherings, and close with presumptuous declarations that either raise Palestinian expectations or frustrate Israel because they have never dealt with the rejectionism of the Palestinian camp.
But this time may be different.
Protestations coming out of Paris about not seeking to impose a settlement on the parties ring hollow. Armed with both the resolution and the Kerry declaration, the Palestinians, who will be attending the gathering, will seek to use the meeting to further isolate Israel. With friends like Sweden, which holds the presidency of the Security Council this month, mischief-making could very well be the order of the day.
The conventional wisdom is that the conference will endorse the Kerry principles, which placed the blame and onus on Israel for an absence of progress on a two-state solution, and send it on to the Swedish-chaired UNSC, for adoption. At that point, with the parameters not only enunciated by Kerry, but then backed by both the Paris Conference and the Security Council (how could the U.S. veto its own policy?), what would be left to negotiate?
It defies understanding how the French organizers, or any other parties, can still speak both of prejudging an outcome, as well as a serious return to direct negotiations.
Indeed, some Palestinian leaders rejected out of hand the Kerry parameters and called for negotiations within hours of the speech. Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Executive Committee member Mustafa Barghouti dismissed three of Kerrys points, saying that the refugee issue must still include the right of return, that the Palestinians would not recognize Israel as a Jewish state and that Kerrys proposal for Jerusalem being the capitol of two states did not go far enoughpresumably meaning that Israeli neighborhoods like Gilo and Har Homa would need to be evacuated in a final agreement.
In showing his hand, Barghouti underscores not just Palestinian rejectionism, but the Palestinian Authoritys (PA) incessant desire to wear down the international community and insist that it continue to attempt to marginalize and weaken Israel, both diplomatically and economically, until there is nothing left to talk about. Full diplomatic recognition of a Palestinian state could very well follow this conference. With that in hand, there would be no need for the PA to make any concessions. What next? A PA invitation for Iran to send Revolutionary Guards to set up an operation in Ramallah or Hebron?
So is it any wonder that Israel has decided not to appear before this latest version of an international kangaroo court?
Where have the 70 countries joining this gathering been over the past decades, failing to strongly insist that the PA enter negotiations with Israel following offers made by a succession of Israeli governments of concessions ranging from custodianship of Islamic religious sites in Jerusalem (2000), evacuating settlements in Gaza (2005), further concessions on settlements in Judea and Samaria (2008) and most recently, a 10 month settlement freeze (2014).
The responses to these opportunities are well known: intifadas, rockets, incitement and utilizing the United Nations agencies to circumvent the very idea of a negotiated peace, at the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and now, the Security Council.
The massive amounts of time and energy the international community has wasted on these gatherings cannot be regained. Castigating Israeland by all accounts that will be the end result of the Paris conference, notwithstanding whatever diplomatic language is usedis a non-starter. This is especially so now, when on every one of Israels borders there is chaos and uncertainly, ascribable not to the Palestinian issue, but to intra-Arab and intra-Islamic rivalries, mistrust and shifting ideological and strategic currents.
Security Council resolution 2334, and the Kerry speech, have already set back the notionadhered to by many who back a two-state solution to the conflictof directly negotiating its end.
Already, some diplomatic scholars and Middle East experts are suggesting ways to, if not rescind the resolution, then to at least mitigate its fallout.
As that unfolds, on into the new Trump administration in Washington, the PA should understand that its zero-sum strategy is also a non-starter.
The Paris conference could send that message to the PA, but it wont. Those countries participating in these deliberations should do no more harm to this process.
When one of the most celebrated directors in Hollywood finally releases a film that has taken almost three decades to produce, people are curious.
When the man known for movies like "Raging Bull," "Taxi Driver," "Gangs of New York" and "The Wolf of Wall Street" wants to make a movie about Christian missionaries and martyrdom, people are intrigued.
Why this subject? And exactly what point is Martin Scorsese hoping to make with his new movie "Silence"?
Based on the book with the same name by Japanese novelist Shusako Endo, "Silence" tells the story of two 17th century Portuguese missionaries, Father Rodrigues (Andrew Garfield) and Father Garrpe (Adam Driver). Word travels to Portugal that their mentor Father Ferreira (Liam Neeson), who is in Japan, has apostatized - given up his faith. Incredulous, they set out to find him.
"Silence" tells a painful story one that we need to hear. The tales we tell about serving God shouldnt simply gloss over the reality that such service can often lead to a crisis of faith.
When they arrive in Japan in 1639, the two young priests face a brutal reality. Christianity has been outlawed, and churches have moved underground. Believers are being tortured and killed. The priests meet a fisherman who helps them hide out near an island village, and they minister to believers there in secret.
But one of those believers betrays them. The priests, brought before the government Inquisitor Inoue (Issei Ogata), are ordered to recant their faith. Until they do, Inoue will torture and kill Japanese believers in front of them.
From here the movie focuses on the perspective of Rodrigues. He knows that if he recants, he can end the suffering of his friends - the people he has come to serve. But at what cost? Rodrigues struggles with what apostasy would mean for his identity, his legacy, and his faith; aware now of cultural complexities hed never dreamed of while in Portugal, he finds that answers are not as easy as they used to seem. Rodrigues pleads with God for direction, but God is silent.
The silence of God is too often ignored in missionary stories we tell in America. In fact, one of the only places I heard about it was in the book "Silence," which I read in my twenties, trying to come to grips with my own missionary experience. The missionary biographies I had read as a child had not prepared me for the realities of adult faith, for a world filled with suffering, for the complexity of communicating cross-culturally, or for a God who sometimes seems hidden.
When I was a child, I read dozens of Christian missionary biographies: glowing, glorious tales of adventurers who overcame all odds to take the story of Jesus to foreign lands. I learned from these books that missionaries were heroes, larger than life figures who accomplished marvelous and miraculous things. They cared for orphans, rescued small girls from temple prostitution, brought life-saving medicines to remote villages. They built hospitals, founded schools, and planted churches.
The stories I read werent false, but they were incomplete, as I learned when I became a missionary myself: they failed to paint a full picture of the struggles - particularly the internal struggles - of adult Christian life.
I was 22 and fresh out of college when I boarded a plane for Southeast Asia. I would spend the next year teaching English in a country where Christianity was forbidden. Even now, more than a decade later, I am cautious to share exactly where I was that year: my students and friends remain in danger due to what happened while I was there.
Quickly, I realized that becoming a missionary didnt automatically mean that I glowed with heroism. Life overseas was much like life anywhere. I spent my days in mundane tasks: buying groceries, lesson planning, and studying the local language and culture.
But when a student knocked on my door one day asking questions about Jesus, it felt as miraculous as any of the stories Id read. Over the next six months, she and three other students became Christians. We studied the Bible together every week. When I left for summer vacation, their newly-forming church seemed set to flourish.
And then they were discovered by the government. That summer, the persecution they faced threw my own faith into a tailspin. When I left the country on furlough, my friends were rounded up by local police and ordered to turn over any materials I had given them. They faced hours of interrogation. Their families were threatened. My visa was revoked. I wondered if what I had done was good or evil, and if my naivete about the cultural complexities at work there had put them in danger.
I had gone overseas, running full-speed towards what I thought was the will of God. But when my friends were in danger because of the religion I had shared with them, my ideas about faith, heroism, and God wilted. I had gone overseas looking for adventure and had found tragedy. God was silent, and I spun into a dark night of the soul.
This is the reality that was left out of the missionary biographies that I read as a child. Its also the reality that the priests in Martin Scorseses film,"Silence," must confront.
Like Father Rodrigues, I have learned that the ways that God works in the world are more complex - and difficult to understand - than I ever imagined. God's silence forced me to give up my self-imposed role as a hero or savior. You might think this experience would cause me to lose my faith, but instead it taught me something valuable. My missionary failure gave me a deeper humility and deeper embrace of the mysterious love of God.
"Silence" tells a painful story one that we need to hear. The tales we tell about serving God shouldnt simply gloss over the reality that such service can often lead to a crisis of faith.
When our dominant narratives do that, we all lose out: missionaries end up feeling unable to tell the truth to their supporters for fear that theyll lose their financial support. Christians back home fall prey to the lie that missionaries are superheroes of the faith, somehow more important than ordinary folks sitting in the pew every Sunday.
Even more importantly, we all remain stuck with a simplistic view of God and the world, limited by our own cultural biases. We live with only one version of what it means to be faithful, what it means to be persecuted, and what it means to be an apostate. Stories like "Silence" complicate those ideas in important ways.
Serving God isnt about being a hero. Its about acknowledging that I will never save the world, that in fact I am one of the ones who needs to be saved. I can never save the world, but I can learn to love it.
The liberal, alt-left media is in meltdown mode because Donald Trump put them on notice that he's not going to take their BS anymore.
The president-elect called out members of the mainstream media who ran with a bogus story based on a phony dossier that purported to include compromising information on him. In fact, the whole story was just an excuse for these disgraceful organizations to print unconfirmed smears and Trump saw it for what it was.
It's all fake news, he said at a press conference this week. It's phony stuff. It didn't happen.
I think it's disgrace that information that was false and fake and never happened got released to the public, he added. As far as BuzzFeed -- which is a failing pile of the garbage -- writing it, I think they're going to suffer the consequences. They already are.
And now, the media is pretending to be shocked that the president-elect slammed BuzzFeed and CNN over their stories. But here's what the corrupt media will not tell you: BuzzFeed is nothing more than a political propaganda arm of the Democratic Party. In June, the website terminated an advertising deal with the Republican National Committee because, as their CEO said, "The Trump campaign is directly opposed to the freedoms of our employees in the United States and the world."
Two days later, BuzzFeeds chairman, Kenneth Lerer, hosted a $33,000-a-ticket Democratic National Committee fundraiser in New York City that President Obama attended. Lerer already had a long history of donating to Democrats since 2004, he's contributed almost a half a million dollars to Democrats, including $2,700 to Hillary Clinton in 2016.
It should be no surprise that, even after being exposed by President-elect Trump, BuzzFeed editor-in-chief Ben Smith is standing by the decision to publish what amounts to fake news in a desperate attempt to smear the next commander-in-chief.
I think people love to throw the term "fake news" around to diminish anything they dont like, Smith told NBCs Chuck Todd. But I think this was a real story about a real document that was really being passed around.
In that interview, Todd mentioned that NBC Universal has direct ties to BuzzFeed, even though he said their news divisions are, "separate." NBC Universal has invested $400 million in BuzzFeed over the last two years, according to Bloomberg. What we're dealing with here is a giant, corrupt media swamp. They're all interconnected and work together to advance their alt-radical leftist agenda.
Trump also blasted a CNN reporter who rudely shouted questions and demanded answers at the news conference until Trump shut him down, declaring that the Clinton News Network, like BuzzFeed, is a purveyor of fake news. The media was aghast that Trump would dare lash out at a media that WikiLeaks proved secretly colluded with the Democratic Party, allowing its leaders to edit their stories, giving debate questions in advance to Hillary Clinton and now, publishing unvetted lies about Trump.
Yet for years, the radical alt-left media was silent when President Obama attacked me, Rush Limbaugh and Fox News.
There's a reason few Republicans, you hear them running up around about ObamaCare, said on Oct. 2, 2014. Because while good, affordable health care might seem like a fanged threat to the freedom of the American people on Fox News, it turns out it's working pretty well in the real world.
Or how about this, on June 1 of last year: And I haven't, you know, turned on Fox News or listened to conservative talk radio yet today, but I turned them on and off over these past seven-and-a-half years to know I am not exaggerating in terms of their story.
And four days before the election last year, Obama told HBOs Real Time, that the problem is, weve got all these filters, he said. And look, if I watched Fox News, I wouldn't vote for me either, right, because, you know, you've got this screen, this funhouse mirror through which people are receiving information.
Obama attacked me personally on 15 separate occasions, but he finally stopped when someone pointed out to him that I considered the attacks a badge of honor, and used them in the introduction of my radio show.
Adapted from Sean Hannitys opening monologue, airing on Hannity, Jan. 12, 2017
Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, one of the founding fathers of the Iranian regime, died last week on January 8. He served as President, Speaker of Parliament, Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces, head of the Assembly of Experts--the 88-member body of clerics tasked with nominating the Supreme Leader, and head of the Expediency Council, a body adjudicating disputes over legislation between the parliament and the Guardian Council.
A defining chapter for the regime has now come to an end and a new uncertain chapter has opened.
Rafsanjani, one of the two pillars of the ruling theocracy, had always been the regime's number two, acted as its balancing factor and played a decisive role in its preservation.
Now, the regime will lose its internal and external equilibrium, opposition leader Maryam Rajavi said, suggesting the clerical regime is approaching overthrow.
Rafsanjanis death presents a historic moment for the incoming U.S. administration to adopt a more effective policy that strategically curbs Irans multi-faceted terrorist and nuclear threats and the suppression of its own citizens.
Though portrayed by some in the West as a pragmatist or moderate, during his long career of nearly 40 years, Rafsanjani was responsible for suppression at home, terrorism abroad, and the regimes quest for nuclear weapons.
The Iranian clandestine nuclear weapons program jump-started and moved forward under Rafsanjani and he intensified cooperation with countries like North Korea.
In an interview published by the regime's official state news agency IRNA on October 27, 2015, Rafsanjani acknowledged that during his time as Parliament Speaker and President, both he and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei sought ways to obtain a nuclear bomb.
"Our basic doctrine was always a peaceful nuclear application, but it never left our mind that if one day we should be threatened and it was imperative, we should be able to go down the other path," Rafsanjani said.
Rafsanjani was an ardent supporter of the theocracys most fundamental principles and strategic policies. In that respect, he embodied no worthy divergences with the supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
A quarter century ago, Rafsanjani exclaimed with unfailing conviction at every turn that in all affairs, the pivotal role of the velayat-e faqih (supreme leader) must be accepted as fundamental.
He even coined phrases like the pole holding up the regimes tent to explain the pivotal role of Khamenei. Without it, everything would crumble, which means that the velayat-e faqih must be preserved at any cost.
He was not a reformer, just as his protegee, current president Hassan Rouhani is not.
During his presidency, tens of thousands of political prisoners were massacred in summer 1988. In 1994, the Jewish community center building in Buenos Aires was bombed, resulting in 85 deaths. Argentina then issued an arrest warrant for Rafsanjani, accusing him of personally ordering the attack.
The FBI concluded that Tehran masterminded the bombing of Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia in 1996, resulting in the deaths of 19 American servicemen.
In 1997, a Berlin court ruled that a secret committee, made up of Khamenei, Rafsanjani, and several of his ministers, had ordered the 1992 assassinations of Kurdish dissidents at a Berlin restaurant.
During Rafsanjanis tenure as president, more dissidents were assassinated abroad than any other time in the life of the Islamic Republic, including the April 1990 assassination near Geneva of Prof. Kazem Rajavi, the representative of the opposition National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) in Switzerland, the 1993 assassination in Rome of NCRIs representative Mohammad Hossein Naghdi, and the 1996 assassination in Istanbul of Ms. Zahra Rajabi, NCRIs representative on refugee affairs.
In a sharp departure from the previous administrations search for the unicorn of moderates in Iran, the incoming Trump administration must lead an international effort to further contain, isolate and pressure the worlds largest state-sponsor of terror by adopting a principled and firm policy towards the murderous rulers of Tehran, while reaching out to the Iranian people and their organized opposition who seek a secular, democratic and non-nuclear republic in Iran.
For its own good, Ecuador might want to reconsider rolling out the red carpet for NSA leaker Edward Snowden as he crisscrosses his way through anti-American countries while seeking asylum, some say.
If Ecuador's President Rafael Correa does give Snowden the green light to call the Latin American country home -- in defiance of the U.S. -- analysts warn that Correa would be biting the hand that helps feed his country. The U.S. government has been sending Ecuador money for the past seven decades.
National security analyst Aaron Cohen told Fox News the U.S. should consider cutting off that aid if Ecuador approves Snowden's asylum request.
"The fact is is that we're giving millions of millions of dollars to this country right now who may potentially be harboring somebody who could have been responsible for one of the most massive intelligence leaks in the history of both private contracting and our espionage world," he said. "We've had trouble with these guys for a long time."
During the past 50 years, USAID, the main American foreign aid agency, has given millions of dollars for education and economic growth. In the past five years alone, Ecuador has received $144.4 million.
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"The risks are enormous," Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue, a policy group in Washington, told The New York Times, of the possibility of Correa accepting Snowden's asylum request. "It would bring the United States down very hard on (Correa)."
While the amount has steadily decreased from $35 million in 2009 to an estimated $12 million in aid requested for 2014, cutting ties with America could become more costly for Correa than he anticipated.
In recent months, Ecuadorean officials have made trips to Washington, jockeying for preferential treatment for some of its country's key native products like frozen broccoli and fresh-cut roses.
Favored political status, which breaks down to more jobs for Ecuadoreans and cheaper goods for Americans, could be one of the first things on the chopping block if Ecuador grants Snowden asylum.
Correa, clearly courting the international attention showered on his country, said in a Twitter message Monday, "Hello country and world. Be assured that we will very responsibly analyze the Snowden case, and with absolute sovereignty take the decision we believe is most adequate."
On Tuesday morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Snowden was at the Moscow airport but said since Snowden hadn't committed a crime in Russia, Putin's government would not extradite him back to the U.S. as requested.
Putin, who spoke at a press conference in Finland, polished off his comments by dismissing U.S. accusations against Russia as "rubbish," and added that Russian security agencies "didn't work and aren't working" with Snowden. He also said the sooner Snowden picks a place to go, the better.
That place, some say, could be Ecuador -- a country led by a populist leader who has a record of making digs at the U.S.
On Monday, Ecuador's Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino praised Snowden during a press conference where he read aloud the 30-year-old's request to Correa for asylum. Patino said he considers the U.S. surveillance programs Snowden revealed "a danger to us all."
Snowden's escape itinerary so far has included Hong Kong and Russia.
President Barack Obama announced Thursday that he was ending a longstanding immigration policy that allowed any Cuban who made it to U.S. soil to stay and become a legal resident.
In a statement, Obama said the so-called "wet foot, dry foot" policy was "designed for a different era" of U.S.-Cuba relations.
Under the new policy, which takes effect immediately, Cubans who attempt to enter the U.S. illegally without qualifying for humanitarian relief will be sent back to the island.
"By taking this step," Obama said, "we are treating Cuban migrants the same way we treat migrants from other countries."
Obama added that the Havana government had agreed to accept Cubans ordered to leave the U.S., a concession that was a focus of months of negotiations. A senior administration official told the Associated Press the Cubans gave no assurances about treatment of those sent back to the country, but said political asylum remains an option for those concerned about persecution if they return.
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said the move "goes a long way to putting our relationship with Cuba on equal terms with our relationships with other neighbors."
Obama is using an administrative rule change to end the policy. President-elect Donald Trump could undo that rule after he is sworn in next week. He has criticized Obama's moves to improve relations with Cuba. But ending a policy that has allowed hundreds of thousands of people to come to the United States without a visa also aligns with Trump's commitment to tough immigration policies.
The "wet foot, dry foot" policy was put in place in 1995 by then-President Bill Clinton as a revision of a more liberal immigration policy. Until then, Cubans caught at sea trying to make their way to the United States were allowed into the country and were able to become legal residents after a year. The U.S. was reluctant to send people back to the communist island then run by Fidel Castro, and the Cuban government also generally refused to accept repatriated citizens.
The Cuban government has in the past complained bitterly about the special immigration privileges, saying they encourage Cubans to risk dangerous escape trips and drain the country of professionals. But it has also served as a release valve for the single-party state, allowing the most dissatisfied Cubans to seek better lives outside and become sources of financial support for relatives on the island.
Relations between the United States and Cuba were stuck in a Cold War freeze for decades, but Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro established full diplomatic ties and opened embassies in their capitals in 2015. Obama visited Havana last March.
U.S. and Cuban officials were meeting Thursday in Washington to coordinate efforts to fight human trafficking. A decades-old U.S. economic embargo, though, remains in place as does the Cuban Adjustment Act which lets Cubans become permanent residents a year after legally arriving in the U.S.
The official said that in recent years, most people fleeing the island have done so for economic reasons or to take advantage of the benefits they know they can receive if they make it to the U.S.
The official also cited an uptick in Cuban migration, particularly across the U.S.-Mexico border -- an increase the official said reflected an expectation among Cubans that the Obama administration would soon move to end their special immigration status.
Since October 2012, more than 118,000 Cubans have presented themselves at ports of entry along the border, according to statistics published by the Homeland Security Department. During the 2016 budget year, which ended in September, a five-year high of more than 41,500 people came through the southern border. An additional 7,000 people arrived between October and November.
The influx has created burdens on other countries in the region that must contend with Cubans who have yet to reach the U.S. border, the official said.
The Cuban Medical Professional Parole Program, which was started by President George W. Bush in 2006, is also being rescinded. The measure allowed Cuban doctors, nurses and other medical professionals to seek parole in the U.S. while on assignments abroad.
People already in the pipeline under both "wet foot, dry foot" and the medical parole program will be able to continue the process toward getting legal status.
The preferential treatment for Cubans reflected the political power of Cuban-Americans, especially in Florida, a critical state in presidential elections. That has been shifting in recent years. Older Cubans, particularly those who fled Castro's regime, tend to reject Obama's diplomatic overtures to Cuba. Younger Cuban-American voters have proven less likely than their parents and grandparents to define their politics by U.S.-Cuba relations. Exit polls show President Barack Obama managed roughly a split in the Florida Cuban vote in 2012, and Trump in November won the same group by a much narrower margin than many previous Republican nominees.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Transcription
1 Loess Map of Louisiana Public Information Series No. 12 Summer 2008 Louisiana Geological Survey 3079 Energy, Coast & Environment Building Baton Rouge, Louisiana Tel: Fax: Loess Map of Louisiana 1 Richard P. McCulloh, P
2 State of Louisiana Bobby Jindal, Governor Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge William L. Jenkins, Chancellor Louisiana Geological Survey Chacko J. John, Director and State Geologist Front cover: Loess cliff, Sicily Island Hills, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana. Photo by Richard P. McCulloh. This public information document is part of a series published periodically by the Louisiana Geological Survey, whose offices are located at Louisiana State University, Room 3079 Energy, Coast & Environment Building, Baton Rouge, LA This information is distributed free of charge. The publisher does not guarantee the accuracy or correctness of any information. Contact the LGS business office at (225) for extra copies or for more information, or visit the web site at This public document was published at a total cost of $ Two hundred fifty copies of this document were published in this printing at a cost of $ This document was published by the Louisiana Geological Survey, 3079 Energy, Coast and Environment, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70803, to aid in public understanding of the geology of Louisiana under the authority of R.S. 30:206. This material was printed in accordance with standards for printing by state agencies established pursuant to R.S. 43:31. 2 Loess Map of Louisiana Summer 2008
3 Public Information Series No. 12 Loess Map of Louisiana by: Paul V. Heinrich Baton Rouge 2008 Loess Map of Louisiana 3
4 A layer of silt-size (0.004 to 0.06 mm) sediment, which is called loess, blankets the surface of Louisiana on either side of the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Loess is a geologic term of German origin that refers to widespread deposits composed of homogeneous layer(s) of friable and porous, silt with minor admixture of either clay or fine sand. Loess map Composition A layer of silt-size sediment (grains millimeter in diameter), called loess, blankets the surface of Louisiana on either side of the Mississippi alluvial valley. Loess is a geologic term of German origin that refers to widespread deposits composed of homogeneous layers of friable and porous silt mixed with minor amounts of either clay or fine sand. Typically, unaltered loess consists of about 70 percent quartz and feldspar, 20 percent carbonate minerals, 6 percent mica, and 4 percent hornblende, epidote, garnet, zircon, and other minerals. The feldspar is mainly potassium feldspar with minor amounts of plagioclase. The carbonate minerals are dolomite and calcite. Within tens of feet of the surface, weathering has altered the loess, completely leaching it of carbonate and enriching it in clay. Where the loess is less than 3 feet (1 meter) thick, it is typically mixed with the underlying sediment (Snowden and Priddy 1968; Miller et al. 1985). The loess map that accompanies this text shows the distribution and thickness of the loess deposits along the Mississippi alluvial valley. It was compiled from maps of loess deposits that were prepared by Dr. B. J. Miller, (1983), as overlays for the 1:250,000-scale quadrangle maps. Dr. Miller compiled these maps from data collected in a drilling program to delineate loess thickness statewide. The resulting data were used to construct cross sections along specific transects (i.e., fig. 1 of Miller et al. 1985) and loess-thickness contours. Miller (1983) was compiled to show the overall distribution of loess in Snead and McCulloh (1984) and Saucier and Snead (1989). The loess-thickness contours for Mississippi were modified from figure 1 of Wascher et al. (1948). Hydrology and Holocene alluvium were modified from Daigle et al. (2006). Figure 1. Loess doll from Sicily Island Hills, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana. Ruler is one foot long. (Photograph courtesy of Dr. Whitney J. Autin) 4 Loess Map of Louisiana Two types of calcareous concretions are commonly found in loess exposures (Figure1). One type consists of large, smoothly rounded bodies that are commonly joined together in roughly cylindrical forms. Many of these concretions resemble either humans or animals and have been called Losskindchen, Lossmanchen, Losspuppen, and loess dolls. The other type has a more angular, commonly branched, cylindrical form that looks like a labyrinth of roots and rootlets (Krinitzsky and Turnbull 1967; Snowden and Priddy 1968). Stratigraphy Within Louisiana, two distinct layers of loess are recognized, the Sicily Island Loess and the Peoria Loess. The Sicily Island Loess, the oldest and lowermost of the two layers, consists of reddish-brown, brown, to yellowish-brown silt with a well-developed buried soil developed in its top. It covers Tertiary strata, the Citronelle Formation, the Intermediate allogroup, and older units of the Prairie Allogroup adjacent to the Mississippi alluvial valley. However, it is absent in areas underlain by younger units of the Prairie Allogroup and younger deposits. The abrupt change in loess thickness shown on the loess map represents the contact between the younger units of the Prairie Allogroup and younger deposits, which lack any Sicily Island Loess covering them, and the surface of the older parts of the Prairie Allogroup and older deposits, which are covered by Sicily Island Loess. According to numerous Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) and Thermoluminescence (TL) dates, the Summer 2008
5 Sicily Island Loess accumulated between 27,000 and 55,000 years ago (Miller et al. 1985; Rutledge et al. 1996). The Peoria Loess consists of dark-brown to yellowish-brown silt. It covers the Sicily Island Loess, Tertiary strata, the Citronelle Formation, the Intermediate allogroup, and the Prairie Allogroup adjacent to the Mississippi alluvial valley. The age of the Peoria Loess is well constrained by radiocarbon, OSL, and TL dating techniques as having accumulated between 14,000 and 25,000 years ago (Miller et al. 1985; Rutledge et al. 1996). Origin Lyell (1847) first recognized loess as a major stratigraphic unit adjacent to the Mississippi alluvial valley. Chamberlin (1897) first proposed that it was created by the redeposition by wind of sediment from till sheets and glacial outwash within the floodplains of major rivers. Later, Russell (1944) argued that loess was created by in-situ alteration in a process called loessification of colluvial deposits derived from the downslope reworking of Pleistocene backswamp deposits. Although the loessification theory was strongly supported by Fisk (1951), it was abandoned in the next few decades as the evidence in favor of the windblown origin of loess eventually became overwhelming. The proponents of the loessification theory also failed to explain how backswamp clays could be diagenetically altered into loess (Krinitzsky and Turnbull 1967). The well-sorted wind-blown silt that makes up the loess came from the Pleistocene floodplains of the Mississippi River. When large continental ice sheets covered the Midwestern United States, summer and spring melting at their southern edges created huge volumes of meltwater that flooded down the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio Rivers. As the ice sheet melted during the spring and summer, the meltwater carried large quantities of glacial sediment downstream with it. This sediment included considerable silt-size particles created by the grinding of ice sheets over bedrock and silt derived from Late Pleistocene sand dunes in Nebraska and eastern Colorado. The meltwater flowing down an extensive braided stream system spread the glacial sediment, including large volumes of silt, over the Pleistocene floodplain of the Mississippi River (Krinitzsky and Turnbull 1967; Snowden and Priddy 1968; Miller et al. 1985). During the fall and winter, the melting of the southern edges of the ice sheets largely ceased. As a result, meltwater flowing down the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio Rivers diminished, if not entirely dried up. This caused large areas of the previously flooded Mississippi River Valley to become dry and commonly unvegetated floodplains. At that time, strong winds blew across the dry floodplains and eroded large quantities of predominantly silt-size sediment from it. Winds transported this sediment, sometimes as dust storms, out of the Mississippi alluvial valley and over the adjacent countryside. As it moved away from the valley, the siltsize dust settled out and accumulated as a blanket of well-sorted silt covering the adjacent uplands and terraces. Over thousands of years, the constant accumulation of silt created loess deposits that are many feet (several meters) thick (Krinitzsky and Turnbull 1967; Snowden and Priddy 1968; Miller et al. 1985; Saucier 1994). That the Mississippi alluvial valley was the source of Louisiana loess is demonstrated by its characteristics. First, the occurrence of loess is restricted to either side of this alluvial valley. Second, the loess is thickest in the uplands adjacent to the eastern edge of the valley where prevailing winds would carry dust. Third, the loess decreases in grain size away from the valley. The decrease in grain size is expected, as the heaviest particles will settle first after being blown out of the floodplain. Fourth, as expected in the case of wind-blown sediment, the thickness of loess decreases with distance from the valley wall. Fifth, and finally, the composition of the loess matches the composition of the glacial sediment, which was carried along with it during periods of glaciation (Krinitzsky and Turnbull 1967; Miller et al. 1985). Long-term (centennial to millennial) climatic cycles significantly influenced loess deposition. These climatic cycles altered the rate at which loess accumulated by affecting the amount of glacial meltwater and sediments produced by the disintegrating Laurentide ice sheet. By changing soil moisture and temperature, the same longterm climatic changes affected the degree to which soil processes altered the loess after it accumulated (Wang et al. 2003). Loess Map of Louisiana 5
6 Fossils The fossils found within Louisiana loess consist of the shells of various snails and clams and the bones of mastodons and other vertebrates. The fossil shells are those of land snails (pulmonate gastropods), freshwater snails (gastropods), and freshwater clams (pelecypods). The well-preserved and unbroken shells of land snails are the most abundant fossils found in Louisiana loess (Figure 2). These land snails are the types typically associated with deciduous forests. Rarely, small lenses of freshwater snails and clams occur within the loess. These fossils accumulated within small ponds that briefly existed within the landscape on which loess accumulated. Finally, the vertebrate bones, most notably mastodons, have been found in some places within the loess in Louisiana and adjacent parts of Mississippi (Figure 3) (Krinitzsky and Turnbull 1967; Miller et al. 1985; Saucier 1994). Figure 2. Land snails from Peoria Loess, Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area, West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana. Green cube is one centimeter wide. Physical Properties When dry, loess has the ability to stand as steep, vertical bluffs (Figure 4). The loess in these bluffs tends to fracture along vertical joints. When wet, loess can loose its strength and subside, flow, or slide. It is readily eroded and can rapidly form deep gullies and piping of embankments. Typically, loess is also highly permeable and exhibits low capacity for shrinking or swelling and low plasticity (Krinitzsky and Turnbull 1967). Figure 3. Mastodon bones from the Peoria Loess at the Angola Mastodon Site, Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola, Louisiana. (Fossils courtesy of the Louisiana Museum of Natural Science) Acknowledgments I thank Richard P. McCulloh of the Louisiana Geological Survey and Whitney J. Autin, State University of New York College at Brockport, for their reviews of the map and text and their helpful comments. I also thank Diane Lane for her very helpful editing of the manuscript and map. Figure 4. Loess cliff on edge of former gravel pit, Sicily Island Hills, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana. Estimated height of cliff is approximatley 45 feet high. (Photograph courtesy of Mr. Richard P. McCulloh) 6 Loess Map of Louisiana Summer 2008
7 References Chamberlin, T. C Supplementary hypothesis respecting the origin of the loess of the Mississippi Valley. Journal of Geology 5: Daigle, J. J., G. E. Griffith, J. M. Omernik, P. L. Faulkner, R. P. McCulloh, L. R. Handley, L. M. Smith, and S. S. Chapman Ecoregions of Louisiana. Map scale 1:100,000. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. Fisk, H. N Loess and Quaternary geology of the lower Mississippi Valley. Journal of Geology 59 (4): Krinitzsky, E. L., and W. J. Turnbull Loess deposits of Mississippi. Special Paper 94. Geological Society of America. Lyell, Charles On the delta and alluvial deposits of the Mississippi, and other points in the geology of North America, observed in the years 1845, American Journal of Science and Art 3 (1): Miller, Bobby J Unpublished maps of Louisiana loess. Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana Geological Survey, Louisiana State University, scale 1:250,000. Miller, B. J., G. C. Lewis, J. J. Alford, and W. J. Day Loesses in Louisiana and at Vicksburg, Mississippi. Guidebook for the Friends of the Pleistocene Field Trip, April 12, 13, and 14, Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. Russell, R. J Lower Mississippi Valley loess. Geological Society of America Bulletin 55 (1): Rutledge E. M., M. J. Guccione, H. W. Markewich, D. A. Wysocki, and L. B. Ward Loess stratigraphy of the Lower Mississippi Valley. Engineering Geology 45: Saucier, R. T Geomorphology and Quaternary geologichistory of the Lower Mississippi Valley. Vol. 1. Vicksburg, MS: U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experimental Station. Saucier, Roger T. and John Snead Quaternary Geology of the Lower Mississippi Valley, loess compiled by Bobby J. Miller, in Geological Society of America, Decade of North American Geology series, Quaternary Non-Glacial Geology of the Conterminous United States, vol. K-2, plate 6, scale 1:1,100,000, 30 x 42 lithograph. Snead, John I. and Richard P. McCulloh Geologic Map of Louisiana. [loess compiled by Bobby J. Miller], Louisiana Geological Survey, scale 1:500,000, 40 x 44 lithograph. Snowden, J. O., Jr., and R. P. Priddy Loess investigations in Mississippi. Bulletin 111. Mississippi Geological and Topographic Survey. Wang, H., R. E. Hughes, J. D. Steele, S. W. Lepley, and J. Tian Correlation of climate cycles in middle Mississippi Valley loess and Greenland ice. Geology 31: Wascher, H. L., R. P. Humbert, and J. G. Cady Loess in the southern Mississippi Valley: Identification and distribution of the loess. Soil Science Society of America 12: Loess Map of Louisiana 7
8 Loess Map of Louisiana Arkansas Homer Farmerville Bastrop Oak Grove Minden Shreveport Ruston Monroe Rayville Tallulah Jonesboro Vicksburg Jackson Winnsboro 32 Mansfield 32 Winnfield Natchitoches Many Jena Natchez Brookhaven Mississippi Alexandria McComb 31 Leesville Marksville Woodville 31 DeRidder Saint Francisville Clinton Greensburg Franklinton Bogalusa Lake Charles Jennings Ville Platte Eunice Crowley Lafayette Opelousas New Roads Port Allen Plaquemine Baton Rouge Mississippi Amite Hammond Covington Slidell Picayune Bay Saint Louis Gulfport Biloxi 30 Abbeville New Iberia River New Orleans 30 Cameron Thibodaux Morgan City Houma Gulf of Mexico Grand Isle mi km Key Greater Than 9 m (30 ft) of loess 5 to 9 m (15 to 30 ft) of loess 3 to 5 m (10 to 15 ft) of loess 1 to 3 m (3 to 10 ft) of loess Less than 1 m (3 ft) of loess Loess of unspecified thickness Albers Equal Area Projection Holocene alluvium Deltaic plain Chenier / coastal plain Water Parish or county line State line Town 8 Loess Map of Louisiana Summer 2008
Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday that he and President Barack Obama were informed about the unverified allegations about President-elect Donald Trump by intelligence officials.
Biden said in an interview with the Associated Press that neither he nor Obama asked U.S. intelligence agencies to try to corroborate the unverified claims that Russia had obtained compromising sexual and financial allegations about Trump.
"I think it's something that obviously the agency thinks they have to track down," Biden said. He added later, "It surprised me in that it made it to the point where the agency, the FBI thought they had to pursue it."
Biden added that the briefing he and Obama received from Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and others, there were no conclusions drawn from the leaked dossier, which was produced in August and then released publicly this week by the media. Biden said it was "totally ancillary" to the purpose of the meeting, which was to brief Obama on a report he ordered documenting Russian interference in the U.S. campaign.
"As a matter of fact, the president was like, 'What does this have anything to do with anything?'" Biden said. He said intelligence leaders responded by saying "Well, we feel obliged to tell you, Mr. President, because you may hear about it. We're going to tell him," referring to Trump.
Biden said intelligence leaders told him and Obama that they couldn't say whether or not the allegations were true or untrue. He said there was "hardly any discussion" about the allegations in the briefing.
"Neither the president nor I asked for any detail," Biden said. But he added of the dossier: "I've read everything."
Trump confirmed earlier Thursday that Clapper spoke to him by phone, apparently sometime after a press conference in which Trump lashed out at media outlets, including Buzzfeed and CNN, that ran the story and speculated it was leaked by federal officials.
"James Clapper called me yesterday to denounce the false and fictitious report that was illegally circulated," Trump tweeted. "Made up, phony facts. Too bad!"
On Wednesday, Clapper released a rare statement addressing rising tensions between spy agency chiefs and Trump, who believes the intel community has become politicized and is working to undermine him. He also acknowledged contacting Trump directly to express "profound dismay" about the leaks to CNN and Buzzfeed the latter of which published the unverified allegations in full.
"I emphasized that this document is not a U.S. Intelligence Community product and that I do not believe the leaks came from within the IC," Clapper said. "The IC has not made any judgment that the information in this document is reliable, and we did not rely upon it in any way for our conclusions."
Several media outlets reported that the salacious material, originally compiled by a former British intelligence officer turned political consultant, was relayed to Trump when he was briefed on the intelligence community's evidence of Russian hacking in the 2016 election.
But Trump never received any summary of unsubstantiated allegations that Russian spies had collected compromising financial and personal information about him, a highly placed transition source told Fox News Wednesday.
The source said that intelligence officials who briefed Trump on Friday brought up the allegations verbally, but added that they were "barely mentioned in passing."
A government source told Fox News that the intelligence community wanted to give Trump a heads-up that the allegations had been widely circulating and that a lot of media outlets were sitting on the story. The source said the claims did not constitute a "central element" of Trump's briefing.
CNN initially reported that Trump and President Obama were presented with a two-page summary that detailed the allegations. The report said the summary was attached to a broader report about Russian operatives' activities during the 2016 election.
At the Wednesday press conference, Trump said that he had learned details of the allegations "outside of the meeting" with intelligence officials.
"It's all fake news. It's phony stuff. It didn't happen," Trump said, later adding. "But I read what was released and I think it's a disgrace. I think it's an absolute disgrace."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
House Republicans, led by Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, have summoned the head of the independent federal ethics office to answer questions about his agency and his public criticism of President-elect Donald Trump's plan to separate from his real estate empire.
Chaffetz, the chairman of the GOP-led House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said he sent a letter Thursday to Walter Shaub Jr., director of the Office of Government Ethics, asking him to appear before lawmakers in a closed-door, transcribed interview.
Shaub is not being subpoenaed, but asked to respond to questions in a setting like a deposition, committee staff said.
"I want to talk about the whole department," Chaffetz said in an interview. "Mr. Shaub has taken a very aggressive stance on issues he's never looked at. He's raised a bunch of eyebrows."
Shaub, appointed by President Barack Obama to a five-year term that has a year to go, gave an extraordinary public admonishment on Wednesday of Trump's plan to place his businesses in a trust managed by his elder sons. The ethics chief said the plan was "wholly inadequate" to protect the incoming president from conflicts of interest.
"Stepping back from running his business is meaningless from a conflict-of-interest perspective," Shaub said at a forum at the Brookings Institution.
Chaffetz said he has not yet decided whether to ask Shaub to testify at a public committee hearing but will wait for the transcribed interview, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
The comments followed a tweetstorm from Shaub's office in late November that congratulated Trump on divesting himself of his business holdings. The tweets were composed, public records requests have revealed, by Shaub himself. Trump had not agreed to divest, however.
Chaffetz said that after the election he asked Shaub to meet with him to discuss the tweets and other operations of the ethics office, which is up for reauthorization by Congress. But the congressman said Shaub refused to meet.
OGE spokesman Vincent Salamone declined to comment early Thursday when asked about Chaffetz's claim. Salamone could not immediately be reached for comment later on the committee's request for a transcribed interview.
Last year, Chaffetz accused Shaub of going silent on potential conflicts of interest for Hillary Clinton as she accepted speaking fees for speeches, money that went to the Clinton Foundation. Republicans said she was required to disclose it. Shaub told the oversight committee at the time that the law did not require disclosure.
Richard W. Painter, who served as an ethics lawyer for George W. Bush said Republicans appear to be strong-arming the agency.
They are obviously very upset the Office of Government Ethics is leaning on Trump and not willing to jam through his nominees. It is political retaliation, he told The New York Times.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
George Soros, the billionaire hedge-fund manager and liberal financier, lost nearly $1 billion after becoming bearish after Donald Trumps election victory, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The 86-year-old was cautious about the market prior to Novembers election became more bearish after Trumps win. So far, the bet was a mistake, and the stock market has risen about 9 percent over the past two months, the report said.
Soros Fund Management LLC has about 250 traders and manages about $30 billion. The billionaire took a more active role in the company in anticipation of turmoil in China and the European Union, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.
Over the past few years, Soros has become an advocate and donor for liberal causes. His name reportedly appeared in the Wikileaks emails of Hillary Clintons campaign chairman John Podesta 60 times.
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Soros, who last year, called on a global system of political decision-making, came out strongly against Trump during the campaign. He reportedly contributed $7 million to Priorities USA Action and gave Clintons campaign the maximum $2,700 donation. He also contributed $5 million to a super PAC aimed at mobilizing Latinos and other immigrants in hopes to stop the Trump campaign.
Soros has a long history of contributing millions to liberal political causes, and pockets don't get much deeper than his. He ranked No. 23 in the latest Forbes richest men list.
The Wall Street Journal reported that overall, Soros fund is up about 5 percent on the year.
After ignoring the requirement for decades, the Environmental Protection Agency is now under court order to quickly evaluate how many power plant and coal mining jobs are being lost due to air pollution regulations.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey in West Virginia made the ruling Wednesday after reviewing a response from outgoing EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy.
The judge had objected to McCarthys response to an earlier order, in a lawsuit by Murray Energy Corp., that the EPA must start conducting the analysis. According to Wednesday's order, McCarthy asserted it would take the agency up to two years to devise a methodology to use to try to comply.
"This response is wholly insufficient, unacceptable, and unnecessary," Bailey wrote.
The judge said the EPA is required by law to analyze the economic impact on a continuing basis when enforcing the Clean Air Act and McCarthy's response "evidences the continued hostility on the part of the EPA to acceptance of the mission established by Congress."
Bailey ordered the EPA to identify facilities harmed by the regulations during the Obama presidency by July 1. That includes identifying facilities at risk of closure or reductions in employment.
The EPA had contended that analyzing job loss won't change global energy trends.
The judge also set a Dec. 31 deadline for the EPA to provide documentation on how it is continuously evaluating the loss and shifts in employment that may result from administration and enforcement of the Clean Air Act.
The EPA said it was reviewing the ruling, first reported by the Wheeling Intelligencer and News-Register.
Murray Energy and other coal companies have blamed thousands of layoffs this decade on President Obama's anti-global-warming push that imposes limits on carbon pollution from coal-fired power plants. The U.S. Supreme Court has delayed implementation of Obama's Clean Power Plan until legal challenges are resolved.
West Virginia's economy is reliant on coal mining and gets 96 percent of its electricity from coal-fired plants.
McCarthy has said no administration has interpreted federal law to require job impact analysis for rulemaking since 1977. She said the most that the EPA does is "conduct proactive analysis of the employment effects of our rulemaking actions," but that has not included investigating power plant and mine closures and worker dislocations on an ongoing basis, according to the order.
Bailey wrote that the EPA can recommend amendments to Congress if it feels strongly enough.
"EPA does not get to decide whether compliance with (the law) is good policy, or would lead to too many difficulties for the agency," Bailey wrote. "It is time for the EPA to recognize that Congress makes the law, and EPA must not only enforce the law, it must obey it."
President-elect Donald Trump, who has selected Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to head the EPA, has promised to overturn many of the EPA's regulations on coal.
Pruitt has repeatedly sued the EPA since becoming Oklahoma's attorney general in 2011.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham told Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor" that President-elect Donald Trump should make Russian President Vladimir Putin "pay a price" for cyberattacks on the Democratic National Committee during last year's election campaign.
"Two presidents have miscalculated Putin," Graham told Bill O'Reilly. "[George W.] Bush looked into his eyes and saw his soul, and Obama wanted to re-set.
"I want a better relationship with Russia ... as much as Trump does, but the one thing Im convinced of: Youll never have a better relationship forgiving [Putin] for all his misdeeds," Graham added. "A better relationship would mean he no longer tries to destroy democracy around the world, interfere in our elections, kill his opponents and steal his people blind."
Graham, who unsuccessfully battled Trump for the Republican nomination in 2016, said he would encourage the President-elect to approve fresh sanctions against Moscow.
"Youve got willing partners in the Congress -- Republicans and Democrats -- to hit Russia hard, to give you leverage, to get a better relationship" the veteran senator said. "The one thing Im convinced of about Putin is hes not gonna stop this until he pays a price, and no ones made him pay a price yet."
An early Donald Trump supporter could reap a political windfall from the president-elects nomination decisions which are poised to help clear his path to the South Carolina governors mansion.
South Carolina Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster threw his support behind Trump back in January 2016, well before Trump was a sure thing in the primaries. For months, McMaster also has been one of eight names floated as potential GOP candidates for governor in 2018.
But Trump in November nominated Gov. Nikki Haley for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. If shes confirmed, McMaster would automatically ascend to the governorship.
It gets better for McMaster. Not only would Haleys exit presumably give him an incumbents edge in the 2018 election, but another one of Trumps nominations that of South Carolina Rep. Mick Mulvaney could take a key competitor in that race off the field.
Mulvaney, a conservative Republican with statewide name recognition, had been considered a top contender for governor along with McMaster. Trump, however, nominated him for White House budget director.
South Carolina radio host Josh Kimbrell thinks the impact on McMaster is no accident.
Governor Nikki Haleys nomination was likely the result of Lieutenant Governor Henry McMasters desire to become governor, said Kimbrell, also a Republican strategist. McMasters early endorsement of Donald Trump in the first-in-the-South GOP primary put him in the rare position of being able to ask the president-elect for a favor.
Trump won that primary.
McMasters office and the Trump transition team have not returned a request for comment.
Haley was nominated despite a history of friction with the president-elect. The governor endorsed Florida Sen. Marco Rubio in the Republican primaries and famously sparred with Trump via Twitter after the then-presidential candidate blasted her on social media.
However, Haley was among the first potential Cabinet picks to be interviewed by Trump and his transition team following the election.
Kimbrell speculated that McMaster, with his support of Trump, was able to fulfill his political aspirations while furthering Governor Haleys.
Its a rare win-win in South Carolina politics, he said.
Haleys confirmation hearing for U.N. ambassador is scheduled for Jan. 18.
President-elect Donald Trump moved to bury once and for all the suspect dossier that surfaced earlier this week claiming the Russian government had compromising information on him, declaring Friday the details were concocted by sleazebag political operatives while still not letting the intelligence community off the hook over claims they leaked it.
Trump started his Friday with a characteristic blizzard of tweets, largely focusing on the dossier controversy.
It now turns out that the phony allegations against me were put together by my political opponents and a failed spy afraid of being sued, he tweeted.
His failed spy slam refers to former British spy Christopher David Steele, who reportedly helped compile the dossier. Trump turned fire on the original sources of the material after slamming the media namely CNN and BuzzFeed, the latter of which published the dossier itself for reporting on the claims earlier this week.
But he also has continued to question the intelligence communitys role in the sordid allegations going public, reviving his charge Friday that they probably released it.
This, despite Director of National Intelligence James Clapper speaking with Trump on Wednesday about the matter, to express profound dismay at the leaks and claim that he does not believe they came from within the intelligence community.
In a statement, Clapper had said: I emphasized that this document is not a U.S. Intelligence Community product and that I do not believe the leaks came from within the IC. The IC has not made any judgment that the information in this document is reliable, and we did not rely upon it in any way for our conclusions.
President-elect Donald Trump rode a wave of support from the industrial Midwest and a network of coal-producing states to win the White House, after he promised to put coal miners back to work in an industry that has shed 200,000 jobs since 1980.
But in order to fulfill that pledge, Trump will need to penetrate a blue wall.
West Coast states, dominated by Democrats in elected positions as well as regulatory agencies, have rejected every port project aimed at getting millions of tons of U.S. coal to markets in Asia.
The latest blockage took place Jan. 3 when outgoing Washington State Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark denied a sublease to Millennium Bulk Terminal in Longview, Wash.
Its disappointing, said Millennium CEO Bill Chapman. Youd like to have an elected official take into account the needs of the whole state.
JUDGE REBUKES EPA, ORDERS EVALUATION ON COAL JOBS LOST TO REGULATIONS
Chapman says the terminal would create 1,000 construction jobs and 300 permanent positions.
Federal agencies, along with regulators in Oregon and Washington, have turned down four port projects over the last five years. Two other port proposals were scrapped by developers over protests by environmental groups. The projects were slated to stretch from Bellingham, Wash., to Coos Bay, Ore. Several were planned for points along the Columbia River.
The ports were supposed to revive a coal industry that has seen domestic use decline for decades.
Cheap natural gas, environmental regulations and a steady stream of U.S. coal plant closings have made exporting coal essential to any comeback. Foreign sales peaked in 2012 as Chinas economy has slowed, but a lack of West Coast coal ports has contributed to the problem.
Environmentalists say they represent a thin green line in the Pacific Northwest standing up to the coal industry.
If we allow these projects to go forward, not only will we have a local impact, they would release globally significant quantities in the air, said Dan Serres of Columbia Riverkeeper. So it threatens the health of the fishery here in the Columbia River, but it threatens the health of the climate in the long haul.
With a Trump administration, though, some see a showdown brewing. The president-elects pick to run the Interior Department is a staunch supporter of the coal industry who hails from a coal-producing state. Republican Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke has criticized the port rejections by state and federal regulators.
Others see room for a legal challenge invoking the Commerce Clause.
These ports are for the Western United States, and the landlocked states who want to be able to export products overseas need access to those ports, said Rob McKenna, a former Republican attorney general in Washington state. I think it raises real constitutional issues when states systematically try to deny them access to those ports.
Congress also could pass a law treating ports much in the way railroads are governed. Under current law, states are not allowed to block trains just because they dont like the product theyre hauling.
The Google Pixel XL is as good as the iPhone 7 Plus and makes jumping to Android painless.
Though the 5-inch Pixel and 5.5-inch Pixel XL are the first Google-branded phones, the company has a fairly long history of designing and making phones. The Moto X, via Googles (albeit brief) ownership of Motorola Mobility, was in effect a Google phone. Google of course also honed its phone making and designing skills with the Nexus series of phones dating back to 2010.
So, Google was already an experienced phone supplier when it introduced the first branded Google phones last October, the 5-inch Pixel and 5.5-inch Pixel XL. And it shows. The Pixel XL that I have been using for more than a month has excellent build quality and is teeming with top-notch tech, including a great camera and the most advanced intelligent personal assistant that Ive used.
Here are some of the highlights of the Pixel XL that made an impression on me.
The switch: It has been an effortless switch to the Pixel XL and Android Nougat 7.1 from my iPhone 7 Plus. Im not saying that it will be a permanent switch (Im still attached to the 7 Plus and my Apple Watch Series 2) but its an easy transition when youre using a great phone. And once youre inside an app its easy to forget which phone youre using.
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Google Assistant: The Pixel is the first Android phone to implement Google Assistant. If smartphones are going to be graded in the future on how intelligent they are, Google is the early leader. Ive found that the Pixel XL usually provides better responses to the kinds of questions I ask. Google often provided more relevant, concise, informative answers than Apples Siri, which often simply spewed out a bunch of search results.
Camera: I've taken tons of photos with both the Pixel XL and iPhone 7 Plus and both cameras are excellent. The scary thing is that Google was able to come up with such a great camera this fast. Photography review sites, such as Digital Photography Review, have praised the Pixel XL's excellent HDR+ mode, the image detail, and fast and accurate autofocus, among other things.
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Its close enough between the Pixel XL and the iPhone 7 Plus that I consulted with an amateur photographer. That person, in blind tests, leans toward the Pixel XL in image quality.
Build: Despite having the same-sized 5.5-inch display, the Pixel XL is both smaller and lighter than the 7 Plus. The build quality is on par with the iPhone 7 Plus, and thats saying a lot.
Battery life: The XL has a Doze mode that excels at drawing the bare minimum of energy from the battery when the phone is not in use. This alone can extend battery life beyond the iPhone 7 Plus for me. But with active use, the two phones are close. This YouTube test is instructive at showing how close the battery life can be for the two phones. I usually can squeeze out a day and a half (or longer) from both phones. Ill call it a draw.
User experience: Ive had enough back and forth between iOS/iPhone and Android that I still the think iOS is a slightly more refined experience, since Apple has had more practice at integrating the hardware and software. That said, Google is well on its way to replicating that hardware-software cohesion with the Pixel phone. That is one of the reasons that Google began making its own phones so I can only expect this to improve in the future.
Shortcomings: The Pixel XL is not as water resistant as the iPhone 7 Plus and the camera does not have the 7 Plus optical zoom. Also, raw performance benchmarks tend to favor the iPhone 7 Plus. Those are a few non-trivial things to keep in mind.
The Pixel XL starts at $769.
Whether President-elect Donald Trump can drain the swamp in Washington remains to be seen. So far, some locals say all hes drained is enthusiasm the city usually has for a presidential inauguration.
Trump and his supporters repeatedly disparaged the nations capital throughout the presidential campaign, and its residents responded by giving him only 4.1 percent of their vote. Now, with many expressing concerns about demonstrations at next weeks events, theyre adding a collective yawn. Spirits seem more subdued than ever ahead of the citys quadrennial showcase, and the watchword seems to be: Dont talk politics.
I never remembered an inauguration where politics seemed to override just general enthusiasm for what in Washington is the equivalent of the Super Bowl, said public relations consultant Vivian Deuschl, whos been involved on the hospitality side with every inauguration since 1988, was a TV commentator for two inaugurations and worked on Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagans presidential campaigns.
My biggest advice for people is not to get into political discussions, Deuschl said.
VIRGINIA NIGHTCLUB UNDER FIRE AFTER DECIDING NOT TO HOST PRO-TRUMP 'DELPLORABALL'
But if youre coming to Washington for next Fridays inauguration whether its to celebrate or protest Trump or just to enjoy the spectacle of watching a president take the oath of office for the 58th time here are some things you should know.
Events
Details about many of the weekends events are yet to be announced, but not because its been hard to accommodate all the requests to perform. Its a whole new world in terms of how the inauguration is being celebrated, Deuschl said. Its much more low-key.
As required by the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, Trump will take the oath of office on the steps of the Capitol at noon on Jan. 20. (If you dont have tickets, the best viewing will be on monitors on the National Mall). The traditional inaugural parade to the White House will take place immediately afterward.
As of this writing, Trump has committed to attend only two official balls (President Obama attended 10 in 2009 and President George W. Bush appeared at eight in 2001), starting at 7 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Hell also appear at the Salute to Our Armed Services Ball, which is open to active-duty members of the military. UPI is maintaining a list of unofficial balls, ranging from the long-running Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball to the debut of the Deplorables Inaugural Ball.
Just as in 2009, a celebratory concert will take place at the Lincoln Memorial before the inauguration. But the concert held there for Obama eight years ago was broadcast live on HBO and featured Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen, Garth Brooks and dozens of other A-list performers. This year, the only celebs billed so far are Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence. And at the time of the concert Jan. 19, 4 p.m. HBO will air Point Break (and not the Patrick Swayze version, but the crummy 2015 remake).
Keep refreshing 58pic2017.org/events for details and announcements of additional events. For street and Metro station closures, follow @Inaug2017 and #Inaug2017 on Twitter and visit the District of Columbias inauguration website.
Accommodations
While Trumps inaugural committee projects 2 to 3 million Americans will attend Trump taking the oath of office, security officials estimate that figure to be just 850,000 people (by comparison, Obamas first swearing in drew a record 1.8 million people to the nation's capital). Based on hotel occupancy rates available Wednesday afternoon, getting a last minute hotel room in D.C. is definitely still possible.
Hotels aren't filling up at the pace they originally forecasted for the weekend, Clem Bason, CEO of goSeek.com, a hotel search site focusing on hotel deals, and the former president of discount travel site Hotwire.com, told FoxNews.com.
When Bason examined occupancy rates on Expedia and Booking.com on Jan. 5, DC hotels rooms were about 93 percent filled for Jan. 20 to 22, with about 345 of the citys 495 hotels sold out completely and the average price for the remaining rooms going for $500 a night. But when Bason repeated his search a week later, he found hotel occupancy rates had dropped to just 82 percent, with the average nightly rate down to $439.
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That might seem counter-intuitive, but this could just mean that hotels were holding back rooms for sale at the last minute and have now released them to the online travel agencies for sale, Bason said indicating that now there may be greater capacity.
But even half-a-grand still wont get you a room at a luxury hotel. The Four Seasons, Jefferson, Mandarin Oriental and both DC Ritz-Carltons are sold out. There are rooms available at the St. Regis, though starting at $5,100 a night.
The high-end hotel getting the most attention, of course, is the Trump International Hotel Washington D.C., which opened in October. According to its website, the hotel is sold out Jan. 1221. As to any special inauguration-themed amenities its providing, or whether anyone has booked its $500,000 inaugural package, the hotel isnt saying.
For more affordable lodging options, Bason recommends looking 35 miles north. In Baltimore, you can get a gorgeous four-star hotel for 200 bucks a night, Bason said. To get to D.C., you can just take an Uber or Amtrak.
Bason also suggests checking out Airbnb. They have 300-plus properties in the city to rent, Bason said. New stuff is coming online on Airbnb probably every hour to accommodate demand. Airbnb reports that the median price for bookings is $125 a night in the nation's capital for stays spanning inauguration weekend.
Attire
The weather in Washington is unpredictable in January. This week, the temperature plummeted to 16 degrees on Monday and forecasters said it would be 61 degrees on Thursday. So pack accordingly.
And if you were planning on traveling light and picking up a ball dress in D.C., dont worry. Though Trump says All the dress shops are sold out in Washington. It's hard to find a great dress for this inauguration, Elle, Jezebel, New York, People, Salon, Racked and the Washington Post have found formal dresses in D.C. are as abundant as duckweed in a swamp.
As Peter Marx, owner of the D.C. boutique Saks Jandel, told People, Theres never been less demand for inaugural ball gowns in my 38 years.
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Two Alaska Airlines flight attendants were sickened Thursday night after being exposed to deicing agent residue during a trip from Seattle to San Jose, Calif.
Alaska Airlines spokeswoman Ann Zaninovich said in statement the flight attendants were sitting in the front of the plane when they noticed a powdery substance blowing from the vents. The flight attendants fell ill soon after, according to The Mercury News.
Zaninovich said one of the attendants was taken to the hospital in unknown condition. The other was treated and released. San Jose fire officials said no passengers were sickened on board.
The flight was carrying 181 passengers and six crew members. It took off at Seattle at 4:48 p.m. and landed in San Jose at 6:54 p.m.
Fire officials were still investigating the material that was blowing out of the vents. But Zaninovich said an initial investigation concluded that the substance was deicing agent residue, which is nontoxic.
Click for more from The Mercury News.
An advocacy group has filed a Department of Transportation (DOT) complaint against American Airlines, arguing the largest U.S. carrier is breaking the law by not allowing passengers with peanut allergies to pre-board.
Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), which represents people with food allergies, argues in its complaint that, unlike United and Delta, American is not willing to make accommodations for people with nut allergies that anti-discrimination legislation deems necessary.
AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT ATTENDANTS HOSPITALIZED AFTER STRANGE ODOR DURING FLIGHT
Dr. James Baker, an allergist and CEO of FARE, said the Air Carrier Access Act prevents companies from discriminating against people with mental and physical disabilities, and requires airlines to make accommodations for people with food allergies.
The law states that people with disabilities have to have accommodations for them to be able to live with their disabilities, and people with allergic reactions have a disability with both their cardiovascular and lung systems, Baker, whose organization is based in McLean, Va., told FoxNews.com.
Depending on the severity, peanut allergies can cause anaphylactic shock, a condition that may lead to various complications, including death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Through our filing of this complaint, we are calling on the DOT to take enforcement action and calling for a full retraction of this discriminatory policy, Baker wrote in a blog post on FAREs website. We also request mandatory training for airline staff to help ensure they do not continue to discriminate against members of the food allergy community.
PANERA SUED FOR SERVING PEANUT BUTTER TO CHILD WITH SEVERE ALLERGY
American Airlines spokesman Matt Miller told FoxNews.com in an email that while American has not seen FAREs complaint, the airline does allow some disabled passengers to pre-board, such as those who rely on wheelchairs. It does not, however, permit pre-boarding for those suffering from peanut allergies.
Currently, American does not serve peanuts on its planes, but it does serve other nut products that may contain trace elements of nut ingredients, such as peanut oils.
Requests that we not serve any particular foods, including tree nuts, on our flights cannot be granted, Miller told FoxNews.com. We are not able to provide nut buffer zones, nor are we able to allow passengers to pre-board to wipe down seats and tray tables.
Miller added in his email that while Americans planes are cleaned regularly, neither those processes nor the planes air filtration systems are designed to remove nut allergens. The airline also does not bar other passengers from bringing nuts on board.
Therefore, we are unable to guarantee that customers will not be exposed to peanuts or other tree nuts during flight, Miller said, even in the case of a peanut allergy sufferer notifying American in advance.
We strongly encourage customers to take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure, he said.
On their websites, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines state that passengers with nut allergies may communicate their concerns with flight attendants, who might be able to make special accommodations. Delta specifically allows peanut allergy sufferers to pre-board upon request.
According to FAREs complaint, the Air Carriers Act ensures the right of an allergic individual or their travel companions to take necessary steps to guard against potentially dangerous exposure to allergens, and to wipe down seating areas, tray tables and armrests, and cover seats to prevent food allergen contact.
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[A] peanut allergy can result in severe reactions, including death, Baker said, and if someone is going to be on an airplane where the medical accommodations are limited, doing everything to avoid potential contact would just seem to be a no-brainer.
Following its merger with U.S. Airways in late 2015, American operates the largest fleet of planes worldwide as of December 2016, the airline maintained 1,500 planes in nine hub cities, USA Today reported.
According to the CDC, peanut allergies are a growing concern among public health officials, and affect an estimated 4 to 6 percent of American children.
The Latest on fatal shooting of two teenage brothers (all times local):
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5:25 p.m.
Syracuse police have charged two men and a 17-year-old girl with fatally shooting two Cuban-born teenage brothers in what authorities believe was an attempted robbery set up by the girl.
Police Chief Frank Fowler says the three were arrested Wednesday night and charged with murder and attempted robbery. They're accused of shooting 17-year-old Daniel Diaz-Marrero and 19-year-old Ismael Diaz-Marrero on Tuesday evening.
Fowler says the shootings occurred during a robbery attempt set up when 17-year-old Sheahonni Davis asked the brothers to meet her. Police say 19-year-old Toriano Newson and 23-year-old Curtis L. Paige III tried to rob the brothers and Newson opened fire, hitting both siblings.
It couldn't be determined if the three suspects have lawyers who could comment on the charges.
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11:46 a.m.
Authorities have charged three people with fatally shooting two teenage brothers in what Syracuse police say was an attempted robbery set up by one of the suspects.
Police Chief Frank Fowler says Thursday that two men, aged 19 and 23, and a 17-year-old girl were arrested Wednesday and charged with murder and attempted robbery.
They're accused of gunning down 17-year-old Daniel Diaz-Morrero and 19-year-old Ismael Diaz-Marrero around 5 p.m. Tuesday on the city's west side.
Fowler says the shootings occurred during a robbery attempt set up when the girl contacted the brothers and asked them to meet her. Police say the 19-year-old suspect shot and killed the brothers during the encounter.
The older brother was a sophomore at Le Moyne College, in suburban DeWitt. His sibling was a senior at a Syracuse high school.
___
This story has been corrected to change the spelling of the victim's name to Daniel Diaz-Marrero, not Diaz-Morrero.
A young man accused of shooting and killing three people at a house party in July near Seattle has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Allen Ivanov pleaded guilty last month to three counts of aggravated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder for wounding two other victims. He did so one day before a prosecutor was to announce his decision on whether to seek the death penalty.
KOMO-TV reports that Ivanov apologized before Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Janice Ellis sentenced him Thursday. Relatives of the victims expressed anger and sorrow in the courtroom.
Investigators say Ivanov attacked the July 30 gathering in the small city of Mukilteo because he was upset that his former girlfriend seemed to be moving on after their breakup.
Ivanov was charged with the killings of Anna Bui, Jacob Long and Jordan Ebner, who were all 19.
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A senior U.S. official says the Obama administration is aware of frequent contacts between President-elect Donald Trump's top national security adviser and Russia's ambassador to the United States.
The official says the contacts happened on the day President Barack Obama expelled dozens of Russian officials from the U.S. and imposed sanctions as punishment for election-related hacking. The official says the administration is also aware of contacts between Trump adviser Michael Flynn and Ambassador Sergey Kislyak at other times as well.
The day after Obama announced sanctions, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would not retaliate. Trump praised him for his restraint.
Flynn's conversations were first reported by Washington Post columnist David Ignatius. The official was not authorized to confirm the contacts publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
When it comes to obtaining crucial information from masterminds of terrorist attacks, what should officials do when U.S. Army Field Manuals methods dont work and American lives are at stake?
That's the question James E. Mitchell, psychologist and architect of the CIAs controversial enhanced interrogation program, hopes the administration of incoming president Donald Trump takes on - and then opts for the less politically correct answer.
During the presidential campaign, Trump sanctioned torture, suggesting that he would bring back techniques like waterboarding and much worse. However, his pick to head the Department of Defense, Gen. James Mattis, is an opponent of harsh interrogation methods preferring more humanitarian means such as building rapport.
Mitchell contends that rapport is more likely to work on regular jihadists, but that top-tier planners are ultimately counting on Americas political correctness and going soft on them to make the terrorists mission easier.
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (K.S.M.) really thought that Sept. 11 was a law enforcement matter that would get turned over to the FBI and would give him time to launch more attacks, Mitchell, 64, told FoxNews.com. He was stunned when Bush said, No, this is a war. He would froth at the mouth talking about that cowboy George W. Bush.
Mitchell and fellow psychologist Bruce Jessen were brought on as CIA contractors after 9/11 to devise and carry out the enhanced interrogation techniques (EITs) used on the most high-value prisoners, including chief 9/11 planner K.S.M. and senior Al Qaeda member, Abu Zubaydah. Mitchell spent countless hours with these prisoners at a number of CIA black sites.
He also stressed to FoxNews.com that the full closure of Guantanamo Bay, where the likes of K.S.M. and Zubaydah are being held, would be a mistake.
The ones that are left are the worst of the worst, Mitchell said. Closing Gitmo is one of those things some politicians believe will make the world like us more and give us the moral high ground. But in the mind of K.S.M., us seeking the moral high ground is a sign of weakness.
Mitchell recalled one afternoon sitting around with K.S.M. when the detainee admitted that while jihadist outfits do use Gitmo as a recruiting tool, if the off-shore prison were closed they would just find other fodder such as the treatment of Muslim women in Europe or the presence of infidels in the Arabian peninsula.
But what most surprised him about K.S.M. was how charming and likable he could be.
He would hold your hand, trying to manipulate [you], Mitchell said. It is easy to recognize evil when it looks evil and acts evil. It is harder to recognize evil when it looks appealing.
Mitchell came under fire in late 2014 when the then Sen. Dianne Feinstein-led Senate Select Committee on Intelligence released an exhaustive report on interrogation techniques used on detainees. Feinstein called the program a stain on our values and our history.
However, Mitchell argues that the Senate cherry-picked documents to suggest that the CIAs use of such harsh techniques was ineffective at collecting accurate intelligence.
In his experience, Mitchell said, the agency gathered useful information not during the duress of an actual EIT but in the moments in-between, when detainees knew what was awaiting them.
He also told FoxNews.com that the public unveiling of the indictment and banning of previously DOJ-approved techniques like waterboarding and sleep-deprivation plays into the terrorist playbook.
It made us look divided, that we are weak, Mitchell said. It signals to them that there are people in our government who are only concerned about preserving the moral high ground. And K.S.M. did say that (Americans) dont have the stomach to do what needs to be done, and that is what this signals.
Mitchell has since sought to set the record straight about his involvement in the program and late last year released the book, "Enhanced Interrogation: Inside the Minds and Motives of the Islamic Terrorists Trying to Destroy America," written in conjunction with former CIA spokesperson Bill Harlow.
In 2015, two former detainees held at secret CIA prisons Tanzanian Suleiman Abdullah Salim and Libyan Mohamed Ahmed Ben Soud as well as a representative of Afghan citizen Gul Rahman, who died in custody likely from hypothermia, filed a lawsuit against Mitchell and Jessen for allegedly violating their human rights. The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages.
Human rights groups also have called for the contractors to be prosecuted.
While some CIA personnel may not have acted with government approval during interrogations, Mitchell said, he is adamant that he and Jessen are merely fall guys.
The lawsuit trial is slated to begin in June and if they are found liable, it would be the first time that a U.S civilian court has held any individuals accountable for widely condemned interrogation methods like waterboarding.
And the irony of this is that the only two people who really tried to get Rahman medical care, Mitchell stated, were me and Bruce.
A missing 49-year-old woman was killed and her body hidden in her home where no one could see it, Des Moines, Iowa, police said Friday.
THE WEEK IN PICTURES
Gloria Gary, 49, was reported missing Jan. 5. Police said she was last seen two days earlier, leaving her job.
Kyle Jepson, 22, was charged with killing the woman after he was picked up Thursday in Utah in her car. He was also charged with robbery and burglary.
COLD CASE CRACKED: NEWBORN KIDNAPPED IN 1998 FOUND ALIVE AND WELL IN SC
Local media reports suggest that Jepson led police to Gary's body.
Gary didnt know Jepson, police said, according to the Des Moines Register.
A statement posted Friday on a Facebook page dedicated to finding Gary said, We are not a vindictive people, and we will go forward with forgiveness in our hearts and pray and act for the betterment of humanity. Thank you all. Gloria, we will miss you, so much. Your niece and nephew weep for you. We all do.
Police said Garys body was so well hidden it escaped detection by her family who were in and out of the house and investigators who were there once, the Register reported. They would not reveal where the body was eventually found or the nature of its wounds.
The problem with a missing persons case is if you haven't identified a criminal act, we can't move forward with a lot of search warrants, Sgt. Paul Parizek said, according to the paper. You have to have probable cause to do that.
The sergeant was quoted as saying that investigators felt something was amiss about Gary's disappearance.
We definitely knew that this was a unique case, and there were things about it that ... kind of made the hair stand up on the back of your neck, Parizek said, according to the Register. There was just something not right. It was really out of character for her. But 'out of character' is not a crime.
Police first spotted Garys car in southern Utah on Wednesday.
Police said surveillance footage shot on that day shows Jepson at a convenience store. The images show a man with a tattoo covering his left forearm.
Jepson was taken into custody near Salt Lake City.
A police officer lacked probable cause to arrest a preacher for reading the Bible aloud at a California Department of Motor Vehicles office, a federal appeals court says.
PRIEST REPLACES STATUES STOLEN IN RHODE ISLAND
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling Wednesday rejected a lower court opinion that found in favor of California Highway Patrol Officer Darren Meyer.
Calvary Church pastor Mark Mackey had sued Meyer, saying his Fourth Amendment rights were violated when Meyer arrested him for preaching without a permit outside the Hemet DMV in 2011.
PASTOR'S TEENAGE DAUGHTER WHO WAS MISSING FOR DAYS FOUND ALIVE
Meyer asserted that Mackey's preaching led to a verbal altercation with people standing in line to get into the office.
But the court said that assertion was completely belied by video.
You can preach on your own property, Meyer is heard saying in the video.
Folks, this is what the United States is coming to, Mackey is heard saying. You can talk about anything you want, but you cant talk about the Bible.
The video, which was featured on Fox News, went viral online, the Riverside Press Enterprise reported Thursday.
Mackeys reaction to the ruling was justice still prevails, while Meyer declined comment, the paper reported.
Mackey was eventually cleared of the misdemeanor criminal charges brought against him.
Members of the Cuban exile community in South Florida are expressing strong opinions on the newly repealed wet foot, dry foot policy.
The change announced Tursday became effective immediately. From now on, any Cuban who tries to come to the U.S. without a visa will be repatriated.
Since the Obama administration announced the normalizing of relations with Cuba, this repeal has been a big fear for many who reside in South Florida and have family back home in Cuba.
By making it effective immediately, its very important, strategic, moved to ensure that you dont see a mass migration event take place in the near term, said Brian Fonseca, a professor at Florida International University.
Cuban activist Ramon Saul Sanchez has helped many Cuban migrants settle in South Florida over the years when they arrive on shore.
He fears the effect this change will have on the island nation. We do not understand why this step has been taken in such an irresponsible way, Sanchez said, that could send waves of panic in to Cuba. Cubans do not leave Cuba because there is a favorable law in the United States. They leave Cuba because there is an oppressive regime in Cuba.
According to a senior administration official, the two countries have been negotiating this policy for some time, which also includes an agreement from Cuba that will allow those who are turned away from the U.S. to be allowed to return to the island nation.
There is a mixed reaction from Cuban-Americans at Cafe Versailles in Little Havana and Miami Beach.
[The policy] was attacking our young people especially and our people because the majority of people who did that [attempted the journey] had a large percentage if failure and lost their lives on the way, said Jorge Bernal through a translator.
They cant let the people return to Cuba because the government of Castro is alive, said one man. They are killing the people of the United States that return to Cuba.
Cafe Versailles patron Armando Gutierrez said he agrees with the policy change. Im glad. They should stay there and fight to get free, instead of coming here and then do nothing, he said.
Another treason of this country to Cuba, said another man at Cafe Versailles. Barack Obama, I dont believe him at all. Hes just a liar and just proposes situations to come closer to Raul Castro.
In a statement released by U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R, Fla., she said, In another bad deal by the Obama administration, it has traded wet foot dry foot for the elimination of an important program, which was undermining the Castro regime by providing an outlet for Cuban doctors to seek freedom from forced labor, which only benefits an oppressive regime.
The White House also released a statement that said in part, Taking this step, we are treating Cuban migrants the same way we treat migrants from other countries. The Cuban government has agreed to accept the return of Cuban nationals who have been ordered, removed just as it has been accepting of the return of migrants interdicted at sea.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, officials have come in contact with 1,885 Cuban migrants since October 2016. In the preceding year, they came in contact with 7,411 Cuban migrants.
A California man accused of shooting a U.S. diplomat in Mexico will be back in a federal courtroom.
A detention hearing is scheduled Friday afternoon in Alexandria, Virginia, for 31-year-old Zia Zafar of Chino Hills, California.
He's charged with attempted murder of a diplomat in the Jan. 6 shooting of consular officer Christopher Ashcraft in Guadalajara. Parts of the shooting were captured on surveillance video, including footage of a man taking aim and firing a shot at Ashcraft as he was exiting a parking garage.
So far, prosecutors have offered no motive for the shooting.
Zafar faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Friday's hearing will determine if Zafar remains jailed pending trial.
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The Justice Department plans to release a major report on Chicago police after a yearlong civil rights investigation.
Officials will make it public Friday.
The investigation into the 12,000-officer police force began in 2015 after release of a video showing a white officer fatally shooting black teenager Laquan McDonald 16 times.
An official familiar with the report has told The Associated Press the report would find constitutional violations over years. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak publicly.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel pushed through reforms since the investigation began, including overhauling a police oversight body. The report's likely to call for more reforms.
Reports in recent years have been followed by reform plans enforced by courts.
Authorities in Georgia, along with Krispy Kreme officials, said Thursday they were investigating a blog report that police officer found the words Black Lives Matter written on his doughnut box when he went to pick them up.
Smyrna police spokesman Louis Defense told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution the agency would release a statement once they have vetted the issue.
Sarah Roof, a spokeswoman for the North Carolina-based company, told the paper that the company has apologized to Smyrna police, and that its employees will undergo training to "reinforce mutual respect" between employees and customers.
"As a company, we value every customer and are committed to upholding our brand standards and delivering a superior customer experience. We have opened an investigation into the matter and will take whatever steps necessary to ensure the values of our company are upheld," the statement read.
The pro-police Blue Lives Matter blog posted a photo of a Krispy Kreme box with the writing on it. It didn't identify the officer who it says picked up the box from a Smyrna Krispy Kreme location Wednesday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Lady Liberty appears "in a new light, as an African-American woman," in a $100 gold coin unveiled Thursday, officials at the U.S. Mint have announced.
The 2017 American Liberty 225th Anniversary Gold Coin shows a woman's head in profile with a crown of stars. It features the year of the Philadelphia mint's founding, 1792, as well as 2017. The reverse side of the coin depicts an eagle in flight.
OFFICER WAS WRONG TO ARREST PREACHER FOR READING BIBLE AT DMV, COURT RULES
The coin is the first in a series. Future 24-karat gold coins will show Liberty in designs representing Asian-Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans, according to the mint. From the late 18th through the early 20th century, most U.S. coins featured depictions of Liberty as a woman of Europen ancestry.
"The coin demonstrates our roots in the past through such traditional elements as the inscriptions 'United States of America,' 'Liberty,' 'E Pluribus Unum' and 'In God We Trust,'" Principal Deputy Director Rhett Jeppson said.
The goal of the coins is to reflect the "the cultural and ethnic diversity of the United States," the mint says. The Treasury Department announced last April that abolitionist Harriet Tubman will replace President Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill starting around 2020.
The one-ounce coin is set to be released on April 6. It comes in a wooden case with an anniversary booklet and a certificate of authenticity, USA Today reported.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A suburban New York woman has been convicted of assault for punching and choking a teacher at her daughter's school.
Newsday (http://nwsdy.li/2jfLBAV ) reports a Nassau County jury deliberated about five hours before finding Annika McKenzie guilty of assault, harassment and disorderly conduct. She faces up to seven years in prison.
Prosecutors say McKenzie confronted the 60-year-old teacher in April 2015. She said she believed the teacher had assaulted her daughter with a lacrosse stick earlier that day. The teacher has denied that claim.
The teacher was unconscious for about two minutes and suffered a concussion.
McKenzie's lawyer says he is disappointed by the verdict. He said his client would have handled the situation differently given a second chance.
He said McKenzie thought the teacher was going to hit her.
___
Information from: Newsday, http://www.newsday.com
A White House visitor suffered a cut below her eye Monday after she was bitten by the first family's dog, Sunny, TMZ.com reported.
The 18-year-old, who was not identified, was bitten when she went to pet the 4-year-old Portuguese Water Dog, the report, which was published Thursday, said.
The bite left a gash under the girls eye and she was treated by the Obama's family doctor who said she needed stitches.
This is not the first time Sunny made headlines. In 2013, the $2,500-dog jumped on a toddler during a holiday party while being held by the first lady. In that instance, the girl was fine, Sunny even reportedly licked her face.
Sir, you are charged with assaulting a public servant, the judge told Christopher Tymczak during his probable cause hearing.
HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE RAISES $280G FOR TRUMP INAUGURATION APPEARANCE
Tymczak is a doctor of philosophy in theoretical physics. He teaches at Texas Southern Universitys College of Science Engineering and Technology. Prosecutors say the felony assault charge filed against the professor follows a prostitution investigation.
There was a deal made for 80 dollars, the prosecutor told the judge. This defendant said 'oh no' and tried to run towards the door.
HIGH SCHOOL'S DATING ASSIGNMENT CAUSES UPROAR AMONG PARENTS
While police tried to handcuff Tymczak, prosecutors say he used physical force to break the hold on his wrists and struck an officer in the face with a closed fist.
You are set at no bond because you are currently on bond for another felony matter, the judge told Tymczak.
In September of last year, Tymczak was charged with felony forgery in a case investigated by TSU police.
Court documents accuse the professor of forging hardship withdrawal paperwork and submitting those documents to an insurance company.
TSU sent Fox 26 this statement: "We are disappointed to learn of the charges filed against Dr. Tymczak. All university employees including faculty members are expected to adhere to all laws and regulations as well as all University policies and procedures. Dr. Tymczak will be afforded his due process in the legal system. The University is reviewing the matter to determine if there were any violations of University policies or procedures."
Click for more from Fox 26.
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EXCLUSIVE: Sudanese-American peace activist Rudwan Dawod spent 45 days in a Khartoum prison, enduring brutal beatings and barely enough food and water to stay alive before a judge ordered him freed.
He's already planning his next trip back to the war-torn region.
We are building our country, we are building peace, Dawod told FoxNews.com in an exclusive interview in Washington, D.C., where he stopped on his way home to Oregon, where his wife is expecting the couple's first child. We are making reconciliation between people, and this is what theyve always needed, so I cannot stop from going there. I know its risky, but they deserve it and I really need to continue. They cannot stop me from going to [South Sudan].
Dawod a permanent U.S. resident accused of being an American spy while imprisoned in Khartoum said the brutal treatment by the countrys National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) will not deter his mission of rebuilding a Catholic cathedral in South Sudan that has twice been destroyed by Sudanese forces. The 29-year-old native of Darfur was arrested in Khartoum on July 3 while participating in a peaceful protest against the ongoing violence in the region and the Sudanese governments austerity policies under President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir. Prior to his arrest, Dawod had spent a month in South Sudan facilitating resources to rebuild the cathedral that will serve 1,000 worshippers in Torit and become a symbol of peace between Christians and Muslims in the African nation.
They started beating me a lot with sticks, kind of like a strong plastic, Dawod said of his arrest by NISS forces. First they said, We know you very well and where you come from. They told me, We have been looking for you.
Dawod, a project director for Sudan Sunrise, a Washington-based organization that promotes peace and the end of oppression in the region, had traveled to Sudan to visit relatives and to renew his passport. He originally had no plans to participate in the protest, which was led by Girifna, a non-violent youth protest movement in the nation whose name means Were Fed Up. He was the first person taken into custody at the rally of 1,000 activists and residents, he said, followed by an Egyptian journalist.
Dawod's imprisonment attracted scant international attention, though FoxNews.com chronicled his plight as his case wound through the unpredictable Sudanese legal system. Even as he appeared in court to profess his innocence, Dawod endured regular beatings and interrogations behind closed doors.
They were questioning me a lot, Dawod said, adding that authorities believed he was an American spy. I knew that they were just trying to charge me and try to punish me. I was just a symbol; they wanted to make the other people afraid.
While in custody, Dawod said he was beaten daily for a week and was detained with six other men in a cell designed for one person.
"I was in a very small room and there was not anything, just a floor, he said. There was no sheet, no blanket or mattress or anything. There [was] not even any light and I was in chains even inside the little room.
The harsh conditions didnt break Dawods spirit, however. Instead, he felt sorry for his captors.
I wasnt really feeling bad at all, even when they were beating me, he said. I reached some kind of level I wasnt even feeling the pain of their torture or their beatings. I was even telling them I was not their enemy and that I didnt see them as my enemy. The government was just using them to torture their own brothers.
Some of the security forces seemed to enjoy Dawods suffering, he said.
But when they gave me an opportunity to speak a little bit, I convinced a lot of them that they were doing something crazy. If theyre a human being, theyre not supposed to enjoy someone elses suffering.
[pullquote]
Dawod said he was later accused of belonging to a terrorist group, of being an American spy and of organizing an illegal protest. If convicted on those charges, he could have faced the death penalty.
I was sure I was innocent, but I knew that if they wanted to do something, they could do it, he said. They can fabricate anything, the government of Sudan.
Those serious charges were ultimately dropped on August 13 by a judge who ordered Dawod to pay a fine of 500 Sudanese pounds roughly $100 for allegedly planning to burn tires during the protest in July. But Dawod was immediately re-arrested by NISS forces and taken back into custody after the fine was paid and he was released on time served.
That development prompted U.S. State Department officials, in a statement to FoxNews.com last month, to call on the Sudanese government to release Dawod and honor the judges decision. He was later freed on Aug. 16, nearly 50 days after he was originally arrested.
I never lost hope, he said. I knew I would be released soon. Even when they took me again to the prison, they started treated me very well this time. But I knew I wasnt guilty. They kept me more than 45 days and I did nothing.
Upon being released, one of Dawods first telephone calls was to his wife Nancy, whom he met in 2009 while volunteering with Sudan Sunrise. The couple, who live in Springfield, Ore., are now expecting their first child a daughter theyll name Sudan within weeks.
It was a very emotional time, Dawod told FoxNews.com of that phone call. She was crying, she was happy, and she wanted me to leave soon. She was really worried a lot and believed I was going to be re-arrested again.
Dawod still had to renew his passport, however, so he stayed with relatives for a few days before returning to the United States on Aug. 29. He sat down with FoxNews.com for his first interview on his detention the following day, saying that despite the terror of facing the death penalty for what was merely an attempt to rebuild a church, he will return.
What is going on in Sudan is really sad, a lot of people have no idea, he said. Where I grew up, it was all about violence. It was all about hating the others. It was all negative, really. We grew up in a war culture.
Now thousands of miles away from that nonstop violence, Dawod is one step closer to returning to his wife and unborn child. He will speak Tuesday at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, D.C., before returning to Oregon.
Im the luckiest man in the world, he said.
Protesters angered by a film they consider blasphemous to Islam have stormed the U.S. Embassy compound in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, in the most recent attack on U.S. diplomatic posts in the Middle East.
Protesters smashed windows as they breached the embassy perimeter and reached the compound grounds, although they did not enter the main building housing the offices. Angry young men brought down the U.S. flag in the courtyard, burned it and replaced it with a black banner bearing Islam's declaration of faith "There is no God but Allah."
Yemeni security forces who rushed to the scene fired in the air and used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators, driving them out of the compound after about 45 minutes and sealing off the surrounding streets. It was not immediately clear whether anyone was inside the embassy at the time of the attack.
Demonstrators removed the embassy's sign on the outer wall, set tires ablaze and pelted the compound with rocks.
Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi ordered an investigation into the attack.
Hadi avowed to bring the culprits to justice, saying the attack by a "rowdy crowd" was part of a conspiracy to derail Yemen's close relations with Washington.
The Embassy of the Republic of Yemen in Washington, D.C. said in a statement obtained by Fox News that Yemen strongly condemned the attack on the U.S. compound, but says the situation is under control.
"Fortunately no casualties were reported from this chaotic incident. The government of Yemen will honor international obligations to ensure the safety of diplomats and will step up security presence around all foreign missions," the statement said. "We strongly urge all those that would wish to incite others to violence to cease immediately.
Pentagon officials tell Fox News that Pentagon and U.S. Navy officials are monitoring the situation in Yemen, but so far have received no request for military assistance there following the Embassy breach.
"We are doing everything we can to support our mission in Yemen," a senior administration official told Fox News. "We've had good cooperation from the Yemeni government which is working with us to maintain order and protect our facilities and people."
The movie cited in the attacks, "Innocence of Muslims," came to attention in Egypt after its trailer was dubbed into Arabic and posted on YouTube. The video-sharing website blocked access to it Wednesday. The trailer depicts Muhammad as a fraud, a womanizer and a madman in an overtly ridiculing way, showing him having sex and calling for massacres.
The Yemen incident was similar to an attack on the U.S. Embassy in the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Tuesday night. A mob of Libyans also attacked the U.S. consulate in the eastern city of Benghazi on Tuesday, killing American Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.
Three diplomats injured in the Libyan attack are being treated at an American military hospital in Germany and one of the two most seriously wounded is expected to leave the intensive care unit on Thursday
A State Department status report obtained by The Associated Press says the third injured staffer is awake and alert at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center near the Ramstein Air Base, where 33 uninjured consulate personnel are staying and receiving military counseling. All were evacuated from Benghazi early Wednesday and arrived in Germany late that afternoon along with the remains of the four diplomats.
According to the report, the injured staffers "are doing relatively well" and most want to return to Libya.
In Iraq, several hundred Shiite hardliners protested in Baghdad's Shiite stronghold of Sadr City. The leader of an Iranian-backed Shiite militia that previously attacked U.S. troops, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, threatened anti-U.S. attacks.
The movie "will put all the American interests in Iraq in danger," the militia leader, Qais al-Khazali, told The Associated Press.
The warning capped a day of growing tensions in Baghdad, where hundreds of Shiite followers of the anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr demanded the closure of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad over the anti-Islam movie.
Protestors burned American flags and carried banners reading, "We reject the attack on the Prophet Mohammed."
"No, no, to Israel! No, no to America!" thousands shouted in the Shiite stronghold of Sadr City in northeast Baghdad. "Yes, yes for Messenger of God!"
There was no immediate response Thursday from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
In Iran, about 50 protesters shouted, "Death to America," outside the Swiss Embassy, which looks after U.S. diplomatic interests in Iran. Riot police kept the crowd away from the building.
On Thursday, Egyptian protesters also clashed with police near the U.S. Embassy in Cairo for the third day in a row. Police used tear gas to disperse the protesters and the two sides pelted each other with rocks. But unlike Tuesday, the police kept the protesters away from the embassy's compound.
The Interior Ministry, which is in charge of police, said 16 protesters and 13 policemen were wounded in the clashes, which broke out overnight and were ongoing. Twelve protesters have been arrested, it said.
Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi criticized the movie Thursday during a visit to the European Union in Brussels.
"We condemn strongly ... all those who launch such provocations and who stand behind that hatred," Morsi said, adding that he had asked Obama "to put an end to such behavior."
But Morsi also urged the Egyptian people to not engage in "unlawful acts."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The US military has failed to prepare a realistic "plan B" if political turmoil forces the closure of a vital naval base in Bahrain, a naval officer argues in a report.
The Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain is the most US important maritime base in the Middle East but senior officers have become complacent about its future, Commander Richard McDaniel asserts.
"Surprisingly, military leaders have no 'Plan B' if strategic access in Bahrain is jeopardized," McDaniel wrote, in a paper published by the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank.
"Because of a strong desire to support the government of Bahrain, losing critical access is not currently being considered, and strategic basing alternatives are not being developed."
The loss of the base "could leave the United States without a key maritime base during a critical juncture of heightened tensions in the Middle East," wrote McDaniel, who cited interviews with unnamed US officers.
His report warns the United States was caught ill-prepared and off-guard by political upheavals in the past -- in Iran in 1979 and in the Philippines in 1991 -- which saw Washington lose access to crucial bases.
The author proposes the United States investigate alternatives in the Qatari capital Doha, where a large port is under construction, and in Shuabia, Kuwait, as well as ports in Oman.
Shifting the whole headquarters to ships at sea is also an alternative, he wrote, though it would be costly and problematic.
US defense officials and military officers dismissed the report, saying the the Pentagon regularly reviews contingency plans, particularly for pivotal bases.
"That's not the case," a senior defense official said of the report's claims. "We're always assessing the security situation," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"Our relationships with the kingdom of Bahrain and other nations in the region remain strong," a US Navy officer, who also asked not to be named, told AFP.
"As in other parts of the world, we have a number of viable options to maintain a robust presence," the officer said.
Rights groups have accused the United States of failing to use its leverage from the naval base to persuade Bahrain's monarchy to address the grievances of protesters and ease a crackdown on dissent.
Since 2011, a Shiite-led uprising has demanded more rights from the ruling Sunni dynasty.
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Eritrea's capital Asmara boasts buildings unlike anywhere else in Africa, a legacy of its Italian colonial past, when architects were given free rein for structures judged too avant-garde back home.
Modernist architectural wonders in this highland city include a futurist petrol station mimicking a soaring aircraft and a funky art-deco bowling alley with checkered, coloured glass windows.
"The city is a living museum of architecture," said Medhanie Teklemariam, an urban planner in Asmara's city administration.
Yet while many of the buildings survived a decades-long liberation war from Ethiopia that ravaged settlements elsewhere, preservation and restoration projects have been hampered, threatening to erode the country's rich cultural heritage.
Medhanie said money remains a critical obstacle, along with a lack of local technical expertise required for specialised restoration projects.
"To undertake a major restoration of all these buildings is very, very challenging because of one, the funding issue and, second, technical capacity," he said, sitting before a map of central Asmara.
But Medhanie is pushing for change. He is lobbying for the historic city centre to be included on the United Nations World Heritage list and working to renew a European Union-supported project to restore a market building and the Capitol, an Expressionist-style cinema.
He sees the preservation of Asmara's precious buildings -- mainly from the first half of the 20th century -- as a matter of maintaining the country's national fabric.
"This heritage... it is very important for Eritrea's identity," he said.
World Heritage status would also be a rare opportunity for Eritrea to win positive international exposure. The Horn of Africa nation normally makes headlines only for its raft of repressive policies.
"The international reputation... would be boosted," said Edward Denison, a photographer and co-author of "Asmara: Africa's Secret Modernist City".
Most of the buildings in the former Italian colony were constructed between 1936 and 1941 as part of Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini's plan to expand his foothold in Africa.
Asmara used to be known as Piccola Roma, or "Little Rome". In the 1939 census, more than half the city's inhabitants were Italian -- 53,000 out of a total of 98,000.
Italian architects were brought over and encouraged to experiment with innovative designs that were frowned upon in conservative Europe.
Asmara gained a reputation as an "experimental playground" where wacky designs were welcomed.
Today, Eritreans have a deep appreciation for the buildings -- even though many were built by compatriots carrying out forced labour under colonial rule -- and are proud of their unique city.
While some buildings sit unused, such as the Teatro Asmara, with its high arched awnings and Roman-style pillars, many of them remain functional.
Tables are busy at Cinema Roma, as regulars sip macchiatos on the terrace beneath the marble facade. Inside, dated American movies and Eritrean shows are screened to visitors who watch from plush red seats.
According to Denison, the buildings could be a major boost for the sagging tourist industry.
"The opportunities are boundless, and Eritrea is very aware of that with the various other cultural and natural attractions that it has. I think architecture is a key component of that," he said.
Luckily, the city's slow development has preserved many of its old buildings, most of which have been left untouched since Eritrea's war for independence kicked off in 1961.
Dennis Rodwell, architect and author of "Conservation and Sustainability in Historic Cities", describes Asmara as a "time warp".
But preservation efforts have been held back in part by Eritrea's staunch principle of self-reliance. Rodwell said that outside support is sometimes seen as "a threat rather than an opportunity".
The $5-million (3.75-million-euro) World Bank-funded Cultural Assets Rehabilitation Project ended in 2007 as funding dried up and relations between the World Bank and Eritrea soured.
EU funding earmarked for architectural restoration projects remains frozen for review.
Denison, the photographer, agrees that preservation efforts could be improved through greater collaboration with outsiders, but notes Eritrea's rebel-turned-politician leaders have long struggled to balance "self-reliance and collaboration internationally".
Yet despite stalled progress in recent years, he says he is hopeful that Eritrea's rich architectural heritage can be preserved.
I never had asthma or needed an inhaler. But then I got treated for cancer. Eventually, one of the side effects was pneumonia and, over a year later, I still have a wretched barking cough. I have to use an asthma inhaler. With the only bad part of Medicare -- the GOP's horrific Part D-- in play it costs me about $70 a month for the medicine, up considerably-- like double-- over last year. I ran out of it while I was in Thailand this month. So I went to a pharmacy there. The price was something like $6.50. I stocked up.
Most Americans-- by far-- are pissed off about high drug prices and want action from Congress. But Members of Congress take massive bribes from the drug companies and consistently refuse to help. Last September a poll from the Kaiser Foundation found that 82% of Americans want Medicare to negotiate prices with the drug companies. Congress refuses. 78% favors limiting the amount companies can charge for high-cost drugs, such as those that fight cancer or hepatitis and Congress doesn't care. And more than two-thirds want to let Americans buy drugs imported from Canada, another divergence with Congress. 77% of Americans consider drug costs unreasonable.
not a party-line vote, even if most Democrats backed it and most Republicans opposed it. The power of Big Pharma is immense and it came down strong on this vote, pulling the worst of the corporate Democrats across the aisle into GOP territory. Wednesday night the Senate voted on Amy Klobuchar's and Bernie Sanders' amendment "to establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund relating to lower prescription drug prices for Americans by importing drugs from Canada." It failed 46-52 and it was very mucha party-line vote, even if most Democrats backed it and most Republicans opposed it. The power of Big Pharma is immense and it came down strong on this vote, pulling the worst of the corporate Democrats across the aisle into GOP territory.
First the dozen Republicans who decided to stick up for their constituents and who crossed the aisle in the other direction:
John Boozman (R-AR)
Susan Collins (R-ME)
Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
Dean Heller (R-NV)
John Kennedy (R-LA)
Mike Lee (R-UT)
John McCain (R-AZ)
Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Rand Paul (R-KY)
John Thune (R-SD)
Those were the Republicans who understood the appeal-- voiced by Klobuchar-- that "Canadian families right across our northern border pay on average half as much for their prescription drugs, but laws currently on the book prevent American families from buying these cheaper alternatives." These are the 13 Democrats who didn't want to hear it-- and how much they have taken in legalistic bribes from the pharmaceutical industry:
Patty Murray (D-WA)- $893,626
Robert Menendez (D-NJ)- $795,895
Bob Casey (D-PA)- $628,329
Michael Bennet (D-CO)- $506,067
Tom Carper (D-DE)- $470,674
Cory Booker (D-NJ)- $385,678
Mark Warner (D-VA)- $317,200
Chris Coons (D-DE)- $292,700
Joe Donnelly (D-IN)- $272,533
Jon Tester (D-MT)- $176,550
Martin Heinrich (D-NM)- $176,039
Maria Cantwell (D-WA)- $173,625
Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)- $69,525
bete noire and Booker's self-serving testimony got Cory Booker wants to be the Democrats' nominee for president in 2020. It helps explain his unprecedented testimony against a fellow senator, Jeff Sessions, this week. Sessions is a bona fide Democraticand Booker's self-serving testimony got great reviews -- although not from the far right. On his Facebook page Tom Cotton (R-AR) wrote: "Im very disappointed that Senator Booker has chosen to start his 2020 presidential campaign by testifying against Senator Sessions. This disgraceful breach of custom is especially surprising since Senator Booker just last year said he was 'honored to have partnered with Senator Sessions' on a resolution honoring civil-rights marchers. Senator Booker says he feels compelled to speak out because Senator Session wants to keep criminals behind bars, drugs off our streets, and amnesty from becoming law. Hes welcome to oppose these common-sense policies and vote against Senator Sessionss nomination, but what is so unique about those views to require his extraordinary testimony? Nothing. This hearing simply offers a platform for his presidential aspirations. Senator Booker is better than that, and he knows better."
New Jersey progressives know Booker as a charter school-backing Wall Street Democrat. But... since getting into the Senate, he's literally amassed a voting record to the left-- as measured by ProgressivePunch-- of Bernie Sanders! These are the 10 lifetime crucial vote scores by 11 senators who have all been rated "A."
Ed Markey (D-MA)- 97.6
Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)- 97.01
Mazie Hirono (D-HI)- 96.43
Sherrod Brown (D-OH)- 96.03
Jack Reed (D-RI)- 95.97
Al Franken (D-MN)- 95.54
Cory Booker (D-NJ)- 95.28
Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)- 95.21
Dick Durbin (D-IL)- 95.15
Bernie Sanders (I-VT)- 95.01
Jeff Merkley (D-OR)- 94.50
To be honest, ProgressivePunch isn't finely-tuned enough for the tiny differentials between Ed Markey and Jeff Merkley to be meaningful. But you can say with confidence that these are the senators with the overall most progressive voting records. The worst of the Democratic records belongs to Heidi Heitkamp (56.55), an "F" and most of the senators who voted against the amendment Wednesday have "F" ratings, Booker being the glaring exception.
When Booker ran in 2014, he amassed a war chest of $17,718,139. His Republican opponent, Jeff Bell, only managed to raise $569,770. The Finance Sector was Booker's biggest source of funds-- by far-- but pharmaceuticals were in the top 10 and he's certainly counting on them for his 2020 race for the nomination, even being willing to step all over his own carefully-crafted image as a progressive to please them. The video below shows Bernie Sanders questioning Robert Califf, a Big Pharma lobbyist who was Obama's nominee for FDA Commissioner. This isn't a line of questioning you could ever expect from Heidi Heitkamp-- or Cory Booker.
Bernie yesterday: "The Democratic Party has got to make it very clear that they are prepared to stand up to powerful special interests like the pharmaceutical industry and like Wall Street, and theyre not going to win elections and theyre not going to be doing the right thing for the American people unless they have the guts to do that. That 13 Democrats did not is disappointing. I absolutely hope that in the coming weeks and months youre going to see many of them develop the courage to stand up to Pharma."
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International demand for quinoa continues to boom, and that's fueling an increasingly bitter commercial feud between Bolivia and Peru, the two main producers of the Andean "superfood."
The fight pits hardscrabble, traditional organic growers mostly in Bolivia's semi-arid highlands against upstart Peruvian agribusinesses concentrated on the Pacific coast that include heavy pesticide users. Peru is about to overtake Bolivia as the top exporter, worrying Bolivians about their ability to compete.
As Peru boosts production of cheaper factory-farmed quinoa, the grain is increasingly being smuggled into landlocked Bolivia to be mixed with, and sometimes sold as, organic quinoa Bolivia's specialty, growers and government officials say.
"They are trying to force us to lower prices," said Reynaldo Mamani, who along with some 500 other Bolivian quinoa farmers marched on the presidential palace Monday to demand that President Evo Morales halt the invasion of Peruvian quinoa.
A week earlier, Bolivian authorities took 23 metric tons of Peruvian quinoa seized at a checkpoint near the border, dumped it into a ditch, soaked it with diesel fuel and burned it for TV crews an extreme measure in a country where nearly half the people are poor and roughly one in five toddlers suffers from malnutrition.
Peru and Bolivia both made quinoa, which scientists consider as nutritious as mother's milk, an export priority even before the United Nations declared 2013 as International Quinoa Year. Although marketed as a grain, quinoa is actually a seed from the goosefoot plant family.
A decade ago, Peru accounted for just 6 percent of global sales while Bolivia had 90 percent, according to U.N. figures. But Peru is on track to supplant Bolivia this year as the top exporter, having doubled production from 2013 to 95,000 metric tons amid strong demand from the U.S. and Europe.
Peru's higher output stems from greater use of insecticides and chemical fertilizers as agribusiness steps up cultivation in coastal valleys, where there are two harvests a year compared to one in the highlands.
"It is a smaller grain, and we know there is very little organic in Peru," said Eduard Rollet, president of San Francisco-based Alter Eco, a "fair-trade" company that buys quinoa directly from organic Bolivian farmers.
But with quinoa prices increasing eightfold over five years, "in the U.S. a lot of buyers from supermarkets are looking at legally mixing quinoa from Peru and quinoa from Bolivia as a way to reduce price," Rollet said.
Organic quinoa now fetches up to $10 a pound retail in the United States, with non-organic available for as much as half that price.
But for producers, the wholesale price for organic quinoa has dropped from a peak of a little over $8,000 a metric ton early this year and is now down to about $6,000, Rollet said. Non-organic quinoa fetches considerably less.
"There is so much supply on the market because of Peru's big production that prices simply must go down," said Pablo Laguna, a Bolivian anthropologist and quinoa expert. "The price downturn is irreversible."
That worries Bolivia's small-scale quinoa farmers, who can't produce as cheaply as their Peruvian competitors.
Mamani, the farmer who joined in the protest in La Paz, grows the prized, larger-seeded reddish-purple royal quinoa in Bolivian's southwestern highlands at altitudes of nearly 12,000 feet using llama manure as fertilizer.
He complains that a 110-pound (50-kilogram) sack that he could sell for $347 last year now fetches just $260. "That simply no longer covers my costs," said Mamani, who uses pesticides but not chemical fertilizers. Global warming is also hurting production as highlands weather becomes more erratic with more frequent frosts and dry spells.
Sergio Nunez de Arco, CEO of Andean Naturals, a U.S. importer of quinoa, said prices for Peru's white-seed coastal "sweet" quinoa have been consistently dropping. The coastal quinoa is more apt to be contaminated by pesticide overuse because it grows on land previously occupied by other crops.
"Bugs love quinoa," he said. "That's one reason why it does so well in the highlands, where there are fewer pests." The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been rejecting some shipments of quinoa from Andean countries due to high pesticide residues.
Before foreign demand soared, nearly all quinoa was organic because most people who farmed it were poor.
If Bolivians want to compete with Peru, many believe, they need more government backing in certifying the organic product's purity.
"It needs to demonstrate scientifically that it is the best, because it's difficult to tell by taste," said Laguna, the anthropologist.
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Associated Press writer Carlos Valdez reported in La Paz, Bolivia, Frank Bajak from Lima, Peru.
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Frank Bajak on Twitter: http://twitter.com/fbajak
A Jamaican teenager has been detained in the South American country of Suriname on suspicion of being a would-be militant hoping to join Islamic extremists.
In a statement, Suriname's police force said the 16-year-old was denied entry after arriving at the country's main airport on a Saturday flight. The teen, whose identity was not disclosed, was apparently trying to fly to the Netherlands and then to Turkey.
An intelligence agency Suriname police did not identify informed them that the Jamaican apparently intended to slip into Syria to join Islamic State militants. After being questioned and obtaining background information on the youth, he was flown back to Jamaica.
Jamaica's national security ministry did not provide comment Sunday. Last month, the ministry insisted there was "no evidence" of Jamaicans joining the Islamic State group or other terrorist groups a few days after a U.S. general identified the island as one of the Caribbean nations that have produced roughly 100 would-be militants fighting with Islamic extremists in Syria.
Gen. John Kelly, who heads the U.S. Southern Command, has said Iran and Islamic extremist groups were doing a "fair amount" of recruiting in the region, and said some people have become radicalized through the Internet and others through radical mosques. He listed Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname and Venezuela as regional countries where officials believe recruits have departed for Syria.
Overall, the Caribbean is apparently a small source of foreign fighters. A recent U.N. report said the number of fighters leaving home to join al-Qaida and the Islamic State group has spiked to more than 25,000 from over 100 nations. The report mentioned an increase in fighters from countries including Trinidad, where a ragtag group of Muslim militants attempted to overthrow the government in 1990.
During President Barack Obama's trip to Jamaica last week to meet with Caribbean Community leaders, Trinidad Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar issued a statement saying she was "very concerned of the threat of terrorism" for her country and for the region.
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David McFadden on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dmcfadd
A Roman Catholic diocese in northern Mexico says a priest missing since Jan. 3 has been found dead.
The Saltillo Diocese in Coahuila state said in a statement Thursday that authorities informed them the body of Rev. Joaquin Hernandez Sifuentes had been found. No other details were included.
The state prosecutors' office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Hernandez was supposed to take a short vacation beginning Jan. 3. But a close friend was unable to reach him by phone that day. Early that same morning, a neighbor saw two young men take Hernandez's car, but did not see the priest with them.
The friend went to the priest's residence at the church and found his room a mess. Later he found the priest's packed suitcase.
A Turkish court has remanded in custody two Chinese citizens over their alleged links to a deadly gun attack on an Istanbul nightclub.
In a report Friday, Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency named the two suspects as Omar Asim and Abuliezi Abuduhamiti. They are accused of membership in an "armed terror organization" and of assisting in 39 counts of first-degree murder.
A gunman killed 39 people at Istanbul's Reina nightclub, a swanky venue by the Bosporus where scores of people had gathered to celebrate the New Year.
The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility, saying the attack was in reprisal for Turkish military operations in northern Syria.
Last week, a Turkish official said the gunman was probably from China's Muslim Uighur minority.
WikiLeaks said Thursday that its founder Julian Assange will agree to be extradited to the U.S. if President Barack Obama grants clemency to Chelsea Manning.
WikiLeaks made the announcement on Twitter and remained adamant that the Department of Justice case against Assange was unconstitutional.
If Obama grants Manning clemency Assange will agree to US extradition despite clear unconstitutionality of DoJ case https://t.co/MZU30SlfGK WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) January 12, 2017
GUNNED-DOWN DNC STAFFER'S FATHER DOUBTS WIKILEAKS LINK AS COPS SEEK ANSWERS
Assange has been hiding out at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London since June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden to face sexual assault allegations. According to AFP, Assange fears Stockholm would extradite him to the U.S. after WikiLeaks published thousands of secret cables from the U.S. military, which were leaked by Manning during his time as a U.S. soldier.
Manning is serving a 35-year sentence for handing more than 700,000 documents to the State Department. Hes currently being held at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas.
The ACLU and LGBT groups have lobbied Obama to commute Manning's sentence.
Manning has attempted suicide twice and has an appeal currently pending in military court.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
French magistrates are investigating suspected fraud by carmaker Renault involving its diesel emissions controls, in the wake of the Volkswagen emissions cheating scandal.
Shares in Renault one of France's leading manufacturers dived Friday after the investigation was revealed. Renault has denied intentional wrongdoing.
The Paris prosecutor's office said three investigating judges have opened a judicial inquiry into Renault's emissions controls practices and whether they "made merchandise dangerous for human health."
France's environment ministry has also investigated Renault, which recalled thousands of cars last year because they spewed out excessive levels of harmful gases.
French prosecutors are carrying out a separate probe into Volkswagen's emissions practices in France, after the German carmaker was found to have used engine software to cheat on U.S. diesel emissions tests.
Angela Merkel's spokesman says the chancellor will meet with key ministers Wednesday to begin formulating Germany's position on Britain's departure from the European Union.
Steffen Seibert says it will be the first time the Cabinet's specially created 'Brexit' committee holds a formal meeting. It takes place a day after U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May gives a much-anticipated speech with details of Britain's goals in exit negotiations with the EU.
Other members of the Cabinet committee include Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel, Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble and Merkel's chief of staff, Peter Altmaier.
Seibert told reporters in Berlin on Friday that "German interests need to be identified in order to bring them to the negotiations."
Germany and Britain have Europe's first and second biggest economies, respectively. They enjoy close business and cultural ties.
The chief suspect in the deadly ISIS attacks which killed 130 people in Paris has described being hailed an idol and star in letters from fans.
IRAQI FORCES ENTER MOSUL UNIVERSITY, TACTICAL ACHIEVEMENT IN ISIS BATTLE
Belgian-born Salah Abdeslam is accused of helping the terrorists who slaughtered innocent civilians in the French capital on November 13, 2015.
After four months on the run, Abdeslam, who is accused of driving the attackers to their location and helping to manufacture the explosives, was arrested in the Molenbeek area of Brussels.
FIRST WAVE OF HUNGARY'S 'BORDER HUNTERS' PREPARES TO PUSH BACK REFUGEES
Since his arrest, the 27-year-old has refused to cooperate with authorities and lawyers representing him quit because he refused to talk.
Abdeslam, who is of Moroccan descent, remains under 24-hour CCTV surveillance in the prison of Fleury-Merogis in northern France, Europe's largest jail with 3,800 inmates.
Now a letter sent by Abdeslam to a woman from prison has been published by French newspaper Liberation.
The terror suspect talks about getting letters from adoring fans and how he is "not ashamed" of who he is.
The letter reads: "First of all, I'm not afraid of letting anything slip because I'm not ashamed of what I am - and then what worse could be said than what's already been said.
"I'm writing to you without knowing how to start, I got all your letters and I don't know whether I've enjoyed them or not, they definitely let me spend a bit of time in the outside world.
"Since you've been straightforward I will be too, if I ask you what your intentions are it's to reassure myself that you don't love me like a "star" or an "idol" because I get messages like that and I don't endorse that because the only person who deserves to be adored is Allah."
A source told the Liberation paper that the Paris attacks suspect is bombarded by letters.
"Catholics wrote to him to ask about his faith, women shout their love and say they want to carry his child, lawyers offering their services is endless," the said.
In September, Abdeslam exercised his right to silence for the third time during a court appearance in the French capital.
Yesterday it emerged two more suspects have been charged in connection with the Paris terror attacks, accused of providing documents for the preparation, according to Belgian officials.
This story first appeared in The Sun.
Pakistani police say masked gunmen have shot and killed a journalist in southwestern Baluchistan province.
Police officer Muhammad Ali said Friday that 37-year-old Muhammad Jan was returning home late Thursday night when targeted in Kalat, some 160 kilometers south of the provincial capital Quetta.
Ali said the Jan was working for Urdu language daily Qudrat, and also teaching at a school. He said police were searching for the culprits who escaped on a motorcycle.
No group has claimed responsibility for the killing. Baluchistan is the scene of a low intensity insurgency by Baluch separatist groups. Islamic militants also operate in the province.
Pakistan is considered one of the deadliest countries for journalists. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 59 journalists have been killed in Pakistan from 1992 to 2016.
China escalated its war of words against the incoming Trump administration Friday, declaring in state media that Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson's warning over Beijing's military buildup in the South China Sea could signal the first shots of "a military clash."
TILLERSON TAKES SWIPES AT CHINA OVER SOUTH CHINA SEA BUILDUP
During his confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, Tillerson accused Beijing of "declaring control of territories that are not rightfully China's," comparing its island-building efforts and deployment of military assets to Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea -- an action that ended up prompting tough U.S. and European sanctions.
He added: "You're going to have to send China a clear signal that first, the island-building stops, and second, your access to those islands is also not going to be allowed."
CHOICE OF MATTIS TO RUN PENTAGON WINS SUPPORT FROM DEMOCRATS
China was quick on the saber-rattling in a Global Times op-ed. "China has enough determination and strength to make sure that his rabble-rousing will not succeed. Unless Washington plans to wage a large-scale war in the South China Sea, any other approaches to prevent Chinese access to the islands will be foolish."
Analysts suggested that Tillerson misspoke. Blocking Chinese access to the islands "could spark armed conflict," said Mark Fitzpatrick of the International Institute for Strategic Studies. "I can't help but think that he did not mean it this way."
Still, the Chinese op-ed continued, "If Trump's diplomatic team shapes future Sino-U.S. ties as it is doing now, the two sides had better prepare for a military clash."
An estimated $5 trillion of trade passes through the South China Sea each year. China has reclaimed more than 3,000 of acres of land and constructed military-grade infrastructure, and reportedly installed weaponry, on reefs and islets, mostly in the Spratly Island chain.
China denies any intent to restrict freedom of navigation but has objected when the U.S. Navy has sailed close to the islands.
Beijing frequently has used its media to fire back at President-elect Donald Trump and his team. After Trump suggested raising fees for Chinese imports in November, China threatened to slash the shipments, potentially leaving Americans without new iPhones.
"Large orders for Boeing planes would switch to Europe, U.S. auto sales in China would face setbacks, Apple phones would essentially be crowded out, and U.S. soybeans and corn would be eradicated from China," the Global Times warned.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
2016 In Review: America Off The Rails, Part 10
-- Dante
[You can click on nearly all the cartoons to enlarge.]
COMRADE TRUMP
#
You know who it has to be. There can only be one winner in the race to total republican douchebaggery. The winner has to be someone who exemplifies and embodies a lionshare of the delusional dysfunction, insanity, anger born of frustration of all kinds, wackjob qualities, and bigotries that make up the republican ideal.Many felt called; the republican primary race alone had 17 or 18 contestants. All felt entitled. All were considered for my contest as well. Think of them (I know you'd rather not):. . I'll just stop there. I don't want any of you DWT readers getting sick from the images and wacko pronouncements of these societal low-lights being burned into your brains.There were so many others I could have nominated, but I decided to stick with a few of the "big names.", the half-dozen or so governors I mentioned in America Off The Rails, Part 7 , et al. There was a sort of sub-winner among the governors,, who garnered special attention because, while the other governors caused mayhem and oppression for the citizens of their states, Snyder actually poisoned his subjects. Poisoned! My, that's special!The Republican Party also has a fine bench of up-and-comers. There's a whole petri dish of reprobate republicans in our future. They include Utah's camera-hogging cockroach, who currently infests the U.S. House of Representatives. Yay, Utah! You must be so proud!Then there's South Carolina Rep., who, along with Chaffetz, led the umpteenth dumbass inquisition of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over, dare I write the word, Benghazi. Don't you love how Gowdy goes out of his way to constantly mention that he is a lawyer, because he thinks that gives him validity and weight? No, Trey, it doesn't. All it shows is that, deep down, you know everything coming out of your mouth is absolute dogshit -- dogshit with worms.Readers will note that I didn't nominate any Republican women. Yes, I know they exist, but this is the Republican Party we're talking about. I could have nominated, but, despite the bang-up job she did forI decided to go with living Republicans, not zombie ones.Likewise,was not considered, for citizenship reasons. Sad. He might have won. Loser.But I am fair to the female gender, and for that reason I have made an arbitrary executive decision and decided, at the very last minute, that the winner of my little contest should not be called Republican Of The Year, but RepublicanOf The Year. I know the winner will especially appreciate that.You are officially declared my. Really, could the winner have been anyone else? I know how you love to be called a winner. Even better, since you are a cartoon (a sick one at that), and so much has been written about you and will be written about you in the future, I have decided that the best way to depict your person-ish essence is to just show your qualifications via cartoon.
Labels: Trump, Year in Review
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Serbia has warned that it will ignore future possible extradition requests for terrorism and other suspects wanted by France if it doesn't a hand over a former Kosovo prime minister to the Balkan country.
The Serbian government on Friday demanded the "urgent and immediate" extradition of Ramus Haradinaj, who was detained last week in France on a Serbian arrest warrant.
A French court on Thursday ordered the release of Haradinaj pending a decision on whether to extradite him to Serbia, where he's wanted on war crimes charges. He must stay in France under judicial supervision while his case is being studied.
Haradinaj, a former guerrilla commander in Kosovo's 1998-1999 war for independence from Serbia, was cleared of war crimes charges by a U.N. tribunal.
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Spanish police have arrested two people for terrorism offenses linked to the Islamic State armed group.
An Interior Ministry statement said the two arrested Friday in Spain's North African enclave city of Ceuta had undergone a long process of radicalization and formed part of a group that was advancing toward carrying out terrorist activities.
It said police were searching six houses and premises in the city, which is bordered by Morocco on one side and the Mediterranean Sea on the other.
There were no immediate details on the identity of the detainees.
The ministry said Spanish police have arrested 180 suspected jihadi activists over the past two years, many of them in Ceuta.
Spain has been one step below maximum security alert since attacks in Europe and elsewhere in 2015.
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Greece's Supreme Court has started extradition hearings for the last four of eight Turkish servicemen who fled by military helicopter to Greece after last year's failed coup.
In separate sessions this week, Greek prosecutors have recommended rejecting neighboring Turkey's extradition demand for the other four, saying none of the men would receive a fair trial in Turkey.
Ahead of Friday's hearings, the eight cited threats they had received from Turkish officials, and spoke of the dire conditions in Turkish prisons.
In a joint statement to The Associated Press, the men said their families back in Turkey have been victimized, with their wives losing their jobs and health care access and having their bank accounts seized.
All eight deny Turkish allegations they were involved in the July 15 failed coup attempt.
The U.N. human rights envoy for Myanmar has arrived in tense Rakhine state, where a military operation against Muslim insurgents has driven an estimated 65,000 people to flee into Bangladesh in the past three months.
U.N. rapporteur Yanghee Lee began a three-day mission there Friday. Members of the Muslim ethnic Rohingya minority say the military has tortured, raped and killed civilians and burned down their homes in northern Rakhine state. The army denies the abuse allegations, which have drawn worldwide concern.
Unverified claims by Rohingya sympathizers say hundreds have been killed.
The security crackdown began in October, after nine policemen were killed in attacks by a shadowy insurgent group along the border with Bangladesh.
Entrepreneur Magazine Names National Property Inspections, Inc., a Top 500 Franchise of 2017
NPI/GPI has made the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 every year for more than a decade
January 13, 2017 // Franchising.com // Omaha, Neb., National Property Inspections, Inc., parent company of National Property Inspections in the United States and Global Property Inspections in Canada, is honored to again be included in Entrepreneur Magazines Franchise 500. Recognized by entrepreneurs and franchisors as a top competitive tool of measurement, the Franchise 500 places NPI as 277 for its exceptional performance in areas including financial strength and stability, growth rate and brand power.
We spend months gathering and crunching data in order to produce the Franchise 500 ranking. Were proud of the result and the way it continues to be a resource for the franchise community, says Jason Feifer, editor in chief of Entrepreneur. Like every industry, franchising is ever-evolving and must smartly react to new technologies and consumer demands. We know it takes a lot to stay competitive, and are excited to celebrate those that do it best.
The key factors that go into Entrepreneurs evaluation include costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. All franchises are given a cumulative score based on more than 150 data points, and the 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the Franchise 500 in ranking order.
We are always pleased to be included on Entrepreneurs Franchise 500, said Roland Bates, president of National Property Inspections, Inc. We are featured on many top franchise lists every year, and Entrepreneurs is one of the most prestigious. We have always worked hard to make NPI and GPI top franchise opportunities in the United States and Canada, and this year we have some exciting new benefits and programs for franchise owners.
In addition to its ranking as a top franchise, National Property Inspections, Inc., is proud to be a top-ranked
franchise based on franchisee satisfaction. In an independent franchisee satisfaction survey conducted by Franchise Business Review, NPI scored 4.1 out of 5.0 stars, demonstrating high franchisee satisfaction and outperforming others in its industry. To access the most recent NPI/GPI franchisee satisfaction report, go to http://report.franchisebusinessreview.com/?m=JITjWol.
To learn more about NPI/GPI franchise opportunities, visit http://npifranchise.com/ in the United States or http://gpifranchise.com/ in Canada. To access the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 report, visit http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500.
About National Property Inspections, Inc.
Founded in 1987, National Property Inspections, Inc., is one of the oldest and most respected names in the home and commercial inspection business. We operate as National Property Inspections in the United States and as Global Property Inspections in Canada.
NPI provides services to a wide variety of clients, including home buyers and sellers; commercial property investors, owners and tenants; real estate agents and attorneys; employee relocation companies; banks; and field service companies. No matter what type of inspection a client is looking for, NPI offers the services our clients need through our highly trained and experienced home inspectors and commercial building inspectors.
NPI also offers franchise opportunities throughout the United States and Canada to become a home and commercial building inspector.
For more information about NPI, visit www.npiweb.com.
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Express Employment Professionals Tops Entrepreneur Franchise 500 List
Express Employment Professionals Tops Entrepreneur Franchise 500 List
January 13, 2017 // Franchising.com // OKLAHOMA CITY, Express Employment Professionals has been named the No. 1 staffing franchise for the sixth consecutive year in the U.S. by Entrepreneur Magazine as part of the magazine's 38th annual Franchise 500 list. Overall, Express ranked No. 31.
"We're proud to be consistently recognized as a leader not only in the staffing industry, but also in the franchising industry," said Bob Funk, CEO of Express and a former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. "Being ranked the #1 staffing franchise in North America for six straight years is an amazing accomplishment."
The rankings are based on financial strength and stability, growth rate and the number of years a company has been in business.
Additionally, Express has been named one of the best franchises to buy, according to Forbes ranking of Americas best franchises. The staffing franchise ranks fifth among franchises with an investment level less than $150,000.
"Express is on track to reach 800 franchises in 2017," said David Lewis, vice president of franchising.
Driven by a passion to put a million people to work annually, Express Employment Professionals is on an aggressive expansion campaign to reach 800 franchise locations in 2017, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, New York City, Miami and Chicago. The staffing company also has available territories in Louisiana, Ohio and specifically Erie, Pennsylvania and Burlington, Vermont.
"The growth we've experienced this year is really exciting," Funk said. "We get to be a part of people achieving their financial and personal dreams by becoming business owners. As the need for staffing services continues to rise, Express is expanding to meet that need, which will help us reach our long-term goal of putting a million people to work annually.
Were a small business operating with a great purpose, Lewis said. If you know someone who would be interested in franchise ownership, put us in contact with them and when they are awarded a franchise, well pay a referral fee of $5,000.
Individuals interested in owning an Express Employment Professionals franchise should email Franchising@ExpressPros.com or visit ExpressFranchising.com.
About Robert A. "Bob" Funk
Robert A. "Bob" Funk is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the international staffing company has franchises in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. Under his leadership, Express has put more than six million people to work worldwide. Funk served as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and was also the Chairman of the Conference of Chairmen of the Federal Reserve.
About Express Employment Professionals
Express Employment Professionals puts people to work. It generated $3.02 billion in sales and employed a record 500,002 people in 2015. Its long-term goal is to put a million people to work annually. For information about owning an Express franchise, visit ExpressFranchising.com.
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Hwy 55 to Use Its Classic Carolina-Style Hamburger Special to Benefit Children on National Southern Food Day
On January 22, Hwy 55 Will Donate $1 for Each Classic Carolina-Style Hamburger Special Sold to Speedway Childrens Charities
January 13, 2017 // Franchising.com // Mount Olive, NC, Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries is putting its Classic Carolina Style Hamburger special to work on National Southern Food Day in order to help children.
On Sunday, January 22, Hwy 55 will donate $1 for each Classic Carolina-Style Hamburger special to benefit Speedway Childrens Charities, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides funding for hundreds of non-profit organizations that meet the direct needs of children throughout the nation.
The Classic Carolina-Style Hamburger special features a fresh, never-frozen hamburger patty topped with mustard, onions, chili and slaw. The Southern-style burger sells for $6.99 with fries and a drink.
Every day is Southern Food Day at Hwy 55, said Hwy 55 founder and president Kenney Moore. Hwy 55 believes in being good neighbors to the families that dine with us. On National Southern Food Day, well use one of our bestsellers in order to support an organization whose vision is that every child has the same opportunities no matter what obstacle they are facing. The charity is near and dear to our friends John Boy & Billy so we thought it was a perfect match of Southern food and a great cause.
John Boy & Billy, stars of the nationally syndicated radio show The Big Show, have been involved with Speedway Childrens Charities for years. The duo asked Moore to be on the show to talk about Hwy 55s ongoing community support and the upcoming donation for National Southern Food Day.
Friends of the Hwy 55 brand, John Boy & Billys Southern-food staples are even featured on the menu with a John Boy & Billy BBQ Bacon Burger and John Boy & Billy Chicken Sandwich, both which feature the star duos famous Grillin Sauce.
Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries boasts a fresh, All-American diner experience with fresh, never-frozen burgers, premium sliced cheesesteaks piled high on steamed hoagies, and frozen custard made in-house every day. With its open-grill design, the kitchen's dedication and care when handcrafting meals is front and center.
About Hwy 55
Hwy 55, a retro-themed diner that features fresh, never-frozen hand-pattied burgers, house-made frozen custard, and other classic favorites in a unique open-kitchen setting, was founded in Goldsboro, North Carolina in 1991. Hwy 55 reflects founder Kenney Moore's commitment to authentic hospitality and fresh food. Widely known in the state for its fresh food and service that exceeds expectations, the chain won BurgerBusiness.com's "Best Burger" in 2012. It also was recently named a top 500 franchise in the United States by Entrepreneur magazine and a "Next 20" restaurant brand by Nation's Restaurant News. Hwy 55 currently has 135 locations in 11 states, Denmark and the United Arab Emirates. Like HWY 55 on at https://www.facebook.com/Hwy55burgers or follow us at https://twitter.com/hwy55burgers. For more information, visit https://www.hwy55.com.
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Last night-- late last night-- the Senate began the process of repealing the Affordable Care Act by approving, 51-48 , a budget blueprint that would allow them-- using a tactic called "reconciliation"-- to gut the health care law without the threat of a Democratic filibuster. Every Democrat voted against it-- even the worst conservatives-- and with the exception of Rand Paul, every Republ;I can voted for it, including fake moderates like Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Dean Heller (R-NV). The GOP claims it has a mandate even though they lost seats in both houses of Congress and Trump lost the popular vote by nearly 3 million and probably only won because of Russian tampering with the election process.
The Affordable Care Act has become ingrained in the American health care system, and unwinding it will be a formidable challenge for Republicans. More than 20 million people have gained coverage under the law, though premiums have risen sharply in many states and some insurers have fled the laws health exchanges.
The budget blueprint instructs House and Senate committees to come up with repeal legislation by Jan. 27.
...Republicans do not have an agreement even among themselves on the content of legislation to replace the Affordable Care Act, the timetable for votes on such legislation or its effective date.
Senator Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, said on Wednesday that she agreed with Mr. Trump that Congress should repeal the health law and adopt a replacement plan at about the same time.
But I dont see any possibility of our being able to come up with a comprehensive reform bill that would replace Obamacare by the end of this month, she said. I just dont see that as being feasible. (Ms. Collins also supported pushing back the deadline to come up with repeal legislation.)
As Republicans pursue repealing the law, Democrats contend that Republicans are trying to rip insurance away from millions of Americans with no idea of what to do next.
What they're trying to do is even worse-- rewrite the entire American social contract they always opposed going back to the progressive strides made by FDR and LBJ to build a strong, vibrant middle class. As Richard Florida explained in a classic tweet storm Thursday morning about Trumpism as the Triumph of Take Capitalism , Trumpism-- not just Trump but the collection of rogues in his administration-- represents the triumph of the Takers (oil, finance and real estate) over the Makers (high tech, innovation, creativity...). "Another way to think about this is that Trump represents the triumph of 'regressive' capitalism over 'progressive' capitalism. Trump himself is a master manipulator of the media-- a product and propagator of the new age of dumbed-down Kardashianized Authoritarianism.
The contradictions of progressive capitalism can lead to socialism or social democracy or more inclusive capitallism
The contradictions of regressive capitalism lead to something very different and much uglier...
On the domestic side, Trumpism is pure oligarchism-- the plundering ("privatization") of all remaining public assets...
... and reverse robin hood in the largest tax cuts in history. The rich get richer. Most of all Trump himself.
This combination of racism, sexism, manliness and xenophobia is very powerful, especially for white men who feel they are losing control...
Let's take three states-- New York, Florida and Michigan-- and look, county by county, at how many people will lose health insurance if the Republicans repeal the Affordable Care Act. For each county I've also including the percentage of voters who cast ballots for Trump. First New York:
Albany- 27,059- 32.5%
Allegany- 4,396- 68.4%
Bronx- 338,989- 9.6%
Broome- 16,290- 49.0%
Cattaraugus- 8,061- 64.5%
Cayuga- 7,314- 53.8%
Chautauqua- 12,293- 59.6%
Chemung- 9,002- 57.3%
Chenango- 5,492- 60.9%
Clinton- 6,878- 47.4%
Columbia- 6,453- 46.8%
Cortland- 4,324- 50.0%
Delaware- 4,675- 61.9%
Dutchess- 26,657- 48.4%
Erie (Buffalo)- 80,950- 45.4%
Essex- 3,504- 48.2%
Franklin- 5,060- 50.4%
Fulton- 6,372- 65.2%
Genessee- 5,536- 65.3%
Greene- 4,947- 61.2%
Hamilton- 492- 66.8%
Herkimer- 6,597- 64.6%
Jefferson- 10,372- 58.2%
Kings (Brooklyn)- 524,444- 17.9%
Lewis- 3,069- 67.1%
Livingston- 4,499- 61.3%
Madison- 5,420- 54.4%
Monroe (Rochester)- 66,981- 40.3%
Montgomery- 5,792- 60.7%
Nassau- 125,983- 45.9%
New York (Manhattan)- 198,650- 10.0%
Niagara- 19,497- 57.2%
Oneida- 21,094- 57.8%
Onondaga- 42,943- 40.8%
Ontario- 9,423- 51.1%
Orange- 38,137- 51.2%
Orleans- 4,150- 69.3%
Oswego- 12,042- 68.6%
Otsego- 6,052- 53.4%
Putnam- 7,653- 57.1%
Queens- 513,192- 22.1%
Rensselaer- 12,902- 48.4%
Richmond (Staten Island)- 56,266- 57.2%
Rockland- 39,736- 46.1%
Saratoga- 15,296- 49.1%
Schenectady- 18,686- 44.2%
Scholharie- 2,717- 64.5%
Schuyler- 2,061- 61.5%
Seneca- 3,017-52.8%
St Lawrence- 9,502- 52.5%
Steuben- 10,654- 65.4%
Suffolk- 166,386- 52.5%
Sullivan- 10,308- 55.2%
Tioga- 5,116- 60.9%
Tompkins- 7,207- 25.6%
Ulster- 19,851- 42.7%
Warren- 6,706- 51.8%
Washington- 7,693- 57.0%
Wayne- 10,007- 59.9%
Westchester- 99,835- 32.1%
Wyoming- 4,284- 73.0%
Yates- 2,822- 57.7%
statewide- 3,087,549- 37.5%
Florida:
Alachua- 11,332- 36.4%
Baker- 835- 81.5%
Bay- 8,870- 71.2%
Bradford- 907- 73.7%
Brevard- 29,508- 57.8%
Broward- 189,298- 31.4%
Calhoun- 411- 76.6%
Charlotte- 8,954- 62.5%
Citrus- 7,923- 68.3%
Clay- 7,907- 70.4%
Collier- 21,931- 61.8%
Columbia- 2,766- 70.9%
DeSoto- 1,165- 62.7%
Dixie- 543- 80.8%
Duval (Jacksonville)- 42,163- 49.0%
Escambia- 10,643- 58.3%
Flagler- 5,888- 58.9%
Franklin- 595- 68.6%
Gadsden- 1,328- 30.4%
Gilchrist- 603- 80.1%
Glades- 405- 68.8%
Gulf- 622- 73.1%
Hamilton- 450- 63.1%
Hardee- 927- 69.1%
Hendry- 2,177- 55.8%
Hernando- 9,542- 62.9%
Highlands- 4,213- 64.7%
Hillsborough (Tampa)- 63,299- 44.7%
Holmes- 643- 87.9%
Indian River- 7,905- 60.8%
Jackson- 1,524- 67.8%
Jefferson- 490- 51.4%
Lafayette- 265- 82.8%
Lake- 17,272- 60.0%
Lee- 39,539- 58.7%
Leon (Tallahassee)- 9,503- 35.4%
Levy- 1,888- 71.0%
Liberty- 154- 77.1%
Madison- 678- 57.0%
Manatee- 16,244- 57.0%
Marion- 17,616- 61.7%
Martin- 8,947- 62.0%
Miami-Dade- 320,461- 34.1%
Monroe- 5,710- 51.6%
Nassau- 3,251- 73.5%
Okaloosa- 7,049- 71.3%
Okeechobee- 1,442- 68.5%
Orange (Orlando)- 95,383- 35.7%
Osceola- 29,254- 35.9%
Palm Beach- 116,687- 41.2%
Pasco- 25,211- 58.9%
Pinellas (St Petersburg)- 50,947- 48.6%
Polk- 26,826- 55.4%
Putnam- 2,970- 67.0%
St. Johns- 9,745- 65.0%
St. Lucie- 20,450- 49.9%
Santa Rosa- 5,291- 74.5%
Sarasota- 21,629- 54.3%
Seminole- 28,412- 48.7%
Sumter- 3,251- 68.8%
Suwannee- 1,672- 76.5%
Taylor- 490- 74.6%
Union- 268- 80.2%
Volusia- 31,427- 54.8%
Wakulla- 773- 68.5%
Walton- 3,294- 76.6%
Washington- 783- 77.4%
statewide- 1,370,534- 49.1%
Michigan:
Alcona- 1,044- 68.0%
Alger- 845- 57.3%
Allegan- 4,849- 61.3%
Alpena- 2,180- 61.9%
Antrim- 2,401- 62.4%
Arenac- 1,118- 63.1%
Baraga- 617- 61.9%
Barry- 4,081- 63.4%
Bay- 9.174- 53.5%
Benzie- 1,920- 54.2%
Berrien- 14,581- 53.8%
Branch- 3,642- 66.9%
Calhoun (Battle Creek)- 11,514- 53.6%
Cass- 4,308- 61.2%
Charlevoix- 2,470- 59.5%
Cheboygan- 3,054- 63.6%
Chippewa- 2,914- 59.1%
Clare- 3,269- 63.6%
Clinton- 4,031- 53.3%
Crawford- 1,504- 63.7%
Delta- 3,895- 60.2%
Dickinson- 2,548- 65.3% Eaton- 6.714- 49.6%
Emmet- 3,602- 56.5%
Genessee (Flint)- 42,817- 42.9%
Gladwin- 2,341- 65.1%
Gogebic-1,768- 55.0%
Grand Traverse- 8,347- 53.3%
Gratiot- 3,198- 60.1%
Hillsdale- 4,182- 70.9%
Houghton- 3,527- 54.2%
Huron- 2,921- 67.1%
Ingham (Lansing)- 24,471- 33.2%
Ionia- 4,466 62.1%
Iosco- 2,760- 62.5%
Iron- 1,317- 62.2%
Isabella- 5,208- 48.7%
Jackson- 13,562- 57.25
Kalamazoo- 20,530- 40.5%
Kalkaska- 1,823- 69.7%
Kent (Grand Rapids)- 47,299- 48.3%
Keweenaw- 250- 57.0%
Lake- 1,361- 59.3%
Lapeer- 7,288- 66.6%
Leelanau- 2,084- 49.1%
Lenawee- 7,594- 57.6%
Livingston- 11,324- 62.2%
Luce- 552- 68.2%
Mackinac- 1,024- 61.4%
Macomb- 79,744- 53.6%
Manistee- 2,425- 54.9%
Marquette- 6.126- 44.5%
Mason- 2,941- 58.0%
Mecosta- 3,636- 60.1%
Menominee- 2,310- 62.3%
Midland- 6.458- 56.3%
Missaukee- 1,593- 73.8%
Monroe- 10,319- 58.4%
Montcalm- 5,666- 63.7%
Montmorency- 893- 69.8%
Muskegon- 16,945- 44.6%
Newaygo- 4,463- 67.1%
Oakland- 88,341- 43.6%
Oceana- 2,516- 60.7%
Ogemaw- 2,539- 65.7%
Ontonagon- 693- 60.5%
Osceola- 2,091-69.2%
Oscoda 894- 70.0%
Otsego- 2,593- 66.0%
Ottawa- 15,363- 62.2%
Presque Isle- 1,465- 62.2%
Roscommon- 2,738- 62.5%
Saginaw- 18,335- 48.3%
St. Clair- 15,196- 62.9%
St. Joseph- 5,201- 62.6%
Sanilac- 3,845- 69.9%
Schoolcraft- 907- 61.6%
Shiawassee- 5,578- 56.5%
Tuscola- 5,051- 66.6%
Van Buren- 7,111- 53.9%
Washtenaw- 26,096- 26.9%
Wayne (Detroit)- 208,508- 29.5%
Wexford- 3,595- 65.4%
statewide- 885,405- 47.6%
Russians had far better health care under the Soviet Union (communism) than they do today in a country that could best be described as an oligarchy, a fascist dictatorship or, best yet, a Kakistocracy, a country run by the worst, least qualified, or most unscrupulous citizens. Any of these would describe the direction Trump seems to be moving the U.S. in and, of course, everyone is worried about his plans to transform the healthcare system-- privatizing the V.A., repealing the Affordable Care Act and vouchering and gutting Medicare.
When the monarchy was overthrown by the Soviets in 1917, there was virtually no adequate healthcare for most Russians, other than for the rich. Nikolai Aleksandrovich Semashko, People's Commissar of Public Health from 1918 to 1930, had as his first priority controlling epidemics (typhoid fever, typhus, cholera, tuberculosis) and laying the foundation for a real national healthcare system. Under the system he developed, the government provided healthcare for all citizens and all healthcare personnel were government employees. By the 1980s cutbacks in investment in the healthcare system started taking their toll and the the quality of Russia's much-vaunted healthcare system started declining, highlighted by shoddy doctors and severe drug shortages. Two standards began to emerge, one for the elite and one for everyone else. Investment in healthcare was woefully inadequate and spending on patients was about an eighth of what it was in Western Europe.
When the Soviet Union finally collapsed, the healthcare system changed to a mixed model-- everyone was still supposedly guaranteed free healthcare but the reforms led to more and more people (those who could afford it) to seek private health insurance. The free market system introduced into Russia was supposed to promote both efficiency and patient choice; it did neither. No matter how you look at it, Russians' health has deteriorated and growth in life-expectancy hasn't kept up with the rest of the world.
During the period of 1990-2013 it only grew by 1.8 years in Russia, while the global average number increased by 6.2 years, pushing Russia out of the top 100 countries with the highest life expectancy and placing it in 108th position-- between Iraq and North Korea.
The situation will most likely worsen in the years to come, said experts. Economic crisis, lower incomes and deteriorating quality of life in the country will eventually have their impact on health and, therefore, overall life expectancy.
...[Life expectancy in Russia] started to decline at the beginning of the 1960s, and it has been, basically, doing so ever since. At the end of the 1980s it started to fluctuate-- increasing and decreasing. The latest increase period lasted some eight years, until last year when it had its peak, [Vasily Vlasov, a professor at the Higher School of Economics Center for Health Care Policy] added.
There are factors that influence life expectancy, said Vlasov, but it doesnt mean that the changes can be easily explained by them. Serious scientists dont have a solid explanation for it. It is a mystery to some extent, he added.
Nevertheless, a bad economy, according to him, was one of those factors-- as well as the latest health care reform. Expenses on health care are being seriously reduced, and the government does not have the money to buy necessary medical equipment, which impacts on peoples health, Vlasov said. It may contribute to the increase of the mortality rate. When people dont have enough money, there is a whole bunch of reasons for the mortality rate to increase, he added.
...Heart disease is the number one cause of death in Russia, Vlasov pointed out, and it will be for many years to come. He named smoking as a huge risk factor related to heart illnesses, which often becomes a common bad habit during difficult economic conditions.
When life gets harder, people become nervous and start to smoke, not thinking about its harmful influence on their health, and smoking often leads to heart diseases, the expert said.
As surprising as it sounds, slow growth and the decline of life expectancy might be explained by the lack of motivation on the part of the elderly to live longer, said Olga Isupova, senior lecturer at the Higher School of Economics Institute for Demography.
It doesnt mean a person wants to commit suicide, she said, but they care less about their health. Especially men when they get older, they simply dont see a role for themselves in society. Once they quit their jobs and become pensioners, they dont know what to do with their lives, while women, at least, can enjoy being grandmothers, she told the Moscow Times in a phone interview.
In general, Russians are reckless about their health, and one of the related problems is drinking-- people consume unhealthy amounts of alcohol, and that impacts their health heavily, explained Isupova.
In addition to that, Russians are not used to planning ahead and thinking about their future life, they prefer living in the here and now. Life in Russia is unpredictable-- and often people see no point in planning their future, she said.
...The situation is likely to get worse, said both Vlasov and Isupova. Either life expectancy growth will continue slowing down, or it will start to decline, said Isupova.
Newsweek just after the U.S. election, A report fromjust after the U.S. election, Russia's Bad Health Care System Is Getting Worse , made the point that Trump and "right-wing politicians in Europe may be feting Russian President Vladimir Putin as a strong leader. But the grim reality of Russian provincial state health care often has more in common with Third World countries than a supposed resurgent superpower-- and thats where it exists: 17,500 towns and villages across Russia have no medical infrastructure at all. Russia state hospitals and clinics are in a tragic condition, especially in the provinces, says Gennady Gudkov, an opposition politician and retired KGB colonel. There is outdated and often nonfunctioning equipment, a lack of medicines and hospital beds, and a shortage of medical specialists. The families of patients are often forced to bring them food. Trump is very wrong if he thinks Putin cares about the Russian people-- he only cares about making his friends richer at the expense of the national budget.
[I]ts unsurprising that a mere 2 percent of Russians say they are proud of the countrys state health care system, according to a recent public opinion survey by the Levada Center, a Moscow-based pollster. International experts are also critical. Russia placed last out of 55 developed nations in this years Bloomberg report on the efficiency of the national health care systems.
Things are unlikely to get better anytime soon: Russias government recently announced plans to cut the budget for health care by 33 percent next year, bringing annual spending down to just $5.8 billion. Thats a level of funding equivalent to spending on health in Latin American or developing Asian countries, according to a recent report by Natalia Akindinova, director at the Center of Development Institute of Moscows Higher School of Economics.
...This approach to health care is likewise reflected in the dire deficit of painkillers for terminally ill people. Although the government has taken some steps to improve the situation, Russias strict medical bureaucracy means that around a million cancer patients currently lack access to painkillers that would alleviate their suffering, according to official figures. Another 300,000 have already died without receiving medication. For some critics, this inability-- or unwillingness-- to alleviate suffering is the logical consequence of decades of authoritarian rule.
Russians dont want to relieve their suffering and the suffering of those close to them for the simple reason that they have been taught to view themselves as replaceable, insignificant screws in the system, whose personal feelings are meaningless, says Alexey Kascheev, a Moscow-based spine surgeon with a large social media following. Both doctors and patients are willing to put up with physical and psychological torment. People think, What does it matter if I am in pain, if I am nothing?
Widespread distrust of state medicine has also resulted in Russians spending millions of dollars every year on so-called magical healers. It is often the case that people with life-threatening illnesses choose to first turn to alternative forms of medicine. When they eventually visit a doctor, it is already too late, says Yury Zhulev, a spokesman for the Russian Patients Association. Experts at the Russian Academy of Sciences say there are about 800,000 occult and faith healers operating in the country, compared with 640,000 registered doctors.
If the litmus test of a state health care system is the willingness of members of the political elite to place their own health and that of their loved ones in its hands, then Russia fails miserably. Unlike in many Western European countries, where ministers and other government officials routinely use their nations health services, political leaders in Russia often jet abroad for medical care. In 2013, Pavel Astakhov, then Russias top official for child welfare, gave a candid answer when asked why his wife had given birth in the south of France rather than in Russia. I was concerned about my wife and future child, he replied. I couldnt take the risk.
The Baffler asserting that Will Trump turn to Putin, for whom he professes so much admiration, as a role model as he re-works the U.S. healthcare system? Wednesday, economist Max Sawicky, published a piece inasserting that Trumps entanglement with Russia will pull the United States even further away from providing basic welfare . "[T]oday," he wrote, "kleptocratic, capitalist Russia is among the moneyed interests in the world. Its tempting but simplistic to see Russian leaders as a fairly narrow species of nationalist interlopers in U.S. domestic politics. More to the point, they are allied with germinating, reactionary forces internationally, if only lately inside the United States."
The South American spirit has a long way to go, says Hamish Smith, but brands are starting to step up to the mark
Pisco has moved on from being just the principal ingredient of the Pisco Sour. Bartenders worldwide are now exploring the category likely theyve found it complicated.
There are the Peruvian styles, exports of which have been at the forefront of changing perceptions of pisco over the past 10 years, but they have always operated in low volumes. Then theres the Chilean pisco, which tends to be larger volume, but has a growing band of craft producers that have set their sights on export markets.
Our list is made up of seven Peruvian piscos and three from Chile. Half of the bars polled only stocked one pisco, which shows you how far the category has to go. That one bottle, in at least a third of cases, says our poll, is Barsol. Founder Diego Loret de Mola, has been at the vanguard of craft pisco over recent years. His approach has been to find the right partners that can build his brand in the key bar markets, such as Anchor Distilling Company in the US and Speciality Brands in the UK. If our poll is anything to go by, it seems to be working.
In second place is Macchu pisco, a Peruvian single grape varietal, which was the poured pisco in 13% of polled bars. The family company, headed by Peruvian Melanie Da Trindade-Asher, also produces the seventh-ranked brand on our list, La Diablada, an aromatic style made from four grapes: quebranta, Italia, toratel and muscatel.
Campo De Encanto, which translates as Fields of Enchantment, is the work of San Francisco bar owner Duggan McDonnell, sommelier Walter Moore and distiller Carlos Romero. It is a blend of three grapes that are vinified, once-distilled and aged for nine months and is the house pisco at 12% of our polled bars.
The largest pisco brand and our first from Chile is Capel, which majors on double-distilled pisco, both white and oak-aged.
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Methodology
The Drinks International Annual Bar Report looks to gauge the buying habits of the best bars in the world by conducting a survey of their owners, head bartenders and bar managers.
The bars that took part what we refer to as the best bars in the world are a sample of 108 bars that finished in the top 250 places of the Worlds 50 Best Bars survey, now owned by William Reed Business Media. Given the depth and scope of The Worlds 50 Best Bars poll (voted for by 476 global bar experts) we feel this is the most credible place to source our sample of bars.
In each instance we asked the bartender to rank their three best selling products in each category, giving us an indication of the brands that are selling best.
As we know, a best selling brand, even in the best bars in the world, earns its place on more than taste, so we also wanted to know the brands that are not necessarily doing huge volumes but have cool-appeal right now. This is where the Trending brands come in. These are the brands customers are increasingly asking for, perhaps because of word of mouth, or even on bartenders recommendations.
For more on the methodology see How we did it
A second trial was set on Thursday for a man who had been convicted in the deadly shooting of a sleeping man.
Derrick Antonio Morton, a 20-year-old Maryland resident, was convicted in November as the trigger man in the case, but a Facebook post by a juror led the judge to declare a mistrial on Jan. 4.
The jurors Facebook post noted that she was up for jury duty and then that she was chosen for a trial. Her stepfather responded to the post by writing Guilty. Guilty. Guilty. The juror responded by saying: At least they give us coffee.
The new three-day trial is scheduled to start May 23.
Morton, who remains incarcerated, waived his right to a jury and asked for a judge to hear the next trial. Prosecutor David Sands did not object.
But Judge Gordon Willis declined the request.
I think this is the type of case where a jury is more appropriate, he said.
The shooting happened about 4 a.m. on June 20, 2015, after four people, including Morton, went to Fall Hill Apartments in Fredericksburg to confront another man.
The intended target was a man who grew suspicious after responding to a call and meeting an acquaintance, Nykema Barnett, outside the apartment where he was staying temporarily. According to testimony, she apparently saw the man as a threat and wanted to send him a message.
When the man returned to the apartment, he either punched or pushed Barnett and closed the door. The group with Barnett left. But at some point two 9 mm bullets were fired.
One bullet pierced the exterior apartment wall and a bedroom door and hit a sleeping TeSean Dorsey in the head. The body of the 25-year-old, whod spent the previous night celebrating his birthday, wasnt discovered until later that morning by a resident who went to check on him.
Fredericksburg police initially charged Barnett, Morton, Kareem Rose and another man, who eventually fathered a baby with Barnett. Barnett and Rose pleaded to lesser charges with lighter sentences. The charge was dropped against the other man.
Barnett initially identified one of the other men as the shooter, but later changed her story.
She testified during the trial that she was scared to tell police what she knew.
But Barnett and her aunt provided key testimony, which differed from their earlier statements.
Barnetts aunt testified that on the morning following the shooting, Morton told her he had to get rid of a burner, meaning a gun. Barnett testified that her aunt relayed that information to her. Barnett also testified about where people in the group were during the incident, indicating that Morton was probably the only one in position to fire the fatal bullet.
Mortons attorney, James Ilijevich, questioned the truthfulness of the womens testimony during the trial.
No witnesses testified to seeing anyone fire a gun, and no gun related to the shooting has been found.
After three hours of deliberations, the jury came back with a guilty verdict.
The jury of seven women and five men convicted Morton of felony homicide; shooting into an occupied dwelling resulting in death; shooting into an occupied dwelling; attempted unlawful wounding; and using a firearm in the commission of a felony.
The jury recommended a 25-year sentence.
DaJon Morton, a brother of Mortons, said outside the courthouse on Thursday that his brother should be freed.
Its wild, he said of the case. Theyre not giving him no justice.
A Stafford County man is still facing plenty of trouble as the result of a first date that went bad, but a prosecutor Thursday dropped some of the more serious charges because police have been unable to find the alleged victim.
Ernst-Benoit Messi, 25, who also has a residence in Woodbridge, was arrested Nov. 18 after a woman claimed he pulled a gun on her and demanded that she perform a sex act.
Sheila Staley told police that she'd met Messi on a dating site, Plenty of Fish, and went to a townhouse at Jefferson Place in southern Stafford that night to meet him in person for the first time. Staley claimed to be from Atlanta but was in the area on a visit.
The woman ran to a neighbor's house that night and 911 was called, police said, leaving behind her purse and cell phone. Messi drove away about the same time and the woman's purse and cell phone were later found in his car.
He ran from the car after stopping at the intersection of Forbes Street and Layhill Road, police said, but was later found hiding in a townhouse.
At a scheduled preliminary hearing in Stafford General District Court Thursday, prosecutor Ed Lustig said police have been unable to find Staley to testify in the case. So he dropped five charges, including felony counts of robbery, abduction and using a firearm in the commission of a felony.
But seven other charges were certified to a county grand jury, including felony charges of possessing a firearm as a felon, escape by force and two counts of child neglect.
The neglect charges stem from allegations that Messi left two small children behind when he fled the scene. The .22-caliber gun was recovered from a room Messi supposedly shared with his child's mother after she gave police permission to search the room, Lustig said.
Messi has been in the Rappahannock Regional Jail since his arrest.
Tell us about Helsinki and Finnish drinking culture.
When it comes to Finland and especially Helsinki now, we are as modern a country to enjoy a good drink in as any other capital in Europe. In Helsinki alone around 10 years ago we had maybe five decent cocktail bars, now we have around 30-40. The most ordered drink is special Gin & Tonics and there are Whiskey Sours, Negronis and Martinis touching peoples lips throughout the week. Craft beer is as big as everywhere but our national spirit, vodka is still leading in the sales charts of our alcohol monopoly, Alko.
When did Finns get into cocktails and how developed is the cocktail culture?
Weve found recipes from 1840 and the first American -style drinks coming to Helsinki with two Danish lady bartenders in 1905. For the Finnish, American cocktails have always been a part of our international hotels bars over hundreds of years but we were sipping mixed drinks long before. A big set-back was our Prohibition from 1919-1932 when, like in the States, drinking went underground. Our alcohol has pretty much always been controlled by our monopoly Alko. From the 1950s until early 1990s you had to apply for a licence to sell a specific cocktail with a recipe and price. If it got approved, you got to sell a cocktail. Our alcohol law is famous. For example, were required to use 40ml jiggers by law and selling a double is still illegal. Outside hotel bars, a big impact came in 2007 when former London bartender Timo Siitonen opened A21 Cocktail Lounge and introduced fresh ingredients and Nordic flavours. I expect to see next that the whole Nordic bartending community will start to seek their own identity. Thats when the Nordics will truly stand out.
Are there any standout Finnish drinks who made them and at what bars?
I know my industry will kill me for sharing this, but I think one of the most iconic Finnish drinks is simply Kossuvissy, a local quality vodka Koskenkorva mixed with sparkling water. Another iconic drink in my opinion is cocktail consultant company Son of a Punchs Kurkku Sour (Cucumber Sour), which came around 2010 in the Grotesk bar. Hendricks sour mixed with celery bitters and egg white made the sour category so big that everyone in our cities drinks Whiskey and Gin Sours. Another new drink for the business to watch out for is Eetu Topos new Rum Pickle Bacardi Carta Oro rum, chablis, vinegar and sugar. Hes pushing it to be a new, authentic Nordic cocktail category where you can replace any of the ingredients and still end up with a fresh but boozy drink inspired by one of our food heritage cornerstones preserving food as a pickle. One part spirit, half a part of lengthener, a spoon of sugar and a spoon of vinegar. Stir and thats it. To create a new category of drinks is quite ambitious but think about if it actually happened. A category for our own history and heritage.
What are your favourite bars and bartenders in Helsinki?
I enjoy the authentic feeling of history at Hotel Kamps bar, which opened in 1887 but I also keep finding myself at Son of a Punchs venues, such as Brooklyn-themed Liberty or Death or speakeasy Trillby & Chadwick Detective Office. Son of a Punch has six incredible bars known for quality and atmosphere and taking our industry more international than ever. Theyve changed cocktail culture here at Helsinki probably more than anyone else, apart from Timo Siitonen. His A21 made the difference and still after almost 10 years is one of my favourite venues to hang out. In fact, it was Siitonen who inspired me in the first place so hes kind of a father of todays cocktail culture in Helsinki for me at least.
Thank you for including the Parade magazine in the Sunday Free LanceStar. Something has been missing since USA Today Sunday insert was discontinued sometime ago.
The Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging would like to thank those organizations that gave so generously to local seniors this holiday season.
These include the Spotsylvania and Stafford sheriffs offices and the Fredericksburg Police Department. The departments sponsored shopping trips for seniors so each was able to spend $100 on themselves. A trip like this is unusual in the population served by RAAA. Both TRIAD, a crime prevention organization, and Wal-Mart also provided money for this event.
Supported by the community, Home Instead Senior Cares "Be A Santa To A Senior" provided each of RAAAs clients gifts that made them feel a part of the holiday season. The Silver Cos. adopts clients each year and purchases individualized gifts. Gerdau, a Northern Virginia reinforcing steel company, assisted three nursing-home residents. Meals were sponsored by the White Oak Volunteer Rescue Squad, The RappahannockFredericksburg Rotary Club, New Light Cathedral Church, Wilderness Baptist Church, CVS Pharmacy, Sedona Taphouse and Rappahannock District members of Alpha Delta Kappa. The Virginia Star Quilt Guild completed several beautiful handmade quilts. New this year is Legal Aid Works, which gave holiday cheer to one RAAA client.
Many of the recipients of these gifts would have received nothing had it not been for the generosity of these wonderful organizations. Last, for many years now the Rappahannock Emergency Medical Services Council has donated gift cards. These cards become safety nets to seniors whose income is a bit over the limit and cant be helped by other programs.
The Fredericksburg area has always been generous. Let's continue that generosity year round by becoming involved; donate a gift card, volunteer a little time or donate arts and crafts supplies.
Keep up with us on Facebook. Our wish for you is healthy aging in 2017.
Leigh Wade
Stafford
The writer is the executive director of the Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging.
First-term Irmo Mayor Barry Walker announced Sept. 26 that he had tested positive for the coronavirus. The mayors wife, Susan, also got COVD-19, Walker said on social media. As you know Im a kidney patient and require weekly dialysis, Walker wrote. This virus compromises my immune syste Read moreWhat You Missed: Irmo Mayor Barry Walker gets COVID-19
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A pregnant woman in the Mekong Delta has been confirmed among the new infections.
Ben Tre Province in the Mekong Delta has reported its first case of the Zika virus, a 25-year-old woman who is 18 weeks pregnant, health officials confirmed on Thursday.
Vietnam has so far detected 212 Zika cases in 11 cities and provinces.
With the new case, Ben Tre authorities have taken prevention measures against a possible spread of the mosquito-borne virus.
Do Tan Hong, head of the provinces preventive medicine center, said because the patient lives near an industrial park crowded with migrant workers, there is a risk of the virus spreading that has to be monitored carefully.
The outbreak is most prominent in Ho Chi Minh City, which has 186 cases, including 12 pregnant women.
The health ministry said the virus has been contained within central and southern provinces.
The country has also confirmed its first case of microcephaly highly likely linked to the Zika virus. In October last year, a 4-month-old girl in the central highland province of Dak Lak was reported to have typical signs of the brain-deforming syndrome. Her mother had been diagnosed with the mosquito-borne virus while she was pregnant, and the girl was born with an abnormally small head.
The Zika virus is transmitted to humans by the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, also the main carrier of dengue fever which has been long present in the country, particularly in the southern provinces.
Although the virus is not usually life-threatening, it has been linked to increased rates of microcephaly in babies born to infected mothers.
Related news:
>UK issues travel warning for Vietnam amid Zika outbreak
>Vietnam confirms new case of pregnant woman with Zika
>Vietnam confirms first microcephaly case likely linked to Zika
American infrastructure needs significant improvements, and President-elect Trump plans to encourage the private sector to ramp up investments. The American Society of Civil Engineers has given U.S. infrastructure a D+ rating, estimating that between 2016 and 2025 the US will need approximately $3 trillion in infrastructure spending, two-thirds of which are needed for transportation. The society further expects that there will be nearly a $1.5 trillion funding gap. Private equity can step in.
The problem with infrastructure is not necessarily a lack of funding but more importantly a lack of using funds efficiently. Private equity can succeed where public funding has failed. Private equity firms (fund managers and institutional investors) invest either by making an investment in a company itself or by simply providing the equity financing for a specific project. In each case, when a firm invests it must put its own fund and reputation at stake, which creates an incentive to allocate money efficiently.
Most private contracts involve construction, operation, and maintenance, all costs which need to be minimized. Private investment is also able to minimize financial risk in a way public funding cannot. When a private equity firm invests in an infrastructure company it will typically establish a special purpose vehicle (SPV) which becomes a legally distinct entity from the parent company. As such, the funds used to invest in infrastructure become independent from the success or failure of the parent company.
Past PE deals in the United States can serve to illustrate these advantages. In 2006, the Indiana Toll Road was leased to the ITR Concession Company, which filed for bankruptcy in 2014 and was then sold to IFM investors for $5 billion dollars. Since the toll roads privatization, the road has expanded from two to three lanes, converted to electronic toll collection, and begun the Bridge Capital Plan which aims to repair every major structure of the ITR. This is an example of how private contracts that require construction and maintenance of roads incentivizes companies to efficiently use its resources and in the case of ITR turn around a failing asset.
Beyond the immediate advantages of a better road, decreased traffic and faster travel times have been shown to increase the productivity of workers and thus the economy as a whole. The improvements in the ITR are just one step towards making up for the 200 billion dollars that we currently lose in productivity due to poor infrastructure according to Trump. Additionally, the success of the ITR has become attractive enough that IFM recently sold a share of its lease to the California based pension fund CalPERS. Therefore, success of the road will be felt by public employees and retirees.
Critics of private equity infrastructure deals claim that private equity only makes the rich richer (not necessarily), gives too much political capital to wall street, straddles companies with unsustainable debt, and in some cases increases costs for consumers but decreases quality of service. However, much of these criticisms are anecdotal and underestimate the size of the private equity industry as a whole. In 2015 for instance, PE firms had nearly two and a half trillion dollars in assets under management and on net lead can lead to greater job growth in the years following an acquisition. As for placing companies under too much debt, it is likely more often than not that if a company cannot be saved by a PE firm it would fail anyway. Indeed, just as it was the case with ITR, a fundamental thesis of PE firms is looking for distressed companies that have large operational profits but an unsustainable cost structure which would otherwise fail without a private investment.
A criticism that is not popularly expressed however is that in the PE space there is a gap between where capital is most needed and where capital is invested. As Kathryn Wilmes of Pantheon Partners puts it, "Most infrastructure investors are risk averse, which means they have a strong bias to invest in existing, operating assets as opposed to funding new development, which is a higher-risk opportunity. According to Wilmes, the solution is public-private partnerships, whereby governments combine with private funds to finance long-term projects. This reduces some of the associated risks, creating incentive for firms to fund new development.
What has stood in the way of increased private infrastructure investment is excessive federal regulation and taxation. In the past 30 years there has been a global trend towards privatizing infrastructure yet the United States has lagged behind. As Chris Edwards of the Cato Institute writes, About one fifth of public infrastructure spending in Britain is now through the [public-private] process, and in Canada [public-private deals] account for between 10 to 20 percent of public infrastructure spending. According to Public Works Financing, only 1 of the top 38 firms doing transportation [public-private] around the world are American. Moreover, the largest PE infrastructure deals in the past ten years have been done primarily in Europe and the UAE and three of the largest PE infrastructure funds are located in China. On neither list does the United States fall. So when Trump writes [w]hen I travel internationally, I see magnificent places you wouldnt believe. I see properly maintained bridges, tunnels, and airports. I see great highways and unbelievably efficient power systems. Then I come home and I get caught in traffic, and when the car moves, it bangs over potholes. It never seems to get better. it is precisely this trend that he is touching on.
A Repeal of Dodd-Frank would likely reduce the compliance burden for many firms and repealing the Volcker rule would allow banks to invest in private equity funds. Taken together, there would be lower costs for PE firms and a larger pool of capital in private equity. However, a total repeal of either law certainly comes with risks and might still be unlikely.
In the case of transportation there is strong evidence to suggest that private equity can succeed. A big question for the Trump administration will be how to find the right balance between public and private investment. Cutting red tape will allow America to see the same growth in infrastructure observed by our global competitors.
Jacob Gichan is a contributor to E21.
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Muller Milk & Ingredients (MMI) have concluded that north-east London dairy plant, Chadwell Heath, will close following a lengthy consultation.
A winding-down process will now take place over the next 15 months with the potential loss of 389 permanent jobs at the plant.
Meetings with producers supplying Chadwell Heath will take place to assess their options but Muller has stressed wherever possible, they will not be disadvantaged.
Farmers Weekly understand most producers supplying the dairy will have their milk re-routed to other Muller processing plants, but one group of dairy farmers will be contacted to assess what other options they have.
Muller would not say how many suppliers this would affect.
One solution available to Muller is to swap milk with another processor, leaving producers on the same contract but have their milk collected by another processor in the area.
There are no plans to make changes to our supply base at this time, said Mullers head of communications Graeme Jack.
We will work with farmers in the region with the intention that wherever possible, they will not be disadvantaged.
Mr Jack added, It is important to stress that the investment in our network of dairies planned for 2017-18 will increase our capabilities and unlock further growth in the volume and range of products which we seek.
We will require more milk from farmers to meet this demand.
The closure is part of a 60m network investment at other Muller processing facilities in Severnside, Foston, Droitwich, Manchester and Bridgewater.
An international investor who bought 1,250 acres of predominantly Grade 1 Cambridgeshire land in December is now searching for a contractor to farm it.
The non-farming company, based in mainland Europe, bought Farcet Farms before Christmas one of the largest farms to be sold in the county for five years.
The new owner is now looking to enter in to an arrangement to take on the farming, said Stephen Hall, farm agent at Brown & Co, which has been instructed to find a contractor.
I cant remember the last time this amount of predominantly Grade 1 land came along under a contract farming arrangement, he added.
See also: Unpredictable South West land market could perk up
Location and agreement
Situated just two minutes from the A1, four miles south of Peterborough, Farcets land is split across three sites.
Yaxley Fen Farm has 480 acres and lies close to 520-acre Holme Road Farm.
Six miles away, Black Bush Farm has a further 255 acres.
The owner would prefer to deal with a single business that can take on the whole operation, probably under a contract farming arrangement.
However, we would consider splitting it in to one larger and one smaller unit if there was a compelling reason, Mr Hall added.
A deal is likely to be struck on an initial two- or three-year term but with the intention to to a long-term agreement once all parties are comfortable with each other.
Farmland and buildings
Deep peat soils have been cropped to onions, sugar beet and cereal crops, yielding in excess of 40t/ha for onions and 10t/ha for winter wheat.
Irrigation from two reservoirs and three abstraction licenses means most of the farm could produce root crops and potatoes, carrots and leeks have been grown in the past.
Black Bush Farm hosts the principal crop stores, with some refrigerated storage and a total capacity for 1,900t of onions and 1,300t of on-floor grain storage.
Mr Hall said that 12 months ago a farm of Farcets scale would not have been as attractive to prospective contractors, but a commodity price rally in recent months may spark a variety of tenders.
Farmers of scale with a horizon of more than 12 months for their business and who could farm it from a geographical point of view will take this seriously, he said.
Its also a block of land that someone based further away could do by appointing a manager for the site.
A farmer could gear-up their machinery and take it on, or someone with a bit of capacity would already view this as doable.
The investor
Sterlings value has fallen 18% since July 2015.
Over the same period, data from Savills shows 1,000/acre has been knocked off the average value of prime arable land in the east of England.
Mr Hall said Farcet Farms new owners had been interested in the UK for some time and lower values and a stronger euro were happy coincidences.
They wanted to invest in the right thing.
In this instance it was all about quality. If you look at the soil quality, scale and location, Farcet is a good, strong investment.
The market conditions werent the main driver.
They buy in to the concept of stability in the UK and although weve had a wobble with what happened last year they still buy in to long-term UK farming.
But he said UK farmland was as attractive as other opportunities in Europe to investors seeking low-risk, low-yield returns.
For Farcet you would be modelling overall yields at mid to late 2% in terms of its overall yield, setting aside capital appreciation.
Thats not a lot compared to a commercial shed on the edge of the M25 or residential property, but you also dont get a huge premium for going to central or eastern Europe to buy farmland.
A major change to the structure of lowland farming in Britain is needed to address the countrys future food needs, according to Professor Timothy Lang from the Centre for Food Policy at Londons City University.
Much of Britains best farmland is being wasted growing feed for livestock and should be growing fruit and vegetables for human consumption, he told delegates at the Nottingham Farming Conference on Thursday (12 January).
At the moment, 61% of our food is home-produced, but within that only 15% of the fruit we eat and 55% of the vegetables are grown here and that for a level of consumption which, we are being told, should be doubled.
See also: Upland farmers vulnerable without continued support
Why are we producing animals on land that should be growing fruit and vegetables? Meat production consumes 50% of the grain we grow. That is bonkers a misuse of land and a misuse of infrastructure and resources.
Instead, he suggested that meat production should be confined to land that is unsuitable for growing crops, with the livestock being mainly grass fed, so as to produce less meat, but better.
In this respect, he suggested Brexit gave the industry a chance to reassess its role and break the lock in of the big supermarkets buying power.
British farming is getting very little for its labours, he said. It gets 9.6bn out of the 201bn that British consumers spend on food, which is the result of cheap food policy decisions made 60 years ago.
Those figures made a mockery of Andrea Leadsoms view that the industry could export its way out of the 22bn balance of trade deficit that currently exists.
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A Meditation on Melancholy
Posted by Jacqui Palumbo on January 13, 2017 | Photographer Interviews
The feeling Eliso Tsintsabadze aims to convey in her series Sylvan Sadness is not something easily expressed in words. The name is the translated title of a poem by Russian poet Velimir Khlebnikov, Lesnaya Toska, a translation she feels doesnt do the phrase justice. In dictionaries, the Russian word toska is described as some sort of melancholia, sadness, silence, yearning and anguish, she explains, but it does not have the proper equivalent in English.
A Georgian native, born and raised in Moscow, Tsintsabadze began the series while studying at the International Center of Photography in New York City last year. She began sorting through images she had recently taken, and saw that certain ones embodied the same ineffable mood.
For a year, she continued to add to the series, but was careful not to search for toska itself because she didnt want the images to appear contrived. It was all sort of intuitive, she explains. The series, she says, is not about happiness or sadness, but it is a pure experience of my mind of moments I came to, and the images are just the points on this way.
The series includes a photograph of an artificial bird in a tree, natural light falling across a wooded area in Tbilisi, Georgia, and a delicate portrait of her niece. Each one transmits the ache of beauty that one sometimes encounters in the mundane, usually in moments of deep contemplation.
Brienne Walsh
Photos Eliso Tsintsabadze
This article originally appeared in Emerging Photographer Winter 2016.
Readers, we need your help to prove a merry Christmas for victims of domestic violence.
The Albany City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved a $50,000 grant to an Albany manufacturing company in exchange for a promise from its new owner that he would keep the company in the city for the next 10 years.
Lebanon resident Todd Piller is the new owner of Ameri-Tool, an injection mold plastics manufacturing company, which is changing hands after 30 years. He said he wanted to keep the 25-employee company in Albany but was weighing "an attractive package" from the city of Redmond to move the firm.
"My request is for the city of Albany to match the offer (from) Redmond," he wrote, offering in return to keep the company in Albany for the next decade.
The $50,000 is the "cash value" estimate of the offer, based on the forgivable loan fund in Deschutes County, which essentially offers grants to the tune of $1,000 to $2,000 per employee to companies interested in relocating to the county.
Piller said that the $50,000 would give him the capital needed to obtain an ISO certification, which would allow the company to bid on a wider range of much larger contracts in the federal and defense industries. The move, he said, would lead to company growth, and would allow him to add 50 employees to his payroll over the next few years.
Councilor Rich Kellum asked Piller why he was considering Redmond. Piller answered that he was surprised by how anxious Redmond was to bring in a plastics business and cited the city's lack of competition. He noted that in Albany he competes directly with Viper Northwest. City Manager Wes Hare pointed out the city has helped Viper with economic development funds in the past.
Kellum, who eventually voted for the grant, expressed concerns about Piller's motivation: "I'm a little skeptical of a person who says 'give me money or I'll leave,'" he said. "The bottom line is: Is it worth it? that's all there is to it."
With councilors Ray Kopczynski and Bill Coburn agreeing that it was easier to retain a company than to lure one, and with councilor Bessie Johnson calling the request "very generous," the motion passed unanimously, clearing the way for the city to award Piller the $50,000 in exchange for his agreement to remain in Albany for the next 10 years. Earlier in the day, Kopczynski had called Piller's move "sound business planning."
"It's obvious that communities are competing with each other for business," Kopczynski said.
The funds will come from Albany's economic development fund, which came from the 2010 PepsiCo settlement.
Former Ameri-Tool owner Steve Edwards spoke in favor of the grant, although he noted that he's not affected by whatever the new owner or the council does.
"It would be a shame if the city would allow this business to be moved to Redmond," he said.
Edwards made the argument that the amount would be an investment in the city, saying Albany needs more manufacturing jobs.
"It doesn't need more burger stands and Taco Bells," he said.
For the last two years, Corvallis DIY, a loosely organized group of punk music lovers, has sponsored several free all-ages concerts featuring local, national and even international bands at Interzone Coffee Shop.
"Corvallis DIY is really just a name for the punk music scene that already existed in Corvallis," says organizer Caitlin Garets.
DIY refers to the "Do-It-Yourself" movement, and on Sunday the Corvallis group takes the next step to encourage fledgling musicians: For the second year, it's hosting a "Band in a Hat" showcase.
The event, which brings together people of all skill levels who want to start bands regardless of experience, allows participants to submit their names, experience level, and whether they have access to instruments and performance space. They are then placed in groups of three to five people and given seven weeks to create a band, write and learn songs and rehearse for a five-to-20 minute set at a March 4 concert.
Such events are common nationwide, and each puts its own spin on the concept. Some literally draw names from out of a hat or give participants as little as two weeks to meet their band mates and prepare for the gig, Garets said.
The way were doing it here is not completely random. We are really trying to encourage people with no experience and no gear to sign up, she said.
The original idea for the event came because Garets, a Corvallis native, and her friends Indiana Laub, Justin Groft and Donald Orr wanted DIY culture to be more accessible to everyone.
So Laub made a group Facebook page, similar to the one she'd created in her hometown of Santa Barbara. It immediately increased interest and participation, especially from college students in the area.
"We started making a calendar of shows that made it really easy for people to find out what was going on and also doing monthly meet-ups," Garets said.
Interzone Coffee Shop, a mainstay in the Corvallis punk scene since it opened in 1998, has provided a venue for shows since the beginning, she said.
The pop-punk band Dumb Luck, in which Garets, Laub and Groft all play, has performed at these shows, along with other recognizable mid-valley bands, including Arcweld, Adieu Caribou (Oregon State University Battle of the Bands winner), Drag Rag, The Crescendo Show and The Shifts.
The group has booked bands from all over the country and internationally, drawing in acts from as far away as Australia and South Korea to play, Garets said.
At first glance, it's easy to see how starting a band in this fashion could prove disastrous, but Garets said the first year of Band in a Hat went very well.
She said some participants from the six bands that came in with no experience went on to join other groups after the showcase, which is one of the project's goals.
Orr, who played in Judge Sludge, was one of those participants.
It was so cool. I ended up buying a bass right after, he said.
More people are already signing up this year. The deadline to sign up is the evening of Saturday, Jan. 14, which allows organizers just enough time to make sure everyone has access to the resources they'll need, Garets said.
The final lineups will be announced Sunday night at Interzone.
Corvallis DIY has also released two compilation CDs that feature Corvallis area punk, alternative and indie bands. The first was released in 2015 and was followed by one last fall. The CDs are available for free at their shows, Interzone, Happy Trails Records or for download at https://corvallisdiy.bandcamp.com.
Last spring, the group held a swap meet in the basement of The Arts Center in Corvallis. Groups related to DIY music and underground culture, like the Benton County Skateboarding Alliance, KBVR, Sucker Girl Magazine and others, had tables and shared their projects, Garets said.
In addition to the "Band in a Hat" showcase, the group has other events scheduled as well: Portland bands Dr. Identity and Mall Caste will play at Interzone this month and the documentary "Floradora," about the band Fugazi, will be shown on Sunday, Jan. 29, also at Interzone.
"We havent done that before, so it will be really cool to do stuff like that in the future, Garets said.
The groups main emphasis will still be booking more cool bands to play all-age concerts, and the response thus far has been strong.
We have so many bands requesting to play shows at this point that we can pick the ones we like, Laub said.
All Corvallis DIY shows are free with a suggested donation. All of the money goes to the touring bands, which is part of the groups ethic.
DYI is very political, anti-capitalist. We are trying to encourage people to create their own culture outside of the mainstream. This is all very intentionally doing it all yourself, because you believe in your community and the value of doing stuff like that together, Garets said.
Although she and Laub organize most of the events, Garets said, Corvallis DIY is a flesh-and-blood community that a lot of people contribute to. The important stuff doesn't happen online; it happens at shows, at meetups, on KBVR and in local zines.
July 22, 1942 Jan. 6, 2017
Janet Mary (Brooks) Langdon passed away on Jan. 6, 2017, at the age of 74. She was born on July 22, 1942 to Charles Theodore Brooks and Nellie Josephine (Verge) Brooks, both deceased, in Leominster, Massachusetts.
Janet is survived by her husband, George E. Langdon and son, Edward E. Langdon; her son, Charles T. Langdon, preceded her in death on Dec. 18, 2013. Her sisters and brother all preceded her in death as well, Dorothy (Books) Guadgnoli, Charles Brooks, Jr., Irene (Brooks) Maynard, Loraine (Brooks) Gowdy, and Norman Brooks. She is survived by numerous and much loved nieces and nephews.
She graduated in 1957 from Saint Leo Grade School in Leominster, Massachusetts, and in 1961 from St. Bernards High School in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Janet liked working at the Rockdales Department Store, which opened in 1957. After school, she managed the dressing rooms, displays, and did her homework between customers; she also ran sales from the cash registers.
In Oregon, she raised the two boys, worked on the Langdon farm, and helped with office bookkeeping at Langdon Implement Co. She was a member of the OLD Harrisburg Catholic Church, and she also attended the Harrisburg Christian Church. Janet enjoyed garage sales, sewing, collecting Pepsi and Coke memorabilia, teddy bears, birds, cats, dogs, doll houses and miniature furniture for doll houses, as well as helping with her son, Charles, with his FFA turkey raising projects.
Janet was born with a rare form of Vitamin D-Resistant Rickets, X-Linked, and despite many obstacles in life, she persevered! She met George when he was at Fort Evens, Massachusetts, Army base; they married and moved to Oregon, and several years ago, they celebrated their 50th anniversary on June 24, 2012. Janet also took in her niece and treated her like one of their own. She was my best aunt! She will be remembered for her love and dedication to her family and her love of animals.
A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017 at the Harrisburg Christian Church. On a later date, a private burial will be at Alford Cemetery.
Donations can be made to the Hearing Loss Association of Oregon in Eugene. Arrangements entrusted to Murphy-Musgrove Funeral Home. Please sign the guestbook at www.musgroves.com.
This log includes incidents in which there might have been a public disturbance or a risk to the public. Information comes from the Corvallis Police Department, the Benton County Sheriffs Office and Oregon State Police. It does not include all calls for service. The status of incidents might change after further investigation. Locations are approximate. People arrested or suspected in crimes are considered innocent until proven otherwise.
Corvallis Police Department
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 11
DISORDERLY CONDUCT: 11 p.m., 300 N.W. Third St. Officers responded to McDonald's for a report of a disorderly subject. Police reportedly located a man near the south side of the business who allegedly became angry earlier in the evening after learning the lobby area was closed and threw a bicycle against the ground and yelled profanities at the employees. The man was trespassed from the business.
HARASSMENT: 9:03 p.m., 900 block Northwest Sequioia Avenue. Police arrested Andrew Richard Westmoreland, 25, of Corvallis on a charge of harassment after Westmoreland allegedly head-butted someone at an apartment during an argument. Police reported that Westmoreland denied the allegation and claimed he was the victim of the head-butting. Westmoreland was booked into the Benton County Jail.
Benton County Sheriff's Office
MONDAY, JAN. 9
DRONE CRASH: 10:29 p.m., 200 block Northwest Kouns Drive, Albany. A man reported seeing a suspicious green light in his backyard. He later searched the area and found the light was coming from a drone that had crashed in his backyard.
This is a community calendar. To accommodate demand for the print edition, we ask that items be brief and include time, date, place, address, admission cost and a contact number for publication. Inclusion of items is at the discretion of the newspaper. Further information is available at 541-758-9524 or jane.stoltz@lee.net.
Assistance
SATURDAY
Food distribution, 10 a.m. to noon, food pantry, North Corvallis Ministry Center, 5050 N.E. Elliott Circle. Applications available at the pantry.
Stone Soup Breakfast, 10 to 11 a.m., McLean Hall, First Christian Church, 602 S.W. Madison Ave., Corvallis. A free meal to anyone in need.
Classes
SATURDAY
Community yoga, 5 p.m., Live Well Studio, 979 N.W. Spruce Ave., Corvallis. Apprentice teachers. Cost: $7. Information: 541-224-6566 or www.livewellstudio.com.
Events
SATURDAY
Second Saturday Bird Walk, 7:30 a.m. to noon; meet in the parking area at 777 N.W. Ninth St. in Corvallis to carpool to Lebanon and Sweet Home. Geared toward beginning birders, birders new to Oregons mid-valley area and those looking for a pleasant outing.
Northside community trail walk, 9 a.m.; meet at 8:45 a.m. in parking lot of Boulder Falls Center, 605 Mullins Drive, Lebanon, to register and reserve a listening device for the walk; look for Build Lebanon Trails event signs. Three-mile round-trip walk; shuttles available for return trip. Information: blt@buildlebanontrails.com.
Annual Elks Hoop Shoot, 11 a.m., Boys & Girls Club of Corvallis, 1112 N.W. Circle Blvd. Registration, 10 a.m. Open to boys and girls 8 to 13 as of April 1. Information: 541-757-1909.
Free screening of Selma, 10 a.m., Pix Theatre, 321 Second Ave. S.W., Albany. The 2014 film starring David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr. will be screened in conjunction with the MLK holiday weekend. Segments of Kings speech at the conclusion of the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, march on March 25, 1965, will be read before the movie. A no-host lunch and discussion of Race in America will follow at Taqueria Alonzo in Two Rivers Market, 250 Broadalbin St. S.W.; RSVP before the day of the event by calling 541-974-2075.
"Los Cuentos," 11 a.m., story time room, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 N.W. Monroe Ave. All-ages bilingual story time.
Game Day, 1 to 3 p.m., Albany Public Library, 2450 14th Ave. S.E. Bring a game or play one of the library's. Information: 541-917-7587 or john.flynn@cityofalbany.net.
Genealogical library open, 1 to 3:30 p.m., annex, Benton County Historical Museum, 1101 Main St., Philomath.
Bingo, 6 p.m., American Legion Post 184, 339 N. Main St., Brownsville. Cost: $1 a game.
Karaoke, 7:30 p.m., Lebanon Moose Lodge, 4070 S. Santiam Highway.
Planet Boogie, 7:30 to 9 p.m., Downtown Dance, 223 N.W. Second St., Corvallis. Freestyle ecstatic dance event featuring electronic and world beat music. Family-friendly. Bare feet or clean-soled shoes. Donation: $5 to $10.
Health
SATURDAY
American Red Cross mobile blood drive, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Beanery, 922 N.W. Circle Blvd., suite 130, Corvallis.
Opportunities
The Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries is offering grants for qualified historic cemeteries. Webinars on Wednesday and Thursday will explain the online grant system. Information: 503-986-0685, kuri.gill@oregon.gov or www.oregonheritage.org.
Organizations
SATURDAY
Pioneer Harley Owners Group, 8 a.m. breakfast, 9 a.m. meeting, Pops Branding Iron Restaurant, 901 Pacific Blvd. S.E., Albany. Information: squirrel227@comcast.net.
Mid-Valley Singles Inc., 9 a.m., bar area, Tommy's 4th Street Bar & Grill, 350 S.W. Fourth St., Corvallis. Breakfast. RSVP: 541-928-0870.
Santiam Spokes, 9 a.m. Bicycle ride. Information: www.santiamspokes.org.
American Sewing Guild, 10 a.m., Calvin Presbyterian Church, 1736 N.W. Dixon St., Corvallis. Share sewing ideas and techniques. Information: www.willamettevalleysewing.com.
Benton County Genealogical Society, 11 a.m., College United Methodist Church, 1123 Main St., Philomath. Judy Juntunen will describe an unusual Oregon cemetery, Camp Polk Cemetery. Information: 541-752-0889.
Corvallis Bicycle Collective, noon to 6 p.m., 707 N.W. 11th St. Fix up your bicycle with free use of tools and advice; affordable used bicycles and parts. Information: 541-224-6885 or www.corvallisbikes.org.
Albany Magic Club, 1 p.m., upstairs conference room, Albany Public Library, 2450 14th Ave. S.E.
Schools
SATURDAY
Philomath School District Board of Directors, 8 a.m. to noon, library, Philomath Elementary School, 239 S. 16th St. Annual planning work session.
Support groups
SATURDAY
Al-Anon, 10 a.m., room 219, First United Methodist Church, 1165 N.W. Monroe Ave., Corvallis. Support for families and friends of alcoholics. Message center: 541-967-6262.
Alcoholics Anonymous:
10 a.m., noon, Room 11, First Christian Church, 602 S.W. Madison Ave., Corvallis.
5:30 p.m., pastoral office, library, St. Marys Catholic Church, 501 N.W. 25th St., Corvallis.
6:30 p.m., upstairs classroom, west-side door, Monroe United Methodist Church, 648 Orchard St., Monroe.
8 p.m., conference room, Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, 3600 N.W. Samaritan Drive, Corvallis.
Information (24 hours): 541-967-4252 or www.aa-oregon.org.
Narcotics Anonymous, 6 p.m., Room 11, First Christian Church, 602 S.W. Madison Ave., Corvallis. Information (24 hours): 877-233-4287 or www.lblna.org.
Alma Aleda Drown, age 82, died peacefully in her sleep Friday, December 30, 2016, at 2pm, in Florence, Oregon. Alma was born to Alexander and Anita Andres in Santa Clara, California, on May 19, 1934. She had one older sister, Anita. Three years later her parents moved their young family to San Francisco, where her parents had met in art school. When Alma was eight years old, the Andres family settled into the country life of Placerville, California.
Bright and vivacious, Alma grew up in the Golden State in its golden years, in a loving family and with a sunny temperament. Nothing was impossible. She excelled in school academically and socially, and held a special talent and love of theatre. At seventeen she went to visit her sister and sisters husband Evan on their ranch in Lee, Nevada. There, with the majestic Ruby Mountains as a backdrop, she met her future husband Charles Drown, the son of Mary and Bill Drown of South Fork Ranch. In the nearby town of Elko, Nevada she married Charles on March 9, 1952. They led the ranchers life and began their family with the births of their first three children, Jenny, Nikki, and Graydon.
In 1960, the growing family moved to Shingle Springs near Almas parents where indelibly happy memories were made. It was a year of transition and decision. In 1961, they chose a life of new adventure and went north to Alaska, settling in the Girdwood Valley, during which time their next two children Dorrie and Wesley were born. Pioneering in Alaska, they reared their family in wildly beautiful locations. There, with her intelligence, brilliant wit, and energy, their children were nurtured in the playground of winter sports, love of natural science and the arts, and always with an abundance of friends and family gracing their home. During this time, her quest for truth would lead her to God and His Word which would subsequently inform the last forty plus years of her life.
In 1985, Charles and Alma moved to Shingle Springs, California to be nearer her aging parents and parents-in-law to enjoy and to help them in their later years. A short time later they were blessed with three grandchildren; Anya, Nadia, and Charles to raise and love. With the same energy and enthusiasm with which she brought up her first five children, she devoted herself to family life with art lessons for the children, days in the hills of El Dorado County with their horses, sewing costumes and putting on productions, and continuing to characteristically people their home with friends, family and long term guests. Her genuine interest in others endeared her to many. She lived with her whole heart.
Alma is preceded in death by her beloved husband of fifty-six years, Charles Drown and her sister Anita Sleeman. She is survived by five children and their spouses, twenty-six grandchildren and their respective spouses, thirty great-grandchildren and their respective spouses, and one great-great-grandchild. A funeral will be held in Elko, Nevada on January 22, 2017, at 2pm, at Burns Funeral Home: 895 Fairgrounds Rd., Elko, NV 89801.
Protest in open air living room : Creating awareness for the homeless
BONN A freshly made bed, a sofa with floor lamp and a thermos of hot coffee: the likeness of a comfortable home. But this is not the reality for around 700 people in Bonn.
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Three social welfare groups: Johannesbund, VfG, and Caritas joined together in a demonstration on Munsterplatz to create awareness for the plight of the homeless.
Around 90 people are searching in these cold days for a place to stay; in entrances to homes, in underpasses and in buildings housing public transportation. This is twice as many as in the previous year, said Nelly Grunwald of VfG. About 680 people have been accommodated in group homes. Add to that, there are a number of unknown homeless persons who seek shelter with people they know.
Reasons for homelessness are many: unemployment, relationship problems, difficulties in managing money and often psychological issues. From the perspective of social welfare groups, the clearly higher number of cases is due to failure at the political level. Elisabeth Bergmann of the Johannesbund explains that many come to them for help but the organizations dont have any apartments to refer to them. The result is that even pregnant women or single mothers must live in group homes. For men, the situation isnt any better.
Ricarda Miebach of Caritas says the organizations are a good contact for landlords but often, the apartments offered are not in a decent condition. Mold, apartments without real doors and windows, and offering very little privacy are no exception on the Bonn real estate market, agree all of the association representatives.
At Johannesbund, they have an entire station with women aged 65 to 75-years-old. They were kicked out of their apartments because they could no longer pay the rent or because they were too ashamed to receive help from their children or relatives. Social welfare associations say the city needs to creating social housing to accommodate such people.
This is a growing problem in all cities and counties. One prognosis from a federal organization which helps the homeless says the number of those affected is expected to climb from the current 335,000 to 553,000 in 2018.
Auch 2009 soll auf Museumsplatz wieder gerockt werden
Bonner Betreiber-Gesellschaft Kult Event will erfolgreiche Konzertveranstaltungen fortsetzen
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Bonn. Konzerte auf dem Museumsplatz wird es auch 2009 wieder geben - so viel steht fest.
Die aktuelle Saison hat den sechs neuen Betreibern aus Bonn, die seit diesem Jahr unter dem Dach der Gesellschaft Kult Event versammelt sind, soviel Aufwind verschafft, dass sie sich entschlossen haben, das Projekt Museumsplatzkonzerte fortzusetzen.
Nach dem unfreiwilligen Ausstieg der Bundeskunsthalle im vergangenen Jahr konnten die von Frank Asbecks Bonner Firma Solarworld als Hauptsponsor unterstutzen Neulinge ihre Arbeit erst Anfang des Jahres aufnehmen.
Das Programm war in Anbetracht dieser Umstande durchaus vielfaltig und spannend. Zu den Hohepunkten zahlten etwa das bereits Wochen vorher ausverkaufte Konzert der Arzte, der Auftritt der legendaren Jazz-Rock-Formation "Return To Forever" sowie die Konzerte von ZZ Top und der Band Ich & Ich.
Insgesamt fanden in diesem Jahr 100 000 Menschen den Weg zum Museumsplatz, wobei samtliche Veranstaltungen inklusive der zwei EM-Public-Viewing-Termine eingerechnet sind.
Kult-Event-Mitgesellschafter Wolfgang Koll ist zuversichtlich, dass die Attraktivitat der Konzerte in der nachsten Saison noch groer sein wird. "Durch die langere Vorlaufzeit werden wir sicherlich ein noch interessanteres und breiter gefachertes Programm anbieten konnen", sagte er auf Anfrage.
Auch sein Kollege Jurgen Harder sieht das so: "Fur die kurze Vorlaufzeit haben wir sehr viel bewegt." Neben den 26 Konzerten erwahnte er unter anderem auch die Etablierung einer Kindermusical-Reihe.
In der nachsten Saison sollen laut Harder noch mehr groere Events nach Bonn kommen, wobei man auch wieder eng mit den fuhrenden ortlichen Veranstaltern in Nordrhein-Westfalen zusammenarbeiten wird. "Wir hatten in dieser Saison sechs Konzerte mit uber 6 000 Zuhorern. Daran wollen wir jetzt anknupfen."
In Bonn will man laut Harder naturlich auch davon profitieren, dass Live-Konzerte fur Musiker wirtschaftlich immer interessanter werden, nachdem der Tontragermarkt eine stark rucklaufige Tendenz hat. Wichtig sei da vor allem das Weihnachtsgeschaft, sagte Harder. Das bedeutet, dass in den kommenden Wochen bereits etliche Namen bekanntgegeben werden durften.
Furs erste halt man sich jedoch wegen der noch laufenden Verhandlungen mit den Tourmanagern bedeckt. Immerhin war zu erfahren, dass man sich mit groer Wahrscheinlichkeit auf den vielstimmigen Gute-Laune-Pop der Beach Boys ebenso freuen darf wie auf eine Begegnung mit den New-Wave-Klassiker Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark und dem irischen Barden Chris De Burgh.
Dass Frank Asbecks Solarworld 2009 auch wieder dabei sein wird, freut die Betreibergesellschaft naturlich besonders. "Ohne Asbecks Hilfe ware das Ganze unmoglich", sagte Harder.
Zu der Bonner Betreibergesellschaft gehoren Jurgen Harder (Betreiber des Bruckenforums Beuel und Inhaber des Veranstaltungsburos Bonn Musik), Manuel Banha (Veranstaltungsburo together-bonn), Martin Notzel (Veranstalter) sowie das Veranstalter-Trio Bert Jakwerth, Wolfgang Koll und Josef Schnorbus vom Musikclub Harmonie in Endenich.
Die Krise der Museumsplatzkonzerte war von den Turbulenzen ausgelost worden, die Anfang 2007 ein Bericht des Bundesrechnungshofes ausgelost hatte. Darin war von Verlusten in Hohe von rund sechs Millionen Euro die Rede, die durch die Konzerte entstanden seien. Damals mussten Intendant Wenzel Jacob und Geschaftsfuhrer Wilfried Gatzweiler ihren Hut nehmen.
In der neuen Konstellation tritt die Bundeskunsthalle als Konzessionsgeberin auf. Dass sie selbst in kleinerem Rahmen auch wieder als Veranstalterin auftreten wird, ist durchaus moglich. Die Frage, ob sie es auch tun wird, konnte am Dienstag niemand im Hause beantworten.
Knife attack in Bonn inner city : Taxi driver in critical condition
BONN A 46-year-old taxi driver was stabbed during what may have been a robbery attempt and is in critical condition. A suspect has been apprehended by police and a homicide commission has taken over the investigation.
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Bonn police reported on Thursday afternoon that a 46-year-old taxi driver was seriously injured in an attempted robbery. The perpetrator stabbed the taxi driver with a knife and then fled. Police were able to locate a suspect in the location of the stabbing on Annagraben in north Bonn in the afternoon. They took him into custody.
According to police, an emergency call came in at 1:05 pm. Officers who responded to the call found the taxi driver lying on the ground in front of his taxi. He was treated by paramedics and taken to hospital, suffering life-threatening injuries.
GA has information that the perpetrator was alone with the taxi driver in the car, having come from Duisdorf to Bonn. In the area of Annagraben, he allegedly stabbed the taxi driver in the neck and upper body.
Initially, the offender was able to flee. But as police were on the scene, a 35-year-old appeared with two companions. Based on their existing information, they had reason to believe he was the suspect and he was taken into custody for the time being. In addition, GA has information that a knife was found in the area near the Frankenbad (swimming pool) and this could have been the weapon used in the crime.
Storm Warnings for Friday : Weather Service warning for storms in the Rhineland
Bonn The German Weather Service has also issued a warning for Friday morning high winds and snowfall, especially in higher elevations. In the Rhineland, wind gusts of 80 to 100 km/h are possible and up to 110 km/h in exposed areas of the Eifel and Sauerland.
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Throughout the morning, winds will die down but will come back again in the evening. In the night from Friday to Saturday, there can be wind gusts from the northwest up to 60 km/h. In addition, the German Weather Service has lifted its warning for heavy snowfall and snow drifts in the Rhine-Sieg region.
As the wind dies down, some showers are expected. In some areas with a temperature of 0C, there will be light frost. In higher areas of the Bergland, temperatures will reach -3C. Overnight, temperatures will be between 0 to -4C so frost is expected and there will be a danger of icy roads.
Jan M. (Rocky) Rockwell, 73, son of Joel S. and Agnes C. Rockwell went to be with the Lord Monday, January 9, 2017 at his home in Lamoille, Nevada after a courageous battle with cancer.
Rocky was born and raised in Elko and graduated from Elko High School in 1961. He landed a bartending job before the age of twenty-one which was true to his character. Rocky had a gift of gab and loved to barter trade and sell. Throughout his life he was engaged in various businesses such as motels in Oregon, and construction in Alaska, Oregon and Nevada. He enjoyed building and remodeling as carpentry was a love of his life. In March of 1995, Rocky, son Shane, and wife Frances started Raintree Construction, building custom homes, Frannie Anns Restaurant and went on to become an independent contractor at various local mine sites.
Family and especially his grandchildren brought him the greatest joy, always recalling especially great or funny moments. He liked to shoot the breeze with old friends, take in a good western or kick back and take a much needed afternoon nap. Rockys smile and good natured ribbing will be greatly missed by many.
Rocky is survived by his wife, Frances; sons, Jason and his daughter, Sahara, of Arizona; Shane (Erica) Rockwell and their children, Macy and Ethan, Spring Creek; his daughter, Shannon (Andrew) Knudsen; and their children Hattie, Cooper and Tucker, Elko; mother, Agnes Rockwell, and brother, Norman Rockwell, of Elko. He was preceded in death by his father, Joel, and Uncle Harry Peterson.
The service will be held at Burns Funeral Home, Monday January 16 at 2:00 p.m., with a private burial to follow. Per Rockys request, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a childrens charity of your choice.
Article
Protecting the worlds oceans an important goal of Germanys climate diplomacy
The worlds oceans are vital to our survival. They regulate the global climate and are a source of food and income for billions of people. Only a very small part of the seas enjoys legal protection, however. Our diplomats are working in New York right now to change this state of affairs.
The weather continued its craziness this week with a swing in temperatures and more snow. Ice fishing anglers find a layer of slush between the ice and the pile of snow on top. Temperatures dropped below the freezing mark on Thursday after several days of temperatures in the high 30s and low 40s.
With the first nice weather weekend since Christmas, anglers do need to be careful when getting on the ice at South Fork, checking ice thickness before venturing too far from shore due to this weeks warmer temperatures and rain.
Few anglers headed to the ice this week due to the weather, but the one or two that did, saw slow fishing conditions. Getting around to a few of the waters in eastern Nevada is iffy due to muddy, snowy conditions early in the week and snow later in the week.
This weekend is forecast to be the best weather of the week, but travel to places like Cold Creek and Wilson Reservoirs may not be safe.
With the slush layer on top of the ice at most of our reservoirs, waterproof boots are very important, as are water and wind resistant outer shells.
WILD HORSE
Wild Horse is covered with approximately 12 inches of good ice covered with a layer of slush and about 12 to 14 inches of snow on that. Walking conditions on the ice are difficult and ATVs are a no go. In fact, even snowmobiles are having trouble due to the deep snow and slush. There is a good two feet of snow on the flats for snowmobiling. No report on anglers on the lake due to the weather. Before the storms , rainbow PowerBait with garlic scent had been working as had worms and jigging with jigs or spinners. Look for water depths of four to 10 feet and fish about halfway down the water column. The sledding hill is up and running but the skating rink isnt due to the slushy conditions.
SOUTH FORK RESERVOIR
South Fork is covered with approximately five to six inches of ice covered by a layer of slush and then three to five inches of snow. The edges are soft and in some places there is water between the shore and the ice. Like Wild Horse, no recent fishing activity but before the storms, fishing had been slow to fair for 15 to 18 inch fish. Worms or PowerBait seemed to be the presentations of choice. The county road is severely pot holed, rough and saturated with water.
JIGGS/ZUNINO RESERVOIR
The biologist for this reservoir has turned the aerator on to prevent winter kill of the fish in this small reservoir. With the aerator on, there is a large piece of open water in the middle and the ice is unsafe with lots of slush on it. Anglers should not plan on ice fishing this small impoundment due to this.
WILSON RESERVOIR
No report due to weather, but presuming 4WD road conditions, possibly with chains requirements. It is probably not worth heading in that direction right now.
RUBY LAKE NWR
Harrison Pass is closed due to snow and anglers should plan on accessing the refuge through Secret Pass. There is lots of snow in the valley and the road is packed snow with vehicles driving in ruts. Definitely, 4WD conditions and care should be taken to stay out of the borrow ditch. If you get a tire even started on the edge of the ditch, it will suck you in. The collection ditch still has open water and fishing has been slow. Fly rodders should also try the usual assortment of nymphs under an indicator as well as wooly, seal and crystal buggers. Scuds, midges, and small Blue Winged Olives are all worth a try. Save the BWOs for the sunny afternoons. Of course, the usual small hares ears, PTs, copper Johns and buggers are all staples here.
JAKES CREEK/BOIES RESERVOIR
The ice is approximately 10 inches thick and fishing has been fair to good for 12 to 16 inch trout. Worms have been working the best, though PowerBait should work as well.
COLD CREEK RESERVOIR
The lake is at approximately 70 percent of capacity and the southern third of the lake is ice free with trout seen rising in the afternoon. The other two-thirds of the lake is covered with unsafe ice.
CAVE LAKE
There are varying ice thicknesses throughout the lake with eight inch thick ice on the Cave Creek side of the lake up to nine to 10 inches towards the dam. On top of the ice, there is ankle deep slush which keeps additional ice from building. Holes drilled by other anglers have not completely frozen over due to recent warm temperatures. There has been upwelling of water in these holes potentially causing the ice to be thinner in these areas. Anglers should use caution around holes drilled by other anglers in the event the surrounding ice is weak. Fishing has been fair to good for eight to 12 inch fish. Worms, PowerBait and mealworms under a bobber should all work.
COMINS LAKE
Comins Lake currently has varying ice thicknesses ranging from eight to 10 inches on the north lake and nine to 11 inches on the south lake. Anglers have been catching trout of different lengths with several 17-plus inch trout being harvested. Anglers should have luck with nightcrawlers, mealworms, and PowerBait. The usual techniques that work at Cave, should work here for trout as well.
ILLIPAH
Ice on Illipah Reservoir is eight to 10 inches throughout the lake. Recent warm temperatures have caused some melting along the shorelines of the lake. The result of the melting is layering of ice that may be unsound. Anglers should use caution when accessing the reservoir. Fishing is generally good here through the ice using worms, mealworms or PowerBait. Anglers can also have productive fishing using a black crappie jig tipped with a worm, being actively jigged. Anglers should use caution when accessing the lake due to snow and mud.
ANGEL LAKE
The road to Angel Lake is closed. There will be no further reports until late next spring or early summer, depending upon snow conditions.
ALPINE LAKES
Due to the snow at higher elevations, travel in the high country is not recommended at this time except for experienced backcountry travelers. Lakes are iced over. No further reports until late in the spring or early summer, depending upon this winters snow pack.
STREAMS
Stream flows are above normal for this time of year. Many of the streams that hold trout have ice on them and the shorelines are covered with ice and snow, making access difficult and fishing is slow. If you are fishing on a small stream in the area, look for open pools and slower deep runs, where the fish can hold. Fly fishing techniques include midging, stripping and dead drifting small nymphs under an indicator. Spin fishermen should use small spinners and lures or bait drifted under a bobber.
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has condemned the manner President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State have handled the killings in Southern Kaduna. Indigenes of Southern Kaduna have claimed that more than 800 people, mostly women, children and the elderly, have been murdered and villages burnt down by suspected herdsmen without the state and federal governments doing anything to stop them.
Soyinka spoke at the launch of the book, Religion and the Making of Nigeria, in Abuja, yesterday.His words:
Quote
Religion in the history of this continent has been a disastrous venture, a disaster in many zones and continues to be even so today. In this very nation in Southern Kaduna, over 800 souls were brutally extinguished suddenly. While the issue of grazing lands versus farming is unquestionably part of the conflict, it is equally undeniable that religious differences have played crucial role in the conflict. And yet some weeks before the latest outrage, the governor of that state was quoted to have claimed that peace was nigh since he had sent funds to the earlier wave of killers and they had agreed to end their killing spree. What astonished me was not the admission by the governor, but the astonishment of others at such governmental response to atrocity. There was nothing new about it. Has appeasement to religious forces not become a Nigerian face of justice and equity?
First lethargy and then appeasement. Wasnt Boko Harams Muhammed Yusuf not a beneficiary of appeasement in a similar fashion? Southern Kaduna has reminded us once again that the monster is always lying waiting to pounce under the guise of religion.
If you ask why General Buhari did not act fast enough when these events take place, which degrade us as human beings, well it is perhaps he has been waiting for the governor of that state to send money to the killers first for them to stop the killing.
The sitting President of this nation, General Buhari, once said If you dont kill corruption in this nation, corruption would kill us. I would like to transfer that cry from the moral zone to the terrain of religion. If we do not tame religion in this nation, religion would kill us.
I do not say kill religion though I wouldnt mind a bit if that mission could be undertaken surgically, painlessly perhaps under anesthesia effectively spayed all over the nation or perhaps during an induced pouch of religious ecstasy However, one has to be realistic. Only the religiously possessed or committed would deny the obvious. The price that many have paid not just within this society but by humanity in general makes one wonder if the benefits have really been more than the losses.
US spy agencies engaged in Nazi tactics: President-elect Trump
Iran Press TV
Thu Jan 12, 2017 8:50AM
US President-elect Donald Trump has accused the country's spy agencies of using Nazi tactics over leaking "fake news" and "phony stuff" about him to the media.
On Tuesday, BuzzFeed published a 35-page document containing unverified information from an alleged former British operative who claimed that Trump was caught in a compromising position in Russia.
The document also claimed that Russia is in possession of "compromising" personal and financial information about Trump which it is using to blackmail the US president-elect.
Addressing a news conference in New York on Wednesday, Trump described the published material about him as "fake" and a "political witch hunt," and said that the leaks from the US intelligence community to some media outlets were reminiscent of Nazi Germany.
"I think it was disgraceful, disgraceful that the intelligence agencies allowed any information that turned out to be so false and fake out. I think it's a disgrace, and I say that ... that's something that Nazi Germany would have done and did do," Trump said.
Russia on Wednesday rejected the BuzzFeed document as "completely fake," adding that Moscow does not possess any blackmail file on Trump containing footage of him in a "compromising" position in a Moscow hotel.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's chief spokesman and aide, Dmitry Peskov, said the BuzzFeed report is a "complete fabrication and utter nonsense."
"This information does not correspond to reality and is no more than fiction," he said, adding that the Kremlin "does not engage in collecting compromising material."
Trump has called for improved relations with Moscow, saying this will benefit the entire world. He argues that only "stupid" people or "fools" would think close ties between the US and Russia were unwise.
On Saturday, he said that Moscow would "respect us far more than they do now" after he enters the White House on January 20, and stated that the two nations could perhaps work together on the international stage.
A report released by US intelligence agencies on Friday accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of ordering "an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidential election."
Trump has consistently dismissed the intelligence agencies' conclusions as politically motivated, but he appeared to accept Russian involvement in the election after receiving an intelligence briefing on Friday.
However, on Wednesday he reiterated his goal of closer ties with the Russian president. "If Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability."
Trump also suggested that intelligence agencies even leak information when he holds meetings with their officials.
"I have many meetings with intelligence. And every time I meet, people are reading about it. Somebody's leaking it out," he complained.
Trump has previously also cited past faulty intelligence involving the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq to raise doubts about the intelligence community's assessment now.
"These are the same people who said Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction," Trump said in a statement last month.
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Trump's CIA Pick: Russia 'Threatening Europe,' Failing To Destroy Islamic State
RFE/RL January 12, 2017
WASHINGTON -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to run the CIA says he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely satisfied with the political furor in the United States over what U.S. intelligence calls a Russian hacking campaign to meddle in the presidential election.
Representative Mike Pompeo (Republican-Kansas) said during the January 12 confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee that it would not be surprising if Russia's leadership sees the uproar "as something that might well rebound to their benefit."
"I have no doubt that the discourse that's been taking place is something that Vladimir Putin would look at and say: 'Wow, that was among the objectives that I had, to sow doubt among the American political community, to suggest somehow that American democracy was not unique,'" Pompeo said.
Trump has publicly questioned the U.S. intelligence community's conclusions about Russian involvement, though a day earlier he acknowledged that Moscow was likely behind the cyberattacks targeting the campaign of his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton.
Trump insists, however, that the meddling had no impact on the outcome of the election.
Pompeo was responding to a question by Senator Marco Rubio (Republican-Florida) about the hacking campaign, in which Russia denies its involvement, and unsubstantiated claims that surfaced recently alleging that Russia possesses compromising information on Trump.
Pompeo said he accepts the assessment by U.S. intelligence that Russia was behind the cyberattacks.
Pompeo told the Senate Intelligence Committee that he attended last week's meeting at which top U.S. officials briefed Trump on the matter.
"Everything I've seen suggests to me that the report has an analytical product that is sound," Pompeo said.
Russia denies it was behind the cyberattacks.
Pompeo also said he believes Russia is "threatening Europe" while "doing nearly nothing" to destroy Islamic State (IS) militants.
"Russia has reasserted itself aggressively, invading and occupying Ukraine, threatening Europe, and doing nearly nothing to aid in the destruction of ISIS," Pompeo said in his written testimony submitted to the committee, using an alternate acronym for IS.
Trump has said he wants better relations with Russia, including greater bilateral cooperation in fighting IS militants in Syria.
Pompeo also said he would drop his opposition to the Iran nuclear deal if confirmed for the post and focus on "aggressive" verification that Tehran is complying with the terms of the accord.
A fierce critic of the deal between Iran and world powers during his time in Congress, Pompeo said in his confirmation hearing that he would have a different role if the Senate confirms his nomination.
"While I opposed the Iran deal as a member of Congress, if confirmed, my role would change -- I'll lead the [Central Intelligence] Agency to aggressively pursue collection operations and ensure analysts have the time, political space, and resources to make objective and sound judgments," Pompeo said.
Trump has previously said he could scrap or renegotiate the deal.
Pompeo has said that the CIA must be "rigorously fair and objective" in assessing the accord.
In his testimony, he called Iran "the world's largest state-sponsor of terror" and said the Islamic republic "has become an even more emboldened and disruptive player in the Middle East."
With reporting by Reuters
Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/pompeo-russia -threatening-europe-islamic- state/28229475.html
Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
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Trump Told U.S. Intelligence Didn't Write Or Leak 'Compromising' Report
January 12, 2017
A top U.S. intelligence official has told President-elect Donald Trump that U.S. intelligence agencies did not write or leak a document alleging that Russian operatives have "compromising information" on him.
U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said he spoke with Trump on January 11 after news broke that Trump received an intelligence briefing last week that included an unsubstantiated account of a Russian intelligence operative who allegedly obtained potentially embarrassing personal and financial information about Trump.
"I emphasized that this document is not a U.S. Intelligence community product and that I do not believe the leaks came from within the [community]," Clapper said, adding that the leaks were "corrosive and damaging to national security."
Moreover, he said, intelligence agencies had not sanctioned the account as "reliable."
According to the Associated Press, the dossier contains unproven information about close coordination between Trump's inner circle and Russians about hacking into Democratic accounts as well as unproven claims about unusual sexual activities by Trump, among other suggestions attributed to anonymous sources.
Trump was enraged by media reports about the dossier and called them "fake news." He also accused intelligence agencies of leaking the document.
Based on reporting by AP and Reuters
Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/trump-told -us-intelligence-didnt-write -or-leak-compromising-report- clapper-dossier/28227248.html
Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
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Trump's CIA Nominee Promises 'Clear-eyed' View of Russia
By Michael Bowman January 12, 2017
President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to lead the CIA promised to maintain a "clear-eyed" view of Russia and said he would not comply with any White House order to restart the use of torture tactics.
"You have my commitment that every day I will speak truth to power," said Republican Congressman Mike Pompeo of Kansas at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee Thursday.
Pompeo said he accepts the U.S. intelligence community's assessment that Russia meddled in last year's presidential election won by Trump, describing the report as "sound."
"It's a longstanding effort of the Russians," he added. "It is something America needs to take seriously and a threat that we are vulnerable to today.
"I have no doubt that the discourse that's been taking place [in America] is something that Vladimir Putin would look at and say, 'wow, that was among the objectives that I had, to sow doubt among the American political community," he said.
Enhanced interrogation
Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California noted that, during the campaign, Trump spoke favorably of so-called "enhanced interrogation techniques" to extract information from terror suspects. Pompeo himself criticized President Barack Obama for reining in the tactics.
"If you were ordered by the president to restart the CIA's use of enhanced interrogation techniques that fall outside of the Army Field Manual, would you comply?" Feinstein asked.
"Absolutely not," Pompeo replied. "I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect or, then, the president I'll always comply with the law."
Feinstein also pressed the nominee on his opposition to the international nuclear accord with Iran. Pompeo did not discuss the merits of the pact but pledged continued close monitoring of Tehran's compliance with it.
Mass data collection
Another Democrat, Ron Wyden of Oregon, pressed the nominee for limitations on the massive amount of data on ordinary citizens that U.S. intelligence agencies can scoop up.
"Are there any boundaries, in your view, to something this sweeping?" Wyden asked.
Pompeo noted that legal boundaries already exist, but added that he supports metadata collection.
"The American people demand that if there is publicly available information someone has out there on their publicly-available site I think we have an obligation to use that information to keep Americans safe."
Of Trump's picks for top administration posts, Pompeo, who has served on the House Intelligence Committee, is among those most likely to earn bipartisan Senate backing. Introducing him at his confirmation hearing was a fellow-Kansan, former Republican senator Bob Dole.
"I know this man and I know he'll do a great job," Dole said. "You've got a good candidate here."
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U.S. Department of Defense
Press Operations
News Transcript
Presenter: Army Colonel Brett Sylvia, commander, Task Force Strike, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve January 11, 2017
Department of Defense Press Briefing by Col. Sylvia via Teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq
CAPTAIN JEFF DAVIS: Okay. Brett, just want to make sure you can hear us and we can hear you.
COLONEL BRETT SYLVIA: I can hear you just fine. How do you hear me?
CAPT. DAVIS: Got you loud and clear.
Just at the outset, for anybody watching on channel two, I did want to point out, the farewell ceremony that's taking place right now for Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James occurring at Joint Base Andrews is being livestreamed on a separate channel on defense.gov. You can watch it there. This is being carried in the building here on channel two, as well as also being streamed on a separate channel on defense.gov.
I'd like to introduce to you Colonel Brett Sylvia. He's the current commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Task Force Strike, which is the roughly 1,700-person unit responsible for the advise and assist mission in Iraq. Task Force Strike advisory teams have successfully advised the Iraqi security forces through operations in Fallujah, Sharqat, Qayyarah, the occupation of Qayyarah West Airfield and they're currently advising during operations to retake Mosul.
I -- I set that out for you because I want you to please, as you -- as you engage in discussion today Colonel Sylvia, to keep in mind that's what his role is. I know we have a lot of other good questions about things happening in Syria, happening in the skies, happening with Russia and Turkey and other players. That's actually not his responsibility. So I will humbly ask your understanding of that at the get-go. We're happy to field those questions for you separately either here or with Colonel Dorrian in Baghdad.
Task Force Strike's role is critical in setting the conditions for the inevitable military defeat of Iraq -- of ISIS in Iraq, excuse me. And with that, I'll open it up to you.
Colonel Sylvia?
COL. SYLVIA: Good morning. So as stated, I'm Colonel Brett G. Sylvia, the commander of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Air Assault. Here in Operation Inherent Resolve, I am the commander of Task Force Strike. We are the one brigade combat team deployed forward here in Iraq. Our primary mission these past nine months has been to advise and assist the Iraqi and Kurdish security forces in the fight to defeat ISIL in Iraq.
I'd like to make a brief statement about some of the tremendous accomplishments we've achieved together since our arrival here in May, and then open it up to your questions.
So, as Lieutenant General Townsend described last month, 2016 has been characterized by the counter-offensive. Over the course of this year, this task force found ways to deepen our involvement with our Iraqi counterparts. Their success has been our success as we have been working very closely with one another.
I've gotten many questions about what the advise and assist mission actually looks like on the ground. I'd like to give you a short vignette to answer this particular question.
We were recently visiting one of our forward advisory teams at their joint command post on the outskirts of Mosul. Captain Dan Fitzgerald and his team advised the commander of the Iraqi Emergency Response Division. When we arrived, they were in the middle of processing a strike. Inside this small command post, I saw Iraqi officers and coalition soldiers huddled around a very small monitor. The Iraqis were talking on their communication devices and we were on ours.
They had identified a threat with a coalition ISR platform and together, they were working a strike to eliminate that threat before it reached the friendly forces. The division commander walked in, verified the threat, and authorized the strike. The threat was immediately destroyed. That is our advise and assist mission in a nutshell. The Iraqis do the ground maneuver and we support them with all the capabilities at our disposal. We work as one team to accomplish the mission.
We employ this model at various echelons, from this company commander all the way to me and my three-star partner. This model, in my opinion, has gotten more effective over time and has yielded greater and greater success. Over the course of the past nine months, great things have been accomplished here in Iraq. It has been our partnership that has achieved these things.
Hundreds of villages and cities have been liberated, to include Fallujah, Qayyara, Sharqat, and Qaraqush. Assistance has been provided to almost 250,000 displaced persons and almost 100,000 of these departed their IDP camps and headed back to their homes. An assault bridge was put over the Tigris River under fire, and then three more bridges were constructed over the Tigris and the Qaza Rivers.
A major airfield was liberated and then restored at Q West. And we have measurably reduced the effectiveness of ISIL's primary weapon system, the vehicle-borne IED. And we've assisted in the targeting of ISIL's drones, bringing down almost a dozen.
We've done these things together. The Iraqis have been on the ground, and we have enabled them both with effective advice and timely assistance. This has been a partnership between these Iraqi formations and Task Force Strike. As I said, their success has been our success. We operate as one team.
Before I close, I'd like to tell one story. On Christmas Day, I attended a service at the Marahana Church in Qaraqush. It was the first Christmas service in this church in over two years. I sat in a pew next to the operational commanders currently fighting in Mosul. They represented each of the Iraqi security forces and all of whom are Muslim. The commander of the federal police, who used his own funds to renovate the church to have it ready in time for Christmas mass, pulled me aside just before the service and said that this was his Christmas gift to me and to my soldiers for our contributions leading to the liberation of this area.
Since our arrival in Iraq, we assisted in the liberation of a patch of Iraq larger than the state of West Virginia, but this one event represented much more than the liberation of physical terrain. It was a symbol of the cooperation of all the Iraqi Syrian security forces, a symbol of the contrast between the tolerance of the real Iraqis and the intolerance of ISIL and a symbol of optimism of what Iraq can be in the future.
In closing, let me say that I am extremely proud of every member of Task Force Strike and all they have accomplished these past nine months. We provided training, equipment, intelligence, fire support and advice to our very capable Iraqi partners. Everywhere I go and talk with Iraqi leaders, they go out of their way to talk about their partner, a strike leader standing side by side with them, enabling them with coalition expertise and effects, compelling success and defeating an enemy of all people everywhere. They have truly lived up to our brigade motto; I am strike soldier, I fight where I'm told and I win where I fight.
That's all I have for an opening statement. I'd be happy to take your questions at this time.
CAPT. DAVIS: We'll start with Idrees Ali from Reuters.
Q: Speaking about the capabilities of the ISF in general, where do you see some of the deficiencies that they need more work in? Because as we've seen in the operation to retake Mosul, other than the CT forces, there are some serious deficiencies and issues. So what specifically do you think needs more work in terms of training and advising them?
COL. SYLVIA: One of the things that -- that we've had the great fortune of doing over the course of these last nine months is being able to witness a -- a great transformation in the Iraqi Security Forces.
When we first began these operations, the first village that we liberated together was a small village. It was called Qarbadon. And when they went to -- to seize this particular village, there was no more than 30 to 40 ISIL fighters that existed in that village and they sent an entire brigade to attack that particular village because that's what they felt was the -- the combat power that was required in order to be able to seize that village.
But what we've witnessed now over time since that day way back in May, is that they have increased their ability to conduct combined arms maneuver. It has been a growing capability. I'm sure you all have heard the stories about Ramadi where it was only the counterterrorism services that were leading the fight and it was the Iraqi army that had to move in behind them. They were the only offensive maneuver.
But today, in Mosul, what you'll see is you'll see the Counterterrorism Service advancing on one axis, you'll see the federal police advancing on another axis and you'll see the Iraqi army advancing on a -- on a third axis, each one of them now able to operate inside of a dense urban environment and be able to continue to make gains every single day, make progress every single day against ISIL.
And so it's not like it was back nine months ago where they struggled to get true combined arms maneuver in order to be able to defeat the enemy. And today, they're doing that. And every day, they're getting better at that as they continue to gain more experience at this, they gain more confidence. Their leaders gain greater competence.
And so they -- they continue to make progress and it's actually -- it's very impressive to see.
CAPT. DAVIS: Next, we'll go to Michael Gordon of the New York Times.
Q: Sir, I was out around Mosul at the early first few weeks of this operation. It's been reported there are is significant attrition that Iraqi forces have suffered, including the CTS. What steps have you taken to help the Iraqi forces deal with this situation? What adjustments have been made? Has it affected plans, training and equipping plans, replenishment plans for the forces? And what is the end-strength of the CTS and ISF in light of these operations? What's the projected end-strength you'd like to have?
COL. SYLVIA: So, as we're talking about casualties within the ISF, you know, specific numbers and all, I'm sure as you know we address those to the Iraqi Ministry of Defense. But what I will talk about is -- is as we are looking at what happened in those early days in the attack in Mosul, like you said, you were there. You saw it.
What we witnessed was we saw all the, you know, Daesh's -- ISIL's primary weapon system was that vehicle-borne IED. And they used it actually with -- with pretty good effectiveness. One out of every two VBIED attacks resulted in some type of -- some type of casualty, whether it was vehicles, equipment, or personnel.
And what we have done over time, working together, is to be able to bring some of our capabilities and match it with their capabilities. So within the last couple of weeks, what we've seen is that effectiveness of the VBIEDs go down to one in nine or one in six of their VBIED attacks result in any type of damage and that damage is certainly much less than it was before.
And so for both of us, our involvement with them and our partnership with them, it has certainly been an evolution as we have figured out how to be more effective in our strikes, more effective in the counter-mobility fight in order to be able to support them against each one of the threats that exist in Mosul.
As you know, it's a three-dimensional fight. They're, you know, ISIL is in the basements of buildings, on the roofs of buildings, you know, and around the corners. And they've had two years to build this defense. But over time, they've gotten much more effective. And it's not just the CTS. It's all the forces that are much more effective there today.
And they continue to build their own combat power. And the three axes advance, you know, that you see now, and really in particular when it began on December 29th, has taken a lot of pressure off the CTS. Because in the beginning, there was a lot of -- the brunt of the attack was on the CTS. And so that in and of itself has been a great force protection mechanism for them.
CAPT. DAVIS: Next, we'll go to Courtney Kube of NBC News.
Q: Hi, colonel. I wanted to ask you just one thing from your opening statement. You mentioned that the task force has been involved in taking down more than a dozen ISIL drones. Can you give us a -- describe what those drones are like, size? I'm assuming that they were unarmed, but what were they -- what was sort of the mission that they were doing? And how did the task force assist in taking them down?
COL. SYLVIA: Yeah, the -- the ISIL drones has been something that has evolved over time. It -- it is a capability that they have had for pretty much the duration of the time that we've been here. It's, you know, commercial off-the-shelf, you know, just UAVs that -- that they purchase. And in the beginning, they had some of these -- they were little bit, you know, larger fixed-wing, you know, no bigger than a five-foot wingspan, but -- (inaudible) used for reconnaissance.
As we've made our way into Mosul now, what we've seen is that they use the smaller drones, the quad copters things, with a much shorter ability to -- to project them out. You know, they're up for, you know, 45 minutes, an hour so, and even that evolution has transitioned in the beginning of the Mosul campaign from -- from just reconnaissance to they are actually putting munitions in them and -- and dropping munitions on -- on the ISF, on the Iraqi security forces and their positions.
And so, while I won't go into any of the technical matters, the technical capabilities that we use on these ISIL drones, what -- what we have found is that we're able to bring to bear some of our technical capabilities and then the Iraqis are able to couple that with much of their direct fire weapon systems. And as a result of us working together hand-in-hand, we've been able to -- to bring down these ISIL drones and -- and have made them much less effective than they -- than they were in the beginning.
Q: Could you give us a little bit -- describe a little bit more about the munitions that they've been putting on them? And then are you aware that any of these munitions have resulted in the deaths of any Iraqi security forces?
COL. SYLVIA: Yeah, you know, like I said before, you know, we -- you know, we don't talk about the ISF casualties. That's, again, something to -- to take to the Iraqi Ministry of Defense for them to -- to be able to -- to address.
I can tell you it has resulted in the damage to some equipment and damage of some structures as well as to some civilian casualties because certainly, they're not concerned about whether or not any of the civilians in Mosul are -- are killed or wounded. So -- so there has been -- has been that.
You know, they are small drones with -- with small munitions that they -- that they've been dropping, you know, just -- you know, akin to, you know, a small little grenade that -- that drops on the ground, enough for them to be able to -- to do what -- what Daesh does, and that's just, you know, indiscriminate killing. That's -- that's what they do.
But like I said, their effectiveness has significantly waned as we have, you know, worked this counter-UAS fight together with the Iraqis.
Q: One more. You haven't seen them trying to deliver any kind of chemicals or any kind of -- anything like that with these drones, or have you?
COL. SYLVIA: We have not. We have not, no.
CAPT. DAVIS: Next, to Barbara Starr from CNN.
Q: Colonel, thank you for doing this.
I wanted to follow-up a bit on what Courtney just asked you. Just so I understand, you're saying that ISIS has now achieved the ability to aerial drop the munitions from the wings of these UAVs? And do the UAVs go down on the ground and then sometimes Iraqis may approach them and they explode at that point? Is it both cases? Or have they -- what -- I mean, it sounds fairly concerning that they would have achieved this capability to drop this stuff off the wings.
And also, have any of your U.S. troops been wounded either by this or in any other circumstances?
COL. SYLVIA: Yeah, so it is -- I do want to make sure that I capture a little bit more accurately kind of what it is that we're talking about with regard to these armed UASs.
I'm not sure if you're familiar with -- with these small quad copters. You know, probably no bigger than, you know, a couple of feet in diameter. So, it's not as if it is it a, you know, a large armed UAV that's dropping munitions from the wings, as you described, but literally a very small quad copter that, you know, drops a, you know, small munition in a somewhat imprecise manner, in a somewhat crude manner out there on the battlefield.
And that's really what we've seen up to this point. And, you know, like I said, you know, indiscriminately targeting, going after Iraqi security forces. We -- we, you know, we certainly, you know, to address your question, you know, there have been no U.S. -- no U.S. casualties from any of these UAS's. They're very short-range, targeting those frontline troops from the Iraqis.
Q: Any casualties in the time you've been there?
COL. SYLVIA: I'm sorry. I didn't hear that. Could you say that again?
Q: Sir, can you just bring us up to date. Has your unit suffered any wounded during your deployment?
COL. SYLVIA: No, we have had no combat-related injuries; no combat-related deaths within Task Force Strike. You know, our advisory role as we partner -- so like I talked about with, you know, Captain Fitzgerald in my opening statement. You know, Captain Fitzgerald, you know, his partner is an Iraqi two-star general. The lowest that we go is, you know, one-star generals who we are partnering with. So it's one-, two-, three-star generals.
And much like you would imagine, you know, they are behind the lines. They're in their, you know, their command posts, in their headquarters. And that's where we do our advising. You know, we are there to assist them with situational awareness tools. We're there to help bring precision fires in support of their operations. And our effectiveness comes from being co-located with their decision-makers, their general officers.
And so as you can imagine, you know, their general officers are not on the frontlines, you know, kicking down doors and shooting people. And that's where our advisers are. That's where their best place is with those Iraqi commanders behind the frontlines, you know in those headquarters areas.
Q: I was noticing, though -- I guess what I was referring to in your fact sheet, you said your fire battalion has fired more than 6,000 rounds, the highest number of PTMs ever fired in combat. Since you say "ever fired in combat," over what period of time are you talking about? Since you were there -- 6,000 rounds since you arrived?
COL. SYLVIA: That's right. That's right. Yes. So, I'm sure you all remember, you know, Fire Base Bell that was there at the, you know, more than a few months ago. We fell in immediately on that. My task force top guns came in, assumed that position. And from the beginning, we've been providing precision surface-to-surface, all-weather fires in support of Iraqi security force maneuvers. That's been part of our -- part of our assistance effort to them.
And so, you know, like we talked about, you know, us bringing, you know, strikes forward, a lot of times people think of that as just primarily the close-air support, you know, the, you know, the Air Force aircraft that are flying overhead. But there's also an all-weather, you know, component. We've got, you know, HIMARS, triple-seven artillery. We've got Paladins. All that have been in support of the Iraqi security force maneuver. And it is something that we work in concert with our Iraqi counterparts.
In the beginning when I first got here, and I talked about Qarbadon -- we did, you know -- Qarbadon, Qarbat Jabbar or Hajj Ali. You know, a series of villages that we went on through. And my partner, every time that he would want fire support, he would turn to us and say, you know, "Can you provide us fire support?" And I'd say, "Well, you know, you've got your own artillery."
But in the beginning, as we talk about the maturation of the security forces, in the beginning they didn't have any trust or confidence in their artillery forces. And that's something that when we talk about our advisory mission, we've gone forward to co-locate with their artillery in order to be able to provide some additional training and instruction; in order to increase the precision of their own fires.
So now, as we are in Mosul, there is a whole range of kinetic strikes that could be brought, some of which are Iraqi and some of which are coalition. And we've been there in order to support.
Clearly, we have a great precision fires capability, whether it's air-delivered or whether it's surface-to-surface. And so when we talk about the precision fires that have been delivered, the greatest number, you know, in combat ever, that's because of new precision-fires capability that has come to even our own Army and our ability to deliver very accurate fires, which is particularly important as we're fighting in an urban area, in order to be able to go through the very deliberate process to limit any collateral damage.
Q: (inaudible) -- rounds of ground fire, on average, what would you say, out of 6,000 rounds, and it's the highest ever, how many ground combat rounds a day do you fire?
COL. SYLVIA: I only caught the last portion of your question there. So, you're asking, you know, what percentage of these are precision-fires? Is that your question?
Q: Sure. Sorry. I'm just asking, you say you're firing 6,000 rounds in combat, according to your fact sheet. So if it's 6,000 rounds, on average give me your best calculation: What would you say you fired -- and maybe it was more in the beginning -- what would you say -- how many rounds on average a day in this ground combat that you describe?
COL. SYLVIA: I'm not prepared to -- to tell you I guess what the daily averages on the rounds that are fired. I will say that we are, you know, firing more today than we were six months ago.
Today, as we are supporting multiple axes and their maneuver as they are, you know, maneuvering in and around Mosul, certainly we are firing more today than six months ago when we were just supporting, you know, the -- the maneuver of one division taking, you know, one village at a time. And so -- so we are. We -- you know, we are there supporting as part of a whole range of -- of kinetic strike capability, precision fires capability that we provide to the Iraqis every single day.
CAPT. DAVIS: Next to David Martin from CBS News.
Q: You said you had reduced the effectiveness of vehicle-borne IEDs from one in two that cause damage to -- and you said one and nine or one in six. So just wondering -- clarify, is it one in nine and is it one in six? And besides dropping the bridge spans cross the Tigris, what else have you done to reduce the effectiveness of VBIEDs?
COL. SYLVIA: I -- I think this is a -- this is a great new story in terms of our advisory effort and -- and really working together with the Iraqis on this one.
So as -- you know, as you know, the VBIEDs have a -- have a tremendous impact not only in terms of casualties, but they've got a great psychological impact when you've got an explosion of -- of that size that -- that go off in proximity to -- to soldiers of any kind. And so really getting after the -- the VBIED fight has been an important one for us.
And so what we have been working together with our Iraqi counterparts are a whole range of things in order to be able to be more effective. One of them is just increasing the number of anti-tank munitions that our Iraqi counterparts have. There's an equipping program that -- that we do that -- that has allowed us to -- to increase the numbers of these munitions in the hands of the Iraqis that are there on the front lines.
The second thing is working through even some very rudimentary methods, like road spikes or, you know, hedgehogs, you know, string and wire, you know, out along the roads. There's a -- there's a natural pace of operations that occurs each day where, you know, you attack and you know, at some point, you got to, you know, kind of establish a defensive line and then prepare for the next day.
But now, you know, when they -- when they slow that advance and decide this is the point that we're gonna stop and, you know, kind of refit until we push on again, they -- they put out these counter-mobility measures, put these things out there on the ground. As we've seen, you know, these VBIEDs come in any form of a sedan or truck or anything, and some of these elementary methods help to be able to -- to stop their advance or slow their advanced to the point where they can be targeted.
And the other thing that we do is we do some -- we do some terrain denial. There are at times some -- you know, some high-speed avenues of approach that are -- that are difficult to put some of these road spikes in, and so we'll put some -- some craters in the roads, very large potholes that a -- that a vehicle would have to slow down or would have to maneuver around or potentially even, you know, if it's a heavily-laden village, would get stuck inside these areas. And so then the ISF are able to then engage them much more quickly.
The reason why I said one-to-nine and one-to-six is because we do it on kind of, you know, a two-week average. And over the course of the last month, it was one-to-nine, and then, you know, we've had one-to-six lately. Some of that is just dependent on how fluid the battlefield is. And so sometimes that percentage changed.
But regardless, you know, going from 50 percent to these larger percentages has been a significant -- a significant win for us. And at the same time, even the ones that do have some effectiveness, the relative effectiveness has been less in terms of the number of casualties or the amount of equipment that's been damaged.
CAPT. DAVIS: Next to Bill Hennigan with the Los Angeles Times.
Q: Hey, colonel.
These dozen drones that you mentioned before, when did you first start seeing this -- when did you first start taking them down? And when did they first have the capability of dropping munitions?
COL. SYLVIA: Well, so like I said, you know, even after we first got here, this is a capability that ISIL has had to be able to fly drones. You know, it's the same ability that, you know, any, you know, 13-year-old kid in the states has. You know, he can get online and purchase, you know, some type of unmanned aerial vehicle and put it up. And so, that's what Daesh has been doing -- ISIL's been doing for some time.
And even in the beginning when we were first here, sometimes these things would fly over and our counterparts would, you know, through small arms they would shoot them down and bring them down. So -- so they've been, you know, they've been coming down for a little while. But it wasn't until we got closer and closer to Mosul that we -- that we really began to see not only the increase in quantity, but the frequency of their flights.
And then -- and then really that's when we saw them using them in an armed fashion in order to be able to drop them on our -- on our Iraqi counterparts on their frontlines. And so that has been something that has evolved. You know, it was -- it's almost like popcorn, right? You know, you -- you see one, and then you don't see another one for a little while, and then you see another one, and then you see another one.
And so actually, it's -- it has increased in frequency. Or it did increase in frequency, I guess I should say, until very recently, both as we have now been more engaged with our partners in helping out with this fight. And so now we've seen that -- we've seen their use drop off. And at the same time as the Iraqis have taken more ground inside of Mosul.
Most recently, elements of the federal police moved into an area and captured up what appear to be kind of a UAV launch and recovery site, where they collected up a bunch of UAV parts that when ISIL was in such a hurry to depart the area, they left all these -- all these things there.
And so -- so, obviously their effectiveness and the quantities available to them have certainly decreased over time. Number one, as they've been, you know, shot out of the sky, brought down, or as these areas have been taken over.
Q: Thanks. And as you approach the Tigris here, what challenges do you see going west as you push into the districts west of the river?
COL. SYLVIA: Yeah. So -- so I'm sure you've heard -- I think it was in an Iraqi press release yesterday. They believe -- (inaudible) -- between 70 and 80 percent complete with eastern Mosul. And really, in terms of kind of the doctrinal definition of defeat, you know, you can say that there has been a defeat there because they have certainly broken their will to fight, to continue to really fight in earnest in eastern Mosul. And so the Iraqi security forces continue to make great progress there.
And so, you know, naturally the fight is not over. There is -- there's a lot of fight that's left to do in western Mosul. There has been an extensive defensive work that has been done in western Mosul. They have certainly been working on that area, and even in some cases have greater defenses built in western Mosul than they did in eastern Mosul.
And I think you've seen recently, they completed -- not the complete destruction, but have certainly even done more destruction to a couple of the bridges lately to ensure that they could try to delay the advance of the Iraqi security forces over to the -- over to the west side.
But I'll tell you that, you know, the Iraqi security forces, as I said, they have a tremendous capability. That capability has grown. They've gotten better at this urban fight. They know what they're getting themselves into. And they know that they have in many cases, you know, broken the will of many of these Daesh fighters. And we hear a lot more and more about many of them, you know, running away.
And certainly when ISIL hears that they've got fighters running away, they, you know, they execute them. So I don't know what incentive that gives to people to continue to fight for them, but certainly that's just another indication of, you know, how they operate.
But, you know, the ISF have -- have more than enough capability to get around to the west side and to begin that fight. They certainly don't need those bridges in order to be able to get over there. They've demonstrated in the past that they can -- they can build bridges. You know, like I talked about earlier, you know, we have provided advising at multiple echelons.
One of the things that we've done is bridge advising. And so when they first put in that first bridge over the Tigris, we were there to advise them and provide some, you know, technical capabilities in putting that bridge in. And then they put a second bridge in, and we were there to advise them on that second bridge. But then they put in a third and a fourth bridge without us there, without us advising.
They've grown in their capability to do these things. And I'm confident that they'll be able to continue to do that as they bring forces from the east side to the west side when they're ready to do that.
CAPT. DAVIS: Okay. Next to Corey Dickstein, Stars and Stripes.
Q: Hey, sir, appreciate your doing this.
I wanted to see -- you said, obviously, that the vehicle-borne IEDs have been less effective recently. Do you have maybe an estimate of how often they're using them? I'm sure it's daily, but can you say how often ISF is coming into contact with them?
And are they becoming more crude as territory is taken and things are cleared that they've held for a while?
COL. SYLVIA: Today, to be honest with you, I read an article today -- Major General Maan, who is one of the commanders of the Counterterrorism Service, I think he said it best. He said in the beginning, we would see as many as 10 VBIEDs a day against our front-line troops, and today, you know, we see, you know, no more than -- than one or two and on some days, you know, we don't see any.
And -- and you're right, they have become much more crude. When we were fighting on the outskirts of Mosul before we even got into -- into the city proper, we like to call them those "Mad Max"-looking VBIEDs. They had taken vehicles, they had put steel plating, you know, all around these things and just had a small little porthole that the -- that the driver would be able to see through. They would try to ram these things into -- into the Iraqi defenses.
And today, you know, we don't -- we don't see those anymore. Like you said, they are much more crude. To some degree, that's -- that's good because they have less capability to break through barriers. In some cases, it does make it even a little bit more difficult because they look like every other sedan that's on the street, and so -- so sometimes, it can be difficult -- (inaudible).
The Iraqi security forces have shown great restraint and great care in being able to safeguard not only the -- the people of Mosul, the civilians that are still there in Mosul, but even their property. And so that has in some cases, even made it just a little bit more difficult on them.
Q: And then on the artillery, you said your artillery battalion has worked directly with the -- the Iraqi artillery forces. Can you talk at all to how the Iraqi artillery has advanced? Are they able to strike with, you know, similar precision to our -- to our artillery soldiers?
And then can you kind of also tell -- you know, how precise, you know, can a Paladin or a triple-seven get? Can you take out a VBIED, you know, with an artillery strike like that?
COL. SYLVIA: So first of all, I'm not gonna go into the -- the specifics, as you could imagine, on exactly how precise, you know, our artillery is, given some of the specifications on the -- the rounds and things that we have.
But what I will say is that they have been able to -- to strike VBIEDs, they have been able to -- to take out, you know, a mortar team, which is, you know, two guys standing around a mortar tube and being able to strike them with -- with great precision. They have -- you know, they've been able to put rounds in -- in some places that have allowed us to -- to destroy Daesh, and at the same time, safeguard structures or even civilians that may have been, you know, close, not too close but -- but -- but close.
Can the Iraqis do that? They don't have the same -- the same type of equipment. While they do have some Paladins, they have an earlier version of Paladins. They don't have the same kind of rounds and things that -- that we do. But they have become much more precise in terms of what they've been able to do. They -- they don't necessarily have the same precision that -- that we do, though.
CAPT. DAVIS: Okay. Next, we'll go to Kasim Ileri with Anadolu News Agency.
Q: Sir, thanks for doing this.
During your operations around Mosul, have you had any interaction with the forces trained by Turkey in Bashiqa?
COL. SYLVIA: Yes, I have. So, there are some tribal -- Sunni tribal fighters that were trained in Bashiqa. And they are currently fully integrated in the Iraqi army, and with the 16th Iraqi Army Division on the northern axis.
They have been used as a hold force. So after the 16th Iraqi Army Division has pushed through certain areas, has cleared those areas of ISIL, they were able to move some of these tribal fighters and to hold that ground to prevent any, you know, infiltration of ISIL behind them.
So I have had -- had that limited interaction with them only through the 16th Division.
Q: What was your impression about their capabilities? Are they trained well?
COL. SYLVIA: They've proven that they were able to hold that ground behind the Iraqi army. Certainly, I'm getting my information second-hand from the commander of the 16th Iraqi Army Division. And they are, you know, fully integrated. Those tribal fighters are not there by themselves. They're there with the Iraqi army soldiers who really do kind of provide the -- kind of the overall backbone for the security forces in that area.
So that's really the only assessment that I could -- I can provide on them.
CAPT. DAVIS: And finally to Luis Martinez from ABC News.
Q: Hi, colonel. Thanks for doing this briefing.
I want to ask you about the federal police. How are they being utilized in the fight in Mosul? Are they a holding force now? Are they being used as a combat force? How many of them are there? What's your role in advising them as they operate in Mosul?
COL. SYLVIA: First of all, I'll say the federal police have proven to be a critical portion of the overall Iraqi security forces that are -- that are engaged in this fight. And if I could just step back just a little bit and frame, you know, what we're talking about when we talk about the police.
I know some of you, you know, are aware of this, but I just want to make sure that we, you know, kind of frame it appropriately.
You know, we have local police who are those who, you know, grow up in that area, you know, work for the ministry of interior, and they are, if you will, cops on the beat. We have Ninawa provincial police who are kind of a, you know, a little bit of a step above. They're not tied to, you know, kind of a checkpoint on the street or anything. They're the ones that are able to move around and -- and more along the lines of, you know, if you will in the United States, you know, kind of the state troopers who have some mobility there.
And then you've got the federal police, who are trained by the Italian carabinieri. You know, they're a gendarmerie. You know, they are, you know, really a high-end force who has the capability for offensive maneuver. They have -- they have vehicles and equipment and weapon systems that make them much more than police and really kind of straddle the line. You know, they're more like an army unit with policing authorities.
And so the federal police in, you know, kind of a little partnership with the emergency response division, who is currently falling under the federal police, they have proven to be a very effective fighting force. I know that in the past, they served perhaps a little bit different role in places like Fallujah. But here, they have -- this is the first time that we have advised them. And it has been really a fruitful partnership in all regards.
And so as a result, what we have seen, and I talked about, you know, that day in the church where we had all of the Iraqi security forces together. When I think about the greatest achievement or the greatest accomplishment of my time here, has been the integration of each one of these Iraqi security forces.
And so today, you'll see that, you know, the CTS, the Counterterrorism Services have given forces up to the Iraqi army, to the northern access, in order to be able to facilitate, you know, their clearance. You've got, you know, fed pol forces and Counterterrorism Services that meet each day in order to be able to synchronize and coordinate maneuvers as they are in support of one another in their clearance operations.
Something that I don't think we've ever seen before -- that degree of synchronization and cooperation amongst these Iraqi security forces. And I'm very proud to say that Task Force Strike and our advisers and our adviser teams, company commanders, battalion commanders, they've been there with each one of these elements, facilitating this crosstalk and this coordination and this synchronization.
And over time, I'd like to say that we played a role in being able to bring each one of them together. And so the rapid gains that we've seen since 29 December, in my opinion, are a direct result of all of them working together in synchronization to be able to achieve the effects and the great success of the last couple of weeks.
Q: If I could follow-on real quick.
Around that timeframe, the 29th of December, I guess there was discussion of a second phase going inside Mosul. There was talk about the federal police's role in -- as part of that operation. Were they always a part of the operation? Or were they brought in as an add-on because of the situation -- the holding situation that had taken place in Mosul at that time?
COL. SYLVIA: Yes, so the federal police have always been part of this, you know, Mosul counteroffensive. On the 17th of October, the federal police were, you know, they owned one of the axes of advance, and liberated, you know, almost 56 kilometers of what we used to call, you know, MSR Tampa, between MSR Tampa and the Tigris River.
A very impressive move, multiple villages. You know, we count villages a little bit different, but I think if you asked them, they'll tell you they liberated, you know, almost 100 villages, you know, through that -- that particular area.
And then they achieved, you know, what it was that they were initially asked to do. They -- they met their limit of advance. They were there to -- to set up some blocking positions and to -- and to support from that side. And then -- and so, you know, like you talked about, yeah, we did go to a phase two on December 29th, and there was a reorganization of the combat power.
And so then the federal police then did bring forces from the west side of the Tigris over to the east side of the Tigris in order to be able to add combat power to the fight there on the east, as we had seen, you know, ISIL move in combat power from the west to the east as well.
And so -- so that addition of combat power, the development of a refined plan, and the ability to move forward in order to be able to -- to make the rapid gains that we see today.
CAPT. DAVIS: And with that, we will call it a day.
Colonel Sylvia, thank you very much for your time and for coming to Baghdad to do this. And we wish you all the best of luck in the fight to re-take Mosul and look forward to seeing you again soon.
COL. SYLVIA: It's been my pleasure, thank you.
http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Transcripts/Transcript-View/Article/1047532/
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Afghanistan: UN condemns latest terrorist attacks against civilians and diplomats
11 January 2017 The United Nations has condemned yesterday's terrorist attacks near the Parliament in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, and the residence of the Provincial Governor of Kandahar, calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
The UN mission in the country said that the attacks killed more than 40 people, mainly civilians and including five diplomats from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Many others were injured, including the Kandahar Governor and the visiting UAE Ambassador.
"Indiscriminate attacks against civilians, including diplomatic envoys, are violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and cannot be justified," said Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, in a statement issued overnight, in which the United Nations extended its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured while expressing its solidarity with the people and Governments of Afghanistan and of the UAE.
According to a press release issued by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), as many as 13 civilians were killed in an explosion at the residence of the Kandahar Provincial Governor while he was hosting a dinner event for visiting diplomats and dignitaries. No group claimed responsibility for the attack.
UNAMA also said that a Taliban suicide attacker detonated his vest outside the Parliamentary Administration Compound in the Daruluman area of Kabul. Shortly afterwards, the Taliban detonated a vehicle packed with explosives on the main road near the compound, impacting a civilian bus, parliamentary staff, bystanders, security guards and those responding to the first attack.
The attacks in the capital killed at least 35 people and injured more than 50. While authorities confirmed two National Directorate of Security (NDS) officials were killed and four injured, preliminary information indicates the majority of the casualties were civilians.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that they were targeting the NDS. The Taliban also acknowledged that they had deliberately timed the second blast to take place as first responders attended to persons caught in the initial explosion.
"Such unprincipled, unlawful and deplorable attacks cause immense human suffering and make the peace that Afghans need and deserve even more difficult to achieve," said Pernille Kardel, the Secretary-General's Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan. "Those responsible for these attacks must be held accountable," said Ms. Kardel, who is also acting head of UNAMA.
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Military Strikes Target ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq
From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release
SOUTHWEST ASIA, Jan. 12, 2017 U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Iraq and Syria yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.
Strikes in Syria
Attack, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted nine strikes in Syria:
-- Near Dayr Az Zayr, three strikes destroyed three oil tanker trucks, two oil pumpjacks and an oil wellhead.
-- Near Raqqah, six strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit; destroyed two tunnels, two fighting positions, a tactical vehicle and a front-end loader; and damaged three supply routes.
Strikes in Iraq
Attack, bomber and fighter aircraft and rocket artillery conducted eight strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq's government:
-- Near Beiji, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a vehicle.
-- Near Huwayjah, two strikes engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL-held buildings and a command and control node.
-- Near Mosul, five strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed three fighting positions, three ISIL-held buildings, two heavy machine guns, two mortar systems, a command-and-control node, a vehicle bomb factory, a vehicle bomb, an ISIL unmanned aircraft, a supply cache and an artillery system; and damaged 24 supply routes and an ISIL-held building.
Task force officials define a strike as one or more kinetic events that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single, sometimes cumulative, effect. Therefore, officials explained, a single aircraft delivering a single weapon against a lone ISIL vehicle is one strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against buildings, vehicles and weapon systems in a compound, for example, having the cumulative effect of making those targets harder or impossible for ISIL to use. Accordingly, officials said, they do not report the number or type of aircraft employed in a strike, the number of munitions dropped in each strike, or the number of individual munition impact points against a target. Ground-based artillery fired in counterfire or in fire support to maneuver roles is not classified as a strike.
Part of Operation Inherent Resolve
The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.
Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
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ELKO After impact statements from family and an almost 20-minute explanation by the judge, Eduardo Estrada-Puentes was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole for the murder of his estranged wife Stephanie Gonzalez.
This maximum sentence aligned with what Chief District Attorney Chad Thompson asked the court to give.
Defense attorney David Lockie had asked the court for the sentence recommended by parole and probation 50 years in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years.
A jury found Estrada-Puentes guilty of first-degree murder in October for the 2011 death of Gonzalez. The case was the culmination of a three-year manhunt. Estrada-Puentes was apprehended in Mexico in October 2014 after being involved in a fight, and extradited to the United States.
Estrada-Puentes family testified that he was a kind and loving father and always helpful to others. They also said he grew up in a home that had a history of domestic violence.
Gonzalezs sister and mother explained to the court what her death meant to their family. Lidia Cortes said her daughter paid the ultimate price just because she asked for a divorce.
While the majority of the people present remained stoic throughout the statements, almost everyone in the court began crying during Gonzalezs daughters testimony. Dsrey Gonzalez Cortes, who was 10 at the time of the murder, told the court she didnt write a letter because she wanted to talk from my heart.
When I had found out that my dad had killed my mom, I didnt believe it, she said. I couldnt believe it. I still cant believe it.
She said she lost both parents that day and it has broken her heart. Dsrey said she wondered if she could have prevented her mothers death if she hadnt gone on a fishing trip with her grandparents the day of the murder.
There for awhile I blamed myself for my moms death, she said.
Dsrey said first she was in denial and then angry. She said she doesnt hate her father, but she doesnt know if she will ever be able to forgive him. She said her father deserves to go to jail for what he did. Dsrey said she knows her father is sad and regrets what he did.
Kacin said he seldom if ever addresses victims during sentencing but he made an exception based on Dsreys statement.
Please dont accept blame that is not yours, he told the 15-year-old. Nothing that you did resulted in your mothers death, and you did not lose your mother. Your grandmother and guardian, Mrs. Cortes, understands this, as she properly recognizes that she did not, and I emphasize not, lose her daughter. Murder is theft. Its basically stealing a life. Stephanie did not lose her life. Mr. Estrada murdered Stephanie and he stole her life. He stole Stephanie from Dsrey, Kiawna and Andres. He stole Stephanie from Mrs. Cortes, Mr. Gonzalez, their families and the Elko community. As a result Mr. Estrada is now lost to his family as well, because whatever I do here for a sentence today, he is going to prison for a very, very long time.
Kacin reminded everyone in the court that Estrada-Puentes was judged by a jury of his peers. The judge said it was a very strong first-degree murder case.
In my view the state proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that this was first-degree murder, he said.
Kacin said the recommendation from parole and probation is for the minimum sentence of 50 years with possibility of parole after 20 years. He said it comes down to the judge to decide if that is appropriate.
It has to be that way. The defendant has to be judged, Kacin said.
He said he is not swayed by the media and he doesnt give any weight to allegations that arent supported by the evidence. Kacin said he considered the defendants life, including his criminal record, the crime itself and what Estrada-Puentes did after the murder.
Kacin acknowledged that Estrada-Puentes has no prior felony convictions and that he is able to do good things in his life.
There are good things that can be said about just about anybody on this earth, Kacin said.
He said the crime was a heinous offense.
Mr. Estrada strangled all 60 inches and 100 pounds of Stephanie, his wife, the mother of his children, to death, Kacin said. His childhood sweetheart, he killed her.
The judge said he asked himself why Estrada-Puentes killed Gonzalez.
My conclusion, Mr. Estrada loved his wife but in the end she became a disposable possession, Kacin said. She was more that than a person, or wife or mother of his children. This is about power and control. He wanted power and control over her. If he could not have her, no one could, so he murdered her.
The judge said even the presence of the two youngest children in the residence didnt stop Estrada-Puentes from killing Gonzalez. Kacin said after the murder Estrada-Puentes hid the body and then fled to Mexico and continued on with his life.
He even fathered another child and that jumped out at me too when I reviewed his pre-sentence investigation report, Kacin said. It jumped out right away. He just continued on and Stephanie could not.
While Kacin agreed the crime was spontaneous he also had to take into account Estrada-Puentes criminal history, which included two previous convictions of domestic violence.
Mr. Estrada decided a long time ago that violence was the answer, Kacin said. He used violence it appears from the record here, and I infer from the record to control his wife when necessary in his view.
The judge said sadly it was learned violence since Estrada-Puentes grew up in a home with domestic violence, but the defendant squandered his chance at enlightenment. Kacin said any judge would have required Estrada-Puentes to attend counseling after his domestic violence convictions.
Kacin said he didnt want to risk Estrada-Puentes ever abusing another romantic partner.
The sentence Im going to impose here is not going to be harsh, just for the sake of being harsh. Its not going to be the minimum sentence, Kacin said. Mrs. Cortes should never have to wonder if her daughters murderer might abuse again while her daughter lies in a grave. Dsrey, Kiawna and Andres will always know where to find you if they ever find it in their hearts to forgive you, because Im sending you to prison for life without the possibility of parole.
Several people in the gallery gasped and Cortes cried and clutched her daughters photo to her chest.
I hope this community and all the families can heal from this, Kacin said. This sentence was driven by what this defendant did. Let justice be done.
After the sentencing, Cortes said she was glad the judge imposed the maximum sentence.
We got justice for Stephanie, she said. Domestic violence is not the answer to the problems that go on in a marriage or a family. I hope that our community will continue to support the victims of abuse.
Eucom Commander: U.S. Armored Brigade's Deployment to Poland 'Significant'
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2017 The recent arrival in Poland of the U.S. Army, 4th Infantry Division's 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team "marks a significant moment in European deterrence and defense," Army Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, commander of U.S. European Command, said in a Eucom news release.
In the release, Scaparrotti, who wears a second hat as NATO supreme allied commander-Europe, commented on the Fort Carson, Colorado-based brigade's movement from Germany into Poland for Operation Atlantic Resolve.
"I would like to thank our allies and commend them on this historic moment, Scaparrotti said. "The European infrastructure and integrated support has enabled our force to rapidly be ready and postured should they need to deter Russian aggression."
The American brigade "joins regional forces already committed to responsiveness and security; it is great to see our Army at the front, integrated with the combined and joint air and naval forces of the United States, our allies and partners," the general said.
The arrival of the 3rd ABCT's 3,500 soldiers and its equipment marks the beginning of the presence of such a unit and back-to-back rotations of U.S. troops and equipment in Europe, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook told reporters at a Jan. 5 news briefing.
European Reassurance Initiative
"This effort is part of our European Reassurance Initiative to maintain persistent, rotational presence of air, land, and sea forces in Central and Eastern Europe," Cook said.
From Bremerhaven, Germany, the brigade moved by rail, commercial-line haul and military convoy to Poland. Troops and equipment will later be relocated throughout the region for training and exercises with European allies.
Operation Atlantic Resolve is a bilateral security commitment; it is not a part of NATO and its efforts, according to the Eucom release.
According to its website, Atlantic Resolve is a demonstration of continued U.S. commitment to collective security through a series of actions designed to reassure NATO allies and partners of America's dedication to enduring peace and stability in the region in light of the Russian intervention in Ukraine.
Since April 2014, U.S. Army Europe has led land forces efforts on behalf of the U.S. military, by conducting continuous, enhanced multinational training and security cooperation activities with allies and partners in Eastern Europe, according to the Atlantic Resolve website.
Multinational Training, Security Cooperation
These multinational training and security cooperation activities are taking place in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary, the Atlantic Resolve website said. These training events improve interoperability, strengthen relationships and trust among allied armies, contribute to regional stability, and demonstrate U.S. commitment to NATO.
Atlantic Resolve demonstrates the U.S. commitment to the security of NATO allies on air, land and at sea, according to the website. To ensure its own security, NATO must have strong, committed and capable allies, which is why the United States has fought, exercised and trained with its European allies for the past 70 years.
The U.S.-European strategic partnership is built on a foundation of shared values, experiences and commitment to a Europe that is stable and prosperous, according to the Atlantic Resolve website.
Eucom is one of the United States' two forward-deployed geographical combatant commands whose area of focus covers almost one-fifth of the planet, including all of Europe, large portions of Asia, parts of the Middle East and the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans. The command is responsible for military relations with NATO and 51 countries with a total population of close to a billion people.
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Milley: Larger Army must come with training dollars
By C. Todd Lopez January 12, 2017
WASHINGTON (Army News Service) -- The Army's chief of staff has made it clear he thinks the Army needs to be bigger -- that is, more Soldiers in the force. But Gen. Mark A. Milley has also said it's imperative that growth in the end strength be paired with funding to ensure those additional Solders are trained and equipped.
"We do want to be bigger," Milley said Thursday at a breakfast hosted by the Association of the U.S. Army. "We the Army think that our capacity needs to increase. We think our capability, the technical capability of our systems and formations needs to increase, and we think our readiness needs to increase. And we fully understand that's an expensive proposition for the U.S. Army."
The recent National Defense Authorization Act of 2017 puts the Army at an end strength of 476,000 Soldiers by Sept. 30, 2017. Milley said it's imperative that money also be provided to ensure those Soldiers are trained and equipped.
"It's important we get the money with the people. If we just get additional people or additional end strength, but we don't have the money, then that leads you down the road to a hollow force," Milley said. "If you increase the end strength, you have to increase the money to go with the end strength to pay for the readiness."
More people would likely be put into operational units, he said, if the Army could obtain the money to keep them ready to fight. Some, he said can go to the institutional Army, but right now combat units are undermanned.
"Units going to training sometimes are down around 80 percent or in some cases even lower," Milley said. "Which is not good."
Milley said he has a list of priorities for the next presidential budget. While he declined to say exactly what's on that list, he offered hints. Air defense and ground mobility, for instance, are top priorities for the Army, he said.
We want to give increased ground mobility capabilities to our light units Milley said. And aviation, he said, is "very vulnerable" against a near-peer threat.
"It's one thing to fight guerrillas and terrorists where you have almost exclusive freedom of the air, freedom of action of the air, but it's another thing to fight some near-peer ... threats. So protection of our aviation is a big deal."
There are a variety of initiatives underway to protect rotary wing aviation and extend their range, he said.
Also a priority is electronic warfare and non-traditional kinetic weapons, like rail guns and lasers, he said, though he admitted that's "years from now."
Extending the range for a variety of our firing platforms, "specifically artillery, both rocket and tube artillery" is also under consideration.
Milley has in the past publically discussed what he sees as the inevitable future character of warfare that the Army must be prepared to fight. That includes degraded communications environments where units may be out of contact with their leadership for days or weeks at a time, and must be able to operate on their own -- trusted to know what the mission is, what the goals are, and how to achieve them. He said development of command and control systems are also a priority.
"The probability of us having the freedom of action in the electromagnetic spectrum that we have enjoyed for the last 15 years of war, for example, against terrorists, the probability of that happening against a near-peer is zero. You're just not going to have that kind of freedom of action," he said.
Included in systems that might be under threat as a result of near-peer competition in the electromagnetic spectrum are radios, GPS and other position, navigation, and timing systems.
"All that stuff is dependent on the electromagnetic spectrum, and the electromagnetic spectrum will come under significant stress," he said.
The Army, he said, is moving out on ways to protect PNT systems and developing mission-command systems that are mobile, Milley said.
"We're not going to be static against a near-peer competitor like we've been for the last 15 years," he said. The Army is looking for "systems that can move, that are hardened and protected and are resilient and reliable in high-paced, fast maneuver combat operations."
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Taiwan reiterates right to fish near disputed atoll
ROC Central News Agency
2017/01/12 20:24:43
Taipei, Jan. 12 (CNA) Taiwan reiterated Thursday that its fishermen have the right to enter and fish in waters near the Japan-held Okinotori atoll in the western Pacific, and said the relevant government agency had dealt with the matter of five fishing boats being chased by Japanese patrol ships the previous day.
Taiwan maintains that the waters around the atoll are contested areas and that any disputes should be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said.
"Until the legal status of the waters around Okinotori is decided, Japan should respect our ships' right of free navigation and operation on the open sea near the atoll," the foreign ministry said.
It said it will continue to seek to resolve fishery disputes with Japan through dialogue and consultation.
The Fisheries Agency was assigned to deal with an incident that occurred Wednesday when five Taiwanese fishing boats in waters near Okinotori were chased away by Japanese patrol vessels that claimed they were "carrying out" their duty, the ministry said.
However, Tsai Pao-hsin (), secretary general of the Ryukyu Fishermen's Association in Taiwan, took issue with the Fisheries Agency's handling of the matter.
He said that at 6 p.m. Wednesday, the agency sent an urgent warning to the five fishing boats that Japanese patrol vessels were approaching and advised that they leave the area to avoid unnecessary losses.
That warning was tantamount to saying that the area was part of Japan's territory, Tsai said.
"The government should protect fishermen and safeguard their right to operate on open seas and should lodge a protest against Japan," Tsai said.
Chen Wen-sheng (), the owner of a Ryukyu-registered fishing boat, said the fishermen could not stand up to the Japanese patrol ships and had to leave the area when they were asked to do so.
In a related development, Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration said Thursday that it had dispatched a vessel to the central and western Pacific earlier in the day on a 15-day patrol mission that would include the Okinotori area.
The CGA said it will inform the Foreign Ministry and Fisheries Agency of the movements of Taiwan fishing boats and Japanese patrol ships in the area and seek to protect the Taiwanese vessels.
Japan has defined Okinotori as an island and therefore claims a 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone around it, while Taiwan has argued that Okinotori is in fact a reef and is not entitled to anything more than a 500-meter security zone.
The dispute over marine rights near the Japan-controlled Okinotori arose after a Taiwanese fishing boat, the Tung Sheng Chi No. 16, was seized last April by the Japanese Coast Guard some 150 nautical miles off the atoll.
The boat and its crew were released after the owner paid a surety of 6 million Japanese yen (US$54,442) as requested by Japanese authorities.
(By Ta Ya-chen, Kuo Chu-chen, Liu Chien-pang and Lilian Wu)
enditem/pc
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Joint press point by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Bill English
NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
12 Jan. 2017
(As delivered)
It is a great pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Bill English to the NATO Headquarters. It's great to meet you here, and I know that this is your very first trip as Prime Minister and therefore I really appreciate that you decided to come and visit NATO.
And New Zealand may be far away on the map, but New Zealand is one of NATO's closest Global Partners. And we really appreciate the close partnership and cooperation with New Zealand.
We share the same values. We share the same commitment to peace and security. And New Zealand and NATO work together in many different operations and missions to secure peace and stability.
And I am very grateful for the contribution of New Zealand for many, many years, to the NATO presence in Afghanistan.
The aim of our presence in Afghanistan is to prevent Afghanistan from once again becoming a safe haven for international terrorists.
New Zealand participated in NATO's combat operation but in the last two years, we have not been in engaged in a combat operation in Afghanistan, we have been engaged in a train, assist and advice operation, where we train the Afghan forces to stabilise their own country and to take responsibility for the security of Afghanistan themselves.
And I'm very glad that New Zealand continues to contribute with personnel and mentors to the Afghan National Army Defence Academy. And I think it just shows that NATO and New Zealand, we work together to fight terrorism and to stabilise Afghanistan.
We also work together to fight ISIL, to fight terrorism in other parts of the world. New Zealand is part of the counter-ISIL coalition. NATO supports and participates in the counter-ISIL coalition we provide AWACS surveillance planes. We have started to train Iraqi officers, first in Jordan and know we also train them in Iraq. And this is another example of how we work together to fight terrorism by contributing to the counter-ISIL coalition.
Then I also very much welcome that New Zealand in so many years has participated and contributed to different NATO maritime operations. And you have unique maritime capabilities. New Zealand has contributed with ships to our counter-piracy operation off the Horn of Africa. That has been a very successful operation and we have seen zero piracy attacks over the last couple of years. And it has been so successful that we were able to end the operation, because we have been successful in fighting piracy together with New Zealand.
We welcome contributions from New Zealand also to other NATO maritime operations. We have just established a security operation in the Mediterranean and we are discussing with New Zealand how we can continue to work together also in the maritime domain.
We very much believe that close partnerships, as NATO has with New Zealand, is an important advantage, and an important strength of NATO. NATO is an Alliance of 28 members but it is also an Alliance which has been able to develop unique partnerships and I welcome, and I'm very grateful for the close partnership we have with New Zealand.
So once again, welcome to NATO headquarters, it's great to have you here and the floor is yours.
OANA LUNGESCU [NATO Spokesperson]: Okay, we'll start with Newshub.
Q: Thank you. Hi Secretary General I'm Tova O'Brien from Newshub, New Zealand. Two questions if I may, following the recent spate of Islamic State attacks in Europe how concerned should New Zealand be about the threat of domestic terror and returning foreign fighters? And just another question how potentially damaging are Donald Trump's threats to withdraw U.S. commitment to NATO and what risk does that pose for NATO partners like New Zealand?
JENS STOLTENBERG (NATO Secretary General): What we see now is that ISIL Islamic State is losing ground in Iraq and Syria and we see that the Iraqi security forces and the coalition fighting ISIL is gaining ground in Iraq and also in Syria where we see that ISIL is on the defensive. At the same time we see that ISIL is responsible for terrorist attacks all around the world and we have to be vigilant, we have to be aware of the threats and they are present and they are they're all over the world including of course far away from Europe and from Syria and Iraq. For me that just underlines the importance of continuing to fight ISIL, continue to support the coalition fighting ISIL as New Zealand and NATO do and also to continue to work on addressing the root causes to stabilize the countries where we see that much of the terrorism is stemming from and that's the reason why NATO has developed this project - what we call Projecting Stability -which is to try to help states enabling them to stabilize their own country and to fight terrorism themselves and that's exactly what we do, for instance, in Afghanistan where we have ended the combat operation but where we - together with New Zealand - train, assist, and advise the Afghan security forces to fight terrorism themselves including ISIL that we see have tried to gain some ground in Afghanistan. Then on the incoming U.S. Administration, I'm absolutely certain that the new President and the new U.S. Administration will stay committed to NATO, to the security guarantees and that was also the clear message that President-elect Donald Trump conveyed to me when I spoke to him or with him. I talked to him some days after the the election in the United States. He stated very clearly that he and the United States will remain committed to NATO and and we have to remember that a strong NATO is of course important for Europe but a strong NATO is also important for the United States because stability and peace in Europe is also important for the stability and the security of the United States. This is of course also important for a partner country as New Zealand because the strength of NATO and the Trans-Atlantic partnership is that we have been able to develop very strong cooperation with partners, including with New Zealand, contributing to peace and stability not only in Europe but also all around the world, for instance, as we have done together in Afghanistan.
OANA LUNGESCU: New Zealand TV.
Q: Secretary General, Emma Keeling from Television New Zealand. Just currently how great is the threat of Russia on Europe's borders or is NATO more concerned at the accusations around Russia's possible cyber-attacks on the U.S. election?
JENS STOLTENBERG: We don't see any imminent threat against any NATO ally. What we see is a more assertive Russia. We see a Russia which has invested significantly in their armed forces, in new military capabilities, and a Russia which has been willing to use military force against neighbours as we have seen in Georgia and in Ukraine with the illegal annexation of Crimea and supporting the separatists in Eastern Ukraine. That's the reason why NATO has responded and we have implemented the biggest reinforcement of collective defence since the end of the Cold War with more military presence in the eastern part of the Alliance; with high readiness of our forces, and; now also we see increased defence spending across Europe and among NATO allies. And we strongly believe that by being strong, by providing deterrence, collective defence we do not provoke a conflict but we prevent a conflict because as long as any adversary know that an attack on one ally will trigger a response from the whole Alliance then we will maintain peace and stability and the security of all allies. We are concerned of course about cyber-security and we have seen reports about cyber-attacks against many NATO allies and any attempt to intervene or to influence national elections from outside is unacceptable and that's also one of the reasons why NATO has been very focused on how can we strengthen our cyber defences, partly to defend our own cyber networks but also partly to work with allies to help them improve their cyber defences and we've also developed a team of people, experts that can be deployed to a NATO ally if it's under cyber-attack to help and assist and help them defend their cyber networks. So cyber-security is top of our agenda and has been one of the most important things we have addressed, for instance, at our Summit in Warsaw last year.
OANA LUNGESCU: Time for one last question, New Zealand Herald.
Q: I'm Claire Trevett from the New Zealand Herald. How stable is Afghanistan and is it likely that the coalition countries will have to increase their involvement there again?
JENS STOLTENBERG: Afghanistan is a country that is faced with many different and many difficult challenges and it's not an easy situation in Afghanistan. We have seen several terrorist attacks over the last weeks and months and even the recent days illustrating the challenges and the dangers in Afghanistan. At the same time I think it is important to underline that until 2015 NATO had a very large number of forces doing combat operations in Afghanistan. Since 2015 we have been able to hand over the responsibility for the security in Afghanistan to the Afghans themselves and they have been able to do that with our help. We are present there, not in combat operations, but by training, assisting, advising the Afghan forces and we have been able together with Afghans to build an Afghan National Security Force of 350,000 personnel which is able to fight the Taliban and to take responsibility for the security in Afghanistan themselves. I believe we have to stay for a long time, exactly how well that we have to access and develop as times evolves, but we are ready to be committed to Afghanistan, we are committed to Afghanistan and then once again I would like to thank New Zealand for contributing so much over so many years and still being present in Afghanistan, helping to strengthen the Afghan forces, educate, train, advise them so they can protect their own country and stabilize their own country.
OANA LUNGESCU: Thank you very much this concludes this press point. Thank you.
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NNSY Launches High Velocity First Line Supervisor Program
Navy News Service
Story Number: NNS170112-08
Release Date: 1/12/2017 9:34:00 AM
By Jennifer Zingalie, Norfolk Naval Shipyard Public Affairs
NORFOLK (NNS) -- Norfolk Naval Shipyard will launch its initial High Velocity First Line Supervisor (1LS) class in February, changing the way supervisors are both hired and trained.
Unlike the original five-day training model, the new model is based on curriculum design concepts which are composed of "learn, use, and teach back," explained Chad Coffin, lead curriculum designer for NNSY's Command University.
"Instead of just sitting in a classroom, new supervisors will have a half day of classroom training and a half day to go out and reinforce and reflect on what they learned," said Coffin.
This means after a topic such as safety surveillance is taught, participants will then conduct one, as well as filling out and submitting the associated paperwork. They will also have a chance to discuss what works and what could be improved.
In the past, training was often segmented. The new six-week program incorporates supervisor core competency requirements from various aspects of the shipyard. These include production specific trainings, production safety, shipyard safety, human resources, the Equal Employment Office, and the Legal Department.
"Senior leader involvement is also a huge aspect of this program, as they will be holding discussion panels," said Coffin.
Shadowing has also been added to the program, which sends participants to observe other departments. This provides them an opportunity for systems thinking, a holistic approach to analysis, as well as cohesion when executing and planning work, added Coffin.
"This also affords them a chance to get different leadership perspectives and ways of execution," he continued. "It gives them ideas of things they may want to integrate as a new leader."
After participants complete the program, the expectation is they will receive additional department specific knowledge and training, said Coffin.
"The overall goal for leadership across the shipyard is that our new supervisors will be able to effectively and confidently execute work on the waterfront from the start," he said.
The program will also work in cohesion with the shipyard's hiring office. Previously, NNSY would hire supervisors on an as-needed basis, sometimes having to hire a supervisor almost on the spot. In turn, new supervisors are required to receive leadership and fundamental training within a year of the promotion, but often training would be delayed for various reasons.
With the new process, departments will have to look at their future workload and manning and make the decision to hire supervisors based on those projections. Supervisors will in turn be hired in batches across the shipyard in order to meet the workload demand and efficiently get them through the training program without hindering production.
Supervisors may be hired through the Management Identification of Candidates (MIC) process. The MIC process allows management to advertise the vacancies within their departments without the formal USAJobs announcement, making the process more efficient and effective.
Employees interested in being considered for a vacancy will submit the required documentation identified in the solicitation of interest directly to the Fleet Forces Command Human Resources Office located at NNSY.
The human resources specialist reviews all applicants' qualifications to create a list of eligible employees for the hiring manager. The hiring manager then follows the normal processes for selecting the best candidate for the vacancy.
Once supervisors have been identified and hired, they will immediately head into the High Velocity 1LS program.
"The purpose of the new process is not only to be proactive in developing new leaders, but at the same time encourage a paradigm change for the new supervisor who will be stepping into a new role," said Chakeita Dickson, curriculum designer for NNSY's Command University. "It's important for them to realize they are stepping out of their technical role and into an execution role. For them it will mean a change in role and attitude."
Once the supervisors complete the program, the shipyard will hold a graduation celebration attended by the stakeholders.
"We want to make this a big deal; participants will receive their new supervisor hard hats and will be honored by their chain of command, friends, and family," Coffin said.
High velocity learning is derived from a concept found in the book "The High Velocity Edge," written by author Steven Spears. According to Spears, high velocity organizations manage processes based on internally generated improvement and innovation.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson has called on the Navy to concentrate on four specific areas in the January 2016 released document, "A Design for Maintaining Maritime Security." One of these areas is "Achieve High Velocity Learning at Every Level."
Inspired by this, NNSY Commanding Officer Capt. Scott Brown mandated leaders within the shipyard to enhance supervisor training by using innovative methods to help new leaders grow, while at the same time seeing a rise in overall performance.
"We believe it is important to invest the time in the participants and really prep them as much as we can," said Dickson. "Integrating the experiential component into this course increases the ability of our new supervisors to not only perform well, but to do so confidently."
"Our hope is this program will also do more than just provide knowledge or hands-on experience," Dickson added. "We hope it will instill pride and inspiration not only in the new supervisors, but all those who observe the process."
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Trump's Pentagon pick accuses Iran of 'biggest destabilizing force' in Middle East
Iran Press TV
Thu Jan 12, 2017 9:9PM
US President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Defense Department, retired Marine General James Mattis, has told Congress that Iran is the "biggest destabilizing force in the Middle East."
During his Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday, "Mad Dog" Mattis said the United States needs to forge a strategy to "checkmate Iran's goal for regional hegemony."
"Iran is the biggest destabilizing force in the Middle East and its policies are contrary to our interests," Mattis told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Mattis provided members of the committee a 56-page document that is intended to serve as a guide to lawmakers who will be questioning him, and it will become part of the permanent hearing record.
"Iranian malign influence in the region is growing," he wrote in the document.
The Senate on Thursday passed a waiver to a law, which bars military officers to serve as the civilian head of the Pentagon within seven years of their military service, for Mattis to become secretary of defense by a vote of 81 to 17. He retired from the Marine Corps in 2013.
'US won't cancel Iran nuclear agreement'
However, Mattis did not echo Trump's campaign threat to shred the nuclear agreement between Iran and major powers. "When America gives our word, we have to live up to it," Mattis said.
Iran and the P5+1 group the US, Britain, France, China, Russia plus Germany reached the nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), on July 14, 2015.
In accordance to the JCPOA, which took effect in January, Iran has undertaken to put limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions.
The US, however, has continued to maintain sanctions on Iran and a number of Iranian companies and individuals, prompting complaints from Tehran that Washington is failing to implement its side of the deal.
At the hearing, Mattis also described Russia as the top threat to US interests and said Washington must be ready to confront Moscow where necessary, even as he backed Trump's call for closer ties.
"I would consider the principle threats to start with Russia," he said after being asked about the main threats to American interests.
Putin trying to undermine NATO'
Mattis also accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of trying to undermine the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
The retired general told lawmakers that Russia, China and terrorist groups were presenting the biggest challenge to the US-led world order since World War Two.
Mattis, 66, served more than four decades in the Marine Corps. The retired four-star general, known as "Mad Dog" and the "Warrior Monk," had been involved in several key military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
In November 2001, he led Marines that carried out a raid in helicopters on Afghanistan's Kandahar province, giving the US military a new foothold against Taliban militants after the October 2001 American-led invasion of the country.
In 2003, Mattis commanded a division of Marines during the Iraq war, and in 2004 he led Marines in bloody street fighting in the city of Fallujah.
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Nigerian lawmakers vote to offer asylum to Gambia's president
Iran Press TV
Thu Jan 12, 2017 6:22PM
Nigerian lawmakers have voted to offer Gambian President Yahya Jammeh asylum if he hands over power to opposition leader Adama Barrow, who was declared the winner of the country's December presidential election.
The House of Representatives, Nigeria's lower house, on Thursday approved a motion to authorize President Muhammadu Buhari to offer Jammeh asylum if he steps down when his five-year mandate ends on January 19.
Jammeh has a constitutional right to remain in office until his term ends.
The Nigerian president is due to travel with other West African leaders to Gambia on Friday to persuade Jammeh to accept the election results.
Jammeh had initially accepted the results of the December 1 election, in which Barrow was declared the winner, but reversed his position more than a week later and called for a revote.
Barrow says Jammeh lacks the constitutional authority to call for a new vote or to invalidate the election.
Leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have already traveled to the Gambia in an attempt to strike a deal with the president to make him to leave power. ECOWAS has said that Jammeh must step down and vowed "to take all necessary action to enforce the results" of the election.
Jammeh has, however, questioned the role of the regional body as a genuine mediator.
In New Year's speech broadcast on state TV, the Gambian president accused the regional bloc of declaring a war against his country. He also pledged to defend his country against what he called any foreign aggression.
Jammeh has also described the mediation by ECOWAS as an insult to Gambia's constitution.
His refusal to accept the results prompted political upheaval in the country, bringing pressure from the international community on him to accept the result and step down.
Several countries and the United Nations Security Council have called for a peaceful transition of power in Gambia.
Jammeh seized power in a military coup in 1994 and has been in power ever since. He has long been under fire by human rights groups, who accuse him of torturing, imprisoning, or even sometimes killing his opponents.
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US deploys 3,500 troops to Poland amid tension with Russia
Iran Press TV
Thu Jan 12, 2017 5:25PM
Around 3,500 US troops have arrived in Poland, one of the largest deployments of US forces in Europe since the end of the Cold War in 1991, sparking immediate anger from Russia.
The contingent of US troops, which arrived in Poland from Germany on Thursday along with hundreds of military vehicles, is part of a larger NATO operation to "deter Russian aggression."
The American troops will spend about a month training in Poland before moving to other NATO member states in Eastern Europe for additional training exercises.
The Pentagon operation, dubbed Atlantic Resolve mission, will involve an armored brigade and heavy equipment deployed in Poland and nearby NATO partners Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania on a rotational basis.
Outgoing US President Barack Obama ordered the deployment in 2014 to reassure NATO allies in Eastern Europe after Russia's alleged intervention in Ukraine's crisis.
But the mission comes a week ahead of the inauguration of incoming US President Donald Trump, who has called for closer ties with Russia, despite recent allegations of Moscow's meddling in the US presidential election.
Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, said the NATO operation threatens Russia's "interests and our security."
"This is even more pronounced when a third party (the United States) reinforces its military presence on our doorstep in Europe," he added.
Alexei Meshkov, Russia's deputy foreign minister, said the deployment is a "factor destabilizing European security."
The US and its allies have been at odds with Moscow since Ukraine's strategic Black Sea peninsula of Crimea rejoined Russia following a referendum in March 2014.
Since then, the European Union, the US and some other Western countries have imposed several rounds of sanctions against Russia.
NATO also cut ties with Moscow in 2014 and started to deploy troops and weaponry to Baltic StatesLatvia, Lithuania and Estonianear Russia.
Ties between the US and Russia further deteriorated when Moscow last year launched an air offensive against Daesh terrorists in Syria, many of whom were initially trained by the CIA to fight against the Syrian government.
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Do not expect miracles in Cyprus peace talks: UN
Iran Press TV
Thu Jan 12, 2017 4:48PM
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has hailed progress in the negotiations underway between rival leaders of Cyprus, but cautioned against any expectations of "miracles" coming out of the peace talks.
Guterres made the remarks in Geneva on Thursday after opening a conference in the Swiss city aimed at reaching a deal to end four decades of stalemate in the eastern Mediterranean island.
Although "enormous progress" had been made on resolving the issues such as property, territory and ties with the European Union, "a number of instruments" were needed regarding security options, he said.
"You cannot expect miracles of immediate solutions, we are not looking for a quick fix," he said, adding, "We are looking for a solid sustainable solution for the Republic of Cyprus."
Cyprus has been split since 1974, when Turkish forces occupied its northern third in response to a military coup seeking union with Greece.
Some 800,000 Greek Cypriots and about 220,000 Turkish Cypriots live on the island with a UN- patrolled Green Line dividing it.
Elsewhere in his comments, the UN chief said the Cypriot leaders were close to reaching a reunification deal, but there were obstacles on how to "implement" the agreement.
Thursday's conference was seeking to find a new system that "guarantees the security concerns" of both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, he added.
"My hope is there will be a breakthrough," he further noted, stressing that Cyprus "can be the symbol of hope of the beginning of 2017."
Guterres is chairing the Conference on Cyprus Peace Talks in Geneva. The event is attended by the foreign ministers of Greece, Turkey and Cyprus' former colonial ruler Britain who are guarantor powers of the island.
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Japanese prime minister visits Philippines to boost ties
Iran Press TV
Thu Jan 12, 2017 11:16AM
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has arrived in the Philippines for a two-day state visit aimed at boosting bilateral ties.
Abe was welcomed by the Philippine president in the country's capital of Manila on Thursday, becoming the first foreign leader to visit the Philippines since Rodrigo Duterte he took office last year.
"I chose the Philippines as my first destination this year and that is testament to my primary emphasis on our bilateral relationship," the Japanese premier said upon arrival in the capital. "I'm committed to elevating our bilateral relationship to a higher ground."
The two leaders are scheduled to discuss a range of topics, including counter-terrorism and drug rehabilitation projects.
The meeting comes at a time when Duterte has distanced himself away from the US, aiming to maintain closer relations with Japan, which is the Philippines' largest donor and top trading partner.
As part of a four-nation trip, Abe, leading a high-ranking business delegation, will depart from Manila late on Friday and then head to Australia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
Meanwhile, prior to Abe's arrival, about two dozen activists gathered in front of the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines' capital to denounce the sexual abuse of women by Japanese forces during World War Two.
The activists, led by four female victims, demanded justice for the "comfort women," or those who were forced to work in Japanese wartime military brothels.
Narcisa Claveria, an 87-year-old who was attending the protest, said she and other former sex slaves had been treated "like pigs" by Japanese troops during the war, lamenting that many of her fellow victims had lost their lives without getting justice.
It is estimated that up to 200,000 women, mainly Korean, were forced to act as sex slaves. Others came from China, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Indonesia.
The last survivors want their suffering to be acknowledged and compensated.
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China must be banned from artificial islands: Rex Tillerson
Iran Press TV
Thu Jan 12, 2017 9:44AM
US President-elect Donald Trump's pick for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, says China must stop its island-building activities in the disputed South China Sea and be banned from them.
Tillerson made the comments during his confirmation hearing before the US Senate on Wednesday, describing as "extremely worrisome" China's building of artificial islands in the disputed areas.
"We're going to have to send China a clear signal that, first, the island-building stops and, second, your access to those islands also is not going to be allowed," he said, without specifying how the United States could enforce such a ban.
The former chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil the world's largest producer of publicly traded oil and gas said Beijing's activities in the South China Sea would be a threat to the "entire global economy," and blamed the situation on what he called an inadequate US response.
"The failure of a response has allowed them just to keep pushing the envelope on this," Tillerson said. "The way we've got to deal with this is we've got to show back up in the region with our traditional allies in Southeast Asia, and, I think, use the existing structure to begin the re-engagement."
Trump's nominee for the post of secretary of state also claimed that China's actions in the contested territories of the South China Sea were "illegal," and "akin to Russia's taking Crimea" from Ukraine.
China claims almost all of the strategic South China Sea, through which 6.5 trillion dollars in shipping trade passes annually. The sea is also claimed in part by Taiwan, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
While some of those rival claimants, such as the Philippines, have been handling their differences with China smoothly, the US stands accused of needlessly heightening tensions in a region it does not belong to.
An East-West relationship hanging in the balance
Washington has previously reacted to China's island building by deploying warships in the vicinity of the islands and flying fighter jets over them, moves that have angered Beijing.
China says the US is "militarizing the region" and that the disputed areas have historically been its territory.
Trump, himself a businessman-turned-politician with no background in government or diplomacy, has showed an inclination to irritate China by threatening to impose very high tariffs on goods imported from the Asian economic powerhouse. China is the largest exporter of goods to the US, holding hundreds of billions of US national debt.
Trump has also challenged Chinese sovereignty on Taiwan, a highly sensitive issue for Beijing
The remarks by Trump's pick for secretary of state are now likely to further strengthen speculation that the next US administration will be all but friendly to China.
Tillerson also said during his confirmation hearing that the US could not continue to accept "empty promises" from China to pressure North Korea over its nuclear and missile programs.
He warned that Beijing pursues its "own goals" and has not sufficiently helped to rein in a nuclear-armed Pyongyang. "It has not been a reliable partner in using its full influence to curb North Korea," Tillerson said.
The former corporate titan, however, said disagreements between the US and China on some issues should not hinder "productive partnership" on other matters.
"We should not let disagreements over other issues exclude areas for productive partnership," he said, adding that, "The economic well-being of our two nations is deeply intertwined."
China and the US view each other as simultaneous partners and adversaries on world issues. Relations between the two economic heavyweights have generally been stable although there have been periods of open conflict, most notably during the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
But while the US administration-in-waiting's relations with China are commonly believed to be headed for strain, ties with Russia are generally expected to thrive under Trump. In fact, Tillerson has been criticized by some US politicians for his business ties with Russia in his former capacity as the chief of ExxonMobil. In the Wednesday confirmation hearing, he was grilled over such ties.
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Fresh Saudi aerial attacks kill seven in Yemen
Iran Press TV
Thu Jan 12, 2017 8:16AM
At least seven civilians have lost their lives when Saudi military aircraft carried out a series of airstrikes against residential areas in conflict-ridden Yemen.
A local source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said three women and four children were killed as Saudi fighter jets bombarded an area in the Bayt al-Faqih district of Yemen's western coastal province of Hudaydah on Thursday morning, Arabic-language al-Masirah television network reported.
A number of Saudi artillery rounds hit al-Sheikh area of Monabbih district in the mountainous northwestern province of Sa'ada shortly afterwards, but there were no immediate reports of casualties and the extent of damage caused.
Yemeni forces and fighters from allied popular committees, in return, fired several rockets against the Alab border crossing in Saudi Arabia's southwestern border region of Asir, leaving scores of Saudi troopers and pro-Saudi militiamen loyal to the former government dead and injured.
They had earlier targeted a gathering of Saudi soldiers deployed behind al-Montazah military base in the Dhahran district of the kingdom's Asir region, but no reports of casualties were available.
On Wednesday, Yemeni soldiers and their allies shot and killed two Saudi soldiers in the hilly Abu Dhabrah region of Saudi Arabia's border region of Jizan.
Yemeni forces had lobbed a barrage of artillery shells at a military camp in Jabel Malhamah area of the same Saudi region earlier in the day, setting off a massive blaze.
On Wednesday evening, Saudi jets conducted two aerial attacks on al-Hali district in Hudaydah Province, with no reports of casualties.
The developments came as United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) representative in Yemen Meritxell Relano said almost 1,400 children have been killed and 2,140 injured as a result of the conflict in Yemen.
She added that some 2,000 schools have been destroyed, damaged or used for military purposes or as shelters for displaced families.
Relano further said UNICEF calls on all parties to the Yemen crisis to honor their obligations under international humanitarian law, and stop attacks on civilian infrastructure, including schools.
The Saudi war on Yemen, which has reportedly killed at least 11,400 Yemenis, was launched in an unsuccessful attempt to reinstate the former government.
The Saudi war has also taken a heavy toll on the country's facilities and infrastructure, destroying many hospitals, schools and factories.
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Inter-communal tensions in Darfur threaten return of millions of displaced people, Security Council told
12 January 2017 Armed fighting over land, water and other natural resources in Sudan's Darfur region continues to put civilians at risk, the top United Nations peacekeeping official told the Security Council today, calling for long-term solutions that would allow 2.6 million displaced people to return or resettle.
"Civilians remain exposed to significant sources of insecurity such as inter-communal conflict and criminality, including the activities of armed militias," the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Herve Ladsous, told the Council presenting the latest report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Darfur.
He added that despite a significant decrease in overall armed conflict, particularly as a result of the Government's military successes against armed movements, the situation in the region is further exacerbated by a "widespread proliferation of weapons and the inadequacy of rule of law and justice institutions."
Tensions between the various communities recur due to long-standing disputes over access to land and the control of water and other resources, according to information cited from the report.
For example, at least 70 people were killed in the past few months in clashes between farmers and herders in seasonal migration underway in the southern part of Darfur.
Such violence is raising concerns for the millions of displaced people living in bases and camps under the protection of the African Union-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).
"Long-term comprehensive solutions remain necessary to create the necessary conditions for the return or resettlement of the 2.6 million people who remain in displacement in the region," Mr. Ladsous said, "and the resolution of the underlying causes of inter-communal conflict related to access to land, water and other natural resources."
Among other points raised in his briefing, Mr. Ladsous noted that despite efforts by UNAMID and the African Union High-level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) and international initiatives, "little tangible progress" has been made in the peace efforts in Darfur. At issue are delays over agreement on the cessation of hostilities and humanitarian assistance.
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'Cyprus can be symbol of hope' the world badly needs, says UN chief Guterres as conference opens
12 January 2017 A United Nations-supported conference on Cyprus opened in Geneva today, bringing together the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot leaders in a dialogue chaired by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Speaking at a press conference during a recess, the UN chief said "it is my hope that there will be a breakthrough" that the people of Cyprus deserve and the world needs.
"We are facing so many situations of disasters. We badly need a symbol of hope. I strongly believe Cyprus can be the symbol of hope at the beginning of 2017," he added.
The conference brought together not only the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders, but also the so-called guarantor powers Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom for the first time.
Mr. Guterres paid tribute to the statesmanship displayed by Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci for about 20 months of negotiations toward a united Cyprus.
The Secretary-General described the opening session of today's talks as "extremely constructive," adding that during lunchtime, the participants had open debate and brainstorming, in which "it was possible to identify, not only the very important progress that was made in the negotiations, as taken in the last few days on the first five chapters, but also to identify the complexity of the problems related to security and guarantees that need to be addressed and resolved."
In that lunch, he continued, "it was possible to clearly come to the conclusion that we need to find instruments, instruments that allow for the implementation of the settlement that would be achieved in a way that guarantees simultaneously the response to the security concerns of the Turkish Cypriot community and the security concerns of the Greek Cypriot community."
Mr. Guterres said the goal is neither a calendar nor a vanity fair, but to get the necessary results.
"We are not looking for a quick fix. We are looking for a solid and sustainable solution," he said, noting that the conference will continue for "the amount of time necessary."
He stressed that the role of the United Nations is to support the parties so that they can come to the necessary agreement.
Yesterday, Espen Barth Eide, the UN Special Advisor Cyprus who has been facilitating talks between the two sides ahead of today's conference, told reporters: "We are on track, we have dealt with some of the most difficult issues we have touched upon almost all of them, we have solved many of them and we are close to resolving some other issues.
The issue of land is key, Mr. Eide explained, describing it as a "big part of the trauma" that has affected Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots since the division of the island in 1974.
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US Confirms Airstrike Killed 33 Afghan Civilians in Kunduz
By Ayaz Gul January 12, 2017
A joint military operation in northern Afghanistan in early November killed 33 Afghan civilians and wounded 27, the U.S. military said Thursday in releasing details of its investigation into the incident.
The attack in Boz village in restive Kunduz province flattened dozens of houses, residents and Taliban insurgents said. The joint operation was conducted to capture Taliban leaders who were plotting to seize the provincial capital of Kunduz, Afghan and U.S. military officials said.
"To defend themselves and Afghan forces, U.S. forces returned fire in self-defense at Taliban who were using civilian houses as firing positions," U.S. military officials said.
"Regardless of the circumstances, I deeply regret the loss of innocent lives. I wish to assure President [Ashraf] Ghani and the people of Afghanistan that we will take all possible measures to protect Afghan civilians," the statement quoted General John Nicholson, commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, as saying.
Afghan special forces had planned the raid against the Taliban hideout in Kunduz with the help of a small group of American military advisers. But the insurgents swiftly engaged them, opening fire from multiple civilian buildings, the U.S. military said in its investigation.
"U.S. and Afghan forces were forced to request aerial fire support from U.S. platforms in self-defense. Aerial fires were also used to suppress Taliban who were firing on U.S. medical evacuation assets as the dead and wounded were evacuated," it said.
No further action
It has been determined that no further action will be taken because U.S. forces acted in self-defense and followed all applicable law and policy, the statement said.
Human Rights Watch said Thursday that while there have been "some improvements in the way such operations were conducted," U.S. and Afghan forces must take care to ensure that they "minimize harm to civilians." The attacks, it said, "may be neither indiscriminate nor cause disproportionate civilian loss."
The international rights watchdog also urged the U.S. government to "provide timely and adequate compensation to victims of airstrikes."
The U.S. military said it would not offer compensation payments to the victims' families, something the Pentagon previously has offered to civilian victims of its counterterror or counterinsurgency operations.
"The government of Afghanistan made condolence payments to the families of those killed in the operation and to those wounded," Captain Bill Salvin, director of public affairs for U.S. forces in Afghanistan, told VOA.
The fire exchange killed two U.S. soldiers, three Afghan commandos and 26 Taliban militants, including their leader, the military statement said. Roughly 26 Taliban were wounded, it said.
"A Taliban ammunition cache was struck and exploded, which also destroyed multiple civilian buildings and may also have killed civilians," the statement said.
The Taliban insurgency claimed at the time that only three of its members were in the area when they came under attack from Afghan and U.S. forces.
Medical facility hit
A U.S. airstrike in Kunduz in October 2015 hit a facility run by the medical charity Doctors Without Borders, killing at least 42 people, including 24 patients and 14 staff. About 40 people were wounded in the raid, which destroyed the only treatment center in the area.
The attack happened after the Taliban had briefly captured Kunduz. Days later, Afghan forces, with the help of U.S. air power, evicted the insurgents from the city.
The U.S. military said the attack that hit the medical facility was a "mistake" and apologized for it. That did not calm MSF criticism or ease demands for an impartial inquiry into the incident.
Kunduz province has since been under attack from the Taliban, and the insurgents came close to retaking the provincial capital in October.
VOA's Afghan service contributed to this report.
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Conference on Reunification of Cyprus Seen as Symbol of Hope
By Lisa Schlein January 12, 2017
An international conference on the reunification of Cyprus has opened with a sense of "cautious optimism" that an agreement, which has eluded the divided Mediterranean island for more than four decades, can finally be achieved.
Newly appointed U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres joined Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci in Geneva on Thursday in an effort to reach a deal.
"It is my hope that there will be a breakthrough and I think that is what the people of Cyprus deserve, and I think that it is also what the world needs today," Guterres said. "We are facing so many situations of disaster. We badly need a symbol of hope. I strongly believe that Cyprus can be the symbol of hope at the beginning of 2017 in the world."
Guterres, however, lowered expectations of a quick fix.
"You cannot expect miracles or immediate solutions. We are not looking for a quick fix. We are looking for a solid and sustainable solution for the Republic of Cyprus and for the communities of the Republic of Cyprus," he told reporters during a break in the talks.
The top diplomats from Britain, Greece and Turkey joined the U.N.-hosted talks, marking the first time they have discussed security issues with the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders. Security guarantees are a crucial element in ensuring a peaceful, stable settlement.
Guterres said many proposals were offered Thursday, including ones that address the central questions that have been holding up a final agreement for so many years territory, property rights and relations with the European Union.
"Enormous progress was made in all those dossiers," he said. "So, we are coming very close to what is the settlement in relation to the creation of a bi-zonal, bi-community federal institution in the Republic of Cyprus. We are coming very close to it."
Another difficult issue is Turkey's demand that it be allowed to keep Turkish troops on Cyprus, which Greek Cypriots regard as a threat.
But in an unprecedented sign of major progress, the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders exchanged maps Wednesday showing proposed borders including land the Turkish side has agreed to give back to the Greek side.
Cyprus has been split between a Greek Cypriot south and a Turkish Cypriot north since 1974, when Turkish forces invaded the island after a military coup aimed at reunifying Cyprus with Greece.
Only Turkey recognizes a separate Turkish Cypriot government.
The U.N. hopes to create a single Cypriot nation that would become a full European Union member. Only the Greek Cypriot south enjoys EU benefits.
Guterres says he expects talks to resume next week, adding that any agreement must be ratified through a referendum by the divided Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities before reunification becomes a reality.
VOA's Kenneth Schwartz contributed to this report.
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Trump Defense Chief Nominee Mattis Talks Tough on Russia
By Carla Babb January 12, 2017
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's pick for defense lashed out against Russia during his Senate confirmation hearing Thursday, despite Trump's softer approach to Moscow.
Retired General James Mattis, the nominee for defense secretary, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that Russia is the "principal threat," and that the U.S. has seen little success from years of trying to positively engage.
"There is [a] decreasing number of areas where we can engage cooperatively and an increasingly number of areas where we are going to have to confront Russia," Mattis said.
The retired general served as the commander of U.S. Central Command and was NATO's Supreme Allied Commander for transformation while in uniform.
Speaking Thursday, Mattis called for greater military support for European allies as Russia attempts to "break" up NATO, the north Atlantic alliance that Trump has called "obsolete" and expensive.
"My view is nations with allies thrive, and nations without allies don't. And so I would see us maintain the strongest possible relationship with NATO," Mattis said.
He described the world order as "under the biggest attack since World War II" due to aggressive actions from Russia, from terrorist groups, and from Chinese actions in the South China Sea.
Sen. John McCain, a Republican from Arizona, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, asked Mattis if America has a strong enough military to be able to deter those threats.
"No, sir," Mattis replied.
Extremism
The former four-star general is inheriting two wars against extremists if confirmed. In Afghanistan, he said the Taliban has eroded some coalition successes.
And when it came to the more than 2-year fight against Islamic State, he said the battle to take the terror group's de facto capital, Raqqa, could change.
"That strategy needs to be reviewed and perhaps energized on a more aggressive timeline," Mattis said.
The committee overwhelmingly passed a waiver excepting the retired general from a rule requiring seven years out of uniformed military service before becoming defense secretary. The law is meant to assure the American principle of civilian leadership of the military.
Only three senators on the committee voted down the waiver, but even they showed some support for Mattis. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, one of the three who opposed the waiver, told the retired general that "if there were ever a case for a waiver of that principle, it is you, at this moment in our history."
Democrats think Mattis will be a strong check to Trump's unpredictable nature, and the waiver passed the full Senate later Thursday by a vote of 81-17.
House divided
In the House, however, the battle to secure a waiver for Mattis sparked one of the first clashes between the Trump administration and House Democrats. The vote fell along party lines in the House Armed Services Committee, passing 34-28, after the Trump transition team unexpectedly canceled the nominee's planned visit.
"That is a large mistake," Congressman Adam Smith, the ranking Democratic member of the committee, said of the decision.
Republicans on the committee said it was important to advance the retired general's nomination process to ensure a new secretary of defense is in place at the beginning of a new presidential administration.
"This is an extraordinary circumstance and individual that warrants a one-time exception," said Chairman Mac Thornberry, a Republican from Texas, speaking in support of the waiver even as he said he wished the general had been allowed to attend and answer questions from the committee.
Rep. Scott Peters, a Democrat from California, told VOA he was disappointed by the vote along party lines and was concerned that the Trump transition team's refusal to allow Mattis to attend the hearing set an unfortunate precedent for the incoming administration's relationship with the House of Representatives.
"I think it's off to a bad start," Peters said. "The general himself was willing to testify and showed respect to the committee and to the House to make himself available, and the transition for some reason said they're too good for that or it's not important. I don't think that is a message we should have accepted."
The full vote will go to the House floor on Friday, with many Democrats expected to vote down the spending bill in protest of the Mattis waiver provision.
VOA's Katherine Gypson contributed to this report.
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Djibouti President Doubts Africa Will Be High on Trump Agenda
By Mohamed Olad Hassan January 12, 2017
Djibouti's president says African leaders believe President-elect Donald Trump will pay little attention to Africa, but is hopeful that Djibouti can continue a strong bilateral relationship with the U.S.
"Africa does not appear on the foreign agenda of the U.S. president-elect, Donald Trump, but as Djibouti, we had a good and deep relationship with U.S. government which I am hopeful will continue," Ismail Omar Gulleh said in an exclusive interview with VOA Somali Service on Thursday. "Our relationship was not with an individual but with U.S. institutions."
Ending his 2015 visit to Africa, U.S. President Barack Obama warned the continent would not advance if its leaders refuse to step down when their terms end. "Nobody should be president for life," Obama said.
However, last April, President Guelleh won third term in a disputed re-election boycotted by opposition parties. In order for Guelleh to win that election, parliament had to change the country's constitution because presidents were limited to two terms.
Mind your business
Referring to Obama's warning and the recent U.S. election results, Guelleh said, "Those who used to say we are giving lessons to Africa, you see what they are facing. It is none of their business to determine any incoming or outgoing African president," he said.
The tiny East African country hosts the United States' only military base on the African continent. In 2014, the U.S. and Djibouti signed a 10-year lease on the military base, Camp Lemonnier.
At the time, the based housed about 4,000 U.S. soldiers and other military personnel. The United States regards it as a major staging area for attacks against terrorists in Yemen and Somalia, where Djiboutian solders are part of the African Union force that has had some success against al-Shabab militants.
Chinese influence
Djibouti is also home to a military base from former colonial power France. Japan has also leased a military base, while there is a growing Chinese influence in Djibouti.
On Wednesday, Djibouti and its neighbor Ethiopia officially launched the first fully electrified cross-border railway line in Africa, a project 70 percent financed by China's Exim Bank and built by China Railway Group and China Civil Engineering Construction.
Guelleh says his country is capable of managing those different and sometimes rival foreign interests.
"All those countries which have bases and interests in Djibouti have been brought together by common interests, including the global anti-terrorism efforts, the piracy and economic interests. So that, we are capable of managing and maintaining good relationship with our friends."
Falastin Iman contributed to this report from Djibouti
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Sacked Envoys Failed Gambian Government, Official Contends
By Peter Clottey January 12, 2017
Gambian President Yahya Jammeh was right to fire 12 top envoys who failed to defend the Banjul government after the disputed December 1 election, the country's acting U.N. ambassador says.
The 12 envoys had called on Jammeh to hand over power peacefully to Adama Barrow, whom the Independent Electoral Commission declared winner of the vote. The fired envoys included the ambassadors to the United States, Senegal, China and Turkey.
"They did not defend the government that they are supposed to represent at this very trying time, when they were expected to do so," Samsudeen Sarr, Gambia's acting permanent representative to the United Nations, said this week. "The Gambian government really gave them the position with the expectation that during circumstances like this, they would stand by the government and explain at least the conditions or the situations that are not very clear to the world."
Opposition supporters said the dismissed envoys were true heroes who had spoken on behalf of the people, following more than two decades of gross human rights violations and a clampdown on free speech during Jammeh's rule.
Sarr disagreed. One could understand the envoys' actions, he said, "if there were to be no controversy over the election." But Jammeh, who initially accepted the election results, later backtracked, alleging that voting irregularities had tainted the outcome.
"I think these guys owe it to the government they are representing to show it to the world," Sarr said of the dismissed envoys. "But the world has seen that they made their decision even before the facts were presented."
Civil society groups have said that if Jammeh loves the country as he claims, then he should peacefully hand over power without bloodshed.
Senegal ready
Meanwhile, Senegal reportedly put its army on standby, waiting to see whether the regional Economic Community of West African States bloc, of which Senegal is a member, decides to use force to remove Jammeh.
ECOWAS officials have said they will be in Gambia on January 19 to witness Barrow's installation as president, despite strong opposition from Jammeh.
Senegal's president, Macky Sall, was the first West African leader to congratulate Barrow on his election victory. Sarr said Sall's government "has not been a good partner to President Jammeh's government. They have not gotten along for a long, long time. They don't like each other, and apparently you can see that being manifested in the recent election controversy."
"Macky Sall is the one who is telling the world that President Jammeh came out with no reason whatsoever for changing his mind, which is false," Sarr added. "There are ... very compelling reasons why he changed his mind. But why would you misinform the world that he conceded, bought some time, and came back and changed his mind without any reason? And this is what misled the whole world."
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Report on Human Rights Abuses or Censorship in North Korea
January 11, 2017
Report on Human Rights Abuses or Censorship in North Korea
Prepared by: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor
Submitted in compliance with: Section 304 (a) of the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016, Public Law 114-122, enacted on February 18, 2016
Report on Human Rights Abuses and Censorship in North Korea
Section 304 (a) of the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016, Public Law 114-122, enacted on February 18, 2016, requires that the Secretary of State provide a report to Congress that: (1) identifies each person the Secretary determines to be responsible for serious human rights abuses or censorship in North Korea and describes the conduct of that person; and (2) describes serious human rights abuses or censorship undertaken by the Government of North Korea or any person acting for or on behalf of that Government in the most recent year ending before the submission of the report. The report is being submitted to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Financial Services, and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
Serious human rights abuses committed by the Government of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea) include those involving extrajudicial killings, forced labor, torture, and prolonged arbitrary detention, as well as rape, forced abortions, and other sexual violence. Many of these abuses are committed in the countrys political prison camps (kwanliso), which hold an estimated 80,000 to 120,000 prisoners, including children and family members of the accused. The government also maintains an extensive system of forced labor through its rigid controls over workers and restricts the exercise of freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, association, religion or belief, and movement.
There is no independent media in the country; all media is strictly censored and no deviation from the official government line is tolerated. The government allows no editorial freedom; all stories are centrally directed and reviewed to ensure that they are in line with the state ideology. The government also controls academic and cultural content. Authorities prohibit listening to foreign media broadcasts and take steps to jam foreign radio broadcasts. Various ministries are responsible for modifying television and radio equipment to prevent users from accessing material from overseas and other material deemed illegal by the government. Individuals accused of viewing foreign films are reportedly subject to imprisonment or even execution.
On July 6, 2016, the Department of State submitted the first biannual report to Congress identifying persons determined by the Secretary of State to be responsible for serious human rights abuses or censorship in North Korea and containing an Annex listing associated entities and officials. All of the entities and individuals listed in the July 6 report have been designated for sanctions and added to the Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list.
This report details aspects of the human rights situation in North Korea and the conduct of persons the Secretary of State has determined to be responsible for the commission of serious human rights abuses or censorship in the DPRK.
Kim Won Hong is the Minister of State Security. In this capacity, he oversees the Ministry of State Security (MSS). He served on the National Defense Commission (NDC) and serves on its successor commission. In the July 6, 2016, report, the Department of State identified the MSS and the NDC as responsible for serious human rights abuses and censorship. [1] According to the 2014 UN Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in DPRK report (COI), the MSS is implicated in widespread gross human rights violations. It administers the countrys network of political prison camps, where, according to defector testimony and satellite imagery, summary executions and torture are commonplace. The COI found that inhumane acts perpetrated in the DPRKs political prison camps occur on a large scale and follow a regular pattern giving rise to the inference that they form part of an overarching State policy. Given the highly centralized and hierarchical nature of the North Korean government and Kims status as Minister of State Security, it appears that Kim plays a role directing the abuses perpetrated by the MSS and managing its day-to-day activities, including in the political prison camp system, where serious human rights abuses are reportedly systematized as a matter of State policy.
Kim Won Hong directs the operations of the interagency task force, which is responsible for censorship in North Korea, including confiscating digital devices and information from foreign sources. NGOs report that, in some instances, individuals caught carrying contraband movies into the country face harsh punishments meted out by this task force, which include sentencing to political prison camps and, in some instances, public execution. As the interagency Director of this task force, Kim Won Hong directly commands its operations.
Kim Il-nam is the Chief of the South Hamgyong Province branch of the MSS. According to reports, in this capacity, Kim Il-nam is involved in the management of the Yodok political prison camp, which is located in that province and operated by MSS officials. Defectors and former guards consistently report that beatings and other abuse are a daily occurrence at the Yodok political prison camp. Women who became pregnant in the camp were reportedly beaten until the pregnancy was aborted or were forced to watch the infanticide of their newborn children. Prisoners, including children, were reportedly forced to work without compensation for 12-14 hours a day, six or seven days a week.
Kim Yo Jong is the Vice Director of the Workers Party of Koreas Propaganda and Agitation Department (PAD), which controls all media produced in the country. In the July 6, 2016, report, the Department of State identified the PAD as responsible for censorship; further, it maintains oppressive information control and is responsible for indoctrinating the people of the DPRK.[2] South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo reported that Kim Yo Jong manages the day-to-day operations of the PAD.
Choe Hwi is a First Vice Director of the PAD. He is one of three vice directors and reports directly to the Director. In his capacity as First Vice Director of the PAD, Choe Hwi has reportedly been responsible for maintaining ideological purity and managing the general censorship functions of the PAD.
Min Byong Chul is the Director of the Inspection Division of the Workers Party of Koreas (WPK) Organization and Guidance Department (OGD) and serves as an OGD Vice Director. The OGD, a Party oversight body, is possibly the most powerful organization inside the DPRK. As noted in the Department of States July 6, 2016, report, the OGD is instrumental in implementing the DPRKs censorship policies. When a party official deviates from the official message in public remarks, the OGD will dispatch an official to monitor a self-criticism session. The OGD also assumes oversight responsibilities over organizations undergoing party audits to inspect for ideological discipline.[3]
As the OGDs Inspection Division Director, Min Byong Chul oversees and personally conducts investigations of high-profile cases in which any activities within the WPK do not conform to the Supreme Leaders guidance and expectations. He has the reputation within the WPK as the angel of death for his reported record of directing political inspections and purges of disloyal party members. In North Korea, purges often take the form of imprisonment, banishment, or executions conducted without due process. In addition, family members and associates of purged officials are rounded up and sent to political prison camps without trial.
Jo Yong Won is a Vice Director of the OGD. According to press reports, the South Korean National Intelligence Service identified Jo Yong Won as an OGD officer handling work on censorship. In addition, as part of his responsibilities, Jo Yong Won reportedly communicates and implements Kim Jong Uns policy decisions and oversees cadre criticism sessions and ideological indoctrination meetings.
Kang Pil Hun is the Director of the General Political Bureau in the Ministry of Peoples Security (MPS), which was identified in the Department of States July 6, 2016, report as responsible for serious human rights abuses and censorship. The Director of the General Political Bureau reports directly to the Minister of the MPS and to the OGD and supervises 10 departments. As Director of the General Political Bureau, Kang Pil Hun is responsible for directing the policy of the Korean Peoples Internal Security Forces, a sub-agency within the MPS responsible for riot suppression, border control, and other internal policing functions that reportedly conducts extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, and torture. According to reports, the General Political Bureau is the main authority within the MPS that works to ensure that WPK policies, which reinforce the Suryong (Supreme Leader) leadership, are enforced. Given the highly centralized and hierarchical nature of the North Korean government and Kang Pil Huns status as Director of the General Political Bureau, it appears that Kang Pil Hun supervises and enforces MPS officials compliance with the Supreme Leaders policy directives. These directives include the DPRK border control policy, under which people are physically prevented from, and at times killed, trying to leave the country. These practices represent a serious abuse of the right to leave any country, and raise serious concerns about arbitrary detention and extrajudicial killings. Such directives, whose implementation is carefully monitored and enforced by the General Political Bureau, also include practices enforced in State-run detention facilities, where torture and other forms of abuse, including forced abortions, sexual assault, summary executions, and beatings, are reportedly systematized as a matter of State policy.
The State Planning Commission (SPC) formulates a labor allocation plan and bases a North Korean citizens occupation based on both family background (songbun) and the regimes labor requirements. While the SPC formulates the labor allocation plan, the Ministry of Labor is responsible for assigning workers to individual enterprises under the guidance of the SPC. The two institutions work hand-in-hand to implement an economic system that relies on forced labor in the DPRK and is part of the SPC and Ministry of Labors method of mobilizing and using forced labor for purposes of economic development.
The regime allocates labor to the coal and mining industries, forcing individuals to work in these sectors to contribute to policy directives, thus creating a state policy of forced labor. In addition, many of those compelled to participate in the system of forced labor are not compensated, creating a system of slave labor that the SPC and the Ministry of Labor jointly oversee.
Groups from a low songbun, a state-directed social status passed down from parent to child and established as a result of perceived political reliability and loyalty to the regime, are forced to work in mines in extremely harsh environments. Due to their low social status, these individuals, including children, are unable to move to a different sector or occupation. Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides that everyone has the right to free choice of employment and to just and favorable conditions of work. A South Korean NGO recently released video footage of children as young as five forced to carry out heavy labor in dangerous conditions, including work on railroad lines and in coal mines. The Constitution of the DPRK prohibits child labor, and Article 32 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), to which the DPRK is a State Party, recognizes the right of the child to be protected from economic exploitation and from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous. In its last report on the DPRK, the CRC Committee stated that children allegedly engage in work which is physically highly demanding, and it asked the DPRK to take urgent measures to address exploitative forms of child labor, including an explicit prohibition on employment of children under 18 in hazardous work. CRC Article 2 also prohibits discrimination against children of any kind, irrespective of the childs or his or her parents social origin or political opinion.
Through the combined efforts of the SPC and the Ministry of Labor, the government compels lower-class North Koreans to join paramilitary forced labor brigades that essentially serve as slave labor for the regime. According to Human Rights Watch, these brigades work extended periods of time without pay. They are often forced to work up to 14 hours a day, six or seven days a week with no compensation. Defectors have reported that managers would physically abuse individuals who failed to report to work. In addition, failure to report to an assigned job can result in imprisonment in a forced labor camp for six months to two years.
[1] For an overview of the MSS and the National Defense Commission, see the July 2016 Report on Human Rights Abuses and Censorship in North Korea.
[2] For an overview of the Propaganda and Agitation Department, see the July 2016 Report on Human Rights Abuses and Censorship in North Korea.
[3] For an overview of the Organization and Guidance Department, see the July 2016 Report on Human Rights Abuses and Censorship in North Korea.
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Lawyers for a former chef at Madeleine Pickens' ranch south of Wells who alleged Pickens made racially discriminating remarks like asking him to cook "black people food" have filed an amended complaint in U.S. District Court in Reno.
The complaint filed this week meets the deadline imposed by U.S. District Judge Miranda Du, who dismissed Armand Appling's original lawsuit in late December but allowed time for an amended complaint. Appling is African-American.
Appling's lawyer, Willie Williams of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., said Tuesday the new complaint provides additional information to show why Pickens was "racially insensitive" in her words and actions. He said the complaint filed Monday provides more context and explanation of racial stereotypes.
Applings amended lawsuit seeks monetary relief from Pickens, who owns the Del Mar Country Club in California and the large ranch in Elko County and is founder of Saving America's Mustangs. The suit is filed against the country club in Rancho Santa Fe, California, and Saving America's Mustangs rather than Pickens as an individual, but the suit targets her. Saving American's Mustangs operates the ranch resort. The ranch also is a private wild horse sanctuary.
"We deny his allegations, and we expect to be vindicated in court," Pickens' lawyer, Dora Lane of Holland & Hart LLP in Reno, said Wednesday.
Pickens told the Free Press in November she didn't comment on lawsuits.
The judge said during the hearing in late December that Appling's lawyers had failed so far to prove the racial hostility needed to win a civil rights claim.
"It takes a lot to prove these allegations," Du told Williams in the hearing, according to The Associated Press.
Appling's amended lawsuit repeats allegations in the original suit, including saying Pickens asked Appling to prepare "black people food," such as fried chicken, barbecued ribs, mashed potatoes and corn bread, at the Mustang Monument Eco-Resort at Pickens' ranch.
Lane argued that food is often categorized, such as Chinese or Mexican food.
The judge agreed at the hearing in Reno that the only comment that specifically referred to race was the reference to "black people food," AP reported.
The amended lawsuit states that "black people food" describes food by skin color rather than by ethnic or national origin.
Pickens allegedly told Appling the food samples he prepared while still in the country club would be good at the ranch but with less salt. "I know that's hard for you since it's in your genetics to eat salty food," she allegedly said.
The amended lawsuit also states that Pickens referred to another African-American employee on more than one occasion as her "ox" or "bull" because of the manual labor assigned to him. Williams said Appling was deeply offended by Pickens' reference to an African-American as an animal.
In addition, the suit alleges that Pickens told Appling that two African-American kitchen employees "didn't fit the image" of the staff she wanted at the ranch resort. Appling contends this was because they were African-American. The two were fired. Pickens told Appling that one of those employees had too much personality. "We already have one of you," she allegedly said. The lawsuit stated that this comment was offense to Appling because "one of you" referred to race.
Appling lost his job after he left the ranch when Pickens allegedly threw trash at him and said: "Here, you take this out."
Pickens brought Appling to the ranch from the country club to be a chef and help get the resort ready to open in 2014, and he thought he could go back to the country club after leaving the ranch. He spent five months at the ranch.
The ranch and country club operations were connected so Appling also lost his job at the country club, according to the amended lawsuit.
The amended complaint also states that Appling brought his concerns to managers at the ranch and country club during his time at the ranch regarding racial harassment.
Additionally, the amended lawsuit includes a copy of notice of right to sue from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission dated Nov. 30, 2015.
Williams filed a lawsuit in San Diego County Superior Court regarding complaints against Pickens, as well. Another attorney, Arthur Williams of Las Vegas, is on the Reno lawsuit because Willie Williams isn't licensed in Nevada.
Willie Williams said "discovery is proceeding" in the complaint filed in Reno, and he expects to take depositions soon.
Pickens, a wealthy philanthropist, is the ex-wife of T. Boone Pickens, who once sought to take over Newmont Mining Corp., including its mines in Nevada.
T-72B3 Medium Tank
The first batch of Russian T-72B3 battle tanks of the latest upgrade will enter service with the First Guards Tank Army divisions deployed in the Moscow Region, Col. Igor Muginov, a spokesman for the Western Military District, said 10 January 2016. The modernized version includes more powerful engine and improved fire control system. The driving position is equipped with an automatic transmission, digital display, and rear view camera. The tank hull was also modernized. The T-72B3 is the latest modernized version of the T-72 Soviet battle tank developed in late 1960s. It features a ballistic computer for better accuracy and thermal weapon sights, as well as new-generation communications equipment.
In 2011, it was decided to stop buying new tanks of the T-90 family. The Ministry of Defense decided that the T-80 and modifications will not be upgraded, and all funds would be used for the overhaul and modernization of the existing T-72. Contract for the modernization of tanks was signed in May 2012 as part of a broader agreement that should load the capacities "Uralvagonzavod" at least three years. The general public was introduced only in 2013 to the T-72B3 Main Battle Tank. According to the Defense Ministry, by the end of the 2013 year land forces received more than 270 vehicles of this modification.
According to the military, the tank is well established both at competitions and in service, and in 2014 the delivery of upgraded vehicles to the troops continued. Omsk Plant of transport machine building, where the T-72B was designed almost 30 years earlier, is turning them into modern T-72B3.
The T-72B3 is actually a compromise between price and capabilities, adjusted for state armored forces and future emergence of a new technology. Since the T-72B3 is a relatively simple modernization of the T-72B, established in the late eighties, the appearance of these armored vehicles varies by only a few small details. However, such "trifles" can have a significant impact on the performance and capabilities of combat vehicle.
The T-72B3 inherits from its predecessor only the only the hull and turret. The new chassis and a more powerful engine increases the manoeuvrability of the tank and, as a consequence, survival on the battlefield. It has an improved 125 mm gun, with a 15% lower dispersion of projectiles on target compared to the T-72, and when firing on the move, by 1.7 times. In addition, the machine is equipped with a sighting system, allows to fire not only gunner, but the commander of a tank-guided missiles, sensors while shooting, a new radio station and armor units. After the modernization it is claimed to be comparable to the T-90, currently the most modern Russian tanks.
Funding agreements were more than six billion rubles. In addition to these funds, the company would receive another 6.2 billion rubles for the modernization of production.
In Alabino in August 2013 at the site of an educational complex Taman Division demonstrated last modification "semdesyatdvoyki" - T-72B3, looks different with the latest multi-channel gunner's sight "Sosna-U" and the lack of IR illuminator L-4A "Moon" next to the mask gun. Earlier in the T-72B was used active-passive night sight, some modes use an infrared searchlight L-4A "Moon". At the T-72B3 spotlight absent due to application of a new sight with night channel. Compared with the T-72B3 first series turret on the site of the IR illuminator L-4A "Moon" is covered by blocks WHD "Kontakt-5."
The new multi-channel gunner's sight "Sosna-U." This device allows the gunner to find targets with optical and thermal channels. In addition, the "Pine-U" is equipped with a laser range finder and control system anti-tank missiles. Thus, using only one device can perform the gunner in the combat several necessary functions.
Unfortunately, when creating the T-72B3 tank designers made an ambiguous or even a controversial technical decision. External units sight "Sosna-U" placed inside the light-armored housing, protecting them from bullets and shrapnel. In the stowed position, the front window of the housing lid. The latter is attached to the casing by means of bolts. Because of this, before shooting the crew must leave the car and manually remove the cover of the sight. Housing cover sight on domestic tanks are usually equipped with devices to open them with jobs crew. For some reason, the project T-72B3 used as the original, but a strange decision - is unknown.
Tank got a new 125-mm gun 2A46M-5, a new radio VHF P-168-25U-2 "Aqueduct", a new fire-fighting equipment (PPO), and a new multi-channel gunner's sight (ISM) "Pine-U." The sight has 4 channels: optical, thermal, laser rangefinder channel and the control channel anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM). ISM "Sosna-U" is set instead of the regular sight-guidance device 1K-13-49. Old Gunner 1A40-1 left in the regular place as a substitute. The commander of the unit received TKN-3MK with the system "double", which provides the opportunity of fire commander.
At the T-72B3 installed built-in dynamic protection (WHD) "Kontakt-5", and not a new DZ "Relic", which protects the tank from modern tandem ammunition; Tank has not received anti-aircraft machine-gun closed installation (TAL) - remained open LSD with manual control.
Instead of 1000-horsepower V-92S2, which is mounted on the T-90A (Object 188A) and the upgraded T-72BA (Object 184A), the T-72B3 used a completely renovated B-84-1 capacity of 840 hp Driving performance of the T-72B3 remained at the same level as that of the T-72B. Therefore, the mobility characteristics are not increased. The tank is equipped with GLONASS receivers / GPS.
The cost of major repairs to the modernization of the T-72B3 is 52 mln. Rubles. Of these, about 30 mln. Rubles go for the overhaul of the tank and its diesel V-84-1. Purchase cost of the T-90A is abou 70 mln. Rubles. (2009) to 118 mln. Rubles. (2011).
At the IX International Exhibition of Arms, Military Equipment and Ammunition Russia Arms Expo (RAE 2013), which began work today in Nizhny Tagil, in the exposition of "Research and Production Corporation" Uralvagonzavod "JSC SPC" MSC "presented two of his products. Demonstrated for the first time a full-scale sample of the modified active protection of objects of armored vehicles "Arena-E" on the modernized tanks T-72B3.
Protection sector in azimuth at the complex expanded to circular. If the previous modification of anti-tank guided missile hit and anti-tank grenades, the new designed and more to destroy the artillery shells cumulative. Instead monobloc radar are telltale signs, the new "Arena-E" is equipped with a multi radar, distributed along the contour of the turret. Reduction in the number of protective ammunition. The total mass of the complex is reduced by more than half.
More than 70 modernized T-72B3 tanks will be put into service in the Russian Eastern Military District before the end of 2015. A motorized infantry brigade in Russia's Kemerovo Region received 15 modernized T-72B3 tanks, official representative of the Central Military District Col. Yaroslav Roschupkin announced 1 March 2015. The new tanks replace the T-72B1 tanks that are still in service in a number of military units at the Russian Eastern Military District.
More than ten modernized tanks T-72B3 entered the compound motorized infantry of the Western Military District / ZVO / stationed in the Moscow region in October 2015. The head of the press service district Oleg Kochetkov spoke to journalists. "Currently, the staff of Panzer divisions Division is testing the new combat vehicles in the field. Ahead test crews modern technology live fire", - he said.
T-72B3 is a version of the T-72 modernized to the level of T-90, said Kochetkov. Fires 125-mm smoothbore gun, thanks to its modernization have the opportunity to use new armor-piercing projectiles. Accuracy both places, and in the movement enhanced by modern tank installed on a ballistic computer, an improved stabilizer and machine tracking.
In addition, T-72B3 has the latest fire control system. Digital ballistic computer allows several times to reduce the time made calculations and increase their efficiency. Thermal sight of the main channel ensures reliable operation of the devices guidance in all weather conditions, regardless of the time of day.
"Uralvagonzavod" would sign a contract at the end of March 2016 with the Russian Defense Ministerstrom worth over 2.5 billion rubles for the modernization of 150 tanks T-72B to the level of the T-72B3, said "Izvestia" on 10 March 2016 referring to the deputy general director of "Uralvagonzavod" Alexei Zharich. This report is a bit confusing, because the upgrade is with a more powerful engine, which is to the T-72B3M [aka T-72B4] standard.
The new version of the T-72 - the T-72M with the engine of increased power and enhanced protection - is already supplied to the troops and should become the most mass machine in the Russian army. The new tanks were presented to the general public at the parade in Moscow on May 9. "We are talking about an already created tank - T-72M, a limited party purchased the department, the tank was demonstrated at the Victory Parade," - explained Uralvagonzavod (UVZ).
This appears to be the T-72B3 arr. 2016, a modification of the T-72B3 arr. 2011 with anti-cumulative screen grids, Modular Dynamic Protection Complex Relic , 2A46M-5-01 cannon, B-92S2F engine, automatic gearbox, digital display, rearview television camera, 2E58 armament stabilizerand a mechanic- driver TVN-5. Combat weight 46 tons. It was first presented to the public at the military parade on Red Square on May 9, 2017.
The corporation added that the main differences between the new version of the T-72B3 are engine capacity of 1130 liters. with., enhanced dynamic protection, the presence of anti-cumulative gratings and updated on-board equipment. Also, the tank received a laser system to account for the curvature of the gun barrel after the shot, which increases the accuracy of target destruction. "It is expected that this tank will be the most massive in the Russian Ground Forces," the UVZ added.
T-72M (1980) - an export version of the T-72A tank. It was distinguished by the armor design of the tower, the ammunition bundle and the collective defense system.
T-72M1 (1982) - modernization of the T-72M tank. It featured an additional 16 mm armor plate on the upper frontal part of the hull and a combined tower armor with sand bars as a filler.
T-72M1K (T-72M1K, object 172M2, not to be confused with the object 172-M2 / 172M-2M "Buffalo" ) - export upgrading of the T-72M1 tank equipped with a DZ, a new MSA, a satellite navigation system interfaced with the TIUS. Originally equipped with KAZT "Arena" and mixed complex DZ, "Contact 5" for VLD, and " Relikt " on the tower (then the tank was probably only a running mock-up), later a full complex of DZ " Relict "was installed, and KAZT "Arena" . There is also a target tracking machine. Installed KUV 9K119 "Reflex" and SEMZ. The engine was replaced by a B92C2 with a capacity of 1000 liters.
The T-72M tank is not produced as a new vehicle, T-72B3 tanks being upgraded to the "M" level are being modernized. The new T-72 is presented in the static exposition of the competition "Tank biathlon", which started on 28 July 2018 in the Moscow region of Kubinka. The tank is designated as "T-72B3 with additional protection". The machine, in particular, can have a double side screen - then on top of a rigid body kit over the tracks with built-in dynamic protection are attached fabric bags with additional blocks. It is equipped with the most modern Russian tank weapon - 2A46M-5.
Uralvagonzavod concern (part of the Rostec Group of Companies) - one of the few enterprises in the world that mass-produce such equipment - say that the "old" T-72s, brought in during the modernization to the level of T-72B3, have "all-rakur protection" from weapons. This means that their most vulnerable place today - the top of the turret - is covered with reactive armor.
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South 'to protest Chinese retaliation over THAAD deployment'
Iran Press TV
Thu Jan 12, 2017 8:47AM
South Korea says it may formally protest to China over actions perceived to have been taken in retaliation for Seoul's decision to allow the deployment of an advanced US missile system on its territory.
Seoul announced last year that it had reached an agreement with Washington to install the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system on South Korean soil, a controversial move that provoked China's strong opposition. South Korea has recently been complaining that it has been subjected to "indirect" retaliation by China, including in the field of aerial transport.
"We plan to present the relation between China's actions that have been pointed out by our companies and the THAAD deployment during a meeting on Friday regarding the free trade agreement between South Korea and China," said South Korean Trade Minister Joo Hyung-hwan at the country's parliament on Thursday.
He added that Seoul would also express its concerns about Beijing's behavior at the meeting.
Joo's comments came a week after his fellow cabinet member, Finance Minister Yoo Il-ho, also said that China was suspected of taking "indirect action" over Seoul's decision to deploy THAAD on its soil.
Beijing recently rejected requests by South Korean carriers to operate charter flights between the two Asian nations, a move that has been interpreted by some as a response to the deployment of the THAAD. Yoo had earlier said that Seoul was looking into whether China's decision to block charter flights was a retaliatory measure.
In response to Yoo's comments, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said last Friday that Beijing had an "open and positive attitude" toward trade ties with Seoul but "this requires a foundation of close friendship."
Seoul and Washington claim the THAAD missile system, to be deployed late this year, is intended to counter perceived threats posed by the North Korean missile and nuclear programs.
China says issues with North Korea should be resolved through dialog, not escalatory military countermeasures such as the deployment of the THAAD.
The announcement of the system's deployment has also triggered many protests within South Korea itself.
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PLA confirms aircraft carrier Liaoning passed through Taiwan Straits on Thursday
People's Daily Online
(Global Times) 16:19, January 12, 2017
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has confirmed that the Liaoning aircraft carrier passed through the Taiwan Straits on Thursday before dawn.
This is the first official release of information about the Liaoning's activities from the Chinese mainland since Taiwan's media reported on its movements Tuesday.
Navy spokesperson Liang Yang said on Thursday morning that "A naval formation consisting of the aircraft carrier Liaoning on Thursday passed through the Taiwan Straits en route to the South China Sea for drills and tests."
Zhang Junshe, a senior research fellow at the PLA Naval Military Studies Research Institute, told the Global Times on Thursday that the Liaoning battle group's movement in the area showed that the aircraft carrier is combat ready, which is good news for the Chinese people, but those who want to separate China's territory and support Taiwan independence will surely be afraid and panic.
An anonymous official told the Taiwan-based news website udn.com on Tuesday that Taiwan sent a Successful-class frigate from its 146 fleet to the eastern side of the straits to follow the Liaoning.
An E-2C early warning plane was also sent to the area. The Liaoning' s movements would have been transmitted to the Hengshan Military Command Center in Taipei, and Taiwan's "defense minister" Feng Shih-kuan headed to the Hengshan Military Command Center at that time, udn.com reported.
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New PLA Navy ship unveiled
People's Daily Online
(China Daily) 14:51, January 12, 2017
Vessel has top speed of 37 km/h and displacement of 6,000 metric tons
The People's Liberation Army Navy has commissioned a new electronic reconnaissance ship, a PLA Navy media outlet reported on Wednesday in a rare move that also made public the composition of the nation's electronic intelligence fleet.
The CNS Kaiyangxing, or Mizar, with hull code 856, was delivered to a combat support flotilla of the North Sea Fleet on Tuesday morning in Qingdao, Shandong province, Modern Navy said on its WeChat account on Wednesday.
The Kaiyangxing is capable of conducting all-weather, round-the-clock reconnaissance on multiple and different targets, the report said, adding that the ship is so sophisticated that only a few countries, such as the United States and Russia, are capable of developing it.
Modern Navy said the PLA Navy now operates six electronic reconnaissance vessels - Beijixing (Polaris), Tianwangxing (Uranus), Tianlangxing (Sirius), Haiwangxing (Neptune), Kaiyangxing (Mizar) and another whose name has not been revealed and is only known by its hull code of 855. It also gave specific information about the ships such as their capabilities and functions.
Until now, the PLA Navy has never made public so many details about its intelligence collection ships.
The Kaiyangxing is a Type 815A electronic reconnaissance ship, which has a full displacement of 6,000 metric tons and a maximum speed of 20 knots, or 37 kilometers per hour, according to the Modern Navy report, which added that it is equipped with three small-caliber naval guns.
An expert from China's shipbuilding industry who wished not to be named told China Daily that the US Navy deploys at least 15 intelligence collection ships, while China still lags behind in this regard.
"The fact that we are facing an increasing number of difficulties when we safeguard our maritime interests means that we require more reconnaissance ships to support the PLA Navy's operations on the open sea," he said. "In addition, our future carrier battle groups also need such vessels that can provide various kinds of theater intelligence."
In 2016, the PLA Navy commissioned a total of 18 ships, including a Type 052D guided missile destroyer, three Type 054A guided missile frigates and six Type 056 corvettes.
These ships have a total displacement of 150,000 tons, roughly half of the overall displacement of the Royal Navy.
China is now building a domestically designed aircraft carrier in Dalian, Liaoning province. According to Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun, the new carrier will have a displacement of 50,000 tons and will deploy domestically developed J-15 fighter jets.
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China says aircraft carrier Liaoning has left Taiwan Strait
Iran Press TV
Thu Jan 12, 2017 6:7AM
A Chinese naval fleet, including China's sole aircraft carrier, has sailed out of the Taiwan Strait, the Chinese military has announced, a day after Taipei scrambled warplanes and navy ships to monitor the passage of the fleet.
The Liaoning aircraft carrier, "visiting the South China Sea to conduct cross-maritime region drills and tests, has passed through the Taiwan Strait and continues with its further duties," a Chinese navy spokesperson, Liang Yang, said in a statement on Thursday.
He added that the carrier had "meticulously operated" during the navigation of the strait. This is while Taiwan had announced that the Chinese fleet sailed into the self-ruled island's air defense identification zone even though it did not trespass on its territorial waters.
Beijing had earlier said that the fleet had to enjoy the right to freedom of navigation in compliance with international law.
Tensions have recently seen an increase across the Taiwan Strait, which separates China from Taiwan. The two split politically following the 1927-1950 Chinese Civil War and there have been no formal cross-strait diplomatic relations ever since; China, however, claims sovereignty over the island and expects other countries to recognize that sovereignty.
US President-elect Donald Trump recently questioned exactly that claim when he said he did not feel bound by the so-called "One China" policy. Chinese officials reacted heatedly to Trump's remarks and warned Taiwan against potentially feeling encouraged in its independence bid by the US president-elect's behavior. Trump had earlier also took a phone call from Taiwan's leader in a breach of diplomatic protocol.
While being a major trade partner and arms supplier to Taiwan, Washington has been acknowledging Chinese sovereignty over the island since 1979.
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North Korea has enough plutonium for 10 nuclear bombs: South Korea
Iran Press TV
Wed Jan 11, 2017 9:3AM
South Korea says the North has acquired as much as 50 kilograms of weapons-grade plutonium, enough to manufacture 10 nuclear bombs.
In its 2016 defense white paper, the South Korean Ministry of National Defense estimated that North Korea had developed the aforementioned amount of plutonium as of the end of 2016.
According to the report, the North had a stockpile of plutonium at about 40 kilograms in 2014.
The ministry also claimed that Pyongyang had a "considerable" ability to produce weapons based on highly-enriched uranium. It did not provide more details.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said in a New Year address that his country was in the "final stages" of developing an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching US mainland.
Earlier on Sunday, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter called North Korea a "serious threat" and warned that Washington would shoot down any missile aimed at the US or any of its allies.
China and South Korea also denounced Pyongyang's missile program on Monday and warned to impose more sanctions on the country if it attempted to test launch more missiles.
North Korea, long under strict international sanctions, has so far refused to stop developing its missile and nuclear program, asserting that the tests aim to protect the country from the hostile US posture. The US has military forces in South Korea and is planning to controversially deploy an advanced missile system in the country as well. It also occasionally deploys nuclear-powered warships and aircraft capable of carrying atomic weapons in the region.
North Korea's fifth and biggest nuclear test on September 9 last year prompted the United Nations Security Council to impose a fresh round of sanctions against Pyongyang.
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Release of the Report on Human Rights Abuses and Censorship in North Korea
Press Statement
Mark C. Toner
Deputy Department Spokesperson
Washington, DC
January 11, 2017
Today, the State Department released our second report on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) human rights abuses and censorship, identifying Kim Won Hong (Minister of State Security), Kim Yo Jong (Vice Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department), Choe Hwi (Vice Director KWP Propaganda and Agitation Department), Kim Il-nam (Chief of South Hamgyong Province State Security), Min Byong Chol (Director of the Inspection Division of the Organization and Guidance Department), Jo Yong-won (Vice Director of the Organization and Guidance Department), Kang Pil Hoon (Director of the Political Bureau in the Ministry of People's Security), the State Planning Commission, and the Ministry of Labor, as being responsible for serious human rights abuses or censorship in North Korea. In conjunction with this report, the Department of the Treasury is adding the seven individuals and two entities to the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons.
The report represents a continuation of U.S. government efforts to name those responsible for or associated with the worst aspects of the North Korean government's repression, including serious human rights abuses and censorship.
Human rights abuses in the DPRK remain among the worst in the world. The North Korean government continues to commit extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrest and detention, forced labor, and torture. Many of these abuses are committed in the political prison camps, where an estimated 80,000 to 120,000 individuals are detained, including children and family members of those subject to persecution and censorship. The systemic and oppressive nature of the North Korean government's censorship and information denial remains omnipresent.
We will continue to identify more individuals and entities in future reports as part of our on-going efforts to promote accountability for North Korean officials. With these efforts, we are sending a signal to all DPRK government officials, particularly prison camp officials, interrogators, and border guards, that we can and will expose human rights abuses and censorship in the DPRK. Both the State Department report and actions by the Treasury Department are consistent with the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016, signed by the President into law on February 18, 2016.
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Treasury Sanctions Additional North Korean Officials and Entities In Response To The North Korean Regime's Serious Human Rights Abuses and Censorship Activities
U.S. Department of the Treasury
1/11/2017
Treasury Department Imposes Sanctions and State Department Issues Report Pursuant to the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016
WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today designated seven individuals and identified as blocked two entities of the North Korean regime in response to the regime's ongoing and serious human rights abuses and censorship activities. Treasury is taking this action in conjunction with the State Department's "Report on Serious Human Rights Abuses or Censorship in North Korea," which is being submitted in accordance with the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016.
"The North Korean regime not only engages in severe human rights abuses, but it also implements rigid censorship policies and conceals its inhumane and oppressive behavior," said John E. Smith, Acting OFAC Director. "Today's action exposes individuals supporting the North Korean regime and underscores the U.S. Government's commitment to promoting accountability for serious human rights abuses and censorship in North Korea."
Today's designations were issued pursuant to E.O. 13687, which targets, among others, officials of the Government of North Korea and the Workers' Party of Korea. As a result of today's actions, any property or interest in property of those designated by OFAC within U.S. jurisdiction is frozen. Additionally, transactions by U.S. persons involving the designated persons are generally prohibited. The identifications of two entities as blocked were issued pursuant to E.O. 13722, which, among others, blocks the property and interests in property of the Government of North Korea and the Workers' Party of Korea, including those two entities.
Officials of the Government of North Korea and the Workers' Party of Korea
OFAC designated Kim Won Hong, Kim Il-Nam, Kim Yo Jong, Choe Hwi, Min Byong Chol, Jo Yong-Won, and Kang P'il Hun pursuant to E.O. 13687 for being officials of the Government of North Korea or the Workers' Party of Korea.
Kim Won Hong is the Minister of State Security and oversees the Ministry of State Security (MSS). OFAC previously designated the MSS pursuant to E.O. 13722 for having engaged in, facilitated, or been responsible for an abuse or violation of human rights by the Government of North Korea or the Workers' Party of Korea. The MSS engages in torture and inhumane treatment of detainees during interrogation and in the country's network of political prison camps. This inhumane treatment includes beatings, forced starvation, sexual assault, forced abortions, and infanticide. According to the Department of State, Kim Won Hong plays a role directing the abuses perpetrated by the MSS and managing its day-to-day activities, including in the political prison camp system.
Kim Il-Nam is the Chief of the South Hamgyong Province political prison camp for the MSS. The Department of State report notes that he is involved in the management of the Yodok political prison camp located within this province.
Kim Yo Jong is the Vice Director of the Workers' Party of Korea Propaganda and Agitation Department (PAD) and the younger sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. OFAC previously identified the PAD pursuant to E.O. 13722 as a component of the Government of North Korea. It is North Korea's primary agency responsible for both newspaper and broadcast censorship, among other things. Choe Hwi is also a Vice Director of the PAD, and according to the Department of State, he has reportedly been responsible for maintaining ideological purity and managing the general censorship functions of the PAD.
Min Byong Chol reportedly known as the "angel of death" for his record of political inspections and purges is a member of the Worker's Party of Korea's Organization and Guidance Department. Jo Yong-Won is the Vice Director of the Organization and Guidance Department and a member of the Workers' Party of Korea Central Committee. The Department of State has reported that the Organization and Guidance Department is instrumental in implementing North Korea's censorship policies. It directs key personnel appointments for the Workers' Party of Korea, the North Korean military, and the North Korean government administration. It also claims to control the political affairs of all North Koreans.
Kang P'il-Hun is the Director of the General Political Bureau of the Ministry of People's Security. OFAC previously designated the Ministry of People's Security pursuant to E.O. 13722 for having engaged in, facilitated, or been responsible for an abuse or violation of human rights by the Government of North Korea or the Workers' Party of Korea. The Ministry of People's Security operates a network of police stations, interrogation and detention centers, and labor camps throughout North Korea and uses interrogations to degrade, intimidate, and torture their citizens.
Agencies, Instrumentalities, and Controlled Entities of the Government of North Korea
OFAC identified the State Planning Commission and Ministry of Labor pursuant to E.O. 13722 as agencies, instrumentalities, or controlled entities of the Government of North Korea. The Ministry of Labor forcibly allocates individuals to specific sectors, including the mining sector, in accordance with the State Planning Commission's labor allocation plans.
For identifying information on the individuals designated and entities identified today, click here.
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JCPOA Joint Commission statement
ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency
Wed / 11 January 2017 / 14:34
Tehran (ISNA) - JCPOA Joint Commission meeting held on the eve of the first anniversary of the implementation of JCPOA in Vienna on Tuesday.
Representatives of Iran and P5+1 at the end of their meeting released a statement.
Here is the context of the statement:
The event held at deputy ministerial level and was co-chaired by EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and the Secretary-General of the European External Action Service Helga Schmid.
The Joint Commission meeting held to address the concerns raised in the letter of Iranian Foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif to Mogherini.
As Iran asked, meeting of working group on sanctions and expert-level meeting between Iran and US held on Monday prior to Joint Commission meeting.
All parties in Joint Commission meeting reaffirmed their commitment to continue the effective implementation of JCPOA. The Commission underlined guarantees provided by the United States that the extension of Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) would not violate the nuclear deal and has no effect on the process of lifting the sanctions under JCPOA as well as imposing no limitations on companies to hold business and trade transactions with Iran.
This meeting was an opportunity to consider some of nuclear issues of JCPOA.
End Item
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Iraqi Hashad Sha'abi fighters gearing up for Mosul operation
Iran Press TV
Thu Jan 12, 2017 11:5AM
Iraqi fighters from the Popular Mobilization Units are reportedly moving their heavy military equipment and armored vehicles to the western flank of Mosul in preparation from an anti-Daesh offensive.
Abu Mahdi al-Mohandes, the second-in-command of the forces commonly known by the Arabic name Hashd al-Sha'abi said the pro-government fighters are gearing up for the sixth stage of the offensive to retake western Mosul, located some 400 kilometers north of the capital Baghdad, Arabic-language al-Forat news agency reported.
Iraqi military aircraft also hit seven boats cruising along Tigris River. The vessels were reportedly carrying Daesh extremists, who had escaped skirmishes between government forces and the Takfiris.
Meanwhile, Commander of Nineveh Liberation Operation Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Yarallah said members of the Quick Reaction Force and the 5th Division of the Federal Police have managed to establish complete control over Sumer district, which lies on the eastern bank of Tigris River, as well as the neighboring Saheroun neighborhood.
The high-ranking Iraqi commander said government forces have inflicted heavy loss on Daesh ranks during the operations, and hoisted the national flag over several government buildings there.
The media bureau for Iraq's Joint Operations Command also announced that F-16 fighter jets of the Iraqi Air Force had carried out an air strike against Badush cement plant, located 35 kilometers west of the city of Mosul, which was used by Daesh snipers as a hideout.
Another strike destroyed a training camp for Daesh elements inside Mosul, while the third razed a workshop used for rigging vehicles with explosives. A number of Daesh militants, who were busy booby-trapping cars, were killed in the strike.
An unnamed security source also said on Wednesday that Iraqi army soldiers and their allies were just 200 meters away from the tomb of Prophet Jonah north of Mosul.
Also on Wednesday, the Iraqi army's elite Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) regained control of al-Maliyah and Seddiq neighborhoods in eastern Mosul, besides April 7th neighborhood north of the city.
The JOC stated that at least 200 Daesh elements were killed during a series of operations in and around Mosul on Wednesday.
Iraqi army soldiers, supported by Hashd al-Sha'abi fighters and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, launched a joint operation on October 17, 2015 to retake Mosul from Daesh terrorists.
A total of 137,880 people, or 22,980 families, have been displaced from Mosul and neighboring areas since the start of the operations, according to latest figures released by the International Organization for Migration.
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In an effort to find common ground to preserve sagebrush ecosystem in Nevada, federal and state agencies and key stakeholders have agreed to form working groups to identify regulatory flexibility and improve communication and outreach between themselves and the public.
The agreement came from a workshop held in Reno in early December that focused on collaboration. The workshop, which was attended by about 80 people, was organized by the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and the State of Nevada. The primary focus of the workshop was teaching participants how to work with each other in order to find common ground, respect others point of view, and effectively manage conflict when dealing with issues related to conservation of the sagebrush ecosystem.
The two and a half day training brought together representatives from federal and state agencies, the State of Nevada, ranching and mining industries and other interests. During a number of sessions participants focused on developing listening skills and learning facilitation techniques that can be used in future meetings related to sage grouse management and sagebrush ecosystem conservation.
A key part of the workshop was the emphasis on establishing and improving relationships between the agencies and stakeholders, said John Ruhs, State Director for the Bureau of Land Management in Nevada. We also spent time getting to know people as individuals as opposed to just identifying them by their interest or agency.
Ruhs noted that Nevada is a unique and diverse state characterized by approximately 85 percent public land where implementation of federal policy and regulation is best accomplished by incorporating local science and knowledge.
In the case of the amendments for the Greater sage grouse plans in Nevada, a collaborative network of local, state and federal partners is essential for protecting the sagebrush ecosystem while ensuring multiple uses, Ruhs said.
In addition to Ruhs, leadership from the U.S. Forest Service and State of Nevada were also present. Their participation provided the opportunity for leaders to learn about collaboration techniques and listen to the concerns of both employees and the public that will help frame future discussions.
It was very rewarding to have so many diverse individuals attend, said Bill Dunkelberger, Forest Supervisor for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Im happy to see such a strong commitment to working together to sustain multiple use benefits from public lands while conserving sagebrush ecosystems.
The workshop was funded by the BLMs Collaboration and Alternative Dispute Resolution program, which seeks to expand opportunities and build capacity for effective public involvement and stakeholder engagement, and the BLM National Training Center. During the sessions, participants explored the roots of conflict, identified barriers to collaboration and began to form strategies and actions for addressing issues like Table 2-2 that identifies habitat objectives for Greater sage grouse, finding flexibility in the land use plan amendments, developing and maintaining the Collaborative Network and employing effective internal and external communication and outreach.
As we continue to work to find solutions to land management issues and concerns, we must first come together and identify a starting point and build a map going forward, said JJ Goicoechea, Chairman of the Nevada Sagebrush Ecosystem Council. While this process was just the beginning, there was a collective recognition of key issues to address and an overall feeling that if we dont collaboratively work toward solutions, we will fail individually.
Bangladesh urges Myanmar to end violence against Rohingya Muslims
Iran Press TV
Thu Jan 12, 2017 2:28PM
Bangladesh has urged Myanmar to end months of persecution and violence that have forced thousands of Rohingya Muslims in the northwestern Rakhine State to flee across the border.
Foreign Minister A.H. Mahmood Ali made the remark on Thursday after he held talks with a special envoy of Myanmar's State Counselor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi in Dhaka.
"The special envoy has been informed that the recent arrival of a huge number of Myanmar nationals and the long and illegal stay of approximately 300,000 unregistered Myanmar nationals have disrupted stability and economic development in the very important region of Chittagong," he told reporters.
The top diplomat also demanded quick repatriation of all Myanmar's citizens who have been living in Bangladesh.
"Bangladesh has demanded quick restoration of normal situation in Rakhine State so that Myanmar nationals, who have taken shelter in Bangladesh, can quickly go back home with full security and safety to their livelihood," the foreign minister said.
There was no comment from the envoy, Kyaw Tin, Myanmar's deputy foreign minister, who was to wrap up his three-day visit to Dhaka on Thursday.
Last month, Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry summoned Myanmar's ambassador to express "deep concern at the continued influx" of Rohingya Muslims.
According to the United Nations, at least 65,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled persecution and violence in Myanmar to neighboring Bangladesh since the army launched a crackdown in Rakhine State in early October 2016.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in its weekly report on January 9 that 22,000 Rohingyas had fled Myanmar to neighboring Bangladesh over the past week.
Myanmar's military launched a fresh wave of crackdown on Muslims after a deadly attack on the country's border guards on October 9 left nine policemen dead. The government blamed the Rohingyas for the assault.
There have been numerous accounts by eyewitnesses of summary executions, rapes and arson attacks against Muslims since the crackdown began. The military has blocked access to Rakhine and banned journalists and aid workers from entering the zone.
The United Nations has warned that the ongoing human rights violations against the Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine could be tantamount to "crimes against humanity."
Rakhine has been the scene of communal violence at the hands of Buddhist extremists since 2012. Hundreds of people have been killed and tens of thousands have been forced from their homes to live in squalid camps in dire conditions in Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
The government denies full citizenship to the 1.1 million-strong Rohingya population, branding them illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Rohingya Muslims are believed to be a community of ancient lineage in Myanmar.
According to the UN, the Rohingya Muslims are one of the most persecuted minorities in the world.
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Former UN Secretary-General Pivots Toward South Korean Presidential Bid
By Brian Padden January 12, 2017
Former Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon arrived back home Thursday in South Korea amid mounting expectations that he will run for president.
Ban was greeted by crowds of supporters at Incheon Airport near Seoul when he arrived in the early evening. When asked about entering the race for president, he would not commit, but he did indicate he is leaning in that direction.
"I have already said that I am ready to give my all [for the country] and my determination remains unchanged," he said to the cheering crowd.
Bribery charges
The former U.N. Secretary-General is highly regarded in South Korea for how he represented his home country on the world stage for the last decade. He is referenced in high school textbooks, and his biography, recounting his childhood struggles in war torn Korea to his rise as a world leader in charge of the United Nations, is a best seller.
Upon his return, however, Ban also found himself facing questions about his younger brother Ban Ki-sang and his nephew Joo Hyun Bahn, who were accused Tuesday in a Manhattan federal court of a scheme to bribe a Middle Eastern official for an attempted $800-million sale of a building complex in Vietnam.
Ban denied any knowledge or involvement in the alleged bribery scheme.
Political crisis
Once considered the heir apparent to the conservative President Park Geun-hye, Ban returns to a changed political landscape in his homeland.
President Park has been impeached by the National Assembly, and her reputation is in ruins over her alleged involvement in a multi-million-dollar influence peddling scandal.
The president is accused of colluding with her longtime friend, Choi Soon-sil, to force or bribe Korean conglomerates to donate more than $65 million to two dubious foundations.
Park's single five-year term of office was to end in January of 2018, but if the Constitutional Court upholds the impeachment motion, then a new presidential election will be scheduled sometime in the next few months.
"I have a heavy heart. It is sad. Behind our global prestige we built, I realized that there is a dark shade deeply surrounding us. Our country is ripped, our economy has lost vitality and our society is tainted with corruption," said Ban.
After carrying out weeks of massive countrywide protests to force Park out of office, the electorate is demanding real change in the form of greater political transparency and real economic reforms.
"There is a very humbling and undeniable recognition that the South Korean system is at a crossroads. The system that has contributed to rapid industrialization and gradual change toward liberal democracy seems to have reached a saturation point," said political analyst Bong Young-shik with the Yonsei University Institute for North Korean Studies.
Election maneuvers
A number of progressive opposition candidates have declared their intention to run for president, including Moon Jae-in who, along with Ban, led the prospective field of likely South Korean presidential candidates with recent approval ratings hovering around 20 percent.
Moon has staked out populist economic positions calling for sweeping corporate reforms, and he wants to increase dialogue with North Korea to defuse tensions over its nuclear development program.
Ban, 72, was South Korean foreign minister from 2004-2006 under the liberal President Roh Moo-hyun, but was a non-partisan career diplomat.
He is now considered the best hope to unite the divided conservative party in the next presidential election, but he remains non-committal about running.
If he gets into the race, Ban will need to more directly address the ongoing political turmoil and present his own plan for economic growth and job creations.
"Foreign policy is his major strength and his major currency, but foreign policy cannot help him win the presidential election," said Bong.
'Comfort Women'
Like Hillary Clinton, who recently lost the U.S. presidential election, Bong said, the established diplomat's position and experience could work against him in a changed election year.
Ban's past support as Secretary-General for the 2015 "comfort women" settlement could become a liability. "Comfort Women" refers to the over 200,000 women throughout the Pacific region who were forced into prostitution by the Japanese military during both WWII and Japan's colonization of Asia.
The deal reached between President Park and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe relieved Japan of any further responsibility and liability for all past wartime grievances in return for a written apology from Abe and a pledge by Tokyo to provide $8.9 million to support the surviving victims.
Tokyo also asked for Seoul to remove a "comfort women" statue that has been placed across the street, where activists hold weekly rallies denouncing Japan's wartime atrocities.
The settlement was denounced by "comfort women" advocates and is unpopular with a large segment of the public. The recent placement of a second "comfort women" statue in front of the Japanese consulate in the South Korean city of Busan has reignited the conflict.
Japan this week recalled its ambassador and consul general to South Korea, and last week suspended currency swaps with its neighbor.
Ban said Thursday that while he supported the agreement, it is still "incomplete" and the concerns of the surviving victims must be addressed until they are satisfied.
Youmi Kim contributed from Seoul.
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Trump's pick for U.S. secretary of state calls Russia a 'danger'
People's Daily Online
(Xinhua) 10:35, January 12, 2017
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's pick for secretary of state Rex Tillerson on Wednesday called Russia a "danger" to the United States and said he favored keeping current U.S. sanctions against Moscow for now.
"Russia today poses a danger, but it is not unpredictable in advancing its own interests," said Tillerson in Washington at his confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
"Our NATO allies are right to be alarmed at a resurgent Russia," he added.
Tillerson, the Exxon Mobile chief executive who had known Russian President Vladimir Putin since 1990s and was awarded by Putin Russia's Order of Friendship in 2013, was widely known for opposing sanctions against Russia in his corporate life.
However, during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Tillerson said he would like to see remain intact U.S. sanctioned imposed on Moscow for now."
"I would leave things in the status quo so we are able to convey this can go either way," said Tillerson. "I would recommend maintaining the status quo until we are able to engage with Russia and understand better what their intentions are."
Tillerson's confirmation hearing came at a time when the United States and Russia brawled over whether Moscow was involved in cyberattacks which sought to affect the 2016 U.S. election.
Since last October, the U.S. intelligence community had accused Russians of being responsible for the hacking that led to the leaking of damaging material which dogged Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton till the Election Day.
Moscow again on Monday refuted accusations of Russia's involvement in cyberattacks during the U.S. 2016 election, saying that it was a "tiresome witch-hunt."
"We continue to categorically rule out any involvement of Moscow and ...Russian officials and agencies in any hacker attacks," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Unlike his future boss Trump, who had for months questioned and even disparaged U.S. intelligence community's findings that Russia was behind the hacking, Tillerson said on Wednesday it was a "fair assumption" that Putin would have personally ordered the hacking.
Tillerson, 64, is the Texas-based oil company's CEO since 2006. Like Trump, he has no government experience. However, as Exxon's CEO, Tillerson oversees business operations in over 50 countries and has known Putin since 1990s when they first met.
Apart from Tillerson, Trump's nominee to run the U.S. Department of Transportation Elaine Chao also had her confirmation hearing on Wednesday.
Chao was Deputy Secretary of Transportation under former Republican President George H.W. Bush, and Labor Secretary under George W. Bush.
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Trump's National Security Picks Back Tough Approach To Russia
Carl Schreck, Mike Eckel January 12, 2017
WASHINGTON -- Two leading national security picks for Donald Trump's incoming administration warned that Russia is seeking to disrupt U.S. and European institutions and advocated an aggressive military and intelligence approach to counter Moscow.
The comments by James Mattis and Mike Pompeo, Trump's picks to run the Pentagon and the CIA, respectively, contrast with the more conciliatory rhetoric toward Moscow that the Republican president-elect voiced throughout his campaign and after his election on November 8.
The two nominees spoke at separate Senate confirmation hearings on January 12, with both characterizing Russia as an aggressive actor that must be met with staunch U.S. resistance on the international stage.
Mattis, a former Marine Corps general, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that Russian President Vladimir Putin is seeking to break up the NATO alliance and that Washington must confront Russian behavior.
Saying Russia has chosen to become a "strategic competitor," Mattis, 66, told lawmakers that he does not oppose cooperation with Moscow but that the United States must remain clear-eyed about its intentions and actions.
Asked about the main threats to U.S. interests, he said: "I would consider the principal threats to start with Russia."
"I'm all for engagement, but we also have to recognize reality and what Russia is up to," added Mattis, who led Marine divisions in the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 and the 2003 invasion to topple Iraq's Saddam Hussein.
"There are a decreasing number of areas where we can engage cooperatively and an increasing number of areas where we are going to have to confront Russia," he said.
Citing his recent visit to the three Baltic states -- NATO members that were under Moscow's domain during Soviet times -- Senator John McCain (Republican-Arizona) said during the hearing that leaders there had pressed him to back a permanent U.S. military presence in the region.
A U.S. rotating force began deploying in Eastern Europe in January under a program known as the European Reassurance Initiative launched in conjunction with NATO's response to Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula.
Asked by McCain whether Mattis supports a permanent U.S. military presence in the three countries -- Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia -- the retired general said he does.
After serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, Mattis, 66, became head of U.S. Central Command in 2010, overseeing military operations in the Middle East until his retirement in 2013.
Since retiring, he has been outspoken in his criticism of President Barack Obama's policies in the region, saying they have contributed to the rise of extremism there.
He's also voiced tough positions on Iran, as well as Russia, something that puts him at odds with the conciliatory stance Trump has expressed toward Moscow.
Asked by lawmakers about the landmark deal that curtailed Iran's nuclear ambitions in exchange for lifting crippling sanctions, Mattis criticized the agreement.
"Sir, I would not have signed it," he said.
During his election campaign, Trump drew fire from both Republicans and Democrats for questioning the U.S. commitment to NATO members who don't maintain sufficient defense spending. He has since voiced greater support for the alliance, saying it has boosted its counterterrorism efforts.
Meanwhile, Pompeo told the Senate Intelligence Committee on January 12 that Russia "has reasserted itself, aggressively invading and occupying Ukraine, threatening Europe, and doing nothing to aid in the destruction and defeat" of Islamic State (IS) militants.
Trump's nomination of Pompeo, a Republican from Kansas in the U.S. House of Representatives, comes amid a mounting furor over Russia's alleged attempts to help Trump defeat Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the November 8 election.
The U.S. intelligence community accuses Putin of ordering the hacking campaign, which included the theft and publishing of Democratic e-mails seen as damaging Clinton in the election.
Trump, who says he wants to improve ties with Moscow, has publicly questioned the intelligence findings, though on January 11 he acknowledged that Russia was likely behind the cyberattacks. He insists that the hacking had no impact on the outcome of the election.
In his testimony, Pompeo firmly backed the U.S. intelligence conclusions about Russian involvement, saying he attended last week's meeting at which top U.S. officials briefed Trump about their classified report on the matter.
"With respect to this report in particular, it's pretty clear about what took place here -- about Russian involvement in efforts to hack information and to have an impact on American democracy," Pompeo, 53, said.
He called the cybercampaign "an aggressive action taken by the senior leadership inside of Russia."
Russia has repeatedly denied any involvement in the hacks targeting Clinton's campaign and other U.S. political organizations and personalities.
Mattis's nomination as defense secretary had attracted concern among some members in Congress, due to a U.S. law barring military officers from becoming the civilian head of the Defense Department within seven years of retiring from the military.
The nearly 70-year-old law was passed to ensure U.S. armed forces remained under civilian, rather than military, leadership.
The Senate committee ultimately voted 24-3 for a one-time exemption to the law.
Later on January 12, the Republican-led House Armed Services Committee voted 34-28 to grant Mattis the exemption.
Congress passed such a waiver only once before, for Army General George Marshall in 1950.
Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/pentagon-chief- nominee-mattis-russia-must-be- confronted/28229282.html
Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
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Kremlin Says Russia Hopes Putin, Trump Will 'Get Along'
January 12, 2017
Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman has said that the Kremlin hopes Putin and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will "get along."
Dmitry Peskov spoke to reporters a day after Trump, who has praised Putin and said he will seek to improve badly strained relations between Russia and the United States, told a news conference that there was "a good chance" he will not get along with Putin.
"Moscow is genuinely hoping that our presidents will get along," Peskov said during a conference call.
"At least Trump has spoken of his readiness for dialogue," Peskov said. "This doesn't mean there's a readiness to agree about everything with each other. That is hardly possible and Moscow isn't expecting that, but dialogue is grounds for hope and could help us find a way out of many difficult situations."
During his first news conference since his election on November 8, Trump said: "Now, I don't know that I'm going to get along with Vladimir Putin. I hope I do. But there's a good chance I won't."
Trump's victory has been clouded by U.S. intelligence agencies' conclusion that Putin ordered a hacking campaign that aimed to undermine U.S. democracy, discredit Trump's opponent Hillary Clinton , and help him win the election.
Peskov also said that Moscow will continue to "patiently explain" its position on the Crimean Peninsula -- which Russia annexed in March 2014 after sending in troops and staging a referendum considered illegal by a majority of countries -- to the United States.
He took issue with remarks by Trump's pick for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, who said during a U.S. Senate confirmation hearing on January 11 that Russia's annexation of Crimea "was a taking of territory that was not theirs."
"Definitely, we disagree with such wording and will offer our arguments in explaining our position," Peskov said.
Based on reporting by Reuters and TASS
Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/russia-us-trump- putin-get-along/28228073.html
Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
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Israeli rockets hit military airport near Damascus
Iran Press TV
Thu Jan 12, 2017 11:20PM
A huge explosion has rocked a Syrian Air Force installation southwest of the capital Damascus, after the Israeli regime launched a rocket attack against a designated target at the site.
The Israeli rockets struck the Mezzeh Military Airport, less than eight kilometers southwest of Damascus, early on Friday, and caused a large fire, but there has been no immediate report of casualties.
Syrian state TV quoted the army command as saying that the rockets, which it said were fired from an area close to the Sea of Galilee in the north of the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories, hit the airport's compound.
Earlier reports said the rockets had targeted an arms depot at the military installation.
Several loud explosions were reportedly heard after the attack against the major facility for the elite Republican Guards.
The Syrian army also vowed to take revenge for the "flagrant" attack and "amputate the arms of the perpetrators."
"The Syrian army command and armed forces warn Israel of the repercussions of the flagrant attack and stresses its continued fight against (this) terrorism," it said in a statement.
The development came more than a month after the Israeli military fired missiles from within the occupied Palestinian territory at the same Syrian army airbase outside Damascus.
"At 3:00 a.m., the Israeli enemy fired several surface-to-surface missiles from inside occupied territory," Syria's official news agency SANA reported in December, citing a military source. The report said the Israeli missiles set off a blaze at the targeted site.
The Syrian military source called the missile attack against the Mezzeh airbase part of "desperate attempts by the Israeli enemy to support terrorist groups and raise their low morale."
The Mezzeh airbase reportedly hosts the headquarters of the Air Force Intelligence Directorate.
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Russia withdraws S-24s, deploys S-25 jets to Syria's Latakia
Iran Press TV
Thu Jan 12, 2017 1:21PM
Russia says it has withdrawn six Sukhoi Su-24 fighter jets from its airbase in Syria's western Latakia Province and instead sent four Sukhoi Su-25 aircraft to the region.
Russia's Defense Ministry spokesman, Major General Igor Konashenkov, said on Thursday that the six warplanes were flown back to Russia from Hmeimim Air Base.
There would be further withdrawal of other aircraft as well as flight and technical personnel in the near future, he added.
Konashenkov also noted that four Sukhoi Su-25 planes, fitted out with modern navigation systems, have been redeployed to Hmeimim Air Base under a planned rotation procedure.
Last December, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Moscow's plans to scale down its military presence in Syria following a nationwide halt to fighting in the Arab country.
Russian General Staff Chief General Valery Gerasimov said last week that the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier was to leave in the first step of the drawdown.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Konashenkov confirmed that the carrier had been on its way back to Russia since January 6.
He further rejected reports of alleged Russia's military build-up in Syria as a "primitive propaganda canard," accusing Western media of trying to "neglect some facts only to focus on others to make a fuss."
Moscow launched its campaign against Daesh and other terrorist groups in Syria at the Damascus government's request in September 2015. Its airstrikes have helped Syrian forces advance counterterrorism operations against foreign-backed militants operating in the Middle Eastern state since 2011.
Syria truce largely holding: UN
Separately on Thursday, United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said that the countrywide ceasefire in Syria is largely holding, with some exceptions.
Speaking at a news conference in the Swiss city of Geneva, he stressed that the truce had not enabled humanitarian access in the conflict-ridden country as much as it was expected.
The cessation of hostilities took effect on December 30, 2016 following an agreement between Syria's warring parties.
Touching on the upcoming Syria peace talks in the Kazakh capital, Astana, the UN envoy expressed hope that the discussions would help consolidate the ceasefire.
He further called for the release of some two dozen buses that were prevented by terrorists from leaving the Syrian villages Fua'a and Kefraya.
Putin, Erdogan discuss Syria ceasefire
In another development on Thursday, the Kremlin said Putin and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a phone conversation, during which the two officials agreed that the ceasefire in Syria was being broadly observed.
The two leaders had agreed to continue working to prepare for the Astana talks, it added.
The Kremlin also pointed out that the Russian president had discussed over phone preparations for the Syria negotiations with his Kazakh counterpart, Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Russia and Turkey have been supporting the opposite sides to the Syria conflict, but they have recently stepped up cooperation to resolve the crisis.
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Reconstruction operation kicks off in eastern Aleppo
Iran Press TV
Thu Jan 12, 2017 10:41AM
Reconstruction work is underway in eastern Aleppo following the recent liberation of the strategic Syrian city from the grip of Takfiri terror groups.
A video released on Wednesday shows tractors and forklifts in the Saif al-Dawla district clearing the streets of sandbags and rubble amid efforts to help civilians return to normal life to eastern Aleppo, which had been under militant control since 2012.
Russian rescue workers have also opened a mobile hospital in eastern Aleppo to help those wounded in the violence prior to the city's liberation.
"At the moment two tents are deployed: surgical and therapeutic and paediatric. At the moment about 100 people got assistance, we plan to provide help to 100 more," said Ruslan Guzeev, head of the Russian medical department of special purpose.
Footage released Wednesday also showed doctors providing care to locals.
Shop owners are also preparing to resume business, while workers went back to the factories, which are now back in operation.
Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis has called for the restoration of Aleppo's production abilities as a top priority.
Last week, the Syrian government adopted a plan of action meant to restore public services and security to the northwestern city.
The plan includes a range of measures such as the opening of Aleppo roads, providing water, electricity and fuel to citizens as well as assessing conditions for repair and reconstruction activities there.
On Monday, Syria's President Bashar al-Assad said Damascus will fight until the liberation of "every inch" of the homeland from militant and extremist presence.
He said Damascus does not consider the liberation of Aleppo as a victory until "we have eliminated all the terrorists."
Late last year, the Syrian army managed to liberate the eastern sector of Aleppo, the country's second-largest city, which had fallen to Takfiri groups back in 2012.
Government forces later secured the evacuation of remaining civilians and armed groups from the city under a ceasefire deal with the militant groups, brokered by Russia and Turkey.
The Aleppo deal set the stage for a landmark all-Syria truce deal between Damascus and foreign-backed militant groups operating in the country.
The diplomatic achievements were made following high-level trilateral talks involving Russia, Iran and Turkey over the Syria crisis in Moscow.
President Assad had earlier hailed the victory in Aleppo as "history in the making" and "a huge step" in bringing the war in Syria to an end.
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Designation of Syrian Entity Pursuant to Executive Order 13382
Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
January 12, 2017
Today, the Department of State imposed sanctions on an entity associated with Syria's weapons of mass destruction (WMD)-capable ballistic missile program by designating the Organization for Technological Industries (OTI) under Executive Order 13382. E.O. 13382 targets the assets of WMD proliferators and their supporters in an effort to curb the spread of WMD and protect the U.S. financial system from being exploited by proliferators. Entities designated under E.O. 13382 are prohibited from engaging in transactions with any U.S. person and are subject to a U.S. asset freeze.
According to a June 26, 2012 report broadcast by Syrian Satellite Channel Television of an address by Syrian President Bashar al-Asad to the then-new Syrian Cabinet, OTI belongs to the Syrian Ministry of Defense, was established in 2010, and is involved in "high level technical industries." OTI's primary mission is to import advanced strategic technologies for surface-to-surface missile (SSM) and surface-to-surface rocket (SSR) programs in Syria. OTI is involved in furthering Syria's WMD-capable ballistic missile program. As of May 2014, OTI changed its purpose to include producing components for SSMs and SSRs produced by the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC) Syria's leading advanced weapons development and production entity. SSRC was designated by President George W. Bush in the Annex to E.O. 13382 issued on June 29, 2005.
The Department's action follows findings by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons-United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) that the Syrian regime used chemicals as a weapon against its own citizens. In reports issued in August and October 2016, the JIM established by the United Nations Security Council in 2015 to identity those involved in the use of chemical weapons determined that the Syrian government was involved in three attacks involving chemicals used as weapons. Specifically, the JIM found that the Syrian Arab Armed Forces used chemicals as weapons against the Syrian people in three separate incidents.
As a result of today's action, any property or interest in property of the identified persons in the possession or control of U.S. persons or within the United States must be blocked. Additionally, transactions by U.S. persons involving these persons are generally prohibited.
The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) is concurrently designating 18 senior regime officials connected to Syria's WMD programs and will identify five Syrian military branches as part of the Government of Syria. Details on the Treasury sanctions are available here:
http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/default.aspx
Identifier Information for Organization for Technological Industries:
Name: Organization for Technological Industries
AKA: The Organization for Technical Industries
Address: Sham Algadida OTip Box Damascus 11037, Syrian Arab Republic
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UN Warns Cutoff of Water Supply to Damascus Could Trigger Military Action
By Lisa Schlein January 12, 2017
A senior United Nations official says a water crisis affecting Syria's capital, Damascus, could trigger military action with devastating consequences unless vital supplies from the nearby, rebel-held Wadi Barada area, are restored.
Damascus gets most of its water from the Wadi Barada Valley. Damage to the infrastructure during battles between rebel and Syrian forces has cut off this vital source of water to the Syrian capital's population of 5 million since December 22.
The U.N. special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, says it is a matter of great urgency that Syrian government engineers be allowed to go into the area to repair the damage so water once more can be pumped to Damascus. He says rebels in charge of the main water source in one of the five Wadi Barada villages will not agree to this.
"Therefore, there is a danger, substantial danger, imminent danger that this may develop into a further military escalation and the consequence of it, unavoidably, no water solution for the people in Damascus," he said.
Fear of diseases
De Mistura warns of an outbreak of diseases in Damascus if the population continues to be deprived of safe water. He says failure to restore this vital water source also will have a negative impact on efforts to restart the peace process for Syria.
He says discussions that are under way in Russia and Turkey to try to resolve this issue are important for two reasons.
"The first one, water in Damascus is vital because it is affecting 5 million people. And B, because it does have potentially, if it escalates, an impact on the Astana talks and meetings, which is based as you know on the concept of a well-established, potentially, even better established cessation of hostilities."
Russia and Turkey are scheduled to broker talks aimed at negotiating a cease-fire in Syria's long-running civil war in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on January 23. Iran and the United Nations have been invited to attend.
The U.N. hopes to resume dormant political negotiations for an end to Syria's nearly six-year-long civil war on February 8. De Mistura says a successful outcome of the Astana talks could be a stepping stone for a successful political meeting on Syria.
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As a former Attorney General and a former federal prosecutor, I take very seriously the important role that our nations top law enforcement officer plays in our system of government. Thats why I remain deeply concerned about the President-elects choice of Senator Sessions to lead the Department of Justice. I am troubled by the controversial and racially insensitive rhetoric Senator Sessions has used in the past, as well as his far-right positions on issues ranging from immigration and criminal justice reform to civil rights and voting rights.
This is not personal it is about his record and his views. As the next Attorney General, Senator Sessions would have enormous prosecutorial discretion, and his record in public office indicates to me that he often hasnt recognized the humanity of the people hurt by his extreme positions, whether its undocumented immigrants or the African American community or LGBT Americans. After an ugly and divisive election season, many of my constituents in Nevada are fearful about what lies ahead. They deserve an Attorney General who they can trust to vigorously defend their rights and uphold our laws with impartiality. At a time when our nation needs to come together and heal, Senator Sessions is not the right choice to lead the DOJ and I cannot support this nomination.
Taiwan, Guatemala reaffirm commitment to bilateral ties
ROC Central News Agency
2017/01/12 12:05:41
Guatemala City, Jan. 11 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen () and her Guatemalan counterpart, Jimmy Morales, reaffirmed their commitment to relations and cooperation between the two countries Wednesday, with Tsai saying that Taiwan will continue to support a Guatemalan highway expansion project, a proposal put forward by Morales.
Tsai received a military salute hosted by Morales at the National Palace of Culture shortly after she arrived in Guatemala earlier in the day.
At the ceremony, Morales extended his warmest welcome to Tsai, who is visiting the country as Taiwan's president for the first time. He also reaffirmed the two countries' commitment to strengthening their friendship and maintaining bilateral cooperation.
Noting their long-standing cooperation, he said that the people of Guatemala have benefited from bilateral cooperation in public health, infrastructure, agriculture and education.
Morales expressed gratitude for Taiwan's help with the highway project in the past, but also expressed hope that Taiwan will continue to provide assistance in the fourth stage of the expansion project, which he said will greatly improve transportation in his country.
He also expressed hope that the two countries will expand cooperation in investment, tourism, energy, science and infrastructure.
Following the welcoming ceremony, the two leaders held talks and conferred medals on each other, before holding a joint press conference.
At the news conference, Tsai said that during the meeting, she reiterated her administration's determination to promote "steadfast diplomacy" and its hope of seeking bilateral cooperation that will be mutually beneficial.
The two leaders discussed plans for cooperation in infrastructure, medicine and education during the meeting, she said. Bilateral cooperation in the highway project and medicine-related programs have been progressing well, and Taiwan is willing to continue to promote related projects, she added.
On the highway project, Tsai said that "we're pleased to have taken part in the first three phases of the project," adding that Taiwan will continue to provide assistance.
The Republic of China embassy in Guatemala will conduct further discussions with Guatemalan government agencies to work out details of the cooperation, Tsai said.
On the development of bilateral relations, Tsai said her visit to Guatemala is aimed at boosting tourism exchanges and parliamentary exchanges, advancing trade relations and strengthening the links between the people and governments of the two countries.
Tsai said Guatemala is rich in tourism resources, such as the old city of Antigua, which she is scheduled to visit during her trip.
Guatemala is also strong in the coffee industry, she said, adding that a delegation of Taiwanese companies will soon visit Guatemala to explore the possibility of helping to export local coffee to Taiwan.
Guatemala is the third leg of Tsai's Central American tour, which also includes Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador. She will later travel to El Salvador before returning to Taiwan Jan. 15, with a stopover in San Francisco en route.
Tsai's nine-day Central American visit is aimed at consolidating ties with Taiwan's diplomatic allies there after the small West African island nation of Sao Tome and Principe severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan Dec. 20, 2016.
(By Sophia Yeh and Elaine Hou)
ENDITEM/J
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U.S. secretary of state nominee reaffirms U.S. commitment to Taiwan
ROC Central News Agency
2017/01/12 14:08:41
Washington, Jan. 11 (CNA) U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for his secretary of state reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to Taiwan, based on the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) and the Six Assurances, during a Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday for his nomination as the top U.S. diplomat.
"We've made an important commitment to Taiwan," through the TRA and the six assurances, and such commitments should be reaffirmed, said former Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson, in response to questions from U.S. Senator Cory Gardner regarding the Trump administration's position on Taiwan and the "one China policy."
"I think it's important that Taiwan knows we're going to live up to the commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act and the six issues accord," he added.
"That in itself is a message," he said, adding that the U.S. should recognize the "balancing forces" in its relationship with China that need to be dealt with.
In response to the question on the Trump administration's position on the "one China policy," Tillerson said he was not aware of "any plans to alter the one China position."
Tillerson's remarks came after Trump said in an interview with Fox News in December that he saw no reason why the U.S. should continue abiding by the "one China" policy -- under which Washington recognizes the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, unless Beijing is prepared to enter into some kind of bargain.
His remarks have triggered serious concerns from China.
The TRA was enacted in 1979 to maintain commercial, cultural and other unofficial relations between the U.S. and Taiwan after Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. The TRA also requires the U.S. "to provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive character."
The Six Assurances given to Taiwan in 1982 by then-President Ronald Reagan include U.S. pledges not to set a date for ending arms sales to Taiwan, not to hold prior consultations with China regarding arms sales to Taiwan, and not to play a mediation role between Taiwan and China.
They also include assurances that the U.S. will not revise the TRA, alter its position regarding Taiwan's sovereignty, or pressure Taiwan to enter into negotiations with China.
(By Rita Cheng and Elaine Hou)
ENDITEM/J
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China's pressure only raises Taiwanese hackles: Presidential Office
ROC Central News Agency
2017/01/12 15:53:41
Guatemala, Jan. 11 (CNA) China's pressuring of Taiwan will only raise hackles and is not conducive to cross-Taiwan Strait relations, Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang () said Thursday.
Huang, who is accompanying President Tsai Ing-wen ( ) on her ongoing visit to Central America, said China's return to its old track, whether it is the use of pressure or intimidation, will only antagonize the Taiwanese people and will not be favorable to the normal development of cross-strait relations.
Huang was responding to Chinese media, which cited China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi (), who is currently visiting Africa, as saying a day earlier that Nigeria had told Taiwan to move its trade office from its capital, Abuja, to the West African country's largest city of Lagos, and to curtail its privileges and staff.
Nigerian officials and organizations are also banned from having official exchanges with Taiwan.
"The existence of the Republic of China is itself an indisputable fact. Applying pressure and intimidation will not change that fact," Huang said.
The Nigerian move coincides with Tsai's Central America visit and comes less than one month after another West African country, Sao Tome and Principe, severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan and established formal ties with China.
Cross-strait relations have been chilly since Tsai of the Democratic Progressive Party, which has traditionally supported independence from China, assumed office in May 2016.
China has ratcheted up its pressure on Taiwan recently after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump had a phone conversation with Tsai in early December, breaking the convention of no U.S. contact with Taiwan at that level in four decades.
In a move seen as making a political statement, China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, sailed through the Taiwan Strait Wednesday after conducting exercises in the South China Sea.
(By Sophia Yeh and Lilian Wu)
ENDITEM/J
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Scuffles erupt at Turkey's parliament over constitutional change
Iran Press TV
Thu Jan 12, 2017 8:0AM
Scuffles have broken out at Turkey's parliament amid debates over a controversial bill on constitutional amendments, which would expand the powers of the president.
Turkish lawmakers got engaged in physical violence, pushing each other and exchanging blows during a round of voting on Wednesday.
The opposition lawmakers accuse the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of breaching the law on secrecy of ballot by displaying their votes.
The move highlights the ruling party's pressure on its lawmakers to vote in favor of the amendments, and not independently, the opposition lawmakers said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the AKP's founder, has long pushed for the constitutional amendments, arguing that a strong presidency will make Turkey stronger.
Last December, the AKP presented a bill to the parliament, which would change the country's constitution and expand presidential powers.
The package would also bring structural changes to Turkey's security system and judiciary. If adopted, the changes must then be put to a national referendum before becoming law.
The drive for the constitutional change and expanding President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's powers come as the AKP has 317 of 550 seats in the parliament.
Calling a referendum on the constitution in Turkey requires 330 votes, which means the governing party needs more than a dozen votes from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).
The Turkish legislature's second- and third-biggest parties, the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), both oppose the intended constitutional reforms.
Critics of the constitutional changes say a presidential system heralds totalitarianism as it places too much power in the hands of the president.
On Tuesday, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the CHP, leader said the legislators who ratify the bill will be betraying the public, adding, "I call out to all citizens. If you respect what is right, you will oppose this constitution."
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Fears of IS Threat Grow in Turkey After Attack
By Dorian Jones January 12, 2017
Rather than uniting Turkey, the so-called Islamic State attack on an Istanbul nightclub, which killed 39 on New Year's Day, appears to have only deepened societal divisions.
Some social media posts have supported the attack, denigrating the revelers as decadent and anti-Islamic and therefore having gotten what they deserved. One theologian declared the attack was a message that "Turkey is not the old Turkey, and that the pious will bring all others to their knees."
"There were those who gloated over this attack and who seem to celebrate it, rather than mark the tragedy that happened in front of them," said Semih Idiz, a political columnist for the website Al-Monitor. "This all goes back to this post-modern civil war that has been going on between Islamists and secularists, between the ultra-conservative nationalists and the more pro-European elements."
Idiz also cast blame on official Ankara. "We have a government that hasn't really helped in overcoming divisions," he said. "In fact, at times the approach of the government and the president is divisive rather than unifying."
The atmosphere before the nightclub shooting was widely seen as toxic, with pro-government media slamming New Year's Eve celebrations as anti-Muslim. That stance was backed by the state-appointed head of Turkey's powerful Religious Affairs Directorate, which administers the Islamic faith.
Still, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pushed back against critics. "Nobody's lifestyle is under systematic threat in Turkey," he said. "We will never allow this. Those who claim this have to prove it. It is my duty to protect everyone's rights."
Officials say steps are being taken against "divisive" social media posts. But, to date, the only person detained was a women in Istanbul who appeared in a viral video calling on people to fight for secularism and stand up against Islamic State.
The New Year's attack has put a spotlight on government policy toward Islamic State and other jihadist groups.
"Turkey did choose to support Islamist-leaning members of the Syrian opposition with the expectation that the support would accelerate regime change in Syria," said Sinan Ulgen, a visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe in Brussels. "But we've discovered that these groups in the meantime [have] taken advantage of this position of the Turkish government, by establishing their own network and structures within Turkey, and they are using this to orchestrate terror attacks against Turkey."
President Erdogan has rejected charges that his government has failed to crack down on IS. "No one in the world fights Islamic State more than Turkey," he said following the New Year's attack.
Turkish authorities suspect the gunman, who is still at large, was a foreigner, a member of the Uighur Muslim minority. However, fears are growing about the domestic threat posed by Islamic State.
"There is a strong power base within Turkish society; millions share their ideology," said Haldun Solmazturk, head of the 21st Century Turkey Institute, an Ankara-based think tank. "Some polls - for example, one run by the Pew research institution of the United States - indicate about 8 percent of Turkish society is sympathetic to [Islamic State's cause]. This would make up about six million Turkish people. And I see how radical certain groups within Turkish society are becoming. I watch it in day-to-day business, watching TV stations, listening to radio; it's all around."
The government has promised to crack down on Islamic State within the country, and dozens of people have been detained. Ulgen says the crackdown is flawed.
"Turkey does have experience in articulating and implementing counter-terrorist strategies," he said. "But where it has not really led or displayed a lot of progress is on the accompanying aspect of counter-radicalization. And the experience of many other countries in the world that are trying to stave off the threat of Islamic extremism is that these two strategies need to go hand in hand.".
Despite the Istanbul nightclub attack, Ankara's priorities remain in question.
"The real public enemy for the Turks and the government at the moment is the PKK (Kurdish rebel group) and any group related (to) the PKK," said Idiz. "And you will find a significant disparity between those arrested for PKK crimes and those arrested for ISIS-related crimes, and that on its own speaks volumes about the situation."
With the Turkish military stepping up its campaign against Islamic State in Syria and jihadists calling on their Turkish supporters to stage attacks, Ankara could be in a race against time.
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Edge data centres will account for most of the telecom server market growth and is projected to reach US$14 billion by 2026 according to a new report from DellOro Group.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Jan. 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Santa Fe Gold Corporation (OTC:SFEG), a U.S.-based mining and exploration enterprise with emphasis on Gold, Silver, Copper, Precious, Industrial and base metals and owner of multiple claims, including the Malone Mines Complex incorporating 20 associated mine sites and the Playas Lake Bed area of Hidalgo County, New Mexico, is pleased to announce that it has acquired an option for the mining rights to a significant, strategic and extremely coveted high grade mining property that could become the potential flagship mine for Santa Fe Gold and enable it to begin mine monetization early in 2017. The company intends to immediately begin drilling the property to delineate the extent of its reserves.
The property, located in the South Western US comprises patented and un-patented claims amounting to some 200 acres. It is Santa Fe Gold's intention to immediately drill this property to determine the full extent of this unusually high grade deposit's multiple vein structures, which in total could be in excess of 1.25 million tons of ore and according to recently completed assays, suggests that some ore vein values could well be in the thousands of dollars per ton.
Santa Fe Gold is already negotiating with buyers ready to pay such amounts per ton of ore delivered from the mine site, subject to drilling results.
President and CEO Tom Laws commented: "This is an exceptional property in one of the most highly mineralized areas anywhere on Earth that Santa Fe Gold now has under its control with an option to acquire subject to completion of a drilling program to prove up reserves. Given the dimensions and extent of the vein structures, we believe this has the potential to be a flagship property for Santa Fe Gold that can be brought into production relatively quickly."
As we have commented previously, the area in general and its surroundings, has a history of exceptionally high grades, as was borne out by previous high grade discoveries reported by Santa Fe Gold in 2012, where assays showed bonanza type high grades of 7.73 ounces of gold per ton and 269.75 ounces per ton of Silver. While such exceptionally high grades are rare and could be considered as an anomaly, they do prove that such grades exist and we have uncovered similar high grade showings as borne out by recent assays. As was also mentioned previously, grades as high as 16 oz. per ton have historically been encountered in the Malone Mines Complex, which Santa Fe Gold now already has under its control, where some 80% of all the gold discovered in New Mexico has been found. It is also worth noting that these newly acquired properties are not too far from where both BHP and Rio Tinto, two of the world's largest mining companies, on the very same day staked out some very substantial territories extending to some 20 square miles over a very wide area.
As a result, we are continuing with our acquisition program to build increasing value into Santa Fe Gold as Gold remains positive and resumes its recent very strong uptrend that began early last year. We anticipate additional acquisitions of other high grade properties over the coming weeks and months as we continue to execute on our value accumulation strategy. Santa Fe Gold intends to build on these acquisitions to solidly recapitalize the company as a precursor to resuming mining and production operations as early as possible in 2017. Our immediate goal following the drilling of this new high grade mine deposit, is to establish the most efficient and profitable way to monetize this important discovery and other properties per Santa Fe Gold's stated mission: "Selecting only the very highest grade, highest quality and prospective deposits capable of sustaining ongoing mining operations well into the future."
To this end drilling crews have been retained and are ready to begin drilling as soon as conditions permit and we expect to report on results very soon.
Tom Laws, age 58, is a metallurgist and mining analyst with over 40 years of experience in the mining industry. Mr. Laws mining career began in Alaska operating a Placer Gold Mine. He then joined Phelps Dodge Corporation, at the time the worlds largest copper company. His role was a Metals Accounting Specialist and Cost Analyst at the Hidalgo Smelter located in Playas, New Mexico. He later moved to the Tyrone Mine in Tyrone, New Mexico. Eventually, Mr. Laws returned to the Hidalgo Smelter in Playas, New Mexico as controller.
Mr. Laws was then appointed to oversee costs and budget accounting at Chino Mines. He progressed to become a transaction specialist at Kennecott Mining. There he facilitated the Phelps Dodge Corporation purchase of Chino mines and related companies. After the transaction, Mr. Laws assumed accounting implementation and operational control of the Chino and Kennecott acquisitions for Phelps Dodge Corporation, now part of Freeport-McMoRan Inc., one of the World's largest Copper and Gold Miners.
Mr. Laws is intimately familiar with mining operations in the Southwestern United States and in particular the Arizona and New Mexico environs. With a large client base in New Mexico, Mr. Laws has worked with a number of mining companies, right up to the present, helping them to evaluate materials, economic utility and the most effective processing methods, looking to develop and optimize their mining output. His extensive area knowledge, broad experience and understanding of the local mineralogy in the mining districts of the Southwest, combined with his many years with Phelps Dodge and Kennecott, gives him a unique perspective on where the most coveted and valuable opportunities are known to exist and specialized knowledge of both large and small projects in the region, with special access and rights to some sizable ore deposits, infrastructure and mines in the area. Since joining Santa Fe Gold, August 1, he has aptly demonstrated the importance of his connections, with the caliber and quality of his acquisitions and as a result, Santa Fe Gold already now controls or owns approximately 53 million tons of valuable gold, silver, copper, precious and base metals and also some titanium ores. Titanium currently sells for about $2,000 per ton and as already commented, Santa Fe Gold intends to further build up its reserve tonnages over time.
The company's financial audits are virtually complete and in the final review stage and therefore could be announced at any time over the next few weeks. This will enable the company to migrate from its current exchange to the higher OTCQB Exchange Marketplace once audited financials are up to date.
About Santa Fe Gold
Santa Fe Gold is a U.S.-based mining and exploration enterprise and owns the following mining assets: The Knights Peak region of Grant County, New Mexico comprising the Malone Mines, Patanka, Hillcrest Barranca and Principal Mines altogether incorporating some twenty mine sites and all located at Knights Peak together with an extensive expanded area surrounding the Malone Mines in the southern region of Burro Mountains, New Mexico. It also owns multiple claims in the Playas area of Hidalgo County, New Mexico. The company has also acquired considerable additional resources expected to be announced in due course that currently amounts to some 53 Million tons. It also just announced the optioning of a new exceptionally high grade property.
Santa Fes Exploration and Development Team continues to analyze a number of attractive, economically viable opportunities and execute on the company's acquisition program that is focused on positioning the company to resume mining and production operations as soon as possible.
For more information and to register please visit www.santafegoldcorp.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Please refer to the Forward Looking Statements link at the bottom left of Santa Fe Gold's website for all relevant disclosures.
Effective January 1, Nevada made commercial cultivation, sale and possession of recreational marijuana legal. The state had previously decriminalized the drug for small quantity possession, and marijuana was already legally available for medical use.
Prior to last November, commercial recreational marijuana was legal only in four states Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and the District of Columbia. In the November election, recreational marijuana initiatives were on state ballots in five additional states. Arizona voters defeated legalization (by a 4 percent margin). However, four states voted to fully legalize the drug. In Maine, legalization passed by a razor-thin margin (0.4 percent) and marijuana initiatives carried as well in Massachusetts (by 7 percent), in Nevada (by 9 percent) and in California (by 14 percent).
The passage of the Nevada Marijuana Legalization Initiative, Question 2, was a solid statewide win by 100,000 votes, the entire margin of victory coming from Clark County. The initiative ran even in Nevadas other 16 counties, with Q2 actually losing in 13 of Nevadas 17 counties.
Question 2 passed in spite of opposition from big name political leaders and organizations. Republican Governor Brian Sandoval (categorically opposed) and Democratic Senator Harry Reid (very, very dubious) were noteworthy opponents. Both Senate candidates, Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto and Republican Dr. Joe Heck, opposed Q2. Likewise, two former Nevada Governors, Republican Robert List and Democrat Richard Bryan were against it. GOP opponents also included Attorney General Adam Laxalt, Lt. Gov. Mark Hutchison, Reps. Mark Amodei and Crescent Hardy, and Sen. Dean Heller.
Legalization proponents also overcame opposition from important Nevada state associations, representing law enforcement (sheriffs and chiefs and district attorneys); health professionals (doctors and nurses); the casino industry; and organized taxpayers. Six Nevada newspapers, including the two largest the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Reno Gazette-Journal editorialized against Q2, joining newspapers in Elko, Carson, Lahontan Valley and Pahrump.
Opposition to Q2 was formidable, but proponents had major advantages. Public opinion on legalizing marijuana had shifted dramatically over the past 20 years. Proponents contended that a majority of Nevadans no longer believed that marijuana needed to be illegal. The Yes on 2 narrative argued that passage would result in criminal justice reform, an end of marijuana black markets through regulation, and marijuana tax money directed to schools. Each claim was refuted by opponents.
Commercial recreational marijuana legalizations greatest advantage is money. In Colorado in 2012, the industry outspent legalization opponents by $5 to $1. In November 2016, California legalization proponents overwhelmingly outspent opponents by $11 to $1. In Nevada, the legalization spending advantage was narrower $4.3 million for Yes on 2 vs. $3.5 million for opponents. However, the Yes on 2 campaign had major financial resources available to start their campaign more than two years before election day. In contrast, the No on 2 campaign received their major funding extremely late in the process, only launching their Protecting Nevadas Children campaign 36 days before early voting began in 2016.
Republican Governors Doug Ducey of Arizona and Charlie Baker of Massachusetts aggressively led bipartisan efforts to defeat marijuana legalization initiatives in their respective states in 2016. They raised money and helped organize opposition groups, beginning eight months before election day. Their efforts are credited for the defeat of legalization in Arizona and a close outcome in liberal Massachusetts. Nevada had no similar statewide political champion to rally and organize bipartisan opposition to Q2.
Opponents late start in Nevada allowed for a limited campaign against the initiative, focused on marijuana edibles and small children. Few Nevada voters knew they were voting to enact a self-serving 13-page initiative written by the commercial marijuana industry for the promoters benefit.
Support for marijuana legalization tends to follow party lines. Of the eight states where voters have legalized adult-use marijuana, only one Alaska was a red state (i.e. Republican) last November. Nevada Democrats blue wave sweep might also have contributed to the margin of victory for Question 2 in 2016.
The biggest problem in getting critically-needed education reform in this country is the publics general inability to distinguish between the angelic classroom teacher and the evil teachers union.
Here, this might help
At A.N. Pritzker Elementary School in Chicago, the school librarian was laid off at the start of this school year due to necessary budget cuts. So parents volunteered to keep the library open. Problem solved, right? Wrong.
Michael Hendershot, a lawyer whose 6-year-old daughter goes to the school, reports that a union representative appeared at a local school council meeting and informed parents that the union would not stand for parental volunteers in the library. As such, the volunteer project was immediately shut down and the library was closed.
Absolutely shameful!
Now keep that travesty in mind as we turn our attention to Mr. Ruben Murillo, the union boss of the Nevada teachers union.
Murillo finger-painted an op-ed recently in which he repeatedly referred to Nevadas landmark school choice program, Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), as risky. Hilariously, he justified use of the term risky by claiming that 9 out of 10 of his unionized public school teachers believe that vouchers are a threat to public education.
Um, duh.
In reality theres no threat to public education since public education dollars would continue to be used for education. No, the real threat is to monopolized/unionized public SCHOOLS; those government-run failure factory re-education camps Murillo and liberals continue to trap our kids in.
Murillo went on to claim that vouchers and ESAs will result in smart kids leaving the public schools for private schools while passing over low-income and low-performing students. Which shows just how delusionally out-of-touch, or intellectually dishonest, these clowns are.
First, vouchers and ESAs are the ticket out of Murillos crappy public schools for low- and middle-income families who dont have the personal resources wealthy families have to pay the tuition to attend private schools.
Secondly, even if Murillo is correct (hes not) that the smarter kids would leave for private schools, that would mean smaller class sizes for the low-performing students who need more time and attention. And that would be a GOOD thing!
Murillos solution is the same tired, propaganda bleat the union has been barfing up for years: mo money, mo money, mo money. But weve been dumping mo money, mo money, mo money into the public school abyss for years and Nevada is STILL last in the nation in education.
The fact is the teachers union is a bunch of lying propagandists who dont give a tinkers damn about our kids. Its all about their union dues. And the sooner the public learns the difference between classroom teachers and teachers union bosses, the sooner we can make education in this country great again.
Feeling frightful today? You might have paraskevidekatriaphobia the fear of Friday the 13th.
But is there reason to lock your doors and stay in tonight?
Bristol spiritual advisor Candace Maiden doesnt think so. In her 40 years spiritually guiding people, Maiden said she thinks such superstitions are just silly.
As far as Friday the 13th is concerned, Ive noticed that people are always running from things that arent chasing them, Maiden said. Theyll come to me and say I have demons or I have devils, Im cursed and my first reaction is: I have never seen a shred of evidence in 40 years of any demon or devil.
That doesnt mean she doesnt believe in the effects of positive or negative energy, though. Some of Maidens services include tarot card readings, I Ching readings and crystal dowsing, which involves her watching a crystal swing on a chain like a pendulum and then interpreting the movements.
I do believe that negative human attributes can stimulate negative energy, Maiden said. Extremely negative people will feel haunted.
On the flip side, she sees benefits of positivity.
I have seen amazing evidence concerning goodness, and light, and how people can change when love and light is involved, she said. I think its absolutely possible to clean up our karma.
Clean karma or not, people have been shaking in their boots on this day for centuries. The Western fear of the 13th falling on Friday likely started in the Middle Ages and stems from the story of Jesus last supper, according to a 2004 report by the University of Buffalo. Phillips Stevens Jr., an associate professor of anthropology at the university, explained that 13 people, including Jesus, were at the supper, and the next day Friday was when he was crucified.
Spooky sightings have long been reported in Bristol. Famed Bristol historian V.N. Bud Phillips, who died Monday, considered East Hill Cemetery to be the most haunted place in Bristol.
Phillips wrote in the Herald Courier in 2013 that the area where the cemetery now is was a favorite hunting ground for Gen. Evan Shelby. Then, after he became a bit demented, he often spent hours sitting on stumps or logs, very content thinking he was back home in Maryland. Thus what had been called Round Hill for some time, was called Maryland Hill.
Phillips continued: Soon after Shelby died, strange things began to happen. Hunters reported seeing images of the general wandering around in the forest that then covered the hill. The images would suddenly appear then just as suddenly vanish.
If you are a believer in todays supernatural power, bad news: The next Friday the 13th comes this October.
Elko-area residents are concerned about affordable health care not the insurance subsidy program initiated by President Obama, but the relatively high cost of treatment at the local hospital.
The Elko County Board of Health took the unprecedented step last week of calling out the CEO of the nations fifth-largest hospital system, claiming LifePoint Health is having an extremely negative impact on our local economy and the safety, health and welfare of our citizens.
The letter also cites significant animosity toward the hospital as the reason many residents travel out of town for care.
These are serious charges, and we hope the county receives a response from the company that puts them in a broader perspective.
County Commissioner Delmo Andreozzi, who also serves on both the county health board and the hospitals governing board, sees this issue as a critical one that must be addressed.
I just feel like the corporation has a social responsibility to be competitive in this market, so people have the choice to stay home, he told the Free Press.
Because of Elkos isolated location, people here are used to paying more for many things such as air service and the health board members agree that they want to see the hospital make a profit. At issue is the degree which medical charges and profits exceed those in similar communities. The health boards letter lists specific instances in which Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital is charging 50 percent or more than other hospitals in the region for the same service, and is making higher profits than any other hospital in Nevada.
Some of the consequences of high costs listed in the letter also could be seen as reasons for charging more, potentially setting up a death spiral. For example, if a companys prices are too high, more people are willing to travel out of town for the same goods or services. The letter explains how large employers have set up their own clinics and are sending their workers to competing hospitals to save money.
Having fewer customers drives up costs. Our community would be much better off if large employers including the county government itself worked with the hospital to find solutions instead of parting ways.
One of the reasons we are not seeing this kind of cooperation may be the lack of capacity to serve the regions residents. We have often heard how difficult it is for the hospital to recruit doctors, and we have no reason to doubt it. Most local business operators can identify with the difficulty and the high costs of recruiting employees. Elko has many positive aspects but its size and distance from major cities will always limit its attraction.
We also need to ask county officials if they think we are worse off than when they ran the hospital. When commissioners decided to sell the inadequate and outdated Elko General Hospital 20 years ago, they said it was because they did not believe local voters would ever approve financing to build a desperately needed new hospital. They chose to sell it to Province Healthcare for $22 million, which then built a $40 million facility that was later acquired by LifePoint.
The people who live here and the corporations that drive our local economy have both invested a great deal in Elko. No one wants to see the type of leakage that happens when residents spend large portions of their income in out-of-state markets.
Getting back on course will take a tremendous effort, one that we hope both hospital officials and major employers will see as worthwhile.
Spains ambassador to the UK, Federico Trillo, has stepped down following a political storm over a recent government report that laid responsibility for a 2003 military air crash at the doorstep of the Defense Ministry, which he headed at the time. Until now, the Popular Party (PP) had steadfastly defended Trillo throughout more than a decade of lawsuits by relatives seeking damages and moral redress for the chain of mistakes that led to 62 deaths when a Yak-42 aircraft crashed into a mountainside near Trabzon, in Turkey.
Federico Trillo in a file photo in London. Isabel Infantes (Cordon Press)
The investigation found that half the bodies were misidentified, that the troops had been uninsured, and that most of the money budgeted for chartering flights had mysteriously vanished. Only two military officials were ever convicted, and later pardoned by the government.
But a damning report by the Council of State revealed last week by EL PAIS has changed the governments position on Trillo.
The only thing we want now is dignity thats our real war
Miguel Angel Sencianes, spokesman for victims families
On Thursday evening, the former defense minister called a press conference with the Spanish media in London with only a 30-minute warning to state that he would be leaving the embassy the following day.
But Trillo never once mentioned the Yak-42 case, instead framing the move as something that had been long planned.
I informed the government a long time ago about my intention to be relieved as ambassador to the UK, a position I have held for over four years, he said in a two-minute statement. In recent days I have asked for this to take place as soon as possible, so as not to interfere with the governments actions. It will happen tomorrow.
Although career diplomats have time limits on their ambassadorial appointments, politicians like Trillo do not, meaning that the government could have kept him in the post indefinitely.
The announcement came just hours after Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy openly backed the current defense minister, Maria Dolores de Cospedal, in her decision to accept the conclusions of the Council of States report. De Cospedal, also met with relatives to assure them that the PP government will show greater sensitivity to their plight from now on.
Trillo at the crash site in May 2003. EFE
When the report first came out, Rajoys reaction was to say that the crash happened years and years ago and that the case was closed.
But pressure has been mounting on Trillo ever since EL PAIS unveiled the contents of the report. In an unprecedented move, 13 retired ambassadors sent a letter to Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis asking for Trillo to be immediately removed from his post. And Jose Bono, Trillos successor at the Defense Ministry, recently unveiled details of how he was hampered in his efforts to investigate the crash further.
Miguel Angel Sencianes, president of the association that represents relatives of the Yak-42 victims, said that they are unhappy at the vague way in which Trillo announced his departure from the London embassy.
If he is really resigning, let him say it, instead of saying that he asked to be relieved a long time ago, said this spokesman. Lets see him assume political responsibility and lets see the government clear up whether he is being removed or relieved. We no longer have anything to win in this story, because weve already lost it all. The only thing we want now is dignity thats our real war. Let them assume responsibility and not frame it like something else. We cant take any more lies.
English version by Susana Urra.
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts maintains that the state can address its revenue shortfalls in the current and future state budgets, and still cut taxes.Ricketts, in his State of the State message Thursday called on lawmakers to pass a property tax overhaul, merge state agencies and approve incremental income tax cuts that would begin in 2019. On the property tax side, Ricketts wants to change how the state assesses property for taxation purposes.Ricketts says implementing the property assessment change in 2019 would give local governments and county assessors time to prepare for it. Ricketts also outlined an effort aimed at cutting state income taxes, by lowering the states top income tax bracket in increments anytime state revenue grows by more than 3.5 percent.
EXPANDED MEDICAID
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson
Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder
Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval
New Mexico Gov. Susanna Martinez
Ohio Gov. John Kasich
REJECTED EXPANSION
Florida Gov. Rick Scott
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker
In the early morning hours on Thursday, U.S. Senate Republicans jammed a provision through that will speed up the process of repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), President Obama's signature health reform law.Congressional Republicans voted to repeal Obamacare dozens of times throughout the last few years, but the threat of a presidential veto always stood in their way. With Donald Trump's election giving Republicans full control of Congress and the White House, though, the debate has largely become not whether Obamacare will be repealed -- but how quickly the law will be replaced and what will appear in its place.Of the 31 states that adopted one of Obamacare's biggest provisions, Medicaid expansion, 16 of them have Republican governors. If that provision isn't part of the replacement plan, states would likely lose millions of dollars in federal funding for health care. Even if Medicaid expansion is carried over into the new plan, millions of low-income people could lose health insurance if there's a gap between repealing and replacing the law.That puts many Republican governors, some of whom have long criticized the ACA, in a tough spot and for many, up against their Republican counterparts in Congress. On Thursday, GOP governors will discuss Medicaid with members of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee.In the meantime, heres a rundown of the Republican governors who, as of Friday morning, have been most outspoken about a potential repeal since the election. The list includes governors in states that expanded Medicaid as well as those in states that refused.Arizona is a red state that expanded Medicaid, but that isnt because of Ducey. His Republican predecessor Jan Brewer made it happen with a special session in 2014. Still, Ducey was one of the first GOP governors to urge Congress not to be hasty with a repeal.I dont want to see any Arizonan have the rug pulled out from underneath them in terms of changing this law, he said earlier this month.Ducey has called the ACA a "monumental failure," but 400,000 low-income people in his state now have health care because of it, and he said repealing the law without an immediate replacement is unacceptable.Like Ducey, Hutchinson inherited Medicaid expansion from his Democratic precedessor, Mike Beebe. He passed it through the legislature with the help of a federal waiver that lets recipients use Medicaid money to buy insurance in the private market.Since then, several other states adopted Arkansas' "private option" compromise. Now Hutchinson wants even more flexiblility, like the right to impose work requirements and drug tests on recipients.But, he's also asked Congress to keep the current amount of federal funds for Medicaid expansion in place.Bevins current stance on Obamacare is surprising, considering his 2015 campaign hinged on repealing Medicaid expansion in his state.Earlier this month, he expressed reservations about Congress repealing the ACA without an immediate replacement. Speaking to Fox News, he said that a replacement should come the "same day" as repeal.It's unfortunate, but I think that may be the reality. Whether people like it or not, reality does have to come in to play.Despite his campaign promises, Bevin didnt touch Medicaid expansion -- likely because it made more than 600,000 Kentuckians newly eligible for health care.Under the leadership of former GOP Gov. Mitt Romney, Massachusetts created what became the blueprint for the Affordable Care Act. The state now has the nation's highest insured rate, at 97 percent, and Baker appears to be protecting the legacy that his state helped to create.On Wednesday, Baker wrote a letter to Congressional Republicans, urging them not to shift more health-care costs back to states and to consider the impact the law has had on Medicaid because it is "an important safety net."Like Baker, Snyder is also advocating for Congress to keep Medicaid expansion.I hope they carefully look at the success weve had in Michigan, because we didnt just do Medicaid expansion, he toldin December.Michigan expanded Medicaid through a special waiver that allows the state to charge some recipients income-based premiums. Since its launch in 2014, more than 600,000 residents have enrolled in the program. Congressional Republicans will almost certainly retain, if not increase, the flexibility that states have to operate Medicaid -- something Snyder likes.Sandoval was the first Republican governor to go all-in on Medicaid expansion, and 90,000 residents have gotten coverage because of it. In a letter to Congressional Republicans this month, he warned of the consequences of repealing Obamacare without a replacement plan in place.In December, it was reported that Martinez, along with the states insurance superintendent, sent a letter to Congressional Republicans urging them not to repeal the ACA. However, it eventually came to light that the letter was a draft that neither of them saw.After that, Martinez -- who expanded Medicaid relatively early, in 2013 -- doubled down:The governor opposes Obamacare and believes it needs to be replaced with a system that doesnt hurt small businesses and doesnt raise premiums on our families," according to her spokesperson.The former presidential candidate, who was the only GOP candidate to support Medicaid expansion, has been perhaps the most vocal about keeping certain aspects of the law in place -- at least until there's a replacement.Theres room for improvement, but to repeal and not to replace, I just want to know whats going to happen to all these people who find themselves left out in the cold, he told reporters earlier this month.More than 700,000 Ohioans received coverage under the expansion, which Kasich enacted without the support of his legislature.Scott, one of Trump's earliest backers, has been one of the most vocal supporters of repealing Obamacare.He met with President-elect Trump and Health and Human Services Department nominee Tom Price in December where he said he was excited to finally have an ally in the White House on health care. Earlier this month, he penned a letter to House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy urging Congress to repeal Obamacare as soon as possible.For far too long, it has been fashionable in Washington to say Obamacare can only be tweaked, wrote Scott.While he didnt address the gap if the law is repealed without an immediate replacement, he said he wants more flexibility with state Medicaid programs, the requirement to have health insurance removed and more cross-state insurance plans.Utah didn't expand Medicaid, but that's not because Herbert didn't want to. He pushed hard for it and helped craft a compromise that would have required federal approval. But before it made it to the feds, the legislature voted it down.Herbert hasn't said much about expansion since then, but he has voiced support for Medicaid block grants, which would let states use Medicaid money virtually however they want and has the support of Trump.Walker has remained steadfast in his opposition to the Affordable Care Act, and he wants Congress to repeal it quickly -- but smartly.He has proposed a wind-down period with a proper amount of time to transition people from the current program to a market-driven system, he wrote in a letter to McCarthy.Like Herbert, he also expressed enthusiasm for the idea of Medicaid block grants, explaining that sending funding for Medicaid back to the states will ensure that the program is more effective, more efficient and more accountable to the people.
On his first day in office, Indianas new Republican governor, Eric Holcomb, signed an executive order creating a new state-level position to coordinate anti-drug efforts, a move at least two other states made last year to turn back the rising tide of opioid addiction.The person Holcomb tapped for the post, Jim McClelland, former CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana, will coordinate the drug-related activities of nine state agencies. McClelland also will gauge the impact of state programs designed to reduce addiction, a huge and growing problem in Indiana.At least two other states, Idaho and New Hampshire, created similar posts last year, and a gubernatorial transition team in West Virginia is recommending that incoming Democratic Gov. Jim Justice create a similar executive-level job. Huntington, West Virginia, the states hardest hit city, created a citywide drug czar position in 2015.As the opioid epidemic expands, states and cities are attacking the problem on multiple fronts, including law enforcement, public health, emergency response and treatment. States also are creating registries to prevent patients from receiving opioid painkillers from more than one doctor, and working with the medical community to set safer guidelines for prescribing the highly addictive drugs."Since 1999, Indiana has seen a 500 percent increase in drug overdose deaths. This is an epidemic tragically affecting Hoosiers from every walk of life in every part of our state," Holcomb said. "This new position will provide the urgent and concerted attention required to effectively reduce the impact drug addiction is having on families, individuals and children."
Gov. John Hickenlooper likely had to rewrite the State of the State speech he delivered Thursday, or at least rethink it. He surely thought he would be addressing a Legislature controlled by Democrats working in concert with a Clinton administration in Washington. Things didnt turn out that way.Instead, the governor as speaking to the same kind of Legislature he spoke to last year a divided Legislature where Democrats control the House and Republicans control the Senate. So he delivered a speech similar to the one he delivered last year. At nearly every turn, he lamented the lack of money lawmakers have to spend on core services in the state, including education and health care, and on long-overdue updates to the states transportation and communication infrastructures.It was a speech designed to sell members of the public and special interests lever-pullers, hoping they might apply just the right amount of pressure on Senate Republican leaders to bring change. It included a steady mix of familiar Hickenlooper persuasion techniques. There were folksy laugh lines and Quaker-inflected requests for relatively modest investments aimed at making great improvements for those most in need.Weve had this debate for too long, he said. If talk could fill potholes, wed have the best roads in the country.
Marion Hammers phone rang as news bulletins reported that five tourists were shot to death at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.The longtime Florida gun lobbyist said a friend told her that the Jan. 6 shootings probably ended any chance of the Legislatures passing a law to allow licensed gun owners to carry weapons in airport common areas.But Hammer said the shooting helped her cause, proving that more guns in places like airports were needed.That rationale will find a lot of support from Republican legislators in the 2017 session.Hammer has a powerful ally in House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land OLakes, who said gun-free zones that leave people defenseless are dangerous.If law-abiding citizens could carry a gun to a baggage claim, Corcoran said, I think youre going to see gun violence rapidly decline. So why dont we do that for a change? The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.The National Rifle Association has tried for years, without success, to eliminate gun-free zones at schools, colleges campuses and common areas of airports. Those proposals failed last year but will be back in March, despite opposition from airport directors and sheriffs across the state.The gun lobby and the Legislature have been allies for a long time, and no level of gun violence in the state appears likely to affect their relationship.The Republicans dominance of state politics, now entering its third decade, has helped the NRA tighten its grip on a Legislature where the organizations A-plus rating is coveted by candidates. The rating is political insurance for Republicans who fear being challenged from the right on issues of gun rights.Other factors working to the NRAs benefit are Floridas rural pro-gun heritage; the growing popularity of concealed weapon licenses, now held by nearly 1 in 10 residents; and a lack of two-party competition in legislative elections. Districts drawn to favor the party in power have left Democratic legislators clustered mostly in major cities and almost invisible elsewhere.Gov. Rick Scott, who opposes new gun restrictions, repeatedly cites the drop in violent crime as proof that existing laws are effective.
Call it a new form of NIMBYism. Back in 2010, plans for the so-called Ground Zero mosque, an Islamic cultural center a couple of blocks from the World Trade Center site in New York City, triggered a nationwide furor. In the face of controversy, condos went up instead of a cultural center.Today, controversies over building mosques and other Muslim centers continue around the country. They aren't getting much national attention, but debates at the local level have led to expensive lawsuits -- some from the U.S. Department of Justice -- against cities for alleged religious discrimination.On New Year's Eve, federal District Court Judge Michael Shipp ruled that the township of Bernards, N.J., had discriminated against a local Islamic society that has been seeking to build a mosque. The township "unambiguously treated [the] application to build a Muslim mosque differently than applications for Christian churches and Jewish synagogues," wrote Shipp. That, he concluded, "reflects sufficient intent to discriminate on the basis of religion."Christian groups, including the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention and the National Association of Evangelicals, signed an amicus brief in support of the Islamic group's position.But the main legal ally for Muslims in this case, and some others like it, has been the Justice Department. Outside of New Jersey, the feds have also brought their own lawsuits against two cities in Michigan -- Sterling Heights and Pittsfield Township -- that refused permission for mosques or Islamic schools.Islamic groups, however, are concerned that the new administration will no longer be a sympathetic ally. President-elect Donald Trump -- who campaigned on pledges to create a Muslim registry and ban them from entering the country -- enters the White House next Friday."As far as the impact of a new attorney general at the Justice Department, it could make a big difference in the way things are handled," said Jim Sues, executive director of the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "It's not a difference I would look forward to at all."Confirmation hearings for Trump's nominee for U.S. attorney general, U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, ended Wednesday. During the two days of questioning, Sessions said he "[does] not support the idea that Muslims, as a religious group, should be denied admission to the United States." But he also said he supports extreme vetting of immigrants that may take a person's religious beliefs into account. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Sessions is a " champion of anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant extremists. The lawsuits from the Obama Justice Department and Islamic groups allege that municipalities stand in violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, a federal law enacted in 2000 that bars discrimination against individuals and religious organizations in zoning and land-use laws.Bernards Township and other cities typically argue that they have rejected mosques or other Islamic sites due to concerns about traffic or parking. But proposed mosques have triggered outrage in some communities. Planning or zoning board meetings sometimes turn angry, with neighbors showing up to complain.At a city council hearing in Sterling Heights in 2015, resident Saad Antoun held up a picture of a woman wearing a niqab, a veil for the face. "This mosque is going to bring ... people like this," said Antoun, according to the. "This is scary and disgusting. Please stop the mosque."Community opposition can be strong even when zoning or planning boards appear sympathetic to mosques or other Islamic building projects, said Sues. There appears to be no rhyme or reason, he said, as to why some attract ardent opposition while others sail through without controversy.The one thing that is clear is that when local decisions trigger lawsuits, it's expensive for everybody. Municipalities often have to hire pricey outside legal counsel, and the same can be true for Islamic groups."It's cost them a great deal of time and money," said Sues. "It has been a significant drain."Bernards Township, for example, has retained the services of the venerable Connecticut-based firm Robinson and Cole. The township committee and planning board will hold a meeting on Jan. 17 to consider a response to the New York's Eve ruling, which could include an appeal.
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GIS 13 January, 2017: A second batch of 24 co-operators, mostly from the Belle Mare Water Users Multipurpose Co-operative society is leaving Mauritius for New Delhi, India on 28 January 2017 for training and a study tour named Exposure Visit for Farmers of Mauritius. A second batch of 24 co-operators, mostly from the Belle Mare Water Users Multipurpose Co-operative society is leaving Mauritius for New Delhi, India on 28 January 2017 for training and a study tour named
The objective of the training is to enable the Mauritian participants to get more exposure to the latest techniques practiced in India for the cultivation of onions, potatoes and vegetables.
The Minister of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives, Mr Soomilduth Bholah met the 24 co-operators yesterday in Belle Mare. In his speech, he outlined that through this training, organised by the National Co-operative Union of India in collaboration with The Mauritius Co-operative Union Ltd and the National Centre for Co-operative Education, the participants will learn more about the Co-operative societies in India and also about the cultivation practices currently adopted there. He added that these practices could eventually be adopted in Mauritius.
Description
GIS - 13 January, 2017: The Government of Senegal has solicited the support of Mauritius for its candidature to head the African Union Commission (AU). The Government of Senegal has solicited the support of Mauritius for its candidature to head the African Union Commission (AU).
In this context, a delegation from Senegal led by Mr Abdou Latif Coullbaly, Special Envoy of the President of Senegal and Minister, General Secretary of the Government of Senegal paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, this afternoon at the New Treasury Building in Port Louis.
In a statement, Mr Abdou Latif Coullbaly, spoke of the friendly relations that exist between Senegal and Mauritius since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1968. He further announced that the candidature of Professor Abdoulaye Bathily has been retained for the African Union Chairmanship elections to be held this month. According to him, Professor Abdoulaye Bathily, has the right profile to stand as candidate at the head of the AU owing to his vast experience in politics and also for serving in international organisations such as the United Nations.
Mr Coullbaly, expressed confidence for the full support of the Mauritian Prime Minister and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius in favour of the candidate from Senegal owing to the strong relation of kinship between the two countries.
(TNS) -- KENNEBUNK, N.H -- The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday held a public hearing on a proposed park use ordinance, which includes regulations on the use of drones in all 20 of the town-owned parks.Bill Lord, of Cape Porpoise, owner of Maine HDTV an aerial photography business using drone technology, told the board that he thought the ordinance should regulate the take off and landing of drones in public parks. The Federal Aviation Administration governs the air space, so drones would be able to fly over public parks, but under the proposed ordinance they would not be able to land or take off within a town park,without authorization. The proposed ordinance currently reads, "Drones shall not be allowed for use in Town parks or facilities without authorization from the Parks and Recreation Director."Lord, who has a pilot's license, said that a lot of drones were found under the Christmas tree this year and use should be encouraged, but regulated."There may be a future John Glenn in those now interested in drones," Lord said. "My goal is to encourage the next John Glenn."Lord said just like the skateboarders who used to skate down the sidewalks on Main Street until the town built a skate park, drone users need to be given a place to fly their drones at a time and place the public is aware of."Maybe it's in a field portion of a park, or at the beach in the winter time or something like that," Lord said.Lord said drone racing is an up and coming new sport, and putting an affirmative statement in the ordinance acknowledges the enthusiasm of young people while creating some rules for the use of drones on town property.Town Manager Mike Pardue suggested that the board consider Lord's suggestions, adding wording regulating take-offs and landings within town parks, "with the caveat that we use policy to govern. We can use a policy that we can amend if we find that it's not working rather than coming back and trying to change an ordinance."The proposed ordinance will be amended and brought back before the board at the Jan. 24 meeting.
Mexico has entered a new political cycle. While US president-elect Donald Trump is ramping up economic pressure on the country, the economy has stagnated, the currency is in free fall, violence related to the drug trade refuses to go away, and domestic unrest over issues including a hike in gas prices continues to be a fact of life.
A man in Mexico City protests against a recent hike in gas prices. E.C.
More information La inteligencia de EE UU alerta de la inestabilidad en Mexico
In this context, Mexican voters could take a left turn once the current president, the deeply unpopular Enrique Pena Nieto, finishes his current and final term, according to a new report from the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence, a bureau set up in the wake of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York to coordinate the operations of the countrys secret service agencies.
With presidential elections in 2018 and Pena Nieto limited to one term, voters may lean toward a more leftist opposition that pushes to roll back reforms and trade deals if reforms do not reduce Mexicos stark economic divide, the offices latest Global Trends report states in a clear allusion to Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and his left-wing National Regeneration Movement, also known as Morena.
Anti-government protests in Mexico could escalate if wealth is not shared more equally, US intelligence services warn
The report stresses high levels of public frustration in the North American region, including Mexico, because uncertainty about economic conditions and social changes is rising at the same time that trust in most governments is declining.
While the reports authors applaud the reform efforts of Pena Nietos administration in key industries, as well as hard-fought changes to the education system, in its bid to boost the countrys competitiveness, they note that growth has been subdued and reforms carried out will probably have muted political impact within the country and region.
Antigovernment protests could escalate if the disappointments remain more apparent than the benefits in the next several years, the report states.
In this context, US intelligence services also warn about the need to pay special attention to the anti-immigrant sentiment displayed during the US election campaign. Without mentioning Donald Trump by name, the analysts behind the report note the campaign fueled public resentment in Mexico, which could feed into Mexicos presidential election in 2018.
During the US presidential elections, Trump warned he would build a wall along the US-Mexico border and announced plans for the mass deportation of up to three million undocumented Mexican migrants who have committed crimes. He also threatened to renegotiate the critical North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) or even scrap the trade deal altogether.
With presidential elections in 2018 and Pena Nieto limited to one term, voters may lean toward a more leftist opposition Global Trends report
Addressing this possibility, the Global Trends report states: If more protectionist sentiment takes root in the next several years, particularly in the United States and Mexico, the future of trade in the region could be in play.
In this atmosphere, an economic downturn in the region could drive some political leaders to take a harder line on trade to reassure publics, even thoughas generally agreed among economiststechnology and automation have been more important factors in job losses and flat wages and are likely to remain so over the coming years, the reports authors state.
English version by George Mills.
(TNS) -- LOS ANGELES Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell said Thursday, Jan. 12, that his agency will begin deploying an unmanned aerial device to aid deputies responding to arson scenes, suspected bombs and hostage situations, but he promised the device would not be used to surveil residents.The use or attempted use of drones by law enforcement elsewhere has come under fire from privacy and civil liberty advocates, and McDonnell and other agency officials avoided using the word drone during a 20-minute news conference unveiling the departments latest technological addition.Instead, the sheriff praised the $10,000 device as a useful tool that can give deputies a life-saving advantage in potentially deadly situations.The dangers of law enforcement can never be eliminated, he said. However, this technology can assist us in reducing the impact of risks on personnel.A forgotten mortgage stimulus program that was passed by Obama to help the middle class Americans reduce their monthly payments by as much as $4,264 each year.Eight deputies have been trained to fly the device, according to Capt. Jack Ewell of the departments special operations bureau. The device can remain in the air for 20 minutes and fly up to a mile from the deputy controlling it; but under Federal Aviation Administration rules, Sheriffs Department personnel must maintain visual contact with the device while flying it, Ewell said.McDonnell said the drone could provide deputies with critical information from previously inaccessible vantage points when dealing with a barricaded suspect or searching for a missing person lost in treacherous terrain, such as a canyon pass.The FAA has issued 300 certificates of authorization to U.S. law enforcement agencies, allowing them to use similar devices, according to McDonnell. Thirty such certificates have been issued in California, he said.Under the agreement, sheriffs officials have to notify the FAA anytime the drone is airborne, and provide information about where it will be flying and for what purpose, Ewell said. The Sheriffs Department had to submit a list of tasks the drone would be used for, and that list does not include surveillance, according to Ewell.The (unmanned aircraft system) will not be used to spy on the public, McDonnell said, repeating the promise several times. Our policy forbids using (it) for random surveillance.Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the FAA, said any agreement between his agency and the Sheriffs Department would not actually govern how police use the device.We dont prohibit the type of flight activity that a law enforcement agency conducts, he said via email. We do have limitations on the conditions under which a drone can fly.Civil liberties advocates and local activists have long expressed concern that police might use drones to conduct warrantless surveillance. A bill that would have required police in California to obtain a court order before using drones for surveillance was vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown in September 2014, a decision that came after concerns were raised about a plan by the Los Angeles Police Department to use drones.Protesters descended on City Hall after the LAPD announced it had received two drones from the Seattle Police Department, which itself chose not to employ the devices in response to public criticism.Since then, the devices have gone unused and remain in the office of the LAPDs inspector general, according to Capt. Andy Neiman, the departments chief spokesman.There have been no discussions about deploying the drones in the near future, but Neiman said they could prove extremely useful to officers when dealing with heavily armed suspects.He pointed to the hunt for the husband and wife who carried out the 2015 San Bernardino terror attack as a prime example of a situation where drones could have helped officers. After a gunbattle with the attackers, law enforcement officers had to risk their lives by approaching the couples car to confirm whether they were dead or still posed a threat.Rather than sending live human beings up to see what they were doing in their vehicle, you could have sent a drone up there to see what their status was, he said. Are they armed? Do they have a bomb on them?The Sheriffs Department has been criticized for large-scale surveillance in the past. In 2012, a single-engine aircraft spent nine days circling Compton, recording low-resolution images of the city. Compton officials were not notified of the surveillance, and when the program came to light in 2014, several residents, including Mayor Aja Brown, expressed dismay.Adam Schwartz, a senior staff attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation in San Francisco, criticized the Sheriffs Department for not holding a public meeting on the use of the drone before deciding to employ it.What we see here is a unilateral decision of police executives as opposed to the community as a whole, he said. We think the process here is upside down.He also expressed concern about potential mission creep in the departments use of drones. Law enforcements use of the technology, he said, can become more invasive over time to include such activities as monitoring protests, which could have a chilling effect on free speech.Weve heard a million times that a tool is acquired to do one thing, and then its used to do the next thing, Schwartz said. We are very concerned that whatever the rules are now, with the stroke of a pen, they get deployed to some new and more disturbing purpose.
Donington might once again be in the running as a potential alternative venue for the British grand prix.
With Silverstone chiefs considering exiting the iconic track's contract with Bernie Ecclestone, we reported last week that Donington said it has "no intention of bidding for the British grand prix".
And track director Christopher Tate was quoted by the Spanish daily Marca: "We are not interested in developing the circuit for high-speed cars. That would completely change Donington Park."
However, it has subsequently emerged that Jonathan Palmer, a former F1 driver and father of Renault racer Jolyon, has signed to take over Donington.
Palmer's company Motorsport Vision owns several other British circuits, and in a statement he vowed to plough in "investment" for a "great new era" at Donington, including "some exciting new events".
"Would he (Palmer) be up for seeing his son race in an F1 car at Donington?" a report in the local Derby Telegraph newspaper wondered.
(GMM)
Manor has just a single week to avoid collapse, according to sources close to the embattled F1 backmarker.
One week ago, the British outfit was placed into administration, after talks with a potential investor fell through.
The administrator, FRP Advisory, said there is only a "very limited window of opportunity" for a new rescue solution to be found.
Now, the Finnish broadcaster MTV claims that window will close in exactly one week, on Friday, 20 October.
"The 2017 car is said to be ready for production at the Banbury factory," the report added.
"But a source close to the team told us that a new investor must be found by 20 January. Otherwise, the fate of the Manor team will be sealed," MTV said.
(GMM)
Team boss Gunther Steiner has dismissed a stinging attack on Kevin Magnussen, who is Haas' new recruit for 2017.
Magnussen is moving to the American team from Renault, whose Cyril Abiteboul this week said the Danish driver "stood still" while wearing yellow last season.
"Personally, I was disappointed in Magnussen, for his performances and his behaviour," the Renault boss told Auto Hebdo.
"Kevin is a talented driver, but he lacks discipline. Also, he tries all too often to make excuses."
When asked about Abiteboul's attack, Haas team boss Steiner dismissed the remarks.
"Kevin is a respected race car driver, and I must emphasise that," he is quoted by the Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet. "We are all looking forward to working with him."
The Danish press also defended Magnussen, with the correspondent for BT newspaper, Peter Nygaard, speculating that Abiteboul is angry with Magnussen for other reasons.
"If Abiteboul is upset about Kevin suggesting that the Renault management were not singing from the same song sheet, that's ridiculous. Because it's precisely for that reason that Frederic Vasseur has left the team," he said.
(GMM)
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Ameriabank: At the Vanguard of Armenia's Banking Sector
STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH
SUBSCRIBERS OF UCOMS ALL TIME BEST OFFER TO ENJOY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders
PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijans armed forces
There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan
Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia
Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair
Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan
I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General
I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox
UCOMS SPECIAL OFFER OF THE UNLIMITED INTERNET IS NOW TERMLESS
There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur
EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol Armenia and Azerbaijan to do so without delay
An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan".
UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT
Google Ad
The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022
Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully
The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces
LEVEL UP ONLY FOR STUDENTS: UCOM OFFERS X2 AND X3 MORE INTERNET
STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN
This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan
Nikol Pashinyan, Nancy Pelosi discuss a number of issues related to the Armenian-American agenda and regional developments
Delegation by Nancy Pelosi Accompanied by Alen Simonyan Visits Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex
Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi Arrives in Yerevan
Armenian Revytech, global technology leader SAP and financial services software specialist SAP Fioneer sign a cooperation agreement
With 120 million drams donated by Mikael Vardanyan, the defenders of the homeland will be treated in a new building
OSCE Chairman-in-Office and OSCE Secretary General call for immediate cessation of hostilities along Armenia-Azerbaijan border
Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh
Can discussions between HAK and Khachatur Sukiasyan become a bridge between HAK and CC? (video)
On January 15, the Civil Contract party will hold a vote to decide the order of candidates on its party list. The list will be presented to the Yelk alliance. I cannot recall such a precedent when party list voting was applied in Armenia. For the first time, the proportional list of a political party will be determined by the rating of candidates. It means voters will choose individual candidates from the list provided by each party and every political party is free to decide the order of its candidates, says Arayik Harutyunyan, a member of the Civil Contract party. A total of 35 members of the party have expressed desire to participate in the preferential voting. Arayik Harutyunyan will be nominated in the constituency of Malatia-Sebastia and Shengavit districts. His main contenders will probably be Heghine Bisharyan (Armenian Revival Party-HVK) and Samvel Alexanyan (Republican Party of Armenia-HHK). We shall pay attention to these candidates and their mode of actions during the election campaign. The decision of voters in fact depends on our actions; they will vote for those candidates whom they consider to be true oppositionists. In case of Heghine Bisharyan and the party she represents, I can say that people know where they come from, what they have done until now, when they were in power and what they did when they were in power, Arayik Harutyunyan said. During the election campaign, the Civil Contract will take into consideration the peculiarities of each and every constituency. We will have good chances if we offer definite solutions and make our voice heard by voters, at the same time not excluding the criticisms of our opponents. The Yelk alliance continues discussions with other political forces with the exception of the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party (SDHK). Cooperation with this political force as an ally is not under discussion, considering the fact that they once cooperated with the authorities, as well as the ideological difference between us. Discussions between the Armenian National Congress (HAK) and businessman Khachatur Sukiasyan continue. The Civil Contract is on good terms with the businessman. When asked whether the positive outcome of the discussions can become a bridge between the HAK and CC, Mr. Harutyunyan said, Only after I see certainty in the relations between the HAK and Khachatur Sukiasyan shall I be able to answer your question. Some members of the Civil Contract stand well with Khachatur Sukiasyan, yet it does not mean that these relations should develop into political cooperation or prevent that cooperation. Alen Simonyan, another member of the Civil Contract, will be nominated in Constituency N4 which represents Kentron, Nork-Marash, Erebuni and Nubarashen districts.
Ameriabank: At the Vanguard of Armenia's Banking Sector
STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARTSAKH
SUBSCRIBERS OF UCOMS ALL TIME BEST OFFER TO ENJOY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders
Google Ad
PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijans armed forces
There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan
Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia
Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair
Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan
I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General
I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox
UCOMS SPECIAL OFFER OF THE UNLIMITED INTERNET IS NOW TERMLESS
There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur
EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol Armenia and Azerbaijan to do so without delay
An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan".
UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT
Google Ad
The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022
Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully
The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces
LEVEL UP ONLY FOR STUDENTS: UCOM OFFERS X2 AND X3 MORE INTERNET
STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN
This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan
Nikol Pashinyan, Nancy Pelosi discuss a number of issues related to the Armenian-American agenda and regional developments
Delegation by Nancy Pelosi Accompanied by Alen Simonyan Visits Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex
Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi Arrives in Yerevan
Armenian Revytech, global technology leader SAP and financial services software specialist SAP Fioneer sign a cooperation agreement
With 120 million drams donated by Mikael Vardanyan, the defenders of the homeland will be treated in a new building
OSCE Chairman-in-Office and OSCE Secretary General call for immediate cessation of hostilities along Armenia-Azerbaijan border
Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh
A sudden termination of an agreement between Castle Rock Hospital District and Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County has left administrators at CRHD surprised.
The affiliation was terminated without cause, CRHD CEO Bailie Dockter said in a media release. We were surprised by the news, as (MHSC) had never informed us of any dissatisfaction with the affiliation. Because of our commitment to patients, we would have promptly and conscientiously addressed any the hospitals concerns.
The agreement allowed specialty providers at MHSC to host visit patients at CDHDs clinic and p...
A Rock Springs City Councilman believes increased internet shopping has resulted in sales tax declines seen in both Green River and Rock Springs.
David Halter, a councilman who works as the information technology director for the Sweetwater County Combined Communication Joint Powers Board, said sales tax revenue, which has declined in Sweetwater County for the past several years, has fallen partly due to the oil and gas industry not making large purchases within the county. However, Halter also believes increases in online commerce has also cut into the amount of sales tax generated for mun...
Anyone facing a hospital stay for themselves or a family member should look at new data the government released right before Christmas showing that it penalized 769 of the nations hospitals for having high rates of patient injuries. The monetary penalties a reduction for the year in their reimbursement for treating Medicare patients do bite. Larger teaching hospitals could lose as much as $1 million or more.
This is the third year the government has penalized hospitals in an effort to prevent avoidable patient deaths in hospitals, which emerged as a big issue about 18 years ago....
Demonstrators demand to return children to their mother (video)
A group of demonstrators gathered outside the Court of Cassation on Friday to demand punishment for Borik Grigoryan, a judge of Lori marz, for the decision he ruled against Lusine Ghabuzyan, a mother of five children. Lusine Ghabuzyan petitioned for divorce after being subjected to domestic violence but her husband allowed her to take only three of the children. When Lusine applied to the court, the judge [Borik Grigoryan] decided to hold a sitting without the parties and deprived Lusine of parental rights, Hasmik Gevorgyan, a member of the Women's Support Centre NGO, told A1+. Last December, Lusine went to the school where her children study without her husbands knowledge. The children asked the mother to take them with her. The five children are now under her care, but Lusine has to hide because there is a risk of being subjected to violence by her husband. On the other hand, there is the illegal decision of the judge, lawyer Nona Galstyan. The demonstrators have addressed a letter to the Armenian Prime Minister, Ombudsman and Ministry of Justice with a request to punish the judge and invalidate the decision.
The Sweetwater County Library is hosting an exhibit of watercolor paintings by Green River resident Sandra Banks from now through the end of February.
Watercolor Retrospective is 25 original watercolor paintings which include a variety of sizes and subjects landscapes such as Jenny Lake and Green River, flowers, birds, still life and Chinese style brushwork.
Banks has been interested in art throughout her life and at the age of 15, took a short correspondence course through the mail with Chicago School of Art.
Do you remember matchbooks that said Draw me? Well, I did, a...
WINSTON-SALEM Corey Brown didnt stop to think about why flames were shooting out of the bottom of a portable kerosene heater in his living room.
He just knew he had to put them out.
The fire was on my shoes and looked like it was coming up my leg, Brown said Thursday afternoon. I just picked (the heater) up and carried it outside. I had to do something.
He suffered small burns on his palms Wednesday night from where the handle had heated up, and a spot in the living room floor of the familys house on Doris Street was charred black. Other than Brown, his mother, Jackie Copeland, and sister, London Copeland, were OK.
So lucky, Jackie Copeland said.
Their house and one other a few blocks away on Lansing Drive had small fires this week, sparked by a kerosene and gasoline mix-up at the pumps at the Akron Market Citgo on Glenn Avenue.
Someone filled a tank that was supposed to hold kerosene with gasoline, said Division Chief Sandy Shepherd of the Winston-Salem Fire Department, and at least six customers bought gasoline thinking it was kerosene. So far, thats led to two fires this week including the one on Doris Street.
Authorities have identified three of the people who bought the gasoline. The Winston-Salem Fire Department was trying Thursday to notify anyone who might have purchased the fuel.
Shepherd said Petroleum Transport Company delivered the fuel to the convenience store at 2 a.m. Jan. 2.
According to state officials, Petroleum Transport put 1,000 gallons of gasoline into the underground storage tanker for kerosene.
Marcus Helfrich, motor fuels inspection manager for the N.C. Department of Agriculture, said the tanker has been emptied and cleaned out.
It is rare to see gasoline in kerosene, Helfrich said. There have been nine incidents between 2003 and 2016 in which gasoline was accidentally dumped into a kerosene tanker, Helfrich said. In five of those, customers had bought the faulty fuel, but no fires resulted from the mix-up, he said.
Helfrich said typically, whoever makes such an error would use insurance to pay any damages. There wouldnt be any criminal charges unless investigators found evidence the mix-up was done maliciously, he said.
John Barr, field safety manager for Petroleum Transport, referred questions about the mix-up to Jay Boaz, the companys chief operating officer. Boaz could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Ray Cole, and his mother, Frances Cole, who live at 5029 Lansing Drive, put out a fire that started in their kerosene heater Monday. The family started using the heater after their furnace stopped working.
On Monday morning, Ray Cole bought five gallons of fuel at the Akron Market. He used that fuel in the kerosene heater, which caught fire in a hallway between three bedrooms.
It first started smoking, Ray Cole said of the heater. (The fire) just came up.
Frances Cole was reading a newspaper. When she said saw the flames, she got some water from the kitchen to douse the fire.
Ray Cole initially tried to stomp on the flames to put them out.
I was not going out without a fight, and not with my mom in the house, he said.
The fire caused about $800 in damage to their home but no one was injured, the Coles said. The heater was destroyed and the carpet must be replaced, they said.
The Coles didnt immediately report the fire to the Winston-Salem Fire Department. Frances Cole called the fire department Thursday morning, after her son story a news report about the fuel mix-up.
Cole said he spoke to a representative of the Petroleum Transport on Thursday. Cole said the representative told him the company would pay for the damage caused by the fire.
I just glad that we are safe, Frances Cole said. Im still nervous.
Even Bill Clinton conceded Obamacare is a disaster. Regardless of what Obama and the left believe, they are not smarter than our founders. For a free, constitutional country with a Bill of Rights to protect citizens against the federal government, Obamacare is all wrong!
It incentivizes dependency and entitlement over self-sufficiency, takes free choice from citizens and replaces it with government mandates, meddles in business affairs, mandates fringe benefits, stands between patients and their doctors and causes a shortage of primary care physicians and local hospitals to close their doors. The entire health care system and populace were turned upside down for a government-controlled system that helps less than 7 percent of the population. Its all wrong!
In a Constitution of enumerated powers, nowhere does it grant government the right to dictate to businesses, doctors or citizens. It was created on un-American socialist/communist principles of redistribution of wealth and government control of businesses and services. Its all wrong!
The left sees goodness in violating rights to property, freedom of religion and religious conscience, free-market principles and constitutionally enumerated powers. Yes, you guessed it theyre all wrong! Obamacare must be repealed!
Janice Wangard
Ruffin
Pat McCrory quietly added another page to his puzzling record as governor Dec. 30 when he signed a commutation order for Janet Danahey.
The imprisoned womans supporters hoped the outgoing governor would reduce her life sentence to time served 15 years essentially letting her go free. Instead, he granted her eligibility for parole on Jan. 1, 2029.
Twelve more years is a long time for her to have to wait to be considered eligible for parole, Danaheys Greensboro attorney, Locke Clifford, said in a statement written Tuesday.
Clifford nevertheless praised McCrory for his integrity to do what is right in this challenging matter.
Did he do what was right? The commutation order doesnt explain his reasoning. He made no public statement. He simply signed a piece of paper that provides a hope for Danahey of eventual release but pushes a real decision far into the future.
Danahey was 23 in February 2002 when she set fire to a futon outside a former boyfriends apartment near UNC-Greensboro in the middle of the night as a prank, she said. She claimed she didnt know the fire was spreading and would burn down the Campus Walk apartment building and kill four people, all in their early to mid-20s.
Later that year, she pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Danahey said, and theres no reason to doubt, that she didnt mean to take anyones life. Yet, her willful actions led to exactly that tragic result. Prosecutors and the court did what was required under the law.
She applied for executive clemency during the final year of Gov. Bev Perdues term in 2012. Perdue did not grant it. Another petition was filed last year.
Danahey had an important supporter in Bob Harris, father of one of the Campus Walk victims, Elizabeth Harris. His daughter was 20 when she died. As a Christian, he said Tuesday, I have to forgive Janet.
He referred to the forgiveness extended to Dylann Roof, who murdered nine people at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., in 2015, by some family members of the slain.
The families of the Charleston victims have more courage than I have because those were intentional killings, Harris said.
Harris said he urged McCrory to commute Danaheys sentence to time served, and he believed thats what McCrory would do until the governor heard from opponents of clemency.
Not all members of Harris own family, or relatives of Danaheys other victims, agree that her sentence should be reduced.
It would be helpful for everyone, including the Greensboro community, to hear an explanation from McCrory about his decision, but that isnt likely to happen. It was characteristic of McCrory, as governor, to act for inexplicable reasons.
What next? Barring a clemency action by Gov. Roy Cooper or a future governor to release Danahey before 2029, she will be eligible only for parole consideration on the first day of that year. She must maintain general good behavior in prison until then as any inmate would to be granted parole. And there is no guarantee. Interested parties can speak for or against her release. The parole commission will weigh the gravity of the crime and Danaheys potential for leading a positive life outside prison.
By that time, she will be 50 years old about the age her victims would be. Their families must feel the loss every day. The four deaths demand justice, but justice sometimes should be tempered by mercy.
The day might come when it is clearly the right thing to release a woman who made a terrible, foolish mistake many years in the past. That determination will require wisdom, courage and an element of mercy.
GREENWICH The parents of Bart Palosz, the 15-year-old boy who committed suicide after the first day of his sophomore year at Greenwich High School, are offering to reach a settlement with the town administration in a wrongful death lawsuit for $7.5 million.
Palosz fatally shot himself in the head at his home in 2013. A lawsuit filed in 2015 by Anna and Franciszek Palosz claims his death was the result of years of bullying that school officials ignored.
Following a standard practice in civil litigation in Connecticut, the lawyers representing the Palosz family put forward a settlement figure on Wednesday, an offer of compromise. The town has 30 days to respond to the offer, a legal mechanism aimed at avoiding lengthy litigation.
Theres an incentive for the courts to settle. And theres an incentive for the defendants and the plaintiffs to settle through an offer of compromise. The plaintiffs have to put down a number thats reasonable, said John Wayne Fox, the town attorney.
Fox said there are a number of legal questions about the lawsuit that are still pending, which could affect its long-term outcome. There are a series of motions that have yet to be decided, about the jurisdiction, the claims involved and immunity from litigation, he said.
The offer of compromise will be discussed internally among the relevant town boards, including the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Estimate and Taxation and the Representative Town Meetings Claims Committee.
The case could still go to trial, or it could go through a mediation process or reach a settlement out of court, the town attorney said.
When initially filed, lawsuit the sought an unspecified amount of damages in excess of $15,000, the threshold for filing in Superior Court. Barts family contended that school staff were well aware of the harassment that Bart faced for years at Western Middle School and his first year at GHS. According to the lawsuit: Bart was subjected to constant bullying. ... The bullying was well known to to the administrators, teachers and counselors. ... Despite mandatory anti-bullying policies, school administrators, teachers and counselors ... failed to comply with the necessary required procedures to protect Bart.
First Selectman Peter Tesei had no comment on the latest development in the case Thursday.
Selectman Drew Marzullo said officials were briefed about the development and made aware of the proposed settlement.
I cant comment further as this is still very much an active and evolving lawsuit, Marzullo said. I will say however the circumstances involving the death of this young teen are heartbreaking.
Calls to the office of the lawyer representing the Palosz family, David Golub, werent returned Thursday. Golub said last year, Im sure there will be opportunities for the parties to have meaningful discussions about a prospective settlement.
The lawsuit was filed in August of 2015.
Robert.Marchant@scni.com
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GREENWICH Three times they marched.
The first time, when they reached the Edmund Pettus Bridge into Dallas County, the police blocked their path, waiting 90 seconds before attacking the marchers, shooting tear gas into the crowd, beating individuals and charging at them with horses.
The second march, led by Martin Luther King Jr., was peaceful but unsuccessful. The marchers, African-Americans who wanted to walk from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., to advocate for their voting rights and protest a police killing, were stopped at the Pettus bridge again. They knelt in the road and prayed before returning to their church.
Five days later, after King applied for a court order to give them permission to march, Joanne Bland and the other protesters walked for five days to Montgomery to agitate for their rights.
August 6 of that very same year, the Voting Rights Act was signed and it removed those obstacles that prevented us from voting, said Bland.
That was 1965. Some 52 years later, Bland, who was a child during the beginning of the civil rights movement, is the co-founder of the National Voting Rights Museum in Selma.
That same act has been under attack since then. Weve come a long, long way since (1965), but were not where we need to be," said Bland, who spoke at Sacred Heart Greenwich on Friday as part of the schools annual prayer service honoring King.
Bland entered the packed Sacred Heart gymnasium with a procession of the schools singing group, the Madrigals, behind her. The Madrigals sang Swing Low, Sweet Chariot as they walked, similar to civil rights protesters who sang spirituals as they marched for equality.
At the podium, Bland recounted not being able to sit at the lunch counter like white children, an inequality that motivated her to pursue from a young age the good freedom more than just freedom from slavery.
With other local children and teens, she participated in activist efforts organized by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
Bland was arrested in 13 documented instances by the time she was 11 years old. She described being trapped in a tiny prison cell with 40 people where she was forced to eat raw beans often mixed with rocks and relieve herself on a toilet with no privacy.
The marches she participated in would be known as Bloody Sunday and Turn Around Tuesday in history books.
Bland encouraged her listeners to take action for social justice.
You have to be the ones we have been waiting for, she told the Sacred Heart student body. Movements for social change are like jigsaw puzzle. Everybody has a piece, everybody.
Upper School theology teacher Kerry Bader commended Blands speech.
That was really one of the most inspiring speeches I have ever heard about the need to fight for justice and the ways we might struggle but can achieve, she said.
Blands speech was bookended by prayers for justice, compassion and courage and by performances by the Concordia College Gospel Knights singing group, the Madrigals and by the Vision Steppers, a step dance group.
Today we affirm our need to be educated and to educate, to be people of compassion and communion and reconciliation, said Head of School Pamela Juan Hayes.
emunson@hearstmediact.com; @emiliemunson
This weekend, we begin a time of special prayer for our country in preparation for the inauguration of the 45th President of the United States.
The event itself is a symbol of our democracy in which authority and responsibility are peacefully transferred from one president to the next. Sometimes that is easier than at other times, and so much of that depends on ones perspective. I imagine there are as many different perspectives as there are readers of this article.
Every inauguration brings with it the responsibility of service and leadership for the well-being, security and integrity of our country. People will be gathering during the next several days with differing views of how this country needs to be led in the future, and that, to my mind, is a sign of our vibrancy as a nation.
One thing is for certain it is a time of transition and change. There is change of leadership. There is change of direction. And, most of all, there is change, shift and transition in our country and the world itself. I believe that all of us need to acknowledge change and work for the best change possible. I also believe that it is the particular call of people of faith to pray in the midst of this change.
At Christ Church, we have a fascinating Book of Common Prayer that was given to this congregation (along with a bible) almost three centuries ago. It was sent to Horseneck Chapel (the name of this congregation in those days) from an English missionary society.
The Prayer Book itself is the 1662 edition still serving as the official prayer book in the Church of England to this day. Of course the prayers in the book included several for His Majesty the King. This was an English book, after all, and we were a colony of the realm.
But then change entered the picture. Something happened in 1776 or so that dramatically changed the life of these colonies. It also changed the prayer of the church.
Yes, prayers were still offered for those in authority and government, but a predecessor priest of mine did something very smart and authentic. He went through the whole prayer book that had been gifted to the congregation, crossed out the allusions to King George III, and wrote in by his own hand the President of the United States.
I am honored to have such a smart, realistic and (presumably) patriotic predecessor.
Well, we have been praying for presidents ever since. It didnt matter about agreement or disagreement. Some were embraced more thoroughly by some folks, others by others. One president even grew up in the parish.
The point for us is that we are citizens and people of faith. As citizens, we support peaceful transition, and we work for the good of our nation and its leaders. As people of faith, we try to walk a walk of integrity, and we keep on praying. As a citizen and person of faith, I hope to do all of these things. And I invite all citizens and people of faith to do the same.
It is a time of change to be sure. In the midst of this change, may we be loyal, faithful and committed to the values that are foundational to this country and that each and every president is sworn to uphold.
Oh and heres the prayer offered in the present Book of Common Prayer (the successor to the one used in Horseneck Chapel those centuries ago):
O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We commend this nation to thy merciful care, that being guided by thy Providence, we may dwell secure in thy peace. Grant to the President of the United States wisdom and strength to know and do thy will. Fill him with the love of truth and righteous, and make him ever mindful of his calling to serve this people in thy fear
Yes, things change, but the hope and prayer remain.
The Rev. Dr. James B. Lemler is rector of Christ Church Greenwich.
Jeff Bezos, the world's second-richest person, no longer needs to stay in a hotel when he visits Washington, D.C., to drop in on The Washington Post or visit the White House.
The founder of Amazon and owner of the Post was revealed as the newest resident of the biggest house in our nations capital, a nearly 27,000 square-foot mansion (that is actually two buildings put together) that he bought for $23 million.
Until 2013, the property housed The Textile Museum. George Washington University took on its collection and the museums new location opened in the universitys campus across town during the spring of 2015.
Heres some fun facts about Bezoss new home.
Related: 5 Things Jeff Bezos Does Other Than Work
1. Its big. Like, really big.
The property is four stories high, has 10 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms and 11 fireplaces. Thats 24 Amazon echo devices before you include the kitchen, living rooms and any other rooms that you think would be in a 100-year-old mansion.
Just to get a sense for its sheer scale, a 27,000 foot aquarium recently opened in Fort Worth, Utah. The D.C. single family home could ostensibly hold a plethora of ocean life, including a handful of sharks.
2. Its good for entertaining.
While it was still the Textile Museum, it was considered an ideal wedding venue. If Bezos was so inclined, the space would certainly let him throw all the 200-person dinner parties his heart desires.
3. The neighborhood is POTUS-approved.
When Bezos takes up residence in his new home, hell have a pretty famous neighbor: President Barack Obama. A few other presidents were fans of Kalorama too: Warren G. Harding, Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, William Howard Taft and Woodrow Wilson all had homes there.
Related: Jeff Bezos Unveils New Rocket to Compete With SpaceX
4. The house has a historic pedigree.
The property is in the National Register of Historic Places for a pretty cool reason.
In 1912, the Textile Museums founder, George Hewitt Meyers, asked architect John Russell Pope to build him a mansion. In 1915, Meyers and his family moved in, and 10 years later, he opened the museum after he purchased the property next door to house his massive collection of textiles from all over the world.
Pope was responsible for a few other buildings you might have heard of, such as the National Gallery of Art and the Jefferson Memorial. That neighboring building was designed by Waddy Butler Wood, who was also behind well known D.C. landmarks such as Woodrow Wilson House and the headquarters of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
5. The first owner was a bit of a renaissance man.
George Hewitt Meyers had a variety of interests. He was an academic, had a passion for the environment and worked for the U.S. Forest Service and was world traveler. When he died in 1957, he had amassed a collection of nearly 5,000 textiles. Perhaps Bezos, with his interest in media and exploring new worlds with Blue Origin, found a kindred spirit in the homes original owner.
Related:
5 Fun Facts About Jeff Bezos's New D.C. Home
6 Things Amazon Is Doing To Give Better Customer Service In India Over Its Competitors
Inspiration From 7 Legendary Business Titans
Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
You have until May to visit. Photo: Hannah Whitaker
If acclaimed Annisa cant survive in todays punishing New York restaurant climate, theres little hope for others. The New York Times reports that Anita Lo will close her 17-year-old West Village business in May because of rising costs: Her real-estate taxes increased by $80,000 within the last two years, and the new $15 minimum-wage law is another significant added cost. Annisa is one of those restaurants that falls right between being a neighborhood spot and a special-occasion place, and raising menu prices resulted in the loss of a quarter of its nightly clientele.
Annisa has consistently received stellar reviews, and when a kitchen fire wrecked the restaurant in 2009, Lo rebuilt the restaurant stronger than ever; it was just two years ago that Times critic Pete Wells awarded it three stars. In 2015, Lo became the first woman invited to collaborate with the White House on a state dinner.
Closing Annisa will leave Lo without a restaurant. She says thats she going to take a break, and also write a cookbook, but hopefully this isnt the end of her tenure as a chef in New York. Her presence will be deeply missed.
Could something this tasty really cause cancer? Photo: Nutella
Ferrero is mounting an ad campaign countering claims that a key Nutella ingredient might be carcinogenic by telling people the hazelnut spread would be less delicious if it were to make changes and eliminate a potential health concern. About a fifth of Ferreros sales come from its wildly popular flagship product, so the company is hesitant to do anything that might change its taste. That includes caving to pressure to source less palm oil, an ingredient whose use also causes massive deforestation and has created years of headaches for Ferrero.
This most recent one started back in May, when the EUs food-safety arm released a report warning palm oil contains contaminants people might want to consider not consuming. Their primary worry was a potential carcinogen and genotoxin called GE that forms when the oil is refined at temperatures over 200 degrees Celsius. The group says more study is needed before outright advising that people avoid foods with GE, but Italian companies started removing palm oil anyway. The countrys largest supermarket chain, Coop, quit putting it in all house-brand products as a precaution, and pasta giant Barilla also tossed it earlier this year. (Still worth noting that its reputation isnt great on any continent, frankly: The Girl Scouts are on a mission to limit the palm oil in their cookies, and Kellogg doubled down on efforts to ensure its sustainably sourced this year, too.)
Ferreros ads explain Nutella is safe because its made using a special industrial process. It costs 20 percent more, but keeps everything just below 200 degrees and relies on low pressure to reduce contaminants to a level so low that scientific instruments find it hard to trace them. Ferrero hopes the campaign will change some minds, because the companys sounds pretty set: It puts a lot of palm oil in Nutella, mostly to achieve that silky texture and extend shelf life, and an executive tells Reuters that its removal would be a step backward since that would only produce an inferior substitute for the real product. It would certainly be a step backward in profit: As Reuters also notes, the economic implications of abandoning the ingredient, which is the cheapest vegetable oil available, could be an extra $8 million to $22 million down the drain every year.
A month ago we spotted the Moto X Play from 2015 being benchmarked with Android 7.1.1 Nougat on board, which made us hopeful that the device would receive the update in the near future. It turns out that's exactly what will happen.
The Moto X Play is set to be graced with the tasty treat by the end of this month, at least in Europe. The official word on the matter comes straight from Motorola's arm in Germany, responding to a question about the update on Twitter.
This applies to the SIM-free EU model of the Moto X Play, so the rollout of Nougat may take a while longer in other places. What's still unclear is which exact iteration of Nougat this will be. The Moto Z and Moto G4 have so far seen Android 7.0 updates, but the build that Motorola was testing in that benchmark for the X Play was Android 7.1.1. Hopefully it's the latter that rolls out, then, but even if it's 7.0 owners of the handset probably shouldn't be angry. After all, Motorola is doing better when it comes to Nougat updates than many other smartphone makers.
Source | Via
Yesterday Motorola's arm in Germany revealed via its official Twitter account that the Moto X Play from 2015 is going to receive its Android Nougat update by the end of this month. And now the same account is back with basically the same time frame for the newer Moto Z Play.
While the Moto Z and Moto Z Force have already tasted Nougat, the third member of the Z line hasn't had the honor yet. That will change by the end of January, however, at least for devices purchased in Germany (and, we assume, all of the EU). As usual unlocked units are likely to get it first, then followed by phones purchased from carriers. January will definitely be an update-filled month for Motorola in Europe, since the Moto G4 Nougat build is scheduled to arrive this month too.
On the other hand if you're in Canada and bought your Moto Z Play from Koodo Mobile, the Nougat update will be made available on March 4, according to the carrier's own page listing upcoming software updates.
Source 1 | Source 2 | Via 1 | Via 2
While we already know the Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro will soon be available outside of China, it has now been revealed that the device will be launched in India next week - January 18 to be precise. The information comes courtesy of a new report.
Sadly, there's currently no information on exactly how much the device will cost in India, although the report says it could be priced higher than the Galaxy A9 Pro, which launched in India back in September last year carrying a $485 price tag.
Aside from India, the phone is also said to be coming to several other Asian countries, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
Via
Haiti - Politics : Privert commemorates the 7th anniversary of earthquake
Thursday, 12 January 2017, de facto President Jocelerme Privert, accompanied by his wife Ginette, Prime Minister Enex Jean-Charles, members of the Cabinet and other great officials of the State, commemorated the 7th anniversary of the devastating earthquake of 12 January 2010 that hit hard Haiti.
The Head of State laid a wreath of flowers in St-Christophe (Titanyen), on the site where are buried several thousand people killed by the earthquake.
After, at the National Palace, Jocelerme Privert stopped in front of the mausoleum built in homage to the civilian and police employees who were victims of the partial collapse of the Palace before attending an ecumenical ceremony organized at the Palace , in the presence of religious leaders, rpresentatives of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, the Preesident of the Chamber of Deputies and other senior dignitaries.
In their respective messages, Pastor Sylvain Exantus (Protestant Federation of Haiti), Mgr. Zachee Duracin (Anglican Episcopal Church), Mambo Euvonie Georges Auguste (National Confederation of Vodouists) and Mgr Pierre Andre Dumas (Catholic Church) evoked the tragedies caused by the 2010 earthquake that has mourned tens of thousands of families in Haiti. They preached for unity and pleaded for collective awareness in order rebuild the country in all its physical, spiritual, economic and moral dimensions. They also called on everyone to celebrate life while taking the necessary steps to prevent and mitigate damage in the event of major new natural hazards.
In his speech for the occasion, Privert, said that the date of 12 January must remain engraved in our collective memory. He took the opportunity to offer of plaques of honor to representatives of the international community who have contributed and solidarized with the Haitian people in difficult times in its history, particularly during the passage of Hurricane Matthewlast October. This is, according to President Privert, "an act of gratitude and thanks of the Haitian people to the partners and friends of Haiti."
HL/ HaitiLibre
Haiti - Diaspora : 7 years later, Montreal remembers
As part of the commemoration of the 7th anniversary of the violent earthquake that devastated Haiti on January 12, 2010 causing more than 200,000 deaths, 300,000 injured and 1 million disaster victims, the Mayor of Montreal, Denis Coderre, reaffirmed his solidarity and sympathy to the Haitian people and the many Montrealers of Haitian descent.
"Montreal has not forgotten and will never forget this terrible day of January 12, 2010. Our efforts to help the Haitian people to overcome this challenge are still continuing today, among others through the Municipal Cooperation Program Haiti -Canada, which aims to accompany the capital, Port-au-Prince, in its reconstruction efforts. The various projects underway, mainly institutional and budgetary reinforcement, street identification and the development of communal schools, will help to restore the capital to its feet and enable it to offer better services to its citizens. 'Montreal pap janm' bliye, le yon zanmi ate nou lonje men bali pou li sa kanpe sou de pie li. solidarite ! solidarite !'" declared Denis Coderre.
"The city of Montreal is proud of its Haitian community and the bonds of friendship between Haiti and Montreal are still strong. They also demonstrated once again last October, following the passage of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti. Responding to the call for humanitarian assistance, the City has allocated $60,000 to help the affected population. We will always respond 'present' to our Haitian friends," concluded the Mayor.
HL/ HaitiLibre
Haiti - FLASH : Guy Philippe pleads not guilty
This Friday morning, the elected Senator Guy Philippe, who was arrested on Thursday January 5 afternoon https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19720-haiti-flash-arrest-of-senator-guy-philippe.html and deported to the United States https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19721-haiti-flash-senator-guy-philippe-extradited-to-the-usa.html the same day ; went to the Miami Federal Court for the arraignment hearing on a set of charges https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19731-haiti-flash-guy-philippe-the-charges-are-known-appearing-on-january-13-2017.html ranging from the importation of narcotics to money laundering.
Guy Philippe, accompanied by American lawyers Zeljka Bozanic and Richard Okyere Dansoh decided to plead not guilty before a judge of Miami to the charges that the federal government has against him ; he was therefore detained pending a hearing for which no date has been set.
Guy Philippe's lawyer, Zeljka Bozanic, said that for now she will not ask for a bond for her client, but he could do so later, although the public prosecutor wants he remain under detention.
To be continued...
HL/ HaitiLibre
Published on 2017/01/12 | Source
Korean movie of the week "The Admiral: Roaring Currents" (2014)
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Directed by Kim Han-min
With Choi Min-sik, Ryu Seung-ryong, Cho Jin-woong, Jin Goo, Lee Jung-hyun, Kim Myung-gon,...
Formerly known as "Roaring Currents", "Battlefield - Whirlwind Sea" and "Battle of Myeongryang" on HanCinema
Synopsis
The story of Korean history's most astonishing military victory by its greatly revered strategist, Admiral Yi Sunshin, who lures over 300 Japanese ships into a deadly trap where they meet their fate against only 13 battle ships.
Release date in Korea : 2014/07/30
Read William's review and Christopher's review on HanCinema
Available on DVD from YESASIA and DVD, Blu-ray and streaming from Amazon
Grassroot Institute Joins Amicus Brief on Free Speech Case
Case on appeal to Supreme Court challenges "chilling effect" of campaign finance law
News release from Grassroot Institute January 12, 2017
HONOLULU, HAWAII--January 12, 2017--Citing the importance of protecting free speech and advocacy, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii has joined an amicus brief filed in support of the appellant in the case of Independence Institute v. Federal Election Commission. The case, which was dismissed by a DC District and is currently being appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, challenges the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) for provisions that constrain speech in the period before an election.
At the heart of the issue for Grassroot Institute and other nonprofit groups involved in the brief is the fact that the BCRA defines "electioneering communication" to include any mention of the name of a candidate for office in the days prior to an election--even when the communication in question has nothing to do with support or opposition to a particular candidate. If an organization spends $10,000 or more per year on speech that falls into this definition of "electioneering communications," the BCRA requires them to disclose the names and addresses of donors who contributed to those ads.
For example, a 501c3 that wished to make an ad urging citizens to contact their elected representative on a pending bill would be hampered from doing so within 60 days of a general election if that same representative was running for reelection or higher office. Even if the communication in question was solely focused on education and entirely unrelated to the election, it would still fall into the BCRA's provisions.
"While clean government and campaigning are important, the way we pursue them cannot be allowed to inhibit free speech," stated Keli'i Akina, Ph.D., President of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii. "An informed and active citizenry is critical to the legislative process, but it is being disrupted by an unconstitutional provision that governs speech based on its content. There could be no clearer violation of the Founding Fathers' intent."
Dr. Akina continued: "Requiring that any such communication be followed by disclosure of the organization's donors goes against a strong American tradition that protects anonymity in political speech. Whatever interest is served by this law does not justify policing speech that mentions sitting politicians just because an election is near."
The amicus brief can be read in full at: LINK
* * * * *
Campaign-Finance Rules Chill Speech Unrelated to Election Campaigns
by Ilya Shapiro and Thomas Berry
In 2014, the Independence Institutea Colorado think tankwanted to run a radio advertisement supporting the Justice Safety Valve Act, a bill granting federal judges greater discretion in sentencing nonviolent offenders. The text of the ad asked listeners to call Senators Michael Bennet and Mark UdallColorados two senators at the timeand tell them to support the bill.
But under the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA, better known as McCain-Feingold), any organization that spends at least $10,000 on electioneering communications in one year is required to make several public disclosures, including the names and addresses of all contributors who contributed an aggregate amount of $1,000 or more toward the advertisement. Further, an electioneering communication is defined as any broadcast that refers to a clearly identified candidate for Federal office within 60 days of a general election. Since Udall was running for reelection that year, the ad would have qualified even though it had nothing to do with Udalls campaign.
The Independence Institute challenged the rule as an unconstitutional burden on its First Amendment right to speak on issues of public concern. After losing before a three-judge district court, the Institute has now appealed directly to the Supreme Court. Cato, joining the Institute for Justice, has filed a brief urging the Court to grant the case a full hearing on the merits.
We make two broad points. First BCRAs disclosure provision is undeniably content-based, which should subject it to strict scrutiny under the First Amendment (meaning the government needs to provide a compelling justification). The law applies only if a speaker chooses to make reference to a candidate for office, so the law expressly draws distinctions based on the expressive content of speech.
Second, mandatory-disclosure laws chill speech by forcing people to surrender their privacy interest in keeping personal facts away from the public eye, as the Supreme Court put it in U.S. Department of Justice v. Reporters Committee for Freedom of Press (1989). In the context of reviewing disclosures made under the Freedom of Information Act, the Court has recognized that embarrassment in social and community relationships is among the consequences of disclosure that must be given great weight. U.S. Department of State v. Ray (1991).
Exactly the same analysis holds true for donors to advocacy organizations. For many peoplewithout tenure, without salary protection, and without security detailsgovernment-mandated disclosure of their political leanings and personal data is a real barrier to political participation. Forcing people to divulge their personal information threatens to expose them to reprisals, and this deterrent effect is pervasive precisely because it is impossible to predict whether your viewpoint will trigger retaliation.
BCRAs disclosure rule is content-based, intrudes on speech and association, and has not been shown to serve a legitimate governmental interest. Because enforcement of the rule raises a substantial question under the First Amendment, the Court should take up Independence Institute v. FEC and ultimately overturn the district court.
* * * * *
About the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii:
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research institute dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, the free market, and limited, accountable government throughout Hawai`i and the Asia-Pacific region.
Read more about us at http://www.grassrootinstitute.org/
Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GrassrootInstitute
Donate to help us grow: http://new.grassrootinstitute.org/support/
Tweet us at http://twitter.com/grassroothawaii
About Grassroot President:
Kelii Akina, Ph.D., is a recognized scholar, educator, public policy spokesperson, and community leader in Hawaii. Currently, he is President/CEO of Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, a public policy think tank dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, free markets and limited, accountable government. An expert in East-West Philosophy and ethics, Dr. Akina has taught at universities in China and the United States and continues as an adjunct instructor at Hawaii Pacific University.
Hawaii pension debt rises to $12 billion, but the real debt is more like $35 billion
by Joe Kent, Grassroot Institute, Jan 12, 2017
State lawmakers were in shock this week as Hawaiis pension debt increased from $8 billion to $12 billion.
Senator Jill Tokouta said, This is truly overwhelming.
Colbert Matsumo, Hawaii public pension system board member, said, This is going to be a big pill to swallow.
The one day rise in debt has to do with new calculations that are more realistic; the new calculations anticipate lower market returns and longer life spans.
With the push of a button, the new calculations have increased the state pension debt by billions of dollars.
However, Bob Williams, President of State Budget Solutions, said, I wish the Hawaii unfunded pension liability was only $12 billion. In our October 2016 report, we have it at $35.1 billion.
According to the State Budget Solutions report, Hawaiis unfunded liability is actually much higher, when calculated in an even more realistic manner.
By lowering the expected market rate of return from 7% to 2.3%, Hawaiis unfunded liabilities soar to $35 billion.
The lower rate is known as a risk-free rate, and is recommended by the Society of Actuaries Blue Ribbon Panel.
The consequence for taxpayers could be enormous.
Assuming the $12 billion unfunded liability, Hawaii taxpayers will have to pay an extra $385 million every year.
But under the more realistic State Budget Solution numbers, Hawaii taxpayers would presumably need to pay an extra $1 billion every year.
In total, this translates to $24,544 of tax money that will be taken from every man, woman and child in the state.
The extra payments into the pension fund will come from funds that normally go towards critical government services such as education, affordable housing, maintenance and emergency services.
Already legislators have been complaining that they do not have the funds to pay for other departments because the money is being diverted towards paying off the debt.
Keep in mind that the pension debt doesnt even include the unfunded liabilities for health benefits for retirees. State calculations currently show an additional $11 billion unfunded liability for the state retiree health benefits fund.
Sooner or later, Hawaii will have to pay the debt. Governor Ige took a solid step towards fiscal responsibility this summer when he used the $1 billion surplus to pay off some of the unfunded liabilities for health benefits.
But the new calculations mean that bigger payments will need to be made every year, and Hawaiis government simply doesnt have the money to pay its bills.
Island taxpayers must watch lawmakers closely this session to ensure that government spending and salary increases are kept in check without raising taxes.
In addition, citizens should watch for reforms proposed by the Employee Retirement System which attempt to solve the public pension problem in a way that allows government workers to pay more for their own retirement plans, without relying so much on taxpayers to be a piggy bank.
When government workers contribute more to their pension fund, it that means taxpayers can spend more money saving for their own retirement. At the end of the day, all of Hawaiis citizens need to work together to fix the problem without pushing the burden onto future generations.
Governor Ige
Hawaii State Capitol
Dear Governor, January 12, 2017
I would like to bring a distressing situation to your attention, and ask that you immediately take action to correct this egregious problem.
The Veterans memorial for Korean War and Vietnam veterans on the grounds of the State Capitol has literally become an open latrine for homeless people (see attached photos). As a Marine veteran myself, I find this problem to be intolerable. On Monday (Jan. 9), while showing the memorial to an out-of-state visitor we were confronted by debris left by nesting homeless people and large piles of excrement. Needless to say our guest was not impressed. I returned days later (Jan 11) to see if the area had been cleaned up in the course of normal maintenance activity only to discover that it had now grown far, far worse. The accumulation of excrement and hundreds of flies have now become a serious public health problem. I might point out that this deplorable scene is in the front yard of the Hawaii State Capitol.
What was intended to be a dignified memorial to the sacrifices of our combat veterans has become a symbol of the States irresponsibility and lack of respect.
The continued increase in the number of homeless around Iolani Palace and the State Capitol has created an environment that encourages criminal activity including vandalism, littering and now serious public health issues. This is no longer just another facet of our vexing homeless problem; it is now a problem involving criminal behavior that puts the public at risk. This situation has reached a tipping point with the desecration of the Veterans Memorial and must be addressed as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Bob McDermott
State House of Representatives
KHON: Veterans memorial defiled on state Capitol grounds
HNN: Lawmaker calls for action after human feces found at Honolulu war memorials
>Performance reviews don't need to be daunting. Melbourne Business School's Dr Carol Gill provides her top tips
Whether youre new to managing people or are a seasoned manager with a few years under your belt, the thought of delivering formal performance review feedback to your staff can seem like a daunting task.
Melbourne Business Schools Dr Carol Gill, Assistant Professor of Organisational Psychology has five top tips for the task.
People, whether theyre giving feedback to someone as a manager or are being performance reviewed themselves, can sometimes feel as though theyre going into combat almost, they want to be prepared for every what if scenario and be able to defend themselves, said Dr Gill.
Perhaps someone wont take a colleagues promotion well. Maybe they could threaten to leave if theyre not happy with their feedback or break down in tears mid performance review from a personal adversity that you didnt know about these are the types of scenarios managers can ruminate in their minds before a performance meeting.
1. Delivery is key
While nervousness or anxiety around performance reviews can point to a managers lack of confidence, its often the perception around the annual performance review process itself that can be to blame.
Its important for managers to understand that annual performance reviews arent really about the forms its about the way the conversation comes across to the employee.
You can praise an employee to no end but if youre showing no expression on your face and reading from a notebook, youre going to come across as disingenuous and the employee is going to be more concerned about the mixed messages youre sending than the feedback youre giving. By the same token, if you rely on technology and phone based performance review software you can run the risk of misunderstandings face to face is optimum, said Dr Gill.
2. Be transparent
Managers should be transparent about the process they will be using and invite the employee to get involved.
What works best is when managers are upfront with their employees and give them the option of whether they would like you to talk about them about their strengths first or their opportunities for development second or vice versa.
By giving them the option they know what is coming and will be less likely to anticipate the negative during the conversation.
3. Have frequent conversations
The annual review process has revolved around this idea that you have one performance conversation, and its the be all and end all which is, naturally, where all the anxiety has stemmed from over the years for both managers and employees.
What were seeing now in organisations however, is a move to more frequent, informal performance feedback conversations throughout the year, where managers give continuous, real time feedback to their employees about how theyre going, and also give their employees time to improve or adjust their behaviours before their end of year review.
More frequent conversations not only build trust and rapport but also enables managers to get better at giving feedback.
4. Be authentic
According to Dr Gill, managers can never be too authentic.
I like to say to executive education participants: say what you mean, mean what you say, but don't say it meanly.
When I was a HR manager there were often conversations about having to get rid of someone. I'd look at their performance review report and the person would have had a satisfactory performance management rating because it was all just too hard to communicate the truth to a particular employee and give them the opportunity to make some changes.
If managers are authentic, transparent and are perceived to be someone who walks their talk, they will not only be more skilful in delivering performance reviews themselves but build their employees strengths as well.
5. Talk seriously about professional development
Meaningful and proactive professional development conversations are they key to boosting the performance of your team and your relationship with employees.
Authentic managers take the professional development of their employees seriously and look for courses or opportunities that specifically target the areas for improvement in their people, Dr Gill said.
A great thing managers can do before an annual performance review is take stock and really think about the areas your employee needs to work on.
Talk to or research institutions like Melbourne Business School, who specialise in those topics and discuss specific programs for example, implementing strategy or general management program.
By Kirk Ross / Carolina Public Press
The process of swearing in members and electing leadership was almost identical to previous years, but the session opens with more questions than usual, driven by the fractious ending to 2016s unprecedented string of special sessions and an already contentious relationship with the incoming administration of Gov. Roy Cooper.
In their opening remarks, both House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, and Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, who were re-elected to their posts with unanimous votes, pointed to higher teacher pay, less regulations and further adjustments to taxes as strong possibilities for the long session, but neither offered specifics.
In remarks to reporters afterward, Moore said his focus will be on improving schools and infrastructure and finding ways to extend the economic growth in urban regions to rural areas of the state.
The divide in North Carolina, he said is no longer west versus east, but its more rural and urban.
Moore said the legislature needs to develop policies that allow the urban areas to continue prospering but not leave rural areas behind. He said there are ongoing discussions about taking another look at how sale taxes are distributed, calling last years effort which shifted some of the proceeds to rural counties a first step.
The speaker also opened the door for another attempt at repealing or altering HB2.
Conversations continue to happen and I think youll see some of us trying to find a compromise on that issue, Moore said. You wont see the General Assembly betray its principles.
Moore said he thinks a compromise could be worked out.
Rep. Brian Turner, D-Buncombe, said he thinks there could be an opening on HB2 during the session despite the failed attempt in late December.
Im optimistic that now that everyones had a chance to take a breath that maybe we can do a full repeal and start over, he said.
After the ceremonial opening, the legislature adjourned while committee assignments are finalized. The session is scheduled to restart January 25.
Hise on Medicaid expansion
Last week, Cooper set the wheels in motion for Medicaid expansion through the Affordable Care Act, a change that could add as many as 600,000 North Carolinians to the program.
Cooper said in addition to adding coverage the move, which would be largely paid for by federal dollars, would add jobs and bolster rural hospitals and medical centers.
But the new governor made the move in defiance of a 2013 law passed by the legislature to prevent expansion by the governor or anyone else without legislative approval.
Sen. Ralph Hise, R-McDowell, said he doesnt expect the effort by Cooper to be successful. He described the governors action as throwing it to the wind and doing something political.
Theres a lot of challenges to what hes proposed, Hise said. This would basically require CMS (the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare) and the State of North Carolina ignoring state and federal law and previous policy theyve had.
He said the Cooper administration had erred in several ways, including failure to clearly spell out how to fund the change and a requirement that he inform the Cherokee tribe ahead of the proposed changes.
Theres a lot of those clear roadblocks, he said.
Should the outgoing Obama administration fast track the changes, Hise said hes confident it can be reversed.
If theyre going to pull off something fairly political, we feel strongly that we have a good relationship with the Trump administration and theyll undo it very quickly.
Hise, who as co-chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee oversees the state health and human services budget, said with changes still unfolding at the federal level, its unclear right now how the state will need to adjust its programs.
A lot of my focus is going be a wait and see on the feds, he said. So much hinges on what the Trump administration plans to do with CMS and what the changes of the Affordable Care Act mean for Medicaid in this state.
Hise said he and other members of the General Assembly are in discussions with federal officials on what will be important to North Carolina as congress prepares to makes major changes in health care policy.
Until we see what that product is going to be, theres not a lot of point in making huge jumps in Medicaid and health policy, Hise said.
Davis to continue opioid fight
One area where the legislature and the new administration could come together is in the fight against opioid addiction.
Sen. Jim Davis, R-Macon, who pushed for legislation last session, said he wants to see the state do more.
Davis noted that Cooper has made addressing opioid addiction a top priority and said hes been in discussions with new Attorney General Josh Stein on stepping up the effort.
Were going to really put some strong efforts toward addressing this modern day plague, he said. North Carolina has one of the worst problems in the country. Its something affects every socio-economic status, every race, every demographic. We owe it to our citizens to do what we can to address that.
Push for rural broadband
Turner said he hopes the legislature moves to improve infrastructure in rural areas will include additional funding for rural broadband.
A lot of people think that Buncombe County is Asheville, but its not, he said.
We have a lot of rural areas where you cant get a cellphone signal, you cant get high-speed internet and those parts of my community areas are at a disadvantage.
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The growth outlook for the world economy is slightly brighter than before, says Markku Lehmus, a researcher at the Research Institute of the Finnish Economy (Etla).
Finland's export-oriented industries have reason for cautious optimism, although export forecasts have recently failed year after year with the national economy being been affected by shocks and eroding competitiveness, reports Kauppalehti .
Lehmus estimates that the brighter outlook for the world economy is a reason to upgrade export forecasts also in Finland not by much but raise nevertheless. Etla, he reveals, could raise its export forecast for the ongoing year to three per cent, representing an improvement of a few-tenths of a percentage point from its previous forecast.
The Pellervo Economic Research Institute (PTT), meanwhile, is ready to uphold its three per cent export forecast for 2017, according to the commerce-oriented newspaper.
At least it doesn't have to be lowered, commented Janne Huovari, an economist at PTT.
The Labour Institute for Economic Research (PT) predicted in the latter half of last year that Finnish exports would increase by 3.3 per cent year-on-year in 2017. We've got no reason to revise the export forecast significantly, stated Eero Lehto, the chief of forecasting at PT.
Aleksi Teivainen HT
Photo: Markku Ulander Lehtikuva
Source: Uusi Suomi
The problem is that suspicions of conflict of interest continue to arise regarding the Prime Minister. No decision-maker must use their position to promote the interests of their inner circle, she writes.
Li Andersson, the chairperson of the Left Alliance, believes the persistent suspicions of conflict of interest are the main issue in the ongoing debate surrounding Prime Minister Juha Sipila (Centre) rather than his participation in export promotion trips or the business activities of his family members.
Sipila's position as the minister responsible for ownership steering has further complicated the issue, estimates Andersson. Sipila, she states, has an obligation to act with due diligence and transparency especially because he has had knowledge of possible overlap between his responsibilities and the business activities of his relatives.
Calling for [diligence and transparency] is not about scoring political points or blowing the issue out of proportion. On the contrary, it's about defending the dignity of the political system and the Prime Minister, she writes on Facebook.
Sipila has come under scrutiny for leading a business delegation including Chempolis, an Oulu-based technology firm owned partly by his children, for an export promotion trip to India in February, 2016. Chempolis announced on the last day of the trip that it has agreed to build a 110 million euro bio-refinery in Assam, North-east India.
He also faced criticism late last year after Katera Steel, an engineering company owned by his relatives, was awarded a 500,000 euro contract by state-owned nickel and zinc miner.
The Chancellor of Justice and the Parliamentary Ombudsman have received a number of complaints about the possible conflicts of interest arising from the contracts awarded to both Chempolis and Katera Steel.
Sipila states in his response to the Parliamentary Ombudsman that he had no knowledge of the order received by Katera Steel until 21 November, three days after the funding decision had been made.
Andersson is not convinced by the assurances given by him.
Kansan Uutiset asked the Prime Minister to comment on a report about the order already on 17 November. The Prime Minister's Office dragged their feet for days before issuing a response, she says.
Andersson also estimates that rather than the much-discussed export promotion trip, the most alarming aspect of the more recent case is that Chempolis received an investment from Fortum, a state-owned energy company, in the second half of 2016 and a loan from the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation (Tekes) in the fiscal year of 2015.
In a rule of law society, there are institutions, such as the [Parliamentary] Ombudsman and the Chancellor of Justice, that investigate these kind of allegations. No one is guilty until proven otherwise, writes Andersson.
Policy-making, however, is also about trust and unfortunately issues are often exactly what they seem to be. This particular case looks rather bad for the Prime Minister.
Aleksi Teivainen HT
Photo: Vesa Moilanen Lehtikuva
Source: Uusi Suomi
A deserted mother-of-two has told a judge she believed her husband bringing her a cup of tea every morning was his way of keeping her away from the postman - and news that their finances were on the rocks.
Karen Jepson said in the Circuit Civil Court yesterday that it was only after her husband Ian went missing that she found out their mortgage repayments were 43,000 in the red and he had a gambling problem.
"It was a shock to me... that he hadn't paid a penny off the mortgage since 2015," a tearful Ms Jepson told Judge Jacqueline Linnane as she pleaded with her to overturn a possession order on her home.
Gary Hayes, for KBC Bank Ireland, said the lender had obtained the order early last year on the couple's home at Kelly's Bay Tower, Skerries, Co Dublin, after having taken all appropriate legal steps.
Mr Hayes said the court had given the couple a three-month stay on repossession of their home but no proper appeal had been lodged or application made to vacate the order until now.
Ms Jepson, who represented herself, had belatedly asked the court to vacate the 2016 possession order as her husband had kept her ignorant of all proposed legal proceedings or registered mail deliveries regarding mounting arrears and the threat of losing their home.
"I can only surmise now that the reason he kept bringing me cups of tea in the morning was to keep me away from the postman," she said.
"He would give me post relating to ordinary matters. I did not know he was throwing away other letters without opening them."
Ms Jepson said she had gone to the bank about her predicament after her husband disappeared. He had gone missing and was presumed dead until being traced in February last year to "somewhere in the United Kingdom".
Searches
Judge Linnane heard that, prior to his turning up in the UK, gardai had carried out searches of the docks for his body after his phone had been traced to the Clontarf area of Dublin. They had even searched the attic of their home while she and their children remained downstairs.
Ms Jepson, who said she was now on social welfare of 237 a week, told the judge she believed her husband had gone to his mother's home in Ireland but was not in touch with her.
Judge Linnane said the bank had dealt appropriately with the situation and had engaged with Ms Jepson, advising her about what legal steps were open to her and that she should go to the Money Advice and Budgeting Service.
She had allowed her brother-in-law to negotiate with the bank but had not been kept fully informed by him.
She told Ms Jepson the outstanding balance on the mortgage was just over 230,000 and repayments from a social welfare allowance was unsustainable.
The judge said that, as similar houses nearby were selling for about 350,000, she should put her home up for sale.
Judge Linnane granted Jepson a stay of three months against the bank taking any further steps providing she put the house on the market.
GardaI fear an arsonist may be on the loose in the north of the capital after four cars were burnt-out a short distance from each other.
Investigators are keeping an open mind on the fires, but are investigating if the incidents are linked.
At around 5am on Wednesday, two cars were destroyed by fire at Tomar Court, close to Arbour Hill.
One car went up and the second caught fire when flames from the first one spread to it.
At around 4am yesterday, another two cars went up in flames not far from the first incident, in St Joseph's Court, a cul-de-sac also in Dublin 7.
Baffled
Both incidents had similarities, with the cars being parked close together in small, quiet streets and the fire starting in one vehicle and spreading to the other.
In both cases the blazes happened in the early hours of the morning and all the cars belonged to people who are baffled as to why their vehicles were targeted.
None of the cars were new or particularly valuable.
Damage was also caused to the homes of the car owners by the heat and flames.
"This is very worrying. We had only read the report on Independent.ie about the fires at Tomar Court and within a few hours our car was on fire and we were running to the back of the house," said the owner of a 2008-registered car gutted in St Joseph's Court.
"We were woken by bangs and saw the flames and when we looked out our car and the one beside it were burning."
The family living next door lost a 2000-registered vehicle.
"We heard the noises and looked out and saw the car on fire and within seconds our neighbour's car was burning too," said the owner.
Coincidence
The owner of a 2004 Audi that was destroyed on Wednesday morning told the Herald he fears it was targeted by vandals and that yesterday's incident only strengthens those fears.
"It's too much of a coincidence and the amount of trouble and hassle it causes is awful," the man said.
"We have been going through things with insurance com-panies and the gardai and there are things you don't think of, like calling out utility and service companies for electricity and phones and broadband."
Gardai have told all the car owners that the fires will be investigated as criminal damage incidents.
A young mum broke down and sobbed as she confronted Health Minister Simon Harris during a hospital tour over the delay in getting life-saving cannabis oil treatment for her daughter.
Vera Twomey-Barry challenged Mr Harris over why a special sanction had not been given for cannabis oil to be given to her daughter Ava (6) who suffers from Dravet Syndrome.
One Irish child has already been given cannabis oil because of a life-threatening condition.
Betrayed
"You are putting your hand out to me now but you didn't put your hand out to me since before last Christmas," the mother-of-four sobbed.
"I had respect for you. I have been a member and I have voted for Fine Gael for the last 20 years of my life. You have betrayed us and let us down.
"I have stood outside that [Dail] gate - the humiliation of standing outside that gate yesterday from 1.45pm until 7.30pm.
"Gino Kenny eventually came up and he pulled me away from the gate because he said I had to come away as I was frozen and perished with the cold."
Mrs Twomey-Barry broke down and had to be consoled by her husband Paul and friends as she confronted Mr Harris when he entered Mallow General Hospital to open a new local injuries unit.
The minister was also confronted by another mother, Suzanne Kelly, over the lack of resources allocated to her non-verbal daughter Angel (3).
Ava suffers from Dravet Syndrome, a rare condition where she gets virtually uncontrollable epileptic seizures, which can be can be life-threatening. She suffered 16 seizures in one 36-hour period alone.
Mr Harris said he had three meetings with the family over recent months. "The law is very clear - if we want to make a medicinal cannabis product available I need a doctor to make an application," he told Mr and Mrs Twomey-Barry.
"You both have been very powerful campaigners in relation to medicinal cannabis. As a result of your campaigning and the work of other families I have reviewed the policy on medicinal cannabis for the first time ever."
Illegal
"But I am not a doctor - I cannot prescribe a product that is illegal in Ireland to anybody."
"I have huge personal respect for you, Vera - that is why I met you three times. I want to help and I will help. Vera and Paul will rightly do everything for their daughter Ava.
"I want to do everything and anything to help Ava and any other patient. But my role is very clear - I am not a doctor."
Mr Harris vowed to immediately consider any request by a doctor for cannabis oil for Ava.
It's been 125 years since Dracula was published. And it's still scary.
lifestyle
Simon Wiesenthal Center reaction...
This email was sent to me by Alyssa Brognano of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. It reads as follows:
"It is unprecedented for an outgoing Administration to make such a draconian foreign policy shift-while simultaneously packing their boxes to leave Washington", Rabbis Marvin Hier, Founder and Dean and Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a leading Jewish Human Rights NGO declared.
"Secretary Kerry makes it sound like it's the apartments and kindergartens built in Jewish communities on the West Bank that are the main impediment to a two-state solution, when he and those diplomats who voted for UNSC 2334 know that it is Palestinian terrorism, and the continued control of Gaza and the largest portion of the Palestinian population by terrorist Hamas that is the main roadblock to a true peace. Get rid of Hamas, its terror tunnels, tens of thousands of rockets aimed at the Israeli heartland, get rid of the genocidal hate brainwashing Palestinian children and the world will see a two state solution rapidly become a reality."
"There is no escaping the fact that this UN Security Council resolution dims prospects for peace, since it effectively removes any incentive for the Palestinian Authority to negotiate directly with the Israelis-a fact underscored by then-US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice in 2011 when she explained why the US vetoed a similar UN Security Council resolution."
"We are confident that the Trump team's approach to the Palestinian-Israel conflict will reflect theses inconvenient truths and will restore-in tone and deeds- the relationship behooving two great friends who share a common heritage and democratic values", Hier and Cooper concluded."
Scam warnings...
I heard from our own BILL KAHN about the types of scams being carried on today. It would benefit us all to be aware. Bill writes:
"'To Catch A Thief' was the title of a movie released in 1955 about the exploits of a cat burglar. In those days' thieves stole money by breaking into homes, businesses and banks, since that's where the money was.
With the coming of the Internet, crime has morphed into methods, which wouldn't have been dreamed of in 1955. Yes, today there are still the old criminal methods, but, now crooks can go after targets while putting themselves at minimal risk. These targets can even be people with little or no assets, as in Identity Theft. However, the bigger targets are trusting individuals. Many of whom are seniors brought up in an environment of having faith in others to do them no harm.
Unfortunately, those days have passed and the belief in unquestioned faith still exists within seniors. Consequently, this makes them prime targets for crooks. So, how can seniors protect themselves? It starts with knowing how to identify and thwart an attack and also where to obtain assistance after being exploited?
Knowledge is the keystone to stay protected. I often have people call me about a deal they've been contacted about. They wanted to know if it's safe. My advice is simple and twofold. If you were concerned enough to call me, that little voice inside your head has already said stop, listen to it! My general advice is that if someone contacts you out of the blue for a great deal, in person, by phone, email, mail, social media, even by smoke signals, just say no. Will you miss something, maybe, but chances are it's a good deal for the contact and not for you!
There many resources available on the Internet to see if an issue is legitimate. I have assembled about 1,000 tips and videos on my website http://www.stopthescam.org. If you'd like some quick summary tips, click on the "Public Service Announcement" tab on my site, it will show the top 20 scams making the rounds, and each runs just 10 to 17 seconds."
(Great advice! Thanks, Bill.)
All that jazz...
Our own fabulous ALAN ROCK keeps us informed of all the talented musicians in town and when they are appearing at the Altamonte Chapel, 825 East SR 436 in Altamonte Springs. Alan, an accomplished musician and radio host of his own show, is emcee of all the Chapel events.
Kicking off 2017 on Jan. 29, 2017 is something EXTRA SPECIAL. Orlando history comes alive. BILL ALLRED has put together The Rosie O'Grady Good Times Band with Bill on trombone, special guest ALLAN VACHE clarinet; JOHN DePAOLA, trumpet; RANDY MORRIS, piano, JAY MUELLER, bass, and WARREN SAUER, drums. You don't want to miss this one!
Shout outs...
I want to compliment ASHLI INMAN, a waitress at Giovanni's Restaurant, Aloma Avenue, Winter Park, for her kindness and efficiency.
I also can't say enough about the staff at Centra Care, 3099 Aloma Avenue, Winter Park. They are LAUREN COWDEN, receptionist, SLAEDINE MALBRANCHE, who took my vitals, FARIDAH MATOS, Xray Technician, and the nurse practitioner in charge of my case (I fell and hurt my knee.), VANESSA PHILMAN, ARNP
They were the sweetest, calmest and most proficient people ever. I thank them!
One for the road...
NASA had sent many shuttles to orbit the earth and attempted to include passengers of all races, color and creed. One day, they realized they hadn't invited anyone from the clergy so they invited a priest and a rabbi to orbit the earth.
Upon their return, they were asked to go straight to the Media room to give the world their impressions of the experience.
The priest came into the room with a smile on his face. His statement was full of joy. He said, "It was totally amazing. I saw the sun rise and set. I saw the beautiful oceans. I'm truly in awe."
But the rabbi came into the room completely dishevelled. His beard was tangled, his kippot was askew and his tallis was creased. The reporters asked him whether he enjoyed the experience.
He threw his hands in the air and said, "Enjoy? Oy vay, you must be joking. How could I find time to enjoy? Every few minutes the sun was rising and setting! So it was on with the tefillin, off with the tefillin, mincha, maariv, mincha, maariv.... Oy Gevalt."
Love cats? Then the Orlando Cat Cafe is the place to visit and possibly adopt a cat (or just play with them). It is the first of its kind to open in Florida, and owner Sandra Cagan is thrilled with its success. Since opening last September, more than 4,000 guests have visited the cafe and there have been 38 adoptions as of the end of the year.
"If you are not familiar with the Cat Cafe concept, it is something that started in Japan where it remains very popular," Cagan explained. "Since houses and apartments are very small in Japan, Cat Cafe's began to open where people who could not own a cat could go to mix and mingle with felines. Since blossoming in Japan, the Cat Cafe concept spread to Europe with cafes open in London and Paris."
The Cat Cafe here is a collaboration between Cagan Management Group, The Animal League and Axum Coffee, a popular coffee shop that also has a philanthropic spirit. "Axum is named after a city in Ethiopia with no clean drinking water. The owner of Axum donates his profits back to this city to help with their quality of life," Cagan said.
While enjoying coffee and pastries in Axum, customers can see the kittens and cats through a viewing window into the cat play area. Orlando Cat Cafe houses between 15 and 18 cats and kittens, ranging in age from six months to seniors. There is a fee to enter the cat area: $8 for adults and $4 for children, which allows cat lovers to play with the cats for up to an hour. This sure beats viewing kittens in cages.
In addition to playing with the cats, all are adoptable through The Animal League, a no-kill shelter in existence since 1988. Computers also are set up to apply for an adoption.
Cagan Management Group is the landlord of the Town Center at Cagan Crossings, where the Orlando Cat Cafe is located, and was the developer of the entire project.
Cagan is a snowbird between Florida and Chicago, where she is from originally. While here, she attends Chabad of South Orlando. She is also affiliated with the Orlando Torah Academy.
The cafe, located at 532 Cagan Park Ave., Clermont, is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. The cat play/adoption area is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
For more information, visit http://www.orlandocatcafe.com.
Celebrate Shabbat with the Synagogue that feels like family. Our Shabbat evening service led by Rabbi Karen Allen is tonight, Friday, Jan. 13th at 7 p.m. The service will honor the members of our board of directors. An Oneg Shabbat will follow the service. The synagogue is located at 315 North 13th St. in Leesburg, with the entrance on Center Street.
The Rabbis Torah Roundtable Discussion Group with Rabbi Karen Allen of Congregation Beth Sholom, will be held on Thursday, Jan. 26th at 2:30 p.m. at the Sumter County Administration and Library Building (with the golden dome) at 7375 Powell Rd. (near Pinellas Plaza and 466A), Wildwood. The Rabbis Roundtable series explores the current Torah Portion and and how it affects our daily lives. The roundtable provides a unique opportunity to talk with the rabbi as she leads an informal and interactive Torah study discussion.
Saturday, Jan. 28th: Shabbat Morning Service led by Rabbi Karen Allen, at 10 a.m. A Kiddush will follow the service. The synagogue is located at 315 North 13th St. in Leesburg, with the entrance on Center Street.
More information is available on the synagogue website: http://bethsholomflorida.org/ or by calling the synagogue at 352-326-3692.
Joseph Waks, fourth from the right, posing with Jewish visitors and soldiers at the Oz Vegaon tent outpost in the West Bank, Jan. 2, 2017.
JERUSALEM (JTA)-About 200 Jews from around the world toured the West Bank in response to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's recent speech warning of the dangers of settlement expansion.
The group, organized on short notice by Miami-based fashion designer Joseph Waks, visited Jewish communities and met with their leaders on Monday, Jan. 2, to show solidarity with the settlement movement. A few dozen of the participants flew in from various countries. Most were foreign citizens living in or visiting the country for Chanukah, and a handful were native Israelis.
"This was not a political trip. It was more to show we care and support the people in Judea and Samaria [the biblical names for the West Bank] and Jerusalem, which is now being questioned as well" regarding Israeli territorial claims, Waks said in a telephone call Tuesday from the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, where the tour wrapped up.
"We're not experts. But we believe in our right to live in a Jewish state, and we're proud of what has been built here," he said. "We heard somebody say our state is no longer going to be Jewish, and we think that is questionable."
Most of the world considers Israeli settlements in eastern Jerusalem and the West Bank illegal under international law, but Israel disputes this.
Waks said he thought the trip, which he coordinated with settlers' leaders, sent a strong message to the Obama administration that its critical approach to Israel was unacceptable. A self-described liberal and secular Jew, Waks said he initially supported President Barack Obama.
"But this president has turned out to be a disaster," Waks said. "We hope the new administration will support Israel and lead to a stronger Middle East, a stronger Jewish state and a stronger America."
Waks announced and documented the trip on his Facebook page, which has 5,000 followers and is filled with right-wing Israel commentary. In a call to action a day after Kerry's speech last week, he said the trip would be in "honor of John Kerry and the United Nations recent anti-Semitic resolutions and shameless questioning of the Jewish historical and legal right to Israel."
On Monday, he met the participants-representing various streams of Judaism and hailing from countries including France, Belgium, Russia, Ukraine and Australia-in Jerusalem. From there they packed onto four tour buses and headed to the West Bank. An unidentified Miami-based philanthropist who is a friend of Waks sponsored the trip, and Jewish Journey's tour company and the Yesha Council of West Bank settlements helped make it happen free of charge.
After stopping at the Psagot winery in the West Bank, where Dani Dayan, Israel's consul general in New York and a settler leader who has a home in the area, made an appearance, the participants headed to the heavily American settlement of Efrat. The local boys' choir regaled them with Chanukah songs, and Shlomo Riskin, the settlement's chief rabbi and co-founder, and Oded Revivi, the chief foreign envoy of the Yesha Council, addressed them.
Their next stop was the Oz Vegaon tent outpost, founded in response to the 2014 murder and kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers by a Hamas terrorist cell. It sits on the site where their bodies were found. The outpost is one of about 100 built without government authorization and against Israeli law. Some 400,000 settlers live in the West Bank, the vast majority of them in the largest of the more than 120 authorized settlements.
The trip ended at the Western Wall, where Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch, who runs the holy site and has opposed the creation of an egalitarian prayer section there, greeted the participants.
Shapse Jacob, 36, a modern Orthodox attorney and businessman from Manhattan, flew to Israel ahead of the tour, though he was planning to come anyway for his sister's wedding. Jacob said he was motivated by the "stab in the back" from Kerry and the U.N. Security Council.
Jacob was always a big supporter of the Jewish state. But he said the tour, which was the first visit to the settlements he could remember, changed his thinking. Previously he had considered settlers a "little kooky" and said he was willing to listen to alternative views about Israel. But meeting Jewish residents of the West Bank showed him they were "just regular people going through the same things we all do." Now Jacob said he is done trying to reason with Israel's critics.
"It kind of taught me, we shouldn't really care what others think," he said. "It's time to stop convincing the world and just do what you have to do."
Last week, Kerry delivered a speech that laid out his principles for the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and rebuked Israel's "pernicious policy of settlement construction." He said the settlement movement was attempting to thwart a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which would deny "freedom and dignity" to the Palestinians and threaten Israel's Jewish and democratic character.
He also defended the controversial decision by the United States the previous week not to veto a U.N. Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements in the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem.
"Let's be honest, Kerry looked like an idiot saying what he did," Waks said. "We saw the outcry afterward from most Americans and from both Democrats and Republican politicians."
While the West Bank tour was intended to give strength to Israelis, he said, meeting the "amazing" people living in the settlements had actually bolstered the participants' faith in the Jewish state. Israel, Waks repeatedly said, needed to be strong given the "slaughter of Jews in every generation."
"This is a country that America should be the most supportive of, and that is exactly what we want," he said. "I think we created hundreds of new ambassadors to Israel today."
Amos Yadlin (l) the chairman of the Institute for National Security Studies, presenting Israeli President Reuven Rivlin with the 2017 strategic assessment at the president's residence in Jerusalem, Jan. 2, 2017.
TEL AVIV (JTA)-Israel's leading security think tank has published a plan to redraw the map of the West Bank in a bid to consolidate major settlements and prevent the spread of others.
The plan, presented Monday to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin as part of the Institute for National Security Studies' yearly strategic survey, calls for the government to allow construction in West Bank settlement blocs and Jerusalem. At the same time, it recommends a halt to construction in the 90 percent of the territory outside the major settlements.
In laying out the plan, researchers Assaf Orion and Udi Dekel argue that negotiations with the Palestinians are unlikely to lead to a final-status agreement. With relations deadlocked, they warn, Israel is drifting toward a single binational state with the Palestinians, which threatens its democratic and possibly Jewish identity.
It is an analysis that echoes one put forth in a speech last month by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, although unlike Kerry's plan it would proceed without direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians intended to reach a final-status agreement and without resolving what Kerry called "all the outstanding issues."
To preserve Israel's options, including the possibility of a Palestinian state, the researchers say, the government should implement their plan in coordination with the incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, which has already signaled that it will not pressure Israel on the settlements or negotiations.
Amos Yadlin, the director of the institute and a former head of Israel's military intelligence, told JTA that he endorsed the plan, saying Israel had a "window of opportunity" with Trump.
"Israel should take this chance of a new administration with a new approach to promote the bottom-up independent shaping of its borders, even if the Palestinians are still holding their extreme position," he said.
The main changes under the institute's plan would be to Area C, the 60 percent of the West Bank under full Israeli control per the 1993 Oslo Accords. Besides carving out 17 percent of the area for the settlement blocs, where 86 percent of settlers live, Orion and Dekel suggest using up to 42 percent for development on behalf of the Palestinians and up to 33 percent for protection of "vital" security sites, including the Jordan Valley.
The rest of Area C would keep its current status, and settlers would be encouraged to relocate to the settlement blocs.
The Palestinian Authority would administer the major Palestinian population centers in Areas A and B, which comprise 40 percent of the West Bank and are home to 99.7 percent of Palestinians, as it already largely does. But the Israeli military would retain the right to act as needed.
The status of Jerusalem, which Israel governs as its capital but the Palestinians also claim as theirs, would not change. Most of the world considers all Israeli building in the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem illegal, but Israel disputes this.
Orion and Dekel recommend that Israel and the world promote security and development in the West Bank. This could bolster the Palestinian Authority's declining legitimacy on the West Bank street and help prepare the society for eventual final-status negotiations, they say. An alternative, they say, would be for Israel to take "independent steps" to politically separate from the Palestinians.
The Hamas-governed Gaza Strip would be handled separately, ideally with a combination of military deterrence, border security and development.
Yadlin said the Institute for National Security Studies had long preferred a negotiated final-status agreement with the Palestinians, but this year concluded that the prospects for success had gone from "very low" to "zero."
The plan has elements that could appeal to the right and the left, said its architects.
Despite a rightward shift in recent decades, Yadlin said, the Israeli public was "ready to consider" the institute's plan because the political left had given up the "illusion" that there was a Palestinian partner for peace and the right no longer supported the status quo. He cited Education Minister Naftali Bennett's proposal that Israel annex Area C as an example of new thinking on the right, but said the Palestinians would need part of that territory to create a viable political entity.
Israelis "basically want to see a two-state solution, with a Jewish, democratic secure country, but not according to the Palestinian parameters," Yadlin said.
Ideally, he said, the Palestinians would cooperate with the institute's plan and eventually return to negotiations for a two-state solution. The government should leave open that possibility anyway to fend off international condemnation like the United Nations Security Council's anti-settlement resolution that the U.S. allowed to pass last month, he said. But if the Palestinians would not budge, Yadlin said, Israel could unilaterally draw its borders to exclude most of them.
"I'm not among those who are terrified by the demographic threat [of Jews being outnumbered by Palestinians in a single state]. I think this is the biggest mistake of Kerry," Yadlin said, referring to the Kerry speech last week in which he warned that without relinquishing control of the Palestinians, "Israel can either be Jewish or democratic-it cannot be both."
Shlomo Brom, the head of Israeli-Palestinian research at the Institute for National Security Studies, told JTA that he saw no chance the current Israeli government would accept the plan backed by Yadlin. Every right-wing government since 2000 has avoided drawing a line around the settlements, he said, and "none were as right wing as the one we have now."
Nor would the Palestinians be likely to cooperate if the plan were carried out, Brom said, since they would see their potential future state shrink with no real gains. He added that it would be problematic from the point of view of international law for Israel to change the terms of the Oslo Accords without Palestinian consent.
The best hope to shake up the status quo and save the two-state solution, Brom said, was the rise of a viable centrist alternative to Netanyahu's government and increased international pressure on Israel.
Wisam Hashlamoun/Flash90 The West Bank security fence running near Jerusalem, April 17, 2016.
The simplest option for a government that wanted a two-state solution would be to make the security barrier Israel's provisional border-allowing settlement building to the west and prohibiting building to the east of it, Brom said. Israel could then begin taking steps toward a Palestinian state, unilaterally and in coordination with the Palestinians, hopefully culminating in a final-status agreement, he said. Brom recommended trading the Oslo principle of "Nothing is agreed until everything agreed" for "What is agreed and can be implemented will be carried out."
Like Yadlin, Brom said he did not think the end of the two-state solution would spell demographic disaster for Israel. But he said terrorism would probably force the state into indefinite militarily rule over a stateless Palestinian population, which the world would view as a form of apartheid.
Unfortunately, Brom said, this was the most likely outcome.
JCC Association of North America is applauding the staffs of Jewish (Jan. 9) community centers around the country and expressing gratitude for local law enforcement after JCCs in several states received bomb threats today. David Posner, director of strategic performance at JCC Association of North America, who works closely with local JCCs on security, issued the below statement.
JCC Association thanks federal and local law enforcement for their quick and thorough response today, said David Posner, director of strategic performance at JCC Association of North America. JCCs continue to work with them, as they do all year long, to ensure the continued safety of JCC members and all those who participate in JCC activities, as well as the safety of JCC buildings. As of 4:30 p.m. today, local authorities investigations in areas impacted have resulted in the all-clear, with most of our JCCs resuming regular operations. We are hopeful that all of the JCCs in our vibrant network across the country will resume regular operations by the end of the day.
We are proud of our JCCs and grateful for their professional staff, who in the face of threatened violence today, responded quickly, calmly and professionally by implementing well-practiced evacuation procedures and ensuring that no one was harmed.
Our first priority is safety. JCC Associations role is to support all Jewish community centers and their members across the continent, as together, we ensure that JCCs remain inclusive, engaging community gathering places and safe spaces.
JCC Association has a partnership with the Secure Community Network, which focuses on security for Jewish institutions throughout North America, and has an ongoing relationship with the Department of Homeland Security. The agencies are working together to determine the source of the calls that 15 JCCs received today.
A Palestinian driver rammed a truck into a crowd of Israeli soldiers Sunday at the scenic Haas Promenade overlooking Jerusalem's Old City, killing four and injuring 16 others in a terror attack that immediately drew comparisons to recent vehicular attacks in Europe.
"This attack is part of the jihad against us, and the [car-ramming] methods that are being employed are part of the same methods that we saw recently in Nice and Berlin," Dr. Mordechai Kedar, senior lecturer in the Department of Arabic at Israel's Bar-Ilan University, told JNS.org.
Kedar's comments echo those of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also likened the attack to the truck-rammings in France (July 2016) and Germany (December 2016). But Kedar took the comparison a step further, likening the Jerusalem truck-ramming to the attacks of September 11, 2001.
"It's just like airplanes that were crashed into skyscrapers," he said. "Whether it is a car, a truck or an airplane, it is the same idea-to take something which looks innocent, which looks peaceful, which looks constructive, and to turn it into a deadly weapon."
Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman toured the scene of the attack before convening an emergency cabinet session to consider Israel's responses.
"We know the identity of the attacker, and according to all the signs he is a supporter of Islamic State," Netanyahu said.
The attacker was identified as Fadi al-Qanbar, a 28-year-old father of four from the Arab neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber, which abuts the promenade in Jerusalem. Following the attack, Quds News Media reported that al-Qanbar's sister praised the attack, stating, "Praise God. God chose him for this martyrdom." The terrorist was shot dead in his vehicle by soldiers and a civilian tour guide.
Israeli Chief of Police Roni Alshich called the attack "vehicular terrorism."
"We are fighting this plague, and will defeat it," Netanyahu said. "We will overcome this terror, just as we overcame other attacks."
U.N. resolution 'made Israel more vulnerable'
The attack occurred several hundred yards from the Israel headquarters of the United Nations, which sits just atop the promenade. In late December, the U.N. Security Council passed Resolution 2334, calling ongoing Jewish settlement construction in eastern sections of Jerusalem and the West Bank a "flagrant violation" of international law.
"The U.N. Security Council resolution gives Israel the image of a weak country," Kedar told JNS.org. "In the Middle East, weakness does not prevent terror. Strength prevents terror, while weakness invites terror. What happened in the United Nations was
counterproductive. It made Israel more vulnerable. And this invites terror."
The attack also took place just over 1 kilometer (0.62 mile) from the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem. President-elect Donald Trump and his ambassador-designate to Israel, David Friedman, have called to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem-a move that would recognize Israel's sovereignty over its capital city against the demands of the Palestinian Authority, which retains hope that eastern sections of Jerusalem would be designated as the capital of a future Palestinian state.
Outgoing U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry warned Friday that moving the embassy would increase violence in the region.
"You'd have an explosion," Kerry said, "an absolute explosion in the region, not just in the West Bank and perhaps even in Israel itself, but throughout the region."
Yet according to Kedar, the embassy is not to blame for rampant regional chaos. "Look at Syria, look at Iraq, look at Yemen, look at Libya, look at Sudan. We had this chaos before the idea was raised to bring the embassy to Jerusalem," he said.
Defense Minister Lieberman refuted the concept that Sunday's terror attack was a response to settlement building or plans to move the embassy, telling reporters at the scene, "There was no other reason and no need to look for an excuse; not Jewish settlements and negotiations, but an attack inspired by ISIS."
Lieberman insisted the attack was carried out because "we are Jews and we live here in Israel," vowing, "We will fight this terrorism with all tools at our disposal and I'm sure that will win."
Where east meets west
During the past several years, numerous terrorists have come from Jabel Mukaber, among the most radicalized Arab neighborhoods in eastern Jerusalem. Jabel Mukaber residents routinely use the road along the promenade as their primary access point into western sections of Jerusalem.
The promenade is a common stop for tourists due its panoramic view of Jerusalem's Old City, as well as the surrounding Jewish neighborhoods to the west and Arab neighborhoods to the east. The Israeli soldiers killed in the attack were touring the promenade as part of a cultural program to bring soldiers to important national and historical sites across Israel.
The promenade itself and the "peace forest" below it form part of a seam line between Arab and Jewish sections of the city, and cameras line the promenade to help provide security to tourists and local Jewish residents. A police station is also located nearby.
Several local citizens have worked to bolster security in the area. JJ Lewis, a volunteer with the Civilian Guard in Jerusalem, told JNS.org that "over the course of the past two years, there has been an increase in the number of civilians carrying firearms."
Despite the presence of dozens of soldiers at the promenade Sunday, a civilian tour guide was one of the individuals credited with neutralizing the terrorist.
"The promenade has always been part of Israel," Lewis said. "This wasn't an attack on a far-out settlement, this was an attack into the heartland."
In Kedar's view, jihadists "are fighting against us because they don't want us here at all. Neither in Jerusalem, nor in Tel Aviv, nor in Haifa, nor anywhere else. The whole existence of the state of Israel is a thorn in their eyes."
(JTA)Jewish organizations split along ideological lines in their reactions to Secretary of State John Kerrys speech criticizing Israeli settlement growth and laying out principles to achieve a two-state solution.
Centrist groups were measured in their reactions, criticizing the American decision to abstain last week on a U.N. vote rebuking the settlements while praising Kerrys commitment to a two-state solution.
American Jewish Committee CEO David Harris wrote in an open letter Dec. 28 that he watched the speech as one who understands that settlement-building beyond the security barrier is indeed a major impediment to the prospects for a final-status accord, but added, regarding the U.N. resolution, that it seems pretty clear that its consequence has been negative.
The Anti-Defamation League also praised Kerrys concern for Israel but criticized his focus on settlements.
Secretary Kerry delivered heartfelt remarks, read a statement from the groups CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt. However, his concern about policies and dynamics that may jeopardize the path to a secure peace seem to be disconnected from reality that there are two parties involved in this process, both of whom will need to make difficult choices to resolve the conflict.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee castigated the speechs focus on settlements and said it could not support any element of the speech given the abstention, which Kerry defended.
Secretary Kerry placed overwhelming, disproportionate blame for the failure to advance peace on our ally, Israel, while neglecting numerous Israeli peace offers and Palestinian refusal to resume direct talks, AIPAC said in a statement Dec. 28. Any potential, positive contribution from this speech was foreclosed by the Obama Administrations shameful refusal to veto the destructive, anti-Israel UNSC resolution.
Liberal groups applauded the speech and called on Israel to adopt Kerrys principles on Israeli-Palestinian peace, including borders based on the pre-1967 armistice lines, Jerusalem as a shared capital of Israel and Palestine, and a solution for Palestinian refugees that preserves Israels Jewish character.
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, expressed strong support for Kerrys speech while voicing disagreement with the U.N. vote. He said in a statement that Kerrys speech was cast in some of the staunchest pro-Israel language and most forceful denunciations of Palestinian instigation of violence that we have ever heard from the podium at the State Department.
Secretary Kerry is also correct, of course, that the U.S. should not, and cannot, dictate a solution, Jacobs said. But his speech today reminds us that the United States has an indispensable role to play. It is difficult to imagine progress without vigorous American leadership, and the principles Secretary Kerry laid out today are a useful example of that leadership.
J Street, the dovish Israel lobby that has been largely supportive of the Obama administrations Israel policy, also praised the speech, as well as the Security Council resolution.
J Street strongly supports as well the Secretarys proposals for concrete steps toward the two-state solution that can be taken now and his outline of the basic principles on which resolution of the conflict can ultimately be based, Jeremy Ben-Ami, the president of J Street, said in a statement Dec. 28. The Secretary laid out a clear choice for those who care about Israels future and security as the democratic home of the Jewish people.
The Israel Policy Forum, a center-left group that favors the two-state solution, also supported the speech, as did the New Israel Fund, an umbrella fundraising body for left-wing Israeli nonprofits.
On the right, groups lambasted Kerry as anti-Israel and looked toward the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who they believe will be friendlier toward Israel.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerrys speech today essentially was a proposal for a Hamas-Fatah-Iranian-Palestinian-Arab terrorist state, which divides Jerusalem in two, forcibly evicts Jews from their homeland, and requires Israels retreat to indefensible borders, Zionist Organization of America President Morton Klein said in a statement. His speech was filled with anti-Israel vitriol and falsehoods.
LOS ANGELES (JTA)-Rabbi Marvin Hier has known Charles and Seryl Kushner-Jared Kushner's parents and Donald Trump's in-laws-for decades. The Hiers and the Kushners have gone to the same kosher for Passover resort, the Arizona Biltmore, over the years. The Kushner family, prominent real estate developers, have also been generous donors to the Simon Wiesenthal Center founded by Hier, which he now serves as dean.
But the Los Angeles-based Hier said he was shocked three weeks ago when a Trump aide invited him to offer a prayer at the presidential inauguration. The 77-year-old rabbi said he accepted immediately because "it was the menschlichkeit thing to do," using the Yiddish word meaning honorable, "and I am proud to do it."
Hier said his participation is in line with previous blessings he offered to a bipartisan array of presidents and presidential candidates over the past three decades, though never as part of inaugural festivities.
Critics within the Jewish community, however, insist that this time is different-saying Trump's presidential campaign targeted minorities and at times invoked tropes that many, including the Anti-Defamation League, considered anti-Semitic. The Wiesenthal Center's own 2016 report on global anti-Semitism noted that a prominent group of neo-Nazis has embraced Trump and that Jewish journalists critical of the Republican presidential candidate were frequently targeted with anti-Semitic tweets.
Hier said the response to his selection has been mostly positive, and that he has gotten calls of congratulations from leaders of mainstream Jewish organizations, though he would not say which ones. However, the rabbi also acknowledged receiving about a dozen letters and emails criticizing his decision to speak at the inauguration.
In addition, an online petition pressing Hier to cancel neared 2,000 signatures by midday Thursday, three days after it was first circulated.
Ezra Fishman, a 29-year-old observant Jew who signed the petition after seeing it on a friend's Facebook page, said he would usually support the idea of a religious leader offering a blessing to an incoming president, regardless of political party. Just not in the case of President-elect Trump, whose campaign, Fishman said, has "made explicit appeals to bigotry and mainstreamed a lot of voices that both parties had really rejected for a long time."
"Rabbi Hier is probably one of the most well-known Jewish leaders in fighting bigotry and promoting tolerance," Fishman, a health researcher in Philadelphia, told JTA. "I would hate to see his name associated with the Trump inauguration because I think it would be understood as the rabbi giving his imprimatur on a lot of things Trump has said and done, to say nothing of things he has given voice to, like the 'alt-right.'"
The alt-right is a far-right movement widely associated with white nationalism, anti-immigrant sentiment, anti-Semitism and antipathy for the culture of political correctness. In November, Trump said he "disavows" the movement after one of its most prominent proponents, Richard Spencer, delivered a racist and anti-Semitic address at a Washington, D.C., rally in support of the president-elect.
Hier said he has never met or spoken with Trump, but that the real estate magnate visited the Museum of Tolerance, the educational arm of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, on Dec. 7, 1999. Named for a famed Nazi hunter, the Los Angeles-based Wiesenthal Center is an NGO with the stated purpose of teaching about the Holocaust, confronting hate and promoting human rights. (Emails to the Trump transition team asking how Hier was selected to participate in the inauguration and to confirm Trump's museum visit were not immediately returned.)
Another prominent rabbi, Haskel Lookstein, faced a similar outcry last summer when he agreed to give an invocation at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, where Trump secured his party's nomination. Lookstein, the rabbi emeritus at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun and former principal of the Ramaz Orthodox day school, both in Manhattan, ultimately decided against speaking at the convention after facing a storm of criticism, including a petition led by Ramaz alumni.
In 2009, Lookstein oversaw the Orthodox conversion of Trump's daughter Ivanka in advance of her marriage to Jared Kushner.
Tax returns show that the Charles and Seryl Kushner Family Foundation donated $35,000 in recent years to the Simon Wiesenthal Center. Hier is among the scholars-in-residence at the Arizona Biltmore Passover program, where guest reservations this year run $13,600 a couple for eight days, according to the kosher travel company Leisure Time Tours. The Kushner family is said to have been Passover guests at the Biltmore, in Phoenix, in years past.
Hier said he would not be swayed by petitions.
"They are not going to change my mind," he said, noting that while he did not agree with everything Trump did in the course of the campaign-proposing a registry for all Muslims, for example-the presidential inauguration is a time for all Americans to celebrate the peaceful transfer of power.
"There are no tanks, no planes, no guns and that's the way it is, so I was deeply honored and I accepted," he said.
The rabbi said it's in the interest of all Americans to "pray and hope that Donald Trump is a great president." So far he's optimistic. Hier has publicly criticized the Dec. 23 United Nations Security Council's censure of Israel over settlement expansion, which the Obama administration failed to block and Trump, by contrast, vehemently opposed.
Hier noted that Bill and Hillary Clinton, Jimmy and Roslyn Carter, and George W. Bush and Laura Bush have confirmed that they, too, would attend Trump's inauguration.
"Even people who fought each other bitterly during the campaign are all going to be present on the platform," he said.
Hier said that regardless of his role at the inaugural, the Wiesenthal Center would not hesitate to call out anybody who crosses a line, regardless of politics or personal relationships.
Though he would not share exactly what he planned to say at the inauguration, Hier said his blessing would be influenced by Joseph B. Soloveitchik, a 20th-century modern Orthodox rabbi who, according to Hier, "modeled marrying traditional Judaism with the modern world-no one did it better." One idea that Hier said he hoped to convey in his prayer is "that man is God's partner, that God doesn't do all of the work."
Hier is among six faith leaders to accept an invitation from the Trump camp to participate in the inauguration. The others include Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, and Franklin Graham, a prominent Christian evangelist. Hier is believed to be the first rabbi to speak at a presidential inauguration since 1985.
Choices, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando's largest women's philanthropy event of the year, is set for Thursday, Feb. 9, at Congregation Ohev Shalom in Maitland. Formal invitations have arrived in mailboxes over the past few weeks, and online registration is now live at http://www.jfgo.org/choices.
Traditionally, the Federation chooses to honor one Woman of Choice each year, a woman who embodies the values of philanthropy, volunteerism, service and leadership that are at the heart of the Greater Orlando Jewish community.
This year, Federation is honoring eight Women of Choice, each nominated by and representing one of the eight Jewish agencies serving Greater Orlando.
Here's a closer look at the eight women who will be honored at Choices on Feb. 9:
Es Cohen, The Roth Family JCC
Es Cohen has made strengthening Orlando's Jewish community central to her life since 1988, when she began working as the membership director of The Roth Family Jewish Community Center in Maitland. Six years later, she and her sons, Justin and Matt, dedicated the Shayna Cai Presser Parenting Center, now known as Shayna's Village, in memory of her young daughter, Shayna, who had passed away three years earlier from a brain tumor. Today, Shayna's Village provides young children and their parents the opportunity to learn creativity through a unique schedule of enrichment classes.
In founding the Shayna Cai Presser Parenting Center, Cohen saw the opportunity to express her family's gratitude to the JCC while also creating a loving memory of her daughter. Since then, Cohen has gone on to work at Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando and the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center, and serves as a volunteer for multiple initiatives in the community.
Wendi Harris, Rosen JCC
Wendi Harris' involvement with the Rosen JCC began several years ago, but her Jewish identity has been deeply rooted in her from a very young age. She attributes that to her mother's guidance as the true matriarch of her family, instilling Jewish family traditions in every way possible. Harris says her mother, Gail Garfinkel, was her best friend. Tragically, Garfinkel's life was cut short by a horrific car accident just three weeks before Harris's son AJ was born. Harris felt an even greater need to stay connected to a Jewish community and keep her mom's memory and Jewish identity alive.
Harris had served as executive director of Central Florida Hillel for seven years and had strong ties to the Jewish community. She was a natural for a board position, beginning at the Roth Family JCC in 2012 and then transferring to the Rosen JCC in 2015 when its inaugural Board of Directors was formed. Harris's son AJ is a student in the Early Childhood Learning Center, and she became an involved parent in many capacities, including using her skills as an HR professional for Disney to assist with various HR issues and topics. She became the governance chair of the executive committee, and is now secretary of the board.
Harris has been instrumental in assisting the Rosen JCC with many critical projects, including rewriting the Employee Handbook. She also led the executive director search, and created a step-by-step process to assist the JCC in finding the right person for this vital role.
Eve Homburger, Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center
Eve Homburger has called Central Florida home since 1977, and she has shared her time, talent and treasures with our community ever since. Her most valuable treasures are her husband, Brad Jacobs, and son Marc, who share her passion for volunteering and philanthropy.
As a second-generation Holocaust survivor, Homburger learned the importance of community and philanthropy from her parents. "They went from having everything to having nothing," Homburger says. "They taught me the importance of giving back to the community." Homburger still thinks about the speech her father gave at her religious school confirmation that has guided her throughout her life. "My father shared three important values to live by: The first was tolerance. He encouraged me to be open-minded and to accept people of all types. Next, he emphasized honesty, and wished me a life of honor and truthfulness. Lastly my father wanted me to know the importance of a sense of humor, and how to make lemonade out of lemons."
She and Brad have thoughtfully passed these values on to Marc, who clearly took them to heart. After attending the Holocaust Center's Dinner of Tribute in 2015 he was so touched by the message of the event that he decided to give his birthday money to the Center. He wanted to dedicate his donation "in memory of those who showed courage in the face of danger." Most recently he asked his bar mitzvah guests to make a donation to the newly created Marc Homburger Jacobs Fund at the Holocaust Center.
Nina Oppenheim, Central Florida Hillel
You cannot speak about the history and success of Central Florida Hillel, or the organized Jewish community in Orlando, without speaking about Nina Oppenheim.
As the first president of CFH in 2000, Oppenheim was instrumental in leading the agency during its formative years. Under her direction, CFH hired a full-time executive director, program professionals and development professionals. She oversaw the creation of a fully functioning board of directors and placed Hillel on a track toward excellence before stepping down to serve as immediate past president and then secretary.
After the national financial collapse of 2008, Oppenheim again served as Hillel president and was instrumental in ensuring that Hillel would continue to ensure Jewish life on campus.
Oppenheim's impact can be seen across the country as you connect with students who were involved with Hillel. These students now serve as board members for Jewish causes, work for Jewish organizations and participate as active members of their Jewish communities.
Ali Polejes, Kinneret Council on Aging
Alison "Ali" Polejes began her involvement with the Kinneret Council on Aging and Kinneret Apartments more than 15 years ago. She was a part of the Federation's Bornstein Leadership Development Program and had taken a tour of Kinneret Apartments-a tour that would eventually alter her life and career path.
"I began my involvement as a board intern," Polejes says. "...and when they asked me to accept a board position I immediately said yes. I was very close to my grandparents, and had visited Kinneret over the years as a child. Kinneret seemed like a natural fit."
In 2007, Ali accepted the position of president of the Kinneret I, Kinneret II and Kinneret Council on Aging Board. Under her leadership, Kinneret became an A+ rated property, and HUD awarded Kinneret II a $1.7 million dollar green retrofit grant.
"Kinneret's mission of 'Caring for Those who Care for Us' is deeply important, and I personally gain so much from my involvement here," Polejes says. "I work with amazing people like Mark Silverberg, whose knowledge and history of Kinneret is invaluable; Robert Hara, who always boosted my confidence and supported my efforts through some trying times; and Rhonda Pearlman, my mentor and dear friend. It's a board that works together; works hard and does good work. I am so proud to be a part of the leadership at Kinneret."
Elise Schilowitz, The Jewish Pavilion
One of the most important jobs the president of an organization can do is groom her successor. Elise Schilowitz needed no grooming when she became president of the Jewish Pavilion. She already had tremendous passion for the Pavilion-knowledge of how the organization operates and serves seniors, strong relationships with board members, familiarity and involvement with all of the Pavilion's events, and excellent organizational skills.
According to her nominator, Schilowitz's trademark warmth suited her well as president of the Pavilion, and she fostered a genuine sense of camaraderie among board members. Whether serving as Pavilion's president or president of the Friends of the Jewish Pavilion, Schilowitz is regarded as a builder and a leader who has forged meaningful, lasting relationships with donors, sponsors and volunteers.
Miriam Varnagy, Jewish Academy of Orlando
Miriam Varnagy hails from Caracas, Venezuela, where she attended the local Jewish day school from kindergarten through high school, and traveled to Israel with her school. She married David Varnagy, also from Caracas, and eventually they made their way to the United States, where David became a vascular surgeon.
Miriam and David moved to Orlando in 2008 with their two young children, Estrella and Michael. The children enrolled at the Jewish Academy of Orlando in Maitland, and Varnagy immediately became a "Super Volunteer" at the school. She served as HUM president (Horim U'Morim-the JAO's PTO), Gala chair, board member and vice president of development. Miriam also is a graduate of the Federation's Bornstein Leadership Development Program.
Madeline Wolly, JFS Orlando
Wendi Harris
Madeline Wolly says Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando has been her "second home" since 1983. When she and her husband, George, were invited-yes, back then you had to be invited-to start with JFS, the agency was located on Wymore Road in a little house, and the pantry was just a tiny closet. But they did some big things with the food in that little closet.
George eventually became the local president of JFS and later a national president. While he was national president, Wolly was the local president. When George passed away, JFS dedicated its new building in his honor.
Wolly has been a member of Congregation Ohev Shalom since she moved to Orlando in 1975 to marry George. She has been active in Hadassah and COS, and now she volunteers at the Villages on the Green, where she has lived for the past 11 years.
Read more about Choices 2017, including a profile of celebrity guest speaker Sonia Kashuk, at http://www.jfgo.org/choices.
In just one week, four bomb threats were called in to two Jewish centers here in Central Florida, three were called into the Tampa JCC pre-school and Federation, and one was called into Jewish Community Alliance in Jacksonville. Additionally, threats were called in to the Galbut Family Jewish Community Center in Miami Beach and the Dave and Mary Alper Jewish Community Center in Kendall.
According to The Roth Family JCC's security director, Andy Brennan, about 15 JCCs across nine states received similar threatening calls.
The Anti-Defamation League is also troubled by the many threats. ADL Florida Regional Director Hava L. Holzhauer issued the following statement: "It is disheartening to begin 2017 with hate being called into Jewish Institutions. Make no mistake, these are terror acts intended to intimidate and disrupt the everyday lives of Jewish members of the community. We are grateful for the quick response of various law enforcement departments from across the state, which have assisted in the evacuations and clearance of the facilities impacted by these calls. We value our freedoms and inclusiveness in this country. We hope law enforcement will find the individuals responsible for these cowardly acts and bring them to justice."
Wednesday morning, Jan. 4, the Jewish Academy of Orlando received a phone call stating that there was a bomb in the building. The specific message from a distorted voice said "There is a bomb in the Jewish Academy."
A second bomb threat was called in to the JCC campus on Monday morning, Jan. 9, and once again the entire campus was evacuated.
This kind of threat is taken very seriously. The Maitland police were called and they acted quickly to contact the FBI and other local law agencies. According to the campus's emergency response procedures, the entire campus, including The Roth Family JCC and Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center were immediately evacuated. Head of School Alan Rusonik told the Heritage that the Jewish Academy students and the children in the Early Childhood Learning Center were evacuated to a designated evacuation site where parents came to pick up their children. The Maitland Police Department closed off Maitland Avenue and portions of Maitland Boulevard as the buildings were checked by bomb-sniffing K-9s.
After about an hour, the campus was reopened after no suspicious devices were found. The Jewish Academy re-opened on Thursday, Jan. 5.
Keith Dvorchik, The Roth Family JCC CEO, stated that it was very obvious that those who called wanted to terrorize the Jewish community. He also stressed that he is pleased with the relationship the JCC campus has with the Maitland police and commented them on the promptness of their response and the thoroughness of their investigation.
Brennan, who just started his job as security director on the JCC campus on Jan. 3, thanked the entire Maitland Police department for their diligence and resources. "We have a strong relationship with both agencies, who have always, and will continue to, make the security of our campus a top priority," he stated in an email to all JCC members.
Shortly after the first call came into the Jewish Academy, a similar call was received at Chabad of South Orlando. The office manager who took the call initially hung up on the caller stating she couldn't hear what he was saying because his voice was very distorted. The caller called again and asked in a digitized-sounding voice if she could hear him, then stated, according to her, "there is a bomb in the shul."
Rabbi Yosef Konikov wasn't sure if she heard correctly that the person said "shul" because of the distortion. "Perhaps he said school," Rabbi Konikov stated, since the Maitland call was directed to the Jewish Academy.
As in Maitland, the police response-this time the Orange County Sheriff's Office, was quick to respond and very competent. There were 50 children in the building and about 20 staff who were all evacuated to Chabad's other location.
Were the children afraid? "No," said Konikov. "We said it was practice for an emergency."
The parents were informed and told exactly what had happened and were given the choice to pick up their children or let them return to classes. All of the children returned.
"We, too, have a great relationship with the Orange County police. They quickly handled the situation and within one hour had gone through the entire building with the K-9 dogs."
Konikov also stated that Mayor Theresa Jacobs called him to share her concerns.
"While it is typical for people filled with hate to attempt to intimidate places of love and inclusiveness, we must see this as a call to increase in acts of love, goodness, kindness and Mitzvot," Rabbi Konikov said.
On Thursday, Jan. 5, around noon, Chabad of South Orlando received another threatening phone call and Rabbi Konikov once again called in the Orange County Sheriff's Office, who evacuated the building.
In an email update, Rabbi Konikov stated that he has been in touch with the Lubavitch Security Department and they have put Chabad of South Orlando in touch with a wider network of agencies, including the FBI.
"I want to thank our office staff and teachers for acting swiftly, in a calm manner, and reassuring the kids that they were safe and being taken care of at all times," he said.
In response to these threats, Chabad of South Orlando has requested another immediate and ongoing security training and emergency procedure review with the Orange County Counter Terrorism Unit.
They are also in touch with the ADL and other Florida organizations that provide training and assistance specifically to Jewish institutions in Florida, to update and refresh the staff and specific members' skills in being ready to respond to terror or attacks.
"We pray for calm and security at Chabad's Center of Jewish Life, JAO, Maitland campus, as well as every Jewish institution here and abroad.
With a prayer for the coming of Moshiach when hate and evil will be eradicated and nations will live together in peace," Rabbi Konikov concluded.
While this was happening in Central Florida, also on Thursday, the Tampa Jewish Community Center and Federation received two threatening phone calls. Both calls were recorded "robocalls" and had different messages: One was a bomb threat and the other said gunmen were coming to the preschool. Once again on Monday, Jan. 9, Tampa's JCC received another robocall.
Also on Monday, the Jewish Community Alliance in Mandarin, a suburb of Jacksonville, received a bomb threat. Posting on social media, "We received a threat to our building, and in an abundance of caution we have evacuated. Authorities are investigating. EVERYONE IS SAFE!"
When Heritage tried to call The Roth Family JCC on Monday afternoon to speak with the security director, the facility was closed.
Florida has not been the only state where Jewish institutions have been targeted. There have been reports of bomb threats today at Jewish Community Centers in several states, including Tennessee, Maryland, South Carolina, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. These follow several bomb threats called in to Georgia and New Jersey institutions last week.
(JTA)-NORPAC, one of the largest pro-Israel political action committees, praised President-elect Donald Trump's pick for U.S. ambassador to Israel for his "lifetime of pro-Israel advocacy."
Congratulating David Friedman on his appointment, NORPAC in a statement called him "an accomplished attorney" with "extensive knowledge of Israel and the Middle East."
"His lifetime of pro-Israel advocacy has earned him the trust and respect of the Israeli People, a point which will enable him to best fulfill his duties in representing U.S. interests in Israel," the statement said.
The president-elect's transition team said in a statement that Friedman intends "to work tirelessly to strengthen the unbreakable bond between our two countries and advance the cause of peace within the region, and look forward to doing this from the U.S. embassy in Israel's eternal capital, Jerusalem."
Friedman supports and has funded construction in settlements and suggests it is time to think of alternatives to the two-state solution.
Liberal Jewish groups and lawmakers have spoken out against the nomination of Friedman, who has described the liberal pro-Israel group J Street as "not Jewish" and "worse than" Jewish collaborators with Nazis, and President Barack Obama as "blatantly anti-Semitic."
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, in response to a recent JTA request for comment, stuck to its longstanding position of not pronouncing on nominees.
(JTA)Responding to Secretary of State John Kerrys address on making peace between Israel and the Palestinians, many U.S. lawmakers said they were disappointed by the Obama administrations decision to abstain on the vote in the U.N. Security Council of a resolution criticizing Israel for settlement building.
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., the incoming Senate minority leader, said in a statement that Kerry has emboldened extremists on both sides.
While Secretary Kerry mentioned Gaza in his speech, he seems to have forgotten the history of the settlements in Gaza, where the Israeli government forced settlers to withdraw from all settlements and the Palestinians responded by sending rockets into Israel, Schumer said. This is something that people of all political stripes in Israel vividly remember.
Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the House Democratic whip, said he was reassured that Kerry did not call for further action by the United Nations Security Council while criticizing the U.S. abstention in the Security Council.
Hoyer said that Kerrys speech outlined longstanding American principles vis-a-vis the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
The United States will have a role to play in helping both parties reach the goal of lasting peace, even if that involves highlighting uncomfortable facts on the ground, as Secretary Kerry did. Nonetheless, I continue to believe that the U.N. Security Council is the wrong forum for critiquing Israeli policies, he said. As I have said many times, no solution should be imposed from outside, nor should the United States, the United Nations, or any other nation or international organization seek to prejudge any formulation for a final settlement, which must be worked out by the parties themselves.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., tweeted: Bold speech by Secretary Kerry. Security for Israel can only be achieved through peace. A two-state solution offers the only path forward.
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in a statement released after the speech called for direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, not through efforts dictated by the United Nations, which I have opposed.
She added: Todays remarks by Secretary Kerry were a reaffirmation of Americas commitment to a secure, Jewish and democratic Israel, and a state for the Palestinians.
Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., the speaker of the House, criticized Kerrys speech in a tweet.
After allowing this anti-Israel resolution to pass the UN, Secretary Kerry has no credibility to speak on Israeli-Palestinian peace, he wrote.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, called the abstention and the speech in a statement shameful and designed to weaken and marginalize Israel, and to embolden its enemies.
Kerrys central conclusion, that Israel can either be Jewish or democratic, it cannot be both, is an inanity that passes as profound only in Ivory Tower faculty lounges, Cruz said. There are roughly 50 majority-Muslim countries in the world. There is oneonly oneJewish state. And yet, for Kerry and Obama, that is too much.
Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement that he welcome(s) Secretary Kerrys articulation of six principles that should guide direct negotiations between the parties for a secure, just, and realistic two-state solution.
He also said that he was disappointed in the U.S. abstention in the United Nations and that last weeks resolution makes direct negotiations more, not less, challenging.
JERUSALEM (JTA)Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expects a new era when U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office next month.
He said as much at a Chanukah candle-lighting ceremony Saturday, where he addressed the United Nations Security Council resolution passed a day earlier against Israeli settlements in the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem that the Obama administration declined to veto.
The resolution that was passed at the U.N. yesterday is part of the swan song of the old world that is biased against Israel, but, my friends, we are entering a new era, he said, mixing outrage with hope. And just as President-elect Trump said yesterday, it will happen much sooner than you think.
Trump has publicly given Netanyahu reason to be optimistic, at least on his terms. Shortly after the resolution passed by a vote of 14-0 with the U.S. abstaining, the president-elect tweeted: As to the UN, things will be different after Jan. 20, when he will become president.
His pick for ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, told a Jerusalem rally in October, ahead of the U.S. presidential election, The Trump administration will never pressure Israel into a two-state solution or any other solution that is against the wishes of the Israeli people.
If Netanyahu and Friedman are right, Israels government could soon find itself with a freer hand than ever in dealing with the Palestinians. That government reflects how far the spectrum has shifted rightward in decades of failed Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, Israeli-Arab wars, Palestinian terrorism, Middle Eastern chaos and Israeli settlement building since the Labor Party led Israel into the Oslo peace negotiations with the Palestinians in 1993.
While the diminished left wants to try harder to reach a negotiated peace deal leading to a Palestinian state alongside Israel, the two mainstream approaches to the Palestinians come from what could now be called the center-rightmaintain a version of the status quoand the center, which favors unilateral withdrawal from much of the West Bank.
Meanwhile, Israels empowered and vocal right wing supports the annexation of large parts of the West Bank. On both the political extremes, there is support for various versions of a single state for Israelis and Palestinians, and there are many positions in between.
Netanyahu avowedly supports the leftist position of a negotiated two-state solution. But many say his demanding conditions for the Palestinians make him a de facto center rightist on the issue, and he has expressed support for the approaches of the right and even the center left. Here is a survey of the Israeli political map when it comes to the Palestinian problem.
The center right
The center-right view on the Palestinians, rooted in the moderate wing of Netanyahus ruling Likud party, is that the state should guide settlement growth and keep its army in the West Bank for the foreseeable future. Most of the world views Israeli building in the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem as illegal and an obstacle to the creation of a Palestinian state. But Israel has always rejected Palestinian claims to Jerusalem, which it claims as its united capital, and reserved the right to build there and on public land in the West Bank.
Former Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon laid out a version of this view in a Foreign Affairs essay published online earlier this month.
Palestinian reluctance to recognize Israels right to exist as the nation-state of the Jewish people, not settlements, was the primary obstacle to peace, he wrote.
Unilateral withdrawal, though appealing, was not a solution, Yaalon said, because the Palestinians are dependent on the Israeli economy and infrastructure, and Israel needs to maintain military access to the West Bank. Separation would trigger an economic and political crisis in the West Bank and threaten the security of Israel and Jordan, he said.
Yaalon suggested that Israel work with others to promote Palestinian economic growth, infrastructure development and good governance while maintaining security cooperation with the Palestinian Authority. These efforts eventually could lay the groundwork for a true peace rooted in mutual recognition and responsible cooperation, he said.
He also urged the government to make clear it does not build outside existing settlements and opposes large-scale annexation of the West Bank and Gaza.
Avigdor Liberman, who was appointed defense minister at Yaalons expense in May, has similarly spoken of developing the Palestinians infrastructure and economy, and even of limiting settlement building. Last month, the head of the hawkish Yisrael Beiteinu party told reporters that Israel should make a deal with the Trump administration to build in the major settlement blocs even if that meant freezing construction outside them. But after coming under withering criticism from the right, he downplayed the suggestion.
The center left
The idea of unilateral withdrawal that Yaalon argued against has been taken up in recent years by centrist Israeli politicians, most notably in the Labor and Yesh Atid parties, both of which are in the political opposition.
In February, Labor unanimously voted to shift its official strategy to separating from the Palestinians. A month earlier, Isaac Herzog, the head of Labor and the opposition, laid out the plan in a speech at the International Security Studies think tank in Tel Aviv, saying a two-state solution was no longer possible under the current conditions.
I wish to separate from as many Palestinians as possible, as quickly as possible. They over there and we over here; well erect a big wall between us, he said.
Yair Lapid, the leader of Yesh Atid, who wants to be prime minister and whom polls show challenging Netanyahu for the job, has called for a unilateral Israeli pullout from parts of the West Bank. At a news conference with foreign journalists in January, he said, The details may be complex, but the basic idea is simpleIsrael doesnt want to absorb 3.5 million Palestinians [in the West Bank]. It is time to separate and guarantee our future as a Jewish and democratic state.
Amos Yadlinthe former head of military intelligence in the Israeli army and the proposed defense minister for the Labor-dominated Zionist Union, which came in second in the 2015 electionhas also advocated unilateral withdrawal to behind the West Bank security barrier in coordination with the Palestinian Authority after another attempt at negotiating peace. Recommending Israel hold onto the large settlement blocs and keep military control of the Jordan Valley, Yadlin said withdrawal was preferable to the status quo.
The 2014 strategic assessment of the Institute for National Security Studies, which Yadlin leads, explained that the move would reverse the current trend that makes a separation increasingly hard to implement and head off Palestinian attempts to delegitimize Israel that could culminate in pressure for a single Arab-majority state between the river and the sea.
The right
A growing number of politicians on the Israeli rightespecially among hard-line members of Likud and the pro-settlement Jewish Home party, which is part of the governing coalitionwant to annex large parts of the West Bank. Supporters of this view have been emboldened by Trumps election in November and were enraged by Fridays resolution.
Education Minister Naftali Bennett, the head of the pro-settler Jewish Home party, declared the morning after Trumps win: The era of a Palestinian state is over. On Sunday, Bennett said Israel must use the resolution to move forward with his proposal to annex the some 60 percent of the West Bank under full Israeli control, starting with the large settlement of Maale Adumim.
Its time to decide between two alternatives: surrendering our land or sovereignty, he said during a visit to the Western Wall. Weve tried surrendering our land; it didnt work. It is time for sovereignty.
Several other government ministers, including some members of the prime ministers party, have also spoken out in favor of annexation since the resolution was passed. Likud Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said, We should make an effort to cut off all funding to the U.N. We should announce the immediate annexation of the settlement blocs... We should renew construction throughout the land.
In a 2014 article in The Wall Street Journal, Bennett explained that his plan would grant full Israeli citizenship to the Palestinians living on the land to be annexed and let Palestinians in the rest of the West Bank govern themselves under what he has called autonomy on steroids. He also called for the dismantling of all roadblocks and checkpoints, as well as the security barrier, to allow Palestinians complete freedom of movement and taking steps to grow the West Banks economy.
Annexing Area C [the West Bank areas under full Israeli control, where the settlements stand] would limit conflict by reducing the size of the territory in dispute, which would make it easier to one day reach a long-term peace agreement, Bennett said. Annexation would also allow Israel to secure vital interests: providing security for Jerusalem and the Gush Dan region along Israels central coast, protecting Israeli communities within Area C, and applying Israeli sovereignty over national heritage sites such as the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, the burial place of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Critics charge that Bennetts solution is just another version of the one-state solution, only with Israel ruling a restless, stateless population.
The left
The only Jewish party on the left holding high the torch of negotiations with the Palestinians is Meretz, which squeaked into the Knesset in 2015 with the fewest number of seats. Meretz chairwoman Zahava Galon on Friday was one of the few Israeli voices to welcome the resolution against the settlements.
In a 2013 speech at the annual conference of J Street, the dovish American pro-Israel lobby, she said separation from the Palestinians was not enough. Galon called for Israel to negotiate a two-state solution with the Palestinians based on recognition of their claims to the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem, and to resettle settlers into the internationally recognized borders of the State of Israel.
My Israeli colleagues, Tzipi Livni [the head of Kadima, the other party in the Zionist Union] and Shelly Yachimovich [a Labor Knesset member], who spoke before me at this conference, all articulated so correctly their support for separation from the Palestinians because they care about Israels future, because they care about Israels security and because they care about Israels interests. I do, too. But I would like to remind everyone that even if Israels future is secured, even if our security is not threatened, even if our interests were forever protected, that in itself would not be enough as long as we are still an occupying nation, she said.
The right and center insist that the two-state solution is a non-starter as long as the Palestinians refuse to recognize Israel as a Jewish state or relinquish the right of return for Palestinians who were displaced from their homes during Arab wars with Israel.
The Arab Joint List, now the third largest political grouping in the Knesset, wants Israel to pull its army and settlers out of the entire West Bank and eastern Jerusalem to make room for a Palestinian state there. It also demands the release of all political prisoners and the right of return.
Arab-Israeli parties have never joined the governing coalition, though during Oslo they propped up then-Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin from the opposition.
Joint List head Ayman Odeh told JTA in September: We are still not ripe to be part of the coalition. But if it will be dependent on us if the right will go back to government or not, we cannot sit on the sidelines. Is this answer enough?
Like many others, I sat at my computer with baited breath Wednesday waiting for Secretary of State John Kerry to explain the background to the U.S. abstention on the United Nations Security Council vote. And explain he did. But there were so many things wrong with what I will call Kerrys farewell anti-Israel speech:
Spending 45 minutes on settlements, and 45 seconds on terrorism.
Claiming the Palestinians live under Israeli military occupation when 98 percent of them live under the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Condemning Israeli construction even within Jerusalem.
But if I had to choose the one aspect that bothered me the most, the part that made me want to shout at the computer screen, it would be the false moral equivalence.
Kerry, like all blame-Israel-firsters, cannot accept the simple fact that, in this conflict, the Israelis are the good guys and the Palestinians are the bad guys. Thats not to say that Israel is perfect; of course not. America was not perfect in the 1940s, either. But any reasonable person could understand that the U.S. and its allies were the good guys, and Nazi Germany and its partners were the bad guys.
Kerry and the rest of the Obama administration see the world differently. They will not acknowledge that Israel is the victim, and the Palestinians are the aggressors. They will not recognize the difference between democratic, freedom-loving Israel and the totalitarian, terror-promoting PA regime.
So in his speech, Kerry recalled visiting Kiryat Shemonah, near Israels northern border, and he acknowledged that children there have 15 seconds to reach bomb shelters. But he couldnt just leave it at that. He had to try to show that Palestinian children have similar experiences. So he quickly talked about visiting Gaza and seeing Arab children in the rubble of bombed-out buildings.
That kind of superficial equivalence is outrageous because it is so fundamentally wrong. The Israeli children are the innocent victims of Arab terroristsand the Palestinian children are also the innocent victims of Arab terrorists. The only reason their buildings are in rubble is because their elected ruler, Hamas, deliberately provokes Israeli strikes by raining thousands of rockets down on Israeli cities.
Kerry didnt stop; theres more.
He repeatedly claimed both sides were to blame. Many people on both sides, Kerry asserted, dont see the other side as people.
Nonsense. Israeli schools teach coexistence, diversity and pluralism. It is the PAs schools that portray Jews as less than humanas insects and wolves and demons.
Kerry then alleged that both sides push a narrative to play on fears and stereotypes.
Nonsense. It is the PA that peddles conspiracy theories about Jews plotting to destroy the mosques on the Temple Mounttheories that are deliberately intended to whip up fears and anti-Jewish stereotypes among Palestinians. And the incitement works. It manifests itself every single day, in the stabbings and stonings perpetrated by Arabs who claim they are defending the Al-Aqsa mosque.
The lowest point of Kerrys moral-equivalence tirade was when he listed what he said are the two major obstacles to peace: settlement expansion and terrorism. That rubbery term settlement expansion is a nefarious-sounding description of such less-than-nefarious actions as a family building an extra room in its house for a nursery, or the construction of a kindergarten in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalems Old City. To portray Israeli kindergarten construction as the equivalent of Palestinians blowing up buses, stabbing women and children, or lynching Israelis who accidentally drive into their neighborhood is nothing less than outrageous.
If you dont understand the basic moral difference between Israel and the Palestiniansthe basic difference between right and wrongthen you understand nothing about the Israeli-Arab conflict. Its clear that Kerry, and the president on whose behalf he speaks, understand nothing about the Israeli-Arab conflict.
Stephen M. Flatow, a vice president of the Religious Zionists of America, is an attorney in New Jersey. He is the father of Alisa Flatow, who was murdered in an Iranian-sponsored Palestinian terrorist attack in 1995.
You can make a strong case that President Barack Obama s decision to allow United Nations Security Council resolution 2334 to pass was very harmful to Israel. By endorsing the anti-Israel narrative that every square inch of territory captured by Israel in the 1967 warincluding the Jewish Quarter in East Jerusalem and the Western Wallis Occupied Palestinian Territory, and that Jewish presence in those areas is a flagrant violation of international law, Obama didnt just throw renegade West Bank settlers to the wolveshe threw all of Israel.
If a Tel Aviv dairy company, for instance, sells its cottage cheese to Jews in East Jerusalem, does it make that company complicit in a crime? And if a Jew lives in the Old City, can that Jew be arrested and tried in international legal courts?
I know, it sounds preposterous. But when you see the anti-Israel venom spewed by such movements as Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS), would it really surprise you to see them come after Israeli Jews in international criminal courts with the lethal weapon of Resolution 2334 firmly in their hands?
That resolution is the weapon Obama has provided to Israels enemies. It would be silly to expect they wont use it. So, yes, allowing this resolution to pass is harmful to Israel and is a shameful final act for a president who has always claimed to have Israels back.
But it is shameful, and tragic, for another reason as wellbecause it has virtually killed the peace process.
By endorsing a resolution that makes Israels presence in post-1967 areas an illegal actwithout distinguishing between far-flung outposts in the West Bank and the Western WallObama has eliminated all incentive for the Palestinians to negotiate, let alone compromise. In other words, if Israels #1 ally has already decided that 550,000 Israeli Jews are illegally occupying Palestinian territory, what is there for the Palestinians to talk about?
What is often overlooked is that previous U.N. resolutions and international and bilateral agreements did not put Israel in such a box and allowed plenty of room for the parties to negotiate.
You can start with the 1922 League of Nations Mandate for Palestine, which, as Evelyn Gordon has documented in Commentary, explicitly allocated all of what is today Israel, the West Bank and Gaza as a Jewish national home, a right that was legally preserved by Article 80 of the founding U.N. Charter.
But even if you reject those 1922 Jewish rights, there is the venerable U.N. Security Council Resolution 242 which followed the 1967 war. That resolution, which both parties have been quoting for decades as a basis for negotiations, was explicitly worded to allow Israel to keep parts of the disputed territory it captured during the war, by referring to defensible borders and requiring an Israeli withdrawal only from territories captured in 1967, not the territories or all the territories.
Even the 1993 Oslo Accord lists Jerusalem and settlements as issues that will be negotiated in the permanent status negotiations. The point is, whether they thought settlements were illegal or not, peace processors were always savvy enough to allow Israel some leverage and wiggle room to negotiate.
Resolution 2334, by bluntly characterizing Israel as a land thief and making no distinction between illegal outposts and the Western Wall, pretty much obliterates that wiggle room.
President Obama, at the beginning of his term, also left no wiggle room and was equally blunt when he demanded that Israel freeze every brick of construction in every inch of post-1967 territory, including the settlement blocs and the Jewish Quarter. Since no Israeli government could ever meet such a draconian demand, Obamas move essentially froze the peace process by undermining Israels negotiating position and giving the Palestinians the perfect excuse to stay away from peace talks.
With his failure to veto resolution 2334, Obama has come full circle. His draconian demand from eight years ago is now enshrined in the inner sanctum of the United Nations. He may have convinced himself he was only showing tough love, but the reality is that Obama has empowered Israels enemies, stripped Israel of its negotiating leverage and rewarded the Palestinians for their intransigence.
It is the height of chutzpah when Secretary of State John Kerry now lectures Israel on the importance of negotiating a two-state solution. Its like saying: Weve taken away all your negotiating chipsnow go make a deal!
David Suissa is a columnist for the Jewish Journal.
Following my articles taking to task President Obama and John Kerry and their stabbing Israel in the back I received many replies. The vast majority were supportive and expressed embarrassment by the Obama-Kerry tag teaming. Some apologized and made sure I knew their vindictive behavior did not reflect that of the American people.
One email led to a thoughtful discussion I would like to excerpt here. A friend wrote:
I read your article with much interest. However, (Im) a bit puzzled. While I believe (in) and support the Zionist dream..., I am deeply concerned about Israels predicament: maintaining a Democratic Jewish state while divorcing herself from an indigenous Arab population... divorce is rarely simple, it can be highly contested with many casualties. While I dont... trivialize Israels current situation with this comparison... how (do) you feel about these concerns? ...maintaining the status quo is as much of a cause of a new Intifada as your opinion regarding Obamas abstention.
It was late at night in Israel when I replied. I was moved to do so right away, albeit abruptly:
I have two quick answers...but a lot more can be said. First, its not the place of Obama, or anyone else, to set parameters that define Israel as they want it. Theres no suggestion that a Palestinian state should be democratic, or Iran or Cuba or any of the others that the U.S. has no problem dealing with. Theres not even a hint that Palestine cant be Judenrein. Kicking all the Jews out is fine, but Israel should remain 20 percent Arab?!
That holds Israel to a standard that, because we are Jews, more is to be expected. I reject that because Arabs should have the same expected of them. To do otherwise is double discrimination (against Arabs and Jews).
As to demographics, few in any mainstream political party here today would (say)... that we actually have a partner willing to make and uphold peace. That doesnt exist, period. So putting the cart before the horse and laying out parameters of what a resolution should look like is absurd, and biased against Israel. Theres not only not a partner with which to negotiate, but the Palestinian Authority (with whom we are expected to negotiate) doesnt even control Gaza. So if Obama and Kerry had their dream wed give up territory today for the hope of peace, (creating) a Palestine in which the undemocratic government doesnt even control all the territory its claiming as its state.
And what happens afterward when they have an internal war and Hamas takes over? This is not rhetoric, its probability. Its very complex. Few would deny there needs to be a resolution, but you cant force peace if you dont have (a partner)... Making concessions for the hope that it will bring (the Palestinians) to the table is faulty.
I dont know if well ever have peace. But Im not prepared to give up land to create a new state that will add to the list of our enemies and not make peace any more likely.
Theres a lot that can be done in the interim, and more should be done. But no matter how much Obama and Kerry pontificate about whats legal and what Israel has a legitimate claim to, and saying things that can only be one (their) way, theyre just wrong.
I woke up the next morning to the following reply:
Thank you for taking the time to respond. I get it and understand the situation and the dilemma. However, maintaining the status quo and not attempting to change the conditions on the ground only adds to the frustration and then anger which leads to intifada and armed conflict. Where are todays Sadats, Begins, Rabins?
So before I had my second cup of coffee I wrote back: I really mean to answer sincerely but Im at my limit and Obama and Kerry have crossed all boundaries. Im not holding back. (As for changing the status quo) I would love to see major economic investments in settlement blocks which benefit Jews and Arabs here. SodaStream was a good example but they got slammed by BDS and moved to the Negev. Who got hurt? Palestinian Arabs!
But Id do more. Id build economic facts, all kinds of industry. Id look to investments from Arabs and Jews. Maybe one could connect private schools and day care for the employees attached to the industrial centers where Arabs could bring their kids for top education (that promotes coexistence).
Itll take someone with audacity to stand up to BDS and the deceitful notion that building and doing business here is illegal. But even if such a plan were to be wildly successful and Arabs got good jobs with benefits, taking home a respectable salary, that would not mitigate the reality that incitement, hate, and violence are encouraged, nurtured, even celebrated. Unless and until that changes, we wont have peace. And unless the Islamists are defeated, Palestinian Arabs will fear saying or encouraging things that are pro-peace and will be killed by their own.
We have no Begins or Sadats today. Netanyahu is the best of whats available but hes crippled by many internal and external factors. But even another Begin wont make sacrifices if peace is not a real possibility. Today, and for the foreseeable future, its not. So we need to make the best of what there is, build infrastructure that makes Israel continue to succeed, that benefits Palestinian Arabs, and offers hope.
Overall, my friends position, while not wrong, is ignorant. I dont say that in a demeaning way or as a put down. Its just that CNN and the NY Times and other media get it wrong and misrepresent the facts and nuance in Israel as the rule. This is true even if they dont have a proclivity to be against Israel in a way that their bias is reflected in their news reporting. Even conservative and ideologically more pro-Israel media dont get it right all the time, supporting an undertone of anti-Israel bias which they dont intend, but about which they dont know any better.
No, the status quo, leaving things as is, is not desirable. Theres a lot that can and should be done short of actual peace, if that will ever come. But making concessions as a precondition to bring the Palestinians to the table, or because Obama, Kerry or others demand it, without a true hope for peace and a plan that addresses all this, is less desirable. Maybe the status quo is the best we can hope for, for now.
What do you think? Please post/write respectfully and Ill try to do the same.
Jonathan Feldstein was born and educated in the U.S. and immigrated to Israel in 2004. He is married and the father of six. He has a three-decade career in nonprofit fundraising and marketing and throughout his life and career, he has become a respected bridge between Jews and Christians. He writes regularly on major Christian web sites about Israel and shares experiences of living as an Orthodox Jew in Israel. He can be reached at FirstPersonIsrael@gmail.com.
Considering the perspectives of the Israeli and Palestinian populations, and seeing the reality on the ground, a two-state solution seems like the best option for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
The Medias Perspective
Lets begin by briefly summarizing, in broad brush-strokes, the commonly-available information from the media on Arab and Israeli attitudes towards the existing situation.
Palestinian Arabs
A small minority agree on a two-state solution in order to have a peaceful life and prosperity, but they seek a solution thats based on disproportionate compromises from the Israeli side.
A significant number of the politicians and general population would agree to a one-state solution, hoping that it will eventually become a Palestinian state.
The great majority want the whole land from the river to the sea, getting rid of the Jews and with Israel our of existence.
Israelis
A very small group of ignorant fanatics object to Israels existence on religious grounds. Their representatives even shook hands with Ahmadinejad.
Part of the Israeli population, especially its orthodox citizens, is against giving any land to Arabs, arguing that it is historically Jewish land that was given to us by God.
A significant part of the Israeli population opposes giving any land to Arabs because, based on Israels experience with Gaza and South Lebanon, they believe giving away land will never bring peace but only endanger Israel.
A sizable number of Israelis, based on the existing reality on the ground, accept that the land belongs to both people.
The majority of Israelis would prefer that the whole historical land of Eretz Israel would belong to the Jews, but they would gladly agree to share the land with Arabs by creating a Palestinian stateif doing so would bring peace and security to Israel and lead to Arab recognition of The Jewish state.
A Strange Occupation
Many call the present Israeli/Palestinian situation an occupation. But isnt it a strange occupation when the occupied have their own government, access to international organizations and representation in those organizations, the freedom to spread anti-Israel propaganda, the right to brainwash children to hate Jews, and so on?
Isnt it a strange occupation where the prime minister of the occupying power is practically begging the president of the occupied entity to negotiate a solution, but to no avail?
What could be the Palestinian-Arab leaderships logic for avoiding negotiations?
Exploring Potential Solutions and Outcomes
Two-State Solution
For Palestinians, this would mean giving up the idea of having the whole land for themselves, recognizing Israel as a Jewish state, and agreeing on security arrangements for the Jewish state. This is not what they want and not the outcome for which they brainwash the masses.
One-State Solution
One state for two people, in a relatively short historical time, might result in an Arab state with a Jewish minority (most likely a persecuted Jewish minority). This is an outcome the Palestinians would willingly accept, but they realize that Israel will not agree to it.
Status Quo
The status quo might eventually lead to the same outcome as a one-state solution.
Why Palestinians Avoid Negotiations
In the Palestinian leaderships minds, why not wait for the status quo to cause the same outcome as a one-state solution, even if it takes a very long time? In the meantime, they initiate as many anti-Israel resolutions as possible in international organizations like the UN, glorify terrorists, and brainwash their children to hate and kill Jews. They also try to force Israel to accept a solution that is favorable to Palestinian Arabs through international pressure orchestrated by Arab countries.
Position of Overwhelming Majority of Israelis
A one-state solution or keeping the status quo might eventually lead to an Arab state with a Jewish minority. Even now, the status quo creates a lot of well-known problems for Israel.
Even assuming that Jews will be able to keep a small majority, they will have to coexist in one state with a very large, hostile Arab population. Right now, the total Arab population in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza is estimated around 6.17 million.
A two-state solution with reliable provisions for Israeli security and Arab recognition of the Jewish state would be the solution that Israel is ready to accept, despite the difficult compromises that are required.
Is There a Way to Solve the Present Dead End Situation?
If the other side does not want to negotiate, it is possible (but very unlikely) that Israelis can find a way to unilaterally separate from the Arabs, without repeating the Gaza experience and while being extremely fair to the needs of Palestinian Arabs.
Maybe the help of the new American administration can lead both sides out of the present dead end situation. Perhaps its not as unbelievable as it sounds. Lets hope.
Ill indicate in advance that this is a personal and rambling note, promoted by several responses to what I wrote about the recent decision of the UN Security Council. And it is by no means the first time Ive been provoked by what Ive received from my Internet friends.
Several responses have detailed a centurys worth of agreements, resolutions, et al, with different correspondents producing greatly different conclusions as to what it all means for international law and the obligations or opportunities of Israel.
This interchange has led me to ponder, yet again, the walk that I do several times a week for about 20 minutes from our home in French Hill to the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus. Along the way I pass by the British military cemetery, and think about the significance of those British Christians, a number of Jews, as well as Hindu and Muslim soldiers who came here to fight the Turks in World War I.
That cemetery marks the beginning of modern Middle Eastern history. Since those soldiers died, theres been countless international agreements, decisions, proclamations and actions, including what Israel has done up until this morning.
My own pondering has been helped by what I learned during two decades association with two nations militaries. During a period that spanned the 1960s and 70s I traveled the world as a civilian for the U.S. military, lecturing mostly to officers. For logistical purposes I had the rank of Lt. Colonel. In all of those contacts, I listened to and learned from the people I also taught.
Then, after three years as an Israeli civilian, I was drafted by the IDF at the age of 40, sent through basic training, and made a private in the lecture corps. For the next decade, I did up to 50 days reserve duty in some years, speaking to a much wider range of personnel than I saw in the U.S. military, and usually outside formal classrooms. At the bottom of the IDF I had two tours lecturing to inmates in military prisons. I did most of this in Israel in my own clothes, but on several occasions I was put in uniform, given a weapon, and sent into Lebanon. There I talked to soldiers on duty, once within 50 meters of a fire fight with casualties.
After retirement from the military, I gave a semester-long seminar at the National Defense College.
Among the lessons that I carried from these experiences into my university teaching and professional writing were themes that I heard from senior officers in both the U.S. and Israel.
From an American colonel who was a professor at West Point I acquired the acronym KISS: Keep it simple, stupid. The point is that soldiers must be given clear and simple orders in order to carry out what their superiors intend.
I heard the Hebrew equivalent from the Chief of Staff of the IDF, when he had to comment about an operation that went bad. From now on, he said, the orders must be simple. And if they cant be made simple, the operation simply wont happen.
Simplicity is hard to find in the blather that relies on all that has happened, been proclaimed, and argued about since the establishment of the British military cemetery on Mt. Scopus. While John Kerry, et al, insist that Israel is occupying Palestinian land, a sharply different view apparent in Israeli government actions is that the land is disputed due to a muddied history. Israel resists starting any negotiations from where history was in 1949. Presumably, Palestinians can get some of what they demand, but only after they are willing to concede Israels existence and what has happened in the most recent seven decades.
The simplest way of moving forward, and most likely the only one that can succeed, is to start from where things are, rather than where some say they were at one or another point in the past. There are library shelves filled with what has been done and said about this place over the course of a century.
Simplicity requires abandoning such assessments of what was as producing nothing more than continued argument. Palestinians and their friends demand to undo history, and go back to 1967, 1949, or earlier.
Israelis have made it clear that aint gonna happen.
Americans and others who threaten a one-state solution where the Palestinians will acquire a majority might better spend their energies working to unite Mexico and the U.S.
From Jan. 20th onward, John Kerry and Barack Obama will be free to work on problems that are closer to their homes, and where they are likely to be more familiar with the details that complicate things.
And then we may discover what Donald Trump has meant by his one-liners and tweets.
Comments welcome. Irashark@gmail.com.
NEWTON Newton Police conducted a warranted search Wednesday night at a home in the 600 block of East 11th Street in Newton after a Missouri investigation of a man charged with sexual exploitation of a minor discovered the individual might have been involved in related activity at the Newton residence, according to a NPD press release.
FBI agents and Hickory Police officers assisted in the search.
The search uncovered evidence related to the crimes of indecent liberties with a child and sexual exploitation of a minor, according to the release.
Donald Eugene Blankenship, 46, was charged after the search with one felony count of indecent liberties with a child and two felony counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Additional charges are pending, according to the release.
N.C. general statute 14-190.17A (a) defines third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor as willful possession of a visual representation of a minor engaging in sexual activity.
The homeowner, David Lee Perkins, 33, was arrested in Joplin, Missouri in December 2016. He was charged with felony sexual exploitation of a minor, according to the release.
Perkins has been charged in federal court with sexually assaulting a Joplin, Mo., area child in order to produce child pornography, U.S. Attorney Tammy Dickinson said in the release.
Dickinson is the attorney for the Western District of Missouri.
A press release from Dickinsons office states Perkins was arrested at a Joplin hotel. A woman showed officers a tablet containing videos of Perkins molesting an 11-year-old girl. The release states the woman looked through the device while Perkins was out in the parking lot.
Further, Perkins confessed and said the molestation had been happening for a year in various hotels and motels in the area, according to the release.
Both men are considered innocent until convicted in a court of law.
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The Chief Justice of India has faulted the underlings or officers of low rank for the poor quality of affidavits filed on behalf of the government. For my part, I doubt whether official obfuscation has so simple an explanation as the rank of the individual deponent. Governments thrive on prevarication. The English television serial Yes Minister was delightful in its humour, but it did portray a grim reality. Bureaucratic obduracy is cultivated as an art form.
Half- truths, untruths, incomprehensible prose and plainly daft contentions are routinely adopted by the State in the most serious of matters. I recollect a case in which uniformed men of the Gujarat police picked up a 13-year-old Muslim boy from a Delhi slum on a mere whim and drove away with him to Ahmedabad from where they were on the verge of deporting him to Bangladesh. The Delhi High Court redeemed the child from that hellish fate. To everybodys incredulity the Gujarat police claimed in court that the child went with them happily, and of his own free will!
Read: Make Punjabi official language in courts: Plea in HC, notice to state
Governmental responses to issues in litigation are often unabashedly absurd. In a challenge to the dangerous vigilante game that Chhattisgarh is playing by arming young tribals in the region, the State claimed in its affidavit that it was training these semi-literate youth in a most breathtakingly sweeping array of subjects from criminal law to musketry, in all of six months. Other responses are hackneyed in their repetitiveness. For over seven years the same half a dozen inconclusive FIRs for assorted minor offences have been listed in affidavit after affidavit as due compliance with the courts orders to bring the offenders to justice following widespread allegations of rape and murder, including those confirmed by the National Human Rights Commission.
Years ago, in response to a petition listing shocking instances of homosexual assaults on juveniles in a jail, the State responded with an affidavit, saying that it was supplying blankets to the prisoners in the winter.
Impunity is fostered first and foremost by evasiveness, and there is no denying that the State has got away with it for the most part. Courts are often exasperated but rarely repressive of the kind of conduct that has today hit the headlines by way of the Chief Justices remark in court. Opaqueness is essential to power, more so to abuse of power. It would be fallacious to consider official vagueness an accident, when it is more often deliberate policy. There is a method in this muddling and these are seldom chance mistakes of low-ranking officials of which the higher sahibs are unaware.
It is good, though, that those heading departments are asked to take responsibility in writing. It would be even better, if swift and certain consequences follow for prevarication, misinformation and violations.
Nitya Ramakrishnan is a senior advocate with the Supreme Court, based in New Delhi
The views expressed are personal
At 31, Shweta Tripathi has played characters aged 19, 14, and 12 (the last ones a boy). And shes become a darling of the indie film industry.
What do you do when you have a deadline to meet, and the interviewee is leaving the country? A Skype call? An interview on e-mail?
Thats what we asked for when actor Shweta Tripathi (31) said she was on her way to Thailand, to the Koh Samui islands, for a bachelorette that very night. E-mail will be difficult at such short notice, we were told. As a desperate last attempt, we asked: What if we came to the airport to meet you? Much to our surprise, she said yes.
View: Gallery: The many facets of actor Shweta Tripathi
Read: I shop a lot from the childrens section, says Masaan actor Shweta Tripathi
Read: Haraamkhor movie review: Nawazuddin, Shweta Tripathi take us to the land of shocking truths
An interview at the airport was a first for her, and for us. Somehow, we beat Mumbai traffic simultaneously to reach the T2 departure terminal at 10pm, and park ourselves at the Beer Cafe for a 40-minute chat.
Weve met Tripathi before. At the time, shed confessed that she often buys clothes from the childrens section. At the airport, she confirms our suspicion that her Looney Tunes T-shirt is from the kids section too.
Teenage fixation
But Tripathi isnt just comfortable shopping alongside teenagers. Shes somehow able to manage pulling off playing one herself. In her upcoming film, Haraamkhor, co-starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui, she plays a troubled 14-year-old school student.
And from the buzz the film has generated in the festival circuit, its evident that shes just as convincing as a 14-year-old as she was as a 19-year-old in the critically acclaimed Masaan (2015). Fun fact? She shot for Haraamkhor before Masaan.
This is my first film. A lot of people are shocked when they hear that I played a 14-year-old. I am okay with that reaction as long as they feel I have done justice to the character. And I have not come across a single person who has watched the movie and feels otherwise, says Tripathi. The Best Actress at IFFLA (Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles) in 2015 goes to prove that. As does the Silver Gateway at the MAMI film festival in the same year.
However, Tripathi is sure that age is slowly but surely catching up. And she wont get offers to play teenagers anymore. We have our doubts, though. After all, its just been two weeks since we saw her play a 12-year-old Sardar boy in Akvarious Productionss play, Special Bond 3, at Prithvi Theatre.
Haraamkhor examines the travesties of a group of school kids in a small town. Tripathis character is one of them, and is embroiled in a scandalous affair with her married professor played by Siddiqui. The film has been waiting for almost two years now for a commercial release. Owing to the sensitive subject, the movie was stuck with the censors. The CBFC wouldnt issue a certificate, as they found the theme objectionable. Tripathi sums up the dilemma of the makers in four words: the wait was killing. As an artist, when you make something, you want the world to see it in its totality, especially when the intention is not to titillate, says Tripathi.
This is the second time we will see Tripathi play a girl from a small town (the first being Masaan). But she is far from labelling her characters or craft. Just last month, the actor made her web series debut in The Trip, where she plays a Delhi-based bride-to-be all set for her big Indian wedding. The actor points out that there are performance-driven scenes in both commercial as well as parallel space.
There were conflicts in The Trip too. But it was not a matter of life and death like we saw in Masaan. Acting is a psychological profession, and every character drains you emotionally regardless of whether it is an intense art house movie or a light-hearted commercial series, says the actor.
Game plan
She keeps her agenda simple: will work in indie films forever, but also desire to be styled well, look good, and do lighter roles in all sorts of movies. And, most importantly, travel a lot while doing so.
But her work travel plans are not about picturesque locations. Instead, her wish list features the biggest film festivals. She went to Cannes with Masaan, but cannot wait to go back. Right now, Sundance is on top of the list. And of course, Berlin. I would love to hold a Berlin Bear in my hand, she says like a child describing Disneyland.
For the Delhi girl who moved cities to act, Mumbai is home now. So much so her social media handle, @battatawada (Instagram and Twitter) is a tribute to the citys favourite snack. People often say that they want to move away to smaller cities for a better lifestyle and peace, But as a single girl, you need your society, your neighbour and even passersby to give you some respect. And that I have found here. I cannot think of living anywhere else, says Tripathi.
Haraamkhor, starring Shweta Tripathi and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, is in theatres now.
Faiz Ahmed Faiz is not a passing fancy for us, its a passion, says KK Kohli, 75, the founder of Impresario Asia, who has been active in Delhis theatre circuit for more than 20 years. And there are reasons why Delhi cant seem to have enough of Faiz or Manto, his contemporary and short story-writer of the Partition generation who left India to look for a new Pakistans soul.
Read:Playing to the gallery: Collectors trace the Husain phenomenon
If Urdu poetry is one of the last standing bridges between both the countries, Faiz is a poet on the top of any Urdu-lovers list on both sides of the border. Kohli has earlier staged Kuch ishq kiya kuch kaam, a play written by Danish Iqbal based on Faizs life. This Sunday, he will be focussing on Faizs letters.
A still from Kuch ishq kiya kuch kaam, an Impresario Asia play based on Faizs life. Dear Heart, Impresario Asias latest offering is about Faizs letters to his wife, Alys. (Impresario Asia)
Dear Heart is a dramatised reading of the exchange of letters by Faiz from jail to his wife Alys, a British-born journalist. Actress Jaishree Sethi is reading Alyss part; Shamir Abadan, Faizs. Dear Heart will feature eight letters written by the couple. Faiz was sent to jail in Pakistan for almost four years on trumped up charges in the Rawalpindi Conspiracy case in 1951, says Kohli. One night at a party while talking politics, he jokingly said the conditions were ripe for overthrowing the governmentAuthoritarian governments everywhere are insecure. And they invariably have no sense of humour.
Read:Saffronarts new Delhi gallery opens with senior artist Krishen Khanna
The result: Faizs arrest and incarceration in a jail in the desert province of Sindh, at a distance of 2,000 km from his home in Lahore.
Alyss letters pass on domestic news, her growing impatience with her loneliness, single-parent woes of having to bring up their two daughters in an atmosphere of surveillance, but also of solidarity by the journalistic fraternity. They also convey the longing of a couple separated by circumstances and the attempts to compress it knowing that the letters are being monitored. That other day, a lady asked me upfront, says Kohli, quoting from one of Alyss letters, Does sex bother you? And I answered: No, the lack of it does.
The reading of the couples letters will also be interspersed by Faizs poems. Faizs poetry is anti-war, adds Kohli, a difficult position to take in a country that has known military rule. But art always does spring from tight corners.
What: Nashisht, a literary evening on Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Sahir Ludhianvi
When: Jan 15, 7 pm. For details contact 9810723979
Where: IHC, Gulmohar hall. Nearest metro station: Khan market
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Princess Pea gets curious looks wherever she goes, be it to the beach in the morning, to school full of kids or working with craftspeople in her studio.
Much of it has to do with how she looks. The petite 35-year-old artist wears an oversized mask that gives her the head of a noseless, doe-eyed, green-haired homegrown cartoon. Photos from her interactions were posted on Instagram in 2011, went viral, and now she is set to visit Mumbai for the first time ever, with an art show titled Sunrise Ceremonies.
For me these visits are a day-to-day endeavour, which become the performative aspect of my character and an interesting visual diary, says the Gurgaon-based artist who prefers to use the name of her character, Princess Pea.
She made a sculpture based on herself and her alter ego at the India Art Fair in 2009. The work commented on the remarks people made about her skinny frame, her skin colour and hair judgements that she and her sister would always question.
The petite 35-year-old always wears the head of a noseless, doe-eyed, green-haired homegrown cartoon.
Princess Pea raises questions on womens identity, and the narrow definition of beauty in society and the fashion and beauty industry.
Many viewers have wanted me to let them wear the mask. I couldnt because its a performance, a work of art, she says. Also, its not easy to wear and walk around. Youre almost blind, inside it.
You can get into Princess Peas head in another way, by entering a six-feet-tall installation, designed like her mask. Inside, viewers can sitting on one side and Princess Pea on another. They wont see me, just hear me talking in soft whispers.
The work attempts to explore the ideas of ASMR meditation (autonomous sensory meridian response). Its a euphoric experience that makes you feel sensations on the skin while listening to something, and also touches your spine, says Princess Pea.
WHAT: Sunrise Ceremonies by Princess Pea
WHERE: Sakshi Gallery, 6/19, Grants Building, Arthur Bunder Road, Colaba
WHEN: January 20 to February 23. (Performance will continue until January 25)
CALL: 6610-3424
ENTRY IS FREE
District magistrates across Uttarakhand are flooded with requests from officials trying to dodge election duty with excuses ranging from weddings in the family to old age.
Officials say some of the applications received are hilarious Champawat district magistrate Ahmed Iqbal received a request from an official who cited the reason for exemption as wifes wedding.
We are definitely not promoting such petty excuses. Only those that are genuine will go under scrutiny , Iqbal, told HT . The state goes to the polls on February 15.
Excuses range from wifes wedding to old age (HT Graphics)
Applications have also come up quoting family weddings as a reason for exemption. According to Hindu calendar, some auspicious wedding dates in February 11, 12, 17 clash with trainings and travelling to faraway regions .
Only those whose children are getting married would be provided relaxation. But, not all, Harbans Singh Chugh, district magistrate of Haridwar, said.
He also exempted a 64-year-old employee of a university from poll duty, after he sought relaxation on grounds of old age and examinations on campus.
Applications quoting medical grounds havent been received as of now. However, past experiences says personnel tried to dodge poll duty by quoting some health problems such as toothache, stomach-related issues, bladder stone and even viral fever.
We did received such excuses during 2014 Lok Sabha elections . But, they were rejected. This time too such applications would be rejected, LM Upreti, chief medical officer Nainital, said.
Dehradun district magistrate Ravinath Raman has already cautioned personnel, saying serious action would be taken against those found submitting false applications. The election commission is in the final stages to assign election duties to nearly 66,000 employees.
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Bhui Pednekar, who is currently busy shooting for her second film Toilet- Ek Prem Katha, says the film is a re-launch for her in Bollywood. I have only done two films. So, I dont know how things are going to be ahead...specially for me, because I feel this is like a re-launch for me. This like me debuting all over again, said Bhumi.
The 27-year-old says her role of a plus-size woman in her debut film Dum Laga Ke Haisha in 2015, is different from her character in Toilet: Ek Prem Katha. What I did in Dum Laga Ke Haisha, what I am doing here and the way I look, everything is so different that it will definitely be a test for me all over again, she said.
Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, a love story with a satirical flavour, is directed by Shree Narayan Singh and is set to release on June 2, 2017.
You cant keep snakes in your backyard and expect them to only bite your neighbor. Eventually, those snakes are going to turn on whoever has them in the backyard. Hillary Clinton
While Islamization had a certain salience in a country created on the basis of religion, the growth of jihadi terrorism and violence prevalent in Pakistan today is the result of deliberate state policy. Even before its creation, and more so afterwards, Pakistan has used jihadis of various hues as instruments of state policy without examining their long-term effects on Pakistani society. Not surprisingly, Pakistan is seen the world over as the epicentre of terrorism. Fareed Zakaria summed it up best when he wrote, For a wannabe terrorist shopping for help, Pakistan is a supermarket.
There are a confusing plethora of jihadi organizations in Pakistan with ostensible niche agendas. These can be subdivided into
(i) Sunni sectarian, notably the Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) now called the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) and the Lashkar-eJhangvi (LeJ)
(ii) Kashmir-centric Deobandi groups like Jaishe-Muhammed (JeM) and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM); Ahl-e-Hadis group like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Jamaate-Islami-supported Hizbul Mujahideen (HM)
(iii) anti-Pakistan groups like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The LeT, of course, has an agenda beyond Kashmir and even beyond India
While the above distinctions are useful to understand the complexity of the jihadi scenario, and the primary agendas of various groups, on the ground, these distinctions are not watertight and at times, sharing of resources and volunteers is common between them. For example, as the International Crisis Group (ICG) puts it,
But such distinctions are tenuous at best. Sharing idiosyncratic religious interpretations and seeking to propagate them through force, all these local, regional and international jihadi groups have combined resources and recruits to fight Islams perceived enemies within and beyond Pakistans borders
According to partial data compiled by the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), since 2003 and up to 1 July 2016, 60,772 combatants and non-combatants have been killed. The military has lost 6,516 soldiers and officers.
The figures for terrorism-linked fatalities are as follows. In 2014, the numbers of fatalities were 5,496, including 1,781 civilians, 533 security force (SF) personnel and 3,182 terrorists. In 2015, the respective figures were 3,682 fatalities, including 940 civilians, 339 SF personnel and 2,403 terrorists. The number of major incidents also declined from 402 to 322 over this period. Till 1 July 2016, 1,078 terrorism-linked fatalities had occurred in Pakistan, including 307 civilians, 146 SF personnel and 625 terrorists. During the corresponding period of 2015, Pakistan had seen 2,210 terrorism related fatalities, including 539 civilians, 170 SF personnel and 1,501 terrorists. Operation Zarb-e-Azb launched on 15 June 2014, in the tribal areas of Pakistan has been significant in bringing about this relative improvement, though doubts continue to be expressed about whom exactly it has been targeting.
Despite the decline in the number of terrorist incidents there have been several high-profile incidents in 2015 and 2016:
2015
30 January - Sixty-two killed in a Shia mosque in Shikarpur district
13 February - Twenty-two killed in a Shia mosque in Peshawar
15 March - Seventeen killed in twin suicide-bomb attacks that targeted churches in Lahore
13 May - Forty-three Ismailis killed in Karachi
18 September - Twenty-nine, mostly servicemen, killed in an air force base near Peshawar
23 October - Twenty-four Shias killed in Jacobabad, and twenty-three, mainly Shias, killed in FATA
29 December - Twenty-six killed in Mardan
2016
20 January - Twenty-one killed in a university in Charsadda
27 March - Sixty-five killed in Lahore
8 August - Seventy, mostly lawyers, killed in Quetta.
Continuing violence could indicate that despite Operation Zarb-e-Azb and the National Action Plan, the terrorists have been regrouping and perhaps even regenerating. Finding security targets harder to access, the strategy now is to go after soft targets.
Casualties apart, the financial cost of terrorism has been enormous. In a written reply, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar informed the Senate in May 2016 that due to terrorism, the national economy sustained direct and indirect losses to the tune of Rs 5,193.95 billion (US $56.88 billion) during the last five years
The Pakistan Armys use of the Islamists as instruments of state policy has come to be termed the mullahmilitary alliance. As Haqqani notes, The alliance between the mosque and the military in Pakistan was forged over time, and its character has changed with the twists and turns of Pakistani history. It has two key components: allowing the state to play a duplicitous game by using non-state actors to realize foreign policy objectives while maintaining deniability for themselves and selectively empowering and targeting the non-state actors who follow/do not follow respectively, the laid-down agenda of the state...
In its current form, however, the growth of the jihadi phenomenon dates back to Pakistans participation in the Afghan jihad that led to the maturing of the mullahmilitary alliance. Ahmed Rashid estimates: Between 1982 and 1992, some 35,000 Muslim radicals from 43 Islamic countries in the Middle East, North and East Africa, central Asia and the Far East would pass their baptism under fire with the Afghan mujahideen. Lt Gen. (Retd) Hamid Gul, former chief of the ISI, boasted about how his organization had channelled Islamists from a large number of Muslim countries: We are fighting a jihad and this is the first Islamic brigade in the modern era.
Pakistan hasnt looked back since. What pushed the jihadi culture further was that after the anti-Soviet jihad, the ISI diverted the returning jihadis from Punjab, especially from south Punjab, towards Kashmir. This allowed the jihadis to consolidate themselves, ideologically and physically, especially in the 1990s, and develop agendas of their own, not always in line with that of the military. Unlike the Afghan Taliban whose agenda was territorially limited to Afghanistan, the jihadis in Pakistan developed a much wider agenda, territorially and ideologically. In implementing this, they were able to feed off tensions in society; using their muscle power to help the business community, the land mafia and the local politicians for mutual benefit.
Once Pakistan became a nuclear-weapon state in 1998, the army under Pervez Musharraf resorted to a high-risk strategy of using non-state actors under a nuclear overhang. The assumption this time was that India would not dare to retaliate due to the fear of escalation to the nuclear level
Hafiz Saeed, centre, chief of the Jamaat-ud-Dawa, addressing a gathering in Islamabad, Pakistan on June 10, 2016. (AP/PTI)
One of the fundamental problems in Pakistan has been that every leader has promised to crack down on terrorism to end the jihadi culture when he comes to power but forgets those promises in due course. For example, Musharraf in his celebrated 12 January 2002 address outlined an action plan of targeting terrorism that included an assurance that Pakistani territory would not be used for terrorism in India... While it is true that several Pakistani groups were banned, no follow-up action was taken for prosecution; banned groups continued as before by adopting new names but with the same leadership. For example, Hafiz Muhammad Saeed (LeT) and Maulana Azhar Masood (JeM) were detained only for a few months under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance but not under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The LeTs name was changed to Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JD) and JeM to Khudam-ul-Islam. Both leaders and organizations were able to carry on their activities as before.
Hafiz Saeed, an international terrorist, has been openly and repeatedly calling for jihad in Kashmir. At its annual congregation in Patoki in October 2003, barely a year after Musharrafs assertion, the LeT/JuD openly announced jihad in Kashmir. A decade later, in December 2014, Hafiz Saeed held a massive two-day rally at Lahores Minar-e-Pakistan that was attended by more than a lakh of participants, whose movement and logistics had been facilitated by the authorities. During his speech, Saeed reiterated his favourite topic of Ghazwa-e-Hind or war against India. Subsequently, on Pak TV talk shows he blamed India for the Peshawar school massacre, dramatically demonstrating that nothing had changed. On 30 May 2016, JuD hosted a meeting of projihadi organizations in Islamabad under the auspices of Defence of Pakistan Council. Leaders of different outfits expressed their determination to continue their support for militants fighting in the neighboring countries. On 5 June 2016, the same conglomerate of extremist organizations came out for a public show of strength in Islamabad. Finally, a public rally was organized by Hafiz Saeed and other extremist outfits on 31 July 2016 in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, ostensibly in support of J&K. The organizers of the rally publicly collected financial donations. This shows Pakistans lack of commitment to fight terrorism and its duplicitous policies.
Astonishingly, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shahbaz Sharif, the chief minister of Punjab, protect the Jamaat-ud-Dawa. Under Shahbaz Sharif, the Punjab provincial government took over JuDs operations, essentially rendering its workers employees of the provincial government. According to files released from the Abbottabad compound where Osama bin Laden was hiding, there was a reference to Shahbaz Sharif, initiating negotiations for a deal with the TTP as long as the latter agreed to halt all operations in the Punjab. This not only shows the lack of seriousness on the part of the government in eliminating terrorism across the board but also its complicity.
It was left to the Punjab law minister, Rana Sanaullah, and Musharraf to confirm the role of the state. Sanaullah told BBC Urdu that legal action against proscribed organizations like Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) was not possible since state itself has remained a part of this
Moreover, instead of ensuring that terrorist leaders get no publicity, such leaders are frequently given prime-time exposure in the electronic media. Hafiz Saeed is a frequent guest on talk shows as is the patron-in-chief of the virulently anti-Shia outfit, the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamat (ASWJ). Muhammad Ahmed Ludhianvi, Saeed and the Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin have used such occasions to spew venom against India
The ambiguity of the state was further underlined by the adviser to the prime minister on national security and foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz, stating in an interview to BBC Urdu on 17 November 2014 that Pakistan should not target militants who do not threaten the countrys security Sartaj Aziz also acknowledged in March 2016 that Pakistan had, in fact, been sustaining the Taliban in sanctuaries in Pakistan all these years
The failure of every government to crack down on terrorists is simply because of their unwillingness to do so. Musharraf, like those before him and those who have succeeded him as army chiefs Generals Kayani and Raheel Sharif deliberately failed to neutralize the jihadi factories because of the role these organizations played in their perception of Pakistans national security. Hence, the measures announced and implemented have been cosmetic with an eye on the international community, to ease international pressure
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The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) that has become the most dangerous terrorist group for Pakistan is a loose network of Deobandis straddling FATA and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) with linkages in Punjab. The primary focus of their violence is the Pakistan state and the objective is to establish their brand of sharia in Pakistan
Apart from its strict ideology, the TTP has been able to attract followers due to poor governance and especially an expensive and corrupt judicial system. In places like Swat, the TTP has also won support for redistributing land to landless peasants. It is areas of poverty due to lack of jobs, economic stagnation and underdevelopment that have become fertile grounds to seed extremist ideology, though they are not the only areas.
The TTP belief system is fairly simple: First, the TTP movement rejects the legitimacy of the Pakistani state and the Constitution since they believe that neither is Islamic. They only recognize the sharia as the Constitution. Second, according to Joshua White, they are somewhat more takfiri in their ideology than the mainstream Islamists. (Takfir is the practice of accusing other Muslims of apostasy.) In other words, they are willing to sanction jihad against other Muslims who reject their sectarian or ideological position. In fact, they claim that these other groups are not truly Muslim.
Ideology apart, one notable feature of the TTP is its linkage with criminal networks, especially transport networks engaged in smuggling, and the timber mafia. In many places, armed criminal gangs have adopted the label of the Taliban to give themselves a protective facade. According to statistics compiled by the interior ministry, the TTP runs a syndicate worth $50120 million per month from protection racket, drugs and extortion alone. Karachi has become their financial hub with large investments in various businesses, apart from connection with organized crime.
The links between the TTP and the al-Qaeda are worrying for the Pakistan government and the international community
Another term being increasingly used is the Punjabi Taliban
The current Punjabi Taliban network has a number of key features. First, it lacks any organization or command structure and operates as a loose network of elements from distinct militant groups. Members from LeJ, SSP, JeM and their various splinter groups are all considered to be part of this loose network. Second, many of these militants were professionally trained in guerilla tactics and sabotage by the Pakistani state. Third, most of the groups are Sunni and Salafist in orientation. Fourth, Deobandi LeJ and JeM are Punjab-based and are components of the TTP. They have conducted a series of attacks in Punjab in the name of the TTP. A worrying question for Pakistan is whether its heartland Punjab is becoming the new Taliban focus.
The army formally launched an operation against the TTP in North Waziristan on 15 June 2014 and gave it the name Zarb-eAzb (the name of the sword that the Prophet used in the battles of Badr and Uhud; literally sharp and cutting strike)
Over two years later, the moot question is how effective the operation has been. The army, of course, has been claiming that the operation was a huge success and has periodically been touting statistics of the number of terrorists killed and areas that have been cleared. For example, the ISPR claimed that since the launch of Operation Zarb-e-Azb in June 2014, more than 21,000 suspects had been arrested in nearly 14,000 intelligence-based operations and 200 killed while resisting arrests. However, there has been no independent verification of the armys claims. Such figures do beg the question: if despite the scale of such arrests, terrorist attacks are continuing, clearly the number of terrorists must be massive or multiplying at a fast rate
The government formulated a twenty-point National Action Plan (NAP) in December 2014, against the backdrop of the Peshawar school attack, to crack down on terrorism. Both Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif stated categorically that no distinction would be made between good and bad terrorists...
More than two years later, it is clear that the leadership, both civilian and military, lack the political will to fully implement the NAP. The army has no intention to act against anti-India groups like the LeT/JuD and Jaish-e-Mohammad and anti-Afghan groups like the Haqqani network and the Afghan Taliban. The freedom enjoyed by terrorists like Masood Azhar, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and Hafiz Saeed proves this terrorism holistically remains a distant goal.
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26/11 - Firing at CST railway station, Mumbai (PTI)
The LeT/JuD has emerged as the most important terrorist group in Pakistan with international dimensions. What gave it additional notoriety was the Mumbai attack in November 2008. Several facets distinguish the LeT from other terrorist groups.
First, unlike other Pak terrorist groups, the LeT has not yet staged attacks in Pakistan or targeted the interests of the Pakistan Army/ISI. Massive support given by the ISI in its formative stage is partly responsible for such loyalty. Second, the LeT is predominantly a Punjabi terrorist group that has natural ethnic affinity to the predominantly Punjabi army. Third, the LeT/ JuD had condemned in January 2010 the killing of Muslims by suicide bombing as un-Islamic and said that such attacks played into the hands of the US, Israel and India and argued that focus should be on jihad in Kashmir and Afghanistan against nonMuslims. Fourth, it has also condemned sectarian violence in Pakistan.
Fifth, the LeT also plays a crucial role domestically. Lieven, for example, notes that due to its charitable work and fight against India, the LeT has managed to establish itself in Punjab. This is significant because its Ahl-e-Hadith theology is foreign to most Punjabis. Christine Fair argues that the LeTs domestic role is hinged on its opposition to other terrorist groups attacking the state. As a result, Pakistan would not abandon the LeT even if it were not required in the Indo-Pak context. She sees Pakistans reliance upon LeT deepening as the internal security problems of the state worsen.
For these reasons, the Pakistan Army is unlikely to take action against the LeT just as the latter is unlikely to turn against the Pakistani state. One of the fears that haunts the Pakistan Army is that targeting the LeT could push it into collaborating with the TTP. Equally, there is the fear that dealing with the LeT militarily, as with other Punjabi terrorist groups, could test the loyalty of the predominantly Punjabi army. This is all the more so now that part of the recruiting ground of the army and the jihadis is the same south Punjab.
Though a Punjab-based group, the LeT has been spreading its tentacles to other parts of the country too. It has set up camps and established its footprint in areas like Tharparkar in Sindh, which has seen a surge in infant deaths due to malnutrition over the past two years. The LeT also has an agenda that goes beyond Kashmir. Bruce Riedel summed this up well: LeTs ideology as laid out by Saeed goes far beyond recovering the Muslim parts of Kashmir for Pakistan. He seeks the creation of a Muslim caliphate over the entire subcontinent. The vision of Saeed and his fellow leaders of LeT requires the literal destruction of India as a state. Saeed announced this goal in a speech in 1999 after the short Kargil war with India, saying, today I announce the break-up of India, Inshallah [God willing]. We will not rest until the whole of India is dissolved into Pakistan.
For a long time the West, especially the US, saw the LeT as predominantly an India-specific threat while their focus was on the al-Qaeda. But when LeT-trained terrorists started getting implicated in terrorist plots in Europe and North America, the West began to understand the true nature of LeT
Author Tilak Devasher
LeTs efforts to access nuclear weapons should also be noted. In his book, Call for Transnational Jihad, Arif Jamal reveals that since his days as a teacher in the University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Hafiz Saeed and co-founder of the JuD Zafar Iqbal had been encouraging their students to join the countrys nuclear science and technology institutions like Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and Khan Research Labs (KRL) after graduating from UET. Jamal believes that dozens of JuD members from UET and other universities have joined Pakistans nuclear and technology institutions. It is this penetration of state institutions, including nuclear ones, that seems to have convinced the JuD that it is likely to acquire access to nuclear technology. This may come sooner than imagined given the JuDs ability to realize its plans systematically and cool-headedly, he warns.
In this context it is worth noting that Dr A.Q. Khan was reported to have attended the rallies of Hafiz Saeed together with other nuclear scientists like Sultan Bashiruddin Mehmood, former director of PAEC and Abdul Majid. The latters charity Umma Tameer-e-Nau (UTN) was found to be in correspondence with the LeT and papers on construction and maintenance of nuclear weapons were found on their premises. These two scientists had separately met Osama bin Laden. Speaking at a Kashmir Solidarity Day rally in Lahore on 6 February 2004, Hafiz Saeed said: He [A.Q. Khan] shared the technology for the supremacy of Islam and he acted on Allahs command.
Before concluding, it is worth looking at the reports about the presence of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), or just the Islamic State, in Pakistan. These reports initially centred on the presence of some Pakistanis (Abdul Rahman al Amjad al Pakistani) in Iraq, expression of support to the ISIS by some splinter TTP groups; ISIS logo and name appearing in some graffiti, posters and pamphlets across Pakistan, etc. More importantly, the Balochistan government in a secret memo reported to the federal government in Islamabad on 30 October 2014 that ISIS has created a 10-man strategic planning wing with a master plan on how to wage war against the Pakistani military. The report also mentioned the groups links with Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) and other associated sectarian groups, and claimed that it was actively and successfully recruiting in FATA.
In October 2014, a number of senior commanders defected from the TTP and pledged their allegiance to the ISIS and al-Baghdadi... A previously unknown outlet calling itself Khurasan Media released a professionally made video in January 2015, in which Abu Muhammad al-Adnani, an ISIS spokesperson, endorsed the formation of his organizations chapter in Pakistan and Afghanistan and declared Hafiz Saeed Khan as its supreme leader.
However, despite mounting evidence to the contrary, the government appeared to have an ostrich-like attitude regarding the ISIS. For example, the army chief, Gen. Raheel Sharif, while addressing the Royal United Services Institute (London, 9 October 2015) asserted that Pakistan would not allow even a shadow of Islamic State (IS) in its territory. The interior minister has on several occasions stated that the ISIS had, no organized presence in Pakistan and that terrorist organizations are using Daish as a facade to mount attacks in the country. The Foreign Office spokesman, echoing the army chief, reiterated on 1 January 2016 that the Islamic State had no footprint in Pakistan. We will not tolerate even the shadow of the Islamic State in Pakistan. We have alerted our security agencies to the threat posed by the Islamic State. They will take appropriate action, if required, he said.
Several instances, however, reveal that the governments assessment about the presence of the ISIS in Pakistan has been wrong. The ground in Pakistan is undoubtedly fertile for the ISIS to take root not merely because of the jihadi ambience but because of the large pool of virulent anti-Shia sentiment in Pakistan that finds common ground with the ideology of the ISIS. Not surprisingly, it was the gruesome killing of forty-five Ismailis in Karachi in May 2015 by which the ISIS first announced its presence in Pakistan, though clumsy attempts were made to pin this act on an alleged Indian spy.
Another disturbing factor is that reports from eastern Afghanistan indicate that bulk of the terrorists affiliated with the ISIS were actually Pakistanis. Most of them in Achin, Nazian and Kot districts of Nangrahar province hail from Orakzai, Khyber and Bajour Agencies. They were part of the TTP and had fled after the Pakistan Army launched its military operation. There has been an active supply line to these fighters in Afghanistan from Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency which is geographically adjacent to these Afghan districts. Lashkar-e-Islami (LI) led by Mangal Bagh from the Khyber Agency has been the main supplier...
In the face of mounting evidence, the governments point of view seems to be gradually changing. Thus, almost immediately after the Foreign Office statement mentioned above, the Punjab law minister stated that over 100 people from Punjab, including JuD workers and women from Al-Huda madrasa and thousands from other provinces had left to fight for ISIS. The director general of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Aftab Sultan, informed the Senate Standing Committee on Interior on 10 February 2016 that the ISIS was emerging as a threat because several militant groups had soft corner for it. He named Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan as examples. He disclosed that the IB had busted a big IS network after several members reached Punjab following Karachis Safoora Goth carnage in May 2015. In March, the Karachi police admitted that they had killed Kamran Aslam, alias Kamran Gujjar, the operational commander Terrorism 201 of the ISIS in Pakistan. In April 2016, the counter-terrorism department of the Karachi police announced in a press conference that more than two dozen Islamic Stateinspired militants were found operating and planning some major terror attacks in the metropolis. Previously, they belonged to the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and al-Qaeda but now had jumped on the IS bandwagon.
However, it is unlikely that the ISIS has an identifiable physical organizational structure and leadership in Pakistan. Neither is it necessary for the ISIS to physically shift to Pakistan. Yet, when scores of men and even a few women have gone to fight in Syria and when reports indicate that members of the banned Lashkar-eJhangvi and Jamaat-ud-Dawa have joined the group in significant numbers can its presence be denied? All that it needs are local sympathizers and supporters who are recruited for missions A looming danger is when these indoctrinated people return to continue the jihad in Pakistan.
Whether or not the ISIS finds a physical and organized home in Pakistan would depend a great deal on the army and the ISI. In case the ISI finds the ISIS a useful tool or label to achieve tactical results, like keeping the attention of the US focused in the area, the ISIS could find a berth in Pakistan. But this would mean either breaking with the Afghan Taliban or developing a modus vivendi between the ISIS and the Taliban. Till then, the ISIS presence could grow as an idea appealing to a section of the population.
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To conclude, Pakistans security crisis is rooted in its own skewed foreign and internal policies which have traditionally and selectively distinguished between good non-state actors such as Afghan Taliban, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and the Haqqani network and the bad ones like the LeJ, TTP, etc. The continuous support to these jihadi groups since the time of Zia-ul-Haq has ensured that the moderate civil society in Pakistan is faced with shrinking space and is much too weak to take on the jihadi challenge. Decades of military rule has also stunted the growth of political parties and of democracy itself, making political leaders toe the armys line in security matters. And so long as the army looks at security, internal and external, through the prism of India, there is little likelihood of any change in its policy of treating jihadis as anything but strategic assets.
For long, the armys presumption has been that the jihadi groups and especially the Kashmir-centric groups do not hurt Pakistan as the example of the TTP shows, jihadi groups have turned against their master. The worst example of this was the brutal massacre of 135 schoolchildren in the Army Public School in Peshawar. Second, jihadi groups in Pakistan can be hijacked for international terrorism for example, become affiliated with or show loyalty to groups like the AQIS (al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent) and ISIS, or develop agendas of their own. Third and most critical, jihadi terrorism may lead to a potential nuclear conflict with India in case of another 2008 Mumbai-type attack. For the army, keeping the Indo-Pak normalization process derailed through the use of jihadis may be par for the course but it can pose serious dangers to Pakistans well-being.
Read more: The Pakistani epicentre of terror
Encouragingly, there is growing realization in Pakistan about the impact that the policy of breeding jihadis has had on Pakistan.
The moot point is whether the Pakistani leadership, especially the military, will rethink its strategy of using non-state actors and distinguishing between good and bad jihadis
However, stopping the use of such elements as instruments of state policy will only be the start. It will have to be followed up by dismantling the infrastructure of jihad the madrasa network, the training camps and provision of jobs, after a period of re-educating the madrasa graduates and changing the mindset in government schools Given that for decades the Pakistan has viewed jihadis as an instrument of state policy against India, it will be extremely difficult to change that policy in the immediate future, or even medium term. With terrorism continuing to fester internally, Pakistans slide on the slippery road towards the abyss will hasten in the years to come.
Infosys Ltd reported a poor 1.4% decline in dollar revenue in the third quarter (October-December period) and Indias second-largest software firm cut its full-year growth guidance for the third straight time in the current financial year.
Bengaluru-based Infosys now expects its dollar revenue to grow between 7.2% and 7.6%down from its earlier expectation of growing between 7.5% and 8.5% in the current financial year.
At the start of the year, Infosys management had expected its dollar revenue to grow between 11.8% and 13.8%.
In constant currency terms, Infosys now expects to grow between 8.4% and 8.8% as against its earlier estimate of growing between 8% and 9% for the full year. This is lower than industry body Nasscoms top-end projected growth of 8-10% for Indias $150 billion outsourcing sector
Read the full story on Livemint
Budget airline SpiceJet said on Friday it had agreed to buy up to 205 Boeing planes worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore ($22 billion) in what it said was one of the largest deals ever in Indian aviation.
With the earlier order for 55 planes and additional 100 new 737-8 MAX aircraft, the no-frills carrier now has firmed up order for a total of 155 planes, besides purchase rights for 50 B737-8 MAX and wide body aircraft.
SpiceJet chairman Ajay Singh said the low-cost airline was expanding both its domestic and international operations.
This is the largest deal for SpiceJet, its one of the largest in Indian aviation and is the largest for Boeing in India, he told journalists as he announced the deal.
We are now in a very good position to expand our network and operations, which includes both domestic and international routes and destinations.
Singh said the purchase rights include an option to buy wide-body aircraft for long haul journeys as the airline considers launching low-cost flights over long distances.
Currently, the budget carrier has 32 next generation B737s and 17 Bombardier Q400s.
The deal marks a major turnaround for SpiceJet, whose planes were briefly grounded in 2014 after suppliers refused to refuel them due to unpaid bills.
Analysts say the Indian airline sector has been boosted since then by lower fuel prices and a rise in consumer demand, with domestic traffic up 21 percent last year.
The airline has done really well from being almost on the brink of closure to nearly seven quarters of profit, said industry analyst Kapil Kaul.
The new aircraft order is on expected lines and gives them long-term direction. A positive and long-term story is likely to emerge with this order.
The deal is a welcome boost for Boeing in India, where SpiceJet is the US companys only major customer among the budget carriers now dominating the countrys air industry.
We are honoured to be the partner of SpiceJet and to be in India in a big way and this is a demonstration of our commitment to our partners and to India, said Raymond Conner, vice chairman of Boeing.
Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president, Asia Pacific & India Sales at Boeing, told reporters in New Delhi that the first planes would be with SpiceJet from next year.
Indian airlines such as the biggest, InterGlobe Aviations IndiGo, as well as GoAir and SpiceJet have ordered hundreds of new planes as they rush to win a slice of the boom in demand for air travel.
SpiceJet has about 13 percent of the Indian air passenger market, behind market leader IndiGo, Jet Airways and state-run Air India.
Initially, after Cyrus Mistrys infamous ouster on October 24, the board was busy preparing responses to his allegations.
Ratan Tata had taken over as the interim chairman, but he was clear that he would find Mistrys successor within 120 days. Meanwhile, he would stabilize the group, and steer it through the crisis.
Mistry, whose family-owned business Shapoorji Pallonji holds 18.4% in Tata Sons, the holding company that runs the group, had decided to fight back. Both parties lashed out at each other. While this was going on, the Tata Sons board realised that the new successor had to be christened soon, to end the uncertainty. Time was running out.
Choosing Natarajan Chandrasekaran, CEO and managing director of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) as the chairman of Tata group wasnt an easy job. He was not the only one in the race Ralf Speth, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, Unilevers Harsh Manwani and Sir George Buckley of Smiths Group were in the run.
A selection committee of five people were formed Ratan Tata, Amit Chandra, managing director of Bain Capital; Venu Srinivasan, chairman of the TVS group; Ronen Sen, ex-diplomat; and Sushanta Kumar Bhattacharyya, founder of the Warwick Manufacturing Group.
He knows the groups value, ethics and culture -- one reason why Mistrys ideologies werent well accepted and resulted in his ouster.
Chandra, as he is fondly called, is unlike any other former Tata group chairmen. He is not a Parsi (all former chairmen were Parsis), he is not from the family, and he not a big shareholder in Tata Sons. In fact, he was inducted into the Tata Sons board a day after Mistrys ouster, along with Speth.
Born in Mohanur village in Tamil Nadu, studying in a Tamil medium school, none of his friends would have thought that one day he would head Indias most formidable conglomerate. He learnt as he grew.
But, what could have gone against him is that he had never handled Tata groups brick and mortar businesses such as steel and automobiles.
Chandrasekarans life at Tata Group 1987: Chandrasekaran joined Tata Group as an intern with TCS.
Chandrasekaran joined Tata Group as an intern with TCS. Before becoming CEO, he was credited for TCS restructuring.
2009: he became TCS CEO as one of the youngest CEOs in Tata group.
he became TCS CEO as one of the youngest CEOs in Tata group. During his tenure, TCS revenue tripled to $17 billion.
October 2015: he was inducted to the board of Tata Sons.
he was inducted to the board of Tata Sons. January 12: he was names the chairman of Tata group. Chandrasekarans life beyond work Insiders say that he knows most of his employees by name.
Often he walks up to them and inquires about their well being.
He is a fitness lover runs long marathons.
He is an animal lover. His dog, Ray, passed away in 2014.
When he is free, Chandra does photography.
The selection committee was aware of this. While interviewing Chandra for the position they asked him, how he would handle manufacturing, with no experience, a financial daily reported.
Chandras response was candid. He did not make big promises. He said he will not be able to do that without a team to guide him. He already has Ratan Tata by his side.
Since morning, sources said, Chandra was busy with TCS results. He did his job at TCS till the last minute. Before joining the meeting with the committee at 4 pm, he addressed the media at TCS quarterly results his last one as its CEO.
During his tenure, since he started heading TCS in 2009, the software services firms revenue nearly tripled to $17 billion, and that he did at industry-leading margins of over 25%. Its rivals Infosys and Wipro struggled through this time.
Read| N Chandrasekaran: Key facts about the new Tata Sons chairman
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On October 24, after unseating Cyrus Mistry as chairman, the board of Tata Sons Ltd issued a statement in which it said a new chairman would be named within four months (by February 24). It added that the chairman would be chosen by a selection committee comprising five members: Ratan Tata, interim chairman; Venu Srinivasan, chairman of the TVS group; Amit Chandra, managing director of Bain Capital; Ronen Sen, ex-diplomat; and Sushanta Kumar Bhattacharyya, founder of the Warwick Manufacturing Group.
Some analysts said the holding company of the $103 billion Tata group already had a candidate in mind. That wasnt the case, although several names, including some that had previously done the rounds before Mistry was named chairman in 2011, did the rounds again.
Read | Tata Sons appoints Natarajan Chandrasekaran as new chairman, succeeds Ratan Tata
Three people familiar with the goings-on in the Tata Group over the past few months said that at least in the initial days following 24 October, the board was busy strategising its response to Mistry, who, contrary to expectations, refused to go quietly.
Apart from the selection committee, they added, NA Soonawala, vice-chairman of Tata Trusts, which own a majority stake in Tata Sons, and RK Krishna Kumar, an old-time Ratan Tata confidant and a Tata Trusts trustee, were closely involved in discussions on the next chairman.
None of the three wished to be identified given the nature of the discussions.
A Tata Sons spokesperson said no one other than the selection committee was involved in the process.
The discussions revolved around whether the group should pick a local candidate or a foreign one and possible internal candidates, one of the three people said.
Read | N Chandrasekaran: Key facts about the new Tata Sons chairman
Krishna Kumar had been maintaining a low profile since Mistrys ascent to the top, but he played an important role in the selection process, a second person said. Both he and Soonawala suggested names, this person added.
Tata and Krishna Kumar were keen on a professional candidate, internal or external. Among the names discussed were Ralf Speth, the CEO of Jaguar LandRover, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, the CEO and MD of Tata Consultancy Services Ltd, and Harish Manwani, the non-executive chairman of Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL). The selection committee thought any of them would be a good chairman, two of the three people said.
Manwani was a strong candidate, the third person said, but he lost out on account of age, and the fact that he wasnt an internal candidate which both people on the selection committee as well as Soonawala, and Krishna Kumar, thought would help, especially given the controversy surrounding Mistrys exit and its fallout. Tata was very keen on a (relatively) younger chairman, this person added. Chandrasekaran is 53, Manwani, 64.
The selection committee unanimously chose Mr. Chandrasekaran. The question of a contender does not arise. Neither Mr Soonawala nor Mr Krishna Kumar expressed any views at all, the spokesperson added.
Ultimately, Chandras track record at TCS, his equation with Ratan Tata, and the almost unanimous feeling that he wouldnt rock the boat like Mistry did, worked in his favour.
Read | All you need to know about Cyrus Mistrys sacking as Tata Sons chief, aftermath
Natarajan Chandrasekaran, the Chairman-designate of Tata Sons, tonight said he will reach out to everyone as he will look to bind the USD 103-billion group, create shareholder value and run business on ethics and values Tatas are known for.
Chandrasekaran, 53, who headed Tata Groups most successful company, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd, expressed his gratitude to interim Chairman Ratan Tata and the board for giving him the responsibility.
Read | Tata Sons appoints Natarajan Chandrasekaran as new chairman, succeeds Ratan Tata
Its a huge honour and privilege to be appointed first to the board of Tata Sons and now to be Chairman of Tata Sons. Its a privilege and is a huge responsibility, he told reporters shortly after the Tata Sons board chose him as Chairman.
Chandrasekaran, the first non-Parsi Chairman of Tata Group, said the conglomerate has had many tall leaders who have steered it through challenges and business ups and downs.
They have had phenomenal leaders who have contributed to making the Group what it is today. While I feel very honoured, I also feel overwhelmed because I dont think anyone can easily get into this job. This position requires several leadership qualities and compassion and I feel I will grow into this role over a period of time, he said.
The responsibility, he said, requires binding the Group together (and its) the three-tier structure with the phenomenal work that Tata Trusts - the majority holders of Tata Sons - has done very silently over a century in contributing to the society.
Interestingly, his predecessor Cyrus P Mistry was sacked for growing and untenable trust deficit between Tata Sons and the Tata Trusts.
Chandrasekaran said Tata Sons did pioneering businesses and stood by the operating businesses in good times and more importantly, in bad times.
Read | Shining star: Why is N Chandrasekaran best suited to lead Tata Sons
We all have a purpose and I look forward to working with everybody, building relationships not only for my business performance but to bring the business performance, to create shareholder value which is fundamental with ethos and values which the Group is known for, he aid.
Stating that he would need a lot of support, he said said it is not one mans job and needs a collective leadership. I will reach out to everyone.
The Delhi Police has arrested a 21-year-old and his associate for posting a prank video on YouTube in which the accused was seen randomly kissing girls and running away. The video went viral on social networking site Facebook and YouTube.
Sumit Kumar was detained along with his friend Satyajeet Kadyan, 25. Kumar had uploaded the video on his YouTube channel The Crazy Sumit .
The video was shot by Kadyan, who also has a channel on YouTube as DC Prank since September 2016. The two are final-year students of World College of Technology and Management in Gurgaon.
Read I Delhi serial rapist was amused, encouraged by girls cries for mercy
Joint commissioner of police (crime) Ravindra Yadav said, During questioning Sumit claimed that the women seen in the video were his friends. The video was shot to get maximum hits. Investigations are in progress and we have to verify their statements.
Yadav said that both shot such pranks to get maximum hits. We have been told YouTube used to pay them Rs700 to Rs 800 for 1,000 likes. Both have been even felicitated by YouTube for maximum hits on their pranks. Investigations will be also conducted to assess the criminal liability of the event management company, YouTube and Google, Yadav added.
However, a spokesperson of YouTube said, YouTubes community guidelines prohibit content featuring things like harassment, hate speech, shocking or disturbing content, illegal acts, and graphic violence, and we give our users tools to flag content so that we can review and remove anything that violates our policies. We also comply with valid legal requests from authorities wherever possible, consistent with our longstanding policy.
Read | YouTube kissing prankster case: FIR filed, social media accounts being scanned
Once the investigations are completed, decision will be taken about the culpability of the persons involved in it.
Kumar told police that he planned to film the prank in December and later it was shot at Connaught Place and two other places in Gurgaon. Police said the statements of the girls will be taken to ascertain the facts.
Yadav said, Sumit said that he was also awarded a trophy in October 2016 by YouTube for surpassing 1, 00,000 subscribers on his channel. He further said, We have to verify all the claims made by the duo during questioning. The progress will go on and we have to contact YouTube and Google also in this regard.
Police have recovered two laptops, one video camera, wireless microphones from them. Earlier police had taken suo-moto cognizance and a case was registered under section 67 of IT Act and Section 354 of Indian Penal Code at police station EOW.
The cyber cell of Crime Branch was tasked to nab the accused. During investigation, details of YouTube account Crazy Sumit were obtained.
As investigations have been initiated, Yadav said, We will also have to change the sections in this case. There are many people involved in this process as per the statement of the detained youths. We will also check bank account of these two men to ascertain the detail how much many they have received so far.
Both were arrested on Friday from Ashok Vihar Phase-III after a raid was conducted at Kumars house. Sumit had created his channel one-and-half-year ago. Three years ago, he met with an accident and got bedridden for two months. In this period, he used to watch prank videos on YouTube, said police.
He got the idea to earn money by making his own prank videos. He has made 35-40 pranks videos, police added
The junior students of the Delhis 1,000 government schools will now return to classes on January 20 after the Kejriwal government extended the winter break by five days on Thursday, the coldest January 12 in five years.
The government has asked citys 1,700 private schools, those run by municipal bodies and the Delhi Cantonment board to assess the situation and take a decision.
Many private schools were undecided while others said they would take a call on January 16 when the schools reopen.
In view of the prevailing cold conditions and weather forecast by meteorological department that the temperature in the Capital will dip further, it has been decided to extend the winter break for primary classes (Classes KG to 5) from January 16-19 in all government and government-aided schools, a department of education circular said.
Early morning temperatures dipped to below four degree Celsius in some parts of the city on Friday. On Thursday, temperature dropped to 3.4 degree Celsius, 4 degrees below normal, with some parts shivering at two degrees in the morning. The maximum temperature was 18.2 degrees.
The next few days will be colder, with the weather office predicting a further drop in the minimum temperature and fog over the weekend.
Our primary wing is anyway closed till January 16. We will take a call on extending the vacation depending on weather condition in future, said Ashok Pandey, principal of Ahlcon International School.
Springdales, Pusa Road, however, would not extend the vacation, principal Ameeta Mulla Wattal said.
The department of education has asked the schools to relax uniform norms so that students are dressed for the cold conditions.
The schools are directed to ensure that all the students come to school in full sleeves woollen clothes (long socks, stockings, shoes, gloves, caps and scarf ) to protect them from the adverse cold conditions. Students may also be allowed full sleeves/full legged clothing even other than school uniform, the circular said.
The Delhi Development Agency (DDA) on Friday expressed regret, a day after furore the land owning agencys decision to repatriate a senior official to his parent department because of his disability.
MK Gupta, commissioner (personnel), DDA, through a letter offered Rishi Raj Bhati an opportunity to join the department as director (public relation) of DDA on Friday. However, the land-owning agency added the relieving was based on consent given by Bhati and denied any discrimination.
Bhati joined the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on January 10 on deputation from Delhi Transco Limited and was repatriated next day.
The latest offer letter says neither his parent department nor the applicant mentioned anything about physical disability. It states the nature of work, involving extensive outdoor activities, was explained to Bhati in a fair and transparent manner, and then it was mutually decided to send him back. If your sentiments are hurt by DDAs action, which was purely unintentional, it is regretted, the letter further reads.
Gupta told HT: After detailed deliberations with Mr Bhati, it was decided that he would go back. It was done after his due consent.
Bhati, however, denied having given consent for his repartition. About the fresh job offer made to him, Bhati said he had not yet decided whether he would join DDA or not.
I had not given my consent. The language of the regret letter also is highly objectionable and derogatory. It states that if you feel that you are confident about discharging the duties of the post of director (PR), you are welcome to join 15 days from the issue of this letter. Any inconvenience caused to you is again regretted. It shows that they are not apologetic at all, Bhati said.
Meanwhile, Javed Abidi, convener of Disabled Rights Group (DRG) said that he will stage a protest in front of DDAs headquarters on Monday against the repartition decision.
He demanded reinstatement of Bhati and resignation of the Udai Pratap Singh, DDA vice chairman. I will also write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue asking him to take action against the guilty officer and to set an example, Abidi said.
The Delhi Police on Friday arrested over 120 BJP councillors from outside chief minister Arvind Kejriwals residence, where they were staging a protest.
They were demanding the release of funds for salaries of the striking sanitation workers.
The agitating group was led by Subhash Arya, a senior BJP councillor who demanded the release of the municipal funds from Kejriwal as per the Fourth Delhi Finance Commission (FDFC).
The police had to forcibly remove the agitators, who were take to the Civil Lines and Maurice Nagar police stations.
The protest came in the wake of a week-long strike by sanitation workers of East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) who did not receive their salaries in the last few months.
Read: Delhi civic crisis: The municipalitys problems are larger than piling garbage, striking workers
The striking workers, too, had staged a demonstration against Kejriwal on January 9, at the EDMC headquarters in Shahdara by burning his effigy.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has cited lack of budget for the non-payment of workers salaries.
The Delhi government was accused by the MCD for this budget crisis since the former failed to finalise the relevant clauses in the FDFC 2009, which would have been a shot in the arm for the financially infirm municipal body.
The MCD is controlled by the BJP who has a majority in the civic body.
Read: Garbage rots, fear of health crisis looms in east Delhi
A 41-year-old businessman allegedly committed suicide by slitting his wrist in his car parked at Indian Agricultural Research Institute on Pusa Road late Wednesday night. Police said a suicide note found near the body said that he took the step because of losses in business.
Though the investigators refused to divulge details, sources from the police department said that Hemant Dhall, who owned two commercial complexes in west Delhis Patel Nagar, wrote in his suicide note that he was incurring losses as his tenants refused to pay the rent. Dhali had let out six office spaces and two PGs in the complex. He owned an electronics shop on the ground floor and was planning to open a showroom.
The suicide note, which was found near his body in his Toyota Corolla car, also mentioned that he was not happy with his son. Preliminary investigation revealed that other shopkeepers in the area had noticed a change in Dhalls behaviour over the last few days. They however, said that he refused to share his problems with them. Dhalls family members are also being questioned in the case.
The body was found at around 10.30am on Thursday when officials from institute saw the car stranded on the campus. Police said that he had moved from his earlier residence in Patel Nagar to Gurgaon with his family and thus knew the area well. We are questioning the security guards if they saw anyone with him, a senior police official said.
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Most private schools in Delhi have decided not to extend their winter vacations even as the government schools have been asked to be remain shut till January 19.
Delhi government on Thursday ordered its schools to extend winter vacations from January 16 to 19 and asked the private schools to decide as per their own assessment.
As of now, we will not extend the vacations. Our school has reopened on January 9. We will observe the weather condition till Sunday and if need be we may give holidays to students till Class 3rd, said Priyanka Gulati, principal Evergreen Senior Secondary School, Vasundhara Enclave.
Jyoti Arora, principal Mount Abu school, said the school will continue to take classes. We have decided to not extend the winter vacations, she said.
Most schools in the city are anyway closed for winter vacation till January 15. If the holidays are extended, it will be decided only next week if the cold conditions persist. Schools also said that since the government has not made it mandatory to suspend classes, they would prefer to stick to the academic schedule.
L V Sehgal, principal, Bal Bharti School, Pusa Road, said, We will not extend the vacations as we have an academic calendar which we have to follow.
Ashok Pandey, principal of Ahlcon International School and Ameeta Mulla Wattal, principal, Springdales Pusa Road also said that there was no plan to declare holidays.
The department of education has asked the schools to relax uniform norms so that students are dressed for the cold conditions.
The schools are directed to ensure that all the students come to school in full sleeves woollen clothes (long socks, stockings, shoes, gloves, caps and scarf ) to protect them from the adverse cold conditions. Students may also be allowed full sleeves/full legged clothing even other than school uniform, the circular said.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday asked why the East Delhi Municipal Corporation could not mechanise its operations if it does not have the resources to pay its sanitation workers.
The green body asked the civic body to look at rationalising the staff to cut costs in order to tide over the financial crunch.
Why do you need (about) 15,000 employees (if you cant afford it)? Why not mechanise tasks? Out of the total task force, how many are ghost employees? Have you carried out any study for rationalisation of staff? Tell your officers not to waste energy on fictitious documents and work on ground instead... Maybe you need more staff, maybe you need less staff. Maybe you need more mechanisation (of tasks), said the bench.
The three-judge bench asked why questioned about why they had failed to pay their safai karamcharis for two months. The sanitation workers are on strike since January 5 leading to a garbage menace in the region.
The stakeholders were supposed to respond to similar concerns raised on Thursday by the NGT. The three-member bench, headed by chairperson Swatanter Kumar, took the corporation to task for letting people suffer because of their ill-planning, and refused to accept the justification for the lapse in payment.
When informed that the corporation was facing a cash crunch, the bench asked how they could have run out of money, when earlier it was noted that they saved some money in the 2014-15 financial year. If you had saved money (last year) and you received more money this year, why were you unable to pay? NGT asked.
Why didnt you protect the money allotted to you for payment of salaries? Why dont you apply your common sense that if you dont pay salaries, your work will get affected? the bench said when informed that the money was exhausted in October. Kumar said that the salary head must take the topmost priority.
This is the fifth time that EDMC workers have gone on strike since 2015, over non-payment of wages.
Citing inefficiency in the face of piling garbage, the corporation was also slammed for inefficiency. As a corporation you have done nothing. You have not cleaned Delhi. Sewage is flowing in the drains, there is no waste management plan and rivers are being polluted every day. Why should you have such a large number of employees if they dont work, the bench said.
Though representatives from corporations, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and other stakeholders were present at the hearing, none were of any help, noted the bench, as most of them failed to provide comprehensive answers to the questions raised.
The EDMC has been directed to provide details of its income, planned and unplanned expenditure, and the amount of waste generated in areas under its jurisdiction. The chief secretary was also directed to organise a meeting of all the stakeholders to formulate a comprehensive plan to deal with municipal solid waste (MSW).
The Delhi government was also pulled up and asked what steps they had taken to enforce the ban on disposable plastic, and reduction of dumped waste.
The CPCB and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) were also asked to provide details of the directions given to solve the MSW menace in Delhi, and whether they have taken any action against violators, before the next hearing on Tuesday.
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The Supreme Court ruled out continuation of the Millennium Bus Depot and ordered the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) to remove the cluster buses parked there by February 4.
A bench of Chief Justice JS Khehar and Justice DY Chandrachud, however, said Delhi Development Authority (DDA) should amend the 2021 Master Plan if the National Green Tribunal comes to the conclusion that the depot is not situated on the river bed.
On perusal of the factual position the issue whether the DTCs Millennium Bus Depot is located in Yamuna river bed or flood plains is pending for consideration before the NGT. As and when the matter is adjudicated the master plan should be amended or altered, if it is permissible, the bench ordered. Subject to such alteration the depot shall not be used for any other purpose.
If the NGT finds that it is river bed then it is the end of the matter, but if it is flood plain then the master plan has to be amended, it told the counsel appearing for the parties. As per the masterplan no construction is allowed on river beds.
DTC informed the bench it had already handed over the possession of the depot to the state transport department.
SC had last year granted a years time to the DTC to shift the bus shelter from the Yamuna river banks after the corporation approached it against the Delhi High Court order that ruled the bus depot was to be a temporary structure during the 2010 Common Wealth Games. The HC in October 2015 asked the DTC to approach the DDA to amend the law within six months. However, in February last it refused to extend the time.
Read more: Yamuna too polluted to allow cultivation of vegetables, fruits: NGT
The 50-acre millennium depot was built on the river bank initially as a temporary depot during the 2010 Commonwealth Games, with a parking space for around 1,000 buses along with various facilities, including five workshop-cum-scanning centres, a logistics centre and two CNG-filling stations.
While granting time to DTC, the SC had noted demolition of the structure would not be appropriate.
A section of students studying in a private self-financing engineering institute in this district have levelled serious allegations of harassment against top authorities of the college management.
Girl students of the institute told Malayalam TV news channels that a top management authority visited the hostel during late evening and even used abusive language against them.
He had even shouted at a girl student as she had failed to remit the fee on time, they alleged.
In a release on Friday, Kerala Social Welfare Minister KK Shailaja said strong action would be taken against the authorities of Toms Engineering College, Mattakkara, Kottayam for allegedly harassing them.
The Social Welfare Department would recommend a probe against the management authority who had allegedly made the abusive remarks against a girl student, the release said.
Meanwhile, on Thursday the authorities of Toms Engineering College allegedly held girl students hostage when a Commission from the Kerala Technical University visited the institute to probe the reported incidents of mistreatments meted out to the girl students.
Various students organisations including SFI and ABVP had held separate protest marches against the college management following allegations against some college authorities.
The girl students were released after the march organised by students under the banner of SFI turned violent, destroying glass panes of the college.
Leaders of various student organisations in Kottayam have alleged that the management of Toms Engineering College targets students, who register complaints against their indecent behaviour and even threatens them with respect to their internal marks.
The fresh incidents occurred a day after Kerala Education Minister C Raveendranath visited the family of Jishnu (18), who allegedly committed suicide at Nehru College of Engineering in Pampady, Thrissur district.
Jishnu was found hanging in the hostel bathroom last week with the fellow students alleging that college authorities had harassed him after he was caught for copying in an examination.
Five decades of fashion writing makes Suzy Menkes an authority like none other. We chat about Indias place on the map, nudity, and if the reign of Instagram bloggers will last
If youre fashion-savvy enough to scoff at anyone who pronounces Givenchy (jhee-von-shee) incorrectly, chances are you know the name Suzy Menkes. If not, look it up before you glibly proclaim the next piece of designer wear chic.
Menkes doesnt own a label. She hasnt had a film made on her starring Meryl Streep. Yet, shes one of the most powerful voices in fashion. Enough to have earned her an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire), and for her Instagram account (@suzymenkesvogue) to be flooded with photos with the biggest designers.
In her five-day Mumbai visit, Sabyasachi Mukherjee gave her a tour of his store, Manish Arora flew down for lunch, and the other Manish [Malhotra] threw her a party (with Bollywood attendance, obviously). A couple of days later, shes in Florence, with Tommy Hilfiger.
A photo posted by Suzy Menkes (@suzymenkesvogue) on Jan 6, 2017 at 11:25pm PST
We meet her on her fifth evening here. Her phone and Apple watch are out of charge, and sit uncharacteristically un-bleeping. It tells you two things: At 73, Menkes is one of the most tech-savvy women around. And shes got more energy than Apples gadgets.
Youre an old-school fashion writer, and have 291k Instagram followers. Is the old order of haloed editors and magazines set to be toppled by bloggers posting Instagram photos?
I was excited by the arrival of the bloggers. So far, fashion writing was done by people, most of who had been working for at least 20 years. It was refreshing. The problem is that we may not have been paid much as journalists, but we were paid. With bloggers, where were they going to make their money from? What happened is that smart fashion companies, with money at their disposal, tried to tame their enthusiasm from doing real critiques. Great blogs emerged: Susie Bubble, for instance. While others were exposed by prancing around in Dolce & Gabbana saying, Arent Dolce & Gabbana wonderful? They gave me this bag.
READ MORE: Masabas guide to packing for winter weddings
Fashion is good at pretending that things are always happy. But, surely, the global economic slowdown has hurt it.
I think every sector is hit. India is sort of an exception, because it doesnt make globally-known high-end luxury goods. But, at the retail end, maybe international buyers will be wary of taking risks on new designers including Indian ones now.
Were often told Indian fashion is on the cusp of global stardom. How true is it really?
What puts India apart is that a lot of traditional handwork and embroidery have continued to exist. Unlike, say, in China. A country which made the most wonderful fabrics though used by a tiny elite doesnt have it at all now. In India, you still get semi-organised handwork in large numbers. Global fashion is beginning to recognise that real luxury is the work of human hand. Everythings gone full circle in a hundred years. Artificial fabrics like nylon, and machine-made clothes were once expensive, and handwork cheap. Now, its the other way around.
But I wonder what the government is doing to support that. Whether the next generation of craftsmen will have the incentive to follow their family crafts.
READ MORE: The world of pre-loved luxury goods
How is it that fashion, on the one hand embraces plus-size models, and on the other, still propagates the ideal body image?
There is something distasteful about undersized models, especially in countries where people are thin because they dont have enough to eat. A lot has been written about it. But France, of all places, has taken a stand, by dragging agencies that hire excessively thin models to court. In Brazil, though, I see curvier models. The same is true of the Bollywood stars Ive seen on the ramp here.
Amid the current wave of feminism, how is that we still put nude or semi-clad women on magazine covers and ad campaigns?
Its complicated. The women who choose to be paid money to show more flesh than clothes are obviously making some sort of decision too. I do believe that there is a second feminist revolution. And a lot of women are refusing to make fools of themselves by wearing, say, shoes they cant walk in. And there are other signs too. Dior has a woman at the creative director [Maria Grazia Chiuri] for the first time. They are little blades of grass.
Menkes is the International Editor for 19 editions of Vogue online. She was in Mumbai to promote the Conde Nast International Luxury Conference, in Oman, in April 2017 (cniluxury.com).
The writer tweets as @saritray2001
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To ensure that the Southern Peripheral Road (SPR) and Dwarka Expressway, also called Northern Peripheral Road (NPR), dont remain stuck in litigation, the Haryana government has decided that it will not challenge a Punjab and Haryana high court decision, which accorded the petitioners from Rambir Ki Dhani (a hamlet along SPR) all the benefits of the final terms of settlement (FTS) of May 2014.
Not only this, the government has asked the Haryana Urban Development Authority (Huda) to include Kherki Daula and Chauma oustees under the FTS.
The rehabilitation of oustees is key to completion of SPR and NPR projects on which thousands of crores of investment has been made in residential and commercial real estate.
The two roads are crucial to decongest Gurgaon, particularly the Delhi Gurgaon expressway, which has a vehicle population of over 5 lakh.
As per the FTS, arrived at between Huda and the oustees of New Palam Vihar in May 2014, all oustees with constructed residential houses are to be given alternative plots equivalent to ground coverage of the structure and compensation for remaining land and construction.
For open plots, the settlement provides for compensation as per the Haryana governments rehabilitation policy of 2010.
The settlement was overseen by the Punjab and Haryana high court and endorsed by the Haryana government and the petitioners as well.
The government has decided that Huda should not challenge the high court order in favour of SPR oustees and grant them benefits under FTS that was applicable earlier only to Dwarka expressway oustees, said Yashpal Yadav, Huda administrator, adding that Rambir ki Dhani has been holding back the completion of SPR for the last several years.
There are 16 structures at Rambir Ki Dhani, which will be acquired now. A draw of lots will be held as per FTS norms and allotment made to plot holders. Those who dont have structures will be given compensation only, said Yadav.
Likewise, the government has also decided to accord the benefits of FTS to around 100 oustees of Kherki Daula village, and 40 oustees from Chauma, who had earlier refused to accept settlement and had approached the Supreme Court against the acquisition of land.
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The Haryana Urban Development Authority (Huda) has finally started taking possession of several pockets of land in sector 75, 76 and 77 to establish a master sector that will also connect Southern Peripheral Road (SPR) with Delhi-Gurgaon expressway beyond the Kherki Daula toll plaza. The urban authority said it has also initiated the detailed project report for the road, which will not only provide access to the sector but also decongest the SPR and expressway.
The stretch will begin from SPR, running along Sector 75A and Sector 76 and crossing sectors 75 and 76 to reach NH-8. The road will go towards Shikohpur village, turning right prior to it and joining NH-8, opposite Sector 83.
The authority has written to its headquarter for expediting the payment of compensation to land owners in Kherki Majra and Dhankot for acquiring the 41 acres of land, which is needed to establish the sector, including dividing roads in newly developed sectors 102/102A, 103, 106 and 99.
The process of demarcation has started and the land that is needed to build this road is being acquired. A detailed project report will be prepared soon and work will begin soon after, said Shweta Sharma, executive engineer, Huda. The authority wants to build this road at the earliest as it will help in decongesting the Delhi-Gurgaon expressway. Commuters on SPR can take a detour to this stretch to reach the highway by avoiding the busy Kherki Daula toll plaza.
Yashpal Yadav, the Huda administrator, said the authority plans to complete the road in next six months, besides other sector roads in new Gurgaon. Steps are being taken simultaneously to ensure the roads become a reality and dont get stuck in legal issues, he said.
Huda is also planning to construct the master sector roads in sectors 83 and 84. Pockets of land that were encroached in this area were cleared in a joint drive on Thursday.
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A new video of an army jawan surfaced on social media on Thursday in which he has alleged harassment by superiors for writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the problems faced by the soldiers.
In the video, Lance Naik Yagya Pratap Singh, posted in 42 Infantry Brigade in Dehradun, said that after he wrote to the Prime Minister, the defence minister, the President and the Supreme Court in June last year, his brigade received a communication from the PMO asking for a probe into his grievances.
But, Singh said, instead of investigating the issue, his superiors began harassing him and also initiated an enquiry, which could potentially result in his court-martial.
He stressed that no sensitive information was leaked or mentioned in his letter to the Prime Minister.
I had written an application to the PM in which I said that soldiers, who act as sahayaks, should not be made to polish shoes of officers, Singh said.
He said when the Prime Ministers Office wrote back to the Brigade asking it to investigate the matter, the Brigadier... put pressure on me and tortured me to such a level that I could have taken an extreme step. But I will not commit suicide or act in any way or against anyone that will tarnish the name of my service, he said.
I have been called for court-martial, but what wrong have I done, Singh asked.
The army said it has taken cognisance of the matter and it was being investigated.
Earlier, BSF trooper Tej Bahadur Yadavs video became viral on social media, which had alleged that troopers are served bad quality food and at times they are forced to go the bed hungry.
In another video, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) constable Jeet Singh asked why the para-military force personnel are not provided facilities at par with their army counterparts when they are also performing similar tasks.
South Indian film actress, Trisha, popular in Tamil movies too, had to bear the brunt of Jallikattu protesters here on Friday as angry youth held up the shooting of her film Garjana in Sivagangai, some 460 km south of Chennai.
She was endorsing the stance of animal welfare activist group PETA, which is aggressively campaigning against Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu. The group has also suggested holding people celebrating Jallikattu for contempt of court.
Angry protesters held up shooting of the film at Nevikapatti village in Sivaganga district and demanded that Trisha come out of her vanity van, where she had taken refuge. The slogan-shouting protesters did not let up and it was only after the police came that Trisha could be escorted to safety.
The protesters, angry for her endorsement of PETA, have announced that they will not allow her to shoot in Tamil Nadu if she did not apologise and withdraw her support to the animal rights organization.
Several Jallikattu supporters are demanding a ban on PETA.
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The report recommends that the importation of fresh dragon fruit to Australia from all commercial production areas of Vietnam be permitted, subject to a range of bio-security conditions.
We are very pleased with this significant development. The Australian Government looks forward to continuing to work with Vietnam in the next steps to make the importation of Vietnamese fresh dragon fruit to Australia possible, said Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr Craig Chittick.
According to a press release issued by the Australian Embassy in Hanoi on January 13th, before trade can commence, the two Governments need to undertake a few more steps, including the establishment of standard operating procedures for the vapor heat treatment facility specific to dragon fruit and the finalization of import conditions for dragon fruit from Vietnam.
Australia commenced work on market access for fresh dragon fruit from Vietnam into Australia in last April. Officers from the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources visited major dragon fruit production areas in Vietnam in June 2016 to observe production systems and packinghouse operations.
The public consultation for the draft report for the review of bio-security import requirements for fresh dragon fruit from Vietnam was completed in mid-November 2016.
Australia is also progressing access for other types of Vietnamese fruits. The first consignments of Vietnamese lychees were exported to Australia in May 2015 and the first consignment of Vietnamese mangoes was exported to Australia in September 2016./.
Distressed vegetable farmers across Jharkhand have been forced to dump their produce due to the steep fall in wholesale prices, apparently due to bumper crop this season.
Haripal Bhagat (48), a tomato farmer from Huddu village in Lohardaga district, dumped three quintals of the vegetable after he was forced to sell the produce at Rs 50 per quintal.
Bhagat rued that he had spent Rs 20 on transportation and Rs 20 on meals, but the poor return on the vegetable was only around 10% of the production cost.
I decided to dump the production to avoid transportation and other costs, he said.
Bhagat is not alone. Farmers of Bhandra, Kero, Kuru and Senha blocks of Lohardaga district and in Ranchi and other parts of the country Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradeshhave been dumping their tomatoes, onions and French beans.
Huge dumps of vegetables were seen along Ranchi-Tata highway (NH-33) near Bhuinyadih vegetable market in Ranchis Tamar block after having been forced to sell their produce at throwaway prices because of bumper crop and cash crunch.
The National Institution for Transforming India (Niti) Aayog in a recent paper admitted to the slump in vegetable prices, but attributed it to the bumper crop and not demonetisation of Rs 500/1000 notes.
We are in catch-22 situation. Traders are not buying our produce. We neither able to sell the vegetable nor to take it at home, Jaipal Singh Munda, a tomato farmer, said.
Jagdish Mahato, a trader at Bhuinyadih wholesale market, said, Tomatoes and French beans are being sold at Rs 1-2 a kg in the market while cauliflower is Rs 5 a piece for last few days.
However, the price of tomato is Rs 6-10 a kg, French beans and cauliflower Rs 10 in vegetable markets in Ranchi city.
With good monsoon this year, farmers have produced bumper crops in the country.
Traders purchasing power has declined after demonetisation. They have restricted their orders. West Bengal traders are not coming to buy vegetables from Jharkhand at this time, said Nakul Mahato, a vegetable grower from Ranchis Pithoria area, who also sells vegetables to West Bengal.
State horticulture director Rajiv Kumar said Jharkhand recorded bumper crops this year. So, it is natural the demand will fall. We are trying to increase the demand through advertising significance of tomato on health.
He said residents would be requested to buy tomato and store them as ketchup.
Next year onwards, vegetable route will also be defined where farmers will be requested to produce different vegetables so that farmers do not see such situation, he said.
Jharkhand is a known for surplus vegetable production. According to Jharkhand state horticulture mission (JSHM), the state produces around 38 lakh metric tonne vegetables annually against a requirement of 30 lakh metric tonne. The state exports around one million tonne vegetables to other states every year.
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Bodies of two students from National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Hamirpur one of them mutilated apparently by a wild animal were found in snow near the 11,000 feet high Shikari Devi temple in Himachal Pradeshs Mandi district on Friday. Reported missing four days ago, the students, Akshay Kumar (24) and Navneet Rana (23), had trekked to the temple and purportedly died of hypothermia after being trapped in heavy snow.
While Akshay was a student of environment science and belonged to Sujanpur area of Hamirpur, Navneet was a student of MBA (first year) from Barmana area of Bilaspur district. From January 5, they had taken lave for three days from the institute on the plea of visiting home, but they never did.
When they did not return at the expiry of their leave period, the institute informed their parents, who found out about the duos trekking plans from their Facebook posts. They approached the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of Janjehli, which falls on the trek route. Mandi deputy commissioner Sandeep Kadam said the police found their last location from the mobile phone signals to Janjehali, and preliminary investigation revealed that some locals had spotted them too. The FIR was lodged eventually on Thursday.
The district administration formed a rescue team of more than 40 persons police, locals and mountaineers led by deputy superintendent of police (DSP), headquarters, Hitesh Lakhanpal the same day. Akshays body was found mutilated, apparently by a wild animal. The bodies, found barely a kilometre from the temple, were identified from documents in their bags.
This area has witnessed about 7-10 feet of snow this time, and it is tough to walk, said the DSP, adding that the team was divided into two units that approached the temple from different routes. The post-mortem would be conducted on Saturday before handing them over to the families, he said.
Mahatma Gandhis charkha was an instrument of empowerment but has now become a fashion accessory to gain credibility, his great grandson Tushar Gandhi on Friday said amid the outrage over Prime Minister Narendra Modis photo in the calendar and the diary of KVIC.
One must remember that Bapus charkha (spinning wheel) was an instrument of production, an instrument of empowerment for the weak and the poor and also a weapon in the fight for freedom. But now it has become a photographic prop, a fashion accessory to gain credibility, he said.
Read | Modi replaces Gandhi in Khadi Udyog stationery, workers to hold silent protest
Gandhi said now it has become only a prop to take pictures with.
The issue brings to my mind lines from a song in the film Balak, he said.
In the song, the child tells Bapu, Sun le bapu yeh paigam, meree chitthi tere nam, chitthi mein sabse pehle, likhata tujhko ram ram... And, then goes on to say something, which is very timely, very pertinent today -- Teree lakdi thago ne thag li, teree bakri le gaye chor.
I think these lines sum up the attitude of politicians today. The charkha that has now been replaced, on the calendar and diary of KVIC, a fashion accessory to gain credibility. His (Mahatmas) image has now no meaning, no value, no philosophy. It is a mere photography prop now, he alleged.
Meanwhile, the Prime Ministers Office (PMO), while dismissing the controversy as unnecessary, said there is no rule in KVIC that its diary and calendar should have only Gandhijis photo.
KVIC chairman V K Saxena also defended the move, saying there is no rule or tradition that only Mahatma Gandhis picture can be published on these items.
With several incidents of paramilitary personnel complaining of ill-treatment coming to light, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has introduced a new system that allows officials at the lower constabulary level to decide on leaves for staffers.
This step gains significance in the light of a CISF jawan shooting four colleagues with his service rifle at a power plant in Bihars Aurangabad district on Thursday. BSF and CRPF personnel also posted videos voicing their dissatisfaction with higher-ups on the social media in recent months, indicating a growing resentment in the countrys top security forces.
An internal study conducted by the CISF found that many of its personnel were depressed because they couldnt avail of leave to spend time with their families. The force then formed a leave committee, where four constable-level staffers decide on leaves for the entire unit.
There would be a leave committee for every 200 personnel. The person who wants leave will place his request before the committee, who then takes it to the unit head for approval. If the leaves of two personnel clash, the panel will take a call on who has a better cause for taking time off work. This will increase satisfaction levels among staffers, and they will be able to perform their duties better, said CISF director general OP Singh.
The new system, which is already being implemented among CISF personnel guarding the Delhi Metro, will eventually be introduced in other units.
With 1.44 lakh personnel, CISF provides security to 322 units including nuclear installations, space research centres, metro stations, airports, seaports, power plants, oil refineries and several heritage monuments.
The quality of food is not an issue here because CISF personnel are mostly posted in civilian areas. For us, the challenge lies in ensuring that they are not stressed due to long working hours or lack of leave. For this, we often counsel them, and senior officers are asked to hold regular meetings to check if staffers are being inconvenienced in any way, said an official on the condition of anonymity.
The CISF has also asked all unit heads to identify staffers prone to depression, and send them for counselling. We use buddy peers for the purpose. Staffers likely to suffer from depression are asked to interact regularly with a colleague, who is his buddy peer. We also take care of their families through our NGO, Sarankshika, the official said.
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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has refused to share specific details on the governments decision to recall high-value banknotes, citing threat to the countrys sovereignty, integrity and security besides danger to life, Bloomberg News reported.
The report comes amid contradictory claims by the government and the RBI that the decision to ban Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes was taken by the other.
Bloomberg said it asked the central bank 14 questions between December 8 and January 2 but the central bank claimed exemptions to some of these and skirted others saying it had no information.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the demonetisation on November 8, a decision that sucked out 86% of the currency notes in circulation and left millions lining up at banks and ATMs for cash.
The government has come under stinging criticism from the opposition for allegedly taking the decision without preparing for the cash crunch that followed. The government has defended the move as an attack on illicit cash and counterfeiting.
To a question seeking details on the number of demonetised notes already at banks on the evening of PM Modis speech, the RBI claimed an exemption, citing danger to the life or physical safety of anyone who disclosed this information to the public, Bloomberg said.
The RBI also claimed exemptions on two questions seeking detail on its preparations for the demonetisation and studies it used to forecast the impact of the move. Sharing these sensitive matters would endanger Indias sovereignty, integrity and security, it added.
The government told parliament in November the decision to withdraw the 500 and 1000-rupee banknotes was taken by the RBI.
RBI, however, told a parliamentary panel it was the government which advised it on November 7 to go for demonetisation.
The cloak of secrecy that has shrouded the currency ban decision is likely to bolster the view that authorities, both on Mint Street and in New Delhi, were not prepared for such a decision and the way it was announced, Bloomberg said.
It risks undermining perceptions of the central banks independence and raises questions about PM Modis decision-making style and his communication with the RBI, the report added.
The Union government has decided to form a panel to look into the issue of subsidy given to Haj pilgrims. Since 2010, the Centre has examined different proposals regarding the issue but nothing concrete has resulted so far.
This time the committee is expected to come up more effective measures to tackle the issue.
In 2010, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) floated a proposal to cut the subsidy by 10% every year. The move came as the subsidy rose to Rs 827 crore in 2008.
The Supreme Court in 2012 directed the Union government to gradually reduce and completely remove the Haj subsidy by 2022.
The subsidy is given to those who go through the Haj committee of India and not through private operators. The quota this year has been raised to 1.70 lakh people. In 2011, when the pilgrim quota was 170, 162, the subsidy amount was Rs 685 crore and the expense of the external affairs ministry was Rs 33.16 crore.
The Haj subsidy varies from Rs 600 crore to Rs 700 crore and external affairs ministry incurs expense of Rs 28 to Rs 33 crore for the same every year, says an official.
While many argue that the subsidy is helping airline, Air India, others feel a more comprehensive measure is needed.
An aircraft that takes the pilgrims to Haj flies back empty. There have been suggestions to allow more airlines to fly the pilgrims to make it more competitive.
Several prominent Muslim leaders have suggested cost-cutting initiatives in the past. In 2008, then Rajya Sabha deputy chairman K Rahman Khan and some Muslim MPs urged the centre to follow the Malaysian model on Tabunjg Haji.
The Malaysian Tabung Haji system involves investment by the pilgrims in an Islamic, Shariat-compliant way.
The pilgrims invest an amount they can afford in a kitty for a period of time and withdraw it when they want to go for Haj.
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The Home Ministry on Friday directed all paramilitary forces to ensure speedy redress of jawans grievances even as it submitted a report to the PMO saying no substance was found in the complaint by a BSF man that poor quality rations were given to security personnel.
In a communication to BSF, CRPF, CISF, SSB, ITBP, NSG and Assam Rifles, the Ministry has asked them to conduct an independent inquiry once a complaint from any jawan is received on any matter and try to resolve it as early as possible.
Read | No widespread discontent: Home min report to PMO refutes BSF jawans complaints
The seven central paramilitary forces have been asked to inform their personnel about the existing grievance redressal cell and register complaints, if any, without fear, official sources said.
The forces were also asked to ensure that jawans making complaints were not harassed by their superiors.
The paramilitary forces were told to accept complaints through e-letters. Among the seven Central Paramilitary Forces, one has already started receiving the complaints through e-letter, while the other six have been told to follow suit, sources said.
Meanwhile, the Home Ministry has in a report to the Prime Ministers Office said it has found no substance in a complaint by a BSF jawan that poor quality rations were provided to security personnel posted along the border, asserting there was no widespread discontent in the constabulary over food.
In the report, the Home Ministry conveyed to the PMO that there was no shortage of rations at any post in paramilitary forces and quality check was conducted regularly.
A video by BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav complaining about the quality of food had gone viral, triggerred a flurry of reactions with the PMO also seeking a detailed factual report on the incident.
The PMO has been told that there is no widespread discontent in constabulary over food in any paramilitary force, official sources said.
Read | How Indias paramilitary forces are weathering its winter of discontent
The BSF has maintained that there was no shortage of rations at any post and security personnel deployed along the border had never complained about food.
The PMO has been conveyed that the Home Ministry has directed the paramilitary forces to take all complaints of jawans seriously and that corrective steps should be taken to improve their working conditions and food, the sources said.
Yadav, wearing camouflage uniform and carrying a rifle, had claimed in the videod that while government procures essentials for them, the officers sell them off in an illegal manner in the market and the personnel have to suffer.
He had also posted other videos in which he claimed that the quality of food served was not good.
Is this the winter of discontent for Indias paramilitary forces?
Even before the controversy over a Border Security Force (BSF) jawans selfie video on the quality of food at border posts could die down, a member of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) gunned down four colleagues over reasons still unknown.
Meanwhile, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been having problems of its own. While a jawan shot himself in Jammu and Kashmir recently, another posted a video alleging disparity in pay and allowances as compared to military personnel.
The Prime Ministers Office has stepped in, asking the home ministry to submit a report on the action taken with regard to BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadavs food-related grievances. Yadav had also accused senior officers of illegally diverting the ration meant for jawans to the open market.
How is this possible? How can an officer posted at a high-altitude post divert ration to the open market? Who is there to buy it? asked a senior home ministry officer who is compiling the report.
The incident has rankled the NDA government, which prides itself on the welfare of security personnel, even though it has been recognised as a gross violation of norms. The video may be a violation of service norms, but we will have to ascertain the validity of the jawans allegations, the officer said, indicating that the government may not treat it as an indiscipline issue just yet.
As the jawan was posted at the line of control in Jammu and Kashmir, where the BSF is under the Armys command, the defence ministry has also been looped in for the probe. The Army is checking whether there was any problem with the quality of ration at the border posts.
The BSF, in its interim report to the home ministry, said a senior officer of the force visited the post where Yadav was deployed just two days before he made the videos. Yadav did not complain about the food to his senior, it added.
On another video of a CRPF jawan complaining about the disparity between paramilitary and military personnel in terms of pay and allowances, home ministry sources said the 7th pay panel report has looked into some of the issues. The CRPF was also quick to issue a point-by-point rebuttal on the video, stating that the force has always worked towards ensuring the welfare of its jawans.
But the days of discontent may not be over yet. Now, a member of the Sashastra Seema Bal another paramilitary force under the Union home ministry has leveled allegations of ration diversion.
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A minor from Hyderabad, who was forced to marry a 35-year-old man last year, was served a legal notice for not leading a marital life with him and discharging the duties of a housewife.
The girl presently pursuing polytechnic diploma course at a private college received the notice from lawyer D Narender Rao, representing her husband Palsam Srikanth Goud a few days ago. Having no resources to fight the legal battle, she wrote to State Child Rights Association on Wednesday seeking help.
She passed Class 10 in March last year and going by her school-leaving certificate, she was born on March 3, 2000. It shows she is still a minor. So, the marriage itself is illegal and demanding conjugal rights from her is all the more illegal. We are planning to move the high court against Srikanth and also the lawyer, who issued notice without even bothering to know her age, association leader P Achyuta Rao told HT.
The girl, a resident of Abdullapurmet village was forced to marry Srikanth of Injapur village on February 25 last year even as she was preparing for her SSC examinations.
According to the girl, her parents gave Rs 1 lakh, besides 15 tolas of gold to Srikanth towards dowry.
But within a month after marriage, the girl returned to her parents house. Our enquiries with the girl revealed that her husband had alleged illicit relationship with another woman. Moreover, she was keen on pursuing her education, Rao said.
However, in the notice dated December 24, 2016, the lawyer accused the girl of behaving in a highly objectionable manner with Srikanth and his family members. You have developed the habit of disliking your husband and not giving due respect to him. You never bothered to live marital life with him and failed to perform duties of a house wife, he said.
The lawyer gave 15-day notice to the girl to return to her husband. The police said they had not received any complaint from the girl or her parents.We will lodge a complaint against Srikanth and his parents soon, the child rights activist said.
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India would carry out more precision strikes on militant bases across the Line of Control if Islamabad rejects New Delhis peace overtures, army chief General Bipin Rawat said on Friday.
Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Rawat said India had made an offer of peace and tranquility to Pakistan but if it did not reciprocate, this method of execution of operations will continue.
Read | Soldiers must use grievance boxes, not social media for complaints: Army chief
As far as surgical strikes are concerned, the aim was to ensure peace and tranquility. We are trying to ensure there is no requirement to conduct such strikes. If you (Pakistan) accept peace, we will go along, Rawat said at a customary press conference ahead of Army Day on January 15. Rawat stressed as far as the Pakistani response was concerned, India would have to adopt a wait and watch policy. We have told the adversary to accept peace and in case that offer is not reciprocated, then this method of execution of operations (surgical strikes) shall continue, he said. The armys special forces conducted surgical strikes against militant pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir across the Line of Control last September, the first direct military response to the Uri attack that left 19 soldiers dead that month.
The strikes saw bilateral relations nosedive and resumption in border hostilities with daily firings and casualties on both sides. Pakistan denied the surgical strikes as India moved to isolate Islamabad diplomatically.
Watch | General Bipin Rawat : Want all problems conveyed directly to me
Rawat said the credit for the strikes, authorised by the government, should go only to people who executed the operations. The strikes had triggered a domestic political clamour with opposition parties alleging the BJP was trying to gain electoral mileage out of the army operation. A day after taking over as chief on December 31, he had said the armys role was to ensure peace along the borders but it would not hesitate to use force if needed. Rawat acknowledged that the challenges of proxy war, insurgency and terrorism would keep the security forces embroiled for years to come. He said the proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir was aimed at damaging the countrys secular fabric. The army chief said preserving the secular credentials would require rewinding the clock to pre-1989 years when everyone lived together in harmony.
Read | Will look into superseded Lt Gen Bakshis grievances if informed: Army chief Rawat
Rawat was referring to the exodus of Kashmiri pandits after militancy gripped the state. The secular fabric was targeted and people moved out. So when we are looking at harmonious relationship and making sure that these credentials are not affected, we have to make sure that the state gets back to what it was pre-1989, he said.
Overview of talks between Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping (Photo: VNA)
The talks between visiting General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and Chinese President Xi Jinping took place in the Great Hall immediately after the official welcome ceremony.
General Secretary Xi warmly welcomed General Secretary Trong on his first China visit after the 12th Party Congress, saying the visit is crucial, helping deepen Vietnam-China relations.
He warmly congratulated the CPV on its successful 12th Congress, while speaking highly of Vietnams attainments in all fields. He expressed his belief that the Vietnamese people will soon turn Vietnam into a modern, industrial country with wealth, democracy, justice, civilization, and socialism.
He affirmed that China attaches much importance to ties with Vietnam and stands ready to work with the Party, State and people of Vietnam in strengthening the bilateral friendship and partnership, making the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership grow in a healthy and stable manner and to the previously agreed motto and spirit.
The Vietnamese Party chief congratulated China on its important achievements in reform and building the socialism with Chinese characteristics, expressing his wish that the Party, Government and people of China will successfully accomplish the target of building a well-off, democratic, civilized and harmonious socialist China.
He affirmed that Vietnam always places importance to the ties with China and sincerely wishes to develop the sustainable friendship and win-win comprehensive cooperation with China for the sake of their people as well as peace, and prosperity in the region and the world.
The two leaders expressed delight at the healthily growing ties and positive progress of the relations between the two Parties and countries over the past years.
They agreed that in the context of crisis and uncertainties occurring in many places around the world, the stable development and achievements of both countries are important to the two countries people.
Both sides agreed to continuously maintain high-ranking exchanges and meetings between leaders of the two Parties and States to promptly exchange views and tackle issues arising in bilateral ties as well as make strategic orientations and directions to boost cooperation, maintain friendship and develop Vietnam-China ties in a healthy and stable fashion.
The leaders also agreed to promote and improve existing collaboration mechanisms between the two Parties and countries, especially meetings between representatives of the two Politburos, the Steering Committee for the Vietnam-China bilateral cooperation for strengthening the full implementation of bilateral agreements.
They shared the viewpoint on the importance of increasing exchanges and cooperation in Party channel as well as among the two Parties agencies, the two parliaments and fatherland fronts, as well as stronger affiliation in diplomacy, defence, security and between border guard and law enforcement forces of the two countries.
The two countries should also show close coordination at multilateral forums, while supporting each other in running to positions in international organisations.
Xi pledged that China will do its utmost to assist Vietnam in hosting the APEC Summit 2017, while the Vietnamese side affirmed support to China in organising an international cooperation summit on One Belt, One Road in 2017.
The two leaders reach consensus on the significance of forging stronger win-win partnership in economy, trade, investment and other fields for rapid and sustainable growth of each country, creating a firm foundation for the development of bilateral ties.
The two sides will urge ministries, sectors, localities and businesses to focus on timely and effectively implementing agreed plans, programmes and projects, while applying measures to maintain bilateral trade growth in a more stable and balanced manner.
China will work harder to make Vietnam-China trade ties grow faster and become more balance, vowed Xi, who also promised to create favourable conditions for Vietnam to launch trade representative offices in Chinese localities.
He committed to encouraging Chinese firms to increase imports of Vietnamese agro-forestry-fisheries products, such as rice, cassava, dairy products and processed fruits and implement high technology and environmental-friendly projects in Vietnam.
The two leaders concurred to expand cooperation in science-technology, agriculture, environment, climate change response, while considering the extension of affiliation in running a hotline to receive complaints on arising problems in fisheries activities at sea, and strengthening the coordination in managing, protecting and exploiting Mekong-Lancang River and Red River-Yuan River water resources sustainably.
They also agreed to discuss principles and specific contents of a master plan on the building of Vietnam-China cross-border economic cooperation zones, so that the deal will be signed soon.
Vietnam and China will enhance partnership in improving production capacity and strengthening the connection between the Two Corridors, One Economic Belt and One Belt, One Road initiatives to match the demand, benefit and development strategy of each country.
The leaders underscored the importance of the friendship between the two people, saying it is a source of power and a social foundation to spur Vietnam-China relations in a sound, long lasting and sustainable manner. They agreed that exchange activities between the two people, especially among youngsters and localities should be stepped up.
Regarding the issues at sea, the two Party leaders shared the view that this is the major outstanding problem existed in Vietnam-China relations and the issue is very complicated and vital, hugely affecting and governing the political trust, peoples sentiments, the state of the two countries relations, as well as the face and situation in the region and the world.
General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong asserted Vietnams consistent stance of persistently dealing with the dispute in the East Sea by peaceful measures in compliance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and with respect to diplomatic and legal processes; fully and efficiently executing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and striving together with ASEAN to soon accomplish a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
The leaders stressed the need to comply with the important conception reached by the two countries Party and State leaders and the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea issues between Vietnam and China; optimize the negotiating mechanism to seek fundamental and long lasing solutions acceptable to both sides; actively study transitional solutions that do not affect the respective countrys stance and policy, including active seeking and discussing an issue of cooperation for mutual development.
They agreed to accelerate the cooperation at sea with a view to generating positive signals beneficial to the two countries relations; soundly accomplish follow-up works following the completion of the joint survey conducted at the waters off the mouth of the Tonkin Gulf, thus firmly pushing for negotiations on the delineation of the waters off the mouth of the Tonkin Gulf and active cooperation for mutual development in this waters; continuously step up the world of the working group in charge of discussing cooperation for mutual development at sea; and deploy cooperation projects in the less sensitive fields as agreed.
They affirmed that the two sides will continue implementing the DOC comprehensively and efficiently and soon formulate the COC on the basis of consultation and unanimity; well manage sea-related disagreements, and take no actions that complicate and expand the dispute to protect peace and stability in the East Sea.
On behalf of the Party and State of Vietnam, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong invited Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping to pay an official visit to Vietnam and attend the APEC Summit 2017. Party General Secretary and President Xi accepted the invitation with pleasure.
Earlier, the two leaders joined in a cordial tea party at the Great Hall after witnessing the signing of cooperative documents between the two Parties and the two States. The tea party is an unprecedented gesture, constituting the Chinese top leaders respect, goodwill and wish to increase the closeness and trust with Vietnams top leader.
At the tea party, Party General Secretary Xi offered Party General Secretary Trong renowned tea produced in Fujian province as well as told him about Zhejiang province where he once worked. He also discussed Chinas strategies, policies and several crucial development milestones. The two leaders also deliberated further measures to bolster bilateral friendship and cooperation in the coming time. The tea party took place in a joyous, cosy and friendly atmosphere.
Later on the day, Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping hosted a banquet to greet Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation on their official visit to China./.
Indian Air Force chief BS Dhanoa flew solo on Thursday in a MiG-21 fighter jet, the oldest fighter aircraft in the IAFs inventory.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa after a MiG-21 sortie at the Forward Base in Barmer, Rajasthan. (PTI Photo)
Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa flew the MiG-21 Type 96 aircraft from the IAF base at Uttarlai, a forward base in Rajasthan, where he began a three-day visit, his first to a forward operational base as the IAF chief.
He flew the same type of aircraft during Kargil Operations and carried out many night strike missions in the mountainous terrain. He was awarded Yudh Sewa Medal for these gallant acts.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa flew the MiG-21 Type 96 aircraft from the IAF base at Uttarlai, a forward base in Rajasthan. (PTI Photo)
Before Dhanoa, his predecessors, Air Chief Marshals AY Tipnis and Dilbagh Singh had flown the Russian-made aircraft while commanding the service.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi triggered a flurry of reactions after reports emerged that his photograph had replaced an iconic shot of Mahatma Gandhi with his spinning wheel, on the new Khadi Udyog merchandise.
The PMs photograph -- which was published on the cover pages of the Khadi Village Industries Commissions (KVIC) 2017 calendar and diary -- shows Modi weaving khadi on a large charkha, in the same classic pose as Gandhi.
The decision, however, did not sit well with everyone, with leaders from opposition parties taking digs at the Prime Minister on Twitter.
The Mangalyaan effecthttps://t.co/NnkbJ4i7vx Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) January 13, 2017
Gandhiji would've welcomed it, also opposed his photo on notes.
We should welcome it too. Less hypocrisy.https://t.co/q1fVI2RYmA Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) January 12, 2017
Mahatma Gandhi sacrificed started Swadeshi movement and wore only khadi
While Modi ji is obsessed with foreign cloths#__ pic.twitter.com/Z2PD0qZ2AP Delhi Congress (@WithCongDelhi) January 13, 2017
Several KVIC workers too expressed dissatisfaction over the change.
We are pained at this systematic easing out of Mahatma Gandhis ideas, philosophy and ideals by the government, a senior KVIC staffer had said, requesting anonymity.
KVIC chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena, however, on Thursday defended the decision, saying such deviations was not unusual. The entire khadi industry is based on Gandhijis philosophy, ideas and ideals, he is the soul of KVIC, so there is no question of ignoring him, Saxena had said to the media on Thursday.
(Modi) is khadis biggest brand ambassador, and his vision matches KVICs, of Make In India by making villages self-sufficient, skill development by generating employment among the rural masses, infuse modern technology for khadi weaving, innovations and marketing. Plus, the PM is a youth icon, he added.
Spirit is more important than the image, the chairman tweeted late on Thursday.
KVIC calendar & dairy without Gandhiji's pics have been issued earlier too.Spirit is more important than the image.@PMOIndia,@ashokepandit. pic.twitter.com/57ksjFD1LQ Chairman KVIC (@ChairmanKvic) January 12, 2017
How can anyone replace the father of the nation? One can only emulate his action.The picture is a message of our re-dedication to Khadi. Chairman KVIC (@ChairmanKvic) January 12, 2017
Some Twitter users were vocally critical of the decision.
Today I take a pledge not to buy Khadi products till such time #Modi apologize to Nation for replacing Gandhi ji photo by his own photo. Kumar (@RamUK_R) January 13, 2017
Photo badalne se na Gandhi ban sakte ho na Mahatma. Shame. India never had such a disgustingly attention seeking PMhttps://t.co/l7A508Yehz Shabnam hashmi (@ShabnamHashmi) January 12, 2017
Chor modi, first you took the dress of Nehru, then his jacket and now you have the audacity of replacing Gandhi from Khadi#__ pic.twitter.com/AIiphqFzki KilaFateh #INC (@KilaFateh) January 13, 2017
#__ U can't replace Mahatma & neither u can remove the picture of Mahatma from our heart,heart of Indiahttps://t.co/QfQHGeKGkX seema (@seemaadhikari) January 13, 2017
While several others tweeted in support.
Time to remind KVISC protesting @narendramodi pics in calendar that because of @PMOIndia we buy 6 to 7 Khadi dress last 2 yrs @bjpsamvad Viswanathan Iyer (@giviswa) January 13, 2017
Name one politician who has marketed Khadi more than the current PM; these losers can only make noise #__ #NaMoIsKhadisFace AM (@iamamenon) January 13, 2017
Modi who revived Khadi, gave respect to brand & helped so many poor workers live good life is called #__ by Congress morons! Common Sense (@CommonSense___) January 13, 2017
The Dravidar Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is holding agitations across Tamil Nadu on Friday to protest the Supreme Courts refusal to pronounce its verdict on popular bull-taming sport Jallikattu before the Pongal festivities.
The state opposition party also accused the Centre and the AIADMK government of not taking appropriate, timely steps to ensure that the event was conducted.
DMK activists protested near the Chennai collectors office in the presence of MK Stalin, the partys working president, and Kanimozhi, member of Parliament.
Jallikattu is our tradition, but the Centre and state government have failed to get us the permission to conduct it, said Stalin. The Centre should bring an ordinance immediately, and the state should ensure that its followed.
An apex court bench, comprising justices Dipak Misra and R Banumathi, had told a group of lawyers on Thursday that it was unfair to ask the bench to pass an order on Jallikattu before Saturday when the Tamil harvest festival is slated to begin.
Recalling the assurances made by both chief minister O Panneerselvam and Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan on lifting the ban, Stalin had asked on Thursday : What answers are they going to give to the people of Tamil Nadu especially its youth now?
The DMK working president alleged that the AIADMK government was not giving due importance to the issue. The chief minister wrote a letter to the Centre as usual, but he did not visit Delhi. The central government, for its part, did not take any step to promulgate an ordinance to facilitate the conduct of Jallikattu, he added.
Chennai: DMK workers gather near Collector's office. The party has called for a statewide protest today #jallikattu pic.twitter.com/FHaNniEHCj ANI (@ANI_news) January 13, 2017
However, the DMKs planned agitation did not win the central oppositions support with many parties stating that the apex courts decision must be respected. Till the time the Supreme Court changes its order, no state or political party has the right to go against its decision, Nationalist Congress Party leader Tariq Anwar told ANI.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal said it was improper to pressurise the apex court in this fashion. There are many traditions that do not go hand-in-hand with modernity. You are trying to bring back a banned festival just to achieve a political position in Tamil Nadu, said RJD leader Manoj Jha.
Meanwhile, animal rights activists took exception to Jallikattu events being held across rural Tamil Nadu in violation of the apex courts verdict with many going so far as to demand the imposition of Presidents Rule in the state.
The activists, in a letter to home minister Rajnath Singh, requested the Centre to ensure that the state government enforces the court ruling. If the law continues to be disregarded, we beseech you to exercise powers under Article 356 of the Constitution to ensure that the situation is brought under control, and the law of the land is given the respect it deserves, the letter said.
As many as 28 people were arrested in connection with an illegal Jallikattu event held in coastal Cuddalore on Thursday. The apex court had banned Jallikattu on grounds of animal cruelty in 2014.
Read| Five reasons why the Supreme Court verdict may go against Jallikattu
People organised the bull-taming sport Jallikattu in several parts of Tamil Nadu on Friday and protesters took to the streets as the state united to defy a Supreme Court ban on the popular event of the Pongal celebrations.
Sources said revellers clashed with police who tried to stop Jallikattu events in Madurai and Cuddalore while students formed a chain at Chennais famous Marina Beach to protest the ban, which has turned into a political controversy.
The apex court had on Thursday refused to advance its judgment on a clutch of petitions challenging a notification by the Centre allowing Jallikattu this year.
Police also dismantled temporary structures built for the sport at Kalathangal in Madurai and dispersed the people. But three ruling AIADMK legislators present at the venue are quoted to have said that people will defy the ban and take part in Jallikattu.
Madurai is one of the main Jallikattu venues that draw in huge numbers of domestic and foreign tourists.
Chief minister O Panneerselvam recently said, we would not back out of our efforts to hold Jallikattu this year, a statement seen as his governments tacit support of the sport which has even elicited support from popular actors Rajnikaanth and Kamal Hassan.
The ruling partys support is also seen as a rebuttal of the opposition DMKs allegation that the state government did not do anything for lifting the ban.
A senior AIADMK leader said even if the court passes strictures later, by that time Pongal would have been celebrated and people would be happy.
With local body elections due shortly, political parties are keen to be seen on the right side of the divide.
DMK activists protested near the Chennai collectors office in the presence of MK Stalin, the partys working president, and Kanimozhi, an MP.
Jallikattu is our tradition, but the Centre and state government have failed to get us the permission to conduct it, said Stalin.
A political analyst said the defiance was also symbolic of Tamilian anger over the perceived injustice on several issues from Cauvery water sharing, arrest of fishermen and an assault on language and culture and traditions.
Naam Tamizhar Katchi, a fringe Tamil party, held a Jallikattu event on Thursday at Cuddalore and gave out prizes to winners. Police later arrested 35-odd people.
The ban and refusal of the BJP government at the Centre to issue an ordinance is nothing but an assault on Tamil pride and an attempt to destroy Tamil culture and tradition, said K Pandimuthu, a Jallikattu organiser in Cuddalore.
People also vented their anger at the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) which along with the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations urged the president and prime minister not to issue any ordinance to allow Jallikattu as it may be considered unconstitutional and an inappropriate use of power.
India on Thursday launched its second French-designed Scorpene class diesel-electric attack submarine, Khanderi, at Mumbai-based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, exorcising the ghost of a data leak scandal that threatened to derail the project in August 2016.
Khanderi is one of the six Scorpene submarines being constructed in the country with technology transfer from French firm DCNS under a Rs 23,562-crore programme called Project 75.
In what was seen as a major setback for the project, a leaked cache of 22,400 documents in 2016 detailed key secret stealth capabilities of the submarines, including the frequencies at which they gather intelligence, their diving depths, range and endurance, and specifications of their torpedo launch and combat systems.
Navy spokesperson Captain DK Sharma said the data leak was a closed chapter. The data was from pre-2008 when the boat wasnt even on the drawing board. The project has evolved significantly in all aspects and theres no problem.
The Scorpene is expected to become the main conventional submarine of the Indian fleet and replace the ageing Russian Kilo class and German HDW vessels that are almost three decades old.
Commodore C Uday Bhaskar (retd), strategic affairs expert and director, Society for Policy Studies, said a submarine acquires its acoustic signature only after it becomes fully operational. Suggesting that the leak compromised submarine safety is misplaced. The programme is on track, Bhaskar said.
Minister of state for defence Subhash Bhamre and Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba were present when the Khanderi was floated out. The boat derives its name from a Russian Foxtrot class submarine the Navy retired in 1989. It is likely to be commissioned into the Navy by year-end after extensive trials.
Kalvari, the first Scorpene-class submarine to be built in India, is expected to be commissioned into the Navy in the coming months. All the six submarines are expected to join the Indian fleet over the next three years. Sharma said the third boat would also be launched this year.
The Scorpene project was delayed by five years due to issues related to transfer of technology. At present, the Navy operates 13 conventional submarines.
The Makar Sankranti spirit on Friday was not dampened by two separate bans on lethal kite string and animal and bird sports that are integral part of the festivity.
The razor-sharp kite string, popularly known as manza, blamed for many human and animal deaths across the country, was available on several e-commerce websites despite a nationwide ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal.
Defying Supreme Courts ban, people also continued with the tradition of cock fights in Andhra Pradesh and Assam, bull cart race in Punjab and Maharashtra and Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu.
Makar Sankranti marks an end of inauspicious month of Malmaas and transition of Sun into zodiacal sign of Makar (Capricorn) to herald a change in season and also mood of people.
It is celebrated across the country in different names. While in north it is celebrated as Lohri, in Assam as Bihu and in south as Pongal.
For the last few years the celebration in Tamil Nadu, however, had been mired in political controversy over the SCs decision to ban bull-taming sport Jallikattu saying it causes torture to the animal.
Read | Makar Sankranti: Mumbai police bans nylon manjas
The ban has evoked strong reactions with even celebrities like Kamal Hassan and Rajnikanth opposing it saying one cannot curb tradition in the name of animal welfare.
Political parties in Tamil Nadu on Friday organised protests across the state against the Supreme Courts refusal to pronounce a verdict on a clutch of petitions challenging a notification by the Centre allowing Jallikattu this year before the four-day Pongal festival got underway on Friday.
Protesters also disrupted a film shooting, venting their anger at popular actress Trisha who had campaigned for animal rights group PETA against Jallikattu, police said.
The protesters announced that they will not allow her to shoot in Tamil Nadu if she did not apologise and withdraw her support to the animal rights organisation.
The first day of the festivity, known as Bhogi, began with people burning discarded items. Thai Pongal, which is the main day of the festivities, will be celebrated on Saturday. Traditionally, pongal is made in households across the state using freshly harvested rice grains.
Maatu Pongal, observed on the third day, is when traditionally Jallikattu events are held.
Assam celebrated the mid-January Bhogali or Magh Bihu -- festival of feasting from Friday night. While officially there was no buffalo (Ahatguri in central Assam) and bulbul bird (Hayagriva Madhava Temple complex at Hajo, west of Guwahati) fights in view of the Supreme Court ban, sources say such fights might have been organised unofficially considering the sentiment of the locals attached to them.
In Madha Pradesh, holy bath and pooja are witnessed on the bathing ghats of Narmada river at Amarkantak, Jabalpur, Omkareshwar, Hoshangabad and several other places.
Read | Banned but celebrated: Animal sports, lethal kite string mark Makar Sankranti
In north, where Lohri marks beginning of harvest season in Punjab and Haryana, the dip in January temperature to close to zero degree Celsius too failed to dampen much the festive spirit.
Lohri bonfires and cultural events marked the festivity. This year farmers expect a good winter crop because of above normal monsoon, an added reason for cheer.
Apart from traditions and rituals associated with the festivity, in states like Hayana and Rajasthan, Makar Sankranti is being celebrated to propagate girl child through campaigns such as Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and Hamara Garv, Hamari Betiyan.
In Rajasthan, scholarships will be given to girls for school to college studies.
(With inputs from Allahabad, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Guwahati and New Delhi)
The prospect of social boycott and being exiled from their localities has made 53 candidates withdraw their nomination for Nagalands civic body elections on Thursday.
Traditional NGOs in the state have been opposing the civic body polls, scheduled on February 1, because of the 33% quota provided for women.
The quota, they say, is an infringement on Naga customary laws (that do not give administrative rights to women) and a violation of Article 1(A) of the Constitution that guarantees preservation of Naga customs and traditions.
Nagaland has 32 municipal and town councils. State-wide protests and periodic shutdowns since the polls were announced last month prevented any candidate from filing their papers in six civic bodies, including that of capital Kohima, where the dominant tribe is Angami.
By Thursday evening, all 27 candidates of Pfutsero town in Phek district withdrew their nominations taking the number of no-contest councils to seven. The other 10 candidates who withdrew are spread across six councils.
The official date of withdrawal of nomination is January 17, but some candidates withdrew on Thursday in response to calls by various organisations, a state election commission officer said, declining to be quoted given the sensitivity of the issue of holding the polls against public sentiments.
Nagaland civic polls Urban local body polls scheduled: February 1 Total number of town/municipal councils: 32 Number of town/municipal councils going to polls: 26 Town/municipal councils registering nil nomination: Kohima, Mokokchung, Tuensang, Mon, Medziphema and Changtongya Number of nominations found valid: 535 Official date of withdrawal of nomination: January 17 Deadline by NGOs for withdrawing nomination: January 12 Number of candidates withdrawing nomination: 53 Town council with nil nominations after withdrawal: Pfutsero Number of women candidates: 188
He did not specify how many of those who withdrew were women. Of the 535 valid nominations filed, 188 were by women.
The election officer did not rule out the possibility of more candidates withdrawing by the official date (Tuesday). On whether this could cast a cloud on the polls, he said: Remember, Nagaland has an instance when a party formed the government virtually unopposed.
The Congress under SC Jamir had won the 1998 assembly election uncontested in 34 of the 60 seats. This was because the militant National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) had asked all aspirants to sign a proclamation saying they strongly oppose the holding of elections in Naga-inhabited areas
Terming the protests unfortunate, the Naga Mothers Association hoped the elections would be held to convey the change in the mind-set in Nagaland. We need to send the right signal to the world beyond that is moving towards greater gender equality. We hope the elections are held in the councils where nominations have been filed, Rosemary Dzuvichu, the associations advisor, told Hindustan Times.
NGOs such as Naga Hoho the apex body of 16 tribes insist they are not against capable women contesting elections but that there should be no quota to deny deserving candidates from filing nominations.
Nagaland has had no woman as member of the assembly since the state was created in 1963. Rano M Shaiza, elected in 1977, is the only woman member of parliament from the state.
Despite opposition, the Zeliang government passed a bill in November 2015 to facilitate seat quota for women. Article 243(T), in force since 1993, did not infringe upon any Naga tradition or customary law when we provided 25% quota for women in the village development boards. Non-holding of election to urban bodies in last 10 years has affected the development of towns and municipalities, said a government statement to justify holding the civic body polls.
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Defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday parried questions on his possible return to Goa politics after the State Legislative Assembly polls, saying let us cross the bridge when it comes.
I can only say that let us cross the bridge when it comes. (Nitin) Gadkariji has said what we wanted to say, Parrikar told reporters here when asked whether he will be back in the state as chief minister after Goa polls.
He had accompanied BJP candidate Siddharth Kuncolienkar to file his nomination for the upcoming polls where he is contesting from Panaji constituency.
The constituency was earlier represented by Parrikar till he was elevated to the Central cabinet after Lok Sabha polls.
Gadkari addressing a press conference here on Thursday had said that the next chief minister would be decided in a democratic way by the elected representatives.
This leader can either be from the elected representatives or we can even send (someone) from the Centre, he had told reporters here.
Parrikar, former Goa chief minister, and his Cabinet colleague Sripad Naik hail from the coastal state, but despite repeated queries, Gadkari had yesterday declined to reveal if he was hinting at one of them.
Parrikar on Friday said Kuncolienkar will win in Panaji with a bigger margin than the last time.
He said development of the constituency would be the poll plank.
The BJP, which had won 21 of the 40 seats in the state in 2012, had on Thursday released the first list of candidates for the February 4 Assembly elections in the coastal state.
Andhra Pradesh is set to give other backward class (OBC) status to Rohith Vemula, a 26-year-old PhD student whose suicide at the University of Hyderabad last year triggered a wave of nationwide protests against caste discrimination.
The Andhra Pradesh government is preparing to send the report to the Centre before January 17, Vemulas death anniversary when student groups have announced programmes to commemorate his memory.
Revenue officials in Guntur districts Gurajala village said Rohith belonged to the Vaddera OBC caste and wasnt a Dalit--as claimed by his mother Radhika Vemula and university students.
The affidavits submitted by Rohiths father Manikumar and other family members in the village have indicated that he is a Vaddera. We also made inquiries with the other villagers and they, too, confirmed his OBC status, a senior revenue official told HT.
We have submitted a report to the Guntur collector Kantilal Dande.
If sent to the Centre, the report will mean a reversal of the stand taken last year by the collector, who told the National Commission of Scheduled Castes that Rohith belonged to the Hindu Mala caste, a predominant Dalit community in Andhra.
Rohiths death and protests across universities had pushed the state and Centre on the back foot and given the Opposition, especially the Congress, ammunition to call the government anti-Dalit.
Their report is based on the statement of my father. But why didnt they record my mothers statement? Let the AP government come out with the report officially. We are going to challenge it in the court, Rohiths brother Raja Vemula told HT.
Once the government clears the OBC classification, a number of cases filed against suspects under the SC/ST prevention of atrocities act will also be dismissed.
When contacted, the collector refused to divulge any details. We have not submitted any report to the government so far. We shall disclose it as and when it happens, Dande said.
The collectors June 2016 report was based on a field study in the colony where Rohith was born and brought up.
Perhaps, the Guntur officials conducted the study in the Dalit colony where Rohith was staying. But no such enquiries were made in Gurajala, from where his family hailed. We do not know how he got the SC certificate, but his father clearly told us that he is a Vaddera, the Gurajala revenue official said.
A one-man judicial committee headed by former Allahabad high court judge Justice A K Roopanwal last August also declared Rohith as an OBC. The committee felt that Rohiths mother might have got the SC certificate to claim the benefits of reservation.
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There is a new twist in the ongoing multi- agency investigation in the Rose Valley chit fund scam. Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) has stumbled upon documents that show that two Trinamool Congress MPs Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Tapas Paul attempted to bail out the group after the Insurance Regulatory Authority of India (IRDA) cancelled its corporate agency licence with Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) in March 2012.
The bail out attempt, however, failed since the IRDA officers, whom these MPs tried to influence blatantly declined to entertain their plea, said an SFIO officer associated with the probe.
By an order on March 19, 2012, the insurance watchdog cancelled LICs corporate agent licence held by Rose Valley Chain group was pushing multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes using LICs corporate agent licence as a garb.
Read | Rose Valley chit fund scam: TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyays CBI remand extended
According to sources, this information has been shared with the CBI to help the agency proceed with the investigation that has grabbed headlines over the past few days, and has taken the relation between Trinamool Congress and BJP to a new low.
This decision of IRDA came as a serious blow to Rose Valley since the corporate agent licence was the main tool for the ponzi entity to push its products to garner deposits. At that point, Rose Valley founder and managing director Gautam Kundu contacted these MPs, who made a desperate attempt to influence IRDA officials so that the licence cancelling order was revoked. However, their attempts failed, he added.
IRDA also noted in its order that Rose Valley was pushing these MLM schemes through persons who do not posses any certificate issued by IRDA under the Licensing of Corporate Agents Regulations Act, 2002.
According to the estimates of SFIO and Enforcement Directorate (ED), Rose Valley collected about `17,000 crore illegally from the market. And a lot of it was in cash.
We dont think its necessary to respond to each and every allegation, said Trinamool secretary general and education minister Partha Chatterjee.
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It is not a bad thing for us, that the route known as the Goldene Strae or the Golden Road as we will get to know it- has escaped the attention of so many. It has been spared being overrun by hordes of tourists and as you will discover the
A split in Uttar Pradeshs ruling party appeared all but formalised on Friday as two warring Samajwadi Party factions refused to back down before the election commission, setting the stage for a fractious fight in assembly polls a month away.
The poll panel heard lawyers from both sides one led by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and another by his father Mulayam Singh Yadav for four hours before reserving its order on the current name and symbol, the bicycle.
Sources said the EC would consult lawyers over the weekend and pass an interim order on Monday. Experts say the EC might freeze the SP name and symbol and ask both sides to pick new ones just a day before filing of nominations begins on January 17.
If the poll panel decides to allot the symbol and name to one side, analysts favour the Akhilesh faction as it is said to have the backing of a majority of party lawmakers.
A split would also catalyse an alliance between the Akhilesh faction and the Congress.
Indias most populous state goes to the polls in seven phases beginning on February 11 and is staring at a four-cornered contest between the Mulayam faction, the Akhilesh-Congress combine, the BJP and the Bahujan Samaj Party.
Any split in the SP which draws votes from the other backward classes and Muslims is likely to help Mayawatis BSP and the BJP.
Late in the evening, Akhilesh reportedly called Mulayam and asked his father to let the CM have his way for three months and oversee the polls, a reiteration of an earlier offer.
Mulayam has repeatedly said he wouldnt allow a split in a party that represents the largest chunk of the erstwhile Janata Parivar and the socialist ideology that emerged as the biggest adversary to the Congress in the 70s.
The last-minute chaos in the party over symbol, candidates and campaigning might also force Muslims who influence the outcome in at least 100 of the states 403 seats to shift loyalties.
The dispute is rooted in a months-long bruising fight for party control between Akhilesh and his uncle, Shivpal Yadav, who has Mulayams backing.
On Friday, Mulayam, Shivpal Yadav and leaders of Akhileshs camp, including Ram Gopal Yadav and Naresh Aggarwal, arrived at the EC office. Neither Akhilesh nor Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh were present.
Lawyers from Mulayams camp told the EC that he continued to be SP president and was legally entitled to the party name and symbol. Both sides argued to retain the symbol, but none pressed for freezing it, sources said.
Appearing for Akhilesh, senior counsels Rajeev Dhavan and Kapil Sibal said as an overwhelming majority of party lawmakers were with the CM, he was entitled to symbol.
The Akhilesh faction also cited past precedent, where the Election Symbol Order of 1968 and provisions of the Representation of the People Act, including Section 29A, were used to decide disputes over the party name and symbol.
However, former solicitor general Mohan Parasaran, appearing for Mulayams faction, said precedents cited could not be applied to the present case as there was no official split and the problems were only administrative in nature.
They also argued that the Akhilesh didnt have the mandate to seek the symbol as his election as party president was not recognised by party constitution.
The other side has only laid claim to the party name and symbol, but has not submitted any legal representation to show there is a split in the party, Mulayams lawyer Gauri Rampal told reporters after the hearing concluded.
The Supreme Court on Friday refused to order postponement of the Union Budget and asked the petitioner to show which law prohibited the government from advancing the Budget Session of Parliament.
The petitioner, advocate M L Sharma sought that the BJP-led government should not be allowed to call the session as assembly elections were due in five states from next month.
He sought a direction to restrain the government from announcing any relief, programme, financial budget until the states elections are over as it would violate the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
Read | Centre must delay Union budget till state polls are over: Oppn parties tell EC
Whats the big deal if people get to know in advance what the government proposes to do? a bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar told the petitioner. We do not find any justification tentatively in your petition unless you show us a legal provision.
It gave him time till January 20 to produce more material supporting his petition. You tell us what provisions have been violated, the bench told him. Take time and prepare hard.
The Centre has decided to convene the Budget Session of Parliament from January 31 to present the Union Budget for 2017-18 fiscal the very next day.
Sharma also sought a direction to strip BJP of its lotus election symbol for alleged violation of the model code of conduct.
The Army is one team and soldiers must make their complaints internally, Army chief General Bipin Rawat has said, referring to recent videos of jawans of security forces complaining about harassment.
Whoever has any complaint can tell me directly, said General Rawat in New Delhi at his first press conference. If a soldier writes to us regarding his grievances penning down his identity, we will ensure that his identity is not made public.
Let troops have confidence in seniors of the Army that their grievances will be addressed, he said.
This press conference, which is held on eve of the Army Day, is very relevant to us, as I would like to reach every jawan through you (media). We are one team and we work as one force to ensure India is secure and peaceful, he was quoted by NDTV as saying.
Soldiers must use complaint boxes and not social media for complaints, he said.
Generals Rawat comments came after news of an Army jawan who is seen a video complaining about alleged harassment by superiors. I had written an application to the PM in which I said that soldiers, who act as sahayaks, should not be made to polish shoes of officers, Lance Naik Yagya Pratap Singh is heard saying in the video.
Before that, a BSF trooper Tej Bahadur Yadav and Central Reserve Police Force constable Jeet Singh posted videos on social media and alleged they were being harassed and made to work in tough conditions.
Read| Surgical strikes can be repeated if needed: Army chief Bipin Rawat
A 20-year-old engineering student died after coming in contact with a high-tension wire while taking a selfie atop a stationary goods train at Baljori area in Odishas Jharsuguda town on Friday, police said.
His friend also sustained injuries in the incident, they said.
The deceased, identified as Rajpal Gourav Patra of Koraput, was a second year diploma student in civil engineering at the Jharsuguda Engineering School. The injured student was identified as Lokesh Das of Balangir, also a second year civil engineering student. He was rushed to the Jharsuguda district headquarter hospital, where his condition was said to be stable.
Read | Selfies gone wrong: India leads in number of selfie related deaths
Police said both had gone to Baljori this morning.
A goods train, which was transporting oil, had stopped on the railway tracks at Baljori area and was waiting for signal.
Rajpal climbed on the stationery train to take a selfie, but came in contact with the high-tension live wire overhead and died on the spot while his friend sustained injuries, the police said.
On being informed, government railway police (GRP) officers reached the spot and recovered the body.
Inquiry into the incident is in progress. We are in the process of recording the statement of the injured student at the hospital, said assistant sub-inspector of government railway police station, Ramesh Bhainsal.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay was admitted to a jail hospital in Odisha following a court order, said an official on Friday.
A special CBI court in Bhubaneswar on Thursday sent Bandopadhyay to judicial custody for 14 days after rejecting his bail petition.
He has been kept under observation in the jail hospital. There are no major health problems, said Jharpara jail Superintendent Rabindra Nath Swain.
Nayna Bandyopadhyay, the TMC MPs wife, had pleaded the court to allow her husband to stay in hospital given his deteriorating health condition.
Bandyopadhyay was arrested for his alleged involvement in the Rose Valley chit fund scam.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) presented the TMC MP in the special CBI court here after his remand period ended on Thursday.
Another TMC MP Tapas Pal, who was also arrested in the same scam, also remained in judicial custody.
The Supreme Court on Friday sought response of the Centre on a petition filed by 23-year-old Mumbai resident seeking abortion of her 24-week-old foetus that has severe birth defect.
A bench of Justice SA Bobde and Justice LN Rao called upon solicitor general Ranjit Kumar who was present in the court for some another matter to look into the case. The Centres opinion is necessary in the matter as the law does not allow abortion of foetus beyond 20 weeks.
The solicitor general was handed over a report prepared by a panel of experts from KEM Hospital and told to give his views on it by January 16, the next date of hearing. They (board) have supported the petitioner, the bench told him.
The apex court on January 11 ordered KEM Hospital to examine the petitioner whose advocate, senior counsel Colin Gonsalves, said the woman should be allowed to abort the foetus that was diagnosed with anencephaly.
The panel comprised the same experts who had in July examined a rape survivor who had moved the top court with a similar plea.
The present petitioner learnt about the deformed foetus in December last year. It was detected that the skull of the foetus, with gestational age corresponding to 21 weeks 2 days, was absent.
Her request for an abortion on December 20 was denied by her doctors in Mumbai on the grounds that she had passed the ceiling of 20 weeks. Under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, any person/doctor breaching the provisions can invite imprisonment up to seven years if abortion is carried beyond the 20 weeks ceiling. However, there is an exception if there is threat to the mothers life. Doctors are still wary of taking any independent decision on the issue forcing many women and families to approach the apex court.
In the petition, the woman has called the ceiling unreasonable because determination of foetal abnormality in many cases can only be done after the 20th week.
The ceiling of 20 weeks is therefore arbitrary, harsh and discriminatory and violative of Articles 14 (Right to Equality) and 21 (Right to Life) of the Constitution, the petitioner said.
Amid protests by Indian medical students in Bangladesh, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said on Friday that the government is in contact with authorities there and advised students to remain in touch with the mission in Dhaka to reach a solution.
I have received the report from Harsh Shringla, Indian high commissioner in Bangladesh. The University has admitted more students than permissible. He is in touch with the university and Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC).
To find a satisfactory solution. Indian students should remain in touch with our mission in Dhaka, she said in a series of tweets.
The minister was responding to a report which said that for the past three days, around 400 Indian students at a university in Chittagong have been staging protests as they face an uncertain future since they have not been registered by the BMDC.
Read | Bangladesh: Indian students protest as medical board fails to register them
An alert railway gate keeper saved a 17-year-old girl, who was found lying on a railway track near Sirkazhi, from being crushed under a train, just before it passed through that route.
The incident occurred on Thursday night when a passerby noticed a girl on the railway track between Sirkazhi and Vaitheeswarankoil in the district and informed the keeper of Panamangalam railway gate, Mahendran, railway police said.
Mahendran immediately alerted the railway authorities and stopped the Mangalore-Karaikal passenger train that was supposed to cross the area in a few minutes.
After the train was brought to a halt near Sirkazhi, the gatekeeper and the track assistant rushed to the spot and found the girl lying unconscious on the track, with injuries.
She was rushed to the Sirkazhi Government hospital with the help of railway authorities.
Meanwhile, railway police officials from Mayiladuthurai reached the hospital and conducted enquiries.
The injured girl possessed an identity card, which indicated that she belonged to Alakudi village near Sirkazhi and was undergoing nursing training at Sirkazhi, officials said.
The girl is recovering after treatment, they said adding she might have been attacked by unknown miscreants and thrown on the railway track.
Further investigation is on, they said.
An ice storm heading for the central United States is threatening to take down trees and power lines and create treacherous travel conditions on Friday and into the weekend, the National Weather Service said.
Ice, freeze rain and winter storm warnings were in effect for a large swathe of the Plains, from the Texas panhandle north into Iowa and east through central Indiana, the Weather Service said in an advisory.
Significant amounts of ice accumulations will make travel dangerous or impossible, the weather service said. Travel is strongly discouraged. Commerce will likely be severely impacted.
Depending on local temperatures, ice accumulation could be more than half an inch (1 cm), creating slick roadways especially on bridges and overpasses and possibly scattered power outages across the region, the service said.
Parts of the region could also see as much as 3 inches (8 cm) of snow later in the weekend, according to the forecast.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said on Friday they will leave no stone unturned in opposing the bull-taming sport Jallikattu that is conducted in Tamil Nadu during Pongal festivities.
Speaking on the probability of Centre rolling out an ordinance in favour of Tamil Nadu, who support the bull-taming sport, a PETA activist Nikanj told ANI that if needed, they will even challenge the ordinance in the apex court.
This was a very expected decision given by the Supreme Court. And I want that the government or the court should not succumb to the pressure of people or government of Tamil Nadu against Jallikattu. If an ordinance is passed, then it would be seen as murder of democracy and an insult to the constitutional process, Nikanj said.
Read | Five reasons why the Supreme Court verdict may go against Jallikattu
If the government wants to get through with help ordinances, then what is the meaning of the judicial process. If the Supreme Court has banned Jallikattu, then it must have done that after look all aspect of the sport. The Supreme Court has given a verdict after going through all the reports, that how bulls are beaten, how they are fed with alcohol and then tortured and all this so that a man can tame them. We will do everything it takes to stop oppose this sport, if an ordinance is brought, we will challenge the same in the Supreme Court, he added.
SC on Thursday turned down a plea for delivering its judgment on Jallikattu before the harvest festival of Pongal in Tamil Nadu.
The apex courts ruling has caused uproar in Tamil Nadu, with protesters and organisers saying they will defy the ban and conduct the sport.
Rejecting the sport, which is held in Tamil Nadu during the Pongal festivities every year, the apex court said, Its unfair to ask the bench to pass the order.
Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat said if Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Parveen Bakshi, who he superseded, brings any grievances to him, he will look into it.
Gen Rawats remarks came after Lt Gen Bakshi alleged that a malicious campaign to stop him from becoming army chief was carried out while addressing the soldiers of eastern command on New Years Eve.
If there is anything that needs to be investigated, as I said, if it is brought to my notice, we will look into it, he said, adding he came to know of Lt Gen Bakshis allegations through the media.
Read | HT Exclusive: Superseded Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi goes on 30-day leave till R-Day
He said since his name was announced as the new chief, both of them-- he and Lt Gen Bakshi-- had reached out to each other. Gen Rawat said the only thing Lt Gen Bakshi told him was that he accepts the governments decision and will support him and the army.
The army chief also said Lt Gen Bakshi, who will rejoin early next week despite being on a longer leave, has said kindly that he will be attending the Combined Commanders Conference which will be held later this month.
Later, while talking about a Brigadier who was removed from command in Uri following the terror attack, Gen Rawat said, Being removed from command is more disgraceful than being superseded. Supersession can still be accepted.
New Delhi
In yet another case of crime against women, a woman in Bhubaneswar has accused a group of youngsters of harassing her and friends and thrashing a male friend in the city on Friday.
In her Facebook post, the woman, a BCom student in a womens university, also accused the police, who arrived late because they ran out of fuel, of not taking relevant action and instead, questioning their integrity.
Police, however, dismissed the allegations and said they are hunting for the accused.
The incident comes days after mass molestation of a large number of women was reported in Bengaluru on New Year eve, sending shockwaves across the nation.
The woman said the youngsters showed the dirty gestures and passed lewd comments near Nandakanan road in Bhubaneswar. Her male friend asked them to stop doing so, but they followed them and continued to abuse the women.
A few miles later, the group stopped them and started to create a scene. When the women phoned the nearest Police Control Room, the miscreants called up their friends, who joined them in abusing them and threatening the women of dire consequences.
They also thrashed the male friend, slapped one of the women and snatched her mobile phone.
The saddest part is that there was a gathering of around 30 male people but not a single man stood up, she said in her post, adding, they should be ashamed of calling themselves men.
One of the men in the crowd also asked the girls to stop creating a scene. You are girls, why (are you) raising (your) voice? Go home, things will settle. Stop creating a scene; know your limits. You are supposed to be home at this hour.
Like seriously? Afternoon time, three girls with full-sleeved clothes, faces covered, face worst eve teasing and the society still blame girls? Is it the fault of our womanhood?? she said in her post.
The police were not helpful, either, the woman said, noting that they came 40 minutes after being called when the police station was just 2 minutes away. When asked, they said the PCR vans had no petrol, and told the girls to question the government regarding this.
The police then questioned the girls as to why they were taking the route and what relation they had with their male friend.
She vented out her anger against cops for questioning their integrity and alleged that the police refused to file a complaint until the parents of the women reached the police station.
Bhubaneswar deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi, however, denied the allegations and said the accused had been identified and a search was on to arrest them.
He clarified that the PCR van had reached the spot in 15 minutes after getting the call.
Concluding her post, the woman asked other women to stay alert and learn self-defence.
The world is full of selfish men like these. The so-called society for whom we girls always have to face consequences, sacrifice, and compromise, wont ever stand for us! We are no less than any man, just believe in you. Be proud of your womanhood, she said.
Calcutta high court on Friday allowed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to address a rally in the city the day after, dealing a big blow to Mamata Banerjee led West Bengal government that had denied permission for the event.
This is the second instance in a week when the court allowed public meetings by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP after permission was denied to them by police and civic authorities.
Earlier, BJP had to obtain permission from the high court for its sansad mela in Asansol, the approval for which was denied by the Asansol Municipal Corporation that is run by Trinamool Congress. The fair will be inaugurated by local BJP MP Babul Supriyo.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi while allowing the RSS rally, however, imposed a few restrictions on the number and identity of people who can join the public meeting.
According to RSS sources in the state, only those invited can attend the rally and the number should not exceed 4,000.
The meeting will be held at the iconic Brigade Parade Ground, which is one of the largest venues for public meetings in the country.
Adding a new dimension to the tussle between chief minister Mamata Banerjee and the saffron camp, Kolkata police had earlier denied permission for the RSS rally, prompting the Sangh to move the court.
Police first denied permission for the rally at Bhukailash grounds in Kidderpore (west Kolkata) and then again at the parade ground even after the RSS obtained armys nod to conduct the meeting there, which is an army property.
While refusing permission for the rally at Bhukailash grounds, police said the area was small and may lead to law and order problems. For the Brigade, the police turned down the plea saying the ground is too big to manage.
On January 9, RSS filed a petition in Calcutta high court seeking permission to hold the rally at the parade ground.
Justice has prevailed. Calcutta high court ensured that Hindus can live in West Bengal and speak. We welcome the verdict, Jishnu Basu, RSS secretary (South Bengal), told HT.
Bhagwat is scheduled to reach Kolkata on Friday night. After the rally on January 14, he will hold a series of meetings on January 15 with Sangh and BJP leaders.
Kolkata Police had also denied permission to a rally by BJP chief Amit Shah on November 2, 2014. The party had to get the green signal for the meeting from the high court.
In December 2014, Bhagwat addressed a rally, organised by the Viswa Hindu Parishad (VHP), at the parade ground, where he defended controversial Ghar Wapsi programme.
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The century-old Zoological Survey of India is now relying on the indigenous knowledge of local communities such as deep-sea fishermen and tribals living in remote forests to scour unexplored areas for new animal species unknown to science.
An estimate prepared by scientists is enough to shed light on why such a network is needed at the earliest. There are about 1.7 million living species across the world. But scientists are yet to uncover another 15 million species that are estimated to live in the world. Many of these may be beneficial to man.
Local communities could take us to unexplored areas and help us find new animal species. They could be fishermen who venture into the sea and bring in various species of fish and marine animals as a by-catch or tribal living in forests of north-east who are well acquainted with every nook and corner of the forest, said Kailash Chandra, director of ZSI which has its headquarters in Kolkata.
The network becomes all the more important because scientists estimate that between 150 and 200 species of life become extinct every 24 hours. Around 97,000 animal species have so far been identified from India.
The number of scientists working in ZSI has decreased over the years. The organisation now has around 80 scientists as compared to 120-130 in the past. This has also resulted in the decline of reporting of new species. An average of over 100 new species was recorded by ZSI scientists in the past which has now come down to around 70, a senior ZSI scientist told HT.
In 2016 when the institution was celebrating its centenary year, Prakash Javadekar, former union minister for environment, forests and climate change urged ZSI scientists to build up a pan-India network so that more species could be discovered.
ZSI doesnt have the infrastructure to explore the depths of the seas Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. So they have to rely on the fishermen, who go out into the sea and to bring new species to their notice. The fish landing harbours could be a good source for us. Recently tribal people of Mizoram helped a ZSI team to discover three new species of crab earlier unknown to the world, said a ZSI official.
Our main focus is now the biodiversity hotspots of India which includes the Himalayas, the north-eastern forest, the Western Ghats and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, said Chandra.
It may be recalled that ZSI had earlier come under flak from CAG for poorly executing the mandate given to it. The report said ZSI lagged behind in the targets set for the survey and publication of animal accounts.
ZSI is also trying to set up a pan-India network of scientists working in various universities and colleges across India to increase the number of discoveries. Once the networking is established the work of discovery and scientific documentation of animals would gather pace. College and university students are also being trained by senior scientists on specific avenues such as herpetology (study of reptiles and amphibians) and entomology (insects) so that they can also be a part of the network, said Chandra.
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Sangam city has produced great politicians but Kalyan Chand Mohile aka Chhunnan Guru was one leader who gave tough time to even stalwarts like Pt Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.
Chhunnan Guru was so popular that even the countrys first Prime Minister Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, another great leader from Allahabad, once said that while he was the leader of India, Guru was the leader of Allahabad.
For the records, Chhunnan Guru was elected MLA from Allahabad City South constituency as a candidate of Praja Socialist Party of India for four consecutive terms in 1952, 1957, 1962 and 1967.
The respect he commanded from the electorate can be gauged from the fact that after the defeat of its candidate, Vishambhar Nath, at the hands of Chhunnan Guru in 1952, the Congress appointed none other than Indira Gandhi as the president of Allahabad City Congress to ensure the victory of party candidate Baijnath Kapoor in 1957.
Young and energetic Indira worked really hard but could not change the result. Guru secured 21,600 votes while Kapoor polled 19,584 votes. After Kapoors defeat, Indira was called back to Delhi, Vimal Chand Mohile aka Beenu Guru, the 76-year-old son of Chhunnan Guru, told HT.
In 1962, Nehru came to Allahabad to meet a senior Congress leader, who was unwell at the time. He even visited areas close to many polling booths but the Congress candidate, Baijnath Kapoor, lost to Guru once again.
Guru secured 20,491 votes as compared to Kapoors 18,600, recalled Beenu Guru, who resides in Malaviya Nagar here.
In 1967, the Congress fielded workers leader RC Vaish. This time even the workers-dominated area of Naini was made part of Allahabad South assembly segment. But Chhunnan Guru, an ardent fan of socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia, was again elected. Guru defeated Vaish by a huge margin of 68,000 votes.
Such was Chhunnan Gurus humility that after every poll victory, he would pay to visit New Delhi and meet Nehru to seek his blessings which the Indias first PM readily gave to this leader of the people. Chhunnan Guru fell ill on October 12, 1968, when he returned home after paying tribute to Lohia on his first death anniversary. He died after suffering a brain haemorrhage on October 14, 1968, at the age of 67.
Read more: Shastris poll slogans adorn walls of municipal market
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All major political parties are getting poll-ready by setting up war rooms equipped with high-speed computers, data bank and digitalised monitoring cells.
Major players BJP, Samajwadi Party and Congress have already kicked off social media campaigns on Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp that played a crucial role in previous elections.
With hoardings going off the roads following the directives of the Election Commission, war rooms are banking on non-traditional ways to attract voters.
These war rooms have techies who track voters and their phone numbers to contact them during elections. Use of GPRS and monitoring via video and audio facility will be an added feature this time around.
Preparation for war rooms started three months ago and these have started functioning even as the parties are yet to announce candidates.
Social media is a major weapon in the battle of ballots. Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp played a crucial role in BJPs victory in 2014 Lok Sabha election, Aam Aadmi Partys win in Delhi and the success Nitish-Lalu combine in Bihar assembly election.
War rooms do the home work for parties and candidates, and help in canvassing and connecting with voters. Without home work your class work wont be good enough, said Aditi Singh, a Congress leader from Rae Bareli.
While the war rooms of the BJP and SP are ready, the social media centre at Congresss office is acting as war room for the time being.
Taking a lead over other parties in declaring candidates, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is likely to go for traditional style of canvassing.
Read more: Political parties digital war rooms under EC scanner in district
Samajwadi Party
The Samajwadi Party has one of the most advanced and widest networks in its election war room. A sophisticated call centre, with respondents conversant in English, Hindi, Urdu and Bhojpuri, high-speed computers and internet are waiting for the party to declare candidates.
Chief minister holding a meeting at the Samajwadi Partys war room. (HT Photo)
The war room at the office of Janeshwar Mishra Trust is designed in collaboration with experts from abroad and manpower has been deployed in such a manner that instant connectivity can be established with the voters. The war room is under direct supervision of chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, which is always abuzz with discussions on feedback from constituencies and analysis of data done on a regular basis.
Experts will go through the details of past results, vote percentage and constituency wise campaigning after the party announces its candidates.
Bharatiya Janata Party
BJP has already tried to use technology with Parivartan Yatra where it used latest technology and GPRS-enabled vans to enable connectivity with voters. A three-tier monitoring is also active.
Presently, the war room in Hazratganj is ready with booth wise lists of voters young, old and elderly.
As soon as candidates are announced, the war room will get active with data base. Telecalling, WhatsApp and messaging will immediately begin at two levels party and candidate, said BJP general secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak.
Congress
A room at the Congresss office at Mall Avenue is abuzz with activity. Unlike debates on the ground floor, this room has computers where numbers, names and maps from across 403 assembly constituencies are being screened. The party started its home work with the Kisan Mang Patra where it got phone numbers filled.
The Congresss social media centre is presently working as election war room and is equipped with phone numbers till booth level. We have at least 350 numbers from each booth which have been included in WhatsApp groups. The booth-level WhatsApp admin is part of the constituencys WhatsApp group, said in-charge of social media cell for Congress Piyush Mishra.
Read more: Behenji ko aane do: BSP lines up video series to woo voters ahead of UP polls
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Noted surgeon Dr Ashwani Kumar Bansal was shot dead by two unidentified miscreants in his chamber located in Jeevan Jyoti Hospital here on Thursday evening.
Bansal, who is also the director of Jeevan Jyoti Group of Hospitals, was examining patients in his chamber when the armed persons barged in and shot him from close range, causing panic in the busy hospital.
The doctor, who sustained at least one gunshot injury on his head, was rushed to the operation theatre of his own hospital and given first aid.
However, his condition worsened and before he could be airlifted to Lucknows Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) he died, confirmed SSP Allahabad Shalabh Mathur.
He is survived by his wife noted Infertility and IVF specialist Dr Vandana Bansal and two sons.
Eye witnesses said the assailants fired four rounds on Bansal, reportedly hitting him thrice, before fleeing from the scene making use of the prevailing chaos.
Efforts to identify and nab the assailants have been launched and CCTV footage was being examined, said the SSP.
The assailants are said to have entered the hospital from the front gate and escaped from the rear gate through the hospitals parking lot.
It is worth mentioning that a police outpost is also located within the hospital premises.
Noted doctors and surgeons of the city, including neuro surgeon Dr Kartikay Sharma, pulmonologist Dr Ashish Tandon and Dr BB Agarwal reached the hospital on hearing the news.
The Jeevan Jyoti Group comprises several institutions, including Test Tube Baby Centre, Vandana Womens Hospital, Jeevan Jyoti Nursing College, Jeevan Jyoti Public High School, Jeevan Jyoti Industrial Training Centre and Jeevan Jyoti Institute of Medical Sciences.
Post-truth was declared 2016s Word Of The Year by Oxford Dictionaries. No surprise there. After all, we are deluged with enthusiastically shared messages that care little for the truth.
If youre one of those that cares, you can head to the Facebook page Social Media Hoax Slayer, which aims to record and fact-check the information doing the rounds on your screens.
The page carries the story being spread, and debunks its claims with facts and original photos. One recent post focused on a much-shared photo of a man being roughed up by a crowd in the aftermath of demonetisation. The post claimed it was Harsh Vardhan, of Indias Ministry of Science and Technology.
Hoax Slayer broke down that hoax thus: The man was actually Subrata Mishra of the BJP, getting roughed up for an unconnected reason in West Bengal, in October, two months before demonetisation was implemented. It also linked to news reports that carried the real story, and a clarifying tweet by Vardhan himself.
The hoax involving union minister Harsh Vardhan debunked.
Read: A Brit is offering a guided walk through Indian history, via podcast
People keep sharing information without really checking whether it is true or not. As long as it is something they like or something shocking they pass it on, says Pankaj Jain, the Mumbai-based businessman who runs the page.
He says he set it up because he was getting increasingly annoyed with the incorrect and often malicious information going around and wanted to do something about it. When I came across the UK-based site Hoax-Slayer, I was impressed by their work. The page follows similar principles.
Social Media Hoax Slayer has garnered 16, 949 followers in the year since it was created. Jain says traffic picked up after demonetisation, which birthed rumours that went viral despite their outlandish claims such as the one that claimed the new Rs 2000 note would have technology to help track the corrupt.
Conchita Rodrigues, a Mumbai-based marketing manager, has been following the page for nearly a year. I wish everyone would follow it so they were aware of whats right and wrong, she says. This will help curb political and communal unrest and check fear and panic.
The proliferation of unreliable sources on the internet had made him extremely cynical about information on the internet, adds Abhishek Nag, a research scholar in Kolkata and another follower. We needed something that would expose falsities from all sides in a fair way. Thats what I find Hoax Slayer doing.
WHAT: Social Media Hoax Slayer, a Facebook page dedicated to debunking fake news
WHERE: Facebook.com/SMHoaxSlayer
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Makar Sankranti is on Saturday. This auspicious day signifies its time to bid adieu to the chilly winters and welcome spring. Observed in different parts of the country, Makar Sankranti has different names: Uttarayan in Gujarat, Thai Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Bhogali Bihu in Assam.
Multi-coloured kites fill the morning sky during this festive season. What adds to the occasion is the flavour of traditional delicacies rich in both health and variety.
Sweet treats made with sesame and jaggery, halwa, and pitha, are just some of the specialities to watch out for this Makar Sankranti. Below is a list of the must-have goodies to make your celebration more special this year.
Made of flour and pure ghee, this winter-special treat comes in multiple flavours. (SaleBhai.com)
Fini
Known to have originated in Bikaner, this Rajasthani dessert adds its own sweetness to Makar Sankranti. Made of flour and pure ghee, this winter-special treat comes in multiple flavours. This spaghetti-like speciality carries the true flavour of the desert state and is a must during this January festival also known as Sankrat here. Apart from enjoying special feats, it is customary for all married Rajasthani women to gift household items to each other. Buy fini online today and give your celebration a western twist.
When it comes to adding sweetness to a relationship, there is nothing better than sharing a chikki together. Agree? (SaleBhai.com)
Chikki
In Marathi culture, til-based sweets are exchanged on this occasion to forget past differences and restore friendship. When it comes to adding sweetness to a relationship, there is nothing better than sharing a chikki together. Agree? If taking a holy dip in rivers such as Ganga, Yamuna, Krishna, and Godavari is a spiritual must during Makar Sankranti, authentic chikki from Lonavala is a gastronomical must this time of the year. A traditional Indian candy bursting with health and flavour, this perfect confection of sesame seeds and jaggery is loved by all. Chikki comes in various flavours such as peanut, coconut, dry fruits, and more. However, for this special occasion, buy til chikki online for your family and friends.
A healthy substitute for chocolates, til laddu is a famous treat made of sesame seeds and jaggery. (SaleBhai.com)
Til laddu
In Gujarat, Makar Sankranti is celebrated for two days with kite flying, family gatherings, and feasts that must include til laddu. A healthy substitute for chocolates, til laddu is a famous treat made of sesame seeds and jaggery. This popular laddu is a rich source of minerals and helps to lower high blood pressure. This Makar Sankranti, surprise your guests by serving them original til laddu from Bardoli.
A perfect way to keep your body warm in winter, this crispy, crunchy treat is a must-have during Makar Sankranti. (SaleBhai.com)
Dry fruit gajak
This delicious, traditional sweet made of dry fruits, jaggery, and sesame seeds is a speciality of Indore. A perfect way to keep your body warm in winter, this crispy, crunchy treat is a must-have during Makar Sankranti.
Til patti is a rich source of iron and is given to expecting mothers to boost their haemoglobin level. (SaleBhai.com)
Til patti
This popular Rajasthani winter dessert, made of sesame seeds and ghee, is a thin, translucent treat loved by all ages. Til patti is a rich source of iron and is given to expecting mothers to boost their haemoglobin level.
Made of fresh cow ghee and cashew nuts, this speciality of Tirunelveli is a treat to die for. (SaleBhai.com)
Tirunelveli halwa
Also known as Pongal, Makar Sankranti is a four-day-long festival in Tamil Nadu. It is customary to throw away old clothes and wear new ones on the first day of this festival. The grand feast on the final day involves many regional delicacies but the absolute must-have is the Tirunelveli halwa. Made of fresh cow ghee and cashew nuts, this speciality of Tirunelveli is a treat to die for. The unmatched flavour of this unique dessert, made with water from the river Thamirabharani, is irresistible to say the least. Discover the real taste of South India by ordering authentic Tirunelveli halwa.
This sweet snack, made of Bengal gram and jaggery, is perfect for expecting mothers and health-conscious individuals. (SaleBhai.com)
Gud chana
Wondering what is the best way to spend the Makar Sankranti evening? How about munching on somefreshly delivered gud chana with your entire family? This sweet snack, made of Bengal gram and jaggery, is perfect for expecting mothers and health-conscious individuals, thanks to the high iron and negative calorie content. Order gud chana online early to avoid the last-minute rush.
This famous eastern delicacy is a thin, oil-free pancake with sesame seeds and jaggery filling. (SaleBhai.com)
Til pitha
Every Assamese person knows the joy of waking up on brisk January mornings to the smell of delicious til pitha being prepared for the coming Magh Bihu. This famous eastern delicacy is a thin, oil-free pancake with sesame seeds and jaggery filling. A healthy delicacy, til pitha is a must-have during this important festival. Surprise your guests by serving them this unique treat along with some hot beverage.
This healthy dry fruit comes with loads of health benefits and makes for the perfect way to break your fast. (SaleBhai.com)
Date
Honestly you dont need an occasion for enjoying some high-quality dates. This healthy dry fruit comes with loads of health benefits and makes for the perfect way to break your fast. You can choose from a wide variety including imported dates, crushed dates, dates with almonds, dates with hazelnuts and chocolate, and mabroom dates. Give your Makar Sankranti celebration a healthy boost by ordering dates online today.
You can use jaggery as a dip for your steaming rotis, or use it as an ingredient for your homemade sweets and pitha. (SaleBhai.com)
Jaggery
Jaggery is a healthy sweetener that is indigenous to India. This natural item is an absolute must-have during Makar Sankranti. You can use jaggery as a dip for your steaming rotis, or use it as an ingredient for your homemade sweets and pitha. Buy natural jaggery online and kick start your preparation for Makar Sankranti.
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What better day to visit the Delhi International Kite Festival (DIKF) than January 14? For its Makar Sankranti the harvest festival associated with kite-flying.
Kite-fliers from 11 countries Germany, USA, Korea, China, Thailand, Ukraine, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Netherlands and Malaysia will display their unique kites and flying skills at the three-day gala that marks the fourth edition of DIKF. We want the festival to be remembered for the joy of kite-flying and not any competitive spirit, says Puja Joshi, general manager, Delhi Tourism.
I plan to bring 10 sparred kites and two large foils. The sparred kites are Rokkakus, a light-wind bird kite of my design and a closed Dopero. The foils are large non-sparred heavily appliqued foils of my own design, 30 metres long with tail, says Ron Bohart, from USA, who will be visiting Delhi for the first time. I love to come and fly in India because the people are so interesting and interested in what you are doing, and also so helpful. Its always fun to fly for an audience that is appreciative of what we do on the kite field.
Ron Bohart from USA will be participating.
Known as the Kite Couple, Ron and Baew Spaulding, from Thailand/USA, are also excited about their first trip to Delhi. We are always proud to fly our kites in India. This time we will bring more than 10 kites. This will include one big, 30-metre octopus, two big 5-metre red, bouncing balls (for ground display), two portrait kites that are applique graphics of us, and a 12-metre Chinese Trilobite, says Ron Spaulding.
An Octopus-shaped kite by The Kite Couple from Thailand.
Expect wonderful kites from Delhi-6, too. The kite-makers are thrilled to showcase their collection on the same platform as international players. We will take 50-60 kites sized between 4 to 10 feet. Along with the gliders and snakes-shaped kites, we will also have a trail kite created in the colours of the National Flag, says Jamaluddin.
A kite-maker with one of his creations.
Those under-confident of flying a kite, but interested in the art can head to this years special theme stall. Visitors will be enlightened with the history of the age-old art. You can also witness kites of different sizes from one to 70 square inches and those made of materials such as tissue paper, elastic paper, bamboo and even cloth.
CATCH IT LIVE What: 4th Delhi International Kite Festival Where: DDA Ground, Sector 10, Dwarka When: January 14 to 16 Timings: 11am to 6.30pm Nearest Metro Station: Dwarka Sector 10 on Blue Line
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The recent incident of mass molestation in Bengaluru has outraged people across the country. Posts, tweets, and even video-responses have poured in to condemn the molestation of women on New Years Eve. So it was no surprise when cricketer Gautam Gambhir touched upon the issue while he addressed students on his recent visit to Ramjas College, Delhi University.
I am not a man of many words. But there is one issue I feel the need to talk about. We must cleanse our thinking, he started off. After what has happened in Bangalore, I am ashamed to call myself a man. Swacch Bharat se pehle, humein apni soch swacch karni hogi (Before we clean the country, we must clean our thoughts), he said.
The Hindu College alumnus spoke about the Bangalore incident at the celebrations. (Rajesh Kashyap/HT Photo)
The Hindu College alumnus, who was at Ramjas for its centennial celebration, added that it was important that women felt safe in the society. If we want to grow as a country, we have to start respecting women.
Gambhir also congratulated the college on completing a century. Some great names are alumni of the college, and its foundation was laid by Mahatma Gandhi himself, he added.
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LIVE BY NIGHT
Direction: Ben Affleck
Actors: Ben Affleck, Zoe Saldana, Sienna Miller
Rating: 4 / 5
Ben Affleck has been the butt of many jokes for his choice of roles (think Gigli, and Daredevil). But as a director, hes a different man. Gone Baby Gone, The Town and Argo all won him considerable credit, and he even snagged an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay with co-star Matt Damon, for his work on Good Will Hunting (1997).
He continues that stellar streak with Live By Night, even evoking comparisons with master Clint Eastwood this time around.
Set in Prohibition-era America in the 1920s, Live By Night is based on the pulp fiction novel of the same name, by Bostonian author Dennis Lehane.
Affleck casts himself as the lead, a petty gangster whose rapid rise to power finds him relocating from the mean streets of Boston to the steamy underworld of Florida. Attributing his anti-authority attitude to a brief stint in the Great War, he asserts, I left as a soldier but I came back as an outlaw.
Affleck balances the labyrinthine plot with pulse-quickening suspense and vivid production design. His rough-and-tumble action set pieces are impressive, including a number of shootouts, bombings, car chases and a bravura opening poker game heist.
Affleck, as a rum-running Irish hood, sees his path crisscross with those of several beautiful women, including a Cuban senorita (Zoe Saldana, above) and a born-again evangelist played by Elle Fanning.
The rum-running Irish hoods path crisscrosses with those of several beautiful women, among them a mobsters moll (Sienna Miller), a Cuban senorita (Saldana) with links to the molasses shipments, and a born-again evangelist (Elle Fanning). The twists and turns in the narrative also involve encounters with members of the notorious Ku Klux Klan and other religious zealots.
After an explosive climactic gangland massacre, the narrative winds down in an unexpectedly poignant resolution.
The film is uniformly well-cast, with standout supporting performances by Brendan Gleeson as the anti-heros policeman father, and Chris Cooper as the incorruptible local sheriff.
A throwback to a well-worn genre, Live By Night does recall vintage gangster flicks like The Public Enemy and White Heat, but also stands on its own terms as a crackerjack crime caper.
Watch the trailer for Live By Night here
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Live by Night
Director - Ben Affleck
Cast - Ben Affleck, Zoe Saldana, Sienna Miller, Brendan Gleeson, Chris Messina, Chris Cooper
Rating - 1.5/5
Often, our opinion of a film is defined by its ending. It doesnt matter what has come before, if the film ends strongly enough, we are more accepting of its flaws, more tolerant of its misses, and more understanding of the several bizarre decisions, that only moments ago, were driving us up the wall.
Unfortunately, there is nothing redeeming about Live by Nights ending. Nor is there anything worth mentioning about its overlong, dim, quagmire-like middle.
For more than an-hour-and-a-half however, that was the hope. Every time two characters sat down to talk which is what this movie is basically made up of; two (or more) characters, sitting down for a chat, invariably about topics that have little to do with the events of the film I found myself hoping, fingers crossed, that Ben Affleck somehow manages to save it in the end.
But nothing can save Live by Night, nothing can erase the memory of scene after scene of exhausting, aimless drudgery. Not a single flourish of Robert Richardsons camera, not a single moment of levity, not a stray line of unusually pulpy dialogue, and not a gunfight or a car chase. Not even a strong ending. Nothing. Nothing could have saved Live by Night because it is not a movie. It is put conservatively at least 4 different movies, ineptly stitched together by one of the finest directors working today.
And the most infuriating thing about all this is that it actually begins quite promisingly. Ben Affleck plays Joe Coughlin, a Boston gangster recently back from a stint in the First World War. Things are going great; hes making quick cash sticking up banks and looting alcohol, his friends by his side, sleeping by day, living by night. He doesnt let slight inconveniences get to him. So what if his father happens to be a cop and the love of his life moonlights as the mistress of Bostons most feared mob boss? Theres nothing in the world that doesnt quiver when Affleck whips out his pistol.
Then, the movie takes a left turn that not only sends it down the wrong path, but, quite literally, into the wrong town. The second Coughlins train rolls into that sticky, sunny Florida platform, Affleck decides that he doesnt really want to make a 30s gangster movie anymore. What he wants to do instead, is make Scarface. So he hunches up his shoulders, develops a weakness for cream suits, and starts strutting about town like he owns the place, putting holes in KKK Grand Wizards and bootlegging the finest rum this side of Cuba.
Honestly, that Live by Night turned out to be this big a mess is quite shocking perhaps even more so than that time when Affleck put on Batmans cape and cowl. As a filmmaker, before this, he hadnt put a foot wrong. Each of his 3 previous movies were excellent, and 2 of them Gone Baby Gone and The Town were set in Boston, like this one. Its like when Martin Scorsese paid homage to the city of his dreams when he made Gangs of New York only much, much worse.
In Live by Night, it doesnt matter if you are a central character or an extra, sooner or later (like the love of Coughlins life), the movie will forget you if you havent already wandered off mid-scene yourself that is.
In Live by Night, every character is treated with the same, indifferent shrug that is usually reserved for empty whiskey glasses or long coats hanging limp on a rack - even Joe Coughlin, whom Affleck manages to write into basically every scene.
In Live by Night, a scene might begin with a mob shakedown, but chances are, it will probably end with Evangelicals preaching the Lords word.
In Live by Night, Ben Affleck finds every imaginable way to shoot his own film in the foot and then light a match and set fire to the gaping wound, as it hobbles away into oblivion.
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The author tweets @NaaharRohan
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1. David Guetta concert cancelled as Mumbai police deny permission for BKC venue
The Mumbai police has refused permission for David Guettas concert that was scheduled to take place on Friday in the city.
2. Makar Sankranti: Mumbai police bans nylon manjas
The Mumbai police have banned use of glass coated manjas ahead of the Makar Sankranti festival to avoid possible injuries failing which the police will initiate cases. The police issued prohibitory order against usage of the thread on Thursday.
3. India to get its first marine mammal museum by end of 2017
The country will get its first museum dedicated to preserving skeletal remains of marine mammals in Mumbai by this year end. As a part of Maharashtra forest departments under-construction Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Centre at Airoli, Navi Mumbai, skeletal remains of four endangered species a Brydes whale, Sperm whale, Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins and finless porpoises will be on display.
4.Shiv Sena calls elections Mahabharat war and says its all set to win another term
The Shiv Sena has called the ensuing Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporations (BMC) elections the Mahabharat war and said it was fully geared to win another term.
5. Mumbai region has a quarter of Indias bird species: new pocket guide
Historical observation of birds find place in the Birds of the Mumbai region, a pocket guide, by naturalist Sunjoy Monga. The book has documented more than 350 species thats nearly a quarter of the Indian avifauna flying over 4,300 sq km of MMR, as well as Sahyadri hills (Western Ghats), including Bhimashankar, Mahabaleshwar, Malshej.
A team from KEM Hospital in Parel on Thursday evaluated a 24-week pregnant woman, who has approached the Supreme Court seeking permission to abort her foetus that has a rare birth defect.
She came to the hospital at 3:00 pm on Thursday. Our doctors conducted a medical examination and have sent the report to the Supreme Court by email, fax and courier, said Dr Avinash Supe, dean of KEM Hospital.
He added that the committee, which had also evaluated a similar case of a rape survivor in July last year, comprised of five members. The woman, during the 21st week of pregnancy, had gone for a sonography and discovered that the foetus has a serious condition called anencephaly, in which a baby is born with parts of the brain missing. Doctors say that such babies have very slim chances of survival.
There is not a single case of an unborn baby with anencephaly, who has survived. It is not her fault that she found out about her babys condition a little after 20 weeks, said Dr Nikhil Datar, medical director, Cloudnine Hospital, Malad, who has filed the petition in the Supreme Court.
Dr Sangeeta Pikale, a Mahim-based gynecologist had suggested that she should meet Dr Datar, who has helped four women seek permission from the Supreme Court to abort their unborn babies with severe birth defects.
Before she came to me, she had approached many doctors to have an abortion procedure done for her. All of them refused to perform the procedure owing to the 20-week limit, he had told HT.
The Supreme Court which will now hear the case on Friday, based on the report submitted by doctors from KEM Hospital.
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In an attempt to reduce the burden of exams, Maharashtras primary directorate of education has banned schools from taking part in talent searches and competitive tests conducted by private agencies. Students can only participate in government-approved and internal tests.
The ban comes amid concerns that schools impose multiple tests on students to prepare them for competition. Many Mumbai schools ask students to take 10 to 12 additional tests, in addition to the regular exams, putting tremendous pressure on them.
The circular, issued on January 7, asks officials to ensure schools irrespective of their managements do not take private tests, without permission from the state government.
We are putting a permanent ban on private illegal talent search or competitive exams, states the circular issued by Govind Nandede, director of primary education.
Such exams increase the exam stress on students and parents have to pay hefty charges.
There is no provision for conducting such exams in the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, states the circular.
The move has evoked mixed response from schools and parents. Schools are competing with each other to see who offers most tests. It has become a status symbol or USP for them, said Father Francis Swamy, principal, St Marys School (ICSE), Mazagaon.
Often, students are asked to attend classes before or after schools and on weekends, which tires them, said experts. A childs brain gets exhausted after processing too much information. It leads to fatigue and burnout, said Dr Harish Shetty, psychiatrist.
Some schools said instead of a complete ban, the department should restrict the number of tests. These tests are important as they focus on skills and help students understand where they stand, said Kavita Aggarwal, chief academic advisor, JBCN School, Oshiwara.
Avnita Bir, principal, RN Podar School (CBSE), Santacruz, said additional tests are unnecessary now that the government has started baseline tests. One or two additional tests should suffice, said Bir.
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A Bhayander college principal was arrested on Thursday evening for allegedly molesting a final-year student inside an elevator in the college during their annual day function.
The student later complained to her parents, who approached the principal, before a mob ransacked his office and handed him over to the police.
After the incident, the college management cancelled the function, which was to continue for another two days.
According to the students statement to Navghar police, when she got in the elevator to go downstairs from the second floor of the college building, the accused principal was already in the lift and he later molested her.
After the incident, the woman, a final-year BMS student , complained to her parents and narrated the ordeal. Her parents, accompanied by other locals residents, confronted the principal in his office and the irate mob ransacked his office.
Soon, the Navghar police were called to the college and a case under Section 354 (molestation) of the Indian Penal Code was registered against the principal.
The Navghar police produced him before a Thane court on Friday and remanded him in police custody.
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It is an irony of sorts. The Congress, a party that was born in Mumbai, has been struggling to come to power in the citys civic body for the past few decades.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) saw the last Congress rule in 1992-96. Since then, the party has remained the main opposition, with its failure to defeat the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance in the past four elections.
As the dates for the 2017 elections are announced, the Congress, which won 52 seats in the 2012 civic polls, is staring at a tough challenge again. The faction-ridden party has, so far, not presented itself as an effective alternative to the Shiv Sena and BJP, who have been squabbling over sharing power in the civic body. Reason: its failure to play the role of an effective Opposition in the past five years.
Even as people complained about the poor quality of roads and mismanagement with regards to several civic issues, the Congress did not use the opportunity to highlight the drawbacks in civic governance. It was not vocal when corruption in road construction or stormwater drain desilting came to the fore. The party itself is to blame for the situation it finds itself in.
Factionalism
Factionalism has been a characteristic of the Mumbai Congress for decades. Some senior leaders in the party make every attempt to unsettle whoever is appointed as the city unit chief. The infighting has reached such a level that the warring factions couldnt control themselves even during the Mumbai visit of partys vice-president Rahul Gandhi or a meet with Gandhi in New Delhi late last year. Sanjay Nirupam, who was appointed as city unit chief in March 2015, had to spend lot of time on containing factionalism.
Late surge?
After demonetisation, it pulled up its socks to hit out at the government and reach out to common public on the issue. The city unit of the party toed the national strategy of cornering the government and held rallies outside the collectors office in Bandra and at various key junctions in the city. Its next step is to bring forth the failure of the civic body in key sectors affecting the lives of people. We have prepared a report on the Shiv Sena-BJP rule of two decades. Our document will highlight the failure and corruption of the ruling parties, said Nirupam.
Target
Traditionally, the Congress voters have been a mix of various communities, a majority of which are non-Maharashtrians.The Congress plans to stand by hawkers a majority of whom hail from north India -- and woo Muslims and Dalits. Nirupam is also building bridges with the trading community, Gujaratis and Marwaris.
Many Dalits and north Indian voters may support the BJP owing to its systematic attempts to grow closer to the communities by launching various schemes and appointing their leaders in key positions. For Muslims, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen has emerged as a new alternative, said a Congress leader. Political analyst Hemant Desai said, The Congress will have to efficiently bring the failures of the ruling alliance to the fore, but I doubt if it is possible, with just month left for the polls.
Going solo
The Mumbai Congress was the first to announce it did not want an alliance with the NCP. Its leaders feel if the Sena and BJP decide to go solo, it will become difficult for the Congress to perform. This is the first election in 15 years when the party is not in the power in the state. Nirupam, however, is confident the Congress would be seen as a credible alternative to the corrupt alliance.
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Why does Congress find it difficult to win Mumbai civic polls
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Last week, three pregnant women carrying foetuses with severe birth defects approached a city-based doctor for help, as they had crossed the legal 20-week abortion deadline.
With doctors refusing to perform an abortion for these women, the only option they are left with is to seek permission from the Supreme Court, the doctor said. The women are carrying unborn babies who may either not survive or could have an extremely substandard quality of life if they make it, said Dr Nikhil Datar, a gynecologist and medical director with Cloudnine Hospital, Malad, who these women consulted with.
In one of the cases, the foetus has been diagnosed with a condition called hydrocephaly, which results in abnormal fluid collection in the brain. In the other two cases, the unborn babies have severe cardiac abnormalities, said Dr Datar.
Most cardiac abnormalities are diagnosed after 20 weeks of pregnancy. With the present laws, which allow abortion only up to 20 weeks, what choice do these women have? he said.
Although Dr Datar has helped four women in the past seek permission from the Supreme Court to abort their unborn babies with severe birth defects, health experts said filing a petition for every case is not feasible. Not every pregnant woman who has crossed the deadline of 20 weeks has access to filing a petition in the apex court, said a medico-legal expert.
The Supreme Court must lay specific guidelines for such cases, till the revised Medical Termination of Pregnancy ( MTP) bill is passed in the parliament, he added.
The draft Medical Termination of Pregnancy Bill, 2014 says that the decision to allow abortion between 20 and 24 weeks can be taken in good faith by the competent person. Most western countries such as Singapore, United Kingdom and United states allow abortion up to 24 weeks.
International statistics suggest that 1 in 100 pregnancies result in birth defects. Many women, who get sonography done in time, but cross the 20-week cut off till the time they get the confirmatory results. What is the solution for these cases? asked Datar.
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A special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court found the dean of JJ Hospital guilty of contempt of court for not taking its permission before referring former deputy chief minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal to a private hospital.
The court found Dr TP Lahane guilty on the basis of a plea filed by former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) member Anjali Damania. The judge, while allowing Damanias plea, observed, This court found the dean of JJ Hospital guilty of contempt of court. I will write a reference to the Bombay high court for taking further action against the dean.
In the last week of November 2016, Damania had moved a plea questioning the long stay of Bhujbal in a private hospital where he was supposed to go only for some medical tests.
Bhujbal was asked to undergo three tests holter monitoring, thallium scan and electro physiological study immediately in October last year.
But, as none of the government hospitals could perform a thallium scan, the prison authorities had to obtain a permission from the PMLA court to get it done from a private hospital. Bhujbal was directed to bear the cost. Damania alleged that the tests could have been conducted in OPD and there was no need for the NCP leader to be hospitalised. She alleged that the authorities ought to have taken permission from the court for before admitting him into the hospital. While some tests were done in JJ Hospital,
Bhujbal was recommended for further tests to Bombay Hospital. It was alleged that as per the court order, Bhujbal was to be taken to private hospital for tests.
Damania had also asked the court to call for CCTV footage of the hospital stating that she had received information that various unscrupulous people had visited Bhujbal during his stay there. Accordingly, the court asked the enforcement directorate to get the CCTV footage of the private hospital where Bhujbal had allegedly held meetings.
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Court asks jail authorities to take Bhujbal to only government hospital for treatment
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The economic offences wing (EOW) of the Mumbai police recently arrested a 58-year-old builder for allegedly cheating his business partner of Rs18.72 crore by selling property they co-owned.
According to EOW, the arrested accused had lured the complainants company to invest in the construction of a commercial establishment in Goa promising him heavy returns. The accused had taken the land measuring around 11,000 sq metre on lease and needed investment for the construction.
Back in 2009, the accused and the complainant got into a deal of constructing a commercial building with 42 galas.
After the completion of the commercial establishment in 2015, the accused allegedly sold 5 galas totally worth Rs 18.72 crore. The complainant alleged that the accused never informed him about selling the five galas.
He then lodged a FIR under relevant sections of IPC amounting to criminal breach of trust, cheating and forgery with the Mumbai EOW.
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The country will get its first museum dedicated to preserving skeletal remains of marine mammals in Mumbai by this year end. As a part of Maharashtra forest departments under-construction Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Centre at Airoli, Navi Mumbai, skeletal remains of four endangered species a Brydes whale, Sperm whale, Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins and finless porpoises will be on display.
The move comes at a time when close to 30 dolphin carcasses, six whale carcasses and a few finless porpoises had washed ashore over the past two years along the Mumbai and Maharashtra coast owing to unknown reasons.
Marine mammals are a group of least studied animals and many of them are found along our coasts. Since they are endangered species, it is very important to conserve them, said N Vasudevan, chief conservator of forest, state mangrove cell. With conservation begins awareness. People need to understand the diversity and significance of this special group of animals that have adapted to life at sea.
He added that while there are centres focusing on marine biodivesity in places like the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Mannar Marine Interpretation Centre in Tamil Nadu, have only one or two skeletal remains of marine species, this will be the first-of-its-kind museum which will have a variety of marine mammals.
The 50X5 metre museum will house the skeleton of the 40-foot-long male Brydes whale (schedule I species, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and endangered as per International Union for Conservation of Nature) that washed up at Juhu beach, near Juhu Tara Road, on January 29, 2016. The whale was beached for 17 hours and could not be rescued. The carcass of the whale was buried at Juhu beach after the rescue operation failed and the mangrove cell will be transporting its skeletal form to the museum by April.
Other mammals on display would include a 25-foot-long male Sperm whale (schedule I species) that had washed ashore at Sindhudurg, Maharashtra in 2012, the bodies of Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins and finless porpoises that had washed ashore at various Mumbai beaches, have all been preserved by the mangrove cell.
Vasudevan added that only those bodies were chosen that were in a position to be recovered. After conducting proper forensics, the skeletal remains of four species were cleaned up and are ready for display, he said.
The Rs10 crore project is being funded by Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), an international agency and is part of the second phase of the Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Centre at Airoli, likely to be functional by December 2017, said Vasudevan.
Information about 40 other marine mammals will be on display through signages identifying food habits, lifespan, habitat of these mammals and most importantly, information about rescuing them at sea and during live beaching incidents.
EXPERT SPEAK
Marine biologists pointed out that this was the need of the hour as there is hardly any research in India when it comes to marine mammals. As there are hardly any such centres in the country, it is a welcome step by the forest department in light of awareness building not only for researchers but for young children with ambitions to study marine biology, said E Vivekanandan, marine biologist and scientist, Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).
Why you should care?
Scientists said the number of mammal deaths have been maximum along the coast of Maharashtra in the past one year across the country.
Past instances of whale beaching in Maharashtra
October 7, 2016: A mutilated carcass of a 35-foot-long blue whale, the largest mammal in the world, washed ashore at Guhaghar beach.
September 11, 2016: A 47-foot blue whale, the largest mammal in the world, was rescued from a beach near village Madban, close to Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant in Ratnagiri district. It was rescued by forest officials using two boats and 50 people.
February, 2016: A 40-foot-long blue whale was rescued with the help of two boats in a nine-hour long rescue operation near Daboli, Ratnagiri, which was the first ever successful rescue operation carried out along the coast of Maharashtra for the largest mammal in the world. A 20-member team had rescued the mammal with the help of two boats.
January, 2016: The carcass of a 40-foot-long male Brydes whale washed up at Juhu beach, near Juhu Tara Road, on January 29. The whale was beached for 17 hours and could not be rescued and sent back to the sea. The carcass of the whale was burnt and buried at Juhu beach after the rescue operation failed.
August 2015: A decomposed carcass of a 22-foot-long Blue Whale was washed ashore at Alibaug beach. Forest officials buried the body at one end of the beach by the afternoon on that day itself
June 2015 - A 42-foot-long live Blue Whale had washed ashore and beached at Alibaug. Several attempts made by the forest department and local fishermen from the area to push the Whale back into the sea went in vain and the whale died after collapsing on its own body weight a few hours after beaching. The rescue operation went on for 18 hours.
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Three months after Hindustan Times carried a report on how Dr Heena Gavit, Member of Parliament (MP) from Nandurbar district, skipped her mandatory medical bond services in a rural centre and refused to pay Rs50 lakh in penalty, the Lokayukta has taken cognisance of the matter.
The Lokayukta on Friday directed the dean of Sir JJ Hospital, MPs alma mater, and the director of Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) to submit a report, explaining the alleged favouritism to her.
On October 21, HT reported that Gavit was given all her original documents despite the fact that she had failed to honour one year bond service after completing her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Hospital. The information was revealed through a Right to Information application filed by activist Chetan Kothari.
Requesting action against both Sir JJ Hospital and Director DMER, Kothari had said, This is a clear case of corruption in which rules were bent to favour the MP.
Dr Gavit, who is the youngest MP from Maharashtra, is the daughter of former state health minister Vijaykumar, who had introduced the mandatory bond service to improve the health sector in rural areas.
The Lokayukta office confirmed they have registered a complaint made on December 2. We direct Dr Tatyarao Lahane, dean of JJ Hospital and Dr Pravin Shingare, director of DMER, to submit a report, said the letter issued by the Lokayuktas office. Sources said Dr Gavit chose to skip the bond because she contested elections after her MD exams.
Meanwhile, the state plans to issue a GR to exempt lawmakers from the mandatory bond service. According to the rules, after the final exam, every medical student has to serve at an assigned government health care centre for a year.
The rule:
After the final exam, every student from medical, dental and super specialty fields has to serve at an assigned health care centre governed by the state for a year. Students who dishonour the bond service have to pay between Rs15 lakh and Rs2.5 crore, depending on the course. A government resolution to this effect was passed in May 2010.
Tweaking the bond rules
The state plans to issue a government resolution to exempt lawmakers from the mandatory bond service. The move, activists claim, is only to favour the likes of Dr Gavit, since merely a handful of doctors are in the field of active politics.
Also read: MP: Lokayukta search on IDA clerk, property worth crores found
The Mumbai police have banned use of glass coated manjas ahead of the Makar Sankranti festival to avoid possible injuries failing which the police will initiate cases. The police issued prohibitory order against usage of the thread on Thursday.
An order issued by the Mumbai police reads, Whereas during the kite flying festival, injury is caused to the people and the birds on account of pucca thread made out of plastic or similar such synthetic material commonly known as nylon manja. These injuries many a times turn out to be fatal causing death of people and birds. It is therefore desirable to protect the people and birds from the fatal effects of the kite flying thread made out of nylon or plastic or synthetic thread (sic),
The order further stated that these cut threads along with the kites remain on the land. These threads continue to cause problems such as blockages of sewers, drainage lines, natural water ways such as rivers, streams, adversely effects on soil and waterways and cattle population cause by cutting or falling of such threads, suffocation of cows and other animals who ingest food items along with such nylon/plastic material. The impact of such plastic materials used for making thread is many and varied (sic). reads the order.
According to the order, using of such threads often result in flash-over on the power lines and substations, which cause power interruptions. The police stated that use, sale and storage of such threads for a period of 30 days beginning from Thursday will attract an offence under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant).
Animal welfare activists have welcomed the move. We appreciate the police commissioners initiative of having the stern approach to illegal nationwide ban of thread. Animal Welfare officers will work with the police to ensure its implementation, said Meet Ashar, emergency response co-ordinator for PETA India.
Earlier, the Mumbai airport officials last week had asked Mumbai police to keep a check on the annual kite flying custom around airport and to watch out for pranksters as the kites posed safety hazards.
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A one-day old boy was found dumped in a slum in Andheri West on Thursday.
According to the DN Nagar police, they received a phone call from the control room informing them about a child found abandoned in Gavdevi Dongar area.
A police team rushed to the spot and the infant was found in Jamatkhana area near Noor Mosque in Gavdevi Dongar slums.
The police suspect that the unwanted child was abandoned by her mother early morning. The infant was rushed to the Cooper hospital where he was kept under observation.
The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) has been informed and a FIR has been registered against an unknown person under relevant sections of the IPC. The police strongly suspect the accused to be the infants mother.
The police are making inquiries with nearby hospitals and locals in the area to find out if they saw any pregnant woman in the past few days.
On 28 December last month, the body of a newborn girl was found abandoned on the Juhu beach.
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Woman arrested for abandoning 2-day-old boy at railway station
The Shiv Sena has called the ensuing Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporations (BMC) elections the Mahabharat war and said it was fully geared to win another term.
The Sena said that unlike other political parties who display their love for the city before the elections, the Sena had been consistent in its commitment to the progress of Mumbai.
In an editorial in Saamna, the partys mouthpiece, it outlined the subsequent trust reposed by the citizens over decades on the party.
Taking potshots on the BJP-led Central Government, it said the Sena stood by the common man. You may bring bullet trains and metro for the city, but what about the families displaced by such projects? Do they really get new houses? What about the people who died waiting in the lines owing to demonetisation. Are they also the victims of progress,? it added.
It said that the Sena stood firmly behind these people.
Currently though the Sena is holding seat-sharing talks with the BJP, there are indications that both may contest the elections separately. The Sena, which has been the senior party in the alliance, is not in the mood to give up large number of seats to the alliance partner. The BJP, which scored spectacular victory in the 2014 assembly polls, has demanded more seats this time on the grounds of increased strength.
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The Shiv Sena on Friday said it had received the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) invitation to discuss an alliance for the civic polls, which it felt positively about. However, the party ridiculed the BJPs demand for transparency saying Mumbaiites had shown faith in the party by voting for it during civic elections, over the past two decades.
The Shiv Sena said it has always been transparent in its dealings in the civic body. The statement followed the BJPs claims to the contrary.
Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Anil Desai confirmed that the party had received BJPs invitation for talks to forge an alliance in civic polls. The party leadership will act accordingly, he added.
However, he indicated that the party would not accept BJPs condition that the Sena must take the blame for the citys problems.
The people have been voting for the Sena for years. This is owing to the manner in which we have undertaken work in the civic body, said Desai.
Over the past few months, the BJP despite being the Senas ally has been running a campaign virtually accusing the latter of corruption in the BMC. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had stressed two prerequisites for an alliance an increase in seat allotment for the BJP and the promise of a transparent administration. Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar has blamed the Sena for the citys shoddy roads and the poor desilting of drainage lines.
The parties that were earlier at loggerheads are now willing to discuss a tie-up. The BJP has submitted an official proposal to the Shiv Sena regarding seat sharing for the ensuing Mumbai civic polls.
According to sources, the BJP has demanded 105 seats of the total 227, while the Sena is willing to concede just 80.
The BJPs contention is that the Sena should part with more seats, in view of the BJPs increased strength, which was evident during the 2014 assembly elections. The Sena countered that the assembly results were influenced by the Narendra Modi wave and did not reflect the BJPs actual strength.
The chances of an alliance received a boost after Fadnavis remarked that a tie-up was necessary so that the Congress did not take advantage of the spat between the parties.
Earlier on Friday, the Sena termed the ensuing BMC elections the Mahabharata war in its partys mouthpiece Saamana and said it had geared up to win another term.
The Sena said that unlike other political parties that display their love for the city before the elections, the Sena had been consistent in its commitment to the progress of Mumbai.
Taking potshots at the BJP-led central Government, it said the Sena stood by the common man. You may bring bullet trains and Metros to the city, but what about the families displaced by such projects? Do they really get new houses? questioned the editorial. What about the people who died waiting in queues owing to demonetisation. Are they also the victims of progress? it added.
Read
BMC polls: BJP keeps door open for alliance with Shiv Sena
Maharashtra doesnt need BJPs development vision: Shiv Sena
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The Mumbai police has refused permission for David Guettas concert that was scheduled to take place on Friday in the city.
Mandatory requirements and legal formalities had not been completed by the organisers, Mumbai Police public relations officer, Ashok Dudhe said.
Earlier, joint commissioner of police, law and order, Deven Bharti had said, They have not appeared before the police station (BKC police station) concerned with other permissions yet.
After Bengaluru, Sunburn -- the music festival headlined by David Guetta -- had also run into trouble in Mumbai on Thursday. The event was moved from the Mahalakshmi race course to the Bandra-Kurla Complex after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said that the organisers did not have permission to use the race course.
Civic officials said that the organisers, Percent Live did not seek the requisite permissions for show. They further alleged that the organisers did not pay the requisite Rs 10 lakhs for the show at the race course in November 2016.
Vishwas Shankarwar, assistant municipal commissioner (estates) for the BMC, said, We asked the Byculla police station not to give them permission to use the race course. We have also published a notice in newspapers that the event at race course is illegal as they did not seek BMCs permission.
The 49-year-old DJs concert in Bengaluru was cancelled yesterday over concerns of law and order. The organisers cited law and order situation following the molestation incident during New Years Eve as the reason.
Bengaluru was supposed to be Guettas first stop on his four-city tour. He is slated to perform in Mumbai this evening, in Hyderabad on Saturday and in Delhi on Sunday.
Read
In Mumbai: Sunburn fest moved from Mahalaxmi racecourse to BKC
We will not allow any slum rehabilitation scheme on any airport land, the Bombay high court said on Friday and prohibited authorities from carrying out any preparatory work for the purpose of rehabilitation of slum dwellers settled on Juhu airport land.
The division bench of chief justice Manjula Chellur and justice Girish Kulkarni was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Santacruz resident Babu Jagtap seeking investigation into the entire episode of granting permission for implementing a slum scheme on Juhu airport land and also orders prohibiting authorities from allowing slum scheme on the 22,400 square metres of land.
Are the runways also sold, the bench asked after noticing that the Airports Authority of India had given permission to survey the slum dwellers settled on the land. When they want to expand the airport in future, they will go another 50 kilometres away, it said.
The counsels for the AAI and the SRA maintained that as of now there was no proposal for implementing any slum rehabilitation scheme on the airport land.
Petitioners counsel, advocate Ashok Sarogi, however, pointed out that one particular developer was busy collecting consents of the slum dwellers for the purpose of implementing a slum scheme. He also pointed out a public notice issued by the deputy collector, encroachment in December 2016 for surveying the slum dwellers on request of Om Shivdarshan SRA Cooperative Housing Society, a proposed society of the slum dwellers.
The court said the facts pointed out by Sarogi and the persistent statement that the Juhu Airport was not operational made it clear that someone was interested in implementing slum scheme on the airport land.
We will not permit any slum scheme on airport land, said the bench, adding, Let them (authorities) remove the slum dwellers from the airport and relocate them somewhere else. The judges said that it will become impossible to develop the airport in future if such schemes were allowed on the airport land.
The court has now directed the SRA and AAI to file in four weeks their respective affidavits disclosing whether they have any plans to implement slum scheme of the airport land.
In the meanwhile, the court has stayed all the preparations and work for the purpose of implementing a slum scheme at Juhu airport land.
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Turbulence over slums at Mumbai airport
Ahead of the state polls, as many as 10,000 students from Gautam Budh Nagar are expected to attend a one-day workshop on voter awareness, organised by the election commission (EC) and the district administration on January 23.
The event will be organised at Expo Mart centre in Greater Noida and is an attempt to create awareness ahead of the polling, which is to be held on February 11 in the district.
Students from Knowledge Park institutes such as Sharda University, Galgotia University, IIMT group of colleges, GNIT, and NIT are supposed to attend the event that will begin from 4pm on January 23.
To look into the preparations for the event, district magistrate NP Singh held a meeting with college, university and school representatives of Greater Noida on Thursday.
Our priority is to ensure that all voters in the district realise the true potential of their vote and exercise their voting rights. They should be aware of their rights and about the democratic process, said Singh.
Students will perform various street plays and skits in the event to encourage people to vote. We have informed the representatives of the institutes that if their students want to contribute to the workshop through creative means, they should inform the district administration beforehand. We are trying to include as many students as possible, said Singh.
There are around 18,276 registered voters in the age group of 18-19 years and 3,26,871 in the age group of 20-29 years in the district.
The district administration has been making efforts in the past three to four months to include the maximum number of young voters in the voters list. This is also for the first time that a model polling booth will be set up inside a private university for the 5,000 registered young voters at Knowledge Park.
Our university will host the model polling booth and we have been trying for months to include 18-19 year olds in the voter list by organising various street plays and other drills, said Ajit Garg, a spokesperson for Sharda University.
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French DJ David Guettas fans are in for a disappointment as his live concert scheduled in the city on Sunday has been called off. Unlike Bengaluru and Mumbai, where Guettas performance was cancelled due to law and order issues or not completing the formalities, the show in Greater Noida was cancelled by the organisers.
The show was to be held from on Sunday evening at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida.
Greater Noida city magistrate, Anjani Kumar, said the organisers did not follow up on seeking permission for organising the show at Greater Noida. Around two weeks ago, they had sought an NOC (no objection certificate) for holding the show at the expo mart. However, they never followed it up. My staff told me that the organisers had changed their mind and were now planning to hold the show in Delhi, he said.
An NOC is required from the district administration for holding such events. The certificate is issued after getting a go ahead from the police, traffic police, fire services and municipal authorities.
The city magistrate said the police report was also not favourable in view of the upcoming assembly elections. The police were of the view that it would be difficult to control thousands of visitors expected at the concert as elections in the district were round the corner.
Section 144 of the CrPC is already in force in Gautam Budh Nagar.
Guettas fans will now have to go to Delhi to enjoy the gig. His website shows the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi as the venue of his concert on Sunday.
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The district magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar on Friday assured homebuyers in Greater Noida, who are yet to get possession of flats, that their problems will be addressed immediately after elections.
A delegation of the Noida extension flat owners welfare association (Nefowa) met the district magistrate NP Singh on Friday to demand a solution to the issue of delay in delivery of flats in several projects across Greater Noida.
Despite repeated complaints, the Greater Noida authority is not taking action against builders who are delaying projects. We met the DM to complain about the apathy of the authority officials, due to which there is no pressure on builders to deliver the flats as per schedule, Abhishek Kumar, president of Nefowa, said.
Singh said that the problems will be addressed. We will call a meeting of all stakeholders on the issue to find a middle ground. Rights of the homebuyers cannot be suppressed. We will ensure the meetings of builders, homebuyers and authority officials, post the assembly elections, Singh said.
The DM assured us of a series of meetings with the builders and authority officials after elections. We are hoping to get a solution soon, Kumar said.
There are nearly 50,000 homebuyers in Greater Noida projects who are yet to get possession of their flats despite paying the total cost.
Last month, the Noida and Greater Noida authorities adopted a project settlement policy that gives realtors an exit route from projects they are unable to execute. It is also aimed at providing relief to homebuyers who are waiting past the deadline for delivery of their flats.
Under the policy, a builder can exit a housing or commercial project in which construction on the allotted plot is yet to be started. The homebuyers, however, called it an eyewash.
No rule will work if the authorities are not willing to work in favour of homebuyers. We are also planning to stage a protest against banks who are still giving loans to defaulting builders, Kumar said.
Homebuyers also alleged that the builders are changing building layout plans without informing them.
Apart from delay in delivery of flats, builders are also changing the layout plans. The population density ratio was also increased by the authority, which gave the builders a free hand to build more units, Somnath Mishra, a homebuyer, said.
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Human Resource Development minister Prakash Javadekar fired a fresh salvo at Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for criticising the Prime Minister for announcing demonetisation.
He said, Whenever Rahul speaks, we have benefitted and we welcome his speech every time (sic).
The minister further said that the Congress, during its rule, had made residents wait in queues for essential commodities.
Congress made Indians stand in queues and beg for essential commodities such as milk and kerosene, whereas we say that you dont have to stay in the queue and beg. You will get your right. This is the politics of empowerment that BJP promotes, unlike the politics of entitlement of the Congress, Javadekar said.
He also took a shot on the ongoing tussle within the Samajwadi Party. This party (SP) has been busy with infighting. One cannot expect them to bring change in the state. They are busy scrambling for tyres and the seat of the cycle and its time that the people of UP remove them from power, Javadekar said.
The minister also criticised Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, with reference to the recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) revelation that more than 100 crore was found in her brothers account, post demonetisation.
I have heard the news about 104 crore being found in Mayawatis (BSPs) account in a Noida bank. I am sure Noida residents are smart enough to grasp that, Javadekar said.
Lastly, Javadekar also attacked the media, alleging that many sections were trying to paint the demonetisation step as a negative move.
I was watching TV and saw a famous anchor of a news channel reporting from outside a bank, where people were standing in a queue. Suddenly, a man fainted on camera and the anchor got excited that he finally had some news to report. However, the man woke up the next moment and told him that he is diabetic and that is why he had fainted. He pledged his full support to Modiji and demonetisation. He couldnt get his news because people are in full support of the government, Javadekar said.
After his 15-minute speech, Javadekar left the stage in a hurry and refused to answer any questions.
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Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his decision to scrap higher denomination banknotes, Human Resource Development minister Prakash Javadekar claimed that the country has been transformed.
In the last two months, after demonetisation, the country has transformed completely. Poor people, including vendors, taxi drivers and fruit sellers, have supported this decision. Under the Modi government, the honest have nothing to fear, only the dishonest have suffered, Javadekar said.
He was speaking at a campaign for BJP candidate and current member of legislative assembly Vimla Batham.
Javadekar said that 70% of the transactions at petrol pumps are now being done through digital modes. Earlier, the people were sceptical about India moving towards a digital economy but the country has gone completely digital in the last two months. Earlier, petrol pumps used to make 20% of their transactions through e-payments and 80% in cash. Now, after January 2, when petrol pumps stopped accepting old notes, the digital transactions have increased to 70% of the total, Javadekar said.
However, he did not divulge any other detail about the 100% digital transformation and refused to answer questions.
He said that the Prime Minister has uplifted the social and economic condition of farmers and that the BJP government is committed to serving the poor. We introduced fasal bima yojana (crop insurance scheme) for the farmers and ensured that all farmers across the country can avail its benefits. Only the BJP can guarantee that the income of farmers will double in 2020, Javadekar said.
Javadekar further praised Modi for saving 8,000 crore under urea subsidy. Earlier, the urea subsidy meant for farmers was used by factories for nitrogen. Modi introduced neem coated urea that ensures a slow release of nitrogen, thereby increasing the productivity by 10%. This way, he saved 8,000 crore, Javadekar said.
The minister also said that the BJP government has the peoples support.
This government knows how to negotiate on behalf of the people. We called a meeting of the worlds top producers of LED bulbs and showed them the market potential in India. Today, a LED bulb that used to cost 300 is available for 75. Similarly, when Modi asked countrymen to give up LPG subsidy for the poor, they duly complied. This shows the support of the people, Javadekar said.
Javadekar said that only the BJP can end the 15 years of misrule in the state.
Our party has done good work in the state (when it was in power). The state is in a shambles under the reign of the SP. It is only BJP that can bring change to the state and end 15 years of misrule, Javadekar said.
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Assured of Noida as a strong seat, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is struggling to field powerful candidates in the remaining Dadri and Jewar constituencies of Gautam Budh Nagar. The party feels the urban voter is with them and hence a change of candidate for the Noida assembly seat seems unlikely. However, choosing candidates for the other two seats is a bit tricky for the party.
All probable candidates are waiting for January 15, when the list of candidates for the UP assembly elections is scheduled to be announced from the state BJP headquarters in Lucknow.
We are waiting for the list of candidates. Any comment on this will be premature. Our party is united and will work for whoever is selected as a candidate from the Noida assembly constituency, said Vimla Batham, sitting BJP MLA from Noida.
The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is in power in Dadri and Jewar constituencies, both areas dominated by Rajputs and Gurjars. The BJP is trying to get rural votes and the induction of former Congress leader Thakur Dhirendra Singh into the party is considered a shot in the arm in this direction. Singh had come second in the last assembly elections with 58,204 votes, 10,000 less than the winning candidate Vedram Bhati.
However, the partys old guard from the two seats is sulking and the struggle to get a party ticket from the area is getting harder.
Local Rajput and Gurjar leaders seeking candidacy from Jewar have expressed their displeasure with the party high command and have demanded acknowledgement of their work by being given the party ticket from the seat.
The BJPs city unit, however, reiterated that party workers will support and work for whoever is selected as the party candidate.
There cannot be any space for individual preferences when we are working for the party. The workers are happy and will support the candidate selected by the party high command, said Vijay Bhati, head of BJPs Greater Noida unit.
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The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) has extended the dates for online filling of forms and submission of fee for intermediate and matric examinations.
Now, intermediate examination forms with late fee can be submitted till January 16. Thursday was the last date for filling forms for intermediate students with late fee.
For matric examination, the date has been extended to January 17 without late fee while the last date with late fee is January 19.
The decision will benefit more than 25 lakh students in Bihar. Already, 23 lakh students have submitted their forms for matric and intermediate examinations.
The BSEB has also decided to open the line for new registration of matric students, who failed to register from January 13 to 16.
BSEB chairman Anand Kishor said on Thursday that the decision to extend dates was taken to give one last chance to students, who failed to fill up forms. However, the board would not extend dates any further, he added.
He said the head of educational institutions would submit proof of fee submission in two copies along with the list of students (matric and intermediate) in hard and soft copies with required documents to respective district education office by January 20.
The BSEB has also given a chance to schools/colleges to tally the checklist of students who registered online in 2016 for matric and intermediate examinations 2017, Kishor said.
He said the BSEB would provide registration number of new matric students on its web portal on January 17.
New students can then fill up their forms and submit examination fee online from January 17 to 20, he added.
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Patna is the most polluted city in Bihar in terms of ambient air quality, followed by Muzaffarpur, as per a report released on Wednesday by Greenpeace, a non-governmental global watchdog for environment protection.
Among the top 20 cities in India suffering from concentration of particulate matter (PM) 10 (indicating a very high level of pollution), Patna stands at the 12th position. Muzaffarpur is outside the list, standing at the 24th position.
Five of the 20 PM10 air pollution level cities are from Jharkhand, while Patna is the lone representative from Bihar.
Delhi tops the pollution table with the presence of 268 g/m3 PM10 air pollution against the national average safety level of 60 g/m3, as declared by the Central pollution control board (CPCB).
Likewise, the annual average concentration of PM10 in Patna's ambient air was recorded at 200 g/m3, while it was 164 g/m3 at Muzaffarpur.
Among the Jharkhand towns, the annual average concentration of PM10 was recorded at 228 g/m3 at Jharia, 216 g/m3 at Ranchi, 214 g/m3 at Kusunda and 211 g/m3 at Bastacola.
The report said the data indicated a health emergency faced by the people inhabiting the areas having high annual average concentrations of PM10. In Patna and Muzaffarpur , it was very high round the year in 2015, with PM10 concentration crossing 300 g/m3 in some months.
In Bihar, transport was found to be the main source of PM10, contributing about 13-22% of the total pollution.
Road dust (14-19%), domestic sources (12-16%), generator sets (5-6%), open waste burning (9-11%), manufacturing industries (5-10%), brick kilns (11-29%) and construction activities (8-13%) also contributed significantly to air pollution.
Recently, Centre for environment and energy development (Ceed) had called for emergency measures as levels of PM10 and PM2.5 at various Patna schools were found to be 17 times higher than the safety limit set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The Ceed study showed real time monitoring of air quality did not record a single day under the ''Good'' or ''Satisfactory'' category, across all institutions in Patna.
The concentration of PM in all samples is higher during mornings and late morning hours, compared to noon and evening hours.
This variation in concentration raised serious concern for the students, especially for ones below the age of five, since their school arrival and departure timings lie within the period when the exposure level is higher (6 a.m. - 12 noon).
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The Centre has informed the Patna high court that the dilapidated Mahatma Gandhi Setu will be totally revamped within 42 months and a new four -lane bridge, parallel to it will be put in place in due time.
Lawyers representing the Centre informed an HC bench of acting chief justice Hemant Gupta and justice Dinesh Kumar Singh on Thursday, that a detailed project report (DPR) for the construction of a new parallel bridge will be available soon for the Centre to take a decision on.
The court was hearing a PIL filed by Dinesh Kumar Khoorpiwala on the issue.
The judges also asked Bihar additional advocate general, Anjani Kumar, to file a detailed affidavit with respect to the Digha-Pahleza road, stating by when it could be made operational.
On behalf of the Union ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH), it was stated that a project for replacement of the super structure of exiting 5.575 km long, 4-lane Mahatma Gandhi Setu, through the engineering procurement construction (EPC) mode, had been undertaken by the Centre and bidding process for it had been finalised.
It was said the project has been awarded to M/S AFCONS Infra Ltd India and MS OJSC SI of Russia under a joint venture, on September 14 last year. The project is to be completed within 42 months from November 19, 2016.
The upstream part is to be completed within first 24 months and the downstream part would be completed in the next 18 months.
Additional solicitor general (ASG) SD Sanjay said, to reduce the traffic load on the bridge, it had been decided by MoRTH to construct another 4-lane bridge, parallel to the existing one. The consultant for preparation of DPR has been appointed and process commenced on March 3, 2016. It had to be completed within 12 months.
Advocate Khoorpiwala, through his PIL, had pleaded for a direction to the concerned authorities to take urgent steps for repair of the Setu, linking Patna and Vaishali, and to complete the exercise on a war footing.
This was necessary as the condition of the bridge was precarious, and any further deterioration in its condition might lead to complete disruption of road traffic between south and North Bihar.
He said the 5.57 km bridge, opened in 1982, became a spent asset despite constant monitoring by the authorities concerned, and by 2001 traffic on the western side of the road bridge was partially stopped to carry out repairs.
Taking cognizance of the issue, the court had earlier ordered the Centre to furnish an exhaustive reply, detailing the time-frame for the revamp of the Gandhi Setu.
The matter will come up for further monitoring on January 27.
Two employees of a road construction company were shot dead by unidentified assailants in Derni police station area of Saran district, around 80 km north-west of Patna late on Thursday night.
The two employees were asleep when criminals attacked them at the base camp.
The employees belonged to Shrishti Development Private Limited, engaged in road construction from Derni to Dighwara, a 12 km (approx.) stretch.
Confirming the incident, Saran superintendent of police Pankaj Kumar Raj said: A munshi (accountant) and a manager of a construction firm were gunned down when they were asleep late on Wednesday.
He ruled out the possibility of any ransom demand or Maoist involvement in the episode.
The nature of killing does not suggest it to be the handiwork of Maoists or killing for ransom. Both the persons were shot from behind. While one was shot at the back of the head, the other was shot at his back. The two died at the base camp of the construction firm, said Raj.
He suggested that the assailant could be a person who was known to the deceased.
The SP said that police investigations into the case were on.
In December 2015, engineers Mukesh Kumar and Brajesh Kumar of another private firm were shot dead by motorcycle-borne men at Gangdah in Darbhanga district. They were working on the 120-km stretch of Begusarai-Darbhanga state highway project.
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Congress has chosen a former SAD leader and a former NRI to contest against Bains brothers from Atam Nagar and Ludhiana (South) constituencies.
While the party has pitched former SAD leader Kamaljit Singh Karwal, who recently joined Congress, against Simarjit Singh Bains in Atam Nagar, a former Canadian citizen Bhupinder Sidhu will contest Balwinder Bains from Ludhiana South constituency. Interestingly, Karwal was once a close aide of Bains.
Some party leaders, including Punjab Congress general secretary Krishan Kumar Bawa, secretary Kulwant Sidhu and youth Congress leader Parvinder Lapran had protested against allotting of ticket to Karwal, who is a turncoat, in Delhi on Wednesday.
Congress released its third list on Thursday in which four candidates from Ludhiana district were announced. However, Ludhiana (East) was left pending from where reports of former Union minister of the state Manish Tewari contesting the polls were rife. However, sources said that opposition of ticket to Tewari by MP Ravneet Singh Bittu camp was creating hurdles in announcement of candidate.
Meanwhile, Bhupinder Singh Sidhu said that he left his Canadian citizenship in the year 2011 and had worked in Ludhiana South even before the assembly polls of 2012 when Ashok (Pappi) Prasher was allotted ticket from the area.
Sidhu who has been fielded from South having a majority of migrant labourers said that he will work for providing potable water in the area. Potable water is the major problem that the present MLA has not been able to address, said Sidhu.
Five times MLA Rakesh Pandey was also allotted ticket in third list from Ludhiana North where suspicion regarding his candidature was brewing among the party men.
Senior party leader and Congress councillor Hemraj Aggarwal had also pitched his candidature for a ticket from North. Thereafter, Pandey had openly dared opponents in statements that he was the choice of the people of the constituency.
After the declaration of candidates on Thursday, Aggarwal made an announcement that he would contest as an independent candidate from North constituency.
The party has also declared Major Singh Bhaini as their candidate from Dakha constituency. Major is a son of Gurdeep Singh Bhaini who was SAD MLA from Jagraon in 1985 and was also elected as an MLA from the same area in 2007 on Congress ticket.
Major Singh Bhaini was at present the general secretary of Punjab Congress. Candidates from Jagraon and Sahnewal are yet to be declared.
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Believe it or not, Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal appears to have done far better than his son, deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal, in terms of returns on investment in the past five years.
While Badal seniors assets more than doubled, the value of movable and immovable assets owned by Sukhbir and his wife, Union food processing minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, has grown by a minuscule 13% during this period.
The three Badals chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, his deputy CM son Sukhbir Badal and daughter-in-law Harsimrat Badal have declared movable and immovable assets worth Rs 116.55 crore in affidavits submitted with the nomination papers for the February 4 assembly elections in the state.
Parkash Singh Badal, a five-time chief minister, declared assets to the tune of Rs 14.48 crore, up from Rs 6.75 crore declared at the time of 2012 assembly polls. While the chief minister owns agriculture land worth Rs 8.53 crore in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, his two commercial and residential properties have a total market value above Rs 50 lakh. He has declared movable assets worth Rs 5.45 crore.
Sukhbir, who is also president of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and Harsimrat have combined movable and immovable assets of Rs 102.07 crore as against Rs 90.86 crore declared during the previous assembly elections, showing a marginal increase in their wealth.
While Sukhbir is the richest in the family with properties and other investments of about Rs 72 crore, Harsimrat, who has also submitted her nomination papers as his covering candidate, owns movable and immovable assets worth Rs 29.68 crore.
Sukhbir has investments of Rs 14.29 crore in bonds, debentures and shares, and owns two tractors worth Rs 5.5 lakh. He also owns agriculture land and other properties worth Rs 53.13 crore in Muktsar, Ganganagar, Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Haryana. His wife is mostly invested in movable assets. She has bonds, debentures and shares worth Rs 12.87 crore and jewellery worth a little over Rs 6 crore. She has no vehicle. The couple also has declared financial liabilities amounting to Rs 39.70 crore in the form of loans from banks and other institutions.
Even as transgenders have been given official recognition as the third gender, only 14 transgenders are registered in the voters list from the SAS Nagar district for the Vidhan Sabha elections slated for February 4. Though there is no official record of the total number of transgenders in the district, the community pegs it between 1,500 and 2,000.
In 2009, the Election Commission of India (ECI) allowed transgenders to vote under the other category, which was followed by a 2014 Supreme Court ruling that granted them recognition as the third gender. Earlier, transgenders would enlist either as male or female in official documents. However, the option for other is now available on voter-id forms.
The district has three assembly constituencies - SAS Nagar, Kharar and Dera Bassi - of which the maximum number of transgenders are enrolled from SAS Nagar. According to data, six are enrolled from SAS Nagar, three from Kharar and five from Dera Bassi. In Punjab, 273 transgenders are enrolled in the voters list.
In most cases, the voter id card is issued under either male or female categories, despite there being a third gender category. Most of the time, transgenders do not change their status on voter id cards due to family pressure. There is no census to determine the exact number of transgenders. In Punjab, there are more than 20,000 transgenders. Things have changed but the society still has a long way to go to accept us, said Dhananjay Chauhan, president of Saksham Trust which is an NGO working for the LGBT community.
No political party is taking up issues faced by transgenders or working towards providing them dignity of life. I will be voting for the first time under the third gender category. So while voting, I will consider a candidate who speaks about the rights of my community. We are part of your society, so accept us as we are, said Kritika, a make-up artist from Zirakpur.
District election officer-cum-deputy commissioner DS Mangat said, Teams have held meetings and are creating awareness among transgenders to enrol them in the voters list. He added, Social stigma could be a major reason for the low enrolment under the third gender category.
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The market potential of affordable housing projects in the country is expected to touch Rs 6.25 trillion by 2022 due to demand emanating from a growing population and the disparity that exists in household income and high real estate prices. This demand is likely to remain stable even during the period of downturn, says rating agency ICRA..
The housing shortage is expected to increase from the current level of 19 million units to 25 million by 2021, based on a stable decadal growth rate. Assuming an average ticket size of Rs 25 lakh per unit, this translates into a market potential of Rs 6.25 trillion for affordable housing projects, says K. Ravichandran, group head, corporate ratings, ICRA.
ICRA expects the demand for affordable housing to remain healthy, supported by a growing population, young demographic profile, shift towards nuclear families and rapid urbanisation. Given the wide disparity in household income in the country and the high real estate prices acting as a deterrent for buyers, a predominant share of this demand would be concentrated in the low cost and affordable housing segments.
While the demand for low cost and affordable housing segments has been healthy, the supply has been limited with these segments largely being catered to by the government undertakings or the smaller and unorganised developers. This, in turn, has resulted in an acute shortage of housing in the low cost and affordable housing segments, it says.
The government has provided various incentives to home buyers, targeted at the affordable housing segment, which is expected to further augment the demand. These include credit-linked subsidy for housing loans for the economically weaker section (EWS) and the low income group (LIG) under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (PMAY) and the additional income tax deduction for interest on home loans of up to Rs. 35 lakh. The recently announced interest subvention of 3% and 4% on home loans of up to Rs. 9 lakh and Rs. 12 lakh respectively, under the PMAY, would further reduce the net cost to the buyers.
In addition to the large untapped market, the affordable housing segment benefits from a stable demand scenario, driven by home buyers rather than investors. Moreover, the demand for affordable housing segment remains largely stable during the period of downturn as well.
While the long-term demand outlook for affordable housing remains healthy, the segment faces challenges largely intrinsic in nature.
For affordable housing projects, the pricing and thus the ticket size of the units are the key defining characteristic. This in turn limits the headroom available to the developers for increasing the rates, resulting in thin profit margins. The profitability of affordable housing projects, thus, remains low when compared to the premium segment as well as the mid-segment offerings. However, the low initial capital requirement, coupled with the relatively shorter execution time period, helps in supporting the overall return on capital employed for these projects, says Shubham Jain, vice president, ICRA.
The developers ability to execute the project within the budgeted cost and within time remains critical for maintaining healthy returns for affordable housing projects. With land being a vital raw material for real estate projects, the developers ability to acquire large tracts of land at low rates is the key for the viability for the project.
Notwithstanding favourable potential in affordable housing segment, ICRAs outlook on the overall real estate sector remains negative for the short term given the weak consumer sentiment and the low affordability levels, which are expected to keep the residential real estate demand under pressure. The developers cash flows are expected to remain subdued given the slowdown in sales and lack of new launches. Moreover, the flexible payment schemes offered by developers, in a bid to boost sales, have further exacerbated the cash flow problems. The subdued cash flows have led to increased dependence on external sources of funding, as reflected by the rising debt levels.
The recent ban on high denomination currency is expected to pose a challenge to all stakeholders in the industry and result in further demand slowdown as well as price correction across various product segments, especially the premium to the luxury segment. However, over a long term, this move, along with the Real Estate Act is expected to be positive, bringing in a paradigm shift in the way business operations are conducted in the real estate sector. While residential real estate continues to remain subdued, there has been a gradual improvement in commercial real estate, with improved occupancy levels and stable rentals, supported by the limited fresh supply coupled with the resurgence of corporate sector demand, the agency adds.
Kamaluddin Mohammed, better known as Kamal, whos behind the Malayalam masterpieces like Celluloid, Gramohophone and Aggathan, is under siege. The filmmaker, whos being accused by right-wing parties of anti-nationalism for protesting the forced entry of policemen in a cinema hall during a national anthem, opens up in a candid interview.
From a National award-winning filmmaker to an anti-national, this happens only in India, dont you agree?
I still dont know what happened. I thought India belongs to all Indians. I was born and brought up in India. I am as Indian as anyone else. I dont see myself as a Hindu or Muslim.
You had to be hospitalised?
Yes, but it had nothing to do with the controversy. I needed to get myself looked at.
Have you been provided security from the people who are threatening you?
Now, I am in my hometown Kodungallur which is on the outskirts of Kochi. Everything is peaceful here. No sign of any aggression . Actually this is a Communist-dominated area.And although the (Bharatiya Janta Party) BJP has clout in these parts too, I am safe.So here, I am only hearing about all the things that I am supposed to have done and all the things that people want to do to me.
So you make you films from this little town?
Yes, I prefer to stay here because all my relatives and friends stay here. I feel comfortable and secure. My hometown is communist and secular. Thats why I grew up feeling neither Muslim nor Hindu.
Vidya Balans last few films havent done well. (Prodip Guha/HT PHOTO)
Whats your reaction to being called anti-national?
I dont even know what happened. I am the chairperson of the Kerala State Film Academy. The national anthem is played before every film here. I never protested against that, and why would I? I only protested against the police forcibly entering a cinema house to arrest people during the anthem. That was not right.
How does this make you anti-national?
I dont know. Maybe those who accusing me can explain.It could be my communist leanings. During the last elections, I campaigned for some communist candidates. I am a communist. Thats my political ideology. But that doesnt make me anti-national. Theyve be targeting individuals from the arts. I am sure youve heard of the way the veteran litterateur MT Vasudevan was targeted.
To add to your troubles, Vidya Balan has backed out of your Kamla Das biopic Aami...
Yes .The timing is unfortunate, though Id like to believe that the right-wing pressure had nothing to do with it. She liked the script, but backed out suddenly. It came as a complete surprise when she walked out just a week before the shooting was to start, and it just doesnt suit such a great actor to behave like this.
But I am not stressing over her departure. I am going to make the film with another fine artist. I have distinguished names like Gulzar and Resul Pookutty associated with the project. This is my dream project and Ive been planning it for four years. One Vidya cant take my dream away.
Do you think this incident scared her off?
I dont think so. I think Kamla Das proved too controversial for Vidya. As you know, Kamla Das had converted to Islam. I think Vidya was scared to portray her. Plus, maybe she was under pressure because her recent Hindi films have failed. But I wish her well.
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A Series of Unfortunate Events
Cast - Neil Patrick Harris, Malina Weismann, Louis Hynes, Patrick Warburton, Joan Cusack
Rating - 4.5/5
Dear reader,
If there is one thing that life has taught us all, it is this: All good things must come to an end. For some years now, we have been treated to some of the finest television shows ever produced. We have enjoyed high adventure, side-splitting comedy, and wrenching drama - all from the comfort of our homes.
But it is with great regret that I must inform you that those days are over. At one fell swoop a phrase which here means all in one go, Netflixs new programme, A Series of Unfortunate Events, has undone all that has come before with its tale of terrible tragedy and macabre melancholy a word which here means very, very sad.
Dont be fooled by the success of the novels upon which this show is based. Blind ambition, monetary recompense, and shiny medals were not what drew Lemony Snicket, the brave man who has dedicated his life to chronicling the misfortune of the Baudelaire siblings, to this tale. Fortunate are the ones who have been taught the lesson, ideally by an adult whom they admire and respect, that success rarely defines quality.
It is in times like these that we must never forget the story of the Swedish clothing manufacturers Hennes & Mauritz, who made all the money one could ever want, but failed to provide secure working conditions for their employees in a mystical, South-Asian land. Several of them lost their lives in a terrible fire.
But the story of the enterprising Swedish clothing manufacturers Hennes & Mauritz, and their careless treatment of their doomed employees is a far more enjoyable alternative to the one that you are considering watching. The story of the Baudelaire siblings (Violet, Klaus and Sunny) also begins with a fire but this one destroys their home, kills their parents, and makes them orphans. At one fell swoop.
The events that follow are filled with such sorrow and despair, it is keeping your well-being in mind that I recommend whole heartedly that you scroll further, and explore alternate streaming options. Perhaps an episode or two of a nice cartoon show?
The Baudelaire orphans, you see, dear reader all very pleasant children were left behind a great fortune by their deceased parents. Such is the greatness of this fortune that it attracts Count Olaf, a man so evil that he gives the impression that he is always chewing an apple and twirling his moustache even though he has neither an apple to chew nor a moustache to twirl.
But with nefarious schemes concocted with scheming nefariousness (which invariably involve unconvincing disguises and bad acting), he tries to get his hands on the great fortune. And when I say fortune, I mean large sums of money and not luck, which, unfortunately, the Baudelaire orphans do not have.
If you are easily bothered by women named Jacqueline, Pasta Puttanesca, incessant coughing, and if the theatrics of Neil Patrick Harris, and the absurd work of the filmmaker Barry Sonnenfeld make you nervous, you must avoid this gloomy show at all costs.
Consider, perhaps, feeding a lonely pigeon, or unsubscribing from your Netflix account, for that is the source of this misery. Consider visiting that mystical South-Asian land that was once home to those doomed factory workers, or perhaps consider writing a letter, like this one, to warn others to keep away from the unpleasant story. But most importantly: Please watch something else.
With all due respect
PS: Of course, this review pays homage to the inimitable style of Lemony Snicket, his novels and the show, which captures their essence in the most beautiful way possible. It is not supposed to be taken literally, but rather, as an enthusiastic endorsement. Go watch the show!
The author tweets @NaaharRohan
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Bollywood celebrities Rishi Kapoor, Hema Malini and Madhur Bhandarkar, among many others, have wished everyone a year full of warmth, happiness and prosperity on the occasion of Lohri, the harvest festival celebrated on January 13 every year with tremendous enthusiasm in north India.
Here is what they said on Twitter on the special occassion:
Rishi Kapoor
Lohri Mubarak! Rishi Kapoor -"Book" (@chintskap) January 13, 2017
Anupam Kher
Happy Lohri to all. Love, peace and Celebrations.:) Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) January 13, 2017
Rakesh Roshan
Happy Lohri! Celebrate with love peace & affection. Rakesh Roshan (@RakeshRoshan_N) January 13, 2017
Madhur Bhandarkar
Wishing all a very Happy Lohri. May d holy fire of Lohri burn all d moments of sadness &
bring warmth of joy,
happiness & love in our lives. pic.twitter.com/vQTjObovHR Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) January 13, 2017
Hema Malini
Wish u all a Very Happy Lohri & Bhogi! pic.twitter.com/UjAfysHAoh Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) January 13, 2017
Sridevi Boney Kapoor
Emraan Hashmi
Wishing everyone happy Lohri !! emraan hashmi (@emraanhashmi) January 13, 2017
Diljit Dosanjh
Happy Lohri to All My Amazing Fans Thank You For Always Standing by my Side pic.twitter.com/R4JECboSLL DILJIT DOSANJH (@diljitdosanjh) January 13, 2017
Bipasha Basu
Happy Lohri beautiful people Bipasha Basu (@bipsluvurself) January 13, 2017
Divya Dutta
Happy lohri dear ones.. Divya Dutta (@divyadutta25) January 13, 2017
Vivek Oberoi
Sab nu Lohri di lakh lakh vadhaiyan, happy Makar Sankranti & Pongal vazhthukal to you all! Enjoy a great day celebrating new beginnings! Vivek Anand Oberoi (@vivek_oberoi) January 13, 2017
Popular TV celebrities like Priyal Gor and Aishwarya Sakhuja too extended their best wishes on the festival by recalling their childhood memories of the festival. Heres what the celebrities had to say:
Priyal Gor: I fondly remember my childhood memory where we used to go to my nanis place to fly kites. Now after growing up, I obviously enjoy gorging on sweets. I do not have any plans for Makar Sankranti as such, because we would be working, but I really wish that there should have been a track of Sankranti in my show Ichhapyaari Naagin.
Aishwarya Sakhuja: I used to spend my Lohri at my grandmothers house. Since we are Punjabi, the entire community used to get together and there used to be a huge celebration in front of my home. I personally dont like flying a kite because the string of the kites damages birds. its a beautiful festival of colour and spirit. This year again I will be celebrating Lohri with my family.
Aditi Sajwan: In Bhatinda, Lohri is celebrated in a huge way every year. My family stayed in Bhatinda for three years. We had live DJs throughout the night in our locality, there were typical dance performances organised on Lohri songs. I remember in the night, we would usually gather around a bonfire and would eat all festive delicacies which consisted of Tilgul laddoos, Gajjak and peanuts.
Mishkat Verma: Kite flying is one of my favourite activity during Sankranti. I still love to gorge on the sweets prepared specially for Sankranti. But this year since I am working on the same day, we would just be celebrating it by distributing sweets on the sets.
The Dhaka International Film Festival began on Thursday evening with a powerful, but poignant, Palestinian work, 3000 Nights, by Mai Masri. A heart-rending tale of a young Palestinian woman, married and pregnant, is falsely accused of aiding and abetting a revolutionary and thrown into an Israeli prison.
3000 Nights underlines in blazing red how Palestinian prisoners are looked down upon and ill-treated by Israeli soldiers and others, including the jail staff. A burning subject like this could have easily tipped the balance with a director prone to exaggerated ideas of film making. But Masri, well known as a documentary maker (Under the Rubble, Children of Fire, War Generation and Suspended Dreams), took up the megaphone for her debut feature with 3000 Nights, and in a forceful way, lets us peek into the atrocities committed in Israeli detention centres.
Born in Amman, raised in Beirut and with a graduation degree from America, Masri began making documentaries when she returned to the Lebanese capital a little after 1981 -- eventually bridging the chasm between two very different kinds of cinema with 3000 Nights.
Crisply edited in the Hollywood style and mounted with wonderful finesse, 3000 Nights begins in 1980 at Nablus in the occupied West Bank where one night a newly married schoolteacher, Layal, is arrested. She is accused of helping a young boy who is said to have carried out an attack on a military check-post. Layal refuses to tell the court -- in spite of being asked to by her husband and a kind Israeli defence lawyer -- that the boy threatened her and forced his way into her car. She kept insisting that it was purely a humane consideration that pushed her to give the badly injured boy a lift.
Layal is sentenced to a jail term of eight years. In an unforgettable symbolism that is such an integral part of the movie, Layal refuses to terminate her pregnancy, much to the chagrin of her husband, and raises the child. It may seem like defiance, but actually it tells us about the importance of life -- a belief that in the first place stopped her from falsely accusing the wounded boy.
True to this line of thinking, a remarkable change comes over even some of the hardened fellow prisoners the moment Layals child is born. Women who had treated her with contempt - and as a terrorist - soften towards her, and the child becomes a darling of the prison, helping to bridge the gap between hatred and love. Everybody wants to play mother to the little one. As a long-haired toddler, the boy finds joy and delight at the kind of toys the prisoners make for him from rags, and at the drawings on the walls that transform the dreary jail atmosphere into one of cheer.
Indeed, a great work to herald a film festival, which for the next nine days will showcase a variety of movies from across the globe, India included.
(Gautaman Bhaskaran will be covering the Dhaka International Film Festival.)
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The British unit of the Aam Aadmi Party has so far collected Rs 15 lakh against a target of raising the equivalent of Rs 50 lakh as part of its Flame of Hope campaign across the country for the forthcoming assembly elections in Punjab and Goa.
AAP UK spokesman Sandeep Bisht told Hindustan Times on Thursday that its torch campaign, first launched before the Delhi elections in 2015, had enlisted more support in recent months. The torch campaign will culminate in an event in London on January 22 before leaving for India.
Our collection target is the pound equivalent of Rs 50 lakh, of which we have raised Rs 15 lakh, strictly from Indian citizens. The Flame of Hope torch in the customised van will be taken to Punjab on Jahaaz for Punjab (plane to Punjab) on January 24, Bisht said.
AAP UK will send 250 volunteers on the flight to Punjab for campaigning with local volunteers across constituencies and the torch will be handed over to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on February 1.
Bisht said the list of donors to the party had been removed from the AAP website because many donors reportedly received notices from income tax authorities, but he hoped it will be put online soon by the partys Delhi office.
The customised van has so far travelled from Leamington Spa and Warwick to East London, Nottingham, Wolverhampton and Birmingham, among other cities. The partys supporters have organised several events, including among the large Goan community in Swindon.
The UK unit of the party was initially formed by supporters, with no formal links to the India-based party, but Bisht said the units structure had now been formalised as one of the overseas wings of the Aam Aadmi Party.
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An 18-year-old girl, visiting the White House as a guest of President Barack Obamas family, suffered a cut below her eye after she was bitten by the first familys dog, Sunny, according to a media report.
The girl, who was not identified, was bitten in the face on Monday when she went to pet the 4-year-old Portuguese Water Dog, TMZ.com reported.
The bite left a gash under the girls eye and she was treated by President Obamas family physician Dr Ronny Jackson who said she needed stitches.
Obama Family Dog Sunny Bites Malias Friend in the Face (Pics) https://t.co/ePAUkkXgVN pic.twitter.com/JncVYHj3xu Lee Bailey (@eurweb) January 12, 2017
Jackson said the bite would leave a small scar, which apparently upset the teen, who posted photos with angry captions after the incident, New York Daily News quoted multiple reports as saying, a week before Obama leaves the White House at the end of his second term as US President.
This is not the first time Sunny made headlines. In 2013, the $2,500-dog jumped on a toddler during a holiday party while being held by the first lady, Michelle.
In that instance, the girl was fine, Sunny even reportedly licked her face.
Sunnys 8-year-old canine sibling Bo, christened as the First Dog, does not have any bite attacks on his record.
A week before their dad leaves the White House, Malia and Sasha Obama received praise and advice from the daughters of former president George W. Bush as they exit the public spotlight.
Eight years ago on a cold November day, we greeted you on the steps of the White House. We saw both the light and wariness in your eyes as you gazed at your new home, 35-year-old twins Jenna and Barbara Bush said in an co-written article posted late Thursday on Time Magazines website.
In eight years, you have done so much. Seen so much, the Bush daughters wrote.
We have watched you grow from girls to impressive young women with grace and ease... Now you are about to join another rarified club, one of former First Children.
Malia Obama, 18, is taking a gap year after graduating high school, before she enrols next year at Harvard College.
Younger sister Sasha, 15, has another couple of years of high school ahead, which is the reason the first family have given for remaining in Washington after Obama hands over to president-elect Donald Trump.
The Bush twins offered words of encouragement and advice as the Obama girls prepare to leave White House.
Enjoy college. As most of the world knows, we did, the Bush twins wrote, in a joking reference to news accounts of the minor scandals that erupted over their alcohol use while in college.
Explore your passions. Learn who you are. Make mistakes -- you are allowed to. Continue to surround yourself with loyal friends who know you, adore you and will fiercely protect you, they wrote.
Those who judge you dont love you, and their voices shouldnt hold weight. Rather, its your own hearts that matter.
Jenna and Barbara Bush grew up in Texas and graduated high school in 2000, the year their father was elected president.
The Republican served two terms before being succeeded by Obama.
Barbara Bush is now a health care advocate living in New York, while Jenna Bush Hager is a television correspondent and married mother of two young children.
The tense situation in the Korean peninsula could inch towards the edge with China and Russia agreeing on countermeasures in response to the US decision to deploy an advanced anti-ballistic missile system in South Korea.
Washington and Seoul agreed to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system, apparently as a move to counter any missiles launched by the increasingly belligerent North Korea.
China and Russia have opposed the proposed deployment of the system since it was announced, saying that more than protecting South Korea, it would be used to further US interests and that it was strategically aimed at Beijing and Moscow.
On Thursday, Chinese and Russian diplomats agreed on the countermeasures. Without elaborating on them, the diplomats said they will be aimed at safeguarding interests of China and Russia and the strategic balance in the region.
The decision was announced in a statement released after the sixth China-Russia consultations on the security situation in northeast Asia.
The official Xinhua news agency, quoting from the statement, said the two countries reiterated their serious concerns about and firm opposition to Washington and Seoul's constant attempts to deploy THAAD anti-missile system in South Korea.
Explaining the apprehensions of the two countries, the report said: Seoul and Washington abruptly announced a decision in July last year to deploy one THAAD battery by the end of this year, triggering strong opposition from China and Russia as the US missile defence system's X-band radar can peer into territories of the two countries.
Xinhua had said in a comment piece last year, THAAD's planned deployment is in the name of protecting South Korea's security, but actually is aimed at protecting US troops stationed in the country. Saying that THAAD can counter the nuke and missile threat from (North Korea) is merely a ruse. It is not a material guarantee for South Korea's security, as THAAD itself is a curse.
North Koreas reclusive Communist regime isnt doing much to defuse the situation either. Its official news agency, KCNA, said on January 1 the country could test an intercontinental ballistic missile at any time from a location chosen by leader Kim Jong-un.
The ICBM will be launched anytime and anywhere determined by the supreme headquarters of the DPRK, a foreign ministry spokesperson was quoted as saying by KCNA.
The US is wholly to blame for pushing the DPRK to have developed ICBM as it has desperately resorted to an anachronistic policy hostile toward the DPRK for decades to encroach upon its sovereignty and vital rights, the spokesperson said.
Is the US planning a large-scale war on China, the state media taunted on Friday after US secretary of state-nominee Rex Tillerson said the new government in Washington should prevent Chinas access to islands built by Beijing in the South China Sea.
Speaking during his confirmation hearing before the US Senate foreign relations committee, Tillerson said the new US administration will send a clear signal to China that first the island buildings stop and second, your access to those islands is also not going to be allowed.
Tillerson said China's island-building in the South China Sea was similar to Russia's taking of Crimea.
China is locked in territorial disputes with several countries in the South China Sea and has controversially dredged the seas to build new islands. Satellite imagery that emerged in recent months has shown that Beijing is also apparently building military facilities on them.
While the governments official response to Tillersons comments was muted, the state media did not mince word in editorials.
Graphic on military facilities observed in new satellite images of South China Sea reefs, according to analysis from the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative. (AFP)
China has enough determination and strength to make sure that his rabble rousing will not succeed. Unless Washington plans to wage a large-scale war in the SCS, any other approaches to prevent Chinese access to the islands will be foolish, the nationalistic Global Times newspaper wrote.
Tillerson's statements regarding islands in the South China Sea are far from professional. If Trump's diplomatic team shapes future Sino-US ties as it is doing now, the two sides had better prepare for a military clash, it added.
State-run China Daily said: Such remarks are not worth taking seriously because they are a mish-mash of naivety, shortsightedness, worn-out prejudices and unrealistic political fantasiesShould he act on them, would be disastrous.
The newspaper added: As many have observed, it would set a course for devastating confrontation between China and the US. After all, how can the US deny China access to its own territories without inviting the latters legitimate, defensive responses.
The official response was more guarded.
Like the US, the Chinese side has full right to conduct any kind of normal activities on its own territory within its sovereignty. It is above reproach, said foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang.
Lus comments were meant to show that China is trying to look at the positives in Tillersons remarks.
I do agree with Mr Tillerson at one point where he recognised disagreements but also intertwined interests and consensus between China and the US. He said that we need to see the positive dimensions in our relationship with China, and we should not let disagreements over other issues exclude areas for productive partnership. I do agree with him on that.
In yet another aftershock from the chaotic presidential campaign, the Justice Department inspector general opened an investigation Thursday into department and FBI actions before the election, including whether FBI director James Comey followed established policies in the email investigation of Hillary Clinton.
Democrats have blamed Comeys handling of the inquiry into Clintons use of a private email server, and his late-October public letter about the case, as one reason for her loss to Republican Donald Trump.
Workers are now putting final touches on preparations for next weeks Inauguration Day festivities, and the new probe will not change the election results. But it revives questions of whether the FBI took actions that might have influenced the outcome.
IG Michael Horowitz, the departments internal watchdog, will direct the investigation, which comes in response to requests from members of Congress and the public.
Comey said he was pleased about the review and the FBI would cooperate fully with the inspector general.
I hope very much he is able to share his conclusions and observations with the public because everyone will benefit from thoughtful evaluation and transparency regarding this matter, he said in a statement.
One part of the review will concern Comeys news conference last July in which he said the FBI would not recommend charges against Clinton for her use of a private email system during her tenure as secretary of state. Trump repeatedly criticised that practice, contending it put national security secrets at risk.
Trump also declared at raucous rallies during the campaign that he would seek a special prosecutor to investigate Clinton and that she would be in jail if he were elected. But he said after the election that he did not intend to seek a new investigation of her.
Comey, during his announcement in the summer, broke protocol when he chastised Clinton and her aides as extremely careless in their email practices. Its highly unusual for federal law enforcement officials to discuss a criminal case that ends without charges being filed.
Comey reignited the email controversy on Oct. 28 when he informed Congress that agents would be reviewing a cache of emails between Clinton aide Huma Abedin and Clinton for any new evidence related to Clintons handling of sensitive State Department material.
That move boiled in the campaign for nine days, before Comey announced on November 6 two days before Election Day that the inquiry had found no new evidence of wrongdoing.
Clinton and her aides have said the disclosure of the new emails, found on a laptop belonging to former New York Rep. Anthony Weiner, Abedins estranged husband, hurt the candidate in several battleground states. Trump won the election in part with narrow victories in Democratic-leaning states like Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Comeys statements prompted outrage from Clinton and other Democrats who said they needlessly placed her under fresh suspicion when the FBI didnt even know whether the emails were relevant.
Court documents released last month said the FBI had been trying to get a look at thousands of Clintons emails on the disgraced former Congressmans computer to see if anyone had hacked in to steal classified information. Weiners laptop was initially seized by agents for an investigation into his online relationship with a teenage girl in North Carolina.
Republican Jason Chaffetz, a Utah Republican who leads the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, wrote Thursday on Twitter that he supports the IGs review of what happened at the (hashtag)DOJ and (hashtag)FBI during the Clinton investigation.
Horowitzs broad investigation will also look into allegations that the FBIs deputy director should have been recused from participating in certain investigative matters and allegations that department officials improperly disclosed non-public information to the Clinton campaign.
It will also delve into decision-making related to the timing of the FBIs release of Freedom of Information Act documents in the days before the election and the use of a Twitter account to publicize them.
Asked about the new investigation, Attorney General Loretta Lynch told The Associated Press in Baltimore that we let them conduct their review before we make any statement about that. She added that obviously everyones going to await the results of that.
Sub-zero temperatures across Ukraine have claimed 40 lives since late December, officials said Friday as the death toll from the cold snap hitting Europe keeps rising.
Authorities said most of those who died of exposure were found in the streets, a total of 40 victims since December 30, with 11 of them confirmed dead in the past 24 hours.
Temperatures in the capital Kiev had plunged as low as minus 15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit) last week.
Doctors said most of the latest fatalities were caused by hypothermia after alcohol consumption that many homeless people drink trying to keep warm.
The toll from the recent frigid weather across Europe rose to 65 on Wednesday, with homeless and migrants particularly hit, and south European countries struggling to cope with the unusual deep freeze.
A crowdfunded legal challenge to determine whether Britains divorce from the European Union can be reversed once it has been triggered will be launched in Dublin by the end of January, the lawyer behind the case said.
British Prime Minister Theresa May says she will invoke Article 50 of the EUs Lisbon Treaty by the end of March, triggering two years of formal divorce talks.
Lawyers for the British government have said that, once started, the process is irrevocable, but some EU leaders say Britain can change its mind.
Jolyon Maugham, a London tax lawyer, is taking legal action to seek a ruling from the European Court of Justice on whether Britain can unilaterally revoke Article 50 without the consent the other 27 EU states.
He said a letter before action would be issued against the Irish state on Friday and that legal proceedings would begin in Dublins High Court on or before Jan. 27.
If we change our minds we must be able to withdraw the notice without needing the consent of the other 27 Member States, Maugham said in a statement.
He said the challenge, in which several unnamed UK politicians would act as plaintiffs, would also seek clarification of what rights they would lose as EU citizens when Article 50 was triggered and when they would lose these rights.
Their case is that Britains exclusion from EU Council meetings since the Brexit vote would in contravention of European treaties unless Article 50 had already been triggered.
This is really important stuff, not just for the United Kingdom but for the whole European Union our politicians really ought to know the legal framework in which they are operating, Maugham told Irish broadcaster RTE.
Maugham, whose supporters raised 70,000 pounds ($90,000) in 48 hours last month to fund their challenge, told Reuters in an interview in December that his case would not stop Brexit but would allow for a change of heart if Britons who voted to leave the bloc had a change of heart.
Britains Supreme Court is expected to rule in the next couple of weeks on whether May can trigger Article 50 without parliaments approval or the assent of devolved assemblies in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Next week Londons High Court is due to hear a challenge on whether leaving the EU means Britain automatically leaves the European Economic Area (EEA) which allows access to the single market and free movement of goods, capital, services and people.
US President-elect Donald Trump tapped Thursday former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani to advise his administration on cyber security amid an outcry over Russian hackers apparent attempt to meddle in the US election.
Giuliani, 72 and a key Trump surrogate, was last year a candidate for secretary of state but subsequently came under scrutiny in the US media over business dealings that posed potential conflicts of interest.
Trump on Thursday called cyber intrusion the fastest-growing crime in the United States and a major threat to national security.
He said immediate attention and input from private sector leaders was required to help the government plan to make us more secure.
The incoming Republican commander-in-chief only admitted Wednesday for the first time that Russia was behind the hacking of Democratic Party computers during the election campaign.
Giuliani told reporters the aim was to create a very vibrant and a very robust cyber defense for both the private sector and the government.
Weve let our defense fall behind, he said, adding that he would bring together leaders from the private sector to advise Trump on both the problems and the solutions to cyber security problems.
By putting all of these people in the same room I dont know that we will solve it and create a perfect defense but we can do a heck of a lot better job than were doing, he added.
Trump spokesman Sean Spicer said Giuliani would chair a committee on cyber security, citing Trumps promise that he would give a team 90 days to come up with a plan to halt cyber attacks after meeting with intelligence chiefs.
But Trumps statement stopped short of giving Giuliani an official title, saying he would be sharing his expertise and insight as a trusted friend concerning private-sector cyber security problems and emerging solutions.
Giuliani, dubbed Americas mayor for his leadership in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in 2001 by jihadist group Al-Qaeda, is also a former US federal attorney who forged a tough reputation in the 1980s for indicting members of the New York mafia.
He currently runs an international security consulting firm and had been a candidate for secretary of state until he said last month that he had withdrawn his name.
At that time Trump said Giuliani remained a close friend, adding that as appropriate, I will call upon him for advice and can see an important place for him in the administration at a later date.
jm/vs
Luke and Hillary Gardner never have a problem remembering each others birthday. After all, the husband and wife were born the same day. And so was their son, 27 years later in December 2016.
The odds of that happening are about one in 133,000, statisticians say. And thats a lot less likely than getting hit by lightning sometime in your lifetime, which some put at roughly one in 12,000.
They werent aiming at a joint birthday when their son Cade Lee Gardner was conceived, said Luke Gardner, an assistant pastor at a Baptist church in northeast Mississippi and a student at a nearby campus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
I really didnt even put it together until we got pregnant, he said in a telephone interview Wednesday. Then we realized, Oh, wow!
Using a smartphone app, he said, his wife calculated a due date of December 15, three days before their joint birthday. Her obstetrician called it for December 19.
So the couple from Baldwyn, Mississippi, got in some exercise to try to hurry the baby up a bit. The night of December 17, Gardner said, we went walking around the parking lot at First Baptist Church of Baldwyn, where Gardner is outreach pastor.
Whether or not the exercise sped things up, Cade was born at 10.01am on December 18 exactly 27 years after his parents birthdate.
Hillary is exactly six hours older than me, Luke Gardner said. She was born at 8.10am and her husband at 2.10pm on December 18, 1989.
They learned about their shared birthday before they started dating, while just part of a group of friends who hung out together.
I saw it on a Facebook page first and asked about it, Gardner said. I couldnt really believe it when I saw it. I had to confirm it with her.
The chance of meeting someone born the same day as you is one in 365, explained Tumulesh Solanky, chair of the math department at the University of New Orleans. He said the chance of two people being born on the same day and having a baby on their birthday is about 1/365 times 1/365.
That comes out to .0000000751 seven zeros and then 751, or about 7.5 in a million, he said, which comes to about one in 133,000. Statisticians note that this ignores such factors as leap years and the fact that births are not evenly spaced throughout the year.
Gardner joked that if he and Hillary Gardner have more children, they may have to try for December.
If we have any more kids, if we dont get pregnant in March, well have to wait till the next year, he said.
The US presidential elections 2016 may have ended with Donald Trumps victory in the early hours of November 9, but not for FBI director James Comey, who is facing an investigation for his comments and actions leading up to the polls.
The justice departments inspector general Michael J Horowitz said on Thursday that he would open a broad investigation into how the Comey, handled the case over Hillary Clintons emails, including his decision to discuss it at a news conference and to disclose 11 days before the election that he had new information that could lead him to reopen it.
The inspector general, an internal but independent watchdog, will look at allegations procedures were not followed in connection with, or in actions leading up to or related to, the FBI directors public announcement on July 5, 2016, and the directors letters to Congress on October 28 and November 6, 2016, and that certain underlying investigative decisions were based on improper considerations.
The announcement, which he made without a warning to his boss, attorney general Loretta Lynch, was criticised by Republicans as an overreach. It was not his place to play investigator, prosecutor and judge at the same time, they argued.
It was the turn of Democrats to cry foul on October 28, when the FBI director told Congress the email server case was being reviewed because of new evidence found on a laptop owned by Clinton aide Huma Abedins estranged husband.
That was just days before voting on November 8, and broke Clintons momentum in the race. She was leading Trump in all polls then and by a margin that was to have given her race easily, in the estimation of pollsters and pundits.
Clinton and her supporters have blamed that letter for her defeat, along with Russian meddling. Comey exonerated her once again in a letter to Congress on November 6, but the damage had been done, in Clintons view.
Horowitz, a political appointee whose term is likely to end on January 20 unless extended by the Trump administration, will also look at actions of other justice department and FBI officials, but Comey will be main focus.
The FBI director has welcomed the probe saying, in a statement: I am grateful to the Department of Justice's IG for taking on this review. He is professional and independent, and the FBI will cooperate fully with him and his office.
He added: I hope very much he is able to share his conclusions and observations with the public because everyone will benefit from thoughtful evaluation and transparency regarding this matter.
A lifelong Republican, Comey was seen as upright official, specially among liberals, for standing up to the Bush administration on unauthorised wiretapping and the use of enhanced interrogation, torture.
President Obama named him FBI director in 2013, a position that comes with a fixed tenure of 10 years as a shield against political pressure, and has defended him publicly, calling him a good man after the October 26 letter.
But other Democrats have been less charitable. Now, even conservatives are calling for him to either resign himself or be fired by his incoming, new bosses attorney general nominee Jeff Sessions and Trump.
The Obama administration on Thursday repealed a measure granting automatic residency to virtually every Cuban who arrived in the United States, whether or not they had visas, ending a longstanding exception to US immigration policy.
The end of the wet foot, dry foot policy, which allowed any Cuban who reached US soil to stay but returned any picked up at sea, is effective immediately. Cuban officials had sought the change for years.
The shift had been in the works for months. It was announced abruptly because advance warning might have inspired thousands more people to take to the seas between the Communist-ruled island and Florida in order to beat a deadline.
The United States and Cuba spent several months negotiating the change, including an agreement from Cuba to allow those turned away from the United States to return.
With this change, we will continue to welcome Cubans as we welcome immigrants from other nations, consistent with our laws, Obama said in a statement.
The Department of Homeland Security also ended a parole program that allowed entry for Cuban medical professionals. That program was unpopular with Havana because it prompted doctors to leave, sapping the countrys pool of trained health workers.
The US Coast Guard intercepts thousands of Cubans attempting the 90-mile (145km) crossing to Florida every year, but tens of thousands who reach US soil, including via Mexico, have been allowed to stay in the country, while immigrants from other nations have been rounded up and sent home.
Cuba welcomed the policy changes, saying they would benefit the whole region by discouraging people-trafficking and dangerous journeys that led to bottlenecks of Cubans in Central America last year.
Today, a detonator of immigration crises is eliminated. The United States achieves legal, secure and ordered migration from Cuba, said Josefina Vidal, the Cuban foreign ministrys chief for US affairs.
El Salvadors foreign ministry also welcomed the move, saying there cannot be migrants of different categories. Honduras, from where thousands flee each year without the attraction of favourable US immigration policies, said it would wait to see if the flow of Cubans actually reduced.
Anticipating the end of the policy, Cuban immigration has surged since the 2014 normalisation, said Ben Rhodes, Obamas deputy national security adviser.
People were motivated to migrate, Rhodes told reporters on a call, noting some 40,000 Cubans arrived in 2015 and about 54,000 in 2016.
The administration had rejected Cuban entreaties to overturn the policy before President Barack Obamas historic visit to the island last year, although even some White House aides argued that it was outmoded given efforts to regularize relations between the former Cold War foes.
Wet foot, dry foot began in 1995 under President Bill Clinton after an exodus of tens of thousands of Cubans who were picked up at sea by the Coast Guard as they tried to reach Florida.
Obama has been working to normalise relations with Cuba since he and President Raul Castro announced a breakthrough in diplomatic relations in December 2014. His administration has eased restrictions on travel and trade, allowing more US business with Cuba and improved communications with the island.
Mixed emotions in Little Havana
The move to end the policy comes just eight days before the Democratic president turns the White House over to Republican Donald Trump, who has said the United States should get more concessions from Havana in exchange for improved relations.
US immigration policy has given Cubans benefits granted to nationals from no other country. Until now, virtually every Cuban who made it to US soil was granted the right to stay in the country, the right to apply for work permits and, later, green cards, which convey lawful permanent residency.
Jeh Johnson, secretary of Homeland Security, said on a call that Cuba will take back citizens as long as less than four years have passed between the time the migrant left Cuba and the start of the US deportation proceedings.
Under the agreement Cuba will take back some 2,700 people who left the island among 125,000 others during the Mariel boat lift of 1980, fulfilling an agreement made in 1984 to take back 2,746 people who the United States did not grant citizenship to, mainly people with criminal convictions.
Cuba has previously taken back only a handful of that group.
The new policy sparked mixed emotions in Miamis Little Havana neighbourhood.
Mario Garcia, a Cuban mechanic in Little Havana, said the change angered him.
Its not like Communism has ended in Cuba, so why stop this that has saved peoples lives? he said.
But Eulalia Jimenez, who is Venezuelan, said the policy was not fair to migrants from other countries who also flee bad conditions.
Why should only the Cuban people be able to come and make a life for themselves? Jimenez said.
Some US lawmakers had been demanding a fresh look at the immigration rules, saying Cubans coming to the United States simply for economic reasons should not be automatically granted benefits intended for refugees.
This is a welcome step in reforming an illogical and discriminatory policy that contrasted starkly with the treatment of deserving refugees from other countries, Senator Patrick Leahy, a Democrat, said in a statement.
Republican Senator Jeff Flake also said eliminating the policy was a win for taxpayers, border security and our allies in the Western Hemisphere.
Flake and Leahy both support Obamas moves toward freer trade and travel with Cuba. But US Senator Marco Rubio said the incoming Trump administration should reverse the part of the executive order that ended the medical parole system, and said Cubans fleeing political persecution should receive asylum.
The Department of Homeland Security is also eliminating an exemption that prevented the use of expedited removal programs for Cuban nationals picked up at ports of entry or near the border.
But an existing Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program is not affected by Thursdays announcement and remains in effect.
A Pakistani court on Thursday stayed the execution of a mentally ill convict who was sentenced to death in 2003 for murdering a fellow police officer over a land dispute, a rights group said.
The order from the Lahore high court came just days before the scheduled execution of 55-year-old ex-police officer Khizar Hayat, said Wassam Waheed, a spokesperson for the Justice Project Pakistan.
The court order also asked the government to provide a new report on the convicted mans health by January 30, said Waheed, adding that the group was relieved to hear of the temporary reprieve.
Hayats mother, Iqbal Bano, urged President Mamnoon Hussain to pardon her son. She said she visited her son in prison and that he doesnt know what is going to happen to him, he is not in a stable state of mind.
My son needs medical treatment, not execution, she told The Associated Press.
Last year, Pakistans Supreme Court stayed the execution of Imdad Ali, a convict diagnosed with schizophrenia. Pakistani and international rights groups have also pleaded for a pardon for Ali.
A court-mandated medical board in July confirmed that Hayat suffers from a mental illness.
Sarah Belal, the executive director of Justice Project Pakistan, said Hayats execution would be unlawful and inhumane.
Pakistani and international rights groups have for years called for a ban on executions in this South Asian country. Pakistani authorities have executed 427 prisoners since 2014, when they lifted that ban on the death penalty following a Taliban attack on a school in Peshawar that killed 150 people, nearly all of them schoolchildren.
Pakistan is now considered to be one of the worlds top executioners.
Maya Foa, the director of the London-based rights group Reprieve, welcomed Thursdays court ruling, but said the case was yet another example of how Pakistans death penalty system is broken. Since the authorities execution spree began two years ago, there have been disastrous miscarriages of justice, including the hanging of juveniles and innocent people.
A passing motorist in Arizona was hailed as a hero after killing a man who had shot and wounded a police officer on a remote highway.
Trooper Edward Andersson, a 27-year veteran, had stopped to investigate a car crash near Tonopah, around 50 miles west of downtown Phoenix, when he was shot in the shoulder and arm during an ambush attack, the authorities said.
The suspect then began slamming the officers head into the pavement before he was shot and killed by an unidentified passing motorist who had pulled over, local media reported police as saying.
Thank you because I dont know that my trooper would be alive today without his assistance, Arizona Department of Public Safety director Frank Milstead told the local NBC television affiliate WPTZ.
Andersson was responding to a call that came in around 4:30 am from a driver who reported being shot at in the region, he said.
On arrival at the scene, he spotted a car crash in which a woman had been fatally injured.
Andersson was in the process of securing the area when the suspect ambushed him, Milstead said.
The motive for the attack was unclear.
Andersson was recovering in hospital, Milstead in a tweet said, adding that it looks like he will be okay after some recovery.
Jay Y Lee, who heads South Koreas massive Samsung Group, was given a $5 box meal for lunch and did not sleep in over 22 hours of questioning in a corruption scandal involving impeached president Park Geun-hye.
Lee, who has a net worth of $6.2 billion and is the third-generation leader of the countrys biggest conglomerate, or chaebol, left the special prosecutors office in southern Seoul on Friday morning in what appeared to be the same suit and tie hed worn when he entered a day earlier.
The tall, bespectacled 48-year old did not look visibly affected by the session, in which he was questioned by two prosecutors, including one nicknamed the Chaebol Sniper.
Lee did not speak to reporters before getting into a waiting car.
Two prosecutors interrogated him and they came in and out of the room to report to their chief, a prosecution official told Reuters.
None of them - prosecutors or Jay Lee - slept before the questioning was over, the official said.
The official, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Lees lawyer was present during the questioning.
Prosecutors have been investigating whether Samsung provided 30 billion won ($25.46 million) to a business and foundations backed by the presidents friend Choi Soon-sil in exchange for the national pension funds support for a 2015 merger of two Samsung affiliates.
Lee was named as a suspect on Wednesday and summoned for questioning on Thursday morning. He became the de facto head of the Samsung Group after his father Lee Kun-Hee was incapacitated by a heart attack in 2014.
Samsung has acknowledged making payments to two foundations at the centre of the scandal, as well as to a consulting firm controlled by Choi, but has repeatedly denied accusations of lobbying to push through the merger of Samsung C&T Corp and Cheil Industries Inc.
Lee is surrounded by media as he leaves the office of the independent counsel in Seoul. (Reuters Photo)
Park was impeached by Parliament in December, a decision that must be upheld or overturned by the Constitutional Court. Park, who has been stripped of her powers in the meantime, has denied wrongdoing.
Choi, who is in detention as she undergoes trial, has also denied wrongdoing.
Chaebol sniper
After his sleepless night, Jay Lee went directly to Samsung headquarters in Seouls upscale Seocho district, a few kilometres (miles) from the special prosecutors office, local media said.
A Samsung spokesperson did not have immediate comment.
One of the two prosecutors grilling Lee was Han Dong-hoon, the prosecutors office said.
Han has been nicknamed the Chaebol Sniper by local media for his record in previous high-profile corporate investigations, including a 2003 case involving the SK Group and another in 2006 focused on Hyundai Motor.
After a box meal for lunch, Lee ate jajangmyeon, a Chinese black-bean-paste noodle popular as a cheap meal, for dinner, according to the special prosecutors team.
Local media reports said Lee was questioned in a room known as the digital recording interrogation room in the office that was set up specially to investigate the presidential corruption scandal.
The special prosecution official could not confirm to Reuters in which room Lee was questioned.
The digital recording interrogation room, shown previously to reporters, has one table and about six chairs and is equipped with a closed-circuit television camera as well as a desktop computer and printer. An air purifier stands in the corner.
The room has a one-way mirror through which proceedings can be seen unobserved from a neighbouring room.
Lee will not be summoned for questioning again, a spokesperson for the special prosecutors office said. But he said prosecutors will decide soon whether to arrest him.
Lee had denied some of the suspicions against him but had admitted to others, the spokesperson said. He declined to elaborate.
Syrian army command said on Friday that Israel fired rockets at a major military airport west of Damascus, the capital, and warned Tel Aviv of repercussions of what it called a flagrant attack.
Syrian state television quoted the army as saying several rockets were fired from an area near Lake Tiberias in northern Israel just after midnight, which landed in the compound of the airport, a major facility for elite Republican Guards.
Syrian army command and armed forces warn Israel of the repercussions of the flagrant attack and stresses its continued fight against (this) terrorism and amputate the arms of the perpetrators, the army command said in a statement.
The statement did not disclose if there were any casualties, but said the rockets caused a fire.
Earlier, state television said several major explosions hit Mezzah military airport compound near Damascus and ambulances were rushed to the area, without giving details.
The airport, located southwest of the capital, had been a base used to fire rockets at former rebel-held areas in the suburbs of Damascus.
Israel in the past has targeted positions of Lebanons powerful Hezbollah group inside Syria where the Iranian-backed group is heavily involved in fighting alongside the Syrian army.
Israeli defence officials have voiced concern that Hezbollahs experience in the Syrian civil war, where it has played a significant role and recently helped the Syrian army regain the eastern sector of the city of Aleppo, has strengthened it.
Rebels operating in the area have said Hezbollahs major arms supply route into Damascus from the Lebanese border has been targeted on several occasions in recent years by air strikes. This has included strikes on convoys of weapons and warehouses.
Damascus airport was also hit by air strikes in 2013. Tel Aviv neither confirms nor denies involvement in striking targets inside Syria.
James Mattis, president-elect Donald Trumps pick for defence secretary, has said the US should continue to pursue a long-term strategic relationship with India, which will play a key role in security in the Asia-Pacific region with its Act East policy.
The retired Marine Corps general said the India-US relationship is of the utmost importance. He said if he was confirmed by the Senate, he would assess particular areas in the security relationship with India to focus on and steps that can be taken to bolster the overall defence relationship.
Mattis, 66, made the remarks in responses to advance questions at a hearing of the US Senate committee on armed services on Thursday.
In my view, and particularly on security and defence issues, the US-India relationship has been strengthened in recent years. Cooperation on defence trade and technology has grown to the benefit of both countries under the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative, he said.
I also believe that Indias Act East policy allows it to play a greater role in contributing to security in the Asia-Pacific region. He also noted that the US had cemented Indias status as a Major Defense Partner.
While responding to questions about US-Pakistan relations, Mattis said he believed Islamabad needs to do more to counter the Taliban and the Haqqani Network in order for the security situation in Afghanistan to improve.
Though Pakistan had learned some hard lessons from its dealings with the Afghan Taliban, sanctuary and freedom of movement for the Afghan Taliban and associated militant networks inside Pakistani territory is a key operational issue for Afghan security forces, he said.
Mattis, who led the US Central Command during 2010-13, said Pakistan should do more to collaborate with Afghanistan. We should urge Pakistan to take further actions against the Taliban and the Haqqani Network, he added.
He acknowledged that the military-to-military relationship with Pakistan has had highs and lows and the US has long faced a lack of trust within the Pakistani military and government about our goals in the region. Mattis said he would focus on building trust needed for an effective partnership.
Asked if he would support attaching more conditions to US military aid to Pakistan, Mattis replied that such steps have had a mixed history and that he would review all options with a focus on Pakistans need to expel or neutralise externally-focused militant groups that operate within its borders.
An Indian-origin doctor in the UK will appear before a medical tribunal for prescribing medicines to close relatives by breaching strict rules of British medical council which termed his action as misleading and dishonest.
Dr Srinivas Rao Dharmana, 45, from Liverpool in England, was referred to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service by the UKs General Medical Council (GMC) for prescribing methadone to a family member, referred to as Patient A, on three occasions between December 2011 and May 2013.
Under GMC guidelines, General Practitioner (GP)s must avoid prescribing medicine for themselves or anyone with whom they have a close personal relationship.
It is alleged that his actions in this regard were misleading and dishonest, the GMC said.
He has also received a police caution in the past over a prescription for another patient, referred to as Patient B, Liverpool Echo reported.
A spokesperson from local Merseyside Police confirmed he had been cautioned for supplying buprenorphine, a Class C drug similar to methadone.
Dharmana is also accused of practising medicine on more than one occasion after being suspended by the GMC while the investigation took place.
His GP clinic in Walton was shut down in December 2015 after being rated inadequate by the UKs Care Quality Commission (CQC), which found staff were not properly trained and the building lacked vital medical equipment. There was also no oxygen available at the practice or a defibrillator for use in an emergency, the commission had said in a report.
There was a pre-planned agenda to close me down, that is why I decided to shut. I have decided to walk away from the whole thing. Not one patient has ever complained about the care at the surgery. It is the patients who I care about, I am not worried about what the CQC says. I put my heart and soul into the surgery, Dharmana had said at the time.
The doctor made headlines in 2013 when he was stabbed by robbers as he closed his old surgery for the night.
A 12-year-old New York City boy is accused of pulling a gun on a classmate and demanding that she give him her chicken nugget.
Police say the boy first approached the girl inside a McDonalds in Harlem on Tuesday and asked her for one of her Chicken McNuggets. When the girl refused, police say the boy followed her as she walked to a nearby subway station and pointed a gun at her head, demanding that she give him a nugget.
Police say the girl smacked the gun away and told the boy to leave her alone.
The girl reported the incident to school officials the next day and the boy was taken into police custody for attempted robbery. The gun was not found, and its unclear if it was real.
At the dusk of both of their political careers, surrounded by teary friends and family, President Barack Obama on Thursday bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Joe Biden, the man he called the finest vice-president we have ever seen.
The vice-president winced in shock as Obama announced he was conferring the nations highest civil honour on his right-hand-man for eight years. Biden turned away from the cameras, wiped away some tears, then stood stoically as Obama draped the blue-and-white ribbon around his neck.
I just hope that the asterisk in history that is attached to my name when they talk about this presidency is that I can say I was part of the journey of a remarkable man who did remarkable things for this country, Biden said.
There were standing ovations several of them at what had been billed as a modest farewell ceremony for Biden but evolved into a surprise bestowal of the Medal of Freedom, the last time Obama will present the honour.
I had no idea, Biden said of the award, insisting he didnt deserve it.
Vice-president Joe Biden turns away as he wipes away tears after President Barack Obama surprised him during a ceremony in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo)
It was the only time Obama has presented the medal with distinction -- also awarded only once by each of the previous three presidents.
One week out from the Obama administrations end, a deep sense of nostalgia set in at the White House as long-time staffers pack up their offices, send out their last emails and bid farewell to the President theyve served. On Tuesday, Obama returned home to Chicago to deliver his valedictory address, and next week hell depart Washington as ex-president just after president-elect Donald Trump is sworn in.
Read | Barack Obama gets emotional in farewell speech, thanks best friend Michelle
Obama, joined Thursday by his wife and daughters, was effusive in his praise for the man who ran against him in 2008, then agreed to be his running mate. He said Biden had made him a better president, calling him a lion of American history.
To know Joe Biden is to know love without pretence, service without self-regard and to live life fully, Obama said.
The famously plainspoken Biden has long said he only agreed to the job after Obama agreed he would be the last person in the room before major decisions were made. Over two terms, they developed a bond that both men said transcended the office, with their wives, children and Bidens grandchildren becoming close friends.
US President Barack Obama hugs Joe Biden. (Reuters Photo)
They disagreed, too, on occasion, including when Biden advocated against the high-stakes raid that killed Osama bin Laden. Bidens tendency to veer off-script caused occasional headaches for the White House, such as when he unexpectedly announced support for gay marriage in advance of the 2012 re-election, forcing Obama to do the same soon after.
Yet as they gathered for a final goodbye, none of that seemed on either mans mind.
Read | Obama farewell: Politics aside, different flavours of the US Presidents speech
Obama said there had been no turf wars between our staffs, a departure from other recent administrations. And Biden told the story of how after his son Beau Biden died in 2015, leaving behind a wife and children, Obama was distraught when Biden said he might sell his house to help support them, and offered to give them money instead.
It was a reunion for the many staffers and colleagues who worked with Biden over the years. Joining Bidens wife, sister and children in the State Dining Room were former Sens. Chris Dodd and Ted Kaufman, former chief of staff Bruce Reed, and even Bidens White House physician.
Obama traced the history of Bidens nearly half-century-long political career, from chairing the Senate judiciary and foreign relations committees to the cancer moonshot effort he started recently and plans to continue. Obama praised his vice-president for his work on the economic stimulus, middle-class issues and curbing violence against women.
US President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Joe Biden. (Reuters Photo)
Ive not mentioned Amtrak yet, or aviators. Literally, Obama said, invoking a few of the more famous Bidenisms.
Bidens career in Washington started in 1972 steeped in tragedy when his wife and infant daughter died in a car crash just before he was to be sworn in as US senator. After exiting the national stage next week, he plans to stay active in Democratic politics and work on policy issues at a pair of institutes hes developing at the University of Delaware and the University of Pennsylvania.
Read | Hilarious Obama and Biden friendship memes to get you over the election shock
His folksy demeanour lent itself to plenty of jokes and caricatures, like the series of photos of Biden eating ice cream that exploded on social media. But Obama seemed fonder of the internet meme based on photos of him and Biden buddying it up.
This also gives the internet one last chance to talk about our bromance, the President said.
Blocking Chinese access to islands in the South China Sea would require the U.S. to wage war, an influential Chinese state-run tabloid said on Friday, after U.S. Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson suggested the strategy on Wednesday.
Tillerson told his confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee that he wanted to send a signal to China that their access to islands in the disputed South China Sea is not going to be allowed. He did not elaborate.
The United States would have to wage a large-scale war in the South China sea to prevent Chinese access to the islands, the Global Times said in an English language editorial.
The paper, which is known for writing strongly-worded, hawkish and nationalist editorials, is published by the ruling Communist Partys flagship paper. It does not reflect Chinese policy.
Tillerson had better bone up on nuclear power strategies if he wants to force a big nuclear power to withdraw from its own territories, the paper added.
Read: China commissions new naval reconnaissance ship amid South China Sea tensions
The editorial also said that Tillerson, an Exxon Mobil Corp chairman and former chief executive, was the most likely of U.S. President-elect Donald Trumps cabinet picks to be vetoed by congress.
It is suspected that he merely wanted to curry favour from senators and increase his chances of being confirmed by intentionally showing a tough stance toward China, it said.
The paper did not elaborate on either point.
A similar article was also carried in the papers Chinese language website that receives thousands of hits every day.
There are also legal questions of any U.S. attempt to block Chinas access, the editorial said, asking if this might mean that Vietnam and Philippines also should be denied entry.
China claims most of the energy-rich South China Sea through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. Neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims.
The United States has previously called on China to respect the findings of the arbitration court in The Hague earlier this year which ruled in favour of the Philippines, rejecting Chinas territorial claims in the strategic waterway.
Democratic President Barack Obamas administration conducted periodic air and naval patrols to assert the right of free navigation in the South China Sea. These have angered Beijing, but seeking to blockade Chinas man-made islands would be a major step further and a step that Washington has never raised as an option.
In a news conference, Donald Trump declared for the first time Wednesday that he accepts Russia was behind the election hacking of Democrats. He also urged Congress to move quickly to replace Barack Obama's health care law and insisted that Mexico will pay the cost of a border wall.
The spectacle in the lobby of Trump's Manhattan skyscraper was his first news conference since winning the Presidential election in early November, and the famous politician demonstrated he had not been changed by the weight of success.
Trump reported that Russia had collected important personal and financial information about him, whipping the media for peddling "fake news" and shouting down a journalist, which reported on the matter.
Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, said he had spoken with Trump
Trump's victory has been shadowed by intelligence assessments that Russia helped him defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton. Finally, Trump accepted at least part of the intelligence conclusions.
Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, stated in a statement that he had spoken with Trump and told him that he does not believe any leaks came from the intelligence community.
Trump has not stated if he believes Clapper's claim about the source of the leaks. Trump tweeted the following message: "James Clapper called me yesterday to denounce the false and fictitious report that was illegally circulated. Made up, phony facts. Too bad!"
Trump also made comments on health care and Mexico
He declared that a replacement for Obama's health care overhaul would be offered simultaneously with a congressional vote to repeal the measure. Trump also vowed that Mexico would "reimburse" the cost of the border wall through an unspecified tax or payment. He declared that while his government would begin negotiating with Mexico after his inauguration, he did not want to delay the project until an agreement was reached.
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News, events, history, and other mid-week tidbits.
Tuesday, October 25, 4:30 7 p.m.
Orr Area EMS Open House
Brats and burgers will be served. Event includes a new ambulance tour and blood pressure screenings. For more info: 218-780-3798.
Orr Fire Hall
4540 Lake St., Orr
Tuesday, October 25, 12 6 p.m.
Essentia Health Job Fair
Talent recruiters and department managers will be on-site at Essentia Health-Virginia. Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to attendnurses, nursing and clinical assistants, surgery technicians, radiology technicians, respiratory therapists, human resource professionals, and those interested in environmental services or nutrition services. Essentia staff will greet candidates, conduct an initial screening and filter them to appropriate hiring managers for interviews. Select candidates will be verbally offered a position before leaving. Candidates are asked to bring a resume, but its not required. Attire is business casual. For more info: www.essentiacareers.org.
901 9th St. N., Virginia
Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has proposed not to run lower than the current coal stocks at warehouses of thermal power plants (TPPs), in the amount of 1.9-2 million tonnes, the government's press service has reported.
"I want that each person had guaranteed quality of power supplies in their houses 1.9-2 million tonnes is the untouchable stock, it must be always available," the press service said, citing Groysman.
According to information from the Energy and Coal Industry Ministry presented a meeting developed to provision of energy supplies with the participation of the prime minister, on January 1 through January 10 the drawdown of coal at warehouses was 1,700 tonnes.
Energy Minister Ihor Nasalyk said at the meeting that as of January 12, 2015 surplus of the power capacity of Ukraine's power grid was 4.2 GW. All units of TPPs have coal stocks and are able to operate, while in autumn and winter 2016 1-2 GW of TPPs was not included in the reserve due to absence of anthracite coal.
"Generation and equipment are ready for any abnormal temperatures," the minister said.
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The Time New York is pleased to announce the appointment of Dream Hotel Group veteran Leiya Cohen to Director of Operations. In her new role, Cohen is responsible for the daily management of the hotels front office, housekeeping and engineering to ensure operative success and an unrivaled guest experience. Prior to her role as Director of Operations, Cohen was the Director of Front Office at The Time New York where she assisted with the hotels renovation budget, daily operations while the hotel was under construction, and led the implementation of new technology systems such as StayNTouch. Cohens career in hospitality is marked with management positions at The Premier and The London New York City along with roles at luxury restaurants in New York including Gordon Ramsay and MEGU.
U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden will travel to Kyiv (Ukraine) and Davos (Switzerland) on January 15-18, 2017, the White House reported on Thursday.
"On January 15-18, 2017, the Vice President will travel to Kyiv, Ukraine and Davos, Switzerland," reads the report.
In Ukraine Biden will participate in bilateral meetings with President Petro Poroshenko and Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman. The trip will also celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations, and look forward to a steadfast partnership over the next 25 years.
While in Switzerland, the Vice President will attend the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Facebook Live has proven to be a successful new tool for the social media giant, though it has met its fair share of controversy. The live-streaming medium is where millions witnessed the death of Philando Castile upon being shot by a police officer last July. Earlier this month, four black teens were charged with hate crimes for the torture of a disabled white teen that they broadcast to Facebook Live. In both of those cases, the video evidence despite the tragedies depicted could at least be used in the search for justice. Thats not the case in the latest tragedy to occur on Facebook Live, as a 12-year-old girl used the live-streaming platform to record her own suicide.
Before taking her own life, Katelyn Nicole Davis of Cedartown, GA went on Facebook Live on the late afternoon of Dec. 30 to share a tragic disclosure, revealing that she had been sexually abused by a relative. She then proceeded to keep filming while she hanged herself in her front yard. According to the Daily Mail, she hangs from the tree for about 20 minutes. A woman can be reportedly be heard yelling Katelyns name off-screen.
Police rushed Davis to the hospital immediately upon arriving at the scene, though she was pronounced dead at the Polk County Medical Centers Emergency Room. Polk County Police Chief Kenny Dodd told Fox 5 News that police were unaware that the suicide had been broadcasted to social media until later that evening, explaining, We were actually contacted by a police officer from California who saw it the night of the event.
Upon being made aware of the horrific footage, Facebook removed the video, and the site has continued to attempt to do the same in each instance that the footage has resurfaced. Outside of Facebook, though, the footage has gone viral. Despite many requests to eradicate the video from certain websites, authorities have struggled to counter the spreading of the shocking recording.
We want it down as much as anyone for the family and it may be harmful to other kids, said Dodd.
We contacted some of the sites, he explained. They asked if they had to take it down, and by law they dont. But its just the common decent thing to do in my opinion.
Three days before her death, Davis had gone on her blog to reveal the sexual abuse she had suffered. She wrote of the abuses perpetrated against her by a male relative, which included hitting her with a studded belt, and she said that he had tried to rape her. Her blog posts also state that said relative told her to hang herself after she requested that he stop being so perverted in front of her younger siblings. She admitted to suffering depression and discussed various suicide methods.
Rest In Peace Katelyn Davis.
If you or someone you know are experiencing suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Facebook Live
Looks like the Pure Money Air Jordan 4s that will reportedly be getting the retro treatment in May arent the only coke-white kicks Air Jordan is releasing in 2017. Per the sneaker account zSneakerheads, an all white Air Jordan 7 will be releasing later this year.
The image above shows the Silver Anniversary Air Jordan 7 that released in 2009, but wed expect the 2017 version to be very similar, perhaps with some silver accents to match the metallic silver on the Pure Money 4s.
As usual, the sneaker will retail for $190. Instagram account says the shoes will be coming out on June 3, about a month after the Pure Money 4s. Are yall feeling Jordan brands all white wave?
AirJordan7white
After much backlash, the Sky Arts network has decided to cancel the airing of an Urban Myths episode involving a controversial portrayal of the late Michael Jackson. The decision was strongly induced by the offense expressed by members of Jacksons family, including his daughter Paris and his nephew Taj. Jackson was set to be played by 46-year-old British actor Joseph Fiennes, a white man.
A trailer for Urban Myths, an eight-episode comedy series thats set to premiere in the U.K. on Jan. 19, came out earlier this week, and it included clips from the Elizabeth, Michael & Marlon episode that incited immediate controversy. The episode was supposed to depict Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Jackson, and Marlon Brando embarking on a road trip away from New York after the 9/11 attacks, which is apparently a popular urban legend.
We have taken the decision not to broadcast Elizabeth, Michael and Marlon, a half-hour episode from the Sky Arts Urban Myths series, in light of the concerns expressed by Michael Jacksons immediate family, said Sky Arts in a statement, as reported by Rolling Stone. We set out to take a lighthearted look at reportedly true events and never intended to cause any offense. The company claims that Joseph Fiennes fully supports the decision.
A couple of days ago, Paris Jackson tweeted that she was incredibly offended by the way her father was shown in the trailer, writing that the portrayal makes me want to vomit. Taj Jackson was similarly offended, and he, too, took to Twitter, writing, No words could express the blatant disrespect.
Many who spoke out against Fiennes depiction of Jackson were outraged that Urban Myths had decided to cast a white man to play the late pop icon. The character that Fiennes intended to play was Jackson in his early-40s when Jacksons pigmentation had changed dramatically so that his skin color did resemble that of a white mans. One then wonders if these detractors would think it suitable for a black man to play an elder Jackson, during the palest stages of his life. In any case, its likely that a white man wont be playing MJ regardless of age anytime soon.
Joseph Fiennes
Shortly after anointing Kodak Black Donkey of the Day, Charlamagne tha God and The Breakfast Club invited the young Haitian rapper onto the program to discuss his various shots at Lil Wayne and a myriad of other topics. Kodak donned a ski mask throughout. It was a strange interview.
In the past month, Kodak has said Lil Wayne aint the best fucking rapper alive, I am and Lil Wayne can eat my ass and expressed a desire to fight Wayne. Charlamagne was eager to broach this topic. If you want the best rapper alive title, you cant beat Lil Wayne up to get it, you gotta out-rap him, he told Kodak. Kodak did not respond.
Angela Yee successfully a response, if only because she inadvertently irritated Kodak by asking him why he chose to go after Wayne. I dont even want to talk about it right now, Kodak said. Hes too old.
Why not rap though? Charlamagne pressed. Silence.
Later in the interview, Kodak revealed that his first purchase upon being released from jail was some jewelry and 100 condoms. I had to see what the hot and cold thang do.
What, the bidet? Charlamagne tha God responded. (Kodak was talking about Hot and Cold condoms.)
They segued into a spirited conversation about Kodaks uncircumcised penis. Later, Charlamagne read a Bible verse for Kodak. Kodak responded by exclaiming, Im Tupac resurrected.
Watch the full interview below.
Tyga has been on the up & up since signing with GOOD Music earlier this year. The artist is currently enjoying the success of his new Kanye West assisted single Feel Me and has the potential to do big things in 2017.
Now it looks as though the artist is gearing up for a mini tour overseas as he has announced several dates in a tweet earlier today. The Europe Tour will take stops in Sweden, Germany and Paris.
Check out his tweet below and be on the lookout for releases coming from the artist in the very near future.
Tyga
The first in this year meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) on the settlement of the situation in Donbas will be held in Minsk on Monday, January 16, spokesperson for Ukraine's representative in the contact group, second President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma, Darka Olifer has told Interfax-Ukraine.
"A meeting of the TCG will take place in Minsk on January 16," Olifer told the agency on Friday.
The landmark TV documentary series premieres in September.
Trent Reznor and Atticus Rose have penned two hours worth of new music for The Vietnam War, a ten-part documentary series, which hits the smallscreen in September 2017 courtesy of American PBS.
In an immersive 360-degree narrative, Ken Burns and Lynn Novick tell the epic story of the Vietnam War as it has never before been told on film, were told. The Vietnam War features testimony from nearly 100 witnesses, including many Americans who fought in the war and others who opposed it, as well as Vietnamese combatants and civilians from both the winning and losing sides. Six years in the making, the series brings the war and the chaotic epoch it encompassed viscerally to life. It includes rarely seen, digitally re-mastered archival footage from sources around the globe, photographs taken by some of the most celebrated photojournalists of the 20th Century, historic television broadcasts, evocative home movies, revelatory audio recordings from inside the Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon administrations and more than 100 iconic musical recordings by many of the greatest artists of the era.
Graduates of the law school at the University of Texas at Austin had the highest bar examination pass rate in Texas this past summer. Nearly 94 percent of the first-time test takers passed the July exam, according to the Texas Board of Law Examiners.
Southern Methodist University's Dedman School of Law came in second with 91 percent passing while Baylor Law School was third with nearly 87 percent.
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WASHINGTON - The U.S. government accused Fiat Chrysler on Thursday of failing to disclose software in some of its pickups and SUVs with diesel engines that allows them to emit more pollution than allowed under the Clean Air Act.
The announcement comes one day after Fiat rival Volkswagen pleaded guilty in federal court to criminal charges related to widespread cheating involving emissions tests, agreeing to pay a record $4.3 billion penalty.
The Environmental Protection Agency issued a "notice of violation" to Fiat Chrysler that covers about 104,000 vehicles including the 2014 through 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram pickups, all with 3-liter diesel engines. The California Air Resources Board took similar action.
"Failing to disclose software that affects emissions in a vehicle's engine is a serious violation of the law, which can result in harmful pollution in the air we breathe," said Cynthia Giles, EPA assistant administrator for enforcement and compliance.
Six high-ranking VW executives have been charged in that company's scandal, which prompted a nationwide recall of more than a half-million affected cars and SUVs.
In the Volkswagen case, prosecutors alleged that top officials at the company approved of the cheating scheme, repeatedly lied to U.S. regulators and then orchestrated a mass attempted cover-up that included deleting computer files and emails.
EPA regulators made no such allegations against Fiat Chrysler on Thursday, though they said their investigation is in the early stages.
Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne denied any wrongdoing, saying the EPA was blowing the issue out of proportion.
"We have done in our view nothing that is illegal," he said. "We will defend our behavior in the right environment."
Marchionne said he was told by company lawyers that the Justice Department is investigating the company in concert with the EPA, raising the likelihood of an ongoing criminal probe. He said the company halted production of Grand Cherokees and Rams with diesel engines in September, but will continue to sell models manufactured before then that are still on dealers' lots.
Looking for Trump
The company said it intends to present its case to the incoming Trump administration.
A spokesman for President-elect Donald Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The White House said Thursday that President Barack Obama wasn't involved in the decision to cite the company.
If found liable, Fiat Chrysler could face more than $4.5 billion in potential fines for violations of the Clean Air Act.
The EPA said it will continue to investigate the "nature and impact" of the eight software functions identified through an intensive testing program launched after Volkswagen was caught in a 2015 cheating scandal involving its "Clean Diesel" line of vehicles. Regulators were not yet defining the software found in the Fiat Chrysler vehicles as so-called "defeat devices" intended to cheat on government emissions tests.
However, the agency said that numerous discussions with Fiat Chrysler over the past year had not produced any suitable explanation for why the company had failed to disclose the software, which regulators said caused the vehicles to emit less pollution during testing than during regular driving.
'Clear and serious'
"This is a clear and serious violation of the Clean Air Act," Giles said. "When companies break the law, Americans depend on EPA to step in and enforce."
Fiat Chrysler said in a statement that its emissions control systems "meet the applicable requirements" and that it spent months giving information to the EPA to explain its emissions technology and proposed a number of actions including software changes to address EPA concerns.
Regulators said owners of the affected models do not yet need to take any action and that they should continue driving their vehicles.
Marchionne said there is no comparison between his company and VW because there was no intent by Fiat Chrysler to deceive the EPA or cheat.
"There's not a guy in this house that would even remotely attempt to try something as stupid as that," he said. "And if I found a guy like that I would have hung him on a door."
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President-elect Donald Trump was right to throw down the gauntlet against Big Pharma over prescription drug prices on Wednesday, and it's good to know he understands the lobbying juggernaut he's about to battle.
"Pharma has a lot of lobbies, a lot of lobbyists and a lot of power. And there's very little bidding on drugs," Trump said during the event at Trump Tower in New York. "We're the largest buyer of drugs in the world, and yet we don't bid properly."
It's not that we don't bid properly, we don't require bids at all when it comes to senior citizens. Congress has specifically banned Medicare, the government-run health care program for seniors, from negotiating drug prices.
As a result, Medicare pays higher prices for pharmaceuticals than private insurance companies and foreign governments. Taxpayer are subsidizing Big Pharma's profits, and drug prices for the rest of the world. Just the hint of this pork-barrel program going away sent pharmaceutical stock prices plunging.
Medicare is an entitlement program for senior citizens, not for drug makers.
For a detailed history of how Big Pharma lobbyists convinced lawmakers to ban Medicare from negotiating drug prices, Health Affairs has an excellent blog post on the topic.
Looking forward, Trump finds himself again proposing a measure opposed by Republicans and supported by Democrats. He's also challenging an industry that spent $231 million on lobbying in 2015 and has spent more on lobbying than any other industry since 1998.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services attempted a pilot program to negotiate prices for only drugs covered by Medicare Part B, but Congress blocked it, costing taxpayers $395 million.
The New York Times, meanwhile, warns that if Trump keeps his promise to buy American drugs, instead of imported drugs, the cost to the taxpayer could skyrocket, even if the government negotiates prices. That's because the government currently buys so much from foreign companies that charge less.
Convincing Congress to allow drug price negotiations, while implementing a Buy American policy that would protect Big Pharma's profit margins, is exactly the lobbying jujitsu that drug makers are famous for. Taxpayers need to keep a close eye on how Trump's policy goal moves through Congress.
The general idea, though, that the world's largest purchaser of pharmaceuticals should require competitive bidding for these huge drug contracts is a good one and deserves taxpayer support.
Amazon is planning to hire thousands of employees in Houston and elsewhere, a move that will significantly expand its e-commerce empire as traditional retailers continue to downsize in the face of steep competition.
The company on Thursday unveiled plans to hire 100,000 full-time U.S. workers over the next 18 months. That figure includes more than 1,000 previously announced positions at its new distribution facility in the Pinto Business Park at the southwest corner of Interstate 45 and Beltway 8.
It's also planning to add hundreds of employees at its Austin corporate office, where more than 500 people now work.
Amazon is investing $136 million in its new Houston facility, an 855,000-square-foot warehouse expected to open later this year. Harris County commissioners last summer granted the company a 10-year tax break expected to save it nearly $180,000 annually.
A spokeswoman wrote in an email that the company hasn't yet determined when it will begin hiring locally.
Amazon has grown at a breakneck pace in recent years, exploding from 30,000 U.S. employees in 2011 to more than 180,000 at the end of 2016. The planned expansion will boost its domestic work force by more than a third.
"Amazon is the greatest growth vehicle we've ever seen in the history of retail," said Howard Davidowitz, chairman of Davidowitz & Associates, a New York City-based national retail consulting and investment banking firm.
Much of the company's recent growth has been in Texas. During the last three years, it has opened seven fulfillment centers in the state that now employ more than 10,000 full-time workers.
News of its latest hiring spree came on the heels of announcements by a range of traditional retailers planning to slash jobs and shutter stores amid heightening competition from online sales and lower-price stores such as T.J. Maxx and Zara.
Macy's last week declared its intent to cut more than 10,000 jobs and close 65 stores nationwide, including three in the Houston area, as part of an effort to slash costs as its sales continue to slide. Most closures are scheduled for the spring, and it plans to invest some of its restructuring savings in e-commerce and its off-price concept, called Backstage.
Sears soon followed with a similar plan to close stores in other cities and sell its iconic Craftsman brand of tools to Stanley Black & Decker. J.C. Penney will soon close some of its 1,014 stores, the company's CEO announced in Dallas this week.
Houston-based Stage Stores has been downsizing for months, aiming to close 35 stores last year, according to securities filings. The company reported disappointing holiday results earlier this month, with same-store sales falling 7.3 percent compared to the same period in 2015.
Smaller retailers have been similarly challenged. The Limited recently shut down all its stores, including five in the Houston area.
In contrast, Amazon reported it shipped more than 1 billion items worldwide during the holiday season, its "best ever." It boasted of delivering enough men's jeans to fill an Olympic-size swimming pool.
The steady rise in online sales, which grew 11 percent this holiday season alone, has forced retailers to reassess how they stock their stores, price their items and deliver goods to customers. Amazon's speed and skill at selling almost anything from anywhere has set a new standard that forces other retailers to evolve, said Ed Wulfe, chairman and CEO of Houston commercial real estate firm Wulfe & Co.
"The best thing they can do is learn from Amazon," he said. "Every retailer that really wants progress and success has to change their operations in that direction."
Any random scene of "Live By Night" could easily give the impression that it's a very good film, because there's nothing wrong with it scene by scene.
The problems are cumulative in nature.
A moment comes when you might ask yourself, "Why am I watching this?" And that's when a question becomes its own answer.
The film is the story of a Prohibition era mobster in Tampa, a man traumatized and embittered by his World War I experience, a crook with a conscience. Ben Affleck directed and adapted the screenplay from Dennis Lehane's novel of the same name, and he cast himself in the lead role, as actors-directors sometimes will. But I didn't believe in Affleck as a veteran, or in the veteran's trauma or bitterness, or in his crookedness.
His conscience, however, is believable and Affleck's performance is enjoyable, which isn't nothing. Yet with his perfect haircut and clothes, and his blank, trying-to-look-tough expression, Affleck seems less like the real thing in "Live By Night" and more like a wealthy person attending a Thirties' gangster theme party. This makes it impossible for the film to achieve its goal, as a grand epic and a great American story, because you need a grand character for that and a great American performance.
What we have instead is a decent story, with enough interest to keep audiences in their chairs, and with an occasional scene that lights up and reminds us that Affleck can be quite a good director. In fact, as the other actors feel more at home in the period milieu than Affleck does, one must wonder how "Live By Night" might have fared with brother Casey Affleck in the lead. The trauma, the bitterness, the crookedness, the conscience - these all might have been second nature - and we already know Casey can seem tough, from his starring role in brother Ben's directorial debut, "Gone, Baby, Gone."
In any case, it's Ben Affleck here as Joe, who gets out of the war determined not to play by anyone's rules. In Boston, he becomes a bank robber and all-purpose criminal, but he avoids getting involved with either the Irish or Italian gangs. He's too smart for that, but he's not too smart to get involved with a crime boss's girlfriend (Sienna Miller), nor to take her out in public. That kind of recklessness, deriving either from orneriness, idiocy, or pure sexual desperation, is hard to believe from Affleck, whose essence is more that of cold-blooded opportunist.
By a circuitous route, Joe ends up in Tampa, as the Boston mob's representative, where he is charged with cornering the Florida rum business during Prohibition. The movie's presentation of a northerner down south seems very much a 21st century vision of an earlier time, with Joe suddenly standing in for modernity, secularism and egalitarianism.
He gets into a relationship with a black Cuban woman (Zoe Saldana) and must deal with the Ku Klux Klan's muscling in on his business - and their saying nasty things about his girlfriend.
More Information 'Live by Night' Rated R: for strong violence, language throughout, and some sexuality/nudity Running time: 128 minutes 2.5 out of 5 stars 'Live By Night' Rated R: for strong violence, language throughout, and some sexuality/nudity Running time: 128 minutes xx1/2 See More Collapse
There's also an interlude in which evangelicals are trying to shut down a gambling house before it opens.
These pre-echoes of the red state/blue state divide are hardly repellent but seem forced. Yet even so, Matthew Maher, as a whacked out Klansman, is arresting in two memorable scenes, and Affleck does beautiful work with Elle Fanning, in a scene in which she confesses that she's not sure that she believes in God, even though she has become a tent-show revival preacher.
Affleck just hands the scenes to them, and they take them and do great things. In the case of Fanning, Affleck gives her a series of penetrating close-ups that give you a privileged glimpse into a young woman's odd charm and inner turmoil.
Chris Messina ("The Mindy Project") finally gets to play an Italian and a hard case as Affleck's friend and henchman, and he opens up brand new casting possibilities for himself.
Actually, here's the truth, and it says something impressive about Affleck, because he directed every one of these people, and he's the one who approved the cut: Everybody is good in this movie, except him.
That includes Miller and Saldana and Remo Girone and Robert Glenister as the Italian and Irish mob bosses, respectively. Everyone gets a chance to shine, while Affleck stands around looking too tall, too handsome, too 21st century, too tailored, too rational and too soft.
Yes, even too soft to play a guy who is thought of as too soft.
It doesn't help matters that the movie seems to end three times before it ends, and none of those ends are satisfying.
NEW YORK - Martin Scorsese's Manhattan office, in a midtown building a few blocks northwest of the cordoned-off Trump Tower, may be the most concentrated bastion of reverence for cinema on the face of the earth.
There's a small screening room where Scorsese screens early cuts of his films and classic movies for his daughter and his friends. There's his personal library of thousands of films, some he taped himself decades ago. Film posters line the walls. Bookshelves are stuffed with film histories. And there are editing suites, including the one where Scorsese and his longtime editor Thelma Schoonmaker regularly toil with a monitor dedicated to the continuous, muted playing of Turner Classic Movies.
"It's a temple of worship, really," Schoonmaker says.
Scorsese's latest, "Silence," may be the film that most purely fuses the twin passions of his life: God and cinema. Scorsese, who briefly pursued becoming a priest before fervently dedicating himself to moviemaking, has sometimes seemed to conflate the two.
"Silence" is a solemn, religious epic about Jesuit priests (Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver) in a violently anti-Catholic 17th century Japan. Scorsese has wanted to make it for nearly 30 years. He was given the book it's based on, Shusaku Endo's 1966 novel, by a bishop after a screening of his famously controversial "The Last Temptation of Christ" in 1988.
"Silence" is an examination of belief and doubt and mysterious acts of faith. But making the film was such an act in itself.
"Acting it out, maybe that's what existence is all about," Scorsese says of his faith. "The documentary on George Harrison I made, 'Living in the Material World,' that says it better. He said if you want an old man in the sky with a beard, fine. I don't mean to be relativist about it. I happen to feel more comfortable with Christianity. But what is Christianity? That's the issue and that's why I made this film."
It wasn't easy. Scorsese, 74, may be among the most revered directors in Hollywood, but "Silence" is almost the antithesis of today's studio film. To make it, Scorsese had to drum up foreign money in Cannes, and ultimately made the film for about $46 million. Everyone, including himself, worked for scale.
Few today are making movies with the scope and ambition of "Silence" - a fact, he grants, that makes him feel like one of the last of a dying breed in today's film industry.
"Cinema is gone," Scorsese says. "The cinema I grew up with and that I'm making, it's gone."
"The theater will always be there for that communal experience, there's no doubt. But what kind of experience is it going to be?" he continues. "Is it always going to be a theme-park movie? I sound like an old man, which I am. The big screen for us in the '50s, you go from Westerns to 'Lawrence of Arabia' to the special experience of '2001' in 1968. The experience of seeing 'Vertigo' and 'The Searchers' in VistaVision."
Scorsese points to the proliferation of images and the overreliance on superficial techniques as trends that have diminished the power of cinema to younger audiences. "It should matter to your life," he says. "Unfortunately the latest generations don't know that it mattered so much."
Scorsese's comments echo a tender letter he wrote his daughter two years ago The future of movies, he believes, is in the freedom that technology has yielded for anyone to make a movie.
"TV, I don't think has taken that place. Not yet," adds Scorsese, whose "Boardwalk Empire" was lauded but whose high-priced "Vinyl" was canceled after one season. "I tried it. I had success to a certain extent. 'Vinyl' we tried, but we found that the atmosphere for the type of picture we wanted to make - the nature of the language, the drugs, the sex, depicting the rock 'n' roll world of the '70s - we got a lot of resistance. So I don't know about that freedom."
Since the election of Donald Trump, some have expressed hope for a return to the kind of '70s filmmaking Scorsese is synonymous with.
"If the younger people have something to say and they find a way to say through visual means as well as literary, there's the new cinema," Scorsese says. But the current climate reminds him more of the '50s of his youth. "I'm worried about double-think or triple-think, which is to make you believe you have the freedom, but they can make it very difficult to get the picture shown, to get it made, ruin reputations. It's happened before."
"Silence," which Scorsese screened for Jesuits at the Vatican before meeting with the pope, remains a powerful exception in a changing Hollywood.
"He wanted to make this film extremely differently from anything out there," says Schoonmaker, Scorsese's editor since "Raging Bull." "He's just tired of slam-bam-crash. Telling the audience what to think is what he really hates. Trying to do a meditative movie at this point, in this insane world we're in now, was incredibly brave. He wanted to stamp the film with that throughout: the pace, the very subtle use of music.
"How many movies start without music at the very beginning under the logos?" she adds. "He said, 'Take out all that big Hollywood.' "
Scorsese, apostle of cinema, continues the fight. His Film Foundation has helped restore more than 750 films. And he regularly pens supportive letters to young directors whose films he admires.
Imagine that in your mailbox. Almost like getting a letter from your god.
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With more than two decades in business, Saint Arnold Brewing Co. is paying homage to one of its defining characteristics - the brewery-sponsored pub crawl - with its newest release.
I remember as a mid-1990s newcomer marveling as the Rice Village pub crawl crew would blow through my neighborhood spots. Soon, I was joining the fun, getting my card stamped at each stop, earning a souvenir glass.
I live in the Heights now and have been amazed by the enormous crowds that swamp White Oak Drive during the Heights pub crawl heralding the arrival of Spring Bock.
Now comes Saint Arnold Pub Crawl Pale Ale to offer a loving tribute. The canned beer on draft is expected to hit the local scene on Monday, Jan. 16, and extend beyond Houston and into Louisiana in April. A slew of kickoff events is scheduled (see list at the end of this post).
Update: This post originally stated that cans also would be available on Monday as well. A spokeswoman says the cans will hit the shelves in March or April.
RELATED: Saint Arnold's emphasis on tradition and community pays off
I look forward to this beer.
Details: Brewed with Two Row Pale, Maris Otter English pale malt; Centennial hops, with Amarillo and Galaxy hops at the finish; London III yeast strain. 4.7 percent ABV (alcohol by volume) and 43 IBUs (international bitterness units).
From the brewery:
"In 1995, Brock Wagner, Founder/Brewer of Saint Arnold Brewing Company, wanted to come up with a fun event that was allowed under the byzantine beer laws of Texas. Pre-announced promotions at specific locations were forbidden, but a pub crawl with only hints given as to where the stops would be, was legal. Thus, the Saint Arnold Pub Crawl, part pub crawl and part scavenger hunt, was born. The first one had 25 attendees and included a sit-down dinner for the entire crew at the now-defunct Village Brewery in the Rice Village neighborhood of Houston.
"The laws have changed today, but the pub crawls continue. The stops are now announced and the events are held around Houston, other Texas cities, and Louisiana. The largest crawls have topped 5,000 people.
Says Wagner in today's announcement: "While we didn't invent pub crawls, our events have become famous throughout the region. It's certainly something the Gulf Coast craft beer community has come to look forward to from us throughout the year."
From brewer Aaron Inkrott: "Our aim was to make something hoppy and balanced. This is the perfect beer for all day drinking."
Debut events, per the brewery:
AUSTIN - With a federal court poised to order significant reforms in the state's beleaguered foster-care system, state leaders on Thursday announced a new initiative to entice churches statewide to support and mentor tens of thousands of kids who need homes.
It was not immediately clear how the new outreach could translate into placements for many of the approximately 16,000 foster children in Texas when churches already are involved in Child Protective Services efforts in many communities.
Officials said Thursday about 3,700 children in state custody are available for adoption, and they hope the new effort will help.
In all, the state's Child Protective Services has conservatorship of more than 30,000 children, including many who are living with a relative or close friend of the birth parent or parents.
It also marked the latest plea by state leaders for faith-based organizations and churches to help Texas address a chronic shortage of adoptive parents and places for foster care children to live that have led to severe placement backlogs for years.
Last fall, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Cecilia Abbott, the wife of Gov. Greg Abbott, reached out to churches across the Texas to help the state solve the foster care crisis, asking for help in placing children who had been sleeping in state offices and temporary sites while they awaited permanent homes.
Abbott aides said Thursday the new initiative is designed as the next step in that effort.
In a letter to about 750 "faith leaders" across Texas, Cecilia Abbott and Henry "Hank" Whitman Jr., commissioner of the state Department of Family and Protective Services, which oversees the state's foster care system, urge pastors to "encourage members to provide support services to foster and adoptive parents," as well as to mentor older youths who are aging out of the foster system at 18.
They also are asking the faith leaders to seek donations of "diapers, clothing, school supplies, car seats, cribs and beds," along with volunteers to help support the state's foster system.
Class-action suit
The state's foster-care crisis is particularly acute for children who remain for years in the system, where U.S. District Judge Janis Jack of Corpus Christi already has ruled that children are being subject to continuing abuse and neglect because the state has too few placements, and state operations are plagued by continuing funding shortages and high turnover rates of workers.
Last November, a pair of court-appointed special masters recommended sweeping changes to Texas' foster care system, including a ban on housing children in state offices, new limits on group homes and cutting the number of children assigned to each caseworker in half. State officials quickly took issue with each of the 56 recommendations.
On Monday, Jack slapped the state of Texas with an exacting interim order demanding more information and prompt plans to implement those changes to the troubled foster care system, at the heart of a long-running class action suit on behalf of more than 12,000 children.
"Sometimes it takes a congregation to raise a child," states the Thursday letter outlining the new initiative. "There are thousands of Texas children and teenagers in the foster care system who have no family and need our help in finding loving homes. While not everyone feels called to foster or adopt a child in need, we are all called to do something for this vulnerable population.
"As you start planning for your programs for the new year, please consider becoming a part of the 'network of nurture' that provides support to youth and families in the child welfare system."
State officials last fall approved an emergency appropriation of approximately $150 million to increase worker pay, to curb skyrocketing turnover rates among caseworkers in Houston, Dallas and other parts of Texas, and to hire hundreds of additional caseworkers and child-abuse investigators to eliminate backlogs that left some children unseen by a state worker for months after abuse was reported.
The governor has said that a solution is a top priority for the legislative session that began Tuesday.
'One of many solutions'
Advocacy groups said they supported the new initiative.
"Certainly, we're always excited about additional groups becoming involved in the foster-care system," said Lee Nichols, communications director for TexProtects, the Texas Association for the Protection of Children. "We think it's one of the solutions, but obviously there are many solutions."
Patrick Crimmins, a DFPS spokesman, said more than 500 churches across Texas currently are involved with Texas' foster care system in some way. The goal of the new initiative, he said, is to increase that participation "and hopefully the latter can help us engage in communities where we need more families."
"The personal backing of the first lady is a real shot in the arm for a new type of partnership with church leaders," he said.
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Suspect names and photos have been released in an armed jewelry store robbery in Shenandoah that bears similarities to another robbery in The Woodlands Mall.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is still investigating whether the Thursday, Jan. 12 robbery of a Zales Jewelry store in Shenandoah and the Jan. 3 robbery of a Helzberg Diamonds jewelry store in The Woodlands could be related.
The Jan. 12 incident was followed by a police chase that led to a car accident on the North Freeway when the suspect vehicle struck another car. Two suspects were arrested at the scene, and two were arrested a short while later.
ON THE RUN: Investigators seek public's help in identifying armed robbers
The four suspects are Dextrek Walker,Donte Davis, Wayland Smith and Junior Daye-Johnson. They are in the Montgomery County Jail on charges of aggravated robbery and evading arrest.
Walker is from the Cypress area and the other three suspects are from Southeast Houston. The sheriff's office said in a release that three of the suspects are known gang members.
On Thursday, Jan. 12 at 1:30 p.m., a heist was reported at Zales Jewelry Store in the Portofino Shopping Center, at 19705 Interstate 45, Shenandoah Police Assistant Chief Barry Gresham said.
"They came in, smashed the display counters and took as much as they could grab," Gresham said. "I don't think they were inside more than a minute."
Emergency dispatchers received a call from a witness who say three men wearing masks entered the store and a fourth waited in the vehicle.
SEND A TIP: Do you recognize these Houston-area fugitives?
A Montgomery County sheriff's deputy and a Shenandoah police officer were able to catch up to the suspect vehicle and attempted to stop it, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.
During the pursuit, the SUV struck another vehicle but kept going. The driver of the other vehicle suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.
The suspect vehicle continued onto Interstate 45 via the grassy median of the frontage road, but it struck a tree.
Two suspects were taken into custody at that time, while two other suspects were apprehended shortly after.
The sheriff's office reported Friday that all of the jewelry stolen from the Zales store has been recovered. Some of the jewelry was in the suspects' pockets when they were arrested, according to the press release.
Some 31 Russian servicemen have been convicted for waging an aggressive war against Ukraine, TV Channel 5 has reported with reference to Ukraine's Chief Military Prosecutor Anatoliy Matios.
"We have judges' verdicts at our disposal against the Russian military. Everyone saw Alexandrov and Yerofeyev - they were sentenced to 12 and 14 years and did not appeal these verdicts, as they were exchanged. What does this mean? It means they have acknowledged their war, and that they were involved in an aggressive war against our state on the territory of our state this is an irrefutable proof. And I could provide a lot of such facts 57 people were sentenced, 31 of them - the Russian military. These are court sentences of the Ukrainian legislature. In fact indictments were brought to the court against 27 people," Matios said.
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During her first months in kindergarten, Kai Shappley brought home a note to her mom. A teacher wanted Kimberly Shappley to know that Kai had been a joy to have around - she was "such a sweet little GIRL."
Those four letters, in all caps, were a coded message: We get it.
Her teachers, neighbors and classmates know that 6-year-old Kai is transgender because Kimberly Shappley has been a public advocate for policies that respect children's gender identity. Shappley urged the Pearland ISD board last summer to change its bathroom access policy, and she has spoken at news conferences on the issue. A video posted online explores, in intimate detail, her struggle to come to terms with her daughter's reality.
Shappley thrust her family into the public eye as part of a national debate over a sensitive social issue. Yet that teacher's note suggests that the best opportunities to change attitudes may lie in quiet interactions that happen every day.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has been leading a high-profile charge for a law that would require Texans to use bathrooms in public schools, government buildings and public universities based on "biological sex." Headlines ensue.
Privately, around the country, more of us are getting to know transgender people, including kids like Kai. This shifts the issue from the abstractions of political debate to the tangible reality of a new friend or a delightful child. Understanding and tolerance bloom. Suddenly, we get it.
But here's the catch: This transformation can only happen if transgender people - and the parents of transgender children - are open about who they are.
It can't be easy for Kimberly Shappley to talk publicly about private family matters, but she does so because she wants laws and policies and attitudes to change. A teacher who saw Kai as just another kid in the classroom wouldn't have put "girl" in all-caps.
"The staff at the school could not be better," Shappley told me this week. "They have taken the time to get to know my child, and I believe that hearts and minds are changing,"
Kai has had some tough moments since she started kindergarten in the fall.
One day she came home in a bad mood and started crying when her mom asked how her day had gone. She had been in the library and needed to use the restroom, and someone escorted her to the nurse's office. (This is the accommodation offered by Pearland ISD; it doesn't permit Kai to use the girls' restroom.)
The nurse was out. The office was locked.
"At that moment, no one could figure out where this kid could use the bathroom," Shappley recalled. "So she peed on the floor."
Shappley says she is aware of six transgender children in Pearland ISD. But their parents mostly have kept them "in the closet," she says. This reflects an understandable desire to protect a child from the pain associated with being different, but it frustrates Shappley because it increases the burden on her and Kai.
Recent surveys show the depth of the challenge facing families like the Shappleys, along with the activists at organizations like Equality Texas working on their behalf.
A University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll last fall found that 51 percent of Texas voters believed transgender people should use public restrooms based on their birth gender; 31 percent said it should be based on their gender identity; and the rest had no opinion. The margin was much greater - 76 percent to 14 percent - among self-identified Republican voters.
But other recent polls are also instructive. According to the Pew Research Center, Americans opposed same-sex marriage by a margin of 57 percent to 35 percent in 2001. Fifteen years later, 56 percent supported same-sex marriage while 37 percent opposed it.
In a poll last September, Pew found that 87 percent of American adults knew someone who was gay; just 30 percent said they were acquainted with a transgender person.
Perhaps Kai Shappley was the first transgender person that kindergarten teacher had ever met - or at least, the first person she knew was transgender.
We fear what we don't know. When more parents come forward as Kimberly Shappley has, an idea like the so-called "bathroom bill" - taking aim at the imagined problem of predators stalking women and girls in bathrooms - will seem as foolish as laws that limited the choice of a marriage partner. Such measures will be seen as relics of a less-enlightened age.
Kai will be an adult in about 15 years. Let's see if we can pull this off before then.
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A middle school teacher who pleaded guilty to having a long-term sexual relationship with a 13-year-old boy was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison.
Alexandria Vera, 24, a former Aldine ISD teacher, admitted to the relationship last year in exchange for a sentence decided by the judge with cap of 30 years in prison.
State District Judge Michael McSpadden said he does not believe Vera is a danger to other children, specifically not a classic pedophile, but that he needed to send a message to the community.
GROWING PROBLEM IN TEXAS: Texas seeing boom in teacher-student sex scandals
"We want our educators to teach our students," he said in court. "We want them to keep their hands off the students."
The former teacher was facing the possibility of life in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child.
The sentencing was complicated because the boy's family knew about the relationship and approved, the judge said. He said letters from the boy and his mother sought to put some of the responsibility on the eighth grade boy. The victim's mother worried that Vera might lose her job, the judge said.
In court, prosecutors outlined a string of deceptions from Vera, including moving the child and his father into her home and pretending to the outside world to date the father.
GUILTY: Teacher impregnated by 13-year-old student pleads
Prosecutor Denise Nichols said Vera had a pattern of manipulation to "groom" the child and his family so she could continue the illicit behavior.
"She has a history of straight-out deception," Nichols said.
Vera also paid cell phone bills, bought groceries for the family and attended holiday events with them as the boy's girlfriend.
Prosecutors hammered Vera for inappropriate behavior beginning in the classroom and extending to other students. She apparently let two eighth graders have sex at her home, prosecutors said in court.
DETAILS EMERGE: Aldine ISD teacher wanted in connection with sexual abuse of teenage male student
The prosecutor also said Vera's 6-year-old daughter knew about the illicit relationship and for some time called the 13-year-old "dad."
While her possible punishment was capped at 30 years, she was eligible for probation, which her lawyer argued was appropriate.
Defense attorney Ricardo Rodriguez called only one witness Friday, a therapist who profiled Vera to outline her mental state.
"I think she was driven by being in love with him," said Karen Lawson, a mental health professional who works with sex offenders, including sex addicts.
Lawson said Vera's history of seeing domestic violence situations as she was growing up, coupled with a deep need for love, led her to a relationship with the young man who flattered and seemed to adore her.
WANTED: Teacher sought in connection with sexual abuse of teenage male student
"She's someone who has a big heart," Lawson said.
Vera has been free on $100,000 bail, but has had to wear a GPS ankle monitor, stay away from schools and have no contact with the teen who allegedly impregnated her. She later had an abortion, according to court records.
Vera had faced a punishment range of 25 years to life in prison if convicted of continuous sexual assault of a child, a felony with a heightened punishment, even for first offenders.
McSpadden read a pre-sentence investigation prepared by court officials and several letters from supporters, including the victim's mother.
Vera was arrested after officials with Child Protective Services were notified about a possible sexual relationship and found out during their investigation that Vera had gotten pregnant and had an abortion.
Vera and the underage student apparently met when he was a student of hers in summer school at Stovall Middle School, according to court records.
Thomas Jefferson wrote that a lawyer's job is "to question everything, yield nothing, and talk by the hour."
The founding father and third president of the United States may well have had in mind the teams of high-powered lawyers battling each other hundreds of years later in federal court in a trademark dispute between two prominent Houston law schools.
The fight, sparked by South Texas College of Law's decision to change its name to the Houston College of Law, appeared nearly resolved in November when the school agreed to abandon its chosen moniker, which the University of Houston contended was too similar to the name of its law school.
The newest name announced in November was less objectionable to opposing counsel: South Texas College of Law Houston.
But on Thursday, lawyers appeared yet again before U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison to say the settlement was teetering on the brink, though they still hoped for a drama-free resolution.
The judge told the lawyers he was surprised that settlement discussions were off course.
"I thought y'all were doing so well. Everything was in order," Ellison said.
"In the spirit and letter of the law, it is," said Lynne Liberato, an alumna of and representative for South Texas law who is a partner at Haynes Boone.
Albert B. Deaver Jr., a managing principal at Sutton McAughan Deaver and South Texas alumnus representing the UH regents, said he feared the deal was nearing deadlock on "middle ground" issues, including a monetary settlement and the college's application for a new trademark.
Ellison - who inherited the case in June from U.S. District Judge Gray Miller, a UH Law alum who recused himself from the matter - urged the parties to keep at it or face the possibility of formal mediation or an all-out trial over nitty-gritty details.
It may come down to a high-stakes game of chicken: Should South Texas withdraw its active application with the U.S. Trademark and Patent Office for the name "Houston College of Law" before or after a complete settlement is on the table?
The UH lawyers contend the application must be withdrawn immediately for negotiations to move forward. South Texas attorneys say it's standard procedure to await a final resolution in court before withdrawing a trademark application.
The legal dispute had neared a resolution after Ellison granted an injunction to UH to temporarily halt the renaming process, after finding that South Texas was likely to lose at trial on the charge that its new name and logo violated UH Law Center's trademark.
Following the injunction, the 93-year-old private law school adopted the revised name, and changed its branding and color scheme in compliance with the judge's ruling.
South Texas doesn't anticipate changing its name again in the foreseeable future, Liberato said.
"This process is not only complicated, it's expensive, so the plan is for the school to be named as it is - South Texas College of Law Houston," Liberato said.
The two attorneys spoke congenially about the protracted negotiations in the hallway after Thursday's hearing, but their comments suggested they still have a way to go to reach a resolution.
"It's not over now, but it's our hope and our expectation that it will be," Liberato said. "We do have a disagreement, but I think most of it is resolved. Deaver disagrees."
Deaver, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Liberato in the hallway, was a bit more dire.
"We are nearing an impasse but I am hopeful that we can avoid that impasse," he said. "Right now, we are not there."
WASHINGTON - Retired Marine Gen. James Mattis, Donald Trump's pick to be the next U.S. defense secretary, placed Russia first among principal threats facing the United States, arguing for greater American support for European allies to counter what he said were Moscow's attempts to shatter the North Atlantic security alliance.
Mattis, a respected combat leader who made his name in the wars following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, cautioned that sustained cuts to military budgets and personnel meant the U.S. military is no longer strong enough to easily outmatch Russia and other adversaries.
Subtle signs for future
Mattis' remarks during his confirmation hearing Thursday provide some of the first hints about how the Trump administration, which has not put forward comprehensive national security plans, might alter the posture of the world's most advanced military at a time of institutional strain and uncertainty about the future.
His comments also signal a possible divergence in viewpoint with the president-elect, who has questioned security commitments and voiced his willingness to partner with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Trump said at a news conference Wednesday that "Russia can help us fight" the Islamic State.
Mattis' seeming differences with Trump and those with the president-elect's pick to be secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, who unlike Mattis has suggested that he might support renegotiating President Barack Obama's nuclear deal with Iran, could lead to a fractious approach to foreign policy and interagency feuding in the next administration.
Several hours after Mattis' testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Senate voted 81-17 to waive a measure requiring defense secretaries to have been out of military service for seven years. Mattis retired in 2013.
Later in the day, the House Armed Services Committee approved a similar measure along party lines, 34-28. The full House must also vote on that measure.
Although some of the president-elect's other Cabinet picks have come under intense questioning in their confirmation hearings, Mattis, 66, encountered virtually no challenges from lawmakers to his suitability for the top Pentagon job.
The veteran, known for his use of the call sign "Chaos" during overseas deployments, has earned a reputation as a scholarly, plain-spoken officer with an impressive combat record. His blunt style has brought controversy at times, as have his hawkish views on confronting threats in the Middle East.
Little Middle East discussion
Thursday's questioning was notable for its scant discussion of the wars in Afghanistan, where 8,400 U.S. troops are stationed; in Iraq, where about 6,000 Americans are supporting a punishing Iraqi offensive against the Islamic State; and in Syria, where a small Special Operations unit hopes to help local forces drive the militants from their stronghold of Raqqa.
Mattis did say the U.S. strategy for Raqqa "needs to be reviewed and perhaps energized on a more aggressive timeline."
Speaking to lawmakers about Russian activity beyond its borders, Mattis gave a full-throated defense of NATO and said he supports the Pentagon's European Reassurance Initiative, which has added military power in eastern Europe in response to concerns about Russian pressure on the Baltics.
On Thursday, Putin's spokesman criticized the U.S. decision to begin a major deployment of troops and heavy equipment near Russian borders in eastern Europe.
Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees, in their first round of confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill, have contradicted the president-elect on key issues, promising to trim back or disregard some of the signature promises on which he campaigned.
A fresh round of examples came Thursday, the third day of hearings.
Retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis, Trump's nominee to be defense secretary, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the United States must honor the "imperfect arms-control agreement" with Iran because "when America gives her word, we have to live up to it and work with our allies," even though Trump has vowed to dismantle it.
He also took a more adversarial stance than Trump has toward Russian President Vladimir Putin and cited Moscow as one of the nation's top threats.
"I've never found a better guide for the way ahead than studying the histories. Since (the 1945 meeting of world powers at) Yalta, we have a long list of times we've tried to engage positively with Russia. We have a relatively short list of successes in that regard," Mattis said. "I think right now, the most important thing is that we recognize the reality of what we deal with (in) Mr. Putin, and we recognize that he is trying to break the North Atlantic alliance."
'Uncharted territory'
At a witness table in another Senate hearing room, Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Kan., whom Trump picked to head the CIA, assured the Intelligence Committee that he would "absolutely not" use brutal interrogation tactics on terrorism suspects in contravention of the law.
In 2009, President Barack Obama signed an executive order that bars the CIA from using interrogation methods beyond those permitted by the U.S. Army Field Manual. That excludes such measures as waterboarding.
Trump, on the other hand, argued during his campaign that "torture works." He vowed to resume it "immediately" and to come up with "much worse."
The discordant notes that Cabinet nominees have struck as they have been questioned by senators suggests that a reality check may lie ahead for Trump.
It may be that the grandiosity and disregard for convention that got Trump elected were inevitably bound for a collision with the practical and legal limitations of governing.
"His rhetoric was so far outside the boundaries - in some instances of reality, and in some instances, of the laws of the nation, and in other issues, outside the boundaries of pass-fail issues for some of these nominees," said Republican strategist Steve Schmidt, who as an aide to President George W. Bush oversaw the confirmation process for the Supreme Court nominations of Samuel Alito and John Roberts.
The American system of government places "extraordinary constraints" on even a president's power, Schmidt said. "You're seeing the reality-show aspects of campaigning bending to the reality of governance."
But others say that Trump is such a singular figure, whose fervent supporters are convinced that he can topple the established order in Washington, D.C., that it is impossible to predict how things will play out once he has been inaugurated.
"We are in such uncharted territory with this guy," said Elaine Kamarck, director of the Brookings Institution's Center for Effective Public Management. "The interesting thing will be, does Trump pay attention to what his government does?"
'On the same page'
The comments by Mattis and Pompeo on Thursday continued a pattern set in the first two days of hearings.
On Tuesday, retired Marine Corps Gen. John Kelly, nominated to head the Department of Homeland Security, played down the significance of Trump's promise to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, saying "a physical barrier in and of itself will not do the job."
On Wednesday, secretary of state-designate Rex Tillerson contradicted the president-elect's repeated suggestions that climate change is a hoax.
As a candidate, Trump had said he would withdraw the United States from a 2015 international accord to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, although he has since softened that stance.
That Trump's nominees would air their disagreements with the president-elect at their confirmation hearings is "extraordinarily unusual," Kamarck said. "The first thing a president and a transition team does is make sure the president and his Cabinet are on the same page."
But it may be that they have not yet even discussed their differences.
Among the startling turns in the confirmation hearings has been the revelation by some of Trump's nominees that they have not had detailed conversations with the president-elect about critical issues that will fall within their portfolios.
Tillerson, for example, told the Foreign Relations Committee that he and Trump had discussed foreign policy only "in a broad construct and in terms of the principles that are going to guide that."
"I would have thought that Russia would be at the very top of that, considering all the actions that have taken place," Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., said. "Did that not happen?"
"That has not occurred yet, Senator," Tillerson replied.
Houston's firefighters' pension board is expected to discuss and, perhaps, take a second vote on Mayor Sylvester Turner's landmark pension reform deal next week, underscoring the group's continuing wariness of the proposal as it reaches the newly convened Legislature.
The fire pension board joined the police and municipal boards in agreeing to the reform framework in October, but did so in a tortured discussion in which members stressed several caveats, among them a plan to vote again once the agreed terms were turned into legislative language. Such a vote could come as early as Tuesday.
Turner kicked off Wednesday's City Council meeting by stressing the importance of securing legislative passage of the reforms and - without mentioning any person or pension fund directly - also issued a warning to those who might try to impede that passage.
"There may be some out in the universe saying that you're going to keep what you have got," Turner said. "I want to give due notice: It is totally unrealistic to expect you can keep what you have received for the last 15 years and fix this problem. If anyone attempts, for example, to undo, unravel, you will get less than what you have asked for."
After the council meeting, Turner said lawyers at the Capitol now are drafting bills based on language produced in the city's negotiations with the police and municipal funds. It is unclear, however, how close the sides are to final language on the fire reforms.
The mayor said legislative counsel have been provided only with the firefighters' October term sheet, and city sources say fire pension leaders have moved slowly and raised repeated concerns throughout the negotiations. Some fire representatives even traveled to Austin a month ago to discuss those concerns with key legislative staffers.
Among the outstanding issues, fire pension board chairman David Keller wrote in a Jan. 3 letter to members, are ensuring that the legislation leaves the city no wiggle room to underfund the pension in the future, and clarifying a key provision that would cap the city's future costs and force further benefit cuts if, for example, the fund's investment returns tanked.
"There are," he wrote, "a number of complicated issues to be worked out before it can be said that an agreement or 'deal' is reached."
Keller did not return calls for comment this week, but a Thursday morning email from the fire fund informed members that a special Friday meeting to discuss the reforms had been canceled, explaining the decision by stating that the week had "failed to yield new developments."
Nick Salem, who heads a firefighter retiree group, said he visited with lawmakers in Austin this week and told them the city is "reneging" on the October terms by not giving pension officials sufficient say in the bill drafting.
"If the city doesn't change this language, there won't be a deal," said Salem, who has not seen the proposed bill but has spoken with fire pension leaders. "We want to be in the bill-supporting business, but if our pension can't agree to it, you've got to be ready for the fight."
'Moving forward'
Salem and city sources said they anticipate the pension fund delaying action or voting no Tuesday, though Turner indicated that might not shift his plans much.
The mayor said he takes the three pension boards at their word, as stated in their October votes to proceed with the reforms, and said the city has dealt consistently and in good faith with all three groups.
"Let me be very clear: We are moving forward. There's no veto here at all," Turner said. "We all recognize in every legislation there are adjustments you make along the way. But we are moving forward. What I will not accept is any attempt to derail or substantially modify this agreement. There is going to be a pension reform measure for all three."
State Rep. Dan Flynn, R-Van, who chairs the House pensions committee and plans to carry the reform bills, said he remains open to working with the city and its firefighters to put the funds on sound footing. He joined Turner in lending an air of inevitability to the talks, repeating his warning that those hoping to lean on the Legislature for a solution may come to regret that decision.
"You know how negotiations go - everybody is throwing out what they want, their wish list, and then we try to bring some clarity to what can be done," Flynn said Friday. "But it's not an option to do nothing, and 'no' doesn't solve problems. We anticipate going forward."
Growing debt
Turner's reform plan assumes more realistic investment returns, which would hike the city's pension unfunding to nearly $8 billion, and drive up the city's annual pension payment. To bring that cost back down, the funds would cut benefits by $2.5 billion, and Turner would issue $1 billion in bonds and inject that cash into the two worst-funded pensions.
Language ensuring the city cannot short its payments is a particular flashpoint for the fire pension because that group is in the best financial shape of the city's three pensions, thanks to state law forcing the city to make its full annual payment to the fund.
The city, by contrast, rarely has made full payments to the police or municipal funds after 2001 benefit changes led costs to skyrocket. Those inadequate payments helped create a still-growing debt, which was left unsolved by 2004 and 2007 reforms to current and future workers' benefits.
AUSTIN A Tarrant County district judge has scheduled Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's criminal trial for May 1, almost two years after a grand jury indicted him on state securities fraud charges.
Jury selection is set to begin April 20, according to an order signed by Judge George Gallagher Monday.
"We'll be ready," said Brian Wice, a special prosecutor in the case against the attorney general.
The timing sets Paxton's trial squarely in the busiest month of Texas' political season as state lawmakers enter their final month of passing and killing bills and shortly before politicians begin announcing their election bids.
Paxton is charged with two counts of felony securities fraud and one count of failing to register with the state as an investment adviser. The charges carry a potential sentence of 99 years in prison and tens of thousands of dollars in fines.
"I'm delighted to get this thing to trial and I'm confident that the right verdict's going to happen and the general will be acquitted. We can't wait to get to trial," said Dan Cogdell, co-counsel on Paxton's criminal defense team.
The attorney general has maintained his innocence and contends he is the victim of a political witch hunt. Similar charges in federal civil court filed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission were dismissed last fall, although a federal judge is reviewing a revised set of charges from the SEC.
Paxton has tried to get the state's highest criminal court to throw out the state criminal charges, to no avail.
He is accused of failing to disclose to investors in 2011 that he would make a commission when recruiting them to invest in Servergy Inc., a North Texas tech company.
Then a state representative, Paxton allegedly received 100,000 shares of Servergy stock for convincing colleagues and friends to invest $850,000 in the company. Paxton's attorneys argued in federal court that Paxton had no obligation to volunteer that he would make a commission.
A Collin County grand jury indicted Paxton on securities fraud charges in July of 2015, six months after he was sworn in as attorney general, and a third lesser felony charge for failing to register as an investment adviser with the state.
He was reprimanded by the Texas State Securities Board little more than a year earlier and paid a $1,000 fine for failing to register in 2004, 2005 and 2012 as an investment adviser when soliciting clients for Mowery Capital Management, LLC. He paid that fine without contest.
The fine set off a slew of political attacks casting a shadow on Paxton as he ran and won election as attorney general.
Kent Schaffer, a second special prosecutor in the case, said he does not think running the trial concurrently with the end of the legislative session will affect the outcome of the case.
"It's never a convenient time to go to trial because there's always something going on, but we'll do it. We'll be there. We'll be ready," he said.
Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine - Chief Military Prosecutor Anatoliy Matios has said that the indictment on the treason of disgraced ex-President Viktor Yanukovych is to be provided by the court before the end of January and he is to be sentenced during two months, 5 Channel has reported.
"One of the legal basis, which enabled Lutsenko [Prosecutor General of Ukraine Yuriy Lutsenko] to immediately clarify the nature of the suspicion at court, is a confirmed evidence provided by Yanukovych himself, when he acknowledged that he appealed to Russia. The person confirmed that he had done it which is backed by the current Criminal Code of Ukraine in the framework of the international legal instructions. That is, we have his position at our disposal that even the defense would find impossible to deny," Matios said.
"We expect that the indictment will be in court by the end of this month and, taking into consideration the number of witnesses, materials and evidence, we are going to provide, I think, that in two months we will receive the verdict of the trial court," he said.
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AUSTIN - The leaders of the Texas Legislature appear to be unwilling or unable to hire a state auditor, an unprecedented situation that has deprived residents of their most powerful government watchdog for more than a year.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus, who share responsibility for filling the position, have not acted since longtime Auditor John Keel stepped down in early January 2016, records show. The Texas State Auditor's Office has continued to operate, but it has not had a formal leader, and it is preparing for the possibility of not having one for the entirety of this year's legislative session.
The office reviews contracts and conducts dozens of financial and efficiency audits of state agencies and universities every year. The work includes routine inspections, as well as special examinations that can be initiated by the office or the governor.
The absence of an appointed auditor largely has escaped notice despite the fact that it never before has happened for any significant length of time in the 73-year history of the post.
The current situation is due to tensions between Patrick and Straus, according to sources at the Capitol. The lieutenant governor and speaker are both Republicans, but they have different political philosophies and styles.
Both men said through spokesmen that they are working to find someone.
"The House will work with the Senate to fill the position, but in the meantime, there is an interim state auditor and that office continues to function," Straus spokesman Jason Embry said in a statement.
Keel also played down the issue in an interview, saying that he believes the office can operate effectively under its acting leader, First Assistant State Auditor Lisa Collier, who had been his deputy.
"I have confidence in the first assistant and in all of the staff there," Keel said. "What's important is that the members of the Legislature support the members of the State Auditor's Office. That's more important than whether there's a permanent state auditor or a first assistant state auditor."
The auditor's office declined comment.
Other former office employees and some government watchdogs expressed concern, however. Several argued that it is a particularly important time for accountability in Texas government.
Like 'malpractice'
Over the past few years, both former Gov. Rick Perry and current Attorney General Ken Paxton have been indicted (Perry's indictments were tossed out; a judge on Thursday set Paxton's trial for May 1); Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has been investigated for using taxpayer money to travel to Oklahoma to get a medical procedure known as "The Jesus Shot"; the Legislature has debated and passed several major pieces of legislation about ethics and contracting; and there have been massive scandals resulting in resignations at the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and the state Health and Human Services Commission.
During both of the scandals at the state agencies, the auditor's office was called upon to investigate.
Not appointing an auditor at a time like this amounts to "governmental malpractice," said Andrew Wheat of Texans for Public Justice, an Austin-based advocacy group. "Without a top audit cop, who is guarding the taxpayers' piggy bank?"
Interim not the same
During the last change atop the office in 2004, former Auditor Lawrence Alwin agreed to delay his retirement date so there would be no gap between his service and that of Keel's. Alwin, who did not return a message seeking comment, served for 19 years as auditor. The only other auditors in state history, George McNiel and C.H. Cavness, also served for approximately that amount of time.
The Legislature does not need to be in session for the lieutenant governor and house speaker to hire an auditor. In fact, Keel was named to the post in November of 2004.
Julia Foree, who worked for the office for several years in the late 1990s and early 2000s, said an interim auditor would not have the same power as someone appointed to the position.
"I would expect that the interim would not make any big 'policy-type' decisions or do anything non-mandated to make waves or set a new direction," she said. "Things that a new director certainly might."
Mike Ward contributed to this report.
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Texas Legislature
Regarding "Take action to restore Texas' sagging pro-business reputation" (Page B1, Wednesday), for years, Texas has had the reputation for being very business friendly and has in the past brought hundreds of businesses to the state, thus creating thousands of jobs. Texas has led the nation in jobs creation and has created a large tax-paying workforce.
Now it seems that a faction within the Legislature wants to kill this growth and kill new jobs for the Texas workers. Here are some examples of growth killers:
The franchise tax, a tax for the privilege of doing business in the state, needs to be eliminated.
Businesses need a well-educated workforce, and high school graduation standards need to be raised, not lowered.
And finally, there are major challenges facing the oil and gas industry, which is in bad shape. This is the time that the Railroad Commission, the state's oil and gas regulator, needs adequate funding to do its job.
Most of us taxpayers have very good legislators that we elect and send to Austin, but there is a misguided group that is leading the rest down the wrong road.
Hobie Sibley, League City
Anti-dumping laws
Regarding "Mayor's anti-flooding effort starts off with small projects" (Page A3, Wednesday), so the city of Houston is going to spend $10 million clearing trash out of drainage ditches to mitigate flooding. Fine, but not a solution to the problem.
How about enforcing laws prohibiting illegal dumping? How about installing cameras at some of the most flagrant and critical dumping locations and prosecuting people who put their trash there?
Monica Perin, Sugar Land
Texas hunting culture
Regarding "Drowning deaths resonate as a cautionary tale for hunters" (Page A1, Thursday), such a sad story. I know these were fine young men. My condolences to the family.
A lifelong duck hunting enthusiast myself, we all are accustomed to hunting in bad weather. Cold, rainy, windy, often these conditions offer the best opportunity for a satisfying morning in the blind.
Preparing for difficult weather is part of the challenge that makes a duck hunter a little more dedicated than the average person. It's not for everybody.
But that is part of the allure. And the duck gumbo later is eaten joyfully knowing that we sacrificed ourselves to darkness, cold and wet weather in order to put it on the table. There is nothing like it.
This story reminds us of the care needed in choosing our hunting trips and of knowing when to back off. But I hope no one will use these young men's enthusiasm to criticize their decision to go forward. They were just doing what comes naturally to the dedicated duck hunter. So so sorry.
Glen Boudreaux, posted viaHouston Chronicle.com
A-OK with Tillerson
Regarding "Tillerson grilled over Exxon" (Page A1, Thursday), Rex Tillerson represents many of us oilfield workers with task objectives to accomplish, not ideology to pursue. I am an active Democrat and work alongside active Republicans in projects that require all our talents, or in developing American Petroleum Institute best practices for use by all in various political parties, indeed by persons around the world.
Our oilfield task-oriented approach will work on the worldwide stage of diplomacy and Tillerson may be able to make progress on difficult problems using this method.
John Martinez, Houston
Don't mess with food
Regarding "Video shows Jimmy John's workers playing with dough" (Chron.com, Thursday), there should be criminal charges for all food workers who do this type of stuff. I notice most restaurants have cameras in their kitchens now.
Angela Williams, posted via Facebook
Politics is about power.
In Pasadena, Mayor Johnny Isbell used his power to hurt Hispanic citizens.
He certainly wasn't the first politician in that Harris County city to build his personal and political ambitions at the expense of his neighbors. The history of discrimination in Pasadena - once home to the KKK - is well-documented in the opinion by Judge Lee H. Rosenthal striking down Isbell's redistricting agenda last week.
But all too often we like to think that brazen electoral racism has been left to the history books. Plenty of politicians like to pander an illusion of a Voting Rights Act that has outlived its purpose. Isbell's white-collar, Bull Connor schemes only underscore the importance of civil rights legislation - even as we see our first black president leave office.
As Rosenthal wrote in her opinion, Isbell knew that his plan to replace two district representatives with at-large representatives would hurt Hispanic voting strength. He knew that the Department of Justice would find his policy to be illegally discriminatory. But after the Supreme Court gutted federal pre-approval requirements in 2013, Isbell immediately moved forward on his anti-Hispanic agenda. The details of the case, like so much of municipal politics, centered on potholes.
A growing Hispanic voter base wanted the city to fix streets and sewers in long-ignored north Pasadena. After decades of fighting a rigged system, a new generation of activists and first-time voters worked to elect City Council members who would go to the mat for their constituents. Within four years, Hispanic voters had filled half of their council's eight seats with friendly representatives. Newfound political equity successfully blocked a bond referenda vote that would have prioritized civic luxuries in largely Anglo south Pasadena over the immediate needs of Hispanic north Pasadena.
So how did Isbell respond to the shifting political landscape? Did he propose a new bond? Did he listen to the concerns of his fellow citizens?
No. The mayor tried, like generations of politicians before him, to rig the system.
Isbell transformed an open-door bond committee into one focused on redistricting behind a closed door. Almost single-handedly, he pushed a ballot proposition to change City Council and undermine Hispanic voters.
As the public vote on the change moved forward, Isbell used city money, time, employees, organization and resources to promote the now-illegal proposition. Staffers worked for Isbell's political campaign while on the city clock. Municipal dollars were distributed to Anglo neighborhoods during election season in a move that looks like a taxpayer-sponsored bribe. Throughout the trial, the veteran of Pasadena politics since 1969 gave testimony that Judge Rosenthal called "uncredible" and "inconsistent."
These are the actions of a man desperately clinging to a Anglos-only rule in an increasingly diverse city.
The redistricting passed by 79 votes. After Pasadena civil rights activists rallied their time, money and legal efforts, the change was struck down as illegally discriminatory by a federal court. Pasadena voters will return to their old map for the next election. And Hispanic neighborhoods will get a fair fight about potholes.
Nobody ever thinks that they're the bad guy in the story of their lives. Today, society praises the civil rights movement as an act of unalloyed good. But the police who blocked the bridge into Selma must have thought their cause was righteous. Politicians who wrote Jim Crow discrimination into law must have thought they were on the right side of history. Justice would not have to roll down like waters if self-serving men hadn't worked to dam it up.
Texans can't be so naive as to imagine that bigotry only resides in the history books when we see it alive and well in Pasadena.
Power outages followed the Interstate 44 corridor throughout the day Friday as ice from Winter Storm Jupiter fell across the southern part of the state. Most of the outages numbered in the hundreds or less for the electric cooperatives in the storms path.
Outages started slowly, with 132 co-op members without service at 10 a.m. As the ice grew on trees, those numbers doubled to 350 a half hour later. They peaked at 2,000, with the most remaining trouble spots located in the heavily forested areas served by Citizens Electric Corp., Perryville, Intercounty Electric Cooperative, Licking, and Crawford Electric Cooperative, Bourbon.
We currently have around 500 members without power, primarily due to the weight of ice on trees near powerlines, Intercounty Electric reported through social media at 3 p.m. The greatest portion of outages are in our central territory, spanning from Roby through Edgar Springs and surrounding areas to north of Salem. Crews are working to restore power and unless they find something unexpected, anticipate to have a good portion of these members back on shortly.
Crawford Electric reported that its lines were holding up well. There is still some uncertainty with this system and the long-range forecast. But theres no reason not to prepare, said the co-ops CEO Tony Mallory. He added that crews will be on the job all weekend.
Co-ops initially impacted by the storm reported getting one line up, only to have another one go down. Crews stayed with the outages and by Friday afternoon Ozark Electric was reporting that power had been restored to all members. Southwest Electric Cooperative was working just a handful of outages at that time.
The storm also hammered Black River Electric Cooperative, Fredericktown. Outages in Madison and Wayne counties peaked at 1,230. Most of the outages were caused by a single tree that fell across a feeder line close to a substation. There was no damage to the line, and once the tree was removed power began to flow again. By afternoon the cooperative had restored power to its members, only to see a single line fail, affecting less than 200 members.
The lack of wind has really been in our favor, said John Singleton, Black Rivers manager. We are not out of the woods yet. There is more coming, so no one here is declaring victory. Meanwhile Lebanon-based Laclede Electric Cooperative continued to work approximately 200 outages on its lines, with most in Laclede County. Citizens Electric crews kept busy all day with outage numbers ranging from 40 to 70, then shooting up to 683 in the afternoon.
As the storm comes in waves, outages likely will continue through the evening and into Saturday, but all systems are prepared to stay with the situation until every member is back on line. Missouris electric cooperatives appreciate their members support and patience during this difficult time.
Key personnel from electric cooperatives in Missouri received another weather update from the National Weather Service Springfield office Friday morning as ice began to accumulate around the state. This was an update from another conference call held Thursday.
According to Doug Cramer with the National Weather Service, conditions will be slightly better than previously anticipated. That is good news for you, he told the electric cooperatives.
He also said wind gusts will be lighter than in previous ice storms, with sustained wind speeds below 10 mph. Wind is a major factor in causing power outages. Also out of the forecast is a flood risk previously expected, with total precipitation below 2 inches.
As of 8 a.m. Friday, the freezing line had just passed through Springfield and was moving north. Freezing rain was accumulating, but Cramer said it was not building up efficiently due to higher temperatures.
He said the bullseye for the storm appears to be headed to Butler, headquarters for Osage Valley Electric Cooperative. That area is expected to get up to 3/4 of an inch of ice, with the heaviest buildup occurring on Saturday afternoon and evening, Jan. 14.
For Barton County Electric Cooperative based in Lamar, today will be the critical period, Cramer said. The storm wont cause problems for north Missouri until Sunday, with temperatures not warming up above freezing on Monday.
Elsewhere, the electric cooperatives along the Interstate 44 corridor and central Missouri can expect from 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch of ice beginning today. The ice line extends from Highway 60 in southern Missouri north to the Iowa line, where ice fall is expected to be 1/4 inch or less.
Missouris electric cooperatives have been tracking Winter Storm Jupiter for a week and are prepared to deal with its aftermath. All of the states electric cooperatives have enacted their Emergency Response Plans. All trucks and other vehicles are fueled, loaded with materials and are ready to go as needed.
The public is encouraged to prepare for possible extended outages. You can track outages at https://outages.amec.org/outages/maps. Visit your local electric cooperatives website, Twitter feed and Facebook page for the latest information. You can also follow @MoElectricCoops on Twitter and Mo Electric Coops on Facebook for updates and storm safety tips.
Motorists should avoid travel if possible in Missouri late Thursday night through Sunday due to incoming significant amounts of freezing rain, sleet and ice, officials say.
Travel on Missouris roads should be avoided overnight Thursday into Friday through Sunday. Friday morning rush hour commutes will be impacted by the freezing rain across most of Missouri.
MoDOT crews will be out ahead of the storm using a mixture of chemicals and abrasives including salt brine and salt, said MoDOT State Maintenance Engineer Becky Allmeroth. Ice is the most difficult storm to fight. With large areas of the state expected to get a half inch or more, it can cause downed power lines and potential roadway closures. Motorists should avoid travel this weekend if at all possible.
Many universities and colleges across the state begin next Tuesday. Students are advised to avoid travel this weekend and consider travel after the ice storm is clear and conditions improve.
If a section of highway is shut down for extended periods, motorists should heed the warnings on the digital signs and exit the highway at the next available exit. To check road conditions including winter weather conditions and traffic speeds, please check MoDOTs Traveler Information Map at http://traveler.modot.org/map/. The map is also available as a free app on iTunes and Google play listed as MoDOT Traveler Information. MoDOTs customer service center is available for information 24 hours a day at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636).
All week, our crews have been gathering chain saws, chippers and other equipment that will be important when we have downed trees from the ice accumulation, Allmeroth said. If there are power outages, please treat dark signals as a four-way stop. Stay away from downed lines.
When roads get icy, please consider putting chains on vehicles if you have to travel. Please use proper winter safety precautions and make sure you have a full tank of gas, extra blankets and gloves and provisions like water and snacks. Please wear your seat belt and dont drive distracted. Leave plenty of space behind other vehicles and give snow plows room to work. If you encounter car troubles or are involved in a crash, please remain in your vehicle.
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The National Radio and TV Council (NRTC) of Ukraine on January 12 issued a permit to broadcast using radio frequency of 873 kHz on the territory of the Anti-Terrorist operation (ATO) in the town of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region, the NRTC press service said.
"During the daytime Ukrainian radio with the power of 50 kW will be broadcast to the following territories: Kostiantynivka, Kramatorsk, Dymytriv, Artemivsk, Lysychansk and most of the occupied territories, including the city of Donetsk, Horlivka, Makiyivka, Torets, Shakhtarsk, Torez, Yenakiyeve, Debaltseve, Brianka, Alchevsk. At night the signal coverage will be much better - it will cover all the occupied regions of Donetsk and Luhansk regions," the press service quoted the National Council member Serhiy Kostynsky as saying.
He also said that Broadcasting, Radio Communications & Television Concern (BRT) is changing the antenna design which will be transmitting a signal. The issue with the transmitter is being resolved. According to rough estimates, it will be technically possible to launch the broadcasting within three months.
Thus, the inhabitants of the occupied territories and controlled territories will be able to listen to news programs of the "Ukrainian Radio," as well as programs developed in partnership with the "Voice of Donbas" and "Radio Liberty", which are adapted for the residents of the occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
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Three Ukrainian servicemen have been wounded in the Anti-Terrorist operation (ATO) zone in eastern Ukraine in the past 24 hours, Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman for military issues Oleksandr Motuzianyk has said.
"No Ukrainian servicemen died in the hostilities over the past day but three suffered injuries; that happened near Popasna," he told a press briefing in Kyiv on Friday.
Swedish government has scrapped its plan to introduce gender quotas to the boardroom after the proposed legislation was met with resistance in a parliamentary committee.
Now defunct, the bill would have required listed firms and state-owned companies to have at least 40 per cent female representation on their board of directors or face fines of between 250,000 kronor (CA$46,900) and five million kronor (CA$938,500).
Enterprise and innovation minister Mikael Damberg had intended to table the bill at the end of February but the ruling Social Democrat-Green coalition said support was insufficient, despite the Left Partys backing. As a result, Damberg said he would no longer be pushing forward with the proposal.
"Things are moving far too slowly when it comes to gender equality on company boards, but what with this announcement, the government won't proceed with a bill, because the necessary parliamentary conditions are not there," he told the TT news agency.
Had the legislation gone ahead, Sweden would not have been the first European country to implement the quota France, Germany and the Netherlands have all introduced, or are in the process of introducing, similar laws.
The trend follows a 2012 report by the European Commission which set a target of 40 per cent female representation for 5,000 large corporations listed in the EU. The commission suggested the goal be met in 2020 in the private sector and in 2018 in the public sector.
h giant Microsoft is being sued by two former employees who claim they were left with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after viewing disturbing material.
The two men at the centre of the lawsuit, Greg Blauert and Henry Soto, were employed as part of Microsofts online safety team the division responsible for upholding the firms legal obligation to pass on any illegal images to the US National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
When an image is reported, or automated software has detected an issue, a human being is required to view the material and forward it on to the authorities its an undeniably grisly task that Blauert and Soto say has left them with lasting psychological scars.
Microsoft has readily acknowledged the difficulty of the job, noting that employees are limited in how long they may do the work per day and must go to a separate, dedicated office to do it but Blauert and Soto say little was done to prepare them for the role.
The lawsuit says Soto suffered from "panic attacks, disassociation, depression, visual hallucinations" because of his employment and claims he couldnt be around young children, even his own son, due to the "horribly violent acts against children he had seen.
Soto also claims that, when he requested a transfer, he was told he would have to apply for a new job within Microsoft just like any other employee. When he was eventually moved to a different section of the safety team, he said he was still being asked questions related to his prior role.
Blauert, who had a mental breakdown in 2013, claims he was told to "smoke", "go for walk" or "play video games" when he voiced concerns.
Microsoft has been quick to deny the allegations and says it offers industry leading support for employees who are also obligated to participate in a wellness program which includes mandatory one-on-one sessions.
Microsoft takes seriously its responsibility to remove and report imagery of child sexual exploitation and abuse being shared on its services, as well as the health and resiliency of the employees who do this important work, a representative told the BBC.
The firm also runs software which blurs imagery, lowers resolution, makes images black and white, separates audio from video and displays all images as thumbnails, never full size.
Swedish government has scrapped its plan to introduce gender quotas to the boardroom after the proposed legislation was met with resistance in a parliamentary committee.
Now defunct, the bill would have required listed firms and state-owned companies to have at least 40 per cent female representation on their board of directors or face fines of between 250,000 kronor (NZ$50,260) and five million kronor (NZ$1 million).
Enterprise and innovation minister Mikael Damberg had intended to table the bill at the end of February but the ruling Social Democrat-Green coalition said support was insufficient, despite the Left Partys backing. As a result, Damberg said he would no longer be pushing forward with the proposal.
"Things are moving far too slowly when it comes to gender equality on company boards, but what with this announcement, the government won't proceed with a bill, because the necessary parliamentary conditions are not there," he told the TT news agency.
Had the legislation gone ahead, Sweden would not have been the first European country to implement the quota France, Germany and the Netherlands have all introduced, or are in the process of introducing, similar laws.
The trend follows a 2012 report by the European Commission which set a target of 40 per cent female representation for 5,000 large corporations listed in the EU. The commission suggested the goal be met in 2020 in the private sector and in 2018 in the public sector.
Currently, the proportion of women on Swedish boards is around 32 per cent notably higher than New Zealands 17 per cent but still short of the commissions 40 per cent target.
Like so much else in American politics these days, it all looks very suspicious, but no one can prove anything.
Many on social media are wondering whether Russian hackers were involved with several strange glitches to Washington media feeds, and the Capitol building itself, on Thursday.
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At around 2:30 PM ET, a live broadcast of C-SPAN, the cable network that covers congressional proceedings, was interrupted by a stream of Russia Today, a Moscow-based news site funded by the Russian government.
Here's the moment Russia Today took over the C-SPAN1 feed. Unclear what happened. RT aired for about ten minutes before C-SPAN1 came back. pic.twitter.com/mhWVgCoFxF Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) January 12, 2017
The RT broadcast went on for 10 minutes before the C-SPAN feed resumed. As some on social media were quick to point out, the RT feed interrupted a speech by California Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters, one of President-elect Donald Trumps biggest critics.
Waters was pushing for strong regulations on Wall Street when the interruption happened, but she went on to mention Russia several times while the feed was cut off, according to the New York Times.
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C-SPAN confirmed the internal technical glitch and said they are investigating the matter.
Russia Today, in its own report on the incident, stated simply that RT had no way of cutting into the C-SPAN broadcast.
Then things got weirder.
A few hours after the C-SPAN incident, MSNBCs Hardball with Chris Matthews experienced a technical glitch during a segment featuring Washington Post reporter David Ignatius, when the video feed started looping again and again as Ignatius said the word Russia.
Did MSNBC get hacked? pic.twitter.com/kKgYsyTxUG Dorsey Shaw (@dorseyshaw) January 13, 2017
MSNBC reportedly told CNN the show was pre-taped but there was a technical glitch that was resolved in a matter of seconds.
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All the same, the incidents had many on social media suspecting foul play by a Russian government recently accused of attempting to meddle with the U.S. election.
@nytimes this is no accident. We are obviously in a cyber war with Russia Jen Nossib (@JenNossib) January 12, 2017
@punningpundit Wow they really want to brainwash people that RT or Russia is hacking ........ a desperate move nonetheless Pierre Zgheib (@PierreZgheib) January 13, 2017
Lights went out as someone said Russia
And compounding the suspicion was another incident, several hours before the C-SPAN glitch, in which a confirmation hearing for Trumps pick to head the CIA, Mike Pompeo, was interrupted by a power outage.
According to the Washington Times, Virginia Democratic Sen. Mark Warner was talking about Russia when the lights went out in the U.S. Capitol building.
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[North Carolina Republican Sen. Richard] Burr and I have committed to conduct a review of the intelligence supporting the intelligence communitys assessment that Russia, at the direction of President Vladimir Putin, sought to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election in order to undermine public faith in our democratic process, Warner was saying at the time.
The power outage hit just before Warner said the word Russia, the Times reported. The hearings were quickly relocated.
The incident led to theories that Russian hackers may be accessing the power grid.
I tweeted this morning that Russia must have hacked our power grid. Damn! https://t.co/M801HNxnAt Dana Smith Dutra (@YDanasmithdutra) January 13, 2017
The power went out in Pompeo's hearing to run the CIA - Russian attack on Capitol power grid? Patricia Zengerle (@ReutersZengerle) January 12, 2017
As of publication time, it was not yet known what caused the power outage on Capitol Hill.
You'll just have to decide for yourself what if anything is going on.
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7 QUOTES FROM RUSSIA AND THE US THAT WILL MAKE YOU THINK THE COLD WAR NEVER ENDED See Gallery
If Calgary police have said it once, they've said it a hundred times: Don't leave your car unattended and running.
To drive their point home, they've released dramatic helicopter footage that highlights the potential dangers the public faces when cars are stolen or hijacked.
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The video, with footage taken from the HAWCS helicopter, shows stolen cars speeding down Calgary streets into oncoming traffic, one vehicle almost hitting a pedestrian, and two carjackings.
People who steal cars often drive dangerously and police say the vehicles can be used to commit other crimes, like robberies and break and enters.
Last year, there were 4,879 reported stolen vehicles in Calgary a 51 per cent hike from the five-year average.
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And police say that a quarter of stolen vehicles are taken with the keys already inside.
On Wednesday, 14 cars that were stolen had been left running and unattended.
Police have offered a number of tips that can reduce the likelihood of a stolen vehicle. Watch the video above to find out more.
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Canada is worse than a laggard, according to a new report calling the country last among its global peers when it comes to international aid spending.
Global Canada, a non-governmental organization, published its second annual report this week, highlighting the countrys commitment to international aid as close to an all-time low.
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The report notes current aid levels to be about two per cent of the federal budget.
This situation is not the Trudeau governments fault, but is now its responsibility, said Robert Greenhill, the groups founder in a column published in The Globe and Mail. He called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to correct Canadas course on foreign aid.
By keeping most of the discretionary cuts imposed in Stephen Harpers last years, the first Liberal budget actually had lower support for development (26 cents per $100 of national income) than the average of the Harper government (30 cents).
In order for Canada to match international assistance levels set by G7, the government would have to double its contribution, the report suggests.
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The budget would have to increase to 56 cents per $100 of national income a bar set by like-minded countries such as Australia, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, and Norway.
Theres economic merit in international aid spending, the report notes. It brings up the example of China one of the largest recipients of Canadian aid in the 90s and how the country has become the second largest market for Canadian products today.
When it comes to development and defence spending, Canada is tied for last with Japan, Greenhill said.
What a pity, and potential tragedy, that Canada has been taking such a minimalist approach to international assistance, the report reads.
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The federal government said the conclusions in the report are similar to those already expressed in an ongoing review of Canadas international aid program.
We agree that our investments are critical for changing the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable, international development and La Francophonie spokesman Bernard Boutin told The Huffington Post Canada.
We know that Canadians and our international partners want us to be engaged in the world.
Boutin said Global Affairs is mindful of where Canadians want to see foreign aid dollars go to programs that align with a "respect for human rights, inclusiveness and good governance."
He added: We are in the process of changing course and we want to focus our efforts where we will have the greatest impacts: evidence-based investments that will empower the poorest and most vulnerable and save lives. Sexual and reproductive health and rights are a strong example of this type of investment.
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We know that Canadians and our international partners want us to be engaged in the world.
Canada to world: Were here to help
In his first year in office, Trudeau made a concerted effort to sell Canada as a globally minded and giving nation.
Were Canadian. And were here to help, Trudeau said in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly last September.
The prime minister pledged to increase Canadas role in UN peacekeeping missions. So far, $450 million and 600 troops have been allocated for an unconfirmed mission or series of deployments.
Conversely, the strategy of using the prime ministers personal brand to woo a global audience has also brought more high-profile pressure for Trudeau to deliver.
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Celebrities including musicians Bono and Rihanna have also called on the prime minister to increase Canada's foreign aid investment, particularly with global health and education programs.
Also on HuffPost
Felix Wong, who served as the Conservative senior political operations officer in Ontario in the 2015 election, remembers getting a phone call from Leitch in the early weeks of the campaign. Leitch, Wong remembers, was irate that her business cards didnt say Doctor before her name. Wong, who was 27 at the time, said the card template didnt allow for honorifics.
Youre lying, Leitch yelled, according to Wong. This is unacceptable. Even the prime minister [Stephen Harper] introduced me as Dr. Kellie Leitch this morning. Ive earned all these titles. Do you have these titles after your name? No. Wong said Leitch then threatened to call Harper if the cards werent fixed. (Leitchs campaign didnt respond to a request for comment.)
Information about the so-called capture by Russia-led militants of Ukrainian soldiers and equipment near Donetsk is more "fake news" generated by the Russian propaganda machine, the press service of Ukraine's Defense Ministry said on Friday.
"In light of the dissemination by several Internet news media of a video report purporting to document the so-called capture of Ukrainian soldiers and military equipment near Donetsk, we declare that this information does not correspond with reality. The video uploaded on January 10 to one of the propaganda Russian television stations chronicling the latest developments in Donbas is, in fact, two-year old footage of events in Debaltseve," the statement says.
The press service says the aim of Russian propaganda specialists in publishing the material is to "raise the low morale of combined Russian-separatist forces in Donbas."
"We ask Ukrainian journalists to be vigilant and not to disseminate the 'fake news' put out by the enemy," the press release says.
Prince William rarely talks about losing his mother, Princess Diana, but when he visited a Child Bereavement UK centre on Wednesday, he felt compelled to.
While visiting the charity, which helps grieving kids and families, the Duke of Cambridge comforted a nine-year-old girl named Aoife who lost her father to pancreatic cancer at the age of three.
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Duke of Cambridge speaks to Aoife, 9, during his visit to a Child Bereavement UK Centre.
You know I lost my mommy when I was very young, too, he told the girl, according to ABC News. I was [15] and my brother was 12. So we lost our mommy when we were young as well.
Its very important to talk about it, he added. Very, very important.
William also revealed to Aoife and other children at the event that he felt angry after losing his mother.
He very specifically used that word anger, he felt angry about it, said one mom, Lorna, who witnessed Williams meeting with the children. He also told us how important it was to talk about how we feel when we lose someone as he found it very difficult to talk about it.
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The Duke and Duchess find out how the @cbukhelp 'Memory Jar' exercise can help families dealing with bereavement pic.twitter.com/H5RpEmmCcT Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) January 11, 2017
Its been 20 years since Princess Diana died in a fatal car crash in Paris. Since then, William and his brother, Prince Harry, have rarely opened up about their loss. However, Harry previously revealed that he felt similarly to his big brother, in that he buried his feelings after her death.
For a huge part of my life I didnt really want to think about it, Prince Harry said in a documentary for ITV last year.
Prince William is a patron of Child Bereavement UK. The charitys founder, Julia Samuel, was a close friend of Princess Diana.
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Princess Diana's Iconic Outfits See Gallery
She was sanctioned by Russian President Vladimir Putin. He was awarded Putins Order of Friendship.
She wrote a book on the rise of the global super-rich. He made hundreds of millions of dollars in the oil industry.
The contrasts between new Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland and U.S. Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson help remind us that there are other relationships key to Canada-U.S. partnership beyond that of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and president-elect Donald Trump.
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Other Canadian ministers will also have to find common ground with the prospective members of the next U.S cabinet. (Watch the video above to see how some key members of Trudeaus inner circle line up with the people Trump aims to have advising him.)
Despite views on Russias aggression that are evidently not shared by Trump or Tillerson, Freeland made clear this week that she is seeking common ground, particularly on trade. She pointed out to reporters on Parliament Hill that the federal government has already held several meetings with Trumps team.
I think thats what Canadians expect us to be doing, to be forming relationships, to be getting to know the new U.S. administration, she said. Being able to pick up the phone and reach her counterpart will pay dividends, she suggested.
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Weve been laying the groundwork for some personal relationships, she said.
Those relationships wont always be easy. At his confirmation hearing before the Senate this week, Tillerson faced a grilling on Putins actions in Ukraine and Syria, and said he didnt have enough information to call Putin a war criminal.
Freelands office, meanwhile, said she would not seek to ease sanctions on Russia in order to have her travel ban lifted.
"There is no quid pro quo for aggression and illegal action on their part, Freelands spokesman told The Canadian Press.
With a file from The Canadian Press
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The bromance between Zach Galifianakis and Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark continues.
Clark tweeted a photo Friday morning of the Hollywood comedian wearing a "Charlie Clark Mayor 2016" shirt while visiting the Los Angeles Zoo.
Zach sent this photo in from the Los Angeles zoo - sporting his Saskatoon gear! #yxepic.twitter.com/rlX0jV2VCx Charlie Clark (@charlieclarkyxe) January 13, 2017
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The shirt, designed by Saskatoon body piercing studio Schamatta, features a picture of Clark flanked by unicorns.
So, why would Galifianakis wear such a seemingly random T-shirt on such an outing? It turns out he is married to one of Clark's cousins.
And this isn't the first time Galifianakis has shown his support for his Canadian family member.
Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark. (Photo: Facebook)
In October, Clark tweeted a decidedly amateur video of Galifianakis urging voters to mark their ballots in the civic election.
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Galifianakis said Clark was a "splendid man" and "would be a great leader and a fabulous mayor for Saskatoon."
Clark won the election.
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cheche22 via Getty Images Dried marijuana and green capsules.
It's a perfect storm of opportunity.
With the opioid addiction crisis spiralling out of control, the medical community is desperate to find a new way to treat chronic pain.
Most of all, society needs an inexpensive prescription painkiller that doesn't do more harm than good. I mean one that's non-addictive and isn't synonymous with accidental lethal overdosing -- unlike popular opioid drugs, such as OxyContin and fentanyl.
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Thankfully, medical marijuana seems to be the solution. It's non-toxic; it's not physiologically addictive; and a pain sufferer cannot overdose.
"To be fully accepted by the medical establishment, the delivery method for medical marijuana has to evolve."
But there's a catch.
To be fully accepted by the medical establishment, the delivery method for medical marijuana has to evolve. In other words, smoking or eating cannabis-infused foods must be replaced by slow-release, standardized-dosage pills or capsules. And they have to be pharmaceutical-grade.
Additionally, their legitimacy as proven drug therapies has to be backed-up by government-approved clinical trials.
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As soon as this happens, patented pain-relieving formulations for pot in a pill will become multi-billion dollar "blockbuster drugs". (More on this in a moment.)
That's why some medical marijuana growers -- both in the U.S. and Canada -- have their eyes on this hugely lucrative prize.
Among the front-runners is Emerald Health Therapeutics -- a home-grown, publicly-traded start-up that is based in Victoria, BC.
The company already produces pharmaceutical-grade medical marijuana at a federal-government-approved indoor growing facility on the outskirts of the city.
However, this is not your stereotypical pot play that's all about scaling-up as quickly as possible to prepare for a looming legal recreational market.
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It's not that Emerald isn't expansion-minded. With this new marketplace being valued as high as $10 billion a year by industry analysts, it represents a great source of cash flow for Emerald.
As demand increases, the company intends to scale-up its output over the next several years to as much as one million square feet of cannabis -- yielding 100,000 kilograms per annum.
How much is that? Enough for around 200 million "joints".
It's a big leap from Emerald Health's current output, which is still paltry in comparison. But the company's executive chairman, Dr. Avtar Dhillon, says he doesn't want Emerald Health to "over-build before the recreational demand is already in-place."
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Courting the $24 Billion Pain Market
In the near-term, the former family-physician is determined to focus on helping people find a better, risk-free way to manage chronic pain.
Having treated thousands of people during his 12 years as a frontline medical doctor in Vancouver, he's seen it all. This includes encountering all-too-many ordinary people who had become addicted to prescription opiates -- powerful painkillers that are chemically similar to heroin.
Now he wants to be a big part of the solution.
It's a noble intention. But it is also one that could offer him and his company's investors a huge financial windfall.
How has this ever-growing marketplace benefited Perdue -- the manufacturer of OxyContin? It has sold over US $30 billion worth of these pills so far.
Yet medicinal cannabis is proving to be an even more effective treatment for cancer-related pain, multiple sclerosis, nausea, neuropathic pain, and PTSD.
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But fewer than 5% of Canadian physicians are willing to prescribe it to patients. This is largely because of their inability to be clinically accurate in terms of dosages when prescribing it. Also, health insurance companies are still reluctant to cover the cost of cannabis-related treatments.
Once these hurdles to acceptance are overcome, the future for next-generation medicinal cannabis therapies is limitless.
Meet the Future of Medicinal Cannabis
Emerald Health's management team and directors are mostly made up of senior executives from the pharmaceutical industry.
They include company president Bin Huang, an accomplished scientist who has a PhD in plant cell biology. She also has a strong background in R&D, including developing drugs to treat pain.
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Company president Bin Huang, PhD, is a renowned expert in plant cell biology.
Dr. Dhillon explains why his company is made up of so many scientists: "We have a strong focus on pharmaceutical formulations. And we've assembled a team which has deep expertise in the pharmaceutical industry. They will be using developmental protocols from the pharmaceutical industry to help change attitudes about cannabis in the medical community.
"We also have the ability to carry out in-house clinical trials to demonstrate the efficacy of our cannabinoid-based pain drug candidates. Ultimately, we're aiming to innovate standardized pharmaceutical dosage medication in a pill or capsule format.
"This could help eliminate some of the needless prescribing of opioids -- for pain that's not severe pain -- which has become a commonplace practice over the past two decades."
"It would be a testament to the expertise and sophistication of Canada's medical marijuana industry if Emerald Health succeeds."
"Big Pharma" Wades In
A British pharmaceutical company called GW Pharmaceuticals is on the verge of setting a trail-blazing precedent. It's commercializing the first big-league cannabis-based drug.
Named Epdiolex, its success in clinical trials in treating rare seizure disorders has been impressive. So much so that it's on the verge of FDA approval for the US market.
Not surprisingly, the company's share price has skyrocketed, giving GW a market capitalization of well over US $2 billion -- largely thanks to the perceived value of the patent for Epdiolex.
This reality isn't lost on Dr. Dhillon. He wants his company to earn a big-league valuation, too. But first it has to develop its own game-changing proprietary intellectual property.
His company's scientists are therefore using advanced plant genetics to bio-engineer optimal cannabis strains that can be dialled-in to treat specific types of pain.
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It would be a testament to the expertise and sophistication of Canada's medical marijuana industry if Emerald Health succeeds.
Playing a meaningful role in the revolutionizing of the pain management business will earn the company great bragging rights over US competitors. Better still, it will make a lot of Canadian investors happy, too.
Best of all, it should help end the opioid addiction crisis.
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aurumarcus via Getty Images Please see some similar images from my portfolio:
Mental illness is the most common illness experienced by children and teens in Canada. Each one of us knows a child or a teen who is struggling with either depression, anxiety, an addiction or a behavioural disorder like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Mental illness not only causes high levels of distress in children, but can also interfere in significant and real ways with their lives.
What is not well known is that these illnesses are not inevitable. Mental illnesses can often be prevented from developing or from becoming more severe and difficult to treat.
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A report we released last month from the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy found that 14 percent of all children and teens in Manitoba were diagnosed by a doctor with at least one mental disorder during the four-year study period. These are diagnosed cases, so if we included all children who experienced a mental disorder, the percentage would be higher.
Other provinces report similar findings. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Ontario found that 34 per cent of high school students had a moderate-to-serious level of psychological distress and 12 per cent seriously thought about suicide in the past year.
"For every teen suicide, there are another 200 or more teens who are struggling with depression, ADHD, addictions or schizophrenia."
A recent report prepared for the British Columbia Ministry of Children and Family Development, found that 12.6 per cent of 4 - 17-year old children were experiencing a clinically significant mental disorder at any given time.
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What struck us, in completing the Manitoba report, is that mental illness touches children from all corners of the province and across all socioeconomic levels. We found however, that some children are at greater risk.
Children who live in families with many parenting challenges like poverty, being a teen mom, or being involved with child welfare services have a greater risk of developing mental illness. Our results also suggest that children from rural areas may not have adequate access to mental health services -- so that they cannot get treated early in the illness.
When we looked at Manitoba's suicide records over a four-year period, we found that 74 out of 100,000 teens died by suicide. It is important to keep in mind that these tragic deaths are only a fraction of those with mental illness. For every teen suicide, there are another 200 or more teens who are struggling with depression, ADHD, addictions or schizophrenia.
Suicide most often occurs when mental illness -- and the conditions that place children and teens at risk for mental illness -- are not addressed. It is crucial to instil hope in our young people and to build awareness of the many solutions to their problems.
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So how can we better support children with mental illness? How do we create hope and better life-long health and success for this future generation?
It is essential to develop and invest in a comprehensive Child and Youth Mental Health Strategy at provincial and national levels. What is required are strategies to both promote positive mental health and to provide supports and services early in the illness. Home visiting programs in early childhood, for example, have been shown to reduce depression, anxiety and use of substances in children.
Children require a warm nurturing environment. High levels of stress negatively impact the mental health of children. Prevention programs include positive parenting, home visiting, anti-bullying initiatives and mental health promotion approaches in schools - all strategies aimed at preventing mental illness from developing in the first place.
"Increasing mental health knowledge and skills of people working with children across sectors like education, social services and justice would mitigate the untoward effects of mental illness."
Increasing resources for mental health promotion in children will pay off big in reducing mental illness burden in adulthood - given that more than half of mental disorders have their roots in childhood.
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Our study found that children with mental illnesses are more likely to have lower grades in school and are less likely to graduate from high school. They are also more likely to be accused of a crime or to be victimized. They are more likely to be from families living in social housing or receiving income assistance.
Increasing mental health knowledge and skills of people working with children across sectors like education, social services and justice would mitigate the untoward effects of mental illness.
Canada currently spends too little on mental health compared to other developed countries. The Mental Health Commission of Canada recommends that nine percent of health budgets should go to improving mental health services.
Investments in mental health and wellness will go a long way into creating hope and a brighter future for children and teens.
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Richard Lautens via Getty Images TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 17: - Mayoral Candidate John Tory is advocating increasing use of existing rail lines in Toronto and the addition of 22 new transit stops in the next 7 years. He calls his transit plan SmartTrack. He is seen near the corner of Bayview and Pottery Road. (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
It may look like an editorial about Toronto's inadequate public transit infrastructure. But if you were to make it to the last paragraph, you will discover the story is about Mayor John Tory's "modest ambition" of a second term to see his SmartTrack and toll plans come to life.
While the current issue of The Economist magazine is full of praise, it contains many errors about Mr. Tory's transit plans. "Toronto's mayor tries to improve transport" reads the headline. However, soon the editorial morphs into an advertorial for Mr. Tory's bid for a second term.
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I find it odd that a publication that covers socio-political developments and finance across the globe would dedicate space to praise "a new light-rail line ... and adding six stations to existing commuter rail lines."
While The Economist credited Mr. Tory for SmartTrack, it failed to mention the more comprehensive provincial government plans to expand the rail transit network under the Regional Express Rail initiative that predated Mr. Tory and encompassed frequent service on Mr. Tory's proposed SmartTrack.
The Economist didn't stop there. It added that Mr. Tory intends to fund SmartTrack by generating revenue from tolling the Don Valley Parkway and the Gardiner Expressway, the two highways that serve downtown Toronto. This is entirely wrong.
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Mr. Tory's campaign was based on his plans to fund SmartTrack with Tax Increment Financing (TIF). I was quick to point out in 2014 that TIF-based financing of such magnitude (almost $3 billion) is unprecedented and full of risk. Later, my research, published by the Institute of Municipal Finance and Governance at the University of Toronto, exposed the loopholes in the mayor's TIF plans.
In October 2016, City of Toronto's staff reports also concluded that TIF was insufficient to fund SmartTrack. "City staff said that tax increment financing ... to pay for the city's share ... would not be enough," reported The Globe and Mail.
The Economist's scribe points out that $200 million dollars per year are expected from planned tolls to pay for SmartTrack. Not true. The city staff report revealed that after paying for tolling-related costs and the costs to maintain the two highways, fewer than $44 million per year will be available for transit-related investments, which is a piddly sum given the high capital costs of rail transit.
He has been instrumental in ensuring that public transit investments in Toronto are based not on scientific evidence, but on political brinkmanship.
But what takes the cake is The Economist's assertion that the one-stop Scarborough subway extension, an unnecessary replacement of an existing rapid transit line that will gain no new transit riders and will cost over $3.5 billion, is a misstep of the federal government. It quoted unnamed critics who mentioned "federal backing for a proposed six-kilometre subway extension" as an example of "silly projects" that cities embark on with free federal dollars.
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For the record, Mr. Tory has been the one promoting the subway extension in Scarborough. Transit experts in the city, Metrolinx, academia and independent consultants, have pointed out that there are no real benefits to expanding the subway in Scarborough. They advised the mayor not to waste scarce public dollars on transit infrastructure that will worsen transit accessibility for riders by eliminating existing light rail stations.
Mr. Tory, however, did not pay heed to the expert advice and arm-twisted the council to approve his subway plans. What motivates the mayor to pursue the unnecessary subway extension in Scarborough? If you guessed Mr. Tory's re-election bid, you guessed it right.
The mayor knows he will have to compete against Doug Ford, who outpolled Mr. Tory and Olivia Chow in the last mayoral elections in suburban Scarborough and Etobicoke. Mr. Ford has championed the Scarborough subway given his suburban political base. Mr. Tory is acutely aware of the political calculus, and hence he keeps backing the subway plans even when the costs continue to inflate.
Mr. Tory is no transit messiah. In fact, he has been instrumental in ensuring that public transit investments in Toronto are based not on scientific evidence, but on political brinkmanship. The Economist did not notice that on December 13 last year, Mr. Tory voted to defeat a motion in the city council that advocated for evidence-based approaches to prioritize transit infrastructure spending.
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How is it possible for The Economist to get so many facts wrong in one story? For a magazine whose 174-year-old history includes railway publications, getting so many facts wrong on a rail story is disconcerting for its loyal readers.
We don't know the identity of the unnamed critics responsible for pivoting the blame for the misguided subway plans from Mr. Tory to the feds. They were smart enough to fool The Economist. But will they be smart enough to fool the electorate in the 2018 mayoral elections?
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wildpixel via Getty Images Puzzle head idea and concept as a human face profile made from floating icefloating away in water with a jigsaw piece cut out on a cold blue arctic background as a mental health symbol.
Provisions in British Columbia's Mental Health Act that protect people with severe mental illnesses are currently under attack.
A challenge filed in B.C.'s Supreme Court argues that both inpatient and outpatient involuntary treatment are violations of people's human rights. The plaintiffs are two individuals who have received involuntary treatment as well as the Council of Canadians with Disabilities.
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While not fighting against involuntary hospitalizations, the proposed changes would mean that people can avoid involuntary treatments no matter how ill they are.
They will be able to do this because either they or a substitute decision maker they have previously selected have signed documents preventing treatment. As well, once they are released, the same documents could prevent mandated treatment that could help them remain stable in the community. It won't matter how often they have been unable to maintain necessary outpatient treatments and have ended up involuntarily hospitalized to protect themselves or others.
"Readers may conclude that the most morally responsible position is always to allow people to choose whether they want to be treated. But this easy conclusion ignores essential information about psychotic disorders."
In Ontario this kind of legislation has led to prolonged hospitalizations when very ill people refuse treatment. Current B.C. legislation requires treatment decisions to be made by physicians.
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Safeguards include the right of patients to have a second opinion and/or a Review Panel reconsider their admission and treatment. As well, unintentional safeguards include the reality of an underfunded mental health system that understandably discourages unnecessary hospitalizations and treatments.
The perspectives of the plaintiffs have been well represented by various human rights lawyers. Readers may conclude that the most morally responsible position is always to allow people to choose whether they want to be treated. But this easy conclusion ignores essential information about psychotic disorders.
Psychosis is a mental state in which someone loses the ability to differentiate between what is real and what isn't. Even as some of its symptoms begin to subside, people can be left with anosognosia, a brain based inability to understand that they are or have been ill. Proponents of this legislative change argue that stigma and the possibility of involuntary treatment are what prevent people from seeking treatment. But for people in psychosis, it's anosognosia that is the biggest problem.
Just talk to families desperate to get a psychotic family member the treatment they are too ill to understand that they need. Or read accounts like Joseph Bowers' recent article "Involuntary Treatment Made A Decent Life Possible for Me." Mr. Bowers, whose illness started when he was seventeen and who experienced numerous involuntary admissions before his illness was stabilized, writes:
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I'm near seventy, healthy, a husband and father who is retired with enough money coming in. None of this could have happened without involuntary treatment. My civil liberties were not taken away when force medicated and treated. I was instead liberated from the tyranny of serious psychosis.
As the mother of a daughter who has lived with schizophrenia for sixteen years, I know how crucial brief involuntary hospitalizations have been in helping her enjoy years of stability. Schizophrenia involves much more than psychosis; the associated cognitive difficulties which my daughter developed, and which began appearing long before the introduction of medications, means that she lives with significant disabilities.
Simple daily tasks can be extremely challenging for her and she relies on us for assistance including reminders about medication. My daughter tells other families that she never wants to be left in untreated psychosis in the future.
I want my daughter's best interests to be represented by the numerous disability rights organizations that have appeared in recent years. Sadly, these organizations, like the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, too often promote policies that pose real dangers to her. It's important to understand why a group like this would decide to hold these positions.
"Mental illness policies developed by individuals in organizations who lack basic information about these disorders can be harmful."
A good place to look for answers is investigating the beliefs espoused by the Mad Studies programs which have been proliferating in Canadian and other universities. "Mad" people and "psychiatric survivors" are usually people who have experienced great mental distress and who have survived encounters with psychiatry and medications that they didn't need.
A leader in developing Mad Studies programs is Professor Bonnie Burstow who fights to have the field of psychiatry abolished. Burstow teaches at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE).
OISE is the University of Toronto's school for training teachers and educational leaders. In this article, Burstow explains how Mad Studies have become a standard part of the curriculum in disability studies programs.
Burstow helpfully calls attention to egregious practices in the pharmaceutical industry. But students at OISE and elsewhere, who will become leaders in education, health care policy, and disability rights should also know about the progress that neuroscientists have made in recent decades. Here's a link to help them discover the science-based US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
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And because students influenced by Mad Studies go on to make decisions impacting people with schizophrenia, here is useful research-based information offered by NIMH. NIMH is funded by the federal government, not the pharmaceutical industry.
Mental illness policies developed by individuals in organizations who lack basic information about these disorders can be harmful. None of the statements from advocates for the challenge to the B.C. Mental Health Act discuss the consequences of the changes they propose. Canada has experienced a growing number of people with severe mental illnesses who remain untreated and who end up homeless and, increasingly, incarcerated.
Melanie Benard of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities is a lawyer and argues that current legislation is "reinforcing harmful stereotypes that equate mental illness with incapacity." Psychotic illnesses can, at times, incapacitate the people who live with these disorders.
Perhaps when disability rights advocates understand this, they will stop trying to dismantle laws that help people achieve stability and avoid encounters with the criminal justice system.
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2016 was a year of volatility inducing events, which caused many markets to move in surprising ways on the back of results that separated themselves from popular consensus or polling. Brexit, the US election, a new OPEC narrative, and the US Fed raising rates were all tough on trends, inducing whips and reversals. Despite this, equities rallied while broad commodities had their first positive year in many.
Despite the irony of Trump's glitter, gold lost its luster, the U.S. dollar soared, and rates rose. This all came after oil rallied for most of the year, copper became king, and natural gas moved over 50% from its lows even though many called it a dead market. Notably, WTI rose 85% from its January lows while Canadian oil, the largest foreign supply barrel to the U.S., rallied from 15.76 to 38.59 (as per the Canadian Crude Index Reference Price), gaining 145%.
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The stock market even remained unstoppable after an unlikely presidential candidate was elected to power. Canadian equities led the world, rising over 17% in 2016, which was the biggest increase since 2009, and the US market was on fire with the S&P500 gaining 9.5% on the year.
If the year has taught us anything, what stands out is being different and not following the pack in consensus or action. While typical "hedge funds", as ironic as that sounds, struggled, not all were negative. Our CTA and commodity investment strategies were positive, continuing to outperform at key times in 2016 when other CTAs underwhelmed expectations. We are very proud of this given how hard it was to achieve success in unforgiving market conditions. To be successful, it took character and resilience, along with agility and rock-solid risk management.
Looking forward, 2017 seems like a year that will be full of political risks and surprises. With elections coming in the Netherlands, France and Germany, and a clear lack of reliable polling, the populist movement is providing volatility from a seemingly unlikely place. Oil supplies are vulnerable to political risk, as production is concentrated in a small number of countries, many of which are unstable.
Domestic turmoil and conflict have disrupted supply from Nigeria, Libya and Venezuela in the last year, while the oil-producing Gulf States and Iran are politically and militarily tense. Moreover, with the approval of a pipeline to the west coast, for the first time in history, Canada has gained approval to move oil to tide waters and find new buyers in Asia instead of dumping 99% of its exports into the US. Essentially, the markets appear in for an unknown path.
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So how do you capitalize on this? Maintain the course and stay disciplined. We think it is critical to be agnostic and remain tilted to the opportunities that the commodity and financial markets provide. While no one knows where the markets are headed, we will continue to simply be trend followers. This will be a year that starts with a bang due to an unbounded number of political narratives globally. Therefore, it will be important to separate capital allocation from risk allocation. If investors continue to focus on proper portfolio construction, the environment could be very profitable.
While portfolios are typically built by diversifying capital across different assets, this does not necessarily diversify risk. Often, we see seemingly diversified portfolios that are really just a concentrated bet on the equity markets due to their high correlation and volatility to these assets.
While these portfolios look diversified, even using typical alternatives such as infrastructure, real estate and private equity along with "hedge funds", they tend to be overweight on equity risk by 80-95%. In fact, most "alternatives" have a high correlation to equity, which is why one should really research potential holdings, especially in the new year where it will be important to do the right thing instead of the same or easy thing.
To really take advantage of the unknown, we suggest adding strategies with a low, or ideally, slightly negative correlation to equities. By our analysis, this is limited to currency, commodities, agriculture and CTA/managed future alternatives with the only negative correlation being the latter. It is only with these types of additions that one can reduce risk while still having the opportunity for gains if this seemingly unflappable equity market keeps rallying -- or just as likely -- fails and reverses.
All things come to an end. That's what 2016 really taught us, and that is all you really need to know for 2017.
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Good luck.
Delve into the city of Zurich and you'll find a city where old meets new and where historic districts meet up-and-coming neighbourhoods. This is not a destination solely for business, but a mecca for the culturally attuned and lovers of creativity. But as Switzerland's city centre continues to unveil itself as a travel-hot spot, so too are people faced with the dilemma of where to stay, eat and explore. These decisions often bubble down to a battle between the city's more traditional side and its edgier offering. Luckily for you, we've got a couple of suggestions...
During the visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the sides have discussed the prospects of comprehensive revitalization of bilateral relations, deepening of cooperation within international organizations, as well as the expansion of the legal framework in the trade and economic sphere.
As the official website of the Foreign Ministry reported on Friday, Klimkin held separate meetings with President of Myanmar Htin Kyaw, State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Aung San Suu Kyi, as well as the commander of the Myanmar Armed Forces Min Aung Hlaing.
The parties discussed the prospects of expanding the legal framework of the Ukrainian and Myanmar relations in trade and economic spheres, in particular, preparations for the signing of bilateral agreements of economic areas - on trade and economic cooperation, promotion and protection of investments and avoidance of double taxation.
It was agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding soon on mutual understanding with respect to the start of bilateral consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries, as well as the holding of the first round of political consultations at the level of deputy foreign ministers.
In addition, the Honorary Consulate of Ukraine has started its work in Myanmar in the city of Yangon.
This week marks an important step for I CAN. Last July, in partnership with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) we launched Bercow: Ten Years On, a project designed to review support for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) in England. This week we are launching phase one of our evidence gathering; an opportunity for us to hear the experiences of children, young people with SLCN and their families and those who work with them.
In 2008 John Bercow was asked to lead a review into provision for children and young people with SLCN. At that time, the review showed services to be highly variable and in many instances inadequate. The 40 recommendations in the final report aimed to transform provision for and the experiences of children and young people and their families, all of which were accepted by the Government. The energy this generated around the issue of children's communication resulted in a National Year of Communication and some innovative changes to the way support was planned and commissioned. However, nearly ten years on the momentum has been lost. There has been a widespread overhaul of the systems in which services operate and this, together with constrained finances, means that meeting the needs of children with SLCN remains an issue.
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There is no doubt about the centrality of speech, language and communication as an essential life skill. A recent report highlighted the importance of oracy in schools and the need for the education system to give greater value to spoken language. And yet, still so many children struggle because they are unable to talk, understand and communicate their thoughts. The figures are shocking: in the UK, 1.4 million children have a long term, persistent SLCN and language disorder is seven times more prevalent than conditions such as autism. Ten years ago, one of the themes of John Bercow's report was the importance of early identification. Now, nearly 10 years later Bercow: Ten Years On has found that more than half of children with language difficulties are not being identified by primary schools, meaning they miss out on the crucial support they need. This is a situation that must change, and the information we gather from this phase of the Bercow: Ten Years On review will be fundamental in helping to make this happen.
The launch of our evidence gathering signals the first phase of this crucial project. We want as many people as possible to share their experiences of the reality of support and information for children, young people with SLCN and their families. Only through having this information can we understand what might need to change at both a local and national level to get children the help they need. Through understanding what good services for children and young people with SLCN look like, and how we can replicate that service elsewhere, we can work towards our mission: to inspire everyone to recognise and prioritise the centrality of children and young people's speech, language and communication.
We're facing an era of political division. Between nations and even within them, the differences among people appear to be increasingly stark. We can see that cultural mindsets exist, but in an ever-changing world, it can be hard to define our relationship to them. Certainly, a culture affects the perspectives and behaviour of those who belong to it. That we know. But how do you take cultural difference into account while also addressing people as they are - individuals?
The Financial Times defines a global mindset in terms of having "openness to and awareness of diversity across cultures and markets", commenting that "cultivating a global mindset is a prerequisite to becoming a global company". This requires leaders to think outside of their comfort zone. It's about being open to otherness, embracing it and learning from it.
Michael Landers, global business consultant and author of Culture Crossing, agrees. He is dedicated to finding solutions for groups and individuals working in challenging global contexts. Over the past 15 years, Michael has designed programmes for global executives and managers to help them build essential skills in areas such as cross-cultural communication, leadership, team building, employee engagement, diversity, inclusion and international recruiting. So far, he's conducted business in over 30 countries. In light of world events, I wanted to gauge his thoughts on the status of the global mindset. Here is his response.
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How did you get involved in global consulting?
My life has been leading me towards this profession. I was born in Boston, but when I was three my father got a job in South America so I lived there until I was 18. I came back to Boston every summer, but was raised in Colombia, Brazil and the Dominican Republic. I became a 'third culture kid' - highly adaptable to different cultures but still searching for a home culture. Learning to adapt to lots of culture shocks each time I changed school allowed me to get on with people from all over the world.
Later I moved to Japan, then finally came back to the US to study for a masters' degree in cross-cultural relations. I got my masters, then went to work in international HR for several years. And from there I was able to start my consulting career.
Are businesses as a whole embracing the concept of global mindsets?
We have to start with defining what a global mindset is. When I talk about it, I define it not as someone knowing every country and every region, but as someone who understands themselves related to their culture. When you don't have that understanding, your cultural programming becomes a limit on what you do. Unfortunately, a lot of businesses are lacking a global mindset and most are unware of this fact.
What is Culture Crossing about?
It is about discovering the key to making connections in the new global arena. Every time people from different cultures interact, a culture crossing occurs. When you get a culture connection, things go well and the impact you have on each other matches your intentions. But there can also be a culture crash. When this happens, you can unknowingly or unwittingly offend someone, or get offended yourself.
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Before you can hope to connect with someone from another culture - and that connection could be as simple as handing over a business card - first you need to understand your own culture. You hear about national, regional and organisational cultures, but there's often a lack of understanding one's self and how one behaves.
What are the steps to achieving cultural connections that you describe in the book?
I have broken it down into three steps: recognising cultural cues, opening your mind to alternate ways of thinking, and identifying opportunities to adapt your response. This three-part method helps people to take some of the "cultural reflex" out of the equation and set themselves up for success. The methodology is widely applicable, whether the goal is to increase sales, build strategic partnerships or maximise the potential of a diverse customer base.
Do generalisations play a role in understanding a specific culture? How does one balance understanding a culture with respecting the individual?
Generalisations have a lot of power, but you still need to be aware of the individual that is in front of you. There are useful truths that come from good data, but not everyone's the same. You want to avoid stereotypes. The stress is more on recognising yourself - your tendencies and how they link to your behaviours. Let your guard down, be open and you'll find shared experiences that connect across cultures. If you don't find something in common, be curious, not furious. When you ask questions in the right way, people are more open to sharing information about their cultures and themselves.
How does Culture Crossing help leaders and businesses adopt a global mindset?
What the book will do for leaders, businesses and individuals is make them aware of cultural programming. It will give them simple practical methodologies for avoiding culture crash, and promoting cultural understanding - which amounts to cultural ROI.
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How does a leader benefit from having a global mindset?
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As the UK's leading provider of care and support for those living with a terminal illness, we frequently see people whose choice would have been to spend their final days at home with their loved ones - or in a hospice or care home - but are trapped in hospital because the social care that they need is simply not available.
Many of us will have been alarmed by reports of unprecedented pressures in the NHS but as the crisis appears to deepen, we are concerned that the care and support needs of those who are dying in UK, are being fundamentally neglected.
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Recognising the role of social care at end of life
While the state of our healthcare system is always a topic of national debate, this crisis has highlighted a lack of recognition in terms of the huge pressures facing social care which in turn have a dramatic knock-on effect on the NHS.
For people living with a terminal illness, there is often no need for them to be in hospital but if the right social care package isn't there, they may not have the option of going home.
Ironically, these failures in terms of transferring care often mean that the NHS will spend more money on costly hospital treatment.
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Working together to find funding solutions
This week we, along with 75 other organisations and leading voices from the sector, signed an open letter to Prime Minister Theresa May calling for a cross-party approach to finding funding solutions for health and social care.
Why is this important?
Just as these problems weren't created overnight, or by any one Prime Minister, government or political party, any solution will need to be taken on, delivered and sustained over the longer term, beyond the lifetime of one government
If we do not act now, things will get worse as more people reach the end of life. The current system is struggling to meet people's care needs and demographic changes will only add more pressure. Over the next 25 years, the number of deaths will increase by around 100,000 more deaths each year.
Of course the government must take urgent action now to alleviate the pain and distress people are experiencing in communities across the UK. But that is likely to involve short-term fixes. Only involvement and support from across the political spectrum will deliver a genuinely long-term solution.
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The government has repeatedly tried to play down the suggestion of a 'crisis' in the NHS, but as a doctor I cannot think of a more appropriate description for the challenging situation we are currently facing.
Leaked figures have shown that in the past week nearly a quarter of patients waited longer than the four hour A&E target, while there were more than 18,000 "trolley waits", with patients waiting in corridors for four hours or more. The Royal College of Nursing has said conditions in the NHS are the worst that nurses have experienced, doctors have warned that lives are being put at risk, and the British Medical Association (BMA) has accused the government of "wilfully ignoring the scale of the crisis".
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Not for a second am I suggesting that patients should panic that they won't receive treatment. The core principle of the NHS is that everybody gets the care they need, and doctors, nurses and all NHS staff are working flat out to ensure that happens. Red Cross volunteers have even been called in to help A&E departments across the country and hospitals in my region have recruited their volunteers to make sure that patients waiting to be admitted get food and drink and to ensure we have the equipment we needs as stocks quickly run low. However, the service is being stretched to a point that is just not sustainable and we need to open our eyes to the effect that repeated cuts have had on our health service, with the current funding no longer meeting patient demand, particularly as patients often need far more complex care.
The reality now for doctors is that we are often forced to choose to prioritise one patient over another, and we have found ourselves having to treat patients on the wrong ward or having to delay their care as we simply don't have the room or staff for them.
Over the past few weeks, there have been cases across the country of seriously ill patients with no intensive care beds available for them; NHS staff have had to decide who are the 'least sick' patients to move to a general ward so that we have room for new patients in A&E; I have seen hospitals so full that they have had to put temporary partitions within cubicles to accommodate two patients in each one; and in some cases elderly patients - sometimes in their 90s and 100s - have been waiting far too many hours on trolleys for treatment.
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In order to address these problems in A&E we must look at the system as whole. A shortage of social care beds - from a 25% cut in the social care budget - has created 'exit block' in hospitals, meaning patients who are ready to be discharged can't be because there is simply nowhere for them to go. This, together with a shortage of beds and a shortage of doctors, leads to delays in admissions and patients being forced to wait on trolleys or admitted to an inappropriate ward.
The NHS is on its knees and will only improve if every part of the system - from general practice to social care - is appropriately funded and supported with the necessary resources and staff. Yet the government continually fails to grasp the seriousness of the situation; a situation that is unfair on patients and unsustainable for NHS staff.
As doctors, we don't choose medicine as a career thinking we'll clock in at nine and out by five, but the pressures facing us now are unsustainable, and are leaving staff stressed and exhausted and at a much higher risk of making mistakes. On top of the growing demand, poor workforce planning means the NHS does not have enough doctors, leaving my colleagues and I repeatedly working over shift - for example, before Christmas the service needed me to work an extra six and a half hours on top of an eight hour shift. In the past few weeks in local hospitals, some doctors have had to come in from leave to help, while others have been drafted in from other specialties and areas of the hospitals to help out in A&E.
One of the health secretary's solutions to this crisis is that the four-hour A&E waiting time target will only apply to urgent patients, but while this might make his figures look better it will do nothing for patient care and change nothing to the situation I see in A&E day in day out. Investment in the NHS needs to keep up with patient demand and staff shortages must be urgently addressed. My biggest fear with this crisis is that I can see no light at the end of the tunnel unless the government and health secretary recognise and accept the situation, and right now they are stubbornly refusing to do so.
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Hold on to your woolly hats, there's another trend on its way from our friends in Scandinavia. Conveniently, it arrives to coincide with everyone worrying about how to carry off cosy hygge when the weather warms up. Now there's no need to sweat out the summer in furry blankets with your hands wrapped around a mug of steaming hot chocolate. Out with the (c)old, in with the new. Say hello to lagom.
Translated from the Swedish, lagom means 'just the right amount'. Not too much, not too little. It's all about balance, self-restraint and living simply and sustainably. Clever people in the know describe it as a way of living, compared to hygge which is about creating and feeling moments in time. Lagom may be an easier, more universal concept to grasp than its snuggly, subjective counterpart. One person's experience of hygge as they pull on woolly socks might be another person's itchy, rash-inducing nightmare.
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If you've bought into hygge (and I mean literally bought into - Scandi chic adds pounds to the price of any product), then how can you embrace lagom without breaking the bank? Here are some straightforward tips to help bring lagom into your life simply by de-hyggering the hell out of it.
Blankets
You won't need faux reindeer skins in the summer and, let's face it, hygge will have made a Brexit by next winter so don't even bother storing them. Embrace sustainable lagom living and limit your impact on the environment. If you can't turn your unwanted blankets into costumes for school Viking history days then - fleas permitting - your local cats' home will willingly accept them. (Forget the Danes, we all know that cats really invented hygge - let's give it back to them.)
Nordic deer / moose / reindeer
Put anything with antlers out to pasture. If you can't manage that then at least take the fairy lights off their horns. Think simple - these magnificent beasts were not created to bear the weight of the Blackpool illuminations. And remember, Christmas decorations are for Christmas, not just for life.
Quality time with friends
Ah, hygge, 'the art of creating intimacy'. Throughout 2016 you have welcomed your friends into your home to sit on your white-washed wooden bench and share your expensive hot chocolate. If they're not as middle class as you or tend to follow their own path rather than buy into expensive trends then they may not have returned the favour. Now's the time to get your own back. Lagom is about moderation, so if your guests outstay their welcome then go ahead, tell them that you've had 'just enough' of them. It may mean setting aside your self-restraint but it will make everyone happy.
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Candles
Burn them! Burn them all! When every candle is gone they will no longer drain precious oxygen and the equilibrium of the atmosphere in your home will be restored.
Be comforted - some things won't change
Whether you go Swedish with lagom or Danish with hygge, you are without doubt destined for great happiness (although where was hygge when Hamlet needed it?). It seems that all our troubles can be solved with a dash of Scandi. Thankfully, lagom presents precisely the same opportunities to be smug as hygge did. You're just doing it in a less wintery way.
Of course, as with hygge inspired products, you can also expect to pay over the odds for anything giving off a mere hint of lagom. WARNING: following a trend of moderation can be expensive and involve a lot of indulgent props if you want to do it right and really impress your friends. There's just about the right amount of irony in that.
Imagine if your holiday could pave the way for an under privileged child to take a trip somewhere too... if your travels could pass on to a child the chance to see something of their home country they may never have seen before and to marvel at the very same sights that you as a visitor have travelled across the world to see.
That's what Responsible Travel's new Trip for a Trip programme aims to do. At present I'm unable to travel, kidney failure is keeping me tied to my hometown in the UK but it has also awakened in me a desire to address the inequalities in tourism, to help others to travel who do not have the opportunity to do so. Inspired by Toms Shoes One-for-One business model and a similar programme run by US travel company Elevate Destinations, we're now funding a day trip for a disadvantaged child from a developing country for every holiday sold, when the traveller has opted into the scheme. But why?
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The transformative power of travel?
We have various hypotheses about the possible benefits of these trips - in time we'll try to research and prove them but in the meantime it's my personal belief that travel can have a transformative effect, that it can foster a greater understanding of other cultures and to open our eyes to the possibilities in the world. At any age it gives us the chance to learn and discover more about the world around us and to appreciate the wider value that our culture, nature and wildlife has. I think for a child this is especially important.
One hope have is that just broadening kids horizons a little can help them realise there are lots of possibilities for them in the world beyond that of which they might be aware. So seeing a bigger world may inspire them to greater things.
Of course we don't know if that's possible, and it will be hard to research. It remains a hope. This initiative is just starting out, so time will tell what the impacts are - but at the moment we know that the children involved are getting the opportunity to go somewhere they haven't had the chance to before.
Our first trip in November 2016 saw 24 children from the Mlindazwe Neighbourhood Care Point in Swaziland visit nearby Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary for the first time - where they saw animals such as zebra after learning about them as part of their curriculum.
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Michael Palin, the award winning British travel writer and presenter, has lent his support to the scheme with his own view that travel at a young age can be an inspirational experience saying "Trip For A Trip sounds an excellent idea. My appetite for travel began with day trips, so I know how much they can mean to a child. Good luck and thanks to all who can make this happen."
Addressing inequalities in tourism.
Tourism has been written in as a key driver of development in the Sustainable Development Goals for a reason - when done well it can bring economic prosperity to local communities, conserve cultural heritage and contribute to the preservation of fragile landscapes.
However, travel is inherently unequal. According to Forbes, in the US a family of four will spend on average $4,580 on a vacation each year. Business Insider reports that high net worth Americans will take on average 6 holidays per year at a cost of $13,249. Clearly for people who live a subsistence lifestyle, or whose monthly wage is entirely devoted to keeping food on the table for their family - travel, as we see , it is out of the question. Rich westerners essentially are given opportunities in places where local people are not.
So what can we do about this? Well, we know that we aren't going to address this completely but we hope that by giving disadvantaged children the opportunity to experience the world around them we can start to shift this imbalance in some small way. That by democratising the travel experience we can open up opportunities to those for whom travel has previously been a closed door. This is our hope, rooted in my own experiences.
And who knows, if the rest of the travel industry get on board with this movement maybe we will reach our dream of helping 1 million under-privileged children take a day trip somewhere new by 2020.
After visiting Auschwitz this week, here are some reflections on recognising and responding to evil:
This was my third visit to Auschwitz/Birkenau, and each time has been even more appalling. In early January the cold is penetrating, between 9 and 14 degrees below centigrade. We were fully equipped with snow boots, layers of clothing, hats, gloves, scarves... yet it worked through layer after layer until we were cold to the core. The prisoners wore the equivalent of pyjamas and clogs. We were out in that cold for five hours in the day. They would be out for 12 hours. We were fed. They were starved.
There are so many statistics about Auschwitz/Birkenau, but it defies description. Eighty-five per cent of prisoners died. Many in just days of arriving. Then there was the industrialized killing of the gas chambers. The vulnerable, the disabled, marginalised minorities, and above all the Jews: children, adults and the elderly, taken from a train to their deaths in as little as 30 minutes. Accounts were kept, profits were sought. No one can deny the reality of what happened. There is simply far, far, far too much evidence.
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Our retreat at Auschwitz gathered the first cohort of the Learning Community (a group of Anglican clergy on a programme of in-service training) for three days of prayer and theological and scriptural reflection. We considered the issues of human evil: how we recognise it and how we respond.
Naturally it provoked so many questions:
Having seen this terrible place could we still speak of God? Could we still pray, and if so in what way?
Could we hear the tunes of evil in such a way that we recognise their modern variations? Even if we recognised evil, how could we know we would have the courage to protest, to lament - and not be silent when horror threatened?
Here are three things that will stay with me:
First is the way that the perpetrators at Auschwitz tried to dehumanise their victims - in a way that actually cost the humanity of both. It worked to some extent. Prisoners killed others in order to live - and were then killed themselves. Others gave their lives, like St Maximilian Kolbe and St Edith Stein.
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Second, these atrocities were committed by ordinary people. When one of the priests leading our retreat was asked who was to blame, he said: "People did it to people."
Third, it was idolatrous and demonic. It was evil in the strict sense of human-created alternatives to the grace and providence of God. It reversed everything good with everything bad. During the retreat the Revd Dr Sam Wells gave three extraordinary reflections on this question.
Meanwhile the Very Revd Pete Wilcox reflected powerfully on Lamentations and Revelation - speaking of protest, hope and the call to endure.
Rosemary Calvert
"Where there is unity there is always victory," wrote Publilius Syrus around 46BC. So this week when we see that progress in reducing UK household food waste has stalled, it doesn't mean we are losing. It means we need to unite in the fight against food waste.
More people are talking about food waste than ever before, which is great news. But it isn't enough. 7.3million tonnes of food are wasted by UK households each year. If we prevented this, it would have the same environmental benefit of taking one in four cars off the road. That's why we all need to do more. So we are calling on all businesses, organisations, campaigners and NGOs who work in this area to unite and step up the fight against food waste. Along with every person in the UK.
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The battle against household food waste has seen progress, with one million tonnes less food waste in the home since 2007. But the figures for 2015 show this reduction has stalled. This is due partly to population growth, falling food prices and increased personal earnings, but also reflects just how challenging it is to reduce food waste in the home.
The complex reasons for food waste, the scale of it, and the lack of awareness that people do waste food in the home all contribute to making this an incredibly tough problem to tackle. 60 per cent of people don't believe they waste food, but in fact, on average each of us wastes the equivalent of two and a half main meals a week. It is clear we need to come together to tackle this issue and achieve more.
Work has already started to investigate new ways to help millions of people reduce household food waste. Through our food sustainability initiative, Courtauld Commitment 2025, practical solutions will be piloted and evaluated, and our Love Food Hate Waste campaign will offer tailored solutions to people to help them make the most of the food they buy.
At WRAP, we plan to work with governments, Courtauld Commitment signatories and consumers to find effective solutions. There is no silver bullet. The fight against food waste needs a multi-pronged attack. But it is a battle we can win together.
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To call Pedro Almodovar an icon might be something of an understatement. When he visits the cinema in his native Madrid - the city where he has been based for since 1967 and which features as a protagonist of so many of his early films - he is mobbed by fellow cinema-goers in search of a selfie or keen to tell him how much they admire his work. In London and New York also, where he has recently enjoyed retrospectives of his work at the BFI and MoMA respectively, he is similarly surrounded by fans, keen to let him know what his films mean to them.
Almodovar is a recognisable figure with his shock of spiky grey hair and signature sunglasses that he wears to protect him from the light - he suffers from photophobia. An entertaining and passionate speaker, his masterclasses and interviews are engaging events, filled with rich anecdotes about growing up surrounded by his mother and the generation of women who survived Spain's difficult post-Civil War years, life in the euphoric early years of post-Franco democracy, and the actresses who are so often the emotional heartbeat of his cinema. For many of us there is a pre- and post-Almodovar Spain - he put Spanish cinema back on the international map with a mise en scene of bright colours, extraordinary performances and dialogue that effortlessly merges the colloquial and the poetic.
His importance is multifold. There is his own rich body of work of course, twenty films that have juggled melodrama, noir, thriller, screwball comedy and horror, fusing different genres to produce humane character driven-dramas with wild and wacky plot lines that would not seem out of place in the most outlandish of farces. Almodovar's cinema celebrates the theatricality of the everyday and the art of the possible. Just think of the spiked gazpacho that transports all who consume it into a nirvana. Shortly after the release of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, gazpacho could be found on the menu of a conspicuous number of UK and US culinary establishments keen to capitalize on the buzz around the film.
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There is also Almodovar the producer. El Deseo, the production company founded with his younger brother Agustin in 1985, is not merely the vehicle for generating and realizing his own features but has also backed some of the Spanish-speaking world's most exciting filmmakers from Alex de la Iglesia to Lucrecia Martel. Indeed, two of the most conspicuous global art-house successes of recent years - and the biggest domestic hits in Argentine cinema history --Wild Tales (Damian Szifron, 2014) and The Clan (Pablo Trapero 2015) -- have been coproduced by El Deseo. The company is about keeping control over his own work but also about investing in work by other filmmakers he believes in.
The BFI retrospective included 14 films that had inspired him, classics by Juan Antonio Bardem, Luis Berlanga and Carlos Saura that span the difficult years of the Franco era, forgotten works by Fernando Fernan-Gomez and Ladislao Vajda and contemporary classics like Pablo Berger's Blancanieves (2012) and Carlos Vermut's Magical Girl (2014). In an era where English functions may see itself as the global language, with 350 native speakers and over 430 million speaking it as a second language, the reach of Almodovar's cinema is a powerful reminder that Spanish is hot on its heels with 400 million native speakers and a further 60 million speaking it as a second language. Over the years I have lost count of the number of people who have told me that their passion for Spanish is directly linked to an Almodovar film fell in love with.
Almodovar is up there with Cervantes and Lorca as a recognizable global icon. As a public intellectual and persuasive cultural commentator, his opinion matters and is sought on key happenings from Brexit to Spain's recent indecisive elections. There's a cultural weight to having Almodovar back your corner and his support for citizen platforms like Ahora Madrid (Now Madrid) and criticism of the government's erosion of key social rights has been reported both within Spain and beyond. His twentieth film, Julieta, may have found him in subdued mood, crafting a contemporary tragedy as stark and devastating as the bleakest of Greek tragedies, but it's a film that has spoken to the temper of the times - much like his 1980s films depict the euphoria of the early years of Spain's democracy. Reality, Almodovar acknowledges, 'seeps in through the cracks of all my films' and Julieta captures something of the melancholia that has swept through recession-hit Spain over the past eight years, the aimlessness of the Left which played such a key part in creating the progressive atmosphere of 1980s Spain, and the introspection and isolation that he increasingly identifies as part of his own life.
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Julieta (which is out now on Digital HD, Blu-ray and DVD) may be his most subdued film to date, closer to the introspective heartbreak of The Flower of My Secret than the fizz and farce of I'm So Excited! but its buoyant international performance - taking $1,411,670 in its opening weekend in France alone and performing as the UK's highest grossing non-Bollywood foreign-language film of 2016 testifies to how its motifs of memory and loss have resonated through the uncertain era that the West is currently living through. With several screenplays on the go and Lucrecia Martel's Zama due for release in 2017, Pedro Almodovar shows no sign of slowing down.
StreetChild
"One year after Ebola, life, light and hope have returned to some of the worst-hit communities in Sierra Leone," said George Quaker, a social worker for the UK NGO charity Street Child, "but many especially the worst-impacted Ebola orphans are now suffering from a new crisis: an economic downturn that seems to have no end."
January 14 marks one year since World Health Organisation first declared all of West Africa "Ebola free".
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Today, many are trying to put the epidemic that claimed the lives of over 11,000 people across Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea behind them. Sadly, for some of the hardest-hit families, the crisis is far from over.
UN food agencies and the Sierra Leone government recently reported that half of the country is facing food shortages. The price of rice has doubled since 2014, fuel costs have rocketed and incomes have stagnated. The Sierra Leonean Government has been forced to announce official austerity measures a frightening thought in one of the world's poorest countries.
George Quaker said: "Although after Ebola we've seen rapid healing, strength and absolute resolve to pick up and move on again, just as we did after the 11-year civil war, for the worst affected communities survival is now a real challenge and hunger looms over many."
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In Sierra Leone alone, 4,000 people died when the deadly Ebola virus swept the country in 2014-15, leaving an estimated 12,000 children orphaned. The government's Ebola recovery plan, together with international support, has seen life improve for some but there is still a way to go.
Munisha, 18, who lives in Freetown, is one of many children orphaned by Ebola who suddenly found themselves head of the household at the height of the epidemic. She was forced to stop her nursing course to look after her little brothers and sisters when she lost her parents. She starts to weep as she remembers the day that she found her parents lying dead in each other's arms.
"I was training to be a nurse at the time and I knew about the protocol of quarantining sick persons. I put my mother in a room by herself and always wore rubber gloves and protection when I was caring for her. After two days my father returned, he was sick too.
"I told them both to isolate themselves together in the room away from my five younger siblings. I provided care for them both but they got worse and worse and eventually my mother died. We called the helpline to come and take the body away but the burial team didn't arrive for two days. We left her body in the isolated room with my father and the next day we also found him dead, holding her."
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She said: "We struggle now for food. Sometimes we don't eat for two or three days. The pastor in our church tries to help us out. My younger siblings are still in school but I have stopped my nursing qualification. I really want to continue for the next two years and become a nurse but I cannot afford the fees. I dream of being a nurse."
UK NGO Street Child's CEO Tom Dannatt says: "At least three quarters of Ebola-impacted families in Sierra Leone have had significant support from Street Child and other NGOs since the epidemic but what we have been able to do has not been enough for the toughest and most complex cases child-headed households, grandparent-headed households, households where the numbers of children now run into double-figures.
"We reviewed our Ebola orphan case load and identified 1,400 seriously at-risk Ebola orphans like Munisha in Sierra Leone who need significant extra support. We need to act now but to do that we urgently need to raise more funds."
In another part of Freetown, Mariatu, 16, recalls how she first lost her mother, and then her father to Ebola leaving her to care for her two little brothers.
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She said: "After my father died we were driven from the house as the owner was afraid of us and didn't want us to pass on the disease. Now we are back at my father's house where we all live. I do petty trading [at the market] to try and support both my brothers through school but it is very hard to raise the money for fees, books and uniforms. I also do all the cooking in the house.
"We receive support from no one, not even the community. We have aunts and uncles but they don't care and they don't help us."
She continued: "I want to be somebody, I want to finish school and become a soldier. I also really want my brothers to finish education and get well paid jobs."
Dannatt said: "We have met with many teenage orphans who have taken on the burden of looking after their young siblings and are struggling to cope. Several have dropped out of school, sacrificing their own futures to try and make sure that their brothers and sisters can stay in education. Sadly, running a business and a household is proving too tough for many of them."
Remarkably, after all that they have been through, many of these incredibly resilient teenagers still have hope that life will improve and that they will one day be able to finish their education and have the job they've dreamed of. Their stories are both heroic and tragic.
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As we stand with Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea in remembering those who lost their lives to Ebola and in celebrating the end of the epidemic, we must not forget that life has got worse, rather than better, for some of Ebola's hardest-hit orphans and it is not time for us to turn away yet.
The National Police of Ukraine has completed its internal investigation of the incident in Kniazhychi (Kyiv region) leading to the death of five law-enforcement officers, National Police Deputy Head Oleksandr Vakulenko has said.
"The internal investigation by the National Police has been completed. Perhaps today or on Monday disciplinary measures taken by the National Police will be announced," he said during a briefing on Friday, answering a question about the results of the internal investigation.
Vakulenko said that the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) is taking part in the probe.
As reported, on December 4, 2016 at 4:00 a.m. in the village of Kniazhychi, Brovary district, Kyiv region employees of Special Weapons and Tactics police (KORD) of Ukrainian National Police, while performing their duties, used automatic weapons against the staff of Brovary Police Department of the Main Guard Police Department, which, together with two officers of the Main Department of operational service of the National Police in Kyiv, who were also performing their duties, used automatic weapons in response. Five law-enforcement officers were killed. An official investigation into the shooting in the village of Kniazhychi was started.
PGO Head Yuriy Lutsenko said on December 6 that the Prosecutor General's Office investigators see in the actions of those who coordinated the operation with law enforcement agencies in Kniazhychi of Kyiv region the signs of criminal negligence, which led to very serious consequences.
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The final speeches have been given, and the White House is all packed up. In just seven days, Barack and Michelle Obama will relinquish the @POTUS and @FLOTUS accounts on Twitter, and controversy-sparking president-elect Donald Trump will take control of what is essentially the most powerful, influential brand in the world.
His many public spats aside, it is impossible to deny that Trump has leveraged social media, and Twitter specifically, in a way that no other politician has previously achieved -- and he has already indicated his intention to tweet major policy announcements rather than going through traditional communications channels.
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However, research published on 10th January reveals that 64% of Americans believe Donald Trump should delete his Twitter account when he assumes the presidency. This figure is based on a poll of the sentiments of 1,000 voters. While 49% of Republicans believe Trump should keep his personal Twitter, respondents across all other demographics think he should shut it down.
"President-elect Trump gets points for strength and intelligence, but voters' feelings about his personality traits, empathy, leadership and level-headedness, are headed south," says Tim Malloy, Assistant Director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.
The reference to "level-headedness" is telling. While Trump's grasp of the immediacy of social earned him many admirers, he has also acquired a reputation for shooting from the hip and @-ing his critics in the early hours of the morning.
When Meryl Streep criticised Trump at the Golden Globes on Sunday night, Trump's Twitter feed was watched closely as everybody knew this was where he would issue his first response. Just days later, when unverified allegations of collusion with Russia surfaced online, we waited with baited breath to see Trump's 140 character rejoinder.
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Is this, then, why so many Americans believe Trump should have his account confiscated? To prevent a brand crisis on an international scale? Or is it simply that they feel a commander-in-chief should have more important things to do with his time than indulge in Twitter-storms every time his name comes up?
A number of Trump's critics have called for Twitter to suspend his account, claiming that either the content he posts constitutes abuse, or that he incites his millions of followers to enact revenge on his behalf in the form of online harassment.
According to Twitter's hateful conduct policy, users "may not promote violence against or directly attack or threaten other people on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religious affiliation, age, disability or disease. We also do not allow accounts whose primary purpose is inciting harm toward others on the basis of these categories." Trump has said and done all kinds of problematic things IRL, but so far he's been shrewd enough to largely toe the line of plausible deniability on Twitter.
Additionally, last month, Farhod Manjoo at the New York Times explained that while Twitter has the legal right to remove Trump, it would set a disturbing precedent: "As online services like Twitter become the world's primary place for political dialogue, the rules they set up for policing political speech will have a wide-ranging impact -- they could be used to ban not just billionaire presidents-elect, but also activists and dissidents across the globe."
There is also an argument that having this unfiltered feed, straight from the horse's mouth as it were, is more useful to wider discourse than official statements written by committee. "The world would be much worse off if Trump were kicked off Twitter," says Ben Wizner of the American Civil Liberties Union.
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It's unlikely that Trump will hand over full control of his accounts to a social media team following his inauguration on 20th January. We may well have four years of him live-tweeting his presidency ahead of us. But what of the hordes of other users out there who continue to tweet racist, sexist and homophobic abuse in his name?
"I'd like to see Twitter be more open about their priorities, expectations and practises," says Stuart Geiger, an ethnographer at the Berkeley Institute for Data Science, who sees Twitter's current approach to moderating abuse as "haphazard" but also admits that the company is in a "tricky position."
Just a few days ago, Twitter suspended the account of self-proclaimed "pharma bro" and would-be pantomime villain Martin Shkreli after he embarked on a campaign of harassment against Teen Vogue writer Lauren Duca. Duca had been the target of widespread doxxing and rape threats following the publication of her article 'Donald Trump Is Gaslighting America'.
Shkreli's suspension has been compared to that of Milo Yiannopoulos, who was banned from the platform after inciting racial hatred against comedian Leslie Jones. Both instances send an important message: namely, that no matter who is in power, perpetuating harassment, abuse and violence should and will still carry consequences.
Shannon Stapleton / Reuters
Horror, fear, anger, disgust, and shame were just some of the emotions I experienced as I watched Donald Trump's appalling press conference on Wednesday.
If you didn't see it, you cannot begin to imagine how truly terrifying it was. And next Friday, Mr Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. It will be recorded in history as one of Western democracy's darkest hours.
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As you listen to him take the oath of office -- 'I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the United States' -- you would do well to remember some of the other things he has said.
'When you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything ... Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything.' -- September 2005.
'If she [Hillary Clinton] gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks. Although the Second Amendment people -- maybe there is, I don't know.' - 9 August, 2016 (The Second Amendment to the US constitution is the one that enshrines the right 'to keep and bear arms.')
'I'd like to punch him in the face.' - 22 February 2016, referring to a protester at a Trump rally in Las Vegas.
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'I don't like to analyse myself because I might not like what I see.' - Talking to his biographer Michael D'Antonio, in 2014.
Donald Trump is a mean-minded, lying, misogynistic fraud with what appears to be a serious personality disorder. From his stream of public utterances, he seems not to have a generous bone in his body, and to be motivated solely by a combination of hate, greed and extreme narcissism.
His biographer asked him once to name someone whom he respected. 'For the most part,' Trump replied, 'you can't respect people because most people aren't worthy of respect.'
It is Trump's misfortune that the man he replaces in the White House brought more grace and dignity to the office of president than any other incumbent in living memory. Barack Obama and his family spent eight years in the glare of the Washington spotlight without even the faintest whiff of scandal or dishonourable behaviour. Donald Trump will move in on day one with a sackload of unsavoury baggage that far outweighs what the Obamas are leaving with.
To put it crudely, whatever you think of his politics or his record, Barack Obama is a far, far better man than Trump will ever be.
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So as he takes the oath of office next Friday, remember what his spokeswoman Kellyanne Conway said about him just a few days ago: that we should go by what is in his heart rather than what comes out of his mouth.
It's not easy to know what lies in a man's heart, but nor is it any easier to go by what comes out of this man's mouth.
'I respect the government of Mexico. I respect the people of Mexico. I love the people of Mexico. I have many people from Mexico working for me. They're phenomenal people.
The government of Mexico is terrific.' - Press conference, 11 January 2017.
'The Mexican government is forcing their most unwanted people into the United States. They are, in many cases, criminals, drug dealers, rapists, etc.' - Press statement, 6 July 2015.
'I got to know him [Vladimir Putin] very well because we were both on 60 Minutes, we were stablemates, and we did very well that night.' - 10 November 2015.
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'I don't know that I'm going to get along with Vladimir Putin. I hope I do. But there's a good chance I won't.' - Press conference, 11 January 2017.
'Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets. We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia.' - Trump's son, Donald Jr, at a real estate conference in 2008.
'I have no loans with Russia at all ... I have no deals, I have no loans and I have no dealings.' - Trump at his press conference, 11 January 2017.
Mr Trump also said: 'If Putin likes Donald Trump, guess what, folks? That's called an asset, not a liability.' Perhaps no one has told him that in the world of intelligence-gathering, an asset is someone who provides information, or is in other ways useful, to a foreign power, sometimes because they fear being blackmailed.
We shall see whether Trump or Putin is the bigger liar. It'll be a tough call: remember 'There are no Russian troops in Ukraine'? But if they were rival bullies in a school yard, I know which of them I'd put my money on to emerge victorious from their first head-to-head. And it's not the one who said he doesn't need daily intelligence briefings because 'You know, I'm, like, a smart person.'
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As I listened to the president-elect launch his jaw-dropping attack on his own intelligence agencies -- 'I think it was disgraceful ... disgraceful that the intelligence agencies allowed any information that turned out to be so false and fake out. I think it's a disgrace ... that's something that Nazi Germany would have done' -- I imagined Vladimir Putin sitting in the Kremlin, looking like Blofeld, the James Bond villain, stroking a white cat and cackling with delight.
It doesn't really matter whether or not the more lurid allegations are true -- the net effect of their publication is to unbalance, in all senses of the word, an already dangerously unbalanced president-elect. It's bad for the US, and it's bad for the rest of the world. Hardliners from Beijing to Ankara, and from Tehran to Jerusalem, are rubbing their hands with glee as they await the next emotional outburst from the Trump Twitter account. Tensions will rise, sabres will be rattled, and someone, somewhere will do something rash.
Anyone who hopes to see tensions reduced rather than raised will now be looking to members of the US Congress as they contemplate their country's future at the mercy of Donald Trump. And they may recall that what did for Richard Nixon back in the 1970s was a combination of courageous members of Congress, determined reporters, and a legal system that stretched all the way to the Oval Office.
Oh yes, and a deputy director of the FBI by the name of Mark Felt who acted as the Watergate 'Deep Throat', the Washington Post's secret source without whose help President Nixon would never have been brought down.
Cuba is famous for many things. Rum. Cars. Cigars. Che. Food isn't one of them.
Aside from the staples (every Cuban citizen receives a regular supply of rice, sugar, coffee, meat, eggs and bread), food supplies are often limited and can run out without warning. Partly due to this, many meals are based around meat or fish with rice and beans as filler.
Traveling the world as a vegetarian, Cuba was the country I thought would prove hardest to eat well in -- or even moderately well. Its vegetarian food has a reputation for being either "completely uninspired" or "uniformly terrible" -- but is the vegetarian food in Cuba really so bad?
In a word, no. Definitely not. But I wouldn't call it great, either. Let's explore.
HAVANA
The first stop in Cuba is usually Habana Vieja, or Old Havana. As the vibrant and historic hub of the city, Old Havana is known for its striking colonial beauty, art galleries and museums, and countless restaurants offering authentic and traditional Cuban meals. In Habana Vieja, this almost always means meat or fish.
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Habana Vieja. Image by www.selenenelson.co.uk
Restaurant staff linger outside their establishments, trying to draw you in by tapping their menus and describing their dishes with an almost feverish passion. Mention you're vegetarian, however, and even the most enthusiastic waiters usually give up. Sometimes they'll try to act as though the rice and beans accompanying the meat are the real draw of the meal, but usually the response is just defeated disappointment. I actually started to feel quite bad for them.
After bypassing many restaurants without a vegetarian main course, I wandered into O'Reilly 304. A tiny, trendy restaurant specialising in gin cocktails and contemporary Cuban cuisine that's unassumingly sandwiched between two shabby buildings on the outskirts of Habana Vieja, it's easy to walk past altogether. But it's clear from first entry that here is something quite different.
Framed glowing reviews from the Miami Herald hang proudly on the walls, cool bartenders shake up incredible-looking cocktails, and the menu offers several meat-free plates. From pumpkin soup with Cuban blue cheese and cilantro to soft veggie tacos stuffed with beans and seasonal vegetables, O'Reilly 304 reflects the developing restaurant scene in Cuba.
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Cuban bruschetta. Image by www.selenenelson.co.uk
One thing I discovered at O'Reilly 304 is that Cubans love bruschetta. It's on the menu at any half-decent restaurant, and O'Reilly 304 is no exception. But Cuban bruschetta is a little different than what may strike you as familiar. The onion is sweet, and spring onion and chives usually make an appearance, too. Also unlike traditional bruschetta, the onion outweighs the tomato in quantity, and an added splash of vinegar makes for an unusually sweet yet tangy appetizer. Cuban bread isn't good, but when it's lightly toasted and doused in oil, garlic and vinegar, it's great.
The quality of food at O'Reilly 304 is excellent. The banana chips come served with the most delicious dipping sauce I've ever had -- so good that I embarrassed myself trying to wipe up every last drop of it and had to write down every discernible ingredient to try to replicate it later (it definitely contained ginger, chili, sugar, coriander, onion, garlic and vinegar).
TRINIDAD
The food choices picked up, unexpectedly, in Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the foot of the Escambray Mountains. Walking through this beautiful town, with its cobbled streets and perfectly preserved colonial buildings, really is like stepping back in time. The prospect of getting any good vegetarian food in a town that wasn't even connected to the rest of Cuba until the 1950s didn't seem too realistic. But I was wrong.
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Diced fresh Cuban pumpkin. Image by www.selenenelson.co.uk
At Giroud, a bizarrely cool place where you sit on old TV sets and beer crates and chairs hang upside down from walls, there was a whole variety of meat-free, tapas-style dishes: stuffed peppers and tomatoes packed with cheese and sauteed vegetables, pumpkin cream, vegetable bruschetta, diced pumpkin with onion and herbs, and cooling gazpacho. Serving beautiful and great-tasting dishes, Giroud is another example of Cuba's emerging avant-garde food scene.
Stuffed tomatoes filled with sauteed vegetables. Image by www.selenenelson.co.uk
The standout in Trinidad for me was Taberna La Botija, a lively 24-hour restaurant where the country's Spanish and Latin influences seamlessly merge with traditional Cuban cuisine. The sweet corn fritters, served with a creamy garlic dip with a hint of dill, were lovely, but the fried Cuban cheese balls were incredible. I had two portions, one right after the other.
While I would never cite Cuba's food as one of the reasons to return, in the face of its rapidly developing gastronomic scene, its reputation for truly terrible vegetarian food now seems a little undeserved. It may take a while before it can be considered "veggie friendly" (and vegans would certainly struggle), but the meat-free options are expanding. Changes are being made, and attitudes are adjusting. Embargoes may even be lifted. The wheels on this classic Cuban car are in motion, however slowly they may be turning.
Getty
The great Welsh politician Aneurin Bevan, main architect of the NHS, famously said "No society can legitimately call itself civilized if a sick person is denied medical aid because of a lack of means." I wonder what he would think about the recent news that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) would no longer be recommending the use of the revolutionary drug, Kadcyla, to women with secondary (i.e. incurable) breast cancer in England.
NICE is the national body responsible for making decisions about which treatments should be made available to patients on the NHS, using a review process which takes into account cost-effectiveness and patient quality of life. NICE is a clever acronym, with associations of coconut-flavoured biscuits, but its recommendations have far-reaching consequences for patients. I should know. The 2010 NICE guidelines deemed my risk of having an inherited mutation to be too low to warrant genetic testing on the NHS and my BRCA1 mutation was only discovered because I took part in a research study. By the time I had risk-reducing surgery, 9 months later, I'd developed breast cancer again.
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According to NICE, Kadcyla does "not work well enough to justify its high cost." Yet women like Fiona, diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in June 2014, seven months after her diagnosis with primary breast cancer, know that Kadcyla can be an effective, life-extending treatment with few side-effects:
"I've been taking Kadcyla for 20 months and have an amazing life. I work, pay taxes, raise money for charity and I'm a wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend - all thanks to Kadcyla.
To be told you have incurable cancer is devastating....that the average life expectancy for someone with secondary breast cancer is 36 months (many patients die sooner), and that only 20% of patients survive for five years, is utterly terrifying, but drugs like Kadcyla give us hope - and our lives back.
Kadcyla is a wonder drug, keeping my lung tumours stable and healing the cancerous tumours in my spine to a point where there is No Evidence of Active Disease. I know others who've had similar amazing results, enabling them to return to work, care for their families, and contribute to society at large.
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Media reports give the impression that Kadcyla is an 'end of life' drug which only works for a matter of months (six months is the figure bandied about) but that is simply not the case. The median overall survival rate on Kadcyla is 30.9 months - almost three years!"
But unless NICE and Roche Pharmaceuticals (Kadcyla's manufacturer) can reach an agreement, Kadcyla will not be available to women like Bonnie, who was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer when her son was just four months old, and for whom Kadcyla would be the next drug when her current treatment stops working:
"I already feel cheated being diagnosed with secondary breast cancer at 37 with a baby, so having a drug taken away that could potentially add years to my life and give me more quality time with my son is so cruel."
Fiona, aged 49, says that those women whose Kadcyla treatment was funded through the Cancer Drugs Fund are lucky:
"Our treatment will continue to be funded, but hundreds of women will need Kadcyla as their next line of treatment and to take that option away is sentencing them to an earlier death."
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The development of drugs like Kadcyla reflects the increasingly personalised treatments needed to treat cancer effectively, and are our best hope in the search for a cure. Breast cancer is not one disease and there are many types, for instance because I had triple negative breast cancer, Kadcyla wouldn't work for me. Innovative treatments are currently under development for people with triple negative breast cancer, but there's no guarantee that NICE, who haven't approved the use of a new breast cancer drug for 7 years, will recommend their routine use on the NHS, especially when they are only beneficial to a small number of patients.
And it's not just an issue for those of us with breast cancer - A.A. Gill, the provocative writer and journalist who recently died a mere month following his diagnosis of lung cancer, wrote poignantly in the Times about his discovery that he couldn't have a drug called Nivolumab which might prolong his life unless he paid for it.
Like any disease, cancer begins and ends with people - men and women from all walks of life. Ordinary people like Fiona, Bonnie and me whose rich and meaningful lives lie behind the statistics. We are irreplaceable to our families, friends and communities. Kadcyla, which is available in many other countries, including France, Germany and Canada may soon no longer be available to women in England. Can we consider ourselves a civilised society if it's within our means to treat women like Bonnie, and yet we don't? The answer is simple. We can't.
Please sign Breast Cancer Now's petition calling on NICE and Roche to reach a solution before the Consultation period ends on the 20th January 2017.
With thanks to Bonnie, and to Fiona for her vital input.
Looking for a kiss that'll put your head in the clouds? Denmark's Aalborg Airport has you covered.
The facility features a "Kiss and goodbye" zone near its entrance, where amorous travelers can squeeze in one last smooch before parting ways. Be warned, though: As stated by the sign, Aalborg puts a strict three-minute limit on the kisses.
Interestingly, a photo of the sign from December 2011 does not include a time limit, suggesting the three-minute cutoff was instated sometime in between then and now.
What event precipitated the change? We'd love to know, and have reached out to the airport for more information, hoping to hear of a kiss so steamy they had to put an official limit on it.
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(Story continues below.)
We aren't sure what happens to passengers who exceed Aalborg's three-minute policy, but at New Jersey's Liberty International Airport, last-minute kisses have been known to shut the whole place down.
If that isn't enough time for a drop-off and goodbye kiss, travelers would be well advised to fly out of Luxembourg, which boasts a 30-minute kissing zone.
By Natalie Munio
Obama already has a job offer before leaving his post as POTUS, Buzzfeed has clever response to Trumps garbage comments, Facebook launches journalism project, Marissa Mayer will leave Yahoo, and Instagram stories will now have ads.
Here are this weeks top stories in marketing and advertising.
In a last-dash effort to cope with the soon-to-be departure of President Obama from the White House after eight years in office, Spotify has offered an official-ish job opportunity to the President. A job listing appeared on the music streaming services website, calling for candidates interested in becoming the Presidents of Playlists. Though it doesnt identify Obama directly, the description drops some not-so-subtle hits suggesting the role was created with the 44 President in mind. One portion of the description reads: to identify and substantiate new playlist ideas, (eg. from a playlist for shooting hoops with your friends, to the perfect warm up playlist for addressing the nation about health care legislation that bears your name). Other hints include the candidate needing to have had at least eight years experience running a highly-regarded nation. Hey, heres to hoping we have some personally curated Obama playlists to listen to in the future.
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In keeping with the recent theme of journalism and new media, Facebook has made another move in its efforts to boldly take ownership of the spread of fake news on its social platform. According to AdWeek, Facebook announced Wednesday a plan to promote better media reporting and consumption, calling the effort The Facebook Journalism Project. The project will include new initiatives such as new storytelling formats and new systems to better fight the spread of hoaxes to ensure that a healthy news ecosystem and journalism can thrive. As reported by Business Insider, a partner in the program, Facebook will provide participating media organizations access to new tools to better share their stories on the network. Previously, Facebook has begun working with third-party fact checkers to verify news, and recently hired Campbell Brown, a former NBC and CNN anchor, to head the news partnerships initiative. Bravo.
For anyone that missed President-elect Donald Trumps news conference this week, he had a few words for media in the room, and for the larger media in general. Toward the close of the conference, Trump called out Buzzfeeds decision to publish 35 pages of unverified documents about the President-elect, to which Trump then referred to the media group as a failing pile of garbage. Backstory: this is the same information that was sent to President Obama and President-elect Trump in private security briefings which allege that Russia has explicit blackmail material on Trump. Other news outlets received similar reports but many only teased the material. It should also be noted that Buzzfeed stated in its post that the claims in the documents were all unverified and unsubstantiated. Still, Trump wasnt pleased. So, in response to his failing pile of garbage comments, Buzzfeed decided to launch a limited-time collection in its merchandise shop titled Our Failing Pile of Garbage. The collection includes bumper stickers, t-shirts and other novelty items. The best part? All of the proceeds a reported $25,000 go directly to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a nonprofit dedicated to the global defense of press freedom.
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In the wake of Verizons $4.8 billion deal this past July to buy out Yahoo, the internet company announced Monday that Marissa Mayer will resign from Yahoo Inc.s board once the merger with Verizon closes. At the time the deal was initially announced over the summer, Mayer had said she planned to continue her role as CEO. Mayer was one of Google Inc.s first employees and later signed on for the role as chief executive in 2012, a move that was heralded as a milestone for women in tech and catapulted her into Silicon Valley stardom. Its been speculated Tim Armstrong, chief executive of Yahoos AOL, will take her place within the new company under Verizon. Yahoo co-founder David Filo will also leave the company once Verizon takes over business operations.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump argues with CNN's Jim Acosta during a news conference in the lobby of Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., January 11, 2017. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Congratulations, U.S. media! You've just covered your first press conference of an authoritarian leader with a massive ego and a deep disdain for your trade and everything you hold dear. We in Russia have been doing it for 12 years now -- with a short hiatus when our leader wasn't technically our leader -- so quite a few things during Donald Trump's press conference rang my bells. Not just mine, in fact -- read this excellent round-up in the Moscow Times.
Vladimir Putin's annual pressers are supposed to be the media event of the year. They are normally held in late December, around Western Christmas time (we Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas two weeks later and it's not a big deal, unlike New Year's Eve). Which probably explains why Putin's pressers don't get much coverage outside of Russia, except in a relatively narrow niche of Russia-watchers. Putin's pressers are televised live across all Russian TV channels, attended by all kinds of media -- federal news agencies, small local publications and foreign reporters based in Moscow -- and are supposed to overshadow every other event in Russia or abroad.
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These things are carefully choreographed, typically last no less than four hours, and Putin always comes off as an omniscient and benevolent leader tending to a flock of unruly but adoring children. Given that Putin is probably a role model for Trump, it's no surprise that he's apparently taking a page from Putin's playbook. I have some observations to share with my American colleagues. You're in this for at least another four years, and you'll be dealing with things Russian journalists have endured for almost two decades now. I'm talking about Putin here, but see if you can apply any of the below to your own leader.
Welcome to the era of bullshit.
Facts don't matter. You can't hurt this man with facts or reason. He'll always outmaneuver you. He'll always wriggle out of whatever carefully crafted verbal trap you lay for him. Whatever he says, you won't be able to challenge him. He always comes with a bag of meaningless factoids (Putin likes to drown questions he doesn't like in dull, unverifiable stats, figures and percentages), platitudes, false moral equivalences and straight, undiluted bullshit. He knows it's a one-way communication, not an interview. You can't follow up on your questions or challenge him. So he can throw whatever he wants at you in response, and you'll just have to swallow it.
Some journalists will try to preempt this by asking two questions at once, against the protests of their colleagues also vying for attention, but that also won't work: he'll answer the one he thinks is easier, and ignore the other. Others will use this opportunity to go on a long, rambling statement vaguely disguised as a question, but that's also bad tactics. Non-questions invite non-answers. He'll mock you for your nervous stuttering and if you're raising a serious issue, respond with a vague, non-committal statement: "Mr. President, what about these horrible human rights abuses in our country?" "Thank you, Miss. This is indeed a very serious issue. Everybody must respect the law. And by the way, don't human rights abuses happen in other countries as well? Next question please."
But your colleagues are there to help you, right? After all, you're all in this together?
Wrong.
Don't expect any camaraderie.
These people are not your partners or brothers in arms. They are your rivals in a fiercely competitive, crashing market and right now the only currency in this market is whatever that man on the stage says. Whoever is lucky enough to ask a question and be the first to transmit the answer to the outside world wins. Don't expect any solidarity or support from them. If your question is stonewalled/mocked down/ignored, don't expect a rival publication to pick up the banner and follow up on your behalf. It's in this man's best interests to pit you against each other, fighting over artificial scarcities like room space, mic time or, of course, his attention. It's getting especially absurd because some -- increasingly many -- reporters will now come with large, bright placards aimed at attracting the president's attention to names of their regions or specific issues. This is what it looks like:
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Also, some people in the room aren't really there to ask questions.
Expect a lot of sycophancy and softballs from your "colleagues."
A mainstay of Putin's press conferences is, of course, softball questions. Which also happen to be Putin's favorites. "Mr. President, is there love in your heart? Who you will be celebrating New Year's Eve with? What's your favorite food?"
"Questions" of this sort, sure to melt Putin's heart, typically come from women working for small regional publications. A subtype of this is also statements-as-questions, but from people who really love the man on the stage and will bob their head and look at the stage adoringly and say something like "Mr. President, do you agree that a lot of media are treating you unfairly?"
Another type of softball questions is hyperlocal issues that a president isn't even supposed to be dealing with. "Mr. President, our road is full of potholes and local authorities aren't doing anything about it." "Mr. President, our tap is leaking." "Mr. President, how about a chess club in our village?" This is a real opportunity for him to shine. He will scold the local authorities and order to have a new road built. All of this, of course, has been choreographed well in advance.
Also, some of these people really love him and will meet his every answer with enthusiastic applause. There will be people from publications that exist for no other reason than heaping fawning praise on him and attacking his enemies. But there will also be one token critic who will be allowed to ask a "sharp" question, only to be drowned in a copious amount of bullshit, and the man on the stage will always be the winner ("See? I respect the media and free speech").
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You're always losing.
This man owns you. He understands perfectly well that he is the news. You can't ignore him. You're always playing by his rules -- which he can change at any time without any notice. You can't -- in Putin's case -- campaign to vote him out of office. Your readership is dwindling because ad budgets are shrinking -- while his ratings are soaring, and if you want to keep your publication afloat, you'll have to report on everything that man says as soon as he says it, without any analysis or fact-checking, because 1) his fans will not care if he lies to their faces; 2) while you're busy picking his lies apart, he'll spit out another mountain of bullshit and you'll be buried under it.
I could go on and on, but I think at this point you see where this is heading. See if any of this rings any bells if you covered Trump's presser or watched it online.
Donald Trump is going to be the President of the United States. What's wrong with that sentence? It's that it feels like a sentence -- a punishment or condemnation of sorts. Making matters worse, in an attempt to make Donald Trump's inconceivable presidency comprehensible, Democrats have lobbed outrage toward Russia, fake-news, James Comey, the electoral college, and millennials - everything except Hillary Clinton's campaign and the Democratic Party. The reality is Hillary Clinton lost because on the night of the election she did not receive the necessary amount of votes in the necessary states to be victorious. There is not one piece of incontrovertible conclusive evidence as to why Hillary Clinton lost the night of the election. Pundits may differ as to why a voter did not cast a ballot in her favor, but the fact of the outcome remains. It is difficult but extremely valuable to be forced to move from one place to another--politically speaking--and to accept and confront the situation in which we find ourselves: a Donald Trump presidency.
Every vote is an act of faith and because voters do not know what a candidate will accomplish during a political term, a vote represents a currency of "good faith"; therefore, it is the politician's responsibility to give people something in which they can believe. Unfortunately, this election was about two people and not the people. Democrats lost their political identity because their identity ceased to exist in support of progressive ideas for Americans, and instead the party rested on their laurels of a Clinton presidency.
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Power without having an identity or knowing oneself--in a political sense--hints at instability, and without a political identity Democrats are in danger of becoming politically schizophrenic. The Democratic Party did not have an identity tied to a progressive agenda, so voters were stuck debating whether or not Hillary Clinton was as progressive as Bernie Sanders. When it became clear Bernie was more progressive, voters were led to believe, despite the evidence to the contrary, that Hillary Clinton was the party's best chance at defeating Donald Trump. Once this chasm opened--a disconnect between the Democratic establishment and the people--the Democratic Party proved themselves to be out of touch. If Hillary Clinton doesn't know why she's running, then Democratic representatives can't tell voters why they should vote for her outside of her identity as Hillary Clinton. Democrats will need to firmly root themselves in a progressive agenda led by leaders millennials will be motivated to vote for.
As Democrats search for ways to make themselves a politically viable option amongst millennials and other crucial voting blocs, they should be cautious of acting missionary-like, which is to say, as James Baldwin put it, acting like they know more about the voter's experience than the voter does. Clinton's team ignored Sanders surrogates and grassroots activists who campaigned for Sanders:
" We not only screamed about this, we wrote memos, we begged," Jane Kleeb, Nebraska Democratic Party chair and another Sanders booster who was at the DNC meeting, said. "I spent a good chunk of time writing memos about how [Bernie's surrogates] could be utilized on the campaign trail, about 'issue voters,' about the environment, Black Lives Matter, Dakota Access Pipeline, rogue cops, you name it... I was [also] talking specifically about rural communities, and how [Hillary] completely ignored and abandoned anything that we cared about.
When you begin to confront the fact that the Democratic party didn't support the candidate who refused to have a Super PAC and didn't listen to Sanders organizers who had campaigned on the streets, who had an ear to what was happening in swing states, that's when you realize that the Democratic primary contest is designed to stop grassroots candidates. Then you begin to see the problem with the party--a problem that is exemplified by Hillary Clinton's campaign manager, Robby Mook:
"In a race where people wanted fundamental change, Donald Trump sure was a fundamental change," Mook said. "It was a strength being an outsider."
This quote tells you all you need to know about the mentality of the Democratic Party. To recognize that there was strength in being an outsider while ignoring street activists who organized and worked for Bernie Sanders, an outsider in the Democratic party and who tried to warn the Clinton campaign about the potential of a Trump presidency, is a show of arrogance that should alarm every Democratic voter. A room full of people who were all-knowing, who arrogantly believed in their own benevolence, could not foresee that the Democratic party's perfect candidate was the most flawed candidate, despite her actual qualifications. They couldn't fathom that she'd be incapable of beating the best Republicans had to offer, which happened to be the worst Republicans had to offer.
Donald Trump, a man who is moral, economic, and ethical incompetence in corporal form, and has a capacity of human decency that lies on the fringes of pathetic, is not scary. Donald Trump's presidency, in particular, isn't scary. Donald Trump doesn't have to be the President of the United States for Republicans to defund planned parenthood, or pass strict voter ID laws. Sexism, racism, and classism are not potent because of their ability to keep people of color or women from the Oval Office. They are potent because, and let's be honest, racism, sexism, and classism kills people. When people cannot afford healthcare, people die. When women do not have rights over their reproductive health, people die. When white men are allowed to assault the bodies of black men, people die. The Democratic party never addressed what was truly at stake in a Trump victory, ignored many Bernie Sanders-inspired candidates at the state level and used Donald Trump as a scare tactic to conjure votes for Hillary Clinton, which are all methods of campaigning that are not inspiring.
The Democrats did not give Hillary Clinton or Democratic voters the campaign she deserved. Her team presented her as if it were her time to be president and not someone who was willing to go out and earn voters. "I'm With Her" was language that played on the anticipation of Hillary Clinton being the United States' first female president, but the campaign largely ignored the intersectionality of Hillary's campaign as a white woman. "Ready for Hillary" was also language that made the voter the primary actor in a situation that demands the politician to be the primary actor. "She's With Us" or "She is ready for us" would at least signify that Hillary Clinton is the one engaging in action.
To regain what was lost in this past election cycle, Democrats will need to go beyond rebuilding the party. They will need to rebuild their connection with people at the grassroots level and put voters first. Will the party continue to take money from corporations, or will they act to remove money out of politics? Are they going to be more critical of the deportation of undocumented immigrants, even if it's happening when a Democrat is President of the United States? What about gun control? Universal Healthcare? Affordable college tuition? Unions? And trade deals? The Democratic party needs to act soon and deliver a unifying, progressive message if it wants to be a party that survives after the Clinton era, because the days of receiving a vote for having a "D" in front of your name may come to an end very soon.
By AsiaToday reporter Jisu Kim - One of the most talked-about topics among millennials in 2016 was the political correctness movement. The phrase 'politically correct' is commonly abbreviated to PC in the world of social media. Netizens often take to social media to argue about various issues, whether they are politically correct or not.
The term political correctness is a progressive social movement that advocates to choose value-neutral terms that avoid insulting or offending people who are subject to prejudice or discrimination on the basis of their gender, race, or ethnicity. In recent years, the meaning has expanded further to refer itself as an attitude of striving for value neutrality. Social networking sites are widespread nowadays, and public criticism is poured on those who are not politically correct.
Air China, one of China's state-run airlines, has experienced a rough time after its in-flight magazine Wings of China made the racist comment in a travel article on London. The article, printed in English, said: "London is generally a safe place to travel, however precautions are needed when entering areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people. We advice tourists not to go out alone at night, and females always to be accompanied by another person when travelling." CNBC producer Haze Fan tweeted a picture of the advice after reading the magazine while travelling, stirring heavy criticism from netizens. Blaming an "editorial mistake" by the magazine, Air China eventually apologized for 'inappropriate' remarks.
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[Air China's in-flight magazine 'Wings of China' sparked a controversy over 'racist' guide to London./ Source: Twitter of Haze Fan (@hazeology)-CNBC] The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) introduced a few more controversial cases of racial discrimination in China. Last May, a commercial for a Chinese laundry detergent that has gone viral was heavily criticized for being racist. The ad showed a black man being transformed into a porcelain-skinned Chinese guy after he was tossed in the washing machine with the soap. Qiaobi, the company behind the ad, announced it would stop the ad and issued an apology online. When the problem became bigger, the Chinese foreign ministry came forward and said the controversial ad is completely different from the position of the Chinese government, and that the government is consistent in equality towards and respects all countries, no matter their ethnicity or race.
[The Qiaobi detergent commercial showing a black man stuffed into a washing machine and transformed into a porcelain-skinned Asian stirred up racism controversy./ Source: YouTube]
Still widely sold in China and Southeast Asia is the Taiwan-based Darlie toothpaste, in Chinese called 'heiren yagao', or Black People Toothpaste. The original name of the toothpaste was Darkie, and the packaging featured an image of a smiling black man in a top hat. To avoid racial misunderstanding, its English name was later changed to Darlie, and the image on the packaging was changed to show a racially ambiguous face in a top hat. However, the Chinese name of the brand still remains the same.
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[The Darkie toothpaste, featuring a smiling blackface performer as its logo, was sold for years in various parts of Asia as "Black Person Toothpaste". After racism controversy over the image, the toothpaste changed its English name from Darkie to "Darlie" with the logo changing to a smiling man of ambiguous racial background. In Chinese, "darlie" means "black person." The Chinese name of the brand still remains the same. / Source: Flickr]
In December of last year, Victorian government in Australia encouraged its public officials to not use "heteronormative" terms such as "husband" or "wife" and instead use gender neutral terms such as "zie" and "hir" in a new guide. The document recommended using the word "partner" than wife/husband where the gender, sexual orientation, or relationship status of a person is unknown. Victorian Equality Minister Martin Foley said, "The government's responsibility is to keep people safe. The guide is one of the ways in which we are addressing and eradicating homophobia, biphobia and transphobia."
The debate over political correctness is not limited to the issue of racial discrimination or sex discrimination. For example, controversy has been rising in Asia regarding the celebration of the Christmas holiday. Istanbul Lisesi, a prestigious German-language high school in Turkey, created a big controversy by canceling Christmas last year. It sent an e-mail to German teaching staff, saying, "The topic of Christmas traditions and celebrations will not be discussed, taught or sung about, effective immediately, according to the notice by the Turkish management."
Some people think that it's better to use value-neutral expression "Happy holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" because it's Christian-friendly greeting. Some even claim that we should avoid saying "holiday" because it stems from the Old English for "holy day" and use the expression "end of the year" instead.
However, as so many people have become very oversensitive about everything, there are also increasing number of people responding negatively to the political correctness culture.
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Experts explain that the rise of populism around the world, such as Donald Trump's victory and Brexit, is led by people who are fed up with political correctness. Trump himself also wrote on Twitter, "So many 'politically correct' fools in our country. We have to all get back to work and stop wasting time and energy on nonsense!"
In an article entitled "Revolt of the Politically Incorrect", the Wall Street Journal explained, "When Donald Trump's mostly working-class voters repeatedly said that "he tells the truth", this is what they were talking about-not any particular Trump outrage but the years of political correctness they felt they'd been forced to choke down in silence."
Some point out that being PC is a kind of censorship. In his column as Guardian US writer, Dave Schilling said, "One of the millennials' favorite tools for enacting social change is Twitter, but there are those who see Twitter as yet another hotbed of censorship."
In New York magazine, writer Jonathan Chait claimed that the emphasis on "tone policing" and other attempts to tackle the biases inherent in certain forms of rhetoric is harming our right to free speech. "Social media, where swarms of jeering critics can materialize in an instant, paradoxically creates this feeling of isolation."
Almost the entire American Intelligence community are in agreement with the assessment that Russia intervened in the 2016 election in part to help Donald Trump win the White House. President Obama issued a public warning to Moscow that it could face retaliation.
The question is what the real motivation of the Russian Intelligence Community was to support Trump against Hillary Clinton.
The real motivation of the Russians to intervene the elections in favor of Mr. Trump is deeply rooted with the leadership style of the president elect.
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Remember that Mr.Trump had asked his supporters to believe that he hasn't been elected as only a president of a country, but he is also convinced that he is the leader of a 'social movement' which has very powerful anti-globalist connotations.
It stands to reason that leaders who are authoritarian in nature, by definition, can't be democratic at all. Since the authoritarian leaders can't be democratic, it is safe to analyze that even they are elected in highly institutionalized constitutional democracies such as the U.S, they would want to seek to challenge the democratic institutions to consolidate power. Their very authoritarian nature and ability to impose their decisions without seeking consensus or approval are the biggest obstacles for them to be fully committed to democratic values. Historical experiences in the past shed light on the fact that once the authoritarian leaders reach to power they always concentrate to consolidate significantly more power into the executive office, weaken any potentially correcting checks and balances, and, in general, suppress and control all opposing voices. Here are some well-known features of the authoritarian leaders: 1) They invoke a legitimizing myth, 2) They reinforce a crisis perception, 3) They use a revolutionary rhetoric, 4) They simplify, 5) They promote a collective identity, and 6) suggest polarized aggression.
In his NY Times article titled 'Beyond Lying: Donald Trump's Authoritarian Reality' Jason Stanley notes that authoritarian propagandists always attempt to convey power by defining reality. 'The reality they offer is very simple. It is offered with the goal of switching voters' value systems to the authoritarian value system of the leader.'
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Since the authoritarian leaders seek to polarize their societies by means of demonizing the 'others,' they create polarization in the society which eventually result in huge gaps and divides in the nation.
Now it is so safe to predict that the U.S can't promote democracy in the world while being governed by an authoritarian leader which simply reveals the Russian motivation to support Trump.
In the realm of foreign economic policy, a vital domain of grand strategy for a global power such as the United States is to liberalize international trade by pushing bilateral free-trade agreements on the one hand, and working with other states to set up a global trade organization on the other. Democracy promotion was part of this grand economic strategy as well.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman in a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Moldova Paul Philip has proposed to hold a meeting of the intergovernmental commission in Ukraine in April or May.
"Volodymyr Groysman has offered to host the first since 2011 session of the intergovernmental commission in Ukraine in April or May of this year. He also welcomed the results of the meeting of co-chairs of the intergovernmental commission of Ukraine and Moldova - First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Stepan Kubiv and Deputy Prime Minister of economy of Moldova Octavian Calmac in Chisinau in November 2016," the press service of the Ukrainian government said following the conversation results.
Ukrainian premier reiterated the invitation to the Moldovan colleague to take part in the meeting of heads of governments of the GUAM [Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova] member states and the business forum within its framework, which are expected to be held in Kyiv.
The premiers discussed the so-called "package agreement" on the Dniester multipurpose hydraulic structure among other issues of the agenda of bilateral relations. In this context, Groysman proposed to instruct the relevant ministries and departments to hold talks to work out final decisions in February.
The Ukrainian premier separately noted Ukraine's interest in the resumption of electricity supply to the market of Moldova and its willingness to participate in the respective tender.
In addition, he welcomed the Moldovan government's decision to lift the restrictive measures for Ukrainian meat and dairy products in 2017.
This time, reports of Fidel Castro's death are real. And, as I'd predicted in my memoir Confessions of a Secret Latina: "[I]f anything [after Fidel's death], expressions of loss and praise of his accomplishments will be greater outside than within Cuba itself." (p.40) Yes, only hours after his death, media commentators and foreign leaders were extolling Fidel's superior achievements in health and education, even praising him for making sure everyone had enough to eat. Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French Environment Minister Segolene Royal were especially effusive. So was Cuauhtemoc Cardenas, son of a former Mexican president, who described Fidel Castro's death as "a loss" for both the Cuban people and the world. While acknowledging the regime's stranglehold on free assembly and expression, some outsiders bought into the fiction that such controls were necessary for, or at least off-set by, health and educational benefits. Fidel's propaganda lives on!
As I argue in my book, social benefits don't require the jettisoning of democracy and civil rights--the two are compatible, not antithetical. Nor should my position brand me as a right-wing extremist or even as a Republican. I've been a Democrat my whole life and there is room in the Democratic Party for recognition of the Cuban regime's faults. Certainly President Obama has not shied away from acknowledging them.
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Furthermore, Cuba's actual provision of superior educational and health benefits has been greatly overblown, persisting to this day, thanks to successful regime propaganda. Agreed that Cubans, on the whole, are better educated than citizens of some other Latin American nations, but gaps remain, especially in rural areas and in eastern Cuba. The health system is two-tiered, abysmal for ordinary people, great for the political elite and foreign medical tourists paying in hard currency. Try as an ordinary Cuba to even get an aspirin! And while outsiders rightly extol the skills of Cuban doctors, they wrongly believe that foreign medical missions express Cuban generosity, when, in fact, excessive medical personnel are trained precisely to be sent abroad to earn money for the regime with only a small fraction of payment actually going to doctors themselves. I've often worked with Cuban medical practitioners in Honduras, some of whom have remained there.
As for food, both tourists and the elite do dine in luxury, but the food ration allotment for most Cubans runs out mid-month and tourism has apparently cut into even their meager supply. Food rationing has been in place since 1962 and, despite the availability of fertile land, most food is imported, including sugar from neighboring Dominican Republic. Cubans often go hungry. They are not allowed to fish, as in other Caribbean countries, for fear boats might make a beeline for the U.S. Afro-Cubans suffer the greatest deprivations. I've suggested that Cuba might revive agriculture with the help of Peace Corps volunteers. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barbara-e-joe/peace-corps-in-cuba-you-h_b_6581182.html
Back when Cuba was under the Soviet umbrella, medical care was better, but even when Venezuelan oil replaced Soviet largess, medical care and benefits for ordinary Cubans did not improve. Independence from the U.S. did not foster economic independence, rather, dependence on the USSR and Venezuela. Castro dared not complain too loudly when Soviet missiles were removed from Cuban soil. And the U.S. embargo, exempting food and medicine and not preventing Cuba from trading around the world, is hardly the "world's worst genocide," as Cuban billboards prominently allege. Why did I bring young Armando Hernandez to this country via Mexico, as per my Confessions book? Because he couldn't get his necessary lifesaving medications in Cuba, though not due to the embargo. Cuba produces too little besides the rum and cigars that President Obama has allowed Americans to bring back. Rum and cigars, and even massive U.S. tourism and remittances, are insufficient to sustain a nation.
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The most alluring part of Fidel Castro's narrative is the image of brave little David standing up against the American Goliath. People in many countries identified vicariously with Cuba's apparently successful resistance against that big bad bully, the United States. A nation purported to be the world's most powerful can be expected to arouse exaggerated suspicion and envy. President Obama has attempted to break that narrative by extending the hand of friendship to the Cuban leadership and flooding the country with American visitors. Shattering that image was probably the biggest gain for the United States achieved by Obama's outreach.
My position is that support of human rights in Cuba, or anywhere else, should be a non-partisan, non-political issue and that a particular government's avowed political ideology should not matter, only facts on the ground. (That applies here in the U.S. as well.) How is it helpful to Cuba to have arrested graffiti artist Danilo Maldonado once again, this time for writing Se fue (He's gone) on a wall and now to have arrested his American lawyer, Kimberley Motley? The authorities should have just ignored him.
Castro's Cuba has been described as a kind of Macondo in real time. The vehicle carrying Fidel Castro's ashes broke down entering its final destination, Santiago de Cuba, requiring it to be pushed. Another observation from my book: A former political prisoner wearily admitted, "Some older folks think Fidel actually is a saint."(p. 26) Yes, some Cubans, especially older ones, have shed genuine tears over Fidel's death (as happened too after Stalin, Mao, and Kim Jung Il died), while others have reportedly been obligated to pay homage. Some also seem to have been moved to tears by contagion by seeing others cry along the route of Fidel's ashes. After all, Cubans have been socialized in the Castro mystique for generations.
No tears from a former political prisoner living in the D.C. area, who served 22 years of an original 20-year sentence and was released with Jesse Jackson in 1984. He said of Fidel's demise: "Too bad he died of old age in his bed rather than from a gunshot to the head or, better yet, from a slow, tortured death like he inflicted on so many others."
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How would Americans feel now if they had to look forward to more than 50 years of President Donald Trump? That's how many Cubans have felt after more than a half century of Fidel.
I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
--Edward Everett Hale
When it comes to community cats, change begins locally. Often it starts unintentionally. A person discovers a cat in need and is unable to turn away. A retiree feeds strays in his backyard. Someone learns that his or her animal shelter "puts down" healthy community cats and decides to do something about it. A teacher builds cat shelters with her students. An individual, committed to the humane treatment of cats, inspires others in his community to challenge municipal animal control laws to reflect their values. Advocacy begins with the power of one. And usually, that individual may not even consider himself or herself an advocate. That person simply cares.
I'd like to tell you about two people who didn't turn away from cats in their communities. Holly lives in Mesquite, Texas, and Robin lives in Virginia.
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Holly called my office in 2015, asking for advice. She had always wanted a cat, but her son was allergic, so instead she fed and cared for a feral cat named Bobbie Sue. To make sure Bobbie Sue remained healthy and didn't have kittens, Holly coaxed her into a trap and had her spayed and vaccinated, a process called Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). She even had the veterinarian eartip Bobbie Sue, so people would know she had TNR. Then Holly returned Bobbie Sue to her neighborhood.
Bobbie Sue arrived at the same time each day to be fed. So one day when she didn't show up, Holly became alarmed. She searched everywhere, calling neighbors and the Mesquite Animal Services. The receptionist there assured her no cat had been impounded. She called back later in the day, and this time she was told a cat fitting Bobbie Sue's description had been brought in that morning and quickly euthanized. Holly was horrified. Mesquite had an ordinance requiring impounded animals to be held at the shelter for 72 hours. Shelter staff had ignored it.
Holly wanted to make sure no more cats in her city suffered the same fate as Bobbie Sue. Though she had no political or advocacy experience, she decided to speak to the city council about the cost-savings and community benefits of a city-wide Shelter-Neuter-Return (SNR) program. In such a program, community cats would be neutered, vaccinated, and ear-tipped at the shelter, then returned to their outdoor homes. Holly's efforts paid off. Mesquite now has an SNR program, with the help from local TNR groups and colony caregivers. All it took was one person to care enough to start the process that would ensure Mesquite was safer for cats.
And here's what happened with Robin, a woman I met at a national Best Friends Animal Society conference. Unassuming and introspective, at first glance, you would be hard pressed to describe her as an activist. As we chatted following a workshop, she peppered me with questions about my own experiences with TNR and working with elected officials. While our conversation was pleasant enough, it truly seemed to be just that; a conversation. A year later, she called to tell me she had provided TNR to cats living near their county landfill. And there's more! Not only had she persuaded a veterinarian to offer low-cost spay and neuter services, but she then mentioned speaking with her city's mayor, convincing him to set up a TNR program at the local shelter. One thing led to another. Each time it got easier for Robin to take the next step. She realized the importance of working with her municipality. And it recognized they needed her.
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Holly and Robin are two individuals who joined with others in their communities to make a difference for cats. They couldn't help all cats everywhere, but they could do something to help the cats in their community.
Doing something is all that's needed, no matter how small or seemingly inconsequential. Most people wrongly believe they don't know how to step in, or they are afraid it will take too much time.
Why should you do something when there's municipal infrastructure to help community cats? Because, often, there's not. Millions of healthy, beautiful cats and kittens are killed every year behind closed doors in animal shelters. Some towns and cities even have ordinances banning the feeding of community cats. Local rescue groups are stretched beyond capacity if they exist at all. Turn your back and the cats have no one.
So, my advice is to plant the seed. Talk to your neighbor about outdoor cats. Take one step. Find out what your local shelter does when cats are brought in. If you don't like the answer, schedule a meeting with the shelter director. Ask what you can do. Capitalize on the compassion that is an attribute in every community. Committed individuals can reshape communities to fit their values of compassion for cats.
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How long can human beings live? Is there an outside limit? Do we know enough about aging to break through possible biological barriers? Is the current approach to curing "age associated diseases" like Alzheimer's flawed? Experts are sharply divided.
In 1962 eminent biologist Leonard Hayflick discovered that normal human fetal cells replicate a limited number of times. This phenomenon promptly acquired the moniker the "Hayflick Limit." Later, biologists Calvin Harley and Carol Greider provided the molecular explanation for the Hayflick limit with their discovery that telomeres, the DNA biological material in every cell of our bodies, diminish each time cells divide.
In contrast, cancer cells, which are immortal, produce an enzyme called telomerase that maintains the length of telomeres and enables cancer cells to replicate without limit. The strategy of extending the life of normal cells by injecting telomerase has proven thorny, as reported by Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn, co-discoverer of telomerase: "too much telomerase can help confer immortality onto cancer cells and actually increase the likelihood of cancer, whereas too little telomerase can also increase cancer by depleting the healthy regenerative potential of the body..telomerase shots are not the magical anti-aging potion...."
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The finite capacity of normal human fetal cells to divide (on average about 50 times) suggested to Hayflick that aging is responsible for the end of normal cell replication and eventually death. Other researchers translated Hayflick's findings into a maximum human lifespan of 120 years.
A 2016 study at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine came up with a similar human lifespan limit of 115 years. The investigators drew their conclusion from surveys of longevity and mortality records in more than forty countries since 1900. While their findings showed an impressive increase in the number of people living beyond age 100 in recent decades, rarely did centenarians live longer than 115 years. One exception, Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment, died at age 122. She was a media sensation because she exceeded the traditional limit for longevity.
The dramatic increase in life expectancy from 18 years (at birth) in prehistoric times to an average of 79 in the U.S. today (and 1-4 years longer in more than 25 other countries) is not due to breakthroughs in our understanding of the biology of aging. Rather, it's been achieved through the reduction in infant mortality, public health measures such as clean water, improved sanitation, better nutrition, healthy life styles, and the remarkable boost when antibiotics and vaccines were introduced.
But is the Hayflick Limit fixed, or is it a biological barrier that can be penetrated? Opinions vary.
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At one extreme, Cambridge University trained Dr. Aubrey de Grey, Chief Science Officer of the SENS Research Foundation for the study of aging claims that emerging breakthroughs in the biology of aging have brought human lifespan to the verge of vastly extended longevity--and perhaps immortality. The first person to live to 1,000 years is likely walking the earth right now, he declares.
I met Aubrey de Grey several years ago at a screening of the film To Age or Not To Age, sponsored by the International Longevity Center. He was one of the researchers featured in the documentary. Afterwards I approached him with a question.
"Do you think civilization is ready for immortality?" I asked, since immortality has obvious implications for the social, economic, and political functioning of society.
De Grey didn't like my question. He immediately launched into a lengthy rant. "Do you know how many people die each day and that it's not necessary," he remarked. "We have the means and knowledge..." I quickly realized that de Grey champions another version of right to life. So sure is he that death is not inevitable that he recoils at the idea that we dare think otherwise.
Dr. Leonard Hayflick takes a strong stand against De Grey's position on life extension. And he has little respect for those touting "cures for aging." The "fountain of youth" business, he says, is the first or second oldest profession.
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What does Hayflick think of the work of MIT biologist Dr. Leonard Guarente I wanted to know. In 2016 Guarente generated a lot of fanfare when his newly formed company, Elysium, introduced a nutritional supplement called Basis. The main ingredient of Basis, nicotinamide riboside (NR), raises the body's levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), which in turn, Guarente claims, can slow the aging process by boosting mitochondria, the energy dynamo of cells that diminishes with age. While Guarente's Basis and anti-aging products of other companies may improve some aspects of bodily functioning, do they put the brakes on aging? Hayflick is doubtful if not dismissive of that notion.
I interviewed Dr. Hayflick on the telephone on October 27th and 29th 2016. He spoke from his home in Northern California. The strength of his voice, not to mention his convictions, belie his eighty-eight years. And he anticipates many productive years ahead, based on the principle that the best way to insure longevity is to pick your parents carefully. His mother lived to 106.
While he agrees that biology plays a role in longevity, Hayflick rejects claims that a genetic aging code is about to be broken, thus opening the floodgates for unlimited lifespans. In stark contrast to those who argue that researchers have accumulated a trove of knowledge about aging, Hayflick insists that "We know very little if not zero about the fundamental cause of aging."
He emphasizes that all the advances in average life expectancy that have been derived from prevention and cures for diseases have not told us anything about the fundamental etiology of aging. "We do not know why cells age," Hayflick told me. And until we expand our knowledge of the fundamental cause of aging he does not foresee significantly extending average life expectancy; he is even less hopeful about extending human lifespan beyond the current limit.
Hayflick says that if cures are miraculously found for the leading causes of death, that will add about 13 years to average life expectancy. But, he points out, those cures will not increase the lifespan beyond the current limit. He warns: "People will continue to die as a result of aging." The explanation for why they are dying, he insists, will only be found by unraveling the mystery of the cause of molecular and cellular aging.
"How likely is that to happen?" I asked him. "Very unlikely," he admitted. Hayflick laments that two to three percent at most of the $1.27 billion that the National Institute of Aging (NIA) spends annually on aging research is allocated to fundamental biological research. That's why "little work is being done on the basic understanding of aging--not only in this country but worldwide."
According to Transparency Market Research, the anti-aging market is projected to reach $91.7 billion globally by 2019. Most of that money will be for anti-aging products and services with possibly only a tiny percentage for basic biological research.
Dr. Jan Vijg, Chair in Molecular Genetics at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine in New York City, and a lead researcher on the recent longevity study, confirmed in an interview on November 16, 2016, that a miniscule amount of funding goes to basic biological research, where many of the questions about aging are more likely to find answers. Vijg agrees with Hayflick about the dearth of knowledge about cellular aging. He says we know a lot about factors such as genomes (the DNA of genes) that affect cellular senescence but the question of why cells age remains largely unanswered.
On the positive side, Vijg notes that scientists in the field of aging are increasingly focusing on the biology of aging, not just the cure of diseases. He told me that he has recently applied for a large grant for the study of drugs that target aging rather than specific diseases. Hayflick, he acknowledges, "was the original defender of this position to study aging per se and now he's been proven correct."
If that direction is endorsed by a growing consensus of scientists, why the dearth of funding, I asked?
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Dr. Vijg points to an entrenched establishment driven by the public, special interests, and lobbyists who want immediate results. People accept aging and death as natural facts of life, Vijg says, but they don't accept diseases as natural and thus they want cures for them. Basic research may seem abstract and remote. Few laypeople grasp that unraveling the underlying biology of aging could produce faster and more successful results.
Token funding for basic research on the biology of aging makes no sense, Hayflick argues, when it's clear that aging is the condition that increases vulnerability to age-associated diseases. Physicians and other experts on aging talk glibly, he says, about age-associated diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular, Alzheimer's, and other illnesses for which the elderly are at greater risk. And then they immediately utter the mantra that the greatest risk factor for age-associated diseases is aging. "But," he adds, "they never ask themselves why all these major causes of death are occurring in older people." If you try to answer that question logically, he continues, "you come to the conclusion that there must be something in old cells that provides the milieu or the opportunity for age-associated diseases that does not occur in young cells." Isn't it therefore highly probable, he conjectures, that "old cells may provide the condition that allows for the emergence of all age-associated diseases?"
If Hayflick's analysis is correct, shouldn't a significant part of the fifty percent of the NIA budget for aging research, which Hayflick says is designated for the treatment and cure of Alzheimer's (Vijg estimates an even higher percentage), be shifted to research on molecular and cellular aging, where a cure may be found?
Hayflick gets emotional in his frustration that researchers are not aggressively pursuing a strategy to understand why old cells are different from young cells: "Why in the hell aren't we studying the fundamental biology of aging if that is the major risk factor for age-associated diseases? Why are we ignoring it almost 100 percent?"
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While unlocking the keys to cellular aging might enable vast numbers of people to live closer to the limit of life expectancy, Hayflick still cautions that it will not extend lifespan beyond its current limit. What then does he say about the limit? Is it fixed or can it be extended. And if it is possible to increase it, by how much?
Here Hayflick's analysis turns to an overarching law of nature. He explains that cells, like all things animate and inanimate, are subject to the second law of thermodynamics, which states that energy dissipates or spreads out when not constrained. Applied to aging, this means that entropy (energy dissipation) increases over time--and the increase in entropy forecasts the inevitability of death. Sounds pessimistic, but is that the end of the story? Maybe not.
Vijg acknowledges entropy as a limiting factor, but he believes it could be slowed if we had a better understanding of entropy at the cellular level. He also expresses great faith in science and therefore will not rule out future discoveries that could lead to a significant increase in human lifespan. Hayflick as well will not bet against science, but he adds this stern caveat: "First we must invest substantially in the study of the basic biology of aging."
Note: The first and second laws of thermodynamics were introduced by Rudolf Clausius and William Thomson around 1850.
Spanish explorers first showed up on the beaches of the Mexican fishing village of Cihuatlan in 1522, records show. They scoped the place out, figured it didn't amount to much, tagged ejo (meaning "of little importance") on its name and then sailed away, presumably to look for more important spots.
After that, things remained quiet around Cihuatlan-ejo - or Zihuatanejo as it ended up on the Spanish maps - for a hundred or so years.
Until the pirates moved in.
The brigands, mostly Englishmen, found the town's cozy, mushroom-shaped bay was a great place to lay in wait for Spanish treasure galleons heading down the Pacific coast to their home port at Acapulco. So ships sailing under the skull and crossbones became a common sight at the bay, including the Jolly Rogers of scofflaw superstars like Sir Francis Drake and Thomas Cavendish.
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The pirates pulled out of the bay in the mid-1700s when the plundering business began to peter out. And Zihuatanejo (pronounced zee-wha-tah-NAY-ho) again went back to being a sleepy fishing village.
A New Neighbor
In 1970, the Mexican government announced plans to build a luxury resort just down the road from Zihuatanejo on a 2-mile-long strip of golden sands edging an old coconut plantation. The development was named Ixtapa (eeks-TAH-pah).
The resort's first hotel, the Aristos, debuted in 1974. Today, Ixtapa's palm-lined beaches are dotted by dozens of tropical palaces including such upscale brands as Las Brisas, Barcelo, Capella, Azul, Sunscape Dorado Pacifico and Krystal.
The Charm of 'Zihua'
Lining the main beach at Zihuatanejo (or Zihua, as the locals call it) are dozens of al fresco eateries where visitors can enjoy some cool ones, snack on ceviche (marinated raw seafood) and soak up the town's crown jewel: its picture-postcard bay. Meandering outward for 12 or so miles from both sides of the village, most of the bay's beaches are overlooked by hills peppered by small luxury resorts, bungalows, condos and vintage villas.
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La Ropa and La Madera beaches (rear of photo) seen from Zihua's main beach.
It's about a 15-minute ride by water taxi from the city's municipal pier to the secluded swimming and snorkeling areas (and not-so-secluded wall-to-wall restaurants) on Las Gatas beach at the southern tip of the bay. Along the way the taxis skirt the beach at Playa La Ropa (which means "beach of the clothes" after the fine Chinese silks that drifted ashore there after a Spanish galleon, loaded with cargo from Asia, blundered into the bay - right into the blazing cannons of a pirate fleet anchored there).
The hills above Playa La Ropa today feature a cluster of "Special Category" hotels (Mexico's supreme luxury rating). One, La Casa Que Canta, is where Andy Garcia and Meg Ryan burned up the screen in the 1994 hit movie, When a Man Loves a Woman.
View of the bay from La Casa Que Canta.
What the Names Mean
Ixtapa means "white place," after a nearby stretch of salt-bleached beach. Cihuatlan and Zihuatanejo translate to "land of women," possibly because the area's first known rulers, the Cuitlatecas, had a matriarchal society. One legend has it that the tribe was entrusted by Cihuateotl, the goddess of women, to watch over an immense temple on Playa Madera, the beach next to Playa La Ropa. There, the spirits of women who died in childbirth were said to return to earth after five years of having acted as a sort of honor guard for the setting sun each evening.
Women cacicas (chiefs) ruled these parts for hundreds of years until about
1400, when the Cuitlatec lands were invaded by fierce Tarascan warriors.
Spanish troops conquered the Tarascans in the 1520s.
Four centuries later, sparked in part by the enactment of Prohibition north of the border, Zihua and its picturesque bay saw still another invasion, this time by foreign glitterati. Silent movie stars, Texas oilmen, corporate titans and others in the silky set came to Zihua to bunk down in hillside villas. One of the newcomers was Edgar Rice Burroughs, author of the Tarzan books - among which were stories of a supposedly fictitious tribe of Amazon women.
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Old-timers around Zihua will tell you that Burroughs got the idea for his Amazons right here, from tales of the Cuitlatec matriarchy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin intervened militarily in Syria in September 2015 by launching what the Russian media dubbed Operation Vozmezdie (Retribution). He did so under the guise of joining the global effort to defeat terrorism. His chief of staff Sergei Ivanov stated at the time "The military goal of the operation is strictly to provide air support for the [Syrian] government forces in their fight against Islamic State." Putin himself claimed his intervention was intended to prevent "these criminals who already tasted blood" from returning "back home and continue their evil doings." But the Russian president's real aim was to bolster the beleaguered Bashar al-Assad regime in the western corridor where most Syrians live. His intervention was essentially a counter insurgency operation against an array of Sunni rebel forces fighting against the government in Damascus, not a counter terrorism campaign against ISIS forces located primarily to the east.
Russian forces deployed advanced "Vladimir" tanks, cruise missiles, aircraft, including long range strategic bombers, and their only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, to repulse an alliance of Sunni rebels that was advancing on the coastal strongholds of the Alawite-dominated Assad regime. In furtherance of this policy, the Russians also carried out an indiscriminate bombing campaign in Sunni rebel-controlled eastern Aleppo that has been blamed for vast numbers of civilian deaths.
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But Putin's actions have not made his citizens safer, on the contrary they have put them squarely in the crosshairs of the terrorists. By intervening in Syria on behalf of a bloody dictator whose forces have killed far more people than ISIS, Moscow has incurred the wrath of Sunni jihadist groups, including ISIS and former Nusra Front now known as Jabhat Fateh al Sham. ISIS threatened Moscow for its actions and stated "You will not find peace in your homes. We will kill your sons ... for each son you killed here. And we will destroy your homes for each home you destroyed here."
Such threats were soon translated into action and Russia has increasingly been made a primary target of global jihad with a rising number of Islamist terrorist plots and attacks focusing on Russian targets at home and abroad. The most notable example of this terrorist blowback has been the downing of a Russian civilian airliner over the Sinai Desert last October leading to the death of 224 people on October 31, 2015. The Metrojet airliner was downed by a bomb planted on board by an ISIS affiliate in Egypt and was Russia's worst aviation disaster. There have been other attacks as well, most notably a series of ISIS inspired bombings in the southern Russian province of Dagestan as well as the beheading of a Russian child by an Uzbek nanny, the shootings of police officers in Moscow and Nizhni Novgorod a foiled attempt in November to carry out a Paris style mass shooting attack at malls in Moscow and St. Petersburg and a series of attacks on security forces in Grozny, the capital of the Chechen Republic on December 19th.
The killing of the Russian ambassador to Turkey, Andrey Karlov on Monday by a gunman who shouted "Aleppo" and "revenge" shows that terrorists who blame Russia for mass civilian deaths and for helping prop up the hated Alawite dictator Assad certainly have their own plans of retribution to punish Putin for his incursion in Syria. With thousands of foreign fighters from Russia fighting in Syria and Iraq, there is significant risk this terrorist blowback will get much worse as ISIS's "Caliphate" begins to collapse. The net result of Putin's adventurism in the Middle East would sadly seem to be less security at home for citizens of a country who originally vote him in to power based on his promises to protect them from Chechen terrorism.
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The Baquerizo Moreno boardwalk on San Cristobal Island is a nice place to stroll and enjoy the views of plants and balconies overlooking the bay. It's popular not only with tourists and locals but also with other large endemic creatures: Zalophus wollebaeki or sea lions that have made their home in Baquerizo Moreno. They are found sleeping on the benches, sunbathing on the sidewalks, even using a slide built for local children. Sea Lions on the Baquerizo Moreno boardwalk. Photo by Cecilia Alvear/Galapagos Digital
But this proximity of sea lions to humans and other introduced species presents problems.
As Galapagos Digital reported in July of last year, a study by a British scientist showed that sea lions living in residential areas of the Galapagos suffer more health problems than those living in the uninhabited islands. According to that study, they may acquire certain diseases of dogs and other pets. A dog walks by sea lions napping on a park bench. Photo by Cecilia Alvear/Galapagos Digital
It is estimated that between 16,000 and 18,000 sea lions inhabit the Galapagos. In 2008 they were included in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as an endangered species.
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Now the Galapagos National Park reports that in conjunction with the San Francisco University of Quito, it has undertaken a project to study diseases that may affect the sea lions. "The main objective," a statement from the park said, "is to assess whether the interaction with dogs and other introduced species exposed the sea lions to distemper, parvovirus and leptospira." Technicians of the Galapagos National Park transport a sea lion to be tested and tagged. Photo by Galapagos National Park
Park technicians and volunteers from participating institutions have been capturing sea lions in various colonies and drawing blood and mucous samples. The teams place numbered tags on the front flippers of the animals to aid in identifying individual animals. The samples are analyzed at the Laboratory of Microbiology of the San Francisco University of Quito.
Initially about 200 samples were collected in breeding colonies of sea lions in San Cristobal, Espanola, Floreana and Santa Fe islands. In a second phase, the study will extend to Santa Cruz, Seymour and Isabela islands. The study will last two years.
The park also plans a community forum on sea lions for residents of San Cristobal March 5. Sea lions and people on Playa Mann in San Cristobal island. Photo by Cecilia Alvear/Galapagos Digital
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It's getting cold out there and this can mean bad news for anyone who doesn't have a place to go. There are many services that help those who are homeless or without food and shelter. I personally support some of them, like DC Central Kitchen, God's Love We Deliver, and SF-Marin Food Bank, which have some great programs that help lots of people.
There have already been 4 hypothermia-related deaths in Portland alone since 2017 began and there are many more people in cities across the country who are at a serious risk for hypothermia. At any one time there may be up to 200,000 people in the US living without shelter. This is a real problem and we should do something about it.
There are many ways for you to help. During the winter months, many states around the country offer services that help people who are homeless avoid hypothermia and stay safe from tough weather. These are usually open during the winter season from November through March depending on your state. In Washington, DC, a Hypothermia Alert is called when the temperature falls to 32 Fahrenheit.
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You may be wondering how the service works. You can call anytime. It varies by state but often, upon contacting 311 or calling a local shelter you will be asked by a trained operator to explain the problem. You can let them know your location, and that there may be someone who's homeless at risk of hypothermia. They will dispatch folks to do a wellness check and talk to the person you called about and, if necessary, give them a ride to a shelter so they can stay safe for the night.
The whole thing is anonymous, which means you don't have to share any personal information if you don't want to. 311, 211, and 1800 numbers are also free to call so you don't have to worry about being billed for helping someone out.
Here's a list of numbers you can call for help in several states:
- Ann Arbor, MI: (734) 961-1999 for Shelter Association of Washtenaw County
- Atlanta, GA: (404) 447-3678 for the Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless
- Baltimore, MD: 311
- Birmingham, AL: (205) 252-9571 for the Firehouse Shelter
- Boston, MA: (617) 635-4500
- Chicago, IL: 311
- Denver, CO: (720) 944-1007 for Denver's Road Home during business hours or 311 24/7
- Detroit, MI: 1 (800) 274-3583 and 1-800-343-4427
- Kansas City, MO: (816) 474-5112
- Minneapolis, MN: 1 (888) 234-1329
- New Haven, CT: 211
- New York City, NY:311
- Philadelphia, PA: (215) 232-1984 for the Project HOME Homeless Outreach Hotline
- Pittsburgh, PA: (412) 779-1329
- Portland, OR: (503) 823-3333 or 211
- San Francisco, CA: 311
- St. Louis, MO: (314) 802-5444
- Syracuse, NY: (315) 416-9237
- Washington, D.C.: (202) 399-7093 or 311. You can also email uposh@upo.org.
For a comprehensive list of shelters in Chicago, check out this page and for a list of shelters in NY state, click here. You can also follow @DCHypothermia on Twitter to stay up-to-date on alerts in the DMV.
There are also many orgs that are really serious and are helping to fight this problem. We Are Family DC offers transportation for seniors for all different kinds of services, so if you see a senior citizen in need of some help you can contact them during business hours at (202) 487-8698.
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Let's do all we can to help out, especially during the cold winter months. It's important to keep an eye out, and call for help - don't assume someone else has already done it. And, if you're able, try volunteering at a local shelter or for your state's 311 service. You could save a life.
I happen to think I nailed the voices of Thing 1 and Thing 2 when I would read my kids The Cat In The Hat. Still, can I really compete with the Aristotle voice activated kids connected room hub that Mattel demoed for us at CES2017? Aristotle has professional voice actors and it has lights and crazy sound effects...how is a parent supposed to compete with that?
I know, you are thinking, big deal - it just sounds like Amazon Echo for kids. While there are definitely similarities, the nabi Aristotle has eyes...in the form of a video camera that comes with the system. There is also AI, a "Do This When" system of programming, advanced security protection and much more.
Enough talking about Aristotle, let's show it to you in action. Here is the full demo we shot at CES2017 -
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Are Parents Now Obsolete?
As you watch that video, you see that Aristotle does many of the things we parents currently do. I have written about technology making parents obsolete, but the folks at nabi put it a little differently...
"Raising kids can be hectic and we saw a need for an IoT system that simplifies the complex and dynamic lives of families, while providing them with peace of mind. Our goal with the launch of Aristotle is to provide parents with a platform that simplifies parenting, while helping them nurture, teach, and protect their young ones" states Jim Mitchell, VP and GM of nabi.
We Love The Security That Is Part of Aristotle
I think the #1 question any parent will have with Aristotle is - do I really feel comfortable having a connected device that is always listening and watching my baby? To try to help alleviate parents' fears, Mattel partnered with some of the top companies in the world and created robust security.
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"The platform has been built with COPPA compliance in mind, recognizing parental concerns about children's online privacy. In addition, HIPAA protocols guide many of our data transfer practices. That means we apply the same data safeguards as hospitals to promote data security. For example, Aristotle utilizes 256-bit end-to-end encryption when transmitting user activity information, including baby monitor video stream. Access to data is through mobile devices that have been paired in close proximity to the Aristotle hub, and with proper approval through parental controls"
Will this be enough for parents to place a connected device in the nursery? Time will tell.
Aristotle Has An Impressive Feature Set, But Will It Understand Kids?
As the video shows, the entire Aristotle system - hub, camera and app - is feature packed and impressive. We love the Do This When system and the addition of a connected camera expands the capabilities well beyond Amazon Echo or Google Home.
What you did NOT see in the video were kids talking to Aristotle. Let's be honest, kids don't always talk with complete clarity or precession. As parents, we figure out what they mean when they mispronounce, use the wrong word or just sort of grunt and point. The big question is, will Aristotle be able to figure this out.
The folks from nabi said they had done extensive work to make sure Aristotle could understand kids, but we would sure like to see some real world testing on that front.
From what we saw, Aristotle was impressive and we look forward to doing more testing as it gets closer to launching.
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On Saturday, Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) removed a painting from the halls of the United States Capitol Building because he felt the artwork was offensive. The painting, created by high school student David Pulphus, depicts law-enforcement officers as pigs pointing guns at black protesters.
Congressman William Lacy Clay (D-Mo.) re-hung the painting and plans to file a police report against his colleague, according to CNN. Hunter was applauded by his congressional colleagues at this morning's House Republicans Conference.
I can understand how many people would be offended by the dehumanizing depiction of police officers. At the same time, I can understand the context for the depiction, and the irony of a black male--someone who belongs to a group that has been arguably dehumanized by law enforcement organizations--inverting his experience through art.
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Part of the purpose of art is to incite debate, even at the expense of offending people. Especially, many would argue, at the expense of offending established institutions. From Nazi Germany to Soviet Russia to the enslavement of black Americans, the fine arts have been used throughout history by people to sustain their communities. Art can be threatening to establishments; this is why it is often censored and banned by them. It's one of the reasons the United States of America historically has prioritized and prized its First Constitutional Amendment. Dada was an artistic movement with a political agenda; of it, Adolf Hitler wrote in his treatise Mein Kampf, ""This art is the sick production of crazy people. Pity the people who are no longer able to control this sickness." Later, when Hitler came into power, his Nazi party confiscated nontraditional art that he felt was sick and that the establishment felt was threatening.
Members of the alt-right movement, such as its current primary promoter, Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos, claim that their intentionally offensive words are politically important and responsible: They claim that progressive opinions of inclusiveness and social acceptance are a form of socially sanctioned censorship, and that political correctness is a threat to our freedom of free speech. For this very reason, Yiannopoulos and the like claim that they must promote ideas that offend, such as saying that "I would rather my daughter have cancer than feminism," and "Harry Potter and rape culture are both fantasy." Given that Yiannopoulos has self-published what appears to be sincere, heartfelt (if terribly written) poetry that plagiarizes feminist icon and rape survivor Tori Amos and which shows an intimate and sincere familiarity with her work, it is possible (difficult, but within the realm of possibility) to argue that his speeches are a form of performance art -- that he really does feel that offending the world is a test of the First Amendment, and that he doesn't believe in anything he says. Yiannopoulos calls his college speaking circuit the "Dangerous Faggot" tour. It could be called the "False Fag" tour, as the ideas he promotes have been undermined by his past writings. Nevertheless Simon & Schuster took his bait, giving him a quarter-million-dollar advance to disseminate his hateful messages... because of free speech, they say.
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So here we end up in an important conundrum that demands scrutiny.
Duncan Hunter is not just any member of U.S. Congress. He was the second member of U.S. Congress to formally endorse Donald Trump for President of the United States. Last June, he endeared himself to Trump's alt-right supporter and secured himself a Breitbart headline by saying, "I am done with trying to articulate or explain or answer for what Donald Trump says."
"It is not my job to answer for Donald Trump," he said. "I am not even a surrogate. I am just an endorser."
Milo Yiannopoulos and the rest of the alt-right regularly use hate speech and assassinate individuals' characters because, they say, doing so protects First Amendment rights. Yiannopoulos encourages his mostly straight fan base to use the word "faggot." He personally uses the words "n-gger", "tranny" and other intentionally hostile words regularly and his fans emulate him. Words are just words, they claim, and they have the freedom to use them.
Digging more deeply, alt-right founder Richard Spencer, who was endorsed by Breitbart while Donald Trump Chief Strategist Stephen Bannon controlled its editorial, recently participated in an interview with ABC's Juju Chang in which he unabashedly disclosed that his racist words are not just words, not tests of free speech, but that he sincerely is working toward an "ethnic cleansing" in the United States. Suddenly words that are just words have intention behind them, and the intentions are nothing we have ever seen in the United States of America.
Here is Spencer, Breitbart-endorsed Alternative-Right founder, comparing Donald Trump favorably to Adolf Hitler.
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Here is Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos invoking Hitler via his Instagram account on election night.
Here is Yiannopoulos rallying for Donald Trump as the GOP-selected host of a "Gays for Trump" event during the GOP convention, following a year of Yiannopoulos's tour of college campuses to recruit voters for Donald Trump.
The alt-right says that people who are offended by their words are oversensitive, most often calling us "special snowflakes." I have learned that voicing my opinion via Twitter, on news organization websites and other platforms immediately attracts "special snowflake" trolls, who write... well, they write "aww, special snowflake" and presumably laugh, because they have been trained like circus chimps to laugh every time they hear the word "snowflake."
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Sometimes alt-right folks even call those of us who feel a need to speak and act according to conscience fascist or Nazis. There's a word for why they do that. Unbelievably, it works to keep people in check.
But.
But.
But.
It shouldn't work when members of the alt-right movement are so very special, so very previous, so very delicate themselves.
Congressman Duncan Hunter was too -- too delicate to walk by a painting made by a high school kid and go about his day. He had to take it down. He unscrewed the bolts and removed it. Hunter would say that he did this because of a moral imperative, because he feels that it's wrong to dehumanize and demean law enforcement officers. Ironically, many progressive- and liberal-minded people might agree with him -- but these are the people the alt-right Republican movement would call special snowflakes.
And then there's the ringmaster himself.
Who is more special than Donald Trump? When others criticize Trump, Trump thanks himself for a job well done. He is so very special. Unlike anyone! The greatest!
Who is more sensitive than Donald Trump? When a teen girl asks Donald Trump a question relating to her personal safety, Donald Trump lashes out at her not to her face, not with any semblance of courage or moral righteousness, but privately from his Twitter account -- as a result the girl received death threats and threats of rape from Donald Trump's very sensitive following.
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Who is more delicate than Donald Trump? When an actress criticizes him not for his ridiculous hair and not for his reckless and inexplicable cabinet appointments, but because the 70-year-old-man lashed out at a disabled reporter in the manner of an immature-for-his-age seventh grader, Trump had to go on the attack.
Meryl Streep, one of the most over-rated actresses in Hollywood, doesn't know me but attacked last night at the Golden Globes. She is a..... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2017
I'm not very normal. I don't actually think there's anything wrong with being sensitive or delicate. I think snowflakes are marvels of nature. So who am I to criticize?
In the wake of the most divisive national election in modern memory, President Obama has stressed that the president-elect and others in positions of power must send out "signals of unity" to maintain "the norms of a functioning democracy," including the norms of "civility, tolerance, and a commitment to reason...facts and analysis." But evidence of electoral interference by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and hackers working for the Russian government has raised important questions about our ability to adhere to these norms and even about the health of our democracy.
Roughly three quarters of a century ago, when the United States faced similar divisions about the extent to which dissension at home and fascism abroad threatened America, Franklin Roosevelt observed that the words "national unity" should never be allowed to become a mere "high-sounding phrase," because in a very real and deep sense, national unity is "the fundamental safeguard of our democracy." Indeed, he went on:
Doctrines that set group against group, faith against faith, race against race, class against class, fanning the fires of hatred in men too despondent, too desperate to think for themselves, were used as rabble-rousing slogans on which dictators could ride to power... This is the danger to which we in America must begin to be more alert. For the apologists for foreign aggressors, and equally those selfish and partisan groups at home who wrap themselves in a false mantle of Americanism to promote their own economic, financial or political advantage, are now trying European tricks upon us, seeking to muddy the stream of our national thinking, weakening us in the face of danger, by trying to set our own people to fighting among themselves. We must combat them, as we would the plague, if American integrity and American security are to be preserved. We cannot afford to face the future as a disunited people.
All Americans should be deeply concerned about the growing evidence that the 2016 election might have been swayed by the politicization of a criminal investigation and/or the actions of a hostile foreign power. Yet the response among those in positions of leadership has been anything but unified.
It is now widely acknowledged, for example, that the unprecedented decision of FBI Director James Comey to release a letter announcing that the Bureau was reopening its probe into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server just 11 days before the election had, as the highly respected pollster Nate Silver recently put it, "a large measurable impact on the race" and "almost certainly" cost Secretary Clinton the election. Comey's defenders insist that he had no choice but to release this information. But, as the noted FBI historian Douglas Charles has written, Comey's dilemma was largely of his own making. He could have followed Justice Department policy and the past FBI practice of not commenting on the nature of a criminal investigation. Instead, he made frequent public references to the case and took the highly unusual step of offering his own opinions, characterizing Secretary Clinton's actions as exhibiting "great carelessness." It was this politicization of a criminal investigation--coupled with the ongoing leaks that plagued his department in the fall--that led Comey to conclude he must send his October letter to Congress, even though it represented a clear violation of Justice Department policy and there was no indication--as the release of the FBI warrant in the case yesterday demonstrates--that the so-called "new evidence" would contain any information that might alter the FBI's previous judgment.
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The majority of Americans who supported Hillary Clinton are justifiably upset by these revelations, and if the past were any guide, one might expect that this outcry would generate an equally determined effort on the part of Congress to try to ensure that such a development would not happen again. This brings us back to FDR. It was the perceived political influence of a federal agency--the Works Progress Administration under the leadership of Harry Hopkins--in the 1938 midterm elections that led Congress to pass the Hatch Act in 1939. Sponsored by a Democrat and ultimately signed into law by FDR, the Hatch Act not only stipulates that persons working below the policy level in the executive branch of the government must refrain from political practices that would be illegal for any ordinary citizen, but also stipulates that they must abstain from taking "any active part" in political campaigns.
Even though this legislation was sponsored by the conservative opposition to FDR--and as such was not particularly welcomed by the president--he eventually came to recognize its value and, when signing it into law, expressed the view that it would prove an "effective instrument of good government." Unfortunately, there is no evidence to suggest that today's Congress might follow the example of past leaders.
This same lack of leadership is evident in the shocking revelation that the Russian government ran a covert operation to help install Donald J. Trump as our next president. As The Economist recently observed, in the past any disclosure that a foreign power was engaged in an attack on the U.S. electoral process would elicit "powerful, bipartisan immune responses" generated by "love of country." Yet again, there has been no unified reaction by those in power. The president-elect has dismissed the CIA's analysis as "ridiculous," and senior Republicans such as House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have signaled that they favor a far less aggressive examination of the issue than their Democratic counterparts. This must be regarded as further evidence of the extent to which the poisonous political climate has eroded the fundamentals of American democracy.
This can also be seen in the reaction of the American public to these developments. As President Obama noted in his last press conference, well over a third of Republican voters approve of President Putin in spite of reports from the American intelligence community that he was personally involved in the cyber attacks. This lack of respect for expert analysis and scientific inquiry--which has been encouraged by the tendency of the president-elect to substitute opinion for fact--represents an even greater threat to our democracy than the covert intervention of a foreign power and, as FDR said decades ago, must be guarded against as if it were a plague.
It is for this reason that Congress should launch an inquiry into both these developments as soon as possible. Not so much for the purpose of overturning the election, but rather as an exercise of leadership, as a means to restore and maintain the credibility of our nation's key institutions, and in so doing, the public's faith in the sanctity of the democratic process. It is the height of irresponsibility for members on either side of the aisle not to join hands to do so. As President Obama recently said in words that echo those of FDR, we should never forget "that what makes us American is not where we come from, what we look like, or what faith we practice , but the ideals to which we pledge our allegiance. It's about our capacity to live up to the creed as old as our founding: 'E Pluribus Unum'-- that out of many, we are one."
Biden to meet with Groysman at 07:30 on Jan 16
Ukraine's Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman and U.S. Vice-President Joseph Biden will meet in Kyiv on Monday, January 16, and not on January 15 as was announced earlier, according to the Ukrainian government's website.
"On January 16, Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman will hold a meeting with U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden. The event starts at 07:30," the press service reported.
The meeting will be held in the Club of the Cabinet of Ministers. Media representatives should arrive before 07:15.
Earlier, the website of the Cabinet reported that the meeting is scheduled for January 15.
BEDMINSTER TOWNSHIP, NJ - NOVEMBER 19: President-elect Donald Trump stands with Betsy DeVos after a meeting at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in Bedminster Township, N.J. on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016. (Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
For all the talk in public education about "choice" there's another choice that's often overlooked: who should control public schools?
Betsy DeVos, Donald Trump's pick to run the Department of Education, certainly has an opinion. Despite never having taught in, managed, or attended a public school, DeVos believes that public school children should be in private hands.
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"We must open up the [public] education industry--and let's not kid ourselves that it isn't an industry--we must open it up to entrepreneurs and innovators," the billionaire recently said.
No wonder she's a staunch advocate for unregulated charter schools, which are publicly funded but privately operated. No wonder she promotes vouchers that send children to private and religious schools with taxpayer dollars. And no wonder she supports for-profit online schools managed by companies like K12 Inc., launched by a former Goldman Sachs banker.
DeVos has spent decades dismantling public education, which she's called a "closed market," a "dead end," and a government-run "monopoly."
She helped pass Michigan's first charter school bill, which paved the way for for-profit companies to manage almost two-thirds of the state's charter schools. While private profits have soared, test scores have lagged and lower-income students have been effectively segregated into poorer-performing schools.
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Through her organization, American Federation for Children, she's spent millions across the country lobbying for voucher programs, which allow schools to skirt legal obligations to publicly disclose data or serve all children, including those with significant disabilities.
DeVos talks up "school choice" but her real choice is clear. She resents public schools because of what makes them public: transparency, oversight, and democratic accountability. Instead she wants more charter and private schools run by private groups unaccountable to neither parents nor the public who pay the bills.
All children deserve great, stable schools. They don't need more "choice." They need clean and safe schools, social services if they need them, and great teachers.
Narendra Modi became India's prime minister in 2014 after his Bharatiya Janata Party won a strong parliamentary majority. Some Indians saw him as India's Ronald Reagan, ready to liberate his nation from overweening regulation. Optimists predicted that India soon would have the world's second largest economy with a middle class population dwarfing those of America and Europe. Once a symbol of international poverty, India would join a more active foreign policy with a larger military and become a true Weltmacht.
More than two years later India remains a country of great potential. India has enjoyed strong economic growth, but that reflects the fall in oil prices as much as domestic factors. Modi's government has made some important reforms, but so far has left unchallenged many destructive economic policies and political abuses which continue to hobble an entrepreneurial people.
Most recently, New Delhi's mismanaged currency "reform" has left many Indians without the cash necessary to conduct business. With bank withdrawals still limited, economists fear that the negative impact on growth will persist into the coming year. No wonder Indians joke, noted Sebastian Mallaby of the Council for Foreign Relations, that "India's prospects look brighter the farther away you are." Modi should launch a deregulatory blitz before concern for future elections drains away his remaining will to act.
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India won its independence from Great Britain in 1947, but the ruling India National Congress Party led the new nation into a different kind of dependency. In the name of self-sufficiency, the economy was rule-bound and inward-looking. The state controlled the economy's commanding heights and enshrined envy as the governing principle, with a top income tax rate of 97.75 percent. Business was ruled by an officious, incompetent, and corrupt "permit Raj" under which supplicants required cash or connections to prosper. In 2012 India's bureaucracy still was rated the worst in Asia, an extraordinary mal-accomplishment.
In his recent Cato Institute study Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar related how in the 1980s it took the current head of a software company one year to get a phone and three years to win permission to import a computer. With production limits set by the government, he wrote, "India was perhaps the only country in the world where improving productivity (and hence exceeding licensed capacity) was a crime." From India's founding to 1983 the poverty ratio remained essentially unchanged, around 60 percent, even as several Asian nations raced into a prosperous future. India even fell behind its neighbor Communist China.
Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao introduced India's first serious reforms in 1991. The Communist governments of Eastern Europe had been swept away, the Soviet Union was nearing its end, and Third World socialism had been discredited. Although Rao justified his policy as a "middle path," for India it was revolutionary. Explained the Atlas Institute's Eric D. Dixon and Tarun Vats: "India began a process of economic reform that has gradually brought freedom, dignity, and prosperity to millions upon millions of individuals. Within a decade, the average income in India had doubled, and nearly 250 million people--about a fifth of the population--have risen out of poverty since then."
Future progress, however, was halting at best. A succession of weak governments mostly talked about reform, taking at most only modest steps. India's economic liberty actually peaked in the mid-2000s. According to the Economic Freedom of the World report in 2014, the latest year for which numbers are available, India ranked a dismal 112 out of 159 nations rated. It did particularly poorly on trade freedom, credit market regulation, regulation generally, and monetary policy.
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Concluded Aiyar, India's story is of "government failure, of successful economic reform tainted by institutional erosion. Although many old controls have been abolished, many still continue, and a plethora of new controls have been created in areas relating to the environment, health, tribal areas, and land." This most entrepreneurial people, who have succeeded economically in other nations around the world, continues to be oppressed by their own government. Wrote Dixon and Vats, "People who want to work and build new businesses face an array of obstacles. Hundreds of millions of people in forgotten rural populations struggle to survive in the face of a regulatory regime that doesn't understand their needs or protect their rights."
Yet even modest reforms have yielded significant benefits. Observed Aiyar: "What used to be a poor, slow-growing country now has the third-largest [GDP] in the world with regard to purchasing power parity and is projected to be the fastest-growing major economy in the world in 2016." On the more traditional exchange rate GDP measurement this year India passed the United Kingdom to possess the world's sixth largest economy and the International Monetary Fund predicts that rapid economic growth will continue.
That should provide Modi, the chief minister of Gujarat state who ran on the platform of freeing up business, with a strong foundation for transforming the economy. Yet his performance so far has disappointed those who expected much from his government.
Modi proclaimed that "reforms are happening in a big way" with the simple "aim of enabling the people to realize their potential and dreams." But obstacles to progress were many. Parliament meets only infrequently, about 60 days a year, which enhances the effectiveness of the opposition's delaying tactics. The BJP did not win control the Rajya Sabha, or upper chamber, which is dependent on party control of state governments. The BJP's enthusiasm for reform took a hit last year when it unexpectedly lost elections in the states of Bihar and Delhi.
Perhaps most important, Modi is no visionary. Mallaby observed: "Having spent a dozen years as chief minister of Gujarat, he seems stuck in the mindset of a provincial executive: he is more interested in projects than in policies; he is a modernizer, not a reformer." Equally important, Modi is more pro-business than pro-market, and a social engineer at heart, backing expanded state control in several areas.
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For instance, agriculture is highly controlled, and, said Aiyar, "New price controls have been clamped on seeds and even on royalties paid by seed companies to suppliers of technology." To hold down prices the Modi government targeted "hoarding" and black markets, which actually are symptoms of government failure. New Delhi provided big salary increases to the very public employees who inhibit economic growth.
Moreover, reported The Telegraph (Calcutta) in early 2016: "Over the past year, the Modi government has started to drum up the virtues of creating large state-owned assets in a throwback to a Nehruvian era of creating state monopolies in strategic areas." The opposition Congress Party today actually may be more hostile to public monopolies than is the BJP. What we've seen, suggested Aiyar, is that Indian economic policy was not neoliberalism but "neo-illiberalism."
Which reinforces Times of India blogger Gurcharan Das' claim that "India does well when it bets on its people; it does less well when it bets on its government." Unfortunately, that continues to be the case under Modi.
The government claims to have eliminated 1159 obsolete laws and regulations, but what that means in practice is hard to assess. Modi's most obvious achievements are as a minimalist modernizer. For example, the environmental approval process has been streamlined, though decisions still take 190 days (and the reform actually was developed by the previous government). Sanitation and e-governance have been improved. The government pressed to get more of India's poor to open bank accounts, though many are unused. A biometric identification system allows distribution of welfare payments with less "leakage." Central government tax payments to states have been rationalized.
In fact, in assessing the government's first year in office the Times of India opined that "this government's biggest achievement has been its success in injecting optimism in the economy." That may account for the significant, but likely temporary, rise in foreign investment; last year's increase "would be difficult to replicate," warned the Asian Development Bank.
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Among Modi's most important changes last year was to eliminate the requirement for minimum capital requirements and government certification to start a business. Amit Chandra of the Centre for Civil Society predicted that this reform would create "a level playing field for all entrepreneurs, big or small." That will reduce one of the reasons so much of India's economic activity is informal, where it is vulnerable to prosecution and extortion.
The government also finally won parliamentary approval of a uniform goods and services tax (GST) intended to replace a complicated collection of regional and national levies. Today trucks average 16 percent of their time waiting at state checkpoints where local taxes are collected. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the GST would "facilitate seamless transfer of goods across the country and bring a lot of financial equity," which some economists predicted could add up to a couple points a year to growth. Participants at the Economist-organized "India Summit 2016" viewed this as one of the most "transformational initiatives" in the country's recent history.
However, the government is sacrificing simplicity if not uniformity in implementing the reform. Reported the Economist, "the central government, in negotiations with state authorities, has put forward a schedule of seven different GST slabs ranging from 4% for gold to 26% or more for middle-class goods, with other goods being taxed at 6%, 12% or 18%, and basic goods remaining exempt." Moreover, keeping some rates high, warned the magazine, "will threaten the GST's third big advantage, of bringing business into the formal economy." Even this diminishing reform isn't likely to be implemented by the goal of April 2017. The rather disappointing experience, some observers fear, reduces the likelihood of other tax reforms.
The Modi government's incomplete reform program has fostered substantial frustration. Mallaby observed simply: "the results have been disappointing." Business Standard (New Delhi) columnist Shankar Acharya, who began with an optimistic view of Modi, concluded late last year: "Economic reforms have clearly lost momentum and there is a sense of drift in economic policy." The Times of India complained that "the government hasn't pressed the pedal hard on reforms" and "implementation of projects" has been slow.
Nevertheless, economic progress is evident as India ascends internationally. New Delhi rose in rankings for "Global Competitiveness" (World Economic Forum), from 71 to 55 to 39 in 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively. However, in its ease of "Doing Business" (World Bank), India went from 142 in 2015 to 130 in 2016, where it stalled out, remaining at 130 in 2017. (The World Bank reported that little progress was made in starting a business or registering property; access to electricity was much improved, while there had been backsliding in dealing with construction permits.) On the "Corruption Perception Index" (Transparency International) the country went from 85 in 2014 to 75 in 2015; the 2016 rankings have not yet been released.
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Modi's government proudly points to continuing high growth rates. However, many economists believe that estimates have been inflated because of changed methodology. In August Shilan Shah at Capital Economics figured rates were more likely 5.5 to six percent than seven percent.
Moreover, in September the Asian Development Bank warned that growth had been driven by government spending; private investment was "listless" and manufacturing growth was down this year. In fact, economists at the Reserve Bank of India warn that the nation's growth rate may have peaked as the country relied on an increase in low productivity labor. India's per capita GDP growth dropped in half between just 2011 and 2014, and is well behind that of China. India still has substantial growth potential, but economic reform is necessary to make it real.
Yet today the country remains convulsed by Modi's decision to order the elimination of large bills, 86 percent of the nation's cash, without having replacement currency available. The consequences for this cash-based economy have been predictably chaotic, as people lacked money to conduct business, pay household expenses, provide wedding gifts, get medical treatment, and otherwise handle their affairs. In many areas supply chains broke, companies closed, and firms sent employees to stand in bank lines, thereby bringing "the economy to a halt," as Barun Mitra of the Liberty Institute explained to me. Economist Kenneth Rogoff called the impact "catastrophic." Yet analysts figure it will be weeks before limits on bank withdrawals are lifted and months before the withdrawn currency is fully replaced.
Kalraj Mishra, Minister for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, dismissed business losses as "nominal and temporary," and predicted "industrial momentum will be back" as soon as sufficient currency is restored. However, HSBC's Pranjul Bhandari predicted that the currency debacle would knock as much as a two percent off of growth in the last quarter of 2016 and first quarter of 2017. Goldman Sachs cut its overall growth estimate for 2017 by 1.5 percent.
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Unsurprisingly, while the "India Summit 2016" acknowledged New Delhi's efforts, participants paid much more attention to the many problems that remained unresolved. For instance, reported the event summary, to promote a mobile-internet services necessary is "sound regulation that makes payment systems easier, enables improvement sin information and communications technology infrastructure and reduces red tape. Complex land and labor laws will also need an overhaul."
The latter is critical. Conference participant Suraj Saharan of logistics start-up Delhivery, which employs thousands of Indians, complained of "insane laws and regulations." Derek Scissors of the American Enterprise Institute warned that such restrictions "essentially guarantee mass underemployment and an India that, unlike its neighbors in East Asia, cannot benefit from global demand for manufactured goods." The requirement that firms with at least 100 employees receive government permission to cut employment causes companies to rely on temporary workers or stay small. Yet the latter denies companies economies of scale.
Alas, the Modi government has done very little in this area. One unnamed BJP official told the Telegraph: "Look, if it's a conflict between a corporate entity and its workers, we have to be on the side of the workers. We are a political party." No matter, apparently, what actually is in the interest of the workers, and everyone else. The only reason laborers do as well as they do today is because of the 1991 reforms.
Moreover, observed Aiyar: "With almost no exceptions, the delivery of government services in India is pathetic, from the police and judiciary to education and health. Unsackable government staff members have no accountability to the people they are supposed to serve, and so callousness, corruption, and waste are common." On most every reformer's wish list is modernizing the sclerotic legal system, with a backlog of 31.5 million cases, some of which take decades to resolve. Education reform is desperately needed: half of government schools teach little since rampant teacher absenteeism discourages student attendance.
Public-sector banks possess 70 percent of total assets, but nearly a fifth of their loans are "stressed." Much more needs to be done to restructure the debt and revamp the entire sector. Explained Mallaby: "Rather than pulling the plug on deadbeat borrowers, banks are drip-feeding them with new loans to cover up the fact that the bankers blundered in lending to them." Sustaining such economic zombies, which mimics Chinese policy, prevents potentially successful firms from getting capital.
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Politicians keep electricity prices low. Public power companies lose millions of dollars daily while failing to provide service to a fifth of India's households. Half of manufacturers suffer significant power cuts weekly. Said Archarya: "The electric power sector continues to be crippled by the massive losses and outstanding dues of state electricity boards." The heavily used transportation network is inadequate and poorly maintained. Disproportionate reliance on roads results in higher logistics costs than in countries such as neighboring China. The Modi government has made progress in both areas, but much more needs to be done.
Overall the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy figured that subsidies run an incredible 13.4 percent of GDP. The benefits include, in Aiyar's words, "a bewildering variety of freebies given by various state governments," and many go to the wealthy. Modi said he plans to rationalize and target subsidies rather than end them, yet Acharya noted "little progress."
Privatization has lagged. Economist Mohan Guruswamy of the Center for Policy Alternatives complained: "No one wants to take hard decisions because they're worried about winning elections." Even after Modi's triumph, he explained, "The notion of liberal economics has never sunk in in India. There is still a distrust of private capital and foreign capital, and a consensus on state control of industries that cuts across parties. People still want a lifetime of employment, a lifetime of assured income."
The Los Angeles Times reported on government-owned Hindustan Photo Films, which no longer produces anything but has lost hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years taking out loans to pay its staff. More than a decade ago the central government decided to close the obsolescent film-maker, but the company lived on. Reported the Times: "Even today, as India becomes the fastest-growing major economy, the public sector still dominates major industries such as oil and mining, and the number of state-owned enterprises has risen by 70% since 1990."
Corruption remains a serious problem. However, Modi responded in November by withdrawing most of India's money. Cash deposited in banks that had not been previously accounted for is subject to a 50 to 85 percent confiscation rate. Complained Barun Mitra, the move was "the single biggest assault on private bank accounts, on the presumption that everyone is corrupt unless they can prove their innocence."
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Yet the cause of corruption is not cash. Rather, Dixon and Vats noted that the "informal status" of businesses "has often made them subject to vast public-sector corruption, bribe solicitations, raids, confiscations, and evictions." Modi should have concentrated on deregulation and legalization of the gray, or informal, economy, which employs an incredible 90 percent of India's workforce. Aiyar pointed out that "areas that were comprehensively liberalized [in the past] saw the disappearance of corruption." The other problem, noted Reason magazine's Shikha Dalmia, is that tax rates "are way higher than what people think their government is worth" and Modi has yet to remedy that imbalance.
Modi still has time to act, but more state elections approach and the national poll must be held by 2019. As the latter nears he is even less likely to make major changes, sacrificing his nation's great potential. Acharya worried: "economic reforms seem to be on the slow train, while good old fiscal populism is alive and flourishing. Against the background of a slowing world economy and slumping exports, this does not bode well for India's economic growth and job-creation."
Unfortunately, the economy is not the only issue requiring Modi's attention. Hindu nationalism has expressed itself more violently after the BJP's triumph. Most recent have been mob attacks on Muslims, especially those allegedly involved in transporting or eating beef. Christians, a much smaller religious minority, also routinely suffer violence at the hands of Hindu radicals. Observed the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom: "Despite the country's status as a pluralistic, secular democracy, India has long struggled to protect minority religious communities or provide justice when crimes occur, which perpetuates a climate of impunity."
Although the Modi government has not directly encouraged such outbursts, in last year's Bihar election the BJP pandered to religion and caste. Moreover, Modi was implicated in anti-Muslim riots when chief minister of Gujarat and as premier has said little about sectarian violence against India's most vulnerable populations. Such attacks hurt all Indians by discouraging foreign investment, offending the concerned and scaring the nervous.
Perhaps Modi's greatest success has come internationally. He appears to prefer the global stage to the grubby battle for domestic reform. Nevertheless, a more prosperous economy would improve India's international standing. Better relations with China and Pakistan could spur commercial ties in a region which lags in economic integration. And the incoming Trump administration, which appears set on confrontation with Beijing, may welcome closer ties with India. Lower trade barriers would benefit both nations. The Washington Post observed that "Two decades of India's information-technology success and the large pool of English-speaking engineers have created a fertile ground for e-commerce companies and innovative tech start-ups. The number of angel investors and venture capital funds is mushrooming."
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India is poised at the cusp of international greatness. But this entrepreneurial people continue to be hampered by enervating regulations and bureaucracies. If Modi wants to secure his legacy and, more important, liberate his people, he should implement decisive and far-reaching reforms. Argued Aiyar, "to become a high-income country, India must liberalize the economy much further, improve governance, and raise the quality of its institutions." This means choosing tough solutions over tempting panaceas. Parth Shah of the Centre for Civil Society listed some of the choices for me: free markets versus "pro-business cronyism," institutional reform versus government plans, and liberty versus "imposed discipline/moral purity."
Some Indian officials act like their nation's success, which means surpassing China's economic growth and becoming a global power, is guaranteed by manifest destiny. However, warned Alok Sheel, an economic adviser to the Indian state of Kerala, "unless India successfully introduces productivity reforms and opens its markets, this 'destiny' will remain a pipe dream."
Once again, President-elect Trump has done a terrific job of finding the right person to lead a very important department. As he has shown us for decades in the business world, that is what he does best: puts the right people in the right places.
Along those lines, he has selected David Shulkin - a longtime friend of mine - to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
David is an interesting choice because once again President-elect Trump thought outside the box. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is typically a Veteran.
But David isn't a Veteran.
Instead, he boasts a prolific career in hospital management that leaves little doubt he will do a great job fixing what has been a very flawed VA hospital system.
David ran two very prestigious hospitals, including Beth Israel Medical Center in NY, Morristown Medical Center in NJ.
He also oversaw the Atlantic Health System and several prolific collegiate hospital systems, including the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, and - returning to the institution where he received his MD in 1986 - the Medical College of Pennsylvania.
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He's been a respected academic in the field as well, sitting on the board of numerous medical journals - such as the esteemed Journal of the American Medical Association - and holding the Chairmanship of Medicine at Drexel University's College of Medicine.
He has both the medical and business background to be the ideal fit for the position.
Still, people will point to the fact that he has served as Undersecretary of the VA since March 2015 as a negative against him.
But, if we are being completely fair, he has not been the top man in charge nor has he been given enough time to put his own stamp on the VA to try to turn it around his way.
And anybody who doubts his commitment to the job or his desire to make the VA great again should have those worries calmed by David's own words about the VA's troubles.
"The first responsibility that we have to our veterans is to make sure those that need urgent care are getting care on time," he told NPR, adding that, "We've brought in people from the outside who have private sector experience. And what we're saying is that we have to do business differently. ... We know how to make this program work better."
The VA sorely needs that kind of approach, and that is what it will get with David in charge.
That's why he was picked out of a list of candidates that included over 100 names.
I'm delighted for my friend, but even more elated for the improved care our heroic veterans will receive with David's medical, hospital, and business expertise running the show at the VA.
His resume, intelligence, and character make him the perfect man for the job, and America will have the opportunity to see that for themselves very soon.
This season's Pitti Uomo, which went by the theme "Pitti Dance Off" has really been rocking. Of course, the whole "peacock" phenomenon is fading and a lot of people are getting quite tired of seeing men pretend to be on their cellphones to be noticed, and get photographed in their Sunday's finest. Honestly, I walked really fast past the crowds in front of the main pavilion of the Fortezza da Basso, myself bored by the endless display.
But Pitti Uomo as a fashion fair, the amount of talent overflowing in the collections I saw, and the excitement for brands that are revolutionizing fashion as we know it, has exploded in the couple of years I've been attending. An older Russian fashionista I know said that fashion is one of the few things that makes people happy these days and we need happiness in this world. She's right. And lets not even start talking about numbers and figures, because on a global scale making fashion employs millions of people.
Sansovino 6 stands for fashion, freedom and human rights.
Cool music, models that redefine true beauty and clothes that feel and look like what dancers wear on their days off is what I've come to know and love about the Sansovino 6 line. Designed by American in Milan designer Edward Buchanan, the brand's tagline for this season read "An optimistic approach to dressing for the future with confidence and integrity." For sure, Buchanan's models are all that and more. The way they strode self assuredly down the runway, while the band played behind a giant screen, it made the fashionistas in the audience yearn to possess just one pair of those patchwork woolen pants; or that loose orange sweater with the golden triangle; or even the black knit suit that looked so chic and probably felt so good! There is something early Rodarte (but much more wearable) about the line and perhaps the choice of George Michael's "Freedom" to close the runway show made me emotional, but I think it was more of a combination of that and discovering that great fashion can also be incredibly kind and cuddly.
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Tim Coppens and the challenges of pleasing a freezing audience.
I'm never one to put down others' work, because I know how much hardship, blood and tears go into making a film, creating a piece of art, or designing a line. But on Wednesday night, a combination of being forced to stand outside in the freezing cold for 45 minutes, tired seating that didn't allow for much of a view, models with caked on makeup that made them look sick and a collection that just didn't inspire me to dream made for an unpleasant experience at Tim Coppens. I love love love his aesthetics and I was truly disappointed because I wanted the show to be all the wow I expected it to be. In his description of the inspiration for this line, Coppens pointed to a man and a woman living in apocalyptic times, which of course made my cinematic taste buds water. The Belgian designer who typically shows at NY Fashion Week knows how to create a story that makes his customers yearn to wear his clothes. I give him that, even for this line, there are blasts of genius, like the white sweatshirt with the exploding atomic bomb graphic and lettering that read "Never Ending Fun". I'd buy that, it's a great conversation starter. But all in all, I didn't find myself smiling unabashedly throughout the line, perhaps too busy trying to defrost my toes and keeping warm near the giant glass windows.
Lucio Vanotti "blurs the line between the sofa and the sidewalk".
If you're wondering, no I didn't come up with the above line on my own. It's part of the message of Lucio Vanotti's collection and it's simply genius. In a world that makes even getting a good night's sleep a challenge, to find clothing that allow a man to both look good and feel great, is a wondrous achievement. Vanotti does it time and time again, offers perfect suiting made in what looks like knit wool and lines that drape the male body in perfect harmony with their curves. Yes, men have curves too, they just sit in different places from ours and should be respected in the same way. Vanotti did, but he also was inspired by the Masai of Kenya, and irreverently but oh so fashionably, let fabric roll edges, knotted corners and unfinished hems dictate a whole new set of aesthetics for his audience.
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And then... Pitti closed with Sulvam, and all was right with the world!
OK, the "all was right with the world" may be a tiny bit of an overstatement, but when I am greeted for a fashion show with gourmet chocolates by "Les 3 chocolats" in Paris, premium sake and clothes that make me dream and wish I could be wearing them right now, I find the world to be just a little bit more beautiful. I smiled throughout the Sulvam collection by Japanese designer Teppei Fujita, a streetwise-looking fashionista who creates cravable yet absolutely wearable clothes. Fujita's eye for detail includes branded shoestrings in black and white hanging from his male and female models belt loops, flowing from their ankles and tied around their neck, choker style. Those deconstructed suits, with the lining showing just enough to seem like an added layer, the splashes of color and some camouflage prints I just happen to be currently craving, made for a fashion extravaganza that not only sealed my Pitti Uomo experience as magical, but also pasted a smile on my face for the rest of the evening.
Great fashion exhilarates, entertains and makes a person dream. Thank you Teppei Fujita for understanding that, deeply and fully.
Economists Alan Blinder and Alan Krueger criticize President-elect Donald Trump's infrastructure initiative in a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed by focusing on the proposed 82 percent tax credit, calling it a scheme to enrich private equity investors. While it's a fine academic argument, in the real world most infrastructure projects take too long and return too little to attract private equity. Reasonable returns and timelines for infrastructure make this investment class ideal for direct investment by pension funds and insurance companies, investors with return expectations in the 6-9 percent range, and the willingness to buy and hold infrastructure assets for decades.
Blinder and Krueger cite the New Jersey Turnpike Authority as a model for investing in roads, because it can borrow money at a cost of 3.4 percent. There comes a point, however, where a state, or an Authority, reaches the limit of what it can borrow at such low rates, and then other forms of investment must be found. That's when toll roads, some privately financed, can enter the picture.
Moreover, there is infrastructure that need not be financed by public authorities. The electric grid is the best example. The U.S. grid is the largest privately owned network of infrastructure projects in the world. The National Academy of Engineering voted it the single greatest engineering accomplishment of the 20th Century. Everyone agrees that homes and businesses must have a robust, up-to-date, and uncongested transmission grid. But major additions and renovations to the grid take a decade or more to bring on line. Because the grid has never been built to facilitate interstate trade, being built instead largely within state boundaries, America's grid is balkanized and states do not trade with one another nearly as much as one would expect.
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Our grid is aging. As cheap fossil fuel prices and decreasing wind and solar prices bring more and more manufacturing back to the United States, the grid is having trouble keeping up, thanks largely to cumbersome, antiquated permitting and an insufficiently entrepreneurial culture among the companies that built the grid and maintain it.
Transmission investment could become a major part of President-elect Trump's vision of revitalizing the American energy economy - in this case, its enormous but plodding power sector. Stimulating investment in transmission would not require a penny of taxpayer investment. It requires instead freeing the power sector from its 20th century (in some cases 19th century) shackles. Simply stated, transmission investment should be open to all qualified participants, not just utilities. Newcomers can bring billions of dollars of competitively priced capital from pension funds and insurance companies into the transmission sector. Competition can sharpen the dormant animal spirits of the utilities.
High tech manufacturing needs a high tech power grid. The United States can be the place where the next generation of chips, computers, and yes even iPhones are made. But the power demands of these companies are huge, and the prevailing ethos of energy conservation above all is one of the reasons we have lousy power service and the exodus of manufacturers to places that cater to factory power needs.
So let's invest in the grid, but let's do so in a competitive way. Bring the big pension and insurance investors directly into this market. Allow them to compete with incumbents. Make competition in transmission the rule. Who knows, we may make the American power sector great again.
Carne & Co. is where gourmets can find good, local meat, great charcuterie, and all sorts of delicious stuff in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. It was the perfect place for me to give a talk about food in movies to a small group of food professionals, from producers to restaurant owners, including the publisher of the beautiful magazine Gastroteca. The talk soon turned into a very animated round table about Dominican food traditions, the Dominican Republic's future, and the cultural and social issues that influence (or limit) the country's development. As a visitor, the conversation gave me a better understanding of a culinary world that is rich, complex, and in transition. Of course, we just got to scratch the surface.
This was my second visit to Santo Domingo. With 34.4 percent of the population under the poverty line, I was stunned by the number of elegant and upscale restaurants. With a population of around three million people (a huge percentage of the over nine millions of Dominicans living in the country), the city has developed an interesting food scene, although many cannot afford its prices and, among those who can, few even consider the cultural aspects of the culinary scene.
The participants in the round table all agreed that most Dominicans of means have no interest in eating traditional Dominican food when they go out. They prefer imported ingredients, refined environments, and international dishes. Everybody at the table had a different opinion on why this is. Some hinted at provincialism within the local elites, who consider everything from abroad as better and more prestigious. A restaurateur even said that, at times, she needs to give English names to the dishes on her menu for patrons to be interested. Others blamed a lack of good ingredients on the local market.
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Everybody was fast in underlining that the problem is not insufficient production, but rather the fact that the best fruits and produce are all exported, as the local buyers do not ensure enough volume of trade. Moreover, producers make more money by exporting. This is particularly true when it comes to organic food. For example, the Dominican Republic has become a major producer of organic bananas, but most of the crop is exported, mostly to the European Union and Japan.
The participants were well aware that they are catering to a minority of the population, and that their preferences and taste might be influenced by their exposure to the global trends in world cuisines. They all admitted to feeling an emotional bond with crops and dishes that constitute the core of Dominican culinary traditions. However, those dishes belong to the domestic sphere, and most people have easy access to them at home. So what would be the point to pay more in a restaurant for the same food you could have at home? Unless you play with it, make it sexier, more contemporary and, why not, ironic...
This kind of approach could be particularly interesting in restaurants, hotels, and resorts with large numbers of foreign customers. Many international visitors still prefer to stick to familiar food, which justifies the presence of global mainstays such as pizza and hamburgers -- at times quite bland and non-descript -- in tourist destinations all over the world, from Thailand to Tunisia. (The impact of tourism on food systems and the potential of food to develop forms of sustainable tourism, deserves its own discussion and will be addressed in a future course for the Food Studies program at The New School.) However, a growing segment of high-end tourism is showing interest in food and eating as an essential element of traveling, and more and more visitors want to enjoy local fare as part of their experience. Media has changed the perception of the role food now plays in establishing one's sense of cosmopolitanism and cultural capital.
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If you read the lyrics to "Arrivederci, Roma" the hit Mario Lanza song that became the sound track for The Seven Hills of Rome (l957), you find it contains a scam. The crux is that if you throw a penny in the Trevi fountain you are going to "bind fate" so you will come back. But in the next stanza we learn that the minute the English girl throws her penny in the fountain a kid comes along and grabs it. Popular films were so lighthearted about the kind of poverty and despair more graphically portrayed say in a movie like Bicycle Thieves (1948). There a father Antonio (Laberto Maggiorani) and his son Bruno (Enzo Staiola) journey throughout the city in an exhaustive search to find a stolen item. De Sica's masterpiece recalls Gogol's famous short story The Overcoat where the poor civil servant Akaky Akakievitch is similarly deprived of something that symbolizes his dispossession. Here in a popular song, the notion of the turn around of fortune has far less gravitas but, is in some senses, equally invidious since the magic and enchantment of Rome and of believing that wishes will come true are removed all in one fell swoop--by a street urchin, of the kind that young Bruno threatens to become in the Bicycle Thieves' culminating scene where the father's loss becomes compounded by a desperate crime. "While the English girl departs/a little kid comes by/goes into the fountain, picks a/penny, goes away!/Goodbye Rome!" The words are actually quite sad when you think about it since the meaning relates the fact that the enraptured tourist may never be able to recapture the promise of an immortal beauty, symbolized by Rome.
In what promises to be a unique and memorable week for all Americans, the national holiday honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, January 16th occurs in the same week as the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on January 20th.
While Dr. King strove first and foremost to bring equality under the law to black Americans, his vision encompassed all of humanity, and ultimately, all Americans recognized his legacy with the signing, by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, of a bill establishing the national holiday.
While it's doubtful any politician could inspire the kind of unity that Dr. King does today, in order to function, our democracy - its protections for dissent notwithstanding - also requires respect for the bonds that unite us.
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In his farewell address last week, President Barack Obama addressed this point, saying, "Democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity. Despite our outward differences, we rise, or fall, as one."
New York City, where I'm writing from, is in many ways the epicenter of the American dream, a place where prospective Americans have traditionally immigrated from all nations.
Though Donald Trump is a native son of this town, most New Yorkers - who tend to vote Democrat - did not support him for President, and the city has been scene of the longest running and most vocal protests against him prior to his assuming office.
Thus I thought New York City might be an interesting barometer of whether, as the inauguration draws near, blue state Americans are prepared to accept Trump's election - and even feel hope our country can unite in finding solutions.
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Speaking at random with about 50 New Yorkers in the city's watering holes or enjoying a lunch break in unseasonably warm weather last week, several themes emerged.
First, most have hope.
"My knee-jerk reaction is we will take a bruising in the next four years, but I believe we will endure," said Evan Markman, 45, a consultant.
Others stressed the importance of activism and participation in government.
"[The election of Trump] should push more young people to get active," said Anna Tillman, 54, of Mill Basin, Brooklyn, who works in the hospitality industry.
A minority expressed willingness to reach across party lines and communicate with people on the other side of the political divide - even while holding fast to their convictions.
"I'm not close to anyone who is a Trump supporter, and that's a problem," said Michael Shorr, 54, a teacher. "It's too easy to become tribal and forget that fundamentally, we are [all] human beings."
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"I think Dr. King would be turning in his grave to see Donald Trump elected," said Elana Bell Bogdan, 27, a software developer who lives in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. "I see a lot of strength and resilience and beauty in marginalized communities trying to come together and organize around issues. But I realize a lot of what got Trump elected was people in echo chambers, so I think coming together [across political lines] is important.
She added, "We can take the legacy of nonviolence from MLK."
Most agreed it is important to accept the election result.
"We have to watch [Trump] vigilantly but work together and move forward," said Nahum Hawaz, 28, an entrepreneur from Harlem. "That's how it works in a democracy. What's the alternative? If you find a better system, let me know."
Some, though not supporters, said it was important to give the incoming President a chance.
"He has said some horrible things [that] made me uncomfortable, not just for me as an African-American woman, but for others," said Reinette Valere, 28, an executive assistant who lives in West Harlem. "But he may have said these things because he's a businessman and business means winning."
She added, "I'm not a Republican, but it is important to me to give Mr. Trump a chance. It seems like everyone is outraged, but he could turn out to be one of the best presidents. We don't know."
One man sounded a note of caution that it should not take tragedy to enable Americans to embrace the spirit of unity.
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"An unintended consequence of September 11th is that New York City is still not as factionalized as it was before," said midtown resident Sami Stiegmann, 77, a retired accountant and motivational speaker.
Recalling that New Yorkers united around former Mayor Rudy Giuliani after the attacks of September 11th, Steigmann added, "It is very important to unify our country and wish well to our country, and it shouldn't take a tragedy for that to happen. United we stand, divided we fall."
We have not realized Dr. King's dream of becoming a colorblind society, but even today, we have come a long and blessed way since his time in that, at most preschools in New York City, you will see little black boys and little black girls holding hands with little white boys and little white girls.
But in addition to the remnants of racism in certain quarters, this country has added to its problems a rancorous division along political lines.
While our two-party system has never necessarily encouraged unity, and binary understanding of problems may be a function of that, the level of bitterness and dehumanization of those on the other side of the political divide, coming from right and left, threatens to tear at the fabric of what unites us, and prevent us from hearing each other, and working together.
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Ancient and Renaissance Christian intellectuals claimed all that was beautiful and humane in pre-Christian Greek and Roman pagan literature was really Christian, inasmuch as the truly brilliant and the genuinely civilized must represent the true religion.
In the twentieth century Christian intellectuals spoke of the anonymous Christian: the non-Christian who by dint of personal excellence was really a Christian, even if his 'anonymity' should extend to refusing every item of Christian belief and practice.
Anyone can perform this maneuver. We could label an especially good Christian an anonymous Hindu, anonymous Buddhist, anonymous Jain, anonymous Muslim. Humanists can do this too. (Humanists are people with a nonreligious usually atheistic attitude toward life who celebrate human ingenuity and goodness.) Humanists can claim all that is good in religion and say it is really Humanist. Humanists can identify excellent Christians or Muslims or Hindus or any other highly talented Religionists and label them anonymous Humanists.
From the Humanist perspective, all religions are the products of human imagination, and that means the best of the religions may be appropriated by Humanists and claimed as their own.
If Religionists ever produced a high fluttering ethical rule, Humanists may assert the rule as their own because, for Humanists, no God ever gave humanity a moral decree. If Religionists ever produced youthful idealism, Humanists may claim the idealism because, for Humanists, feelings of idealism are not produced by religion but by humans. If Religionists ever constructed a beautiful edifice, Humanists may mark the structure as a human product. If Religionists ever produced works of literary merit, Humanists may take those works as their own because nothing other than humans created those works. If Religionists ever made lovely music, Humanists may receive the music as their own.
With the ancient Roman playwright Terence, Humanists may say, 'Nothing human is foreign to me.'
Even with a very limited adoption of select atheists as anonymous believers, Religionists do not typically consider Humanists as part of their religious fold. But Humanists are not at liberty to similarly set Religionists apart, because Religionists cannot be other than part of the human fold. Religionists segregate, Humanists integrate. Religionists exclude, Humanists include. Religionists cannot embrace Humanists, but Humanists can embrace Religionists. Religious creeds have ever parceled up humanity into the tiniest slivers, setting all at odds. A Humanist creed can put all the shards back together again.
Humanists can stop mentally ghettoizing Religionists and start seeing them as undeviatingly part of the human family, even the Humanist family. In a twelve billion year old universe that is close to infinitely vast with its hundred billion galaxies and myriad stars and planets, the likelihood of anyone sharing eight decades of existence with the others who overlap their life is vanishingly small. The people who are alive right now are your people, like them or not. They're your species, your kind, your human kind. It's your and their moment in time. You share oxygenated existence. Look around you and see your Graduating Class: it's a class that includes everyone who is alive at any moment you are alive, from the minute-old infant to the dearly departed century-old Okinawan dying sixty seconds ago.
Humanists need not give up persuasion, argument, and the allegation that a metaphysical mistake has been made on the part of Religionists. But let Humanism be bounded within the largest possible circle, without recourse to Venn diagrams. What does a Humanist have in common with anyone? Answer: his, her, their, humanity. The anonymous Humanist is none other than a named and known human being.
I'm not one to dive into the world of what's meant to be, or the underlying meaning behind coincidences, but sometimes life will throw you something that leaves you spinning. In this case, it was a large arc that turned into at least two full circles. You just can't make this stuff up. Here's my life.
When you lose someone close to you, two dates often loom large; their birthday, and the day they died. It's just the way it is. It's hard to feel celebratory on either day, but the gift of their life is always worth a respectful pause. My mother's birthday is today, January 10th. It would have been her 70th year on this planet, had she not made the fateful choice to take her own life on March 3, 1991. I was 14 years old. Despite the obvious pain that such a situation entails, she left me so many gifts, some of which came in the form of blatant warnings, many in the form of shining examples.
My mother was a whirlwind. Everyone who knew her describes her as one of the most intelligent and capable people they had ever known. Whether she was performing triage, teaching nursing students or running the hospital where she was the Director of Nursing and Assistant Administrator until the day she died, she was in charge, and in control. I volunteered there several summers, and one of my first jobs was delivering meals to the various floors, so I was there to see her in action. When she walked in the room there was a certain reverence, a palatable respect among her colleagues. It was definitive.
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Unfortunately, when she came home, other patterns took over. At the end of the day, she gave so much of herself, and had such unattainable standards, life's disappointments and failures overwhelmed her, and she decided this place wasn't for her anymore.
Her memorial was mind-blowing. Our local church was overflowing in a way I had never witnessed. Had she known that there would be such an outpouring, would that have changed things? Who knows? What I do know is that she was a giver, to a fault, and she was loved by many.
We lived on a small non-working farm, essentially an animal adoption facility, in a little town outside of Princeton NJ. We didn't produce anything other than manure, in truth. At one point it felt like we were living on Noah's ark. My father used to answer the phone, "Earle's Emporium and Petting Zoo!" It was a bit of a mad house. Scratch that. It was a mad house.
One summer, we rescued a hilarious Billy goat, named Pepper, from Mt. Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan, of all places. At the time, we didn't even have a fence. My mom and dad picked him up in our rusty red van from NYC, and literally, over a weekend, built a fence around our meadow, and a stable shortly thereafter. After that, we adopted an old mustang that was trained for handicap kids, but just got too old to play that game. He barely moved. Naturally, his name was Lightning.
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Another time, mom found a kitten in the middle of the road on the way home from her night shift, in the wee hours. Two little eyes shining back in the headlights. We named her Elsa, because mom found her right next to the Ewing Lawrence Sewage Authority.
One winter evening, my dad was outside getting firewood and heard a faint meow against the muted sound of snowfall. When he tracked it down to our garbage, he dug in and found that there was a tiny kitten that had burrowed into one of the bags, through the side, and gotten trapped. He had a nasty infection on his leg, which smelled terrible. My mom nursed him back to health, of course. Between his dumpster-diving episode, and his foul-smelling wound, we named him Stinker.
And then there were the dogs. Lots of dogs, but three who were mine, or I was theirs, more likely. I don't think I spent a night alone. It wasn't uncommon to be scrunched up with all of them on my bed. It was a little boy's heaven.
We never bought any of these creatures. They found us. They needed a safe place, and my family was glad to provide it. If you're lucky enough to know what I'm talking about, there's something unquestionably special when you adopt an animal in need, especially dogs. They know that they were rescued. There seems to be a sense of gratitude in their eyes. As a child, I distinctly recall the first time I noticed this. I adored those critters, and they adored me. It was such a privilege to take care of them. In many ways, they also took care of me.
The one thing that wasn't so great about this setup was that I was severely asthmatic, and living in a moldy house. Being completely immersed in every possible allergen - both indoors and out - didn't help things either. Interestingly, when we moved out of that house, my symptoms largely disappeared. Everyone chalked it up to me "growing out" of my asthma, which made sense back then, based upon what was known at the time. The health impact of mold wasn't even on the radar back then.
Fast forward. After a 9-year stint on Wall Street, I decided to do something meaningful with my life, but without a clue where to begin. After selling various possessions and putting the rest in storage, I embarked on an 18-month voyage to nowhere. Toward the end I spent a spell in Hawaii, still no closer to figuring out what the next chapter of my life might look like. Bored one day, I began reading some of the local papers and learned about a huge mold problem in the Kalia Tower of Waikiki Village on Oahu. It's estimated that the total project cost $50 million, easily the largest mold remediation ever, at the time, and also huge news on this little island.
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Some of the stories about people getting sick got me asking questions. Were my respiratory issues as a kid building-related? I called my father from a payphone and asked him if he thought we had a mold problem. What did I know? I was just a kid at the time. He laughed and said, "Ha! We had MUSHROOMS growing in the basement! Of course we had mold." Enough said. I was now more than curious. I started spending an inordinate amount of time in the Internet cafes searching for things like "asthma + mold" only to find very little to go on. Nonetheless, I was undeterred. I could sense that there was a major connection between many common illnesses and this nasty stuff, when it grows in our homes.
When I returned to NJ, with my curiosity unabated, I took a job working for a mold remediation company out of Pennsylvania, just to learn the ropes. I was on the sales side, so I got to see everything that went on, and I was shocked at how crude and unsophisticated the process was. If the contractor suspected mold might be in a wall, they'd just tear it out. No testing, no investigation. After all, this was in the contractor's best interest; more work is more money. The homeowner didn't know any better, but they still had to foot the bill. This didn't sit well with me at all.
About four months in, I read about a dog trainer in Florida who had trained a pup to sniff out hidden mold in buildings. A light bulb went on. Now this makes sense! Dogs have been trusted for ages to find missing people, bombs, drugs, truffles, and in recent years, cancer! So, why not mold? I flew down to Florida shortly thereafter to check it out. I was pleased to learn that the Florida Canine Academy primarily trains dogs rescued from shelters. I loved that. They prefer mutts over purebreds. Loved that too. I decided to bite the bullet and pony up a tidy sum. I was introduced shortly thereafter to the girl would become my best friend and partner for over 12 years: Oreo.
A lanky, black lab/border collie mix, she wasn't what I was expecting. Only one year old, she was still kind of awkward, like a 6th grade teenager. She was also extremely head strong, which worried me, but Bill Whitstine, her trainer, had matched us for personality. According to him, we were a perfect fit. Turns out he was right. He thought she'd learn to respect me in short order, which she did, but she never stopped testing me.
Our training together while we were still in Florida really consisted of me being trained. She was already proficient in playing the "find the mold" game. It was me who needed to learn to interpret her subtle behaviors. The total training was one week, and at the end I got a Certification, Oreo's adoption papers and a health certificate from the vet. Her birthday on the paperwork was March 3rd, the day my mother passed. I couldn't help but think that my mom would have been tickled to see this. Here I am bringing home a mutt that spent two times on doggy death row, rescued from a kill shelter, and trained to help families who have a mold problem.
When we got home I built a training facility in my basement, and we worked for hours and hours together, every single day. We were slowly becoming a unit. It couldn't have been more that two months later when we got a call from Channel 6 Action News. They were actually trying to debunk us, which I was not aware of at the time, but ended up validating us instead, and released a glowing report. This ultimately led to a Good Morning America appearance, features in hundreds of newspapers and magazines, an episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, two books on working dogs, and a college biology text book. It was amazing. Our phone rang off the hook for years and years. As a result, without the slightest bit of advertising, Oreo and I were able to help thousands of families regain control of their health and peace of mind. It was a far cry from the work I did on Wall Street, and like nothing I could have ever imagined. It was the best experience of my life. She was special to everyone who knew her. She even got holiday cards from our clients. At one point she had more friends on Facebook than most people I know.
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One day she suddenly started slowing down. I had never seen her like that. She was always the one pulling forward, sniffing at every blade of grass. This particular day, she walked behind me. I took her in for some tests. They detected some anomalies, but my vet suggested that I keep an eye on her to see if she felt better in the days ahead, which she seemingly did. I remained optimistic.
A week or so later, I went away on vacation with my better half, Sarah, and left Oreo with my father. On the last day of our trip, he called me to say that Oreo wouldn't get up off the bathroom floor. He had to pick her up, and although she was mostly limp, she still managed to give him a lick on the cheek. She was the sweetest. I asked him to take her in to get scanned. What they found was insurmountable. As I was getting ready to board the plane, I asked the vet if they could buy us enough time for me to get home, from halfway across the country. She made no promises. It was one of the worst flights of my life.
When we landed, we went directly to my father's house, where she was lovingly swaddled, motionless in a blanket, my father and stepmother crying in the background. As I approached, her tail began to thump against the sofa cushion every so softly. She gazed up slowly, clearly thrilled to see me, but with this deeper sadness, as if she somehow knew that she was getting ready to leave. I could see that she was having a hard time breathing. My heart was in tatters. Nothing can prepare you for this.
I took her home, and we spent the night together on the sofa, where we so often did. In the morning, Sarah and I took her in to put her to sleep. Devastating, but necessary. She deserved to die in dignity, with me at her side. She was the finest soul. And she was now officially among the ranks of many other wonderful spirits I've known and loved. I had always wished my mother had met her. As I was thinking that very thought, with tears streaming down my face, leaving the vet's office, I looked down at her paperwork. It stopped me in my tracks. It was January 10th. My mother's birthday.
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These two dates, January 10th and March 3rd, are days of celebration in my world now. For them to be intertwined so closely is nothing short of serendipitous. My life would not have been possible were it not for one, and would not be complete, if not for the other. The gifts they both left me with are priceless. The world is a better place because they both lived. How fortunate can one man be?
Happy birthday, Mom. You have Oreo now. Take good care of each other. You are both sorely missed. Thank you for everything.
~
The federal government of Germany in 2017-2018 will provide EUR 2.313 million on the projects of humanitarian aid for internally displaced persons (IDPs), which are carried out by Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe organization, the press service of the German Embassy in Ukraine reported.
"The German federal government will provide another EUR 2.313 to support the provision of humanitarian aid by the Evangelic organization "Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe" The measures of assistance planned for this and next year include among other things distributing foodstuff, hygiene packages and household items, psychosocial counselling and professional skills development and training to improve [IDPs'] chances on the labor market and to promote self-employment," the embassy said in a statement released on Friday.
The diplomatic mission explained that humanitarian assistance will be assigned primarily to socially vulnerable groups, including internally displaced persons. The project will be implemented in the areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions controlled by the Ukrainian authorities, as well as in Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
The embassy said Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe already carried out many humanitarian aid projects in Ukraine 2015-2016 spending EUR 260,000 of its own funds, as well as the funds provided by the German federal government (EUR 2.5 million).
Kelly Maher @okmaher: I expect at least 3 Huffpo articles and 57 tweets from @BigMediaBlog [That's my Twitter handle] aimed at @jaredpolis for sharing "fake news" today. #copolitics #coleg
Jared Polis @jaredpolis: @okmaher @BigMediaBlog why do you think it is fake? Do you have intelligence that I don't? If so pls share.
Kelly Maher @okmaher: @jaredpolis 1) 4chan took credit 2) all other news orgs passed 3) you deleted your tweet calling it "intel" @BigMediaBlog #copolitics
Kelly Maher @okmaher: @jaredpolis I agree that it needs to be sussed out, but @BigMediaBlog accuses those who share first, then asks questions later. #copolitics
Jared Polis @jaredpolis: @okmaher @BigMediaBlog good so we both agree that the Intel needs to be analyzed and "sussed out." Consequences if true? Trump resignation?
Kelly Maher @okmaher: @jaredpolis "intel" is an aggressive word. It is CLEARLY unverified and @BigMediaBlog should be consistent about "fake news" #copolitics
Jared Polis@jaredpolis: @okmaher @BigMediaBlog I want it looked into and verified, the charges are very serious
Kelly Maher @okmaher: @jaredpolis This is bad for our entire system of accountability and governance theatlantic.com/politics/archi... @BigMediaBlog #copolitics
The following post was initially written as a comment on the op-ed piece "The growing challenge to public education" written by Dr. Stephen Kleinsmith, Superintendent of Nixa Public Schools in Nixa, Missouri. The piece was published by the Springfield News-Leader on January 5, 2017.
I applaud Dr. Kleinsmith's willingness to stand up and say these things that need to be said about the future of public education. Just as the educational constraints of the high-stakes testing environment are starting to dissipate, schools are once again thrust into the frightful unknown.
The schools-as-a-business model exists on the false connection that students can equal products and knowledge can equal monetary profits. Any public school educator, those on the front lines every single day teaching and mentoring ALL students as opposed to only those students who meet the entrance criteria, understand how ridiculous those comparisons are. However, those in big business, like Mrs. Davos, don't possess the experience to understand how wrong they are. She didn't even attend a public school. This means that she will oversee the education of the vast majority of America's future without ever experiencing the world she will manage.
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When it comes to vouchers, the reality is often hidden by the first-glance. First-glance focuses on the idea that we want the best education possible for all of our kiddos. Who wouldn't get behind that, right? However, once you move beyond face-value, you will see that it does become a syphon of funds. It drains funds from the public sector and moves them to the private. It is no wonder that those in education big business love this concept.
As local districts strive to increase the equity of the education students receive, vouchers have the opposite effect. To be able to utilize a voucher, one must be able to provide the transportation to the new location. This is often not an issue for those in the middle and upper tier of the socioeconomic reality. They can take the voucher, move schools, and take their funds with them. This results in the school of origin receiving much less funds to utilize for the students who remain. Who are those remaining students? Often, they are the ones whose parents cannot provide the transportation due to work schedules, lack of access to a vehicle, and many other hindrances often caused by lack of money.
We all know where this cycle leads. The schools with the money can provide better resources, better resources usually lead to higher quality of education, higher quality of education leads to higher earning potential after graduation, and higher earning potential leads to more opportunities in life. This is the positive side of the cycle. One must understand that there are two sides to every coin. The other side is that less money leads to fewer resources, fewer resources usually lead to a lower quality education, lower quality education leads to lower earning potential after graduation, and lower earning potential leads to fewer opportunities in life. The cycle of poverty continues.
The fact is that our schools DO need more money. Buildings face the elements and degrade, additional programs that foster growth and teach many soft skills required in the world require money to exist, and we exist in a world where information is outdated the following day. To keep up with these factors, school must have the means to make fixes, provide varied opportunities for every student, and keep up with the ever-changing stream of information our students need to experience.
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I would be remiss to not mention the fact that the public education system exists to ensure that each and every student has the opportunity to pursue what was guaranteed in our Declaration of Independence: Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. They don't have to pass an entrance exam, they don't have to have a certain faith, they don't have to look like everyone else, and they don't have to possess the requisite amount of money. They can just be, learn, and grow.
The incoming administration is a direct threat to all of this, and I hope that every single person with a stake in the public education realm will stand up and speak out. Thank you, Dr. Kleinsmith, for starting the conversation in our community.
Let's talk about trash.
Waste defines modern existence. A globalized culture of consumerism ensures that trash undergirds and oozes into every facet of our lives. Detritus haunts us and props us up. The presence and impact of physical trash is (by now) easy to grasp, but what does it mean when filtered through the digital?
Caroline Picard and Lara Schoorl decided to pose this question back to us, and the result is Institutional Garbage, an exhibition rooted in the praxis of waste, presented by Chicago's Sector 2337 and The Hyde Park Center. Installations range from complete poetry manuscripts to emails to webcam videos. The space itself ran from September through the end of this year, and when the clock strikes midnight on January 1st, the exhibition disappears forever (at least in this particular iteration...but more on that later).
Struck by the avant-garde approach to the very notion of art and its display in the metamodern era, I communicated with Schoorl several months ago. And then, in the meantime, life got ahead of me (in part rooted in the very garbage the two set out to examine). Still wanting to shine a light on one of the year's most fascinating exhibitions with the timer ticking, I reached out one more time last week with questions that I hoped would re-instigate the conversation (and atone for my tardiness). The response I received was (somewhat expectedly) unexpected, so, bearing the ethos in mind, I'm reposting it in full here.
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***
Lara Schoorl: Jesse, thank you for finding time for this correspondence! I think we all wish we were one of these writers.... Or not. Often the things that keep me from writing are the things I need to write about and for. Also this delay and slowness suits both the in-process format you suggested and the exhibition we are here to talk about. Since it's an in-process interview, can we keep the message that prefaces your questions? My first response is to that message:
Lara, hi, hello! I'm so sorry the time has evaded me. I wish I could be one of these writers that just dashes off articles. BUT In the interest of having a piece of capstone press, I was thinking, let's do a process interview? I tried to make the questions sassy...let me know if it worked. Also, if you have other thoughts to add outside the questions, answer them in the "other trashy thoughts" section and we can reverse engineer questions. Oh, and feel free to split duties with your co-pilot. Either way, holler 'em baaaccckkk.
From our prior correspondence, I know you considered asking me questions to guide you through a review of our on-line exhibition, Institutional Garbage. I think it is interesting how that prospective review becomes an interview after all. It makes me wonder about the accessibility of Institutional Garbage as well as about writing about non-tangible art and spaces more generally. Some of the technical aspects of our online space ask visitors to take their time and have a bit of patience--demands that seem anachronistic to the internet which typically prioritizes speed. Nevertheless, I'd like to think that an online exhibition might be more accessible than some gallery exhibitions, even if you need access to the internet.
Jesse Damiani: What is all this garbage, huh?
Caroline Picard: I know, right? My namesake in print is an editor for Good Housekeeping and as such I am constantly getting her press releases--for instance IKEA's 2017 Pantone color of the year is the "trans-seasonal shade" Greenery. Or Soleil Moon Fry's latest line of Easter Decor. Or the fact that each press release encourages readers to save the environment and not print it out, while encouraging the production, consumption, and discard of material goods. It brings me back to a newspaper job where I printed out press releases and compiled my favorites in weekly shopping calendars for readers. The office printer was right next to a staff kitchen that smelled permanently of microwave popcorn and I used to sift through failing budget reports to find my own documents. Recently, I ran into the Ayn Randian who joined the work force right before I left; he has somehow maintained his rule to never bring anything to a potluck. Perhaps what's most depressing is that he said our old boss wants to take an all-expenses paid trip to Macedonia and interview people behind the fake news headlines that claimed Pope Francis forbids Catholics from voting for Hillary, or how 300 buffalo allegedly joined the protest at Standing Rock.
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LS: Last May, my friend Zoe and I walked around looking for morning glories. We found them wrapped around chain link fences and sprouting through concrete, in the darkest places of the neighborhood. They are one of Zoe's favorite plants and we planned to re-pot them; we thought they would thrive in a sunlit space with fresh soil and water, but they died within an hour of their transplant.
Institutional Garbage comprises poems, video art, unpublished manuscripts, performance scores, exhibition proposals, manifestoes, and imaginary contracts of more than forty artists. These show the bearings of different (imaginary) institutions, revealing the personal and emotional investments often cloaked by structures or brands institutions use to represent themselves. Together they also form the bearings of Institutional Garbage, these bearings being the only product of the exhibition.
Do you agree that an exhibition or production of any kind aims to do or provide a product or service? Do you agree that for the production of any kind of service, many hands are involved? Do you agree that without the hands of people typing the press release, cleaning the exhibition space, mailing out invitations, hanging the art, proposing ideas for the exhibition, there would be no exhibition? Then can we agree that those hands that form the bearings are the exhibition?
JD: Why even bother?
CP: Sometimes I dream that I'm at work looking at the blank wall of my office. And then I go to work and stare at the same wall. Once I discussed plans for an art space with a prospective landlord. His son ran the bar upstairs and came down to ask what kind of business my friends and I wanted to open. The dad said poetry, "They want to have poetry readings," and the son starting heckling us in Spanish -- the gist of which was like, "Check out these nerds!" We didn't rent the place but I did open a gallery down the street and we host poetry readings all the time. I think it's easy to ask what is the point of art but I'm not sure it's a useful question. Would you ask that of something like Spring Break? I'm suspicious of anything that claims to be direct, on message, and without ambiguity.
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LS: Caroline's dream is my reality also. I am writing this secretly at work staring at a grey wall of my cubicle while contemplating your questions and Caroline's responses. Over the last few weeks I have asked myself, why do I sit here underpaid at a for-profit company while there are people murdered or left dying in Palestine, in Syria, in the streets of Los Angeles, all over the world? I could be underpaid -- even un-paid -- at a place that does more. In mornings and evenings I volunteer for The Green Lantern Press to work on projects and collaborations like Institutional Garbage. An equally non-productive answer is just; "Why not?"
JD: Why should I care about this trash? (What will I, Joe Audience, get from IG?)
CP: This sounds like another iteration of the last two questions, but maybe you are being clever. Are you illustrating the limitations of the interview form? Where every question is the same as the last? And since we are discussing imaginary trash, your question is also a kind of trash? A gesture toward empty convention? I saw a Mabou Mines production of Ibsen's DollHouse years ago. All of the female parts were played by very tall actors. Because the leading men were around four feet, the women had to contort their bodies in hysterical ways to maintain eye level with their partners. But maybe you're tricking me with this generic archetypal viewer: Who is Joe Audience? Is this the same imaginary plumber politicians defer to? What's their click-bait? And what about all of the data trails you leave behind wherever you go? Isn't that another example of institutional garbage?
LS: For his installation, Stand Alone, Thomas Hirschhorn takes sourced images of mutilated, decapitated, and violated male bodies and places so many on cardboard boxes that you can hardly focus on any one individual. Initially installed in Berlin, he points out the unacceptable violence done to humans by humans in the Iraq war, critiquing structures that would normalize such violence. Seen here, in Los Angeles, the piece inherently refers to harm done to marginalized groups of people in America. In each location, the individual body is second to the systemic injustices that led to their unjustifiable death. In an accompanying text to the exhibition Hirschorn asks, "Where do I stand?" followed by "Where do you stand?" So I understand, he is not looking away from violence, but I wonder: what are the politics of these images? Can anyone use the bodies of individual people to let an art audience know that you don't close your eyes?
JD: How has the community (digital, person-al, or otherwise) dealt with the garbage?
CP: I don't believe humanity has dealt with its garbage. This is the point of the Plastic Trash Vortex, the film Containment, or the dark web shopper-bot exhibition from 2015.
JD: What are snippets of advice you would pull from Institutional Garbage for handling a dark future? Or to address the nature of love and the cosmos?
CP: Join the women's march and protest on January 21. Make a lot of noise. Practice radial openness. Pay attention. Resist the easy way out; it's rarely interesting or long lasting. Resist clean narratives with singular heroes who triumph at the end (especially if they claim to save everyone else). Listen to those who tend to say less. Oppose rugged individualism. Undermine bullies. That's advice I'm following but I don't think it necessarily comes from Institutional Garbage.
LS: Perhaps words like "success" and "winner" should be reconsidered.
JD: Other trashy thoughts to share?
LS: The exhibition will disappear from the Internet on December 31, 2016. But will it really be gone?
CP: We have decided to make a post publication of Institutional Garbage that archives our no-longer existing imaginary institution. This will be published with The Green Lantern Press in 2017.
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LS: I want to repeat a sentence that one of the contributors of Institutional Garbage, Zippora Elders, shared in an article about gender and art. It was whispered into here ear by an artist: "If you reject heteronormativity and embrace the darkness, you will find your brothers and sisters within." Perhaps we can whisper that into the ears of those conflicted about asking "Why?"
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by Sylvia Earle and John Bridgeland
Citizens with big ideas and the will to act have often transformed our country and world. The national park idea is one area where this has been true.
In 1861, a young gold prospector turned photographer named Carleton Watkins took photographs of El Capitan, Cathedral Rocks and Half Dome in the Yosemite Valley of California and changed history. The photos inspired Congress and President Lincoln to pass and sign legislation three years later granting Yosemite Valley to the State of California "for public use, resort and recreation...for all time."
A decade later, painter and photographer William Henry Jackson joined the Hayden expedition to the Yellowstone region of northwestern Wyoming and his photographs helped inspire Congress and President Grant to create the first national park in the United States and world.
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Moved by this photographic history and the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016, filmmakers Bob and Sarah Nixon, photojournalist Brian Skerry, and a group of oceanographers, scientists and teenage aquanauts set out on a year-long journey to explore and film areas in the Atlantic, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific to prompt action to bring the national park idea to where it is most needed now -- the ocean. The filmmakers were, in turn, inspired by the young aquanauts, some of whom had seen evidence of threats to the ocean and all of whom wanted to make a difference in turning the tide.
Rob Edwards and Ashley Dawkins from southeast Washington, DC, grew up in poverty on the banks of the Anacostia River. Having never seen the ocean, they joined other high school and college students across America to explore the ocean in special places, including Cashes Ledge off of Cape Cod, Buck Island in St. Croix, Ewing Bank in the Gulf, and the waters off Ni'ihau, the westernmost island of Hawaii.
Their journey, as catalogued in the National Geographic feature film, Sea of Hope, not only opened their eyes, but helped encourage President Obama on the heels of the National Park Centennial in August 2016 to create the largest marine national monument in the world (Papahanaumokuakea in the Northern Hawaiian Islands) and the first marine national monument in the Atlantic (Northeast Canyons and Seamounts off Cape Cod). In the process, National Geographic photojournalist Brian Skerry captured the first photograph of a U.S. President underwater, as President Obama swam off the coast of Midway Atoll in the area he had just protected under the American Antiquities Act.
The young explorers learned that just as the 20th century ushered in protection for more than 84 million acres of land in the United States through the National Park Service, the 21st century, with their education and engagement, could become the "Blue Centennial" that brings that spirit of inspiration, conservation and management to the ocean.
They heard one of us, Sylvia Earle, who participated as lead scientist in the expeditions, say again and again, "what happens in the next 10 years in the ocean will affect the next 10,000. We need a new motto - 'no child left dry.'"
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A century ago when our nation created the National Park Service, Americans and people around the world knew very little about the ocean. What we now know serves as a challenge to this next generation of Americans. They must understand how critical the ocean is to planetary chemistry, regulating temperature, governing climate, generating most of the oxygen in the sea and atmosphere, powering the carbon, nitrogen and water cycles, holding 97 percent of both the Earth's water and biosphere, and harboring millions of species, most of which are yet undiscovered. A healthy ocean is central to a habitable planet.
During the yearlong expeditions, as young people interacted with local fisherman off U.S. coasts, they also learned that 90 percent of many fish--cod, sharks, tuna, swordfish, halibut and marlin - are already gone and half of the coral reefs, mangrove forests and seagrass meadows and much of the phytoplankton have disappeared or are in serious decline. And they learned the power of fully protected marine areas to help ecosystems recover and that such protection has been a bipartisan issue across decades, prompting action from Presidents Kennedy, Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton, George W. Bush and Obama.
Marine Scientist Richard Pyle from the Bishop Museum in Hawaii, whose grandfather participated in the Tanager Expedition in the 1920s to the place that became Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in 2006 and expanded in 2016, laid out the challenge and opportunity for our young aquanauts and their generation. At least 30 to 50 percent of the ocean must be fully protected to restore its health. Today, they learned, only about 2 percent of the ocean is protected from destructive activities, including industrial-scale fishing and mining.
Just as the early national parks of Yosemite and Yellowstone set off a ripple of hope whereby nearly 100 countries now have national parks, this next generation can set off a wave of protection that brings the national park idea to the ocean around the world. Using the power of photography and film once again, the Sea of Hope is the beginning of an effort to educate and engage this next generation in what's at stake and what they can do to protect our planet.
It's not everyday that a city official sounds the alarm by claiming a city plan could "inadvertently displace tens of thousands" of New Yorkers from one neighborhood alone. That's what a report from City Comptroller Scott Stringer spelled out last month, undermining the promises of Mayor Bill de Blasio, who insists his 'affordable' housing plan will help protect from, not fuel, gentrification. This sort of displacement, driven by developers and embraced by the mayor, should be fought at every turn. However, when longtime neighborhood groups back city hall and development firms are asked to capture the cultural spirit of the city, eyebrows are raised.
So who's in favor of the mayor's plan, which includes the rezoning of key neighborhoods like East New York (the subject of Stringer's report), East Harlem and some areas of the Bronx?
In El Barrio (East Harlem), there have been some contentious debates around rezoning. Some neighborhood groups, like immigrant-led Movimiento Por Justicia en El Barrio, have been fighting the rezoning for some time. Last month, during a city-hosted "scoping" hearing at Hunter's School of Social Work on East 119th street, dozens of Movimiento members showed up to protest moments after City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito had arrived to plug her East Harlem Neighborhood Plan, an alternate plan which asks for a few concessions but still accepts rezoning.
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In a statement read by some of its members, Movimiento said, in part:
"We are 100% against the Mayor's luxury housing plan because it's a plan that favors big developers and rich landlords. That is why REBNY (the Real Estate Board of New York) supports the Mayor's luxury housing plan. His plan in no way favors the simple and humble people that live in our beloved Barrio. Quite the opposite, the result of his plan will be the displacement of our community from East Harlem."
Key local groups support the rezoning of El Barrio, whether by the city's plan or Viverito's 'community' plan (which is really her plan): Community Voices Heard, Union Settlement, El Museo del Barrio, etc. El Barrio Unite, a group that opposes rezoning, recently put one of those groups, El Barrio's Operation Fightback, on blast with an open letter. In it, El Barrio Unite's Roger Hernandez asks why the group backs a proposal that will "gentrify and displace our poorest families."
"Why do you support this plan to rezone El Barrio? You do realize that very few units of this Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Rezoning Program will be allocated for families making less than $ 32,000. You do realize that community nonprofit organizations are being iced out of the action by the big private developers who will be taking advantage of these $ 48 Billion public monies directed at households making greater than $ 45,000. You do realize how this will entirely change the make-up of El Barrio--our people, our clubs, our neighborhood. What is it about this rezoning plan that appeals to El Barrio's Operation Fight Back and why?"
Operation Fightback, some may remember, co-developed an artist residency space located in an old school building, now known as El Barrio's Artspace PS 109. The controversial project, which had the support of key local politicians, like Viverito, was initially billed as an effort to create affordable housing for artists but has been criticized for not providing space to enough local artists and for potentially adding in another layer of gentrification--that of outside artists.
The intersection of art and gentrification has also come up with a group of artists who've called out a city "cultural plan" that aims to define and harness the power of the arts without talking about displacement. They point out that two out the four partners for CreateNYC are real estate development firms: James Lima Planning + Development, who they say worked on and stand to benefit from the city's rezonings, and BJH Advisors, who helped plan the controversial BQX connector streetcar (which was supported by developers who're throwing cash at the mayor). They sent me a statement, which reads, in part:
"As working artists and community activists, we are concerned that this plan doesn't address the multiple crises facing the arts community in our rapidly gentrifying city, and we are also disappointed that actual artists, makers, and cultural workers were not the original shapers of this plan."
On the BQX streetcar, the rezonings and Mandatory Inclusionary Housing plans of the city (the mayor's 'affordable' housing plan):
"Each of these projects spell displacement: the MIH rezonings will raise the average rents to unaffordable levels in poor communities, and the BQX trolley car will destroy the working waterfront in Brooklyn and Queens, which will cause mass displacement, ironically, of working artists' studios. In NYC, there is a problematic relationship between real estate and art (for example, the Brooklyn Museum hosted a real estate conference in 2015, and real estate developers invented the "piano district" in order to rebrand the South Bronx as a high-rent "artsy" neighborhood)."
One of the artists who signed on to that statement was Jenny Dubnau, an artist who grew up in Washington Heights and is now based in Queens. Dubnau says that displacement is partly "fueled by the appropriation of 'artiness' by the real estate industry... it's upsetting to see that two real estate development firms are consultants on the plan." She contends that "we should be questioning the connection between art and gentrification, not furthering it." Another signatory is Alicia Grullon, a visual artist based in the Bronx. Grullon says that with the incoming developer-in-chief in the White House, any cultural plan should have "foresight and be supportive" of groups that serve communities of color. "Real Estate and economic development has no place in this. They only see profit and use displacement as a tool in continuing inequity."
Shellyne Rodriguez, a Bronx-bred artist who led protests against the aforementioned "Piano District", says there's an "overwhelming disdain" for city's housing plan. "Poor and working class communities of color have rejected that facade of a plan which plants unaffordable development in our neighborhoods and it is widely accepted that this is the city's attempt at aiding the gentrification of the city."
The night of the scoping hearing in El Barrio, Movimiento also drew a line in the sand. "We, as the community of East Harlem that we are, are unconditionally against the Mayor's rezoning plan," one of their members said. "We do not want any of his displacement plan. We also do not want trees or parks in exchange for his luxury housing plan. We do not want what you call 'beautification plans' because our beloved Barrio is very very beautiful and we want to preserve it exactly the way it currently is."
"There are others that are willing to accept crumbs in exchange of the Mayor's luxury housing plan. But we are very different."
In every child who is born,
under no matter what circumstances,
and of no matter what parents,
the potentiality of the human race is born again.
- James Agee
It's been the same routine for eight years, since she was eight years old. Rising every morning at 4:00 a.m., Jesula disposes of the family's waste, walks an hour-and-a-half for water and prepares breakfast for the family of ten. Next comes the washing of dishes, sweeping, cleaning, shopping for food, preparation and clean-up of lunch, fetching more water and preparation and clean-up of dinner. It isn't until the family is asleep that Jesula finally lays on the concrete floor with one blanket and no pillow around 11:00 p.m., finally finished with her 19-hour workday.
A tall, thin, beautiful Haitian girl with penetrating eyes that reflect the pain, isolation and sadness usually seen in someone much older, I met Jesula when a community organization leader, two staff from the global health organization, Population Services International (PSI) and I had the opportunity to spend a morning with her. Skeptical, with head and eyes cast down, shoulders sloped and wrapped inward as an unconscious ball of protection, she would give us only one or two word answers.
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Jesula came to live in this house as a domestic worker, or restavek, when her mother sent her at the age of eight to the Port au Prince family. This type of human transaction is both common and accepted in Haitian society, a practice dating back to Haiti's independence from France in 1804. The Creole word "restavek" literally translates "to stay with" and is used to define a system born of a way for desperate parents to send one or two of their children to live with slightly wealthier families or friends in hopes of securing for them care, education and ultimately a better way of life.
Unfortunately, an inevitable environment of desperation has led the restavek system to evolve into the slavery practice we see today. While the Government of Haiti has banned child domesticity for over fifteen years, the entrenched problem of child domesticity in the Haitian culture and the lack of resources greatly inhibits its ability to monitor and enforce this ban. There are close to half-a-million unpaid child domestic workers in Haiti (Haiti ranks number eight on the Global Slavery Index) with ages ranging from six to sixteen years old, the majority of which are girls. Like Jesula, these children endure grueling daily schedules working from sunup to sundown. For the majority of restaveks, school is not an option and outside interactions, friendships, even listening to music, are not tolerated.
In addition, these children frequently experience profound physical and psychological abuse and neglect at the hands of their "host" families. According to a study on Human Rights Abuse & Other Criminal Violations in Port Au Prince, restavek girls are close to five times more likely to face sexual violence than non-restavek girls. To make matters worse, health services are basically non-existent for these young victims.
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Recognizing the need for a new perspective in creating sustainable change for the lives and health of Haitian girls, I am working with Population Services International through Maverick Collective to implement an innovative approach. We're striving to improve access to family planning for girls and women and to create a network of safe, quality services by connecting existing community organizations. When we coordinate the activities of local groups, we support those who understand the societal, cultural and economic complexities, and we fill gaps in service delivery and reduce duplicate efforts. Working with these partners also helps us to more effectively transform the long-held, negative gender norms that bolster the restavek system.
To achieve these goals it is essential that we understand the root cause of slavery and gender-based violence (GBV) in Haiti. This means we must understand from the perspective of those who live with, in and around these practices and behaviors. To create innovative solutions we not only need experts, but also the people of Port au Prince who know the situation best. And finally, the right solutions must be delivered in a way that is financially viable and sustainable for the people of these communities.
Strong, healthy, educated girls grow into strong, healthy, educated women who are the foundation of healthy, thriving societies. When we as a global society accept nothing less than safe, supportive environments for all women and girls, we will have created a rich and fertile soil in which to foster positive, global change. So, we begin here, in Port au Prince, Haiti. We begin with a willingness to be educated by Haitians, about Haitians. We begin by bringing our expertise to facilitate collaboration in creating expedient, impactful, sustainable change for the girls and women of Haiti.
As the morning and our visit with Jesula came to an end, the pain, sadness and isolation I initially observed in her eyes eventually opened to a deeper truth, the truth of her incredible spirit, her strength and, most importantly, the light of hope still alive within her. Jesula, as well as every other girl like her, deserves a life of independence, filled with hope, dreams and infinite possibilities. With our willingness to listen to, learn from and support the people of Port au Prince the hopes and dreams of every girl can finally be transformed from possibility to reality.
Belize has become one of the top travel destinations in the world because of its spectacular and intriguing attractions like the Great Barrier Reef, gigantic blue hole, white sandy beaches, numerous cayes and islands, pristine rainforests and jungles, abundant wildlife, eclectic and colorful cultures, and laid-back atmosphere.
From scuba diving its warm and turquoise Caribbean waters to hiking an ancient Maya city, Belize has something for everyone.
If you are looking to escape to a cozy and sunny destination that offers a potpourri of adventure and fun filled activities this winter, then you might want to consider Belize.
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From north to south and east to west, here are the top best places to visit in Belize.
San Ignacio Town
Photo credit: Gaby Silva
San Ignacio Town is the main town in the Cayo District of western Belize and is an ideal base to explore ancient Maya cities like Caracol and Xunantunich, ceremonial caves like Barton Creek and Actun Tunichil Muknal, and cascading water falls like Rio on Pools and Big Rock waterfalls in the Mountain Pine Ridge Nature Reserve.
Hiking, kayaking, bird watching and horseback riding are also top rated outdoor activities in the area.
San Ignacio is also an important en route to and from Guatemala since it is one of the last towns in Belize before entering Guatemala where many travelers go to visit Tikal - one of the largest archaeological site in the country.
Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker is a small and beautiful island off the coast of Belize and is an ideal base for snorkeling and diving adventures.
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Its white sandy beaches, cool breezes, fresh seafood, turquoise Caribbean waters and a magnificent barrier reef at its doorstep are top reasons why you have to visit this island.
Placencia
Photo credit: Gaby Silva
Located in the Stann Creek District, Placencia is a long, narrow and sandy peninsula along Belize' Caribbean coastline and offers a laid-back ambience with various accommodations, and the best restaurants in Southern Belize.
It is a perfect destination for scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and fly-fishing. And during the full moons of May and June, you can go on a whale shark expedition at the Gladden Spit Reserve where the gentle giant whale sharks come to span.
Inland tours like Monkey River and the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve can also be explored from Placencia.
Ambergris Caye
Photo credit: Gaby Silva
Ambergris Caye is the largest and most popular island in the northern waters of Belize and measures 25 miles long and 5 miles across. It is located just 35 miles northeast of Belize City and can be reached on a 10-minute plane ride or an hour and half boat ride.
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The great Belize Barrier Reef lies on the east side of Ambergris Caye and it is the island's biggest tourist attraction since it is only a quarter mile from the beach.
Scuba diving, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, or sail boating to other islands or cayes are just a few reasons why you have to visit and just today, Trip Advisor named Ambergris Caye as a Travelers' Choice Destination on the rise.
Hopkins
Hopkins is a tranquil Garifuna village on the coast of Stann Creek District and is considered by many Belizeans as the cultural center of the Garifuna population in Belize.
Some of the major activities to do in the area are snorkeling, scuba diving, Garifuna drumming and singing and even Garifuna cooking.
For travelers looking to experience a colorful and unique culture with a fascinating history, Hopkins is the destination to visit.
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South Water Caye
Photo credit: Gaby Silva
South Water Caye is a lovely and underrated Caye and is perched on top of the great Belize barrier reef. It is located only 10 miles off the coast of Dangriga and Hopkins in southern Belize.
The size of South Water Caye is just 15 acres and is part of Belize's world heritage site which has been zoned to protect fishing nurseries and unique marine habitants; however the Caye is a perfect base for snorkeling, fishing, diving and educational activities.
Dangriga
Photo credit: Gaby Silva
Dangriga is the largest town in Stann Creek District in Southern Belize and is considered a major capital of the Garifuna people.
The name "Dangriga" is derived from a Garifuna word meaning 'sweet water' and the town is also the birthplace of punta rock -- a fusion of acoustic Garifuna and electric instruments.
While vacationing in Dangriga, you can visit the Gulisi Garifuna Museum that highlights the culture and history of the Garifuna people or the Pen Cayetano Gallery, which showcases the artwork of Pen Cayetano.
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Other stops of cultural interest include the Drums of my Father Monument, the National Garifuna Council headquarters, and the Thomas Vincent Ramos Monument.
Punta Gorda
Locally known as P.G, Punta Gorda is the southernmost town in Belize and is also the capital of the Toledo District.
The population is comprised of around six thousand people and consists of Garifuna, Maya, East Indians, Creoles and some Lebanese and Chinese.
The Town is an ideal base to explore the stunning and unspoiled beauty of Toledo District. Pristine rainforests and jungles, offshore cayes, coastal lowlands and an extensive network of caves are just a few of the top attractions in the area.
Sarteneja
Photo credit: Gaby Silva
Located on the Shipstern Peninsula in the Corozal District, Sarteneja is a quaint and picturesque Mestizo and Creole community that sits on a unique and tropical bay setting at the North Eastern Sea point of Belize.
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Sarteneja is derived from the Yucatec Maya "Tzaten-a-Ha" which is thought to translate as "water in the rock".
Two of the town's main industries are lobster fishing and pineapple farming however in recent years tourism has increasingly become significant as a source of income.
Building the Bridge for All
In August 2015, 193 countries agreed on the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which replaced the millennium goals set in September 2000. At the UN Sustainable Development Summit at the end of September they were presented in New York under the name: Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 2015 was a pivotal time and went into the books as a global breakthrough year with both the climate agreement in Paris, signed in December of that year, and the agreement of the SDGs. The interconnection between the UN goals and the climate agreement is clear since SDG number 13 is specifically about climate action, and many other SDGs are related to climate and environmental conditions as well.
As we enter 2017, we are well on our way from that starting point as we have been on our path towards reaching our global goals for one and a half years. And we should be seeing movement as 2030 is actually very nearby and we are left with a mere 14 years to get a tremendous job done. So, what has been achieved so far? Where do we stand now? What can we expect in 2017 and what needs to be done to reach the goals?
Looking back on the past one and a half years, we can definitely say that the launching of the goals has had tremendous impact already. Straight after establishing the goals, the word spread quickly throughout the world and many people learned about the SDGs; the frontrunners were quickly committed and involved. This was partly due to the goals being articulated clearly thus making a uniform language for all to use. This uniform terminology had immediate impact, which was shown in the many articles, references during conferences, and pledges that soon followed.
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Gathering the building blocks
2016 saw the gathering of the building blocks and the laying of groundwork, with numerous coalitions being formed. Judith Rodin, President of the Rockefeller Foundation explained, "To realize the SDGs we need to foster a new era of collaboration and coordination." To that end, many practical platforms were launched by the United Nations, such as the October 2016 launch of a new platform for scaling up innovative finance solutions, a platform for business solutions for 2030, and a pioneers' program to profile SDG pioneers throughout the world, and so on. Additionally, business, industry and national coalitions and partnerships have been formed to address the SDGs on a large scale. Global business partnerships such as the Business Commission was launched by Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever, during the World Economic Forum in Davos last January, to urge the private sector to make advancements on sustainable development. Unilever also joined a host of industry partners to create an open platform called Paragon, to combine their market research forces in addressing key global development and sustainability challenges. 2016 was also declared the year of green finance in the UK, with financial leaders convening to encourage sustainable investments and the divestment from polluting industries such as fossil fuels. And nations are forming pacts as well. Costa Rica, for example, is bringing together a broad cross-section of society including entrepreneurs of large and small companies as well as academics, and civil organizations - all working towards achieving dynamic links to approach their own challenges such as improving public transportation and doing so with the SDGs firmly in mind. And the Netherlands saw seventy signatories from business and civil society including AkzoNobel, Philips, numerous banks, universities, and foundations such as UNICEF all join together in a Charter to provide innovative solutions based on knowledge and technology. Also, during the Global Impact Investors' meeting of the GIIN in Amsterdam on December 7 2016, 21 Dutch financial institutions, including ABN AMRO, presented the agenda for further collaboration and partnership platforms to Minister Ploumen. The list goes on. So, the coalitions of the willing grew fast in the last months of 2015 and 2016 and got the societal motors running.
Preparing a sound foundation
In addition to these collaborations, assessments have been done to get a clear picture of where we are now and what still needs to be achieved. Reports and research have also been done this past year on how business can contribute to achieving the goals and what new markets are opening up. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development produced an 'SDG Compass' to guide companies on how they can align their strategies, measure and manage their contribution to the realization of the SDGs. And the UN, together with over 6000 business leaders from all over the world, co-created a Global Opportunity Report identifying 15 new sustainable markets.
Research into business intentions and practices is being conducted as well, for example, PWC - one of the largest financial consultancy firms -- surveyed nearly one thousand businesses about their plans to address the SDGs. They found that while 71% of the companies are planning how they will engage with the SDGs, only 10% are planning to assess their impact on the SDGs relevant to their industry, or even understand how to do this. Clearly there is work to be done to continue to educate and guide businesses. And while capital initiatives such as the UK's Year of Green Finance and the Sustainable Stock Exchange initiative, which welcomed its 60th member in 2016, are developing and gaining ground, there is much more that can be done in 2017 for capital redirection. According to the 2016 World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) study, "Stock exchanges ranked pressure from investors last when noting the main motivators for introducing Environmental Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) initiatives. And the 2016 UN Global Compact-Accenture CEO survey reported that "only 10% of CEOs cited investor pressure as a driver for sustainability."
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So, as we have just crossed over the threshold to 2017 and looking back on 2016, I can see that tremendous groundwork has been done on which we can build. Groundwork in terms of collaborations started, research and insights gathered, awareness created and initiatives started. Nevertheless, let's not be naive: still only a small minority of businesses are really aware of the goals, and there is a need for private investment of 2.5 trillion dollars a year. So, we have only just begun our journey. Many others must help to create a sound foundation on which to build the bridge, so we can all walk the path. There is an urgent need to speed up and scale up, since the scale of our solutions must meet the scale of our goals.
Building the bridge
Let us make 2017 the year we prepare that acceleration. Let's move on from the groundwork to building the bridge everyone can walk on. And let's get everybody lined up to cross that bridge the following year. We need more businesses and institutions to join in as building this bridge is a huge job and it must be a firm and thorough bridge. Bear in mind, there is a long way to go: In 2014 there were 154,000,000 malnourished children in the world and the goal for 2030 is to end all forms of malnutrition. In 2000 -> 1,750,000,000 people lived in extreme poverty. In 2012 -> 900,000,000 lived in extreme poverty and the goal for 2030 is that no one lives in extreme poverty. In 2015, our worldwide economy produced 34,650,000 Kiloton Co2 emissions, which is a significant increase compared to the year 2000, while CO2 emissions should be drastically decreasing in order to limit the warming of the Earth to 2 or preferably 1.5 degrees. So, the bridge must lead to solutions for all these challenges.
2016 has been quite a year, and I recognize that we have seen a lot happen that could make us fearful, doubtful, or sceptical whether we talk about the Brexit, the US elections, or the still growing terrorist threat. But in the words of Christiana Figueres, a Costa Rican diplomat and the leading lady in the 2015 Paris Agreement, "We'll transform on." The world has chosen a sustainable course and recognized what needs to be done for the long-term benefit on our world and our people. This movement will not be stopped by political swings or any other current affairs. And do keep in mind: it is about the deeds, not the words.
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If we all contribute, we will make 2017 another year to never forget, using the groundwork to build the bridge, and looking forward to us all crossing it afterwards. Building it will be rewarding and thankful. And it will be successful business-wise as well. You will see this next year when we look back to admire the bridge we have built, and we look ahead in anticipation of watching business, capital, civil society, and governments crossing the bridge we've built together. So, take everybody with you that you can to help meet the biggest challenge and opportunity of all times for all of us.
PRINCESS VICTORIA by Johann Georg Paul Fischer, 1819
Royal Collection Trust
With the premier of the PBS Masterpiece series, VICTORIA, airing on the 15th, it would be remiss of me if I did not point out that the occasion had been quietly celebrated at the manor of Woolbrook Cottage* in Devon.
Frontispiece to THE BEAUTIES OF SIDMOUTH DISPLAYED, 1816
Internet Archive beautiesofsidmou00butc
Woolbrook was the home of Anne, the only child of the Cators in the group portrait below and her husband, Edward Baynes, Major General of the armed forces in British North America during the War of 1812. Barely a month later, however, the spirit of the Holiday season turned to grief when the Duke of Kent, the father of the infant princess, succumbed to a cold and died of pneumonia on January 23rd, 1820.
*Now the Royal Glen Hotel
Hidden in plain sight at the Aberdeen Art Gallery in Scotland is the singular target of the most breathtaking art heist in history. But unlike the much-touted 1990 Gardner Museum robbery in Boston, this one takes the cake not only for the sophistry of its conception but the brazen presumption of the perpetrators that their actions were for the well-being of the international black community.
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It will undoubtedly come as something of a shock to most that the sitters in this picture of such frightfully aristocratic elegance were the grandchildren of Mary Augier, a black Jamaican slave woman.
What has stunned the academic world as well as the media, however, is the realization that the Morses had risen rather easily, indeed, even arrogantly so, from the state of slavery to the upper echelons of British society and influence in full view of the public. The fact that they did not have to "pass" and that papa's money proved to be all that was needed to "deconstruct" or "interrogate" the victimization paradigm that dominates, even sabotages the discourse on race is what has made this picture so intolerable in certain scholarly circles.
Considering how many more such Jamaican family histories have since come to light, certainly this one should prove a joyful revelation to viewers on both sides of "the pond," considering what it could contribute towards the racial peace, equality and harmony which for which we strive especially at this time of the year.
The MORSE AND CATOR FAMILIES by Johan Zoffany, 1784
Aberdeen Art Gallery
Sitting beside Anne Frances Augier Morse, the grandmother of the Hon. Henry Arthur Herbert of Muckross, Lord Lieutenant of Kerry, Ireland, is her sister, Sarah, the wife of John Cator seen standing. Their brother, Robert, is playing the cello. Similar to the relationship of their mother's first cousin, the Hon. Frances Duff, to the Royal Family today through the Earls of Fife, Sarah was the great, great grand aunt of Elizabeth Margaret Cator who married the Hon. Michael Claude Hamilton Bowes Lyon, the brother of the "Queen Mum" in 1928.
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Because it also demonstrates the relationship of this, at the time, well-known family "of color" to Queen Victoria, it should also be noted that Anne Cator Baynes, was first cousin, on the Jamaican side, to Louisa Middleton, the mother the Hon. Henry Arthur Herbert, at whose architectural masterpiece, Muckross House, Queen Victoria stayed for two days during her state visit to Ireland in 1861.
MUCKROSS HOUSE
Killarney National Park, Killarney, Co. Kerry
Herbert, in turn, was the uncle of Maj. General, Sir Herbert Stewart (great grandson of the 7th Earl of Galloway on his father's side), who became the Aide de Camp to the Queen in 1882. His son, Capt. Geoffrey Stewart of the Coldstream Guards, also served the Queen as her Page of Honour. Between his sisters and his nieces, this branch of the Herberts intermarried with the Earls of Bantry, Dartrey, Minto and Ferrers as well as the Guinnesses.
Since so many of this echelon were integral members of Britain's wealthiest and most politically influential strata of society, how could this phenomenon not have had an enabling or, at least, mitigating effect on the circumstances of their still enslaved relatives living in the Caribbean?
Herbert's grandnephews are examples of how such individuals, in their attempts to shape or influence the development of the Nation's imperial power and ambitions along the lines of their own interracial identities, made careers for themselves in the colonial service. Sir Hubert Edward Henry Jerningham KCMG JP DL, for instance, was Member of Parliament for Berwick, Colonial Secretary for British Honduras, Lieutenant Governor of Mauritius and Governor of Trinidad and Tobago. Sir Wasey Sterry, CBE, served with the Foreign Service in both the Sudanese and Egyptian judiciary. It would be interesting to learn what part his African ancestry played in his marriage to the granddaughter of Princess Wishan of the Tewodros Imperial Dynasty of Ethiopia.
A great many more of this West Indian 'ilk', a majority of them Oxbridge educated, served as high-ranking officials in either the military or overseas government bureaucracies not only in Africa and the West and East Indies, but in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, to boot.
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Indeed, it could be argued that the very complexity and apparently contradictory nature of these familial situations is what in many ways led not only to the cohesiveness, but the actual expansion of British influence in global affairs during the late 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.
BLACK LIVES MATTER, especially those on whose narratives the PC Police in both academia and the media have slapped an embargo.
Belizean flag on a boat, Ambergris Caye, Belize
In a recent speech in London, Sir Shridath Ramphal, the former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, laid out his views opposing the criminalization of homosexuality, wherever it occurs. Sir Shridath quoted another stalwart of anti-discrimination, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who has said that the violence and criminal sanctions suffered by LGBTI people across the world are intended to make them "doubt that they too are children of God," which he calls "nearly the ultimate blasphemy." Sir Shridath went further, equating opposition to the persecution of LGBTI people with the campaign to end slavery in the 19th century and the anti-apartheid struggle of the 20th century. "The abolitionists were pilloried, but they prevailed," he said. "The abomination was not their campaign, as the plantation owners complained, but the evil of slavery itself."
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Sir Shridath Ramphal, who played a pivotal role in dismantling apartheid, is an unapologetic advocate of decriminalization. He recognizes criminal sanctions for what they are, a colonial legacy that never had a part in the indigenous cultures on which they were imposed and that should have been repealed long ago.
This month, Caleb Orozco, the head of United Belize Advocacy Movement, or UniBAM, a small human rights organization in Belize, will attempt to do just that. His case challenging the constitutionality of section 53 of the Belize criminal code, which criminalizes consensual sexual conduct between adults of the same sex, is due to be heard by a court in Belize today, May 7.
Caleb Orozco is determined that the challenge will succeed. In a recent interview he pinpointed, with admirable logic, the insidious nature of the laws in issue: "The problem with those laws is that [they're] used as an extortion tool, as an intimidation weapon and to harass, even if the laws aren't routinely enforced," he said. He only wants to uphold the freedoms and rights that the constitution of Belize and international human rights law guarantee and protect, specifically the rights to privacy and dignity. Supporting Mr. Orozco's case in court are three international human rights organizations: the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA), the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and the Human Dignity Trust. I write this blog post as the recently elected president of CLA. My presidency will continue to uphold human rights law by opposing the criminalization of homosexuality. In doing so, I carry on the work of my predecessor Boma Ozobia and those who came before her.
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In contrast to Caleb's approach, the campaign by those opposing the challenge, who have come together under the name of Belize Action, generates a lot of heat and, with respect, not much light. This is dangerous, because heat is the last thing the case needs. For example, Belize Action has accused the CLA, ICJ and Human Dignity Trust of being "homosexual organizations" pushing "foreign values." Whatever they mean by "homosexual organizations," we are all human rights organizations, supported by the leading jurists in the world (some may be gay or lesbian, but most, evidently, are not), and we are committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting human rights values, which are universal values. We are NGOs. None of us is well-resourced, and the lawyers representing us are all doing it pro bono. UniBAM's opponents have also forgotten that the consensus amongst the international community, of which Belize is a respected member, has consistently reiterated that to criminalize LGBTI people is to violate their human rights. Since when, as Belize Action's campaign would have it, was the persecution of a small community through criminal sanctions and all the attendant casual cruelties and humiliations that go with it in the name of religion promoting human rights? The criminalization of homosexuality has no place in any society that guarantees human rights.
The Rev. Eugene Crawford, who's presented himself as a leader of Belize Action on local television, says that all the churches in Belize support the push to keep the laws intact, which is odd, if true, given that both senior representatives of the Church of England and the Vatican have come out against criminalization in recent statements. Shouldn't something be filtering through to the Anglican bishop of Belize and the Catholic bishop of Belize City and Belmopan that supporting old British colonial laws aimed at persecuting gay people isn't in the Christian spirit and is not church policy?
Caleb has already been violently assaulted, and someone posted anonymously the suggestion that if he were to die, the case would go away. Lurking beneath the surface of this is a worrying rhetorical trend seen elsewhere in the Commonwealth that often has violent consequences. It's the sort of grandstanding that Archbishop Tutu has condemned:
We struggled against apartheid in South Africa ... because black people were being blamed and made to suffer for something we could do nothing about -- our very skin. It is the same with sexual orientation. It is a given. I could not have fought against the discrimination of apartheid and not also fight against the discrimination that homosexuals endure, even in our churches and faith groups.
The key to ending such discrimination, as Sir Shridath Ramphal pointed out, is the law:
As with the abolition of slavery, the decriminalization of homosexuality in our time must be an act of law. We are here to call for that decriminalizing act of law, and by it an end to the wrong we do to our brothers and sisters -- who are, like us, all members of what Dr. Rowan Williams called "the commonwealth of God."
The investigation into the murder of journalist Pavel Sheremet continues, the National Police of Ukraine said adding that the public will be informed when there will be any specific progress in solving this crime.
"As for Sheremet's assassination, the work continues ... When there I something to report we will tell you," Deputy Head of the National Police Oleksandr Vakulenko said at a briefing in Kyiv on Friday.
As reported, well-known Belarusian journalist Sheremet was killed in an explosion of a car downtown Kyiv on July 20, 2016. The blast occurred when Sheremet was driving the car. The vehicle belonged to Olena Prytula, the founding editor of Ukrayinska Pravda, who was not in the car at the moment.
Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko later qualified Sheremet's death as murder with the use of an explosive device. He also said the investigators were inclined to presume that Sheremet's killing was related to his professional activities.
Lutsenko said later that the investigation concluded that several people could have been responsible for the crime. "The killer was not alone. This is a group, and we can see part of this group in the video," Lutsenko said.
Workers construct the viewing stands ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's January inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., December 8, 2016. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
Many people are saying they won't be watching the inauguration on TV.
Just putting it that many-people-are-saying way gives me the creeps. Like "believe me," it's Trump's signature trick for turning lies true, the companion con to turning facts false by labeling them "fake news."
"I think we have one of the great cabinets ever put together," he said at his first press conference in nearly six months. "And we've been hearing that from so many people. People are so happy." A climate change denier in charge of the E.P.A.; a Medicare bomb-thrower to run Medicare; Goldman Sachs to manage the economy; a billionaire to protect laborers; a public school adversary to advocate for education; a social justice foe to fight for justice; an "oops" to head up nukes; a neurosurgeon for H.U.D.; Exxon Mobil for foreign policy; Putin for Intelligence -- many people want to puke is more like it.
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Watching Trump's press conference in real time was my trial run to see if I could stomach his inauguration. Here are the feelings it fired in me: fear, disgust, anger, shame, helplessness. Here are the ones it didn't: respect, duty, honor, patriotism, hope.
I felt even worse when I fed my news addiction with analysis of the event. "Masterful performance," Michael Moore told Chris Hayes on MSNBC, "He owned the day." "Observed as spectacle, Trump came away with a resounding victory," said Gabriel Sherman in New York Magazine. To be sure, they called Trump "dangerous" and "a disaster," but the five stars they gave his propagandizing hit me like a kick in the gut. I couldn't help imagining color commentary at a rally -- to use Trump's metaphor for our intelligence community -- in Nazi Germany. "Damn, that Hitler's a super showman!"
I tried to put myself in the shoes of someone loving every minute of the day Trump owned. "These papers are just some of the many documents that I've signed turning over complete and total control to my son," he said, pointing at hundreds of manila file folders. If his loyalists saw that the files were phony, with no labels on them, and nothing but blank paper in them, they must not have cared. If Trump seethed like Roy Cohn taught him ("Quiet... Don't be rude. Don't be rude.... Don't be rude. You are fake news," he told CNN's Jim Acosta), his fans must have shared his hostility. If he bullshitted like a goofus ("It'll be repeal and replace. It will be essentially, simultaneously. It will be various segments, you understand, but will most likely be on the same day or the same week, but probably, the same day, could be the same hour."), they must have been in denial about how it would hurt them. If that's what hope feels like, I'll gladly go with disgust.
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A presidential inauguration is a hallowed ritual in America's civic religion. It's a secular rite that binds our pluribus into unum and confers legitimacy on our self-governance. I get that. I also get that the presidency deserves respect, and that the day is about the office and not the office-holder. I'm mindful that, as Hillary Clinton said in her concession speech, "Our constitutional democracy enshrines the peaceful transfer of power," and that "we don't just respect that -- we cherish it."
But respect is a two-way street. If Donald Trump respected the office of the presidency, it could mitigate the difficulty of the majority who didn't vote for him to respect his claim on the authority we're about to delegate to him. As it is, his legal authority will be corrupted from the outset by his refusal to subordinate his financial interests to the interest of our nation, as the Constitution requires. He has already nullified his moral authority by his deceit, his incapacity for accountability and his sociopathic absence of empathy. He's no more capable of respect for the sacred responsibility of his office than he is of respect for the civic responsibility of a journalist.
If our body politic had two heads -- a head of state, and a head of government -- it might not be as hard as this to recover from a bitterly divisive election. A monarch, a premier, a chancellor: an uncontroversial figurehead removed from the factional fray has a shot at uniting a nation. But in America, as George Washington apocryphally said, the people are the king, and we entrust the eagle of our freedom to a president who is simultaneously beyond, and buffeted by, politics.
Should you watch the inauguration? If that's what it'll take to mobilize you to join a progressive version of the Tea Party, a movement whose handbook is virally becoming "Indivisible: A Practical Guide for Resisting the Trump Agenda," then go for it. But chances are, you're activated enough to do that now.
I'm not going to watch. If I miss something big, someone will tell me, or I'll read about it. I know that won't be a substitute for the real-time experience of it. But I don't need to experience the fouling of the nest the Founders made for us to know it would break my heart to be an eyewitness to it.
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It may be in different words, but many people are saying that.
I write this on the eve of the electoral college vote, which is tomorrow; I already know the results. I have known the results since November 9th at 2am. There will be no Hail Mary moment. Red states will not go blue. Your phone calls, letters, mass emails, and pleas have done nothing more than annoy the electors. All of that energy, the money spent on a recount, the false hope fed to us by our "progressive leadership", all it did was succeed in us taking our eye off of what really matters: fights that could actually still be won.
The truth is: Donald Trump is our president.
Please, my dear liberal friends: take a deep breath...and sit with that. Let it sink in. Cry your last tear, throw something, scream, and then save it for another day. We have four years of screaming and fights ahead...we need you to get back up and on your feet...now. I am officially turning the lights on and the music off at your pity party. Time to come home and organize.
We as democrats have managed to point fingers at everyone but ourselves. The people closest to the campaign being the most arrogant. THIS is what scares me more than Trump. If we as a party, can not realistically understand that we lost, and look hard at where we lost this, then we are sure to just double down on the same failed strategy and lose again.
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Same old people, playing out of the same old dog eared playbook that Nixon, Reagan, Clinton, Bush, all used..and you know what that sounded like? The same words that the people have been hearing for the last fifty years. "apple pie" "freedom" "bald eagle" "hope" "a new tomorrow" same tired strategy, optics and words. Do you know how that registered in the minds of voters?
They weren't quite sure where they had heard those same old phrases before, but they had, and they felt lied to, because we have been lied to so many times before by every politician. Everything Hillary did and said, felt "inauthentic" sounded like a "lie" even when it wasn't; because it was all out of the tired old playbook we had been manipulated with before.
Trump threw the playbook out the window. He could have said "unicorns are crapping donuts out of the sky and it is the fault of Isis and the Muslims" and people would think, what the hell is this guy saying? I don't know, but he "sounds like a straight shooter to me". This guy "calls it like he sees it, whether I agree or not". AND THAT my friends, is how this election was won and lost. Messaging.
We have pointed fingers everywhere: The FBI, the Russians, hackers, misogyny, racism, ignorance, the media, the electoral college, voter fraud, and today...we get a teeny bit closer to the truth: the scapegoat who is poor Huma Abadein, Hillary's closest advisor gets the blame du jour. Well, at least were getting warmer.
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The truth isn't trending well with Democrats these days, but here it is.
We lost the election for two reasons:
Hillary Clinton ran a terrible campaign.
People didn't vote.
Period.
Misogyny didn't win. The FBI didn't win. The Russians didn't lose us the election. Racism didn't win. Voter fraud didn't win.
Hubris lost.
We were so sure of ourselves, high fiving each other because Trump was such a "moron", meanwhile her communications team was a complete disaster. I had voiced my opinion to many people working on her campaign, and they were blindly out of touch. They simply did not care to hear anyone's opinion, any fresh ideas, and they did it their way, sticking to the old playbook that had been handed down for the last hundred years. Never daring stray from the script.
I'll give you just a couple of examples of where we epically dropped the ball on a gold mine.
Before I start, this is NOT an "I told you so"..it is simply a way to see, and learn from our mistakes, which we MUST do--once you read this, I think you'll get it.
When Hillary fainted on 9/11 at the memorial because she had pneumonia. The Trump campaign ran with that. They immediately attacked her health, said she didn't have stamina, that she was not well enough to be president, and that she lied to the American people by not disclosing her "mystery illness".
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Clinton's camp sat quietly, and then they sent out the big guns. Bill Clinton came on tv and I thought, well thank goodness...Bill's got this. Do you remember what his response to her fainting was? "Hillary has been working like a demon...she gets dehydrated" I almost screamed at the tv. Why not tell the truth, and turn this moment into pure gold?
A lovely alternative might have sounded something like this: "Hillary has pneumonia. I had pneumonia when I was 6. It's like an intense flu. Not cancer. She will get well soon. We didn't feel the need to announce every headache or cold she gets to the media. It is not life threatening. Mrs. Clinton would not have missed standing with those families on such an important day for anything in the world. So, with a hundred and three degree fever, she got up, and got dressed; to show up for the American people, to show up for those families, and to go to work.
And while we're on the topic, how about we discuss how she, like millions of other Americans do the same thing Hillary did--everyday. They get up sick, they get dressed, and they go to work. Because we don't have paid family leave, or sick days; and you know, we probably should."
The end. Now, was that hard? It wasn't.
The mistresses?
Again, Trump paraded them, blamed her, I saw women on social media saying that she was "so nasty" to the women her husband had cheated on her with. They spun it so it was somehow Hillary's fault that she was cheated on! Genius.
Why on earth, did this woman not stand up, especially during the debates, and say "You know what? Thank you for bringing that up. I've been married to Bill for over forty years. Not all of them were easy. Many women in this audience, and men have experienced tough times in marriages and some have experienced infidelity. It is painful. It is usually private. I chose to forgive my husband to keep my marriage and family together. While I respect women who leave, I chose to stay. I chose to honor my vows said before God and family, and do what was the most difficult thing I had ever done, forgive and rebuild.
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I stayed when things got rough because I made that commitment. And as your president, I promise to do the same for you. I will stay and fight to make us stronger when things get rough. And you know what? I'm glad that I did, because now my marriage is stronger than ever and my daughter is doing great and I am happy."
Good Lord, she would have sent it over the fences. Instead, when the mistresses were brought up, she would give a smug smile, and lean into the podium, half perched on her seat, and not address it. It was inauthentic. It was smug. It didn't read well.
And whoever came up with that zippy slogan "Love Trumps Hate" clearly didn't understand optics. When I turned on the DNC Convention, and saw an ocean of people holding signs with the name Trump on them...I thought, this guy must be home laughing right now. Why on earth did we shake signs in the air with this man's name on them? He couldn't pray for better press...all hand delivered by...us. An auditorium of Democrats, enthusiastically shaking Trump's name. Sure, the word "hate" was on there, but so was "love". Bad messaging. Terrible optics.
These are just a few very simple ways that she could have done better. From pant suit flash mob videos that looked like Gap ads, to completely uninspiring television spots (with the exception of the Gold Star Khan family, which was the only powerful piece of media I had seen the campaign run) to mosaic mashups of celebrities all montaging the same tired old message. It all just flopped. Add to that an ineffective speaker, whose speeches were canned, rehearsed and stiff, and she was an easy target.
If you think that they don't "sell us our presidents the same way they sell us our clothes and our cars", you are mistaken.
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Hillary should have been as exciting as Obama in 2008. Our first female president, and even I, a devoted liberal had to rev up my own engine to muster any level of enthusiasm for her. I knocked on doors in Pennsylvania. I made a short video urging people to vote for her. I helped raise money. I wrote favorable pieces about her.
The saddest part is that I have met her in person...she is not only graceful and kind, she is affable and lovely, brilliant, generous, and open. That is what upsets me most. She has it in her, and she would have been a terrific president. It just didn't read and she was surrounded by weak people advising her. I sincerely hope that they no longer work in politics.
The polls were not "off" the people taking them were. Leaving out a percentage of folks who weren't racists or misogynists, they just didn't want to vote for Hillary, and kept their mouths shut, because they didn't want to be ostracized or called names.
All of it, was a disaster, and I have lost more liberal friends than conservative, because the one thing liberals can't do right now, is hear that they failed. We failed. But ultimately the buck stops at Hillary. She didn't even come out on the night of the election to address the people who had worked so hard for her at the Javitz Center. They were given false hope and sent home crying, then given the news by Donald Trump who said that she had called him. Need I say more? We were still "With Her"...but she was no longer with us.
My views have made me terribly unpopular. But I'm not going to lie to you. You have been lied to enough lately.
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Democrats right now want to hear what a jerk and scumbag Trump is, how we got robbed, and how there's still a chance. They don't want to hear the truth. But until we make peace with the truth and channel that anger towards fighting the real fights ahead, they are going to finish us off. Ohio and North Carolina are showing us that already.
We were so busy talking about who really won and by how many and how we actually weren't to blame; while they have been hard at work stealing more from us. Please focus, everyone. We have lost so much, but we ain't seen nothing yet.
They're overwhelmingly tall. They ride their bikes everywhere (without helmets). They've conquered sea level. And now, they're ranked #1 in English. In the most recent EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) ranking, the Netherlands came in 1st out of 72 countries in English skills. 90 percent of respondents in the Netherlands claim to know English. It can't just be their astoundingly liberal policies about weed that put Dutch so high in the rankings. These results beg the question: Why are the Dutch so damn good at English?
Small country, big voice
This tiny country of 17 million people punches well above its weight with the 17th largest GDP in the world, and the 5th largest in the EU, according to the IMF. While South America or the Middle East can rely on a sizable Spanish-speaking or Arabic-speaking market to drive growth, there are 27 million Dutch speakers--and 2 billion English speakers. And so the Dutch have needed to learn English to enter the global market.
Brad Pitt and Fred Flintstone speak English
The Netherlands doesn't dub foreign language TV and movies. As a result, Dutch children grow up hearing English in popular culture from a very early age. Countries with a large enough audience for dubbed TV programs and movies, like France or Germany, dub everything, and as a result, have much less success in integrating English into their cultural life. Dubbing seems to render people linguistically numb to foreign languages, a condition the Dutch have successfully avoided.
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Where there's business, there's English
The Dutch have always been enterprising--the Dutch East India Company was established as the world's first multinational company in 1602. That same year, the first modern stock exchange was set up in Amsterdam to facilitate international trade. The country's business-friendly legacy lives on as many iconic multinational companies (Royal Dutch Shell, Unilever, Heineken, and IKEA) are headquartered in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is in a self-perpetuating cycle where strong English leads to strong business, which in turn encourages the best English proficiency in the world.
The Flying Dutch
While the Flying Dutchman is the stuff of legends, make no mistake: the Dutch love to travel. The education giant, EF Education First, has witnessed steady growth in the Netherlands of students who travel abroad and take gap years since EF's Amsterdam office opened in 1970. English opens doors not just economically, but also for the average Dutch tourist, and so it's no wonder why there's interest in this global language.
The Dutch advantage
Before any English test, the Dutch can thank their linguistic ancestors. Dutch is a Germanic language, just like English, and so they share many roots and characteristics. De? The. Bier? Beer. Wafel? Waffel. While many language families don't talk at the dinner table, cross-language similarities give the Dutch something to say when it comes to learning English.
The Dutch have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to English skills --and benefit from it enormously. Anyone who remembers that New York was once New Amsterdam will know that the adventurous Dutch have always been a country with global ambitions.Countries a little further down the EF EPI's English rankings ladder should pay attention. The Netherlands is a great example of how a country's English proficiency can make it globally competitive and future-friendly. Adds a whole new meaning to the phrase "going Dutch," doesn't it?
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Naturally incredibly striking, Tasmania - an island state off the south coast of Australia and with a population of only half a million people - often gets forgotten on many an Australian itinerary. I'm here to tell you why it should be on EVERY itinerary!
Myself and my husband visited Tasmania as part of a holiday we took to Australia whilst living in New Zealand, during Australia's winter. When we first started researching places to visit in Australia Tasmania quickly came out as a firm favourite. The idea of seeing lots of wildlife in the wild was one of its most appealing aspects. We had also read it was quite a bit like New Zealand - in that it was very scenic and it would be less crowded and quieter than some other parts of Australia we had visited. Despite being fairly remote, Tasmania is still wonderfully accessible and we took an internal flight with Jetstar from Tullamarine airport in Melbourne to Tasmania's capital, Hobart.
So why do you HAVE to visit Tasmania?
National parks and epic scenery
Tasmania is stunningly beautiful, there is no doubt about it. You can hire a car, jump on board and explore this beautiful country to your heart's desire. The roads are quiet and the drive is worth it for the scenery alone. There are many national parks in Tasmania and we were only able to visit a few during our time there. Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National park was our favourite - walking around Dove Lake in the snow was a real travel highlight - surrounded by amazing panoramic views of the lake and mountains. Freycinet National Park is another stunning place - with the Hazards mountains appearing in front of you as you approach this area, and the iconic Wineglass Bay view awaits.
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Wildlife in the wild
Tasmania is one of the best places in Australia (and indeed the world) to see animals roaming in the wild in their natural habitats. We were lucky enough to spot wombats playing in the snow in Cradle Mountain National park, have pademelons visit our log cabin accommodation, watch kangaroos hop across in front of our car, and see wallabies (including the rare albino wallaby) just a few feet in front of us! Other animals that can also be found in the wild include: little blue penguins, tasmanian devils, quolls, and dolphins can also be spotted in the surrounding waters.
Sunsets and sunrises
Sunsets and sunrises are notoriously beautiful in Tasmania. Binalong Bay on the east coast of Tasmania was one of favourites places to see the sun set and rise - we reached the beach early enough to see how amazing the sun looked as it was peaking through the trees and the sun's rays stretched right up into the sky - it was simply beautiful!
Quiet beaches
Many of the beaches in Tasmania are completely deserted but so easy to access. We visited many that were just accessible from the side of the road and that were very beautiful - Kelvedon beach, Bushy beach (with its beautifully red rocks) and Denison beaches were some of our favourites.
Waterfalls
Many waterfalls in Tasmania can be found off-the-beaten-track and are well-worth the effort. Our favourite was Russell Falls, at nearly 1,000 feet tall, it was fairly easy to reach along a 20 minute walk through the rainforest, and a beautiful sight.
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Snow - in Australia!
I am sure many of you reading this already know that yes it does snow in Australia in winter, but I am sure there are some of you that didn't know this! We came across snow, and lots of it, whilst visiting the Cradle Mountain area. We enjoyed a wonderful stay in a log cabin complete with lovely wood burning fire. It made a nice change from Sydney's mild 22 degree winter we experienced!
History
The Port Arthur Historic Site is a real highlight of a trip to Tasmania. It is the site of a past convict settlement back in the 19th century - where mainly British and Irish convicts were sent and spent time in jail here. A truly fascinating place - and obviously quite haunting and thought-provoking too, as there was so much sadness here in the past. The way they have preserved the site is excellent and there is so much to see and learn about. There are over 30 different buildings to explore - including the penitentiary, the hospital, the church, the asylum, governor's house, and the guard tower, among lots of others. Our ticket also included a boat trip out towards the Isle of the Dead, with great views of Port Arthur as we returned to shore.
East Coast Natureworld
East Coast Natureworld is one of the best wildlife parks we have ever been to - and a reason in itself to visit Tasmania. Even though wildlife can be spotted in the wild in Tassie, this is an amazing huge 150 acre wildlife park where so much freedom is given to the animals and they are so well cared for, it is a must-visit on any trip to Tasmania. The kangaroos, pademelons and wallabies all roam freely here and make sure you also see the famous Tasmanian devils being fed.
There are, of course, so many more reasons to visit this amazing country, but you will just have to visit and experience them for yourselves! Having lived in New Zealand for a year and enjoyed travelling elsewhere in the world including America and Europe, Tassie was really just extra-special to us - it has that uniqueness that can't quite be explained until you have visited yourself - and our Tasmanian adventure will remain with us forever.
All photographs are copyright of Nicola Barnard Photography.
Nicola works as an independent personal travel counsellor and has vast experience in the travel industry. Nicola specialises in planning and booking tailor-made trips to suit your every need and has specialist experience in bespoke off-the-beaten-track New Zealand and Australian itineraries.
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Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) testifies to the Senate Judiciary Committee during the second day of confirmation hearings on Senator Jeff Sessions' (R-AL) nomination to be U.S. attorney general in Washington, U.S., January 11, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
It's devastating, and potentially lethal, when Americans can't afford life-saving drugs because their elected representatives are in thrall to Big Pharma. It's disappointing when Democrats offer implausible excuses for their votes, as Sen. Cory Booker and twelve other senators did this week.
And it's downright outrageous when those same Democrats claim their votes were driven by drug safety concerns, since all twelve voted to lower drug safety standards when they supported the 21st Century Cures Act.
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If Booker and the others hadn't broken with their party and ignored the needs of the American people, a budget amendment from Sens. Bernie Sanders and Amy Klobuchar would have paved the way for the importation of prescription drugs from Canada, where they cost far less than they do in the United States.
This was a rare opportunity for bipartisan progress. Twelve Republicans broke with their party to support the amendment. If these Democrats hadn't moved the other way, it would have passed. Their betrayal crushed one of the few remaining rays of hope for the millions of Americans whose health and financial security are endangered by the new Republican Congress.
Booker attempted to defend his vote in a statement to Jezebel's Ellie Schechet in which he said:
"Any plan to allow the importation of prescription medications should also include consumer protections that ensure foreign drugs meet American safety standards. I opposed an amendment put forward last night that didn't meet this test."
Nonsense. Canadian testing is as strong as its American equivalent, and most Canadian drugs are manufactured in the same locations as their U.S. counterparts. And note the use of the word "foreign." It seems designed to trigger xenophobic fears, and to hide the fact that drugs would only have been imported from one country: Canada.
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What's more, the Sanders/Klobuchar amendment was only a first step, so there was plenty of time to address any lingering concerns. Sen. Klobuchar has already co-sponsored a bill with Sen. John McCain called the "Safe and Affordable Drugs From Canada Act" that specifies how the process could work safely and efficiently.
But here's the big question: If Booker and the other Democrats are so concerned about drug safety, why did they vote for the 21 Century Cures Act? Sold as a path to innovation, the bill was actually a massive giveaway to drug companies that wanted an end-run around safety regulations. It came with promises to spend more on public health needs, but those promises were designed to be easily broken.
As Public Citizen noted, the bill's passage "comes at the expense of patient safety by undermining requirements for ensuring safe and effective medications and medical devices."
Every vote in favor of the 21st Century Cures Act was misguided. But it takes a special kind of hypocrisy to vote for a measure that demonstrably lowers safety standards, and then cite safety as a reason for voting against the Sanders/Klobuchar amendment, which doesn't. There's only one way to explain these seemingly inconsistent votes: They both benefit Big Pharma.
Schechet reports that, perhaps not coincidentally, the Democrats who voted against the Sanders/Klobuchar amendment included some of biggest recipients of pharma cash on their side of the aisle. Booker tops that list with $267,338. Sen. Patty Murray was close behind with $254,649, while Robert Casey received $250,730 and Michael Bennet netted $222,000.
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Booker deserves special attention, since he appears to be positioning himself for a 2020 presidential run. Booker received nearly two million dollars from Wall Street for his 2014 Senate race. The financial industry also heavily backed his Newark mayoral campaign, and he has received large sums from law firms and real estate. When Barack Obama took a rhetorical jab against opponent Mitt Romney's investment firm, Booker rabbit-punched him from the right by calling his remarks "nauseating."
"Stop attacking private equity," Booker added.
Democrats should ask themselves: Is this the kind of leader they need to recover from devastating losses up and down the ticket?
It is especially bitter to note that this vote came the week before the nation's celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "Of all the forms of inequality," Dr. King once said, "injustice in health is the most shocking and inhuman."
While their motives cannot be known with any certainty, the votes of these twelve Democrats inevitably raises the problems of legalized corruption that underpin our play-for-pay political system. One thing is already clear: Democrats like this are the reason Democrats keep losing.
As Sen. Sanders wrote in 2015, "Americans pay the highest prices for prescription drugs in the world -- by far."
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These thirteen Democrats have damaged efforts to provide truly affordable health care. They've robbed their party of the moral high ground on an issue voters care deeply about. And they've ceded the rhetorical high ground to the empty posturing of the soon-to-be-inaugurated Bloviator in Chief, who said this week that drug companies are "getting away with murder."
When it comes to better care for mental health patients, well-intentioned legislation hasn't been a panacea. A 2008 federal law required most insurance policies to cover mental and physical health equally, but study after study shows we have a long way to go to achieve mental health parity.
Now, Congress is once again trying to remedy the nation's ailing mental health system and finally meet the needs of some of the nation's most vulnerable citizens.
The far-reaching 21st Century Cures Act, which President Barack Obama signed Tuesday, is far from perfect. The biggest winners, critics have noted, will likely be drug companies and medical device makers who will have fewer regulatory roadblocks in getting their products to market.
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But in a last-minute bout of legislative maneuvering, congressional leaders tacked on sweeping mental health reforms that offer an important first step in helping the estimated 13 million Americans who live with a serious mental illness.
The bill reauthorizes -- and in some cases boosts -- funding for mental health research and treatment with hundreds of millions of dollars going to initiatives that would include helping train more caregivers, expanding efforts to diagnose mental illness in students and keeping nonviolent mentally ill offenders out of jail.
It would also establish stakeholder boards to better analyze and coordinate federal mental health programs and authorize the president to appoint a new assistant secretary for mental health and substance abuse to administer those programs.
Perhaps most importantly, the bill would put the onus on Washington to verify that insurers are abiding by mental health parity laws. That has proven to be a challenge. A report published last month by the National Alliance on Mental Illness found that respondents were nearly twice as likely to have difficulty finding a therapist willing to take their insurance than other types of medical specialists.
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Long waits for care are commonplace throughout the mental health care industry. Understaffing forces patients to wait weeks, even months for therapy appointments.
More than 3,000 California Kaiser Permanente mental health professionals represented by the National Union of Healthcare Workers are now in discussions with Kaiser about how to change this with the goal of making Kaiser the model for mental health care. Kaiser has already committed to hiring 500 additional clinicians statewide.
A mental health czar as envisioned in the new legislation could be a champion for at last achieving parity. But questions remains whether President-elect Donald Trump will put someone in place -- and demand the funds -- to get the job done.
It's hard to be optimistic given that his choice for health secretary, Rep. Tom Price, R-Georgia, wants to repeal Obamacare, privatize Medicare and rollback Medicaid, which pays for about one-quarter of the nation's mental health treatment.
If Trump and the Republicans are serious, however, there is a blueprint for finally getting mental health treatment its equal due in our healthcare system. It just happens to be authored by Hillary Clinton -- and inspired by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
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San Francisco Ballet recently announced the promotion of Wei Wang to soloist for the 2017 Season. That means he's staying. Thank you, SF Ballet! Wei has been a member of the corps de ballet since 2013 - grabbing my attention throughout a wide variety of assignments and in a long list of diverse repertoire. We met during the company's run of Nutcracker, the day before his first appearance in the Grand Pas de Deux. The excitement was high. I saw Wei in the role on the last day of the production which featured Angela Watson as Clara and soloist Lauren Strongin in the Grand Pas de Deux. The teaming was ideal. Wei Wang arrives as a versatile leading man.
WEI WANG. Photo, Chris Hardy
Wei is now preparing for his role as the creature in Liam Scarlett's Frankenstein coming up in February (Program 3). Time enough to get acquainted with Mary Shelley's life-altering Gothic novel, yes?
"It's a huge deal for me," said Wei. "I'm lucky to have been chosen by him. I've always looked up to Liam Scarlett's stuff. Beginning with the first steps - I knew I was going to like his Hummingbird, also Fearful Symmetries which is being done again this year [Program 5]. It's a very interesting piece."
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Also fearful, I added. "What is fearful about it for you?"
"Ahhh," sighed Wei. "Liam described it as very sexual. It's physical, sexual - for all the dancers. He wanted the audience to feel that thrill, to feel the sexual tension. Coming from very classical Russian training, that was hard for me to explore."
"You mean exhibiting that particular side of you? To just call it up and enter with, 'Here I am!'"
"Yes. That is the hard part. It's a very important quality onstage - and it's a huge stage! You want that energy to be out there - to have the people know you are there. I need to work on that."
Wei Wang in van Manen's Solo and Caniparoli's Lambarena. Photos, Erik Tomasson
Wei's driving interest in creating choreography definitely affects his technique and sense of storytelling. That aspect of his talents was kindled in 2010 when he attended the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) ballet competition in New York. Film director Bess Kargman's award winning documentary First Position deals with this incredible annual week-long event. During my interview with Kargman, I concluded there was only one way to describe the competition's overall atmosphere: Fierce.
"I studied at the Beijing Dance Academy for seven years. My teacher, wanting me to step it up a bit, decided to take me to New York to do the competition - to make some improvement. My choreographer, Disha Zhang, inspired me to do something myself, to create some steps. She had very interesting ideas about moving, about approaching contemporary movements - a different way than a classical dancer normally moves - with some Hip Hop in there. It got a lot of attention from the other dancers. No one remembered my classical variation. So, I started thinking that maybe I could create something myself."
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Yuan Yuan Tan and Wei Wang rehearse Forsythe's Pas/Parts 2016.
Photo, Erik Tomasson
"About two years later I was in the summer training program at San Francisco Ballet and Helgi hired me. I then met Yuri Possokhov and Liam Scarlett. I decided to make a piece. Patrick Armand [Associate Director at SF Ballet School since 2012] was my teacher when I was interning. He trusts me so much that all he said was, 'Do it.'
"The name of the piece was Focus. It's those parts of my life where I need to focus, what I need to work on the most. It's a self-involved piece. I used some contemporary movement with classical technique. I decided to use movements that the dancers here don't use, to develop those movements and use them in the training program. I chose Beethoven's 'Moonlight Sonata' and added some sound effects in the background. Focus has three guys, two girls. Everyone has a solo and their own style, everybody dances with everybody. I put that all together so they dance as one while dancing individually.
"Sean Bennett was helping me to rehearse the trainees. We talked about which way it should go, how to approach these movements, how to make different combinations. We discovered an easier path for them and for me - what to focus on. We struggled a little at first, so I gave the dancers more exercises to get into it and slowly get the movement into their bodies. It all came out, it was all worth it. I'm thinking of doing another piece this year - so I can get the ball rolling."
WEI WANG. Photo, Erik Tomasson
"When you were a young child in China, were you just one of those kids with a lot of excessive energy - bouncing off the walls?"
"Since I was a child my whole focus has been on dancing. When I was little, my parents saw that I liked to move. My mom said it was the way I reacted to music. So, they just threw me into the studio to see what I could do. 'I'm taking him to Beijing!' said my mom. She decided everything for me. I went to an audition at the Beijing Dance Academy. It was simply one step after the other. At the beginning, I found it difficult. I didn't think I could make it. But my teacher really kept pushing me and I started enjoying it."
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But where did he think all of this physical workout was headed? Did he have a finished production in mind? Had he seen any ballet, perhaps on TV or in a movie?
"Nothing! This is interesting. There are two majors at the Beijing Dance Academy - Chinese traditional dance and Ballet. I was aiming at Chinese traditional. My teacher in my hometown called me and said, 'If you choose ballet, you have the possibility to make dollars.' There was a click in my head. That sounds interesting. Now I'm on the right track! That's how I chose it. Before that, I knew nothing about ballet. So, I left home. I was ten. My grandfather said, 'He's going to cry and come back at some point.' My mother said, 'No. He's going to make it.' I was happy. Later on, I became very appreciative of my parents' decision."
Wei Wang in Possokhov's Swimmer. Photo, Erik Tomasson
"Have they seen you dance professionally?"
As a hotspot for honeymooners, the adventurous, cultural and culinary streaks of Mauritius often get lost behind postcards with five-star resorts and lovelorn couples. Here are 8 incredible ways to discover Mauritius from a new lens:
1. Speed along the coastline, James Bond style.
Put on your shades, roll down the top of your rented convertible, and drive along the postcard coasts of Mauritius, watching the waters change shades of blue all day. Turn on the Creole music with its African beats on the car stereo, wheel into one of the many drive-in beaches on the east coast to catch the kite-surfers in action, and maneuver along the hill country of the south all the way to Le Morne, where the mountains gently embrace the Indian Ocean. Make Bond proud by grabbing a Martini at the terrace of an east coast cafe, with gorgeous views of the waters beyond.
2. Go rum tasting.
Forget the wine; Mauritius is all about its rum. If the sugarcane-sprinkled interiors of the island don't charm you, the light flavor of the rum they produce will. Visit L'adventure Du Sucre, a sugarcane factory-turned-museum, for some old fashioned rum tasting. Continue the indulgence at Grand Bay, the party district of the island, sampling rum cocktails concocted with sugarcane juice.
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3. Live like a local.
There is no denying the indulgence of the sprawling seaside resorts along the coastline of Mauritius, but spend a few days in the shoes of a local and you'll develop a new appreciation for life. Rent a room at Chez Pat in Blue Bay, a cozy apartment owned by Patrick, whose French-Mauritian hospitality will immediately make you feel at home. Stroll along the local neighborhood, join the regulars on a morning walk along the sugarcane tracts, feast on freshly baked breads from the neighborhood bakery, cycle to a nearby restaurant, picnic on the beach, and swim in the waters of Blue Bay, a gorgeous lagoon protected from fishing. Be warned however, the laidback lifestyle of the island can be very addictive!
4. Indulge in a sugar spa.
In a country that produces over 600,000 tons of sugar a year, your body surely deserves a fraction for being pampered. Explore Spa at Le Meridien Ile Maurice is one of the few spas on the island to offer a Sugar Rituals treatment, which consists of a body scrub with locally sourced sugars, and a full body massage with honey. The soothing aromas will relax you, the scrub will leave your body glowing, and if there were a way to taste your skin, 'sweet' would be the adjective to look for. If your taste buds are left craving, indulge in a sweet herbal tea afterward, with a romantic stroll at the jetty that extends right into the ocean.
5. Go island hopping, Robinson Crusoe style.
So what if you're not in the Caribbean? Several small, uninhabited and stunningly beautiful islands, easily accessible by speedboat, surround Mauritius. On the northern tip of the country, ride a boat to Coin De Mire, to spoil yourself with uninterrupted views of the horizon. Take a trip to Ile Aux Aigrette from the southeast coast; a turquoise bay surrounds the little island, which itself is a nature reserve filled with endemic species of birds and plants. Ile Aux Cerfs, the most popular of the lot, is a short boat ride away and worthy of a day trip for the sun, sand and sea, and a host of watersports activities.
6. Go food hopping.
Sampling the curious mix of cuisines in Mauritius is perhaps the best way to sample the potpourri of cultures on the island. Start with some classic street food in a food court in Port Louis; dhal puri (a savory crepe stuffed with vegetable curry and pickles) and alouda (a dessert made with noodles) are local favorites, and queuing alongside the locals will win you at least a handful of interesting conversations about life on the island. For more refined food sampling, try an all-Creole meal at Chez Tino, freshly baked breads at a patisserie, Mediterranean food at La Faya, and French-Creole food at Les Copains d'Abord.
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7. Rent a two-wheeler.
Whizzing around the island's interiors on two-wheels will leave you with the feeling of riding a magic carpet; the wind in your face, the sugarcane plantations swaying, the unexpected appearance of mountains in your rear view mirror, and the illusive glimpses of the sea. Two-wheeling etiquette in Mauritius commands that every fellow biker who crosses you gestures a nod, making you feel accepted on the island in no time.
8. Skydive over the coastline.
Skydiving is thrilling no matter where you try it, but Mauritius turns it up a notch, with a 40 second free fall over the turquoise blue Indian Ocean. Skydive Austral Mauritius offers the only skydiving experience on the island, and together with a bird's eye of the coast while floating in air, you get to ride a helicopter to capture all the moments you missed from the window seat of your flight.
This past Monday was National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. According to Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), the best way to show support for our nation's law enforcement officers is to:
Change your profile picture on social media to the .jpg image provided at www.facebook.com/nationalcops.
Wear blue clothing in support of law enforcement.
Send a card of support to your local police department or state agency.
Share a story about a positive law enforcement experience on social media.
Ask children in your community to write letters in support of law enforcement.
Participate in Project Blue Light - Proudly display your blue light in support of law enforcement.
Organize an event or a rally in support of your law enforcement officers.
Advertise your support through local media outlets/billboards.
Post the public service announcement supplied by C.O.P.S. to your organization's webpage or social media pages.
Most importantly, if you see a police officer, thank a police officer.
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The truth: Everyday should be National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. It's been a rough time for America's police officers. Just yesterday, a police officer in Orlando, Fla., was shot and killed while trying to apprehend an alleged murder suspect. One of her colleagues tragically died while taking part in the manhunt when his motorcycle collided with another car. In San Antonio, Texas, recently, a police officer was shot and killed during a traffic stop. Prior to that, two police officers in Palm Springs, California, were shot and killed while responding to a call. There are many other unfortunate incidents as well.
Just as we stop and applaud our military men and women when they are walking through an airport, or call attention to them at sporting events, we must also recognize our nation's police officers. Without them, we wouldn't have the freedom we so enjoy and life would be very different.
Police officers are always on duty, even when they're off. While we sleep, they're awake. When we're out in public having fun, they're watching over us. As we pursue our education, our professional careers and our dreams, they put their lives on the line to make sure we have every opportunity to succeed. When our kids are at school or having fun with friends, they patrol the streets to insure their safety.
The average police officer earns about $58,000 per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But cops don't become cops to get rich. They become cops because they believe in protecting the public. And 99.9% of them perform their duties with courage, integrity and good will towards the people they serve.
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Sadly, many of our police officers leave for work, say goodbye to their families and never make it home. These brave men and women pay the ultimate price so we can live free and be safe. It's one of the most difficult and stressful jobs on the planet, yet police officers get a bad name thanks to some rap stars writing lyrics that vilify them, and some professional athletes like Colin Kaepernick who snub them by wearing pig socks and refusing to stand for the National Anthem. It's wrong and uncalled for.
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In this week's compilation of random movies worth checking out -- from the comfort of your own couch, obviously -- I bring you natural disasters, late pizza, and a whole lotta Keanu! (Except the actual movie, Keanu.)
Earth's Final Hour
Where to find it: Netflix DVD
The cast: Robert Knepper, Julia Benson, Cameron Bright
The synopsis: "When a super-dense fragment of an interstellar mass punches through the Earth's core, the impact slows down the globe's rotation threatening the world with total destruction."
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"What's the big deal about slowing down the Earth's rotation?" I hear you asking. Short answer: plenty. Think about it: One single day could last like, 100 hours or something. Cool if it's a Saturday. Not so cool if it's a workday. Also, watching the sunset with your partner? That could be like, a six-hour ordeal. Burnt corneas ain't romantic, bro. Not even a little.
These four things happen in the movie. Pretty much in the order implied above.
Sherlock Holmes
Where to find it: Check local listings
The Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams
The Showcase synopsis: "Detective Sherlock Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England."
Hey, the delightful Rachel McAdams is in this movie! I saw her at a bar in Toronto a couple of years ago and she seemed nice. I mean, I didn't talk to her or anything, but I just kinda got that vibe, ya know? I'm sure we could have yapped charmingly for hours, but I'm all about giving celebs their space. I'm just that kind of awesome. Anyhow, watch Sherlock Holmes: it's pretty good.
"Yo Holmes, to Bel-Air!"
30 Minutes or Less
Where to find it: Amazon
The cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Danny McBride, Aziz Ansari
The synopsis: "The tale of three slacker friends and the adventures that ensue after one of them inadvertently robs a bank armed only with a large salami."
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Anyhow who's worked retail knows those orders ain't being processed lickity-split without a seriously awesome POS system. So can we really blame Jesse Eisenberg's pizza delivery character for his inability to adhere to his boss's '30 minutes or less' policy? The company's taking orders on g-darn pads of paper like it's 1977! No wonder Jesse gets mixed in with a bunch of nefariously bank robbers -- at least they're using up-to-date technology to get their jobs done.
Left to right: dude from 'Parks and Rec,' Mark Zuckerberg.
Matrix Revolutions
Where to find it: Netflix DVD
The cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss
The synopsis: "The human city of Zion defends itself against the massive invasion of the machines as Neo fights to end the war once and for all."
It's time for an embarrassing piece of disclosure: I've never seen Matrix Revolutions. Which is really weird because A) it was released years ago, and B) I loved the original Matrix. For some reason, I simply never got around to it. Which means I'll be finally tuning this week 'cause I honestly have no idea how things end. Does Neo turn out to be Trinity's brother? (Gross). Do all the hundreds of Agent Smiths attempt to break the record for world's longest conga line? Does somebody buy Morpheus a goofy Cliff Huxtable-style sweater for his birthday? (Dude could use a splash of colour in his wardrobe). I reckon I'll find out. No spoilers!
Is the movie's final freeze-frame a la 'Rocky III'?Constantine
Where to find it: Amazon
The cast: Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, Shia LaBeouf
The synopsis: "Constantine tells the story of irreverent supernatural detective John Constantine, who has literally been to hell and back."
Admittedly, I'm disappointed Keanu Reeve's character isn't named 'Jake Constantine,' because how badass would that be? (answer: very extremely). But hey, silver medal try for naming him 'John.' Anyhow, it's a small blip on an otherwise highly entertaining film about a man struggling with his demons (quasi-pun intended). John Constantine has been to hell, so he knows a thing or two about inconvenience. Hell has an abundance of long lineups, paper cuts, undercooked pork, Wayans Brothers movies, and Florida Panthers games. You think you can handle that? You CANNOT handle that. But John Constantine can. And now that he's back on Earth, not much is gonna faze him. So, you know, don't mess with the guy, is what I'm saying.
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On Thursday, January 19, at 11.00, the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency's press center will host a press conference by Euromaidan participants and members of volunteer units of the Interior Ministry titled "Volunteers will Publish Evidence of the Ukraine's National Police Leadership Involvement into Made-to-Order Crimes and Corruption." The participants will include soldiers of volunteer units of the Interior Ministry Serhiy Bondar, Yevhen Karas, Markian Yatsyniak and Oleksandr Voitko (8/5a Reitarska Street). Admission requires press accreditation. Details by phone: (093) 703 8896 (Serhiy Bondar).
Corrupt.AF, the recently launched website chronicling Donald Trump's conflicting ethical trouble spots woos citizens through its motto,
Come for the cheeky use of [AF]; stay for the conflicts of interest.
If you're a bit slow on the draw, "A is for "as" and "F" is for "F#&%," though the more innocuous reason for the "AF" is that the site is housed on a server in Afghanistan, safe from potential American censorship.
Through Corrupt.AF, Matt Ortega, a former Hillary Clinton aide, separates the chaff from the grain, cataloging what Google presents in a tangled cyber jungle of credible and incredible findings.
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In the weeks and months preceding the 2016 election, mainstream media outlets concentrated primarily on Trump's more objectionable and undignified personal characteristics and behavior. Corrupt.AF focuses solely on the political and financial conflicts inherent to a Trump presidency due to his business relationships, debt to foreign countries, and unbridled disdain for ethical protocols.
For the fifth year in a row, International Living has chosen Ecuador as the #1 retirement destination in the world. And for good reason. You can read all about it here.
But when North Americans come to Ecuador, they often bypass the capital city in favor of other destinations. Why? Beats us. Because in our estimation, Quito is one of the most beautiful cities in South America...
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Why do we love Quito, Ecuador? The sweet-natured people... the extraordinary weather... the gorgeous scenery... the great restaurants, shopping, the first-class infrastructure and services... and, of course, the affordability...
It's a city where you can still take a taxi anywhere in town for $1 to $5 and find a menu del dia... usually a four-course meal of soup, salad, meat/rice/vegetables, dessert and beverage... for $1.50 to $2.50. Yes, there are gourmet restaurants where you can spend more but compared to back home, it's a bargain extraordinaire...
Today's Quito is a world-class metropolis with happy surprises tucked in so many corners. You wouldn't know that, of course, if you've only flown in and out of its international airport. If your only experience of Quito is spending time stalled in traffic on your way out of the city, your opinion may not be high. But spend even a few days getting to know her and we think you'll agree that Quito is a very special place.
Often called the "most beautiful big city in South America" for its location in the palm of a valley cupped between towering Andean peaks, Quito has so many parks and plazas, it's hard to pick a favorite.
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The 14,000-acre Parque Metropolitano, bordering the city's Bellavista neighborhood, is the largest urban park in South America. (For comparison, New York's Central Park is just 834 acres.) Hiking here, in the maze of forested paths, is a nature lover's delight--the air smells of eucalyptus and pine, and from atop the eastern ridge, the views of Quito to the west, and to the east, the valley and volcanoes beyond is something you'll not soon forget.
On a clear summer day in Quito, in fact, you'll see the snow-topped Antisana, Cotopaxi and Cayambe volcanoes looming over the city. (That's the way it appears, but they're actually some distance away.)
Of course, when we use the word "summer" it means something different here than it does back home. In Ecuador there are only two seasons: summer--or the dry season--and winter, our rainy season. It's hard to decide which we like best...the crisp, sunny days of summer or the cool, fog-enshrouded evenings of "winter." In either case, average temperatures hover around 75 degrees during the day and 45 or so at night...every day.
If you only have one day in Quito, spend it in Old Town, the first-ever locale in the world to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Covering more than 800 acres, this is the largest historic center in the Americas, with an over-abundance of ancient thick-walled, tile-roofed colonial buildings, churches, museums, and more. We never get tired of exploring the gold-gilded La Compania de Jesus Church and the neo-gothic Basilica del Voto Nacional adorned with animals native to Ecuador instead of gargoyles. We dare you to climb to the top of its bell tower...
Art lovers, go directly to the Bellavista neighborhood to the former home of famous Ecuadorian painter Oswaldo Guayasamin and one of the city's most impressive art museums, the Capilla del Hombre, dedicated to the indigenous and exploited people of Latin America. Maybe it's voyeuristic, but we always love snooping around in an artist's studio and this one doesn't disappoint. The museum itself, with its large-format murals, is hauntingly impressive.
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Shoppers will love La Mariscal, also called "Gringolandia" because of the hordes of tourists and backpacker hotels here. Plaza Quinde, at the intersection of Calles Reina Victoria and Foch, is our favorite place to settle in with a cocktail at an outdoor cafe and do some serious people watching. This is also the place to satisfy your shopping lust. Take a few bucks (that's all you'll need) and poke into the handicraft shops lining Avenida Amazonas or head for the large artisan mercado at the corner of Reina Victoria and Jorge Washington Streets. You'll find carved items, ponchos, sweaters, scarves, rugs, ceramics, gourds, textiles of all kinds, and my weakness...artisan chocolate.
We could go on and on... If you take away one thing from this, let it be: Quito isn't a place to pass through enroute to somewhere else. It's a fabulous, grows-on-you destination and well worth your time to discover its many Old- and New-World charms.
Earlier on Huff/Post50:
They're called 'Alpine Coasters,' and simply put...they're awesome!
I recently paid a visit to a favorite area of mine, in east Tennessee. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are two neighboring cities filled with dozens of tourist attractions. Together, they provide some of the most unique roadside attractions in the world. Of all there is to offer, my favorites are the mountain coasters.
Above is the Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, the first one to come to Tennessee. Even though there's now three more alpine coasters next door, it's still the longest of the four.
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If you watched the point of view video, the first thing you'll probably notice is how long these rides are. This is a common characteristic of alpine coasters, since they take so much time to get to the top of the mountain. Typically, each ride involves going up multiple lift hills. The more lift hills, the longer the ride is back down.
When looking at the pros and cons of these cool thrill rides, the pros by far out way the cons. Sure, it may not be cheap to ride, but anyone who's looking for a good thrill will say it's worth it. One of the things I specifically love about these rides is their appeal to a wide audience. Because it's a gradual descent back down to the bottom, there aren't any large drops or loops to potentially scare customers away. All elements stick to twists, turns, small little bunny hops, and helices. (which is still super fun!)
Many alpine coasters have Christmas lights running along the track, making for a completely different experience at night
Another great thing about these alpine coasters is your ability to control the top speed. Situated to the side of each sled are a set of brakes. Once you climb in and fasten your seatbelt (safety first), you'll be instructed on how it works. Hold the levers down to go full speed, and gradually raise to slow down.
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If you look here, you can see the brakes down at the side of the sled, with the riders hands placed on them as instructed.
The final aspect about mountain coasters that I know parents will appreciate is that pretty much anyone of any age or size can ride. Smaller visitors can ride in the same vehicle as an adult. And thanks to the speed customization aspect, if a child isn't a fan of going around turns that fast, the adult in the vehicle can simply slow down a tad. Each sled is also equipped with emergency braking, so if a sled in front of you slows down and you're going too fast, the automatic brakes will kick in to avoid a crash. Completely safe.
So where can you go if you want to ride one? If you're coming from the U.S., the best location by far is Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Tennessee. There you can choose between four options: The Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster, The Coaster at Goats on the Roof, The Gatlinburg Mountain Coaster, and Ski Mountain Coaster at Ober Gatlinburg. If you can't make it there, Branson Missouri just welcomed a new alpine coaster called The Runaway Mountain Coaster. Other popular locations include Park City, Utah, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Colorado, and several spread out in the New England region.
Of the ones I've ridden, I got to give my personal favorite to Goats on the Roof. Love the coaster, but the added bonus of goats on the roof makes the experience that much more enjoyable.
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If you'd like to learn more about alpine coasters, I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. You can also find more alpine coaster footage on my YouTube channel, Coaster Studios: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCoasterguy14
President Enrique Pena Nieto's invitation for Donald Trump to visit Mexico in August 2016 offended 74% of Mexicans, according to polls. Reuters
What is Mexico's plan for facing incoming US president Donald Trump, whose presidential campaign included heated anti-Mexican rhetoric? How is the country's government preparing for threatened changes to the US-Mexico relationship in terms of policy, immigration and trade?
If they're any insight into Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto's strategy for the coming years, two key decisions in this realm have been disconcerting to say the least.
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Rolling out the red carpet
The first, in August, was to invite then-candidate Donald Trump to Mexico, responding to his hostility with conciliatory gestures and goodwill.
The results were not good. Rather than moderating his views, Trump jumped on the occasion to imply that the Mexican president actually supported his positions. After the meeting with Pena Nieto, in a speech made later that night in Phoenix, Arizona, Trump told supporters:
I've just landed having returned from a very important and special meeting with the president of Mexico, a man I like and respect very much. [...] We will build a great wall along the southern border. And Mexico will pay for the wall. One hundred percent. They don't know it yet, but they're going to pay for it. And they're great people and great leaders but they're going to pay for the wall. We will use the best technology, including above and below ground sensors that's the tunnels....Towers, aerial surveillance and manpower to supplement the wall, find and dislocate tunnels and keep out criminal cartels and Mexico you know that, will work with us. I really believe it. Mexico will work with us.
This episode did not play out well in Mexico. According to the Reforma newspaper, 81% of Mexicans disagreed with Trump's visit. The daily El Universal found that 74% of citizens felt offended that the government had invited him to Mexico.
The stunt also ended badly for its mastermind, Luis Videgaray, a scandal-tainted confidante of president Pena Nieto since his days as governor of the State of Mexico (2005-2011); he was forced to resign his post as Secretary of Treasury.
The Mexican government's second move to prepare for Trump, just a few days ago, was to sack Secretary of Foreign Relations Claudia Claudia Ruiz Massieu. Mexico's top diplomat for only 16 months, she had recently shown herself reluctant to work with Trump. So, on the eve of the inauguration, Pena Nieto decided to put in her place none other than Luis Videgaray.
Given the new secretary's admitted lack of international diplomacy experience, the press has speculated that his alleged relationship with Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, is his main "qualification" for the job. Some commentators are also suggesting that this high-profile appointment reveals Videgaray as Pena Nieto's preferred Revolutionary Institutional Party successor for the presidency in 2018.
Why not play a two-level game?
So what's going on here? And what does it mean for Mexico, just days away from four years of President Donald Trump?
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To start with, it shows that the Mexican government does not, for whatever reason, find it necessary to correct its course or to recruit new personnel in order to regain some of the credibility it has lost both nationally and internationally.
In this delicate moment, when Mexico will require the talent and experience of the best men and women its foreign service has to offer, the president's most recent appointment leaves no doubt: Luis Videgaray is Mexico's response to Donald Trump. The man is the policy.
Here the government has squandered an opportunity to take diplomatic advantage of the Mexican people's disregard for Trump to strengthen the relative power of Los Pinos, Mexico's presidential palace, vis-a-vis the White House.
As Robert Putnam outlined in his classic study on diplomacy, domestic and international politics can interact as a "two-level game". Just as external events and pressures can help impel national policies, governments can also leverage internal pressure to strengthen their stance in foreign negotiations.
That is, Pena Nieto could have used Mexicans' repudiation of Trump to place hard and very credible limits on what Mexico will - and won't - accept from the US going forward. But he didn't do it. Picking a figure so friendly toward his American counterpart, and so disliked at home, Mexico's president missed his chance to put domestic discontent to good use. Instead, he made the government even more vulnerable.
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Finally, there's the issue of the so-called "constituencies of foreign policy". In reiterating his position of collaborating instead of confronting, Pena Nieto turned his back on a multitude of potential American allies of Mexico's cause.
Numerous American churches, cities and universities have declared that they will defend undocumented immigrants. There are border states whose economies are deeply integrated with Mexico's and industries that would collapse without NAFTA. And hundreds of communities and hometown associations send remittances to Mexico. Pena Nieto's government could coordinate with these actors to look after their shared interests and present a united front against Donald Trump's anti-immigrant, anti-NAFTA agenda.
Instead of building relationships and alliances, however, Pena Nieto's administration seems determined to isolate itself - to give up. It's as if the only constituency for Mexican foreign policy were one person: The Donald.
The threat that Trump represents to Mexico is, or could be, an extraordinary platform for demonstrating political leadership. But based on the disquieting decisions that President Pena Nieto has made thus far, it is impossible not to ask: who is Mexico's government working for?
By John Hudak
What to make of Jeff Sessions as the nation's next Attorney General? Well, first, if you oppose his nomination: Take a deep breath. He is going to be confirmed; he is going to be Attorney General. It's fantasy to think Sessions' nomination will be derailed.
Once you've achieved acceptance, it's important to think about what he will be like as Attorney General. There is no doubt he will be a staunch opponent of immigration reform, work hard to deport as many undocumented individuals as possible, try to OK every abortion restriction the Congress can get passed, and make conservative orthodoxy mainstream in the Department of Justice.
RELATED STORY: 6 Reasons Why Marijuana Wins No Matter Who Becomes Attorney General
But what will he do with marijuana policy? This issue is a tricky one because he has spent a career as a fierce drug warrior. However, after a question from Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) about enforcement of CBD oil in states that have reformed their laws, Sessions responded:
"I won't commit to never enforcing federal law, Senator Leahy. But absolutely it's a problem of resources for the federal government. The Department of Justice under Lynch and Holder set forth some policies that they thought were appropriate to define what cases should be prosecuted in states that have legalized at least in some fashion some parts of marijuana. I think some of them are truly valuable in evaluating cases but fundamentally, the criticism I think that was legitimate is that they may not have been followed. Using good judgment about how to handle these cases will be a responsibility of mine."
So, what does this mean? It's a tap dance for sure. But it suggests that as Attorney General, Jeff Sessions knows that accounting is as important as enforcement. The Justice Department has an annual budget of over $27 billion -- a ton of money, for sure. But it gets spent fast.
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Jeff Sessions knows this. Every US government administrator -- from the manager of a small division of a bureau to a cabinet secretary -- has to make choices about how to spend funds. For an Attorney General, that means making hard choices about where, when, and to what extent to enforce laws. Prosecutors cut plea deals not only because they guarantee convictions, but because they also save money. Law enforcement officials make choices like these everyday, and Jeff Sessions will have to do the same.
On marijuana, Sessions faces choices. He can crack down on government officials, companies, investors, working within regulated industries in the states that have reformed marijuana laws. That's low hanging fruit. It's easy to know who these people are, where they are operating and the extent of their violations of federal law -- because they are doing it in the open.
However, Sessions will be reminded constantly that every dollar he uses to shut down a legal recreational dispensary in Denver or raid a medical marijuana grower in San Francisco or arrest a cancer patient in Boston, is one less dollar he can spend on cracking down on illegal international marijuana supply networks; distributors of fentanyl; peddlers of heroin or other black market, unregulated sources of the world's most dangerous drugs.
For an Alabama Senator, it is easy to group a state-legal, regulated marijuana operator, doling out bud in Seattle with a black market smuggler of fentanyl, nervously overseeing a shipping container crossing the Pacific. However, as Attorney General, it's not that easy.
Sessions' testimony blends a commitment to the rule of law with a pragmatic approach to governing -- something geeks like me at the Brookings Institution call "enforcement discretion." He was clear that he didn't think the Holder/Lynch policies (likely meaning the Cole & Ogden Memos) were wrong. In fact, he called them "truly valuable." His concern was that the DOJ hasn't been faithful to those policies -- something few would disagree with.
RELATED STORY: 11 Essential Books About Marijuana
This is not to say Jeff Sessions will be a warrior for the status quo -- what I call the "Obama Doctrine on Marijuana." But, he's not the marijuana industry's angel of death either. Yes, he will join hands with the soon-to-be-named DEA chief and drug czar, at the pulpit of conservative government, and preach the gospels of prohibition. Yes, you'll probably see some state-level crackdowns, as well.
But, as Marijuana Majority's Tom Angell has pointed out, on marijuana, Sessions sounded a lot like Loretta Lynch did in her confirmation hearing. And if Attorney General Sessions behaves more like Loretta Lynch and Eric Holder than ... well ... Senator Sessions, the marijuana industry, its consumers and patients will breathe a sigh of relief.
John Hudak is deputy director of the Center for Effective Public Management and a senior fellow in Governance Studies. Hudak is also the author of Marijuana: A Short History, which offers a unique, up-to-date profile of how cannabis emerged from the shadows of counterculture and illegality to become a serious, even mainstream, public policy issue and source of legal revenue for both businesses and governments.
People can't stop talking about President Obama's farewell address, which sure is saying something, because presidential farewells are typically regarded as snoozers. (President George W. Bush's staff reportedly had to beg networks to air his.) There's no question that part of the reason why Obama's remarks were water cooler-caliber was because they were uncommonly eloquent (which they were), or because we're having end-of-term nostalgia (which many people undoubtedly are), or because his tone was so strikingly dissimilar to the tone taken by his successor the next day. But I think the reason the speech resonated with so many people was because of its spot-on emphasis: that in this unchartered, unfamiliar landscape we find ourselves in, the way forward lies in so-called ordinary people coming together for common purpose. And that truth unmistakably leads us to the conclusion that social impact organizations have an increasingly important role to play. Here are some quotes from Tuesday's address that speak to this.
Change only happens when ordinary people get involved, and they get engaged, and they come together to demand it.
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If there's anything Americans take from the speech, I hope it's these four calls to action: get involved, get engaged, come together, and demand. All four need to happen to effect change. Alcohol and automobiles coexisted for nearly three-quarters of a century, with more than a million people in a decade having been killed or injured by drunk drivers, before Mothers Against Drunk Driving joined together, dove into the issue, and demanded change - and succeeded within five years.
Individuals should join with organizations whose missions they support, and individual organizations should join forces with other like-minded organizations for maximum effect.
Roll up your sleeves and get involved by doing the work yourselves, and amplify your voice and your efforts by joining with others, to the point that they can't be ignored.
What a radical idea, the great gift that our Founders gave to us. The freedom to chase our individual dreams through our sweat, and toil, and imagination -- and the imperative to strive together as well, to achieve a common good, a greater good.
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After more than 25 years of working with underserved, poverty-stricken communities, this is what I know to be true: that the vast majority of the people who live in them are looking only for the opportunity to go as far as their own abilities, efforts, and dreams will take them - especially for their children. Children like Tyliek, who was born in the Brownsville/East New York section of Brooklyn, one of the most disadvantaged communities in the country. Worried about the quality of education he would get there, and the culture of gangs and crime that was difficult to escape, his mother sent him to The Child Center of NY's Aspirations Diploma Plus High School, where students have access to academic assistance, internships, and an advocate counselor whom students can count on for guidance. There were times Tyliek stumbled on his path toward graduation and a better life, but the support system at Aspirations was there to help him secure his footing. Today, he's a student at SUNY Buffalo State, where he made the Dean's List. He talks to kids in his neighborhood about college -something they previously couldn't see themselves pursuing -and is no more likely to pursue a life of crime than you or I. The more people who contribute to the greater good, the better off we all are.
Understand democracy does not require uniformity. Our founders argued, they quarreled, and eventually they compromised. They expected us to do the same. But they knew that democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity. The idea that, for all our outward differences, we're all in this together, that we rise or fall as one.
And here it is, democracy in a nutshell. In order to keep ours healthy, we can, and must, disagree with each other, argue the merits of what we advocate for, and compromise when needed in order to implement solutions. When we see our country primarily through an us-vs.-them lens, our democracy ceases to be a healthy one. Obama got to the heart of the matter again later in his speech when he said, "If every economic issue is framed as a struggle between a hardworking white middle class and an undeserving minority, then workers of all shades are going to be left fighting for scraps while the wealthy withdraw further into their private enclaves." By offering Tyliek the tools to avoid the troubled path that society would predict for him, was he part of an "undeserving minority" getting special treatment? Not any more than a child in different circumstances is undeserving of the special treatment of personal tutoring, SAT courses, and other advantages that his or her parents can afford. But to argue who has it worse or better is missing the point. Let's give both groups of people the opportunity and tools to reach their full potential, and support them. It's hard to see how our nation wouldn't benefit from more people contributing.
Yes, our progress has been uneven. The work of democracy has always been hard. It has been contentious. Sometimes it has been bloody. For every two steps forward, it often feels we take one step back. But the long sweep of America has been defined by forward motion, a constant widening of our founding creed to embrace all, and not just some.
As I wrote shortly after the election, it's still my belief that people respond better to community and unity than they do to hatred and divisiveness. That my faith is well placed is underscored by the fact that not only are social impact organizations deepening their commitment to their missions in the face of all this uncertainty and division, but the American public is overwhelmingly supporting them. I can't even count the number of emails I received from social impact organizations in the day or days after the election, reaffirming their resolve. And the momentum hasn't abated. A couple of weeks after the election, The Social Justice Coalition of the Cambridge Health Alliance posted an open letter entitled, "From America's Healers: A Letter to Our Patients in the Trump Era"; it's garnered thousands of co-signatories. And just yesterday, I received an email from an organization called Legal Hand stating, "In this time of uncertainty, we are coming together to reaffirm our commitment to all members of our community (immigrants, Muslims, LGBTQ, all)" and announcing an open house on Inauguration Day. These are just two of many, many examples.
This deepened resolve on the part of social impact organizations has been met by an equal, if not larger, organic movement by the public to support them. In the days after the election, social impact orgs saw an unprecedented uptick in contributions of money, time, and vocal support.
What a spectacular mess American politics is. First, on Tuesday night, there was outgoing President Barack Obama, back in elegant orator mode after spending far too much of his presidency in closed-off complexity, reminded most of America why it liked him in the first place. Then, on Wednesday morning, we had incoming President-elect Donald Trump's shambolic but effectively defiant first press conference in a half-year, dealing with silly-sounding sexual allegations while questions of the most profound sorts of conflict of interest floated by the board.
The sex stuff doesn't look any smarter in the aftermath. In fact, quite the contrary, with the embattled editor of the outlet that published unsubstantiated hearsay foolishly opining: "We are now in an era when you have to engage in false statements."
That is dangerous nonsense. Not to mention an attitude which creates its own backfire.
There will be plenty of time to fully assess the Obama Presidency. When he took the oath of office nearly eight years ago, my column on his inaugural, full of optimism and hopes for history, was at the top of the HuffPost front page. Suffice to say that my highest hopes were not achieved.
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Still, I've never regretted Obama being president, even when I've strongly disagreed with what he was, or was not, doing. He is someone for Americans and all citizens of the world to be proud of.
If he was sometimes too quick to go along with obviously faulty Pentagon group-think (Afghanistan escalation), secret state machinations (the unexamined drone strike program and overly expansive surveillance apparat), and boardroom bailouts (the toothless refinancing of Wall Street speculation) -- or too slow on the trigger (the, ah, "jayvee team" of Isis) -- well, he sure wasn't perfect. But he played the worst hand given to a president since Franklin D. Roosevelt entered the White House at the height of the Great Depression pretty darn well and got quite a lot right. Especially the tone of the thing.
"The essential spirit of this country -- the essential spirit of innovation and practical problem-solving that guided our Founders. "It is that spirit, born of the Enlightenment, that made us an economic powerhouse -- the spirit that took flight at Kitty Hawk and Cape Canaveral; the spirit that cures disease and put a computer in every pocket. "It's that spirit -- a faith in reason, and enterprise, and the primacy of right over might -- that allowed us to resist the lure of fascism and tyranny during the Great Depression; that allowed us to build a post-World War II order with other democracies, an order based not just on military power or national affiliations but built on principles -- the rule of law, human rights, freedom of religion, and speech, and assembly, and an independent press. "That order is now being challenged ..." from President Barack Obama's Farewell Address
With Obama, rational discussion is paramount. Debate might not take place, but it generally does, and when it does it proceeds on mostly constructive lines. Which, er, brings us to his successor.
The unsurprisingly surprising president-elect's mind probably is not as chaotic as it often appears. He may be a mad hatter, but he is also crazy like a fox. Sometimes.
One of those times was his Wednesday morning press conference.
It's generally not a good thing to be accused of weird sexual perversions. But ... attention hyper-partisan journalistic tyros. If anybody can make that work, as anyone paying attention should already have figured out, since you were so badly shocked by his election, it's Donald Trump.
As just happened. Quick, what do you remember most about Trump's wacky stop-and-start press conference?
Anything about his big policy contradictions? His wild avoidance of any real reckoning with obvious massive conflicts of interest?
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Or do you remember him shutting down CNN -- once the most respected name in global news -- as "fake news" for playing up an unconfirmed, sexed-up "dossier" compiled by an ex-Brit spy for eagerly paying Trump haters in both parties?
Rolling with that stuff helps Trump. It makes the media who play along look like sophomoric participants in an increasingly non-serious free-for-all, even though most outlets had steered clear of the the stuff for months.
As longtime readers know, I think a lot of negative things about Donald J. Trump (though I would be happy to be proved wrong), and have been warning of his know-nothing, neo-fascist tendencies ever since I realized in summer 2015 that he was, bizarrely, the coming thing in American politics.
But, no, I don't think that Trump, disturbingly erratic though he is, is either stupid enough or crazy enough to pay some Russian hookers to put on a "Golden Showers" sex show for him in a Moscow hotel. Especially since he had actually come close to running for president not long before that.
If you are going to run with crazy shit like that, you had better have it nailed. This story is about as nailed down as jello.
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So instead, of course, Trump gets to play the victim, not just of the media but of the intelligence community, which passed on the private report in confidence to Obama and Trump. And all of it while there is still a serious outstanding question of why he is not just respectful of Russia, which would be appropriate, but fanboyishly enthusiastic about the extremely capable but decidedly cold-ass Vladimir Putin.
Incidentally, is the intelligence community out to get Trump? The estimable Glenn Greenwald, who makes some good if somewhat overwrought points about "the Deep State" in America and its anti-Trump views, and who deserves great credit for his work in the Snowden affair and other matters, says the intelligence community is out to get Trump. After all, he notes, Trump, more so than Hillary Clinton, opposes some key aspects of perma-war.
But, having followed this stuff and known some of these folks since the late '70s, it seems to me that there is not so much an intelligence community as there is an intelligence archipelago.
And it's not at all clear there is even one monolithic CIA. After all, the neocons were very much out to get CIA folks during the first Bush/Cheney term for being much less than enthused about their imperial designs on Iraq, Iran et al. They even tried to set up new intelligence agencies to bypass the old.
Incidentally, if you think there are only (!) 17 intelligence agencies, or that you know all the names of the agencies, you are certainly wrong in the first instance and almost certainly wrong in the second. Not only is the "intelligence community" an archipelago never quite charted, it is an acronym abyss.
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Even Greenwald doesn't quite get his big-time intelligence players straight.
He calls Mike Morell, a career CIA deputy who was acting director -- a very political player of Clintonite cast after massaging the Benghazi story the wrong way -- a full-fledged former CIA director. And he has retired General Michael Hayden as George W. Bush's former CIA and NSA director when, in reality, he, too, was a Clintonite from the get-go in the campaign just past, having been plucked from two-star obscurity to become Bill Clinton's director of the National Security Agency. (Which, not incidentally, is much bigger than the CIA, not to mention more mysterious and multi-faceted.)
Of course, there is more smoke to the allegations against Trump than the salacious stuff for which there is no proof, as a BBC report makes clear.
These concern not kinky sex, that Trump would have to be very self-destructive to have indulged in under the circumstances of which all sophisticated visitors to Moscow are only too well aware, but more concrete forms of support for Trump and interference in our politics. Is it all a blend of hogwash and hyper-suspicion, stirred up by inquiries from a panoply of antithetical intel types? Or is there more to Trump's Russophilia besides a different point of view?
To be sure, Trump is in a troublesome state as he prepares to enter office.
Obama has mostly outstanding job approval ratings.
In contrast, Trump and his transition effort are historically unpopular as he prepares to take the oath of office.
But indulging in the silly sexcapades stuff, while no doubt emotionally satisfying for some frustrated by the shock of their lives that was the 2016 presidential election, actually tosses Trump a lifeline. Since the allegations are unsubstantiated, and it is not as though a lot of folks have not tried to substantiate them, and sound ridiculous to boot, it all looks like a smear of Trump.
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Folks, there is so much that is factually, demonstrably problematic with the president-elect that there is no need to indulge in yet another form of wishful thinking.
When you smear Trump, with nothing to back it up, you make him look like a victim. Which is an obviously bad idea. And the news media, which is already at historic lows of credibility, looks even worse. As should be obvious.
By Miles Harter, ZEALnyc Contributing Writer, January 13, 2017
Theatre can be an excellent vehicle for audiences to enjoy and learn from the entertaining depiction of historical events. Mark Felt, Superstar, a new musical at the York Theatre Company, as part of its New2NY Series and presented as a staged reading, is perfect. It has just the right mix of thought-provoking content, history, music, whimsy, and humor.
Mark Felt, Superstar takes us back to the 1970s and the Watergate scandal, but also relays a timeless story of tragedy and ambition. One does not have to be a history buff (or over age 50) to appreciate the Watergate story and the brilliant approach of this musical. By way of brief background, in 1972 Republican operatives broke into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate Hotel. The break-in and ensuing cover-up was directly linked to many of President Richard M. Nixon's aides. Two Washington Post reporters, Carl Bernstein and Robert Woodward, conducted an intense investigation, which included many contacts with an informer, who provided "deep background" for their investigation. That person received the moniker "Deep Throat." Ultimately, many of Nixon's aides went to jail, and Nixon himself resigned in August 1974. For more than 30 years, the identity of "Deep Throat" was unknown -- Bernstein and Woodward refused to identify their source. But in a bombshell revelation in 2005, a man named Mark Felt, then in his 90s, who had been the FBI Deputy Director for part of the 1970s, identified himself as the whistleblower known as Deep Throat.
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The book of Mark Felt, Superstar and jazzy music and lyrics, were all written by the very accomplished Joshua Rosenblum, who also serves as the musical director. Rosenblum deftly relates the story of Mark Felt, through delicious dialogue and wonderful musical numbers, ranging from purely comical to poignant, transporting us back into recent history. A bonus for the audience at the stage reading was observing Mr. Rosenblum's expert piano playing for the show that he obviously has so lovingly created. The program includes a passionately written "Author's Note," in which Mr. Rosenblum expresses his views on the crisis of faith in government in the 1970s, and the current state of political affairs.
The very talented cast of five perform superbly. They play a total of 24 different characters, each with the appropriate amount of humor or sadness. Many of the colorful and evil characters of the Watergate scandal make cameo appearances--the actors simply hold up a picture of the character and assume the role. The photographs provocatively remind (or introduce, as the case may be) theatregoers to the Watergate cast of characters, alternatingly causing shudders (like the picture of John Mitchell, the convicted former Attorney General under Nixon) or guffaws (like the picture of Mitchell's wife, the colorful and garrulous Martha Mitchell).
The star of the show is Neal Mayer, as Mark Felt, who even bears a resemblance to the pictures of Felt. He gracefully inhabits the role, becoming both sympathetic and tragic. Vanessa Lemonides skillfully assumes several roles, and is luminous as Audrey Felt, Mark's wife. She brings down the house in one number, called "Audrey Felt," singing wistfully about what Audrey Felt felt.
Mark Felt, Superstar reminds us that the system actually worked in the 1970s. The show also serves as a reminder of what we can and must do today to assure the continued success of our liberal democracy.
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Mark Felt, Superstar, presented by the York Theatre Company at the Theatre at Saint Peter's, 619 Lexington Avenue. Limited engagement runs through Sunday, January 15, 2017. Book, music, and lyrics by Joshua Rosenblum. Directed by Annette Jolles; musical direction by Joshua Rosenblum; lighting design by Brian Nason; scenic consultant, James Morgan; production manager, Nick Puglia. Cast: Peter Benson, Will Erat, Vanessa Lemonides, Neal Mayer, and Michael McCoy.
Cover: (l. to r.) Vanessa Lemonides, Will Erat, Neal Mayer, Peter Benson and Michael McCoy in 'Mark Felt, Superstar;' photo: Ben Strothman
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Miles Harter, a Contributing Writer for ZEALnyc, writes about theater performance and lifestyle events.
For more features from ZEALnyc read:
Bill Self, Kurtis Townsend won't be on sidelines for KU's first four games
Chinese President Xi Jinping(L), who is also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds a welcoming ceremony for Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, before their talks in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 12, 2017. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)
Communist Party chiefs of China and Vietnam agreed in Beijing on Thursday that two countries should expand cooperation in various fields including maritime exploration and put ties on the right track.
Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, held talks with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong at the Great Hall of the People.
Xi hailed the growth of the all-round strategic cooperative partnership, citing progress in friendship, political trust, cooperation and cultural exchanges.
Likening the two countries as "comrades and brothers," Xi said China views relations with Vietnam strategically and from a long-term perspective, and hopes that the two countries will properly manage and control disputes.
Xi suggested cementing political trust through close contact between top leaders and parties to offer strategic guidance. He proposed expanding military and security cooperation, and coordinating on global issues.
The two should advance people-to-people exchanges, in particular among the youth, and boost cooperation in education, culture, media, tourism and sports, Xi said.
With regard to maritime disputes, Xi urged both sides to increase communication and consolidate mutual trust, in order to lay a solid political foundation for the settlement of disputes and work together on maritime exploration and cooperation.
Trong also spoke of expanded maritime cooperation and achievements in trade, investment, tourism, defense and security.
Trong's visit comes as both countries celebrate the 67th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
It is Trong's first China visit since he was re-elected chief of the CPV last January, and his first foreign trip in 2017. He is also the first foreign leader China has received this year, which reveals the importance both sides attach to their partnership.
Trong congratulated Xi on China's achievements under the leadership of the 18th CPC Central Committee.
Hailing the visits between himself and Xi in 2015, Trong said the progress in relations between the two countries and parties is exciting.
Healthy Vietnam-China ties are in the fundamental interests of parties, nations and peoples, he said. It is the top priority of Vietnam's foreign policy to enhance partnership with China.
Why So Many Music Startups Fail And What We Can Do About It
Why do so many music startups fail, and can we do anything to prevent it? Here we look at some alarming evidence demonstrating the incredibly high rate of failure in the music startup world, and if the end of innovation is nigh.
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Digital Deficiency: Why Music Startups Are Failing And What We Can Do About It
Guest bost by Andres Sanchez, CEO and founder of Tribes
Just a few weeks ago, at the BBC Music Conference in London, this was the simple but rather scary proposition up for discussion on the final panel session. The evidence was damning: After showing a slide of the hottest music start-ups five years ago, the presenter, the mighty Rory Cellan-Jones, moved on to another slide showing that just a handful remained. Among the dearly departed were This Is My Jam, SoundDrop, Bloom.fm, Rdio, Bob.fm, Shuffler.fm and, of course the one that suffered perhaps the hardest and noisiest fall, Crowdmix.
The slides raised a slew of questions, above all, why do music startups fail so frequently? This topic has exercised some prominent music figures of late, including Andy Edwards in his Music Business Worldwide piece Sympathy for the devil: why do so few music startups succeed. More robustly, Jim McDermott contended that Most Music Tech Startups Didnt Know Shit About How Labels Worked, which was itself a response to David Pakman, a VC at Venrock, who wrote The Music Industry Buried More Than 150 StartupsNow They are Left to Dance with the Giants.
"there is no industry standard for agreements
between labels, publishers and artists"
Whatever the disputes, there seems to be general agreement about the complexity of the industry and the issues with copyright and rights holders (If blockchain has any chance to change this may be subject of a full conference). Frustratingly, there is no industry standard for agreements between labels, publishers and artists. Deals are struck on a case-by-case basis and every few years, changing trends make things more complicated still.
In the industrys golden age(the 70s and 80s), musicians careers were almost entirely managed by the labels. Though the musicians themselves only had to worry about recording, playing and touring, the flip side was that they had to surrender much of their creative freedom and, frequently, the rights to their creations.
In more recent years, musicians arrangements have become more varied than ever before. On one extreme, some acts opt for 360 degree contracts that even include everything to do with touring. On the other, independently minded acts are handling almost the entire process, whether its retaining rights to all their work or managing their own marketing. This blizzard of arrangements makes it nigh-on impossible for an innovative start-up to access a legal catalogue of music (unless it has very deep pockets). And even those that can arrange a deal to get access face formidable obstacles to turning a profit. That a company as vast as Spotify is still making losses of $194 million, despite revenues topping $2 billion, shows the scale of the challenge.
So if a lot of these former startup stars are no longer with us, does that mean weve entered a period of consolidation? It would certainly appear so. Music streaming is increasingly coalescing around three or four titans, whose actions have largely been spurred by that plucky Swedish startup that took the music world by storm. (How did Spotify do it? We can only marvel at their creativity, passion and relentless determination.)
But with these giants battling it out overhead, what does that mean for the nimble new guys down below? Is there any room for innovative approaches?
Can small companies find a path to growth in this market?
Whatever our conference presenters said, there are definite grounds for optimism. One of the worlds top accelerators, Techstars recently began a specalised music programme with the firm belief that there are still big opportunities in the sector. Having learned some hard lessons, a new breed of music startups is emerging, including TechCrunch Disrupt winners Juckdeck or Superphone run by musician and visionary Ryan Leslie. Some of the more established names are continuing to progress, too, including Mixcloud, Shazam, Boiler Room, 8tracks, who recently raised over $2.5 million through equity-crowdfunding, and the incredible Kobalt. Though not full-on music startups as such, music-related social apps such as Music.ly or Dubsmash have also shown the dynamism on show in the sector.
Bottom line: music startups can still thrill and succeed but, as Mr McDermott so eloquently suggested, they have to know the industry very well and understand how it works. They also have to do proper market research to spot opportunities and gaps to genuinely improve fans experience of music. Our research and experience has led us to conclude that a key way forward is to create propositions that complement rather than compete with music streaming services. Already, music streaming is becoming fairly standardized, with all the industry giants adopting a similar approach. It is pretty much impossible to compete with the likes of Spotify for music streaming, or with Google or Amazon for AI, so music startups need to rely on ever more creativity and finding answers to some key questions.
"How can we enrich fans experience of the music they love?"
How can we create a closer relationship between fans and artists? Can we provide data and insights that no streaming service can generate? How can gamification be introduced to music? How can artists and labels earn more from their work rather than simply relying on some concert tickets and often modest levels of royalties?
Ultimately, music relies on people, on the music lover who consumes it. So the key question has to be, how can we enrich fans experience of the music they love?
After over ten years in music and four years in music-tech, with products that have evolved from a live-streaming platform (Living Indie) to a music-streaming service (humm), weve learned huge amounts about the sector and come up with our own answer to these questions: Tribes, a messaging app aimed squarely at music, curated by and for music fans, artists and their labels.
So to return to the original question, no, were not seeing the end of innovation in digital music. As ever, it boils down to asking the right questions and, as were convinced weve done with Tribes, coming up with the right answers.
Andres Sanchez is CEO and founder of Tribes, humm and Living Indie.
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No comment was immediately available from Alibaba.
Chinese e-commerce group Alibaba is considering setting up a European logistics center in Bulgaria, the Bulgarian government and Xinhua said on Wednesday.
Representatives of Alibaba Group, GS-Solar Company and GoldPoly Group met Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov on Wednesday to explore investment opportunities, the government said in a statement.
Bulgaria has yet to take advantage of China's plans to expand its presence in central and Eastern Europe under its "One Belt, One Road" strategy to carve out new export markets between Asia and Europe.
"Alibaba Group's ideas for investments are linked to setting up a logistics center to back up their operations in Europe. The project will also include trading of Bulgarian goods and foods in the international market," the government said.
The government has also said solar module producer GS-Solar is considering a plant to produce solar panels, while GoldPoly Group was interested in buying Bulgarian tobacco.
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-bulgaria-economy-alibaba-idUSKBN14V226
(Global Times) 08:29, January 13, 2017
A man and a woman tries out virtual reality (VR) glasses in a roller coaster simulator at Leke VR Park on November 26, 2016 in Beijing. VR is becoming increasingly popular in China.
A number of e-retailers selling VR devices in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, are facing some legal problems for sweetening their deals with free smut, the Xinhua News Agency reported Saturday.
According to prosecutors in the city's Baoan district, three suspects were charged on December 21 for sending customers more than 800 links to online pornography, Xinhua reported Friday.
So far the Shenzhen authorities have charged 19 online vendors with distributing pornographic videos along with their VR devices.
To date, a total of 27 people involved in nine cases have been detained on suspicion of spreading pornography, according to an announcement released by the Shenzhen People's Procuratorate.
All but one of the suspects are under 30, with some younger than 18, the procuratorate said.
Part of the movie
When the Global Times reporter contacted VR retailers on Taobao, China's biggest online shopping website, all the retailers claimed they include free porn with every VR device.
"We give you the movies so you can have an extraordinary experience with our devices. It will feel like you are part of the movie," one retailer told the Global Time.
She claimed giving away porn for free is common practice among VR retail business on Taobao. "Most of the retailers do this, and free porn is a big selling point," she added.
The retailer said she will send customers a hard drive, which contains up to 2 terabytes of pornography, and links to porn videos were sent through QQ messenger or shared via Baidu cloud drive accounts.
"This content is sensitive, we prefer to transfer it to you via chat tools instead of Taobao, which is supervised by Alibaba," said the retailer.
"Many people don't come to buy VR devices. They only want porn. But we cannot sell porn directly, so we combine them, and this can give customers a better experience," another retailer on Taobao told the Global Times.
Some Taobao retailers were pulling in up to 3 million yuan ($432,574) a month by offering free porn videos, a common practice among VR sellers, said the release from Shenzhen People's Procuratorate.
Statistics from Google Trends shows that searches for 'VR porn' have increased by 9,900% over the past 17 months, Business Wire, a US-based business news platform reported in December 2016.
China's Criminal Law stipulates that those disseminating obscene books, magazines, films, audio or video products, pictures, or any other kind of obscene materials can be sentenced to two years in prison or put under criminal detention or surveillance.
Those organizing the broadcasting or showing of obscene motion pictures, video films, or other kinds of audio or video products are to be sentenced to up to three years in prison or put under criminal detention or surveillance, in addition to having to pay a fine, according to the law.
The buyers won't receive punishment unless they disseminate pornography, Wang Zhenyu, deputy director of the Public Decision-Making Research Center at the China University of Political Science and Law, told the Global Times on Wednesday.
Beyond porn
The Wall Street Journal estimated in 2016 that VR was very likely to be a tough sell to consumers in the near future, even if it is affordable, for it is a brand new technology and it imposes physical demands on users.
Despite these gloomy predictions aboout individual consumers, the VR industry is actually flourishing in China. Hundreds of VR cinemas, cafes, and "experience rooms" are springing up across the country, offering a VR experience for about the price of a movie ticket.
Companies are investing heavily, and some offer VR headsets for as little as $20. Analysts expect the virtual reality industry in China to reach to US$8.5 billion by 2020, a surge supported by the government as it seeks ways to diversify the economy away from heavy manufacturing.
Many governments are attempting to develop VR to stimulate their economy, according to the People's Daily.
Guizhou Province introduced preferential policies to support VR in 2016, and aims to attract 70 firms with a total production value of 560 million yuan.
Wang Xuru, a manager of a Chongqing technology company, told the Global Times that VR is still at its infant stage.
"Many cheap devices cannot yet be used in other areas to benefit our daily life due to the slow production of VR content in China, and lack of related products," said Wang.
A defecting North Korean diplomat has said that North Korea until recently earned tens of millions of dollars every year through insurance fraud.Thae Yong-ho, who defected from Pyongyangs embassy in London, said North Koreas insurance scams have been going on for 30 years, according to a UPI report. North Korea allegedly began scamming the London international insurance market when founder Kim Il Sung was still head of the country and his son Kim Jong Il was his second in command.In North Korea, there is only one state-owned insurance company, so that even if it fabricates an accident, there is no way to verify its claims, Thae told South Korean news outlet Yonhap. After purchasing international insurance or reinsurance for state infrastructure, documents are forged (for phony claims), which earns the state tens of millions of dollars a year.However, economic sanctions against North Korea implemented by Britain and the EU cut off that revenue stream in May, according to UPI.
Officer Sherry Burdick has been promoted to sergeant in Clarksburg. Sgt. Burdick gets a hug from Officer Peter Wheeler, whose position she is taking. PreviousNext
Clarksburg Board OKs Police Officers Swapping Positions
Chief Michael Williams explains that Peter Wheeler had asked to be returned to patrol officer because of other endeavors.
CLARKSBURG, Mass. The Select Board approved a swap of jobs and salaries for two of its police officers on Wednesday.
Sgt. Peter Wheeler asked to be demoted to patrol officer, and Sherry Burdick was promoted in his place.
"Officer Wheeler had made the request as he has future endeavors that he is pursuing and he would like to assist in the transition of the sergeant," said Police Chief Michael Williams in presenting the request.
Wheeler is preparing to open a cafe in the former Oh, Crepe! space on Main Street in North Adams that will take up much of his time.
"Sgt. Wheeler has done an exemplary job in his position and has served the last four years as sergeant," Williams said.
Burdick, he said, had the background experience to handle the sergeant's post. Burdick studied criminal justice at Adirondack Community College in Queensbury, N.Y., and has worked as a campus police officer at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts since 2002. She also has been a part-time officer with the North Adams Police Department and, since 2010, with the Clarksburg force.
In other business, the board was informed that the senior citizen work program would have a reduction in hours to accommodate the raise in the state minimum wage from $10 to $11. Seniors were working up to two hours a week for the town, up to 100 hours, to get a $1,000 discount off their taxes. That will now be one hour and 45 minutes a week up to 90.9 hours.
Summary of initial schemes for the renovation or rebuild of Clarksburg School. Scheme A would rebuild the west wing, add a new wing and gym near the library. The committee also liked Scheme C, which again was a renovation addition but had the option of leaving off the gym. The committee is also considering an option to combine C & D, which also could leave off the gym. PreviousNext
Clarksburg School Building Committee See Initial Plans
School Building Committee members will have to make a decision on which plans to move forward with at their next meeting.
CLARKSBURG, Mass. The School Building Committee got its first look at plans for a new or renovated school and the cost gave members pause.
The initial project estimates range from $12 million to $24 million on the high side; most put the town's cost at about $8.75 million to $12 million.
Architects Margo Jones and Kristian Whitsett of Jones Whitsett Architects presented the committee Thursday with six possible layouts. The schemes ranged from a total renovation, partial renovation and new construction to a totally new school.
"What you are seeing here tonight are very broad concepts," Whitsett said. "We don't want you to worry about where a specific room is or its size. We are really looking at broad concepts."
The architects noted that they are currently working with a 50 percent Massachusetts School Building Authority reimbursement rate. The actual reimbursement for Clarksburg is believed to be closer to 62 percent.
In winnowing down the options, the committee first tossed out the renovation-only scheme that was estimated to cost between $10 to $12 million. For Clarksburg, this would cost around $5.5 million.
Although the cheapest option, Superintendent Johnathan Lev said it would not address the space issues in the building that triggered the project.
"One of my big things is space, and we need more room in this building," he said. "That is one thing with a new gym that it would do if we just renovate the gym and have a cafeteria in there like we have now, we are losing space."
They also tossed out total new construction pegged between $22 million to $24 million, estimated to cost the town nearly $12 million. It would also be difficult to build on the hilly terrain.
The committee favored schemes A and C because they addressed the west primary wing of the building that is made of wood and in bad shape.
"I have a hard time seeing that primary wing stay the way as it is," Principal Tara Barnes said. "It would be building on something we don't feel good about."
Scheme A calls for the demolition of part of the primary wing to the west and adding an addition that would be used for younger grades.
A new 5,000-square-foot gym would also be placed near the library off the new wing. This is double the size of the current gym that does triple duty as assembly room and cafeteria as well.
Scheme A is estimated between $16.5 million and $18.5 million, which means it could cost Clarksburg $8.75 million.
Scheme C also addressed the primary wing of the building with additional rooms near the library. The gym would be built off the east wing of the school.
Whitsett said a prefabricated building could be used to house the new west wing as a cheaper option.
This option is estimated between $18 million to $20 million, or about $9.5 million for the town.
Architect Kristian Whitsett walks the committee through the options for Clarksburg School.
Brian Laroche of Potomac Capital Advisors, the school district's owner's project manager, did note that the town would be reimbursed more money for renovated areas as opposed to new construction. He said a new west wing would be more expensive than a renovation
"We are taking construction as poor as it is and we are removing it and then we are replacing so we haven't really added much," he said. "You have spent all of that money and you don't get as much total square footage back."
Southwestern Vermont Health Care Announces Three New Members to its Board of Trustees
BENNINGTON, Vt. Southwestern Vermont Health Care has announced the appointments of three new members to its Board of Trustees.
"These individuals have unique skills and experiences and will make tremendous contributions to our Board of Trustees," said Tommy Harmon, the board chair. "I am delighted to welcome them and eager to see what we can accomplish together."
Wayne Granquist is graduate of Tufts University and Harvard Law School. His career in government included posts as chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Abraham Ribicoff (1964-1969) and as associate director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget in the Carter White House (1977-1981). His business experience includes positions as a vice president of the Connecticut Bank and Trust Company, president of the Fairfield County National Bank of Connecticut, coowner and president of the Stratton Mountain Resort in Vermont, and partner and managing director at Manchester Capital Management, from which he retired in 1996.
Granquist is currently a consultant to nonprofit organizations on strategic planning, governance, and managementboard relations, and was named by the governor to chair the Southern Vermont Economic Development Zone Committee in 2015. Granquist serves on the boards of Vermont Public Radio and the Weston Playhouse Theatre Company and was a trustee of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center from 2000-2012. He and his wife Deborah live in Weston, Vt., where he is town moderator.
Connie A. Jastremski has nearly five decades of nursing experience. She received her diploma from Presbyterian-University Hospital School of Nursing in Pittsburgh in 1969, her bachelor's in nursing from University of Maryland School of Nursing in 1980, her master's in nursing from University of Maryland School of Graduate Studies in 1982, and a post-master's certificate for Adult Nurse Practitioner from the College of Nursing, SUNY Health Science Center in Syracuse, N.Y., in 1998. Her special certifications include those in neurosurgical nursing, nursing administration, and hospice and palliative care. In addition, she holds a master's in Business Administration from Syracuse University.
Chinese President Xi Jinpings upcoming state visit to Switzerland, which will be his first overseas trip in 2017 and first visit to the country by a Chinese President in the 21st century, will help open a new chapter in bilateral ties, wrote Chinese Ambassador to Switzerland Geng Wenbing in a signed article published on People's Daily on Thursday.
Switzerland, located in the heart of Europe, possesses the worlds most wealth on a per capita basis as well as a strong ability in innovation, Geng wrote, adding that the European country is a global leader in high-end manufacturing, finance, pharmaceutical chemicals, life sciences and environmental protection as well.
On January 17, 1950, then Swiss President Max Petitpierre sent a letter to Chinese Chairman Mao Zedongmaking Switzerland one of the first Western countries to acknowledge the new-born People's Republic of China. The two countries officially established diplomatic relations in September of the same year.
Comparing the bilateral friendship to a snowy mountain in the article, Geng said that frequent high-level exchanges, acting like the mountains peak, guides the overall progress of bilateral ties.
Xi's visitcomes less than a year after his Swiss counterpart Johann Schneider-Ammann visited China in April 2016. Such a frequency of bilateral high-level exchanges reveals the deep political mutual trust.
The innovative strategic partnership established by both leaders, with an increasingly enriched connection, will chart the course of bilateral ties. Practical cooperation featuring mutual benefits and win-win results, akin to the mountain ridge, serves as a cornerstone of bilateral ties.
Geng further elaborated that Switzerland recognized China as a market economy in 2007, and that its free trade agreement with China, which came into effect in 2014, was the first FTA pact inked between China and a European country.
In addition, the bilateral trade volume grew to $44.2 billion in 2015 from $6.8 million in the early years of established diplomatic ties.
China has reaped the fruits from the offshore yuan market in Zurich, where a yuan clearing bank under China Construction Bank is located.
According to the ambassador, non-governmental exchanges are the piedmont, or the foundation, of bilateral ties. The diligent, sophisticated and pragmatic people of the two countries, with mutual respect, always lend a helpful hand to each other.
The two countries are enjoying increasingly frequent exchanges between people and a total of 17 pairs of provinces, states or cities have established sister relationships.
The Swiss classic Heidi also arouse great interest among the Chinese public after it was brought back to China's big-screen in 2015. China's Yulong Snow Mountain in Yunnan Province forged a sister-mountain relationship with Switzerlands Matterhorn in 20
Both China, the largest developing country and a permanent member state of the UN Security Council, and Switzerland, the wealthiest developed country and a permanent neutral state, are the vindicators of world peace and promoters of global development, Geng underlined
In the current changing and uncertain international arena, a deepened bilateral relationship will not only benefit the two countries, but will also have profound impacts on the international community.
The ambassador believes that with joint efforts from both sides, Xi's historical visit will certainly achieve success and better benefit the Chinese and Swiss people.
Xis Swiss tour will inject more China contribution to global economic recovery, world peace and stability as well as the welfare of all human beings, Geng concluded.
Identical Chinese twin sisters separated shortly after birth spent some quality time together in New York City Wednesday after being reunited for the first time.
Gracie Rainsberry and Audrey Doering explored Times Square and ate pancakes together on their way out of 'Good Morning America', where they gave each other a long-awaited hug in the morning.
The two 10-year-old girls were adopted as babies by two different American families. Gracie lives in Richland, Washington, while Audrey grew up almost 1,500 miles away in Wausau, Wisconsin.
Their relatives didn't know their daughters each had a sibling until December, when Audrey's mother found a photo of the sisters together as babies.
Audrey and Gracie shed tears of joy as they met in person for the first time since their adoption, on live television. They spent the rest of the day bonding and discovering their similarities.
The sisters had pancakes after the 'Good Morning America' taping, skipped around town hand in hand, explored Times Square and went to see 'The School Of Rock' on Broadway.
During their day together, the twins realized they had similarities that they had never known about.
'We both like to scare pigeons,' Gracie told 'Good Morning America'.
'And when we eat, we both get really messy,' Audrey continued. 'We went to have pancakes after 'Good Morning America' and I had chocolate all over my face.'
Gracie said she, too, ended up covered in chocolate during their pancake break.
The two sisters didn't know they had a sibling until December. Audrey's mother, Jennifer Doering, found a photo of both of them together as babies, posing with their Chinese foster mother.
Audrey had asked for a sister for Christmas this year, but Jennifer had a different idea: she wanted to give her daughter a copy of her 'finding ad', which is a photo that gets published in Chinese newspapers when a baby is placed in an orphanage.
Jennifer tracked down a copy of the ad and was shocked to find out it was a picture of not just one, but two babies.
The Doerings dug further and found that the other baby in the picture had a birth date close to Audrey's and shared her congenital heart condition. They reached out to the Rainsberrys and broke the news to their daughter.
Audrey, who grew up with three older brothers, thought her parents were joking when they first told her she had a sister, but the two later chatted via FaceTime, with Audrey saying of Gracie: 'She's me.' Gracie also has three siblings - two brothers and a sister.
After chatting via FaceTime, the girls were finally reunited in person Wednesday, live on 'Good Morning America'. Gracie and Audrey fell into each other's arms. The two sisters, who both wear glasses, had even arranged to wear identical outfits.
Audrey said that before meeting her twin sister, 'it felt like there was somebody missing'. 'Now, it's complete,' she added.
Gracie said not long after the reunion that she felt excited and happy - even though the even was 'very overwhelming'.
The girls' parents, who sat with them as they spoke to the anchors, also got emotional. Audrey's mother put her hands around Gracie's face, asking: 'Can I just touch you?
As they have gotten to know each other, the sisters have discovered more similarities, such as their shared loved for chicken Alfredo and mac 'n' cheese.
United States and Cuba to Hold Claims Discussion
Washington, DC - The United States and Cuba will hold the third government-to-government meeting on claims in Havana, Cuba, on January 12, 2017. The U.S. delegation will be led by Brian Egan, the Legal Adviser for the U.S. Department of State. The meeting will allow the delegations to build upon previous discussions in Havana and Washington, DC, and to exchange views on technical details and methodologies regarding outstanding claims.
Outstanding U.S. claims include claims of U.S. nationals that were certified by the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission, claims related to unsatisfied U.S. court judgments against Cuba, and claims held by the United States Government. The United States continues to view the resolution of these claims as a top priority.
Designation of Syrian Entity Pursuant to Executive Order 13382
Washington, DC - Today, the Department of State imposed sanctions on an entity associated with Syrias weapons of mass destruction (WMD)-capable ballistic missile program by designating the Organization for Technological Industries (OTI) under Executive Order 13382. E.O. 13382 targets the assets of WMD proliferators and their supporters in an effort to curb the spread of WMD and protect the U.S. financial system from being exploited by proliferators. Entities designated under E.O. 13382 are prohibited from engaging in transactions with any U.S. person and are subject to a U.S. asset freeze.
According to a June 26, 2012 report broadcast by Syrian Satellite Channel Television of an address by Syrian President Bashar al-Asad to the then-new Syrian Cabinet, OTI belongs to the Syrian Ministry of Defense, was established in 2010, and is involved in high level technical industries. OTIs primary mission is to import advanced strategic technologies for surface-to-surface missile (SSM) and surface-to-surface rocket (SSR) programs in Syria. OTI is involved in furthering Syrias WMD-capable ballistic missile program. As of May 2014, OTI changed its purpose to include producing components for SSMs and SSRs produced by the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC) Syrias leading advanced weapons development and production entity. SSRC was designated by President George W. Bush in the Annex to E.O. 13382 issued on June 29, 2005.
The Departments action follows findings by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons-United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) that the Syrian regime used chemicals as a weapon against its own citizens. In reports issued in August and October 2016, the JIM established by the United Nations Security Council in 2015 to identity those involved in the use of chemical weapons determined that the Syrian government was involved in three attacks involving chemicals used as weapons. Specifically, the JIM found that the Syrian Arab Armed Forces used chemicals as weapons against the Syrian people in three separate incidents.
As a result of todays action, any property or interest in property of the identified persons in the possession or control of U.S. persons or within the United States must be blocked. Additionally, transactions by U.S. persons involving these persons are generally prohibited.
The Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) is concurrently designating 18 senior regime officials connected to Syrias WMD programs and will identify five Syrian military branches as part of the Government of Syria. Details on the Treasury sanctions are available here:
Identifier Information for Organization for Technological Industries:
Name: Organization for Technological Industries
AKA: The Organization for Technical Industries
Address: Sham Algadida OTip Box Damascus 11037, Syrian Arab Republic
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The opening to John Bergers most famous written work, the 1972 book Ways of Seeing, offered not just an idea but also an invitation to see and know the world differently.
The relation between what we see and what we know is never settled, he wrote.
Berger, who died on 2 January at the age of 90, has had a profound influence on the popular understanding of art and the visual image. He was also a vibrant example of the public intellectual, using his position to speak out against social injustices and to lend his support to artists and activists across the world.
Bergers approach to art came most directly into the public eye in Ways of Seeing, a four-part BBC TV series produced by Mike Dibb which preceded his book of the same name. Yet his style of blending Marxist sensibility and art theory with attention to small gestures, scenes and personal stories developed much earlier, in essays for the New Statesman (between 1951 and 1961) and also in his first novel A Painter of Our Time, published in 1958.
John Berger in 'Ways Of Seeing' (youtube/BBC)
The BBC programmes brought to life and democratised scholarly ideas and texts through dramatic, often witty, visual techniques that raised searching questions about how images from European oil painting to photography and modern advertising inform and seep into everyday life and help constitute its inequities. What do we see? How are we seen? Might we see differently?
Bergers theoretical legacy, the Indian academic Rashmi Doraiswamy wrote recently, is in situating the look in the context of political otherness. Bergers idea that looking is a political act, perhaps even a historically constructed process such that where and when we see something will affect what we see comes across most powerfully in the second episode of Ways Of Seeing, which focused on the male gaze.
In the episode, Berger showed the continuities between post-Renaissance European paintings of women and imagery from latter-day posters and girly magazines, by juxtaposing the different images and showing how they similarly rendered women as objects. Berger argued that this continuity constrained how certain forms of femininity are understood, and therefore the terms on which women are able to live their lives. He identified a splitting of the European womans consciousness, in which she has to survey everything she is and everything she does because how she appears to others, and ultimately how she appears to men, is of crucial importance for what is normally thought of as the success of her life.
Historical context, scale, and perspective were recurring themes in Bergers writing, films, performance and in his collaborative photographic essays with Jean Mohr, Anne Michaels, Tereza Stehlikova and others.
Bergers essays and books on photography worry at the political ambiguity of meaning in an image. He taught us that photographs always need language, and require a narrative of some sort, to make sense.
A still from an early film of Berger (youtube)
He also took care to differentiate how our reaction to photographs of loved ones depends on our relationship to the person portrayed. In A Seventh Man, a collaborative book with Jean Mohr on Turkish migrant workers to Germany in the 1970s, he put it simply: A photograph of a boy in the rain, a boy unknown to you or me. Seen in the darkroom when making the print or seen in this book when reading it, the image conjures up the vivid presence of the unknown boy. To his father it would define the boys absence.
Cover artwork from 'A Seventh Man' by John Berger and Jean Mohr
Because he had been a painter, Berger was always a visual thinker and writer. In conversation with the novelist Michael Ondaatje he remarked that the capabilities of cinematographic editing had influenced his writing. He identified cinemas ability to move from expansive vistas to close-up shots as that to which he most related and aspired.
Certainly Bergers work is infused with a sensitivity to how long views the narratives of history come alive only with the addition of close-up stories of human relationships, that retell the narrative but from a different angle. For instance, writing about Frida Kahlos compulsion to paint on smooth skin-like surfaces, Berger suggested that it was Kahlos pain and disability (she had spina bifida and had gone through treatments following a bad road accident) that made her aware of the skin of everything alive trees, fruit, water, birds, and naturally, other women and men.
The character of Caravaggio in Ondaatjes novel In the Skin of a Lion was partly inspired by Bergers essay on the painter. In that essay, Berger wrote of a feeling of complicity with the Renaissance Italian artist Caravaggio, the painter of life who does not depict the world for others: his vision is one that he shares with it.
Bergers writerly inclinations and sensitivities seem to echo something of the overall intensity, the lack of proper distance for which Caravaggio was so criticised and which Berger so admired. This intensity was not a simple theatricality, nor a search for something truer to life, but a philosophical stance springing from his pursuit of equality. He gave us permission to dwell on those aspects of our research or our lives that capture us intensely, and to trust that sensitivity. His was an affirmative politics in this sense. It started with a trust in ones intuitions, along with the imperative to open these up to explore ourselves as situated within wider social and historical processes.
Berger with his younger subjects (youtube)
Reflecting on his written work, Berger wrote in the recent Penguin collection, Confabulations: "What has prompted me to write over the years is the hunch that something needs to be told and that, if I dont try to tell it, it risks not being told."
He knew very well that writing has its limitations. By itself, writing cannot rebalance the inequities of the present or establish new ways of seeing. Yet he wrote with hope. He showed us in his work and by example other possibilities for living a life that was committed to criticising inequality, while celebrating the beauty in the world, giving attention to its colour, rhythm and joyous surprises. We remain endowed by and indebted to him.
Yasmin Gunaratnam is reader in sociology and Vikki Bell is professor of sociology at Goldsmiths, University of London. This article was originally published in The Conversation
I often say this, and I mean it from the heart: serving as the United States Ambassador to China is the best job I've ever had. It has been the greatest pleasure to work with Chinese and Americans to advance the world's most important bilateral relationship.
But, as they say, all good things must come to an end. The United States just had an election and, with our country's transition to a new administration, the time has come to bid you farewell as the United States Ambassador. When you say "goodbye" in Chinese it means "see you again," and that's how I like to think of this farewell - I'll be seeing you again!
Before my wife Mel and I depart from Beijing for a new chapter in our lives, I would like to share some parting thoughts with you as we start a new phase in our countries' relationship, at a time fraught with global challenges - from economic uncertainty to climate change to terrorism.
Over my 35 years in the United States Senate and especially my time as the United States Ambassador, I've witnessed first-hand China's remarkable transformation and re-emergence on the global stage.
Since Deng Xiaoping launched China's opening up and reform three decades ago, China has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty, becoming the world's second-largest economy. Our economies, in turn, have grown increasingly interconnected, with more than $650 billion in annual bilateral trade.
I've seen China's rise play out in impressive ways. China joined the United States to help lead the world toward an ambitious agreement on climate change in Paris. It played a positive role in the global response to Ebola, working closely with the United States and other partners. China served as the host of the Six Party Talks on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and can play an equally important role in seeing those talks resumed.
These examples make clear the benefits to China and the world that come from China's engagement and responsible leadership. US policy, decades old and upheld by successive administrations from both parties, has been to welcome the rise of a stable, peaceful and prosperous China. We welcome China as a global leader that assumes its responsibilities within the transparent, rules-based system underpinning the peace and prosperity that the Asia-Pacific region has enjoyed for many decades.
I worked hard as a U.S. Senator to get China into the World Trade Organization because I knew it would be good for China, good for the United States, and good for the entire world. And it was! Looking ahead, we hope China will work closely with the new US administration to continue this process of opening up to the world.
We live in a time of interconnectedness, unlike any other in history. Our countries' relationship, in fact, is a testament to and a direct benefactor of these trends.
And a key part of keeping this going in the right direction will be fostering an encouraging environment for American and foreign companies to invest and do business here - just as Chinese companies can expect to do in the United States.
Strengthening innovation, one of China's top priorities, is another critical factor. That's why we encourage China to continue to open up, which will help enable talent - like that of Jack Ma, Tu Youyou, or Wang Jianlin - to flourish across the globe. Similarly, we hope that China will welcome the constructive role of non-government organizations that help societies drive innovation, contribute to social stability and bring us together to protect the environment.
Another key element will be ensuring that China's peaceful rise is bolstered by regional engagement and creative diplomacy that manages disputes in ways that benefit all, in line with President Xi and President Obama's efforts during their numerous meetings that I've had the privilege to join.
At the end of the day, I can't stress enough the importance for us all to ask honest, constructive, good-faith questions, and to really listen to each other's point of view. As my mentor and former United States Senator from Montana Mike Mansfield once said, "Remember, the other person isn't always wrong, and you're not always right." This is the path to honest dialogue.
While this is a time of transition, and some question the path ahead, I think both of our countries agree on the importance of making this relationship work. That has been true since President Nixon first came to China and met with Chairman Mao in what is called "the week that changed the world." Their work was carried on by President Carter and Deng Xiaoping, who normalized relations between our two countries in 1979. Our leaders have changed, and we've had our ups and downs, but we've never given up our shared goal to create a better future for our kids and grandchildren.
I've seen this commitment first-hand, time and time again. When I first came to China, I promised President Xi that I would visit all of China's provinces - a goal I achieved last October. What I learned along the way is that it doesn't matter if you're American or Chinese, we all basically want the same things in life - a good job, a good education for our children, and a clean, safe environment to live in. That's a big part of the American dream. And it's part of what I've come to learn is the Chinese dream.
With patience, persistence and the positive attitude I've seen in students, everyday people, businesspeople, or government officials throughout this country - from Qufu to Kunming, from Shanghai to Urumqi - I know there is nothing we can't accomplish when we work together. And when we succeed - whether that's working on those many issues on which we agree, or being frank and wisely in managing our differences - the world stands to benefit.
(The author is US ambassador in China. The Chinese edition of this article was published on the People's Daily Thursday.)
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Martin Scorseses Silence is a film about the purity of faith, its for better or worse unshakeability and its resilience to attack.
And no character in it possesses a devotion quite as ironclad as Mokichi, a villager whose strength sustains protagonist Rodrigues (Andrew Garfield) for much of the film. Garfield and Adam Drivers performances in their lead roles are very fine indeed, but it was that of Shinya Tsukamoto, who plays Mokichi, that had me transfixed during what is an incredibly intense viewing experience.
Mokichi, an impoverished villager in 17th century Japan, is an already broken man who is further broken as he is asked to renounce his faith. Creating him was a challenge and required a good deal of focus from Tsukamoto.
While I was on set in Taiwan I never went sightseeing, he tells me, I was very stoic.
A villager at that time would not have been eating well so I had to lose a lot of weight, plus speaking English [Shinyas second language] while wearing a mouthpiece that made my teeth look worn was extremely difficult. But preparing my body in such a way really helped me shape my spirit and my mind into the character.
Silence - Trailer
Mokichi and Rodrigues form a strong bond in the film, and Tsukamoto knew it was important that he and Garfield do the same on set.
I did my best to develop an intimate relationship with Andrew, he recalls. On set we were truly in character and even when the camera was on Andrew and only on the back of my head [for a close-up shot of Garfield] I really gave everything I had so that I might be able to really reach Andrew emotionally, because I understood that the connection between Mokichi and Rodrigues was very critical to the story.
Tsukamoto is himself a prolific director and developed a strong cult following through his Tetsuo films, but he had no problem taking off his directing hat and firmly donning his acting one, as it were especially for a director he admires as much as Scorsese, for whom Silence was a passion project.
Marty was very tenacious on set, he says, he would do many takes until he was completely satisfied that all the cast members had given everything. It truly was a passion project, he was very passionate indeed.
One of the films most brutal scenes (medium-sized spoilers ahead) sees Mokichi tied to a cross and subjected to the waves of the ocean until he is dead. While he was never in peril, Tsukamoto really was drilled by successive waves in what was a scary and demanding scene to shoot.
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For the low tide we shot at an actual ocean on a beach but for the high tide it would have been too dangerous so we filmed in a tank that can generate actual waves and control their height, he explains.
It was quite physically challenging because the waves were big as you see in the film and between the waves I had to figure out how to say the next line. It was a pretty terrifying scene to film.
Faith might be absolutely central to Silence, but the actor-director believes it is very much an experience non-believers can learn and benefit from too.
Silence really says something much bigger about humanity, he muses. Throughout the centuries there have always been people who bleed in certain religions or movements of thought and then there have always been people who have tried to persecute them through violence.
It happened back then in Japan but its still happening today, so it feels like a warning. It brings a question to a modern audience by telling a story of a group of people who believed in something, who had strong faith, and people who tried to suppress them through force. So, I think it really does go beyond religion.
Silence is in cinemas now
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Sky has decided not to air an episode of the Sky Arts comedy series Urban Myths after a glimpse of Joseph Fiennes in the role of Michael Jackson in the series' trailer caused offense.
The episode centres on Jackson taking a road trip from New York to Los Angeles with Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando after the 9/11 terror attacks.
"I'm so incredibly offended by it," Jackson's daughter Paris tweeted earlier in the week, "as i'm sure plenty of people are as well, and it honestly makes me want to vomit."
The broadcaster said it was aiming for some light-hearted comedy and did not mean to upset anyone.
Sky said in a statement:
"We have taken the decision not to broadcast Elizabeth, Michael and Marlon, a half hour episode from the Sky Arts Urban Myths series, in light of the concerns expressed by Michael Jackson's immediate family.
"We set out to take a light-hearted look at reportedly true events and never intended to cause any offence. Joseph Fiennes fully supports our decision."
Other episodes in the series, which will still be broadcast, centre on Hitler (Game of Thrones Iwan Rheon) and Hitlers friend (Harry Potter star Rupert Grint) as they work on some early artwork. and Cary Grant (Ben Chaplin) and Dr. Timothy Leary (Aidan Gillen) taking LSD.
Following his casting, which caused controversy at the time, Fiennes defended the decision, saying Jacksons skin colour probably [became] closer to my colour than his original colour, adding: Im a white, middle-class guy from London Im as shocked as you may be.
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Tackling climate change will help prevent global conflict, the incoming UN Secretary General has warned.
The new head of the UN, Antonio Guterres, told the Security Council in New York that the organisation had to play a more active role in preventing conflict because the cost of inaction is simply too high.
The former Portuguese Prime Minister and successor to Ban Ki-moon believes the UN is spending far more time and resources responding to crises rather than preventing them and that people and nations were paying too high a price as a result.
Mr Guterres said climate change was exacerbating internal conflicts and called for the UN to respond with a more multi-faceted approach.
Most of todays conflicts... are fuelled by competition for power and resources, inequality, marginalisation and exclusion, poor governance, weak institutions, sectarian divides, he said.
They are exacerbated by climate change, population growth and the globalisation of crime and terrorism. With so many factors at work, it takes very little to trigger a crisis that can engulf a country or a region, with global consequences, he said.
The link between climate change and conflict is a long-established one.
A study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) last year shows 9 per cent of armed conflicts over 1980-2010 coincided with climate-related disasters such as heat waves or droughts.
In countries with deep ethnic divides, this figure rises to 23 per cent.
Although there is no evidence climate-related disasters act as direct triggers of armed conflicts, the reports says their disruptive nature play out in ethnically fractionalised societies in a particularly tragic way.
In 2014, a group of American scientists from Columbia University published a study, which argues Syrias experience of the most severe drought on records between 2007 and 2010, contributed to the 2011 uprising.
The authors explain widespread crop failure and a mass migration of farming families to urban centres paired with poor governance and unsustainable agricultural policies had a catalyst effect and contributed to the political unrest.
Retired US Marine Corps brigadier general Stephen Cheney told Climate Home: Theres a fair percentage of conflicts today that have a linkage to climate change that was not previously there.
These include the Arab Spring and Syrian civil war two insurrections that define world politics and security today.
Mr Guterres told the Security Council efforts for peace and security had to be coupled with work to achieve sustainable development and human rights and the challenge was now to turn words into action.
Let us make this year, 2017, a year for peace. I think it would be naive to say that 2017 will be a year of peace, but at least it is our obligation to do everything we can to make it a year for peace, he said.
Kyung-wha Kang of South Korea was recently appointed to the newly created position of special adviser on policy and she will be in charge of coordinating the UNs conflict prevention programmes.
The ultra high definition standard, also known as 4K, is increasingly common. Having taken over from HD its the most likely resolution for all but the smallest TVs, where you simply wouldnt be able to get the benefit from so many pixels. On larger TVs, though, the difference is unmissable, offering staggering levels of detail and needle-sharp images.
Much of whats broadcast indeed comes in regular HD resolution, but clever little gadgets called upscalers built into 4K TVs improve the image. As a result, broadcasters are taking advantage of 4K, producing everything from sport, movies you can stream from sites like Apple TV and Netflix, to games. So, 4K is definitely the way to go (8K is coming, too, but for now it remains prohibitively expensive).
If youre keen on larger TVs, 4K justifies your interest: because the pixels are so tightly packed, you can sit closer without seeing the individual dots.
Alongside 4K is high dynamic range (HDR), which means a TV can show detail in bright skies and dark shadows at the same time, making for a more dramatic picture. There are competing standards for HDR. One (HLG) is what broadcasters use while others are used in blu-ray discs or streaming systems (Dolby Vision is one of these, for instance). Essentially, the wider compatibility, the more you can watch with full HDR benefits.
There are two screen technologies: LCD and OLED. The latter is pricier, but looks amazing. Thats because each pixel is lit individually so theres the possibility for outstanding contrast and deep black hues, plus beautifully rendered faithful colours. OLEDs only downsides are brightness it rarely manages to be as bright as LCD and the extra money it costs.
Read more:
LCD is mostly referred to as LED, indicating the improvements of the backlighting on todays screens. The backlighting used to be one light across the whole screen, so what should have been pitch black elements were still gently backlit, resulting in muddy dark greys instead. Now, though, LED TVs often offer multiple backlights which can be individually controlled and this helps things considerably.
When choosing your 4K TV, wed say its worth sticking to the bigger brands, because whats crucial to every TV these days is the image processing engine, which helps make the picture the best it can be. The dedicated operating systems on the likes of Panasonic and LG TVs are typically more elegant and user-friendly, too.
How we tested
We tested these 4K TVs for picture quality, excellence of design, ease of installation, set-up and use and overall value.
The best 4K TVs for 2021 are:
Best 55in 4K TV Panasonic TX-55HZ2000b: 2,299, Cramptonandmoore.co.uk
Panasonic TX-55HZ2000b: 2,299, Cramptonandmoore.co.uk Best for audio quality Sony Bravia KD-48A9: 1,299, Cramptonandmoore.co.uk
Sony Bravia KD-48A9: 1,299, Cramptonandmoore.co.uk Best QLED 4K TV Samsung QE55Q90T: 1,124, Maraz.co.uk
Samsung QE55Q90T: 1,124, Maraz.co.uk Best user interface LG OLED55CX: 1,049, Laptopsdirect.co.uk
LG OLED55CX: 1,049, Laptopsdirect.co.uk Best 65in 4K TV Sony Bravia KD65A8BU: 1,769, Appliancesdirect.co.uk
Sony Bravia KD65A8BU: 1,769, Appliancesdirect.co.uk Best for movies Panasonic TX-55HZ1000B: 1,899, Cramptonandmoore.co.uk
Panasonic TX-55HZ1000B: 1,899, Cramptonandmoore.co.uk Best for picture processing Philips 55OLED805: 1,149, Currys.co.uk
Philips 55OLED805: 1,149, Currys.co.uk Best 50in 4K TV Hisense Roku R50B7120UK: 399, Argos.co.uk
Hisense Roku R50B7120UK: 399, Argos.co.uk Best 4K TV for gaming Panasonic TX-50HX800B: 649, Freemans.com
Panasonic TX-55HZ2000b Best: 55in 4K TV Screen size: 55in
55in Display Technology: OLED
OLED HDR compatibility: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
HDR10, HLG, HDR10+, Dolby Vision Dimensions: 1,225mm x 761mm x 78mm plus stand
1,225mm x 761mm x 78mm plus stand Audio: Dolby Atmos Panasonics OLED TVs have sensational picture quality, and this is the best yet. Most of that is down to the latest image processing engine called HCX Pro, designed and tuned in conjunction with Hollywood professionals to create a picture that matches what the programme- or film-maker intended. This includes a brighter display than previous Sony TVs offered but also delicate accuracy at the other end of the scale, doing justice to dark elements of a picture. The image quality here is sensational, across the board. Sound is often neglected on flatscreen TVs: now that most have tiny frames around the picture, its hard to hide decent speakers. Panasonics solution is to place strong, upward-firing speakers on the back, making this TV easily the best for Dolby Atmos audio, and it certainly sounds much better than most TVs. The interface is very appealing, with easy shortcuts to apps and a great overall look. Read the full Panasonic TX-55HZ2000b review Buy now 2,299 Cramptonandmoore.co.uk {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}}
Sony Bravia KD-48A9 Best: For audio quality Screen size: 48in
48in Display Technology: OLED
OLED HDR compatibility: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision
HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision Dimensions: 1070mm x 620mm x 58mm plus stand
1070mm x 620mm x 58mm plus stand Audio: Stereo Most manufacturers of OLED screens tend to focus on bigger screen sizes. Sonys first 48in telly will suit smaller rooms and offers an outstanding picture. Thats down to the processor, called the Sony X1, which analyses each element in the picture to better display it onscreen. Its also extremely good on elements like contrast and eliminating motion blur, which can be a problem for less proficient panels. Android TV is the operating system here and it comes with lots of apps, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ all easily accessible. Sony takes an adventurous approach to audio, using speaker hardware on the back which actually vibrates the screen to create the sound. It sounds great (and doesnt distort the picture) and the audio feels properly anchored to the image. Buy now 1,299 Cramptonandmoore.co.uk {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}}
Samsung QE55Q90T Best: QLED 4K screen Screen size: 55in
55in Display Technology: QLED
QLED HDR compatibility: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+
HDR10, HLG, HDR10+ Dimensions: 1,228mm x 795mm x 35mm plus stand
1,228mm x 795mm x 35mm plus stand Audio: Stereo This is a QLED TV, a technology pioneered by Samsung. It means its an LCD screen with LED backlight but the Q refers to quantum dots, a layer of minuscule dots which acts like a filter to deliver more heavily saturated colours that are more precisely defined. All of which helps to create deep black hues where theyre needed. Because its LED it is noticeably brighter than OLED screens handy if your living room is brightly lit and can make for a more exciting and lively picture. The image quality is sharp and detailed, even if the content is not native 4K and is being upscaled by the TV. Samsung has its own operating system, which works well and is easy to use. Buy now 1,124 Maraz.co.uk {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}}
LG OLED55CX Best: User interface Screen size: 55in
55in Display Technology: OLED
OLED HDR compatibility: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision
HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision Dimensions: 1,230mm x 710mm x 47mm plus stand
1,230mm x 710mm x 47mm plus stand Audio: Dolby Atmos LGs CX range is exceptional, and comes in four sizes, from 48in up to 77in. LG makes the OLED panels that rival TV companies use, too, so its no surprise that it can make its own TVs look tremendous. This one looks great with lots of details in both bright and shadowy parts of a scene, and outstanding contrast. The results are spectacular. LGs user interface is second-to-none, a clever and accessible system called webOS, with rows of icons guiding you to different apps and inputs. Despite being a very slim TV, it also manages to sound good with plenty of power and decent bass. Buy now 1,049 Laptopsdirect.co.uk {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}}
Sony Bravia KD65A8BU Best: 65in 4K TV Screen size: 65in
65in Display Technology: OLED
OLED HDR compatibility: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision
HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision Dimensions: 1448mm x 836mm x 52mm plus stand
1448mm x 836mm x 52mm plus stand Audio: Dolby Atmos Like the other Sony above, this TV features acoustic surface audio, that is, the screen is the speaker, vibrating invisibly to produce the sound and ensuring that the audio is perfectly tied to the image. It can even be tuned to suit your room thanks to a clever acoustic audio calibration system which is quick and effective. The image is pretty immaculate, thanks to the X1 Ultimate, Sonys most advanced processor, which excels at upscaling content to suit the 4K panel. Colours look perfectly judged, and completely natural, even when the engine adds HDR effects to content not made in HDR. If the impressive 65in model is too big, it comes in smaller sizes, too. Buy now 1,769 Appliancesdirect.co.uk {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}}
Panasonic TX-55HZ1000B Best: For movies Screen size: 55in
55in Display Technology: OLED
OLED HDR compatibility: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
HDR10, HLG, HDR10+, Dolby Vision Dimensions: 1,228mm x 772mm x 58mm plus stand
1,228mm x 772mm x 58mm plus stand Audio: Dolby Atmos Unlike the Panasonic TX-55HZ2000 above, this TV doesnt have big upward-firing speakers on the back. But its also much cheaper and while its not as exceptional sounding as the pricier TV, it still has good audio. If you have, or are going to buy, a soundbar, then this may be a better option. Picture quality is extremely strong with depth, precision and plenty of punch. The same excellent operating system as on the best buy above makes this an enjoyable-to-use TV. The supplied stand lets the TV swivel for the perfect viewing angle. Buy now 1,899 Cramptonandmoore.co.uk {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}}
Philips 55OLED805 Best: For picture processing Screen size: 55in
55in Display Technology: OLED
OLED HDR compatibility: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
HDR10, HLG, HDR10+, Dolby Vision Dimensions: 1,228mm x 706mm x 58mm plus stand
1,228mm x 706mm x 58mm plus stand Audio: Dolby Atmos Ambilight is the name of a clever Philips speciality which plays light on the wall behind the screen, using LEDs that change colour to match whats on screen. The effect is to enhance the main picture and make it more immersive. Philips claims this also makes it more restful on the eyes you certainly notice its absence when you switch to a regular TV. This model has Ambilight on the top, left and right edges. On full, it can be distracting, but set at a gentler level gives a great effect. Picture quality is enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI) in the TVs processor. AI is widely bandied about in the world of tech but here its to indicate that the TVs brain knows to look for discrete image elements such as nature, face, motion and so on. The appropriate processing can then be applied. Poor processing looks terrible but here its done with taste and restraint and the results are good. Buy now 1,149 Currys.co.uk {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}}
Hisense roku R50B7120UK Best: 50in 4K TV Screen size: 50in
50in Display Technology: LED LCD
LED LCD HDR compatibility: HDR10, HLG
HDR10, HLG Dimensions: 1,127mm x 656mm x 86mm plus stand
1,127mm x 656mm x 86mm plus stand Audio: Stereo Roku devices are neat streaming boxes, and the Hisense TV uses the same interface, which makes it great if youre keen on using streaming apps for much of your viewing. This 50in TV is certainly very keenly priced and has a lot going for it. While it doesnt support every HDR platform, and sometimes the HDR content looks less impressive than it might, this is still a proficient 4K TV with a smooth and responsive interface. Buy now 399 Argos.co.uk {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}}
Panasonic TX-50HX800B Best: For gaming Screen size: 50in
50in Display Technology: LED LCD
LED LCD HDR compatibility: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
HDR10, HLG, HDR10+, Dolby Vision Dimensions: 1,120mm x 651mm x 63mm plus stand
1,120mm x 651mm x 63mm plus stand Audio: Dolby Atmos This mid-range TV is a great all-rounder and offers a lot of great features for a very keen price. The LED LCD display looks great, with authentic colours and extremely good upscaling. Its not OLED but in some situations it almost comes close with plenty of lush elegance and smooth motion. It does this with a feature called intelligent frame creation which creates extra frame images to make panning movements slicker, for instance. Theres an automatic low-latency mode for gaming, which spots when a games console is connected. There are only three HDMI ports on this TV, instead of the more common four. Buy now 649 Freemans.com {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}}
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Nowadays, a wealth of products are available at the click of a mouse for food lovers, with craft beers and hand-reared veggies delivered to their door but one company have decided to do things a little differently.
For around 65 month, you can now manage your very own piece of land and eat all the organic produce grown on it.
Brazilian based company Mandala da Montanha, was set up by Martin Schneesche and Alexandre Yokoyama in 2015 as a farm for selling home-grown food but, unlike other subscriptions services, it allows the consumers to be part of the farming process.
Tapping into the rise of the Millennials for whom convenience is King, this service lets people decide what they want to plant - from a variety of lettuces, beets, onions and spinach to more indigenous ingredients like scarlet aubergine and okra - and for a small fee, delivers it right to their front door.
Intricate drawings on food - in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Intricate drawings on food - in pictures Intricate drawings on food - in pictures Hasan Kale Intricate drawings on food - in pictures Hasan Kale Intricate drawings on food - in pictures Hasan Kale Intricate drawings on food - in pictures Hasan Kale Intricate drawings on food - in pictures Hasan Kale Intricate drawings on food - in pictures Hasan Kale Intricate drawings on food - in pictures Hasan Kale Intricate drawings on food - in pictures Hasan Kale Intricate drawings on food - in pictures Hasan Kale Intricate drawings on food - in pictures Hasan Kale Intricate drawings on food - in pictures Hasan Kale Intricate drawings on food - in pictures Hasan Kale Intricate drawings on food - in pictures Hasan Kale Intricate drawings on food - in pictures Hasan Kale Intricate drawings on food - in pictures Hasan Kale
Theres no doubt that Millenials I know what I want and I want it now attitude is changing the food industry but the duo insist that Mandala is about much more than indulging peoples hankering for convenience.
Being a little farmer sucks sometimes, because most people think that a lettuce head is always the same, which it is not.
Distributors only want pretty vegetables, and always with the lowest cost possible. So we decided to sell directly to our clients, who value our products, Schneesche told Munchies.
It also allows customers to know exactly where their food is coming from, how it was produced and fundamentally reduces food waste.
With their ten square metres of land, if someone produces an excess of food the owner can decide to trade the remaining harvest with another subscriber who has also over-produced their lot.
Whats more, Mandala also offers classes to its subscribers in regenerative agriculture, tool handling, land management and cultural dealings at no additional cost.
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Two women have created a line of clothing and accessories to rally home the message that they were not included in the 53 per cent of white women who voted for Donald Trump.
Michelle Hirschberg and Karen Land Short, who both had careers in advertising, say they were devastated following the election result and the surprising fact that white women, in their majority, voted for Mr Trump over the Democrat candidate, and first female presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton.
We found ourselves wanting to tell people on the street, strangers on the subway, it wasnt me, they wrote on their website. When visiting the Subway Therapy Wall in New York City, Michelle added a sticky note that said, not this white woman. Karen and Michelle commiserated and collaborated and the idea of a t-shirt was born.
Women go on strike against Donald Trump Show all 7 1 /7 Women go on strike against Donald Trump Women go on strike against Donald Trump People rally as part of a nationwide protest against US President-elect Donald Trump outside of Trump Tower on December 12, 2016 in New York. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images Women go on strike against Donald Trump Protestors march during a demonstration against U.S. President-elect Donald Trump near Trump Tower in the Manhattan borough of New York City, December 12, 2016. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters Women go on strike against Donald Trump Protestors march during a demonstration against U.S. President-elect Donald Trump near Trump Tower in the Manhattan borough of New York City, December 12, 2016. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters Women go on strike against Donald Trump People rally as part of a nationwide protest against US President-elect Donald Trump outside of Trump Tower on December 12, 2016 in New York. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images Women go on strike against Donald Trump People rally as part of a nationwide protest against US President-elect Donald Trump outside of Trump Tower on December 12, 2016 in New York. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images Women go on strike against Donald Trump People rally as part of a nationwide protest against US President-elect Donald Trump outside of Trump Tower on December 12, 2016 in New York. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images Women go on strike against Donald Trump People rally as part of a nationwide protest against US President-elect Donald Trump outside of Trump Tower on December 12, 2016 in New York. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images
The collection includes plain white t-shirts, vests, mugs and badges all emblazoned with the words: Not This White Woman #StillWithHer. A t-shirt will cost you $27.50 (22.50) while a mug is $16.75 (13.70), 100 per cent of the sales proceeds go to Planned Parenthood - a service currently under threat by the impending Trump government and congress.
While the intentions of the range may be to disassociate themselves from the demographic, it has provoked some ire online.
The feminist blog Jezebel criticised the range in a piece entitled White Women, Please Come Get Your Friends.
Its hard to see how this really helps anyone or anything other than the conscience of the white women buying this sh*t. Ill tell you, as a black woman, seeing that shirt doesnt necessarily tell me youre an ally or worth trusting any more than the sanely-dressed white woman next to you. It doesnt tell me you understand intersectional feminism, All it says is you want people to know youre not a complete asshole. The irony is, this shirt kinda does make you look like an asshole, writer Kara Brown wrote.
Similar sentiments were shared on Twitter:
However, others on the social media site supported the idea, writing: Wow, where can I get one of these babies? and I must buy this.
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Healthy, convenient and increasingly popular over the past few years, sushi has become as common a cuisine in the UK as Indian or Chinese.
Its a staple lunch-choice for city-workers all over the country and youre never far from a restaurant or supermarket selling the traditional Japanese delicacy.
But it turns out sushi may not be as wholesome a choice as we previously thought leading biologists have warned that it is in fact harming both the environment and our health.
Recommended The remarkable rise of the sushi burrito
The UK sushi market is worth 69m a year, but because were eating so much of it, tuna supplies in the oceans are dwindling.
According to Professor Daniel Pauly and Dr Dirk Zeller, the leaders of the Sea Around Us project at the University of British Columbia, bluefin and yellowfin tuna populations have reached crisis levels.
Bluefin tuna tends to be served in high-end, luxury sushi restaurants, whereas yellowfin is more common in high-street sushi bars and supermarkets.
Increasing global demand means sushi populations are being overfished. Most of the UKs sushi comes from the Indian Ocean, but according to Professor Pauly we now only have 2-3 per cent of what we had 200 years ago.
We are in permanent crisis if you look at it in historic terms, he warned.
Sushi 3D nail art Show all 8 1 /8 Sushi 3D nail art Sushi 3D nail art Sushi nail art Copyright: Twitter/eri0128_as Sushi 3D nail art Sushi nail art Copyright: Twitter/mqmx666 Sushi 3D nail art Sushi nail art Copyright: Twitter/mqmx666 Sushi 3D nail art Sushi nail art Copyright: Twitter/masumi0827 Sushi 3D nail art Sushi nail art Copyright: Twitter/masumi0827 Sushi 3D nail art Sushi nail art Copyright: Twitter/karaagetabeta Sushi 3D nail art Sushi nail art Copyright: Twitter/kyo22po Sushi 3D nail art Sushi nail art Copyright: Twitter/mqmx666
Professor Pauly and Dr Zeller believe it is our love of healthy tuna thats causing the problems in our oceans.
The fish is popular not just for its taste but for its health benefits it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which aid heart health.
Cuban fisherman use condoms as unique fishing aid
But whilst sushi has a reputation for being low in calories and high in nutrients, we may have overestimated its health value.
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In advance of a lecture at the Zoological Society of London last night, Professor Pauly revealed he believes most high-street restaurants serve sushi that contains plastic microbeads, the controversial tiny particles often found in face-scrubs and beauty products.
Microbeads are poison pills which soak up all the pollutants and they are consumed by little fish which are then eaten by tuna, Professor Pauly explained to the Mail Online.
Whats more, according to Dr Zeller, sushi often contains high levels of mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls, which are chlorine compounds found in waterways that have been linked to causing cancer.
So what should we eat instead? Dr Zeller and Professor Pauly are urging the public to step away from sushi and eat more fish like anchovies and sardines less glamorous, but potentially better for your health and the environment.
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How often do you order something online only to miss the delivery and subsequently have to go and pick it up, pretty much defeating the whole point of having something delivered to your door?
Its perhaps the worst when youve ordered a wine delivery - youve had a tough day and all you want to do is go home and find a bottle (or crate) of the good stuff waiting for you on your doormat.
But of course, you were at work so you missed the postman or woman, leaving you wine-less and sad.
However one innovative British firm has sought to combat that struggle with the creation of wine delivered in a box that fits through a letterbox.
Whilst boxes of wine are traditionally associated with impoverished students trying to get the most bang for their buck, Garcon Wines new invention is set to revolutionise the wine scene.
Their creation is significantly classier too - rather than wine actually stored inside a box, the boxes hold specially-shaped bottles of vino.
The London-based company have created a flattened plastic bottle that holds the same 750ml as a regular glass bottle, but fits in a cuboid box.
Garcon Wines: Wine delivery that fits through your letterbox Show all 7 1 /7 Garcon Wines: Wine delivery that fits through your letterbox Garcon Wines: Wine delivery that fits through your letterbox Garcon Wines Garcon Wines: Wine delivery that fits through your letterbox Garcon Wines Garcon Wines: Wine delivery that fits through your letterbox Garcon Wines Garcon Wines: Wine delivery that fits through your letterbox Garcon Wines Garcon Wines: Wine delivery that fits through your letterbox Garcon Wines Garcon Wines: Wine delivery that fits through your letterbox Garcon Wines Garcon Wines: Wine delivery that fits through your letterbox Garcon Wines
Whilst wine snobs may turn their noses up at the prospect of wine from a plastic bottle, the companys founders insist the taste and quality of the wine will not be affected.
We are not supplying fine wines that would be put in cellars in months or years, co-founder Santiago Navarro told the Sun Online. The wines will need to be drunk in six to 12 months. Hopefully the majority will be drunk within three months.
In order to fit through a letterbox, the bottles are two inches longer than a standard wine bottle at 13.5 inches, but theyre significantly flatter.
It was after complaints from customers about traditional delivery methods that the idea for wine that would fit through a letterbox came to be.
Much like Bloom & Wilds flower delivery in a box, Garcon Wines ingenious new wine delivery service is set to be hit with young professionals who enjoy drinking at home.
The firm plans to launch subscriptions for deliveries of varying frequencies at about 10 per box.
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Japan is redefining ageing literally.
Members of the Japanese Gerontological Society, a group of medical doctors and university professors, have proposed changing the threshold for "elderly" status from 65 years old to 75 given the country's widespread longevity, NHK World reports.
Census figures from 2015 show 26.7% of Japan's population is 65 years or older. At the current pace, estimates suggest the proportion will rise to 33% by 2035 and 40% by 2060.
Economists have expressed concern over the widespread aging because younger generations aren't having children like they used to. With fewer young people to cover greater social-security costs, people are taking on larger individual shares, limiting their personal spending.
Redefining "elders" as those over 75 instead of 65 would keep more older Japanese people in the workforce. Employees who normally would have retired in great physical shape would remain to contribute to the labor force, and hopefully boost the economy.
The Japanese seem to agree with the proposal.
According to the Japan Times, a recent survey conducted by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry found 20% of people thought old age began at 65, while 41.1% the largest chunk said it began at 70. Just 16% said it starts at 75, however.
A separate survey of people 60 or older found 70% of respondents said they'd be willing to work past 65. Japan Times even reports that 2015 marked the 12th straight year in which the portion of senior citizens in the workforce had risen. There are now an estimated 7.3 million work seniors, who make up 11% of all employees.
Given the widespread understanding that Japanese folks live a long time, plus the ingrained culture of work, the proposal seems like a natural shift in how ageing is characterized.
"The question is whether the changes will be matched by systematic reforms to enable those elderly people who are willing to continue working to do so," Japan Times states in a recent editorial, adding that those reforms include mandatory retirement ages and understanding that not every senior citizen can necessarily keep working.
In those cases, Japan may fill gaps in labor with ageless employees or, as they're more commonly known, robots.
Read more:
9 of history's greatest philosophers reveal the secret to happiness
98% of all Japanese adoptions are employers adopting the adult men on their staff, not children
13 things you're doing wrong from the moment you wake up
Read the original article on Business Insider UK. 2016. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter.
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A three-year multimillion-pound legal battle ended in victory for a London-based businessman, after a High Court judge dismissed the charges against him and launched a scathing attack on the President of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh.
The judge ordered the Republic of Djibouti, one of Africas smallest nations, to pay 9.3m towards the legal costs of businessman Abdourahman Boreh, against whom it had sought damages after making a series of unfounded claims following the creation of a massive container port near Djibouti City.
Mr Boreh, the driving force behind the development, originally faced allegations of dishonesty, breaches of duty and corruption. He said the allegations against him were part of a campaign waged by President Guelleh, who saw him as a political rival.
Mr Justice Flaux, who analysed evidence over two months at a trial in the Royal Courts of Justice Commercial Court, dismissed the charges against him.
In his judgment, the judge said there had been a concerted campaign against Mr Boreh and his businesses, and that the campaign was politically motivated; the nature of the regime in Djibouti was capricious, he added.
His judgment was also critical of Djiboutis president. Mr Justice Flaux said President Guellehs explanation for not travelling to London was inadequate and misconceived. The judge said it was difficult to see what President Guelleh had to fear if he was telling the truth.
President Guelleh had also provided inadequate written witness statements, according to the judge.
President Guelleh wrote to Mr Justice Flaux saying his presence at the trial might set a precedent and would be inappropriate.
All of the witnesses called by Djibouti during the case were either former ministers or senior civil servants. Mr Justice Flaux said in his judgment that the witnesses were in fear of the president.
Djibouti, which was represented by Lord Falconer, the former Lord Chancellor, had secured a $100m (71m) freezing order on Mr Borehs assets after claiming he had abused his position as chairman of the Port Authority to his own financial advantage.
Business news: In pictures Show all 13 1 /13 Business news: In pictures Business news: In pictures Flybe collapses Airline Flybe has collapsed. All future flights on the Exeter-based airline have been cancelled leaving more than 2,300 staff facing an uncertain future, and wrecking the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers. The chief executive, Mark Anderson, said: Europes largest independent regional airline has been unable to overcome significant funding challenges to its business. AFP via Getty Business news: In pictures Future product placement will be 'tailored to individual viewers' Marketing executives say that product placement in films and televison shows on streaming services such as Netflix may be tailored to individuals in future. For instance, if data shows that a viewer is a fan of pepsi, a billboard in the background of a shot would host an advert for pepsi, while for a viewer known to have different tastes it could be for Coca-Cola Paramount Business news: In pictures Corbyn wishes Amazon a happy birthday In a card sent to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on the company's 25th birthday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn writes: "You owe the British people millions in taxes that pay for the public services that we all rely on. Please pay your fair share" Business news: In pictures No deal, no tariffs The government has announced that it would slash almost all tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Notable exceptions include cars and meat, which will see tariffs in place to protect British farmers Getty Business news: In pictures Fingerprint payment NatWest is trialling a new bank card that will allow people to touch their hand to the card when paying rather than typing in a PIN number. The card will work by recognising the user's fingerprint NatWest/PA Wire Business news: In pictures Mahabis bust High-end slipper retailer Mahabis has gone into administration. 2 Jan 2019 Mahabis Business news: In pictures Costa Cola Coca-Cola has paid 3.9bn for Costa Coffee. A cafe chain is a new venture for the global soft drinks giant PA Business news: In pictures RIP Payday Loans A funeral procession for payday loans was held in London on September 2. The future of pay day lenders is in doubt after Wonga, Britain's biggest, went into administration on August 30 PA Business news: In pictures Musk irks investors and directors Elon Musk has concluded that Tesla will remain public. Investors and company directors were angry at Musk for tweeting unexpectedly that he was considering taking Tesla private and share prices had taken a tumble in the following weeks Getty Business news: In pictures Jaguar warning Iconic British car maker Jaguar Land Rover warned on July 5, 2018 that a "bad" Brexit deal could jeopardise planned investment of more than $100 billion, upping corporate pressure as the government heads into crucial talks AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures Spotif-IPO Spotify traded publically for the first time on the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday. However, the company isn't issuing shares, but rather, shares held by Spotify's private investors will be sold AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures French blue passports The deadline to award a contract to make blue British passports after Brexit has been extended by two weeks following a request by bidder De La Rue. The move comes after anger at the announcement British passports would be produced by Franco-Dutch firm Gemalto when De La Rues contract ends in July. The British firm said Gemalto was chosen only because it undercut the competition, but the UK company also admitted that it was not the cheapest choice in the tendering process. Business news: In pictures Beast from the east economic impact The Beast from the East wiped 4m off of Flybes revenues due to flight cancellations, airport closures and delays, according to the budget airlines estimates. Flybe said it cancelled 994 flights in the three months to 31 March, compared to 372 in the same period last year.
The Republic of Djibouti said in a statement that it was extremely disappointed with the outcome of the case and was exploring urgently with its lawyers the best course of action to take, including the possibility of an appeal.
The small nation in the Horn of Africa, with a population of less than 1 million people, plays an important part in Americas anti-terrorism efforts. It houses the military base which is a key staging post for US Special Forces and aerial drones targeting jihadist groups in Yemen and Somalia.
Yvonne Jefferies of Byrne and Partners, who represented Mr Boreh, said Mr Justice Flauxs ruling was scathing. It is a fantastic result for Mr Boreh and a vindication of what he has contended throughout that the claims against him were cynical, unfounded and politically motivated.
Chinese FM wraps up five-nation Africa visit, hails "new changes" in cooperation
(Xinhua) 11:21, January 13, 2017
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi wrapped up his African tour on Thursday that carried him to Madagascar, Zambia, Tanzania, Republic of Congo and Nigeria, at a time when China-Africa cooperation is going from strength to strength.
The foreign minister's visit was in keeping with China's nearly three-decade-long diplomatic tradition of making Africa its first overseas destination each year.
Such a tradition signifies that "China always regards developing countries as the cornerstone of its diplomacy and Africa its priority," Wang said during the visit.
NEW DRIVING FORCE, POSITIVE CHANGES
China announced 10 major cooperation plans which are aimed at helping Africa realize industrialization and agricultural modernization, at the Johannesburg summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
China also promised 60 billion U.S. dollars as funding support to see these plans through.
The implementation of these plans has constituted a new driving force for the China-Africa cooperation, Wang said while in Zambia.
The cooperation has witnessed a fast growth since then, with many Chinese companies coming to Africa to invest and establish plants. From the Dec. 2015 Johannesburg summit to July, 2016, the agreements signed in various fields between China and Africa were valued at over 50 billion U.S. dollars.
Wang said in this process "three new changes" has emerged in terms of China-Africa cooperation. A government-led pattern has gradually evolved into one where the market plays a major role. General merchandise trade has been gradually upgraded to production capacity cooperation, processing and trade. There is also a gradual shift from basic project contracting to investment, construction and operation.
Many China-funded mega projects in Africa were completed in 2016, paving way for materializing the ambitions laid out at the summit. Among them are the 752.7-km Ethiopia-Djibouti Railway, Nigeria's 186.5-km Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge railway and Tanzania's 680-meter-long, six-lane Nyerere Bridge, the largest cable-stayed cross-sea bridge in East Africa.
China, Zambia and Tanzania will work to revitalize the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, built with Chinese assistance in the 1970s and a monument to the China-Africa friendship.
Through comprehensive reform of the management system, effectively linking the railway to ports and building an industrial economic belt along the railway, it is hoped that the 1,860-km railway line will gain renewed vigor and contribute to helping Tanzania, Zambia and other African countries realize independent and sustainable development.
In Madagascar, Wang said that China welcomes African countries to join the Belt and Road Initiative.
China has already started to explore cooperation opportunities with a number of African countries, especially those on the eastern coast of Africa and has achieved positive progress in this regard.
With the deepening of cooperation, the African continent will get more development benefits from this cooperation, said Wang.
As Africa's largest island and an important country, Madagascar is geographically nearest to China among African countries. Madagascar had direct links with the ancient maritime silk road in history, which make it a natural extension of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.
The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road trade routes. It has won support from over 100 countries and international organizations.
China would help the Republic of Congo build a special economic zone (SEZ) in the harbor city of Pointe Noire, Wang said.
The Pointe Noire SEZ would draw upon China's rich experience in development, and turn into a flagship program for China-Africa production capacity cooperation.
The current complexity in global politics and economics has brought many uncertainties to the peace and development of the African continent, as well as new opportunities, Wang said while in Nigeria.
China has the desire and capacity to make new contributions to Africa's peace and development through deepening its cooperation with the continent, he said.
"Unlike other development partners, the Chinese are investing in infrastructure and industries which could help propel Tanzania to middle income status by 2025," Gaudence Mpangala, professor at the Ruaha Catholic University in Iringa Region, told Xinhua.
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Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) has snapped up a stake in French luxury goods retailer Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH), bolstering its efforts to stop makers of high end leather goods and clothes from using exotic animal skins in production.
Peta known for staging elaborate protests and publicity stunts confirmed in a statement on its website that it had bought the shares on Thursday. But the group, which owns Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Hennessy cognac among other high end brands, did not reveal the size of its holding.
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Petas stake in the company will give it the right to attend shareholder meetings and question the board.
Every Peta expose of the exotic-skins industry has found sensitive living beings crammed into filthy pits, hacked apart, and left to die, Ingrid Newkirk, the president of Peta, wrote in a statement published on the charitys website.
From demonstrating on the street to speaking up in the boardroom, Peta will push LVMH to stop selling any bag, watchband, or shoe made from a reptiles skin.
LVMH was not immediately available for comment.
The move by Peta comes in the wake of its investigation into crocodile farms, which have allegedly supplied skins to a tannery owned by LVMH.
The expose showed the animals are confined to tiny pits and that they are sometimes cut into while still alive.
Last month, Sylvie Benard, director of environment at LVMH, denied the allegations saying that the groups tannery in Vietnam had not bought crocodile skins from any Vietnamese farms since 2014.
Where not to visit if you love animals Show all 9 1 /9 Where not to visit if you love animals Where not to visit if you love animals Monkey shows Chimpanzees are forced to perform demeaning tricks on leashes and are often subject to cruel training techniques. Animals who are confined to small, barren enclosures and forced to perform unsurprisingly show symptoms of stress and depression. Chimpanzees have been documented rocking back and forth, sucking their lips, salivating and swaying against enclosure perimeters in distress. Getty Where not to visit if you love animals Marine parks Some parks confine orcas to concrete tanks and force them to perform meaningless tricks for food - many die in captivity. Orcas are highly intelligent and social mammals who may suffer immensely, both physically and mentally, when they're held in captivity. Getty Where not to visit if you love animals Tiger shows Tigers are forced to live in an unnatural and barren environment and have to endure interactions with a constant stream of tourists. Since tigers never lose their wild instincts, across the world they are reportedly drugged, mutilated and restrained in order to make them safe for the public. However, every year, incidents of tiger maulings are reported at this type of tourist attraction. Getty Where not to visit if you love animals Donkey rides Sunning on the beach is great for humans we can take a quick dip or catch a bite to eat when we get too hot or hungry. But it's pure hell for donkeys who are confined to the beach and forced to cart children around on the hot sand. Some donkey-ride operators at beach resorts in the UK even keep the animals chained together at all times. Getty Where not to visit if you love animals Swimming with dolphins Some marine parks use bottlenose dolphins in performances and offer visitors the opportunity to swim with dolphins. Unfortunately, people are often unaware that these animals are captured in the wild and torn from their families or traded between different parks around the world. Getty Where not to visit if you love animals Canned hunting Lions are confined to fenced areas so that they can easily be cornered, with no chance of escape. Most of them will have been bred in captivity and then taken from their mothers to be hand-reared by the cub-petting industry. When they get too big, they may be drugged before they are released into a "hunting" enclosure. Because these animals are usually kept in fenced enclosures (ranging in size from just a few square yards to thousands of acres), they never stand a chance of surviving. Getty Where not to visit if you love animals Running of the Bulls Every year, tourists travel to Pamplona for the Running of the Bulls. The bulls who are forced to slip and slide down the town's narrow cobblestone streets are chased straight into the bullring. They are then taunted, stabbed repeatedly and finally killed by the matador in front of a jeering crowd. The majority of Spaniards reject bullfighting, but tourists are keeping the cruel industry on its last legs. Getty Where not to visit if you love animals Horse-drawn carriages City streets are no place for horses. The animals toil in all weather extremes, suffering from respiratory distress from breathing in exhaust fumes as well as numerous hoof, leg and back problems from walking on pavement all day long. As easily spooked prey animals, horses subjected to the loud noises and unexpected sounds of city streets are likely to be involved in accidents, even deadly ones. Getty Where not to visit if you love animals Zoos The zoo community regards the animals it keeps as commodities, and animals are regularly bought, sold, borrowed and traded without any regard for established relationships. Zoos breed animals because the presence of babies draws visitors and boosts revenue, yet often, there's nowhere to put the offspring as they grow, and they are killed, as we saw with Marius the giraffe in Denmark. Some zoos have introduced evening events with loud music and alcohol which disrupt the incarcerated animals even further. EPA
She said at the time: We have no knowledge of a partner that would practise the method you referred to [. . .] any cruel method involving the suffering of the animal is in clear contradiction with our principles and rules.
Peta has previously bought stakes in luxury goods houses, including Prada.
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A branch of McDonalds, based a stones throw away from where the Pope lives in Vatican City, is to hand out thousands of free meals to homeless people after upsetting cardinals and cultural heritage guardians by opening an outlet near St Peters Square.
The fast food giant caused a stir last December when it opened an outlet in a piazza to the right of the iconic St Peters Basilica, particularly upsetting cardinals living above the restaurant.
However, the fast food giant is now set to atone by helping to feed the homeless living outside Vatican City.
According to AFP, the charitable act will begin next week, and continue every Monday at lunchtime, starting from 16 January.
McDonald's will provide double cheeseburgers, apples and bottles of water to the homeless. Volunteers from the charity Medicina Solidale will help hand out the meals to the needy.
Medicina Solidale has been working with the Vatican's charitable arm over the past year, providing health check-ups and medical care to the local homeless community.
The causes of homelessness Show all 7 1 /7 The causes of homelessness The causes of homelessness Family Breakdown Relationship breakdown, usually between young people and their parents or step-parents, is a major cause of youth homelessness. Around six in ten young people who come to Centrepoint say they had to leave home because of arguments, relationship breakdown or being told to leave. Many have experienced long-term problems at home, often involving violence, leaving them without the family support networks that most of us take for granted The causes of homelessness Complex needs Young people who come to Centrepoint face a range of different and complex problems. More than a third have a mental health issue, such as depression and anxiety, another third need to tackle issues with substance misuse. A similar proportion also need to improve their physical health. These problems often overlap, making it more difficult for young people to access help and increasing the chances of them becoming homeless Getty/iStock The causes of homelessness Deprivation Young people's chances of having to leave home are higher in areas of high deprivation and poor prospects for employment and education. Many of those who experience long spells of poverty can get into problem debt, which makes it harder for them to access housing Getty Images/iStockphoto The causes of homelessness Gang Crime Homeless young people are often affected by gang-related problems. In some cases, it becomes too dangerous to stay in their local area meaning they can end up homeless. One in six young people at Centrepoint have been involved in or affected by gang crime Getty Images/iStockphoto The causes of homelessness Exclusion From School Not being in education can make it much more difficult for young people to access help with problems at home or health problems. Missing out on formal education can also make it more difficult for them to move into work Getty Images/iStockphoto The causes of homelessness Leaving Care Almost a quarter of young people at Centrepoint have been in care. They often have little choice but to deal with the challenges and responsibilities of living independently at a young age. Traumas faced in their early lives make care leavers some of the most vulnerable young people in our communities, with higher chances of poor outcomes in education, employment and housing. Their additional needs mean they require a higher level of support to maintain their accommodation Getty Images/iStockphoto The causes of homelessness Refugees Around 13 per cent of young people at Centrepoint are refugees or have leave to remain, meaning it isn't safe to return home. This includes young people who come to the UK as unaccompanied minors, fleeing violence or persecution in their own country. After being granted asylum, young people sometimes find themselves with nowhere to go and can end up homeless Getty Images/iStockphoto
It was revealed last year that the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic (APSA), the part of the Church which looks after the Vaticans assets, had agreed to rent part of the building to McDonalds.
Before the outlet opened, the Pope has received a letter from one angry cardinal asking the religious leader to intervene in stopping the restaurant from opening, according to media reports.
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Marine Le Pen has visited Trump Tower during an unannounced visit to New York.
The far-right French Front National leader has consistently praised Donald Trump and is currently in New York just four months before the French presidential elections, in which she has emerged as a frontrunner.
Ms Le Pen was spotted by journalists at Mr Trumps headquarters but it remains unclear whether she met with the businessman or his advisers.
The President-elect's spokesman, Sean Spicer, told CNN that the neither Mr Trump nor any of his team were scheduled to meet with the French politician. Trump Tower is open to the public, he added.
Pictures on social media showed Ms Le Pen holding a meeting with three men in what appeared to be a public area of the building. One of the men is believed Louis Aliot, her partner and one of the Front National's vice presidents,
The French politician's chief of staff was quoted as saying the trip to New York was a private visit and would only reveal that a meeting with Mr Trump was not on her public agenda. Ms Le Pen refused to confirm to journalists at Trump Tower whether or not she was meeting the President-elect.
She has previously called Mr Trump's election a sign of hope and said the Republican was putting in place measures I have been demanding for years.
Speaking to CNN late last year, she said: Donald Trump has made possible what was presented as completely impossible. So its a sign of hope for those who cannot bear wild globalisation. They cannot bear the political life led by the elites.
Ms Le Pen is currently narrowly ahead in opinion polls for the first round of voting in Frances presidential election. The latest poll, published on Thursday, gave her a 1.5 per cent lead over Republican candidate Francois Fillon.
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Kamiyah Mobley was barely eight hours old when she was abducted from a Florida hospital.
Grainy surveillance video captured photos of a woman leaving the Jacksonville University Medical Centre hospital with the infant. Yet despite a huge police operation, they failed to discover the baby, or the person who stole her.
On Friday, in a remarkable development, officers from the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office said that Kamiyah Mobley had been found alive and well more than 18 years after she was stolen.
Gloria Williams has been connected in arrested with the abduction (Jacksonville Sheriff's Office) (Jacksonville Sheriff's Office)
Police said she had been found living in Walterboro, South Carolina, with a woman she believed, erroneously, was her real mother. Police said that woman, Gloria Williams, 51, had been arrested in connection with the abduction. Ms Mobley has been living with a name that was not the one given to her.
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
She had an inclination beginning a couple of months ago that she may have been involved in this in some way, said Sheriff Mike Williams.
Shes taking it as well as you can imagine. She has a lot to process. She has a lot to think about.
According to WJXT, Ms Mobleys mother, Shanara, was just 16 at the time of her babys birth. According to reports at the time, she was befriended by a woman who passed herself off as a family member to the hospital and a medical professional to Shanara.
A reward for $250,000 for offered for information about the stolen baby
Mr Williams, the police officer, said that Ms Mobleys biological parents and grandmother were extremely excited and overwhelmed with emotion at the news, the sheriff said.
She appears to be a normal 18-year-old-woman, the sheriff said.
Over the years, authorities received more than 2,500 tips in connection with the case. On Friday, investigators were calling retired detectives who worked on the case with word of the latest development.
This is a case like we have not seen in this country in a long time, the officer said.
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A man has been found dead in a suspected suicide at British detention centre - the second death at the facility in little more than a month.
The Home Office confirmed to The Independent that the 27-year-old Polish detainee died at Morton Hall detention centre on Wednesday.
The announcement comes just over a month after a 49-year old inmate was found dead at the same centre on 6 December, and has prompted calls for better levels of health care and mental health support.
The Home Office has not yet confirmed the cause of death, but detainee support group The Unity Centre said fellow detainees at Morton Hall believe he killed himself, and was found hanged in his room.
The group claims the man was refused bail on 23 December, because his heavily pregnant partner was unable to travel to a bail hearing, and therefore could not act as his surety - a person who the courts believe will help a detainee adhere to the terms of their bail conditions.
A statement from the Unity Centre said: [The deceaseds] baby was born on the day of the suicide. It is believed he was aware of the birth before he took his life, and that he had expressed enormous grief at not being allowed to see the birth of his child.
Detainees in Heathrow Removal Centre, Colnbrook, Morton Hall and Yarls Wood [Immigration Removal Centres] overwhelmingly report on the poor levels of health care and mental health support.
The latest announcement brings the total death toll in immigration removal centres to 29 since 2000. In the same week as the death of the 49-year-old detainee at Morton Hall, Tarek Chowdury, 64, was murdered at Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre, near Heathrow.
A Home Office spokesperson said: We can confirm that a 27-year-old Polish man who was detained at Morton Hall immigration removal centre was found dead on Wednesday 11 January. Our thoughts are with the individuals family at this very sad time.
As is the case with any death in detention, the police have been informed and a full independent investigation will be conducted by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.
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'Thundersnow' will continue to be unleashed by 70mph gale-force winds across predominantly northern parts of the UK today.
Up to seven inches of snow has already fallen on parts of Scotland, while icy and slushy conditions have closed schools and roads.
These freezing temperatures, compounded by flood warnings, will leave thousands of employees in a difficult dilemma.
Recommended Schools closed amid traffic chaos as deluge of snow sparks mayhem
What if it will take you longer commuting to and from the office than the time youll spend at work, and what if your childrens school shuts its doors?
Here we break down what you can do and what your rights are amid this wintry conundrum.
The weather will make my commute a nightmare; do I have to go in?
The short answer: yes. But of course there are exceptions, to be discussed below.
Anthony Sakrouge, head of the employment department at London-based solicitors Russell-Cooke, told The Independent: Unless there is something that says otherwise in your contract, you have to make best efforts to get in even if it takes you two to three hours.
Most people in London or the cities cannot say they cannot get to work, only that it will be painful and slow.
Thundersnow: Where will the blizzards hit?
But I physically cannot get into the office; can I still get paid?
Some employers may have bad weather policies written into contracts saying workers can be paid if unable to get in because of adverse weather, but according to Acas advice, you are not entitled to any payment.
Do I have to take it as annual leave/holiday?
The employer is likely to say take it out of your holiday if you dont want to try getting in or if they accept it might be a nightmarish journey, said Mr Sakrouge.
Can I work from home?
Many employees may achieve more, especially if they live far away, at home than they will taking five hours trying to travel to the office and back, said Mr Sakrouge.
In those circumstances most sensible employees, if they ask politely, will let the employee stay at home.
Again, depending on the contract however, the employer is not obliged to do this and the employee would need sufficient facilities at home.
Will I have to make up the hours?
What they are not entitled to do, if you are paid for an eight-hour shift for example, is force you to make up the hours if you are, say, three hours late because of the weather," said Mr Sakrouge.
Most employees will not try and dock your salary or halve your pay, but people working a salary are definitely better off in that situation.
But Im actually paid by the hour
Unfortunately people who are paid per hour will not be paid for the hours they would have otherwise worked, so they lose out," he said.
I work by the job for Deliveroo and Uber, what about me?
They will have no argument, admitted Mr Sakrouge.
Its difficult for them in times of bad weather because they are paid for what they get done.
Recommended Deliveroo drivers demand union recognition after Uber ruling
Will I be penalised?
Mr Sakrouge said: "What an employer probably cant do in those circumstances is dismiss an employee for being late because of snow. You couldnt justify that."
As an employer, what should I do?
If theyre sensible and know the snow is coming, they may send round an email saying employees can, for example, take the day off, said Mr Sakrouge.
Most employers are not looking to wind them up because they realise how important they are to the business.
But the business I work for will close for the day if I dont turn up
Mr Sakrouge said: "If the employer is the only person manning a shop and they cant get in a replacement for their only one employee, it might be best they come in to man the shop for four hours (half the day) and the employer works the other half.
I cant go into work because my childrens school is closed
Dependent care regulation says employees can ask to take time off unpaid, if a child cannot go to school, or is unwell, or a parent is unwell and has to be cared for, in order to make emergency arrangements.
But Mr Sakrouge said an employee, thanks to implied terms of trust and confidence case law, can usually be paid if they can prove they can still work just as efficiently at home.
How often are there employment law disputes over snow?
Mr Sakrouge said he had never heard of a case in 20 years of the profession, adding: Its usually resolved on a common sense basis.
Its not usually that bad in England. What they do in other countries, I dont know.
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A newly-married womans life was saved during her honeymoon after a stranger in a supermarket spotted a cancerous lump on her neck.
Danielle McCulloch was on holiday in Cyprus just days after tying the knot with husband Matt when a doctor, out of the blue, told her to get the growth on her neck checked out.
Once back in the UK surgeons removed a 4cm-deep lump and told her it was a stage three thyroid cancer tumour that would have killed her.
The Petra Tou Romiou (Aphrodite's Rock) in the southwestern Paphos region in the east Mediterranean island of Cyprus Getty (Getty)
Im so grateful to that doctor for telling me what she did because she could have saved my life, said Ms McCulloch, speaking to the Peterborough Telegraph.
No-one else had ever pointed the lump out before and I didnt think it was anything to worry about. Without the push to get it checked out, it could have been a completely different story.
Recommended A peace deal could transform holidays in Cyprus
The pair, who have two children aged nine and four, married and went on their honeymoon in Cyprus, where Ms McCullochs grandmother lives, in May 2015.
After meeting the doctor - who is her nans GP - in a shop on the island, Ms McCulloch saw her GP in Peterborough before being referred to a specialist for tests and a biopsy at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge.
The cleaner, whose lump was removed with radioactive iodine treatment, will return to hospital for bi-annual check-ups.
Young cancer patient's wish 'to blow stuff up' granted by police
Thyroid cancer includes swelling in the front of the neck, unexplained hoarseness that persists, a sore throat that does not get better, and difficulty swallowing.
Thyroid tumours, which are two to three times more likely in women than men, are not always cancer.
Ms McCulloch urged others to seek check-ups for unusual symptoms no matter how trivial they appear.
It only takes ten minutes and it could save your life, she said.
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Theresa Mays plans to trigger Article 50 could be delayed by months because enacting Brexit while Northern Irelands Assembly is in crisis may be illegal, The Independent has learned.
Power-sharing collapsed in the region earlier this week, meaning a snap election for Stormont is imminent.
An election is expected to last for at least two months, during which time the Northern Ireland Assembly will be unable to sit and approve decisions.
Martin McGuinness resigns as Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister
As a result, the Prime Minister may be unable to trigger Article 50 the formal mechanism by which a country begins to leave the European Union as she will be unable to get approval from Stormont, thereby delaying her Brexit plans even further.
Speaking to The Independent, leader of the anti-sectarianism Alliance Party, Naomi Long, said Ms May could face a legal challenge from Northern Irish politicians if she tries to trigger Article 50 while Stormont is not sitting.
She said: Given the timing of this, what were going to have is an election taking place and talks [to form a new government at Stormont] taking place when any decision would need to be made by the Assembly [on Brexit].
There wont actually be an Assembly there to actually take votes. And that is one of the biggest challenges that we have in terms of the timing.
I think unfortunately because the Assembly isnt likely to be in place, to be able to take votes on the issue, we are in a very vulnerable and very weak position. Whether that means that Article 50 would have to be delayed, may at the end of the day be another case for the court to find out whether the absence of an administration here means that they need to consult with the devolved administration goes.
Ms Long added that in the event of such a legal challenge, Article 50 could be delayed considerably while a court decides whether Stormont must approve plans.
It could take months. We just dont know, is the truth. As with so much around Brexit, its an uncertainty, she said.
Arlene Foster: Instability due to Sinn Fein's "selfish" actions
The Supreme Court is currently deciding whether the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should also be entitled to approve Ms Mays plans to trigger Article 50.
During the legal challenge which was heard in December, Northern Irish lawyers argued that in addition to MPs at Westminster getting a vote on whether to approve the plans, Northern Irish politicians at Stormont should also get to approve or deny the move. The justice are currently considering the case and their verdict is expected within the next week.
Power-sharing at Stormont collapsed on Monday after Sinn Fein politician Martin McGuinness resigned to protest at how his Democratic Unionist counterpart Arlene Foster handled allegations of a financial scandal.
Known locally as the cash for ash scandal, Ms Foster is accused of mishandling a government scheme started in 2012. The programme was designed to encourage local businesses to use renewable heat sources but a loophole meant they were actually paid to burn fuel pointlessly.
It is estimated the scheme will cost the tax payer some 490m. Ms Foster has denied any wrongdoing and resisted calls to stand down.
Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Show all 13 1 /13 Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Supreme Court Brexit Challenge People wait to enter the public gallery outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Gina Miller, co-founder of investment fund SCM Private arrives at the Supreme court in London on the first day of a four-day hearing Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A man waves the EU flag in front of the Supreme Court Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Satirical artist Kaya Mar poses with two of his paintings in front of the Supreme Court Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Pro-Europe protestors dressed as Supreme Court Justices stand outside the Supreme Court ahead of the first day of a hearing into whether Parliament's consent is required before the Brexit process can begin. The eleven Supreme Court Justices will hear the government's appeal, following the High Court's recent decision that only Parliament can trigger Article 50 Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge The eleven Supreme Court Justices will hear the government's appeal, following the High Court's recent decision that only Parliament can trigger Article 50 Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Businesswoman Gina Miller arrives at the Supreme Court ahead of the first day of a hearing into whether Parliament's consent is required before the Brexit process can begin Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Attorney General Jeremy Wright arrives at the Supreme Court in London EPA Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Protesters outside the Supreme Court in London, where the Government is appealing against a ruling that the Prime Minister must seek MPs' approval to trigger the process of taking Britain out of the European Union PA wire Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A protesters wearing a judge's wigs and robes stands outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A protester holds up a placard outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Pro-Europe protestors dressed as Supreme Court Justices stand outside the Supreme Court Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A man waiting to enter the public gallery waves a European Union flag outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters
On Monday, Mr McGuinness resigned as Deputy First Minister, meaning Ms Foster also lost her position as First Minister under power-sharing rules which mean both must be in office for either of them to remain in power.
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire now has until 5pm on Monday 16 January to convince Sinn Fein to nominate a replacement for Mr McGuinness in order to save the Executive. However, Sinn Fein has insisted they will not do so and an election now appears unavoidable.
An election is expected to be held within the next eight weeks, which would clash with Ms Mays plans to trigger Article 50 by the end of March. The possibility of a legal challenge by Northern Irish politicians to triggering the mechanism will be a further blow to the Prime Ministers Brexit plans, amid criticisms that her Governments attempts to enact EU withdrawal have been poorly executed.
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Jeremy Corbyn has dismissed suggestions he has lost control of Labour following the resignation of a second MP from the party in a matter of weeks.
His comments come after Tristram Hunt, the MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central constituency since 2010, quit the party to become the next director of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Speaking to Sky News, the Labour leader, however, denied he had lost control of the parliamentary party and was not expecting any more MPs to follow Mr Hunt and Jamie Reed a persistent critic of the Corbyn project who resigned in December.
Recommended Tristram Hunt stands down as an MP
Mr Hunt is a respected published historian, who lectures in modern history at Queen Mary University in London and came to prominence in the 1990s as a Tony Blair supporting adviser to the science minister David Sainsbury
The former Shadow Education Secretary has been a vocal critic of the Labour leadership, and shortly after Mr Corbyns victory in a second leadership contest last year he reeled off a series of gaffes aimed at the Labour leader.
However, in his resignation letter, he did not criticise Mr Corbyn, but said the opportunity to lead the V&A was too good to turn down. He wrote: I have no desire to rock the boat now and anyone who interprets my decision to leave in that way is just plain wrong.
When Mr Corbyn was asked whether he was secretly pleased at the departure of an MP who has been an open critic of his leadership, he replied: No, I dont want anyone to resign, I dont want to lose MPs.
Im not expecting any other MPs to resign. In most parliaments there are a number of by-elections, so if they come, they come.
I havent lost control of the party. The party isnt out of control. We are a very large party with a growing membership, we have a vibrant policy-making process. We have a party which is very active.
It also emerged on Friday that Theresa May was aware of Mr Hunts resignation before the Labour leader, who found out on Friday morning during a phone call. According to a spokesman for the Prime Minister she gave Mr Hunts V&A appointment the rubber stamp on Thursday.
Tristram Hunt resigned as the Labour MP for Stoke Central (Getty)
Tristram Hunt called me this morning and told me he was very honoured to be offered the position of director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, Mr Corbyn added. We chatted about that, we chatted about the work they are already doing in Dundee, and the way that he is planning to expand the museum and maintain free entry to it.
The last thing I wrote in my letter to him was I look forward to visiting the V&A to meet you as director and have a look around.
At the 2015 election, he won the Stoke-on-Trent Central seat with a 5,100 majority from Ukip, making the by-election a huge opportunity for that party. On paper, it is a reasonably safe Labour seat but Stoke-on-Trent voted 69 per cent to Leave the EU in the referendum, by 81,000 votes to 36,000.
But Mr Corbyn said he was confident Labour would retain the seat. Its been a Labour seat for a long time, we have a strong message to put out, we are opposed to austerity, we want to see investment in city communities, we want to see a continuation of the industrial renaissance and technical renaissance of Stoke-on-Trent. Im looking forward to the campaign, he added.
But Nigel Farage, the former Ukip leader, was quick to torment his political opponents, tweeting: Tristram Hunts resignation from Stoke will be followed by many others. Labour is doomed.
One Labour MP told the Politics Home website: Tristram has been talking about this for a while, so its no surprise that hes decided to go. There are scores of us who would quit if we had another job to go to because we know that the party has no chance at the next election.
Tom Watson, Labours deputy leader, did not disguise the latest blow to his party, saying of Mr Hunt: His departure will be keenly felt by Parliament and by the Labour Party.
On Saturday the Labour leader is also expected to deliver a speech at an event hosted by the Fabian Society in central London.
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It has been a calamitous winter inside the NHS. Last week, three people tragically died at Worcestershire Royal hospital with a women dying of a heart attack after waiting for 35 hours on a trolley. A similar picture has developed across the country with patients on trolleys due to lack of beds, many hospital trusts on red alert and ambulances missing targets for life-threatening emergencies. The British Red Cross declared a humanitarian crisis in the NHS.
The return of the Red Cross to Europe, over the last few years, for the first time since the Second World War is a terrible indicator of the toll austerity is taking. Wall-to-wall coverage and acres of column inches have generally failed to examine the root causes. Health journalists and correspondents seem perfectly content to recycle the crisis mantra. This is extremely convenient for the government and vested interests. What is missing from this picture is that the NHS crisis is manufactured by deliberate policies of cuts and privatisation.
The NHS will have endured an unprecedented nearly 40bn in cuts by 2020. Prime Minister Theresa Mays response notably in last Sundays interview with Sophy Ridge on Sky News has been to downplay the crisis. Hunt followed suit and his statement to the Commons on Monday was a typical masterclass in deflecting the blame. The initial response in the government playbook was to change the subject to mental health. Hunt also raised the possibility of axing the 4-hour A&E waiting target.
Undoubtedly, there is a significant crisis in mental healthcare as it is underfunded proportionate to what it represents as a percentage of NHS care. However, the unfolding winter crisis has been one of emergency and hospital care. Mental health is worth dwelling on, though, because it represents a dire warning for the future of the NHS. A programme of Care in the Community was launched in the 1980s accompanied by the closure of inpatient facilities and wards. The result has been chronic shortage of psychiatric beds with patients, including children, forced to travel hundreds of miles if they require inpatient care.
Mental health has also been a testing ground for privatisation with whole swathes outsourced to the private sector. The NHS Five Year Forward View now proposes a similar model for physical health. The Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs) represent 22bn in efficiency savings with downgrade or closure plans for tens of hospital trusts. Hospital care will therefore be consolidated at large centres. The Dalton review suggests that these super hospitals can be run either by NHS trusts or the private sector.
The same programme is being applied to general practice. More than 650 GP surgeries have already been closed, merged or taken over since 2010 and the Royal College of General Practitioners warns that up to a further 600 surgeries face closure by 2020. The General Practice Forward View document pushed for networks of federated organisations in April. On the face of it, this all sounds like a reasonable proposition. However, this new model of integrated or accountable care is being imported from US healthcare; specifically organisations, such as Kaiser Permanente. Hunt even cited Kaiser Permanente as an exemplary model before a parliamentary committee.
Workload has been a key component of the contract dispute between junior doctors and the Government (Getty)
Integrated healthcare is designed to minimise access to expensive hospital care and to deliver care in the community. Care in the community sounds again like a reasonable proposition. Yet, there appear to be no plans for significant investment in community or GP services. Quite the opposite has been rolled out with hefty cuts to social care leading to bed blocking.
In fact, the NHS bed crisis has been generated by decades of ward closures. More than half of NHS beds have been closed since the 1980s. Unsurprisingly, NHS bed to population ratios are now below some Eastern European countries. The prospect of more cuts and hospital closures and downgrades is hardly an enticing one. This is likely to translate as a mixed model of care with the expansion of private health insurance entirely in keeping with proposals by David Camerons health advisor Nick Seddon. Seddon previously wrote in The Daily Telegraph that the NHS should merge with insurance companies and those who can pay should contribute towards their healthcare.
Yet as became apparent with the Governments response this week, the one thing putting the brakes on privatisation plans is political expediency. The STPs may well hit the buffers local campaign groups are already mobilising rapidly as communities face the stark possibility of losing their local hospital. The new year has certainly not started well for the NHS but there is another way of looking at all this. Its all going to plan. One is reminded of Mark Britnells comments a few years ago at a private equity conference that the NHS would be shown no mercy and that it would become a state insurance provider, not a state deliverer of care.
Recommended The Government is covering up a crisis in the NHS
It looks like this prophecy is coming true. Britnell is a former senior Department of Health civil servant before he went off to work for KPMG. A narrative of crisis fits in with the story being spun by private healthcare lobbyists namely that the NHS is unsustainable and unaffordable and that it will need to shift towards new models of funding and care.
Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, told the Public Accounts Committee this week that the current NHS model of universal healthcare may no longer be sustainable. The problem is that the current NHS model is not the original one of publicly run, provided, and funded care. The NHS is now a market system with the logo used to conceal a plethora of private sector activity. Hospitals are set up as foundation trusts or semi-independent businesses with corporate management and are allowed to make up to half their income from private patients.
Many are privately financed and run by corporate consortia. The Private Finance Initiative (PFI) means that banks, such as RBS and HSBC, have controlling stakes in NHS hospitals and it has been reported that HSBC even owns three NHS hospitals outright. This is the crux of the matter. The market system with accelerating private sector involvement has escalated costs.
The response of the shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth for a larger funding settlement is all well and good but it is a second order issue. The primary issue is the removal of the market and private sector involvement. Market forces and privatisation are siphoning tens of billions out of the NHS budget as corporate profits. The limited internal market costs between 4.5 up to 10bn a year. The extensive market consisting of hospital foundation trusts, payment tariffs, contract tendering and other market processes is likely to cost even more.
Department of Health figures show that private sector outsourcing now accounts for 8.7bn a year or 7.6 per cent of the budget excluding general practice, dentistry and community pharmacy. The key point on private sector outsourcing is that, as a rule, profits are not reinvested. PFI represents a further 2bn a year and NHS hospitals will pay up to 80bn eventually in PFI debts. The total UK PFI debt for all infrastructure is more than 300bn or four times the size of the budget deficit, which was used to justify austerity in the first place. It is worth recalling that too-big-to-fail banks, such as RBS, which played a significant role in the financial crisis, are profiting from PFI. Hospital trusts are paying millions each week on PFI and, as a result, a majority are running into deficit.
NHS chief Simon Stevens told Parliament this week that 2018 will be the toughest year for the health service (PA) (PA wire)
Much was made this week of NHS chief executive Simon Stevens speaking truth to power when he told the Public Accounts Committee that the NHS was not getting the funding it needed. In reality, Stevens was one of the architects of privatisation by expanding the internal market into an extensive market as adviser to New Labour Health Secretary Alan Milburn and then as adviser to Tony Blair. Stevens eventually went off to work for UnitedHealth in the US one of the largest private healthcare and insurance corporations. He has now returned through the revolving door at the helm of the NHS. This is part of a bigger pattern of corporate capture of policy making across government.
In his parliamentary statement, Hunt played the blame game emphasising that A&E cannot simply cater for every whim and need. This has been the preferred narrative diverting blame onto the concept of the NHS, NHS staff, lifestyle choices of patients and an ageing population. In fact, the public model of universal healthcare or socialised medicine is the most cost-effective. The ageing population and rising treatment costs are a factor all over the world. As for lifestyle choices, health outcomes are directly correlated to socio-economic status so that the more affluent you are, the better your health is generally.
Jeremy Hunt dodges questions from Sky News reporter as she chases him
Richmond CCG now appears to be launching a consultation on rationing all manner of treatment ranging from hip and knee operations, cataracts, hearing aids, IVF, over-the-counter medicines to treatment for obese patients and smokers. This fits in with a wider picture of rationing being ramped up across the country. Increasingly, it is looking like this winter crisis is being used to prepare the public for the expansion of charging and private health insurance.
Lo and behold, last year Parliament quietly set up a House of Lords NHS Sustainability Committee looking into exactly this question and it is due to report by March. One cannot pre-empt their conclusions but it would not exactly be surprising, in the current climate, if they recommend a shift towards charging and private health insurance. Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell have made the NHS Reinstatement Bill part of official Labour party policy, which flies in the face of decades of cross-party consensus around increasing marketisation and privatisation of the NHS.
This legislation would repeal the Health and Social Care Act, attempt to cancel or restructure PFI debts, reverse private sector involvement and disband the market inside the NHS. Restoring the NHS as a public healthcare system through these measures would release tens of billions of pounds to be spent on patient care. A positive vision for the future of a 21st-century NHS would mean that it is neither exclusively controlled by the state or the market but a truly public healthcare system, meaning that it is publicly funded, provided and accountable with doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, patients and communities running services.
How to Dismantle the NHS in 10 Easy Steps by Youssef El-Gingihy is published by Zero Books
Click here to see your health insurance options and get a quote with AXA PPP healthcare, PLUS get a free smart watch worth 118.95 when you take out a plan.
Crew members of the Xi'an Railway Bureau recently hung paper-cut decorations on the windows of one high-speed train to wish passengers a happy Chinese New Year. The decorations were mounted on Jan. 12, one day before China's Spring Festival rush begins. Over 2.9 billion trips are expected to be made during the rush, lasting from Jan. 13 till Feb. 21, as citizens head home for the holiday. (Wang Shutian/China News Service)
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Syrian torture survivors who have settled in Britain as refugees may not be receiving specialist support and access to mental health services, according to a new Commons report.
The report by the influential Public Accounts Select Committee claims that around half of the 2,659 Syrian refugees resettled up to the end of June 2016 are the survivors of torture or violence. But, it adds, only a handful have been referred to specialist organisations for assessment and rehabilitation services.
Meg Hillier, the Labour MP who chairs the committee, called on ministers to undertake a full review of how victims of torture are identified and later supported by local authorities. It is critical that such people receive specialist support, she added.
Recommended World leaders hail landmark aid package to help displaced Syrians
Our committee has previously highlighted the shortcomings in access to mental health services and we call on the Government to ensure a plan is in place to properly support refugees in need of them.
The committee received evidence from Freedom from Torture, a registered charity dedicated to the treatment and rehabilitation of survivors of torture who seek refuge in the UK. In a statement the charity, however, said it was concerned refugees were not receiving the care they need to recover from their traumatic experiences during Syrias brutal civil war.
The charity added: Despite being the largest torture rehabilitation centre in the country (and one of the largest in the world), only a handful of Syrians from the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement programme have been referred to us for assessment or rehabilitation services.
The report from the PAC also raises doubts over a pledge by the former Prime Minister David Cameron in response to the humanitarian crisis in the region during the summer of 2015 to resettle 20,000 Syrian refuges in Britain by the end of the decade through the Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement programme
Despite a concerted effort to resettle 1,000 refugees before Christmas in 2015, the report adds: Meeting the overall the target, to resettle 20,000 of the most vulnerable Syrian refugees in the UK by May 2020, remains a significant challenge.
While local authorities across the UK have already made sufficient indicative pledges of support to house all 20,000 of the expected refugees, there was also confusion about the full extent of support they were expected to provide. Failure to provide clarity on this issue risks the successful delivery of the programme, the report warned.
Ms Hillier said more work was needed to make the resettlement programme sustainable in the longer-term.
The Government should set out detailed plans now or risk failing the refugees and undermining public support for the programme, she added.
It is important to recognise the efforts and achievements of those bodies involved in the early part of this programme, which resettled 1,000 refugees before Christmas 2015, said Ms Hiller. But there is a long way to go.
Refugee Council director of advocacy Lisa Doyle said: The Governments target of resettling 20,000 people is more than achievable and local communities and charities like the Refugee Council are standing ready to help.
Whats needed now is an acknowledgement that the global refugee crisis isn't going away any time soon and that a longer-term strategy for refugee resettlement is needed which clearly outlines roles, responsibilities, resources and an ambitious plan for welcoming refugees beyond 2020.
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Theresa May gave the rubber stamp to Tristram Hunts appointment as the director of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister has confirmed.
It transpired Ms May had signed off the former shadow Education Secretarys new appointment on Thursday the day before he publicly announced his resignation as the Labour MP for the Stoke-on-Trent Central constituency.
At a briefing a spokesman for the Prime Minister said the V&A appointment is a very carefully controlled, tender process and the decision will be rubber stamped, or is rubber stamped by the Prime Minister.
They refused to add any further details but the Department for Culture, Media and Sport later confirmed Ms May had approved Mr Hunts role on Thursday. Culture Secretary Karen Bradley had earlier congratulated Mr Hunt, adding: I look forward to working alongside him.
Recommended Tristram Hunt stands down as an MP
However, it raises the question of whether the Prime Minister was aware that a crucial by-election would take place before Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, had been notified of Mr Hunts imminent departure.
In a statement Mr Corbyn added: I would like to thank Tristram Hunt for his service to the people of Stoke-on-Trent Central and to the Labour Party. I wish him well in his future role at the V&A.
The exit of Mr Hunt is the second within weeks, after Jamie Reed, the MP for Copeland, in Cumbria, said he was also standing down triggering two perilous by-elections. In his resignation letter, Mr Hunt did not criticise Mr Corbyn, but said the opportunity to lead the V&A was too good to turn down.
I have no desire to rock the boat now and anyone who interprets my decision to leave in that way is just plain wrong, he wrote.
Mr Hunt was among many centrist Labour MPs who had refused to serve on Jeremy Corbyns frontbench, making his opposition to the leaders project well-known.
At the 2015 election, he won the Stoke-on-Trent Central seat with a 5,100 majority from Ukip, making the by-election a huge opportunity for that party.
On paper, it is a reasonably safe Labour seat but Stoke-on-Trent voted 69 per cent to Leave the EU in the referendum, by 81,000 votes to 36,000.
Announcing the appointment, V&A Chairman Nicholas Coleridge said: On behalf of the Trustees, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Tristram Hunt as Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
He has a highly compelling mixture of experience across public life, the arts, history, education and academia, and knows our collections well from his writing and broadcasting. In addition, he is an informed and articulate leader and communicator on numerous facets of culture, both historic and contemporary, and I greatly look forward to working with him at the V&A.
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Theresa May has rejected Russian allegations that MI6 was to blame for the dirty dossier of explosive claims about Donald Trump.
Former British spy Christopher Steele the dossier's alleged author has not worked for British intelligence for years, the Prime Minister said.
The Russian embassy in London had alleged that Mr Steele was still working for MI6 and briefing both ways against Mr Trump and Moscow, in a Twitter post.
It came after Mr Steele, who spied in Moscow in the 1990s, vanished in hiding shortly before the extraordinary dossier made headlines around the world.
Ms May spoke for the first time about the controversy at a press conference following talks with her New Zealand counterpart in Downing Street.
She was asked whether the UK Government had any involvement in the creation of the dossier, a summary of which was handed to the FBI and to President Obama.
It's a long-standing position that we don't comment on such matters, but I think from everything that you will have seen it is absolutely clear that the individual who produced this dossier has not worked for the UK Government for years, the Prime Minister replied.
The late-night allegation by the Russian embassy appeared to signal another worsening of Anglo-Russian relations, after many frosty years.
An embassy spokesman said the tweet which said MI6 officers are never ex reflected the mood in Russia, prompting talk of a fresh Cold War.
American newspapers named Mr Steele as the author of the 35-page dossier, thought to have been commissioned by a wealthy Republican donor who opposed Mr Trump's bid for the White House.
It alleged Mr Trump had been cosying up to Vladimir Putin and cavorting with Russian prostitutes. The President-elect has dismissed it as fake news, phoney stuff and crap.
The controversy overshadowed the main topics of the talks with Bill English, the New Zealand prime minister, which were trade and security.
International Trade Secretary Liam Fox will visit the Commonwealth nation in the coming months to begin a dialogue between the two nations with the ultimate aim of striking a post-Brexit trade deal.
However, both leaders declined to put a timescale on when such a bold agreement would be reached Ms May hoping it would be in a reasonable space of time.
She said: You know the legal position that we can't formally sign up to free trade agreements while we remain a member of the European Union.
But as I indicated earlier, a dialogue has started to see how we can scope out the work that needs to be done.
Mr English said he wanted to see a trade deal concluded as soon as possible after Brexit, and his country was the ideal partner for the UK to demonstrate its ability to secure a high-quality agreement.
Britain is the second largest foreign investor in New Zealand and its fifth largest bilateral trading partner, Ms May added.
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Theresa May today celebrates the most commanding political honeymoon of any modern Conservative prime minister, as she marks six months in Number 10.
As she reaches the landmark date, Ms May is basking in a 14-point lead over Labour, according to an average of polls.
The huge margin dwarfs the slender one-point lead that David Cameron held over the Opposition when he reached six months in Downing Street.
In stark contrast, Margaret Thatchers government was an average of five points behind in the polls while John Major was six points down.
Ms Mays dominance comes despite growing criticism that she lacks a strategy for Brexit, raising the risk that Britain will crash out of the EU with economic damage.
The Government is also under growing pressure over a crisis in the NHS because of underfunding, with A&E departments swamped and social care crumbling.
One pollster said the apparent contradiction was explained more by the shipwrecked state of the Opposition than by Ms Mays actions.
Nevertheless, her bumper honeymoon will delight Conservatives as she enters her most challenging period, with the promised triggering of Article 50 by the end of March.
The Press Association has analysed the poll ratings for every government of the past 60 years precisely six months into the term of new prime ministers.
Four others have been behind at that point: Harold Macmillan (eight points July 1957), Alec Douglas-Home (15 points April 1963), Jim Callaghan (15 points October 1976) and Gordon Brown (eight points December 2007).
Harold Wilson was ahead by nine points on both occasions (April 1965 and September 1974), while Edward Heath enjoyed a two-point advantage in December 1970.
However, Ms Mays dominant position pales next to Tony Blairs achievement after six months in office, in November 1997 when his lead stood at an extraordinary 29 points.
Martin Boon, director of research at the polling company ICM, said the current poll figures are as much to do with the shipwrecked state of the opposition as the new occupant of 10 Downing Street.
He told the Press Association: Despite perceived confusion over Brexit, policy inactivity and the lack of personal mandate, the Prime Minister can get away with most things largely because shes not Jeremy Corbyn.
Any objective analysis of Theresa Mays succession and subsequent performance would hardly qualify her initial six months as an outstanding and historic example of a government at the height of its powers.
Anthony Wells, a director of polling for YouGov, said the longevity of Ms Mays poll success is highly unusual.
Honeymoon periods for new prime ministers are traditionally two to three months, he said.
With the newspapers full of the NHS in crisis, and with mixed messages on the economy, you would have thought the honeymoon would have faded by now.
Theresa May has been lucky in not having a strong opposition party, but the poll ratings might fall once Brexit negotiations begin especially if the public starts to think she is either giving away too much or not being ambitious enough.
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Jeremy Corbyn was rocked today by the sudden resignation of another senior Labour MP, when Tristram Hunt announced he was leaving Westminster immediately.
The former Shadow Education Secretary - who has been MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central since 2010 will become the new director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, in London.
The exit is the second within weeks, after Jamie Reed, the MP for Copeland, in Cumbria, said he was also standing down triggering two perilous by-elections.
When Mr Reed quit, other Labour MPs said they expected other colleagues to follow disillusioned by the partys dismal poll ratings and prospects under Mr Corbyn.
Tom Watson, Labours deputy leader, did not disguise the latest blow to his party, saying of Mr Hunt: His departure will be keenly felt by Parliament and by the Labour Party.
Nigel Farage, the former Ukip leader, was quick to torment his political opponents, tweeting: Tristram Hunt's resignation from Stoke will be followed by many others. Labour is doomed.
One Labour MP told the Politics Home website: Tristram has been talking about this for a while, so it's no surprise that he's decided to go.
There are scores of us who would quit if we had another job to go to because we know that the party has no chance at the next election.
Another moderate Labour MP, Ben Bradshaw, tweeted: Gutted at loss of another superb colleague @TristramHuntMP.
Can't blame him given great new job, but huge loss for our Party & the country.
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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 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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
However, in his resignation letter, Mr Hunt did not criticise Mr Corbyn, but said the opportunity to lead the V&A was too good to turn down.
He wrote: I have no desire to rock the boat now and anyone who interprets my decision to leave in that way is just plain wrong.
Mr Hunt was among many centrist Labour MPs who had refused to serve on Jeremy Corbyn's frontbench, making his opposition to the leaders project well-known.
At the 2015 election, he won the Stoke-on-Trent Central seat with a 5,100 majority from Ukip, making the by-election a huge opportunity for that party.
On paper, it is a reasonably safe Labour seat but Stoke-on-Trent voted 69 per cent to Leave the EU in the referendum, by 81,000 votes to 36,000.
However, it will be an intriguing three-way marginal, because the Conservatives were only beaten into third place by 33 votes.
In Copeland, the Tories are confident of snatching that seat from Labour. Defeat in either election will fuel criticism that Mr Corbyn is leading Labour to disaster.
Meanwhile, other by-elections loom with the likely victories of Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram in the Greater Manchester and Merseyside mayoral election respectively, in May.
Mr Hunt is a respected published historian, who lectures in modern history at Queen Mary University in London but has never curated a museum, or run a big organisation
He came to prominence in the late 1990s, as a Tony Blair supporting adviser to the science minister David Sainsbury.
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Extravagant weddings have reportedly been banned in a Somali town, in order to encourage young people to stay in their community.
Despite the countrys widespread poverty, Somali weddings are often lavish events, with the family of the groom often spending thousands of dollars on the bride, venue and clothing and jewellery.
Festivities can go on for up to a week.
Recommended Indian tycoon throws mass wedding for 236 fatherless brides
But the south western town of Beled Hawa has now banned wedding receptions from taking place in hotels and introduced a limit of three goats to be slaughtered for the festivities.
"Islamic teachings indicated that getting married should be cheap," town commissioner Mohamud Hayd Osman told the BBC.
The towns authorities are worried that prohibitively high costs of getting married will discourage people from staying and lead to increased migration.
Mr Osman added: Young women were refusing to get married unless a fortune was spent on wedding gold and household furnishings.
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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Consequently, a limit of $600 (500) on home furnishings for the new couple was introduced by Mr Osman and his colleagues, which he said should be enough to buy household essential such as a double bed, basic furniture and kitchen equipment.
The price of a bride was set at $150 (120).
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A 12-year-old boy has been accused of pointing a gun at a girls head after she refused to give him a chicken nugget.
Police in New York, said the youngster followed her into a Harlem subway station, where he proceeded to threaten her.
The boy had demanded to be given a chicken nugget from the fast food chain but was rejected and she pushed the gun away and walked off, NBC New York reported.
After pursuing her again he pointed the gun at her for a second time, police said. She then smacked the gun away and got on the train.
The girl told her school what happened and police said they had taken a suspect into custody.
The boy was released on Thursday and the case will be transferred to the local family courts for consideration.
Officers said a weapon had not been found, and they were unsure whether a real or replica gun had been used by the assailant.
The investigation continues.
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The senate confirmation hearings were not likely to be a dull formality given that Donald Trumps cabinet was to be interviewed on everything from protecting LGBT rights to dealing with Vladimir Putin.
In a series of what can only be described as the most public and intense job interviews one could ever witness, there was a small but determined number of senators - and employees - who were determined not to let the President-elect's cabinet picks off the hook.
As the hearings continue this month, below are five of the most heated and powerful clashes so far.
Al Franken v Jeff Sessions
Democratic senator Franken successfully cross-examined the incoming attorney general on his civil rights record.
Although Mr Franken does not have a law degree, while Jeff Sessions has been a lawyer for all of his adult life, it became apparent that Mr Sessions claims that he filed 20 to 30 cases to desegregate schools were inaccurate.
Mr Sessions name had simply been on the paperwork, and most of the schools were already desegregated by the time he came to office, according to Igor Volsky, deputy director of the Center for American Progress Action Fund.
The admission may seem a small detail, but highlights the lack of transparency and integrity when it comes to Mr Sessions self-defense that he "fought" for civil rights throughout his career, instead of, as he has been accused, denigrating the rights of people of colour in Alabama.
Mr Franken said he would not vote for Mr Sessions.
Elizabeth Warren v Ben Carson
The Massachusetts senator was determined to pinpoint the incoming US housing and development secretary over whether he would establish programs that would financially benefit Donald Trump, the real estate developer turned President-elect.
"Can you assure me that that not a single taxpayer dollar that you give out will financially benefit the President-elect and his family?"
He could not, at least according to Ms Warren.
Mr Carson, who just weeks before had turned down a government role because he said he would feel like "a fish out of water", insisted he would manage money in way that would benefit "all Americans".
Kirsten Gillibrand v James Mattis
The New York senator pushed the soon-to-be defense secretary on his previous anti-women and anti-LGBT views.
In recent speeches the retired general said that allowing women and LGBT people to serve in the military and in the ground combat roles would lead to "reduced standards" and "diminish the power" of the military.
Ms Gillibrand pushed Mr Mattis as to whether he had since changed his view.
James Mattis grilled over views on women and LGBT in the army
"Frankly, senator, Ive never cared much about two consenting adults and who they go to bed with," he insisted, adding that he would not plan to roll back policies which permitted their inclusion in the army.
Ms Gillbrand asked for his pledge in writing before she ran out of time to question him further.
Marco Rubio v Rex Tillerson
The former presidential candidate went hard on the appointed secretary of state and oil tycoon, grilling him over his views on Russia, Ukraine and Syria.
To Mr Rubios frustration, the ExxonMobil CEO gave lengthy, non-answers about cyber threats coming from "all corners of the word" and refused to promise to impose sanctions on Russia.
"Is Vladimir Putin a war criminal?" Mr Rubio asked.
"I would not use that term," Mr Tillerson replied.
Mr Rubio said he is not willing to commit himself to voting for Mr Trumps pick, based on concerns he shares with the likes of Republican senators Lindsey Graham and John McCain.
Employees v Andy Puzder
The rich fast food CEO who is about to be labour secretary, a sworn foe of the minimum wage, was challenged the most by his own workers.
One 47-year-old woman, a mother of six, told the senate hearing she was not being paid for her 30-minute lunch breaks, reducing her salary to $500 every two weeks. She alerted management and the problem was resolved, but she did not receive any back pay.
She and other employees testified that the culture of alleged mistreatment and missing paychecks started when Mr Puzder took over CKE Restaurants in 2000.
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Donald Trump is highly likely to face impeachment within 18 months of taking office, an expert in American politics has warned.
The President-elect deflected the latest wave of explosive allegations to rock his administration on Wednesday during his first news conference since his election, adding to the growing list of scandals that emerged during his campaign.
The Republican leader denied claims by a former British spy that Russian intelligence agencies had compiled compromising material on him of a sexual nature. The dossier also allegedly pointed to links between the Kremlin and his campaign, exposing one of the world's most powerful leaders to blackmail.
Professor Angelia Wilson, from the University of Manchester, believes the trail of scandals in the President-elects wake has become an embarrassment to the Republican party, leaving him vulnerable to impeachment by members of the party seeking reelection to the House.
I think it is highly likely that he will be impeached in the first 12 to 18 months, she told The Independent.
"Whether it will be about the Russia dossier or other scandals that are undoubtedly there, he has become a liability for the Republican party. At some point they will need to distance themselves from him in order to solidify reelection for the House."
In the US, impeachment is the first step in a constitutionally sanctioned two-stage process to remove a president from office for committing treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanours.
However, it is also inherently linked to a president's popularity with the core electorate, and support from within their own party.
Justin Trudeau vows to defend women and stick up to Trump
Mr Trumps cabinet nominees have so far broken with him on almost every major policy proposal, including his pro-Russia stance, leading some to question as to how this shift will affect congress support of the leader.
Incoming Defence Secretary General James Mattis claimed President Vladimir Putin was trying to break the Northern Atlantic alliance and that the US needed to take steps to defend itself at his Senate confirmation hearing.
Professor Wilson said: I cannot imagine the military leaders up for appointments are going to suddenly become friends with Russia, they are going to continue to hold a question mark over any attempt by Trump to create some kind of 'special relationship' with Putin.
"However, congress seems to be living in a different ethical universe to the time of Richard Nixon, so where they will draw the line and say now it is time to think about impeachment is the question."
Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Show all 14 1 /14 Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A lesbian couple kisses in front of mural depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the walls of a barbecue bar 'Keule Ruke' on May 19, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Barcroft Media/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A lesbian couple kisses in front of mural depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the walls of a barbecue bar 'Keule Ruke' on May 19, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Barcroft Media/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural VILNIUS, LITHUANIA - NOVEMBER 23: A woman walks past a mural showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) blowing marijuana smoke into the mouth of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the wall of a bar-b-que restaurant on November 23, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Many people in the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are concerned that Russia, because Trump has expressed both admiration for Putin and doubt over defending NATO member states, will be emboldened to intervene militarily in the Baltics. Sean Gallup/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A woman walks past a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural AP Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A child walks past a graffiti depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the walls of a bar in the old town in Vilnius, Lithuania, Saturday, May 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis) AP Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural People walk past a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A man photographs a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural AP Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A young woman walks past a mural showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) blowing marijuana smoke into the mouth of Russian President Vladimir Putin with the slogan "make everything great again," in reference to Trump's campaign slogan of "Make America Great Again," on the wall of a bar-b-que restaurant on November 23, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Many people in the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are concerned that Russia, because Trump has expressed both admiration for Putin and doubt over defending NATO member states, will be emboldened to intervene militarily in the Baltics. Sean Gallup/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A morning commuter stops to look at a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Restaurant owner Dominykas Ceckauskas pose next to a mural on the wall of his establishment depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. / AFP / Petras Malukas (Photo credit should read PETRAS MALUKAS/AFP/Getty Images) Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A passerby photographs a mural showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) blowing marijuana smoke into the mouth of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the wall of a bar-b-que restaurant on November 23, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Many people in the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are concerned that Russia, because Trump has expressed both admiration for Putin and doubt over defending NATO member states, will be emboldened to intervene militarily in the Baltics. Sean Gallup/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Getty
Political science Professor Terrence Casey at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology said impeachment was undoubtedly a political act, necessitating a shift in public confidence.
Impeachment means criminal offences, so in that sense its not about public support, he told The Independent.
It is also a political act. Bill Clintons impeachment proceedings could only occur because you had an opposition party in control of congress. In the case of Trump, you would have to convince a Republican congress to impeach a Republican president, which would fail if he still had public support - like it did with Clinton, and it would succeed if he didnt - like in the case of Nixons resignation.
Professor Wilson said support would be likely to waver if claims that Moscow had compromising material on the President-elect were proven to be true.
Donald Trump points to business papers that appear to be blank
The crunch will come if Putin really does have some sort of blackmailing power over Trump, she said.
For now, the Christian right and Tea Party Republicans like Ted Cruz are getting to play a significant role in setting the political agenda, so they are not going to get rid of Trump in the short term.
Dr Jennifer Hudson from University College Londons department of political science said the Tea Party movement stood to benefit most under a Trump administration, decreasing the likelihood of impeachment.
However, she believes Mr Trumps business dealings put him at risk of conflicts of interest.
Mr Trump announced on Wednesday he would be transferring control of his company to his sons, although the plan falls far short of what ethics experts advised.
What will get him in more trouble more quickly is his financial interests and whether he is violating the emoluments clause. I suspect he will be given some opportunity to be compliant so it will be months, if not six months or so, before people are going to get properly fed up and start demanding formal proceedings, Dr Hudson told The Independent.
World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Show all 29 1 /29 World reaction to President Trump: In pictures World reaction to President Trump: In pictures London, England AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures London, England Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines Getty Images World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mosul , Iraq Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures New Delhi, India Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Karachi, Pakistan EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Lagos, Nigeria AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Kabul, Afghanistan AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jerusalem. Israel Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Moscow, Russia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Seoul, South Korea AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Lagos, Nigeria AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Peshawar, Pakistan EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Hyderabad, India AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Kolkata, India AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Sydney, Australia Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Sydney, Australia AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Aleppo, Syria Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mexico City, Mexico AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jerusalem, Israel EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Baghdad, Iraq Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Tokyo, Japan Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mexico City, Mexico Getty
However, Professor Casey said this could be a case of wishful thinking by long-time critics of the Republican leader.
He will be president for four years, period. Unless he decides to go away, or is impeached, then you cant get rid of him, he said.
Are there potential things where that could happen? Especially with his business dealings, that is a possibility, but I would caution the difference between possibility and probability.
Dr Hudson said Mr Trumps ability to play the media means allegations of fraud and at least 15 accusations of sexual misconduct since the 1980s, do not seem to stick in the minds of his voters.
The great thing about Trump is that people haven't figured out how to play him at the media game. Its very difficult to make anything stick to him, she said.
However, Republican senators, and longstanding Trump critics John McCain and Lindsey Graham, seem determined to push for greater transparency surrounding at least some of Mr Trumps dealings.
Both are calling for an investigation into Russian hacking by special select committee, and Mr McCain admitted to handing the salacious, yet unverified, Russian dossier to intelligence officials.
These are old-style Republicans and we can look to them as some sort of voice of rationality in all of this. The problem is they have very little power in a congress being heavily led by more right-wing Tea Party Republicans, Professor Wilson said.
Ultimately, an impeachment of the 45th president would indicate a cataclysmic shift in the history of politics - a never-before-seen rupture between an American leader and their party.
Even that small-c conservative will want to give this guy a chance, because the consequences of impeaching a president in the first 100 days is just so far out of the norm, Dr Hudson said.
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The former British spy apparently at the centre of a dossier containing embarrassing allegations involving Donald Trump has been described by ex-colleagues as a thorough and highly regarded professional who would not simply pass on gossip.
Ex-MI6 officer Christopher Steele has apparently gone into hiding after being identified as the author of the report claiming Moscow held incriminating material on the US president-elect which it could use to blackmail him.
Mr Steele - who runs the London-based Orbis Business Intelligence Service - is said to have originally compiled the report for political opponents of Mr Trump in Washington.
One former colleague, who used to work for the Foreign Office, sprang to Mr Steele's defence - dismissing any suggestions the dossier was fake news.
The source, described in the Guardian as a long-term friend, said: The idea his work is fake or a cowboy operation is false - completely untrue.
Chris is an experienced and highly-regarded professional. He's not the sort of person who will simply pass on gossip.
If he puts something in a report, he believes there's sufficient credibility in it for it to be worth considering.
Chris is a very straight guy. He could not have survived in the job he was in if he had been prone to flights of fancy or doing things in an ill-considered way.
Former British ambassador to Russia Sir Andrew Wood said he spoke to Republican senator John McCain at an international security conference in November about the existence of material that could compromise the president-elect.
He told the Independent: Yes I did meet Senator McCain and his aides at the conference.
The issue of Donald Trump and Russia was very much in the news and it was natural to talk about it. We spoke about the kind of activities the Russians can be engaged in.
Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Show all 14 1 /14 Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A lesbian couple kisses in front of mural depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the walls of a barbecue bar 'Keule Ruke' on May 19, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Barcroft Media/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A lesbian couple kisses in front of mural depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the walls of a barbecue bar 'Keule Ruke' on May 19, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Barcroft Media/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural VILNIUS, LITHUANIA - NOVEMBER 23: A woman walks past a mural showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) blowing marijuana smoke into the mouth of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the wall of a bar-b-que restaurant on November 23, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Many people in the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are concerned that Russia, because Trump has expressed both admiration for Putin and doubt over defending NATO member states, will be emboldened to intervene militarily in the Baltics. Sean Gallup/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A woman walks past a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural AP Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A child walks past a graffiti depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the walls of a bar in the old town in Vilnius, Lithuania, Saturday, May 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis) AP Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural People walk past a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A man photographs a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural AP Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A young woman walks past a mural showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) blowing marijuana smoke into the mouth of Russian President Vladimir Putin with the slogan "make everything great again," in reference to Trump's campaign slogan of "Make America Great Again," on the wall of a bar-b-que restaurant on November 23, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Many people in the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are concerned that Russia, because Trump has expressed both admiration for Putin and doubt over defending NATO member states, will be emboldened to intervene militarily in the Baltics. Sean Gallup/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A morning commuter stops to look at a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Restaurant owner Dominykas Ceckauskas pose next to a mural on the wall of his establishment depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. / AFP / Petras Malukas (Photo credit should read PETRAS MALUKAS/AFP/Getty Images) Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A passerby photographs a mural showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) blowing marijuana smoke into the mouth of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the wall of a bar-b-que restaurant on November 23, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Many people in the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are concerned that Russia, because Trump has expressed both admiration for Putin and doubt over defending NATO member states, will be emboldened to intervene militarily in the Baltics. Sean Gallup/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Getty
We also spoke about how Mr Trump may find himself in a position where there could be an attempt to blackmail him with Kompromat (the Russian term for compromising material) and claims that there were audio and video tapes in existence.
Sir Andrew, who was ambassador to Moscow between 1995 and 2000, denied having seen the dossier at the time of the meeting and added Mr Steele was very professional and thorough.
Earlier, Downing Street refused to be drawn on whether the Government had offered any assistance to Mr Steele, who was reported to be in fear for his life after being named in media reports.
PA
(Photos of the two horse relief scupltures at Penn Museum. Source: Penn Museum website)
A Chinese museum in northwestern Chinas Shaanxi province has openly demanded the return of two horse relief sculptures displayed at a University of Pennsylvania museum. The sculptures were illegally sold overseas.
The Zhaoling Museum made its announcement on Jan. 11 via its official WeChat public account, calling on the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (Penn Museum) to return the pieces so that the Zhaoling Liujun, a set of six horse relief sculptures, can be reunited.
The six memorialized horses lived during the Tang Dynasty. They were allegedly the favorites of Emperor Taizong, Li Shimin. Together with other decorations and monuments, the six pieces were supposedly placed at the gate of the emperors tomb.
(File photo)
We believe it is most reasonable for the two horses to be returned to China from the Penn Museum The University of Pennsylvania has long been dedicated to global cultural heritage protection. We hope that the Penn Museum can reach a consensus with China on this issue and make a greater contribution to the protection of the common cultural heritage of human beings, the Zhaoling Museum stated.
The other four horse sculptures are currently on display at the Forest of Stone Steles Museum in Shaanxi. Two replicas are standing in for the horses in Pennsylvania.
(File photo of the "Zhaoling Liujun" at the Forest of Stone Steles Museum)
Citing archives from the Shanghai Museum, earlier media reports revealed that the two missing pieces were sold for $125,000 to the then-director of Penn Museum by notorious antiques smuggler Lu Qinzhai, after Lu ordered the theft of the sculptures from the tomb.
According to the Zhaoling Museum, professional principles dictate that a museum must obtain its exhibited items without any legal burden. It should not purchase relics that have not been reported to authorities, and should assist in the return of improperly obtained articles if permitted by law. For exhibits dating earlier than 1970, museums should be able to prove that its items were acquired through proper channels.
The Penn Museum should not have purchased the two horses, which were obviously excavated after deliberate sabotage that created damage on the [sculptures'] surface. We hereby demand that Penn Museum negotiate a plan to reunite the six horses, the Zhaoling Museum stated.
It went on to articulate how the separated art pieces have damaged the completeness of the Zhaoling Liujun, which are best observed in their origin. The Zhaoling Museum also guaranteed that the two relief sculptures would be under good protection and would be available for viewing by both casual admirers and researchers.
The University of Pennsylvania and Penn Museum could not be reached for comment as of press time. It remains to be seen whether they will respond to the call.
(File photo of a stamp collection featuring the "Zhaoling Liujun")
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Donald Trumps nominee for Secretary of State has refused to rule out creating a country-wide registry of Muslims.
Rex Tillerson told senators at his confirmation hearing that he did not support a blanket-type ban on Muslims entering the country a suggestion repeatedly floated by the incoming President during his election campaign.
But the former chief executive of ExxonMobil refused to rule out the creation of a database of Muslims living in the United States.
I would need to have a lot more information around how such an approach would even be constructed," he said in response to a question by Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen about the idea.
Although Mr Trump has repeatedly expressed his support for a Muslim registry as part of a national security strategy, he has never clarified exactly how he would introduce it.
His staff have attempted to play down the prospect, with communications director Jason Miller denying his boss had ever advocated for the registry, despite evidence to the contrary.
Asked whether he would rule out such a database, during a November appearance on ABC News, Mr Trump said: "We want to go with watchlists. We want to go with databases. And we have no choice."
Several of the President-elect's most senior appointments have also expressed doubts about a faith-based registry.
Mr Trump's nominee for Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, has said a registry would create constitutional issues.
His pick for Homeland Security Secretary, John Kelly, also distanced himself from many of the incoming President's most radical immigration policies.
He said he did not support targeting individuals for law enforcement activity solely on the basis of faith.
Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Show all 14 1 /14 Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A lesbian couple kisses in front of mural depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the walls of a barbecue bar 'Keule Ruke' on May 19, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Barcroft Media/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A lesbian couple kisses in front of mural depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the walls of a barbecue bar 'Keule Ruke' on May 19, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Barcroft Media/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural VILNIUS, LITHUANIA - NOVEMBER 23: A woman walks past a mural showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) blowing marijuana smoke into the mouth of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the wall of a bar-b-que restaurant on November 23, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Many people in the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are concerned that Russia, because Trump has expressed both admiration for Putin and doubt over defending NATO member states, will be emboldened to intervene militarily in the Baltics. Sean Gallup/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A woman walks past a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural AP Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A child walks past a graffiti depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the walls of a bar in the old town in Vilnius, Lithuania, Saturday, May 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis) AP Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural People walk past a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A man photographs a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural AP Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A young woman walks past a mural showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) blowing marijuana smoke into the mouth of Russian President Vladimir Putin with the slogan "make everything great again," in reference to Trump's campaign slogan of "Make America Great Again," on the wall of a bar-b-que restaurant on November 23, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Many people in the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are concerned that Russia, because Trump has expressed both admiration for Putin and doubt over defending NATO member states, will be emboldened to intervene militarily in the Baltics. Sean Gallup/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A morning commuter stops to look at a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Restaurant owner Dominykas Ceckauskas pose next to a mural on the wall of his establishment depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. / AFP / Petras Malukas (Photo credit should read PETRAS MALUKAS/AFP/Getty Images) Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A passerby photographs a mural showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) blowing marijuana smoke into the mouth of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the wall of a bar-b-que restaurant on November 23, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Many people in the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are concerned that Russia, because Trump has expressed both admiration for Putin and doubt over defending NATO member states, will be emboldened to intervene militarily in the Baltics. Sean Gallup/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Getty
"I dont think its ever appropriate to focus on something like religion as the only factor, the former marine corps general said, adding he did not support implementing a registry of people based on their religion.
He also emphasised the importance of building trust within the Muslim community.
"Our success in Iraq certainly my time in Iraq was because we reached out with people across the spectrum of society, all of whom were members of the Islamic faith," he said.
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Donald Trump has pledged to compile a full report on the hacking of the US election within 90 days, after launching an attack on sleazebag political operatives behind a classified Russia dossier.
In a series of tweets on Friday morning, the US President-elect said his people would investigate alleged Kremlin-ordered hacking of the Democrats during the election.
The results of the inquiry will be ready before the end of April, the businessman claimed.
Trump calls leak "fake news" and "something that Nazi Germany would have done"
Mr Trump branded a document claiming Moscow holds incriminating material that could be used to blackmail him phony allegations, and said it had been put together by political opponents and a failed spy afraid of being sued.
He continued: Totally made up facts by sleazebag political operatives, both Democrats and Republicans FAKE NEWS! Russia says nothing exists.
Probably released by Intelligence even knowing there is no proof, and never will be. My people will have a full report on hacking within 90 days!
He then turned his attention to Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton, who was beaten in the November election, saying she had no enthusiasm and had campaigned in the wrong states.
The incoming President has vehemently denied allegations about coordination between his inner circle and Russians, which were included in the dossier said to be compiled by a former British intelligence agent.
The file also included unproven claims about unusual sexual activities by Mr Trump.
It had been circulating in Washington for months but only became known publicly following reports the intelligence community had briefed President Barack Obama and his successor on the dossier.
Donald Trump looks out at his first news conference since he was elected President (AP)
On Sunday, incoming chief of staff Reince Priebus said the New York property tycoon had accepted the US intelligence communitys conclusion that Russia engaged in cyber attacks aimed at disrupting the presidential election.
In a news conference on Wednesday at Trump Tower the President-elect acknowledged that he believed Russia was behind the hacking.
As far as hacking, I think it was Russia, Mr Trump said.
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El Salvador police have said no one was murdered in a 24-hour period for the first time in two years, as authorities continue to battle against criminal gangs.
Officers were unable to explain why the accelerating murder rate, which has made El Salvador one of the deadliest countries in the world, appeared to skip a day on Wednesday, but denied a truce had been struck. Over 120 people had been killed in the country since New Years Day.
The last time the country went 24 hours without any murders was 22 January 2015, and it also previously happened in 2013 and 2012. Two years ago, the murder rate peaked at 104 per 100,000 residents, the highest rate for any nation not in open war.
Between January and May last year, the El Salvador government recorded 2,555 violent deaths, of which a handful were suicides and road traffic deaths. Of these, around 90 per cent were men, and in 80 per cent of cases the cause of death was shooting.
The majority of the violence is perpetrated by criminal gangs, or "maras", which have an estimated 70,000 active members across El Salvador. Many of the groups formed in LA during the 1980s, and returned to their homeland after the conclusion of the countrys civil war.
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 maras gang members are involved in armed robbery, drug trafficking and extortion. A survey of Salvadoran migrants last year by the Technological University of San Salvador found that 42 per cent left their homes because of violence in their neighbourhoods.
Additional reporting by agencies
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The twin daughters of former US president George W Bush have written an open letter to President Barack Obamas daughters, applauding them for surviving the unbelievable pressure of White House life.
Barbara and Jenna Bush sent the message to Sasha and Malia Obama as their father prepares to leave office, encouraging them to take the lessons [they] have learned to guide [them] in making positive change in the future.
The Bush daughters reminded their successors of all the experiences they have enjoyed during their eight years in the White House, from visiting Nelson Mandelas former Robben Island cell to promoting education for girls in Africa.
They added that they were rooting for them as they begin a new chapter of their lives.
We have watched you grow from girls to impressive young women with grace and ease, they wrote. And through it all you had each other. Just like we did.
Following Mr Obamas election victory in November 2008, the Bush daughters showed Sasha and Malia around the White House.
Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years Show all 15 1 /15 Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years Joe Biden and Dr Jill Biden watch Barack Obama's farewell speech on 11 January. Obama called Biden his 'brother' Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years US President Barack Obama speaks alongside US Vice President Joe Biden about the Affordable Care Act AFP/Getty Images Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years Vice President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama Getty Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years President Obama listens to Joe Biden speak of his work on defeating cancer on 18 October in the White House Reuters Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years U.S. President Barack Obama is applauded by House Speaker Paul Ryan and Vice President Joe Biden while delivering his final State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in Washington Reuters Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years U.S. Vice President Joe Biden interjects as President Barack Obama delivers remarks at a reception for the 25th anniversary of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics at the White House in Washington REUTERS Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years Obama and Vice President Joe Biden react after a heckler was removed for their extended interruption (Reuters) Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years U.S. President Barack Obama shakes hands with Speaker of the House John Boehner (R) as Vice President Joe Biden looks on Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years Barack and Michelle Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden observing a moment of silence outside the White House to mark the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks Getty Images Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years Barack Obama and Joe Biden putt on the White House putting green Getty Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years President Barack Obama and Joe Biden in April 2013 AFP/Getty Images Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years January 1, 2013: U.S. President Barack Obama winks as he arrives with Vice President Joe Biden (L) in the briefing room Reuters Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and others receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room of the White House May 1, 2011 in Washington, DC Getty Images Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years Vice-President Joe Biden, right, confirmed that the US was looking at ways of taking legal action against Julian Assange - back in December 2010 GETTY IMAGES Joe Biden and Barack Obama through the years Joe Biden, left, and retired military officers watch President Barack Obama sign orders to close down the detention centre at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in January 2009 GETTY IMAGES
The letter was published by Time magazine shortly after President Obama delivered an emotional farewell address to the nation in Chicago, which Sasha was unable to attend due to an exam.
The Bush daughters meanwhile praised the Obamas for withstanding the harsh criticism of [their] parents by people who had never even met them.
As both Obama daughters prepare to enter higher education, the Bush daughters said: Enjoy college. As most of the world knows, we did.
The twins were warned by police for underage drinking in 2001 while their father was President, creating a scandal in the media.
Read the letter in full below, as featured in Time magazine
Malia and Sasha, eight years ago on a cold November day, we greeted you on the steps of the White House. We saw both the light and wariness in your eyes as you gazed at your new home. We left our jobs in Baltimore and New York early and travelled to Washington to show you around. To show you the Lincoln Bedroom, and the bedrooms that were once ours, to introduce you to all the peoplethe florists, the grounds-keepers and the butlerswho dedicate themselves to making this historic house a home. The four of us wandered the majestic halls of the house you had no choice but to move in to. When you slid down the banister of the solarium, just as we had done as 8-year-olds and again as 20-year-olds chasing our youth, your joy and laughter were contagious.
In eight years, you have done so much. Seen so much. You stood at the gates of the Robben Island cell where South Africas Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for decades, your arms around your father. You traveled to Liberia and Morocco with your mom to talk with girls about the importance of educationgirls who saw themselves in you, saw themselves in your parents, saw who they could become if they continued to study and learn. You attended state dinners, hiked in national parks, met international leaders and managed to laugh at your dads jokes during the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon, all while being kids, attending school and making friends. We have watched you grow from girls to impressive young women with grace and ease.
And through it all you had each other. Just like we did.
Now you are about to join another rarified club, one of former First Childrena position you didnt seek and one with no guidelines. But you have so much to look forward to. You will be writing the story of your lives, beyond the shadow of your famous parents, yet you will always carry with you the experiences of the past eight years.
Never forget the wonderful people who work at the White House. Our greeter as 7-year-olds at our grandfathers Inauguration was Nancy, the White House florist, who ushered us in from the cold. She helped us make colorful bouquets of winter flowers for our grandparents bedside. Twenty years later, Nancy did the flowers for Jennas wedding. Cherish your own Nancy. We stay in touch with our Secret Service. They were part of growing up for us: there for first dates, first days and even an engagement and a honeymoon. We know it wasnt always easythe two of you and the two of us were teenagers trailed by men in backpacksbut they put their lives on hold for us.
Enjoy college. As most of the world knows, we did. And you wont have the weight of the world on your young shoulders anymore. Explore your passions. Learn who you are. Make mistakesyou are allowed to. Continue to surround yourself with loyal friends who know you, adore you and will fiercely protect you. Those who judge you dont love you, and their voices shouldnt hold weight. Rather, its your own hearts that matter.
Take all that you have seen, the people you have met, the lessons you have learned, and let that help guide you in making positive change. We have no doubt you will. Traveling with our parents taught us more than any class could. It opened our eyes to new people as well as new cultures and ideas. We met factory workers in Michigan, teachers in California, doctors healing people on the Burmese border, kids who lined the dusty streets of Kampala to see the American President, and kids with HIV waiting to get the antiretroviral drugs that would save their lives. One tiny girl wearing her finest lavender dress looked young, which she was not. She was little because she was sick. Her mom admitted that she might not live to see these drugs work, but her brothers and sisters would. After meeting this girl, Barbara went back to school and changed her major, and her lifes path.
You have lived through the unbelievable pressure of the White House. You have listened to harsh criticism of your parents by people who had never even met them. You stood by as your precious parents were reduced to headlines. Your parents, who put you first and who not only showed you but gave you the world. As always, they will be rooting for you as you begin your next chapter. And so will we.
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An Israeli settler group says it has been invited to attend Donald Trumps inauguration as controversy continues over the President-elects stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Yesha Council represents Jewish settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories that are held to be illegal under international law.
Its foreign envoy, Oded Revivi, said his group had been invited to Mr Trumps inauguration on 20 January but did not immediately confirm whether representatives would attend.
Israeli man starts charity to get injured Syrians to Israel for medical treatment
The Yesha Council, which lobbies in the Israeli government and abroad, was formerly headed by Naftali Bennett, now leader of the right-wing Jewish Home party and Israels education minister.
Mr Trumps transition team has not responded to The Independents request for comment and confirmation on whether any groups representing Palestinians or Arab Israelis had also been invited to the inauguration.
A record $90m (73m) has been raised in private donations for the event, which has already sparked controversy over the lack of A-list performers willing to sing.
A resolution adopted by the UN Security Council last month condemned settlements in the West Bank as a flagrant violation under international law and a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-state solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace, and demanded Israel halt all construction.
The outgoing US administrations choice to abstain from the resolution, rather than veto it, was condemned by Mr Trump.
He responded by tweeting: As to the UN, things will be different after Jan 20th.
The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Show all 10 1 /10 The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Medics evacuate a wounded man from the scene of an attack in Jerusalem. A Palestinian rammed a vehicle into a bus stop then got out and started stabbing people before he was shot dead AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Israeli ZAKA emergency response members carry the body of an Israeli at the scene of a shooting attack in Jerusalem. A pair of Palestinian men boarded a bus in Jerusalem and began shooting and stabbing passengers, while another assailant rammed a car into a bus station before stabbing bystanders, in near-simultaneous attacks that escalated a month long wave of violence AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Getty Images The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Palestinians throw molotov cocktail during clashes with Israeli troops near Ramallah, West Bank. Recent days have seen a series of stabbing attacks in Israel and the West Bank that have wounded several Israelis AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Women cry during the funeral of Palestinian teenager Ahmad Sharaka, 13, who was shot dead by Israeli forces during clashes at a checkpoint near Ramallah, at the family house in the Palestinian West Bank refugee camp of Jalazoun, Ramallah AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies A wounded Palestinian boy and his father hold hands at a hospital after their house was brought down by an Israeli air strike in Gaza Reuters The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Palestinians look on after a protester is shot by Israelis soldiers during clashes at the Howara checkpoint near the West Bank city of Nablus EPA The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies A lawyer wearing his official robes kicks a tear gas canister back toward Israeli soldiers during a demonstration by scores of Palestinian lawyers called for by the Palestinian Bar Association in solidarity with protesters at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City, near Ramallah, West Bank AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Undercover Israeli soldiers detain a Palestinian in Ramallah Reuters The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Palestinian youth burn tyres during clashes with Israeli soldiers close to the Jewish settlement of Bet El, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, after Israel barred Palestinians from Jerusalem's Old City as tensions mounted following attacks that killed two Israelis and wounded a child
The President-elect has also appointed several pro-Israel figures to prominent posts and pledged to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which is claimed as a capital by both Israelis and Palestinians.
Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, warned that the move would have a disastrous impact on the peace process, on the two-state solution and on the stability and security of the entire region.
Recommended Donald Trump promises to move US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem
Dozens of countries are expected to reiterate their opposition to Israeli settlements and call for the establishment of a Palestinian state as the only way to ensure peace in the region a day before Mr Trumps inauguration.
France is hosting representatives from more than 70 countries at a peace summit on Sunday, where delegates are expected to urge Israel and the Palestinians to officially restate their commitment to the two-state solution.
It will also affirm that the international community will not recognise changes to Israel's borders after the Six Day War of 1967, when Israel captured the Gaza Strip from Egypt and East Jerusalem and the West Bank from Jordan, without agreement from both sides.
But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out a return to the 1967 lines, and many members of his nationalist coalition oppose Palestinian independence and support expanded settlements in the face of condemnation from Britain and other allies.
Israel has settled at least 600,000 of its citizens in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which the UN considers a violation of the Geneva Convention, which bans a power from transferring its civilians into occupied territory.
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Vice President Joe Biden said he had no intention of running for the President in 2020 and revealed he would employ his White House staff at two universities to continue research on issues that he cared about.
Speaking to television show The View, he said he was only joking when he told reporters last month that he would run for the top job in four years time.
"[] I have no intention of running for president but I do have the intention to stay deeply involved in everything Ive done my whole life," he said.
The longtime Delaware senator and Pennsylvania native said he had arranged a deal to spend around $6 million on hiring experts and his White House staff to work on domestic and foreign policy, cancer research and violence against women.
The University of Pennsylvania and the University of Delaware has provided him, he said, with "a considerable amount of money" to employ his staff.
"I am going to have a full-blown staff, leading people in the country, on cancer care, on foreign policy, on domestic policy, and violence against women, and Im going to run an entire operation out of the University of Delaware where if you name the 10 best people in the country on this, three of them will be working full time for me," he said.
The two universities declined to comment or could not be reached by The Independent. Further details will be available on 20 January.
"I havent figured out my gainful employment yet but thats what Im going to be doing," Mr Biden joked.
Mr Biden was known for spearheading the Cancer Moonshot initiative, fighting against domestic violence and leading the "Its On Us" campaign against sexual assault. It was Mr Biden that introduced the Violence Against Women Act in 2000.
His son, Beau Biden, died of brain cancer in 2015.
He described to The View how Beaus wife and two children "still miss their Daddy" and he spends time with them every weekend.
The Vice President was moved to tears when President Obama awarded him with the Medal of Freedom with Distinction, the highest civilian honour in the US. The award came shortly after Mr Obama gave his farewell speech and thanked his Vice President for his service, prompting the loudest cheer of the night.
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Longtime Georgia congressman Rep John Lewis said he does not believe Donald Trump is a legitimate president and he will not attend the upcoming inauguration.
With only one week before the President-elect takes the Oath of Office, his rise to power has been plagued with controversy amid allegations that Russia operatives helped influence the election in his favour.
Mr Lewis told Meet the Press that he believes the alleged actions of the Russian government during the election invalidate Mr Trump's incoming administration.
"I believe in forgiveness. I believe in trying to work with people. It's going to be hard. It's going to be very difficult," Mr Lewis said when asked about forging a relationship with Mr Trump's White House. "I don't see the President-elect as a legitimate president."
He added: "I think the Russians participated in helping this man get elected and they helped destroy the candidacy of Hillary Clinton. I don't plan to attend the inauguration. It will be the first one that I'll miss since I've been in Congress. You cannot be home with something that you feel is wrong."
Mr Lewis has served in Congress since 1987. He was active in the Civil Rights Movement, and was instrumental in the march across the Edmund Pettis Bridge in Selma, Alabama, during a 1965 demonstration, led by Rev Martin Luther King Jr. In the bloody conflict that ensued when police officers brutally attacked protesters, Mr Lewis sustained serious injuries.
The Georgia representative will be joining other members of Congress in skipping the 20 January inauguration ceremony including Reps Luis Gutierrez of Illinois, Jared Huffman and Barbara Lee of California, Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, and Raul Grijalva of Arizona.
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Charitable food pantries are springing up in neighbourhoods across the US as a way of offering a helping hand to those in need.
Yard-based pantries have been widely shared on social media in the past six-months and ventures have popped up in Oklahoma, Indiana, Kentucky, Florida and Minnesota.
Maggie Ballard mounted her own blessings box on her Wichita street in October after noticing a similar project on social media.
Since then, its popularity has boomed and with her son Paxton Burns, she restocks the two-foot wide unit every day with items donated by the local community.
All items are free to take, with the only stipulation being to take a blessing when you need one" and "leave a blessing when you can.
Ive always been passionate about helping people, I really shoot for giving people a hand up rather than a handout so I felt this was something small I could do, which would benefit people, she told The Independent.
Ms Ballard rarely sees visitors to her pantry, as most come between midnight and 7am, but she knows it has become a community lifeline as the stock needs replenishing so regularly.
Maggie Ballard pictured with her six-year-old son Paxton (Maggie Ballard)
Its hard not to think people are ashamed to admit they need help as I haven't seen a lot of people taking things. Most of the traffic is at night, which is one of the things I actually like about it - it provides anonymity so you can go as often as you need it, she said.
The box is situated on a busy road with lots of foot traffic, near several schools and is accessible 24/7, with just a door on the front with no lock.
She hopes it will teach six-year-old Paxton the importance of never taking things for granted.
Six-year-old Paxton Burns stands in front of the food pantry he set up with the help of his mother Maggie Ballard (Maggie Ballard)
Without having a super adult conversation with a little kid, I try to teach him not to take things for granted and that a lot of people don't know where their next meal is coming from," she said. "That is something he is starting to understand,
Paxtons charitable effort has been the talk of the community, with Ms Ballard regularly receiving letters praising him for his giving spirit.
A card thanking Ms Ballard's six-year-old son for his charitable spirit (Maggie Ballard)
One particularly touching card read: Paxton, Im old enough to be your grandpa and all my heroes are getting old and dying. Now you are my new HERO! Thank you! (and your mom).
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An armed, anti-Jewish march in a small town in Montana, planned by a neo-Nazi group, has been postponed because the white supremacists failed to submit the proper permitting materials and were $60 short of the required fee.
The demonstration, announced by Daily Stormer website founder Andrew Anglin, was set to take place on 16 January in Whitefish, coinciding with the Martin Luther King Jr Day holiday.
He had called the march the James Earl Ray Extravaganza, referring to the man who assassinated the civil rights leader in 1968.
Anglin is among the many prominent white supremacists who have been galvanised by the election victory of Donald Trump. He publicly rejoiced the surprising election win in November, proclaiming their glorious leader has ascended to God Emperor.
The demonstration was originally organised to support Sherry Spencer, the mother of well-known white supremacist Richard Spencer. Many credit Spencer for coining the term alt-right, shorthand for the white supremacist underbelly of the Internet that has emerged in mainstream politics since Mr Trumps election.
Ms Spencer alleged in a blog post that the local Jewish community staged a protest outside her business to denounce her sons views. In turn, Anglin launched a mega troll storm against the Whitefish Jewish community.
'Hail Trump, hail our people, hail victory!'
According to the Flathead Beacon, the city of Whitefish received only the cover letter of the permit application and a money order for $65, quite short of the $125 required fee. Anglin also failed to include a certificate of insurance, map of the planned route, and a series of other requirements necessary for city officials to review.
Anglin previously said he expected some 200 people to participate in the racist demonstration carrying high-powered rifles.
America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking Show all 11 1 /11 America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking America unmasked: The images that reveal the Ku Klux Klan is alive and kicking
Currently, my guys say we are going to be able to put together about 200 people to participate in the march, which will be against Jews, Jewish businesses, and everyone who supports either, he wrote earlier this month.
Officials in a nearby city, Great Falls, passed a resolution denouncing Anglin, white supremacy, and the hateful message neo-Nazis attempted to spread with their demonstration.
Recent events in our sister city of Whitefish, Montana, remind us that the plagues of anti-Semitism, ethnic and racial hate, and intolerance remain a stain on an otherwise decent society, the resolution said.
We join our Montana Congressional Delegation, elected state leaders, the Whitefish City Council, our Jewish neighbours, representatives of the broader faith community, and all citizens, in denouncing hate, bigotry, and intolerance, it continued, which today masquerade under euphemisms such as white nationalism and the alt-right...
To those who would promote these false ideas long since rejected by civilised peoples, it finished, we say leolam lo Never again!"
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The Republican-controlled House of Representatives is wasting no time in their effort to dismantle the Affordable Care Act.
Representatives voted along party lines, 227-198, on a budget resolution that would gut significant portions of the law and all but erase President Barack Obama's most significant legislation.
Senate passed the measure earlier this week in a dead-of-night vote, amid the protests of Senate Democrats.
Republicans plan to replace the ACA along the same track, but have not yet communicated any ideas regarding what such a replacement would look like.
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said that the GOP was on a "rescue mission" to save the law, which he described as failing.
"I can't help but think back to when we were debating this law in 2010. As a member of the minority, I stood right here and pleaded with the majority not to do it. Don't take something as personal as health care and subject it to this big government experiment. Don't do something so arrogant and so contrary to our founding principles," he said in the chamber. "My colleagues, this experiment has failed. This law is collapsing as we speak. And we have to step in before things get even worse. This is nothing short of a rescue mission."
Obamacare is to be quickly repealed
Some 20 million previously uninsured Americans were able to purchase health insurance under the ACA, commonly referred to as "Obamacare". It remains to be seen whether or not they will be able to keep their insurance should Congress successfully repeal the law.
According to research from Gallup and the Wall Street Journal, however, a large concentration of ACA purchases occurred in counties with a high concentration of Donald Trump supporters. If Congress is successful in repealing the law one of Mr Trump's biggest campaign promises then it could prove politically damaging for the incoming president and the GOP.
Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi rebuked Republicans for their actions against the healthcare reform law, as well as their lack of planning for what is expected to come next.
"The Republican replacement plan is cut and run: cut benefits, cut investments and hospitals that care for our people, cut jobs. It's with no positive upside to it," she said. "We are not going to identify ourselves with cut and run, cutting benefits, cutting of those covered and cutting the savings that we have there."
President Obama has said he would openly support a Republican replacement the ACA should they actually materialise a better alternative.
"To every Republican," he said last week, "if you can put a plan together that is demonstrably better than what Obamacare is doing, I will publicly support [it]."
(File photo)
To the chagrin of many Chinese experts, more and more Chinese students seem to be losing interest in the idea of science as a career.
In the 1980s, it was a common goal shared by many children to become scientists. That was a major cause of the proliferation of our nations scientists. However, jobs related to science are no longer as appealing as they used to be, Sun Yunxiao, director of the China Youth and Children Research Center, told Science and Technology Daily.
Sun warned that this is a matter concerning future national development, and should therefore be dealt with as soon as possible.
Otherwise we will soon feel the impact of a shortage of scientific talent, Sun predicted.
Only 16.8 percent of surveyed Chinese students had science-related career aspirations in 2015, while the average share for Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries was 24.5 percent, according to the most recent Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results, issued last December.
The survey results are released every three years by OECD, based on the assessments of some 540,000 15-year-old students in 72 economies.
Similarly, in a survey conducted by China Youth and Children Research Center in 2013, less than one-third of surveyed high school students said they wanted to work in the sciences. The percentage for primary school students was 52.5 percent.
Sun said the declining interest may be a result of changing values among younger generations, as many students are reluctant to accept jobs involving a heavy work load. Some are unwilling to make any sacrifices at all for future jobs.
Some [students] are also prioritizing money, and science-related jobs are often not the highest-paying. Others may think it is more important to study politics or economics rather than science to better adapt to our changing society, Sun explained.
A decade of scientific breakthroughs has failed to translate into breakthroughs in science performance in schools Every country has room for improvement, even the top performers. With high levels of youth unemployment, rising inequality, a significant gender gap and an urgent need to boost inclusive growth in many countries, more must be done to ensure every child has the best education possible, said OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria, on the occasion of the PISA report launch in London.
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Sasha Obama has appeared in public for the first time since she missed her fathers farewell speech as President.
The 15-year-old joined her family at Vice-President Joe Bidens Medal of Freedom ceremony on Thursday.
Speculation about her whereabouts began when she failed to appear alongside her mother Michelle and older sister, Malia at her father's last presidential address in Chicago.
As the US leader dedicated a portion of his speech to his family, the hashtag #wheressahsa started to trend on social media.
A White House official said she had stayed in Washington DC because of she had an exam at the prestigious Sidwell Friends School.
Obama eldest daughter Malia was free to go to at least one of her fathers final events this week.
The 18-year-old who is currently on a gap year before attending Harvard University, also attended the Mr Biden's ceremony.
Mr Biden told the audience he had no idea he was to be given the medal the highest civilian award in the US.
He attended Thursdays ceremony with his wife, Jill, thinking he was going to a drinks reception.
Joe Biden had the best reaction when Obama awarded him the Presidential medal of freedom
After listening to Obama praise him as a lion of American history and the best Vice President America has ever had, Mr Biden gave an emotional speech revealing the President had given him great support when his late son, Beau, was battling brain cancer.
Former Delaware senator Mr Biden said: I thought we were coming over Michelle, for you and Jill, and for Barack and I to toast one another and say what an incredible journey it's been.
Obama pays emotional tribute to his daughters - but Sasha wasn't allowed to attend
Thanking the Obamas for their friendship, he told the President: I don't deserve this.
Addressing the First Family, Vice President Biden praised Michelle Obama as the finest First Lady that has ever served in this office.
To the Obama daughters, Mr Biden said: 'You are just incredible, you really are. That is not hyperbole.
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A woman has been spared jail after she admitted to raping her daughter's 13-year-old boyfriend.
Elaine Goodman, 46, faced up to 15 years in prison but was sentenced to two years' probation.
But while a judge at Kent County Superior Court in Delaware said her action was "an aberration", he did not think jailing her was the answer.
Goodman pleaded guilty to fourth degree rape, acknowledging that she met the boy after he snuck out of his home in the early hours of one morning in March 2015.
After driving around for a while, the boy revealed in an interview that the pair had become intimate and she "took his you-know-what and put it in her you-know-what," according to court documents.
Goodman, of Dover, Delaware, was arrested in November 2015 after police examined text messages she had exchanged with a friend, including one that said: "I asked him what in the world are u doing with a body like that at 13".
She told the court: "I know sorry is just a word, but I really am. I know I hurt people and that is terrible."
Passing the light sentence Judge Robert Young said she had been compassionate in looking after her elderly parents and community members.
"This came out of the blue," he said. "The crime is egregious and affected the victim and his family, which was taken into account. But incarceration is not the answer."
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 deputy attorney general Denise Weeks-Tappan said: "This mom, who [the boy] trusted, instructed him on what to do.
"The crime has affected the victim in many ways. He's hurt, embarrassed and it is affecting his schooling.
"When the defendant committed this crime, she took something away from him. He was not a willing participant, but a victim."
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Images of a 92-year-old woman living behind bars in a pigsty have incensed Chinese social media users.
The elderly woman had reportedly been kept in the padlocked 10sqm cell for years and slept on a wooden bench. Images showed her emaciated frame and the bare, breeze-block walls of the enclosure.
The Southern Morning Post, which covers China's Guanxi region, reported that the woman's son said she had volunteered to move into the cell because her incontinence had "given them a great burden and she was worried about making the house smell".
According to the Post, on hearing reports of the woman's condition the government of her township began an investigation and visited with relief supplies.
The son and daugher-in-law of the woman, whose surname is Yang, were ordered to let her move back into their home.
She was taken to Fengshan County People's Hospital for treatment, after medical workers examined her at the dwelling.
A video of the woman posted online has reportedly been viewed more than 1.8m times.
Online forum users spoke of their tears and "heartache" after reading the story.
One said: "Too shocked. The lives of many elderly people in rural areas are appalling."
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A Japanese company is considering introducing a three-day weekend for its employees in a bid to tackle a culture of overworking.
Internet company Yahoo Japan Corp is thinking about reducing the number of working days to four-a-week by 2020.
The move comes as the country is driving efforts to put pressure on companies to abandon the long-working-hours culture while boosting productivity.
We dont see the three-day weekend system as the end goal but an option, company spokeswoman Megumi Yagita told Bloomberg.
By giving employees more freedom on how to work, were hoping that employees choose a style that lets them perform at their best, so that we boost productivity, she added.
Meet this Japanese hologram which could be replacing wives in Japan
The Japanese government and businesses will launch a campaign from February designed to let employees leave early on the last Friday of every month to spend more time with their families.
But Japan is known for its rigid work practices and the measures come amid a bleak time for Japanese workers.
The suicide of a 24-year-old woman, who had just joined Japans advertising giant Dentsu, prompted the companys president to resign earlier this month.
Dentsu have since announced new measures such as switching off the office lights between 10pm and 5am.
The Japanese even have a word to describe death by overwork or related illness or suicide - "karoshi".
Research for a government paper suggests staff at nearly a quarter of companies in the country clock up 80 hours of overtime a month.
Although extra work is capped at 45 hours a week, companies have been able to waive the regulation in agreement with some unions and employees often push staff to under-report the hours they work.
Government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said Japan needs to end of the norm of long working hours so people can balance their lives with things like raising a child or taking care of the elderly".
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe commissioned a task force to tackle long working hours, expand the workforce, and improve working conditions for non-contracted employees.
The "work style reform" is expected to be revealed by March.
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The US should "prepare for a military clash", a state run Chinese tabloid newspaper has warned.
Less than 24 hours after US Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson appeared to call for a blockade of South China Sea islands, a strongly-worded English editorial in the Global Times accused the former ExxonMobil chief executive of "rabble-rousing".
He "had better bone up on nuclear power strategies if he wants to force a big nuclear power to withdraw from its own territories", the paper, which is known for writing hawkish editorials, said. However, despite being state run, it does not necessarily reflect government policy.
In its first response to Mr Tillersons comments, Chinas foreign ministry stressed the importance of mutual respect and cooperation with the US.
Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Show all 14 1 /14 Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A lesbian couple kisses in front of mural depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the walls of a barbecue bar 'Keule Ruke' on May 19, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Barcroft Media/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A lesbian couple kisses in front of mural depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the walls of a barbecue bar 'Keule Ruke' on May 19, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Barcroft Media/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural VILNIUS, LITHUANIA - NOVEMBER 23: A woman walks past a mural showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) blowing marijuana smoke into the mouth of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the wall of a bar-b-que restaurant on November 23, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Many people in the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are concerned that Russia, because Trump has expressed both admiration for Putin and doubt over defending NATO member states, will be emboldened to intervene militarily in the Baltics. Sean Gallup/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A woman walks past a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural AP Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A child walks past a graffiti depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the walls of a bar in the old town in Vilnius, Lithuania, Saturday, May 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis) AP Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural People walk past a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A man photographs a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural AP Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A young woman walks past a mural showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) blowing marijuana smoke into the mouth of Russian President Vladimir Putin with the slogan "make everything great again," in reference to Trump's campaign slogan of "Make America Great Again," on the wall of a bar-b-que restaurant on November 23, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Many people in the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are concerned that Russia, because Trump has expressed both admiration for Putin and doubt over defending NATO member states, will be emboldened to intervene militarily in the Baltics. Sean Gallup/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A morning commuter stops to look at a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Restaurant owner Dominykas Ceckauskas pose next to a mural on the wall of his establishment depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. / AFP / Petras Malukas (Photo credit should read PETRAS MALUKAS/AFP/Getty Images) Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A passerby photographs a mural showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) blowing marijuana smoke into the mouth of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the wall of a bar-b-que restaurant on November 23, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Many people in the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are concerned that Russia, because Trump has expressed both admiration for Putin and doubt over defending NATO member states, will be emboldened to intervene militarily in the Baltics. Sean Gallup/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Getty
At a daily briefing spokesman Lu Kang Lu said relations between the two countries were based on non-confrontation, non-conflict, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation."
The energy-rich South China Sea through which about $5 trillion (4 trillion) in ship-borne trade passes every year has nonetheless been a source of tension in the region.
Despite competing claims from other countries, including the Philippines and Vietnam, China has built seven artificial islands on reefs and rocks, outfitting them with military length airstrips and anti-aircraft guns.
During his time in office, President Barack Obama's administration has conducted periodic air and naval patrols to assert the right of free navigation in the South China Sea.
These have angered Beijing and a Chinese warship recently seized a US Navy underwater drone before returning it a few days later.
Seeking to blockade China's man-made islands would be a major step that Washington has never raised as an option
The Global Times editorial said: "The US has no absolute power to dominate the South China Sea. Tillerson had better bone up on nuclear power strategies if he wants to force a big nuclear power to withdraw from its own territories.
"If Trump's diplomatic team shapes future Sino-US ties as it is doing now, the two sides had better prepare for a military clash.
"China has enough determination and strength to make sure that his rabble rousing will not succeed. Unless Washington plans to wage a large-scale war in the South China Sea, any other approaches to prevent Chinese access to the islands will be foolish.
"It is hoped that Tillerson will desire a productive partnership with China more and his harsh words are just coaxing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee."
At his confirmation hearing, Mr Tillerson had accused Beijing of "declaring control of territories that are not rightfully China's," comparing its island-building efforts and deployment of military assets to Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimeaan action that ended up prompting tough US and European sanctions.
He said: "You're going to have to send China a clear signal that first the island building stops, and second your access to those islands is also not going to be allowed."
The Global Times article followed an opinion piece in the state-run China Daily's US edition that strongly criticised Mr Tillerson, accusing him of "undisguised animosity toward China."
It added: "As many have observed, it would set a course for devastating confrontation between China and the US. After all, how can the U.S. deny China access to its own territories without inviting the latter's legitimate, defensive responses?"
However, some analysts believed Tillerson misspoke.
Blocking Chinese access to the islands "could spark armed conflict," said Mark Fitzpatrick, at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. "I can't help but think that he did not mean it this way."
He added: The muted Chinese reaction gives him the benefit of the doubt."
However, Mr Trump's nominee for Defence Secretary, told his confirmation hearing China's militarisation of the South China Sea posed a threat to global order
Asked about Mr Tillerson's comments, retired General James Mattis said the US needed an integrated government approach to avoid an incomplete or incoherent strategy.
But he emphasised the importance of freedom of commerce and nurturing US alliances in the region.
"The bottom line is that international waters are international waters, and we have got to figure out how do we deal with holding on to the kind of rules that we have made over many years that led to the prosperity for many nations, not just for ours," he told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Additional reporting by agencies.
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The Danish government has said it will stop paying Isis militants welfare benefits as part of a plan to fight terrorism.
More than 30 foreign fighters from the country are known to have continued to receive thousands of pounds worth of state unemployment benefit known as kontanthjlp in Syria and Iraq, with the revelations provoking outrage last month.
Employment minister Troels Lund Poulsen immediately vowed action and efforts to recover the payments, although it was unclear how the money could be reclaimed.
The government has now included a planned crackdown in a new bill to prevent extremism.
A statement from the justice ministry said: The payment of state benefits to foreign fighters must be stopped, so they cannot finance their stay in a conflict zone with kontanthjlp, for example.
Anyone named as a national security risk or believed to have travelled to join armed group abroad will have their benefits immediately stopped, the governments plan said.
Sren Pape Poulsen, the justice minister, said he would not allow jihadis to finance their travel using public money.
Timeline: The emergence of Isis Show all 40 1 /40 Timeline: The emergence of Isis Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2000 Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (pictured here) forms an al-Qaeda splinter group in Iraq, al-Qaeda in Iraq. Its brutality from the beginning alienates Iraqis and many al-Qaeda leaders. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2006 Al-Zarqawi is killed in a U.S. strike. Al-Zarqawis successor, Abu Ayyub al-Masri, announces the creation of the Islamic State in Iraq (ISI). Reuters Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2009 Still al-Qaeda-linked ISI claims responsibility for suicide bombings that killed 155 in Baghdad, as well as attacks in August and October killing 240, as President Obama announces troop withdrawal from Iraq in March. Getty Images Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2010 Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi becomes head of ISI, at lowest ebb of Islamist militancy in Iraq, which sees last U.S. combat brigade depart. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2012 In Syria, protests (pictured here starting in Daree) have morphed into what president Assad labelled a real war with emergence of a coalition of forces opposed to Assads regime. Syria group Jabhat al-Nusra are among rebel groups who refuse to join, denouncing it as a conspiracy. Bombings targeting Shia areas, killing more than 500 people, spark fears of new sectarian conflict. Sunni Muslims stage protests across country against what they see as increasingly marginalisation by Shia-led government. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2013 Al-Baghdadi renames ISI as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or Isis, as the group absorbs Syrian al-Nusra, gaining a foothold in Syria. In response, al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri (Bin Ladens successor) concerned about Isis expansion orders that Isis be dissolved and ISI operations should be confined to Iraq. This order is rejected by al-Baghdadi. AFP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - January Isis fighters capture the Iraqi cities of Fallujah and Ramadi, giving them base to launch slew of attacks further south. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - June Isis declares itself the Caliphate, calling itself Islamic State (IS). The group captures Mosul, Iraqs second largest city; Tal Afar, just 93 miles from Syrian border; and the central Iraqi city of Tikrit. These advances sent shockwaves around the world. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - June Around the same time Isis releases a video calling for western Muslims to join the Caliphate and fight, prompting new evaluations of extremists groups social media understanding. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - June Isis take Baiji oil fields in Iraq - giving them access to huge amounts of possible revenue. EPA Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - August James Foley is executed by the group as concerns grow for second American prisoner, fellow reporter Steven Sotloff. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - August Obama authorises U.S. airstrikes in Iraq, helping to stall Isis along with action by Kurdish forces following the deaths of hundreds of Yazidi people on Mount Sinjar. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - September Isis release video showing Steven Sotloffs murder prompting Western speculation his executioner is same man who killed Mr Foley. EPA Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - September Obama tells us that America will hunt down terrorists who threaten our country EPA Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - September Isis release a video appearing to show David Haines, who was captured by militants in Syria in 2013, wearing an orange jumpsuit and kneeling in the desert while he reads a pre-prepared script. It later shows what appears to be the aid worker's body. Rex Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - September Peshmerga fighters scrabble to hold positions in the Diyala province (a gateway to Baghdad) as Isis fighters continue to advance on Iraqi capital. AFP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - October Aid worker Alan Henning is killed. Self-imposed media blackout refuses to show images of him in final moments, instead focuses upon humanitarian care. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - October Isis raise their flag in Kobani, which had been strongly defended by Kurdish troops. The victory goes against hopeful western analysis Isis had overextended itself, while alienating much of the Muslim population through the murder of Henning. Victory causes fresh waves of Kurdish refugees arriving in Turkey. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - November American hostage, who embarced values of Islam, Peter Kassig and 14 Syrian soldiers are shown meeting the same fate as other captives. But intelligence agencies will be poring over the apparently significant discrepancies between this and previous films. Seramedig.org.uk Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February Isis has released a video revealing the murder by burning to death of a Jordanian pilot held by the group since the end of December 2014. Reuters Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February Isis militants have released videos which appear to show the beheading of Japanese hostages Haruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February American aid worker, Kayla Mueller was the last American hostage known to be held by Isis. She died, according to her captors, in an airstrike by the Jordanian air force on the city of Raqqa in Syria, though US authorities disputed this. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February Isis militants have posted a gruesome video online in which they force 21 Egyptian Coptic Christian hostages to kneel on a beach in Libya before beheading them. Egypt vowed to avenge the beheading and launched air strikes on Isis positions. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February The British Isis militant suspected of appearing in videos showing the beheading of Western hostages has been named in reports as Mohammed Emwazi from London. Rex Features Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - March Isis triple suicide attack has killed more than 100 worshippers and hundreds of others were injured after the group members targeted two mosques in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - April Iraqi forces have claimed victory over Isis in battle for Tikrit and raised the flag in the city. EPA/STR Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - April Isis has claimed responsibility for a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan that killed at least 35 people queuing to collect their wages and injured 100 more. EPA Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - April Isis media arm released a 29-minute video purporting to show militants executing Ethiopian Christians captives. The footage bore the extremist groups al-Furqan media logo and showed the destruction of churches and desecration of religious symbols. A masked fighter made a statement threatening Christians who did not convert to Islam or pay a special tax. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Isis has been "incapacitated" by a spinal injuries sustained in a US air strike in Iraq. He is being treated in a hideout by two doctors from Isis stronghold of Mosul who are said to be "strong ideological supporters of the group". Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Isis has also claimed responsibility for killing 300 of Yazidi captives, including women, children and elderly people in Iraq AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Isis attack on Prophet Mohamed cartoon contest in Texas was its first action on US soil. Two gunmen were shot and killed after launching the attack at the exhibition. Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi have been named as the attackers at the Curtis Culwell Centre arena in Garland. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Isiss deputy leader, Abu Alaa Afri, a former physics teacher who was thought to have taken charge of the deadly terrorist group, has been killed in a US-led coalition airstrike. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May US special forces have killed a senior Isis leader named as Abu Sayyaf in an operation aiming to capture him and his wife in Syria. Getty Images Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Iran-backed militias are sent to Ramadi by the Iraqi government to fight Isis militants who completed their capture of the city. Government soldiers and civilians were reportedly massacred by extremists as they took control and the army fled. Charred bodies were left littering the city streets as troops clung on to trucks speeding away from the city. Ramadi is the latest government stronghold to fall to the so-called Islamic State, despite air strikes by a US-led international coalition aiming to stop its advance in Iraq and Syria. AFP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Isis rounded up civilians trapped in Palmyra and forced them to watch 20 people being executed in the historic citys ancient amphitheatre. The Unesco World Heritage site was overrun by militants, threatening the future of 2,000 year-old monuments and ruins. Thousands of Palmyras residents fled but many are still living within the city walls, while the UN human rights office in Geneva said it had received reports of Syrian government forces preventing people from leaving until they retreated from the city. Getty Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May A group of Isis-affiliated fighters have captured a key airport in central Libya. The militants took control of the al-Qardabiya airbase in Sirte after a local militia tasked with defending the facility withdrew from their positions. Affiliates of Isis, already control large parts of Sirte, the birthplace of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and a former stronghold of his supporters. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - June The US Air Force has destroyed an Isis stronghold after an extremist let slip their location on social media. According the Air Force Times, General Herbert "Hawk" Carlisle, commander of Air Combat Command, said that Airmen at Hulburt Field, Florida, used images shared by jihadists to track the location of their headquarters before destroying it in an airstrike. Reuters Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - June Kurdish forces captured a key military base in a significant victory in Raqqa as well as town of Tell Abyad. YPG fighters, backed by US-led airstrikes and other rebels, consolidated their gains, when they seized the key town on the Syria-Turkey border. They are now just 30 miles to the north of Raqqa and have cut off a major supply route deep inside Isis-held territory. Ahmet Silk/Getty Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - June Isis has released gruesome footage claiming to show the murder of more than a dozen men by drowning, decapitation and using a rocket-propelled grenade as it seeks to boost morale among its fanatical supporters. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - June Isis has begun carrying out its threat to destroy structures in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, blowing up at least two monuments at the Unesco-protected site as Syrian government troops made advances on the Islamists positions. AFP
We must prevent more vulnerable young people become radicalised and end up supporting terrorist organisations vile ideology, he added.
Isis fighters from several countries are believed to have used welfare payments after joining the terror group, either after being directly paid or supplied with the money by friends and family at home.
Denmarks four-point policy also includes criminalising the dissemination of terrorist propaganda, blocking websites distributing extremist material and requiring radicalised convicts to go through an exit programme after being freed as a condition of their parole.
Omar el-Hussein, an Isis supporter who killed two people in attacks on a cultural centre and synagogue in Copenhagen, is believed to have been radicalised while in prison, with alerts to authorities going unanswered.
Isis also claimed responsibility for a shooting that injured two police officers and a bystander in the Danish capitals Christiania district, although locals attributed the incident to the areas drug trade.
Denmarks PET intelligence agency PET estimates that at least 135 people have left the country to fight in Syria and Iraq.
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A bloc of right-wing parties in the European Parliament have banned a number of major media organisations from covering their upcoming conference.
The Europe for Nations and Freedom group includes French presidential candidate, Marine Le Pens Front National (FN), the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, Dutch politician Geert Wilders Party for Freedom and Italys Northern League.
They will be meeting in the German city of Koblenz on 21 January.
But organisers have blocked several news outlets from attending the summit, saying they had not met journalistic standards in past reporting of the party, German newspaper Die Welt reported.
German broadcaster ARD has threatened to sue over its exclusion and its programme director, Volker Herres, condemned this massive encroachment against the freedom to report.
He said: "It is a loss for our audience that we won't be able to report on the meeting of right-wing populist parties in Europe. This gathering is of great importance for the future political course of this movement."
But the eurosceptic German MEP Marcus Pretzell defended the decision.
Keeping public broadcasters away would benefit German viewers, who are required to pay a monthly fee for the service, said the AfD member.
Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Show all 9 1 /9 Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Policemen outside Rouen's cathedral during the funeral of Jacques Hamel, the priest who was killed in a church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray in Normandy on 26 July during a hostage-taking claimed by Islamic State group Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Two jihadists, both 19, slit Hamel's throat while he was celebrating mass in an attack that shocked France as well as the Catholic Church Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Muslims place flowers and hold a minute of silence in front of the church if Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, western France, where French priest Jacques Hamel was killed on 26 July Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Two people hold each other by the new makeshift memorial in Nice, in tribute to the victims of the deadly Bastille Day attack at the Promenade des Anglais Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the truck attack that killed 84 people in Nice on France's national holiday. Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, 31, smashed a 19-tonne truck into a packed crowd of people in the Riviera city celebrating Bastille Day Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Police work at a site where a Syrian migrant set off an explosive device in Ansbach, southern Germany, on 25 July, killing himself and wounding a dozen others Daniel Roland/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis A Syrian migrant set off an explosion at a bar in southern Germany that killed himself and wounded a dozen others in the third attack to hit Bavaria in a week. The 27-year-old, who had spent a stint in a psychiatric facility, had intended to target a music festival in the city of Ansbach but was turned away because he did not have a ticket Friebe/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis Police officers walk along train tracks in Wuerzburg southern Germany on 19 July, a day after a man attacked train passengers with an axe. German authorities said they had found a hand-painted IS flag among the belongings of the man, an asylum seeker from Afghanistan, who seriously injured four members of a family of tourists from Hong Kong in his rampage Daniel Roland/AFP/Getty Images Terrorism in 2016: Terror attacks in Europe claimed by Isis German police killed a teenage assailant after he attacked passengers on a train in Wuerzburg, southerg Germany with an axe and a knife on 18 July, seriously wounding three people Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/AFP/Getty Images
It was a "win win" situation for them, added Mr Pretzell, who was heavily criticised after he blamed German Chancellor Angela Merkel for the lorry attack on a Berlin Christmas market which killed nine and injured dozens of others.
Other German news organisations blocked from reporting on the event include business newspaper Handelsblatt, weekly magazine Der Spiegel and the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Mr Pretzell said.
Some of the parties attending the event appear to be well positioned to make major gains in upcoming elections in their home countries.
Ms Le Pen also looks poised to reach the run-off vote for the French presidency.
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The bones of an infamous Nazi doctor are being used by medical forensic students in a Brazilian university to piece together information about his life on the run.
Known as the Angel of Death, German doctor Josef Mengele drowned off the coast of the state of Sao Paulo nearly 40 years ago after spending years in hiding.
For more than 30 years, Mengele performed horrific experiments on Jews held in the Auschwitz concentration camp and sent thousands to their death in gas chambers.
After his death, his bones lay unclaimed inside a blue plastic bag in Sao Paulo's Legal Medical Institute.
But in 1985, Dr Daniel Romero Munoz and his team identified Mengeles remains and he saw an opportunity to put them to good use.
And Dr Munoz said he had just been given permission to use the Nazi doctors bones in his forensic medical courses, with his students now learning their trade by studying Mengeles remains and connecting them to his life story.
"The bones will be helpful to teach how to examine the remains of an individual and then match that information with data in documents related to the person," Dr Munoz said.
"For example, examining Mengele's remains, we saw a fractured left pelvis. Information found in his army record said that he fractured his pelvis in a motorcycle accident in Auschwitz.
Josef Mengele escaped capture until his death by accidental drowning in Sao Paulo (Rex Features)
A small hole in Mengele's left cheekbone also suggest the German doctor suffered from long-term sinusitis and he is believed to have been treating dental abscesses himself with a razor blade.
Cyrla Gewertz, a 92-year-old Holocaust survivor, said the thought of Mengeles bones being studied brought back painful memories.
"I already have too many painful memories of him and what he did to me and others at Auschwitz. These are memories I cannot erase from my mind, she said.
Originally from Poland, Gewertz was a prisoner in Auschwitz, where she came face to face with Mengele on several occasions.
Dr Ahmed's Snapchat surgery - In pictures Show all 6 1 /6 Dr Ahmed's Snapchat surgery - In pictures Dr Ahmed's Snapchat surgery - In pictures Dr Shafi Ahmed performed an operation on a patient while wearing Snapchat spectacles. Dr Ahmed's Snapchat surgery - In pictures He hopes filming procedures will help students learn about surgery. Dr Ahmed's Snapchat surgery - In pictures Thousands of people have watched his broadcasts. Dr Ahmed's Snapchat surgery - In pictures Previously, he used Google Glass to broadcast a surgery. Dr Ahmed's Snapchat surgery - In pictures Dr Ahmed's Snapchat surgery - In pictures
"He was an evil, perverse man. He was a torturer, she said.
She recalls an occasion when Mengele killed a newborn baby girl by throwing her off the roof of the camps barracks.
Mengele fled to Argentina, when leading members of Nazi leader Adolf Hitlers Third Reich were put on trial for war crimes in the 1950s. He arrived in Sao Paulo in 1960 and received shelter from a German couple.
Professor Maria Luiza Tucci Carneiro, a historian at the University of Sao Paulo, said she hoped the classroom learning went beyond the science to history and ethics.
Students should also learn how physicians, psychiatrists and other leading scientists were in the service of the Reich, lending their knowledge to exclude the ethnic groups classified as belonging to inferior races," said Professor Carneiro.
"An exclusion that culminated in genocide."
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The Syrian army has accused Israel of firing rockets that hit a major military airport in a flagrant attack outside Damascus, warning the Jewish state of severe repercussions.
The explosions were heard in the capital, and a large plume of smoke could be seen rising from the area, while video footage circulated online showing flames leaping from parts of the Mezzah air base compound.
Syrian state television quoted the army as saying several rockets were fired from an area near Lake Tiberias in northern Israel just after midnight, before landing in the compound of the air base used by President Bashar al-Assad's elite Republican Guards.
Syrian army command and armed forces warn Israel of the repercussions of the flagrant attack and stresses its continued fight against [this] terrorism and amputate the arms of the perpetrators, the army command said in a statement.
President Assad has repeatedly vowed to take the country back from "terrorists" a term used to describe all opposition groups.
It was the third such Israeli strike in Syria recently, the Syrian government claimed.
It remains unclear whether there are any casualties of the alleged attacks, which caused fierce fires.
Earlier, state television said several major explosions hit Mezzah military airport's compound and ambulances were rushed to the area.
The airport had been a base used to fire rockets at former rebel-held areas in the suburbs of Damascus.
Tel Aviv has previously neither confirmed nor denied involvement in striking targets inside Syria and it did not immediately give an indication of whether it was behind the most recent rocket attack.
But it is widely believed that Israel has targeted the positions and weapons shipments of Lebanon's Hezbollah group since civil war broke out in the country in 2011.
The Iran-backed group, which fought a short war with Israel in 2006, has sent thousands of fighters to Syria in support of President Assad's forces.
Last November, the Syrian army said Israeli jets fired two missiles on an area west of the capital, close to the Damascus-Beirut highway, in an attack mounted from Lebanese airspace.
Diplomatic sources say Israel has in the past few years targeted advanced weapons systems, including Russian-made anti-aircraft and Iranian-made missiles, and bombed the elite Fourth Armoured Division base on Qasioun mountain in the capital.
An air strike in Syria in December 2015 killed a prominent Hezbollah leader, Samir Qantar.
Israel welcomed Qantar's death, saying he was preparing attacks from Syrian soil, but stopped short of confirming responsibility for eliminating him.
Earlier that year, an Israeli air strike in Syria near the Golan Heights killed six members of Hezbollah, including a commander and the son of its late military chief Imad Moughniyah.
Flare-ups between Israel and Syria are frequent in the disputed region, which spans the border between the countries.
Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the Six Day War of 1967, before Syrian forces led an unsuccessful counter-offensive in 1973, and Israel effectively annexed the vast majority of the occupied territory in 1981.
In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Show all 30 1 /30 In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian family arrives at a checkpoint, manned by pro-government forces, at the al-Hawoz street roundabout, after leaving Aleppo's eastern neighbourhoods Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian woman, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, reacts as she stands with her children in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood, after regime troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian pro-regime fighters, gesture as they drive past resident fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian rebels withdrew from six more neighbourhoods in their one-time bastion of east Aleppo in the face of advancing government troops, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian rebels withdrew from six more neighbourhoods in their one-time bastion of east Aleppo in the face of advancing government troops, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian residents, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, arrive in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood , after regime troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian pro-regime fighters, gesture as they drive past residents fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian residents, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, arrive in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood, after regime troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian residents, fleeing violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood, arrive in Aleppo's Fardos neighbourhood Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian pro-regime fighter speaks with a child, as residents flee violence in the restive Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood. Syrian rebels withdrew from six more neighbourhoods in their one-time bastion of east Aleppo in the face of advancing government troops AFP/Getty Images In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Smoke rises as seen from a governement-held area of Aleppo, Syria Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian soldiers targeting rebels-held areas in the eastern neighborhoods in Aleppo, Syria. According to media reports, the army is now holding on 99 percent of Aleppois eastern neighborhoods EPA In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian pro-government forces patrol Aleppo's eastern al-Salihin neighbourhood after troops retook the area from rebel fighters Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian soldiers rest following the battle at al-Sheik Saeed neighborhood in Aleppo, Syria EPA In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian pro-government fighter walking past closed shops in the Bab al-Nasr district of Aleppo's Old City. Once renowned for its bustling souks, grand citadel and historic gates, Aleppo's Old City has been rendered virtually unrecognisable by some of the worst violence of Syria's war Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria The crucial battle for Aleppo entered its 'final phase' after Syrian rebels retreated into a small pocket of their former bastion in the face of new army advances. The retreat leaves opposition fighters confined to just a handful of neighbourhoods in southeast Aleppo, the largest of them Sukkari and Mashhad Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian civilans arrive at a checkpoint, manned by pro-government forces, at the al-Hawoz street roundabout, after leaving Aleppo's eastern neighbourhoods. Syria's government has retaken at least 85 percent of east Aleppo, which fell to rebels in 2012, since beginning its operation Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian civilians flee the Sukkari neighbourhood towards safer rebel-held areas in southeastern Aleppo Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrians celebrate in the government-held Mogambo neighbourhood of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, after rebel fighters retreated into a small pocket of their former bastion in the face of new army advances Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrians celebrate in the government-held Mogambo neighbourhood of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, after rebel fighters retreated into a small pocket of their former bastion in the face of new army advances. The fall of Aleppo would be the worst rebel defeat since Syria's conflict began in 2011, and leave the government in control of the country's five major cities Getty In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian refugee Aliya inside the tent where she lives with her husband and ten children in a camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Syrian refugee women and children outside the entrance to their tents in the refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA Wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA Wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A Syrian refugee woman outside the entrance to the tent where her family live, in the refugee camp in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, close to the Syrian border PA wire In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria A vehicle drives past a mosque at night in Idlib, Syria. Picture taken with a long exposure Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Damaged buildings stand in the rebel-controlled town of Binnish in Idlib province, Syria Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria The night sky is seen through damaged windows in the rebel-controlled town of Binnish in Idlib province, Syria Reuters In Pictures: The crisis unfolding in Syria Damaged buildings stand in the rebel-controlled area of Maaret al-Numan in Idlib province, Syria Reuters
Although Israel has carried out reprisals on Syrian positions when errant fire has strayed into its territory, it has remained largely on the sidelines of the conflict taking place the other side of the border.
Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman recently reiterated his government's policy of not getting involved in the Syrian civil war.
Reuters contributed to this report
(Xinhua) 16:52, January 13, 2017
A former head of South Korea's biggest opposition party kept a comfortable lead in a presidential opinion poll over former UN chief, who returned back to his home country, a local survey showed on Friday.
According to a Gallup Korea poll conducted from Tuesday to Thursday, 31 percent respondents supported Moon Jae-in, former chief of the main opposition Minjoo Party.
His approval ratings far exceeded the 20-percent score garnered by Ban Ki-moon, who arrived in South Korea on Thursday from New York after ending his second, five-year term in the top UN post.
Local media outlets speculated that Ban indicated his run for the presidency though he has never declared it officially.
Ban has long been seen as the best hope in the conservative bloc as support for conservative politicians sank after the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. If the constitutional court upholds the impeachment, a presidential election must be held in 60 days.
Lee Jae-myung, mayor of Seongnam city to the southeast of Seoul who is affiliated with the Minjoo Party, was at the third place in the recent presidential survey with 12 percent.
Ahn Cheol-soo of the minor opposition People's Party ranked fourth with approval scores of 7 percent.
In a three-way scenario of presidential election, the former Minjoo Party chief would be elected as the next leader with 44 percent in support, far exceeding the former UN chief's 30 percent and Ahn's 14 percent.
In the simulated showdown between Moon and Ban, the former won 53 percent, greatly beating the latter's 37 percent.
Meanwhile, support rate for the Minjoo Party was 41 percent. It surpassed the ruling Saenuri Party's 12 percent, the People's Party's 10 percent and the Righteous Party's 7 percent.
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Iraqi special forces have stormed Mosuls university in the latest push to drive Isis from the city.
The elite Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) used bulldozers to smash through a wall into the universitys campus on Friday, while dozens of troops sprinted through, carrying rocket-propelled grenade launchers.
Slightly to the north of campus, army units assisted by air strikes took control of Hadba district, opening up another front in the assault on the complex.
CTS commander Sami al-Aridhi said the university is an important gain for Iraqi forces, providing an outlook thanks to its hillside elevation which will be helpful in pushing Isis out of the city they have occupied since 2014.
The loss of the university, where jihadi propaganda had been forced onto the curriculum for the last two years, will also be a major morale loss to the group.
Iraqs specially trained fighters have paid a heavy price since the US-coalition led battle was announced in October. About 2,000 troops have died in the face of fierce resistance from Isis to date an alarming casualty rate observers have warned is unsustainable.
New tactics, such as better defences against suicide bombers and improved coordination between the different military divisions, has speeded up progress since the beginning of the New Year.
The fight has been slow, with almost one half of Mosul retaken so far the east bank of the Tigris river, which divides the city in two.
Two of the citys five main bridges have now been secured.
Once you get to the river, you can then slowly mop [Isis fighters] up, because you can then cut the lines of communication, a senior Western diplomat told Reuters this week.
Dramatic footage shows Elite Iraq forces battle on road to Bartella in fight for Mosul
Elsewhere in the battle to oust Isis from Iraq, the UN has warned that an oil spill south of Mosul is close enough to the Tigris that it could leak into a key artery.
Most of the provinces population live on its banks, or nearby.
A new report this week said that 29 oil fires set alight by Isis four months ago are still continuing to burn, sending toxic smoke into the air.
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Turkeys leader has praised the actions of US President-Elect Donald Trump in refusing to talk to a CNN reporter at his first media briefing in six months.
At the press conference in New York on Wednesday, Mr Trump refused to take a question from CNNs White House correspondent Jim Acosta, dismissing the reporter on the grounds that he and the network produce fake news.
The president-elect has made no secret of his disdain for mainstream medias coverage of him, which he says is dishonest and biased.
The move was widely criticised by press freedom activists.
In Turkey, however, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that Mr Trump was right to shut down Mr Acostas questioning, because international media organisations such as CNN undermine national unity.
During the Gezi protests and PKK terror campaigns, the unity and solidarity of the Turkish nation were attacked, Mr Erdogan said during a meeting in Ankara.
Those who carried out that game back then in Turkey have done Trump wrong Mr Trump put the reporter of that media group in his place there, he said.
The president went on to say that he himself had treated media critics in the same way.
In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Show all 17 1 /17 In pictures: Turkey coup attempt In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Erdogan attends the funeral service for victims of the thwarted coup in Istanbul at Fatih mosque on July 17, 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey Burak Kara/Getty Images In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soldiers involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge with their hands raised in Istanbul on 16 July, 2016 Gokhan Tan/Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A civilian beats a soldier after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 REUTERS/Murad Sezer In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Surrendered Turkish soldiers who were involved in the coup are beaten by a civilian Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soliders involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wave flags as they capture a Turkish Army vehicle Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt People pose near a tank after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers block Istanbul's Bosphorus Brigde Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A Turkish military stands guard near the Taksim Square in Istanbul Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Pierre Crom/Twitter In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers secure the area as supporters of Recep Tayyip Erdogan protest in Istanbul's Taksim square AP In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Murad Sezer/Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers detain police officers during a security shutdown of the Bosphorus Bridge Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish Army armoured personnel carriers in the main streets of Istanbul Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Chaos reigned in Istanbul as tanks drove through the streets EPA/TOLGA BOZOGLU In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks to media in the resort town of Marmaris Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of President Erdogan celebrate in Ankara following the suppression of the attempted coup Reuters
Mr Erdogan has steadily consolidated his control of Turkeys government since his election to the office of president in 2014.
There has been a particular crackdown on members of the opposition, academics, journalists and rights activists since a failed military coup in July last year, after which the government declared a state of emergency.
Turkeys parliament is currently debating legislative reform which would give Mr Erdogan executive power over the government and possibly allow him to remain in office until 2029.
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Israeli officials fear that sharing classified documents with the US could lead to them being leaked to Russia by member's of Donald Trumps administration and then passed on to Iran.
US intelligence has had access to some of Israel's most top-secret information for the past 15 years.
But some Israeli officials fear that this could be compromised after Mr Trump is sworn is sworn in next week, according to one of the country's newspapers, Yedioth Ahronoth.
The President-elect is understood to have close ties with the Kremlin and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who in turn is on good terms with officials in Iran - which is hostile to Israel.
Israeli journalist Ronen Bergman reports that a secret meeting took place recently between Israeli and American intelligence officials.
American officials felt despair at Mr Trumps election and claimed that President Putin had leverage pressure over Trump, security sources reportedly told him.
It was recently revealed that a classified briefing on Russian hacking given to both President Barack Obama and his successor included allegations that Mr Trump has direct contact with the Kremlin before and during the 2016 presidential election. Russia was also said to hold compromising information about the incoming US President.
The briefing referred to details of Mr Trump "perverted sexual acts" involving prostitutes during an event that allegedly took place in a hotel room in Moscow. It was suggested that the information could have be used to blackmail Mr Trump.
But Mr Trump has repeatedly denied the allegations and slammed them as fake news.
However, a source told Mr Bergman that American intelligence officials warned their Israeli peers to be careful, when transferring classified information to the White House and to the National Security Council (NSC), which is subject to the president.
World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Show all 29 1 /29 World reaction to President Trump: In pictures World reaction to President Trump: In pictures London, England AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures London, England Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines Getty Images World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mosul , Iraq Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Manila, Philippines AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures New Delhi, India Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Karachi, Pakistan EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Lagos, Nigeria AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Kabul, Afghanistan AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jerusalem. Israel Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Moscow, Russia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Seoul, South Korea AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Lagos, Nigeria AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Peshawar, Pakistan EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jakarta, Indonesia Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Hyderabad, India AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Kolkata, India AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Sydney, Australia Getty World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Sydney, Australia AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Aleppo, Syria Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mexico City, Mexico AP World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago Reuters World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Jerusalem, Israel EPA World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Baghdad, Iraq Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Tokyo, Japan Rex World reaction to President Trump: In pictures Mexico City, Mexico Getty
The Americans allegedly told the Israelis they should avoid sending any secret information to the US until it is made clear Mr Trump is not being blackmailed and has no inappropriate links with Russia in order to avoid any possibility the information could reach Iran.
Despite secret talks since 2013 between the US and Iran over a nuclear deal, Israels intelligence on Iran continued to be passed to US officials and the leakage of these documents would be a cause for concern for Israel.
Since early 2000, Israelis and American intelligence services have worked together to protect Israels national security.
From 2008, the cooperation became exhaustive and included sharing all information and exposing sources and methods of action.
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Nigel Farage has been accused of misleading Donald Trump over the state of the Brussels bloc by the US ambassador to the European Union.
Anthony Gardner said the former Ukip leader had given the President-elect a false impression that more countries might follow Britain out of the bloc by inflating the level of euroscepticism in Europe.
He added that it would be "lunacy" to follow Ukip's lead in supporting the "fragmentation of Europe" and urged Mr Trump not to treat the EU as "dysfunctional".
That approach would be "fundamentally flawed", 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 Gardner, who has served as Barack Obamas EU envoy for three years, also used his final news conference to attack Theresa Mays Brexit stance, calling it disorderly and unmanaged.
He said: "For us to be the cheerleaders of Brexit and to be encouraging Brexit Mark 2, Mark 3, is the height of folly.
Describing calls to EU institutions from Mr Trump's aides in recent weeks, Gardner said: "That was the one question that was asked - basically, 'What's the next country to leave?'. Which is kind of suggesting that the place is about to fall apart.
"It's just reflective of the general perception, a misperception, a perception that Nigel Farage is presumably disseminating in Washington and it's a caricature."
Farage to ask Americans for 'forgiveness' over things UK said about Trump
The ambassador said Mr Farage, who had written to him recently requesting a meeting, had misled Trump's transition team on the state of the EU.
"We should not depart from 50 years of foreign policy with regard to the EU," he said. "We should not become the cheerleaders for Brexit, particularly if Brexit appears more likely to be a hard, disorderly unmanaged Brexit."
He added: "A hard Brexit or a fragmentation of the European market would be very bad news for American business."
Mr Gardner also urged Europeans and the incoming US administration not to break ranks on sanctions against Russia over Ukraine.
American diplomats should speak frankly to the new leadership, even if that carried risks to their careers, he said.
Additional reporting by Reuters
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Russia has announced its intention to permanently walk away from the G8 group of industrialised nations - more than two years after it was kicked out over the illegal annexation of Crimea.
Moscow said it had no intention of re-joining the influential bloc which brings together the worlds richest countries to discuss global issues from economic growth to terrorism - even if it was invited to do so.
Russias involvement in the G8 was not being discussed in Moscow in any way", said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
The country was temporarily suspended from the bloc which includes the UK, US, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada in March 2014. Since then, the G7 has met in its place.
Economy and security to dominate G7 summit in Japan
At the time US President Barack Obamas security adviser said there was no need for the G7 to engage with Russia while Moscow continued to violate international law.
Announcing Russia's intention to leave permanently, Mr Peskov said Vladimir Putins priority was now the G20 - a much wider group of countries which includes emerging economies such as Brazil and Mexico as well as Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
He said: Weve not heard the heads of state that keep gathering for G7 meetings ever say anything that might sound like an intention to invite Russia or some other countries.
"As far as Russia is concerned, regardless of any eventual proposals and invitations, Russias priority is participation in the G20.
"The Russian president has said this more than once.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev went further and suggested the G7 and G8 were now defunct political organisations.
"The G20 format actually replaced the G7 and G8 groups," he said. "It is clear what this Group of Seven means without other major economies. Nothing.
He also hinted that Russia may try and forge new links with other nations that may exclude the traditional Western power brokers.
Mr Medvedev said: We are determined to develop international trade, establish our own value chains and be more actively involved in international business alliances and agreements.
However, Italys foreign minister attempted to strike a more conciliatory tone earlier in the week, saying he hoped Russia would soon re-join the G8.
G8 leaders take part in the second Plenary Session of the G8 summit at Lough Erne on June 18, 2013 (Getty)
Including Russia in the bloc would reduce East-West tensions and help end the atmosphere of the Cold War, Angelino Aliano said.
The next meeting of the G7 will take place in Italy on 26 May, three years after the last scheduled G8 meeting was cancelled months before it was due to be held in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi.
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In 2014, Snapchat acquired Scan, a company cofounded by Utah native Garrett Gee and two friends, for $54 million.
Scan's technology is the basis of Snapcode, the little black dots that populate Snapchat icons allowing users to scan and discover each other with their smartphone camera.
Following the sale, Gee banked his earnings (he declined to specify the exact amount of his cut to Business Insider) and completed a brief stint working for Snapchat.
"After three quick months, I decided to take my life back into my own hands and leave my job," the now 28-year-old said. "Perhaps the corporate life is a better fit for other personality types, but not for me. My mind and soul function best when I'm free and living true to myself, my passions, and my values."
His next move? Embarking on an around-the-world trip with his wife, Jessica, and their two young kids, now 2 and 4.
But Gee didn't use his Snapchat millions to fund the trip. Instead, the couple sold all of their belongings for about $45,000, agreeing to travel on that money for six months until December 2015 or as long they could last without dipping into savings.
Five months into their journey, the couple who had begun documenting their travels as The Bucket List Family through blogging and social media had spent all but $5,000 of their budget, Gee said. They'd managed to make the money last with lots of planning and frugal spending habits, like always buying the cheapest flights.
"Fortunately, about this same time, our social media began gaining enough traction that hotels, airlines, and other brands began working with us," Gee said. "At first they were just offering us accommodations or flights in exchange for marketing exposure through our social media. But then, as our community continued to grow, they began paying us as well. Right before we had spent through our initial $45,000, we turned the corner and became profitable."
In fact, their blog partnerships and sponsorships are now lucrative enough to fund their lifestyle completely. Over a year later, Gee says he still hasn't spent a dime of his Snapchat earnings.
"It is being safely saved and invested. I plan to live as if it doesn't exist and in a way, start over," Gee said. "I'm young and I want to keep my hard working entrepreneurial spirit alive and well! I don't want to get comfortable. I don't want to settle down. So for me, I'm starting back at zero and building my way up. Again."
As of January 2016, about 18 months after launching their brand, The Bucket List Family has 455,000 followers on Instagram and 41,500 YouTube subscribers. He and Jessica both spend about 20 hours a week managing the blog, social media channels, and partnerships.
Follow along with the family's 2017 travel adventures on their website.
Additional reporting by Cadence Bambenek.
Read more:
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98% of all Japanese adoptions are employers adopting the adult men on their staff, not children
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Read the original article on Business Insider UK. 2016. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter.
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Days before some British Airways cabin crew at Heathrow begin a second wave of strike action, the airline and the Unite union have made conflicting claims about the subject, and the impact, of industrial action.
The dispute involves Unite members working for BAs Mixed Fleet operation at Heathrow. These cabin crew are deployed on around 50 routes, including services to Manchester, Moscow, Las Vegas, Miami, Cape Town and Singapore.
The majority of routes from Heathrow will not be affected; they are crewed by Euro Fleet and Worldwide Fleet. Flights from Gatwick, London City and Stansted are also unaffected.
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Mixed Fleet was created as part of the settlement of the last dispute between BA and Unite, which ended in 2010. Since then, all new recruits to Heathrow-based cabin crew have joined Mixed Fleet, and are employed on less-favourable terms than longer-serving staff.
In a bid to improve what the union terms poverty pay, members went on strike on 10 and 11 January. Now a three-day stoppage has been called from Thursday 19 to Saturday 21 January.
But the two sides do not agree on the issue at the heart of the dispute: how much Mixed Fleet cabin crew actually earn in a year.
The union says: Basic pay starts at just 12,192 with 3 an hour flying pay. The 3 is paid for all hours on duty, whether or not the employee is in the air. Unite estimates that the average member of Mixed Fleet earns 16,000 annually, including allowances.
Yet BA says it has checked the pay of full-time Mixed Fleet crew, and insists the least that anyone earned in a year was 21,151. The average was over 24,000 50 per cent higher than the unions estimate.
A spokesperson for BA said: Our audited payroll data, which weve offered to share with Unite, includes the salaries of all Mixed Fleet crew, including new starters on basic pay of 12,192. We made it clear that our figure was based on those working full time.
The effect of the first 48-hour strike is also hotly disputed.
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The Independent calculates from publicly available, legally required data that 44 flights to and from Heathrow were grounded by the strike, of which all but three were domestic and European. This represents 2.75 per cent of the total BA Heathrow flights over the two strike days.
British Airways agrees with these figures. But Unite says the total number of cancellations was more than twice as many: around 100.
In addition to the 44 cancelled flights, The Independent has identified a further 28 flights covered by aircraft wet-leased by BA from other operators. During the industrial action, BA chartered planes and crew from Titan Airways to cover some short-haul flights, and notified passengers in advance of the change.
While it is clear that BA was obliged to hire extra aircraft while its own stayed on the ground, from the point of view of the travelling public these departures were not cancelled.
The Independent asked Unite for specific flight numbers to substantiate its claim of around 100 cancellations, but these were not forthcoming.
Both sides, as well as passengers, want a settlement to avoid further strikes. Immediately before Christmas it appeared they had one. An agreement was hammered out after intense negotiations between BA and Unites general secretary, Len McCluskey.
The strike planned for 25 and 26 December was called off, and the offer was put to members. But between Christmas and New Year, the deal was rejected.
BA says: The Mixed Fleet Unite branch refused to recommend it and said it had been rejected on the basis of an online poll that lacked control over who voted or how many times an individual could vote.
Unite refutes this claim: We are confident that proper safeguards were in place to ensure that the vote was a true and accurate reflection of the wishes of the membership.
The airline will publish a revised schedule for the strike days on Monday 16 January.
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Heathrow is full, Gatwick is pretty much full, if anyone wants to grow in London weve got the capacity to make that happen, said Andrew Cowan, chief executive of the Essex airport.
He was speaking as Ryanair launched nine new or reinstated routes from Stansted to destinations in Europe this summer. Cities include Naples, Nice and Strasbourg.
Services on the Irish airline to some existing destinations in France, including Bordeaux and Dinard, will increase to daily departures.
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The budget airline, Europes largest, is also switching some Copenhagen flights from Luton to Stansted. A vicious fares war with easyJet at Luton to the Danish capital has seen Ryanair cut fares to 9.99; with Air Passenger Duty (APD) at 13, that means the airline is flying each passenger at a loss.
Ryanair now serves 140 routes from the Essex airport. The airlines chief commercial officer, David OBrien, said: It wouldnt at all surprise me that several long-haul airlines would be interested in tapping into our European network [at Stansted]. Its pretty blindingly obvious if you ask me.
He confirmed that Ryanair is working with Norwegian to provide connections with the transatlantic network at Gatwick.
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Stansted has long been a strictly point-to-point airport, with no baggage-transfer operation. But Mr OBrien and Mr Cowan said that facilities would be provided for seamless transit, without the need for the passenger to collect their bag and check it in again.
The Essex airport has always struggled with long-haul flights. Two transatlantic business-class only airlines, Eos and MaxJet, both failed after brief stints serving Stansted. AirAsia began a service to Kuala Lumpur, but later moved it to Gatwick and then closed the route altogether.
Ryanair confirmed growth to and from the UK will slow this year because of the uncertainty brought about by the vote to leave the EU.
Mr OBrien said expansion in Britain would fall from 15 per cent in 2016 to 7 per cent this year. He also said that if APD is cut in Scotland, then Edinburgh and Glasgow could benefit from new services at the expense of cities in the north of England.
Stansted has just reported record passenger numbers with 24.3 million passing through the airport in 2016. Its previous best was in 2007, with 23.8 million. The present rate corresponds to an average of one passenger every 1.3 seconds, right through the year.
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As Donald Trump prepares for his inauguration, he is struggling with opposition from the US media, intelligence agencies, government apparatus, parts of the Republican Party and a significant portion of the American population. Impressive obstacles appear to prevent him exercising arbitrary power.
He should take heart: much the same was said in Turkey of Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2002 when he led his Justice and Development Party (AKP) to the first of four election victories. He faced an army that, through coups and the threat of coups, was the ultimate source of power in the country, and a secular establishment suspicious of his Islamist beliefs. But over the years he has outmanoeuvred or eliminated his enemies and using a failed military coup on 15 July last year as an excuse is suppressing and punishing all signs of dissent as terrorism.
As Trump enters the White House, the AKP and far right nationalist super majority in the Turkish parliament is this month stripping the assembly of its powers and transferring them wholesale to the presidency. President Erdogan will become an elected dictator able to dissolve parliament, veto legislation, decide the budget, appoint ministers who do not have to be MPs along with senior officials and heads of universities.
All power will be concentrated in Erdogans hands as the office of prime minister is abolished and the president, who can serve three five year terms, takes direct control of the intelligence services. He will appoint senior judges and the head of state institutions including the education system.
President Erdogan and opposition unite in Turkey rally
These far-reaching constitutional changes are reinforcing an ever-expanding purge begun after the failed military coup last year, in which more than 100,000 civil servants have been detained or dismissed. This purge is now reaching into every walk of life, from liberal journalists to businessmen who have seen $10bn in assets confiscated by the state.
The similarities between Erdogan and Trump are greater than they might seem, despite the very different political traditions in the US and Turkey.
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The parallel lies primarily in the methods by which both men have gained power and seek to enhance it. They are populists and nationalists who demonise their enemies and see themselves as surrounded by conspiracies. Success does not sate their pursuit of more authority.
Hopes in the US that, after Trumps election in November, he would shift from aggressive campaign mode to a more conciliatory approach have dissipated over the last two months. Towards the media his open hostility has escalated, as was shown by his abuse of reporters at his press conference this week.
Manic sensitivity to criticism is a hallmark of both men. In Trumps case this is exemplified by his tweeted denunciation of critics such as Meryl Streep, while in Turkey 2,000 people have been charged with insulting the president. One man was tried for posting on Facebook three pictures of Gollum, the character in The Lord of the Rings, with similar facial features to pictures of Erdogan posted alongside. Of the 259 journalists in jail around the world, no less than 81 are in Turkey. American reporters may not yet face similar penalties, but they can expect intense pressure on the institutions for which they work to mute their criticisms.
In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Show all 17 1 /17 In pictures: Turkey coup attempt In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Erdogan attends the funeral service for victims of the thwarted coup in Istanbul at Fatih mosque on July 17, 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey Burak Kara/Getty Images In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soldiers involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge with their hands raised in Istanbul on 16 July, 2016 Gokhan Tan/Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A civilian beats a soldier after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 REUTERS/Murad Sezer In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Surrendered Turkish soldiers who were involved in the coup are beaten by a civilian Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soliders involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wave flags as they capture a Turkish Army vehicle Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt People pose near a tank after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers block Istanbul's Bosphorus Brigde Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A Turkish military stands guard near the Taksim Square in Istanbul Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Pierre Crom/Twitter In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers secure the area as supporters of Recep Tayyip Erdogan protest in Istanbul's Taksim square AP In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Murad Sezer/Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers detain police officers during a security shutdown of the Bosphorus Bridge Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish Army armoured personnel carriers in the main streets of Istanbul Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Chaos reigned in Istanbul as tanks drove through the streets EPA/TOLGA BOZOGLU In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks to media in the resort town of Marmaris Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of President Erdogan celebrate in Ankara following the suppression of the attempted coup Reuters
Turkey and the US may have very different political landscapes, but there is a surprising degree of uniformity in the behaviour of Trump and Erdogan. The same is true of populist, nationalist, authoritarian leaders who are taking power in many different parts of the world from Hungary and Poland to the Philippines. Commentators have struggled for a phrase to describe this phenomenon, such as the age of demagoguery, but this refers only to one method and that not the least important by which such leaders gain power.
This type of political leadership is not new: the most compelling account of it was written 70 years ago in 1947 by the great British historian Sir Lewis Namier, in an essay reflecting on what he termed Caesarian democracy, which over the previous century had produced Napoleon III in France, Mussolini in Italy and Hitler in Germany. His list of the most important aspects of this toxic brand of politics is as relevant today as it was when first written, since all the items apply to Trump, Erdogan and their like.
Namier described Caesarian democracy as typified by its direct appeal to the masses: demagogical slogans; disregard of legality despite a professed guardianship of law and order; contempt of political parties and the parliamentary system, of the educated classes and their values; blandishments and vague, contradictory promises to all and sundry; militarism; gigantic blatant displays and shady corruption. Panem et circenses [bread and circuses] once more and at the end of the road, disaster.
Disaster comes in different forms. One disability of elected dictators or strongmen is that, impelled by an exaggerated idea of their own capacity, they undertake foreign military adventures beyond their countrys strength. As an isolationist Trump might steer clear of such quagmires, but most of his senior security appointments show a far more aggressive and interventionist streak.
A strength of President Obama was that he had a realistic sense of what was attainable by the US in the Middle East without starting unwinnable wars as President George W Bush did in Iraq and Afghanistan. During the presidential election campaign, Trump showed signs of grasping as Hillary Clinton did not that Americans do not want to fight another ground war in the Middle East or anywhere else. But this naturally limits US influence in the world and will be at odds with Trumps slogan about making America great again.
The disaster that Namier predicted was the natural end of elected dictators has already begun to happen in Turkey. The Turkish leader may have succeeded in monopolising power at home, but at the price of provoking crises and deepening divisions within Turkish society. The country is embroiled in the war in Syria, thanks to Erdogans ill-judged intervention there since 2011. This led to the Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) establishing a de facto state in northern Syria and Isis doing the same in Syria and Iraq. At home, Erdogan restarted the war with the Turkish Kurds for electoral reasons in 2015 and the conflict is now more intractable than ever.
Every few weeks in Turkey there is another terrorist attack which is usually the work of Isis or a faction of the PKK although the government sometimes blames atrocities on the followers of Fethullah Gulen, who are alleged to have carried out the attempted military coup last July. In addition to this, there is an escalating financial crisis, which has seen the Turkish lira lose 12 per cent of its value over the last two weeks. Foreign and domestic investment is drying up as investors become increasingly convinced that Turkey has become chronically unstable.
Erdogan and Trump have a further point in common: both have an unquenchable appetite for power and achieve it by exploiting and exacerbating divisions within their own countries.
They declare they will make their countries great again, but in practise make them weaker.
They are forever sawing through the branch on which they and everybody else are sitting.
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Theresa May is the Home Office Prime Minister. She knows that crime fell despite her cuts in police numbers. Her conclusion from this, as Andrew Grice reported this week, is that the NHS does not need more money; it needs more reform. She does not seem to want to know that the fall in crime was in line with international trends. And she does not seem to want to know that the problems of the NHS are in part a problem of money.
This led her to make an elementary political error on Monday, in her speech to the Charity Commission about the shared society. The most substantial part of the speech was a pledge to to transform the way we deal with mental health problems right across society, and at every stage of life.
This is an admirable aim, which The Independent enthusiastically applauds. Yet it leads almost instantly, with no pause for reflection, to the questions: how, and how are you going to pay for it?
Of course, there are many things wrong with the way the NHS deals with mental illness at the moment: in particular, the routine prescription of drugs by GPs who can spend only a few minutes with each patient. But any better treatment of mental illness is bound to be more expensive, because it needs more skilled practitioners to spend more time with people.
It is curious that the Prime Minister, faced with an NHS in which all the indicators are flashing maximum capacity exceeded, should deliver a speech acknowledging that there is another huge demand on the service that is not being met. And then, not only failing to set out how these demands can be met but to imply, as she did in the House of Commons on Wednesday, that the problem is differing levels of performance in different parts of the country.
Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, took a rather more sensible line when he was summoned to the House on Monday to account for what the British Red Cross, with justifiable hyperbole, called the humanitarian crisis in the NHS. Mr Hunt said to MPs: I just wonder if we dont need to start an honest discussion with the people about how we are going to devote more resources to health in this country.
Coincidentally, Dominic Cummings, the director of the Vote Leave campaign, revealed this week that, if Boris Johnson had become prime minister, he intended to spend an extra 100m a week on the NHS. Absolutely. Absolutely. We must do this, no question, well park our tanks everywhere, Mr Johnson said on the day after the referendum and Gove strongly agreed. That is not the 350m figure they painted on the sides of their buses, but it is an extra 5bn a year, the kind of sum that could make a difference.
Ms May insists repeatedly that she understands that the referendum vote was not just a vote to leave the European Union: that it was a vote for a different kind of politics and a different kind of economy. But Mr Cummings makes the point that it was also a vote for more money for the NHS that was Vote Leaves most successful campaign message.
It is a message that has worked in British politics before. Tony Blair and Gordon Brown raised National Insurance contributions for the NHS in 2002, one of the few examples of a popular tax rise. It provided the foundations for the most successful period in the NHSs history, as waiting times came down and patient satisfaction reached a record high of 70 per cent in 2010.
Those gains have now been wiped out because, since then, NHS spending, while continuing to rise a little in real terms, has failed to keep up with rising demands. It could be argued that the lurch from crisis to temporary political consensus and back again is no way to run a public health service, but that is a debate for another day. Today, the NHS needs more money as well as reform.
It is in the Prime Ministers political interest to realise this sooner rather than later.
(Xinhua) 20:18, January 13, 2017
Chinese President Xi Jinpinghas replied to a daughter of Kurban Tulum who was twice received by the late Chairman Mao Zedong, underlining ethnic solidarity and efforts to build a bright future for Xinjiang under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
"I am glad to learn that you are still in good health when you are nearly 90 years old, and your family, with over 100 members, live a happy life," Xi said in the letter to Tohtihan Kurban, the eldest daughter of Kurban Tulum.
Tulum was a peasant-turned CPC member who wished to ride a donkey to visit Chairman Mao in the 1950s from Xinjiang to Beijing, before he later met with Mao.
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Isis is like a mushroom. It was able to grow here, in Iraq, because there is a fertile environment. It didnt just come from nowhere. That is what one Iraqi activist told me, with an edge of anger and passion in her voice, when I was in Iraq late last year. She went on to say that Isis could not be and should not be eradicated through bombs and fighting. Instead, Iraq desperately needed to embark on a national programme of reconciliation and reform.
To be honest, this jarred with me. I had heard harrowing stories of the systematic cruelty Isis meted out to the civilian population. I had seen the destruction it left in its wake, from flattened villages to burning oil fields that coated everything, including the faces of children, in a black film.
But her words were a vital reminder of the nature of Iraqs challenges; that atrocities had been committed by all sides; that the country needed to acknowledge and address layers of grievance.
Over the last two weeks, the fierce battle to retake Mosul from Isis has intensified. More than 140,000 civilians have fled their homes since the latest phase of the military operation began in October 2016. So far the Iraqi army, the Kurdish Peshmerga, their international backers and assorted militias have avoided mass civilian casualties. But, as the army enters the dense residential areas of Mosul, families face impossible choices. They are trapped between warring parties.
The media and political narrative about Iraq tends to be dominated by Isis, but Iraqs challenges dont begin and end with the liberation of Mosul.
Even before the current offensive, 3 million people had been uprooted from their homes. Across the country, there is a mosaic of displacement. Sectarian conflict and identity politics drive people from their homes just as Isis does, and the experience of displacement can in turn reinforce sectarianism. There are communities unable to return home because they are perceived to be the wrong sect, tribe or religion. There are people in need across the board, and this is why Oxfam is supporting people who have returned to or stayed in their homes, as well as those who have fled violence.
Islamic State video purports to show fighting in Mosul
Whenever I travel to war zones, I ask our local staff about mixed marriages. It tends to be a good conversation starter and a good, if highly anecdotal, bellwether of inter-communal relations.
One of Oxfams engineers told me that he was the result of a mixed Sunni-Shia marriage and his wife was Kurdish, but that mixed marriages were increasingly rare. Perhaps even more revealingly, he told me he could never work for the government whether the Kurdish Regional Government, the central government in Baghdad or Iraqi local authorities because he would always be considered to be from the other side.
One of the symptoms of this deep-seated sectarianism is the proliferation of local militia groups. As young men return home, they are being enlisted by tribal leaders. I spoke to one such young man who was guarding a water plant that had been destroyed by Isis and subsequently repaired by Oxfam. When I asked him why he had joined the militia he shrugged, as if it was obvious. This is what we need to do to protect our home, he said. One security consultant I met wryly described these young men as Neighbourhood Watch with guns.
While militias provide a source of employment and, in some instances, a degree of protection, they also put communities at risk and breed instability in the long term. A couple of women in their early twenties, from the same town, told me that jobs for young men boiled down to a choice between joining the local militia or the local police force and the distinction between the two can be blurred.
In pictures: Mosul offensive Show all 40 1 /40 In pictures: Mosul offensive In pictures: Mosul offensive A doctor carries an Iraqi newborn baby at a hospital in Mosul, Iraq July 18, 2017. Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi girls play at a yard of a school in Mosul, Iraq July 18, 2017alal Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive A woman on crutches who is a relative of men accused of being Islamic State militants is seen at a camp in Bartella, east of Mosul, Iraq July 15, 2017. Picture taken July 15, 2017. Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive A displaced girl, who fled from home carries a doll at Hamam al-Alil camp south of Mosul, Iraq July 13, 2017. Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi federal police members and civilians celebrate in the Old City of Mosul on 9 July 2017 after the government's announcement of the "liberation" of the embattled city. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's office said he was in "liberated" Mosul to congratulate "the heroic fighters and the Iraqi people on the achievement of the major victory" AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive A picture taken on 9 July 2017, shows a general view of the destruction in Mosul's Old City. Iraq will announce imminently a final victory in the nearly nine-month offensive to retake Mosul from jihadists, a US general said Saturday, as celebrations broke out among police forces in the city. AFP In pictures: Mosul offensive Members of the Iraqi federal police raise the victory gesture as they ride on a humvee while advancing through the Old City of Mosul on 28 June 2017, as the offensive continues to retake the last district held by Islamic State (IS) group fighters. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Smoke billows as Iraqi forces advance through the Old City of Mosul on 26 June 2017, during the ongoing offensive to retake the last district held by the Islamic State (IS) group. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi man wearing the green scarf of the Shi'ite faith kisses an Iraqi Army soldier on safely reaching the Iraqi forces position as Iraqi civilians flee the Old City of west Mosul where heavy fighting continues on 23 June 2017. Iraqi forces continue to encounter stiff resistance with improvised explosive devices, car bombs, heavy mortar fire and snipers hampering their advance. Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive A picture taken from the inside of an Iraqi forces armoured vehicle shows residents walking through a damaged street as troops advance towards Mosul's Old City on 18 June 2017, during the ongoing offensive to retake the last district still held by the Islamic State (IS) group. Military commanders told AFP the assault had begun at dawn after overnight air strikes by the US-led coalition backing Iraqi forces. They said the jihadists were putting up fierce resistance. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi Army soldiers advance in a destroyed street after an Iraqi forces airstrike targeted an Islamic State sniper position 17 June 2017 in al-Shifa, the last district of west Mosul under Islamic State control. IS snipers, as well as car and suicide bomb attacks continue to hinder the Iraqi forces efforts to retake the final district. A series of airstrikes by Iraqi helicopter gunships attempted to hit multiple Islamic State sniper positions in al-Shifa. Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier frisks a displaced Iraqi man at a temporary camp in the compound of the closed Nineveh International Hotel in Mosul on 16 June 2017 which was recovered by Iraqi troops from Islamic State group fighters earlier in the year. A screening centre set up in the compound's fairgrounds sees a constant stream of Iraqis fleeing the battle for Mosul, awaiting their turn to be checked by the Iraqi forces who are searching for suspected Islamic State (IS) group members. The small fairground lies at the end of a pontoon bridge across the Tigris recently opened to civilians that is the only physical link between the two banks of the river. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqis staying at the al-Khazir camp swim in a river near the camp for internally displaced people, located between Arbil and Mosul on 11 June 2017. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi government forces drive on a road leading to Tal Afar on 9 June 2017, during ongoing battles to retake the city from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi policeman carries a poster bearing an image of Mosul's iconic leaning minaret, known as the "Hadba" (Hunchback), on 22 June 2017. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqis stand in line to receive food aid in western Mosul's Zanjili neighbourhood on 7 June 2017, during ongoing battles as Iraqi forces try to retake the city from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. Living conditions in Mosul have again deteriorated since the start of the Iraqi government's offensive on the city in October in which they retook a large part of the west of the city. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Displaced Iraqis carry lightbulbs and sacks as they evacuate from western Mosul's Zanjili neighbourhood as government forces advance in the area during their ongoing battle against Islamic State (IS) group fighters on 13 May 2017 AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) flashes the victory gesture as he patrols in western Mosul's al-Islah al-Zaraye neighbourhood on 13 May 2017 AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi army soldiers from the 9th armoured division on a truck flash the sign of victory as they drive back from Mosul to the town of Qaraqosh (also known as Hamdaniya) Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Members of Iraqi forces flash the sign of victory on their vehicle as they advance towards Hammam al-Alil area south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of Iraqi security forces gestures in Hammam al-Alil, south of Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi children, one flashing the sign of victory, greet Iraqi army's soldiers from the 9th armoured division in the area of Ali Rash, adjacent to the eastern Al-Intissar neighbourhood of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Peshmerga forces look at a tunnel used by Islamic State militants near the town of Bashiqa, east of Mosul, during an operation to attack Islamic State militants in Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier takes a photograph with his phone as his comrade stands next to a detained man, whom the Iraqi army soldiers accused of being an Islamic State fighter, who was fleeing with his family in the Intisar disrict of eastern Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iranian Kurdish female members of the Freedom Party of Kurdistan (PAK) hold a position in an area near the town of Bashiqa, some 25 kilometres north east of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi families, who fled their homes in Hamam al-Alil, gather on the outskirts of their town Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Displaced people walk past a checkpoint near Qayara, south of Mosul, Iraq AP In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi families who were displaced by the ongoing operation by Iraqi forces against jihadists of the Islamic State group to retake the city of Mosul, are seen gathering in an area near Qayyarah In pictures: Mosul offensive A boy who just fled Abu Jarbuah village is seen with his family at a Kurdish Peshmerga position between two front lines near Bashiqa, east of Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi child eats a pomegranate upon the arrival of Iraqi forces in the village of Umm Mahahir, south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive People who just fled Abu Jarbuah village sit as they eat at a Kurdish Peshmerga position between two front lines near Bashiqa, east of Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive A couple who just fled Abu Jarbuah village are escorted by Kurdish Peshmerga soldiers Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Women carry a boy over a wall as civilians flee their houses in the village of Tob Zawa, Iraq AP In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier and a civilian ride a motorbike as smoke rises behind them, on the road between Qayyarah and Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of Iraqi forces, wearing a skull mask, waits at a checkpoint for people fleeing the main hub city of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier sits at a checkpoint in an area near Qayyarah Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi men prepare food portions for Iraqi forces deployed in areas south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi forces celebrate upon the arrival of vehicles bringing food to them Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi childen smoke cigarettes upon the arrival of Iraqi forces in the village of Umm Mahahir, south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of Iraqi forces distributes drinks to children in the village of Umm Mahahir, south of Mosul Getty
The Iraqi army, the Kurdish Pershmerga and a range of militias have joined international backers like the US and Britain in a marriage of convenience to counter Isis. But once their common enemy is pushed back, there is a risk that these various forces could clash, or that another dangerous group could emerge if underlying grievances in this oil-rich country are left to fester.
This is why it is crucial to plan beyond the short-term military strategy and, however difficult, work to create a new environment in which Isis or a successor simply cannot mushroom and grow.
Maya Mailer is head of humanitarian policy and campaigns at Oxfam. She recently returned from Iraq, where Oxfam supports families who have fled Isis
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Many of us feel powerless and fearful about the future of democratic politics. There is a lot wrong with our democracy but what do we do about it? How do we do a stock take and put it right? Crude referendums have clearly failed, the Alternative Vote campaign, Scottish Independence and Brexit may show a thirst for democratic debate, but they prove the divisive nature of decision by referenda.
No one now wants to settle by referendum complex questions around English devolution, reform of the House of Lords, votes for 16- and 17-year-olds, electronic voting and many others that desperately need attention. Its time we initiated a new device - a citizens convention. This would be a structured two-year-long national conversation on issues of democratic reform in which everyone in the UK could participate in producing proposals by consensus that could be put to the 2020 Parliament.
Already the parliamentary leaders of Labour, Greens, Lib-Dems and Ukip plus senior Conservatives have signed up to such a proposition under the auspices of an impartial Convention. Whats important is that we listen to the British people's frustrations with elitism and their ambitions to run their own affairs, and come up with a set of proposals to make democracy fit for purpose.
A citizens convention aided by a million on line founding fathers and mothers would help break us out of our Westminster, Whitehall and media echo chamber and bring together the voices of those outside as well as inside of the political bubble. Instead of them talking at each other, they can talk with each other in a spirit of education, trust and compromise. We have proved that a simple Yes or No does not produce a policy for a democracy. There is another way, and all of us in politics should combine to make it happen.
Graham Allen, MP for Nottingham North, former chair of the Political and Constitutional Reform Select Committee
Address supplied
Is the answer to the NHS crisis staring us in the face?
Last week in the House of Commons, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt described the NHS as Britains most precious public service, a view that is rightly upheld by the British people. It comes as little surprise that with Brexit, the transition to a Conservative Government, a new Prime Minister and record levels of pressure on the system, there has been a storm of dramatic change over the past 12 months, leaving the country in turmoil.
In a recent report, the Nuffield Trust summarised data on operational pressures escalation levels for past month and found that 23 trusts were operating at the maximum level of pressure (level four). Level four runs in parallel to more commonly used terms like black alert described by the Nuffield Trust as the operational difficulties hospitals find themselves in when demand for their services outstrips their capacity to provide it. This definition describes perfectly the issue that we are all trying so desperately to address.
Our answer to this is that the burgeoning pressure on our healthcare system must be supported in more than one place. To use an analogy, if one beam is used to support the roof of a whole house the beam will inevitably collapse and the house will fall. If we put up more beams the weight of the roof is spread out and the house remains standing.
The option of private healthcare has always been present and for some people it works. For many, however, the cost makes it an unrealistic option. This is why a hybrid model that sits between the two should not be overlooked. A report by think tank The Kings Fund revealed that 70 per cent of female GPs work part-time. The report also said that family doctors were losing faith in full-time clinical work for fear of burn-out due to the intensity of their workload. Our healthcare system is therefore struggling on all sides. Levels of patient demand continue to rise and NHS doctors are being driven out by unsustainable working conditions. Health-tech options like Doctaly allow NHS GPs to work as much or as little as they choose for a fee that is far more affordable than traditional private healthcare for patients. While this option will not be suitable for all, for some the convenience is worthwhile and channels some of the pressure away from over-subscribed resources.
Its easy to have a critical knee-jerk reaction to alternative models that sit between the NHS and private healthcare but in a winter with forecasts of snow and healthcare warnings that people should refrain from calling the emergency services unless they are in a life-threatening condition, opening up alternative options could be a significant step in the right direction.
Dr Dinesh Silva, co-founder of digital healthcare service Doctaly
Address supplied
We are prepared to pay the price for the NHS
Linda Piggott-Vijeh seems to take a rather ambivalent view with regard to the reported crisis in the NHS (Letters, 13 January). Whilst accepting that there is a humanitarian crisis in the NHS due to many years of underfunding, exacerbated by the changes in demographics, she lets successive governments off the hook by appearing to blame the end user for not wishing to pay the real cost.
I suspect most people, particularly Independent readers, realise that there is no money tree, but they do expect governments to prioritise public expenditure for the national good. This might mean raising taxes to offset the increasing demands on the NHS. Governments don't like this and often seek to appear to be reducing taxation rates particularly in the run up to elections. So governments can be held responsible for the NHS crisis by dodging the issues.
Implying that health workers should put up or shut up because other workers are also being exploited is no argument. Putting health workers under press is unsafe and I would prefer to be treated by a doctor, nurse or paramedic who had not just had to work a 12-hour shift with hardly a break. As Dr Rachel Clarke wrote in her article of 12 January, (As a junior doctor, I see that the Government is covering up a crisis in the NHS), she wondered for the thousandth time how a country that can afford a 42bn new train track could simultaneously subject its most vulnerable citizens to such abject inhumanity.
The NHS and care services are in crisis. The Government must address the problem urgently and, even if it means a modest tax rise, must invest in this most civilised of concepts high quality healthcare, free at the point of delivery.
Patrick Cleary
Devon
Are disabled people not supposed to travel?
I'd like to second everything James Moore said in his article, (Its time to hit businesses fail their disabled customers where it really hurts in the pocket, 10 January), regarding easyJet and OCS at Gatwick airport.
Last June we booked with both for a party of four, two with mobility issues and two without. Our flight was delayed 24 hours. easyJet's opening gambit was offering rooms at three different hotels in a 45 minute radius of Gatwick. Instead we ended up in standard rooms at the hotel - so no showers possible. We are still waiting for a refund for the expenses incurred, including an eye-watering increase in the cost of vehicle hire. The seats allocated on the replacement flight were in row 28. OCS didn't preload us and had a shortage of chairs so I ended up close to passing out and my mum had a panic attack looking at the state of me. It wasn't any better on the return flight when we got to Gatwick.
For business I travel out of Birmingham frequently, OCS are appalling there too. Several times I've been left waiting for someone to help me in the car park and ended up having to ask total strangers for assistance. I no longer drink before travelling because I can't guarantee that they will have sufficient time to get me to a toilet. On one occasion I got thrown out of the disabled waiting area because I wasn't flying but waiting for an inbound colleague.
In the countries I've travelled to since I got my disability the service and support is brilliant, it's only in my home country that I've become a second class citizen. Perhaps the disabled are simply expected not to be seen or heard?
Samantha Butterworth
Oxon
As the border with Northern Ireland will become an EU frontier post-Brexit, getting backing from Brussels for any plans will be crucial. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
European customs officials are open to plans by the Revenue Commissioners to continue the free-flow of traffic across the Border in the event of a 'hard' Brexit, the Irish Independent has learned.
A Revenue source said Irish officials were having "encouraging" talks with the European Commission about the need for minimum disruption to normal traffic if customs procedures had to be put in place.
Random, mobile checks would have to be carried out, but Revenue does not expect the need for a big increase in enforcement staff patrolling the Border. Nor does it expect fixed customs checkpoints.
As the border with Northern Ireland will become an EU frontier post-Brexit, getting backing from Brussels for any plans will be crucial.
"Cameras and electronics will be part of it," a Revenue source said. "In principle, we think that we can operate a system which will facilitate commercial trade without interfering with normal private traffic.
"We are in touch with the European Commission about just exactly how such a system might operate, and discussions there are quite encouraging."
Talks have been taking place between Revenue and industry, while officials have also visited both the Swiss/Austria and Sweden/Norway borders where they have picked up "a number of interesting ideas".
"I'm not sure that either is exactly what we want, but elements of both approaches would be part of our thinking at this stage," the source said.
Seven months on from the referendum vote and Revenue's contingency planning is focusing on ensuring that the Border remains as open as possible post-Brexit.
For this to work, camera technology will potentially be employed. Businesses will have to make customs declarations before their trucks approach the Border. In the event of a hard Brexit, Revenue is planning to establish a register of businesses to simplify procedures for firms.
"Obviously what we'd be seeking to do is to inform people as widely as possible. In the event that this does occur, we'd advise people in advance and try to get as many of them on to the register as possible and simplify procedures," the source added.
It has also been hoped that an integrated, joined-up system could be developed north and south, with contacts between Revenue and its UK counterparts going back to last summer.
Private vehicles will be able to travel freely across the Border, Revenue hopes, but will still be subject to occasional spot checks.
Read more: Charlie Flanagan: It's crucial Northern voices can be heard in Brexit talks
Each adult traveller coming into Ireland from a country outside the EU is currently allowed a duty-free goods allowance of 430 if travelling by sea or air, but 300 for other travellers.
That, Revenue believes, is unlikely to change post-Brexit, thereby continuing to allow people to travel north of the Border on shopping trips without having to declare relatively small purchases on their return.
Revenue is having ongoing discussions with TAXUD, the EU's taxation and customs division, to tease out the details. The Union Customs Code, which came into effect in May last year, helps Ireland's case.
"[It] envisages much more modern and less interventionist borders than would have been traditionally acceptable in Europe," the Revenue source said. "In our discussions we've been exploring the extent to which this modern thinking in Europe could be applied to the Ireland/UK borders to provide the absolute minimum disruption to normal movement. We're finding TAXUD very constructive in their engagement with that."
However, as discussions are related to customs they are unlikely to take account of any immigration controls that could be put in place. Both governments have repeatedly stressed the need to maintain the Common Travel Area, however.
Although spot checks will be required by customs along the Border, Revenue believes it is unlikely at this stage that large numbers of extra enforcement staff would be required.
Read more: Could political turmoil in North actually help in Brexit talks?
"The likelihood is that we don't envisage having fixed checkpoints, but we do envisage from time to time having to use mobile patrols, occasional checkpoints, which already happen around the country to check for things like illicit fuel, or for non-payment of vehicle registration tax," the Revenue source added. "
Extra staff will be required, but mostly for trade facilitation to ensure any new process can run smoothly.
"On the enforcement side, catching smugglers as such, we wouldn't envisage that there would be a huge increase [in staff]."
*This story has been updated to note that the duty free goods allowance for travellers from non-EU countries is 430 if travelling by sea or air, and 300 for other travellers.
Ryanair boss Michael OLeary previously said that the airline would shun any investment in the UK if it voted to leave the EU
Ryanair has insisted it's not reversing a vow to slash investment in the UK if Brexit was passed, despite announcing a significant expansion of its services out of London's Stansted Airport yesterday.
Before June's Brexit referendum, Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary insisted that the airline would shun investment in the UK on the back of a "leave" result. He repeated that following the vote.
He campaigned heavily in the UK for voters to come out in favour of remaining in the European Union.
But yesterday Ryanair said that it had struck an agreement with Stansted owner Manchester Airports Group (MAG) to add nine new routes from the airport - the airline's biggest base - to destinations including Strasbourg, Nimes, Copenhagen and Naples. It will also boost flight frequencies on 13 routes.
The deal will see Ryanair increase its passenger traffic at Stansted from 13 million in 2013 to 20 million this year.
Mr O'Leary previously said that Ryanair - whose fleet is rapidly expanding - would shift investment from the UK to other European cities in the event of a vote to leave the EU.
He pledged that none of the 50 aircraft it was getting delivered in the current year would be based in Britain.
"Let me put it simply, if Britain isn't a member of the EU these investments, these jobs will be going to other countries," he said in May at Stansted when the airline opened a new training facility there.
Now it's likely that one or two more jets will be based at Stansted, and others could be based at Glasgow and other UK cities.
Ryanair will expand its UK capacity by 7pc this year, compared to a 15pc increase in 2016.
Mr O'Leary said last year that he expects the fallout from Brexit to impact Ryanair's profits for as long as four years.
Ryanair chief commercial officer David O'Brien insisted that the airline wasn't reversing its decision not to invest in the UK.
"Brexit hasn't happened," he said yesterday. "And if we're to wait around until some clear thinking emerges, we wouldn't do anything."
He described the airline's approach as "prudent".
He confirmed that connectivity agreements have been agreed with Norwegian Air Shuttle and IAG-owned Aer Lingus and that they were only being held up by final "technicalities".
Aer Lingus chief executive Stephen Kavanagh said in November that he expected Ryanair and Aer Lingus to be sharing revenue on transfer passengers from this year. It would be a landmark agreement and has been well over a year in the making.
Ryanair has also been examining the viability of linking up with flights operated by other carriers, most likely long-haul operators.
Stansted Airport has suffered no impact as yet from the Brexit decision, according to MAG divisional chief Andrew Cowan, who was speaking at the Ryanair announcement yesterday. The airport, north of London, handled 24.3 million passengers in 2016, most of them flying with Ryanair. (Additional reporting by Bloomberg)
Bank of England governor Mark Carney, told British MPs it would be Europe that would suffer the most post-Brexit. Photo: REUTERS
The UK will "blink first" on Brexit because it has more to lose than the EU, Malta's finance minister has said, ramping up tensions ahead of formal exit talks.
"Both the UK and the EU will suffer, but the problem is, who is going to blink first? It will be the UK," Edward Scicluna said just days after Malta assumed the EU presidency on January 1.
"There is already a lot of uncertainty being created economically, companies searching elsewhere, banks doing the same.
"That's where the UK will blink first because it's on the weak foot."
His remarks come after the head of the UK's central bank, Mark Carney, told British MPs it would be Europe that would suffer the most post-Brexit.
The verbal sparring makes it more likely the split will be fraught.
"We know it's a divorce, we hope it can be an amicable one, but circumstances are not showing it can go in that direction," Mr Scicluna said.
A report by credit rating agency Moody's said Ireland and Malta were among the euro-area countries that would be most affected by the UK's intention to leave the EU, due to their trade, tourism and financial links with Britain.
This article is the first in a two-part series in which I will examine the financial and practical aspects of leasing out part of or your entire farm. Part two (in two weeks' time) will compare the net financial return from leasing with that of a typical dairy farm.
The average farmer in Ireland is 61 years old and unfortunately many of those farmers do not have an obvious successor and the prospect of farming unassisted until the day they die may not be very appealing.
The Government has acknowledged this reality and the land mobility obstacle that it presents by introducing ever more favourable tax incentives for leasing out land.
In much of the country, mainstream farm enterprises with the exception of dairying are not yielding a return that would match, or in most cases even come close to matching the potential rental income from the farm.
This begs the question, why is more land not rented?
The answer to the question is quite complex and may be as much about fear of the unknown and a lack of faith in the legal system.
The fear factor may relate to waking up some morning and having no reason to get out of bed. It may be about the prospect of seeing another farmer farming one's land and not doing so in a manner that meets with the landowner's approval.
The risk of the tenant abusing the land or not paying the rent or simply not vacating the land when obliged to do so can also be frightening prospects in the mind of the landowner.
However, I can say that in my 40 years advising farmers I have only encountered problems between landowners and tenants on three occasions and all three were where no formal lease or letting agreement was in place and the parties did not know each other prior to entering into the letting.
To those farmers who are considering renting out their farms I advise seeking the input of an advisor who is well experienced in dealing with landlords and tenants.
Ideally you should know your tenant or at least enquire from a number of sources about his/her character.
You should draw up a lease that includes any specific requirements that you may wish your tenant to observe and that deals comprehensively with such matters as your Basic Payment Entitlements.
The lease must be stamped with the Revenue Commissioners and Registered with the Property Services Regulatory Authority.
Tax Relief incentive
Arguably, the greatest incentive towards leasing land is the tax incentive. Tax savings of up to 16,000 can be made by an individual landowner in any one year.
A spouse or civil partner is also entitled to the relief so if the land happens to be in joint names or if the spouse/civil partner has land to lease separately, both parties are entitled to the relief.
Where the annual rent exceeds the allowable tax exemption limit, there may be a case for transferring the lands into joint names.
However, professional advice should be sought on how such a move might impact on one's State pension entitlements. Lease income relief refers to Income Tax only and not PRSI or Universal Social Charge so the rent has to be declared on your annual tax return.
Leases and eligible tenants
To qualify for the tax exemption, a qualifying lease does not have to be a formal legal lease but it must be evidenced in writing.
The document must contain the names and addresses of the lessor(s) and lessee(s), the acreage, address, location etc. of the land which is the subject of the lease, the terms of the lease, the duration of the lease which must be at least five years and is signed by the parties.
A formal lease should be drawn up in all cases, stamped with Revenue and registered with the Property Service Regulatory Authority.
This ensures that both the land owner's and tenant's rights are protected if something goes wrong.
Eligible landowners
There are very few conditions for qualifying as an eligible landowner (lessor). The landowner must have title to the land but does not necessarily have had to have farmed it previously. There are no age limits.
Leases and Farm Entitlements
Where Basic Payment Scheme entitlements are leased along with the land, the tax relief also covers that part of the rent that relates to the entitlements.
Farmers who are leasing their entitlements in 2017 should seek the advice of their agricultural advisor/consultant before entering into any agreement, as entitlements have to be transferred to the lessee and it is vital that this is properly done and before the time deadline, which is generally by the BPS filing date.
Leases and Farm Consolidation
Farmers who have out-farms that are some distance from the home farm could consider leasing out such farms and leasing in lands that are adjacent to the home farm where such lands become available.
Apart from assisting farm consolidation, this would have the added benefit of the rent which he/she receives being tax free and the rent he/she pays out as being tax deductible.
Assuming the land leased in is equal or greater in area to the land leased out, there should be no negative implications for the Basic Payment Scheme.
Martin O'Sullivan is the author of the ACA 'Farmers Handbook'. He is a partner in O'Sullivan Malone and Company, accountants and auditors. www.som.ie. Ph: 051 640397
Glanbia will pay its suppliers 30c/L including VAT for December manufacturing milk supplies.
Glanbia Ingredients Ireland (GII) has increased its base price for December by 1c/L to 30c/L including VAT for manufacturing milk at 3.6pc fat and 3.3pc protein.
However, it says in light of this decision, there will be no Glanbia Co-operative Society support payment to Members this month.
Glanbia Chairman Henry Corbally said that the strong recovery in Glanbias milk price in the past six months has resulted in a positive conclusion to a very challenging year for the dairy sector.
This week, Lakeland Dairies announced that it had increased its milk price by 1c/L to 30.28 cents per litre including VAT for December milk.
It comes as farm organisations are pushing for a further lift in milk prices for December supplies despite a 4pc drop in the first Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction of 2017.
The ICMSA and IFA insisted that supplies of dairy commodities on world markets remained tight and there was scope for further price increases to milk suppliers as a consequence.
A number of dairy processors are due to meet this week to set their December milk price, with Kerry Group, Lakeland Dairies and Glanbia usually among the first to make a decision.
Base prices have increased continually since last summer and now range from around 29c/l to 31c/l.
Gerald Quain of ICMSA said the EU and world price for dairy products remained in a fundamentally strong position despite two consecutive falls in GDT auctions.
He described these reductions as 'blips' which did not change the fundamental trend of supply falling behind demand across the globe.
And he warned that milk suppliers would be "furious" if processors used the GDT falls as an excuse to cut milk prices. "ICMSA expects the underlying upward trend in milk prices to continue for the first six months of 2017," Mr Quain insisted.
Around two thirds of Northern Ireland's dairy business could be "killed off" post-Brexit, a committee of MPs has been warned.
Dr Mike Johnston, the Northern Ireland director of Dairy UK, said in order to keep the business alive, a period of continued access to the EU free trade agreements was vital.
It is estimated that two-thirds of UK dairy exports outside the EU are from Northern Ireland.
Dr Johnston warned that if measures are not put in place ahead of Brexit, export tariffs could double, effectively killing off the business.
He made his warnings during an evidence session of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on the future of the land border with the Republic of Ireland.
Dr Johnston, who was joined by other senior members of the region's agri-food industry, told MPs that the UK dairy industry exports to around 100 countries.
He said: "The total of UK Dairy exports outside the EU, about two-thirds, are from Northern Ireland. We have developed long-term relationships over the years and a lot of that is based on the 50-plus free trade agreements the EU has in place.
"What we would be looking for is continuity for a period of those agreements. If we had to switch overnight to world trade, to WTO (World Trade organisation) tariffs, it would just kill that business.
Referring to Thailand and Malaysia as examples of places where a lot of dairy is exported from Northern Ireland, he said the current export tariff is around 15%.
"If we had to move to a WTO tariff that would double, that would kill that business," he said. "What we need is a period of continued access to the EU free trade agreements for a period, but then we need the UK government to come in and start to negotiate and put in place free trade agreements that are specific to the UK to allow this business to continue."
Dr Johnston also warned that the industry is very dependent on free movement of milk, dairy products and people across the land border that has developed over the years through arrangements between the two jurisdictions.
He said if that free movement was stopped, there would be a situation in which dairy farmers could be forced out of business.
Barclay Bell, President of the Ulster Farmers Union, told the committee that the border "is a big, big issue when you consider the amount of cross-border trade".
"Anything that would complicate or hinder that trade certainly would be a big big challenge to the industry in Northern Ireland," he warned.
The agriculture and food processing sectors in Northern Ireland are a significant element of the region's local economy, collectively accounting for around 70,000 local jobs - based on 47,979 total farmers and workers and 23,557 food and drink processing workers.
Belfast Telegraph
New tractor sales in Ireland fell to its lowest level since 2011 last year, according to latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
Last year, some 1,937 new tractors were purchased falling from 1,986 in 2015 and 2186 in 2014.
It's been a testing few years for the machinery trade and in particular tractor sales. As the British pound continues its post-Brexit slide, increasing numbers of Irish buyers are travelling north in search of tractor deals.
This can been seen in the statistics with imports of used tractors increasing from 1,787 in 2015 to 1,905 last year.
It all puts pressure on Irish machinery dealerships who look to make a living from the trade, but what have tractor sales actually been like so far this year and what can dealers likely expect in 2017?
Someone with 40 odd years of experience in the trade is always worth listening to, and that is exactly what Cathal Sweetman of D & S Machinery Ltd brings to the table.
Established in 1985, D & S Machinery originally started importing the Ursus range of tractors into Ireland from Poland.
Thirty years on and they have a country wide network of tractor dealers distributing the McCormick and Landini brands.
Speaking to the Farming Independent recently Sweetman said he has found it very difficult going for a few years now as prices to farmers have been forced downwards.
"What has really made it difficult is that the pressure has hit every sector of farming - milk, cattle, grain, potatoes and vegetables.
"It feels like there are too many people competing for too few sales, which results in overpriced trade ins and new tractors being sold with little or no margin.
"The other side of the coin is that tractors have increased in price due to engine emissions regulations and advances in electronics. This makes it harder for the average farmer to purchase a tractor."
While he acknowledged that no one can blame anyone for shopping around, Mr Sweetman urged farmers to think of the local dealer the next time they decide to buy a new tractor.
"The way sterling is going plenty are taking their business across the border or to Britain, resulting in Irish dealers being left with stock in their yards.
"I would remind farmers that when they support a local dealer they are guaranteed after sales support if something goes wrong.
"They are also supporting jobs, because the dealer will be employing mechanics who all needed training and who earn a living from the sector.
The equipment, software and stock of spare parts - it comes at a cost."
A new era of cultural ties for China and Switzerland
(Xinhua) 20:22, January 13, 2017
As China-Switzerland relations gain new momentum, their people-to-people and cultural ties have yielded fruitful results, said Jiang Jianguo, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), here during a visit in Switzerland earlier this week.
During his stay, Jiang, the deputy head of Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and head of the State Council Information Office, attended a series of cultural events which demonstrated the deepening ties of and communication between the two peoples.
On Tuesday, a photo show named "Beautiful China, Beautiful Switzerland" was launched at the Palace of Nations, exhibiting around 100 photos vividly portraying scenic landscapes and cultural customs of the two countries.
The photos revealed the long-time friendship enjoyed by the Chinese and Swiss people, said Jiang at the opening ceremony.
Switzerland has maintained its friendship with China over the past six decades since the two established diplomatic relations in 1950. It was also one of the first European countries to recognize China's market economy status and ink a free trade agreement with the country.
Jiang also attended the opening ceremony of the Chinese Book Center, the first of its kind in the country, held on Wednesday at the University of Zurich.
The center was "an important achievement in the sphere of cultural exchange between Chinese and Swiss people," said Jiang.
Also this week, a month-long exhibition on China-themed books kicked off in Geneva, with Chinese President Xi Jinping's book "Xi Jinping: the Governance of China" and other highly-acclaimed books on display.
Jiang's trip came days ahead of Xi's first state visit to Switzerland scheduled for Jan. 15-18.
Jiang also participated in an international symposium under the theme "Innovation and Development" and a roundtable talk for Chinese and Swiss media.
A FREE service that helps struggling businesses with advice and expertise has announced plans to expand in 2017.
Chartered Accountants Voluntary Advice (CAVA) was established 10 years by Chartered Accountants Ireland.
It is a free, confidential, independent national organisation that advises business people who find themselves in difficulty, and usually cannot afford to pay for professional services such as an accountant.
Staffed by volunteers from the profession, those who use the service tend to be small businesses, start-ups, landlords, builders, and farmers without financial expertise.
The group is now expanding its service by opening clinics in more locations around the country, including in Sandymount, Dublin and in Waterford.
In 2016, more than 820 small businesses and sole traders contacted the organisation for help.
CAVA puts business people who are in distress in contact with a network of experienced business advisors in Chartered Accountants Ireland. It is the only support service of its kind in Ireland
The service draws on a panel of over 130 qualified chartered accountants who volunteer their expertise at the clinics. CAVA's volunteers come from a range of backgrounds, including major accountancy practices and law firms, smaller regional practices, and retired members.
They give practical face-to-face advice and the volunteers work in tandem with a range of other agencies including the Free Legal Advice Centre, Citizen's Information Board, Revenue, and Social Welfare.
Google is set to lease this 51,000sq ft office block close to its Barrow Street HQ
Google is on track to become Dublin's largest private industrial employer with fresh plans to add 400 new jobs in the capital.
This would bring Google's employment in the capital to over 6,500 people with little sign of its expansion easing up.
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The move comes as the web giant closes in on another new office building in Dublin's tech-centric docklands. Sources close to Google said the company is in talks to rent the newly-constructed Velasco building, a 51,000 sq ft block close to the company's European headquarters in the Grand Canal region of Dublin 2.
While an agreement has not yet been signed, Google is favourite to take over the property, according to the source.
A spokeswoman for Google declined to comment.
The Velasco building, which is owned by Irish Life Investment Managers, is still under construction.
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At present, Google employs over 6,000 people through a combination of 3,000 permanent staff and 3,000 contractors. According to recently filed accounts, the vast majority of its staff (1,972) are in sales and marketing, with 397 in engineering and operations and 455 in administration and other activities.
Google's revenues and profits have continued to rise in recent years, thanks to its domination of online advertising. Over half of the world's online ad revenue is carved up between Google and Facebook, with that proportion expected to rise again this year.
In its most recent accounts, the company's vice president and outgoing site lead in Ireland, Ronan Harris, said the continued global expansion of the company's products, its advertiser and user base, as well as an increase in the number of Google Network Members, had contributed to the company's overall growth in Ireland.
"Our operations in Dublin are contributing to our global success through our work with advertisers, publishers and users across EMEA," he said.
"Dublin is recognised as a key driver of growth among our customers and we are constantly innovating to help them grow stronger and better businesses."
Mr Harris was recently appointed as the new managing director for Google in the UK and Ireland and is relocating to London. He has been succeeded as head of site at Google's Dublin-based office facility by Fionnuala Meehan, a vice president in Google with responsibility for marketing solutions in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
"As Google grows, Ireland continues to benefit," said Mr Harris. "In 2015, we opened our second data centre, bringing total investment in capital assets in Ireland to over 750m."
Google continues to use its Irish base as a tax-efficient aggregator for international sales. Its latest accounts show that it paid 47m in tax on a profit of 294m in Ireland in 2015,
However, it booked 22.6bn in sales here during the same period. While its gross profit on this 22.6bn in sales was 17.1bn, it recorded 16.9bn as "administrative expenses" which were paid to other parts of its global organisation.
However, Google faces regulatory pressure from the EU on a number of fronts. The European Commission has charged it with anti-competitive behaviour over how it displays shopping results. Brussels has also introduced new proposals that would restrict the ability of Google to scan and track user communications without explicit consent.
Dublin-based startup Overcast has announced it will hire 70 new staff in a major expansion.
The company announced the jobs following a successful funding round in which it received 500,000.
Overcast produces video content that it says is Google Docs for video.
We are thrilled with the interest in our funding round, with the amount raised underlining the confidence in our product. Despite being a young company we have already attracted a number of blue chip clients such as the Daily Mail and Dublin City University. The funding will be used to expand our headcount to help with additional product development and also expand into new markets as companies around the world face the same challenges surrounding the management of video files, said Overcast ceo Philippe Brodeur.
Mr Brodeur confirmed the company has major expansion plans for foreign markets over the coming year.
He told the Irish Independent that the company would be expanding into the UK in the first half of the year and it intends to enter the US in the second half of 2017.
Mr Brodeur also confirmed that the expansion would mean a change in location for the company. Brodeur is on the lookout for a larger premises in Dublin city centre and said he expects the company to be in situ at the new location within the next month.
You can view the Overcast website here
Jay Y. Lee arrives to be questioned as a suspect in bribery case
Jay Y. Lee, who heads South Korea's massive Samsung Group, was given a $5 box meal for lunch and did not sleep in over 22 hours of questioning in a corruption scandal involving impeached President Park Geun-hye.
Lee, who has a net worth of $6.2bn(5.8bn) and is the third-generation leader of the country's biggest conglomerate, or "chaebol", left the special prosecutors' office in southern Seoul on Friday morning in what appeared to be the same suit and tie he'd worn when he entered a day earlier.
The tall, bespectacled 48-year old did not look visibly affected by the session, in which he was questioned by two prosecutors, including one nicknamed the "Chaebol Sniper".
Lee did not speak to reporters before getting into a waiting car.
"Two prosecutors interrogated him and they came in and out of the room to report to their chief," a prosecution official told Reuters.
"None of them - prosecutors or Jay Lee - slept before the questioning was over," the official said.
The official, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Lee's lawyer was present during the questioning.
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Prosecutors have been investigating whether Samsung provided 30 billion won ($25.46 million) to a business and foundations backed by the president's friend Choi Soon-sil in exchange for the national pension fund's support for a 2015 merger of two Samsung affiliates.
Lee was named as a suspect on Wednesday and summoned for questioning on Thursday morning.He became the de facto head of the Samsung Group after his father Lee Kun-Hee was incapacitated by a heart attack in 2014.
Samsung has acknowledged making payments to two foundations at the centre of the scandal, as well as to a consulting firm controlled by Choi, but has repeatedly denied accusations of lobbying to push through the merger of Samsung C&T Corp and Cheil Industries Inc.
Choi, who is in detention as she undergoes trial, has also denied wrongdoing.
'CHAEBOL SNIPER'
After his sleepless night, Jay Lee went directly to Samsung headquarters in Seoul's upscale Seocho district, a few kilometres (miles) from the special prosecutors' office, a Samsung spokeswoman said. She did not have further details.
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Asked why the questioning lasted so long, prosecution spokesman Lee Kyu-chul told a briefing: "There was quite a lot to look into and Lee's statements conflicted with what our investigation team expected to hear."
One of the two prosecutors grilling Lee was Han Dong-hoon, the prosecutors' office said.
Han has been nicknamed the "Chaebol Sniper" by local media for his record in previous high-profile corporate investigations, including a 2003 case involving the SK Group and another in 2006 focused on Hyundai Motor.
After a 6,000 won ($5.10) box meal for lunch, Lee ate jajangmyeon, a Chinese black-bean-paste noodle dish popular as a cheap meal, for dinner, according to the special prosecutor's team.
Local media reports said Lee was questioned in a room known as the "digital recording interrogation room" in the office that was set up specially to investigate the presidential corruption scandal.
The special prosecution official could not confirm which room Lee was questioned.
The digital recording interrogation room, shown previously to reporters, has one table and about six chairs and is equipped with a closed-circuit television camera as well as a desktop computer and printer. An air purifier stands in the corner.
The room has a one-way mirror through which proceedings can be seen unobserved from a neighbouring room.
Lee will not be summoned for questioning again, a spokesman for the special prosecutors' office said. But he said prosecutors will decide soon whether to arrest him.
Lee had denied some of the suspicions against him but had admitted to others, the spokesman said. He declined to elaborate.
After Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena failed to raise funds on the market, attention now turns to a much bigger cash call by UniCredit.
Italy's largest bank was yesterday seeking investor backing for a 13bn rights offer - almost as much as its market value - to carry out a turnaround plan under chief executive officer Jean Pierre Mustier.
Shareholders meeting in Rome also will be asked to approve the conversion of every 10 shares into one new share after the stock dropped more than 45pc last year.
While Monte Paschi's failed share sale and ensuing government bailout last month have revived doubts about Italian banks and their ability to deal with bad debt, Mustier's strategy presented in mid-December has won praise from analysts.
Like its smaller rival, UniCredit plans to use most of the cash to absorb losses on loans that the bank is selling at a discount.
Unlike Monte Paschi - which tried to raise about 5bn - UniCredit is a profitable lender that's seeking funding for a cleanup, not for survival.
"UniCredit's new business plan tackles the right concerns and represents a break-through switch in order to rescue and revamp the equity story of the group," said Fabrizio Bernardi, an analyst with Fidentiis Equities. "This is what investors were asking."
Mustier, a 55-year-old Frenchman who took over in July, said he has met with more than 200 investors in recent weeks and plans to start the offer before March 10. Many European and US institutional investors have shown interest in the capital increase, he said in a interview on Thursday with Italian newspaper La Stampa.
(Bloomberg)
Barack Obama filled his presidency with plenty of mic drops and dad jokes and, with eight days to go until he leaves the White House, the US president managed to get another pun in.
On Friday, NASA's Curiosity rover - a robotic machine that's exploring Mars - tweeted a photo of how it honoured Obama's presidency by delivering his signature to the Red Planet.
"Signed, sealed, delivered. I carried @POTUS's signature to the surface of #Mars. #NASAPast8Yeats" a tweet from the official Curiosity rover account tweeted.
Naturally, Obama saw an opportunity to get in a dad joke with his response.
"This is out of this world. Thanks @NASA," he tweeted.
The US president usually reserves his puns for the annual turkey pardoning ceremony at the White House in November.
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His daughters, Sasha and Melania, have gamely stood by their father as he delivered his pun-fest throughout the Thanksgiving ceremony but opted to bow out last year.
[Sasha and Malia] just couldnt take my jokes anymore. They were fed up, he said about the girls missing out on the event.
Instead, the president's nephews Austin and Aaron Robinson stood by for what Obama called his "corny-copia of dad jokes about turkeys."
The image of the tattoo appeared on Reddit and has sparked debate over whether it's a hoax or not
An image of an unfinished tattoo featuring text 'as Gaeilge' is sparking debate on social media.
The image, which has appeared on Twitter and Reddit, features an Irish phrase commonly associated with early school days in Ireland.
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Scrawled across an illustration of a large cross with a celtic design, the tattoo reads: 'An bhfuil cead agam dul go dti an leithreas.'
For those not familiar with the phrase, it translates as 'May I go to the bathroom' and is a phrase Irish students plagued their teachers with in primary school... and probably the only phrase that most people can confidently rattle off from memory.
However, it appears the person who got the tattoo either isn't aware of its meaning or is having a bit of a laugh.
He shared the image on Facebook and told his followers: "My new unfinished piece of back art, it says in gaelic 'you will forever be in my heart'."
The picture has sparked an online debate as to whether the image is authentic or a hoax.
An Irish documentary observing the only primary-aged boarding school in Ireland will be screened at the acclaimed Sundance Film Festival this month.
The documentary entitled, 'In Loco Parentis', follows teachers John and Amanda Leyden who help run Headfort Boarding School, which is located just outside Kells.
The film which was made by Neasa Ni Chianain and David Rane is described as a "observational documentary [that] follows a year in the lives of two inspirational teachers in the only primary-age boarding school in Ireland."
Ms Ni Chianain explained that the filmakers own past led them to this subject.
We both went to boarding schools and had very different experiences so we were keen to know what a 21st century boarding school looked like and to document the experience for children boarding today, explained Ni Chianain.
We are thrilled to be taking it to Sundance, which is probably the most important film festival in the world for independent movies."
It is one of 12 films being judged in the 'World Cinema Documentary' competition at the will be shown several times throughout the festival, which runs from January 19-29.
Headmaster of the school, Dermot Dix told Independent.ie that he has mixed feelings about seeing himself on the big screen.
He said: "As far as I am aware, we are the last primary boarding school in the country. The documentary looks at this and tells the story of two of the longest serving teachers in the school, John and Amanda Leyden.
"Of course I am nervous; us headmasters tend to be control freaks and this is not a promotional film, it was done purely how the film makers wanted. It is quite exciting, but also nerve wracking."
The movie was also the first Irish Documentary to compete at for the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam award.
Another Irish documentary, 'It's not Dark Yet', will also be screened at Filmdance. This documentary tells the story of Simon Fitzmaurice, a talented Ifilmmaker who is living with motor neurone disease.
We may live in a largely post-religious world, but for most of us, there's something enduringly compelling about things like Ouija boards, haunted houses, demonic possession and exorcisms.
While the rational brain insists none of this is possible, some deeper, more elemental part of the psyche still feels that tickle of dread from time to time.
Hostage to the Devil, which launches on Netflix this weekend, examines the work of Father Malachi Martin, a Kerryman who claimed to have performed several exorcisms in America and still, 17 years after his death, remains something of a cult figure (no pun intended).
The film was made by Dublin-based Underground Films and Causeway Pictures in Belfast. The trailer promises a dramatic, unnerving story of faith, terror and tortured souls - though whether "soul" is meant metaphorically or literally is up to the viewer to decide.
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As Underground's Rachel Lysaght, who produced the documentary, points out, "People have a fascination with this stuff. I think it's what we can't explain or understand. Nobody can prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that the devil is real or not, so it becomes this continuing question and investigation. Stories of exorcism obviously speak to something in people the world over, of all different faiths."
Though the documentary focuses on Malachi Martin's Stateside career as an exorcist, his entire life was quite incredible, more the stuff of fiction than reality. (Rachel reckons, "Malachi's life would deserve a multi-part series, it's pretty amazing.")
Born in Ballylongford in 1921, he became a Jesuit priest, did a doctorate in archaeology and Semitic languages in Belgium's Louvain University, worked on the famous Dead Sea scrolls, participated in archaeological digs in Egypt and served as private secretary to a Vatican cardinal, among many other achievements.
In 1965, unhappy with certain aspects of Vatican 2, Malachi left Rome and the priesthood, moving to New York where he worked as a taxi driver, waiter and writer. He became a US citizen and published 17 books, both fictional and not, including Hostage to the Devil in 1976, which described five "real" exorcisms he claimed to have carried out in America.
In time, Rachel says, he "became this iconic person within the paranormal world. Many of the famous people in that field, such as Lorraine Warren, who was involved in The Conjuring, worked with Malachi".
When Rachel first discussed this project two years ago with Chris Patterson and Paddy McCarney of Causeway Pictures, they'd been doing a lot of research on Malachi, and uncovered "a treasure-trove" of audio recordings with him - about 24 hours' worth.
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She goes on: "This was primarily from radio interviews on a cult paranormal-themed radio show, Coast to Coast. From 1995 to 1998 Malachi took part, and listeners would phone in and talk to him about things that had been disturbing them, say if they thought there was sort of satanic activity happening.
"Malachi was frequently critical of the Catholic Church, and spoke of a lack of support for those who felt they were being inflicted by something demonic. Even now, every Halloween, the show plays some of those interviews and gets over a million listeners. It really struck a chord."
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Malachi's first 'exorcism' took place in Egypt in the 1950s, though the film concentrates on his actions from the mid-1960s. Hostage to the Devil doesn't include interviews with survivors of exorcism - primarily because they're hard to find and reluctant to go on camera, Rachel explains - but there is footage of alleged exorcisms.
Essentially, the film asks: was Malachi Martin, as one contributor puts it, "a warrior for Christ", or was he a fantasist and charlatan? On the one hand, people who sought his assistance did so because they truly believed he could help; many who worked with Malachi speak glowingly of him.
On the other hand, there are some critics. "He sometimes rubbed people up the wrong way," Rachel says, "William Peter Blatty (author of the original Exorcist novel) wrote a tirade against Malachi, saying his 1976 book was fantasy, and he was just trying to cash in."
Malachi aside, there's also the core question of whether any of this is real. The filmmakers speak to a psychoanalyst who says she often came across people charged with a crime, who claimed the devil had made them do it, in a bid to avoid prison. It might all be mental illness, hallucination, schizophrenia, a myriad of other psychiatric conditions - or outright chicanery.
That psychoanalyst, Rachel notes, "said you have to question, question, question everything, and always remain a sceptic. You need to rule things out." But, she adds, sometimes you also have to rule things in.
"Our film interrogates the question: is the devil real? I would be sceptical myself, and nine times out of 10 there's some other explanation for these strange goings-on. But I used to have a much firmer position, on what I thought was true or not true.
"Having spent time with these different people, knowing they have integrity and hearing their stories about paranormal experiences - I have more questions now. I recognise now that there are more areas of grey than black-and-white.
"As Shakespeare wrote, 'there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy'. And I'm sure I'm not alone.
"When you scratch the surface with people - around Halloween, say, or Friday the 13th - everyone seems to have some personal ghost story to tell, or someone they heard of messing with a Ouija board and it went wrong. These stories are captivating. They speak to something within us and our human experience. We know there are things that can't be explained and this draws us in."
Hostage to the Devil debuts on Netflix this Sunday, January 15
Driving out demons on the silver screen
* The Exorcist (1974)
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An all-time classic horror movie (above) based on a novel. It's a tale of a 14-year-old girl (played by Linda Blair) who seems possessed by a demon. Top-line acting talent including Ellen Burstyn and Max von Sydow, and a moody, understated air of dread, turn genre pulp into something very disturbing.
* The Exorcist (2016)
This telly reboot got good reviews for its 10-episode first season: one critic described it as "compelling, inventive, often frighteningsurprisingly rich and thoughtful". Alfonso Herrera and Geena Davis star.
* The Conjuring (2013)
Excellent slow-burning horror, based on true-life "paranormal investigators" Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga), helping a family terrorised by a powerful demon.
* Fallen (1997)
Denzel Washington plays a cop tracking a serial killer - who's actually a devil that skips from host body to host body. Tough case to crack. n The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
Laura Linney and Tom Wilkinson add a touch of class to this understated drama about a student who dies while undergoing an exorcism, resulting in a case against the priest.
(Xinhua) 20:53, January 13, 2017
China's aircraft carrier formation returned to Qingdao port Friday after finishing a drill, the Chinese navy said Friday.
Comprised of aircraft carrier Liaoning, a number of destroyers, some J-15 carrier-based fighter jets and helicopters, the fleet sailed through the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the South China sea.
The formation passed through the Miyakato, Bashi and Taiwan straits, according to the People's Liberation ArmyNavy (PLAN).
J-15 fighter jets carried out exercises including taking off and landing in different hydrological and meteorological conditions, air-combat tactics, air refueling, and others.
The drill verified the combat capability of the aircraft carrier formation and construction and command of the high sea combat system, the PLAN said.
Chen Yueqi, commander of the formation, said the drill simulated real combat as much as possible, and achieved expected results.
Future drills of Liaoning will be determined by actual situations, the PLAN said.
The coffin is carried from the Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook after the funeral of TK Whitaker. Photo: Damien Eagers
MICHAEL D HIGGINS and his wife Sabina were among more than a thousand mourners who paid their respects this morning to Dr TK Whitaker who passed away at the age of 100.
The President was among a host of dignitaries, including former President Mary McAleese, her husband Martin, Finance Minister Michael Noonan, former Central Bank Governor Patrick Honohan and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin who packed the Sacred Heart Church in Donnybrook for the funeral Mass of the former secretary of the Department of Finance.
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His friend of more than 30 years, Fr Loman MacAodha, who delivered the homily in both English and Irish, said that while Dr Whitaker, or Ken, as he was known to friends and family, was widely regarded as one of the chief architects of Ireland's modern economy, he was a deeply humble and spiritual man.
And in the words of the economist himself, who died on Monday a month after celebrating his 100th birthday, he was "a civil servant who did his best," he said.
But he was also a man of deep faith who celebrated Mass every morning at 7:30am for over 30 years at the same church that was packed to capacity today with his many friends.
Despite suffering numerous losses of loved ones over the years, Dr Whitaker "was a man of deepest thanksgiving despite many setbacks," Fr Loman said.
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He recalled how at the age of 80, Dr Whitaker told him: " I thank God for so far giving me an interesting, happy and fulfilling life and I look forward to it continuing that way a bit longer."
Dr Whitaker's son Ken Whitaker Jr., also paid tribute to his father as a man who was much loved by his family, including his six children, 27 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
"Today we should look at the brighter side and his long life and all he did for his family and his country," he said.
He was laid to rest at Shanganagh cemetery following the Requiem Mass.
Gardai and revenue have seized significant amounts of cash and illegal cigarettes in two separate operations.
Gardai and revenue have seized significant amounts of cash and illegal cigarettes in two separate operations.
In Dublin some 120,000 cash was seized from during searches in the west of the city as part of investigations tackling serious crime.
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One man, aged in his 30s, was arrested on suspicion of money laundering and was detained at at Kilmainham Garda Station according to gardai.
Meanwhile, in Rosslare on Thursday Revenue officers, assisted by a member of the canine support unit, Detector Dog Alfie, seized around 60,000 illegal cigarettes.
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The cigarettes, which were concealed in metal containers, had a retail value of over 32,500 according to customs.
They were discovered when two cars were searched after disembarking a ferry from Cherbourg.
One man, a Lithuanian national resident in Ireland, was questioned and his vehicle was seized a spokeswoman for revenue said.
A file is now being prepared for the DPP.
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"If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding the smuggling or sale of illegal cigarettes or tobacco, they can contact Revenue in confidence on free phone number 1800 295 295," the spokeswoman added.
Emma O'Keeffe was killed after her car collided with a truck on January 13 2017
A young mother has died after a road crash, while one of her children is understood to be in a serious condition in hospital.
Gardai in Meath have confirmed that the woman, named locally as Emma O'Keeffe, passed away after she was injured in a collision yesterday afternoon.
She was travelling with her two children when they were involved in a two-vehicle collision on the Nobber to Kingscourt road.
She passed away in the Intensive Care Unit of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda earlier this morning. She was aged 26 and is from county Meath.
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The oldest boy (6) is said to be in a serious condition in Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Dublin. The other boy (2) was also brought to hospital. His condition is unknown.
"The collision occurred at approximately 1pm at Leggagh, Castletown, Navan," a garda spokesman said.
"The three occupants (2, 6 and 26 years old) of the car were brought to Drogheda and Crumlin Hospitals (1 male juvenile and the female driver in Drogheda, 1 male juvenile in Crumlin). There was no one else in the car. The driver of the truck was unharmed.
"The female driver later died in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda."
Cllr Michael Gallagher (SF) offered his condolences to the family.
"Its very tragic. The family only moved into a house in Nobber about a year ago and people in the area are shocked and saddened.
"We're going through a very bad spell on Irish roads at the moment and its a terrible thing to happen. My thoughts are with the family at this difficult time."
Gardai in Navan are appealing for witnesses to contact them in Navan on 048 9036100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
A disqualified driver who lead ten garda cars on a high speed chase down the M50 has been jailed for five and a half years.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard Andrew Allen (38) had recently been warned by gardai that his life was in danger and said he panicked when an unmarked garda patrol car signalled him to pull over.
Garda Paul Doona told the court that the pursuit which began in Finglas and ended in Carrickmines lasted about 30 minutes but that Allen had first encountered a marked garda patrol car four minutes after the chase began. He collided with two patrol cars during the incident.
He said at the end of the pursuit along the M50 from the N3 to Carrickmines Allen was being followed by approximately ten marked patrol cars with sirens and lights activated.
Allen, of Corduff Crescent, Corduff, Dublin pleaded guilty to endangerment, dangerous driving and driving without insurance at various locations in the city on October 7, 2015.
Allen also pleaded guilty to burglary at a house on the Navan Road on April 11, 2016.
He has 87 previous convictions, including 53 previous road traffic offences and was disqualified from driving at the time of these offences.
Judge Patricia Ryan imposed sentences totalling five and a half years with the final year suspended and ordered one year probation supervision.
Fiona Murphy BL, defending, said Allen offered a full apology for his actions. She said there was no doubt that some time into the pursuit he could not but realise it was gardai who were following him.
Ms Murphy said he had panicked in light of receiving the warning of a threat on his life and felt he was in severe danger. She said he was currently using his time in custody well and making efforts to turn his life around.
Gda Doona told Cathleen Noctor BL, prosecuting, that gardai observed two men in a Toyota car acting suspiciously on Barry Road in Finglas at about 9.30pm. He said they activated their siren and the car gave an indication it would pull over before accelerating away.
Allen, who was driving the Toyota, overtook a number of vehicles and drove on the wrong side of the road at speeds in excess of 120 kmph in a 50 kmph zone. The pursuit continued along River Road, described as a narrow country road with blind sweeping bends.
Allen overtook a jeep on a blind bend forcing an oncoming vehicle to brake suddenly. Gardai were unable to safely get past the jeep for about 20 second and lost sight of the Toyota.
Further gardai continued the high speed pursuit of Allen along the N3 before he continued onto the M50 after breaking a red light at a major junction governing six lanes of traffic.
During the high speed pursuit Allen mounted a footpath at a roundabout to manoeuvre around other traffic, collided with two patrol cars, narrowly avoided a collision with other vehicles at a level crossing and drove on the wrong side of the road.
He travelled southbound on the M50 weaving between lanes and travelling on the hard shoulder at high speed.
Debris
Gda Doona said Allen was travelling at 180 kmph and at times in excess of 200 kmph. One of his tyres became detached from the wheel and debris scattered in the path of gardai.
Allen veered onto slip roads off the motorway as if to take an exit before veering back at the last minute into the path of other road users. Near Leopardstown he collided with the rear bumper of a garda patrol car and came to a stop surrounded by garda vehicles.
Allen, a disqualified driver, was also found to be driving without insurance.
The court heard no gardai or civilians were injured during the pursuit. Allen received medical treatment for minor injuries.
Gda Doona agreed with Ms Murphy that prior to the offences Allen had received a warning from gardai that there was a substantial threat to his life and that he had been wearing a bullet proof vest.
He agreed that Allen's initial interaction had been with an unmarked patrol car and gardai in plain clothes. He agreed it was not unreasonable that Allen had panicked and believed they were not members of the gardai.
Garda Padraig Walsh told Ms Noctor that in April 2016 Allen was involved in a burglary on the Navan Road in which a resident of a house woke up to find a man in his bedroom. He shouted at the man who fled. He was arrested after he was found hiding behind a bus shelter.
He was on bail for a number of the earlier road traffic offences at the time of the burglary.
Ms Murphy said her client had a difficult childhood, left school early before falling into drug use and criminality as he hung around with an older crowd. He began a cycle of crime, prison and relapsing into drug use on release.
She said had previously shown he was able to reform his life but he was having difficulties with heroin at the time of this offence.
Seamus James Laverty, 58, of Deerpark Road, Toomebridge in Northern Ireland risked the lives of children, the elderly and patients in hospitals for money, police have said. Photo: Depositphotos
Tallaght Hospital in Dublin was one of the almost 70 sites where counterfeit fire glass was supplied
A fraudster who sold fake fire-resistant glass to be fitted in hospitals and primary schools across Ireland and the UK has been jailed for 12 months.
Seamus James Laverty, 58, of Deerpark Road, Toomebridge in Northern Ireland risked the lives of children, the elderly and patients in hospitals for money, police have said.
The maternity unit of the Ulster Hospital in Belfast, Tallaght Hospital in Dublin and the National University of Ireland in Galway are among almost 70 sites where counterfeit fire glass had been supplied by Laverty.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officer in charge, Detective Sergeant Colin Gray, said the "potential loss of life in this case cannot be underestimated".
Fire resistant glass provides protection for lives and property in the event of fire by helping to contain fire and smoke within a building. From 2010 to 2013 Laverty supplied standard laminate glass for use in buildings, claiming it was fire-resistant glass.
Laverty pleaded guilty to 16 counts of fraud at Antrim Crown Court.
Judge Desmond Marrinan described the risk posed to the public by his actions as "chilling".
He said it was just "by the grace of God" the fraudulent glass had not been put to the test.
A defence lawyer told the court the 140,000 (160,246) fraud was a reaction by Laverty to financial difficulties, not greed.
The court heard Laverty found himself in financial difficulties in 2007 and was eventually declared bankrupt. His son took over his company and he became an employee and that is when he began supplying the counterfeit glass.
"This is an extremely concerning case ... You placed members of the public at very serious risk," said the judge.
He added: "The financial loss to contractors is not insignificant, but it pales into insignificance with the risk you were prepared to take.
"You are a man who, until this most regrettable series of events took place, was highly thought of. The courts cannot ignore the seriousness of what you have done. Fortunately no one was actually hurt but the exposure of members of the public to risk clearly demands a custodial sentence."
Members of Laverty's family broke down in tears when the judge jailed him for 12 months with a further 12 months on licence.
Speaking outside court Mr Gray said the actions of Laverty "can only be described as reckless and dangerous".
He added: "That glass has been installed at schools, hospitals, churches, nursing homes, and universities. The clear health and safety risks posed by his actions is evident. He has put at risk children, the elderly, patients at hospital and not forgetting our colleagues in the fire and rescue service."
Mr Gray added: "If a fire had started at any of these locations we would be looking at fatalities or serious injury. In 2013 police started this investigation. At no time did Mr Laverty assist ... You cannot underestimate the potential loss of life here."
Laverty was working for a now dissolved company called Glassworks Ireland Limited, based in Randalstown, Co Antrim, at the time of the scam. His son had taken over the company after Laverty's bankruptcy and he was in charge of operations on the factory floor.
Police first became aware of the scam in 2012 following a tip-off from a competitor who had become suspicious of the cheap tenders Glassworks Ireland were able to provide for the supply of fire-resistant glass.
As part of their investigations officers visited almost 100 sites across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, parts of the UK and the Netherlands.
Amongst the buildings discovered to have been supplied with the counterfeit glass were: The Ulster Hospital; Maghera Parish Church; Greenvale Leisure Centre; Magherafelt High School; Downpatrick Civic Centre; Carrick Primary School; Tallaght Hospital in Dublin; The National University of Ireland in Galway and Lisburn Road Methodist Church in Belfast.
Other buildings the glass was supplied to included: Strathearn School in Belfast; Brooklands Care Home; the Almac Laboratory; Urban Retail Outlet, Camden, London; the Renold Building at the University of Manchester; DW Sports, Leicester, Coliemore Apartments, Dublin; DW Sports, Gainsborough; Titanic Quarter, Belfast; The French Rooms, Bushmills; St James House, Dublin; St Mary's National School in County Meath and Scoil Oilibheir Naofa in Laytown.
A CRIMINAL who was jailed for stamping on a man and threatening to kill a garda has been caught using a mobile phone in his prison cell.
Leroy Dumbrell (30), who is serving a seven-year sentence for violent disorder, had the phone in his cell at Mountjoy prison when it was searched, a court heard.
Judge Anthony Halpin convicted him and fined him 99.
Dumbrell, from Emmet Road, Inchicore, pleaded guilty to unlawfully having a mobile phone and SIM card in the prison on October 16 last year.
Dublin District Court heard gardai charged him with the offences at 10.05am this morning and he made no reply to either count after caution.
He was handed copies of the charge sheets.
The court heard gardai carried out a search of the single-occupancy cell and found the mobile phone with a SIM card inside.
The court heard the defendant had 69 previous convictions for offences including having a phone in prison, as well as threatening to kill or cause serious harm and violent disorder.
Dumbrell had pleaded guilty at the earliest available opportunity, his lawyer said.
He told Judge Halpin Dumbrell had been subject to internal prison discipline.
The judge noted that the accused had done this before and fined him 99, to be paid forthwith, with a sentence of one day in prison in default.
He also granted free legal aid to the accused, with no garda objection.
Dumbrell, wearing a light grey Adidas tracksuit with black stripes, did not address the court during the brief hearing.
Last year, Dumbrell pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to one count of violent disorder on November 27, 2013.
He also pleaded guilty to threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Detective Garda Ronan McMorrow on May 5, 2015.
The circuit court heard at the time that Det Garda McMorrow had phoned Dumbrell to advise him he was in danger of breaching his bail conditions after gardai called to his home and found he was not there.
Dumbrell told the detective:You bring me back to court and youll regret it. Mark my words you c*** and Ill come after you one way or another.
In the violent disorder incident, Dumbrell was one of a group of men who took part in an assault on another man on a street in Ballymun.
A number of children witnessed the assault, during which Dumbrell stamped on the victims leg as he lay prone on the ground.
A businessman who sells edible insects has been jailed for a professional shoplifting scheme where he stole high value household goods to order.
Anthonie Van Wilderoden (44), a Dutch national living in Wicklow, set up a business called Eddiebug with the help of a government loan. The company sells insects as a speciality foodstuff.
He is also the director of a chocolate making company in Wicklow.
He said he began the shoplifting enterprise because had built up heavy debt and his estranged wife had gone to America with his children leaving him with no way to support himself.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard he would put up advertisements on the Donedeal website selling household products. He would then steal these products from shops depending on the interest in the ad. None of the buyers knew the goods were stolen.
Van Wilderoden used a modified baby's pram to steal items from Arnotts, Curries and Harvey Norman including a Nespresso coffee machine, crockery sets, a vacuum cleaner and an electric blanket.
He was caught and charged in 2015 but was arrested again shortly afterwards for stealing a 900 Jimmy Choo handbag from Brown Thomas. Van Wilderoden claimed this was supposed to be a mother's day present and that it wasn't stolen to order.
Van Wilderoden of Ballyknockan, Valleymount, Co Wicklow pleaded guilty to ten sample counts of theft from the four stores between December 2014 and March 2015. He also admitted possession of a specially modified pram and possession of three stolen gold plated mirrors.
Judge Cormac Quinn imposed a sentence of two years. He said he was suspending the last six months because Wileroden is a foreign national.
Garda Michael Mullen told prosecuting counsel Pieter Le Vert BL that he got a call from a security guard at Arnotts, Henry Street who became suspicious when he saw Van Wilderoden wheeling around a pram with no baby in it.
The guard stopped the accused and found crockery sets and a coffee maker inside. The pram had been modified with bungee cords to hold down the goods.
Van Wilderoden was arrested and admitted taking the goods but said they were presents for his wife's birthday. He allowed gardai search his car where they found goods stolen from other stores such as a high-end food mixer and a broadband modem.
Gardai also found two pages with goods listed on it. Van Wilderoden admitted this was a shopping list which he used to keep track of what to steal. He admitted he put the ads online and stole the goods to order.
He was released on bail and two months later was caught stealing the handbag from Brown Thomas. On this occasion gardai searched his house and found three stolen mirrors.
Van Wilderoden was again released on bail and later entered an early guilty plea. However, he then fled to Belgium before his sentence date. He was arrested on a European Arrest Warrant and returned to Ireland in November 2016.
He has 19 previous convictions from Ireland, The Netherlands and Belgium including fraud, forgery, theft and embezzlement.
Van Wilderoden said he set up his businesses with his wife using loans from his wealthy father-in-law. He said he owed money to this person as well as lending institutions and a loan shark.
He received a insurance payout of 155,000 resulting from a botched surgery which caused him to lose a kidney. He said he used this money to repay his father-in-law.
Defence counsel Sean Rafter BL said Van Wilderoden was sexually abused as a child and became a male prostitute as a teen. He said he saved the money from this to set up his first business but that he was a person who is totally incapable of handling money.
Counsel said Van Wilderoden had bought a plane ticket back to the Netherlands and if he was given a suspended sentence he was willing to promise not to return to Ireland.
A Dublin man facing trial for the murder of a dissident republican four years ago has disappeared along with his girlfriend.
Dean Evans (26), is one of three men charged in connection with the murder of Peter Butterly on March 6, 2013.
The Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday issued a warrant for the arrest of Evans, of Grange Park Rise, Raheny, after he failed to appear to face trial.
It heard that he and his girlfriend have not been seen since Sunday and that his family are "concerned" about his whereabouts.
However, the Herald understands gardai do not believe Evans was murdered. Underworld sources said last night that he had fled to Spain with his girlfriend.
MURDERED
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He was a friend of murdered Real IRA boss Alan Ryan (32), who was gunned down in September 2012.
Evans, along with Edward McGrath (35) and Sharif Kelly (46), were due to stand trial yesterday on charges connected with the murder of Butterly (35), who was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath.
A car entered the car park and shots were fired at father-of-three Butterly, who tried to flee. He was found collapsed in a corner of the car park and was pronounced dead a short time later.
Kelly, of Pinewood Green Road, Balbriggan, and McGrath, of Lanndale Lawns, Springfield, Tallaght, were both present in court yesterday and were remanded on continuing bail until today.
Det Insp William Hanrahan, of the Special Detective Unit, told prosecuting counsel Paul O'Higgins that Evans had signed on in accordance with his bail conditions at Raheny Garda Station last Sunday.
He told the court that Evans' father had since contacted the gardai and told them he was worried about him.
Det Insp Hanrahan said Evans was granted bail to travel to Spain last summer, and since then had obtained a new passport which he [Det-Insp Hanrahan] now had in his possession.
He added that Evans and his girlfriend have not been seen since Sunday and his family are "concerned" about him.
Det Insp Hanrahan told the hearing that Evans had taken a loan of one of the family cars.
At the time of his application for a change in his bail conditions to travel to Spain last June, gardai had opposed the move, arguing that the strength of evidence against him and the seriousness of the crime made him a potential flight risk.
Evans was successful in his application, but the costs of were awarded against him.
He is understood to have spent two weeks in Spain before returning to Ireland.
Yesterday, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, with Judge John O'Hagan and Judge Ann Ryan, issued a warrant for the arrest of Evans and remanded Kelly and McGrath on continuing bail.
A previous 55-day trial of Evans and his co-accused collapsed at the Special Criminal Court in January 2015 after a failure in evidence disclosure.
The court delivered its ruling after the disclosure of previously privileged material contained in a statement given in July 2013 by witness David Cullen to gardai.
WITNESS
Cullen (30), with a last address in Balbriggan, was allegedly part of the murder plan but turned State witness against his former co-accused Evans, McGrath and Kelly.
They had pleaded not guilty to murdering Butterly.
Evans and McGrath also denied unlawful possession of a 9mm semi-automatic pistol and seven rounds of 9mm ammunition on the same date.
They also pleaded not guilty to intent to endanger life at the car park of The Huntsman Inn on the same date.
A retrial was ordered which was due to begin yesterday.
A man has told a court his stepmother "laughed at me" when he asked her, some months after his father's death, for a one sixth share of a 3.38m Lotto win.
"She laughed at me and said I got the house and that was that," David Walsh said.
He denied suggestions there was no basis for his claim to a one-sixth share of the win.
He agreed he had not contributed to the 12 cost of the winning ticket, but denied he had falsely claimed the ticket was his father's because he was disappointed he got nothing in his father's will and all was left to his stepmother. The numbers used on the ticket reflected birthdays of his father's siblings and other dates of significance.
Mr Walsh (52), of Knocknagreena, Ballinasloe, Co Galway, was being cross-examined in his High Court action against his stepmother Mary Walsh for a 560,000 share of the 3.38m Lotto win of January 22, 2011.
His is among six signatures on the back of the winning ticket. The others were Mary Walsh, her late husband Peter Walsh, his nephew Kevin Black, and Mrs Walsh's sons Jason and Tony.
Mrs Walsh (65), of Perssepark, Ballinasloe, who is being sued personally and as personal representative of Peter Walsh's estate, denies David Walsh was part of a six-person syndicate that won the prize or that she holds 560,000 in trust for him.
She claims she bought and owned the ticket, intended to make gifts from the prize and was advised having the potential beneficiaries sign the back of the ticket would avoid them having to pay tax on those gifts.
The court heard various cheques were sent on behalf of Mrs Walsh to some of those signatories, including a 300,000 cheque to her son Jason; one for 380,000 (435,000) to her son Tony and one for 100,000 to Mr Black.
Mrs Walsh claims David Walsh was offered the option of having 200,000 from the Lotto win or the former home of herself and his late father at Knocknagreena and opted for the house. Mr Walsh, who obtained a 135,000 valuation for the house in 2013, denies that.
Earlier, Mr Walsh told his counsel, Dervla Browne SC, his solicitors in August 2013 received a letter from the National Lottery confirming he was a member of a six-person syndicate that won 3.38m.
Under cross-examination by Michael Delaney SC, for Mrs Walsh, he denied never verbally raising with Mrs Walsh the issue of getting a share of the Lotto win and said he raised it three times. The third time, about May 2012, she laughed at him, said he got the house and that was that, he said.
He denied he was asked to sign the ticket when it was contemplated he might get a money gift out of the Lotto win and said there was no such discussion.
The case resumes on January 26.
A man was stabbed several times in the back during a dispute in a bookies while workers carried on serving customers, a court has heard.
Declan Tynan (27) was one of three men who burst into Ladbrokes in Killinarden, Tallaght, Dublin on the afternoon of December 13, 2012 and set upon a customer standing in the middle of the shop.
One of the attackers had a short blade and began stabbing the man repeatedly. When the victim's brother tried to intervene, the group of men then turned on him.
One worker told gardai that she continued to serve customers while this was going on, prosecution barrister Maurice Coffey, BL, told Tynan's sentence hearing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today.
The men left the shop briefly, before returning and throwing bins and stools at their victims, Sgt Ciaran Loughrey told the court.
Gardai called to the scene and found the stabbing victim staggering in the roadway and his brother with an injury to his hand. They were taken to hospital, but refused to co-operate with gardai or give statements.
Tynan, of Vincent St Flats, Dublin 8, was arrested after gardai recognised him from CCTV footage of the incident. He was found guilty by a jury last December of one count of violent disorder in relation to the incident.
He has 25 previous convictions, including for drug offences, robbery and threatening behaviour.
Defence barrister, Eoghan Cole BL, told the sentence hearing that Tynan does not accept the jury's verdict and continues to maintain his innocence.
He was not in possession of the knife at any point during the dispute, Mr Cole said. He submitted that this was not a dispute between two wholly innocent parties.
The court heard there was no evidence in relation to the extent of the victims' injuries, due to their lack of cooperation with gardai.
Tynan is a devoted father-of-two who has not come to garda attention since 2013, defence counsel said.
One of Tynan's co-accused, Jamie Griffin (20) of Iveagh Trust building, Dublin, pleaded guilty to affray in relation to the incident. He received a sentence of three years with the final year suspended. Another co-accused received a four year sentence with the last two years suspended.
Judge Patricia Ryan adjourned the matter to January 20 to review the transcript of Griffin's sentence hearing.
A former head of security for pop star Rihanna allegedly accosted two senior detectives while on bail charged with harassing a garda sergeant via messaging app Viber, Blanchardstown District Court heard yesterday.
Geoffrey Keating, who worked for Rihanna for two years, has been ordered as part of his continuing bail to have no contact with Sergeant Brendan Carey, Detective Sergeant Gavin Ross and any gardai save through his solicitor, Terry Hanahoe.
Mr Keating (38), of Woodbank Drive, Valley Park, Finglas, is charged with harassing Sgt Carey from his home address on August 21, 2016.
He was before Judge David McHugh yesterday, when the court heard it will be alleged that Sgt Carey received a number of threatening messages from Mr Keating on his private mobile phone via the Viber app.
Sgt Carey had given Mr Keating his mobile number previously while investigating a different matter.
Mr Hanahoe told Judge McHugh that he had just received a large amount of disclosure in the case. He asked the judge for a further adjournment.
The solicitor for the Director of Public Prosecutions said Det-Sgt Ross had evidence of two incidents of breach of bail conditions by Mr Keating.
Det-Sgt Ross told Judge McHugh that, at 10.30am on Wednesday this week, two detectives from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) were accosted by Mr Keating in Woodbank Drive in Finglas.
He said it will also be alleged that, later that day, Mr Keating went to a school in Finglas and was abusive and threatening to members of staff.
Det-Sgt Ross said gardai were called and Mr Keating was abusive to them, and was videotaping them and trying to goad them into action.
Judge McHugh said he would ask Mr Hanahoe to speak to his client and advise him of the situation. He released Mr Keating on bail and remanded him to a date later this month.
A student with learning difficulties is to stand trial accused of raping a child, a judge has ordered.
James Thompson, 19, appeared before Belfast Magistrates' Court for the first time to face a total of five charges on Thursday.
They include rape, three counts of sexual assault and inciting a child aged under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
The alleged offences were committed against a girl in 2014.
Thompson, of Beechmount Avenue in Belfast, spoke only to confirm he understood the charges.
During the preliminary enquiry hearing a defence lawyer did not contest prosecution submissions that he has a case to answer.
As Thompson's mother watched on from the public gallery, he declined to call witnesses or give evidence at this stage in proceedings.
District Judge Liam McNally ruled that the accused is to be returned for trial at Belfast Crown Court at a later date.
Thompson's solicitor applied to have two barristers represent him due to the seriousness and complexity of the case.
He said: "He's a young man with learning difficulties, we expect there will have to be a psychological report before the trial commences.
"This will be a difficult case with very serious charges."
After studying papers Judge McNally agreed to certify for two counsel, citing the mental health issues.
He told Thompson: "I'm releasing you on your own bail to appear at the Crown Court on a date to be fixed."
Marta Herda (29) at the Central Criminal Court where she pleaded not guilty to the murder of Csaba Orsos. Photo: Collins Courts
Brother of Csaba Orsos, Zoltan Sandro, speaks to the media at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin after the verdict. Pic Collins Courts.
A 29-year-old woman who drove a man who loved her into a deep harbour, where he drowned, will seek bail in April pending an appeal against her conviction for murder.
Marta Herda, of Pairc Na Saile, Emoclew Road, Arklow, Co Wicklow was a good swimmer and knew that her passenger could not swim, when she drove her Volkswagen Passat through the crash barriers at South Quay, Arklow shortly before 6am on March 26, 2013.
The Central Criminal Court heard that she escaped through the drivers window at the harbour but her colleagues body was found on a nearby beach later that day.
A post-mortem exam found that 31-year-old Csaba Orsos died from drowning and not from injuries related to the crash.
The trial heard that the handbrake had been applied before the car entered the water and that the only open window was the drivers.
The Polish waitress had pleaded not guilty to the Hungarian man's murder.
Expand Close Marta Herda killed Csaba Orsos by driving off a pier in Arklow Picture: Collins / Facebook
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She was found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury and was given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy on July 28, 2016.
Herda has lodged an appeal against her conviction. Her lawyers sought a date to apply for bail in the Court of Appeal today pending the hearing.
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Counsel for Herda, Giollaiosa O Lideadha SC, told Mr Justice George Birmingham that it was an appropriate matter for bail.
A discrete, clear ground of appeal had been established on the material which would give rise to a strong chance of success in Herda's appeal against conviction, Mr O Lideadha said.
The matter would not require consideration of the whole transcript, Mr O Lideadha said, and would only take approximately half-an-hour to hear oral arguments on.
Mr O Lideadha said he would have made his application earlier but wanted to make sure our contentions were supported by what was said and not said by the (trial) judge to the jury.
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Mr Justice George Birmingham listed the bail application for hearing on April 5 next.
Mr O Lideadha said his side had a detailed affidavit. It was their intention to put in a written submission which would be very brief, counsel said.
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Trial
The Central Criminal Court jury heard that Mr Orsos was in love with her. Herda told gardai that she didnt feel the same way, and that he had spent two years following her, phoning her and sending her messages.
On the day of his drowning, she showed them a love letter he had sent her the previous year. She told detectives they were constantly arguing about their relationship and that they had been arguing in the car when she drove into the water.
A security guard had heard the car coming at speed from the town. He said that it had seemed to stop momentarily before picking up again. He heard nothing else for three or four minutes. He then saw and heard a woman screaming as she ran towards the town.
This was Marta Herda and the gardai found her soaking wet and frothing at the mouth a short time later. She told them that there was someone in the water and that they had to help.
The search for her passenger began as she was taken to hospital. She told a paramedic: He shouldnt have been there. I drove the car into the water,. He testified that she was concerned and kept repeating the name, Csaba.
She later told a garda that he was dead because of his love for her. She said it was 24 hours a day and that she couldnt take it anymore.
People think this funny but not for me, she said on the day of the drowning. The second year it no longer funny.
She said that he had got into her car and wanted her to drive to the beach, but that he began screaming at her.
She said she remembered hitting the accelerator.
I feel I have enough of this, she said. I drive to water. I cannot take this anymore.
She said she recalled being under the water.
I screamed his name. I saw ladder and got out, she said.
She was arrested on suspicion of murder more than four months later and denied in garda interviews that she had driven into the water deliberately. She was asked why she had told a garda on the day of the incident: When I drove into the water, I wanted this all to stop.
She replied that she did want it all to stop and for him to leave her alone. She said he had been screaming in the car and shed wanted him to stop.
She said she was hoping to save him if she had seen him in the water. She said she had to fight for her own life under the water.
I would never want to hurt anyone or even to destroy my car, she said.
CCTV footage showed her driving to the part of Arklow where Mr Orsos lived around 5.30am, and a witness heard the driver having a heated argument on the phone. Call records showed that she rang the deceased three times around that time and a postman found his front door wide open later that morning.
Her interviewer put it to her that she had lured him out of his house.
This is horrible, she responded. Everyone is looking at this story from the last few seconds.
She said it had been going on for two years.
Yes, I was stressed and nervous, she said, when asked if the car was going fast.
I didnt want to drive there. It was an accident, she said, explaining that they had been arguing in the car.
I couldnt understand what he was saying and then, bang, she said.
She agreed that he was a nuisance and a pest. She said she had told him she could never be with someone like him because he would lock her somewhere.
Herda turned away from the jury and wept silently as a video was played of the deceased celebrating his last birthday with her and his family in his home.
His brother could be heard telling her that she was his present. She could be heard replying that she had come to warn the deceased that his manager knew he had lied when he had rung in sick.
In his closing speech, the prosecutor said her car was used as an instrument of murder.
Her barrister said that it would be suicide if she had driven into the harbour deliberately and that there was evidence that she wasnt suicidal.
Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy told them that they had three possible verdicts open to them: guilty of murder, acquittal or not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter.
The jury returned to court at 11.36, having spent eight hours and 11 minutes deliberating. They had found her guilty of murder by a majority of 11 to one.
Herda showed no emotion as the registrar read out the verdict, but became emotional when the court rose for a number of minutes before sentencing. She was comforted by her legal team and a number of friends.
Herda wept uncontrollably as Mr Justice McCarthy signalled for her to stand while he imposed the mandatory life sentence. She was then led away from her friends by prison officers.
Irish aid charity Goal is 40 years old and is facing a tumultuous year ahead. The organisation is facing a cut in funding, job losses and a new chief by the end of 2017.
What happened? We have the Goal crisis explained here.
What was Goal like in the beginning?
The organisation was founded by journalist John OShea using a IR10,000 donation in 1977. The charity began by funding a feeding project in Calcutta, India.
In 1979, Goal hit global headlines as it became one of the first charities to enter Cambodia after the genocide and it also began famine-relief in Uganda.
How fast did it grow?
The charity spent more than 1.3million on humanitarian projects worldwide in 1986, including famine-relief in Ethiopia. Journalist OShea left his job to concentrate on the charity in 1992. In 1996, Goal began operating as a company. In 1997, accounts showed a total income of 3.8m. In 2000, accounts showed a total income of 22m, more than five times the income recorded three years previous.
Side note:
The Department of Foreign Affairs made the decision to suspend funding to the charity in 1997 after an investigation by the EU fraud unit showed possible irregularities in the charitys funding. The Department of Foreign Affairs resumed funding in 1998.
What has spending been like in recent years?
In 2014, the organisation spent 106m on aid programmes in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, Central America and India. The organisations total income was 126.9m this year and Syria became the largest operation.
The charity had an income of 210m in 2015, making it easily the biggest Irish aid agency. The spending mushroomed to 198m in 2015. Much of this increase was due to the crisis in Syria and the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone.
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Charity group Goal have been carrying out work in war-torn Syria
So, what happened in April 2016?
US Office of the Inspector General launched an investigation into the alleged rigging of bids by suppliers to Goal and 15 other aid organisations operating in Turkey and Syria.
In Goal's case, the probe focused on a $175,000 (164,500) contract for the supply of flour. Distributing bread is a key part of Goal's US-funded operation in Syria. It distributes millions of bags of bread to around 600,000 people each month.
But the US body believes there was collusion between suppliers to inflate the value of the contract. Two Goal staff on the ground were sacked after the probe was launched, while a consultant also left the organisation.
The probe is focused on the activities of individuals on the ground and there is no suggestion of any involvement by senior management.
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What happened next?
Irish Aid suspended around 7m in funding in the wake of the controversy, but the suspension has since been lifted.
CEO Barry Andrews, who first took the post in November 2012, stepped down in the aftermath of the controversy on October 13, 2016. In his resignation statement, he said he believed Goal required a fresh start in terms of leadership.
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Former Goal CEO Barry Andrews
Do we know anything about the charitys salaries?
Accounts reveal the former head of Goal USA, Mark Bartolini, earned between 220,000 and 229,999 in 2015.
In comparison, Mr Andrews had an annual salary of 95,000 with a 20,000 pension contribution, while Ms Fitzgerald's package is worth 100,000.
Mr Bartolini resigned last October and the US office was shut as part of the downsizing of the organisation.
What significance does this all have?
The alleged fraud in Syria may be relatively small in the grander scheme of things, but it has done considerable damage to Goal's reputation. International donors have not deserted it, but for the coming year the sums they are willing to pledge will be substantially less than before.
Confidence will have to be rebuilt to secure its future.
Goal general manager Celine Fitzgerald, a former telecoms executive who took over leadership of the charity following the resignation of Mr Andrews, said an action plan is "70pc to 80pc complete" and key appointments are being made, including hiring a former Criminal Assets Bureau officer as head of investigations.
Expand Close Celine Fitzgerald, general manager of international aid charity Goal. Photo: Damien Eagers / Facebook
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Celine Fitzgerald, general manager of international aid charity Goal
Has anything happened in 2017 yet?
Ms Fitzgerald spoke to the Irish Independent in early January and said the feeling within the organisation is that it grew too big, too quickly. In particular, its felt that their anti-fraud and investigative functions are not strong enough to cope with the expansion.
On January 12, auditors called into question the future of Goal. In a report, Deloitte said there was "material uncertainty" over its future due to a dependence on donors for funds.
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So whats expected now?
The charity's funding for 2017 is expected to be just over half of the 210m it received from donors in 2015. The cut in funding will lead to the closure of programmes in India, Nepal, Yemen and Ukraine during 2017.
Earlier this month, the charity announced it will be shedding 25 jobs, one-fifth of its office operations in Dublin and London. It received most of its funding from the aid arms of the US, Irish and British governments. It is understood that most of the organisations donors will continue to fund the charity, but with much-lower donations.
Later this year, a new chief executive is to be installed.
A young mother sobbed as she confronted Health Minister Simon Harris during his Cork hospital tour today over the ongoing delay in getting life-saving cannabis oil treatment for her daughter.
Vera Twomey-Barry challenged Mr Harris over why a special sanction has not been given for cannabis oil to be given to her daughter Ava (6) who suffers from Dravet's Syndrome.
One Irish child has already been given sanction for the use of cannabis oil because of a life-threatening condition.
"You are putting your hand out to me now but you didn't put your hand out to me since before last Christmas," the mother of four sobbed.
"I had respect for you. I have been a member and I have voted for Fine Gael for the last 20 years of my life. You have betrayed us and let us down.
"I cannot believe what you (the Government) have done to us.
"I have stood outside that (Dail) gate - the humiliation of standing outside that gate yesterday from 1.45pm until 7.30pm. Gino Kenny eventually came up and he pulled me away from the gate because he said I had to come away as I was frozen and perished with the cold.
"You were able to give a statement to TV3 and able to tell them what was going on but you didn't have the common decency to come down and have a word."
Mrs Twomey-Barry broke down and had to be consoled by her husband, Paul, and friends during the impromptu meeting with Mr Harris as he entered Mallow General Hospital to open a new local injuries unit.
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The family have been campaigning for cannabis oil treatment to be made available for Ava for almost two years.
Mr Harris said he had three meetings with the family over recent months as Health Minister.
He stressed that he does not have a signed request from a doctor to sanction the provision of cannabis oil use under a ministerial exemption provision for Ava.
"The law is very clear - if we want to make a medicinal cannabis product available I need a doctor to make an application.
"You both have been very powerful campaigners in relation to medicinal cannabis. As a result of your campaigning and the work of other families I have reviewed the policy on medicinal cannabis for the first time ever.
"When I met you I made it very clear that the HPRA will have that review done this month," the Fine Gael TD said.
"By the end of this month we will know what we can do in relation to medicinal cannabis. I have made it very clear I will follow those recommendations.
"I am not a doctor - I cannot prescribe as product that is illegal in Ireland to anybody.
"It is very important that people understand," he said.
"I have huge personal respect for you Vera - that is why I met you three times. I want to help and I will help."
But her husband, Paul, said they were effectively being ignored by the Government.
"Why do you keep ignoring us? We have had no phone call replies, no email replies and no text replies - nothing.
"We have done everything you asked - every time it is another road block after another road block."
He claimed that every time the family are ready to make a full submission to the Department of Health, officials come back looking for further information and queries.
Mr Harris stressed that he does not have the required application from a doctor for Ava's medicinal cannabis use.
"If a doctor puts in an application for your daughter to have medicinal cannabis that will be acted on. No application has been made - there is not a doctor who has submitted a an application.
"I don't like talking about individual patients cases but Vera has spoken very publicly about the extraordinarily difficult circumstances she finds herself in.
"Vera and Paul will rightly do everything for their daughter Ava.
"As Minister for Health I want to do everything and anything to help Ava and any other patient.
"But my role is very clear - I am not a doctor. I am not in a position to prescribe medication. What I am in a position to do is twofold.
"The law in this country allows a doctor to apply for a license to my department to provide a product to a named patient. I have not yet received that application.
"I can say categorically I have not received that application.
"An application was submitted for another child and was granted before Christmas.
"When that application (for Ava) is submitted, it will be assessed immediately and as an absolute priority."
Vera had protested outside the Dail in rain and hail on Wednesday evening demanding action on treatment for her daughter Ava (6) - and wept as she said she felt "humiliated and frustrated" at the lengths she was having to go to just to get cannabis oil treatment for her child.
Last November, Vera had launched a 300km walk from her Cork home to Dublin in a desperate bid to meet Mr Harris.
The little girl suffers from Dravet's Syndrome and has terrible bouts of seizures.
The walk was called off after a meeting was arranged with Mr Harris.
Vera warned the family cannot wait any longer and need urgent action.
Ava suffers from Dravet Syndrome, a rare condition where she gets virtually uncontrollable epileptic seizures.
The little girl suffered 16 seizures alone over one 36 hour period.
Children with Dravet eventually reach a point where normal medications become increasingly ineffective in controlling the seizures - with medicinal cannabis oil the only known treatment option.
"My daughter is extremely ill. She is having seizures every day and they are getting worse," she said.
"She desperately needs this treatment and we desperately need help."
The Aghabullogue mother of four said she is now desperate to get help in Ireland for Ava.
"A lot of politicians have told me that the situation is very complicated. I fully accept that.
"But I am afraid that if Ava suffers something like 22 seizures, will she have another heart attack and will she be gone? There have been four or five children since the start of the year and they have passed away.
"You are looking to the future and wondering is that going to happen to us?"
Also known as Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy of Infancy (SMEI), Dravet affects just one in 60,000 children in its most catastrophic form.
With Dravet Syndrome, a sufferer can initially have their seizures treated by normal epilepsy medicines.
However, over a short period of time, the seizures become immune to the medications and increase both in their frequency and severity.
The only known long-term treatment for Dravet Syndrome involves the use of cannabis oil.
However, the controversial product is not licensed in Ireland or other EU member states.
Its medicinal uses, in specific cases, has led to cannabis oil being permitted in parts of the US, Australia, Brazil and even Columbia.
That is the only hope that Ava now has, Vera explained.
I dont want to be forced out of Ireland with my family to get treatment for Ava.
There are five people with Dravet Syndrome in Ireland and all would likely benefit from treatment with cannabis oil.
One trial in the US indicated that a person with Dravet Syndrome who was suffering 300 seizures every day managed to reduce those to just two seizures a month thanks to cannabis oil.
All we are asking for is a little commonsense. That and the realisation that children like Ava dont have any other alternatives, Vera said.
It is heartbreaking to have to take Ava to an emergency department when she gets severe seizures despite knowing that there is nothing they can do for her.
The couple, who are based in Aghabullogue in mid Cork, have three other children, Sophia (4), Michael (3) and Elvera-Mae (14 months).
All we are asking is that Ava has some chance of a normal life. Surely every Irish child has that right, she said.
Details of Vera and Pauls campaign for Ava is available from Facebook on CBD For Ava Support.
Talks have got under way in a bid to avert industrial action by nurses across the health service over staff shortages from next month.
Officials from the Department of Health and the HSE met with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) yesterday to discuss demands for an improved package to incentivise nurses to apply for jobs here.
The union said hundreds of jobs remained unfilled with serious implications for patient care and existing staff burnout.
INMO chief Liam Doran said that HSE management would bring draft proposals to the union on January 20, while both sides would meet for face-to-face talks three days later.
If there is no evidence of a breakthrough, the nurses may serve notice of industrial action which would trigger in the middle of February. It will begin with a work-to-rule, which would see nurses refused to be deployed from one area of the service or hospital to another to cope with staff shortages.
The action would cause further chaos to already overcrowded hospitals.
Campaigners outside Apollo House as the last remaining people left the building. Photo: Stephen Collins
Housing Minister Simon Coveney has warned homelessness campaigners against illegally occupying buildings after the final activists vacated Apollo House in Dublin.
Mr Coveney praised the Home Sweet Home campaign group for raising awareness around the issue facing homeless people, but insisted occupying other Nama buildings would not resolve the problem.
"I obviously don't approve of taking over buildings illegally. I don't think that's helpful, but that's what happened here and I as a minister have to deal with what's in front of me and I spoke to people in a respectful way," he told the Irish Independent yesterday.
The minister insisted his hand was not forced by the campaign group and said those staying in Apollo House did not get favourable treatment.
"This is about helping all homeless people. There is no skipping the queue or anything like that, but I have reassured people in the Home Sweet Home campaign that we will look after the homeless people," he added.
A senior Department of Housing source last night insisted all accommodation provided to those who were in Apollo House had been available before they occupied the building in December.
Expand Close Residents say their final goodbyes. Photo: Colin ORiordan / Facebook
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Read more: Apartments occupied for several hours by activists 'will be made available for social housing'
Read more: Homelessness campaigners stage stand-in protest in Cork in solidarity with Home Sweet Home
Residents started vacating Apollo House at about 9.45am and the majority had vacated the premises by 10.15am.
However, one person stayed in the building following the end of the occupation. It is understood this person later left the building.
Home Sweet Home spokeswoman Rosie Leonard said the 72 residents had received accommodation for six months.
Meanwhile, Fr Peter McVerry has said the homeless crisis could get significantly worse if landlords continue to evict tenants to make way for their family members. Speaking at the official launch of the Anti-Evictions Bill, Fr McVerry said the bill proposed to end dubious evictions by ending the 'family member rule' which gives landlords the right to terminate a tenancy if a member of their family wishes to move into their property.
The legislation being pushed by the Anti-Austerity Alliance (AAA) and People-Before-Profit, also proposes to make landlords who replace tenants with family members pay six months' rent to evictees, a law imposed in other countries such as the Netherlands.
Another aspect of the bill proposes to double the current notice period from 90 days to 180 days. The bill is expected to help to end mass evictions and "declaw" vulture funds.
"During the Famine, Irish people were being evicted from their homes because they couldn't afford to pay their rent; today, we have exactly the same situation," Fr McVerry said.
AAA TD Ruth Coppinger said that much too often landlords were abusing the 'family member rule' as a method of removing long-term tenants to increase rent on their property.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 13
Trend:
Over the past 24 hours, Armenias Armed Forces have 50 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, Azerbaijans Defense Ministry said Jan. 13.
The Azerbaijani army positions located in Aghbulag village of Azerbaijans Tovuz district underwent fire from the Armenian army positions located in Chinari village of Armenias Berd district.
The Azerbaijani army positions located on the nameless heights in the Gadabay district also underwent fire from the Armenian army positions located on the nameless heights of the Krasnoselsk district of Armenia.
Moreover, the Azerbaijani army positions underwent fire from the Armenian positions located near the Armenian-occupied Goyarkh, Chilaburt, Yarimja villages of the Tartar district, Bash Garvand, Shikhlar, Garagashli villages of the Aghdam district, Kuropatkino village of the Khojavand district, Gorgan, Ashagi Seyidahmadli villages of the Fuzuli district, as well as from the nameless heights in the Goranboy, Tartar, Khojavand and Fuzuli districts.
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.
Ted Moynihan with Leesha Duffy of Kerry Association of Dublin, after he was named Kerry Person of the Year. Photo: Steve Humphreys
He has spearheaded fundraising initiatives to help raise more than 11m for end-of-life care - and now hospice activist Ted Moynihan has been honoured for his work.
Mr Moynihan (80), from Tralee, Co Kerry, has been named Kerry Person of the Year by the Kerry Association Dublin.
Expand Close Ted Moynihan who was announced as Kerry Person of the Year at Iveagh House in Dublin is pictured with his wife Breda and sons Teddy (left) and Simon. Pic Steve Humphreys / Facebook
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He was praised as the face of the Kerry Hospice and for dedicating 26 years of his life to the welfare of cancer sufferers.
"He has proved the power of one still exists, and is a major force," said Leesha Duffy, cathaoirleach of the Kerry Association.
Mr Moynihan said the award was a welcome recognition of those who work in palliative care in the area.
"I don't do this for awards, but it is nice to get them all the same," Mr Moynihan told those gathered at Iveagh House, on Dublin's St Stephen's Green.
Expand Close Ted Moynihan is congratulated by Stephen Rae Group Editor In Chief at Independent News & Media and Leesha Duffy Cathaoirleach of Kerry Association of Dublin after he was announced as Kerry Person of the Year at Iveagh House in Dublin. Pic Steve Humphreys / Facebook
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He said work was under way on a new 15-room inpatient facility.
Among the guests who spoke at the event were legendary broadcaster Micheal O Muircheartaigh and Stephen Rae, group Editor-in-Chief at Independent News and Media, publisher of the Irish Independent.
Forbairt na Dromoda scooped the Laochra Chiarrai award. The organisation was set up to help economic and social development of the Dromid region of the county.
Gardai have issued an appeal for help locating a missing Dublin teenager.
Michael Green, who is missing from Bluebell, Dublin 12, was last seen at approximately 11am on Monday in the Smithfield area of Dublin 7.
He is described as being 5' 10" in height, slim build with auburn hair and blue eyes. When last seen he was wearing a grey tracksuit and white runners.
Gardai say he is known to frequent the Inchicore area of Dublin.
Anyone who has seen Michael or who can assist in locating him is asked to contact Kilmainham Garda Station on 01 - 6669700, The Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
The friends of convicted killer Marta Herda have claimed she feels guilt but is not guilty of murder.
The waitress (29) was jailed for life last July after a jury decided she intentionally killed Hungarian-born Csaba Orsos (31) by driving her Volkswagen Passat through the crash barrier and into the sea at South Quay, Arklow, Co Wicklow on March 26, 2013.
The jury heard that Mr Orsos was in love with her but that Herda did not return his affections, and she felt pestered and annoyed by his attention.
But now a group of her closest friends have spoken out for the first time to say that she never meant to kill Mr Orsos.
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Katarzyna Bloszczyk, who is also from Poland, told Independent.ie: She feels guilty that he has died. It is always like that and she will live with this until the end of her life that she has a crash with her car and the man does not survive but she survived. It make her sad.
But she is not guilty of murder.
Ms Bloszczyk (28) and two more of Marta's friends Mariusz Bloszczyk (36) and Jakub Szwarczynski (33) have decided to come forward because they believe that she was unfairly portrayed during her trial and in subsequent reports.
They all lived in Arklow together. Mr Bloszczyk lived with Ms Herda in the town and worked with her and Mr Orsos in Brooklodge hotel.
The group have penned a letter where they claim to describe the real Marta Herda.
They write that they are very sorry for the event in which Mr Orsos lost his life.
We are full of sorrow and sympathy for the family of Csaba Orsos. We also are terribly sorry for the death of Csaba. We are grieving and full of pain.
Marta miraculously survived this tragic accident. She was very fortunate, they wrote. I understand the grief of the family after the loss of a loved one, but they can not blame her for murder. There has been an accident with tragic results.
During the trial evidence was heard that Herda believed she was being stalked by the deceased. In her statement to gardai she said Mr Orsos was dead because of his love for her. She said it was 24 hours a day and that she could not take it any more.
"People think this is, funny but not for me," she said on the day of the drowning.
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She said Mr Orsos had got into her car and wanted her to drive to the beach, but he began screaming at her.
Herda said she remembered hitting the accelerator.
"I feel I have enough of this," she said. "I drive to water. I cannot take this any more."
She added that she recalled being under the water and then managed to get out of the car.
Her friends now insist that she never intended to kill Mr Orsos and they claim that the woman portrayed in evidence was not the Herda they know.
Marta is unique, sensitive and poor woman. She liked Csaba, worried about him. Always tried to protect him.
She felt sorry for him and wanted to help him because she knows he is unhappily in love, that he was suffering because he loved her without reciprocity.
She never wanted to do him any harm and now she was wrongly convicted of murder.
The friends were in court on the day the jury found her guilty and they explained that the verdict took them by surprise. They have now revealed that she intends to appeal the conviction and show Ireland that she is not a murderer.
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She does not run away from responsibility after what has happened, but she is certainly not a murderer. This judgement is not fair, they added.
Herda is now housed in the Dochas centre on Dublin's North Circular Road. The friends say she is struggling to settle into prison life and has no friends behind bars.
"She fears to make new friends. We are her friends, we who support Marta holding hands and hug tightly."
The friends explain that they visit her every week in teh prison and her family travel over every month from Poland.
However they insist Herda is wracked with guilt since the the death in 2013.
"Marta is suffering from depression after tragic accident. She does not sleep until she fall from exhaustion. It will take a long time before she will work out her life and people need to know that she is not planned and did not do anything special to kill Csaba Orsos.
"We hope everything is revealed and this nightmare is over."
A MAN AND WOMAN have been shot in Northern Ireland while attempting to protect their son from paramilitaries.
The couple, who are in their 50s, are in a stable condition in hospital after they were shot in the legs by gunmen when they refused to hand over their son in Belfast.
It is understood republican paramilitaries in the west of the city ordered the attack on the boy.
Gunmen arrived at a house in the Turf Lodge area of the city on Thursday evening to carry out the attack but the child's parents fought them off.
A police source said: "The parents wouldn't give the son over so they were shot instead. There are a number of other lads in Belfast under similar threat at the minute."
The shooting happened at around 6.15pm on Thursday and the couple were taken to the nearby Royal Victoria Hospital.
Sinn Fein MLA for the area Pat Sheehan said none of the family were involved in criminality.
"The shooting of a man and woman in their 50s at a house in Norglen Parade in Turf Lodge was wrong and I condemn it," he said.
"There can be absolutely no justification for these type of actions.
"Whoever is responsible needs to stop these barbaric attacks immediately.
"I would call on anyone with information on this attack to bring it forward to the PSNI."
Alliance Party justice spokesman Trevor Lunn also condemned the shootings.
"Yet again we see guns on the streets of Belfast," he said.
"There can be no justification for this type of attack and whoever was behind it needs to be condemned without equivocation."
SDLP MLA for the area Alex Atwood described the double shooting as "the latest act of tyranny in west Belfast".
"The fact that two people, a man and a woman and both in their 50s, have been injured confirms that no-one is off limits to those who are now using the gun," he said.
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Detective Sergeant Keith Wilson said: "Both the man and the woman have been taken to hospital for treatment to their injuries."
He asked anyone with information or who noticed anything suspicious in the area to come forward.
A referendum on the ownership of Irish Water was in doubt last night after serious concerns over the legality of a vote on privatising the utility company were raised by a senior official in the Department of Housing.
A statement by a key official in Housing Minister Simon Coveney's Department outlined a number of serious concerns about the legality of holding a referendum on Irish Water.
The statement by assistant secretary Maria Graham was due to be read into the Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services yesterday but the appearance was rescheduled.
In the statement, which has been seen by the Irish Independent, Ms Graham said her Department was working with the Attorney General's office to draft a Constitutional amendment. However, she warned that the issue around property rights could mean the constitutional changes would have "unintended consequences".
She said central to these concerns are issues around the "plurality of water infrastructure ownership" such as group water schemes or public water services on private land.
Ms Graham also noted that current legislation meant any attempt to privatise water services would have to be passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas and then a plebiscite vote would need to be held.
"In my experience, having worked in this area for a number of years, the strong policy intent has always been to maintain public water services in public ownership," she said.
Meanwhile, half of all households would still face charges if the proposals of the expert water commission were introduced, according to Irish Water's managing director Jerry Grant.
Read more: Debate on divisive water charges will not bring down Government, insists Taoiseach
Speaking before the Oireachtas committee on the future of water charges, Mr Grant said half of Irish Water's customers would still have to pay bills based on an average free daily allowance of 123 litres.
Charges
The expert water commission recommended that the majority of domestic water usage should be paid for through general taxation and only households using excessive amounts should face charges.
Mr Grant said 123 litres was "roughly the average per capita consumption" of water for households. "Therefore it follows that half the people use more and half use less," he said.
This would mean huge numbers of people would still face bills if the Oireachtas committee on water charges recommends that the Dail vote on the expert commission's report.
Mr Coveney recently stated he believed a free daily allowance of 123 litres or little more would be agreed by the Dail. He said if people were using significantly more on a daily basis, they should be forced to pay.
Speaking to the Irish Independent yesterday, Mr Coveney refused to be drawn on a suggestion from the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) that households that save water should receive a financial incentive.
The minister said he was supportive of the polluter pays principle but said he could face "consequences" if he was seen to interfere in the work of the Oireachtas committee on water.
He insisted there was a "way forward" on water if "people approach it in a constructive way" and said the views of the regulator were important.
A man walks past graffiti in Belfast calling for an Irish-language act in the North. Photo: PA
Sinn Fein has moved to quash speculation that Gerry Adams will replace Martin McGuinness as the party's leader in the North following the deputy first minister's shock resignation.
But it comes as senior TD David Cullinane tipped a series of Northern Ireland Assembly members as potential successors if Mr McGuinness decides not to contest the election that now seems certain to take place.
Mr McGuinness - who is suffering from a rare heart disorder - resigned on Monday over the 'cash for ash' controversy.
He denied his resignation was linked to his poor health but has yet to confirm that he will contest the election.
Speculation that Mr Adams would replace him in the Assembly had been fuelled by Sinn Fein deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald failing to rule that prospect out earlier this week.
Read more: Four potential successors to Martin McGuinness named by Sinn Fein TD
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However, a party spokesman said that Mr Adams would not be seeking to return to Belfast politics to oversee the party in the Assembly should Mr McGuinness decide not to run in the election.
Mr McGuinness took part in talks with Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan and British Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire last night.
Speaking at Leinster House, Mr Cullinane insisted there were "no vacancies" in the party leadership team at the moment but said: "We have a range of talent, north or south, and people with ability that can step up into these positions if needs be."
He listed senior Assembly members who may be in the frame to replace Mr McGuinness should he decide not to contest the election. Mr Cullinane said Mr McGuinness's health was "obviously a concern" for Sinn Fein but that it would be "unfair" to speculate on it.
"He's getting treatment for his illness and we just want to wish him well," he added.
He was asked if Sinn Fein had politicians in the North that could fill Mr McGuinness's shoes.
Mr Cullinane said: "Conor Murphy, for example, is being mentioned. We have Michelle O'Neill, Gerry Kelly, there's a whole range of people. We have Mairtin O Muilleoir, our finance minister." Mr Murphy and Ms O'Neill, the North's health minister, accompanied Mr McGuinness to his meeting with Mr Flanagan and Mr Brokenshire yesterday.
Waterford TD Mr Cullinane said the party's focus is on dealing with the current crisis which he claimed has been "engineered by the DUP".
He accused the DUP of "bad faith" over the Renewable Heat Initiative (RHI) and the withdrawal of 50,000 in funding for an Irish-language scheme.
Mr McGuinness's resignation came after first minister Arlene Foster refused to step aside while the RHI scheme - which she established in 2012 as enterprise minister - was investigated. It has been claimed that flaws in the scheme could lose the taxpayer in the North almost 500m (575m).
Read more: Comment: How Mary Lou will give Sinn Fein a fresh start if Adams leaves
Mrs Foster has denied any wrongdoing. She accused Sinn Fein of depriving Northern Ireland of a government after Mr McGuinness's resignation.
Separately, the family of murdered prison guard Brian Stack, including his widow Sheila and sons Austin and Oliver, are to meet Taoiseach Enda Kenny today. Gerry Adams has come under increasing pressure to give gardai the name of an IRA figure who may have information on Mr Stack's murder more than 30 years ago. Mr Adams brought Mr Stack's sons to meet the man - who confirmed that IRA members killed their father - in 2013. He has refused to hand over the man's name to gardai. Mr Adams previously said it's his view that people involved in the IRA should not be named, saying that progress in the peace process was "only possible on the basis of confidentially and trust".
Austin Stack last night said he hoped to discuss the investigation into his father's murder with Mr Kenny. He reiterated his call for Mr Adams to hand over the IRA man's name to gardai saying: "We would continue to hope that Deputy Adams does the right thing."
NBRU general secretary Dermot OLeary said this description illustrated a 'lack of understanding of the value of the integrated network the 23 Expressway routes provide'. Photo: Naoise Culhane
The National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) has accused the National Transport Authority (NTA) of having a lack of understanding about the services provided by Expressway routes.
A report by consultants Grant Thornton recommended that Bus Eireann shut down its loss-making Expressway service, claiming it may be the most viable option given there were "limited strategic reasons" for the State to own a commercial bus business.
Such a move would result in the closure of 10 depots and the loss of 516 jobs.
The projected loss for the company this year is expected to be more than 7m.
The NTA said 80pc of Bus Eireann passengers travelled on subsidised services, which were under no threat, with just 19pc using its commercial services such as Expressway.
Read more: Bus Eireann chief: 'Expressway will stay' but company is facing insolvency in 18 months without changes
NBRU general secretary Dermot O'Leary said this description illustrated a "lack of understanding of the value of the integrated network the 23 Expressway routes provide".
He said that without these routes "a large swathe of rural Ireland would be left isolated".
"Transport planning does not exclusively revolve around market saturation on heavily populated corridors no more than it does on dismissing the needs of those who do not have access to the many transport options some of us enjoy in our bigger cities and towns," he said.
Separately, Luas operator Transdev announced it was looking to recruit new female drivers.
Currently, there are just eight female Luas operators, but with the opening of Luas Cross City expected to occur by the end of this year, the light rail company plans to increase this number significantly.
Transdev Ireland is hiring 29 new staff.
The son of murdered prison guard Brian Stack said it was scandalous that Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has not been questioned by gardai about the brutal murder.
The Irish Independent recently revealed Mr Adams last year sent an email to Garda Commissioner Noirin OSullivan naming Sinn Fein members who may have information on Mr Stacks murder.
It has since emerged gardai plan to question Mr Adams about the names he claimed he received from Mr Stacks son Austin. Austin Stack has categorically denied he gave the name to Mr Adams.
Speaking before a meeting with Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Austin Stack said he was concerned that Mr Adams had not been questioned by gardai at this stage.
Afterwards Mr Stack and his family said they received assurances from Mr Kenny and Tanaiste France Fitzgerald about concerns they had.
Brian Stack's wife Shelia said her husband served the State to the best of his ability but the State has let him down.
She said Mr Adams is concealing information and asked him to do the honourable thing so she and her family could have closure.
Martin Ferris and Dessie Ellis were named in Mr Adams letter to Garda Headquarters.
Mr Stack said he had no information suggesting Mr Ellis knew anything about his fathers murder but said Mr Ferris was questioned by gardai.
He also said Mr Ferris was a lead operative in the IRA at the time of the murder.
Martin Ferris is an individual who wrote scandalous and very hurtful things about my father and then went on Radio Kerry and described the prison management in PortLaoise as Nazis, Mr Stack said.
I received confidential information in the last couple of weeks that would suggest to me that the only people who were brutal in Portaloise Prison at the time was the office commanding of the IRA who brutally beat and had beaten the younger IRA prisoners at the time, he added.
What would it take for you to leave a 1,000 tip?
Well an Indian restaurant owner in Portadown is still in shock after they received a huge tip by a very happy diner.
The Indian Tree in Carleton Street hosted a family of five who spent a total of 79.05 on their meal.
But when it came to paying the bill - the generous customer who wishes to remain anonymous - said he wanted to add the 1,000 to commend their cooking and service.
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The businessman is originally from Portadown but lives abroad for work.
When he comes home he phones the restaurant to see if Chef Babu is working as he has been a loyal customer of the chef since 2002 and makes sure it is his first meal.
The restaurant said they may not be the most "exclusive or glamorous" place but they paid tribute to their "wonderful customers that love everything about our food and restaurant".
They called the gesture a "great, beautiful and humbling start to the year".
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Owner Luna Ekush told the Belfast Telegraph: "We are very much still in shock. If someone gives us a couple of pounds we are happy enough - but this is just a massive one.
"We've known the customer for a good few years. He's been a very loyal customer of Babu the chef, so wherever he goes he follows him, as well as many other loyal customers.
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"We are very proud of Babu's customer base and he is very much my brand.
"Babu has many loyal customers and because of that I was brave enough to open this restaurant, all his customers come and follow him wherever he goes which is a big thing to be proud of."
The future of Irish international aid charity Goal has been called into question by auditors.
In a report, Deloitte said there was "material uncertainty" over its future due to a dependence on donors for funds.
The Irish Independent has learned the charity's funding for 2017 is expected to be just over half of the 210m it received from donors in 2015.
Goal general manager Celine Fitzgerald said the agency had a major battle on its hands to regain the confidence of donors after its Syrian aid programme became embroiled in an investigation into allegedly fraudulent procurement practices.
The cut in funding will lead to the closure of programmes in India, Nepal, Yemen and Ukraine during 2017.
In a report on the charity's financial statements for 2015, Deloitte said "conditions indicate the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt over the company's ability to continue as a going concern".
However, Goal's board said it was satisfied the accounts could be prepared on the basis the charity was a going concern.
Ms Fitzgerald said most of the organisation's major donors will continue to fund it in 2017. But the amounts involved will be less than before, meaning it will have to significantly reduce the level of its operations.
"Our continued sustainability is entirely dependent on continued funding from donors. If anything were to happen in 2017 to affect that, there would be a risk around the organisation," said Ms Fitzgerald. She said she believed the main reasons for the reductions were "issues arising from the investigation".
However, she also sought to allay concerns about Goal's future. "As long as donors continue to provide funding for our programmes, Goal is sustainable. I think the auditors and the board were satisfied that, with all the information we have at this point in time, Goal is sustainable for the year, albeit at a smaller level."
The charity announced last week it would be shedding 25 jobs, one-fifth of its office operations in Dublin and London.
It receives most of its funding from the aid arms of the US, Irish and British governments.
Probe
Last April, it was rocked by news the Office of the Inspector General in the US was investigating allegations of bid-rigging by suppliers to Goal and other humanitarian organisations working in Turkey and Syria.
The ongoing probe is focused on the activities of individuals on the ground and there is no suggestion of any involvement by senior management.
Two Turkish-based Goal staff were fired after the probe was launched. Goal and other agencies were ordered to halt procurement by USAID, the US government's foreign aid arm. Irish Aid also suspended around 7m in funding, but the suspension has since been lifted.
Goal chief executive Barry Andrews stepped down in the aftermath of the controversy, to be replaced by Ms Fitzgerald.
The accounts reveal the former head of Goal USA, Mark Bartolini, earned between 220,000 and 229,999 in 2015.
In comparison, Mr Andrews had an annual salary of 95,000 with a 20,000 pension contribution, while Ms Fitzgerald's package is worth 100,000.
Mr Bartolini resigned last October and the US office was shut as part of the downsizing of the organisation.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 13
By Seba Aghayeva Trend:
Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry in a statement released Jan. 13 expressed its regret and discontent regarding the fact that the teams representing the illegal regime of Nagorno-Karabakh established by Armenia in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan were invited to the 28th International Club of the Funny and Inventive People (KVN) Festival taking place Jan. 10-23, 2016 in the city of Sochi.
The public of Azerbaijan, the numerous KVN fans protest this invitation, perceiving it as a provocative and biased move, the statement said.
Inviting these teams to the festival serves the purpose of politicization of the KVN, and does not comply with the clubs goals and objectives, Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry noted.
Such action is also contrary to the spirit of strategic partnership relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, the statement said.
The international community recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh region as an inalienable part of Azerbaijan and supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry said.
KVN International Union and AMIK Television Creative Association by allowing the participation of the teams representing the illegal regime of Nagorno-Karabakh in 28th International KVN Festival demonstrates non-friendly attitude to Azerbaijan and supports violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, the statement noted.
These actions serve the propaganda of Armenias aggression, separatism and the illegal regime established as a result of Armenias occupation of Azerbaijani territories, the countrys 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.
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Follow the author on Twitter: @Asebaa
Kampots main attraction is its relaxing riverside setting though there is a sizable town set back from the river
Phnom Penh, the land-locked and bustling capital of Cambodia, might not be an ideal place for an Irishman to wait out the heat - but it is a fascinating and vibrant city
Its hot. This was the response my friend gave me when I asked her how her recent visit to Cambodia had been. We were sitting in a cafe in neighbouring Vietnam, and I was about to cross the border myself. Very hot, she reaffirmed.
She was not, as it turns out, wrong.
The next day, as I sat in a rattling bus, barrelling towards Cambodias capital, Phnom Penh, through red, dusty, barren flatlands, I could confirm that it was, indeed, very hot.
In fairness, Cambodia was experiencing its longest drought in some 50 years, and with lakes and rivers drying up, animals collapsing from heat, and arid croplands thirsting for rain.
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The country had more things to worry about than the comfort of a lone Irishman on his first visit.
Within hours of arriving in Phnom Penh I had decided that the land-locked, busy capital city was not an ideal place to wait out the heat.
The next day I hopped on a bus to southern, riverside Kampot.
The Kampong Bay River flowed wide and steadily, drought or no drought, and I found myself a $6 (5.70)/night riverside bungalow.
I lazed away my mornings and afternoons by the water, and in the cooler evenings strolled into the town centre to choose dinner from the tables of tasty, point-and-pick Khmer curries offered by local restaurants.
Cambodias food is often unfairly overlooked next to the better-known and popular cuisines of its Thai and Vietnamese neighbours.
While rather milder than other fare in the region, Cambodian dishes are well-balanced and tasty.
Fish, amply supplied by a rich network of rivers, lakes, and coastline, feature heavily, as do plenty of fresh vegetables and herbs.
A national (and personal) favourite is fish amok a thick coconut and fish curry, steam-cooked in a banana leaf.
The road-system of Cambodia means that nearly all cross-country journeys must pass through Phnom Penh, and, sure enough, I found myself back in the baking capital before too long.
I made the best of the heat, spending long stretches of the afternoon in the Blue Lime Hotels shaded pool, and sampling the citys buzzing, neon-lit nightlife (and 50c-a-glass draft beer) in the evenings.
In order to learn more about Cambodias history I visited the infamous Choeung Ek Killing Fields.
Here, some 20,000 victims were executed and dumped in mass graves at the hands of the brutal revolutionaries, the Khmer Rouge, who took control of the country between 1975 and 1979.
I visited early one morning and plugged in the audio guide that was provided. If I had arrived accidentally I might not have guessed the significance of the place after the Khmer Rouge were overthrown, angry, impoverished locals looted and destroyed many of the buildings on the complex. The brutality described over my earphones seemed at odds with the peace of the shady, quiet former orchard.
Like many visitors to Cambodia, I felt compelled to contribute something to the still-recovering country.
Ample opportunities exist for people to do so, although some are more reputable and effective than others.
After some research I made contact with the Educating Centre for Community (ECC) school near Siem Reap, north-western Cambodia a locally run organisation that gives free language lessons to locals of all ages.
They agreed to host me for two weeks, providing accommodation and three daily meals in exchange for a $5 per day donation and a few hours of daily English practice with students.
Cambodias renewed status as a popular tourist destination has led to development mainly in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
To break up my journey as I travelled between the two, I stopped off in less-visited Kampong Cham.
At first I was unsure of my choice the place seemed unnaturally quiet.
In the cooler evening the streets livened up slightly, but still, the lack of activity was unnerving after the bustle of the capital.
I was soon charmed, however, after renting a bicycle and spending a day exploring the leafy streets, rural villages, and heavily laden fruit trees of traffic-free river-island Koh Paen, accessible from Kampong Cham via a precarious bamboo bridge that is washed away each rainy season only to be built again several months later.
Having eventually arrived at Siem Reap bus station, and after negotiating with the throng of tuk-tuk drivers waiting there, I sped towards the ECC school grounds on the edge of town.
I rolled into the courtyard in the early afternoon and a warm, grinning local woman strolled out to welcome me.
She introduced herself as Savon. But you must call me Mama, she then insisted, explaining that volunteers were treated as part of the family.
I soon discovered how genuine that sentiment was volunteers lived upstairs in the family house, shared meals, and borrowed the familys bicycles and mopeds.
I was introduced to my new housemates an array of twelve short and long-term volunteers from around the world and an assortment of Savons relatives.
As I had arrived on the weekend there were no classes. I decided to use the time to see the local sights.
Siem Reap is popular among tourists mainly as a base for exploring the extraordinary nearby temples of Angkor, raised by the Cambodian god-kings of old.
I arranged for a driver to pick me up at 4.30am to catch the sunrise over the main attraction, Angkor Wat.
He failed to show up, but, luckily, tuk-tuks are not hard to find at any hour near busy Siem Reap.
I flagged one down from the main road and was soon on my way.
Built as the earthly representation of Mt Meru, the heavenly home of the Hindu gods, Angkor Wat is suitably impressive.
The first approach is truly awe-inspiring. The 190 metre-wide moat surrounding the worlds largest religious building is crossed by a broad sandstone bridge, on the other side of which rise crumbling towers and mysterious brick ruins.
Lining the outer walls of the central temple, 800 metres of intricate bas-reliefs recreate epic battles between ancient deities.
A short drive away, in the centre of the ancient fortified city of Angkor Thom, sits Bayon, a temple commissioned by the enigmatic king Jayavarman VII.
I climbed up to the third floor, where 216 smiling faces of Avolokiteshvara (the Buddhist embodiment of compassion), mounted upon 54 towers, seemed to give me my full attention as I wandered between them.
Next up was Ta Prohm, a temple being incrementally overwhelmed by nature.
Huge centuries-old trees, creeping vines, and clinging mosses continue the slow process of returning the towers, courtyards, and corridors to the jungle.
The scene is said to be close to what European explorers found centuries ago when they rediscovered the once-abandoned Angkor temples.
By this time the afternoon heat was becoming intense.
After a long, lazy roadside lunch my driver dropped me back to the school, stopping at a few more peripheral but interesting temples along the way.
A few days later the rains finally came, and with a vengeance. Torrents fell from the sky, murky rivulets and ponds formed in the sandy soil as thunder roared overhead and I stood in my outdoor, tin-roofed classroom waiting for my first beginner students to arrive.
I had my lesson plan in hand, and advice from other teachers and the volunteer handbook in mind.
Only two boys, having just come from their Cambodian school, braved the storm, and, despite feeling prepared, I was relieved to have been given a soft start.
Over the next few weeks I was lucky enough to get to know those two students, and many others, very well. Their enthusiasm and company was a delight.
As the first generation whose parents did not live through Khmer Rouge rule, they could look more to the seemingly brighter future of their home than to its grim past.
One almost cant help but trace the peaks and troughs of Cambodian history while visiting the country.
The inspired highs of the Khmer empire are reflected in the glories of Angkor.
The period of French colonisation has left beautiful architecture and a penchant for good bakeries.
Powerful and important reminders of the brutal Khmer Rouge rule remain in museums and mass-graves scattered across the land.
Development today, often rapid, is giving rise to an optimism among the long-suffering Khmer people. However, a stay there is not just about the past its about exotic foods, kind and warm locals, and happening cities.
These things plus chilled-out waterside towns combine to make Cambodia a country that keeps one firmly captivated by the present too.
Getting there
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A visa can be issued to Irish citizens holding a valid passport and two passport-sized photos at most ports of entry. The cost is $30 (29)and the visa lasts one month, although it can be extended by one more month once you are in the country. Alternatively, a visa can easily be arranged at any Cambodian Embassy, or online at www.evisa.gov.kh.
You should spend some time considering when to visit. Cambodias weather system is one of the simplest in South East Asia. The country experiences a distinct dry season between October and April and wet season between May and September. The hottest months are between March and June, with temperatures topping 35C. The coolest months are between October and December, when temperatures hover around a perfectly manageable 25C.
TAKE THREE: Top attractions
Tuol Sleng Museum
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A must for anyone compelled to learn more about Cambodias disturbing past. Before the advent of Khmer Rouge rule, this complex was a high school. When the revolutionaries overtook Phnom Penh they converted it into Security Prison 21, their biggest and busiest detention and torture centre. The prison employees were meticulous with their records, and today the museum houses displays of prisoner photographs.
Temples of Angkor
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Undoubtedly and deservedly the most popular tourist spot in Cambodia, the temples of Angkor are a testament to the genius, tenacity and abilities of the ancient Khmer empire. The staggering Angkor Wat, bizarre Bayon, and jungle-claimed Ta Prohm are among the most well known, but dozens more of equal intrigue are spread throughout the area. Utterly unique and utterly captivating.
Sambor Prei Kuk
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Almost all visits to Cambodia involve plying the highway between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. The 6-7hr journey doesnt have to be tackled in one go, however, and there are several smaller towns worth stopping at along the way. Kampong Thom is one, home to Cambodias most impressive set of pre-Angkorian temples, Sambor Prei Kuk. It is currently being considered for UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
Should we just go ahead and rename the Grand Canal Docks 'Googletown'?
If the web giant proceeds with plans to lease yet another building in Dublin's docklands, it will be on the way to 7,000 employees in the capital. That's bigger than almost anyone else in the country, bar semi-State outfits, retail and fast food chains.
For Ireland, Google's expansion plans come at an unusually sensitive time. All eyes are nervously fixed on the biggest tech multinationals here for two reasons - the EU's 13bn tax ruling against Apple and the Trump presidency.
The threat from The Donald arises from the expectation of a tax resolution in his first year that could see the biggest US tech firms repatriate some activities from overseas operations. Mr Trump has made it clear he expects this to happen on pain of legislative or regulatory retribution.
Meanwhile, there is still uncertainty as to how much the European Commission's 13bn ruling against Apple will test multinationals' oft-cited claims that they are here for more than the tax benefits.
Earlier this week, a decision by Snapchat to base its main European tax-gathering operation in London instead of Dublin raised fears Ireland now has serious new reputational challenges to tackle.
However, by signalling an intention to further bed down in Dublin, Google is giving us a real shot in the arm.
The move will buttress an ecosystem of smaller tech companies that feel they must locate in Ireland to avail of competitive, trained-up staff who cut their teeth at Google or a rival megafirm. Google isn't alone in its expansion. Facebook is still hiring like crazy. The boom may not be over yet.
Lindsay Lohan's team were told sending a Christmas video might be a "way forward" - as it appeared the Mean Girls actress would not honour a pledge to turn on Kettering's Christmas lights.
Lohan had agreed to travel to the Northamptonshire town after implying nobody had heard of the place while tweeting during the night of the EU referendum.
Kettering Borough Council got in touch with Lohan's representatives just under a month before the switch-on was due to take place at the town's Market Place on November 24.
In correspondence provided to the Press Association under the Freedom of Information Act, the actress's representatives told the council they were "very supportive" of her crossing the Atlantic to switch on the lights.
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The email added: "We are still currently sorting out details but trying to make it work in her busy schedule."
But as the festive event approached, the council wrote an email in which they feared "the media will start to come to their own conclusions" given Lohan's attendance had not been confirmed.
An email, sent the day before the switch-on, continued: "If Lindsay is not able to attend... then a video played on our big screen could offer a way forward for us all.
"I really do think this could in itself bring global coverage."
Other correspondence from the council to Lohan's team said it was keen to agree "some words... that make a positive out of the situation", adding: "There is no sense in creating any negative PR with this."
Hours before the event, Lohan posted a video to her nine million Twitter followers to make her excuses.
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In it, she said: "Hi everyone in Kettering it's Lindsay Lohan.
"I really wanted to make it there to light the tree but with my busy schedule I wasn't able to, and appreciate the offer. Happy holidays."
The documents released by the council also reveal staff rang Lohan's representatives five times in the week leading up to the switch-on, including twice on the day itself, though the content of those conversations was not disclosed.
Former EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison replaced Lindsay Lohan in flicking the switch.
Fergison, who was appearing in Beauty And The Beast in the town, tweeted: "Ok so I may not be YOUR 1st choice to turn on the lights but I can guarantee a fun time all round with lots of interaction with the crowd."
A spokesman for Lohan told the Press Association: "I tried to make it happen and the stars didn't align," while Kettering Borough Council said it had been "completely open" about the prospect of Lohan not turning up due to her other commitments.
A FIRM involved in an horrific fruit-picking accident in which a young Irish backpacker was seriously injured has been fined A$60,000 - approximately 42,000.
Tipperary native Annie Dunne suffered extensive injuries when her hair got caught in a mechanical conveyor belt at a packing shed in Shepparton Victoria in November, 2015.
It is understood Ms Dunne - originally from Kilkeary outside Nenagh - was working to fulfil the 89 days of regional work required to extend her working holiday visa for a second year at the time.
'The Age' newspaper in Australia reports that Ms Dunne was cleaning the conveyor belt which was used to deliver pears for distribution when her hair became entangled in a rotating drive shaft.
She suffered extensive damage to her scalp and one of her ears in the incident.
The labour hire firm - T&R Contracting Shepparton Pty Ltd - yesterday pleaded guilty at Shepparton Magistrates Court to failing to provide a safe working environment as it had not provided instruction and training to the young backpacker.
It was fined A$60,000 and had to pay another A$8,000 in legal costs.
The firm that runs the farm, Kalafatis Packing Pty Ltd, and its manager Dimitrios Vagelatos are also both facing charges, with the case due to be heard next month.
WorkSafe's Executive Director of Health and Safety, Marnie Williams, said it was "staggering" that workers were expected to clean the machines while they were still in operation, 'The Age' reported.
A woman who was 14 when she was allegedly assaulted by Rolf Harris at a youth music event said she finally found the "courage" to come forward when she heard he was being prosecuted for indecent assault.
The children's entertainer is accused of pulling the teenager on to his lap and putting his hand up her skirt - one of a string of allegations he faces in a trial at Southwark Crown Court.
The woman, who had been at a youth music event at the Lyceum Theatre in London in 1971, said she was shocked and frightened by the incident, but had not felt able to officially report it in the decades since.
In a recording of the call she made to the NSPCC in July 2014, which was played to the court, the woman said: "To be honest with you this is something that's been on my mind for absolutely years and years but I haven't had the courage to come forward.
"But seeing this in the news, it's just run thoughts through my head and I've been pushed by friends for years to say something and I haven't said anything."
She told the call handler she suspected Harris would be arrested after the Jimmy Savile abuse scandal was uncovered.
She said: "You know it all kicked off with, obviously it started with Jimmy Savile. You know I've told friends for years, 'you know, I know who's coming next'."
The woman, giving evidence to the court by video-link, denied being motivated by the possibility of compensation and lying about what she said happened when she got an autograph from the Australian celebrity.
Following a suggestion that she had bought the autograph online to support her allegation, prosecutor Jonathan Rees said: "Have you at any stage purchased an autograph of Rolf Harris from the internet or anywhere else to support a lying story?"
She replied: "No."
"Are you after his money?"
"No."
She is one of seven girls and women allegedly assaulted in a series of "brazen" attacks spanning 30 years, the most recent in 2004, the court has heard.
Harris, who appeared by video-link, "continues to maintain his innocence" regarding a series of indecent assaults on four female victims for which he is serving a sentence at Stafford Prison, the jury has been told.
The 86-year-old has pleaded not guilty to the seven fresh counts of indecent assault and one alternative charge of sexual assault.
The case was adjourned until 10am on Friday.
Russian Federation Council member Yelena Mizulina attends the opening plenary meeting of the 2017 Russian State Duma spring session. Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS (Photo by Stanislav Krasilnikov\TASS via Getty Images)
Russia are moving to decriminalise some forms of domestic violence to preserve 'tradition of parental authority'.
A bill has now passed its first reading in Russia's Duma.
The legislation would define forms of domestic violence that "cause less serious injuries".
These would be defined as 'administrative', rather than 'criminal', offences, the BBC reports.
Ultra-conservative MP Yelena Mizulina is introducing the bill and said people should not be jailed and criminalised "for a slap".
"In Russian traditional family culture parent-child relationships are built on the authority of the parents' power... The laws should support that family tradition," the politician told the Moscow Times.
However, women's rights groups are slamming the proposed legislation which first made headlines last July.
Novaya Gazeta Olga Bobrova has said that domestic violence is "a normal way of life" in Russia. It is also documented that alcohol is a major contributing factor.
Some 175,000 have now signed a petition calling for full new legislation on domestic violence and improved provision and support for victims.
In 2015, the UN also urged Russia to address its domestic violence epidemic by introducing new legislation giving victims more protection.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 13
Trend:
Members of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Platform for Peace have released a statement. Trend presents the statement.
For the purposes of contributing to the peaceful settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenia-Azerbaijan Platform for Peace was established on Dec. 6, 2016. The Platform is an initiative of the citizens of Azerbaijan and Armenia who wish to contribute to the peaceful settlement of the conflict.
The initiative on the creation of the platform has generated the interest of the international community as well as attracted the high level of public attention in both conflicting states. A large number of well-known experts highly appreciated this initiative and stressed the very special role of the above-mentioned peacekeeping initiative in the process of the peaceful settlement of the conflict. The representatives of NGOs and civil society activists of both countries expressed their wish to join the Platform and take an active part in the process of the establishment of a long-standing peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The above-mentioned proves that the establishment of the Platform was a timely move for achieving these objectives.
However, the Armenian public activists standing for peace and willing to join the Platform are subjected to serious pressures by the government of Armenia and law-enforcement agencies of the country.
A young writer, Lusine Nersisian, was temporarily arrested in Nagorno-Karabakh right after her interview in Azerbaijani mass media where she had expressed her support for the peaceful initiative. Relatives of civil society activist, Armen Virabyan, who requested political asylum in Azerbaijan, were subjected to persecution in Yerevan. Social activist from Yerevan, Tamella Arzumanyan and writer from the USA Anna Paitian as well as their relatives were also subjected to persecution and pressure.
Taking into consideration the above mentioned, on behalf of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Platform for Peace we call on international community to make appropriate efforts in order:
1. to prevent repression and pressure against those who are willing to join the Armenia-Azerbaijan Platform for Peace from Armenia;
2. to end persecution against young writer Lusine Nersisian from Nagorno-Karabakh;
3. to stop pressures against the family members and relatives of public activist Armen Virabyan residing in Germany;
4. to end oppression against public activist Tamella Arzumanyan and her family members;
5. to stop acts of intimidation against writer Anna Paitian from the USA;
6. to encourage joining of ordinary citizens, civil society activists and representatives of NGOs to the Platform from both countries.
The grandparents of Katie Rough outside York Magistrates Court where a teenager is due to appear charged with the murder of the seven-year-old who was found seriously injured on a playing field. Danny Lawson/PA Wire
The grandparents of Katie Rough outside York Magistrates Court where a teenager is due to appear charged with the murder of the seven-year-old who was found seriously injured on a playing field. Danny Lawson/PA Wire
A teenager accused of murdering seven-year-old Katie Rough is due to appear before a judge at crown court.
Katie was found with severe lacerations to her neck and chest on a playing field in York on Monday and died later in hospital.
The 15-year-old girl was arrested after Katie was found injured.
She appeared before magistrates in York earlier this week and said nothing as lawyers briefly summarised the circumstances around the incident.
The defendant, who cannot be named, is charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon - a knife.
She was remanded into secure accommodation at York Magistrates Court on Wednesday after a brief hearing.
Expand Close The grandparents of Katie Rough outside York Magistrates Court where a teenager is due to appear charged with the murder of the seven-year-old who was found seriously injured on a playing field. Danny Lawson/PA Wire / Facebook
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The girl is due to appear before a judge at Leeds Crown Court on Friday.
People living in the cul-de-sac next to where Katie was injured said her mother, Alison Rough, fell to her knees in the street, crying and pleading for help when she arrived at the scene.
Expand Close The grandparents of Katie Rough outside York Magistrates Court where a teenager is due to appear charged with the murder of the seven-year-old who was found seriously injured on a playing field. Danny Lawson/PA Wire / Facebook
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Tracey Ralph, head teacher at Westfield Primary School where Katie was a pupil, paid tribute to the "kind and thoughtful child" who was well-liked by pupils and staff.
Ms Ralph said: "Her death is a terrible loss which has deeply saddened our school community and we send our profound sympathies to her family."
Dozens of bunches of flowers have been placed along an alleyway linking the field where Katie was found to Alness Drive, as well as teddies and candles.
Members of her family have thanked the organisers of an online donation site that has raised more than 16,000 since the seven-year-old died.
One member of her family posted a message on the site, which said: "Just wanted to once again say thanku to every1 who has donated the generosity of strangers is over whelming on behalf of my sister and the rest of the family thanku x."
By Thursday evening, more than 800 people had donated to the site.
An Iraqi air force helicopter flies over Mosul as Iraqi security forces fight against Islamic State militants on the eastern side of the city (AP)
Iraqi special forces have entered Mosul University, a tactical achievement and an incremental step in battling Islamic State militants for control of the city, two Iraqi officers said.
The troops entered the university grounds early on Friday morning and managed to secure parts of the compound, which is located in eastern half of Mosul, said the officers.
Brigadier General Haider Fadhil confirmed the account and added that Iraqi forces were now taking part in fierce battles with IS fighters inside the complex.
The development comes a day after Iraqi army forces north of the city linked up with troops pushing in from the city's eastern edge.
The sprawling university compound, a symbolic landmark in Iraq's second-largest city, was once used by IS militants as a base. Iraqi officials said the militants had also used the school's chemistry laboratories to produce chemical weapons.
Iraqi special forces Lieutenant General Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi told the Associated Press that it is unclear if the complex was still being used as an IS base.
Under heavy bombardment from US-led coalition air strikes, IS has repeatedly moved bases under cover of civilians. Earlier this month Iraqi forces retook a hospital that had been converted into an IS base.
Meanwhile, south of Mosul, the United Nations warned of an oil spill, near the town of Qayara which was retaken from IS militants in August.
The fight against IS over the past two years in Iraq has left large swathes of destruction in its wake, destroying key buildings and infrastructure.
The warnings came in a report released this week on environmental damages caused by oil fires intentionally started by retreating IS militants.
UN satellite images published on Tuesday show environmental damage from the fires.
The organisation said 11 of the fires have been extinguished, but 29 continue to burn, sending thick black smoke into the air.
The report warns that the spill, described as new, is close to a tributary of the River Tigris, which in turn could mean an oil leak into the key artery, and that parts of the spill are on fire.
As the Mosul operation enters its fourth month, Iraqi forces have retaken about a third of the city that has been under tight IS control for more than two years.
While Iraqi officials initially pledged the city would be "liberated" this year, the fight is likely to last many more months.
AP
Members of the Iraqi rapid response forces fire a missile toward Isil militants in eastern Mosul. Photo: Reuters
Iraqi and coalition officials say forces advancing from the north and east have converged in Mosul, where they have been waging a three-month offensive against Isil.
The US special envoy to the anti-Isil coalition, Brett McGurk, called yesterday's advance a "milestone" in a statement posted on Twitter.
Brigadier General Haider Fadhil, of Iraq's special forces, confirmed the advance.
Iraq's special forces have largely been leading the push in Mosul's east, while the Iraqi army has been advancing in the north of the city.
Iraqi forces have retaken around a third of the city since the operation began in mid-October.
Iraqi forces made advances against Isil in eastern Mosul and fought the militants in areas near the Tigris river on Wednesday, military officials said, keeping up the momentum of a renewed offensive in the jihadists's last major Iraqi stronghold.
Elite troops pushed into several neighbourhoods in the east and north-east of the city in the past few days as they tried to reach the Tigris River bisecting Mosul before launching an offensive on the west, all of which the militants still hold.
The counter-terrorism service (CTS) was advancing into the north-eastern Sadeeq and 7th Nissan districts, according to a senior commander on the ground.
A Reuters reporter in eastern Mosul saw CTS forces fighting Isil militants in Sadeeq, firing towards Mosul University and into the adjacent Hadba area, which army units advancing from the north had breached a day earlier.
"Operations are ongoing and this district will be liberated very shortly, God willing," Lieutenant General Abdelwahab al-Saadi told Reuters on the front line in Sadeeq, one block from the strategically important university complex.
Tank shells, machine gun fire and air strikes from a US-led coalition backing the Iraqis targeted Isil gunmen holed up in a handful of buildings nearby. The militants detonated several car bombs and returned gunfire.
During their attack, Iraqi soldiers repeatedly diverted their attention to the sky to fire at white commercial drones circling at a few hundred metres in the air.
They were unable to down the aircraft, which Isil uses for reconnaissance, to record its suicide attacks and to drop grenades.
Securing Hadba, Sadeeq and other nearby districts would allow the CTS to advance further towards the Tigris.
Syrian army command said on Friday that Israel fired rockets at a major military airport west of Damascus, the capital, and warned Tel Aviv of repercussions of what it called a "flagrant" attack.
Syrian state television quoted the army as saying several rockets were fired from an area near Lake Tiberias in northern Israel just after midnight which landed in the compound of the airport, a major facility for elite Republican Guards.
"Syrian army command and armed forces warn Israel of the repercussions of the flagrant attack and stresses its continued fight against (this) terrorism and amputate the arms of the perpetrators," the army command said in a statement.
The statement did not disclose if there were any casualties, but said the rockets caused a fire.
Video footage downloaded on social media showed large volleys of fire engulfing several areas in the military airport's compound with a huge plume of smoke from the airport area seen from a distance in several neighbourhoods of the capital.
Earlier, state television said several major explosions hit Mezzah military airport compound near Damascus and ambulances were rushed to the area, without giving details.
The airport, located southwest of the capital, had been a base used to fire rockets at former rebel-held areas in the suburbs of Damascus.
Israel in the past has targeted positions of Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah group inside Syria where the Iranian-backed group is heavily involved in fighting alongside the Syrian army.
An air strike in Syria in December 2015 killed Hezbollah prominent leader Samir Qantar, with Israel welcoming his death, saying he was preparing attacks on it from Syrian soil, but stopping short of confirming responsibility for his death.
Earlier that year, an Israeli air strike in Syria killed six members of Hezbollah, including a commander and the son of the its late military chief Imad Moughniyah near the Golan Heights.
Israeli defence officials have voiced concern that Hezbollah's experience in the Syrian civil war, where it has played a significant role and recently helped the Syrian army regain the eastern sector of the city of Aleppo, has strengthened it.
Rebels operating in the area have said Hezbollah's major arms supply route into Damascus from the Lebanese border has been targeted on several occasions in recent years by air strikes. This has included strikes on convoys of weapons and warehouses.
Damascus airport was also hit by air strikes in 2013. Tel Aviv neither confirms nor denies involvement in striking targets inside Syria.
Cars are parked outside an address which has been linked by local media to former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, who has been named as the author of an intelligence dossier on President-elect Donald Trump, in Wokingham, Britain, January 12, 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
A person stands behind textured glass at an address which has been linked by local media to former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, who has been named as the author of an intelligence dossier on President-elect Donald Trump, in Wokingham, Britain, January 12, 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
A person stands behind textured glass at an address which has been linked by local media to former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, who has been named as the author of an intelligence dossier on President-elect Donald Trump, in Wokingham, Britain, January 12, 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
A woman arrives at an address which has been linked by local media to former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, who has been named as the author of an intelligence dossier on President-elect Donald Trump, in Wokingham, Britain, January 12, 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
A police car drives past an address which has been linked by local media to former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, who has been named as the author of an intelligence dossier on President-elect Donald Trump, in Wokingham, Britain, January 12, 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
A police car drives past an address which has been linked by local media to former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, who has been named as the author of an intelligence dossier on President-elect Donald Trump, in Wokingham, Britain, January 12, 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
The former British spy apparently at the centre of a dossier containing embarrassing allegations involving Donald Trump has been described by ex-colleagues as a "thorough" and "highly regarded" professional who would not simply "pass on gossip".
Ex-MI6 officer Christopher Steele has apparently gone into hiding after being identified as the author of the report claiming Moscow held incriminating material on the US president-elect which it could use to blackmail him.
Mr Steele - who runs the London-based Orbis Business Intelligence Service - is said to have originally compiled the report for political opponents of Mr Trump in Washington.
One former colleague, who used to work for the Foreign Office, sprang to Mr Steele's defence - dismissing any suggestions the dossier was "fake news".
Expand Close A police car drives past an address which has been linked by local media to former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, who has been named as the author of an intelligence dossier on President-elect Donald Trump, in Wokingham, Britain, January 12, 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls / Facebook
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Whatsapp A police car drives past an address which has been linked by local media to former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, who has been named as the author of an intelligence dossier on President-elect Donald Trump, in Wokingham, Britain, January 12, 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
The source, described in the Guardian as a long-term friend, said: "The idea his work is fake or a cowboy operation is false - completely untrue.
"Chris is an experienced and highly-regarded professional. He's not the sort of person who will simply pass on gossip.
Expand Close A woman arrives at an address which has been linked by local media to former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, who has been named as the author of an intelligence dossier on President-elect Donald Trump, in Wokingham, Britain, January 12, 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls / Facebook
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Whatsapp A woman arrives at an address which has been linked by local media to former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, who has been named as the author of an intelligence dossier on President-elect Donald Trump, in Wokingham, Britain, January 12, 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
"If he puts something in a report, he believes there's sufficient credibility in it for it to be worth considering.
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"Chris is a very straight guy. He could not have survived in the job he was in if he had been prone to flights of fancy or doing things in an ill-considered way."
Expand Close A person stands behind textured glass at an address which has been linked by local media to former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, who has been named as the author of an intelligence dossier on President-elect Donald Trump, in Wokingham, Britain, January 12, 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls / Facebook
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Whatsapp A person stands behind textured glass at an address which has been linked by local media to former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, who has been named as the author of an intelligence dossier on President-elect Donald Trump, in Wokingham, Britain, January 12, 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
Former British ambassador to Russia Sir Andrew Wood said he spoke to Republican senator John McCain at an international security conference in November about the existence of material that could compromise the president-elect.
He told the Independent: "Yes I did meet Senator McCain and his aides at the conference.
Expand Close A person stands behind textured glass at an address which has been linked by local media to former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, who has been named as the author of an intelligence dossier on President-elect Donald Trump, in Wokingham, Britain, January 12, 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls / Facebook
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Whatsapp A person stands behind textured glass at an address which has been linked by local media to former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, who has been named as the author of an intelligence dossier on President-elect Donald Trump, in Wokingham, Britain, January 12, 2016. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
"The issue of Donald Trump and Russia was very much in the news and it was natural to talk about it. We spoke about the kind of activities the Russians can be engaged in.
"We also spoke about how Mr Trump may find himself in a position where there could be an attempt to blackmail him with Kompromat (the Russian term for compromising material) and claims that there were audio and video tapes in existence."
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Sir Andrew, who was ambassador to Moscow between 1995 and 2000, denied having seen the dossier at the time of the meeting and added Mr Steele was "very professional and thorough".
Earlier, Downing Street refused to be drawn on whether the Government had offered any assistance to Mr Steele, who was reported to be in fear for his life after being named in media reports.
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Former MI6 officer Harry Ferguson told BBC Newsnight that Mr Steele was reliable.
"Chris was a strong, middle-ranking SIS (MI6) officer and I don't quite agree that this was a sub-par report," he said.
"It seems to me that Chris was careful, as to try and find as many sources as possible to back these stories up, but also to make it clear that these are stories, and that what this intelligence report has at the moment is that it lacks that killer evidence."
But Sir Tony Brenton, a former British ambassador to Russia, described the dossier as looking "pretty shaky".
He told Sky News: "For example, it claims that the Russians began to cultivate Donald Trump five years ago.
"If they did that they showed remarkable prescience because at the time he had nothing to do with American politics."
Original composite of Kamiyah Mobley and sketches released at the time the kidnapping occured. Picture: Jacksonville Sheriff's Office
A girl stolen at birth from a hospital in the US has been found alive after 18 years, police have confirmed.
DNA analysis identified the young woman, who never knew that her birth name was Kamiyah Mobley, said Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams.
She is in good health but understandably overwhelmed, he said.
Kamiyah was found alive and well in South Carolina after being kidnapped from a Jacksonville hospital as a newborn in 1998.
A woman posed as a nurse before snatching the 8-hour-old baby from her mothers hospital room, brushing past the childs grandmother and disappearing.
Recent tips, including Kamiyahs own inclination, led authorities to Walterboro, S.C., where a DNA test was carried out, Sheriff Williams said.
At the conference police said that due to the stress and situation, her new identity is not being released. Williams said she appears to be a normal healthy 18-year-old woman.
"She is in good health but understandably overwhelmed," he said.
A 51-year-old woman, named as Gloria Williams, has been charged with kidnapping and interference with custody.
Williams said the Mobley family, who were not present at the news briefing, are elated. However he said there has been no decision made about a reunion. This will be up to the 18-year-old. But he said to try to imagine the gravity of what shes dealing with right now, thinking all along that Williams was her mother.
Williams wouldnt say how, but she had become aware that she may be linked to this case. It followed about 2,500 tips over the years.
There was no picture of Kamiyah, so best guesses were used for a composite of the child. A team of detectives led by Sgt. Don Schoenfeld took on the case as more than two dozen other Sheriffs Office investigators joined in.
Expand Close Original composite of Kamiyah Mobley and sketches released at the time the kidnapping occured. Picture: Jacksonville Sheriff's Office / Facebook
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"We are speaking to as many people as we can to try to paint a picture of what may have happened 18 years ago," the sheriff said. "Lots of questions left unanswered."
Ms Williams will be extradited to Florida, authorities said, and she faces up to life in prison.
Ms Mobley's birth family never forgot what had happened.
Her mother, Shanara Mobley, told the Florida Times-Union newspaper on the 10th anniversary of the kidnapping that on every one of Ms Mobley's birthdays, she wrapped a piece of cake in foil.
"It's stressful to wake up every day, knowing that your child is out there and you have no way to reach her or talk to her," she told the paper in 2008.
The sheriff said he does not know when Ms Mobley might contact her birth family.
She is only beginning a process of coming to terms with the fact that her true identity was stolen from her, he said.
"She's 18, an adult and clearly a victim in this case," Mr Williams said. "A case like we have not seen in this country for a long time."
Additional Reporting Press Association
The US Justice Department is to review broad allegations of misconduct involving FBI director James Comey and how he handled the probe of Hillary Clinton's email practices, the department's inspector general announced last night.
The investigation will be wide ranging - encompassing Mr Comey's various letters and public statements on the matter and whether FBI or other Justice Department employees leaked non-public information.
Democrats and Mrs Clinton herself have blamed Mr Comey for her election loss, arguing that the renewed inquiry and the FBI director's public missives on the eve of the election blunted her momentum. Mr Comey has faced months of criticism, some of it from former justice officials, for violating the department's policy of avoiding any action that could affect a candidate close to an election.
Brian Fallon, a former Clinton campaign spokesman, praised the investigation yesterday.
"This is highly encouraging and to be expected given Director Comey's drastic deviation from Justice Department protocol," he said.
"A probe of this sort, however long it takes to conduct, is utterly necessary in order to take the first step to restore the FBI's reputation as a non-partisan institution."
Lawmakers and others had called previously for the inspector general to probe the FBI's pre-election actions when it came to the Clinton probe.
Mr Comey has faced allegations that he bucked long-standing policies with his communications about the case and that information seemed to have leaked inappropriately - perhaps to former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
The inspector general, Michael Horowitz, said that he will explore the circumstances surrounding the actions of Mr Comey and others, though he will not examine whether anyone should have faced charges.
In a statement, Mr Comey said: "I am grateful to the Department of Justice's inspector general for taking on this review. He is professional and independent and the FBI will cooperate fully with him and his office. I hope very much he is able to share his conclusions and observations with the public because everyone will benefit from thoughtful evaluation and transparency regarding this matter."
Classified
The FBI's probe into whether Mrs Clinton mishandled classified information by using a private email server when she was secretary of state has long been controversial and politically charged.
Perhaps most notably, Mr Comey - after previously announcing publicly that he was recommending no charges in the case - sent a letter to congressional leaders telling them that agents had resumed the Clinton probe after finding potentially relevant information in an unrelated case.
The day before, senior Justice Department leaders had warned Mr Comey not to send the letter, because it violated two long-standing department policies: discussing an ongoing investigation and taking any overt action on an investigation so close to an election.
At the time, it was less than two weeks to the election, and early voting had already begun.
Mr Comey has notably declined to talk about any possible investigations of President-elect Donald Trump or his campaign, as recently as this week rebuffing requests from legislators to confirm agents were looking into any such matters. ( Washington Post)
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 13
Trend:
Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev has congratulated his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey.
January 14, 1992 marks the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Turkey. I congratulate you on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of this remarkable event and extend my best and sincere wishes to the friendly and brotherly people of Turkey, said President Aliyev in his letter.
The brotherly Turkey is the first country, with which Azerbaijan established diplomatic relations in its independent history. Ties between our countries and nations have deep historical roots. One nation, two states principle has covered all spheres of Azerbaijan-Turkey relations that have no analogues in the world, noted the president.
Based on friendship and brotherhood, our relations have today reached the level of strategic partnership thanks to our joint efforts. Azerbaijani-Turkish partnership contributes to welfare of our peoples, prosperity of our countries and establishment of peace and stability in the region, said President Aliyev.
I am confident that Turkish-Azerbaijani unity and solidarity will be further strengthened and expanded in the best interests of our nations, added the president. Taking this opportunity, I wish you good health, success in your activities and the brotherly people of Turkey lasting peace and prosperity.
Far-right French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has coffee with three men, including her partner Louis Aliot, second from right, at Donald Trumps New York headquarters. Photo: AFP/Getty Images
Marine Le Pen visited Trump Tower during an unannounced visit to New York yesterday.
The far-right French Front National leader has consistently praised Donald Trump and is currently in New York just four months before the French presidential elections, in which she has emerged as a frontrunner.
Ms Le Pen was spotted by journalists at Mr Trump's headquarters but it remains unclear whether she met with the businessman or his advisers.
A Trump aide had earlier told Bloomberg the president-elect had no plans to meet her.
Pictures published on social media showed Ms Le Pen holding a meeting with three men in what appeared to be a public area of the building.
The French politician's chief of staff was quoted as saying the trip to New York was a "private visit" and would only reveal that a meeting with Mr Trump was "not on her public agenda".
Ms Le Pen refused to confirm to journalists at Trump Tower whether or not she was meeting the president-elect.
She has previously called Mr Trump's election "a sign of hope" and said the Republican was "putting in place measures I have been demanding for years".
Speaking to CNN late last year, she said: "Donald Trump has made possible what was presented as completely impossible.
"So it's a sign of hope for those who cannot bear wild globalisation.
"They cannot bear the political life led by the elites."
Ms Le Pen is currently narrowly ahead in opinion polls for the first round of voting in France's presidential election.
The latest poll, published yesterday, gave her a 1.5pc lead over Republican candidate Francois Fillon.
A preschool in Arctic Norway has been criticised for taking five-year-old children on an outing to view the slaughter and skinning of reindeer at a nearby farm.
The criticism erupted on Facebook after the school posted photos of eight children looking at reindeer, a culled animal hanging above a pool of blood, a child dragging bloodied skins in the snow and snowsuit-clad children tossing carcass bits into a container.
Dag Olav Stoelan, head of the Granstubben Barnehage preschool, said Tuesday's day trip was designed to teach the children about the indigenous Sami, who live in northern Norway and are often involved in reindeer herding.
Hundreds of thousands of reindeer roam freely across the region and provide work for those in the country's sparsely populated northern wilderness.
"There are many reindeer outside," said Mr Stoelan, speaking from the preschool near the city of Steinkje, 515 kilometres (320 miles) north of Oslo, the capital.
"This is not the first time we have done it," he said.
"It is important to show where the meat comes from," Mr Stoelan said, adding "we will do it again."
The preschool has had previous outings to see pigs being slaughtered at other nearby farms.
Mr Stoelan said once parents had agreed to let their children participate, preschool employees talked to the children about the farm before and after the outing.
Preschool teacher Therese Johnsen told the local daily Troender-Avisa that none of the children had reacted negatively.
Negative reactions, however, did come on the school's Facebook wall, where some people wrote that "the kindergarten is making sure we get more psychopaths among us" and "people who are killing animals are not far away to killing human beings".
Public dissections of animals are common in Scandinavia.
In October 2015, a Danish zoo faced criticism and online protests for publicly dissecting a lion in front of children.
Copenhagen Zoo made international headlines a year earlier when it killed a giraffe for inbreeding reasons, then dissected it and fed it to lions in front of visitors, including children.
AP
Flowers and pictures of the victims are placed near the entrance of Reina nightclub, which was attacked by a gunman, in Istanbul, Turkey January 2, 2017. REUTERS/Yagiz Karahan
A woman reacts outside the Reina nightclub by the Bosphorus, which was attacked by a gunman, in Istanbul, Turkey, January 2, 2017. REUTERS/Yagiz Karahan
A man believed to be the gunman who killed dozens at an Istanbul nightclub films himself as he wanders near Istanbul's Taksim square (DHA-Depo Photos via AP)
Relatives react at the funeral of Busra Kose, a victim of an attack by a gunman at Reina nightclub, in Istanbul, Turkey, January 2, 2017. REUTERS/Osman Orsal
An injured woman is carried to an ambulance from a nightclub where a gun attack took place during a New Year party in Istanbul, Turkey, January 1, 2017.
Two Chinese citizens have been remanded in custody by a Turkish court over their alleged links to a deadly gun attack on an Istanbul nightclub.
Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency on Friday named the two suspects as Omar Asim and Abuliezi Abuduhamiti.
They are accused of membership of an "armed terror organisation" and of assisting in 39 counts of first-degree murder.
A gunman killed 39 people at Istanbul's Reina nightclub, a smart venue by the Bosphorus where scores of people had gathered to celebrate the New Year.
The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility, saying the attack was a reprisal for Turkish military operations in northern Syria.
Last week a Turkish official said the gunman was probably from China's Muslim Uighur minority.
Jacksonville sheriff Mike Williams announces Kamiyah Mobley has been found alive and well (Bob Mack/The Florida Times-Union via AP)
An 18-year-old woman taken from a US hospital hours after she was born has learned her true identity and been reunited with her birth family.
Kamiyah Mobley spoke to her birth family via video chat after DNA analysis confirmed her identity.
The woman she thought was her mother has been charged with kidnapping.
Police arrested Gloria Williams, 51, in Walterboro, South Carolina, where Ms Mobley was raised in a small house, about 200 miles from the hospital where she was born.
She will be extradited to Florida on charges of kidnapping and interference with custody, authorities said.
Ms Mobley is in good health but understandably overwhelmed, Jacksonville sheriff Mike Williams said.
Her birth family cried "tears of joy" after a detective told them the missing baby had been found. Within hours, the Jacksonville family were able to talk to her by video chat.
"She looks just like her daddy," her paternal grandmother, Velma Aiken said. They were able to see each other for the first time using FaceTime.
"She act like she been talking to us all the time. She told us she'd be here soon to see us."
Ms Mobley was only eight hours old when she was taken from her young mother by a woman posing as a nurse at University Medical Centre.
A massive search took place, with helicopters circling the hospital and the city on high alert. Thousands of tips came in over the years, but she had disappeared.
All that time, Ms Mobley's neighbours in Walterboro knew her as Ms Williams' daughter, Alexis Manigo.
"She wasn't an abused child or a child who got in trouble. But she grew up with a lie for 18 years," said Joseph Jenkins, who lives across the road.
The young woman "had an inclination" some months ago that she may have been kidnapped, sheriff Mr Williams said.
Authorities did not say why she suspected, or how her case came to the attention of the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children.
It contacted the cold case detectives at the sheriff's office and Ms Mobley provided a swab for DNA analysis that proved the match, the sheriff said.
The centre has tracked 308 infant abductions since 1983 by non-family members in the US. Of those cases, 12 were still missing at the end of last month.
"She's taking it as well as you can imagine. She has a lot to process," Mr Williams said. "I can't even begin to comprehend it."
The woman has been given counselling, he said.
Meanwhile, Ms Aiken said she was thrilled to know they can speak to each other as much as they want.
"I always prayed, 'Don't let me die before I see my grand baby'," she said. "My prayer was answered."
The family never forgot the girl ripped from her mother's arms that day in 1988.
Her mother, Shanara Mobley, told the Florida Times-Union newspaper on the 10th anniversary of the kidnapping that on every one of her daughter's birthdays, she wrapped a piece of cake in foil and froze it.
"It's stressful to wake up every day, knowing that your child is out there and you have no way to reach her or talk to her," she told the paper in 2008.
News moved quickly through the community of about 5,100 people on Friday after police cars swarmed around Ms Williams' home.
Mr Jenkins said he awoke to see officers searching the house and a shed behind it.
"At the fish market, the hair dresser, the gas station, they're all talking about it," said Ruben Boatwright, who said he has known Ms Williams for about 15 years.
Lakeshia Jenkins, Mr Joseph's wife, said Ms Williams and the girl would often come over for cookouts in the yard, or join their family at a nearby water park.
Ms Mobley seemed to be well cared for and "Ms Williams, she seemed like a normal person", Ms Jenkins said.
"She went to work, came back here and went to church every Sunday," she said.
Ms Williams also worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs' hospital in Charleston, volunteered in the area for Habitat for Humanity and lead the youth programme at a Methodist church, she said.
"She's very intelligent, smart as a whip," Mr Boatwright said. "All I can say are good things about her."
AP
India is a global leader in the automotive sector, backed by its domestic production capacity, market size, and exports. On average, the countrys automobile sector boasts of an annual production of around 24 million vehicles; the sector also employs over 29 million people (directly and indirectly).
Breaking down its global position by industry segment, India is the worlds largest tractor manufacturer, second largest two-wheeler manufacturer, second largest bus manufacturer, fifth largest heavy truck manufacturer, sixth largest car manufacturer, and eighth largest commercial vehicle manufacturer.
This article discusses the growth trends in the automotive sector in India, which offers a highly attractive investment landscape for foreign investors and manufacturing firms. Testament to this is the fact that South Koreas Kia Motors, Daihatsu from Toyota, PSA Groups Peugeot Citreon, and three car makers from China, Beiqi Foton, SAIC, and Changan Automotive desire to enter the Indian market, pivoted to become the third largest in the world by the end of the decade.
Indias automobile industry and market size
Overall, the Indian automotive industry is a major employment creator, GDP contributor, and FDI earner. In fact, in 2015-2016, the US$93 billion automotive industry contributed 7.1 percent to Indias GDP and 49 percent to the national manufacturing GDP. For every vehicle produced, direct and indirect employment opportunities are generated with the employment of 13 persons for each truck, six persons for each car and four for each three-wheeler, and one person for two-wheelers.
Meanwhile, the auto component industry grew at a turnover rate of six percent from 2010 to 2016, contributing to 2.3 percent to Indias GDP and provided direct employment to 1.50 million people in the fiscal year 2015-2016. The industry registered an 8.8 percent increase in its turnover from US$34.4 billion in FY 2014-2015 to US$37.45 billion in FY 2015-2016 (US$1=Rs 68.25).
Exports grew by 22 percent and the auto-component industry contributed 4 percent to Indias exports in FY 2015-2016, with earnings of US$10.39 billion (Rs 709 billion). The top export destinations of Indian auto-components are the U.S., Germany, Turkey, U.K., and Italy.
In terms of the automobile market size, the two-wheeler segment dominates with an 81 percent market share in the Indian automobile market, owing to its young population and a burgeoning middle class. An increasing interest exhibited by companies in exploring the countrys vast rural market further aids the growth of this sector. Finally, Indias passenger vehicle (PV) segment holds a 13 percent market share.
Indias automobile sector shows positive outlook
India is a prominent automotive manufacturer and exporter with highly optimistic expectations continuing for growth in the near future. The following growth trends over the past year may be noted:
Production increased by 2.6 percent in the financial year (FY) 2015-2016 as the industry produced a total of 23,960,940 vehicles, including passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, three-wheelers, two-wheelers, and quadricycles as against 23,358,047 vehicles produced in the previous fiscal year.
Tracking the rise in domestic sales, passenger vehicles sold increased by 7.24 percent in 2015-2016 over the same period in the previous fiscal. Year-on-year growth within the respective segments of passenger vehicles and passenger cars, utility vehicles, and vans was 7.87 percent, 6.25 percent, and 3.58 percent in FY 2015-2016. In the commercial vehicles segment, growth was 11.51 percent in FY 2015-2016 over the previous year. In the same period, medium & heavy commercial vehicles (M&HCVs) registered a growth of 29.91 percent, while light commercial vehicles (LCVs) grew marginally by 0.30 percent.
Sales of three-wheelers sales grew by 1.03 percent in FY 2015-2016 over the previous fiscal year. Within this segment, passenger carrier sales grew by 2.11 percent.
Two-wheelers sales registered a growth at 3.01 percent in FY 2015-2016. Within this segment, sales of Scooters grew by 11.79 percent.
Rapid rise in the total production of electric and hybrid vehicles from 17,107 (FY 2014-2015) to 71,909 (FY 2015-2016) and a rise in the total sales from 16,513 (FY 2014-2015) to 65,224 (FY 2015-2016).
Finally, the rise in exports saw automobile exports grow by 1.91 percent (worth US$8.8 billion). Major growth drivers were passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and two-wheelers, registering a growth of 5.24 percent, 16.97 percent, and 0.97 percent, respectively, year-on-year in FY 2015-2016. Two-wheelers accounted for the largest share of exports at 69.4 percent, passenger vehicles comprised a sizeable 16.7 percent, and three-wheeler vehicles registered around 11.1 percent share in exports.
FDI in Indias automobile industry
Foreign direct investment (FDI) equity inflow into the automobile sector increased by 72 percent during 2014-2016 from US$3.05 billion (during 2012-2014) to US$5.25 billion. From April 2016 to September 2016, the automobile sector received US$728.65 million in FDI equity inflows. Leading global players like ISUZU Motors, Ford Motors, Tata Motors, Honda, and Suzuki Motors have already invested heavily in the manufacturing sector resulting in the establishment of new assembly lines, manufacturing, and greenfield units, thereby boosting the automotive manufacturing ecosystem in India.
Some of the major foreign investments into the Indian automotive sector in the last two years are listed below:
Government policy to boost auto manufacturing
The consolidated automotive industry holds great importance in the governments manufacturing policy framework, where it is labelled as a sunrise sector.
The governments Automobile Mission Plan 2016 2026 envisages making India one of the top three automobile manufacturing centers in the world, potentially earning a gross revenue of US$300 billion by 2026.
To promote exports of manufactured green technology products, the export obligation of 16 specified products has been reduced under the Export Promotion Council Goods (EPCG) scheme (Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020).
Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme to address the global demand for innovative and fuel economy vehicles. This will incentivize the development, manufacture, and promotion of hybrid/electric vehicles market (XEVs) that include mild hybrid, full hybrid vehicles (HEVs), plug in hybrids (PHEVs) and pure electric vehicles (PEVs). It was launched on April 1, 2015, targeting a market penetration of 6 to 7 million vehicles per year by 2020.
Hybrid vehicles now attract excise duty at 12.5 percent and electric vehicles attract excise duty at 6 percent, as against the excise duty of 30 percent, 27 percent, 24 percent, and 12.5 percent applicable on vehicles with conventional fuel.
Notwithstanding the ongoing pains of demonetization that caused a temporary decline in sales in December 2016, the Indian governments Make in India drive and its sectoral policy are both highly encouraging for the future outlook of the Indian automotive industry.
Diversified segments and the presence of global automotive manufacturers strengthen the sectors ecosystem in India. This is important as India seeks to be the third largest auto market by the end of 2020. Forward looking government incentives such as reduced duty on hybrid and electric cars also boost the future of the industry.
Lastly, the current governments pro-business sentiment is shaping its reforms focus on regulatory easing, infrastructure development, logistics improvements through rail, road, and sea cargo, and expanding FDI limits, all of which bodes well for foreign investors.
Focused on customer experience and always trying to deliver excellent customer services , customer satisfaction of Azercell subscribers increased in 2016. A based on the results of survery among Azercell subscribers used for customer care agent performance evaluation, the activities of Azercell Customer Service were highly evaluated.
Thus, the level of satisfaction on customer services increased from 79% in 2015 to 83% in 2016 The high performance has also proved itself in Customer Loyalty Index (Net Promoter Score)- Azercell has preserved its leading position in NPS score in local mobile telecom market during 2016. As known, in 2014 Azercell became the first company in Azerbaijan that started to measure the Customer Loyalty Index - NPS (Net Promoter Score).
This index measures the commitment of the consumer to a product or company (willingness-to-recommend index). By applying this unique assessment, Azercell proved its leadership in customer services which is a clear example of successful experience in the country. The application of this innovative model of customer loyalty assessment enables Azercell to further understand the needs of customers and align its future activities with their demands. In 2016 Azercell also improved its technical base to maintain and increase customer satisfaction, and worked on further training of the personnel. Azercell has always stood out for its innovative initiatives in the sphere of customer service. The company established first Call Center operating on 24/7 basis in 1998 and first Regional Call Center in Gandja city in 2009. Providing not only face-to-face service, but also virtual, online services to its subscribers Azercell is constantly improving the quality of customer experience. The company has won a number of awards for its exceptional services focused on customer satisfaction. In addition, Azercell visits and serves the subscribers who cannot come to Service Centers due to various reasons by sending its Mobile Customer Services right to their places which visited various regions and cities of Azerbaijan and met customer needs and expectations easily and promptly. The customers were provided with all services offered in Customer Service and AzEx offices. Azercell enjoys serving its subscribers at the largest customer service network 63 Front Office and Azercell Express offices and the largest sales network with 393 official sales points. These service and sales points operate all over the country to continuously provide Azercell customers with excellent services.
The leader of the mobile communication industry of Azerbaijan and the biggest investor in the non-oil sector Azercell Telecom LLC was founded in 1996. With 48% share of Azerbaijans mobile market Azercells network covers 80% of the territory and 99,8% of population of the country. Currently, 4,5 million subscribers choose Azercell services. Azercell has pioneered an important number of innovations in Azerbaijan, including GSM technology, advance payment system, 24/7 Customer Care, online customer services, GPRS/EDGE, M2M, MobilBank, one-stop- shop service offices Azercell Express, mobile e-service ASAN signature, etc. Azercell deployed first 4G LTE services in Azerbaijan in 2012. According to the results of mobile network quality surveys of Global Wireless Solutions company and international systems specialized in wireless coverage mapping such as Opensignal and Testmy.net, Azercells network demonstrated the best results among the mobile operators of Azerbaijan.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 13
By Azad Hasanli Trend:
The UK Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) will allocate grants to about 70 IDP families for the implementation of business projects, said the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The funds will be allocated under the project for the support of the socio-economic development of Azerbaijan's population affected by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The project will be carried out jointly with the IOM, in cooperation with the Azerbaijani government.
Business plans were prepared after trainings for IDPs from Azerbaijans Aghdam, Barda, Fuzuli, Tartar, Gazakh and Goranboy districts. As noted, the business plans cover animal husbandry, production of various products in small volumes, as well as the creation of hairdressing salons, car washes, etc.
The project is designed to contribute to the socio-economic reintegration of IDPs and their families in the Azerbaijani society by improving their welfare and standards of living.
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Follow the author on Twitter: @AzadHasanli
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Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Jan. 13
By Huseyn Hasanov Trend:
Turkmenistan has finalized the preparation of the technical assignment for the creation of the next (second) national satellite, the functions of which will include Earth remote sensing, Turkmenistan State News Agency said in a message.
TurkmenAlem 52E, Turkmenistans first telecommunications satellite, was launched Apr.28, 2015, from Cape Canaveral (Florida, US). It was brought to the space by Falcon 9 v1.1 carrier rocket. The satellite entered its orbital position on May 17.
After the successful completion of all the tests, TurkmenAlem 52E was officially handed over by Thales Alenia Space contractor to Turkmenistan for operation.
The satellite has three antennas covering dozens of countries in Europe and Asia, as well as the Middle East and North Africa.
It is said that there are three kinds of people: Those who make things happen; those who watch things happen; and those who ask what happened? In the 1930s, attorney Thurgood Marshall reached out to Indianapoliss Black leadership to include the city in the famous Brown v. the Board of Education case along with Topeka, Kansas, and other cities. At the time, the fathers declined, explaining they did not need the help, since they had white leaders in the city whom they trusted and would soon take care of the problem. Unfortunately, the result of that decision was that Indianapolis was the last major city in the north to end school segregation over five decades later.
Today, IPS is at a similar crossroads. It is currently moving to a portfolio model, which is based on innovation and charter schools. It means the traditional school district model is being dismantled in the city. Rather than school boards and superintendents managing schools, curriculum and teacher contracts, private boards and corporations will make decisions. The elected officials will only be able to make changes at individual schools through contract negotiations or when schools fail to fulfill their contractual obligations. We are told this is the new face of education and innovation intended to usher in the future of American education, but the duplicity of those claims is laid bare through the simplest inquiry. If this is at the forefront of educational excellence for the country and Indiana, why isnt it the model being used in Carmel, Zionsville and Fishers? In other words, why is the portfolio approach required for urban but not suburban education? And even if some innovation is a good thing, what characteristic does Indianapolis have that necessitates or encourages a system-wide change that transfers control of schools from elected officials to unelected boards and corporations?
Sadly, Indianapolis has an old itch that is still being scratched white demand for racially segregated neighborhoods and racially segregated schools. Hold on; I am not talking about Bull Connor segregation or even the racial segregation of the numerous Sundown Towns across the state. This IPS fix, I suspect, is needed to entice young urban professionals (read: white middle class young people) to good neighborhoods and to ensure them that their children can attend good schools. Not persuaded? That is OK; lets look at some data. Attitude surveys consistently show that most whites identify good neighborhoods and good schools as primarily, if not all, white. Lets apply these results. Under the current system, IPS is perceived as a Black and Latino school system that, as a general matter, has inferior students, teachers, administrators and facilities.
However, IPS has some beacons of light shining through the perceived incompetence and inferiority of the school system. These beacons are its successful magnet schools, like the Centers for Inquiry and Sidener Academy. These good schools are increasingly associated with good neighborhoods and great parents. They are like suburban schools in an urban district, offering commute-wary young professionals the best of both worlds. Accordingly, the IPS fix is necessary to initiate and support more of these schools, which, by the way, we should expect will be successful for that exact reason.
Consider Sidener Academy; since 2009, its white student enrollment has grown from roughly 38 percent to 49 percent, and the percentage of African-American students has shrunk from 41 percent to 26 percent. At the same time, the percentage of students on free and reduced lunch has plummeted from almost 80 percent to close to 40 percent. Center for Inquiry II is a similar example. Its percentage of white students has grown from 32 percent in 2007 to 82 percent. The percentage of African-American students has correspondingly fallen from roughly 55 percent in 2007 to 7 percent. The percentage of students on free and reduced lunch during that time dropped from 58 percent to 8 percent. Since white students represent only 20 percent of the IPS system, it is clear that good schools are schools that are disproportionately or overwhelmingly white.
The sad truth is that the IPS fix is necessary because most whites prefer a racial environment under the control of other whites in which whites are the majority. This is what created and maintains the white suburbs. Accordingly, contemporary arguments about race-neutral educational techniques and innovation mask the required gentrification of certain Indianapolis schools to support the gentrification of Indianapolis neighborhoods. The new system enables more of these schools to take hold without the bureaucracy or the political constraints of the old system that could otherwise derail them. At the same time, it saves the state money and weakens unions, which is the only thing that some of its supporters really care about.
The truth be told, this is almost a done deal. Certain power brokers within the city made the decision years ago that this was the direction needed to move the city forward and to promote its economic vibrancy into the future. Those same interests orchestrated new leadership for IPS and the board through financial and political machinations over the last few years that have brought us to where we are today. The question before the majority of IPS parents, students and community members today is whether they will continue to sit by and watch this happen, wait until it is too late to change it and ask what happened, or organize and make things happen themselves.
Carlton Waterhouse is a professor of law and Deans Fellow at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 11
By Maksim Tsurkov Trend:
Carrying out the development policy of Azerbaijans non-oil sector to ensure the countrys economic growth has become the main direction of Azerbaijans economic activity in 2016. Azerbaijan far-sightedly chose transport and logistics segment as one of the main directions, and it will become one of the most important components of the countrys economy in the foreseeable future.
Despite the great complexities of the sector, which are due to external global economic factors that affected a significant reduction in the global freight traffic, 2016 can be called successful for Azerbaijans transport and logistics sector. This also concerns the implementation of big projects on the creation of international corridors, construction of infrastructure in the country, as well as the development of public transport.
The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (East-West)
In the very beginning of 2016, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Ukraine signed a protocol on setting competitive preferential tariffs for cargo transportation via the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TCITR), which runs through China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, further going to Europe. At the same time, Ukraine launched the first test container train via the TCITR through Azerbaijan to China.
The agreement to create the Trans-Caspian International Transportation Consortium was signed in April 2016 in Baku by the railway authorities of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Kazakhstan. The agreement was signed during the meeting of the operator companies engaged in cargo transportation via the TCITR.
Azerbaijans ADY Express and ACSC Logistics companies, Kazakhstans KTZ Express and Georgia's Trans Caucasus Terminals LLC became the members of the consortium. New competitive tariffs were introduced for the TCITR on June 1, 2016.
The number of countries and companies willing to join this project indicates its success. In February 2016, Ukraine and Lithuania signed a memorandum on the accession of the Viking container train to the TCITR from Europe to China via Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
After that, Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukraine), Ukrferry (Ukraine), Translogistic SRL (Moldova), PKP LHS (Poland) companies became members of the Consortium's Steering Committee. Rail Cargo Hungaria Zrt (Hungary) also joined the project.
In October, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Georgia signed an agreement on the establishment of the TCITR International Association with its office in Astana. Its activities are aimed at attracting transit and foreign trade cargo, as well as developing integrated logistics products via the TCITR.
Finally, in December 2016, the heads of railway authorities of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkey and Georgia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Baku on prospects of development of the TCITR. It is planned that the amount of container trains on the TCITR will reach 1,000 until 2020.
The North-South project
The North-South project, which already has certain history, finally became real last year. February visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Iran, resulted in reaching certain agreements on the project.
A border railway bridge over the Astarachay river and an 8.5-kilometer section of the railway from Astara (Azerbaijan) till the border with Iran (already successfully tested) were built during the year.
Iran started the construction of the Gazvin-Rasht and Astara (Iran)-Astara (Azerbaijan) railway sections in February 2016 and railway authorities of Azerbaijan and Russia agreed to determine competitive tariffs for freight traffic via the corridor.
As for the construction of one of the corridors most important sections Rasht-Astara railway, Azerbaijan agreed to open a credit line worth $500 million for Iran in order to finance the railways construction. Currently, the working group continues negotiations on this issue.
It was already noted in October that all countries participating in the International North-South Transport Corridor project joined the cargo transportation process. Containers were delivered via the sea from the Indian city of Mumbai to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, from which they were further delivered to Astara by vehicles. Afterwards, the containers were sent to Russia by railway.
Meanwhile, it was announced in November that Estonia and Ukraine intend to join the project.
Baku International Sea Trade Port and Free Trade Zone
Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on March 17, 2016, on measures to create a free trade zone (FTZ) type special economic area covering the territory of the Baku International Sea Trade Port (Port of Baku) in the Alat township of Bakus Garadagh District.
In September 2016, the Port of Baku and Dubai Port World (DP World), one of the worlds major port operators, signed an agreement on provision of consulting services for Azerbaijan for the FTZs creation in the Alat township. The FTZ could start functioning in the first half of 2017.
Meanwhile, the first stage of construction is also being completed at the port. It is expected that the construction will be fully completed until late 2017, after which the goods capacity will reach 1,280 tons per day.
After the completion of the first stage, the Port of Baku will be able to receive up to 10-11 million tons of cargo per year, as well as to handle up to 50,000 TEU (the twenty-foot equivalent unit) per year. However, the ports cargo transshipment volume increased in 2016 as compared to 2015.
"Road map"
The Strategic road map on development of logistics and trade, approved by the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, became the key factor in the process of development of Azerbaijans transportation and logistics sector in 2016. Under the document, it is planned to create 18,900 new jobs in the sphere of logistics and trade in Azerbaijan until 2020 and the GDP is planned to be increased by 605 million manats.
Meanwhile, it is planned to increase Azerbaijans share in maritime freight traffic via the Central Asia-Black Sea route up to 40 percent until 2020, Central Asia-Europe up to 25 percent, China-Europe up to 3 percent, Russia-Iran up to 40 percent, and up to 25 percent via the Iran-Black Sea route.
Carrying out measures aimed at the development of transportation and logistics sector gives a reason to say that both 2017 and the following years will be more successful for this sphere.
With the final portion of the Dakota Access Pipeline on hold for now, the #NoDAPL movement is working to #DefundDAPL. Here, Native activists are seen at a Wells Fargo branch in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo: Sacred Stone Camp
In solidarity with the #NoDAPL movement, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians is ending its relationship with banking giant Wells Fargo.
The tribe, based in Minnesota, will no longer invest its money with the bank, officials announced on Friday. Wells Fargo, in addition to financing the Dakota Access Pipeline , has engaged in "unethical" practices across Indian Country that have drawn intense scrutiny , they said.
"Divesting from Wells Fargo is a meaningful step we can take to make it clear that this is unacceptable corporate behavior," Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin said.
"The Mille Lacs Band understands the nature of finance and lending practices by U.S. banks. In many instances, banking relationships are unavoidable," Benjamin added. "However, the Band must work with financial institutions with much stronger social justice criteria."
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and indigenous activists have called on allies to divest from banks and financial institutions that have provided financing for the $3.8 billion project. Other tribes, municipal governments and consumers are heeding the call to #DefundDAPL
"As we head towards a Donald Trump presidency and overt corporate control of the federal government, we must focus on local governance and grassroots organizing," activist Tara Houska of Honor the Earth said last week.
Trump at one point had put his own money into the firms financing and building the pipeline. One of his Cabinet picks, former Texas governor Rick Perry , has strong ties to Dakota Access as well but has promised to divest his interests.
"Dakota Access is feeling the pressure -- without our money funding the investors, this destructive project dies," Houska said. "Together, we will not be defeated."
The 1,172-mile pipeline runs through four states and is all but complete. But the final portion, located near Standing Rock in North Dakota, remains in limbo while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducts a more complete environmental review.
The wealthy backers of the pipeline say they are losing $20 million a week because they aren't able to finish construction. #DefundDAPL efforts are seen as one way to send a message about the fate of the project.
Wells Fargo has promoted initiatives that have hurt Native Americans across the country and the Mille Lacs Band will no longer associate ourselves with them, said Mille Lacs Band Secretary-Treasurer Carolyn Beaulieu. In addition to preying on customers and other unethical business practices, Wells Fargo is actively financing the Dakota Access Pipeline project where peaceful Native American protestors have been taunted and physically harmed. We will not do business with a company that finds these practices acceptable.
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Mato Tipila, a sacred site also known as Devils Tower, can be seen in the background of the Ross uranium mine in Wyoming. The facility had five license violations and non-compliance reports during its first year of operations. Photo: Peninsula Energy Ltd
Low price of uranium slows expansion of mine near sacred Mato Tipila
By Talli NaumanNative Sun News TodayHealth & Environment Editor
SUNDANCE, Wyo. In the wake of dismal 2016 profits from uranium production worldwide, Peninsula Energy Ltd. has decided to shelve Ross uranium mine and mill expansion plans slated near the tribally significant Mato Tipila.
Better known as Devils Tower National Monument, Mato Tipila is a Native American sacred site in Crook County in the northern Black Hills.
The Australian company, through its wholly owned subsidiary Strata Energy Inc., had proposed an 8,000-acre Kendrick Expansion Area here of the Ross in-situ leach (ISL) mine and mill, which received a radioactive materials handling license for the original 1,721 acres of the project in 2015.
A challenging market situation prompted operators to request the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to "cease all review activities related to the Kendrick amendment application for SUA-1601," according to a Dec. 8 announcement by the company.
While the present uranium market is challenging, Peninsula is insulated from current prices through its existing long-term contracts, it announced. By implementing a managed production ramp-up the company is well positioned to sustain itself through the current uranium market and then to expand quickly when the market improves, it said.
According to the Australia-based UX Consulting Services, uranium had the worst record of any commodity on the market in 2016, hitting a 12-year-low, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
The Ross Mine and mill finished its first year of operations in the economic slow-down attributed to ample stockpiles of the radioactive fuel for power plants and weapons, as well as to public outcry forcing shut-downs of nuclear installations in Germany and Japan after the 2011 disaster caused by the Fukushima atomic energy plant accident.
Peninsula Energy Ltd. announced completion of Stratas first yellow-cake delivery from Ross in situ leach uranium mine to an unnamed U.S. utility client on Jan. 5, 2016.
The ISL mining and milling process requires extraction of ground water from the ore-bearing geological layer, mixing it with acid, injecting it through the formation to dissolve the target mineral, and processing the result at an on-site installation into concentrated radioactive yellow cake, a powder used in producing nuclear energy,
Read the rest of the story on the Native Sun News Today website: Low price of uranium slows expansion of mine near sacred Mato Tipila
(Contact Talli Nauman at talli.nauman@gmail.com)
Copyright permission Native Sun News
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Who says co-actors can't be besties? Deepika Padukone and Vin Diesel's offscreen chemistry proves that the co-actors share a great rapport with each other. While Vin Diesel made Mexico sing the birthday song for Deepika Padukone, she returned the favor in the best way possible by ensuring he got the best possible 'desi' welcome in India.
Yesterday, the duo took over Mumbai. During the grand Mumbai premiere and media event, Vin Diesel and Deepika Padukone were inseparable.
Twitter
From gushing about each other like teenagers to cracking jokes together, Vin-Deepika were great together.
Twitter
One of the best parts of yesterday's event was when Deepika made Vin Diesel pull off 'Lungi dance' and yes, he did it like a pro.
Twitter
Watch Vin Diesel grooving to 'Lungi dance' right here.
1. Deepika Padukone Made Vin Diesel Pull Off 'Lungi Dance' And The Result Is Bloody Entertaining
Twitter
One of the best parts of yesterday's event was when Deepika made Vin Diesel pull off 'Lungi dance' and yes, he did it like a pro.
2. Gul Panag Just Shared The Best Take On The Stereotype Around Women Drivers
Coffee break ! A photo posted by Gul Panag (@gulpanag) on Jan 9, 2017 at 2:30am PST
Gul called India a young democracy and said that we are obsessed with rights but dont pay much attention to duties. She said, We are taught about our fundamental right in school, but no one remembers our fundamental duties as there has never been a focus on following them. Adhering to the laws is our duty as citizens and this awareness can be imparted through multiple formats, from your home, school and immediate environment and you should also know that if you disregard this law you will have to face severe consequences.
3. He Is Playing Dirty To Sell His Book, Says Source Close To Ajay Devgn On KJo's Confession About Kajol
Neither Kajol nor Ajay has responded to the excerpts or how the media reacted to it but a source close to the couple spoke to the media. The source was quoted saying,
Karan is doing this just to sell his book. The whole industry knows that Karan bitches about people behind their back. Even Shah Rukh Khan was upset with Karan because of his comments against Priyanka Chopra. Two years ago at a party, Karan indulged in really loose talk about Kajol in front of an A-list actor. That actor, in turn, told Ajay Devgn about it. Ajay even asked that actor why, despite being Karans friend, is he telling him about it. The actor said that if Karan could badmouth Kajol in front of him, he could also gossip about him someday. Ajay was obviously furious - any man would be if his wife was talked about in such light. So he called Karan and abused him on the phone. He told Karan that you can say what you wish about my film but dont talk about my wife and family.
4. One Day After Bengaluru, David Guettas Mumbai Concert Called Off After Police Refuse Permission
Approximately 4000 people were expected to attend the event. Dudhe added, "Organisers of the Sunburn event came to us for permissions at the last moment. They did not inform or discuss plans about safety and security of the people who were going to attend the event. They did not show us maps of the event venue and traffic management plans as well."
5. Cheering Ladylove Deepika At The xXx Premiere, Ranveer Singh Says He Is Proud Of Her
Ranveer said,Deepika is a very special co-actor of mine. She is an extremely gifted actor, an amazing movie star and someone who I admire and am extremely proud of.
Ever since the government of Jammu and Kashmir started the rehabilitation policy for those militants, who had gone to Pakistan between 1989 and 2009 and didnt return despite shunning violence, 377 ex-militants along with 864 of their family members have returned.
But the government had designated some route to make this return which included Wagah, Atari, Chakan Da Bagh and IGI airport, New Delhi and people who make a return through these routes will get benefit of the policy.
Reuters
But none of the ex-militants despite shunning violence returned from the designated routes and returned through Nepal and Bangaldesh.
On Wednesday, the state government in the Legislative Assembly, said since no youth has returned through the four designated points under the rehabilitation policy, they arent entitled to benefits that were supposed to be given to them.
In a written reply, the government said that only 377 ex-militants along with 864 family members have returned from Pakistan via Nepal and Bangladesh since 2010. These militants chose to return from Nepal and Bangladesh because they wanted to evade arrest from both the Indian and Pakistani security agencies.
The fear of social boycott and exile has forced 37 women candidates to withdraw their nominations from Nagaland civil body elections on Thursday.
The elections scheduled to be happen on February 1 are opposed by local NGOs because per cent quota is provided to women. According to them, the quota given to women is an infringement of Naga customary laws that dont give women administrative rights and violation of Article 371(A) of the constitution, which safeguards Naga customs and traditions.
News18
The state of Nagaland has 32 municipal and town councils. State wide protests and occasional shutdowns have prevented any candidate from filling their nomination papers in six civic bodies including that of capital Kohima , where Angami, the tribe which is in opposition of the elections is in majority.
All 27 candidates in Pfutsero town who had filled nominations withdrew their nominations by Thursday evening which took the number of no contest councils to seven. The other 10 candidates who withdrew are spread across six councils.
The official date of withdrawal of nomination is January 17, but some candidates withdrew on Thursday in response to calls by various organisations, a state election commission officer declined to be quoted told HT.
An ongoing investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against 50 bank branches of ten leading banks across the country has raised suspicions of big money laundering operations across the country post demonetisation, using dormant and newly opened accounts.
In one case, 13 cooperative banks had deposited around Rs 1,600 crore in the Mumbai branch of a commercial bank. Another cooperative bank in Surat deposited Rs 20 crore in demonetised notes in its account with the Bank of Baroda.
AFP
These 14 cooperative banks are among 300 the ED is currently investigating for suspected money laundering. According to sources, an ED audit of the ICICI Bank's BKC branch revealed that Rs 1,596 crore in banned currency notes were deposited by 13 cooperative banks between November 16 and 21 in accounts they had with the bank.
Also Read: After Demonetisation, Banks Are Reporting A 10-Fold Increase In Suspect Transactions
Within a week of the announcement of the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 on November 8, the central bank had restricted these cooperative banks from accepting banned notes.
In another case in Mumbai, the agency had detected irregularities in deposits of Rs 196 crore in a cooperative bank which had earlier reported deposits of Rs 1,400 crore in banned notes to the Reserve Bank of India, after the demonetisation.
AFP
The agency has, meanwhile, started registering cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and made some arrests. The ED registered a case in Delhi and arrested two managers of Axis Bank and a chartered accountant for laundering Rs 39 crore, after they were found misusing the banking channels.
Also Read: 97 Per Cent Of The Rs 15.44 Lakh Crore Demonetised Notes Have Come Back To The Banks. So, Where Is The Black Money?
The audit of bank branches revealed dormant accounts were used for deposit of banned notes. For instance, at the Punjab National Bank's Allahabad branch, the ED found details of 205 newly opened accounts where huge deposits in Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes were detected.
AP
At the Axis Bank's Ranchi branch, details of 16 newly opened accounts were found which were used for deposits of banned notes. In Axis Bank's Jaipur branch, 11 cases of third party deposits without proper authorisation were found. The agency could not find any documents pertaining to Rs 17 lakh in the branch. Similarly, the ED could not find any documents relating to exchanges of old notes in 43 cases at the same branch.
Also Read: Maharashtra Cooperative Banks Are Becoming The Go To Centers For Money Laundering, Rs 5,000 Crore Deposited In 4 Days
The ED is also probing 34 Jan Dhan accounts having cash deposits of more than Rs 10 lakh each. It has also examined bank accounts of top 80 jewellers spread over 16 cities with suspicious transactions.
Even though we've experienced a significant drop in the numbers of children who were forced into child marriage, from 54 percent in 1992-93 to 33 percent today, it's rather scary how many young children are still getting married to people twice or three times their age.
reuters
In fact, child marriage has slowly crept up in urban areas as well. Over the years, people who've migrated from rural areas haven't really given up on their bigoted notions. Case in point, a minor girl from Hyderabad, who was forced to marry a 35-year-old, Palsam Srikanth Goud, last year, was served a legal notice for not leading a marital life with him and discharging the duties of a housewife.
The girl, who is currently pursuing a degree in polytechnic at a private college has received the notice from her husband's lawyer. The hapless girl, who couldn't even afford to fight this legal battle wrote to the state Child Rights Association on Wednesday seeking help.
reuters
She passed Class 10 in March last year and going by her school-leaving certificate, she was born on March 3, 2000. It shows she is still a minor. So, the marriage itself is illegal and demanding conjugal rights from her is all the more illegal. We are planning to move the high court against Srikanth and also the lawyer, who issued notice without even bothering to know her age, association leader P Achyuta Rao told HT.
The girl, a resident of Abdullapurmet village was forced to marry Srikanth of Injapur village on February 25 last year even as she was preparing for her SSC examinations.
The girl also claims that her parents gave Rs 1 lakh, besides 15 tolas of gold to Srikanth towards dowry.
However, within a month of their marriage, the girl returned to her parent's house.
Our enquiries with the girl revealed that her husband had alleged illicit relationship with another woman. Moreover, she was keen on pursuing her education, said D Narender Rao, the husband's lawyer.
reuters
In a notice dated December 24, 2016, the lawyer accused the girl of behaving in a highly objectionable manner with Srikanth and his family members.
You have developed the habit of disliking your husband and not giving due respect to him. You never bothered to live marital life with him and failed to perform duties of a housewife, he said.
The lawyer gave a 15-day notice to the girl to return to her husband.
The police said they had not received any complaint from the girl or her parents.We will lodge a complaint against Srikanth and his parents soon, the child rights activist said.
It's about time we address the need for a cohesive system that is healthy and robust for the environment. With so much destruction, exploitation and damage that's already existing, what we need is a system of some environmental friendly tactics.
Piyush Goyal, the Minister of State with Independent Charge for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines has recently inaugurated Indias first solar ferry at Kottayam, Kerala.
Inaugurated Indias First Solar Ferry at Kottayam, Kerala pic.twitter.com/Hf2iZOGqTo Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) January 12, 2017
Launching a solar-powered boat service at Vaikom in the district, Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said that the Centre would extend support to introduce more such boats in Kerala's waters as it is keen to promote environment-friendly projects.
BCCL
Goyal launched the service in Vaikom-Cherthala-Thavanakadavu waterways along with chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal launches solar-powered boat service in Kottayam District of Kerala pic.twitter.com/6rvEMXtA6d TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) January 12, 2017
The first solar-powered boat was launched recently by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi.
BCCL
"Power production from solar energy that stood at 2000 MW in 2014 has gone up to 9500 MW at present," said Goyal, adding that the target was to take the production level to one lakh MW by 2020.
Vijayan said the government is committed to strengthening water transport in the state.
BCCL
Infrastructure for low cost and environment-friendly transport system would be upgraded, he said, adding, the introduction of more solar-powered boats could make water transport a profitable one.
The solar-powered boat, introduced by the State Water Transport Corporation, can accommodate 75 passengers.
The boat service would be from 7 AM to 7 PM, State Transport Minister A K Saseedharan said.
One of India's most wanted man, and the darling of Pakistani establishment, terror mastermind Hafiz Saeed has claimed the responsibility of the recent terror attack it Akhnoor sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
AFP/ File
The dreaded terrorist has claimed that his outfit, the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was behind the terror attack on a General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) camp in Akhnoor Sector which killed three civilians working for GREF.
Addressing a gathering of his operatives at Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir on Wednesday he is heard bragging how his men carried out the attack in "an army camp".
Four young men, day before yesterday in the evening, entered the camp at Akhnoor, Jammu. I am talking about something recent, its not an old event, it happened two days ago.
AFP/ File
He claimed that the men entered the army camp, wiped out soldiers in 10 camps and returned safe, without even a scratch. This is a surgical strike.
Amid cheers, he said the attack was in retaliation to the surgical strike by Indian Army in PoK targeting terror launchpads.
"Modi talked about a surgical strike. I had replied to him saying, Nawaz Sharif won't be the one replying to you, I will. He won't accept anyone's reply except mine" the dreaded terrorist is heard mocking the Indian Prime minister.
AFP/File
Saeed went on to say that the "Indian surgical strike in PoK was to fool the world, with a fake film".
But you gave an opportunity and the mujahideen will tell you what is a surgical strike" he continued. Saeed, wanted in India for a number of terror attacks in the country enjoys a free run in Pakistan, where he is given political patronage for his actions in Kashmir. Even amid international demand and recent outbursts by members of the ruling party themselves, Pakistan government and Army continues to safeguard him.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 13
By Elena Kosolapova Trend:
Kazakhstan National Wealth Fund Samruk-Kazyna expects oil prices to increase by almost $10 per barrel in 2017 as compared to 2016.
Oil price recovery will remain moderate this year and our central scenario suggests oil price to average $50-52 per barrel in 2017, Samruk-Kazyna said in its 2017 oil market outlook, published Jan. 13.
Brent and WTI average prices hit $42.66 per barrel and $42.35 per barrel in 2016, respectively.
Samruk-Kazyna expects volatility in oil prices to remain high in 2017 due to risks coming from OPEC and non-OPEC actions, slower-than-expected oil demand growth and geopolitical factors.
The fund forecasts that any reduction in OPECs oil output within the agreement reached on Nov. 30 will be compensated by the possible increase in output of the US shale producers.
A rebound in the US shale output is likely to limit oil price increase, Samruk-Kazyna said.
The fund noted that US shale output is already on track to sequentially grow starting from 1Q17.
Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova
Migrants to Italy should be "dumped" back on the North African beaches they set sail from "with a pat on the back, a packet of peanuts and an ice cream," an anti-immigrant Italian politician said.
AFP
"Italy can't take in the whole of Africa," Northern League leader Matteo Salvini told Radio 24's 'La Zanzara talk-show. "With all the immigrants arriving in Italy, there is a full-blown displacement of our population going on," he claimed.
AP
Salvini attacked Italian Interior Ministry proposals to make all mayors take in fixed quotas of migrants and asylum-seekers, urging the ministry's top immigration official Mario Morcone to resign.
Reuters
Morcone "should board the first migrant boat and be sent somewhere else in the Mediterranean," Salvini said.
Salvini also took aim at Ghanaian rapper Bel Figo, whose songs pillory Italy's treatment of migrants, saying: "I'd send him to pick cotton."
While the US President Barack Obama was delivering his final speech to the nation, members of Twitterati were nagged by the unexplained absence of Sasha, the President's youngest daughter.
AFP
Twitterati soon began searching for absent Sasha, using the hashtag #whereissasha after the 15-year-old was not found seated along with Michelle Obama and Malia Obama in the audience at McCormick Place in Chicago.
Sasha Obama is all of America: hiding at home, pretending he's not leaving. #whereisSasha #ObamaFarewell Alexander Whitcomb (@AlexWhitcomb) 11 January 2017
Among the theories, Sasha was on an elite anti-terrorism mission or looking for President-elect Trump's tax returns, CNN reported.
Later, a senior administration official said Sasha missed the speech because she had an exam in the morning.
Sasha, is a sophomore at the prestigious private school, Sidwell Friends in Washington DC.
In his speech, Obama praised his two daughters as his proudest achievement. "Malia," Obama said, gesturing to his 18-year-old eldest daughter, "...and Sasha, under the strangest of circumstances, you have become two amazing young women.
#WhereIsSasha Hopefully blocking the driveway to the White House pic.twitter.com/NodjX8x4tB Sabra Berger (@SabraBerger) 11 January 2017
"You are smart and you are beautiful but more importantly, you are kind and you are thoughtful, and you are full of passion. And bore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily.
"Of all that I have done in my life, I am most proud to be your dad," Obama said.
I once excused a student from an exam to watch her father in a local bowling championship. Guess I'm a softie. #whereisSasha #ObamaFarewell Brian Greene (@bgreene) 11 January 2017
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 13
By Maksim Tsurkov Trend:
Kazakhstan intends to increase the export of oil through the Russian section of the Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline, despite the fact that safety and quality issues can interfere with these plans, a source in Azerbaijans oil and gas market told Trend Jan. 13.
Kazakhstan wants to supply around three million tons of oil per year through the section of the Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline, from the city of Makhachkala to the Novorossiysk port, the source said. This is while the Transneft company [the operator of Russias section of the pipeline] has the ability to ship only 1.5 million tons of oil this year.
The source added that the quality of the exported oil is one of the main problems Kazakhstan may face.
Kazakhstans oil is heavy, with high sulfur content, said the source. This means that the Transneft company will have to mix the Kazakh oil with lighter and high-quality Azerbaijani oil supplied via the Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline. However, in 2017, Azerbaijan will supply about 1.5 million tons of oil via the pipeline, and these volumes are not sufficient for being mixed with the Kazakh oil volumes if they are increased.
Azerbaijans State Oil Company SOCAR (operator of Azerbaijani section of the Baku-Novorossiysk oil pipeline) will pump around 325,000 tons of oil through this pipeline in the first quarter of 2017, according to the plans.
The Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline is 1,147 kilometers long. The length of its Azerbaijani section is 231 kilometers and Russian section - 916 kilometers.
The pipeline was filled with oil in October 1996, according to SOCAR. The pipelines highest capacity stands at 105,000 barrels of oil a day.
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Clapper Trashes Leaks, Assures Trump of Loyalty
James Clapper says the intelligence community 'stands ready to serve his administration.'
By Nahal Toosi January 12, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " Politico " - The outgoing U.S. director of national intelligence has extended an olive branch of sorts to Donald Trump denouncing media leaks, casting skepticism on a report that Russia has damaging material on the president-elect, and assuring Trump that America's spies stand ready to serve him.
In an unusual statement, James Clapper said he had spoken Wednesday evening with Trump, five days after the spy chief and some of his counterparts met with the incoming president to discuss U.S. intelligence assessments that Russia tried to interfere in the 2016 election, possibly to help him win.
The assessment has badly aggravated existing tensions between the intelligence community and Trump.
On Tuesday, CNN, BuzzFeed and other media outlets reported that, during Fridays briefing, the intelligence officials told Trump about an unsubstantiated private report that detailed how Russia's government allegedly had salacious information about him. In addition, BuzzFeed published the apparent dossier, which Trump has since denounced as fake news.
"I expressed my profound dismay at the leaks that have been appearing in the press, and we both agreed that they are extremely corrosive and damaging to our national security," Clapper said of the information that has come out since last week's intelligence briefing.
Clappers statement represented a dramatic turn of events only 24 hours after initial leaks about the intelligence leaders having told Trump of the dossier. And while Clappers statement indirectly confirmed the media reports of the briefing, it also could be viewed as a concession of sorts from an intelligence community that has come under repeated, direct fire from the president-elect.
Trump had compared the leak from his briefing to Nazi Germany on Twitter on Wednesday morning, writing, Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to "leak" into the public. One last shot at me. Are we living in Nazi Germany?
In a news conference, also held Wednesday, Trump defended the comparison and elaborated further, saying, A thing like that should have never been written, it should never have been had, and it certainly should never have been released.
Clapper, however, said he did not believe the leaks to the press came from the intelligence community. At the same time, he indicated that the intelligence community decided to share the material with Trump because its mere existence was important for the incoming president to know about.
As far as the "private security company document," Clapper said, "I emphasized that this document is not a U.S. Intelligence Community product and that I do not believe the leaks came from within the IC. The IC has not made any judgment that the information in this document is reliable, and we did not rely upon it in any way for our conclusions."
"Part of our obligation is to ensure that policymakers are provided with the fullest possible picture of any matters that might affect national security," Clapper added.
Clapper's statement comes amid extraordinary strains between the spy world and Trump, who takes office next week. The president-elect has been resistant to U.S. intelligence assessments that Russia intervened in the election, although during a press conference Wednesday morning Trump admitted that Moscow likely did do some hacking.
Steven Hall, a former head of Russian operations at the CIA, said Clappers statement didnt appear to be an all-out apology, but that it was possible the spy chief wants to try to patch up the tensions between Trump and the intelligence world before he himself steps down in just a few days.
He just might very well be like, wow, this really has kind of gotten out of control, said Hall, who described Clapper as an old-school, principled kind of guy. This might be his parting attempt to say, look at the very least after more than a 50-year career in intelligence, I dont want this to be what Im remembered by.
Trump has said the U.S. should cooperate more with Russian President Vladimir Putin, going against the stance of many of his fellow Republicans, not to mention Democrats, as well as many intelligence experts.
There is a sense among some in the intelligence community that Trumps resistance to their assessments about Russias election interference is largely due to his sensitivity about how it could undermine his legitimacy as president, not because he doesnt believe in the overall merits of the U.S. spy apparatus.
Regardless, the increasingly bitter clash between Trump and the intelligence world has threatened to cast a dark cloud over the start of his presidency, which already faces skepticism from ethics experts and national security leaders who worry that Trump has too many conflicts of interest and is too erratic for the Oval Office.
But according to Clapper, during their conversation Wednesday, the president-elect "again affirmed his appreciation for all the men and women serving in the Intelligence Community, and I assured him that the IC stands ready to serve his administration and the American people."
Attorney General Loretta Lynch suggested earlier Wednesday that by sharing the information with Trump, the intelligence community was simply trying to put him on notice of what the Russians were up to.
Lynch declined to discuss any specifics, but said U.S. authorities often give such warnings. I can tell you that information is conveyed to individuals if we think they may be a victim, obviously, of any type of influence, she said.
Josh Gerstein contributed to this story. DNI Clapper Statement on Conversation with President-elect Trump Wednesday, January 11, 2017
DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
WASHINGTON, DC 20511
January 11, 2017
DNI Clapper Statement on Conversation with President-elect Trump
This evening, I had the opportunity to speak with President-elect Donald Trump to discuss recent media reports about our briefing last Friday. I expressed my profound dismay at the leaks that have been appearing in the press, and we both agreed that they are extremely corrosive and damaging to our national security.
We also discussed the private security company document, which was widely circulated in recent months among the media, members of Congress and Congressional staff even before the IC became aware of it. I emphasized that this document is not a U.S. Intelligence Community product and that I do not believe the leaks came from within the IC. The IC has not made any judgment that the information in this document is reliable, and we did not rely upon it in any way for our conclusions. However, part of our obligation is to ensure that policymakers are provided with the fullest possible picture of any matters that might affect national security.
President-elect Trump again affirmed his appreciation for all the men and women serving in the Intelligence Community, and I assured him that the IC stands ready to serve his Administration and the American people.
James R. Clapper, Director of National Intelligence https://www.dni.gov/index.php/newsroom/press-releases/224-press-releases-2017/1469-dni-clapper-statement-on-conversation-with-president-elect-trump ========= Trump on DNC hacking: I think it was Russia; As far as hacking, I think it was Russia, Trump said during his New York City press conference Wednesday. Russian tech expert named in Trump report says US intelligence never contacted him : Russian hackers says no intelligence officers have ever contacted him about the accusations, which he says are false. The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Information Clearing House editorial policy.
Only One Democratic State is Possible in Palestine and Israel By Ramzy Baroud January 12, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Long before December 28, when Secretary of State, John Kerry took the podium at the Dean Acheson Auditorium in Washington DC to pontificate on the uncertain future of the two-state solution and the need to save Israel from itself, the subject of a Palestinian state has been paramount. In fact, unlike common belief, the push to establish a Palestinian and a Jewish state side-by-side goes back years before the passing of United Nations Resolution 181 in November 1947. That infamous resolution had called for the partitioning of Palestine into three entities: a Jewish state, a Palestinian state and an international regime to govern Jerusalem. A more thorough reading of history can pinpoint multiple references to the Palestinian (or Arab state) between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. The idea of two states is western par excellence. No Palestinian party or leader had ever thought that partitioning the holy land was ever an option. Then, such an idea seemed preposterous, partly because, as Ilan Pappes Ethnic Cleaning of Palestine shows, almost all of the cultivated land in Palestine was held by the indigenous population (while) only 5.8% percent was in Jewish ownership in 1947. An earlier, but equally important reference to a Palestinian state was made in the Peel Commission, a British commission of inquiry, led by Lord Peel that was sent to Palestine to investigate the reasons behind the popular strike, uprising and later armed rebellion that began in 1936 and lasted for nearly three years. The underlying causes of the disturbances were two, resolved the commission: Palestinian desire for independence, and the hatred and fear of the establishment of the Jewish national home. The latter was promised by the British government to the Zionist Federation of Great Britain and Ireland in 1917 which became known as the Balfour Declaration. The Peel Commission recommended the partition of Palestine into a Jewish state and a Palestinian state, which would be incorporated into Transjordan, with enclaves reserved for the British Mandate government. In the time between that recommendation eighty years ago, and Kerrys warning that the two-state solution is in serious jeopardy, little has been done in terms of practical steps to establish a Palestinian state. Worse, the US has used its veto power in the UN repeatedly to impede the establishment of a Palestinian state, as well as utilizing its political and economic might to intimidate others from recognizing (although symbolically) a Palestinian state. It has further played a key role in funding illegal Jewish settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem all of which rendered the existence of a Palestinian state virtually impossible. The issue now is: why does the West continue to use the two-state solution as their political parameter for a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while, at the same time ensuring that their own prescription for conflict resolution is never to become a reality? The answer, partly, lies in the fact the two-state solution was never devised for implementation to begin with. Like the peace process and other pretenses, it aimed to promote among Palestinians and Arabs the idea that there is a goal worth striving for, despite being unattainable. But even that goal was itself conditioned on a set of demands that were unrealistic to begin with. Historically, Palestinians had to renounce violence (their armed resistance to Israels military occupation), consent to various UN resolutions (even if Israel still reject those resolutions), accept Israels right to exist as a Jewish state, and so on. That yet-to-be-established Palestinian state was also meant to be demilitarized, divided between the West Bank and Gaza, and excluding most of Occupied East Jerusalem. Many new creative solutions were also offered to alleviate any Israeli fears that the nonexistent Palestinian state, in case of its establishment, never pose a threat to Israel. At times, discussions were afoot about a confederation between Palestine and Jordan, and other times, as in the most recent proposal by the head of Jewish Home Party, Israeli Minister Naftali Bennett, making Gaza a state of its own and annexing to Israel 60 percent of the West Bank. And when Israels allies, frustrated by the rise of the rightwing in Israel and the obstinacy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, insist that time is running out for a two-state solution, they express their worries in the form of tough love. Israels settlement activity is increasingly cementing an irreversible one-state reality, said Kerry in his major policy speech last month. Such a reality would force Israel to either compromise on the Jewish identity of the state (as if having religious/ethnic identities of a modern democratic state is a common precondition) or having to contend with being an Apartheid state (as if such reality doesnt exist anyway.) Kerry warned Israel that it will eventually be left with the option of placing Palestinians under a permanent military occupation that deprives them of the most basic freedoms, thus paving the ground for a separate and unequal scenario. Yet while warnings that a two-state solution possibility is disintegrating, few bothered to try to understand the reality from a Palestinian perspective. For Palestinians, the debate on Israel having to choose between being democratic and Jewish is ludicrous. For them, Israels democracy applies fully to its Jewish citizens and no one else, while Palestinians have subsisted for decades behind walls, fences, prisons and besieged enclaves, like the Gaza Strip. And with two separate laws, rules and realities applying to two separate groups in the same land, Kerrys separate but unequal Apartheid scenario had taken place the moment Israel was established in 1948. Fed up by the illusions of their own failed leadership, according to a recent poll, two thirds of Palestinians now agree that a two-state solution is not possible. And that margin keeps on growing as fast as the massive illegal settlement enterprise dotting the Occupied West Bank and Jerusalem. This is not an argument against the two-state solution; for the latter merely existed as a ruse to pacify Palestinians, buy time and demarcate the conflict with a mirage-like political horizon. If the US was indeed keen on a two-state solution, it would have fought vehemently to make it a reality, decades ago. To say that the two-state solution is now dead is to subscribe to the illusion that it was once alive and possible. That said, it behooves everyone to understand that co-existence in a one democratic state is not a dark scenario that spells doom for the region. It is time to abandon unattainable illusions and focus all energies to foster co-existence, based on equality and justice for all. Indeed, there can be one state between the river and the sea, and that is a democratic state for all of its people, regardless of their ethnicity or religious beliefs. Dr. Ramzy Baroud has been writing about the Middle East for over 20 years. He is an internationally-syndicated columnist, a media consultant, an author of several books and the founder of PalestineChronicle.com. His books include Searching Jenin, The Second Palestinian Intifada and his latest My Father Was a Freedom Fighter: Gazas Untold Story. His website is www.ramzybaroud.net . The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Information Clearing House editorial policy. Trump secretary of state pick: Two-state solution must remain the aspiration : Rex Tillerson says Palestinians must give up violence if they want state, laments failures by leadership on both sides to seize opportunities.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 13
By Elena Kosolapova Trend:
Kazakhstans Anti-Terror Center will withdraw the moderate (yellow) level of terrorist threat on Jan. 16, the Center said Jan. 13.
The decision was made by Chairman of the National Security Committee Karim Massimov.
The yellow or moderate level of terrorist threat was declared in Kazakhstan following a terrorist attack in Aktobe in early June 2016 which killed three soldiers and four civilians.
Later 18 terrorists were eliminated. Twenty-nine people were detained and sentenced to different terms in prison.
In August the yellow level of terrorist threat was extended for five months.
Follow the author on Twitter:@E_Kosolapova
The Deep State Goes to War with Trump, Using Unverified Claims, as Democrats Cheer
By Glenn Greenwald
January 12, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " The Intercept " - In January, 1961, Dwight Eisenhower delivered his farewell address after serving two terms as U.S. president; the five-star general chose to warn Americans of this specific threat to democracy: In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. That warning was issued prior to the decadelong escalation of the Vietnam War, three more decades of Cold War mania, and the post-9/11 era, all of which radically expanded that unelected factions power even further.
This is the faction that is now engaged in open warfare against the duly elected and already widely disliked president-elect, Donald Trump. They are using classic Cold War dirty tactics and the defining ingredients of what has until recently been denounced as Fake News.
Their most valuable instrument is the U.S. media, much of which reflexively reveres, serves, believes, and sides with hidden intelligence officials. And Democrats, still reeling from their unexpected and traumatic election loss as well as a systemic collapse of their party, seemingly divorced further and further from reason with each passing day, are willing eager to embrace any claim, cheer any tactic, align with any villain, regardless of how unsupported, tawdry and damaging those behaviors might be.
The serious dangers posed by a Trump presidency are numerous and manifest. There are a wide array of legitimate and effective tactics for combatting those threats: from bipartisan congressional coalitions and constitutional legal challenges to citizen uprisings and sustained and aggressive civil disobedience. All of those strategies have periodically proven themselves effective in times of political crisis or authoritarian overreach.
But cheering for the CIA and its shadowy allies to unilaterally subvert the U.S. election and impose its own policy dictates on the elected president is both warped and self-destructive. Empowering the very entities that have produced the most shameful atrocities and systemic deceit over the last six decades is desperation of the worst kind. Demanding that evidence-free, anonymous assertions be instantly venerated as Truth despite emanating from the very precincts designed to propagandize and lie is an assault on journalism, democracy, and basic human rationality. And casually branding domestic adversaries who refuse to go along as traitors and disloyal foreign operatives is morally bankrupt and certain to backfire on those doing it.
Beyond all that, there is no bigger favor that Trump opponents can do for him than attacking him with such lowly, shabby, obvious shams, recruiting large media outlets to lead the way. When it comes time to expose actual Trump corruption and criminality, who is going to believe the people and institutions who have demonstrated they are willing to endorse any assertions no matter how factually baseless, who deploy any journalistic tactic no matter how unreliable and removed from basic means of ensuring accuracy?
All of these toxic ingredients were on full display yesterday as the Deep State unleashed its tawdriest and most aggressive assault yet on Trump: vesting credibility in and then causing the public disclosure of a completely unvetted and unverified document, compiled by a paid, anonymous operative while he was working for both GOP and Democratic opponents of Trump, accusing Trump of a wide range of crimes, corrupt acts and salacious private conduct. The reaction to all of this illustrates that while the Trump presidency poses grave dangers, so, too, do those who are increasingly unhinged in their flailing, slapdash, and destructive attempts to undermine it.
For months, the CIA, with unprecedented clarity, overtly threw its weight behind Hillary Clintons candidacy and sought to defeat Donald Trump. In August, former acting CIA Director Michael Morell announced his endorsement of Clinton in the New York Times and claimed that Mr. Putin had recruited Mr. Trump as an unwitting agent of the Russian Federation. The CIA and NSA director under George W. Bush, Gen. Michael Hayden, also endorsed Clinton, and went to the Washington Post to warn, in the week before the election, that Donald Trump really does sound a lot like Vladimir Putin, adding that Trump is the useful fool, some naif, manipulated by Moscow, secretly held in contempt, but whose blind support is happily accepted and exploited.
It is not hard to understand why the CIA preferred Clinton over Trump. Clinton was critical of Obama for restraining the CIAs proxy war in Syria and was eager to expand that war, while Trump denounced it. Clinton clearly wanted a harder line than Obama took against the CIAs long-standing foes in Moscow, while Trump wanted improved relations and greater cooperation. In general, Clinton defended and intended to extend the decadeslong international military order on which the CIA and Pentagons preeminence depends, while Trump through a still-uncertain mix of instability and extremist conviction posed a threat to it.
Whatever ones views are on those debates, it is the democratic framework the presidential election, the confirmation process, congressional leaders, judicial proceedings, citizen activism and protest, civil disobedience that should determine how they are resolved. All of those policy disputes were debated out in the open; the public heard them; and Trump won. Nobody should crave the rule of Deep State overlords.
Ten Aircraft Carriers Aligned in a Row
By Paul Craig Roberts
January 12, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Readers have asked me why 10 of 11 US aircraft carriers are lined up in a row in dock allegedly for maintanence. It reminds them of the battleships at Pearl Harbor. Readers ask if this could be an indication that the Deep State is planning a false flag attack on the carriers, as was carried out on the World Trade Center and Pentagon in order to get the US at war with the independent Muslim world, this time in order to get the US at war with Russia before Trump can restore normal relations.
I dont think so. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was real, if provoked. The deception apparently was in the fact that Washington had warning but did not share it with the US Navy in Pearl Harbor. The Battleships were outmoded weapons, and the aircraft carriers had been removed. It would be extremely difficult to blame a false flag attack on US aircraft carriers on Russia. Indeed, if Russia wants to attack the US, the target would not be obsolete weapons such as aircraft carriers.
According to what I have been told by former(?) intelligence officers, the aircraft carriers are in dock so that their copper wiring can be replaced by fiber optics. Apparently, the Russians have the capability to shut down the operating systems of our ships and aircraft that are copper wired. In behalf of this conclusion, there were news reports that a missile ship Washington sent to impress the Russian naval base in Crimea had all its systems shut down by the overflight of one Russian jet. According to another news report, two Israeli US jet fighters were sent to express disobdience to Russias controlled airspace in Syria. The Russians asked the Israelis to leave, and when they did not, the Russians shut down the fire control and communication systems of their aircraft.
According to what I have been told, the Russians discovered that copper wiring permits them to disrupt the operating systems with certain radar frequencies built into their air control systems
If this account is true, and I lack the technical expertise to judge what I have been told, we are presented with a test case of what we are told are Russian and Chinese aggressive intentions against the West. With the US carrier task forces inoperative, this is a prime time for Russia to seize Ukraine and whatever else they are alleged to want, and it is a prime time for China to take Taiwan and Japan if they want it. There is no American Navy to deploy to stop them, and a nuclear threat from the clowns in Washington would mean nothing other than the complete destruction of the entire Western world, with the moronic idiots in Washington being the first to go.
The charges of Chinese and Russian aggression are fantastic lies. China has not declared the Gulf of Mexico or the seas off the California coasts to be areas of Chinese national interest, but the killer bitch Hillary in the regime of the Nobel Peace Laureate declared the South China Sea to be an area of US national interest. This is provocation beyond provocation. No intelligent diplomat would ever make such a ridiculous and provocative claim.
Russia conquered Georgia in response to Georgias invasion of South Ossetia, but released it and did not reincorporate the former Russian province back into the Russian Federation where it had resided for 300 years. Russia refused the requests for reincorporation from the Donetsk and Luhansk breakaway republics in Ukraine. Russia has not declared the Baltics and Eastern Europe to be areas of Russian national interest, but the US has and has incorporated them into Washingtons mercenary army, stationing troops, tanks, and missiles there with which to attack Russia. Russia has not responded in kind.
All of the aggression in the world stems from Washington. This is plain as day. How come so few see the obvious? Who else but Washington has been at war since the Clinton regime murdering people in nine countries?
Why is the entire liberal-progressive-left helping the entrenched CIA Establishment demonize president-elect Donald Trump, whose stated goal is to normalize relations with Russia? Is this an indication that the liberal-progressive-left is a CIA front? This possibility is not far-fetched. As it is a known fact that the CIA owns the American and European print and TV media, why would the CIA ignore the liberal-left progressive Internet media?
The rule is that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Clearly the Establishment enemy of the liberal-left is Trumps enemy, so why is the liberal-left allied with its Establishment enemy against Trump?
The real question is: Does the US really have an independent liberal-left?
If so, where is it? The liberal-progressive-left has served as protectors of the fake 9/11 official story that a few Saudis uninformed by an intelligence service or a state apparatus outwitted all 16 US intelligence agencies, the National Security Council, the Pentagon, airport security, air traffic control, the US Air Force and Dick Cheney himself, along with Israels Mossad and all the intelligence services of the US Empire, and inflicted the most humuliating defeat on an alleged superpower in the entire history of the world.
Anyone stupid enough to believe the official 9/11 story is not sufficiently intelligent to be qualified to be left-wing or even a sentinent being.
What the Western world hurtling to its destruction desperately needs is a real left-wing, a left-wing immune to emotional disabilities that blind it to reality. 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.
We All Lose: Obamas Legacy and What It Means for a Trump Presidency By John W. Whitehead This light of history is pitiless; it has a strange and divine quality that, luminous as it is, and precisely because it is luminous, often casts a shadow just where we saw a radiance; out of the same man it makes two different phantoms, and the one attacks and punishes the other, the darkness of the despot struggles with the splendor of the captain. Hence a truer measure in the final judgment of the nations. Babylon violated diminishes Alexander; Rome enslaved diminishes Caesar; massacred Jerusalem diminishes Titus. Tyranny follows the tyrant. Woe to the man who leaves behind a shadow that bears his form. Victor Hugo, Les Miserables January 12, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Lets talk about President Obamas legacy, shall we? This was a candidate who was ushered into office promising hope and change, pledging to put an end to the endless wars that were bankrupting the country (he was actually awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in anticipation of his efforts to bring about world peace), and vowing to put an end of the corporate revolving door that had turned our republic into an oligarchy. After eight years in office, Barack Obama leaves our nation with a weakened Constitution that has been dealt one crippling blow after another by court rulings and government overreach, with more militarized police empowered to shoot first and ask questions later, with more SWAT team raids, with more government corruption, with more debt than ever before ($19 trillion and rising), with more racial tensions bubbling over into confrontations, with even greater surveillance intruding into the privacy of the citizenry, with less tolerance for free speech and thought, with taxpayers groaning under the weight of even more taxes disguised as fines and fees, with a more imperial president empowered to act unilaterally through the use of signing statements and executive orders, with a greater risk of blowback from military occupations, drone strikes and endless wars abroad, and with a citizenry more broken and oppressed than ever. In other words, Obama leaves our nation worse off than when he took office. You wont hear any of this from Obama, who believes he would have been re-elected had he been permitted to run for a third term. Nor will you hear it from the celebrities who are quick to sing Obamas praises, while likening Donald Trump to Hitler. And you certainly wont hear it from those who are staging sit-ins, marches and acts of civil disobedience to protest Trumps election, while having failed to voice even a whisper of protest over Obamas long list of civil liberties abuses. Yet the reality we must contend with is that the world is a far more dangerous place today than it was eight years ago, and Obama must shoulder some of the blame for that. As President Harry S. Truman recognized, The buck stops here. How did we come to this? How did a politician who showed such potential and managed to ignite such positive feelings among the citizenry, young and old alike, go from being a poster child for hope and change to being the smiling face of a government that is blind, deaf and dumb to the needs of its citizens? Let me answer my own question in a roundabout way by quoting something Meryl Streep said recently in her recent Golden Globe acceptance speech. Ostensibly taking aim at Trump for imitating a disabled reporter, Streep declared: This instinct to humiliate, when its modeled by someone in the public platform, by someone powerful, it filters down into everybodys life, because it kind of gives permission for other people to do the same thing. Disrespect invites disrespect. Violence incites violence. And when the powerful use their position to bully others, we all lose. Streep is right in one sense. We all lose when the powerful inflict violence, humiliation, disrespect on others. However, where Streep goes wrong is in failing to recognize that we the people have been on the losing end of this relationship long before Trumps name was even being batted about as a possible candidate for the White House. Indeed, the agents of the Obama administrationmany of whom belong to that permanent government bureaucracy that is unaltered by elections and flows in a continuous line from one president to anotherhave been consistently and persistently inflicting violence, humiliation and disrespect on the citizenry for the past eight years. Every time a SWAT team funded by government grants crashes through a door, thats an infliction of violence. Every drone strike that kills innocent civilians is inflicting violence on the less powerful. Every roadside stop that ends with an unwarranted strip search is inflicting humiliation on the less powerful. Every law that criminalizes the speech or activities of those whose views may not jibe with the mainstream is tantamount to government-sanctioned bullying. So for those lamenting the perils of a Trump presidency, who have been quick to blame racism, sexism and even the Russians for Trumps electoral victory, you might want to consider the old Native American proverb that says every time you point a finger in scornthere are three remaining fingers pointing right back at you. As civil rights activist Cornel West concluded, The reign of Obama did not produce the nightmare of Donald Trump but it did contribute to it. And those Obama cheerleaders who refused to make him accountable bear some responsibility. West goes on to document the many missteps that contributed to Obamas failed legacy: his allegiance to Wall Street, the drone strikes that have killed innocent civilians, the demonization of whistleblowers, the killing of U.S. citizens without due process, and his refusal to hold police accountable for excessive force and civil rights violations among others. As West writes for The Guardian: [T]he mainstream media and academia failed to highlight these painful truths linked to Obama. Instead, most well-paid pundits on TV and radio celebrated the Obama brand. And most black spokespeople shamelessly defended Obamas silences and crimes in the name of racial symbolism and their own careerism. How hypocritical to see them now speak truth to white power when most went mute in the face of black power. Their moral authority is weak and their newfound militancy is shallow. Let me also say that this is not only an indictment of all that Obama has failed to do in the past eight years. It is also an indictment of those administrations prior to Obama, Democrat and Republican alike, which have contributed to our present sorry state of affairs. And it is a warning to Trump as he begins to carve out a path for his own administration. Every time I write one of these diatribes about the government, Im always asked what can I do to push back against the government? My answer, which I flesh out in greater detail in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People, is always the same: When all is said and done, politicians are only as effective, trustworthy and accountable as they are made to be. And they are only made to be effective, trustworthy and accountable when the citizenry stays engaged, informed and active in the workings of government. One of the best models I know for a citizen who took the duties of citizenship to heart every moment of the day was my good friend, mentor and hero Nat Hentoffone of the nations most respected, controversial and uncompromising writers and a lifelong champion of the First Amendmentwho passed away on Saturday, January 7, 2017, at the age of 91. Nat was a radical in the best sense of the word, a feisty, fiercely loyal, inveterate freedom fighter and warrior journalist with a deep-seated intolerance of injustice and a love of America that weathered the best and worst this nation has had to offer. Nat didnt live to see the last days of Obamas reign, but he saw enough to describe the nations 44th president as possibly the most dangerous and destructive president we have ever had. A few years back, I asked Nat how he maintains his optimism in the face of the constant barrage of discouraging news about government corruption, civil liberties abuses, war, etc. Ill end with Nats answer as he inscribed it in the foreword to my book A Government of Wolves: The Emerging American Police State: Government officials like to claim that everything they are doing is for security, to keep America safe in the so-called war against terrorism. What they are really effectuating is a weakening of why we are Americans. A lot of Americans today have a very limited idea as to why they are Americans, let alone why we have a First Amendment or a Bill of Rights. People are becoming accustomed or conditioned to what's going on now with the raping of the Fourth Amendment, for example. Too many Americans appear unconcerned about the loss of fundamental individual libertiessuch as due process, the right to confront their government accusers in a courtroom, and the presumption of innocencethat are vital to being an American. Yet the reason we are vulnerable to being manipulated by the government out of fear is that most of us do not know and understand our liberties and how difficult it was to obtain them and how hard it is to keep them. I have spent a lot of time studying our Founders and people like Samuel Adams. What Adams and the Sons of Liberty did in Boston was spread the word about the abuses of the British. They had Committees of Correspondence that got the word out to the colonies. We need Committees of Correspondence now. The danger we now face is admittedly greater than any we have had before. If I were to judge what I do and write on the basis of optimism, I would probably go back to writing novels, but I figure you have to do what you feel you have to do and just keep hoping and trying to get people to understand why we are Americans and what we are fighting to preserve. Constitutional attorney and author John W. Whitehead is founder and president of The Rutherford Institute . His new book Battlefield America: The War on the American People (SelectBooks, 2015) is available online at www.amazon.com. Whitehead can be contacted at johnw@rutherford.org. The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Information Clearing House editorial policy.
The African Union will cease to recognise Yahya Jammeh as president of The Gambia should he refuse to stand down by January 19, the date he is due to hand over power to the winner of that country presidential election.
The AUs Peace and Security Council in a statement on Friday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, also warned of serious consequences in the event that his action causes any crisis that could lead to political disorder, humanitarian and human rights disaster, including loss of innocent lives and destruction of properties.
The warning came on a day President Muhammadu Buhari was due in Banjul at the head of an ECOWAS delegation to persuade Jammeh to step down.
Yahyas political party, in the latest gambit, has gone to court to halt the inauguration of Adama Barrow, on the basis that Jammehs challenge of the electoral result, has not been decided by the countrys Supreme Court.
The case was adjourned for months, because the court could not form a quorum.
Barrows party pledged on Friday that Jammeh would be honoured as a former head of state if he steps down and suggested he might not face trial for alleged crimes during his 22 years in power.
As part of its efforts to curtail criminality and social vices, the the Borno State government has announced the ban of the sale of alcohol and prostitution in the state.
The Commissioner of Justice, Alhaji Kakashehu Lawan, made the announcement while briefing newsmen on Thursday in Maiduguri.
He said that mobile courts would be set up to try violators of the new law.
The sale of alcohol is hereby banned throughout the state with effect from Jan. 20.
All brothels and other spots where prostitution, immoral activities, sale and consumption of illicit drugs take place are hereby banned with immediate effect, he said.
The commissioner however explained that military and paramilitary formations across the state are exempted from the ban.
Military and paramilitary formations (Mammy Markets are exempted as provided by the liquor business (prohibition) law 2000.
Those engaged in the activities above particularly in Galadima, Gamboru, Moduganari, Wulari, Hot Bite, Baga Road, Mairi, London Ciki, Artellery and along Giwa Barracks are hereby warned to take note, he said.
Lawan called on owners of unregistered chemists and patent medicine stores to register their outfits or be made to face the wrath of the law.
All unregistered chemists and patent medicine stores are hereby warned to properly get registered with in two weeks from today or be forced to close down.
Government will not tolerate a situation where unregistered or unlicensed persons engage in such business that directly touches on the health of the citizenry, he said.
Source: NAN
A Nigerian cleaner has been charged in the Court of First Instance with physically assaulting a man and causing him a head bleeding. The 29-year-old cleaner pleaded not guilty to the charge.
According to prosecution records, he caused the other man a permanent injury unintentionally in the incident that followed a brawl between the two men on May 26, last year in Iyyal Nasser, Naif.
After receiving the complaint, we listened to witnesses, checked the CCTV of the building and found the suspect was the man on trial, a police corporal said.
The cleaner admitted that on May 26, 2016, around 7pm he had an argument with the victim, who as the cleaner claimed, brought a wooden stick and wanted to hit him. He pulled it from his hands and then hit him on the head.
The accused told the police that when he saw the victim collapsing, he threw the stick away and fled the place.
The forensic report showed the victim suffered a head bleeding which extended to the brain tissue and caused him to pass out. The doctor, who treated him, said his injury could have been deadly but last-minute surgeries saved his life.
In the fight, which was caught on the building surveillance cameras, the accused was seen hitting the victim who fell down. He then twisted his arms and assaulted him again. The victim was seen trying to get away from him as the accused pulled him.
Nigerian newspaper headlines January 13, 2017.
Punch
The Securities and Exchange Commission, on Thursday said its attention had been drawn to radio advertisements and other modes of solicitations of the public to invest in crypto currencies such as Swisscoin, OneCoin, Bitcoin and such other virtual or digital currencies.
Vanguard
The Federal Government, yesterday, stated that the United States was reluctant to release over $ 550 million to Nigeria, being proceeds from identified Gen Sani Abacha loot in the country.
Guardian
Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have arrested four fleeing Boko Haram terrorists in Biu Local Government Area of Borno and recovered 100 motorcycles from them.
Thisday
President Muhammadu Buhari will travel to Banjul, the capital of The Gambia, and Bamako, the Malian capital from today, January 13 to 14, 2017.
Leadership
The Lagos State government yesterday got the nod of the Supreme Court to re-open the murder case of the late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola against Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (retd).
Premium Times
The Nigerian Army, 2 Division Ibadan, has said that the late Commandant of Command Secondary School, Ibadan, Anthony Okeyim, a colonel, died of intracranial pressure arising from fracture in the skull.
The Sun
In a bid to shore up government revenue, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is proposing to increase Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract (PSC) Act by up to 28 per cent.
The Nation
Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka yesterday condemned President Muhammadus and Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufais handling of the Southern Kaduna crisis.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 13
By Elena Kosolapova Trend:
Kazakhstan exported one million tons of oil from Kashagan field as of Jan. 8, North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC), operating the field, told Kazakh LS online business magazine.
Oil production at Kashagan was launched in autumn 2016 and reached commercial level of 75,000 barrels per day on Nov. 1, 2016.
According to NCOC, currently work is carried out in order to increase the level of production to 180,000 barrels per day. The company went on to add that it is expected to reach production level of 370,000 barrels per day after the start of re-injection of associated (sulfur) gas into the reservoir.
Kashagan is a large oil and gas field in Kazakhstan, located in the north of the Caspian Sea. Its recoverable oil reserves amount to 9-13 billion barrels.
Kazakhstan plans to produce 8.9 million tons of oil and 5.6 billion cubic meters of gas from Kashagan in 2017. In subsequent years it is planned to increase the production to 13 million tons of oil and 9 billion cubic meters of gas per year.
The project participants are KMG Kashagan BV (16.88 percent), AGIP Caspian Sea BV (nearly 16.81 percent), CNPC Kazakhstan BV (8.33 percent), Exxon Mobil Kazakhstan Inc. (nearly 16.81 percent), INPEX North Caspian Sea Ltd. (nearly 16.81 percent), Shell Kazakhstan Development BV (nearly 16.81 percent), and Total E&P Kazakhstan (nearly 16.81 percent).
Follow the author on Twitter:@E_Kosolapova
At least nine people were killed when three female suicide bombers struck in Madagali, Adamawa State, on Friday, a rescue agency has said.
The National Emergency Management Agency also confirmed that one of the three female suicide bombers died with a baby strapped on her back.
PREMIUM TIMES reported residents as saying three suicide bombers blew up themselves while approaching a security check point, where vehicles are stopped and screened before being allowed into the town.
This morning the suicide bombers blew up themselves after they were intercepted by local vigilantes stationed at the check point and already two vigilantes lost their lives in the process, Ladi Musa, a local resident, said.
The Coordinator of NEMA for Adamawa and Taraba Operation Office, Saad Bello, who confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria said that the nine dead included the suicide bombers.
So far we have nine dead including the three female suicide bombers, while 14 others sustain various degree of injuries, Mr. Bello said.
Also confirming the development, the Executive Secretary of Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, ADSEMA, Haruna Furo, said that normalcy has returned to the area.
Meanwhile, the Adamawa Government has condemned the incident and urged the public to be more vigilant and report suspicious persons, objects and movements to security agencies.
The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ahmad Sajoh, said that the injured had been taken to Michika General Hospital for medical attention.
Mr. Sajoh assured that government had made all necessary arrangement to cater for the injured and their relations staying with them at the hospital.
Source: Leadership
The United States will lift trade sanctions on Sudan in a shift of policy, the Obama administration announced.
An executive order released Thursday noted the Sudanese governments positive actions over the last six months. The North African country has made improvements in humanitarian efforts, reduced military hostilities and cooperated with the United States on anti-terrorism efforts, the order says. The new U.S. strategy for Sudan, to be revealed Friday, calls for a lifting of sanctions, which will allow Sudan to purchase sorely needed items such as tractors and parts, as well as attract investment.
In return, Sudan has promised to improve access for humanitarian organizations and end the bombing of insurgent groups. The embargo can be reinstated by the United States in six months, if necessary.
Trade sanctions were first levied on Sudan in 1997, after it was accused of sponsoring international terrorism. Osama bin Laden lived in Khartoum, Sudans capital, as the governments guest, after his agents were found responsible for the bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998. The bombings killed more than 200 people. In response, U.S. President Bill Clinton ordered cruise missile strikes on targets in Afghanistan and Sudan.
Although sanctions were lifted by Obamas executive order, the sale of military supplies is still prohibited. Sudan will remain on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, with Iran and Syria, and some Sudanese individuals still face sanctions.
When is an "unlimited" data plan anything but? When AT&T or Verizon is your wireless carrier. With the new year come new efforts to push legacy unlimited data customers onto more costly capped plans.
Ever since AT&T and Verizon stopped offering unlimited plans several years ago, the carriers have waged a war of attrition against users with grandfathered plans. The companies have tried all manner of tactics to make these users go away, including blocking certain services from working, throttling unlimited users' data speeds without transparency (for which AT&T was fined $100 million by the FCC), and consistently raising rates.
You say tomato, I say tomahto -- let's call the whole thing off
Verizon, which last summer cut loose customers who were using more than 500GB of data per month, this week set its sights on those using more than 200GB of data. Heavy users have until Feb. 16 to move onto capped plans or be disconnected.
However, International Business Times and Engadget note that Verizon customers who'd kept their data usage under 100GB were also complaining on several Reddit threads that they'd received letters moving them off unlimited data. It's probably only a matter of time before Verizon purges its unlimited customers entirely.
Gives a whole new meaning to "unlimited," doesn't it?
To add insult to injury, Verizon persists in spreading the fantasy that while users may think they want unlimited data plans, they're flat-out wrong.
"At the end of the day, people don't need unlimited plans," Verizon's then-CFO Fran Shammo said at an investor conference last September. "You cannot make money in an unlimited data world," he added.
Follow that logic? You don't need unlimited data because Verizon -- a company that raked in $31 billion last quarter -- doesn't make enough money. Carriers are "still struggling with the concept that in a truly competitive market, consumers tell you what they want (and hopefully, you provide it). In wireless, executives still apparently think it's the other way around," says TechDirt.
Show me the money
Last year, Verizon raised the price of its unlimited data plan by $20, to $50 a month. When text messaging and talk are figured in, the total can top $100 a month. But compare that legacy plan to the carrier's XXL plan: New customers are offered only 24GB and two lines for $110. Verizon last week also increased the "upgrade fee" it levies when customers buy a new phone from $20 to $30.
AT&T this week announced another $5 price hike on its unlimited plan -- the second in less than a year, amounting to a more than 30 percent raise since January 2016. But even with that bump to $40 per month, the unlimited plan is still a bargain for heavy data users. With voice and text added, legacy customers will pay $90 a month. Meanwhile, a new 30GB data plan from AT&T costs $135.
No wonder AT&T is dangling perks like tethering without throttling as an incentive for unlimited customers to give up their old plans. (AT&T throttles unlimited users' connections after 22GB; its capped data plans throttle customers after they reach their data limits, unless they switch to a more expensive plan.)
Verizon also slows the speeds of its heaviest data users, but said speeds return to normal "once the heavy usage eases or the user moves to a different cell site." It insists this is in no way throttling. "Our network optimization policy provides the best path to ensure a continued great wireless experience for all of our customers," said Mike Haberman, VP of technology for Verizon.
But as TelecomTV notes, Verizon's support page at the time stated: "If you're on an unlimited data plan and are concerned that you are in the top 5 percent of data users, you can switch to a usage-based data plan as customers on usage-based plans are not impacted [by network optimization]."
In other words, the throttling had little to do with congestion and everything to do with Verizon wanting to push unlimited users onto more expensive capped data connections.
The FCC and FTC went after AT&T for a lack of transparency about its throttling practices. AT&T claimed it needed to throttle unlimited customers to "prevent harm" to its network. But federal courts asserted "AT&T's throttling program is not actually tethered to real-time network congestion." Unlimited customers are throttled "even if AT&T's network is capable of carrying the customers' data." Customers who don't have unlimited plans are not ordinarily throttled -- even if they use vast amounts of data -- unless they exceed their caps.
It will be interesting to see if the new FCC is as willing to police the industry.
In 2017, most companies have data breach preparedness on their radar. But the threat landscape is ever-evolving. Staying ahead of emerging threats and the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals requires constant vigilance, as Mad-Eye Moody from J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter series was fond of saying.
Preparing for a data breach has become much more complex over the last few years, says Michael Buemmer, vice president at Experian Data Breach Resolution. Organizations must keep an eye on the many new and constantly evolving threats and address these threats in their incident response plans.
[ Related: Remain paranoid, err vigilant, with online security in 2017 ]
To aid in that effort, Experian Data Breach Resolution recently released its fourth annual Data Breach Industry Forecast, a report rooted in Experians history helping more than 17,000 companies deal with data breaches in the last decade (4,000 in 2016 alone).
Experian says five data breach trends will dominate 2017:
Aftershock password breaches will expedite the death of the password.
Nation-state cyber-attacks will move from espionage to war.
Healthcare organizations will be the most targeted sector with new, sophisticated attacks emerging.
Criminals will focus on payment-based attacks despite the EMV shift that took place more than a year ago.
International data breaches will cause big headaches for multinational companies.
1. Aftershock password breaches will expedite the death of the password
Experian says that aftershock breaches, which it considered an emerging trend in 2016, will become more common and varied in 2017.
[ Related: Companies complacent about data breach preparedness ]
Earthquakes are often followed by a series of aftershocks, smaller magnitude earthquakes that can occur for years after the initial quake as the earths crust around the displaced fault plane adjusts.
Password breaches are similar, according to Experian: Attackers continue to sell old username and password information on the dark web. Since users often reuse passwords, this can lead to companies that didnt experience a first-hand data breach becoming the target of repeat unauthorized log-ins, which in turn forces those companies to notify their users that their information is being misused.
By way of example, Experian points to the breach of 500 million Yahoo! Accounts in 2014.
It has been reported those stolen credentials were subsequently resold and used by other criminals to compromise accounts across a wide variety of services where consumers use the same username and password, Experian notes in the report. This exposure of the largest-ever breach of usernames and passwords is likely to reverberate for years to come as the exposed credentials make their way through the underground economy. Companies that have never experienced a direct breach will be forced to deal with the aftershock of Yahoo!s loss of user credentials.
[ Related: 4 information security threats that will dominate 2017 ]
[ Slideshow: Top 15 security predictions for 2017 ]
Experian predicts 2017 will see criminals expanding on the aftershock breach concept. They wont just involve usernames and passwords; attackers will take the same approach with even more personal information, like social security numbers and medical information.
To combat this trend, Experian recommends implementing two-factor authentication to identify users. It also recommends companies account for aftershock breaches in their incident response plans.
2. Nation-state cyber-attacks will move from espionage to war
Experian predicts that cyber conflicts between nation-states will escalate from espionage to cyber-warfare in 2017.
While the [U.S. Office of Personnel Management] breach of 2015 was clearly motivated by gaining specific intelligence, in 2017 we will see new operations made public that use cyber-attacks as an outright offensive weapon, the report said.
Experian notes that when the issue of state-sponsored cyber-attacks came up during the recent U.S. presidential campaign, both candidates said they would favor using cyber weapons to retaliate, leading Experian to predict an escalation in cyber-attack conflict in 2017. These conflicts will tend to leave consumers and businesses as collateral damage.
The progression of cyber-attacks driven by nation-states will undoubtedly place critical infrastructure in the crosshairs, potentially leading to widespread outages or exposed personal information that could impact millions of innocent consumers, the report said.
Experian recommends companies address this threat by participating in their respective Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) to share cyber threat information with peers and national defense organizations. Additionally, businesses &8212; especially businesses involved in critical infrastructure should prepare for full-on disruption. Proactive steps could involve purchasing insurance protection and shoring up security measures against large-scale disruptions.
3. Healthcare organizations will be the most targeted sector with new, sophisticated attacks emerging
For years, personal medical information, particularly electronic health records (EHRs), have been some of the most valuable data criminals can target. In 2015, many attackers focused on health insurers. But Experian believes 2017 will see criminals expanding into other aspects of healthcare, including hospital networks. The report notes that hospital networks tend to be more distributed, making it harder to maintain security measures compared with more centralized organizations.
The consequences of a medical data breach are wide-ranging, with devastating effects across the board from the breached entity to consumers who may experience medical ID fraud to the healthcare industry as a whole, says Ann Patterson, senior vice president, Medical Identity Fraud Alliance (MIFA).
Experian predicts ransomware will be a top concern.
Ransomware presents an easier and safer way for hackers to cash out. Given the potential disruption to a company, most organizations will opt to simply pay the ransom, the report says. This has unintended consequences of funding more research and development by attackers who will in turn develop more sophisticated and targeted attacks. These new variants will likely be able to evade many of the security detection systems that were developed and are now widely deployed to stop the previous generation of attacks.
Experian recommends healthcare organizations of all sizes and types review their security measures and ensure they have contingency planning for responding to ransomware attacks as well as adequate employee security training.
4. Criminals will focus on payment-based attacks despite the EMV shift taking place over a year ago
All payment cards in the U.S. started incorporate EMV chips last year. But according to a report last September by the Strawhecker Group (TSG), only 44 percent of U.S. card-accepting merchants have EMV terminals, and only 29 percent can actually accept chip-based transactions.
Experian predicts that uneven adoption of the technology, combined with attackers targeting new industries and adapting their tactics, means payment attacks will plague companies in 2017.
Instead of targeting big name retailers as weve seen in the past, attackers may turn their attention to smaller franchised stores and others with distributed infrastructure, the report says. Along with needing to manage more distributed infrastructure, these businesses are experiencing other barriers, such as the need for software updates to accept payments that are not available and the impact it can have on the checkout process.
For years, cybercriminals have made use of skimmers, devices capable of stealing magnetic stripe data from point-of-sale (POS) systems. In the past, such devices have largely been used with ATMs. But the increasing popularity of self-checkout terminals in retail outlets opens new opportunities for criminals to use the devices. EMV chips help defend against skimmers if the technology is used, but current adoption levels lead Experian to predict that at least one major national retailer will be hit with a significant skimming outbreak in 2017.
To combat this, Experian says that while there are legitimate barriers to merchants adopting EMV Chip and PIN technology, the risk of not doing so has become too high to ignore.
It is essential that companies behind the curve speed up their plans for EMV Chip and PIN adoption, the report said. Both retail companies and consumers need to maintain security best practices during this time of ongoing transition and recognize that cyber criminals may shift their focus but wont be completely deterred. Paying close attention to potential weak spots, including catching POS simmers quickly, can help mitigate potential fallout.
5. International data breaches will cause big headaches for multinational companies
Experian believes that breaches involving the loss of international consumers data will cause the most significant damage in 2017, especially once the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the E.U. goes into effect. Experian notes that new regulations will also soon take effect in Canada, and Australia is also considering a data breach bill.
A recent Ponemon Institute study found that 42 percent of companies have not included processes to manage an international data breach in their incident response plans.
The 72 hour notice requirement to E.U. authorities under the GDPR is going to put U.S.-based organizations in a difficult situation, says Dominic Paluzzi, co-chair of the Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice at McDonald Hopkins. The upcoming E.U. law may just have the effect of expediting breach notification globally, although 72 hour notice from discovery will be extremely difficult to comply with in many breaches. Organizations incident response plans should certainly be updated to account for these new laws set to go in effect in 2017.
Clearly, the biggest challenge for businesses in 2017 will be preparing for the entry into force of the GDPR, a massive regulatory framework with implications for budget and staff, carrying stiff fines and penalties in an unprecedented amount, adds Omer Tene, vice president of Research and Education for International Association of Privacy Professionals. Against a backdrop of escalating cyber events, such as the recent attack on Internet backbone orchestrated through IoT devices, companies will need to train, educate and certify their staff to mitigate personal data risks.
Experian predicts the lack of preparedness, and the high stakes involved, mean at least one U.S. multinational will take a significant hit to its valuation in 2017 due to an international data breach.
Experian recommends companies confront this threat by working to comply with the new rules, including dry runs to ensure they are properly prepared.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 13
By Fatih Karimov Trend:
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Iran announced a tender for provision of technical support to enhance the quality of TB, HIV co-infection and hepatitis management in prisons under HIV/AIDS New Funding Model (NFM).
All proposals should be sent to the address shown below no later than Jan. 16, 2017, 16:30 (GMT+3:30).
Address: 8, Shahrzad Boulevard, Darrous, Tehran, Iran, 1948773911.
Email: [email protected]
Detailed information can be found at: www.ir.undp.org/content/iran/en/home/operations/procurement/
Friday Gains in Lean Hogs Barchart - 1 hour ago Hog futures are back up by 7 to 40 cents through midday of the weeks last trade session. The USDA National Average Base Hog Price was $3.36 weaker in the Thursday PM report to $86.12. The CME Lean Hog... HEZ22 : 83.175 (-0.24%) HEJ23 : 92.575 (+0.03%) KMZ22 : 93.875 (-0.13%)
Cotton Adding another Triple Digits Barchart - 1 hour ago Dec cotton is off the high at midday, printed near 87.87 points, but is still trading stronger by 126 to 427 points in the front months. Census data reported 703,536 bales of cotton were exported during... CTZ22 : 87.31 (+5.19%) CTH23 : 85.92 (+4.56%) CTK23 : 84.92 (+3.56%)
Soybeans Up on Friday Barchart - 1 hour ago Front month soy futures are trading higher through midday. The products are gaining on the beans with 0.9% to 1.2% gains in midday soymeal, and triple digit 2.3% to 2.7% gains in BO. Soybean contracts... ZSX22 : 1453-6 (+1.89%) ZSPAUS.CM : 14.2432 (+1.84%) ZSF23 : 1462-4 (+1.77%) ZSH23 : 1469-0 (+1.73%)
Wheat Gaining into Weekend Barchart - 1 hour ago After a wide ranged week of up and back down, the front month wheat markets are looking to add value to end the week. CBT futures are trading 7 1/2 to 9 3/4 cents in the black. KC wheat futures are up... ZWZ22 : 849-2 (+1.04%) ZWH23 : 868-2 (+0.99%) ZWPAES.CM : 7.8138 (+1.13%) KEZ22 : 953-0 (+1.25%) KEPAWS.CM : 9.1104 (+1.31%) MWZ22 : 956-2 (+1.41%)
Cattle Mixed on Higher Feeders Barchart - 1 hour ago Feeder cattle are up by 30 to 62 cents through the Friday midday, while fats are down 7 to 40 cents so far. Thursdays cash market was confirmed from $149 to $155, with the bulk of the Southern trade... LEZ22 : 151.750 (-0.13%) LEG23 : 154.425 (-0.29%) LEJ23 : 158.075 (-0.14%) GFX22 : 177.900 (-0.06%) GFF23 : 179.825 (+0.22%)
Corn Prices Firming into Weekend Barchart - 1 hour ago So far for the final trade day of the week, corn prices are up by 2 to 2 3/4 cents. IHS Markit expects the national U.S. corn yield at 172.9 bpa, compared to their prior 171.2 bpa forecast. Their production... ZCZ22 : 681-4 (+0.33%) ZCPAUS.CM : 6.7743 (+0.28%) ZCH23 : 687-0 (+0.33%) ZCK23 : 687-0 (+0.33%)
Dont Overlook These 3 Small Cap Dividend Stocks Sure Dividend - 1 hour ago Small-caps are often ignored by income investors, but these 3 small caps have strong dividend yields and future growth potential.
Nemenoff Report 11/04/2022 The PRICE Futures Group - 1 hour ago Financials; Dec. Bonds are currently 1,1 lower at 119,7 10 Year Note 13 lower at 109;21 and 5 Year Note 10 lower at 105;25. Unemployment came in at 261K new jobs vs. estimates of 193k. Earlier this week...
Coffee Climbs on Brazilian Real Strength and Reduced Colombia Coffee Exports Barchart - 1 hour ago December arabica coffee (KCZ22 ) this morning is up +4.70 (+2.73%), and Jan ICE Robusta coffee (RMF23 ) is up +54 (+2.93%). Coffee prices this morning are moderately higher, with robusta posting a 1-week... KCH23 : 171.65s (+1.96%) RMF23 : 1,869s (+1.47%)
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 13
By Dalga Khatinoglu Trend:
Iran has recently published the list of 29 foreign companies qualified to participate in development projects of 49 oil and gas fields based on a newly designed agreement, called the Iran Petroleum Contract (IPC).
Five companies in the list are Japanese, including Inpex, Japan Petroleum Exploration, Itochu, Mitsui and Mitsubishi Corporation.
Japan is one of Irans major oil clients, which imported more than 225,000 b/d of Iranian oil in 11 months of 2016, according to Reuters calculation.
Irans Mehr News Agency also reported Jan. 13 that Japan imported 214,000 b/d of Iranian oil in 2016, about two times more than the sanctions level (2012-2015). The sanctions on Iran were removed in January 2016.
According to the report, during 2016, Iran signed one-year and long-term agreements with Japanese JX Nippon Oil & Energy Co., Idemitsu Group, Showa Shell (a part of the Royal Dutch Shell Group), TonenGeneral Sekiyu and Cosmo Oil Company to export oil.
Iran also signed a memorandum of understanding with Inpex to study its South Azadegan oil field with 25.34 billion barrels of in-situ oil but very low recovery rate of 6.6 percent.
Iran will in coming weeks issue the first tender, based on IPC, for development project of South Azadegan.
On the other hand, Iran has MoUs with MITSUI, Mitsubishi and Japan Petroleum Exploration on upstream oil sector.
According to Mehrs report, Iran also signed deals with JX Nippon Oil & Energy Co., Japan Cooperation Center Petroleum and Cosmo Oil to enhance Tabriz, Tehran, Bandar Abbas and other refineries, and is in talks with JGC Corporation and Chiyoda Corporation on the same field as well.
Iran also signed deals with Marubeni and Itochu to provide Iranian petrochemical projects with usance (providing finance from international markets on short-term).
Irans Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (PGPIC) signed a usance deal with Itochu on December 4, 2016.
The Japanese firm will provide 320 million euros of finance to the Iranian company under the deal.
The PGPIC previously signed a similar financing deal worth 320 million euros under NEXI insurance coverage with Marubeni Company in Tokyo on September 1, 2016.
Iran plans to increase its oil and gas condensate production from the current 4.2 mb/d to about 5 mb/d by 2021 by attracting $100 billion in upstream oil and gas sector. It also plans to increase the gross gas output (including re-injection and flaring) from the current 280 bcm/d to 456 bcm/d in the next five years.
On the other hand, the country hopes to bring the petrochemical production capacity from the current 62 million tons per year to 120 million tons per year by 2021 and 160 million tons per year by 2025 by attracting $50 billion investment.
Iran also plans to renew and construct refineries to boost its oil refining capacity from the current 1.8 mb/d to above 3 mb/d. For renewing the existing refineries, Iran needs $14 billion investment. The main goal is to increase the products standards as well as decrease the fuel oil output ratio from the current 24 percent to 10 percent.
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Dalga Khatinoglu is the head of Trend Agencys Iran news service, follow him on Twitter: @dalgakhatinoglu
Kangaroo Self Storage is constructing new units at its facility in Glasgow, Scotland, due to demand for the service in the region. The facilitys existing 588 units will grow to 940.
The company also plans to invest in improvements at its property in Dundee, Scotland, as well as develop new facilities, according to the source. Kangaroo recently obtained a 3.8M loan from HSBC Holdings PLC, a British banking and financial-services firm, to assist in its expansion.
Company officials cited a difficult property market during the recession as a catalyst for the growth. "We've seen increased demand across all the sectors, with the number of householders moving back home to live with their parents, businesses taking advantage of the flexibility of our storage space in uncertain times, and students increasingly using storage rooms over the summer holidays, said Chris Stevens, managing director.
Base in in Haddington, Scotland, Kangaroo Self Storage operates two properties in Dundee and Glasgow.
Two lawyers at an Australian commercial law firm are encouraging companies to consider taking up chain of responsibility (COR) liability insurance to protect their business against unintended breaches.Under the COR, all parties who took part in the consignment and delivery of goods, can be found accountable for breaches of the Heavy Vehicle National Law.Holding Redlich partner Nathan Cecil and solicitor Dilip Ramaswamy said that aside from upholding good business practices, it is logical that companies purchase COR insurance against unintended breaches, ATN reported.Companies can protect themselves against possible breaches by implementing COR compliance policies and practices and demonstrating that they took reasonable steps to prevent breaches from occurring as a result of their activities, they told the publication.However, it is also logical to manage risk, reduce uncertainty, and protect your livelihood by way of insurance.Offenders will face penalties based on the severity of the offence.An accumulation of minor and substantial breaches can cost the company heavy fines that may impact its financial stability, the report said.In addition, breaches can result in investigations throughout an organisation and have even resulted in the grounding of heavy vehicle fleets, exposing the company concerned to significant business losses, the lawyers told ATN.Therefore, companies may look to insure against some (but not all) of these risks by applying for a mixture of the following insurances: public liability; professional indemnity; management liability; directors and officers liability; transportation.The lawyers said COR does not cover intentional, deliberate, dishonest, fraudulent, or malicious acts, but noted the existence of a grey area between the two extremes of intentional criminal conduct and civil negligence, ATN reported.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has been ordered by a federal judge to pay $16.08 million to a former New Hampshire pharmacist in a gender bias case, but the amount is only about half what a jury awarded and may fall substantially further.
U.S. District Judge Steven McAuliffe also asked the New Hampshire Supreme Court to advise whether the plaintiff Maureen McPadden was entitled under state law to any of the $15 million of enhanced damages that comprised most of the award.
Though reasonable minds can differ, Wal-Mart asserts not implausibly that such damages are not available, the Concord, N.H., judge wrote on Jan. 6.
Wal-Mart considers the damages award improper, spokesman Randy Hargrove said in an email. We look forward to the New Hampshire Supreme Courts determination.
The Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer has said it does not tolerate discrimination.
McPadden accused the worlds largest retailer of using her loss of a pharmacy key as a pretext for her November 2012 dismissal from a store in Seabrook, N.H., after more than 13 years at the retailer.
She said Wal-Mart actually fired her in retaliation for her raising concerns about whether prescriptions were being filled properly. McPadden also said her gender played a role, saying a male pharmacist who later lost his key was not fired.
Jurors originally awarded McPadden $31.22 million, a sum that McAuliffe said was to say the least, startling.
As required by federal law, the judge later reduced the punitive damages component, to $300,000 from $15 million, and in a Jan. 5 order said McPadden deserved just $111,591 of front pay, one-fifth what the jury had awarded.
Wal-Mart had sought to overturn the entire verdict, but McAuliffe rejected that request in September.
Rick Fradette, a lawyer for McPadden, said that if enhanced damages were ever warranted, it is where the worlds largest private employer continues to discriminate against women in the 21st century.
Wal-Marts posture has been that it will fight this to the end, he said. Well see what the New Hampshire Supreme Court has to say.
The case is McPadden v. Wal-Mart Stores East LP, U.S. District Court, District of New Hampshire, No. 14-00475.
(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Richard Chang)
Topics New Hampshire
USI Insurance Services (USI) has hired Michael DePlacido as vice president of the employee benefits practice for its Woburn, Mass., office.
In his new role, DePlacido is responsible for executive and strategic oversight of marketing processes and negotiations with carriers on behalf of his clients and in support of the USI ONE Advantage, said USI New England CEO Joseph Fico in a company release.
DePlacidos hiring is expected to further enhance USIs customer operations and provide clients with the knowledge and support they need, added Brian Bark, president of USI Massachusetts employee benefits practice, in the release.
DePlacido brings experience that includes providing advice and developing targeted and cost effective benefit programs for his clients that include group medical, dental, life, disability, voluntary and wellness initiatives for fully-insured and self-funded plans.
His career has focused on client-facing responsibilities for service and strategy. His range of expertise also includes designing activities to achieve business objectives, growth, retention and financial results. Additionally, he has experience guiding employers through the complex business of designing and implementing insurance programs for the benefit of their employees.
Source: USI Insurance Services
Topics Massachusetts
A former director of an engineering firm charged with illegally altering reports about damage from Superstorm Sandy pleaded guilty to unauthorized practice of engineering in connection with the case, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced Tuesday.
Matthew Pappalardo, 39, pleaded guilty in Nassau County state supreme court to one charge of altering an engineering report. He is expected to be sentenced to three years probation and a $10,000 fine.
Pappalardos Uniondale-based firm Hi-Rise Engineering was one of several engineering firms hired by insurance companies to evaluate structural damage to homes after the 2012 storm wrought havoc in New Yorks coastal communities.
An indictment unsealed in August charged Pappalardo and Hi-Rise with multiple counts of second-degree forgery, a felony. Prosecutors said Pappalardo had employees heavily edit reports on damage to residences in ways that substantially changed conclusions about the extent or cause of damage.
My office is committed to protecting homeowners and ensuring that their insurance claims are handled accurately and fairly, Schneiderman said in a news release.
Attorneys for Pappalardo and Hi-Rise Engineering said their clients never intended to harm any homeowners.
Pappalardos lawyer, Avi Mokowitz, said Pappalardo pleaded guilty to a single count of editing a report.
There was no criminal intent, he said. The changes made were to correct reports, to make them more accurate.
Hi-Rise Engineering pleaded guilty to criminal solicitation in the fifth degree, a violation.
Hi-Rise was in a tough position doing a huge amount of work in a small amount of time, said Kenneth C. Murphy, an attorney for the firm. There was never an intent to harm a homeowner.
Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Topics New York
The Delaware Department of Insurance is investigating a security breach involving Summit Reinsurance Services Inc. (SummitRe) and BCS Financial Corporation, both subcontractors of Highmark BlueCross BlueShield of Delaware.
The department was made aware of the breach as a result of multiple consumer complaints, according a press release issued by the department.
The release states that the breach affects thousands of Delawareans with employer-paid plans. Karen Kane, Director of Privacy and Information Management for Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware, reported the breach impacts a total of sixteen current and former Highmark self-insured customers and approximately 19,000 of its members.
I have directed my staff to closely monitor the situation as it develops, said newly elected Delaware Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro in a statement.
He added that while many Delawareans received mailed correspondence from SummitRe at the beginning of January explaining the breach, the department fears that many may have misinterpreted or inadvertently discarded the letter as a sales ad due to the fact that they had not purchased any line of insurance from SummitRe.
However, SummitRe has access to this personal information because it provides underwriting and consulting reinsurance services to certain insurance companies, President Mark Troutman outlined in the letter to consumers.
The breach announcement comes after SummitRe discovered on August 8, 2016, that ransomware had infected a server containing consumers personal information, Troutman stated in the letter.
The information contained on the affected server may have included consumers names, Social Security numbers, health insurance information, providers names and claim-focused medical records containing diagnosis and clinical information.
After discovering the ransomware, SummitRe immediately launched an investigation to determine the name and scope of the event and to prevent the encryption of data contained on the server, the letter stated. SummitRe also began working with third-party forensic investigators to assist with these efforts. It believes the unauthorized access to the server first occurred on March 12, 2016. While the forensic investigation is ongoing, there is no direct evidence to date that the data has been used inappropriately, the letter said.
We take the security of information in our care very seriously, Troutman stated in the letter. Although the forensic investigation is ongoing, to date, we have found no direct evidence of actual or attempted misuse of personal information on the affected server as a result of this incident. Nevertheless, in an abundance of caution, we are notifying you of this incident. Additionally, we have notified your insurance company.
He added that SummitRe is also providing consumers with information to better protect against identity theft and fraud going forward, as well as access to one year of credit monitoring and identity restoration services at no cost.
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware is cooperating with the Delaware Department of Insurance to resolve the matter, the Delaware Department of Insurance press release stated.
Topics Cyber
Six out of 10 organizations in Asia Pacific experienced at least one supply chain disruption in the past year, with one in four incidents costing more than US$1 million, according to a survey conducted by the Business Continuity Institute (BCI) and supported by Zurich Insurance.
Despite these business exposures, the survey found that almost half of respondents (46 percent) in Asia Pacific did not insure their losses.
Companies are at risk of suffering financial losses from supply chains disruption, which can have serious ramifications for their balance sheets, share price and reputation, if they do not have the necessary business continuity arrangements in place, according to the eighth annual Zurich/BCI Supply Chain Resilience Report 2016.
Organizations from across the globe said the consequences of supply chain disruption include: loss of productivity (cited by 68 percent of respondents), increased cost of working (53 percent), customer complaints (40 percent), impaired service outcomes (40 percent), damage to brand reputation/image (38 percent) and loss of revenue (37 percent).
The top five causes of supply chain disruption in Asia Pacific were found to be IT/Telecom outages, adverse weather, transport network disruptions, cyber attacks and data breaches, and outsourcer failures, the survey found.
Effective supply chain risk management and a comprehensive risk assessment can present significant benefits to businesses, commented Hassan Karim, technical underwriting manager, Zurich Asia Pacific.
Organizations that are able to invest in supply chain risk management have found that the benefits have far exceeded the investments they have had to make. Without such investment, the cost of disruptions could be devastating, he emphasized.
Increased globalization, improved transport and logistics through to technological advancements, have enabled companies to source materials from virtually anywhere in the world, the report said. While this provides increased flexibility and cost savings, it can also result in complex supply chains that are highly interconnected, more exposed and difficult to manage.
Additional survey findings for the APAC region include:
Only 30 percent of disruptions occur with an immediate supplier.
30 percent of disruptions occurred at tier 2 or lower in the supply chain, which makes it extremely difficult to establish exactly where an organization lies within its suppliers priorities, the report noted.
48 percent said top management have made commitments to supply chain resilience but more than half reported a lack of essential top management commitment to supply chain resilience.
Supply chain risk often crosses many departments within an organization due to the interconnected and far reaching scope of supply chain risk, therefore Executive support is critical to not only secure the necessary resources required to focus on supply chain risk management but also to break down organizational silos in order to optimize performance, Karim explained.
Methodology
The 2016 Business Continuity Institute (BCI) Supply Chain Resilience Report, produced in association with Zurich, gathered responses from 64 countries, of which 13 are in the Asia Pacific region. Respondents were from a wide array of industries, such as financial and Insurance services, professional services, IT & communications, public administration & defense, manufacturing, retail & wholesale, transport & storage, energy & utility services.
The full global Supply Chain Resilience Report 2016 can be found on the Zurich Insurance website.
Topics Trends InsurTech Tech
Fidelis Insurance announced that Neil McConachie will be stepping down from his role as group chief financial officer in January 2018.
He will then remain on the board of Fidelis Insurance Holdings Ltd., the holding company, as a non-executive director.
McConachie re-partnered with Richard Brindle to found the company in 2015, and leaves for personal reasons. (Brindle and McConachie worked together to set up London-based Lancashire Holdings in 2005, both leaving the company in 2014.)
Brindle said I am sad that Neil will be leaving the management team, and will miss him, but respect his decision. He has been a driving force behind the establishment of Fidelis and quite frankly I couldnt have done it without him. I am delighted that he will stay on the board as a non-executive director. Fidelis is now an established and respected company but we always need smart peoples advice and counsel, and I will certainly consult him frequently on strategic matters.
McConachie commented: Im very proud to have founded Fidelis with my friend Richard. The project began some time ago, and its been a hectic few years. Now the company is successfully established, I want to step back from day to day management. Im very much looking forward to continuing as a director, helping shape the future strategy and direction of this great business.
About Fidelis Insurance
Fidelis Insurance Holdings Ltd. is a privately owned, Bermuda-based holding company, which, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, provides specialty insurance and reinsurance products for property, energy, marine and aviation risk classes.
Source: Fidelis Insurance
A truck plant explosion in a small southeastern Minnesota town injured six people on Jan. 11 but many more employees could have been hurt, authorities said.
Many employees at McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing Inc. in Dodge Center who would have been in the area of the paint shop explosion were off-site at a training exercise when the blast happened around 10:30 a.m., Dodge County Sheriff Scott Rose said.
Six people were injured, Rose said. Two were flown by medical helicopter to a St. Paul hospital and two were taken by ambulance to a Rochester hospital. Their conditions were not immediately available. Another two were being treated at the scene for minor medical issues, the sheriff said.
McNeilus is part of Oshkosh Corp. in Wisconsin. Oshkosh Corp. spokeswoman Katie Hoxtell said five injured employees were under medical care. She said she could not give details.
Rose said its his understanding it was quite an explosion. All employees have been accounted for, he said.
The complex closed production for the day, and investigators remained inside. Rose said the scene is safe and the road outside the complex has reopened after being closed following the explosion.
The company will work with local authorities on the investigation, Hoxtell said. Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health investigators also will investigate, agency spokesman James Honerman said.
The plant, on a 145-acre campus, makes cement trucks and refuse trucks and is a major employer in Dodge Center, a town of 2,700 about 70 miles southeast of Minneapolis. Employment fluctuates between 1,000 and 1,200, Mayor Bill Ketchum said.
Anytime you have something like that big town or small town its a tragic thing. It could have been a lot worse than it was, Ketchum said.
Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Topics Auto Minnesota
Tehran, Iran, January 13
By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:
A 12-member business delegation from Germany is planning to visit Iran February 5-8 to seek cooperation opportunities, Dawood Nazirizadeh, management consultant and organizer of the business trip told Trend January 13.
We will be in Tehran February 5-6 and in Tabriz February 6-8. The companies are from different business fields, mostly chemistry, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and consulting, he said.
According to Nazirizadeh, a German deputy minister of economy will accompany the delegation.
There will be meetings with Iran and Tabriz chambers of commerce and with different ministries in the areas of renewable energy and innovation.
Most of the companies want to have a first impression on Irans business. Some of them want to open a branch or hire some staff in Iran, Nazirizadeh further said.
Germany was Irans biggest trade partner prior to 2012 when heavy sanctions cut Iran off from world business.
Germany remained fifth top goods exporter to Iran during the first eight months of the current fiscal year (March 20-Nov. 21, 2016) with $1.461 billion worth of exports.
Germanys exports to Iran increased by 25 percent in the 8-month period compared to the same period a year earlier. Sanctions on Iran were removed in January 2016.
Ohio advocates of the federal health care law targeted by President-elect Donald Trump and congressional Republicans said that repeal would jeopardize insurance coverage for as many as 1 million Ohioans by 2019 and hurt families and businesses.
Their warnings came as the states Democratic U.S. senator and Republican governor expressed their own concerns at separate events about the impact of turning back the Affordable Care Act without a superior replacement.
Gov. John Kasich specifically supports the Medicaid expansion allowed under the act, while not embracing the entire law. Sen. Sherrod Brown expressed concern that repeal would harm efforts to fight Ohios opioid crisis.
Advocates were led by Policy Matters Ohio, a liberal think tank that has produced an analysis showing that repeal would mean $3.5 million fewer federal funds for Ohios budget, $535 million less to Ohioans household budgets and $15 billion in increased costs to hospitals for indigent care by 2019.
Eric Brown, pastor of Woodland Christian Church in Columbus, said at a news conference that many of his parishioners thank God for the health care law. He said repealing it without replacing it with something better would be cruel and unusual punishment.
If Congress succeeds in repealing the ACA, Congress will make itself one huge death panel. Repealing the ACA means that Congress will have decided who lives and who dies, he said. I would like this nation not to return to the days when race horses and pedigreed dogs get better health care than millions of American citizens.
At a gathering of behavioral and mental health care professionals, Kasich said he is headed to Washington, D.C., this month to discuss his thoughts on the issue. He is scheduled to take part in a health care round table organized by the Senate Finance Committee.
Kasich noted 700,000 additional people who were previously uninsured have been able to get care since Ohio expanded Medicaid.
What I tell people is, OK, you want to change the system Im for doing that. Theres many different ways in which we can actually lower some of the costs of health care, he told the crowded ballroom. But you have to tell me what youre going to do about it because I cant just tell 700,000 people, you cant get help.
Brown highlighted a new study by Harvard Medical School and New York University, which found more than 220,000 Ohioans may be unable to afford care for mental illness and substance-related disorders if the health care law is repealed.
Repeal would disrupt hundreds of thousands of Ohioans coverage as theyre fighting for their lives, Brown said.
Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Topics Ohio
Grappling with a backlash against high U.S. prescription drug prices, more pharmaceutical companies are pledging to limit annual increases to under 10 percent but the tactic is doing little to salve critics, including President-elect Donald Trump, who on Wednesday said drugmakers are getting away with murder.
The pharmaceutical industry is typically reluctant to talk about U.S. drug prices, generally the highest in the world due to a combination of market fragmentation and free market policies. But recent high-profile price hikes by Mylan NV, Turing Pharmaceuticals and Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. have raised the ire of consumers and lawmakers.
AbbVie Inc. on Wednesday became the third global drugmaker to publicly promise to cap annual price increases at under 10 percent, following earlier pledges by Allergan Plc and Novo Nordisk A/S.
Allergan last week raised the price of two dozen of its drugs by between 7 percent and 9.5 percent.
I do think that the industry is off to a good start in terms of good behavior, Allergan Chief Executive Officer Brent Saunders told investors here this week during J.P. Morgans annual healthcare conference, the largest industry meeting of the year.
Mylans six-fold increase in the price of the EpiPen allergy treatment over less than a decade put the company front and center last year in the heated debate. Prices for four of the nations top 10 drugs increased more than 100 percent since 2011, Reuters found.
Mylan Chief Executive Officer Heather Bresch, answering questions at the conference, said capping price increases for brand-name drugs below 10 percent is not the right solution, noting that raising prices by 9 percent still adds a whopping $33 billion to the nations annual prescription drug bill.
The pricing model has got to change, she said. If anybody is walking away from this conference thinking its business as usual, thats a mistake.
Other executives said future pricing power will likely hinge more on evidence that a particular drug is cost effective.
I think we will see a bigger trend of outcomes-based pricing, said Joseph Jimenez, chief executive officer at Novartis AG, referring to studies showing how a drug can improve patient lives while cutting costs.
The Swiss drugmaker recently struck deals with two U.S. insurers for its heart failure drug Entresto under which payments are calculated based on any proven reduction patient admissions to the hospital, not on the number of pills consumed.
European regulators already require companies to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of new therapies.
We already design studies to incorporate health economics for ex-U.S. regulators, Perry Sternberg head of U.S. commercial operations at Shire Plc told Reuters in an interview. It is data that is going to become more and more important.
It can be difficult to measure how patients fare on specific drugs, since results depend on patients following doctors orders, but drugmakers acknowledge that advances in technology are offering new ways to solve some of those issues.
Derica Rice, chief financial officer at Eli Lilly & Co., said in an interview that the drugmaker is trying to find creative solutions.
Drugmakers point out that prescription drugs account for only around 15 percent of U.S. healthcare costs and say other aspects of the healthcare system should be targeted for savings.
But those sectors, including hospitals and physicians, have been undergoing an evolution for several years now away from a traditional fee-for-service system toward a focus on quality, rather than quantity, of care.
We have fewer tools to manage pharmaceutical costs, said Steven Pearson, president of the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review, a non-profit organization that evaluates new medicines. We still pay fee-for-pill.
(Reporting By Deena Beasley; Editing by Caroline Humer and Bernard Orr)
Topics USA Trends Pricing Trends Drugs
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV was accused of violating pollution laws with 104,000 diesel vehicles, sending the shares plunging on the prospect the automaker may follow Volkswagen AG in facing billions of dollars in fines.
The Environmental Protection Agency alleged Fiat Chrysler put software in Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 models that allows them to exceed pollution limits. The EPA stopped short of calling the software a defeat device but said the carmaker failed to disclose their use. Fiat Chrysler said it meets all applicable regulatory requirements and will work with President-elect Donald Trumps administration to contest the allegations.
Fiat Chrysler becomes the second automaker in less than three years the EPA has accused of violating the law by using software to pass laboratory emissions tests. Volkswagen, which admitted to using defeat devices in September 2015, agreed Wednesday to pay a $4.3 billion fine, boosting the cost of the scandal to about 20.5 billion euros ($21.9 billion).
Fiat Chryslers case is completely different from Volkswagens, Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne said in a call with reporters Thursday. He called the timing of the EPAs notice of a violation very strange and said the Italian-American automaker rescued by the Obama administration in 2009 had discussed emissions with the EPA for more than a year.
I am really ticked off, Marchionne said. Fiat Chrysler fell as much as 18 percent, the biggest intraday drop since the stock began trading in October 2014. The shares pared losses after the CEOs conference call, trading down 10 percent to $9.95 as of 4:15 p.m. in New York.
Fiat Chryslers alleged violations could result in fines of as much as $44,539 per vehicle, Cynthia Giles, the EPAs enforcement chief, said Thursday. The total potential penalty could be as much as $4.6 billion, based on the cost per vehicle and the number of 2014 through 2016 model year SUVs and trucks. When the EPA first revealed Volkswagens wrongdoing in September 2015, the company faced punishment of up to $18 billion.
Clear Violation
Our meetings with Fiat Chrysler to date have not produced a viable explanation for the software, Giles said during a conference call the EPA hosted with reporters. This is a clear violation of the Clean Air Act.
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said his office will investigate the EPAs claims against Fiat Chrysler, saying in a statement he was deeply troubled and would work with state and federal partners.
Fiat Chrysler plans to work with the Trump administration to present its case and resolve this matter fairly and equitably, the automaker said in a statement.
The companys bonds also fell. Its $1.47 billion of 5.25 percent coupon notes due in 2023 sank 4 cents to 99.7 cents at 11:19 a.m. in New York, according to Trace, the bond-price reporting system of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Thats the biggest decline since the notes were sold in July 2015.
Enhanced Testing
The EPA says it discovered Fiat Chryslers allegedly illegal software while conducting enhanced testing of other diesel vehicles in the wake of Volkswagens scandal. The agency said its now up to Fiat Chrysler to demonstrate the software was not a defeat device.
Chryslers alleged misbehavior rigging its trucks, VW-like, to increase pollution of our lungs and lying about it is appalling, Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Campaign, said in an e-mailed statement.
The EPAs violation notice said Fiat Chryslers diesel engine system had eight control devices changing the emissions of the vehicles under certain conditions that the company didnt disclose.
Not all such systems are cheat devices like Volkswagen used, according to John German, senior fellow at the International Council on Clean Transportation, a Washington-based non-profit that conducts technical and scientific analysis. ICCT played a central role in exposing Volkswagens cheat devices.
Devices Allowed
The government allows control devices, but they cant be used to change emissions to meet testing requirements and they must be disclosed, German said.
The EPA is still investigating whether these are cheat devices, he said in a phone interview. VW got hit hard because they lied, covered it up and didnt have a fix.
Marchionne said he presumes the U.S. Justice Department also is investigating the company. Fiat Chryslers software wasnt used to bypass emissions tests or operate differently during evaluations than in real-world use, he said, calling such allegations absolute nonsense.
This software doesnt look for anything, he said. It just runs.
Related:
Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.
Topics USA New York Pollution
United States and European Union negotiators say they have reached an agreement on reinsurance and insurance regulation. The agreement covers three areas of insurance oversight: reinsurance, group supervision and the exchange of insurance information between regulators.
According to the negotiators, U.S. and EU insurers operating in the other market will only be subject to oversight by the regulators in their home jurisdiction. For the United States, the agreement preserves the primacy of state regulation the U.S. of U.S. insurance groups while for the EU, it preserves the primacy of EU oversight of EU insurance groups.
The agreement calls for an end to collateral and local presence requirements for EU and U.S. reinsurers.
The negotiators say that the agreement is balanced, in the mutual interest of both the U.S. and the EU, and provides meaningful benefits for U.S. and EU insurance consumers and for U.S. and EU insurers and reinsurers that operate in both markets.
In November 2015, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced their intention to begin negotiating a covered agreement with the EU. The talks began in February. U.S. and EU representatives also met in July, May and September, 2016.
The agreement is known as a covered agreement, which is an agreement between the United States and one or more foreign governments, authorities or regulatory entities, regarding prudential measures with respect to insurance or reinsurance.
European reinsurers and regulators have wanted the U.S. to lift reinsurance collateral requirements on foreign reinsurers and treat them like U.S. reinsurers. European reinsurers and Lloyds of London syndicates complain they are disadvantaged compared to American competitors by the additional capital and collateral requirements of some states. They note that they must also now comply with new EU solvency [Solvency II) rules.
The limitations on worldwide group oversight outside of the home jurisdiction include limits on matters involving solvency and capital, reporting and governance. Supervisors however preserve the ability to request and obtain information about worldwide activities which could harm policyholders interests or financial stability in their territory.
The agreement encourages insurance supervisory authorities in the United States and the EU to continue to exchange supervisory information on insurers and reinsurers that operate in the U.S. and EU markets.
Treasury Department released a fact sheet on the agreement and said the final legal text of the agreement has been given to Congress as required by the the Dodd-Frank Act. The European Union approval process involves the Council and the European Parliament.
Michael McRaith, director of the Federal Insurance Office (FIO) within Treasury who is leaving his post next week, has called negotiating a covered agreement with the European Union a critical step toward leveling the playing field for American insurers and reinsurers.
AIA, ACLI and RAA Comment
The American Insurance Association (AIA), the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) and the Reinsurance Association of America (RAA) welcomed the agreement in a joint statement:
This agreement, which was reached on January 13, seeks to resolve significant insurance and reinsurance regulatory issues for companies doing business in both jurisdictions. We have long supported the covered agreement process and look forward to reviewing the details.
We thank the U.S. and European Union parties who were involved in the negotiations for advancing this important initiative. We also applaud state regulators for their invaluable contributions and their continuing commitment to U.S. policyholders.
IUA Comments
The International Underwriting Association, which represents wholesale re/insurance companies in the London market, also welcomed the announcement. This bilateral trade deal between Europe and the U.S. will greatly enhance international reinsurance regulation, make cross-border trading more efficient and promote more open global access to reinsurance services, said the IUA in a statement.
A more level playing field can now be established between EU and U.S. reinsurers, both in terms of collateral treatment and mutual recognition of two powerful and respected trading blocs, said Chris Jones, director of Legal and Market Services at the IUA.
Furthermore, it sends a powerful message to other jurisdictions that protectionist regulation is not in the long term interests of clients, he added.
The London Market is a major reinsurer of U.S. risks and the IUA is pleased to see such effective cooperation between regulators and federal negotiators in the U.S. and Europe. Jones affirmed.
Before 2012, non-U.S. reinsurance companies had to post collateral equal to 100 percent of the gross reported loss when writing U.S. risks, the IUA explained. It noted, however, that the Dodd-Frank Act eventually allowed states to enact changes to this rule, reducing the collateral requirement to 10-20 percent.
State insurance regulators and some insurers are concerned that a covered agreement could potentially undermine the U.S. system of state regulation of insurance. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) believes states should continue to handle the situation through its model law process. The NAIC has a model law that eases the collateral requirements for foreign reinsurers that has been adopted by 32 states (about 66 percent of the market).
NAMIC Comments
The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) has been among the U.S. insurer groups questioning the need for a covered agreement and it expressed concerns again following the news about this final pact, calling it a proposed solution to an invented problem the question of European regulators deeming our regulatory system equivalent.
According to Charles M. Chamness, NAMICs president and CEO, Because the agreement has the authority to pre-empt U.S. insurance law and regulation, this agreement must meet a very high standard. Setting aside the specific elements of this agreement, which well comment on once our analysis is complete, we note that some provisions appear to be temporary and several areas are ambiguous. This will result in confusion and potentially endless negotiations with Europe on insurance regulation.
NAMIC said it will work with Congress and the new Trump administration to determine if this agreement is good for American consumers and the industry.
Comments from the NAIC
State insurance regulators and attorneys from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) said they are reviewing the agreement. But the group remains skeptical.
After more than a year of secret meetings its disappointing that in the waning days of the administration we are finally seeing the details of what purports to be a covered agreement between the U.S. and EU, said Ted Nickel, NAIC president and Wisconsin insurance commissioner. As most state regulators were not allowed to participate in the process, the NAIC is coordinating a thorough review of the agreement to ensure consumer protections are not compromised through the preemption of state law, and we encourage Congress to do the same. Of great concern is the potential to use this agreement as a backdoor to force foreign regulations on U.S. companies.
The IUA acknowledged that important efforts to reduce collateral have been made at the state level, but this process has been time consuming and is incomplete. A covered agreement, therefore, will be an effective resolution that also offers multiple other benefits.
Related:
Topics Carriers USA Legislation Europe Reinsurance London
An Oklahoma woman was killed in a traffic accident on New Years Eve caused by a drunk driver who had been cited several times previously for driving under the influence.
Now, an Oklahoma state representative is calling for a stronger focus on drunk-driving laws.
In a press statement, Rep. Mike Sanders said Amanda Carson, 37, of Yukon, was killed in the Dec. 31 accident in which three others in the vehicle, a 9-year-old, a 4-year-old and an exchange student from Vietnam, were also injured. The 9-year-old sustained massive head injuries and the exchange student is still fighting for her life.
The driver of the vehicle that police say caused the crash, Craig Edward Maker, was arrested for driving under the influence.
Cracking down on repeat drunk drivers is of critical importance to me as it is to the public at large, said Sanders, R-Kingfisher. I authored legislation last year that I know will make a significant difference in prosecuting repeat drunk drivers. With the recent news of this terrible tragedy, I will be taking an even closer look at what we can do in state statute to stop this plague on our state.
According to Sanders, Maker was previously convicted of three misdemeanors and one felony, which was deferred, associated with driving under the influence. His vehicle should have fitted with an Interlock device, which would have monitored his breath alcohol level, but he was driving his mothers car, Sanders said.
Last year Sanders authored House Bill 3146, which created the Impaired Driving Elimination Act (IDEA). That law, which took effect on Nov. 1, 2016, moves all DUI cases from municipal non-courts of record to a court of record, ensuring the district attorneys have access to a drivers records.
The problem in the Maker case, the driver of the vehicle that police say caused the crash was previously prosecuted in courts of record. Its unknown how many, if any, DUIs he had in non-courts of record.
Sanders said it is because of cases like this that he wrote his original law.
Every time you have someone with multiple driving under the influence charges, you have the potential for loss of life, Sanders said. Yet, the clear fact remains that we must do even more to protect lives. Public safety is severely put at risk by cases like these.
Sanders said he will pursue meeting again with district attorneys this year to ask what further changes may be required in statute to further protect the public and to prosecute repeat offenders appropriately.
Im not giving up on this, Sanders said. As my thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Ms. Carson, my resolve strengthens to ensure her death is not in vain.
Source: Oklahoma House of Representatives
Topics Legislation Auto Personal Auto Oklahoma
A Fort Smith, Ark., man has been sentenced to five years in federal prison plus three years of supervised release for defrauding insurance customers, federal authorities say.
Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Samuel Bowron Phillips, 41, was sentenced on one count each of mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering and was ordered to pay approximately $1.6 million in restitution to his victims.
Phillips withdrew funds from his customers annuity and insurance policies without their consent and knowledge, and used that money for himself, federal investigators say.
The investigation began after a complaint was filed in October 2015 with the Arkansas Insurance Department by business owners and residents after discovering the annuities Phillips sold them were nonexistent, statements he had given them were fabricated, and the money they had given him to invest for their retirement was gone, according to the statement released by the U.S. Attorneys Office.
Investigators say that Phillips ran the scam from March 2013 through November 2015, and that customers lost a total of more than $1,600,000.
Phillips admitted that he had created two sham companies, Stevens Financial Asset Management and Paradigm Financial Partners LLC, and opened accounts for those entities. He used a fake name to conceal his connection to the fraudulent transactions and admitted he rented post office boxes in Fort Smith and Barling to receive mail for the two bogus companies he created to steal his customers money. Phillips was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2016 and pleaded guilty in June 2016.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the IRS Criminal Investigation Division, the Postal Inspection Service, the Arkansas Department of Insurance, and the Fayetteville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Kyra Jenner prosecuted the case for the United States.
Source: U.S. Attorneys Office, Western District of Arkansas
Topics USA Fraud Arkansas
The Florida Highway Patrol says a man received a ticket after a dashcam in his truck showed him using a cellphone just before the semitrailer he was driving plunged off an Interstate 75 overpass near Tampa.
Authorities say 49-year-old Samuel R. Colon Jr. was seriously injured Jan. 4. According to troopers, when another vehicle changed lanes in front of him, Colon swerved and the rig hit a barrier wall, overturned and fell onto the road below.
Troopers issued a citation Tuesday for using a cellphone while operating a commercial motor vehicle. A first offense comes with a $500 fine.
The patrols report says the dashboard video in the truck shows Colon steering with one hand while tapping the cellphone with the other. He quickly grabbed the wheel and swerved as soon as he looked back at the road.
Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Topics Florida Auto Personal Auto
A woman whose job it was to make change for cashiers at UAB Hospital dining areas has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after she was accused of stealing $1.1 million.
Al.com reports that Kyejuana Avery was also ordered by a federal judge Tuesday to pay restitution to UAB. The amount of restitution was not listed in court records.
Avery had entered into a plea agreement after she was charged last summer with theft concerning programs receiving federal funds.
Records show Avery was employed as a financial account representative at the University of Alabama at Birminghams Hospital Food and Nutrition Services Department.
Avery admitted to the FBI that she began taking cash from the cash room in 2008 usually taking no more than $900 at a time.
Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Topics Fraud Education Alabama Universities
Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC (MMA), the middle market agency subsidiary of Marsh, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire West Point, Ga.-based J. Smith Lanier & Co., one of the nations largest, privately held insurance brokerage firms.
Terms of the transaction, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2017 pending customary approvals, were not disclosed.
Upon completion of the transaction, JSL will operate as MMAs Southeast regional hub under the leadership of J. Smith Laniers chief executive, D. Gaines Lanier, and chief operating officer, Gary Ivey. Lanier will report to David Eslick, chairman and CEO of Marsh & McLennan Agency. All of JSLs employees will join MMA.
Founded in 1868, J. Smith Lanier is a provider of insurance, risk management, and employee benefits solutions to businesses and individuals throughout the U.S. J. Smith Lanier has total annual revenue of approximately $130 million and 600 employees in 21 offices across Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Florida.
J. Smith Lanier ranked No. 21 on Insurance Journals Top 100 Independent Agencies list in 2016, a list that ranks firms by total property/casualty agency revenue for 2015 and includes only those agencies whose business is primarily retail, not wholesale.
Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC is a subsidiary of Marsh established in 2008 to serve as a platform for the middle market. In 2015, it expanded its national footprint into Canada. MMA offers commercial property, casualty, personal lines, and employee benefits to midsize businesses and individuals across North America.
Source: Marsh
Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Agencies
Jeremy D. Morley concentrates on International Family Law. The firm works with clients around the world from its New York office, with a global network of local counsel. Mr Morley is the author of "International Family Law Practice", the leading treatise on international family law in the U.S., and "The Hague Abduction Convention", published by the American Bar Association. He is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers and a former law professor.
An international conference on the Cyprus issue has ended in Geneva and will continue on January 18, spokesman of the Cyprus government Nikos Christodoulides told journalists, Sputnik reported.
"The conference will continue at the level of technocrats who will meet on January 18 to discuss safety issues. When they prepare everything, there will be a new conference, a continuation of todays [meeting]," Christodoulides said late on Thursday.
The spokesman added that no particular time frame has been established for the talks.
The focus of the Thursday conference were propositions put forth by President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, Christodoulides said. The Cyprus reunification talks with the participation of Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and President of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades started in Geneva on Monday. On Wednesday, the two sides exchanged maps outlining the areas of control for Greek and Turkish communities.
On Thursday, an international conference took place with the participation of guarantor countries Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom, as well as the European Union whose delegation was led by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
Un ottobre da sogno per Antonio Conte: lex ct della Nazionale italiana, attualmente alla guida del Chelsea, nelle ultime quattro gare di Premier League ha collezionato solo successi, conditi da 11 reti segnate e addirittura nessuna incassata. Numeri da record che non sono certo passati inosservati alla Federazione inglese, la quale ha conferito al tecnico leccese lambito premio di Manager del mese.
Unavventura oltremanica iniziata in sordina, quella di Conte, pur a fronte di tre vittorie nelle prime tre gare di campionato. A far vacillare, anche se solo per un momento, le certezze del patron del club londinese, Roman Abramovich, i risultati conseguiti tra la 4a e la 6a giornata, coincisi con un pareggio sul campo dello Swansea City e, soprattutto, con le due pesanti sconfitte subite dal Liverpool, sul terreno casalingo di Stamford Bridge, e dallArsenal. In particolare, la debacle interna coi Reds, aveva irritato non poco il numero uno russo, poiche occorsa proprio nel giorno della sua 250esima partita da presidente della societa.
Come detto, solo un momento. Dopo lincontro dellEmirates, il tecnico salentino cambia modulo, adottando un piu equilibrato 3-4-3 e inserendo elementi di corsa come lo spagnolo Pedro. Una svolta totale perche, di li in poi, il Chelsea inanellera solo e soltanto vittorie: 2 gol allHull City e al Southampton in trasferta, 3 ai campioni dInghilterra del Leicester e 4 allo United in casa, con un meraviglioso numero zero nella casella delle reti subite. Un fantastico poker, ottenuto tra l1 e il 29 ottobre. Un cambio di marcia sbalorditivo, confermato dal 5 a 0 rifilato ai toffees dellEverton nel primo match di novembre, e una scalata che, man mano, ha portato i blues al secondo posto in classifica, a soli 2 punti dal Liverpool capolista.
E allora, non poteva mancare il riconoscimento di migliore allenatore del mese, ottenuto surclassando tecnici del calibro di Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool), Arsene Wenger (Arsenal) e Mark Hughes (Southampton). Tanta, ovviamente, la soddisfazione: E un grande onore e voglio condividerlo con i giocatori e con la societa ha dichiarato Conte sul sito ufficiale della Premier League -. E la prima volta che lavoro in un altro Paese, con una cultura diversa, e portare la propria filosofia non e facile, ma ora sono contento di questa scelta.
A completare la festa, la premiazione del fantasista belga, Eden Hazard, come miglior giocatore di ottobre. Due risultati importanti per il club, ottimo incentivo per la rincorsa al trono dei campioni, occupato dal Leicester di Ranieri. Il prossimo appuntamento per l11 di Conte sara al Riverside Stadium, tana del Middlesborough neopromosso. Il tempo di festeggiare e gia finito.
Is buying a house near an airport advisable? Suppose your real estate agent shows you a property that is virtually perfect in all other aspects. Does all that good outweigh the one bad point? And really, is it a negative at all?
Of course, any home purchase is inevitably fraught with questions. To help ensure that youre making a good decisionyou might be in that house for a while, after allhere are a few factors to consider before signing on the dotted line.
Key Takeaways Buying a home near an airport can come with negatives including noise pollution and health concerns.
For frequent travelers, there is a big benefitreduced travel time.
With advancements in technology, noise pollution could eventually become a non-issue for people living near an airport.
Health issues, on the other hand, are not as easily dispelled. They include increased blood pressure, cardiovascular risks, and particle-matter pollution.
Investopedia / Hugo Lin
Noise Pollution
Without a doubt, noise tops many peoples list of concerns when buying a property near an airport, but in reality, its not always an issue. Zoning regulations near some airports allow for commercial, industrial and retail activities while restricting residential buildings, schools, childcare centers, and the like. When a residential neighborhood does fall within an airports flight path, noise can certainly be a problem, but how annoying it is will depend on how busy the airport is and even the type of aircraft used.
The entire aircraft fleet at Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) airport, for example, meets Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) quiet noise requirements, and American Airlines phased out its noisier MD80 series planes and replaced them with quieter Boeing 737s. The DFW airport website points out the following:
Tremendous strides in reducing noise at the source have occurred over the past three decades. Technologies to reduce aircraft noise have evolved over time through efforts of NASA, FAA and aircraft and engine manufacturers.
With advancements in technology, noise pollution could eventually become a non-issue for people living near an airport.
To see if noise is a factor in a particular neighborhood, check out the FAAs Airport Noise and Land Use Information page, where you can search by state and airport to view relevant noise maps. Note that some links may be broken. If so, use a browser to enter a search for an individual airport's noise abatement information. (For example, search for "LAX noise abatement" to get Los Angeles airport information.)
Health Concerns
Noise is not just a nuisance; it presents health risks. Airport noise can place nearby residents at a greater risk for cardiovascular disease.
In one report, researchers found the risk was greatest in the population exposed to the highest levels of noise.
In another study, animals exposed to aircraft noise experienced increased blood pressure, endothelial dysfunction, and other cardiovascular outcomes that weren't observed in a control group exposed to white noise.
Past research has shown that heavy airplane traffic can pollute the air up to 10 miles awaya wider area than believed previously. For example, pollutants produced by Los Angeles' LAX airport in 2014 were found to be equal to the particle-matter pollution of 174 to 491 miles of freeway.
A 2019 University of Washington study of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport shows that homes within 10 miles of the airport are exposed to "ultra-ultrafine" pollution particles that are specific to airline emissions. Previous studies have shown that smaller pollution particles are more likely to be inhaled or absorbed by the body.
On the Plus Side
While noise pollution and potential health side effects are worrisome, its helpful to consider the advantages of living near an airport as well. Perhaps the biggest perk of all is that you will beat the risk of sounding obviousclose to the airport. This means your travel time to any domestic or international destination will be reduced, something especially coveted by frequent fliers.
People who travel for work find convenience in living next to an airport. Neighborhoods that are close to airports also tend to be convenient to public transportation lines, which can make everyday trips even easier.
The Bottom Line
Living near an airport has its pros and cons. On the plus side, air travel will be very convenient, and youll save substantial time. On the downside, noise, pollution, and health risks could be very real concerns, depending on the proximity to the airport, how busy it is, the flight paths, and even the type of aircraft used.
Its a good idea to do your homework before deciding to buy near an airport. Research the FAAs Noise and Land Use Information page, consider your familys own health risks, and try to speak with people who already live in the neighborhood to get their take on living near an airport.
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While regulations and laws are usually lengthy, boring and full of complex jargon, a few of them are important to understand as they may directly or indirectly impact your regular life. One such key regulation that will take effect on May 25 is the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This article serves as a quick guide to help readers understand its implications.
In a nutshell, GDPR is legislation aimed at giving the end consumer the right to control their data. While it is implemented in the European Union (EU), it has far-reaching consequences for major technology firms that operate globally. They include the likes of Facebook Inc. (FB) and Alphabet Inc.s Google (GOOGL) companies that hold massive troves of user data and utilize it for earning their revenue.
GDPR Basics
GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation, a law approved in April 2016. It supersedes an earlier law called the Data Protection Directive and is aimed at standardizing the rules across the entire EU region. GDPR allowed companies two years to comply with the necessary changes.
As more and more companies, especially those in the technology sector, continue to gather heaps of users' personal data, the control and management of user data ultimately lies in the hands of these companies. It then becomes prone to use (and misuse) of the companies, their employees, and vulnerable to hacks. GDPR attempts to give consumers the control of their personal data . The ruling will also be applicable to companies which are based outside of the EU, but offer products and/or services to EU customers. This is the reason why global companies are concerned and are mandated to comply with the regulation.
The Intricacies of GDPR
At present, one needs to simply click the I Agree button on a webpage that is full of complex and open-ended jargon. It is not only vague and difficult to understand, but also allows companies to seek user consent for whatever they wish. For instance, purchasing a toy from an e-commerce portal may entail sharing one' delivery address and phone number, but hidden underneath the long list of terms and conditions may be a condition that allows the portal to share those details with marketers.
GDPR is set to change all that. It will make it difficult for the companies to use vague, unfair and confusing language to have the user agree to whatever they wish.
At present, there is no clarity about how a company handles a users data if a user withdraws from their services. For instance, there are concerns that even if a user deletes a social media account, the company may retain their details forever. GDPR offers the much needed right to be forgotten, which means the company, as well as any other affiliated entities using your data, will be required to erase it from their records.
GDPR also provides for easy withdrawal of consent at any point in time. For underage users, those under 16, eligible guardian(s) will have to provide consent on their behalf for data collection.
Users will also be able to know the precise data points being stored, and where and how is the company using them. GDPR allows for data portability that is, users can take their data and move it to another provider. A possible implementation of such data portability is when a user wishes to move from Google Plus to Facebook, or from one online rental service to the other, making the process easier.
Any data breaches will now have to be reported to the concerned authorities within 72 hours of the company becoming aware of it. Similarly, users will also need to be informed of any such breach without any undue delay. At present, with no clarity on the timeline of intimation, many companies hit by hacking attempts and data stealth keep the incidents hidden forever.
Impact on Businesses
The regulation stipulates monetary fines in case GDPR laws are breached. A firm can be imposed a fine of up to 4 percent of its total global turnover in case of any GDPR violations, with a minimum set at 20 million euros (around $24.5 million). With major tech firms having revenues in billions, any violations will cast a big impact.
As the two-year implementation period is almost over and the go-live deadline is coming to a close, individuals are already seeing a flurry of notifications in their inbox from various service providers about the updated policy changes. Among the major firms, Facebook has released a few privacy oriented tools and Google has updated its policy across variety of its services. (See also, Employee's Facebook Stalking Raises Questions.)
Barclays believes that most likely to impact social networks more than any other technology stream. Though it does not perceive any major impact on ad revenues, it believes that a drop in users is imminent. "We think there is a risk that reported MAUs (monthly average users) could drop off for Facebook and Twitter starting in late 2Q. DAUs (daily average users) are far more important and less of a GDPR concern for the social networks, but may also drop off a bit," Barclays analysts told CNBC. (See also, More Data Breaches Likely, Facebook Warns.)
US President Barack Obama awarded outgoing Vice President Joe Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian order, at the White House, Sputnik reported.
"For your faith in your fellow Americans, for your love of country, and for your lifetime of service that will endure through the generations," Obama said on Thursday. For the final time as president, I am pleased to award our highest civilian order, Presidential Medal of Freedom
Obama praised Biden as an "extraordinary man with an extraordinary career in public service" and called him "the best vice president" America has ever had.
Obama also highlighted Biden's efforts to make US colleges more affordable, revitalize American manufacturing, combat gun violence, and support cancer research.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award that recognizes individuals who have made commendable contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant endeavors.
A 26-year-old woman has died from injuries sustained in a car crash in Co Meath yesterday.
She was traveling with her two children when their care was involved in the crash with a truck on the Nobber to Kingscourt road, at about 1pm yesterday.
She passed away at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital early this morning.
The older child, who is six years old, is said to be in a serious condition in Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Dublin.
The younger child, who is two years old, was brought to Our Lady's Hospital in Drogheda.
The driver of the truck was uninjured.
The road was closed to facilitate a Forensic Collision examination, but has since reopened.
Gardai Navan are appealing for witnesses to contact them in Navan on 048 9036100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
Mr Kenny made an appearance along with 6,000 Irish and international visitors at the Convention Centre Dublin for the event.
The summit, founded by former Irish rugby international Frankie Sheahan, saw business people from Ireland and abroad converge on Dublin over two days to hear from motivational speakers such as American corporate training consultant Jack Canfield and Canadian leadership consultant Robin Sharma.
Mr Sheahan, who won 29 Irish caps, said he aimed one day to make the Pendulum Summit as valuable to Ireland as the Web Summit, the global tech event which left Dublin for Lisbon last year to widespread dismay.
He said he wanted the event to be a boon to the economy in the traditionally slow time of January.
We estimate this will be worth 20m to the local economy. We have visitors from 50 countries, as far as Australia and South Africa, he said.
Pat McDonagh, founder of fast food chain Supermacs, said he had been to many such events but that the Pendulum Summit topped them all because of the quality of speakers: Go back to your business and take action straightaway on the 10 things you have learned. Not tomorrow or the next evening.
"Were living in a great country. Seven years ago we were up to our knees in debt. We have made tremendous progress.
Former Irish international goalkeeper Pat Bonner said the key to Irish peoples business success was being given responsibility and delegating to others, saying that it inspired confidence and trust.
He said it was one of the most valuable lessons ever given to the Irish team under Jack Charlton, growing their confidence and self-worth.
You can be a leader at all different levels, you dont have to be leader of a company. Everyone can have leadership qualities, its about bringing it out, he said.
David Casey, aged 21, from Coolock, Dublin, and Michael Casey, aged 33, of Clonlong Halting Site, Limerick, had pleaded guilty at the same court last September to carrying out the burglary at the home of John ODonoghue, aged 62, at Toomaline, Doon, Co Limerick on the afternoon of August 27, 2015.
Judge Tom ODonnell sentenced the Caseys to three and a half years, backdated to the date of the crime since when they have been in custody. Another two-year sentence for another attempted burglary is to run current with the three-and-a-half year tariff.
With remission, they will be due out within 16 months.
After the sentencing hearing in December a spokesperson from the ODonoghue family said: We feel the sentence is lenient given the circumstances and we are disappointed the two-year sentences were not made consecutive rather than concurrent, given the premeditated nature of the crime.
Appealing the sentence is a matter for the DPP and we would hope she would consider and appeal the sentence, due to its leniency.
The court heard the two criminals ignored pleas by Mr ODonoghues sister to help her brother after he collapsed, but ran off.
Pathologist Marie Cassidy told the court that while Mr ODonoghue had a significant level of heart disease, there was a close association between his fatal collapse and the incident. Prior to breaking into Mr ODonoghues home, the Caseys and an unnamed third man who drove them carried out break-ins at homes in the nearby Cappamore area.
Sgt Michael Reidy, who led the investigation, said that on the day of the crime, Mr ODonoghue and his sister Christina left their home to travel to Tipperary town to do some shopping.
They arrived home at around 2pm and saw another car, a black Renault Laguna, on the other side of the road with a man in it.
They noticed the front gate was open, although they closed it when they left. They became suspicious somebody could be in the house.
Mr ODonoghue approached a side door and noticed part of it had been broken.
The driver of the black car then started honking the horn to alert his two accomplices inside.
Mr ODonoghue picked up a shovel from a shed as he was concerned. As he stood near the door, Christina saw he was becoming unwell and he collapsed in the yard.
Christina did everything to assist him and called on the two intruders inside the house to come out and help.
I dont care. I just want somebody to come and help my brother, she cried out.
But nobody came and the two Caseys ran from the house and took off through fields before being captured.
Passing sentence, Judge ODonnell said both men had shown remorse and had written to the ODonoghue family expressing their regret at what occurred.
Energy regulation commissioner Paul McGowan made the comment during a meeting with TDs and senators which also saw him recommend those using the system should be given a special tax rebate to encourage others to sign up.
Speaking at the latest cross-party Oireachtas water committee meeting, the chief of the Commission on Energy Regulation said that due to other financial demands, the existing water meter installation project should cease by the end of this month.
Despite the fact 25% of homes across the country including a large number of areas which have been the subject of significant local protests are still without meters, Mr McGowan said other spending requirements should be prioritised.
The senior official noted media reports yesterday suggesting this meant the existing water meter system should now be scrapped.
However, stressing this is not the case to Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane, he said it is instead more accurate to say he is in favour of parking the roll-out as meters may still be used in the future: To be very clear, we did not say it should be abandoned.
Given the proposal from the expert commission that the vast majority of the water would be paid for by the State, and only excessive water usage would be paid for, in that context, there are other priorities for capital investment.
If you were to characterise it [what the commission on energy regulation wants to happen to the meter installation system], I would say parking, he said.
During the same meeting Mr McGowan was heavily criticised by Fine Gael TD Kate OConnell, who accused the energy regulator of exceeding its remit by calling on the Government to introduce a tax rebate for water meter users.
In his submission to the committee tasked with providing recommendations on the future of water charges to the Dail by March Mr McGowan said the move should be considered to incentivise people to seek access to the equipment.
Questioning the comment, Ms OConnell asked Ms McGowan why you think it is your role to comment.
However, the energy regulator said he gave the tax rebate suggestion because we were asked to do so by the committee.
He added that while any final decision should be taken by Government, it is always something to look at in due course.
Meanwhile, the energy regulator has confirmed that while he and his commission are in favour of postponing further water meter installations, they have yet to conduct any cost-benefit analysis of this for the taxpayer.
While an end to the installation of further water meters would be widely welcomed by opponents of water charges, it is as yet unclear how a mooted free water usage allowance could be provided to people without some way to check how much each household uses.
Asked if the State will be expected to guess how much people use, Mr McGowan admitted we have no definitive answer on that.
Ervia chief executive Michael McNicholas also said Irish Water is costing the taxpayer less than when local authorities were running the water system.
Speaking to TDs and senators during an Oireachtas water committee meeting which also heard Irish Water is set to lose 239m this year because of the freeze on charges, Mr McNicholas said the spend was necessary because the company was being set up from nothing.
Underlining his belief those brought in to give advice were not consultants, they were international experts who happened to be consulting, he said the idea that the company squandered 73m in taxpayers money was simply not correct.
Citing the need to bring in outside expertise on issues ranging from software and computer system developments to the creation of billing and customer service systems, Mr McNicholas said the spend has proven to be really efficient.
And denying that the bill means money has been wasted on consultancy fees, he said the costs were unavoidable and the public should see it as an investment.
No, we did not spend 73m on outside consultants. Yes, it was on experts.
[The criticism] is absolutely not correct. We spent 73m on building the system. No other utility has built on that scale at that cost. You cannot build a national water service without significant investment.
The 73m spend was really necessary, he said.
While the 73m consultant bill for setting up Irish Water involved a diverse range of expertise, the vast majority related to work on the now scrapped billing system and meter installation plans.
The issue has repeatedly led to angry responses from opposition parties, with AAA-PBP TD Richard Boyd Barrett previously claiming Irish Water was using public money to line the pockets of consultants and high-paid executives and others noting much of the expertise was already available within the public service.
During the meeting, Mr McNicholas told Fine Gael TD Jim Daly evidence from Irish Water suggests the company is providing a water service for less money than when the system was operated by individual local authorities.
He added that the initial establishment of the utility cost up to 100m less than similar companies in other countries, and has been completed at a faster rate than international norms.
However, under questioning from Fianna Fail TD John Lahart he said the company is due to lose 239m this year because of the existing freeze on water charges.
Earlier, Irish Water managing director Jerry Grant said 1bn should be invested in drinking water services by 2021 to bring the system up to an acceptable standard.
Mr Grant said a further 1.25bn is needed to make essential improvements to waste water system.
Asked to address potential savings that could be made due to the freeze on water charges, Mr McNicholas said the move could see 25m left unspent.
The committee is due to meet again next Wednesday to discuss water service funding. It is due to publish its findings on March 11.
A Turkish court remanded in custody Thursday five soldiers in connection with a deadly bomb attack against off-duty Turkish soldiers in central Anatolian province of Kayseri, Anadolu reported.
The soldiers were commissioned in the same military base that all martyred soldiers belonged to, according to the security sources.
The sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on talking to the media, said police arrested early Thursday 23 suspects including those five soldiers as part of the investigation.
On Dec. 17, a suicide car bomb attack hit a public bus in the central Anatolian city of Kayseri, martyring 14 soldiers and wounding 55 others.
Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus has said all signs pointed to the involvement of the PKK terrorist group in the attack.
The PKK listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU resumed its decades-old armed campaign in July 2015. More than 300 civilians and about 850 security personnel since have been martyred. More than 9,000 PKK terrorists have been killed or apprehended.
A senior Irish Water official admitted the situation during a meeting of the Oireachtas water committee yesterday, undermining suggestions the proposed new system will effectively remove the controversial fees.
Last November, the independent expert commission on the future of water charges concluded the fees should not return for the vast majority of people, although an unspecified number of households would still face yet-to-be-confirmed costs.
While the recommendations were not binding, they included the suggestion that each person should get a free water allowance before any charges were issued. In an interview with the Irish Examiner last week, Housing Minister Simon Coveney said he expects the allowance to be 123 litres per adult per day for a household.
Asked about the issue by AAA-PBP Cork North Central TD Mick Barry at the latest Oireachtas water committee meeting, Irish Water managing director Jerry Grant said the 123-litre level is right in the middle of average water usage and that hundreds of thousands of people still face some form of fee.
It is the average per capita consumption, therefore it follows that half the people of the country use more and half use less, he said.
While Mr Barry last night said he believes the figure is in fact closer to one third, it is still significantly higher than what was suggested in the aftermath of the expert report last year.
The situation is likely to cause fresh problems for the Governments plans to ensure a small level of water charges remains in place.
The future of water charges is due to be voted on by the Dail in March, a ballot which continues to threaten the existing coalition and Fine Gaels confidence and supply deal with Fianna Fail.
Con Moran, a student at Colaiste Choilm, Ballincollig, Co Cork, spent the last five years examining a marine flatworm called Symsagittfera roscoffensis and the algae, Tetraselmis convoltuae, that it assimilates into its cells, giving it a green colour. Its common name in the Channel Islands is the mint sauce worm.
Con, 18, who is competing for tonights crown in the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition at the RDS in Dublin, looked at the nervous system of the 15mm worm and found it exhibits functional behaviours that can be measured and analysed so it has potential in neuroscience.
The fifth-year student developed experiments to see if he could condition the worm to form memories. I removed specific sections of the worms brain and found that it could fully regenerate functionality in its brain after areas had been amputated, he explained.
He believes that because the worm can regenerate its entire nervous system and form memories, it could facilitate ground-breaking research on easing neuro- degenerative diseases such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons.
Con got the idea for his project after reading an encyclopaedia of science. It had a page on symbiosis and the worm was mentioned in a paragraph. I thought it was interesting and decided to do more research on it.
I did my experiments at University College Cork. I asked them if they would help me. I proposed the project to them, and they loaned me the stuff I needed.
Another strong contender for the title is Caoimhe Sanchez, a fourth year student at Bandon Grammar School, Co Cork, who has developed a simple home test to count faecal parasitic eggs in farm animals.
Caoimhe, 15, said she developed a microscope using simple household items.
She placed a mobile phone, with a lens on the camera, in the home-made frame, together with a light. She then inserted a slide containing the faeces mixed with a floatation solution in the microscope and examined it using the phone.
Farmers can use their own mobile phones to count the parasites in the faeces using the McMaster counting technique and treat the animals themselves, she explained.
Having a pint Niall Lyons, Colaiste Chriost Ri, with Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin. Picture: Conor McCabe Photography
Caoimhe said her simple method of making faecal parasite counts means farmers dont have to spend time and money sending samples to a laboratory to be tested.
Students from Kinsale Community School, Co Cork, conducted a statistical analysis of dream recollection and found that those who engage in watersports are more likely to have nightmares.
First year students, Sarah Carroll, 13, Anna Peare, 13, and Leah Hurley, 12, said St Patrick had a dream that the Irish were calling him back to Ireland.
But the night before he ate a wild boar which supported their results that eating before going to bed helps in recalling dreams.
Sarah said they based their findings on 1,000 responses to their survey: We found that younger people remembered their dreams more than older people and that playing video and computer games increased your chances of remembering them.
Least likely to remember their dreams are those who engage in competitive sports.
William Gilsenan, aged 24, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter in December for the killing of Edward Fitzgerald, 29, in a car park outside the killers home at The Green, Larch Hill, Oscar Traynor Road, Santry, Dublin 17.
At a sentencing hearing yesterday morning, Gilsenan told the court that he was ashamed of what he did. Addressing Justice Paul Butler he said he had destroyed a family and would never live it down. He added: Id like to apologise to the family but due to shame I wouldnt be able to look them in their faces.
Caroline Biggs, defending, said that her client was of previous good character and had no history of violence. She said the attack was out of character and that Gilsenan was going to college and managing his life quite well before the stabbing. She said there was evidence that Mr Fitzgerald provoked the attack by threatening Gilsenan and his family during a heated row before Gilsenan produced the knife.
Mr Justice Butler adjourned sentencing until next Thursday.
Mr Fitzgeralds sister Nicola ODea read a statement prepared by the family. Ms ODea said she and her sister Lisa have to go on with their lives, for the sake of the younger members of the family, but their parents have struggled every day. They have yet to sleep a night without medication since this happened, she said. My mam has since been prescribed anti-depressants, something she will take to get through each day for the rest of her life. Edward had a big heart, she said, and was a big softie.
He thought he knew it all and wouldnt admit otherwise. He was a lovable character who liked to act the clown, had time for everyone, would never judge you and had a large circle of friends.
She added: Its not just Edwards death that has affected us, every time we hear on the news that someone has been stabbed, we think about that poor family, what theyre going through and what lies ahead of them.
The court heard Gilsenan had one previous conviction for possession of drugs for sale or supply. He received a three-year sentence, suspended for three years, for that offence.
The Irish Examiner revealed last October that the watchdogs inquiry had been stopped in its tracks by a legal barrier denying it access to documents it needed to start its investigation.
Last June, Tanaiste and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald requested Gsoc to examine issues in relation to transcripts from the OHiggins inquiry which investigated complaints of police wrongdoing from Sgt McCabe.
The move from the Tanaiste followed a request for such an investigation by Garda Commissioner Noirin OSullivan, who had become embroiled in controversy over alleged undermining of Sgt McCabe.
Inquiry transcripts, published by the Irish Examiner last May, revealed the commissioner had instructed her legal counsel to challenge the motivation and credibility of Sgt McCabe. The inquiry heard that evidence supporting that challenge would be presented, but it never transpired.
When Gsoc tried to get relevant documentation, it was refused first by the commissioner and, subsequently, by the Department of Justice, both of which claimed that they were legally prevented from releasing documents of a commission of investigation.
Section 11 of the Commission of Investigation Act 2004 states that the business of a commission is conducted in private.
The departments decision forced Gsoc to seek a High Court order compelling the department, which holds records of the OHiggins Commission, to allow access to relevant documentation.
The department did not object to the application when it came before the High Court on Wednesday and the court granted the application.
In a statement, Gsoc said: We have noted the judges order, following a High Court application, to provide Gsoc with access to documentation from the OHiggins Commission.
The statement added: We expect the documentation within six weeks of the order being signed. Once the documentation is received, the investigation can continue.
This will involve a lengthy period of examining the records, after which a decision will be made to speak to relevant parties.
The signing of the High Court order, perfected by the court registrar, can take up to a couple of days.
A Department of Justice statement said: The Tanaiste will await the High Court order and will abide by its terms. Arrangements will be made to provide access to the relevant records in compliance with the order.
Meanwhile, the Tanaiste has yet to publish the ONeill scoping inquiry into separate whistleblower allegations of attempts to discredit Sgt McCabe.
Karen Jepson said in the Circuit Civil Court it was only after her husband Ian went missing that she found the mortgage repayments were 43,000 in the red and he had a gambling problem.
It was a shock to me to discover we were in arrears of 43,000 and that he hadnt paid a penny off the mortgage since 2015, a tearful Ms Jepson said yesterday as she pleaded with Judge Jacqueline Linnane to overturn a possession order.
Advance publicity for tonights programme states that cosmetic procedures are on the rise in Ireland with more and more people turning to the needle as they strive for the Kardashian look.
Well be hearing from a doctor who says Botox and lip fillers are becoming commonplace. Former Miss Ireland Amanda Brunker will be getting botox live in studio and there will be a demonstration of the increasingly popular lip filler procedure, a press release from RTE stated.
This evidence was given by Sergeant Ray Burke yesterday during an appeal of a six-month jail term at Cork Circuit Appeals Court.
Michael McDonagh, aged 26, travelled from An Sruthain, Castlebar, Co Mayo, yesterday for his appeal.
Judge Sean O Donnabhain refused to allow the appeal and affirmed the six-month sentence: This was bizarre behaviour. It is a very moderate sentence for what happened.
Solicitor Pat Horan said the accused was receiving psychiatric attention in Castlebar and signed himself out yesterday to come to Cork for the appeal and hoped to sign himself back into the facility later.
The offence occurred on the grounds of St Stephens Hospital, Sarsfield Court, Glanmire, Co Cork, where McDonagh claimed to have found the axe lying on the grass.
Armed gardai rushed to the grounds on September 29 in response to a call from the garda control room at Anglesea St and found the man carrying an axe. The accused pleaded guilty to possession of the axe on the occasion.
Garda Laura OConnor arrived and found that armed gardai from the emergency response unit were already present.
One of those officers handcuffed McDonagh because the accused was carrying an axe.
The accused had 22 previous convictions including one for engaging in a violent affray in Castlebar in April.
Sgt Burke said during the case yesterday: His girlfriend was residing there at the time and he was allegedly going there to get her out.
Ankara, Turkey, Jan. 13
By Atilla Caner Trend:
Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will visit Israel, a source in the Turkish Foreign Ministry told Trend Jan. 13.
Cavusoglus visit is expected to take place in late January-early February, said the source.
The source also noted that currently negotiations with the Israeli side are underway for preparation of the Turkish foreign ministers visit to Israel.
It is expected that during Cavusoglus visit to Israel, the sides will discuss the normalization of relations, development of trade and economic cooperation, added the source.
Relations between Israel and Turkey worsened after the Freedom Flotilla incident in 2010, when a convoy of six ships, including one flying Turkeys flag, tried to approach the Gaza Strip with humanitarian aid and activists on board. The flotilla was blocked and stormed by Israeli forces, with eight Turkish citizens being killed as a result.
Turkey signed an agreement with Israel on mending the relations on June 28. Israel paid Turkey a compensation of $20 million for the Freedom Flotilla incident Sept. 30.
This was a slightly unusual case, state solicitor Frank Nyhan said at the outset of the appeal by William Delaney, of Bay 5, Spring Lane halting site, Blackpool, Cork.
Delaney, who is in his mid-20s, had no previous drugs convictions but got a four-month jail term in Cork District Court for cocaine possession. He did not deny he was in possession of cocaine but appealed the severity of the sentence at Cork Circuit Appeals Court yesterday.
The six are members of two Syrian families who fled their war-torn native land and arrived in Greece where they sought asylum.
They claim their rights have been breached by an EU-Turkey arrangement providing for the return of new irregular migrants arriving in Turkey since March 20. Their case is against the EU, European Council, and Irish State.
The dilution of employment laws because of Brexit may force employers here to cut wages and work standards and lead to a race to the bottom, Ictus Patricia King has warned.
Ms King said she had told the Government of concerns that Brexit would dilute working standards once Britain repeals EU laws protecting workers.
In an interview with the Irish Examiner, Ms King said Britain would repeal EU employment laws, a move which may remove rights such as maternity and paternal leave and equal pay.
Such actions may force employers here to dilute working arrangements to stay competitive, Ictu fear. Any post-Brexit deals must protect workers, argued Ms King.
The big repeal bill and destructing all of the European legislation would in effect mean that the UK would be empowered to set up their worker employment legislation.
If the UK go into a place where they in some way dilute terms and conditions that had been applied by Europe Whatever the trading relationship, employers are very conscious of the costs and labour costs in one jurisdiction.
Of course you can get into a space where employers, Ive heard some contributors [here] where they are already doing it, saying Wage rates are such in the UK, we cant be uncompetitive, so we have to start doing what the UK do.
Only this week, the Scottish parliament held a debate about the potential of Brexit to weaken employment laws there, including concerns about the erosion of rights there.
Other key workers rights and obligations partially derived from EU directives include protections for agency workers, health and safety laws as well as working time laws.
Ictu say changes to employment rights in Britain and the North would place downward pressure on workers protections across the island. Ictus sister organisation in Britain, the Trades Union Congress, has equally warned of workers rights being dropped.
Ms King explained she had met Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan days after the British voted to leave the EU and expressed fears about employment laws.
Any dilution of employment protections could alter working conditions in the North while across the border, in towns such as Dundalk, employers may want to then lower costs or erode conditions in order to stay competitive, ICTU warn.
Ms King added: Where you get a push from employers where their trading relationship now is with a particular country, who are not part of the EU, who are not bound by the same rules and regulations, who are now deciding that they will have their own rules and regulations. That therefore brings down their labour costs, brings down their labour standards.
Ms King did not identify companies or individuals who she claimed may reduce wages or work standards. But she said that any negotiations on Brexit with Britain or the EU must include a special clause or agreement protecting working conditions going forward.
We are saying to the Irish Government here, in terms of the Republic of Ireland, you cannot allow a situation to be constructed whereby the trading relationship with the nearest neighbour then becomes the instrument for this.
And you are going to have to, as part of the negotiations, are going to have to make it clear that that cant happen, explained Ms King.
The Department of Jobs said Jobs Minister Mary Mitchell OConnor was very aware of concerns that arise from potential UK freedom to lessen employment rights for their workers.
Ibec has echoed the potential that Irish business could be put at a competitive disadvantage by virtue of a UK government choosing to pursue a deregulatory path by repealing EU guaranteed social rights for its own workers, the department said, adding:
There is no evidence that the UK would take such an approach. There are many examples currently where UK social protections are above the minimum required by EU membership.
The terms of any future EU/UK trading relationship will likely dictate what provisions of EU law the UK will nonetheless still comply with.
IN A move that is unprecedented in the modern history of the Papacy, four cardinals have publicly challenged Pope Francis. In the words of his biographer, Paul Vallely, the four have published doubts, virtually accusing him of heresy.
The four are Cardinal Raymond Burke (USA), Cardinal Carlo Caffarra (former Archbishop of Bologna), Cardinal Joacim Meisner (former Archbishop of Cologne), and Cardinal Walter Brandmuller (Germany), former president of the Pontifical Commission for Historical Sciences.
Cardinal Burke has been a persistent critic of Pope Francis, and two years ago was removed from his position as head of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura (the Churchs Supreme Court) for refusing to implement changes to procedures for annulments which has been sanctioned by the Pope. A former Archbishop of Archdiocese of St Louis, he now serves as patron of the Order of Malta.
The very public expression of opposition by these four senior churchmen to the Pope has no parallel in the history of the modern Papacy, and means, in the words of Clifford Longley, editorial adviser to the English Catholic weekly The Tablet, that Pope Francis has a mutiny of his hands.
This situation, of its very nature, bodes ill for the pontificate of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who was 80 in December.
All of this arises from the publication in April of Pope Franciss document Amoris Laetita (the Joy of Love) which followed two Synods in Rome on the theme of the family.
As is customary, since the very first Synod of Bishops in 1967, the synodal discussions are followed by a papal document, which reflects to a greater or lesser extent what was said in the synod chamber.
Deciding to include or exclude what the synods may have recommended is entirely a matter for the Pope. During the long 25-year pontificate of John Paul II when most of the Synods took place the imperious Polish pontiff very often paid little or no heed to what was said in synod. His views prevailed.
Inevitably, of course, this greatly diminished the status of the institution, and the synods increasingly came to be regarded as mere talking shops. This trend continued during the eight-year pontificate of Benedict XVI, but Pope Francis wanted to change this.
At the opening of the first Synod on the Family in 2014 (the second Synod was held in 2015), he told the assembled bishops he wanted them to speak their minds, and not be trying to tell him what they thought he wanted to hear.
It was a refreshing departure from the expectations of his two predecessors. As part of the preparations for the session in Rome, the Vatican sent a questionnaire (unnecessarily complex, it must be said) to diocesan bishops as part of a process of engagement with the laity.
Its not at all clear how widely this document was circulated in dioceses here and elsewhere. Predictably, the Irish Bishops always in thrall to the bureaucrats in Rome kept what feedback emerged here under wraps.
The German Bishops, however, released the feedback there. On matters such as sexuality, marriage and the family, some of the findings tended to confirm the view expressed by Cardinal Carlo Martini, the Archbishop of Milan (a Jesuit, like Pope Francis), shortly before his death in 2012: The Church is 200 years out of date.
The Cardinals interview was published in Corriere della Sera, one of Italys leading newspapers, hours after his death from Parkinsons disease, and understandably caused a degree of consternation in the Vatican.
Long before that, Martini had supported the use of condoms in the battle against HIV, and had also questioned the Churchs line on gay relationships and divorce calling on it to reconsider what constituted a family in the 21st century or risk losing more of its flock.
It would be unreal, of course, to expect a Synod dominated by conservative bishops (most of them appointed by the ultra-conservative John Paul II) to reflect any of this in their contributions. Most of them were committed to maintaining the status quo, and concerned that reforms would have a destabilising effect on the Church.
But in the four years between Martinis death and the opening of the first Synod on the Family, some of the cardinals thinking had had some influence beyond the Archdiocese of Milan.
And in a clear signal that he saw need for reform in the Churchs approach to divorced and remarried Catholics, Pope Francis arranged for Cardinal Walter Kasper of Germany (who was known to be sympathetic to Cardinal Martinis liberal agenda) to prepare a document for the synod fathers.
Kasper, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, published a book entitled Mercy: The Essence of the Gospel and the Key to Christian Life in 2014, and expressed support for Irelands referendum on same-sex marriage in May 2015, saying it was emblematic for the situation we now find ourselves in, not only in Europe but in the whole West.
One of the key questions the synod faced was should divorced and remarried Catholics be admitted to the sacraments? The synod didnt provide a single answer to this; opinion was divided, but there was a measure of support for a position that recognised mitigating factors and situations. At the end of the deliberations, it would as is the practice be left to the Pope himself to provide an overview.
Pope Francis, who was elected in 2013, had made mercy one of the central themes of his papacy, and how he would give practical expression to this would almost certainly set him at odds with some powerful cardinals, both inside and beyond the Roman Curia.
He knew this in advance, since there has been resistance to him from the beginning of his pontificate.
His document therefore an apostolic exhortation was eagerly awaited.
When it finally appeared last March, running to 189 pages, it disappointed both liberals and conservatives. While liberals praised the proclamation in that it called for the Church to be more welcoming to and less judgmental of single parents, gay people and unmarried straight couples living together and also signalled a pastoral path for divorced and remarried Catholics to receive holy communion they also hoped it would go further.
The Pope once again closed the door on same-sex marriage, saying it cannot be seen as the equivalent of heterosexual unions. And he did not, as some had hoped, detail health exceptions to the ban on contraception.
Conservatives, however, were less impressed. The editor of First Things, a conservative journal, called the exhortation a muddy document.
Much more was to follow. Some weeks after the publication of Franciss document, a letter was sent by 45 theologians and clergymen to the 218 cardinals and patriarchs of the Catholic Church, asking them to request clarification from the Pope about certain sections of the document, which, they said, had putative heretical implications.
In November, the four cardinals submitted a series of questions to the Pope, questions which demanded yes or no answers. Such a challenge, as Christopher Lamb, the Vatican correspondent of The Tablet emphasised, would have been unheard of during John Paul II or Benedict XVIs papacies.
The Pope said critics of his document fail to see how the Holy Spirit has been working since Vatican II, arguing that they see either white or black, even if it is in the flow of life that one must discern.
In his exhortation, the Pope had said he was in agreement with the many synod fathers who observed that the baptised who are divorced and civilly remarried need to be more fully integrated into Christian communities.
And he went on to stress the need to avoid a cold bureaucratic morality in dealing with more sensitive issues. What was required instead was a pastoral discernment filled with merciful love, which is ever ready to understand, forgive, accompany, hope, and above all integrate.
The controversy over Amoris Laetitia rumbles on, and is a clear sign of the tug-of-war going on behind the scenes over the Churchs future. Will it be a Church based on mercy, forgiveness, personal discernment and dialogue or a rules-based Church?
The Pope used his annual Christmas meeting with the members of the Roman Curia to warn against opposition to his position.
He referred to cases of malicious resistance which spring up in misguided minds and come to the fore when the devil inspires ill intentions, often cloaked in sheeps clothing.
His problem now, though, is that the genie of opposition at the highest level is now out of the bottle. Where will it end?
This Pope is aware that the plotting and planning for his successor have already begun in Rome.
Business FDI Drops From Previous Fiscal Year
Shipping containers at the Asia World Port in Rangoon on Sept. 16, 2016. / Pyay Kyaw / The Irrawaddy
RANGOON Foreign direct investment has dropped significantly in the 2016-2017 fiscal year, according to the governments most recent figures.
Under the new National League for Democracy government, the foreign direct investment (FDI) volume is down about US$1.4 billion compared to the same period last year, from April to the end of December.
The figures from the Directorate of Investment and Companies Administration (DICA) show that total FDI volume was only US$3.5 billion as opposed to last years $4.9 billion for the nine month period.
This years figure is less than before because there were many oil and gas companies that received approval from the Myanmar Investment Commission last year, said U Than Aung Kyaw, deputy director general of DICA.
According to the figures, US$4.8 billion went to the oil and gas sector of a total $9.4 billion in FDI in the 2015-2016 fiscal year.
U Than Aung Kyaw said most of this years investment went to the transportation, communications, and manufacturing sectors.
By the data, $1.6 billion went to the transportation and communications sector, $883 million to the manufacturing sector and $605 million to the power sector from April to December 2016.
The figures show that Singapore is the top investor with a total of $2.6 billion, while China invested $447 million and Hong Kong has invested $187 million.
We still have many FDI proposals to approve over the next three months so our target of $6 billion could still be reached, said U Than Aung Kyaw.
U Myat Thin Aung, chairman of the Hlaing Tharyar Industrial Zone in Rangoon said that as long as only garment and other small manufacturers are coming to Burma, the manufacturing sector will not be developed. It needs more heavy industry producerssuch as auto manufacturers and other big factoriesto come, he added.
If only garment factories come, we will not reach our target FDI this year, U Myat Thin Aung said.
Culture Where the Land and Water End Exhibition
Wolfgang Laib stands outside a Secretariat building with a jar of his famous pollen / Pyay Kyaw
RANGOON The floor of a grand but forgotten spiral staircase in a corner of Rangoons Secretariat office complex has been transformed with a large square of bright yellow pollen. Painstakingly collected by hand, the yellow powder stands out among the buildings faded paint, rusting steel, and weathered stone.
The installation is part of an exhibition by German artist Wolfgang Laib titled Where the Land and Water End. The conceptual artist creates large minimalist installations often using natural materials such as milk, pollen, beeswax, rice, and marble. To display his works, the Secretariat will open its creaky doors to the public.
I love this place, I love the rawness and the columns, Laib told The Irrawaddy in one of the buildings large halls, to the soundtrack of cooing pigeons and Rangoon traffic. Its an honor, but its also a responsibility to put on an exhibition here.
Four areas of the Secretariats southern wing are occupied by pieces created by Laib throughout his decades-long career. The exhibition is somewhat of a retrospective. At the top of the staircase is one of Laibs milkstones, a large white marble shelf thinly covered in fresh milk. It was first created by Laib in 1977 when the artist was just 27 years old.
On a verandah overlooking the Secretariats inner courtyard, local rice is piled on a row of brass-colored thali plates from Indiaa piece Laib conceived in the 1980s. In the largest hall is a fleet of brass ships with rice piled around each one.
Germanys Goethe Institut wanted to bring Laibs work to Burma but knew it would have to find a space worthy of this artistic heavyweighthis 2013 exhibition at New Yorks Museum of Modern Art drew crowds of 10,000 a day, and in 2013 he won the Japanese art prize Praemium Imperiale.
The curator sent Laib photographs of the space, and, together with the German Institute for Foreign Relations, they resolved to make it happen. Navigating Rangoons red tape and bureaucracy was an art in itselfIt was never clear who had the say. It is all in transition here, said Laib.
Installing the exhibition presented its own challenges. Accompanying the brass ships are larger versions sculpted in beeswax. In previous exhibitions, they perched on scaffolding above the floor. But with no air conditioning at the Secretariat, the risk of melting was deemed too high, so the ships sit firmly on the halls floor. Laibs precious pollen, which he still collects every spring, will only stay for two days to minimize the chance of being contaminated by pigeon poop.
The challenges were not just bureaucratic and logistical. To make an exhibition in such a building with such a history is a difficult thing, Laib told The Irrawaddy. We know that shootings and killings happened here, he said, referring to the assassination of Burmas independence hero Aung San and his colleagues in an office in the west wing of the Secretariat in 1947.
The artist showed an understanding of, and connection with, Burma, its history, and its people. Laib pointed to his fleet of brass ships and said, in the past there were many ships in Rangoonbut they were war ships, or they were ships taking things away from this country.
Laibs sensitivity stems from a long association with the country. Another of his pieces on display is a large stairway in lacquer from Baganjust some of the 100 kilograms the artist bought on a visit over twenty years ago. On the wall, a sketch titled Botahtaung depicts the shapes of Rangoons famous downtown pagoda in a fantastic pollen yellow.
Ten years ago, Laib even looked into setting up a studio in Burma, but instead settled for rural southern India. He now splits his time between India, his studio outside a small village in southern Germany, and Manhattan.
I feel lonely, and I live a very lonely life as an artist, said Laib.
Like his work, Laib is calm and reflective. He has spent a lot of his life studying eastern philosophies, including Taoism and Zen Buddhism. My work is my meditation, he said, I dont have to sit with my legs crossed.
Laib wants his work to bring people together through beauty. He previously trained as a doctor but thought that art was more important. He said that Burmas recent history and ongoing conflict make this exhibition even more significant. When you look back at history, it is culture that brought humanity forward, not soldiers.
Art is not decoration, he told The Irrawaddy. I want to change the world.
Where the Land and Water Ends at the Secretariat (entrance on Thein Phyu Road) runs from Jan. 14 at 2.30p. It runs between 10am and 5am every day until Feb. 4. The pollen installation will only be in place on the opening weekend.
Features Burmas 200-Mile Shopping Trip
A weather-worn suspension bridge made of bamboo and rattan in Nawngmun. / Nan Lwin Hnin Pwint / The Irrawaddy
PUTAO, Kachin State At least twice a year, the people of an ethnic tribe living at the foot of a snow-capped mountain in Burmas Himalayan foothills travel hundreds of miles through dense forests, mountains, and cliff paths to trade for basic foodstuffs.
We had to sleep around 11 nights on our way to Putao. We came on foot for eight days, and we hired motorbike taxis for the rest, said Chuinn, an 18-year-old girl from Ma Dain village, which is situated at the foot of Mount Lei Fu in Kachin State.
Lei Fu is contiguous with Mount Hkakabo Razi, which is believed to be the highest peak in Southeast Asia. Both mountains are part of an outlying subrange of the Greater Himalayas near the border tri-point of Burma, India, and China.
It has become an ancestral ritual for Ma Dain villagers to travel hundreds of miles to trade herbs and hunted animals for other foods.
Chuinn and 20 other villagers traveled more than 200 miles to reach Putao this year. Both of her cheeks were flaming red because of the freezing cold weather, with the temperature dropping to -14 degrees Celsius (7 degrees Fahrenheit) during the evenings and early mornings.
We came to Putao to buy rice, said Chuinn. Her village is located in Nawngmun Township, the northernmost township of Kachin State.
The villagers belong to the Dalaung tribe, a subset of Kachin States Rawang ethnic group, and they carry the national ID cards of Burmese citizens. But the villagers do not consider themselves part of the larger Kachin ethnic group.
Our ancestors were from Tibet, said Yingzin Dauji, the 50-year-old father of Chuinn. So we are Tibetans. They crossed the snow-capped mountains and moved to Kachin State. But I dont know why they moved.
Although most Kachin ethnic tribes practice Christianity, these Dalaung people follow the Buddhism of their Tibetan ancestors. Yingzin Dauji remembers that his ancestors followed the Dalai Lama, and the Dalaung have passed down Tibetan folk tales until today.
Ma Dain is not the only village at the foot of Mount Lei Fu; there is also a neighboring Dalaung village called Dha Hoon Dan. Combined, the two villages have a population of more than 200 Tibetan-speaking people. Villagers also speak the Rawang language, and some are conversant in Burmese.
Because of the cold climate and poor soil, villagers cannot grow rice in Ma Dain. Instead, they grow wheat and corn.
When they want to buy rice and other basic foodstuffs, the Dalaung villagers must travel the long route to Putao. On the way, they pass through several villages, forested rocky hills, and narrow cliff paths. And they have to be careful of the danger of snakes, said Yingzin Dauji.
During their journey, the Dalaung sleep in local village homes or in the forest.
After nine days of travel on foot, the traders finally reached Zein Sam village, which has access to motorbikes. In Zein Sam, they hired motorbike taxis and proceeded to Putao.
The villages and sub-townships between Zein Sam and Putao sell basic foodstuffs and household goods, but their prices are exorbitantly high, so the Dalaung tribal people prefer to buy their goods in Putao. Typically, the tribal people purchase staples of rice, oil, and salt.
One package of salt, for example, usually sells for 100 kyats (US$.07) in the Putao market, but the same package is priced about 10 times higher in the villages of Nawngmun Township. Local grocery store owners said they werent earning big profits when you consider their transportation charges.
The prices of foodstuffs in Putao are lower than in Nawngmunbut they are still quite high when compared to the rest of the country. Putao food prices can be double the prices of goods sold in major cities like Rangoon.
Women also have to carry their share of the burden on the way back from Putao to their home villages.
I shoulder rice in a basket, said Chuinn. In the past, I was too weak to carry it that way. But now I can do it.
The Dalaung have to be more careful on the return journey because they carry foodstuffs for their families.
It is good to travel in summer and winter, said Yingzin Dauji. But during the rainy season, the route is muddy and there are also leeches.
The major sources of livelihood for Dalaung tribal people are hunting and gathering herbal plants. They hunt fish, mountain goat, bear, deer, barking deer, and musk deer for meat and to sell to Chinese buyers.
Typically, the Dalaung tribes will travel to Putao at least twice per year to buy foodstuffs. The rest of the year, they devote their time to searching for herbal plants that they can sell in the Putao market. Chinese buyers often come to purchase herbal plants at good prices.
This is the life of Dalaung tribal people. They search for herbal plants, go to Putao to buy and sell, and then return to their village to repeat the cycle. Year after year, they have lived this waya very simple life.
However, this pattern may be slowly changing. Some Dalaung parents have started to send their children to schools in Putao. Yingzin Dauji has sent his son to Putao, where he studies in the ninth grade.
The parents want their children to be literate, and some want their children to find jobs in the bigger town. Some want their children to not live the same traditional Dalaung lifestyle.
La Da, a 25-year-old resident of Dha Hoon Dan village, said there were some Dalaung people working now in Rangoon.
Asked about his hopes for the future, Yingzin Dauji laughed and said, Im thinking of moving to Putao with my family if I can earn a lot of money.
Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.
News Burma, Bangladesh Agree to Talks on Refugees
A member of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) stands guard on a watchtower near the Bangladesh-Burma border in Teknaf near Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh / Reuters / Mohammad Ponir Hossain
RANGOON & DHAKA, Bangladesh Burma has agreed to begin talks with Bangladesh over an estimated 65,000 Rohingya Muslims who have fled Burmas northwestern Arakan State since attacks on border posts three months ago, a senior Burma official said on Thursday.
State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi dispatched a special envoy to Dhaka this week in a thaw in the troubled relations between the neighbors, who each see the stateless Rohingya as the others problem.
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Tin on Wednesday that Burma must accept back all Burma nationals in Bangladesh, the Bangladeshi premiers spokesman said.
Daw Aye Aye Soe, director general of Burmas foreign affairs ministry, said the two countries would start discussions on an identification and verification process.
If they find they are from Burma, they will be repatriated at the appropriate time, she said, adding there was no timeline for the talks.
The agreement marks a rare bright spot in the two countries bilateral relations, which are complicated by as many as 500,000 Rohingyas living in Bangladesh after fleeing decades of persecution in Burma.
The United Nations says about 65,000 more people have fled the Muslim-majority northern part of Arakan State to Bangladesh since attacks that killed nine Burma border police on Oct. 9, sparking a heavy-handed security response.
A quick resolution seems unlikely as many in Buddhist-majority Burma see the Rohingyawhom they call Bengalisas interlopers not deserving of citizenship, despite some tracing their lineage inside Burmas borders back centuries.
Officials in Bangladesh, where the Rohingya are also not accepted, refer to Muslim nationals of Burma.
If they are Burma nationals they will be repatriated here, said Burmas Daw Aye Aye Soe.
Asked what the term Burma nationals referred to, she said: It could be citizens or it could be people from Burma side.
Daw Aye Aye Soe restated Burmas position after a previous verification process that only 2,415 of those living in Bangladesh from past exoduses were from Burma.
The new talks will focus on those who have arrived in Bangladesh since the recent bout of violence, she added.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali said that, with the Burma delegations visit, the repatriation process was heading towards the next step, quite evidently.
While keeping relations with Burma friendly, Bangladeshs government wants the Rohingya out of its border area so tourism can develop there, he told reporters on Thursday.
We want to see them leave Bangladesh quickly, Mahmood Ali added.
Burma Anti-Corruption Commission to Prosecute Corrupt Judge
A judge in Magwe Division is charged with accepting bribes. / The Irrawaddy
RANGOON The governments anti-graft commission will prosecute a corrupt judge from upper Burmas Magwe Division for violation of the anti-corruption law, the commission announced on Wednesday.
Judge Daw Inzali Mya Shein of Pwintbyu Township was charged with accepting bribes last year in exchange for favorable rulings on two criminal cases. The judge acted unethically while exercising the authority assigned upon her, the Anti-Corruption Commission told The Irrawaddy.
The commission also revealed that the bribes involved 500,000 kyats (US$368) in each of the two casesone for an unlicensed liquor shop and another for illegal gambling.
The judge jailed those defendants who did not give her bribes. But for those who gave her bribes, she handed down lighter sentences that only involved paying a fine, read a complaint that was received by the commission and which was reported on Wednesday by the state-run newspaper Global New Light of Myanmar.
Commission member U Thin Maung said they have charged the judge under Article 56 of the 2013 anti-corruption law, which could result in a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. He added that it was the commissions fifth case against a high-level public servant in the judiciary sector.
We can only take action upon complaints we receive, he said, highlighting the importance of public engagement in the fight against graft in Burma.
The commission has received 2,661 complaints since its formation in March 2014, U Thin Maung said. According to the commissions statistics, Rangoon Division ranked at the top for most complaints generated, followed by Mandalay and Pegu.
Corruption will not just disappear immediately, and we can only reduce it eventually, he said.
In December, State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi called for the public to submit complaints against corrupt government officials, and she promised confidentiality to whistleblowers.
Burmas current anti-graft law was enacted under former President U Thein Sein, who mandated a new commission to investigate corruption. The commission was formed with 15 members appointed by U Thein Sein. U Mya Win, a former major general in the Burma Army, chairs the commission.
Last year, lawmakers urged the cabinet to take stronger action against the countrys deep-rooted nepotism and corruption. They complained that the three-year-old commission had not achieved a significant reduction in corruption, and they suggested forming a new commission under the popularly elected NLD government.
According to an annual report from the Berlin-based graft monitor Transparency International, Burma is considered among the worlds most corrupt countries, ranking 147 out of 168 nations in 2015.
Observers have cited several drivers of corruption and bribery in Burma, including low pay for government employees and a complex and nontransparent bureaucracy. This in turn creates an abundance of opportunities for bribery and other forms of corruption.
Burma Mon and Karen Armed Groups Clash, Wounding Four Soldiers
MNLA soldiers undergo military training in Kyainseikgyi Township, Karen State in 2016. / Ah Ar / Facebook
RANGOON Four members of the Mon National Liberation Army (MNLA) were wounded when fighting broke out between Mon and Karen ethnic armed groups on Wednesday, according to local sources.
Soldiers of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), which is based in Dawei Township, attacked an MNLA position in the early morning. The KNLA followed up with a second attack around noon on Wednesday against separate MNLA bases, according to a spokesperson from the New Mon State Party (NMSP), which acts as the political wing of the MNLA.
One soldier was wounded during the first KNLA attack, when they came to attack our base, said Nai Win Hla, an NMSP executive committee member. Three more of our soldiers were wounded in the second attack.
Following the morning attack by the KNLA, the MNLA sent additional soldiers to reinforce those who were fighting. The second wave of attacks took place at separate locations, away from where the reinforcements had arrived.
One of the wounded soldiers, who suffered a hand injury, was treated at a hospital in Ye Township. The three other soldiers were wounded less seriously, and they received medical treatment at their bases, said Nai Win Hla.
The MNLA and KNLA, the armed wing of the Karen National Union (KNU), have an ongoing dispute over territory in Dawei Township, Tenasserim Division. Members of both ethnic groups live in the same communities within Dawei.
Since November, clashes have broken out at least four times between the two ethnic armed groups. MNLA and KNLA leaders have tried to negotiate the dispute, but their talks have not led to an agreement on territorial boundaries.
We are asking them to have one more meeting, said Nai Win Hla, but they still havent replied yet.
The Irrawaddy reached out to KNLA leaders for comment, but one member of the KNLA liaison office in Dawei said that he did not have permission to discuss the fighting.
In the past, Mon and Karen ethnic armed groups have fought over other territorial disputes, but those clashes normally took place at the district level and did not involve planning from higher headquarters.
In 1989, the ethnic armed groups clashed repeatedly for control of the Three Pagodas Pass, which crosses the Thai-Burma border. Since 1989, the KNLA and MNLA clashed very little until November 2016.
Although the MNLA signed a ceasefire deal with Burmas military government in 1995, the group has not signed on to the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA). The KNLA is an NCA signatory.
Turkish lawmakers on Friday adopted the ninth article of a new constitutional reform package which regulates the President's criminal liability, Anadolu reported.
According to the adopted article, the Turkish Grand National Assembly may propose by absolute majority an investigation into the alleged crime of the President. The article was endorsed by 343 MPs, while 137 rejected it.
The lawmakers would discuss this proposal within one month and may decide to launch an inquiry by 330 MPs --three-fifths of the assembly-- in a secret ballot.
An inquiry would be conducted by a commission of 15 MPs, consisting of members of the political parties in the assembly.
The commission would submit a report stating the outcome of the inquiry to the presidency of the assembly within two months. If the inquiry can not be completed within this period, a new and definite period of one month is given to the commission, the Article 9 read.
An inquiry report shall be distributed to the lawmakers within ten days from the date on which it is given to the President, and shall be discussed in the general assembly within ten days following its distribution, the accepted article says.
Turkish Parliament may take the decision of sending the President to the Supreme Criminal Tribunal by 367 MPs --two-thirds of the assembly-- in a secret ballot.
The trial at the Supreme Criminal Tribunal shall be completed within three months. If it can not be completed within this period, a three-month additional period shall be granted for one time, the article states.
The duty of the President would end if he or she is condemned for a crime that prevents him or her from being elected.
The Article 9 also adds that the President can not take an election decision during his or her inquiry process.
Friday marks the fifth day since the debate on the constitutional reforms began in the parliament. Nine more amendments proposed by the AK Party will be voted in parliament.
The parliamentary process will likely be followed by a referendum in which the option of replacing Turkeys parliamentary system with a presidential model will be put to the electorate.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his supporters have argued that Turkey needs a strong presidency to avoid weak governance and allow the country to successfully tackle a number of challenges, including terror attacks from Daesh, the PKK and the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).
Opponents claim it will weaken democratic checks and lead to increased authoritarianism.
To reach a referendum, the proposed changes must first be passed by 330 deputies. If it gets the support of 367 lawmakers it could pass into law without a referendum, although the AK Party said it would hold a popular vote regardless.
A simple majority must agree to the changes in a referendum.
The AK Party has 316 seats and Erdogan hopes the support of the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which has 39 seats and last month agreed to back the package, will be enough to secure a referendum.
Other parties -- the Republican People's Party (CHP), with 133 seats, and the Peoples Democratic Party (HDP), with 59 deputies -- remain opposed to a presidential system. Two independent deputies are split over support for the amendments.
Among the changes are plans for an elected president to form a government independently of parliament and for the role of prime minister -- typically the person leading the largest parliamentary party -- to be abandoned.
Parliamentary and presidential elections would be held on the same day every five years, instead of the current four for the parliamentary vote.
The president would be limited to two terms in office but would not be required to leave his or her political party.
When elected to the presidency in Aug. 2014, Erdogan had to resign as AK Party leader due to the supposedly apolitical nature of the post.
Burma NCA Signatories Plan to Meet State Counselor, Burma Army Chief
The eight groups combined Peace Process Steering Team meet in Lay Wah, Karen State. / KNU
CHIANG MAI, Thailand A coalition of eight armed groups who signed the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) have requested a meeting with the State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and army chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing to find solutions to ongoing armed conflict in Shan and Kachin states and to the countrys stunted peace process.
The eight groups combined Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) held an urgent two-day meeting from Jan. 10-11 in Lay Wah, Karen State and decided that its five representativesled by Pado Saw Mutu Say Poe of the Karen National Union (KNU)would meet with Burmas top decision makers as soon as possible.
U Than Khe, chairman of the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF) told The Irrawaddy that the PPST hope to meet with the State Counselor and Burma Army chief as soon as possible.
Issues discussed in the Lay Wah meeting included the way to proceed to national level dialogue prior to the second 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference slated to be held next month.
The group also discussed the recent arrest of ABSDF central committee member U Min Htay, which leaders said violated NCA principles regarding freedom of movement.
Burma Army troops arrested U Min Htay at the Sein Lone checkpoint on the Bhamo-Lwegel road in Moemauk Townshipa Kachin Independence Army (KIA)-controlled area of Kachin Stateon Dec. 28 last year.
He is charged under the Unlawful Associations Act with Burma Army Capt. Thet Swe Lwin as plaintiff and is being held at Bhamo Prison. His first court date is set for Friday and the maximum sentence for a guilty verdict is two years.
The ABSDF leaders, led by its secretary, are now in Bhamo to oversee the case and met with U Min Htay on Wednesday.
ABSDF was removed from the Unlawful Associations Act so we have the right to free movement and to hold discussions in accordance with the NCA principles, U Than Khe said.
The eight groupsthe ABSDF, KNU, Chin National Front, Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), Democratic Karen Benevolent Army, KNU/KNLA Peace Council, the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army-South and the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP)were removed from the unlawful association list as they signed the NCA in Oct. 2015.
The detention [of U Min Htay] should not have happened as it affects trust building, he added.
ABSDF leaders said all NCA-signatories have started holding public consultations ahead of national-level dialogues. U Than Khe also said they are concerned by the intensified fighting in Kachin and northern Shan states as the peace process is a national affair.
The detention of an ALP member for carrying weapons was also discussed, added Col Khun Okkar from the PNLO.
We have vowed to move forward to building peace, whatever problems we face, Khun Okkar said.
The PPST previously had separate meetings with the State Counselor and the Burma Army Chief in August 2016.
Kyaw Kha contributed to this report.
Burma Palm Oil Projects Destroy Local Livelihoods: Report
Villagers speak at a press conferece for Green Desert report launch on Thursday at Orchid Hotel in Rangoon. / Zue Zue / The Irrawaddy
More than 1.8 million acres of palm oil plantations in Burmas southern Tenasserim Division do more harm than good for local Karen villagers, causing land conflict, damaging livelihoods, destroying biodiversity, and polluting the environment, according to a new report.
Companies and businesspeople have taken over land that once belonged to local communities who were displaced by civil war, destroying their crop plantations for palm oil projects without compensation, according to the new report titled Green Desert, which was released by several local civil society organizations after 18 months of research.
At a press conference in Rangoon on Thursday, representatives of the organizations and affected villagers said that companies had taken control of their land.
They took our land by force. We changed from landowners to workers. It [the palm oil project] had many negative impacts on us, said local villager Saw En Preh at the press conference.
The report highlighted a controversial projectthe Myanmar Stark Prestige Plantation (MSPP)as a case study, out of the many land grab cases in the Tenasserim region. Its concession overlaps with 38,900 acres of community and agricultural lands belonging to four villages, which were incorrectly classified as vacant land by the Burmese government, said the report.
The civil society organizations urged the MSPP to cease operations, consult local communities and provide fair compensation. The organizations include Tarkapaw, Trip Net, Southern Youth, Candle Light, Khaing Myae Thitsar, Myeik Lawyer Network, Dawei Development Association and Dawei Pro-Bono Lawyers Network.
They also demanded that the MSPP and other oil palm projects conduct an environmental impact assessment and produce an environmental management plan.
We held the conference because we want the MSPP to compensate people for the land where they have already planted. We want them to return unused land [to villagers] to let them grow crops, said Aye Mon Thu, a spokesperson for the Dawei Pro Bono Lawyer Network.
According to the report, the activities of the MSPP have caused severe negative social and environmental impacts on approximately 4,480 people from four villages within the concession area, and 13 villages were affected in total.
The MSPP is a joint venture between Malaysia-based Prestige Platform and Burma-based Stark Industries.
The companies have cleared more than 6,000 acres since 2011, including the betel nut and cashew orchards that villagers depend on for their livelihoods.
Families who have lost their productive land have fallen into high levels of debt or been forced to work as day laborers for low wages. Many villagers do not earn enough money to feed and clothe their families, read the report.
It also stated that chemical fertilizers and pesticides used by the MSPP have polluted water sources, causing livestock to die and villagers to fall ill with skin irritations and dysentery. Locals, however, never received fair compensation for enduring these impacts, the report said.
The MSPP palm oil project is located in an area that has seen decades of civil war. Due to military offensives, local villagers have repeatedly fled their homes, being displaced in the jungle, or taking shelter in refugee camps in Thailand. They have not been able to register their lands, leaving them vulnerable to dispossession.
The MSPP was granted a permit by the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) in 2011 to establish a 38,000-acre, US$36.75 million palm oil project in Tenasserim Township, Myeik District.
It remains difficult to determine the actual size of the concession area. A project signboard erected by the MSPP in 2014 lists the concession area as 42,200 acres, while a company map from 2015 shows a concession boundary measuring 49,227 acres, according to the rights groups.
Following bilateral ceasefire agreement between the ethnic Karen National Union (KNU) and the Burmese government in 2012, the one-time war zone was transformed into an economic zone.
Civil society organizations emphasized the high risks of large-scale investment in areas where there is a combined administration of state officials and ethnic armed organizations, and where governance is weak. In such areas, the organization representatives pointed out, local communities have no land tenure security.
News Digital ID Cards Trialed in Arakan State
pink paper national registration card. / The Irrawaddy
RANGOON The Burmese government began a pilot project substituting paper National Registration Cards with smarter digital identification cards in Arakan States Buthidaung Township on Tuesday.
The project is also expected to be initiated in upcoming days in Maungdaw Township. Both Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships have been home to conflict in recent months, after Oct. 9 attacks on police outposts and a subsequent clearance operation by the Burma Army in northern Maungdaw.
A staff member from the Ministry of Labor, Immigration and Population told The Irrawaddy that the project started on Jan. 9 in the Arakan State capital of Sittwe.
In order to carry out initiative, immigration officers record citizens fingerprints, eye scans, and take a photo of each individual, according to the ministry.
Everyone from those areas, whether or not they have National Registration Cards (NRCs), can be recorded in the pilot project, he added, a reference to the largely stateless Muslim population in the region.
U Aung Win, a Muslim Rohingya from Sittwe, told The Irrawaddy that he had no expectations for the pilot project, adding that it was not being implemented in areas home to displaced communities.
The government began conducting the pilot project in December in Naypyidaw and Mandalay and in early January in Rangoon.
The personal data from more than 3,400 people from Pobbathiri Township in Naypyidaw, 3,500 people from Chanayethazan Township in Mandalay, and 1,500 in Rangoons Insein Township has been collected.
An officer from the immigration department in Naypyidaw said that the pilot project would inform the government of the pros and cons of the smart cards before making an official switch.
Minister U Thein Swe from the Ministry of Labor, Immigration and Population told Parliament in December that the aim is to implement the project in states and divisions throughout Burma.
He added that they welcome suggestions and insights on the process from local and international experts, including those from IT companies in neighboring countries that are already using digital ID cards.
U Thein Swe said that currently, approximately 37 million people, out of more than 53 million people in Burma, hold the pink paper National Registration Cards.
News Kachin IDPs Return to Camps After Being Denied Entry at Chinese Border
IDPs were forced to turn back at the Chinese border. / Khon Ja / Facebook
RANGOON More than 4,000 Kachin IDPs returned to Zai Awng, Magayang and Hkau Shau camps after China denied them entry at the border, according to the Joint Strategy Team (JST) supporting the internally displaced people.
China is a big nation. They need to respect human rights on an international level. They should protect the people who have no protection from fighting, JST spokesperson Gum Sha Awng said at a press conference in Rangoon on Friday,
But according to Kachin aid workers, China may be under pressure from the Burmese government not to accept IDPs at the border.
China will not accept IDPs from Burma without having an agreement from the Burmese government, said Maran Jaw Gun, from the Nyein (Shalom) Foundation, at the press conference.
The IDPs were in critical condition after spending days trekking to and from the Chinese border, according to JST members.
Our first concern was their safety and security. The second concern was food, and the third was for their health, said Gum Sha Awng.
Among the 4,000 IDPs were about 800 children who had put their studies on hold in order to get to the border.
They slept on the ground during winter, which is very cold. There were elderly people and pregnant women in the group as well, said Gum Sha Awng.
The JST provides support for more than 100,000 Kachin IDPs, often bringing aid from China.
The Burma Army has blocked the transportation of humanitarian aid for Kachin IDPs from the UN and Kachin aid groups since last year, according to the aid workers.
The JST includes members from Bridging Rural Integrated Development and Grassroots Empowerment (BRIDGE), the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC), Kachin Relief and Development Committee, Kachin Womens Association, Kachin Development Group, Karuna Mission Social Solidarity, Metta Development Foundation, Nyein (Shalom) Foundation and Wunpawng Ninghtoi.
Fighting intensified between the Burma Army and the Kachin Independence Army after the Union Peace Conference was held in August. The Burma Army has seized at least seven mountain bases since December, according to the Ministry of Defense.
Rights activists condemned the actions of the Burma Army at the press conference.
If the military had not launched an offensive in the KIA area, there would be no fighting. The KIA is acting defensively, said Maran Jaw Gun.
A short video clip of IDPs evacuating their camps and being ousted at the Chinese border was shown at the press conference.
The video shows IDPs in makeshift shelters, cooking food on the side of the road, and using fire as a heat source. The people had no motorized transportation and traveled on foot all the way to the border.
One female IDP spoke in the video clip and accused Daw Aung San Suu Kyi of cooperating with the Burma Army, and bullying the ethnic Kachin and other ethnic groups.
Some IDPs raised the question of whether they were citizens of Burma or just temporary residents, as the government did not protect them.
The government has a duty to care for its citizens, but Daw Aung San Suu Kyis government ignores Kachin IDPs, said one of the displaced individuals.
News Two Civilians Killed by Artillery Strike in Namhsan
A wounded civilian is transported to the Lashio Hospital. / Mai Kyaw Oo / Facebook
RANGOON Two people were killed and eight were wounded when an artillery shell landed on a civilian house in Namhsan Township, Shan State on Thursday morning, according to local sources.
One of the dead was an eight-year-old student who lived in the house, and the other was a dance instructor who had traveled from Mandalay to teach. The two deceased victims were killed instantly, according to Namhsan Township lawmaker Mai Win Htoo.
They were giving dancing lessons at the house when the shell landed, Mai Win Htoo told The Irrawaddy. A group of cultural dancers from Mandalay organized it.
The wounded were taken to Lashio Hospital. The body of the dance instructor was returned to Mandalay on Thursday, the lawmaker said.
Local sources blamed the artillery shelling on the Burma Army. But the Ministry of Defense denied responsibility for the deaths, saying the shell was fired by soldiers from the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA).
This was a Burma Army artillery shell, type 82-millimeter, said Col. Tar Phone Kyaw of the TNLA. We dont even have 82-millimeter [shells].
No other military clashes took place on Thursday near Namhsan town, according to both Mai Win Htoo and U Ba Taung, a leader of the Taang Literature and Culture Organization who is based in the town. But a nearby Burma Army base often fired shells close to Namhsan, the two sources said.
They [the Burma Army] fired the shell. There was no other fighting yesterday, said U Ba Taung.
The explosion happened around 10:00 a.m.
If we examine the shell nuts, then we can prove exactly who this artillery shell belonged to, said Mai Win Htoo.
The TNLA celebrated their annual revolution day on Thursday. During the celebration, some TNLA soldiers were positioned outside of Namhsan town in order to block Burma Army soldiers from departing the town and disrupting the events.
The Burma Army intended to strike these same TNLA soldiers with artillery, the TNLA alleged. Then one shell went astray and killed civilians.
The defense ministry reported that TNLA soldiers fired at the Burma Army outside of Namhsan, causing the civilian deaths.
Bombs and artillery fell four times in total on this village, the ministrys report said. Two innocents were killed, and five men and three women were wounded.
News Volunteers Jump on Board Regional Govt Launch of New Rangoon Bus System
Rangoon Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein meets with university students, members of philanthropic groups, and volunteers about the citys new bus service on Friday afternoon at the regional parliament. / Phyo Min Thein / Facebook
RANGOON From guiding fellow commuters, to posting route stickers at bus stops, Rangoonites are getting involved in the regional governments new public bus system, set to be launched on Monday.
Some offices in the commercial capital have temporarily delayed the morning start time for its employees as they navigate the new public transport routes. Logistics and travel companies are offering to run certain buses free of charge in the systems early days, for the convenience of commuters. Hundreds of volunteers are signing up to work with philanthropic groups, the university student union, and with lawmakers in respective townshipsall of whom are organizing efforts in cooperation with the local government to ease the transition to the new service.
Maps of the new bus lines will also be distributed at bus stands and volunteers will survey passengers on the new service in order to report their responses to the regional government.
Rangoons previous bus systemwhich ran for several decadeswas notorious among the citys residents for mismanagement, misconduct by drivers and conductors, and for contributing to the citys traffic woes. Yet an estimated 2.6 million people rely on buses for their daily travel to and from work in Rangoon, making up 70 percent of all the citys commuters.
An announcement at a press conference on Friday revealed that all 300 bus lines registered with the Rangoon Division Motor Vehicles Supervisory Committeebetter known by its Burmese acronym Ma Hta Thawould be replaced with 61 new bus lines on Jan. 16.
The new system will eliminate the overlap of bus lines in a move to avoid races between buses, a practice in which the vehicles compete for passengers and make unscheduled stops. Residents hope that this shift will also relieve some of the traffic congestion downtown.
Under the plan, an estimated 3,000 buses will serve the city, with bus fares ranging from 100-300 kyats, depending on the distance of travel. Over 7,800 buses are currently registered with Ma Hta Tha, of which between 4,500 and 4,800 run on any given day.
Facilitating the Change
The announcement to halt the Ma Hta Tha buses starting from Monday was largely applauded, but the fact that it occurred only days before the launch date has left little time for public education on the new service.
Rangoon chief minister U Phyo Min Thein invited volunteers on Tuesday to help facilitate the shift for passengers for one week, starting from Jan. 16. On Friday, he met with the regional lawmakers and groups who are organizing the outreach.
It is really encouraging that people are getting actively involved in the government reforms, said Ma Sabei Aung, who attended the Friday meeting on behalf of the philanthropic group Extend a Helping Hand.
She added that 300 volunteers from the group would be stationed at bus stops in Bohtataung Township. The volunteers wearing Yangon Bus Service (YBS) shirts will guide passengers to bus numbers, through transit changes and answer questions about new routes.
About 600 people connected with us within 24 hours to volunteer after we posted on Facebook, Ma Sabei Aung said. Around 2,000 university students are expected to volunteer in total.
Ko Paing Ye Thu, a leading member of the university student union, said the group would volunteer alongside other youth, concerned citizens, and lawmakers in each township, from Monday to Friday.
Everyone who commutes by bus knows the problems that desperately need to change. We may face difficulties during the transition, but it will be a good system for everyone, and thats why we are getting involved in it, he said.
Guest Column Christmas and Karen New Year on the Tanintharyi River
A scene on the Tanintharyi River in October 2016. / Rachael McGuin / The Irrawaddy
The Tanintharyi River (Sgaw Karen: Tennawtharee Kloh) gives its name to the southernmost region of Burma, where it flows north to south, before bending and flowing out to the sea at Myeik. This is the Karen National Union (KNU)s Mergui-Tavoy Districtthe largest of the Karen armed groups seven districts, corresponding to the Fourth Brigade of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the KNUs armed wing.
The middle sections of the river were under KNU control until February 1997, when a huge Burma Army (Tatmadaw) offensive overran the area from Qui Wah Wah down through the old district headquarters at Minthamee Htee (Htee Kee) and the big village on the river at Minthamee Hta (Htee Hta).
Over the next few months, the Tatmadaw established bases farther down the river, in areas that had once been KNU strongholds. Most of the civilian population fledeither going into hiding as internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the dense jungle and steep hills to the west of the river, or fleeing to Thailand. Many ended up in the refugee camp at Tham Hinn, near Suan Pung in Ratchaburi Province. Others settled as externally displaced persons in Thai-Karen villages along the border.
After the KNU ceasefire in January 2012, some people started moving back to the river valley. For example, the village of Toe Htay Hta (the headquarters of the KNUs Ler Muh Lah Township, one of six making up Mergui-Tavoy District) was abandoned in 1997. A few months after the 2012 ceasefire, toward the end of the rainy season, Toe Htay Hta was re-settled as the main KNU administrative hub on the middle stretches of the river. The KNU established a clinic and hospital, as well as a high school.
The rehabilitation of Toe Htay Hta and four other KNU administrative villages in Tanintharyi Region has been supported by Japans Nippon Foundation, which has financed the building of 100 new houses for KNU family members in each of these locations. Other international organizations (INGOs, UN agencies, and donors) have also started working in areas that were previously inaccessible due to years of armed conflict. These include many areas of mixed administration, where authority is shared (or contested) between the KNU and the government.
Most of these international organizations operate as directed by the Burmese government, and often fail to recognize the authority of the KNU. Knowingly or otherwise, their programs tend to support the extension of state authority into areas where the Burmese government is still regarded by local Karen communities as alien and illegitimate. Such activities on the part of international relief and development agencies can undermine trust in the peace process on the part of local stakeholders.
I returned to Toe Htay Hta in April of this year, after my firstand only previousvisit in 1996 (on a mission providing relief supplies to Karen IDPs in the area). I was there again to celebrate Karen New Year on Dec. 29, 2016, together with my little family. Our journey downriver from the new KNU District headquarters at Ahmla (a little to the south of Htee Hta) took about nine hours in a longtail boat, made from a dugout log with side planks and a long and noisy scorpion tail engine. We stopped overnight along the way at two Karen villages to celebrate Christmas (which occurs on different days in different villages among Karen Christian communities), and to distribute gifts to the schoolchildren. At this time of year the river was still quite high, so we could motor through the shallows and rapid; when we made the journey in April, we often had to get out of the boat to walk around these navigational hazards, while the skillful boatmen picked their way through the rocks.
Although much of this stretch of the river was logged in the 1990s, the forest is growing back. As we headed south, the banks became more heavily wooded, with good forest cover in the hills and mountains extending up from the river to the east and west. We saw hornbills, different types of monkeys, a huge monitor lizard, many beautiful flashing blue and gold kingfishers, an elephant poking its head from the foliage to drink from the river, a wild chicken that flew all the way across the river in front of our boat, many eagles and buzzards, and swallows darting down to the surface of the river to catch insectsand later in the trip two Asiatic black bears kept by villagers as pets. It was also wonderfully refreshing to spend nearly a fortnight with no internet or telephone connection.
Yet my strongest impression was the incredible fortitude and spirit, and great generosity and loving welcome, of the villagers, who were returning to re-establish their old settlements after two decades in hiding in the jungle or living precariously on the fringes of Thai society. We encountered very few people who had returned from the refugee camps in Thailand, but large numbers who had moved back down to the riverside villages from hiding sites deeper in the forest, and also many people who had spent most of the last 20 years as undocumented illegal migrant in the Thai-Karen border villages.
We heard stories from the former of decades of suffering and fear, amid human rights abuses on the part of the Tatmadaw. One woman told us of her familys experience in 2002, where two of her brothers were murdered on separate occasions in the same week by Burma Army soldiers, and whose sister died that month in childbirth in the jungle. People returning from Thailand told us that they were fed up with living in fear and insecurity across the border, and wanted to return to their home villages and re-build their lives in the freedom of Kawthoolei (the Karen homeland). The struggle and effort involved in re-building their villages was huge. These are poor people, with very few material possessions and wearing old clothes, living in mostly bamboo houses, working on their livelihoods through swidden (rotational upland) rice farming, supplemented by wild food from the jungle and fish from the river.
The Tanintharyi River is still magnificent along most of its length, as there is no industrial activity on its banks, and so far no hydropower projects have disturbed its flow. However, since the ceasefire, there have been more activities on the part of gold miners. The companies holding the gold mining concessions are often from Dawei or other parts of Burma; many of the workers are Kachin, who learned their gold-mining skills on the upper reaches of the Irrawaddy River.
At present, six large rigs (the size of big buses) operate along the middle stretches of the river, and many dozens of smaller rafts. These cause local disruption to the river, through stirring up sediment, and longer-term damage through changing the flow of the river. This is particularly true for the larger mining rigs, which have thrown miles of piled rocks and stones, which disrupt the river during the rainy season. In addition, the use of mercury when searching for gold presents a terrible threat to the health of living organisms along the river, including the returning human population.
As one villager told me, If I could, I would pick up those gold-mining rigs and throw them over to the other side of the mountains, so we never have to see them again.
Although there is less logging along the river and in the adjacent forest than in previous years, the gold mining operations and plans for the regions future development are dubious. Private companies associated with individual KNU leaders have recently agreed on a memorandum of understanding with a major Chinese company to develop an industrial zone at the old KNU headquarters of Htee Kee, with associated hydropower and roadbuilding projects on and across the river. The latter aspect could have huge impacts on local environmental and social dynamics, but the MOU was negotiated with very little transparency and no input from the local community.
This project illustrates a dilemma faced by the KNU. In the context of the ceasefire, the government and the Burma Army are restricting the KNUs ability to raise taxes from villagers, as it did in the long years of armed conflict. While, for the time being at least, the KNLA no longer has the same need to replenish stocks of ammunition, the KNU is faced with unprecedented organizational and personal costs, including travel and logistical expenses to support its role in the peace process. Some KNU leaders consider gold-mining and other such projects as essential sources of funding. Other leaders, and many civil society actors, question whether this income counterbalances the enormous social and environmental damage caused by such projects.
It will be no easy task for the KNU to transform itself from an insurgent organizationwith a skeletal administrative structure offering limited health and education services to conflict-affected communitiesto a local government, at least during the interim period between the agreement of a preliminary ceasefire and the negotiation of a comprehensive political settlement to end decades of state-society and armed ethnic conflict. The challenge for the KNU is to demonstrate that it can be an effective and credible government in areas under its control, or where authority is shared with the government, for example by protecting the environment and regulating business activities.
Guest Column The Salween Peace Park: A Radical, Grassroots Alternative to Development in Karen State
Indigenous Karen People relax on a riverbank in the proposed Salween Peace Park. / KESAN
PAPUN DISTRICT, Karen State A path has opened for environmental conservationists and rights advocates to strengthen their fight against gold mining and other socially and environmentally destructive projects in the rich forests of Karen State in eastern Burma: the Salween Peace Park.
The 5,200-square-kilometer Peace Park is a radical initiative to create an indigenous-led sanctuary to protect indigenous cultural heritage and endangered wildlife. Located in the mountainous Mutraw (Hpapun) District, the Salween Peace Park will protect one of Southeast Asias last great natural landscapes and its rich biodiversity.
Large-scale gold mining is the opposite of the goals of the Salween Peace Park. It will cause destruction and land conflicts, said Tee Nya Kyi, a community activist in Mutraw District, an area administered by the Karen National Union (KNU). The KNU has been a key partner in the Peace Park initiative.
Citing heavy environmental impacts from existing gold mines in Karen State, as well as the goals of the Peace Parks environmentally conscious development agenda, KNU district leaders withdrew approval for a proposed gold mine in December. Large-scale river dredging for gold is a highly polluting activity in Burma that many Karen leaders, villagers, and activists have long opposed. Resistance against destructive development and desire for peace after decades of civil war form the impetus to establish this innovative sanctuary to protect the people, land, culture, and wildlife of Karen State.
Consulting the Community
The Salween Peace Park initiative is an ongoing, collective effort that involves many partners. More than 300 community representatives from 23 village tracts in the three townships of Mutraw District, the Mutraw Forestry Department, and the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN)one of Burmas leading environmental organizationshave worked together for the past year and a half to realize this dream.
The first public consultation and deliberation for the Peace Park initiative was held in May 2016. A second public referendum was held in Day Bu Noh village in Mutraw District from December 26-28, 2016.
In a large, open-air meeting hall, a draft charter for the Salween Peace Park that enshrined the inalienable right to self-determination and local governance of indigenous Karen over their ancestral land, was completed and received wide community support. As the Peace Park is a dynamic and adaptive initiative that was created to respond to the needs of local communities, consultations will continue throughout 2017.
The Peace Park initiative is committed to being inclusive and transparent, and whenever there are any development projects or investments of any kind, the indigenous and local people can look to the democratically determined spirit and vision for the Salween Peace Park first, said Paul Sein Twa, executive director of KESAN. Will these developments be aligned with peoples aspirations? In the Salween Peace Park, the people will be the ones to evaluate whether proposed development projects are good or bad for their communities.
For the people of Karen State, who have historically been denied the right to determine their own futures, the Salween Peace Park is a radical opportunity.
The Site of Military Conflict
For more than a half century, the remote and mountainous area comprising the Salween Peace Park has been illegally occupied and tyrannized by the Burma Army. To this day, the Burma Army maintains more than 300 military camps in Karen state including 82 camps in Mutraw District.
At present, a tenuous ceasefire signed in 2012 between the KNU and the Burmese Government still holds. The KNU is also a signatory to Burmas nationwide ceasefire agreement and is a participant in national peace talks led by Burmas de facto leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
But the Karen people have been fighting for their freedom since 1947, and they warily watch as state-sponsored violence continuously unfolds in three of Burmas ethnic states. In September, fighting broke out in Karen State between the Burma military and a Karen splinter group, almost drawing the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) into the fray and threatening the ceasefire.
Karen leaders and villagers believe the fighting was part of a Burma Army strategy to secure the area for the planned Hatgyi hydropower dam on the Salween River. The Karen in Mutraw say they are not waiting for peace to be granted by Burmas government or army. They are actively pursuing peace with the Salween Peace Park.
General Baw Kyaw Heh, second-in-command of the KNLA, explained their rationale: I realized that in Thailand, they have established national parks to protect their wildlife and prevent illegal logging, and I was convinced that we should do the same thing in Kawthoolei (Karen State). When the KNU signed the bilateral ceasefire agreement in 2012, we decided this might be our chance to begin to implement our dream.
A Locally-Driven Model of Good Governance
The Salween Peace Park initiative is rooted in the recognition of the indigenous people of Burma as guardians of sacred lands, challenging the top-down development model, and promoting a locally-defined sustainable development agenda.
In Mutraw, democracy is at work. The very process of establishing the Salween Peace Park fundamentally requires extensive community involvement, in order to ensure that the governance of the area will be equitable and sustainable. This is evident in the Peace Park consultations, which exhibit high levels of public participation and deliberation.
The demarcation of the Salween Peace Park boundaries is a complex affair, with community members and KNU leaders drawing out a tapestry of customary land areas known as Kaw, as well as wildlife sanctuaries and community forests. It encompasses parts of three townships and has required careful negotiation and consensus.
Most recently at the December 2016 consultations, the map was subject to further revisions. After rounds of spirited public deliberation, village representatives, KNU forestry officers and KESAN staff ultimately agreed to adjust the boundaries to include more land and a KNU-established forest reserve straddling two townships.
The maps drawn up by central government ministries follow a very different process. The Burma Ministry of Mines (now a Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation since reforms in 2016) had earlier created its own map of Mutraw District in secrecy, which slated large swathes of the area for massive mines and other extractive industries. Few members of the public in Mutraw have seen this map or even knows of its existence. In contrast, copies of the draft Peace Park map have been circulated among local communities since the idea was first introduced in 2016.
The long-term aim for the Salween Peace Park is to demonstrate what truly good governance could be for the Salween River Basin, and provide a people-centered alternative to the top-down, militarized development that has been pushed in the region by previous regimes, said Sein Twa.
Clear and Present Danger
One factor underlying the urgency of the Salween Peace Park initiative is the threat posed by a Thai and Chinese company-funded plan to dam the Salween River for the export of electricity and water to Thailand. The 1,365 megawatt Hatgyi dam, not yet under construction, would be built in southeast Mutraw, and would divert water from the Salween across the mountains into Thailands central valley.
If plans were allowed to move forward, the dam would destroy downstream fisheries and riverside farming in Karen State, all the way to the rivers mouth at the Indian Ocean. It would also compromise the integrity of the KNUs newly-established Mae Nyaw Kee wildlife sanctuary, which is home to tigers, black bears, gaur, and dozens of other endangered or threatened mammals.
The dam proposal is a lightning rod for Karen resistance, and the Salween Peace Park represents a united front against the dam and other destructive projects pushed by the Burma government and multinational companies.
The Hatgyi dam is an audacious move by Thailands military government to essentially steal water from an international river, said Jeff Rutherford, an environmental consultant who has studied the Salween River for more than a decade.
Exporting all of the electricity and leaving the indigenous people with ecological and cultural collapse is bad enough, he added. But the worst part is that the only way to build the dam is for the Burma Army to seize control of the river. That will reignite the civil war. Hopefully, when the Burmese people become aware of the water diversion plans, theyll also oppose this plan for war and destruction.
The Hatgyi dam may be a major threat for the future, but it is the Burma Army that is the clear and present danger. Decades of aggression have pushed hundreds of thousands of Karen and other indigenous people from their homes into refugee camps in Thailand, and have scattered the Karen throughout their territory and even abroad. Upward of 50,000 Karen have settled in the United States alone in recent years.
Though the 2012 ceasefire has opened more space for people to travel without fear of being attacked, and some are tentatively beginning to try to farm their occupied lands, not a single one of the more than 300 Burma Army camps in Karen State have been relocated. Nevertheless, people try to farm in the shadows of the men who killed their relatives and burned down their homes, less than a decade ago.
The presence of more than 60 government army camps in the proposed Peace Park area does prevent the displaced from returning to their original villages and farming their fertile land. Even after the KNU signed the national ceasefire, there has been no progress in terms of civilian protection in military designated areas, said Sein Twa, whose family was forced out of their home by Burma Army soldiers more than three decades ago.
He added, People are always asking the KNU to tell the government troops to relocate away from their villages and farming areas, but so far to no avail.
For the Karen people of Mutraw, the Salween Peace Park is a culmination of years of work to demarcate communal lands, establish wildlife sanctuaries and document the continued existence of dozens of threatened animal species. It aims also to revive livelihoods shattered by civil war and champion best practices in sustainable development.
The Salween Peace Park intends to create processes where local people can take part in peace building, not just the warring parties, the business sector and the peace donors, said Sein Twa. If the local communities come together and stand up for their vision of peace, we believe that their voices will be heard.
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The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) is the leading film festival in the Middle East and Africa. Since its inception in 2004, the festival has served as an influential platform for Arab filmmakers and talent at an international level by spearheading cinema in the region.
Now in its fifth year, the annual IWC Filmmaker Award honours one talented filmmaker from the region with a grant of USD 100,000 and an IWC Portugieser Automatic timepiece for their feature film project. This year, the film ventures were evaluated by a jury headed by American actor Ali Suliman. Other jury members included IWC Schaffhausen CEO Georges Kern, DIFF Chairman Abdul Hamid Juma, and DIFF Artistic Director Masoud Amralla Al Ali.
The Emirati director Abdullah Hassan Ahmed returns to the Dubai International Film Festival this year after being awarded the Best Script prize at DIFF 2006. Sunrise tells the story of a worried father who receives tragic news about his son, who is fighting in a distant war. With a pregnant wife to take care of, he is unsure how to deliver the news without causing too much anguish. The two other projects shortlisted for the Filmmaker Award are Salem by Arabic director Nujoom Alghanem and The Search for the Star Pearl by Qatari director Hafiz Ali Ali.
Friday, January 13th, 2017 (9:59 am) - Score 1,241
The roll-out of a new Gigabit capable ultrafast Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH/P) broadband network on the English Channel Island of Jersey, which is being conducted by the state-owned ISP JT, has now completed 70% of its planned connections to the new network.
The original 41m+ Gigabit Isles project, which was part funded to the tune of 19 million by the States of Jersey via a freeze on dividend payments, aimed to deploy FTTH ultrafast broadband to around 42,000 homes in Jersey, as well as every business (990km of new fibre optic cable) by the end of 2016. On top of that JT wants Jersey to become a fibre island by the end of 2018, completely replacing all copper lines with fibre optic.
Perhaps confusingly the operator has today reported that, A little over 34,000 properties were listed to be connected when the first property was equipped with fibre in May 2012 by the end of 2016, JT had swapped just over 24,000 homes and businesses broadband connections to the new high speed/capacity network. In the last four-and-a-half years, the actual number of broadband connections in Jersey has risen by about 10%, or 3,000, and so JT expects to have connected over 37,000 properties by final completion.
JT states that the project was split into three phases: P1 = Installing the main computer system to sit at the heart of the new network; P2 = Running fibre-optic cabling within easy reach of every broadband customer in Jersey; and P3 = Connecting all of those customers directly to the new network. The first two phases are said to be 100% complete, with the third just reaching the 70% mark. Apparently JTs engineering teams completed more than 8,000 connections last year.
Daragh McDermott, JTs Director of Corporate Affairs, said: We are really proud of the Gigabit team for what they have achieved in 2016. Its been our best year yet in terms of the number of properties connected to fibre, and sets us up really well for 2017. We fully appreciate that there are Islanders waiting for their fibre connection, and we would like to reassure them that we are progressing as quickly as we can. If anyone wants to find out when they will be connected, we would ask them to check our website, where estimated connection dates are published. In effect, we are replacing the Islands entire broadband network, and are planning to do it more quickly than has been done anywhere else in the world such a large and complex civil infrastructure project takes time, but once it is done, it will serve the Island well for decades to come. This network has put Jersey ahead of nearly every other jurisdiction in the world, most of whom are now trying to work out how they can catch-up. Were looking forward to the forthcoming States Digital Policy Framework, which will help the Island to realise the full potential of having fibre-optic cabling going all the way to homes/offices of all broadband customers.
As a result of all this JT claims that their new network has enabled the Island to leap into 3rd place in the world in terms of the percentage of broadband customers directly connected to the Internet with pure fibre optic cabling. Mind you Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man are part of the British Isles and residents have British passports, but Jersey is self-governing (British Crown Dependency) and has it own financial and legal systems and its own courts of law.
However one of JTs problems is that customers might struggle to take full advantage of the new network. Subscribers typically pay from 22.99 per month for a 50Mbps (1Mbps upload) package with 20GB of usage, which rises to 29.99 for 50Mbps (1Mbps upload) with 100GB, 44.99 for 100Mbps (20Mbps upload) with 150GB and 59.99 for 1Gbps (100Mbps upload) with 300GB on a 12 month contract.
Admittedly you dont have to pay line rental, but the lack of an unlimited usage plan is a significant restriction for such a network and on top of that a 40:1 Contention ratio (the maximum number of account holders sharing a line) applies to all JT Fibre Broadband services.
NOTE: From the 29th January 2017 the 50Mb fibre plans will no longer be available. The entry level fibre speed will be 100Mb download with 10Mb upload starting at 24.99 with 20GB of usage per month. The 29.99 plan will have a 100Mb download speed with 10Mb upload speed and remain at 29.99 with 100GB of usage per month. The current 100Mb plan will drop to 34.99 with a 10Mb upload and 150GB of usage per month. The 1Gb service will not change.
With more companies jumping into the electric car industry, it is not surprising that Tesla has numerous competitions. This time, however, Chinese electric car manufacturers are going to jump into the fray. Given how affordable these vehicles can be, Tesla might have a major threat on their hands.
Electric Car Industry
Tesla is no stranger to an ever changing climate in its industry. Just recently, there were rumors that Faraday Future could threaten Elon Musk's company after they unveiled their latest creation FF91 during the CES 2017. However, the company's biggest threat could be the locally manufactured electric vehicles in China.
As reported by Reuters, China is the biggest market for electric vehicles. Perhaps owing to Beijing's initiative to promote a greener environment, there is a booming industry for hybrid cars in the country. By 2020, the country would require about 5 million electric vehicles on its roads which could be a good market for Tesla. While these domestic cars are for short-range trips, they are much cheaper than the cars that are under development by Tesla which means that this market may not be too viable for the company. Although these EVs lack the luxurious feel, they are serviceable and economical.
Best of all, these vehicles are readily available to the public since they are not sold at a premium. Government subsidies also keep the costs low, making the finished products more affordable.
Tesla Vs Chinese Car Manufacturers
Given the economies of scale and the government incentives, electric vehicles only cost about $8,000 in China, a far cry from more expensive car models in the U.S. Tesla may be known for quality but these new breed of cars from China are so affordable that it would be easy to buy one. For now, Chinese companies are moving on their home turf but GAC Motor and BYD are interested in a global expansion.
GAC Motor is planning to enter the U.S. market by 2019 while BYD already established a factory in the United States. BYD has already started its global expansion and it is already selling electric buses at South America, Africa, and Europe. Hence, Tesla should be on the lookout for these Chinese competitors in the industry.
Coop, the largest supermarket chain in Italy, pulled Nutella in May, along with 200 other products from its shelves. The popular hazelnut chocolate spread is said to contain refined palm oil, which other say cause an increased risk of developing cancer. Now, more Italian supermarkets have followed suit and removed Nutella, too.
Contaminants Created When Palm Oil Is Refined Is Carcinogenic
According to Independent, processed palm oil can be found in chocolate bars, ice cream, sandwich spreads and other common products. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) previously stated that contaminants created when palm oil is refined are carcinogenic. Authorities did not recommend against eating Nutella, but said that a further evaluation and research would be needed to determine the level of risk.
Nutella Uses Refined Palm Oil For Its Smooth Texture And Shelf Life
Nutella uses refined palm oil for its smooth texture and shelf life. "Making Nutella without palm oil would produce an inferior substitute for the real product, it would be a step backward," purchasing manager for Ferrero, Vincenzo Tapella, said. Palm oil, Daily Mail reported, is the cheapest oil in the market, and switching ingredients would cost the manufacturer, Ferrero, an additional $8-22 million a year.
EFSA published a report in 2016 saying that that the major cancer concern is over glycidyl fatty acid esters or GE, which form during food processing, or when palm oil is refined at temperatures over 393 Fahrenheit. GE poses a cancer risk, Helle Knutsen, Chair of EFSA's expert Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain, said.
Now, the manufacturer has launched an advertising campaign to assure consumers that Nutella is safe. EFSA's report said that palm oil is more dangerous than other vegetable oils when refined at temperatures above 200 degrees Celsius. However, Ferrero says that the industrial process that they use combines a temperature of just below 200C and extremely low pressure to minimize contaminants.
There may be studies proving that working for toxic bosses and a toxic working environment could lead to mental health problems. In fact, there is an accurate form of science that proves that bosses may just literally be ruining employees' lives.
Having Toxic Bosses Could Lead To A Toxic Working Environment And Affect The Employee's Mental Health
It has always been a common knowledge to everyone that some bosses are just toxic into the lives of their employees. Many of them do not know how to treat them right, hence making them quit their jobs earlier than what they may have anticipated. It is undeniable that bosses play a big part in the working environment, making it uneasy for anyone to function well in the office. In line with that, it has recently been confirmed that working with toxic bosses may affect one's mental health.
There have been findings that will soon be presented, proving that working for bosses with narcissistic and psychopathic traits may lead to the employee to show signs of depression. Other than that, it may even cause the employees to have a bullying tendency, in act of having to deal with horrible bosses. The workplace environment is just as much sensitive than anywhere else, proving that it also affects not just the performance of its employees but their mental health as well. There are many ways to figure out if one's bosses are narcissistic, making them dysfunctional to the employee's end.
If Your Boss Is Narcissistic And Dysfunctional, Leave The Job As Soon As You Can
When the employee feels like their bosses are making their lives a living hell, being mean and scolding for no reason, hurt the employees for their own personal gain and more are all signs of having dysfunctional bosses. Thus, having one as such is very toxic to the employees and the workplace. There is no way one can fully function well in an office with an obviously narcissistic boss, leading up to be diagnosed of depression since it could also affect one's thought of himself about his personal career growth. In short, if one's boss is making his/her life miserable, it's time to think about it and just leave the job in itself.
Yesterday, HTC has unveiled two smartphones for its 2017 HTC U series: the HTC U Play and the HTC U Ultra.
The Design
For both smartphones, HTC went beyond and completely changed its look with the casing design compared to its previous models. It is somewhat like a translucent piece of glass that is highly reflective and reflects just about anything that comes in front of it. Though it was glossy and shiny for my taste, it looked great nonetheless.
For its color casing designs, both smartphones come in different colors. The HTC U Play comes in Black, White, and Pink. The HTC U Ultra comes also in Black, White, and Pink, but also has an additional casing color design of Sapphire Blue.
The Display
The HTC U Play features a 5.5 inch Full HD display, while the HTC U Ultra features a much larger screen that is a 5.7 inch Quad HD display. And for another difference, the HTC U Ultra has this secondary display above its main display that is a little bit similar to LG's V10 and V20 -according to the source.
The source then further states that the secondary display do is that it is supposed to give more information rather than just your normal notifications, but also all the different reminders and notifications coming from the Assistant API that is supported by HTC's Sense Companion. The Sense Companion is reported to take the Google Assistant that is a feature available on Android Nougat and makes it function even better.
Platform
The HTC U Play is equipped with MediaTek's Helio P10 processor. It comes with 3 GB or 4 GB of RAM, depending on the built-in storage which is 32 GB and 64 GB. On the other hand, unlike the HTC U Play, the HTC U Ultra is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 821 chipset. It comes with 4 GB of RAM and a built-in storage of either 64 GB or 128 GB. In regards with the expandability option, both smartphones have one via MicroSD.
Camera
Both cameras of the HTC U Play are 16 MP, but only its front snapper has the "Ultra Pixel mode." On the other hand, the HTC U Ultra features a 12 MP Ultra Pixel 2 rear camera that has 1.55 micron pixels with laser & phase detection autofocus. At the front, it features a 16 MP front camera with an Ultra Pixel mode.
What is this Ultra Pixel mode? Take the HTC U Ultra's 16 MP front camera for example. This Ultra Pixel mode combines the pixels and instead of having a 16 MP shot, it will be a 4 ultra-megapixel shot that will look great even in low light conditions.
Battery, Features, And Availability
For the battery, the HTC U Ultra houses a 3000 non-removable mAh battery. For its features, both smartphones still have the Boom Sound feature that is sure to give the device a high-performance sound quality, which also comes to the fact that neither smartphones feature a headphone jack. And for its availability, the HTC U Play will be available in select global markets only, while the HTC U Ultra is available for pre-order starting January 12, 2017.
Google just launched their brand new storytelling app designed for kids that enable them to make their own cartoons. Toontastic 3D allows kids and kids at heart to use a set of pre-generated characters. Why not make your own character though? The app allows you to do that with their editor and camera. You can even record sound and finally create a story that you save as a 3D video. With the app, you can basically capture proof of crazy kids' stories.
Google previously acquired the startup company Launchpad Toys some time in 2015. The company was responsible for Toontastic kiddie app that allows storytelling through animation for iOS devices. With this new edition, Toontastic revamped into 3D. The backgrounds and characters are now 3D objects but you can still move the characters onscreen in what is basically a 2D space like a digital puppet theater.
You can already download the app for free on Android and iOS app stores. The website promises that there are no annoying ads nor in-app purchases. Toontastic 3D works on your smartphone, tablets, and select Chromebooks. Another plus is that the app works without the need to connect online, unless you want to visit the idea lab which showcase works from other kids.
TechCrunch reveals that Launchpad co-founder Andy Russell said that their team wanted to "make a tool that feels a little bit more like a toy and how kids create by play than your average video editing tool."
The app demo shows that you can draw any character in a 2D, customize it with your own quirky drawing style, or add your face on characters, then have it rendered in 3D, ready for you to smack on scenes. The app is perfect for fun storytelling times with family but it's also great for school reports. Educators can even use the app to create engaging tutorials or lessons.
The LG G5 is the company's flagship smartphone released in 2016. (Photo : YouTube/Android Authority)
LG is planning to release its G6 flagship smartphone before Samsung launches the Galaxy S8 in the following months. The Galaxy Note 7 fiasco may be seen as an advantage for LG.
Samsung is reportedly delaying the release of their Galax S8 smartphone to make sure that it works fine and will have no life-threatening problems. The precaution comes after a considerable percentage of their Galaxy Note 7 products started flaming up and hurting their customers.
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LG G6 specs and features have not been revealed yet but it is confirmed that the company will not take the modular approach again. The G5 tried to be an innovative Android smartphone but it did not sell well.
The LG G6 will be released in South Korea on March 10 while an economic smartphone dubbed X300 will also be sold on March 18, Electronic Times has learned. Samsung's Galaxy S8 and the LG G6 are expected to be unveiled at the upcoming Mobile World Congress 2017.
Unfortunately, there is no word yet on the LG G6 release date for the international market. It may be more beneficial for LG to launch the phone on all fronts before the Galaxy S8 to make the most out of the sales. The LG G5 was not accepted well when it was launched because of the modular features.
Samsung's Galaxy S8 is expected to be launched around the third week of April, which is more than a month later than the LG G6 release date, GSM Arena reported. The S8 may be released internationally first if LG does not roll out their flagship smartphone by then.
LG G6 specs include a Quad HD screen with a waterproof design despite having a removable battery. The modular capabilities of the G5 will not be carried over as the company learned a lesson the hard way.
Learn more about LG G6 rumors below:
Samsung recalled a massive number of their top-load washing machines sometime in November. Nearly million of washing machines were noted for having potential hazard problems with reports including shoulder injuries and broken bones. Now, in early January, users have said that the washers still pose a dangerous threat even after Samsung's fix.
A handful of consumers have complained that some of the washing machines have lost balance from excessive vibrations while others have apparently exploded. Samsung announced with assurance that consumers can choose of to get a refund of the item they bought or a free in-home repair. The others who chose to their models fixed reported that they did not receive updates from the company.
"I've called numerous times, but I never get any calls back," said one Samsung washing machine owner to Today.
Another Samsung user named Britney Quimby said that she is even afraid to do laundry as it might hurt her children. A lawyer by the name of Lori Andrus has even called the washing machines "ticking time bombs" in people's homes.
Samsung consumers are currently frustrated with slow response and weak fixes. Some users even say that they called numerous times, only to fall on deaf ears.
Samsung responded to NBC News that the company's top priority is to reduce any safety risks and claimed to have repaired hundreds of thousands of machines. The company provided service within 7 business days on average and reports that they received high satisfaction rates from consumers.
Around 700 related complaints from customers were forwarded to Samsung. Consumers who purchased the top-load washing machines from various retail stores including the likes of Home Depot, Sears, Best Buy between early 2011 and late 2016 have been told to proceed with caution when they Samsung machines.
This can't be a good thing. As we all know, Samsung already received a lot of hatred from its explosion reports surrounding the Galaxy Note 7 which have also been massively recalled last year.
Cellebrite, the Israeli digital forensics firm rumored to have assisted the FBI in breaking the security of the San Bernardino shooter's iPhone, has stated that one of its servers has been hacked.
Cellebrite Data Forensics Company
According to The New York Times, Cellebrite has been the victim of a security breach of one of its servers. The digital forensics Israeli firm well-known for helping intelligence and law enforcement agencies to break into locked smartphones has itself fallen victim to hackers.
Cellebrite was allegedly used its digital forensic expertise to help the FBI with their San Bernardino shooting case. It is rumored that the FBI used Cellebrite's technology in order to bypass the passcode lock to gain entry and acquire data from shooter Syed Rizwan Farook's iPhone 5c running iOS 9. However, neither the FBI nor Cellebrite has confirmed involvement with each other over the digital assistance.
Cellebrite Server Hacked
Technology news website Motherboard announced on Thursday, Jan. 12, that it had obtained 900 gigabytes of data belonging to the Israel-based company. Motherboard journalist Joseph Cox said that the 900 gigabytes of data have been given to him by an unidentified hacker that claimed they are stolen from Cellebrite's servers.
According to Apple Insider, Cox said in a series of messages posted to Twitter that most of the data consisted of technical information about the company's products, databases, and customer information. In an article, Cox also wrote in an article that the trove of data contained messages from authorities in the Arab Gulf, Turkey, and Russia.
A notice on Cellebrite's website confirms the data breach and explains that the hack took place on an external web server. Before taking steps to increase its security, the company is investigating the full extent of the data breach. The attacked server was used by Cellebrite to hold a "legacy database backup" of the company's end user license management system.
The Mi 6 will be the next generation in Xiaomi's line of flagships, the current one of which is the Mi 5. Estimated to arrive in the first half of the year, the flagship will pack a punch in terms of battery, speed, and design. Indeed, the upcoming handheld will be a contender in the market, but will still be fairly priced.
According to NDTV Gadgets, the Xiaomi Mi 6 will be launched in two variants, the first of which will have a flat screen and a second that will have a dual-curved screen - the latter of which is being called the Mi 6 Pro. The standard option is estimated to come with 4GB of RAM and as much as 128GB of internal storage. Meanwhile, the higher-end variant will sport 6GB of RAM and 256GB of built-in storage.
In terms of power, the publication notes that the Mi 6 and the MI 6 Pro will be supported by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor. To provide this much power, Xiaomi has reportedly installed a 4000 mAh battery for the handheld. Meanwhile, Qualcomm's Quick Charge 4.0 technology will allow users to get as much use of the device as possible.
And while the screen design is a page out of Samsung's books, Xiaomi might also take inspiration from the iPhone 7 Plus when it comes to the camera. The Mi 6 is apparently going to be fitted with a dual camera at the rear. However, specifications of the camera were not mentioned.
The Xiaomi Mi 6 is expected to retail below US$300. Meanwhile, the Mi 6 Pro will cost more at around US$360. The company has always been about giving their customers more for their money and it looks like this will only continue. The unit has not received an official release date yet, but Ubergizmo suggests that it might arrive sometime in February.
Nokia has recently made a comeback with a new smartphone called Nokia 6. The company has been making headlines since the latter part of last year as people anticipate its detachment from its non-competition agreement with Microsoft. As expected, the well-loved cellphone brand released a new smartphone as soon as 2017 started.
Nokia Pre-sale Registrations
The Nokia 6 was unveiled last week and while it has been a worldwide topic for a day or two, the said phone is only targeted towards China. Nevertheless, as of now, Nokia 6 seems like it has a bright future ahead of it. Take note that when the phone was unveiled, Nokia opened a registration for people who are interested in buying the Nokia 6. Since the flash sale for the phone won't be starting until January 19, Nokia just allowed people to register pre-sale wherein each registration costs $9. This amount will then be deducted when these buyers finally purchase their Nokia 6. As per a Phone Arena report, the first 24 hours of the registration window has already seen up to 250000 registrations.
Nokia Smartphones 2017
Nokia 6 is just the first among the number of Nokia Androids coming in this 2017, and so far, it looks like things are going well for the company. With Nokia 6's good start, fans from around the world can just hope that the next Nokia device will be made available in more markets outside China. Rumor has it that at least six Nokia Androids will be released this year. Hopefully, at least one could make an international release. Take note that the Nokia label is now licensed to the Finnish company HMD Global, and while this company may not sound entirely familiar to everybody, know that HMD Global is run by some of Nokia's pioneers. With that said, there are enough reasons to anticipate and root for Nokia's 2017 products.
Can Nokia Make A Good Comeback To The Smartphone Market?
With Nokia 6's positive entrance to the market, it's safe to say that Nokia is on the right track for its comeback. The fact that the company isn't getting too ambitious at this point is reason enough to believe that they have thoroughly planned for this re-entry. Nokia can do bigger than Nokia 6 if they wanted to. They could have released a super-premium flagship that isn't limited to the Chinese market. However, the company clearly wants to take things slow, which isn't a bad thing at all. In fact, this makes fans more excited and in deep anticipation. Fans waiting for a new Nokia Android to hit other markets is quite a positive thing for Nokia.
Looking at the Nokia 6's release date, it's also safe to assume that the company thought things through and released the phone at a time when competition is still slow. With that, it's also possible that the next Nokia 2017 phones will be released during similar times. Nevertheless, the only thing we can do right now is to wait for Nokia's next steps. Hopefully, other markets would also be given a chance to get a hold of the new smartphones from the well-loved cellphone maker.
Over the next 18 months, Amazon expects to add 100,000 full-time jobs in the U.S.
While many of the jobs will be in warehouses, Amazon said the company will be looking for engineers and software developers in such areas as cloud computing and machine learning.
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Innovation is one of our guiding principles at Amazon, and its created hundreds of thousands of American jobs, said Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO, in a statement. These jobs are not just in our Seattle headquarters or in Silicon Valley. Theyre in our customer service network, fulfillment centers and other facilities in local communities throughout the country.
Bezos was among a group of technology company executives who met with President-elect Donald Trump in December. Trump made job creation a key point in his presidential campaign and criticized U.S. companies that outsourced jobs to other countries.
Amazon, the worlds largest online retailer, has expanding its workforce as the business has grown with customers around the world increasingly do their buying online. Over the past five years, Amazon has created more than 150,000 jobs in the U.S., Bezos said, increasing its U.S. workforce from 30,000 employees in 2011 to more than 180,000 at the end of last year.
Obviously its a great sign. Its always good for the economy when we hear companies are going to create permanent positions, said Andrew Challenger, vice president of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a placement firm, in an interview with Computerworld. We always expected that more and more shopping was going online but now its really coming to fruition.
Challenger noted that while most of the company's new hires will be in warehouses, it's a positive sign to see Amazon adding workers in areas like cloud computing and machine learning.
Those are really high-quality jobs," Challenger said. "Were always glad to see companies adding those positions. Its not a surprise since Amazon is a cloud leader. Wed expect them to spend a lot of money on it.
According to Amazon, many of the new hires will be made in the companys new fulfillment centers, some of which are still under construction. That means new jobs in Texas, California, Florida and New Jersey.
The company, which said it already employs more than 10,000 military veterans, announced in 2016 that it plans to hire another 25,000 veterans and military spouses over the next five years.
Amazon also committed to training 10,000 active duty service members, spouses and veterans in cloud computing.
While much attention is being given to companies committing to hiring since Trump became president elect, Challenger said he thinks Amazons decision to hire another 100,000 people has been in the works for some time.
Certainly its not a spur of the moment decision to hire 100,000 people, he added. Its a huge capital commitment. Its probably been in the works, but certainly were seeing companies announcing hirings because its getting good press. The president-elect will probably tweet about it and maybe take credit for it ,but it will get the company name out there.
AT&T chief executive Randall Stephenson met with President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday to talk jobs and investment, but the company's multi-billion takeover of Time Warner was not on the table.
The company didn't say much about the meeting, which took place at Trump Tower in New York, but characterized it as wide ranging.
"As the countrys leading investor of capital for each of the last five years, the conversation focused on how AT&T can work with the Trump administration to increase investment in the U.S., stimulate job creation in America, and make American companies more competitive globally," AT&T said in a statement.
Stephenson is one of several CEOs to have met with Trump in recent weeks. Many of the meetings have been focused on similar issues, although in many cases the job and investment commitments announced after the meetings were already in place.
AT&T has a good reason to cozy up to Trump. The president-elect has pledged a major push in infrastructure building and AT&T owns one of the largest telecommunications networks in the country, so it could benefit from any government investment in that area.
And while AT&T said the proposed merger with Time Warner wasn't discussed, it's sure to be a keen area of concern for the company.
Before the election, Trump pledged it is "a deal we will not approve," citing media concentration concerns. The deal includes CNN, which is currently in Trump's crosshairs for breaking the news on concerns that Russian spies have compromising information about him.
World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim speaks during a media briefing April 16, 2015, in Washington, D.C. (Photo : Getty Images)
The World Bank has recently funded the budget reform programs of two local Chinese governments. The loan, amounting to $200 million each, will be used to develop a strong and sustainable foundation for the finances of Hunan and Chongqing.
"We are pleased to support the fiscal reform programs of Hunan Province and Chongqing's Dadukou District with the aim of improving efficiency in public resource management and placing their finances on a sustainable path.
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"We hope these operations will contribute to China's efforts to achieve fiscal sustainability at the subnational level, which is vital for sustainable growth," said Bert Hofman, World Bank Country Director for China.
With the support from the World Bank, Hunan and Chongqing will now be able to implement their budget reform activities which include the development of a medium-term fiscal sustainability framework; integrated approach to capital budgeting; an effective system for financial health monitoring; and the enhancement of transparency and accountability in budget resource use.
The two local governments are already implementing China's new budget law. And with the implementation of these programs, Hunan and Chongqing will be able to complement the policy change with institutional changes.
"These two operations are showing the way on how to implement critical fiscal reforms. These reforms require not only policy changes, but changes in the mindset and the development of new institutional arrangements and capacities as well," said Min Zhao, World Bank Senior Economist and co-task leader of the operations.
China to See Economic Growth in 2017
The World Bank predicts that China will see economic growth for China this 2017.
However, the growth rate will remain steady at 6.5 percent because the Chinese economy is rebalancing from manufacturing to services, and from investment to consumption which will continue moderate progress.
Investors will be paying close attention with soon-to-be President Trump's treatment on U.S.-China trade relations.
Despite the tension between the two countries intensifying in the recent weeks, a strong U.S. economy is still beneficial for countries like China which benefit from the U.S. consumer and corporate investment.
Analysts hope that Trump doesn't start a trade war.
With support coming from the World Bank, these programs will not only benefit Hunan and Chongqing, but they will surely have a positive impact on the national level as well.
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This Week in Review
A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more.
PLANS to resettle five Syrian refugee families on the Island have been approved by Isle of Wight Council bosses.
They are due to arrive in April, after the plans were unanimously supported at last night's (Thursday) meeting of the council executive.
Addressing concerns raised about a lack of housing on the Island, Cllr Julia Baker-Smith said: "There are concerns it may displace local people waiting for housing. I want to offer reassurance that won't be the case, as we are seeking suitable accommodation through the private sector to help these very needy families."
She appealed for private landlords with available properties to get in touch.
The government has said it will provide funding to support the families over the next four years.
Describing the plans as flawed, UKIP Cllr Daryll Pitcher said: "If we can afford to rent houses, whether from the private or public sector, they could go to people living rough on the Isle of Wight. But we have chosen not to do that.
"That is the issue behind people's disquiet and I agree with them."
However, deputy leader Cllr Steve Stubbings said the plans were supported by the Isle of Wight community.
"Despite come comments that have been made by people who do not live in the same century as the rest of us, most people agree we should help those in need," he said.
A STAMPED envelope sent to a Watford solicitor in 1841 is expected to fetch 600 in auction next month.
The envelope was sent to Messrs Cowley and Sons just one year after the Penny Post was introduced in 1840.
It value comes from the rare Penny Black stamp on the envelope.
Normal Penny Blacks are worth about 40 but this one was printed from a rare plate.
Mr Mark Stephenson, stamp expert from Spink auction house, which will held the sale, explained: 'Penny Blacks were printed from hand engraved plates.
'The first of these was called 1a, and when that wore out it was replaced by 1b and so on.
'This stamp was printed from the last plate, number 11, which was only in use for about one month and was used to produce the fewest stamps.'
The stamp will be auctioned on Wednesday, June 7.
Djibouti Port (Photo : Sean Gallup / Staff)
The China-funded and built railway that connects the two African countries was recently inaugurated and is now open for business. The operation of Africa's first electrified standard gauge railway is expected to make great impacts for Africa's trade and commerce.
The railway stretches 750 kilometers long, connecting the suburbs of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia with the Red Sea port of Djibouti, cutting the travel time from three days to just 12 hours. With the railway now in operation, people won't have to go through the arduous journey of passing through a congested, potholed road to get from one point to the other.
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Built by the China Railway Group and the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, the $4 billion project was financed by a consortium of Chinese banks which included the Export Import Bank, the China Development Bank and the Industrial and Commercial Bank.
"From today, millions more Africans are now linked to Djibouti's world-class port facilities. Connecting Africa, Asia and Europe, Djibouti is at the heart of the world's trade routes, and we are proud to play a vital role in developing the region and wider continent," said Aboubaker Omar Hadi, chairman of the Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority.
Not only is this a 'railway of Sino-African friendship in the 21st century, but the construction and operation of this railway is a win-win business investment for China and Africa.
While Africa will enjoy the benefits of a better way to transport products to and from the port, this project will encourage more Chinese investments into the continent.
"This could serve as an example for future railway projects in Africa and facilitate Chinese exports of rail equipment and machinery, as well as encouraging Chinese firms to build housing projects along the line," said He Wenping of the Institute of West-Asian and African Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
This railway project will open up many opportunities for both Africa and China. Hopefully, this will hasten the economic development not only in Djibouti and Ethiopia, but as well to the rest of Africa.
Crackdown on Smog: More Than 700 Detained for Violations of Environmental Laws
Hong Kong shrouded in haze coming from mainland China. (Photo : Getty Images)
More than 700 people were detained and 6,454 fined in China for violations of environment-related regulations in 2016, according to government data.
The government started to look into 33,000 cases and imposed fines amounting to $63.6 million as a result of the central government's inspections in several provinces and municipalities and major cities such as Beijing and Shanghai.
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The government also reported that pollution caused by PM2.5 was less in 2016. The average density of PM2.5 in 338 cities lowered by 6 percent.
The national plan on environmental improvement for the 13th Five-Year Plan was launched last month.
The central government also gave the Ministry of Environmental Protection additional powers to send inspection teams anywhere in the country. The ministry now has the authority to conduct meetings with senior local officials.
It was only the second Chinese agency to be granted such authority.
Ma Jun, director of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, said, "We talk about local government interference in environmental enforcement and these central government investigations can address this problem at the source."
The environment ministry reported that it had fined several state-owned polluters for exceeding emission limits.
PetroChina, the largest oil company in the country, has a subsidiary in the northeastern city of Dalian that was fined a total of $433,644.
"We need to recognize the progress made and this is definitely higher than before, but on the other hand, it is still not enough and is still cheaper than the cost of compliance," Ma said.
He added: "We also don't know if in reality the fine will be paid. Many of them are the darlings of local government, which gives them protection."
2017 Breakthrough Prize - Red Carpet (Photo : Getty Images)
Chinese social media spiked its attention over the new boyfriend of Wendi Deng, the 48-year-old former wife of Rupert Murdoch. Deng's new beau is a 21-year-old Austrian model.
Many Chinese women are drawing attention to Wendi Deng and are aspiring to be like her. The news on her new boyfriend triggered 20,000 comments and 93,000 likes on Weibo.
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"My parents told me I would become a leftover if I didn't get married before 30," one female blogger said. "But look at Deng! As a middle-aged mother with two daughters, she is still attractive to handsome young men."
Wendi was born in Shandong in 1968 and went to Guangzhou Medical College. Her marriage to media tycoon Rupert Murdoch was the second and was widely criticized.
Rumors circulated that she was being a "gold digger" and schemed her way up the Western social ladder by marrying wealthy old men. She was a manager at Star TV in Hong Kong when she met Murdoch.
In her early years of marriage to Murdoch, she was regarded as a supportive wife. Celebrity website fusion.com described it as, "For the first years of their marriage Deng was painted as the lovely housewife, a quaint village beauty who only had, like, ten pairs of shoes."
She, later on, helped Murdoch in his businesses and brokered deals in China that were worth millions of dollars.
Deng and many single, older Chinese women are divorcing and getting into relationships with younger men in modern China.
Another older woman, 43-year-old actress Li Bingbing disclosed her relationship with a man 16 years her junior.
The same is also true with actresses Gao Yuanyuan, Ruby Lin and Michelle Chen.
The sentencing date for Paul Burks, founder of defunct Ponzi scheme ZeekRewards.com, is for Feb. 13, according to a legal filing.
The 9:30 a.m. hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Max Cogburn Jr. will be in a Charlotte courtroom at 401 W. Trade St.
ZeekRewards was one of the largest Ponzi schemes in U.S. history at $939 million, according to federal regulatory officials and prosecutors. The companies, which debuted in January 2011, were shut down and their assets frozen in August 2012.
On July 21, a federal jury found Burks, 67, of Lexington, guilty of wire and mail-fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud and tax-fraud conspiracy.
The sentencing process has been conducted mostly in a sealed format. Burks has been free on bond awaiting his sentencing date.
It is possible Burks could spend the rest of his life in prison.
The wire and mail-fraud conspiracy charge, the mail-fraud charge and the wire-fraud charge each carry a maximum prison term of 20 years and a $250,000 fine. The tax-fraud conspiracy charge carries a maximum prison term of five years and a $250,000 fine.
Kenneth Bell, receiver for the company, said Jan. 20 that victims are entitled to be heard at Burks' sentencing by sending an email to HearingLetter@zeekrewardsreceivership.com.
Bell said the court would like to hear about any of the below circumstances:
* Becoming insolvent;
* Filing for bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy code;
* Suffering substantial loss of a retirement, education or other savings or investment fund;
* Making substantial changes to employment, such as postponing retirement plans;
* Making substantial changes to living arrangements, such as relocating to a less expensive home; and
* Suffering substantial harm to his or her ability to obtain credit.
Prosecutors claimed Burks received at least $10.1 million from the scheme.
Burks reached a consent settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission in August 2012 in which he did not admit wrongdoing or that his companies operated as a Ponzi scheme. However, he agreed to pay a $4 million penalty.
In another ZeekRewards legal case, a trial date of May 15 has been set for six net winners in the Ponzi scheme.
Net winners have been defined as the 9,400 participants who won more money at least $1,000 than they paid into the scheme. The list contains 15 individuals from Forsyth County, 105 from the Triad and Northwest N.C., and 390 statewide.
The six net winners facing trial Catherine Parker, Leon Killam, Yong Sheng Wang, Brian Fussey, James Macelwain and Mei-Ping Liang were found in default in December 2014. The largest judgment was requested against Parker at $213,953.
Federal judge Graham Mullen has approved multi-million dollar penalties against eight other net winners. The potential combined amount from the net winner class could reach $200 million.
The SEC accused Rex Venture Group LLC, Zeekler, ZeekRewards and Burks of raising more than $800 million through unregistered securities, also known as penny auctions, and another $96 million in subscription fees.
The companies raised the money from at least 2.2 million customers, including more than 230,000 in the U.S., with 47,000 of those in North Carolina.
The court-appointed receiver for ZeekRewards, Kenneth Bell, said that as of Sept. 30, he had recovered $362 million and disbursed $269.8 million to victims. Many victims have received funds accounting for between 60 percent and 70 percent of their losses.
On Sept. 13, two top ZeekRewards officials were sentenced to lengthy prison terms.
Dawn Wright-Olivares and her stepson, Daniel Olivares, pleaded guilty in February 2014 to fraud charges. Wright-Olivares served as chief operating officer, while Olivares was senior technology officer.
Wright-Olivares pleaded guilty to an investment fraud conspiracy charge and to tax fraud conspiracy. She was sentenced to a 90-month prison term. Olivares pleaded guilty to an investment fraud conspiracy charge. He was sentenced to two years in prison.
Wright-Olivares faces up to a $500,000 fine, while Olivares faces up to $250,000 fine. Wright-Olivares were said to have received about $7.2 million in victim funds and Olivares $3.1 million.
xXx The Return of Xander Cage (Photo : Etc Zone/YouTube)
In Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the presence of Chinese actor Donnie Yen and Jiang Wen failed to bring in the moviegoers in China that for the first three days of the movies exhibition, it only earned $31 million.
On Feb. 10, a new Hollywood movie with Donnie Yen on it would again premiere in China. Would Chinese audience patronize xXx The Return of Xander Cage or snub it too? The movie would be shown in China three weeks after it opens in the U.S.
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Post Lunar New Year Movie
Again, it is a test case if Chinese moviegoers see actors from the country being cast in Hollywood films as decorations only or not. But Variety noted that the exhibition of xXc The Return of Xander Cage, the first big Hollywood title to show in the worlds second-largest movie market, could benefit from the audience wanting to see a non-Chinese language film since movies shown during the Lunar New Year festivities are all local movies.
The exception to that rule is Ballerina, a Canadian-French co-production that has a Feb. 1 release date. There would also be two foreign movies shown before the start of the Spring Festival on Jan. 28. These are Arrival a brainy thriller on Jan. 20 and the Jennifer Lawrence-starrer Passengers which opens on Jan. 13.
Audience for Musicals in China?
After the Chinese New Year, Sing, a hit animation movie, would be shown on Feb 17. The Golden Globe Best Picture for Musical or Comedy LaLa Land has been approved for showing in China, but has no playdate yet. There are questions, though, if musicals like La La Land would have an audience in China despite its numerous industry awards.
Playing the lead role in xXx The Return of Xander is Vin Diesel whose character was thought to be dead. However, Cage was brought back through Pandoras Box and shares the movie with Ice Cube who reprises his role Darius Stone when the movie opens in the U.S. on Jan. 20, Billboard reported.
Corey Brown didnt stop to think about why flames were shooting out of the bottom of a portable kerosene heater in his living room.
He just knew he had to put them out.
The fire was on my shoes and looked like it was coming up my leg, Brown said Thursday afternoon. I just picked (the heater) up and carried it outside. I had to do something.
He suffered small burns on his palms Wednesday night from where the handle had heated up, and a spot in the living room floor of the familys house on Doris Street was charred black. Though Brown was injured, his mother, Jackie Copeland, and his sister, London Copeland, were OK.
So lucky, Jackie Copeland said.
Their house and one other a few blocks away on Lansing Drive had small fires this week, sparked by a kerosene and gasoline mix-up at the pumps at the Akron Market Citgo on Glenn Avenue.
Someone filled a tank that was supposed to hold kerosene with gasoline, said Division Chief Sandy Shepherd of the Winston-Salem Fire Department, and at least six customers bought gasoline thinking it was kerosene. So far, thats led to two fires this week, including the one on Doris Street.
Authorities have identified three of the people who bought the gasoline.
The fire department was trying Thursday to notify anyone who might have purchased what they thought was kerosene from the Citgo. The city of Winston-Salem released an urgent alert about the mix-up Wednesday night.
Corey was just filling (the heater) up when fire started to come out of the bottom of it, Jackie Copeland said. It looked like it was on his shoes. His first reaction was to carry it outside, and Im glad he did because I wasnt quite sure what to do. I wanted him to stop, drop and roll.
Copeland and Brown didnt know the exact cause until they learned about the mix-up from the firefighters who came to their house.
After the fire, the departments hazardous material team tested two samples of the fuel at the market and determined that it was gasoline.
Shepherd said Petroleum Transport Co. delivered the fuel to the convenience store at 2 a.m. Jan. 2. He urged people who bought fuel from the store after Jan. 2 and suspect they have bad fuel to call 911.
According to state officials, Petroleum Transport put 1,000 gallons of gasoline into the underground storage tanker for kerosene.
Marcus Helfrich, the motor fuels inspection manager for the N.C. Department of Agriculture in Raleigh, said the tanker has been emptied and cleaned out. He said the tanker is currently not in use.
The agriculture departments motor-fuels section is responsible for enforcing quality standards motor and heating fuel.
It is rare to see gasoline in kerosene, Helfrich said. There have been nine incidents between 2003 and 2016 in which gasoline was accidentally dumped into a kerosene tanker, he said. In five of them, customers had bought the faulty fuel, but it didnt cause any fires.
Helfrich said that typically, whoever makes such an error would use insurance to pay any damages. There wouldnt be any criminal charges unless investigators found evidence that the mix-up was done maliciously, he said.
John Barr, a field-safety manager for Petroleum Transport whose corporate headquarters is in Pilot Mountain referred questions about the mix-up to Jay Boaz, the companys chief operating officer. Boaz could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Ray Cole and his mother, Frances Cole, who live at 5029 Lansing Drive, put out a fire that started in their kerosene heater Monday. The family started using the heater after their furnace stopped working.
On Monday morning, Ray Cole bought five gallons of fuel at the Akron Market. He used that fuel in the kerosene heater, which caught fire in a hallway between three bedrooms,.
It first started smoking, Cole said, and then the fire just came up.
Frances Cole was reading a newspaper. When she saw the flames, she got some water from the kitchen to douse the fire, she said.
Ray Cole initially tried to stomp out the flames.
I was not going out without a fight, and not with my mom in the house, he said.
Neither was injured.
The fire caused about $800 in damage, the Coles said. The heater was destroyed and the carpet must be replaced.
The Coles didnt immediately report the fire. Frances Cole called the fire department on Thursday morning, after her son saw a news report about the fuel mix-up.
Cole said he spoke to a representative of Petroleum Transport on Thursday, who told him that the company would pay for the damage caused by the fire.
I just glad that we are safe, Frances Cole said. Im still nervous.
WASHINGTON In yet another aftershock from the chaotic presidential campaign, the Justice Department inspector general opened an investigation Thursday into department and FBI actions before the election, including whether FBI Director James Comey followed established policies in the email investigation of Hillary Clinton.
Democrats have blamed Comeys handling of the inquiry into Clintons use of a private email server, and his late-October public letter about the case, in part for her loss to Republican Donald Trump.
Workers are now putting final touches on preparations for next weeks Inauguration Day festivities, and the new probe will not change the election results. But it revives questions of whether the FBI took actions that might have influenced the outcome.
Inspector General Michael Horowitz, the departments internal watchdog, will direct the investigation, which comes in response to requests from members of Congress and the public.
Comey said he was pleased about the review and the FBI would cooperate fully with the inspector general.
I hope very much he is able to share his conclusions and observations with the public because everyone will benefit from thoughtful evaluation and transparency regarding this matter, he said in a statement.
Robby Mook, who served as Clintons campaign manager, said it had raised concerns when Comey commented on the investigation and said the release of his letters in the days before the election was extremely destructive and ended up amounting to nothing whatsoever.
Its a troubling pattern that the FBI seems to have chosen a horse in this election, and we welcome this investigation so this doesnt happen again, Mook said.
During a Senate Intelligence Committee briefing on Russian hacking, Comey was pressed by lawmakers of his handling of the investigation. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said Comey defended it very well ... he put the facts out there, and hindsight being 20/20, he said these are the facts I had to deal with, and these are the decisions I made, Im sorry if someone takes offense.
He explained to us that he was faced with two decisions one with very bad consequences and the other with disastrous consequences, said Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del. He chose what he thought was the less harmful consequences to our country.
Horowitzs office is one of many independent investigative bodies designed to oversee the conduct of federal departments and agencies. They most commonly seek to ferret out misconduct and fraud in the department or among its contractors. Investigating an agencys top leadership is a rare, but not unheard of, occurrence.
One part of the review will concern Comeys news conference last July in which he said the FBI would not recommend charges against Clinton for her use of a private email system during her tenure as secretary of state. Trump repeatedly criticized that practice, contending it put national security secrets at risk.
Trump also declared at raucous rallies during the campaign that he would seek a special prosecutor to investigate Clinton and that she would be in jail if he were elected. But he said after the election that he did not intend to seek a new investigation of her.
Comey, during his announcement in the summer, broke protocol when he chastised Clinton and her aides as extremely careless in their email practices. Its highly unusual for federal law enforcement officials to discuss a criminal case that ends without charges being filed.
Comey reignited the email controversy on Oct. 28 when he informed Congress that agents would be reviewing a cache of emails between Clinton aide Huma Abedin and Clinton for any new evidence related to Clintons handling of sensitive State Department material.
That move boiled in the campaign for nine days, before Comey announced on Nov. 6 two days before Election Day that the inquiry had found no new evidence of wrongdoing.
Clinton and her aides have said the disclosure of the new emails, found on a laptop belonging to former New York Rep. Anthony Weiner, Abedins estranged husband, hurt the candidate in several battleground states.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz, a Utah Republican who leads the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, wrote Thursday on Twitter that he supports the IGs review of what happened at the #DOJ and #FBI during the Clinton investigation.
Lets be clear: Hillary Clinton did not lose the 2016 election because of Russian meddling or WikiLeaks. And here is the proof: WikiLeaks began publishing its trove of Democratic National Committee emails on July 22, 2016, three days before the Democratic National Convention. By then, Hillary Clinton was already in a deep hole with American voters.
Long before WikiLeaks, Americans had concluded that Clinton was a congenital liar. A CNN poll taken July 13-16 found that 65 percent of voters said Clinton was neither honest nor trustworthy and that 57 percent would not be proud to have her as president. A July 16 CBS News poll showed similar results 67 percent of voters said Clinton was not honest or trustworthy. And little wonder. By then, Clinton had lied so often, for so many years, about so many things her emails, the Clinton Foundation, Benghazi, arriving in Bosnia under sniper fire, Whitewater, the firing of White House travel aides, the Madison S&L that most Americans no longer believed a word she said.
Its no surprise, then, that long before WikiLeaks, her approval rating was underwater. The same pre-WikiLeaks CNN poll found that 55 percent of Americans viewed Clinton unfavorably, while just 41 percent viewed her favorably the lowest favorable rating she had scored in CNN polling in 24 years, going all the way back to April 1992. Gallup had similar results in its poll taken July 16-23. As the Democratic National Convention gets underway in Philadelphia, Gallup reported at the time, Hillary Clintons image is at its lowest point in the 24 years of her national career, with 38% of Americans viewing her favorably and 57% unfavorably.
In other words, the WikiLeaks stories simply confirmed what Americans already knew: that Clinton was dishonest and corrupt.
Moreover, most of the stories that helped Americans reach those conclusions had nothing to do with Russia or WikiLeaks. It was The New York Times that broke the story that Clinton used a private server while she was secretary of state. It was The Post that revealed the Clinton Foundation had accepted millions of dollars in donations from foreign governments while Clinton was secretary of state.
And it was FBI Director James B. Comey who told the American people that Clinton had been extremely careless and the definition of negligent in handling classified information.
Clinton cant blame Russian President Vladimir Putin or WikiLeaks for any of that.
Did Russia attempt to influence our election? Of course it did. Thats not shocking. As the declassified report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) pointed out, it has been trying to do so since the days of the Soviet Union. The report called the hacking effort the most recent expression of Moscows longstanding desire to undermine the US-led liberal democratic order, adding that Russia, like its Soviet predecessor, has a history of conducting covert influence campaigns focused on US presidential elections.
The difference today, the report concluded, was that Russias actions in 2016 represented a significant escalation in directness, level of activity, and scope of effort compared to previous operations.
So why would Putin be so brazen? Simple. He knew that, under President Obama, there would be zero consequences for his actions.
After all, Putin watched as Obama drew his red line in Syria warning that President Bashar al-Assad would face military action if he moved or used chemical weapons on his people and then not only failed to enforce it but also turned to Putin to give him a face-saving way out.
Putin then invaded Ukraine, annexed Crimea and began to arm Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine with advanced surface-to-air missiles and watched as the Ukrainian government appealed to Obama for weapons to fight his neo-Soviet aggression but instead of sending RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades), Obama agreed to send MREs (meals ready to eat).
After those and countless other embarrassing shows of American presidential weakness, Putin knew that Obama would not have the stomach to impose consequences on Russia for attempting to interfere in our elections. So on Obamas watch, he undertook the most audacious covert influence campaign focused on a U.S. election in Russo-Soviet history.
And Democrats are arguing that this somehow discredits Donald Trumps presidency? Please. The only presidency it discredits is Obamas the commander in chief who projected such weakness in the world that Putin believed (correctly) that Russia could get away with it.
Trump should embrace those conclusions. He should point out that the report is a searing indictment not of him, but of Obama, and that Russias actions are a direct result of Obamas weakness on the world stage. That would be a much smarter approach than questioning the integrity of the intelligence community he will have to lead in less than two weeks.
And it has the added benefit of being true.
ESO has signed an agreement with the Breakthrough Initiatives to adapt the Very Large Telescope instrumentation in Chile to conduct a search for planets in the nearby star system Alpha Centauri. (Photo : European Southern Observatory/Youtube)
The European Southern Observatory (ESO) has signed an agreement with the Breakthrough Initiatives to adapt the Very Large Telescope (VLT) instrument to search alien life. ESO is an international research organization which is planning to turn on its giant telescopes to become a more superior planet hunter. Their mission is to find and research earth-like planets around Alpha Centauri, which is the closest star outside the Solar System.
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It will be fitted with new technology so it can see planets hidden by the glare of nearby suns. Experts believed that the Alpha Centauri may be disguising planets which could fit for human and alien life, Space reported.
According to Daily Star, observing these objects in mid-infrared can help in decreasing the huge gap in brightness between a planet and its host star. However, stars are still super bright in mid-infrared. That is why the telescope's VISIR instrument will need to add a few upgrades and to be sensitive enough to pick up planets around the two remaining Sun-like stars in the system, Alpha Centauri A, and B.
Meanwhile, the VLT's Imager and Spectrometer for mid-Infrared (VISIR) is an instrument that collects a kind of radiation given off by heat and invisible to the naked eye. It's like an infrared goggle that allows soldiers to see warm objects at night while VISIR lets the VLT see hot stars and warm planets against the coldness of space.
While looking at the star systems in the infrared spectrum, it greatly reduces the brightness gap between stars and planets, but planets are still quite a bit cooler than their hosts, which remain millions of times brighter. As things stand now, in spite of being able to theoretically detect car headlights as far as the moon, the VLT is not quite up to the challenge.
It will still take a couple of years to complete the VLT's upgrade and will focus on a tune-up of the telescope's VISIR instrument. The said instrument is an imaging tool that observes celestial objects in the mid-infrared, and also a type of light that cannot be seen but is associated with the emission of heat. It is tough to look at the planets in the visible light spectrum because of the intense light from a star can overpower the faint light of nearby planets.
A conference participant visits one of the product booths during a GMIC event in Bejing. (Photo : Getty Images)
People doing business in China know that attending business conferences is one way to get into the market, learn the terrain, form partnerships or find clients.
But for those who have attended some bad conferences and think they are all a waste of time, the global conference industry now use data to connect people, making conferences more interesting than before.
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Here's a rundown of must-attend conferences and events for people interested in marketing, Internet of Things (IoT), technology and startups, as compiled by Forbes:
1. GMIC - The Global Mobile Internet Conference is one of the most established on the Asian conference industry. The conference, which will be held April 27-29 in Beijing, is focused on Internet startups and trends that affect business development in China.
2 RISE - One of the largest Asian conferences, the Hong Kong-based event will be held July 11-13 this year and features demo shows and a large trade booth exhibition, among others.
3. China Marketing Summit - The conference will be held in Shenzhen, July 14-15, with more than 8,000 participants expected to attend. It was organized for China-based marketers looking for Western clients. A preview event will be held on Jan. 14, featuring Peter Vesterbacka, the creator of Angry Birds and currently CMO of Lightneer, and Josh Steimle, author of Chief Marketing Officers at Work.
4. Cross Border Summit - The event, to be held on April 21-22, will be joined by international leaders in the e-commerce industry, who will discuss marketing, management, manufacturing and technology. It also features roundtable discussions and networking sessions.
5. Smart China Sourcing Summit - A popular event, it gather entrepreneurs and small business and show them how to create an Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) business. It will be held on April 17-19 in Hong Kong.
6. Tech in Asia - The online magazine hosts several events across Asia, such as Tokyo, Jakarta, Singapore and Bangalore. The events often cover topics related, not only about China, but also about tech, startups, funding and trends.
7. Echelon by e27 - Another publication, which is focused on tech and startup, it hosts many regional events in Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.
8. Silicon Dragon - Created by Rebecca Fannin, an established journalist and author of Silicon Dragon and Startup Asia, it also hosts several tech and investment forums.
9. Enter China - The two-day event features the hardware industry. To be held in Guangzhou, the event brings together entrepreneurs of product-based businesses to discuss technology, manufacturing and operation issues.
10. TechCrunch Beijing - An event organized jointly by TechCrunch and TechNode, a Chinese tech and startup publication, it aims to connect China with overseas markets. The conference also hopes to build trust and understanding across regions to spur ideas and solutions.
11. Slush - A tech and startup conference that started in Europe, it is now in Asia. Held in Shanghai last year, the conference aims to encourage startup culture and bring European and Asia entrepreneurs together for collaboration and innovation.
12. Huawei Connect - The conference is held late summer or early fall, with more than 15,000 industry leaders who will discuss information and communications technology on global scale.
About 200 bags of diapers, hygiene essentials and other related products will be available free-of-charge to expecting moms, who register for the "Shower for Life" event being held on Nov. 5, from 1-3 p.m., at St. Paul's Anglican Church, located at 316 W. Carolina Ave in Summerville. Read more'Shower for Life' calls all expecting mothers
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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |
This week, weve seen a parade of Donald J. Trumps far-right cabinet appointees attempting to tone themselves down (with help from pliant GOP senators) for the general public with half-truths and evasions. They were not challenged on some key issues. Rex Tillerson, CEO of ExxonMobil, didnt admit his companys complicity in fooling the public about the danger of climate change, e.g. In particular, Mike Pompeo for CIA got off amazingly lightly.
So heres the problem. Trump is putting someone in charge of the Company who doesnt trust the facts. When his exhaustive persecution of Hillary Clinton over the Benghazi attack of 2012 yielded conclusive findings that exonerated her, he wrote his own dissenting report. His report was a dark fantasy; he should leave that to horror writer Stephen King.
Pompeo was behind an attempt to undermine the CIA in Iraq by claiming that the success of the fight against Daesh (ISIS, ISIL) there had been exaggerated by the intelligence community. In fact, Daesh has been steadily rolled up and is now besieged in virtually its last Iraqi territorial bastion, of West Mosul.
Pompeo, of Wichita Kansas, who is in the back pocket of the dirty-carbon Koch brothers, is a major climate change denialist. Climate change is one of the big security challenges facing the US. How can a denialist deal with the refugee flows it will create, the damage to infrstructure it will do, the terrorism it might provoke?
Pompeo was asked by Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) if he would order the waterboarding of suspects by the Central Intelligence Agency if he were confirmed to lead it.
Absolutely not, he replied. I will always comply with the law.
Then he added, I cant imagine I would be asked by the president-elect or then president.
So just close your eyes, Mike, and listen to Trump from Feb. 2015: Dont tell me it doesnt work torture works. Half these guys say Torture doesnt work. Believe me, it works.
Although Pompeo said he had voted for a law that banned waterboarding, what he actually voted for was banning torture; the trick is that he doesnt define waterboarding as torture. In fact he has continued to advocate it and has slammed the Obama administration for not using it, so I think he wasnt being entirely forthcoming here.
He wrote at his website in 2014, President Obama has continually refused to take the war on radical Islamic terrorism seriouslyfrom ending our interrogation program in 2009 to trying to close Guantanamo Bay . . .
What exactly does he mean by ending our interrogation program? By the way, Obama killed Osama Bin Laden; Pompeo didnt.
Pompeo also caused a stir by arguing that Muslims must go around denouncing Muslim terrorism all the time or else they are potentially complicit in these acts, and more importantly still, in those that may well follow.
I cant say how monstrous this is. Did Pompeo ever once stand up in Congress and denounce the terrorist actions of white supremacists, which are far more frequent and damaging than those of Muslims? And why is he comfortable joining an administration where Neofascist Steve Bannon is White House chief strategist? Maybe Pompeo is complicit?
Ironically, three white supremacists from Pompeos part of the country were busted in a plot to kill local Somali Muslims and to kill white officials and clergymen whom they saw as soft on Muslims. Some of Pompeos own political colleagues were in danger from these terrorists. So again, I ask. Did Pompeo denounce this group of white terrorists? If not, did he approve of their plans?
The CIA is in the business of having field officers recruit and run agents, including in the Muslim world. Will a Pompeo CIA really be good at gaining the trust of Muslims in the Middle East, if he thinks they are all terrorists?
Then there is Pompeos determination to go to war against Iran:
I look forward to rolling back this disastrous deal with the worlds largest state sponsor of terrorism. https://t.co/bifC97jWpY Mike Pompeo (@RepMikePompeo) November 17, 2016
So you have to wonder whether someone who unfairly bashed the CIA for its successful work against Daesh in Iraq, who has alienated all Americas Muslim allies with his extremist Islamophobia, who denies the challenge of a rapidly changing climate, who lives in a fantasy world in which Hillary Clinton had any operational role at Benghazi, who favors waterboarding, and who doesnt seem to have heard the speeches demanding torture given by his own prospective boss and who has consistently failed to denounce terrorism by white supremacists you have to wonder whether he can be successful at the helm of the CIA.
Related video:
Sen. Kamala Harris questions Pompeo on climate change,
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By Rajan Menon | ( Tomdispatch.com |
Stack up the op-eds and essays on the disasters that await the world once Donald Trump moves into the White House and youll have a long list of dismaying scenarios.
One that makes the lineups of most pundits involves a crisis with Iran. So imagine this. Trump struts to the podium for his first presidential press conference, the trademark jutting jaw prominent. Hes spent the previous several days using Twitter to trash the nuclear agreement with Iran, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Unlike former President Barack Obama, Trump loves drama. But the JCPOA runs 159 pages, so he cant literally tear it up on live television as part of his performance. (And no, its not the small hands problem.) Instead, he announces that the nuclear deal is a dead letter, effective immediately.
Could he really do that? Pretty much through an executive order stating that the United States will no longer abide by the accord and reinstituting the American sanctions that were lifted once the International Atomic Energy Commission (IAEA) certified Irans compliance with the agreement and it survived a vote in Congress.
Theres a reason Trump might choose to quash the Iran nuclear deal in this manner. As the State Department put it in November 2015, responding to a clarification request from Congressman Mike Pompeo, a sworn enemy of the agreement and Trumps pick to head the Central Intelligence Agency, the JCPOA is not a treaty or an executive agreement, and is not a signed document [It] reflects political commitments between Iran, the P5+1 (the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, China), and the European Union. As you know the United States has a long-standing practice of addressing sensitive problems that culminate in political commitments. Assuming that Trump would bother providing a nuanced defense of his decision, he could simply claim that the Obama administration had cut a global political deal that lacked legal standing and that, as hed said repeatedly during the campaign, was also a terrible deal.
Theres not much Congress would be able to do. Indeed, Trump might not even face significant resistance from its members because the agreement never had deep support there. In May 2015, even before the negotiators had signed the JCPOA, Congress passed the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act (INARA), asserting its right to scrutinize the terms of the accord within 60 days of its conclusion and vote to approve or disapprove it. That bill passed 98-1 in the Senate. The lone dissenter was Arkansas Republican Tom Cotton, who demanded that a nuclear arms agreement with an adversary, especially the terrorist-sponsoring Islamist regime, be submitted to the chamber as a treaty, in which case approval would have required a two-thirds majority. The vote in the House for INARA, 400-25, showed a similar lack of enthusiasm.
Pending Congressional review, the INARA barred the Obama administration from lifting or easing the nuclear-related sanctions on Iran. And it imposed short deadlines for submitting the agreement to Congress and for a report on verification: five days for each task. On top of that, the Act mandated a semi-annual report on matters outside the scope of the agreement, including money laundering by Iran and its planning of, or support for, terrorism against the United States or a United States person anywhere in the world.
The nuclear agreement was signed on July 14, 2015, and that September 11th, the House voted against it, 269 (including 25 Democrats) to 162. Barely a week later, Senate Democrats managed to muster 58 votes to prevent a resolution of disapproval from moving forward. So yes, the Obama administration prevailed the vote tally in the House was insufficient to override a veto but the results showed yet again that support for the Iran deal was barely knee deep, which means that President Trump wont face much of a problem with legislators if he decides to scrap it.
Why the Nuclear Deal Is Worth the Bother
And that possibility cant be ruled out. Not only does Trump routinely act on impulse, he has attacked the JCPOA, during and after the campaign, as (among other things) stupid, a lopsided disgrace, and, in a classic Trumpism, the worst deal ever negotiated.
My number-one priority, he proclaimed in March while addressing the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which did its best to sink the agreement, is to dismantle the disastrous deal with Iran. He called it catastrophic for America, for Israel, and for the whole of the Middle East. Iran, he added, got $150 billion in sanctions relief (mainly from the unfreezing of assets it held overseas) but we received absolutely nothing in return. As recently as December in a stay strong tweet to Israel following the Security Councils condemnation of that countrys settlements on the West Bank (which the Obama administration refused to veto), Trump referred again to the horrible Iran deal.
Trumps inner circle has also demonized the agreement. In a July 2015 interview, retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, the incoming national security adviser, warned that, by enabling the lifting of nuclear sanctions, the JCPOA had given Iran extra money for strengthening its military and promoting terrorism, while offering the United States nothing but grief in return. The verification measures, he added, were mere promises, and the agreements text read like a high school paper. Speaking to supporters in Raleigh, North Carolina, in October, Vice President-elect Mike Pence pledged that Trump would rip up the agreement once in office. As for Mike Pompeo, amid reports in November that he would be the new CIA director, the congressman said, I look forward to rolling back this disastrous deal with the worlds largest state sponsor of terrorism.
While Trump has yet to pick his Deputy Secretary of State, among the top contenders appears to be John Bolton, a former ambassador to the U.N. beloved by his fellow neoconservatives. Bolton, unsurprisingly, also abhors the Iran deal. While the talks were still underway, he labeled them an unprecedented act of surrender, adding that he couldnt imagine any worthwhile agreement with Iran because its leaders were hell-bent on building nuclear weapons. The best way to deal with that country in his view was to promote regime change there. Nor did he alter his position once the agreement took effect. In a November op-ed, he advised Trump to abrogate the Iran nuclear deal in his first days in office.
Given the right wings barrage against that deal and the looming Trump presidency, its worth bearing in mind that the Iran nuclear deal is anything but the catastrophe its critics claim it to be. Its an achievement worth defending, but to understand just why, you have to put on your policy-wonk hat for a few moments and do exactly the sort of thing that Donald Trump seems to like least: plunge into the sometimes abstruse details of that small-print, 159-page report. So fair warning, here goes.
The agreement, in fact, blocks the two paths Iran could take to build nuclear weapons, one based on uranium, the other on plutonium. Recall that Iran went from 164 centrifuges in 2003 to 19,000 by the time the negotiations on what would become the JCPOA started in 2013. (Centrifuges spin uranium hexafluoride, UF-6, at high velocity to achieve the 90% concentration of the Uranium-235 isotope needed to make nuclear weapons.) Under the agreement, Iran can retain a maximum of 5,060 centrifuges at its Natanz and Fordow sites, and they must be the older 1R-1 models. The surplus stock of those as well as all the more advanced IR-4, 5, 6, and 8 models must be placed in continuously monitored storage. Together, Fordow and Natanz could house more than 50,000 centrifuges of various types; so quantitatively and qualitatively, the ceilings set by the JCPOA are very significant.
The agreement also bars Iran from enriching uranium beyond 3.167% nowhere near the concentration required for building a nuclear bomb. Enrichment can occur only at the Natanz plant; the two centrifuge cascades permitted at the Fordow facility cant be used for this purpose. Moreover, Iran can retain no more than 300 kilograms of uranium enriched even to this level for research use and medical purposes, which means that its stock of low-enriched uranium (LEU) will be cut by 98%. Iran is also prohibited from building additional plants for uranium enrichment.
Nuclear weapons can be built with plutonium as well, specifically Plutonium-239 (PU-239), but the JCPOA blocks that path, too. It requires that Irans (unfinished) heavy water reactor at Arak be redesigned so that it can be fueled only with LEU. In the meantime, the reactor has been disabled and concrete poured into its core. In the future, Iran is banned from reprocessing plutonium produced by the reactor or building reprocessing facilities and must export the reactors spent fuel. Its stocks of heavy water, used as a coolant in reactors, cannot exceed 130 metric tons; any excess must be exported.
Such an agreement, of course, can be no better than the provisions that verify its implementation. To build nuclear weapons, Iran would have to breach several of the JCPOAs provisions and persist with various prohibited activities. Given the multiple means of verification at hand, thats virtually impossible. As International Atomic Energy Agency documents detail, Iranian nuclear installations will be under constant surveillance involving electronic seals and online monitoring (which relay information on uranium enrichment), as well as on-site inspections.
The last of these mechanisms is especially significant because the agreement also requires that Iran accept the terms of the 1997 Additional Protocol that strengthened the monitoring agreements the IAEA has reached with signatories to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). States that implement the Protocol must permit on-site inspections by the IAEAs technical teams, sometimes on short notice. As it now happens, Iran is committed to implementing the Protocol not just for the 15-year lifespan of the agreement, but for as long as it remains party to the NPT.
Finally theres the procedure for resolving disputes about verification. Ill skip the details on this and just cut to the chase: Iran cant stretch out the process or sanctions will resume under a snapback provision, and while a Security Council resolution could theoretically lift those sanctions, the United States could veto it.
Turning Up the Heat on Iran: Trumps Plan
In other words, the Iran deal couldnt be more worth saving if your urge in life is not to have Iran join the nuclear club. It essentially ensures that reality and, according to a December 2016 poll, more than 60% of Americans are pleased that it exists. But dont assume that public support, stringent verification processes, and a dispute resolution procedure stacked against Iran will necessarily immunize the agreement from Trump, who is not exactly a details guy. Nor does he spend much time listening to experts because, well, hes so smart that he knows all the answers. (Besides, if he needs additional information, he can always turn to the shows, his apparent go-to source for crucial military information.) As for the members of his entourage, theyve made it plain en masse that they have no use for the agreement.
Still, dont consider it a foregone conclusion that Donald Trump will scrap the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action peremptorily and permanently either, even though hes repeatedly denounced the deal. After all, hes also said that hed consider renegotiating its terms to ensure that it meets his (unspecified) standards. As usual, hes been all over the map.
Consider this: in September 2015, during an appearance on Morning Joe, he told the Washington Posts David Ignatius that the United States had signed a disastrous deal in so many ways We have a horrible contract. But then, in effect invoking the sanctity of contracts, he added, Id love to tell you Im gonna rip up this contract, Im going to be the toughest guy in the world. But you know what? Life doesnt work that way. His solution back then: make sure Iran fulfills its part of the bargain.
And among the various positions he took on the agreement over those months, he wasnt alone in taking that one. Once the nuclear deal became a reality, others who had doggedly opposed it began to call for monitoring Irans compliance rather than scrapping it. In November, Walid Phares, one of Trumps top advisers on the Middle East, hedged in this fashion: Trump, he insisted, would take the agreement, send it to Congress, demand from the Iranians to restore a few issues or change a few issues, and there will be a discussion.
In an April speech to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, retired General James Mattis, Trumps choice for secretary of defense, called Iran the single most enduring threat to stability and peace in the Middle East. That said, however, he then cautioned that the United States would be alone if it tore up the Iran deal and that unilateral sanctions would not have anywhere near the impact of an allied approach to this. Senator Bob Corker, a Republican from Tennessee and a fervent critic of the agreement, as well as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and a one-time contender to be Trumps secretary of state, made exactly the same point once it took effect.
And the same can be said not just about the various Iranophobes soon to populate the Trump administration but about whole countries. Israel and Saudi Arabia both lobbied feverishly against the agreement. Now that its in effect, however, neither seems to be pushing the president-elect to abandon it.
And even if he were to do so, Europe, China, and Russia wouldnt follow suit, which would mean that their companies, not American ones, would reap the benefits of doing business with Iran. Some 29 European and Asian companies have already concluded energy agreements with Iran or are on course to do so. Given its continuing economic difficulties, the European Union (EU) would have no reason to take a hit by disavowing an agreement in which it had invested so much time and that will benefit so many of its businesses like Airbus (which in December signed a contract to sell Iran 100 planes). In November, the EUs foreign ministers reaffirmed their support for the Iran deal, increasing the likelihood that Trump would risk a rupture with them if he withdrew from it.
In addition, doing so unilaterally would essentially be senseless. American companies like Boeing, which signed a deal worth nearly $17 billion with Iran in December, would forfeit such opportunities. Would Trump, who presents himself as the ultimate dealmaker and vows to create millions of jobs in the United States, really like to take credit for that? Again, its hard to tell given the consistency of his inconsistency. After all, he initially criticized the Boeing deal, only later to complain that Iran might buy from Europe, not America. Well know where he stands, should those in Congress who have tried to block the Boeing aircraft sale persist.
Even if Trump doesnt withdraw from the nuclear deal, dont for a second assume that he wont turn up the heat on Iran, which remains subject to various American non-nuclear sanctions aimed at its ballistic missile program, human rights record, and support for Hezbollah and Hamas. Bear in mind that, in December, Congress extended with only one dissenting vote in the House and unanimity in the Senate the Iran Sanctions Act for another decade. And Trump could, in fact, expand these penalties, as several conservatives have urged him to do. Vice president of the American Foreign Policy Council Ilan Berman, for example, recommends extending the 2016 Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act to Iran on the grounds that Trump could then use visa bans, asset freezes, and commercial blacklists to punish any of its officials engaged in corruption or human rights violations.
The new president could go even further by following the recommendation of Council on Foreign Relations Iran expert Ray Takeyh. In December, Takeyh argued that Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is presiding over a state with immense vulnerabilities, and the task of U.S. policy is to exploit all of them. Takeyhs ultimate aim is regime change, and he believes that the United States has a real capacity to shrink Irans economy and bring it to the brink of collapse.
So despite Donald Trumps bluster, theres at least a reasonable likelihood that he wont summon the press to announce the Iran nuclear deals strangulation at his hands. But instead of being a rare dose of good news, that could well come as cold comfort. Under Trump, the Iranian-American relationship is essentially guaranteed to get a whole lot worse, whatever happens to the treaty itself. Even if Trump does adhere to the agreement, he could easily attempt to show both his contempt for the Iranians and his resolve by getting tough in a host of other ways.
There are plenty of potential collision points, including in Irans coastal waters along that crucial oil route, the Persian Gulf, as well as in Lebanon, in Syria (where Iranian forces and advisers are fighting for autocrat Bashar al-Assad), and in Yemen (where Houthi insurgents aligned with Iran are being bombarded by Saudi warplanes, with devastating consequences for civilians). Israel and Saudi Arabia may no longer be fixated on torpedoing the nuclear agreement itself, but once the Obama administration is history they may also feel freed of any restraints from Washington when it comes to Iran. Certainly, key Republicans (and not a few Democrats) will back the Israelis in any kind of confrontation with that country. Both the Israelis and the Saudis have made no secret of the fact that they considered Obama soft on Iran, and they are likely to be emboldened once Trump enters the White House.
Should either of them clash with Iran, the stage will be set for a potentially direct military confrontation between Tehran and Washington. In other words, there may not be a potentially more combustible spot on the planet. So we may be missing the point by speculating on what Trump will do to the Iran deal. The real question is what hell do to Iran and just how disastrous the consequences of that may be.
Rajan Menon is the Anne and Bernard Spitzer Professor of International Relations at the Powell School, City College of New York, and Senior Research Fellow at Columbia Universitys Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies. He is the author, most recently, of The Conceit of Humanitarian Intervention.
Follow TomDispatch on Twitter and join us on Facebook. Check out the newest Dispatch Book, John Feffers dystopian novel Splinterlands, as well as Nick Turses Next Time Theyll Come to Count the Dead, and Tom Engelhardts latest book, Shadow Government: Surveillance, Secret Wars, and a Global Security State in a Single-Superpower World.
Copyright Rajan Menon 2017
Via Tomdispatch.com
"Avengers: Infinity War Part 1" would premiere on May 4, 2018, followed by Part 2 on May 3, 2019. (Photo : YouTube/ScreenRant)
Since "Avengers: Infinity War" will soon begin production, it is expected to be the largest movie event in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe as a lot of the characters in the MCU are confirmed to participate. Aside from the main Avengers squad consisting of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch and Vision, here's a list of the characters that are going to appear in "Avengers: Infinity War."
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Doctor Strange
The "Doctor Strange" standalone film basically set up the MCU for Phase 3. It introduced the supernatural aspect of the MCU and opened doors to more expansive worlds and possibilities. It is only apt to have Benedict Cumberbatch reprise his role as the Sorcerer Supreme in "Avengers: Infinity War."
Although he did not specifically mention "Infinity War," Cumberbatch mentioned that one of Marvel's biggest "logistical challenge" is to line up his schedule with Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Paul Bettany and Elizabeth Olsen - all of whom are known members of the Avengers.
"To get us all together will be quite something. That's why this character is being introduced, to open up the next chapter," Cumberbatch told Empire (via Express).
Spider-Man
After Tom Holland makes his solo debut in "Spider-Man: Homecoming," he will join the rest of the superhero gang in "Avengers: Infinity War." In an interview with L'Uomo Vogue, the young actor revealed that Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans convinced Marvel that he's the right man for the job.
"[The] producers wanted to be sure that I was the right person before entrusting three films over the next four years, including 'Avengers: Infinity War,'" the article read, as translated by Comicbook.com.
Gamora and Star-Lord
Chris Pratt was one of the actors earlier confirmed for "Avengers: Infinity War." His "Guardians of the Galaxy" co-star Zoe Saldana is also joining the supersized film as Gamora. The rest of the Guardians are also presumed to join.
Betty Ross
This hasn't been confirmed yet, but a report suggests that Liv Tyler is heading to Scotland to join the filming for "Avengers: Infinity War." It can be recalled that Tyler previously portrayed Betty Ross, the love interest of Edward Norton's version of The Hulk. She's hasn't reprised the role since then, but it would be a surprise to have her on "Infinity War."
Thanos
Josh Brolin is returning as Thanos in "Avengers: Infinity War. In an interview, he teases that he was "completely blown away" by the movie's story.
Nebula
Karen Gillan played the villain Nebula in "Guardians of the Galaxy." If the comics are to be followed, Nebula is going to have a significant role. She manages to get her hands on the Infinity Gauntlet and extract vengeance on Thanos. The Infinity Gauntlet also emphasizes Nebula's disturbed state of mind, making her even more cruel and unreasonable.
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Maan News Agency |
BETHLEHEM (Maan) A Knesset committee approved on Wednesday a first reading of a bill that would ban supporters of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement from entering Israel, Israeli media reported.
According to The Jerusalem Post, the Internal Affairs and Environment Committee of Israels parliament approved the first reading of the bill, which is supported by MK Bezalel Smotrich from the far-right Jewish Home party.
A bill needs to go through three readings in the Knesset before becoming a law.
Why should I let someone who slanders the state and harms it into my home? The Jerusalem Post quoted committee chairman David Amsalem as saying.
The Arab Joint List the political bloc which represents parties in the Knesset led by Palestinian citizens of Israel did not immediately respond to a request for comment, although a spokesperson told Maan that the coalition was completely opposed to the bill.
The BDS movement was founded in July 2005 by a swath of Palestinian civil society as a peaceful movement to restore Palestinian rights in accordance with international law through strategies of boycotting Israeli products and cultural institutions, divesting from companies complicit in violations against Palestinians, and implementing state sanctions against the Israeli government.
The introduction of the bill to the Knesset in November came after months of Israeli efforts to crack down on the BDS Movement.
Israeli Minister of the Interior Aryeh Deri and Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan announced in August that they were forming a joint task force to expel and ban the entry of BDS activists into Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.
We must not allow BDS activists to enter the state of Israel. This is a necessary step, given the malicious intentions of these activists to delegitimize and spread lies and distortions about the reality in our region, Erdan was quoted as saying in a statement released at the time, adding that the boycott movement against Israel must have a price.
Erdan and Deri also alleged that BDS activists traveled to the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem to incite Palestinians.
The planned crackdown on BDS supporters has led to outcry from groups like the International Solidarity Movement (ISM).
Isolation of Palestinians by denying access and/or deporting human rights activists aims to make Palestinian communities already vulnerable and suffering from abuseeven more vulnerable, ISM said in a statement in August.
The boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel has gained momentum over past years, with activists targeting companies that act in compliance with Israels illegal occupation of East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
The Israeli government, meanwhile, has grown increasingly concerned about the growth of the BDS movement, as the movements support base has expanded to include companies, universities, and religious institutions around the world divesting from organizations complicit in Israels violation of Palestinian rights.
In January 2016, the Israeli Knesset held a conference to discuss ways to combat BDS, and dedicated 100 million shekels ($26 million) of the governments 2016 budget to the issue.
In May, Israel issued a travel ban on BDS cofounder Omar Barghouti, a permanent resident in Israel, as Mahmoud Nawajaa, the general coordinator of the Palestinian BDS National Committee, stated at the time that the decision reflected the lengths [Israel] will go to in order to stop the spread of the non-violent BDS movement for Palestinian freedom, justice and equality.
Via Maan News Agency
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Related video added by Juan Cole:
Ilan Pappe and Gideon Levy on BDS
[JURIST] The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) [advocacy website] on Thursday released [press release] its first report [text, PDF] on the effects of solitary confinement on inmates with physical disabilities. The report, titled Caged In: The Devastating Harms of Solitary Confinement on Prisoners with Physical Disabilities, details how prisoners in solitary confinement are kept in small cells roughly the size of parking spots for approximately 22 hours a day, which has a negative impact on prisoners without disabilities and an even larger impact on those with disabilities. The report stated that [s]tress, enforced idleness, and limited access to health care, including medically necessary prescriptions and physical therapies, among other factors, can lead to severely diminished health outcomes for prisoners.For prisoners suffering from sight or hearing loss, the impact is even more profound, as
[t]hese prisoners often experience a heightened form of sensory deprivation while trapped in the mind-numbing emptiness of solitary confinement. Not only are these prisoners locked in their cells for most or all of the day, they are also frequently denied access to in-cell constructive or recreational activities, such as reading, writing, or watching television, which can be used to help stimulate the mind while in isolation. Instead, many are left to languish in a state of total idleness for weeks, months, and even years at a time.
The report also notes that although no publicly available data on the number of prisoners with disabilities in solitary confinement or any other form of restrictive housing the large population of prisoners with disabilities makes it important to address this issue. It also noted that often prisoners with disabilities were not placed in solitary because they had violated any rules but as a means of protective housing, however, many are unable to have the care and assistance needed to survive. The report ends with model policies and principles.
The legality of solitary confinement has been an ongoing debate in the US, with many calling for comprehensive prison reform [JURIST podcast]. Last January US President Barack Obama announced a ban on the federal prison systems use of solitary confinement for juveniles [JURIST report]. In September 2015 the Association of State Correctional Administrators, in partnership with the Arthur Liman Public Interest Program at Yale Law School released a report [text, PDF] estimating that between 80,000 to 100,000 prisoners were in what correctional officials call restrictive housing in 2014. Also that September, California agreed [JURIST report] to restrict its controversial practices of solitary confinement. The class action lawsuit was brought by the Center for Constitutional Rights, which alleged that approximately 3,000 prisoners were kept in isolated conditions in which they were alone for 22 hours a day, sometimes in windowless cells. In March 2014 the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled [opinion, PDF] that Virginia could continue to automatically house death row inmates in solitary confinement. In June 2014 Colorado enacted a law [JURIST report] changing its traditional methods of solitary confinement by mandating psychiatric evaluations and therapy for inmates diagnosed with mental illness and qualifying for disciplinary intervention.
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) [official website] on Thursday announced that it had reached an agreement [press release] with the city of Baltimore to reform its police department. The consent decree [text, PDF] essentially puts the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) under federal supervision, requiring, among other things, that the BPD submit all newly created or revised policies to an Independent Monitor and the DOJ prior to publication and implementation. Attorney General Loretta Lynch [official profile] said:
[R]eforms in this consent decree will help ensure effective and constitutional policing, restore the communitys trust in law enforcement, and advance public and officer safety. We could not be prouder to partner with the people of Baltimore on this journey towards making their city a community that protects the dignity, rights, and safety of all its people.
Some of the reforms include: respecting the First Amendment rights of all persons, investigation of sexual assault cases thoroughly and without gender bias, use of appropriate de-escalation techniques, resolution of incidents without force when possible, and use force in a manner that is proportional to the threat presented.
This announcement comes after a finding [JURIST report] in August by the DOJ that the BPD had violated the First and Fourth Amendments, as well as other federal anti-discrimination laws with its policing practices. Reform measures are being implemented in police departments across the country primarily as a consequence of increasing reports of excessive force, racial profiling and officer-involved shootings. In July Baltimores state attorney dropped charges [JURIST report] against six officers charged with various crimes stemming from the death of Baltimore resident Freddie Gray while he was in police custody. Grays death started widespread protests in Baltimore and around the nation. In August 2015 Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh [official website] announced [JURIST report] plans to issue new guidelines significantly limiting the use of racial profiling in policing as an effort to rebuild trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. In April 2015 the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled [JURIST report] that the Maricopa County Sherrifs Office and, specifically, Sheriff Joseph Arpaio, engaged in practices of racial profiling in conducting traffic stops. In November 2014 the UN Committee Against Torture urged the US [JURIST report] to open investigations into all cases of police brutality and excessive use of force by police officers. The committee expressed concern over the use of force against certain people and the use of racial profiling by police and immigration offices, among other tactics used by law enforcement. In September 2013 the American Civil Liberties Union [advocacy website] accused [JURIST report] governmental surveillance centers of invasion of privacy and reliance on racial and religious profiling in their Suspicious Activity Reports urging the centers to adopt stricter standards of reporting.
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled [judgment] 5-4 Friday that landowner Jessica Ernst is not able to sue the Alberta Energy Regulator for violating her constitutional right of freedom of expression. Ernst is a landowner in Alberta who has claimed [CBC report] that hydraulic fracking in the area has resulted in contamination of her well and water supply. The Alberta Energy Regulator began to refuse to her complaints, which Ernst claims violates her right of freedom of expression. Alberta Energy Regulator is protected with immunity from any action or proceeding through section 43 of the Energy Resources Conservation Act [text]. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that this immunity extends to claims of constitutional violations. The court stated that Ernst should have filed a judicial review to address her concerns over the Alberta Energy Regulators handling of her complaints.
Fracking [JURIST feature] has been the focus of many lawsuits in recent years. In June 2015 the state of New York placed a ban [JURIST report] of fracking in the state. In March of 2015 the Maryland House of Delegates passed a bill [JURIST report] to place a 3-year moratorium on fracking in the state. Also that March US Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced [JURIST report] the publication of a rule regulating fracking on federal land. In January 2015 Scotland announced [JURIST report] a moratorium on the granting of permits for unconventional oil and gas extraction, including fracking amid environmental and health concerns.
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) [official website] reported [press release] on Friday that it found evidence supporting that the Chicago Police Department (CPD) [official website] engages in a pattern of using force, including deadly force, in violation of the Fourth Amendment. The DOJ reported that CPD officers unnecessarily endanger themselves resulting in the use of unnecessary force. According to the DOJ, a lack of adequate training and accountability cause the pattern of force. Attorney General Loretta Lynch [official website] stated:
One of my highest priorities as Attorney General has been to ensure that every American enjoys police protection that is lawful, responsive, and transparent. Sadly, our thorough investigation into the CPD found that far too many residents of this proud city have not received that kind of policing. The resulting deficit in trust and accountability is not just bad for residentsits also bad for dedicated police officers trying to do their jobs safely and effectively.
Both the city of Chicago [official website] and the DOJ have signed an agreement to work together to engage the community and create a consent decree addressing the deficiencies found during the investigation, which will be reviewed by an independent monitor.
The DOJ announced [JURIST report] last year that it would be opening a full investigation into the CPD following the release of a 2014 squad car dashboard video showing officer Jason Van Dyke shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times. Recently, police use of force has been a controversial issue across the US. In October three former detainees filed a lawsuit [JURIST report] against the City of Chicago and a number of Chicago police officers for alleged abuse at an off the books detention center. In September a Ferguson, Missouri, reform panel released a report calling for the consolidation of police departments [JURIST report] and municipal courts. Also that month Baltimore City Circuit Judge Barry Williams rejected motions [JURIST report] to drop charges against six police officers implicated in the case of Freddie Gray, a black man who was injured in police custody and later died. The American Civil Liberties Union also published a report [JURIST report] arguing that increased militarization of police forces is putting citizens at risk rather than protecting them.
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) [official website] on Thursday filed to join a suit [motion] in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York against the New York Board of Election (NYCBOE) [official websites] for improperly purging voters. The NYCBOE is accused by Common Cause New York [advocacy website] of purging voters who had not voted since the 2008 elections and failed to respond to letters asking for identity verification. The DOJ argues the reasoning for the purge is in violation of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) [text] and is asking the court for permission to proceed to prevent similar or other unlawful conduct in the future:
WHEREFORE, the United States prays that the Court enter an ORDER: (1) Declaring that Defendants have violated Section 8 of the NVRA; (2) Enjoining Defendants, their agents and successors in office, and all persons acting in concert with them from future non-compliance with Section 8 of the NVRA; (3) Requiring Defendants, their agents and successors in office, and all persons acting in concert with them, to take all steps necessary to ensure immediate and ongoing compliance with Section 8 of the NVRA; and Ordering any such additional relief as the interests of justice may require, together with the costs and disbursement in maintaining this action.
The court has yet to rule on the DOJs motion to join the suit.
Issues surrounding the election and voter rights continue. The DOJ filed a lawsuit [JURIST report] against a Detroit suburb on Tuesday for allegedly violating the Voting Rights Act. A judge for the US District Court for the District of New Jersey declined to rule [JURIST report] in November that the Republican National Committee had engaged in poll intimidation. A three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in November struck down [JURIST report ] several provisions of North Carolinas House Bill 589, most notably its voter identification requirements.
The US Environmental Protection Agency [official website] released a statement [text] Thursday accusing Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) [corporate website] of installing and failing to disclose engine software that lead to increased emission of nitrogen oxides in roughly 104,000 diesel-powered vehicles. The affected vehicles include Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Ram 1500 trucks from model years 2014 to 2016. Cynthia Giles [official profile], an administrator with the EPAs Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance [official website], says the failure to disclose the software was a violation of provisions of the Clean Air Act [text, PDF], and FCA could be liable for civil penalties and injunctive relief. The EPA is also investigating whether the software constituted a defeat device, designed to interfere with the vehicles emission control system and producing misleading results during testing. Such a device would be illegal, according to the report.
Failing to disclose software that affects emissions in a vehicles engine is a serious violation of the law, which can result in harmful pollution in the air we breathe. We continue to investigate the nature and impact of these devices. All automakers must play by the same rules, and we will continue to hold companies accountable that gain an unfair and illegal competitive advantage.
Scrutiny over deceptive software in diesel engines has increased after a major scandal was uncovered involving Volkswagen (VW) [corporate website] vehicles. VW has been steeply penalized internationally for a scandal [JURIST op-ed] that saw the automaker cheat emissions standards with software designed to fool testing equipment. On Wednesday the Department of Justice announced the indictments [JURIST report] of six high-ranking employees for their role in the scandal. Earlier this week corporate executive Oliver Schmidt was arrested [JURIST report] by the FBI on charges that he had conspired to defraud the US. VW faces sanctions in South Korea, Spain, Germany and Australia in addition to other sanctions [JURIST reports] in the US. The EU announced [JURIST report] in December a plan to hold member nations accountable for VWs fraud, increasing the likelihood that other states may be added to the list of those suing the automaker.
[JURIST] Loevy and Loevy [official website], a civil rights law firm, filed a federal lawsuit [complaint, PDF] Thursday challenging the use of a secret cellphone tracking system by the Chicago Police Department [official website]. The suit was filed on behalf of attorney Jerry Boyle, a volunteer for the National Lawyers Guild [advocacy website], who claims police intercepted information from his cellphone at a Black Lives Matter protest for Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2015. Boyle claims that, as a result of the interception, his Fourth and First Amendment rights were violated. The tracking system in question is known as a stingray. Stingrays are devices which, by mimicking the function of a cell tower, can be used to determine a mobile phones location and intercept calls and text messages from both the target phone and other nearby devices.
Stringrays have received differing treatment. In November the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled [opinion, PDF] against a criminal defendant challenging the use of a stingray by Wisconsin police to locate him without a warrant. The court concluded, [a] person wanted on probable cause (and an arrest warrant) who is taken into custody in a public place, where he had no legitimate expectation of privacy, cannot complain about how the police learned his location. In 2014 the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts held [JURIST report] that law enforcement must obtain a warrant before using means such as stingrays to track a criminal suspects movements. In 2013 the New Jersey Supreme Court also ruled [JURIST report] that police must obtain warrants before tracking information from cell phone providers. As the dissent in the Wisconsin ruling notes, very little is known about stingrays and how they function. The dissent claims this is largely due to the governments refusal to reveal any information about the device and has, at times, dismissed cases and withdrawn evidence rather than reveal any information. All past cases concerning the use of stingray have been in a criminal context. Boyles suit will be the first to approach stingray use through a civil claim.
Gambian President Yahya Jammeh [BBC profile] on Thursday filed [AFP report] for an injunction asking the Supreme Court to bar the swearing-in of president-elect, Adama Barrow [BBC profile]. Barrows office responded to the injunction request with a statement that Jammeh could not exceed his five-year mandate. In an attempt to avoid a political crisis, lawmakers in Nigeria said their president, Muhammadu Buhari [BBC profile], shoulder consider offering asylum to Jammeh. Buhari did not respond but he is expected to travel to Banjul on Friday for talks. In a broadcast on state-run television Tuesday, Jammeh warned the international community about interfering with The Gambias election process by lashing out against an unprecedented level of foreign interference in our elections and internal affairs and also a sustained smear campaign, propaganda and misinformation.
Jammehs request for injunction comes in response to the Supreme Court delaying [JURIST report] the suit filed after the December 1 election. Last month Jammeh said that he would challenge the election results before his countrys Supreme Court [JURIST report]. In November Human Rights Watch reported that intimidation of opposition leaders was threatening [JURIST report] a fair election in Gambia. This report came after the Gambian government announced that it would be leaving [JURIST report] the International Criminal Court (ICC). During the televised statement, Information Minister Sheriff Bojang criticized the court for ignoring western atrocities, referring to the ICC as an International Caucasian Court. Jammeh had previously called upon the court to investigate the death of African migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea to access Europe. Instead, Gambia alleges, the ICC has been disproportionately scrutinizing African leaders. Gambias intended departure was the third by an African nation.
The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) was released earlier than the stated release date in Russia. (Photo : Youtube/CanerS Tech)
Samsung is one of the most popular smartphone producers in the world, so it comes as no surprise that their offerings are much awaited by consumers. Those who patiently waited for the release of the Samsung A series additions - consisting of the A3, A5, and A7 smartphones - got a pleasant surprise when the phones were released much earlier than expected.
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The first country to have an official release for the new A series phones was Russia. This could suggest that other territories will also see these phones go on sale ahead of schedule.
Asian markets could see these phones as early as the end of January, while European-based buyers will have to wait at least until next month to get their hands on them. Potential buyers from the United States may be disappointed though, as Samsung does not have any plans as of now to release the latest A series phones there any time soon, according to Phone Arena. Savvy buyers may want to find other ways to get these phones though, as they are packed to the brim with highly useful features.
For starters, like the Galaxy S7 phones that came before them, the 2017 A series offerings come with expandable memory using a micro-SD card. There is also a slot on these phones to allow for the use of a second sim card. Aside from these, they are also waterproof and dust-repellant.
The new Samsung A series phones also have their speakers on the side, unlike other phones that conventionally have it at the bottom. This could be to avoid being blocked by the user's fingers, which could prove to be a nuisance. Also adding to the user-friendly side of things is a floating camera button, which can be moved around the screen and used when trying to take a photo with the phone at an awkward angle.
While definitely not new, some other features of the A series phones have been long awaited on mid to lower tier Samsung devices, namely the use of USB-C as well as fast charging. They also now have a finger print scanner, which would allow for easier access. Lastly, they will also be integrated with Samsung Pay capabilities, according to PC Magazine.
Watch a hands-on video of the Samsung Galaxy A7 below:
The Turkish Grand National Assembly [official website] approved controversial constitutional reforms, as part of an 18-article bill on Friday, which would allow the president to retain ties with a political party [Reuters report] and issue decrees. The draft amendment of the bill was approved [JURIST report] at the end of last month by the parliament. This move was strongly opposed by the CHP and the pro-Kurdish HDP parties and triggered physical altercations between members of the ruling AKP party and CHP in the parliament. President Tayyip Erdogan [BBC profile] stated that these reforms are needed to prevent the return to a situation involving weak coalition governments of the past but the opposing parties have expressed concern that these reforms are a road toward authoritarianism. These reforms will still need to get through two additional rounds of voting before they are put to a referendum and the AKPs deputy leader has warned that elections will have to be held if the measures are not passed. However, CHPs own deputy leader stated that his party will give full support to early elections rather than have these measures go through. Erdogan stated that he has not ruled out early elections although he does not find it desirable. This bill requires the vote of 330 deputies in the assembly to get through to a referendum. The AKP has 316 deputies eligible to vote and the MHP 39. Five of the 18 articles passed overnight [CNN report] with the support of 340-343 lawmakers.
Since the failed coup in Turkey in July, where Turkish military forces tried to overthrow the Government, the Turkish Government has taken several controversial steps to strengthen its power. In July Amnesty International [advocacy website] condemned [JURIST report] Turkey for attacking the freedom of the press by issuing arrest warrants for 42 journalists. Similarly, Turkey also significantly restricted the activities of NGOs [JURIST report] like human rights organizations and childrens groups and arrested opposition party leaders [JURIST report] alleging they were connected to terror organizations. In October, Human Rights Watch [advocacy website] warned [JURIST report] that the emergency decrees put in place after the failed coup, had resulted in serious human rights violations.
The Washington Supreme Court [official website] ruled [opinion, PDF] against plans for a big oil terminal on the West Coast on Thursday. The court ruled [Seattle Times report] that the proposal must be reviewed under the Oceans Resources Management Act [Statutes 43.143], effectively canceling the plans for an oil terminal at the Port of Grays Harbor. The Ocean Resources Management Act is a 1989 state law designed to protect marine life after the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska [BBC profile]. The Act was originally passed to regulate offshore oil developments. Therefore, a Washington State Board and a Washington Court of Appeals ruled that it did not affect plans for a shore-side development proposal. Advocates for the terminal claim that this interpretation is an unfettered expansion, but the court ruled that the previous reading was far too narrow.
Increased environmental concerns have been on the rise over the past year. Last month a privately owned coal company filed a lawsuit [JURIST report] in an attempt to block new regulations promulgated by teh Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement. Earlier that week President Barack Obama announced a ban [JURIST report] on offshore drilling. Earlier in December the US Army Corps of Engineers announced that an alternate route will be investigated [JURIST report] for the Dakota Access Pipeline. In October the threshold for entry into force of the Paris Agreement [text, PDF] on combating climate change was achieved [JURIST report]. In August 2015 the federal government approved drilling [JURIST report] in the Arctic Continental Shelf while also proposing regulations to ensure the safety of such activities.
According to a trademark filing, Stonic will be the name of a new Kia model. It is believed that this will be applied to the YB-SUV due out later in 2017.
The additional model joins the KX3, a similarly sized Kia SUV which is sold mainly in China. That vehicle is said to be too unsophisticated for the high speed driving conditions in many European countries so was rejected by Kia Motors Europe. Instead, a special model has been under development and should be on sale during the third quarter of this year. It wont be at the Geneva show, that event being reserved for the debuts of the Picanto and Stinger diesel.
The Stonics motor show appearance will likely be at the Frankfurt IAA though a media preview may take place in August.
The new SUV will use the same architecture as YB, the new Pride/Rio/K2. Where the vehicle will be made is subject to speculation but Sohari in South Korea, on the same line as YB, seems likely. It may also be built in Mexico and Slovakia.
BRF, the Brazil-based meat giant, announced this week it has teamed up with the state of Qatar to buy a majority stake in Turkey-based processor Banvit Bandirma Vitaminli Yem Sanayii. The move will see BRFs recently-established halal unit, OneFoods, enter the Turkish market. Could BRF be paving the way for plans to partially float OneFoods? Katy Askew investigates.
BRF this week established a joint venture with the Qatar Investment Authority to take a 79.5% stake in Turkeys largest poultry producer, Banvit Bandirma Vitaminli Yem Sanayii. Once the acquisition of the majority stake is completed, the venture will launch a mandatory offer for the remaining shares in Banvit, BRF revealed on Monday (9 January).
Based on the terms of the transaction and subject to the financial performance of Banvit in 2016, the enterprise value for 100% of the Turkish company is approximately US$470m, BRF said. The company revealed Banvit is expected to report $625m in revenues during 2016, two-thirds of which is generated through poultry sales.
The move will significantly expand revenue at BRFs recently-established halal meat group, OneFoods, and will also allow the company to gain an important foothold in the Turkish market.
Upon completion, the transaction will allow OneFoods to enter into the Turkish market, which has the largest poultry halal consumption in the world, BRF noted. The company said that this aligned with OneFoods continuous commitment to the Muslim markets.
BRF established OneFoods, its businesses previously known as Sadia Halal, earlier this month. The business is headquartered in Dubai and has operations in more than 40 countries in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and Asia.
In areas where it operates a direct distribution platform namely Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman the company claims to have a market share of around 45%. But there is still plenty of scope to grow its presence in Islamic markets where demand for trustworthy halal meat products are high and the company believes it can grow rapidly by replicating the model it has developed in the Middle East.
[OneFoods] goal is to accelerate the transition process and forge closer relationships with consumers in all its markets, by replicating the leadership it has attained in the Middle East through its brands, distribution, integrated chain, low costs and high-quality and innovative products, OneFoods chief and the general manager of BRFs operations in the Middle East and North Africa, Patricio Rohner, said.
The Turkish market offers an important opportunity for halal meat products. According to figures from Euromonitor International, sales of halal meat in the country grew by 11% between 2009 and 2014. This growth rate compares favourably to sales trends in many other markets, with meat sales in western Europe, for example, dropping by around 1% in the same period.
Demographic factors also support the prospects for higher meat consumption in the market. While Turkeys economy has contracted over the past two years, with GDP falling to US$717.8bn in 2015 versus $823.25bn at its peak in 2013 according to the World Bank, the longer-term trend remains positive and the companys economy has grown significantly since the turn of the century. In the year 2000, Turkeys GDP stood at just $266.56bn. Turkeys population has also registered strong growth, rising from 63.3trn people in 2000 to almost 68.7trn people in 2015. A larger, wealthier population is likely to eat more meat and this bodes well for halal meat processors operating in the market.
Within Turkeys halal meat sector, poultry is an important category. According to data published by the OECD for 2015, poultry is the most commonly consumed meat in Turkey. Poultry consumption stood at 16.5 kilograms per capita, versus 8.3 kiolograms per capita for beef and 4.1 kilograms per capita for sheet meat.
The strategic logic of expanding OneFoods into Turkey is clear. As JP Morgan analyst Pedro Leduc notes: It helps BRF grow this divisions sales by circa 30%, diversify country exposure and sets the stage for future growth (processed food, per capita, exports), consolidation and efficiency discussions.
There remain some challenges, however. In particular, Banvits financial results have been marked by margin volatility. In the first nine months of fiscal 2016, the groups most recent results, Banvits operating profit margin stood at 8.5%, compared to an operating profit margin of just 1.88% in the prior year.
The company operates a vertically-integrated supply chain including feed mills, hatcheries, brands and processing plants. The swings in its performance can largely be attributed to disruption from avian influenza as well as exposure to the volatility of commodities cycles and its reliance on grain imports for feed.
The timing and structure of the joint venture can be seen as suggestive of BRFs future corporate strategy, supporting the possibility that it is gearing up for a partial float of OneFoods.
According to a Reuters report, citing two unnamed sources, BRF wants to float 20% of OneFoods by early April. BRF is looking to raise around US$1.5bn, the report said. The company has refused to be drawn on market rumours that it has hired two investment banks to work on the IPO.
Announcing the move in Turkey, BRF revealed OneFoods will directly control 60% of the joint venture, with he Qatar Investment Authority, the Gulf states sovereign investment fund holding the remaining shares. The structure would therefore appear to be supportive of a potential future spin-off.
The strategic fit is even more relevant before a potential corporate event with One Foods, Leduc notes. The partnership is a good sign for the potential One Foods deal.
And, for all Turkeys growth potential, the fact is there are more rapidly expanding markets for halal meat. According to Euromonitor, fresh meat sales in a number of Muslim countries where the vast majority of meat is halal outstripped growth in Turkey between 2009 and 2014. Growth in the UAE stood at 33%, Egypt at 28% and Morocco at 19%. While Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia all saw fresh meat volume sales increases of 54%, 16% and 15%, respectively.
Given the profitability challenges at Banvit, it seems possible BRF was at least in part motivated to pounce on the Turkish company to inflate OneFoods revenue ahead of any planned flotation. The longer-term merits of the deal will rest largely on BRFs ability to improve the stability of Banvits margin delivery.
'Goblin,' also known as 'Guardian: The Lonely and Great God' is a South Korean drama aired on tvN. (Photo : YouTube/tvN Drama)
The tvN fantasy drama "Goblin" is close to reaching the end of its 16-episode run where the fate of beloved characters will finally be revealed. Recently, a fan theory highlighted the importance of the magical sword embedded on Shin's (Gong Yoo) chest in his impending battle with the evil eunuch ghost (Kim Byung Chul).
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The preview clip for "Goblin" episode 13 that contained snippets of the goblin and the grim reaper's (Lee Dong Wook) tense encounter, heartbreaking moments between Sunny (Yoo In Na) and the angel of death, as well as Shin's surprise school visit to see Eun Tak (Kim Go Eun). However, one scene that captured the attention of many fans is a quick shot of the titular hero wielding his sword during what appears to be a confrontation with the manipulative eunuch ghost, who played a huge role in Shin and his sister's death during the Goryeo dynasty.
A fan theory, posted on YTN, speculated that instead of the conjured sword that Shin would typically use, the titular hero will be wielding his more than 900-year-old weapon in the impending fight. In the said preview clip, eagle-eyed fans spotted what appears to be a strip of bloodied cloth around the hilt of the sword which was present in Shin's original weapon.
Moreover, a line that Shin mentioned in the "Goblin" episode 13 teaser clip teased of the weapon's true purpose. In a voice-over, Shin stated as he swung the said blade above his head, "That was the value of this sword."
Meanwhile, despite the prophecy that Shin will die once the destined goblin bride pulls out the sword from his chest, many fans speculated that this may not be true. Shin will not perish but may lose his immortality and live a normal life as a human with Eun Tak, according to the fan theory.
In other news, "Goblin" will air a special episode on Jan. 14, instead of episode 14, according to a tvN announcement, as obtained by All Kpop. The said special episode will serve as a preview for upcoming plot reveals and will also explain the relationships between characters.
"Goblin" episode 13 will be released on Jan. 13, while episode 14 and the drama's remaining two episodes will be aired on Jan. 20 and Jan. 21, respectively. Watch a teaser clip for episode 13 below:
(L-R) Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles and Misha Collins attend the 'Supernatural' Special Video Presentation And Q&A during Comic-Con International 2016 held on July 24, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo : Getty Images/Kevin Winter)
In the upcoming midseason premiere of "Supernatural" Season 12, the Winchester brothers Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) will be faced with the huge problem of finding a way out of a secret government facility. It will be up to Castiel (Misha Collins) and Mary (Samantha Smith) to come up with a plan to rescue the two siblings, where they might need to seek help from their enemies.
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"Supernatural" Season 12 episode 8 ended with the arrest of the two Winchester brothers after they attacked the President of the United States. Aired on Dec. 8, 2016, the said episode featured Sam and Dean's battle with Lucifer, who chose to inhabit the body of the U.S. President to deploy his evil plans.
Despite vanquishing the villain, the government arrested Sam and Dean given their attempted assassination of the said U.S. leader. In the upcoming "Supernatural" Season 12 episode 9 titled "First Blood," the story will pick up on the two Winchester sibling's imprisonment, as well as Castiel and Mary's efforts to get them out.
However, finding where the two brothers were taken will be very difficult. Following Sam and Dean's arrest, they were taken to an underground facility hidden deep in the forest, according to episode spoilers posted on Spoilers Guide.
Moreover, rescuing the two protagonists will also prove to be a daunting task. Castiel and Mary will not be able to convince law enforcement officials that Sam and Dean only attacked the President since he was possessed by Lucifer at that time.
Given the said challenge, Mary and Castiel will partner with an "unlikely source" to rescue the Winchester brothers. Story speculations indicated that the two characters might be forced to seek the assistance of the British Men of Letters.
In an earlier interview with TVLine, showrunner Andrew Dabb teased that the said organization will have a "very specific reaction" to Sam and Dean's imprisonment. The British Men of Letters will also attempt to recruit the two siblings in the back half of "Supernatural" Season 12, according to Dabb.
"Supernatural" Season 12 episode 9 will be released on Jan. 26, Thursday, on the CW at its new 8 p.m. ET timeslot. Watch a teaser clip for the said episode below:
Chinese Experts Claim Tillerson Doesnt have the Balls to Deny China Access to the South China Sea
Rex Tillerson at the U.S. Senate. (Photo : Getty Images)
Chinese pundits strongly believe the United States won't block China's access to its man-made islands in the South China Sea and argued these remarks by U.S. Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson sprang from the man's lack of diplomatic experience.
But if the U.S. under Donald Trump finds the balls to do so, China will accelerate the militarization of its man-made islands (which it said were only for non-military use when it built them), and establish an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in the disputed South China Sea.
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One of these pundits, Yuan Zheng, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of American Studies, said the U.S. wouldn't dare push through with Tillerson's suggestion.
"I don't think the U.S. will stop China from accessing its own islands in the South China Sea," he said, conveniently forgetting the International Court of Arbitration in The Hague on July 12, 2016 ruled China has no legal basis to claim ownership of the South China Sea and the islands in it, man-made or natural.
"China is not Cuba, and the South China Sea is not the Caribbean. The South China Sea is not under the U.S. sphere-of-influence. It's China's territorial waters."
He also said Tillerson's words partially reflected his "weaknesses in diplomacy and lack of public service."
Another pundit, Oh Ei Sun, an international affairs specialist at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, said the U.S. can't deny China access to the South China Sea.
Tillerson made the remarks assailed by the pundits during his confirmation hearing at the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee on Jan. 11. His statements are the first time a U.S. administration has indicated its readiness to use military force to stop China's relentless "sea grab" in the South China Sea.
China is currently speeding-up the militarization of the islands it's reclaimed. It's poised to deploy over the next few months modern surface-to-air missile systems on the most strategically important of these islands.
China has reclaimed over 3,000 acres of land in the Spratly Islands since 2014. It's transformed reefs and sandbars into man-made islands equipped with military airfields, radar stations and anti-aircraft sites.
On July 12, 2016, the International Court of Arbitration in The Hague declared illegal China's claim to own most of the South China Sea based on its alleged "historic rights." China has refused to accept the court's judgment and stands in violation of it to this day.
"We're going to have to send China a clear signal that first, the island-building stops, and second, your access to those islands also not going to be allowed," he said.
The statement implies the use of military force to enforce it.
Tillerson also saw China's activity in the South China Sea as "extremely worrisome."
He compared China's territorial claims over the South China Sea to Russia's military annexation of the Crimea, which belong to Ukraine, in March 2014.
"Building islands and then putting military assets on those islands is akin to Russia's taking of Crimea. It's taking of territory that others lay claim to," Tillerson pointed out.
China's first response to Tillerson's tougher rhetoric was surprisingly muted. It again repeated the well-worn line the U.S. should stay out of the dispute in the South China Sea and leave it all to China.
A THAAD battery. (Photo : US Army)
THAAD's X-band AN/TPY-2 radar system. (Photo : Raytheon)
China again took another new tack in its pointless attempt to prevent South Korea deploying the THAAD missile system to its shores in May by saying it will take "unspecified" but nebulous measures against South Korea in revenge.
It was joined in this latest effort by Putin's Russia. Both countries made the exact same threat in August 2016 and have taken no action to enforce their earlier threat.
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In August 2016, the People's Daily (the official newspaper of the Communist Party of China) harshly criticized the planned deployment of THAAD, warning that China and Russia would be forced to take "unexpected" but justified "countermeasures that the U.S. and South Korea cannot afford."
The South Korean government approved the THAAD deployment in August.
This time, Xi Jinping and Putin urge South Korea and the United States to consider where the escalation in tensions will lead and exercise restraint.
And, as a sop to world opinion, both authoritarians also reaffirmed their commitment to a nuclear-free North Korea, and believe diplomacy should be the way forward.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has analyzed the situation around the Korean peninsula and concluded it exhibited "a high likelihood of becoming volatile."
It also noted "the counter-productiveness of the line being taken by certain governments (the United States) in exacerbating these tensions and instigating an arms race in the subregion, as well as the increase in the scale of military drills (also the United States)."
China's and Russia's concerns, however, have nothing to do with protecting the peace. It's about protecting Xi and Putin's hold on power.
The detection abilities of THAAD's radar will allow the U.S. to spy on Russian and Chinese ballistic and aerodynamic targets up to 1,500 kilometers away from Seongju, the city south of Seoul where the first THAAD battery will be deployed in May.
From South Korea, the Americans can peer into the Russian territory and China's, as well, said the Russians.
The radar used by a THAAD battery is the X-band AN/TPY-2. This has two configurations: a Terminal Mode with a range of 600 km and a Forward-Based Mode whose exact range remains secret but might be anywhere from 1,500 km to 3,000 km, according to experts
An appropriate response to THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) "could be the creation of a unified system of Russia and China, a sort of missile defense system," said military expert and Deputy Director of Institute of CIS countries, Vladimir Yevseyev.
China, North Korea's main ally and benefactor, continues to claim THAAD will destabilize the regional security balance without achieving anything to end North Korea's nuclear program.
"The Chinese side will consider taking necessary steps to maintain national strategic security and regional strategic balance," warned China's Ministry of National Defense in June 2016.
That warning has apparently led to today's decision by Russia and China to seriously consider building a joint missile defense system to counter THAAD's electronic espionage.
Yevseyev, however, revealed the Russians and Chinese have jointly held anti-missile drills using computer modeling even before the decision to deploy THAAD to South Korea was announced. He said the next step for Russia and China after the formal decision to set up a joint defense system will be to acquire hands-on experience of intercepting ballistic targets in joint exercises.
This experience might be derived at the Russia's Ashuluk surface-to-air missile station in the Astrakhan Region. Ashuluk is a training facility for anti-aircraft missile and radiotechnical troops.
Egypt's General Prosecutor Nabil Sadek referred on Thursday two of the country's health officials to criminal court for requesting an EGP 4 million bribe.
The officials allegedly demanded the bribe in exchange for ordering the direct signing, without bidding, of a supply contract for bone marrow transplant equipment to a private company, state-owned news agency MENA reported.
The prosecution's evidence in the case includes recorded phone calls between the health minister's consultant for specialized hospitals and another official at Cairo's Ain Shams hospital in which the two mediated the bribe request from the company's officials.
Last May, security forces arrested the health minister's consultant for medical centre affairs on corruption charges.
The defendant was caught receiving bribes, in the form of cheques worth a total of EGP 4.5 million, at the Ministry of Health headquarters, according to an official statement by the ministry.
The corruption case, opened in September 2015, involved multiple other defendants including cabinet officials. The scandal triggered a cabinet reshuffle that resulted in the appointment of a new health minister.
In Early 2016, sacked agriculture minister Salah Helal received a 10-year prison sentence and an EGP 1 million fine on charges of corruption.
For the month of December, 2016, the Local Observatory Partners For Transparency (PFT) recorded five cases of corruption and violations in the country's health sector.
On Syria, Shoukry said Egypt wont get involved in any military intervention in Syria, dismissing claims that any such intervention could solve the Syrian crisis
Egypts foreign affairs minister Sameh Shoukry said in a Thursday interview with Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA) that extremist and terrorist groups view Egypt as a grand prize.
Minister Sameh Shoukry told DPA during a two-day visit to Berlin that Egypt and its people have always been targeted by terrorist group in an attempt to divert [the country] from its [right] path, which would never happen.
Egypt has always been a beacon for culture and thought in the Middle East, which is something that terrorists aim to destroy, Shoukry stated.
Egypt is fighting terrorism to protect the world as well as maintain security and stability in the region and on the international level.
On Syria, Shoukry said Egypt would not get involved in any military intervention in that country, dismissing claims that any such intervention could solve the Syrian crisis.
He stated that Egypt maintains the same stance it adopted over two years ago that honourable, trusted Syrians should be tasked with building the countrys future.
I believe that if many [concerned] parties listened to the wise stance we adopted at that time, Syria would have been spared much of the destruction, and casualties would have been less, Shoukry stated.
He added that the international community is responsible for half-a-million civilian deaths for failing to contain this crisis.
On rumoured tensions between Saudi Arabia and Egypt over Egypts position on the crises in Yemen and Syria, Shoukry said the relationship between Cairo and Riyadh is built on mutual respect and benefits and a consensus exists between the visions of the two countries.
Egypt has an unwavering approach towards Syria, there is coordination and consultation between Egypt and Saudi Arabia regarding this issue, Shoukry stated.
Shoukry added that Saudi Arabia and Egypt are partners in the Saudi-led coalition for supporting legitimate rule in Yemen and they both seek a political resolution to the conflict.
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The duo's phone call is in anticipation of Merkel's expected visit to Egypt in the first quarter of 2017
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed on Friday via phone call bilateral relations between the two countries as well as recent regional and international developments, state news agency MENA reported.
During the call, both parties exchanged condolences in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in the two countries.
Last week, eight policemen and one civilian were killed in a terrorist attack in Egypts North Sinai, while in December a truck ploughed through a Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people.
El-Sisi and Merkel affirmed their respective countries solidarity in combating terrorism, MENA added.
The call also included a discussion on the special bilateral relations between Egypt and Germany, as well as the two countries wish to further their cooperation in all aspects, particularly with Merkels scheduled visit to Egypt in the first quarter of 2017.
The call comes in the wake of the Egyptian foreign affairs minister Sameh Shoukrys two-day visit to Berlin, where he met with a number of German ministers and parliamentary figures.
Egypt and Germany have strengthened economic and political ties over the past few years.
In November, the first German passenger flight arrived at the Sharm El-Sheikh airport, putting an end to the European country's one-year travel ban to the Red Sea resort city after a Russian passenger plane crashed in Sinai in 2015.
In 2015, German company Siemens signed an eight billion euro ($9.05 billion) deal with Egypt to build gas and wind power plants.
Germany has also begun supplying Egypt with submarines, delivering in 2016 a submarine built by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. Two more submarines destined for Egypt are currently under construction.
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HOLDREGE Three 2017 conservation awards were presented by the Tri-Basin Natural Resources District Thursday night at a recognition banquet in Holdrege.
Range Management
The Range Management Award was presented to Keith and Sharon Portenier of Farnam to recognize their work, with assistance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service staff, to implement rangeland management practices on their Gosper County land since 2010 .
The improvements include four solar wells, 16 stock tanks, 1,668 linear feet of pipeline and 7,206 linear feet of fence. They also have cut volunteer red cedar trees on 178 pasture acres.
The Porteniers were nominated by Gosper County NRCS office staff.
Tree Planter
Tree Planter Award recipient Marshall Paulsen of Minden has been planting conservation trees on his property for more than 20 years.
In 1996, he established a Pheasants Forever corner by planting 535 trees and shrubs. A second corner was established in 2002 with 2,466 feet of cedar, plum and honeysuckle.
He installed a windbreak in 2005 with 685 feet of red cedar trees, added a third Pheasants Forever corner in 2007 and planted another windbreak two years ago.
Marshalls efforts help reduce soil erosion and provide food, shelter, and nesting habitat for birds and mammals, according to the nomination by Tri-Basin Land Resources Manager Charlie Brooks.
Soil and Water Conservation
Russell Edeal of Loomis was nominated for the Soil and Water Conservation Award by the Phelps County NRCS staff to recognize his conservation work throughout his farming career.
In 2008, he enrolled in the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentive Program, which allowed him to change much of his irrigation system from gravity to center pivots and to convert his farming operation to no-till practices.
Edeal is part of the Nebraska Ag Water Management Network that provides information to help other farmers determine crop water use on their fields. He purchased the network equipment and soil moisture sensors on his own and has reported data for the past nine years.
Edeal also has been host for and sponsored meetings to educate people about water conservation and served on the Tri-Basin board for 34 years.
Before the Unicameral dries up the rainy day fund and attacks budgets with scalpels and axes, there are alternative sources to consider. Last fall, Platte Institutes Jim Vokal published two feature articles on Nebraska tax reform, suggesting closing tax loopholes, yet failed to identify any.
However, new state Sen. Robert Briese of Albion did his homework and reported finding loopholes in excess of $4 billion. With a predicted revenue shortfall of $900 million, we must look at every possibility. After all, the governor is intent on cutting taxes. Here are potential sources to balance budgets with less disruption to critical functions.
Considering our fiscal constraints, its time to shine a spotlight into the black hole of tax loopholes. Ask yourself, how many citizens and senators are familiar with the full list of Nebraskas tax breaks? This is a public request for publishing the full list.
Its transparent government at work. If there is no response, then formal requests will follow. After all, these loopholes raise the tax bill of other taxpayers. Senators could ask questions of each tax break: a) who benefits? b) is it relevant or obsolete? c) if we didnt have this break in place, would we initiate it in 2017?
Tough times call for tough actions.
Tax breaks wont change if reviewed alone because each break has a constituency. Senators could take the bold step of sun-setting all tax breaks and inviting re-application by day 45 of the session. Senators who study our history may remember the statement of colorful Unicameral Sen. Terry Carpenter of Scottsbluff: Everybodys got a tax break except the average wage earner. No tax break should be immune from scrutiny, reduction or elimination.
Lavon Sumption, Lincoln
The Egyptian interior ministry said on Friday in a statement that police in North Sinai killed 10 terrorist who were involved in a number of terrorist attacks, including the attacks on security checkpoints earlier this week that left eight policemen one civilian dead.
They were killed after a firefight followed a police raid on their hideout, the ministry said.
On 9 January, militants attacked two checkpoints in North Sinai, including a major terrorist attack on El-Matafe checkpoint in El-Arish, according to a previous interior ministry statement.
The ministry said security forces were able to "fight off the terrorist attack," killing five militants and injuring three others.
The second attack targeted El-Masaeed checkpoint on the Ring Road, killing a police conscript during an exchange of fire with security forces.
The Islamic State militant group has claimed responsibility for Mondays terrorist attacks.
The Egyptian army and police have been battling an entrenched Islamist insurgency for several years in North Sinai.
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Egyptian army forces killed one jihadist and arrested another during a raid on one of the most dangerous terrorist hideouts in North Sinai, army spokesman Tamer El-Rifaei announced in a statement on Friday.
El-Rifaei said that large amounts of explosives were stored hideout, which was destroyed by army forces.
The Egyptian interior ministry said in a separate statement on Friday that police in North Sinai killed 10 terrorist who were involved in a number of terrorist attacks, including the attacks on security checkpoints earlier this week that left eight policemen and one civilian dead.
The Islamic State militant group has claimed responsibility for the latest terrorist attacks.
The Egyptian army and police have been battling an entrenched Islamist insurgency for several years in North Sinai.
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Iraqi special forces pushed forward to reach a second bridge that links eastern Mosul to the city's west, which is still fully controlled by Islamic State, a military statement said on Friday.
Troops further north meanwhile battled to try to seize the strategic Mosul University area, capture of which would help parallel advances towards bridges over the Tigris river, a Reuters correspondent nearby said.
Elite counter-terrorism service (CTS) units reached the southern 2nd Bridge, also called Freedom Bridge, one of five running across the river that bisects Mosul from north to south, the military statement reported by state TV said.
Iraqi forces have now reached two of the bridges, after fighting their way to the southernmost 4th Bridge several days ago.
All the bridges have been hit by U.S. coalition air strikes in an effort to hamper Islamic State militants' movement across the city. U.S. and Iraqi military officials say Islamic State has caused further damage to at least two of them to try to hamper any Iraqi advance across the river.
Iraqi forces are now in control of most of eastern Mosul. Assaults on the west, which Islamic State still fully holds, will be able to begin once they have secured the east bank of the Tigris.
In Mosul's northeast, CTS forces battled to drive militants out of the Mosul University area, the Reuters reporter in a neighbouring district said.
An Iraqi officer said army units backed by air strikes had meanwhile taken control of Hadba district, north of the university, and would aid the assault on the complex.
The recapture of the university would enable further advances because it overlooks areas closer to the river, a commander said this week.
The ultra-hardline group seized nuclear materials used for scientific research from the university when they overran it in 2014, the United Nations says.
The U.S.-backed campaign to drive Islamic State out of Mosul, involving a 100,000-strong force of Iraqi troops, Kurdish fighters and Shi'ite militias, began in October.
Mosul's recapture will probably spell the end of the Iraqi side of its self-style caliphate, which the group declared in 2014 in vast areas spanning northern Iraq and eastern Syria.
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Libya's U.N.-backed government has not accepted proposals by Rome aimed at cutting migrant flows to Italy and the two sides are "far apart" on the issue, Malta's foreign minister said on Friday.
George Vella, whose government holds the rotating chair of European Union ministerial councils, said he would brief his EU counterparts in Brussels on Monday on a long conversation he held on Thursday on behalf of the Union with the foreign minister of Libya's embattled, U.N.-backed premier, Fayez Seraj.
Asked by reporters about unpublished proposals which Rome has put to Seraj in an effort to curb an expected surge in people taking to boats in Libya in the hope of being rescued and taken to Italy, Vella said the Libyans were considering the ideas. He declined to detail the Italian proposals beyond saying that their aim was to reduce the flow of migrants.
"They are far, far apart," Vella said. "Their positions are totally different ... It's not a question of money ... It's a wide-ranging discussion ... It's a question of what the Libyan government thinks would be acceptable to Libyans."
EU officials say the Union aims to agree a common position on Libya soon to back up Italy's initiatives. Rome has said these include helping secure Libya's southern desert frontier against people-smuggling and other trafficking.
Last week, after Italy's interior minister visited Tripoli, his ministry said he had agreed with Seraj that the two countries would cooperate against people-smugglers and that Rome would promote investment in the oil-rich country.
Italy is reopening an embassy in its former colony and is keen to avert a new surge in migrant arrivals after taking in a record 180,000 people last year, mostly from Libya.
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi took funding from Rome in return for holding back African migrants heading north. Since he was overthrown in 2011, numbers have soared and anarchy in Libya has left Europeans struggling for ways to reduce the flow.
Vella noted that the EU is aiming to increase funding to and cooperation with African and Middle Eastern governments to stem migration pressure. He said he saw cooperation with Egypt, also on the transit routes, as an important element in the strategy.
He said he would consider the idea of EU-backed centres to process asylum claims in Egypt or other countries to help reduce numbers making journeys on which thousands died last year alone. "I would be willing to discuss practically anything," he said.
Echoing comments by Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat on Thursday, Vella, whose tiny island country lies on the sea route from Africa to Italy, said he was concerned about increasing Russian involvement in Libya following its role in Syria's war.
Describing recent contacts by a rebel Libyan commander with Moscow as "cavorting with the Russians", he said: "I'm not comfortable. We all know the Russians' dreams have always been to have bases in the Mediterranean."
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An excerpt from Preventing Physician Burnout: Curing the Chaos and Returning Joy to the Practice of Medicine.
Mark Linzers research identified workplace chaos as one of the key predictors of physician stress, burnout, and intention to leave. A recent analysis of the data showed that physicians in clinics with chaotic work environments had significantly more stress and burnout and a higher likelihood of leaving the practice within two years. These clinics also had significantly more missed opportunities to provide preventative services and had significantly higher rates of medical errors.
Our experience and that of many of the physicians we interviewed confirmed the importance of workplace chaos in the development of burnout. Diane identified workplace chaos as the most important factor in the burnout that led her to leave clinical practice. Craig Albanese, MD, MBA, senior vice president and chief operating officer at New York-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Childrens Hospital and Sloane Hospital for Women, pointed to the chaos and unstable work environment as the driver of his increasing interest in taking on administrative roles. He sensed that theres got to be a better way. According to John Toussaint, MD, CEO of the ThedaCare Center for Healthcare Value, the workplace prior to implementing a Lean transformation at ThedaCare was replete with inefficiencies. Physicians, nurses, and administrators and everybody else were all running around like chickens with their heads cut off because all the processes were chaos. There was no standard work. You did it one way on Monday, another way on Tuesday, and a third way on Wednesday. There was no predictability.
Toussaint told us that he and other leaders hypothesized that if they created predictability through standard work, the organization could focus on defect identification and problem-solving at the source. This approach, they believed, would lead to a more stable environment for caregivers and for patients. He described an informal study he did early in the organizations Lean journey. He shadowed a nurse for a week with a stopwatch. The results? Three and a half hours of an eight-hour shift were spent searching for supplies. It was the same for physicians in the office. What they needed was not in the room when they needed it. They didnt have the information they needed to make decisions. Process after process was so fundamentally broken; its understandable why people were very stressed out.
In an interview, James P. Womack, PhD, founder and senior advisor to the Lean Enterprise Institute, described a conversation he had with several residents after delivering a presentation at a prestigious academic hospital. He asked the trainees, What have you learned about medicine? One said, Nothing works, so Ive learned how to do work-arounds. The fundamental flaw with work-arounds is that they dont fix the underlying error-prone and inefficient processes. These work-arounds can make practice feel a bit like a revolving door. As Gene Lindsey, formerly at Atrius Health, put it, It became obvious to me that some things were beyond our ability to change as individual providers. We saw the same problems every day, and just because you solved them one day didnt mean they wouldnt come back, because the solutions were work-arounds. They didnt solve the real problems.
Lindsey told us that at one institution in which he practiced for many years, two awards were given annually to recognize clinicians for stellar patient care. It occurred to me that they should have been called Band-Aid awards, because the system was so dysfunctional it required heroic efforts to provide care. He noted that such efforts cost the physicians in personal time and a cascade of other losses. The physicians were willing to make the effort, but the dysfunctional system was the root cause of these sacrifices. He said, Its perverse not to recognize that a lot of their effort was wasted human effort.
Why are practice environments so chaotic and inefficient? In a setting in which errors can have devastating consequences that can be fatal, why are so many workflows inconsistent and unreliable? The simple answer is that the current practice environments were not consciously designed to be efficient and reliable. They developed over time, as multiple improvement initiatives (or external mandates or the personal preference of individual clinicians) changed workflows. The cumulative changes occurred without a careful assessment of the collective impact. The result is the chaos in which most physicians practice every day in both the hospital and office settings. As Robert Wachter of University of California, San Francisco, described it to us, We have created jobs that are undoable. We have not given a moments thought to rethinking the world in which physicians provide care.
A common source of chaos in the clinical workplace is the inefficiency of both administrative and care processes. Physicians perform highly technical work that involves significant quality and safety risks. When physicians express fear that they will inadvertently harm a patient, this anxiety is often reflective of a chaotic workplace. Physicians know what to do, but the disorganized, dysfunctional, unpredictable practice environment in which they work makes it difficult, if not impossible, to do the right thing consistently. Attempting to predict and avoid medical errors in such an environment requires a high degree of vigilance, which is unsustainable in the long term.
According to James Hereford, COO of Stanford University Medical Center, this level of vigilance increases the risk of burnout. The primary contributing factor to burnout is lack of thoughtful processes and support that avoids hero-level work. We asked Hereford to explain what these processes and support would look like. He told us, Every ambulatory clinic should have a well-codified prepare-for-visit process. But walk into almost any ambulatory clinic and look for that process, and it is non-existent. Instead, the physician shows up at the appointed time and tries to do his or her best with the summary information in the medical record while trying to engage with the patient. Little wonder its a stressful encounter. At the end of the visit, theres no well-codified process for the patient exit, follow-up, documentation, or coding. We just expect physicians to function well anyway. Its ridiculous when you say it out loud. Wayne Sotile has seen a direct connection between inefficiency and burnout. He told us that the primary complaint of the physicians and nurses hes worked with is inefficiencies in the work setting.
Lindsey described it this way: If you step back and look at [burnout symptoms] and get beyond feeling like it is happening because youre a deficient human being, you realize that these things are happening because youre functioning in a system that is inhumane and not designed for anyones psychological or emotional survival.
Paul DeChant and Diane W. Shannon are authors of Preventing Physician Burnout: Curing the Chaos and Returning Joy to the Practice of Medicine.
The United States has not received a formal invitation to Syria peace talks being organized by Russia and Turkey to be held in the Kazakh capital of Astana on Jan. 23, the U.S. State Department said on Friday.
"To my knowledge we have not received ... a formal invitation to the talks," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said at a daily briefing.
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Related Prominent Egyptian theatre critic Nehad Selaiha dies at 72
On 6 January, the Egyptian culture scene lost one its highest pillars, Nehad Selaiha, a woman who holds a unique place in the world of theatre and among generations of theatre practitioners. Her presence was so strong no one really thought about her being among the primary colours of the artistic landscape until her departure left the picture skewed and so it will remain for a long time.
A bilingual scholar, translator, historian, writer and critic her English reviews of Arab productions gave pages of Al Ahram Weekly an indispensable depth and value for years on end Selaiha had boundless energy and depth. Her multidisciplinary approach to theatre is demonstrated in dozens of books she authored or contributed to, hundreds of articles she wrote and as many prestigious seminars and juries she led or participated in.
But beyond her numerous awards and accolades, Selaiha was above all a theatre aficionado, a promoter, mediator and mentor who discovered, encouraged and supported hundreds of young theatre makers. A true theatre activist, as she was widely known, Selaiha saw the theatre as a kernel for creative energy, freedom of expression and human development.
For decades we could always find Selaiha wherever theatrical practice took place: enjoying the comfortable seats of a well-equipped hall or barely balanced on a wooden chair in the corner of some simply lit fringe venue. Selaiha never minded sitting on the floor, surrounded by young followers and genuinely happy that a given space was full. Minor events were as important to her as large festivals, and big city lights captivated her with the same strength as the dark alleyways of provincial towns.
Selaiha attended every stage of the creative process: performances, rehearsals, readings, discussions of scenography and lighting. She observed, listened and proffered her advice; and how inspiring she was when she spoke of the theatres magic, often with actors and directors. During performances, her laughter occasionally broke the silence of the auditorium, her enthusiastic applause was received with an almost juvenile pride by scores of young theatre makers, all of whom she treated as her own children. Then we would await her review, yet another experience in which the production became the nucleus of a much broader historical, social, political, philosophical and human discourse.
When Selaiha wrote about theatre it was as if she was creating profound and lucid paintings; she was, in fact, telling stories about life. Indeed, for Selaiha, theatre was the life she shared with everyone around her, as she navigated with ease the network of passion, academia, people and complicated hierarchical structures. And it was thanks to her omnipresence and boundless dynamism that she could keep watching new generations take the stage, but time never stood still and the effort the many difficulties and disappointments, too began taking their toll on her health.
Stage as passion
Born in 1945, at a tender age Selaiha wanted to become a theatre actress.
It was through Shakespeare that I had my first lesson in theatre when I played Shylock, then Rosalind in secondary school. When later, at university, I played Desdemona and Hermia, my lifelong bond with theatre was sealed, Selaiha writes in her essay Reconstructing the Local: A Personal Perspective, part of a book entitled The Local Meets the Global in Performance, edited by Melissa Sihra.
Selaiha went on to study English literature at Cairo University, obtaining her MA from the University of Sussex, UK, in 1969, but she stayed close to theatrical circles partly through her fiance (and later her husband) Mohamed Enani, who at the time co-edited Theatre magazine; Enani was to become not only the renowned translator of Shakespeare, Byron and Pinter to Arabic but also a major scholar, writer and critic who translated Arabic literature to English as well.
The arts and humanities at large became Selaihas life, feeding her passion for theatre all the more: she became a regular at the Music Library where Jean Sibelius Symphony no. 1 made a strong impression on her. On the other hand, she would remained intellectually indebted to philosophers such as Sartre, Camus and Kierkegaard; Nietzsche in particular spoke to her, making her separate ethics and metaphysics, as she put it.
In the mid-1970s, Selaiha returned to Shakespeare, briefly teaching Shakespearean drama at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but by the late 1970s she was already teaching criticism and drama at the High Institute for Art Criticism the position through which many of us first became aware of her moving in and out of Egypt while she earned her PhD in drama from the University of Exeter, UK, in 1982. Finally settling in Egypt in 1984, she was offered tenure at the institute, of which she became dean in 2001-2003.
Being on stage remained a passion with me throughout my life although I couldnt become an actress, and so teaching offered me a sort of a substitute, Selaiha revealed in a 2013 interview for Ahram Online: I enjoy teaching because, for me, its like being on stage, I have the floor, I teach drama, I can act all the parts I like... I have a captive audience. And indeed Selaiha took her role as educator to a highly theatrical level in the best sense.
There was everything but routine in Nehads lectures, Maissa Zaki, a theatre critic and practitioner and one of Selaihas many students-turned-friends, recalls the time she spent in her class.
Not only did she teach us, she also created an interaction, she performed the roles, invited us to respond to them, triggered our minds, raising questions and, together with us, searching for the answers. She had this unique theatrical energy which she channelled into her classes; and what a great actress she was. Zaki adds that Selaiha used to call her a kinder soul, thanks to the very close friendship they developed through the years. She was my only teacher and this was my choice. Those were the most beautiful days of my life. She showed us the theatre, becoming our friend and mother.
Alongside her teaching, Selaiha had already been sharing her knowledge even more broadly, writing about theatre in Arabic in Theatre magazine and, once it became available, in English in Al-Ahram Weekly, but also elsewhere throughout the world. Her passion was contagious. She generated interest and won the hearts of the young since, though she was interested in all forms of theatrical expression, she had a strong belief in independent troupes, which to her were the platform for truly free creative expression and boundless experimentation.
In 1990, when the dynamics of independent theatre changed, she was a main character in the drama. In her comprehensive article 25 years of independence, published in Al Ahram Weekly's issue of 14 April, 2016, she wraps up that moment: On 23 August 1990, a group of theatre artists, critics and activists met at the Acting Professions Union in downtown Cairo to protest the decision of the Ministry of Culture to cancel that years edition of the Cairo Experimental Theatre Festival due in September on account of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. In this historic meeting the idea of the independent theatre movement as a third way (to borrow Eugenio Barbas phrase), or alternative to both the state and commercial theatres was born.
"Initially, all that was hoped for was to create a pressure group to persuade the Ministry to allow a non-governmental national theatre festival to go ahead if an international governmental one was deemed politically embarrassing. The discussion however soon slithered from practical considerations of the proposed event to the politics of theatre itself. The meeting had attracted groups from the Fringe young and ardent self-supporting offshoots of the university and regional theatres who faced many obstacles and constraints and lacked official recognition and legal status.
The historical event, as Selaiha explains, led to the First Free Theatre Encounter [aka. Festival] in 1990, followed by the second Free Theatre Festival at the Al-Taliaa state theatre, in 1991, and eventually a strong independent movement housed by the newly opened Al-Hanager Arts Centre that has been gaining momentum ever since. Selaihas article opens as a mere report of the facts, through which she underlines important milestones reached by the independent pioneers. With typical humility, she refrains from mentioning her own crucial role in helping to unify many dispersed voices into a theatrical movement. It was the kind of thing that she did expecting nothing in return her mission, which she was never to give up for one day till the end of her life.
Godmother of Egypt's many independent theatre makers
In 1988, Dr Nehad attended a performance I directed with student colleagues at Cairo University, director Tarek Said recalls his earliest beginnings. A few days later, to our great surprise, we found an article praising us, published in the Arabic press. Us, young students, not linked to any state theatre, experimenting on stage, on the pages of a magazine! This was beyond any expectations or dreams. The rest was like a snowball; we found ourselves part of the bigger movement, surrounded by troupes coming from all across Cairo and the provinces. While Selaiha was the dynamo, she neither promoted her presence nor took credit for it. Said explains how Selaiha set everything into motion.
He points out how, apart from the state productions on which she also ardently followed up, she would invest much time in attending, documenting, analysing and becoming a part of independent works and amateur theatrical experiments. She would talk to the actors and directors, discuss their dreams and connect them with each other. I remember all the times when Dr Nehad would call me and tell me in fact, order me to attend this or that performance or ask me to help this director or that actor. How can you have theatre if you do not support one another? she used to say. She would do it with all of us, and we would always listen to her and follow her instructions.
Selaihas involvement in the independent scene expanded as she became its best mediator. Everyone, starting with our generation which entered theatre in the early 1990s, had his own special relationship with her, the director, scenographer and playwright Mohamed Abul Soud explains, pointing to the many instances when Selaiha reviewed his plays, negotiated their staging with censorship authorities and fought for other young creators. In many instances, what gave her strength was her well established academic status and respect from her colleagues in state institutions and across many cultural venues.
With diplomacy she always managed to turn those assets to the benefit of independent theatre makers. It was very hard to say no to Selaiha, Hoda Wasfi, the director of Al-Hanager Arts Centre from its inception until 2012, revealed. She always stood behind young people. I remember a few instances when for different reasons, I could not host a specific performance or I did not have a sufficient budget. Selaiha would come to my office with a series of arguments why we should give this play a chance and would come up with budget solutions. She always found her way to convince us, Wasfi comments with warmth, adding how Selaiha would go to many locations, open the doors to creators, push them to work, develop and remain strong as a collective creative force.
She invested a lot in our development, Said says; she was behind many interactions with international theatre makers. She never wanted any credit for it, never even mentioned it Often young people were not aware that when they attended a workshop, participated in an exchange or worked in a new space, Selaiha was the one who made that possible. She sculpted us, believing all along in the power of the theatre movement at large.
No wonder so many theatre practitioners think of Selaiha as their irreplaceable godmother. Writer, performer, choreographer and theatre director Nora Amin cherishes her special relationship with her, saying that the word mentor was especially created for Nehad Selaiha. She had the special talent of mentoring and breeding a whole generation of artists and theatre makers. This talent goes way beyond academic experience or scientific expertise, it is a talent of the heart that has a huge impact on the development of both the artistic and the human fields. What Nehad gave me was not only my birth certificate as a theatre director in 2000 with her historic review of my play but also her faith in change, it was a passion that extended over decades and provided cultural and societal recognition for more than one generation of independent theatre artists, and for whom she is truly considered a godmother, although she always preferred the role of a friend to that of a parental figure.
And there were times when Selaihas unconditional support of young theatre makers also raised eyebrows of more critical voices questioning her choices. Playwright Rasha Abd Elmonem, who was herself offered many motherly gifts and lessons from Selaiha, explains that Selaiha believed that anyone who needs to express himself through theatre deserved her embrace. She told me once that theatre is a big territory and there is a place for everyone. We only need to put everyone in the right place. Theatre has the power of reshaping minds and works beautifully with reformulating sense of aesthetics among amateurs. If we send anyone away, they might end up dropping the arts altogether or drifting to very dark areas. I will never forget this lesson.
Another lesson Abd Elmonem received from Selaiha took place when, while she was part of a festivals selection committee, Selaiha strongly opposed the entry of a play that was considered interesting material by other members. I was puzzled again. And again Selaiha explained that though the topic is politically interesting, the artistic side needed a lot of improvement to support the content. This play will be challenged by everyone for its thematic choices, and the creator doesnt have arguments artistically strong enough to defend himself. He will end up giving up while we need his mind to stay on theatre! We have to help him develop artistic strengths rather than lead him to artistic suicide. Its a different kind of responsibility.
And, whatever its kind, it is this strong sense of responsibility that Selaiha felt for the theatre movement that made her very different to all other academics and for which she has become a major pillar of what this scene is today. The dynamics that exist in Egypts independent theatre today, more than 25 years after the historic meeting, are but a continuation of a path already laid by the previous generations. Even if todays theatrical expressions seem different to those of the past two decades, and they reflect different contexts and perceptions, they remain but the new and fresh branches of a creative tree, planted in the 1980s, and duly watered by Selaiha through the years.
A scholar who documented theatre history and embraced novelty
With her constantly young and fresh spirit, even in the last years of her life, Selaiha always welcomed novelty, change and experimentation, new theatrical formats and vocabulary. She was happy to capture those novelties on many occasions, with an article she wrote in Al Ahram Weekly on 29 December 2011, titled A Year of Revolutionary Theatre being one such testimony.
In it, she walks us through the 12 months of a rich crop of performances, the productions of the mainstream (state) theatre, the independent pieces that spoke of the martyrs and Arab drama classics that were reworked to fit the moment. She highlights however a powerful upsurge of a new branch of documentary theatre that has been absent from the Egyptian theatre scene namely: verbatim theatre.
She kept challenging decision makers through the years. She was the one to fight vigorously for the young as well as speaking for the whole scene. Selaiha was the main voice demanding the return and revamping of the Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre (CIFET) which had been suspended in 2011. Last year, in 2016, she was finally able to see that happen when CIFET returned as the Cairo International Festival for Contemporary and Experimental Theatre. As she watched and documented, just as before, she looked to the future with her hallmark optimism.
Perhaps what enabled her to go on was that she was, as Maissa Zaki says, a plethora of creative personalities. She was one person during lectures, another one in official seminars. She knew how to address young theatre makers as well as how to communicate within the official establishment. She was a powerful official, a serious academic, a young and rash theatre aficionado. In her writings, she had different colours for different readers, always surprising them and offering something new.
Director Essam El-Sayed agrees that her reviews were always down to earth she analyses and encourages, remains balanced and never overly emotional while she helps us understand our emotions. She has depth without needlessly complicating things. It is a very unique skill. Even during the final weeks of her life, Selaiha continued attending performances, documenting the history of Egyptian theatre, analysing trends and developments, setting them in larger contexts and speaking about the vibrant multidisciplinary relations between the many phenomena. She taught us arts, culture and life, presented international theatrical practices to Egyptian readers and spoke about Egypt to an international scene.
As a theatre critic, to Al-Ahram Weekly readers, Selaiha offered hundreds of stories that varied from reviews to elaborate analyses of a theatrical movement. She could dedicate an entire article to a director, a playwright or an actor, but she could also invite the reader on a journey that touched on the broader creative, societal and historical aspects of a given work. At times she could even step beyond the known canons of theatre criticism, and open her article with a frustration triggered by the removal of a tree from the theatres courtyard, or describe the large staircase she had to conquer when visiting the offices of Fawzy Fahmy, CIFETs former president. For Selaiha, even those seemingly trivial and unrelated components, were part of her life in the theatre.
Throughout her academic career, she continued creating vibrant links between her passion, Egyptian theatre and the international scene, for which she received numerous awards and recognitions handed to her at many local, regional and international theatre festivals including the Sharjah Festival, the Gulf Cooperation Council Festival, the Carthage Festival, the Amman International Theatre Festival, and the Doha Arab Theatre Festival in 2012. In November last year, she received the prestigious award in the field of arts and literature from the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences.
In Egypt, Selaiha received recognition from the Cairo International Experimental Theatre Festival (1996), the State Award for Superior Achievement in Literary Studies (2003), the State Appreciation Award for Arts (2013). Many publications wrote about Selaiha, while the 2 January 2017 edition of Masrahna (Our Theatre) magazine dedicated its issue to her. Her contribution to the cultural field had, after all, been extended through her membership of the High Committee for the Theatre at the Supreme Council of Culture, and at the Drama Committee of the Production Department for Radio and Television. She was also at the board of directors at the Roberto Cimetta Fund to Support Young Theater Artists in the Euro-Med Region.
But all this is but a tiny part of the story, for much of what Selaiha achieved in her life cannot be quantified. Not one person who crossed her path was unaffected by her unique spirit, wisdom or genuine passion to support and encourage.
We all mourn the loss of a great scholar, critic and a mentor. While the void is irreplaceable, we are also left with the many gifts Selaiha bestowed upon us. Her writing will remain with us, but more importantly her presence will live on in our hearts thousands of godchildren.
This obituary was first published in Al-Ahram Weekly.
For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture
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Institute of Technology Carlow has reappointed Dr Patricia Mulcahy for a second five-year term as president, beginning this month.
Dr Mulcahy was first appointed president of Institute of Technology Carlow in January 2012. Under her tenure, the Institute has seen a 100 million capital development programme that has delivered: the Dargan Centre for research and innovation; the Centre for Aerospace Engineering; the Haughton Building learning and teaching centre and a multi-million facility incorporating sports, health & student services.
Under Dr Mulcahys direction, the Institute has also announced plans for a new 30-acre south campus, the development of a further seven acres adjacent to the Institute on the Kilkenny Road and a new site for the Institutes Wexford campus, located on 35 acres in a prime location in Wexford town.
Dr Mulcahy is one of the leading figures in Irish higher education and a major champion of a technological university of the south east. During her first term of office, she has overseen transformative change, brought clarity, vision and leadership to the Institute and the region, resulting in the Institute of Technology Carlow being recognised by the Higher Education Authority as one of the highest-performing institutions in the State.
A focus on applied research activities and enterprise supports has led to the development of five research centres of research and enterprise at Institute of Technology Carlow which, in 2016, worked with over 100 companies.
Dr Mulcahy is a native of Carlow, a past pupil of the Presentation Convent Carlow and is married with two eleven-year-old daughters. She studied science at Institute of Technology Carlow and attained her Degree and PhD in Biochemistry at NUI Galway.
Following research positions with BioResearch Ireland at NUI Galway and Dublin City University, Dr Mulcahy returned to Institute of Technology Carlow as a lecturer in biotechnology and was subsequently appointed Head of Department and then Head of Development. An eminent scientist in the field of bioscience research, and she is widely published in major international journals.
By Geo Tharappel
Jan 13 (Reuters) - The Australian share market fell on Friday, dragged down by financial stocks and tracking Wall Street lower as investors booked profits, while rising base metals and oil prices failed to boost miners and energy stocks.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index fell 0.8 percent, or 44.154 points, to 5,722.7 by 0100 GMT. Trading volumes were 30 percent of the 30-day average. The index is on track for its first weekly loss in four weeks.
Wall Street closed lower on Thursday, with financials leading losses on the S&P 500, as investors waited for quarterly earnings and details of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's economic policies ahead of his inauguration. "There is a little bit of profit taking coming in for financials ... There doesn't seem to be a risk-on at the moment," said Gary Burton, market analyst at IG Markets.
"It's really a wait and see for the U.S. reporting to see how that kicks off," Burton added
The local financials index shed as much as 1.5 pct, its biggest drop in over five weeks, with the "Big Four" banks losing between 1.7 percent to 2.0 percent each.
Energy stocks and miners pared early gains and were flat to lower despite overnight gains in oil and most base metals. Mining heavyweights Rio Tinto Ltd and BHP Billiton Ltd were in negative territory along with Woodside Petroleum Ltd .
The biggest losers on the benchmark were nickel miners, which plunged after Indonesia eased an export ban on nickel ore and bauxite on Thursday. Western Areas Ltd dived as much as 16.8 percent to a two-month low, while Independence Group NL recorded its biggest percentage fall in over eight months of 9.5 percent.
Gold stocks bucked the trend to rise to a near two-month top, aided by a rise in bullion prices to their highest in seven weeks on a weak dollar. Newcrest Mining Ltd jumped as much as 2.7 percent to a more than eight-week high.
Organic baby formula maker Bellamy's Australia Ltd extended its fall after it cut its revenue forecast and appointed a temporary new CEO, making it third biggest loser on the main index. New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index fell 0.3 pct to 7,041.86, weighed down by utilities, telecom and materials.
Telecom heavyweight Spark New Zealand Ltd and Fletcher Building Ltd were among the top drags on the main index.
(Reporting by Geo Tharappel in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Sindhu Chandrasekaran; Editing by Richard Pullin)
PBOC to inject 70 bln yuan via reverse repos - traders
SHANGHAI, Jan 13 (Reuters) - China's central bank will inject 10 billion yuan ($1.45 billion) into money markets on Friday through seven-day reverse bond repurchase agreements, and an additional 60 billion yuan through 28-day reverse repos, traders said. Central bank open market operations will inject a net 100 billion yuan for the week, compared with a net drain of 595 billion yuan a week earlier. In early trade on Friday, the volume weighted average of the seven-day repo rate , considered the best indicator of general liquidity in China, was at 2.25 percent, down 4.19 basis points from the previous closing average rate. Injection Drain Net _____________________________________________________________ Bills Repos Reverse repos* 530 Bills maturing Repos maturing Reverse repos maturing -430 _____________________________________________________________ TOTAL 530 -430 100 ($1 = 6.8890 Chinese yuan)
(Reporting by the Shanghai newsroom; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in precious metal products, commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
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Jan 13 (Reuters) - Here's a snapshot of Vietnamese dong exchange rates in the official market and indicative SJC gold prices in Hanoi at 0156 GMT.
Jan 13 Jan 12 USD/VND mid-point 22,161 22,164
USD/VND interbank 22,570/22,572 22,570/22,575 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 36.35/36.67 36.33/36.65
NOTES: As of Jan. 4, 2016 the State Bank of Vietnam has begun setting the mid-point rate on daily basis, allowing dollar/dong transactions to move in a band of +/- 3 percent around the mid point. The dong's exchange rate against other currencies is not restricted by a band. Interbank quotes are indicative bid/ask prices.
One tael is equivalent to 37.5 grams or 1.21 troy ounces. SJC gold prices are quoted by state-owned Saigon Jewelry Co, the gold manufacturer.
Interbank offered rates are indicative, quoted from market sources.
For Vietnam market overview click on: Vietnam's bonds market auctions: Bonds auction results: (Compiled by Hanoi Newsroom)
HANOI, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Here's a snapshot of Vietnamese dong exchange rates in the official and unofficial markets, indicative SJC gold prices in Hanoi and interbank offered rates at 0402 GMT.
Jan 13 Jan 12 USD/VND mid-point 22,161 22,164 USD/VND interbank 22,565/22,575 22,570/22,575 USD/VND unofficial 22,770/22,820 22,670/22,720 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 36.35/36.67 36.33/36.65
Interbank offered rates Overnight 4.0-5.4 4.8-5.3
1 week 4.5-5.4 4.9-5.3
1 month 5.0-5.4 5.0-5.4
3 months 5.0-5.4 5.0-5.4
NOTES: As of Jan. 4, 2016 the State Bank of Vietnam has begun setting the mid-point rate on daily basis, allowing dollar/dong transactions to move in a band of +/- 3 percent around the mid point. The dong's exchange rate against other currencies is not restricted by a band. Interbank offered rates are the latest indicative bid/ask prices, quoted from market sources.
One tael is equivalent to 37.5 grams or 1.21 troy ounces. SJC gold prices are quoted by state-owned Saigon Jewelry Co.
For more interbank rate fixings released at 0400 GMT, click on .
For Vietnam market overview click on: Vietnam's bonds market auctions: Bonds auction results: (Compiled by Hanoi Newsroom)
Jan 13 (Reuters) - Gold miner Acacia Mining Plc said on Friday it was in early talks about a possible merger with Canadian gold miner Endeavour Mining Corp .
Acacia, responding to media speculation, added that there was no certainty of a deal. The company, which operates mines and exploration projects in Tanzania, Kenya, Burkina Faso and Mali, had a market cap of 1.72 billion pounds as of Jan. 12.
Endeavour bought True Gold Mining Inc for about C$240 million in March giving it access to a low-cost gold mine in Burkina Faso. (Reporting by Sanjeeban Sarkar in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)
(Kitco News) - Gold prices are seeing modest selling pressure, falling slightly below $1,200 an ounce as data show mixed consumer spending, during the Christmas holiday shopping season.
Friday, The U.S. Commerce Department said that advance retail sales rose 0.6% last month, compared to Novembers revised increase rise of 0.2%. Consensus forecasts were calling for a 0.5% rise.
However, core retail sales, which strips out vehicle sales, rose less than expected by 0.2% followings Novembers increase of 0.2%. Economists were forecasting a rise of 0.5%.
Heading into the report gold futures were under modest selling pressure, which has since picked up momentum; December gold futures last traded at $1,196.90 an ounce down 0.24% on the day.
The control group, which strips out autos, gas, building materials and food services, was slightly weaker than expected, showing a rise of 0.2%, up from Novembers revised unchanged reading. Consensus forecasts calling for a rise of 0.4%.
Royce Mendes, senior economist at CIBC World Markets, described the latest retail sales report as lacking vigor. He added that the disappointing data could be U.S. dollar negative, which in turn could eventually be good for gold.
Overall, while 2016 was a strong year for household spending, the last two months didn't reflect a big pickup in holiday related spending, he said.
By Neils Christensen of Kitco News; nchristensen@kitco.com
Follow @Neils_C
(Adds quotes)
By Kylie MacLellan
LONDON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - New Zealand will seek to agree a free trade deal with Britain as soon as possible after Brexit, Prime Minister Bill English said on Friday after talks with British leader Theresa May in London.
Britain is not able to sign trade deals with third countries while it remains a member of the European Union, but the government has said it is keen to start preparatory work so agreements can be reached quickly after it leaves.
"We are ready to negotiate a high-quality free trade agreement with the UK when it is in a position to do so," English said at a news conference. "We already have a strong and diversified trading relationship with the UK and a free trade agreement will build on that."
Britain is New Zealand's fifth-largest bilateral trading partner, and New Zealand imported goods and services worth 1.1 billion pounds ($1.34 billion) from Britain in 2015.
During a visit to Brussels earlier this week, English said the EU and New Zealand also aimed to launch free trade negotiations as soon as possible.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said talks with New Zealand could be wrapped up far more quickly than is normal, perhaps in just two to three years. At a separate briefing with reporters later on Friday, English said he expected the New Zealand-EU deal to be completed before a New Zealand-Britain agreement. He also said New Zealand could not get in to too much detail with Britain yet.
"It is difficult to formulate what kind of agreement we would have until it is clear what position the UK is in at the end of Brexit," he said.
May said that while Britain remained in the EU, it would work to support an EU-New Zealand trade deal, while also making preparations for a future "bold new" bilateral agreement.
Last year Britain and New Zealand agreed to set up regular trade policy talks and May said trade minister Liam Fox would visit New Zealand in the coming months to launch these discussions. May, who has said she will begin the formal EU divorce process by the end of March, has come under fire from businesses, investors and lawmakers for having given little away about her plans for Brexit.
She is due to give a speech next week setting out more on the government's objectives.
(Additional reporting by Costas Pitas, Alistair Smout, Ritvik Carvalho and Georgina Cooper; editing by Stephen Addison)
By Senor John Stringer formerly coNZervative (and perhaps again).
Today we decided to do the biggest flea market in Buenos Aries -the outdoor markets in Recolata. This is right next to the famous cemetery so you could combine both and make a day trip of both. To get there catch a cab. This will cost you about 40-70 Arg pesos ie $2-5 US dollars (1/15). Its dirt cheap; so dont worry about grabbing cabs anywhere. A radio cab (fitted with radio) will cost an additional $14 pesos (ie 93c US).
There are about 150-200 outdoor booths selling mainly crafts. I even find a guy selling wargames models. There is art and food and jewelry. I buy some original Argentinian art (three small pictures) signed by the artist. These cost me about $8 each excellent value. There is no bargaining as such in BA; the price is the price (as in NZ) but at markets you can always negotiate and I am offered a nice discount to buy two and further when I negotiate for three.
Below: older Argentinian men shooting the breeze together I like the man dressed as a South American dictator or Mafia boss. A famous tango dancer and flamenco guitarist is playing under an ancient rubber tree (about 250 years old) which has those horizontal branches which the municipality has creatively propped up with sculptures such as this metal Hercules (below).
Below: old cobblestones around the market and one of the 250 year old rubber trees that provide much needed shade as BA gets really hot and under which people busk Tango and Flamenco.
There is lots of food and mobile lemonade stands with real fruit and tango fills the air. It is incredibly (burning) hot so I recommend a good hat and sunglasses are a must. Wear loose cotton or youll be overwhelmed on hot days. Below some of the Frida Kahlo cacophony at the market a very popular cultural meme.
Above: where ever you go in the world graffiti seems the same. And here are what the Argentinian police look like. We went in to a Mall and were constantly asked for money or pitched scams every few metres which was a pest and this mall area is patrolled by police. You will also get approached to exchange money at good rates but this is illegal so dont accept the money may be counterfeit. I recommend you use your hotel (at approx. 15/1 US) as we noticed long queues at the bureau de change booths in public (ie at the malls).
Over all we were not taken with the food in Argy; lots of plain burgers and chips but Argentinians do take a herbal tea. These are served in an ornate hollowed out gourd and sipped through a silver straw implement with various ornate filters at the bottom (like a hookah). We had never seen this before. Note the prices $400 pesos ie $26.6 US approx.
Below: more Argentine architecture and a pirate restaurant we eat at on our last night at which I try not to order the #1 one blackboard special.
Tomorrow: South America is known for its dinosaurs and Ill post on those as we visit Bernadino Rovadavia Natural Sciences Museum. ~ J.
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By Jhoo Dong-chan
Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) said in a press release Wednesday that it will hire a maximum of 220 Hanjin Shipping workers.
HMM said that it has recently finalized the recruiting process for 131 former Hanjin Shipping workers. Hanjin Shipping's headquarters, shipping management and overseas operation officials as well as crewmembers are expected to be hired.
"HMM will additionally hire 41 Hanjin Shipping officials next month," said the official. "With recruiting those 41 officials, HMM is expected to hire a total of 172 Hanjin Shipping workers by the end of next month."
He also said that HMM will recruit another 40 to 50 crewmembers depending on the number of container vessels it secures for future operations.
Sixty former Hanjin Shipping workers are expected to start working at HMM headquarters after completing required courses.
"Each individual was hired after having a one-on-one interview with me," CEO Yoo Chang-keun said. "They are the best people with experience in the global shipping industry. The company will provide unstinted support for them to adopt our corporate values and prove their quality with us."
Hanjin Shipping, once the nation's largest container line but now facing liquidation, has been selling its assets since it filed for court receivership in late August.
The court handling Hanjin Shipping's restructuring said it has agreed to sell its full stake in Long Beach Terminal in California to Switzerland-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).
Samra Midas Group, a mid-sized local firm that owns Korea's second-largest bulk carrier Korea Line Corp., also agreed to take over Hanjin Shipping's U.S.-Asia routes and other assets for 37 billion won in November.
Meanwhile, HMM has failed to become a full-fledged member of global shipping alliance 2M.
Joining a global alliance was one of the key conditions set by its creditors for its rehabilitation program and debt rescheduling, but Maersk Line, the world's largest container line in the 2M alliance, said that it and MSC have instead entered into strategic cooperation "outside the scope of MSC and Maersk Line's 2M vessel-sharing agreement."
Last week, HMM also signed a memorandum of understanding with domestic intra-Asia shippers Sinokor Merchant Marine and Heung-A Shipping to form an alliance called the HMM + K2 consortium.
The partnership involves basic vessel sharing, joint investments in port infrastructure and sharing of containership equipment over the long term, HMM said.
South Korean auto parts maker, Mando, has filed a countersuit against Robert Bosch GmbH in the United States over alleged infringement of two of its auto-parts patents, an industry source said Friday.
The German auto parts supplier had sued Mando four months earlier for alleged breach of four of Bosch's patents related to auto components. The suit was filed at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
In a written response sent to the U.S. court earlier this week, Mando denied Bosch's claims, while arguing that Bosch infringed Mando's two patents on an electronic brake control system and a solenoid valve for a brake system, according to the source.
Mando, which has two plants in the U.S., asked the court to prohibit Bosch from further infringing the patents.
In September last year, Bosch filed a lawsuit against Mando, claiming that the Korean firm breached four of its patents on an anti-skid braking system (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC) parts.
According to a global ranking of auto parts firms, compiled by a U.S. industry magazine Automotive News, Bosch topped the list with sales of $44.8 billion in 2015.
Mando was ranked 45th with sales of $5.3 billion in 2015. (Yonhap)
Allianz Life Korea's digital-first office, F1, is at the company's head office on Yeouido, southern Seoul.
/ Courtesy of Allianz Life Korea
By Kim Tae-gyu
Allianz Life Korea launched an innovative new office earlier this month geared to the digital era, the Seoul-based insurance company said Friday.
The office, "F1 in Yeouido" located at the insurer's head office, is designed to provide an efficient digital environment for the company's sales agents. It has bar tables, telephone booths, individual lockers, a cafe and a lounge.
An Allianz official said F1 is named after the first function key to demonstrate the outfit's willingness to support agents and customers at any time and place.
"With the new type of office, our employees can prepare for their appointments with customers, actually meet them, have team meetings or rest," the official said.
"There are no designated desks but the office is equipped with bar tables where our workers can deal with their business through tablet computers. In addition, digital boards and a conference call system are in place."
The company plans to extend the new working environment to other offices so sales agents are able to offer tailor-made customer services.
Allianz Life, which is a mid-tier insurer here, has gained a reputation as a digital leader.
Most of its 3,500 sales agents use dedicated tablets called AlloTab. As a result, around two-thirds of contracts are made on the hand-held computer.
Allianz Life also introduced the online insurance brand AllRight in 2015 and came up with a variety of online-specific products and a health-related mobile application to gain popularity among digital-savvy users.
Allianz Life Korea was a subsidiary of German-based financial giant Allianz but Anbang Group Holdings signed a contract to buy the Korean unit early last year. The country's financial regulator approved the deal late last year.
Anbang Group Holdings is a Hong Kong-headquartered affiliate of Anbang Life Insurance, which is owned by China's Anbang Insurance Group.
By Nam Hyun-woo
Lee Kwang-goo Lee Dong-gun
The appointment of the new Woori Bank CEO is becoming a showdown between two factions within the bank, as the two leading candidates are "iconic figures" of two different banks now merged into Woori.
According to Woori Bank, 11 candidates have applied for the post, which will be vacant in March. With one candidate retreating from the race, the bank said it has 10 candidates, all of whom are former or incumbent CEOs or executives from Woori Bank and its affiliates.
Of them, current CEO Lee Kwang-goo and Business Support Group head Lee Dong-gun are said to be more qualified than the other candidates,
With the committee saying it will "wrap up the appointment as soon as possible to stabilize the bank," forecast is that the committee may announce a new CEO before the Lunar New Year holiday which this year is from Jan. 27 to 30.
Observers say that two Lees are ahead of other candidates, citing CEO Lee is an incumbent and the other Lee has been a favorite who challenged CEO Lee when he took the top post in 2014.
During his term, CEO Lee has accomplished the feat of leading the bank to be privatized 16 years after it gave management control to the government. Also, the bank posted a 1.1 trillion won ($939.2 million) net profit in the first three quarters of last year, surpassing its 2015 total net profit of 1.08 trillion won.
Given that the committee said it will prioritize each candidate's "achievements during his term," no other candidates have made achievements that match Lee's.
Group Head Lee is also being talked about as a candidate to lead the bank facing a new era in its business, given his experiences in almost every department of the bank.
The question is that the bank has two factions in it and both Lees are "iconic figures" of each faction. Woori Bank was established as a merged bank of Commercial Bank of Korea and Hanil Bank in 1998, the wake of the Asian financial crisis. The merged bank was first named Hanvit Bank and then changed to Woori Bank in May 2002 after acquiring the commercial banking segment of the now-defunct Peace Bank of Korea.
In the merger process, Commercial Bank of Korea took the banking segment, while Hanil Bank took its card segment. Due to this practice, the bank has been having "invisible fractions" of Commercial Bank and Hanil Bank and the conflict between the two fractions surged when there was a CEO appointment.
In the previous CEO appointment, Group Head Lee, who is from Hanil Bank, was mentioned as being a step ahead of CEO Lee, who is from Commercial Bank of Korea. At that time, Group Head Lee was serving as Senior Vice President, a position second only to CEO, while CEO Lee was the Consumer Banking Business Unit Head, which is tantamount to being deputy president. Given the bank's former CEOs mostly served as senior vice president before they get promoted, Group Head Lee seemed to have an advantage.
However, the recommendation committee appointed CEO Lee to replace then CEO Lee Soon-woo, who also was from Commercial Bank.
In part of his restructuring effort, CEO Lee in 2015 abolished the position of Senior Vice President and introduced group head system. Group Head Lee then became the Business Support Group Head, which is tantamount to Deputy President.
The current recommendation committee said that "the fractions are part of harmful corporate culture" and it will consider whether a candidate has the leadership to solve their conflicts in the process of screening.
Reportedly, however, the two candidates are taking their "backgrounds" into account because the screening process will include reputation checks, which can be swayed by their backgrounds. Also voices are growing among Hanil Bank loyalists that it is time for a figure from Hanil to become CEO.
"The conflict between two banks Commercial and Hanil banks is a thorny problem," said a recommendations committee member. "The conflict as well as other problems from the bank's unique history may still exist as bad corporate culture. The new CEO should be good at managing and leading the bank, but he has to have his own answers to those problems."
Korean actor Lee Joon-gi, left, poses with Hollywood star Malli Jovovich on the actress's social network service online during her visit to Korea Thursday. Jovovich said Lee brought Jokbal, or pigs' feet to the restaurant to share it with her.
/ Courtesy of UPI Korea
By Kim Jae-heun
Hollywood actress Milla Jovovich, left, hugs Korean actor Lee Joon-gi during the press conference for the upcoming film "Resident Evil: The Final Chapter" at Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno, Seoul, Friday.
/ Yonhap
Milla Jovovich, the heroine of the sci-fi action film "Resident Evil: The Final Chapter," said she has always found herself attracted to the martial arts, including taekwondo. She said taekwondo has influenced her action scenes in the upcoming movie "Resident Evil" that premieres on Jan. 25.
The Hollywood actress has in the past revealed her affections for Korean culture, saying she loves Korean food and she cooks bulgogi, Korean marinated beef, at home. Jovovich also posted pictures of her daughter at taekwondo training on her social network service over two years ago.
"I've always been such a fan of the martial arts," said Jovovich during the press conference for her upcoming film "Resident Evil: The Final Chapter" at Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno, Seoul, Friday. "I love martial arts films and obviously many Korean action films have influenced our movie too.
My daughter started learning taekwondo at the age of 3 in L.A. because I like martial arts. My love for Korean culture began from taekwondo but I also love Korean food as well. Korea is really my style."
Jovovich once again took the protagonist role of Alice in the "Resident Evil" series, which she has been starring in for 15 years since the first 2002 release based on the Capcom video games of the same name. She is now in her early 40s but she still runs and flies on a wire fighting zombies, riding a bike.
In the final episode of the "Resident Evil" series, Alice is the only hope for human beings on earth suffering from the deadly epidemic T-virus that turns people into zombies. Alice returns to Raccoon City where she is told there is a vaccine to save the world.
The Ukraine-born actress debuted with "The Night Train to Kathmandu" in 1988 and rose to stardom with a leading role in the French science fiction and action film "The Fifth Element" by Luc Besson.
In 2002, Jovovich joined her first "Resident Evil" film, written and directed by Paul Anderson -- who is now her husband. She decided to portray the Alice role since she was a fan of the video game series. But it was her nature of being an action star that evolved into what has now become an international success to make over a billion dollar box-office profit from around the world.
"I've always liked playing the role of strong women because it is such a distinguished style. There were barely any strong woman characters in the film back then when "Resident Evil" first came out 15 years ago. But I liked action, martial arts and wire works and particularly the process of training for the action before shooting. I would never find interest in roles of the girl next-door," Jovovich said.
Anderson agreed that her role as Alice in the movie played a pioneering role in influencing films with strong women as heroines.
By Lee Han-soo
K-pop diva Bada will marry a franchise restaurant owner nine years her junior.
Her agency said Friday the wedding will be held at a church in Seoul on March 23. Bada, 37, whose name is Choi Sung-hee, reportedly met her spouse at a church in Hannam-dong.
Bada debuted in 1997 as lead vocalist of three-member girl band S.E.S. She successfully made the transition to musical actress after the band disbanded in 2002.
Bada has played leading roles in several hit musicals in Korea, including "Legally Blonde," "Notre-Dame de Paris," "200 Pounds Beauty" and "Gone with the Wind."
She was reunited with band members last year and released a comeback album, "Remember."
Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong gets into a car parked in front of the independent counsel team's office in southern Seoul, Friday, after 22 hours of questioning there. / Yonhap
Decision on arrest warrant for Lee Jae-yong to be made this weekend
By Jung Min-ho
Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong claimed he was coerced by President Park Geun-hye into financially supporting her confidant Choi Soon-sil.
During 22 hours of questioning by the independent counsel team from Thursday to Friday, he reportedly insisted he made the decision under heavy pressure from President Park, denying the allegation that he did so in return for business favors.
Lee, who appeared at the team's office in southern Seoul at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, came out of the office the next day at 7:50 a.m. Then, he walked straight to his car in front of the building without answering questions from reporters.
Speaking to reporters, Lee Kyu-chul, spokesman for special prosecutor Park Young-soo, who leads the team, said whether or not they will request an arrest warrant for Lee will be determined by Sunday evening after reviewing all the evidence, including testimonies of key government and Samsung officials.
Samsung is under suspicion of providing a total of 7.8 billion won ($6.6 million) to Choi and her daughter Chung Yoo-ra in Germany from September 2015 to October. The firm was also the biggest contributor to the Mir and K-Sports foundations, which were controlled by Choi, "donating" more than 20 billion won to the shady foundations.
Meanwhile, Jang Si-ho, Choi's niece, received more than 1.6 billion won from Samsung through a children's sports center she managed.
All this support, investigators suspect, was made to take advantage of Choi's friendship with the President.
In 2015, the National Pension Service (NPS), a key shareholder of two Samsung units _ Cheil Industries and Samsung C&T _ voted for the merger of the two, which was crucial for Lee to tighten his control of the group's management. Because the NPS made the decision despite foreseeable losses and the opposition of many shareholders, many people have suspected that the President was behind the deal.
Before the massive corruption and influence-peddling scandal involving President Park, Choi and business executives, Park and Lee had two private meetings, in which investigators believe Park asked for his support specifically for Choi-related businesses.
While Samsung wants to paint Lee as a victim of the scandal, investigators remain uncertain whether the President's pressure was big and specific enough that he had no other choice.
If investigators prove the alleged link between Samsung's support and the NPS's decision _ the worst scenario for Lee _ he could face bribery charges, which could put him behind bars for up to five years. With other possible charges for perjury, embezzlement and breach of trust, the time could stretch further.
Meanwhile, investigators questioned Samsung Electronics President Park Sang-jin for about 13 hours up to early Friday.
Park, who also heads the Korea Equestrian Federation, is suspected of playing a leading role in supporting Chung. He was one of the witnesses who refused to appear at the parliamentary hearings earlier for the scandal, citing health issues.
The next business executive up for questioning is expected to be SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won.
Investigators reportedly found evidence suggesting that SK gave 11.1 billion won to the Mir and K-Sports foundations in early 2015 in exchange for the release of Chey, who was serving time in prison after being found guilty of embezzlement in 2014.
By Choi Ha-young
Korea has about 2 million foreign residents, nearly 4 percent of its population, and the number will keep increasing because of international marriages, foreign students coming to Korea, the migrant workforce and international cultural and social exchanges.
This trend is pushing the demand for a control tower on immigration policy. Issues about foreigners vary: from education, culture and security to gender, labor and business. Many authorities carry out their own policies. Experts have pointed out overlaps, blind spots and the evasion of responsibility between ministries.
"Policies about foreigners are spread to many authorities, but all connected," said Kang Dong-kwan, researcher from the IOM Migration Research and Training Center (IOM-MRTC), a government institute. "To prevent unnecessary conflicts between ministries, there should be a control tower."
However, discussions about the so-called "Immigration Administration" have gone nowhere in a decade.
In the short term, Korea needs foreign workers to maintain its basic manufacturing industry. While the nation's birth promotion policy is not achieving its goal, immigration may become the sole measure to prevent the population from decreasing and support its skyrocketing elderly population. "That's why strategic perspective is required about who, when and how many foreigners Korea should accept," Kang added.
The foreign labor force system is far from adequate in addressing needs and often fails to protect human rights. In 2004, the nation introduced the Work Permit System to supply foreign labor, and Korea had 279,047 workers as of September. However, the status of non-professional workers has not improved much.
They face many problems, including de-facto forced labor, unfair treatment, discrimination and often rights abuses. The Migrants' Trade Union got its legal status only last year after 10 years of struggle.
Foreign spouses, mostly women from other Asian countries, have also become an important part of the foreign population. The welfare system for marriage migrants and their children has been well organized compared to systems for other foreign residents: the central and municipal governments run programs to help them learn about Korean language and culture, with financial support for those in lower-income brackets.
But Moon Jong-seok, head of Purun Community People, an NGO supporting immigrants, said Korea has implemented an assimilation policy under the name of multiculturalism. "For almost 10 years, the government has suggested piecemeal policies to have more babies from marriage immigrants," he said.
Like migrant workers, foreign spouses face difficulties. Besides the language barrier, what frustrates and disappoints them the most may be discrimination and prejudice against them and their children. Without resolving this issue, Korea cannot truly accept immigrants as part of society, experts say.
"The problem is public awareness rather than policy," said Won Jin-sook, director of the Research Institute for Multicultural Education at Seoul National University of Education. "A public campaign to increase receptiveness of multiculturalism is essential."
At the same time, welfare for multicultural families should evolve, Won said. "Currently, 73 percent of multicultural children are elementary school students," she said. "Tailored programs for middle and high school students as well as adults are required as they get older."
Experts commonly emphasized multiculturalism's positive impacts: broader options for youth, open-mindedness by exchanges with diverse people and discovery of alternatives by observing various societies. Now it's time to discuss how to maximize advantages and minimize costs on our way to a multicultural society.
By Choi Ha-young
Political parties showed mixed reactions, Friday, to the return of former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, a potential presidential candidate.
The two liberal parties the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the People's Party vowed a thorough verification of his qualifications, citing the ongoing corruption allegations against him, while the ruling Saenuri Party and its splinter Barun Party offered him a warm welcome.
"Ban called for disbanding vested rights, but he is surrounded by former President Lee Myung-bak's associates from the conservative Saenuri Party," DPK's spokesperson Rep. Koh Yong-jin said.
The party said Ban's envisioned campaign team is composed of "old boys" without any vision. Further, it questioned Ban's position on ex-President Lee's legacies, as well as the May 16 coup that led to former President Park Chung-hee's military dictatorship.
The second-largest opposition People's Party asked Ban if he is willing to respect those who protested against the influence-peddling scandal. "He should clarify if he will support the change of political power, or help the conservatives recreate government," the party spokesman said.
On the day of his arrival, Ban said he will change politics but evaded answering questions about President Park Geun-hye's impeachment.
A new conservative party, the Barun Party, welcomed Ban's return, highlighting his messages on integration. "We found Ban's message is similar to our ideology regarding security and the economy," the party's spokesperson Rep. Chang Je-won told reporters, Thursday.
The Barun Party has eyed Ban, who has around 20 percent support in presidential opinion polls. On the other hand, the People's Party slightly shifted its position to put forward its candidates in the party, instead of focusing on Ban, after its recent leadership transition.
While Ban's aide ruled out possible cooperation with the Saenuri Party, the ruling party conveyed the friendliest message to the former U.N. chief.
Meanwhile, the frontrunner in the presidential race, Moon Jae-in of the DPK, kept silent on Ban's return. He maintained "strategic silence" when asked about Ban's return, Thursday, concentrating on his own political activities.
Despite Ban's arrival, Moon has maintained an 11 percentage points lead on scandal-hit Ban, according to Gallup Korea, Friday.
Another opposition hopeful, South Chungcheong Governor An Hee-jung, blasted Ban. "I think Ban doesn't have identity at all," An said, Friday. "He failed to establish the nation's own diplomatic capacity."
Seongnam Mayor Lee Jae-myung, third in the polls, also lashed out at Ban over allegations involving his family members. "He is called the worst Secretary-General ever," said Lee. "Ban seems far from eradicating injustices and rebuilding the new rules."
Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his wife Yoo Soon-taek receive their resident ID cards at a community center in Sadang-dong, Dongjak-gu in southern Seoul, Friday. / Korea Times Photo by Shin Sang-soon
By Rachel Lee
Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is throwing his full support behind the deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here.
"Economic policies could be altered, but it's not the case when it comes to national security," Ban said. "Concerns are growing over China's retaliation against the THAAD deployment, but it could be resolved diplomatically."
He made the remarks during a flight back home from New York, Wednesday.
However, regarding criticism that he backed a controversial deal between Korea and Japan over the latter's wartime sex slavery after it was agreed to in December 2015, he said his backing was about the two countries' efforts to settle a disputed issue through negotiations.
"I lauded the two nations for concluding a difficult deal through negotiation," he said. "My praise was not about the deal itself."
Return money to Japan?
Speaking about Japan's protest against a new comfort woman statue set up outside the Japanese Consulate in Busan, Ban said Korea should return the money 1 billion won ($8.5 million) Japan offered for the sex slavery victims if the compensation stipulates the statue should not be set up there.
By Joschka Fischer
BERLIN After the shock of the United Kingdom's Brexit referendum and Donald Trump's election as President of the United States in 2016, this will be a decisive year for Europe. Upcoming parliamentary elections in France, Germany, the Netherlands, and possibly Italy will decide whether the European Union will hold together, or whether it will disintegrate under the neo-nationalist wave sweeping the West.
Meanwhile, the Brexit negotiations will begin in earnest, providing a glimpse of the future of the EU-UK relationship. And Trump's inauguration on January 20 may someday be remembered as a watershed moment for Europe.
Judging by Trump's past statements about Europe and its relationship with the US, the EU should be preparing for some profound shocks. The incoming US president, an exponent of the new nationalism, does not believe in European integration.
Here he has an ally in Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has long tried to destabilize the EU by supporting nationalist forces and movements in its member states. If the Trump administration supports or turns a blind eye to those efforts, the EU sandwiched between Russian trolls and Breitbart News will have to brace itself for challenging times indeed.
The consequences for the EU will be even more serious if, in addition to setting the US relationship with Russia on a new foundation, Trump continues to call into question America's security guarantee for Europe. Such a move would be at the expense of NATO, which has institutionalized the US security umbrella for more than six decades. Europeans would suddenly find themselves standing alone against a Russia that has increasingly employed military means to challenge borders, such as in Ukraine, and to reassert its influence or even hegemony over Eastern Europe.
We will soon know what comes next for NATO, but much harm has already been done. Security guarantees are not just a matter of military hardware. The guarantor also must project a credible message that it is willing to defend its allies whenever necessary. Thus, such arrangements depend largely on psychology, and on a country's trustworthiness vis-a-vis friends and foes alike. When that credibility is damaged, there is a growing risk of provocation and, with it, the threat of escalation into larger crises, or even armed conflict.
Given this risk, the EU should now shore up what it has left with respect to NATO and focus on salvaging its own institutional, economic, and legal integration. But it should also look to its member states to provide a second security option.
The EU itself is based on soft power: it was not designed to guarantee European security, and it is not positioned in its current form to confront a hard-power challenge. This means that it will fall to its two largest and economically strongest countries, France and Germany, to bolster Europe's defense. Other countries such as Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spain, and Poland will also have a role to play, but France and Germany are indispensable.
Of course, living in continental Europe means having Russia as a neighbor, and neighborly relations, generally speaking, should be based on peace, cooperation, and mutual respect (especially when one's neighbor is a nuclear power). But Europeans cannot harbor any illusions about Russia's intent. The Kremlin approaches foreign policy as a zero-sum game, which means that it will always prioritize military strength and geopolitical power over cooperative security arrangements.
Russia does not view weakness or the lack of a threat from its neighbors as a basis for peace, but rather as an invitation to extend its own sphere of influence. So, power asymmetry in Eastern Europe will lead only to instability. If Europe wants a stable, enduring peace, it first must ensure that it is taken seriously, which is clearly not the case today. Europe can credibly strengthen its security only if France and Germany work together toward the same goal, which they will have an opportunity to do after their elections this year.
EU diplomats used to murmur off the record that Germany and France would never see eye to eye on military and financial issues, owing to their different histories and cultures. But if security conditions take a turn for the worse, that may no longer be the case. Indeed, reaching a compromise on both sides of the Rhine should not be so difficult: France undoubtedly has the experience to lead on defense; and the same goes for Germany on financial matters.
If pursuing this European security option prompts the US to renew its own security guarantee, so much the better. Meanwhile, the EU should also forge a post-Brexit cooperative strategic arrangement with the UK, whose geopolitical position and security interests will remain unchanged.
The old EU developed into an economic power because it was protected beneath the US security umbrella. But without this guarantee, it can address its current geopolitical realities only by developing its own capacity to project political and military power. Six decades after the Treaty of Rome established the European Economic Community, history and current developments are pushing France and Germany to shape Europe's future once again.
Joschka Fischer, Germany's foreign minister and vice chancellor from 1998 to 2005, was a leader of the German Green Party for almost 20 years. Copyright belongs to Project Syndicate.
The nominee for CIA director Mike Pompeo on Thursday pointed to North Korea as one of the biggest threats to the United States, along with terrorism, China and Russia.
Pompeo made the remark during his Senate confirmation hearing in response to a question about whether he believes terrorism is the highest threat that the U.S. faces.
"In the near-term threat to life and limb of Americans, yes. I put North Korea, China and Russia right up there alongside them (terrorists)," he said.
Asked which one of them has the weapons to do the U.S. harm, Pompeo said, "The nuclear powers are the ones that have the biggest threat to do catastrophic harm to the United States."
Pompeo also said the North has "dangerously accelerated its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, with little regard for international pressure."
Earlier in the day, Pompeo also expressed concern about the North's cyber capabilities, saying that commercial technologies have spread into the "hands of those who wish us harm."
"We have long seen this dynamic with the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons and ballistic missile technology, but increasingly in the cyber domain, countries thought to be unsophisticated, such as North Korea, have overcome what appear to be low technological barriers of entry to engage in offensive cyber operations," he said.
"The U.S. must continue to invest wisely to maintain a decisive advantage," he said.
The North's cyber capabilities have been a greater focus of U.S. attention since a massive hacking attack on Sony Pictures, which Pyongyang is believed to have carried out in retaliation for Sony's release of a comedy film ridiculing North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. (Yonhap)
By Oh Young-jin
It appears to be unthinkable for South Korea to give up its decades-old alliance with the United States and choose China in its place.
However, a combination of events gives a sense of reality to this unlikely scenario.
Recently, a group of opposition lawmakers visited China on a fact-finding mission over Beijing's opposition to Seoul's decision to deploy a U.S.-made missile interceptor here.
The delegation was given a thorough drubbing by the media for fueling the national division on the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system deployment.
Residents in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province, where it will be installed, are up in arms for being sitting ducks in the event of a North Korean missile attack.
The opposition parties are united against it because they believe the deployment puts the nation right in the middle of an emerging big-power rivalry pitting China against the U.S.
Those opposing the deployment try carefully not to make a big case out of their THAAD stance for fear of a conservative backlash.
Despite China's retaliatory acts against Korea, Washington has not even rendered support for Seoul. Donald Trump, the incoming U.S. president, has sent out no tweets. His national security advisor Michael Flynn only backed the deployment and gave lip service to the two countries' alliance.
Inevitably, Seoul feels hung out to dry over this controversial deployment that is becoming a test of wills between two superpowers.
China is pulling out all the stops.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi went out of the protocol to play host to Korean lawmakers, alternating between coercion and conciliation.
Now, it is highly questionable that Korea will allow a second THAAD system into its country, having faced such strong opposition from China and meek U.S. support shown so far.
If the next president holds the key, the prospects are not rosy.
Park Geun-hye's impeachment has dampened the national appetite or, more accurately, stomach for another conservative leader. This means Korea is likely to have a liberal head of state from the opposition camp possibly within the next six months. Moon Jae-in, leading the pack of possible candidates, served as chief of staff to the late President Roh Moo-hyun, who tried to tone down U.S. influence.
His Democratic Party of Korea has adopted a review of the THAAD deployment.
If the deployment is cancelled, it could entail a rupture in the alliance.
About 10 years after the end of the Roh presidency, such a dramatic decision as to send troops to assist the U.S.'s Iraq war at the risk of angering his supporters might not be expected from the new liberal president. Even a conservative one could not be as blindly pursuing as Lee Myung-bak or Park.
Also unhinging the alliance is Trump.
He insulted Seoul for being a free rider, not paying a fair share for U.S. military help that protects it from the North, and taking a lopsided advantage from their bilateral trade pact.
The Trump logic is right and wrong at the same time. Right, because the U.S. has been of great help to Korea. But wrong, because if it was not much help, Korea would have had fewer incentives to maintain an alliance whose terms are unilaterally dictated by the U.S.
As Trump asserted, Seoul is many times bigger than Pyongyang by the size of its economy so it should increase its defense budget proportionally, reducing its reliance on the U.S. and raising its self-defense capability. Trump may help Seoul to realize how big it has become and to meet its obligations proportionally.
In that sense, the Trump presidency is set to give an additional impetus to the tendency for the two allies to grow apart.
Already, the U.S. under Trump is becoming isolationist, forcing companies to stay in the U.S. to create more jobs for Americans. The new U.S. administration will be protectionist, closing its markets to imports. Whether the combination of protectionism and isolationism works for the U.S. is one thing, but for Korea, it would be another reason to find a new market and let in more light between the two allies. Already, China is by far Korea's largest trading partner. The sea of Chinese tourists provide a lifeline for Korea's services industry, being joked about as a reason for the North not to invade the South.
The closer ties between Seoul and Beijing could make Pyongyang less strategically important to it and provide a solution to the North Korea problem its increasing brinkmanship on the basis of its growing missile and nuclear arsenal. After all, China caters to the North's needs because Pyongyang serves as a buffer against U.S. forces deployed in the South. If Beijing can gain a greater distance from the U.S. and breathe more easily, it could find an added incentive to disarm the North of its missiles and nuclear warheads.
Adding to this outlook is Trump's isolationist tendency that could lead to his decision to pull out of Korea. It could accelerate a half-hearted effort during the outgoing Obama administration to seek a peace treaty with Pyongyang. The U.S. left South Vietnam after it struck the Paris Peace Accords with the communists.
Any relationship can't last forever. The only way to ensure its continuation is to review and fix it to meet a new set of challenges. Whether the two allies see such an effort as worthwhile appears to be an open question.
Oh Young-jin is The Korea Times' chief editorial writer. Contact him at foolsdie5@ktimes.com and foolsdie@gmail.com.
Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's return home on Thursday has left South Korea's conservative parties scurrying to court the powerful potential presidential candidate.
Pundits bet Ban will choose to ally with an existing political party rather than creating his own to prepare for an early presidential election.
Hit by a recent scandal involving President Park Geun-hye, the ruling Saenuri Party and a soon-to-be-launched splinter party are struggling to find a potent figure to lead them through the election. They are currently pinning hopes on Ban, seen as a conservative, who is closely competing with Moon Jae-in of the opposition Democratic Party for the frontrunner position in opinion polls.
Ban, a former foreign minister, completed his second five-year term as the U.N. helmsman at the end of last year and is scheduled to land in Seoul on Thursday afternoon.
The conservative parties are currently refraining from making explicit love calls, with their welcome messages underscoring the need for stringent vetting for his qualifications.
Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, named as a suspect in a political scandal that led to presidential impeachment, was questioned by an independent counsel team, Thursday.
The investigation team, led by special prosecutor Park Young-soo, looked into whether the nation's largest conglomerate gave money to President Park Geun-hye's close confidant Choi Soon-sil and her cronies, in return for business favors from the President. Samsung was the biggest contributor to the Mir and K-Sports foundations, which were under Choi's control, providing more than 20 billion won ($16.5 million).
The Samsung boss told reporters he felt sorry about failing to show a positive image. Samsung's involvement in the Choi scandal has aggravated the company's woes after its brand image was severely tarnished by exploding smartphones last year.
Lee is the first tycoon to be questioned as a bribery suspect in the independent counsel's investigation. The investigation team plans to probe other conglomerates involved in the corruption scandal. It is unfortunate for Korea's troubled economy that the nation's leading business groups have been linked to the massive political scandal. It is hard to believe that the government-business collusion of the 1960s and '70s, when Korea was underdeveloped, still exists. The scandal should be an occasion for Korean society to eradicate such backward practices once and for all and for businesses to practice transparent management.
It is also worrisome that the nation's business leaders are caught up in the scandal when their global rivals are getting ahead in economic diplomacy with the U.S. before Donald Trump's ascension to the White House.
Earlier this week, Alibaba founder Jack Ma met Trump and pledged to create 1 million U.S. jobs while discussing ways to boost China-U.S. trade ties. Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son also announced a $50 billion U.S. investment plan after meeting the U.S. president-elect last month. This is the kind of future-oriented project Korea's business leaders should be engaging in. Many people want to see Korea's business leaders getting friendly and making win-win deals with the incoming U.S. leader.
Former UN head still untested politician
Ban Ki-moon, the first Korean to serve as U.N. secretary-general, returned home Thursday amid speculation he will run for the presidency.
Although assessment of his decade as U.N. chief is divided, it is undeniable he is among the most successful Korean diplomats. He deserves a pat on the back for his service at the world body and a warm welcome for his contributions to raising Korea's global status by playing a central role in international politics and diplomatic negotiations over 10 years.
However, many Koreans are taken aback by the career diplomat's sudden rush for power. Although he has not lived in Korea in 10 years, he has consistently taken the top place in favorability polls among potential frontrunners for the presidency. And there is the possibility for an early presidential election depending on how the Constitutional Court rules on the National Assembly's impeachment last month of President Park Geun-hye. Given these circumstances, Ban is rushing into a possible political career despite some lingering doubts on his competence and integrity.
Although Ban said he has yet to declare his bid for the presidency, his arrival speech at Incheon International Airport sounded a lot like a campaign rally. He told a group of supporters he has the experience and vision to unite the country and help those in need. He said he will lift the spirits of the young and advance the people's livelihoods. But he became agitated when asked about some touchy issues, such as a possible violation of a U.N. rule that urges former U.N. chiefs to refrain from holding any governmental position immediately on retirement. He said he was waiting for the U.N.'s opinion on his potential bid for the presidency.
There is no precedent of a former U.N. head running for president, so Ban would be the first to violate this rule if he declares his will to go after the country's top elected office. Even without the U.N.'s official position, it is wrong for him from a common sense point of view to jump into politics right after leaving the U.N.
The arrival speech and the subway ride back to his old apartment in Sadang-dong, southern Seoul, seemed like a well-staged political show. Ban said Korea needs a "change of politics" rather than a "change of power," but his first day in Korea after 10 years in New York showed little promise that Ban will be unlike existing politicians who have made people sick of politics. The most disappointing aspect of his speech was that he refused to speak clearly about corruption allegations surrounding him and his family. He only said he has never done anything to shameful in his life and he will not tolerate any behavior that undermines his "sincerity" and "selfless decision" for the country.
Ban's brother and his nephew have been accused of bribing a Middle Eastern official to push through the multimillion dollar sale of a building in Vietnam. They were charged with corruption, money laundering and conspiracy shortly before Ban left New York. Such news is hugely embarrassing, but Ban distanced himself from the alleged bribery case by saying he knew nothing about it. There are also rumors that Ban received money from a businessman convicted of corruption in 2005 and 2007.
Despite his lack of experience in politics, Ban seemed full of confidence that he knows how to get the country back on track. But he still has much to prove before he can honestly tell voters he is a qualified and trustworthy candidate.
North Korea on Wednesday claimed boastfully again its capabilities to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), while warning that even America is not in a safe position.
"Marvelous developments to strengthen (the North's) defense power will be unfolded in a multi-phased and successive manner, the Rodong Sinmun, a daily of the North's ruling Workers' Party, said in an editorial titled "We'll (the North) Keep Building up Self-defense Power and Pre-emptive Strike Capabilities."
The paper also insisted that North holds abilities to realize the miniaturization, weight lightening and multi-variety production of nuclear weapons and vehicles to fire them at any time to a place to be determined by its leader Kim Jong-un.
"The United States is never in a position of ease, even if it is more than 10,000 kilometers away from the North," the paper said, adding that it's not the distant future when the North's ICBMs will chill the U.S' heart.
The threat follows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's New Year's Day address in which he claimed his country has reached the final stage of preparations to test-fire an ICBM and a Foreign Ministry spokesman's claim on Sunday that the North has already developed standardized nuclear warheads.
"Our Republic is a nuclear power and a military power in East Asia irrespective of anybody's recognition of it," the daily said.
The North will handle all the problems while placing top priority on its people's interest and security down that road now that its strategic position is in its peak, the paper said. (Yonhap)
Yun Kyoung-suk, chef and owner of Yunga Myeongga, poses in her restaurant, at Avenuel in downtown Seoul, Tuesday.
/ Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
Yunga Myeongga chef committed to promoting 'hansik'
By Kim Ji-soo
Yun Kyoung-suk, chef and owner of Yunga Myeongga, is known as "Wonder Woman" among her staff at the Korean fine dining restaurant in downtown Seoul. For one thing, she hardly sleeps.
"Oh, you might say I live 25-hour days," Yun, 50, said.
Passionate and driven to spread "hansik," or Korean cuisine, she makes many of the ingredients herself, even the oil, soybean sauce, chili pepper paste and soybean paste.
Her belated return to a childhood dream of promoting Korean fine dining began two years ago with Yunga Myeongga. She prepares and cooks the dishes, which she updates according to Korea's four seasons, and she constantly thinks about ways to better deliver fine Korean dining.
Interestingly, if Korean food had a passionate preacher, Yun would come close.
"Korean dining has a rich history that anyone can delve into; our forefathers created a treasure trove of information about recipes for Korean food. We now need to introduce it to the world," Yun said. "In fact, Korean mothers are both cooks and family doctors in that they prepare food that will make their families healthy and well," she said.
With that belief and her nimble hands, Yun puts forth healthy and fine Korean dining. This reporter had a chance to try the restaurant's 12-course dinner Sugeumjae, which means an "undiscovered jewel."
A porridge dish, which is usually the first course of the meal at Yunga Myeongga. / Courtesy of Yunga Myeongga
The course started with water, traditional liquor and Chinese yam porridge, followed by amuse-bouche, which included an eggplant wrap and a walnut persimmon roll; appetizers including bamboo shoots and chives accompanied by a special sauce; traditional Korean pancakes, which were comforting and delicious, along with stir-fried mushrooms and seasonal vegetable dish; boiled pork; and steamed targetfish wrapped in lotus leaf.
The creme-de-la-creme dish was steamed abalone and beef served in a traditional-style bowl. The dish is made with the finest Korean beef and abalone steamed with traditional Korean medicinal ingredients. It dances in a perfect tango with the diner's taste buds, as if to dare the diner to try this unusual but balanced combination of tastes local, rustic and clean.
Ending with a rice dish and a Korean dessert dish that included bite-sized chrysanthemum bread and boiled pear preserved in honey, the multi-course dinner rests well on the stomach and later moves the body into slumber. The next day, the diner awakes with a light feeling, perhaps attesting to the healthy ingredients in the meticulously prepared meal.
"I can boast of the cleanest kitchen, the best fresh produce and a clean taste," Yun said. She shows the state of her kitchen in three stages when the ingredients are prepared, when the food is cooked and when the food is served. She also opens her kitchen to culinary students. The chef also shares her recipes upon request to further promote fine Korean food.
In this way, through her culinary practice, Yun is an avid champion of the sharing economy; she believes in spreading the spirit and memory that is food, especially Korean food, through Yunga Myeongga and other projects. For example, she has hired traditional Korean artisans of "dancheong," or traditional multicolor paintwork, to decorate the interior of Yunga Myeongga. She also volunteers at local district offices and opens her kitchen for culinary students to use. This year, she hopes to deliver lunch boxes to poor elderly residents who live in tiny rooms in shanty towns known as "jjokbangchon."
"I don't think I am quite the typical restaurant owner in that I pursue the food rather than the (financial) returns," Yun said. But she considers herself business savvy after all, she ran a hospital before returning to her long-held dream. Her approach to Korean food is to learn and uphold its essential identity and share it generously with others.
A delectable choice of amuse-bouche at Yunga Myeongga on porcelain designed by Yun and her son.
/ Courtesy of Yunga Myeongga
Yun has culinary blood running in her. A native of Seocheon, South Chungcheong Province, she said she can remember making "stir-fried Korean chili peppers and pork" and hot corvina stew when she was as young as eight or nine.
She was the youngest of four children two girls and two boys and it was her who was by her mother's side constantly as she cooked. As a grownup, she traveled for work, got married and ran a hospital that offered a combination of Western and Oriental medicine. However, the hospital director, wife and mother of two, wanted to return to her childhood dream of becoming a "super chef."
Her restaurant, Yunga Myeongga, offers three courses the Surijae, the Sugeumjae and the eponymous Yunga Myeongga. The remarkable lunch course, Surijae, includes porridge, appetizers, a boiled pork dish made with pork from Jeju Island, braised fish, a rice dish and dessert; all for 30,000 won including tax.
"I developed this as my bold, ambitious menu, so that more people can come and enjoy fine Korean food," Yun said.
Those opting for more sumptuous dishes can opt for the 12-course Sugeumjae priced at 165,000 won and the 14-course Yunga Myeongga priced at 330,000 won.
The past two years for her and the restaurant have been a period of tears, she said. "But I believe in doing what one must do; things that are meant to be will work out and those that are not meant to be will not," Yun said, expressing her dedication to promoting Korean food.
Yun's restaurant was not one of the 24 Korean restaurants that received Michelin stars for the first time this year, but this setback does not deter her.
"I found throughout my life that the most Korean food can have a global appeal," Yun said. "I want to prove that hardworking, honest Korean restaurants that remain true to our traditional recipes, the reservoir of cultural content that our forefathers bequeathed to us, and to fresh ingredients can survive on their own," she said.
By Lee Min-hyung
The planned bid for a controlling stake in Kumho Tire has been delayed, as its sales manager requested more time to screen documents for the final bidding for the nation's second-largest tire maker.
According to the Korea Development Bank (KDB), Friday, the sales manager, Credit Cuisse, requested more time for the final round of bidding until early next week. The creditor said it needs to conduct a more careful review on documents from the bidders, as some of them are written in Chinese.
This comes as the competition to acquire Kumho Tire is intensifying among four Chinese and one Indian bidder over a 42.1 percent stake in Seoul-based tire manufacturer.
Kumho Tire's market capitalization is some 1.4 trillion won ($1.2 billion), with the stake on sale valued at about 590 billion won, which includes management premiums. Market insiders and creditors expect the bidding price to reach some 1 trillion won.
Whoever becomes the highest bidder, it can only acquire the company only when Kumho Asiana Group Chairman Park Sam-koo is willing to pay the highest bid price for the stake.
The bid for Kumho Tire began last November when the KDB organized a preliminary bid and announced a list of five preferred bidders: India's Apollo Tyres and China's Shanghai Aerospace Industry Corp. (SAIC), Jiangsu GPRO Group, Linglong Tire and Double Star Tyres.
In particular, SAIC is known to have submitted the highest initial bid, becoming the strongest contender. The five bidders are expected to participate in the final round of bidding next week.
Kumho Tire has four manufacturing facilities abroad in such countries as China, Vietnam and the United States. In 2015, the firm made 3.04 trillion won in sales, and its operating profit came in at 39.1 billion won.
Expectations are that Park will make all-out efforts to buy back the company, but nothing official has yet to be decided as to how he would reacquire the stake.
In December 2015, Park successfully bought Kumho Industrial back, the group's holding firm, through a special purpose company that he had set up after attracting investment from corporations and financial investors.
A group of creditors including the KDB acquired the stake in a debt-to-equity swap in 2010 when the firm suffered a sever liquidity shortage. At the time, they signed an agreement that they would first negotiate with the Kumho chairman when unloading their Kumho Tire stake.
The ratings released for' Laws of the Jungle' s initial episode hit a high of 6%. It continuously scores a good number mark in its second airing.
In the Kota Manado adventure that features the 7- man - survival journey per All kpop, there are lashes of striking snippets on how the laws of the jungle operate. The endurance program has what it takes to be a highly awaited presentation under the survival genre.
Expected scenarios of celebrities covering the less inhabited place embrace the need to be on their own most of the time, experience blending with the island locals, or the group meeting animals-wild plants typical in the wild. The components can bring tense and emotional moments should communication fail. Hurry to add that these factors bring the touch of challenge in the show.
These notwithstanding, the group additionally needs to bond as one to survive the hurdles. This early, teasers have shown light moments among the personalities, an indication that any of them will be there for someone not strong enough to surmount the persistent challenge based on Youtube
The three episodes so far capped a top rate survival series many other programs may detect as hard to beat. Through the fresh episode, the production surprisingly astonishes with the presence of a snake from the wild. Who among them will triumph in catching or even killing this dreaded monster? Will it be a feast on the table if food runs low ahead?
Among the skills fed via the episodes that will post a difficulty include fighting hunger, physical gravity and age, adaptability to the unknown, scarcity of food should supply run low, long miles swimming, stamina to overcome the waters that issue with rafting and even the simple walk along the shorelines. The teasers grant a significant awe as they display the group striving to reach each other when the cell phone is absent!
The Kota Manado, Indonesia shoot brings this season's seven-man group Cosmic Girls' Cheng Xiao, BTS' Jin, Yoon Da Hoon, 5urprise's Gong Myung, SolbiKim Byung Man and Sleepy.Yoon Da, 18 and Cheng Xiao, 53 are the youngest and the oldest in the celebrity entourage.
The survival obstacle is all set. The audience waits for more.
The flaws that come with riding the subway spiraled a big blow on Seventeen's DK and Joshua. It was when they rode the Seoul city's subway lately. Fans witnessed a photo allegedly posted by a follower who recognized the duo in the train trip.
What earned it more controversial is the fact that the mates were seating in a spot reserved for pregnant. women. Aware or not aware of the consequences of that position, social media were aghast with posts condemning the two.
They are apparently non-sensitive to the needs of pregnant mothers. To note, these are not new issues that confront celebrities.
In fact, these happen when celebrities go overboard in not heeding causes like decency while breastfeeding in public, giving the elderly seats while in an unrestricted transport. wearing coats made from animal hides or fur, riding on whales that are deemed animal abuse, or having fun while running among horses in a ranch. In substantiality, netizens are always ready to come in defense of or against the acts.
To show the impressions that the train ride has gathered, the rants flooded social media chats. Those who find nothing wrong with sitting in the spot have argued that should the expecting lady comes along, the two can politely give the seat to her.
Others gave the idols the benefit of the doubt that they might not have seen the signs. It earned a quick response by stating that ignorance does not excuse one from obeying the law. Per AskKpop, netizens were stern in accusing the artists as inconsiderate to the status of women who are expecting.
This controversy might, however, give pregnant women the favor they so deserve while riding the subway in Seoul. The Metropolitan Rapid Transit and Seoul Metro per Allkpop want promotions that will spouse the need to provide women who are heavy with a child the secure seats in the subways. The special seat controversy just made a voice: keep the accommodation open to women on the family way.
The speed of social media to be on top familiar issues can spiral over k-pop artists who like to be ordinary people.Vigilance to signs such as this might save DK and Joshua the discomfort next time.
It was the end of 2015 when a strong storm obliterated the staircase that leads to a beach area known as The Horseshoe near 100 Coast Blvd. At the start of 2016, an organized effort began to get them replaced, and the work continued. Now, one full year later, the access remains fenced off and without stairs, but Day One of construction to rebuild them is growing near.
According to the City, construction is almost ready to begin, pending a repair to the seawall near the base of what will be the new staircase. Public information officer Monica Munoz reports: The design of this project has been completed and we have awarded it to a contractor. The site observation performed at the beginning revealed there was a void under the seawall that is owned by the adjacent homeowners association (HOA).
We advised the HOA to have this evaluated by an independent geo-technical firm. The HOA hired a consultant and shared the findings with us back in early November. The report recommended repairs in order to preserve and maintain the seawall. Since its imperative the repairs be done first, the City notified the HOA that we would suspend our project until they completed the repairs. Once the repairs are finished, we can move ahead with our project. We have been e-mailing the HOA, but have not yet received a response from them.
A representative from the HOA did not respond to La Jolla Lights inquiry.
After the storm blew the stairs from its hinges, the City fenced off the top of the staircase that leads to the north end of Marine Street Beach. The staircase is at the end of a walkway delineated by hedges off Coast Boulevard, and signage indicating it is a California Coastal Commission beach access.
Motivated by the importance of maintaining frequent beach access points across La Jolla, and the safety hazard posed by limiting access for lifeguards, La Jolla Parks & Beaches advisory group formed a sub-committee to investigate what it would take to get the stairs replaced.
As previously reported in the Light, sub-committee chair Nancy Linck said, The stairs provide access for lifeguards, fire-fighters and police to Marine Street, which is important because part of the year, the access at Marine Street itself is difficult because the sand is washed out. So the stairs at 100 Coast are an alternative. The only other option is way down Coast Boulevard, and at high tide, you cannot access the area. Several committee members reached out to the lifeguards and other safety personnel, who agreed that the missing stairs are a safety issue. The City needs to act immediately.
Initially, the group was told the stairs were beyond repair and would have to be built from scratch. As such, the project would have to be ADA-compliant and meet current City Code and would take years. Other questions, such as who would pay for the reinstatement, whether they could be classified as a repair or a replacement, the potential schedule, cost and source of funding, and more went unanswered.
Ultimately, the sub-committee fought for the project to be considered an emergency at the City level and be treated as such in getting it replaced. In June, representatives from the City Council member Sherri Lightners office announced the City had agreed to that declaration.
At that time Lightner told La Jolla Light, I strongly support the decision to designate the Coast Boulevard stair replacement as an emergency. This is an important coastal access and public safety issue, and our office will continue to work with City staff to expedite this project.
Soon after, City representatives said work would begin in October, but the discovery of the cavity in the seawall and the resulting work with the HOA caused a delay. That month, at the La Jolla Parks & Beaches meeting, Linck said with the imminent winter, she did not expect work to begin by the end of the year.
An update will likely be provided at the next La Jolla Parks & Beaches advisory group meeting, 4:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23 at the Rec Center, 615 Prospect St. lajollaparksandbeaches.org
PRESS RELEASE
U.S. Marines Arrive in Norway
Jan. 11, 2017 (EIRNS)A reinforced company of 285 Marines are landing in Norway, this week, on the heels of the arrival of the tanks and other equipment of the 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, at Bremerhaven, Germany, last week. The Marines will be on a six-month rotation, allowing them to participate in much more intense training, especially in an Arctic environment, than might be possible otherwise. Later in the winter, theyll be participating in a joint U.S.-U.K.-Norwegian exercise called Joint Viking. They will also get a chance to go to the Baltics.
The Marines will be based at the Vaernes Air Station, just outside of Trondheim in central Norway, where they will be drawing on a pre-positioned stock of tanks, trucks, and other vehicles stored in air conditioned caves.
The storage facility dates back to 1982, but this will be the first time foreign troops have been stationed on Norwegian soil since the Nazi occupation during World War II.
PRESS RELEASE
China Is the Driver of World Economic Growth, as Even the IMF Admits
Jan. 12, 2017 (EIRNS)The Chinese word for "economy" means "for society to prosper and benefit the people," todays Global Times explains. That this is the organizing principle of the Chinese economy can be seen in both domestic and global terms, when looking back at last year.
According to the International Monetary Fund, China contributed 39% of world economic growth last year, a rise of 14.2% from the year before. In addition to indicating the directionality of Chinas economy, this is, of course, an extraordinary marker of the economic collapse of the trans-Atlantic economies.
According to Chinese figures, 12.49 million jobs were created in cities and townships last year, while 10 million people overcame poverty. For 2017, the article predicts that China "will inject into the world economy Chinese dividends that are full of hope." It previews that at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China later this year, policymakers "will formulate and implement some major policy measures." China will have the opportunity this year, through its leadership and participation in various international fora, such as the BRICS summit, Davos, etc., to work with other countries "to promote the building of a shared destiny and the recovery of the world economy."
Xu Hongci is a legend in a certain Chinese subculture: The estimated 550,000 people who were accused of being rightists in Mao Zedongs purge of the late 1950s and spent 20 years or more as inmates of Chinas gulag archipelago. In that large crowd of unjustly, illegally imprisoned people, Xu is the only person known to have escaped and made a free life in another country. Not surprisingly, his account of how he accomplished that remarkable feat is at the center of No Wall Too High, one of the most compelling and moving memoirs to emerge from Communist China, which is now appearing in English for the first time.
The actual escape, which took Xu on a clandestine journey of many thousands of miles, is absolutely heart-stopping, material for a Hollywood thriller. But Xus book is more than that. It is the story of a deeply personal, intimate, crushing encounter with history, specifically the tumultuous Chinese history of the second half of the 20th century. It is also a story of remarkable human endurance, of a refusal to be crushed, of the will to be free.
Xu was born in 1933, just as China was being engulfed in the long years of war and civil war that ended in the Chinese Communists coming to power in 1949. He was from a family whose middle-class circumstances were sharply reduced when Japan embarked on its full-scale invasion of China in 1937. When Japan was defeated and civil war loomed between the ruling Nationalists of Chiang Kai-shek and the Communists of Mao Zedong, Xu, at the tender age of 14, joined the Communist Party. In the early years of Maoist rule, he became a student at the Shanghai No. 1 Medical College. He fell in love. The future looked bright.
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But then he fell victim to one of Maos more insidiously destructive gestures. In 1956, the Great Helmsman invited the countrys intellectuals to express themselves freely. Let a hundred flowers bloom, let a hundred schools of thought contend, was the operative slogan. Taking the Great Leader at his word, Xu wrote a big character poster (the text of which is in an appendix to his book) raising numerous criticisms, among them Chinas mechanical aping of the Soviet Union. For his efforts, Xu was declared a rightist and sent off to Chinas gulag. Fourteen years and several prisons later, unable to endure the hunger, the psychological and physical torture, the hard labor and the humiliations of incarceration as a counter-revolutionary, he made his unlikely, hair-raising escape.
A deeply personal, intimate, crushing encounter with history, specifically the tumultuous Chinese history of the second half of the 20th century.
Xus story has a sort of happy ending. His escape was to Mongolia, where he married and had children. He was able to return to Shanghai permanently in 1984, when, with Mao dead, China reversed the verdicts that had been declared against Xu and his fellow rightists. He then wrote a 572-page memoir, which was published in Hong Kong in 2008, shortly before his death of kidney cancer at age 74. This English version has been deftly edited and translated by Erling Hoh, a Chinese writer living in Sweden, who has provided helpful notes explaining the historical context for each stage of Xus life.
Among the many virtues of the book is the prickly richness of the people that Xu encounters along his tortured itinerary. There are the teenagers in Shanghai who introduced him to left-wing politics in the 1940s. Theres his girlfriend, who, after Xu was declared a rightist, yielded to the intense pressure to denounce him in the public struggle sessions he was forced to endure. There are his fellow prisoners, those who, like him, resisted and tried to escape; others who turned into lackeys, toadies and informants like the one who denounced Xu for placing a stamp with a portrait of Mao on its side. There is a succession of jailers, a rare one here and there who tried, at least a little, to mitigate the harshness of life in Chinas gulag, but many more who displayed a kind of sycophantic cruelty trying to impress highups with their revolutionary fervor.
What Xu is describing in most of his book is life under the distorting, dehumanizing political pressure imposed by Maoism, which faced people with a kind of Hobbesian choice: You either played along and sided with the party against those designated as targets for revolutionary wrath or you risked becoming a target yourself. He tells a lot of stories illustrating this, including his own first, unforgettable experience of revolutionary violence when he was 19. He saw crowds whipped into a frenzy against enemies of the people, who were then publicly executed. Xu was nauseated. But this was revolution, he told himself, and if I wanted to be a revolutionary, I would have to toughen up.
Orwellian absurdity is the leitmotif here. Xus original sentence was for six years, but once hed served that time (during which he tried and failed twice to escape), he was kept in prison as what was euphemistically called a post-sentence detainee. Then, during the great Maoist purge known as the Cultural Revolution of 1966-76, he was sentenced to an additional 20 years as an irredeemable reactionary element. Tortured, beaten with a rifle butt, racked by hunger, paraded through the streets before a howling mob, his hands so swollen he could barely hold a pen, he was nonetheless forced to sign the courts verdict. Its hardly a surprise that, when he manages to cross the border into Mongolia, he feels overjoyed to have escaped once and for all from the grim, merciless clutches of the Communist dictatorship.
Chinas tragedy, Xu writes in at one point, is that it will never allow people to speak the truth. Things are better in China than they were during the years of Xus ordeal, but his own attempt to tell the truth about the Maoist dystopia illustrates the accuracy of his prediction. The party has banned dwelling on the mistakes of the past, which means that No Wall Too High, gripping and inspiring as it is, has never been published in mainland China.
Richard Bernstein is a former foreign correspondent for Time magazine and the New York Times. His most recent book is China 1945: Maos Revolution and Americas Fateful Choice.
No Wall Too High: One Mans Daring Escape from Maos Darkest Prison
Xu Hongci, edited and translated by Erling Hoh
Farrar, Straus and Giroux: 336 pp., $27
Dave Dutton was a young man wandering Europe on a $5-a-day budget when his parents sent him a wire. Theyd found a location for the bookstore theyd always dreamed of opening. Would he run the place?, they wondered.
Dutton agreed, but cautioned that he would do it for only a year. He was young, and the world beckoned.
But he would never stray far from Duttons Books, a Los Angeles landmark with its overflowing shelves, hard-to-find titles and customers wondrously thumbing through their options. A cultural museum, Dutton once called the bookstore.
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Dutton died Friday at his home in Valley Village, roughly a decade after he and his wife packed up the last 50,000 books and closed up the North Hollywood shop for the final time. Dutton was 79 and suffered from Parkinsons disease.
Duttons Books on Laurel Canyon Boulevard, along with sister locations in Burbank and downtown Los Angeles, was at the very center of literary LA when it opened in 1961.
While chains like Crown Books and Waldenbooks pared down their stock to the bestsellers, discounted prices and moved inventory as if it were produce, Duttons was swimming in choices. Shoppers could seamlessly wander from old English fiction to a collection marked Transportation: Cars and Trains and then off to another titled Celtic Mythology.
I usually come in knowing what I want. But I usually walk out with something else, a Van Nuys customer told The Times in a 1991 interview. The stores manager once describe the expansive bookstore as the glory of clutter.
Born Davis Dutton on Feb. 14, 1937, Dutton had agreed to put aside his travels in Europe to help run the bookstore along with his parents and his wife, Judy.
But Dutton did part ways with the store at least for a while. He became a writer and editor at Westways magazine and moved to Denver to edit another magazine, and briefly attended law school. But hed been seduced by the printed word, and wanted to return to books.
In the mid 1970s, his parents retired and he and Judy took over ownership of Duttons. They expanded its footprint and its offerings, and eventually filled the space with 350,000 new and used titles. The store was known for its labyrinthine layout and towering stacks of books.
For decades, Dutton weathered the changes the roiled the book industry. In 1992, the chain Bookstar opened a brightly lighted, 10,000-foot discount bookstore less than 2 miles away.
We just play it from month to month and year to year and hope that we can stay one step ahead of the chains, Dutton told The Times. But if I were starting fresh in an untried location, Id be very reluctant to open a general bookstore in L.A.
But L.A. it was. Over the years, he opened shops in other locations but it was the Laurel Canyon store that lasted. His was a literary family his younger brother Doug Dutton took over ownership of Duttons Brentwood in the 1980s, running it until it closed in 2008, and another brother, Dennis Dutton, was a professor and co-founder of the website Arts & Letters Daily.
Dave Duttons North Hollywood store was a busy crossroads for book lovers, even after it suffered damage in the 1994 Northridge earthquake.
Dave Dutton in the bookstore after the Northridge earthquake. (Julie Markes / For The Times )
Regular customers had a relationship with the owner and called frequently. Mr. Dutton knew almost everything about anything that ever happened, especially if it happened in the Valley, Marci Vogel wrote in The Times. If the question was a real stumper, hed take the phone himself. Even if he couldnt answer the question, he enjoyed commiserating with others who wondered about the same things he did.
My dad loved not only literature, but he loved people, and our bookstore was a place for everybody in Los Angeles to gather, and to browse, or just to hang out, son Dirk Dutton told The Times. My dad was never in it for the money. He just loved talking books and having fun at the store.
Dutton was a writer himself, including a 2005 magazine-length tale of stumbling across a slightly sinister but undeniably beautiful painting at a garage sale, and the detective work it took to determine the identity of the artist. The artist, he ultimately learned, had burned nearly all of her work and never painted again after receiving a negative review. The painting hed purchased at the garage sale had somehow survived the artists fiery rage.
When Dutton and his wife packed up the North Hollywood shop, loading the remaining books into a 30-foot truck, Dutton reflected on the virtues of being an old-school bookseller in a market dominated by the Internet.
The book business used to be a place where idealists and dreamers of a better world who perhaps didnt like business, didnt admire the business tactics generally necessary to survive, could find a happy compromise.
Dutton is survived by his wife, son Dirk and a daughter, Juliet Dutton.
carolyn.kellogg@latimes.com
@paperhaus
Obituary editor Steve Marble contributed to this report
ALSO
Irreverant stories of Arab-American women fill Randa Jarrars Him, Me, Muhammad Ali
Exorcist author William Peter Blatty dies at 89
Xu Hongci - Maos victim, freedoms hero - tells his story in No Wall Too High
UPDATES:
2:59 p.m.: The article was updated with additional details
This article was originally published at 9:25 a.m.
We know that House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wisc.) is desperate to repeal the Affordable Care Act. What he never has been able to explain adequately is why.
Oh, sure, Ryan has offered some rhetorical explanations. He says Obamacare is collapsing. That its in a death spiral. That its a struggle for Americans. He says a much, much better system could be put in its place.
Ryan made all these points, and more, during a town hall meeting Thursday evening aired by CNN. The hour-long session didnt yield an explanation for Ryans haste to take action that could upend insurance coverage for more than 20 million Americans. It did underscore, however, that his description of and position on the law are based on misconceptions, misrepresentations and lies.
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I want to thank President Obama from the bottom of my heart, because I would be dead if not for him. Arizona Republican and ACA enrollee Jeff Jeans
Doubts about the wisdom of rushing into repeal expressed not only by doctors, hospitals, health advocates, patients and even Republican governors havent slowed the rush on Capitol Hill. On Friday, the House approved a budget resolution that will begin the process of stripping away some ACA provisions; the Senate passed its own version earlier this week. Nine Republicans crossed the aisle to oppose the measure, which otherwise passed on a party-line vote.
Here are some of the most glaring misstatements about the Affordable Care Act that came out of Ryans mouth during the Thursday town hall.
-- The law is collapsing. Weve got to rescue people from the collapsing of this law, Ryan said. He didnt specify what he means by collapsing, but by almost any measure of enrollment and cost this generalization has no basis in truth. Enrollment in private plans offered through the ACA exchanges for 2017 is running well ahead of the figure for 2016. Last year about 11 million people signed up for exchange plans; this year the total is projected to be 12 million. Thats not counting enrollees under Medicaid expansion, who number about 11 million.
--Premium increases. Ryan maintains that premium increases for ACA plans are unsupportable for American families. He expounded on this issue in response to a question from Jeff Jeans, a member of the town hall audience. (See accompanying video.) Jeans described himself as a small business owner and Republican who had been dead set against Obamacare until he was diagnosed with cancer at age 49.
Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, Im standing here today alive, he said. I want to thank President Obama from the bottom of my heart, because I would be dead if not for him.
But when Jeans mentioned that he lived in Arizona, Ryan thought he had a gotcha. Pulling a note card from his pocket, he reeled off the premium increases for Arizona and a few other states for 2017. Arizona this year, the premium increases for people on Obamacare, 116%, he said. Oklahoma, Tennessee and Minnesota also had double-digit premium increases.
A few points need to be made here. First, premiums and deductibles were rising before the ACA, and in many cases, the post-ACA increases are lower than before. Moreover, the four states Ryan mentioned were those with the highest increases in benchmark silver plans the figures Ryan was using -- for 2017. What he didnt mention was that increases in many other states were much lower. Arkansas, Ohio and New Hampshire 2%. In Massachusetts and Indiana, rates actually dropped.
One reason Arizona rates rose so much is that premiums in that state had been inordinately low; insurers were making up in 2017 for lost ground. In 2016, the average benchmark plan premium for a 40-year-old in Phoenix, according to healthinsurance.org, had been $207 per month, one of the lowest rates in the nation, bested only by New Mexico and Indiana. The 2017 increase will raise Arizonas rates to among the nations highest, but the increase over the average is nowhere near what Ryan cited.
Most important, the premium increases dont remotely reflect what most Arizona ACA enrollees or those of the other states will actually pay. Thats because ACA subsidies are designed to rise in tandem with premiums, or in some cases even faster. In Arizona, 76% of enrollees get a premium subsidy, and more than half also get a subsidy to help pay deductibles and co-pays. State-by-state statistics on subsidy increases for 2017 are here.
In Arizona, the subsidies for 2017 are rising 428% for a 27-year-old earning $25,000 and 270% for a family of four with a $60,000 income. For that family, the list price of insurance will average $1,529 a month, but the subsidy will slash that to $405, or $100 per person.
Ryan didnt mention any of that.
--High-risk pools for preexisting conditions. Ryan understands that protection for people with preexisting medical histories is the most popular element of the Affordable Care Act. Republicans eviscerate it at their peril. He told the town hall audience that the GOP has a better way to guarantee coverage for those people: high-risk pools. Separating those with expensive conditions from the overall insurance pool will make insurance cheaper for everyone else, he asserted. Since 8% of all the people under 65 have that kind of preexisting condition, sequestering them would dramatically lower the price for the other 92%.
We had a really good one in Wisconsin, Ryan said. Utah had a great one. I was talking with a congresswoman from Washington today who was telling me how good their state high-risk pool is.
A lot of misconceptions and untruths are packed into this spiel. Its unclear where Ryan got his figure of 8% of Americans suffering from conditions that would relegate them to a high-risk pool, but it grossly underestimates the problem. The Department of Health and Human Services estimated in 2011 that 50 million to 129 million Americans under 65, or 19% to 50%, had some kind of preexisting condition and up to 20% of them were uninsured. The ratio rose sharply with age, so that as many as 86% of those aged 55 to 64 were at risk of being denied insurance because of their medical condition. In 2012, FamiliesUSA estimated that nearly 25% of all Americans under 65 could be denied coverage without the ACA protections.
Americas experience with state high-risk pools has been almost universally grim. Before the ACAs enactment, 35 states had such arrangements. They were chronically underfunded and for enrollees they were expensive, with deductibles as high as $10,000 and premiums as high as double those for healthy individuals. Every state excluded coverage for as long as a year for the very conditions that made their users uninsurable on the open market. They typically imposed benefit limits too low to pay for treatment, time limits for enrollees, and waiting lists.
For these reasons and others, by 2000 the pools were covering only 8% of the uninsurable population, according to a survey by health economist Austin Frakt. (That may be where Ryan got his figure, but if so he made a glaring error.) Economist Harold Pollack calculated in 2010 that if a nationwide pool covered only 4 million people with a history of emphysema, stroke, cancer or a heart condition, it would cost more than $24 billion a year and would still need to impose waiting periods before coverage of a condition and other restrictions. Whether a Republican Congress fixated on budget-cutting would appropriate that kind of money is doubtful.
As for the success stories Ryan touted, hes overstating the case. Wisconsins pool did better than most, with 23,000 enrollees in 2013, but imposed deductibles of at least $5,000, premiums of twice the standard rate, and a six-month waiting period for coverage of a preexisting condition. Utah Gov. Gary Herbert was already fretting about the rising cost of his states high-risk pool in 2010, when the Affordable Care Act was enacted and took the problem off his hands.
Its unclear what Ryan is referring to in his mention of Washingtons high-risk pool. Like other states, Washington shut down its pool when the ACAs guarantee of coverage for anyone with a preexisting condition kicked in. Its still covering a few people who were enrolled before 2014, but that will end this Dec. 31. Before the ACA, the program was not popular. Premiums ran as high as $23,000 a year, and covered only about 30% of patients expenses. The rest was borne by surcharges on commercial insurers, meaning that everyone with an individual or group policy in the state was paying for the pool a reminder for Ryan that the cost of covering preexisting conditions cant be eliminated, only shifted around.
--The death spiral. At the town hall, Ryan reiterated the specious claim that because more unhealthy people are buying Obamacare plans and healthy people [are] not buying it, rates are skyrocketing, driving more healthy people away and leaving costly unhealthy customers in the pool in a vicious cycle.
Experts who have examined the ACA market say nothing of the kind is happening. The Council of Economic Advisers reported this month that theres no evidence that premium increases have had an adverse effect on either enrollments in the individual market or the risk pool. Enrollment is rising, and signups of people in the 18-34 age range the most desirable because most healthy category, have remained steady at about 28% of total enrollment. Thats not as high as the 40% share that would be required to make the pool totally self-sustaining, but its not declining either. And it contradicts Ryans claim that younger, healthier people [are] just going without insurance.
--What about replacement? Ryan was, typically, vague about what the Republican congressional majorities will propose to replace the ACA if its repealed. He said he didnt want to get into all of the legislative mumbo-jumbo, but of course the nature of the replacement isnt mumbo-jumbo to Obamacare beneficiaries its their life-and-death concern.
One idea he did mention is expanding health savings accounts, which allow people to set aside tax exempt funds to pay medical costs. As weve mentioned before, HSAs are giveaways to the rich and of limited use for lower-income people, who have trouble scraping together funds to put in an account and who wont get much benefit from a tax exemption.
The most important question that Ryan dodged on Thursday, and again after Fridays House vote, is whats the rush? Repealing almost any part of the ACA will leave the individual insurance market in worse shape than it is now, and possibly worse than it was before the ACA. Thats especially true as long as no replacement plan is on the table. There are many routes to improving the Affordable Care Act without eroding public protections. If Ryan is truly intent on improving the lives of Americans dependent on the act, why does he have to shroud his intentions with misstatements and misrepresentations?
Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com.
Return to Michael Hiltziks blog.
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In the realm of adding insult to injury, one could hardly do better than San Diego Gas & Electric Co. The big utilitys downed power lines caused three major Southern California brush fires in 2007 that burned more than 198,000 acres, destroyed more than 1,500 homes, injured 40 firefighters and caused two deaths.
SDG&E thinks its ratepayers should cover $379 million, or 90%, of the costs it suffered from the fires. The ratepayers are understandably incensed, largely because two state investigations found that the utilitys slipshod maintenance of its own equipment and electric lines caused the fires and its slow response to reports of trouble contributed to the losses.
The damage of those fires was outside of our control. SDG&E; Vice President Dave Geier
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They want to spit in our face, said one resident whose home was destroyed, speaking at a California Public Utilities Commission hearing on the utilitys request this week.
The utilitys position was delivered by Dave Geier, a vice president, who told the hearing that the damage of those fires was outside of our control. SDG&E says that unusually dry and windy conditions in the San Diego hillsides were the real cause of the fires. In 2009, SDG&E agreed to pay insurance companies about $685 million to reimburse them for payments to policyholders. But many of the policyholders said the payments from their insurers were insufficient. The utility also agreed to pay the state $14.3 million to settle allegations of shoddy maintenance. At the time, SDG&E maintained that our system met all compliance and safety requirements but we fell short in meeting our obligation with respect to three follow-up reports.
The battle over who should foot the bill for the Rice, Witch and Guejito fires of October 2007 is shaping up as a classic example of the genre of utilities trying to stick their customers for the cost of their own incompetence. California appears to be a hotbed of the category. Pacific Gas & Electric thinks ratepayers, not shareholders, should pay part of the costs of the 2010 San Bruno gas explosion, which leveled part of a San Francisco suburb and killed eight people. Southern California Edison is hoping that ratepayers will cover some of the cost of shutting down its San Onofre nuclear power plant, which was rendered permanently inoperable by an absolutely incompetent refurbishing project.
The wildfires share a key element with those episodes, according to separate investigations by the Public Utilities Commissions Office of Ratepayer Advocates and its Consumer Protection and Safety Division. Both found that SDG&E violated safety regulations concerned with the maintenance of equipment, protection from vegetation growth and distance separating potentially short-circuiting apparatus.
The Office of Ratepayer Advocates report pointed to signs that the utility tried to destroy evidence by trimming a tree that brought down some of its equipment before investigators could examine it. And the Consumer Protection and Safety Division complained that SDG&E interfered with its investigation by refusing to allow interviews with its personnel.
The core findings, however, were that the utility violated regulations governing the permissible distance between electrically live cables and equipment and clearances between equipment and tree branches. The Rice Fire ignited on Oct. 22, 2007, in a woodsy grove in the San Diego County community of Fallbrook when a sycamore branch fell on overhead conductors strung between two poles and brought them to the ground. An SDG&E contractor had inspected the tree in July and advised SDG&E to cut it back within three months or it would begin to encroach on the equipment; SDG&E failed to do so.
The utilitys defense generally has been that unexpected Santa Ana wind conditions caused the damage to its lines and equipment, leading to the fires. The PUC investigators didnt buy that as an excuse. PUC rules require utilities to keep local conditions in mind, and Santa Ana conditions, including gusts as high as those experienced when the fires began, are common annual occurrences in the region.
SDG&E executives have proposed that only 10% of the $421 million in costs at issue be billed to shareholders of its parent company, Sempra Energy. The remaining $379 million, if charged to ratepayers, would come to an average $1.67 per month per ratepayer if billed over six years.
It will be up to the PUC to decide how to divide up the costs between the utility and the ratepayers. Given that its own investigators have pointed to the utilitys own poor maintenance practices as causing the fires, the agencys course should be clear.
Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com.
Return to Michael Hiltziks blog.
William B. Gould IV, California Gov. Jerry Browns appointee to lead the board charged with protecting the rights of the states farmworkers, announced his resignation Friday, accusing the state bureaucracy of stalling one of his key proposals.
Gould, appointed by Brown to chair the Agricultural Labor Relations Board in March 2014, said a board proposal to send educators to farms to inform workers of their rights has languished in the bowels of state bureaucracy for the past 14 months.
In an angry letter addressed to Brown, Gould also characterized the 1975 law creating the labor board a signature achievement of Browns first term and a milestone in the farmworker movement led by Cesar Chavez as irrelevant to farmworkers, who know little about its provisions and are mostly not unionized.
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Gould had attempted to remedy that situation by pushing through controversial rules that would allow the board to demand access to farms for the purpose of educating workers about their rights for years, a role considered the exclusive bailiwick of unions such as the United Farm Workers of America.
Brown did not directly respond to the letter. He elevated board member Genevieve Shiroma to the chairman position and appointed former state legislator Isadore Hall, 45, of Compton, to fill her position. Cathryn Rivera-Hernandez, the third member of the board, serves until next year.
Growers saw the proposed Worker Education Unit as a dangerous expansion of the boards primary responsibilities to investigate and rule on unfair labor practices and to oversee unionization efforts.
We did not always see eye to eye with Chairman Gould, but we have great respect for him, said Jason Resnick, vice president and general counsel for the Western Growers Assn. trade group. We hope that the administration will restore a balance of perspectives and views on the board.
Gould has frequently expressed exasperation with the state of the farm labor movement. In his resignation letter, he noted that only one petition for unionization had come before the board during his tenure, and that 99% of field workers are not unionized. In previous comments, Gould has said the board spent more of its time on petitions from workers trying to kick out the UFW than on petitions to join the union.
Labor infraction cases, meanwhile, have languished for years, with several stretching for decades.
The UFW spends most of its time in Sacramento, lobbying for laws and regulations, and has absolutely no interest in organizing the unorganized, Gould said in a telephone conversation.
UFW President Arturo Rodriguez said the union supported the boards education efforts, but took issue with Goulds view of the labor law and the farmworker movement.
We appreciate his frustration with the often very slow and unresponsive state bureaucracy, Rodriguez said Friday. However, the chairmans frustration should not have led to him attacking Gov. Brown or the United Farm Workers.
In the past two years, the union has won elections covering 3,500 workers and helped win passage of laws protecting pickers from heat exposure and extending overtime pay, Rodriguez added.
Brown and Gould have generally been close and appeared together at a 2015 commemoration of the 40th anniversary of passage of the Agricultural Labor Relations Act.
The governor is a genuine proponent of the law its his baby, Gould said. He wants this thing to work. So theres that part of him. But the other part of him is hes a political leader.
Gould said he had urged the governor to make a major speech on the boards proposed education initiative and had lined up a favorable grower to host the event. He would never give me a straight answer, Gould said of Brown.
Gould blamed the state Labor and Workforce Development Agency and the Department of Finance for holding up the worker education proposal, passed by the board in late 2015. He suggested the board should be modeled more closely after its national counterpart, which is a stand-alone, independent agency. The ALRB answers to the Labor and Workforce Development Agency.
Shiroma, whose term expired Jan. 1, was reappointed last week. Although Goulds term also expired Jan. 1, a statutory extension remained in effect for 60 days.
geoffrey.mohan@latimes.com
Follow me: @LATgeoffmohan
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UPDATES:
11:40 a.m.: This article was updated with comments from United Farm Workers President Arturo Rodriguez.
2:55 p.m.: This article was updated with information about Gov. Jerry Browns new appointments to the Agricultural Labor Relations Board.
This article was originally published at 9:00 a.m.
A federal judge has ordered a freeze on the assets of an Orange County firm accused by federal officials of misspending money from foreign investors who hoped their cash would buy them permanent U.S. residency.
The Securities and Exchange Commission filed civil fraud charges late last month against Newport Beach lawyer Emilio Francisco and his investment firm, PDC Capital, saying he improperly spent at least $9.5 million of investors cash, with some of that money going to a yacht, a yacht-club membership and his personal credit card debt.
The agency asked a federal court in Santa Ana to freeze the assets of PDC and related entities. District Judge Cormac Carney last week approved that request, saying the SEC had presented extensive, thorough and compelling evidence of fraud and that the freeze was necessary to prevent Francisco and others from spending or hiding investors funds.
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Carney also ordered PDC, Francisco and others to not destroy documents. Attorneys for Francisco and PDC did not return calls for comment.
PDC raised more than $72 million from investors, most of them Chinese citizens, between 2013 and last year, according to the SECs suit. Those investors hoped to participate in the federal EB-5 visa program, which offers permanent residency to foreigners who make job-creating investments in the U.S.
Its a program that has surged in popularity over the last several years but has increasingly become a target for fraudsters who see foreign investors perhaps more focused on getting green cards than in investment returns as easy marks.
More than 100 investors gave PDC Capital $500,000 apiece, with promises that the money would be used to build assisted-living facilities and open new locations of Caffe Primo, a Los Angeles coffee shop and restaurant chain.
Francisco is part owner of Caffe Primo International, a general partner in several of the restaurants planned locations, according to the SEC. Charlton Liu and Tony Riviera, two restaurateurs affiliated with Caffe Primo, did not return calls for comment.
While some of the money went to the promised projects, the SEC alleges that millions of dollars were improperly funneled to separate projects and that more than $2 million went to pay Franciscos personal expenses.
In filings to the court, the SEC said Francisco used $560,000 of company money to buy a yacht, paid nearly $214,000 to the tony Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach and used more than $450,000 to pay credit cards belonging to him, his brother and his daughter.
The court filings also reveal connections between PDC and Robert A. Ferrante, a former Irvine savings and loan boss with a checkered history that includes a conviction for taking illegal kickbacks while advising a pension fund.
Though Ferrante is not named as a defendant in the SECs case, filings indicate that he has been investigated by the agency and that he received $170,000 from the company. Ferrante in 2014 posted a YouTube video in which he mentions working with PDC.
In his order granting the asset freeze, Carney noted that Francisco recently transferred ownership of several EB-5 projects to an entity controlled by his longtime business associate who refused to answer any SEC questions regarding the nature of his relationship with Mr. Francisco. Carney did not name Ferrante as that associate, but referenced a transcript of testimony from Ferrante taken by the SEC.
Ferrante did not return calls for comment. The SEC declined to comment.
Ferrante has a history of run-ins with federal authorities, dating to the 1980s when he briefly owned a savings and loan in Irvine. He founded Consolidated Savings Bank in 1984 during a period of rapid growth in the thrift industry, which imploded a few years later when hundreds of the institutions failed nationwide.
Regulators declared Consolidated insolvent and seized it in 1986, then sued Ferrante, accusing him of fraud. He settled, but a federal grand jury later charged him and a handful of associates with criminal fraud, alleging Ferrante and others had improperly funneled large loans to a fireworks company he controlled.
Ferrante was acquitted in 1992, but faced more legal problems a decade later when he pleaded guilty to federal charges of filing a false tax return and taking unreported kickbacks from a developer while he was working as a consultant to a union pension plan.
He was later sentenced to four months in federal prison and ordered to pay restitution of $243,925 the amount he received from the developer for arranging a loan from the pension fund.
By 2013, Ferrante was working with PDC Capital Group, according to a lawsuit filed against that company by a former consultant over an employment dispute. Neil Richardson, who sued Ferrante, Francisco and PDC, alleging breach of contract and fraud, said in his suit that Ferrante and Francisco approached him in early 2013 through a mutual acquaintance and asked for his help raising money from EB-5 investors.
A PDC investor presentation submitted to the court by the SEC names Ferrante and Richardson as officers of PDC, and Francisco as chief executive. But in his suit, Richardson alleges that Ferrante and Francisco were both, in effect, in charge of the company, saying they had substantial control of PDC and related companies.
Richardson also alleged that the pair were using company money to pay for a 2010 Ferrari Spyder and other luxuries, mirroring some of the allegations made by the SEC.
Ferrante, Francisco and PDC denied all of Richardsons allegations in a court filing. PDC filed a suit of its own against Richardson, saying he was attempting to sabotage the business.
james.koren@latimes.com
Follow me: @jrkoren
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Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Edith Ramirez said Friday that she will soon step down as head of the countrys most powerful consumer watchdog after serving more than three years in the role and another three years before that as a commissioner.
Ramirez is expected to serve in her current post until President-elect Donald Trump appoints a chair of his own, but said in an interview that she plans to depart the agency on Feb. 10. Analysts expect the sole Republican serving at the FTC, Maureen Ohlhausen, to step in as the panels next chairwoman.
Under Ramirezs leadership, the FTC gained a reputation as a key technology regulator.
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Although most people associate Volkswagens emissions software scandal with the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Volkswagen owners can credit the FTC for playing an instrumental role determining the amount of money VW will ultimately refund to consumers, Ramirez said.
In recent years, the FTC has also cracked down on cellphone carriers such as AT&T and T-Mobile, refunding, for example, a total of $170 million to Americans to make up for spammy third-party charges that customers never requested or signed up for.
The agency also pressured Apple and Amazon to change their billing practices, following a slew of consumer complaints that the companies had made it far too easy for in-app purchases to drive up credit card bills.
Ramirez also helped turn data security and hacking into a major regulatory issue for companies, going after Snapchat in 2014 for allowing information concerning 4.6 million account holders to leak. Similarly, the FTCs lawsuit against hotel chain Wyndham Worldwide Corp. helped underscore that companies can be held responsible for being hacked after misleading customers about the security of their digital systems.
Given the significant role technology plays in consumers lives, today weve placed an emphasis on ensuring that fundamental consumer protection rules apply in the digital sphere, Ramirez said.
Ramirezs agency also published groundbreaking studies and guidelines on an emerging class of devices known as the Internet of Things, which promises to turn everyday objects into smart appliances. Other reports by the agency showed how companies could abuse customer data to discriminate, particularly against low-income consumers and minorities.
But the agency has faced criticism over the way it has handled other tech-related matters. Some, including a few of its own members, argued that the FTC failed to consider the potential benefits to consumers of certain practices it found unfair, such as Apples approach to in-app purchases.
The unfairness standard places the burden on the commission to show the harms of those decisions outweigh the benefits, FTC Commissioner Josh Wright said in a 2014 speech. Wright, a Republican, left the FTC in 2015 to become a law professor at George Mason University.
There was also a leaked staff memo written in 2013 showing that the FTCs civil servants believed that Google had been behaving anti-competitively in certain ways, such as restricting advertisers from working with rival search engines. But senior officials, including Ramirez, balked at the prospect of a lengthy legal battle with the technology giant, preferring to shut the probe in exchange for Googles commitment to change some of its practices.
The episode raised questions about the FTCs willingness to take on the worlds most powerful tech companies, particularly on some of the biggest competition issues facing the industry.
Still, consumer advocates say Ramirezs positive effects will be long-lasting.
Edith Ramirez brought the FTC into the 21st century, said Jeff Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy.
Others credit Ramirez with fleshing out the agencys fluency in tech by hiring security researchers and privacy experts.
Shes built up the FTCs in-house technical capacity, said Berin Szoka, president of the right-leaning think tank TechFreedom.
Ramirezs impending departure from the FTC is likely to leave the agency shorthanded, with three vacancies on the five-member panel. With one Republican and one Democrat remaining, the FTC probably will be deadlocked in a partisan tie until the Trump administration can fill the other vacancies, which could take months.
Fung writes for the Washington Post.
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A major NASA safety advisory group urged the agency to scrutinize SpaceXs rocket fueling process ahead of future launches of astronauts to the International Space Station.
The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel brought up concerns about the Hawthorne space companys unconventional fueling operations in its 2016 annual report, released Wednesday.
Described in the report as the load and go approach, SpaceX plans to have the astronauts board the Crew Dragon spacecraft before final fueling of the rocket.
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SpaceX uses super-chilled liquid oxygen to maximize the amount that can fit in the tank and increase power at liftoff to hoist heavy loads. But the extremely cold temperature means that the liquid oxygen needs to be loaded right before launch.
In the report, the panel said it was concerned that potential risks associated with loading propellants into the rocket with astronauts onboard were not adequately understood.
The panel was created in 1968 by Congress to advise and give recommendations on safety issues to the NASA administrator. The group is the primary safety advisory panel for the commercial crew program.
SpaceX said Thursday in a statement that its fueling and launch process was reliable and minimizes the time and number of people exposed to the hazards of launching a rocket.
SpaceX has a contract from NASA to build and launch a crew capsule to transport astronauts to the space station. NASA has said the first uncrewed flight test of SpaceXs capsule is set for November, and the first flight with humans aboard is scheduled for November 2018.
The company said that its Crew Dragon launch abort system will be enabled after astronauts board the spacecraft and fueling begins. In case of an emergency, the abort system uses several rockets built into the walls of the spacecraft to push the astronauts away from the rocket; the capsule floats back to Earth on parachutes.
Though the panels concerns are specific to astronaut launches, SpaceX also currently uses the same fueling routine for satellite launches.
The report also mentioned the companys September launch pad explosion in Florida, which destroyed a Falcon 9 rocket and commercial communications satellite perched on top. SpaceX plans to return to flight Saturday with a launch of 10 satellites for Iridium Communications Inc.
The panel said that NASA will also review the September incident, and it urged the agency to focus not only on the cause but also on the load and go fueling process.
Despite rounds of testing, issues can often pop up once procedures are actually used in a real-time environment, the report states.
We strongly encourage NASA top management to scrutinize this issue and ensure that any decision to accept additional risk or novel risk controls with large uncertainties is justified by the value that will be gained.
SpaceX said this month that the explosion was caused by a failed composite overwrapped pressure vessel, which carries cold helium, in the rockets second-stage liquid oxygen tank. To fix the problem, the company said it will change the configuration of the vessels so warmer helium can be loaded, and change helium loading operations to the way they had been in the past.
In its statement, SpaceX said it has performed a detailed safety analysis with NASA over the last year and a half of all potential hazards in its fueling process. The company said safeguards against these hazards have been identified and will be verified before it receives certification to launch astronauts.
A hazard report documenting those safeguards was approved by NASAs safety technical review board in July, SpaceX said.
The company also said it will continue to work with NASA to assess and evaluate its fueling approach.
The concerns from the panel come after the chairman of an International Space Station advisory committee also expressed reservations about SpaceXs fueling process with crew aboard.
samantha.masunaga@latimes.com
@smasunaga
Four months after a launch pad explosion, SpaceX returned to flight Saturday morning, delivering 10 satellites into orbit and landing its first-stage booster on a floating drone ship.
Analysts had described the launch as all-important for the Hawthorne space company to reestablish customer confidence and momentum after a Sept. 1 launchpad explosion in Florida destroyed a Falcon 9 rocket and a commercial communications satellite perched on top. But beyond the specter of the accident, stakes were high for Saturdays launch because it involved deploying the first 10 satellites of a new commercial constellation for well-known operator Iridium Communications Inc.
The new satellites have more capability than their older counterparts, including higher data speeds. Saturdays launch is the first of seven that SpaceX will perform for Iridium to carry a total of 70 satellites into orbit.
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There was a lot riding on this for SpaceX, but also for Iridium, and I think they can breathe a sigh of relief, said Marco Caceres, senior space analyst at the Teal Group.
The launch occurred at 9:54 a.m. Pacific time from Vandenberg Air Force Base, north of Santa Barbara. About eight minutes after liftoff, the first-stage rocket booster landed upright on a floating platform called Just Read the Instructions in the Pacific Ocean.
About an hour after the launch, company Chief Executive Elon Musk tweeted that the mission looks good. By 11:15 a.m., Musk tweeted that all satellites had been successfully delivered to the correct orbit.
The launch comes after an investigation into the September explosion that was led by SpaceX and assisted by the U.S. Air Force, NASA, the National Transportation Safety Board and industry experts, with oversight from the Federal Aviation Administration. The investigation concluded last week that the cause was the failure of a pressure vessel that stores cold helium to maintain pressure in the liquid oxygen tank.
The company said the failure of one of three such tanks, inside the rockets larger, second-stage liquid oxygen tank, probably occurred after a buildup of liquid oxygen between the vessels aluminum inner liner and its carbon overwrap ignited.
The FAA said last week that it accepted the accident report and closed the investigation.
SpaceX said it would change the configuration of the vessels and change helium loading operations.
Every mission until about 2018 will be watched closely, as SpaceX and Boeing Co. are both contracted to build capsules to transport astronauts to the International Space Station.
NASA has said that the first uncrewed flight of SpaceXs spacecraft is set for November, and its first flight test with humans aboard is scheduled for May 2018.
Every mission will be crucial, Caceres said. But this one was particularly crucial because you dont want two failures in a row. So I think this was a huge success.
samantha.masunaga@latimes.com
For more business news, follow me @smasunaga
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UPDATES:
Jan. 14, 11:45 a.m.: This article was updated with the successful deployment of the satellites and analysis of implications of the launch.
Jan. 14, 10:30 a.m.: This article was updated with details about the launch and first-stage rocket booster landing.
This article was originally published on Jan. 13 at 7:55 a.m.
An Inglewood man convicted of running a bank fraud ring that pilfered more than half a million dollars from Wells Fargo bank and its customers was sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison Thursday.
Prosecutors said Ronald Charles Reed, 70, who pleaded guilty in March to federal bank fraud charges, recruited several employees at Wells Fargo branches and paid them to steal customer information, including account and Social Security numbers. Reed then gave that information to runners who, using fake IDs, went to tellers and were able to withdraw $580,332 from 75 customer accounts.
Many of those withdrawals were made at branches in California, though some were made at branches in Alabama, Nevada and other states. The fraud ring operated in 2013 and 2014. Reed and the Wells Fargo employees who also pleaded guilty were indicted in 2015, accused of bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
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The FBI and U.S. Secret Service, which investigated Reed and the bank employees, are still looking for the three runners who participated in the scheme.
Reed, who had been convicted several times before including for making, using or selling fake credit cards was sentenced to 89 months in prison in federal court in Los Angeles and ordered to pay restitution to Wells Fargo. Reeds public defender had asked for a shorter sentence, saying the Vietnam veteran and father of six did not deserve to die in prison.
Wells Fargo spokeswoman Mary Eshet said the bank cooperated with the investigation and that keeping our customers information and assets safe is a top priority.
The sentencing comes as the bank tries to right itself in the wake of a much larger scandal involving bank workers.
Local and federal regulators in September fined the bank $185 million after finding that thousands of bank workers had improperly used customer information to open unauthorized accounts and meet onerous sales goals.
james.koren@latimes.com
Follow me: @jrkoren
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One focus of the planned repeal of Obamacare is maintaining coverage for people with preexisting conditions. Republican lawmakers say the current laws safeguards wont change, but they have yet to explain how theyll accomplish this without also keeping the mandate that everyone buy insurance.
What isnt being discussed although it should be is the obstacle course that insurance companies and middlemen often make policyholders navigate just to get claims approved, often for chronic conditions. Drugs that doctors prescribe or treatments they advise may be deemed unwarranted or unproven by industry bean counters.
A 2011 study by the California Nurses Assn. estimated that the states top insurers rejected about 26% of all claims. A separate study that year by the Government Accountability Office found that denied claims were reversed in about half of all appeals, for those with the stamina to work the system.
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Its a moneymaking tactic, Carmen Balber, executive director of the Santa Monica advocacy group Consumer Watchdog, said of the high frequency of denials.
The companies know that when they deny claims, she said, most people will just give up.
Not Bill Waxman.
The 66-year-old Simi Valley resident spoke with me this week about his repeated encounters with Anthem Blue Cross and Navitus Health Solutions, which handles the prescription-drug component of his familys health coverage.
For more than a decade, his 24-year-old daughter, Alison, has grappled with multiple autoimmune disorders that cause chronic pain, migraines, extreme dizziness and debilitating fatigue.
If she chooses to shower, that may be it for the day, Waxman said. If she chooses to come downstairs and eat, that may be it for the day.
Theres no cure for what ails his daughter, so he and his wife are resigned to holding jobs for as long as possible to maintain family coverage and help deal with the costs. Waxman estimates his out-of-pocket medical costs last year ran about $14,000.
His most recent run-in involved a treatment for his daughters postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, a.k.a. POTS, which prevents sufficient blood getting to the brain when standing. According to WebMD, the dizziness, fainting and fatigue that characterize POTS may make it hard to keep up with daily living.
A cardiologist prescribed a heart medicine called Corlanor, which is not intended for POTS but has shown promise in treating the disorder by lowering the heart rate and thus helping a patients body find equilibrium. Waxman said the doctor provided some samples of the drug and we saw almost immediate improvement.
But when he tried to fill a prescription, the claim was denied by Navitus, which deemed Corlanor medically unwarranted for POTS.
Pharmacy benefit managers such as Navitus negotiate deals with drugmakers and pharmacies for the best prices. If a drug isnt on its preferred formulary, it may not be covered by insurance. Sixty tablets of Corlanor can cost more than $400, according to the website GoodRX.
Waxman arranged for a peer to peer phone conversation between his daughters cardiologist and a Navitus health professional. Again, the claim was denied.
So he appealed directly to the head of Navitus, Terry Seligman. This resulted in his claim being considered at a higher level and, lo and behold, Navitus approved a year of Corlanor coverage.
The companies know that when they deny claims, most people will just give up. Carmen Balber, executive director, Consumer Watchdog
A Navitus spokeswoman declined to comment.
Last summer, Waxman said, Anthem approved an IV drip his daughter needed monthly to boost her immune system. Then in September it reversed course and denied the claim, arguing that the treatment wasnt medically necessary. A four-month regimen of intravenous gamma globulin can cost as much as $25,000.
Waxman said he spent six weeks challenging the decision. And in that case as well, he prevailed.
Darrel Ng, an Anthem spokesman, attributed the situation to a miscommunication with the doctors office.
Waxman only knows that hes had to fight repeatedly for his daughters healthcare.
Look, he said, Im not asking for a rhinoplasty for my daughter. Im asking for things that will improve her quality of life.
His advice to others: Never take no for an answer, especially with the first denial. Make your case, stick to your guns and work your way through the appeal process.
Its very arduous, Waxman acknowledged. You have to do all the investigating yourself. You have to become conversant in medicine. You have to find the right people to contact. You have to compose your letters in such a way that they cant be refuted. It takes a lot of time.
Balber at Consumer Watchdog said all these roadblocks are intentional. She noted that Obamacare prevents insurers from denying coverage to people with preexisting conditions a costly measure thats offset by the requirement that healthy people buy coverage or face penalties.
Insurance is only affordable for everyone when the risk pool is composed of both healthy and sick people. Otherwise, premiums would skyrocket.
Since insurers cant turn away people with preexisting conditions, theyve had to find other ways to not pay expensive claims, Balber said. Their main tactic is to deny everything and hope the consumer wont put up a fight. They know the consumer usually wont.
This is, of course, a shameless and sad form of profiteering.
But its the healthcare system were stuck with. So be like Waxman and stand up for whats right.
On Tuesday, Ill share tips on how to appeal a denied claim.
David Lazarus column runs Tuesdays and Fridays. He also can be seen daily on KTLA-TV Channel 5 and followed on Twitter @Davidlaz. Send your tips or feedback to david.lazarus@latimes.com.
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Its easy these days to think of California as a republic unto itself, declaring its political and cultural independence at every opportunity, zigging as Donald Trumps America zags. But the states biggest city has at least one important thing in common with the country as a whole as we move into 2017: a sense of upheaval and dramatic flux, of old assumptions turned inside out.
Los Angeles is in the midst of its biggest construction boom in decades. County voters just passed (with 71% approval) a sales-tax hike that will raise a staggering $100-billion war chest for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Its no exaggeration to say that a new Los Angeles taller and less suburban, with a dramatically expanded transit network is taking shape.
Its emergence, though, has provoked a backlash that from certain angles looks a lot like an existential crisis. On the same Tuesday in March that will see Mayor Eric Garcetti facing no real opposition for reelection, L.A. voters will consider Measure S (once known as the Neighborhood Integrity Initiative), which calls for a two-year moratorium on major new development projects.
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Its backers say new construction is out of control and out of scale with historically low-rise Los Angeles. What they cant quite bring themselves to say is that the measure itself is an expression of mourning for an L.A. that is already dead, a city of single-family subdivisions, highway construction, discriminatory zoning and free parking that worked (to the degree that it ever did) only as long as the region continued to sprawl voraciously at the edges.
A few days from now in Washington, a New York City real-estate developer a man who has feuded publicly with architecture critics throughout his career, campaigned on a promise to build a border wall and may spurn the insufficiently gilded White House as a primary residence will be sworn in as president. His strongest electoral support came from parts of the country that have been drained of jobs and investment as Americas coastal cities have boomed.
Los Angeles is rediscovering its sense of civic ambition even as Trump seems ready to turn the country inward and exploit, if not provoke, tensions with foreign powers. L.A. is a city on the verge in a nation that may begin to feel consistently on the brink.
For all those reasons it seems a good moment to announce that Ill be appearing every week in this space, writing a column that will consider contemporary architecture on the broadest of terms. Some weeks Ill look closely at a single new building or architects body of work, other weeks at a book or museum show on architecture or the production design of a new movie or TV series. The column will be a place to communicate with Times readers, publish Q&As with the most intriguing figures in the field and flag upcoming architecture events.
Subject matter wont be hard to come by: In the next few months alone well see the opening of the new Wilshire Grand tower in downtown L.A. the tallest building on the West Coast, if only thanks to its spire and the Marciano Art Foundation on Wilshire Boulevard. Over the course of 2017 well hear (or need to press for) updates on redesign efforts at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Union Station, Silver Lake Reservoir and Pershing Square. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of Richard Meiers Getty Center and Frank Gehrys Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, as well as the 150th birthday of Frank Lloyd Wright.
Airbnb, Y Combinator, Google spinoff Sidewalk Labs and other tech giants have launched initiatives that will move them directly into the realm of architecture and urban planning. And in making plans to spend that $100 billion, Metro will take its place among the most important patrons of public architecture and urban design in Los Angeles history, hardly a role the agency has embraced so far.
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As much as it will have a natural Southern California and West Coast focus, the column is also meant to boost a national and international conversation about contemporary architecture. The profession finds itself at a pivotal moment, having finally moved past the obsession with celebrity architects and icon-making that defined it for the better part of two decades. Now a rising generation of architects is shaping new priorities for the field, paring down the forms of their buildings even as they broaden their social, political and environmental goals. Their work needs more attention and sharper analysis.
Theres no manifesto here to launch the column, no call for a radical rethinking of architecture criticism. But its become clear in recent weeks that we desperately need, at the very least, to get a better handle on the relationship between power and place: between metropolitan centers like Los Angeles and London, which increasingly see themselves as city-states, and the pull of nostalgic, often baldly racist nationalism; between a vision of infrastructure vulnerable to being looted by profiteers versus a sturdier notion of public works; and between two very different contemporary expressions of the collective, the hopeful kind weve recently seen filling the streets of Seoul and Mexico City and the trollish kind capable of flooding, if not drowning, online culture.
If your definition of the field is elastic enough and I hope to use this space to stretch mine as far as it will reasonably go architecture can help you think in new ways about every one of those issues. In that sense its a sort of universal key. Or at least a way to pick more than one lock at the same time.
christopher.hawthorne@latimes.com
Twitter: @HawthorneLAT
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America must not remain silent that was civil rights activist Rabbi Joachim Prinzs plea at the 1963 March on Washington.
Bigotry and hatred are not the most urgent problem, he declared in a speech that immediately preceded the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.s. The most urgent, the most disgraceful, the most shameful and the most tragic problem is silence.
Composer Bruce Adolphe had that speech in mind when he wrote I Will Not Remain Silent, a vividly metaphorical two-movement violin concerto loosely based on Prinzs life.
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The concerto will receive its West Coast premiere on Jan. 21 and 22 by the L.A. Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Jeffrey Kahane as part of the orchestras three-week Lift Every Voice series exploring courage and compassion. Violinist Daniel Hope is the soloist.
Jan. 21 also marks the date of the Womens March on Washington, a coincidence that feels eerily prescient to the concertos composer.
When I first composed the piece [in 2014], I didnt expect that its message would seem as relevant as it suddenly seems, Adolphe said in a recent interview last week. This piece suddenly has a power to it that is very appropriate to that weekend and to the times that seem to be ushering in, and I cant say Im happy about that.
Rabbi Joachim Prinz, second from the left, is joined by, from left, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., A. Philip Randolph, President Kennedy and Walter Reuther in this 1963 photo taken in conjunction with the March on Washington. (Three Lions / Getty Images )
Adolphe originally composed the piece in commemoration of Prinzs life and activism. The composer first learned about Prinz through a personal connection: The rabbi was a relative of Adolphes wife. (When Adolphe and his wife were married, Joachim Prinzs son, Jonathan Prinz, performed the ceremony.) As a Jewish American with a deep interest in history and human rights, Adolphe was drawn to Prinzs story of outspoken resistance to Nazism and the rabbis fervent civil rights activism as an American emigre.
In I Will Not Remain Silent, the violin personifies Prinzs voice, struggling against an orchestra that represents Nazi Germany in the first movement and civil rights era America in the second.
In writing the violins lines, Adolphe drew inspiration from the Jewish cantorial music he grew up with, infusing the soloists part with the kind of modal tonality, rhythmic freedom and emotional qualities listeners will recognize as distinctly Jewish. Theres an ethnic identity that is immediately understandable, Adolphe said, pointing to the stylistic traditions of Jewish violinists like Isaac Stern, Itzhak Perlman and Yehudi Menuhin.
At the end of the first movement, Adolphe said, the violin is striving to say something and the orchestra is congealed, basically, into a big fist. Its trying to smash the violin, and it produces a very irregular, completely unpredictable series of hard blows. But the violin does not get crushed, and it remains the last note of the movement.
In the second movement, a texture dominated by the inflection of black American spirituals and jazz music is regularly interrupted by violence, again delivered forcefully by the orchestra.
The march to freedom and happiness is continually interrupted by the texture of the music being destroyed, Adolphe said, but it keeps coming back together.
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The end of the second movement is less conclusive than the first. Theres a sense of hope as well as fear. Adolphe said he placed a musical question mark at the end of the piece because he felt it would be incorrect to end the piece triumphantly. The pursuit of equality and justice in America is not over.
Violinist Daniel Hope said he appreciated the open-endedness of the concertos final moments.
Were living in a very interesting time, he said, and so the question of how you perceive the piece very much depends on ones own perception of how one sees the world. Its about a struggle, and its about [whether we] succeed in that struggle.
For Hope, part of the pieces appeal is the light it sheds on Prinzs life.
There are so many stories out there. We know so few of them, he said. When they are given wings, in this case musical wings, its something very powerful, very emotional.
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
What: Program includes Bruce Adolphes I Will Not Remain Silent and Kurt Weills The Seven Deadly Sins
When: 8 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale; and 7 p.m. Jan. 22 at UCLAs Royce Hall, 340 Royce Drive, Los Angeles
Tickets: Start at $27
Information: (213) 622-7001, www.laco.org
Follow The Times arts team @culturemonster.
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Moments after he was elected as the countrys first black president in 2008, Barack Obama stepped on a Chicago stage and mingled poetry with optimism, praising Americans who were not afraid to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.
Whether as candidate or president, Obama knew it came down to words, the way they spun and gathered, lifted and fell on precise beats with restrained flourish. From the moment he electrified the Democratic National Convention in 2004 until his farewell address Tuesday night, his speeches streamed from an eloquent inner voice that could lay bare the vestiges of racism and mourn with a nation stricken by gun violence and the graves of children.
Obamas legislative legacy may be in jeopardy from President-elect Donald Trump, but the grace of his prose will endure. A gifted writer, Obama understood the power of words to elicit images and rouse passions in settings from the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., to the banks of the Nile in Cairo. His sentences soothed and stung, coaxed and challenged, drawing fits from his critics while urging his supporters to seek moral and political transcendence.
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His cadence and description created pictures. In his 2009 eulogy for Edward M. Kennedy, Obama seemed to channel F. Scott Fitzgerald, saying the enduring image left by the senator was of a man on a boat; white mane tousled; smiling broadly as he sails into the wind, ready for whatever storms may come.
Barack Obama is one of the great orators in American history, says Douglas Brinkley, a presidential historian and professor at Rice University. He thinks in constitutional law terms that give him the spine for his speeches, his compass. More so than other presidents, he adds, Obama consistently wanted to feel he was the author.
His flowing discourse, which softened the dispassionate and cerebral view many had of him, stands in vivid contrast Trumps staccato clauses and Twitter bursts. The nations narrative in coming years will change not only politically but also poetically in how our essences are framed and our meanings distilled. One need only compare Obamas lyrical memoir Dreams From My Father with Trumps How to Get Rich to know that a brash and bare-knuckled lexicon is rumbling up from Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach.
A countrys identity is the fusing of millions of disparate stories into a singular vision. Obama told many of those stories, as a young, lanky senator, and as a graying, embattled leader with a growing list of anecdotes gleaned from everyday Americans that were at once quiet in their humility and resounding in their resolve.
His mastery of syntax and delivery is reminiscent of presidents Kennedy, Reagan and Clinton. But the soul of his sentences -- the resonance, depth and musicality hark back to Abraham Lincoln and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., with a bit of Nelson Mandelas sparse stoicism stirred in. These men and their voices played into Obamas deep sense of U.S. history and his belief in the promise of democracy, which he succinctly summed up in the phrase: in no other country on Earth is my story even possible.
Like Reagan and Roosevelt, Obama used his words and manner to calm the nation in tragedy, notably after the mass shootings that plagued his presidency. The day of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, which killed 20 children and six adult staff in 2012, he appeared on TV, wiping tears from the corners of his eyes. At a prayer vigil with parents days later, Obama, a father of two daughters, spoke of how futile words were at fathoming grief and loss.
I come to offer the love and prayers of a nation, he said. I am very mindful that mere words cannot match the depths of your sorrow, nor can they heal your wounded hearts. I can only hope it helps for you to know that youre not alone in your grief, that our world too has been torn apart, that all across this land of ours, we have wept with you. Weve pulled our children tight.
Obama entered talking. He skyrocketed to prominence after his keynote speech, titled The Audacity of Hope, upstaged both John Kerry, the presidential nominee, and Clinton, the consummate storyteller, at the National Democratic Convention in 2004.
Four years later, he was the president. It was clear from the beginning that Obama, a meticulous re-writer and editor, was in control of his language even as he brought on talented speechwriters including Jon Favreau, who could slip into and articulate his views.
Ive never worked for a politician who values words as much as the president does, Obama senior advisor David Axelrod told The Times in 2009. The speechwriter is an unusually important person in the operation. [Obamas] willingness to entrust his words to others is limited, and he wants to make sure the people who do write for him have an appreciation for how he thinks and how he wants to be presented.
Obamas speeches were compelling and inspiring, says Robert Dallek, a presidential historian and author of An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963. Id rate him pretty high an as orator. Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln were very impressive, and so were Franklin Roosevelt and John Kennedy, who had a kind of literary flair. Obama stands in that tradition in using poetry, literature and phrasing that is artistic.
Dallek adds, however, that I dont know if theres a single line in an Obama speech that will resonate through history. He was referring to Kennedys inaugural address in which he said, ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country, and Roosevelts words during the Great Depression: The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
Obamas most delicate use of language came when discussing race. As the nations first black president, the son of a white mother and an African father, he was sensitive (some would say overly) about addressing the countrys persistent racial problems. But in a eulogy in Charleston, S.C., after a white gunman killed nine worshipers at a church in 2015, he spoke of renewal and redemption and, emulating the best African American preachers, sang Amazing Grace. In Selma months earlier, Obama commemorated the 1965 civil rights march over the Pettus bridge by exploring the sins of the past but also extolling the progress made since the Jim Crow era.
One of his most memorable speeches on race A More Perfect Union was given during his 2008 campaign after excerpts from sermons by his pastor and friend Jeremiah Wright were publicized. Wright, who is also black, blamed the U.S. for its racism, its treatment of Native Americans and, borrowing a quoting from Malcolm X, said that the 9/11 attacks were a sign that Americas chickens are coming home to roost.
Obama was urged to disavow Wright, and he later resigned from the ministers church following other controversial statements by Wright. But he initially responded with comments only a man of his background could have uttered, words that encompassed not only American history but also his own life in that wider, often troubling, story:
I can no more disown him [Wright] than I can disown the black community. I can no more disown him than I can disown my white grandmother, a woman who helped raise me, a woman who sacrificed again and again for me, a woman who loves me as much as she loves anything in this world, but a woman who once confessed her fear of black men who passed her by on the street, and who on more than one occasion has uttered racial or ethnic stereotypes that made me cringe.
These people are part of me. And they are part of America, this country that I love.
To be sure, there were times when his rhetorical gifts failed him, as E.J. Dionne Jr. and Joy-Ann Reid write in their in the introduction to We Are the Change We Seek, a collection of Obama speeches published this month by Bloomsbury. He was remarkably (and, to his supporters, surprisingly) ineffective in making the case for two of his major achievements, the economic stimulus and the health care program that bears his name. These failures haunted him throughout the presidency.
But that was not the case during his farewell address in Chicago on Tuesday, when he called for unity and optimism to counter economic injustice, racism and our battered and divisive politics:
I am asking you to hold fast to that faith written into our founding documents; that idea whispered by slaves and abolitionists; that spirit sung by immigrants and homesteaders and those who marched for justice; that creed reaffirmed by those who planted flags from foreign battlefields to the surface of the moon; a creed at the core of every American whose story is not yet written: Yes, we can. Yes, we did.
See the most-read stories this hour
Twitter: @JeffreyLAT
jeffrey.fleishman@latimes.com
One of President Obamas perhaps lesser-known achievements the recent expansion of a national marine monument in his native Hawaii receives a well-deserved spotlight in the lovely and vital, if decidedly brief, conservation documentary Sea of Hope: Americas Underwater Treasures.
Director Robert Nixons visually stunning portrait tracks the ambitious journey of veteran oceanographer Sylvia Earle, underwater photojournalist Brian Skerry, environmental rights advocate and the films narrator Max Kennedy (son of Robert F. Kennedy), plus several aspiring teen ecologists across a series of ocean habitats in U.S. territorial waters.
The mission: to study and photograph these critical underwater ecosystems, located in the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico and around Hawaii. The hope: to inspire the formation of blue parks to help protect these and other ocean areas endangered by climate change and overfishing.
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The yearlong trip ends with an inspiring meet-up with Obama in conjunction with his creation of the worlds largest marine protected region, one covering more than half a million square miles in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
The film captures the dazzling beauty of its ocean locales, both above and beneath the surface, while soberly reminding us of the crucial ecological issues and solutions at hand. As one observer aptly notes, Unless we keep the ocean from dying, none of us will make it.
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Sea of Hope: Americas Underwater Treasures
Not rated.
Running time: 48 minutes
Playing: Laemmle Monica Film Center, Santa Monica; Sunday on National Geographic Channel
See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour
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Many music fans will be craving some sort of comfort or inspiration for protest during the first days of the Trump administration. A new subscription music service hopes to offer one, by way of 100 new songs from popular indie artists.
Our First 100 Days has corralled new tracks from Mitski, Angel Olsen, How to Dress Well, Toro y Moi, PWR BTTM, Jens Lekman, Whitney, Will Oldham, the Mountain Goats and many more indie luminaries in protest of the incoming administration. The download and streaming site will be available at a minimum donation of $30. A new song will debut every day starting Jan. 20, and all proceeds benefit a range of liberal-leaning causes such as Peoples Climate Movement, Hoosier Action and All Above All.
The new effort comes from the Secretly Group (the label family behind Secretly Canadian, Jagjaguwar, Dead Oceans and others) and 30 Days, 30 Songs, the anti-Trump effort that released new topical music in the run-up to the election.
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Many of us woke up the morning after the election in a state of shock. Everything was different. We knew that we had to do something, and we are incredibly proud of what we are pulling together with Our First 100 Days, Secretly Groups Phil Waldorf said in a statement.
Not only is it a collection of great music, it is the music community coming together, supporting many important organizations, who will be the first line of defense against the policies of the new administration, he added. We hope that people not only love the music, and discover some new things with this collection, but they see it as an easy way to make a contribution to a cross section of organizations that need the support right now.
For breaking music news, follow @augustbrown on Twitter.
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How do you return to series television after playing the role of a lifetime?
If youre Bryan Cranston, through a side door and with as little fanfare as possible.
The actor, who won four Primetime Emmy awards for his portrayal of Walter White, Americas notorious science teacher turned meth king in AMCs Breaking Bad, now does the bulk of his work behind the camera as the co-creator, writer and executive producer of the Amazon Prime series Sneaky Pete.
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The 10-episode drama, out in its entirety Friday (the pilot premiered last September), follows a highly intelligent, working-class white man who finds his calling outside the law. Sound familiar?
But this time around, the starring role belongs to Giovanni Ribisi, who plays Marius, a con man whos almost done serving time at a New York prison for his misdeeds. But freedom means facing the cold-blooded, ex-cop turned thug Vince (Cranston) whom he scammed out of a fortune before ending up in the slammer.
As Marius concocts a plan of survival, the nonstop prattle of his cellmate, Pete (Ethan Embry), gives him an idea. Pete talks incessantly about his idyllic childhood raised by his grandparents on a farm outside Bridgeport, Conn., though its been 20 years since hes seen them. Marius isnt a dead ringer for Pete, but hes close enough.
Marius assumes Petes identity upon his release from prison, fleeing to the safety of the unsuspecting grandparents Audrey and Otto (Margo Martindale and Peter Gerety) who accept him back into their lives: They need help running their bail-bond business, and sneaky Pete is happy to oblige.
But since Vince is holding Marius younger brother Eddie (Michael Drayer) in the city as collateral, Marius must find a way to pay the ex-cop back, all while conning Petes family, who include his cousins Julia (Marin Ireland) and her brother Taylor (Shane McRae).
The carefully crafted labyrinth of lies, swindles and half-truths threaten to implode at any minute, and its that suspense and tension along with the absurd situations that Marius finds himself in that make Sneaky Pete such a smart, riveting and often tense ride through a complicated web of family, crime and everything that should (but doesnt) separate the two.
Ribisi is a convincing con man: charming, cunning and able to spin multiple scams like plates. But grandma Audrey has some hidden truths of her own, and the interplay between the two paranoid but polite exchanges, the subtle need to outsmart each other is one of the highlights here.
Another stand-out is newcomer Libe Barer as Carly, the granddaughter of Audrey. A potential grifter in the making, the shoplifting teen is, like everyone else, in the dark about Petes real identity.
But Carly senses a kindred spirit in her recently arrived uncle. Teach me, she says, after lifting money out of his wallet, only to find he stole it back from her. I just did, he says. The lesson was dont steal from me.
Cranston co-created Sneaky Pete with David Shore (House, Battle Creek), and his fellow executive producer is Graham Yost (Justified, The Americans). All three are also involved in the writing of the show.
Sneaky Pete originally was ordered by CBS in late 2014, but by the following spring, the network declined to pick up the series. A bidding war ensued .
In Sneaky Pete, Cranston doesnt appear all that often, but when he does, were reminded of how terrifyingly calculated his characters can be. Vince uses his old skills as a NYC cop to perfect his new calling in the world of high-end crime. His obsession with getting Marius isnt as much about getting the money back that hes owed as it is about destroying the man who once humiliated him. His revenge involves meticulous plotting as well as bolt cutters as a means of torture.
Cranstons extensive acting range has been demonstrated, from the wacky father in Malcolm in the Middle to his Oscar-nominated role as blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo and his Tony Award-winning turn as President Johnson in the play All the Way. (He scored an Emmy nomination in the HBO adaptation of the play.)
That power through versatility can be felt throughout Sneaky Pete, even when Cranston isnt on-screen. His penchant for dark characters with above average intelligence informs scenes in NYC crime dens, where high-stakes gamblers drink even higher-end scotch, while his ability to capture the most mundane aspects of family life is apparent at the kitchen table in rural Connecticut, where kids eat waffles as their parents argue about how to pay the mortgage.
Cranstons return to series TV is brilliant, understated and mostly behind the scenes. How very Walter White.
Sneaky Pete
Where: Amazon
When: Anytime, starting Friday
Rating: TV-14 (may be unsuitable for children under the age of 14)
lorraine.ali@latimes.com
Twitter: @lorraineali
Spicy food is glorious stuff, particularly in times of duress, or when the weather is unreasonably chilly, or when youve misplaced that bottle of Double Chicken Brand Sriracha you still keep in your bag. So which restaurant to head for when the need for a dose of chiles calls? Here are a half-dozen places around town where whats on the menu can blow both your mind and the Scoville scale.
Jitlada
Jonathan Gold dishes on the Jazz burger, an off-menu item at Jitlada in Thai town, a site of pilgrimage for spicy food lovers.
A friend of mine once made it her lifes mission to taste every dish on Jitladas list of southern-Thai specials, a document that filled several dense, typewritten pages. As crab simmered with sataw beans followed frog legs with pumpkin, acacia omelets and curried fish kidneys, a lesser woman might have reverted to the comforts of coco mango salad and whole turmeric fish. And as soon as shed finished her yearlong project, chef Suthiporn Tui Sungkamee slapped on another few dozen dishes, including fried silkworms with chile and the mysterious black-pepper chitlin. In the battle between an inventive Thai chef and an adventurous palate, the chef is going to win every time. Jitlada is that rarity: a popular restaurant as well-loved for its most challenging dishes as for its versions of Thai cliches.
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5233 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, (323) 667-9809, jitladala.com.
Chengdu Taste
Boiled fish with green pepper sauce at Chengdu Taste in Alhambra. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
If your experience of Sichuan food is mostly from the Chongqing-style places that have popped up in the San Gabriel Valley in the last few years, you will probably find the Chengdu-style cooking at Chengdu Taste lighter, cleaner and less likely to wake you up in the middle of the night with chile-oil-induced nightmares. The food is still quite spicy, flavored with a vast array of fresh, dried, pickled and ground chiles, but the vivid scent of Sichuan peppercorn comes to the front in quite a few dishes, and the overwhelming sensation, even in dishes common to both kinds of restaurants, such as the sliced beef in chile oil called fu qi fei pian, mapo tofu, or the chile-accented room-temperature noodles called dan dan mian, is of numbness rather than pain.
When you order both Numb-Taste Wonton and boiled fish with green pepper sauce, the waiter may well bring out the latter dish first, a huge bowl of fillets submerged in a broth whose upper inch includes sliced serrano chiles, a big handful of Sichuan peppercorns and lots of peppery oil, because he believes that the sauce on the floppy, delicate dumplings will obliterate your ability to taste the subtleties in the fish. The spectacularly tender fish is numbing enough (youre not supposed to drink the broth), but the almost electric charge of the peppercorns brings out the flavor of the fillets and the chiles the taste flits around your lips and tongue with the weird vibrancy of a flashing Las Vegas sign where the pepper sauce with the wonton obliterates everything in its path, like a mysteriously pleasurable punch in the mouth. Sichuan pepper is said to alleviate tooth pain, and I have no reason to doubt it.
828 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra, (626) 588-2284.
Howlin Rays
A hot chicken sandwich from Howlin Rays in the Far East Plaza in Chinatown. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
What happens when you take your first bite of Nashville hot chicken, say the Howlin Hot fried chicken at Chinatowns Howlin Rays? You burn your fingers, for one thing the bird is just out of the fryer, and youll probably want to tear the quarter-chicken in half for easy eating as a good bit of the red seasoning paste will work its way up your fingers and under your nails. You will aim to get as much of the fragrant skin as possible between your teeth, and you sigh with relief; the experience is of salt, crunch and garlic, overlaid with the musty pungency of dried peppers, not nearly as bad as you thought. It is excellent fried chicken.
Then the punch of heat lands you may experience it almost as a blow to the chest. Your lips swell. Your scalp erupts in sweat. Your throat begins to close. You unconsciously mop your forehead with the back of your hand and suddenly there is a situation up there too, a sensation you may have experienced the last time you napped an hour too long on the beach. Your bloodstream floods with adrenaline, but then the endorphins kick in, and you float on an eddy of bliss for a moment or two. Then you go back in for some more. The hot chicken has won.
727 N . Broadway, No. 128, Los Angeles, (213) 935-8399, howlinrays.com.
Chichen Itza
The cochinita pibil at Chichen Itza. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
At Chichen Itza, when you order a panucho, which is a split tortilla stuffed with black beans, fried crisp and drizzled with citrus, you will be presented with an orange habanero salsa, which is hot enough to make a whole classroom of third-graders cry. What you want to do, of course, is ask instead for the green habanero salsa, flecked with bits of charred skin, which is hot enough to make the first salsa seem like ketchup. Such is the way of Yucatecan cuisine. This lunch counter in the La Paloma complex near USC is the most serious Yucatecan restaurant in town, specializing in Maya dishes such as codzitos, egg-stuffed papadzules, and cochinita pibil that may have pre-dated Columbus, as well as modern Yucatecan dishes such as poc chuc and the Merida version of Lebanese kibbe. Wash it down with vivid-green drink made from the chaya leaf or the refreshingly tart agua fresca made from guanabana.
3655 S. Grand Ave. (in Mercado La Paloma), Los Angeles, (213) 741-1075, chichenitzarestaurant.com
Dongpo
The spicy chicken at Dongpo restaurant. (Mariah Tauger / For The Times)
Theres that la zi ji: slightly glazed, sprinkled with sesame seeds, and beautifully crunchy; saturated with salt, oil and a numbing blast of Sichuan peppercorn. I like the bony, superhot, almost burned la zi ji at some other restaurants in town, and Ive made it almost a mission to find the best the ones at Lucky Noodle King, Chuans, and Spicy City arent bad. But the la zi ji at Dongpo is splendid, as compulsive as a treasure hunt, chopsticks darting through the mountain of chiles for stray nuggets of meat, an activity you will pursue like a Pavlovian, for long minutes after the last bit of chicken has definitely disappeared.
400 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia (in the Westfield Santa Anita mall), (626) 538-4580, meizhourestaurants.com.
Also, more or less, at 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles (in Westfield Century City mall), (310) 788-0120.
Sun Nong Dan
Galbi jjim at Sun Nong Dan in Los Angeles. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
The galbi jjim at Sun Nong Dan is Hendrix shredding a Bob Dylan song or David Choe slapping paint onto a wall, all the sensations of the dish run through a distortion pedal and cranked up to 10. Youll be getting the dish extra-spicy (although the waiter will try to talk you out of it), and the amount of garlic that will seep out of your pores afterward is almost surreal. The pot that it comes in is hot enough and thick enough to crisp the cylinders of rice noodles, tteok, put a light char on the meat and keep the scarlet braising sauce bubbling long enough to reduce to a thick, insanely flavorful sludge that both coats and saturates the turned carrots and potatoes.
If you have ordered it with cheese you have to order it with cheese a waiter scoops a big handful of white gratings over the top and bazookas it with a torch, creating several small fireballs along the way for effect until the mass breaks down into oozing, char-flecked rivulets that stretch from your chopsticks like pizza goo.
3470 W. 6th St., Suite 7, Los Angeles, (213) 365-0303, www.sunnongdan.com.
jonathan.gold@latimes.com
@thejgold
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As a Chinese aircraft carrier floated ominously off her nations coast, Taiwans president short-hopped through the Americas this week, seeking to improve relations with the United States and Central America while walking a fine line with Beijing.
Early indications are that Tsai Ing-wens trip was a success, solidifying ties with allies without angering China to the point of retaliation. Still, the trip was closely watched by Beijing, which had the the carrier pass off the Taiwanese coast as a warning and may have engineered a diplomatic shakeup on Thursday.
So far shes got better than a passing grade, said Raymond Wu, managing director of the Taipei-based political risk consultancy e-telligence. In a sense, shes been able to complete the multiple purposes she had on the trip. The reception domestically should be largely positive.
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Many in Taiwan see the presidents journey as a pivot point in the isolated islands ever-precarious diplomatic relations. With their economy depending on much of the world for trade, people here want stronger ties in the Americas, especially with the United States.
Tsai was due to stop in San Francisco on Friday on her way from Central America back to Taiwan. On her outbound leg last week, she stopped in Houston, where she talked to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott about trade, tourism and investment connections between his state and Taiwan.
China had asked Washington, which does not formally recognize Taiwan diplomatically, to block the stopovers, which are technically intended only to allow her to change planes.
While in Texas, the president also met with Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, despite pressure from China to avoid her. Cruz issued a statement saying that Beijing needs to understand that in America we make decisions about meeting with visitors for ourselves.
Cruz had previously said he supported Tsais Dec. 2 phone call with President-elect Donald Trump. The call, a first for U.S. and Taiwan leaders since the 1970s, sparked a strong protest from China and the initial appearance last month of its Liaoning aircraft carrier near Taiwans coast.
This file photo taken on Dec. 24, 2016, shows the Liaoning, Chinas only aircraft carrier, sailing during military drills in the Pacific. (AFP/Getty Images )
On Wednesday, China sent the carrier through the Taiwan Strait, a 100-mile-wide body of water that divides the island from China, and through Taiwans air defense identification zone, the Taiwanese defense ministry said as it tracked the movement with jets and navy frigates. Analysts in Taipei saw the carriers passage as a warning.
China has seen staunchly self-ruled Taiwan as part of its own territory since the Chinese civil war of the 1940s and seeks to limit its international exposure. Beijing officials distrust Tsai, a 60-year-old law scholar who took office in May, because she has declined to regard Taiwan as part of China and sit down for talks.
Tsais meetings in Houston should create a bridge between Taiwan and a Republican-dominated U.S. government, said Wu Chung-li, a political science research fellow at Academia Sinica, a university in Taipei.
The U.S. is Taiwans most important ally and friend, and has a very special place in the hearts and minds of the people of Taiwan, the presidents office said in a statement Monday on the Houston visit.
Tsai left Houston for Honduras, where she met President Juan Orlando Hernandez. In Nicaragua, she attended the inauguration of President Daniel Ortega following a one-on-one meeting. The encounter eased worries in Taiwan that Nicaragua was talking to China about a break in ties with Taiwan in favor of Beijing.
Mainland China will not maintain diplomatic relations with countries that recognize Taiwan as an independent country.
China periodically persuades countries to switch allegiance. The African nation of Sao Tome and Principe switched last month after the Tsai-Trump call, and the foreign ministry in Taipei said Thursday that Nigeria had severed informal relations with Taiwan because it did not regard the island as a country.
Taiwan relies on 21 countries that recognize it as a country for a voice in the United Nations. More than 170 countries recognize the larger, more economically powerful China. Taiwans diplomatic partners, mostly poor nations, look to Taiwan for development aid.
Tsai talked to her Honduran counterpart about accepting more imports of farm products, such as coffee, and supporting micro business in the country in what Hernandez called a new phase in the 75-year diplomatic relationship, the government-funded Central News Agency in Taiwan said.
Taiwans President Tsai Ing-wen and Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales wave from a balcony at the Culture Palace in Guatemala City on Jan. 11, 2017. (Johan Ordonez / AFP/Getty Images )
In Guatemala on Wednesday, Tsai met President Jimmy Morales and pledged to sustain Taiwanese support for a highway expansion project. Tsai final stops were in El Salvador.
Tsai kept Chinas rage in check during the trip by avoiding inflammatory statements, Wu Chung-li said. That approach kept public opinion on her side in Taiwan rather than causing concern about risk of wider retaliation from Beijing, which has never dropped the threat of war if needed to capture Taiwan.
When a country sends out its military to patrol another sea, it is a kind of threat, he said. But we all know the situation of Taiwans relations [with China]. So try not to make something become worse thats the key thing right now.
Jennings is a special correspondent.
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Californias bullet train could cost taxpayers 50% more than estimated as much as $3.6 billion more. And thats just for the first 118 miles through the Central Valley, which was supposed to be the easiest part of the route between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
A confidential Federal Railroad Administration risk analysis, obtained by The Times, projects that building bridges, viaducts, trenches and track from Merced to Shafter, just north of Bakersfield, could cost $9.5 billion to $10 billion, compared with the original budget of $6.4 billion.
The federal document outlines far-reaching management problems: significant delays in environmental planning, lags in processing invoices for federal grants and continuing failures to acquire needed property.
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The California High-Speed Rail Authority originally anticipated completing the Central Valley track by this year, but the federal risk analysis estimates that that wont happen until 2024, placing the project seven years behind schedule.
The report, the most critical official assessment of the project to surface so far, is labeled a confidential-draft deliberative document for internal use only and was presented by senior Federal Railroad Administration executives to California rail authority board Chairman Dan Richard and Chief Executive Jeff Morales on Dec. 1 in Washington.
This analysis puts the state on notice that it could face bigger cost overruns than anticipated and much longer delays than have been made public, a troubling critique by an agency that has been a stalwart supporter and longtime financier of the nations largest infrastructure project.
The point of doing this analysis is to identify the challenges and work through them. Jeff Morales, chief executive of California High-Speed Rail Authority
Morales cautioned in an interview that the numbers in the analysis are only projections and estimates that do not account for intervention by the rail authority, and he asserted that the construction in the Central Valley will cost less than the risk analysis indicates. The estimates, he said, are based on a lot of assumptions that the authority wants to ensure are correct.
The point of doing this analysis is to identify the challenges and work through them, he said. They are not conclusions and not findings.
The Federal Railroad Administration is tracking the project because it has extended $3.5 billion in two grants to help build the Central Valley segment. The administration has an obligation to ensure that the state complies with the terms, including a requirement that the state has the funding to match the federal grants.
Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Turlock), chairman of the House rail subcommittee, said Friday he would conduct an oversight hearing in the near future and fight any further federal funding.
Despite past issues with funding this boondoggle, we were repeatedly assured in an August field hearing that construction costs were under control, he said in a statement. They continue to reaffirm my belief that this is a huge waste of taxpayer dollars.
The railroad administrations analysis shows that the state authority could lose $220 million in one of the federal grants this year if it cannot submit paperwork by June 30, to meet the Sept. 30 deadline of the Obama administrations stimulus act.
To hit those milestones requires spending $3.2 million per day, a very high rate of construction spending. But Morales said the rail authoritys construction progress and spending rate ensure that all of the grant funds will be used. So far, the authority has spent $2.2 billion of the grant, leaving $300 million to spend.
Federal Railroad Administration spokesman Matthew Lehner did not answer specific questions about the risk analysis but said that it is a standard oversight tool used on major capital projects not just California.
Lehner said that hes confident the state can meet its deadline, with continued focus and hard work.
Other recent documents, however, paint a dark picture of Californias ambitious transportation project and help explain some of the performance problems.
Audit reports last year, for example, found that the rail authority lacks consistent management processes, takes on unnecessary contract risks, does not have orderly records and is short on clearly defined responsibility for its top officials.
And an internal report obtained by The Times notes a just-completed survey in which employees complain that morale is low and has declined in each of the last three years. Employees interviewed by The Times say turnover is consistently high, leaving staff overworked. The rail authoritys senior deputy, its chief administrative officer and its top information technology executive recently left.
Rail authority spokeswoman Lisa Marie Alley said that the authority takes the issue seriously and that it is currently making changes that we expect will help in that regard.
About 80% of all bullet train systems incur massive overruns in their construction, according to Bent Flyvbjerg, an infrastructure risk expert at the University of Oxford who has studied such rail projects all over the world. One of the biggest hazards of such mega-projects is a government agency that is attempting to do something highly complex for the first time.
The California system is being built by an independent authority that has never built anything and depends on a large network of consultants and contractors for advice. Engineering and construction experts have warned that early cost and schedule problems will be difficult to reverse and that early cost increases likely will drive up the final cost of the project.
Proponents of the project, including many veteran transportation experts, have said that Californias massive economy can handle higher costs for the project even more than $100 billion by increasing sales taxes or making firm commitments for additional future funding from the states general fund.
But the Legislature already has balked at giving the rail authority the ability to borrow against future state revenues, saying it would have to make do with existing allocations. And that was before Gov. Jerry Brown warned Tuesday that Californias projected 2017-18 budget shows a $1.6-billion deficit.
Proponents say short-term financial concerns are more than offset by the future value of a transportation system connecting the state.
Brown, meanwhile, has sought to shield the project from interference. He vetoed a bill with bipartisan support in September that would have increased oversight of the project and clarified estimates of how much the project will cost. And last January, a joint committee rejected a proposal to ask the California state auditor to examine the project for the first time in four years.
The federal risk analysis identifies several major problems that have dogged the project for years and proved difficult to remedy.
In January 2012, the rail authority said it would start construction in Fresno by June, but it had not purchased a single piece of land.
Farmers resisted from the start, saying the route would cut diagonally through some of the nations most fertile acreage, devastating their operations.
Actual construction did not start until 2014 and even then at a slow pace and the federal report shows that property acquisition delays are growing worse.
Last February, the rail authority had expected to hand over 100% of the parcels in the Fresno construction segment by June 2018. Now, that is not expected until June 2019, according to the federal report.
Even after five years of effort to buy property, the authority still lacks 25% of the parcels for the 29-mile section from Madera to Fresno, and just over half of the parcels needed for the 118 miles in the Central Valley.
The federal report also raises concerns with the rail authoritys billing system. It found that the state authority requires three months to process an invoice too long, the report suggests.
State employees say they are stymied by high turnover, cumbersome computer systems and poor record-keeping.
The effort to get through environmental reviews also has taken much longer than expected and is getting worse, according to the federal review.
The rail authority has said for at least two years that it would have all of its environmental statements and decisions completed by this year. But the federal review projects that all of the environmental work will not be completed until 2020. Morales attributes some of the delays to other government agencies that must review the rail authoritys plans, but he expects the environmental statements will be completed earlier than the federal risk analysis shows.
Possible delays do not surprise community activists in the San Fernando Valley. David DePinto, an opposition leader in Shadow Hills, has noted that the rail authority is still conducting geological soil investigations in the San Gabriel Mountains to determine the routes for lengthy tunnels that will pass through the range.
The environmental reviews have grown ever more costly, based on an analysis of the rail authoritys documents. The original cost projection, made in a September 2010 grant agreement with the Federal Railroad Administration, put the cost at $388 million. By last August, the authoritys official funding contribution plan showed that cost had jumped to $1.03 billion.
The cost increase amounted to 171%.
ralph.vartabedian@latimes.com
Follow me on Twitter @rvartabedian
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UPDATES:
2:45 p.m.: This article was updated with a statement from Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Turlock).
This article was originally published at 8:40 a.m.
A judge in Santa Clara County ruled Friday to revoke the conditional release of a notorious serial rapist who had been living in a home in the Antelope Valley after leaving a state mental hospital in 2014.
The decision by Santa Clara County Judge Richard Loftus means that Christopher Hubbart will again be confined to a state hospital, where he was locked up as a sexually violent predator for nearly two decades. He will remain confined for at least a year, according to the Los Angeles County district attorneys office.
The revocation came after Hubbarts treatment team informed the court he had violated several terms of his release, including failing five polygraph tests. He also refused to participate in treatment in a meaningful manner, withheld important information and wasnt transparent with his treatment providers.
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Hubbart nicknamed the Pillowcase Rapist for his pattern of covering victims heads during his attacks has admitted to at least 44 sexual assaults across the state.
Christopher Hubbart is a prolific serial rapist, and even after years of treatment, he remains a danger to women, Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey said in a statement.
Hubbarts attorney didnt return calls and an email seeking comment.
When the 65-year-old moved into a small house on a dirt road outside Palmdale in the summer of 2014, his arrival brought panic and outrage to the community. Neighbors gathered outside the home to protest, carrying keep out signs and waving pillowcases in the air.
The demonstrators, who protested for months, pressured a water company to stop delivering to the home, and law enforcement investigated anonymous death threats against the unwelcome neighbor. Before long, Hubbart who was monitored by guards around the clock built a fence. The healthcare company overseeing Hubbarts treatment wrote to tell a judge that the demonstrations were wearing the client down.
Under the conditions of his release detailed in a 16-page document Hubbart agreed to several restrictions, including wearing a GPS bracelet, not calling phone sex lines, staying in his home after 9 p.m., and avoiding television shows, movies or digital media that act as stimulus to arouse. He also promised to keep a log of any sexual thoughts involving past victims and maintain full transparency with his treatment providers.
In August, Hubbarts treatment providers filed a petition with the court asking to have his outpatient treatment revoked and Coalinga State Hospital police officers arrested him at the Lake Los Angeles home the same day.
In his Friday ruling, the judge laid out many of the treatment teams worries.
Alan Stillman, who supervised the outpatient treatment, said he was concerned with Hubbarts thoughts and fantasies, which came up in discussions about the failed polygraph tests. The therapist said he believed Hubbart was not coming to grips with his distorted thinking, adding that the polygraph examiners believed Hubbart had taken counter measures to throw off his results, including using labored breathing and putting pressure on a cuff that measured his heart response.
Stillman also said housing Hubbart in L.A. County was horrible. The judge noted there were protests and death threats, which caused significant stress that ultimately had consequences in his treatment.
According to the judges ruling, Hubbart told another member of his treatment team that he felt between a rock and a hard spot, saying he feared what would happen if he was totally forthcoming in his polygraph test.
The judge accused the Sheriffs Department of being less than cooperative with the outpatient team, hampering success of the placement. And he blamed the district attorneys office for Hubbarts withholding information from his polygraph test, saying that prosecutors had interfered with his therapy by repeatedly seeking revocation.
Their actions, therefore, undermined the treatment, the judge wrote.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Karen Thorp disagreed, saying she acted because Hubbart was violating the terms of his release.
Hubbart is a danger to the community and to himself a grave danger, she said. Were relieved for the community that he is back in Coalinga receiving treatment.
Hubbarts attacks date to at least the early 1970s, while he was living in Southern California and working at his stepfathers furniture factory.
In 1972, he was confined to a state hospital where he was classified as a mentally disordered sex offender for a series of sexual assaults in the Pomona and San Gabriel valleys, according to court records.
Within months of his release in 1979, hed started to attack again. He was arrested two years later for attacks in the Bay Area and sent to prison for eight years. Two months after his release, he attacked again, this time sneaking up behind a jogger and grabbing her breasts.
During his time behind bars, politicians portrayed him as a poster child for why the state should lock up its most dangerous sex offenders even beyond their prison terms. In 1996 shortly before his scheduled release from prison Santa Clara County prosecutors asked to have Hubbart sent to a mental hospital under the states new Sexually Violent Predator law.
He became the first person ever held using the law, which allows the state to confine predators in hospitals if they have a mental disorder making them likely to reoffend. At his civil commitment trial, two state doctors testified that Hubbart had severe paraphilia deviant sexual behavior.
Cheryl Holbrook, who lives a few miles from the home where Hubbart was living, said his arrival in her neighborhood two years ago horrified her. She began to have racing thoughts and imagined Hubbart breaking out of his home and attacking women. She installed cameras at her home and always kept her gun nearby.
When she learned of his arrest in August, she broke down in sobs and her body began to shake she was ecstatic, she said. And when she heard details of why hed been arrested, she felt even more relieved he was confined.
To fail a polygraph five times? she said. Inexcusable.
She expressed tempered optimism Friday, saying shes still concerned Hubbart can ask to be conditionally released again in a year.
Its better than nothing, she said. But he needs to stay in until he dies. He needs to rot in there.
marisa.gerber@latimes.com
For more news from the Los Angeles County courts, follow me on Twitter: @marisagerber
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UPDATES:
6:00 p.m.: This article was updated with details from the judges ruling and a quote from the Los Angeles County prosecutor.
4:10 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from Cheryl Holbrook and with additional background about Christopher Hubbarts arrest in August.
This article was originally published at 12:45 p.m.
Authorities are searching for a suspect accused of fatally shooting a man and kidnapping a woman at gunpoint at an Anaheim motel Wednesday night.
Luke Theodore Lampers, a 35-year-old transient, is wanted in connection with the shooting of Douglas Navarro at 7:28 p.m. during a dispute at the Crystal Inn, said Sgt. Daron Wyatt, a spokesman for the Anaheim Police Department.
Detectives believe Lampers arrived at the motel in the 2100 block of West Lincoln Avenue moments before the slaying. He had a verbal confrontation with those at the motel, during which Navarro stepped in and asked the suspect to leave. In response, Lampers allegedly opened fire, Wyatt said.
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After the shooting, Lampers allegedly forced Brianne Deese into his car at gunpoint and drove away, Wyatt said.
It is believed Lampers and Deese have had a romantic relationship at some point and detectives believe she is being held against her will, he said.
Paramedics and officers tried to revive Navarro, who had at least one gunshot wound to his chest, Wyatt said. The 49-year-old Anaheim resident was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Lampers was driving a 2011 orange Nissan Cube, with California license plate 6SOY425. Deese was last seen in the passenger seat of the car.
Lampers is considered armed and dangerous, Wyatt said.
Anyone who sees Lampers is urged not to approach him and to immediately call 911.
veronica.rocha@latimes.com
For breaking news in California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter.
A woman accused of framing her husbands ex-fiancee in a rape fantasy plot on Craigslist pleaded not guilty on Friday to more than two dozen charges.
Angela Diaz, 31, faces 10 felony charges that include kidnapping, false imprisonment, perjury and forgery, according to the Orange County district attorneys office. She is also charged with 22 misdemeanor counts of falsely reporting a crime.
Diaz was extradited Thursday night from Arizona to Orange County. She is scheduled to appear in Orange County Superior Court on Jan. 24 for a hearing.
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Diaz was arrested on Jan. 6 in Phoenix, where she lives, in connection with creating a Craigslist ad and making bogus claims against Michelle Hadley.
The hearing comes days after the district attorneys office announced that it had exonerated Hadley and dropped charges against her.
Hadley was arrested twice once in June 2016 and again in July in connection with Diazs claims. Hadley faced 10 felony charges and the possibility of life in prison.
Diaz told Anaheim police that a man had tried to rape her in her garage in June. The following month, she said a 17-year-old boy appeared in her courtyard in response to the Craigslist ad.
Diaz went to investigators and accused Hadley of impersonating Diaz in the ad and inviting men to visit her condo to participate in her rape fantasy, Orange County Dist. Atty. Tony Rackauckas said at a news conference on Monday.
Diaz alleged that Hadley had sent her emails threatening to have her raped, he said. The emails contained links to photographs of aborted fetuses, dead bodies and decapitated bodies, Rackauckas said.
At the time, police believed Diazs frightening ordeal was the result of the Craigslist ad, and the electronic trail, they said, had led to Hadley. They had also stopped several men near Diazs condo, who admitted responding to the Craigslist ad.
But in September, investigators discovered that the Craigslist ad and the harassing emails had been sent from Diazs condo and her fathers home, Orange County Deputy Dist. Atty. Richard Zimmer said.
Prosecutors discovered Diaz had sent the emails to herself using specialized software to make it appear that Hadley had written and sent them.
At that point, Hadley had been jailed for 88 days. In October, she was released on her own recognizance following the new evidence showing her innocence.
Its often said true life is stranger than fiction. The facts of this case make that statement spot on, Rackauckas said. When a person who has committed a crime gets arrested and charged, thats a bad day. But when someone whos innocent and gets arrested and charged with a crime, thats not just a bad day its a nightmare.
According to the district attorney, Hadley had dated Diazs husband for two years after meeting online, he said. But they broke up and she moved out of their Anaheim condominium. The pair had argued in text messages and email over their relationship and costs associated with the condo. They finally stopped talking in fall 2015.
The following year, Diaz met him on dating website. She married the U.S. marshal in February 2016 and moved into the condo.
In the following months, prosecutors said Diaz faked being pregnant with twins and faked having cervical cancer. Prosecutors say she also forged a check and doctors notes, posed as an attorney and impersonated two of her husbands ex-girlfriends over email.
According to prosecutors, there was no evidence that Diazs husband was involved in the case.
After Hadley was cleared of the charges, she told reporters outside the courthouse on Monday afternoon that the traumatic experience has been such a nightmare for me.
veronica.rocha@latimes.com
For breaking news in California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter.
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UPDATES:
2:10 p.m.: This article was updated with Angela Diaz pleading not guilty.
This article was originally published at 2:05 p.m.
California regulators moved Thursday to accelerate soil cleanups and other actions to prevent exposure to lead contamination at the highest-risk homes near the shuttered Exide Technologies plant in Vernon. The change of course follows months of criticism by community groups, lawmakers and health officials about government inaction.
New guidelines issued by the state Department of Toxic Substances Control will allow for a limited number of residential properties posing the highest risk of lead poisoning to undergo expedited, time critical removal actions.
The largest-ever cleanup of lead-contaminated homes in California has been at a standstill since June. The department argued previously that it could not complete any cleanups even of homes whose lead levels amounted to hazardous waste until a year-long environmental review is completed this summer.
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The cleanup spans 10,000 residential properties as well as daycare centers, schools and parks across seven southeast Los Angeles County communities surrounding the former car battery-smelting plant, which regulators blame for emitting dangerous lead contamination over decades.
Although state officials long maintained they could not complete cleanups using exemptions in state law because the levels of contamination were not considered an emergency, county health officials, community groups and legal experts disagreed and were among those who pushed for quicker action amid the ongoing environmental review.
They contended there was nothing in the law preventing the department from acting immediately to remove lead from the highest-risk properties, particularly those with lead levels above 1,000 parts per million the states threshold for hazardous waste.
The guidelines, released Thursday, indicate that the department found the legal justification.
The toxics department cited concerns from community members and local leaders in its decision to release guidelines, developed in consultation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, that will allow it to complete expedited cleanups in the next few months while complying with the California Environmental Quality Act.
We are utilizing all of the resources at our disposal to ensure that we are able to take action to protect the most sensitive populations impacted by the presence of lead in the soil from the Exide operations, DTSC Director Barbara Lee said in a statement.
The shift comes just a few weeks after Lee said people living near Exide would have to wait for cleanup until June, when the environmental review of the project is scheduled to be completed.
Lee said in a December interview that exemptions to the California Environmental Quality Act examined by the department were not straightforward.
The toxic substances department said Thursday it is now screening for expedited action properties where statistical analysis shows lead levels exceeding 1,000 ppm and evaluating sampling data for evidence of localized exposures to high levels of lead.
The department will also consider other factors, such as the presence of pregnant women, children under age 7 or people with high levels of lead in their blood, and will make decisions about which properties to target on a case-by-case basis where the analysis shows an imminent threat to sensitive individuals is likely.
Lead, a potent neurotoxin, is most dangerous to young children who can ingest contaminated soil or dust. Even small amounts of the metal cause permanent learning and developmental deficiencies, lower IQs and behavioral problems.
The states interventions at the highest-risk properties could include soil removal but could also be limited to less comprehensive measures, such as the installation of grass, mulch or rock barriers. The remediation steps would be taken only with the permission of property owners and tenants.
DTSC officials had no estimate of how many properties could be selected for expedited cleanups, which are expected to take place from now until when the environmental review is expected to be finalized in June.
Since the Department will determine whether to take expedited cleanup or other time-sensitive actions on a case-by-case basis, its unknown at this time how many actions will be conducted under this guidance, said Abbott Dutton, a DTSC spokeswoman.
A recent cleanup plan shows 52 of 2,711 residential properties tested through July 2016 had site-wide soil levels that exceeded 1,000 parts per million.
Nearly 30% of homes tested over the same period exceeded the federal health standard of 400 parts per million considered hazardous in bare soil where children play, and more than 97% were above Californias more stringent cleanup standard of 80 ppm, the department found.
The departments decision to act sooner to clean some properties was cheered by experts on the California Environmental Quality Act who had been critical of its failure to take advantage of exemptions to the law.
Thats more like it, said Douglas Carstens, an environmental attorney based in Hermosa Beach. He praised the department for developing creative ways to balance competing cleanup priorities.
Everybody wants the same thing a good cleanup to protect public health and it seems the only differences have been about timing and prioritization, Carstens said.
Oakland-based environmental attorney Richard Drury applauded the move but said expedited cleanup should be expanded to properties above the federal standard of 400 parts per million.
Lead is a highly toxic chemical and levels above 400 ppm are sufficiently significant to warrant emergency cleanup, Drury said.
About 235 residential properties near the plant have been cleaned so far, most of them in initial areas near the plant that were identified more than three years ago. The last home cleanup occurred in June 2016.
Community groups and state lawmakers critical of the pace of cleanup welcomed the decision by the department to act sooner than this summer.
Were encouraged that there are steps forward to clean up those homes with immediate health risks, but still frustrated its taken this long, said Assemblyman Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles). He said he spent months pushing the DTSC to address an imminent danger to people in our neighborhood.
Mark Lopez, who directs East Yard Communities For Environmental Justice, welcomed the prospect of a quicker cleanup but fears a clumsy implementation, saying theres still a lack of trust in the department and how its contractors handle cleanup.
Lopez said he was also concerned the plan signaled that barriers and ground cover will be used instead of cleanup in favor of saving time and saving money.
Exide agreed to close its Vernon plant permanently in March 2015 after years of environmental violations and a federal criminal investigation.
Under legislation signed by Gov. Jerry Brown last year, California allocated $176.6 million for soil testing and remediation of properties, which officials hope to recoup from Exide and any other responsible parties.
Those funds will pay for cleaning lead from an estimated 2,500 of those parcels within a two-year period starting this summer.
Full cleanup is expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens) said Thursday she was pleased state regulators decision to accelerate cleanup of the most severely contaminated homes. She urged the department to proceed as soon as possible considering the health impacts of living with lead exposure.
These families have had no choice but to live in this contamination for years, Garcia said. They cannot afford to wait any longer.
tony.barboza@latimes.com
@tonybarboza
ben.poston@latimes.com
@bposton
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This article was originally published at 3:45 p.m.
San Bernardino County law enforcement agencies on Thursday announced the arrests of dozens of people in a sprawling, half-year investigation into two gangs centered in Fontana.
The criminal inquiry centered on the South Fontana gang as well as the Mexican Mafia prison gang, known as La Eme, according to the Fontana Police Department.
A total of 67 people were arrested during the probe, dubbed Operation Bad Blood.
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Of those, 35 people were arrested Thursday as police also seized five firearms, ammunition and illicit drugs, according to the Fontana Police Department.
Authorities previously had arrested 32 people, some of whom were booked on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and drug trafficking. Nearly 20 illegal weapons were also seized.
Police say the two gangs have been linked to a variety of crimes in the Inland Empire. The South Fontana gang is known to be affiliated with the Surenos, a gang in Southern California that has showed allegiance to the Mexican Mafia.
matt.hamilton@latimes.com
Twitter: @MattHjourno
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Ronald L. Brown, a longtime attorney who led the Los Angeles County public defenders office for five years, has quietly retired.
Brown submitted a letter notifying the Board of Supervisors in November about his decision to step down, effective Dec. 31. As public defender, Brown ran an agency that employs more than 700 defense attorneys who represent indigent defendants in criminal court.
I have worked for this county for over 35 years and I can state unequivocally that this is the best job I have ever had, he said in his letter.
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Until the Board of Supervisors appoints a successor, the office is being run by Chief Deputy Public Defender Kelly Emling, according to a spokeswoman for the department.
Appointed in 2011 by the Board of Supervisors, Brown became the first African American to hold the public defender post. He succeeded Michael P. Judge, who retired after 16 years in the position.
Browns retirement was first reported by the Metropolitan News-Enterprise, a daily legal newspaper that described him as not a well-known figure within the legal community, seldom attending bar meetings or making speeches.
In an e-mail, Brown disputed that characterization, saying he represented the public defenders office at law schools, churches and in testimony before lawmakers in the state Assembly and Senate.
One of six children, Brown was raised in South Los Angeles and has said his family was on welfare when he was child. He studied history as an undergraduate at USC and attended UCLA School of Law before joining the public defenders office in 1981.
Brown said he expected to miss working with those in the criminal justice system, especially staff at the public defenders office.
They work tirelessly and often without public praise or understanding of the difficult job of being the foot soldiers of the Constitution, Brown said.
matt.hamilton@latimes.com
Twitter: @MattHjourno
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Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell said Thursday that his agency will begin deploying an unmanned aerial device to aid deputies responding to arson scenes, suspected bombs and hostage situations, but he promised the device would not be used to surveil residents.
The use or attempted use of drones by law enforcement elsewhere has come under fire from privacy and civil liberty advocates, and McDonnell and other agency officials avoided using the word drone during a 20-minute news conference unveiling the departments latest technological addition.
Instead, the sheriff praised the $10,000 device as a useful tool that can give deputies a life-saving advantage in potentially deadly situations.
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The dangers of law enforcement can never be eliminated, he said. However, this technology can assist us in reducing the impact of risks on personnel.
Eight deputies have been trained to fly the device, according to Capt. Jack Ewell of the departments special operations bureau. The device can remain in the air for 20 minutes and fly up to a mile from the deputy controlling it; but under Federal Aviation Administration rules, Sheriffs Department personnel must maintain visual contact with the device while flying it, Ewell said.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell, left, introduces the departments new unmanned aerial vehicle, which will be used to aid deputies responding to suspicious packages and hazardous material incidents, among other situations. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times )
McDonnell said the drone could provide deputies with critical information from previously inaccessible vantage points when dealing with a barricaded suspect or searching for a missing person lost in treacherous terrain, such as a canyon pass.
The FAA has issued 300 certificates of authorization to U.S. law enforcement agencies, allowing them to use similar devices, according to McDonnell. Thirty such certificates have been issued in California, he said.
Under the agreement, sheriffs officials have to notify the FAA anytime the drone is airborne, and provide information about where it will be flying and for what purpose, Ewell said. The Sheriffs Department had to submit a list of tasks the drone would be used for, and that list does not include surveillance, according to Ewell.
The [unmanned aircraft system] will not be used to spy on the public, McDonnell said, repeating the promise several times. Our policy forbids using [it] for random surveillance.
Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the FAA, said any agreement between his agency and the Sheriffs Department would not actually govern how police use the device.
We dont prohibit the type of flight activity that a law enforcement agency conducts, he said via e-mail. We do have limitations on the conditions under which a drone can fly.
Civil liberties advocates and local activists have long expressed concern that police might use drones to conduct warrantless surveillance. A bill that would have required police in California to obtain a court order before using drones for surveillance was vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown in September 2014, a decision that came after concerns were raised about a plan by the LAPD to use drones.
Protesters descended on City Hall after the LAPD announced it had received two drones from the Seattle Police Department, which itself chose not to employ the devices in response to public criticism.
Since then, the devices have gone unused and remain in the office of the LAPDs inspector general, according to Capt. Andy Neiman, the departments chief spokesman.
There have been no discussions about deploying the drones in the near future, but Neiman said they could prove extremely useful to officers when dealing with heavily armed suspects.
He pointed to the hunt for the husband and wife who carried out the 2015 San Bernardino terror attack as a prime example of a situation where drones could have helped officers. After a gunbattle with the attackers, law enforcement officers had to risk their lives by approaching the couples car to confirm whether they were dead or still posed a threat.
Rather than sending live human beings up to see what they were doing in their vehicle, you could have sent a drone up there to see what their status was, he said. Are they armed? Do they have a bomb on them?
The Sheriffs Department has been criticized for large-scale surveillance in the past. In 2012, a single-engine aircraft spent nine days circling Compton, recording low-resolution images of the city. Compton officials were not notified of the surveillance, and when the program came to light in 2014, several residents, including Mayor Aja Brown, expressed dismay.
Adam Schwartz, a senior staff attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation in San Francisco, criticized the Sheriffs Department for not holding a public meeting on the use of the drone before deciding to employ it.
What we see here is a unilateral decision of police executives as opposed to the community as a whole, he said. We think the process here is upside down.
He also expressed concern about potential mission creep in the departments use of drones. Law enforcements use of the technology, he said, can become more invasive over time to include such activities as monitoring protests, which could have a chilling effect on free speech.
Weve heard a million times that a tool is acquired to do one thing, and then its used to do the next thing, Schwartz said. We are very concerned that whatever the rules are now, with the stroke of a pen, they get deployed to some new and more disturbing purpose.
james.queally@latimes.com
Follow @JamesQueallyLAT for crime and police news in California.
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A former Somona County sheriffs deputy has been charged and accused of severely beating a man with a baton in his home last September during a domestic dispute call, officials said.
Scott Thorne, 40, of Walnut Creek, faces one felony count of assault by an officer, according to Joe Langenbahn, a spokesman for the Sonoma County district attorneys office. Thorne is scheduled to appear in Sonoma County Superior Court on Jan. 17.
Thorne was arrested just after midnight Wednesday in connection with the charge, according to Sgt. Spencer Crum, a Sonoma County Sheriffs Office spokesman. He was released two hours later after posting $10,000 bail.
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Thorne did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Sheriffs Office launched an internal investigation and requested an independent criminal probe into the actions of Thorne and two other deputies following the Sonoma Valley incident.
After authorities reviewed the deputies body cameras, sheriffs officials said they determined Thornes actions were excessive for the circumstances and were in violation of our use of force policy.
Our use of force policy specifically states that use of force by deputies must be reasonable and appropriate for every situation and in this case we felt this deputys use of force was excessive, the Sheriffs Office said in a statement following the incident. This deputy is no longer employed by our office.
The incident occurred on Sept. 24 about 10:30 p.m. when a resident called authorities after she heard her neighbors arguing, the Sheriffs Office said in a statement.
When deputies went to the home, a woman opened the door and the deputies entered.
One deputy took the woman into a room to question her, and the other two deputies went to the back of the home looking for the womans husband who was in a locked bedroom, the Sheriffs Office said.
The womans husband refused to come out, so Thorne forced open the door, authorities said. The husband was lying on a bed and refused Thornes order to stand.
Thorne then grabbed the mans arm, and when he pulled away, Thorne used his Taser, according to the Sheriffs Office.
The man was able to sit up and pull the Taser wires out, the Sheriffs Office said. The deputy then pulled out his baton and struck the man in the leg.
As Thorne and two other deputies tried to restrain the man, he broke free and ran toward the door, and Thorne swung his baton several times into the mans back, the Sheriffs Office said.
The womans husband fell to ground, where he and deputies continued to struggle until the third deputy deployed his Taser, authorities said.
After the man was handcuffed, he was taken to a hospital and treated for injuries. He was later arrested on suspicion of threatening, resisting and battery on an officer.
On Oct. 11, the district attorneys office notified sheriffs officials that prosecutors would not file charges against the womans husband.
The man is still recovering from his injuries, the Press Democrat reported.
Sheriffs officials said they were deeply concerned over the incident that transpired and apologized to the womans husband.
We also want to apologize to our community, the Sheriffs Office said. The Sonoma County Sheriffs Office strives to do our absolute best to provide professional public safety services. This is an isolated incident that we are proactively addressing, and does not reflect the values of the Sheriffs Office.
veronica.rocha@latimes.com
For breaking news in California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter.
Lord Snowdon, the society photographer and filmmaker who married Britains Princess Margaret and continued to mix in royal circles even after their divorce, has died. He was 86.
Buckingham Palace also said that Queen Elizabeth II, Margarets sister, had been told of his death.
Snowdon died peacefully at his home on Friday. Photo agency Camera Press confirmed his death.
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One of the countrys most famous photographers, Snowdon was one of the few top-echelon royals to hold down an outside job after he married the sister of Queen Elizabeth II in 1960, and his professional reputation grew steadily.
From the archives: Princess Margaret dies at 71; sister of the Queen
Margaret died in 2002.
Snowdon was admired for his discretion, never speaking with the media about the breakup of the marriage in 1978, and rejecting offers to write a book about it. But over time a number of details about his own complicated love life emerged, giving him a reputation as a man with a long list of lovers and mistresses.
Born Antony Armstrong-Jones, he was a slightly bohemian member of Londons smart set and an established society photographer when he and the queens sister surprised the country with their engagement in February 1960.
They had met at a London party and managed to keep their courtship a secret in the months that followed, despite intense interest in Margarets romantic life.
Unconventional, artistic and not nearly as wealthy as Margarets other suitors, Armstrong-Jones lived in a studio in west London and did his own cooking. He was certainly not seen by the public and media as a royal prospect.
The Jones Boy married the high-spirited Margaret at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 1960, in the first royal wedding to be televised, and whatever doubts the country might have had about his suitability were swept aside by general relief that Margaret had, at last, found love.
It had been five years since her widely publicized decision to end her romance with divorced war hero Peter Townsend after pressure from church leaders, political figures and her own family.
Armstrong-Jones was named the Earl of Snowdon in October 1961, in time to give a title to their first child, David, Viscount Linley, born the following month. Linley became a successful furniture designer. His sister, Lady Sarah, born in May 1964, became a painter.
Princess Margaret, unlike most of the royal family, shared her husbands interest in the arts, and the two moved in a circle of creative people at a time when swinging London gained a worldwide reputation for music, clothes, films and clubs.
In 1969, Snowdon designed the setting for the investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales at Caernarvon Castle in Wales.
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Did Rex Tillerson, President-elect Donald Trumps choice for secretary of State, misspeak or did he intend to take a stand that if implemented could be interpreted by China as an act of war?
Tillerson said during his confirmation hearing Wednesday that the United States would have to block Chinas access to artificial islands that the country is building to assert its claim over disputed waters in the South China Sea. The U.S. position is that these are international waters, where ships from all countries are free to travel.
This is a threat to the entire global economy if China is allowed to somehow dictate the terms of passage through these waters, Tillerson told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
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The Obama administration has sent warships close to the artificial islands to challenge Beijings territorial claims in the South China Sea. But Tillersons comments had foreign policy experts in the United States and China scratching their heads in befuddlement.
Unless Washington plans to wage a large-scale war in the South China Sea, any other approaches to prevent Chinese access to the islands will be foolish, editorialized the Global Times, the state-run Chinese newspaper known for its nationalistic views.
Pressed by reporters at a news conference Thursday, Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang declined to speculate about what Tillerson might have meant, or how Beijing might respond. But he defended Chinas actions in disputed waters as above reproach.
As a practical matter, we dont have the maritime power to set up a blockade in the South China Sea. Carl Baker, former Air Force officer and policy analyst
We hope that the U.S. would be upright and unbiased, honor its commitments and stop taking sides on issues of sovereignty, he told reporters.
Among U.S. Asia experts, the consensus appeared to be that Tillerson, a former chief executive of Exxon Mobil Corp. without diplomatic experience, had engaged in a flight of hyperbole in keeping with the tough rhetoric about China favored by Trump.
As a practical matter, we dont have the maritime power to set up a blockade in the South China Sea, said Carl Baker, a former Air Force officer and policy analyst based in Honolulu with the Pacific Forum CSIS. A problem like the South China Sea requires some finesse and careful thinking.
Im convinced that Tillerson did not state clearly what he meant to say, said Bonnie Glaser, senior advisor for Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. I think it is really in the interest of the Trump administration to clarify what he meant.
People familiar with the confirmation process said Tillerson had not been sufficiently briefed for the hearing; according to one expert with firsthand knowledge, the Trump transition team had reached out only a few days before for an Asia specialist to brief Tillerson.
He was not well prepared. Transitions are messy, but this was especially chaotic, said the expert, who asked not to be named.
In the hearing, Tillerson said that Chinas activities in the South China Sea, where it is building up remote reefs and deploying military assets in areas also claimed by other countries, were tantamount to Russias 2014 annexation of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine.
Youre going to have to send China a clear signal that first, the island building stops, and second, your access to those islands is also not going to be allowed, he said.
Gaffe or not, policy experts believe that the Trump administration plans a more robust approach to China.
Whether they can actually stop China from militarizing those islands, short of attacking those islands, I dont know, said Joshua Kurlantzick, a Southeast Asia specialist at the Council on Foreign Relations. I think its probably a shot across the bow, and that they are planning other very assertive actions in the South China Sea.
Among the more hawkish ideas that have been considered, he said, are more regular movements of U.S. warships in the South China Sea, and in closer proximity to Chinese naval formations. It has even been suggested that the United States could build floating bases in the South China Sea essentially a U.S. version of what China is doing.
If the bumps during the transition period before a Trump administration begins Jan. 20 are any indication, relations with China could be contentious. Trump angered Beijing early on by taking a telephone call with Taiwans president, Tsai Ing-wen, in a break with diplomatic protocol, and later by questioning the one China policy, which essentially recognizes that Taiwan is part of China.
As Trump has yet to be sworn in, China has shown restraint whenever his team members expressed radical views, the Global Times wrote in Thursdays editorial. But the U.S. should not be misled into thinking that Beijing will be fearful of their threats.
barbara.demick@latimes.com
Twitter: @BarbaraDemick
alexandra.zavis@latimes.com
Twitter: @alexzavis
Demick reported from New York and Zavis from Los Angeles. Special correspondent Jessica Meyers in Beijing contributed to this report.
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8:40 p.m.: This article was updated with additional comment from China.
8:05 p.m.: This article was updated with background on the U.S. position on the South China Sea.
This article was originally published at 5:50 p.m.
Back in 2015, being a Montana Republican meant despising Obamacare and your loathing of it better have been a preexisting condition.
House Speaker Austin Knudsen qualified. He voted against the states decision to expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act in 2015. When he ran for reelection last year, he pilloried Obamacare, saying he didnt want Congress to delay the removal of this ill-conceived disaster of a law.
That is now a distinct possibility, with Congress moving this week to begin the process of repeal.
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But this has become a conundrum for Republican state lawmakers in GOP-dominated legislatures that expressed bitter opposition to the healthcare reform law but nonetheless took its federal Medicaid expansion money.
Though President-elect Donald Trump has said the law wont be scuttled without a replacement very quickly, many state legislatures find themselves having to plan budgets without knowing whether theyll be stuck paying to keep their poorest citizens insured.
Medicaid was expanded under the law in 31 states, but only seven of them were states with Democratic majorities who embraced federal healthcare reform. Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a Republican whose state added 700,000 to the health insurance rolls, told reporters last week: I just want to know whats going to happen to all those people who find themselves out in the cold.
GOP lawmakers in North Dakota and Nevada have expressed similar worries.
Montana is in a particularly precarious position. The state is required by constitution to balance its budget based on projected revenues, but its Legislature meets only every other year meaning lawmakers who began their session this month have to peer two years into the future at the unpredictable landscape of federal healthcare law.
Obamacare provided health insurance to thousands of Montanans who formerly didnt have it; now, even Republicans worry that Congress may scuttle the law without funding an alternative.
I still dont think its realistic to say Well, were going to cover an additional 60,000 to 70,000 people but if the federal government takes the money away, were simply going to jerk the rug from underneath those people, Knudsen said.
Sitting in his office on a cold, snowy afternoon the first week into the legislative session, he leaned forward confidentially.
We cant afford it.
Minority Democrats in Montana tried twice to expand Medicaid coverage during implementation of the federal healthcare law. A slim Republican majority beat it back in 2013 but narrowly succeeded two years later with a plan to offer Medicaid coverage to all adults with incomes near the poverty level.
Rep. Rob Cook, a burly man who played running back in high school, carried the bill as the Republican sponsor and was intent on getting it to the goal line.
Cook said after he cast his vote in favor of the expansion and it passed 54-42, he looked around at the majority of his fellow Republicans on the House floor.
It was 42 faces of hate, he said.
Yet the program proved popular in the sparsely-populated state, with twice the number of people expected signing up by July 2016. There are 61,233 on the program now.
Republicans in Montana, as in most frontier states, often share with their constituents a high degree of mistrust and distaste for the federal government an attitude that carries into fights over public lands, gun rights and, in recent years, Obamacare.
Washington, D.C., is seen as far away, distant, removed and not in touch with what life is like here in Montana, said Robert Saldin, associate professor of political science at the University of Montana. The popular image of the bureaucrat in some cubicle making critical decisions that affect life here in Montana without any knowledge, or having been here, or how policies affect people on the ground here, is the kind of image at work within the Republican Party here.
But with droves of outsiders moving into university towns like Missoula and Bozeman, the state isnt entirely intolerant of Democrats. As recently as 2009, the House was split 50-50; last year, they were at 61. Republicans hold a four-seat edge in the Senate. Gov. Steve Bullock is the second consecutive Democrat to lead the state.
Senate President Scott Sales, a Republican who voted against Medicaid expansion, said hes sympathetic to those who are now getting health care for the first time and has heard health success stories because of the law.
But Sales said the state cant afford to keep the program going on its own. Montana paid just about $5 million for its share of the program, while the federal government kicked in $153.6 million for six months in fiscal year 2016, according to the Legislative Fiscal Division.
The state projects its cost over the next two fiscal years to rise to about $70 million, with $847 million in federal funding.
Montana doesnt have a lot of options. Lower-than-expected oil and corporate tax revenues left the state $142 million short of expectations in the 2016 fiscal year, based on a two-year budget of $12.8 billion.Sales said most of those getting health insurance under the Medicaid expansion are capable of working and getting private insurance.
The best thing we could possibly do for people the best healthcare system is a good job, Sales said. They need to take ownership for themselves. ... There is no constitutional guarantee to healthcare. If there is one, Id love to have someone show it to me.
To appease Montana Republicans when the expansion law was passed, a sunset clause put it up for renewal in 2019. But Bullock said stripping recipients of healthcare without a plan would be irresponsible.
Governing the fractious state, Bullock, with his frequent vetoes, has come to be known as the goalie governor. But he said lawmakers of all stripes have heard the stories about people getting healthcare for the first time.
One man wrote the governor an email about how the new insurance had allowed him to see a doctor and get treatment for a potentially fatal adrenal crisis.
You saved my life on Feb. 10, he wrote.
While the debate over Obamacare is taking place in Washington, Bullock said, it is states that are on the front lines, and state lawmakers who will have to figure out what to do until Congress finds a solution.
Doubtless if the ground substantially shifts, well hear from people a lot more than the folks in Washington, D.C., will hear from them, Bullock said. Because we also see them in our churches, in our communities on our streets.
Cook agreed, saying congressional Republicans didnt have any real stakes in the process while President Obama was in power.
The easiest vote in any legislature is a no vote [for something] you know is going to pass, he said. I think Republicans have been negligent at the federal level in not trying to make the program work. Its been extraordinarily bad behavior and its not what you get elected to do.
david.montero@latimes.com
Twitter: @davemontero
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With the Senate having held confirmation hearings for seven of the incoming administrations choices for top positions, a clear pattern has begun to emerge prospective Cabinet members have carefully walked away from some of President-elect Donald Trumps more controversial promises.
In the process, the public has begun to get a sense of which campaign pledges are likely to be put into action and which are likely to be pushed aside.
Waterboarding of terrorism suspects, registries for Muslim Americans, religious-based immigration bans and a more trusting relationship with Russia all drew strongly worded objections from Trumps designees.
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Trumps views on global warming and the potential usefulness of building a wall along the Mexican border also drew skepticism.
By contrast, the Cabinet choices appear to share the president-elects often-expressed chilliness toward China, his support for greater military spending and his desire to see less federal scrutiny of how state and local police do their work.
Trumps aides say the gaps between his positions and those of his Cabinet picks should not be a problem. Asked Thursday about the issue, Trump spokesman Sean Spicer said that in cases of disagreements, the president-elects agenda would prevail.
Cabinet selections neednt be 100% pure and were chosen for their expertise so that they could help shape Trumps views, Spicer told reporters on a conference call, adding that hes not asking for clones.
But despite public insistence that Trump would still be, as President George W. Bush used to say, the decider in his administration, another theme emerged this week: The sometimes startling degree to which the president-elect and his choices for the senior-most positions in his administration have not discussed key issues.
Some involve policies they will need to start acting on in just over a week.
After posing a series of questions Wednesday about Russia to Rex Tillerson, Trumps choice for secretary of State, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) asked, For all of these answers that youve given me, does the president-elect agree with you?
The president-elect and I have not had the opportunity to discuss this specific issue or the specific area, Tillerson replied.
He and Trump had talked about a broad construct and in terms of the principles that are going to guide foreign policy, Tillerson said, but a conversation about dealing with Russia has not occurred yet, Senator.
Thats pretty amazing, Menendez said.
The impression of a president-elect who is detached from the details or in some cases even the broad outlines of policy could change next week when Trumps choices for key economic policy posts are scheduled to have their confirmation hearings.
In his public statements, including his frequent messages on Twitter as well as his news conference Wednesday, Trump has appeared most engaged in policies that involve jobs.
For now, however, the confirmation hearings have contributed to the overall uncertainty about how much Trump grasps, or intends to shape, the policies of the administration he will soon head.
Thats an image Democrats have been eager to emphasize.
Im not being a wiseguy here. Its hard to know what the president-elects position is because his style is so different. Vice President Joe Biden
Im not being a wiseguy here. Its hard to know what the president-elects position is because his style is so different than any president or president-elect that Ive been associated with, Vice President Joe Biden told reporters Thursday. I never know what he means.
Even on immigration, a signature issue for Trump, the hearings highlighted uncertainty about Trumps policy.
Asked about a key issue facing the Department of Homeland Security what to do about the more than 700,000 young people in the country without legal authorization who have gotten temporary protection against deportation under the Obama administrations program for so-called Dreamers Trumps pick to head the department, Gen. John Kelly, said he was uncertain.
Under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, applicants gave the government information not only about their own whereabouts, but also for family members who may also be in the country without legal authorization.
Asked by Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) whether he would abide by current rules that bar the Homeland Security Department from using that information for immigration enforcement, Kelly said he couldnt say.
I do not know right now where the upcoming administration is going with this, Kelly said.
Distance from Trumps campaign rhetoric fits with an overall pattern that the president-elect and his top aides have followed since the election.
Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway recently said that people should not focus on Trumps precise words, but on what is in his heart. His former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, took the press to task in November for having paid too much attention to Trumps words.
You guys took everything that Donald Trump said so literally, he complained.
Democrats, by contrast, have done their best to keep Trumps statements in the public eye, and they have peppered the confirmation hearings with questions that start, Donald Trump said....
That has led to a series of significant disavowals.
On Trumps repeated statements that he would back the use of waterboarding or a hell of a lot worse against terrorism suspects, for example, his designated attorney general and his picks for secretaries of Defense, Homeland Security and State and CIA director all are now on record in opposition.
Congress has taken an action now that makes it absolutely improper and illegal to use waterboarding or any other form of torture, Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, Trumps attorney general designee, testified Tuesday.
I would enforce the law, he said.
On Thursday, Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.), Trumps choice to head the CIA, responded to questions from Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) by saying that he would refuse to carry out any order to resume waterboarding or other enhanced interrogation techniques.
Absolutely not, he said. I cant imagine I would be asked to do that by the president-elect.
Asked about the idea of creating a government registry for Muslims, Kelly said, I dont think its ever appropriate to focus on something like religion.
Kelly also expressed skepticism about the usefulness of a border wall.
A physical barrier in and of itself will not do the job, he said. The real solution for illegal immigration needs to involve improving conditions in Central and South America, he said.
Illegal immigrants for the most part dont want to come up and leave their homes and families, but there isnt an awful lot of economic opportunity for them there, he said.
Tillerson, the former chief executive of Exxon Mobil Corp., disagreed with Trumps assertion that global warming is a hoax.
Twenty years of study had convinced him that the risk of climate change does exist and that the consequences of it could be serious enough that action should be taken, Tillerson said.
He personally favored a tax on carbon as a way to combat global warming, Tillerson said. Former Vice President Al Gore, but few other national political figures, have pushed that idea.
Tillerson added, however, that he does not consider the issue as high a priority as the Obama administration does. I dont see it as the imminent national security threat that, perhaps, others do, he said.
Tillerson and Gen. James Mattis, Trumps choice to run the Pentagon, were both blunt in differing with Trumps views about Russia.
During the campaign, Trump once indicated he might accept Russias takeover of Crimea, a part of Ukraine that Russia invaded and annexed in 2014.
You know, the people of Crimea, from what Ive heard, would rather be with Russia, he told ABC News in an interview. You have to look at that. Later in the campaign, he expressed a different view.
Tillerson, by contrast, described the Russian annexation of Crimea as illegal and said the U.S. would not recognize it.
Mattis and Tillerson also sharply disagreed with the skepticism that Trump repeatedly has expressed about U.S. commitments to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on Russias European border.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to break the North Atlantic alliance, Mattis said, and the U.S. needs to prevent him from succeeding.
History is clear, he said. Nations with strong allies thrive and those without them wither.
Mattis, however, said he was not concerned about the apparent disagreements within the new administrations ranks.
As you know, you need different ideas to be strongly argued. You dont want the tyranny of consensus, of group-think, early, he said.
Its not tidy, he said, but disagreements could be actually healthy.
Itll be respectful, of that Im certain, he added. And I dont expect anything but the best ideas will win.
Times staff Writers Noah Bierman, W.J. Hennigan and Michael A. Memoli contributed to this article.
David.Lauter@latimes.com
For more on Politics and Policy, follow me @DavidLauter
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Neil Gorsuch could fall somewhere between his hero, Justice Scalia, and former boss, centrist Justice Kennedy By David Savage Judge Neil M. Gorsuch was resting midway down a Colorado ski slope last year when his cellphone rang with the news that Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia had died. I immediately lost what breath I had left, Gorsuch recalled in an April speech, and I am not embarrassed to admit that I couldnt see the rest of the way down the mountain for the tears. Now, as President Trumps pick to replace Scalia on the high court, Gorsuch is seen by many on the right as a fitting replacement for the iconic jurist that Gorsuch considered a lion of the law. Like Scalia, Gorsuch, 49, who serves on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver, is a well-respected conservative who believes judges should decide cases based on the law as it was understood when passed, not on how they think it should be. Hes a clear, impassioned writer, albeit without Scalias flare for biting sarcasm. But Gorsuch also evokes the qualities of Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, for whom Gorsuch worked as a law clerk. (If confirmed, Gorsuch would join three justices who previously clerked on the high court, but he would be the first ever to serve alongside the justice he or she worked for.) Like Kennedy, 80, Gorsuch is a Westerner with a polite, congenial manner who at times has won praise from liberals. He may be more conservative than Kennedy when it comes to expanding individual rights, but he seems to lack Scalias fervor for overturning liberal precedents from decades past. Which way Gorsuch skews could be pivotal for the future of the court. Conservatives clearly hope hell be more like Scalia than Kennedy, a centrist swing vote who has often joined liberals on issues such as gay marriage and abortion. Some conservatives have even expressed hope that Gorsuchs personal history with Kennedy might enable him to draw the Reagan-appointee back toward the right. Read More Facebook
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Trump chooses Neil Gorsuch, a conservative seen as likely to be confirmed, for Supreme Court By Michael A. Memoli President Trump nominated federal Judge Neil M. Gorsuch on Tuesday to the Supreme Court to fill the seat of the late Antonin Scalia, choosing from his short list an appeals court judge from Denver seen as most likely to win Senate confirmation. Because Scalia was a stalwart conservative, Trumps choice is not likely to change the balance of the court. But it does set the stage for a bruising partisan fight over a man who could help determine law on gun rights, immigration, police use of force and transgender rights. Read More Facebook
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Trump administration is radicalizing Democratic voters, creating a challenge for the party, Rep. Adam Schiff says By Sarah D. Wire (Mark Wilson / Getty Images) As protests spread over policy announcements from the Trump administration, Democrats must work to encourage participation in politics, but face a danger of the party becoming too radicalized, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) said Tuesday. The radical nature of this government is radicalizing Democrats, and thats going to pose a real challenge to the Democratic Party, which is to draw on the energy and the activism and the passion that is out there, but not let it turn us into what we despised about the tea party, Schiff said. During a meeting with reporters and editors in the Los Angeles Times Washington bureau, Schiff also discussed his role as the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Select Intelligence Committee under a Trump administration and how Democrats will manage in the minority. Ever since the election, party leaders have been debating: Did we lose because we were too far to the left and we had too small a tent, or did we lose because we are too mainstream and didnt energize the base? Schiff asked. We are obviously having that debate, but theres a whole new element, which is the reaction to the Trump administration that makes this different in kind, certainly different in intensity, than I think weve ever seen after an election, he said. The more radical the administration is, the more radicalized our base becomes, which just feeds the Breitbart crowd, and who knows where that ends. Democratic leaders have to channel public reaction to Trumps actions into progress, rather than deadlock, Schiff said. Reaction to Democrats seen as working with the Trump administration has been strong. Monday night, for example, protesters marched on Sen. Dianne Feinsteins home and office voicing fears she would back Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions for attorney general. The senator from California announced Tuesday that she would oppose Sessions. Several groups calling themselves indivisible have popped up in cities across the country as focal points for efforts to organize. We have two of the most capable strategists as the head of our House and Senate Democrats, Schiff added, referring to House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco and Senate Democratic leader Sen. Charles E. Schumer of New York. If anybody can grapple with this, they can, but its going to be a challenging and moving target day to day. I just hope that we can channel that energy in a way where we can provide a check on this administration because Ive never been more worried about the countrys future than I am right now, he said. Schiff said part of his role as the ranking Democrat on the House Select Intelligence Committee will be pushing back when the Trump administration puts out inaccurate information about the intelligence community and its findings. Trump has repeatedly dismissed or sought to minimize the intelligence communitys findings that Russia sought to intervene in the 2016 election to benefit him. Schiff said hes concerned about what else the administration might be willing to dismiss. I think that will be kind of a new frontier, he said. How do we contradict a president making representations about what the intelligence community has to say when the information is classified? Facebook
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Trump administration signals that some temporary bans on entry into the U.S. could become permanent By Brian Bennett Trumps orders put a greater emphasis on deporting those convicted of crimes and those in the country illegally who were charged with crimes not yet adjudicated The Trump administration doubled down Tuesday on its commitment to transforming the nations border law enforcement, signaling that some of the temporary bans on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries are likely to be made permanent and elevating a deportations official to run the top immigration enforcement agency. Administration officials, led by newly sworn-in Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, moved to allay the havoc that marked the roll-out of the ban and another on refugees. They briefed reporters and planned to head to Capitol Hill later today in an apparent effort to smooth relations after reports that lawmakers and other stakeholders were left out of the crafting of the executive order on toughened vetting at border entry points. In a news conference, Kelly and other top Homeland Security officials conceded some problems, including poor communication. But they insisted that all court orders were followed over the weekend, rebutted reports that some legal residents were denied access to attorneys at airports and said they everyone detained by border agents was treated with dignity and respect. The vast majority of the 1.7 billion Muslims that live on this planet, the vast majority of them have, all other things being equal, have access to the United States, Kelly told reporters. And a relatively small number right now are being held up for a period of time until we can take a look at what their procedures are, he said, seeming to acknowledge that mostly Muslims have been affected by the ban. The moves signaled that the White House remained committed to remaking border law enforcement even in the face of widespread confusion and condemnation of President Trumps order. Kelly said for the first time that the some of the restrictions that caused confusion and sparked protests over the weekend could be extended well into the future. Some of those countries that are currently on the list may not be taken off the list anytime soon, he said. Trump also named a longtime deportation officer, Thomas D. Homan, as acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homan, who will oversee the execution of Trumps immigration enforcement order, was most recently in charge of the agencys 5,000 deportation officers, a force Trump said he would triple to 15,000. Trumps orders put a greater emphasis on deporting not only those convicted of crimes, but also people in the country illegally who were charged with crimes not yet adjudicated, those who receive an improper welfare benefit and even those who have not been charged but are believed to have committed acts that constitute a chargeable criminal offense. Facebook
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White House tries to ban the word ban, hours after president uses it himself By Noah Bierman This is not a ban, spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters in a fiery news briefing. (Alex Wong / Getty Images) President Trump used the word ban in a tweet as recently as Monday to describe his new executive order suspending travel from seven Muslim-majority countries and halting the refugee program for several months. But facing backlash from many directions, the White House adamantly insisted Tuesday that the word is verboten. This is not a ban, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters in a fiery news briefing. When we use words like travel ban, he said later, that misrepresents what it is. Its seven countries previously identified by the Obama administration, where, frankly, we dont get the information that we need for people coming into this country. In fact, people from the seven banned countries Iraq, Iran, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Libya cannot enter the United States under the order. Spicer appeared to be making a renewed effort to distinguish the order from the all-out ban on Muslims entering the country that Trump proposed during the campaign. Many around the world see the newest policy as an outgrowth of that proposal. Trump himself conceded a religious connection when he said in an interview on Friday that he wanted to make it easier for Syrian Christians to enter the country. And former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani told Fox News that the order sprang from a group he formed at Trumps request to create a legal framework that would accomplish the campaign goal of a Muslim ban. But amid confusion and worldwide criticism in recent days, the Trump administration has tried to temper some of the more incendiary rhetoric around the proposal. Even the words extreme vetting, a favorite Trump slogan, were called into question by Spicer on Tuesday. Calling for tougher vetting [of] individual travelers from seven nations is not extreme, he said. It is reasonable and necessary to protect our country. But changing the ban branding around the program at this point will be difficult. Heres Trumps tweet from Monday: If the ban were announced with a one week notice, the "bad" would rush into our country during that week. A lot of bad "dudes" out there! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2017 And Spicer himself used the term ban as recently as Sunday: Sean Spiceer today: This is not a Muslim ban. It is not a travel ban.
Sean Spicer in White House press release, Jan. 29: pic.twitter.com/axTM1m66nM Dominic Holden (@dominicholden) January 31, 2017 Facebook
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Senate confirms Elaine Chao as secretary of Transportation By Associated Press Elaine Chao testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on Jan. 11, 2017. (Zach Gibson / AP) The Senate has confirmed Elaine Chao to serve as Transportation secretary in the Trump administration. The vote was 93 to 6 on Tuesday. Chao is an experienced Washington hand. She was Labor secretary under President George W. Bush and is the wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Chao would be a lead actor in pursuing Trumps promise to invest $1 trillion to improve highways, rail service and other infrastructure projects. Facebook
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Speaker Paul Ryan defends Trumps immigrant and refugee ban, as Congress grumbles about being left out By Lisa Mascaro "What is happening is something we support... we need to make sure that the vetting standards are up to snuff," Paul Ryan says of travel ban pic.twitter.com/iX6YkOLkLl CBS News (@CBSNews) January 31, 2017 House Speaker Paul D. Ryan on Tuesday stood by President Trumps temporary ban on refugees and citizens from seven Muslim-majority nations and indicated that he was confident the administration could fix the confusing rollout without action from Congress. What is happening is something we support, said Ryan, whose office was the target of a sit-in by protesters opposed to Trumps order. We need to pause and we need to make sure that the vetting standards are up to snuff so we can guarantee the safety and security of our country. Congress was blindsided by Trumps executive action -- Ryan learned about it as the public did when the White House announced it Friday afternoon. Many GOP lawmakers have raised concerns. During a private meeting in the Capitol basement Tuesday, Republican lawmakers were counseled on how to handle protesters and office sit-ins happening across the country. Its regrettable that there was some confusion on the rollout of this, Ryan said. No one wanted to see people with green cards or special immigrant visas, like translators, get caught up in all of this. Ryan also said he was concerned the ban could be used as propaganda by terrorist groups. The rhetoric surrounding this could be used as a recruiting tool, and I think thats dangerous, he said. Still, Republicans leaders as well as rank-and-file GOP lawmakers largely agreed with the presidents move to halt refugee admissions for 120 days, and to temporarily ban citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries, unless they are Christians or other religious minorities. The president was well within his right to issue an executive order, said Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas), chairman of the House Rules Committee. Do I feel let out? I feel like everybody was left out, he said. I wish they communicated it. I wish they had gotten more information to people. I wish they had measured three times and sawed once. Lawmakers have shown little appetite for Congress to get involved, and suggested the chaos that erupted at airports over the weekend was just part of a learning curve at the White House. I support the thrust of the executive order, said Rep. Pete King (R-N.Y.), who nevertheless said the administration should have been better prepared and will need to get your act together. Last year, Ryan had strongly condemned Trumps campaign-trail call for a Muslim ban. In recent days, Ryan, like other congressional leaders, was forced to dial up the administration with his questions and concerns about the order, conferring Monday with Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly. I am very pleased and confident that he is, on a going-forward basis, going to make sure that things are done correctly, Ryan said. Pressed on whether Congress would have a role, Ryan did not indicate any immediate legislative action. Facebook
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Democrats boycott Senate committee votes on Price, Mnuchin By Jim Puzzanghera Senate Democrats speak with reporters after boycotting Finance Committee confirmation votes. (JIM WATSON / AFP/Getty Images) Senate Democrats on Tuesday boycotted a committee vote on two of President Trumps top Cabinet nominees -- Tom Price to lead Health and Human Services and Steve Mnuchin to be Treasury secretary. Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) blasted the Democratic move as he sat in a hearing room with only Republicans on the dais. They ought to be embarrassed. Its the most pathetic treatment Ive seen in my 40 years in the United States Senate, Hatch said. I think they should stop posturing and acting like idiots, he said. At least one Democrat needs to be present for the committee to vote on the nominations, Hatch said. He recessed the hearing until further notice, saying he hoped a vote could take place later Tuesday. But asked mid-afternoon if he thought the committee would be able to meet Tuesday, Hatch said it doesnt look like it. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the committees top Democrat, said Price and Mnuchin have misled the public and held back important information about their backgrounds. Until questions are answered, Democrats believe the committee should not move forward with either nomination, Wyden said. This is about getting answers to questions, plain and simple, he said. Ethics laws are not optional, and nominees do not have a right to treat disclosure like a shell game. Today @SenateFinance Democrats refused to move forward with nominations of Mnuchin & Price. Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) January 31, 2017 The litany of ethics revelations regarding @RepTomPrice are strong evidence that he cannot be allowed to have control of #Medicare. Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) January 31, 2017 Mr. Mnuchin continued to fail to come clean on shady foreclosure practices that hurt Americans. Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) January 31, 2017 Liberal groups cheered the boycott while Senate Republican leaders decried it as Democratic obstructionism. They are manufacturing issues on a daily basis to drag this process out, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kent.) said of the confirmations of Trumps nominees. I dont see how they can explain to the American people how it is appropriate to prevent the administration from getting up and getting started, he said. Democrats have said Mnuchin, a wealthy Wall Street executive, misled the committee in his response to a written question about foreclosures at Pasadenas OneWest Bank while he ran it from 2009-15. Democrats pointed to a report Sunday by the Columbus Dispatch that Mnuchin denied that OneWest engaged in so-called robo-signing of mortgage documents. The paper said its analysis of nearly four dozen foreclosure cases in Ohios Franklin County in 2010 showed that the bank frequently used robo-signers. The Columbus Dispatch cited a foreclosure involving a mortgage signed by Erica Johnson-Seck, a OneWest vice president who said in a deposition in a 2009 Florida case that she signed an average of 750 documents a week. Barney Keller, a spokesman for Mnuchin, said Monday that several courts had dismissed cases involving allegations of robo-signing by Johnson-Seck. The media is picking on a hardworking bank employee whose reputation has been maligned but whose work has been upheld by numerous courts all around the country in the face of scurrilous and false allegations, Keller said. Democrats also have problems with Price, a six-term congressman and former orthopedic surgeon who has distinguished himself in conservative circles for his staunch opposition to the Affordable Care Act and his plans to slash federal healthcare spending. His nomination has become among Trumps most controversial, in part because of his hostility to government safety net programs, including Medicaid and Medicare. Democrats have also been increasingly critical of Prices extensive trading in healthcare stocks while he has been in Congress, and in some cases while he has pushed legislation that would benefit his portfolio. Price has denied any wrongdoing. Also drawing criticism is Prices purchase of discounted shares in an Australian biotech firm, Innate Immunotherapeutics, which he was offered through a private deal not available to general shareholders. Price also denied that this was improper, and Senate Republicans have rallied to his side, saying he did not violate any ethics rules. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) said he and the other Democrats on the committee want Mnuchin and Price to explain their lies either in person before the committee or in new written answers. I want them to disclose this information that they seem not to want to disclose, Brown said. 12:10 p.m.: This post was updated with additional comments from Hatch as well as from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Sherrod Brown. 8:00 a.m.: This post has been updated with additional information and background. 8:07 a.m.: This post has been updated with additional information. Facebook
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White House aides who wrote Trumps travel ban see it as just the start By Brian Bennett (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press) Even as confusion, internal dissent and widespread condemnation greeted President Trumps travel ban and crackdown on refugees this weekend, senior White House aides say they are only getting started. Trump and his aides justified Fridays executive order, which blocked travel from seven majority-Muslim countries for 90 days and halted refugees from around the world for 120, on security grounds an issue that they say they take seriously. But their ultimate goal is far broader. Trumps top advisors on immigration, including chief strategist Steve Bannon and senior advisor Stephen Miller, see themselves as launching a radical experiment to fundamentally transform how the U.S. decides who is allowed into the country and to block a generation of people who, in their view, wont assimilate into American society. That project may live or die in the next three months, as the Trump administration reviews whether and how to expand the visa ban and alter vetting procedures. White House aides are considering new, onerous security checks that could effectively limit travel into the U.S. by people from majority-Muslim countries to a trickle. Read More Facebook
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Why corporations cant risk keeping silent about Trumps immigration ban By David Pierson Starbucks Chief Executive Howard Schultz said the Seattle coffee company is developing plans to hire 10,000 refugees over the next five years. (Richard Drew / Associated Press) Corporate America generally prefers to stay quiet about partisan politics. Pick one side of a hot-button issue, the thinking goes, and youll risk losing customers on the other side. But like so many norms before it, President Trump has turned this one on its head. A growing number of companies are deciding its a bigger risk to their investors and bottom line to stay quiet than it is to protest Trumps ban on refugees and travel from seven Muslim-majority nations, betting vocal opposition to the executive order scores them a moral and fiscal victory. While it was possible for companies to take a wait-and-see approach leading up to Trumps inauguration, many firms can no longer ignore the White Houses policy given the effect the order is already having on employees either stranded or fearful of traveling. Only a week ago it seemed foolish to speak out against a president who has admonished individual companies on social media such as Carrier, Boeing and General Motors. Now the pendulum has swung the other way. Companies, mostly in technology but increasingly in other sectors, have decided that its not enough just to speak out against the immigration order. They believe that they must also take headline-grabbing action. Read More Facebook
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Op-Ed: Trump is taking the Bannon Way, and it will end in disaster By Jonah Goldberg Bannon has said hes a Leninist' but hes really more of a Trotskyist because he fancies himself the leader of an international populist-nationalist right wing movement, exporting anti-'globalist' revolution. In that role, his status as an enabler of Trumps instinct to shoot or tweet from the hip seems especially ominous. The Bannon way might work on the campaign trail, but it doesnt translate into good governance. Its possible and one must hope that Trump can learn this fact on the job. But what if he doesnt? He could put the country in serious peril. Jonah Goldberg Read More Facebook
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Trump will leave LGBTQ protections in place By Associated Press (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) The White House says President Trump will leave intact a 2014 executive order that protects federal workers from anti-LGBTQ discrimination. In a statement released early Tuesday, the White House said Trump is determined to protect the rights of all Americans, including the LGBTQ community and that he continues to be respectful and supportive of LGBTQ rights, just as he was throughout the election. The Trump administration has vowed to roll back much of President Obamas work from the last eight years and had been scrutinizing the 2014 order. The directive protects people from LGBTQ discrimination while working for federal contractors. The recent statement says the protections will remain intact at the direction of Trump. Here is the text of Obamas executive order, signed on July 21, 2014: By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including 40 U.S.C. 121, and in order to provide for a uniform policy for the Federal Government to prohibit discrimination and take further steps to promote economy and efficiency in Federal Government procurement by prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. Amending Executive Order 11478 . The first sentence of section 1 of Executive Order 11478 of August 8, 1969, as amended, is revised by substituting sexual orientation, gender identity for sexual orientation. Sec. 2. Amending Executive Order 11246 . Executive Order 11246 of September 24, 1965, as amended, is hereby further amended as follows: (a) The first sentence of numbered paragraph (1) of section 202 is revised by substituting sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin for sex, or national origin. (b) The second sentence of numbered paragraph (1) of section 202 is revised by substituting sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin for sex or national origin. (c) Numbered paragraph (2) of section 202 is revised by substituting sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin for sex or national origin. (d) Paragraph (d) of section 203 is revised by substituting sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin for sex or national origin. Sec. 3. Regulations . Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Labor shall prepare regulations to implement the requirements of section 2 of this order. Sec. 4. General Provisions . (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an agency or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. Sec. 5. Effective Date . This order shall become effective immediately, and section 2 of this order shall apply to contracts entered into on or after the effective date of the rules promulgated by the Department of Labor under section 3 of this order. Update 6:45 a.m.: This article was updated with the text of the 2014 executive order. Facebook
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Trump fires Justice Departments top official after she refuses to defend his refugee ban By David Lauter Sally Yates. (J. David Ake / Associated Press) President Trump fired acting Atty. Gen. Sally Yates on Monday, just hours after she announced that the department would not defend his controversial executive order banning refugees and travelers from certain countries. Yates has betrayed the Department of Justice by refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States, the White House said in a statement. It is time to get serious about protecting our country. The move came after Yates sent a letter to Justice Department lawyers saying that she questioned the lawfulness of Trumps executive order. My responsibility is to ensure that the position of the Department of Justice is not only legally defensible, but is informed by our best view of what the law is after consideration of all the facts, Yates wrote. At present, I am not convinced that the defense of the executive order is consistent with these responsibilities, nor am I convinced that the executive order is lawful, she wrote. Consequently, for as long as I am the acting attorney general, the Department of Justice will not present arguments in defense of the executive order unless and until I become convinced that it is appropriate to do so. Yates was a holdover from the Obama administration. But because Trumps nominee for attorney general, Sen. Jeff Sessions, has not been confirmed and no other senior Justice Department officials have been appointed, firing her was expected to cause significant problems within the department. Among other issues, Yates is the only person in the department currently authorized to sign warrants for wiretapping in foreign espionage cases involving the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. Trump replaced Yates with Dana J. Boente, a three-decade veteran of the Justice Department who was appointed in 2015 by former President Obama as U.S. attorney for the eastern district of Virginia. 6:37 p.m.: The story was updated with Trumps decision to fire Yates. Read More Facebook
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U.S. service member killed in Yemen identified as Navy SEAL from Illinois By Jeanette Steele The Pentagon on Sunday confirmed the death of a U.S. servicemember in a raid in Yemen targeting al-Qaeda, marking the first American combat death under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. A Navy SEAL from the Virginia-based elite unit known as SEAL Team 6 was killed Sunday during an unusual nighttime raid that put U.S. troops on the ground against Al Qaeda leaders in the middle of war-torn Yemen. The fallen sailor was identified Monday as Chief Special Warfare Operator William Ryan Owens, 36, of Peoria, Ill.. Three other Americans were wounded in the raid and an MV-22 Osprey had to be destroyed after the aircraft suffered a hard landing and couldnt fly. Another U.S. service member was injured in that crash. The raid marked the first known counter-terrorism operation and first confirmed combat fatality under President Trump. Steele writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. Facebook
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Protests against Trumps ban on certain immigrants continue across the country By Ann M. Simmons Protesters rally at Los Angeles International Airport on Jan. 29, demonstrating against the immigration ban imposed by President Trump. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images) After a weekend of turmoil at many of the nations airports following President Trumps executive order to suspend the U.S. refugee program and temporarily prohibit entry to citizens of seven predominantly Muslim nations, federal officials said all people being detained on arrival to the U.S. had been released. But that hasnt put a stop to demands to lift the travel ban. Protests continued to be held and organized throughout the country incluidng in New York, New Orleans, Colorado and Connecticut. According to Ground Game, an online platform for organizing, at least a dozen demonstrations were planned for this week in what the group described as a fight against Islamophobia and Fascism. Calls to rally, demonstrate and protest swept social media platforms, including Twitter and Facebook. In Louisville, Ky., a rally was planned for Monday evening at the Muhammad Ali Center, in what organizers said would be a gathering for American values and to voice support for our nation and our city, which was founded and is strengthened by immigrants. In Hattiesburg, Miss., there was call to join a peaceful vigil in solidarity with refugees, immigrants, and Muslims on the University of Southern Mississippi campus on Monday evening. Declaring that Jersey City stands with our Muslim and immigrant community, organizers in that New Jersey city called on people to come to a pedestrian mall on Monday to stand in solidarity and peace as we show our strength in diversity as one of the most diverse cities in the nation. Other demonstrations were planned for later in the week in cities nationwide, including Tuesday in Tuscon, where organizers encouraged people to stand in solidarity with Senator (John) McCains strong public statement opposing the executive order banning refugees and Legal Permanent Residents from Muslim countries! Similar actions were planned on Tuesday at the South Carolina State House in Columbia and at the Worchester City Hall and Common in Massachusetts, while organizers in San Francisco, under the banner #NoBanNoWallSF, urged residents to join the resistance against Donald Trumps racist and exclusionary Executive Orders on Saturday. We will not allow our country to be divided by hate and religious persecution, read a statement from #NoBanNoWallSF posted on Facebook. Facebook
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Obama carefully weighs in on refugee ban, says he is heartened by public response By Michael A. Memoli (Jim Watson / AFP/Getty Images) Former President Obama has offered his first public comment on the conduct of his successor, saying through a spokesman that he is heartened by public demonstrations against the Trump administrations controversial move to temporarily ban refugees and block all admissions from seven countries. President Obama is heartened by the level of engagement taking place in communities around the country, Kevin Lewis, a spokesperson for the former president, said in a statement emailed to reporters Monday. In his final official speech as President, he spoke about the important role of citizen and how all Americans have a responsibility to be the guardians of our democracy--not just during an election but every day. Citizens exercising their constitutional right to assemble, organize and have their voices heard by their elected officials is exactly what we expect to see when American values are at stake. Lewis also said in the statement that Obama fundamentally disagrees with the notion of discriminating against individuals because of their faith or religion. Trump aides deny that his executive order, released Friday, involves religious discrimination. The order temporarily blocked travel to the U.S. by residents of seven predominantly Muslim nations, but left many of the Islamic worlds largest population centers unaffected, they note. The order also included an exception for believers of minority religions in those countries, a provision that Trump explicitly said would help Christians. Obamas statement is notable less for its content than for the fact that it was issued at all. It reflected the delicate balance he feels he must strike between showing a degree of deference to the new president and speaking out on issues he sees as critically important. The statement tiptoed around the content of the order, focusing more on the former presidents interest in citizen engagement. Obama said before leaving office that he expected to choose carefully when to comment on the actions of his successor and would focus less on normal functioning of politics and more on certain issues or certain moments where I think our core values may be at stake, as he put it in his final news conference. Mondays statement did point, though, to comments Obama made at a news conference in November 2015, when he called the idea of a religious test for immigration policy shameful and not American. We dont have religious tests to our compassion, he said at the time. Facebook
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GOP-led Congress worries about its role in the Trump era By Lisa Mascaro Its what congressional Republicans had long dreamed about: a majority in both chambers to advance conservative policies and a president from the same party to sign them into law. But the Trump White House isnt turning out exactly the way they envisioned. The GOP establishment is experiencing whiplash after a week of President Trump bulldozing through the norms of policy and protocol dashing off executive orders without warning, escalating a diplomatic crisis with the countrys closest southern neighbor, triggering global confusion with a new refugee policy and generally hijacking party leaders agenda and replacing it with his own. Rather than the hoped-for collaborative new relationship between the White House and Congress, GOP officials complain that Trump is brushing aside their advice, failing to fully engage on drafting tough legislative packages like tax reform and Obamacare, and bypassing Congress by relying on executive actions, something they frequently complained about under President Obama. At the same time, Trumps unilateral moves continue to blindside Republicans and direct the national focus toward topics many in the party would rather avoid, whether thats how to pay for building the border wall with Mexico, warming ties with Russia, investigating false claims about voter fraud or, most recently, implementing sweeping new policies on refugees and visas. In the name of party unity, many Republicans so far have refrained from publicly attacking the new president. But for some, the new refugee policy crossed the line, signaling the first major rift in their already fraught partnership. Read More Facebook
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Washington state sues Trump over immigration order By Mark Z. Barabak President Trump signed an executive order Friday that suspends all immigration for citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries for 90 days. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) Opening a new legal front, lawyers for the state of Washington filed suit Monday seeking to block President Trumps executive order temporarily banning foreign refugees from entering the United States. No one is above the law, not even the president, Atty. Gen. Bob Ferguson said in announcing the federal lawsuit. And in the courtroom, it is not the loudest voice that prevails. Its the Constitution. Over the weekend, a federal judge in Brooklyn issued an order curtailing portions of Trumps executive order, issued Friday, which temporary halts migration from seven predominantly Muslim countries for at least 90 days and also closed the nation to refugees for at least the next four months. Other challenges are pending. The lawsuit filed in federal court in Seattle was the first taken by a state attorney general, and its provenance was no surprise. Washington state and others along the West Coast voted overwhelmingly for Democrat Hillary Clinton in November and have emerged as a hotbed of anti-Trump sentiment. We will not yield, said Democratic Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, who joined Ferguson at a Seattle news conference. We will not be leveraged. We will not be threatened. We will not be intimidated. We will not be bullied by this. Trumps order, which has sparked demonstrations across the country, brought an outpouring of objection from Insleys Democratic colleagues around the country. President Trumps recent executive orders that divide and discriminate do not reflect the values enshrined in the U.S. Constitution or the principles we stand for as Oregonians, said Gov. Kate Brown. A single executive order does not define who we are as a country, said Connecticut Gov. Daniel P. Malloy. We are a nation of immigrants and must continue to fight for the tired, the poor, and the huddled masses yearning to breath free. In Massachusetts, another state that voted overwhelmingly for Clinton, Republican Gov. Charlie Baker joined the chorus of Democratic criticism, saying the travel ban would undermine the international relations forged by the states business, academic and healthcare communities. The confusion for families is real. The unexpected disruption for law-abiding people is real, Baker said. Thankfully, the federal courts will have an opportunity to straighten this out and it is my hope they do so, and do so quickly. Facebook
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How a top conservative radio host took on Trump, lost his audience and faith, but gained a new perspective By Mark Z. Barabak Charlie Sykes, right, interviews Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) before Wisconsins 2016 primary (Morry Gash/Associated Press) For nearly 25 years, Charlie Sykes was one of the most powerful and influential voices in Wisconsin. He cheer-led policies that turned this historically progressive state into a model of conservative governance. He made and destroyed political careers, using his perch on Milwaukee talk radio to help vault figures such as House Speaker Paul Ryan and Gov. Scott Walker to national prominence. But for the moment Sykes was speechless. He sank into the brown leather banquette of a suburban steakhouse. He stammered. He sighed. When youve devoted your whole life to certain beliefs and you think now they have been undermined and that you might have been deluded about things, he began. So. So. Um... In 2016 Sykes emerged as one of Donald Trumps most prominent critics, a stance that outraged listeners, strained longstanding friendships and left him questioning much of what he once held true. Read More Facebook
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Pentagon compiling a list of Iraqis who aided the U.S. military and wants them shielded from Trumps travel ban By W.J. Hennigan The Pentagon is compiling a list of Iraqi citizens who have worked with the U.S. military and is recommending that they be exempt from President Trumps temporary ban on entry to the U.S. by people from Iraq and six other predominantly Muslim countries, according to the U.S. military. The move could potentially shield tens of thousands of Iraqi interpreters, advisors, and others who have assisted the American military from the presidents controversial executive action that blocked visitors from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya and Yemen. Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, told reporters Monday that the list will include names of individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to helping the United States. Even people that are doing seemingly benign things in support of us whether as a linguist, a driver, anything else they often do that at great personal risk, he said. So people who take these risks are really making a tangible signal of support to the United States, and thats something that will, and should be, recognized. The list would not require any changes to the presidents order, but rather serve as guidance to the Department of Homeland Security and the White House in implementing the new policy. White House spokesman Sean Spicer later pushed back against blanket exemptions. We recognize that people have served this country, we should make sure that in those cases theyre helped out, he said. But that doesnt mean that we just give them a pass. Trump, who signed the order at the Pentagon on Friday, did not consult Defense Secretary James N. Mattis or Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on the temporary suspensions of entry to visitors from the seven nations, according to U.S. officials. The executive action put the U.S. military in a difficult position because it works closely with the Iraqi government on a range of issues, including the fight against Islamic State, which necessitates travel between the two countries. For instance, Iraqi military pilots train to fly F-16 fighter jets at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. Its not clear those pilots, who are active in the fight against Islamic State, could arrive in the U.S. for the training. 1:10 p.m.: This post was updated with White House response. Facebook
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Trump signs order on rulemaking: For every regulation added, agencies have to cut 2 others By Noah Bierman (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) President Trump signed an executive order Monday designed to fulfill his campaign pledge reduce red tape for businesses. The two-page order requires that when a federal agency proposes new regulations, it shall identify at least two existing regulations to be repealed. We want to make the life easier for small businesses and big business, Trump said Monday from the Roosevelt Room of the White House, where he met with nine representatives of the small-business sector. Trump said he hoped to see up to 75% of federal regulations eliminated during his presidency. Regulation has been horrible for big business, but its been worse for small business, Trump said. He also reiterated his promise to gut the Dodd-Frank Act, the financial regulatory overhaul that was passed after the financial crisis. Dodd-Frank is a disaster, he said. Were going to be doing a big number on Dodd-Frank. Consumer advocates who backed the law say that eliminating it would help Wall Street and other players in the financial sector at the expense of consumers. Facebook
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U.S. diplomats to protest Trumps travel ban order By Tracy Wilkinson Protesters of President Trumps immigration order block traffic at LAX. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) A number of U.S. diplomats are condemning President Trumps ban on some Muslim immigrants and visitors, saying the abrupt order does not make the U.S. safer and will only stoke anti-American fervor overseas. The complaint, being made through the State Departments so-called dissent channel, echoes criticism coming from human rights attorneys, legal experts and lawmakers from both political parties, as well as world leaders. It is significant because it represents the viewpoint of the men and women who must carry out Trumps unconventional and often provocative foreign policy. A policy which closes our doors to over 200-million legitimate travelers in the hopes of preventing a small number of travelers who intend to harm Americans ... will not achieve its aim of making our country safer, said a draft version of the memo that was circulating Monday and was reviewed by the Los Angeles Times. It was first reported by ABC News. Moreover, such a policy runs counter to core American values of non-discrimination, fair play and extending a warm welcome to foreign visitors and immigrants. The White House was quickly dismissive of the dissent and seemed to suggest the diplomats should quit if they disagree with a policy. Trump spokesman Sean Spicer said the diplomats raising of opposition does call into question whether or not they should continue to work in the State Department. It was not clear how many officials would sign the memo. Dissent channel memos are in theory not made public. The mechanism is designed to allow diplomats to offer an alternative policy without fear of retaliation. Acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner confirmed the existence of the memo but declined to comment on its contents. The dissent channel is a longstanding official vehicle for State Department employees to convey alternative views and perspectives on policy issues, he said. "... It allows State employees to express divergent policy views candidly and privately to senior leadership. The agency is still waiting for a boss. Trumps pick for secretary of State, former Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson, is expected to be confirmed by the Senate this week. The last time a dissent-channel memo was reported publicly was last year, when about 50 diplomats protested Obama administration policy in Syria, which they described as inaction. 12:20 p.m.: This story was updated with White House comment. 8:40 a.m.: This story was updated with comment from a State Department spokesman. Facebook
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Trump to announce his Supreme Court choice Tuesday -- in prime time By Michael A. Memoli (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Trump will announce his first Supreme Court nomination in prime time on Tuesday, he tweeted this morning. I have made my decision on who I will nominate for The United States Supreme Court. It will be announced live on Tuesday at 8:00 P.M. (W.H.) Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2017 The announcement was moved up two days amid the continued fallout from the executive action Trump signed temporarily banning refugee admissions from some countries. Trump had tweeted last week that he would announce his high-court decision Thursday. In an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network on Friday, Trump said his administration was doing some final vetting of his choice to replace the late Antonin Scalia, and that the pick would be from among the list of 20 names he issued during the election campaign. I think the person I pick will be big, big, he said. I think people are going to love it. I think evangelicals, Christians will love my pick. And will be represented very fairly. Times Supreme Court reporter David Savage profiled each of the leading contenders: Judge Thomas Hardiman of the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Neil M. Gorsuch of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, and Judge William H. Pryor Jr. from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. The move could prompt a major clash with Senate Democrats, who have warned the president against a choice outside what they consider the mainstream. Some are threatening to block any choice in retaliation for Senate Republicans refusal to even hold hearings on President Obamas choice to replace Scalia, Merrick Garland. Democrats 2013 change to Senate rules that allowed most nominations to advance with a simple majority vote exempted Supreme Court nominations, meaning that Democrats could potentially filibuster the choice. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) appeared to rule out any further rule change in an interview last week, though Trump urged him to consider doing so. Facebook
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As Hollywood gathered at the SAG Awards, some entertainers joined LAX protest Facebook
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This New York doctor went to visit family in Sudan, and now hes stuck By Molly Hennessy-Fiske Dr. Kamal Fadlalla (Dr. Kamal Fadlalla / For The Times) Dr. Kamal Fadlalla, a hospital resident who has been working in New York for the last 20 months, was stuck in Sudan on Sunday, having gone there to see his family earlier this month. He had left Jan. 13, was due to return Feb. 4 but tried to return on Friday after hearing about President Trumps executive order on immigration, which suspended entry for people from seven countries, including Sudan. He made it past passport control, all the way to the gate at the airport in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital. One hour before departure they called my name, he said, and summoned him to the ticket counter, along with other New York-bound Sudanese passengers. When I got to the counter, they said there was a notice from Customs and Border Protection that ... they had to offload us from the flight. I was shocked. Fadlalla, 33, hoped for a reprieve as other passengers gathered, all stuck. One family, they came back from Dubai, she was a mother of three or four kids. She was waiting overnight at the Dubai airport. There were also two passengers turned back from New York, he said. It was a very tough night on me, He stayed for several hours, then returned to his mothers home in Madani, two hours south. Fadlalla is a second-year resident in internal medicine at Interfaith Medical Center in Brooklyn. He is hoping to specialize in hematology and oncology. The Committee for Interns and Residents found an attorney to represent him, he said, but he had not received any news about how a New York federal judges ruling late Saturday, which halted the deportations of people who had arrived in the U.S. with valid visas, could affect him. I dont know what Im going to do. My vacation is going to end and I have to join the hospital next week. Its going to be tough on me, Fadlalla said. I dont know for how long Im going to stay here. I dont know what Im going to do. My visa is valid for three months. Im really stuck. I have my house there, my utilities, my work, my patients, my colleagues. It was my life for the past 20 months. And Im stuck here. Fadlalla is from northern Sudan, and describes himself as a moderate Muslim. He said the executive order wont make the U.S. safer by barring valid visa holders like him because, Ive been through the whole process of visa interviews. He had planned to take board exams next year, and if he misses them, his schooling will be delayed. He had wanted to stay and work in New York, too. All my life is there. Now Im stuck here. I dont know what to do, he said. Its going to really affect my life, my patients, my colleagues and their work schedule. He said the executive order has shocked others in Sudan, too. Theyre talking about human rights. Everybody knows the United States is about freedom, he said. Everybody knows America is a free country, a country of chances for everybody. Still, people have hope in those protesting at airports all over the United States and attorneys who have volunteered to help immigrants and refugees, he said. He said the order is especially worrying for aspiring Sudanese medical residents who have been preparing to match with a hospital in March to study in the United States. A lot of my colleagues who are preparing for exams are really, really worried about this, Fadlalla said. Im really worried about the future of these young people. They study a lot and spend a lot of money, a lot of effort to enter the United States. Im concerned about my future and my colleagues future. Facebook
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Californias congressional Republicans hold their fire on Trumps refugee order By Sarah D. Wire Only a few of the states 14 Republican representatives have publicly commented on an executive order signed by President Trump on Friday that barred refugees and green card holders from seven countries from entering the country. Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) released a statement Sunday night saying that some tweaks are needed, but that his background as chairman of the House Select Intelligence Committee leads him to support the executive order. In light of attempts by jihadist groups to infiltrate fighters into refugee flows to the West, along with Europes tragic experience coping with this problem, the Trump administrations executive order on refugees is a common-sense security measure to prevent terror attacks on the homeland, Nunes said. While accommodations should be made for green card holders and those whove assisted the U.S. armed forces, this is a useful temporary measure on seven nations of concern until we can verify who is entering the United States. Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) told the Washington Post that the executive order is the right call to keep America safe, but he hopes the cases of people traveling on visas who were prevented from reentering the country are resolved quickly. Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) said Sunday on Twitter that the rollout has created confusion, and that executive orders arent the way to fix the countrys long-term problems. View Twitter post View Twitter post Several of Californias 38 Democratic congressional representatives and the states two senators were out in force over the weekend demanding the release of refugees and green card holders as well as an end to the executive order. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) announced she would file two pieces of legislation in response. One would immediately rescind the presidents order. The second would limit executive authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act to prevent a president from unilaterally banning groups of immigrants. Its clear that the president gave little consideration to the chaos and heartbreak that would result from this order, she said in a statement. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) joined protesters outside the White House on Sunday afternoon. We will fight against racism. We will fight against anti-Muslim rhetoric. We will fight against those who will marginalize who we are. pic.twitter.com/R54f3MDhvo Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 29, 2017 In Los Angeles, Reps. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) and Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) joined protesters at Los Angeles International Airport. On Saturday, Reps. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park), Nanette Barragan (D-San Pedro) and Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) joined the initial protests at the airport, and worked to get some of those being held released. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin) accompanied protesters at San Francisco International Airport on Sunday. Congresswoman @MaxineWaters is here at LAX protest leading the crowd in the chant "no ban, no wall, you build it up we'll tear it down" pic.twitter.com/iNEmkVVkmW Javier Panzar (@jpanzar) January 29, 2017 Facebook
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Legal moves come too late for Iranian man who arrived at LAX after Trumps order By Matt Hamilton Ali Vayeghan arrived at 7:15 p.m. Friday from Tehran. He was going to stay with relatives, then go to Indiana, to join his wife, who arrived in the U.S. four months ahead of him, and his son. But he never emerged from customs. His niece said he was put on a plane to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at 3:15 p.m. Saturday. The ACLU was trying to prevent his deportation but arrived with paperwork 45 minutes too late. The family spoke to him by phone after he landed in Dubai, where he was waiting to be put on a flight to Tehran. Hes literally crying in the airport in Dubai, Ali Vayeghans niece, Marjan Vayghan, said. On Sunday afternoon, a federal judge in Los Angeles ordered authorities to transport Vayeghan back to the U.S. and admit him under the terms of his visa, which is set to expire Feb. 14. U.S. District Judge Dolly M. Gee said in her order that Vayeghan had demonstrated a strong likelihood of success in establishing that removal violates the Establishment Clause, the Immigration and Nationality Act, and his rights to Equal Protection guaranteed by the United States Constitution. But by the time the order came down, Vayeghan was on a plane bound for Tehran. Federal judge in LA has issued order allowing Iranian man deported from LAX yesterday to be admitted to US pic.twitter.com/yPth0xEQpv Matt Hamilton (@MattHjourno) January 29, 2017 Facebook
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The political climate is a hot topic at the Screen Actors Guild awards The Actor statue watches over the red carpet at the Shrine Auditorium. (Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press) Stars on the red carpet and at the winners podium tonight in Los Angeles are not keeping their mouths shut on current affairs. The 23rd Screen Actors Guild awards are being held at the Shrine Auditorium. Heres what they have had to say so far: I want you all to know that I am the daughter of an immigrant. My father fled religious persecution in Nazi-occupied France, and Im an American patriot, and I love this country, and because I love this country, I am horrified by its blemishes and this immigrant ban is a blemish and it is un-American. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, accepting her award for her role in Veep We need to vote. Had we all voted, we wouldnt be here. You dont like it, you dont have nothing to say if you didnt vote. Get a clipboard, get organized and get in it. Dont sit back on the sidelines. Get in it. This is a fight for the country right now. Its worth fighting for. Courtney B. Vance, nominated for his performance in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story For the first time ever in my lifetime, Ive been concerned about where its going to go. It doesnt seem to be that its going to go in a very positive direction. Claire Foy, nominated for her role as Queen Elizabeth in the Netflix series The Crown Read More Facebook
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Green card holders will not be blocked by Trumps order, Homeland Security says By David Lauter (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times) The Trump administration backed away from one of the most controversial parts of its new executive order on immigration Sunday evening, saying that permanent U.S. residents in most cases will not be affected by the new rules. Since the president issued the order Friday, confusion has been rampant over the effects on permanent residents, noncitizens who hold so-called green cards that allow them to live and work legally in the U.S. Many were stopped and detained at airports for many hours on Friday and Saturday and, in some cases, reported that they had been threatened with being returned to their home countries. An undetermined number of other green card holders were stopped from boarding U.S.-bound planes. Late Sunday, however, the secretary of Homeland Security, retired Gen. John Kelly, issued a statement changing the policy. Statement By Secretary John Kelly On The Entry Of Lawful Permanent Residents Into The United States https://t.co/Es1qivoR3J pic.twitter.com/hffMK2MOQC Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 29, 2017 I hereby deem the entry of lawful permanent residents to be in the national interest, Kelly wrote. Green card holders from one of the seven countries covered by the 90-day ban will still need to request a waiver to gain reentry to the U.S. if they have traveled abroad. But unless officials have significant derogatory information about a green card holder that indicates a serious threat to public safety and welfare, lawful permanent resident status will be a dispositive factor in deciding the case, Kellys statement said. A White House official, briefing reporters about the change in policy, said that about 170 people have applied for a waiver to the ban so far, and all 170 have received a waiver and have been allowed to enter the U.S. The seven countries affected by the ban are Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Facebook
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Uber fights immigration order -- and #DeleteUber hashtag -- with $3-million legal fund for drivers By Tracey Lien Hours after Lyfts co-founders announced a $1-million donation to the American Civil Liberties Union to defend the
Constitution, Uber Chief Executive Travis Kalanick pulled out his pocket book as well. Kalanick promised in a Facebook post that the company would create a $3-million legal defense fund to help drivers affected by the Trump administrations move to restrict immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries. The fund will help drivers with immigration and translation services. Kalanick also said the San Francisco ride-hailing company will provide 24/7 legal support to drivers stuck outside the country and compensate them for lost earnings. Drivers eligible for assistance were directed to contact the company via an online form. Although the announcement was greeted with some support on Facebook and Twitter, many saw it as too little too late. The company had come under fire a day earlier for advertising on Twitter that it was operating at New Yorks Kennedy International Airport during a taxi strike protesting the executive order. That gaffe, coupled with Kalanicks involvement in a panel advising President Trump on economic issues, helped spawn the Twitter hashtag #DeleteUber, which encouraged customers to delete the app from their phones in protest. You are 20 hours too late, one person wrote in response to Kalanicks Facebook post. Still deleted my account today, wrote another. Though Kalanick issued a statement on Saturday opposing the executive order, it didnt stop thousands of Twitter users from adopting the trending the #DeleteUber hashtag to decry Ubers actions. They accused the company of attempting to profit from the strike and prioritizing business interests over a moral imperative. Celebrities also jumped on the bandwagon, with actor and activist George Takei on Sunday tweeting to his 2.9 million followers: Lyft donates $1mil to ACLU while Uber doubles down on its support for Trump. #DeleteUber. Facebook
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75-year-old grandmother from Iran tells the story of her detention at LAX By Alene Tchekmedyian Siavosh Naji-Talakar of Phoenix hugs his grandmother Marzieh Moosavizadeh after she was released from detention at LAX early Sunday morning. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) Marzieh Moosavizadeh and her grandson follow a routine when she visits almost every year from Iran. The 75-year-old, who travels in a wheelchair and speaks little English, struggles to find direct flights to Phoenix, where he and his family live. So they meet in Los Angeles and he escorts her on the last leg of her trip. This time was different. Moosavizadeh landed at Los Angeles International Airport a day after President Trump signed an executive order banning citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries, including Iran, from entering the United States. Read More Facebook
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GOP senators call executive order a self-inflicted wound. Trump calls them wrong and weak By Matt Ballinger McCain and Graham in 2013. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and John McCain of Arizona released a statement Sunday saying that confusion at U.S. airports shows that President Trumps executive order on immigration was not properly vetted. Such a hasty process risks harmful results, the Republicans statement read. We should not stop green-card holders from returning to the country they call home. We should not stop those who have served as interpreters for our military and diplomats from seeking refuge in the country they risked their lives to help. And we should not turn our backs on those refugees who have been shown through extensive vetting to pose no demonstrable threat to our nation. It went on: Ultimately, we fear this executive order will become a self-inflicted wound in the fight against terrorism. The president responded on Twitter: The joint statement of former presidential candidates John McCain & Lindsey Graham is wrong - they are sadly weak on immigration. The two... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2017 ...Senators should focus their energies on ISIS, illegal immigration and border security instead of always looking to start World War III. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2017 Facebook
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At least 600 people wait to greet Syrians arriving in Phoenix By Nigel Duara Elijah Chavez and Brandi Hernandez protest in Phoenix (Nigel Duara/Los Angeles Times) A Phoenix-bound British Airways flight was scheduled to arrive from London at Sunday evening carrying several Syrians. A protest of about 600 people was waiting at a Phoenix international airport terminal for the flight to arrive. The outcome when these people arrive is uncertain at best, said Tanveer Shah, an Arizona attorney in private practice who volunteers with the ACLU. Shah said Syrians on board the flight would, in the best case, walk off the plane without a problem. But given the outcomes in other cities on Saturday and Sunday, Shah said it was incumbent on civil liberties attorneys to be there when the plane arrives. We have staff attorneys here ... who are prepared to file emergency pleadings, Shah said. Facebook
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When Muslims got blocked at American airports, U.S. veterans rushed to help By Matt Pearce (G. Morty Ortega / Getty Images) Jeffrey Buchalter was reflooring his foyer in Chesapeake Beach, Md., and listening to MSNBC over the weekend when he heard the news: An Iraqi who had worked with American forces as an interpreter had been stopped from entering the U.S. under a new executive order on immigration from President Trump. The story stopped him cold. Buchalter, an Army veteran who works as a law-enforcement instructor at the Department of Homeland Security, had served multiple tours of duty as a military policeman in Iraq, service that cost him dearly. He was decorated for injuries sustained from gunfire and improvised explosive devices. Exams revealed hed suffered herniated discs, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, and he spent 2 years at Walter Reed Army Medical Center trying to get right. But he was still alive, and now the married father of two children. And he believes thats thanks in part to the work of Iraqi interpreters who acted as guides during his work in their country. So he told his younger daughter and son they were going to take a trip: a two-hour drive to Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C., where, for the first time in his life, Buchalter would join a protest. Read More Facebook
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Demonstrators against Trumps immigration limits and a few who like them surge through LAX By Javier Panzar The crowd at LAX is getting bigger and bigger. pic.twitter.com/dJ281TETXj Javier Panzar (@jpanzar) January 29, 2017 Thousands of people filled the international terminal at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday afternoon to call for the release of an unknown number of people being detained by immigration authorities. Filling the arrivals section of the terminal and spilling into the street outside, the throng chanted, Let them in, and Love, not hate, makes America great. Jacob Kemper, a 35-year-old Army veteran who fought two tours in Iraq, said he was infuriated to think soldiers he fought alongside might be denied entry to the country. I really dont care about religion, but I really hate oppression, he said, holding a sign that read, I Fought Next To Muslims. Shay Soltani, a network engineer, fled the Iranian revolution 40 years ago and still has family members in Iran. She doesnt know if she will be able to see them again. As she and hundreds of others marched through the airport, she said she was horrified by Trumps order. I am so hurt by this, she said. He is against freedom of speech and the constitution and everything I believe in as an American. Meanwhile, about a dozen counter-protesters popped up on the other side of the street, holding signs that said X-treme vetting and Keep Refugees Out. They said they were tired of immigrants entering the U.S. illegally, which they said jeopardizes the safety of American citizens. Chanell Temple, 63, of Los Angeles said she was sick of watching immigrants here illegally steal benefits and services from American citizens, specifically veterans and homeless people who need aid. I worked out here for 40 years and they are coming here and taking everything away, said Temple, a former bookkeeper who said she lost her job and healthcare after she was fired for an inability to speak Spanish. Raul Rodriguez Jr., coordinator of a group called America First Latinos, said he was concerned about what he considers a surge in crimes committed against Americans by those who are in the country illegally. They are lawbreakers. They have violated federal law and they need to be deported, he said. Facebook
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Silicon Valley execs speak out against immigration ban By Tracey Lien Technology executives are speaking out against President Trumps executive order on immigration, highlighting how the ban hurts their businesses. Leaders of companies that include Google, Microsoft, Apple, Facebook, Uber, Lyft, Airbnb, Dropbox and Twitter denounced it over the weekend. Apple would not exist without immigration, let alone thrive and innovate the way we do, said Apple chief executive Tim Cook in a memo to employees. In my conversations with officials here in Washington this week, Ive made it clear that Apple believes deeply in the importance of immigration both to our company and to our nations future. General Electric Co. chief executive Jeff Immelt said Sunday that businesses with global operations must balance working with the new administration while also supporting their workers and partners. We have many employees from the named countries and we do business all over the region, Immelt said in a statement. These employees and customers are critical to our success and they are our friends and partners. We stand with them and will work with the U.S. administration to strive to find the balance between the need for security and the movement of law abiding people. Facebook
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LAX protest grows as families wait Meg Heatherly, 27, of Los Angeles holds a Shame sign during a protest at the Tom Bradley International Terminal. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Facebook
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L.A. city attorney barred from seeing detainees at LAX By James Queally Los Angeles City Atty. Mike Feuer said he was repeatedly denied access to federal detainees or an attorney who could discuss the situation with him at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday night and Sunday morning. Federal officials have declined to discuss the LAX detentions or respond to Feuers criticisms. While he was at the airport, Feuer said he was approached by a woman who claimed her father, suffering from Parkinsons disease, was among the detainees. It is those kind of real stories that are at stake because of this outrageous action by the feds. It is time not only for officials in my position, but all Americans, should find this a breathtaking violation of rights. Mike Feuer Read More Facebook
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Democratic attorneys general from 15 states condemn Trump immigration order By Ann M. Simmons California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) More than a dozen Democratic attorneys general from states across the country have condemned the Trump administrations executive order suspending acceptance of refugees and have vowed to oppose it to ensure that as few people as possible suffer from the chaotic situation that it has created. In a communique Sunday, the group said: As the chief legal officers for over 130 million Americans and foreign residents of our states, we condemn President Trumps unconstitutional, un-American and unlawful Executive Order and will work together to ensure the federal government obeys the Constitution, respects our history as a nation of immigrants, and does not unlawfully target anyone because of their national origin or faith. The executive order places an indefinite ban on refugees from Syria and prohibits citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering as refugees for four months. It also places a suspension on admissions of other citizens of those countries. The legal officials represent 15 states. They include California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra and his contemporaries in Washington, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia. Religious liberty has been, and always will be, a bedrock principle of our country, and no president can change that truth, the attorneys general said in the statement. They praised the decision of multiple federal courts to order a stay on some aspects of the order. We are confident that the Executive Order will ultimately be struck down by the courts, the statement said. Facebook
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13 people who had been detained at LAX have been released, source says By James Queally Protesters at LAX on Sunday. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) Thirteen people who were detained Saturday night at Los Angeles International Airports Terminal 2 were eventually released, a law enforcement source told The Times. Each of them held green cards, which grant permanent residency in the U.S. The source, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the situation at the airport, could not provide detention figures for the Tom Bradley International Terminal, which has been the center of protest activity. Thats where protesters were gathering Sunday. Nurse Jamie Shoemaker, 51, of Los Angeles held an American flag in one hand and carried a sign that read, Muslims are welcome here, racists and fascists are not. She called Trumps order un-American. This is not the country I want, she said. This is not the country I grew up in. Read More Facebook
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Democrats in Congress drafting legislation to repeal Trumps refugee ban, pressuring GOP for support By Lisa Mascaro Sen. Chuck Schumer becomes emotional speaking against Pres. Trump's immigration order, calling it "mean-spirited and un-American." pic.twitter.com/NkhUdpaNyV ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 29, 2017 Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and Democrats will introduce legislation as soon as Monday to stop President Trumps actions temporarily banning refugees and arrivals from certain Muslim countries. House Democrats are taking similar legislative action, and lawmakers from both chambers will rally Monday evening at the Supreme Court to protest Trumps orders. This executive order was mean-spirited and un-American, said Schumer, the New York Democrat, choking up as he stood with immigrants and refugees at a press conference Sunday. It must be reversed immediately. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said House Democrats are exploring legal options, including an amicus brief in support of the ACLU lawsuit against the actions. The chances of passing a bill through the Republican-controlled Congress are slim, as most GOP leaders and lawmakers have not objected to Trumps ban. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Sunday that while he was personally opposed to a religious test on admissions, it was best left to the courts to resolve the issue. Its hopefully going to be decided in the courts as to whether or not this has gone too far, McConnell said on ABCs This Week. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) expressed his support Friday for Trumps action. A handful of Republicans, though, are uneasy with Trumps orders, and have spoken against them. Schumer noted that just few more Republicans would be needed to reach the 60-vote threshold for advancing Senate legislation. Maybe we can pass something in Congress, Schumer said. Its up to Republicans. Facebook
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Emotional reunion at JFK airport after release of elderly Sudanese man from immigration detention By Barbara Demick Tears and hugs at JFK's international arrivals as a detainee is released, reuniting father with son. More families wait, cheering. pic.twitter.com/WrVpoocWjY Jack Smith IV (@JackSmithIV) January 29, 2017 For those immigrants temporarily detained under a new Trump administration executive order at New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport, attorneys have put a priority on getting some of the older detainees released to their families. One small victory for the lawyers was the case of Yassin Abdelrhman, a 76-year-old green card holder from Sudan who had been detained after a trip home to visit family. He was released about noon on Sunday after being detained for 30 hours. Soon, he was reunited with his sons. He is a strong individual, but he has some health challenges, said U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who had been working on their case. Facebook
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Iranian director Asghar Farhadi will not attend Oscars Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi after winning an Oscar in 2012. ((Allen J. Schaben/ Los Angeles Times) ) In a statement to the New York Times today, Oscar-winning Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi said he no longer planned to attend this years ceremony. Farhadis film The Salesman is nominated in the foreign language film category. Farhadi had initially hoped to attend despite the prohibition on visitors from Iran. But he said he had decided the possibility of this presence is being accompanied by ifs and buts which are in no way acceptable to me even if exceptions were to be made for my trip. Read More Facebook
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How an Iranian Fulbright scholar got into the U.S.: We found a lawyer who found a lawyer who found a lawyer By Barbara Demick Iranian students in front of a makeshift law office in JFKs Terminal 4. (Barbara Demick / Los Angeles Times) Perhaps nothing encapsulates the chaos emanating from President Trumps executive order better than what happened with Ukrainian Airlines Flight 232. The regularly scheduled flight to Kiev had to turn around on the tarmac at John F. Kennedy Airport early Sunday after a federal judge issued a stay of a deportation order of dozens of foreigners, including a 32-year-old Iranian linguist who is a doctoral candidate and former Fulbright scholar. With just minutes to spare, Vahideh Rasekhi -- helped by volunteer lawyers and her smart phone managed to prevent the flight from taking off. She had arrived Saturday afternoon, but was blocked from entering the United States by the executive order barring arrivals of citizens of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Somalia and Libya. Around midnight, she was put on the Ukrainian Air flight to return to Tehran, via Kiev. We found a lawyer who found a lawyer who found a lawyer, said Mehdi Namazi, 29, a friend who has been waiting for her at the airport. The lawyers were showing officials a copy of the order issued a few hours earlier by U.S. District Court Judge Ann Donnelly in Brooklyn. It was all very confusing. They were arguing as the plane was taxiing, Namazi said. According to one lawyer, Melissa Trent, Rasekhi herself was walking up and down the aisles arguing for the plane not to take off. She knew that if the plane left she would never get back to the United States again, Trent said. Rasekhi spent most of Sunday in detention with other Iranians, but was released into the United States at around 3 p.m.. A dozen Iranian friends had been waiting inside the airports Terminal 4 amid a clutter of discarded coffee cups and half-eaten donuts in front of a diner that had been turned into a makeshift law office. Another Iranian student was waiting for her parents, who were taken into detention after arriving on another flight I havent seen them in 3-1/2 years. They dont speak English. But Im hopeful, said the student, who gave her name as Sahar. The students were both furious at the way their country had been targeted by Trumps order and touched by the outpouring of support from the volunteer lawyers. We see two different Americas here. There is this order banning us, and than there are all these people here who came to the airport. If it werent for these volunteers, she would have been deported, said Namazi. Im very depressed. We feel betrayed by this country that we invested so much energy and hope into. We are all graduate students, professors, PhDs, engineers. To say this is for national security, it doesnt add up, said Tahmineh Tabrizian, 33, another friend of Rasekhis. She said her own parents had planned to come to the United States and had spent $14,000 on tickets and visas and would now have to cancel their trip. Rasekhi, who has lived in the United States for a decade, was a Fulbright scholar at UC Santa Barbara and received a masters degree at Fresno State University, according to a resume supplied by one of her friends. She had been studying for a PhD at Stony Brook University on Long Island. She had gone to Tehran over the Christmas break to visit her parents and was on her way back to resume her studies when she was detained. Facebook
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Protests begin again at LAX on Sunday morning By Genaro Molina Facebook
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Protesters in Tel Aviv compare Trump immigration order to Israeli refugee policies By Joshua Mitnick Demonstrators in Tel Aviv protest U.S. President Trumps new immigration order. (Joshua Mitnick / Los Angeles Times) Holding signs reading Refugees Welcome and chanting No Ban, No Wall, Sanctuary for All, several dozen demonstrators gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv on Sunday to join protests in the U.S. against President Trumps new immigration policy. Mia Zur Szpiro, a 36-year-old filmmaker, said she felt compelled to demonstrate because her parents survived the Holocaust. We are a country of immigrants, and to me it was astounding that this [order] was passed on Holocaust Memorial Day, she said. Its wrong to stereotype, and its wrong to send people who are in need back into the face of danger and the risk of death. Elliot Vaisbrub Glassenberg, a protest organizer and migrant rights activist, compared the new U.S. policy to Israeli policies toward tens of thousands of Eritrean and Sudanese migrants who crossed into the country illegally from Egypts Sinai desert. The policies that Trump has enacted are no worse than the policies that [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu has enacted for years here such as not allowing any non-Jews to be given refugee status in Israel, except for a select few. Togod Omar, a native of Sudan who was at the protest, said he applied for political asylum in Israel three years ago, and is still waiting. He said Sudanese friends hoping to be resettled in the U.S. were upset by the new executive order. Trump doesnt understand whats going on in Sudan, Omar said. You cant punish the Sudanese people for what the Islamic government is doing. You cant banish someone because of their religion. Facebook
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President Trump hits majority disapproval in record time, Gallup finds By David Lauter Days until achieving MAJORITY disapproval from @Gallup
Reagan: 727
Bush I: 1336
Clinton: 573
Bush II: 1205
Obama: 936
Trump: 8. days. pic.twitter.com/kv2fy0Qsbp Will Jordan (@williamjordann) January 29, 2017 President Trumps actions during his first week in office have appeared to be aimed at the voters who already supported him, not at reaching out to the rest, and thats taken a rapid toll on his support, which was already historically low. Gallup, which has measured job approval for presidents for decades, shows Trumps approval so far at 45%, with 48% disapproving. Thats an average of several days polling. The daily trend lines are not kind to the new administration. As of Saturday, 51% of Americans disapproved of Trumps performance. Thats a record for the speed of getting to majority disapproval. By comparison, President George W. Bush hit majority disapproval six months into his second term, in June 2005, and remained in negative territory for the rest of his tenure. President Obama did not hit 51% disapproval until August of 2011, during the crisis over the federal debt ceiling that summer. His approval rebounded later that year, but he had a second period of majority disapproval during late 2013 and much of 2014. He ended his term with widespread approval and 37% of Americans disapproving. Trump Job Approval: Approve 45% (-1); Disapprove 48% (+3). Get the full trend https://t.co/BjTUhf0NAM. GallupNews (@GallupNews) January 27, 2017 Facebook
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Hundreds of travelers were caught in limbo over rushed visa ban By Brian Bennett (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) Hundreds of travelers were blocked from entering the U.S. or prevented from boarding flights in the hours after President Trump signed his order banning arrivals from seven predominantly Muslim countries, according to the Department of Homeland Security. In the order, Trump temporarily suspended refugee admissions and banned travelers from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Scores of people from those countries were aboard airplanes flying toward the U.S. when Trump signed his executive order on Friday afternoon, setting off waves of confusion among border officials and the traveling public. Upon landing at U.S. airports, 109 people from the listed countries were detained by immigration officials and prevented from entering the U.S., officials said. The department had approved 81 waivers to the new travel ban by Saturday afternoon, the official said, but at least some of the people detained on arrival were sent back to their countries of origin. Court orders issued Saturday evening required U.S. border officials to stop returning people who had already arrived with valid visas. It is unclear how many people were deported before the orders were issued. It is also unclear if the Trump administration has fully complied with those orders. In addition to the people who arrived in the U.S. and were detained, as of 3 p.m. on Saturday, an additional 173 travelers from the listed countries had been stopped from boarding flights to the U.S., a Homeland Security official said in a statement. The department did not make an official available to describe the actions and the agencys response. As many as 3,250 travelers may have been inconvenienced by the new visa restrictions, officials for the department said in a statement Sunday. Yesterday, less than 1% of the more than 325,000 international air travelers who arrive every day were inconvenienced while enhanced security measures were implemented, the statement read. The department will comply with court orders, the statement said. But no evidence was given to confirm this. Lawyers seeking to meet with detainees at Dulles International Airport outside of Washington and at San Francisco have said that they were blocked by officials on Sunday. The Department of Homeland Security will comply with judicial orders, faithfully enforce our immigration laws, and implement President Trumps executive orders to ensure that those entering the United States do not pose a threat to our country or the American people, according to the departments statement. All of the visa holders and travelers from the listed countries blocked from entering the U.S. since Friday already had gone through multiple steps of security screening that checked their biographical information and travel history against U.S. terrorism databases. Facebook
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White House seems to back down on part of new vetting policy By Christi Parsons The White House on Sunday appeared to back down on a key part of President Trumps tough new immigration order, signaling that travelers trying to enter the country from seven banned countries will be allowed in if they hold green cards. White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus said that these legal permanent residents are exempt from the travel ban moving forward, even though over the weekend other administration officials said the rule did apply to them. The apparent reversal came amid a national controversy over the new Trump order that temporarily halts the entry of all refugees to the U.S. and any traveler from seven majority Muslim countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Federal judges across the country have blocked parts of the presidents executive actions since they came down on Friday, mostly preventing the deportation of some travelers who ran into the first wave of implementation over the weekend. The back-and-forth over the green-card holders reflected a generalized confusion about the new order, which also bars Syrian refugees from entering the United States indefinitely. Lawyers for some of the affected immigrants said border agents seemed uncertain about the new rules and were disagreeing with one another about which travelers were affected and which were not. Further complicating the picture was a statement from the Department of Homeland Security asserting that its agents would enforce all of Trumps orders while also complying with judicial orders. As some of the orders block deportation, that left individual officers to try to figure out which priorities to honor. Facebook
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Op-Ed: Trumps cruel, illegal refugee executive order By Erwin Chemerinsky Protesters demonstrate at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City on Saturday. (Stephanie Keith / Getty Images) Barring individuals fleeing persecution from entering the United States is simply inhumane. Adding irony to injury, Trumps executive order was issued on Holocaust Remembrance Day, which should have been an occasion to atone for turning away refugees during the 1930ssome of whom then died in concentration camps. For example, in 1939, the United States turned away the St. Louis, a boat filled with refugees, many of them German Jews. According to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 254 passengers from the St. Louis died in the Holocaust. Erwin Chemerinsky Read More Facebook
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Lyft pledges to donate $1 million to ACLU following Trumps immigration order By Tracey Lien (Richard Vogel / Associated Press) Tech executives had been mostly quiet for the first week of Donald Trumps presidency but that changed after his controversial executive order restricting refugees and immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries. Executive after executive spent Saturday tweeting and posting messages to Facebook decrying the administrations actions. Lyft co-founders John Zimmer and Logan Green went a step further: On Sunday, they announced they would donate $1 million to the American Civil Liberties Union over the next four years. Banning people of a particular faith or creed, race or identity, sexuality or ethnicity, from entering the U.S. is antithetical to both Lyft and our nations core values, the co-founders wrote in an email to Lyft customers. We stand firmly against the actions, and will no
President Obamas decision to end a half-century of special treatment for Cuban emigres is bad news for those seeking a new life outside the reach of the Castro regime, but nonetheless long overdue.
Conceived in the early years of the decades-long political estrangement between the U.S. and Cuba, the policy was meant to give a safe harbor to those fleeing persecution under Fidel Castro. No evidence of individual danger was ever required. Cubans who arrived in the U.S. and passed an inspection generally were given permission to stay, even as asylum-seekers from other countries were required to make the case in immigration court that they had a specified risk of persecution if returned to their home country.
The policy was both political and humanitarian. Granting a haven to those fleeing communism invited defections, and embarrassed the Cuban government. The exodus began primarily by air after the 1959 revolution, but it became more dangerous when Castro ended flights to the U.S. in 1962. Refugees resorted to boats across the 90 miles of ocean between the island nation and Florida.
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Congress in 1966 enacted the Cuban Adjustment Act, which gave sanctuary to Cubans who couldnt return home for political reasons (repatriated defectors often were punished).
But Castro often used the U.S. policy to his own advantage. Faced with housing and job shortages, Castro announced in 1980 that any Cuban who wished to leave for the U.S. could do so from the port of Mariel. A flotilla of 1,700 boats eventually ferried 125,000 Cubans north, a number of them criminals and patients released from mental institutions, before the U.S. and Cuba negotiated an end to the departures.
But that didnt end the exodus. By the mid-1990s, the steady flow by sea and deaths from sinking vessels led to the wet foot-dry foot policy under which any Cuban who made it to land could stay in the U.S., but any caught at sea would be returned to Cuba under a Castro promise that there would be no government retaliation.
Over time, the flow of political dissidents and those simply fleeing communism on principle gave way to the current wave of economic migrants who still received preferential treatment and were allowed to stay as legal residents.
It took the Obama administration some time to get here, though a delay that likely let that spike in recent arrivals occur.
Since Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced a diplomatic thaw, the number of Cubans showing up at the U.S. border has spiked likely driven by fears that the U.S., without Cuba as an enemy, would end the special consideration. There are now more than 1.1 million Cuban immigrants in the U.S.
As The Times editorial board noted two years ago, much like the trade embargo and other U.S. sanctions against Cuba, this special consideration has outlived whatever usefulness it might have had 50 years ago. The U.S. should treat Cubans no differently than it does potential immigrants from the rest of the world.
It took the Obama administration some time to get here, though a delay that likely let that spike in recent arrivals occur. Its a step he should have taken at the same time he and Raul Castro announced the restoration of diplomatic relations. And Congress should follow suit and end its senseless boycott.
Of course, whether the change in immigration policy lasts depends on what the incoming Trump administration will do. President-elect Donald J. Trump, with his transactional view of international relations, threatened after Fidel Castro died in November to put the cold back in Cold War if Cuba didnt agree to human rights improvements. Its an open question, though, how seriously Trump takes human rights, given his admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his endorsement of torture.
Still, Trump should leave the new policy in place and urge Congress to end the embargo. Sealing off Cuba has done nothing except hurt the Cuban people, and Obama is right in believing that a more efficient way of fomenting change in other nations is through political and economic engagement.
Whatever geopolitical justification the U.S. might have had for giving Cuban immigrants special consideration no longer exists, and to treat them differently from those fleeing persecution in other nations of the world makes for an uneven, and unfair, policy.
Scott.Martelle@LATimes.com
Follow my posts and re-tweets at @smartelle on Twitter
President-elect Donald Trump may have mocked the rocky debut of successor Arnold Schwarzenegger in the faux boardroom chair of The Celebrity Apprentice, but as he makes his own start in the Oval Office, Trump may find he has a few things to learn from his reality TV replacement.
Long before Schwarzenegger inherited the role of firing underperformers on camera, he was the one selling voters on a pledge to fire an underperforming government. Few politicians are better acquainted than Schwarzenegger with the fickleness of an electorate that propels an outsider with an outsized personality into high office.
He experienced how swiftly a populist crowd-pleaser could go from harnessing rage to watching it ricochet in the wrong direction. Adoring crowds who reveled in his pledges to restore integrity and common sense to government turned on him when bureaucratic bloat failed to shrink.
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Much of what is playing out in Washington feels familiar to the Sacramento politicos who endured the tumult of Schwarzeneggers first years as California governor.
Schwarzenegger, too, once seemed made of Teflon, as reporters called him out on inconsistencies, half-baked plans and dodges, with limited effect. And the deal that Trump announced to keep an Indiana factory open, his public shaming of Boeing for the cost of its Air Force One contract and his serial use of social media to keep lawmakers off-balance all could have come from the early Schwarzenegger playbook.
But Schwarzenegger made early mistakes that gutted his popularity and forced him to reevaluate his entire approach. In California, there is no shortage of speculation about whether Trump is headed down the same path.
Trumps confidants are well aware. But they boast that they have a resilience that Schwarzeneggers team didnt.
They are such a high-powered collection of people, who are so used to winning, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, an early Trump supporter and prominent campaign surrogate, recently said at a Washington Post event. Gingrich predicted that the new administration wont change course when challenged, suggesting Schwarzenegger did. Theyll say, OK, weve got to double, or triple or quadruple our energy level, and break through, Gingrich said.
That is spectacularly bad advice, according to former Schwarzenegger aides. That kind of attitude is what almost put Arnold Schwarzenegger off the rails, said Susan Kennedy, who successfully rebooted Schwarzeneggers administration after being hired as chief of staff during one of its lowest points.
If that strategy worked, they would have built a statue to Newt Gingrich when he shut down government instead of running him out of town, said Kennedy, who had to clean up the mess after Schwarzenegger tried to outmaneuver obstinate lawmakers with a slate of incendiary austerity and anti-union ballot measures.
Voters rejected every one of them.
I can show you my scars, said Joel Fox, a veteran anti-tax advocate who worked closely with Schwarzenegger. Trump, he said, should heed the lessons learned from mobilizing so many enemies all at once. We got into eliminating teacher tenure, and rolling back union dues. What the heck were we doing? It was a mistake for Arnold not to limit himself. And Trump could just as easily make the same mistake.
The turnabout happened quickly. Schwarzeneggers approval rating soared north of 70% after a first year in which he repealed a much-hated car tax, redesigned an ailing worker compensation system and persuaded voters to buy into a big borrowing package to put the state on a path toward solvency.
Overreach during his second year changed everything.
Voters had agreed with Schwarzenegger on the problems plaguing the state, but he misjudged their appetite for his solutions.
Trump faces the same risk. His plans to deliver change by repealing Obamacare, cracking down on illegal immigration and upending trade agreements all expose him to backlash. Many of the same voters disgusted by the status quo in California redirected their disgust as they learned how Schwarzeneggers plans threatened to degrade their schools, healthcare and parks.
There are, of course, sharp distinctions between the two blustery, celebrity Republican outsiders. Schwarzenegger faced a hostile Legislature, while Trump has a friendly Congress. Schwarzenegger plunged into Schwarzenegger University to learn as much policy as he could from some of the sharpest minds in California government, while Trump has yet to show himself much of a wonk. Schwarzenegger crusaded against climate change, which Trump has called a hoax. Ballot initiatives are not an option for Trump.
But both won election promising they could use their business acumen, media savvy and star power to tackle intractable societal problems. And in Schwarzeneggers case, the lack of control of the Legislature was offset by popularity ratings that eclipse Trumps. The temptation to wager big was as irresistible for the former California governor as it now may be for Trump.
There was this feeling of, whats the point of being here unless you are going to do some bold things? said Rob Stutzman, who was Schwarzeneggers communications director.
But Schwarzeneggers stagecraft, his snubs of protocol, his forceful personality that persuaded voters not to settle all signature Trump tools diminished every day of his administration. The cool factor of celebrity has a shelf life, said Stutzman. There is only so much of that you can do. At some point you have to start looking like and acting like a governor. At some point, Trump has to start acting like a president.
One moment made clear that Schwarzenegger had lost the crowd. Before a scrum of reporters, he climbed up to a giant spigot gushing with red liquid, announced he would be stopping the flow of red ink in Sacramento, and turned the valve shut. But unlike earlier, similar stunts, this one flopped. Voters were tired of the shtick.
By then, even the refusal to bow to party orthodoxy, which had been a selling point for Schwarzenegger, and which Trump recently rode to victory, had become an albatross. The infighting in the governors suite was legendary. Top staffers assigned underlings to spy on other top staffers. The governors liberal Hollywood chums battled with the fiscally tight alumni of the Pete Wilson administration he recruited. It was unclear who had the blessing of a chief executive who, like Trump, thrived on unpredictability.
The same politicians who initially cowered in Schwarzeneggers presence began to defy him as it appeared the wheels were coming off. As soon as you lose, every political enemy sees an opportunity to dismantle you more, said Bonnie Reiss, a close Schwarzenegger friend and advisor who now runs the institute named after him at USC.
Schwarzenegger was no longer the brash, crowd-pleasing outsider. The problems he had inherited, he now owned. He humbly told Californians, If I was to make another Terminator movie, I would tell Terminator to travel back in time to tell Arnold not to have another special election.
Schwarzeneggers collaborations with Democrats from that point on are well-known. He championed the states landmark climate change policy and leveraged an uptick in the economy for a wildly popular infrastructure package that helped secure his reelection.
Less known is how he would go on to patiently and sometimes masterfully play an ego-bruising, inside game in pursuit of the platform of fiscal restraint and political reform that he first ran on. There was no more glory to be had as governor while the national economy went into free fall, and with it, Californias finances. But Schwarzenegger eked out policy victories that had enduring impact on the state with every budget negotiation.
Trump could learn a lot from what Arnold did right, which was to take policy seriously, said Mike Murphy, one of Schwarzeneggers top strategists. And another lesson he might adopt is learning to fret less about getting attention for yourself at the moment than winning the long game.
It was a tutorial Schwarzenegger began after the president-elect trashed his Celebrity Apprentice debut on Twitter. The former California governor suggested that perhaps Trumps focus was misplaced and might be reoriented toward the peoples work.
I wish you the best of luck and I hope youll work for ALL of the American people as aggressively as you worked for your ratings, Schwarzenegger wrote.
evan.halper@latimes.com
Follow me: @evanhalper
To read this article in Spanish, click here.
Obama hoped to sow peace. Instead, the whole concept of war has changed
Trump in his news conference: at war with all sides
Trump alleges leaks by U.S. spy agencies, says thats something Nazi Germany would have done
As a developer and a reality TV star, Donald Trump seemed to believe there was no such thing as too much publicity.
Already, as president elect, hes finding thats not so.
Trump is still a week away from being sworn in as president, but judging by the latest polls, hes already started to wear out his welcome.
Good afternoon, Im David Lauter, Washington bureau chief. Welcome to the Friday edition of our Essential Politics newsletter, in which we look at the events of the week in the presidential transition and highlight some particularly insightful stories.
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THE HONEYMOON IS OVER
In the weeks immediately after the election, Trump got a small, but noticeable, boost in polls.
His efforts to prod Carrier Corp. to keep at least some jobs in Indiana got a lot of favorable attention even if the numbers were less than he claimed. Independent voters, in particular, seemed to like the unifying tone he set with his speech on election night.
Two months on, that glow has worn off, and Trumps standing with the public has returned to his normal, which is to say widely abnormal for any other newly elected president.
Only 44% of Americans approve of Trumps transition so far, according to the latest Gallup figures, released Friday. A poll earlier in the week by Quinnipiac University pegged the number even lower only 37% approved of Trump in that survey.
In either case, Trump stands far below the norm for a new president. In Gallups surveys, for example, 68% of Americans approved of Bill Clintons transition just before he took office, 61% approved of George W. Bush and a whopping 83% approved of Barack Obama.
Polls dont say precisely why Trumps standing has dropped, but theres strong reason to think over-exposure plays a part.
Throughout the presidential campaign, whichever candidate was in the spotlight consistently suffered. Constant attention reminded voters of what they disliked about either Trump or Hillary Clinton.
One of the reasons Trump won was that his aides succeeded in keeping him restrained in the final two weeks of the contest, allowing attention to focus on Clinton a strategy helped by FBI Director James Comeys late announcement of a renewed interest in Clintons emails. [Comeys conduct is now going to be the subject of an investigation by the Justice Departments internal watchdog.]
Since the election, however, Trump has dominated the news constantly. He seems to hate not being the center of attention, picking fights on Twitter, offering cryptic pronouncements on policy and largely eclipsing the final weeks of President Obamas tenure.
Predictably, that approach has started to wear on people perhaps bore them even before his inauguration.
The decline in Trumps standing has been especially notable among the voters with the least attachment to either party: His approval among self-identified independents has fallen from 46% a few weeks ago to 33% now, Gallup found.
Two numbers stand out from the Quinnipiac poll: Since November, Trump has lost ground on the share of voters who think he has good leadership qualities and those who think he has good judgment.
None of that is fatal presidential standing goes up and down. But for nearly all presidents, support tends to decline over time. Part of the goal of a transition is to hit a high point that will provide a cushion against the inevitable disappointments that come with governing. Thats one goal Trump has clearly failed to achieve.
A DOSSIER, A CONTROVERSY
In last weeks newsletter, I said that Trumps fight with U.S. intelligence agencies over Russias involvement in the election posed a big problem for him. This week, that problem worsened fast.
On Tuesday CNN reported that intelligence officials had briefed Trump about evidence that Russia may have gathered material that could be used to blackmail him. Later that day, Buzzfeed published the full text of a 35-page memo full of unverified allegations against Trump that an opposition research firm had gathered.
At his news conference the next day, Trump lashed out at the media, and theres certainly lots to criticize in Buzzfeeds decision to publish derogatory information that it and other news organizations have tried for weeks to corroborate without success.
But Trump cast more blame on the countrys intelligence agencies, saying that they were leaking allegations against him and that it was something Nazi Germany would have done. As president, he will need help from those agencies, many of whose operatives routinely risk their lives in government service. Its a feud that can only hurt him, but he seems unwilling or maybe unable to de-escalate it.
At the same time, he also chose to keep alive a separate controversy about possible conflicts of interest between his business and government responsibilities.
As his lawyer said, selling his assets would have been costly. But it was the one sure way to put the issue to rest. Trump chose, instead, to keep his ownership interests, but turn management of his company over to his sons. As a result, ethics questions will persist, handing a weapon to his adversaries.
As Cathy Decker noted, Trumps news conference showed, once again, that he is determined to do things his way, even if that puts him at war with all sides.
As all that unfolded, Trumps choices for top Cabinet positions started going through the confirmation process. Most seem likely to gain approval with little trouble, although some of the most controversial picks have not yet come to a hearing.
But strikingly, one after another, Trumps Cabinet picks abandoned some of his controversial opinions. His pick for CIA chief, for example, testified that he wouldnt carry out orders to torture. His Defense and State departments choices disagreed with him about Russia.
Trumps choice to head the Homeland Security department made clear that some basic questions about immigration policy in the new administration remain unresolved. Meantime, as Joe Tanfani reported, groups that want to see more restriction of legal immigration hope to gain from their ties to Sen. Jeff Sessions, Trumps designee for attorney general.
In at least one case, it was Trump who abruptly abandoned a campaign pledge, picking an Obama appointee to lead Veterans Affairs, a move that likely puts an end to conservative hopes that he would propose a large-scale privatization of veterans healthcare.
Trump also announced that his administration would produce its own plan to replace the Affordable Care Act news that came as a surprise to many on Capitol Hill. Republicans took the first step this week toward repeal of Obamacare, but as Lisa Mascaro noted, they still have a long way to go.
Meantime, as Noah Bierman wrote, Trumps press aides have a new catchphrase that is likely to get a lot of use as they try to deal with the steady flow of social media messages from their boss: The tweet speaks for itself.
OBAMA AND HIS LEGACY
Dont miss the first part of Christi Parsons series of stories on President Obama. This one looks at how the president who hoped to sow peace, instead led the nation in war. And check back over the next few days as we roll out the rest of the series by the reporter who has covered Obama longer than anyone currently on the White House beat.
As he prepares to leave office, Obama is taking a few last policy steps. This week, for example, he expanded the California Coastal National Monument, as well as several other protected areas.
He also ended a long-standing so-called wet foot, dry foot policy that gave special treatment to Cubans who arrive in the U.S. without visas. The Trump administration could revive the old policy, but since it was already widely criticized, they may choose not to.
AND ONE MORE GREAT READ
Trump is a man with a lot of acquaintances, but few close friends. One of those is Thomas Barrack. Read Michael Finnegans profile of a Californian who could shape Trumps views on the Middle East.
LOGISTICS
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That wraps up this week. My colleague Sarah Wire will be back Monday with the weekday edition of Essential Politics. Until then, keep track of all the developments in the transition and in California politics with our Trail Guide, at our Politics page and on Twitter @latimespolitics.
Send your comments, suggestions and news tips to politics@latimes.com.
David.lauter@latimes.com
@davidlauter
Over the past two years, police departments up and down California have outfitted their patrol officers with body-worn cameras in an effort to boost community trust in law enforcement. At the same time, state lawmakers have tried and failed to pass a half-dozen major bills to address a range of issues including when officers turn the cameras on and off and when the public might see the video.
The Legislatures inability to agree to body-camera rules reflects deep divisions within the states ruling Democratic caucus on how to tackle the privacy and transparency issues raised by the new technology.
On this issue, I want to bang my head against the wall sometimes, said Assemblyman Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove), the author of one of the failed bills.
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Without state action, local police departments have developed polices of their own, perhaps leading to declining interest among lawmakers to take on an issue that has been difficult to resolve. No police body-camera legislation has been announced yet this year, and organizations representing police officers said theyre pleased with many of the local rules.
In the past, lawmakers who have introduced body-camera legislation said they were motivated to promote more law enforcement transparency and accountability through more expansive body-camera polices after the 2014 police shootings of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., and Laquan McDonald in Chicago. Cooper, a former captain in the Sacramento County Sheriffs Department, and other legislators with ties to law enforcement have acted in an attempt to ensure greater police control over how the footage is handled.
Assemblyman Evan Low (D-Campbell), whose brother is a Bay Area police officer, introduced unsuccessful legislation in 2016 that would have allowed the families of officers killed on duty to decide if any video or audio footage of the incident is released. He said the dividing lines within the Legislature are clear.
There are those that have a fundamental distrust of law enforcement given some of their experiences, Low said. Perhaps the region that they live in. Perhaps the communities that they come from. And then those of us who are in the position that we support law enforcement from the vantage point of it being very personal.
These divergent points of view have led to heated debates.
Two years ago, then-Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Glendale) ordered Capitol sergeants to lock the doors in a committee room so lawmakers couldnt leave during intense discussion on a body-camera bill written by Assemblywoman Shirley Weber (D-San Diego). Webers bill would have required officers to provide an initial written report following an officer-involved shooting or other serious uses of force before viewing camera video. Major police unions vehemently opposed the provision, leading to the bills demise.
Last year, Democratic lawmakers proposed four major body-camera bills with conflicting aims to increase public access to the footage or further restrict it. None of them reached the governors desk after law enforcement and civil liberties groups mobilized to defeat the legislation they were against.
The state stalemate has allowed local police departments to fill the vacuum. In general, law enforcement agencies limit the release of body-camera video, arguing that the videos are criminal evidence exempt from the states public records laws. In some high-profile cases, such as the shooting of an unarmed teenager in Fresno and an unarmed black man in El Cajon last year, authorities have released video in response to public outcry. The San Diego District Attorneys Office also makes videos of police shootings public when explaining why they havent filed charges against the officers involved.
Beyond the public release of body-camera video, local departments have developed policies on how officers should handle the equipment. The Los Angeles Police Department is rolling out 7,000 cameras to its officers, and its policy along with those in Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose and many other agencies across the state came about through negotiations with its police union.
The proliferation of collectively bargained local body-camera rules has made it less important for state lawmakers to act, said Michael Durant, president of the 69,000-member Peace Officers Research Assn. of California, which represents the most rank-and-file officers in the state. The association was the key backer of three of the failed body-camera bills last year, but has no plans to sponsor legislation in 2017, Durant said.
Most of the local body-camera policies align with the associations preferences as to when officers are allowed to review videos and when the cameras should be activated, Durant said. The association would likely oppose any state legislation that would attempt to override existing body-camera policies negotiated between local police departments and their respective unions.
We should not be trying to go into a local city and county and disturb [a contract] thats put in place through collective bargaining, Durant said.
But Peter Bibring, director of police practices for the American Civil Liberties Union of California, said the Legislature should continue to push for statewide policies that increase public access and boost officer accountability, regardless of whether local departments have already crafted rules.
Theres no question that when a policy is decided by police management and police unions in a room, public transparency and officer accountability are not always best served, Bibring said.
All four legislators who wrote bills in 2016 Cooper, Low, Assemblyman Bill Quirk (D-Hayward) and Assemblyman Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) said theyre still deciding whether to try again this year. But no one in the group believed their colleagues have moved any closer to an agreement on what statewide body-camera rules should look like.
Were sort of baffled, Low said.
liam.dillon@latimes.com
@dillonliam
ALSO
All police body camera bills have failed this year in California
Police transparency reaches a stalemate at the Capitol
City Council vote resumes $57.6-million rollout of LAPD body cameras
Updates on California politics
Officials in Spain say the number of tourists visiting the country has soared by 10 percent in 2016, setting a record figure for the fourth consecutive year as economic concerns and terrorism fears continued to lure visitors away from rival Mediterranean destinations.
Energy and Tourism Minister Alvaro Nadal said Thursday that 75.3 million tourists arrived in Spain last year.
More than 22 million Americans use some form of marijuana each month, and its now approved for medicinal or recreational use in 28 states plus the District of Columbia. Nationwide, legal sales of the drug reached an estimated $7.1 billion last year.
Yet for all its ubiquity, a comprehensive new report says the precise health effects of marijuana on those who use it remain something of a mystery and the federal government continues to erect major barriers to research that would provide much-needed answers.
If historical patterns are any guide, ballot initiatives that legalized recreational marijuana in California, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada last year will lead to an increase in cannabis use and drive down public perceptions of the drugs risks. The result could be a natural experiment on a grand scale, according to the report released Thursday by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.
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This lack of evidence-based information on the health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids poses a public health risk, a panel of 16 experts concluded in the first comprehensive look at marijuana research since 1999.
The report, nine months in the making, assessed more than 10,000 studies that examined marijuanas relationship with cancer, psychiatry, accidents and a host of other health issues. The authors included physicians, public health experts, neurobiologists and addiction specialists.
Californias Department of Public Health was one of 15 sponsors of the report. Department spokesman Matt Conens said in a statement that it hoped to gather credible information to protect patients and the public and guide the states cannabis-related public health response, and is reviewing its recommendations.
Some things were clear. The report authors concluded with confidence that marijuana and products that mimic its psychoactive effects can provide effective treatment of chronic pain and help some patients with sleep. Cannabis and cannabinoids, they wrote, effectively ease chemotherapy-induced nausea in cancer patients and spasticity in those with multiple sclerosis.
There is substantial evidence that women who use marijuana during pregnancy are more likely to give birth to smaller babies who face a range of early disadvantages. The report also detailed strong evidence that long-term pot-smoking is linked to worsened respiratory symptoms and more frequent episodes of chronic bronchitis. And it found solid research findings of an overlap between frequent users of marijuana and those who develop schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders, though its not clear whether one causes the other.
At the same time, the authors warned that many of the conditions for which patients have turned to medical marijuana have little or no research that demonstrates its effectiveness. Those include the use of cannabis or cannabinoids for treatment of epilepsy, Parkinsons disease symptoms and support of abstinence from addictive substances.
Also thin, according to the new report: research that clarifies the relationship between drugged driving and accidents. The statistical link between marijuana use and an increased risk of motor vehicle crashes is substantial. But that might be because those most likely to drive under the marijuanas influence young men and people who also use alcohol and other drugs are already more likely to get in accidents.
While its possible to measure the concentration of marijuanas active agent, THC, in the blood of drivers, researchers arent really sure at what concentration impairment or, for that matter, beneficial effects kicks in, the experts wrote.
Thats a crucial research gap for state legislators looking to draft laws against driving under the influence. Indeed, the panel members wrote, its not even clear that measures focusing on marijuana use alone would save lives.
Overall, the report suggests that, like many drugs, marijuana can be powerful medicine at some doses and to some people, and potentially dangerous in other strengths and to other people. The body of available research doesnt provide a clear guide to who will reap those benefits or incur those harms, and how dosage or mode of administration could spell the difference.
What do we really know for sure? Mainly its anecdotes or very poor evidence, said Dr. Marie McCormick, a maternal and child health expert at Harvards School of Public Health who chaired the National Academies panel.
The biggest fear I have has nothing to do with policy or commerce. It has everything to do with science. Tarek Tabsh, operator of medical marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles and Las Vegas
Given the continuing tug-of-war between the states and the federal government over marijuana policy, its unlikely that new research will provide better answers any time soon. Those who wish to investigate marijuanas effects face high legal and bureaucratic hurdles, the panel noted.
When most federally funded researchers put marijuanas properties to a rigorous test, they have one legal source to turn to: a University of Mississippi facility that has cultivated the plant for the National Institute on Drug Abuse since 1968.
Commercially available marijuana and derivative products have changed dramatically since then, becoming more potent, more concentrated and available in forms that can be consumed and vaped as well as smoked. These changes arent reflected at the growing facility; in most cases, it offers the plants leaves and flowers in a narrow range of concentrations. Only in July did NIDA ask researchers how its marijuana products might better serve their research needs, the panel said.
Rules governing marijuana research can also be forbidding, the panel added.
Federally funded marijuana researchers must get an OK from the Drug Enforcement Agency and in some states, a state board of medical examiners. The DEA requires researchers to erect elaborate security measures to limit the number of people who come into contact with marijuana provided for research.
This process can be a daunting experience for researchers, the panel wrote.
Meanwhile, testing the health effects of marijuana products that are actually marketed to consumers is illegal, according to the report. Even as sales of cannabis concentrate (often called dabs) doubled in Colorado between 2015 and 2016, federal law prevented biomedical researchers from conducting research on its benefits or harms, blocked chemists from examining its safety, and barred neuroscientists from gauging its effects on the brains even of lab animals.
While marijuana edibles are a booming part of the consumer market, federal law also bars scientists from testing these products for contaminants, investigating their effects on patients with certain medical conditions, or administering them to lab animals.
The federal government continues to enforce restrictive policies and regulations on research into the health effects or harms of cannabis products that are available to consumers in a majority of states, the report said. Those strictures are leaving patients, health care professionals and policy makers without the evidence they need to make sound decisions regarding the use of cannabis and cannabinoids.
See the most-read stories in Science this hour
Tarek Tabsh, who operates medical marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, said hes concerned about the dearth of reliable information about the products his industry sells. In particular, he said, its important to understand how the industrys customers will be affected by the increasingly concentrated products that are coming on the market.
I question the value of a lot of current research, said Tabsh, who hailed the reports call for changes.
The biggest fear I have has nothing to do with policy or commerce, he added. It has everything to do with science.
melissa.healy@latimes.com
Follow me on Twitter @LATMelissaHealy and like Los Angeles Times Science & Health on Facebook.
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Recently, I wrote in this space about the plural possessive of mother-in-law. That is, when Janes mother-in-law and Bobs mother-in-law pitch in to buy a business, is it the mother-in-laws business, the mother-in-laws business, the mothers-in-law business, the mothers'-in-laws business or some other form?
And, yes, I know we could just rewrite to say its Carol and Barbaras business. But the question were focused on is how to do it without a rewrite.
I had considered talking about the example of attorney general instead of mother-in-law when I wrote that column. But I decided that mother-in-law was better. First, the hyphens make it easier to see the term as a single unit, and second, the plural of mother-in-law is more familiar than the plural of attorney general.
I figured Id gotten off easy.
Nope.
Im not entirely convinced on the mothers-in-laws, reader Greg wrote. Or perhaps Im wrong on something else. If the attorney general of New York and the attorney general of New Jersey file lawsuits against a common defendant, is it the attorneys generals lawsuits, or the attorneys general lawsuit? I would have said attorneys general, but now reading your article, you got me thinking it is similar to mothers-in-laws and it should be attorneys generals?
Thats correct. Its the attorneys generals lawsuit.
The question, of course, is why?
The answer is easier to figure out than you think, provided you already know the plural of attorney general. So set aside the matter of possession and ask yourself: Whats the plural of attorney general?
Its attorneys general. Just as when you add one mother-in-law to another mother-in-law to get two mothers-in-law, the plural marker goes on the head noun: We met with both attorneys general.
Now set aside the matter of plurals and ask yourself: Whats the possessive of attorney general? That is, if one attorney general files a lawsuit, whose lawsuit is it? Its the attorney generals.
The possessive marker goes on the second word. Thats true even though the plural marker goes on the first. So when those two guys team up for a legal action, its the attorneys generals lawsuit.
Another interesting email I got this week comes from reader Brad.
When using the word text, what form is correct: 1. She text me last week, or 2. She texted me last week? I always use version 1 with the verb text acting similar to the verb cut. You wouldnt say, She cutted me.
Rules for forming past tenses are in the dictionary. Which means you have to wait till a word is actually in the dictionary. Text as a verb is relatively new, so I was skeptical it would be in there yet. I was wrong.
Heres Merriam-Websters: text; transitive verb; to send a text message from one cellphone to another; intransitive verb; to communicate by text messaging.
Compare that to Merriams entry for Brads example word: cut; cut, cutting; transitive verb "
You dont need the rest of the definition. Everything you need to know to answer our text question appears in the entry for cut in the words cut, cutting. Why? Because the verb text did not have after it text, texting.
That omission speaks volumes to anyone whos privy to how dictionaries communicate past tense forms.
As laid out in the Explanatory Notes to the Dictionary under the subheading Inflected Forms, the past and progressive forms of irregular verbs are listed immediately after the entry word. But when past tenses are created in a manner considered regular in English by adding ed, the inflected form is not shown in order to save space.
We know the past tense of cut isnt cutted because the dictionary specifically says its cut. But we know the past tense of text is, in fact, texted because the dictionary says nothing about its past tense at all.
--
JUNE CASAGRANDE is the author of The Best Punctuation Book, Period. She can be reached at JuneTCN@aol.com.
Motorists, pedestrians and beloved pets, including horses, are in grave danger of being needlessly injured or killed by numerous speeding reckless idiots (SRIs) in Burbank who are recklessly driving 10 to 40 mph above posted speed limits on busy and neighborhood side streets. Rare are those who drive the speed limit. The special unrushed ease that one could feel upon entering Burbank no longer exists. Burbank is no longer respected.
Having first invested in a Burbank home in 1998, it has become strikingly apparent that SRIs began descending on Burbank a few years ago and now they are taking over. I have encountered many SRIs who come barreling down on my tail. I tap my brakes and angrily motion for them to come around me. Recklessly and with attitude, they do so and get no farther than the next traffic light. Even a radio stations van passed me in the equestrian community in a no pass zone, traveling at least 50 mph, and pulled into a car wash. I went inside and questioned the drivers speed, to which he replied that he was on the phone with his boss and she told him to hurry with what needed to get done.
Join the conversation on Facebook >>
There are numerous stories of encounters with, and accidents caused by SRIs in Burbank. Something has to be done. I believe speeding fines should start at $1,000. If an SRI is unable to pay the full fine amount, Burbank could finance payment, and of course, charge interest. An SRIs fund could be set up and used to help struggling longtime middle-class American residents of Burbank. Finally, signs should be erected along the borders of Burbank that read, Welcome to Burbank, where you WILL PAY for speeding.
Vondra Porter
Burbank
..
Community drove Kettle success
Because of the generous support of the community, the Salvation Army had a successful Red Kettle campaign and was also able to provide Christmas assistance to families in the Burbank area through the Angel Tree program
The annual Red Kettle campaign raises significant funds that support the Salvation Armys social service efforts throughout the year. Our goal was $60,000 and even with a shorter season, we raised $29,560.53.
The Angel Tree program provided 2,500 toys to kids. In the Burbank area 260 families received Christmas food boxes and toys for their children, totaling about 300 kids.
We appreciate the communitys contribution whether it is time, talent or contributions. In particular, we want to acknowledge and express our gratitude to:
all the businesses, service organizations, clubs and volunteer bell ringers;
the 10 locations in the Burbank area that hosted our Red Kettles;
the Burbank Police Officers Assn. that collected 100 toys;
the City of Burbank, Burbank Water and Power, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ion Media, Burbank Nurse Next Door, Handy Market, Verdugo Boys Scouts Pack 220, and all the businesses and organizations that sponsored food and our Angel Tree;
the Burbank Leader for its coverage of our Thanksgiving dinner and Red Kettle Kick-off Campaign;
the hard working and committed volunteers of the Bike Angels, under the leadership of Elaine Pease;
the dozens of volunteers who helped sort food, toys and helped families during distribution.
We are grateful for the outpouring of community support that makes it possible for the Salvation Army to continue Doing the Most Good throughout the year.
The Salvation Army Burbank Advisory Board
The Salvation Army Burbank Advisory board includes Phyllis Cremer, Janice Lowers, Elaine Paonessa, Elaine Pease, Lee Stacy and Tuany Vo.
Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills celebrated the 75,000th delivery at its Womens Hospital last weekend with the birth of twins born to first-time parents, according to a news release.
Nadine Motaweh, 32, and her husband of three years, Khalid Elbayoumy, 39, of Orange welcomed a girl (Jada at 6 pounds, 2 ounces) and a boy (Saif at 5 pounds, 11 ounces) two minutes apart on Jan. 7. The mother was in labor for 17 hours, the release said.
The babies were delivered by obstetrician Heidi Cough, whose own daughter and son were also delivered at Saddleback Memorial.
The Womens Hospital opened in 1988, offering personalized obstetrics care.
It has been recognized recently by the California Department of Health Services and Smart Care California for surpassing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Healthy People 2020 goal to lower rates of C-sections for first-time cesarean deliveries.
March with women in Washington from O.C. sites
Laguna Beach and Santa Ana will hold their own demonstrations Jan. 21 to support the Womens March on Washington taking place that same day.
Laguna participants should meet at 10 a.m. at Main Beach and, if they desire, bring a sign indicating support for any of the issues women are concerned with: womens rights, environmental concerns or health insurance, to name a few.
Meanwhile, in Santa Ana, the gathering will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at French and 4th streets, though organizers say the location is subject to change.
Clerk-recorder preparing for Valentines Day weddings
For those looking to tie the knot on Valentines Day, Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen will be offering extended hours at his offices in Fullerton and Laguna Hills and at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana on Feb. 14.
The department will close at 5:30 p.m. to allow for more time to issue marriage licenses and perform marriage ceremonies, according to a news release from the clerk-recorder.
Couples are encouraged to make an appointment for a civil marriage ceremony by visiting www.ocrecorder.com and using the online appointment system. Walk-in couples will be accommodated based on availability of ceremony rooms.
A public marriage license costs $61 and a confidential marriage license is $66. A civil marriage ceremony can be performed for an additional $28.
For more detailed information, call (714) 834-2500.
The Laguna Beach Unified School District board on Tuesday appointed facilities director Jeff Dixon as the interim assistant superintendent of business services while it searches for a permanent hire, according to a news release.
Dixon, facilities director since 2014, began his temporary assignment Wednesday to coincide with the departure of Dean West, who has been hired by the Orange County Department of Education as its associate superintendent of business services.
West worked for Laguna Beach Unified for six years, starting as director of fiscal services.
Dixon, who will still oversee the facilities department while managing district revenues and expenditures, has a chief business official certification from the California Assn. of School Business Officials, the highest level of certification offered by the organization, the release said.
I am excited to have someone with Dixons credentials serve in the interim position, Laguna Beach Unified Supt. Jason Viloria said in the release. His experience working in LBUSD and his background in school business and facilities makes him ideally suited for this position.
Dixon earned a bachelors degree in business administration from Cal State Sacramento, an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a graduate certificate in school business management from USCs Rossier School of Education.
"[Viloria] will determine the direction we will take with hiring a permanent assistant superintendent, probably sometime in the spring, which is the typical recruiting period, Leisa Winston, assistant superintendent of human resources and communications, wrote in an email.
bryce.alderton@latimes.com
Twitter: @AldertonBryce
Two members of the Blue Angels team took off on a survey flight Thursday morning to check out the area in preparation for the 2017 Breitling Huntington Beach Airshow, despite heavy rains and clouds that obscured the aircraft from public view.
More than 100 people showed up at the Huntington Beach Pier to catch a glimpse of the famous blue and gold outline of the jet streaking through the sky, but they were disappointed to find out the aircraft had to take a different flight path than planned because of the low visibility.
The famed Blue Angels and the Snowbirds, a popular military jet demonstration team from Canada, will be featured at the Huntington Beach Airshow, the citys second, which runs from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.
The Blue Angels was formed in 1946 by a group of aviators from the Navy and Marine Corps. The six-jet team travels the country performing death-defying aerial feats meant to mirror the flying techniques used in the military, Huntington Beach Airshow director Michael McCabe said in an interview in December.
Blue Angels members Brandon Hempler and David Steppe were in the jet that flew near the pier Thursday.
Hempler said each member of the elite group is required to have 1,250 tactical flight hours under his belt.
Hempler has flown in Afghanistan and Iraq, and Steppe, who rides in the backseat of the jet that Hempler flies during Blue Angels activities, has flown in Japan and Afghanistan. The Blue Angels team is considered a recruitment tool for the Navy and Marine Corps, and Hempler and Steppe say they are humbled by being able to represent the military to the public.
The Blue Angels also appeals to them because the group is tight-knit.
Most of us want to join the Blue Angels because its a true team mentality, Steppe said.
It is the most well-oiled machine in teamwork that I have ever been a part of, Hempler said.
Hempler said team members have to trust one another because of the dangerous nature of their performances.
He said the jets fly as close as 18 inches to one another and reach speeds as high as 71/2 g-forces, which means the pilot will feel pressure equal to that many times his body weight.
Hempler said that because flying is perilous, the team spends a great of deal of time preparing for its flying season.
The groups main preparation is winter training, which lasts from Nov. 13 to March 10. During training, Steppe said, members fly six days a week, performing one to three flights a day.
They are currently preparing for this years shows at a naval air facility in El Centro. The Blue Angels will fly in about 70 demonstrations this year, Hempler said.
Hempler said pilots get up at about 5:30 a.m. on a typical training day, perform their flights and then have mandatory workouts.
The workout regimen is crucial because pilots must have the core strength to use the Hick maneuver, whereby pilots tense the muscles throughout their body to ward off the loss of consciousness from excessive and sustained g-forces draining blood away from the brain, Hempler said.
Hempler and Steppe dont fly in the demonstrations, but rather they provide a number of support services and coordinating efforts for the team.
Both will be narrating the 2017 airshow.
It really is a good time for the crowd to be able to interact with us during the show, Steppe said.
Aside from the Blue Angels, the nine-jet Snowbirds team will also be featured in this years show.
The Snowbirds, formed in 1971 by the Royal Canadian Air Force, are also considered one of the most renowned aerial groups in the world.
McCabe said the group mostly performs airshows in Canada but chose Huntington Beach as one of its few U.S. destinations in 2017.
The 2016 airshow, the first of its kind in the city, was considered a huge success by city officials and event organizers.
McCabe, in presenting an overview to the City Council in November 2016 of the month-earlier show, estimated that 550,000 people attended.
That shows flyovers were performed by the Air Force Thunderbirds and the Breitling Jet Team. The Thunderbirds will return for the 2018 show, it was announced in December.
Admission to the show is free. A portion of the vendors proceeds will go toward the Aerospace Educational Foundation of Huntington Beach, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering education in the aerospace industry.
benjamin.brazil@latimes.com
Twitter: @benbrazilpilot
Best Buy employees Thursday denied allegations by a Newport Beach doctors legal team that the FBI directed them to look for illicit material on customers computers during repairs.
Attorneys for Dr. Mark Albert Rettenmaier, a gynecological oncologist who practiced at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach until he was indicted in 2014 on two felony counts of possession of child pornography, are asking a federal judge to throw out photographic evidence in the case, alleging that it was discovered by Best Buys Geek Squad technicians improperly acting as paid FBI informants.
Thursdays hearing in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana was the second and final day of testimony in which Judge Cormac Carney allowed Rettenmaiers attorneys to call witnesses to examine the relationship between the FBI and Geek Squad technicians.
Rettenmaiers case began in November 2011 when he took a computer hard drive to a Best Buy store in Chino for repairs.
The drive was shipped to the Geek Squad maintenance center in Kentucky, and in January 2012, Justin Meade, a supervisor at the center, contacted a local FBI office to say a technician had found something suspicious.
Meade showed FBI agent Tracey Riley thumbnail photos on Rettenmaiers hard drive that the agent said she recognized as child pornography. Authorities said the first photo the agent saw depicted a nude pre-pubescent girl on her hands and knees on a bed wearing a choker collar around her neck. Other photos were close-ups of pre-pubescent female genitals, according to testimony Thursday.
For a photo to be considered child pornography under federal guidelines, it must depict sexual intercourse, lascivious exhibition of genitals, bestiality, masturbation or sadomasochistic abuse.
Trey Westphall, who worked at the Geek Squad center in Kentucky, testified Thursday that he found photos he considered inappropriate while reviewing data in an unallocated section of the doctors computer, where deleted files are commonly stored.
At the data review stage, a technician reviews documents, videos, pictures and music files to determine whether they have been corrupted or are still viable, Westphall said.
He said he saw about 20 problematic images and summoned Meade.
During Meades testimony Thursday, he rejected the idea that he communicated with the FBI and turned over customer data out of motivation to get paid. He said he doesnt recall ever being paid by the FBI for alerting the agency to suspicious data. He also said no one at the FBI ever directed him to look through customers data and that that type of review wouldnt be performed unless it fell under the scope of work requested by a customer.
Meade said some of our worst days at work were when inappropriate images were found on customers computers.
I dont typically drink, but on those days I would go home and drink alcohol, he said. Having to view images like that as part of your job can make your job very difficult.
Best Buys policy prohibits employees from accepting money from the FBI in exchange for customer information.
However, one FBI agent testified that he compensated Geek Squad technicians for the time they spent showing agents the photos at their facility.
Based on the discovery of the photos on Rettenmaiers hard drive, the FBI obtained a search warrant for his Laguna Hills home, which it raided in February 2012, according to court documents.
During the search, Rettenmaier returned home and investigators seized the iPhone he had with him, according to prosecutors. The U.S. attorneys office in Orange County indicted Rettenmaier on allegations of possessing child pornography on a laptop, multiple hard drives and the iPhone.
Prosecutors allege the phone alone held more than 800 pictures of naked or partially nude girls.
Prosecutors and Rettenmaiers defense team will file briefs within 45 days, and after that, Carney will decide whether to exclude any evidence.
hannah.fry@latimes.com
Twitter: @HannahFryTCN
More than 1,000 Girl Scouts will descend on the Bren Events Center at UC Irvine on Sunday for a rally to prepare for the 2017 cookie sales season that will run Jan. 29 through March 12, featuring an addition to the roster, the Smores Cookie.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the first known Girl Scouts cookie sale, according to Julie Weeks, Girl Scouts vice president of marketing and communications.
Girl Scout cookies have become an indelible part of American pop culture, but its also so much more than that, Weeks said. Its giving girls skills in sales, management, business and having them become what we call GIRLs go-getters, innovators, risk takers and leaders.
The annual rally to get local Girl Scouts pumped up for cookie sales began in 2008 for Irvine girls and was chaired by parent volunteer Susan Berkel.
Over the years, the event grew to include all Girl Scouts in Orange County. Girls from outside the county also are invited.
As a mom and a Girl Scout troop leader, my focus is on building leaders who will have money-management and goal-setting skills, Berkel said. If you think about it, when you have people applying for an entry-level job, these girls will have 10 years of experience in goal setting, management and analytical thinking.
The rally Sunday will feature musical performances and the debut of a new Girl Scouts national anthem.
Girls will learn about the Scouts digital platform for online cookie sales, the mobile app for credit card processing and direct shipping, and how to give cookies to the military and local food banks.
Theyll also have the chance to exchange cookie-selling strategies.
And theyll get to sample the new Smores Cookie.
Weve deliberately released it to coincide with the [anniversary] ... and to give the connection to smores and the great outdoors, said Ronda Sussman, product sales director with Girl Scouts of Orange County. Everyone Ive known who has tried it has given it rave reviews.
The recipe for the new cookie will vary by region, but Girl Scouts of Orange Countys will include a crispy graham cracker with a cream icing inside and a chocolate coating on the outside, Sussman said.
alexandra.chan@latimes.com
Twitter: @AlexandraChan10
We see Websters Dictionary in every classroom and every household, but we give no thought of the man who actually made this dictionary a reality.
Noah Webster grew up in the small colonial town in the area of West Hartford, Conn. Although he came from a family that had little formal education, as was true of so many of the early colonists, they were well-read and valued learning.
His father was primarily a farmer, but he was also the deacon of the local Congregational church, as well as captain of the town militia. His mother taught him and his siblings spelling, math and music.
When he was 14, Webster began studying Greek and Latin in order to prepare for attendance at Yale College. Well-educated individuals of that day studied Greek and Latin in order to study the philosophy and history of the ancients.
In addition, may studied Hebrew in order to read the original texts of the Bible. By the age of 16, in 1774, Webster entered Yale in New Haven, Conn.
After graduating in 1778, he began teaching in Connecticut to pay for his living expenses, as he studied law, but soon gave up this effort because he gained prominence and enjoyed writing articles justifying and praising the American Revolutionary War against Britain.
Webster loved the freedom and truthfulness that the American egalitarian society encouraged. Unlike the society of Europe, there were no social designations for Americans other than Mister, Madame, or Miss.
He was thrilled with the energizing pride Americans had in America and the can-do attitude that the new Americans expressed. He realized that the Europeans were bound by their traditions and obligations whereas life in America provided boundless opportunities for all. He saw that this love of freedom and the common language were the two elements that brought all these various groups of people together, regardless of age or ethnicity, to form one nation.
Websters interest in education intertwined with this fascination and appreciation for the new society that was forming in America. Soon he was creating spelling and grammar books and and a reader for elementary schools with an orientation toward the life and values of Americans. Webster not only wanted to help new teachers teach their students, but he also appreciated the unique language and culture evolving in the New American Republic.
Next, Webster began his life work on a dictionary, which was finally published in 1825, after 26 years of intensive study and labor. He learned 28 languages to help him in this process of evaluating the etymology of words. He standardized the spelling, pronunciation, and use of more than 70,000 words.
He recognized that there were new words for items that existed only in the New World, such as corn, tomato, skunk and moccasin. French and Indian words had also become a part of the American Language.
The British pronunciation morphed into an American dialect. As he studied the roots of words, he gave examples of their meanings and exemplified their use in sentences throughout his dictionary.
Language, he realized, is the common denominator of understanding and thought. If you dont have a word for something, then it doesnt exist, whereas, if you do have a word for republic, election, freedom, patriotism, love of family, then these things come into the mental awareness of the individual.
Having a common language, a common outlook, common understanding of history, and a common appreciation of basic moral values, he realized, becomes an important and unifying part of ones culture.
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Newport Beach resident SHERRY MARRON has a doctorate in American studies. She has taught at the University of Connecticut and Orange Coast College.
Three men are in custody after a La Crescenta home was burglarized Wednesday afternoon, police said.
Los Angeles residents Dionza Blue, Damarr Wilson and Jabriel Atkins were arrested on suspicion of residential burglary after Glendale police responded to a burglary in progress around 12:35 p.m. in the 3900 block of Santa Carlotta Avenue, according to Glendale police spokeswoman Tahnee Lightfoot.
She added that three men were seen fleeing from the home on foot.
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Officers were brought in from the Los Angeles Police Department and Glendale SWAT team to assist in the search. K-9 units from Glendale, Burbank and San Fernando police were also on scene.
All three men were in custody sometime before 5 p.m.
Anyone with information about the burglary may call the police department at (818) 548-4911.
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Andy Nguyen, andy.nguyen@latimes.com
Twitter: @Andy_Truc
Britain's Prince William has comforted a young girl who lost a parent and spoken out about his feelings when his mother, Princess Diana, died two decades ago.
During a visit to the charity Child Bereavement UK in London on Wednesday, William was seen speaking quietly to a 9-year-old girl, Aoife, about the loss of her father.
"Do you know what happened to me? You know I lost my mummy when I was very young, too. I was 15 and my brother was 12. So we lost our mummy when we were young as well," he told her, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Lorna Ireland, a parent at the event, said William told her 12-year-old son that as a teenager, he was "very angry and found it very difficult to talk about" Diana's death.
Don Duncan, who passed away on Dec. 15 at age 82, is someone whose work in Glendale schools should be remembered.
Mr. Duncan (I cant let go of the formal title) graduated from Hoover High School in 1952, then taught in the Glendale Unified School District in 1957.
He became principal of his alma mater in 1974 and remained in that position until he left in February 1995 to recruit students for Californias first full-time evening high school in order to ease overcrowding in Glendale schools.
By May, when it became clear that was not materializing, Mr. Duncan expressed regret in a News-Press interview that if I had any feeling that it was not going to work, then I would have preferred to stay at Hoover.
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His tenure in Glendale ended without much fanfare even though he and his brother Charles combined for nearly 80 years of service to Glendales schools, and their father owned Duncans Variety Store in Kenneth Village.
I interviewed with Mr. Duncan for a teaching job when I earned my credential. While there werent any openings, he kept me in mind, and when the 1989-90 school year began (in September, by the way), and a position opened up, Mr. Duncan called me and asked if I was still interested.
The problem was that I had just started my first teaching job for the Los Angeles Unified School District at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles.
It was two weeks into the school year and Dons brother, who was in charge of human resources for Glendale Unified, was able to get me out of my L.A. Unified contract, and in September 1989, I made my debut at Hoover.
Mr. Duncan came across as paternal, always in the main office in the morning greeting teachers as they arrived, his height and gray hair adding to an in-charge presence without an air of intimidation. He was even-tempered, cool as a cucumber according to granddaughter Nicole, never tipping off if things were going well or not.
Often not going lockstep with the district, he used to joke that we were the Hoover Unified School District. One example of this was back in 1987 when the school newspaper wanted to publish an ad for condoms right before the prom. And Mr. Duncan supported the publication of it. Unfortunately, district officials heard about this and put a stop to the ad before it was published.
In my 24 years of doing the school newspaper, I have had my share of run-ins with principals about stories. I only had one with Mr. Duncan, and he supported my decision. In fact, he loved the school newspaper. He often would come to the journalism class and tell the students nice job, which meant so much to the kids.
Mr. Duncan gave all teachers a generous present of a one-hour coupon for him to cover a class period anytime someone wanted to run an errand or take a walk.
He enjoyed dressing up as Santa Claus on the last school day before Christmas vacation, and would host staff Christmas parties at his house. He also enjoyed speaking on the P.A. about historical days on the calendars, so that students understood why school was closed.
City Halls memorialize council members. Schools should have a way to honor teachers, administrators, clerks and custodians who dedicate their careers to education.
Here is a man who devoted his adult life to Hoover, the longest tenured principal in the schools history (almost 21 years), yet his name is nowhere to be found on campus.
Before another street is named for real estate developer Rick Caruso, consideration should be given to the Duncan family in ensuring their legacy does not disappear from Glendales history.
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BRIAN CROSBY is a teacher in the Glendale Unified School District and the author of Smart Kids, Bad Schools and The $100,000 Teacher. He can be reached at briancrosby.org.
No one can be sure how many people may have died because of Kenyas five-week doctors strike, but Dismas Bikundo is sure his baby girl was one of them.
She would have been his firstborn child. When his wife, Edna, went into labor on Dec. 27, the couple was turned away from two hospitals. A private hospital sent him to the nearest government facility, Mbagathi Hospital in central Nairobi, but there was no doctor available there because of the strike at public hospitals. Bikundo rushed his wife to a third hospital run by a Catholic mission.
By the time we arrived at the hospital it was too late. We lost the baby, said Bikundo, 24, a casual laborer. I am still traumatized.
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Medical union leaders face jail and 5,000 Kenyan doctors face the sack after defying a court order Thursday to return to work but the long-term casualty could be Kenyas dilapidated health system. The strike will likely trigger a new flood of medical staff leaving Kenya for other countries, such as the United States, Britain, Canada and Australia, where they can easily better the basic pay rate of $1,350 a month and tough working conditions.
Because of the dismal pay, thousands of Kenyan doctors and other medical workers have emigrated from a country where, in contrast, legislators are some of the highest paid on Earth, earning around $20,000 a month, taking into account their generous travel allowances and other perks.
Common sense dictates that a Life saver should be paid more than a heckler! Wake up Kenya #HealthCrisisKE #LipaKamaTender #CBAismorethancash TeacherTrizah (@TeacherTrizah) January 12, 2017
Doctors walked off the job in December over the governments refusal to implement a 3-year-old collective bargaining agreement, or CBA. The deal would have more than doubled doctors pay and increased the number of doctors in public hospitals. Other medical professionals at government-run hospitals also are on strike; nurses went back to work in December.
Public anger over the governments failure to resolve the strike has been deepened by a corruption scandal in the Ministry of Health exposed late last year. Senior health officials stole or fraudulently diverted around $55 million from the 2015-16 health budget, according to an internal audit.
Implementing the pay deal would cost $126 million annually, a bill that the treasury secretary, Henry Rotich, says the government cannot afford. He claims the 2013 pay deal was rushed into and agreed without adequate consultation.
Kenya may have the largest economy in East Africa but it relies on donor nations such as the U.S., European Union and China to cover more than a quarter of its health budget.
Longtime Kenyan anti-corruption campaigner and activist John Githongo has been seething over the failure of the scandal-plagued government to improve doctors pay.
#LipaKamaTender Chaps who can steal a billion $ here & there can't find the salaries to pay our doctors.They eat meat and vomit on our shoes John Githongo (@johngithongo) December 7, 2016
At Nairobis main hospital, Kenyatta National Hospital, on Friday, Rachel Nduta wondered if her 2-year-old daughter might be a casualty of the strike.
The child, Megan, was recently diagnosed with a hole in her heart. Nduta said she arrived early Friday morning and waited hours for an appointment with a cardiologist.
Theres nothing going on here, Nduta said in a low, sad voice. She had wandered the cardiology wing looking for help.
But none of the offices in the entire wing is open, she said.
The government deployed military doctors to work in the hospital to deal with emergency cases, but the emergency wing was silent and deserted Friday. Private hospitals have been overwhelmed by the flood of patients who would normally rely on the public system.
Distraught relatives of sick people streamed in and out of Kenyatta National Hospital on Friday. Some complained that family members were lying in the hospital unattended.
Patients and their family members huddled in the shade of a large tree outside the hospital entrance. The mood was one of despair. Simon Kinywa, 60, a farmer, watched his youngest son, who has cancer, writhing in pain. Eventually he gave up and took his son home.
Martin Amukowa, 18, said his father, a diabetic who suffered a stroke last year, could not get the medical attention he needed.
This strike has affected so many people, he sighed, as he too gave up, and pushed his father in a wheelchair to a waiting car.
Kenya has one doctor for every 5,000 people, according to the World Health Organization, compared to 2.5 per 1,000 in the U.S. and around 3.5 per 1,000 in Europe.
Many Kenyan citizens live hand-to-mouth each month covering basic expenses such as school costs, transportation, and food, and any sudden family illness can be a crippling event. Few people have medical insurance but many do not trust the rundown public system.
Informal fundraising events called harambee are frequent affairs, as family members typically scramble to collect donations from friends, colleagues and neighbors for medical bills and medicine and sometimes for the funerals that follow. In Swahili, the word means all pull together.
The striking union, Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union, has rejected a government offer to boost pay by 40%, insisting there will be no return to work unless the 2013 pay deal is implemented.
The government must take responsibility for not getting the doctors back to work, said the union secretary-general, Ouma Oluga, on Friday. About 99% of our grievances are actually to do with the patients right to access quality healthcare services.
Between 2013 and 2016, 2,200 doctors left the country out of frustration, to work overseas, mostly in the U.K., United States, Australia and South Africa.
Military doctors were deployed last month to treat emergency cases at Nairobis main government hospital, Kenyatta National Hospital. (John Muchucha / AFP/Getty Images )
The doctors strike has divided Kenyans, with many angry abut the governments neglect of the health system, but others frustrated that doctors industrial action hurts those they are supposed to care for.
The union argues it is not the strike, but long-standing government neglect of health and entrenched government corruption, including the diversion of $55 million in health funds in 2015-16, that has led to patient deaths.
Some Kenyans believe the doctors should go back to work or be fired. But some of those most affected have sympathy.
We are all frustrated, said Nduta, mother of Megan, the child with a hole in her heart. But its their right to demand decent pay.
robyn.dixon@latimes.com
Twitter: @RobynDixon_LAT
Dixon reported from Johannesburg, South Africa, and Kyama, a special correspondent, from Nairobi, Kenya.
Syrian officials said Israeli missiles slammed into a military airport near Damascus early Friday, and warned of repercussions for what they called flagrant aggression.
Several missiles were fired about 12:25 a.m. from an area close to Lake Tiberias in Israel and exploded near the Mezzeh military airport, causing a fire, according to the official Syrian Arab News Agency, or SANA. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Syria said Israel was assisting terrorist groups fighting the government.
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The General Command of the army and the armed forces warns the Israeli enemy from the repercussions of this flagrant aggression and confirms its battle against terrorism, the SANA statement said.
Syrias Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying attacks by Israel against Syria coincided with defeats by opposition fighters in the countrys nearly six-year civil war.
The new aggression comes after the great loss of the terrorist Nusra Front and its allies in east Aleppo and other areas of the country, the statement said.
Al Nusra Front is the former name of the Front for the Conquest of Syria. The group was until recently affiliated with Al Qaeda, and the U.S. has targeted dozens of its leaders in Syrias northern province of Idlib and elsewhere.
It also said Israel had supplied weapons to its terrorist allies, especially Al Nusra Front.
A spokeswoman for the Israeli Defense Forces declined to confirm or deny the reports of an Israeli strike.
Video uploaded by activists on social media showed large explosions flaring in the night sky near what was said to be the Mezzeh airport, which is approximately 6 miles west of Damascus center and is used mostly by Syrias elite Republican Guard as well as Special Forces units.
Another video from pro-government news outlet Masdar News depicted flashes of light as the booms of explosions set windows miles away rattling.
Danny Makki, a Britain-based Syrian journalist and commentator currently in Damascus, said in a tweet there had been eight consecutive loud bangs.
Makki said later in an interview via social media the fires in the airport could be seen clearly from a distance and kept on raging for hours.
Everyone in the capital heard the [explosions], Makki said. It was different to regular shelling or anything outgoing from the [Syrian] military.
An unofficial social media channel affiliated with Hmeymim air base, the headquarters of Russias forces in Syria, said the attack had been conducted using F-35 warplanes. Israel received a shipment of the stealth fighters from the U.S. in December. Israeli military planners have said the aircraft is capable of evading Russias S-400 and S-300 advanced missile-defense systems, which were deployed in Syria over the last year, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Russia has been a key supporter of Syrian President Bashar Assads government, while the U.S. has called for Assad to step down.
The bombing is the latest in a string of attacks which Damascus has blamed on Israel, which has publicly maintained a hands-off approach to Syria while engaging in targeted strikes aimed largely at its regional nemesis and staunch Assad ally, the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah.
On occasion, Israeli leaders have spoken of their intervention policy in Syria to enforce their so called red line protecting the border and blocking shipments of strategic arms from Iran from reaching Hezbollahs base in Lebanon.
Israel has also given assistance to rebels in the southwestern Syrian province of Qunaiterah, even as some opposition officials have spoken of normalizing ties.
The attack is at least the second to target Mezzeh airport, which was struck by a number of surface-to-surface missiles in early December that Syria believes were launched by Israel.
Israel is concerned that Hezbollah could emerge from the war with sophisticated weapons from Iran that would alter the balance of power between the Shiite organization and the Israeli army in a future war.
In December, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman told a group of European ambassadors that Israel is acting to prevent smuggling of advanced weapons military equipment and weapons of mass destruction from Syria to Hezbollah.
Special correspondents Bulos reported from Beirut and Mitnick from Tel Aviv.
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Election Of Donald Trump Emerges Most Beneficial: Saudi Arabia Regains Allies
staff@latinoshealth.com By partha das Jan 13, 2017 02:56 AM EST
When different reports are coming from different corners of the world regarding the election in the US, then this is very helpful for Saudi Arabia. Even three months earlier Saudi Arabia is losing its allies drastically, but now it is gaining the foothold again.
The catalyst behind this successive story is the election of Donald Trump as the President of the United States. Saudi Arabia is one of the key choices for several Western and European countries. It is an open truth that Saudi Arabia always remains a potential part of the West as it contains a substantial market.
So many Western and European countries are trying hard to be a part of that market in Saudi Arabia. The US is helping Saudi Arabia in developing its air force and border security force. Recently, several other countries like Germany, UK, and Canada enhance their initiatives to make different deals on weapons and military forces of Arabia.
According to the sources of OBSERVER, the UK sells weapons to Saudi Arabia and is desperate to continue it. Current UK Prime Minister Theresa May clearly defines that intel from Saudi Arabia has already saved Britain from many terrorist attacks.
The election of Donald Trump gains a series of positive changes in the relation between Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Muslim world. But the most significant fact is the relation between Arabia and the US is gaining the positive momentum again.
Even a few months ago Saudi Arabia was very unhappy with the Obama administration as this administration creates a good relation with Iran. But after the election of Donald Trump the current diplomatic condition of the middle-east changes rapidly.
Sources of International Business Times make it clear that Donald Trump will acquire a new diplomatic policy towards Iran and Saudi Arabia. The recent developments in the relation of Italy and Arabia and the relation between Algeria and Arabia provide the evidence.
Italy is a long-term ally of Iran, but currently, the European state wants to restart a 2007 dormant security pact with Arabia. It is a known fact that Saudi Arabia always acts against Iran. The surprising fact is Algeria, the only Sunni country that supports Iran, wants to have a good relation with the Kingdom.
Currently, the Algerian economy is in a very bad shape and wants massive financial help from Arabia. Even the Kingdom sends a positive message towards Algeria. The Crown Prince Nayef of Saudi Arabia spends a long holiday in Algeria instead of Morocco.
Apart from this, other countries like Tunisia also trying to construct a good relation with the kingdom. Tunisia has already sacked the Religious Affairs Minister who criticizes the Wahhabism of Saudi Arabia.
The current president of Lebanon Michael Aoun's initiatives to restore the "billions of dollars of military aid" with Saudi Arabia clearly unveils strong ties between the two. Even Saudi King Salman also stressed on the ties to ensure stability in the region.
Egypt is another key country of the Muslim world. Egypt wants to defuse the tension with the Kingdom. The country has offered the control of two islands in the Red Sea to Saudi Arabia.
Now it is quite clear that after the recent US President election a new dimension in the strategic plan has emerged between the West and the middle-east countries. Most significant changes happen between the relation of the US and the Saudi Arabia.
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The closest to the Solar System is the Alpha Centauri's star system with a distance of 4.37 light years; astronomers are conducting a search for planets in the Alpha Centauri as the ESO has signed an agreement to adapt a large telescope instrumentation for the search.
The very large telescope instrumentation will be in Chile to conduct a search for planets, being our nearest interstellar neighbor the Alpha Centauri is of three stars, out of which only the red dwarf Proxima Centauri is well known to have a planet reported Scientific American.
Astronomers have plans to study the planet and perhaps there could be possibilities for life to exist. In order to study the two stars expensive instruments are required and it is certainly not going to be an easy task. Finding a planet in the neighboring interstellar could not take place in one day.
Considering the fact of the astronomers contribution to space over the past years, there are possibilities that they could find another planet through this mission. Even though it might take years, they will be able to study new patterns or probably other discoveries.
According to Space, the Alpha Centauri is 2.4 times closer that the nearest sun-like star. It was the discovery of Proxima B that increased the interest in the Alpha Centauri System. NASA on the other hand are continuing to work on other telescope projects like WFIRST and LUVOIR, this will help to pick out closer and even distant exoplanets.
The stars that are in the Alpha Centauri are believed to have an overpowering glare and astronomers are coming up with solutions to make things easier. The team will use a small deformable mirror to suppress light from two sources at once. A coronagraph will be built into a telescope to suppress the photons appearing from a distant star's glow.
While Kate Middleton is mostly labelled as an epitome of perfection, when it comes to motherhood, it's the same for everyone. So whether you're a princess of just a regular mommy, challenges faced during parenthood holds never-ending responsibilities.
According to IB Times, Kate Middleton recently opened up about her struggles regarding parenting. The Duchess of Cambridge may appear poised and flawless, but while attending the Anna Freud Centre's early year's parenting unit in London, Kate Middleton acknowledged the mental and physical hardships faced as a mother.
While it is known that the Duchess has a full time nanny as well as her mother Carole Middleton to assist in child upbringing, she still faces parenting woes and established that bringing up children is no piece of cake.
The 35-year old mother of Prince George and Princess Charlotte admitted that "parenting is tough". She spoke to the families and mother who underwent through rough times, keeping in view alcohol and drug abuse.
She also congratulated and appreciated mothers who do it without a hint of any help. She said that parenting while tackling anxiety and also dealing with the lack of support from families is beyond appreciation and should be highlighted at all levels.
"So really well done," she said, according to Inquisitr.
Her emphatic nature towards struggling mothers allowed her to gain even more respect. She was asked if she is willing to spend the morning with more than five children at the center and she replied
"I did just leave a room of six under threes."
It is unknown if Kate Middleton had organized a play date for her children, but it points out that her regular day usually kicks off with toddlers around her.
Wrapping up her official engagement, Kate Middleton met parents who were a part of the therapy session in order to underline the child-parent association.
Kate Middleton's experience as a doting mother comes with a package of luxuries and unending support, which many mothers lack. Although she is surrounded by her family to look after the kids, when it comes to parenting, the experience is universal and same for all.
Researchers said that baboons could make five distinct vowel-like sounds like humans. Based on the new research, language started to evolve about 25 million years ago. For years, scientists thought that primates could not speak or produce vowels sounds which are fundamental to human speech.
They believe that nonhumans lacked basic vocal anatomy. However, it was recently found out those Guinea baboons that inhabit the forests and Savanna of West Africa have the possibility to make five vowels like sounds which are similar to those which are spoken by humans.
According to Science Mag, a recent study also shows that Japanese macaques are also capable of expressing such vowels. Over the years, researchers thought that baboons, a type of monkey couldn't produce any sounds because they lacked the right kind of larynx.
However, based on the acoustical analysis of their grunts, barks, 'yaks,' and 'wahoos,' it was found out that they are capable of remarkably human vocalizations.
Furthermore, these primates have shown that the vowel-like sounds [a] and [u] are being used in the two distinct vocalizations. These vocalizations are produced depending on the situation. Baboons can create a sequence of the two vowel sounds with the correct vocalization.
According to Science Daily, the demonstration of the vocalic photosystem with these primates proves that they can produce several vocalizations despite having a high larynx. Monkeys do not produce speech sounds, but the data suggest the evolutionary links between the vocalizations of baboons and human phonological systems.
"Examining the vocalizations through acoustic analyses, tongue anatomy and modeling of acoustic potential, we found that baboons produce sounds sharing the f1/f2 formant [sound frequencies] structure of the human vowels," said Dr. Louis-Jean Boe.
Dr. Louis-Jean Boe and his team have listened to some 1,335 natural vocalizations which were produced by 15 male and female Guinea baboons. He and his team also studied the anatomy of vocal tracks from the two primates after they died of natural causes.
It has a range of 4,800 km and is capable of monitoring most of China as well as the Korean Peninsula from Okinawa.
The sea-based X-band radar was deployed in response to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's claim in his New Year's address on Jan. 1 that preparations for an intercontinental ballistic missile have "reached the final stage."
The U.S. Pentagon has deployed a giant floating radar in anticipation of an intercontinental missile launch from North Korea, CNN reported Wednesday.
The X-band radar is the same type as the one that will come with a U.S. Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery that is to be deployed in South Korea, but the software is different and provides for a much longer range.
The THAAD radar to be deployed here will only have a maximum range of 1,000 km.
China is nonetheless worried that the THAAD radar is meant to spy on its military activities in the region, but the U.S. and South Korean insist it is only meant to keep the South safe from North Korean missiles.
CNN did not specify exactly where the floating radar will be deployed. Other media reports said it could be deployed midway between Hawaii and Alaska after departing from its home port in northern Hawaii.
"The radar has been deployed in the West Pacific several times to monitor the North's long-range missile launches," a military source said.
"Its range is so long that there's no need to deploy it in the East Sea, but it could move from Hawaii to the West Pacific near Japan."
A judicial ethics panel of the Massachusetts court system has determined that a judge may ethically maintain a Twitter account, but only within certain boundaries, and that a judge must be particularly cautious about selecting accounts to follow on Twitter.
The opinion from the Massachusetts Committee on Judicial Ethics does not identify the judge, but says that the judge maintains an active Twitter account and requested the committees advice concerning the judges continuing use of Twitter.
I was able to find only one Massachusetts state judge who maintains an active Twitter account, Superior Court Judge Shannon Frison. Her Twitter activity matches some of that described by the committee, such as posts intended to reveal the existence of racism and implicit bias in the courts. Judge Frison is president of the Massachusetts Black Judges Conference.
The committees opinion said that a judges obligations with regard to Twitter are, broadly speaking, no different than they would be when using any form of social media, although different types of social media pose distinct issues. The committee has previously issued opinions approving judges use of LinkedIn and Facebook, but as here, also within boundaries.
When using Twitter, the committee said, judges must comply with their obligations under the Code of Judicial Conduct.
As is also true with other forms of social media, each judge who uses Twitter must err on the side of caution and be aware that posts a judge-user considers neutral may nonetheless lead a reasonable person to question the judges impartiality.
That need for caution constrains what a judge may do on Twitter, the committee said, because the public may perceive a judges tweets as having the imprimatur of the courts.
In general, a public, unrestricted Twitter account of an identified judge may be used only for informational and educational purposes. If the judge so desires, the account also may reflect who the judge is as a person, as well as a judge, so long that the judge is careful not to implicitly or explicitly convey the judges opinions on pending or impending cases, political matters, or controversial or contested issues that may come before the courts. In addition, as to each piece of information revealed by the judges Twitter account (whether it is a tweet, a retweet, a like, the identity of an account that the judge follows, or the identity of an account that follows the judge) the judge must consider whether it would cause a reasonable person to question the judges impartiality.
The opinion went on to examine the judges actual tweets, discussing them according to the nature of their content or the categories they fell into.
Posts that share bar events and other news of general interest to the bar. Many of these posts, the committee found, are retweets from bar associations, law schools, courts, and other organizations and institutions dedicated to maintaining high standards and professionalism among the bench and bar and are therefore consistent with the code.
Many of these posts, the committee found, are retweets from bar associations, law schools, courts, and other organizations and institutions dedicated to maintaining high standards and professionalism among the bench and bar and are therefore consistent with the code. Posts that advise trial lawyers on trial practice. Purely educational posts are consistent with the code, provided a reasonable person would not perceive them as demonstrating personal bias or improper comment on a pending case are not. Further, you must make certain that the posts do not reflect your reaction, whether complimentary or critical, to the in-court behavior of any readily identifiable person.
Purely educational posts are consistent with the code, provided a reasonable person would not perceive them as demonstrating personal bias or improper comment on a pending case are not. Further, you must make certain that the posts do not reflect your reaction, whether complimentary or critical, to the in-court behavior of any readily identifiable person. Posts that report on selected cases decided by other courts. The judges tweets often report court decisions concerning racial discrimination, police misconduct or both. Reporting court decisions is consistent with the code, the committee said, but only if the reports do not compromise or appear to compromise your impartiality. That means that tweets or retweets must be from official or neutral sources and that the judge must not retweet or link to case reports from persons or organizations with legal opinions that are clearly on one side of contested and highly-charged legal issues.
The judges tweets often report court decisions concerning racial discrimination, police misconduct or both. Reporting court decisions is consistent with the code, the committee said, but only if the reports do not compromise or appear to compromise your impartiality. That means that tweets or retweets must be from official or neutral sources and that the judge must not retweet or link to case reports from persons or organizations with legal opinions that are clearly on one side of contested and highly-charged legal issues. Posts intended to reveal the existence of racism and implicit bias in the courts. Caution is required when posting on controversial social or legal issues that may come before you in the course of your judicial duties, the committee said. Posts must serve a legitimate educational or informational purpose, and you must avoid posts that individually or as a pattern would lead a reasonable person to conclude you have a predisposition or bias that calls your impartiality into question.
Caution is required when posting on controversial social or legal issues that may come before you in the course of your judicial duties, the committee said. Posts must serve a legitimate educational or informational purpose, and you must avoid posts that individually or as a pattern would lead a reasonable person to conclude you have a predisposition or bias that calls your impartiality into question. Posts that detract from the dignity of the judiciary and the court system. As examples of these tweets, the committee cited excerpts from an examination in which a defendant used profanity when addressing the judge and another reporting that a defendant threw bottles of urine and feces at a judge following sentencing. A reasonable person may perceive these posts to be needlessly offensive, or as making light of behavior by litigants who may have mental health problems, the committee said. Posts of this nature must be avoided.
As examples of these tweets, the committee cited excerpts from an examination in which a defendant used profanity when addressing the judge and another reporting that a defendant threw bottles of urine and feces at a judge following sentencing. A reasonable person may perceive these posts to be needlessly offensive, or as making light of behavior by litigants who may have mental health problems, the committee said. Posts of this nature must be avoided. Posts that include photographs from the courtroom or lobby. In some instances, the judge has posted photographs that appear to show litigants, attorneys, court personnel and judges, the committee found, and some that included children. Privacy and safety concerns require that you obtain consent from any person (or from a parent, in the case of a minor) whose image you post, unless you are retweeting a photo that was previously disseminated to the public by the press, an organization or association of judges or lawyers, or other similar source.
In some instances, the judge has posted photographs that appear to show litigants, attorneys, court personnel and judges, the committee found, and some that included children. Privacy and safety concerns require that you obtain consent from any person (or from a parent, in the case of a minor) whose image you post, unless you are retweeting a photo that was previously disseminated to the public by the press, an organization or association of judges or lawyers, or other similar source. Posts that reflect pride in the judges personal characteristics, background and achievements. These posts are consistent with the code, the committee found. It is long-settled that a judges gender, race, or other personal characteristics are not grounds for a reasonable person to question the judges ability to interpret and apply the law fairly and impartially.
In a final note, the opinion addresses the judges following of others on Twitter. The concern here, the committee said, is that the list of accounts the judge follows is publicly accessible to anyone. Consequently, you must be cautious when selecting accounts to follow and avoid, for example, following the accounts of political candidates or parties.
The full opinion can be read here.
Independent counsel Park Young-soo is poised to investigate some of Korea's biggest tycoons in the massive corruption scandal that has brought down President Park Geun-hye.
Already the counsel's team has slapped travel bans on SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won, Lotte chairman Shin Dong-bin and other corporate leaders. They all donated large sums to the dodgy Mir and K-Sports foundations run by Park's longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil, and investigators suspect Park promised them favors in return.
In the case of SK and Lotte, Choi separately approached them for even more money. Investigators have obtained recordings showing that SK vice chairman Kim Young-tae visited the chairman in August 2015 to tell him he was to be freed from jail under a special presidential amnesty three days later. "We have received a related request," he told Chey.
They believe Kim Chang-geun, the chairman of the group's control tower SK SUPEX Council, met with Park on July 24 and requested the special pardon.
Lotte is suspected of donating the money in return for winning the right to operate duty free shops in downtown Seoul.
Prosecutors in an earlier investigation raided the Ministry of Strategy and Finance and National Tax Service to obtain evidence related to the authorization of the business licenses.
SK and Lotte were then pressured to donate an additional W8 billion and W7 billion to Choi following a second meeting with Park in February and March last year.
CJ Group, meanwhile, contributed generously to Park's crackpot culture promotion schemes, allegedly to win the release of chairman Lee Jae-hyun, who was in jail for embezzlement. Just before Lee was given a special pardon in May last year, CJ broke ground on a W1.4-trillion pop-culture center in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.
The Incheon District Prosecutors' Office on Thursday indicted Im Beom-jun after he went on a drunken rampage on a Korean Air flight and had to be restrained by 1980s crooner Richard Marx.
Im is charged with assault, bodily harm, obstructing the operation of a passenger plane, obstructing business and property damage.
A police probe revealed that Im was returning from a business trip to Vietnam and was already drunk before boarding the flight on Dec. 20, where he drank several more glasses of alcohol.
He hit another passenger and flight attendants while ranting and raving to himself, and it took helpless crew several hours to restrain him with the assistance of other passengers including Marx.
Im had already been put on a watchlist of dangerous fliers after a similar incident aboard a plane in September, and he will face charges for that offense as well. He had already been slapped with a US$200 fine by a Vietnamese court.
Jan 13, 2017, 12:13pm ET
Honda weighs Civic sedan imports from Japan
Honda might sell Japanese-made Civics on the U.S.
In a move that is sure to draw the ire of President-elect Donald Trump, Honda is considering exporting its Civic sedan from Japan to the United States.
The topic of vehicle imports has been a hot one as of late, with Trump taking Ford, General Motors and Toyota to task about selling cars in the United States that are made elsewhere. Now it could be Honda's turn to feel the wrath of Trump's Twitter account as the company is considering selling a Japanese-built Civic in the U.S.
The development comes as Honda prepares to reintroduce the Civic sedan into its home market of Japan after a seven-year hiatus. Last sold in Japan in 2010, Honda is reintroducing the Civic sedan to help boost its image in its home country as a maker of "sporty cars with attitude," not just tiny kei cars and MPVs.
"We've become known as a company specializing in minivans and 'kei' cars, and we realized our offering of 'Honda-esque' cars has become increasingly weak, Kimiyoshi Teratani, head of Honda's Japanese operations, told Reuters.
Honda will build the Civic sedan locally for the Japanese market, prompting the automaker to rethink its production strategy. It's possible Honda could export the Civic sedan from Japan to the U.S.; currently, a large portion of Civic sedans are made at the company's plant in Greensburg, Indiana.
However, sedan sales continue to slide in the U.S., so Honda is looking at better ways to utilize its Indiana plant. If Honda ultimately decides to build the Civic sedan in Japan, it would likely build one of its hot-selling utility vehicle models in Greensburg.
Honda is playing it cautious with the new administration, which has promised high taxes on all imported vehicles, so it could be a few months before a final ruling is made. "We'd like to consider political developments and circumstances before determining the best way forward, Teratani said.
Jan 12, 2017, 6:35pm ET
Marchionne: EPA 'belligerent,' accusers must be 'smoking illegal material'
The executive suggests there is \"nothing in common between the VW reality\" and the EPA\'s charges against FCA.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne has lashed out against the Environmental Protection Agency after the company was charged with violating emissions regulations.
Speaking to reporters, the outspoken executive suggested the EPA's action is evidence of an "incredibly beliigerent" attack on the broader automotive industry, according to quotes published by USA Today.
"There is nothing in common between the VW reality and what we are describing here," he added, arguing that anyone accusing FCA of employing an emissions defeat device must be "smoking illegal material."
The EPA's allegations of Clean Air Act violations center around eight different auxiliary emissions control devices (AECDs) that were allegedly not disclosed in vehicles' certification applications.
AECDs are typically software-controlled algorithms that manage emissions control systems. Emissions-reduction hardware can be temporarily disabled if environmental or other conditions will cause excessive wear, such as during engine warmup or in extreme temperatures, but automakers must declare and justify all such provisions in their certification applications.
"The EPA has determined that, unless FCA can establish that the undisclosed AECDs qualify for one of the narrow exclusions provided under the applicable regulations, one or more of the AECDs ... would constitute defeat devices that reduce the effectiveness of the vehicles' emission control system," the agency wrote in its notice of violation.
FCA will be given a chance to prove the legality of its undeclared software algorithms, however the agency explicitly claims that some of the AECDs do not "appear justified for protecting the vehicle" and fail to "meet any of the other exceptions" in the defeat device regulatory definition. Getting more to the point, some of the AECDs "appear to cause the vehicle to perform differently when the vehicle is being tested" for emissions compliance.
"To date, despite having the opportunity to do so, FCA has failed to establish that these are not defeat devices," the EPA concluded.
Volkswagen was accused of intentionall developing software algorithms to trick emissions tests. The EPA's investigation into FCA appears to delve into a murkier debate over wether an unapproved AECD can be considered a de facto defeat device, even if it there may be no evidence of intentional conspiracy to circumvent emissions regulations.
The agency has not explained why it pulled the trigger on paperwork charges without first completing its investigation into defeat devices. The enforcement action was announced just one week before Donald Trump's presidential inauguration. Ahead of Marchionne's comments, FCA said it looked forward to working out the dispute with Trump's administration.
Jan 12, 2017, 5:18pm ET
Samsung's new EV battery charges to 80 percent in 20 minutes
The advanced \'integrated battery modules\' are expected to deliver up to 373 miles of range.
Samsung SDI has detailed a new EV battery that supports ultra-quick recharge cycles.
The next-generation high-density batteries are claimed to be fillable to 80 percent capacity in just 20 minutes, approximately half the time required to receive the same charge level at Tesla's Supercharger stations.
The company also previewed new 'integrated battery modules' comprised of more than 24 cells with a capacity of six to eight kilowatt-hours. The modules are said to be better suited to vehicles than conventional EV battery modules with 12 cells and two to three kWh, with fewer parts and a 10-percent weight reduction.
"We are increasingly witnessing a change in many automakers' sourcing strategy from battery cells to modules in the EV sector; thus, Samsung SDI is expecting a rising customers' demand in the integrated battery modules," the company said in a statement.
The Korean conglomerate is also developing a '21700' battery cell, built to the new standard currently in production at Tesla and Panasonic's Gigafactory. The announcement suggests Samsung is hedging its bets, offering integrated battery modules and individual cells to suit both pack construction methods depending on automaker preference.
The company last year announced plans to build a massive new battery factory in Europe, repurposing a display factory to build batteries for up to 50,000 electric vehicles annually.
Jan 13, 2017, 11:58am ET
Tesla outlines Supercharger fee structure; $120 from LA to NY
Fees are said to be necessary to help accelerate network buildout and relieve congestion.
Tesla Motors has finally shed light on specific fees that will be implemented for Supercharger use, with costs varying across countries or within each state or province.
Owners will soon pay per kilowatt-hour in most areas, or by the minute in several regions "due to local regulations."
Customers will be charged around $15 for enough power to drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles, about $120 from Los Angeles to New York, about 60 (~$64 USD) from Paris to Rome, or 400 (~$58 USD) from Beijing to Shanghai.
"We are only aiming to recover a portion of our costs and set up a fair system for everyone," the company said in a statement. "This will never be a profit center for Tesla."
The company suggests fees are necessary to help accelerate network buildout and relieve congestion. New buyers will still receive annual free credits for 400 kWh, or about 1,000 miles of driving.
Amid complaints of long lines and some customers keeping a car parked at a charging space overnight, Tesla CEO Elon Musk promised to take action. For each additional minute a car remains connected after charging is complete, the owner faces a $0.40 fee. If the car is removed within five minutes, the fee is waived.
Thomas Parker
Thomas Parker gives remarks after the Allentown School Board's unanimous vote to elect him the district's new superintendent. (Ashleigh Albert | lehighvalleylive.com contributor)
((Ashleigh Albert | lehighvalleylive.com contributor))
The Allentown School District welcomed its next superintendent on Thursday night.
The school board voted unanimously to appoint Thomas E. Parker as district chief, starting July 1 at an annual salary of $175,000.
Thomas E. Parker will start as superintendent of Allentown schools on July 1. (Courtesy photo)
Parker's term will run five years through June 30, 2022, and he becomes Allentown's first minority superintendent.
Parker, 38, has experience in various leadership roles, but most recently served as superintendent of Ecorse Public Schools in Ecorse, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. He has spent four years in that district, which serves roughly 1,100 students, and previously worked as a principal and teacher in Detroit.
Allentown's student body of more than 16,000 will be a change, but Parker said he's looking forward to the challenge.
"One of my main goals here will be to start personalizing the education for students," Parker said. "I hope to meet the needs of all students."
Parker said he is an advocate of technology in the classroom.
His wife Lauren and 9-year-old daughter, London, will move with him to Allentown, where his daughter will attend one of the district schools, he said.
In Ecorse, he helped the district overcome deficit issues and improve academics -- one of the reasons he was selected as superintendent, school board President David Zimmerman said.
Parker shakes hands with Board President David Zimmerman after signing his new contract. (Ashleigh Albert | lehighvalleylive.com contributor)
"Thomas' past successes in improving student academic achievement, developing strong transparent relationships with all stakeholders, and his ability to create an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect in his districts, were some of the key strengths that our Board felt would benefit our district and the Allentown community," Zimmerman said in a statement.
Debra Tretter, president of the Allentown Education Association teacher's union, attended the meeting and said the union was delighted by the board's decision to hire Parker.
The union had input in the hiring process, she said. Parker was one of three finalists for the job who had been introduced at public forums in November. The other candidates were Eric N. Gallien, deputy superintendent of the Racine Unified School District in Racine, Wisconsin; and Orlando Ramos, regional superintendent of high schools for Milwaukee Public Schools in Wisconsin.
Parker will replace Russell Mayo, who went on sabbatical last June. Interim superintendent Gary Cooper has been in his role since August.
Parker earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education from Howard University in Washington, D.C., and a master's from the University of Michigan. He is working on a doctorate degree from Eastern Michigan University.
Ashleigh Albert is a freelance writer. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A man was behind bars Thursday after allegedly throwing a flower pot at a woman and splitting her nose from bridge to tip.
Allentown police were called Wednesday morning for an assault with injuries in the first block of South 11th Street, and found a female bleeding profusely from injuries on her face. The victim had a puncture wound near the bridge of her nose, and her nose was split from bridge to top, police said.
The victim was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Salisbury Township for treatment.
Officers were reportedly told the attacker was in a second-floor apartment, and they forced their way in and arrested Todd Powell.
A witness and the victim told officers Powell threw a 6-pound flower pot at the victim, according to police. Officers found the broken pot, with blood on a broken piece.
Powell, 36, no address listed in court paperwork, is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment and harassment.
He is being held in Lehigh County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail.
Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Colonial Regional police nabbed a driver for drug possession after a three-mile chase through two Northampton County towns and hitting speeds of more than 90 miles per hour, court records say.
Charged is 54-year-old Barry Jay Mahr, whose address is listed as unknown.
An officer at 8:24 p.m. Oct. 21 spotted Mahr in a silver Dodge Caravan traveling south on Schoenersville Road in Hanover Township. An officer tried to stop Mahr for having a suspended driver's license, for a past DUI conviction, and a probation violation for simple assault, according to police.
Mahr initially stopped after turning onto the Route 22 East ramp but then accelerated and didn't pull over despite the officer activating emergency lights and sirens.
The officer pursued Mahr for more than three miles at speeds of more than 90 miles per hour, according to police. The Dodge cut off other vehicles before exiting Route 22 and traveling onto Route 33 South.
The Colonial Regional officer decided to halt the pursuit and alerted Bethlehem Township police. Mahr was stopped a short while later in Bethlehem Township and arrested, police said.
Mahr consented to a search of the Dodge, which turned up prescription drugs not prescribed to him, according to police.
He is charged with eluding police, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license and traffic violations.
Mahr was released to Lehigh County on the probation violation and had been held at Lehigh County Jail. He was arraigned Thursday before District Judge James Narlesky, who set bail at $10,000.
Mahr remained incarcerated in Lehigh County in lieu of bail, according to online records.
Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Several years ago, a developer bought properties in the 600 block of Northampton Street in Easton with hopes of creating a high-rise apartment building with a grocery store on the first floor and a parking garage on the second.
The land was bought, but Dutchtown Commons never went up.
Now the open lot and remaining buildings have come back on the market. The asking price: $1.5 million.
Realtor Dennis Lieb, who represents Brooklyn developer Ari Schwartz, said the city helped Downtown developments get grants but didn't help with Schwartz's project at the eastern edge of the West Ward.
Lieb, who works for Berkshire Hathaway Paul Ford Realtors and lives in the West Ward, would still like to see a grocery store built. But it would need six other stories above it for any deal to make financial sense, he said.
As he begins to market the property to bring in the one thing he says the Downtown and West Ward don't have -- a supermarket -- Mayor Sal Panto Jr. says he's on board with the concept.
"Absolutely, we would support a grocery store," he said Thursday.
While farther into the West Ward might expose a store to a larger walk-in population, the 600 block of Northampton Street certainly is a better spot than the lower-population Downtown, said Panto, a former grocer.
Is the price right?
Downtown Easton is different today from when Schwartz began buying the properties in 2007. Several higher-end apartment buildings have opened, with more coming on the market soon and a luxury condominium project being considered for the old Heritage Lanes in the 100 block of South Third Street.
While it's not in the historic district, the proposed building in the 600 block of Northampton Street would still have to meet "size, scale and mass" and "street appeal" in the city's newer zoning code, according to Panto.
An on-site parking garage would be beneficial because the six or seven plots of land only make up a third of an acre, Lieb and Panto said.
An acre Downtown goes for about $1 million at the moment, so the $1.5 million price might not be realistic, Panto said.
The largest piece of the property -- the pocket park at 630 Northampton and including 626-28 Northampton St. -- was bought by Schwartz for $92,500 in 2007, Northampton County records show. Next door at 622-24 Northampton was purchased for $165,000 in 2008 and 618-20 initially was picked up for $10,000 in 2008 and then bought again in 2013 for $53,667.
So there's a significant difference between purchase price and sale price, not counting taxes paid over the years, interest and other expenses.
Dennis Lieb would like to see a grocery store in the 600 block of Northampton Street. (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com)
"Building up" is more expensive than "building out," Panto said, adding the city wouldn't support a one-story grocery store on that block. Dutchtown Commons was later pitched as a two-story project.
But Lieb says building up is the only way to go.
The point is to "get a lot of value out of a small" lot, Lieb said. There would be about 125 feet of street frontage, he added.
The block itself has also changed over the years, with Daddy's Place restaurant drawing crowds in the old Northampton Glass building, the family that owns that restaurant renovating the armory at Seventh Street for an unspecified use and Tierra De Fuego opening nearer Sixth Street and offering Colombian food, Panto said.
Luxury apartments were just approved on Walnut Avenue for right behind the site.
Options for assistance
As for the city's perceived lack of help in the past, Panto said there are several things Easton can do to make development of the space easier.
Lieb points out the block is a LERTA district, meaning anyone who develops there only pays the taxes at the rate of what was there before for the first year, with the tax load increasing by 10 percent a year until it reaches full value. The city would be willing to attempt to extend the LERTA, Panto said. It expires this year, Lieb said.
The city could go after an RACP grant -- revitalization money Pennsylvania provides to municipalities, Panto said.
Local Share Account funding from Monroe County's casino, which was used in the Two Rivers Brewing Co. and the Easton Public Market projects, could also be designated for a grocery store project, Panto said. The continuing flow of that money is pending the Pennsylvania Legislature figuring out what to do with a Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision that ends it. But many casinos have made contingency plans in case it's cut off later this month.
"What is actually the biggest need in the West Ward?" asked Lieb, a former member of the Easton Planning Commission. Lieb said research shows that 85 percent of the money spent on food by residents of the West Ward is spent outside the city, which only has one full-sized grocery store, on South Side.
"We would want some of that income" to remain in the neighborhood, Lieb said. He said there are 16,000 people within a half-mile of 600 block of Northampton Street.
The trick is finding a developer who would benefit from such a project -- and support a grocery store, he said.
The building would be seven stories rather than the initially proposed nine and that would fit the city's zoning code, Lieb said. It's best to have the tallest buildings on the city's widest streets, he added.
The Wells Fargo Foundation, with the help of several groups and with the permission of the owner, made the one open lot of the properties into a pocket park. It was an improvement over a vacant lot, but it was never expected to be permanent, Lieb said. The park wouldn't stop the development, if it ever came to that, he said.
"I hope they get it," Panto said of the grocery store development. "It would be great for the city."
Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A 42-year-old Lower Mount Bethel Township man was held Friday without bail after Easton police learned he was wanted in Florida after leaving the scene of a fatal crash, according to court records.
Zane Nathan Smith, 42, of Lower Mount Bethel Township, was arraigned Jan. 13, 2016, on theft-related charges in Easton but he was also wanted in a Florida case involving a fatal crash, authorities say. (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com)
Zane Nathan Smith, who was living in the 6500 block of Martins Creek-Belvidere Highway, sold a Husqvarna 760 saw for $300 at 11:48 a.m. Nov. 7 at Two Rivers Trading Post on Centre Square in Easton, city police said.
The tool had been reported stolen to Washington Township, Warren County, police, who reached out to Two Rivers Trading Post, city police said.
An officer on Dec. 5 filed charges of theft by deception and receiving stolen property against Smith and he was arraigned Friday morning before District Judge Antonia Grifo. Bail in that case was set at $10,000, court records show.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office had an arrest warrant for Smith on the felony charge involving a fatal crash. Details of the crash or charges weren't immediately available from authorities.
Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A drunken driver fled after a crash in South Whitehall Township but was caught down the road after being stopped for reckless driving, township police said.
Henry Ellison, 47, of Oxford, Connecticut, was sent to Lehigh County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail in connection with the Thursday night incident.
Township police said they were called for a crash at about 8:14 p.m. on North Cedar Crest Boulevard, near Tilghman Street. They found a white Nissan Altima in traffic with disabling damage.
The driver and witnesses reported that a large, dark-colored truck rear-ended the Nissan and then continued driving north on Cedar Crest Boulevard.
At the same time officers responded to the crash call, another officer had stopped Ellison for reckless driving in his black Chevrolet Silverado, police said. The truck had fresh front-end damage, according to police, matching the damage to the Nissan.
Police said Ellison appeared to be inebriated and field sobriety tests indicated he was impaired. Ellison was taken to Lehigh County Central Booking, and police are awaiting the blood-alcohol test results.
Ellison is charged with DUI, accidents involving injury, accidents involving damage, failing to stop and give information or render aid, and careless driving.
Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
In a flash, the woman was down.
Her heart had stopped about 7:45 a.m. Dec. 9 while checking in with American Airlines at Lehigh Valley International Airport.
The Texas resident survived, thanks to the training and quick-thinking of three American Airlines ticket counter employees, officials said during a program Thursday recognizing the trio.
"You never know when learning life-saving procedures can make a difference," said Charles Everett, executive director of the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority that owns and operates the airport in Hanover Township, Lehigh County. "In this emergency it was the difference. Taking time to participate and complete the training matters."
Sharon Azis, a customer service agent from Center Valley, immediately called supervisor Cinde Monsam, who was in the break room nearby preparing for a meeting. Monsam, of Allentown, is the general manager at the ticket counter and leapt into action with customer service coordinator Melissa Oravec, of East Allen Township.
They'd been trained in CPR and use of an automated external defibrillator just six months earlier, by Lt. Adam Grube, with Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting at the airport.
"I didn't think it would be that soon," that the training would come into play, "but in the emergency services and everything else in real life happens at the blink of an eye," he said Thursday.
Azis grabbed an AED, and Monsam began to assess the patient. Once connected, the AED determined a shock and CPR were required and instructed the employees on what to do. Monsam performed CPR, and airport police Detective Joseph Nunes and rescue and fire Lt. Patrick Barnes, with firefighter Rich Hertzog, were quickly on scene to assist ahead of emergency medical services' arrival.
The woman, from Texarkana, was conscious, alert and talking in the back of the ambulance.
"I've been, 32 years now I've been involved in fire and EMS," Barnes said. "Very few do you see survive an arrhythmia or a sudden cardiac arrest and a couple of minutes later are out in the ambulance and I'm talking to you.
"The fact that they were right there, they had the training from Adam," he continued, referring to Azis, Monsam and Oravec, "they were right there when it happened, they were able to apply the AED immediately, we arrived to kick into that chain of resuscitation: great outcome."
Jerry Caler, American Airlines' regional managing director in charge of 25 cities in the Northeast and Canada, flew in Thursday to LVIA from Dallas to recognize the ticket counter employees with the company's Real American Hero Award. Each receives a $1,000 bonus, in addition to a cape emblazoned with the name of the award on the back.
"We are very appreciative when our employees are able to help our customers in this way," he said.
The woman, who was not identified to protect patient privacy, later flew out of the airport and spoke with Monsam.
"They had her in the hospital for about a week and put a pacemaker in and she has since gone back to Texarkana," Monsam said.
Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
I am very open-minded, but after watching Donald Trump's campaign and seeing his cabinet picks I am very concerned.
President-elect Donald Trump.
Rex Tillerson has been nominated for secretary of state. As CEO of Exxon Mobil he negotiated a reported $500 billion deal to drill for oil with the Russian government in Russia. Because of sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States, resulting from Russia's aggression/invasion of the Ukraine and the shooting down of a passenger jet resulting in the deaths of more than 100 innocent civilians, the deal is on hold.
I believe Tillerson wants to be secretary of state to influence removing the sanctions on Russia so Exxon can make their billions. Now I understand why Trump doesn't want to bad-mouth Putin.
Scott Pruitt has been nominated for administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. He is a climate change denier. As attorney general for Oklahoma he sued the EPA over regulations imposed on energy corporations. He does not believe in the mission of the EPA, such as clean air and water, and would work to weaken the EPA.
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry is Trump's pick to head the Energy Department, which Trump vowed to eliminate if elected president.
Betsy DeVos is Trump's choice for secretary of education. She supports using taxpayer money to create a national voucher system to enroll students in for-profit charter schools. This would further restrict funds to school districts, weakening public schools and costing taxpayers more.
I believe these appointments are not in the best interest of our country and its people.
Randy I. Stettler
Upper Mount Bethel Township
Three police officers in Warren County were assaulted after responding to the report of an unwanted person at a bar, according to a news release from police.
Kimberly Kulik, 27, of Denville, New Jersey, is accused of arriving intoxicated Saturday at the Draught House, 268 Route 31 North in Washington Township, township police said.
Kulik argued with staff and smashed a vase prior to police arrival, police said. While being taken into custody, Kulik resisted arrest and assault the three township police officers, the release states.
The release does not indicate the officers sought medical attention.
Kulik is charged with disorderly conduct, criminal mischief, resisting arrest and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.
She was sent to the Warren County jail but has been released by court order, according to online records.
Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Greenwich Township K-9 Zeus
Greenwich Township Patrolman Chris Tasiopoulos and his K-9 dog Zeus are seen in 2007 after graduating from the State Police Canine Training Academy in Fort Dix. Tasiopoulos and Zeus took an 18-week Patrol Class and a 14-week Scent Class. (NJ Advance Media file photo)
Greenwich Township is mourning the death of one of its retired police officers, albeit one that did not serve in uniform.
Zeus, a German shepherd that remained beloved in the department after the K-9 unit was disbanded in 2008, died Thursday after being struck by a car.
Greenwich Township K-9 officer Chris Tasiopoulos and his partner, Zeus, participate in a Law Enforcement Day demonstration in 2007 at the Phillipsburg Mall in Pohatcong Township. (Tim Wynkoop | lehighvalleylive.com file photo)
"We are (grateful) for his service and he will be missed by all members of the police department," a department Facebook post said.
Chief Richard Hummer said the dog got out of his partner's house and was fatally struck in what he described as "a total accident."
"We are there for him and his family," the chief said of Patrolman Chris Tasiopoulos.
Though Zeus wasn't human, the four-legged half of a K-9 unit can become a valued part of the department just the same. "They're another part of us," Hummer said.
Township Committeeman Will Spencer, a former police officer, also offered his condolences.
"Any loss of an officer, whether it's a person or a K-9 dog is a loss to the community," he said. "The dog did a wonderful service."
Zeus was retired from the department in 2008 amid controversy involving his partner. Tasiopoulos said in a 2009 whistle-blower lawsuit that the K-9 unit was disbanded in retaliation for complaints about a superior.
The township spent about $5,500 to buy Zeus and thousands more to maintain the dog, only to disband the unit after a little more than a year of service, according to previous reports. The township at the time said the move was due to cost concerns.
The lawsuit was eventually settled and Tasiopoulos continues to work for the department.
However, the township has not had another K-9 since Zeus.
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Police in Mount Olive Township, Morris County, asked Thursday for the public's help in tracking down a person of interest in a burglary of a township construction business and theft of vehicle.
Police release surveillance images said to show the male sought in connection with the incident Monday on Goldmine Road in the township, outside Hackettstown.
"We are asking the public to view the ... video and picture and to contact the Mount Olive police with any information they feel may be helpful in our investigation," township police Detective Sgt. Anthony Annecchiarico said in a news release.
Police ask anyone with information to call Annecchiarico at 973-691-0900, ext. 7570, or Detective Sgt. Luis Sanchez at ext. 7588.
Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A man who drunkenly damaged parked cars at the Electric Picnic music festival has been given another chance to pay compensation.
David Cosgrove (24), Shancastle Drive, Clondalkin, was convicted back in May of last year with two counts of criminal damage.
The court heard that on August 30, 2014, at car park B at the Electric Picnic, the accused kicked the rear panel off one car, causing 400 damage, and threw beer bottles through the window of another car, causing 794 damage.
When the case first came before the court in May, Cosgrove paid 30 compensation and the matter was put back for the balance of 1,170 to be paid.
However, when the case returned to court last week, defence, Ms Louise Troy said that her client had been arrested on a bench warrant in Dublin and sent back to Portlaoise District Court.
She said he didnt have any money to offer the court as he had been on reduced social welfare for the last few months, but he had an interview the following Monday for a job.
Ms Troy said Cosgrove was very committed to paying the money back and asked for more time.
Noting that there had already been three bench warrants in the case, Judge Staines agreed to put the matter back to April 6.
Portlaoise has continued to clean up its act in the latest IBAL litter poll, but the dirtiest spot in town was found to be Laois County Council's own carpark, where the bring banks are attracting dumping.
By far the most heavily littered site in Portlaoise was the Recycle Facility at Co Council Buildings it wasnt just littered but subject to dumping, the An Taisce judges reported.
The county town has now climbed up to be the 17th cleanest out of 40 Irish towns, and the fourth cleanest in the Clean to European Norms category.
The judges particularly commended the trains station and main street.
It has been a year of great improvement for Portlaoise, a town which was littered in the past. Some of the very good sites surveyed included the Train Station (interior and exterior), Main Street, Market Square and Church Street there were some very fine buildings along Church Street and they were looking well, the report read.
The rating is a massive jump from 2010, when Portlaoise was named Irelands dirtiest town by IBAL, with judges noting a serious litter problem.
In 2014, it jumped from being the fourth worst, up to the Clean to European Norms standard, at number 28 on the list.
By late 2015, it had again slipped back to being 'moderately littered', with the derelict Hepburn Court housing estate, and litter at Clonminam industrial estate dragging marks down, but pulled up again during 2016 to "perform strongly" say IBAL.
IBAL say dumping is at the heart of Irelands litter problem.
The problem is becoming less about cleaning up after kids have dropped sweet papers on the main street.
Its about people deliberately and covertly evading bin charges by illegally disposing of their rubbish on wasteland or derelict sites, which then become magnets for all sorts of litter.
Dumping needs to be higher on the political agenda, as its an issue that really matters to people, and to our economy, said Mr Conor Horgan of IBAL.
The Tanaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald has announced the re-appointment of Mr. Michael Donnellan as the Director General of the Irish Prison Service for a further five years.
Mr Donnellan was initially appointed as Director General on a 5-year term in December 2011. He was previously Director of the Probation Service and has previous experience in health and social services in Ireland and London.
Speaking on the re-appointment of the man who oversees two prisons in Portlaoise and other services around the country, the Tanaiste said she was delighted to confirm the re-appointment.
"During Michaels first tenure as Director General, he has overseen the implementation of the 3 Year Strategic Plan for the Service which has seen huge reform in the prison system including reduction in overcrowding, enhanced structured
release programmes and the elimination of slopping out through the implementation of a comprehensive prison modernisation programme, she said.
Under Michaels leadership the Prison Service will continue to enhance the safety of our citizens by providing rehabilitation and opportunities for prisoners working in collaboration with my Department, the relevant Justice agencies and other relevant statutory and non-statutory bodies. I wish Michael well in his role and look forward to continuing to work closely
with him as we strive to provide a world class Prison Service".
Mr Donnelan spent his early career working within adult psychiatry before specialising in child and adolescent psychiatry. He worked in inner city London as a Social Worker, and then as Manager of Brixton Child Guidance Unit, before returning to Ireland in 1994.
Despite the IDA's dismal record in Laois the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has claimed the Midlands is a 'fantastic' location to invest in.
Minister Mary Mitchell O'Connor was speaking at the announcement that Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has entered into a lease agreement with IDA Ireland to establish a new manufacturing plant in the recently constructed 2,650m2 IDA Advanced Technology Building in Athlone, Ireland.
The project is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation through IDA Ireland. The company will initially create up to 50 new jobs.
Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell OConnor TD said: The Midlands is a fantastic place to invest, and Aeries choice to locate its manufacturing facility in IDA Irelands new building there is particularly welcome. As we pass the 200,000 mark for people employed in overseas companies in Ireland, we need to continue to ensure a good spread of jobs throughout the regions. I wish Aerie all the best with their investment in Athlone, she said.
Martin Shanahan, CEO at IDA Ireland, said: The decision to proactively build properties to attract foreign investors into regional locations has been further vindicated with Aeries selection of the IDA-built facility in Athlone. The pharmaceutical sector continues to be a key target sector for IDA Ireland as we seek to win more business for Ireland in 2017.
Figures published in the Dail last year show that just 19 jobs were created here in 2014/15. Leitrim was second lowest with 20 new jobs but is home to 423 posts in foreign-based firms. There are just 97 IDA-backed jobs in Laois between two companies. There are arlready more than 2,500 jobs in Westmeath where the new jobs will be located.
A Mountmellick man who broke into two schools in Mountrath leaving his own blood splashed over the premises after cutting his finger on a broken window has been sentenced to jail.
Stephen Lacumber, aka Stephen Brophy (25), with a previous address at Kirwan Park, Mountmellick, broke into Scoil Bhride and St Fintans NS, on September 7 last.
Serious damage was caused to Scoil Bhride, as the accused injured his finger on a window and spilled a large amount of blood at the scene.
Inspector Aidan Farrelly said that 1,050 damage was cost, and 120 of goods stolen.
At St Fintans, there was also a large amount of blood left at the scene, and laptop chargers valued at 75 were stolen. The amount of damage caused was 230.
The accused then broke into St Fintans school again some three weeks later, on September 30. He and a juvenile were caught by gardai near the school with a safe they had stolen.
In separate incidents, the accused used a stolen bank card to buy goods on September 6 last, and he was also caught driving without a licence or insurance, back in January.
The accused had 30 previous convictions.
For the burglary of Scoil Bhride, Judge Catherine Staines imposed ten months in prison. She also directed that money from the court poor box go to the two schools. For no insurance, the judge imposed one month in prison and disqualified the accused from driving for four years.
Revive Northwest are group in the Northwest of Ireland who are seeking a motorway system to connect Sligo to Dublin and the Northwest to the Southwest.
The proposed motorway would pass through Leitrim on the N4.
On February 8, Sligo based action group Revive Northwest will march on Dail Eireann.
According to the group, This will be a positive protest highlighting some of the problems which are restricting growth in the region. Although based in Sligo, the group are aware that the Northwest and Western region, as a whole, is being forgotten about by the Government, especially with regard to infrastructure.
An online petition for a motorway says We, the undersigned, are calling on the Irish Government to commit to providing a motorway to connect the Northwest of Ireland to the rest of the country. We are seeking a Motorway connecting Sligo to Dublin and also a motorway connecting Limerick-Galway-Sligo-Letterkenny.
You can sign it on https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/get-a-motorway-for-the-northwest-of-ireland.html
An award winning exhibition by Dromahair artist Daniel Chester will open on Friday next, January 20 in Hyde Bridge Gallery Sligo.
The exhibition titled, 'In pursuit of stillness', will consist of a number of painting of rural landscapes inspired by the local environment of north Leitrim. The exhibition will be opened by another local and well known international artist Cormac O Leary. The show opens at 6pm and is open to the public.
In July 2016, Daniel was awarded a solo show as part of the Cairde Visual Awards 2016, his piece Mayo Marshlands was given first prize in the Cairde Show by the festival committee and as part of the award he was offered a 4 week show in the Hyde Bridge Gallery Sligo.
Speaking about the inspirations behind 'In Pursuit of stillness' Daniel said, "In an age of continuous personal bombardment of technology such as smart phones, tablets, twitter, Facebook, TV etc., finding stillness and solitude in our world can be at a premium. The current body of work is a visual enquiry into finding stillness in landscape and in particular my own personal understanding of this pursuit. As a visual artist living in County Leitrim, I am influenced by the rugged nature of the rural landscape and in particular these harsh but beautiful environments within the west of Ireland.
"As part of this area of interest I am also fascinated in the reality of the Commons in Society and the connection between the moral responsibilities of the community towards the landscape. The ownership of parks, greens, lanes, walkways and rural areas that is open to the public. My current area of research also extends to an enquiry into traditional painting of the landscape, in particular the idea and notion of romantics within the rural landscape. Areas of continued interest include artist such as Casper Fredrick, William Blake and German romanticism painting, In particular my work is influenced by paintings Monasty Graveyard In Snow (1819) and The Abbey in The Oakwood (1810) by Fredrich, other influences include Dutch painting in particular the work of Pieter Brugel. The recurring theme within my work focuses on notions of disillusion with materialism, return to the natural world, death, destruction and resurrection."
Explaining his unique style of landscape art on aluminium Daniel revealed, "The choice of aluminium as a medium in which to paint on is a deliberate one. Although this material is not one of traditional use I find its coldness and dampness a direct connection to the landscapes and subjects I choose to paint.
"The aluminium also enables me as an artist to show the process of painting i.e. brushstrokes, additional liquids each work is very much unique as the experimental development can vary with each painting.
As voting quickly approaches for the London regional executive, I fell that there has been very little time to scrutinise the candidates and quiz them on key issues that affect London Liberal Democrats. So, I have complied a short list of questions for candidates to answer (preferably in the comments).
Which seats to target?
What criteria should a seat or council have to pass in order to make them a target seat? Should this just be restricted to the seats we have held previously? Should seats have to meet certain targets to remain on the target list?
Diversity?
Diversity within the London Lib Dems has improved, but it is nowhere near as extensive as it needs to be. What would your plans be to improve diversity across the capital?
Revitalising black holes?
Here in Tower Hamlets, we played a key role in revitalising the local parties both Newham and Barking & Dagenham. There are other local parties that can grow and thrive (see Boleyn by-election, 2015), if given the right resources. What would you do to help these local parties to gain councils, and seats, in 2018?
Using digital technology?
In London, we have the privilege of having access to a lot of tech savvy people. What would you do to help local parties and campaigners develop their digital campaigns? Should local parties be forced to use Nationbuilder? Should local parties have targets for the number of email contacts they hold?
The last assembly elections?
In City and East, we were the only assembly constituency to raise its vote share on every ballot paper. The fall in our overall vote share led to us losing an assembly member. What went wrong with last years assembly elections? Where did we go wrong in the 2016 London elections? And what should we do differently in 2020?
The English party?
Would you support the prospect of London becoming a state party and coming out of the English party?
Again, if candidates can put their answers in the comments below and best of luck to all.
Ballot papers are being sent out today (Friday 12th Jan) via email to all members in London. If you have not received your ballot paper by the end of the week, email [email protected]. More information can be found on Facebook in the London Virtual HQ.
* Will Dyer is the PPC for Bethnal & Bow and a former London regional executive member
Down, down, down. Would the fall never come to an end? I wonder how many miles Ive fallen by this time? she said aloud. I must be getting somewhere near the centre of the earth. Let me see: that would be four thousand miles down, I think-
Alices Adventures in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll
The latest Trump episodes really mark a drop down the rabbit hole. We were in post-Truth mode, but now we have switched over into an alternative reality.
Ill leave ABCs Rick Stein to sum up this weeks events:
Trump used a rambling news conference to equate the intelligence community to the Nazis and pronounced himself a germaphobe; men in dinosaur outfits roamed the hallways outside rocky hearings for Trumps secretary of state pick; the president-elects promise of a blind trust for his assets was announced to be neither blind nor a trust; and the Senate started to repeal Obamacare, in the middle of the night. It was a dizzying day, though its worth noting that the Trump team seemed to control the terms of the chaos sometimes literally. Trumps declaration that news organizations specifically, Buzzfeed and CNN are fake news is an appropriation of that term for his own means. Its in league with a Trump marketing style thats morphing into a Trump governing style. When the distractions are intentional, they are part of the strategy. That might not be chaos at all.
To add to the chaos, some of Trumps picks for cabinet roles have been contradicting some of his key policies in their Congressional confirmation hearings.
I have noticed one thing which has accompanied this final descent down the rabbit hole Donald Trump is now regularly tweeting in capital letters, a sure sign he has lost the argument:
Russia has never tried to use leverage over me. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017
The next four years are certainly going to be entertaining but, I suspect, in a painful way. Its all very different from the quiet competence of Obama. I suspect there will be a whole legal industry whirring away around the new President. All good fun NOT, as the President-elect might tweet. There are such low expectations for him I wonder whether he might flip the whole thing and end up perceived as a Reaganesque President, with requests for his image to be carved into Mount Rushmore.
Stranger things have happened. Ask Alice.
* Paul Walter is a Liberal Democrat activist and member of the Liberal Democrat Voice team. He blogs at Liberal Burblings.
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A YOUNG girl who was injured in a minor road collision in the city almost six years ago has been awarded more than 12,500 in damages.
The girl, who is now aged 12, was a passenger in a taxi which reversed into another car at Old Clare Street on July 5, 2011.
During a brief hearing a Limerick Circuit Court this Tuesday, Judge Gerald Keys was told the impact between the vehicles was minimal and that the Mercedes car sustained modest damage in the accident.
Lawyers representing the girl, who was aged eight at the time of the accident, said she sustained minor back injuries which have since cleared up.
She experienced difficulty sleeping for a number of months afterwards and was afraid to get into taxis for some time after the incident.
Henry Downing BL said his client, who sued the taxi driver through her mother, has fully recovered and that there are no outstanding difficulties.
He confirmed he was recommending an offer of 12,500 in general damages plus 155 in special damages which he said was appropriate given the circumstances of the case.
Both the girl and her mother were present in court for the hearing.
Judge Keys granted an application allowing the immediate payment of 500 which will used to buy a laptop for the girl for schoolwork.
He awarded the plaintiff her legal costs and he ordered that the remainder or the monies (12,000) be paid into court within 28 days.
It will then be held in trust until the girl turns 18.
ARDNACRUSHA gardai are investigating the alleged poisoning of a rescue dog, after it consumed a toxic substance along a picturesque walk in Clonlara.
Last Thursday evening, Dr Ioannis Zabetakis, a lecturer in Biological Sciences at UL, took his two dogs, Suki and Cyrus, for a 20-minute walk along the old canal in Clonlara.
After feeding the two dogs their evening meal, the Greek national who moved to Ireland in 2015, noticed something wrong when Suki a Lassie Collie started excreting saliva and was unable to walk properly.
He and his wife then drove to the vets in Killaloe. However, halfway through their emergency journey, Suki had died.
My wife had put Suki in the car. But by that time, Suki then started having seizures. I was driving, and my wife was in the back seat, stroking Suki as she was in the boot lying down. But halfway through to Killaloe, she had a very long seizure, and she died. She died before arriving at the vet. Overall, that was less than hour since taking Suki for a walk.
Suki was an abandoned dog when Dr Zabetakis picked her up in Athens, six years ago. And when he was called to work in UL, he put his two furry friends in the car, and drove from Greece to his new home in Clonlara.
According to a garda source, after investigations the following evening, the vet said that it was a poisoning.
Dr Zabetakis, who was previously a lecturer at the University of Athens, said: 99%, according to their opinion, which is what we said to the police, that it was strychnine poisoning, because of the rigor mortis. Sukis body was so stiff, you couldnt bend her front leg, and that is characteristic of strychnine poisoning.
He told the Leader that if Suki was poisoned in the area, the problem could still be there, and is calling on families in the area to be cautious.
In September, gardai issued a warning to pet owners to be vigilant when walking anywhere between Ardnacrusha and Clonlara Bridges, following a number of reported dog poisonings.
A JUDGE has accused Bank of Ireland of effectively seeking to put a young mother and her five children on the streets by terminating her lease agreement.
Judge Gerald Keyes made his comments as he granted a court order allowing receivers acting on behalf of the bank to gain access to the house at Lissanalta Close, Dooradoyle for the purpose of carrying out a valuation.
Limerick Circuit Court was told the tenant, Grace Healy (29), has not been paying her monthly rent of 675 for some time and that receiver Eoin Ryan, was seeking to enforce an order to vacate the house which was previously granted by the Residential Tenacies Board (RBT).
Mr Ryan was appointed receiver over the semi-detached home after the joint owners got into financial difficulties.
Clare ODriscoll BL told the court the matter dates back a number of years and that a notice to quit was first served on Ms Healy in November 2014 as her client wishes to sell the property.
Solicitor Eoghan Clancy of ONeill and Company solicitors said his client, whose children range in age from six to 14 has made every effort to find suitable alternative accommodation.
He said she has been in contact with Limerick City and County Council, Focus Ireland and a number of public representatives.
Ms Healy, the court heard, has not been paying rent since her rent allowance was stopped as a result of the legal proceedings.
Judge Keyes said there was no defence to the (legal) action adding he was not impressed that Ms Healy has not been paying any rent at all for the past year.
The judge commented that the courts are going to be confronted with hundreds of similar cases over the coming months and that he has to apply the law even though he may disagree with it.
Unfortunately the law is the law and I cant break the law, he said.
The judge adjourned the matter to April when it is expected he will order Ms Healy to vacate the premises.
AN ADARE restaurant is gearing up for another stellar year after being awarded the Bord Bia Just Ask Restaurant of the Year.
For 1826 in Adare, this is not the first accolade, with the restaurants prestige ever-rising since its inception in 2013.
Were over the moon, were really really delighted, said chef Wade Murphy.
The restaurant will also feature on a new programme by celebrity chef Neven Maguire this month, which will be shown on RTE One.
Naming the suppliers and using local and everything like that has been part of our philosophy since the day we opened the doors, so to get recognition for that is phenomenal, so were really really delighted, he added.
A small team work under the management of husband and wife duo Wade and Elaine Murphy, and sourcing local ingredients is a huge priority at the restaurant.
I have a saying that a restaurant is only as good as its team, and that team includes the suppliers, said Wade.
When you say local, how local is local? Were an island of 300 by 500 kilometres, were not that big of a country.
But if its Irish produce, which Im a supporter of, I dont have a specific thing where everything must come from within a certain mile radius, added the chef, whose food has won numerous awards.
Were a small business, and weve got to keep supporting each other. Ive been quoted many times saying that this country does nothing for the small business, they make life hard to be a small business in this country, so the more we can support each other the better, he said.
The new RTE programme Nevens Irish Food Trails will show Maguire meeting a fascinating and diverse collection of chefs, craftsmen and food producers. Neven will also demonstrate his own recipes.
At 1826, which will be featured in the series first episode on January 18, Wade will be sharing a recipe for rump of lamb with sheep cheese polenta chips, cavalo nero and salsa verde.
ACCLAIMED author Colum McCann has described Limerick as a city which is witnessing a 'revolution in how it perceives itself'.
Speaking at the headquarters of Narrative 4, a non-profit global organisation which promotes social change through storytelling and creativity, McCann praised the city's advancement in the arts and across several fronts.
To see what's happening here is truly, truly extraordinary. It's an evolving story in itself. I think the people of Limerick, and the City and County Council, everybody needs a grand round of applause, because this is part of a revolution in how we perceive ourselves, said the Let the Great World Spin author.
In particular, it seems that something is bubbling up through Limerick. I don't know what it is, but we're hoping to tap into it. We have the most amazing young people in this organisation, said McCann, a co-founder and president of the group, which originated in New York and is now headquartered in Limerick.
We started this three years ago, and Narrative 4 is going all over the world. We're reaching into South Africa, we're reaching into Mexico, we're going towards Palestine, we're going towards Israel; we're doing exchanges with Costa Rica, and in the United States. But the focus of what we're doing has been here in Limerick, he said.
The award-winning Dublin-born author earlier described Limerick citizens as the fire, the guts and the desire for change, and said the Treaty City is a model city for how to fundamentally shift perception.
It feels like the time has come for Limerick, he said. Its vibrant and edgy and new, and I feel aligned with the city. The city has a story to tell the world, he said.
Narrative 4's global offices in Limerick were opened last year, after it was originally founded by more than 100 artists from around the world, including Salman Rushdie, Sting and Ian McEwan.
It is supported by several high-profile Irish and American business people, including Loretta Brennan Glucksman, wife of the late philanthropist Lewis, the JP McManus Benevolent Fund, and companies including Amazon, and HBO.
Writing in the Limerick Leader newspaper this week, John Moran, the former secretary general in the Department of Finance, who is also a board member of Narrative 4, said that Limerick is undergoing a renaissance.
We're at the beginning of our journey to reach our full potential. Limerick can respond in ways few 'old' cities can do. With Ireland's population approaching 6.5 million by 2050, Dublin can no longer absorb such growth. Regional cities have to play a greater role and Government is finally making increasing noises of understanding this, he wrote.
Multi-millionaire businessman Denis Brosnan is currently driving a 500m package of investment and development in Limerick, aimed to capitalise on any gains in a post-Brexit market, under a new specially designated company, Limerick Twenty Thirty.
The company has four strategic sites across the city and its suburbs under its wing, including a major film studio in Castletroy, with a combined 1.4 million sq ft of prime real estate, which is poised for development.
The businessman, who has quietly been driving the citys fortunes in acquiring four major sites since 2009, has also said that the target of creating 5,000 jobs in Limerick within the next five years will be exceeded many times over.
Some 954 jobs were created in Limerick last year, and the Minister for Finance Michael Noonan has expressed confidence that the same number could be created in Limerick again in 2017.
Separately, a 14-storey office block on Bishop's Quay along the waterfront, which will include 42 luxury apartments and 150,000 sq ft of commercial space, in a 40m development has also been granted planning permission.
Construction is expected to start in March under Kirkland Investments, led by Rudi Butler, son of former developer Robert Butler, and with financial backing from Riverdance star Michael Flatley.
IN A DRAMATIC turnaround, the Minister for Housing Simon Coveney has announced this Friday evening that eviction notices served on tenants in the Strand apartments in Limerick are to be withdrawn.
When contacted by the Limerick Leader, after the statement was issued from the Department of Housing just before 5pm, residents said no one had contacted them to date to inform them of the change in their circumstances.
In the statement, the department said: The owners of the apartments involved are writing to residents affected by the recent termination notices to confirm that the notices are being withdrawn and that they will abide by the spirit of the so-called Tyrrelstown amendment which comes into effect next week.
The department said that the decision by the owners comes after contact from Minister Coveney in which he asked that the spirit of the Tyrrelstown amendment which does not take effect until next week, would be respected to ensure that the existing tenancies are unaffected by transfer of ownership.
That amendment to the Residential Tenancies Act was brought through the Oireachtas in December last, and contains the provision that tenancies are protected where a landlord or investor wishes to sell more than 10 properties in a single development, as happened at Tyrrelstown last year.
Sova Properties replied formally to the Minister to confirm that it would respect the change and that it would be writing to tenants to confirm withdrawal of the original notices, it stated.
Minister Coveney welcomed the decision by Sova as providing "an important reassurance for households who had been facing significant uncertainty.
There was no legal requirement for Sova to take this approach so I commend them for doing what was the socially responsible thing by respecting the will of the Government and the Oireachtas. This shows the value already of some of the measures contained in the Government's strategy for the rental sector and the importance of a partnership approach by all players; tenants, accommodation providers and Government, he said.
Anti-Austerity Alliance councillor Cian Prendiville, who first highlighted the evictions this week, said he welcomed the withdrawal of these notices.
"This shows that when people get organised and stand up for themselves, they can defeat these vulture funds and profit-hungry landlords.
"However, the tenants have still not received any communication from the landlord about this. We need a firm guarantee that not only are these notices withdrawn, but they will not be reissued," Cllr Prendiville told the Leader.
By this Friday evening, over 2,500 signatures were added to an online petition to halt evictions of tenants from the Strand apartments in the city.
Speaking to the Leader earlier today, Tara Robinson, who has been a resident there for nearly six years, and was due to be evicted in April, thanked people for their support.
The response from people has been amazing and incredible. We cant stand and allow this [these evictions] to happen. Its bigger than us. We will be demanding a meeting with Simon Coveney, to present our petition to him. He has to stand up for us we are just small players in this this. Look at whats happening in Apollo House and Tyrrelstown, and now Limerick. Where else is this happening to people, going through the same thing as us?
The Irish Times has reported that Oaktree Capital, the US fund which owns the debt secured on the Strand where tenants face eviction, has a similar interest in more than 900 apartments around the Republic. The debt was acquired for a reported 800 million.
Oaktree said it only owned the debt secured on the development and it neither owned nor managed the complex.
As a result, we have no direct relationship with any tenant in this case, nor do we have the right to give instructions to any tenant with respect to lease agreements, the company said.
The eviction orders have been served by Sova Properties Ltd, a subsidiary of Galway developer John Lallys Lalco Holdings.
Sova Properties Ltd had bank loans of 117m and in August 2010 its loans were transferred to Nama.
The directors of its parent company - Galway developer John Lally's Lalco Holdings Ltd - entered into an agreement with the National Asset Loan Management Agency (Nalm), in April 2012.
In July 2016, Nalm, a subsidiary of Nama, sold its loan and security interests to OCM EmRu DebtCo DAC, which was incorporated in June 2016, and is a subsidiary of Oaktree Capital Management.
The 60m development, including the neighbouring 200-bed, six-storey Strand hotel, formerly the Hilton, and apartments across five blocks were built in 2008. A number of them are understood to be owner-occupied.
By 2014, Sova Properties Ltd, had net liabilities of over 64m, according to the most recent accounts filed.
Jan 12, 2017, 10 PM
English actor Orlando Bloom is pictured in his role as Legolas from The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, on a $2.40 stamp issued by New Zealand in 2013.
By Michael Baadke
English actor Orlando Bloom celebrates his 40th birthday today. Born Jan. 13, 1977, in Canterbury, he studied drama at Fine Arts College Hampstead and Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, graduating from the latter in 1999.
He was quickly hired by director Peter Jackson for the role of Legolas the elf, in Jacksons three-film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkiens fantasy trilogy The Lord of the Rings, beginning with The Fellowship of the Ring in 2001, and returning in The Two Towers (2002) and The Return of the King (2003).
He reprised the role of Legolas in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014).
In 2003, Bloom began a second three-film sequence as mild-mannered blacksmith-turned-seaman Will Turner, starring alongside Johnny Depp and Keira Knightley in the first three Pirates of the Caribbean films. Bloom is returning to the franchise for the fifth film, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, scheduled for release May 26.
Bloom has featured in numerous other films, including Elizabethtown and Kingdom of Heaven in 2005, and The Three Musketeers in 2011.
Orlando Bloom is pictured in his role as Legolas on stamps from New Zealand, where The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies were filmed: on two similar 40 stamps in 2003 (Scott 1897 and 1903), and on two similar $2.40 stamps in 2013 (2494 and 2496e).
How United Nations stamps are celebrating the year of the rooster
Jan 13, 2017, 8 AM
The United Nations Chinese Lunar Calendar pane for the year of the rooster was issued Jan. 13. The $1.15 stamp in the pane shows the U.N. emblem.
By Denise McCarty
The latest issue in the United Nations Postal Administrations Chinese Lunar Calendar series celebrates the year of the rooster.
This is the eighth pane of stamps in the series.
Issued Jan. 13, this pane contains 10 $1.15 international-rate stamps for use from the UNPA post office at U.N. headquarters in New York City. The design shows the U.N. emblem in blue on a white background. The year date 2017 is in the upper-right corner.
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The labels that are se-tenant (side-by-side) with the stamps feature Chinese artist Yan Bingwus artwork showing a symbolic rooster and calligraphy in gold on a red background.
The rooster and calligraphy are repeated in the selvage of the pane. Also included in the selvage are the words Chinese Lunar Calendar and Celebrating the Year of the Rooster 2017 in English at the top, and the U.N. emblem in the upper right.
Sergio Baradat designed the pane.
The year of the rooster begins Jan. 28 and ends Feb. 15, 2018.
For ordering information, visit the U.N. stamps website; e-mail unpanyinquiries@un.org; telephone 800-234-8672; fax 212-963-9854; or write to UNPA, Box 5900, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163-5900.
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Walking on snow The first rule is not to take giant strides. The second, to walk along the path taken before you, following footsteps /news/talking-point/walking-on-snow-111646912175620.html 111646912175620 story
The runway stretched out like a dark line surrounded by glimmering frost. From my planes seat window, Oslo looked like Winter Wonderland. The airport terminal was being refurbished and instead of the air bridge, we would have to take the bus to the terminal.
We disembarked using the stairs. It had snowed all night, and the steps were slippery from ice. The handrail was freezing. I had left my woollen coat and gloves in the suitcase I had checked in, so I had to let my palms rest briefly on the railing as I tried to walk down the steps. Part of me wanted to run down because it was so cold and the bus seemed so far, but I remembered the horrible fall I had suffered the first time I had seen snowfall and had thought nothing of walking briskly on the surface, not realizing how slippery it could be. That was in Hanover, New Hampshire, in 1983, when I slipped at the entrance of my dorm, learning to walk again on crutches for the next few weeks.
I knew a bit about walking on snow and I should have done better. In 1975, a bunch of school classmates and I had defied our head teachers instructions and made off for the top of Rohtang Pass with a Garhwali guide and one teacher. There were no cellphones or text messages then, and our head teacher was furious when he saw us returning hours later than expected, ignoring the exciting stories we wanted to tell him of how it felt sinking our feet in snow as we climbed.
Experiencing the New England winter had taught me to respect snow. I had learnt to walk sensibly by observing others. The first rule was not to take giant strides. The second, to walk along the path taken before you, following footsteps. The third, to step on untrodden snow, which was pure white, where your feet often went down softly, because the trodden path can get treacherously slippery as the surface turns wet. Robert Frost had a pointthe road less travelled did make all the difference. The trick was not to put all your weight on each step. And the fourth rule, to keep moving, briskly. There were railings to hold on to, but they were often covered with fresh snow, and unless you had good leather gloves, the snow had the habit of seeping into your woollen gloves, leaving your fingers numb.
I recalled those old lessons as I walked down the stairs and into the bus. On the horizon were tall trees shorn of leaves, layered with frost, looking like Christmas decorations. As we drove from the airport to the city, the landscape was stark and white. The frost on the trees shone momentarily, capturing sunlight, as if someone had placed tiny diamonds on their bare branches, and little bits of grass and rocks tried to emerge above the carpet of white dust sprinkled on the fields. Then the wind came in unexpectedly and shook the trees and the snow clinging precariously on the branches would collapse, sending a flurry of snowflakes all around.
Thick fog had enveloped Oslo the next morning. The sky was a dull grey and visibility was poor. As I walked along to the edge of the fjord, it was difficult to see beyond a few feet. I could see the handrail disappear a few feet away. The water was grey and still, and the curtain of fog made it look viscous. I could not see where the water ended. I heard faint sounds of water parting and a sailboat emerged, moving slowly through the haze, but I did not see anyone in it. It felt like a scene from a ghost story. The water parted reluctantly as the boat moved. Within moments, it had disappeared. Had I seen it, was it an apparition?
My mind went back to that afternoon I had spent in Bangladesh a couple of years ago, at the Tagore family estate, known as Shilaidaha Kuthibari, when there was only Bengal, and entities like India, Pakistan or Bangladesh had not yet emerged to mark out territories. I had gone to the Padma river later that evening, and as the sky turned golden at the twilight hour, I had seen a boatman disappear in the mist. It was grey that afternoon in Oslo, and another boat had disappeared.
It was too cold to contemplate poetry at that moment. The temperature dropped further, and the only flash of gold I saw was later that night, when the yellow lights along the water shone, trying to pierce through the fog.
Salil Tripathi writes the column Here, There, Everywhere for Mint.
Gangs of Bollywood Ahead of the release of 'Raees' and 'Daddy', the art, architecture and enduring appeal of gangster movies /how-to-lounge/movies-tv/gangs-of-bollywood-111646912138802.html 111646912138802 story
A man sits in the shadows, head bowed, providing evasive, monosyllabic answers to a policemans questions, and looking up only in response to Chal, record ke liye apna naam bata (Come on, tell me your name for the record)". The man is the gangster-politician Arun Gawliplayed here by Arjun Rampaland the film is Ashim Ahluwalias Daddy, its title referring to the term of obeisance used for Gawli in a world where bhai" or dada" are the norms. The scene is from one of the two widely watched new trailers for forthcoming films about the underworld.
As if to complete a patternto tell us that a daddy", or a dada, can have a mommy standing firmly behind himthe other trailer, for the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Raees, begins with the words Ammi jaan kehti thhi (My mother used to say)". Its a reminder of how central the mother figure once was, as solace-provider or avenging angel, for Hindi cinemas anti-heroes, who lived outside conventional moral zones. Such as the farmer-turned-dacoit Birju in the 1940 Aurat (and its more famous remake Mother India), or Amitabh Bachchans many Vijays from Deewaar (1975) to Agneepath (1990) via Shakti (1982).
I didnt think of those films, though, on hearing the opening words of the Raees trailer. I thought of that ball of dynamite James Cagney and his very special relationship with an ever-lovin Ma in two of his best gangster roles.
Arjun Rampal in Daddy.
Mothers, molls, modes
In The Public Enemy (1931), a film with an outlaw brother vs upright brother angle that Deewaar owes a debt to, Cagneys Tom Powers is called my baby" by his mom long after he has fallen in with a gang of thugs (and after his brother has dramatically rejected a wad of Toms ill-begotten money). In White Heat (1949), Cagneys psychotic, oddly infantile Cody Jarrett sits on his mothers lap during a tender scene (the actor was pushing 50 at the time), goes memorably berserk in jail when he hears of her death, and hollers Made it, Ma! Top of the world!" in an explosive ending.
Mothers arent always so important to gangsters. Francis Ford Coppolas The Godfather and The Godfather: Part II are among the most celebrated and widely seen films ever, but how many of us remember any notable scenes involving Vito Corleones wife, who is mother to Sonny, Michael and Fredo? Though very much around in both films (and played by two actors in different time periods, much the same way Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro both played Vito), she is a silent, peripheral presence; many Godfather buffs wouldnt even know her name (its Carmela).
Generally speaking, the women in this very male-centric genre play small but important roles. They can be molls or floozies who bring out the nasty in the protagonist: Watch Tom smash a grapefruit into a part-time girlfriends face in a famous breakfast-table scene in The Public Enemy. They can be moderating influences, or the key to a mobsters humanity: See the warm, wise, knowing presence of Diane Keatons Kay in the Godfather films, and how Michael (Al Pacino) begins his fall into perdition when he chillingly shuts the door on her near the end of The Godfather: Part II. See the upwardly mobile Shoaib (Emraan Hashmi) in Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai (2010), set in the 1970s, getting gooey-eyed as he goes to watch the romantic film Bobby with his girlfriend, instead of the action or revenge dramas of the period. Or Anita (Parveen Babi), the golden-hearted bad girl" in Deewaar, offering a brief glimmer of hope that Vijays story might have a happy ending.
Even a moral compass can throw up faulty readings. In the Raees trailer, a mothers quoted words, probably spoken with genuine good intentions, are used to justify a life in crime. The full sentence is Ammi jaan kehti thhi koi dhanda chhota nahin hota / Aur dhande se bada koi dharm nahin hota (My mother used to say no work or business is too small / And no religion is greater than any business)." We are left in little doubt about the nature of the protagonists dhanda" when a policeman, played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, retorts, Jisko tu dhanda bolta hai na, crime hai woh (What you call business, is actually crime)."
Of course, in most gangster films, crime is business, or a way of life, and a point often made is that the line between gangster and legitimate businessman may be very thin. This begs the question: How can you define a gangster, or a gangster film?
He might be a kingpin who runs large syndicates and is mostly impervious to the law (like the Haji Mastan or Dawood Ibrahim inspired dons in so many Hindi films over the years), or a small-time criminal who wields a limited degree of influence in his immediate circles and can easily get into troublelike the eponymous hero, played by Jean Gabin, of the 1937 French film Pepe Le Moko. He could be a family man. Or a Family man, if you prefer the capitalized version; or he might be someone who insists, as the villainous Anna Seth does in Parinda (1989), Dhande mein koi kisi ka bhai nahin, koi kisi ka beta nahin (In this business, no one is a brother, no one is a son)." There are many available dramatic arcs for these characters. A lone wolf works his way up to becoming a messiah-like figure for a community: See Velu Naicker in Nayakan (1987), based on the real-life godfather" of Mumbais downtrodden Tamils, Varadarajan Mudaliar. Or he is cut down in his prime. Or a once successful gangster wants to reform or legalize, but finds that the past is too full of tangled knots for him to untie.
Internationally, the gangster genre is a clearly identifiable subset of the crime film (which includes noir and suspense). Mostly it deals with organized crime in urban settings where inequality and opportunity exist in equal measure. In American cinema, the initial wave of films, made around the Great Depression and the Prohibition era, were tied to the social phenomenon of large-scale migration to cities in the early 20th century, the consequent grappling with poverty and injustice, and the formation of criminal gangs. The cult of real-life figures such as Al Capone helped shape the DNA of movies like Little Caesar (1931), Scarface (1932) and Angels With Dirty Faces (1938), and even in these early years there were many intriguing meeting points between reality and fiction: For instance, the real-life gangster John Dillinger was killed shortly after leaving a theatre where he had watched Manhattan Melodrama, a 1934 film in which Clark Gable played a charming crook who is sentenced to the electric chair. Many decades later, movies like Barry Levinsons Bugsy (1991) and Michael Manns Public Enemies (2009) would attempt to provide a distant, historical view of this period, its many colourful personalities, and its cinema.
While some gangster movies are loose biographies of real-life figures, and some simply content themselves with telling intimate fictional stories, there are also big-canvas films about the building of a society atop the twin pillars of law and lawlessness. You can often identify such films by their titles, as with Sergio Leones Once Upon A Time In America (1984) or Martin Scorseses 2002 Gangs Of New York (the title of the U2 song in its soundtrack, The Hands That Built America, says a lot too).
Ajay Devgn in Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai.
Milieus
In the Indian context, the genres boundaries are harder to locate. In the early years we had hardly any films with a gangster as protagonist; such characters were more often the shadowy figures who served as nemeses or mentors (or both) for the hero: the sinister K.N. Singh leading the innocent Dev Anand towards nightclubs and gambling dens in Baazi (1951); or the more benevolent Motilal in Anari (1959), a respectable" businessman who isnt above letting an accidentally adulterated bottle of medicine stay in the market.
It was mainly with the growth of the dacoit film, and the outlaws played by Dilip Kumar in Gunga Jumna (1961) or Sunil Dutt in Mujhe Jeene Do (1963), that the leading man took on the mantle of being a gangster-like" figure. But this raises the question: Can a rural daku film be granted honorary membership in the gangster film" category? Could Indian cinema have given the genre one of its few major female protagonists, via Shekhar Kapurs hugely influential Bandit Queen (1994), about the journey of Phoolan Devi from victimhood to power?
In 50 Indian Film Classics, the writer M.K. Raghavendra proposes that in Hindi cinema a daku film that moves to the city becomes a gangster film. That seems reasonable enough, but the lines here are more blurred than in Hollywood, where the Western (with bandits operating in rural landscapes) and the city-based gangster films are clearly separate categories. Mainstream Hindi cinema, on the other hand, famously mixes and mashes genres, and some of our dramatic stories straddle both rural and urban settings.
There was a time when an idealistic binary was drawn between the village (or small town) as a site of innocence and communal living, versus the big city (usually Mumbai) as the impersonal, opportunity-and-corruption-laden place where you might find new definitions of family and friendship, but where you might also lose your soul if you werent careful. However, in more recent years, films like Anurag Kashyaps Gangs Of Wasseypur have depicted a form of organized, parallel-economy crime in the hinterland, where gangsters dont have to live as gun-toting outlaws amid barren rocks, but can be firmly entrenched in the community. And from an earlier time, there is at least one important film I can think of which suggests that a capacity for violence can flow very easily from one milieu to another.
Jackie Shroff and Anil Kapoor in Parinda.
This film is J.P. Duttas 1989 Hathyar, which has a small cult following today despite never having been officially released on DVD, and despite having been overshadowed in its own time by the other major gangster film of that year, Vidhu Vinod Chopras Parinda. Considered together, these two films offer a fascinating design. Both are commercial movies, featuring big stars, song sequences and doses of high emotion, but they are unusually sophisticated and carefully crafted for their period, and both subvert some mainstream conventions: Parinda, for instance, has a startling burst of climactic violence where the romantic leads played by Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit are murdered in bed on their wedding night, as well as a stylized, over-the-top performance by Nana Patekar as the main villain, who, it is indicated, killed his own wife and child (much like one of Hollywoods baddest mobsters, the near-mythical Keyser Soze of The Usual Suspects).
An important difference is that while Parinda is exclusively a Mumbai moviedrawing partly on Elia Kazans On The Waterfront (1954), about one brother who has become morally compromised and another who is tainted by associationHathyar moves between the city and the more feudal setting where the protagonist Avinash (Sanjay Dutt), scion of a Thakur clan, first learnt to wield guns as a child. Once in the city, his appetite for destruction finds new avenues and makes him a natural weapon for established gangsters.
Taken together, these films point the way forward to Ram Gopal Varmas hard-hitting Satya (1998), a gangster-movie landmark that brought together a number of talentsnotably screenplay writer Anurag Kashyap, music director Vishal Bhardwaj and the actor Manoj Bajpayeewho would have significant careers in the multiplex era to come, and would also do important work in the genre. Kashyap, for instance, made the colourful, multi-generational saga Gangs Of Wasseypur as well as the more sober Black Friday (2004); not a gangster film" exactly, but one that offered a plausible depiction of the real-life underworld don Tiger Memon (played by Pavan Malhotra). Meanwhile, Varma himself went on to make other underworld films with varying degrees of success, notably Company (2002) and Sarkar (2005).
Manoj Bajpayee in Satya.
Melodrama and style
We usually take it for granted that commercial Hindi cinema reshapes established international genres to make them more melodramatic, or masaledaar. To a degree, this is true of the gangster genre: Consider such films as the Godfather-inspired Zulm Ki Hukumat (1992), which sugar-coated the patriarch (Pitamber, played by Dharmendra), clearly spelling out that he wouldnt ruin the lives of innocent youngsters by trading in drugs; the story thereby enabled his two brothers, the opportunistic Shakti Kapoor and the noble Govinda, to fit into a bad guy-good guy classification in a way that Sonny and Michael Corleone never could.
But as should be clear to anyone who knows the form, even outside India the gangster film has always lent itself naturally to being dramatic, larger than life, full of panache (as critic David Thomson noted, The gangster can do and say things that are over the top."). This is true not only of the wonderful films of the early 1930s, a time when sound cinema was in its infancy and the recording equipment was as undeveloped as the patois of some of those street rowdies; it is also true of the second great movement which began in the more naturalistic" late 1960s with films like Arthur Penns Bonnie And Clyde and Scorseses Mean Streets.
Even The Godfather, which looks stately and subdued from a distancetwo of its defining characteristics being cinematographer Gordon Willis use of lowlight photography, and the mumbling understatement" of the method acting schoolhas plenty of showy things in it: Look at the languorous camera movement, sadistically stretching the moment out for the viewer, when the horses bloody head in the bed is revealed; look at nearly everything James Caans Sonny Corleone does, including his assault on his brother-in-law, and the death scene he gets at a gas station. Andat risk of putting you off, dear readerone of my favourite moments in Coppolas trilogy is the magnificently melodramatic ending of The Godfather: Part III, the scene on the opera-house steps (such an apt setting) where the death of Michaels daughter is followed by his silent scream, set to Pietro Mascagnis lush Cavalleria rusticana score (as well as the wailing of a large and vocal Italian clan).
It can be very stimulating when the sensibility of a film-maker who isnt afraid to use style for styles sake is married with a story and a protagonist that demand flair: Think of the two films Brian De Palma made with Pacino: the 1983 Scarface remake (about a gloriously unrepentant drug lord) and the mellower Carlitos Way 10 years later (an ex-con wants to escape the past and start afresh, but cant). There are many other delightfully show-offish scenes: Marsellus Wallace and his verbose hitmen Jules and Vincent in Pulp Fiction (1994); the shoot-out on the Union Station steps in The Untouchables (1987), and the long tracking scene in the same film where the camera follows a newspapers journey all the way to the hotel-room bedside of Al Capone (played by De Niro); the visceral ending of The Public Enemy, Tom trussed up in a body cast, like something out of a horror film, falling forward when his family opens the door.... I could go on, but you get the drift.
Rishi Kapoor in D-Day.
The moral question
However, the stylishness of the genre also raises what might boringly be referred to as the ethical question: If gangster films are fast-paced and thrilling, can they also meaningfully critique the lifestyles they depict?
Mainstream Hindi cinema has traditionally required a comeuppance for the bad guy or for the faltering anti-hero, but even in the Angry Young Man of the 1970s you could sense film-makers straining to break free from the rules" and to be unabashedly amoral. This was achieved to a degree by the dual role in Don (1978), which allowed Bachchan to play a good guy (the bumpkin double) for most of the film, but also gave us a glimpse, in the original Don who dies 40 minutes into the story, of a ruthless man who doesnt have the trappings of a tragic backstory or a suffering, Nirupa Roy-like mother.
But even a film that does explicitly state a moral position can take on a life of its own and veer away towards nihilism or the celebration of crime. Im thinking again of the opening of Hathyar, where a little boy is gifted a rifle by his Thakur uncle. The father objects and tries to take it away, but the son says, Nahin, hum khelenge (No, I will play)," and the close-up of his little hand clutching this toy" dissolves into one of the adult Avinash lovingly loading bullets into a shiny rifle to a tuneful background score. Its a seductive scene, and there are others in this vein later; though Hathyars crime and violence doesnt pay" message is spelt out, and there is a fine role for Rishi Kapoor as the voice of reason, one can wonder if the film compromises itself by making the violence too thrilling (incidentally, Rishi Kapoor played a deliciously profane Dawood Ibrahim-like character in Nikkhil Advanis D-Day about 25 years later, and seemed to relish it more than his goody-goody Hathyar part).
The Hollywood gangster films of the early 1930s were required by the production code to include a prologue and epilogue stating that the protagonists were menaces and that their activities needed to be condemned and fought. Yet, as more than one reviewer of the time pointed out, this felt like a token gesture. In both The Public Enemy, where he groans I aint so tough" before collapsing in the gutter, and in Angels With Dirty Faces, where his character turns yellow" before being executed, Cagney had to do things that would make him seem like a loser to impressionable youngsters watching the film. But given the actors charisma and the force of his best scenes, it probably didnt work.
Here is the conflict: The most enthralling protagoniststhe tragic anti-heroes whom we are sympathetic to, the psychopaths whose wildly over-the-top actions we are excited by, the characters who make our pulse raceare the same people whom the ethical film" is expected to condemn in the end. Given that Shah Rukh Khan is, to put it mildly, a charming actor with a fan following, its likely that these questions will be raised again when Raees, and other gangster films, hit our screens.
Jai Arjun Singh writes the column Above The Line for Mint Lounge and is the author of The World Of Hrishikesh Mukherjee.
The great Indian rural vacation Where the sharing economy meets rural development /news/talking-point/the-great-indian-rural-vacation-111646912099571.html 111646912099571 story
Airbnb, the peer-to-peer network for rental accommodation, recently signed a partnership with the Self-Employed Womens Association (Sewa), a non-profit, for rural home-stays in Gujarat.
When its director, Reema Nanavaty, shared the news with thousands of Sewa bens (sisters in Gujarati), some embraced the idea wholeheartedly. Valiben Parmar, a 65-year-old Sewa leader, was one of them. We consider guests as our god, and letting them see our lifestyle, acquainting them with our villages history while bringing home Lakshmi? Why should I say no to such a delightful chance?" says the lively, white-haired matriarch who earns a regular income developing self-help groups, extending loans and adding members to Sewa.
After consulting the village panchayat, Valiben began renovating her house in Mehsana districts Vadu village. The new construction cost Rs26,000 and runs parallel to the old rooms, sharing a common wall. Valiben plans to keep the new rooms for herself. We have renovated the old building and brought in new linen as well. Also, we have built a new toilet for our international guests," she explains.
Mayaben Patel, the 35-year-old radio jockey who runs Sewas Vali No Radio, a narrowcasting community radio, out of Ganeshpura in Mehsana district, is painting the ground floor of her Navapura house a bright pink. My house is an old one, so we are doing some repair work. After the first few guests, we will have a better idea of how else we can make their experience better. But yes, TV and Wi-Fi will be the next facility that I plan for them," she says.
Mayaben, who has worked with Sewa for 17 years and was one of the first few bens to take to computer training, is more interested in the livelihoods that this partnership will open up. My husband, who works in a ceramic factory, can work as a guide and show them around. The neighbours who have cars can work as drivers for a few days each month."
A village girl in the Rann of Kutch.
This is in keeping with the principles of Ela Bhatt, Sewas founder. Bhatts mantra of 100-mile communities" speaks of basic needs like food (including water), clothing, housing, healthcare, education and banking being available within a 100-mile radius of anyone and everyone.
For the initial stages, Sewa has chosen homes in three districts of GujaratMehsana, Surendranagar and Patanfor listing on the website: these will be available for booking after 15 January. Later, the plan will be extended to other states.
The groundwork, however, has proven to be far more exciting than the paperwork.
Meetaben Parmar, a 45-year-old Sewa member, has spent the last month preparing the first floor of her house in Arsodiya village, Kalol taluka, in Gandhinagar district. One of the states more heavily industrialized areas, it sees a constant flurry of activity and official visits. Meetaben, assured of income, is now ready with two rooms, a kitchen, a washroom and a Western-style toilet. She has even put a TV in one of the rooms. And the balcony gets plenty of sunlight.
Valiben Parmar.
Apart from the livelihood possibilities, the women are happy at the thought of being able to share a roti" with the guests. Shobhnaben, Valibens daughter-in-law, has been given clear instructions to cook a hearty meal in case the guest living with them wants to have lunch or dinner with them. Because we are starting in winters, we plan to serve bajre ki roti and palak nu shaak (spinach sabzi) along with dal and rice. Of course, there will be a sweet like sukhdi or ladvo to go along with that," says Shobhnaben, even as her son, Bittu, who studies in class VII, smiles at all the excitement.
The sisters are ready for their guests. Its over to the tourists now.
Two men and a charpoy A contemporary dance performance that unflinchingly depicts homosexual desire /news/talking-point/two-men-and-a-charpoy-111646911926800.html 111646911926800 story
I told Mandeep a secret last night," says 31-year-old contemporary dance artiste Lalit Khatana, sitting in an airy apartment in Bandra, Mumbai, that has an expansive view of the Arabian Sea. Mandeep Raikhy, the director and choreographer of Queen-size, a contemporary dance performance with two menKhatana and 31-year-old Parinay Mehrasmiles. I told him that 15 days into rehearsals of Queen-size I was ready to quit. I couldnt do it," says Khatana, who grew up in Badshahpur, Gurugram, near Delhi, in a family filled with army men. It wasnt that Khatana found the sequences gruelling or the concept alien. Ive danced intimately with a woman in other performances, but this was different," he says.
Queen-size is a 180-minute-long performance with a minimalist settinga charpoy in the centre of a room, situated under a net of lights. Mehra and Khatana perform the roles of two men in love with each other and express desire, anger, companionship, pain and playfulness through tautly choreographed movements. The chemistry between the two is palpable. Whatever doubt Khatana may have faced while rehearsing for the show has clearly melted. I began to wonder why I was ready to quit even though I love to perform. What was stopping me?"
So Khatana gave himself another week, and when Raikhy began to look for someone to make the charpoy, he volunteered. Overnight, he strung a sturdy jute charpoy together (We do this all the time back home," he says), and this intervention allowed him to connect with the play in a more material way. At the same time, Khatanas investigation" into his own discomfort led him to realize that he simply didnt know how to touch another mans body with emotion, feeling and desire".
The trio was in Mumbai for a series of performances on 10-11 December.
In part, Raikhys piece is about breaking self-imposed barriers, and it is not surprising that Khatana undertook an exploratory journey and had an important realizationhis discomfort was his alone to resolve. For the audience viewing the showwhich first premiered in New Delhi in May, toured four North-Eastern cities in November and then came to Mumbaithe potential for discomfort is ever-present. At different intervals during the performance, the two performers undress down to their briefs; there is a visualization of homosexual desire that is absent in our hyper-sexualized environment, saturated otherwise with images and references of cisgendered heterosexuality; and the performers, quite often, make eye contact with their audience, sit amid them and punctuate the performance with opening the door, allowing more people to enter (or the existing audience to leave) every half-hour. There is an implicit expectation of voyeurship that puts the audience further on edgethey are made to bear witness to a kind of desire that was re-criminalized three years ago by the Supreme Court, when it ruled on the constitutional validity of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.
The inspiration for this performance lay in late film-maker Nishit Sarans piece on the necessity of scrapping the colonial-era law, titled Why My Bedroom Habits Are Your Business", which was first published in The Indian Express in 2000. Raikhy, then 20, was Sarans partner at the time. After the film-makers death in an accident in 2002, Raikhy left the country to study dance theatre at Londons Laban Dance Centre (now the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance).
After graduating from the Laban Dance Centre, he joined British choreographer and dancer Shobana Jeyasinghs company. By the time Raikhy returned to India, the landscape for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons had changed vastly. A legal battle begun in the 2000s reached fruition in 2009, when the Delhi high court delivered a landmark judgment that read down Section 377 so that it didnt apply to consenting adults. Some sections of the media began to represent the LGBT population in less sensational, more humanitarian ways, and the conversation on consent and sexuality became more common than it had been when Saran and other queer activists such as Siddharth Gautam (who helped form the Aids Bhedbhav Virodhi Andolan, to fight discrimination against people with AIDS) were talking of these issues in the 1990s.
Four years after the high court verdict, a bunch of petitions filed against the Delhi high court order were heard by the Supreme Court. In December 2013, the apex court upturned the high court verdict and reinstated Section 377, thus re-criminalizing any form of intercourse that was non-penile vaginal, bringing even consenting adults under its purview. Making Queen-size was both a political gesture and an act of personal courage for Raikhy.
Making Queen-size was a big deal, because it was a decision I had to make for myself without worrying about what (my fathers) morality is (and realizing that his morality) is for him to deal with, not me. This was a struggle," says Raikhy, who describes his fathers attitude to his sexuality as one of quietude"one which does not talk about his sexuality or engage with any conversation about sexuality. Raikhy also struggled with his intended audience and wondered if the piece would be reduced to something that is only outrageously provocative" and little else.
Raikhy began to think of this piece in 2015it was a year when several artistes, writers and scientists had begun to protest against what they perceived as censorship; many returned their Sahitya awards for excellence in various fields. In this country, dance is one of the more apolitical art forms, and I felt it was important for me to respond to the growing right-wing intolerance that was sweeping our country. I wanted to make a piece that would speak to the world were in," says Raikhy.
On 4 February, they will perform at the Attakkalari India Biennial in Bengaluru. For details, visit Bookmyshow.com.
Foot notes: The ground above your head Poland's subterranean world has cities of salt, tunnels built by the Nazis, and more /news/talking-point/foot-notes-the-ground-above-your-head-111646912051365.html 111646912051365 story
The sheer audacity and stupidity of the journey" I had just undertaken was never more apparent to me than when the ancient miners lift gave a terrifying little lurch and hurtled up to the surface of the mine. That was 327m above where I had spent the past 4 hours, burrowing my way through the serpentine passageways of a salt mine in Wieliczka, southern Poland. Just four days earlier, on 29 November, eight miners had lost their lives when a 3.4 magnitude earthquake triggered rockfall hundreds of metres beneath the surface at Europes largest copper mine, Rudna, near the town of Polkowice, in the south-western part of the country.
Finding myself addicted to the thrills of subterranean exploration, however, I had spent my time in Poland looking for underground sites to slip into. Here is what I found.
Miedzyrzecz Fortified Region
Stretching 80km between Gorzow Wielkopolski and Zielona Gora Dodge in Polands western Lubuskie region, the Miedzyrzecz Fortified Region is a warren of World War II fortifications. Visitors can go tens of metres underground to tour its tunnels, railway stations and halls, all built on the orders of Adolf Hitler. The bunkers are reinforced with solid steel walls and are interconnected by underground corridors, forming what is believed to be the longest defensive system in the world.
Miedzyrzecz is also one of Europes biggest hibernation sites for bats and sees over 30,000 of the winged critters homing in for the winter.
Wieliczka Salt Mine
Sitting 327m underground, the Wieliczka Salt Mine in the town of Wieliczka has been a tourist attraction since the 15th century, when tours were the preserve of the elite: You needed the consent of the king, which was only granted to a fortunate few. They could walk through an impressive maze of 2,391 chambers and 245km of galleries, excavated on nine levels. Now, one can take the 3km Tourists Route to visit the vast chambers hewed in solid rock salt (including one dedicated to Nicolaus Copernicus), the underground lake, and salt figures. Or one can choose to undertake the arduous 3km Pilgrims Route that finishes at the Chapel of St Kinga, made entirely out of salt, as is the mural copy of Leonardo da Vincis The Last Supper.
Krzemionki Opatowskie Flint Mine
Straight out of the Stone Age with a decidedly Flintstones vibe to itwith everything from the wax model of a well-endowed caveman to a recreated Jurassic-period dinosaur on displaythe underground Neolithic Krzemionki Opatowskie Flint Mine is located 8km north-east of Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski in south-central Poland. The 465m-long Tourist Route dips to 11.5m at its deepest point and takes you through chamber mining pits, with connecting sections excavated in limestone rock that pass inside the natural striped-flint-bearing bank.
Chelm Chalk Tunnels
Running under Polands industrial city of Chelm in the east, 27m below the surface at its deepest, are 15km of chalk tunnels, 2km of them navigable even today. Hewn by hand in the Middle Ages, when chalk was a prized commodity, the network of passages was sealed off when chalk mining was discontinued in the 19th centuryit was restored to its current form in 1985. The 50-minute-long tunnel tour runs through three underground complexesin the area of the Church of Holy Apostles The Messengers, and under the Old City Market Square and Przechodnia Street.
Ojcow National Park Caves
The fecund Ojcow National Park 16km north of Krakow may seem like any other suburban green lung, the kind that sees picnicking families descending en masse for a weekend in the wilderness", but there is more to Ojcow. There are as many as 400 caves here, scattered around the rather small (21 sq. km) park, with the okietka, Ciemna and Zbojecka caves being among the biggest. But it is the okietka Grotto that draws the highest number of visitors thanks to its guardian", a rather patriotic spider, who, according to legend, helped save the future king of the Piast dynasty.
Krakows Rynek Underground Museum
With the pyramid-like, blue-lit plexi-glass roof jutting out of the ground the only indicator of what lies beneath, Krakows Rynek Underground Museum sits buried 4m under the citys bustling Main Square. Replete with its own be-skeletoned" shallow graves, burnt out old mud houses and even a horse stable, the museum is the actual location of the ancient Krakow city centre. Recreating 13th century Krakow by means of holograms, the museums main exhibit takes you on an audiovisual journey to the time when Krakowthen the capital of Polandwas plundered by Mongol invaders in March 1241 in the infamous Tatar raid (also called the Sack of Krakow").
The resilience of Manas After a long period of plunder and civil unrest, one of India's greatest biospheres makes a remarkable comeback /news/talking-point/the-resilience-of-manas-111646911878555.html 111646911878555 story
2016 was a difficult year for wildlife. Continuous habitat loss pushing species to extinction, or to the brink of it, became common-feature news. The hunting and poaching of wild animals for illegal trade went on unabated. Then there was news of rail and road kills (19 elephants were killed in collisions with trains in 2016).
It was a particularly sad year at the Panna Tiger Reserve. Panna, which lost its entire tiger population to poaching in 2008, bounced back after a successful reintroduction and conservation programme. By April, tiger numbers had crossed 50 and the re-wilding work was lauded at a global conservation meet, as a rare conservation success story to be replicated at other sites. But much of this good work will be undone, for the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has cleared the Ken-Betwa river-linking project, which will cause a loss of approximately 200 sq. km (core and buffer areas combined) in the tiger reserve. Ironically, the decision came a few days before India celebrated Wildlife Week in October.
Amid all the gloom, however, there is still a glimmer of hope. Last month, I revisited the Manas Tiger Reserve and National Park in north-west Assam (it extends to Bhutan in the north, where it is known as the Royal Manas National Park) to witness a remarkable comeback, although much work still remains to be done to restore it to its former glory.
Soon after it received the status of Unesco World Heritage Site in 1985, Manas was plunged into violence as an armed struggle for a Bodoland state carved out of Assam took centre stage. From the late 1980s to early 2000s, the forest was a hotbed of militancy that nearly wiped out the parks mega faunatiger, rhino, elephant, wild buffalo and deer. Large-scale timber felling was reported but no official dared to venture even close to the park.
The mindless plunder continued till the early 2000s. Things began to change slowly from 2003, after the Bodo Liberation Tiger Force (BLTF) surrendered, a peace agreement was reached and the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) formed. A couple of years later, another militant group, the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), also signed a ceasefire agreement.
For wildlife conservationists, Manas was the crown jewel in Indias national parks, home to 22 of Indias most threatened species of mammals and 26 globally threatened birds", such as the Assam roofed turtle, Hispid hare, golden langur, capped langur, Pygmy hog and Bengal florican. Its range of habitats harboured a rich diversity of plant lifethe Unesco report mentions 89 tree species, 49 shrubs, 37 undershrubs, 172 herbs, 36 climbers, 15 orchids, 18 ferns and 43 species of grasses.
Manas is also an elephant reserve and biosphere reserve.
It was only after the peace accord that forest officials and conservationists could return to work and survey the park. The Manas National Park was almost completely stripped of its faunal and floral heritage during the period of civil unrest in the region. The park lost almost all its 100 or so rhinos, most of its swamp deer and wild buffaloes and a large number of elephants and tigers along with a myriad other creatures during the peak of the poaching period. I was one of the few biologists who visited the park just after the dark years and I was stuck by its resilience and stark beauty despite the years of damage done to it," says Vivek Menon, executive director and chief executive officer, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI). This writers maiden visit too was soon after the truce, but sporadic instances of violence and kidnapping kept nature enthusiasts away from the park.
In 2005, Menon and his team did a survey to take stock and produced a report on how to restore the lost glory of Manasit was titled Bringing Back Manas. In January 2006, the WTI reintroduced the great one-horned rhinoceros to the park. This was the first rescued and rehabilitated rhino in South Asia. Since then, the WTI has successfully rehabilitated Asian elephants, clouded leopards and Asiatic black bears. A large part of the restoration of habitat and species relocation was made possible with support and funding from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (Ifaw). When no one wanted to invest in this troubled landscape, Ifaws steadfast support to Manas for a decade is commendable," says Menon.
There were other conservationists too who helped in the restoration and infrastructure process. While Goutam Narayan from the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme in Guwahati released the rare suids (pig family), wildlife biologist Bibhuti Lahkar worked tirelessly for the restoration and better management of grasslands, a necessity for species like Pygmy hogs and Hispid hares. Lahkar also played a role in the rehabilitation of poachers who surrendered, and in training local youth as park protectors.
In September, Lahkar was recognized as a Heritage Hero for his work in Manas by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) at the World Conservation Congress. A message from IUCN states, The most tangible result to have emerged from Lahkars work has been its removal from the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2011.
BTCs deputy chief Kampa Borgoyary has played an important role in Bringing Back Manas", says Menon. He has been keen to conserve Manas and the regions wildlife of the region so that the indigenous Bodo people can enjoy the benefits of ecosystem services.
In August, Borgoyary announced the first addition of 350 sq. km area to the existing 500 sq. km of Manas National Park. This is a step towards project Greater Manasa larger landscape of 1,400 sq. km of Manas Tiger Reserve. In Borgoyarys words: Bringing back Manas is very close to my heart. This is a cherished treasure of this region and I, on behalf of the Bodoland Territorial Council, invite people to help in its restoration."
Out In The Wild is a column on the good, bad and ugly of nature conservation. Ananda tweets at @protectwildlife.
Shipwreck Site
(Image credit: University of Western Florida)
Planks from the hull of a 1559 shipwreck sit on the sandy bottom of Pensacola Bay. Researchers are the University of Western Florida discovered this shipwreck in summer 2016 after a magnetic survey of the ocean bottom. The ship was one of six that went down in the bay during a hurricane in September 1559. It was part of a fleet led by Spanish conquistador Don Tristan de Luna, who was attempting to settle a permanent colony where Penascola, Florida, now sits.
[Read more about the Spanish shipwreck]
Wreck Site
(Image credit: University of Western Florida)
A nervous fish hovers at the wreck of a Spanish shipwreck discovered in summer 2016. This is the third ship from the Luna expedition to be discovered in the bay. The first was found nearby this spot in 1992, and the second in 2007. Because researchers don't know the names of each specific ship, they have named them for the nearest geographical feature, a peninsula called Emanuel Point. Thus, the 1992 ship is the Emanuel Point I, the 2007 discovery is the Emanuel Point II, and this is the Emanuel Point III. Based on documents from the Luna expedition, researchers think there are three more shipwrecks somewhere in the bay.
Emanuel Point III Artifacts
(Image credit: University of Western Florida)
Researchers discovered the Emanuel Point III buried in the sand under 7 feet (2 meters) of water in Pensacola bay while investigating a magnetic anomaly under the surface. Magnetic anomalies are typically false alarms, like old fishing traps or buried junk, said marine archaeologist Greg Cook of the University of Western Florida. But within a few minutes of probing the sands, archaeology students from the university found large cobbles, which were used for ballast in 16th-century ships. Hand excavations revealed ceramic fragments like these, which are consistent with 16th-century Spanish pottery.
Spanish shards
(Image credit: University of Western Florida)
So far, archaeologists have dredged some areas of the Emanuel Point III shipwreck and uncovered planks, timbers, iron concretions and ceramic pieces like these. The colonists probably salvaged what they could from the shallow-water wrecks after the storm died down, marine archaeologist Cook told Live Science. Nevertheless, they often left things behind. In the Emanuel Point II shipwreck, for example, the archaeologists found an ivory manicure set that would have been a very expensive loss for its owner.
[Read more about the Spanish shipwreck]
Ballast
(Image credit: University of Western Florida)
Large cobbles found in the wreckage of the Emanuel Point III were the first sign to researchers that they might have a shipwreck on their hands. However, they had to excavate further to find timbers to confirm the discovery, as ships sometimes dumped piles of ballast before they took on new cargo.
Pieces in the wreckage
(Image credit: University of Western Florida)
The hurricane that struck Luna's fleet in September 1559 made landfall only a few weeks after Luna's would-be colonists arrived at what is now Pensacola, Florida. There were 1,500 people in the expedition, 12 ships and 240 horses.
"It would have been a pretty nasty place to live," said marine archaeologist Greg Cook.
The loss of the ships, which had many supplies aboard, permanently crippled the effort to establish a colony. The survivors of the hurricane pushed inland but weren't able to establish a permanent settlement. The episode convinced the king of Spain to pull back on colonizing the Gulf of Mexico, Cook said, and future Spanish attempts focused on the East cost.
Ship's Vessels
(Image credit: University of Western Florida)
The ceramics found among the ballast of the Emanuel Point III were coarse-fired vessels that would have held everything from water to wine to olives to vinegar, said the University of Western Florida's Cook. Even small fragments can reveal the daily life aboard a 16th century ship, Cook said, and give insight into the details that an expedition leader like Luna wouldn't have documented in letters or diaries.
[Read more about the Spanish shipwreck]
Meanwhile, on shore
(Image credit: University of Western Florida)
In 2015, construction in a residential area in Pensacola turned up 16th century artifacts the first evidence of Luna's colony on land. Here, University of Western Florida researcher Tom Garner holds a fragment of the neck of an olive jar, an all-purpose vessel used by Spanish colonists to hold food, wine and other supplies.
Other wreckage
(Image credit: University of Western Florida)
A nearly intact plate found in the Emanuel I shipwreck, which was discovered in 12 feet (4 m) of water in Pensacola Bay in 1992. This style of glazed ceramic is known as majolica. In the Emanuel I and II shipwrecks, researchers also found artifacts including an armored breastplate and a ivory manicure set with a built-in whistle.
Iron Nails
(Image credit: University of Western Florida)
Iron nails found on land at the Luna settlement site in 2015. One of the ships in the flet was run aground by the September 1559 hurricane, according to marine archaeologist Cook, and colonists likely salvaged every nail and timber from that vessel to help build the settlement.
Excavating on the Seafloor
(Image credit: University of Western Florida)
An archaeologist with the University of Western Florida excavates at the Emanuel Point II shipwreck site. Researchers are still wrapping up their study of this second shipwreck. They've covered their initial excavations of the Emanuel Point III shipwreck with sand to preserve the fragile 150-year-old wood and will return to that site in the summer of 2017, Cook said.
The third of six sunken Spanish ships that were lost in a hurricane in 1559 has been discovered off the coast of Pensacola, Florida.
In the summer of 2016, the wreck of the ship, dubbed the Emanuel Point III, was found resting under the sand 7 feet (2 meters) below the ocean surface in Pensacola Bay. Archaeologists have found the ship's hull, ballast rocks and ceramic artifacts in the wreckage. The ship was part of a failed colonization attempt by Spain that took place just 60 years after Christopher Columbus first sailed across the Atlantic.
"The shipwrecks themselves are giving us insights into these amazing machines they were developing for these voyages that were never really happening before," marine archaeologist Greg Cook, of the University of West Florida, told Live Science. [Images: See the Lost Luna Shipwreck and Artifacts]
A failed colony
The recently discovered ship was part of a fleet that was led by Don Tristan de Luna, a conquistador who attempted to be the first European to establish a permanent colony in North America. The Spanish fleet launched from Vera Cruz, Mexico, Cook said, with 12 ships carrying a total of 1,500 would-be colonists onboard. It landed in Pensacola Bay on Aug. 15, 1559. On Sept. 19, a hurricane struck. The colonists lost seven ships and many of their supplies, which were being stored onboard.
"It went from being a pretty well-prepared expedition, 24 hours later, to being a survival camp," Cook said.
A nervous fish hovers at the wreck of a Spanish shipwreck discovered in summer 2016. (Image credit: University of Western Florida)
Some colonists died in the hurricane. The rest tried to push inland, but they lasted only until 1561 before abandoning the settlement. After the disaster, the king of Spain gave up on colonizing the land around the Gulf of Mexico and decided to focus on the East Coast instead, Cook said. St. Augustine, Florida, which was founded four years later in 1565, would go on to achieve the title of the first permanent North American settlement.
The first lost ship in the de Luna fleet, the Emanuel Point I, was found in 1992, and the second, dubbed the Emanuel Point II, was discovered in 2007. In 2015, a local historian noticed pottery shards at a construction site in a residential neighborhood abutting the bay. University of West Florida archaeologists found that the shards were Spanish artifacts dating to the 16th century. The shards were the first terrestrial evidence of the colonists' temporary home, known as the Luna settlement.
New find
As part of a research grant to study the Emanuel Point II wreck and look for more ships, Cook and his colleagues conducted a survey, which was colloquially called "mowing the lawn," between the site of the Luna settlement and the two known shipwrecks. During the survey, marine archaeologists went back and forth in straight lines with a magnetometer, which detects magnetic anomalies from metal on the seafloor. In the summer of 2016, the researchers found roughly 100 magnetic anomalies, Cook said, including one in a sandy-bottomed spot in about 7 feet (2 m) of water. The Emanuel Point I and Point II shipwrecks are in about 12 feet (4 m) of water. All of the wrecks are named after a nearby peninsula, since the original ship names aren't known.
"We thought this would be a good opportunity for students to learn how to do searches," Cook said. The bay is full of metal garbage, he said, from old fishing traps to dumped cars and even discarded pizza ovens, so the team wasn't expecting a blockbuster find.
"Nine times out of 10, it can be some wire rope from a barge, or a fish trap or crab trap," Cook said.
But within a few minutes of diving, the student archaeologists reported that their probes were hitting rock under the sand. They excavated by hand to find large cobbles the same sort used as ballast in 16th-century ships. Soon, they turned up ceramic artifacts as well.
Artifacts of life
That wasn't enough evidence to prove that they had found a shipwreck, though, Cook said. Ships often dumped ballast if they had to take on more cargo, and those piles of rock can mimic the look of a wreck. The team applied to the state of Florida for permission to do a more intensive exploration with dredges.
"It wasn't until we could dig through and see that we had intact hull timbers that we were willing to say we had a wreck," Cook said. [Shipwrecks Gallery: Secrets of the Deep]
The excavation turned up the ship's frame, outer hull planking and more artifacts, including fragments of olive jars, which were used to carry food, wine and other supplies.
Of the seven ships that were destroyed by the 1559 hurricane, six went down in the bay and one was grounded on shore, Cook said. That means that three more wrecks from the de Luna expedition remain to be found. The artifacts onboard tell archaeologists more about the day-to-day life on these expeditions than leaders like de Luna would ever think to include in their letters, Cook said. For example, on the Emanuel Point II, the team discovered an ivory manicure set deep in a ballast pile, complete with toothpick and ear scoop, he said. The set, which looked a bit like a Swiss army knife, even had a whistle on it that still worked after 450 years, Cook said. It probably belonged to one of the major officers in the fleet, perhaps even to de Luna himself.
"When that was lost, I'm sure it really ruined someone's day," Cook said.
The team members have covered the initial, excavated portions of the Emanuel Point III with sand to preserve the wood. They're currently finishing documenting the Emanuel Point II and will likely return to study the third shipwreck in more detail next summer, Cook said. They also plan to keep surveying for more lost de Luna ships.
Original article on Live Science.
Personality, once thought to be fundamental and resistant to change, can shift in response to therapy, new research finds.
The study synthesizes data from 207 published research papers that measured personality traits as one outcome of various psychotherapies. Though most of the research was observational rather than experimental, the review, which was published on Jan. 5 in the journal Psychological Bulletin, adds new weight to the idea that personality is not static.
But that doesn't mean that personality change is easy, warned study researcher Brent Roberts, a social and personality psychologist at the University of Illinois.
"For the people who want to change their spouse tomorrow, which a lot of people want to do, I don't hold out much hope for them," Roberts said. However, he continued, "if you're willing to focus on one aspect of yourself, and you're willing to go at it systematically, there's now increased optimism that you can affect change in that domain." [10 Things You Didn't Know About You]
Consistency or change?
Previous research has found that the "big five" personality traits openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism are predictive of success in life.
And much research has suggested that these traits are stable. For example, one 2010 study showed that people's personalities were relatively stable from first grade to adulthood, and that a first grader's personality could predict his or her adult behavior, the review said. People who were impulsive as kids were likely to be talkative and expansive in their interests as adults, while those who were more restrained as children grew up to be more insecure and timid.
Studies such as that one have led some researchers to view personality as basically immutable. But other scientists have challenged that notion, including Roberts in his own research. For example, he and his colleagues foundthat people become more conscientious and emotionally stable during young adulthood and midlife. Openness to new experience increases in the teen years and declines in old age.
If personality can change, even late in life, Roberts told Live Science, the natural next question was whether a person could change his or her personality deliberately. Some research analyzed in the review suggested that even surprisingly short-term interventions might do just that.
In 2009, for example, researchers at Northwestern University in Illinois found that antidepressants make people more extraverted and more emotionally stable. And a 2011 study found that a single dose of psilocybin, the hallucinatory compound in "magic mushrooms," can increase people's openness to experience for at least 14 months, which is considered a long-term change.
Gold mine of data
When Roberts and his colleagues first became interested in looking at whether interventions can change personality, they expected to find few studies to analyze, because personality psychologists don't typically focus on altering personality, Roberts said.
"I thought we could do this pretty quick, which, you should never say that as an academic," Roberts said. [5 Things You Must Know About Sleep]
To his surprise, Roberts said, he found what he called a "gold mine" of data on personality change. It came from an unexpected source: clinical psychology. While personality psychologists had more or less neglected the question of how to change personality, clinical psychologists had been measuring personality change that resulted from therapy and psychiatric medications all along, but almost as an afterthought.
"Most of the literature is [asking], 'Does this version of cognitive behavioral therapy work better than that version of cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety?'" Roberts said. "It's usually something very specific to a clinically motivated agenda [but] in the process, they measure a bunch of different things."
Those things included personality. The biggest changes, Roberts and his colleagues found, were in people's levels of neuroticism. This trait is marked by jealousy, fear, anxiety and other negative emotions. People typically become less neurotic as they age, Roberts said. The new analysis found that three months of psychological treatment could also significantly lower neuroticism, by about half the amount you might expect to see over 30 to 40 years of adulthood.
"One way to look at that is you get half of a life in a three-month period," Roberts said. "I honestly did not expect to see effect sizes that large."
Another personality trait, extraversion, also showed significant, though smaller, changes after psychological interventions. The type of therapy used didn't seem to matter, the researchers reported Jan. 5 in the journal Psychological Bulletin, though psychotherapy was associated with slightly larger changes in personality than drug therapies alone. Hospitalization for psychiatric problems did not result in any personality changes, the researchers found.
Trait vs. state
One key question is whether the changes were representative of a change in fundamental personality traits versus simply a shift in psychological state, or mood, Roberts said. A person's mood, for example, can affect how he or she responds to questions about his or her personality.
"If you're in a bad mood and I force you to take a 150-item personality inventory, you might not respond well," Roberts said.
Complicating matters, few of the studies available were true experiments that randomly assigned patients to treatment and control groups. Those studies that were experimental, however, did show significantly larger effects on personality in the treatment group compared with the control group, the researchers found. And in the observational studies, follow-ups that took place months or years after treatment showed no evidence that people were backsliding: The changes that followed therapy stayed stable, suggesting that these are changes in people's basic personality traits rather than moment-by-moment moods, the researchers said. [9 DIY Ways to Improve Your Mental Health]
Still, more studies with long follow-up periods need to be done in order to really test the idea that personality can be changed, Roberts said. Ideal research, he said, would include randomly assigning patients to treatment as well as getting outside observers, like friends or family, to rate any personality changes. A perfect study would also follow people for several years after the treatment, Roberts said.
A further question is what is the "magic ingredient" in therapy that ushers in personality change, Roberts said.
"If you can actually affect change in something like neuroticism or conscientiousness," he said, "you could possibly have pretty interesting consequences for somebody, because personality traits are important."
Original article on Live Science.
A middle-age man in Canada with oral cancer found that medical cannabis oil may have helped to slightly reduce the size of a wound that his cancer caused on his cheek, according to a new report of his case.
The cannabis oil treatment also reduced the man's pain after the cancer created a hole in his right cheek, according to the report published in the January issue of the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. Studies have suggested that marijuana may work to treat cancer patients' pain.
Much more research is needed to know whether medical cannabis oil may have a wound-healing effect. But the man's case "really validates what has been known for thousands of years about the utility of cannabinoids in so many different areas," said Dr. Vincent Maida, an associate professor in the Division of Palliative Care at the University of Toronto, who treated the man. [25 Odd Facts About Marijuana]
"Ancient cultures used cannabis extracts on wounds," Maida said.
The 44-year-old man went to see Maida at a palliative-care clinic in Toronto in the spring of 2016 for the treatment of pain caused by a malignant wound in his right cheek. The man had been diagnosed with oral cancer three years earlier, and despite having the tumor surgically removed as well as undergoing radiation and chemotherapy for his condition, the cancer returned. The man had chosen, two years before his visit to Maida's clinic, to forgo any further treatments for his cancer, according to the report. (Palliative care generally involves only treatments to reduce pain.)
The man had tried taking opioid medications, but was still having severe pain in his cheek. In addition, he was experiencing side effects from those medicines, such as drowsiness and constipation, the man told Maida. He asked Maida to prescribe medical marijuana to treat his pain.
The doctor prescribed vaporized medical marijuana for the man, which the man then used for the next few months. The marijuana seemed to help alleviate the pain significantly, and allowed the man to reduce the doses of opioids he was taking. However, the wound in his cheek grew and the cancer eventually eroded through his cheek, creating a hole, which prevented the man from continuing to use vaporized marijuana.
The man then asked Maida for a prescription for medical cannabis oil, which he could apply directly to his wound. The man used the oil four times daily for about a month.
He found that his wound stopped growing, and shrank by a small amount, about 5 percent, over the next month. The man said he experienced pain relief starting about 10 to 15 minutes after he applied the oil to the wound, which lasted for about 2 hours after application.
However, about a month after the man started using the oil, he was admitted to a hospital because his overall condition had deteriorated. He died from cancer three weeks later, according to the report.
The new report showing that the cannabis oil seemed to work for treating the man's wound "is really interesting," said Dr. Anita Gupta, the vice chair of the Division of Pain Medicine at Drexel College of Medicine in Philadelphia, who was not involved in the report. [Mixing the Pot? 7 Ways Marijuana Interacts with Medicines]
So far, no actual studies have looked at using cannabis oil for wound treatment in people. One study, done on human intestine cells growing in lab dishes, suggested that cannabinoids may enhance the closure of wounds.
Though it is not clear why cannabis oil may have had a wound-healing effect in this case, one possible reason might be that the oil reduced inflammation, Gupta said.
However, she noted that more research is needed to examine whether cannabis oil may have any robust benefit in large numbers of patients with significant wounds.
Originally published on Live Science.
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A middle school teacher who pleaded guilty to having a long-term sexual relationship with a 13-year-old boy was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison.
Alexandria Vera, 24, a former Aldine ISD teacher, admitted to the relationship last year in exchange for a sentence decided by the judge with cap of 30 years in prison.
State District Judge Michael McSpadden said he does not believe Vera is a danger to other children, specifically not a classic pedophile, but that he needed to send a message to the community.
GROWING PROBLEM IN TEXAS: Texas seeing boom in teacher-student sex scandals
"We want out educators to teach our students," he said in court. "We want them to keep their hands off the students."
The former teacher was facing the possibility of life in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child.
The sentencing was complicated because the boy's family knew about the relationship and approved, the judge said. He said letters from the boy and his mother sought to put some of the responsibility on the eighth grade boy. The victim's mother worried that Vera might lose her job, the judge said.
In court, prosecutors outlined a string of deceptions from Vera, including moving the child and his father into her home and pretending to the outside world to date the father.
GUILTY: Teacher impregnated by 13-year-old student pleads
Prosecutor Denise Nichols said Vera had a pattern of manipulation to "groom" the child and his family so she could continue the illicit behavior.
"She has a history of straight-out deception," Nichols said.
Vera also paid cell phone bills, bought groceries for the family and attended holiday events with them as the boy's girlfriend.
Prosecutors hammered Vera for inappropriate behavior beginning in the classroom and extending to other students. She apparently let two eighth graders have sex at her home, prosecutors said in court.
DETAILS EMERGE: Aldine ISD teacher wanted in connection with sexual abuse of teenage male student
The prosecutor also said Vera's 6-year-old daughter knew about the illicit relationship and for some time called the 13-year-old "dad."
While her possible punishment was capped at 30 years, she was eligible for probation, which her lawyer argued was appropriate.
Defense attorney Ricardo Rodriguez called only one witness Friday, a therapist who profiled Vera to outline her mental state.
"I think she was driven by being in love with him," said Karen Lawson, a mental health professional who works with sex offenders, including sex addicts.
Lawson said Vera's history of seeing domestic violence situations as she was growing up, coupled with a deep need for love, led her to a relationship with the young man who flattered and seemed to adore her.
WANTED: Teacher sought in connection with sexual abuse of teenage male student
"She's someone who has a big heart," Lawson said.
Vera has been free on $100,000 bail, but has had to wear a GPS ankle monitor, stay away from schools and have no contact with the teen who allegedly impregnated her. She later had an abortion, according to court records.
Vera had faced a punishment range of 25 years to life in prison if convicted of continuous sexual assault of a child, a felony with a heightened punishment, even for first offenders.
McSpadden read a pre-sentence investigation prepared by court officials and several letters from supporters, including the victim's mother.
Vera was arrested after officials with Child Protective Services were notified about a possible sexual relationship and found out during their investigation that Vera had gotten pregnant and had an abortion.
Vera and the underage student apparently met when he was a student of hers in summer school at Stovall Middle School, according to court records.
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Webb County Court at Law II Judge Jesus Chuy Garza was arrested Thursday for allegedly asking an attorney for a loan in exchange for appointing her to represent the Carlos Y. Benavides Jr. estate in a civil dispute.
The $3,000 loan was for Christopher Casarez, one of Garzas court coordinators, prosecutors allege. Casarez died by suicide last year, according to Laredo police.
An indictment returned by a grand jury Wednesday charged Garza with one count of gift to a public servant by a person in his jurisdiction. The offense is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
Garza, alongside his attorney, turned himself in at about 3 p.m. at the Webb County Jail. He posted a $2,500 bond about 30 minutes later, Sheriff Martin Cuellar said.
The charges in this case stemmed from a joint investigation involving the Texas Attorney Generals Office, the Texas Rangers and the FBI, said Special Agent Michelle Lee, a San Antonio-based spokeswoman for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Lee, the Attorney Generals Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety declined further comment on the case, citing pending litigation or investigations.
Garzas attorney, Oscar O. Pena, said in a statement that his client maintains his innocence.
He intends to investigate the states claim and he looks forward to defending himself and putting this matter behind him, Pena stated. This is a difficult time for the judge, his family and his friends, but he has faced many challenges in his life and he intends to face this one too.
$3,000 loan
The indictment alleges that in January 2015, Garza solicited a $3,000 loan from local attorney Shirley Mathis. The loan was intended for Casarez, the indictment states. Garza was the presiding judge in a lawsuit involving the estate of Carlos Y. Benavides Jr., for which Mathis was the guardian.
Mathis did not respond to requests for comment from the Laredo Morning Times. She told the San Antonio Express-News, Im sorry, I cannot speak with you, and hung up when asked for comment.
Pena said the case against his client is in its initial stages.
I have not yet had access to the states report of investigation, but I believe that it will be made available to me very soon, he said in the statement.
With respect to the County Court-at-Law No. 2s case docket, Judge Garza will voluntarily work on options to ensure that pending cases are efficiently and expeditiously processed in a way that will not be affected by this event, will not cause delay, and will maintain the publics confidence in the judicial process, Pena said.
Civil dispute
Mathis was appointed permanent guardian of the wealthy Carlos Y. Benavides Jr.s estate in 2013, court records state.
Litigation involving Benavides and his estate has spread across two trial courts, three mandamus proceedings, seven appeals to the Fourth Court of Appeals and five prior petitions for review, according to court records.
The latest litigation is a petition for review, requested by Mathis, with the Texas Supreme Court.
On Jan. 6, attorney Baldemar Garcia filed an order discharging Mathis as the estate guardian.
Court records indicate Garzas signature remains pending on the order.
Death by suicide
Casarez was hired by the county in 2002. He died by suicide Dec. 11, according to a Laredo Police Department report.
At approximately 1 a.m., the Laredo Fire Department responded to an attempted suicide in the 100 block of Lake Carnegie Court.
Casarez was found unresponsive in his bedroom closet. Police said he had a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Reaction
Garzas brother, Ricardo Garza, a Laredo ISD school board member, said Thursday he appreciates the love and support the family has received from the community.
My family and everybody that knows my brother knows that in the 32 years hes been on the bench, he has been the most decent and ethical person you will ever meet, Garza said. The charges are frivolous and he intends to see it through so justice can prevail.
Garza said the community knows that his brother is incapable of breaking the law.
Even though its a bad thing in the eyes of the public, it makes the family stronger and brings us closer, he said.
Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina released a statement regarding Garzas arrest.
Because it is an ongoing investigation, I will reserve any comment for a more appropriate time, he stated. In the meantime, like all those accused, Judge Garza is entitled to due process and we will therefore allow the justice system to run its course.
Garzas tenure
Garza has served as County Court at Law II since 1993.
The court handles only civil and family cases, most commonly divorce and paternity suits.
The court also operates a DWI program, instituted in 2013 by Garza, that is targeted at providing alcohol and drug treatment services for individuals 18 years and older who have been arrested twice or more for driving while intoxicated and have alcohol use or alcohol and drug use disorders operates under Garzas court.
Judge Garza has helped resolve over 92,000 cases that have passed through his court while always respecting and protecting peoples right to due process it is now my privilege to protect his, said Garzas attorney, Pena.
In his 2014 bid for re-election, Garza spent more than $70,000 on his campaign and triumphed over Linda Garza-Martinez with 54 percent of the vote. Before becoming a judge, Garza served six years as justice of the peace and one year as a municipal court judge.
LMT staff writer Judith Rayo contributed to this report
Tech & Science, Family & Parenting, School & Education, Local News, Press Releases
By Long Island News & PR Published: January 13 2017
Governor Cuomo announced a plan to advance the States educational institutions, workforce investments, and economic development initiatives.
Albany, NY - January 12, 2017 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a comprehensive plan to advance the States educational institutions, workforce investments, and economic development initiatives to ensure New Yorks communities thrive in a 21st century economy. The proposal is part of the Governors 2017 State of the State agenda and proposes a series of investments designed to equip every New Yorker for the jobs of today and tomorrow, and make New York a national leader in building the nations most diverse and robust innovation economy.
New York State's technology industry is among the fastest growing and highest paying in the country, and these investments will expand access to quality, 21st century jobs, Governor Cuomo said. Transforming our educational institutions, workforce investments, and economic development initiatives will ensure that our students, our workers, and our businesses thrive in the nations leading innovation economy.
The Governors 21st century comprehensive workforce plan will:
Create the Tech Workforce Training Fund to Equip New Yorkers for 21st Century Jobs
Establish the New York Tech Workforce Development Task Force
Create Additional Early College High Schools to Provide Disadvantaged Students Opportunities in Tech Sector
Expand NYS Master Teacher Program to Designate a Special Cohort Dedicated to Computer Science Teachers
Incentivize Employers with Tax Credit for Incumbent Worker Training
$5.3 Million to Expand New Yorks Successful Early College High School Programs
Early College High Schools provide high-performing, at-risk students the opportunity to receive hands-on training, a free associates degree and first-in-line job opportunities upon graduating. Studies show that students who attend these schools are more likely to complete college than their peers.
The state will invest an additional $5.3 million to expand Early College High School Programs, such as the nationally recognized Pathways in Technology Early College High School program to include pathways to education and employment in the tech sector, with an emphasis on computer science education. This investment will create 10 new Early College High Schools in New York State and make New York the global leader in P-TECH student enrollment.
Early College High School Programs prepare students for jobs in technology, manufacturing, healthcare and finance, by bringing together public school districts, major employers, and institutions of higher education. High school students study under an industry-aligned curriculum, earn an associate degree at no cost to their families, and are first in line for jobs with participating companies upon graduation. This initiative will also support New Yorks efforts to transform failing schools, giving high schools that identified as failing or persistently failing preference in starting Early College High School Programs.
$2 Million to Expand the NYS Master Teacher Program
To build on the success of the Master Teacher Program and attract more teachers in tech fields, the state will invest $2 million to create a new cohort of 115 teachers grades K-12, specifically in Computer Science. Current master teachers will help mentor the new cohort to ensure the most innovative teacher practices in the STEM fields are shared across all grades and regions.
Master Teachers receive a $15,000 stipend per year over four years of participation, and pledge to engage in peer mentoring, participate in and lead professional development activities, and work closely with pre-service and early career teachers to foster a supportive environment for the next generation of Science Technology Engineering and Math teachers.
The New York State Master Teacher Program was launched in 2013 by Governor Cuomo to recognize the state's highest performing teachers ensuring the best and brightest stay in the classroom and share their expertise with peers and pre-service teachers. To date, more than 800 Master Teachers across all ten regions of the state have been selected.
Support K-12 Computer Science Education
Computer Science opens the door to the most in-demand 21st century occupations in New York and throughout the country, yet the majority of public schools do not offer Computer Science in the classroom. To equip students for the jobs of today and tomorrow, New York State must first train its teachers to deliver computer science education in classrooms across the state.
To expand students access to this field, Governor Cuomo will launch a public-private partnership to help train educators across the state to teach computer science. The state will offer professional development opportunities for teachers, and modernize the curriculum to advance computer science education across New York State so that all students have the opportunity to succeed in 21st century careers.
$5 Million Tech Workforce Training Fund
The Governor will launch the first-ever New York Tech Workforce Training Fund a $5 million fund designed to support innovative training and education solutions delivering New Yorkers into tech jobs, from software engineers to data scientists.
Tech Workforce Training Fund will leverage up to $5 million of discretionary Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds to deliver industry-informed tech training and connect eligible individuals to employment in what are among the state's fastest growing and highest paying occupations in New York State. The Training Fund will be disbursed to training providers through an RFP process, reviewed and informed by industry leaders.
New York Tech Workforce Development Task Force
Governor Cuomo will launch the New York Tech Workforce Task Force, a body of industry experts, academic leaders, and state officials who will inform New Yorks K-12, college, workforce and economic development investments and ensure their continued alignment with 21st century workforce demands. The Tech Workforce Task Force will deliver recommendations to modernize curricula at education institutions, create a more effective workforce training system for technology occupations in high demand, and lay a foundation for a workforce strategy that is responsive to the ever-changing technology workforce needs. Its work will engage industry leaders in defining workforce needs, building the localized training and education solutions to meet these needs, and informing workforce investments and educational alignment efforts statewide.
Incumbent Worker Training Tax Credit
A skilled and adaptable workforce is vital for New York companies to thrive in the 21st century economy. Today, business processes evolve at a rapid pace, and enhancing employee skills has become a crucial component of meeting market demands. To help employers invest in New Yorks workforce, Governor Cuomo will overhaul Empire State Developments Employee Training Incentive Program. The revised program will incentivize companies to include incumbent worker training as part of their expansion and retention projects, without a requirement to create new jobs. Businesses will be eligible for Excelsior Tax Credits if they train incumbent workers as part of their project; companies will include training costs in the total project budget.
Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases
By Long Island News & PR Published: January 13 2017
Ken Pienkowski, president of the Firemens Association of the State of New York, today issued a statement as the 2017 legislative session in Albany gets underway.
Albany, NY - January 12, 2017 - Ken Pienkowski, president of the Firemens Association of the State of New York, today issued the following statement as the 2017 legislative session in Albany gets underway:
Presumptive cancer coverage for volunteer firefighters is unquestionably FASNYs number-one priority for the 2017 legislative session. FASNY thanks State Senator Joseph A. Griffo and Assemblymember Aileen Gunther for introducing this legislation to start the new year, and for their valuable leadership on this issue. We urge Albany to act quickly to send this bill to Governor Andrew Cuomos desk. Thirty-five other states in the nation, most recently Ohio, have passed presumptive cancer legislation. The New York bill contains many of the same provisions as the Ohio legislation, including length of service requirements, a statute of repose, and an opt-out. These compromises will limit the financial impact on local municipalities, and were carefully negotiated between Albany lawmakers and FASNY last year with input from leading medical experts about the scientific realities of firefighter cancer. Fully 89 percent of New Yorks municipalities are protected by volunteer firefighters, who save the State approximately $3 to $4 billion each year, which is what it would cost to maintain an all-paid fire service.
The bill (S. 1411 / A. 711) passed the State Senate in each of the past two sessions but has not come to a vote in the Assembly. There are approximately 110,000 volunteer firefighters in New York State who sacrifice their own time, safety, and health to protect their communities without asking for anything in return. The science is undeniable: firefighting causes cancer, and no firefighter in New York, paid or volunteer, should be left alone in the event of a cancer diagnosis.
About FASNY
Founded in 1872, the Firemens Association of the State of New York (FASNY) represents the approximately 110,000 volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel in New York State. For more information, visit www.fasny.com
The State Council executive meeting on Jan 11 adopted two rules aimed at ensuring care and education equality for Chinas 85 million people with disabilities.
The executive meeting marks a big step forward in government efforts to effectively protect the rights and interests of people with disabilities, with the two regulations, an amended draft of the Rules on Education for People with Disabilities and the draft Rules on Rehabilitation of People with Disabilities.
Premier Li Keqiang said at the meeting that the protection of and care for people with disabilities are a sign of civilization and progress. He also stressed that it represents a big move to promote fairness and justice.
The rule on education emphasizes efforts to ensure compulsory education for people with disabilities as well as expanding vocational education, especially the prevention of discrimination in school enrollment.
The rule on rehabilitation calls for increased investment from the government and society and better health services to meet the basic needs of rehabilitation.
Family & Parenting, Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases, Seasonal & Current Events
By Long Island News & PR Published: January 13 2017
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is pleased to announce Black History Month 2017 at your Long Island State Parks.
Long Island, NY - January 12, 2017 - The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is pleased to announce Black History Month 2017 at your Long Island State Parks.
The month long celebration highlights some of Americas notable African Americans and their accomplishments through art work and informative posters. We invite you to visit us to learn more about these great Americans and their impact on American history and culture.
Displays will be set up for the month of February and admission is free. Please call the park directly to confirm hours.
Cultural Displays throughout the month of February are at these Long Island State Parks:
LI State Parks Regional Headquarters-Lobby Monday-Friday 10am-4pm
631-321-3510
Jones Beach State Park-Field 4-Central Mall Daily 8:30am-4:30pm
516-785-1600
Nissequogue River State Park-Administration Building Daily 8am-4pm
631-269-4927
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park-Visitor Center Sunday-Thursday 11am-4pm
516-922-8600
For more information please call the park directly or visit us at www.nysparks.com.
Local News, Press Releases
By Long Island News & PR Published: January 13 2017
Today, Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos announced the selection of top political strategist, Hank Sheinkopf, to head his campaign for Nassau County Executive.
Mineola, NY - January 13, 2017 - Today, Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos announced the selection of top political strategist, Hank Sheinkopf, to head his campaign for Nassau County Executive.
"This was an easy decision for me, said Nassau County Comptroller and County Executive candidate for the September democratic primary, George Maragos. Our campaign needs a steady, experienced hand who can assemble a team of top professionals to take on the insiders for the people of the county. Thats why I chose Hank Sheinkopf as my general strategist.
Sheinkopf has worked on an estimated 700 campaigns at every level domestically, from President of the United States, US Senator, US Congress Member, and local and county positions all the way down to city council. Additionally, he has been a strategist or has been involved in campaigns on four continents. Some of his clients have included the New York State Democratic Committee, President Bill Clinton, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and others. He has worked for many labor unions, both in the public and private sector, including the 23,000 member local 237 teamsters and was a consultant for many years for the Nassau County PBA.
I look forward to working with Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos, a genuine person and a proven business leader, said Hank Sheinkopf. "George has the integrity, experience and vision to end Nassau corruption, reduce taxes, protect the environment, improve public transportation and build a new economy which can create high paying opportunities. George is exactly the right person to put Nassau County back on track.
Mr. Maragos, who is now in his second term as Nassau County Comptroller, has over 35 years of senior management positions and accomplishments with leading organizations in Banking, Consulting and Information Systems. As president of SDS, he guided the firms growth for 20 years. Prior to SDS, Mr. Maragos was a Vice President of Citicorp and the Director of Telecommunications for Treasury Systems.
Wyandanch Man Charged with 5 Counts of Animal Abuse for Neglect of 24 Rottweilers
Pets & Animal, Crime, Press Releases
By Long Island News & PR Published: January 13 2017
A Wyandanch man was arraigned today and pleaded not guilty to 5 counts of the NYS Agriculture and Markets Law section 353 for neglect of 24 Rottweilers taken from his home.
Clement Hunte, 60, of Wyandanch, is charged with neglecting 24 Rottweilers.
Wyandanch, NY - January 13, 2017 - A Wyandanch man was arraigned today and pleaded not guilty to 5 counts of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law section 353 for neglect of twenty-four Rottweilers taken from his home. The neglect charges included failure to provide 5 of these animals with proper sustenance, ie. food and water. These animals were severely emaciated.
The investigation into Clement Hunte, 60, began with Town of Babylons Animal Shelter receiving notice of possible animal cruelty.
Hunte was ordered held in lieu of $25,000 cash bail, or $100,000 bond.
The dogs have been signed over to the Suffolk County SPCA
The US military said it killed three operatives from al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in a pair of airstrikes in central Yemen over the past two weeks. Both strikes, which occurred on Dec. 29 and Jan. 8, took place in the central Yemeni province of Al Baydah.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the operation in a statement released today and noted that AQAP remains a significant threat to the region, the United States and beyond. Previous CENTCOM announcements of attacks on AQAP described the group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization with a history of attacks against the United States and its allies.
AQAP remains entrenched in southern and central Yemen despite the active targeting of the group and its leaders by the US for eight years.
Major Michael Meyer, a CENTCOM spokesman, said in the release counterterrorism operations like these strikes put consistent pressure on the terrorist network and prevent them from plotting and executing attacks against the US and our allies.
CENTCOM remains committed to defeating AQAP and denying it safe havens in Yemen, Meyer continued.
The US has stepped up its air campaign against AQAP in Yemen. The US launched 38 airstrikes against AQAP in 2016, the largest yearly total since 2012 (41 strikes). The targets have varied, as all aspects of AQAPs network have come under fire. The US has killed senior and low-level leaders and commanders, as well as fighters. Additionally, the US has hit training camps, military formations, and even equipment captured from the Yemeni military.
AQAP still controls rural areas of central and southern Yemen despite both attacks from the US and a United Arab Emirates-led ground offensive, which ejected the group from major cities and towns that it held between March 2016 and the summer of 2016. AQAP claims to still operate training camps in Yemen to this day. In mid-July, AQAP touted its Hamza al Zinjibari Camp, where the group trains its special forces. Zinjibari was an AQAP military field commander who was killed in a US drone strike in Feb. 2016.
The US military targets AQAP with the approval of Yemens government in exile. The government was forced to flee the capital of Sanaa after Houthi rebels overran the city as well as several provinces in both north and central Yemen.
Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal.
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Ohhhh lovely ones just you wait until you read all about the utterly gorgeous wedding of Primary School Teacher Heidi and Procurement Manager Frazer, who tied the knot on the 23rd of March 2016 at Knocknamuckley Parish Church in Portadown. The newlyweds and their guests then celebrated in true style at the magnificent 800-year-old Ballymagarvey Village in Balrath, County Meath in Ireland.
Upon first sight of these lovely images by Kat Mervyn Photography and this beautifully captured montage of their day by Pigmint Film, I have completely fallen in love with everything about the couples early spring wedding, especially Heidis chosen attire and her peach floral crown. Total and utter perfection!
I dont think there was one particular thing that inspired us, simply just choosing what we loved. We have very similar tastes, so that made things very easy for us. We did add little French-themed touches here and there though, as a reminder of where it all started. We fell in love with all things French back in 2013, so much so that we returned to the South coast of France the following summer, and France, for obvious reasons, will always have a special place in both our hearts.
My Rime Arodaky bridal separates were purchased from The White Gallery in Burren, County Down. This shop is a beautiful boutique and is the exclusive stockist of Rime Arodaky in Ireland. I felt like the luckiest girl ever when I got to meet Rime herself. She was over in the boutique the weekend I chose my dress its a beautiful memory Ill forever treasure!
Photography by Kat Mervyn Photography
The beautiful bride added a long veil from Petticoat Lane Bridal, a pair of sky-high Christian Louboutins, a spritz of Jo Malone scent gifted by her mum, a fine pearl bracelet, diamond earrings from notonthehighstreet.com and the piece de resistance; a silk floral crown from the beautiful Whitby-based The Shepherds Purse; members of our most beautiful bridal resource Little Book for Brides (view their listing here).My floral crown was one of my favourite accessories from the day the beauty of it is that it wasnt made from fresh flowers, so I can keep it forever. I hope I have a little girl someday to pass it on to.
Our stationery was by an extremely talented watercolour artist from Paperbark Event Stationery who creates the most stunning bespoke/customised designs. The best feature was his map of the day it was just beautiful!
I loved the simple, timeless effect the dress had. I liked the way it was a two-piece and had very striking back detail with a dramatic train.
I didnt know what dress I would go for but always wanted a floral crown in my hair, in order to create a boho look. This dress fitted perfectly with my vision.
The suits, footwear and accessories for the best man, groomsman, ushers, father of the groom and father of the bride were supplied by Statement Menswear.
Frazer also bought the guys silver cufflinks to wear on the day which were engraved with each of their initials purchased from Etsy.
Flowers were one of the most important things for me I knew they had to be just perfect. I wanted them to compliment the boho look so needed them to look random with lots of loose greenery entwined.
I wanted my flowers to be the focus and stand out, so I choose blush/soft peach shades from The Posy Barn to contrast against my skylight blue bridesmaids.
I walked into Kathryns rustic shed the night before my wedding and the place was filled with flowers; I was overwhelmed and shed a tear (or 2 or 3) as they were perfect!
The flower girls look so adorable in their gorgeous dresses from Petticoat Lane Bridal, shoes via Rainbow Club, plus real floral crowns by the florist The Posy Barn.
In their pale blue Ghost London dresses from The White Gallery, Heidis maids were a picture of beauty; accessorising with heels from Kurt Geiger and Next, and pearl bracelets and earrings via notonthehighstreet.com.
Hair was by Lynette Murray with makeup by Jennifer Ireland.
Heidi was accompanied down the aisle by her beaming dad to Hymne by Vangelis and exited to Toccata from Symphony No. 5 by Widor. The couple had traditional vows included in a traditional Church of Ireland service and two bible readings one from I Corinthians, and the other from Ephesians and their wedding bands were from Murray & Co Wholesale Jewellers and Diamond Merchants.
I began teacher training at Queens University Belfast in September 2005 and met Frazer within the first week of being there (he was studying pharmacy at Queens at the time).
We officially got together on 25th November 2005 and spent almost eight years together as boyfriend and girlfriend, before Frazer got down on one knee in Villefranche-sur-Mer on the south coast of France and popped the question on 6th August 2013.
After the surprise engagement, we took our time to plan the wedding of our dreams, and eventually tied the knot two and a half years later on 23rd March 2016.
Our photographer Kat made us both feel so relaxed and comfortable; it was like being around a good friend all day. She almost never asked us to pose, and let us just be ourselves; in fact, most of the time it was like she wasnt even there. Kat is so creative, has such a great eye for detail, and when it comes to working with the light, she is simply a magician. She has given us the most stunning, natural, romantic memories of our day; memories which we will treasure forever!
Frazers custom-made three-piece blue tweed suit by Chris Suitor of Suitor Belfast and The Belfast Tailor included a personalised monogram stitched inside, which read F&H 23/03/16. His shoes and belt were from Robinsons Shoemakers, pale blue shirt via The Tailor Store, tweed tie from Statement Menswear and he added the sweetest touch; a Burberry pale blue pocket square (from eBay) with off-white lace trim stitched on by his Auntie Florence. And Heidi gifted Frazer with cufflinks engraved with FH on top and the date of their engagement (06/08/13) on the back.
The chocolate bar favours have the most heartfelt tale behind them.
For our favours, we decided to go with a company called Wee Choco who made and provided six flavours of large chocolate bars for us which we piled in a rustic wooden crate. Each chocolate bar was wrapped with a beautiful personalised old style paper wrapper.
The lovely thing is that this company provides employment opportunities for people with learning difficulties. Wee Choco look past learning difficulties, and tap into the creative talents of those with special needs, employing them to create and wrap each and every chocolate bar.
To compliment the venues many quirky areas, the couple added props from notonthehighstreet.com personalised rustic wooden crates, vintage photo booth props, hessian bunting, linen/lace bunting, personalised wooden outdoor directional sign, and kids I-Spy camera game props. They also added photos of themselves (placed throughout the manor house) and photos of their parents on their respective wedding days and of their grandparents (placed beside the wedding cake).
The money paid to Wee Choco goes towards supporting the employment opportunities that they provide a very worthwhile cause, and one that is very close to Heidis heart.
The incredibly delicious-looking cake was by Wendy Clint, Frazers cousin, and sat atop a rustic wooden log cake stand, which was made by Patrick Walsh of Wooden Treats, complete with an engraved heart shape and Mr & Mrs McFadden, 23 March 2016 carved into the front. I absolutely adore the very special touches Wendy included in her design.
We didnt even consider asking anyone else about a cake, and it meant so much to us that Wendy agreed and was able to do it. We both loved the rustic nature of buttercream icing and wanted a range of textures, twine and flowers rather than something fussy and ornate. Wendy captured our vision perfectly and produced the most stunning three-tier cake for us. Each tier had buttercream icing applied in a different pattern/texture.
Separating each tier was a rustic twine hand tied in a small bow. There were a few small flower arrangements to match the bridal flowers added to the cake, one of which was placed on top of the cake in a small floral teacup (over 100 years old) which has been passed down through the generations on Heidis side. To top things off, Wendy even placed a little ceramic plaque with the words made with love on the back of the cake, solely for us to see as we cut the cake a small touch which meant an awful lot to us.
Our amazing live band, The Gents, were four very talented musicians who entertained us all. And our first dance song was Tenerife Sea by Ed Sheeran, who we both love. I took Frazer to Wembley the previous summer to see him live for his 30th birthday. After that, there was really only one choice for a first dance song!
Words of Wedded Wisdom
Enjoy every single minute of it, as the day comes and goes in a flash! Take a few moments aside together at regular intervals on your big day to chill out and to take everything in. We were afforded the opportunity to do this, and it was absolutely priceless.
Frazer and I know each other very well (which is to be expected when you are with someone for over 10 years prior to getting married), but we definitely know we are meant to be after buying each other almost the same wedding gift. I thought of the unique idea of commissioning a painting of our wedding venue Ballymagarvey Village for Frazer, whilst Frazer came up with the equally unique idea of commissioning a painting showing both the church and Ballymagarvey Village for me!
I just love this wedding gift story proof that Frazer and Heidi were meant to be together. Its been a privilege to share your day with our readers and I cannot stop staring at Kats brilliant photos which so beautifully capture the vibe and the style of the day. For even more boho style by the talented Rime Arodaky, see here.
Sending hugs and positive thoughts to you all,
Love Jo -x-
Funded by the Medical Research Council, the Department for International Development and the Wellcome Trust, the study will compare the effectiveness, cost and ease of delivery of two new malaria interventions, the malaria vaccine RTS,S/AS01 and seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC).
Although progress is being made to tackle malaria, it remains one of the biggest killers of children in sub Saharan Africa. According to the World Health Organization there were an estimated 429,000 malaria deaths worldwide in 2015, 92% of which occurred in Africa with the highest proportion being in children under five years old.
This double-blind, randomised controlled trial will involve 6000 children in Burkina Faso and Mali aged between 5-17 months. Two groups will be given either RTS,S/AS01 or SMC, with a third group receiving both interventions. Results from the 3m four-year study will help determine the best strategy for preventing seasonal malaria in the African Sahel and sub-Sahel.
SMC involves treating children with the antimalarial drugs sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and amodiaquine once a month during the rainy season. A recent study showed that giving SMC to children up to age 10 during the high malaria season in Senegal more than halved cases of malaria in that age group, and also reduced cases in those above 10 years of age by a quarter by reducing overall malaria transmission.
RTS,S/AS01 has a high level of protection (70-80%) during the first few months after vaccination, but this wanes over time. This new study will 'prime' children with three doses at the ages of 5-17 months, and then give them a booster dose of vaccine at the beginning of each malaria transmission season.
Sir Brian Greenwood, Professor of Clinical Tropical Medicine at the School and Principal Investigator on the trial with Prof Daniel Chandramohan, said: "Seasonal malaria affects a large number of children in the Sahel and sub-Sahel. SMC is very effective but its delivery is demanding on families, especially for those living in rural and difficult to access areas, as it requires four contacts between health providers and recipient children each rainy season. A single dose of vaccination would be easier to deliver. In addition, it may be that a combination of the two interventions would be more effective at preventing malaria than either used alone which is what we are aiming to find out in this trial."
The School has been instrumental in the development and roll-out of both of the interventions to be assessed. In 2009, a School supported trial which tested an SMC treatment course in combination with insecticide treated nets in the same region, showed a 77% reduction in the incidence of uncomplicated malaria and a similar reduction in cases of severe malaria. Scientists at the School also contributed to the phase 3 clinical testing of RTS,S which the WHO recently announced will be rolled out in three large pilot projects in sub-Saharan Africa.
On-site partners in the trial, which begins in April 2017, are from the Institute de Recherche en Scinces de la Sante in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso and the Malaria Research & Training Centre in Bamako, Mali.
Image: An infant receives treatment for malaria at a clinic in Mali. 2007 Bonnie Gillespie, Courtesy of Photoshare
Culture / Art Republik
With Singapore Art Week underway, we bring you a list of activities that might be right up your alley in and around the city
Jan 13, 2017 | By Vimi Haridasan
Lost in the sea of events lined up for Singapore Art Week 2017? Well Art Republik has the solution with a roundup of events that will have you travelling from Little India to ION Orchard and Gillman Barracks over the next few weeks.
Art After Dark x SAW2017
Gillman Barracks
13 Jan 2017
Galleries, the NTU CCA Singapore, and other visual art tenants will premiere their new exhibitions and open their doors till late in celebration of Singapore Art Week. There will also be the launch of Gillman Barracks public art project, outdoor F&B pop-ups, and a showcase of live music acts throughout the night.
ARTWALK Little India
Around Little India
12 17 Jan 2017
LASALLE College of the Arts and Singapore Tourism Board, with the support of the Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association, present ARTWALK Little India, a public art project set in the cultural precinct of Little India in Singapore. This years theme is Your Path To Remember.
Contemporary Printmaking Festival
Capitol Piazza
11 22 Jan 2017
This is a printmaking festival for everyone, from the general public to experienced art-goers. Aside from an exhibition, there will also be a series of printmaking workshops and live demonstrations. Workshops and demonstrations such as silkscreen, letterpress, and intaglio printing will be conducted by Monster Gallery, The Gentlemens Press, and STPI.
Fantasy Islands
Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film, 155 Middle Road, Singapore 188977
11 26 Jan 2017
The exhibition looks at the manifold relations between Batam and Singapore. Curated by Mitha Budhyarto and Kin Chui, and presenting new works by Indonesian and Singaporean artists, the exhibition perceives islandness as a staged event, framed by the concepts of borders and desires.
Incomplete Urbanism: Attempts of Critical Spatial Practice
NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore, Block 43 Malan Road, Singapore 109443
29 Oct 2016 29 Jan 2017
Borrowing its title from eminent Singaporean architect William S.W. Lims book, this multifaceted project takes his practice and the initiatives of the Asian Urban Lab that Lim started with colleagues in 2003, as a point of departure. It presents various researches into the spatial, cultural, and social aspects of city life.
Lock Route
Gillman Barracks
13 Jan 30 Jun 2017
Curated by Khairuddin Hori, this public art showcase features arresting installations, sculptures, and murals by renowned and emerging international and Singapore artists, it invites visitors to traverse the grounds of Gillman Barracks and experience a closer encounter with art in the open.
No Regrets For Our Youth
Music Studio 1, Aliwal Arts Centre, 28 Aliwal Street, Singapore 199918
12 Jan 12 Feb 2017
Get fit at No Regrets For Our Youth, an artistic urban gymnasium by Singapore art collective DXXXXD, that examines the cult of #gymlife. It confronts gym culture and its influence in personal as well as tribe image and association, having risen in popularity to become a bona fide urban sub-culture.
The Art Week Conversations 2017
ION Art, Level 4, Ion Orchard
12 21 Jan 2017
3 Talks. 1 Tour. 14 Speakers. A series covering current views of the art market on buying, collecting, and artistic production from a Southeast Asian perspective, focusing on art markets of the Philippines, Singapore, and Southeast Asia at large.
Culture / Art Republik
Get a glimpse of contemporary art from Myanmar at Art Stage Singapore 2017 with Intersections Gallery as the artists show us various aspects of Myanmar through their work
Jan 12, 2017 | By Vimi Haridasan
If you are heading down to Art Stage Singapore 2017 later this weekend, then you may want to swing by the booth by Intersections Gallery to get a glimpse of its selection of contemporary art from Myanmar. The collection named When Blood Boils its brings us various artists across three generations.
The survey exhibition brings us on a journey through Myanmar, both past and present. With Nge Lay, Wah Nu and Tun Win Aung, Intersections explores the Irrawady river. An area that has been an important form of infrastructure for the country, it is celebrated with a video work The Spirit of the River by Lay, a photo series by Nu and Aung titled Portrait of the People who Live on the Ayeryarwady River Bank. Along with these three artists are Aung Myint, Myint Myint Tin and Nann Nann. The artists use nature and the environment as the central theme of their artworks.
Apart from artists who explore environmental issues, the exhibition also features artists who capture political events that have left their mark on the Burmese people and undeniably shaped their country today. The artists, Aung Ko, nylen Chan Su, Khin Zaw Latt, Zonoy, Phyu Mon, Chan Aye and Aye Ko, tackle issues that have affected both political stability and the educational system.
The exhibition can be seen at Art Stage Singapore 2017 from January 12 to 15.
Properties / Homes
Jan 13, 2017 | By Sophie Kalkreuth
Dramatic volcanoes, black sand beaches and breezy tropical resorts have long made Hawaiis Oahu Island a popular vacation spot and second-home destination. The island offers a range of lifestyle properties from ocean view villas to prestigious gated communities and now an emerging urban core in Honolulu is making the capital city more attractive to local and foreign buyers.In response to population growth and demand from wealthy tourists, developers are refreshing Honolulus ageing core with new condominium towers, shopping malls and hotels in the citys biggest building boom in at least a decade. Theres a lot happening in Honolulu right now, says Nick Vanderboom, senior vice president of sales at
In response to population growth and demand from wealthy tourists, developers are refreshing Honolulus ageing core with new condominium towers, shopping malls and hotels in the citys biggest building boom in at least a decade. Theres a lot happening in Honolulu right now, says Nick Vanderboom, senior vice president of sales at Howard Hughes Corporation. Facilities are being upgraded for tourists and we have the opportunity to create something for people who live here year-round. His company has already started construction at Ward Village, a 60-acre master planned community located between downtown Honolulu and Waikiki. While Waikiki Beach caters primarily to tourists, Vanderboom says the new developments in Honolulu will create a central, sophisticated urban fabric to compliment the islands breezy seaside lifestyle. We have amazing weather, beaches, but also great urban experiences in terms of shopping and contemporary urban living, he says. Ward Village will incorporate a range of residential and retail components, and designs from architects Bjarke Ingels Group, Richard Meier and Bohlin Cywinski Jackson.
Market Trends
Condo prices in Honolulu have almost tripled since 2000 to an all time high. Supply is limited. To keep up with population growth, Honolulu needs about 4,000 more homes a year. Permits for all types of new construction reached a record US$2.07 billion in 2014 in Honolulu County, up 11 percent from 2013. The median home value in Honolulu is US$617,600. Honolulu home values have gone up 2.9 percent over the past year and Zillow predicts they will rise 1.5 percent within the next year.
Honolulus new condos are proving popular among buyers looking for a seamless lifestyle where they can live, work and play all within a walkable distance, says Patti Nakagawa, Senior Vice President and Previews International Director with Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties in Honolulu. What draws people to Hawaii is our climate, the crystal-clear ocean, the natural beauty of the islands and the lush green mountains. But the shopping is also really world class here and (Honolulu) is very metropolitan.
Phase one of Ward Villageincluding two mixed-use residential towers, Waiea and Anaha, broke ground in 2014. The newest phase, Gateway Towers, comprises two glass buildings designed by Richard Meier that house one-, two- and three bedroom residences, penthouses and villas. Residences feature the architects signature use of light and glass and include over ten-foot high ceilings with ocean and mountain views, Bulthaup cabinetry, Gaggenau appliances, motorised window shades and custom Meier designed bathtubs. Prices start at US$1.5 million for one-bedroom apartments; two-bedroom units start at approximately US$2 million and three-bedroom units start at US$4 million.Developers are targeting both local and international investors and Vanderboom says so far he has seen significant demand from American, Japanese and Korean buyers. Foreign visitors provide a large boost to the local economya record 8.3 million tourists visited Hawaii in 2014and they also make up a large portion of luxury home sales. While local luxury buyers tend to purchase properties within the US$2 to 2.5 million range, Patti Nakagawa says that over that price point, buyers tend to come from offshore, primarily from the US mainland, Asia, Canada and Australia. Asian buyers are particularly active in the luxury segment. In 2014, some of the highest sales were to buyers from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Singapore. Last year, we had buyers from Singapore for a US$10 million and a US$15 million dollar sale, Nakagawa says. Overall in 2014, eight percent of sales over US$5million went to
Developers are targeting both local and international investors and Vanderboom says so far he has seen significant demand from American, Japanese and Korean buyers. Foreign visitors provide a large boost to the local economya record 8.3 million tourists visited Hawaii in 2014and they also make up a large portion of luxury home sales. While local luxury buyers tend to purchase properties within the US$2 to 2.5 million range, Patti Nakagawa says that over that price point, buyers tend to come from offshore, primarily from the US mainland, Asia, Canada and Australia. Asian buyers are particularly active in the luxury segment. In 2014, some of the highest sales were to buyers from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Singapore. Last year, we had buyers from Singapore for a US$10 million and a US$15 million dollar sale, Nakagawa says. Overall in 2014, eight percent of sales over US$5million went to buyers from Singapore, four percent to buyers from China and 4.5 percent to buyers from Japan. Boosted by demand from foreign buyers, the market has been performing strongly. In July 2015, overall sales in the luxury market were up by 14 percent compared with the same period in 2014 according to a report from Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties. During the second quarter of 2015, there were a total of 209 closed sales over US$1 million, a 22 percent increase over the same period in 2014, making it the highest level ever recorded in Hawaii real estate history.
Single-family homes with ocean views or in gated communities are also in high demand among foreign buyers. These range from US$1 to 2 million to over US$25 million. We have some amazing oceanfront properties in the south, the east at Diamond Head and Kahala, all the way to the Port Lock Area. The North Shore is famous for its surf spots, Nakagawa says.
One of Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties listings, managed by independent agent Tracy Allen, includes Lanikai Hillside Estate, a new home designed by architect James McPeak that is positioned above Lanikai Beach with views of the ocean and the Mokulua Islands. The five-bedroom property includes over 7,400sf of living space with an infinity pool, a gym with a sauna, a sun deck with a Jacuzzi, a three car garage and a price tag of US$14.8 million. Lanikai Beach is approximately 30 minutes by car from Honolulu, a manageable distance and another factor that makes Oahu a popular choice for investors. Its easy to get around so everything is accessible. It doesnt take you all day to get from one part of the island to the others, Nakagawa says. Meanwhile, condo construction continues at the master plan for Ward Village in Honolulu. Theres a residential plan for every phase, we could build about 20 towers, Nick Vanderboom says. Our vision over the next decade is to continue to bring in great architects and really create a community that is on par with Hudson Yards in Manhattan or Battersea Power Station in London.
Honolulu at a glance
In the Hawaiian language, the word Honolulu can be translated to sheltered bay or place of shelter.
Honolulu and the rest of the state of Hawaii has been ranked first in the country for general well being.
Honolulu has been named the third happiest American city to work in by Forbes magazine
This story was first published in Palace Magazine
Adventures by Disney Launches New Rhine Food & Wine River Cruise
Disney Culinary Director John State and Master Sommelier Brian Koziol worked hand-in-hand with Adventures by Disney to masterfully craft a new eight-day, seven-night epicurean sailing through Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands.The Rhine Food & Wine River Cruise is a remarkable way to become immersed in the unique culinary history and culture of Europe. This premier epicurean sailing has been masterfully crafted for guests to experience the best of Europe's food & wine scene. Learn about wine tasting and blending during vineyard tours and onboard seminars hosted by Brian Koziol, one of only 230 Master Sommeliers in the world Share in the history and culinary mastery of the authentic dishes of Europe during intimate gourmet demonstrations and workshops with John State, culinary director for the Disneyland Resort Stroll through charming Riquewihr, France on a guided walking tour that incorporates local gastronomic delights, including sausages and French macarons Discover the art of the Strasbourg specialty, tart flambe, during an interactive class, complete with local beer and Alsatian wine pairings Get hands-on during a French patisserie class in Strasbourg Explore German vineyards and visit festive pubs while sampling the hearty cuisine of the Alsace region Tour the Heineken Factory, savor a special caramel waffle demonstration and learn how to blend craft cocktails during a private workshop in Amsterdam.This new Rhine adventure is just the latest expansion of the successful Adventures by Disney vacation portfolio, which now includes 15 sailings alongand Rhine Rivers in 2017. Combining the award-winning service and luxury of AmaWaterways with the proven travel expertise of Adventures by Disney, these river cruise sailings offer a vacation experience that is all-inclusive and hassle-free. Travelers can customize their trip to fit their needs by choosing from a variety of activity options offered at ports and onboard each day.Bookings for the Adventures by Disney Rhine Food & Wine River Cruise are now open:
Naia Resort and Spa in Belize Officially Opens Its Doors
Situated along nearly a mile of beach and extending through lush forests and tranquil lagoons, the intimate resort is set within a private 200-acre reserve in southern Belize. Long known by insiders as one of the Caribbeans most authentic and inviting destinations, Placencia is located on the doorstep of world-class attractions on both land and sea. Nearby, endless opportunities for discovery abound, including snorkeling on the hemispheres longest barrier reef, hiking, river tubing and zip lining.Naia Resort and Spa is the vision of lead partner and Belizean television executive, Stewart Krohn. The concept for Naia emerged from the Belizean experience and is reflected in every aspect of the resort, remarked Krohn. We started with an unbelievably beautiful site and our guiding principle was to enhance that natural environment without overwhelming it. I am confident that we have succeeded in turning that vision into reality.Naia features 35 individual Beach Houses, each designed as a private sanctuary overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Comprised of studio-, one-, two- and three-bedroom options, the Beach Houses are inspired by Placencia, with decor highlighting local artisans. Each features deep soaking tubs, a private outdoor shower surrounded by tropical foliage, air conditioning and a wet bar with fridge and coffee maker. Larger Beach Houses offer full kitchens and expansive, seafront pool decks.The resort is home to three restaurants, all designed to celebrate Placencias regional fare. The Beach Bar & Grill serves up fresh, local cuisine and specialty drinks poolside, while Reflections offers a serene escape where guests can enjoy light options and healthy smoothies surrounded by nature. Naias upscale waterfront restaurant, 1981, named after the year Belize gained independence, highlights the peninsulas signature seafood in an ever-evolving seasonal menu.Naia Spa is a wellness sanctuary focused on providing deeply transformational, multi-sensory experiences that are inspired by the unique traditions and culture of Belize. The 7,000 sq. ft. complex is spread over a series of forested islands and features six treatment rooms with private decks that extend over tranquil, lily-covered lagoons. A couples suite is situated on its own island to provide the ultimate romantic experience.Offering an extensive menu of highly-curated treatments and wellness programs, the spa features a signature essential oil blend created from indigenous ingredients harvested in the region and produced by Casa Mascia Apothecary. The Naia Spa will also feature Eminence Organic SkinCare and SpaRitual Nail Care products. Treatments include massages, facials, couples rituals and body treatments, while a private salon also offers nail services. Spa packages are available for individuals as well as groups and can be tailor-made to suit personal requirements.Complementing the Naia Spa are two wellness offerings: a Fitness Center plus a Yoga and Movement Studio. Generously equipped with everything needed to build strength in both body and mind, the Fitness Center features state-of-the-art equipment, free weights and a dedicated stretching area. Among the offerings at the Yoga and Movement Studio are sunrise and sunset yoga, silk ropes for aerial yoga, mat Pilates and guided meditation. Both studios overlook the tranquil lagoon and feature floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open out onto a veranda and private yoga lawn.Naia Resort and Spa adds tremendous value to the local Placencia community and will welcome guests from across the world eager to experience the beauty of the peninsula, said Karen Bevans, Director of Belize Tourism. In recent years, Belize has increased its tourism substantially due to its wonderful beaches, rainforests, cuisine, diverse culture and friendly people, and I am confident Naia will be a wonderful experience for tourists as well, she concluded.Opening rates begin at USD$295 for a Studio Beach House. For reservations and more information, please visitor call +011 501 523 4600.
Silversea's World Cruise 2017 Sets Milestone with First-Ever San Francisco Departure
January 6 also marked the first-ever visit of Silver Whisper to the city, an occasion celebrated by a plaque exchange between port officials and Mark Conroy, Silversea's managing director for the Americas, and Silver Whisper's staff captain, Zbigniew Jaszewski.The evening prior to embarking on their epic journey to Monte Carlo, Silver Whisper's guests enjoyed a gala bon voyage dinner and live music presentation hosted in the elegant main ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco. The dinner is one of several special complimentary benefits for World Cruise guests, including exclusive cultural events in Honolulu, Hawaii, Xi'an, China, and Abu Dhabi, UAE -- plus a three-night Grand Finale cruise aboard the new Silver Muse, sailing from Monte Carlo to Rome."World Cruise 2017 was designed to be an extraordinary global adventure, and we're delighted to have the voyage depart from such an extraordinary and incredibly beautiful city as San Francisco," said Roberto Martinoli, Silversea's CEO. "Silver Whisper's guests, about 80 percent of whom are members of our Venetian Society loyalty club, will visit 62 ports in 25 countries, while enjoying an onboard experience completely revitalized by the ship's recent major renovation."The all-suite Silver Whisper's refurbishment, which took place during a dry dock in the Bahamas last month, features an array of enhancements ranging from elegant new carpeting in all the guest suites to new wall treatments and rejuvenated wood flooring in the restaurants, Connoisseur's Corner, Panorama Lounge, Spa and Beauty Salon. The Restaurant and La Terrazza have also been outfitted with newly upholstered chairs. A new marble-topped bar and stylish new wood display cases grace the Observation Lounge, which has been refreshed with rich new wood panelling and wood accents.The pool deck has been upgraded with the installation of two new whirlpools. Plus, beautiful new synthetic turf has been placed on the jogging and spa decks, creating an inviting setting for outdoor activities.Next year, Silver Whisper will embark on a 121-day World Cruise, sailing from Los Angeles to Rome. Departing January 6, this magnificent odyssey will showcase 60 destinations in 21 countries across the globe, including virtually every highlight recommended by the line's veteran world cruise guests. Plus, with 17 overnight calls and 13 late-night stays, guests will have ample time to fully immerse themselves in local culture.The unique voyage, titled "La Grande Bellezza," will sail west across the Pacific to the beautiful lands of Hawaii, French Polynesia, and New Zealand, then weave a path through the Java Sea to fascinating Bali, Probolinggo, Semarang, and Borneo, and to a host of exotic isles in the Philippines. After two nights in Hong Kong and overnight stays in Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok and Singapore, Silver Whisper will follow the route of ancient spice traders to Sri Lanka, India, and Oman. Then she will continue through the Red Sea to fabled Luxor and Petra, storied islands in Greece, and along the coast of Italy to Rome.Visit website:
CIA Tries to Strong-Arm Trump into War With Russia
Powerful elites are using the credibility of the US Intelligence agencies to demonize Russia and prepare the country for war. This is the real meaning of the Russia hacking story which, as yet, has not produced any hard evidence of Russian complicity.
Last weeks 25-page report, that was released by the Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, illustrates to what extent intelligence is being fixed around the policy. Just as the CIA generated false information related to Weapons of Mass Destruction to soften public resistance to war with Iraq, so too, the spurious allegations in the DNIs politically-motivated report are designed to depict Russia as a growing threat to US national security.
The timing of the report has less to do with the election of Donald Trump as President than it does with critical developments in Syria where the Russian military has defeated US-proxies in Syrias industrial hub, Aleppo, rolling back Washingtons 15-year War of Terror and derailing the imperialist plan to control vital resources and pipeline corridors across the Middle East and Central Asia. Russia has become the main obstacle to Washington achieving its strategic vision of pivoting to Asia and maintaining its dominant role into the next century. The Intelligence Community has been coerced into compromising its credibility to incite fear of Russia and to advance the geopolitical ambitions of deep state powerbrokers.
The Russia hacking flap shows how far the Intel agencies have veered from their original mandate, which is to impartially gather and analyze information that may be vital to US national security. As we have seen in the last two weeks, the leaders of these organizations feel free to offer opinions on issues that clearly conflict with those of the new President-elect. Trump has stated repeatedly that he wants to reduce tensions and reset relations with Russia, but that policy is being sabotaged by members of the intelligence community, particularly CIA Director John Brennan who appeared just last week on PBS Newshour with Judy Woodruff. Heres an excerpt from the interview:
We see that there are still a lot of actions that Russia is undertaking that undermine the principles of democracy in so many countries. What has happened in our recent election is not new. The Russians have engaged in trying to manipulate elections in Europe for a number of years
the Russians tried to interfere in our electoral process recently, and were actively involved in that. And that is something that we cant countenance. (Interview with CIA Director John Brennan, PBS Newshour)
Brennan, of course, provided no evidence for his claims nor did he mention the hundreds of CIA interventions around the world. But Brennans accusations are less important than the fact that his appearance on a nationwide broadcast identifies him as a political advocate for policies that conflict with those of the new president. Do we really want unelected intelligence officials whose job it is to provide the president with sensitive information related to national security to assume a partisan role in shaping policy? And why would Brennan whose is supposed to serve at the pleasure of the president accept an invitation to offer his views on Russia when he knew they would be damaging to the new administration?
Powerful people behind the scenes are obviously pushing the heads of these intelligence agencies to stick to their anti-Moscow narrative to force Trump to abandon his plan for peaceful relations with Moscow. Brennan isnt calling the shots and neither are Clapper or Comey. Theyre all merely agents serving the interests of establishment plutocrats whose geopolitical agenda doesnt jibe with that of the incoming administration. If that wasnt the case, then why would the Intelligence Community stake its reputation on such thin gruel as this Russian hacking gibberish? It doesnt make any sense. The people who launched this campaign are either supremely arrogant or extremely desperate. Which is it? Heres an excerpt from an article by veteran journalist Robert Parry sums it up like this in an article at Consortium News:
The DNI report amounted to a compendium of reasons to suspect that Russia was the source of the information built largely on the argument that Russia had a motive for doing so because of its disdain for Democratic nominee Clinton and the potential for friendlier relations with Republican nominee Trump.
But the case, as presented, is one-sided and lacks any actual proof. Further, the continued use of the word assesses as in the U.S. intelligence community assesses that Russia is guilty suggests that the underlying classified information also may be less than conclusive because, in intelligence-world-speak, assesses often means guesses. (US Report Still Lacks Proof on Russia Hack, Robert Parry, Consortium News)
Bottom line: Brennan and his fellow spooks have nothing. The report is little more than a catalogue of unfounded assumptions, baseless speculation and uncorroborated conjecture. In colloquial parlance, its bullshit, 100 percent, unalloyed Russophobic horse-manure. In fact, the authors admit as much in the transcript itself when they say:
Judgments are not intended to imply that we have proof that shows something to be a fact. Assessments are based on collected information, which is often incomplete or fragmentary, as well as logic, argumentation, and precedents.
What kind of kooky admission is that? So the entire report could be BS but were supposed to believe that Putin flipped the election? Is that it???
Whats really going on here? Why have the Intelligence agencies savaged their credibility just to convince people that Russia is up to no good?
The Russia hacking story has more to do with recent developments in Syria than it does with delegitimizing Donald Trump. Aleppo was a real wake up call for the US foreign policy establishment which is beginning to realize that their plans for the next century have been gravely undermined by Russias military involvement in Syria. Aleppo represents the first time that an armed coalition of allied states (Russia, Iran, Syria, Hezbollah) have actively engaged US jihadist-proxies and soundly beat them to a pulp. The stunning triumph in Aleppo has spurred hope among the vassal states that Washingtons bloody military juggernaut can be repelled, rolled back and defeated. And if Washingtons CIA-armed, trained and funded jihadists can be repelled, then the elitist plan to project US power into Central Asia to dominate the worlds most populous and prosperous region, will probably fail. In other words, the outcome in Aleppo has cast doubts on Uncle Sams ability to successfully execute its pivot to Asia.
Thats why the Intel agencies have been employed to shape public perceptions on Russia. Their job is to prepare the American people for an escalation of hostilities between the two nuclear-armed superpowers. US powerbrokers are determined to intensify the conflict and reverse facts on the ground. (Recent articles by elites at the Council on Foreign Relations and the Brookings Institute reveal that they are as committed to partitioning Syria as ever.) Washington wants to reassert its exceptional role as the uncontested steward of global security and the lone unipolar world power.
Thats what this whole hacking fiasco is about. The big shots who run the country are trying to strong-arm the Donald into carrying their water so the depredations can continue and Central Asia can be transformed into a gigantic Washington-dominated corporate free trade zone where the Big Money calls the shots and Capital reigns supreme. Thats their dreamstate, Capitalist Valhalla.
They just need Trump to get-with-the-program so the bloodletting can continue apace.
By Mike Whitney
Email: fergiewhitney@msn.com
Mike Whitney lives in Washington state. He is a contributor to Hopeless: Barack Obama and the Politics of Illusion (AK Press). Hopeless is also available in a Kindle edition. He can be reached at fergiewhitney@msn.com.
2016 Copyright Mike Whitney - 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.
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MARTINSVILLE City officials are trying to ensure that residents are not left in the dark, so to speak, during power failures.
Their efforts come following a roughly six-hour overnight blackout Jan. 2-3 during which many people had a hard time reporting they were without electricity.
Martinsville Electric Department Director Durwin Joyce said the power failure was traced to equipment in a substation on Indian Trail that just burned up, probably due to its age.
It took longer than usual for crews to find the problem, Joyce told Martinsville City Council on Tuesday, because the equipment was inside a metal enclosure.
Power was restored to customers in the Spruce Street area at about 3 a.m., but it took crews until about 5 a.m. or 5:30 a.m. to restore electricity in the Indian Trail area, he said.
When the outage occurred, officials said, the city was in the process of switching to a new after-hours answering service for calls about utility problems. In the meantime, only one person was on duty to answer calls and could not take them all.
Joyce said the new firm, Peoples Choice Answering Service of Harrisonburg, will have about 20 people on duty who can answer calls. He said the firm will be able to answer many more calls at one time than he and his assistant, Caitlin Westmoreland, can during regular business hours, if a major power outage was to occur then.
Peoples Choice also aims to set up a voice mail system so that if people cannot get through to an operator, they can leave a message, Joyce said.
ICF International had been answering the citys after-hours calls but asked to be released from its contract. On Thursday, city Finance Director Linda Conover said she did not know why. Neither Joyce nor City Manager Leon Towarnicki could be reached that day for comment.
Officials are examining potential ways to make people aware that they know about disruptions in utility services and keep people informed about progress being made toward restoring services. Social media is a possibility.
During regular business hours Monday through Friday, call 403-5183 to report power failures. At night and on weekends, call 403-5138.
In another matter, the council heard from Amanda Witt, executive director of the Chambers Partnership for Economic Growth (C-PEG), about the organizations efforts to help the city with small business development.
C-PEG is an independent affiliate of the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce that supports and helps fund efforts to boost the local economy. Witt also is president of the chamber.
Among efforts that she mentioned:
@ Three businesses so far have received microloans through a program launched last year. Microloans are small loans designed to help businesses that recently have been established or are preparing to open.
Businesses can use microloans to, for example, help cover costs of special needs such as buying equipment, stocking initial inventory or paying costs related to expansion. They cannot get loans to pay routine, ongoing expenses or pay off previous debts.
Any small business in the city or county can apply for assistance from the George W. Lester II Microloan Fund, named after The Lester Groups chief executive officer who is a contributor to the fund. For more information, call the chamber at 632-6401.
@ The recent Small Business Saturday, a promotion designed to attract people to such businesses uptown and elsewhere in the community, was successful overall.
Some merchants saw larger sales than others, Witt said. Those that had higher sales have asked for the event to be held quarterly (four times a year), and the chamber and C-PEG are examining that possibility, she said.
@ Two new tenants are planning to move into the West Piedmont Business Development Center uptown in the next couple of months. The center is a city-owned small business incubator managed by C-PEG and the chamber.
Witt did not identify the tenants.
Once the tenants move in, the centers occupancy will be at 94 percent, leaving only manufacturing warehouse space on the second floor available. Witt said a public meeting is being planned to solicit ideas for the best use of that space.
Mickey Powell reports for the Martinsville Bulletin. He can be reached at mickey.powell@martinsvillebulletin.com.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2017 will be observed on Monday, Jan. 16. The holiday honors the slain civil rights icon near what would have been is 88th birthday.
King was born in Atlanta on Jan. 15, 1929 and was assassinated April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (officially Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.) has been observed as a federal holiday since 1986 on the third Monday of January.
Here is a partial list of what is open and what is closed on Monday:
Stock Market: Closed
State Offices: Closed
State Courts: closed
Federal Offices: Closed
Federal Court: Closed
Springfield Armory National Historical Park: Open
Massachusetts State Parks: Open, and coordinating a day of service to honor King.
Banks: Closed, but check with your individual branch to make sure.
Post Office: Closed
UPS: Regular service
FedEx: Regular service
Retailers: Open
Liquor stores: Open
TRANSPORTATION
Peter Pan Bus Lines: Peter Pan warns customers that there will be schedule disruptions during the busy holiday weekend. A list of routes and changes is available here.
PVTA: The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority will operate on a Sunday schedule. Details are available here.
MBTA: Subways, buses and trackless trolleys in Greater Boston will operate on a Saturday schedule, but some bus routes will have a special enhanced holiday schedule. MBTA commuter rail will ruin on a a regular weekday schedule. Details are available here.
Each week, MassLive showcases pets available for adoption at shelters at rescue organizations in Western Massachusetts.
With the participation of the shelters listed below, many animals should be able to find a permanent home.
We also provide some pet-related news items that we hope you will enjoy.
Bat-friendly tequila, research play role in species recovery
Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- Wildlife officials say it might be time for a toast now that a once-rare bat important to the pollination of plants used to produce tequila is making a comeback.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Thursday proposed removing the lesser long-nosed bat from the endangered species list. Mexico delisted the bat in 2015, and if approved in the U.S., this would be the first bat ever removed from the nation's list of threatened and endangered species.
Federal officials said it has taken 30 years of conservation efforts by biologists and volunteers in Mexico and the U.S. as well as tequila producers in Mexico to rebuild a healthy population.
This 2013 photo provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife shows nectar-feeding lesser long-nosed bats attracted to a hummingbird feeder during a citizen science bat migration monitoring project in southern Arizona. U.S. wildlife officials say it might be time for a toast now that the once-rare bat important to the pollination of agave plants used to produce tequila is making a comeback. (Richard Spitzer/U.S. Fish and Wildlife via AP)
There were once thought to be fewer than 1,000 lesser long-nosed bats in 14 known roosts throughout the region. Now, there are about 200,000 of the nectar-feeding animals and dozens of roost sites.
Jim deVos, assistant director of wildlife management at the Arizona Game and Fish Department, called the proposed delisting a great achievement.
"Many entities in both the U.S. and Mexico have worked tirelessly toward recovery and this announcement stands as testimony that dedicated efforts and sound management practices can lead to recovery of endangered species," he said in a statement.
The flying mammal ranges from Mexico to southern Arizona and New Mexico. It depends on the nectar of agaves, cactuses and other flowering plants in the desert region.
In Mexico, tequila producers who rely on agaves are integrating more harvest and cultivation practices in recognition that the bats are key pollinators. Some are even marketing "bat-friendly tequila."
In southern Arizona, residents for a decade have monitored night-time bat use of hummingbird feeders. This provided biologists with a clearer understanding of migration timing and allowed for the opportunity to capture bats and affix radio transmitters that aided in finding roost sites.
Federal land managers in New Mexico and Arizona, including at the U.S. Army's Fort Huachuca, are including forage plants such as agaves, saguaros and other cactuses in their resource management plans to help the species.
Limiting human access to caves with roost sites and abandoned mines in the U.S. also has benefited bat populations, officials said.
Recovery efforts also have included education aimed at changing attitudes about bats and improving identification of different species. Historically, the lesser long-nosed bat was a victim of early campaigns to control vampire bats over rabies concerns and their effects on livestock.
According to a recent assessment, the Fish and Wildlife Service says the threats to the lesser long-nosed bat have been eliminated or reduced to the point that the bat has recovered and no longer meets the definition of an endangered or threatened species.
Biologists also considered the potential effects that climate change may have on the "nectar trail" that the bats follow as they migrate. They say the bat is flexible and adaptive enough to remain viable under changing conditions.
The Fish and Wildlife Service is taking comments on the proposal through March 7. A final decision will follow.
A species of buckwheat once found in only one spot in southeastern New Mexico also has been proposed for delisting. The agency pointed to the discovery of additional populations of Gypsum wild-buckwheat and efforts to limit grazing and off-roading in the areas where the plant is found.
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WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS SHELTERS:
Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society
Address: 163 Montague Road, Leverett
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Telephone: (413) 548-9898
Website: www.dpvhs.org
Address: 171 Union St., Springfield
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Telephone: (413) 781-4000
Website: www.dpvhs.org
Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center
Address: 627 Cottage St., Springfield
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Saturday, noon-4 p.m.; Thursday, noon-7 p.m.
Telephone: (413) 781-1484
Website: tjoconnoradoptioncenter.com
Westfield Homeless Cat Project
Address: 1124 East Mountain Road, Westfield
Hours: Adoption clinics, Thursday, 5-7 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Website: http://www.whcp.petfinder.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westfieldhomelesscatprojectadoptions
Westfield Regional Animal Shelter
Address: 178 Apremont Way, Westfield
Hours: Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Telephone: (413) 564-3129
Website: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/ma70.html
Franklin County Sheriff's Office Regional Dog Shelter and Adoption Center
Address: 10 Sandy Lane, Turners Falls
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Telephone: (413) 676-9182
Website: http://fcrdogkennel.org/contact.html
Polverari/Southwick Animal Control Facility
Address: 11 Depot St., Southwick
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Telephone: (413) 569-5348, ext. 649
Website: http://southwickpolice.com/chief-david-a-ricardis-welcome/animal-control/
Berkshire Humane Society
Address: 214 Barker Road, Pittsfield
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Telephone: (413) 447-7878
Website: http://berkshirehumane.org/
Purradise Feline Adoption
Address: 301 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington
Hours: Monday and Tuesday: Closed; Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Friday,10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m.
Telephone: (413) 717-4244
Website: http://berkshirehumane.org/contact-us/
Greyhound Options, Inc.
Address: 43 Sygiel Rd., Ware, MA. 01082
Telephone: 413-967-9088
Website: greyhoundadoptions.org
A pair of men are being held in a North Carolina without bail in connection with the suspicious death of a Boston woman.
Albana Nika was found suffering from a gunshot wound outside of a bar in Fayetteville, North Carolina on Nov. 8, 2016. She was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Soon after her death, police were not the only ones investigating the matter.
About a month before she was killed, Nika called her life insurance broker in Massachusetts and asked about her policy, according to an affidavit filed in North Carolina court and obtained by the Fay Observer.
Two weeks later, her fiance David Martin also called and took out a policy naming Nika as the beneficiary.
Shortly after Nika's death, Martin contacted her family saying the pair had married and he was named in her will, the Fay Observer reports. Additionally, he said in a text message to a relative, that no autopsy would be performed on Nika "due to religious beliefs."
Police say they have been unable to find a marriage certificate showing the two were married and that an autopsy has been ordered as the death is being treated as a homicide.
Martin, 45, and 56-year-old Antonia Monroe have been arrested in connection with Nika's death.
They are charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Authorities are asking anyone with more information to contact the Fayetteville Police Department at (910) 489-3925, or Fayetteville / Cumberland County CrimeStoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477). Crimestoppers information can also be submitted electronically, by visiting http://fay-nccrimestoppers.org and completing the anonymous online tip sheet or by text-a-tip on your mobile device by sending a message to 274637 (in the text box type "4Tip" followed by your message).
AMHERST - University of Massachusetts officials and town police say the Party Smart pilot program has been a success - with 169 off-campus parties registered during the first semester alone.
The volunteer program asks that students 18 and older living off campus register their parties and provide contact information in case there are problems.
The program is intended to cut down on the number of police calls and increase student responsibility.
If the party host is registered and if a neighbor complains about noise, police will give the host a courtesy call giving him or her 20 minutes to end the party or quiet it down without a police visit.
Out of the 169 parties, police were only called about a complaint 13 times. Police did not have to respond with a visit which would have happened if there had been a follow-up call.
If a party is not registered and there is a complaint, police will respond and hosts can be warned, fined $300 or even arrested on that first visit.
"We are pleased with the results of the pilot, as it has cut down on our call volume and response time," said Amherst Police Captain Jennifer Gundersen, co-chairwoman of the Campus and Community Coalition to Reduce High-Risk Drinking municipal strategies committee, in a statement. "The Party Smart program allows our officers to respond to more serious offenses and gives students the opportunity to self-monitor and take responsibility for their parties."
The program is modeled after Colorado State and the University of Colorado Boulder, Party Smart is designed to improve neighborhood relations by reducing noise complaints.
"Student buy-in for the program has been significant, with nine out of 10 students reporting they would register their future parties and recommending the program to other students," Sally Linowski, associate dean for off-campus student life and community education said in a statement. "Peer education is a major component of the success of the program thus far. We are very pleased, we and look forward to refining and potentially expanding the availability of the program in the future."
In an email, Tony Maroulis, director of external relations, said UMass is happy with the numbers.
"We will continue the same course through the spring and reassess a full year's worth of data before making any tweaks," Maroulis said. "The program is working in the way it was intended."
He said student word of mouth has helped, but they want "to do more outreach and marketing throughout the semester."
When students register at the UMass Off-Campus Student Center, they receive peer-to-peer training and tips on being good neighbors and responsible party hosts, according to the program guidelines.
Connecticut State Police announced Friday that the body of Todd Allen, the 18-year-old Sterling man who was last seen Dec. 26 riding off on a dirt bike, has been found.
According to a statement issued by state police, detectives with the Eastern District Major Crimes Unit developed information on Allen's whereabouts and are in the process of recovering his remains.
There was no disclosure of the cause of death or where the body was found. Bbut police said an investigation is ongoing and police have identified "a person of interest in this case."
There have been no arrests but the investigation is ongoing.
WTNH News 8 in New Haven is reporting the body was found in Sterling.
It reports police have an active crime scene on on Laiho Road in that town.
Allen has been the subject of a missing persons search since he disappeared the day after Christmas.
According to reports, he told family he was going out for a ride on his off-road motorcycle.
About 2 hours later, he sent texts to that indicated he had crashed and injured his leg, state police said. His last cellphone activity came at approximately 2:30 p.m. in the general area of Margaret Henry Road in Killingly.
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Justin Goldstein, seen here on the set of WTNH, where he was a meteorologist prior to his arrest last summer for child pornography.
(Courtesy of Facebook)
A former TV weatherman at WTNH in New Haven has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography and is awaiting sentencing, according to reports.
Justin Goldstein
The Record Journal in Meriden, Connecticut is reporting that Justin Goldstein, 33, of Hamden, has pleaded guilty to second-degree possession of child pornography. He is due to be sentenced on March 17, but is free after posting $200,000 bail.
He was arrested July 13 at the WTNH studios where at the time he was employed as one of the stations on-air meteorologists. The arrest came after police executed a search of his home, during which computers and computer-related equipment were seized.
The Record Journal cites the station's general manager who said Goldstein is no longer employed at WTNH.
The paper also cites court records that show as part of the plea agreement, Goldstein is sentenced to 10 years in prison, but the remainder will be suspended once he serves three years. He will also be required to serve 10 years on probation, and register as a sex offender.
SPRINGFIELD -- Hampden Superior Court Judge Tina S. Page on Thursday heard all about defendant Israel Silva, who pleaded guilty to robbing a city convenience store and beating the clerk with a stick.
Israel Silva
"Mr. Silva is an example of what is wrong with the system," Page said. She said there needs to be a place to which defendants who have serious mental health conditions and cannot control their disease with medications on their own can be sentenced.
Silva, 45, of Springfield, pleaded guilty to armed robbery (stick) and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (stick).
Page said she would sentence him to two years in state prison followed by two years probation.
Assistant District Attorney Nina Vivenzio had asked for a four- to five-year state prison sentence with three years probation. Defense lawyer Ivonne Vidal asked for a two-year sentence to the Hampden County Correctional Center in Ludlow.
In the plea session, a Spanish court interpreter assisted Silva, while an interpreter for the Urdu language interpreted so the victim could understand what was being said.
Vivenzio said on Nov. 22, 2015, at about 8:30 p.m., Silva went into the A 2 Z convenience store at 123 Chestnut St. and took a North Face fleece hat off of a mannequin.
When he tried to leave the store, the clerk tried to stop him. Silva hit the clerk multiple times in the head with a stick, Vivenzio said.
Police reviewed surveillance video and located Silva nearby, with the stick and the North Face hat.
Vivenzio read an impact statement from the victim who said he has headaches all the time.
"I am scared anyone who enters the store might be another attacker. ... I am perpetually terrified as if a sword of Damocles is hanging over my head," the victim wrote.
Vivenzio said Silva has multiple prior assault and battery convictions as well as multiple drug convictions.
Silva told Page he was on disability. "I hear voices," he said. He did not know the name of his diagnosis.
Vidal said Silva has multiple diagnoses, including bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder. Silva is psychotic, has PTSD and is a substance abuser, she said.
Vidal said Silva had been going to different hospitals prior to the assault. She said he has garnered no trespassing restrictions at various medical facilities and shelters because of the trouble he has caused.
She said he was evicted 10 days prior to the incident and was walking around homeless. Silva believed he was being attacked by his former landlord, so he was carrying a stick, she said.
Vidal said given Silva's mental health and addiction issues, he would not be able to do well on probation.
Page said she couldn't "in all good conscience" let Silva leave prison without probation.
"We know he's not going to take his medication on his own," Page said.
As conditions of probation, Silva must have psychiatric evaluation and treatment and remain drug and alcohol free.
LYNN, Ma A "Class I" recall is in effect for "Mom's Chicken Soup," a product produced by Lynn, Massachusetts company Kettle Cuisine, announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service on Thursday.
The product--which was stocked at Whole Foods stores in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, and New Jersey--was apparently misbranded and is not actually chicken soup, but an Italian wedding soup with meatballs.
Health officials are concerned because the unlabeled ingredients of the soup--namely milk, wheat, and eggs--are known allergens and could cause serious health effects to those who consume them.
"Class I" recall is defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a "health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death."
As a result of the labeling mishap, roughly 3,096 pounds of the soup product are being recalled.
The product is described as being a 24 ounce cup labelled as "MOM'S CHICKEN SOUP" with a "USE BY" date of 02/17/17. The establishment number "P-18468" is written on the inside of the USDA mark of inspection of each product.
So far, there have been no reported cases of individuals having bad reactions to the soup.
An emergency medical transportation company operating in Massachusetts has agreed to pay more than $12 million to settle claims the company fraudulently billed Medicare.
The claims were brought forward against MedStar Ambulance of Massachusetts by a former employee.
Dale Meehan worked as the patient account representative for MedStar Ambulance office in Worcester from March of 2012 to June of 2013. While looking through records for ambulance services by MedStar Ambulance and other contracted transportation companies in Massachusetts, she reported finding "numerous instances of fraudulent Medicare billing," according to the complaint filed in U.S. District Court.
Alleged fraudulent billing, according to the complaint, included: billing for ambulance transportation services when not medically neccessary, billing Medicare for ambulance services provided for transportation to doctor's offices and double-billing patients and the federal health program for the same services.
In one instance listed in court documents, Meehan alleges Medicare was charged $1,130 for transporting a patient to and from a nursing home to an appointment with a urologist.
She alleges such billing practices occurred from 2005 through 2013.
When she questioned how such billing errors happened, she was allegedly told this was the way the company operates, according to court documents.
Meehan contacted Jeffrey Newman, an attorney who specializes in working with whistleblowers, to file a lawsuit against her former company under the false claims act after she was fired in 2013, allegedly for attempting to correct billing errors.
The act, also called the "Lincoln Law," is the most commonly used means of litigation in recovering funds stolen through fraud from the federal government.
"This was a case in which the evidence obtained in the 3-year litigation was clear in that it showed that the MedStar companies fraudulently over-billed Medicare and added false information to the ambulance run documents to make them Medicare eligible when they otherwise would not have qualified for reimbursement," said Newman.
MedStar has several offices in Massachusetts, including: Ayer, Chicopee, Fitchburg, Leominster, Northampton, Westborough and Worcester.
The company has agreed to pay $12.7 million to settle the lawsuit. Meehan will receive $3,556,000 of the settlement for reporting the information. Whistleblowers receive a portion of funds recovered as apart of settlements under the false claims act.
Almost 4,500 Massachusetts students who attended the for-profit American Career Institute are set to receive $30 million in debt relief from the U.S. Department of Education.
The college, which abruptly closed in 2013, had five campuses, including one in Springfield. The other locations were in Braintree, Cambridge, Framingham and Woburn.
Joined by former ACI students, US Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Attorney General Maura Healey announced the debt relief at a press conference at Healey's office.
Healey pointed to ACI as an example that the for-profit college industry needs "heavy policing."
"When for-profit colleges build a profit model around scamming students, then students shouldn't be left holding the bag," Warren said.
Healey submitted last year the application for the Department of Education to cancel the loans taken out by the students.
"ACI was a predatory, for-profit school that admitted to breaking Massachusetts law and lying to its students," Healey said in a statement. "Today, these students are finally getting the relief they deserve."
The relief should be automatic, with ACI students receiving an email from federal officials, Healey said.
Toby Merrill, director of the Project on Predatory Student Lending at the Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School, said in her own statement that ACI targeted "low-income and vulnerable populations, enrolling students for the sole purpose of extracting federal student loan money."
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A MedExpress like this is expected to open in Hadley in the fall of 2017.
(File photo)
HADLEY Pizza Hut will not return to its Route 9 site in town, but national health care chain MedExpress hopes to open an office at the 424 Russell St. site instead.
The Hadley Planning Board is holding a public hearing on the proposal Tuesday night. According to Planning Board minutes, MedExpress wants to build a 4,825-square foot structure, similar in size to a proposed reconstruction of Pizza Hut.
The board had approved the plans for the restaurant on May 20, 2014. Pizza Hut received an extension for that approval, but it expired in June 2016, requiring MedExpress to apply for a new site plan approval.
MedExpress is a chain based in Morgantown, West Virginia, and Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. It has offices in in Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. It recently opened a clinic on Boston Road in Springfield.
In an email, spokeswoman Anne Jamieson said final details are being worked out, but the business hopes to open in the fall. She said all the express centers are open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with no appointments needed.
The centers offer walk-in treatment for everyday illness and injury through its urgent care services, which include more advanced offerings such as X-rays, IVs, labs, minor surgery, stitches and treatment for sprains and broken bones, she wrote.
Pizza Hut closed on Route 9 in 2010, and the building was razed in late summer of 2015.
Ben Ravelson, who had been trying to market the property, said at the time the project was on hold while the company was looking for another tenant for the 2,100 square feet of adjacent space before building.
Ravelson could not be reached for comment.
AEIOU operates urgent care facilities in Amherst and Greenfield.
murders
In a shocking home invasion/double murder in Orange in October, 95-year-old Thomas Harty, upper left, and his wife Joanne Fisher, 77, were killed. Joshua Hart, upper right, and Brittany Smith, lower right, await their trial for murder.
Two more people died in homicides in Massachusetts in 2016 than did in 2015, according to statewide data collected by The Boston Globe, but the slight growth occurred amid a general decline, ongoing for years, in the murder rate.
Massachusetts police investigated a total of 135 killings in 2016, up from 133 in 2015.
In Springfield, the number of homicides actually fell, from 18 in 2015 to 13 in 2016. Springfield police solved seven of these homicides.
Boston, meanwhile, experienced a fairly steep increase in killings even as overall crime fell. Forty-seven people were murdered in the city last year, versus 38 in 2015, WBUR reports.
Worcester saw 8 homicides in 2016, the same number as in 2015. Three of these murders were solved.
Experts told the Globe gang feuds contributed significantly to the violence in 2016.
However, 135 total homicides in Massachusetts still represents a nearly 40 percent dip from the 220 recorded in 2010.
Members of Massachusetts State Police told the Globe several tactics have contributed to the achievement of reducing the murder rate.
They included targeting gun traffickers, prevention and intervention programs for young people, targeting drug enterprises, gangs and multiple offenders.
State Police -- automatically the lead investigators on all killings outside Boston, Pittsfield, Springfield and Worcester -- solved 85 percent of their 2016 murder investigations, 57 of 67.
This is an update to a story filed at 1:46 p.m.
AGAWAM -- A lengthy report on a controversial arrest that led to the firing of three police officers highlights stinging commentary on the officers' conduct that includes allegations of excessive force, spin-doctoring reports and incompetence.
Police Chief Eric Gillis on Thursday released the report drafted by law enforcement consultant Alfred Donovan along with video of a man in custody who clashed violently with police. The video chronicles the hours David Desjardins, 27, of Connecticut, spent at the Agawam police station after his arrest for public drunkenness, resisting arrest and other alleged offenses while he was visiting the water park at Six Flags New England on June 19.
A segment of the video shows a struggle between Desjardins and former officers John P. Moccio, Edward B. Connor and Anthony Grasso, which led to their ouster. They were first placed on administrative leave by Gillis in July, and fired by Mayor Richard Cohen on Oct. 19. The firings sparked an outcry among many town residents and a lawn sign campaign in support of the officers.
A lawyer for the officers argues Desjardins was a drunken aggressor both at the park and at the station, and the use of force was justified under the department's own policies. Donovan's report, on the other hand, calls the level of force "improper, inappropriate, excessive, unnecessary and unlawful."
Gillis released the video after The Republican filed a public records request, and on the heels of the Hampden district attorney's verbal report that he intended to suspend a criminal probe against the officers without pursuing charges. Breaking his near-silence on the matter, Gillis said he believes his decision to discipline all three officers was a necessary, albeit painful, one.
"It was devastating. This was unprecedented in our department. ... But it's 2017 and this can't go on," Gillis said during an interview at Town Hall on Thursday. "Given the climate in the United States, I think we're all very sensitive to it."
The video shows Grasso and Connor wrestling Desjardins to a bench in a holding cell after bodily dragging him down a hallway during the booking process. Moccio hits him 17 times with a police baton, primarily on Desjardins' legs and shins.
Reports state Desjardins was belligerent and combative at the amusement park, placing a part-time officer in a headlock and punching another even as he was maced. It took four officers to place Desjardins in handcuffs, according to reports. Officers were summoned by park security when Desjardins became incensed after a bartender shut him off at the Wahoo Tiki Bar, reports state.
John Connor, a lawyer representing all three officers, called Donovan's report "a white wash" and said it failed to acknowledge a linchpin of the police department's own policies on use of force.
"The case rises and falls on whether or not Desjardins is assaultive toward the officers. If he punches an officer, if he spits at an officer, if he puts an officer in a headlock, under the policy, the use of a baton is authorized," the attorney said. "There isn't any reasonable doubt that this is assaultive behavior and the use of the baton is warranted."
John Connor insists that Desjardins placed Grasso, who has had neck surgery, in a headlock during the clash in the cell. Only this prompts Moccio's use of the baton, he argues. Gillis and other witnesses dispute that Desjardins placed him in a headlock based on the video footage. Donovan sides with Gillis on that point in his report.
"This investigator finds that the intensity and violent nature of the baton strikes were not meant or intended to induce compliance or subdue Desjardins but were intended to injure or punish him for his previous actions," Donovan, a former Tewksbury police chief who has weighed in on other local police misconduct investigations, states in his report.
"It is important to note that Sergeant Grasso and (Edward) Connor appear to be in an advantageous position on top of Desjardins attempting to gain complete control over him. At (one juncture in the video) Desjardins' arm is depicted over the back of Sergeant Grasso but not in position to choke or cause immediate threat," it continues.
He adds that the officers' conduct constitutes criminal behavior. His report also details other policy violations, including that the officers did not secure their weapons into and beyond the booking area. Early in the report, Donovan concludes that Moccio's account of the incident was not "realistic" in that he omitted delivering baton strikes to Desjardins' kidney and groin.
"He also omits (the) fact that he delivered at least 17 baton strikes to the body of Desjardins in less than two minutes," the report states, adding that the officers' response during the post-arrest custody phase amounted to "incompetence."
John Connor countered that Donovan's report does not include critical facts in the narrative that began at the water park.
"In this case, it took four officers rolling around on the ground at Six Flags for ten minutes -- using pepper spray, twice -- just to get him in handcuffs," Connor said. "You don't see the baton come out until the headlock. (Moccio) understands at this point that this guy is a very good fighter, and he's intoxicated."
It is unclear what Desjardins said at the police station to incite officers to drag him into a holding cell, as the audio was not turned on. The video system was newly installed. But , Gillis responded regarding the unknown verbal exchange:
"Does it matter? That's not the job of a police officer to dispense street justice. That's not our role. We have a great responsibility to those persons who come into our custody to ensure their safety," Gillis said.
At other points in the footage, Desjardins can be heard screaming obscenities at the officers from his cell, and can be seen banging his head on the door. At one juncture, he screams at two officers that they will lose their jobs. While a reporter for The Republican was permitted to view that footage, an attorney for the town said he could would release that portion of the video after redacting certain segments that portray Desjardins using the toilet in the cell.
The police chief said he received a phone call from his officers following the June arrest, alerting him that it had been a hairy night at the station. He reviewed the reports the next day and deemed everything to be "kosher," he said.
Because of the freshness of the video surveillance system at the station, he was unable to view the footage until nearly a month later, Gillis said.
He watched the video at just before 1 p.m. on July 14, and placed the officers on administrative leave by the end of the day.
"I felt that strongly about it. I was taken aback. The footage didn't match the image in my mind's eye based on the reports," Gillis said.
Grasso and Moccio had been members of the police force for nearly 20 years, according to town officials. Edward Connor had been an Agawam police officer for nearly 30.
Civil service hearings for the officers took place at the state building in Springfield over two days this week. A third day of testimony will take place on Jan. 31, according to the police chief. The hearings are designed to vet whether the officers' terminations were proper. John Connor argues they were not.
"Their case is imploding," he said.
bradley.jpg
A photo card for Jerry Bradley's funeral, above the Springfield Police internal investigation report into his death in custody.
The sister of Jerry Bradley has filed notice of a $100,000 claim against the city of Springfield, more than 15 months after her brother died in Springfield police custody.
Bradley was picked up on a warrant on Sept. 11, 2015 and suffered a fatal aneurysm while awaiting arraignment in a Springfield Police holding cell. For seven months the circumstances of his death remained largely undisclosed, until MassLive obtained and published an internal police investigation into the case in April 2016.
The internal investigation showed conflicting accounts of Bradley's physical condition, with prisoners in nearby cells telling investigators that they heard him screaming out for help, and officers on duty denying those claims. Two officers were suspended for 30 days following the department's internal inquiry.
On Dec. 16, John Thompson, an attorney representing Bradley's sister Olethia, sent a demand letter to Mayor Domenic Sarno, notifying him that the family would be seeking the legal maximum in compensation for Bradley's death.
"In light of the unlawful arrest, nearly 21 hours of painful suffering and subsequent passing, Ms. Olethia Bradley acting as personal representative for Mr. Jerry Bradley requests compensation in the amount of $100,000," the letter said.
According to state law, municipalities must be given six months of notice to accept, reject or negotiate legal claims before a lawsuit can be filed.
In a statement, Mayor Domenic Sarno acknowledged receipt of the letter and expressed condolences to Bradley's family.
"First of all, and again my sympathy, thoughts and prayers to the family of Mr. Jerry Bradley. Yes, a letter was received by my office from Atty. John M. Thompson on Dec. 20, 2016," Sarno said. "As with these matters my office immediately forwarded it to the appropriate departments - Law Department, City Solicitor Ed Pikula and Police Department Commissioner John Barbieri - for proper review and clarification aspects."
Neither Sarno or City Solicitor Ed Pikula would comment on the specifics of potential litigation, but Pikula told MassLive he would be reaching to Thompson for additional information.
Thompson's demand letter claims that police officers unlawfully arrested Bradley and failed to provide him appropriate medical care in custody, leading to his death.
"Jerry Bradley suffered for virtually an entire day due to the negligent failure to assist Mr. Bradley with his dire medical needs," the letter said.
<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/public/search/document%3A%203284746">View/search document collection</a>
In an interview, Thompson said the planned lawsuit is intended to secure additional information about Bradley's death, as well as compensation for his family.
While he has obtained his own copy of the internal investigation and other documents through public records requests in recent months, those documents have been heavily redacted and the city has continued to cite the ongoing review by the District Attorney's office as reason to deny information, Thompson said.
"We have not been able to get the autopsy report because the DA's office is still supposedly conducting a criminal investigation into this matter, which appears not to be going anywhere at all and doesn't appear to be near completion," Thompson said. "The family feels like it's gotten a cold shoulder from the city."
In September, a year after Bradley's death, Hampden DA spokesman Jim Leydon told MassLive the DA's inquiry would be completed soon. But as of earlier this month the probe was still open, and the DA's office did not return phone calls on Thursday.
Thompson said Bradley's family could also potentially file a federal civil rights lawsuit and was considering that option.
Bradley, a 57-year-old handyman who had lived in Springfield's Old Hill neighborhood for a decade, was in the passenger seat of a car traveling on State Street on Sept. 11, 2015 when it was pulled over by police. Officers ran his information and arrested him on a warrant, for what his family told MassLive was an unpaid fine out of Dudley for writing a bad check.
Because he was arrested on a Friday, he could not be arraigned until Monday morning, meaning a weekend stay in Springfield Police headquarters' lockup until he could be transferred to Dudley District Court.
Bradley called his girlfriend Angela Williams from the police station to say he would not make it home that weekend, Williams told MassLive in April. That was the last time they would speak.
I said, 'I'll been waiting for you.' We said we loved each other. We hung up the phone," Williams said.
What happened over the next 29 hours is muddled by conflicting testimony, according to an internal police investigation report obtained by MassLive in a public records request.
It is not disputed that Bradley, early in the morning of Sept. 13, was found unconscious by a guard doing regular rounds who began futile attempts to save his life. He was taken to Baystate Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 1:10 a.m.; the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner later determined his cause of death was a ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm.
The internal police investigation and MassLive's interviews with Bradley's family members found contradictions between how officers working at the station, Bradley's fellow prisoners and Bradley's family described the events of that weekend.
According to the department's internal report, officers said they had no knowledge of any serious medical issues plaguing Bradley, and the three officers on duty Friday night said he never asked for medical help. On Saturday, officers reported that Bradley had complained of back pain, but experienced no severe distress until he was found unconscious.
"Sgt. Bortolussi stated that officers Reyes and Dowd told him that [Bradley] was checked every 15 minutes and he appeared fine throughout the rest of the night," the internal report said.
But prisoners in neighboring cells to Bradley described a man who appeared to be in severe pain. One prisoner said Bradley shouted to an officer "I can't breathe, I need my treatment," on Friday night. Another said that the night of Bradley's death, he banged on the glass of his cell for two hours while screaming "This ain't right, call the ambulance."
And while officers wrote in their report that Williams, Bradley's girlfriend, told them she had no knowledge of any medical problems he had, she said otherwise in an interview with MassLive. Bradley had a tumor in his abdomen and she had told detectives of his condition when they interviewed her after his death, she said.
Williams had previously not seen the police account of her statements, but after reviewing the officers' report during an April interview with MassLive, she said it was false.
"He had a tumor. We knew this. That's why I told them," Williams said. "That is inaccurate."
Bradley's death was first reported by MassLive in April, seven months after it happened. MassLive began its inquiry after the case appeared in the appendix of a March report on Springfield's Community Police Hearing Board, in a group of entries on a spreadsheet, marked "investigate death of prisoner in his cell."
Of the seven officers investigated, two were suspended and five cleared of administrative charges, according to the report and statements from the city's law department.
The city and the police department would not say what specific actions led to the officers' suspensions, nor would they disclose their identities. The city's law office said the officers were suspended for 30 days without pay for violating the rules and regulations of the police department.
SPRINGFIELD -- The irony was priceless.
A Springfield man was captured by police Wednesday after allegedly being captured on video stealing a security camera from Walmart.
Ruben Santiago, 24, pleaded not guilty Thursday in Springfield District Court to larceny over $250 following his arrest Wednesday afternoon.
Santiago and another man were spotted just before noon entering Walmart on Boston Road and walking to the electronics department. There, Santiago picked up a $379 Night Owl Video Security DVR/Camera system while the accomplice grabbed a Nest Net Cam valued at $199, according to the arrest report.
Reuben Santiago, 24, of Springfield
The suspects then headed for the grocery department and ducked out an emergency exit, the report said.
Police chased the pair down Contessa Street, eventually arresting Santiago after finding him hiding under a porch. The other suspect got away, the report said.
Assistant District Attorney Jill O'Connor requested $5,000 bail on the new charge, and asked for Santiago's bail to be revoked in an open cocaine distribution case.
Defense lawyer Erin O'Connor opposed revoking her client's release in the drug case. She asked Judge William Boyle to set bail at $500 in the new case and require Santiago to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet.
Santiago has overcome struggles with substance abuse and is enrolled in Roca, a highly regarded anti-recidivism program operating in Springfield, Erin O'Connor said.
Boyle asked Santiago if he wanted to take a drug test and said he would receive "every consideration" if he passed. Santiago huddled with his lawyer for nearly a minute.
"Your honor, he would not like to take a drug test today," Erin O'Connor said.
"Even if he's in the Roca program?" the judge asked.
Boyle set bail at $5,000 and revoked the defendant's release in the drug case. Santiago is due back in court on Jan. 30.
SPRINGFIELD -- Jason Stovall has been sentenced to 21/2 years in jail plus two years probation after pleading guilty to illegal possession of a firearm, resisting arrest and receiving stolen property.
Stovall was sentenced Thursday by Hampden Superior Court Judge Edward J. McDonough.
Charges of carrying a loaded firearm and possession of a large-capacity feeding device were dropped as part of the plea agreement.
In December the lawyer for Stovall, 27, argued the case should be thrown out because two officers illegally stopped Stovall as he walked along Ashley Street in Springfield.
Judge Mark D. Mason denied the motion to dismiss the case, rejecting lawyer Joe A. Smith III's contentions and supporting the arguments of Assistant District Attorney Matthew W. Green.
Stovall will receive 236 days credit on his sentence to the Hampden County Correctional Center in Ludlow for days spent in jail awaiting trial.
At the December hearing, Smith asked Stovall why he ran from two police officers in the early morning hours of May 21 on Ashley Street in Springfield's Six Corners neighborhood. Stovall said he was afraid the police would shoot him.
Previously, Stovall was acquitted on a murder charge in 2012 in Hampden Superior Court.
He was one of two city men charged in the 2010 slaying of 21-year-old Jonathan G. Santiago in what police described as an attempted robbery. Santiago, a graduate of the High School of Science and Technology, was shot in his car outside a bar at the corner of State and Austin streets.
A Hampden County jury two years later found Stovall not guilty of murder and firearms charges filed in connection with Santiago's killing. Jurors convicted co-defendant Anthony E. Jessup on murder and two firearms charges. He was given a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
SPRINGFIELD A man had to be hospitalized after being attacked and stabbed in Springfield's Forest Park neighborhood on Friday afternoon.
Lt. David Kane of the Springfield Police Department confirmed that police had been called to Fort Pleasant Avenue at approximately 3 p.m. on Friday for reports of a stabbing victim.
Police are now searching for a suspect responsible for the attack, according to Springfield police Sgt. John Delaney.
Delaney further stated that after the stabbing, the victim was able to make his way to the intersection of Main Street and Central Street, where a bystander transported him to Baystate Medical Center for treatment.
No description of the suspect in the stabbing has been made public at this time.
k.jourdain.jpg
Holyoke City Council President Kevin A. Jourdain
(FILE PHOTO)
HOLYOKE -- Inclusion of an item on a City Council meeting agenda in October apparently was sufficient to address a complaint about an alleged Open Meeting Law violation and the matter is closed, the state attorney general's office said.
The finding was contained in a Jan. 6 letter from Kevin Manganaro, assistant attorney general, division of open government, in the office Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, to Richard Purcell of 99 Martin St. (see below).
Purcell filed a complaint with the City Council Oct. 7 alleging the violation. The allegation was that the violation occurred because City Council President Kevin A. Jourdain sent an email to a majority of councilors and in the email he expressed an opinion, opposition to the marijuana ballot question. That amounted to holding deliberations under the Open Meeting Law, officials said.
In the box on the complaint form Purcell completed that asks what action is desired from the public body in response to the complaint, was the comment, "This is a clear violation of the open meeting law, and as such be held accountable." (see below).
The attorney general's office is the agency that enforces the Open Meeting Law. But the law regarding such complaints requires that the complaint first be filed with the "public body" alleged to have committed the violation and then that public body must be given an opportunity to remedy the alleged violation.
Jourdain, a lawyer, conferred with Assistant City Solicitor Sara J. Carroll. They determined the remedy in this case would be to ensure public disclosure by posting on the City Council agenda on Oct. 18 the email that Jourdain had sent to councilors along with an attachment that contained a report against passage of the marijuana question by the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association.
Jourdain had said he takes seriously the concerns raised in Purcell's complaint.
"I'm taking it with a positive note and will just make sure it's placed on the next meeting agenda and that should rectify any problems," Jourdain said in October.
"The Law Department said that simple remedy is to add it as a communication to next (City Council) meeting so I am doing that," he said.
The City Council accepted the agenda item as the remedial step during the Oct. 18 meeting, including with Ward 3 Councilor David K. Bartley asking Jourdain to read the Sept. 29 email and attachment into the record.
"We sent you a letter on Nov. 10, 2016 stating that if we did not receive the original complaint from you by Dec. 28, 2016, we would presume the action taken by the Council was sufficient and would close this file," Manganaro said in the letter to Purcell. "Our office currently has no record of a complaint filed by you in this matter. Therefore, we now consider this matter closed."
The Open Meeting Law requires that municipal boards and commissions like the City Council conduct business in open session, available for anyone to attend if they choose, to observe debates and decision-making. The law requires that the public receive 48 hours notice of such open sessions with available postings including online notices.
The law includes 10 exceptions boards can cite to hold closed-door, or executive, sessions in which the public and press are prohibited from attending. These include to conduct collective bargaining or discuss litigation or the purchase of real estate.
Open Meeting Law complaint closed in Holyoke: by Mike Plaisance on Scribd
Open Meeting Law complaint: by Mike Plaisance on Scribd
Legal Sea Foods
(Yusuke Kawasaki/Flickr)
A tradition dating back to the administration of President Ronald Reagan may be in for a doubtful future in the age of Donald Trump.
Every presidential inauguration since President Reagan's first in 1981 has included New England clam chowder, made by Legal Sea Foods.
It appears President-elect Trump's will not, although the company is fishing for a way in, reports The Boston Globe.
Roger Berkowitz, CEO of the company, told The Globe he hasn't "heard from anybody yet," while acknowledging the order has sometimes come in last-minute.
But a spokeswoman for the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies told the Globe that Berkowitz's famous chowder won't be on the menu this year.
In August, Legal Sea Foods ran a parody advertisement coinciding with the start of the Republican National Convention -- also a tradition -- in which Berkowitz made hay out of the size of Trump's hands, an issue discussed during the campaign with surprising frequency.
"I can assure you, it's not the size of your hands that are important," Berkowitz said in the ad, "but rather, the size of your shrimp."
The company also ran a parody ad on Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, featuring a photograph of her captioned, "We have a term for cold fish. Sushi."
The possible exclusion, The Globe speculated, could be related to the way Massachusetts voted or the aforementioned ad.
However, Berkowitz told the Globe he's still hoping to hear from the inaugural committee.
"It's not partisan chowder," he said in a Globe interview. "This has nothing to do with politics. . . . Maybe this is the chowder that brings America together -- who knows?" It often comes down to the last minute, he said.
Berkowitz attended Bill Clinton's second inauguration in 1997 and personally ladled out 40 gallons of the chowder, according to the Globe.
The paper also said a company representative in Washington, D.C., has attempted to make inroads with Republicans to get the item back on the inauguration menu.
A week ago, while on a vacation cruise through the Persian Gulf with his wife, Medford native Ed Schultz coughed, and he heard something go "pop" in his back. Then came the pain.
Hours later, the cruise ship reached Oman and he was rushed to a hospital in Muscat.
According to his sister Elizabeth Schultz, doctors first believed it was a herniated disc. Then they found the lesion in his back and they now say the cough apparently caused his back to fracture, a freak accident.
Schultz, a 37-year-old occupational therapist, and his wife Christine, a nurse, remain stuck in Oman and he is unable to get out of bed. Plans to spend celebrating nine years of marriage in Abu Dhabi are now postponed, and doctors believe he'll get the best treatment in Boston.
Because of his condition, he needs a special medical flight, and the insurance he has is only willing to cover $50,000 out of $150,000.
"The amount of money the insurance companies are asking for upfront before we can get him real medical attention is unfathomable," Elizabeth Schultz said in a phone interview. "It's as much as some people's houses."
A friend in St. Louis, Ryan Williams, has started a fundraising page on GoFundMe.com and it shows the effort is already halfway to $100,000.
"A hundred thousand dollars is not something you ever expect in your lifetime to come up with at the drop of a hat," Elizabeth said.
High school classmates have reached out and anonymous people have donated money. "It's been unbelievable," she said. "It's very humbling, to say the least."
Elizabeth said she views her brother as a hero, an "amazing support system to me when I've gone through rough times, no questions asked."
As part of a government program, he and his wife have worked in various city hospitals in low-income areas, including in Chicago, St. Louis and parts of California, according to Elizabeth. Ed and Christine, who met while at Boston University in 2001, are the "epitome of a couple in love," Elizabeth added.
"We need to get him home," she said.
36 summer st blackstone.jpg
A police investigation is ongoing at 36 Summer St. in Blackstone.
(Blackstone assessor's office)
Glenn Armstrong, the man who is a person of interest in the homicide of his 83-year-old father, was arrested in Mount Laurel, New Jersey on Thursday night after the pickup truck he was driving ran out of gas.
Armstrong, 48, was driving the 1995 Chevrolet S-10 that was registered to his father, Walter Armstrong.
The pickup truck was missing from the Blackstone home where the elder Armstrong was found dead on Wednesday.
Glenn Armstrong was taken into custody without incident in a hotel parking lot, the Worcester County District Attorney's office said in a statement.
In addition to being wanted for questioning in his father's killing, Armstrong was wanted on a warrant for failing to submit a DNA sample after being convicted of a felony.
Armstrong spent 18 months in federal prison after threatening to kill then-President William Clinton in 1994.
The district attorney's office is working on getting Armstrong back to Worcester County.
Various breeds of puppies are being sold online in the Worcester County area that have become sick, and even died, shortly after being purchased, officials said.
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources said in a statement released Thursday that is has received a number of complaints about sick puppies being sold through online advertisements in the Worcester County area.
The seller usually asks to meet buyers at parking lots in southern Worcester County, the statement said. Contact from the seller is mainly online or through text and buyers are asked to pay in cash.
The buyers have promised the sellers that the puppy is properly vaccinated, the statement said, and in some cases even provide documentation of vaccination.
"Unfortunately, some of these puppies have become acutely ill soon after purchase, and some puppies have died despite extensive veterinary care," the statement said. "When the buyers have attempted to contact the seller they have found that the cell phone numbers used to set up the purchases were no longer in service."
The state Department of Agricultural Resources is working with the Animal Rescue League of Boston, the Charlton Police Department and the Southbridge Police Department to investigate the complaints.
The ARL urges people who want to buy pets to adopt from them from a reputable animal shelter, which helps the pet as well as creates a space for the next animal in need.
Consumers should be cautious when purchasing animals online.
"If something doesn't feel right it usually isn't," said Dr. Edward Schettino, vice president of animal welfare and veterinary services at the ARL.
"Some consumers also feel that by purchasing a dog/puppy from a potential bad situation, they are helping or rescuing the dog," Schettino coninued. "In fact, they are perpetuating the problem by giving the seller what they want, money. If the consumer is concerned they should reach out to MDAR or the ARL's Law Enforcement Department to register a complaint."
Shelters like the ARL perform medical and behavioral screenings on all dogs up for adoption.
Donald Trump
President-elect Donald Trump's business interests are a source of national debate as he prepares to take office.
(Evan Vucci)
Concerns about potential conflicts of interest regarding President-Elect Donald Trump's business interests are natural and, to a point, well-founded. The many tentacles of Trump's business empire would put even an octopus to shame.
One aspect of this unprecedented ascent to the White House, however, should not be overlooked. A business person can run for President. It's allowed by the Constitution.
The endless questions over Trump's empire stem largely from his own style. He's always approached business as a no-holds-barred activity where winning is paramount, so there is understandable suspicion about whether he will respect the separation of political power and personal potential gain.
Trump says he will. In fact, he said in his first press conference that he will detach himself in ways far beyond the legal requirements, which offer immunity to presidents on such matters, he said.
This leaves it up to the public to decide if they believe him. Millions won't, especially since Trump has no intention of selling his interests.
But there's a larger point here. Americans have long clamored to open the political process to include not just politicians, lawyers and others in the established political network, but those from other fields as well.
If elective politics are indeed open to people beyond career politicians, questions such as those surrounding Trump are inevitable. If business success is held against aspiring politicians, many potentially good candidates will be ruled out or simply won't try.
Anyone who thinks career politicians don't also have business interests that could cause conflicts of interest is also being naive. There's one difference: such questions in their cases usually don't surface until after they're comfortably installed in office.
The unsettling aspect of Trump's potential conflicts is not about the relationship between business interests and the political process, it's about Trump. Given his hard-sell business history and the perception he feels comfortable making his own rules as he goes, that's understandable.
But if we are serious about opening up the process to more candidates, we shouldn't recoil when someone from the business community enters the field. Only the most successful are likely or even able to plunge into national politics, anyway.
Trump is a litmus test of whether Americans are willing to let these worlds mix for the sake of expanding the choice of candidates. To many people, he's a particularly hard and bitter pill to swallow for such a test. That might be why he could be such a good test to find out if, when we say we're tired of politics run by the same entrenched politicians, we really mean it.
Rex Tillerson
Secretary of State-designate Rex Tillerson gestures while testifying on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, at his conformation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
What qualifies the former head of the world's largest oil company to become our nation's secretary of state?
Though there are some who'd suggest that an individual's business successes demonstrate an ability to get things done - and that that alone is sufficient - such a view is not a little facile.
Another question might put the nomination of former Exxon Mobile Corp. CEO Rex Tillerson in perspective:
Should a close friend of Russia become our nation's 69th secretary of state?
Tillerson, after all, was awarded a medal of friendship from Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Time was, that alone would have been nearly disqualifying - at least in the eyes of most Republicans. But we are living in very different times.
Tillerson wasn't exactly a ball of fire in his Senate confirmation hearings. Appearing before the Committee on Foreign Relations, he often equivocated, dodged, pleaded ignorance. He repeatedly said he couldn't speak for the company he'd headed until just days earlier.
He even said that he and Trump hadn't spoken about Russia. Or Syria.
He was, to put it politely, less than impressive.
But this doesn't necessarily mean that his nomination is in trouble. It might not be a slam-dunk, but most observers still believe that, barring some unexpected development in the days ahead, Tillerson is more likely than not to be confirmed as State Department head.
Soon, we may have not only a president with no prior government, military or legislative experience, but also a secretary of state in that same boat. Both, though, are business successes.
Which proves what, exactly?
Said Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin, the ranking Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee: "Those who suggest that anyone who can run a successful business can, of course, run a government agency do a profound disservice to both."
Hear, hear.
Republicans hold a one-seat majority on the committee. If Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who said after the hearing that he hadn't made up his mind on Tillerson, joined the 10 Democrats on the committee in opposing him, his nomination would come before the full Senate with no recommendation.
Then, if the Democratic block of 48 held firm - which is far from a given - just three Republican senators would need to break ranks to tank the oil honcho's nomination.
Stay tuned.
Donald Trump, Jack Ma
President-elect Donald Trump, accompanied by Alibaba Executive Chairman Jack Ma, speaks with reporters after a meeting at Trump Tower in New York, Monday, Jan. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
By Alyssa Rosenberg
The Washington Post
Alyssa Rosenberg
"If (Vladimir) Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability, because we have a horrible relationship with Russia," President-elect Donald Trump declared in his wild ride of a news conference on Wednesday. "Now, I don't know that I'm going to get along with Vladimir Putin. I hope I do. But there's a good chance I won't."
The specific nature of Trump's relationship with the sinister president of Russia has been giving foreign policy experts shudders for months, climaxing this week in the publication of a dossier with allegations so salacious that they practically gave smelling salts a comeback. Beyond Putin, Trump's voracious hunger to be liked seems to be one of the defining elements of his personality and, likely, of his presidency. He doesn't yet seem to have learned that being liked can be a very bad thing and that there are times when it's worth making an active effort to earn a good enemy.
For the purposes of argument, and given Trump's well-documented and exceptionally high self-regard, I'm going to assume that Trump believes that Putin likes him because Putin appreciates and admires the quality Trump values most in himself. That's not unusual; most of us hope to be loved for ourselves, and to be seen in the best possible light. Relationships that proceed on these terms are based on respect and give us reason to expect that the other person involved will be willing to work with us in a constructive fashion, to accept our wishes and ideas as legitimate and to reach compromises that are genuinely agreeable.
This isn't the only road to being liked, though. For plenty of people, Trump included, the primary criteria for whether someone is likable isn't whether he or she possesses a strong character, sparkling conversational skills or a well-calibrated moral compass: It's whether the person gives you what you want and tells you what you want to hear. No matter how much Trump would like to believe that Putin genuinely likes and respects him, it would be prudent if not within his capacity to consider the possibility that Putin has treated Trump warmly because he believes Trump can be easily manipulated into behaving like an obedient toady. Trump's desire for Putin's approval may be a more valuable asset for Putin than Putin's ostensible affection for Trump will be for the president-elect.
If it's possible to be esteemed for the wrong reasons, there are also people whose approval isn't worth having. Putin's long record of authoritarianism and corruption has been extensively documented. Presidents don't always have the luxury of purity, but their choices ought to become at least somewhat clearer when dealing with someone who pairs an ominous governing style with decisions that endanger American interests.
And there are situations where a leader's governing style is so morally intolerable that it might not be acceptable to court his or her approval even for strategic reasons. Though it might be hard to imagine facing this choice personally, there are times when it's better to be called "son of a whore" than to garner glowing praise from someone who has bragged about personally carrying out extrajudicial executions in the midst of a murderous campaign against people who sell and use drugs.
Trump himself has occasionally appeared to recognize the value of this idea, if only on the level of personal expedience.
"I don't want to energize the group. I'm not looking to energize them," he told editors and writers from the New York Times in November, when executive editor Dean Baquet asked Trump about his support from white nationalist groups. "I don't want to energize the group, and I disavow the group. They, again, I don't know if it's reporting or whatever. I don't know where they were four years ago, and where they were for (Mitt) Romney and (John) McCain and all of the other people that ran, so I just don't know, I had nothing to compare it to. But it's not a group I want to energize, and if they are energized I want to look into it and find out why."
OK, Mr. Trump. If you say so.
This was essentially the same thing Trump said last February when informed that former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard David Duke had endorsed him "David Duke endorsed me? OK, alright. I disavow, OK?" except multiple times, as if "disavow" or "energize" are magical words of power that could banish these pesky fans and the trouble they cause him.
No matter how often Trump utters these incantations, they still the same thing as "(looking) into it and (finding) out why." Instead, these impatient, monotonous statements treat the cause of white nationalist enthusiasm for Trump as if it's incidental, rather than the result of anything he has said or any position he has taken. If Trump was serious about deflating the racists who see his administration as an opportunity to restore white power, it would not be difficult for him or his staff to figure out what racists respond to, and to stop doing it, or at least to actively and publicly discourage the ugliest interpretations of his rhetoric.
Winning an election is certainly a matter of getting people to like you, though that can mean everything from "I could have a beer with him" to "I find him marginally less offensive than his opponents." The substance of the job that follows winning an election, though, has very little to do with being liked. I don't know if Trump will learn this the easy way, or the hard way, or whether he'll learn it at all.
Alyssa Rosenberg blogs about pop culture for The Washington Post's Opinions section.
University of Montana President Sheila Stearns will address the campus with a State of the University presentation at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, in the University Center Ballroom.
"In my brief time here at the University, Ive learned much about where we are, where we want to be, and the importance of our shared governance in working together toward that goal," Stearns said.
Stearns will take the opportunity to share information and engage the campus and Missoula communities in the planning process of moving the institution forward.
Full Event Information: http://news.umt.edu/2017/01/011217sotu.php
SBA 504 Loans offered statewide! Real estate and equipment, acquisitions, renovation, and new construction. Low, fixed-rates up to 25 years with as little as 10% down.
Its industry knowledge that the skilled labor shortage is a red flag, Dixon-Foley said. Were finding that were having a difficult time finding skilled labor in our area.
For several days in January, students at Park High School learned what it takes to make pet toys.
Over the course of the last week, a pair of employees at West Paw Design https://www.westpawdesign.com/ , a Bozeman-based pet goods company, took over teacher Jamie Isalys manufacturing class.
The teaching was part of a larger outreach effort by the Gallatin Valley Manufacturing Partnership, a newly formed coalition of local manufacturers, which hopes to address various industry issues from worker shortages to public perception.
By Lewis Kendall Chronicle Staff Writer
Full Story: http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/economy/faced-with-worker-shortages-gallatin-valley-manufacturers-turn-to-schools/article_d84ac406-1666-515a-b2df-dcd6b4cc8529.html
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The Gallatin Valley Manufacturing Partnership in Bozeman, Montana is designing a 9-day manufacturing curriculum module to be offered in local high schools throughout the region. The curriculum was developed by a team of manufacturers working with education partners and will be taught by guest instructors from regional manufacturing companies. It includes guest speakers, field trips to local manufacturing companies, and classes offered by Gallatin Community College.
http://www.nextgensectorpartnerships.com/aboutnextgenerationpartnerships/
In a surprise development Thursday, Gov. Steve Bullock said he had found $10 million in state money to match federal highway funds and allow $144.5 million of delayed highway projects to be put out for bid this fiscal year.
Transportation Director Mike Tooley said this move will allow the state Transportation Department to put out for bid the 30 projects that the agency had put on hold in December because of a funding shortfall.
By CHARLES S. JOHNSON Chronicle Staff Writer
Full Story: http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/mtleg/bullock-finds-million-to-free-federal-highway-funding-for-road/article_7c792e3c-712f-59f4-b7b2-ba34c56acf32.html
Looking for a self-directed project this semester that can lead to prizes, mentoring and live connections to the business world? The 14th annual Wisconsin Governors Business Plan Contest is accepting entries online for the 2017 competition until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31.
The contest is designed to encourage entrepreneurs in the startup stage of tech-based businesses in Wisconsin. It links up-and-coming entrepreneurs with a statewide network of community resources, expert advice, high-quality education, management talent and possible sources of capital.
Since its inception in 2004, more than 3,350 entries have been received and about $2.2 million in cash and services (such as legal, accounting, office space and marketing) have been awarded. Contest categories are Advanced Manufacturing, Business Services, Information Technology and Life Sciences.
by Angela Schlobohm
Full Story: http://govsbizplancontest.com/2017/student-entries-welcome-by-jan-31-for-govs-biz-plan-contest/
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Shark Tank Live Pitch Business Plan Competition, 3/12-14, Helena, Montana http://www.matr.net/events.phtml?showdetail=6265
The Department of Commerce has welcomed Allison Whitmer to the position of Film Commissioner for the Montana Film Office http://www.montanafilm.com/ She comes with great vision and experience with the film industry as well as economic development.
For the past 20 years, Allison has been involved in filmmaking, beginning with "The Horse Whisperer," a Robert Redford classic, as well as the adaptation of the Native American breakthrough novel, "Winter in the Blood," penned by the acclaimed author James Welch. Most recently, "Certain Women" brings the everyday stories of Montana women to life. She brings the knowledge of her own pioneer grandparents and a love of open spaces and augments it all with degrees in Media and Theatre Arts and Consumer Economics from Montana State University. Her worldwide clients have included Valentino, Virgin Records and Italian Vogue. She actively promotes historic preservation and youth education.
Full Story: http://commerce.mt.gov/News/PressReleases/ArtMID/19685/ArticleID/5525/Department-of-Commerce-Welcomes-New-Film-Commissioner
A lot of businesses in Montana are small, are often in rural areas, and operate without their own human resources professional.
Like larger enterprises, they need to attract and grow talent, but many have difficulties doing so, said Kate McGoldrick, director for leadership, entrepreneurship and executive education at the University of Montana.
In direct response to those needs, which McGoldrick gleaned on a tour of Montana last summer, shell be holding a two-and-a-half day seminar in April on "talent management."
KEILA SZPALLER [email protected]
Full Story: http://missoulian.com/news/local/gilkey-building-aims-to-provide-premiere-learning-venue/article_f33fe85d-8aa5-54b4-bea1-8298a10c9fac.html
The U.S. Air Force is sitting at a nexus in which the world is becoming increasingly dangerous and complex, and our nation is asking us to do things that keep us busier now than ever before, yet we have fewer people now than at any point in our historyjust over a third of what we had in the 1950s!
To meet these challenges, American military leaders and members must become more willing to question the status quo, speak out, and accept that smart risk taking is inseparable from effective leadership in such a dynamic environment. Air University (AU) strives in every waywith its faculty and staff, education programs, labs, and infrastructureto produce the innovative and outspoken Airmen needed to meet the security challenges of today and the future.
Innovation and calculated risk-taking are the Air Forces birthright. We can trace our lineage directly back to the Wright brothers when they brought together inspiration, education, innovation, and perspiration to build a flying machine that blasted the world asunder, changing the course of human history forever. Air Universitys headquarters at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, is situated on the very ground where these two brothers opened Americas first civilian flying school. Today, AU continues to emulate their inventive spirit, while also taking cues from several exemplar Airmen whose innovativeness, risk-taking and outspokenness in their times were crucial to meeting our nations emerging challenges.
One such Airman is General of the Air Force Henry Hap Arnold, who brought courage, vision and the importance of networking to create a mighty Air Force from the humble collection of Wright flyers that he had flown in 1911, with the Wrights as his instructors. He immediately became an instructor for other military flyers at the Signal Corps aviation school, underscoring the important role that teaching has always had in an Airmans development. Soon, he ascended to positions in which he cooperated with civilian industry and research institutions to build the forces and infrastructure that would later dominate the skies over Europe and the Pacific during World War II.
Arnold had a talent for understanding and articulating the crucial systemic connections between numerous organizations and fields, providing visionary statements as revealed in numerous historic written documents preserved here at Maxwell AFB that are as relevant today as when he first penned them. Above all, however, he had the ability to find and promote talent, mentoring and placing the best future leaders in the key developmental positions they needed to grow into the vanguard of a force that would fly, fight, and win against Americas adversaries.
In 1918, Gen. William Billy Mitchell orchestrated the first-ever, large-scale coalition air operation in support of the St Mihiel Offensive. It validated much of his thinking on airpower employment. In the 1920s, Mitchell was an outspoken advocate for the offensive capabilities of airpower in war. He developed concepts for aerial attacks against ships that eventually spurred the U.S. Navy to develop its carrier-aviation capabilities that would prove decisive in the Pacific theater during World War II. While often controversial, Mitchell was courageous in capturing, sharing and even testing his cutting-edge concepts for air operations. He put himself and his reputation on the line time and again to push the critical innovations he envisioned in detail before others could even imagine the potential of airpower. One of his most revolutionary innovations one that is clearly evident today is our independent Air Force.
During World War II, Army Air Forces Lt. Col. James Jimmy Doolittle developed the ideas and plan for Americas first offensive strike against the Japanese homeland, launched just four months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, in April 1942. A daredevil pilot in his youth, Doolittle matured as a test pilot and innovator through personal courage, perseverance, a tremendous level of curiosity and dedication to education, culminating with his earning a doctorate in aeronautical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1923. Doolittle matched courage with calculation, achieving many significant advances in aviation techniques and technology during the interwar years.
When an imaginative submariner, Navy Capt. Francis Low, asked Arnold if long-range bombers could possibly be flown from U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, the chief of the Army Air Forces knew exactly who to call. It wasnt a crazy idea. On the contrary, it was brilliant and it was exactly the kind of military option that President Franklin Roosevelt desperately needed in the wake of Pearl Harbor and numerous subsequent U.S. reverses in the Pacific. Still, Arnold knew that only one Airman had the intellectual agility to figure out how this might be effected and the energy and perseverance to bring the idea to reality, and that was Doolittle.
The daring Doolittle Raid caught the Japanese completely by surprise and gave the Allies their first taste of victory. It also caused the Japanese people to begin questioning their own military leaders assurance of invincibility. This was because prior to Doolittles success, everyone who knew anything about airpower simply concluded it could not be done!
So, what can we learn from these giants of Air Force history? First, they recognized that what had worked in the past was no longer sufficient to meet current needs. They also understood that things would only get worse unless they took positive action immediately.
They cultivated technical expertise and professional instinct to gain a deep understanding of the potential of airpower, and then harnessed their personal and professional networks to build support for and test their ideas. If the officials they needed to approve their ideas were not open-minded enough to give serious consideration to their innovations, they found other ways to overcome the inevitable bureaucratic barriers to progress. These pioneers understood that an acceptance of personal risk whether it be physical, professional or social, with the latter often requiring the most personal courage was necessary to generate the capabilities, processes, techniques, and ultimately the changes in culture that new strategic realities required.
At Air University, our most significant challenge is providing the education and connections that will help todays Airmen adapt to challenge and change in our own times, with the specific purpose of protecting our nation and our friends with the strongest and most capable Air Force this world has ever seen. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein has offered his full support as we transform our organizations, methods and infrastructure to adapt to contemporary and emerging challenges. Were enhancing our in-residence and distance-learning offerings and creating environments for enhanced personal and virtual collaboration. All of these will help our Airmen, sister-service, civilian, and coalition partners master their subjects, explore new ideas together, and reach their full potential as continually connected life-long learners and innovators. In addition, they can always turn back to their alma mater for assistance and insight as they rise up to assume the mantle of responsibility formerly held by the very Airmen who created the legacy we seek to preserve.
This is a journey, not a destination. Air University will have to continually adapt. In the last year, we have taken steps to make our professional military education more relevant for the problems of the day. We have changed our curriculum, so that it is helping our students understand the geopolitical environment, understand humanity and understand technology. It will make our Airmen better problem-solvers, better strategic thinkers and better critical thinkers as they solve the very challenging and complex problems that face our Air Force, our U.S. military, and our nation.
America was built by people who questioned the status quo and believed that there was always a better way. Simply by leveraging the incredible wealth of our lands and oceans, and the even more incredible richness of our diverse national melting pot of ideas and culture, they understood they could create the innovations to change and even amaze the entire world. In this critically important inflection point in air, space, and cyberspace history, we must capitalize on these unique strengths. Air University is committed to training professional Airmen so they can grow and become the Mitchells, Doolittles, and Arnolds of tomorrow. They are taking our courses, thinking and writing about the problems that have bedeviled them in their operations, and ultimately solving those problems. They are our faculty members, returning to the operational force with a wealth of professional knowledge that has been refined by the immersive leadership laboratory of teaching. And they are in our labs, engineering and testing the technologies that will take us to even greater heights in the future. Air University is at the forefront of innovation, preparing today for tomorrows Air Force and were only getting started.
On Monday, McDowell County and the rest of the nation will pause to honor the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and his struggle for equality and justice.
And during its annual Martin Luther King Day service, a local church will emphasize that this struggle continues today.
On Monday, Addies Chapel United Methodist Church will hold its annual Martin Luther King Day service, starting at 11 a.m. The theme of this years service is The March Continues, said Connie Martin of the churchs United Methodist Women.
The King Day service is traditionally held by the United Methodist Women of Addies Chapel. This will be the 20th year for this special event.
The Rev. Stephon Goode will be the guest speaker. He is the pastor of Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Henderson. A native of Marion, he is a graduate of McDowell High School and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He became the pastor of Union Grove Baptist Church in 2002.
Ray McKesson, president of the McDowell chapter of the NAACP, is also scheduled to speak during the service.
In addition, Anissa Hamrick and Greg Conley will provide special music. The Addies Chapel Gospel Choir will sing. The Rev. Walter Pegues, pastor of the church, will speak as well.
Refreshments will be served afterward in the fellowship hall.
In addition, administrative offices for McDowell County, the city of Marion, the town of Old Fort, the school system and McDowell Technical Community College will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Day.
Organizers of the service said it is intended for the entire community and is open to the public. Officials from McDowell County, the city of Marion and the school system are invited and usually attend.
Im just looking forward to it, said Martin. We need unity. I hope everyone will come together. Thats what we need.
For more information, call Connie Martin at 652-5506.
The revenue department had come under much criticism from youth organisations for issuing an order raising the retirement age to 60.
by Karlene Lukovitz @KLmarketdaily, January 5, 2017
Earlier this year, PJA Advertising President Mike OToole called GE perhaps the most innovative B2B marketer on the planet.
Thats in no small part a testament to the companys DNA. Founded 124 years ago by one of historys greatest innovators, Thomas Edison, GE continues to pride itself on its disruptive, experimental culture and that goes as much for its marketing and advertising as for its corporate strategy.
Thats not an easy reputation to live up to, but Linda Boff has more than shown that she has the right stuff since she was named GEs CMO in September 2015. Indeed, Boffs tough-act-to-follow predecessor in the CMO role, Beth Comstock who became GEs first female vice chair (and Boffs boss) has described Boff as one of the most innovative and forward-thinking marketers in the business.
A 12-year GE veteran who also continues her responsibilities as GEs global digital marketing chief, Boff has taken on the chief marketing role at a historic juncture for GE, as it spins off its consumer appliances and financial services businesses to focus on being a digital industrial company. Meaning, in GEs own words, being at the forefront of machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive.
GEs audiences include customers, prospects and the investment community, but also tech-forward potential employees and the whole science/tech enthusiast/influencer base.
Changing the lingering perception of GE as a staid, slow-moving industrial giant to an innovation leader requires telling a modern Internet story, Boff said at the AMAs 2016 annual conference. That seems something of an understatement, given the dizzying pace of pioneering digital campaigns going on under her oversight.
GE has become known as the preeminent content marketer, with a deep understanding of the messages that will resonate with its audiences, and the good sense to allow talented content creators to implement them. At AMA, Boff explained that she has created three in-house labs devoted to disruption, media and performance marketing and that she organizes content into tiers: emotional storytelling, information about specific initiatives, and calls to action. All of this is designed to generate content about GEs tech work that can resonate in a personal way with audiences.
What guides everything the marketing team does is how do we make sure that the user really is king throughout this experience?, Boff told Contently. Theyre giving us some time and attention. What are we giving back?
Boff has also driven GEs gutsy, brand-pioneering use of new platforms and channels, including Instagram, Vine, Twitter, Periscope, Medium and many others. This is very much a deliberate strategy born of the belief that, given that its impossible to know what media will take off or fizzle out, sitting on the sidelines is riskier than jumping in, learning from success or failure, and moving on, she has stressed.
A year ago, GE made techies and non-techies alike sit up and take notice with its collaboration with The New York Times to provide 1 million Sunday paper readers with a Google Cardboard headset, to enable a simple but powerful introduction to the virtual reality experience. The Times VR app, which won a Cannes Lions Grand Prix award, showed videos from GE and Mini, as well as a documentary about children displaced by war.
Another major GE coup: The Message, a podcast that wove the companys technology into a fictional story about cryptology that was so compelling that it hit #1 on iTunes. That one won a Gold at Cannes for GEs longtime AOR, BBDO New York.
In second-half 2015, GE teamed with the National Geographic Channel and Ron Howards and Brian Grazers production companies to develop Breakthrough, a six-part series about scientific breakthroughs and the processes behind them. This effort exemplified both GEs emphasis on innovative partnerships, and that cutting-edge media philosophy. The series was viewable on National Geographic Channels around the world, the GE Reports site, NatGeoTV.com, and all of the major TV-VOD, TVE, gaming and social media platforms. It was also embedded in banner ads or featured on posts on large sites such as Motherboard, Reddit, Vice and The Daily Beast.
A few of the many other ingenious GE implementations in recent months include Droneweek, which used Periscope and drone footage to tell stories at five GE factories over five days; a crowdsourced 6-Second Science Fair on Vine; a campaign around using jet-engine materials to package hot sauce; a campaign in which an indestructible Octobrella was promoted as protection against a supposedly pending storm of octopi; and a new Labracadabra program offering kits and how-to videos to do fun science experiments at home.
A prime example of using storytelling to convey GEs innovation story was 2016s Whats the Matter With Owen? ad campaign. That series of vignettes about a nerdy but lovable young man who gets a job at GE both underlined GEs tech leadership and (an unexpected bonus) increased employment applications at GE by a factor of eight.
That was particularly gratifying to Boff, who's known for her dedication to nurturing talent for the digital future. At GE, she's been working to streamline capabilities by developing a common standard of excellence. She has also spent time on college campuses educating and inspiring aspiring marketers, and launched a CMO Talent Challenge for the Association of National Advertisers.
Looking at the big picture, Boff has developed a framework for how marketers can help their companies achieve and support growth, built on skills for creating markets, shaping opportunities and capturing demand.
Prior to joining GE in 2003 as global director of marketing communications, Boff helped develop NBCs iVillage as its CMO, and served in key marketing roles at Citigroup, the American Museum of Natural History and several large media and marketing agencies.
by Erik Sass , Staff Writer @eriksass1, January 13, 2017
Two more newspapers are saying goodbye to their headquarters or in this case, just the deed.
McClatchy Co. announced it is selling the buildings housing two of its newspapers, The Sacramento Bee in California and The State in Columbia, SC, to two different buyers. The company plans to lease the offices back to the newspapers, in what has become a common arrangement for financially strapped publishers.
McClatchy sold the Bees headquarters, which also contains the companys corporate offices, to Shopoff Advisors LP, associated with real-estate investment firm Shopoff Realty Investments, for $51 million. The States offices went for around $17 million, and were purchased by Twenty Lakes Holding, a commercial real-estate development and management firm based in New York City.
The publisher also signed a 15-year lease with Shopoff to lease back the Sacramento Bees headquarters, with initial annual lease payments of around $4.6 million, as well as a similar agreement with initial annual payments of $1.6 million with Twenty Lakes for The States offices.
McClatchy will use the proceeds from these sales to pay down its debt, the company revealed. Both properties were on the market for less than a year. The company is also considering the sale of the office building housing another newspaper, the Kansas City Star.
As noted above, a number of newspaper publishers or their erstwhile corporate relations have looked to shore up their bottom lines by selling valuable real estate in recent years.
In October of last year, Tribune Media, one of two companies formed by the division of Tribune Co., sold the iconic Tribune Tower in downtown Chicago to Los Angeles-based CIM Group for $240 million. The tower is still home to the Chicago Tribune, now owned by former corporate sibling Tronc (nee Tribune Publishing).
The Chicago Tribune has a lease that runs through 2018, at which point it may have to relocate. Tribune Media also sold the headquarters of the Los Angeles Times, along with several other buildings, to Canadian develop Onni for a total $430 million.
Also last year, The Boston Globe announced it would sell its offices in Bostons Dorchester neighborhood after almost six decades and move back to downtown Boston. Back in 2011, McClatchy sold the Miami Heralds headquarters for $236 million. In 2009, The New York Times sold its own share in its new headquarters to W.P. Carey & Co. for $225 million, with an option to buy it back in 2019.
by Larry Dobrow , Featured Columnist, January 12, 2017
The primary reason I like my car so much is that it works. Dont get me wrong - I dig the lumbar-riffic seats, 3,700 stations worth of satellite radio and sporadically functional phone connectivity. But ultimately, all that matters to me is that when I press the ignition button (fancy!) the car revs to life. The ability to consistently perform the most basic function associated with a given product would seem to be an important product attribute - it is in my mind, anyway, but you know me and my crazy idealism.
That mindset is why Ill never find myself behind the wheel of a Cadillac. Whether as an owner, lessor, renter or thief, I have no interest in the Cadillac brand, because Cadillacs break. I base this overarching and totally not unfair conclusion on the experiences family members and friends have had with a range of makes and models. None of these individuals, to put it gently, have become brand evangelists.
So perhaps my opinion about A Series of Short Journeys, Cadillacs most recent brand-content endeavor, isnt all that relevant (as opposed to my singularly essential takes on other brands/projects). If I dont like the cars, content promoting or celebrating them isnt going to resonate with me, either. Maybe?
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Whatever. Short Journeys is pretentious to the point of self-parody, the latest automaker content foray to conflate mindless brand gloss with film-school-grade substance. The idea here, as best as I can understand it, is that the high-end features in most Cadillac models have appeal beyond their primary purpose (which is, what - to get riders from point A to point B without physical or geographical disrepair?). Id argue, however, that there are ways to accomplish this goal without descending into super-luxe cliche.
The silliest Journey is the one in which Grace recovers from a stressful phone call (conducted on a windy street while bumping into passersby) by sitting in her Cadillac CT6. Once she enters the tranquil inner sanctum, Zen descends upon her like a cloud of locusts. There, as she sits silently behind the wheel - and who among us doesnt enjoy a good sit? - Grace mentally revisits the experience of the previous minute, this time without the crappy weather and pedestrian pinball. Then the clip plugs the cars Bose Panaray Sound System and wait, whats this about a sound system now? Are we talking noise reduction here, or a unit capable of playing Creeping Death as the Big Fella/Gal Upstairs intended? Which is to say: brain-meltingly loud.
Then theres Ladybird, in which a guy relives a fight in which he just (successfully?) participated. It appears to have been a doozy, complete with the vocalization of tough-guy mainstays like you cant break me! Then a voice yells cut and were shown that, nope, weve just happened upon a scene from a movie set, dramatically illuminated by the LED headlights of a Cadillac Escalade. But did we REALLY see what we think we saw? See, the guy holding the boom mic is the guy who was fighting the other guy. This is what passes for an aura of mystery nowadays.
Thats Palme dOr-caliber artistry compared with A Sense of Self, though. That Journey looses an Affleck-looking doofus upon himself in the minutes before a woman sidles into his Cadillac CTS-V. Affleck 1 debates Affleck 2 on the appropriateness of Affleck 1s date-night duds, which prompts Affleck 1 to tune out Affleck 2 and go with his first outfit. When the woman enters the car - props to Cadillacs enormously chivalrous brand minders for not having Affleck 1 open the door for her - the following exchange ensues: You look great/Thanks. You too. Marriages have been built upon lesser foundations, I suppose.
The intended takeaway from that last scenario is that, just as Affleck 1 can pivot between smarmy and slightly less smarmy, the CTS-V can alternate between driver selectable modes. The actual takeaway from A Series of Short Journeys, on the other hand, begins and ends with Cadillac has a marketing budget thats bigger than yours, boy-o. Hard pass.
by Thom Forbes @tforbes, January 13, 2017
The President-elect threw a tweet on the fire at Freeport, Maine-based L.L. Bean yesterday by not only thanking board member Linda Bean for her support and courage but also by urging people to buy its products.
The Tweet was a compliment, right? Effectively, it was anything but, observesForbes contributor Cheryl Conner. For L.L. Bean, the statement Buy L.L. Bean connected the personal contribution to implied political support from the company, too, which has done them no favors. The fear that brands should feel about this situation is real.
It also raised major ethical questions.
Donald Trump just used his presidential power to advertise L.L. Bean, Danielle Paquette posted on the Washington PostsWonkblog yesterday. Katherine DeCelles, a Harvard business professor who focuses on ethics, said no White House leader in modern history has used his platform to hawk products.
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Its unprecedented, she said, for someone of his power voicing his support or being against particular companies.
Paquette points out that federal employees are legally forbidden from endorsing private firms. Though the President is exempt from the rule and the President-elect is not a federal employee, such endorsements are largely frowned upon in Americas highest office.
If youve been trying to lead an existence free of social media and all news generated in, on or about it recently, heres the context:
Bean and the Freeport-based retailer have been targeted by anti-Trump groups since the Associated Press reported about her donations to the pro-Trump Making Maine Great Again PAC, the APs Marina Villeneuve reports on Voice of Americas site. The founders of #GrabYourWallet called for a boycott of L.L. Bean but said it would stop if the privately held company, known for its signature waterproof rubber-bottom boots, cut formal ties with Linda Bean.
The company, in response, has tried to distance itself from Beans personal political views, pointing out that the member of the 10-person board is one of more than 50 family members involved in the business.
No individual alone speaks on behalf of the business or represents the values of the company that L.L. built, executive chairman Shawn Gorman wrote in a Facebook post Sunday. He asked Grab Your Wallet to reverse its position, asserting the 105-year-old company does not endorse political candidates, take positions on political matters, or make political contributions. Simply put, we stay out of politics.
Linda Bean called the backlash against her bullying and un-American during Thursday morning interviews on Fox's news and business channels and vowed she would not step down from the company's board of directors, writes the APs Villeneuve.
She also said that there had been a slight uptick in business and Beans stock price actually rose yesterday, the BBC reports.
Its bullying, Ms. Bean explained to Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business. They want to control how we spend our money, what we buy, where we buy it. Thats wrong, its un-American, reports Daniel J. Flynn in a piece on the American Spectator site with the titled The Blacklist Returns.
The campaign represents the counterproductive catharsis that makes partisans feel good but ultimately hurts their cause, he writes, suggesting that the same reasoning applies to those who would boycott Meryl Streep for her anti-Trump remarks at the Golden Globes Sunday.
Boycotting her hurts you, not her, Flynn writes.
It wasn't that long ago that the primary reason for making a purchase was whether or not you liked the product, ruesEsquire.coms Scott Christian. But in 2017, whatever was once considered normal has gone flying out the window.
And theres plenty of spite and/or boosterism to go around.
Macy's, Amazon, L.L. Bean, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, New Balance these are just a few of the companies that have been drawn into Trump's spindly web of political and existential divisiveness, Christian writes. Trump wants a battle line drawn. He wants war. And if you're not for him, you're against him.
Moving along, this morning the President-elect was back to using Twitter to blast the intelligence community and denounce fake news, Politico reports. No brands in the crosshairs yet.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, January 13, 2017
Edith Ramirez will leave the Federal Trade Commission next month, nearly four years after being named chairperson by President Barack Obama.
Ramirez's departure, set for Feb. 10, will leave the FTC with only two commissioners -- Republican Commissioner Maureen Ohlhausen and Democrat Terrell McSweeny.
Under Ramirez's leadership, the FTC brought several notable enforcement actions against tech companies that allegedly violated consumers' privacy.
Among other recent cases, the FTC brought charges against Turn over its use of "supercookies" (a tracking technology that allowed Turn to recreate cookies that users had deleted) and mobile ad company InMobi, which allegedly illegally collected location data from "hundreds of millions" of consumers.
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Ramirez's FTC also took on AT&T in 2014, suing the carrier for allegedly duping more than 3.5 million consumers by selling them unlimited data, but significantly slowing their broadband connections after they exceeded monthly allotments of 3GB or 5GB, depending on their phones.
(In 2015, AT&T revised its practices; the company no longer automatically slows down customers with unlimited data who exceed their caps, but still throttles them when the network is congested.) An appellate court recently dismissed the FTC's lawsuit. The agency is currently seeking to reargue the case.
Ohlhausen reportedly is seen as the leading candidate to replace Ramirez as chairperson. While Ohlhausen has voted with the FTC's Democrats on many matters, she also has broken with them on some privacy issues.
In 2015, Ohlhausen dissented from the decision to bring an enforcement action against analytics company Nomi Technologies, which tracks consumers in retail environments. That company allegedly failed to live up to a promise in its privacy policy, which said consumers could opt out of retail tracking at any retailer using Nomis technology.
Nomi didn't actually require its 45 retail clients to disclose whether they used the technology, and most of its clients didn't voluntarily do so, the FTC said in its complaint against the company.
In her dissent, Ohlhausen said Nomi was a young company that attempted to go above and beyond its legal obligation to protect consumers. She also said the decision to prosecute Nomi could encourage other companies to do only the bare minimum on privacy.
Ohlhausen also has gone on record as opposing the Federal Communications Commission's tough broadband privacy rules, which require Internet service providers to obtain consumers' opt-in consent before drawing on their Web-surfing activity for ad purposes.
"If the FCC wished to be consistent with the FTCs approach of using prohibitions only for widely held consumer preferences, it would take a different approach and simply require opt in for specific, sensitive uses," Ohlhausen said last year in a speech delivered at a Free State Foundation conference.
Ramirez, by contrast, praised the FCC's regulations. "The rules will provide robust privacy protections," she stated after the FCC's 3-2 vote last October.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, January 13, 2017
Google added more types of ride options and the ability to access "actionable" information from ride services. Rather than a long list of ride services providers and options, users will see the map along with a carousel of local ride service providers.
Tapping on the preferred provides brings up a list of ride options, offers and promotions.
Google introduced the service to Maps last year, making it more convenient for people to call for a ride. Since then the company added several ride service partners in the U.S. such as Uber, Pool and Lyft, and elsewhere in the world such as Go-JEK rides in Indonesia and Grab in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
Google said it's also trying a new integration with Uber that lets riders book, complete and pay for a ride without leaving Google Maps without installing an Uber app on the device.
Once signed into the Uber account, passengers can book a rise, track the driver on the map, and connect with the driver from within Google Maps app.
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The example on Google's blog also shows the ability to pay for rides on Lyft. Ride options on Lyft will soon begin to appear in the U.S. Gett will show up in New York City.
On Friday, Uber also reported that by the end of March it would open an autonomous-vehicle research center in Wixom, Michigan.
Reports from the Automotive News World Congress symposium suggest the company will use an existing building. The plan is to work with Detroit-based manufacturers such as Ford Motor Co., General Motors and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles as well as the major suppliers.
How do we form memories? Researchers have always believed that the hippocampus is the main part of the brain responsible for making memories, but a new study shows that another brain region plays a critical role. Share on Pinterest New research finds that apart from the hippocampus, another brain area is also involved in memory formation. The human brain has the fascinating ability to store memories like we do books on a bookshelf. Most of the time we do not think about them, but whenever we want to access one, all we have to do is take them off the shelf. Similarly, our brains keep records of places, events, and experiences in a memory bank, ready to access whenever we want sometimes many years after the event took place. But how is this actually made possible? Scientists have known for a while that the hippocampus is critical in reactivating spatial and episodic memories, while other brain regions were only thought to play a subordinate role. However, new research from the Institute of Science and Technology (IST) in Austria suggests that there may be another part of the brain that has a crucial role in recalling memories. The study examined the memory system in rodents, and the findings were published in Science, the journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
How do we form memories? When we experience an event, our brains form an episodic memory. An episodic memory is unique to each individual, and the physical location we were in at the time of the event plays an important role in forming it. The brains hippocampus is studded with neurons called place cells, and each place cell corresponds to a specific point in the surrounding physical environment. Reporting to the hippocampus is also a region called the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC), which sends input to the hippocampus and contains so-called grid cells. These neurons also respond to specific locations in the surrounding physical space, but these locations are arranged in a triangular grid pattern. We most likely consolidate our memories during sleep and when we take breaks from an activity. This, at least, is the case in animals, which have been observed to generate events in the hippocampus at a much more accelerated rate when they sleep or pause during a task. These events are replayed in our brain by reactivating the same place cells we activate when having the experience for the first time. This occurs as a result of a highly synchronized neural firing, a brain activity known as sharp wave-ripple events. Despite the fact that the MEC also has cells that help with spatial location, the role of this part of the brain in memory formation has, until now, been underplayed. Researchers believed that in memory consolidation, the hippocampus starts the replay, while the MEC simply helps to spread the message to the rest of the brain.
Moreover, the lack of any aggregated knowledge of cannabis-related health effects has led to uncertainty about what, if any, are the harms or benefits from its use, adds McCormick, who is also the Sumner and Esther Feldberg Professor of Maternal and Child Health at the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, MA, and a professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School in Cambridge, MA.
Marie McCormick, chair of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine committee, says that the increased legalization of cannabis and its derivatives is making the drug more accepted and accessible. This has led to increased use, which has raised important public health concerns.
However, to date, 28 states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes , with recreational use permitted in some of these states.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the U.S. In 2014, approximately 22.2 million people in the country reported using marijuana over the course of a month.
Cannabis is a drug derived from the plant Cannabis sativa. It is most commonly used in the form of marijuana, which is produced from the dried leaves of the cannabis plant.
With cannabis legalization on the rise across the United States, it is more important than ever to get a clear understanding of the drugs health benefits and risks. In a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, researchers analyzed more than 10,000 scientific studies on cannabis and cannabis-derived products in order to help meet this need, and they came to some interesting conclusions.
With this in mind, McCormick and colleagues from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine committee analyzed the data of more than 10,000 scientific studies on the health effects of cannabis and cannabis-derived products including marijuana and cannabinoids, the active components of cannabis that had been published since 1999.
Specifically, the researchers looked at the therapeutic potential of cannabis and its derivatives, as well as the health risks associated with its use. Medical News Today take a look at some of the key findings.
The researchers recently published their results in a report titled The health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids: The current state of evidence and recommendations for research (2017).
Substantial evidence that cannabis treats chronic pain
Chronic pain is estimated to affect more than 25 million U.S. adults, and it is a leading cause of disability.
When it comes to medicinal cannabis, one of its key uses is for the treatment of chronic pain. In the new report, researchers found that patients with chronic pain who were treated with cannabis or products containing cannabinoids were more likely to report significant pain relief than untreated patients.
Based on their analysis, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine conclude:
There is substantial evidence that cannabis is an effective treatment for chronic pain in adults.
Cannabis use may harm mental health
A number of studies have suggested that cannabis use can have negative implications for mental health, and from their scientific review, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine conclude that this is the case.
The researchers uncovered substantial evidence that cannabis use is likely to increase the risk of schizophrenia and other psychoses, and the more the drug is used, the higher the risk.
The team also found evidence that daily cannabis use may exacerbate symptoms of bipolar disorder for patients with the condition.
Additionally, moderate evidence suggests that frequent users of cannabis may be more likely to report suicidal thoughts and that regular use of the drug could increase the risk of social anxiety disorder. Cannabis use may also pose a small increased risk for the development of depressive disorders.
However, the researchers conclude that there is limited evidence of a statistical link between cannabis use and the development of bipolar disorder, and there is no evidence to either support or refute a statistical link between cannabis use and the development of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Cannabis and cancer risk
It is well established that smoking tobacco can increase the risk of lung, head, and neck cancers, and some studies have suggested that smoking cannabis can do the same.
The new report, however, concludes that there is no evidence of a statistical link between cannabis use and the risk of lung cancer and head and neck cancers.
The researchers uncovered moderate evidence of a link between cannabis use and one subtype of testicular cancer seminoma testicular cancer, a slow-growing form of the disease.
Furthermore, the team found no evidence of a link between marijuana use in pregnancy and cancer risk in offspring.
In relation to nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, the researchers found that the use of cannabinoids may help to treat or prevent these symptoms.
Before epilepsy surgery, doctors may consider using brain imaging to locate language and memory functions in the brain instead of the more invasive procedure that is commonly used, according to a guideline published by the American Academy of Neurology in the online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. It is the first evidence-based guideline that systematically reviewed all evidence for such an evaluation.
Guideline authors noted, however, that the evidence for the recommendations is weak, since many of the studies had relatively small numbers of patients with similar types of epilepsy and were conducted at only one institution, so the results may not be generalizable to everyone with epilepsy.
Epilepsy surgery is considered when medication does not control seizures. Doctors may either remove the area of the brain where seizures begin or use various surgical techniques to limit the spread of seizure activity. It's important to map the brain prior to surgery to prevent damage to language and memory abilities.
For the guideline, authors compared evidence for fMRI and the more commonly used procedure, intracarotid amobarbital procedure, also known as the Wada test, which is performed during angiography. For the Wada test, one side of the brain is put to sleep by injecting a medication into the carotid artery, the main artery in the neck. Because the test is invasive, there are risks and discomforts. Functional MRI is an imaging procedure that detects brain activity by measuring blood flow. It is non-invasive and considered safe. The purpose of both tests is to ensure language and memory abilities will not be affected as a result of surgery.
"Because fMRI is becoming more widely available, we wanted to see how it compares to the Wada test," said lead author Jerzy Szaflarski, MD, PhD, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. "While the risks associated with the Wada test are rare, they can be serious, including stroke and injury to the carotid artery."
The guideline found weak evidence that fMRI may be a possible alternative for the Wada test to evaluate the language functions in the brain for people with medial temporal lobe epilepsy, temporal epilepsy in general or extratemporal epilepsy. There was not enough evidence to make a recommendation for people with temporal neocortical epilepsy or temporal tumors.
There was moderate evidence that fMRI of verbal memory or language encoding should be considered for predicting verbal memory outcome for people who are being evaluated for left medial temporal lobe surgery.
The guideline found weak evidence that fMRI using nonverbal memory encoding may be considered for predicting visuospatial memory outcomes for people being evaluated for temporal lobe surgery.
"Larger studies need to be conducted to increase the quality of available evidence," said Szaflarski. "Plus, neither fMRI nor the Wada test have standardized procedures. Doctors should carefully advise patients of the risks and benefits of fMRI versus the Wada test."
The guideline was supported by the American Academy of Neurology and endorsed by the American College of Radiology and the American Epilepsy Society.
Article: Practice guideline summary: Use of fMRI in the presurgical evaluation of patients with epilepsy, Jerzy P. Szaflarski, MD, PhD, David Gloss, MD, MPH&TM, Jeffrey R. Binder, MD, William D. Gaillard, MD, Alexandra J. Golby, MD, Scott K. Holland, PhD, Jeffrey Ojemann, MD, David C. Spencer, MD, Sara J. Swanson, PhD, Jacqueline A. French, MD and William H. Theodore, MD, Neurology, doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000003532, published online 11 January 2017.
After decades of research and countless control attempts, dengue fever - a mosquito-borne viral disease - continues to infect an estimated 390 million people around the world each year. Now, researchers have reported in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases that the mosquitos that carry dengue virus (DENV) can be genetically engineered have an increased resistance to infection by the virus.
When a mosquito bites someone infected with DENV, the virus needs to complete its lifecycle in the mosquito's gut, eventually infecting its salivary glands, before it can infect another person. Previous studies have shown that mosquitos rely on a molecular pathway dubbed JAK/STAT to try to fight DENV infection and stop this cycle. Proteins known as Dome and Hop are involved in turning on the JAK/STAT when the mosquito is infected with DENV.
In the new work, George Dimopoulos, of Johns Hopkins University, and colleagues genetically engineered Aedes aegypti mosquitos to turn on expression of either Dome or Hop, in the fatbody tissue, earlier in infection -immediately after ingesting blood - and make more of the proteins.
Mosquitos with engineered versions of Dome or Hop that were then infected with DENV had 78.18% (Dome) and 83.63% (Hop) fewer copies of the virus in their guts, as well as significantly less virus in their salivary glands. Mosquitos with the altered genes had normal lifespans, but produced fewer eggs than normal mosquitos. When the researchers repeated the experiments with Zika virus and chikungunya virus, no impact was seen on infection, suggesting that the importance of the JAK/STAT pathway in the fatbody tissue is unique to DENV.
"It may be possible to achieve improved or total resistance to dengue and other viruses by expressing additional transgenes in multiple tissues that block the virus through different mechanisms," the researchers write. "Recently developed powerful mosquito gene-drive systems, that are under development, are likely to make it possible to spread pathogen resistance in mosquito populations in a self-propagating fashion, even at a certain fitness cost."
SS was supported by a fellowship from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore. NJ was supported by a fellowship from the Royal Thai Government. The work was supported by grants from the NIH, NIAID: AI101431 (to GD), R21AI090188 (GD), 1R24AI120942 (to NV). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Article: Engineered Aedes aegypti JAK/STAT Pathway-Mediated Immunity to Dengue Virus, Jupatanakul N, Sim S, Anglero-Rodriguez YI, Souza-Neto J, Das S, Poti KE, et al., PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0005187, published 12 January 2017.
To find an effective vaccine against malaria it is crucial to test candidate vaccines on larger groups of people than previously thought - according to a new study published in PLOS Computational Biology. The researchers from Erasmus MC Rotterdam and Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen developed a mathematical model to determine the minimum number of people required for a good vaccine trial.
Malaria continues to be a major public health challenge; killing 438,000 people every year and being the leading cause of death in children worldwide. Before a malaria vaccine may be tested on a large group of people, there must be sufficient evidence for a relevant and beneficial effect, with minimal risks and side effects. Few candidate vaccines meet these requirements.
Over the past ten years, only 40 of the many candidate vaccines were actually clinically tested on humans. Only one vaccine (RTS,S vaccine) appears to be promising, which means that children are 45.7 percent protected from malaria for 18 months after vaccination. "By vaccinating a larger group of people in clinical studies with a candidate vaccine in the early testing phase, we increase the likelihood of finding a greater number of promising vaccines, and therefore also accelerate the discovery of an effective vaccine against this disease", says Luc Coffeng, researcher at Erasmus MC's Department of Public Health.
One of the first steps in testing candidate vaccines on humans occurs in CHMI (controlled human malaria infection) studies. In these studies, healthy volunteers are infected with malaria in a highly controlled environment to evaluate a possible protective effect of the candidate vaccine. "It is important that enough volunteers participate so as to be able to draw accurate conclusions. On the other hand, we want to keep the groups as small as possible to avoid exposing people to malaria unnecessarily", says Robert Sauerwein, Professor of Medical Parasitology at Radboud University Medical Center.
In this study the researchers show that the search for an effective vaccine can be accelerated if the group of clinical trial volunteers participating in CHMI studies is enlarged. Their mathematical model is able to determine the ideal size of the group of volunteers and it also highlights the drastic impact of the loss of any study subjects - This can occur as a result of experimental failure and can have a negative impact on trial power. Coffeng: "We hope that this model will contribute to more effective studies and ultimately to eliminating malaria."
Article: The Power of Malaria Vaccine Trials Using Controlled Human Malaria Infection, Coffeng LE, Hermsen CC, Sauerwein RW, de Vlas SJ, PLOS Computational Biology, doi:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005255, published 12 January 2017.
Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have discovered a protein that fine-tunes the cellular clock involved in aging.
This novel protein, named TZAP, binds the ends of chromosomes and determines how long telomeres, the segments of DNA that protect chromosome ends, can be. Understanding telomere length is crucial because telomeres set the lifespan of cells in the body, dictating critical processes such as aging and the incidence of cancer.
"Telomeres represent the clock of a cell," said TSRI Associate Professor Eros Lazzerini Denchi, corresponding author of the new study, published online in the journal Science. "You are born with telomeres of a certain length, and every time a cell divides, it loses a little bit of the telomere. Once the telomere is too short, the cell cannot divide anymore."
Naturally, researchers are curious whether lengthening telomeres could slow aging, and many scientists have looked into using a specialized enzyme called telomerase to "fine-tune" the biological clock. One drawback they've discovered is that unnaturally long telomeres are a risk factor in developing cancer.
"This cellular clock needs to be finely tuned to allow sufficient cell divisions to develop differentiated tissues and maintain renewable tissues in our body and, at the same time, to limit the proliferation of cancerous cells," said Lazzerini Denchi.
In this new study, the researcher found that TZAP controls a process called telomere trimming, ensuring that telomeres do not become too long.
"This protein sets the upper limit of telomere length," explained Lazzerini Denchi. "This allows cells to proliferate - but not too much."
For the last few decades, the only proteins known to specifically bind telomeres is the telomerase enzyme and a protein complex known as the Shelterin complex. The discovery TZAP, which binds specifically to telomeres, was a surprise since many scientists in the field believed there were no additional proteins binding to telomeres.
"There is a protein complex that was found to localize specifically at chromosome ends, but since its discovery, no protein has been shown to specifically localize to telomeres," said study first author Julia Su Zhou Li, a graduate student in the Lazzerini Denchi lab.
"This study opens up a lot of new and exciting questions," said Lazzerini Denchi.
In addition to Lazzerini Denchi and Li, authors of the study, "TZAP: a telomere-associated protein involved in telomere length control," were Tatevik Simavorian, Cristina Bartocci and Jill Tsai of TSRI; Javier Miralles Fuste of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the University of Gothenburg; and Jan Karlseder of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.
The study was supported by the American Cancer Society (grant RSG-14-186-01), the Swedish Research Council International (grant D0730801) and the National Institutes of Health (grant R01GM087476 and R01CA174942).
NEW YORK
Jan. 12, 2017
Israel
Toronto
Canada
Anchorage AK
Austin, TX
Baltimore, MD
Detroit, MI
Durham
the United States
Michael R. Bloomberg
New York City
Mobile, AL
Minneapolis, MN
Syracuse, NY
the United States
Israel
Canada
Toronto
John Tory
City of Toronto
$500,000
James Anderson
Albuquerque, NM
Boston, MA
Centennial, CO
Jersey City, NJ
Long Beach, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Mobile, AL
Minneapolis, MN
Peoria, IL
Seattle, WA
Syracuse, NY
Tel Aviv, Israel
Jerusalem, Israel
The i-teams have developed 90 new innovations for their cities In Mobile, AL , leaders utilized Instagram to geo-locate blighted properties while documenting the impact to residents of more than $83 million in lost market value for properties within 150 feet of a blighted structure
, leaders utilized Instagram to geo-locate blighted properties while documenting the impact to residents of more than in lost market value for properties within 150 feet of a blighted structure 95% of cities in the program said their i-team has changed the way their city approaches solving complex problems Los Angeles' i-team worked with bilingual Angelenos who were facing eviction from their homes to develop solutions that empowered the city's most vulnerable communities
i-team worked with bilingual Angelenos who were facing eviction from their homes to develop solutions that empowered the city's most vulnerable communities 100% of cities in the program believe their i-team created solutions that will improve quality of life for local residents Minneapolis is currently institutionalizing a pilot that helps improve the quality of privately held rental housing in North Minneapolis
is currently institutionalizing a pilot that helps improve the quality of privately held rental housing in To date, the i-team cities have secured $70 million in additional public and private sector matching funds to advance their work Tel Aviv has secured private funding to support the team's mapping initiative, which involves identifying new spaces around the cityincluding government buildings and other public spacesthat could be opened up as childcare space
/PRNewswire/ -- Bloomberg Philanthropies today announced that seven cities across the globe have been selected for the latest expansion of its Innovation Teams program. The program helps City Halls drive bold innovation, change culture, and tackle big problems to deliver better results for residents. Multi-year grants will be awarded to help cities create better results for a range of pressing problems from tackling poverty and neighborhood revitalization to recruiting and retaining public employees. Cities include Be'er Sheva inin, and; and; NC in"Mayors must always be looking for new ways to improve the critical services that people depend on," said, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and three-term Mayor of. "Our Innovation Teams program helps mayors do that by giving city governments around the world the capacity to make their innovative ideas reality."Now in the third round of funding, the Innovation Teams program allows mayors to fund in-house innovation teams or "i-teams" which investigate complex local challenges, design solutions with clear goals, and rigorously measure progress to better improve citizens' lives. The newly announced cities join nearly 20 City Halls in the program, includingwho is eliminating blight;who is improving the quality of rental housing; andwho is employing cost-effective measures to respond to aging infrastructure.The seven cities were selected from a pool of municipalities with a demonstrated commitment to designing and delivering bold solutions to complex problems. Eligible cities with at least 100,000 residents and with mayors who have at least two years left in office were invited to apply. Bloomberg Philanthropies' i-teams expansion deepens the investment inandand, for the first time in the history of the program, introduces the program in"Bloomberg Philanthropies' i-teams program has already demonstrated that approach can be successful in cities that range in size, structure, and geographic region," saidMayor"Theis proud to become the first Canadian city to join this impressive network of civic innovators and many of the most innovative City Halls in the world. We look forward to building on our existing strengths and capacities to combat serious issues impacting urban areas around the world."New Innovation Team cities will receive up toannually for up to three years. In addition to the grants, cities receive robust implementation support and opportunities to exchange lessons learned and best practices with peers in other cities. Newly formed i-teams will hit the ground running in each city no later than spring 2017."Innovation Teams bring 21century problem-solving skills to City Hall," said, head of Government Innovation programs for Bloomberg Philanthropies. "The teams implement creative solutions by breaking down silos within City Halls, engaging residents to jointly understand citizen needs, and testing ideas before taking them to scale."The Innovation Teams Program is one of seven Government Innovation offerings at Bloomberg Philanthropies. Government Innovation equips mayors and other city leaders with the tools and techniques they need to solve urban challenges and improve citizens' lives. I-teams are currently hard at work in; and; andandKey Facts About the Innovation Teams Program:
Bloomberg Philanthropies works in more than 120 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg's charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2016, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed over half a billion dollars. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter @BloombergDotOrg.
Media Contact:
Rebecca Carriero, rebeccac@bloomberg.org, +1 212-205-0182Alexis Weiss, alexis.weiss@edelman.com, +1 347-486-1639
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bloomberg-philanthropies-expands-innovation-teams-program-to-seven-new-cities-across-the-globe-300390201.html
SOURCE Bloomberg Philanthropies
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The findings by University of Florida management professor Amir Erez and doctoral student Trevor Foulk reinforce their prior research that rudeness has "devastating effects on medical performance," Erez said.Some errors could be explained by a doctor's poor judgment due to a chronic lack of sleep. Those types of circumstances, according to prior research from Erez and Foulk, account for about 10 to 20% of the variance in practitioner performance.The effects of rudeness, Erez said, account for more than 40%."[Rudeness] is actually affecting the cognitive system, which directly affects your ability to perform," Erez said. "That tells us something very interesting. People may think that doctors should just 'get over' the insult and continue doing their job. However, the study shows that even if doctors have the best intentions in mind, as they usually do, they cannot get over rudeness because it interferes with their cognitive functioning without an ability to control it."In a previous study, Erez and Foulk examined the effects of rudeness from a colleague or authority figure on individual medical professionals. This study analyzed team performance and the effects rudeness has when it comes from a patient's family member.In the new study, 39 neonatal intensive care unit teams (two doctors and two nurses) from Israel simulated five scenarios where they treated infant medical mannequins for emergency situations such as severe respiratory distress or hypovolemic shock. An actress playing the baby's mother scolded certain teams while the control groups experienced no rudeness.Erez and Foulk found that the teams that experienced rudeness performed poorly compared to the control groups. The teams that encountered rudeness were deficient in all 11 of the study's measures, including diagnostic accuracy, information sharing, therapy plan, and communication, over the course of all five scenarios showing that the negative effects last the entire day.To combat the effect of rudeness, the researchers included "interventions" for selected teams. Some teams participated in a pre-test intervention which consisted of a computer game based on a cognitive-behavioral attention modification method intended to raise the threshold of the participants' sensitivities to anger and aggression. Other teams participated in the post-test intervention, which consisted of team members writing about the day's experience from the perspective of the baby's mother.Erez and Foulk found no difference in the performances of the control groups and the teams that played the computer game. The teams recognized the mother's rudeness - both midway and after the simulation - but were not affected by it."It's really shocking how well it worked," Erez said. "They were basically immunized from the effects of rudeness."Conversely, the post-test intervention, which research has shown to be extremely successful for victims of trauma, actually had a negative effect on teams."What is really concerning is that, at midday, these teams recognized the mother was rude to them," Erez said. "But at the end of the day, they did not. So not only did it not work, but it caused them to not recognize rudeness later."Considering the researchers' findings and the large number of deaths attributed to medical errors, teaching medical professionals to handle rudeness more effectively should be a priority for the medical community."In the medical field, I don't think they take into account how social interactions affect them," said Erez, "but it's something they're starting to pay attention to. The purpose of this research was to identify what's going on here. Now that we've found serious effects, we need to find more realistic interventions."Source: Eurekalert
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Some adults affected with MenW septicemia have suffered mainly gastrointestinal symptoms initially without the characteristic non-blanching rash before the rapidly progressing disease has led to their death.A campaign targeted at students arriving at university for the first time could hold the key to reducing the spread of meningitis and septicemia, say researchers at the universities of Nottingham and Leicester.In a paper published in the academic journal, the researchers show how a campus-based vaccination campaign was successful in ensuring that almost three-quarters of students arriving at Nottingham were immunized against the potentially deadly disease.The approach was so successful it has now been highlighted as an example of best practice by Public Health England in a report advising on the prevention and management of meningitis and septicemia in higher education.Dr. David Turner in the University's School of Life Sciences, who led the research, said: "It is really important to offer the MenACWY vaccine to first year university students to prevent cases of meningitis in this at-risk group."In response, Public Health England introduced a program of immunization offering vaccination against four different types of Meningitis - A, C, W and Y - to all adolescents and young adults aged between 14 and 18 years of age, as well as first-year university students including international and mature students up to the age of 25.The aim was to disrupt the transmission of the dangerous MenW bacteria and to prevent its further spread to at-risk groups of people within the wider population.Higher rates of transmission of the meningitis bacteria occur in students during the first year of university and, as students tend to travel frequently around the country to return home or to visit friends, there is a risk they could spread the disease to other communities throughout the UK.The academics at Nottingham studied the uptake of the MenACWY vaccine in first-year students.During registration at the university between September 17 and 25, 2015, as part of standard clinical practice, interviews were conducted with each student by University of Nottingham Health Service healthcare professionals to establish whether students had been vaccinated before arriving at university and to record their details on the UNHS registration database.As part of a targeted, localized campaign, students who said they hadn't been vaccinated were offered an immediate free vaccination. Searches of the UNHS registration database were later performed to determine vaccination coverage in the registered group of first-year students before arriving at Nottingham, as well as a smaller group of international students who were less likely to have received the vaccine in their home country before arriving at university in the UK.The searches revealed that just 31% of the students had been previously vaccinated - coverage that would be potentially too low to significantly reduce the spread of meningitis. However, following the local campaign by the healthcare professionals at UNHS, that figure rose to a far healthier 71%.Dr. Turner added: "The significant boost in coverage following the vaccine campaign at registration at the University of Nottingham demonstrates the importance of offering vaccination at enrollment in tertiary educational establishments and suggests that rolling out this strategy more widely could significantly improve vaccine coverage in this age group.""The campus-based mass vaccination campaign delivered during the registration period also provided significant logistical advantages compared with offering a large number of individual appointments.""However, a large proportion of unvaccinated students still declined vaccination due to a lack of perceived need or benefit suggesting that further advertising of the national campaign could be necessary to raise awareness of the vital need for the MenACWY vaccine."Dr. Chris Bayliss, Reader in Bacterial Genetics, Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, commented: "Vaccination is highly effective at preventing meningitis, septicemia and the other infections caused by meningococci. Our study shows that offering MenACWY vaccination as students arrive at a university is a really effective way of maximizing protection of this vulnerable age group."The campaign at the University of Nottingham was featured as a case study in the recent publication Guidance on the Prevention and Management of Meningococcal Meningitis and Septicemia in Higher Education Institutions issued by Public Health England.The report recommended that the Nottingham example may be helpful in identifying ways in which Higher Education Institutions can play an active role in improving awareness and promoting vaccination uptake amongst students.Source: Eurekalert
If you are on the lookout for adventure, this article brings you to your destiny- the new adventure hotspot, Dubai. Whoever said Dubai is only about shopping, luxury and gold couldnt be more wrong. Its time we explore not just the beautiful landscapes of Dubai but also embark on the adventurous trails that it has to offer. Dont believe us? Then check out Bollywood star Sushant Singh Rajputs adrenaline pumped trip that was high on adventure and thrill. From thrilling rides to power packed adventures, his travel diaries will make anyone green with envy!
1. Dolphin Jetski Seabreacher
Visit Dubai
Take a cue from Sushants thrilling dolphin jetski sea breacher and book your under water adventurous session over the Jumeirah Beach Residence Island to get your adrenaline pumping.
2. Roller Coaster Your Way Through IMG Worlds Of Adventure
Visit Dubai
Step into Dubais first mega themed indoor amusement park that is temperature controlled. Get the adventure started with the unique adrenaline pumping roller coaster rides and fascinating attractions based on popular Cartoon Network characters, dinosaurs and Marvel superheroes.
3. Seek Thrill At Dubai Autodrome
Visit Dubai
The biggest motorsports circuit, Dubai Autodrome not only provides go-karting tracks for beginners but also boasts of hosting the biggest racing events of the world like A1 Grand Pix and 2004 Formula Renault V6 Eurocup Season. Even Sushant couldnt resist the ecstasy of being a racer!
4. Cycling Through The Skies In A Paramotor Xcitor
Visit Dubai
The Dubai Sky Hub offers an array of thrill-seeking options that include that the Paramotor Xcitor which is a small aircraft equipped with cruise control, GPS and comfortable seats. When sky diving just isnt enough, you can sit back look the scenic landscapes of Dubai in the Xcitor.
Visit Dubai soon just for the adventure that awaits you!
World War 2 was a scary time for everyone involved. Different countries were at each others throats because of different ideas. Whether it was the fascists or the bolsheviks, the war was going to be catastrophic. We have all heard war stories from history books and television documentaries, but WW2 was not started in a day. Nazis were very efficient at running the German Reich, which included its population and manufacturing industry. Germany did not become a war machine overnight because they had help from many major corporations. We list down some popular brands from today that were responsible for Nazi Germanys success.
1. Hugo Boss
YouTube
Hugo Boss is widely considered as one of the biggest luxury fashion brands in the world. They are popular for making suits and menswear but do you know how Hugo actually started his business?
Hugo Boss is responsible for designing and manufacturing the intimidating uniforms of the Waffen-SS. The SS acted as a death squad who were responsible for many lives lost in the Holocaust and the unjust treatment of war prisoners. Hugo Boss himself joined the Nazi Party and won the contract to design the uniform for Hitlers army.
The manufacturing of the Nazi Uniform went so well that Hugo Boss ended up using slave labourers from Poland and France in order to meet the Reichs needs.
2. Kodak
Kodak
Kodak has been responsible for some of the most memorable family photographs caught on film. However, Kodak was also one of the corporations that utilised slave labour in order to assist the Nazi Government during WW II. Kodak was not only manufacturing cameras back then, they were also making triggers, detonators and other military equipment for the Germans.
3. Fanta
Reddit, Fanta
Coca-Cola was one the few American companies that were allowed to operate in Nazi Germany during the war and in 1941, Fanta debuted on the German market. What you need to know is that Coca-Cola was not able to import the cola syrup from the USA due to trade embargoes. In order for Coca-Cola to remain operational, they invented a drink that used local ingredients and the end product turned out to be Fanta.
4. BMW
BMW
BMW has admitted that the company used up to 30,000 slave labourers during the war in order to keep producing engines for the Luftwaffe (German Airforce). These labourers included POWs, inmates and political prisoners that were deemed undesirable by the regime.
5. Siemens
Siemens, YouTube
Siemens used slave labourers during the Holocaust to construct gas chambers that were later used to kill them. These gas chambers were an efficient way to kill Jews and their families which eventually led to death of 6 million of them.
In 2001, they even tried to trademark the word Zyklon (Which means cyclone in German) as they wanted to use that word for a line of gas ovens. Zyklon was the name of the gas that was used in their gas chambers to kill Jews at death camps like Auschwitz amongst many others across Europe.
6. Ford
Ford
Henry Ford was infamous for being an anti-Semite and also blamed the Jews for WW I. He was Hitlers most popular foreign supporter and on his 75th Birthday, Ford received a Nazi Medal for distinguished foreigners.
He profited from both sides of the war i.e. he was making cars for both the Nazis and the Allies.
7. IBM
IBM
IBM was responsible for making machines for the Nazis that was able to track almost everything. These machines were used to track oil supplies, train schedules to death camps to even keeping track of individual Holocaust victims themselves.
When Germany invaded Poland in 1939, it was reported that over 3 million Jews were going to be removed from society and exterminated. In an internal memo, IBM responded that due to the new situation, they had to speed up the production of high-speed alphabetizing equipment.
8. Bayer
Bayer
Remember Zyklon B? The chemical gas, which was used in the gas chambers at Auschwitz? It turns out Bayer (Known as IG Farben back then) was the one responsible for manufacturing the deadly gas. They also funded Josef Mengeles experiments on Jewish children and prisoners.
And in case you didnt know, a Jewish Bayer employee, Arthur Eichengrun, founded Aspirin. However, Bayer did not want to admit to the public that a Jewish man invented one of their most successful product and still gives the credit to a German, to this very day.
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Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Amanatidis received the outgoing Indonesian Ambassador to Greece, Benny Bahanadewa, today, Thursday, 12 January, at the Foreign Ministry, within the framework of the farewell ceremony hosted in his honour.
Having expressed his appreciation to Ambassador Benny Bahanadewa for his contribution to the further strengthening of the very good bilateral relations between Greece and Indonesia, Mr. Amanatidis highlighted the importance our country attaches to the interfaith dialogue, as well as to the dynamic that can be developed by the cultural cooperation between the two countries, particularly through the signing of the Executive Programme of the 2004 Greek-Indonesian Agreement on Cultural and Educational Cooperation, as well as in the context of UNESCO.
Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias will be in Paris on Sunday, 15 January, to participate in the Middle East Peace Conference hosted by France within the framework of its initiative taken to promote the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP).
On Monday, 16 January, Mr. Kotzias will be in Brussels to attend a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), where the Foreign Minister will have the opportunity to brief his counterparts on the proceedings of the Geneva Conference on Cyprus.
The discussions of the EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs will focus, among others, on Syria and the MEPP. Finally, there will be an exchange of views on the EU's foreign policy priorities for the first half of this year, with an emphasis on the Western Balkans, the situation in Turkey, and the implementation of the EU's Global Strategy.
N. KOTZIAS: I wanted to say good evening to you. We have not finished yet. I would like to brief you on where we stand since this morning.
First of all, I think we had good discussions, and what we want there to be -- that is, a just, functional settlement of the Cyprus issue -- is always within the range of what is feasible.
This morning I had an extensive meeting with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Anastasiades. Afterwards, I met with the leadership of the European Union, briefly with Mr. Juncker and in greater depth with Mrs. Mogherini. I also saw, together with Alternate Minister Katrougalos, the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, Mr. Johnson, and the British delegation. Subsequently, we had the opening of the conference, when we each made a speech, which I think you have received. There was also a luncheon in which the two communities, the EU, the UN and the three guarantor powers participated. Following the luncheon, we had a separate meeting between the guarantor powers, and then we had a bilateral meeting with the UN itself. At 18:30 we will have the second part of the conference for today. That is, eight meetings will be held in all.
I think that this evening we will have an announcement, which will say that steps were taken in a positive direction for promoting the settlement of the Cyprus issue. I think it is likely -- based on what the discussions so far have shown -- that we will have confirmation of our agreement in principle on the creation of a team of experts, who will prepare a list of questions based on which -- and again, I say this is likely, as this remains to be confirmed in the second part of the discussion -- there will be a meeting of the Foreign Ministers on 23 January. The head of the Greek negotiating team is Ambassador D. Paraskevopoulos, the Secretary General of our Ministry and the head of our diplomats.
During the discussions we had, we heard a lot of ideas, there were disagreements. The central problem being raised for discussion, and on which there is not a convergence of views, is certainly the matter of guarantees, of rights of intervention, and of security.
We believe -- and I think rightly so -- that the system of guarantees must be eliminated. We could agree on the creation -- this is one possibility -- of an international team for monitoring and drawing up, under the UN Security Council, reports on the progress of the implementation of the decisions. It is obvious that our side does not want rights of intervention and wants the withdrawal of the army. Regarding the withdrawal of the army, we want, first of all, the flow to be continuous, a large withdrawal the first week, if not from the first day, and afterwards a continuous withdrawal. There should be a specific deadline. We don't want to see a willingness for a restructuring that will cause other types of configurations -- for example, you know that there are those thinking about bases. We also proposed -- and I talked about this with the OSCE Chairmanship that expired on 31 December -- that there be, under the umbrella of the UN, a special team for precisely recording the size of the Turkish army and the arms it has-- as well as of the Hellenic Force in Cyprus (ELDYK), as we have no objection. And we want this team subsequently -- the OSCE has extensive experience, as does the UN -- to record the flow of the withdrawal of armed forces.
I think we had a creative discussion. Yesterday, for the first time, as you know, maps were put on the negotiating table between the two communities. We had seen maps before, but those were UN initiatives and proposals from Annan, while now we had maps from the two communities, and for the first time there was a combined discussion among the guarantor powers, because we have talked bilaterally with Turkey and with Britain. For some time now -- since April 2015 -- we have been trying to organize this discussion, although many wanted to avoid it, to put it off.
Some believed that along the way the nexus "guarantees, rights of intervention, military" would be lost. We had seen this in previous negotiations, during which the Greek side was not insistent -- rather, there was, let's say, a passive acceptance that these issues will remain or will simply be limited. I think that it is a positive step and a lesson for Greek diplomacy that we have initiated in many areas -- and one of these is Cyprus -- a long-term diplomacy supported -- and I want to thank them publicly -- not just by our diplomats, experts and the legal experts who did excellent work, but also by exceptional scientists. As you know, we have with us five professors of international law, who are helping our work a great deal and will continue, voluntarily -- I want to underscore the voluntary nature of their work -- because at this time in Greece, in the midst of the crisis, there are people who care for the country, who are voluntarily putting their knowledge and time at the disposal of the Foreign Ministry, and we are very proud of this.
As for the issue itself, we set the agenda, and the core of the agenda, of what we discussed here, are the issues we raised in April 2015, when I came out of my meeting with the then Secretary-General of the UN. I remind you that at that time there was this question from a Turkish reporter: "We, Turkey, are in a hurry to resolve the Cyprus issue -- you are not in a hurry," and the response was, "if you are in a hurry, pack up and leave."
So, from that discussion, many thought it was overbold to raise the issue of the guarantees. There were very many who believed that such an agenda could not be set, as happened in the 2002-2004 negotiations, as well as in discussions carried out from 2008 to 2009. I think that the lesson is the importance of scientific documentation and firmness on a demand. I'm not saying we won, but it has been put on the agenda. As we say in political science, "it was put on the agenda for the talks," and in fact I would say that this is the main topic, both today and, provided we continue, tomorrow and in the discussions on the 23rd of the month. This means that we made the reminder today, as well, that the Cyprus problem is not just a matter of the relations between the two communities, but, above all, a matter of the occupation of Cyprus and illegal intervention in Cyprus.
I say this because we are dealing with the issues connected with our northern neighbours, Skopje and Albania, in the same way, as we have long-term strategies and we have put issues on the agenda. We succeeded in putting the confidence-building measures on the agenda, as the Greek government, and we want to resolve the problems that were dormant, because dormant problems accrue additional problems, they don't settle issues. Provided we have the will and knowledge, we must turn Greek diplomacy even more towards planning for the future. I will give you a very small example. As you know, for reasons of economy we closed our Embassies in New Zealand and Sudan, but I am pleased to say that we have the Presidential Decree for opening a new Embassy in Singapore, which is the centre of the emerging world, of new technologies, of new conditions. We closed a number of Embassies in Europe and we opened only one, which is the Consulate in Erbil, which historically constitutes an element of our geostrategic policy. We are trying to look at issues more in the long term, strategically. I must tell you that the Ministry, in spite of any problems we have -- you know I have sent 91 cases to the prosecutor -- continues to be such a gem, a credit to the country, with personnel which is highly educated and has a strong sense of responsibility.
That's all for now. At 18:30 we will continue regarding the phrasing of the Announcement that we have said will come out, as well as regarding the technical team and its dates -- whether they will be confirmed or there will be some amendments.
N. KOTZIAS: We are in an ongoing negotiation and fight for a just solution to the Cyprus problem. A just solution to the Cyprus problem means, above all, elimination of its causes; that is, the occupation and the presence of occupying forces and the existence of the system of guarantees that was flagrantly violated.
We want a solution that is just and not unsound. As you know, we had agreed with all the parties and with the UN that the negotiation process will be open ended; that is, that it will not end if it is interrupted.
On this basis, we agreed for the negotiations to continue in the form of talks between experts, and more specifically, on the part of the Foreign Ministry, with a delegation headed by the Ministry's Secretary General. The negotiations will resume next week, and when conditions have matured, they will take the form of an interministerial, with the participation of other representatives.
We are satisfied with that, for the first time in the history of the Cyprus problem the issues of guarantees and security have been clearly set. I should explain to you that we averted an attempt to engineer the failure of the conference.
JOURNALIST: President Erdogan just made a statement regarding Greece's stance in the negotiations. What is your comment on it?
N. KOTZIAS: On Friday, the Turkish delegation left Geneva, saying that it had more important things to do, like the deal with Syria and the constitutional reform, and that it wanted an informal discussion to take place among experts. Those who left have run away. We are still here.
N. KOTZIAS: I would like to thank the United Nations and the new Secretary-General, Mr. Guterres, who from the first day he took office has fought for the Cyprus issue to be settled. I would also like to thank Mr. Eide.
We have friendly relations with many of those in attendance in this hall. I see people I have known for decades, not just from Cyprus, not just from the United Kingdom, but also from Turkey, as well as Turkish Cypriots.
We are in a region where we are bound by many things and many hours of discussion. Why have these hours of discussion taken place? Because we want to solve an historic problem that was not created by our generation. We are a generation that hopes and wants to resolve it. Our Prime Minister was born in 1974, and from the moment of his birth he has lived with the Cyprus problem. So, we are the generation that wants the solution.
We want to resolve an historic issue, and as I often say, history must not be a prison. To the contrary, history must be a school. We have to learn how to solve problems and not how to cause them, and this is our will.
We want this solution we will find -- we are certain that we can and must find it -- to follow the spirit and the letter of the Charter and the resolutions of the United Nations on the Cyprus issue.
We want to resolve a problem, but at the same time we also want to implement the commitments we have made throughout recent years. The solution we are promoting is a solution of historical responsibility for a better future for Cyprus.
We have the good fortune to have two leaders on the island, the President of the Republic of Cyprus and Mr. Aknc, who have shown political courage, clear-sightedness, seriousness in resolving their common problem. From the very first moment we took office -- and always, as Greece -- our goal was the protection of the rights of all of the citizens of Cyprus.
Our democratic principles, the principles on human rights, our history through the millennia, showed us that we must equally defend the interests of both the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriot Community, as well as the interests of the three minorities on the island.
I would like to thank Mr. Eide in particular, because he was the first interlocutor who responded on the issue of the existence of three minorities in Cyprus, and democratically we have an obligation to bear them in mind, while of course the bulk of the population is the two communities.
We want the protection of rights, and I want to reiterate what I said at the first meeting I had at the UN, 20 months ago: the solution to the Cyprus problem must grant the greatest possible equality and rights to the Turkish Cypriots. Our Turkish Cypriot friends, as fellow citizens of the Greek Cypriots, must feel it is their island; that on this island they can dream of their future; that they can think that their children will live on this island.
That it will be their island and that it belongs to no one other than the Cypriot people, of which the Turkish Cypriots are a component part. The Turkish Cypriots must feel secure. And above all, as I often say, all of the present and future generations of Turkish Cypriots, as well as of Greek Cypriots, of course, must have the right to dream. And to dream of themselves on this island, their homeland.
On the other hand, the Greek Cypriots must, and have the right to, feel secure. They must, and have the right to, feel that they are not in danger on this island, and that, together with their Turkish Cypriot fellow citizens and the three minorities, they are masters of the island.
For us, today, Cyprus is also a beacon of stability in an unstable region, but it can become, with the two communities together, a force for peace in the Middle East. And an example of the fact that we can resolve even problems that seem difficult.
Problems do not exist only for us to describe them, but also for us to solve them. Of course, life will bring forth other problem afterwards. But we first need to solve the problems that exist.
So we want a solution, and that is why we are working together for the reunification of Cyprus. We believe that a unified Cyprus will impart momentum to economic development. Because all of us, all of our countries, are suffering from the crisis that exists in the region. The wars in Syria and Iraq, the situation in Libya, the broader instability prevailing with regard to the economic and social development of all our countries. The Cypriots' economic and social development, but ours as well.
We believe that we must find the best solution, setting as a criterion that it be just, that it comply with International and European Law, and that it be convincing, so that the two communities vote in favour of it and ratify it in the referenda that are to follow.
In Greece, we believe -- and we have stated this -- that the system of guarantees is outdated. We believe -- and I, personally, believe -- that it is a system of the colonial era. We have got past it. And there is no need for anyone to ask for it. Today, the relations of states are linked with interdependence and with the positive showing of soft power.
We believe that fear or the risk of use of violence by third parties must be eliminated from the map of Cyprus. We believe that we must agree on the definitive solution of the problem of the security of Cyprus.
And this means withdrawal of armed forces, under the umbrella of the UN, perhaps with a creative role for the OSCE. We believe that Cyprus must find a system of internal security.
As you know, we never talked -- either in meetings or publicly -- about the internal aspect of the Cyprus issue, because although we are interested, we do not have the right to do this, because we are dealing with an independent and sovereign state. But we are interested in the security of all Cypriot citizens.
I myself and my government believe deeply that this plan, which the two leaders are promoting with courage, brings a situation different from that of 1963. The creation of two States in Cyprus, self-government of the Turkish Cypriots to a great extent, is the greatest guarantee that they will mind their affairs well whether their own communitys affairs or the affairs of Cyprus as a whole.
I also believe that the best guarantee of the rights of the citizens, collective and individual rights, is the European Union. And I very much thank President Juncker, who, as we know, has a very busy programme, as well as the EU High Representative, Mrs. Mogherini, for their presence and assistance.
As Greece, we know what the cost is if someone breaks the rules of the European Union, and we know that the EU has very many tools for imposing what it thinks is right. These aren't just words. Over the past seven years, we have come up against it and we believe that the EU has the measures and means to defend what is agreed upon against anyone, within the EU or within Cyprus, who wants to diverge from this. I believe the same holds true for the UN.
Moreover, I think what I am reading about the creation of state police forces, federal police and international police is a very good thing, because these, too, guarantee the security of all the parties. I also tried as an academic to study what the problems are that create insecurity for both of the communities. To the degree I understand it, the problems of insecurity that exist within Cyprus are being dealt with by means of police and justice. There is no need for any outbreak of negative phenomena, armed intervention, bombardments or anything else.
This is why we believe that we need an independent and sovereign Cyprus with all of the rights and obligations of a member state of the UN and the EU. This is why we believe that it is worth the trouble -- and we will go into this during the negotiations and our talks -- for such agreements to be implemented, like the agreements on levels of German troops in 1990, during the withdrawal of the Soviet armed forces from East Germany. This specific agreement on troop levels -- which was temporary in nature -- is a good example.
We have also submitted a specific friendship proposal between Cyprus, Turkey and Greece. As I say to my Turkish friends -- whom I respect greatly -- Allah threw the dice and he threw us into a corner of the world, and in this corner of the world we must coexist in the most creative and best way. We must even follow -- if one wants -- the special rules of our society, our tradition and our religion.
I also believe that the future of the whole of Cyprus is in the EU, like the future of Turkey. I take this opportunity to say, once again, that Greece is a firm friend and supporter of Turkey's European course. If there is one country in the EU that believes in this perspective for Turkey, it is Greece.
We believe that, to the degree that we will resolve our problems -- I am certain we will do it -- Cyprus, Greece and Turkey, through a Friendship Agreement, will make up a strong trio in the EU, in the world to which we belong, in a world in which a strong UN Security Council resolution will establish the sovereignty of unified Cyprus.
Life doesn't give us opportunities every day: from the love that culminates in marriage, to the discussion we will have here and will culminate in a unified and sovereign Cyprus that will function as a responsible actor on the European and international political stage.
Again, I want to thank the Secretary-General of the UN, Mr. Guterres, the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser, Mr. Eide, Mr. Juncker and Mrs. Merkel. I want to thank my friends from the Turkish delegation, the Cypriot delegations, and the British delegation for all the discussions we had, for the common yearning, as we say in the East, and for our sentiments.
Politics, as I say, needs rationality, but also sentiment. With these two we will resolve the Cyprus problem.
Thank you very much.
RABAT: Morocco has banned the production and sale of burqa - full-face Muslim veils, apparently for security reasons, media reports said.
While there has been no official announcement, media reports said the interior ministry order banning the burqa would take effect this week.
We have taken the step of completely banning the import, manufacture and marketing of this garment in all the cities and towns of the kingdom, a high-ranking interior ministry official said.
Interior ministry officials on Monday started carrying out awareness-raising campaigns with traders to inform them of this new decision, said another website.
Officials said the measure appeared to be motivated by security concerns, since bandits have repeatedly used this garment to perpetrate their crimes.
Most women in Morocco, whose King Mohammed VI favours a moderate version of Islam, prefer the hijab headscarf that does not cover the face.
The niqab, which leaves the area around the eyes uncovered, is also worn in Salafist circles and in more conservative regions in the north, from where thousands of jihadists have gone to fight in Syria and Iraq.
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Bengaluru: Woman wearing Burqa was attacked by man
BAD AXE Michigan Open Carry Inc. is taking the city of Harbor Beach to court for failing to grant Freedom of Information Act requests last year.
The complaint, which was filed in Huron County Circuit Court on Dec. 16, stems from an incident where the city prohibited open and concealed carry for its employees.
Casey Armitage is a Harbor Beach Community Schools crossing guard, employed by the city of Harbor Beach, who attempted to have a portion of the citys employee handbook, regarding the firearms policy, changed. Armitage is also a member of Michigan Open Carry.
The revised policy prohibits city employees, other than police, to carry a gun open or concealed while on the job. The citys insurance provider said it would exclude coverage because of the significant risk if the city allowed employees to carry a handgun. At the time, Armitage repeatedly asked council for statistics and information to support its decision, but council continuously referred to the opinions they received from their provider and attorney.
The citys administrative committee voted to keep the policy in place in October after numerous pleas from Armitage to modify it.
The FOIA request, submitted by Thomas Lambert, president of Michigan Open Carry, was seeking:
Any and all records of discussion from, to, or between the Harbor Beach city council and its members, and the city director, in relation to resolution No. 2016-92.
Any and all records of discussion from, to, or between the Harbor Beach city council and its members, and the city director, from Aug. 1, 2016, through Oct. 3, 2016, in relation to the citys policy on firearms carried by employees.
Any and all documentation obtained by or provided by the Harbor Beach city council or one of its members, or the city director, relating to how the citys policy on firearms carried by employees may affect the citys insurance rates.
Since they (the city) cited insurance reasons, we wanted to know what they based their decision on, Lambert told the Tribune.
Armitage told Lambert she mentioned filing a FOIA request with the city to obtain the information.
I figured we would jump in and file the FOIA requests ourselves, he said. We generally like to stay out of it unless we have to jump in. At that point, it became clear that we should jump in.
Lambert submitted a FOIA request on Oct. 3, 2016, and in his email to Harbor Beach city director Ron Wruble, he wrote, Please inform me if the expected costs for searching and copying these documents will exceed $20. However, I would like to request a waiver of all fees as the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest and will contribute to the publics understanding and knowledge of the citys operations.
In Wrubles response, he informed Lambert it would take him three hours and city clerk Leslie Woycehoski a minimum of two hours to collect the information. The total cost to gather the information was $251.87 and payment was needed prior to the information being released.
The complaint states the city violated the request because the city did not calculate the fee using the hourly wage of its lowest-paid employee capable of searching for, locating and examining the public records.
The complaint also lists a number of other alleged violations related to FOIA.
After four attempts, going back and forth with the city, Lambert said the city still hasnt completed his FOIA request.
At this point in time, court is going to cost a lot more, for both of us, than it would have for either of us to pay the fee or them to just give us the information, Lambert said. They spent way more time trying to charge these ridiculous fees than it would have taken them to just give us the information we asked for.
At this point in time, I am not confident that even if I do pay the fees that I will get what Im looking for, he added.
As of Thursday, Lambert said he hasnt been informed of any upcoming court dates yet.
A message left with Wruble seeking comment was not returned on Thursday.
CASS CITY As classes resume after Christmas vacation, it's back to watching movies on a high definition, 60-inch television and eating popcorn as part of a class in the Cass City School District.
The "History Based Movie Class" is taught as an elective by William Hartzell. The visual imagery along with the audio of a movie engages students in ways that lectures and history textbooks cannot.
"The class was my idea, but I can't take all of the credit. I had a similar class when I was attending Saginaw Valley University," said Hartzell.
On the first day the class was offered for the first time, Hartzell said he made it clear the class was not just about watching movies and that a lot of research and time would be required.
"A few (students) left when I said that," he noted. "There are some kids this year taking the class for a second time because it is 'interesting and challenges' them.
"It's a way to teach history that is interesting and makes a connection."
The connection he talked about happened during a recent segment when some area veterans from the era of the movie the students had just watched talked to the class.
"Some kids get kind of choked up after watching some of the movies and then listening to veterans who went through it," said Hartzell, noting that's when he knows the class is working. "Some movies and studies have brought tears to their eyes and hit home for them."
As part of the class, area veterans from the different wars speak to the class about their experiences.
"About three-fourths of the class shook hands with Vietnam veterans. That impressed me. It showed the connection I had hoped the kids would make from the class with history," Hartzell said. "The curriculum is based on Hollywood movies and documentaries about historical events and people."
"History Based Movie Class" is not based on a textbook approach to learning, but rather a way to learn about historical events and people in a creative way using movies, documentaries, talking to those who lived it, and using Skype to do Internet virtual tours and communication, and research.
"I thought the class would be easy and kind of boring, but it isn't. There is a lot of work that goes with it," said Chase Winter, who took the class the first time it was offered. "It wasn't what I expected it would be. It was interesting."
In fact, Winter is taking the class a second time this school year.
"I'm learning new stuff. There is a lot of research, reading, and writing with this class," said Winter, who is a senior now. "It's not just watching a movie. It gives a lot better understanding of what happened."
The first year the class was offered, it had an enrollment of 20 students. This year, 45 signed up for the class, so two classes are offered.
"Watching the movie, talking to some veterans along with the research I'm learning a lot and enjoying the class," said Kacey Haire. "It all makes a connection than just reading about it from a (text) book doesn't do."
The class is for tenth- and twelfth-grade students. The material movies and documentaries cover from the Revolutionary War to current ones.
"Some of the movies and what we learned had an impact on me ... made me sad, and that kind of surprised me," said Haire. "There is a lot more to the class than I thought there would be. It's not just watching a movie there is a lot of research, and that has been interesting."
According to Haire, the movie "Hacksaw Ridge" had an impact on him.
"I like the movies (war ones) that deal with more modern times. There was a good story behind "Hacksaw Ridge," and it was from a different point of view than most war ones," Haire said.
Because "Hacksaw Ridge" is still playing in movie theaters, Cass Theater owner Dick Hendrick opened the theater for students to watch the movie about the true story of conscientious objector Desmond T. Doss, who saved 75 men in Okinawa during one of the bloodiest battle of World War II.
Doss was the only American soldier at that time to fight on the front lines without a weapon. He was an Army medic, and the first conscientious objector to ever win the Congressional Medal of Honor, explained the movie review.
Because movies need to be interesting, Hollywood does some embellishment. A portion of the historic movie class is fact checking and doing a comparison between the movie and what really happened.
The class also shows a connection of past events to today.
After watching the movie "Apollo 13," students talked to Cass City native and former Astronaut Brewster Shaw via Skype. And, before he passed away, Bob Stickle talked about World War II from the perspective of a young solider who participated in the Battle of Normandy, which remains as the largest seaborne invasion in history.
The study about the Civil War included a virtual tour complete with a display of artifacts.
"When artifacts of long ago events are displayed kids marvel that a part that history is still preserved. Students did a Skype a tour of the Hampton Plantation, in South Carolina," said Hartzell, noting some assignments included writing articles and creating a newspaper.
Students are required take tests and quizzes about the movies. All students who enroll in the class must have a parent sign a waiver to allow their child to watch movies with a higher than G ratings. Movies for the class are selected based on their historical importance and their appropriateness.
AutoZone, Inc. retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories. The company offers various products for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products. Its products include A/C compressors, batteries and accessories, bearings, belts and hoses, calipers, chassis, clutches, CV axles, engines, fuel pumps, fuses, ignition and lighting products, mufflers, radiators, starters and alternators, thermostats, and water pumps, as well as tire repairs. In addition, the company offers maintenance products, such as antifreeze and windshield washer fluids; brake drums, rotors, shoes, and pads; brake and power steering fluids, and oil and fuel additives; oil and transmission fluids; oil, cabin, air, fuel, and transmission filters; oxygen sensors; paints and accessories; refrigerants and accessories; shock absorbers and struts; spark plugs and wires; and windshield wipers. Further, it provides air fresheners, cell phone accessories, drinks and snacks, floor mats and seat covers, interior and exterior accessories, mirrors, performance products, protectants and cleaners, sealants and adhesives, steering wheel covers, stereos and radios, tools, and wash and wax products, as well as towing services. Additionally, the company provides a sales program that offers commercial credit and delivery of parts and other products; sells automotive diagnostic and repair software under the ALLDATA brand through alldata.com; and automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products through autozone.com. As of August 27, 2022, it operated 6,168 stores in the United States; 703 stores in Mexico; and 72 stores in Brazil. The company was founded in 1979 and is based in Memphis, Tennessee.
KeyCorp operates as the holding company for KeyBank National Association that provides various retail and commercial banking products and services in the United States. It operates in two segments, Consumer Bank and Commercial Bank. The company offers various deposits, investment products and services; and personal finance and financial wellness, student loan refinancing, mortgage and home equity, lending, credit card, treasury, business advisory, wealth management, asset management, investment, cash management, portfolio management, and trust and related services to individuals and small and medium-sized businesses. It also provides a suite of banking and capital market products, such as syndicated finance, debt and equity capital market products, commercial payments, equipment finance, commercial mortgage banking, derivatives, foreign exchange, financial advisory, and public finance, as well as commercial mortgage loans comprising consumer, energy, healthcare, industrial, public sector, real estate, and technology loans for middle market clients. In addition, the company offers community development financing, securities underwriting, brokerage, and investment banking services. As of December 31, 2021, it operated through a network of approximately 999 branches and 1,317 ATMs in 15 states, as well as additional offices, online and mobile banking capabilities, and a telephone banking call center. KeyCorp was founded in 1849 and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.
Synchrony Financial, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a consumer financial services company in the United States. It provides credit products, such as credit cards, commercial credit products, and consumer installment loans. The company also offers private label credit cards, dual cards, co-brand and general purpose credit cards, short- and long-term installment loans, and consumer banking products; and deposit products, including certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, money market accounts, and savings accounts to retail and commercial customers, as well as accepts deposits through third-party securities brokerage firms. In addition, it provides debt cancellation products to its credit card customers through online, mobile, and direct mail; healthcare payments and financing solutions under the CareCredit, Pets Best, and Walgreens brands; payments and financing solutions in the apparel, specialty retail, outdoor, music, and luxury industries; and point-of-sale consumer financing for audiology products and dental services. The company offers its credit products through programs established with a group of national and regional retailers, local merchants, manufacturers, buying groups, industry associations, and healthcare service providers; and deposit products through various channels, such as digital and print. It serves digital, health and wellness, retail, home, auto, powersports, jewelry, pets, and other industries. Synchrony Financial was founded in 1932 and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut.
United Rentals, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as an equipment rental company. It operates in two segments, General Rentals and Specialty. The General Rentals segment rents general construction and industrial equipment includes backhoes, skid-steer loaders, forklifts, earthmoving equipment, and material handling equipment; aerial work platforms, such as boom and scissor lifts; and general tools and light equipment comprising pressure washers, water pumps, and power tools for construction and industrial companies, manufacturers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners, and government entities. The specialty segment rents specialty construction products, including trench safety equipment consists of trench shields, aluminum hydraulic shoring systems, slide rails, crossing plates, construction lasers, and line testing equipment for underground work; power and heating, ventilating, and air conditioning equipment, such as portable diesel generators, electrical distribution equipment, and temperature control equipment; fluid solutions equipment for fluid containment, transfer, and treatment; and mobile storage equipment and modular office space. This segment serves construction companies involved in infrastructure projects, and municipalities and industrial companies. It also sells aerial lifts, reach forklifts, telehandlers, compressors, and generators; construction consumables, tools, small equipment, and safety supplies; and parts for equipment that is owned by its customers, as well as provides repair and maintenance services. The company sells used equipment through its sales force, brokers, website, directly to manufacturers, and at auctions. The company operates a network of 1,360 rental locations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. United Rentals, Inc. was incorporated in 1997 and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut.
The following companies are subsidiares of Thermo Fisher Scientific: 236 Perinton Parkway LLC, 27 Forge Parkway LLC, ABR--Affinity BioReagents, ACI Holdings Inc., ARG Services LLC, ASPEX Corporation, Abgene Inc., Abgene Limited, Acoustic Cytometry Systems Inc., AcroMetrix LLC, Acros Organics B.V.B.A., Advanced Biotechnologies Limited, Advanced Scientifics (ASI), Advanced Scientifics Inc., Advanced Scientifics International Inc., Affymetrix Biotech Participacoes Ltda., Affymetrix Biotech Shanghai Ltd, Affymetrix Inc, Affymetrix Japan K.K., Affymetrix Pte Ltd, Affymetrix UK Ltd, Afora S.A.U., Ahura Scientific, Alchematrix Inc., Alchematrix LLC, Alfa Aesar, Alfa Aesar (China) Chemical Co. Ltd., Alfa Aesar (Hong Kong) Limited, Allergon AB, Alphine Mountain Limited, Ambion Inc., Apogent Denmark ApS, Apogent Finance Company, Apogent Holding Company, Apogent Technologies Inc., Apogent Transition Corp., Apogent U.K. Limited, App-Tek International Pty Ltd, Applied Biosystems B.V., Applied Biosystems Finance B.V., Applied Biosystems International Inc., Applied Biosystems LLC, Applied Biosystems Taiwan LLC, Applied Biosystems Trading (Shanghai) Company Ltd., Applied Biosystems de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Applied Scientific Corporation, Avances Cientificos de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Avocado Research Chemicals Limited, B.R.A.H.M.S. Biotech GmbH, B.R.A.H.M.S. GmbH, B.R.A.H.M.S. UK Ltd, BAC BV, BAC IP BV, Barnstead Thermolyne LLC, Beijing Phadia Diagnostics Co Ltd, Bender MedSystems GmbH, BioTrove Corporation, BioTrove International Inc., Bioanalysis Labsystems S.A., Biochemical Sciences LLC, Biolab, BmT GmbH Laborprodukte, Bonsai Tecnologies - Sistemas para Biotecnologia e Industria Unipessoal Lda, Brammer Bio, Bumi-Sans Sendirian Berhad, CAC Limited, CB Diagnostics AB, CB Diagnostics Holding AB, CEPH International Corporation, CHK Holdings Inc., CRS Robotics, CTPS LLC, Capitol Scientific Products Inc., Capitol Vial Inc., Cellomics Inc., CellzDirect Inc., Cenduit GmbH, Cenduit LLC, Cezanne S.A.S., Chase Scientific Glass Inc., Chromacol Limited, Clintrak, Clintrak Clinical Labeling Services LLC, Clintrak Pharmaceutical Services LLC, Cohesive Technologies (UK) Limited, Cohesive Technologies Inc., Columbia Diagnostics Inc., Compendia Bioscience Inc., Comtest Limited, Consolidated Technologies Inc., Consultores Fisher Scientific Chile Ltd, Core Informatics, Core Informatics LLC, Core Informatics UK Ltd., D-finitive Technologies Inc., DCG Systems B.V., DCG Systems C.V., DCG Systems G.K., DCG Systems GmbH, DCG Systems Korea Ltd., DCG Systems LLC, DPI Newco LLC, DSM Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Dharmacon, Diagnostix Ltd., Dionex (China) Analytical Ltd, Dionex (Switzerland) AG, Dionex (UK) Limited, Dionex Austria GmbH, Dionex Benelux B.V., Dionex Brasil Instrumentos Cientificos Ltda, Dionex Canada Ltd., Dionex China Limited, Dionex Corporation, Dionex Denmark A/S, Dionex Holding GmbH, Dionex I LLC, Dionex Pty Ltd., Dionex S.A., Dionex S.p.A., Dionex Singapore Pte Ltd., Dionex Softron GmbH, Dionex Sweden AB, Distribution Solutions International Inc., Doe & Ingalls Investors Inc., Doe & Ingalls Limited, Doe & Ingalls Management LLC, Doe & Ingalls Properties II LLC, Doe & Ingalls Properties LLC, Doe & Ingalls of California Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Florida Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Maryland Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Massachusetts Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of North Carolina Operating LLC, Doublecape Holding Limited, Doublecape Limited, Drakeside Real Estate Holding Company LLC, Duke Scientific Corporation, Dynal Biotech Beijing Limited, EGS Gauging Ltd., EGS Gauging Technical Services Company, EP Scientific Products LLC, Ecochem N.V., EnviroEquip Pty Ltd, Epsom Glass Industries Limited, Equibio Limited, Erie Electroverre S.A., Erie Finance Limited, Erie LP Holding LLC, Erie Scientific Company of Puerto Rico, Erie Scientific Hungary Kft, Erie Scientific LLC, Erie U.K. Limited, Erie UK 1 Limited, Erie UK 2 Limited, Erie UK Holding Company, Erie UK Senior Holding Limited, European Laboratory Holdings Limited, Eutech Instruments Europe B.V., Eutech Instruments Pte Ltd., Eutech Instruments Sdn Bhd, Ever Ready Thermometer Co. Inc., FEI Asia Pacific Co. Ltd., FEI Australia Pty Ltd, FEI CPD B.V., FEI Company, FEI Company Japan Ltd., FEI Company of USA (S.E.A.) Pte Ltd., FEI Czech Republic s.r.o., FEI Deutschland GmbH, FEI EFA Inc., FEI EFA International Pte. Ltd., FEI Electron Optics B.V., FEI Electron Optics International B.V., FEI Europe B.V., FEI France SAS, FEI Global Holdings C.V., FEI Hong Kong Company Limited, FEI Houston Inc., FEI Italia Srl, FEI Korea Ltd., FEI Melbourne Pty Ltd., FEI Microscopy Solutions Ltd, FEI Munich GmbH, FEI Norway Holding AS, FEI SAS, FEI Saudi Arabia LLC, FEI Servicos de Nanotecnologia Ltda., FEI Technologies Inc., FEI Technology de Mexico S.A. de C.V., FEI Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., FEI Trondheim AS, FEI UK Ltd., FHP LLC, FRC Holding Inc. V, FS (Barbados) Capital Holdings Ltd., FS Casa Rocas Holdings LLC, FS Mexicana Holdings LLC, FSI Receivables Company LLC, FSII Sweden Holdings AB, FSII Sweden Holdings I AB, FSIR Holdings (UK) Limited, FSIR Holdings (US) Inc., FSUK Holdings Limited, FSWH Company LLC, FSWH II C.V., FSWH International Holdings LLC, Fermentas China Co. Ltd, Fermentas Inc., Fermentas International, Fermentas Sweden AB, Fermentas UK Limited, Fiberlite Centrifuge LLC, Finesse Scientific Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Finesse Solutions AG, Finesse Solutions Inc., Finnzymes Oy, Fisher Alder S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Asia Manufacturing Ventures Inc., Fisher Bermuda Holdings Limited, Fisher BioImage ApS, Fisher BioPharma Services (India) Private Limited, Fisher BioSciences Japan G.K., Fisher BioServices Inc., Fisher Bioblock Holding II SNC, Fisher CLP Holding Limited Partnership, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 1, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 2, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 3, Fisher Canada Limited Partnership, Fisher Chimica BVBA, Fisher Clinical Logistics LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services (Bristol) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Colombia) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Korea) Co. Ltd, Fisher Clinical Services (Mexico) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Peru) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services Colombia S.A.S., Fisher Clinical Services GmbH, Fisher Clinical Services Inc., Fisher Clinical Services Japan K.K., Fisher Clinical Services Latin America S.R.L., Fisher Clinical Services Limited Liability Company, Fisher Clinical Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Clinical Services Peru S.R.L, Fisher Clinical Services Pte Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services U.K. Limited, Fisher Emergo B.V., Fisher Germany Holdings GmbH, Fisher Hamilton China Inc., Fisher Hamilton Mexico LLC, Fisher Holdings ApS, Fisher Internet Minority Holdings L.L.C., Fisher Laboratory Products Manufacturing (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Fisher Luxembourg Danish Holdings SARL, Fisher Manufacturing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Maybridge Holdings Limited, Fisher Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Scientific (Austria) GmbH, Fisher Scientific (Hong Kong) Limited, Fisher Scientific (M) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Scientific (SEA) Pte. Ltd., Fisher Scientific A/S, Fisher Scientific AG, Fisher Scientific Australia Pty Limited, Fisher Scientific Biotech Line ApS, Fisher Scientific Brazil Inc., Fisher Scientific Central America Inc., Fisher Scientific Chile Inc., Fisher Scientific Colombia Inc., Fisher Scientific Company, Fisher Scientific Company L.L.C., Fisher Scientific Costa Rica Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Fisher Scientific Europe Holdings B.V., Fisher Scientific GTF AB, Fisher Scientific Germany Beteiligungs GmbH, Fisher Scientific GmbH, Fisher Scientific Holding Company LLC, Fisher Scientific Holding HK Limited, Fisher Scientific Holding U.K. Limited, Fisher Scientific Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Scientific Holdings (S) Pte Ltd, Fisher Scientific International LLC, Fisher Scientific Investments (Cayman) Ltd., Fisher Scientific Ireland Investments Unlimited, Fisher Scientific Ireland Limited, Fisher Scientific Japan Ltd., Fisher Scientific Jersey Island Limited, Fisher Scientific Korea Ltd, Fisher Scientific Latin America Inc., Fisher Scientific Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Fisher Scientific Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Scientific Mexico Inc., Fisher Scientific Middle East and Africa Inc., Fisher Scientific Norway AS, Fisher Scientific Operating Company, Fisher Scientific Oxoid Holdings Ltd., Fisher Scientific Oy, Fisher Scientific Pte. Ltd., Fisher Scientific S.A.S., Fisher Scientific S.L., Fisher Scientific SPRL, Fisher Scientific The Hague I B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague II B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague III B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague IV B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague V B.V., Fisher Scientific U.K. Limited, Fisher Scientific UK Holding Company 2, Fisher Scientific UK Holding Company Limited, Fisher Scientific Unipessoal Lda., Fisher Scientific Venezuela Inc., Fisher Scientific Worldwide (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Fisher Scientific Worldwide Holdings I C.V., Fisher Scientific Worldwide Inc., Fisher Scientific de Mexico S.A., Fisher Scientific of the Netherlands B.V., Fisher Scientific spol. S.r.o, Fisher Servicios Clinicos (Chile) LLC, Fisher Servicios Clinicos Chile Ltda, Fisher WWD Holding L.L.C., Fisher Worldwide Distribution SPV, Fisher Worldwide Gene Distribution SPV, Flux Instruments, Fuji Partnership, G & M Procter Limited, G V Instruments Limited, GV Instruments Canada Ltd., GV Instruments Inc, Gatan Inc, General Scientific Company Sdn Bhd (M), Genomed molekularbiologische und diagnostische Produkte GmbH, Gerhard Menzel B.V. & Co. KG, Gold Cattle Standard Testing Labs Inc., Golden West Indemnity Company Limited, Goring Kerr Detection Limited, Greenville Service Company Inc., HENO GmbH i.L., Hangar 215 Inc., Helmet Securities Limited, Henogen, HighChem, HyClone International Trade (Tianjin) Co. Ltd, Hybaid Limited, I.Q. (BIO) Limited, IDnostics AG, ILS Laboratories Scandinavia AB, Inel Inc., Inel SAS, InnaPhase Inc., InnaPhase Limited, IntegenX, Intrinsic BioProbes Inc., Intrinsic Bioprobes Inc., Invitrogen (Shanghai) Investment Co. Ltd., Invitrogen Argentina SA, Invitrogen BioServices India Private Limited, Invitrogen Europe Limited, Invitrogen Finance Corp., Invitrogen Holdings LLC, Invitrogen Holdings Ltd., Invitrogen Hong Kong Limited, Invitrogen IP Holdings Inc., Invitrogen Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ion Torrent Systems Inc., Ionalytics Corporation, JSC Thermo Fisher Scientific, Jouan LLC, Jouan Limited, Jouan SA, Kendro Containment & Services Limited, Kendro Laboratory Products Ltd, Kettlebrook Insurance Co. ltd., Keystone Scientific, KonTEM GmbH, Kyle Jordan Investments LLC, LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, LTC Tech South Africa PTY Ltd., La-Pha-Pack GmbH, Lab Vision (UK) Limited, Lab Vision Corporation, Lab-Chrom-Pack LLC, Lab-Line Instruments Inc., Labomex MBP S. de R. L. De C.V., Laboratoire Service International - L.S.I, Laboratory Management Systems Inc., Laboratory Specialties Proprietary Ltd., LambTrack Limited, Laser Analytical Systems Inc., Liberty Lane Investment LLC, Liberty Lane Real Estate Holding Company LLC, Life Sciences International (Poland) SP z O.O, Life Sciences International Holdings BV, Life Sciences International LLC, Life Sciences International Limited, Life Technologies AS, Life Technologies Australia PTY Ltd., Life Technologies BPD AB, Life Technologies BPD UK Limited, Life Technologies Brasil Comercio e Industria de Produtos para Biotecnologia Ltda, Life Technologies Chile SpA, Life Technologies Clinical Services Lab Inc., Life Technologies Co. Ltd., Life Technologies Czech Republic s.r.o., Life Technologies DaAn Diagnostic (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd., Life Technologies Europe B.V., Life Technologies Finance Ltd., Life Technologies Finland Oy, Life Technologies GmbH, Life Technologies Holdings PTE Ltd., Life Technologies Inc., Life Technologies International B.V., Life Technologies Japan Ltd., Life Technologies Korea LLC, Life Technologies Limited, Life Technologies Magyarorszag Kft, Life Technologies New Zealand Ltd., Life Technologies Norway Investments US LLC, Life Technologies Polska Sp z.o.o., Life Technologies SA, Life Technologies SAS, Life Technologies s.r.o, Linkage Biosciences Inc., Linkage Biosciences S.a.r.l., Loftus Furnace Company, Lomb Scientific, Lomb Scientific (Aust) Pty Limited, MTI-GlobalStem, Marketbase International Limited, Matrix MicroScience Inc., Matrix MicroScience Ltd., Matrix Technologies Corporation Limited, Matrix Technologies LLC, Maybridge Chemical Company Limited, Maybridge Chemical Holdings Limited, Maybridge Limited, Medical Analysis Systems Inc., Medical Analysis Systems International Inc., Medical Diagnostics Systems Inc., Metavac LLC, Microgenics Corporation, Microgenics Diagnostics Pty Limited, Microgenics GmbH, Microm International GmbH, Microm Laborgerate S.L.U, Molecular BioProducts Inc., Molecular Probes Inc., Molecular Transfer Inc., NAPCO Inc., NERL Diagnostics LLC, NOVODIRECT GmbH Labor- und Industrie- Megerate, Nalge (Europe) Limited, Nalge Nunc International (Monterrey) LLC, Nalge Nunc International Corporation, Nanjing WeiKangLe Trading Industrial Co Ltd, NanoDrop Technologies LLC, National Scientific Company, Navaho Acquisition Corp., Neomarkers Inc., New FS Holdings Inc., NewcoGen PE LLC, Nihon Dynal K.K., Niton Asia Limited, NovaWave Technologies Inc., Nunc A/S, ONIX Systems Inc., OXOID CZ s.r.o., Odyssey Holdings Corporation, Odyssey Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Odyssey Luxembourg IP Holdings 1 S.a r.l., Odyssey Luxembourg IP Holdings 2 S.a r.l., Odyssey Venture Corporation, Omega Data Systems, One Lambda Inc, Onix Holdings Limited, Orme Scientific Limited, Owl Separation Systems LLC, Oxoid (ELY) Limited, Oxoid 2000 Limited, Oxoid AS, Oxoid Australia Pty. Limited, Oxoid Company, Oxoid Deutschland GmbH, Oxoid Holding SAS, Oxoid Holdings Limited, Oxoid Inc., Oxoid International Limited, Oxoid Investments GmbH, Oxoid Limited, Oxoid N.V., Oxoid New Zealand Limited, Oxoid Pension Trustees Limited, Oxoid Senior Holdings Limited, Oxoid UKH LLC, PAX - DSI Acquisition LLC, PE AG, Pacific Rim Far East Industries LLC, Pacific Rim Investment LLC, Panomics L.L.C., Panomics S.R.L., Patheon, Patheon API Inc., Patheon API Manufacturing Inc., Patheon API Services Inc., Patheon Austria GmbH & Co KG, Patheon B.V., Patheon Banner U.S. Holdings Inc., Patheon Biologics (NJ) LLC, Patheon Biologics Australia Pty Ltd, Patheon Biologics B.V., Patheon Biologics LLC, Patheon Calculus Merger LLC, Patheon Cooperatief U.A., Patheon Development Services Inc., Patheon Finance LLC, Patheon France SAS, Patheon Holdings B.V., Patheon Holdings I B.V., Patheon Holdings II B.V., Patheon Holdings SAS, Patheon I B.V., Patheon I Holding GmbH, Patheon Inc., Patheon International AG, Patheon Italia S.p.A., Patheon KK, Patheon Life Science Products International GmbH, Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC, Patheon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Patheon Pharmaceuticals Services Inc., Patheon Puerto Rico Acquisitions Corporation, Patheon Puerto Rico Inc., Patheon Regensburg GmbH, Patheon Softgels B.V., Patheon Softgels Inc., Patheon U.S. Holdings Inc., Patheon U.S. Holdings LLC, Patheon UK Limited, Patheon UK Pension Trustees Limited, Pelican Acquisition Corporation, Perbio Science (Canada) Company, Perbio Science AB, Perbio Science BVBA, Perbio Science France SAS, Perbio Science Inc., Perbio Science International Netherlands B.V., Perbio Science Invest AB, Perbio Science Nederland B.V., Perbio Science Projekt AB, Perbio Science Sweden Holdings AB, Perbio Science Switzerland SA, Perbio Science UK Limited, Phadia AB, Phadia Diagnosticos Ltda, Phadia GmbH, Phadia Holding AB, Phadia International Holdings C.V., Phadia Korea Co. Ltd, Phadia Luxembourg Holdings S.a.r.l., Phadia Malta Holdings Limited, Phadia Oy, Phadia Real Property AB, Phadia Sweden AB, Phadia Taiwan Inc., Phadia US Inc., Phadia s.r.o., Pharmacaps Mexicana SA de CV, Phenom-World B.V., Phenom-World Holding B.V, Phenom-World Innovations B.V., Phinotex, Pierce Biotechnology Inc., Pierce Milwaukee Holding Corp., Pierce Milwaukee Inc., Polychromix, Power Sweden Holdings I AB, Power Sweden Holdings II AB, Power Sweden Holdings III Aktiebolag, Princeton Gamma-Tech Instruments LLC, Princeton Security Technologies, Prionics AG, Prionics Asia Ltd., Prionics Deutschland GmbH, Prionics France SAS, Prionics Italia S.r.l., Prionics Lelystad B.V., Prionics USA Inc., Priority Air Express LLC, Priority Air Express Pte. Ltd., Priority Air Express UK Limited, Priority Air Holdings Corp, Priority Solutions International, Promedica Pty Limited, Proxeon, Proxeon Biosystems ApS, Qiagen, REP GBP I-B Blocker Inc., Raymond A Lamb Limited, Remel Europe Limited, Remel Inc., Richard-Allan Scientific Company, Robbins Scientific LLC, Robocon Labor- und Industrieroboter Gesellschaft m.b.H, Rupprecht and Patashnick, Rupprecht and Patashnick (R&P), Russell pH Limited, S.C.I. du 10 rue Dugay Trouin, SCI Inno 92, STC Bio Manufacturing Inc., Samco Scientific (Monterrey) LLC, Samco Scientific LLC, Saroph Sweden AB, Schantz Road LLC, Seradyn Inc., Shanghai Life Technologies Biotechnology Co. Limited, Shanghai Thermo Fisher (C-I) Trading Co. Ltd, Shanghai Thermo Fisher (S) Trading Co. 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Williams-Sonoma, Inc. operates as an omni-channel specialty retailer of various products for home. It offers cooking, dining, and entertaining products, such as cookware, tools, electrics, cutlery, tabletop and bar, outdoor, furniture, and a library of cookbooks under the Williams Sonoma Home brand, as well as home furnishings and decorative accessories under the Williams Sonoma lifestyle brand; and furniture, bedding, lighting, rugs, table essentials, and decorative accessories under the Pottery Barn brand. The company also provides home decor products under the West Elm brand; kids accessories under the Pottery Barn Kids brand; and an organic bedding to multi-purpose furniture under the Pottery Barn Teen brand. In addition, it offers made-to-order lighting, hardware, furniture, and home decors inspired by history under the Rejuvenation brand; and women's and men's accessories, travel, entertaining and bar, home decor, and seasonal items under the Mark and Graham brand, as well as operates a 3-D imaging and augmented reality platform for the home furnishings and decor industry. The company markets its products through e-commerce websites, direct-mail catalogs, and retail stores. It operates 544 stores comprising 502 stores in 41states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico; 20 stores in Canada; 19 stores in Australia; 3 stores in the United Kingdom; and 139 franchised stores, as well as e-commerce websites in various countries in the Middle East, the Philippines, Mexico, South Korea, and India. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. was founded in 1956 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
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...
The Air Force is recommending upgrading the awards of up to a dozen airmen to the Medal of Honor or the Air Force Cross, the service announced Friday.
The upgrades to the service's two highest valor medals stem from review boards that met in May, according to Brooke Brzozowske, a spokeswoman for the Air Force.
"The boards were charged with reviewing [Global War on Terrorism] Air Force Cross and Silver Star nominations for possible upgrade," she said in an email. "Specifically, [the] Air Force Cross Review Board reviewed all Air Force Cross nominations [and] Silver Star Review Board reviewed all Silver Star nominations."
The recommendations have been forwarded to Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James for further action.
Another service spokesman, Maj. Bryan Lewis, said he couldn't disclose how many of the recommendations were upgraded from Silver Star to Air Force Cross and from Air Force Cross to Medal of Honor -- the highest military award for combat action.
The service's review was part of the Defense Department's push to audit more than 1,100 post-9/11 valor citations to determine if they warrant a higher award such as the Medal of Honor, officials announced last year.
The Air Force review of awards continues and is expected to be completed this spring, Lewis told Military.com in December. "We are reviewing 147 cases, which consists of 135 Silver Stars and 12 Air Force Crosses," he said at the time.
The Air Force is also continuing to review additional cases in which airmen were recommended for but didn't ultimately receive a Silver Star, he said. It wasn't immediately clear how many airmen may be upgraded to the third-highest valor award.
Simultaneously, the Army is reviewing 785 Silver Star and Distinguished Service Cross awards; and the Navy, including the Marine Corps, is looking at 425 Navy Cross and Silver Star medals.
In 2014, then-Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel ordered a review of all decorations and awards programs "to ensure that after 13 years of combat the awards system appropriately recognizes the service, sacrifices and action of our service members," officials told USA Today at the time.
Military.com this week asked the service if James would announce additional upgrades after Marine Corps officials revealed on Wednesday that her counterpart, outgoing Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, would present four Marines and a sailor with upgraded awards for their service.
Mabus will present the upgraded awards in a ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, on Friday.
However, it's unclear if James will coordinate a medals ceremony in the next few days. The secretary, who had her formal farewell ceremony on Wednesday, is expected to leave the Pentagon next week.
RELATED: Airman to Get Silver Star for Leading River Evacuation Under Fire
Most recently -- but separate from the Air Force review -- Airman First Class Benjamin Hutchins, a tactical air control party airman supporting the 82nd Airborne Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team, was approved for the Silver Star in April. Hutchins received his award Nov. 4 during a ceremony at the 18th Air Support Operations Group at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
The Air Force previously said Hutchins had been submitted for the Bronze Star Medal with Valor. However, the service later clarified Hutchins had instead been submitted for two Bronze Star Medals for his actions, which instead were combined into one Silver Star award.
-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.
The same morning the secretary of the Navy presented upgraded medals to four Marines and a sailor for bravery in Iraq and Afghanistan, he also delivered 17 prestigious upgrades awards for current and former members of Navy special operations commands, including a SEAL killed in May while fighting the Islamic State in Iraq.
In a quiet ceremony in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on Friday morning, Ray Mabus presented eight Navy Crosses and eight Silver Stars to sailors attached to East and West Coast Naval Special Warfare commands, announced his spokesman, Capt. Patrick McNally.
Another Navy Cross upgrade was approved for a sailor who was unable to make it to the ceremony, McNally said. One Navy Cross and one Silver Star were presented posthumously.
While the names of most of the awardees were not made public, Navy Special Warfare Command spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Mark Walton said the posthumous Navy Cross was for Chief Petty Officer Charles Keating IV, 31, who was killed in action in May while in a firefight against Islamic State forces in Northern Iraq.
According to Keating's original Silver Star Medal citation, first obtained by Military.com in June, he was recognized for valor shown on March 4, when he played a crucial role in an operation that repelled more than 100 enemy fighters who were assaulting Peshmerga front lines. He helped to direct the Peshmerga troops in their response, then organized an American quick-response force, eventually personally engaging the Islamic State militants.
"[Keating] continually exposed himself to enemy automatic weapon, mortar, and rocket propelled grenade fire as he diligently maneuvered between the front and flanks of the defensive fighting position to stop enemy advances and keep friendly forces accurately informed of the unfolding situation," the citation reads.
When the ISIS fighters tried to send a vehicle carrying an improvised explosive device to Keating's position, he directed a team to intercept the vehicle with snipers and rocket fire, scuttling the enemy's plans.
According to his citation, Keating's "personal bravery inspired his comrades to vigorously defend their position and repel the enemy assault."
The names of the other awardees were not made public. Most, though not all, were assigned to the Navy's prestigious SEAL teams, Walton said. SEALs guard their identities fiercely to avoid compromising future missions.
"Today we honor some of our nation's finest heroes, not just for their individual acts of courage and bravery in the face of danger, but for the everyday selflessness that they and their peers demonstrate," Mabus said in a statement. "This generation of sailors, and particularly those serving as part of our Naval Special Warfare team, is an extraordinary group of men and women who have given so much to our country. Although today we recognize these individuals for their heroism and valor in combat, we are also honoring the sailors and Marines who fought beside them and those who are still in the fight."
The awards were all upgraded as a result of a Pentagon-wide review of service crosses and Silver Stars presented during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan -- more than 1,000 medals in all. The Department of the Navy alone reviewed more than 300 valor awards, McNally said, completing its review Nov. 15.
More than 30 upgrades were approved. In addition to the 24 upgraded awards presented Friday, the remaining six or more medals will be presented in coming weeks, he said.
The Navy has also confirmed that two troops have been recommended for upgrades to the highest combat award, the Medal of Honor, though the names of those troops and the status of the recommendations have not been publicly released.
Editor's Note: This story has been updated to correct the number of awards upgraded.
-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at@HopeSeck.
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The Twins have avoided arbitration with left-hander Hector Santiago by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $8MM, reports Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (on Twitter). Santiago, a client of Excel Sports, earns a nice raise over last years $5MM salary. Hed been projected to earn $8.6MM by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz.
The 29-year-old Santiago was in the midst of a typically solid season with the Angels (4.25 ERA, 8.0 K/9, 4.3 BB/9 in 121 innings) when he surprisingly found himself traded to the Twins alongside minor league reliever Alan Busenitz in exchange for Ricky Nolasco and injury-prone former top prospect Alex Meyer. Santiagos fortunes turned immediately upon getting to Minnesota, and he struggled badly with the Twins over the life of the two months he spent in Minnesota.
In 61 1/3 innings, Santiago logged a 5.58 ERA with just 5.4 K/9 against 3.2 BB/9 as he became significantly more prone to home runs. Those numbers are obviously an eyesore, but the new Twins front office is apparently confident that Santiago can return to form, as CBO Derek Falvey and GM Thad Levine saw fit to retain him at a not-insignificant $8MM rate. Prior to this discouraging season, Santiago had posted a 3.62 ERA 457 innings with the White Sox and Angels from 2013-15, working primarily as a starting pitcher.
YPSILANTI, MI - New ownership is in place with plans to bring back Ypsilanti's Thompson Block from the brink of ruin after the property was partially destroyed by fire and subsequent failed development attempts.
Jon Carlson and Greg Lobdell of the Ann Arbor-based development company 2mission recently purchased the Thompson Block, located at 400 N. River St. in Ypsilanti's Depot Town, and said their team is ready for a "fairly clean start" on the project.
"Some things will have to come down," Carlson said about the building, which has been in disrepair for several years. "We think it's ripe, and it's ready."
Structural engineers are evaluating the Thompson Block, Lobdell added, and looking at what can be saved and what is in need of immediate repair. Work stalled on the project for former developer Stewart Beal in May 2015, after the first floor collapsed and killed a worker.
Construction could resume as early as this spring, and both are hopeful that new tenants could possibly move into the building by the end of 2018.
"Everything about this project is new," Lobdell said, referring to new contractors and new possible tenants.
2mission is working with Lansing-based construction company Kincaid Henry and Ann Arbor-based company Mitchell and Mouat Architects on a construction, design and cost analysis for the historic building partially destroyed by a fire in 2009.
Carlson and Lodbell established 2mission in 2005. Some of the company's previous projects include Ann Arbor locations such as East and West Washington Street, Royal Oak's Fifth and Main streets, and West Front Street in Traverse City.
Both are Ann Arbor residents, University of Michigan graduates and admit to loving difficult projects like the Thompson Block.
"This is the most challenging physical condition of any building we've ever worked on," Lobdell said.
"We relish that kind of challenge," Carlson said.
In addition to state agencies, the company is working with the Ypsilanti Historic District Commission on the design and continuing past efforts for the Thompson Block to be a Redevelopment Ready Certified Community. Carlson and Lobdell plan to pursue grants to aid in the completion of the project.
City officials and residents they have spoken with are in support of the project moving forward, Carlson said.
"They want to save part of their history," Carlson said. "We're going in there to be neighbors and to be part of the community."
So far, the plan is to bring the Thompson Block to its former glory and make the building on the corner of Cross and River streets stick out in a good way. An initial idea for the second floor is to build out 20 lofts, ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments.
While 2mission has helped establish homes for breweries like North Peak in Traverse City and restaurants like The Blue Tractor in Ann Arbor, Carlson and Lobdell are still in talks of what tenant will take over the first floor of the Thompson Block.
It could be a new concept, Carlson said, and added additional details would be released after "the numbers have been worked out."
While the amount of work to revive the Thompson Block could be seen as overwhelming, Lobdell described it as a passion project for both he and Carlson and for 2mission.
"We care about it a lot," Lobdell said. "Most people wouldn't take it on."
They are one of the top country music acts in the world. Zac Brown Band is returning to Michigan in 2017.
The multi-Grammy Award winners will be at DTE Energy Music Theatre on Thursday, June 8, 2017. Tickets (prices not yet announced) go on sale Sat., January 21 at 10am.
Zac Brown Band has released six studio albums since 2004. Sixteen songs have charted on the Billboard Hot Country Songs with 11 of them reaching number one.
They have performed numerous times in Michigan over the years, including at Van Andel Arena in November 2012 and December 2015. They performed a huge stadium show at Comerica Park in Downtown Detroit in September 2015. They last played in the area on July 2, 2016 at DTE.
Check out an interview in the link below we did with band member Coy Bowles. He told us the story of how one of the band's biggest songs came to life at Kid Rock's house.
Meantime, here are the biggest concert announcements for January in Michigan.
ANN ARBOR, MI - They're calling it the Ann Arbor Solar Club and the slogan is "go solar with a friend."
The city of Ann Arbor and its Energy Commission, working with the nonprofit Clean Energy Coalition and a company called Geostellar, are hoping to dramatically increase the amount of solar panels installed on homes and businesses countywide through a new group-purchase program.
A screenshot from Geostellar.com, which offers instant analysis of your property's solar potential based on laser survey technology.
By going to
Geostellar.com
and punching in your address, then clicking on your roof on a map showing its solar potential, you'll get an instant analysis of what it would cost to install a recommended amount of panels for your home.
Your custom analysis will tell you how much you personally could save in energy costs, what percentage of your home's electricity needs could be met, and how many tons of greenhouse gas emissions you could prevent.
And by a financing it through a loan, it could cost you zero dollars up front to go through with the installation.
"And you save money on your monthly payments," said David Levine, CEO of the West Virginia-based company.
"So instead of paying $200 a month to the utility company, you could offset all of your electrical bill and just pay, let's say, $150 to the financing company."
Utility rates are rising at a rate of about 4 to 8 percent per year, and that can mean a doubling of electricity costs in 10 years, Levine said.
"It's really climbing very rapidly," he said. "So, one of the main points of going solar, and particularly if you finance it, is it locks in what you're going to pay for electricity for the next 30 years. And if you get a short-term loan, it means once you've paid off the loan, you get free electricity for quite a while."
Ann Arbor leaders and community members gathered Thursday night, Jan. 12, in the Celtic Room at Conor O'Neill's in downtown Ann Arbor for a kickoff event announcing the new partnership with Geostellar, which is designed to offer discount prices on solar installations through group purchasing. The program is now available to anyone in Washtenaw County.
The length of your loan and what it would cost per month are among the details included in the instant analysis once you punch in your address on the Geostellar website, though financing options can be customized.
If you apply the promotional code "A2," you'll see the cost of your proposed installation reduced by more than 10 percent.
And through federal tax credits currently available, you can get a rebate covering 30 percent of the installation costs.
If the numbers look good to you, Geostellar will line up a local installer, making the process of going solar as simple as possible.
Ann Arbor leaders are counting on the new program to make progress on the city's Climate Action Plan goals, including the goal of reducing the community's greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2025.
"We've decided that 80 percent of the reduction for buildings would come from energy efficiency, but we want 20 percent to come from renewable generation, which is principally going to be solar photovoltaic," said Wayne Appleyard, the city's Energy Commission chairman.
Appleyard said it's going to take about 2.4 megawatts worth of solar installations each year. Last year, he said, there were about 50 solar installations in Ann Arbor that were about 5 kilowatts each on average.
"We need to do 10 times that per year," he said.
Members of the Energy Commission reported Thursday night they had an encouraging talk with the city's administration this week and it's looking very likely the city will work out a way to offset or mitigate the increase in property taxes people would pay after adding solar panels to their properties.
The city maintains it is required by state law to reassess the value of a property after solar panels are added to take into account the value of the panels, but city leaders don't want that to be a financial barrier to going solar. Details of how the city might offset the tax increase still are being worked out.
Mayor Christopher Taylor and Council Members Chip Smith, D-5th Ward, and Zachary Ackerman, D-3rd Ward, attended Thursday's event.
After seeing the presentation, Taylor said he's planning to go to the Geostellar website to see about possibly adding solar panels to his own home.
Levine gave a presentation at the event, outlining in detail how the new program works. He said Geostellar is working with McNaughton-McKay, a solar panel distributor with an office in Ann Arbor.
"They've really come up with a really compelling package that's going to be irresistible to anyone who wants to improve their home and go green," he said.
Levine said the panels being offered now through March 31 are high-performing Suniva monocrystalline panels that are all black. He said the panels are made in the United States and assembled in Michigan.
Levine said the solar profile is going to be different for every property in Ann Arbor. He said Geostellar's technology, relying on publicly available data, including laser surveying of properties, accounts for site-specific shading.
"It just helps us really quickly figure out the right solar for your individual home without having to do an onsite assessment," he said. "That's one of the things that brings the costs down so low is that we can do everything remotely to get you to the point where you've made the decision whether or not to go solar."
For those hesitant to sign up on the Geostellar website, Levine emphasized that Geostellar won't be selling anyone's information to any lists and no one will receive any spam or pressure to buy panels.
"The whole model is to find out if solar is going to work for you," he said. "If it is, we'll help you go solar. If it doesn't work for you, it's totally fine."
For residents who decide to go solar, Levine said there will be an installation agreement between the homeowner and the local installer.
"They're the ones, because everything is governed by local contracting laws, and it will be covered by insurance," he said.
For financing, Levine said, it might be most beneficial to use a home equity loan or home equity line of credit.
"There are local banks who are interested in doing solar financing, which is great, because then you can get the cash discount," he said. "To us, that just means you're paying cash. And if you can do that, that's wonderful. If you can't, we do have financing plans as well."
Levine said Geostellar has workers known as "solar guides" who can help walk people through the process.
People can get in contact with Geostellar to discuss the program by emailing hello@geostellar.com or calling 1-844-38-SOLAR.
"Someone is going to show up at your house after you've already approved the design," Levine said. "So that's one of the nice things about using this remove-sensing technology. You'll see a design where the solar panels are going to go, what they're going to look like, what the curb appeal is."
At that point, he said, there will be an onsite verification that the pre-determined design is going to work.
The permitting process in Ann Arbor is expedited for solar, which Levine said is nice because it can take months in other places.
"Here it will happen very quickly," he said. "The equipment is already local with McNaughton-McKay. The installer will pick it up, put it on your house, and you'll be able to relax and save lots of money."
The city also has paved the way for the program by waiving permit fees for solar installations.
Cassandra Fletcher-Martin, director of business operations for the Clean Energy Coalition, said there will be ongoing outreach activities to raise awareness about the new program and help guide people through the process.
There already are social media pages for the Ann Arbor Solar Club, including on Facebook and Twitter.
Aside from individual energy cost savings, Fletcher-Martin said the program should have broader economic and environmental benefits for the community, also benefitting the local supplier and local installers who will be getting the work and putting money back into the local economy.
"Overall we're doing great clean-energy activity, we're creating jobs, and we're lowering the cost of solar for all," she said.
As part of the program, Levine said, there will be people in Ann Arbor who will be trained to be community advocates known as "solar professionals," with an opportunity to earn extra income or price discounts for their members.
"We're making up Ann Arbor Solar Club T-shirts, stickers and all kinds of things, so we want to get those distributed everywhere we can," he added.
The converters that will be used for the installations are from SolarEdge, which Levine said are "by far the most popular on the planet now."
"They're making them simpler, which makes them easier to maintain and extends the warranties," he said. "And then we use racking from IronRidge."
After the first 90 days of the program, Levine said, there probably will be a two-tiered program where there will be a premium price for black-on-black mono-crystalline panels and a lower price for polycrystalline panels.
"But in the beginning, for the first 90 days, there's just going to be one price, one discount, for the high-powered premium panels," he said, describing them as stylish. "So we recommend everybody sign up soon."
Levine said Geostellar offers a supplemental guarantee to solar purchasers, wrapping equipment warranties to cover panel replacements even if the original equipment supplier has gone out of business.
"The workmanship warranty, we'll cover that if the installer isn't available," he added. "And then we also add on a performance guarantee. So if we say your panels are going to generate a certain amount, if they don't, we have to fix it or pay the difference."
Khadija Wallace, who owns Joyful Treats Catering in Ypsilanti Township, attended Thursday's event and said she's going to consider going through the new program to get solar panels installed on her building on Ecorse Road.
She said she's always been interested in solar, but now she's seeing it as a real opportunity and it looks like it makes financial sense.
Lodi Township resident Stephanie Willey also attended Thursday's event to learn about the new program.
She said she has a background in electronics and engineering and has been studying solar for 25 years. She's convinced now is the time to go solar and she's looking into putting panels on her home now.
"The cost has come down and down, the efficiency of the equipment has gone up and up, and I understand the tax incentives are going to cycle out around 2022, and the cost is probably not going to drop much lower, so now is the time to do it," she said. "I've been interested in renewables forever, and anything and everything I can do to reduce my dependency on fossil fuels is a plus."
CASEVILLE TOWNSHIP, MI -- It's difficult to pinpoint what's most unique about the Putman family.
Maybe it's that 25 people -- from grandpa to the youngest grandchild and all the adult children in between -- live under one roof on the shores of Lake Huron. Or perhaps it's the sheer amount of food, from three loaves a bread per day to 12 dozen eggs per week, that all of those people consume. The fact they can organize everyone's socks is nothing short of a miracle.
But what really sticks out is that when dinner is served at 6 p.m. each day and 25 people sit down across three large tables, there are always two empty place settings.
"The whole counter is full with people, the main table is full, but there are always two plates, just in case someone decides to drop by," said Bill Putman, the family's patriarch. "It's who we are -- a welcoming family that loves being with people."
The country gets to meet that welcoming Michigan family this Monday, Jan. 16, when a new reality show documenting their lives, called "Meet the Putmans," premieres on TLC. The hourlong pilot airs at 10 p.m. on the cable network.
Before watching the show on Monday, here's the backstory on how the Putman family, which started as a large, 6-person family, turned into a massive family that works together to ensure 15 kids are washed, clothed and fed, and that the household runs efficiently.
Family history
Bill Putman and his wife Barb raised four children in a 3,000-square-foot home in Caro: Billy, 33, Brandon, 30, Blake, 28, and Blair, 26. Three of the four kids ended up working for the family's commercial real estate and demolition business, Putman Developing and Demolition.
In January 2006, Billy, the oldest, married his wife Jennifer. In May of that year, Brandon married his wife Kacie. A year later, Blake married his wife Megan. And in January 2013, Blair, the lone female sibling, married her husband Jamie. And for those wondering, Jamie actually decided to take the Putman name, likely to just keep things simple in the family.
About a year after Billy and Jennifer met, they welcomed their first children: twin girls, Isabelle and Abbigail. A year later, Jennifer gave birth to Addison, and then two years later, Gabby. Around the same time as Addison's birth, Brandon and Kacie gave birth to Emma and then Bella, Mya, Nova and Gia.
For those counting, that's 10 adults and nine kids at this point. But they weren't done.
Blake and Megan have four kids: Mercy, Noah (the first boy!), Lulu and Alena. And then after Jamie and Blair married in 2013, they gave birth to Jonah and Eli, bringing the total up to 15 kids.
As the size of the family grew, the adult children, who were all still living under the same roof, had to pause for a moment.
"We all sat down and said, do we really want to continue doing this?" said Billy Putman. "We ultimately decided that we're having a lot of fun. We voted and it was unanimous."
Before any of their grandchildren were born, Bill and Barb Putman realized their 3,000-square-foot home wasn't going to be big enough. So, they moved to a 6,250-square-foot home in Caseville, right on the lake.
"And now we've outgrown this house," said Bill Putman.
Lulu, 4, kisses her grandfather Bill Putman on the cheek at the Putman's home in Caseville Township on Jan. 12, 2017. When it's time to gather the 15 children under the age of ten, patriarch Bill calls throughout the house with a Lebanese phrase meaning "give me a kiss," and the kids come running, lining up to greet their smiling grandfather.
A reality show
In 2010, Brandon and his dad Bill applied to be on ABC's "Wipeout," a gameshow where contestants competed in what's billed as the "world's largest obstacle course." They filled out the long application, which asked in-depth questions about their lives, including the size of their family. Sometime after submitting the application, the network canceled "Wipeout," but the Putman application was still somewhere on file, eventually ending up in the hands of a production company.
"(The production company) looked at the application, which said there are 25 people in the family, and they thought we were kidding," said Bill Putman.
When the company found out about the multi-generational family all living together, they flew Bill Putman and two of his sons out to Los Angeles for an interview to find out how the family worked and lived together. They liked what they heard, and since early 2016, TLC film crews have been in and out of their Caseville home, capturing the day-to-day activities.
A family tree decorates a wall inside the Putman's home in Caseville Township on Jan. 12, 2017.
One, big happy family
The Putman family has kept a lot about what's going to happen on the show a secret. But a visit to their lakeside home helps reveal how 10 adults manage to corral 15 kids on a daily basis.
The three story home features incredible views of Lake Huron. Its main level is an open concept that includes a kitchen, large dining room and living area. The home is more of a circular layout, which helps cut down on traffic jams when children are racing to dinner, the living room or their bedrooms.
One of the biggest challenges in the house?
"Turd time," said Bill Putman.
There are only two bathrooms, he said. So, when you see an opening, you need to take advantage.
If an adult wants to get the kids attention, he or she simply yells, "Hey Kids!" and, in unison, they respond with an excited, "Yes?"
Food
When trying to feed a family of 25, you'd think it requires an industrial-equipped kitchen. But besides having double stovetops and ovens, it's not much different from a family of four's kitchen. The refrigerator is a standard size. Pantries are packed with bulk-sized food products. And the microwave right now is actually broken.
The smaller fridge isn't really a huge issue because of the sheer amount of food the family goes through on a daily basis, cutting down on the need to keep things cold.
Every two weeks, the family goes to a bulk grocery store to load up on food. And then there are the required daily grocery trips for staples, like milk and bread.
The family goes through six gallons of milk and three loaves of bread per day. Then there's countless lunch meat, peanut butter, fruits and other snacks.
To make life a little easier, you would think the parents would have their children, who attend Caseville Public Schools, buy school lunches, but they insist on making them a lunch each school day. The adults rotate lunch-making duty each week.
Food also goes fast in the Putman house. Earlier this year, the family received a massive food basket from a friend stuffed with the finest of fruits and nuts. The package arrived via UPS at 10 a.m. By 7 p.m. that day, there was a lone banana left.
"Stuff like that is a luxury for the kids because it's so expensive to buy that stuff in bulk," said Bill Putman. "When they see it, they become little piglets."
The week's socks are laid out in pairs at the Putman's home in Caseville Township on Jan. 12, 2017. The family of 25 pairs up socks after washing them and pools them into a "community" bin.
Laundry
Laundry is a 24-7 operation at the Putman household. Again, there's no industrial-sized equipment here. Just a standard, stackable washer-dryer pair that's constantly running.
"The girls get up in the middle of the night to swap out the loads and restart it," Bill Putman said. "There's only so much room for so many clothes, so it's always going."
Proof of that many clothes is near the washing machine. Three large baskets are filled with paired whites, darks and colored socks. In the morning, everyone from the kids to the adults go to the sock bin and find a pair that fits them for the day.
"There have been times where I put the sock on and it's way too small, so it's clearly for one of the girls in the house, but I go along with it anyways," said Billy Putman.
The show premiere
The Putman's don't have big plans for Monday's big premiere. Everyone will be in the main living area, watching their lives play out in front of them.
In typical reality show fashion, the Meet the Putman's trailer attempts to hook in the viewer by asking them to "imagine being part of a family where no one leaves home."
The trailer shows the family getting on their large bus for a trip to the grocery store, where the clerk tells the camera, "I asked them if they were a cult. They said, 'No, we're just a big happy family.'"
Bill Putman says there's also drama, but wouldn't reveal specifics.
"All we can say is, it'll be the cleanest, funniest show you'll see," he said.
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BAY CITY, MI -- Those titillated by the creepy clown craze that swept the world a few months back have a chance to take in a screening of the phenomenon's ground zero -- the adaptation of Stephen King's novel "It."
The film -- technically a TV miniseries -- is screening at 8 p.m. and again at midnight Saturday, Jan. 21, inside the Blue Room of the Historic Masonic Temple, 700 N. Madison Ave. The film is the latest installment in the Midnight Monster Film Series, which shows a vintage film every third Saturday of the month.
Admission is $2, with concessions going for $1 apiece. All proceeds go toward restoration efforts of the Masonic Temple.
"When we were children in the '90s, nothing seemed more terrifying than Pennywise the Clown in the Stephen King's It' miniseries," said Kelley L. Kent, one of the series' organizers. "This is essentially a movie about a group of childhood friends who reconnect to face their fears. It really resonates, because you find yourself relating to this group of kids and it gets you thinking about your own childhood fears and how they may play a part in your adult life, too."
The film stars Tim Curry as the titular demonic entity who masquerades as a clown and awakens every three decades to feast on the fears of children in Derry, Maine. It aired across two nights on ABC in 1990 and also stars Harry Anderson, the late John Ritter, Annette O'Toole, and Richard Masur as the adult versions of the kids Pennywise terrorized in 1960.
King's 1986 novel and Curry's iconic take on Pennywise have been credited with inspiring widespread coulrophibia, or fear of clowns. (Though something could be said for Batman nemesis the Joker and serial killer John Wayne Gacy's Pogo the Clown alter ego also influencing the seemingly recent trend.) So prevalent and lucrative is the fear of creepy clowns, that an "It" remake is slated for release on Sept. 8.
RSVP to the screening at the Facebook event page here.
The screening of "It" opens the Midnight Monster Film Series' third year of existence. A group of King enthusiasts sponsored the screening.
"While 'It' definitely isn't family-friendly, our 2017 lineup will feature a wide range of horror and sci-fi monster movies," Kent said. "Stay tuned to our Facebook page this month when we will release the full lineup."
The Midnight Monster Movie Series has featured such iconic horror films as "Night of the Living Dead," "The Bride of Frankenstein," "A Nightmare on Elm Street," "Carnival of Souls," "Gremlins," and "Army of Darkness."
The series' next installment is 1988's "High Spirits," screening Saturday, Feb. 18.
BAY CITY, MI -- Trial dates are set for a Reese woman prosecutors say defrauded a Bay City mom-and-pop appliance store to the point that it was forced to shutter its doors.
Jury selection in the trial of Rebecca L. Beecher, 38, is to begin the morning of Tuesday, March 7. In the event that day doesn't work out, selection will instead commence Tuesday, April 4.
Bay County Circuit Judge Harry P. Gill is slated to preside.
Beecher (also known by the surnames Merrow, Schweinberg, Clark, and Low) is charged with four counts each of forgery and uttering and publishing. They are both 14-year felonies.
The charges stem from an investigation into business dealings at Stambaugh Appliance, 408 Columbus Ave., between Nov. 21 and Dec. 22, 2015. Police allege Beecher misappropriated more than $100,000, causing the longtime business to close down.
The business had been owned by Fred and Patricia Savage since 1975. Patricia Savage owned 55 percent of the business when it closed, with Beecher being a minority shareholder. Beecher had been with the business for 18 years.
Beecher in 2015 ran the business as Patricia Savage was focused on taking care of her husband, who died in June 2016.
During a December 2016 preliminary examination, Patricia Savage testified she took Beecher off the business's accounts in November 2015 at the request of PNC Financial Services.
In that same hearing, Bay County Assistant Prosecutor Bernard J. Coppolino presented four checks to witness Amy Lopez, a loss prevention officer with PNC. Lopez identified each check as having been from Stambaugh Appliance's checking account and written to Beecher. The checks were for $500, $1,600, $3,400, and $6,000, all of which had been cashed and bore the purported signature of Patricia A. Savage.
Savage testified she did not sign any of the checks. When defense attorney Edward M. Czuprynski asked her why PNC encouraged her to remove Beecher from the business's accounts, she replied, "Because she was being investigated by another bank."
Czuprynski himself called to the witness stand Kim Lindauer, an accountant who said she brought more suspicious checks to Savage's attention than the four Coppolino presented. Some were for questionable uses not within the business's scope and which Savage had no knowledge of, Lindauer testified.
Czuprynski asked Lindauer if she informed police there was evidence Beecher opened numerous credit cards for herself in Stambaugh's name. Lindauer replied she had indeed, saying Savage was unaware of the cards' existence and charges associated to them did not seem like purchases Savage would make, including items from Babies 'R' Us and Las Vegas.
Several times throughout the hearing, Coppolino objected to Czuprynski's questions of witnesses, saying the defense attorney was "doing a fine job of laying the foundation" for embezzlement charges against his client.
As of Jan. 12, Beecher is not charged with embezzlement, nor has the prosecution leveled any other additional charges her way since the preliminary examination.
U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade's office on Thursday indicted New Haven Trustee Christopher Craigmiles, a former Detroit transit officer; and Brett Harris, who served as a New Haven trustee until losing his seat in last November's elections.
The men are accused of accepting bribes from undercover Federal Bureau of Investigation agents in exchange for votes of support for municipal contracts.
Craigmiles, 43, of Lenox Township, accepted greater than $5,000 in cash bribes; and Harris accepted at least five bribes equaling $16,000 between March and August of 2016, according to investigators.
The U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement that former Clinton Township Trustee Dean Reynolds, who was indicted on eight counts of bribery in November for accepting more than $70,000 in cash bribes, "unwittingly" introduced to the undercover FBI agent, whom he believed to be a consultant for the unnamed company seeking municipal contracts, to Harris.
Reynolds told the agent he believed Harris would be accepting of bribes.
Reynolds was a three-term trustee in Clinton Township and was running to become the township supervisor before the indictment.
The Macomb County corruption probe also led to an indictment of Clinton Township Trustee Clifford Freitas, 43, of Macomb Township, who's also charged with theft or bribery from a program receiving federal funds; and ensnared Sterling Heights-based Rizzo Environmental Services, a garbage company purchased last year by Ontario-based GFL Enterprises, whose management said it was unaware of the investigation.
The parent company said it planned to paint its prominent red Rizzo garbage trucks green in the wake of the scandal and accusations that Rizzo paid bribes in pursuit of municipal contracts.
The company or companies Harris and Craigmiles intended to help with their votes were not named in the latest indictments.
"The charges against Craigmiles and Harris are part of an ongoing and long-running investigation into systemic corruption in multiple municipalities in southeast Michigan, primarily Macomb County," the U.S. Attorney's Office said. "The investigation has employed telephone wiretaps, consensual audio and video recordings by cooperative individuals, undercover operations, physical surveillance, telephone tracking warrants, and subpoenas of financial records and other documents."
PONTIAC -- After a long dispute over a deteriorating Downtown Pontiac parking garage, City Council voted Thursday to sell the structure to an Australian-based software company.
Council members voted 7-0 Thursday night to sell the property to BoonEx, which told the city it would relocate its North American headquarters from Atlanta to two office towers connected to the Phoenix Center, Crain's Detroit Business reports.
Former Pontiac Emergency Manager Lou Schimmel sought to demolish the structure back in 2012, but the owners of Ottawa Towers, which sit adjacent to the structure and whose employees used it, successfully sued the city in an effort to halt the demolition.
Attorneys told city officials this week that the city will sell the parking deck for $3 million, but gain no money because of liens on the deck, which the city failed to maintain for years.
The closing date on the deal is Feb. 13.
Mayor Deirdre Waterman called this deal a "win-win for the people of Pontiac," according to the Crains report, because it prevents the city from facing continued legal battles with the office tower owners that could cost the city more than $20 million, Crain's reports.
BoonEx will pay $3 million for the structure and will also purchase the Ottawa Towers, Waterman added.
DETROIT - Federal prosecutors have announced a settlement with Takata Corp., the company responsible for faulty "explosive" airbags that resulted in the deaths of at least 11 people in the United States.
U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade confirmed during a Friday, Jan. 13 press conference that Takata, the Japanese company with U.S. headquarters in Auburn Hills, has agreed to plead guilty to wire fraud and will pay $1 billion in fines and restitution.
According to prosecutors, executives at the company put profits ahead of safety by taking part in a scheme to falsify and alter test reports that showed airbag inflators could rupture for more than a decade.
Three Takata executives have been charged in five counts of wire fraud and one conspiracy count in a scheme to conceal the defect in air bag inflators.
They include Shinichi Tanaka, executive VP of Inflator Global Operations, Hideo Nakajima, director of engineering of automotive systems laboratory and Tsuneo Chikaraishi, chief of Japan, Inflator Global Operations.
The investigation is ongoing, McQuade said, and others could be charged as information becomes available.
"We want to send a message of deterrent to auto suppliers who are failing their customers by putting profit ahead of safety," McQuade said. "Corporations and employees need to be held accountable. Cheaters will not be allowed to gain a competitive advantage over good corporations who play by the rules."
As part of the settlement, which still must be approved by U.S. District Judge George Caram Steeh, Takata will pay $975 million in restitution and $25 million in fines. It will also be placed on probation for three years.
Most of the restitution, $850 million, is for airbag recall and replacement costs incurred by auto manufacturers who were victims of Takata's fraud scheme.
Another chunk of the restitution, $125 million, will be used for individuals who have or will be physically injured by the airbags.
The airbags in question were installed on both the driver-and passenger-sides of vehicles. The explosive airbags would send shrapnel flying through the cabin of the vehicles when deployed.
Nineteen automakers, 22 brands and more than 42 million vehicles worldwide were affected. Almost 70 million air bag inflators are or will be under recall by 2019, in what some regulators have called the largest and most complex auto safety recall in U.S. history.
According to the company's admissions, in the late 1990s, Takata began developing airbag inflators that relied upon ammonium nitrate as their primary propellant.
From at least in or around 2000, Takata knew that certain ammonium nitrate-based inflators were not performing to the specifications required by the auto manufacturers.
Takata also knew that certain inflators had sustained failures, including ruptures, during testing. Nevertheless, Takata induced its customers to purchase these airbag systems by submitting false and fraudulent reports and other information that concealed the true condition of the inflators.
According to prosecutor, key executives "routinely and systematically" discussed the falsification of test reports in email and in verbal communications.
Even after the inflators began to experience repeated problems in the field - including ruptures causing injuries and deaths - Takata executives continued to withhold the true and accurate inflator test information and data from their customers.
All three executives were suspended in 2015 and are now in Japan. U.S. authorities will work with Japanese authorities to extradite those charged for trial.
McQuade declined to put a percentage on the chances of getting them back to the U.S., but said the chances are "pretty good."
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FLINT, MI - Diplomat Pharmacy plans to make layoffs, but the company isn't saying how many people will lose their jobs or when.
Jennifer Cretu, vice president of marketing and public relations, told MLive-The Flint Journal that the Flint-based company expects layoffs.
She would not comment further about the number of layoffs, when they'd occur or what caused them.
"As a public company it is important that we are good stewards of our shareholder's investment and sometimes that means changing our organizational structure," Cretu said. "Sometimes we have to make difficult decisions and change the way we work."
Cretu would not comment on what the changes would look like or when the changes would occur.
There wasn't a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice posted on the Michigan Department of Labor's website as of 12 p.m., Friday, Jan. 13.
The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act is a federal law requiring certain employers give advance notice of significant layoffs to the employees and others. The notices do not mean the companies who give notice will necessarily lay off workers.
Diplomat listed 1,700 employees at 19 locations in 14 states, according to a June 2016 earnings forecast.
The company is headquartered at the former General Motors tech center on Saginaw Street and is the nation's largest independent specialty pharmacy, according to its website.
Diplomat says it brings personalized medication therapies to people with specialized needs such as oncology, inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, HCV, blood disorders and more, its website said.
A federal class-action lawsuit was recently filed against Diplomat that claims the specialty pharmacy misled investors about the value of its stocks.
That lawsuit came about a week after a shakeup in the company's top management, which included the resignation of the president and CFO, Diplomat released its 2016 third quarter earnings report showing that a share - believed to be worth $37.70 in July - was worth $12.95 in November.
Diplomat's is currently trading at $14.08 per share, according to the New York Stock Exchange.
The company is led by CEO and Chairman Phil Hagerman.
He projected 2017 will be a slower growth year for the company, according to a statement released on Diplomat's website on Monday, Jan. 9.
"I'm pleased with the progress we have made and will continue to make in cost savings and restructuring initiatives across all sectors of our business," Hagerman said in the statement. "Over the course of 2017, we will continue to pursue further direct contracting opportunities with healthplans and maintain our selectivity when renewing contracts that are not economically beneficial."
Diplomat opened as a neighborhood pharmacy in 1975. Today, it has a national customer base and focuses on medication management for chronic and long-term conditions, according to its website.
FLINT, MI - A judge has ruled that first-degree premeditated homicide charges against a Flint man accused of a fatal drive-by shooting - which caused his victim to crash into an electrical pole before bleeding to death - will move forward in Genesee Circuit Court.
A smile appeared across the face of Jacob Hawkins-Bivins, 23, as Genesee District Judge William H. Crawford II ruled Wednesday, Jan. 12 that his case would move forward on the following charges:
One count of premeditated first-degree homicide
One count of witness intimidation
One count of firearms possession by felon
One count of carrying a concealed weapon
Three counts of felony firearm.
Crawford dismissed a charges of felonious assault and a fourth count of felony firearm at the request of prosecutors. Hawkins-Bivins faces a potential sentence of life in prison without parole.
He is accused of fatally shooting 20-year-old Desmond Letrice Savage Jr. from inside an SUV at a stop light at the intersection of Stewart Avenue and Dupont Street on the afternoon of Nov. 7, 2016.
"Desmond was looking the other way, twisting his hair," testified Shatoya Golden, a passenger alongside Hawkins-Bivins in the White GMC Yukon at the time of the shooting. "His music was up loud, he didn't see us."
According to Golden's testimony, she and her four other fellow riders - including Hawkins-Bivins - were on their way to drop Golden off at home when Hawkins-Bivins noticed Savage's blue Impala in traffic and asked the driver of their car to turn around.
The driver eventually complied, said Golden, and drove the Yukon up the left turn lane on Stewart Ave. next to Savage's car, which was stopped while waiting at the red light. Hawkins-Bivins, sitting on the right side of the Yukon's back seat, then pulled out a gun - later identified as a .762 caliber "AK-47-like" weapon by the prosecution - and fired about six shots at Savage's car, said Golden.
When pressed by prosecutors, Golden testified that Hawkins-Bivins "had a problem" with Savage, and that Savage had previously recorded a video of him threatening Hawkins-Bivins refusing to get out of his car to fight him.
The white Yukon then took off, passing Dupont Street, said Golden.
"He said [Savage] had pulled his card, that he had played him," testified Shaniah Wilson, who was in the front passenger seat of the Yukon during the incident.
At various points during Wilson and Golden's testimonies, Hawkins-Bivins appeared to smile, look down and shake his head.
Flint Police Officer Nickoy Edwards said when he arrived at the scene, he found a blue Impala sitting in the backyard of a home on the 200 block of W. Philadelphia Ave.
"I wasn't sure how it could have possibly gotten there," he testified. Edwards said he noted a bullet hole in the driver side door and marks on the front of the car indicating some kind of crash.
Inside the car, he said, sat Savage, unresponsive. A puddle of blood had formed on the car's floor.
Police were able to connect the shooting to Hawkins-Bivins after an anonymous tip directed detectives to eyewitnesses in the crash, testified Michigan State Police Detective Trooper Brett Beardslee.
Beardslee said detectives determined that Savage had attempted to drive away from the scene, "making it as far as he could before he bled out" and crashed into an electrical pole on the 200 block of W. Baltimore.
After the shooting occurred, Golden testified that Hawkins-Bivins would call her three times per day, telling her "not to say anything to anyone."
"He told me if he goes down, we're all going down," she said.
Hawkins-Bivins was arraigned on Dec. 22, 2016.
He will appear before Chief Judge Richard B. Yuille in Genesee Circuit Court. A date and time for the hearing has yet to be announced.
FLINT -- Set to the theme "The Past is Behind Us - Where Do We go from Here?" the citizens of Flint honored civil rights champion Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with the 38th annual citywide tribute dinner and a keynote address by educational advocate Dr. Steve Perry.
Over 300 people attended the celebratory dinner on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, at the Riverfront Banquet Center in downtown Flint and listened as Perry spoke about empowering the community of Flint by focusing efforts on the children, often interspersing bits of comedy between serious moments.
"These kids here, right now need solutions today," said Perry. "The fact is there are solutions. There's nothing that you're facing that can't be solved. Everything that's been put in your way was put in your way by people. You don't need some grand plan, you just need to start doing something, decide one thing."
Perry is a figure in education reform working to provide equal and competitive opportunities for disadvantaged children. Perry also founded the Capital Preparatory Magnet School in Hartford, Conn., and the Capital Preparatory Charter School in the Harlem neighborhood of New York, N.Y.
Perry, a regular CNN contributor, also authored "Push Has Come To Shove: Getting Our Kids The Education They Deserve - Even If It Means Picking A Fight".
In addition to the keynote address, the tribute dinner also honored students Levolia Thames, 17, a junior at Flint Northwestern High School and Jordyn Bommersbach, 12, a seventh grader at Andrew G. Schmidt Middle School.
The two students won this year's Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest for students in grades 6-12. The theme of the essay contest mirrored the theme of the tribute dinner.
Thames' essay focused on the realities of being a young black man while Bommerbach's mostly dealt with gender inequalities.
"I will no longer stand to believe that you were just a man who had a dream," said Thames, referring to King. "I too have a dream to open the eyes of all those who believe that every young black male should end up dead or in jail."
"I feel as if women have always been discredited. They got to vote later than men, they don't get the same sport opportunities, as men, etcetera. How is this fair?" Bommerbach asked while reading from her essay. "It's simple. It's not."
After the speeches, the audience joined hands and sang "We Shall Overcome," concluding the night's celebrations.
The 2017 tribute dinner was funded in part by the Loeb Charitable Trust/First Merit Bank. The event was cosponsored by Mott Community College, Baker College of Flint, Davenport University, MLive, Hamilton Community Health Network, HAP, Kettering University and the University of Michigan-Flint.
bakerynew.jpg
A teen has been arrested in connection with a pair of break-ins at North Branch Bakery in Lapeer County. The bakery has offered a reward of free donuts for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.
(Courtesy Photo)
NORTH BRANCH, MI - A teenager has been arrested in connection with a string of break-ins in Lapeer County that led one business to offer a reward of free donuts to anyone that stepped forward with information to crack the case.
Deputies with the Lapeer County Sheriff's Department began to pursue leads after three break-ins took place from Dec. 22, 2016-Jan. 4, 2017 -- two at North Branch Bakery and one at Dynamic Dance Studio -- in the same block.
A small amount of items were taken during each incident, but spray paint damage occurred inside the businesses and some items eaten at the bakery after the suspect forced their way inside through a locked door.
Leads were pursued regarding the break-ins, but police said they were not panning out.
That's when deputies spoke with the bakery about posting on social media in hopes of drawing more solid information.
Christina DeBusk, niece of North Branch Bakery owner Sandy Czaczkowski, took to the Facebook with a unique reward for tips leading to an arrest and conviction -- a free dozen donuts each month for one year.
News stories began to circulate over the past weekend and the bakery received a message Jan. 9 via social media and a local teen stopped by the business with a handwritten note containing information about the break-ins.
A piece of stolen property was also returned to the bakery, according to police.
Deputies executed a search warrant at a home in the village the following day. Additional stolen property was recovered and returned to the dance studio and bakery.
A teen was arrested and later released to a parent pending an investigation and case presented to the Lapeer County Prosecutor's Office for formal criminal charges.
DeBusk was pleased to hear about the arrest "and how the sheriff's department has handled this case and are excited to think that the person or persons responsible have been identified."
The reward offered by the bakery is on hold until law enforcement confirms all of the information it has received on the break-ins.
"Once it is confirmed by the police, we're more than happy to give the courageous person his or her reward," she said.
Anyone with additional information on the break-ins has been asked to contact Sgt. Matt Blair at 810-245-2390, mblair@lapeercounty.org or Detective Sgt. Jason Parks at 810-656-1015 or jparks@lapeercounty.org.
Betsy DeVos
In this Dec. 9, 2016, file photo, Betsy DeVos, selected for Education Secretary by President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a rally, in Grand Rapids, Mich. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Betsy DeVos has detailed her $5.3 million in political donations over the last five years as part of the vetting process for the U.S. Education Secretary post.
The document provides a comprehensive look at the local, state and federal political contributions by DeVos, a Grand Rapids philanthropist, school choice advocate and former chair of the Michigan GOP.
Tracking down DeVos and her family's extensive political giving requires searching federal and all the state campaign data bases, said Craig Mauger, executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, a nonprofit that analyzes political contributions by donors and recipients across the state.
The 440 itemized contributions range from $100 in 2012 to Clay Madden, a Republican in his first bid for council seat in his Louisiana hometown, to $375,000 in 2016 to the PAC of the American Federation for Children, the national school choice group DeVos has chaired for the last five years.
The donations peaked in 2016, when DeVos, 59, gave just shy of $2 million in political contributions.
2012 - 611,520
2013 - 408,500
2014 - 1,364, 800
2015 - 940,231
2016 - 1,988,922
Her political contributions to the Michigan House Republican Campaign Committee -- $80,000 in 2013, 2014 and 2016 and $60,000 in 2015 -- exceeded maximum political contributions by an individual which is $40,000 annually. However, the maximum allowed by state law is $40,000 by an individual.
The $80,000 donations were actually two $40,000 donations from DeVos and her husband, Dick, according to Ed Patru, spokesman for Friends of Betsy DeVos.
Asked if the list she submitted to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensons included other Dick DeVos donations, Patru said he wasn't able to provide that information.
"In general, I would say that Dick and Betsy DeVos go to great lengths to ensure that all of their political contributions are in full compliance with existing guidelines."
Patru describes Friends of Betsy DeVos as a "loosely organized group of her friends and allies that is operating independently" of DeVos, who is not speaking to the media before her confirmation hearing next week.
Dick DeVos doled out $1.2 million in political contributions in the 2015-16 cycle to presidential candidates and Republican party groups across four states, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.
Betsy DeVos' donations to a myriad of political candidates and political action committees would have been reported to the FEC and the Michigan Secretary of State and its counterparts in other states, Mauger said.
He says trying to find every donation can be a bit of hunt because DeVos can be listed by her nickname, Betsy, her given name, Elisabeth, or a misspelled version of it, Elizabeth.
In a family known for its largesse to Republican candidates and causes, DeVos is one of the biggest givers along with her husband and her father-in-law, Amway co-founder and Orlando Magic owner Richard DeVos, Mauger adds.
DeVos' list rolls all her donations together in one place, which can be searched in this MLive data base.
Among those recipients of DeVos' dollars, according to her list are four Republican senators on the committee that will lead her Jan. 17 confirmation hearing.
Richard Burr (R-N.C.) - $5,400 in 2015
Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) - $5,400 in 2015
Bill Cassidy (R-La.) - 7,800 in 2014
Tim Scott (R-S.C.) - $7,400 in 2014-15
"Her family is some of the top donors in politics nationally and now she is about to get a key position in government," said Mauger. "I think it's likely she'll be asked about that."
WYOMING, MI -- Wyoming District Court Judge Steven Timmers took the criminal history of a 21-year-old accused in a fatal crash into account Friday when he raised the man's bond to $1 million during his arraignment hearing.
The judge's decision followed a "not guilty" plea by the defense attorney of Austin Hill, who is charged with failure to stop at the scene of an accident when at fault, causing death.
Attorney Craig Haehnel's request for a personal recognizance bond for his client was denied by Timmers, who read a summary of Hill's criminal history during the hearing. Included were a pair of felony charges, and a past bench warrant for failure to appear.
Timmers also referred to allegations that Hill was attempting to flee prior to being arrested Wednesday at Ramblewood Apartments, near 44th Street SW and Byron Center Avenue.
Police say Hill was driving a pickup truck with a plow on Tuesday morning when he struck and killed 26-year-old Chelsea Crawford of Wyoming. Crawford was walking along 52nd Street SW near Byron Center Avenue.
An emotional Hill, appearing via a video conference call, was brought to tears Friday as he listened to Timmer's decision to raise his bond from $750,000 to $1 million.
Because he has two prior felony charges -- maintaining a drug house and delivery or manufacture of marijuana -- he is charged as a third-offense habitual offender, which increases his potential penalty to 30 years in prison.
Hill is due back in court at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25 for a probable cause conference.
WYOMING, MI -- Secretary of State records show that Austin Joseph Hill, the 21-year-old accused in a fatal hit-and-run crash with a pedestrian, was caught three times in 2014 for driving on a suspended license.
The tickets came in three successive months that year -- July, August and September.
Hill's license was in good standing when the Tuesday, Jan. 10 crash happened on 52nd Street SW east of Byron Center Avenue.
Police say he was driving a pickup truck equipped with a V-plow when he struck Chelsea Crawford, 26, as she walking along the road about 8:45 a.m. The pickup did not stop.
Public tips led police to the pickup late Tuesday in a parking lot at Ramblewood Apartments near 44th Street SW and Byron Center Avenue. Police arrested Hill the following day while executing a search warrant on an apartment at the complex.
Hill is expected to be arraigned Friday, Jan. 13 for failure to stop at the scene of an accident when at fault causing death.
Hill's driving record shows he had a suspended license for much of 2014 and 2015, starting with a suspension for a drug conviction in February 2014 and followed by the three tickets later the same year. The length of the suspensions were affected by unpaid driver responsibility fees.
Hill's license was restored in late 2015.
He received a ticket for speeding, going 30 mph in a 25 mph zone, in Grandville in May 2016.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The federal holiday honoring the life of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be observed Monday, Jan.16.
Local colleges and universities announced events for Monday and during the holiday week to honor King's life, education in his teachings, and his commitment to nonviolence.
The holiday in honor of the Baptist minister and social activist has been celebrated since 1986.
Next week, there will be keynote speakers, marches, volunteer work, political and civil rights discussions among other events and activities.
The Bob and Aleicia Woodrick Center for Equity and Inclusion at Grand Rapid Community College announced a commemoration program scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday at Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St. NE.
The keynote address will be given by Kevin Powell, an activist, writer and public speaker.
Through a partnership with GRCC, Grand Valley State University and Davenport University over 60 scholarships have been awarded during this annual celebration.
Incoming freshman students have received support as they pursue their academic goals in keeping with Dr. King's hopes of personal achievement for our youth, according to the center's website.
In observance of King's holiday and Western Michigan University-Cooley Law School's Equal Access to Justice Day, the Grand Rapids campus Black Law Students Association along with faculty members will host a discussion about the events that led to the making of the movie "Selma."
The film chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when King led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The historical march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Equal Access to Justice Day, as initiated by WMU-Cooley President and Dean Don LeDuc, suspends classes in observance of MLK Day. Students, faculty, and staff devote the day to study, reflection, and programs on the role of law and lawyers in protecting the right of everyone and assuring equal access to justice.
This event is scheduled for noon on the WMU-Cooley Grand Rapids campus, 111 Commerce Ave. SW, in Room 513. The discussion is open to the public and a light lunch will be provided.
Two nationally recognized journalists will discuss race in the United States at an event hosted by Grand Valley State University's Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies on Wednesday, January 17.
"Race and the American Dream," presented in partnership with GVSU's Division of Inclusion and Equity as part of the university's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Week, will be at 7 p.m. in the Eberhard Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus.
Kyle Caldwell, executive director of the Johnson Center for Philanthropy at GVSU, will moderate the discussion that will include viewpoints from New York Times Magazine investigative reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones as well as Wall Street Journal columnist Jason Riley.
The event is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is requested by visiting the website.
The Big Rapids community is invited to join with Ferris State University students, faculty and staff Monday through Wednesday, Jan. 18, in multiple events including:
Monday at 10 a.m. - The 23rd annual faculty/staff in-service, sponsored by the Diversity and Inclusion Office, will be held in Room 203 of the University Center.
Monday at 3 p.m. - A volunteer expo will begin in keeping with the National Day of Service theme that is part of the MLK Day celebration. Local agencies will be offering students and other visitors opportunities to sign up and assist their efforts
Monday at 4:20 - The 31st annual Freedom March will depart from the Rankin Lounge area of the University Center.
Monday at 5 p.m. - All members of the community are invited to the Freedom March and Student Tribute, sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student Services, in University Center Room 202. Campus leaders will offer remarks prior to the Student Tribute program in UC Room 202.
Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 10 a.m. -The "Tunnel of Oppression" exhibit will be offered. The exhibit is sponsored by the Office of Residence Life's Harmony Project. Students in the Office of Housing and Residence Life researched the topics offered in the exhibit, which will be presented in UC Room 116, until 8 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 18.
Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 5 p.m. - Members of Ferris' faculty and Student Government leaders will participate in a featured discussion, "Politics Now, What Would MLK Think?" in University Center Room 202B. The event is co-sponsored by Ferris Student Government and the university's Political Engagement Project.
On Wednesday, Jan. 18, activist and CNN political commentator Bakari Sellers will speak at 7 p.m. in Room 202 of the University Center.
Sellers is on the national council for the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee and is seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party.
Close
Microsoft revealed the newest version of its 2-in-1 Surface notebook hybrid in a Surface-focused event in late October. Unfortunately for consumers who have long been anticipating for the Surface Pro 5, no news was provided regarding the said device.
Microsoft has managed to keep mum about a Surface Pro refresh. However, multiple news reports have stated that the Surface Pro 5 will be unveiled in the first quarter of 2017. According to the report, the news about the device coming out this year came from a Chinese publication, Economic Daily News. Pegatron Technology was reportedly the manufacturer chosen to make the aforementioned gadget.
The device's stylus, dubbed the Surface Pen, is also expected to launch alongside the Surface Pro 5. According to a previous report, the stylus will feature magnetic charging. Once this particular specification has been confirmed to be true, this will be the very first time for Microsoft to apply such feature to a Surface Pro tablet. Magnetic charging will allow the stylus to charge without having to attach any wires at all. To begin the charging process, its user only needs to dock the it into the tablet.
Other news sources have reported that Surface Pro 5 users will be able to enjoy a full cinematic experience on their devices because of its reported 12.5-inch 4K screen. This screen will reportedly also offer 3D support at 60fps. That said, Microsoft is expected to ditch Super AMOLED screens in favor of IPS touch ones.
The much-anticipated Surface Pro 5 is also said to come out with Intel's 7th Generation Kaby Lake processor. Plus, reports say there will be three different chipset versions that will allow the tablet to obtain higher processing speeds and save more battery life. These chip variants are dual core or Core M, dual core with two threads or Core i5, and quad core with eight threads or Core i7.
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business Tulsian's take on housing finance, Tata Grp cos & others Market expert S P Tulsian of sptulsian.com is positive on stocks of housing finance companies some of which performed well on the bourses during the day. aIf you want to have a positional view either as an investor or a trader, then DHFL, Indiabulls Housing and LIC Housing,a he advised.
Education
Montgomery County Community College will present the spring installment of the interview/talk show program Issues and Insights April 20 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Science Center room 214, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The programs will be simulcast to the Colleges West Campus in South Hall room 216, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. Dr. Kolsky will offer a humorous presentation, Carrots, Sticks and Politics: A State of the Nation and the World Message. In this speech, he will provide his interpretation of domestic and international politics and then welcome questions from the audience for discussion. Issues and Insights, is free and open to the public. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Kolsky, professor of political science, at 215-641-6380 or tkolsky@mc3.edu.
Montgomery County Community Colleges STEM Scholars Program will host a STEM Jam! open house April 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at the Colleges Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The drop-in event is designed for students interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Activities will include STEM program information and career advising, STEM speakers throughout the day from industry and academia, micro-helicopter and robotics competitive obstacle courses and demonstrations and static models of STEM student and faculty work. For more information about STEM Jam! or STEM programs at MCCC, contact William Brownlowe at wbrownlowe@mc3.edu or 215-641-6644, or Robin Zuhlke at 215-619-7440 or rzuhlke@mc3.edu.
Temple Ambler, located at 580 Meetinghouse Road, presents the following events:
International Club Global Bazaar April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Ambler Campus International Club invites all students, faculty, staff and the community to celebrate a multitude of diverse cultures, which will be showcased at the organizations Global Bazaar. This family friendly event will highlight cultural traditions and celebrations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South American, North America and Africa through music, entertainment, food and informative displays developed and presented by students at the Ambler Campus. Young visitors will be provided with passports, which they may get stamped at each country they visit. Prizes will be awarded to world travelers who talk to cultural representatives, answer questions about the countries theyve visited and take part in fun-filled activities designed to help them learn about the rich diversity of cultures found throughout the world. Refreshments will be served. The event is free. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail tuc36466@temple.edu.
EarthFest 2011 April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 75 exhibitors, including the Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Elmwood Park Zoo and the Insectarium, will take part in EarthFest 2011. School students of all ages are invited to attend and develop displays of their own. EarthFest partner the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society also offers its Kids Grow Expo, featuring the Junior Flower Show, as part of the event. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail duffyj@temple.edu.
Annual Spring Plant Sale May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plant sale an Ambler Campus tradition dating back to the early 1900s will feature woody plants and perennials in portable sizes, hardy trees, shrubs, and vines, native plants that are attractive to wildlife, herbs, and hanging baskets. There will also be numerous special plants for sale to highlight Amblers special anniversary year. Garden books and garden tools will also be available for sale. Students, staff, and volunteers from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and the Ambler Arboretum Advisory Committee will be available to answer questions. All proceeds from the Spring Plant Sale will support the Ambler Arboretum Fund and the Pi Alpha Xi National Honor Society. Information: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.
June Homecoming/Louise Bush-Brown Garden Dedication June 5 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. (June Homecoming), Bright Hall Lounge; 2 p.m. (Garden Dedication), Ambler Campus Formal Perennial Gardens. Tickets June Homecoming: Participant $18 per person; Sustainer $25 per person; Benefactor $40 per person. The 2011 June Homecoming, sponsored by the School of Environmental Design Alumni Association, will include the Alumni Association annual meeting and luncheon. June Homecoming will be followed by the formal dedication of Temple University Amblers Formal Perennial Gardens as the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Gardens. During this 100th anniversary of the campus, Temple University Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum of the Temple University is honoring Louise Bush-Browns many contributions to the history of the campus by formally dedicating the gardens in her honor. During the program, campus Executive William Parshall will welcome guests, Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey will speak about the Bush-Browns and the history of the garden, and an official ribbon cutting will be held for the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Garden. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to take a tour of the gardens, which will wend their way to the Campus Greenhouse for the School of Environmental Designs annual Plant Auction. Information (Garden Dedication): 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Information (June Homecoming): 215-482-0722. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.
Northview Garden Tour and Fundraiser for the Ambler Arboretum June 12 from noon to 5 p.m. Call for reservations. Tickets: $15 per person or $20 at the door. In addition to the gardens of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University, Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey has a garden oasis all her own right in Ambler Northview. Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided tours throughout the many gardens, where garden experts will be available to answer questions about the various designs. The Ambler Keystone Chapter of the Womans National Farm and Garden Association will also provide tea and refreshments. All proceeds from the tours will support the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. Information or to register: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary.
The Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County, 536 George Street, Norristown, will hold the following events:
SAAC Adult Day Care, an alternative to Nursing Home Care is available for information call 610-275-1960
Volunteers are needed for Meals on Wheels Program (call the number above)
SAACs Fifth Avenue Boutique opens Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Exercise with Theresa will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m.
Dance class is held every Monday at 10 a.m.
Tai Chi is held every Monday at 10 a.m.
Yoga is held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.
Line Dancing is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.
Dancing with Joan is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.
Sculpture Class is held Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Why Should I Learn Spanish? will be held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
Generations On-Line computer classes for seniors will be held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. 4 p.m. computers are available during those hours.
Health Living will be held every Tuesday at 1 p.m.
Boomer U will hold the following events. Boomer U is located at 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler. Registration & payment is required for all events: 215-619-8863.
Pilates Class is held Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. First class is free; please bring a mat. For information call 610-291-5376.
Blue Bell School of Dance, 921 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, hosts Argentine Tango Classes and a Milonga dance party every Friday evening. Lessons start at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing at 9:30 p.m. Andrew Conway, master Argentine Tango dancer, instructor and performer and his partner Linda Chase will instruct. All levels welcome and no partner is needed. Refreshments will be served. Fee is $12 per person and includes lesson and dancing. Information: 215-634-1101 or www.amoretango.com.
The Montgomery Hospital Medical Center will offer the following classes:
Childbirth Education Class- all parents are invited to participate, including those who are delivering at
other hospitals. For more information on maternity services or classes, call 610-270-2020.
CPR and First Aid Courses are offered for beginners to experiences health care providers. Call 610-270-2313.
The Ambler SAAC (Senior Adult Activities Center), located at 45 Forest Ave in Ambler will hold the following events:
Tai Chi every Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m.
Yoga is every Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m.
Strength and balance training every Wednesday at 10 a.m.
Armchair Aerobics is held every Monday at 10 a.m.
Gourmet Weight Wise every Thursday at 12:30.
Fitness Center and Pool Room open daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Diabetes Education Center will offer day and evening classes each month. Health insurance pays for diabetes education classes. Preregistration is required. Call 610-270-2301.
For Kids & Families
The Ambler Kiwanis Club will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt April 26 at 10 a.m. in Ambler Borough Park, located just off of the intersection of Hendricks Street and Valley Brook Road. Members of the Wissahickon Key Club will assist Kiwanians in hiding thousands of wrapped chocolate eggs in a designated area of the park. Also hidden will be plastic colored eggs, which are redeemed for prizes. Elementary school children are separated by age.
Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation will hold its 21st annual Storybook Egg-Stravaganza April 15 fom 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Dublin Township Building. Toddlers and preschoolers love this annual event where photo opportunities with favorite friends abound! Treasures are collected from UDP&Rs assortment of lifesize cutouts of favorite cartoon characters from Disney, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon and other well-known animation. Children can have their picture taken with Bugsy OHare; bring your own camera. And dont forget a basket for goodies! $7 for UD residents; $12 for non-residents. Pre-register at 215-643-1600 ext. 3443.
Splash Week is a free week-long program that teaches children and families basic swimming skills and water safety practices. All YMCA branches will host multiple classes each day from April 11 to 15. For more information, contact the Ambler Area YMCA at 215-628-9950.
Healthy Kids Day is April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day is filled with fun, engaging and artistic activities that cultivate healthy living as part of the YMCAs larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active. All activities are free and open to the community. For more information, contact the Ambler YMCA at 215-628-9950. No reservation is required.
The Ambler Area YMCA has added several new programs for area youngsters. Classes are held late afternoons or evenings on various weekdays. For more information, visit philaymca.org or call 215-628-9950.
Basic Beading: Ages: 10+. Wednesdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. This class will teach you the fundamentals of wiring and stringing along with how color can be used to create unique and vibrant beadwork design. You will create various jewelry including earrings, bracelets, charm pendants and much more! Supplies will be provided. Bringing your own jewelry pliers or tools would be a plus.
Messin with the Masters: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. Learn about some of the worlds greatest artists. You will be inspired to create your own Starry Night with oil pastels and tempera paints, a tissue paper painted Monet garden, a Picasso head using scraps of paper, a Georgia OKeeffe clay flower bowl and a Rousseau jungle collage.
Super Scientist: Ages: 5-7. Mondays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Well be concocting chemistry experiments such as making slime, mixing potions and having fun with magnet magic. Your budding little scientist will enhance his/her creative thinking and motor skills and to top it off will learn that science can be serious fun.
Wacky Junk Art: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 6 to 6:45 p.m. Why throw it away! Instead join us to make household junk into aliens from outer space, wacky specs, crazy hats, body masks or a recycled train.
Globe Trotters: Ages: 4-6. Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Youre never too young to start thinking globally. Each week, we explore a new country through crafts, games, music, stories and even some taste-testing. A perfect introduction to our great big world!
Crazy about Crafts: Ages: 5-7, Thursdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Let your childs creative juices flow with our fun arts and crafts projects each week. Fine motor skills and creative thinking skills will be enhanced with this crafty class.
Come out and join the Ambler Area YMCAs Teen and Junior Leaders Club. Participants are given the freedom to plan community service projects year round and truly make a difference in the lives of people in need. Those in Teen and Junior Leaders also attend leadership retreats all along the East Coast three times a year and meet other leaders who are doing the same great work in their respective areas. Dont miss out on this inspiring opportunity. Teen Leaders, ages 13-17, meet every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Junior Leaders, ages 10-12, will begin in the spring and will meet every Monday. For more information, contact Mike Miles, Teen Director, 215- 628-9950 x 1540 or mmiles@philaymca.org.
Did you know that the new Ambler Area YMCA holds childrens birthday parties at its site for members and non members as well. The Ambler Y does all the work from start to finish and birthday parties include a personalized cake, ice cream, beverage and paper products. Parties are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and include two party hosts to lead activities, set-up, clean-up and assist with serving. You can have a Splash Party for children ages six to 12 in the new zero depth entry pool with water slide and spray fountains. Up to 25 children have exclusive use of the pool area with 30 minutes in the party room. Sports Parties are offered for kids ages four to 12 with age appropriate activities and games, and sports such as floor hockey, soccer, basketball or dodge ball. Children ages three to five years of age will enjoy parties in the Family Active Center with use of the Moon Bounce and organized activities, such as parachute play and songs. For information, 215-628-9950 ext. 1583.
Community Events at the Ambler Y:
-YAchievers YMCA Achievers is a developmentally based, extracurricular, educational and team mentoring program designed to help students in grades five through 12 prepare for fulfilled livelihoods in college and beyond. Participation is free and all students in this program receive a free YMCA membership. Registration for the 2009 program begins now. You do not need to be a YMCA member to utilize these special services. Call 215-628-9950 to register.
Greater Norristown Art Leagues Childrens Weeklong Summer Art Camps will be held at 800 West Germantown Pike in East Norriton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer. The cost per session is $125 per student for ages 6 and up. Jo Ann Cooksey Bono teaches an introduction to basic drawing skills and techniques from 10 a.m. until the lunch break each day. In the afternoon sessions, Mary Vogel Lozinak involves the students in hands on projects such as collage, papermaking, T-shirt printing, 3D design and sculpy clay. Fridays Graduation Day includes an art show, awards ceremony and reception for parents, siblings, grandparents and friends. All supplies are included. Students provide their own lunch. A refrigerator is available and the building is air-conditioned. This is the 15th year to run this successful program. Both instructors are professional artists with State Police and Child Abuse Clearances. To register, call Jo Ann at 610-279-1008, or register on-line at www.gnal.org.
Health
Dresher Physical Therapy is hosting an interactive seminar discussing its Golf Assessment Progam April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Dresher Physical Therapy, 1075 Virginia Drive, Suite 200, Fort Washington. Physical therapist Chris Miller, certified through the Titleist Performance Institute, will discuss why your body may be the most important piece of golf equipment you invest in and how this can drastically improve your game. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Call 215-619-4545 to reserve your spot.
The Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, Center on the Hill and Chestnut Hill Hospital will host a Senior Health and Resource Fair April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 8855 Germantown Ave. The event is free. For more information, call 215-248-0180 or e-mail chseniors@cavtel.net.
The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is hosting Help Yourself to Health, a new six-week workshop for older adults with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease and others. The free workshop will take place at the Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center, 45 Forest Ave. on six Thursdays, May 12 through June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Although there is no charge to participate, registration is required. To register, call 215-619-8863.
The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is sponsoring an eight-week program called A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls. Presented by the Montgomery County Health Department, this workshop will be held on Tuesdays, May 3 to June 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ambler Center, 45 Forest Ave. If you pre-register by April 27, the fee is only $5! Registration at the first class is $10. (Checks should be payable to SAAC and will benefit our Meals on Wheels program that serves homebound seniors.) A workbook will be provided and refreshments will be served. Call 215-619-8863 to register or for more information.
Fort Washington Wellness Center classes are ongoing. There are several offered during lunch or right after work, for your convenience: Boot Camp from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday; Zumba is MWF from 11 a.m. to noon and Friday at 4 p.m.; there are 25 cycling classes; Ashtanga and Vinyasana Yoga and Pilates; and a group Womens Strength Training class M-F from 10 to 11 a.m. Questions, call Cathy DeMarco at 215-641-1245.
Following the success of other local area programs, Impact Sports and Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation are delighted to team up again to offer a spring program for the 2011 season! Upper Dublin area children ages 3-5 years old can attend a Sports Program featuring their favorite sports games; soccer, rugby, hockey, track and field, basketball, and more. The program will start on April 27 and run through June 1. Cost for the program is $85 for the six weeks. The classes will be running 12- 1 p.m.; 1- 2 p.m.; 2- 3 p.m. For more info or to register, call Upper Dublin Township on 215 643 1600 or visit their website a http://www.upperdublin.net.
Spring Aquatic Programs UDHS Pool:
-Summer is just around the corner Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool can help get you into shape! Programs begin in March; preregistration is required.
Shallow Water Aerobics Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 8-8:45 p.m., $40R/$50NR.
Adult Swim Instructions Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 7-8 p.m., $50R/$60NR
-Open Rec Swims are fun for the whole family! Come out on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. or Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and enjoy use of the pool and diving area. Fridays are offered through June 17; Saturdays are offered March 12-May 21.
-Join a growing group of adult lap swimmers and water walkers. Lanes are set aside evenings and weekends for use; lanes are shared. Monday Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays (March 12-May 21) from 1-4 p.m.
-Private Swimming & Diving Lessons for ages 3-adult are offered at the UDHS Pool through a partnership with the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club (UDAC). Visit the UDAC website for more information, www.udac.us, and click the link to UDHS Private Lessons.
-Looking for local programs for US Masters Swimming (adults) or Water Polo (all ages)? UDAC and UDSD are working together to develop programs that will be offered at the UDHS Pool. Add your name to Interest Lists by emailing slohoefer@upperdublin.net. emails will be sent about clinics and program start dates.
Questions about Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool, group use of the pool or pool rental? Contact Susan Lohoefer, Facility & Community Affairs Manager at slohoefer@upperdublin.net or call 215-643-8800 x8994.
SilverSneakers Fitness Program. The Healthyways SilverSneakers Fitness Program is a result-oriented program that enables older adults to take charge of their health. The program is an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially oriented programing. Members of the program are eligible for a free YMCA membership, with use of the pool and exercise equipment, along with customized classes designed for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. If you are a subscriber to Independence Blue Cross (Personal Choice 65 PPO) or Keystone 65 HMO, Bravo Health, or Health Options Programs (HOP), call the Ambler Area YMCA, 215-628-9950 or Hatboro Area YMCA, 215-674-4545. You can also visit www.silversneakers.com.
Zumba Fitness offers Zumba dance/fitness classes at Academy of Dance and Music/BBAD Studio located at 1524 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell (behind Sherwin Williams). Classes are offered three times a week: Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. For a free trial pass for your first class, email us at info@danceandmusic.biz or call 610-277-2557. For more info, visit our site at www.academyofdanceandmusic.org.
Chestnut Hill Health Systems presents the following Health Education Programs:
FITNESS CLASSES
Golden Yoga: A Breathing, Stretching and Relaxation Class. Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lea Auditorium, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. Registration for four classes at a time required. Golden Yoga is Classical Yoga, adapted by the SKY Foundation, to accommodate those who have difficulty getting up and down from the floor. The program includes postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques, all performed while sitting in a chair and standing. Registration required. Call 215-247-3029. Cost: $20 for 4 classes per month.
Tai Chi: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30 9:30 a.m. Springfield Residence, 8601 Stenton Ave. Classes, for the novice or beginner/intermediate student, are designed to improve balance, power, posture, coordination, flexibility and mental focus. Slow, gentle movements are modified to most everyones abilities. For more information or to sign up for a free introductory class, call 215-882-2804. Cost: $8 per class/paid monthly.
SUPPORT GROUPS
Weight Loss Surgery Support Group: Fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-8 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. Join us for a monthly get-together where well share information for those interested in weight loss surgery, learn from guest speakers discussing current news on issues including lifestyle modification, nutrition and exercise and provide ongoing support for those who have completed surgery. Registration required. Call 215-753-2000.
Breast Cancer Networking Group: Fourth Tuesday of the month 5:30 7 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. A free, confidential support group for women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer designed to provide a forum for sharing information, feelings and concerns associated with breast cancer. Facilitated by Tish Wakefield, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker. Registration required. To register or for more information, call 215-248-8047.
New Moms Support Groups Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. 12 p.m.; contact Jeanine ORourke, MSW or 2:30 4 p.m.; contact Susan Schack, Ph.D Volunteer Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. The Center for Postpartum Depression at Chestnut Hill Hospital is pleased to offer two new support groups to support new moms. Both groups will be run by experienced mental health professionals who really get it when it comes to new motherhood and juggling relationships, extended family, work/family balance and self-care. If you are experiencing new mom challenges that often heighten anxiety and involve hormonally driven depression, join us for an informative and supportive forum to connect with other moms. Infants are welcome. $30 per session (flexible based on need). Registration is required. Call Dr. Schack, 646-265-2484, or Ms. ORourke, 215-206-2931.
Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group Third Thursday of the month 8-9 a.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. A networking group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer designed to provide education, support and encouragement. Spouses and partners welcome. Harry M. Baer, MD, Chief, Urology Division, will host Ask the Doctor. Registration required. Call 215-248-8325.
Contact the Senior Center by phone 215-248-0180 or email (chseniors@cavtel.net) with your questions about these programs or any of our on-going activities and classes.
Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice seeks compassionate and emotionally mature volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Volunteers may also assist with pet therapy and administrative work within the hospice department and are requested to have daytime availability. Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes or nursing facilities once a week for two to three hours. They provide emotional support and companionship to patients and family members, assist with errands or provide respite for caregivers. Bereavement volunteers support the families of hospice patients following the loss of a loved one, while administrative volunteers assist with typing, mailings and/or filing. Hospice care workers provide a great service to families and loved ones of hospice patients. Many volunteers also report a great deal of personal satisfaction as a result of their services. Patient care and bereavement volunteers complete an application and attend an 18-hour volunteer training program that covers the medical, psychological and spiritual aspects of hospice volunteering. Day and evening training programs are offered. To sign up for volunteer opportunities in Pennsylvania, contact Holy Redeemer Volunteer Coordinator Jean Francis at 215-698-3737 or email jfrancis@holyredeemer.com.
Librarytalk
Upper Dublin Public Library, 805 Loch Alsh Avenue, Ft. Washington, 215-628-8744
www.upperdublinlibrary.org
APRIL CHILDRENS PROGRAMS:
Storytimes: Please register in the library.
o Wee Ones: 0 to 23 months Thursdays and Fridays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m.
o Tiny Tots: age 2. Wednesdays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. and Fridays 11 to 11:20 a.m.
o Jr. Book Lovers: ages 3 to 6. Tuesdays 10:30 to 11 a.m.
o Bedtime Storytimes: 7 to 7:30 p.m. April 20 and 27. Wear your jammies, bring your teddy & hear Miss Barbara read bedtime stories! For ages 3 to 6.
APRIL TEEN PROGRAMS:
North Hills Library Teens April 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Movie Matinee
APRIL UDPL ADULT PROGRAMS:
NEW! ESL Conversation Group. Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Interested in practicing your English in a safe and caring environment? Come to our conversation group and improve your skills! Please register with Kay Klocko at 215-628-8744 or kklocko@mclinc.org.
One-on-One Computer Mentoring. Get personalized assistance from experienced computer volunteers! Sign-up for a one-hour session. Limit one session per month. Please register contact info above.
Book Groups Please register with Kay Klocko 215-628-8744.
o Daytimers: April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tired of book groups where you all read the same book? Read any fiction or non-fiction book on this months theme: Explorers. Please register.
Meetings:
Annual Meeting of the Friends of UDPL: April 14 at 1 p.m.
Board of Directors: April 20 at 7 p.m.
Blue Bell Library www.wvpl.org Upcoming Events: The Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 650 Skippack Pike (Route 73) in Blue Bell, is diagonally across from the Blue Bell Inn. Call 215-643-1320 or visit their website at www.wvpl.org.
For children and teens at Blue Bell:
* Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian.
* Mondays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.
* Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages.
* Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.
* Family Movies, new releases, second Saturdays of the month at 1:30 p.m.
* May 14 Despicable Me
* June 11 Alpha and Omega
* Special Events
* April watch for date of spring/Easter events
* April 14 at 4:30 p.m. Junior Lego Club for children ages 3 through 5. Parents and caregivers need to stay with children.
* April 14 at 7 p.m. Jeopardy for ages 11 to 18. Test your book and library knowledge for prizes. Sign up to be a contestant. No sign up to be in the audience. Snacks provided.
* April 16 at 1 p.m. Adult Mystery Book Group discussing The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie King.
* April 16 at 1:30 p.m. Childrens event for One Book, Every Young Child celebration. Story and craft for book Whose Shoes?
* April 19 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 1:30 p.m.- Adult book group discusses The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. Group led by Adam Button.
* April 30 through May 3 Friends book sale with about 10,000 items for sale for children, teens and adults.
* May sign up for Science in the Summer
* June sign up for Enrichment Programs for Elementary-Age children
* June sign up for Summer Reading, all ages
For adults at Blue Bell:
* Daytime Book Discussion Group fourth Tuesday, Jan April at 1:30 p.m.
* April 26 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester
* Night-time Book Discussion Group third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.
o April 19 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester
* Art Series with Dr. Sheldon Weintraub, docent at The Barnes and speaker at local colleges
o April 27 at 2 p.m. The Art of Looking at Art-Is She Nude or Is She Naked?
*Mystery Book Discussion Group, third Saturday of the month at 1 p.m.; new mystery theme each month; www.wvpl.org/programs
* Yoga on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop-in class.
* Tai Chi on Mondays at 3 p.m. with Dr. Kurt Findeisen. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop in class.
* Philadelphia Museum of Art presents class on their Marc Chagall exhibit, April 13 at 2 p.m.
* Giant Book Sale, April 29 May 3
o Starts with almost 10,000 items for children and adults!
o Held during library hours.
o Preview for members of the Friends of the Library, April 28 at 7 p.m.
o Join the Friends and attend the preview sale. Modest fee to join.
* Blooms at Blue Bell Gardening Series
o May 11 at 1 p.m. Summer Bulbs by PA Horticultural Society
* Knitting group Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Work on your project or observe and learn. The groups continue year-round in the community room.
* Socrates Cafe discussion group every Monday at 7 p.m. You pick the topic to discuss each week. No sign-up, nothing to read.
* Bridge every Friday at 12:30 p.m. New players welcome.
* Mah Jong every Wednesday at 1 p.m. New players welcome.
*Chess every Wednesday at 7p.m. for adults and teens 14 and older.
* Movie Matinee showing recent releases every Thursday at 2 p.m. April 14: Maos Last Dancer; April 21: Welcome to the Rileys; April 28: Conviction; May 5: Inception; May 12: Inside Job; May 19 The Kings Speech; May 26 The Fighter; June 2 Rabbit Hole; June 9 Black Swan; June 16 127 Hours
* Ongoing like-new, year-round book sale for adults & children during library hours
* Library opening at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday!
Ambler Library, a branch of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 209 Race St., 215-646-1072. www.wvpl.org. All the following events occur at the Ambler Library.
* Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian.
* Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages.
* Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages.
* For adults:
* Beading Group meets the first and third Monday of every month at 1 p.m. Work on your own projects or come to watch and learn.
* Free Family History Lookup with Connie Briggs. Email Connie for an appointment at the Ambler Library. conniebriggs@comcast.net
* Special Events:
* April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Book Group discusses Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian.
* April 19 at 7 p.m. Travel to Paris with world traveler Harry Balin. Tea and scones at 6:30 p.m.
* April 21 at 7 p.m. Art with Sara for children in fourth through seventh grades.
*May 2 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Lone Star with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time.
*May 10 Robert Capucci discusses Art into Fashion. Tea and scones served at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m.
*May 12 at 1:30p.m. Book Group discusses The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman.
*May 17 Tour the gardens of Devon and Southwest England with Lois McMullen. Tea and Scones at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m.
*June 13 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Blade Runner with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time.
Meetings and Lectures
The Unisys Blue Bell Retiree Group will meet in the Church on the Mall in the Plymouth Meeting Mall April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Kathy Sacket Young, director/trainer with the North Penn YMCA, will speak on Keeping Fit in Retirement. For more information, contact Membership Committee Chairperson Jerry Feldscher at 610-275-3538 or President Al Rollin at 215-368-4833.
The next FWBA meeting will be April 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Leon Singletary, Principal, First Contact HR and FWBA Executive Board, will present: Social Media: How to Use It To Get More Business. Lunch is provided courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Members are welcome to bring a guest. An RSVP is requested by return email or 215-628-0313.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA is hosting a information sessions over the next few weeks on how to become a Big Brother. The information sessions will take place: April 16 at noon, April 19 at 8 a.m. and April 28 at 6 p.m. All sessions will be held at the groups Norristown Office,t 530 DeKalb St., Norristown. For more information, call 610-277-2200.
The North Penn Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month from now until May. Meetings are held at the William Penn Inn on Route 202 and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd, PA. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the technical program begins at 7 p.m. Cost with reservation is $28 for members. Members without reservations and guests pay $30. Students with reservations pay $15. Reservations may be made by noon on the Monday preceding the meeting by phoning 215-371-1854 or emailing the reservation to northpennima@yahoo.com northpennima@yahoo.com. Information about the North Penn Chapter is available at http://northpenn.imanet.org/.
LeTip, a professional organization of men and women who are dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service meets every Tuesday at Cedar Brook Country Club, 180 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell at 7 a.m. -meeting officially starts at 7:16 a.m. and ends at 8:31 a.m. Our purpose is the exchange of business tips, leads, and referrals. Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed. Guests are welcome to visit any of our breakfast meetings.
Every third Thursday of month, Sunrise Assisted Living of Blue Bell (795 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, 215-619-2777) serves as a satellite site to 148th Legislative district PA congressman Mike Gerber from 10 a.m. to noon. Stop by for help needed with things such as disability placards and license plates, vehicle registration, utilities issues, birth/death certificates,property tax/rent rebates, etc. Notary services arranged by appointment.
The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is an action-oriented organization dedicated to promoting its members and the economic health of eastern Montgomery county. The Chamber is committed to serving as a catalyst by uniting business, community agencies, government and education to make our county a great place to live and work. For information, call 215-887-5122 or visit www.emccc.org.
Do you have a fear of public speaking? Blue Bell Toastmasters Club can help. We meet from 7 to 9 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday at the Marriott Courtyard, located on Route 202, directly across from the Montgomeryville Mall. Learn how to improve communication and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive environment. Guests are welcome. Admission fee: $5. For more info, visit www.bbtoast.org.
The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will hold the following meetings (for reservations to any of the following, email info@PennSuburban.org)
-Breakfast News Network, 7:30-8:45 a.m. at Normandy Farm Hotel (1401 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422) $15 members, includes full buffet breakfast. Join us for a networking program at Normandy Farm Hotel every Thursday morning for breakfast, business news, informative speakers, and plenty of networking. The cost includes a full breakfast buffet. Copies of the business cards will be made available to those who would like them.
The BNI, Fort Washington Chapter meets every Monday at The Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Washington for a networking meeting. Meetings are from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Visitors are welcome. The only cost to attend is the cost of your meal. For information or a reservation to attend, please call Luanne Cram at 215-947-7784, or visit our Internet site at: http://www.BNIDVR.Com and click on the menu item Find a Chapter.
For the past seven years, people have enjoyed participating in WVWAs Adopt-a-Tree program. Individuals can support the Association in its reforestation efforts by purchasing native trees to be planted. Supporters can plant their adopted tree or have WVWA volunteers will plant it. Trees cost $30 each. If you would like to volunteer or purchase a tree(s), please contact: Bob Adams at Bob@wvwa.org or call: 215-646-8866 for more information. Check www.WVWA.org for directions and maps.
Sustainable Upper Dublin, http://sustainableupperdublin.org, meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at the Upper Dublin Township Building, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington, PA 19034. Please send any questions to suec@sustainableupperdublin.org or call 610-996-6316. To learn more about Sustainable Upper Dublin, view or join the discussion at http://googlegroups.com/group/sustainableupperdublin.
Special Events
The Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard will hold its first nutrition class April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., Ambler. Lynne Sinclair, a nutritionist from Abington Memorial Hospital specializing in diabetic nutrition, will conduct the class. Topics will include healthy eating, beneficial foods, recipes, making meals with every day foods, and how to use unfamiliar produce. A healthy snack will be provided.The class is is open to all residents in Montgomery County.
The Historical Society of Fort Washington presents The History of Conshohocken April 19 at 8 p.m. at the Clifton House, 473 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington. Jack Coll will present an illustrated program on the history of the Borough of Conshohocken. Coll is a longtime resident of Conshohocken and a member of the Conshohocken Historical Society. He is co-author with his son, Brian, of the Arcadia Then and Now Series book Conshohocken. He has also done books Conshohocken and West Conshohocken Sports and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Italian Feast. He has taken many photos for the Conshohocken Record and the Norristown Times Herald. This program is free. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, call 215-646-6065.
Taste of the White House Soiree featuring former White House Chef Walter Scheib will take place April 29 at 6 p.m. at Manufacturers Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington to celebrate HealthLinks 10th anniversary and honor its founders, the Eugene Jackson Family. The evening will heat up with a Chef Meet & Greet, followed by a specially selected presidential menu. Gala tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds benefit HealthLink, a free clinic providing compassionate, quality medical and dental care to uninsured, working adults in Bucks and Montgomery counties who fall in between the health care cracks. Go to http://tasteofthewhitehouse.charityhappenings.org to make reservations online or lend support through sponsorship. For event information, call 267-699-0124 or email jmarushak@healthlinkmedical.org.
The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association will hold an open house at the Evans-Mumbower Mill April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Mill is at the corner of Swedesford and Township Line Roads in Upper Gwynedd. The open house is free but donations are welcome. For more information, call 215-646-8866 o email info@wvwa.org.
The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will host Breakfast With Your County Commissioners and State Representatives April 21 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Washington, 432 W. Pennasylvania Ave. Commissioners: James R. Matthews (Chairman), Joseph M. Hoeffel (Vice Chair), State Representatives: Todd Stephens (District 151) and Josh Shapiro (District 153). Register onlineat www.emccc.org. $10 for EMCCC member; $20 for non-members.
Upper Dublins Districtwide Allied Art Show will be held April 27 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Upper Dublin High School Athletic Complex.
The Rev. Alfred Muli, chaplain at Fort Washington Estates, will be the featured speaker at the Kiwanis sponsored breakfast observing the National Day of Prayer May 5 at 7 a.m. at the William Penn Inn. The breakfast is open to the public ($15). Reservations can be made by calling 215-646-4356 or by emailing georgesaurman@Juno.com.
The Upper Dublin Shade Tree Commission invites people to participate in its spring bare root planting events, sponsored in part by Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Friends of Robbins Park. On April 9, zix trees will be planted at the Evelyn B. Wright Park & Community Pool, 401 Logan Ave., North Hills, at 9 a.m., followed by the planting of 10 trees at Sheeleigh Park, Loch Alsh Avenue and Douglas Street, Ambler, at 10:15 a.m. On April 29, students from Upper Dublin High School will join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to plant 16 trees in Robbins Park, Butler Pike and Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, to help launch the societys Million Trees campaign. This event will occur in conjunction with Temple Amblers EarthFest. Experienced tree-tenders are sought to assist the students. For more information,contact Ron Ayres at 215-653-0421 or 215-483-4348.
The Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association are teaming up once again to clean the Wissahickon Creek from top to bottom April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. This spring marks the 41st anniversary of Wissahickon Valley Watershed Associations annual Creek Clean Up, and the second year that FOW has teamed up with WVWA. Volunteers of all ages will clean the creek, the surrounding trails and the many tributaries of the Wissahickon Creek. Armed with bags, volunteers will be assigned to sections of the creek. Following the clean up, all volunteers are invited to WVWAs Talkin Trash picnic in Fort Washington State Park, with food provided by Whole Foods Market of North Wales. The pavilion is located on Mill Road in Flourtown. To help out in Montgomery County, all volunteers must be pre-assigned a section of the Wissahickon Creek to clean. Please contact Bob Adams, WVWA director of stewardship, at 215-646-8866 ext. 14 or bob@wvwa.org. To work with the Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, meet at the pavilion along Forbidden Drive, a short distance south of the intersection of Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Avenue. Limited parking is available along Northwestern Avenue and other nearby streets. Volunteers are encouraged to bike or carpool to the event. To participate, register at www.fow.org. Contact Kevin Groves with questions at 215-247-0417 ext. 105 or groves@fow.org.
Montgomery County Community Colleges International Club invites the community to the second annual International Festival April 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The rain date is April 26. The International Club will transform the outside quad area into multicultural celebration with various performances by dancers, singers and musicians. Artists will share their artwork at various display tables. Activities include games, raffles, Easter egg decorating and henna tattoos. Students will have samples of international cuisine at tables representing different countries and will serve food from various local ethnic restaurants. Throughout the evening, volunteers will accept donations and will raffle gift baskets and prizes to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Donations of food, international clothes and prizes are needed. Volunteers, including artists and performers, are welcome. For more information or to sponsor an activity, contact Gillian Nel, International Club president, at gnel9277@students.mc3.edu or 267-974-0163.
The Arts and Humanities Division at Montgomery County Community College is partnering with the Philadelphia Writers Conference to host Memoirs Matter: How Life Stories (Including Yours) Can Transform Your Relationship to Literature April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Advanced Technology Center room 101, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The event is free and open to the public. In the first part of this two-hour seminar, professor and author Robert Waxler will explain how writing his two memoirs affected his life as well as his relationship to literature. In the second part, blogger and workshop leader Jerry Waxler will present a sequence of steps to help writers find their own story. For information, contact Dana Resente at dresente@mc3.edu.
The Maple Glen Garden Club will hold its fourth annual Plant Sale on May 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. Perennials, shrubs, vegetables and native plants grown by the club members will be sold. The club uses the plant sale proceeds to fund community projects, a college scholarship and community plantings. The sale will be held in the 500 block of Coach Road, Horsham, as part of a neighborhood garage sale. Plants will be sold at bargain prices. For more information, email MapleGlenGardenClub@gmail.com.
The Relay for Life Craft Show is looking for local crafters to participate in show, which will be May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Wissahickon High School track, 521 Houston Road, Ambler. There is a $10 entry fee, and 20 percent of sales are donated to the American Cancer Society. Participants will receive a 6-foot table under a tent. For information, contact Joanne at joannescoles@comcast.net or Mindy at mcamsilver@comcast.net.
Spring House Estates is hosting its annual book fair on April 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. and April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Included will be hardback and paperback used books. Spring House Estates is located at 728 Norristown Road, Lower Gwynedd.
The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will present the Penn Suburban/Hatfield Joint Business Card Exchange April 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Univest Bank Lansdale Area Financial Service Center, 120 Forty Foot Road, Hatfield. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. Join Univest National Bank and Trust Co. for a spring-inspired Business Card Exchange at its newest office in the Hatfield Pointe Shopping Center. Come out and meet members of Univests executive management team while enjoying fine food and beverages.
13th Annual Community Reading Day Kick-off Breakfast Get Together April 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the North Wales Area Library, 233 Swartley St., North Wales. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. For more information, contact the chamber office at 215-362-9200 or info@pennsuburban.org. Join presenting sponsor Verizon, chamber staff and fellow members for the Community Reading Day volunteer get together. The Community Reading Day program allows volunteers to read a designated book to second-grade students throughout 38 area public and private schools and present the book as a gift to each class. Even if you are not a volunteer, you are cordially invited to stop by to network, enjoy coffee and pastries.
Ambler Mennonite Church is hosting a Spring Craft Show and Flea Market May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain date will be May 28. The community is invited to shop the great craft booths, find some gifts and deals, as well as enjoy home baked goods and tasty lunch specials. Childrens activities are planned. All vendors are encouraged to contact the church at 215-643-4876 or AmblerMennonite@verizon.net. Advertising, signage, customer parking and a shuttle to auxiliary parking at nearby lots for vendors will be provided. 10 foot by 10 foot spaces can be rented for $5 each and tables for an additional $5 each. All proceeds from space and table rentals go toward school kits for children around the world. The church is located at the corner of East Mt. Pleasant Avenue and North Spring Garden Street, Ambler.
The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association presents The Life & Times of Aquatic Insects in the Wissahickon Creek April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Join WVWA for a hands-on program. RSVP required: www.wvwa.org or 215-646-8866. WVWA member fee: $5 per person / $15 per family. Non-WVWA member fee: $10 per person / $20 per family.
The photography exhibition Natures Palette by photo-artist Judy Miller will run March 18 to May 19 at the Art in the Storefront gallery, 41 E. Butler Pike, Ambler.
JPRN Networking For People in Transition & People Who Can Help Them Unemployment remains high. JPRN, the Jarrettown Professional Relationship Network can help. Are you trying to network your way to a new job? Do you have expertise or contacts that can help people in transition? Is your company or organization looking for people in the area? This is a free outreach program to support those seeking work, involve people with contacts and networking know how, and involve local companies. Meetings held monthly at Jarrettown United Methodist Church, Limekiln Pike.
Pennsylvanias Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) grant program is now open for the 2010-11 heating season. Grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Additional information, such as specific income limits, and applications for LIHEAP grants are available online via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) website at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications are available at most public officals district offices, county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies.
Begin your holiday shopping at Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation! Entertainment books for 2011, Philadelphia North, are now on sale at $30 each. Regal/United Artists movie tickets are on sale for just $7.50 each, and tickets to the Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, and the Philadelphia Zoo are also available. Discounted ski vouchers to area mountains will be arriving in December; call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
RSVP of Montgomery County and the Wissahickon Valley Public Library have partnered again to offer the public their popular free mock interview sessions. The mock interviews are conducted by RSVP volunteers who are retired professionals, some of whom were in hiring positions themselves. Packets of information which include a sample employment application and interviewing tips with mock interview questions are available at the library to pick up prior to a scheduled mock interview or will be sent via email once the interview is scheduled. To schedule your interview, please contact Janis Glusman at RSVP 610-834-1040, ext. 16. The library is also offering a free resume review service. Bring in your current resume and the professional reference staff will assist you with hints and tips on capturing your work history accurately.
Registration for Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation summer playgrounds, Camp B.I.G. and Small Folks, X-Zone, and sports camps has began. Register online at www.upperdublin.net/store, or at the UDP&R office, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington. Call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information.
Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Danielles Espresso Cafe presents Mornings at Mondaug Bark Park April 16 and May 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet fellow dog lovers. These events include complimentary coffee, treats for people and pups and raffles/giveaways.
Upper Dublins Annual Spring Flea Market will be held June 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reserve a table, or come and shop. Tables are $15 for UD residents, $20 for non-residents. This successful event occurs rain or shine. Refreshments available. Call 215-643-1600 ext. 3443 to register for a table.
Regal movie tickets available for purchase at Upper Dublin Township Parks & Recreation. Reduced rate: $7.50 per ticket. Some restrictions apply. Call 215-643-1600 x3443.
Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation movie tickets $7.50 Regal Cinemas, United Artist & Edwards Cinemas on sale throughout the year Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m.
Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation Camp Sign-ups for Stony Creek Day Camp Stony Creek Tracers and Park n Tots. Register on-line at www.whitpaintownship.org OrCome to Township Building with check or Visa MasterCard Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. For additional information call 610.277-2400 ext. 374
Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation offers exciting new programs for the fall:
-Returning favorites include UK Elite Petite Soccer, Tiny Dancers, Kiddie Tennis, Fun-nastics, Messy Playtime, Little Chefs, and more. Babysitters Training will be offered in November and December. Continuing Adult Fitness Classes include Cardio Circuit, Core & More, Yoga, Boxing, and Adult G.Y.M. For more information call 215-643-1600 x3443. Register for programs online at www.upperdublin.net/store.
Music and Theater
The community is invited to a Cantors Concert April 16 at 8 p.m. Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen. Listen and hum-along to the Yiddish, pop tunes and classical music performed by Congregation Beth Ors own Cantor David Green and his special guest, Cantor Irvin Bell, from Temple Beth Israel in Deerfield Beach, Fla. The cantors will be accompanied by Mark Sobol and his Klezmer musicians. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. RSVP with payment to Barb Murtha, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002, or call 215-646-5806 ext. 220.
Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse will host the Jameson Sisters May 14. Doors open at 7:30 pm, performance at 8:00 pm. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse is located at the corner of Rte. 202 & Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd. $5 suggested donation. Light refreshment available at a modest cost. For further information, call 215-393-9576 or visit gwyneddmeeting.org/coffeehouse.html.
Celebrate patriotism through song with Gwynedd-Mercy Colleges choir, the Voices of Gwynedd, as it presents Hear America Singing April 15 at 8 p.m. The choir will perform song selections from all over the country, including Georgia on My Mind, New York State of Mind, and a medley including Philadelphia Freedom and Allentown. The performance will end with When the Saints Go Marching In to acknowledge the choirs upcoming tour in New Orleans. Hear America Singing will take place in the Julia Ball Auditorium, located in St. Bernard Hall. Parking is available in lots A, C and D. Admission is free.
The Choristers will present Anton Dvoraks Stabat Mater April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler. The choir will be accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for students and children are free. Tickets will be sold in advance or at the door. For more information, call 215-542-7871 or visit TheChoristers.org
Religious News
The Staircase Gallery at Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington will feature the work of Emily Ennuat-Lustine. The artist will be showing paintings and graphics inspired by her own personal spiritual journey and quest for meaning. Some of the works to be shown have been inspired by Biblical Psalms and writings. Her work has been shown at Abington Art Center, Cheltenham Arts Center and Old City Gallery of Jewish Art among others. The exhibition is open Friday evenings starting Feb. 18 after Shabbat services. Gallery hours are: Mondays through Thursdays 10-4:30, Fridays 10-3 and following Shabbat Services and Sundays 10-1. The synagogue is located at 190 Camp Hill Road in Fort Washington. For additional information contact the synagogue office at 215-283-0276.
Reunions
St. Matthews High School Conshohocken Class of 1961 is looking for classmates. For details, contact Greg Marincola at 215-646-2239, 215-740-1296 or gregcola@comcast.net.
Olney High School Class of 1971 is Lloking for classmates for a 40th reunion Oct. 28. For details, contact Judy at ohsclassof71@yahoo.com or 215-870-7572.
Abington High School Class of 1961 is seeking classmates for a 50-year reunion to be held Oct. 14-15, 2011.Visit the website, www.abington61.com, for details or call 215-947-1779.
Overbrook High School class of January 1956 is having a 55 year reunion on May 22, 2011 at the Bala Golf Club in Philadelphia. For information please contact overbrookreunion56@comcast.net
Germantown High School Class Of January 1961 is looking for classmates for 50th year reunion to take place in May of 2011. Please contact: 215-362-9148, 856-577-0659 or samdelcomo@comcast.net
The June 1961 class of Germantown High School is holding their 50th reunion on May 15, which will be a brunch. For further details please contact Linda Dorfman Alten at lindaalten@yahoo.com or call 215-441-8411.
Support
New Life Presbyterian Church in Dresher, will host GriefShare, a special seminar and support group which will run on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., from March 7 through June 6. At each meeting there will be a DVD about the grief process, discussion and reference to a grief workbook. Preregistration is required to secure a place in the group and to purchase a GriefShare notebook (for a one-time fee of $15). The notebook goes along with the 13-week schedule covering such topics as: living with grief, the effects of grief, and stuck in grief. For more information or to register, call: Sandy Elder at 215-884-5149.
PUPS (People Understanding Parkinsons) A self-help group for those adjusting to a new diagnosis or dealing with the early stages of Parkinsons Disease. Meets fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Abington Health Center, Schilling Campus, Willowood Building, 2510 Maryland Road, Suite 251, Willow Grove. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lorna at 215-542-2931.
The North Penn Visiting Nurse Associations Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers to pack or deliver meals to the elderly and infirmed. Meals are packed and delivered mornings, Monday through Friday. You can volunteer for as many days per week or month as you would like. Packaging meals requires approximately 2-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves making sandwiches, packaging food into individual serving containers and packing coolers with the meals. Delivering meals requires approximately 1-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves loading coolers into your car and delivering a route of approximately 10 to 15 stops. The Meals on Wheels program is also in need of emergency, winter-weather volunteers to pack and deliver meals in bad weather. North Penn VNA is located at 51 Medical Campus Drive in Lansdale and delivers meals in the Lansdale, North Wales and Blue Bell areas. For more information or to volunteer, please call Bridget, North Penn VNA Meals on Wheels coordinator at 215-855-8296.
Elkins Park Area CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7- 8:30 p.m., at Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital in Elkins Park. For information on CHADD or ADHD, please see our website www.chadd.net/249 or call Claire Noyes at: 215-779-6656.
Center for Loss and Bereavement, 3847 Skippack Pike, Skippack (610-222-4110) www.bereavementcenter.org Offers professional counseling for individuals, couples, children and families dealing with issues of loss and bereavement. Six-week adult support groups: Newly forming young adult grief support group every other Wednesday, 7 8:15 p.m. (free of charge); Monthly loss of child support second Mondays, 7-8:15 p.m.; Six-week young loss of spouse/partner Thursdays, 10-11:15 a.m.; Other groups scheduled as interest is shown for suicide loss support, adult loss of parent, motherless daughters, adult loss of sibling, coping with chronic illness and disability and mens loss of spouse. Nellos Corner Family Bereavement program offers peer grief support groups for ages 4 through teen and their caregivers Every other Tuesday or Wednesday (free of charge) Local chapter of Parents of Murdered Children also meets at the Center. Registration required. Call for further information.
CHADD is a national organization for children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, providing education, advocacy and support for individuals and their families with AD/HD. Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital, 60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, will host children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder on the First Tuesday of each month 7 8:30 p.m. Free, no childcare provided.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphias Kehillah of Old York Road is sponsoring a free Caregiver Support Group for individuals who care for an elderly person with cognitive and/or physical impairments. The group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Care Center, 101 Washington Lane, Suite G-6, Jenkintown, Pa., on the first Wednesday of each month. Patty Rich,
Though not to the historic degree of the Game 4 no-hitter, the bats remain somnolent in Game 5, getting pushed to the bring of elimination with a 3-2 loss to Houston.
January 13, 2017
"35 Pages" Attack Against Trump Fails - Foreign And Domestic Losses
UPDATED (at end of original)
The tale about the fake accusations about Russian influence on the U.S. presidential election becomes more gripping by each day. The are part of a larger war between various groups of the "elites" but also include infighting between U.S. government organizations.
We know that there was heavy Ukrainian influence on the side of Clinton in the election and in the current smear campaign against Trump and Russia. But it certainly wasn't Ukraine alone that is behind this. There are more international connections.
The "former" desk officer for Russia in the British MI6 Christopher Steele was the one who prepared the 35 pages of obviously false claims about Russian connections with and kompromat against Trump. There are so many inconsistencies in these pages that anyone knowledgeable about the workings in Moscow could immediately identify it as fake. Putin personally started working on Trump five years ago when Trump had no political role or hope whatsoever? A Trump associate met Russian officials in Prague even though he has never been in the Czech Republic?
Steele spread the fakes throughout the press corps in Washington DC but no media published them because these were obviously false accusations.
Steele then decided to hand the papers to the FBI and to talk to its agents hoping they would start an official investigation. He cleared his move (or was ordered to proceed?) at the highest level of the British government:
The Daily Telegraph was told during a meeting with a highly-placed source in Washington DC last October that the FBI had contacted Mr Steele asking if they could discuss his findings with him. The source said that Mr Steele spoke to officials in London to ask for permission to speak to the FBI, which was duly granted, and that Downing Street was informed.
...
Once he had been given the all-clear, he met an FBI agent in another European country, where he discussed the background to the file he had compiled. His contact with the FBI reportedly began in July last year and ended in October, after he became frustrated by the bureaus slow progress.
When Steele's first move with the FBI in October did note deliver the hoped for results an attempt to stove pipe them through Senator John McCain was launched. A "former" British ambassador to Moscow arranged the hand over:
A former British ambassador to Russia has revealed he played a significant role in bringing the Donald Trump 'dirty dossier' to the attention of the American intelligence services. Sir Andrew Wood said he spoke to Republican senator John McCain at an international security conference in November about the existence of material that could compromise the president-elect. Mr McCain subsequently handed the document, which contained allegations of lurid sexual behaviour by Mr Trump in Russian hotels, to the head of the FBI.
The MI6 is well known for launching fakes on behalf of the British government.
Even the second, more official handover to the FBI still did not result in the hoped for publication of the allegations. But by that time Clinton was widely expect to win the election anyway so no further steps were taken.
After Trump unexpectedly won the election a new effort was launched to publish the smears. The Director of National Intelligence decided (or was ordered to) "brief" the President, the President elect and Congress on the obviously dubious accusations.
It was this decision that made sure that the papers would eventually be published. As the NYT noted:
What exactly prompted American intelligence officials to pass on a summary of the unvetted claims to Mr. Obama, Mr. Trump and Congress? Officials have said they felt the president-elect should be aware of the memos, which had circulated widely in Washington. But putting the summary in a report that went to multiple people in Congress and the executive branch made it very likely that it would be leaked. [emphasis in the original!]
Only after Clapper or others leaked to CNN about the briefing of Obama, Trump and Congress, did CNN publish about the 35 pages:
Classified documents presented last week to President Obama and President-elect Trump included allegations that Russian operatives claim to have compromising personal and financial information about Mr. Trump, multiple US officials with direct knowledge of the briefings tell CNN.
...
The classified briefings last week were presented by four of the senior-most US intelligence chiefs -- Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, FBI Director James Comey, CIA Director John Brennan, and NSA Director Admiral Mike Rogers.
...
CNN has reviewed a 35-page compilation of the memos, from which the two-page synopsis was drawn. The memos have since been published by Buzzfeed. The memos originated as opposition research, first commissioned by anti-Trump Republicans, and later by Democrats. At this point, CNN is not reporting on details of the memos, as it has not independently corroborated the specific allegations.
The last half-sentence is part of the smear campaign. When DNI Clapper recently tried to exculpate himself from the shit-storm he created he used the same obfuscation:
The IC has not made any judgment that the information in this document is reliable ..
That is like saying: "The IC has not made any judgement that information of Barack Obama's Kenyan citizenship is reliable .."
Any media or intelligence agency that claims it could or did not judge the content of 35 papers is obfuscating in an attempt to give them additional weight. The easily verifiable content is so obviously false that the few not immediately verifiable claims in it can not be taken serious. The media and Clapper know this and, if they were truthful, would say so.
The attack on Trump (and Russia) failed. Trump brushed it of with a few tweets and sentences in his press conference. The attack did not hold up any of the procedures in Congress or elsewhere necessary to install the new administration. It did not change policies. The British government and the MI6 have cake on their face. The DNI office and the CIA will bleed.
The attack was a deep state attempt to stage a coup against Trump:
Trump has deliberately rattled the members of the deep state with his brazen criticism of U.S. intelligence findings about Russian hacking. Deep government does not stand idly by, as David Runciman wrote recently in the London Review of Books, and allow itself to be shat upon by newcomers. The president-elect has enemies in profusion on the inside who are practiced at the art of the leak. They may have had no official role in this attempt to stage a coup against Trump before hes even inaugurated, but they must be cheering BuzzFeeds naughtiness as they sharpen their knives for his administration.
This blog reported and warned a month ago of such "elite" coup attempts. The fight has since become more intense.
But this attack failed. Trump gained standing against the "fake news" created by the 35 pages. The fakery and smear attempt was just too obvious. One wonders why it was launched at all. Who panicked?
President Obama, major U.S. intelligence heads, neoconservatives, the British government, Ukrainian "nationalist (aka fascist) circles and the Clinton campaign conspire against Trump and try to derail his announced policy changes. Trump has argued for better relations with Russia and for a concentrated fight in Syria and Iraq against ISIS and other Takfiris and Islamists. This endangers Obama's legacies of starting a new cold war with Russia and of pampering al Qaeda and ISIS to overthrow the Syrian government.
Two fights within the U.S. government are being waged within this larger context. One is the fight between the CIA and the U.S. military over spying competence and lethal operations. CIA Director Brennan, who was and is Obama's consigliere and a Saudi operative, has waged a military campaign in Afghanistan, Yemen, Iraq, Syria and several other countries.
The CIA's assassinations by drones is an operational issue which the military believes should be under its exclusive control. On the other side military special forces missions have hindered CIA intelligence gathering. The CIA support for and training of various Takfiri militants in Syria, Iraq and Libya is against the interest of the soldiers who eventually will have to fight these groups. The incoming National Security Advisor Flynn warned against the CIA's policies back in 2012 when he led the Defense Intelligence Agency. U.S. special forces then sabotaged such CIA operations in Syria.
With Flynn coming in as National Security Advisor the CIA is in danger of losing this fight. Flynn will argue for a CIA that only collects and analyzes and will likely try to move all operative businesses to the military Joint Special Operations Command.
Today the CIA used its unofficial spokesperson to (again) warn Flynn off. Writing in Jeff Bezos' blog David Ignatius stenographed the threat:
According to a senior U.S. government official, Flynn phoned Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak several times on Dec. 29, the day the Obama administration announced the expulsion of 35 Russian officials as well as other measures in retaliation for the hacking. What did Flynn say, and did it undercut the U.S. sanctions? The Logan Act (though never enforced) bars U.S. citizens from correspondence intending to influence a foreign government about disputes with the United States. Was its spirit violated?
(If Flynn's phone-calls are under FISA surveillance would that not be highly classified? How else would anyone know about them? How many laws were broken by planting this through Ignatius?)
A second area of internal conflict is about the Director of the FBI Comey. He was and is not sufficiently deferential to the Obama cabal and the Clinton campaign. He launched and publicly announced an investigation into Clinton's proven illegal behavior with regard to her private email server, but he refrained from announcing and investigating the obviously fake accusations against Trump which were peddled to him. Such disloyal misdeed demands punishment:
The Justice Departments inspector general said Thursday that he would open a broad investigation into how the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, handled the case over Hillary Clintons emails, ..
...
The inspector generals office said that it was initiating the investigation in response to complaints from members of Congress and the public about actions by the F.B.I. and the Justice Department during the campaign that could be seen as politically motivated.
The inspector general is serving at the pleasure of the president. He can be fired as soon as Trump is in office. Unless he joins the cabal against Trump Comey has nothing to fear.
But the war against Trump is not over. Trump should and must be fought but that fight should be about important economic and social issues for which people care and of which there are plenty.
Trump has his own cabal, libertarian billionaires like the Koch brothers, several generals in his cabinet and arch Zionists like Adelson. But that cabal's henchmen are not yet installed throughout the government. It is important to hinder such infestation.
The fight as it is waged now is an attempt to redirect Trump's foreign policies and to generally lesson his foreign policy power. That fight was already lost during the campaign. Every attempt to accuse Trump of this or that "Russia" outrage that has nothing to do with the average voter's life simply fails. These pseudo scandals waged within the "elite" media against him just makes him stronger.
But the cabal was unable to understand that during the campaign and is still unable to get a grip on it. It will continue its attempts and will lessen its own power through its failures.
Effort by Obama loyalists against Trump started immediately after election day:
Over the past 10 years, Obama alumni have spread throughout the government, the advocacy world, and influential parts of the private sector, including at Google and Facebook. That means theres a lot diverse talent to harness.
More attacks on Trump will come even when Trump is in full power and starts to clean house.
But all of those who openly work against him will be endangered. The continued open attacks only lay bare the various actors behind them. Those will be be shunned. Each new open attack against Trump will eliminate another power center installed during the Obama administration. If these hopeless attacks continue few will be left to wage the silent, patient resistance against the Trump administration that will be necessary to lessen the damage it will create.
To now attack Trump, Flynn, Comey or even Putin is hopeless and unproductive. It only hinders achieving their long-term aims. One thereby wonders why this panic reaction from one side of the deep state cabal continues. What dirt have they hidden that they fear will be unearthed?
A number of House Democrats left Friday's confidential briefing on Russian hacking fuming over the actions of FBI Director James Comey and convinced he's unfit to lead the agency. "I was nonjudgmental until the last 15 minutes. I no longer have that confidence in him," Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.), ranking member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, said as he left the meeting in the Capitol. "Some of the things that were revealed in this classified briefing my confidence has been shook." ...
UPDATE: FBI director Comey pissed on the House Democrats at the end of a classified hearing today. This a day after Obama's Justice Department IG opened a case against him (see above). One might guess that Comey has had enough of it OR has now been assured of Trump's backing. The Hill reports
Posted by b on January 13, 2017 at 14:34 UTC | Permalink
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For two puppies from Burke County, a forever home was not in the picture until a family from northern Virginia took one look at them.
Sam and Lola, two poodle - and cocker spaniel - mixed puppies, came into the world last July along with three other siblings.
Sam was a little different in that he was born deaf and blind, said Kandi Estevane, a foster parent with Burke County Friends for Animals.
You could tell by his little eyes that he was blind, Estevane said. It was pretty obvious.
She also noticed as the puppies got older, they would react to noises as she would go downstairs and doors would slam they would react to it, she said.
Sam would just lay there in a deep sleep and that is how we found out he was deaf, too, Estevane said.
There was one sibling, Lola, who stayed by Sams side to help him with his disabilities. It was decided that she would be his service dog and they would need to be adopted together.
He (Sam) is not afraid and he is not petrified thank goodness he is very inquisitive and he is not afraid of his shadow, she said.
The other puppies and the mother were adopted rather quickly, but the outlook was not the same for Sam and Lola.
It was such a huge responsibility taking on two of them, she said. There were a lot of people who showed interest one or two who showed a lot of really good interest, but they both fell through.
Little did Sam and Lola know, though, the Sharkey family from Ashburn, Virginia, was in search for a new family pet.
Lisa Sharkey said they were wanting another dog after their previous dog had died in October.
Her 16-year-old son Aidan began researching websites for dogs, she said.
First, he wanted to go to a place and buy one and I said No we are not buying any because I was adopted and I am all about adopting, Sharkey said.
Aidan was set on adopting a Siberian husky and sent his mother a link to a website with a photo of one that was up for grabs.
Whenever I said ' no ' I was just scrolling through the pictures and I saw a little dog and it was just so cute and I clicked on it and it just happened to be Sam, she said. When I read the story, I just fell in love with him and had to have him.
They were able to meet a BCFFA official halfway in between after they finalized the adoption to pick up Sam and Lola.
Sharkey did not see Sam as a disabled dog when she adopted them, but as a cute little dog that needed a home.
You would not even notice that he was a deaf and blind dog, she said. He is just the coolest little guy and he had our house mapped out in two days. He doesnt bump into walls and he knows where everything is.
The first time he was in their back yard, Sam ran in circles to map out the outdoor surroundings, Sharkey said.
We've noticed that big circles are happy, medium circles are mapping and small circles indicate it's time for potty, she said. If he gets scared or wants attention, he'll circle around a person and rub your legs like a cat.
For a while, both dogs would not go near a staircase that leads down to their backyard from their deck, so she and her family would carry them like babies when going up and down the stairs, she said.
I turn around (one time) and Sam is sitting on the deck, Sharkey said. He made it all the way up the steps.
Her oldest son Alex recently celebrated his 18th birthday and, during the party, Lola stayed upstairs with Sharkey because the company was overwhelming, while Sam was downstairs being the life of the party, she said.
She says they are very lucky to have them in their lives.
We are just a home that needs a dog, she said. He had a sister that came with him, so we got lucky in getting two dogs.
She encourages anyone who is looking for an animal to search through different adoption agencies or rescues.
There are so many great dogs out there and so many of them have already been house trained and they are just looking for love, Sharkey said.
To help a four-legged friend find their forever home locally visit www.abetterlifeanimalrescue.com, www.burkecountyfriends4animals.org , partnersforcats.org or www.thecatscradle.org.
Staff Writer Jonelle Bobak can be reached at jbobak@morganton.com or 828-432-8907.
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The industry is fighting back against a proposed tax that will make it pricier for Canadians in one major market to buy a homeThe Toronto Real Estate Board has launched a petition to stop a land transfer tax increase in the red-hot city.City Hall must stop the land transfer tax hike, the board says on the website launched to fight back against the proposal. Torontonians want nothing more than to own a home in the City that they love. But City Hall wants to put up another obstacle to home ownership by hiking the Land Transfer Tax.According to the website, land transfer tax in Canadas largest city has spiked 200% from $3,725 in 2008 to over $11,000 on an average-priced home.And the city is, once again, proposing an increase.The proposal includes; a $750 increase for all repeat home buyers, a $475 increase for first-timers, and a $4,475 hike for some first-time buyers.City Hall should be making home ownershipmore attainable, not putting up another obstacle, TREB says.And affordability is certainly a growing issue in Toronto, with the average home price experiencing repeated double-digit year-over-year increases each month.The real estate board launched a poll from December 29 to January 4. It found that 59% of Torontonians oppose the tax.We are releasing these poll results today, in conjunction with our deputation to the Citys Budget Committee and the launch of our public website, www.anotherobstacle.ca, to deliver one simple message: City Council should be trying to make home ownership more attainable, not less, Larry Cerqua, President of the Toronto Real Estate Board said. These poll results show that the last thing Torontonians want is for City Hall to put up another obstacle to achieving their dream of home ownership, especially in a City where we should be trying to make housing more affordable.
Spooky sites Fall is the season of holiday spectacle in Moorpark. In December, of course, Pinedale Road transforms into Candy Cane Lane and dazzles visitors with Santa splendor. But for those who...
Local hula group inspires global connections When the pandemic ushered everyone indoors, Moorpark resident and longtime dancer Lisa Rauschenberger decided to get people back outsidesocially distanced, of course. She began to hold weekly hula lessons at...
Teens face high stakes in the Oval Office A press room befitting Americas commander in chief was set up inside the Reagan Library in Simi Valley. Journalists and others gathered inside. Ladies and gentlemen, I need you all...
Foreclosure inventory decreased by 30% year over year in November, according to new data from CoreLogic. the November 2016 National Foreclosure report of CoreLogic.Foreclosure inventory includes all homes at some stage of the foreclosure process. The foreclosure inventory as of November was about 325,000 homes about 0.8% of all homes with a mortgage, CoreLogic reported. Thats down from 465,000 or 1.2% of all homes with a mortgage in November of 2015.Completed foreclosures were also down, dropping to 26,000 in November from 35,000 at the same time in 2015 a decrease of 25.9%. Thats also a decline of 78.2% from the peak of 118,339 in September 2010.There have been around 6.5 million completed foreclosures in the country since the recession in 2008, with 8.6 million homes foreclosed after homeowning peaked in 2004.CoreLogic also reported a year-over-year decline of 22.1% in serious delinquencies mortgages 90 days or more past due.The decline in serious delinquency has been substantial, but the default rate remains high in select markets, said Dr. Frank Nothaft, chief economist for CoreLogic. Serious delinquency rates were the highest in New Jersey and New York at 5.6 percent and 5 percent, respectively. In contrast, the lowest delinquency rate occurred in Colorado at 0.9 percent where a strong job market and home-price growth have enabled more homeowners to stay current.
Home prices spike by 7% in November
Morning Briefing: Fannie, Freddie announce foreclosure protection program
PBS-SEPM hosts Tech professor
Members of the Permian Basin section, SEPM will meet January 17 at the Midland College Carrasco Room beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Guest speaker Dr. Dustin Sweet from Texas Tech University will present Chronostratigraphic Evolution of the Midland and Palo Duro Basins: The PABZT Project.
Cost is $20 in advan ce, $30 at the door, including lunch. Reservations may be obtained by calling279-1360 or by email at info@pbs-sepm.org. Online registration is also available at www.pbs-sepm.org and clicking on the Talks tab.
Remote sensing topic for SIPES
The Midland chapter, Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists (SIPES) will meet January 18t in the upstairs ballroom at Midland Country Club beginning with a reception at 11:15 a.m.
Randall Anderson of Anderson Geoconsultants, a geologic and remote sensing consulting company in Midland will offer An Overview of Remote Sensing Applications for the Exploration and Production Industry.
There is no charge for members, $20 for guests.
Kinder Morgan receives final Canadian approval for $5.4 billion pipeline project
By Jordan Blum
Houston Chronicle
Kinder Morgan received the final environmental approval from British Columbia to proceed with its $5.4 billion Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion.
The project to ship heavy crude from oil sands in Alberta to Vancouver-area ports in British Columbia was previously approved in November by Canadian Prime Minister Just Trudeau. The new British Columbia certificate means Kinder Morgan has met 37 environmental conditions in exchange for support of the 715 miles of heavy oil pipelines. The most opposition has come from the heavily populated Vancouver regions, environmental groups and some indigenous populations.
Kinder Morgan tentatively plans to start construction in September and to to have the twin pipeline system fully operational by late 2019. The Trans Mountain expansion would almost triple its existing capacity from 300,000 to 890,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The pipeline project extends near Vancouver ports, where the oil can be shipped to Asian markets that typically pay steeper prices. The expansion would lay another pipeline next to the companys existing one, which began operations in 1953.
We believe this represents a positive outcome for our company, customers and for British Columbians and all Canadians who will benefit from the construction and operation of an expanded pipeline, Kinder Morgan Canada President Ian Anderson in a prepared statement.
As part of a negotiated commitment, Kinder Morgan agreed to donate from $25 million to $50 million a year, depending on shipments in excess of contracted volumes, over the 20-year life of the project to a new B.C. Clean Communities Program.
Multifuels Midstream Group acquires Central Texas pipeline system
Houston Chronicle
Houston-based Multifuels Midstream Group LLC has purchased a Central Texas gas pipeline system.
Multifuels recently acquired the 124-mile pipeline from a large publicly traded Master Limited Partnership, according to a company statement.
The company plans to refresh segments with new pipe and build new interconnects by late 2018 along the system, which will serve customers along the south-central Texas corridor stretching from Bastrop to Hallettsville.
Multifuels Midstream Group is owned by Warren Equity Partners.
Petrogas buys interest in reactivated oil wells
Houston Chronicle
Petrogas has acquired interest in 11 oil and gas wells in East Texas.
The wells are in Cherokee County, about 130 miles north of Petrogas home base of Houston. Vanguard Operating LLC operates the wells.
Company CEO Huang Yu said in a statement that the acquisitions are reactivated wells that were turned off when oil prices began falling in 2014.
We believe that 2017 will be the best year since 2014 for American energy producers and we hope to continue capitalizing on opportunities around the country, Yu said.
Exxon strikes oil off coast of Guyana, again
By Collin Eaton
Houston Chronicle
Exxon Mobil Corp. has made a second oil discovery off the coast of Guyana, in a another reservoir 10 miles northwest of the large Liza field it discovered in 2015.
The Irving-based oil giant said its affiliate in the Latin American country had found 95 feet of oil-soaked sandstone, called the Payara discovery, after it drilled some 3.4 miles below the earth.
Exxon Mobil estimates its Liza field has 100 million to 150 million barrels of oil equivalent, and the company is weighing whether the new Payara field could be developed in conjunction with the Liza field. Some analysts expect Exxon Mobil to reach its final investment decision on the Liza field this year.
This important discovery further establishes the area as a significant exploration province, said Steve Greenlee, president of Exxon Mobil Exploration Co., in a written statement.
The Rev. Patrick Payton, pastor of Stonegate Fellowship, will represent Midland in the inaugural class of Presidential Leadership Scholars. The six-month program begins this week at Mount Vernon, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Payton and 59 other participants ranging from CEOs and company presidents to doctors and nonprofit directors will meet once a month for educational sessions on leadership and to develop their own personal leadership project.
This is really a responsibility that I carry for the city, Payton said. I feel like there is a real responsibility to represent the Permian Basin and see what we can do for this city. It's a huge honor to represent that and for people to go, So you're the Midland guy, you're the West Texas guy. To be the representative of the West Texas area is a huge responsibility. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for a great place and a great city.
"My greatest hope is to be able to gain what I need to gain in order to bring something back here that helps our city, Payton said. If I can (take part in) this and spend six months with leaders from around the world and around the country and come back here with something of value that I can give back to the city in areas of leadership, that would be the win. If I don't bring something back for this city then it wasn't a win.
The other five sessions will take place at the presidential centers of former Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
The session at each presidential center will focus on a specific aspect of leadership and examine a case study from that presidents time in office.
While Payton is looking forward to the experience, he said his initial reservation about Presidential Leadership Scholars was that the program may be nothing more than an honor to show off.
If (the outcome) is just getting a plaque on my wall then it was worthless, it was worthless for this city, Payton said. I told them (in my interview) that, it's an honor to be considered, but I don't want to be involved in something that is just a one-off and when we're done we're just another class hanging on a wall. I want to be involved in an ongoing process, and thankfully their initiative is for this to just be a continually building process as the years go by. We just have the moniker of inaugural class.
For much of the program, Payton will be focused on ways to address and improve issues facing schools in Midland and around the nation.
(My personal leadership project is) servant leadership and the idea of how leadership has to be rooted in the idea of service and business as well as the revival of effectiveness in public schools, Payton said. That seems to be a resonating issue around the nation. I went through all 59 biographies of (the participants) and there were a lot of people involved in education initiatives and trying to find a way to make our education system even better. It also resonates pretty loudly with (the presidential centers).
More than anything, Payton said he is looking forward to this discourse with those who have different experiences and perspective than his own.
Talking about the issues with people from around the country is really what interests me the most, Payton said. I think that I'm really intrigued about this group and who is going to be in it. There are so many diverse backgrounds and political leanings, it's going to be an interesting group of people.
It was 10:30 a.m., and 18-year-old Brayden Woods was a bit thirsty.
In the pre-dawn darkness Tuesday he had risen from his hotel room at the La Quinta Inn, a couple of blocks from the Capitol, and now, five hours later, he was standing at the head of a massive line, one that snaked down at least two floors, to enter the visitors gallery of the Texas House for the first day of the 85th Legislature.
He had traveled alone from his home in Midland to Austin and had avoided drinking water that morning because he didnt want to rely on anyone to hold his place in line or keep his seat in the gallery should he need to take a brief leave of absence.
On tap, starting at noon, were swearing-ins, speeches, gaveling.
We trust these people to make decisions, he said, and so he wanted to see the decision-makers for himself.
Wearing glasses, khaki pants, a tie and navy blue blazer, standing beside a set of white bollards meant to delineate the start of the line, hes easily mistaken for one of the army of Capitol docents, doorkeepers and interns that keep the building humming.
In fact, just behind him in line, a group of seven women from Texans for Vaccine Choice had been excited to think they would be first when they got to the Capitol at 7:45 a.m., when they found Woods standing there by his lonesome -- he had been standing there a full 45 minutes at that point.
They decided he somehow worked at the Capitol.
Yeah, I dont work here, he had to tell them.
They were a little bit deflated to be second.
Woods, a freshman at Angelo State University in San Angelo, is just really into politics. Politics intrigues me, he says.
Twice a week, from noon to 5 p.m., he works in the San Angelo office of U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Midland, helping, among other things, arrange meetings between candidates for one of the military service academies and admissions officials.
While still in high school, he worked on two campaigns -- the presidential efforts by Republican U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz -- and had helped out doing some work at the Midland City Council.
He doesnt come from a particularly political family: His mother is a manager at a fencing company, his father is a mechanic for an oil and gas company, his older brother, for now, washes cars.
Woods grandfather had been an Ector County sheriff, and Woods wants to be a police officer in the Air Force (hes in the Air Force ROTC program at Angelo State), so over the summer, Woods called the office of state Rep. Tom Craddick, R-Midland, to ask him to support legislation that would make attacking a police officer a hate crime: blue lives matter, he said.
Thats how he started talking to a Craddick aide, who eventually put him in touch with Conaway. Shes also the one who recommended he get to the Capitol super early.
She said to be here as soon as it opens, he explained matter-of-factly.
He found cheap tickets to Austin on Southwest Airlines -- less than $100 round trip -- and on Monday he met with Craddick and got a tour of the Texas Supreme Court from Justice Jeff Brown. On Wednesday, hes was supposed to shadow Craddicks chief of staff.
Seeing all the work they do behind the scenes inspires me to work like them, he said.
Next week, hes taking his mother to Washington, D.C., for the inauguration of Donald Trump, having scored tickets through Conaways office.
No telling what time hell show up at the Washington Mall.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency
The rise in U.S. bombing abroad coincides with increased violence by the Islamic State , which remains the primary target of U.S. airstrikes in the Middle East and Africa. The U.S. engaged in military campaigns against several Islamic State strongholds in 2016, including the Iraqi city of Mosul and the city of Raqqa in Syria. ISIS attacks also escalated, with massacres occurring on a larger global scale.
The only new country to make the list in 2016 is Libya, which has been embroiled in fighting and political turmoil since the fall of its longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. The U.S. launched airstrikes in Libya against the Islamic State in August, as part of a larger offensive against the terrorist group outside of Iraq and Syria.
While the Council on Foreign Relations used data from the Department of Defense in their estimates, the numbers should be taken with a grain of salt. Micah Zenko, a senior fellow at the council, notes in his report: "This estimate is undoubtedly low, considering reliable data is only available for airstrikes in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and Libya." Moreover, according to the Pentagon's definition, a single "strike" can actually involve multiple bombs. Lastly, the estimates do not include U.S.-supplied bombs dropped by other countries, likely a sizable figure as the U.S. is the largest exporter of weapons in the world.
Chinese Premier wants to develop relations with Vietnam
The Chinese government will closely work with the Vietnamese counterpart to fully implement the common perceptions and agreements reached by the two countries to bring practical benefits for the two peoples for the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong meets with Chinas Premier of the State Council Li Keqiang
Chinas Premier of the State Council Li Keqiang made the affirmation at a meeting with Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in Beijing on January 13.
He congratulated the Vietnamese Party, State and people on their significant achievements in the cause of national building and development.
The Chinese government attaches great importance to developing relations with Vietnam on the principles of mutual respect, equality, and win-win cooperation, he said.
The Premier expressed his belief that the ongoing visit to China by Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong will contribute to promoting the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries in all fields.
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong congratulated the Chinese Party, government and people on the strong development strides over the past time, and wished China success in implementing the 13th Five-Year Plan and the goals of building a prosperous and inclusive society and developing China into a strong, well-off, democratic, civilized, and harmonious socialist country.
The Vietnamese Party chief and the Chinese Premier showed their joy at the healthy and stable development of the two countries relations at present, including positive progress in bilateral cooperation in economics, trade, investment, tourism and other fields.
They stressed the need to enhance win-win collaboration for common development and reinforce mutual trust and friendship between the two peoples.
Both sides agreed to increase development strategy connectivity, and actively study and promote cooperation projects within the framework of Two Corridors, One Economic Belt and One Belt, One Road initiatives, as well as implement effectively a Memorandum of Understanding on a list of projects on enhancing production capacity between Vietnams Ministry of Industry and Trade and Chinas National Development and Reform Commission.
They agreed to hold discussions for the early signing of a master plan on building cross-border economic cooperation region on the principles of equality and mutual benefits and in line with each countrys legal regulations.
Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong and Premier Li Keqiang shared the view that the role of Vietnam-China trade cooperation mechanisms should be further promoted and relevant agreements reached by the two countries should be implemented effectively. The bilateral trade imbalance should be improved while legal procedures should be quickly completed to open the Chinese market for Vietnamese farm produce, forestry and aquatic products, they said, noting the need to facilitate the establishment of Vietnams trade promotion offices in China, first of all in the eastern province of Zhejiang.
The two sides pledged to create more favourable conditions for businesses to forge investment collaboration, and quickly address difficulties and obstacles so that firms of both sides can ensure the quality, progress and efficiency of joint projects.
They vowed to encourage localities to promote friendly exchanges and win-win cooperation.
Vietnam welcomes Chinese projects applying modern and environmentally friendly technologies, particularly those operating in the fields of agriculture, high technology, machinery manufacturing, support industry, renewable and clean energy, technology transfer, and high-quality human resources training.
Both sides also agreed to step up collaboration in agriculture, environment, science-technology, transport, tourism, healthcare, testing and quarantine while promoting partnership in aviation.
The two sides will strengthen coordination in the management and the effective and sustainable use of water resources of the Mekong-Lancang River.
They suggested promoting the role of the joint working groups on infrastructure and financial-monetary cooperation, and coordinating closely for the effective use of Chinas credit and non-refundable aid packages provided for Vietnam.
The two leaders advocated fostering ASEAN connectivity and the central role of the bloc in East Asia, as well as enhancing cooperative ties between China and ASEAN in the coming time for peace, stability and prosperity in the region./.
Workshop highlights women empowerment in economic restructuring
Promoting women empowerment is a focus in making policies and action plans in the evaluation progress of Vietnams economic restructuring, said Nguyen Dinh Cung, head of the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) at a workshop in Hanoi on January 13.
He emphasised the need to give priority to the gender aspect, saying that this draws the attention from the Vietnamese and Australian Government as well as international organisations and policy makers.
Womens economic empowerment is an equal access to resources and economic opportunities as well as the elimination of structural gender inequality in the labour market, including a better sharing of unpaid care work, said Raymond Mallon, senior advisor of the Restructuring for a more competitive Vietnam project.
He also noted that womens occupational choices are limited by discrimination in the labour market, stressing that comprehensive market institutions will allow women to gain an equal access to resources and reduce inequality.
It is necessary to better supervise and understand impacts of economic reform on women, he said.
Mai Thi Dieu Huyen from the Vietnam Women Entrepreneurs Council under the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce Industry (VCCI) called for solutions to help women achieve career promotion, adding that supporting them will eradicate poverty, contributing to sustainable development of society.
The workshop was co-organised by the CIEM and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam.
HCM City boosts cooperation with Japanese localities
Ho Chi Minh City wants to boost cooperation with Japanese localities in a more practical and effective manner, especially in the fields of hi-tech agriculture, support industry, high technology and human resources training.
Chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong made the statement at a reception for a delegation from the Japan Council of Local Authorities on International Relations (CLAIR) led by its President Tamotsu Okamoto on January 13.
Speaking highly of relations between HCM City and Japanese localities, Phong said that his city has signed cooperation agreements with five localities of Japan and will set up ties with Nagano prefecture in the near future.
The partnerships have contributed to tightening the two countries relations, especially in economy, culture, tourism and personnel training, he noted.
The mayor highlighted great potential for collaboration between HCM City and Japan, citing the increasing number of Japanese tourists to the southern hub over the years.
For his part, Tamotsu Okamoto said his council will make every effort to foster cooperation and exchanges between the two sides. As Japan will host the Summer Olympic Games in 2020, it hopes to welcome a huge number of international visitors, including those from Vietnam, he added.
CLAIR will also organise a wide range of exchange activities among young generations in Japanese localities, he said, hoping that HCM Citys young people will join such events to boost people-to-people contacts between the two sides.
Japanese localities are ready to support and cooperate with HCM City in areas of their strength, he stressed.
CLAIR was set up in 1988 to assist 17 prefectures and 20 major cities in Japan in implementing international cooperation and exchange activities.
President presents Tet gifts to the needy in Lao Cai
President Tran Dai Quang on January 13 visited and presented Lunar New Year (Tet) gifts to state policy beneficiaries, poor households in Gia Phu commune, Bao Thang district, and Ban Khoang commune, Sa Pa district, in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai.
Gia Phu and Ban Khoang are poor localities of which residents are from ethnic minority groups. As many as 65.4 percent of families in Ban Khoang are poor, while other 19.6 percent are living close to poverty line.
Apart from asking for support in caring for locals during the most important festival of the year, local authorities have also planned to organise a number of traditional festivals of ethnic minority groups during Tet as well as other cultural events as part of efforts to give local a happy Tet.
President Tran Dai Quang asked local government in Bao Thang and Sa Pa districts as well as Lao Cai province to pay more attention to building new-style rural areas and boosting the provinces growth in all fields.
He stressed that building a stable life for all people as well as sustainable development is important part of targets in the cause of constructing and developing a socialist country with wealth, justice, democracy, and civilisation.
The State leader requested Lao Cai to promote the internal strength, while strengthening the application of advanced technology, seeking new production models to suit its specific conditions.
He suggested that Lao Cai expand the model of fish farming, and cultivating plant varieties with high productivity to increase output and quality of farm produce.
Vietnam Fatherland Front supports flood victims in Phu Yen
A delegation of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee visited and presented gifts to people in the flood-hit south central province of Phu Yen on January 13.
The delegation, led by Vice President and General Secretary Tran Thanh Man, presented each affected household 52 million VND (2,304 USD) to restore their houses and prepare for the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday.
Man proposed local authorities continue mobilising resources to help local flood victims while monitoring the distribution of aid to ensure it reaches those in need.
On the occasion, the VFF also transferred 30 billion VND (1.32 million USD) to flood-hit central provinces, in which Phu Yen received 3.5 billion VND (155,085 USD).
Torrential rains and floods in the last two months of 2016 in Phu Yen province claimed 12 lives and caused damage worth over 600 billion VND (26.5 million USD).
VNA
New members inducted into Institute of ...
Angels Camp, CA Angels Camp City Council will shortly welcome a former local lawmaker to a newly created downtown business marketing executive position and revisit its proposed Smoke-Free Ordinance.
Tuesday night beginning at 6 at the Bret Harte High School Theater the council looks to address what appears to be a fairly short meeting agenda.
Following general public comments, Destination Angels Camp (DAC) Chairman Larry Cornish will introduce former Calaveras County Supervisor Debbie Ponte once an Angels Camp mayor as the DAC executive director. Ponte, who did not seek reelection to her District Four seat, just recently wound up her duties with the county.
We basically eliminated our CEO/President position and have now put in place a paid position called the Executive Director, Cornish explains. Former President Anne Forrest, who will remain on the DAC Executive Council, decided it was high time to retire, according to Cornish, himself a relatively recent retiree from Mark Twain Medical Center, as reported here. Anne had been with us since Day One with Destination Angels Camp Development Corporation and decided it was time to pass the baton, so to speak.
With what Cornish calls a number of suitable candidates within the area, DAC did not conduct an outside executive search. Thursday the full DAC board formally and unanimously approved Pontes selection to what will be a parttime position for which Cornish said the compensation package remains private.
Pontes role will be somewhat like Forrests was, he says; albeit that she will do her own administrative work and be kind of a one-woman show. That involves reaching out to the community, looking for grants and any ways we can bring money into Angels Camp, to do those things we need to bring businesses inand improve the tax base, he states.
DAC is currently reviewing just-in data from Buxton, its marketing consultant, which (as reported here) continues to do deep-dive data mining that is being used to hone target marketing and business development demographics and strategies. The organization is also in the middle of developing its strategic plan for the next five years, slated for review and approval by its board in April ahead of presenting it to the city council in May.
Another Public Airing For Smoke Free Downtown Regs
Also Tuesday the council will hold a public hearing on the citys proposed Smoke-Free Ordinance. Due to continued controversy, the matter was continued at the last public hearing in mid-October, when the council unanimously voted to continue it into the new year in order for staff to do more research as well as to provide more public response opportunity.
City staff, in the meeting documents, addresses key areas of concern. Among these are the need to allow, per the state code, 20 percent of guest room accommodations in lodging establishments to be exempt from the workplace ban on smoking in enclosed places.
Staff also points out that local jurisdictions may pass stricter secondhand smoke laws than what state laws impose, in places like parks, outdoor dining areas, bus stops and areas within 20 feet of commercial building entryways, which may be enforced with various penalties by various local agencies. As the proposed rules currently read, the city would impose a ban on smoking within 30 feet of a nonsmoking area. Staff notes that other California cities enforce stricter regulations on public smoking.
As for fiscal impacts, according to city staff, the Calaveras County Department of Health and Human Services Public Health office has committed to providing the city with signage as well as a community education program. This is expected to remove virtually all related expenses with implementing the ordinance. Ostensibly, as the new rules would significantly reduce cigarette litter within the city, if finally adopted, the ordinance would further result in long-term savings to the citys maintenance budget.
Another slated public hearing involving an appeal of a planning commission denial of a medical marijuana dispensary at 206 N. Main St. is scheduled now for the councils Feb. 7 meeting. As part of a third item on the councils regular agenda, new Mayor Scott Behiel will make board and commission appointments for the year ahead.
Sonora, CA An investigation by Tuolumne County Sheriffs Narcotics Agents regarding a stolen car led to the arrest of the suspect for more than just auto theft.
On Wednesday evening, detectives went to a home on the 19000 block of Sunny Circle in Sonora to check out a 1996 Honda Civic vehicle parked outside as one had been reported stolen out of the Sonora area several days prior. At the home, deputies found 26-year-old Richard Eugene Lowe Jr. and began questioning him. Additionally, a records check was done and it revealed Lowe had three outstanding warrants for his arrest for various charges related to drugs and their transportation and sales. Lowe Jr. also had items related to the car in his possession.
Lowe Jr. was arrested on his outstanding warrants and an additional charge of being in possession of a stolen vehicle. Sheriffs officials report the vehicle will be returned to the rightful owner.
Sacramento, CA Despite opposition by most Republicans, the California Assembly voted in favor of Xavier Becerra becoming Californias next Attorney General.
Democrats voted in favor and all but one Republican voted in opposition. Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes, speaking on behalf of the opposition, stated, I recently met with Xavier Becerra and my impression is that he is an intelligent and good person. However, I will not be supporting his appointment as Californias Attorney General because I remain concerned that instead of focusing on protecting Californias neighborhoods in an era of rising crime rates, his appointment has become part of an adversarial and partisan fight with leaders in Washington D.C.
Becerra has stated that he is prepared to fight the Trump Administration on legislation that conflicts with state bills related to issues like immigration and climate change.
The lone lawmaker to break party lines was Republican Rocky Chavez, who said, Although there are many things that the Congressman and I do not agree on, I believe he will uphold the California Constitution and I believe him when he says he will not be a thorn in the side of the Federal Government just to be a thorn. This is a time to rise above partisan politics and try and work together with our new Attorney General.
Becerras confirmation process now moves over to the Senate, with a vote expected sometime next week. Becerra, a Southern California Congressman, would fill the role previously held by Kamala Harris, who is now a US Senator.
The first inauguration took place in New York City, our nations first capital. George Washington took the oath at Federal Hall on April 30, 1789.
The History of America's Presidential inaugurations: First inauguration took place in New York City First ceremony in D.C. was held in 1801 for Jefferson Washington's inaugural address only heard by Congress Madison's speech, 20 years later, was 1st one published in paper Buchanan's ceremony 1st one photographed in 1857
RELATED: Facts and stories on past and future presidential inaugurations
It wasnt until Thomas Jeffersons inauguration in 1801 that the ceremony was held in Washington, D.C. Jefferson started a new tradition called the inaugural open house during his second inauguration. This is when the new commander-in-chief invited the public to the executive mansion to extend well wishes.
Due to growing crowds over the next few inaugurations, the open house was discontinued and instead, the inaugural parade grew and became a way for the public to show its appreciation for their new leader.
Other events, such as the inaugural ball, have become tradition. James Madison and his wife Dolley were the guests of honor at the first official inaugural ball, held at Long's Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Since that time, other activities have broadened to include a cross-section of the American population. Receptions, balls and other public events reflect the president's need to include many diverse groups in the transition of power.
Modern inaugurations validate the republic's democratic power, not just the celebration of one person's rise to power.
Today, people rely on technology to participate in and learn about our government in ways that previous generations of Americans never dreamed.
During President Washington's inauguration, only members of Congress, gathered in the Federal Hall, heard his inaugural address.
Twenty years later, James Madison's speech was published in the newspaper for all to read.
And it wasn't until 1857 when James Buchanan became president that the inauguration ceremony was first photographed.
Since 1817 when James Monroe, our fifth president, gave the first inaugural address to an assembled public crowd, the tradition has been an opportunity for the president to speak directly to the American people.
Most addresses focus on a certain theme, and some have included lines that have become indicative of the times:
finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds." Abraham Lincoln
"This great nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper." Franklin D. Roosevelt
"ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country." John F. Kennedy
These days, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies plans and conducts the inauguration ceremonies at the Capitol. This tradition began in 1901, and Sen. Marcus A. Hanna, a Republican from Ohio, became the first chairman. He was responsible for President William Mckinleys second inauguration.
TUNE IN: Were taking the swearing-in live on Jan. 20, and stay tuned for live updates throughout the day.
Neighbors in one east Orange County neighborhood worry their water company is conducting a live pilot study in their backyard using potentially hazardous chemicals.
"If they lose control of the reaction, if the machine breaks down, if they have an accidental release or if a fire occurs in the plant," said resident Adam Nehr, "a lot of really bad things can happen really fast, including explosions, a toxic waste release."
Nehr, who built his home 16 years ago in Wedgefield, lives a little more than 500 feet from the Pluris water treatment plant. It appears just above his backyard hedges, visible through his living room windows.
He also spent his career working at NASA and researching chemicals.
"I'm completely and totally opposed to this being done in my backyard," he said. "It's going to keep me awake at night to know that I have a bomb 530 feet away from my window."
Pluris is the private utility company that provides water to more than 1,700 homes. Other homes in the neighborhood rely upon well water.
In June 2016, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection fined Pluris more than $1,200 for low chlorine residual levels. The company was forced to come up with a corrective action plan.
In August, Pluris-Wedgefield hoped for a solution: They applied to the DEP for a "full-scale demonstration testing study," using chlorine dioxide in order to lower elevated disinfection by-products, Total Trihalomethanes or TTHMs.
The DEP responded in September, requiring further assurances and information from the company. In late November, Pluris submitted a second proposal, which the DEP approved, with conditions.
The study, which is expected to last for the next three months, begins Thursday.
Dave Herbster, a spokesman for the DEP, issued this statement to News 13:
"DEP takes the health and safety of Floridians very seriously and reviewed the safety protocols to ensure that this pilot program will not pose a threat to nearby residents and water customers. The proposed chlorine dioxide product is approved by EPA for safe use in potable water systems."
The DEP asserts that the process of using chlorine dioxide has been used for decades since the 1940s and despite elevated TTHMs, the water supply in Wedgefield meets federal standards and is safe to drink.
Some neighbors are not sold, however, on the testing.
"While I agree with what they're trying to do by eliminating the TTHMs, I am vehemently opposed to the method that they're using because of the dangers," Nehr said. "I would be all in support of this if the water plant were properly cited a mile or two from the homes."
Jan Verwater, with TwinOxide, said that because the Netherlands-based water disinfection concept is 99.97 percent water, there is no danger of any fire, explosion or any other potential health hazard.
"There is (no) need for professional operators to handle the product before it is dosed into water for disinfection," Verwater said in an email statement.
News 13 reached out to Pluris-Wedgefield regional manager Joe Kuhns, who declined our request for an interview but offered a future tour of the facility once testing is fully underway.
In tandem, homeowners have collected several hundred signatures of those in favor of working with Orange County to buy the utility, according to neighbor Pam DiMarzio. The topic will be discussed at the Jan. 24 Orange County Commission meeting.
However, Pluris is a private utility and, in the past, told former Orange County Commissioner Ted Edwards that they are not for sale.
The first Friday the 13th of the year, considered by many as one of the unluckiest days of the year, is here.
This year, there are two Friday the 13ths Jan. 13 and Oct. 13.
Whether you believe in the superstition behind the date or not, here are some few intriguing facts.
1. Friday the 13th has biblical origins. Some historians have claimed it was the day on which Eve bit the apple. In the New Testament, there were 13 people present for Jesus's last supper on Maundy Thursday, the day before Christ's crucifixion on Good Friday.
2. On Friday April 13, 2029, a large asteroid will fly close enough to the Earth to be visible without a telescope in Africa, Europe and Asia, according to NASA.
3. In some Spanish-speaking countries, Tuesday (Martes) the 13th is considered bad luck. Tuesday is feared because it is the day of the week associated with the Roman god of war, Mars.
4. The 13th film in the "Friday the 13th" franchise is being developed by Paramount Pictures, with a 2017 release date.
Jason Voorhees also makes a killer salad.
5. Whenever a common year (which has 365 days in the year, unlike Leap Year) begins on a Thursday, the months of February, March, and November will have a Friday the 13th.
6. Since 1995, Finland has dedicated one Friday the 13th in a year to observe National Accident Day.
7. Celebrities born on Friday the 13th include:
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen
Julia Louis Dreyfus
Steve Buscemi
Max Weinberg
Peter Tork.
Tupac Shakur died on Friday, Sept. 13, 1996. Oh, and most important of all, the father of horror, Alfred Hitchcock was Aug. 13 and he would have turned 100 Friday the 13th of Aug. of 1999.
8. Psychologists call it paraskavedekatriaphobia, or fear of Friday the 13th.
9. According to many studies, there is little evidence that suggests Friday the 13th is more unlucky than any other day.
10. In some countries, Friday the 13th is not unlucky at all. In Italy, Friday the 17th is considered back luck.
11. But even Leap Years can have Friday the 13th.
12. And the number 13 is so feared that many hotels do not have a 13th floor.
13. Do you know that in some countries it is considered bad luck to have 13 people at a table?
LUBBOCK -- Two Hopkins County suspects were arrested Jan. 2 and charged with burglary after stealing at least 13 saddles from victims in Leon, Hopkins, Titus, Taylor and Lubbock counties.
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Ranger Dean Bohannon led the investigation. TSCRA Special Rangers Brent Mast and Toney Hurley assisted.
Bohannon received a call from authorities about the stolen saddles on Dec. 30. Bohannon was told the suspects were identified as Jeffery Wayne Horton, 54, Sulphur Springs, and Jamie Kay Shobert, 49, Alamogordo, New Mexico. Bohannon was told the suspects were most likely driving a silver or white SUV and they might be located at Shoberts fathers house in Spur.
Bohannon contacted Dickens County Sheriff Terry Brawley to ask if he knew of the Shobert family. Brawley said he did know of the Shobert family so he drove by the suspects fathers house and found a white Chrysler SUV parked in the front.
On Jan. 2, Bohannon received a call from a worker at a Lubbock feedlot stating that a subject came to the feedlot and tried to sell him and other workers some saddles for $500 each. The feedlot worker said the subject was driving a Chrysler SUV and had multiple saddles in the back.
Bohannon asked the feedlot worker to call the subject and ask if he could bring the saddles back to the feedlot for him to buy. The feedlot worker placed the phone call and the subject agreed to bring the saddles to the feedlot.
Bohannon contacted local authorities and they stationed down the road from the feedlot. When the subjects arrived, Bohannon confirmed they were Horton and Shobert and he arrested the suspects. Horton and Shobert were transported and placed in the Hopkins County Jail in Sulphur Springs. The vehicle they were using was also seized, and 13 saddles have been recovered. This is an ongoing investigation and more saddles may be recovered.
This case provides an excellent example of teamwork and the role it plays in seeking justice for victims of theft, said Bohannon. Because I worked closely with local officials and my fellow Special Rangers throughout this investigation, we were able to make two arrests and recover many stolen saddles. We will continue working to recover the other saddles that may be missing. I sincerely thank all who were involved throughout this investigation.
TSCRA would like to thank Brawley, Lubbock County Cpl. Donnie Rogers, Lubbock County Deputy Cody Stark, Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum and Hopkins County Investigator Dennis Findley for their assistance in this investigation.
Jan. 13, 1937: County commissioners appointed three sheriffs deputies Bill Shook, Hoyt Curry and George Boswell.
--Issac Willhoilt of Floydada died on his 105th birthday will at the home of his son in Burkburnett, where he was staying for the winter.
--Jury members for the second week in the 64th District Court were dismissed by Judge C.D. Russell since no cases have been scheduled.
Jan. 13, 1967: Although more women are entering the field as band directors, Petersburg High Buffalo Band Director Barbara Lovett says the idea still appears to be a novelty to many.
--Plainview High School and Booker T. Washington High School will become fully consolidated as of Sept. 1, 1967, with all students in grades 9-12 at Booker T. Washington transferring to PHS. That decision came Thursday night at a meeting of the Plainview School Board.
--Plainview Jaycees began picking up and tabulating community attitude survey forms today. The survey has been in the works for the last two months and is expected to take several more weeks to complete.
Jan. 13, 1977: The City Council meeting Tuesday night featured a host of private citizens expressing their sentiments on everything from the rabbit ordinance to the need for a four-way stop at 11th and Holliday.
--Three new directors have been elected to the board of Hale County State Bank Jess West, Norvene Owen and John C. Anderson. That expands the board to 13 members. J.B. Wheeler, bank president for the past 13 years, was named chairman of the board, succeeding R.V. Payne.
--According to the High Plains Irrigation Survey, released by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, almost 10,000 additional acres in Hale County were under irrigation in 1976 as compared to 1975.
Jan. 13, 1997: A photo shows Judy Chambliss wearing protective eyewear and hearing protection during a practice round at a local indoor shooting range.
--A noon Tuesday, State Rep. Pete Laney (D-Hale Center) will join legislative colleagues in taking the oath of office on the House floor inside the Texas Capitol in Austin.
--A photo shows inmates from the J.B. Wheeler Prison Unit applying coats of paint to the walls of the Hale County Senior Citizens Center. The inmates painted the entire facility as part of the prisons continuing efforts to give back to the community.
Violas Huge Heart Festival is set for 4-8 p.m. July 24 at Violas Ventanas, 9660 Westover Hills Blvd. ]e fundraiser, in honor of beloved San Antonio restaurateur Viola Barrios, will feature a host of events including live music by multi-Grammy award-winning percussionist Henry Brun. A chicken fajita bu\et will be $25 per person, which includes a non-alcoholic beverage. Children ages 6 and younger can eat free.
The event will include a silent auction that will bene[t Violas Huge Heart Foundation, a 501(c)(3) giving full scholarships to deserving students in our area. ]eres also a childrens play area and plenty of free parking.
The award-winning Violas Ventanas opened in 2013 in honor of Viola Barrios, founder of San Antonio landmarks Los Barrios and La Hacienda de Los Barrios. Violas Ventanas won the 2015 and 2016 Critics Choice Award for Best Fajitas in San Antonio as well as the 2016 Readers Choice Silver Award in the same category. In 2014, Violas won Critics Choice for Best Mexican Restaurant and in 2015 received the Readers Choice Silver Award in the same category.
Throughout July, the Barrios family will celebrate their mothers birth month with a cake special at all three restaurants. All of the proceeds from the cake sales will go to Violas Huge Heart Foundation, a nonpro[t that was established to continue Viola Barrios legacy of love and her legacy of giving.
Violas Ventanas offers a unique dining experience, featuring world class Caserostyle Mexican food, a spacious outdoor patio, live music every weekend and a childrens play area. There is no better place to enjoy a margarita and the homestyle dishes prepared from original recipes, including traditional favorites as well as unique items found nowhere else. From fajitas and puffy tacos to cabritos and tacos al pastor, every dish is made using only the freshest ingredients and lots of love. Our menu offers classics ranging from enchiladas to mole, a childrens menu with just the rightsize portion and Violas own kitchen specialties such as Churrasco Steak and Camarones Tropicales.
From date night, family night and birthdays to reunions, parties and rehearsal dinners, theres no better place to come than Violas Ventanas.
Violas Ventanas
(210) 684-9660 9660
Westover Hills Blvd
San Antonio, TX 78251
www.violasventanas.com
Hours: Mondays-Thursdays: 11a.m.- 10 p.m.
Fridays: 11a.m.-11 p.m.
Saturdays: 9 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sundays: 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Editors Note: This content is made possible by Viola's VENTANAS. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of The San Antonio Express-News' or mySanAntonio.com's editorial staff. Learn more about our advertising products at www.hearstmediasanantonio.com.
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Anadarko Petroleum Corp. will exit the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas and sell its acreage to Houstons Sanchez Energy Corp. and Blackstone Group in a $2.3 billion deal.
The sale covers 318,000 total acres in Dimmit, Webb, La Salle and Maverick counties, which Sanchez has nicknamed Comanche. Sanchez has long been a big player in the western end of the 400-mile-long Eagle Ford, where it holds around 200,000 acres.
The deal did not include midstream assets. Anadarkos master limited partnership, Western Gas Partners, will continue to own and operate midstream assets in South Texas, and the deal includes commitments for Sanchez to use that infrastructure.
The Comanche acreage produces 45,000 barrels of liquids and an estimated 131 million cubic feet of natural gas daily. The 318,000 gross acres include 155,000 acres that are net to Sanchez after royalty owners and other partners are paid.
There are 132 drilled-but-uncompleted wells awaiting hydraulic fracturing on the land. Sanchez said it has 4,000 identified drilling locations, but also thinks theres drilling potential in the Austin Chalk, the formation which lies above the Eagle Ford, and the Pearsall Shale, a deeper formation.
Anadarko said it plans to focus instead on the Delaware Basin in West Texas, the Denver-Julesburg Basin in Colorado and the deep-water Gulf of Mexico.
The Anadarko-Sanchez deal is expected to close in the first quarter.
Houston energy investment bank Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. said in a note to clients that this could be a big year for deals in the Eagle Ford with longtime producers looking to exit the field and invest elsewhere.
We believe this could be an active year for Eagle Ford M&A as legacy producers refocus attention towards growth development in other basins while continuing to build their cash war chest to accelerate growth into 2018, the firm said. Private equity is likely to be the logical consolidator of the basin as buyers search for liquids exposure at reasonable prices.
Other big deals this year could include the sale of Pioneer Natural Resources and Devon Energy Corp. acreage in South Texas, Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. said.
Pharr-based Lone Star National Bank is planning to close one of its five San Antonio branches, according to a notice filed with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
The bank will close the branch at 10000 San Pedro Ave. on March 27.
The bank blamed the closing on losses at the branch. The branch had a net loss of $235,000 in the first 10 months of last year. It lost $297,000 in 2015 and $235,000 in 2014, the bank disclosed.
The bank is planning on opening a branch at 3424 Paesanos Parkway along Loop 1604 where it currently operates a loan production office, said spokeswoman Edna De Saro.
The branch had $6.4 million in deposits as of June 30, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.s website. Lone Star Nationals five San Antonio branches had a combined $35.4 million in deposits, or about 0.04 percent of the deposits in Bexar County, on June 30.
Lone Star National reported almost $2.2 billion in assets, nearly $1.8 billion in deposits and about $1.1 billion in loans as of Sept. 30. It posted $9.6 million in net income in the first nine months of last year. It is not related to San Antonios Lone Star Capital Bank.
Lone Star National was hit with a $1 million civil penalty in 2015 after banking regulators found critical deficiencies in internal controls meant to prevent money laundering. In a consent order, the OCC found unsafe and unsound banking practices related to various policies and procedures at the bank.
The bank plans to open the Paesanos Parkway branch once the consent order is lifted, De Saro said.
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Vroom, an online car retailer and operator of the Texas Direct Auto brand, has signed a lease for a full floor in Parkway's CityWestPlace complex in Westchase.
The 24,934-square-foot lease in building four at 2103 CityWest Boulevard has a seven-year term beginning in April.
A former Sonoma County Sheriffs deputy investigated after allegedly using a Taser on a man and beating him with a baton during a domestic dispute call was charged with felony assault after officials questioned his use of force, police said Thursday.
Former deputy Scott Thorne turned himself into authorities around midnight Wednesday when he learned a warrant had been issued for his arrest, said Sgt. Spencer Crum, a spokesman for the sheriffs office.
He was released from a county jail about 2 hours later after posting $10,000 bail, Crum said.
A warrant was issued for Thornes arrest on Tuesday when the Sonoma County District Attorneys office filed a complaint stemming from the call, said Joe Langenbahn, secretary to the district attorney.
The incident dates to Sept. 24, when Thorne and deputies Anthony Diehm and Beau Zastrow arrived at an undisclosed address in an unincorporated area of Sonoma Valley about 10:30 p.m. on reports of a loud argument at a neighboring home.
A woman answered the door and let deputies into the home. While one deputy questioned the woman, Thorne and the third deputy forcibly entered a locked bedroom to question her husband, who ignored orders to open the door, Crum said.
Thorne ordered the man off the bed but he continued ignoring him. Then Thorne grabbed his arm and when the man pulled away, he shot him in the stomach with the Taser, Crum said.
The other deputies helped restrain the man, and one shot him in the back with the Taser, according to Crum.
After receiving hospital treatment, the man was arrested and booked into the Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of threatening an officer, resisting and obstructing an officer and battery of an officer. He was released on $10,000 bail about an hour later. His name has not been released.
The victims attorney, Izaak Schwaiger, said in October he is a military veteran and former law enforcement officer with a spotless criminal record.
Prosecutors declined to file charges against the man after reviewing body camera video, Crum said. Then the department viewed the video as well and had concerns.
Once we saw the video on Oct. 11, we turned over the investigation to the Santa Rosa Police Department, Crum said. We felt after watching the video there was some criminal liability to this.
Thorne, who had been a member of the sheriffs department for about six months, left the force by Oct. 17 said Crum, who would not say if Thorne was fired or resigned.
Thorne started working for the department in April 2016. Diehm, a member since 2015, and Zastrow, who joined in 2013 still work at the sheriffs office.
Thornes first court appearance is scheduled for Jan 17.
Chronicle staff writer Sarah Ravani contributed to this report.
Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno
Santa Rosa police dropped their request for prosecutors to charge a onetime vineyard whiz kid jailed last week for allegedly robbing a bank.
Investigators arrested 20-year-old Kyle Cameron on Jan. 4 in connection with a robbery at a U.S. Bank on Guerneville Road last month. But at a hearing last week, Cameron was told he wouldnt face charges.
Police said a bandit walked into the bank on the morning of Dec. 15 and presented a note to a teller, demanding money. Once he got it, the man walked out of the building and was seen dropping some of the cash, possibly in an attempt to get rid of security devices, police said.
Officers accused Cameron of being the bandit and arrested him on suspicion of robbery, burglary and violating his probation.
At age 14, Cameron was named the youngest vineyard manager in Sonoma County and possibly the youngest in the country, according to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
I couldnt get past it when he looked me in the eye and said, Dad, Ive never been in that bank in my life, said Gerry Cameron, his father.
The elder Cameron said hes glad to have his son out of jail and in the clear.
Obviously were happy. Hes done some things in his life that hes trying to correct, but hes certainly not anywhere close to being a bank robber, he said. They incarcerated the wrong gentleman.
Sgt. Josh Ludtke, a police spokesman, said they found exculpatory evidence that we have a responsibility to investigate prior to filing charges. He said investigators may still seek charges against Cameron at a later time, though he didnt elaborate.
Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov
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The origin story of a great villain of literature, the humiliations of middle school and modern day Afghanistan dont seem to have much in common.
But in these recent books, our heroes and heroines deal with destiny whether they are meant for greatness or trying to change their luck and lives.
Here are some great reads meant for readers from age 8 to the early teens. But whatever your age, you may enjoy them.
Lock and Key: The Initiation
By Ridley Pearson
Harper Collins $17.99, ages 8-12
Sherlock Holmes and James Moriartys epic rivalry is reimagined and set in a modern Boston prep school, where the duo are thrown together for the first time at the exclusive Bakersville Academy.
James sister, Moria, is the narrator of this origin story of one of literatures great criminals. Moria is James best friend and confidant in their early years.
The book opens: He wasnt always this way. And though I could claim, I dont know where he went wrong, it would be a lie. I know exactly where he went wrong: Bakersville Academy.
James and Sherlock are roommates. James immediately dislikes Sherlock, who never shuts up and is as full of himself and his abilities as in any other version of the classic detective.
Its true, Im impressed with myself, almost daily, Sherlock states. If I dont impress myself, then how am I ever to feel accomplished?
When an heirloom Bible goes missing from the school. James and Sherlock take opposite approaches to solving the mystery. Sherlock relies on intellect. James on brute force.
As Moria and Sherlock grow close, James dislike for Sherlock intensifies. There are twists and turns, a murder, clues and a secret society.
The setup is an excellent idea, though this book is clearly intended as a series meant to leave readers hanging until the next installment.
One Half from the East
By Nadia Hashimi
Harper Collins $16.99, ages 8-12
A bomb explodes in Kabul, blowing apart the world that 10-year-old Obayda knows.
Her father loses a leg and descends into depression. He can no longer work as a police officer.
The family is forced to move from the vibrant city to a small village where they depend on an uncles financial help.
Soon after they arrive, Obaydas aunt has a idea that will bring the family good luck: Obayda should become Obayd and pass as a boy. She becomes a bacha posh, a Dari phrase which means dressed up as a boy.
It is a cultural practice in parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan revealed in Hashimis debut, The Pearl the Broke Its Shell, and Jenny Nordbergs 2014 nonfiction book, The Underground Girls of Kabul.
By passing as a boy in a culture where boys have a far higher value, Obayd could fix the familys bad fortunes.
But the confusing change turns her relationship with her sisters upside down. As a boy, Obayd gets to skip chores, is served the best of their limited food at each meal and has a sudden freedom of movement she can run, climb trees and venture out alone.
The story raises questions relevant far beyond Afghanistan: What does gender mean, and how it might limit or expand someones path? Obayds sister Meena asks, Are you a boy because you have those body parts or because you get to do boy things?
It is a hard question. Obayd meets another bacha posh, and they must figure out whether anything about their radical change can last.
Just My Luck
By Jeff Anderson
Sterling Childrens Books $12.95, ages 9-13
San Antonio author Jeff Anderson returns hooray! with more on Zack Delacruz, our favorite socially awkward middle schooler.
In the first book, Zack Delacruz: Me and My Big Mouth, our hapless hero tackled the issue of bullying and recused himself from the sixth grade dance. You might think that would make him popular. But you never know; this story is set in the treacherous world of middle school.
As Just My Luck opens, Zach is back to sitting alone at the lunch table while his one friend is out sick.
Worse: when he stands up, his pants get hung up on the seat and rip, revealing the worst pair of underwear possible (some old Champ the Choo Coo undies, because Zach and his dad are behind on doing laundry).
The book has Zach careening from one hilarious mess to the next, but when a new girl arrives at school, Abhi, he is determined to make a better impression.
Theres plenty of San Antonio in this book, from cascarones to the bus ride to Mama Lupitas Botanica to change Zachs luck. The Fall Fiesta-val is on the way, and he has to fix things fast.
jhiller@express-news.net
Twitter: @Jennifer_Hiller
The two key title words in Terry Morts new history Hemingway and War carry equal weight.
Although Ernest Hemingway is the hook for most readers, Morts book has long stretches and whole chapters about WWII that has little to do with the Nobel Prize-winning novelist, who was a correspondent in Europe for Colliers magazine.
Thats not a bad thing. Morts buildup to the D-Day invasion at Normandy, the Allied forces arrival in Paris and their deadly struggle to cross into Germany is fascinating.
Morts war narrative has more tension to it than the passages that describe Hemingways experiences during the war, even though some of those episodes also were harrowing.
The Hemingway narrative in the book starts with his romance and marriage to another war correspondent, Martha Gellhorn, Hemingways third wife.
Hemingway himself engaged in the war while living in Cuba as WWII began, patrolling the Cuban shores to hunt down German U-boats. This period was fictionalized in Hemingways Islands in the Stream.
Gellhorn left Hemingway and Cuba to report news in Europe, a move he ultimately followed in 1944, in time for D-Day.
Mort alternates between the war and Hemingways exploits as a war correspondent.
More Information Hemingway at War: Ernest Hemingway's Adventures as a World War II Correspondent By Terry Mort Pegasus Books, $27.95 See More Collapse
He also follows the novelist already famous during WWII as the author of several big books as Hemingways marriage to Gellhorn dissolves, and he romances Mary Welsh, yet another foreign correspondent, who became his fourth wife.
Mort does not idolize Hemingway.
In fact, the main point of the books first half is to demonstrate that Hemingway was a poor war correspondent, at least in comparison with others such as Ernie Pyle, Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite.
The impression left by Mort is that Hemingway went to Europe not to excel in war journalism, but to enjoy his fame there, drink vast amounts of booze, throw parties at swanky hotels and to preserve his war experiences for use in later novels.
Hemingway already was good at all that, having done much the same during WWI in Italy.
He certainly clashed with other war correspondents, who adhered more responsibly to journalistic practices and behaviors.
Mort examines the issues of Hemingways conduct during the war, especially his aggressiveness in joining the fighting itself.
Hemingway claimed to have killed 122 Nazis during the war, an unlikely high number.
The truth is impossible to determine, however, because of one episode where he tossed hand grenades into a rural cellar where Nazi soldiers supposedly were hiding. Hemingway, nor anyone else, ever checked to see if there were any dead Nazis.
Hemingway barely escaped military accusations at one point of exceeding the rules for journalists, who were not supposed to use or possess weapons and ammunition.
He did show bravery in certain episodes and suffered several head injuries. Hemingway actually landed with Allied troops on D-Day at Omaha Beach, certainly a courageous act.
Hemingway at War demonstrates a trend that seems to have no end that as meritorious as some of Hemingways novels are, it is his vigorous life and outsized personality, more than his books, that provide continuous grist for interesting history books.
dhendricks@express-news.net
#PM-trapped miners PM urges utmost efforts to rescue 2 trapped miners Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Friday called for utmost efforts to rescue two miners trapped underground for 10 days. They have been isolated in a vertical shaft about 190 mete...
Matthew Perry, who dons fake ears, nose and hair for his portrayal of Ted Kennedy in a new miniseries, said he took on the role because "it scared me."
"A lot of emotion and tragedy to be played. . .the most challenging role I've ever played," Perry told TV critics in Pasadena, Calif. today.
Ferris wheels, exotic animals and black tie ensembles dressed downtown San Antonio to the nines last weekend as the poshest of parties unfurled for only the upper crust of local society to see.
Swanky social calendars of local elite marked Jan. 7 for the function, which flaunted all the qualifications to be considered party of the year only a week into 2017.
For Cubans, the announcement that the United States government is ending the so-called "wet foot, dry foot" policy that has allowed them to come to the country illegally and be welcomed with an immediate path to residency, is not good news.
President Barack Obama announced Thursday he is ending the longstanding immigration policy, effective immediately. Obama said in a statement that "Cuban nationals who attempt to enter the United States illegally and do not qualify for humanitarian relief will be subject to removal, consistent with U.S. law and enforcement priorities." Now, the President said, "We are treating Cuban migrants the same way we treat migrants from other countries."
Some Cubans understand Obama's explanation, but a majority seems to believe that suspending the "wet foot, dry foot" policy is not fair. Others even question if Obama's decision will be upheld by President-elect Donald Trump after his inauguration on February 20.
These are some reactions from Cubans residing in Houston:
ORLANDO SANCHEZ, Harris County Treasurer:
The announcement means that "for the next eight days the 'wet foot, dry foot' policy has been canceled. We don't know what President-elect (Donald) Trump will do when he takes office. Its interesting that Trump won the Cuban-American vote in Miami, so I wonder if this is a sort of payback from Obama."
Even if Trump keeps the end of 'wet foot, dry foot,' "Cubans can still request political asylum through the U.S. embassy in Havana. Regardless of what will happen, there are many people in every corner of the world that want to come to the U.S. There are people in Latin America with similar circumstances as Cubans. We can argue that Venezuelans live in similar conditions under (presidents) Hugo Chavez and (Nicolas) Maduro as Cubans with Castro. If you want to be fair with everybody, it's not fair to the rest of the world to have this special policy for Cubans. The Cuban government doesn't have summary executions anymore as in the early 60s, and Cubans are coming to the U.S. mostly for economic reasons. Here in Texas, Mexican Americans are very upset with that (dry/wet policy) because they see that Mexicans are deported but Cubans come and get the Green Card."
LACHC CABALLERO, a driver for a furniture shop:
"As a good Cuban, I am against ending this policy. I am disappointed with the news. Many Cubans come here flying the regime.
And for those who ask why Cubans should still have that policy in place while other Latin American people don't have it, this is the reason: Cuba is the only country in Latin America that doesn't have real elections as you have in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, etc. Cubans cannot elect their own government and president. We are still under the Castro's family rein, for five decades! Mexicans have freedom of expression. I didn't have those freedoms; that is why I came (to Houston) two years ago."
WALT MONTOYA, a restaurant employee:
"Eliminating this aspect of the Cuban Adjustment Act will leave a bitter taste for Cubans both here in the U.S. and the island. I think that even with this news, Cubans are going to keep trying to get here. I believe that one way or another, Cubans will look for ways to get around and circumvent the end of the 'dry foot, wet foot.' Necessity is the mother of inventiveness, as we like to say."
RICARDO 'THE MUSICIAN' (he asked to keep his last name private for personal reasons regarding his travels to Cuba):
"The elimination of this policy is an injustice after so much sacrifice that Cubans do crossing the sea, risking their lives. And all that just to be sent back when they get here? Its not fair. I think the 'foot, wet foot' policy should not change until there are substantial changes in Cuba where we have a lot of hardships and lack of freedoms. It should not change until the system changes."
Olivia.Tallet@chron.com
Twitter: @OliviaPTallet
He had done it before, after Tucson, Aurora, Fort Hood and Sandy Hook: taken on the mantle of the pastor in chief before a crowd of mourners for people slain by a man with a gun.
But when President Barack Obama stood among African-American bishops in Charleston, S.C., at the funeral of the minister and eight of his flock who were killed by the stranger they welcomed to their Bible study, what Obama did was unlike anything he'd done before.
After eulogizing the Rev. Clementa Pinckney and discussing the moral and spiritual dimensions of racial hatred and gun violence, the president broke out into "Amazing Grace," bringing the crowd with him on that day in 2015.
African Methodist Episcopal Bishop Vashti McKenzie, who was standing behind Obama, said the speech was an answer to those who questioned if this president was a Christian.
"It said a lot to the faith community," the bishop said.
That high point aside, the 44th president was not always successful in calming the nation's culture wars. "It's been a mixed legacy" for both sides of a divided country, said former White House staffer Michael Wear. Over the course of eight years, beneficiaries of government-funded religious social services won greater religious liberty protections. His advisory councils of religious and secular leaders have included transgender, Sikh and evangelical members.
But the administration maintained a rule that roiled church-state separation activists because it allows government-funded religious organizations to hire based on faith.
Obama's support of reproductive rights brought out his fiercest critics on the religious right.
On gay marriage, Obama cited his faith as he shifted his position to ultimately supporting it. The transition was hailed by religious progressives but posed a dilemma for others.
Yet, as in the case of his Charleston eulogy, when the president chose to speak about his faith, people remembered his remarks and wished his opponents had noticed.
"I always thought, boy, if certain critics of the president would just hear what the president said without knowing who it was, they would say I wonder if this is so-and-so preacher that I really admire," said Carlson-Thies, referring to Obama's words at Easter prayer breakfasts at the White House.
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STAMFORD The citys Downtown Special Services District is facing scrutiny from some of its constituents as the business improvement organization enters its 25th year.
The organization started as a task force of sorts in 1992, charged with cleaning up the formerly dark, dirty and crime-ridden downtown and advocating for local businesses so they can thrive.
But some say the group has lost sight of its mission. Chef Erik Erlichson of Chez Vous Bistro on Bedford Street, who most recently battled with the DSSD over a complicated surveying and permitting process for outdoor seating, said the organization has a communication problem.
Erlichson said he got burned when he suggested that restaurants form a committee in the wake of his al fresco-dining debacle. A few weeks later, he says the DSSD had quietly formed the committee, without including him.
They make these plans and definitive decisions without ever consulting the businesses, he said.
Michael Warde, who owns Montana for Men, a barber shop on Bank Street, said he feels shut out of the DSSDs inner circle.
Sandy Goldstein, president of the DSSD, disagrees.
All of my meetings are open. I believe strongly in transparency, she said. Anyone with a grievance can come to any meeting.
Still, the DSSD fortress is tightly woven. Goldsteins staff answers to a 35-member Board of Commissioners, 60 percent of whom must own property downtown. According to city ordinance, the district is a body politic and corporate, subject to such statutes and regulations that govern such a legal body.
A portion of revenue from property taxes in the district funds the DSSDs budget, which the board votes on annually.
Its the property owners who have voting power, and thats the way it was always supposed to be, Goldstein said. If somebody wanted to be a commissioner, all they have to do is call me and during the nomination process in April that name would be entered.
Swept under
Thats not comforting to Warde, who says hes never been interested in joining the board.
I dont have the time for it Im too busy trying to service my clientele, he said. That doesnt mean I should just be swept under the rug.
Warde says the DSSD is so caged in that he resorted to filing a Freedom of Information Act request with the organization, related to the decisions that were made during the busy Alive@Five concert season last summer.
He battled with the organization all summer over lost parking spaces during the Thursday night event in Columbus Park. When the DSSD invited him to a meeting with the other Alive@Five businesses to discuss a solution, it was too little too late.
The meeting was the next day at 3 p.m. Later I found out all of the other businesses got their invites the week before, Warde said. The most disappointing thing to me is that theres been no outreach from the DSSD at all since the summer.
Rapid growth
As anyone who has wrestled for an afternoon parking spot on Bedford Street or stood in line outside Brother Jimmys BBQ on a Saturday night can tell you now: Stamfords downtown is bustling.
In addition to a rapid influx in downtown housing an increase of 10,000 units in the last decade the retail vacancy rate is less than 5 percent, according to Goldstein, by far the lowest in the city,
With success comes a new bundle of challenges for the DSSD, including parking availability, sidewalk uses, and most of all: keeping the growing business population happy.
You try to work it all out and sometimes youre successful and sometimes youre less successful, Goldstein said. Everything that we do is done to enhance the downtown as either a neighborhood or a destination or to enhance businesses.
While Erlichson and Warde agree that Goldstein and her staff do a lot of good for the downtown, theyre worried that the DSSD isnt standing up for them when it counts.
Ive stayed quiet for a long time, but I feel like the glass has tipped over, Erlichson said. Theres a disconnect between what the DSSD thinks is right and what is really right for all of the businesses down here. I just want to feel like my voice is being heard.
A big tent
Greg Lodato, Erlichsons landlord and one of the most prominent property owners on Bedford Street, said getting caught up in individual arguments is detrimental to the DSSDs overall goal.
Look, the DSSD is a big tent, he said. We squabble over small issues, but I dont think anyone is being ignored. You cant please everyone 100 percent of the time. Of course I dont align with them on everything, but at the end of the day, none of this is possible without the DSSD.
Lodato, who is also a longtime member of the Board of Commissioners, remembers what the downtown looked like before the DSSD stepped in.
I had an apartment on Spring Street, and I didnt like walking places at night. Bedford Street was just dead, he said. The DSSD was able to step back and look at the big picture. Without them, landlords would still be flying blind and we wouldnt have this great retail scene were trying to build.
Retailer and restaurateur grievances notwithstanding, Goldstein says the DSSD still has a lot of work to do. On her list for the next five years is better access to the train station, a re-imagined Veterans Memorial Park and a more college-friendly environment for the UConn students arriving this fall.
Anytime anyone says they are satisfied with what theyve done, they should be kicked out of whatever position theyre in, Goldstein said. I love downtown, and in many ways its thriving. But when I look around, I see all of the things that have to be improved.
nora.naughton@scni.com; @noranaughton
LYNN CANTON
Background: Born in Buffalo, she graduated and has a master's degree from the University at Albany. She retired after a 38-year career in state and federal government. A Clifton Park resident, she has three adult children, two granddaughters and twin grandsons. She is a trustee of Israel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Albany.
Your church has just received a New York Landmarks Conservancy Sacred Sites grant.
The congregation was founded in 1828 and built the church in 1854. Its stained-glass windows are beautiful, especially with the light shining through on Sunday mornings. But outside the red-brick building with the stone facade looks like it's boarded-up because the Plexiglass windows that protect the stained glass have yellowed. A year or so ago, we were looking to restore them without being too hard on the congregation and its very limited pocketbook. One of my fellow trustees, Al Johnson, heard about the Sacred Sites Grant. Another trustee, Jim Dandles, had already obtained estimates for the work. We all thought it was perfect for what the conservancy wanted, something that would make a difference to the church itself and preserve its historical significance. The $5,000 grant that will help pay to replace the protection on the windows is relatively small, but it makes a big difference for the congregation and will for the neighborhood as well. Stewardship of the history of the church is our responsibility, and so is keeping the church alive and well for the next generation.
Israel AME was a station on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. What's it like to worship in a place with so much history.
It's the kind of history that it's an honor to serve. Israel AME is the oldest black church in upstate New York. Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglas were in this church. There is an area where fleeing slaves stayed.
I've been a member for 30 years. It's family. I spent summers with my grandmother in West Virginia who played piano with the AME church. Our family's story is so typical of black people in this country. My parents moved to Buffalo during the Great Migration for work after the war. Dad was a welder, Mom worked in a factory but went on to form her own business. For me, serving this historic church honors their legacy and that of our ancestors.
What led you to a career in public administration?
My first trip to Albany was when I was in high school and active in the YMCA and its Youth in Government program. We came to the Capitol, and I remember sitting in the chambers while they debated new laws, thinking it was great to propose all this stuff, but who was going to make it happen? So I got interested in government.
I was in the first class of Educational Opportunity Program students at SUNY Albany in the late '60's and worked with the African and Afro-American Studies Department. I liked it because compared to more traditional majors it was eclectic, combining sociology, psychology, history, criminology and other disciplines as viewed through the African-American experience. I'm grateful to have been on EOP and continue my affiliation with the university, working with the Alumni Association and Rockefeller College.
During college I interned at the Capitol with Assemblyman Arthur O. Eve who represented my neighborhood in Buffalo. My first job with New York state was with the Department of Correctional Services as a reading specialist for inmates 21 and under. After a few years I was an intern with the Division of Budget as a fellow. That led to an opportunity to work in the Executive Chamber of Gov. Hugh Carey in criminal justice. At the end of his administration I moved to the Division for Youth and then to the Board of Parole. I directed the Division of Minority and Women's Business for Gov. Mario Cuomo.
After that, a friend suggested I apply for federal positions, which led to me being a regional director for FEMA in the Clinton administration. I was in Region II, responsible for New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. When Bill Clinton's second term ended, I came back to the Capital Region and finished up my career with the state in the Office of the State Comptroller. I went back to FEMA during President Barack Obama's first term and retired in 2013.
Looking back, is there anything you credit to guiding you on the path your life has taken?
I'm a believer, and faith has given me solace on my own spiritual path. I try to get better every day at who I am. I'm comfortable in my own skin, grounded by my history, friends and family. I was blessed throughout my career and I'm blessed now. My primary role now is taking care of my mom who is 98 with Alzheimer's. I also assist with my grandsons. Caregiving is not for everybody. It can be a challenge, but it is one that I've chosen to take on.
Rob Brill
Redding Elementary School students now have a variety of ways to stay active while learning thanks to recently donated flexible chairs.
Teachers were able to choose between wobble chairs, yoga meditation cushions, exercise balls, scoop rockers, standing desks and many other types of optional seating to meet the different needs of their students.
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GREENWICH The town is putting new life into the Greenwich Prevention Council as part of its strategy toward combatting opioid addiction.
Chief of Police James Heavey and town Commissioner of Social Services Alan Barry will jointly chair the Council, which had its first meeting under their guidance on Thursday.
Were revamping it and were largely going to focus on youth and how we can develop better community strategies, Barry said.
Thursdays meeting drew Interim Superintendent of Schools Sal Corda, representatives from the towns private schools and memebers of several human service agencies, including Greenwich Hospital, Kids in Crisis, Family Centers, CCI, Child Guidance Center and the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich.
By bringing them all together, Barry said, the council would be able to develop a better organized approach on the prevention end of the opiate issue.
Weve talked a lot about treatment, but I think what weve been lagging far behind on is developing a better prevention strategy, Barry said. I think were getting good buy-in from the schools. Theres certainly a tremendous amount of interest. Just by them being there and participating means a lot.
According to the GPD, 723 people died of overdoses in Connecticut in 2015, four of them from Greenwich. In 2016, there were two more deaths in town from fatal overdoses.
The National Center for Health Statistics said the opiate involved rate for drug poisoning in 2014 was 40 percent, which has quadrupled since 2000.
GPD Public Information Officer Lt. Kraig Gray pointed out that drug abuse is not just one agencys problem.
Any sort of addiction is not just a police problem or a medical problem, Gray said. All the stakeholders have to act cooperatively to address a very serious issue for the entire community.
Now that the towns agencies are involved, the next step is to reach out to parents, Barry said.
Getting parents involved is going to be the key, he said. In order for this to be effective, we have to have parent buy-in and be able to present this as a health issue. The goal of this is to develop better strategies to bring about a healthier community. Parents are going to be a key part of that.
The group plans to put out a survey to gauge parental interest and create a committee to find out what resources, programs or other programs Greenwichs communities need.
This is going to be a really intensive grass-roots effort, Barry said. Its going to be a long-term commitment from everyone. People want to collaborate.
The town is holding a community-wide information program at 6 p.m. Jan. 26 at Town Hall, Chasing The Dragon: The Life of an Opioid Addict.
The event will be led by FBI Community Outreach Specialist Charles Grady and will focus on Connecticuts drug epidemic. It includes a documentary followed by a question and answer session.
kborsuk@scni.com
Walking through a temporary facility in the parking lot of Faith Family Baptist Church in Kingwood on Friday, Jan. 13, a voice recording spoke through the headset, guiding guests through different rooms set up as replicas of environments experienced by a child in a developing country.
The tour is called The Compassion Experience and is an initiative by Compassion International, a faith-based child sponsorship program that aims to help children out of poverty through their child development program in partnership with over 7,000 churches in 26 countries.
"Compassion International is a child sponsorship organization working in 26 countries around the world," said Chelsea Vocal, Compassion Experience representative. "It's a one-on-one sponsorship where the sponsor pays $38 a month and writes letters back and forth, creating a relationship with that child. You really get to know them, and they're a part of your family."
Vocal has worked with the Compassion Experience tour for nearly four years. The tour she is with is one of eight different tours traveling around the country. Having recently completed a Compassion Experience event in Dallas, they brought their tour to Kingwood and set up in the church parking lot for the community to visit from Friday, Jan. 13 through Monday, Jan. 16.
The event offered two tour to experience, each centered around a child who began in poverty and benefited from the Compassion International program.
"You get a headset and the child will guide you through their story," Vocal said. "It's immersive. It looks like you're in those countries - in their homes, alleyways and school rooms. There are a lot of reasons we do this. It's been really successful. We've gotten a lot of sponsorships and a lot of feedback. Whether someone sponsors a child, or the tour gives a child here a different point of view to realize how lucky they are. Besides sponsorships, it's planting seeds to be aware of what's going on in other countries."
Volunteers from Faith Family Baptist Church helped set up the Compassion Experience facility and took shifts working the event.
"It takes about four minutes to go through each room; it's a progression," said Glenn Hensley, church volunteer and Compassion sponsor. "It's really good. It will make you cry when you think about the kids and what they're living through. We sponsor a little girl. We've done that for years."
Faith Family Baptist Church Pastor Marcus Allen explained why the church decided to host the Compassion Experience in their parking lot.
"For us, it fits with our mission and it helps us understand that there is a world outside the four wall of our Kingwood church that needs the love of Christ," Allen said. "It gives us the opportunity to know what it really means to love others, to experience what a child in a third-world country would experience and to understand to what sacrificial love means."
Even before the Compassion Experience event opened on the first day of the event, two school buses full of high school students from George I. Sanchez Charter High School in Houston arrived in the church parking lot.
The field trip was orchestrated by Sanchez High School teacher Wendy Bradford who read about the event on Facebook. She decided to organize a field trip to broaden students' perspective.
"Throughout the story, it wasn't a forcible message to force you to God; it was a message of hope," Bradford said. "Generations are changing. It used to be a generation of being humble and grateful; now with this generation it's like we owe them something. I figured if they could see the light in someone else's life, maybe it would inspire something in them, and we'd get more college applications and career applications done."
Sanchez High School teacher Anita Coleman expounded on how the experience may foster a more comprehensive world view for students.
"As human beings, they need to be developing in all areas of life," Coleman said. "This is something they need in order to shape their compassion for dealing with humanity by experience what is going on in the world and giving them a global experience; not just the liberties and freedoms we have in the United States and our ability to get what we need in our society. This is giving them a more holistic look at what other people are experiencing in the world."
For more information about Faith Family Baptist Church, visit www.faithfbc.org or www.facebook.com/faithfamilybaptist.
For more information about the Compassion Experience, visit www.CompassionExperience.com.
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A single act of kindness has catalyzed a new effort in downtown Conroe to keep people warm on the streets.
About a week ago, the owners of Sunday Dinner were approached by licensed counselor and customer Stanley Johnson, of Conroe, with three coats.
A woman had given the nice coats to Johnson to donate. He decided to reach out to Amber Wilson, who has witnessed the need for coats in that area of town. She saw a post on Facebook about a New York City business and developed the idea to start a free coat rack outside Sunday Dinner.
Since then, the rack which was made by the late father of Katie Brooks, owner of Downtown Roots hair salons has over 100 coats, jackets, hats, gloves and scarves donated by community members for anyone in need or interested.
"A woman came in and said she had a family she was trying to help and needed five coats," said Wilson as she sat in the small restaurant across from the Montgomery County Courthouse. "It was only cold for a few days, but to be able to help facilitate for that family felt pretty incredible."
Within 20 minutes of the woman's visit, Wilson said a man arrived with a sack of coats, which replenished the rack that now sits beside two spillover crates.
"It's works out like that," Wilson said. "God is good."
Johnson stopped outside the restaurant Thursday with a guest and pointed out the coat rack.
"It's gorwn into something bigger from people wanting to give because of their big hearts," he said. "Isn't that a great message for our community?"
Inside Sunday Dinner, guests have been paying meals forward with a "Love Your Neighbor Wall" since July. Someone who needs lunch but can't afford can pick out a card on the wall from someone who decided to purchase a meal in advance for a future stranger.
"Love your neighbors is what it is all about," Wilson said. "I would love to see Sunday Dinner continue to expand the 'love your neighbors' theme."
Wilson co-owns the restaurant with her husband Cam Wilson, who is also a new pastor at UnderOver fellowship in Conroe. At church, they met their other fellow co-owners BJ Stewart, who serves on the worship team and owns a DJ business called the Revelry Brothers; Lead Pastor Jerry Vinyard and his wife Joley. The restaurant opened in July at 330 N. Main St., where Amber Wilson formerly co-owned Sisters Cafe and Catering. Sunday Dinner serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and casseroles to go.
However, on the weekend, the co-owners can be found at Heritage Park serving breakfast at 9:30 a.m. and lunch at 11:45 a.m., with live music and Bible study in their "church without walls."
For more information, visit 936-756-3051.
On Dec. 21, the Plainview Police Department received the award of Recognized Law Enforcement Agency from the Texas Police Chiefs Association Law Enforcement Recognition Program.
Established in 2006, the Recognition Program evaluates a police departments compliance with more than 166 Best Business Practices for Texas Law Enforcement. These Best Practices were carefully developed by Texas Law Enforcement professionals to assist agencies in the efficient and effective delivery of service and the protection of individuals rights.
These Best Practices cover all aspects of law enforcement operations including use of force, protection of citizen rights, vehicle pursuits, property and evidence management, and patrol and investigative operations.
This voluntary process required the department to conduct a critical self-review of the agencys policies, procedures, facilities and operations. The department began the lengthy process to become a Recognized Law Enforcement Agency by preparing proofs of compliance for each of the Best Business Practices. Upon completion of the internal review, an outside audit and review was requested. This final on-site review took place Dec. 7. The on-site review was conducted by trained police chiefs from other areas of our state. The result of this review was then sent to the Texas Police Chiefs Associations Recognition Committee for final analysis and decision to award Recognized status.
The Plainview Police Department becomes only the 134th agency in the state to be so recognized, placing it in the top 6 percent of all Texas agencies to reach this goal. The department has always strived to be one of the best in the state. This process provided for an independent review of the departments operations and should assure the citizens of Plainview that its police department is conforming to the current state of the art in law enforcement.
"We are all very proud of this significant achievement, Chief Ken Coughlin stated. "Our staff put in a lot of time and hard work to go through this process over the last two years. In particular, I want to thank Sgt. Bill Bridgewater for taking the lead on this project. This certainly doesnt mean we are finished. We will continue the hard work for Plainview to maintain these high standards for the department now and in the future."
The actual presentation of the award will take place Jan. 24 at the Plainview City Council meeting. The department will also be recognized at the Texas Police Chiefs Association annual conference in April.
For more information, a description of the program may be viewed on the Texas Police Chiefs Association website at www.texaspolicechiefs.org/recognition-program.
One man is dead after an 18-wheeler rear-ended an SUV on Interstate 37 over Salado Creek.
A Dodge Durango had stalled out on the side of the highway just after 6 p.m. on the northbound lanes, according to the San Antonio Police Department.
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A man was found dead in his vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds after a large fight Thursday night in front of an East Side residence.
San Antonio Police Department Sgt. Tom Alonzo said several people called 911 reporting gunshots at 9:25 p.m. in the 1500 block of Hays Street.
When police arrived, they found the 35-year-old man dead in a white sedan.
More than 10 shell casings were found in the area, police said.
Alonzo said several people were involved in the fight leading up to the shooting.
Investigators have not determined what the fight was about, Alonzo said.
It was previously reported that Destiny Annmarie Garcia, 26, had been fatally shot in the head on Nov. 16 in the same block.
One person was seen running from the scene moments after she was shot, police said.
No suspects have been arrested in her case.
A makeshift memorial of candles and other keepsakes marking the spot she was fatally shot could be seen near the intersection just feet away from the Thursday night shooting.
jbeltran@express-news.net
Twitter: @JBfromSA
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A 15-year-old boy was released from a San Antonio hospital Thursday after suffering a head injury during a fight earlier this week at Canyon High School that initially put him in the ICU.
New Braunfels Police Department spokesman David Ferguson said in an interview with mySA.com the incident occurred at about 8:30 a.m. Monday at Canyon High School.
RELATED: Police say son found parents' bodies in pool of blood at South Side home
The Comal Independent School District spokesman Steve Stanford said the altercation started during first period in the boys locker room, where the 15-year-old and a 16-year-old got into a fight.
Both boys fell to the ground during the incident, with the younger boys head injury warranting a transport via EMS to University Hospital in San Antonio, Stanford said.
The New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung reported the teenager was under intensive care and suffered a brain injury as a result of the scuffle.
RELATED: Report: Fired BCSO deputy pushed girlfriend, cut her with his fingernails
Stanford said the injured teenager was released from University Hospital on Thursday and is recovering at home.
The police department is continuing to look into the case, according to Ferguson, and its unknown at this time whether or not charges will be filed against the older teenager involved in the confrontation.
RELATED: Woman killed in alleged hit-and-run crash on Northwest Side, driver arrested
Stanford did not say whether or not the 16-year-old was suspended or not, only that the school is working to determine the best course of action.
twhite@mysa.com
Twitter: @tylerlwhite
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SAN ANTONIO Police are investigating a case of child abandonment after a group of children on Thursday found a crying newborn baby boy with it's umbilical cord still attached near an apartment complex on the city's Northeast Side.
Police said Friday that the baby's mother has been located and that she is a minor.
A suspect in the fatal shooting of a 28-year-old man in San Antonio late last month was arrested in Corpus Christi.
Cody Ray Arriola, 22, now faces one count of murder. He is being held in the Nueces County Jail, where he will likely remain until authorities transport him to the Bexar County Jail, according to the Nueces County District Clerk's office.
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A piano teacher from North Texas was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of sexually assaulting two children.
Broderick "Rodgin" Arpon, 45, now faces two counts of sexual assault of a child. Authorities also placed an immigration detainer on him. He remains in the Collin County Detention Center in lieu of $100,000 bond.
Police say Arpon offered piano lessons at his home in the 1300 block of Summerdale Lane in Wylie, Texas.
Police were first alerted to Arpon's alleged sexual assaults when one of his long-time students told his mom, who then called Wylie police. According to the affidavit, the student told his mom after she found out that Arpon had previously been arrested for sexual assault of a child.
RELATED: Corpus Christi man pleads guilty to recording child pornography
The student told forensic analysts that Arpon began rewarding him with massages when he played the piano well. The massages progressed to full-body massages, both with and without clothing.
During one massage on the floor of the piano room, Arpon removed the boy's pants and underwear and told him to "close his eyes and imagine something nice." Arpon then allegedly sexually assaulted the boy.
After the boy's mother told Wylie police about the incident, Arpon was arrested. The following day, police obtained a second arrest warrant for Arpon after they learned of a separate incident with another child.
Anyone with information regarding the investigation or unreported incidents regarding Arpon are asked to contact Det. Helen Taylor at 214-380-9556.
cdowns@mysa.com
Twitter: @calebjdowns
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A particle mask dangles from Beaumont Police Officer Danny Valdez's desk lamp.
If anyone in the office complains about feeling the slightest bit ill, Valdez, a 24-year police veteran, grabs the mask and slips the elastic bands behind his ears.
It's the same type of mask Valdez, 53, had to wear for a month last summer while recovering from a kidney transplant.
In 2014, Valdez was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease that required self-administered dialysis treatments five days a week.
Valdez's poor health and treatment schedule forced him to transfer from BPD's K-9 unit to its community relations department.
On Aug. 9, Valdez and five other people checked in at Houston's Methodist Hospital. Three were there to donate kidneys and three were there to receive the new organs.
Former Beaumont Officer Doug Kibodeaux was one of the ones who was there to donate on behalf of Valdez.
"I saw firsthand everything that Danny was going through with the disease," said Kibodeaux, 62. "If the roles were reversed, I know he would've done it for me."
But Valdez didn't get Kibodeaux's kidney.
His new kidney came from a 25-year-old Dallas-area nurse.
Ashley Settles said she was motivated to donate because she thought it would help her improve her overall approach to health.
"I had an eating disorder in college," Settles said. "I thought this would motivate me to be healthier and benefit someone else's health along the process."
RELATED VIDEO: Grace, Guts & Gratitude
Kibodeaux stays in communication with the woman who received his kidney, Sandra Galvan, a real estate agent from Houston. He said he was more than willing to donate his kidney, because he knew he could live with just one.
Valdez said along with Settles' organ donation, he has gained a new addition to his family.
During trips to visit his daughter Sarah, who is a nurse in Fort Worth, Valdez and his wife make sure to set time aside for a visit with Settles.
"I met Danny when the anesthesia was wearing off after the surgery," Settles said. "The first thing I said was, 'Did he get my kidney?'"
While he no longer has to endure dialysis treatments, Valdez said he drives to Houston about once a month for checkups. He keeps anti-rejection medication on him at all times.
Some of the lifestyle changes that have come with the transplant include lunchtime workouts in the police department's gym and swearing off buffets, which doctors warned can easily become contaminated.
"I can eat the lunch my wife cooks for me at my desk while I work," Valdez said.
Valdez said the hardest part after the transplant was being confined at home.
"I felt ready to go back to work two weeks after the surgery."
Since the surgery, Kibodeaux said the six donors and transplant recipients have kept in touch through a group message online. They like to hear updates on each other's lives and health conditions, he said.
"The morning after surgery, we (Valdez and Kibodeaux) had a new family," Valdez said.
SFlores@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/_saraeflores
A Sinaloa Cartel member was sentenced to 24 years in federal prison Wednesday for participating in the kidnapping, killing and mutilation of a man who lost a 670-pound marijuana delivery to authorities.
Francisco Javier Pulido, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to kill in a foreign country on Oct. 26.
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Tornadoes, strong-to-severe thunderstorms and heavy rain may hit the San Antonio-area this weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
All of South Central Texas is under threat for severe weather, with the possibility of flooding, winds reaching up to 60 mph and quarter-sized or greater hail from Sunday afternoon until Monday morning.
RELATED: NWS: Rain forecast for San Antonio area over the next 5 days
Steve Smart, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said confidence in the severe weather threat is continually increasing as the weekend approaches.
"The main threats will be damaging winds and isolated tornadoes," Smart said. "The flooding potential might be greatest from Sunday to Monday."
The thunderstorms are expected to develop Sunday afternoon and move into the Hill County and Interstate 35 corridor later that evening.
There is also the potential for flooding from Sunday evening into Monday morning. Minor river flooding could occur until mid-week, as light showers are expected in the area until Thursday.
RELATED: 'Selena' at the Alameda and 30 more ways to rev up your weekend
There's a 30 to 40 percent chance of rain from Friday through Saturday, and that chance increases to 50 to 60 percent beginning Sunday, as a cold front enters the San Antonio region.
Smart said San Antonio hit near record highs Thursday, with temperatures reaching 79 degrees. The record for Jan. 13 was set in 1907 with 81 degree weather.
"It's not typical to have temperatures like this," Smart said. "This isn't normal for San Antonio."
Smart advised all residents of the South Central Texas area to take extra precautions this holiday weekend.
"Now is the time to plan," he said. "Make sure know what to do and have a means for receiving severe weather information. Know what to do to keep you, your family and others you love safe when the weather begins."
cdowns@mysa.com
Twitter: @calebjdowns
Want to aid in the fight against crime?
Providing the formerly incarcerated a job is probably the best bet.
Although landing in jail is never good, for many Bexar County inmates, the problems really start multiplying upon release.
Destitute, jobless, often with no place to call home and forced to couch surf, it is only a matter of time before they end up incarcerated for some low-level criminal infraction.
Sometimes even their clothing poses a problem. The cutoff shorts and sandals that were comfortable in summer are inappropriate on a blustery winter day.
San Antonio has always provided a variety of safety nets for those in dire straits. The bigger issue is that of access.
Many of the agencies providing assistance to the down and out are geographically scattered, and patience is required when dealing with their inherent bureaucracy.
For many former inmates with mental health issues, the obstacles are overwhelming, and they often opt to do without rather than attempt to navigate the system.
Accessing available resources has been a bit easier for those being released from custody. Since July, Bexar County has offered recently released criminal defendants triage that goes beyond their medical needs through the Re-entry Program, which operated under the countys Judicial Services Department.
Most clients come directly to the program at 222 South Comal St. from the Bexar County Jail, which is down the street. But the services are not limited to former county prisoners. The clientele includes those recently released from state facilities and federal prisoners.
It has a steady clientele of about 500 and is adding about 100 new clients each month.
Among those benefiting from the services is a 29-year-old former prostitute with several children ranging from toddler age to 10. She spent the last 10 years working in dance clubs, stripping and selling her body to provide for her family.
Today she is in a shelter, has access to child care and is looking at two prospective jobs. She proudly reports her school-age children are thriving in class.
It has changed my life, she said in a recent telephone interview. I went from prostitution in order to pay my bills to a shelter. I dont have to sell my body, I am getting back on my own two feet.
She realizes many people will look down on her because of her previous occupation.
We did what we did for our kids. Many times we had to choose between buying food or paying the electricity, she said.
A job is a key to the future success of former inmates, acknowledges Debra Jordan, Re-Entry Program manager.
Many of the formerly incarcerated have limited education; they may have a GED but no computer skills or formal job training.
The center, in conjunction with services available through Bibliotech, the countys all-digital library, helps clients set up email accounts and draft resumes that highlight the skills they may have acquired while incarcerated.
When interviewed, most former inmates will say they have no skills and have been in detention most of their adult lives, Jordan said. However, many have worked in laundries at detention facilities. They have helped in the kitchen or learned to operate forklifts. Those are skills that have value in the job market, but they dont realize it.
Finding employers for the formerly incarcerated is not as big a problem as some might imagine.
We have many employers, I am not at liberty to share their names, but we have over 400 employers who will hire the formerly incarcerated, and we are adding to that list every day, Jordan said.
The list is not public because business managers are concerned about negative feedback, she said.
Employment is the No. 1 thing we can do. Its the one proactive thing an individual can do that will keep them from going back to jail. If they are employed, they have an 80 percent chance of success, so our employers are very important to us, she said.
The young mom trying to rebuild her life after a decade of prostitution agrees.
We did not have many choices; we were stuck in poverty. If I dont get a job, I will go back (to her former occupation ), she said.
gpadilla@express-news.net
Re: Among many definitions of lying, do any fit Trump? Fernando Pinon, Other Views, Monday:
I want to thank Professor Pinon for finally calling out Barak Obama as a liar. In reading his commentary on lying, it struck me that all you need to do is insert Obama anywhere he mentions Trump, and the commentary still rings true. Here is the professors legal definition of lying: if the person knew or should have known what he/she said or wrote wasnt true, then legally he/she is a liar.
Professor, do the words if you like your plan, you can keep your plan and if you like your doctor you can keep your doctor sound familiar? They should. They meet your legal definition of lying and were stated by our current president while trying to sell his health care plan.
Richard McFarland, Fischer
Tweeter in chief
Re: Trumps tweets reveal interests, insecurities; Social media use removes firewall around him, gives public access, Politics, Tuesday:
To me the commander in chief should be way above this type of behavior.
We need a leader, not a tweeter.
Steve Ochoa
Is this a dream?
Re: Trumps tweets reveal interests, insecurities; Social media use removes firewall around him, gives public access, Politics, Tuesday:
Are we going the way of the dinosaur? We have a departing president, arguably the most divisive and ineffective in history, and one in waiting engaging Hollywood nincompoops via Twitter. Do we need someone to collectively pinch us? Is any of this real?
The old phrase there are no more heroes has never rung truer. There are only self-aggrandizing demagogues and grown-up children in whose hands we seem to delight in delivering our very futures. I hope to wake up soon.
David Saenz
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STAMFORD The city man who police say confessed to smothering his wife to death before leaving his young daughter in a New York bus station made a brief court appearance Friday.
With his hair cut short and dressed in a bright orange jumpsuit, Elmer Gomez Ruano, 32, stood quietly next to his defense attorney, Darnell Crosland.
Crosland told Judge Gary White he is still considering whether to request a probable cause hearing to determine if authorities had enough evidence to charge Gomez Ruano with the murder of his wife, Dionicia Bautista-Cano, in their Glenbrook apartment on Nov. 13.
Murder defendants can request a probable cause hearing where state witnesses testify and are cross-examined before a judge decides if there was enough evidence for the arrest.
Crosland, who is an advocate of these hearing, said he needed more time to consider if it would help his clients case.
Gomez Ruano admitted to police said he got into an argument with Bautista-Cano on Nov. 13, less than 24 hours after the couple reunited and moved into the Courtland Avenue apartment with their 6-year-old daughter, according to an arrest affidavit.
The argument stemmed from Bautista-Canos relationship with another man while she was estranged from her husband and living with her daughter in New Jersey.
Gomez Ruano told police Bautista-Cano head-butted him and sliced one of his fingers with a knife and they then began wrestling, according to the affidavit. Police said Gomez Ruano had two cuts on a finger and bruises on his upper lip.
Gomez Ruano told police he then squeezed and clawed his wifes throat, pressed his foot against her chest and smothered her with a wet towel for about half an hour until she stopped fighting, according to the warrant.
Gomez Ruano left his wifes body in an apartment closed before abandoning his daughter in a New York bus terminal, police said. After several days on the run, Gomez Ruano was arrested at a homeless shelter in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Gomez Ruano is scheduled to return to court Feb. 2.
JNICKERSON@SCNI.COM;
According to The Dickinson Press, an oil field worker was killed after a treater house fire occurs at a well site in Billings County, North Dakota, on Wednesday afternoon.
Details of Oil Field Accident
The workplace accident occurred at a well site off of South Ash Coulee Road north of Belfield at around 1:45 p.m. local time. Emergency crews responded to a call of a treater house that had caught on fire. Treaters separate oil from water and natural gas after it is extracted.
The treater house was completely engulfed in flames and destroyed, reports The Dickinson Press. Rescue crews arrived and found 24-year-old James Okland in the rubble after putting out the fire. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials say they received a call of an explosion about 15 minutes prior to calls of the treater house fire.
The Dickinson Press reports that the site is operated by Enduro Operating, LLC. The fire and workers death is under investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as well as the North Dakota fire marshal. Oklands sister, Nicole, said he always had a smile on and would help anyone the best he could.
On the Job Accident Statistics
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA),
4,821 workers died on the job in 2014.
On average, more than 92 workers are killed every week, or 13 deaths per day.
Worker deaths in America are down on average, from about 39 worker deaths per day in 1970 to 13 a day in 2014.
Contact an Experienced Workplace Accident Attorney
Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys fight to protect the rights of workplace injury victims. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed on the job, contact Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys. The goal of our offices is to not only protect your rights, but to send a message so the same tragedy does not happen again. We represent clients/victims all over the country.
Editors Note: This content is made possible by Thomas J. Henry Personal Injury Law. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of The San Antonio Express-News' or mySanAntonio.com's editorial staff. Learn more about our advertising products at www.hearstmediasanantonio.com.
Traditional commerce seems not to be the only sector suffering the pinch of Ghanas economic meltdown.
One of the oldest professions, commercial se_x work, is also bearing the brunt of the current downturn.
Players on the streets of Accra have been compelled by the prevailing economic situation to increase the price of their services.
The majority of them are from countries such as Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Liberia among others.
Until recently, many of them say they had been charging 50 for a short session that lasts between 15-20 minutes and as much as 300 for a full night.
Despite their courageous approach to the trade, they always meet some clients who make them question their choice of work.
Some people dont cu_m quick. If you know you dont release early you have to give her more money. You have to pay the girl well to make her happy, one of the workers told JoyNews on the streets of Lapaz, a suburb of Accra.
Even though you did him fine, as far as he did not cu_m he will say you did not do it well and will not pay you more than the agreed price.
However, their woes are worsening and the reason emanates from the most unlikely of sources.
Fuel prices have crossed the 10 mark affecting prices of commodities while the dollar has also seen a record-high appreciation to the cedi.
In the face of all these conditions, se_x workers in the capital told JoyNews that they are not in the position to satisfy their clients at the same rates they initially charged.
A report filed by Latif Iddrisu revealed that many of them have increased their charges by up to 100%.
Lapaz, Cantonments, Osu, East Legon are a few hotspots for the trade.
One of them, Vivian, said though sales were slowing down gradually, her income saw a brief uptick at some point in December last year as she was taking 200 for short.
But the new year came with a very uncomfortable situation, creating the need for a commensurate upward adjustment in her charges.
There has been an increase in goods lately. To pay my rent is difficult now and because of that, I have increased my price, she said.
Food these days is very expensive. I clothe myself, and the rest of that. So I cant reduce my price.
But this insistence on not backing down on her new rates is now beginning to cut both ways.
This is because the same financial challenges that the country is facing are holding her clients from seeking her services.
That is chasing my clients away, she lamented.
She pleaded with authorities to provide austerity measures that will ensure a flourishing economy.
Things have become very difficult for us so they should reduce some of the goods.
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, is expected to communicate key measures and reliefs sanctioned by government to recover the economy later this week, after a crunch three-day Cabinet retreat chaired by President Akufo-Addo.
According to the Information Ministry, details on some of the reliefs will include the reopening of land borders, the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, and measures to arrest the depreciating cedi.
While these interventions are yet to kick in, clients of these se_x workers may have no option but to find a middle ground between satisfaction and financial muscle.
But for their rates, the only way is up.
JoyNews
Breaking News via Email
DALLAS For the first time in nearly 10 years, 7-Eleven has regained the No. 1 slot on the Franchise 500, the annual ranking by Entrepreneur magazine. The chain, which boasts 60,000 units worldwide, with a new store opening every 3.5 hours, received the acclaim because of its attention to detail. Over the past decade, the 90-year-old brand has reimagined the convenience store for the 21st century by having a laser focus on staying relevant to customers, providing great service and opportunities to franchisees and harnessing technology and economies of scale to grow its system and energize same-store sales, the magazine wrote.
Were a remarkable brand and have had a remarkable journey, CEO Joe DePinto said. I think what were doing now is recognizing just where the consumer is, like we did back in the 1920s when we started. Were tailoring our products to meet their needs.
7-Elevens success as a franchise opportunity has much to do with its retailer initiative program that allows local owners to pick their particular stores product selection. A digital ordering system helps operators keep track of whats selling and whats not, and make adjustments accordingly.
We call it a pull strategy, said Chris Tanco, executive vice president and COO. Most other stores push product based on what their vendor offers or what they can buy at discount. We are the opposite. We look at every store and say, Who are our customers, and what do they want?
That, coupled with a revamped food program, has pushed 7-Eleven back to the top of the franchise heap. We believe not just hot foods but our entire fresh-food platform is driving business substantially, said Larry Hughes, vice president of franchise systems. The 7-Eleven customer can come in any time of day and satisfy any meal or get a snack.
The measure would let privately operated retailers decide on whether to allow smoking on their premises.
CONCORD, N.H. A New Hampshire state representative has introduced a bill that would let privately operated establishments like supermarkets and restaurants decide whether to allow patrons to light up indoors, WMUR-TV reports. A decade ago, the state approved a smoking ban that prohibited smoking indoors at any business.
Rep. Robert Hull said a voter requested HB 279, which he drafted. The bill has been referred to a subcommittee, but theres no news on when they would vote on it.
It's a property-rights issue, Hull said. Should the state be deciding what people do inside of private establishments? They are public places, but they are owned by private people, and the owner of the property should decide what's going on.
Already, opponents of the bill have come out in force, including the American Cancer Society. There are no safe levels of exposure to secondhand smoke, and people that work in restaurants and bars, people that are patrons of those establishments deserve to be protected from the harms of secondhand smoke, said Michael Rollo with the American Cancer Society.
New Hampshire residents are divided on the issue. I think bars should be able to choose if they allow it or not. Restaurants, I'm a little more hesitant on because it's more of an eating environment instead of a drinking environment, said Sarah Gallant of Manchester.
To go back to the days where you go into a restaurant and if you're a non-smoker, you're exposed to secondhand smoke doesn't appeal to me, added Ed Gallagher of Manchester.
Yves here. This is a good high level compilation of many of the deficiencies of the EU, even if readers may differ with the author about his suggested remedies.
By Dr. Marek Dabrowski, Professor at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, co-founder and Fellow at CASE Center for Social and Economic Research in Warsaw. Originally published at Bruegel
The European Union and its institutions are often criticised for their supposed ineffectiveness, slowness in responding to various challenges, lack of transparency in decision making and lack of democratic legitimacy. All those who levy such criticisms should remember, however, that many of the weaknesses of the EU institutional setting arise from its voluntary character and the reluctance of EU countries to transfer more powers to the Union. Nevertheless, it is in the interest of all member states to have an effectively functioning Union, which will be able to deliver European public goods to their citizens. Therefore, the member states should be ready to repair the EUs architecture even at the cost of sharing more sovereignty.
The Voluntary Principle
As a voluntary union of sovereign and democratic countries, the EU has few historical precedents and contemporary equivalents. Most other federations and confederations, historical or contemporary, were created, at least partly, as a result of wars, conquests, colonisation or other means of coercion. This includes the United States, which is commonly the object of comparison or benchmarking in analyses of various aspects of European integration. Even some contemporary trade and economic integration blocks, such as the Eurasian Economic Union, have not avoided geopolitical pressures in the process of their formation.
The accession of a member state to the EU must be approved by its democratically-elected parliament or through a referendum after meeting all membership criteria and a lengthy negotiation process. Accession must also be unanimously approved by the parliaments of all incumbent member states. This is also true for the delegation of any new aspect of national sovereignty to the EU institutions through changes to the EU Treaties. All members must agree. Finally, each member state has the right to leave the Union, as the UK decided to do in its June 2016 referendum.
The principle of voluntary membership is a central value of the EU project and the only legitimate way to go forward. But it is also the source of its many problems. Below, we discuss some of the dysfunctionalities that have arisen, and suggest how they might be repaired.
The Slow Pace of Integration and Delayed Political Responses
The need to obtain the unanimous consent of all member states for each new integration step means the integration process has been slow. Until the mid-1980s, progress in building a common market was limited, largely because of the dominant unanimity requirement. The pace of integration accelerated only with adoption of the Single European Act in 1986, the signing of the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, the Amsterdam Treaty in 1997 and the Lisbon Treaty in 2007. All these Treaty changes increased the number of policy areas in which decisions can be taken by qualified majority votes (QMV) in the Council of the EU, rather than by unanimity. The role of the European Parliament has also progressively been strengthened. Since February 2014, QMV has required at least 55 percent of member states, representing at least 65 percent of EUs population to approve decisions.
Nevertheless, many important policy areas remain in which every member state retains veto power. These include, for example, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF the EUs multi-year EU budget) and the Common Foreign and Security Policy, even in its economic and trade dimensions (for example, EU economic sanctions against third countries). In practice, the latter undermines EU competence for external trade policy because most contemporary free trade agreements also contain institutional and regulatory provisions that are considered still to be the domain of national sovereignty. The EU trade agreements with Canada and Singapore are recent examples.
Furthermore, even in the areas in which the Treaty allows for QMV, there is a tradition of seeking a consensus between member states and to consider formal voting as the last-resort solution.
As result, the EUs institutional setup has been constructed gradually as ex-post reactions to various economic and political shocks, which delivered arguments for pooling resources and common decision-making on the EU level. There has not been a comprehensive architectural design aimed at preventing potential crises and preparing, in advance, a sufficient policy toolkit on the EU level.
More Economic Than Political
The need to seek unanimity among member states during the different Treaty changes has led the EU to have a hybrid architecture with many institutional asymmetries, gaps and inconsistencies. Generally, economic integration has outpaced political integration because the former was seen as less sensitive for national sovereignty and offered visible benefits, at least in short term. However, economic and political integration are interrelated, especially in the current era of growing security challenges.
One example is the close interconnection between the European single market and the Schengen travel area. Schengen was considered until very recently a political rather than an economic project. However, the danger of collapse of the Schengen area, as result of the 2015-16 refugee crisis and the increasing terrorist threat is a reminder that the EU open-border regime is important not only for the freedom to travel (one of the most popular elements of European integration) but also for smooth functioning of the single market (see Gros, 2015; and Wolff, 2016).
Increasing geopolitical and security risks in the EU neighbourhood (in both the former Soviet Union and in the Middle East and North Africa) also have negative consequences for trade, investment, financial markets, refugee flows and EU internal security. Importantly, no single member state can address these by itself. A common EU response to these challenges would strengthen the resilience of the entire integration architecture and avoid negative consequences for economic development.
Cherry-Picking is Not the Solution
The consensual and gradual logic of EU integration has also led to institutional asymmetries and gaps within individual integration blocks. Popular moves were accepted while those considered less popular or sensitive for national sovereignty were left for future decisions. This created room for free-riding behaviour and beggar-thy-neighbour policies on national level, which have ultimately undermined the sustainability of the entire construction.
Unfortunately, pushing back the most difficult decisions always backfires, in both national and European policymaking. The two flagship integration projects the euro and the Schengen area are good illustrations of this phenomenon.
Introduction of a common currency was not accompanied by a credible fiscal discipline mechanism on a national level, a sufficient degree of financial integration (banking and capital market unions) or a mechanism to prevent idiosyncratic macroeconomic national level policies (leading to asymmetric policy-induced shocks). Some of these gaps (banking and capital market unions) started to be filled in response to the European financial crisis of 2010-13 while others (market-based fiscal discipline) remain unaddressed.
The Schengen system has suffered even more from institutional shortcomings revealed by the 2015-16 refugee crisis, especially in relation to effective protection of common external borders, joint management of political and economic migration into the EU, cooperation with third countries, harmonisation of justice and home affairs and migration-related regulations on national level. Some of those gaps have been addressed recently, for example, by the creation of the European Border and Coast Guard, the successor to Frontex. However, much more must be done if the Schengen area is to survive. Priorities include reforming the common asylum system with the aim of fair burden-sharing between member states, building up EU-wide counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism capacities, and further harmonisation of visa policies.
The lesson for the future is that any new integration project should address up front all of its basic institutional requirements to ensure to the greatest extent its smooth functioning.
Competences, Resources, Responsibility and Rules Enforcement
Regardless of the scope of the competences delegated to the Union, there should be sufficient financial and administrative resources, efficient mechanisms for enforcement of the rules, and full responsibility for decisions taken at each level of government. Unfortunately, this is not always the case in the EU, leading to unsatisfactory implementation of common policies and free-riding behaviour on national level.
The limited size of the EU budget (below 1 percent of gross national income allocated mainly to the Common Agricultural Policy, Cohesion and Structural Funds) and the reluctance of member states to transfer more financial resources to the EU level results in the underfunding of many tasks and policies of pan-European importance, such as EU external border protection, migration and asylum policies. As a result, the implementation of common rules and policies relies to a great extent on the administrative and financial resources of individual member states and their political will. This is not always sufficient, especially in times of crises, such as the refugee crisis of 2015-16.
In a well-managed union, each level of government must take full responsibility for its policies and decisions, in particular its fiscal decisions. Responsibility for the debt must be assumed by the borrower. Collective responsibility, ie debt mutualisation or bailouts, undermines fiscal discipline and encourages moral hazard on the side of both the borrower and lender. This is a key lesson from the experience of various federations. In the US, Canada and Switzerland, federal governments do not bail out sub-federal entities, which pushes the latter to establish sound fiscal rules on their own (see Bordo et al, 2011). However, the experience of Argentina and Brazil demonstrates that the repeated bailing out of sub-federal entities leads to fiscal and monetary instability on a federal level.
In the EU and euro area, the no-bailout principle written into Article 125 of the Treaty on the Functioning of European Union (TFEU) was compromised by the series of sovereign bailouts in 2010-11. Restoring this principle will not be an easy task. One of the potential solutions could be the transformation of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) into a fiscal backstop for the Single Resolution Mechanism and future European Deposit Insurance Scheme. This would mean termination of ESMs sovereign bailout mandate, at least in terms of financing new rescue programmes for governments in distress. Completing the banking union project and limiting banks exposure to sovereign debt are other prerequisites for the restoration of market-based fiscal discipline (Demertzis and Wolff, 2016).
Finally, voluntarily-agreed rules should be backed by the supranational rule-enforcement mechanism. Although the European Commission possesses several instruments with which it can push member countries to comply with the Treaties and EU secondary legislation, these instruments are far from perfect. They work well enough, though often with considerable time lags, in respect of national legislation that contradicts single market rules, but they remain largely ineffective for enforcing fiscal discipline (the Stability and Growth Pact). Their effectiveness is also questionable in terms of preventing member states from breaching fundamental principles of liberal democracy and the rule of law.
The solution would be to grant the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) a mandate to invalidate national laws that do not comply with the EU Treaties , including the Charter of Fundamental Rights, and EU secondary legislation.
Variable Geometry
The consensual character of the integration process has also led to the phenomenon of variable geometry often referred to as multi-speed Europe or flexible integration (Warleigh, 2002) with varying degrees of participation of member countries in common integration projects. Quite often, for the EU to move forward and secure unanimity, concessions have had to be granted to sceptical member states, including exemptions from the common rules or allowing them to opt out of a given project.
There are various legal instruments of variable geometry both within the Treaties (permanent opt-outs and temporary derogations as in case of EMU and the Schengen area, enhanced cooperation of at least nine member states) and outside them (separate inter-governmental treaties such as the Treaty on the ESM or Fiscal Compact).
Variable geometry allows integration to move forward despite the objections of some member states. If the particular initiative proves successful, it can have a positive demonstration effect and encourage originally sceptical countries to join later. In the post-Brexit environment, with the euroscepticism on the rise, it might be the best approach to new integration initiatives (Adebahr, 2016; Grabbe and Lehne, 2016).
However, one must be also aware that this method could have negative side effects. For example, it might create durable divisions within the EU, as happened with EMU and Schengen. Such divisions do not help to build solidarity within the EU to address common challenges (as demonstrated by the European financial crisis and refugee crisis), and often lead to self-isolation and the alienation of those that opt-out of common policies (such as with the UK, eventually leading to Brexit). A large number of country-specific exceptions from common rules would make EU governance systems less efficient and transparent, helping eurosceptics and populists to question the rationale of the entire integration project.
In an extreme scenario, variable geometry might also weaken and even cause partial disintegration of the EU governance system because narrower integration circles will require their own management and coordination mechanisms.
How to Repair the EUs Integration Architecture?
Filling integration gaps and removing architectural inconsistencies will not be easy in a short-term dominated by eurosceptic and populist sentiments. Some of proposals, such as reducing the unanimity requirements for CFSP or MFF decisions, or increase the powers of the CJEU, would require Treaty changes that might not be politically feasible in a near future but perhaps could be possible in the longer term. However, many other suggested measures, such as completing the institutional and policy architecture of the Schengen area, completing banking union, deepening the single market or overhauling the Stability and Growth Pact can be done within the current Treaties by means of secondary legislation.
While there is no alternative to the voluntary membership nature of the EU, all member states should be interested in its effective functioning.
See original post for references
Researchers discover self-assembling 2D and 3D materials formed by gold nanoclusters (Nanowerk News) Self-assembly of matter is one of the fundamental principles of nature, directing the growth of larger ordered and functional systems from smaller building blocks. Self-assembly can be observed in all length scales from molecules to galaxies. Now, researchers at the Nanoscience Centre of the University of Jyvaskyla and the HYBER Centre of Excellence of Aalto University in Finland report a novel discovery of self-assembling two- and three-dimensional materials that are formed by tiny gold nanoclusters of just a couple of nanometres in size, each having 102 gold atoms and a surface layer of 44 thiol molecules.
The study has been published in Angewandte Chemie ("Template-Free Supracolloidal Self-Assembly of Atomically Precise Gold Nanoclusters: From 2D Colloidal Crystals to Spherical Capsids").
2D hexagonal sheet-like and 3D capsid structures based on atomically precise gold nanoclusters as guided by hydrogen bonding between the ligands. The inset in the top left corner shows the atomic structure of one gold nanocluster. (click on image to enlarge)
The atomic structure of the 102-atom gold nanocluster was first resolved by the group of Roger D Kornberg at Stanford University in 2007 (Science, "Structure of a thiol-monolayer protected gold nanoparticle at 1.A resolution").
Since then, several further studies of its properties have been conducted in the Jyvaskyla Nanoscience Centre, where it has also been used for electron microscopy imaging of virus structures (PNAS, "Site-specific targeting of enterovirus capsid by functionalized monodispersed gold nanoclusters").
The thiol surface of the nanocluster has a large number of acidic groups that can form directed hydrogen bonds to neighbouring nanoclusters and initiate directed self-assembly.
The self-assembly of gold nanoclusters took place in a water-methanol mixture and produced two distinctly different superstructures that were imaged in a high-resolution electron microscope at Aalto University. In one of the structures, two-dimensional hexagonally ordered layers of gold nanoclusters were stacked together, each layer being just one nanocluster thick. Modifying the synthesis conditions, also three-dimensional spherical, hollow capsid structures were observed, where the thickness of the capsid wall corresponds again to just one nanocluster size (see figure).
While the details of the formation mechanisms of these superstructures warrant further systemic investigations, the initial observations open several new views into synthetically made self-assembling nanomaterials.
Today, we know of several tens of different types of atomistically precise gold nanoclusters, and I believe they can exhibit a wide variety of self-assembling growth patterns that could produce a range of new meta-materials, said Academy Professor Hannu Hakkinen, who coordinated the research at the Nanoscience Centre. In biology, typical examples of self-assembling functional systems are viruses and vesicles. Biological self-assembled structures can also be de-assembled by gentle changes in the surrounding biochemical conditions. Itll be of great interest to see whether these gold-based materials can be de-assembled and then re-assembled to different structures by changing something in the chemistry of the surrounding solvent.
The free-standing two-dimensional nanosheets will bring opportunities towards new-generation functional materials, and the hollow capsids will pave the way for highly lightweight colloidal framework materials, Postdoctoral Researcher Nonappa (Aalto University) said.
Creating the tiniest structures on surfaces with nanotechnology manufacturing processes (Nanowerk News) Nanotechnology is regarded as the key technology of the 21st century, delivering the fundamental methods, which allow objects just a few hundred nanometers in size to be produced in any required shape. These objects where nanotechnology is used today find applications practically everywhere, be it for microprocessors and electrical circuits in computers, in the telecommunications industry, or in medicine and biotechnology; to name just a few.
To encourage the development of new manufacturing processes the EU recently established the Marie Curie Training Network ELENA (low energy electron-driven chemistry for the advantage of emerging nanofabrication methods). Empa is one of the project partners, together with 13 universities, three research institutes and five industrial partners, drawn from a total of 13 countries.
A magnetic sensor additively written with a focused electron beam and Co 2 (CO) 8 molecules, located between four previously-structured gold electrodes. The sensor can be given any required shape by moving the substrate or adjusting the dwell time of the electron beam.
The aim of this large-scale project is to provide training for young European scientists in the field of nanotechnology so that they can generate the innovative ideas necessary to further research and scientific exploitation, so enhancing Europes international competitivity. The network is led by Oddur Ingolfsson of the Icelandic University in Reykjavik, Empas representative is Ivo Utke from the Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructures laboratory in Thun.
Empa was already involved in the predecessor project to "ELENA", the COST-Action Network "CELINA" (chemistry for electron-induced nanofabrication), where it worked closely with some of the universities now participating in the current project. The aim of "CELINA" was to investigate the suitability of low volatility materials for directly writing with focused electron beams using a gas injection system (developed in-house) with a scanning electron microscope.
Over the coming four years the EU will make available about 4 million for ELENA. Two state-of-the-art nanotechnology processes are the focus of the network: Focused Electron Beam Induced Deposition, (FEBID) and Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography (EUVL).
Writing extremely fine structures in three dimensions
The FEBID technique makes use of an extremely finely focused electron beam. This is used to write three-dimensional structures of any required shape on a surface, such as the silicon wafers from which computer chips are manufactured.
The structures are created by a form of "Additive Manufacturing", in that absorbing molecules, which are continuously supplied to the surface in question, are then broken up by an electron beam, following which certain parts of the molecule are locally deposited onto the substrate. The process requires the use of molecules containing the necessary component parts these are then freed by the electron beam to create the required material composition on the substrate.
FEBID: within a scanning electron microscope molecules supplied continuously to a point on the surface are locally decomposed by a focused electron beam. This creates an "Additive Manufacturing" platform with a lateral resolution of less than 10 nm. Empa researchers are investigating how to control the decomposition products.
Imprinting functional materials
In the course of the ELENA project material scientists, chemists and physicists will work together to develop and test molecules which are suitable for the FEBID technique. This process has been the subject of research at Empa for the past 10 years or so and has already been successfully applied to writing magnetic sensors with the highest lateral magnetic resolution.
For this purpose the Empa researchers used the Co 2 (CO) 8 molecule, which allowed them to write a granular cobalt compound with special magnetic properties in a carbon-containing matrix on a silicon oxide layer between several gold electrodes. Another application has been realised in the area of nanophotonics: the initial substance, gold Me 2 Au(tfa) was used to write an optical lattice on a vertically-cavity surface emitting laser in a minimally invasive manner.
The EUVL technique also imprints extremely fine structures on surfaces, although it is limited to two dimensions. Specially adapted materials are also necessary for this process to function correctly, in this case thin films known as photoresists. When these films are irradiated with EUV light in the appropriate way they efficiently and precisely create the required structures.
Lambert, Gragson both ready for next big step in racing, but first they battle for Xfinity title As the duo gets ready to battle for a NASCAR Xfinity Series championship this weekend in Phoenix, it's fair to a peek at next year, too.
Find the newest releases to watch from National Geographic on Disney+, including favourite documentary series and films Free Solo, The Rescue, Shark Beach with Chris Hemsworth and The World According to Jeff Goldblum.
The late Billy Foley
The death has occurred of Billy Foley, Agar's Lane, Friar Street, Cashel, on January 12th 2017, peacefully at home. Beloved brother of the late Jimmy and Eileen. Deeply regretted by his loving wife Eileen, family Liam, Teresa, Seamus, Aileen, Annette and Eamonn, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, sister Margaret-Mary, brother John, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and many friends.
Reposing in Billy Foleys Lounge Bar, Friar Street, this Friday evening from 5.00pm with removal at 7.30pm to St. John the Baptist Church, Cashel. Requiem Mass on Saturday at 12 noon, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
The late Brigid Halpin
The death has occurred of Brigid (Bab) Halpin (nee Davis), Killusty, Fethard on 12th January 2017 peacefully at South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel. Predeceased by her husband Mick and grandson Colm. Beloved mother of Mary (Cahill), Paddy, Tom, Brid (Kearney), Alice (Gorman) and Michael. Sadly missed by her sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, neighbours and friends.
Reposing at her home on Friday from 4pm with prayers at 8pm. Funeral arriving to The Church of the Sacred Heart, Killusty on Saturday morning at 10.45am for Requiem Mass at 11am followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
The late May Hennessy
The death has occurred of May Hennessy (nee Kenneally), Main Street, Ballyporeen and formerly of Araglen. Wife of the late Tom, cherished mother of Maureen, Jean and Seamus. Sadly missed and deeply mourned by her son, daughters, daughter-in-law Catherine, sons-in-law, grandchildren, great-granchildren, great-great-grandchild, nephews, nieces, sister-in-law Nonie, relatives and friends.
Reposing at St Theresa's Hospital Clogheen on Friday from 5pm to 7pm. Removal to the Church of The Assumption, Ballyporeen at 7.30pm. Requiem Mass on Saturday at 11am. Burial afterwards in St Mary's Cemetery, Ballyporeen.
The late May Jess
The death has occurred of May Jess, Lacey Villas, Tipperary Town, on January 11th 2017 in the loving care of the Matron and Staff of Deer Park Nursing Home. Sadly missed by her loving family, brothers John and Dominic, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Reposing at Whelan's Funeral Home, Bansha Road, Tipperary on Saturday evening from 6pm with removal at 7.30pm to St. Michael's Church, Tipperary. Requiem Mass on Sunday at 11am and funeral afterwards to St Michael's Cemetery, Tipperary. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to the Irish Kidney Association.
The late James O'Mahoney
The death has occurred of James (Jim) O'Mahoney, Dillon St. Tipperary Town and formerly Monour, Kilross, Co. Tipperary on 11th January 2017. Predeceased by his wife Mona, deeply regretted by his loving family, daughters Charleen and Vanessa, grand-daughters Lesley and Jessica, grand-sons Barry and Robbie, relatives and friends.
Reposing at Fogarty's Funeral Home, Bank Place, Tipperary Town this Friday from 6.00pm; removal at 7.30pm to St Michaels Church, Tipperary. Funeral Mass Saturday at 10.30am. Burial afterwards in St. Michaels Cemetery, Tipperary Town.
The late Yvonne Slaughter
The death has occurred of Yvonne Slaughter (nee Ryan), Sallins, Co. Kildare and late of Thurles, on January 8th 2017, tragically, deeply regretted by her loving husband Brendan, daughter Eabhe, son Gavin, father Martin, mother-in-law Mary, brothers, sisters, brothers in law, sisters in law, nephews, nieces, relatives & friends.
Reposing at Reilly's Funeral Home, Woods House, Clane on Sunday from 4 - 7pm, with rosary at 6pm. Removal on Monday morning at 9.30am to arrive at The Church of Our Lady & St. David, Naas for 10am Funeral Mass, followed by burial in Bodenstown Cemetery, Sallins.
The late John Carroll
The death has occurred of John Carroll, Railway View, Roscrea, and formerly of Roscrea Road, Shinrone, Birr, Co. Offaly. Peacefully, in the presence of his loving family. Predeased by his brother Billy and sister Mary (Hartigan). Husband of Mary (nee Delaney) and father of Geraldine, Denise and Angela. Sadly missed and loving remembered by his loving wife, daughters, sons-in-law Des and Patrick, grandchildren Kayden and Aaron, brother Seamus, sisters Margaret (Lewis), Sheila (Kavanagh) and Ann (Doyle), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and a large circle of friends.
Reposing at his daughter Denise's residence, Roscrea Road, Shinrone, on Friday from 4 o'clock untill 8 o'clock. House strictly private after 8 o'clock. Private removal on Saturday to St. Mary's Church, Shinrone, for Funeral Mass at 11 o'clock and burial afterwards in The New Cemetery, Shinrone.
The Trump administration gave the first clear sign Thursday that it intends to dismiss Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray.
Although Cordray has a term that stretches until July 2018, Trump interviewed former Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Texas, for the CFPB spot on Wednesday, senior Trump spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters on a conference call, according to a report by Huffington Post.
Exactly how President-elect Donald Trump intends to get rid of Cordray is unclear. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, Cordray can only be fired "for cause," and some speculate that the Trump administration is already building a case against the CFPB chief. One source with knowledge of the situation told National Mortgage News that the Trump administration may reach out directly to Cordray to give him the opportunity to resign without being fired.
Cordray would face a tough choice whether to leave voluntarily without a public fight over his job, or face a hostile Trump administration bent on removing him.
"There's no doubt in my mind that Trump is going to fire Cordray because he wants to put in his people, but it's not going to be that simple," said Joann Needleman, an attorney at Clark Hill PLC. "They are going to have a battle on their hands."
A CFPB spokeswoman declined to comment on this article, though in the past the agency has said Cordray has no intention of resigning.
Firing Cordray also presents risks to the Trump administration. For one, the definition of what "cause" can be used to justify dismissing Cordray is unclear.
"If Trump fires Cordray for cause, then it will get very interesting to see whatever trumped up cause the president comes up with," said Adam Levitin, a law professor at Georgetown University, who has defended the bureau.
Two Republicans have already publicly urged Trump to jettison Cordray, though they argued that the president-elect should rely on a recent U.S. appeals court decision that struck down the "for cause" language. That decision has been temporarily stayed pending an appeal, but Trump could also go that route in seeking to oust the CFPB director.
Neugebauer, meanwhile, would be well received by Republicans if he were nominated, but is likely to be fiercely opposed by Democrats. The former Texas congressman retired last year, but before that chaired the House Financial Services subcommittee on financial institutions and consumer credit.
"Mr. Neugebauer is uniquely qualified to serve as CFPB Director," said J.W. Verret, an associate professor of law at George Mason University and former chief economist for the full committee. "He has an unparalleled commitment to protecting consumers and ensuring the CFPB operates more effectively and efficiently going forward."
Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., who served with Neugebauer on the committee, also said that the Texan is well suited to alleviate tensions between the bureau and the GOP.
"Congressman Neugebauer has a deep understanding of the problems that have made CFPB a great source of frustration for American consumers," said Hill in an interview on Thursday. "Director Cordray's CFPB has been completely unaccountable to Congress and has operated as if it has a blank check to produce regulations wherever they see fit, seldom considering the negative economic impacts those decisions will have."
According to the Huffington Post report, which cites a Trump transition source, Neugebauer is the only candidate being considered for the CFPB job so far. The Trump transition did not return calls and emails seeking comment.
Neugebauer ran a small construction and real estate development business in Texas before joining Congress and his son Toby Neugeubauer is a billionaire investor and GOP contributor who has been rumored to be under consideration for an ambassadorship under Trump.
During his time in Congress, Neugebauer was a critic of the CFPB, claiming it overstepped its authority.
"Unfortunately, the CFPB's efforts are yet another example of Washington knows best mentality," Neugebauer said during a hearing last February on the CFPB's efforts to rein in payday lenders. "Using behavioral economics...the CFPB has set down a road of paternalistic erosion of consumer product choices and access to credit."
Some lawyers believe that in the short term, Cordray's future hinges on whether the federal D.C. Circuit agrees before inauguration day to hear an appeal of a contentious court ruling challenging the authority of the CFPB's single director. A three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit found in October that the CFPB's structure is unconstitutional, striking down the "for cause" language.
Republicans "want Cordray gone but the case is still on appeal," Needleman said. "Just because [Trump] doesn't like [Cordray] doesn't mean he can fire him."
The mere whiff of corporate tax reform is said to be causing delays in bank-backed financing for low-income housing projects amid a severe U.S. shortage of affordable units.
Investments by banks in housing developments have hit snags in the two months since Republicans swept the elections, according to bankers, auditors and affordable-housing advocates.
The sense that tax reform is within reach for the first time in decades "immediately slowed things down," said Rob Likes, national manager for community development at KeyBank. "We're hearing about that from our clients and from the market."
What's the connection? The affordable housing market relies heavily on subsidies through the low-income housing tax credit program. Developers use the credits to fund as much as 70% of the cost of new housing projects. Banks make equity investments in the projects by buying the tax credits and in return claim a range of tax benefits over a 10-year period.
Some banks have recently told developers they will make smaller-than-planned investments in an effort to ensure the deals are profitable if and when corporate rates (and thus potential tax savings) drop. Such decisions leave last-minute gaps in financial plans that have taken years to finalize, observers said.
Banks walked away from affordable housing projects in "a few cases" last month, said Fred Copeman, a partner with the accounting firm CohnReznick who focuses on tax investments.
"There has been some market dislocation," Copeman said, though he declined to provide specifics. He expects the pace of new deals in the $14 billion market to slow down in the first few months of 2017 and then pick up again whenever the market has a better sense of where tax reform is heading.
"Different banks are approaching this differently," said Buzz Roberts, CEO of the National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders, whose members include several large and regional banks.
Some banks have taken a "bit of a pause" on making new investments, describing it as a "prudent" move as banks wait for clarity on corporate rates, Roberts said.
Evidence about the funding delays for affordable housing projects is mostly anecdotal at this point. Copeman, for instance, described an affordable housing deal in Virginia that was delayed a few weeks ago because the bank which he declined to name told the developer to restructure its offer. The project now faces a $1 million shortfall.
Still, the delays illustrate the awkward situation many banks especially big banks face as they plan for decade-long investments in tax-credit programs amid the uncertainty about future tax rates. Moreover, the situation provides a glimpse of how incentives may changes for banks to invest in social programs such as affordable housing or renewable energy as the tax reform debate taxes shape.
President-elect Donald Trump and Republican leaders in Congress have made tax reform a priority in the coming year.
Trump promised on the campaign trail to lower the corporate rate to 15% from its current level of 35%. Meanwhile, House Republicans last year proposed a 20% corporate rate as well as the elimination of special credits.
Bankers and housing advocates said they feel confident that the low-income housing credit will remain intact. Most noted bipartisan support for the program. A House Ways and Means Committee staffer has sought to reassure the affordable housing community that the program won't be on the chopping block, Copeman said.
It's possible that lawmakers may also expand the low-income housing tax credit program as part of a tax overhaul, observers said.
But the legislative process is, of course, messy. And with Congress facing a packed schedule, it's hard to tell how long it will take before banks the primary investors in the affordable housing market have clarity.
"The probability of [Congress scaling it back the low-income housing credit] goes up if people take it for granted," said Michael Novogradac, managing partner at the accounting firm Novogradac & Co., who is also a member of the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition. "A strong advocacy effort is underway."
To better understand why some banks are temporarily pulling back from the market, consider this scenario.
Say that an affordable housing developer receives an allocation of $10 million in low-income credits. Banks bid against each other to invest in the credits, with the goal of lowering their tax liability and possibly receiving credit on their Community Reinvestment Act exams.
Under the hypothetical scenario, a big bank tells the developer that it will invest $10 million in the housing project, or pay $1 per credit.
But as the corporate tax rate falls, the value of the tax benefits fall, as well. To keep the yield on its investment steady, the bank tells the developer that it plans to invest less in the housing project.
According to estimates from Novogradac, lowering the tax rate to 25% would lower the price per credit to 89 cents. In the scenario above, the bank would invest $8.9 million in the affordable housing project, or $1.1 million less than originally planned.
Also contributing to delays in getting projects off the ground has been an increase in the rates on commercial mortgages since the election, KeyBank's Likes said.
Likes added that Key has honored the tax-credit pricing it promised to developers before the November elections. The $135 billion-asset bank has, however, started underwriting new deals assuming a 25% tax rate, he said.
Others are making course corrections, too.
"We are looking at each investment we will make in 2017 in the context of potential tax reform, which has meant some adjustments to our assumptions," said Beth Stohr, senior vice president of low-income housing tax credit production at the $448 billion-asset U.S. Bancorp in Minneapolis, in an email.
Most observers say that the pullback will be temporary as banks wait for clarity from Congress. Still, if uncertainty about tax reform drag on, it's likely that rent-burdened households will have the most to lose.
Demand for affordable housing has spiked upward in the past decade, especially in cities such as Los Angeles and Miami, where supply is low and the cost of living is soaring.
Meanwhile, affordable housing is getting harder to come by for families in need. Across the country, cities are losing about 300,000 units per year as units convert to market pricing, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The low-income housing tax credit established during the last tax reform effort, in 1986 is the primary tool that policymakers have to add to the stock of affordable housing, said Chris Herbert, head of the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University.
Over the past 20 years, it has added an average of 107,000 affordable units to the market per year, according to HUD.
"It's track record of success is pretty remarkable, and it relates to the fact that, if you have private investors on the hook, this creates some discipline," Herbert said.
Still, as banks wait for clarity from Congress on the details of a tax reform bill, some are scaling back their presence in the market, at least for the time being.
"This is an unusual situation," Roberts said. "We haven't really seen a moment where tax reform seemed this likely in quite a number of years."
NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller visited Lithuania on Thursday and Friday (12 and 13 January 2017) to participate in the high-level Snow Meeting, bringing together Lithuanian and international security experts. In the margins of the forum, Ambassador Gottemoeller met with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius and Defence Minister Raimundas Karoblis.
The Snow Meeting is an annual high-level discussion forum organised by the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry to address challenges facing the Euro-Atlantic community. 2017 marks the 10th anniversary of the Snow Meeting. This years discussions in Trakai, Lithuania will examine the decisions taken at the Warsaw Summit and closer NATO-EU cooperation. The sessions will be attended by senior security experts and government officials, including Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics, Estonian Foreign Minister Sven Mikser and Georgian Foreign Minister Mikhail Janelidze.
In her meetings with Foreign Minister Linkevicius and Defence Minister Karoblis, the Deputy Secretary General discussed the implementation of NATOs enhanced forward presence in the Baltic States and Poland. She also commended Lithuania for its decision to host a multinational NATO battalion in Rukla, as well as its commitment to increase defence spending to 2% of GDP by 2018.
The 2015 Summary of the National Reports of NATO Member and Partner nations to the NATO Committee on Gender Perspectives (NCGP) have been issued as the second comprehensive compendium of the statistics and policies progress related to the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
The 2015 Summary indicates that representation of women in armed forces has increased to 10.8%, reaching the highest representation since 1999, and as well as highlighting the increase of women representation in NATO operations (6.4%).
The summary of national reports also underlines the significant increase in equal opportunities domain. In 2015, 84.6% of NATO nations have all positions open to women in the armed forces which is 14% more than the previous year. More than 65% of NATO member nations have the same enlistment requirements for men and women which is 10% increase compare to 2014. NATO Member and Partner nations also reported overall growth of work-life balance initiatives to support service members to maintain their military duties and family life.
In addition, progress has been made regarding the implementation of the gender perspectives in operations. More than 92% of NATO Member nations include gender in the pre-deployment training and exercises and 73.1% nations include it in their operational planning.
By publishing the annual report, NATO aims to present its progress in the implementation of the UNSCR 1325, related resolution principles and the gender perspective.
A miniature Egyptian mummy from the Maidstone Museum, thought to be the remains of a bird, is hiding a dark secret. Researchers have discovered that the mummy was in fact a human fetus that's thought to have died from miscarriage.
According to a press release from the Maidstone Museum, the mummy was initially classified as "A mummified hawk with linen and cartonnage, Ptolemaic period (323 BC 30BC)," but things changed after researchers conducted CT scans at the Kent Institute of Medicine and Surgery (KIMS Hospital).
READ: Historic Discovery: Archaeologists Unearth Secret Ancient Egyptian City and Cemetery
"Following the scans at KIMS Hospital, the remains were in fact revealed to be the mummy of a baby. Initial reviews identified the baby to be a miscarried c.20-week gestation foetus which, if found to be the case, will be one of the youngest human mummies recorded anywhere in the world," said Samantha Harris, Collections Manager at Maidstone Museum.
IFL Science notes that apart from the tiny Egyptian artifact, the researchers also conducted CT scans on other objects under the Maidstone Museum's Ancient Civilisations gallery. These include the remains of Ta-Kush, which is called "Daughter of the Door Keeper Osiris."
READ: How a Mummified Child in Lithuania Could Rewrite the History of Small Pox
The said mummy was previously thought as a 14-year-old girl who lived 2.7000 years ago, but the scans reveal that she could have been older due to evidence of fully erupted wisdom teeth. Ta-Kush could have also suffered from a "downward impact such as a fall" because of a wedge fracture found in her vertebrae.
The initial results of Ta-Kushs scan were remarkable. Not only did we find evidence of fully erupted wisdom teeth to help us identify that her age was probably much higher than was first thought, but also that there was evidence of a wedge fracture in one of her vertebrae a symptom of patients suffering a downward impact such as a fall, Harris said.
It may not sound so impressive, creating the tightest tiny knot in the history of the world, but it's a breakthrough that brings to light numerous possibilities of brand new materials.
According to a report from The Guardian, scientists from Manchester, United Kingdom built the microscopic circular triple helix using a strand of atoms that they twisted in a triple loop and crosses itself eight times. In this impressive feat, the team only used 192 atoms linked together in the strand and the knot only has a width ofapproximately two millionths of a millimeter. This is roughly 200,000 times thinner than a single strand of human hair.
More than the size of this new knot, the tightness - measured by the distance the rope cross each other - is impressive. The crossing points of this team's knot measures at just 24 atoms apart, described by University of Manchester professor David Leigh as "definitely the most tightly knotted physical structure known."
He added, ""These strands we are knotting are so small that you can't grab the ends and tie them like you would a shoelace. Instead we use a chemical process called self assembly, where we mix the organic building blocks with ions that the building blocks then wrap around to make crossing points in the right places."
Leigh designed and built the knot along with research associate Jonathan Danon and others, also counting the help of computers and pipe cleaners in conceptualizing the record-breaking knot. They're hoping their findings pave the way for a world of new materials in the physical world.
"We know how revolutionary knotting and weaving were for people in the stone age," Leigh pointed out. "It had an impact on clothing, tools, fishing nets and so on. Maybe we'll see just as great advantages from being able to do this with molecular strands."
The study is published in the journal Science.
The family of a man shot by San Francisco police officers spoke out Thursday night during a town hall, saying police did not have to fire their weapons.
But, at the same time, family supporters shouted down suggestions that officers should have stun guns. The mother of 43-year-old Sean Moore topld acting police Chief Toney Chaplin officers didn't have to shoot her son.
"He's not a criminal; he's a person with a mental condition," said Cleo Moore. "I don't think he deserved to be shot."
Sean Moore's family says he is bipolar and schizophrenic but insist he is not violent.
"I know my brother wouldn't attack police," said Ken Blackmon. "I know my brother; I know police would be agitating to him."
Police said Moore was indeed agitated when two officers showed up at his home on Capitol Avenue on Jan. 6, responding to a call from a neighbor saying Moore was banging on a wall in violation of a restraining order.
Police said body camera video shows officers repeatedly trying to talk to Moore. But they said Moore kicked one officer in the face.
The officer's partner deployed pepper spray, and moments later, another officer shot Moore twice while trying to arrest him.
"One officer struck him with a baton," Officer Greg McEachern said. Mr. Moore punched the officer in the face. Mr. Moore advanced, and a second officer fired his weapon as he fell down the stairs."
A neighbor who says Moore has a history of causing disturbances says San Francisco needs more mental health services. And officers need stun guns.
Police said they aren't releasing the body camera video because it's part of an active investigation.
Moore remains in the hospital recovering from his injuries. He is facing felony charges for assualting officers.
Lefty O'Doul's, a landmark San Francisco watering hole located in Union Square since the 1950s, is slated to close its doors on Feb. 3 because of a landlord-tenant dispute, leaving many devoted customers to wonder what the future holds for the iconic eatery.
Those close to the situation are expected to address the rent squabble during a press conference at 2 p.m. next Monday. An original announcement was supposed to occur Friday.
A source told NBC Bay Area that Nick Bovis and his family own and manage Lefty's. They also rent the space from a landlord. The source added that the family purchased the business in 1998 and has a federal copyright for the establishment's name. The Handlery family, however, describe themselves as the owners and said "Lefty O'Doul's isn't moving anywhere," according to a statement.
The restaurant's current managers told NBC Bay Area that they will try to replicate the inside of Lefty's, which failed to secure a new long-term lease at 333 Geary St., at a new location.
The Handlery family opposes that proposal. They wrote in a statement that "the lounge and restaurant will remain at 333 Geary St. with all its memorabilia, baseball bat chairs, and new and improved food and management."
Named after former San Francisco pitcher and manager Francis "Lefty" O'Doul, it's a favorite spot for fans and regulars.
"This is a San Francisco treasure," Stefano Cassolato said. "Anytime you could possibly lose a San Francisco treasure you feel a great loss."
Customer Tom Stanley added that Lefty's has everything one could ever wish for when it comes to a neighborhood bar and restaurant.
"They got a lot of beers on tap," he said. "They got a lot of meat and potatoes, and (mararoni) and cheese. What else do you need?"
Livermore residents and environmental activists donned hazmat suits and oil barrels to protest the proposed expansion of an oil drilling wastewater disposal site south of Interstate 580.
An oil drilling company is applying for an exemption from federal drinking water protections that would let them pump more wastewater into an aquifer.
The state oil regulators took comments Wednesday night at a public hearing on a proposal to exempt the aquifer just east of Livermore from the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The proposal would sacrifice local underground water to the oil industry, said Patrick Sullivan of the Center for Biological Diversity, which organized the rally.
Last July, Alameda County banned fracking. Environmentalists lobbied for a stricter ban that would extend to some routine pumping practices that have been used for decades outside of Livermore, but oil companies pushed back.
Oil operations in the Livermore Valley dont involve fracking, which uses pressurized water and chemicals to crack rock formations deep undergrounds to release oil.
Currently, E&B Natural Resources has an exemption under Environmental Protection Agency regulations which allows it to inject waste fluids into 25 acres of the 75-acre oilfield. The Bakersfield-based company wants to expand operations to the rest of the site. Company spokeswoman Amy Roth referred questions to state officials.
The state Department of Conservations Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources and the state Water Resources Control Board both have to sign off on the exemption before the proposal goes before the EPA.
E&Bs current production from the Greenfield Sands area is 30 barrels per day, according to the proposal. Petroleum products were first extracted from the site in 1967. E&B has been operating there since 2008. There is no fracking at the site.
In this area, you dont need to inject at pressure to break rock formations or add chemicals. You just need to dispose of what comes up with the oil, said California Department of Conservation spokesman Don Drysdale.
That water is brackish, contains minerals and boron, and must be separated from the oil. For each barrel of unrefined oil, a barrel water disposed of, usually by injecting it back into the ground, Drysdale said.
To get the EPA exemption that permits wastewater injection into an aquifer, applicants and state regulators have to show that the aquifer has certain levels of dissolved solids, isnt currently a source drinking water, and will never be used for drinking water.
Drysdale said there are a couple domestic wells and a handful of agricultural wells near the Livermore site. He said the closest drinking water well is four miles away and draws from shallower groundwater deposits, while the wastewater would go into a much deeper aquifer.
But Sullivan and other environmental watchdogs say theyre concerned about leaks like the one that happened at E&Bs Livermore facility in March 2015. The chemical spill wasnt promptly reported to the Alameda Co. Environmental Health Department, as required by law, and E&B had to pay more than $10,000 in fines.
An NBC Bay Area investigation found that E&B reported 13 spills across the state between 2010 and 2015.
Last year, the Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit against state regulators under the state Environmental Quality Act for supporting a similar aquifer exemption application in San Luis Obispo.
The EPA is reviewing the states aquifer exemption program because of shortcomings in its regulation of protected water supplies.
Patricia Scofield, 79, a retired cellist who lives in Livermore, said about a dozen people turned out for the rally against the expansion and many people honked as they drove by. But she was dismayed by how many people spoke up at the hearing to support E&Bs proposal to inject more wastewater into the ground.
It was orchestrated with all these geologists who said it was just fine and it was such good work, Scofield said. It practically put us all to sleep. It seems like theyre trying to roll this over on us because of the (countys) ban (on fracking).
Scofield said shes concerned that injecting wastewater increases the risk of triggering earthquakes close to the Las Positas and Greenfield faults.
I was here for the quake in 1980. It was impressive 5.8 magnitude. And now we know that drilling in Oklahoma and Texas is linked to more quakes, she said. Were not being hysterical. Water is a precious resource. We might need it someday.
A Japanese tapeworm has infected salmon that was caught off the North Alaskan coast, a new study published by the Centers for Disease Control revealed.
The tapeworm, known as Diphyllobothrium nihonkaiense, has caused thousands of infections in the Asia Pacific since 2008, according to the Washington Post. But now, researchers determined people who eat raw salmon caught in North America may be at risk of contracting the tapeworm infections.
An increased popularity of eating raw fish and "global importation" has caused the reemergence of the tapeworm, the study found.
The study concluded, salmon from the American and Asian Pacific coasts and elsewhere pose potential dangers for persons who eat these fish raw.
Researchers studied 64 wild pacific salmons and found the tapeworm in a single pink salmon that was caught near Hope, Alaska.
The main intent of the study, researchers wrote, was "to alert parasitologists and medical doctors about the potential danger of human infection with this long tapeworm resulting from consumption of infected salmon imported (on ice) from the Pacific coast of North America and elsewhere."
As the U.S. Justice Department unleashed its long-awaited findings detailing constitutional rights violations by the Chicago Police Department, one person was notably missing from the report former police Supt. Garry McCarthy.
Attempts were made to reach former Supt. McCarthy but he was not available, Attorney General Loretta Lynch told reporters during the announcement.
McCarthy, who was serving as Chicagos police superintendent during the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald and was fired soon after dashcam video of the incident was released, argued that was a lie.
With all the investigative resources of the federal government, they cant find me here in River North? McCarthy told NBC 5.
McCarthy had earlier told the Big John and Ray show he was considering legal action, depending on what the DOJ report claimed. He noted his reputation is kind of important and said the work he did in the police department has been destroyed.
Since his firing, McCarthy has been outspoken about Chicagos spiking violence and police department. In an interview earlier this month, he blamed noncompliance with police for a majority of police-involved shootings, saying almost without exception any one of these bad incidents that you see, it starts with non compliance.
Less than half of 1 percent of all the shootings in this city involve police officers shooting civilians, McCarthy said in the interview. But one shooting, and granted its a bad shooting and the officer needs to be held accountable, whether its outside of policy or whether its criminal and he deserves a trial, just like any other citizen in this country, and the officer has to answer for his actions, but the solutions that are being applied as a result of that particular incident, have it that people are dying in record numbers here. Does that make any sense?
The highly anticipated DOJ report, released just one week before President Barack Obama's presidency comes to an end, revealed landmark findings about the Chicago Police Department aimed at eliciting change as the city battles a cloud of distrust as well as spiking violence.
The report describes a police force whose unreasonable" use of excessive and deadly force allegedly reflects poor training and oversight, putting citizens and its own officers in danger. Standing beside Chicagos mayor and police superintendent, Lynch said the Justice Department and city are negotiating over a court-enforced suite of changes called a consent decree.
A Chicago man was charged Thursday for sending threats to Gov. Bruce Rauner and DuPage County Sheriff John Zaruba, Illinois State Police said.
Officers arrested 24-year-old Eric M. Pence about 11 a.m. Thursday for sending a threatening letter to the governor, according to statements from state police and the DuPage County sheriffs office. The investigation found that Pence also sent threatening emails to the DuPage County sheriff.
The sheriffs office said Pence was a resident of west suburban Carol Stream.
Pence was charged with one felony count of threatening a public official for the threat to the governor, and one misdemeanor count of harassment using an electronic communication for the threats to the sheriff, authorities said.
Pence is a registered sex offender who was convicted of traveling to meet a minor, according to the sheriffs office. He was also later convicted of electronic harassment/obscene messages after he contacted the victim in that case.
Bond for Pence was set at $250,000, according to the statement. His next court date is scheduled for Jan. 23.
A man who was trying to sell a computer on Craigslist was robbed at knifepoint Thursday night at a Starbucks in west suburban Glen Ellyn.
The 22-year-old man had advertised the computer for sale on Craigslist ,and agreed to meet an interested buyer at the Starbucks at 691 Roosevelt Rd. in Glen Ellyn shortly after 9 p.m., according to a statement from Glen Ellyn police.
A man whom the victim believed was the buyer entered the store, brandished a knife and took the computer, police said. The 22-year-old and an employee who tried to intervene each suffered a minor cut to the hand in an ensuing struggle. The robber ran away with the computer.
The suspect was last seen running westbound, police said. He was described as a 6-foot-4 black man with a beard and a large build. He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and black pants.
Anyone with information should call Glen Ellyn police at (630) 469-1187.
Aviation police officers at OHare Airport have been told they wont be sent to disturbances in baggage claim or other places outside of security.
Department of Aviation officers, who arent allowed to carry guns, were sent an email within hours of the Fort Lauderdale airport shooting Jan. 6 saying they wouldnt be dispatched to any disturbances outside of the secured areas of the airport, according to a CNN report.
Department of Aviation spokesman Owen Kilmer would not say Thursday if the directive was given.
The Chicago Police Department has primary responsibility for landside security, Kilmer said in an email, referring to public spaces such as baggage claim that are accessible without going through security screening checkpoints.
A spokeswoman for Service Employees International Union Local 73, the union which represents Chicagos aviation officers, said Thursday that officers had been notified theyd be disciplined if they spoke to the media about the issue, the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting.
Chicago Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said that while the individual turf of the two law enforcement agencys is defined Chicago Police Officers handle the areas before security screening and Department of Aviation police handle secure areas, such as terminals and gates each will assist the other when necessary.
Any response would also be in coordination with federal law enforcement partners, including the Transportation Security Administration.
A year ago, CNN reported how unarmed aviation police officers were trained to run and hide if they were to confront a gunman.
Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th), whose proposal to allow aviation officers to carry guns has languished in committee since April, said he fears airport security is becoming complacent.
Chicago is a reactionary city, but we shouldnt wait for an incident to occur before we finally say Yes, lets arm our aviation police officers. We need to be proactive, he said.
Im not saying our airports are not secure, theyre secure. Im saying we should provide even better security than we currently have, said Taliaferro, a former Chicago Police Officer.
Taliaferro said hes never received an adequate explanation for why aviation police do not carry guns, even from Department of Aviation Chief Ginger Evans.
Ginger Evans said we would be blurring the lines of the primary law enforcement agency at the airports. In all honesty, thats not an explanation, the alderman said.
Dian Palmer, SEIU Local 73 trustee, issued this statement Thursday:
Not only are these officers unarmed, they have orders to run and hide in the event of an active shooter, leaving the very people they have sworn to protect vulnerable to this threat. The tragic shooting in Fort Lauderdale recently highlights the need to find a solution to ensure that aviation officers are able to adequately protect everyone at the airports.
The aviation officers of SEIU Local 73 continue to demand that they, as sworn law enforcement agents, be armed for the safety of the public and all the people who work at the airport, including themselves. We have been working with Alderman Chris Taliaferro on legislation proposing to arm the aviation police officers and hope the City Council will address this important issue soon. At OHare alone, more than 75 million passengers each year are at risk because aviation officers who protect areas like the tarmac, as well as patrol public areas such as baggage claim and passenger check-in, are unarmed.
President Barack Obama announced Thursday he is ending a longstanding immigration policy that allows any Cuban who makes it to U.S. soil to stay and become a legal resident.
The repeal of the "wet foot, dry foot" policy is effective immediately. The decision follows months of negotiations focused in part on getting Cuba to agree to take back people who had arrived in the U.S.
"Effective immediately, Cuban nationals who attempt to enter the United States illegally and do not qualify for humanitarian relief will be subject to removal, consistent with U.S. law and enforcement priorities," Obama said in a statement. "By taking this step, we are treating Cuban migrants the same way we treat migrants from other countries. The Cuban government has agreed to accept the return of Cuban nationals who have been ordered removed, just as it has been accepting the return of migrants interdicted at sea."
The Cuban government praised the move. In a statement read on state television, it called the signing of the agreement "an important step in advancing relations" between the U.S. and Cuba that "aims to guarantee normal, safe and ordered migration."
Obama is using an administrative rule change to end the policy. Donald Trump could undo that rule after becoming president next week. He has criticized Obama's moves to improve relations with Cuba. But ending a policy that has allowed hundreds of thousands of people to come to the United States without a visa also aligns with Trump's commitment to tough immigration policies.
President Bill Clinton created "wet foot, dry foot" policy in 1995 as a revision of a more liberal immigration policy that allowed Cubans caught at sea to come to the United States become legal residents in a year.
The two governments have been negotiating an end to "wet foot, dry foot" for months and finalized an agreement Thursday. A decades-old U.S. economic embargo, though, remains in place, as does the Cuban Adjustment Act, which lets Cubans become permanent residents a year after legally arriving in the U.S.
Under the terms of the agreement, Cuba has agreed to take back those turned away from the U.S., if the time between their departure from Cuba and the start of deportation hearings in the U.S. is four years or less. Officials said the timeframe is required under a Cuban law enacted after Congress passed the Cuban Adjustment Act.
"For this to work, the Cubans had to agree to take people back," said Ben Rhodes, Obama's deputy national security adviser.
Administration officials called on Congress to repeal the Cuban Adjustment Act.
Officials said the changes would not affect a lottery that allows 20,000 Cubans to come to the U.S. legally each year. But Rhodes cast the shift as a necessary step toward Cuba's economic and political development.
"It's important that Cuba continue to have a young, dynamic population that are clearly serving as agents of change," he said.
Rhodes also cited an uptick in Cuban migration, particularly across the U.S.-Mexico border - an increase many have attributed to an expectation among Cubans that the Obama administration would soon move to end their special immigration status.
Since October 2012, more than 118,000 Cubans have presented themselves at ports of entry along the border, according to statistics published by the Homeland Security Department, including more than 48,000 people who arrived between October 2015 and November 2016.
According to the Pew Research Center, the U.S. saw a spike the number of Cubans entering the country in the first 10 months of 2016 with 46,635 Cubans. That surpassed the fiscap 2015, which had a total of 43,159 Cubans entering the U.S.
Relations between the United States and Cuba were stuck in a Cold War freeze for decades, but Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro established full diplomatic ties and opened embassies in their capitals in 2015. Obama visited Havana last March. Officials from both nations met Thursday in Washington to coordinate efforts to fight human trafficking.
Obama said the Cuban Medical Professional Parole Program, which was started by President George W. Bush in 2006, is also being rescinded. The measure allowed Cuban doctors, nurses and other medical professionals to seek parole in the U.S. while on assignments abroad. The president said those doctors can still apply for asylum at U.S. embassies around the world.
"By providing preferential treatment to Cuban medical personnel, the medical parole program ... risks harming the Cuban people," Obama said.
People already in the United States and in the pipeline under both "wet foot, dry foot" and the medical parole program will be able to continue the process toward getting legal status.
Reaction to the announcement in Havana was muted Thursday afternoon.
"This was bound to happen at some point," said taxi driver Guillermo Britos, 35. "It could impose a more normal dynamic on emigration, so that not so many people die at sea, but it could also take an escape valve away from the government, which was getting hard currency from the emigrants."
Anti-Castro Cubans in Miami were mixed in their responses, with some expressing anger at Obama for what they called another betrayal of ordinary Cubans. Others said they thought the measure would increase pressure for change in Cuba.
"People who can't leave, they could create internal problems for the regime," said Jorge Gutierrez, an 80-year-old veteran of the Bay of Pigs invasion. But he added, "From the humanitarian point of view, it's taking away the possibility of a better future from the people who are struggling in Cuba."
Rep. Illeana Ros-Lehtinen, a Florida Republican who emigrated from Cuba as a child, decried the elimination of the medical parole programs, calling it a "foolhardy concession to a regime that sends its doctors to foreign nations in a modern-day indentured servitude."
Florida Sen. Bill Nelson applauded the administration's decision to abolish the policy.
"The 'wet foot, dry foot' policy was put in place many years ago to help those who were fleeing Castros repressive regime. I believe changing this outdated policy in order to be fair to all and also to prevent people from abusing the system is the right thing to do," Sen. Nelson said in a statement.
New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, who is Cuban-American, was more critical of the change, and said Congress wasn't consulted about the announcement.
"While more needs to be done to prevent the small universe arriving from Cuba who may seek to exploit the privileges and freedoms that come with the Wet-Foot Dry-Foot policy, those few actors should not destroy our efforts to protect the many who are forced to flee persecution," he said in a statement. "To be sure, todays announcement will only serve to tighten the noose the Castro regime continues to have around the neck of its own people."
Engage Cuba, an organization that's been working to end the travel and trade embargo on Cuba, praised the change in policy.
"This is a logical, responsible, and important step towards further normalizing relations with Cuba. The 'wet foot, dry foot' policy has been an enduring problem that decades of hostility and isolation failed to solve. This change, which has long had strong bipartisan support, would not have been possible without the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba," the group said in a statement.
President Barack Obama awarded a teary-eyed Joe Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom Thursday, praising the vice president as an "extraordinary man with an extraordinary career in public service."
Obama said he's bestowing Biden, who appeared visibly stunned, with the nation's highest civilian honor for "faith in your fellow Americans, for your love of country and a lifetime of service that will endure through the generations."
"For the first and only time in my presidency, I will bestow this medal with an additional level of veneration, an honor my three most recent successors have reserved for only three others: Pope John Paul II, Ronald Reagan and Gen. Colin Powell," Obama said at a White House ceremony billed as a tribute dedicated to honoring the outgoing vice president.
Taking the podium, a surprised Biden said he had "no inkling."
The vice president said he doesn't deserve the honor, but knows "it came from the president's heart."
Biden praised his wife and children for their support throughout his career, and praised the Obama family for their dedication to country and service.
"I was part of the journey of a remarkable man who did remarkable things," Biden said.
With Biden by his side, Obama says the tribute will give the Internet one last chance to joke about the "bromance" the two share.
He honored Bidens lifetime of public service, including his decades in the Senate and eight years as president, from the Violence Against Women Act, diplomacy, his cancer moonshot, and Its On Us campaign to combat sexual assault on college campuses.
Obama says his choice of Biden was the "best possible choice, not just for me, but for the American people."
Listing the influences in Biden's life, from the nuns who taught him in grade school, to his Senate colleagues, to his parents, the president commended the "Biden heart."
"His work does not capture the full measure of Joe Biden, I havent even mentioned Amtrak, aviators, and 'literally,' he quipped.
Noting that Biden's career is "nowhere close to finished," Obama says his vice president will go on to have an impact domestically and internationally.
Police have arrested two teenage boys in connection with the shootings of six people at a girl's Sweet 16 birthday party in Bridgeport in November.
Police said the girl's family rented out the Italian American Club, Club Sportivo, on Saturday, Nov. 12 and the party was by invitation only.
However, the party hosts started charging admission to an "after party" around 10 p.m. and men, who appeared to be acting as security, started patting down some of the people who were coming in, police said.
Twenty minutes later, a fight ensued on the dance floor and spilled out into a vestibule.
Police said several males pulled firearms in the club and six people were shot outside.
Around 20 police officers responded and found five victims, but police located a sixth victim several days later who did not seek medical treatment.
A 15-year-old boy was arrested on Jan. 9 and charged him with criminal attempt at assault in the first degree, carrying a pistol without a permit, unlawful discharge of firearms, reckless endangerment in the first degree and breach of peace in the second degree.
On Dec. 21, police obtained an arrest warrant for a 17-year-old boy, charging him with carrying a pistol without a permit, unlawful discharge of firearms, reckless endangerment in the first degree and breach of peace in the second degree. He was arrested on the warrant on Jan. 13.
A Massachusetts company has recalled chicken soup sold to Whole Foods stores in several states in the region, including Connecticut, because the soups are mislabeled and contain known allergens, according to the USDA.
More than 3,000 pounds of Moms Chicken Soup were recalled by Kettle Cuisine, which shipped the soup to Whole Foods locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey and Maine.
Though labeled as chicken soup, the recalled products actually contain Italian Wedding Soup with Meatballs, a soup that contains eggs, milk and wheat, ingredients that are not declared on the label.
The USDA said no adverse reactions to the soup have been reported.
People with concerns about eggs, milk or wheat allergies should check their soup. The affected product comes in 24-ounce cups and has a use by date of Feb. 17, 2017. They bear the establishment number P-18468.
For more information, see the recall on the USDA website.
A man who draped himself in the American flag and jumped over the White House fence on Thanksgiving Day in 2015 was sentenced Thursday to three years of probation.
Joseph Caputo of Stamford, Connecticut, pleaded guilty in September to entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds.
At his sentencing Thursday, prosecutors had planned to request three years probation and a ban from the District of Columbia.
While under probation, Caputo will have to stay away from D.C. and "any facilities, sites or people under Secret Service protection," said a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.
Caputo must also be interviewed by the Secret Service and, if ordered, undergo a psychiatric evaluation by a Secret Service psychologist, the spokesman said.
Caputo, now 24, scaled the fence Nov. 26, 2015 while carrying in his mouth a binder with a self-authored, "re-written" Constitution. Once over the fence he shouted "I love my country" and complied with Secret Service officers' demands to get on the ground.
The main point was the binder, Caputo said. It seeks to restore the Constitution to its original intentions and enhance it based on the social parameters of our day.
Caputo's lawyer argued Caputo's actions were intended to call attention to deficiencies in the Constitution and protected by the First Amendment, so the charge against him should be dismissed.
He actually composed a rewritten Constitution that addressed changes to the existing Constitution which included some term limits for political office and included some changes for the educational system and just things that a conscientious young man might want to see change in the future, attorney Stephen Seeger said.
A judge disagreed, saying Caputo's arguments "border on frivolous." There is "no First Amendment right to express one's self in a nonpublic area like the White House," U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper wrote.
Caputo isn't the only person to successfully scale the fence in recent years.
In September 2014, a Texas man managed to get over the fence, enter the executive mansion and run deep into the building. The man, Omar Gonzalez, was found to be carrying a folding knife and was ultimately sentenced to 17 months in prison. The security breach prompted officials to put up a second, shorter barrier several feet in front of the fence and to restrict people from entering the space in between the two barriers, but a month after Gonzalez was arrested, another man also got over the fence.
In 2015, a second layer of steel spikes was added to the fence, but Caputo still managed to get over it.
Mobile food vendors in New Haven will weigh in on the citys proposals to revise the rules and guidelines for their industry at a public hearing Thursday night at City Hall.
Jimmy Khalid owns six Ali Babas Fusion food carts in New Haven.
Im in this business, he said, when we were just a few carts used to be around in the whole city.
With the food truck business now booming in the Elm City, Deputy Economic Development Director Steve Fontana has spent several years compiling new rules to regulate the industry, including license fees for vendors to reserve their own spots.
What they hate doing is driving around in circles looking for a place to park, Fontana said, or not knowing someone is going to take the spot they thought was theirs the next day.
The proposed yearly feed fee for push carts or stands is $1,000. It is $2,500 for food trucks or trailers. Vendors on Long Wharf will be charged $500 for electricity.
Give people a chance and actually ask them to pay something in addition, Fontana said, so that we can plow that back into increase enforcement, additional clean-ups, police coverage.
I dont have any problem with that, Khalid said of the citys proposed fees.
But Khalid worries about this proposal for vendors to set up in the Yale University ice rink parking lot to move back onto the Sachem Street sidewalks.
Its like a food court, he said, and its very safe for anybody, any customer.
Khalid said hundreds of customers have signed a petition against the proposed change.
Will you show these signatures at the meeting tonight? NBC Connecticut asked.
I will bring it with me, yeah, Khalid said.
The move back onto the sidewalk is part of the city proposal to create four special vending districts: downtown, Cedar Street by Yale-New Haven Hospital, Long Wharf and Sachem Street.
After hearing some of these concerns at the meeting,
Steve Fontana, Deputy Director of Economic Development, had the following comment:
"Based on the concerns expressed at last nights hearing, we agreed to re-examine vending at and around Sachem Street with various stakeholders and to revise our proposal as necessary. Given the generally positive overall feedback that we received last night, we otherwise likely will make only minor changes in other areas of the proposed ordinance revisions."
The case of a baby abducted from a Jacksonville hospital nearly 18 years ago has been solved, police said Friday, with the newborn girl grown into a healthy young adult.
Kamiyah Mobley was found alive and well in South Carolina, Jacksonville sheriffs deputies announced at a news conference.
According to NBC affiliate WTLV-TV, over 2,000 leads came out in the year following her abduction, but all ran dry and the case remained cold for nearly two decades. But officers found Mobley, who was living under a different name, and received a DNA sample which later proved she was the abducted infant.
A tip sent to the National Center for Missing and Exploted Children last year helped break the case, sheriff's officials said on the department's Twitter account.
Police did not release the name Mobley has been living under, but did announce the arrest of 51-year-old Gloria Williams on charges that include kidnapping. It was not immediately clear if she had an attorney.
Mobley was taken from University Medical Center on July 10, 1998, just eight hours after she was born. According to reports at the time, a woman posing as a health care worker entered her room saying the child had a fever and needed to be checked before grabbing Mobley and leaving the hospital.
Surveillance video could not identify the person who took Mobley, with nurses at the time saying that person had been with the baby hours before the abduction. A camera inside the nursery was broken and there were no photos taken of Mobley before the abduction.
Mobley is now in good health, and "a normal 18-year-old woman," according to the sheriff's Twitter account. Her biological family is "elated" but the victim will determine how she'll make contact with them.
Blake Lively may want to re-examine her family tree.
The actress was being mocked on social media for a new L'Oreal commercial aimed at promoting a makeup foundation that matches a wide range of skin tones. Lively states in the L'Oreal ad that she is "English, German, Irish and Cherokee."
The statement set Twitter amok.
Blake Lively is about as Cherokee as I am. (Spoiler: I am 0% Cherokee.) Jeff Fecke (@jkfecke) January 13, 2017
But this is not the first time Lively has said she's part Cherokee. In 2015, the same L'Oreal True Match Foundation ad promoted her ancestry.
It's also not the first time Lively's caught social media fire. In 2016 she was also mocked for posting a picture of herself in a tight-fitting gown with the caption "L.A. face with an Oakland booty."
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFhx9lGR4Jj/
According to Cherokee Nation Tribal Registration, you must be able to provide documents that connect you to a direct Cherokee ancestor listed on the Dawes Final Rolls with a blood degree. Today, the Cherokee Nations has more than 315,000 citizens, but we do not know if Blake Lively is one of them.
L'Oreal did not respond to a request for comment.
Angry retirees won concessions from the troubled Dallas Police & Fire Pension Fund Thursday over strong objections from Dallas City Council members who serve on the pension board. All of it is still subject to court approval.
The fund administrator proposed resuming withdrawals from Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) savings accounts, which are currently frozen by a judge, but limiting them to $3,000 a month starting in March.
Retirees complained they need access to their money now.
"There's a lot of us that are going to go under," said police retiree David Elliston. "Houses are going to be put up for sale. Cars are going to be sold. We've built our lives around what we've been getting out of the pension."
A court ruling stopped DROP payments last month in a lawsuit by Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, who sued to stop a run on the fund that threatened to speed a slide to insolvency.
Hundreds of members worried about their savings made large lump sum DROP withdrawals last year, endangering the fund's ability to pay the core retirement pensions all police and fire retirees are also eligible to receive.
"We didn't take money out of the DROP because we had faith in this board to watch out for our welfare," Elliston said.
Members who left their DROP money in the fund said they are being punished now.
"How are you treating me equal from the people that were allowed to take money and damage the core fund," asked police retiree Julian Bernal.
Four of the 12 pension board members are Dallas City Council members, and all four voted against the new DROP withdrawal plan to preserve core pension benefits.
"Every DROP dollar that goes out the door before the system has a plan to return to solvency is one less dollar that will ultimately be paid to a $1,500 a month beneficiary," said Councilman Philip Kingston. "In order to convince the taxpayers of the city of Dallas to put more money in this bucket, we've got to show that we've plugged the hole."
Pension officials have begun selling assets to raise operating cash.
"The liquidity that this is depending on isn't really there, because we've started selling illiquid assets," said Councilman Scott Griggs.
But employee and retiree members on the board amended the proposed DROP payment plan to include January and February payments and add $6.6 million in large lump sum withdrawal requests that were pending last month when the judge blocked them.
"Let's spread this money out evenly to our entire membership, whether they have monthly requests and or lump sum requests," said Pension Board member Brian Haas, from Dallas Fire-Rescue.
The Pension Board vote was 6 to 5 in favor of the expanded distribution plan, with one police representative siding with the City Council members against it and one retiree board member abstaining.
"Anything extra is not a great idea at this time, does not help the situation," said Councilman Erik Wilson.
The judge in the mayor's lawsuit will decide next week whether to allow the new payment plan.
Current employee participants in the pension fund last month voted down another plan from the Pension Fund to reduce benefits and increase employee contributions that could have helped solve the financial bind.
State lawmakers created the fund, and they've asked Dallas leaders to agree on a plan to fix it. A deal seemed farther away Thursday.
"We don't have a plan in place to save this fund, and it doesn't look like we're going to be able to create one at this point," said Dallas City Councilwoman Jennifer Gates.
Firefighters say an electrical short sparked an overnight house fire in Northwest Dallas.
When firefighters arrived at the home in the 4400 block of Simmond Drive, flames were shooting out of the roof.
Three people were at home when the fire started. All were able to get out safely.
The man that lives in the home told investigators he heard a loud noise in the garage. When he went to investigate, he found smoke and fire filling the garage.
Firefighters quickly got the fire put out, but the home now has extensive damage.
Investigators said the fire started in the attic above the garage then spread to other parts of the home.
The potential for hundreds of new jobs sounded magnificent to the Joppee residents gathered inside the Peace of God Missionary Baptists Church Thursday night.
What it would take to bring them to the southern Dallas community, though, raised a few eyebrows.
Residents listened to a consultant working on behalf of Union Pacific explain the company's long-term plan to turn nearly 100 acres immediately north of Joppee into a hub of distribution centers for large retailers.
"They want to come here because it's the most prosperous area in the United States," said Dallas Cothrum, consultant for Masterplan.
But before those warehouses can be built, Union Pacific wants the land to house two concrete batch plants that would provide the materials used to continue revitalizing the southern sector of Dallas.
Residents are now weighing whether the potential for hundreds of new jobs is worth living next to a bustling industrial site for a currently undetermined amount of time.
"You're putting it this close to a neighborhood that's growing, but it (will cause) more congestion," said Delveeta Thompson, a lifelong Joppee resident.
Some residents are concerned with air quality, noise and the impact on the area's infrastructure, but the potential for new jobs could be enough to persuade them.
The city hopes it will because the long-term plan aligns with the priorities of the city's GrowSouth effort. It brings economic development and jobs, which pushes back against the myth that there are no jobs in southern Dallas.
Cothrum told residents the batch plants would allow materials to be mixed on site, keeping approximately 385 trucks a day from coming into the area to transport materials. He admitted to residents that it's a tough choice, but Union Pacific wants their support.
"I'm not going to say that I would necessarily want to live by a batch plant, but I also don't think that living by not-a-batch plant in this instance is the better outcome," Cothrum said.
The City Council will make the final decision on the short-term plan for the batch plants. Councilwoman Tiffanni Young, who represents the area, did not return calls asking for a comment.
For more than 120 years, the Stock Show and Rodeo has been the crown jewel of Fort Worth.
After 50 years as the livestock show and parade announcer, Roy Eaton has seen generations come and go.
"Everything has gotten more modern," he said. "As the livestock industry has progressed so has our show.
And even after all those years, Eaton is still a strong advocate of all the stock show has to offer.
This year at the junior heifer show, we have more than 2,300 entries," he said. "That makes it the largest junior heifer show in the United States.
Eatons had the unique honor of introducing youngsters years ago and their children years later.
Weve developed a lot of relationships, he smiled.
Eatons regular job as the publisher and president of the Wise County Messenger newspaper keeps him busy, but every year he becomes to voice of the livestock show.
"It's my job to welcome the people to Fort Worth. It's my job to make all the boys and girls who are showing their cattle feel comfortable, he said. I'm not the star of the show. They are the stars of the show."
Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to converge on the Will Rogers Memorial Center over the next three weeks for the annual Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.
One of the most important aspects of the entire event is what it means for youth. Teenagers show their livestock, but another impressive part of the festivities is the Stock Show Art Contest.
All Saints Episcopal School had an amazing number of students place in the contest with the school winning Grand Champion School. Junior, Arden Johnson, was named individual Grand Champion.
"I like being able to be creative and be expressive," Johnson said. I used colored pencils and pastel for the background. It took three months to do it, but it was worth it."
Johnson said she was surprised about what she was able to accomplish.
I've never drawn anything that realistic ever," she said. I was pretty proud of it about halfway through, I could tell it was probably going to look pretty good."
Johnson was not alone as three more of her classmates garnered honors.
"Four in the individual [contest] which is so outstanding because there are only a total of nine spots," art teacher Nola Graham said. "I was so excited. I felt very good going into it. I tend to know what looks really good."
Graham can be seen as more than just their art instructor. Shes the artist helping to sculpt their futures.
"I've had so many students come back to me and tell me how it has changed their lives," Graham said. It's what I want to do. It touches my heart and I'm so happy for them."
Graham teaches the technique, but the soul, love and heart comes from the students.
"I enjoy doing it because it is expressive but not attention-seeking," Johnson said. I really am lucky to have won such a big title, but everyone's was awesome."
The former British intelligence agent at the center of the maelstrom over a 35-page dossier about Donald Trump and the Russians is named Christopher Steele, but an ex-colleague refers to him by a more familiar moniker, NBC News reported.
"He's James Bond," said Nigel West, the intelligence historian and spy-novel author. "I actually introduced him to my wife as James Bond."
Like the movie character, the 52-year-old Steele attended Cambridge University, where he was president of the Cambridge Union Debating Society. He was recruited by the Secret Intelligence Service, Britain's counterpart to the CIA, better known as MI6, right out of university, West said.
He added that Steele was the MI6 case officer for former KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko, who was fatally poisoned with radiation in 2006 after seeking asylum in the United Kingdom.
Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., does not believe Donald Trump was legitimately elected, telling NBC News in an exclusive interview Friday that he believes Russians "participated in helping this man get elected" and "helped destroy the candidacy of Hillary Clinton."
Lewis, a leader in the fight for civil rights, said so after being asked in an interview for "Meet the Press" whether he would try to forge a relationship with the president-elect.
Lewis said he believes in forgiveness and working with people, but added, "it's going to be very difficult. I don't see this president-elect as a legitimate president."
Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) accepts the National Book Award for his graphic novel March: Book Three on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016, tearfully recalling his childhood in an emotional speech. He cowrote the novel with Andrew Aydin, with illustrations by Nate Powell.
Lewis also said that he doesn't plan on attending Trump's inauguration, the first time he'll miss one in his 30-year career in Congress.
A thick glaze of ice covered roads from Oklahoma to southern Illinois on Friday amid a winter storm that caused numerous wrecks, forced cancellation of schools, grounded flights and prompted dire warnings for people to stay home.
Winter storms are typically associated with heavy snowfall, but the one hammering the southern Plains and Midwest dumped freezing rain, a condition even harder for road crews to treat. A slick roadway was suspected in a fatal wreck in Missouri, where long stretches of Interstate 44 and Interstate 55 were ice-covered.
More freezing precipitation was expected in parts of the nation's central corridor throughout most of the holiday weekend.
"There's no mystery to driving on ice," Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Al Nothum said. "It's impossible to do. You have to slow your speed down."
Hundreds of schools were closed, including several college campuses. St. Louis closed all city operations as it braced for its worst ice storm in at least a decade. Several Missouri prisons halted visiting hours.
The weather atmosphere was so turbulent that thunder rumbled as freezing rain fell in Joplin, Missouri.
Several utility companies brought in all available crews who were working extended shifts in anticipation of heavy ice snapping trees and power lines. Scattered outages were reported, including about 2,500 in Springfield, Missouri.
Forecasters issued ice storm warnings from the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles into southern Illinois, with up to 1 inch of ice expected in some locations. Precipitation is forecast to fall in waves Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Residents were taking the warnings seriously. Grocery stores were selling out of bread, milk and other necessities, and hardware stores were running out of flashlights, batteries and alternative energy sources.
"They're grabbing generators, and I'm sold out," said Raymond Bopp, assistant manager of the Woodward Ace Hardware store in Woodward, Oklahoma, about 140 miles northwest of Oklahoma City.
Several states activated emergency management procedures. In Oklahoma, Gov. Mary Fallin declared a disaster emergency. The state set up generators and supplies at temporary shelters in the northern part of the state. Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens and top cabinet officials manned an emergency operations center. Kansas officials were still waiting for the worst of it, with freezing rain in much of the state expected to arrive Saturday.
Missouri Department of Transportation crews were working 12-hour shifts to treat roads and highways, though as some of the freezing rain melted, it washed the chemicals away, said Linda Wilson Horn, a spokeswoman for MoDOT.
"It'll be a long, constant battle for our crews," Horn said.
A driver was killed Friday morning when her SUV veered off of Interstate 55 near Festus, Missouri, south of St. Louis. The Highway Patrol said Tiffany Jackson, 33, died when her Chevy Trailblazer slid out of control on an icy overpass and struck several trees. The highway patrol said two other people were hurt in weather-related wrecks.
Lambert Airport spokesman Jeff Lea said that by late morning, 60 arriving flights and 48 departing flights at Missouri's largest airport have been canceled due to the ice. A handful of flights were canceled at Oklahoma City's Will Rogers World Airport, but the airport remained open, according to a spokesman.
The storm began in California, dumping heavy snowfall in higher elevations that led to the evacuation of thousands of people as rivers surged.
American Airlines said travelers impacted by weather may be able to change their trip with no change fee.
Information current as of January 13, 2017 at 11 a.m.
If you're traveling to/through/from:
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Bloomington, Illinois (BMI)
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What does a Chicago Fire actor do when hes trapped in an elevator? He calls the Chicago Fire Department.
Actor Joe Minoso, who stars on the hit NBC show, said he was trapped in an elevator Wednesday.
Slightly embarrassed cause I know who Im gonna have to call, he wrote on Instagram. But less than 15 minutes later the #chicagofiredepartment was there when I needed them. Thank you so much for the help boys!
[NATL] Top Entertainment Photos: Best of the American Music Awards, and More
The post was shared with a video showing the elevator door being opened by several Chicago firefighters, who quickly recognize the person theyre rescuing.
Thats why you call the Chicago Fire Department, Minoso says in the footage.
Update: A San Diego judge reversed his decision and has ruled the video recorded on the defendant's phone is admissible in the case.
A crucial piece of potential evidence - video that captured a former U.S. Navy Commander allegedly attempting to rape a colleague - was dismissed in court Thursday by a judge. The case was bound over for trial.
Former Commander John M. Neuhart II, 39, now relieved of duty, is facing attempted forced rape, assault with intent to rape, hot prowl burglary and resisting arrest charges. His well-known attorney Kerry Armstrong previously entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. Neuhart is out on bail.
At the preliminary hearing Thursday, there was a long fight over a crucial piece of potential evidence: video on the defendant's cell phone that apparently captured the incident at the victim's home.
A judge ruled that the video, which had been recording for 41 minutes and apparently captured at least some of the incident, is not admissible because Neuhart gave officers the password for his Apple iPhone 6 after he had already obtained legal counsel.
The incident took place Sept. 12 when San Diego police responded to a call of a sexual assault occurring in the city's Valencia Park neighborhood, SDPD Sex Crimes Lt. Paul Phillips said.
Neuhart and the victim, both members of the Navy, met at a hotel downtown when the victim, with a group of friends, recognized Neuhart, according to Phillips. The group talked for a while until the victim left the bar to go home, with Neuhart going as well.
Neuhart allegedly followed the victim into her house, at which point he allegedly attempted to rape her.
"The suspect immediately became forceful with her and attempted to sexually assault her," Phillips said.
The victim testified Thursday that Neuhart took off her pants without consent.
She testified that she pushed him out of her home, but prosecutors say Neuhart returned through the french doors on her back balcony.
Neuhart told her to get a condom, then threw her against the stove and kitchen counter, the victim testified. She said her pit bull, Jax, bit Neuhart, in an attempt to protect her from the assault.
As the victim fought off the suspect, she screamed loudly, Phillips said. A neighbor heard the screams and ran to the front of the house to ask if the victim was okay. When she answered no, the neighbor called 911 and said through the window that the police were on the way.
Neuhart apparently heard the remark, Phillips said, and escaped through the back door.
The neighbor flagged down police when they arrived and pointed out Neuhart, who was running down the street and into a nearby canyon.
Officers apprehended Neuhart in the canyon and took him into custody.
In court, defense attorney Armstrong claims the victim flirted and kissed the defendant and the contact was consensual after a night out drinking.
The former commander is married and has worked in the military for more than 15 years. Neuhart was the commanding officer of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25, based at Anderson Air Force Base on Guam.
A judge sent the case to trial on all counts Thursday.
If convicted, Neuhart could face life in prison.
A major crackdown in the Inland Empire netted dozens of suspected gang members who were involved in crimes ranging from theft and drugs to murder, and believed to be linked to the Mexican mafia, authorities said Thursday.
Fontana police joined forces with the Department of Justice and the California Highway Patrol to conduct a massive gang sweep and early morning raids.
Officers took 35 people into custody in San Bernardino County Thursday alone. Police say they're linked to violent street gangs that have ties to the Mexican mafia and are responsible for wreaking havoc in neighborhoods throughout the Inland Empire.
A total of 67 people have been taken into custody since this investigation began in July.
"Armed robberies, carjackings, murder, assault with weapons, narcotics sales. This has been going on for decades," said Fontana police Sgt. Kevin Goltara.
They're calling the round up Operation Bad Blood because the task force was formed after police noticed a rise in violence between rival gangs.
Before daybreak, the team made up of 350 law enforcement officials served more than 30 search warrants at homes throughout San Bernardino County. They confiscated 19 illegal weapons including handguns, shotguns, and assault rifles. They also confiscated drugs.
"We are targeting high-ranking members of the gangs and taking weapons and people off the street. Dope cases and paraphernalia are all part of this investigation," said San Bernardino County Supervising District Attorney Robert Bulloch.
Some of the arrests stemmed from a high-speed chase in December. Members of the task force had been doing surveillance on a home in Rialto when they witnessed a drive-by shooting. They chased after the car and eventually arrested seven people - including one who had been hiding in the trunk.
"We just happened to be in the right place at the right time," said Fontana police Lt. Doug Imhof.
The joint task force is funded by a $9.4 million grant aimed at reducing crime in California.
Authorities admit the operation certainly won't end gang violence but they're hoping to put a major dent in the violence seen on the street.
A $50,000 reward was announced Friday for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the hit-and-run driver who ran down and fatally injured a 23-year-old woman in November in downtown Los Angeles.
Jacqueline Hernandez was crossing 12th Street near Paloma Street when she was struck at 6:05 p.m. on Nov. 7, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. She was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead nine days later, eight days before her 24th birthday, according to coroner's records.
LAPD Detective Jose De Leon told reporters at a news conference at police headquarters that Hernandez was running across the street after having gone on a job interview. Police said it appears she may have slipped or tripped just before someone struck her with the car.
According to security video reviewed by police, the suspect stopped and got out of the car, but then quickly jumped back in the car and drove away, police said.
The hit-and-run vehicle was described as a silver or black 2015-2016 BMW 428i, and the suspect was described as a man about 40 years old and about 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet tall. No license number was available for the car.
Also at the news conference were Hernandez' family and friends, who wore T-shirts with her image on them.
"She was my girlfriend," Junior Gonzalez said. "I don't know what else to say. ... She was a loving person."
Her boyfriend said they were going to start college together next month.
City Councilman Jose Huizar urged community members to come forward with information to help find the suspect -- and to help the family find justice.
"Hopefully, this $50,000 reward will go a long way to not only capturing the individual who committed this crime, but also (to) help bring some closure to the family," Huizar said.
Anyone with information to help solve the case was urged to call the LAPD Central Traffic Division at 213-833-3746 or 213-486-0751.
Two men who donned anti-Ryan Lochte shirts and stormed onto the "Dancing with the Stars" stage during the live broadcast of the show's season premiere last September pleaded not guilty Thursday to misdemeanor charges.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Christopher K. Lui set a Feb. 16 pretrial hearing for Sam Sotoodeh, 59, and Barzeen Soroudi, 26, who were not in court and entered their pleas through an attorney.
The two are charged with leaving a spectator area and entering a stage, along with interfering with a performance. They could face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted.
At a court hearing last October, Sotoodeh and Sordoudi were ordered to stay at least 300 yards away from the Olympic swimmer.
The men were protesting the selection of Lochte as a contestant on the ABC show over the swimmer's account of being robbed while in Brazil for the Summer Olympics. Police in Rio de Janeiro subsequently accused him of fabricating the account, and the United States Olympic Committee and USA Swimming announced Sept. 8 that Lochte would be suspended from domestic and international USA Swimming national team competitions for 10 months.
Sotoodeh and Soroudi wore white T-shirts bearing Lochte's name in a circle with a line through it and rushed onto the dance floor Sept. 12 as one of the judges, Carrie Ann Inaba, discussed Lochte's performance of the foxtrot with dance partner Cheryl Burke.
Inaba could be heard saying, "Hey, back off. Excuse me," before the show's host, Tom Bergeron, said, "We'll take a break."
The two were immediately subdued and escorted out of the building, according to a representative of BBC Worldwide Productions, which produces "Dancing with the Stars." They were released from jail the next morning.
Prestigious, grandly announced rosters can cover a host of accolades, from acting awards to peace designations to academic prizes.
But if the announcement of the roster is coming from the Secretary of the Interior, there's a solid chance that the lauded list will involve new additions to our country's National Historic Landmarks Program.
Such a list was presented by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell on Wednesday, Jan. 11.
The 24 new countrywide additions to the protected place registry included a trio of Golden State sites. Chicano Park in San Diego is a brand-new National Historic Landmark, as is Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission Chapel in San Jose, and the Neutra VDL Studio and Residences in Los Angeles.
The mid-century modern home and design studio, which is located in Silver Lake, was built by Richard Neutra, a forward-thinking titan of one of Southern California's most quintessential architectural styles, beginning in 1932 (with some various stages of work through the years).
Mr. Neutra's son Dion Neutra joined his father in a "redesign" of the structures following a 1963 fire, and today the property serves as "a resource for Cal Poly Pomona and the community at large," says Prof. Sarah Lorenzen, the VDL Research Director.
The destination stays true to its community commitment, with tours for the general public each Saturday (join one from 11 a.m. to 3 o'clock).
Called "a laboratory for modern architecture," the Neutra VDL Studio and Residences also played host to a host of historic figures through the years, including composer Igor Stravinsky and architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
The house, which is located in Rep. Adam Schiff's district, found a champion in Rep. Schiff as well as Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Both officials supported the important structures receiving the protective national landmark status.
It's a status shared by 2,532 national sites, which encompass 150 California sites, including, in Los Angeles, Baldwin Hills Village, the Bradbury Building, and Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
For the full list of the newest 24 sites to join the most recent class of National Historic Landmarks, check out the Department of the Interior and the expanded rundown of each important location (and why each location was deemed significant).
The Neutra home "is a valuable piece of American Heritage," says a Cal Poly Pomona statement about the designation. Now the Silver Lake landmark is assured of a long and continually inspiring future.
Interesting fact: The Neutra VDL Studio and Residences isn't the only Neutra-related entry on the January 2017 National Historic Landmarks nods. Mr. Neutra co-designed another just-announced National Historic Landmark, the Painted Desert Community Complex in Arizona, along with architect Robert E. Alexander.
Charges have been dropped against a man accused of trying to kidnap several children in Miami dating back to last year, his attorney said Friday.
Marshawn Andrews, 25, was arrested on Dec. 23 on multiple charges including aggravated battery, attempted sexual battery on a minor and lewd and lascivious molestation of a child.
Andrews walked out of the Miami-Dade courthouse a free man Friday and was met by his mother.
"I feel good, to hug my mom, I missed Christmas, New Years," he said. "If it were up to police I'd be rotting in jail right now for something I didn't do."
"I hope that they pick up the person that's really out there trying to do this to these little kids, cause I feel sorry for their family, so I really hope that they do find the person that they're looking for," mom Pamela Andrews said.
An attorney for Andrews said the charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence.
Police said they stand by the arrest and added that they had enough probable cause in the case. In a memo, prosecutors said there wasn't enough evidence to make the charges stick and added that there was "contradictory evidence" in one of the victims' statements.
"Anyone in their right mind could see the sketch wasn't me," Andrews said. "For one, the dude has long dreads and I don't have dreads, you know, type of vehicle the dude drives I don't own or drive."
Andrews was arrested for a series of incidents in which three girls were targeted. The first incident happened on August 31st when a girl who was walking to school near Northwest 65th Street and 7th Avenue was approached by a man in a car, but she was able to get away.
Two more incidents took place later in the year, including on November 10th near Northwest 12th Avenue and 67th Street, where the victim was also able to flee.
The third incident happened on December 12th near Northwest 71st Street and 9th Avenue. The victim said she was walking home from Miami Northwestern Senior High when the armed man ordered her to get in his SUV. Once inside, he ordered to see her private parts, reportedly offering $500 to the victim before she was able to escape the vehicle and run away.
Andrews was arrested after police spotted him offering two women rides in his car, officials said.
At his bond court appearance last month, Andrews called it a "case of mistaken identity," and family members denied his involvement.
While the majority of Floridians voted to pass Amendment 2 many may be surprised to learn that you can't consume medical marijuana in just any form, and in fact smoking it even for medical reasons is still illegal.
There is a lot of confusion around Amendment 2 and that's because the Florida Department of Health still has six months to announce the rules surrounding the law. So until then we are in a kind of gray area where previous laws rule.
The department of health released a detailed report Wednesday about where the law stand now. It pointed out that officials have only begun the rule-making process.
The deadline to declare the rules is July 3, so until then the state has prohibited smoking medical marijuana, it cannot be home-grown, and it cannot be sent through the mail.
So far five dispensaries are approved to grow, process and sell medical marijuana in the state, with only one in South Florida.
Some Amendment 2 supporters are concerned that there are only five dispensaries. They worry it won't be enough to handle the demand to receive medical marijuana.
Officials held a moment of reflection before reopening the baggage claim area at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Friday, a week after five people were killed and six others injured in a shooting.
Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief and the Broward County Aviation Department held the moment of reflection at 12:54 p.m., the same time as the shooting, before the baggage claim area in Terminal 2 was returned to service.
It was a moment to remember the victims and to move forward, officials said. Airport employees embraced and shed tears as five roses honored the victims.
5 roses & a temporary memorial set up for #FLLshooting victims. Awaiting moment of silence & reopening of #Terminal2 baggage claim @nbc6 pic.twitter.com/Uffg3EFOdW Amanda Plasencia (@AmandaNBC6) January 13, 2017
"We cannot let this tremendous event change us," Sharief said. "Now we will do our very best to move forward. Let's demonstrate how special Broward County is, let's demonstrate how special the people are that work here in this airport, that make it what it is."
Esteban Santiago, a 26-year-old Iraq War veteran, is accused of killing five people and wounding six in the shooting rampage. He faces federal charges and remains behind bars.
A new reality for Cubans is coming into focus in Little Havana as scrapping the "wet-foot, dry-foot" policy means just reaching dry land won't be enough for Cubans to stay in the USA.
This comes after a spike in Cuban arrivals between October 2015 and July 2016. The pew research center reports 46,635 Cubans reached America via ports of entry.
Cubans can still seek political asylum, but now they'll be treated the same way the U.S. Government treats migrants from anywhere else in the world.
President Obamas administration emphasizes Cubans first came for more political reasons when the policy was enacted over 20 years ago, now their reasons are more economic.
Some sipping cafecito at Cafe Versailles agree it's time for a change.
"What they suffer there... We can't imagine. We think we can but we really can't. So when they come over here they're looking for a better life for themselves, said Cuban-American Frank Cantero. But if it's so bad, why do you continue going back, why do you continue visiting? Why do you continue taking advantage of what we're offering you when we bring you into this country?"
Then there's another question - what will President elect Donald Trump do as soon as next week?
"I think Donald Trump should sit down and evaluate the Wet Foot Dry Foot, the Cuban Adjustment Act, but also the fact that that dictatorship utilizes the Cubans as merchandise," said Democracy Movement leader Ramon Raul Sanchez.
The U.S. Coast Guard issued a statement saying that they will stop any person trying to enter the country illegally, urging Cuban American communities to discourage people from risking their lives with the "dangerous and illegal at-sea crossings."
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement expressing disappointment in the policy change.
While we have welcomed normalizing relations with Cuba, the violation of basic human rights remains a reality for some Cubans and the wet foot/dry foot policy helped to afford them a way to seek refuge in the United States, said Bishop Joe Vasquez, chairman of the Committee on Migration.
The Florida Immigrant Coalition, which has been critical of the law in the pass and said it unfairly gave Cuban immigrants an advantage over those from other countries, said: "But in the absence of that reform, restricting family reunification and freedom of movement for any group hurts us all.
What remains in place is The Cuban Adjustment Act that allows Cubans to achieve permanent residency after a year. But scrapping wet foot dry foot makes it much harder to reach that level.
The White House argues having a young dynamic population is critical to changing Cuba on the inside.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott released a statement Friday critical of the policy change.
"President Obamas Cuba policy can be summed up this way: he has legitimized and coddled a bloodthirsty dictator and in the process, he has turned his back on those who have fought so hard for a free Cuba. As we sit here right now, people in Cuba are being persecuted and killed for their faith, for supporting democracy, for expressing their political views, and for simply desiring freedom," Scott said. "With the Presidents latest move, it appears that he has consulted and negotiated with a foreign tyrant while completely ignoring the United States Congress. We have a number of great members of Congress in our Florida delegation of Cuban descent, but of course the President did not involve them in his decision-making. Obamas polices have not improved human rights in Cuba. In fact, things may be getting worse. We believe that the murderous regime made about 10,000 political arrests last year. Just this week, pro-democracy leader Dr. Oscar Biscet was arrested. Obama has betrayed Americas long-standing commitment to human rights and freedom in Cuba. We need a Cuba policy that respects the fundamental desire of the Cuban people to be free."
The White House announced Thursday the end of the 'wet foot, dry foot' policy that grants residency to Cubans arriving United States.
The policy change is effective immediately and is the latest move to normalize relations between the U.S. and Havana.
In South Florida, which is home to the largest Cuban exile community, there was mixed reaction to the announcement.
"Those lines get longer and longer for Cubans in Miami that recently arrived that want to reunite with their families. This might be a bittersweet moment, because I know a lot of them actually tried to see if they could get their families here," Dr. Gomez said in a phone interview with NBC 6 Thursday.
Many people dining at Versailles Restaurant, a Little Havana fixture, said they support the change. "They should stay there and fight for their freedom," said a patron who was born in Cuba. "It's very nice to leave your home and when something wrong happens in your home and go some place else and forget about your home," the man added.
Florida Senator Bill Nelson released a statement saying, "I believe changing this outdated policy in order to be fair to all and also to prevent people from abusing the system is the right thing to do.
However, Florida congressman Mario Diaz-Balart called the Obama administration's decision "another shameful concession to the Castro regime." The Republican added, "President Obama has found one more way to frustrate the democratic aspirations of the Cuban people."
The move to scrap the policy also ends the Cuban Medical Professional Parole Program that gave special privileges to Cuban doctors fleeing the communist island.
U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen criticized the shutter of this program saying, "the repeal of the Cuban Medical Professional Parole Program was done because that's what the Cuban dictatorship wanted and the White House caved to what Castro wants."
Police responded to the scene of a triple shooting where two people were killed in Southwest Miami-Dade Thursday afternoon.
The gunfire erupted on Southwest 200th Street and 200th Avenue just before 4 p.m. Chopper 6 footage showed two bodies covered at the scene. A 20-year-old and 35-year-old man were killed in the shooting. A third victim was rushed to Jackson South to undergo surgery.
About an hour after the shooting, a man was seen being arrested by police near Southwest 198th Street and 137th Avenue. MDPD identified him as 49-year-old Luis Castillo.
Detectives say a family member got Castillo on the phone and told them he wanted to surrender to police. An officer took it from there.
"He gave him specific instructions on what to do because he was saying that he did not want to get shot by the officers," said Det. Alvaro Zabaleta.
Police identified one of the victims killed as 35-year-old Wilfredo Javier Siam. The other victim killed was a 30-year-old man whose name wasn't released.
The man who was hospitalized was identified as 36-year-old Juan Cruz.
No other suspects were on the loose and police continue to investigate the possible motive.
President Obama's decision to end the "wet foot, dry foot" policy could be "bittersweet" to many Cubans in Miami, Cuban expert Dr. Andy Gomez told NBC 6.
"Those lines get longer and longer for Cubans in Miami that recently arrived that want to reunite with their families. This might be a bittersweet moment, because I know a lot of them actually tried to see if they could get their families here," Dr. Gomez said in a phone interview with NBC 6 Thursday. "This basically cuts all of those Cubans coming in, so-called illegally, or by wet foot, dry foot, that were legal once they touched land."
Dr. Gomez said he expected the policy would be ended by President-elect Donald Trump and was surprised President Obama made the move.
"I didn't expect President Obama to do it, I expected President Trump once he was sworn in to do it shortly thereafter," he said. "This a policy, personally, I really thought that need to be done away with and in a way, I think it's a good idea that President Obama went ahead and did this."
Dr. Gomez said the move could have a major effect on those Cubans wishing to come to the U.S.
"We have to wait and see because right now the United States only allows 20,000 visas per year for Cubans that want to come to the United States, we'll have to see whether those visa numbers are going to be increased under the Trump administration," he said. "The sad story of this, you know, is so many Cubans died trying to make it here. This has been a very controversial policy, this is a policy that even the Cuban government wanted the United States to cancel."
Former President George W. Bush's daughters, Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush, penned a letter of advice to President Barack Obama's daughters days before the family officially moves out of the White House.
In the letter published online by Time on Thursday and read aloud on the Today Show Friday, the Bush twins, now 35, tell 18-year-old Malia Obama and 15-year-old Sasha that as "former First Children," they'll be taking a position they "didn't seek and one with no guidelines."
The Bushes advise the Obamas to draw on their many experiences during their time in the White House and use them to "help guide you in making positive change."
They wrote, in part:
"In eight years, you have done so much. Seen so much. You stood at the gates of the Robben Island cell where South Africas Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for decades, your arms around your father. You traveled to Liberia and Morocco with your mom to talk with girls about the importance of educationgirls who saw themselves in you, saw themselves in your parents, saw who they could become if they continued to study and learn. You attended state dinners, hiked in national parks, met international leaders and managed to laugh at your dads jokes during the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon, all while being kids, attending school and making friends. We have watched you grow from girls to impressive young women with grace and ease.
And through it all you had each other. Just like we did."
The Bush twins also poked a bit of fun at themselves in the note by telling the Obamas to enjoy college, adding "as most of the world knows, we did."
Dealing with the DMV can prove to be a headache, but one tax-paying Virginia man flipped the script and gave his local DMV the headache of counting nearly 300,000 pennies by hand.
Nick Stafford purchased a brand new Chevrolet Silverado and a Cadillac Escalade in cash, and was required to $2,987.14 to his local DMV.
According to Stafford, he made several calls to the local office and employees refused to provide him with the information he needed, which led him to file three separate lawsuits.
On Wednesday, Stafford pushed five wheel barrels of unrolled pennies into the DMV to pay the sales tax on his newly purchased vehicles.
The Richmond DMV headquarters had been notified about the payment, and informed the local office that they had to accept the payment all 298,745 pennies.
DMV employees reportedly stayed as late as 1 AM to finish counting the 1,598 pounds of pennies, and required Stafford to remain in the office until the count was finished.
Umm. Has anyone broken the news to Mr. Fantastic?
'Fantastic Four' co-stars Kate Mara and Jamie Bell, who portrayed Sue Storm and the Thing in the 2015 reboot, are getting married, the actress' rep confirmed to E! News exclusively Friday.
Mara, 33, and Bell, 30, sparked engagement rumors last year after the actress was seen wearing a different ring on her ring finger. When asked then if they were engaged, the British actor told E! News, "No," while the actress chucked at the question.
Celeb Wedding Dresses
Mara and Bell met on the set of Fantastic Four in 2014. They first fueled dating rumors at the Met Gala in May 2015, holding hands as they made their way into a private after-party. That September, they were spotted looking cozy on a beach in Malibu.
A month later, they were seen kissing on a street corner in New York City.
This will mark the first marriage for both Mara and Bell. He and Westworld's Evan Rachel Wood split in 2014 after a 19 month relationship and welcoming a son.
A 19-year-old former classmate of Todd Jeremiah Allen, a Sterling teen who was found dead weeks after being reported missing, has been charged with murder after admitting to police he stabbed Allen to death and led investigators to the body, according to an arrest warrant.
Allen, known as TJ, had been missing since leaving his Sterling home around 12:30 p.m. on the Monday after Christmas to go dirt biking in the Oneco area of Sterling, his father, Todd David Allen, told NBC Connecticut last month.
On Friday state police said TJ Allen's body had been located.
Kevin Weismore, 19, of Laiho Road in Sterling, has been arrested and charged with murder and tampering with evidence in the case.
According to police, Weismore gave detectives information that led them to Allen's body in a wooded area near 61 Laiho Road.
Allen was found with what appeared to be multiple stab wounds, but the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the exact cause and manner of death.
Police said Allen knew the suspect and they graduated high school together.
The warrant provided a transcript of a statement Weismore gave to police and he claimed he met with TJ Allen on the trails behind Laiho Road around 3 p.m. on Dec. 26 to sell Allen a large amount of marijuana. Several people, including Allen's father, had told police that Allen sold marijuana.
Weismore claimed that when he showed Allen the drugs, Allen pulled a silver revolver from a backpack and pointed the gun at him.
Weismore told police he pushed the gun away and stabbed Allen with a silver folding knife.
I knifed TJ, stabbing him in the stomach once using my right hand, and then stabbing him in the neck a few times. I stabbed him in the neck once and he kept moving so I did it a couple more times, Weismores statement in the warrant reads.
The statement goes on to say that Weismore dragged Allens body behind a rock pile to hide it, then threw the gun off a cliff. Weismore said he burned all his clothing.
According to the warrant, he admitted to a friend what hed done the next day and that friend helped him dump Allens dirt bike into a pond in Killingly.
Allen's mother, Christina Moses, told police she did not think her son had a gun.
Police searched the location where Weismore said he tossed the weapon, but could not locate it, according to the warrant.
When Allen first disappeared, emergency crews and civilian volunteers scoured the woods for days, trying to locate him as his family held out hope he might be found safe.
After police said they'd found Allens remains, Moses spoke with NBC Connecticut about her son and said he was a respectful, kind boy who was loved by everyone.
She said police showed up at her home at 8 a.m. and told her that they'd found her son.
"At least if they never found him, I could always hope that someday he was going to walk through the door, but that's gone now," she said.
Weismore is being held on a $1 million bond and is scheduled to appear in Danielson Superior Court on Jan. 17. State police continue to investigate and it is unclear at this time if there will be other arrests.
A Massachusetts company has recalled chicken soup sold to Whole Foods stores in the tri-state because the soups are mislabeled and contain known allergens, the USDA said.
More than 3,000 pounds of Moms Chicken Soup were recalled by Kettle Cuisine, which shipped the soup to Whole Foods locations in Connecticut and New Jersey, as well as Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Though labeled as chicken soup, the recalled products actually contain Italian Wedding Soup with Meatballs, a soup that contains eggs, milk and wheat, ingredients that are not declared on the label.
The USDA said no adverse reactions to the soup have been reported.
People with concerns about eggs, milk or wheat allergies should check their soup. The affected product comes in 24-ounce cups and has a use by date of Feb. 17, 2017. They bear the establishment number P-18468.
For more information, head to the page for this recall on the USDA website.
What to Know A former NYPD detective known worldwide for forgiving the man who shot and paralyzed him will be mourned at St. Patrick's Cathedral
The Justice Department inspector general opened an investigation into FBI actions before the 2016 presidential election
House Republicans are expected to vote to adopt a House-Senate measure that will make it easier to gut Obamacare
Get the top headlines of the day in your morning briefing from NBC 4 New York, Monday through Friday. Sign up for our newsletter here.
*This daily briefing will be off Monday, returning Tuesday, Jan. 17.
Hero NYPD Detective Mourned
A bullet stole NYPD Det. Steven McDonalds ability to feel most of his body, but it didn't take away the kindness in his heart. The third-generation police officer, who died this week, forgave the man who pulled the trigger 30 years ago and became a messenger of peace, inspiring people across the globe. He will be remembered today at a funeral at St. Patricks Cathedral. The funeral starts at 9:30 a.m.
Watchdog to Probe FBI Actions
In yet another aftershock from the chaotic presidential campaign, the Justice Department inspector general opened an investigation Thursday into department and FBI actions before the election, including whether FBI Director James Comey followed established policies in the email investigation of Hillary Clinton. Democrats have blamed Comey's handling of the inquiry into Clinton's use of a private email server, and his late-October public letter about the case, as one reason for her loss to Republican Donald Trump.
Congress Moves to Gut Obamacare
Congress is on the cusp of completing the first and by far the easiest step toward gutting President Barack Obama's divisive health care law. Friday's vote in the House would adopt a House-Senate measure to make it easier for a subsequent "Obamacare" repeal bill to advance through the Senate without the threat of a Democratic filibuster. The hotly contested health care law has delivered health coverage to about 20 million people but is saddled with problems such as rapidly rising premiums and large co-payments.
VP Joe Biden Honored by Obama
President Barack Obama awarded a teary-eyed Joe Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom Thursday, praising the vice president as an "extraordinary man with an extraordinary career in public service." Obama said he's bestowing Biden, who appeared visibly stunned, with the nation's highest civilian honor for "faith in your fellow Americans, for your love of country and a lifetime of service that will endure through the generations."
C-SPAN Interrupted by Russian News
Web surfers expecting to tune into C-SPAN's online feed of debate in the House on Thursday instead saw images supplied by the Russian news site RT, which briefly interrupted programming on the network's website. The network is "investigating and troubleshooting this occurrence," Mortman said. The network later said it doesn't believe it was hacked. Watch the interruption.
Study: Women Direct Few Top Films
A new study finds that just 7 percent of the 250 highest-grossing films of 2016 were directed by women. The Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film at San Diego State University on Thursday issued the 19th annual edition of its report, titled "The Celluloid Ceiling." The rate of female directors was down 2 percent from last year.
Ziploc Bags Can Help Premies Survive
For premature babies, getting the slightest chill can increase their chance of life-threatening illnesses. Nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Texas Health Fort Worth developed a program to keep fragile babies warmer. The program involves placing the most fragile premature babies, usually less than 32 weeks gestation and 3.3 pounds, into Ziploc freezer bags.
Residents at an upper Manhattan apartment building are rallying against their landlord after enduring carbon monoxide exposure, rodents, mold and other horrific living conditions, they say.
Tenants at the Inwood building say 17 of them were hospitalized last weekend when the boiler released carbon monoxide. The boiler had to be shut off for nearly 24 hours as a result, leaving residents in the freezing cold.
It's the latest in a string of incidents in the 62-unit building.
"It's awful, it's awful. We shouldn't have to live like this," said Wilhemina Washington, who's lived at 3852=3856 10th Ave. for 30 years.
Residents showed NBC 4 New York their deteriorating bathrooms, living rooms and kitchens, all in need of repair. One person captured video of two giant rats scurrying through his apartment.
"We shouldn't have to live like this, regardless of where we came from," said Washington.
Rats are just the tip of the iceberg. Records from the city's Housing Preservation and Development Department show the building has 77 open violations, some dating as far back as 2001.
Violations include lead paint, missing CO detectors, rats, roaches, bedbugs and mold.
Jessica Quinidumbay said her children suffer the most. She told NBC 4 in Spanish, "It's completely terrible to live here. I initially wanted to move out, but I decided to stay here and fight with my neighbors, for my family."
The landlord, Julian Rodriguez and associated LLC Cone Realty, and the building property manager, Kitty Huang, did not return multiple messages left by NBC 4.
Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez called the landlord's inaction "a criminal act."
"Those landlords, they have to be accountable," he said.
City leaders say the landlord and property owner will be asked to make repairs. If they don't, the city will do the repairs and send the landlord the bill.
What to Know Two teenage boys, ages 15 and 17, were arrested Friday in connection with a November 2016 shooting at a Sweet 16 in a CT nightclub
Four people were wounded and one person was seriously injured in the Nov. 12 shooting
A sixth victim was found several days after the shooting, but the individual initially refused medical attention, Bridgeport police said
Two teenage boys, ages 15 and 17, have been arrested and charged in connection with a sweet 16 shooting at a Connecticut club that left 4 people wounded and one person injured, Bridgeport Police officials said.
The teens were charged with various assault and weapons offenses, including reckless endangerment in the first degree, carriyn a pistol without a permit and unlawful discharge of firearms.
The parents of a 16-year-old girl rented out Club Sportivo to host an invitation-only Sweet 16 party. Authorities said the party hosts began charging admission for an after party at the venue at around 10 p.m. when a group of unwanted guests had crashed the party.
At approximately 10:20 p.m., a fight erupted on the dance floor and spilled out into the hallway of the venue. Authorities said several men were seen displaying guns inside the club, and several minutes later, shots rang outside the club.
Roughly 20 officers arrived at 2500 Park Ave. in Bridgeport around 10:40 p.m. Nov. 12, 2016 after multiple calls about a large group of people fighting inside and outside the venue, police said.
Upon arrival, they discovered five gunshot victims. All were taken to local hospitals. All five victims survived their injuries. A sixth victim was found several days later, police said.
Four people were taken to a hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening. A man was hospitalized with serious injuries but is expected to survive. No one was immediately identified.
The investigation is still ongoing.
What to Know NYPD Detective Steven McDonald was memorialized during a Friday morning funeral at St. Patrick's Cathedral
The hero cop was shot by a brazen teen in 1986 and became a paraplegic; he publicly forgave him and became an international voice for peace
Thousands lined up to pay their respects during the first night of his wake in Rockville Centre on Wednesday night
Thousands of colleagues, friends, family members and strangers gathered Friday to mourn NYPD Det. Steven McDonald, who died Tuesday.
Police officers lined up in neat rows outside St. Patrick's Cathedral for the paralyzed detective best known as an international voice for peace and a source of support for other wounded police officers. Among the distinguished guests were NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill, Former NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly and Mayor Bill de Blasio.
The late detective will be buried at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury.
An NYPD motorcade rolled down an uncharacteristically silent Fifth Avenue as a throng of priests dressed in pristine white robes looked on from inside the church. The NYPD Emerald Society, donning their traditional navy and hunter green kilts, waved New York state, NYPD and American flags as they marched along the avenue.
Looking somber and stoic, Patricia Ann McDonald clutched her son's arm as officers carefully removed the casket from a silver hearse. Conor McDonald lifted his white-gloved hand to his NYPD cap to salute his father for the final time.
Seven pallbearers hoisted McDonald's casket onto their shoulders and moved toward the cathedral, followed by a throng of family members and NYPD officers who silently filed inside amid the sounds of bagpipes playing "Amazing Grace." Bells could be heard for blocks as they tolled throughout the morning.
Mayor de Blasio extended his condolences to the McDonald family as he spoke at the podium. He praised his commitment to the NYPD and his message of love for all, saying that the late detective was New York City personified in one man.
"We feel pain and we feel joy that we knew him, and we learned the right way to live from him," he said. "He showed us that the work of policing is profoundly based on love and compassion for your fellow man and woman. He lived it every day."
De Blasio personally thanked Conor McDonald for continuing his father's legacy, and for being a shining example on the force.
"It may feel difficult to go on without him, but you've already been given that great gift of his example. NYPD will continue to feel the faith, the vision of your great father through your work," he said.
NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill called McDonald "one of the most remarkable men he's ever met" and "one of the best cops to don a uniform."
"Steven's is a life that underscores why people want to become police officers," O'Neill said. "Despite using a ventilator, Steven's voice was always strong, just like his message."
McDonald, 59, who suffered a heart attack last week, died at a Long Island hospital. He joined the force in July 1984, but remained on the New York Police Department's payroll as a detective until his death.
He was on patrol on July 12, 1986, when he spotted bicycle thief Shavod "Buddha" Jones and two other teenagers in Central Park. When he moved to frisk one of them, the 15-year-old Jones shot McDonald three times, with one bullet piercing the officer's spinal column.
About six months later, McDonald made a statement that defined the rest of his life: "I forgive him and hope he can find peace and purpose in his life."
After Jones was sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempted murder, McDonald spoke of his hope that the pair would go on speaking tours together to offer a mutual message of peace. But shortly after Jones' release from prison in 1995, he died in a motorcycle accident.
In the years following the shooting, McDonald met with Pope John Paul II and Nelson Mandela, and sat for an interview with Barbara Walters. He also took his message of forgiveness to Israel, Northern Ireland and Bosnia.
News of his death Tuesday sparked a groundswell of condolences on social media; Twitter erupted with remembrances for the police officer who touched so many lives, both at home and abroad.
The New York Rangers established the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award in his honor following the 1987-88 season. Named in his honor, the annual award is given to the Rangers player who goes beyond the normal call of duty.
McDonald was a huge fan of the team, and every season the team honored him and his family on the ice.
"Steven was, quite simply, nothing short of a giant. He touched all of us, he changed all of us," said former New York Ranger Adam Graves, who received the Extra Effort Award in five of his 10 seasons with the Rangers.
"The name McDonald isn't just synonymous with being a Rangers fan," said Commissioner O'Neill. "It is synonymous with being part of an amazing bond of police officers."
The hero detective was an iconic figure of sacrifice for the NYPD and inspired many, including his own son Conor, who followed in his father's footsteps by joining the NYPD in 2010.
The younger McDonald said his father was "the greatest man I could ask to be my father," recouting his father's daily 5 a.m. good morning phone calls and weekly trips to Boston College for a father-son meal at applebees. He warmly recalled the countless Rangers games the two attended together, which he considers to be his most beloved memories.
"My dad loved life, he lived it to the fullest," Conor said. "He wanted to make sure his time on Earth wasn't wasted. He made it it his mission to have all of us realize that love must win."
He also emphasized his father's decades-long commitment to the NYPD both on and off the force, making mention of a saying he made up years ago: "There's more love in New York City than there are street corners."
"My dad loved the NYPD 'til the end. He loved his uniform, he loved the shield, he loved the men and women who woke up every day to protect this city."
In September, the elder McDonald donned his navy blue police uniform to see his son receive a gold detective's shield during his promotion ceremony. He told the Daily News that the promotion was very emotional.
What to Know A Hempstead woman has been convicted of assault after she knocked her daughter's teacher unconscious at a Long Island school in April 2015
The 35-year-old mom allegedly attacked the 58-year-old teacher because she put her hands on her 12-year-old daughter, her attorney said
She is due back in court for sentencing on Feb. 10
A Hempstead woman has been convicted in an April 2015 attack on a Long Island teacher that knocked the educator unconscious, the Nassau County District Attorney said.
Annika McKenzie, 35, of Hempstead was convicted of assault in the second degree, disorderly conduct and harassment in the second degree Thursday afternoon. She is due in court for sentencing on Feb. 10.
Authorities said McKenzie allegedly attacked the female math teacher at around 1:45 p.m. while classes were in session at the Alverta B. Gray Schultz Middle School in Hempstead on April 15, 2015.
McKenzie's daughter alleged that a confrontation took place between her and the then 58-year-old teacher, and as a result, she summoned her mother to the school, officials said.
Upon arrival, the mom bypassed security and administrative offices before physically assaulting the teacher, causing her to lose consciousness.
Hempstead Classroom Teachers Association President Elias Mestizo told Newsday the teacher was taken to the hospital after being put in a headlock and thrown to the floor.
Mestizo told the paper witnesses told him the teacher was knocked unconscious at one point, left "on the floor for a couple of minutes."
McKenzie's attorney, Don Rollock, told NBC 4 New York after McKenzie's 2015 arrest that the parent came to the school because the teacher put her hands on her 12-year-old daughter.
"Teachers shouldn't lay their hands on kids," Rollock said.
President Barack Obama used Abraham Lincolns and Martin Luther King Jr.s Bibles at his swearing in ceremony in 2013, two presidents used a chair George Washington sat in at his inaugural and George W. Bush wore his father's cufflinks at the ceremony.
Donald Trump will use his Bible, as well as same Lincoln Bible Obama used, when he is sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts as the 45th president of the United States, the Presidential Inaugural Committee announced Tuesday.
In his first inaugural address, President Lincoln appealed to the better angels of our nature, said PIC Chairman Tom Barrack. As he takes the same oath of office 156 years later, President-elect Trump is humbled to place his hand on Bibles that hold special meaning both to his family and to our country.
Trump received his Bible from his mother upon his graduation from Sunday Church Primary School at First Presbyterian Church in New York on June 12, 1955, the committee said in a statement. The front cover is embossed with his name and the inside cover is signed by church officials and is inscribed with Trump's name and the details of when it was presented, the statement said.
The Lincoln Bible, part of the collections of the Library of Congress, "was purchased for the first inauguration of President Abraham Lincoln by William Thomas Carroll, Clerk of the Supreme Court," the committee said in a statement. "The Bible is bound in burgundy velvet with a gold-washed white metal rim along the edges of the covers."
The Presidential Inaugural Committee's director said on Jan. 11, before details about about the Bibles Trump will be using were released, that the 58th presidential inauguration on Jan. 20. will be full of symbols.
[NATL] First Ladies' Inaugural Fashion Through the Years
Boris Epshteyn said the parade will be shorter than in years prior because Trump wants to get to work as soon as possible. Trump plans to attend three balls, in contrast with Obama who went to 10 balls in 2009 and former President George W. Bush who attended eight balls to celebrate his first inauguration. Epshteyn said a shorter parade and a smaller numbers of balls one of the three will salute the armed forces and first responders symbolize Trumps commitment to the American people and getting to work right away.
The President-elect is representative of the people, Epshteyn said. "This inaugural is all about the people and the armed forces ball will be saluting the first responders so the EMTs, the firemen, the police, who help save lives in this country every single day. So thats symbolic about thinking and honoring those responders across the country.
He later added, This inaugural is of the people by the people and for the people.
[NATL-DC] IMAGES: Tickets, Map Unveiled for Trump Inauguration
Jim Bendat, one of the nation's leading experts on presidential inauguration history and author of Democracy's Big Day: The Inauguration of Our President, 1789-2013 said including objects of historical importance in the inauguration is symbolic of how our country has evolved but also illustrates what traditions we want to continue.
Take a look at examples of symbolism from past inaugurations:
1: George Washingtons Bible: The Bible used by the nations first president during his oath in 1789 has been kept at the archives of the St. Johns Masonic Lodge in New York City. That Bible is still on display and four other presidents have used it during their swearing in: Warren Harding in 1921, Dwight Eisenhower in 1953, Jimmy Carter in 1977 and George H. W. Bush in 1989. George W. Bush also wanted to use that Bible in 2001, and it was brought in from New York to D.C. the day before the ceremony. But the inauguration day was cold and rainy and the St. Johns members who transported the Bible from New York would not allow for it to be brought outside in those weather conditions. So George W. Bush used a family Bible, instead. Its a link to the past," Bendat said of the president's use of a Bible.
2. Washington's Chair: George Washington sat in a particular chair during the 1789 inauguration and that exact chair was preserved and then used in later inaugurations. Ulysses S. Grant used it in 1873 and James Garfield sat in it, too, at the 1881 ceremony.
White House Historical Association
3. Bible Not Required: Theres no requirement that a Bible be used during a presidential swearing in. John Quincy Adams, who was a lawyer, placed his hand upon a book of constitutional law when he took the oath in 1825. There were also some sudden inaugurations after the death of a president where no Bible or other book was used. Chester Arthur was sworn in 1881 in his own home following the death of James Garfield and there was no Bible at the house. When Theodore Roosevelt became president after William McKinleys assassination in 1901, the oath was administered at a friends home where no Bible could be found. After Warren Harding died in 1923, Calvin Coolidge was sworn in without placing his hand on a Bible, though a Bible was on the table in his fathers home where the ceremony took place.
White House Historical Association
4. Lincolns Hair: In 1905, Teddy Roosevelt was sworn in as president and close to him was a lock of Abraham Lincolns hair. John Hay, Roosevelts secretary of state who worked under Lincoln 40 years earlier, sent him a locket that contained the former presidents hair. Roosevelt had been a great admirer of Lincoln and was so inspired by Hays gesture that he took the locket with him to the ceremony.
White House Historical Association
5. Open White House: Andrew Jackson, considered the first real Washington outsider to become president in 1829, took the term "open house" seriously on inauguration day. He invited the public to the White House and his supporters strolled in wearing muddy boots. They ruined the carpets, tore down the curtains and trashed the residence. The story goes that someone put a tub of whiskey out onto the White House lawn and the drunken party slowly left the White House. Opening up the White House was a pretty common occurrence in the 19th century, Bendat said. On Abraham Lincoln's inauguration on March 4, 1865, it was estimated the president shook hands with about 6,000 people in just 3 hours. Among them was Frederick Douglass, who told Lincoln that his speech, trying to bring the country together at the end of the Civil War, was "a sacred effort." According to Bendat, "That was the first time in U.S. history that the president had greeted and sought the opinion of a free, black man inside the White House."
President Obama spoke with NBC News Lester Holt in an exclusive interview prior to giving his farewell address Tuesday night.
In this excerpt, Obama reflects on his decision to address race in America at the funeral for South Carolina State Senator Rev. Clementa Pinckney, one of nine victims killed in the 2015 Charleston church shooting.
This was a moment when I think the entire country recognized, not just the evil that had been perpetrated, but also this amazing response on the part of these people in this church, who had seen friends and family gunned down, he said. There were open hearts at that moment.
Donald Trump's inauguration is still a week away, but opposing the president-elect is good politics for any ambitious Democrat with eyes on a White House bid, NBC News reported.
That could be why some of the most outspoken opposition to Trump's cabinet appointees during this week's confirmation hearings has come from Democrats widely seen as potential presidential contenders four years from now.
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker was the most brazen in using the confirmation hearings to raise his personal profile, breaking precedent to become the first senator in history testify against a fellow member of the chamber. He was swarmed by reporters as he left the hearing room where he spoke out against Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, Trump's pick for Attorney General.
But other up-and-coming senators often mentioned in Democrats' 2020 fantasy draft picks leveraged the spotlight on their committees' hearings to press their issues and demonstrate their rhetorical chops.
A federal appeals court has denied a disgraced former Pennsylvania congressman's request to remain free while appealing his conviction on racketeering charges while his supporters seek a reprieve from President Barack Obama.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit rejected former U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah's petition on Tuesday along with similar pleas made by two of his co-defendants.
The 60-year-old West Philadelphia Democrat is set to begin serving his 10-year sentence on Jan. 25, after he was convicted in June of using more than $600,000 in government grants and nonprofit funds on personal and campaign expenses.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports supporters urged Obama to absolve Fattah, claiming there was misconduct by investigators.
Fattah served nearly 20 years in Congress.
A Massachusetts man was arrested in New Jersey one day after his father was found dead in Blackstone.
Bay State authorities had named 48-year-old Glenn Armstrong a person of interest in the death of his 83-year-old father, Walter, who was found dead during a well-being check at his Summer Street home around 5 p.m. Wednesday. Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. said Thursday the younger Armstrong was being sought for questioning in what they believed to be a homicide.
Around 8:30 p.m., Early's office announced that police in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, had taken Armstrong into custody on a Massachusetts warrant for failing to submit DNA.
Armstrong was driving the 1995 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck, owned by his father, that was missing from the scene, according to authorities. Police say it ran out of gas in the area and he was taken into custody in the parking lot of a hotel.
Early said before the arrest that Armstrong may be in the New Jersey area, where he has ties. But the DA also noted ties to Rhode Island, New York and Florida. He has served jail time in the past.
The DA's office is working to bring Armstrong back to Worcester County.
Six separate shootings across Philadelphia Thursday into Friday left two people dead and sent seven others to the hospital and investigators are blaming the unseasonably warm weather as being partially responsible for the bloodshed.
"We had an unusually high number of shootings, it was unseasonably warm... the weather was in the 60s so there is a lot more people out on the streets," said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small. "We believe that is the reason for the increase in shootings over the last several hours."
The violence started just before 7 p.m. along the 5500 block of Germantown Avenue near Seymour Street in Germantown where police said an 18-year-old man and 22-year-old man were both shot. Police said the teen suffered gunshot wounds to the neck and shoulder, the older victim was shot once in the arm. Both were taken to Einstein Medical Center in stable condition.
Around 8:10 p.m. police were called to 76th Street and Ogontz Avenue in the Cedarbrook section, and found 19-year-old David McFarlin shot 10 times. The victim -- who lived on the block -- died a short time later.
Minutes later, police were investigating another deadly shooting of a 35-year-old man who was shot multiple times, execution-style while standing next to his wife outside a bar on the 4500 block of Melrose Street in Frankford. Medics pronounced Eric Robinson dead on the scene, said police.
Around 8:45 p.m., near 55th Street and Walton Avenue in West Philadelphia bullets struck a 22-year-old man multiple times in the back, said police. Other officers then found a 30-year-old man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds nearby. Both victims were treated at Penn Presbyterian Hospital in critical condition.
About 30 minutes later, near 41st Street and Girard Avenue in Parkside, a 70-year-old bystander was shot in his arm and a 23-year-old man was struck in the hip and hand, said police. Doctors at Penn Presbyterian listed both victims in stable condition.
Then around 2 a.m., on the 2300 block of Bailey Terrace -- behind the Wilson Park Towers -- in South Philly officers found a 33-year-old man next to his SUV suffering from one gunshot wound to his abdomen. Doctors at Presbyterian hospital performed surgery on the man and expected him to survive.
"It appears based on the crime scene that there was some sort of shootout," said Small.
In total investigators found more than one dozen shell casings from at least two separate weapons, said Small.
There were no arrests in any of the shootings as police continued to investigate the crimes.
Three suspects escaped after assaulting an off-duty Pennsylvania state trooper and crashing their car into two police vehicles in the Summerdale section of Northeast Philadelphia.
The unidentified suspects were heading southbound on Roosevelt Boulevard near Summerdale Avenue shortly before 5 a.m. Friday when they crashed a Cadillac into a police cruiser, Philadelphia Police said.
The three men sped off with police officers on their tail. They crashed again, this time into an off-duty Pennsylvania state trooper in his personal vehicle, said investigators.
Two of the suspects ran off after assaulting the trooper who was trying to help them after the crash, police said. Officers arrested and handcuffed a third suspect and put him in the back of a Philadelphia police car, but he managed to escape and run down the street.
Officers were able to catch up with the yet-to-be-identified suspect around 9:15 a.m. and again arrest the suspect. SkyForce10 was overhead as police led the suspect into the police station.
The incident caused major traffic delays in the area of the Boulevard as police continued their investigation.
The two other suspects from the Cadillac remained on the loose.
Rescuers in New Jersey are searching for a missing fisherman whose clam boat was found empty Friday morning in Little Egg Harbor.
The Coast Guard, New Jersey State Police and the Tuckerton Fire Department are using a helicopter and a boat to search for the fisherman, whose boat was found aground on Hither Island in Ocean County. A rescue effort has been underway for about eight hours.
Weve all been praying, said Glenn Miller, a longtime friend of the missing boater.
[I] helped him load it up, got all his gear together. I watched him cruise on out of the Tuckerton Creek and thats the last thing Ive heard from him.
The fisherman, whose name was not released, told a relative Thursday night he had run aground but did not need assistance. Some worried he ran into trouble while trying to get his boat back in the water.
It gets kind of hairy because it goes from being ankle-deep water [and] right to the left of you it could be 12 feet, said Mike Joannides Jr. from Stafford Township. The drop off is pretty steep.
With weather turning colder by the hour, rescuers limited their search to the air Friday afternoon, authorities said. They planned to continue searching the water tomorrow weather permitting.
The director of public safety of Cabrini University, who said he was beaten by an Uber driver in University City last month, has learned about an arrest in his case, his lawyer said Thursday.
"We applaud the University of Pennsylvania Police Department for their hard work, persistence and bringing a dangerous individual to justice," Matthew Luber told NBC10.
Luber, a Marlton-based lawyer, is representing Joseph Fusco, who is suing Uber over an attack in which he says the driver beat him and left him lying unconscious in a pool of blood after refusing to drive him from Philadelphias University City section to his Cherry Hill, New Jersey,
Major C. Fuller, 57, was arrested Wednesday and faces charges of aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person in the Dec. 22 incident, according to philly.com.
The lawsuit states Fusco, 30, attended a private holiday party hosted by the security company Allied Universal. Fusco says he left the party around 11 p.m. and contacted Uber for a ride home. The driver arrived in a Toyota Corolla and Fusco got into the front passenger seat, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleges Fusco asked the driver to take him to his home in Cherry Hill but the driver refused. When Fusco asked him again, the driver allegedly got out of the vehicle, opened the passenger door and dragged him out of the front seat by his coat collar. The driver then beat Fusco and left him on the pavement in a pool of blood, according to the lawsuit. The driver also allegedly stomped and kicked Fusco in the face and head while he was already unconscious. He then fled the scene, the lawsuit states.
Fusco says that even after the beating he was charged for the 28-minute ride. His lawyer later told NBC10 he was eventually refunded.
Two bystanders found Fusco on the sidewalk and called 911. He was taken to Presbyterian Hospital and treated for serious facial injuries and broken bones, according to the lawsuit.
After being released from the hospital, Fusco said he emailed Uber to tell them he was assaulted by the driver. The lawsuit states a representative for Uber told Fusco they would investigate the matter and also offered to reimburse him for the ride he was billed for. Fusco says the company hasnt contacted him since then though his lawyer confirmed that he was eventually reimbursed.
The lawsuit also accuses Uber of not cooperating with University of Pennsylvania police in the investigation by not giving them the proper information on the driver, including his full name and license plate number.
Following the attack, a spokesperson for Uber declined to give NBC10 a formal comment on the incident due to the pending litigation. The spokesperson did say Uber was cooperating with the police investigation in spite of the lawsuits claims and that the driver accused of assaulting Fusco was banned from the company.
The spokesperson also said that the driver alerted Uber after the incident on Dec. 23.
Fuller was being held on $10,000 bail, according to philly.com.
U.S. & World
Stories that affect your life across the U.S. and around the world.
Immediately after fans learned their hometown San Diego Chargers were dropping the "San Diego" from their title, some of them took out their anger and despair by throwing out their team memorabilia.
A large pile of posters, banners, hats, T-shirts and player jerseys grew in the hours after Chargers owner Dean Spanos made the announcement Thursday morning.
The news has created an interesting dilemma: Do you keep the San Diego Chargers gear or get rid of it? Are you more loyal of a fan if you burn it or pack it away as a memento of better days?
A glance at some of the comments on NBC 7's Facebook page shows people are split.
If you're going to burn it, just be warned - Shawne "Lights Out" Merriman has vowed to track you down if you touch anything with #56.
If anybody thinking about burning my jersey I'm not Lebron I'll come find you. lol Shawne Merriman (@shawnemerriman) January 12, 2017
Cheryl Wren Mercado refuses to get rid of anything. "This hurts, but being ugly about it, is lame," she said..
Im going to keep my jersey as a memory of happier days, shadow box it and leave it up as art, Timothy Wazny posted.
That's just what Marvin Soonthorn said he's going to do. "I'm framing my Gates jersey in hopes I can get him to sign it one day," Soonthorn wrote.
Tonya Tee McKay suggested sending the clothing items to someone who may need it more, like the homeless. "Especially the hats and jackets!" she wrote.
Another fan, sees opportunity. "Sell it on EBay, don't burn it," said Carlos Julian Fernandez.
In fact, we saw more than a few inquiries from fans wanting to help the broken hearted by taking those player jerseys off their hands. There were more than a few requests for vintage collectibles.
[G] Buh-Bye, San Diego Chargers
Will it be worth something someday? A quick glance at the San Diego Clippers items for sale on eBay suggests San Diego Chargers gear will be valuable only for the memories.
Clipper hats described as vintage were priced between $10 and $30 while most unsigned jerseys were priced between $50 and $100.
I will never buy anything from the LA Chargers but will also never get rid of any of my SD Chargers stuff, said Bolts fan Eileen Keeter.
Her fellow fan Oscar Fahme agrees.
"I personally think it's stupid and disrespectful throwing out your Charger Gear," Fahme posted. "I mean, c'mon think about all the good times, with family and friends you had wearing SD charger gear. You don't have to wear it if you don't want to but at least save it for memories."
Longtime Chargers fan Charles Cole told NBC 7 he just had to be outside Chargers Park to see it from the main source. He said hes hoping for a hail Mary.
A man pleaded guilty Thursday to the slayings of two brothers and a young woman in a mysterious case that has engrossed San Diego for more than three years.
With his change of plea, Carlo Mercado, 31, admitted to personally using a firearm to kill brothers Salvatore Sal Belvedere, 22, and Gianni Belvedere, 24, and Giannis fiancee, Ilona Flint, 22.
Gianni was killed sometime between Dec. 23, 2013, and Jan. 17, 2014, though evidence suggests Dec. 23, 2013. Sal and Flint were gunned down in the parking lot of Westfield Mission Valley Mall on Christmas Eve 2013.
Deputy DA: victims had nothing to do with their demise. They were literally at the wrong place at wrong time. Mercado didn't know victims. Megan Tevrizian (@megantevrizian) January 12, 2017
In February 2016, Mercado pleaded not guilty to the murders. Prior to his change of plea Thursday, Mercado's trial had been slated to begin on April 3, 2017.
San Diego Judge Frederic Link sealed Mercados fate Thursday with three consecutive sentences of life without parole one for each murder victim telling Mercado, Sir, you will never get out of prison.
Mercado stared blankly as the judge handed down the sentence, showing no emotion. Mercado has given up his right to appeal, the judge said.
Mercado did not apologize. Would not even look at victims' families as they cried in court. #NBC7 Megan Tevrizian (@megantevrizian) January 12, 2017
When given an opportunity to address the families of the victims in court, Mercado glanced at his lawyers and said "No," that he had nothing to say to them.
As mentioned before, San Diego County Deputy District Attorney Brian Erickson said the killings were nothing more than a random act of violence, likely sparked by road rage or a carjacking. He said the victims and Mercado did not know each other, which is why this case is so difficult to understand.
Erickson said the timeline of the killings likely unfolded this way: On Dec. 23, 2013, Mercado was riding his motorcycle near Westfield Mission Valley mall when his motorcycle broke down. At this point, Mercado may have gotten into a road rage-type argument with Gianni over unknown circumstances.
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Gianni was sitting in his car, parked at the mall that night because he was picking up Flint from her job at the mall. Mercado saw Gianni in his car and walked up to him; he confronted Gianni and maybe tried to steal his car. Erickson said Mercado then shot and killed Gianni, while Gianni was on the phone with his cousin.
The phone line went dead.
The defendant wanted his car walked up to it does not know him, just outright shoots him, and takes his car, the prosecutor explained. After he shot him, [Mercado] pushed [Giannis] body over to the passengers seat where Gianni literally bled out in his own car.
After that, with Giannis body in the car, Erickson said Mercado drove the car back toward his home in Mira Mesa. He stopped at a gas station and put gas in Giannis car. Erickson said Mercados DNA was later found on the gas cap of the victims car.
[[388487071,C]]
About an hour-and-a-half later, Erickson said Mercado drove back to Westfield Mission Valley mall, likely to pick up his motorcycle which he knew connected him to the scene of Giannis murder.
At the time, Erickson said Mercado had no idea that Sal and Flint would be in the parking lot of the mall. Sal and Flint were there looking for Gianni, worried after Gianni had failed to pick Flint up from work that night as promised.
They waited in that parking lot for Gianni, wondering where he was, Erickson explained. Calling hospitals; calling the jail calling different places looking for him, in a panic.
At that moment, Mercado pulled up to the parking lot in Giannis car. Sal and Flint saw the car, and perhaps thinking Gianni was behind the wheel or realizing someone else was driving, motioned for the vehicle to come close to them. Erickson said Flint quickly realized something was off that it wasnt Gianni driving the car and she dialed 911.
[Flint thought] Its 1 a.m., my boyfriend is not here and somebody else just pulled up in his car, Erickson said. And she calls 911 and Mr. Mercado doesnt even give her a chance he guns her down, shoots her in the back, shoots Salvatore.
Erickson said Mercado used a .22-caliber gun to shoot Flint and Sal. The gun was equipped with a silencer, which is why the shooting wasnt clearly heard on Flints call to 911.
Erickson said the victims were all simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and these random killings couldve happened to anyone that night no matter how difficult that concept may be for the community to grasp.
He said the victims had nothing to do with Mercado before their slayings; the killings were in no way their fault.
Gianni, Salvatore and Ilona had nothing to do with their demise had nothing to do with them being murdered, Erickson said. And I know people have a hard time accepting that because they think, Oh, they mustve done something. They didnt. They didnt do anything.
This couldve been any one of us in that parking lot that night, he added.
[[281393771,C]]
Sal and Giannis sister, Antoinette Belvedere, read a letter in court Thursday on behalf of her mother. The letter said the familys lives have been forever changed by the murders of their loved ones.
The unbearable pain is to stay, for all of these difficult and heartbreaking years three years that feel like 30 may God continue to grant me the grace and courage and strength to somehow endure, Antoinette read from her mothers letter.
The family of the victims brought photos of the Gianni, Sal and Ilona to court; the judge ordered Mercado to look at them.
After the killings, Erickson said Mercado put fake license plates on Giannis car and parked the vehicle near his home and work in Mira Mesa. Giannis body was left in the trunk of the car for three weeks. Mercado bought Febreze air freshener at the Target store where he worked in an attempt to cover up the stench of the body. At one point, he tried to sell the stolen vehicle.
[[273800561,C]]
Three weeks later, he drove the car to Riverside, California, and abandoned it in the parking lot of a shopping center located more than 100 miles away from San Diego. On Jan. 17, 2014, police found Giannis badly decomposed body stuffed into the trunk of his own car in that lot in Riverside.
For five months, there was no break in the baffling triple homicide case. On June 20, 2014, Mercado was arrested as the suspect in slayings.
Thus began more than two-and-half years of legal proceedings involving Mercado -- including competency hearings, Mercado's pretrail in early September 2014 and his hospitalization in late July 2016 -- until his guilty plea on Thursday.
"Todays guilty plea holds the defendant accountable and is a small measure of justice for the families of the victims, allowing them to avoid the emotional toll of a lengthy trial," District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said in a press release Thursday. "These senseless murders shocked San Diegans during the holidays three years ago. The team who prosecuted this defendant worked tirelessly in the pursuit of justice in order to reach an outcome that will send this murderer to prison for the rest of his life."
For a full timeline of this case, click here.
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One San Diego Chargers fan was taken into custody after the fan set fire to a pile of memorabilia.
Since news of the team's move to Los Angeles Thursday morning, Chargers' fans have expressed their disappointment by throwing away their team gear, right at the doorstep of team headquarters.
Fan frustration reached a boiling point just after 6 p.m. Thursday when one fan set a large pile of clothing - old jerseys, shirts and other gear - and watched it burn.
The fan was quickly taken into custody and the fire put out by security officials.
The incident was captured on video. Warning: the video may contain adult language.
No further information was available.
The Chargers have a contract with the City of San Diego that runs through the 2020 season.
They have a four-month window that begins Feb. 1 and ends May 1 to opt out of the teams lease at Qualcomm Stadium. If they end the lease early, they will pay the City $12 million for the buyout, freeing the Chargers to play in Los Angeles next season.
That doesn't pay off the remaining bond debt that financed a stadium expansion.
On notice of termination, the team will also have to vacate the Murphy Canyon Practice facility.
The Chargers plan to conduct offseason training and minicamp at Chargers Park.
A spokesperson for the City told NBC 7 Thursday, the team would have to vacate by July 31, 2017.
Two men snuck into an unincorporated El Cajon market by forcing their way in through a rooftop vent, stealing large amounts of cigarettes and lottery tickets, according to San Diego County Sheriff's officials (SDSO).
The burglary happened between 5 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. on Sunday when two adult men broke into the Rainbow Farms Market, located at 1335 La Cresta Boulevard in unincorporated El Cajon.
The men climbed up on the roof and removed a large vent on the rooftop, forcing their way into the building through the ceiling, Sergeant Chris Galve said. The men climbed down inside the market.
The men stole a large quantity of cigarettes and lottery tickets, Galve said. Deputies later learned the men cashed the lottery tickets at multiple locations throughout San Diego's East County.
Once they burglarized the market, the man climbed back out of the building and fled before deputies arrived.
Deputies examined surveillance camera footage of the incident and identified the burglars, Galve said.
Lakeside residents Everett Luther and Travis Murry were later taken into custody for the burglaries. Murry had two outstanding felony warrants on unrelated burglary charges.
A Missing Person at Risk alert has been issued for 15-year-old Natalia Benito of San Diego, whom police say made statements indicating she wanted to harm herself prior to her disappearance.
The San Diego Police Department says that Benito was last seen at her home at 11000 Corte Belleza in the Carmel Country Highlands neighborhood at 2:30 a.m. Thursday morning.
Benito is described as a white female, 5 feet 8 inches tall, with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing black sweatpants, but it is possible that she has since changed clothes.
Benitos family is offering a $20,000 reward for any information that helps in returning her to them.
If you have information regarding Natalia Benito or her whereabouts, you can call SDPD at (619)531-2000. Police ask that you call 9-1-1 if you see her.
A flood advisory has been issued for parts of San Diego County as a heavy rain moves into the County Thursday afternoon.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued the advisory for Northwestern San Diego County - including Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista, San Marcos, Camp Pendleton, Fallbrook and surrounding areas - for the expected rainfall.
Parts of San Diego could see 0.25 to 0.50 inches of rainfall an hour during the storm's most intense bands. Due to the heavy rainfall, parts of the County should expect to see local flooding.
One San Diegan told NBC 7s Katia Lopez-Hodoyan that the rain is like liquid sunshine.
Afternoon commuters will likely see some rain as they head home when a storm begins to sweep through the County.
Heavier rain will make its way onto shore starting at 5 p.m. Thursday. Coastal cities will see the most intense rain from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., NBC 7 Meteorologist Whitney Southwick forecasted.
East County communities will see heavy rain Thursday evening around 8 p.m., Southwick forecasted.
The cells will drop a lot of rain in a short period of time, Southwick forecasted. The NWS estimated Oceanside, Escondido, Fallbrook and Temecula would see at least an inch of rain.
The rain will continue on overnight into mid-morning Friday.
The NWS warns anyone who may see flooded roads to turn around and find another route.
The University of California, San Diego will receive $10.5 million from Switzerlands Family Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation to research the mysteries of human breast milk.
Breast milk is known to be the best source of nutrition for babies, but the composition of human milk still puzzles researchers. The foundation is funding a new initiative to provide an evidence-based understanding of how genetic and environmental factors affect human milk. The initiative also will research how human milk affects the health of the recipient over their lifespan.
"UC San Diego has a strong track record for interdisciplinary collaborations and researchers who aren't afraid to challenge conventional wisdom," UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla said in a statement. "As one of the world's top research universities, we are committed to advancing the wellbeing of our society.
The Family Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation's gift includes seed funding for a new center at UC San Diego (called Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation Mother-Milk-Infant Center of Research Excellence). The cash will also go towards an endowed faculty chair in collaborative human milk research, as well as a collaboration and fellow fund for collaborative studies either within UC San Diego or with external researchers.
The center will accept further gifts and endowments, which will allow it to grow over time, the university stated in a press release.
Lars Bode, associate professor of pediatrics at UC San Diego School of Medicine, has been named the center's director.
Based in Zug, Switzerland, the Family Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation is an independent charitable group that supports research in human milk and lactation. The gift to UC San Diego follows the foundation's endowment of two professorships in this field at the University of Western Australia and the University of Zurich.
Additional stories from the San Diego Business Journal are available here. Sign up for their free daily email newsletter.
A U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander was sentenced to more than two years years in prison in federal court on Thursday.
Gentry Debord, 41, plead guilty in October 2016 to accepting bribes in the form of cash, luxury hotels and prostitutes from Leonard Glenn Francis, also known as Fat Leonard.
Debord was sentenced to 30 months in prison, ordered to pay a $15,000 fine and $37,000 in restitution to the U.S. Navy.
Francis, a foreign defense contractor for Singapore-based Glenn Defense Marine Asia (GDMA), plead guilty in January 2015 to bribing senior naval officials in exchange for specific Navy warship movements so his company could overbill the Pentagon.
According to Debords plea agreement, he gave Francis proprietary Navy information that benefited GDMA in return for the bribes. He also asked Francis and his company to inflate invoices sent to the Navy for services that were not given.
The fraud occurred from November 2007 to January 2013, while Debord was a supply officer aboard the U.S.S. Essex.
Debord also used code language and fake email accounts to cover up the fraud.
Sixteen individuals have been charged in the case so far, 11 of whom are current or former U.S. Navy officials, including Debord.
[GALLERY] Criminal Probe Alleges Secrets Swapped for Prostitutes, Travel
Rear Admiral Robert J. Gilbeau is the highest-ranking U.S. Navy officer to have been charged in the case so far. He pleaded guilty to one felony charge in June 2016.
Gilbeau is also believed to be the first active-duty Naval flag officer to ever be charged in a federal criminal court, according to a press release by the U.S. Attorney's office in San Diego. He is still awaiting his sentence.
NBC 7 has been following this investigation since September 2013.
Days after a man opened fire in a D.C. pizzeria because police say he believed Hillary Clinton was running a child sex ring there, another man is accused of threatening a pizzeria located on the same block.
Court records reviewed by News4 said Yusif Jones of Louisiana called Besta Pizza on Connecticut Avenue in Washington, D.C. and made a threat.
Im coming there to finish what the other guy didnt. Im coming there to save the kids," he said, according to the records.
The filings say the incident occurred on Dec. 7, two days after the high-profile arrest of a gunman inside Comet Ping Pong. The filings say the threat was made in the late morning to an employee who picked up the phone.
According to court filings, investigators questioned Jones about whether he was aware of the false Pizzagate conspiracy theory.
Yes I heard of it. Its on the internet," he reportedly responded.
"Yes, I do believe it, the court records say he later said.
Jones was scheduled for a court appearance in Shreveport, Louisiana, on Thursday to face a federal criminal charge. His plea in the case was not listed in court filings.
An attorney for Jones was not listed, and phone calls to Jones went unanswered.
The false Pizzagate conspiracy theory gained worldwide attention in recent months. Posts to Facebook and Reddit claimed Comet Ping Pong, a family-friendly restaurant, was the home base of a child sex abuse ring run by Hillary Clinton and her presidential campaign chair, John Podesta.
Multiple businesses in the area reported receiving threatening calls and emails.
A former agency official says the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is slow to discipline employees for misconduct and too willing to settle disciplinary cases without firing the workers involved.
Former agency counsel Ken Carroll said the VAs disciplinary process is frustrating to workers and damaging to the agency's performance.
"The bottom line is: Its difficult to fire someone. Period," Carroll said in an exclusive interview with the News4 I-Team.
Carroll is a former official with the VAs Office of General Counsel in Dallas. Carroll said a recent News4 investigation into a deadly incident involving a VA employees misconduct in Dallas showed flaws in how the agency handles problem workers.
VA manager Jed Fillingim, while in Dallas in 2010 on a government trip, drove a government truck after a night of drinking with a colleague and a female companion. According to police reports and interrogation tapes obtained by the I-Team, the woman fell out of the truck while it was moving and died. She suffered severe head injuries and a severed leg in the fall.
Though Fillingim admitted drinking before driving the vehicle, criminal charges were not filed. A blood alcohol test conducted hours after the incident showed Fillingims blood-alcohol level at .03, below the legal limit.
Serving as an agency attorney reviewing Fillingims case, Carroll said he formally recommended Fillingim be fired for his misconduct. But Carroll said he was overruled by colleagues at VA headquarters in Washington.
Fillingim was allowed to resign from his Mississippi-based position. The I-Team found he was rehired months later to a different position in Georgia.
Carroll said, Fillingim "violated the law when he drank and got in the vehicle. You cant use the vehicle for bar hopping. They were clearly inebriated. Jed claims he wasnt. But we know his breathalyzer showed .03 hours after he was arrested. We all felt the facts of the case were egregious.
The mother of the victim in the Dallas incident said Fillingim should have been fired.
It's just not right. They should fire him. Theres been no criminal punishment. No VA punishment. Hes making the same salary," said Annette Berry.
"Id like to know why the VA handled this so poorly and why Jed has this job," Berry said.
The Department of Veterans Affairs declined numerous requests for comment on Carroll's comments.
In a recent interview with the News4 I-Team, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Bob McDonald said, You cant create the culture you want unless you hold people accountable.
He said, Weve terminated 3,700 employees.
Carroll, who retired in 2016 from the agency, said the VA is too reluctant to order the firings of employees, Fillingim included. He said the appeals process for workers is stringent and lengthy. He said the agency often prefers to settle cases with problem workers, rather than terminate those employees, to save the time and expense of litigating the appeals.
"I hear it from supervisors, who are very, very frustrated about how difficult it is to fire employees," Carroll said.
Federal employee appeals records show the agency reached settlements with 71 percent of VA employees who successfully challenged their terminations or disciplinary actions to the federal governments Merit Systems Protection Board in 2015.
Prosecutors have dropped charges against a Virginia teen who was accused of stealing a 65-cent carton of milk from the school lunch line.
Ryan Turk, 14, was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and petty larceny after being accused of stealing a carton of milk and pushing a school resource officer. The incident occurred at Graham Park Middle School on May 10.
Ryan said he simply went back to pick up a milk he had forgotten to take when he went through the lunch line.
The Washington Post reported that prosecutors dropped the charges Thursday when his case was called. Prince William County Commonwealth's Attorney Paul Ebert said he spoke to Ryan's counselor and that he has exhibited an improved attitude.
Harry Jaffe, a longtime chronicler of the people and politics of Washington, D.C., writes a column for NBC Washington's First Read DMV blog.
The District of Columbia is flush with cash.
The city around the monuments is more financially comfortable than any time in the Home Rule era, according to bean counters in the D.C. Council and chief financial officers shop.
"Were in great shape," Vincent Gray tells me. The former council chair, former mayor and current Ward 7 council member should know.
If Donald Trump continues his threats to "drain the swamp," he will be taking on a city with funds to fight back.
Chief Financial Officer Jeff DeWitts latest revenue estimates reported D.C. ran a surplus of $221 million in 2016. "Ive never seen this large an upward revision," said D.C. Council budget director Jennifer Budoff.
DeWitt also estimated higher revenues in the range of $66 million for the following five fiscal years.
Theres more:
The District has north of $2 billion in its fund balance. Its rainy day funds have cash reserves north of $1 billion, which could carry the city for two months. Its pension and health funds for retirees are fully funded. Bond ratings have gone from junk status to AAA.
"DC is among the more financially stable major cities of the country," says former CFO Natwar Ghandi, "if not the most financially stable." Especially when you compare it to Boston, L.A. and Chicago, cities that are raising taxes, assessing new fees and cutting services.
With all this cash floating around, its time to start following the money.
Mayor Muriel Bowser is crafting budgets to support her run for a second term. Packed with rookies, the D.C. Council will slice and dice her spending plan. Six first-term members with little experience in balancing a budget will have millions to throw at new programs.
Can you say "Council high on cash?"
Sorting through the numbers in the CFOs December 30 report, I settled on the $66.6 million in extra revenue expected for FY 2017. Last years $221 million surplus must be applied to past spending. The anticipated extra cash for 2018 to 2020 must be applied to tax relief, which will eventually make D.C. one of the most attractive places to live and do business.
That leaves the $66.6 million for this year in play for our batch of current political leaders to spend as they wish, for one-time expenditures. A million here, a million there is plenty of cash.
Their predilections are telling.
"We anticipate that they will be used to address items like WMATA funding needs, temporary housing for homeless individuals, to address housing costs," and "other programs," the mayors budget director, Matt Brown responded by email.
Whew! Nada for tax abatement, police or jobs, but, hey, its only $66 million.
Chairman Phil Mendelson is on the same page, kind of. He would devote as much as $50 million to purchasing new subway cars.
"Its a good example of one-time expenditure with a long-term benefit," he tells me. He would put some into building affordable housing. He prefers "spending or holding rather than expanding recurring services."
Now comes Vincent Gray, suddenly the law-and-order candidate. He would stash half into tax relief and give the rest to cops. "We need hiring incentives for new officers," he says, "and we need bonuses to keep the best officers from leaving or retiring."
Kind of a hiring bonus akin to pro athletes?
"Exactly," says Gray, who many believe is eyeing a mayoral run to avenge his 2012 loss to Bowser.
Elissa Silverman, at-large member and leader among progressives, worries about the Trump effect.
"I would use that money to for any actions by the new Congress or president that might threaten our safety net," she says, such as threats to the immigrant community or unraveling of Obamas health care program.
On the upside, Silverman would devote some of the $66.6 million to on-the-job training programs for DC residents in hotels, hospitals and restaurants. The D.C. Central Kitchen needs $4 million for a new kitchen training facility. And if theres cash on the table?
"I would retrofit all public buildings with child care centers," she says.
Jack Evans, the most veteran member, recalls the District going broke in the 1990s. "I would resist any new commitments," he says. "Its best to use the money for maintaining what we have. Or reducing taxes. This is not sexy stuff."
Speaking of not sexy, Ed Lazere of the Fiscal Policy Institute and incoming at-large member Robert White would apply any extra cash to affordable housing.
For my money, David Grosso has it right.
"More wraparound services for schools," the at-large member offers. "Social workers, college counselors, mental health professionals."
Talk about unsexy.
"After four years chairing the councils education committee," he says, "I think we have to be more deliberate about how we approach each neighborhoods schools, if we want to close the achievement gap. Some schools east of the Anacostia are dealing with students with tremendous amounts of trauma. They need basic services."
The cynic might advise Bowser to cut out the middleman and send $100 checks to each D.C. resident. The math works. But thats not going to happen.
So lets keep track of the $66.6 million and hope it goes to public education and public safety, in that order. If they fail, the Districts flush times might come to an end.
Montgomery County police are searching for a missing Silver Spring woman and her 4-month-old daughter.
Maduba Polan, 34, was last in contact with her family at 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
Polan has her daughter, Zoe Polan, with her, and they may be riding in a silver 2005 Dodge Caravan with Maryland tags 6CE6816.
Police and family members are concerned for Maduba Polan's emotional and physical well-being.
Maduba Polan is 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. She has short black hair and brown eyes.
Zoe Polan has short, curly black hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information about their whereabouts should call 911.
A high school student opened fire near a high school in Prince George's County, Maryland, Friday afternoon, shooting a fellow student and sending a bullet through the window of a school building, police say.
The student fired multiple shots in an apartment building parking lot within sight of Suitland High School in District Heights, police said. The search for the shooter is ongoing.
A teen boy was shot in the leg and is expected to recover.
The school was placed on a lockdown that later was lifted.
Many parents rushed to the school, fearful that their children had been shot.
"Police can't tell you anything, the school can't call parents and let anybody know anything," one mother said, nearly in tears. She said she had two daughters who attend the school.
Upon learning that boys had been involved in the shooting, not girls, the mother exhaled and clutched her hand to her chest.
"Thank you," she said.
According to the initial investigation, a group of students left the school and argued in the apartment building parking lot, a Prince George's County Police Department spokeswoman said.
One student opened fire and hit the teen. A classmate dragged him into the high school for help.
Prince George's County police and fire and rescue was called to the scene about 12 p.m. Soon after, they found the victim near the school annex building, which houses art and music classes.
He was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police later found a bullet lodged in the ceiling of that school building. A student and a teacher were inside the classroom but were not hurt.
At least five shell casings were found.
Suitland High is a performing arts school known for its students' achievements.
A witness told News4 he saw three students involved in the conflict: one who was shot, one who helped the victim and another who ran away.
Prince George's County Fire Chief Marc Bashoor posted on Twitter that this was "NOT an active shooter" situation.
https://twitter.com/TraceeWilkins/status/819957395455623172
"The investigation has moved into the neighborhoods, where we're currently searching for the suspect," Lt. David Coleman said.
Student Kelai'ah Wheelen said she just wanted to go home.
"It was terrifying," she said.
Anyone with information for police is asked to call 301-772-4910. To leave a tip anonymously, call 866-411-TIPS, send a text message with PGPD plus your message to CRIMES or visit www.pgcrimesolvers.com.
President-elect Donald Trump said his inauguration will have "unbelievable, perhaps record-setting turnout," but President Barack Obama's crowd estimate in 2009 may be hard to beat.
And experts say every crowd estimate should be taken with a grain of salt.
Obama drew an estimated 1.8 million people to the National Mall eight years ago, according to federal and local agencies. Planners say they are expecting no more than 900,000 people to attend Trump's ceremonies Jan. 20.
The D.C. Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is planning for 800,000 to 900,000 people to attend the swearing-in ceremony and inaugural parade.
The U.S. Armed Forces Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (JTF-NCR), which provides support for the ceremonies, is expecting 800,000 people.
The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Activities (JCCIC), which plans and executes all ceremonies, is expecting 700,000 to 750,000 people.
And Washington's destination marketing group, Destination D.C., is expecting 1 million people, when protesters are included in the count.
Trump's Presidential Inaugural Committee did not respond to inquiries about how many people they expect.
Estimates for inaugural crowds vary, but Obama is widely believed to have set the record for most well-attended inauguration. Former President Lyndon B. Johnson held the previous record, drawing an estimated 1.2 million people in 1965.
Here are the widely cited estimates for recent inaugurations:
President Bill Clinton, 1993: 800,000 people
President Bill Clinton, 1997: 250,000 people
President George W. Bush, 2001: 300,000 people
President George W. Bush, 2005: 400,000 people
President Barack Obama, 2009: 1.8 million people
President Barack Obama, 2013: 1 million people
But experts say crowd counts always should be viewed with caution.
"Anybody who is just saying there were a million people there without saying what method they used, that's just public relations being offered," said Arizona State University journalism professor Steve Doig, who specializes in estimating crowd sizes.
"Take any estimate with a grain of salt," he continued. "What you need to do is look carefully at how the estimate was done and how transparent the group who did it is about their methods."
How Do You Count a Crowd?
Crowd size estimates are reached using aerial images taken from satellites, helicopters and balloons, plus basic math. Three pieces of information are needed: the total area of the space, the proportion of the area that is occupied and the density of the crowd.
Analysts' estimates of crowd density tend to be where they disagree.
In a loose crowd, people stand at about arm's length of each other, with about 10 square feet per person. In a dense crowd, each person has about 4.5 square feet. And in a dangerous, shoulder-to-shoulder crowd, each person has just 2.5 square feet to him or herself.
These figures and this crowd-estimating method are attributed to University of California, Berkeley professor Herbert Jacobs, who calculated the size of anti-Vietnam War protests at the university. From his office in a tower, he counted how many protesters fit in each square of a plaza marked with grid lines and then multiplied.
Doig calculated before Obama's 2009 inauguration that as many as 2 million people could fit between the Capitol Building and the Lincoln Memorial if people were tightly packed from the Capitol to 17th Street NW and more loosely assembled further west.
After the inauguration, he estimated based on analyzing satellite images, TV footage and Flickr photos that Obama drew just 800,000 people.
The 1.8 million figure is what federal agencies, D.C. agencies and then-Mayor Adrian Fenty's office calculated, The Washington Post reported at the time. The National Park Service said the agency believed Obama had the largest crowd ever and did not contest the 1.8 million estimate.
The defense analysis firm IHS Jane's estimated 1.271 million to 1.651 million, McClatchy reported. The Associated Press estimated more than 1 million and McClatchy about 2 million.
To attempt an accurate estimate, analysts must take into account differences in crowd density in different places of the Mall. For example, far from the Capitol, crowds are often clustered in front of Jumbotrons but more sparse elsewhere.
And photos can be deceptive. Images that are taken from low angles and show large areas make crowds seem more dense than they are.
"All you can see is what looks like a sea of people," Doig said. "It looks more solid than it actually is."
Who Will Estimate Trump's Inaugural Turnout?
So, who will count the crowd this time? Private companies may take and analyze aerial images.
But as for an official count, it's not immediately clear.
Congress ordered the National Park Service to stop issuing crowd estimates after the agency gauged the crowd at the Million Man March in 1995 at about 400,000 people. That estimate drew the threat of a lawsuit from leader Louis Farrakhan, who called the figure defamatory and threatened to sue. (Using aerial images and basic math, a team at Boston University determined that between about 670,000 and 1,005,000 people attended.)
Civil rights groups are taking steps to ensure police respect the constitutional rights of demonstrators at the presidential inauguration. News 4s Mark Segraves reports on why D.C. police officers body cameras often will be off, and how citizens will be able to record the officers.
The Park Service will not release a crowd estimate after Trump's inauguration, a spokesman said.
The JCCIC and JTF-NCR inaugural planning groups both said they also will not issue estimates of Trump's crowd after the festivities.
Trump's inaugural committee did not respond to inquiries about whether they plan to issue an estimate.
In a tweet sent last month, the president-elect urged supporters to attend.
Well, we all did it, together! I hope the "MOVEMENT" fans will go to D.C. on Jan 20th for the swearing in. Let's set the all time record! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 16, 2016
The Boston University team that calculated the size of the Million Man March said they do not have a week to spare to do the count this year.
And as Doig, the Arizona State University crowd estimator, considered whether to measure the size of the crowd Trump draws, he considered responses he received to estimates he made in 2010.
He got nasty calls and emails after he calculated the size of the crowds at Glenn Beck's "Restoring Honor" rally and Jon Stewart's "Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear."
"Why are you lying?" some of the messages said.
This time, he decided he'll stay out of it.
The return of typical winter weather following a January thaw was met with cheers from Vermonts outdoor recreation sector, which counts on cold temperatures to boost activities during the critical Martin Luther King Junior holiday weekend.
We should be in pretty good shape for the weekend, said John Bleh of Sugarbush Resort, describing the ski conditions.
After two days of near-record temperatures that reached into the 50s many lower-lying communities were left robbed of snow and looking green again.
At its higher elevation, though, Sugarbush was able to maintain more snow coverage. Plus, it cranked up its snow-guns as soon as colder temperatures allowed, to improve trail conditions after that warm-up.
When it gets really warm overnight, we try not to groom, or we try to keep our grooming to a minimum, to preserve the snow for when it gets cold again, Bleh explained. Its amazing what groomers and snow guns can do.
A group of skiers from the North Andover High School ski team in Massachusetts was at Sugarbush Friday, using a day off from school to extend the holiday weekend.
Those skiers were enthused to see a few light snow showers.
Its awesome, skier Emma Callamaro said of the sight of a brief snow flurry Friday.
"Some of the runs are a little icy, but nothing too bad, observed Samantha Pasovschi, another North Andover skier.
Were looking for some powder, added Molly Dalton, another student on the ski team trip, describing a desire for more natural snow.
The new public skating rink on the lawn of the Vermont Statehouse also benefitted from a return to chilly temperatures following the January thaw.
The rink announced a temporary shutdown during the mild temperatures, after the surface became puddles and slush. But when the cold returned, it appeared to make for some pretty good skating.
Its really great to have it cold again, said Jonathan Goddard, who was out skating on his lunch break Friday. Its nice to be able to get out when its warm, but if you like to skate or be out in the snow or ice, the warm weather makes it more difficult to do that.
The estranged wife of a Massachusetts man wanted for questioning in the death of his father is speaking out against her husband's arrest and past.
Police in Blackstone have yet to question Glenn Armstrong in connection to the death of his father, 83-year-old Walter Armstrong.
Rachel Armstrong is still living in fear even though the man she's afraid of is now behind bars "because he's irrational when he gets to that point because he doesn't have an inclinations as to when to stop - he just acts."
She hasn't seen him in years, but police came to her door this week to look for Glenn Armstrong, whom she now knows is a person of interest in his own father's murder.
"I'm just very sorry that this had to happen to him," she said.
Glenn Armstrong was found in his father's truck in New Jersey Thursday evening shortly after his father's body was found in their Summer Street home.
Rachel Armstrong said she has experienced his violent behavior first hand, including while she was pregnant, and the abuse led to their separation.
Since then, he's served time for assaulting a bartender, and police say he's also made threats to kill a president. Authorities have yet to charge Glenn Armstrong with killing his father Walter.
Glenn's estranged wife said she doesn't need charges to know her fears are justified.
"I watch over my shoulder to see if he's around because I don't want that run-in with him, especially if I'm alone," Rachel said.
Glenn Armstrong still needs to face a judge in New Jersey before being extradited to Worcester County on an unrelated warrant. It's unclear if he has an attorney.
The investigation into whether he killed Walter Armstrong is ongoing.
People living in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood are concerned after learning one apartment complex is home to seven sex offenders.
Members of the Dorchester Unified Neighborhood Association reported the building on Milton Avenue to authorities, claiming it is housing too many occupants.
"The community is outraged," said Dawn Barrett, who lives with her kids near the building. "We don't want this."
Boston Inspectional Services says the department has cited the building's owner and hopes that he complies.
City records show the building is zoned for only three families, not the 12 people currently living there. Seven of the residents are registered sex offenders, some convicted of raping children. Most of them are Level 3, considered most likely to re-offend.
Do you know what Bao is? Bao is Chinas most popular food, like the burger is in America.
Toms Bao Bao is hoping to educate Americans about Bao with their first two restaurants in the United States located in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island. They already have 200 restaurants in China.
Jerry Tracy, Toms Bao Bao VP, told us A lot of people confuse it with a dumpling, but Bao is different. Its bread opposed to dumpling which is more of a pasta wrapper.
The company takes Bao so seriously, they send their employees to China for three months to learn how to make Bao.
Bao comes in a variety of flavors, and is low in calories. Its only about 200-250 calories per Bao.
To find out more about Toms Bao Bao, click the link.
The warm air that has been entrenched across the region for the past couple of days is now scoured out of New England after a cold front moved through earlier this morning.
In fact, todays high temperatures actually occurred between midnight and 2 am. The temperature plummeted in Boston nearly 10 degrees in 2.5 hours between 5 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.!
Noticeably colder air streams south into our area as the day progresses. Sunny skies will be in abundance this afternoon with temperatures in the 40s south to 30s north. Tonight will feature clear skies with a breezy northwest wind, lows in the mid to upper teens.
A strong area of high pressure from Canada settles overhead tomorrow, resulting in continued sunny skies with highs in the mid to upper 20s for most with some 30s across southern New England. Temperatures tomorrow will be nearly 30 degrees colder than on Thursday.
There is also the chance of some snow flurries flying across block island and the cape and islands as a weather system skirts offshore. A weak cold front crosses northern New England on Sunday, bringing some clouds and snow showers in the mountains. Later in the day, a reinforcing shot of cold air arrives as a high pressure system from Quebec moves into New England. Temperatures will crest into the low to mid 30s. Looking ahead to the start of the work week and Martin Luther King Day, high pressure crests over New England. Expecting mostly sunny skies with highs in the mid to upper 30s. High pressure shifts offshore on Tuesday as a wave of low pressure and an associated warm front approach the region from the great lakes. Temperatures moderate into the mid to upper 40s south and mid 30s north. Showers and rain move in for Wednesday as developing wave of low pressure passes to the west.
Another day of unseasonably-warm temperatures in the mid to upper 50s is expected. Conditions improve on Thursday as low pressure moves into Canada and its influence on the region diminishes. Highs crest to near 50 degrees south and near 40 north.
A man accused of impersonating a Willimantic police officer has been arrested for the second time in five months.
Danny Vazquez, 27, of Canterbury, turned himself in at police headquarters on Thursday morning.
He is accused of telling a crime victim that he is a Willimantic police officer on one occasion and tampering with evidence at the scene of a burglary on another occasion.
Vazquez has been charged with impersonating a police officer and tampering with evidence.
He was held on two separate $25,000 bonds and arraigned in Danielson Superior Court this morning.
The City of Willimantic Police Department takes these types of allegations extremely serious. This is the second time we have dealt with this same person under similar circumstances. The public expects and demands that we safeguard the integrity of the {police} badge, and oath of office and this type of behavior will not be tolerated. Lt. Stanley Parizo, Jr. said in a statement.
In August, police arrested Vazquez after he was accused of pretending to be a police officer and threatening to arrest a Willimantic resident.
Police said Vazquez showed up at a home, dressed in a suit, and told the resident he was a police officer investigating a complaint that the resident was selling drugs and flashed a pair of handcuffs.
Vazquez also allegedly stopped two people in a parking lot and identified himself as an Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent.
Source: Man Impersonated Police Officer, Threatened to Arrest Resident: Police | NBC Connecticut http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Man-Impersonated-Police-Officer-Threatened-to-Arrest-Resident-Police-388790262.html#ixzz4VeUdzQhb
Follow us: @nbcconnecticut on Twitter | NBCConnecticut on Facebook
Police seized 36 animals from a farm in New Hampshire this week following an animal cruelty complaint.
New Hampshire State Police executed a search warrant on Tuesday at Backwoods Farm in Rumney with assistance from the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The animals seized included seven goats, three sheep, five ducks, 14 chickens, one guinea hen, two pot-bellied pigs, two turkeys and two geese. The animals appeared to be suffering from various health conditions, and are waiting to be evaluated by a veterinarian.
The animals were surrendered at the scene, and the investigation is ongoing. No charges have been filed.
"The 36 animals that were brought in are now safe," said Lisa Dennison, executive director of the NHSPCA. "They are being cared for and will be evaluated by a farm animal veterinarian as soon as possible."
The NHSPCA said the cost of treating the animals will be expensive, and is asking for public donations to help cover those costs.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can go to www.nhspca.org or http://www.nhspca.org/sos-donation-for-victims-of-animal-cruelty/. Gifts can also be made by phone at 603-772-2921, x. 102 or by mail to New Hampshire SPCA, PO Box 196, Stratham, NH 03885.
Hundreds of students in New Hampshire are making their voices heard after a school board member offended some of them with a comment about teen pregnancy.
"I was taken aback, it wasn't something I expected to hear," said Sanborn High School senior Michael Giordano.
Giordano was shocked when SAU 17 school board member Dr. Pamela Brown said this at a December meeting.
"What, are the students getting knocked up?" Dr. Brown asked as she read a proposal for child care services.
The off-color comment about teen pregnancy rubbed a lot of students the wrong way, so they started a petition calling for Dr. Brown's resignation.
Within a couple weeks, more than 500 of Sanborn High School's 600 students signed that petition - a movement that took Giordano by surprise.
"I didn't realize we have the power to make elected officials listen to people who aren't old enough to vote," he said in an interview on Thursday.
The students gave the petition to the school board, along with a letter to explain the reason behind it.
"I think the student body just thought it was an unacceptable comment," Giordano said.
In a statement, Brown told NBC Boston, "It was an unfortunate comment, made in haste and I sincerely and publicly apologized."
She even went on to praise the students for getting involved, saying, "They are great students and if I were a young student, I would be among them."
When we asked Giordano whether he thinks the student body will forgive Dr. Brown, he said, "I hope so."
He believes the students' mission has been accomplished without her resignation.
"It's really nice to understand that we are being listened to," Giordano said.
While the petition initially called for Dr Browns resignation, students now tell NBC Boston, they accept her apology and they understand that everyone makes mistakes.
Here's how you know
An official website of the United States government
Success of a company is often a double-edged sword for technology teams. Enthusiastic customers, positive sales numbers and increased opportunity generally mean only one thing for a CTOthe need to scale.
For start-ups, determining how and when to scale can be a challenge. Just when you hire your first set of developers and build the product, youre faced with the need to grow your team and ensure that technology can accommodate an expanding number of users.
Resource management is also keyand technology and process, in addition to people, can help you to scale wisely without having to rebuild your product. After managing the challenge of scaling at a number of companies, Ive narrowed it down to three elements of scaling to keep in mind when it comes to people.
1. Flat structures vs. well-defined units
As you grow, your goal as a leader should be to create just enough process and structure that enables people to complete projects independentlybut not so much that you lose oversight. Here at Cloud9, weve gone from a flat structure on the development team to small stable teams, each with a defined leader.
As the team grew, we realized a flat structure became challenging to manage. It was similar to going to a networking event and trying to talk with everyone in the room at the same timeit became too overwhelming to focus on the tasks at hand. Smaller teams helped me manage better and helped everyone focus and communicate better.
2. Create alignment
When your start-up enters a growth stage, team alignment is also important. Everyone needs to be on the same page about the mission, even if they dont all agree on how to get there. Getting others to buy into your mindset is so important. I encourage engineers to make suggestions for changes that they could brag about to their friends and family.
I cannot overemphasize the importance of encouraging innovation from within. It empowers teams by reinforcing the belief that everyone should be moving fast and making an impact. That impact is what takes a team from zero to 60 when it comes to growth.
3. Create accountability
Part of scaling is also finding out what behaviors can be defined as valuable to the organization and encouraging those behaviors to spread throughout. The best way to do this is to make people feel accountable for the success of your start-ups growth. When teams have structure and a mission, and individuals are properly recognized for accomplishments, you can create a sense of ownership that reinforces itself and can spread across employees.
Adam Pisoni, founder of Yammer, exemplified a lot of these concepts when it came to preparing his organization and employees for scaling. While growing his company, one of his engineers brought up the idea of Conways Law, which says: Companies create products and services that are a reflection of themselvesthe way theyre organized, communicate and work. Establishing roles, defining a clear mission and creating accountability can help your team be productive while maintaining ownership and focus on building great products.
Putting the pieces togetherpoised for growth
With the right amount of structure, alignment and accountability, your organization will have the right foundation to not only scale, but to go faster and maintain agility as your company grows. Even if youre not sure where to start, there are a lot of great takeaways that you can learn from companies that have scaled successfully, such as Google and Facebook, and you can incorporate them into your own team.
There is a very dark underbelly to the web that is not for the weak of stomach. You may be thinking of 4chan, but that place is just the starting point. Unfortunately, it falls to some people to monitor this garbage for law enforcement, and in the case of two Microsoft employees, it drove them over the edge.
In a lawsuit filed against Microsoft, Henry Soto and Greg Blauert claim they were forced daily for months to view some of the most disturbing photos and videos you can find on the internet and that Microsoft did nothing as the constant viewing took its toll on them. They now claim to suffer Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The two were part of Microsofts Online Safety Team, a group formed to investigate content being stored on Microsoft sites, like OneDrive, that should be taken down or reported to police.
Blauert and Soto claim Microsoft did not fully prepare them for what the Online Safety Team would be doing, which was going through users accounts and communications and viewing sickening images of children being physically and sexually abused and even killed. And according to Courthouse News, the two weren't given the choice of passing on the job assignment when Microsoft hired them.
Plaintiffs Henry Soto and Greg Blauert were not warned about the likely dangerous impact of reviewing the depictions nor were they warned they may become so concerned with the welfare of the children, they would not appreciate the harm the toxic images would cause them and their families, they say in the complaint.
Unable to transfer to different department
The two say they were forced to remain there for 18 months before they could request a transfer. And in that time period, both men claim they suffered from continually reviewing disturbing content.
Soto says the job took a significant toll on him personally, and he began having nightmares and disturbing hallucinations after viewing a video of a girl being abused and killed.
Soto was transferred to a new position in 2014, but he continued to suffer PTSD symptoms and took medical leave in 2015. Labor and Industries denied Sotos claim for PTSD injuries, saying the condition is not an occupational disease and is excluded, according to the complaint.
In the complaint, Blauert and Soto said Microsoft provided fairly weak counseling sessions. In those sessions, the counselor suggested Blauert take more breaks to walk, smoke and play video games during the day, according to the lawsuit.
Both men say their work has damaged their relationship with their families, especially their children, made it difficult for them to go out in public and severely limited their ability to even go onto the internet.
Microsofts response
Microsoft issued the following statement concerning the suit:
We disagree with the plaintiffs claims. Microsoft takes seriously its responsibility to remove and report imagery of child sexual exploitation and abuse being shared on its services, as well as the health and resiliency of the employees who do this important work. Microsoft applies industry-leading technology to help detect and classify illegal imagery of child abuse and exploitation that are shared by users on Microsoft Services. Once verified by a specially trained employee, the company removes the imagery, reports it to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and bans the users who shared the imagery from our services. This work is difficult, but critically important to a safer and more trusted internet. The health and safety of our employees who do this difficult work is a top priority. Microsoft works with the input of our employees, mental health professionals, and the latest research on robust wellness and resilience programs to ensure those who handle this material have the resources and support they need, including an individual wellness plan. We view it as a process, always learning and applying the newest research about what we can do to help support our employees even more.
As someone who has gotten around to some of the really bad parts of the internet, I know how soul destroying this stuff can be. At least I have the option of turning away quickly. To make people sort through it all day after day is brutal. And then a counselor tells Blauert to take smoke breaks to deal with it. What kind of advice is that?
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This heartlessness took place under the old regime, so hopefully things are better under the kinder, gentler rule of Satya Nadella. If not, this is one big wake up call, not just for Microsoft but for Facebook and other social media sites. Yes, people have to do the dirty job of policing their site. But you need to give them a lot of care because they see awful stuff and often aren't trained to handle it. My best friend worked in video forensics and was an expert witness at trials. She told me horror stories, and she told me about the cops who helped her get through processing some of the worst videos she ever saw. That support is needed.
At the same time, the two should have walked out at some point. I realize they were family men with mortgages, but Seattle is not exactly an economically depressed region. There had to be another job somewhere. They had to come to a point where it wasn't worth it any more.
How many years have gone by since youve upgraded your Wi-Fi router? If its been a few years and you want to also future-proof the network for upcoming technologies, a router on your short list should be Netgears Nighthawk X10 (model R9000, $499.99).
The X10 not only has very fast dual-band (5GHz and 2.4 GHz) networking, but it also adds 802.11ad (60GHz) support, which provides for very fast data transfer rates over very short distances. This can be perfect for transferring large amounts of files over your LAN (such as between computers or a centralized storage device). Netgear also says that VR gaming will benefit from 802.11ad technologies (for when the headsets go wireless and need a high-speed connection to the PC from the headset) in the future. MU-MIMO technology is also supported, which maintains high data transfers when multiple-devices are also trying to do things on the network (such as stream video).
We recently tested the Nighthawk X10 on our network and found it to be a powerful Wi-Fi router. Not only did it provide us with fast data transfer rates in our different locations, but its add-on features were quite unique and helpful to us in our home network setup.
One such example the X10 features six Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports on the back of the unit, while most standard Wi-Fi routers only include 4 LAN ports. If youre an Ethernet device type of person, the additional ports should make you smile. Other features include Amazon cloud backup (new users can get a six-month free trial) that lets you back up a connected USB storage drive to the cloud service, and parental controls options.
Setup can be done traditionally (by connecting to the router via a web browser), or you can use Netgears new Up installation app (iOS and Android supported). Its possible I was using an early version of the app, because it was horrible. The app tried to connect to the routers predetermined Wi-Fi name and password after it found it I got an Internet Status: Not Connected message, with no way to force the router to refresh to try and re-connect. It wasnt until I connected to the network with my computer and browser (through Netgears routerlogin.net that I could proceed with setup. I hope Netgear fixes this for people who prefer to set up routers via app.
Once connected via the browser, I could update the routers firmware (very helpful due to some recent reports on router vulnerabilities on Netgear routers), then change the devices Wi-Fi name and password. The X10 can be accessed through Netgears Genie app (on mobile and PCs), so if you youve used this app with other Netgear routers, everything should look familiar.
802.11ad testing great speed, small distance
Like the , the Nighthawk X10 includes 802.11ad support networking over the 60GHz frequency. This allows for very fast data transfer speeds, but over a very short distance. Netgear provided us with a Windows notebook that includes an 802.11ad wireless adapter the Acer TravelMate P in order to see how fast it could transfer data over 802.11ad.
In our three locations where we do our Wi-Fi router unscientific tests, the client could only connect to the 802.11ad network from the first location (in the same room, about 6 feet away from the router). Even at this short distance, the signal strength indicator on Windows only gave us a 3-bar connection (usually we get 5 bars for all of our Wi-Fi tests). In Locations 2 and 3, the notebook couldnt locate the network. However, for location #2, we moved slightly closer to the router and into a line-of-sight position, and we were able to connect.
At Location #1, we were able to achieve a data transfer rate of about 278 Mbps, blazingly fast compared with our tests over the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz networks. At Location 2a (a bit closer and within a line-of-sight of the router), we achieved 275 Mbps of transfer speed on average. The big problem, of course, is obstacles, walls and distance with 802.11ad.
For the other two networks (the more traditional 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz frequencies), the X10 still showed great performance. The X10s ability to maintain a 75+ Mbps data rate from the far edge of the house was quite impressive, even though it was the only device on the network.
Network World
To test the MU-MIMO functionality, I streamed video from three different sources (Netflix, YouTube, the local NAS box) from three different locations (close to the router, midway in the house and from the far edge) on three different devices (iPad mini, iMac, iPhone 6S).
Network World
Like the earlier tests, speeds did go down the further away I got from the router. There was some slowdown due to the extra traffic on the network, but it wasnt so significant to cause any problems on any of the streams (all still worked).
Plex support lets play some multimedia!
A unique feature of this router is its support of the Plex Media Server. Plex is a service that helps you aggregate media content from different sources (videos, music, photos, etc.) and play them on devices across your local network (and when youre not local, if youre traveling). Whats cool is that the Plex Media Server can run from a USB hard drive connected to the router. Other options for Plex Media Server are having it run on a separate computer that always has to remain powered on, or through a special NAS box. The only downside to this at the moment is that the Plex Media Server support only supports the USB-connected drive. My non-supported NAS device (where a majority of my media is stored) couldnt take advantage of this router option (for now as Im hoping that an update will support my older NAS box).
With the Plex Media Server up and running, other devices on the network (phones, computers, Internet TV boxes) can play the media content on their own devices (after you download and configure the Plex app, of course).
Bottom line: The very nice speeds of the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz frequencies make this a worthy router if you havent upgraded to 802.11ac yet. If you are experiencing slowdowns due to multiple devices all competing for the same network bandwidth, the MU-MIMO functionality is also very nice. The 802.11ad support is great for high-file size data transfers within the same room, and is also a nice future-proofing feature (if we ever see additional 802.11ad clients or hardware). Finally, the Plex Media Server support was another nice add-on, although Im also hoping for NAS box support.
Grade: 5 stars (out of five)
Attackers are increasingly able to penetrate perimeter defenses, compromise accounts and mine data without targets even being aware of the attack, as the Democratic National Committee breach proved. Encrypting data is the best defense.
Strong encryption of complex data structures requires a Key Management System (KMS). But implementing a KMS can be challenging, especially for enterprises below the security poverty line that dont have the budget to hire a multidisciplinary security team. Google may have a solution with its Cloud Key Management Service (CKMS) now in beta in select countries.
Googles Cloud KMS, announced yesterday, addresses the full continuum of encryption and key management to encrypt and manage data for customers of Googles Cloud. The CKMS application programming interface (API) also works with on-premise data centers and hybrid clouds. Enterprises still have to implement compliance and security policy and process, as well as have knowledgeable staff. Outsourcing the KMS requires fewer, very-hard-to-recruit security engineers.
+ Also on Network World: Enterprise encryption adoption up, but the devil's in the details +
In-house KMSs need more than specialized talent. The on-premise KMS must scale to meet changing needs, and the IT staff has to operate it and maintain patch levels, as well as implement a redundant backup. Google Cloud Management System (GCMS) uses the same Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) library used internally at Google to encrypt data in Google Cloud Storage. Opting into GCMS means buying into Googles scale, and compared to most enterprises, the scale is significant, as described by Googles CSO Gerhard Eschelbeck at the last RSA Security conference in San Francisco.
The enterprise customer can store symmetric keys locally or in Googles cloud, though given the weakness of enterprise perimeter defenses proven by the regular stream of breach notifications, and considering Googles scale, storing keys in Googles cloud may be a good option. AES is implemented using Galois/Counter Mode so that low-latency, high-speed communications channels can be used with reasonable processing overhead.
CKMS product manager Maya Kaczorowski said in a blog post:
Google maintains, and continually checks for weaknesses using several tools, including tools similar to the recently open-sourced cryptographic test tool Project Wycheproof.
For many enterprises, except for the largest, consistently testing their security infrastructure is a luxury.
Generally, key pairs often have a shelf life dictated by internal compliance, and in some industries, the shelf life expiration is regulated. CKMS features automatic key rotation to frequently rotate keys.
Using the CKMS API, which is integrated with the Cloud Identity Access Management and Cloud Audit Logging for control and audit, enterprises can create, use, rotate and destroy keys. For enterprises opting to store keys on Googles infrastructure, there is a root of trust that can be monitored and audited.
In some cases, a single key pair is unsuitable for encrypting a whole data set such as medical records or operational data. Granular key management, encrypting subsets of a data set, is supported via the CKMS API.
Benefits of Google Cloud Key Management Service
Google implied in its blog post that CKMS is suitable for financial, personal health, private individual, military, government, confidential or other sensitive data The first hurdle for a customer is trusting Google, which will vary based on opinion and application. For enterprises that do decide to trust Google, there could be significant benefits when CKMS leaves beta:
Keys stored outside will be secured from the inevitable breach. If both data and keys are exfiltrated during a breach, the perpetrators can decrypt it.
Hosted key management relieves the burden from the operating staff of running a KMS with the added benefit of Googles scale.
Much of the complexity of granularly encrypting data is automated with the API.
Implementing corporate and regulatory compliance, policy and process, as well as identifying all the sensitive data across an organization that should be encrypted, are all still the responsibility of the enterprise. If a hosted KMS like Googles fits, though, it is another example of a cloud management service that could reduce cost, increase operating efficiency and reduce capital expenditures using the cloud providers scale.
Newbury company Stream Networks offer advice and free trial
CLOUD Computing is a no- brainer. It saves time, money and hassle, say Newbury company Stream Networks.
In spite of this, many local companies have been slow to embrace it and make the transition.
If you are a business who has yet to truly welcome the cloud, Stream Networks has the answer.
It is offering local businesses the chance of a hassle-free, risk-free and most importantly, cost-free trial of the cloud.
Why should I do the trial?
Legislation business owners have the responsibility to ensure that regulatory obligations are met.
In some cases, businesses cannot obtain commercial insurance unless they can demonstrate their data is safe a good cloud provider will make these issues a thing of the past.
Disaster Recovery having data backed up to an offsite location will greatly enhance your businesses contingency plans.
All data that is kept on site is a disaster (fire, flood etc) away from being destroyed.
The more places this data is, the better.
With cloud, your data will be housed in one main data centre and backed up to several others.
With Stream Networks, all these data centres will be within the UK another tick on that checklist.
Going green cloud will greatly diminish your carbon footprint, showing your business to have an increased awareness of important social issues.
Keeping up to date cloud computing is the only way you can ensure that your system consistently has the latest technology.
Chances are there is already a software upgrade to prevent attacks for the server that is sitting in your office, even if it that was only purchased last month.
How the trial will work
Stream Networks will duplicate one of your current servers so you can see, manage, access and control it remotely.
You can then assess all the benefits of a cloud-based solution without having to disturb your business on any level.
At the end of the trial, Stream Networks guarantees to clear all data off of its cloud.
If this sounds like something of interest, all you have to do is call (01635) 884170 or email sales@Stream-networks.co.uk Stream Networks will do the rest.
By Reuters
NEW DELHI: India is considering imposing a minimum import price on aluminium, the top bureaucrat in the ministry of mines said on Friday.
"MIP (Minimum Import Price) on aluminium is under consideration. We will take a week to send our recommendation forward," the mines secretary Balvinder Kumar told Reuters.
Last month, a government body decided against imposing safeguards on some aluminium products citing lack of evidence over imports hurting profitability of domestic industry.
NEW DELHI: India is considering imposing a minimum import price on aluminium, the top bureaucrat in the ministry of mines said on Friday. "MIP (Minimum Import Price) on aluminium is under consideration. We will take a week to send our recommendation forward," the mines secretary Balvinder Kumar told Reuters. Last month, a government body decided against imposing safeguards on some aluminium products citing lack of evidence over imports hurting profitability of domestic industry.
M Rajendran By
Express News Service
NEW DELHI: On February 21, when Rajesh Gopinathan, the CEO-designate of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) walks into the CEOs room in the second floor, also called Executives Floor of TCS House in Mumbai, he will have his hands full.
But, he will have more than a month to make an assessment of challenges he has to encounter. The first will be to keep the team, comprising highly respected technocrats, together.
TCS core strength is its strong leadership talent that is collaborative and aspirational, says N Chandrasekaran, TCS CEO and the chairman-designate of Tata Sons, in a statement.
Chandrasekaran, according to industry observers, is known for his persuasive skills to encourage top executives to take certain decisions without pushing them to do so.
Gopinathan, the new boss of TCS, will have to work hard to emulate that trait.
The global scenario has changed and the challenges that were present for TCS under Chandra have been resolved, like the need to upgrade skill sets of employees as the global demands are new and require new solutions visa shortage balancing, new business verticals and automations, says Jaijit Bhattacharya, an analysts with KPMG.
According to TCS insiders, Chandrasekaran did well to manage the HR issues. With the companys overseas business under pressure, Gopinathan will have to focus on retraining and keeping the interest of the young in new opportunities.
TCS has evolved into an industry leader during Chandras tenure. It is definitely big shoes to fill, says Gopinathan in a statement. He is confident of getting guidance from Chandrasekaran. However, it will take ingenious skills to maintain TCS leadership and continue the top tag in the Tata group as major revenue contributor.
TCS names Rajesh Gopinathan as new MD and CEO
The countrys largest IT services company Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on Thursday announced Rajesh Gopinathan as its new managing director and Chief Executive Officer. Gopinathan joined TCS in 2001 from Tata Industries, taking charging of TCS newly established e-business unit in the United States. He led the design, structure and implementation of the new organisational structure and operating model of the US-based unit. In February 2013, he was appointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the company.
As CFO, Gopinathan was responsible for the financial management of the TCSs individual units. His responsibilities included financial planning, revenue assurance and margin management. He has also played a key role in helping TCS become a $16.5 billion global company with over 3,78,000 employees. An electrical and electronic engineer from REC Trichy (now NIT, Trichy), Rajesh graduated in 1994, before pursuing his Post-Graduate Diploma in Management from IIM, Ahmedabad.
NEW DELHI: On February 21, when Rajesh Gopinathan, the CEO-designate of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) walks into the CEOs room in the second floor, also called Executives Floor of TCS House in Mumbai, he will have his hands full. But, he will have more than a month to make an assessment of challenges he has to encounter. The first will be to keep the team, comprising highly respected technocrats, together. TCS core strength is its strong leadership talent that is collaborative and aspirational, says N Chandrasekaran, TCS CEO and the chairman-designate of Tata Sons, in a statement. Chandrasekaran, according to industry observers, is known for his persuasive skills to encourage top executives to take certain decisions without pushing them to do so. Gopinathan, the new boss of TCS, will have to work hard to emulate that trait. The global scenario has changed and the challenges that were present for TCS under Chandra have been resolved, like the need to upgrade skill sets of employees as the global demands are new and require new solutions visa shortage balancing, new business verticals and automations, says Jaijit Bhattacharya, an analysts with KPMG. According to TCS insiders, Chandrasekaran did well to manage the HR issues. With the companys overseas business under pressure, Gopinathan will have to focus on retraining and keeping the interest of the young in new opportunities. TCS has evolved into an industry leader during Chandras tenure. It is definitely big shoes to fill, says Gopinathan in a statement. He is confident of getting guidance from Chandrasekaran. However, it will take ingenious skills to maintain TCS leadership and continue the top tag in the Tata group as major revenue contributor. TCS names Rajesh Gopinathan as new MD and CEO The countrys largest IT services company Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on Thursday announced Rajesh Gopinathan as its new managing director and Chief Executive Officer. Gopinathan joined TCS in 2001 from Tata Industries, taking charging of TCS newly established e-business unit in the United States. He led the design, structure and implementation of the new organisational structure and operating model of the US-based unit. In February 2013, he was appointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the company. As CFO, Gopinathan was responsible for the financial management of the TCSs individual units. His responsibilities included financial planning, revenue assurance and margin management. He has also played a key role in helping TCS become a $16.5 billion global company with over 3,78,000 employees. An electrical and electronic engineer from REC Trichy (now NIT, Trichy), Rajesh graduated in 1994, before pursuing his Post-Graduate Diploma in Management from IIM, Ahmedabad.
By Express News Service
BENGALURU: The High Court on Thursday refused to give relief for Pongal to contractor Chandrakanth Ramalingam, an accused involved in fraudulent exchange of currency. It rejected his interlocutory application seeking review of January 3 order wherein he was granted bail, effective from February 2.
He filed an application for bail before Pongal as Tamilians celebrate the festival and also he had to pay the salary and the bonus to 3,000 employees working under him.
Justice Rathnakala rejected the application, saying that there were no grounds to consider the plea. Before this, the CBI counsel argued that the application itself was not maintainable.
Ramalingam is one of the 7 accused in the case registered by the CBI for fraudulent conversion of currency on December 3. He was found in possession of Rs 46 lakh in new Rs 2,000 denomination notes at his house during the raid conducted by the I-T department. List of other accused includes Suryanarayana Bairy, Chief Manager, Karnataka Bank Limited, Umashankar Renuka, Dhanlaxmi Bank, Ibrahim Shereef, S C Jayachandra, Chandrakanth Ramalingam, M/s Secure India Value India Limited and unknown others.
BENGALURU: The High Court on Thursday refused to give relief for Pongal to contractor Chandrakanth Ramalingam, an accused involved in fraudulent exchange of currency. It rejected his interlocutory application seeking review of January 3 order wherein he was granted bail, effective from February 2. He filed an application for bail before Pongal as Tamilians celebrate the festival and also he had to pay the salary and the bonus to 3,000 employees working under him. Justice Rathnakala rejected the application, saying that there were no grounds to consider the plea. Before this, the CBI counsel argued that the application itself was not maintainable. Ramalingam is one of the 7 accused in the case registered by the CBI for fraudulent conversion of currency on December 3. He was found in possession of Rs 46 lakh in new Rs 2,000 denomination notes at his house during the raid conducted by the I-T department. List of other accused includes Suryanarayana Bairy, Chief Manager, Karnataka Bank Limited, Umashankar Renuka, Dhanlaxmi Bank, Ibrahim Shereef, S C Jayachandra, Chandrakanth Ramalingam, M/s Secure India Value India Limited and unknown others.
By Express News Service
BENGALURU: Conceptualised by Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur and penned by a Gujarati playwright Uttam Gada, a play titled Yugpurush: Mahatma Na Mahatma premiers today in the city.
The play is a celebration of Shrimad Rajchandras 150th birth anniversary. While the world knows who Mahatma Gandhi is, little do they know about the inspiration behind the Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi evolution as the Mahatma.
The man behind Gandhis spiritual drive was Shrimad Rajchandra, a Jain poet and a philosopher from Gujarat.
Mahatma Gandhi met Shrimadji for the first time in Mumbai when he had just returned from England as a barrister in 1891. When Gandhi moved to South Africa, it is said that Gandhi considered converting to Christianity or Islam. He was advised by Shrimadji to first know his own religion in depth and then take the decision. They had exchanged more than 200 letters, said Hemanshu Desai, member of the Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Bengaluru centre.
The more I consider his life and his writings, the more I consider him to be the best Indian of his times, Gandhi wrote to HSL Polak, the author of Mahatma Gandhi, in April 26, 1909 talking about Shrimad Rajchandra.
The 120-minutes play starts with a flashback as Gandhi is on his bed reminiscing his life. The play covers the lesser known connections of Gandhiji and Shrimadji. The teachings that Gandhiji imbibed from Shrimadji on satya and ahimsa were applied in the freedom struggle, said Atmarpit Maulik, secretary of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur.
The play, written in August last year, was first staged on November 14, 2016 to mark Shrimad Rajchandras 150th birth anniversary in Mumbai. In a matter of six weeks, 57 shows were performed. The team then began their South India tour with 30 days to cover 21 cities and 35 shows.
Fifteen actors play 57 characters and the same cast performs in Hindi and Gujarati. But to reach more masses, arrangements for the play to be staged in vernacular, all over India, is under process. The cast for Kannada has already been selected, said Atmarpit Maulik, who is also heading the play.
The play is free of cost and only based on invitation. It is going regional to reach every town and village in Karnataka, said Hemanshu, who is the assistant of the Mission in the city.
Attempt is being made for an English cast as well since the UK tour is in April and USA tour in July, says Atmarpit Maulik.
Speaking on behalf of the playwright and the director, Rajesh Joshi, Atmarpit Maulik says that the play was a new subject even for the pros. Most of the plays these days are comedy or fillers, but this one is different.
The play will be staged at Ambedkar Bhavan, Vasanth Nagar from today till January 16 at 7.30 pm. Timings and venues may differ each day. For further information, visit www.yugpurush.org.
BENGALURU: Conceptualised by Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur and penned by a Gujarati playwright Uttam Gada, a play titled Yugpurush: Mahatma Na Mahatma premiers today in the city. The play is a celebration of Shrimad Rajchandras 150th birth anniversary. While the world knows who Mahatma Gandhi is, little do they know about the inspiration behind the Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi evolution as the Mahatma. The man behind Gandhis spiritual drive was Shrimad Rajchandra, a Jain poet and a philosopher from Gujarat. Mahatma Gandhi met Shrimadji for the first time in Mumbai when he had just returned from England as a barrister in 1891. When Gandhi moved to South Africa, it is said that Gandhi considered converting to Christianity or Islam. He was advised by Shrimadji to first know his own religion in depth and then take the decision. They had exchanged more than 200 letters, said Hemanshu Desai, member of the Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Bengaluru centre. The more I consider his life and his writings, the more I consider him to be the best Indian of his times, Gandhi wrote to HSL Polak, the author of Mahatma Gandhi, in April 26, 1909 talking about Shrimad Rajchandra. The 120-minutes play starts with a flashback as Gandhi is on his bed reminiscing his life. The play covers the lesser known connections of Gandhiji and Shrimadji. The teachings that Gandhiji imbibed from Shrimadji on satya and ahimsa were applied in the freedom struggle, said Atmarpit Maulik, secretary of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur. The play, written in August last year, was first staged on November 14, 2016 to mark Shrimad Rajchandras 150th birth anniversary in Mumbai. In a matter of six weeks, 57 shows were performed. The team then began their South India tour with 30 days to cover 21 cities and 35 shows. Fifteen actors play 57 characters and the same cast performs in Hindi and Gujarati. But to reach more masses, arrangements for the play to be staged in vernacular, all over India, is under process. The cast for Kannada has already been selected, said Atmarpit Maulik, who is also heading the play. The play is free of cost and only based on invitation. It is going regional to reach every town and village in Karnataka, said Hemanshu, who is the assistant of the Mission in the city. Attempt is being made for an English cast as well since the UK tour is in April and USA tour in July, says Atmarpit Maulik. Speaking on behalf of the playwright and the director, Rajesh Joshi, Atmarpit Maulik says that the play was a new subject even for the pros. Most of the plays these days are comedy or fillers, but this one is different. The play will be staged at Ambedkar Bhavan, Vasanth Nagar from today till January 16 at 7.30 pm. Timings and venues may differ each day. For further information, visit www.yugpurush.org.
By Express News Service
CHENNAI: A total of nine international and domestic flights were diverted to airports in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kochi due to poor visibility in the city following smog triggered by burning of Bhogi bonfires.
The poor visibility due to Bhogi was felt for more than 90 minutes and the first diversion started with Oman Airs Muscat-Chennai flight, which was diverted to Hyderabad at 6.20 AM.
The Air Indias flight from Sharjah-Trivandrum-Chennai too was diverted to Bangalore. It was to arrive here at 7.10 AM.
The Spicejet flight from Hyderabad-Chennai was diverted to Bangalore. The flight from Kualu Lumpur to Chennai was diverted to Hyderabad. It was to arrive at 7.57 AM.
Similarly, flights from Abu Dhabi were diverted to Hyderabad. Flights from Colombo were also diverted, airport sources said.
The flights from Dubai were diverted to Bengaluru.
CHENNAI: A total of nine international and domestic flights were diverted to airports in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kochi due to poor visibility in the city following smog triggered by burning of Bhogi bonfires. The poor visibility due to Bhogi was felt for more than 90 minutes and the first diversion started with Oman Airs Muscat-Chennai flight, which was diverted to Hyderabad at 6.20 AM. The Air Indias flight from Sharjah-Trivandrum-Chennai too was diverted to Bangalore. It was to arrive here at 7.10 AM. The Spicejet flight from Hyderabad-Chennai was diverted to Bangalore. The flight from Kualu Lumpur to Chennai was diverted to Hyderabad. It was to arrive at 7.57 AM. Similarly, flights from Abu Dhabi were diverted to Hyderabad. Flights from Colombo were also diverted, airport sources said. The flights from Dubai were diverted to Bengaluru.
By Express News Service
KOCHI: NDA national committee member P C Thomas on Thursday said the monitoring committee constituted by the Union Government to rescue Fr Tom Uzhunnalil, the Kerala-based Catholic priest who was kidnapped by extremists in Yemen, should contact Vatican.
In a press statement issued here, Thomas said he had discussed the matter with Amar Sinha, secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who heads the team.
Amar Sinha told me that extremist outfit Houti has captured power in Yemen by overthrowing the government. According to Amar, the Indian Government had contacted the governments of Saudi, Oman and Iran, which have links with Houti, said Thomas.
KOCHI: NDA national committee member P C Thomas on Thursday said the monitoring committee constituted by the Union Government to rescue Fr Tom Uzhunnalil, the Kerala-based Catholic priest who was kidnapped by extremists in Yemen, should contact Vatican. In a press statement issued here, Thomas said he had discussed the matter with Amar Sinha, secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who heads the team. Amar Sinha told me that extremist outfit Houti has captured power in Yemen by overthrowing the government. According to Amar, the Indian Government had contacted the governments of Saudi, Oman and Iran, which have links with Houti, said Thomas.
By Express News Service
KOCHI: The Ernakulam Additional District and Sessions Court has awarded 10 years of rigorous imprisonment to four persons convicted for smuggling heroin to Kuwait.
The court also slapped a fine of Rs 3 lakh each on Dileep P Haridas, 29, Lijo K Jose, 34, Shaheer P H, 42, and I R Vijeesh, 30 - all natives of Thrissur.
They were found guilty of offences under Sections 21(C), 23 and 27 of the IPC - read with Section 29 of the NDPS Act. It was on December 18, 2014, that the Kochi sub-zone of the Narcotics Control Bureau seized 1.440 kg of heroin from the possession of Dileep while he was proceeding to board a Kuwait-bound flight at the Nedumbassery airport.
Later, based on information provided by Dileep, Lijo, Shaheer and Vijeesh were arrested. The estimated value of the seized drug is `1.52 crore in the international market. It was found that the accused were part of a drug cartel operating from Kuwait, with links in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
KOCHI: The Ernakulam Additional District and Sessions Court has awarded 10 years of rigorous imprisonment to four persons convicted for smuggling heroin to Kuwait. The court also slapped a fine of Rs 3 lakh each on Dileep P Haridas, 29, Lijo K Jose, 34, Shaheer P H, 42, and I R Vijeesh, 30 - all natives of Thrissur. They were found guilty of offences under Sections 21(C), 23 and 27 of the IPC - read with Section 29 of the NDPS Act. It was on December 18, 2014, that the Kochi sub-zone of the Narcotics Control Bureau seized 1.440 kg of heroin from the possession of Dileep while he was proceeding to board a Kuwait-bound flight at the Nedumbassery airport. Later, based on information provided by Dileep, Lijo, Shaheer and Vijeesh were arrested. The estimated value of the seized drug is `1.52 crore in the international market. It was found that the accused were part of a drug cartel operating from Kuwait, with links in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
By Express News Service
MUMBAI: In a surprise development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ejected Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi in the 2017 wall calendar and table diary published by the Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC). Most employees and officials were taken aback to see the cover photo of the calendar and diary showing Modi weaving khadi on a large charkha, in the same classic pose as Gandhiji.
While Gandhis historic picture weaving khadi on a simple charkha, wearing his trademark loin cloth, is legendary and imprinted in the minds of the masses since generations, Modi comes across in his signature attire of kurta-pyjama-waistcoat, weaving khadi on a slightly modern charkha.
When contacted KVIC Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena said this was not unusual and there have been deviations in the past.
Workers at KVIC here have expressed their resentment over the use of Prime Minister Narendra Modis photograph on the cover of KVIC calendar and dairy. However, KVIC authorities have hailed Modi as the new brand ambassador for Khadi.
Employees of KVIC at its headquarters in Vile Parle here staged a silent soul-cleansing by wearing black bands on their mouths during lunch hour on Thursday to protest the decision to use Modis photograph in place of that of Mahatma Gandhi.
This is a systematic attempt to phase out Mahatma. Modis photograph was used on last years calendar also. After our protest, we were assured that it would not be repeated. But, this year it is a complete wash-out, a senior KVIC staff member said.
KVIC chairman V K Saxena defended the decision. Gandhi is the soul of the KVIC. He is inseparable, as the entire industry is based on his philosophy and ideals, he said, adding that Modi is the biggest brand ambassador of Khadi now. Our aim is to popularise Khadi.
Modi is doing that. Several initiatives taken by him are generating more employment in the sector. He is also a youth icon. All these things were considered before using his picture, Saxena said.
MUMBAI: In a surprise development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ejected Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi in the 2017 wall calendar and table diary published by the Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC). Most employees and officials were taken aback to see the cover photo of the calendar and diary showing Modi weaving khadi on a large charkha, in the same classic pose as Gandhiji. While Gandhis historic picture weaving khadi on a simple charkha, wearing his trademark loin cloth, is legendary and imprinted in the minds of the masses since generations, Modi comes across in his signature attire of kurta-pyjama-waistcoat, weaving khadi on a slightly modern charkha. When contacted KVIC Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena said this was not unusual and there have been deviations in the past. Workers at KVIC here have expressed their resentment over the use of Prime Minister Narendra Modis photograph on the cover of KVIC calendar and dairy. However, KVIC authorities have hailed Modi as the new brand ambassador for Khadi. Employees of KVIC at its headquarters in Vile Parle here staged a silent soul-cleansing by wearing black bands on their mouths during lunch hour on Thursday to protest the decision to use Modis photograph in place of that of Mahatma Gandhi. This is a systematic attempt to phase out Mahatma. Modis photograph was used on last years calendar also. After our protest, we were assured that it would not be repeated. But, this year it is a complete wash-out, a senior KVIC staff member said. KVIC chairman V K Saxena defended the decision. Gandhi is the soul of the KVIC. He is inseparable, as the entire industry is based on his philosophy and ideals, he said, adding that Modi is the biggest brand ambassador of Khadi now. Our aim is to popularise Khadi. Modi is doing that. Several initiatives taken by him are generating more employment in the sector. He is also a youth icon. All these things were considered before using his picture, Saxena said.
By Express News Service
NEW DELHI: In a rare gesture, newly appointed Chief of Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa on Thursday flew solo in a MiG-21- fighter jets, which generally dubbed as flying coffins after jets dismal flying record. Flying solo by the Chief, is considered as an indication towards instilling confidence in the IAF personnel over the credibility of the aircraft. Dhanoa flew the same type of aircraft during Kargil Operations and carried out many night strike missions in the mountainous terrain.
According to India Air Force official, its a rare for an air force chief to fly solo. Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa made this flying during his visit to Utarlai, one of air forces forward airbase in bordering district of Rajasthan. Flying solo in MiG-21 Type-96 aircraft is his first such flight after taking over as the chief of air force. Dhanoa, who is visiting the forward air base in the western sector from January 12 to 14, will assess operational readiness and review the morale of the personnel stationed there.
Dhanoa was awarded Yudh Sewa Medal during his flying during Kargil operations.
The MiG-21 is the oldest fighter fleet in the IAF inventory and efforts are on find its replacement. Recently concluded deal with France to buy 36 Rafale, which will fit into the category of medium aircraft.
NEW DELHI: In a rare gesture, newly appointed Chief of Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa on Thursday flew solo in a MiG-21- fighter jets, which generally dubbed as flying coffins after jets dismal flying record. Flying solo by the Chief, is considered as an indication towards instilling confidence in the IAF personnel over the credibility of the aircraft. Dhanoa flew the same type of aircraft during Kargil Operations and carried out many night strike missions in the mountainous terrain. According to India Air Force official, its a rare for an air force chief to fly solo. Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa made this flying during his visit to Utarlai, one of air forces forward airbase in bordering district of Rajasthan. Flying solo in MiG-21 Type-96 aircraft is his first such flight after taking over as the chief of air force. Dhanoa, who is visiting the forward air base in the western sector from January 12 to 14, will assess operational readiness and review the morale of the personnel stationed there. Dhanoa was awarded Yudh Sewa Medal during his flying during Kargil operations. The MiG-21 is the oldest fighter fleet in the IAF inventory and efforts are on find its replacement. Recently concluded deal with France to buy 36 Rafale, which will fit into the category of medium aircraft.
By PTI
IMPHAL: A man was killed while another three, travelling in a car, were seriously injured after suspected militants fired at a convoy of trucks heading for Imphal from Jiri town this evening.
The police said that the unprovoked half-an-hour attack took place in the Lukhambi area in the recently inaugurated Noney district.
Dikhuanang Gonmei died on the spot while his companions Jacky Kamei, 35, and private teacher Thuanilung Kamei, 31 suffered serious injuries.
Another person, 30-year-old Nipen Kalita, was also injured in the firing which hit the small car in the convoy.
The convoy was carrying necessary commodities despite the three-month-long economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council (UNC) on the life line of the state.
Though 80 tankers carrying petroleum products had crossed the incident site, several other trucks which have been stranded later started moving around 6.40 pm with heavy escort of security forces, a police officer said.
Asked if the attackers could be any Naga militant group, another officer said with so many undergrounds active in the area it was difficult to pinpoint one group but there was a possibility.
IMPHAL: A man was killed while another three, travelling in a car, were seriously injured after suspected militants fired at a convoy of trucks heading for Imphal from Jiri town this evening. The police said that the unprovoked half-an-hour attack took place in the Lukhambi area in the recently inaugurated Noney district. Dikhuanang Gonmei died on the spot while his companions Jacky Kamei, 35, and private teacher Thuanilung Kamei, 31 suffered serious injuries. Another person, 30-year-old Nipen Kalita, was also injured in the firing which hit the small car in the convoy. The convoy was carrying necessary commodities despite the three-month-long economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council (UNC) on the life line of the state. Though 80 tankers carrying petroleum products had crossed the incident site, several other trucks which have been stranded later started moving around 6.40 pm with heavy escort of security forces, a police officer said. Asked if the attackers could be any Naga militant group, another officer said with so many undergrounds active in the area it was difficult to pinpoint one group but there was a possibility.
By Online Desk
MIDNAPORE: Two persons were arrested on Thursday night in connection with the murder of Two Trinamool Congress activists, one of them the husband of a party councillor, at Kharagpur in West Midnapore district.
A police officer said the two - Sanjoy Prasad and Krishna Rao - were arrested from Ghatal in the district as they went to a doctor to treat the hand injury apparently caused by the throwing of bombs and firing during the attack at the TMC councillor's office on Wednesday.
Both the arrested were at one time close to Srinu and apparently fell out over real estate spoils in the area, the officer added.
Srinu Naidu, the husband of Ward 18 TMC councillor of Kharagpur Municipality A Puja, and party activist V Dharma were rushed to a private hospital in Kolkata in a critical condition where they were declared "brought dead" by the doctors after some miscreants opened fire at them inside the party office at Kharagpur.
The two, along with three other TMC workers, were sitting inside the TMC office at Nayakhuli locality of Kharagpur when the misAcreants hurled a bomb and fired at random, police said.
(with PTI inputs)
MIDNAPORE: Two persons were arrested on Thursday night in connection with the murder of Two Trinamool Congress activists, one of them the husband of a party councillor, at Kharagpur in West Midnapore district. A police officer said the two - Sanjoy Prasad and Krishna Rao - were arrested from Ghatal in the district as they went to a doctor to treat the hand injury apparently caused by the throwing of bombs and firing during the attack at the TMC councillor's office on Wednesday. Both the arrested were at one time close to Srinu and apparently fell out over real estate spoils in the area, the officer added. Srinu Naidu, the husband of Ward 18 TMC councillor of Kharagpur Municipality A Puja, and party activist V Dharma were rushed to a private hospital in Kolkata in a critical condition where they were declared "brought dead" by the doctors after some miscreants opened fire at them inside the party office at Kharagpur. The two, along with three other TMC workers, were sitting inside the TMC office at Nayakhuli locality of Kharagpur when the misAcreants hurled a bomb and fired at random, police said. (with PTI inputs)
By Express News Service
NEW DELHI: The BJP is gearing up to release its first list of candidates for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections by Sunday even while the party reportedly got overwhelming demands for tickets from the prospective candidates.
The Central Election Committee (CEC) of the BJP is likely to meet on January 15 to discuss the names of the candidates for the UP polls. The BJP has reportedly got about 10,000 applications from the prospective ticket seekers to contest the Assembly polls for the 403 constituencies in the state. The BJP leaders claimed that more than 20 party leaders on an average are vying for the symbol to contest the polls, which are to be held in seven phases beginning February 11.
The CEC of the BJP will meet on Sunday, which will be chaired by the party chief Amit Shah and will also be attended by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, besides all other members of the Parliamentary Board. The CEC will deliberate on the list of names of the prospective candidates for UP and Uttarakhand, said a senior BJP functionary.
The BJP had released names of candidates for Punjab and Goa on Thursday. The names of the remaining candidates for Punjab and Goa will be released in a few days, as the CEC had authorised the party chief to decide on the candidates for the remaining seats. The BJP has to name six more candidates for the Punjab polls, said the BJP functionary.
The state election committee of the BJP had met in Lucknow this week and is learnt to have forwarded the names of short-listed candidates to the party chief. The state unit has zeroed down on a couple of names against each constituency even while the nominees for about 200 seats are almost final on the principle of sitting MLAs and those who had come second in the 2012 polls, added the BJP functionary.
NEW DELHI: The BJP is gearing up to release its first list of candidates for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections by Sunday even while the party reportedly got overwhelming demands for tickets from the prospective candidates. The Central Election Committee (CEC) of the BJP is likely to meet on January 15 to discuss the names of the candidates for the UP polls. The BJP has reportedly got about 10,000 applications from the prospective ticket seekers to contest the Assembly polls for the 403 constituencies in the state. The BJP leaders claimed that more than 20 party leaders on an average are vying for the symbol to contest the polls, which are to be held in seven phases beginning February 11. The CEC of the BJP will meet on Sunday, which will be chaired by the party chief Amit Shah and will also be attended by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, besides all other members of the Parliamentary Board. The CEC will deliberate on the list of names of the prospective candidates for UP and Uttarakhand, said a senior BJP functionary. The BJP had released names of candidates for Punjab and Goa on Thursday. The names of the remaining candidates for Punjab and Goa will be released in a few days, as the CEC had authorised the party chief to decide on the candidates for the remaining seats. The BJP has to name six more candidates for the Punjab polls, said the BJP functionary. The state election committee of the BJP had met in Lucknow this week and is learnt to have forwarded the names of short-listed candidates to the party chief. The state unit has zeroed down on a couple of names against each constituency even while the nominees for about 200 seats are almost final on the principle of sitting MLAs and those who had come second in the 2012 polls, added the BJP functionary.
Namita Bajpai By
Express News Service
LUCKNOW: Amid allegations of lawlessness and anarchy prevailing in the state, the brutal murder of Allahabad's noted surgeon Dr Ashwani Kumar Bansal has come as another tide in the troubled waters for the ruling party whose first family is already grappling with intense infighting.
Coming in the times of state elections, the incident has triggered talks about poll-time extortion to be a reason for killing but the district police is yet to confirm it.
Dr Bansal, director of well-known Jeevan Jyoti Group of Hospitals in Allahabad, was shot from a point blank range by two unidentified assailants while he was sitting in his chamber and examining patients on Thursday evening. He had just reached the hospital and had started with his daily consultation when armed killers barged in and shot him from a very close range targeting his head, causing panic in the busy hospital.
The injured doctor, with at least one gunshot in his head and two in the jaw, was rushed to the operation theatre of his own hospital and was immediately operated upon by a team of leading doctors of Allahabad. After battling for life for over five hours, Dr Bansal succumbed and declared dead around 10:30 pm. He is survived by his wife and noted Infertility and IVF specialist, Dr Vandana Bansal, and two sons.
Dr Bansal himself was a renowned laparoscopic surgeon. As per the eyewitness account, the doctor was shot thrice as the assailants fired four rounds before leaving the scene amidst the chaos. An uneasy calm gripped the city on Friday with the doctors lodging their protest through demonstrations and UP chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA) calling an emergency meeting to condemn the unfortunate incident.
In the meeting, the IMA office-bearers demanded that the state government should get Dr Bansals killers arrested within the next 24 hours otherwise doctors across the state would go on strike. Moreover, Allahabad Medical Association (AMA) also held a meeting to express grief over the doctors killing and annoyance over the prevailing lawlessness.
CCTV footages are being examined and all round efforts are on to nab the miscreants, said SSP Allahabad, Shalabh Mathur. However, a police post is situated on the hospital premises where the incident took place.
As the reason for the murder is yet to be ascertained, the SSP said that it seemed to be a case of contract killing. Personal enmity also cannot be ruled out in the case as Dr Bansal was known to have a personal property dispute with a land mafia of the area.
Flaying the incident, state BJP unit again drew state governments attention towards the prevailing poor law and order situation in the state. Law and order machinery is in a shambles under Samajwadi Party rule. Governance is not a priority for them. It is a gundaraaj, said BJP spokesman Dr Chandramohan.
LUCKNOW: Amid allegations of lawlessness and anarchy prevailing in the state, the brutal murder of Allahabad's noted surgeon Dr Ashwani Kumar Bansal has come as another tide in the troubled waters for the ruling party whose first family is already grappling with intense infighting. Coming in the times of state elections, the incident has triggered talks about poll-time extortion to be a reason for killing but the district police is yet to confirm it. Dr Bansal, director of well-known Jeevan Jyoti Group of Hospitals in Allahabad, was shot from a point blank range by two unidentified assailants while he was sitting in his chamber and examining patients on Thursday evening. He had just reached the hospital and had started with his daily consultation when armed killers barged in and shot him from a very close range targeting his head, causing panic in the busy hospital. The injured doctor, with at least one gunshot in his head and two in the jaw, was rushed to the operation theatre of his own hospital and was immediately operated upon by a team of leading doctors of Allahabad. After battling for life for over five hours, Dr Bansal succumbed and declared dead around 10:30 pm. He is survived by his wife and noted Infertility and IVF specialist, Dr Vandana Bansal, and two sons. Dr Bansal himself was a renowned laparoscopic surgeon. As per the eyewitness account, the doctor was shot thrice as the assailants fired four rounds before leaving the scene amidst the chaos. An uneasy calm gripped the city on Friday with the doctors lodging their protest through demonstrations and UP chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA) calling an emergency meeting to condemn the unfortunate incident. In the meeting, the IMA office-bearers demanded that the state government should get Dr Bansals killers arrested within the next 24 hours otherwise doctors across the state would go on strike. Moreover, Allahabad Medical Association (AMA) also held a meeting to express grief over the doctors killing and annoyance over the prevailing lawlessness. CCTV footages are being examined and all round efforts are on to nab the miscreants, said SSP Allahabad, Shalabh Mathur. However, a police post is situated on the hospital premises where the incident took place. As the reason for the murder is yet to be ascertained, the SSP said that it seemed to be a case of contract killing. Personal enmity also cannot be ruled out in the case as Dr Bansal was known to have a personal property dispute with a land mafia of the area. Flaying the incident, state BJP unit again drew state governments attention towards the prevailing poor law and order situation in the state. Law and order machinery is in a shambles under Samajwadi Party rule. Governance is not a priority for them. It is a gundaraaj, said BJP spokesman Dr Chandramohan.
By PTI
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court today fixed January 16 for hearing a plea seeking a status report from the Ministry of Home Affairs following a BSF soldier's allegation that troopers were being served poor quality food along LoC.
A bench headed by Chief Justice G Rohini fixed the matter for January 16 as it did not assemble today.
The plea was filed by Puran Chand Arya, a former central government employee, in the wake of a video posted on Facebook by BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav, claiming corruption among officers and poor working conditions.
The public interest litigation (PIL) sought direction to the MHA to submit a status report with respect to all paramilitary forces in India over allegations of the BSF jawan in his video, which went viral on social media.
Citing the fundamental Right to Equality (Article 14) and Life (Article 21), the PIL filed through advocate Abhishek Kumar Choudhary highlights the allegations about insufficient and bad quality of food provided to jawans.
It seeks action on the incident so that the morale of the force is not affected and also asks for clarity on ration procurement, food preparation and servings to various categories of officers.
On 9 January, Yadav posted a video on Facebook which showed a meal box comprising a watery soup-like dal, which he said had only turmeric and salt and a burnt chapatti.
He said this is what jawans were served at mealtime on duty. He said jawans often went to bed on an empty stomach.
The Union home ministry has now taken cognisance of the video and ordered an immediate investigation into the matter.
The PIL has sought direction to depute higher officers to supervise cooking of proper healthy food and its distribution.
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court today fixed January 16 for hearing a plea seeking a status report from the Ministry of Home Affairs following a BSF soldier's allegation that troopers were being served poor quality food along LoC. A bench headed by Chief Justice G Rohini fixed the matter for January 16 as it did not assemble today. The plea was filed by Puran Chand Arya, a former central government employee, in the wake of a video posted on Facebook by BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav, claiming corruption among officers and poor working conditions. The public interest litigation (PIL) sought direction to the MHA to submit a status report with respect to all paramilitary forces in India over allegations of the BSF jawan in his video, which went viral on social media. Citing the fundamental Right to Equality (Article 14) and Life (Article 21), the PIL filed through advocate Abhishek Kumar Choudhary highlights the allegations about insufficient and bad quality of food provided to jawans. It seeks action on the incident so that the morale of the force is not affected and also asks for clarity on ration procurement, food preparation and servings to various categories of officers. On 9 January, Yadav posted a video on Facebook which showed a meal box comprising a watery soup-like dal, which he said had only turmeric and salt and a burnt chapatti. He said this is what jawans were served at mealtime on duty. He said jawans often went to bed on an empty stomach. The Union home ministry has now taken cognisance of the video and ordered an immediate investigation into the matter. The PIL has sought direction to depute higher officers to supervise cooking of proper healthy food and its distribution.
Harpreet Bajwa By
Express News Service
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Home Department has issued instructions banning mulaqaats with prisoners in all Central, District and Sub-Jails in the State, three days prior to the polling date i.e. February 4. This follows a meeting of the top State government officials with the Election Commission of India here, on Thursday evening.
Additional chief secretary (Home) KBS Sidhu said that February 4 having been already declared holiday in the State on account of polling, would also be covered by this ban. In case of any emergency, mulaqaat shall be permitted only with the prior approval of Additional Director General of Police (Prisons). In view of this ban, February 5 (Sunday), which is otherwise a closed day for mulaqaats would operate as normal working day to facilitate the clearing of the backlog.
He further revealed that the State Home Department has frozen the processing as well as implementation of the cases of furlough, temporary release, premature release, remission and pardon etc. pertaining to prisoners, in view of the enforcement of the Election Code of Conduct. Even where the orders of the competent authority have been obtained but the same had not been implemented, the same would be held in abeyance till the polling is over. This order would, however, be subject to an exception where a competent judicial court has passed any specific orders in this behalf, which requires a time-bound compliance. This order, it was clarified, would not apply to release orders and bails granted by competent judicial courts.
He said that comprehensive short-term and medium-term plan were being put into action to ensure that the Election process is not in any way disturbed by unscrupulous persons operating from within and outside the jails in the State.
Chief election commissioner of India Nasim Zaidi said,There will be surveillance in the jails across the State and paramilitary forces could be deployed in jails. Dreaded criminals will be isolated from other inmates, also video cameras are being installed and control room in the room of ADGP (Prisons) besides jammers.
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Home Department has issued instructions banning mulaqaats with prisoners in all Central, District and Sub-Jails in the State, three days prior to the polling date i.e. February 4. This follows a meeting of the top State government officials with the Election Commission of India here, on Thursday evening. Additional chief secretary (Home) KBS Sidhu said that February 4 having been already declared holiday in the State on account of polling, would also be covered by this ban. In case of any emergency, mulaqaat shall be permitted only with the prior approval of Additional Director General of Police (Prisons). In view of this ban, February 5 (Sunday), which is otherwise a closed day for mulaqaats would operate as normal working day to facilitate the clearing of the backlog. He further revealed that the State Home Department has frozen the processing as well as implementation of the cases of furlough, temporary release, premature release, remission and pardon etc. pertaining to prisoners, in view of the enforcement of the Election Code of Conduct. Even where the orders of the competent authority have been obtained but the same had not been implemented, the same would be held in abeyance till the polling is over. This order would, however, be subject to an exception where a competent judicial court has passed any specific orders in this behalf, which requires a time-bound compliance. This order, it was clarified, would not apply to release orders and bails granted by competent judicial courts. He said that comprehensive short-term and medium-term plan were being put into action to ensure that the Election process is not in any way disturbed by unscrupulous persons operating from within and outside the jails in the State. Chief election commissioner of India Nasim Zaidi said,There will be surveillance in the jails across the State and paramilitary forces could be deployed in jails. Dreaded criminals will be isolated from other inmates, also video cameras are being installed and control room in the room of ADGP (Prisons) besides jammers.
By ANI
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Friday launched a scathing attack on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Sakshi Maharaj terming him a breed of politicians nurtured on divisive politics.
I have fought Sakshi Maharaj on two occasions. I know what his politics is. I know what his personality is all about. This is a breed and brand of politicians who have been nurtured on divisive politics, on politics of the other, on politics of hate, politics of ridicule and they have prospered. They have come so far that they are now part of a government, Congress leader and former external affairs minister Salman Khurshid told ANI.
Commending the Election Commission for its immediate action, Khurshid hoped more and more involvement of people to turn people against the kind of politics played by making such comments.
I dont always agree with the Election Commission but on this occasion what they are doing is to be commended. I think this is just the beginning of the battle. We have a long way to go and a lot of good people have to pitch in and ensure that we turn the mood of the country against this kind of politics, said Khurshid.
Meanwhile, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) also did not miss the chance to hit out at BJP, saying that the party is in a habit of playing politics based on religious polarisation.
Sakshi Maharaj is a Bharatiya Janata Party (BBJP) member and many other ministers of the party have passed similar comments. BJP is in a habit of doing politics based on religious polarisation, BSP member Sudhindra Bhadoria told ANI.
The EC on Thursday censured Sakshi Maharaj for violating the Model Code of Conduct and the Supreme Court's decision not to seek votes in the name of religion.
The EC in its letter issued to Maharaj said he being a reputed political leader/MP is expected to be more circumspect in his public utterances during the upcoming assembly elections.
The Election Commission also issued a stern warning to the BJP MP, saying strict action would be taken in case of any violation of the Model Code of Conduct in future.
Addressing a gathering in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, last week, Maharaj had urged all political parties to come together to frame "population control" laws.
"This population rise is not because of Hindus. The population has risen because of those who support the concept of four wives and 40 children. It is not acceptable," he said.
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Friday launched a scathing attack on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Sakshi Maharaj terming him a breed of politicians nurtured on divisive politics. I have fought Sakshi Maharaj on two occasions. I know what his politics is. I know what his personality is all about. This is a breed and brand of politicians who have been nurtured on divisive politics, on politics of the other, on politics of hate, politics of ridicule and they have prospered. They have come so far that they are now part of a government, Congress leader and former external affairs minister Salman Khurshid told ANI. Commending the Election Commission for its immediate action, Khurshid hoped more and more involvement of people to turn people against the kind of politics played by making such comments. I dont always agree with the Election Commission but on this occasion what they are doing is to be commended. I think this is just the beginning of the battle. We have a long way to go and a lot of good people have to pitch in and ensure that we turn the mood of the country against this kind of politics, said Khurshid. Meanwhile, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) also did not miss the chance to hit out at BJP, saying that the party is in a habit of playing politics based on religious polarisation. Sakshi Maharaj is a Bharatiya Janata Party (BBJP) member and many other ministers of the party have passed similar comments. BJP is in a habit of doing politics based on religious polarisation, BSP member Sudhindra Bhadoria told ANI. The EC on Thursday censured Sakshi Maharaj for violating the Model Code of Conduct and the Supreme Court's decision not to seek votes in the name of religion. The EC in its letter issued to Maharaj said he being a reputed political leader/MP is expected to be more circumspect in his public utterances during the upcoming assembly elections. The Election Commission also issued a stern warning to the BJP MP, saying strict action would be taken in case of any violation of the Model Code of Conduct in future. Addressing a gathering in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, last week, Maharaj had urged all political parties to come together to frame "population control" laws. "This population rise is not because of Hindus. The population has risen because of those who support the concept of four wives and 40 children. It is not acceptable," he said.
Swaran Singh By
Donald Trumps America First preoccupation is making the Chinese accelerate President Xi Jinpings grand vision, the One Belt One Road (OBOR) project. The initiative was launched in 2013 and it might take a few decades, if not more, for the Chinese to complete the project. Currently, China is preparing to hold its first OBOR global summit this summer and it expects to see all world leaders lined up to become part of this post-American China-led globalisation.
Only two prominent nations are likely to be conspicuous by their absence: The US, that will soon have a president who remains wary of China; and India, that remains reticent about OBOR, especially with respect to the projects offshoots into the Indian Ocean and South Asia. Indeed, even the unpredictable Trump might show up in Beijing following his meeting with Jack Ma, thus completely isolating India in this fast-evolving geopolitics of Eurasia.
India had sought to counter OBOR with Mousam and Sagarmala projects but these have remained a fiction as Indian foreign policy became obsessed with isolating Pakistan. The result: Indian foreign policy establishment today finds fault with China blocking Indias efforts in naming Pakistan- based Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar a UN-designated terrorist and criticises Chinas efforts to block Indias bid for a full membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Only the naive would expect China to shoulder Indias burdens!
With Beijings rising global stardom, India has surely lost the race with China, but New Delhi remains equally unaware of the fast-shifting sands in South Asia. As part of OBOR, China remains busy promoting (a) the Bangladesh China-India- Myanmar or BCIM Economic Corridor and (b) the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) both promising China access to the Indian Ocean, from the east and west of India. Dr Manmohan Singh had finally reconciled to Indias participation in the former but there has been no response to the same from the Modi government.
But it is the CPEC which has lately picked up momentum. Both China and Pakistan are now inviting all other stakeholders including their newfound strategic partner Russia into CPEC. If Russia, China and Pakistan hold parleys with Afghanistan in the future, it portends increasing centrality of Pakistan and further marginalisation of India. Emboldened Pakistani generals are already inviting India to join the CPEC which they say is a project not in, but through Pakistan and potentially the most crucial link between Chinas OBOR and their Maritime Silk Road which involves as many as 65 nations.
No doubt, insurgencies and political divisions in Pakistans restive province of Balochistan had a heavy toll on the safety and security of Chinese engineers and assets. The threat even forced China to ask Pakistan to raise a 10,000-strong force for their protection.
Even Pakistani experts widely believe that only Chinese companies will be the biggest beneficiaries from CPEC because the Pakistani leadership supports it, as always, only for their personal gains. The Chinese also understand that this $57 billion network of energy projects, roads and deep-water port linking Kashghar and Gwadar may never become commercially viable. They are already learning lessons from the Sitwe, Gwadar and Hambantota ports. But like the post- World War II United States, post-Cold War China needs its own Marshall Plan to catapult itself to the status of the next superpower.
Then, what are Indias options? It is interesting to note that while the Indian state has pulled away from the limited interest it showed in the BCIM economic corridor and keeps absolute silence on CPEC, Indian society is fast integrating with China. Indias businessmen from Ambanis to smalltown traders who fill flights between China and Indiaare all getting thoroughly entrenched in Chinese capital, equipment and consumer products. There is a bit of China in all top Indian start-ups, from ecommerce platform Snapdeal to mobile wallet giant Paytm, to cab service company Ola and travel portal MakeMyTrip and so on.
China is fast becoming Indias Mecca for higher education, especially medicine. Indian students in China now make up the second largest group of foreign students at 16,694with only Thailand ahead with 19,976, Russia following with 16,176 and Pakistan with 15,654. In the last two years, India has added the most number of students (3,116 students), followed by Pakistan. Over 8,000 Indian students are studying medicine in China even when the Medical Council of India does not recognise their degree from China. Students have to write a separate exam to practice medicine in India. Same is the trend for other Indian travellers to China, be it politicians, academicians, journalists or tourists.
India has had serious objections to the very nature of the China-Pakistan axis and to China investing in infrastructure in disputed territories of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. It is true that Chinas own 1963 border settlement treaty with Pakistan calls Kashmir a disputed territory. India also has genuine grievances against China for not consulting India, its largest neighbour, before launching the OBOR.
But India had agreed to BCIM without resolving borders! India has limited time and options. It cannot remain hostage to its single-minded strategy of isolating Pakistan which has had no effect on China, Russia or the US. Although CPEC has muddled through few milestones, India would be ill-advised to rely on the false comfort of the corridor being engulfed in crisis and a nonstarter.
Donald Trumps America First preoccupation is making the Chinese accelerate President Xi Jinpings grand vision, the One Belt One Road (OBOR) project. The initiative was launched in 2013 and it might take a few decades, if not more, for the Chinese to complete the project. Currently, China is preparing to hold its first OBOR global summit this summer and it expects to see all world leaders lined up to become part of this post-American China-led globalisation. Only two prominent nations are likely to be conspicuous by their absence: The US, that will soon have a president who remains wary of China; and India, that remains reticent about OBOR, especially with respect to the projects offshoots into the Indian Ocean and South Asia. Indeed, even the unpredictable Trump might show up in Beijing following his meeting with Jack Ma, thus completely isolating India in this fast-evolving geopolitics of Eurasia. India had sought to counter OBOR with Mousam and Sagarmala projects but these have remained a fiction as Indian foreign policy became obsessed with isolating Pakistan. The result: Indian foreign policy establishment today finds fault with China blocking Indias efforts in naming Pakistan- based Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar a UN-designated terrorist and criticises Chinas efforts to block Indias bid for a full membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Only the naive would expect China to shoulder Indias burdens! With Beijings rising global stardom, India has surely lost the race with China, but New Delhi remains equally unaware of the fast-shifting sands in South Asia. As part of OBOR, China remains busy promoting (a) the Bangladesh China-India- Myanmar or BCIM Economic Corridor and (b) the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) both promising China access to the Indian Ocean, from the east and west of India. Dr Manmohan Singh had finally reconciled to Indias participation in the former but there has been no response to the same from the Modi government. But it is the CPEC which has lately picked up momentum. Both China and Pakistan are now inviting all other stakeholders including their newfound strategic partner Russia into CPEC. If Russia, China and Pakistan hold parleys with Afghanistan in the future, it portends increasing centrality of Pakistan and further marginalisation of India. Emboldened Pakistani generals are already inviting India to join the CPEC which they say is a project not in, but through Pakistan and potentially the most crucial link between Chinas OBOR and their Maritime Silk Road which involves as many as 65 nations. No doubt, insurgencies and political divisions in Pakistans restive province of Balochistan had a heavy toll on the safety and security of Chinese engineers and assets. The threat even forced China to ask Pakistan to raise a 10,000-strong force for their protection. Even Pakistani experts widely believe that only Chinese companies will be the biggest beneficiaries from CPEC because the Pakistani leadership supports it, as always, only for their personal gains. The Chinese also understand that this $57 billion network of energy projects, roads and deep-water port linking Kashghar and Gwadar may never become commercially viable. They are already learning lessons from the Sitwe, Gwadar and Hambantota ports. But like the post- World War II United States, post-Cold War China needs its own Marshall Plan to catapult itself to the status of the next superpower. Then, what are Indias options? It is interesting to note that while the Indian state has pulled away from the limited interest it showed in the BCIM economic corridor and keeps absolute silence on CPEC, Indian society is fast integrating with China. Indias businessmen from Ambanis to smalltown traders who fill flights between China and Indiaare all getting thoroughly entrenched in Chinese capital, equipment and consumer products. There is a bit of China in all top Indian start-ups, from ecommerce platform Snapdeal to mobile wallet giant Paytm, to cab service company Ola and travel portal MakeMyTrip and so on. China is fast becoming Indias Mecca for higher education, especially medicine. Indian students in China now make up the second largest group of foreign students at 16,694with only Thailand ahead with 19,976, Russia following with 16,176 and Pakistan with 15,654. In the last two years, India has added the most number of students (3,116 students), followed by Pakistan. Over 8,000 Indian students are studying medicine in China even when the Medical Council of India does not recognise their degree from China. Students have to write a separate exam to practice medicine in India. Same is the trend for other Indian travellers to China, be it politicians, academicians, journalists or tourists. India has had serious objections to the very nature of the China-Pakistan axis and to China investing in infrastructure in disputed territories of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. It is true that Chinas own 1963 border settlement treaty with Pakistan calls Kashmir a disputed territory. India also has genuine grievances against China for not consulting India, its largest neighbour, before launching the OBOR. But India had agreed to BCIM without resolving borders! India has limited time and options. It cannot remain hostage to its single-minded strategy of isolating Pakistan which has had no effect on China, Russia or the US. Although CPEC has muddled through few milestones, India would be ill-advised to rely on the false comfort of the corridor being engulfed in crisis and a nonstarter.
Karamatullah K Ghori By
Old soldiers, they say, never die; they just fade out walking into the sunset.
However, Pakistans just retired and celebrated soldier, General Raheel Sharif, seems determined to prove the old adage wrong. In just six weeks since he stepped down from the post of chief of army staff, he has continually been in the headlines, for all the wrong reasons.
First, it was his old boss, Pakistans last Bonaparte, General Pervez Musharraf, who put him on the spot with his disclosure that Raheel, had leaned on the countrys apex court and the government of Nawaz Sharif to get him out of Pakistan and the reach of its law. That provocative rant of Musharraf caused, to say the least, immense embarrassment to Raheel.
But what has quickly followed on the heels of that scandal couldnt only be more embarrassing but potentially damaging to both him and the government of Nawaz Sharif.
The whistle-blower, this time, is none other than Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, who has the dubious reputation of being Nawazs loose-cannon: In an interview on Pakistans largest media network, Geo TV, Asif disclosed that Raheel is poised to head the Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism, a Saudi handmaiden supposedly pooling 39 Islamic countries under its umbrella.
The Saudis have had their heart set on the alliance since venturing militarily, into neighbouring Yemen, where they have been stranded with no end in sight since early 2015. The Saudi royals gambled on their Pakistani brothers lending them a helping hand in their first military adventure abroad.
They tried to pull a fast one on Pakistan by concocting a canard that Pakistan had agreed to beef up their botched military incursion into Yemen with its own contingent.
Nawaz, ever a loyal and docile acolyte of not only the Saudi royals but also of many others in the oil-rich Gulf, was inclined to oblige his mentors. However, the Parliament was in an uproar over the brazen Saudi temerity and shot down the idea with a unanimous parliamentary resolution. Pakistan will not be a party to the Saudi aggression against a fellow Muslim country, the resolution asserted, taking all the wind out of Nawazs sails.
The Saudis, with their ego bruised, wouldnt give up, and followed suit with the nebulous idea of a pan-Islamic force cobbled together with as much participation of Islamic countries as possible with the aim of combating the menace of terrorism plaguing a vast swathe of the Muslim world.
At that point, Pakistan consented, in principle, to join the league. It was, at that early stage, a pie-in-the-sky sort of thing that needed to be fleshed out. Many in Pakistan thought of it as muscle-flexing by the Saudis. The new Saudi King Salman bin Abdulazizs ambitious son and Defence Minister Mohammad was said to be the architect of this romantic idea of a pan-Islamic force to make his own statement.
Not much had happened with regard to the Saudi-led alliance until now. The impasse was suddenly broken with the story of Raheel Sharif infusing life into the moribund idea by taking command of the force.
That has unleashed a maelstrom of speculations among Pakistani pundits. Were the Saudis just waiting for Raheel to be available for the job? Why only Raheel? The putative alliance has 39 countries on board: couldnt there be another suitable man for the job in one of those countries, with some having a galore of large armies with generals of myriad stripes?
No doubt Raheel earned his laurels in Pakistan with his command of a concerted and bloodystill unfinishedcampaign to weed out the scourge of terrorism in Pakistan. His reputation of a soldiers soldier travelled beyond Pakistans shores. It seems to have impressed the Saudis most; Raheel was a frequent visitor to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and was routinely received with open arms. Did he charm the Saudis so much that they wouldnt countenance anyone but him in command of their cherished military alliance?
Pakistan has a huge lobby of Saudi loyalists and tribunes who couldnt be more elated at this development. They are ecstatic for what they think is a feather in the cap of not only Raheel but Pakistan too, for the good being done by their Saudi patrons for the amorphous Muslim Ummah.
However, pundits with their ears plugged to the jarring, geo-political realities around Pakistan arent impressed. They have a pointand sound logicin arguing that what the Saudis couldnt ferret out of Pakistan, two years ago, is now being finessed with this clever move to rope in Pakistan.
The Saudi hostility against Iran, Pakistans western neighbour, isnt lost on pragmatic observers. Iran has been in the Saudi hairs ever since its Islamic revolution, of 1979. Such is the Saudi enmity towards Iran that its leaders have, time and again, likened Iran to a serpent that must be decapitated.
And Iran is only too conspicuous by its absence from the alliance. No wonder it worries cool-headed Pakistanis that having Raheel as the head of the alliance would be a Saudi Trojan horse to distance Pakistan from Iran. As it is, Saudi-Iranian proxy sectarian battles have long been waged on Pakistani soil with disastrous consequences for the harmony of an inherently divided Pakistan. The sectarian cleavage is daunting for anyones comfort.
Raheel, if it is any comfort, seems alive to this prospect. In his first media pronouncement on the move, he has said he wouldnt be a party to the alliance sans Iran. Will his Saudi fans and admirers be ready to oblige him is anybodys guess. One should be reluctant to wage a penny on it.
Karamatullah K Ghori
Former Pakistani diplomat
Email: K_K_ghori@yahoo.com
Old soldiers, they say, never die; they just fade out walking into the sunset. However, Pakistans just retired and celebrated soldier, General Raheel Sharif, seems determined to prove the old adage wrong. In just six weeks since he stepped down from the post of chief of army staff, he has continually been in the headlines, for all the wrong reasons. First, it was his old boss, Pakistans last Bonaparte, General Pervez Musharraf, who put him on the spot with his disclosure that Raheel, had leaned on the countrys apex court and the government of Nawaz Sharif to get him out of Pakistan and the reach of its law. That provocative rant of Musharraf caused, to say the least, immense embarrassment to Raheel. But what has quickly followed on the heels of that scandal couldnt only be more embarrassing but potentially damaging to both him and the government of Nawaz Sharif. The whistle-blower, this time, is none other than Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, who has the dubious reputation of being Nawazs loose-cannon: In an interview on Pakistans largest media network, Geo TV, Asif disclosed that Raheel is poised to head the Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism, a Saudi handmaiden supposedly pooling 39 Islamic countries under its umbrella. The Saudis have had their heart set on the alliance since venturing militarily, into neighbouring Yemen, where they have been stranded with no end in sight since early 2015. The Saudi royals gambled on their Pakistani brothers lending them a helping hand in their first military adventure abroad. They tried to pull a fast one on Pakistan by concocting a canard that Pakistan had agreed to beef up their botched military incursion into Yemen with its own contingent. Nawaz, ever a loyal and docile acolyte of not only the Saudi royals but also of many others in the oil-rich Gulf, was inclined to oblige his mentors. However, the Parliament was in an uproar over the brazen Saudi temerity and shot down the idea with a unanimous parliamentary resolution. Pakistan will not be a party to the Saudi aggression against a fellow Muslim country, the resolution asserted, taking all the wind out of Nawazs sails. The Saudis, with their ego bruised, wouldnt give up, and followed suit with the nebulous idea of a pan-Islamic force cobbled together with as much participation of Islamic countries as possible with the aim of combating the menace of terrorism plaguing a vast swathe of the Muslim world. At that point, Pakistan consented, in principle, to join the league. It was, at that early stage, a pie-in-the-sky sort of thing that needed to be fleshed out. Many in Pakistan thought of it as muscle-flexing by the Saudis. The new Saudi King Salman bin Abdulazizs ambitious son and Defence Minister Mohammad was said to be the architect of this romantic idea of a pan-Islamic force to make his own statement. Not much had happened with regard to the Saudi-led alliance until now. The impasse was suddenly broken with the story of Raheel Sharif infusing life into the moribund idea by taking command of the force. That has unleashed a maelstrom of speculations among Pakistani pundits. Were the Saudis just waiting for Raheel to be available for the job? Why only Raheel? The putative alliance has 39 countries on board: couldnt there be another suitable man for the job in one of those countries, with some having a galore of large armies with generals of myriad stripes? No doubt Raheel earned his laurels in Pakistan with his command of a concerted and bloodystill unfinishedcampaign to weed out the scourge of terrorism in Pakistan. His reputation of a soldiers soldier travelled beyond Pakistans shores. It seems to have impressed the Saudis most; Raheel was a frequent visitor to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and was routinely received with open arms. Did he charm the Saudis so much that they wouldnt countenance anyone but him in command of their cherished military alliance? Pakistan has a huge lobby of Saudi loyalists and tribunes who couldnt be more elated at this development. They are ecstatic for what they think is a feather in the cap of not only Raheel but Pakistan too, for the good being done by their Saudi patrons for the amorphous Muslim Ummah. However, pundits with their ears plugged to the jarring, geo-political realities around Pakistan arent impressed. They have a pointand sound logicin arguing that what the Saudis couldnt ferret out of Pakistan, two years ago, is now being finessed with this clever move to rope in Pakistan. The Saudi hostility against Iran, Pakistans western neighbour, isnt lost on pragmatic observers. Iran has been in the Saudi hairs ever since its Islamic revolution, of 1979. Such is the Saudi enmity towards Iran that its leaders have, time and again, likened Iran to a serpent that must be decapitated. And Iran is only too conspicuous by its absence from the alliance. No wonder it worries cool-headed Pakistanis that having Raheel as the head of the alliance would be a Saudi Trojan horse to distance Pakistan from Iran. As it is, Saudi-Iranian proxy sectarian battles have long been waged on Pakistani soil with disastrous consequences for the harmony of an inherently divided Pakistan. The sectarian cleavage is daunting for anyones comfort. Raheel, if it is any comfort, seems alive to this prospect. In his first media pronouncement on the move, he has said he wouldnt be a party to the alliance sans Iran. Will his Saudi fans and admirers be ready to oblige him is anybodys guess. One should be reluctant to wage a penny on it. Karamatullah K Ghori Former Pakistani diplomat Email: K_K_ghori@yahoo.com
Alex Mathew By
Express News Service
KOCHI: They dedicate the flower of their youth in the service of the nation, but the government often ignores their sacrifice. The state government has forgotten his yeomans services to the nation, but Captain Thomas Philipose, the only Keralite alive to be bestowed with the countrys second highest wartime gallantry medal, is determined that his fate should not befall upon his brethren.
Captain Thomas Philpose in front of the Jai Jawan war memorial in Aranmula
Thomas, who is a Maha Vir Chakra awardee for his heroic efforts in keeping the enemy forces at bay in Basantar sector of Punjab during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, has built a memorial to honour the war veterans in his 3 cents of land at Aranmula at an expense of over Rs 7 lakh.
The inauguration of Jai Jawan Memorial at Erumakkad Junction near Aranmula will be held at 10.30 am on Saturday, he told Express. The memorial, built in honour of the veterans of the Madras Regiment, freedom fighters, martyrs of various wars fought by India and veterans of Armed Forces will be inaugurated by Veena George MLA.
Captain Thomas Jai Jawan Memorial is a stinking reminder to the successive governments in the state that have not chosen to salute the soldiers who protect our borders. In fact, theres a bridge named after the Captain in Jammu and Kashmir: A military auditorium at RS Pura in the Samba sector of Jammu bears his name and theres even a gymnasium dedicated to him in the Nilgiris. In our state, film personalities, politicians and sportspersons are honoured by the government with roads and bylanes named after them and statues erected in their honour. But, war heroes, veterans and martyrs are often ignored, rues Thomas.
Prior to the inaugural function on Saturday, a colourful procession will be taken out. Serving Army officers, soldiers and veterans of the Armed Forces will participate in the procession from Erumakkad Kalluvaramb Junction to the memorial site. The procession will be accompanied by NCC, Scouts, Student Police Cadets and schoolchildren. Brigadier P V Sahadevan will hoist the flag to mark the occasion. Memorial committee chairman Captain Thomas Philipose will welcome the gathering while Brigadier Varghese Jacob will preside over the function.
KOCHI: They dedicate the flower of their youth in the service of the nation, but the government often ignores their sacrifice. The state government has forgotten his yeomans services to the nation, but Captain Thomas Philipose, the only Keralite alive to be bestowed with the countrys second highest wartime gallantry medal, is determined that his fate should not befall upon his brethren. Captain Thomas Philpose in front of the Jai Jawan war memorial in Aranmula Thomas, who is a Maha Vir Chakra awardee for his heroic efforts in keeping the enemy forces at bay in Basantar sector of Punjab during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, has built a memorial to honour the war veterans in his 3 cents of land at Aranmula at an expense of over Rs 7 lakh. The inauguration of Jai Jawan Memorial at Erumakkad Junction near Aranmula will be held at 10.30 am on Saturday, he told Express. The memorial, built in honour of the veterans of the Madras Regiment, freedom fighters, martyrs of various wars fought by India and veterans of Armed Forces will be inaugurated by Veena George MLA. Captain Thomas Jai Jawan Memorial is a stinking reminder to the successive governments in the state that have not chosen to salute the soldiers who protect our borders. In fact, theres a bridge named after the Captain in Jammu and Kashmir: A military auditorium at RS Pura in the Samba sector of Jammu bears his name and theres even a gymnasium dedicated to him in the Nilgiris. In our state, film personalities, politicians and sportspersons are honoured by the government with roads and bylanes named after them and statues erected in their honour. But, war heroes, veterans and martyrs are often ignored, rues Thomas. Prior to the inaugural function on Saturday, a colourful procession will be taken out. Serving Army officers, soldiers and veterans of the Armed Forces will participate in the procession from Erumakkad Kalluvaramb Junction to the memorial site. The procession will be accompanied by NCC, Scouts, Student Police Cadets and schoolchildren. Brigadier P V Sahadevan will hoist the flag to mark the occasion. Memorial committee chairman Captain Thomas Philipose will welcome the gathering while Brigadier Varghese Jacob will preside over the function.
By Express News Service
KOTTAYAM: A year after Left parties, especially the CPM and its allies, organised a string of protests across the country demanding justice to Rohit Vemula, a Dalit research scholar at the University of Hyderabad, who committed suicide alleging caste discrimination, the Students Federation of India (SFI), the students wing of the CPM, is in the dock for allegedly attacking a Dalit student at Mahatma Gandhi University in Kottayam.
Vivek Kumaran, an M Phil student in Gandhian Studies from Kalady, was admitted to the Government Medical College (GMC) hospital after being beaten up allegedly by a group of SFI activists on MG University campus. While Rohit Vemula was suspended for his participation in the agitation led by Ambedkar Students Association (ASA), Vivek said he was targeted for sympathising with the thoughts of Ambedkar.
According to Vivek, he was beaten up by SFI activists on Tuesday night, a day after he delivered a talk on the Politics of queer communities, at a programme held on the campus. They attacked me alleging that I was trying to turn the students against SFI. They even warned me of dire consequences claiming that none will ask if I was killed. Though, I dont smoke, they said I was distributing ganja to the students. They also called me by my caste name, he said.
Refuting the allegations, SFI state president Jaick C Thomas claimed that the activists had only questioned Vivek for distributing ganja on the campus.
The University Students Union and the SFI had received several complaints against Vivek, alleging that he was distributing ganja among students. As a functionary of the University Union, Shyamlal and SFI activists went to his room and spoke to him. Though, it led to a clash, Vivek was not beaten up, he said.
However, the issue has stirred an outrage in the social media with many netizens demanding action against attack on Dalits.
KOTTAYAM: A year after Left parties, especially the CPM and its allies, organised a string of protests across the country demanding justice to Rohit Vemula, a Dalit research scholar at the University of Hyderabad, who committed suicide alleging caste discrimination, the Students Federation of India (SFI), the students wing of the CPM, is in the dock for allegedly attacking a Dalit student at Mahatma Gandhi University in Kottayam. Vivek Kumaran, an M Phil student in Gandhian Studies from Kalady, was admitted to the Government Medical College (GMC) hospital after being beaten up allegedly by a group of SFI activists on MG University campus. While Rohit Vemula was suspended for his participation in the agitation led by Ambedkar Students Association (ASA), Vivek said he was targeted for sympathising with the thoughts of Ambedkar. According to Vivek, he was beaten up by SFI activists on Tuesday night, a day after he delivered a talk on the Politics of queer communities, at a programme held on the campus. They attacked me alleging that I was trying to turn the students against SFI. They even warned me of dire consequences claiming that none will ask if I was killed. Though, I dont smoke, they said I was distributing ganja to the students. They also called me by my caste name, he said. Refuting the allegations, SFI state president Jaick C Thomas claimed that the activists had only questioned Vivek for distributing ganja on the campus. The University Students Union and the SFI had received several complaints against Vivek, alleging that he was distributing ganja among students. As a functionary of the University Union, Shyamlal and SFI activists went to his room and spoke to him. Though, it led to a clash, Vivek was not beaten up, he said. However, the issue has stirred an outrage in the social media with many netizens demanding action against attack on Dalits.
By Express News Service
BHAWANIPATNA: The Delhi gang-rape incident that happened on December 16, 2012, rocked the entire nation, and India woke up from its deep slumber of not caring about issues concerning womens safety. After Nirbhaya case, several girls showed courage and drew accolades for their bravery in fighting sexual harassment.
In a similar case of bravery, a girl in Kalahandi district, who dared to take on two eve teasers, sustained severe burn injuries after she was set on fire allegedly by the two youths for protesting eve-teasing.
The incident comes close on the heels of a 23-year-old girl showing courage and thrashing a 30-year-old man for allegedly molesting and making lewd comments at her in Badambadi.
The girl student of Madhupur Kanya Ashram under Narla police limits in the district was set on fire by the two boys on Wednesday.
The girl, who is said to have sustained 90 per cent burn injuries, was rushed to Kalahandi District Headquarters Hospital in a critical condition and later shifted to VIMSAR at Burla.
According to reports, Tapaswini Rana (15) of Madhupur under Narla police limits in the district, was subjected to lewd gesture and obscene comments by the two boys of her neighbourhood, Bulu Das (19) and his friend Jugal alias Shyama Sahu (17), when she was returning home from the village pond in the afternoon.
While Bulu is working in a cement plant in Andhra Pradesh after dropping out of the school, Jugal is a student of Plus Two in a college in Lanjigarh Road.
However, Tapaswini protested the act and complained about the incident to her parents Lalita and Jagannath Rana, who rebuked the boys for their behaviour. This incensed the boys and they roughed up Lalita and Tapaswini over the incident. Instead of admonishing their sons, the parents of the boys also abused Tapaswini and her parents and instigated the boys to beat up her family members.
While Lalita rushed out of the house to call Jagannath, the two boys entered the house and doused Tapaswini with kerosene and set her on fire. On hearing her shrieks, the neighbours rushed to Tapaswinis house and rescued her.
On being informed, parents of Tapaswini reached the spot and shifted her to the District Headquarters Hospital on Wednesday evening. After the news spread, Narla Police, accompanied by a Magistrate, recorded the statements of her parents. The accused have been detained.
BHAWANIPATNA: The Delhi gang-rape incident that happened on December 16, 2012, rocked the entire nation, and India woke up from its deep slumber of not caring about issues concerning womens safety. After Nirbhaya case, several girls showed courage and drew accolades for their bravery in fighting sexual harassment. In a similar case of bravery, a girl in Kalahandi district, who dared to take on two eve teasers, sustained severe burn injuries after she was set on fire allegedly by the two youths for protesting eve-teasing. The incident comes close on the heels of a 23-year-old girl showing courage and thrashing a 30-year-old man for allegedly molesting and making lewd comments at her in Badambadi. The girl student of Madhupur Kanya Ashram under Narla police limits in the district was set on fire by the two boys on Wednesday. The girl, who is said to have sustained 90 per cent burn injuries, was rushed to Kalahandi District Headquarters Hospital in a critical condition and later shifted to VIMSAR at Burla. According to reports, Tapaswini Rana (15) of Madhupur under Narla police limits in the district, was subjected to lewd gesture and obscene comments by the two boys of her neighbourhood, Bulu Das (19) and his friend Jugal alias Shyama Sahu (17), when she was returning home from the village pond in the afternoon. While Bulu is working in a cement plant in Andhra Pradesh after dropping out of the school, Jugal is a student of Plus Two in a college in Lanjigarh Road. However, Tapaswini protested the act and complained about the incident to her parents Lalita and Jagannath Rana, who rebuked the boys for their behaviour. This incensed the boys and they roughed up Lalita and Tapaswini over the incident. Instead of admonishing their sons, the parents of the boys also abused Tapaswini and her parents and instigated the boys to beat up her family members. While Lalita rushed out of the house to call Jagannath, the two boys entered the house and doused Tapaswini with kerosene and set her on fire. On hearing her shrieks, the neighbours rushed to Tapaswinis house and rescued her. On being informed, parents of Tapaswini reached the spot and shifted her to the District Headquarters Hospital on Wednesday evening. After the news spread, Narla Police, accompanied by a Magistrate, recorded the statements of her parents. The accused have been detained.
By Express News Service
BHUBANESWAR: After Trinamool Congress, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)s shadow has now come to haunt Biju Janata Dal (BJD) as the probe agency on Thursday went after two lawmakers of the ruling dispensation in connection with the chit fund scam in Seashore Group of Companies.
The premier investigating agency raided the office and house premises of BJD MP RK Jena and legislator Pravat Biswal as part of its search across 36 places in the State and outside. With the panchayat polls exactly a month to go, the CBI action was met with protests by the ruling party as its activists tried to lay siege to the agencys office in the City. The party also dubbed the raids as motivated saying it is being done in view of the panchayat elections.
Sources said, the CBI teams raided the house and office of Jena at Balasore besides the premises of his associates. At least six places were searched in the town. A private MBA college and its promoters house also came under the raids. The MP is on advisory board of the educational institute. His official residence in Delhi was also searched where the sleuths checked various documents.
Similarly, Cuttack-Choudwar MLA Pravat Biswals houses at MLA Colony in Bhubaneswar and Cuttacks Mahanadi Vihar were also searched. The house of Saroj Sahu, an office assistant of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, was also searched by the probe agency on the day.
A successful industrialist, Jena was expected to appear before the agency on the day since he was issued summon two days back but he did not show up. In December last year, he had been quizzed by the CBI thrice in connection with a loan deal with Seashore Group of companies.
Jenas Supratik Group had taken a loan of Rs 18 crore from Seashore Group during 2010-11. While the loan repayment is stated to have been completed, the dealing brought the MP under the scanner of the agency. Before being an MP, Jena was CEO of Balasore Alloys from 2007 to 2011.
Biswal, on the other hand, has been under radar of CBI over a land deal by his wife Laxmi Bilasini Nayak with Seashore Group chief Prashant Dash. She was also quizzed last year when she provided documents to the probe agency but the clarifications have not apparently satisfied the agency. We are cooperating with the probe agency in all possible manner, Biswal told mediapersons on Thursday. Sahu, a former aide of the CM who continues to work in Naveen Nivas, had been quizzed by the CBI for his alleged links with the Ponzi company in 2014.
The probe agency also raided the office and house premises of Congress leader and transport contractor Bapi Sarkhel. His premises at Shyampur as well as office in Sahid Nagar of Bhubaneswar and another house in Cuttack came under the raids. Sarkhel is currently in jail in connection with a murder case.
The CBI also raided the house of former president of Odisa Mumbai Samaj Bipin Bihari Mishra at Mumbai. From all these places, the sleuths collected documents. The Seashore Group scam is estimated at over `1000 crore. The CBI, ED as well as Economic Offences Wing have attached assets of the firm in the past.
BHUBANESWAR: After Trinamool Congress, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)s shadow has now come to haunt Biju Janata Dal (BJD) as the probe agency on Thursday went after two lawmakers of the ruling dispensation in connection with the chit fund scam in Seashore Group of Companies. The premier investigating agency raided the office and house premises of BJD MP RK Jena and legislator Pravat Biswal as part of its search across 36 places in the State and outside. With the panchayat polls exactly a month to go, the CBI action was met with protests by the ruling party as its activists tried to lay siege to the agencys office in the City. The party also dubbed the raids as motivated saying it is being done in view of the panchayat elections. Sources said, the CBI teams raided the house and office of Jena at Balasore besides the premises of his associates. At least six places were searched in the town. A private MBA college and its promoters house also came under the raids. The MP is on advisory board of the educational institute. His official residence in Delhi was also searched where the sleuths checked various documents. Similarly, Cuttack-Choudwar MLA Pravat Biswals houses at MLA Colony in Bhubaneswar and Cuttacks Mahanadi Vihar were also searched. The house of Saroj Sahu, an office assistant of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, was also searched by the probe agency on the day. A successful industrialist, Jena was expected to appear before the agency on the day since he was issued summon two days back but he did not show up. In December last year, he had been quizzed by the CBI thrice in connection with a loan deal with Seashore Group of companies. Jenas Supratik Group had taken a loan of Rs 18 crore from Seashore Group during 2010-11. While the loan repayment is stated to have been completed, the dealing brought the MP under the scanner of the agency. Before being an MP, Jena was CEO of Balasore Alloys from 2007 to 2011. Biswal, on the other hand, has been under radar of CBI over a land deal by his wife Laxmi Bilasini Nayak with Seashore Group chief Prashant Dash. She was also quizzed last year when she provided documents to the probe agency but the clarifications have not apparently satisfied the agency. We are cooperating with the probe agency in all possible manner, Biswal told mediapersons on Thursday. Sahu, a former aide of the CM who continues to work in Naveen Nivas, had been quizzed by the CBI for his alleged links with the Ponzi company in 2014. The probe agency also raided the office and house premises of Congress leader and transport contractor Bapi Sarkhel. His premises at Shyampur as well as office in Sahid Nagar of Bhubaneswar and another house in Cuttack came under the raids. Sarkhel is currently in jail in connection with a murder case. The CBI also raided the house of former president of Odisa Mumbai Samaj Bipin Bihari Mishra at Mumbai. From all these places, the sleuths collected documents. The Seashore Group scam is estimated at over `1000 crore. The CBI, ED as well as Economic Offences Wing have attached assets of the firm in the past.
Ashmita Gupta By
Express News Service
CHENNAI: Did their protest in support of the traditional Tamil sport jallikattu cost the students of the prestigious College of Engineering, Guindy, (CEG) their popular campus techno-cultural festival?
On Wednesday afternoon, within hours of the students protest on the Anna University campus, in which the college is located, the student representatives allegedly received a message from the college dean informing that the campus techno-cultural event, Techofes, and all symposia scheduled by various departments stand cancelled.
Techofes, held in mid February, draws about 40,000 students from more than 250 colleges across South India.According to some students and alumni, the message from dean P Narayanasamy was received around 2 pm. Good morning my dear students. There are so many ways to represent your concern about Jallikattu. Instead if you boycott the classes then I will not be in a position to support you and you may have to meet the consequences. It has been decided in HODs meeting, all symposiums and Techofes 2017 stand cancelled, (sic) it read, alleged the students.
According to the students, this was sent to all the representatives of the departments and students president of CEG. The matter spread further after students informed the alumni who enquired about the details of the events and symposia scheduled for this edition in the Facebook group, CEGAM (CEG Alumni meet).
A final year student from the Department of Mechancial Engineering said, Symposia are very important. It is a technical fest where students come up with innovations, and facilitate industry-academia interaction.
They should not cancel symposia, said another student.This has resulted in the students hardening their stance over jallikattu. The college officials came during the protest and said we should have taken permission at least a fortnight earlier to stage a protest. Since we did not take permission, they got furious and cancelled the events. We accept the cancellation but we do not want the ban on jallikattu, a traditional sport which has been going on for centuries, said one of the students who was part of the protest.
Even if sought, it was unlikely that the authorities would grant permission for such a protest, noted another student.However, speaking to Express, Narayanasamy denied sending the message. We are not cancelling the event because of the protest. This is false information spread by the students.
As we are unable to secure sponsorship from companies, we might cancel or conduct the event in a smaller way depending on the funds. There is a meeting of the heads of departments scheduled next week to discuss this, he said.
The college has a fund allocated for these fests and we will continue these symposia and fests in a smaller way. We will take a decision next week, he said.
CHENNAI: Did their protest in support of the traditional Tamil sport jallikattu cost the students of the prestigious College of Engineering, Guindy, (CEG) their popular campus techno-cultural festival? On Wednesday afternoon, within hours of the students protest on the Anna University campus, in which the college is located, the student representatives allegedly received a message from the college dean informing that the campus techno-cultural event, Techofes, and all symposia scheduled by various departments stand cancelled. Techofes, held in mid February, draws about 40,000 students from more than 250 colleges across South India.According to some students and alumni, the message from dean P Narayanasamy was received around 2 pm. Good morning my dear students. There are so many ways to represent your concern about Jallikattu. Instead if you boycott the classes then I will not be in a position to support you and you may have to meet the consequences. It has been decided in HODs meeting, all symposiums and Techofes 2017 stand cancelled, (sic) it read, alleged the students. According to the students, this was sent to all the representatives of the departments and students president of CEG. The matter spread further after students informed the alumni who enquired about the details of the events and symposia scheduled for this edition in the Facebook group, CEGAM (CEG Alumni meet). A final year student from the Department of Mechancial Engineering said, Symposia are very important. It is a technical fest where students come up with innovations, and facilitate industry-academia interaction. They should not cancel symposia, said another student.This has resulted in the students hardening their stance over jallikattu. The college officials came during the protest and said we should have taken permission at least a fortnight earlier to stage a protest. Since we did not take permission, they got furious and cancelled the events. We accept the cancellation but we do not want the ban on jallikattu, a traditional sport which has been going on for centuries, said one of the students who was part of the protest. Even if sought, it was unlikely that the authorities would grant permission for such a protest, noted another student.However, speaking to Express, Narayanasamy denied sending the message. We are not cancelling the event because of the protest. This is false information spread by the students. As we are unable to secure sponsorship from companies, we might cancel or conduct the event in a smaller way depending on the funds. There is a meeting of the heads of departments scheduled next week to discuss this, he said. The college has a fund allocated for these fests and we will continue these symposia and fests in a smaller way. We will take a decision next week, he said.
By Associated Press
SYDNEY: Australia's heath minister has resigned over a scandal surrounding her travel expenses.
The move could lead to the first reshuffle of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's Cabinet since his government was re-elected six months ago.
Sussan Ley has been under scrutiny since last week over allegations that she made taxpayers pay for personal travel in recent years, including to the tourist city of Gold Coast where she bought a luxury apartment in 2015.
She temporarily stepped down on Monday pending a government investigation.
Turnbull announced Ley's resignation on Friday. He would not comment on the results of the investigation. But he said the government would form an independent watchdog to monitor
all future expenses lodged by members of Parliament.
SYDNEY: Australia's heath minister has resigned over a scandal surrounding her travel expenses. The move could lead to the first reshuffle of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's Cabinet since his government was re-elected six months ago. Sussan Ley has been under scrutiny since last week over allegations that she made taxpayers pay for personal travel in recent years, including to the tourist city of Gold Coast where she bought a luxury apartment in 2015. She temporarily stepped down on Monday pending a government investigation. Turnbull announced Ley's resignation on Friday. He would not comment on the results of the investigation. But he said the government would form an independent watchdog to monitor all future expenses lodged by members of Parliament.
By Associated Press
BALTIMORE: The scathing findings of a federal investigation into Baltimore police practices after the death of a shackled man in a transport van and the court-enforceable agreement to improve policing in the city speak to much broader failures rooted in the culture of the long-troubled agency.
The Justice Department began investigating the Baltimore force after Freddie Gray's death in April 2015. Its report last August found that officers routinely stopped large numbers of people in poor, black neighborhoods for dubious reasons and unlawfully arrested residents merely for speaking out in ways police deemed disrespectful.
The report and agreement approved Thursday acknowledged what many residents, particularly those living in economically depressed areas, had known for years: "Zero-tolerance" policing a strategy employed under then-Mayor Martin O'Malley in the 1990s to reduce crime but that instead resulted in thousands of arrests without cause had a profound and lingering effect on the police department's culture, and the city's residents were still enduring the consequences.
"There are a lot of police who have been around for a long time, and they need to understand that they cannot do what they used to do," said Tessa Hill-Aston, the president of the Baltimore branch of the NAACP.
Vanita Gupta, the head of the Justice Department's civil rights division, said the agreement will make the city safer for everyone, including officers.
"The city and BPD will implement comprehensive reforms to end the legacy of Baltimore's zero-tolerance policing," she said. "And in its place, Baltimore is empowering officers to engage in proactive, community-oriented policing."
The Justice Department agreement mandates changes in the most fundamental aspects of police work. Known as a consent decree, it is the culmination of months of negotiations and is meant to correct constitutional violations identified in the report released last year.
U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said at a news conference Thursday that the agreement will help "heal the tension in the relationship between the Baltimore Police Department and the community that it serves."
A hearing will allow for public comment on the agreement before it's approved by the judge.
The agreement discourages the arrests of citizens for "quality-of-life offenses" such as loitering, littering or minor traffic violations. It also requires a supervisor to sign off on requests to take someone into custody for a minor infraction.
It mandates basic training for making stops and searches. It also commands officers to use de-escalation techniques, thoroughly investigate sexual assault claims and send specially trained units to distress calls involving people with mental illness.
Police will not be able to stop someone just because the person is in a high-crime area, or just because the person is trying to avoid contact with an officer, according to the document.
DeRay Mckesson, a well-known Black Lives Matter activist, said the consent decree could stand as a model because of its scope and aggressive approach to dismantling systemic failures.
"It importantly matches the breadth, depth, intensity and urgency of the findings, which is a testament to DOJ's own growth on the issue, and their understanding of how deep the need for change is, and how that need is structural," he said.
The agreement also lays out policies for transporting prisoners like Gray. Officers will be required to buckle them in with seat belts and check on them regularly.
Police Commissioner Kevin Davis said Baltimore has been "preparing for this moment for a year and a half," and promised his officers that they, too, will benefit from the reforms.
Baltimore continues to struggle with a high homicide rate. Last year, the city recorded 318 homicides, the second-highest rate in 40 years.
The highest was in 2015, when Gray's death and the civil unrest that followed prompted a spike that refused to relent. The city saw 344 homicides that year. With six officers being charged in Gray's death, residents at the time accused officers of stepping back from enforcement in the city's most violent areas. Three of the officers were acquitted, and charges against the others were dropped.
"There is a conversation about whether or not the crime fight and a consent decree reform effort can exist at the same time," Davis said. "Of course, it can exist. I have no doubt that when we eventually emerge from this consent decree, we will be better crime fighters and have a greater, more respectful and trustful relationship with our community."
The Justice Department in the Obama administration has launched about two dozen wide-ranging investigations of police agencies, including Chicago, Cleveland and Ferguson, Missouri, and is enforcing consent decrees with many of them. Lynch was expected to announce the findings Friday of the investigation into the Chicago Police Department.
Federal oversight under consent decrees can be long-running. Court enforcement of the agreement involving the Detroit Police Department ended last March, 13 years after it began. In Los Angeles, a judge signed an order in 2013, ending oversight that began in 2001.
"There's a lot required of the city of Baltimore and the Baltimore Police Department that's going to be a lengthy and expensive change for the department," said University of South Carolina criminologist Geoffrey Alpert, adding that the Baltimore decree is particularly thorough in its supervision and oversight requirements. "It certainly looks like they've hit all the buttons."
BALTIMORE: The scathing findings of a federal investigation into Baltimore police practices after the death of a shackled man in a transport van and the court-enforceable agreement to improve policing in the city speak to much broader failures rooted in the culture of the long-troubled agency. The Justice Department began investigating the Baltimore force after Freddie Gray's death in April 2015. Its report last August found that officers routinely stopped large numbers of people in poor, black neighborhoods for dubious reasons and unlawfully arrested residents merely for speaking out in ways police deemed disrespectful. The report and agreement approved Thursday acknowledged what many residents, particularly those living in economically depressed areas, had known for years: "Zero-tolerance" policing a strategy employed under then-Mayor Martin O'Malley in the 1990s to reduce crime but that instead resulted in thousands of arrests without cause had a profound and lingering effect on the police department's culture, and the city's residents were still enduring the consequences. "There are a lot of police who have been around for a long time, and they need to understand that they cannot do what they used to do," said Tessa Hill-Aston, the president of the Baltimore branch of the NAACP. Vanita Gupta, the head of the Justice Department's civil rights division, said the agreement will make the city safer for everyone, including officers. "The city and BPD will implement comprehensive reforms to end the legacy of Baltimore's zero-tolerance policing," she said. "And in its place, Baltimore is empowering officers to engage in proactive, community-oriented policing." The Justice Department agreement mandates changes in the most fundamental aspects of police work. Known as a consent decree, it is the culmination of months of negotiations and is meant to correct constitutional violations identified in the report released last year. U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said at a news conference Thursday that the agreement will help "heal the tension in the relationship between the Baltimore Police Department and the community that it serves." A hearing will allow for public comment on the agreement before it's approved by the judge. The agreement discourages the arrests of citizens for "quality-of-life offenses" such as loitering, littering or minor traffic violations. It also requires a supervisor to sign off on requests to take someone into custody for a minor infraction. It mandates basic training for making stops and searches. It also commands officers to use de-escalation techniques, thoroughly investigate sexual assault claims and send specially trained units to distress calls involving people with mental illness. Police will not be able to stop someone just because the person is in a high-crime area, or just because the person is trying to avoid contact with an officer, according to the document. DeRay Mckesson, a well-known Black Lives Matter activist, said the consent decree could stand as a model because of its scope and aggressive approach to dismantling systemic failures. "It importantly matches the breadth, depth, intensity and urgency of the findings, which is a testament to DOJ's own growth on the issue, and their understanding of how deep the need for change is, and how that need is structural," he said. The agreement also lays out policies for transporting prisoners like Gray. Officers will be required to buckle them in with seat belts and check on them regularly. Police Commissioner Kevin Davis said Baltimore has been "preparing for this moment for a year and a half," and promised his officers that they, too, will benefit from the reforms. Baltimore continues to struggle with a high homicide rate. Last year, the city recorded 318 homicides, the second-highest rate in 40 years. The highest was in 2015, when Gray's death and the civil unrest that followed prompted a spike that refused to relent. The city saw 344 homicides that year. With six officers being charged in Gray's death, residents at the time accused officers of stepping back from enforcement in the city's most violent areas. Three of the officers were acquitted, and charges against the others were dropped. "There is a conversation about whether or not the crime fight and a consent decree reform effort can exist at the same time," Davis said. "Of course, it can exist. I have no doubt that when we eventually emerge from this consent decree, we will be better crime fighters and have a greater, more respectful and trustful relationship with our community." The Justice Department in the Obama administration has launched about two dozen wide-ranging investigations of police agencies, including Chicago, Cleveland and Ferguson, Missouri, and is enforcing consent decrees with many of them. Lynch was expected to announce the findings Friday of the investigation into the Chicago Police Department. Federal oversight under consent decrees can be long-running. Court enforcement of the agreement involving the Detroit Police Department ended last March, 13 years after it began. In Los Angeles, a judge signed an order in 2013, ending oversight that began in 2001. "There's a lot required of the city of Baltimore and the Baltimore Police Department that's going to be a lengthy and expensive change for the department," said University of South Carolina criminologist Geoffrey Alpert, adding that the Baltimore decree is particularly thorough in its supervision and oversight requirements. "It certainly looks like they've hit all the buttons."
By AFP
GENEVA: Any deal to reunify Cyprus must include the withdrawal of some 30,000 Turkish troops from the eastern Mediterranean island, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said Friday.
"Our position remains... that we must agree on the withdrawal of the Turkish army," he told reporters in Geneva, where talks aimed at ending the island's division have been going on since Monday.
But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in televised comments that a complete pullout of troops was "out of the question".
Anastasiades nevertheless said the talks in Geneva had raised hopes that a deal can be struck.
"We are on a path that creates hope," the Greek Cypriot told reporters after talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci as well as top diplomats from Greece, Turkey and former colonial power Britain.
But Erdogan was more pessimistic.
He said Turkish Cypriots "are working intensely and bring sincerity" but the Greek Cypriot Republic of Cyprus and Athens "still have different expectations".
GENEVA: Any deal to reunify Cyprus must include the withdrawal of some 30,000 Turkish troops from the eastern Mediterranean island, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said Friday. "Our position remains... that we must agree on the withdrawal of the Turkish army," he told reporters in Geneva, where talks aimed at ending the island's division have been going on since Monday. But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in televised comments that a complete pullout of troops was "out of the question". Anastasiades nevertheless said the talks in Geneva had raised hopes that a deal can be struck. "We are on a path that creates hope," the Greek Cypriot told reporters after talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci as well as top diplomats from Greece, Turkey and former colonial power Britain. But Erdogan was more pessimistic. He said Turkish Cypriots "are working intensely and bring sincerity" but the Greek Cypriot Republic of Cyprus and Athens "still have different expectations".
By AFP
ISTANBUL: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that Athens and Greek Cypriots still have "different expectations" on resolving the Cyprus problem from their Turkish counterparts, after crunch talks this week in Geneva.
Erdogan said Turkish Cypriots "are working intensely and bring sincerity", but that the Greek Cypriot Republic of Cyprus and Athens "still have different expectations".
He added in televised comments that a full withdrawal of Turkish troops from northern Cyprus was "out of the question".
"This is what we had previously discussed," he added.
Erdogan indicated there were also major differences on the issue of a rotating presidency for any future bizonal united Cyprus divided between Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot entities.
He said it was "unacceptable" that Turkish Cypriots could hold the presidency for just one term while Greek Cypriots had it for four.
He has said previously that there had been discussions on the Greek Cypriots having two terms for every term granted to the Turkish Cypriots.
"That is fair. If we want a fair and comprehensive peace then this is the way to do it," he said.
Indicating that Ankara was not in the mood for concessions he added: "Apart from this, we told them (in Geneva) that 'no one should expect anything from us'".
Cypriot leaders pledged to forge ahead with efforts to reunite the divided island claiming "real progress" at an unprecedented meeting in Geneva bringing together all the protagonists, including the three guarantor powers Greece, Turkey, and Britain.
There had been rumours Erdogan himself could attend but in the end the meeting was attended by foreign ministers of the three guarantor powers.
The eastern Mediterranean island has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded in response to an Athens-inspired coup seeking union with Greece.
Turkish Cypriots made up just 18 percent of the island's population in 1974, but they currently control more than a third of its territory.
ISTANBUL: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that Athens and Greek Cypriots still have "different expectations" on resolving the Cyprus problem from their Turkish counterparts, after crunch talks this week in Geneva. Erdogan said Turkish Cypriots "are working intensely and bring sincerity", but that the Greek Cypriot Republic of Cyprus and Athens "still have different expectations". He added in televised comments that a full withdrawal of Turkish troops from northern Cyprus was "out of the question". "This is what we had previously discussed," he added. Erdogan indicated there were also major differences on the issue of a rotating presidency for any future bizonal united Cyprus divided between Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot entities. He said it was "unacceptable" that Turkish Cypriots could hold the presidency for just one term while Greek Cypriots had it for four. He has said previously that there had been discussions on the Greek Cypriots having two terms for every term granted to the Turkish Cypriots. "That is fair. If we want a fair and comprehensive peace then this is the way to do it," he said. Indicating that Ankara was not in the mood for concessions he added: "Apart from this, we told them (in Geneva) that 'no one should expect anything from us'". Cypriot leaders pledged to forge ahead with efforts to reunite the divided island claiming "real progress" at an unprecedented meeting in Geneva bringing together all the protagonists, including the three guarantor powers Greece, Turkey, and Britain. There had been rumours Erdogan himself could attend but in the end the meeting was attended by foreign ministers of the three guarantor powers. The eastern Mediterranean island has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded in response to an Athens-inspired coup seeking union with Greece. Turkish Cypriots made up just 18 percent of the island's population in 1974, but they currently control more than a third of its territory.
By PTI
WASHINGTON: An 18-year-old girl, visiting the White House as a guest of President Barack Obama's family, suffered a cut below her eye after she was bitten by the first family's dog, Sunny, according to a media report.
The girl, who was not identified, was bitten in the face on Monday when she went to pet the 4-year-old Portuguese Water Dog, TMZ.com reported. The bite left a gash under the girl's eye and she was treated by President Obama's family physician Dr Ronny Jackson who said she needed stitches.
Jackson said the bite would leave a small scar, which apparently upset the teen, who posted photos with angry captions after the incident, New York Daily News quoted multiple reports as saying, a week before Obama leaves the White House at the end of his second term as US President. T
his is not the first time Sunny made headlines. In 2013, the USD 2,500-dog jumped on a toddler during a holiday party while being held by the first lady, Michelle. In that instance, the girl was fine, Sunny even reportedly licked her face.
Sunny's 8-year-old canine sibling Bo, christened as the "First Dog," does not have any bite attacks on his record.
WASHINGTON: An 18-year-old girl, visiting the White House as a guest of President Barack Obama's family, suffered a cut below her eye after she was bitten by the first family's dog, Sunny, according to a media report. The girl, who was not identified, was bitten in the face on Monday when she went to pet the 4-year-old Portuguese Water Dog, TMZ.com reported. The bite left a gash under the girl's eye and she was treated by President Obama's family physician Dr Ronny Jackson who said she needed stitches. Jackson said the bite would leave a small scar, which apparently upset the teen, who posted photos with angry captions after the incident, New York Daily News quoted multiple reports as saying, a week before Obama leaves the White House at the end of his second term as US President. T his is not the first time Sunny made headlines. In 2013, the USD 2,500-dog jumped on a toddler during a holiday party while being held by the first lady, Michelle. In that instance, the girl was fine, Sunny even reportedly licked her face. Sunny's 8-year-old canine sibling Bo, christened as the "First Dog," does not have any bite attacks on his record.
Express News Service
COLOMBO: A Sri Lankan Supreme Court case filed by Joint Opposition MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara, challenging the way in which the government decided to give 80 percent stake in the Hambantata port to a Chinese company for 99 years, will decide the fate of the controversial and politically explosive deal with geopolitical implications.
The case is coming for hearing on Friday, Nanayakkara told Express.
Explaining his objections to the deal, the veteran leftist leader said that the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government had not followed the correct procedure.
Either they should have adopted the set procedure for such projects or sought the sanction of parliament if they wanted to have a special arrangement. But the government did neither, Nanayakkara said.
A successful public interest litigant, he had earlier won a landmark case relating to the privatization of the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation.
The Hambantota deal is being opposed by others also on various grounds. Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan, former Secretary, Transport Ministry, has charged that there was no proper valuation of the proposals; no bid documents were called for; no expression of interest was sought by the government before selecting the Chinese company China Merchants Holdings Company. Eighty percent stake in the port was given on a 99 year lease to that company.
He disclosed that only two Chinese companies were given an opportunity to submit their proposals for the Public Private Partnership.
The first company (China Merchants Holdings) had agreed to take up an 80 per cent stake with an upfront (and full) payment of US$ 1.12 billion. The second company (China Harbor Engineering Co.) had offered a much more favorable bid to lease the free port on a 65-35 equity sharing basis for 50 years with an upfront payment of US$ 750 million plus the payment of all the charges the company had earlier agreed to with regard to the container terminal management contract. The harbor was constructed by the China Harbor Engineering Company.
The government chose the least favorable bid by China Merchants Holdings despite the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) having recommended the other bidder. Details of how the two proposals were evaluated have not been disclosed.
Under the proposal of the selected company, Sri Lanka Ports Authority has no revenue stream for first 15 years of the port operation. But the rejected company offer had allowed the SLPA revenue stream continuously thus benefitting both the SLPA and the country.
The objective of leasing the port was fuelled by the need for immediate funds. Therefore, though the accepted proposal offers less than the rejected proposal, it is the upfront lump sum payment which enabled it to swing the deal. This indicates the governments lack of interest in long-term benefits. Dr.Gunaruwan said.
The prevailing systems had been bypassed in selecting the prospective investor. According to normal procedure, proposals are subjected to the approval of a Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) and a Cabinet Appointed Negotiation Committee, which then would be sent to the Attorney Generals approval and to the Cabinet for its approval, the expert pointed out.
After former President and opposition stalwart Mahinda Rajapaksa openly came out against the deal, President Maithripala Sirisena declared that a final agreement had not been signed. And to go into the possibility of changing the already signed Framework Agreement (MoU) he appointed his own man on the negotiating team.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Ambassador, Yi Xianliang, publicly took a tough stance saying that the deal will be gone through disregarding negative forces. He also met Rajapaksa to convince him to support the existing deal. But Rajapaksa reportedly stood his ground saying that government should accept the China Harbor Engineering Companys offer as it was more favorable to Sri Lanka. The Chinese envoy was told that China should have no problem acceding to this request as both companies are government-owned.
However, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is insisting on the existing deal on the grounds that the government needs cash to repay debts left over by the Rajapaksa regime. The China Merchants Holding Company is making an upfront payment of over US$ 1.1 billion he points out.
And according to Dr.Karunasena Kodituwakku, Sri Lankan Ambassador to China, the China Merchants Holdings Company has experience of running ports which the China Harbor Engineering Company does not have.
But since both President Sirisena and opposition leader Rajapaksa are looking at the issue from the point of view of the coming elections, they are hoping that the Supreme Court will quash the existing unpopular deal.
COLOMBO: A Sri Lankan Supreme Court case filed by Joint Opposition MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara, challenging the way in which the government decided to give 80 percent stake in the Hambantata port to a Chinese company for 99 years, will decide the fate of the controversial and politically explosive deal with geopolitical implications. The case is coming for hearing on Friday, Nanayakkara told Express. Explaining his objections to the deal, the veteran leftist leader said that the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government had not followed the correct procedure. Either they should have adopted the set procedure for such projects or sought the sanction of parliament if they wanted to have a special arrangement. But the government did neither, Nanayakkara said. A successful public interest litigant, he had earlier won a landmark case relating to the privatization of the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation. The Hambantota deal is being opposed by others also on various grounds. Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan, former Secretary, Transport Ministry, has charged that there was no proper valuation of the proposals; no bid documents were called for; no expression of interest was sought by the government before selecting the Chinese company China Merchants Holdings Company. Eighty percent stake in the port was given on a 99 year lease to that company. He disclosed that only two Chinese companies were given an opportunity to submit their proposals for the Public Private Partnership. The first company (China Merchants Holdings) had agreed to take up an 80 per cent stake with an upfront (and full) payment of US$ 1.12 billion. The second company (China Harbor Engineering Co.) had offered a much more favorable bid to lease the free port on a 65-35 equity sharing basis for 50 years with an upfront payment of US$ 750 million plus the payment of all the charges the company had earlier agreed to with regard to the container terminal management contract. The harbor was constructed by the China Harbor Engineering Company. The government chose the least favorable bid by China Merchants Holdings despite the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) having recommended the other bidder. Details of how the two proposals were evaluated have not been disclosed. Under the proposal of the selected company, Sri Lanka Ports Authority has no revenue stream for first 15 years of the port operation. But the rejected company offer had allowed the SLPA revenue stream continuously thus benefitting both the SLPA and the country. The objective of leasing the port was fuelled by the need for immediate funds. Therefore, though the accepted proposal offers less than the rejected proposal, it is the upfront lump sum payment which enabled it to swing the deal. This indicates the governments lack of interest in long-term benefits. Dr.Gunaruwan said. The prevailing systems had been bypassed in selecting the prospective investor. According to normal procedure, proposals are subjected to the approval of a Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) and a Cabinet Appointed Negotiation Committee, which then would be sent to the Attorney Generals approval and to the Cabinet for its approval, the expert pointed out. After former President and opposition stalwart Mahinda Rajapaksa openly came out against the deal, President Maithripala Sirisena declared that a final agreement had not been signed. And to go into the possibility of changing the already signed Framework Agreement (MoU) he appointed his own man on the negotiating team. Meanwhile, the Chinese Ambassador, Yi Xianliang, publicly took a tough stance saying that the deal will be gone through disregarding negative forces. He also met Rajapaksa to convince him to support the existing deal. But Rajapaksa reportedly stood his ground saying that government should accept the China Harbor Engineering Companys offer as it was more favorable to Sri Lanka. The Chinese envoy was told that China should have no problem acceding to this request as both companies are government-owned. However, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is insisting on the existing deal on the grounds that the government needs cash to repay debts left over by the Rajapaksa regime. The China Merchants Holding Company is making an upfront payment of over US$ 1.1 billion he points out. And according to Dr.Karunasena Kodituwakku, Sri Lankan Ambassador to China, the China Merchants Holdings Company has experience of running ports which the China Harbor Engineering Company does not have. But since both President Sirisena and opposition leader Rajapaksa are looking at the issue from the point of view of the coming elections, they are hoping that the Supreme Court will quash the existing unpopular deal.
By Associated Press
YOLA: Three suicide bombers exploded at a checkpoint where scores of people were being searched for a bustling weekly market today in Nigeria's northeastern town of Madagali, witnesses said. The blasts killed two self-defense fighters who wanted to search them.
Their challenge likely saved many lives. In December, two women suicide bombers killed 57 people and wounded 177, including 120 children, at Madagali market. Last week, three girl suicide bombers were killed on the outskirts of the same town.
Residents blamed Boko Haram Islamic extremists for the attacks. Madagali is about 150 kilometres (90 miles) south-east of Maiduguri, the largest city in the northeast and birthplace of Boko Haram's insurgency. "They blew up themselves after they were intercepted by local vigilantes stationed at the checkpoint at the entry to the town," resident David Abawu said by telephone.
"Two vigilantes lost their lives in the process." Nigeria's military and civilian self-defense fighters who work with them have intercepted many suicide bombers in recent months, preventing much higher death tolls.
President Muhammadu Buhari last month declared that Boko Haram had been crushed, but it is unlikely there will be a swift end to the suicide bombings and attacks on remote villages and army outposts.
Boko Haram's seven-year uprising has killed more than 20,000 people, driven 2.6 million from their homes and created a massive humanitarian crisis that the UN says has 5.1 million people in Nigeria facing starvation.
YOLA: Three suicide bombers exploded at a checkpoint where scores of people were being searched for a bustling weekly market today in Nigeria's northeastern town of Madagali, witnesses said. The blasts killed two self-defense fighters who wanted to search them. Their challenge likely saved many lives. In December, two women suicide bombers killed 57 people and wounded 177, including 120 children, at Madagali market. Last week, three girl suicide bombers were killed on the outskirts of the same town. Residents blamed Boko Haram Islamic extremists for the attacks. Madagali is about 150 kilometres (90 miles) south-east of Maiduguri, the largest city in the northeast and birthplace of Boko Haram's insurgency. "They blew up themselves after they were intercepted by local vigilantes stationed at the checkpoint at the entry to the town," resident David Abawu said by telephone. "Two vigilantes lost their lives in the process." Nigeria's military and civilian self-defense fighters who work with them have intercepted many suicide bombers in recent months, preventing much higher death tolls. President Muhammadu Buhari last month declared that Boko Haram had been crushed, but it is unlikely there will be a swift end to the suicide bombings and attacks on remote villages and army outposts. Boko Haram's seven-year uprising has killed more than 20,000 people, driven 2.6 million from their homes and created a massive humanitarian crisis that the UN says has 5.1 million people in Nigeria facing starvation.
By Associated Press
JERUSALEM: In a strong message to Israel and the incoming Trump administration, dozens of countries are expected this weekend to reiterate their opposition to Israeli settlements and call for the establishment of a Palestinian state as "the only way" to ensure peace in the region.
France is hosting more than 70 countries on Sunday at a Mideast peace summit, in what will be a final chance for the Obama administration to lay out its positions for the region.
According to a draft statement obtained by The Associated Press on Friday, the conference will urge Israel and the Palestinians "to officially restate their commitment to the two-state solution."
It also will affirm that the international community "will not recognize" changes to Israel's pre-1967 lines without agreement by both sides.
The draft says that participants will affirm "that a negotiated solution with two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security, is the only way to achieve enduring peace."
Israel has settled some 600,000 of its citizens in the West Bank and east Jerusalem occupied territories claimed by the Palestinians for a future independent state. Israel captured both areas in the 1967 Mideast war.
The summit comes on the heels of a U.N. Security Council resolution last month that condemned the settlements as illegal. The resolution passed 14-0 after the United States declined to use its traditional veto power and instead abstained.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out a return to the 1967 lines, and many members of his nationalist coalition oppose Palestinian independence and support expanded settlements.
Netanyahu has rejected the U.N. resolution and accuses the Obama administration of conspiring behind Israel's back. Israel has refused to participate in the French conference, which Netanyahu on Thursday claimed was "rigged" against his country.
The Palestinians, who also are not invited to this weekend's conference, have welcomed the French initiative. In recent years, they have campaigned for the international community to assume a greater role in resolving the conflict.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to visit France in the coming weeks to follow up on the conference.
Netanyahu rejects international attempts to "impose" a solution and says peace can only be reached through direction negotiations.
On Thursday, French President Francois Hollande said the conference aims at ensuring the support of the international community for the two-state solution as a reference for future direct negotiations.
French diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media about the event, said the timing of the conference days before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration is intentional and meant to present him with a collective international push for peace once he takes office.
Trump not yet laid out a clear policy for the region, but has signaled he will be more sympathetic to Israel's hard-line right than previous administrations. While indicating an eagerness to broker a peace agreement, his election platform did not mention a Palestinian state.
Trump has appointed David Friedman, a Jewish-American lawyer with close ties to the settlement movement, as his ambassador to Israel. Trump also has vowed to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a step the Palestinians strongly oppose.
In their confirmation hearings, Trump's Cabinet picks have voiced mixed messages. His nominee for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, said a two-state solution is "the dream that everyone is in pursuit of," but he also questioned its feasibility.
JERUSALEM: In a strong message to Israel and the incoming Trump administration, dozens of countries are expected this weekend to reiterate their opposition to Israeli settlements and call for the establishment of a Palestinian state as "the only way" to ensure peace in the region. France is hosting more than 70 countries on Sunday at a Mideast peace summit, in what will be a final chance for the Obama administration to lay out its positions for the region. According to a draft statement obtained by The Associated Press on Friday, the conference will urge Israel and the Palestinians "to officially restate their commitment to the two-state solution." It also will affirm that the international community "will not recognize" changes to Israel's pre-1967 lines without agreement by both sides. The draft says that participants will affirm "that a negotiated solution with two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security, is the only way to achieve enduring peace." Israel has settled some 600,000 of its citizens in the West Bank and east Jerusalem occupied territories claimed by the Palestinians for a future independent state. Israel captured both areas in the 1967 Mideast war. The summit comes on the heels of a U.N. Security Council resolution last month that condemned the settlements as illegal. The resolution passed 14-0 after the United States declined to use its traditional veto power and instead abstained. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out a return to the 1967 lines, and many members of his nationalist coalition oppose Palestinian independence and support expanded settlements. Netanyahu has rejected the U.N. resolution and accuses the Obama administration of conspiring behind Israel's back. Israel has refused to participate in the French conference, which Netanyahu on Thursday claimed was "rigged" against his country. The Palestinians, who also are not invited to this weekend's conference, have welcomed the French initiative. In recent years, they have campaigned for the international community to assume a greater role in resolving the conflict. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to visit France in the coming weeks to follow up on the conference. Netanyahu rejects international attempts to "impose" a solution and says peace can only be reached through direction negotiations. On Thursday, French President Francois Hollande said the conference aims at ensuring the support of the international community for the two-state solution as a reference for future direct negotiations. French diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media about the event, said the timing of the conference days before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration is intentional and meant to present him with a collective international push for peace once he takes office. Trump not yet laid out a clear policy for the region, but has signaled he will be more sympathetic to Israel's hard-line right than previous administrations. While indicating an eagerness to broker a peace agreement, his election platform did not mention a Palestinian state. Trump has appointed David Friedman, a Jewish-American lawyer with close ties to the settlement movement, as his ambassador to Israel. Trump also has vowed to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a step the Palestinians strongly oppose. In their confirmation hearings, Trump's Cabinet picks have voiced mixed messages. His nominee for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, said a two-state solution is "the dream that everyone is in pursuit of," but he also questioned its feasibility.
By PTI
PARIS: US authorities have lifted an embargo on French beef imports after 19 years, the French agriculture ministry said today.
France is the fourth EU country to have its beef re-admitted to the US market after a 1998 ban imposed because of fears over bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as mad cow disease.
The others are Ireland, Lithuania and the Netherlands.
The EU Commission welcomed the move, calling it "excellent news for French producers". It was also an illustration that efforts to eradicate BSE in the EU had borne fruit, it said in a statement.
The French ministry warned, however, that administrative hurdles meant it could take time for beef exports to the US to resume.
"We are pleased with this first step, but this doesn't mean that exports will start tomorrow," the ministry said.
PARIS: US authorities have lifted an embargo on French beef imports after 19 years, the French agriculture ministry said today. France is the fourth EU country to have its beef re-admitted to the US market after a 1998 ban imposed because of fears over bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as mad cow disease. The others are Ireland, Lithuania and the Netherlands. The EU Commission welcomed the move, calling it "excellent news for French producers". It was also an illustration that efforts to eradicate BSE in the EU had borne fruit, it said in a statement. The French ministry warned, however, that administrative hurdles meant it could take time for beef exports to the US to resume. "We are pleased with this first step, but this doesn't mean that exports will start tomorrow," the ministry said.
Mozambique: Clashes send civilians fleeing to Malawi
New York, Jan 16 (Just earth News/IBNS): Clashes between Mozambique Government forces and the opposition Mozambican National Resistance, or RENAMO, have forced an increasing number of people to flee Mozambique and seek asylum in Malawi over the last few weeks, the United Nations refugee agency cautioned on Friday.
(Posted on 16 January 2016, 1667585041 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/world-news.php (Posted on 16 January 2016, 1667585041 173O212O198O32)
In the village of Kapise, Mwanza district, some 100 kilometres south of Malawis capital, Lilongwe, registration teams from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) recorded the arrival of 1,297 people two thirds of them women and children with over 900 people awaiting registration.Another 400 new arrivals have been reported in 16 villages located further south in the district of Chikwawa.The Mozambicans said they fled fighting between the opposition RENAMO and Government forces. Refugee women told a UNHCR protection officer how their homes were burned down with one grandmother left inside to die.They said Government forces were attacking villages believed to be harbouring opposition members. UNHCR has been unable to confirm the accuracy of these allegations, spokesperson Karin de Gruijl told reporters at a news briefing in Geneva.UNHCR is working with the Government to coordinate the response to assist the newly arrived refugees. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) was providing food and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is already on the ground with a mobile clinic.Malaria is a major concern and the number of patients seen daily has increased from 70 to 250. With the looming fear of a cholera outbreak, MSF has been quick to drill two boreholes and are planning on drilling a third to improve the water supply, Ms. de Gruil added.She went on to say that the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF), is putting up temporary latrines and washrooms to avert health disasters, and has also provided two large tents where children can play and learn.The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) plans to work on maternal health. The Government of Malawi is considering reopening Luwani refugee camp, which previously hosted refugees from Mozambique during the civil war (1977 -1992), when over a million Mozambican refugees fled to neighbouring Malawi.Photo: UNHCR/M. Mapila/www.justearthnews.com
Woman dies due to negligence of flight attendants
Mumbai, (Maharashtra), , Jan. 11 : A woman, around 34-years-old, died while traveling to Varanasi from Mumbai, in a Spicejet flight SG 704.
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She was not feeling well and around 9:45 a.m. she called out the flight attendants for aid. An inboard doctor examined her condition.The flight landed at around 10:15 a.m. and she was immediately rushed to the nearby hospital where she was declared dead.According to reports, her condition was not received well by inboard crew.
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Prohibition campaign : Twenty million people to participate in Bihar human chain programme
Patna, Jan 12 (TheBiharPost): More than 20 million people will come out of their homes on January 21 to participate in world's biggest human chain formation in Bihar.
(Posted on 12 January 2017, 1667585042 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/more-news.php (Posted on 12 January 2017, 1667585042 173O212O198O32)
The idea, a brainchild of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, is aimed at promoting liquor prohibition which the state imposed last year.Authorities said the 11,292 km-long human chain formation from east to west and north to south would be photographed by satellites, drone cameras and helicopters.We will use the five satellites, including three from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to click images of the worlds longest human chain, a government official said on Thursday.A five-member team of ISRO has already reached Patna and held meeting with chief secretary Anjani Kumar Singh in this regard.Of the total over 20 million people who will be joining hands together to extend support, thousands will be children from 71,000 schools. To make the programme a success, the state government is working overtime.Right now, the world record for the longest human chain involving five million people remains with Bangladesh. It was formed on Decembe 11, 2004 along the 1050-km (652.4 miles) route from Teknaf to Tentulia.Almost all parties except Jitan Ram Manjhis Hindustani Awam Morch have lent their support to the human chain programme.The government believes the worlds longest human chain will give a new identity to Bihar.http://thebiharpost.com
Chandrasekaran will retain Tata Sons premiere position : SBI Chief Arundhati Bhattacharya
Mumbai (Maharashtra), Jan. 12 : State Bank of India Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya on Thursday welcomed the appointment of N Chandrasekaran as Chairman of Tata Sons and said that he would take the company to premiere position in the country.
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"We heartily welcome the appointment of Chandrasekaran as the chairman of Tata Sons. We are sure that this will enable Tata Group to continue in its endeavour in retaining their premiere position in the country," she said.Earlier in the day, Tata Sons named Natarajan Chandrasekaran as its new chairman.Chandrasekaran was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and managing director of Tata Consultancy Services.The Board of Tata Sons said, " Chandrasekaran has demonstrated exemplary leadership as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tata Consultancy Services. We believe he will now inspire the entire Tata group to realise its potential acting as leaders in their respective businesses, always in keeping with our value system and ethics and adhering with the practices of the Tata group which have stood it in good stead."Chandrasekaran was the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tata Consultancy Services since 2009. He had joined the company in 1987. He was appointed as a Director on the board of Tata Sons on October 25, 2016.Ratan Tata has been serving as interim Chairman since the Tata Group removed Cyrus Mistry on October 24.In October last year, Tata Sons' board had set up a five-member selection committee that included Ratan Tata, to choose a new chairman.(ANI)
Alibaba apologises for posting inaccurate maps of China, US on Twitter
Beijing [China], Jan. 12 : Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group has apologised for posting on Twitter an illustration with inaccurate maps of both China and the U.S.
(Posted on 13 January 2017, 1667585047 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/world-news.php (Posted on 13 January 2017, 1667585047 173O212O198O32)
On the map of China, neither Taiwan nor the South China Sea islands were marked, reports the People's Daily.The illustration was posted on Alibaba's official Twitter account to explain the trade opportunities between small businesses in the U.S. and customers in China.However, the maps soon drew criticism for excluding Alaska and Hawaii on the U.S. side, and Taiwan and the South China Sea islands on the Chinese side."We apologize for making this rookie mistake. We offer no excuse for this mistake, but will make an immediate rectification. We hereby offer our deepest apologies," stated the group on its official Sina Weibo on January 10 .The same day, the original illustration was replaced by a new and corrected version.The development happened a day after company chairman Jack Ma met U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in New York on January. 9 to discuss how Alibaba could create more jobs by helping U.S. businesses to sell products to China. This was the first meeting between the U.S. president-elect and a high-profile Chinese businessperson.
Hyderabad hosts second International Kite festival
Hyderabad (Telangana) , Jan. 13 : Hyderabad played the host for second International Kite festival organised by the tourism department in coordination with The Aga Khan Academy.
(Posted on 13 January 2017, 1667585048 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/andhra-pradesh-news.php (Posted on 13 January 2017, 1667585048 173O212O198O32)
Around 70 international and 40 national kite fliers participated in the event.Expressing their excitement, the foreign kite fliers said they look forward to come back next year with their friends and fly kites.By the end of the evening, there were also a couple of cultural dance performances, giving an essence of Telangana.
Celebrations of festivals will bind all sections together with spirit of love: President
New Delhi , Jan. 13 : President Pranab Mukherjee has expressed hope that celebrations of festivals will bind all sections together with the spirit of love, compassion and joy.
(Posted on 13 January 2017, 1667585049 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/india-news.php (Posted on 13 January 2017, 1667585049 173O212O198O32)
Greeting people on the eve of Lohri, Makar Sankranti and Pongal, President Mukherjee in his message has said "These festivals are expressions of joy and prosperity ushered in by a fresh harvest."He said the festivals will bring happiness, peace and prosperity in every one's life.
Independent councillor shot by bike borne assailants in Gujarat
Anand, (Gujarat), , Jan. 13 : An independent councilor, Pragnesh Patel, was shot by bike borne assailants today in Anand district of Gujarat.
(Posted on 13 January 2017, 1667585049 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/gujarat-news.php (Posted on 13 January 2017, 1667585049 173O212O198O32)
The two unknown assailants fired four rounds of bullets, of which one hit Patel in the neck. The motive behind the act is not yet clear.He was immediately rushed to the Vadodara Sterling Hospital.Further details are awaited.
Future Generation Optical Transport Networks Summit 2017 to be held in Mumbai on February 8
New Delhi , Jan. 13 : Nexgen Conferences has announced the second edition of Annual Future Generation-Optical Transport Networks Summit 2017, an international conference cum exhibition. This conference will be held on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at ITC Maratha in Mumbai.
(Posted on 13 January 2017, 1667585051 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-india-news.php (Posted on 13 January 2017, 1667585051 173O212O198O32)
The conference is designed to bring together key telecom industry professionals, stakeholders, leaders, analysts and users under one roof to participate in the discussions on optical technology development and deployment requirements. The emphasis will be on exploring smarter as well as cost-effective solutions for entire Optical Transport Network (OTN) portfolio including optical-fibre technology, Wave-length Division Multiplexing (WDM) and high-capacity network infrastructure.The Optical Transport Network (OTN) market is expected to grow $23.64 billion by 2019, registering a CAGR of at Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15.8%. In the current scenario, Asia Pacific (APAC) is the highest growing region with a CAGR of 19.3% in this market."We are feeling privileged to announce the second edition of Annual Future Generation Optical Transport Networks Summit 2017 with a vision to create a platform where key telecom industry players, professionals and participants can address the need for deploying optical technologies in a cost efficient manner. The conference will drive the optical innovation with an exhibition area where leading players are going to showcase their products and services that will definitely help participants as well as businesses to gain deeper insights into the world of new-age technologies," says Anjani Kumar Singh, CEO, Nexgen Conferences.The conference will provide attendees an opportunity to learn key protection techniques for optical mesh networks as well as best practices in deploying transport networks.The summit is sponsored by organisations such as Huawei, Juniper Networks, ADVA Optical Networking, Infinera, and Fastech Telecommunications (India) Pvt Ltd, and supported by Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).
Duplicity (G.P. Putnam's Sons), by Ingrid Thoft. [Photo/Agencies]
The private detective novel continues to explore contemporary hot-button issues, as Ingrid Thoft illustrates in her latest novel about Boston investigator Fina Ludlow.
In Duplicity, Thoft tackles how easily the unscrupulous can use faith to manipulate the vulnerable, while she also shows respect for religion and those who find comfort in their faith.
As the in-house private investigator for one of the country's top personal injury law firms run by her father and brothers, Fina knows the value of discretion when dealing with the wealthy. Still, she's a bit taken aback when her father, Carl, asks her to help his old flame, Ceci Renard, who is worried about her daughter, Chloe.
In the past year, Chloe has become so involved with the evangelical Covenant Rising Church that she is willing to sign over a large part of her inheritance. Fina is as suspicious as Ceci when she meets the pastor, Greg Gatchell, and his wife, Gabby, who use contributions to the church to finance their luxurious lifestyle.
While dealing with her investigation, Fina also focuses on the return of her brother, Rand, who sexually abused his teenage daughter, Haley. Fina focuses on Haley's needs, but her parents are more concerned about keeping this family scandal quiet. The chasm between Fina and her mother, Elaine, widens further as Elaine refuses to believe that her favorite son is a pedophile.
Thoft gracefully delivers an action-packed plot loaded with realistic dialogue and believable characters in Duplicity. While it's clear the Gatchells are untrustworthy, Thoft still weaves in several well-devised twists. A hallmark of this series is Thoft illustrating the complexity of family relationships. Fina loves her family, and at heart, they are close. But Fina also is aware that she often is considered the outsider, being the only surviving daughter and non-lawyer. Fina's insistence on her independence while keeping close contact with her family adds to her complicated personality.
Duplicity again shows that in the right hands, such as Thoft's, the private detective novel has no limits.
KVIC row: Bapu's great grandson slams govt.'s 'well-planned' strategy
New Delhi , Jan. 13 : Taking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC) controversy, Mahatma Gandhi's great grandson Tushar Gandhi today said that the government's decision to replace the picture of Father of the Nation was a well-planned strategy to gain credibility.
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"This government is very prone in making mistakes, but this doesn't seem to be a mistake. This seems to be like very thought out and well-planned strategy to gain credibility," Tushar told ANI.He further appealed to Prime Minister Modi to disband the KVIC while terming it as an inefficient and incapable organisation."I appeal to the Prime Minister as he has become the mascot of most inefficient, incapable and insincere organisation to disband the KVIC," he added.Emphasizing on the significance of charkha and Mahatma Gandhi's picture, he said: "The charkha that Bapu used to spin was the instrument for the production, empowerment of weak and poor and a weapon in the fight for our freedom. Bapu's khadi was the yarn of peace."Meanwhile, sources said that the calendar never featured the picture of Father of the Nation, adding that there is no question of replacing Mahatma Gandhi's picture with that of Prime Minister Modi.In what came as a shock for many, Mahatma Gandhi's picture weaving khadi on a simple charkha, wearing his trademark cloth has been replaced by Prime Minister Modi's picture in the same classic pose as that of the former.
Emma Stone stylishly attends 'La La Land' screening in London with Ryan Gosling
London [UK], Jan. 13 : Emma Stone recently stepped out sporting a simple yet elegant plunging one piece for the London screening of 'La La Land'.
(Posted on 13 January 2017, 1667585054 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/hollywood-news.php (Posted on 13 January 2017, 1667585054 173O212O198O32)
The 28-year-old actress, who plays struggling actress Mia Dolan in the critically acclaimed movie, oozed glamour in a sexy wine-coloured slip dress as she arrived with her handsome co-star Ryan Gosling at Ham Yard Hotel, reports the Daily Mail.Falling at a stylish midi-length, she boosted her height in a pair of open-toe strappy black heels which flaunted her deep pedicure.Sticking to the vampy colour scheme, the Arizona native sported a heavy dose of bronzer on her cheekbones, which complemented her deep scarlet glossy lips.Styling her auburn locks in glamorous old school Hollywood waves, the 'The Amazing Spider-Man' actress exuded confidence, as did the 'The Notebook' star, who wowed in a fitted grey three piece Thom Sweeney suit.Last week, Stone accepted the 'Best Actress award for Motion Picture Musical or Comedy' at the star-studded Golden Globes.Gosling also took the stage as he was presented with the 'Best Actor award for Motion Picture or Comedy' for the Damien Chazelle directed flick which is in theatres now.
Naga People's Front and People's Democratic Alliance are the two recognized state parties from Manipur
New Delhi, Jan 13 : The Chief Electoral Officer, in a release on Friday, said there are two recognized state parties in Manipur, viz., Naga People's Front (NPF) and the People's Democratic Alliance (PDA).
(Posted on 13 January 2017, 1667585055 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/india-news.php (Posted on 13 January 2017, 1667585055 173O212O198O32)
The election for the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly will be held on Mar 4 and 8, 2017.Among the assembly constituencies (AC), by area, the smallest are 12-Keisamthong and 13-Singjamei AC, 2 sq. kms each and the largest one is 43-Phungyar (ST) AC, 23.8 sq. kms.By size of the electorate, the smallest is 55-Tipaimukh (ST) AC with 17,749 electors and the largest being 48-Mao (ST) AC with 53,557 electors.Further, all the 60 ACs in respect of Manipur have less than 1 lakh voters in the electorate.Image/Graphics: PIB
Tata Power's TPSDI trains over 11,000 youth across India
Mumbai/ Kolkata, Jan 13 : Tata Power, an integrated power company through its skill development endeavor, TPSDI (Tata Power Skill Development Institute) on National Youth Day, trained more than 11,000 youth across the nation.
(Posted on 13 January 2017, 1667585056 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/business-india-news.php (Posted on 13 January 2017, 1667585056 173O212O198O32)
TPSDI has set up four training hubs in four locations in the country leveraging the facilities of Tata Power which includes Shahad - Mumbai, Maharashtra, Trombay - Mumbai, Maharashtra, Maithon - Dhanbad, Jharkhand and Mundra - Kutch, Gujarat.The Institute provides modular training courses that are purposefully designed to be market driven and employment oriented across a wide range of skills especially in the Power and allied sectors, to address the skill gap challenge faced by Indian Power Sector. TPSDI also focuses on other dimensions of skill building, such as - numerical ability, science, basic IT, industry orientation, communication, soft skills personality development, and work ethics, and places special emphasis on Safety, Health Environment considering the sectors specific need. The institute in FY16-17 trained over 9000 people through modular skill development approach.Speaking on the achievement, Anil Sardana, CEO Managing Director, Tata Power, said, TPSDI was set up with an endeavor to provide training for youths towards employability and we are delighted to see the progress in this very short time. Skill development is an essential ingredient for Indias future economic growth as the country transforms itself into an internationally competitive economy. On National Youth Day, it is our commitment to work in line with Prime Ministers vision to equip youth with relevant employable skills and make India the skill capital of the world.TPSDI was launched on Feb 9, 2015 as part of Tata Powers Centenary Year celebrations.TPSDI delivers its courses through a combination of Instructor-led delivery and IT enabled platforms like e-Learning, online videos, etc. The skill development courses offered are not for profit and the fee structure is very nominal. The social priority area for enrolment for training are given to BPL, SC and ST and other minorities.Image:Wikimedia commons
Will PM Modi's face be on Chandrayaan, Aadhaar card now: Congress on Khadi row
New Delhi, Jan. 13: A fuming Congress Party on Friday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC) controversy, saying his self love obsession bordering on narcissism has become the hallmark of the later.
(Posted on 13 January 2017, 1667585057 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/india-news.php (Posted on 13 January 2017, 1667585057 173O212O198O32)
"A self projection obsession and self love obsession bordering on narcissism has unfortunately become the hallmark of the Prime Minister Modi. Many events in the last two and a half years shows the extent to which obsessive self love and self promotion can go," Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said in a press conference here.Singhvi said there is no other symbol more intimately associated with the origin, promotion and establishment of Khadi in India than Mahatma Gandhi."There is no year in which Gandhi Ji has been replaced by any Prime Minister or even President but Modiji's obsessive self love, self promotion and narcissism must been that on one hand he becomes the self appointed and self proclaimed Patel and he now replaces Gandhi," he added.He warned that if the pattern carried out the ruling regime is not curbed then that could turn out to be fatal for the world's largest democracy.Singhvi took another jibe at the Prime Minister Modi stating that, "thank god he (PM Modi) hasn't done it to Chandrayaan of India yet, thank god the Aadhaar card is not yet carrying his photo but the way things are going we are worried that day will also come .Gandhi ji is too gigantic to be replaced by anyone."In what came as a shock for many, Mahatma Gandhi's picture weaving Khadi on a simple charkha, wearing his trademark cloth has been replaced by Prime Minister Modi's picture in the same classic pose as that of the former.
Gu Jun, deputy director of the International Institute of Chinese Studies in Beijing Foreign Studies University, studies the introduction of modern Chinese literature before 1949. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Matteo Ricci arrived in Beijing with other Italian missionaries in the late 16th century.
They not only preached but also studied Chinese culture and translated Confucian classics into such Western languages as Italian and Latin.
It was a milestone in the history of foreigners studying China and introducing the country's culture to the West, says Gu Jun, deputy director of the International Institute of Chinese Studies in Beijing Foreign Studies University.
The institute opened in 1996, which gradually developed into the country's first Overseas Sinology Research Center .
The institute explores the trajectories and methods of spreading Chinese culture around the world by looking at successful examples in history, Gu says.
The 43-year-old was among the first scholars to join the center.
His research mostly focuses on translation and the introduction of modern Chinese literature before the 1949 founding of the People's Republic of China.
Gu also researches the overseas reception of ancient Chinese literature, "which is a much bigger topic that requires more time and energy", he says.
Ricci died in Beijing at the beginning of the 17th century.
The translations he and his team produced are still used.
Bangladesh has become a confident nation under Awami League's guidance: Hasina
Dhaka [Bangladesh], Jan. 13 : Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the country has become a confident nation under the Awami League's guidance in the last eight years.
(Posted on 13 January 2017, 1667585057 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/world-news.php (Posted on 13 January 2017, 1667585057 173O212O198O32)
Addressing the nation on the occasion of the third year of her government's second tenure in power, Hasina said, Bangladesh has now been presented as a model for eradicating poverty in the shortest time by the World Bank."Bangladesh has been ranked among the top five economies around the world in terms of the economic development and the size of the economy has grown to more than Tk8 lakh crore," the Dhaka Tribune quoted Hasina, as saying.Hasina said Bangladesh has been ranked 44th in terms of GDP and 32nd in terms of purchasing power in the world.She said the country surprised the world by maintaining a consistent growth rate of 6.5 percent.Highlighting her government's initiatives in infrastructure and socio-economic development, Hasina said her government has extended electricity to 80percent of households and social benefits have been taken to marginalised communities.She said the women's representation has been ensured in every level of local government and added that her government has initiated efforts to strengthen the local government structure.Hasina urged countrymen irrespective of their party or ideology to be part in the development process of the nation and leave a prosperous, livable Bangladesh for the future generations.
3 Newport County teams are one win from playing for a title
The playoffs are underway, and there are teams still alive, while others have been eliminated.
Free trade with Switzerland to be reinforced as other countries seek China deals amid preparations for economic summit
During his upcoming state visit to Switzerland, President Xi Jinping is expected to send a strong signal against rising global protectionism.
During the visit, from Jan 15 to 18, Xi and his Swiss counterpart, Doris Leuthard, will announce a joint decision to scale up a free trade partnership that was launched in 2014, according to Chinese Ambassador to Switzerland Geng Wenbing.
Increased action to facilitate two-way trade and investment tops Xi's agenda for the visit, Geng says.
Geng Wenbing, Chinese ambassador to Switzerland, says increased action to facilitate two-way trade and investment tops Xi Jinping's agenda for the visit. Fu Jing / China Daily
"Both sides will actively explore ways to upgrade the free trade agreement," he told China Daily. "Leaders of both countries will join hands to send a strong signal against any form of global protectionism that blocks trade and investment flows."
In addition to beefing up the trade relationship, Geng says, both sides will announce new measures to boost cultural exchanges, tourism and financial cooperation.
During the trip, Xi will deliver a keynote speech at the annul meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos. He is scheduled to visit the Lausanne-based International Olympic Committee and the headquarters of the World Health Organization in Geneva. He will also speak at the United Nations Office in Geneva before wrapping up his first overseas tour of 2017.
Geng says both sides are determined to set an example on free trade, which should be followed by the European Union and other global players to pave the way for faster growth of the global economy.
The two countries' free trade agreement, which waives most tariffs on goods, took effect in July, 2014. Talks began in 2011 and the two sides sealed the deal in 2013.
Talks with Norway are ongoing, but Iceland has already entered into a free trade agreement with China.
The European Union, meanwhile, insists that it should conclude a bilateral investment agreement with China before the two sides start free trade talks, though some of its member states are eager to clinch a deal with China.
Geng says more countries have shown interest in free trade talks with China lately, mainly because Switzerland has already benefited from the partnership through export growth.
Official figures from the Swiss government showed that overall exports slowed in October and November last year, but export volume to China maintained double-digit year-on-year growth in the same period.
Exports to China increased 11.5 percent year-on-year in November, while the rise in October was 24.1 percent.
"Such rosy results have led more countries to become interested in free trade talks with China, and some of them even asked me for the text of the agreement between China and Switzerland," Geng says. "I am sure that every country that enters such a trade arrangement with China will become a winner."
Geng says China has been restructuring its investment and trade-led economy toward consumption and innovation, creating tremendous opportunities for imports.
In December, the European Union, United States and Japan, the leading global economies, refused to fulfill a promise made 15 years ago when China joined the World Trade Organization to recognize China as an equal trade partner.
But Switzerland joined dozens of WTO members in recognizing China's market economy status back in 2007.
Apart from efforts to boost trade, the leaders will also upgrade their political relationship, Geng says.
Switzerland was the first Western country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1950. In April, former president of the Swiss Confederation Johann N. Schneider-Ammann visited China.
"Within less than a year, President Xi is returning a state visit, and he is only visiting Switzerland during this tour, which indicates how much importance China has attached to the bilateral relationship," Geng says.
fujing@chinadaily.com.cn
(China Daily European Weekly 01/13/2017 page3)
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Fighting trade protectionism and anti-globalization, as well as boosting confidence in the Chinese economy, will be high on President Xi Jinping's agenda as he becomes the first top Chinese leader to attend and address the World Economic Forum annual meeting, observers say.
Xi will pay a state visit to Switzerland on Jan 15 to 18 and attend the forum's annual meeting in Davos on Jan 17 alongside corporate and political leaders, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Jan 10.
The meeting was attended by Premier Li Keqiang in 2015 and by Vice-President Li Yuanchao last year.
Xi will deliver a keynote speech when attending the meeting, Vice-Foreign Minister Li Baodong told a news briefing in Beijing.
Xi's attendance has attracted great attention amid sluggish international trade and investment, the rise of protectionism and its impact upon the multilateral trade mechanism, the diplomat noted.
By participating in the meeting, the Chinese leader aims to explain China's views and positions, and to offer a useful response "to concerns of the international community about economic globalization", Li said.
China plans to analyze the deep-seated factors behind the problems of world economic growth and seek to find directions and pathways that point on the way out, Li added.
Widespread political reshuffling across the globe has dampened investor confidence and added uncertainty to the already sluggish growth of the world economy since the economic crisis in 2008.
World political and economic leaders also are anticipating Xi addressing the health of the world's second-largest economy in the wake of fluctuations in the yuan and Beijing's measures to rein in systematic financial risks, experts say.
The vice-foreign minister said that Xi, during the meeting, will respond to the world's focus on hotspot issues of Chinese economy and boost understanding of Chinese economic policy.
"China is ready to embark on in-depth discussions with various parties to jointly tackle major global challenges and promote the healthy, stable development of the world economy," Li said.
Ruan Zongze, vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies, says Xi's first trip to the Davos meeting is to address "the widespread lack of confidence over the prospects for the world economy and the lack of viable solutions".
Events last year, including the United Kingdom's vote to leave the European Union, "showcase the downward pressure of the global economy since the crisis in 2008", and "the gathering momentum against globalization and in favor of protectionism", Ruan says.
The world is expecting China to deliver a strong message against trade protectionism at the forum because the voices of smaller countries have not been enough of a counterbalance, Ruan adds.
The forum will also be attended by such figures as British Prime Minister Theresa May and US Vice-President Joe Biden.
Chen Fengying, a senior researcher on the world economy at China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, says: "We should make it clear (at the forum) that the existing international economic cooperative mechanisms should not be changed because of the change in state leaders."
Since the world economy and globalization are "at a crossroad and a turning point", it is time for Xi to demonstrate China's power and duty as a major developing country, Chen says.
Xi's comments are also highly anticipated because China's annual central economic work conference recently wrapped up, Chen notes.
"China's economy is also at a crossroads. We could get either sustained growth or massive risks breaking out," Chen says.
Huang Yiping, a member of the central bank monetary policy committee and an economist at Peking University, says China's current priorities include eliminating systematic financial risks and stabilizing economic growth.
During his stay in Switzerland, Xi also will visit the offices of the World Health Organization, the United Nations' Geneva office and the International Olympic Committee.
At the Palais des Nations, home of the United Nations office, Xi will deliver a keynote speech about building the Community of Shared Destiny for Mankind.
zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com
(China Daily European Weekly 01/13/2017 page1)
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Washington: The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday accused Fiat Chrysler of violating the country's Clean Air Act by installing and failing to disclose emissions-cheating software in roughly 104,000 vehicles.
Affected models include the light-duty model year 2014, 2015 and 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Ram 1500 trucks with 3.0 liter diesel engines sold in the US, Xinhua quoted the EPA as saying
The EPA added that the undisclosed software results in increased emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from the vehicles.
"Failing to disclose software that affects emissions in a vehicle's engine is a serious violation of the law, which can result in harmful pollution in the air we breathe," Cynthia Giles, Assistant Administrator for EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, was quoted as saying.
"We continue to investigate the nature and impact of these devices. All automakers must play by the same rules and we will continue to hold companies accountable that gain an unfair and illegal competitive advantage."
The accusation followed a similar investigation into Volkswagen for using software to cheat on emissions tests.
The EPA said Fiat Chrysler may be liable for civil penalties and injunctive relief for the alleged violations.
The agency said it was investigating whether the undisclosed software, which it called "auxiliary emission control devices," constitute "defeat devices," which are illegal.
Meanwhile, Fiat Chrysler said in a statement that it was "disappointed" by the EPA's decision to issue the notice of violation and pledged to work with the incoming administration on this case.
The company said it "has spent months providing voluminous information in response to requests from EPA and other governmental authorities and has sought to explain its emissions control technology to EPA representatives."
In addition, it has proposed "a number of actions" to address EPA's concerns, including developing extensive software changes to its emissions control strategies "that could be implemented in these vehicles immediately to further improve emissions performance."
The company claimed that its emissions control systems "meet all applicable regulatory requirements," "are properly justified and thus are not "defeat devices" under applicable regulations."
New Delhi: India's exports continued to grow for the fourth straight month in December 2016, expanding by 5.72 percent to USD 23.9 billion compared to USD 22.6 billion in the same month of previous year.
Imports too rose by 0.46 percent to USD 34.25 billion during the month under review, leaving a trade deficit of USD 10.36 billion.
Oil imports were valued at USD 7.645 billion during December 2016 which was 14.61 percent higher than oil imports valued at USD 6.670 billion in December 2015, the trade data released by Commerce and Industry Ministry showed. Non-oil imports were estimated at USD 26.608 billion in December, down by 2.98 percent than that of USD 27.425 billion in December, 2015.
During April-December period, exports grew marginally by 0.75 percent USD 198.8 billion. However, Imports dipped 7.42 percent to USD 275.3 billion.
Trade deficit during the nine-month period stood at USD 76.54 billion as against USD 100 billion in the same period in 2016.
The boutique hotel network, presided by French chef Alain Ducasse, has just launched the 2017 edition of its guide. This update sees the network branch out from France, Italy and Spain, with a selection of hotels in Greece, Germany, Austria and Portugal.
The Chateaux & Hotels Collection guide features no less than 585 unique establishments from Paris, France to the Greek island of Mykonos. Moving in step with the latest trends in tourism, where Portugal and Greece stand out as favorite summer destinations, the network of boutique hotels and gourmet restaurants has expanded its range of destinations. New members include Vila Joya in Albufeira, in the heart of Portugal's Algarve region. With its clear waters and non-stop sunshine, the Algarve is a key rival to classic summer haunts like Spain's Costa Brava and Costa Blanca.
Chateaux & Hotels Collection has also expanded into Mykonos, a Greek island that's popular with vacationers looking to party. However, the guide shows visitors another side to this island in the north Cyclades, with a spectacular clifftop hotel offering calm and quiet, far from the bustling nightlife.
For getaways of another kind, the guide now includes 105 establishments in Germany and 13 in Austria, thanks to a business collaboration between Chateaux & Hotels Collection and Romantik Hotels & Restaurants.
The guide also features 258 gourmet restaurants for travelers in search of a fine dining experience. These are ranked in three categories: "Tables d'Excellence," followed by "Grandes Tables" then "Bonnes Tables."
The Chateaux & Hotels Collection guide, covering 16 countries, is available in each of the member establishments listed on Chateauxhotels.com.
New Delhi: After the BSF and CRPF troopers, an Indian Army jawan took to social media to raise his voice against the service conditions, alleging the soldiers are being exploited by their officers.
In the video, Lance Naik Yagya Pratap Singh, posted in 42 Infantry Brigade in Dehradun said that after he wrote to the prime minister, the defence minister, the president and the Supreme Court in June last year, his brigade received a communication from PMO asking for a probe into his grievances.
This prompted the army to immediately issue a statement on Thursday that "individual grievances" cannot be ruled out in a large army and that the concerns raised by the soldiers are being addressed.
Lance Naik Pratap Singh alleged that his officers accused him of sedition and also threatened his court martial.
"I have been in the army for 15 years. I have been concerned about the exploitation of jawans in the army, I was gathering courage to raise my voice. All powers are with the officers... if we complain, they get angry and take action against us," Pratap says in the video.
"But ultimately I decided to raise my voice and wrote an application, dated June 15, 2016, to the President, Prime Minister, Home Minister, Defence Minister and the Supreme Court."
"...When the PMO sought an answer, Brigade Commander tortured me. Any other soldier would have either committed suicide or would have done something wrong with the officers. But I did not do that. I am a soldier, and I felt it would not be right as it would taint my uniform," the soldier says.
"The officers tell us you will be court-martialled. I did not divulge any service details in the letter, then how is this sedition? This is my last letter. Jawans are taking dogs for walk, looking after children," he goes on.
The Indian Army soon after issued a statement saying the grievances of the soldier are being addressed through established mechanisms.
"Ours is a very large army wherein 'individual grievances' cannot be ruled out," an official statement from the army said.
"The army has an effective grievance redressal mechanism for addressing individual complaints, most satisfactorily. In the instant case of Lance Naik Yagya Pratap, cognizance of his communication has been taken and complaints made by him are being addressed through the existing mechanisms," the statement said.
Earlier, BSF trooper Tej Bahadur Yadav's video became viral on social media, which had alleged that troopers are served bad quality food and at times they are forced to go the bed hungry. He also accused unnamed officers of illegally selling off the food supplies meant for the troopers.
This led to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar saying that he is personally monitoring and evaluating the conditions as far as food is concerned.
"In last two years, for the army, we have been continuously evaluating that whether satisfaction level for the food being served has increased or not. I am myself monitoring it," he said talking to the media on the sidelines of ongoing Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017.
In another video that went viral, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) constable Jeet Singh asked why the para-military force personnel are not provided facilities at par with their army counterparts when they are also performing similar tasks.
Jeet said: "We (CRPF personnel) do all kinds of duties inside the country like deployment for the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and Gram Panchayat elections. We contribute services in most places in the country. Despite doing all these duties, there is a big difference between the facilities provided to the Indian Army and the CRPF."
(With IANS inputs)
New Delhi: The CBI on Friday filed the final report in further probe directed by the special court in the coal scam case against Congress leader and industrialist Naveen Jindal, ex-Minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayan Rao and others.
Special Judge Bharat Parashar, however, took strong objection to the IO not filing the report in a proper format and asked him to do so by January 23.
The report filed before the court on Friday contains CFSL reports, a list of witnesses and their statements recorded by the CBI.
The court had earlier pulled up the CBI for the delay in filing the report, saying it was affecting the progress of the trial.
The court had allowed CBI's plea that it needed to probe the case further in light of certain disclosures made by a chartered accountant Suresh Singhal, who had sought the court's nod to turn approver.
It had also allowed Singhal's plea for pardon and ordered a deletion of his name from the list of the accused.
CBI had alleged that ex-Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda, also accused in the case, had favoured Jindal group firms -- Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) and Gagan Sponge Iron Private Ltd (GSIPL) -- in the allocation of Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block in Jharkhand.
Opposing CBI's contention, all the accused had said there was no evidence to show that they were in any conspiracy during the coal block allocation process. They had also denied the allegations levelled against them by CBI in its charge sheet.
Chennai: In a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Jallikattu issue, DMK on Friday charged that he had time to meet actors and others but not the AIADMK MPs who wanted to discuss holding the banned bull taming sport in Tamil Nadu during Pongal.
DMK working president and Opposition Leader MK Stalin, who pressed the Centre to immediately promulgate an ordinance to hold the sport and that AIADMK should also press Centre for it, said that "Tamils will not forgive" the two if such an urgent step was not taken.
Referring to the AIADMK MPs from the state petitioning Prime Minister on the issue on Wednesday, Stalin asked if they could meet Modi.
"Whom does Modi meet. Those known to him, including those from the cinema world, and immediately gives appointment to them. He has met actors including Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Rajinikanth and Gautami. I am not criticising them, for they have their own pride. But, for Modi who allots time for these actors, can't he give time to AIADMK MPs to discuss an issue of heritage importance of Tamils," he said.
Stalin, who led DMK's state-wide protests from here demanding Jallikattu be held this year, also questioned why Modi could not meet the MPs a different date if he unable to meet them earlier.
Hitting out at the ruling AIADMK, he said Chief Minister O Panneerslevam should have left to Delhi from Hyderabad yesterday, where he had gone for talks over the Krishna water-sharing with his Andhra counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu after the Supreme Court declined to pass an order on Jallikattu.
The chief minister should have immediately met Modi and discussed Jallikattu, Stalin said.
Reiterating his demand for an ordinance on the matter, he said it was not new for the Centre to do so, as the present ruling dispensation at the Centre itself had brought 22 such ones, including for the NDA's controversial Land Acquisition Act.
"It is not too late, still a day is left for Pongal.
Centre can promulgate an ordinance for the conduct of jallikattu... I humbly and rightfully ask on behalf of Tamils, bring and ordinance, else the people will not forgive Centre and state government," he said.
Since the first government post independence, Centre has so far promulgated over 600 ordinances on various issues, he added.
Stalin urged that the Centre should "dismiss" Animal Welfare Board of India for its strident stand against Jallikattu and said it should be replaced by a committee including a member from Tamil Nadu.
Such a task would not be difficult for the Modi government since it had even done away with the erstwhile Planning Commission, he said in an apparent reference to the formation NITI Aayog.
New Delhi: Amid the growing criticism surrounding the missing picture of Mahatma Gandhi from the 2017 calendar and diary of the Khadi Village Industries Commission, chairman Vinay Kumar Saxena told CNN-News18 that Bapu was not on the cover of the calender for several years prior to 2017.
"Gandhiji was not on the cover in 1996, 2002, 2005, 2011, 2013, 2016. While few of the calendars and diaries were blank, few of them had pictures of women working on khadi chakra. How can anyone replace father of the nation?" Saxena said.
"The PM and the picture show commitment to khadi at the highest level in the government. Because of the appeal made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his efforts at promoting Khadi, sales have gone up by 34% in 2016," Saxena added.
Meanwhile, the BJP government on Friday sought to downplay a controversy over Prime Minister Narendra Modi "replacing" Mahatma Gandhi on the 2017 calendar and diary of the Khadi Village Industries Commission (KVIC), saying that the 'Father of the Nation' is "irreplaceable".
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took pot shots at Modi over the issue.
IANS on Thursday reported about Modi's picture donning the cover page of the KVIC calendar and dairy instead of the iconic picture of Gandhi weaving khadi on a simple charkha, wearing his trademark loin cloth.
"It is not that Modi has replaced Gandhi. The pages of the calendar are month wise and in just one page Modi's photo is there," said Union Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Kalraj, while admitting that he is yet to see the calendar.
"Gandhiji has his own place, nobody can take it," he told reporters.
Asked if they would try to replace Modi's picture with that of Gandhi, Mishra said: "I haven't seen it (calender). Once I see we will do whatever necessary. Nobody can take it," Mishra told reporters.
On Thursday, a section of its workers staged a protest, and sought to know as to why the image of the father of the nation was left out, while featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a brief protest, dozens of workers associated with KVIC who gathered at Suburban Vile-Parle, said they were raising the issue since Gandhi had been the driving force behind the Khadi movement.
"We are not against inclusion of Modiji's picture on the dairies and calendars, but pained not to find Gandhiji's picture. We simply want to know why Gandhiji has not been given the space here ? Is Gandhi ji no more relavant for Khadi industry ?" said one of them.
The protestors also demanded reprinting of the calendars with Gandhi's picture being featured on them.
(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: A day after Saudi Arabia increased India's annual Haj quota, the Centre on Thursday formed a six-member committee to look into the Haj subsidy issue in light of a 2012 Supreme Court order on gradually reducing and abolishing subsidy given to pilgrims by 2022, sources said.
The committee, inter alia, will figure out whether the pilgrims can travel to Saudi Arabia paying less in the absence of such subsidy, they added.
"Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has already formed a high-level committee to look into the Haj subsidy issue. The committee will look into whether giving subsidy has benefits or can pilgrims travel paying less if there no subsidy is offered," a source said.
The committee will engage all the stakeholders concerned before submitting its report, they added.
The sources said that the official announcement regarding the formation of the panel is expected in the next few days.
In the biggest hike in nearly three decades, Saudi Arabia had on Thursday increased India's annual Haj quota by 34,500, a move welcomed by the NDA government as a "matter of pleasure".
Naqvi and Saudi Arabia's Haj and Umrah Minister Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten inked an agreement in this regard in Jeddah on Wednesday, increasing the size of India's Haj quota from 1,36,020 to 1,70,520.
The Supreme Court had in 2012 directed the Union government to gradually reduce and abolish Haj subsidy by 2022.
It had asked the government to invest the subsidy amount of approximately Rs 650 crore a year then on the educational and social development of the community.
Meanwhile, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president and Lok Sabha MP from Hyderabad Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday said Muslims do not need government subsidy for going to Haj.
He claimed that subsidy amount of Rs 450 crore was actually being utilised by the airlines, either Air India or some other international carriers.
"If a global tender is called, on lesser prices more people will go for Haj," he told a news channel.
He also suggested if there was any bilateral agreement in this regard the government should renegotiate it.
The AIMIM president demanded that the subsidy amount of Rs 450 crore should be spent on girls' education.
"This significant amount of Rs 450 crore, of haj subsidy, should be utilised for girl education. Create more girls schools, hostels... Rs 450 cr is a huge amount," he said.
Owaisi said he had been raising this issue for past 11 years in Parliament.
"As a Muslim, I do not get any government subsidy to go on Haj. A Haj is obligatory on Muslims who have their own financial wherewithal. We do not need any govt subsidy. Please give this money to the scholarships of girl students. This will make India and the Muslim community stronger," he added.
He said, the subsidy was started during Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's regime when people used to go on ships but "now we do not require it at all."
Academic believes Chinese president could be a stable influence at Davos as world events bring waves of uncertainty
Rana Mitter believes President Xi Jinping could offer a voice for stability in an uncertain world at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos.
The director of the Dickson Poon University of Oxford China Centre says Xi's attendance at the summit - the first by a Chinese head of state - could signal the global order does not need to change, despite Donald Trump assuming office on Jan 20.
"I think (Xi's attendance) could be interpreted as a vote of confidence by China in the current global order, which in 2017, may be sorely needed. Clearly last year was a bruising year," he says.
Rana Mitter, director of the Dickson Poon University of Oxford China Centre, says President Xi Jinping's attendance at the World Economic Forum in Davos this year could signal that the global order does not need to change, despite Donald Trump assuming office on Jan 20. Nick J.B. Moore / For China Daily
"If you think of all the things that Davos stands for, it is about the maintenance of the liberal economic order and, broadly speaking, a quite progressive sort of social system too."
President Xi's decision to be at this year's summit comes after the attendance of Vice-President Li Yuanchao last year and Premier Li Keqiang in 2015.
China has also held its own Summer Davos annually since 2007, under the auspices of the WEF, alternating between host cities Tianjin and Dalian.
Mitter, who was speaking in the front room of his Oxford home, believes that, given China's engagement with Davos, Xi's keynote address to the forum is likely to carry extra significance.
The Chinese president is set to reaffirm his commitment to globalization and free trade at the meeting.
"I think a lot of people will be listening very carefully to what he has to say. It is likely to make more of a splash this year than it would have done a year ago. The world 12 months ago was really very different in terms of what was happening and any likely expectations."
Davos has come to symbolize the global elite, bringing together politicians, heads of think tanks and large corporations, leading economists, academics and the media.
It is this elite that has come under fire from populist movements that have led to the election of Donald Trump in the US and the UK's Brexit decision.
Mitter, 47 and regarded as one of the leading China experts in the West, believes voters should not fool themselves into thinking they are being offered anything other than a different form of elite.
"What is mostly happening is that one elite is being replaced by another. Donald Trump has articulated the voices of many people who are clearly desperately unhappy with their current economic situation but it is not as if he, himself, is a horny-handed son of toil who has worked his way up through the coal mines."
"An awful lot of the anti-elites, who are themselves elites of a different sort, are offering supposed solutions that have very little substance to them whatsoever."
One of the main discussion points at Davos is the risk of returning to a 1930s-style era of protectionism.
President-elect Trump threatened during his election campaign to impose a 45 percent import tariff on Chinese goods
"This strikes me as highly unlikely in practice," says Mitter.
"China, famously, and the US are in the World Trade Organization, which exists precisely to try and prevent this sort of trade war escalating. The idea that the US and China can simply launch a trade war against each other without outside intervention does not reflect the reality of the situation."
"There are an awful lot of other actors who would have something to say about this, including the European Union, Canada, Australia and the UK, once it leaves the EU of course."
Climate change is also likely to be high on the agenda at Davos, with the hard-won agreement drawn up at the 2015 Paris summit, which both China and the US ratified, seemingly under threat from the new US administration.
"He hasn't actually said he will abandon it. Like many other things, when you peruse the grammar very carefully, he has allowed himself more wriggle room than is immediately clear from the rhetoric," adds Mitter.
"It wouldn't actually be that easy to simply dump the climate change deal because, by doing so, he would be dumping every single one of America's allies, who have also signed up for it. He will be aware there will be a price to pay for that as well."
The future of the European Union will be another debating point at the Swiss ski resort.
The UK is set to invoke Article 50 at the end of March, which will trigger the start of Brexit negotiations.
The French have their general election in May, with Front National leader Marine Le Pen likely to get into the final round of voting and with a chance of winning the presidency.
"If Le Pen does win, that will put a bomb under the structures of the European Union. I think it would put an end to the great European project, at least in its current form," says Mitter.
The academic says that even if conservative candidate Francois Fillon is elected in France and Angela Merkel is returned in Germany, the EU still faces major uphill challenges.
"It still has the euro crisis, it still has the Italian banks problem and it still has relatively sluggish growth. Its structural problems will not have been resolved."
Mitter, the son of academics originally from West Bengal, studied Chinese at Cambridge and was a Kennedy scholar at Harvard before embarking on an academic career.
He has written a number of books on China, including the highly acclaimed China's War With Japan, 1937-45: The Struggle for Survival, which has been translated into Chinese.
He combines being director of the Oxford University China Centre, which he is contracted to until 2019, with being a presenter of the BBC Radio 3 arts program Free Thinking.
Mitter, who attended Davos last year as a speaker, believes another of the major talking points there will be the future of US foreign policy under the new administration.
"A pre-Trump America, or any other president, would be concerned about things such as security in Europe. I suspect there is at least some part of the Trump administration that really doesn't regard that as a first level American priority," he says.
The future of trade within Asia itself will also be debated. The incoming president has already announced he will withdraw the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Some have suggested that China may want to form its own alternative bloc, possibly built around RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership), an ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) initiative.
Mitter, however, believes that President Xi would much prefer to form a trading bloc that included the United States rather than going it alone
"I'm totally convinced by the idea that China would much rather have the US inside, whatever structure it is."
The academic maintains that Xi is likely to provide a reassuring presence at Davos in a world of change. Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the Geneva-based international organization, has already said the president will outline his country's evolving role in the new global structure.
"Chinese politics is probably likely to be much more predictable and stable during 2017, certainly compared to an untried US President, the start of Brexit negotiations and the structural problems of the European Union. All of these are the political unknowns that will begin to unfold over the next 12 months," says Mitter.
andrewmoody@chinadaily.com.cn
(China Daily European Weekly 01/13/2017 page7)
The Centre has said that no ordinance will be promulgated to allow the conduct on Jallikattu during Pongal this year, sources privy with the latest development told CNN-News18 on Friday.
The Centre has said that the matter is with the SC and it is up to the apex court to pass the final judgement, the source added.
Meanwhile, Madurai MLAs defied the SC order and organised a Jallikattu event.
DMKs M K Stalin is leading state-wide protests outside Tamil Nadu state secretariat along with Kanimozhi, a day after the Supreme Court rejected a plea urging for permission to conduct Jallikattu.
Heres a recap of the days developments:
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New Delhi: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi's image instead of Mahatma Gandhi's photo on the calendar and the diary of Khadi and Village Industries Commission snowballs into a political controversy, here's a look at the national icons he has invoked till date:
January 12, 2013: To celebrate Swami Vivekananda's 150th birth anniversary, Modi, during his tenure as Gujrat chief minister, initiates a year-long celebration.
October 31, 2013: As Gujarat CM, Modi lays the foundation stone for the world's tallest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
October 2, 2014: Narendra Modi pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat where Congress leaders, too, pay tributes to the Father of the Nation.
October 31, 2014: PM announces that the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel will be observed as the 'Rashtriya Ekta Diwas' (National Unity Day) every year.
November 14, 2014: On 125th birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, PM Modi launches Nehru portal and issues commemorative coins and launches the National Bal Swachhta Mission. The programme was extended till November 19, the birth anniversary Indira Gandhi, which is also marked as National Integration Day.
April 14, 2016: PM Modi visits Bhimrao Ambedkar's birthplace Mhow in Madhya Pradesh's Indore district on the Dalit icon's 125th birth anniversary.
October 30, 2016: Modi launches BHIM app for digital payments, named after Bhimrao Ambedkar.
November 14, 2016: Modi lays foundation stones for six infrastructure development projects in eastern Uttar Pradesh on the occasion of Nehru's birth anniversary.
The vehicle which set in motion one of the most daring adventures of Indias freedom struggle is all set to be back in action 80 years after it first hit the road.
The German-made Wanderer W24, which transported Subhas Chandra Bose from his Elgin Road residence to Gomoh railway station in then Bihar on the midnight of 16 January 1941 reaching its destination a day later, has been restored by a group of about 10 Kolkata mechanics back to its original shape.
And the first person to have a feel of the now-restored historic vehicle would be President Pranab Mukherjee, who is scheduled to unveil the car on 18 January this year at Netaji Bhavan in Kolkata.
The manufacturer of Wanderer, Auto Union, is the predecessor of the German Auto Giant, Audi. And it is Audi which has provided the technical expertise to restore the car back to its original avatar. The restoration began in July last year with mechanics and experts working on it on the rear lawn of Netaji Bhavan. The work, now, is nearly complete.
Four years after it was bought in 1937, the car -- one of the two vehicles owned by Netajis elder brother Sarat Chandra Bose and registered in the name of his son Sisir Kumar Bose was instrumental in assisting Subhass meticulously planned, spine-chilling escape from under the noses the sleuths of the British Raj which had held him under a house arrest. It was the barely-out-of-his-teens nephew Sisir who, handpicked by Bose for the job, chauffeured the leader to Gomoh on that moonlit winter night 76 years ago. Bose took the Delhi-Kalka Mail from Gomoh and eventually reached Berlin through Peshawar, Kabul and Moscow. The rest, as they is history.
Back in 1937, the 1.8 litre four-door Limo cost Sarat Bose Rs 4,680 and was in regular use till the late-50s. The catalogue of the car says it was painted in an exquisite shade of turquoise blue and had black borders over its wheel guards.
I remember riding it regularly after my marriage in 1955. By then, it had got its fresh coat of a black paint all over its body. Later, as recent visitors to Netaji Bhavan remember it, the car was painted grey, reminisced Krishna Bose, wife of Late Dr Sisir Bose and former MP. Even as a baby, Sugata, my elder son, took many a drive in that car along with us. At times it used to break down and I have so many memories of having to push it down the Rashbehari Avenue, she added, smiling.
It was driven perhaps for the last time by Dr Bose in 1978 for a Japanese television team which had come over to film a documentary on Subhas, informed Ms Bose. Ever since then, the car remained exhibited inside a glass case on the driveway next to the front porch of Netaji Bhavan.
But the car has always been a prize exhibit at the Netaji Research Bureau which was set up by Dr Bose in 1957 at the Elgin Road family residence of the Boses. In fact, it was the first exhibit at the Bureau, besides a bunch of letters which were exchanged between CR Das and Netaji with which Dr Sisir Bose had started the institution, said Sugata Bose, MP and a Professor of History at Harvard University.
Audi has taken great care to ensure that the car looks exactly the same it looked 80 years ago. That includes its interiors the dash board, upholstery, wooden frames and the fabric roof, he explained.
But what can bring real delight to Netaji enthusiasts is the decision of Bureau authorities to actually drive the Wanderer around for visitors to behold, at least once a week. That, some might consider as history on the move. Yet again.
New Delhi: The government is ready with a draft ordinance on Jallikattu, the bull-taming sport in Tamil Nadu banned by the Supreme Court, sources told CNN-News18 on Friday, the eve of Pongal festivities in the southern state.
The draft ordinance indicates that the government is ready to take emergency steps to allow holding of Jallikuttu events. It, however, may not promulgate it.
The issue has taken political overtones with both the AIADMK, which is in power in Tamil Nadu, and the DMK vying for the credit to bring the controversial event back in the state. Animal rights activists, too, have joined the debate.
The AIADMK government wrote to the Centre last week asking for its intervention and urging it to promulgate an ordinance to allow holding of the festivities.
The Supreme Court had on Thursday dismissed a plea urging it to pass judgment on the sport before Pongal. The court had reserved its verdict on a batch of petitions challenging Centre's notification allowing the sport.
The court had earlier questioned the Centre for its January 2016 notification allowing use of bulls in events like Jallikattu, saying that its 2014 verdict banning the use of the animals cannot be "negated".
Sources told CNN-News 18 that the draft ordinance is coupled with a rider wherein the government was advised not to promulgate the ordinance as the matter is under the consideration of the Supreme Court and would amount to overreaching the apex court.
Jallikattu was banned by the Supreme Court in 2014.
Despite being armed with the draft ordinance, the government will have to take a final call as the ordinance route is riddled with troubles. Legal experts say the ordinance can be challenged in courts and the moot question is is the government willing to risk embarrassment if the ordinance is struck down by the Supreme Court.
New Delhi: Police on Friday announced that they seized 203 pistols from Uttar Pradeshs Kairana meant to be used during the assembly polls next month.
Ajay Pal, superintendent of police (SP) for Shamli district addressed the media and said that the police also busted an illegal arms making factory.
The bust comes days after the moral code of conduct was imposed on the state in light of the upcoming assembly polls.
On Thursday evening, we received word from a police informant that an illegal arms-making factory had been secretly set up in Kairana. When we raided the location, we found the factory operational and ever arrested one person from the site. We recovered 123 handguns, 80 country made pistols, machines and raw material from the spot. We also shut down the factory. A Swift Dezire was also recovered from near the factory, Pal said.
He added, The arrested accused, Motilal, is a resident of Pratapgarh district. He revealed that there is a gang that manufactures these weapons in different factories across the state and then sell them to other gangs that plan to use them during the elections. These weapons were going to be used to spread violence and panic before the election in several locations in both eastern and western UP. We are probing him further to get more information. Soon, we will have the rest of the gang in custody as well.
Union Minister and LJP president Ramvilas Paswan, who was admitted to the ICU of a hospital late last evening after he complained of breathlessness, is stable now, doctors attending on him said on Friday."Paswanji's health is stable now," Doctor Pramod Kumar, head of cardiology unit of Paras HMRI Hospital where the minister is admitted told PTI.Kumar is among the team of doctors keeping a close watch over the 70-year-old Minister.Doctor Sanjeev Kumar of AIIMS Patna, another member of the team treating the minister, also said that Paswan's health condition is stable now.A team of doctors are examining him, he said.R C Meena, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Paswan, said that a decision to shift the minister to Delhi would be taken later in the day as per recommendations of the doctors attending on him.Ashraf Ansari, spokesman of LJP said, party workers were thronging the hospital after hearing of Paswan's health condition.Bihar LJP president Pashupati Kumar Paras, who is brother of the minister, had said that after a complaint of breathlessness, Paswan was taken to the hospital around 8:30 PM on Thursday and admitted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU).Paswan, Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs, earlier arrived on Thursday on a four-day tour of the state during which he had some political engagements in Patna, Khagaria, Begusarai and Mokamah before hosting Makarsankranti feast in Patna on January 15.Doctor Sanjeev Kumar of AIIMS Patna had last night said that Paswan was suffering from Left Ventricular Failure caused by drop of oxygen in the body but was stable and responding to treatment.Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar personally talked to the doctors to enquire about the health of Paswan.Governor Ramnath Kovind and RJD president Lalu Prasad also enquired about the health of Paswan.Prasad, accompanied by his sons Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, who is Health Minister of Bihar, paid a visit to the Paras Hospital to see Paswan.
New Delhi: The RSS has thrown its weight behind Jallikattu, a day after the Supreme Court refused to lift a ban on the bull-taming sport associated with Pongal festival in Tamil Nadu.
J Nandakumar, All India Sah-Prachar Pramukh of the RSS, told News18 that the Sangh stand is that Jallikattu is a traditional festival related to Tamil Nadus agricultural traditions.
"The Sangh organisations in the state are in favour of Jallikattu. The festival is about playing with the animal, it does not involve celebration by killing of any ox, bull or camel, he said.
The Supreme Court on Thursday had shot down a plea for delivering its judgment on Jallikattu, which has led to protests by Tamil organisations in the state.
Both the ruling AIADMK and the ruling DMK are in favour of resuming the sport and there were expectations that the Centre will promulgate an ordinance in this regard.
Another RSS leader told News18 that the RSS was of the opinion that Jallikattu was part of the tradition of animal worship. There are other communities that celebrate by killing animals, there is blood on farms and streets but no one questions them. In Jallikattu there is not an iota of animal cruelty or death. In India, cultural celebrations get associated with religion. Festivals are interpreted as religious functions of a particular community. The festival takes place only in one part of the country, it is not like the entire country is playing with bulls, the leader said on condition of anonymity since he is not authorized to speak to media.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the government's decision to deport two Sudanese students, currently lodged at a detention centre here, to their strife-torn homeland for violating visa guidelines.
A bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar, however, took strong note of the visa rules' violations by the Sudanese nationals and said the students, who have been offered education by India, cannot flout the local laws and "vanish without giving addresses".
Amir Ahmed and Khames Ahmed, studying in Benglaluru for almost three years, were required to intimate the authorities in advance if they proposed to leave the Karnataka capital.
They are presently lodged at Lampur detention centre here and are on the verge of being deported to Sudan.
Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the students, said they faced threat of persecution if they are sent back to Sudan which is facing a civil war and morever,most of their family members, including their father, brothers and cousins, have been killed.
The bench, also comprising Justice D Y Chandrachud, has sought a response from the Centre, represented by Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh and fixed the plea for further hearing on January 20.
The bench was harsh on alleged visa rule violations by the two students and said "we are accomodating them and they cannot breach the rules. They must stay at a fixed place. You (lawyer) just close your eyes and think if somebody does the same in US, what will happen?...There is a breach."
It then referred to the problems faced by India in getting criminals deported from offshore destinations and said, "just imagine what do we face when we ask our citizens, involved in crimes outside, to be given back. They do not return. Here, the situaton is the government has passed an order."
"In our country, you do not listen to the law. We are asked to listen to more of those who do not listen to our law," the bench said.
The plea of Sudanese nationals was mentioned for early hearing by Gonsalves which was agreed to by the court.
One of the most important films releasing this week is Haraamkhor. Directed by Shlok Sharma, the film stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Shweta Tripathi in lead roles. Premiered at the 15th annual New York Indian Film Festival and Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, the film received critical acclaim and also earned Nawazuddin an award for Best Actor.Set in a small village in Gujarat, the entire film is shot at real locations. The plot explores the romantic relationship between a teacher and his 14-year-old student. It also involves a love triangle with another classmate's crush on the teachers love interest.According to reports, the team took over 16 days to wrap up the shoot. The film, which is produced by Anurag Kashyap and Guneet Monga, faced objection from the censor board. The CBFC had raised questions pertaining to the theme of the film, but the makers didnt budge and approached the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal to challenge the decision. The film's first look itself sparked various controversies regarding the title, content and theme.Considering the fact that Haraamkhor has already earned critics appreciation, itll be interesting to see what the film offers. Will Nawaz-Shwetas performances add weight to the plot? Does the plot have anything objectionable? Kriti Tulsiani from News18.com is inside the theatre to find out.
The Election Commission on Friday reserved its verdict on the Samajwadi Party dispute after a four-hour hearing during which the Akhilesh and Mulayam factions presented arguments to claim the partys cycle symbol.The Election Commission has informed us that they will give the verdict in due time, said Kapil Sibal, counsel for the Akhilesh faction of the party.During the first part of the hearing, the Akhilesh camp argued that the majority of party MPs, MLAs and MLCs as well as the SP delegates are with the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.The counsel for Mulayam, who was in the national capital with brother Shivpal, is learnt to have told the poll panel there was no rift in the party, just adminttrative dispute which Mulayam can sort out as the party chief.After the split in the party earlier this month, the factions led by Mulayam and his son Akhilesh had approached the commission staking claim over the party and the symbol 'cycle'.Both the sides had also submitted some documents to further their claim and the commission had given them time till January 9 to provide signed affidavits of legislators and office bearers to claim control over the party's name and symbol.The side which has the support of majority (50 per cent plus 1) MPs, MLAs, MLCs and delegates will gain an upper hand in the fight to control the party founded 25 years ago. The election for phase one in Uttar Pradesh is on February 11.With the notification, the process of filing nominations will begin. Candidates from Mulayam and Akhilesh camps cannot fight election on cycle symbol at the same time, therefore, the EC will have to take a call on the issue before that date.(With agency inputs)
Advances in medicine, physics and technology are among those called vital for nation's progress
President Xi Jinping presented the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award on Jan 9 to Tu Youyou, co-winner of the 2015 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine, and physicist Zhao Zhongxian, recognizing the country's booming innovation.
Tu is best known for discovering artemisinin, a substance derived from the traditional Chinese medicine qinghaosu, which is used to treat malaria. She is the first woman to receive the national award. Zhao Zhongxian, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has spent four decades researching superconductors.
Twenty-seven scientists have received the nation's top science and technology award since it was established in 2000. It comes with a prize of 5 million yuan ($721,000; 680,900 euros; 595,900).
The award is one way the government encourages fundamental research, Premier Li Keqiang said at the ceremony. Scientists should be dedicated to patient research since China is in greater need of scientific progress than at any other time, he said.
Li paraphrased a Chinese proverb, saying that scientists "could stay silent for a decade" but "try to amaze the world with a single brilliant feat".
He vowed to protect intellectual property rights, which he said are crucial for innovation. The nation will have sustainable development only by relying on innovation, he said.
Li also expressed gratitude to the foreign scientists and scholars who have contributed to China's scientific progress. The country welcomes foreign scholars for entrepreneurship and innovation, he said, adding that the government will provide opportunities and facilities for international talent willing to work in China.
Five foreign experts, including Katharina Kohse-Hoeinghaus, a professor at the University of Bielefeld in Germany, and one organization received China's International Science and Technology Cooperation Award during the ceremony. The Chang'e-3 project shared the Top Science and Technology Progress Award with 19 others.
Research into standards for high-speed wireless communication known as TD-LTE got the State Science and Technology Progress Special Award.
Contact the writers at anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn
(China Daily European Weekly 01/13/2017 page15)
New Delhi: Politics in West Bengal has been heating up with growing animosity between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP. BJPs West Bengal secretary Rahul Sinha spoke to News18s Debayan Roy on Mamata Banerjees communal politics, Muslims in the state supporting BJP and Mamatas central aspirations.
Q. The political resolution adopted by the BJP national executive on January 7, 2017, accused TMC of extreme appeasement politics that has led to severe communal tension and strife in these states. Why such a statement?
A. Look at the disastrous incident which took place in Malda Kalichowk, where not only the police station was burnt but even the officials were beaten up leave alone the public. Even then there were no safety and security measures taken because they were Muslims. Look at Dhulagarh, where there was loot, violence, temples were destroyed, idols were desecrated, police were beaten up, police vehicles were burnt, but still no action was taken because they were Muslims.
In the past 6 months, there have been over 50 such cases, and in every case the state government has acted extremely biased towards a single community and even though police were beaten up, the government kept quiet. Biggest reason is Mamata Banerjee. She has dedicated her government to the Muslim maulvis. During the Friday prayers, while delivering a sermon on Red Road, a Muslim Imam said, Uni aamader doyar jonno mukho montrir godi the achhen (it is because of our kindness that she is the Chief Minister). Whenever they want, she can be removed from power.
Toha Siddiqui also made the same statement. Now Mamata has turned into a puppet at the hands of Muslim imams and it is because of this she will not be able to safeguard religious independence in the state. In this state, Durga Puja and Muharram were on separate days. But still she stopped the Durga Puja immersion and carried on the Muharram procession. But when cities like Mumbai can accommodate Ganesh immersion and Muharram together, then why cant West Bengal? She does not give any legal order or a governmental directive; it is just an oral statement. Advocate General had informed us that the Chief Minister had issued the order just orally without any written order. Her appeasement politics is dividing Bengal on the lines of Hindu Muslim issues.
Q. But many believe that the BJPs strategy has been clearly to woo the Hindu vote bank, thus polarizing Bengal along religious and communal lines for the first time. What do you think?
A. Communalization as a political strategy has never worked in Bengal which has its ethos in secularization. But Mamata Banerjees one sided communal strategy has pushed a considerable part of the Bengal population towards the BJP. This includes the Muslims as well. There are a lot of Muslims who are tired of Banerjees communal politics and even they have started supporting BJP. Hence, this strategy of dividing Bengal into Hindus and Muslims is only benefitting BJP. BJP does not want this division, but ordinary Muslims do not want this unnecessary chaos and hence they have started supporting us.
Q. Mukul Roy recently said that Mamata Banerjee would be the next PM in 2019. Do you see her as a major national opposition to PM Modi?
A. When Mamata Banerjee started protesting against demonetisation, all major political parties stood beside her. But as soon as her flaws started getting exposed, all the parties distanced themselves from the Trinamool Congress. All the political parties implicitly laid down that we are not going to support thieves. Now she is going to Rashtrapati Bhavan and all other venues to protest alone and she has no supporters. This means she has lost any sort of national significance in the country especially in front of all national opposition parties. She should safeguard her throne in her state, then dream about her seat in the central government.
She went to Bihar and the audience was collected by paying Rs 300 to each individual who attended it, but even those people complained against her. Now she went to Bhubaneshwar, where only chairs had a meeting and not a single person attended it. The by-election results all across the country show how BJP is progressing and she should realise where she lies. In her endeavor to make a national presence she might end up losing her share even in Bengal. Dilli akhono onek durey (Delhi is still far away for her).
Q. BJP leader Krishna Bhattacharya`s house was allegedly attacked on January 3rd by TMC workers. Do you think these attacks highlight a growing fear that your party is gaining a foothold in Bengal politics?
A. BJP has now scaled to become the second most important party in Bengal and CPM has lost its existence. TMC is extremely scared at the prospects of BJPs growth and in the event of such a scare, they have started losing their mind and hence such mindless attacks. This kind of politics will only lead to the ouster of TMC in Bengal even before the next polls.
Q. The CPM alleged you were cooperating with Mamata for Votes in Rajya Sabha. So, what changed suddenly? Why is this animosity between BJP and TMC?
A. This is an age-old statement of CPM and has no merit. They are just trying to hide their incompetence, and even if BJP-TMC has a pact then it will only benefit CPM. Hypothetically speaking even if such a thing is true, then CPM will become the main opposition and can succeed in elections, but unfortunately, they have lost their competence to even stand up and protest and hence has no other work rather than hatching such stories. Bengal will never trust CPM again and their 34 years of loot has led to their complete erosion of credibility.
Q. Why did the Centre wait for two years to take action on the chit fund scam and the two TMC MPs were arrested just after the TMC protested against demonetisation? Does it raise any suspicion?
A. Demonetisation was declared on November 8, 2016. Almost one and a half months prior to PM Modis move, these two TMC leaders were called for questioning by the CBI. They kept denying the orders for all this while, and if they would have met CBI when they were called for then they would have been arrested much before the move of demonetisation was announced. They would have been arrested before November 8, but it is their non-compliance of CBI order that led to this delay. They kept saying that parliamentary session is in progress and they would meet CBI later. There is no relation of their arrests with demonetisation. Even if it is after demonetisation, thief is a thief, and they will be arrested.
Q. Who is the face of BJP in West Bengal?
A. Face is only one and it is Narendra Modi. People will look at his policies and vote for him. We do not need any other face.
Q. Lastly, what do you have to say about TMC MP Kalyan Banerjees statement against PM Narendra Modi?
A. I am ashamed to think he is an advocate and a Member of Parliament. The kind of language that he has used against the Prime Minister of the country is unacceptable and he must resign at once. But I understand his pain because a large amount of black money that he had compiled has been eaten by rats now after demonetisation.
The Election Commission on Friday reserved its order on the ongoing dispute between Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son and CM Akhilesh Yadav over Samajwadi Party symbol cycle after a four-hour hearing.
During the first part of the hearing, the Akhilesh camp argued that the majority of MPs, MLAs and MLCs as well as the SP delegates are with the Chief Minister.
Later in the day, Mulayam is learnt to have told the Election Commission that there is no split in the party, only administrative dispute which he can sort out as party chief.
The feud reached the poll panel as the Akhilesh faction is inching closer to an alliance with the Congress.
Here are the highlights from the day:
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Spain said Thursday it expects the number of foreign visitors to the country to rise even further after it hosted a record 75.3 million international travellers last year.
"Far be it from me to think that we have hit a ceiling, we are far from that," Tourism Minister Alvaro Nadal told a news conference to present tourism figures for 2016.
The number of arrivals last year was up by 9.9 percent over the 68.1 million foreign visitors who flocked to the country in 2015. It was the fourth consecutive year of record numbers of arrivals.
Britons again topped the list with 17 million visitors to Spain in 2016, about one in five of the total and a 12.3 percent increase over the previous year.
"There was no Brexit effect in 2016, it did not affect British tourism in our country," said Nadal, before addign this trend should continue this year.
"Advance reservations as well as requests for landing slots at Spanish airports are going very well which confirms that the tendency for British tourism remains the same."
The Madrid-based United Nations World Tourism Organisation (WTO) had already said on Monday that Spain had hosted around 75 million foreign arrivals last year.
Spain was the third most visited country in the world in 2015 after France and the United States, according to the WTO. It will unveil its ranking for 2016 on Tuesday.
Each foreign tourist spent an average of 1,023 euros ($1,078), a 3.75 percent increase over the 2015 figure.
They spent a total of 77 billion euros in the country in 2016, an 8.3 percent increase over the previous year.
Exceltur, which groups the country's major hotel chains, travel agents and tour operators, warned last year average revenues per person had fallen by between two to six percent, depending on the month, because tourists had shortened the length of their stay.
Tourism represents some 11 percent of Spain's gross domestic product.
Kathmandu: Nepal has failed to ensure accountability for human rights abuses during the brutal decade-long Maoist insurgency, a global rights watchdog said on Friday, blaming the government and political parties of sacrificing victims' needs to promote their own interests.
In the recently published World Report 2017, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) also accused the government of failing to disburse relief funds to the victims of the devastating earthquakes of 2015.
The report also said the international community remained silent on the contentious constitution drafting process as well as on the transitional justice mechanisms.
The 687-page report reviews human rights practices in more than 90 countries, including Nepal.
"Nepal made little concrete progress on justice for serious abuses committed by both sides during its civil war that ended in 2006," the report said, adding that efforts to ensure prosecutions in civilian courts for serious human rights and humanitarian law violations during the conflict remain stalled.
Both government forces and Maoist former rebels were accused by rights activists of rape, arrests, illegal killings, disappearances and torture during the decade-long insurgency that ended in 2006 conflict that caused about 17,000 deaths while hundreds disappeared.
The report has claimed that efforts to enforce rights or provide justice for wartime abuses were stalled due to violent protests in Terai in the wake of promulgation of new constitution in September 2015.
"Every step of the way, what we see with the Nepali government and political parties is a willingness to sacrifice victims' needs in order to promote their own interests," said Brad Adams, HRW's Asia director.
"This is a fundamental betrayal of the promises made a decade ago when the democratic parties wrested control from an authoritarian state, established a peace, and promised a new inclusive and just governance," Adams said.
"It is disturbing that the government has dragged its heels on tending to urgent humanitarian needs of earthquake victims. There is no excuse for this dithering, and the government should be held accountable for this negligence," he said.
Political instability persisted through 2016, with yet another change in government. A new political coalition, led by Maoist Prime Minister Pushpa Kumar Dahal, took over in July, offering some hope for a breakthrough in the political stalemate. It was the ninth government to be formed over the last eight years, damaging efforts to implement human rights protections.
A new constitution was adopted in September, 2015 but violent protests over the failure to address demands for greater inclusion by minority communities, particularly in the southern plains, stalled efforts to enforce rights or provide justice for wartime abuses, the report said.
Two transitional justice commissions set up to deliver justice to victims of the country's 1996-2006 civil war received a reported 59,000 submissions, but the terms of reference of their future work remained unclear.
Geneva: Russia has agreed that the United States should be involved in the talks on Syria's political future planned to take place in Kazakhstan's capital Astana later this month, Turkey's top diplomat said Thursday.
"The United States should be definitely invited, and that is what we agreed with Russia," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told journalists in Geneva after an international conference on Cyprus.
The talks in Astana are expected to take place on January 23.
Russia and Turkey last month brokered a ceasefire in the war-torn country, but without the involvement of the United States, a negotiator in previous ceasefires.
The truce went into effect on December 30 and has brought calm to much of Syria although fighting continues in some areas.
"We need to maintain the ceasefire," Cavusoglu said in Geneva.
"This is essential for the Astana talks."
The Turkish foreign minister said invitations for the talks were likely to be sent out next week, adding that Washington should be present.
"Nobody can ignore the role of the United States. And this is a principled position of Turkey," he said.
"The ones who did or who could contribute should be there, but not just to be in the family photo. You know what I mean."
He said the aim of the talks "is to reach the political solution, which is the best solution."
A Swiss couple had no legal grounds for keeping their Muslim daughters out of mandatory swim classes with boys at their co-ed school, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled.
Aziz Osmanoglu and Sehabat Kocabas, who also are Turkish nationals, refused for religious reasons to send their two daughters to swimming lessons at their school in Basel, Switzerland.
The parents, who have been pressing this case for nearly a decade, argued that sending their children to swimming lessons with boys contravened Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights -- the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
But the court on Tuesday rejected the argument, stating that "school played a special role in the process of social integration."
Court: 'Integration' a priority
The court ruled that Swiss officials' goal to facilitate each child's "successful social integration according to local customs" took precedence over the parents' wishes to have their daughters excused from swimming lessons.
Court officials noted that Swiss authorities had offered the parents flexibility by allowing the daughters to wear a burkini, a light swimsuit that covers the whole body except the face, hands and feet.
The parents first incurred a fine of $1,352 in 2010 for refusing to comply, according to the court.
If the children had been older at the time, they would have qualified for an exception in Swiss law available to girls who have reached the age of puberty.
The couple's daughters will turn 18 and 16 this year.
Efforts at mediation between the parents and the school had failed.
Two earlier appeals were dismissed. The couple can appeal the latest judgement.
Washington: President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to head the CIA portrayed multiple challenges facing the United States on Thursday, from an aggressive Russia to a "disruptive" Iran to a China that he said is creating "real tensions."
Diverging from Trump's stated aim of seeking closer ties with Russia, Mike Pompeo said that Russia is "asserting itself aggressively" by invading and occupying Ukraine, threatening Europe, and "doing nearly nothing" to destroy Islamic State.
Pompeo, a Republican member of the House of Representatives and a former US Army officer, was speaking during his confirmation hearing in the US Senate, at a time when Trump, a Republican who takes office on Jan. 20, has openly feuded with US intelligence agencies.
For weeks, the president-elect questioned the intelligence agencies' conclusion that Russia used hacking and other tactics to try to tilt the 2016 presidential election in his favour. Trump said on Wednesday that Russia was behind the hacking but those other countries were hacking the United States as well.
Asked about the hacking, Pompeo said he was very clear about what he called an "aggressive action" ordered by the Russian leadership, and accepted the US intelligence report on the hacking as sound.
Trump this week also furiously denounced intelligence officials for what he said were leaks to the media by intelligence agencies of a dossier that makes unverified, salacious allegations about his contacts within Russia.
By contrast, Pompeo voiced strong support for the agency he has been nominated to lead, saying he has seen staff from the Central Intelligence Agency "walk through fire."
Pompeo signaled he would stand firm if necessary against Trump on the issue of enhanced interrogation techniques for terrorism suspects. Such techniques are widely regarded as torture and their use has been banned by Congress. Trump has said he would bring back tactics such as waterboarding, which simulates drowning.
Asked about this, Pompeo said that he would "absolutely not" restart enhanced interrogation techniques by the CIA if asked by the president-elect. He noted it would take a change in the law for the CIA to use interrogation techniques that go beyond those permitted by the Army, adding he could not imagine that Trump would order the CIA to use illegal methods.
FROM POLICY TO ANALYSIS
Pompeo, a conservative lawmaker from Kansas who is on the House Intelligence Committee, emphasized that he would be a neutral assessor of challenges and threats. In the opening remarks, he said he understood that if confirmed his role would switch from policymaker to provider of information.
Noting that the CIA does not make policy on any country, he added, "it is a policy decision as to what to do with Russia, but it will be essential that the Agency provide policymakers with accurate intelligence and clear-eyed analysis of Russian activities."
Equally, he said that he would drop the opposition he has had as a lawmaker to the nuclear deal between Iran and major powers. He said the CIA must be "rigorously fair and objective" in assessing the deal.
He called Iran an "emboldened, disruptive player in the Middle East, fueling tensions" with Sunni Muslim allies of the United States. He listed it among the challenges facing the United States along with what he called a "resilient" Islamic State and the fallout from Syria's long civil war.
Pompeo also named North Korea, which he said had "dangerously accelerated its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities." He said China was creating "real tensions" with its activities in the South China Sea and in cyberspace as it flexed its muscles and expanded its military and economic reach.
Bond was denied Thursday for a Lynchburg man accused of robbing a city convenience store at gunpoint, with the judge citing the severity of the alleged offense.
Demondre Oshea Sales, 19, will continue to be held at Blue Ridge Regional Jail pending trial on a robbery charge.
Sales defense lawyer said he may have an alibi for the robbery to present later at trial. Whoever robbed the store Jan. 5 was wearing a mask, the store clerk told media the night of the robbery.
Lynchburg police arrested Sales on Jan. 6, according to a department news release.
According to authorities, a suspect entered the T Market 2 convenience store on the 1600 block of Park Avenue, pointed a gun at the cashier, demanded money and then fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of money.
Asgodom Teweldemedhin, the store clerk and the only employee working at the time, described the suspect to media after the robbery as a black man, about 19 years old, who frequents the store.
Teweldemedhin said he recognized the suspect even with a mask on and said he lives down the street.
In court Thursday, Sales lawyer, Morgan Hollister, of the public defenders office, said her client plans to present evidence he was with someone else at the time of the alleged robbery.
Hollister also emphasized Sales is a lifelong city resident who has a steady job, and hes never been in trouble before.
She asked for secured bond.
Deputy Commonwealths Attorney Bethany Harrison said the nature of the crime and the fact that the suspect was armed called for the defendant to remain in jail.
Lynchburg District Judge Stephanie Maddox refused the public defenders request for bond, saying there is a presumption against bond in a case of alleged armed robbery.
Under such cases in Virginia, bail generally is not granted unless the judge hears enough evidence to be persuaded otherwise.
Sales next court date is Feb. 24, records show.
Garnering many awards, literature from the mainland left a lasting impression on the international stage last year
Chinese novels came of age in 2016, bagging many international awards.
Children's writer Cao Wenxuan won the Hans Christian Andersen Award; Hao Jingfang took the Hugo Award (following Liu Cixin, the first Chinese winner of the award in 2015); and Wang Anyi, grabbed the 2017 Newman Prize for Chinese Literature from the University of Oklahoma in September.
Veteran literary critic Meng Fanhua says the power of Chinese stories comes from the rural areas, "where we have the strongest literary traditions".
Books published in 2016 in English or Chinese (clockwise from top left): Death's End by Liu Cixin, Mercy by Lu Nei, Ruined City by Jia Pingwa, Flock of Brown Birds by Ge Fei, The Cocoon by Zhang Yueran and Paper Hawk by Ge Liang. Photos Provided to China Daily
Another veteran critic - Bai Ye, from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences - says that while traditional and established novel writers continue to produce works, younger writers who were born in the 1970s, 80s and 90s are also gaining ground.
"Every year there are about 5,000 novels published in the country. But, this year, I noticed writers are more keen to reflect the pulse of society, and their writings are close to everyday reality and easier for general readers to accept."
Bai, who produces an annual report on Chinese novels, adds that rural life is one of the key elements in the books published last year. As urbanization expands, the nostalgia for rural life grows, as seen in Jia Pingwa's work The Jihua Flower, he says.
The novel, about the plight of an abducted girl, stirred a debate about gender equality soon after its release in March. Other themes writers tackled last year were urban life and history.
"It was also a trend for writers to personalize their take on history, offering a touch of warmth to a cold past," Bai says, pointing to Mao Dun Literature Award winner Ge Fei's Wang Chun Feng (or The Spring Breeze) as an example of this kind of work.
Wang Chun Feng is about a village's transformation as seen through the eyes of a young boy.
Giving other examples of these kinds of works, Bai points to Fang Fang's Bare Burial, a story about a lost family history during and after the country's land reform, and Lu Nei's Mercy, about a factory worker's life before and after China's reform and opening-up.
Another example is Hong Kong-based writer Ge Liang, who was born in 1978, and his semibiographical referring to younger writers, Bai says that those born in the 1980s are making a noticeable impression on their audiences.
Zhang Yueran made a mark with The Cocoon, which is about two young people searching for the facts behind the disappearance of their fathers. Online writer Tangjia Sanshao (real name Zhang Wei) also caught Bai's attention with an autobiographical novel about how a self-made writer achieved fame with help of his wife.
Online literature is offering more choices to readers. It "fills a blank in the Chinese book market", says Shao Yanjun, a web literature expert at Peking University who says he expects internet literature to be assimilated more into the mainstream.
Eight internet writers were elected to the national committee of the China Writers' Association at the group's annual meeting in December. Tangjia Sanshao was elected to the presidium of the association.
Explaining how internet literature is growing from strength to strength, Shao says it has now become a major source of adaptation for movies and games, and because of its large readership there is a spurt in the sales of TV and film rights of online works in China.
For instance, The Interpreters, a TV series based on a work by Miao Juan about the professional and love lives of two language translators, attracted millions of viewers when it hit TV screens in May.
As for the money online writers are making, Liu Chang, who started writing science fiction novels full-time in 2012 under the pen name Biting Dog, says that the TV and film adaptation rights for his work Global Evolution is worth around 2 million yuan ($300,000; 270,000 euros; 246,500).
"Internet literature is becoming more diverse in terms of quality and topics," says Peking University's Shao, citing Zeng Dengke (pen name Crazy Banana) as a good example. Zeng writes historical fantasy and tries to match classical literature.
Another significant trend noticed by Shao and her students is that Chinese internet literature is attracting Western readers, who are also translating Chinese online novels into English on online forums such as Wuxiaworld.com. The site was started by Chinese-American Lai Jingping, known as RWX on the forum, who quit a foreign service job to start the translation website.
As for literary genres that made it big last year, sci-fi was near the top. Wu Yan, director of the Sci-fi Study Center at Beijing Normal University, says he sees more attention being paid to the genre, with a growing number of forums and campus seminars.
Even though Hugo Award winner Liu Cixin joked that Chinese scientists were keeping their distance from sci-fi writers, Wu says the China Association for Science and Technology took many initiatives to use sci-fi to promote popular science to the public. Its efforts included organizing the China Sci-Fi Festival, the first large-scale sci-fi event, in Beijing in September.
Moreover, sci-fi works have begun to infiltrate classrooms, which once dismissed such works.
"Even startups are focusing on sci-fi," he says. "But, despite the good news for sci-fi in China, I did not see too many good works produced in 2016."
However, despite his disappointment, Wu recommended a few works. Among his picks were young sci-fi writer Jiang Bo, who recently finished the last installment of his trilogy The Heart of Galaxy, which won the World Chinese Science Fiction Association prize.
Wu also recommended River of Time, a work on time travel by 68-year-old Wang Jinkang, who has been writing science fiction for more than 20 years.
Other notable mentions included the works of overseas Chinese-Americans published in China, such as short stories by sci-fi writer Ken Liu, whose translations of the works of Liu Cixin and Hao Jingfang helped them win their Hugos.
Another Chinese-American who earned a mention was Karen Bao, a graduate of Columbia University, who recently published the first installment of her sci-fi series The Dove Chronicles in China.
On a more somber note, 2016 was also the year when China lost two literary stars: Chen Zhongshi and Yang Jiang.
Contact the writers through xingyi@chinadaily.com.cn
(China Daily European Weekly 01/13/2017 page18)
Richmond-based television station operator Media General Inc. soon will be swallowed by another company.
The Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday approved the acquisition of Media General, which owns 71 television stations, including WSLS in Roanoke, by Texas-based Nexstar Broadcasting Group Inc.
The FCCs clearance was the final regulatory approval needed to complete the merger.
It comes nearly a year after the two companies announced on Jan. 27, 2016, that they would combine in a $4.6 billion cash-and-stock deal, creating one of the nations largest owners and operators of television stations under the name Nexstar Media Group.
It remained unclear Wednesday when the merger would be completed. A spokeswoman for Media General said a closing date has not been announced.
The merger already has received shareholder approval and antitrust approval from the Justice Department after the companies agreed to sell seven television stations in six markets, including WSLS, which Media General announced last year it would sell to Chicago-based Graham Media Group.
The companies agreed to sell five more stations in different markets to satisfy regulators, the FCC order showed.
The combined company would become a broadcasting behemoth by owning, operating or providing sales and other services to 171 television stations in 100 markets, reaching nearly 39 percent of U.S. households. In comparison, Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. operates 173 stations in 81 markets, including WSET in Lynchburg.
Officials with Nexstar could not be reached for comment, but the company released a statement saying the companies have completed all of the steps and satisfied all of the merger agreement conditions necessary to finalize the planned transaction.
The deal means that Media General no longer will have its headquarters in downtown Richmond, where the company was founded in 1969 as a holding company for newspapers and television properties.
The merger also caps a five-year-long transformation for Media General, starting with the companys 2012 sale of its newspapers, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, to a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Media General subsequently merged with two other broadcasting companies to expand its television holdings.
The companies have not said what will happen to Media Generals offices. A spokeswoman said there was no information to report on Wednesday.
Perry A. Sook, chairman, president and CEO officer of Nexstar Broadcasting Group, which is based in Irving, Texas, will become the top executive for the combined company.
Vincent L. Sadusky, president and CEO of Media General, will not be a part of the new company.
The FCCs approval had been delayed by an ongoing auction of broadcast spectrum, but the agency agreed to waive its own rule preventing a decision on the deal during the auction after the companies requested one.
In its decision, the FCC also rejected objections to the deal that had been filed by Cox Communications Inc., Dish Network LLC, the American Cable Association and the Communications Workers of America.
The objections had argued that the merger would give the combined company too much market power and negotiating leverage over retransmission fees, but the FCC said it found that the companies had adequately demonstrated how the merger would produce public interest benefits.
Expert says Chinese companies in UK that allow local autonomy tend to be most successful
The fastest-growing Chinese-owned companies in the United Kingdom come in all shapes and sizes - although a look at the executives reveals that they do share some things in common.
Boards are typically gender diverse, younger and willing to work alongside local management to enhance innovation, according to the authors of a new report released by accountancy firm Grant Thornton.
The Grant Thornton Tou Ying Tracker 2016, produced in collaboration with China Daily, is a compilation of the 30 fastest-growing Chinese-owned firms in the UK.
At Chinese state-owned enterprises on the list, 12 percent of board members in the UK are female. The boards of private Chinese-owned companies in Britain are 6 percent female. Both levels compare favorably with the 5.6 percent of board positions occupied by women at companies listed in the FTSE 250 Index.
Three companies in particular stand out for their gender diversity. Four of 13 board members at ICBC Standard Bank are women; two women sit on telecom giant Huawei's seven-strong board; and Bank of China subsidiary China Bridge Group has an all-female board.
The board members at fast-growing Chinese-owned companies in the UK are also younger on average than their British counterparts. In the UK, the average age of nonexecutive directors is 59; for executives it's 52. The average age of board members across the companies on the Grant Thornton list is 48.
In terms of management strategy, Simon Bevan, head of the China Britain Services Group at Grant Thornton and co-author of the report, says the Chinese companies that give more autonomy to their UK entities during and after mergers or acquisitions tend to be more successful than those that govern more rigidly from afar.
"Those companies that have devolved power in order to ensure that the acquisition is well integrated are, in my experience, more successful than those that make an acquisition from China and try to run it from China," Bevan says. "The ability of the people on the ground to make real-time decisions and to be more dynamic is a big factor in ensuring integration."
Bevan points to Fosun's 2015 takeover of nursery product brand Silver Cross as an example of a successful acquisition in which a Chinese company worked alongside an existing UK management team with limited interference.
Eight of the 14 private companies on the 2016 list are products of the M&A process, and such deals can be expected to continue in 2017 as more Chinese companies look to go global, says Angus Knowles-Cutler, China Services Group Chairman for Deloitte.
"I think there will be even more focused M&A activity from China in Europe in 2017 - and quite a lot of it. And it's going to be increasingly professional," Knowles-Cutler says. "I've seen in the past year or two Chinese businesses becoming much more professional with their merger and acquisition activity in Europe. They are taking due diligence more seriously; they are increasingly making sure what they buy is a good strategic fit."
Bevan, however, encourages Chinese companies in the UK to adhere more closely to administrative regulations, particularly as the market becomes more competitive and the Chinese presence in the UK becomes more established.
"One particularly striking thing was the high proportion of late filed accounts," Bevan says of the Chinese companies researched by Grant Thornton. "Out of 280 companies, 30 percent were late in filing. It's not the most important aspect of governance, but it's a quantitative aspect that you can say points to the fact that there is not as strong a focus on good governance as is the ideal."
angus@mail.chinadailyuk.com
( China Daily European Weekly 01/13/2017 page30)
How do DC's New Golden Age and Dawn of the DCU intersect?
The answer is they largely take place in different periods. We explain the timelines
One of China's leading business schools is inviting European entrepreneurs to a weeklong crash course on Chinese startup opportunities, including the chance to pitch to wealthy investors in Shanghai and Shenzhen.
Cheung Kong Graduate School of Businessthe alma mater of billionaire Jack Maheld an inaugural China Start program in Beijing in September. In London on Wednesday, it gave a presentation to owners of British startup companies to encourage them to sign up for a second course, in March.
CKGSB Assistant Dean Ji Bo told around 50 business people at the event: "If China is set to be the largest economy in the world, why would you not want to expand your business there?"
China Start's March course, at CKGSB's Shanghai and Shenzhen campuses, will include visits to Alibaba in Hangzhou and Huawei's R&D center in Shanghai.
The dozen startups that took part in the September course included Arveng Technology, which develops gloves fitted with fingertip chips that control drone flight. EuroPas, described by its developer as WeChat Pay for Chinese tourists, was also there.
"China has a very strong appetite for innovative technology from Europe," Ji said. "And China is full of wealthy, risk-taking investors. What our China Start program attempts to do is eliminate the challenges for people entering the market."
As well as aiding startups to overcome cultural barriers and pitch to Chinese investors, China Start helps with fundraising, and links European startups with tech partners at incubators formed in collaboration with internet heavyweights Tencent and Baidu. The course costs 3,600 pounds for startups and 10,000 pounds for investors, venture capital representatives, institutions and banks.
Tech innovation is booming in China. The Chinese government has established more than 1,600 incubators for startups across the nation, and is armed with the world's biggest war chest of venture funds. Through State and enterprise funding, about $231 billion was raised in 2015 alone, and by April 2016 almost $340 billion was available for tech investment, according to consultancy Zero2IPO Group.
Rose nominated for French Grammy
Two days ago she was nominated for a Victoires de la Musique award, dubbed the French Grammy Awards and the Brit Awards for music. It is one of the major awards in France.
The actual show is scheduled for February 10, and Rose who is currently in New York was nominated for the Music Album in the World category following the successful release of her 2016 album Far From Home that went gold in France, a first by any local artiste. Other nominees in the category are Acid Arab for Music of France and Rokia Traore for Do So. Victoires de la Musique is an annual French award ceremony where the Victoire accolade is delivered by the French Ministry of Culture to recognise outstanding achievements in the music industry that recognises the best musical artistes of the year.
Celine Dion, whose album Another Night, the second biggest hit of the year in France, was ignored in all categories of the awards.
Rose will be attending the 32nd edition of the prestigious ceremony, after which she performs at a couple other shows in France before arriving in Trinidad on February 15 for two major Carnival events, one of which will be her own full-length concert on February 24, at the Queens Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain.
At that concert Rose will have highly popular artistes guest with her on stage, along with her road musicians Drew Gonsalves, a TT/ Canadian, Corey Wallace (TT/ UK) and Jamba Eguema (Africa/ France).
No doubt patrons can look forward to hearing some of Roses big songs over the years, as well as her current hits including Abatina, Tempo, Fire Fire, Israel By Bus and Senior Citizens Day. It is hoped that the calypso queen will also give her fans Her Majesty and Thanks, the two numbers that gave her, her first National Calypso Monarch title in 1978, and of course her current mega hit, Leave Me Alone, that features Manu Chao on the original and Machel Montano on the remix.
Shortly after her local performance Rose is expected to fulfil other engagements outside of TT.
Her manager Jean Michel Gibert told Newsday yesterday that Rose is booked solidly for performances in Europe and South America from March till September 2017.
Presidential free for all
A shortage of staff includes the Office being without a legal officer and the President himself, without a personal assistant.
These were some of the revelations made by Secretary to the President and chief accounting officer of the Office of the President Gregory Serrette who yesterday also told a parliamentary Public Administration and Appropriation Committee meeting chaired by Bridgid Annisette- George that, As a result of under-staffing members of staff are regularly asked to perform excessive duties on various schedules. The Office was operating, he said, under inherent systems and procedures that need improving and updating. There is also no Comptroller of House, with the Fleet Chief Petty Officer taking on the role of Comptroller responsible for making decisions with regard to purchases.
The Office is entitled to spend $1 million to $2 million and to have its own tender committee.
Asked how he was dealing with the staff shortage, Serrette said that in the past, requests were made to the Service Commissions and the Public Management Consulting Division of the Ministry of Public Administration, but to no avail. We intend to make further requests, Serrette said.
In response, to the Office requiring an annual budget of $693,000 for replacing minor equipment, given there is no system in place for non-perishable items, Serrette said, minor expenditure covers air conditioning units, furniture, furnishing and not only non-perishable items. Also questioned was the sum of $50,000, spent annually for bulbs and tubes and allocation for a personal assist to the President, when there is none.
Asked how often was the inventory register at the Office audited, Serrette said on a quarterly basis, by the internal auditor. The last internal audit of the Office, he said, was last August/September.
Told that the last Auditor Generals report referenced that items furniture and equipment costing over $129, 000 and items costing over $300,000 were not entered into the inventory register, Serrette said, Those items were in the inventory register of the House. He said there was an inventory register for the Office and one for the House. He said the entry was subsequently entered into the household register.
The use of the Presidential Seal also came under scrutiny as it was noted that it had been used on consumables such as chocolates and beverages. To this, Serrette said, the crest was used on non-perishable items and all the items would be covered in the inventory register. However, assistant secretary Chandra Mahadeo said it was not used on perishable items, but on a chocolate wrapper which was an isolated situation where it was given to members of the diplomatic corps, during a function. She said she thinks this was entered into the inventory register.
Asked if there was a conflict of interest policy within the governing structure at the Office, Serrette said the Office follows guidelines set out by the Integrity Commission Act.
There was no instance of conflict of interest as far as I know. In terms of employing staff and there being no human resources department, and when asked about the hiring practices, a legal officer from the Office attempted to answer the question which would have involved naming President Anthony Carmona.
However, committee chair Annisette- George cautioned that the President was not being held accountable, but the chief accounting officer for the Office.
In terms of who he accounts to, Serrette said that the Office of the President does not form part of the public service and he was not part of any performance assessment.
His role and responsibilities were given to him by the Ministry of Finance.
UNC: Petrotrin privatisation coming
Lee who is also Pointe-a-Pierre MP, made his claims as he responded to comments by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley in the latters address to the nation on Wednesday night.
The tone of the Prime Ministers address could not have been clearer, which perfectly depicts Government setting up the right scenario to privatise Petrotrin, Lee said in a statement. Noting that Rowleys address focused only on Petrotrin, Lee said the PM asked the population if they are up to the task of grasping these exciting possibilities, as it relates to future decisions on Petrotrin.
Against this background, Lee said, The nation must now demand a clarion response to what are these possibilities and whose best interests are served. Lee said if Petrotrin is to be privatised, it is unfortunate that Rowley, chose to speak in economic parables without being upfront with the population. According to Lee, terms such as restructuring, burden on the economy and give ourselves the best chance to succeed, can all be interpreted as privatisation.
He claimed this interpretation was reinforced when Rowley included, his signature stroke of scaring the population with the IMF (International Monetary Fund).
Lee added that all of this, strongly suggests a radical plan with respect to Petrotrins future. The UNC chairman questioned whether Government breached and exploited the collective bargaining mechanism with the Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU), to create the perfect storm and justification for such moves.
Claiming the events of the last week involving Petrotrin were perfectly stage managed, Lee stated, The major concerns must be for those who will be directly impacted which are the employees. He added, So one must question will these possibilities include loss of jobs which have been a norm under this Rowley- led Government while what are the economic ramifications surrounding these future changes. After asking what was the OWTUs view on this, Lee concluded, There must be transparency, accountability and proper national planning with any massive change as it can severely impacted the social and economic framework of our nation.
For its part, Petrotrin yesterday in a statement said that following Rowleys address, it is pursuing objectives with greater urgency.The company also restated its commitment to continue working with its line ministry, the Corporation Sole (the Ministry of Finance) as well as employee representatives towards aligning its strategic plans in accordance with the intent of the Prime Ministers address.
NGO, Chamber in launch
Launched on Wednesday at the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce (TT Chamber), Westmoorings, Leaders Build will be held in TT on March 19.
It is one of the Habitat for Humanitys international projects, with country leaders and business executives in cities where there are Habitat for Humanity chapters, putting down their pens and smart devices to spend a few hours building homes for families with limited incomes.
Speaking about the role SMEs can play, TT Chamber President, Robert Trestrail, said Sometimes, its many hands that help to pull this off, as opposed to one large organisation.
Leaders Build (presents) a tremendous opportunity for many in the SME sector to consider a small contribution that would go towards the development of a particular home and a shelter for a family. Noting that having a place to call home is not only a benefit to the individual but to the society, as it enhances prospects for peace, security and sustainability, Trestrail said the TT Chamber hopes to encourage an even higher level of participation from among the leaders and staff of companies and corporations throughout TT during the March 19 event.
This is an opportunity to demonstrate, in the most tangible way, how business can make a difference in the lives of those considered marginalised or disenfranchised. TT Chamber CEO, Gabriel Faria, added to what Trestrail said about how, apart from smaller financial donations, businesses can donate in-kind or the use of machinery to help HFHTT and other NGOs meet their goals.
We have a CSR Committee and we have found many small companies asking, How could we contribute? We dont have the capacity to have our own CSR infrastructure, so what can we do to contribute? This (Leaders Build) is an example of how we are hoping we can bring out many of our 600 members, Faria said.
A world-renowned UK-based institute dedicated to the life and works of William Shakespeare opened a study center in China.
The Shakespeare Centre, China, is the result of collaboration between the University of Birminghams Shakespeare Institute and Nanjing University.
Academics and experts at the institute, which is based in the playwrights birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon, want to reach out to millions of Chinese people to increase access to and understanding his works.
The new center was formally inaugurated recently Nanjing.
Nanjing University has long been a beacon in Shakespeare studies in China, Professor Michael Dobson, director of the Shakespeare Institute, said. ``Its combination of academic expertise and performance tradition makes it a natural partner for the Shakespeare Institute and we are already working on collaborative research.
The opening of the center was marked by lecture on the play Hamlet and a workshop about the inter-cultural performance of Shakespeares Handan Dream - a hybrid production incorporating extracts from Shakespeare and extracts from Chinas Kun opera, performed in London last year.
Birmingham University says the Shakespeare Institute is in talks with Phoenix Publishing & Media Group, one of the largest media and publishing companies in China, about translating Shakespeares works into Mandarin.
Its also planning purpose-designed residential courses in Stratford for Nanjing students.
Founded in 1902, Nanjing University is one of Chinas oldest and most prestigious institutions. It was the only Chinese university to mount a Shakespeare festival to mark the 400th anniversary in 2016 of the playwrights death.
To contact the reporter: mikeharrisonldn@hotmail.com
A 74-year-old Massachusetts woman may have been living with the decomposing body of her sister for up to 18 months, possibly without even realizing her sister was dead, the Brookline TAB reports. According to the Boston Globe, Lynda Waldman lived alone with her 67-year-old sister, Hope Wheaton, in the $1.2 million house in Brookline. Authorities say a cousin came to the house in December to help take out the trash and found Wheaton's body under the kitchen table. Waldman appeared unaware her sister was dead and had to be informed by police, CBS Boston reports. Waldman says her sister would fall and be unable to get up. She said she would nurse Wheaton back to health with Fudgsicles and water, but Wheaton failed to get better after a fall in July 2015.
While police are waiting on the results of an autopsy, they don't suspect foul play in Wheaton's death. And while it's unclear why Waldman didn't call authorities at any point, there's no "evidence of wrongdoing." Officials describe a house that was falling apart and filled with clutter to the point of hoarding. The front of the house was boarded up, and some neighbors were unaware anyone even lived there. One neighbor says the sisters were "recluses" who never left the house; another says neighbors joked the house was haunted. (A mother's mummified remains were found in the home of an Arizona hoarder.)
President Obama brought Joe Biden to full-on tears Thursday when he presented his vice president with the country's highest civilian honor, Huffington Post reports. Obama was honoring Biden for his decades of political service when he surprised him with a special version of the Presidential Medal of Freedom that has only been given to three other people: Colin Powell, Ronald Reagan, and Pope John Paul II. Obama called Biden a "lion of American history" and the best choice he made as president because he "gained a brother." According to the Wall Street Journal, Biden admitted both he and Obama were "surprised" they became such close friends over their eight years leading the country together and said he's "indebted" to the president. (Read more Joe Biden stories.)
In mid-2015, researchers studying fitness trackers counted 500 different devices on the market. They ended up having 60 participants, including the lead researcher, wear up to 7 devices every day for as long as 11 months, and then analyzed the more than two million data points they'd collected. Reporting in the journal PLoS Biology, they say that while "portable biosensors" are marketed as fitness trackers, they can also establish one's baseline health, revealing "useful health information" ranging from personal circadian rhythms and environmental changes to very early signs of illness or disease. In other words, looped in with one's medical records, these devices could help improve preventative care.
The lead researcher, geneticist Michael Snyder, had in 2012 learned through genetic analysis that he was at risk of developing diabetes in spite of his healthy lifestyle, he reported in the journal Cell; with the multiple trackers on his wrist, he was able to track his own insulin sensitivity. He even once noticed his oxygen level, which generally dips on airplane flights, fail to return to normal when he landed in Norway. Then a mild fever set in, and he ended up being diagnosed with Lyme disease at a very early stage. "What we really want to understand is what does it mean to define a healthy state, then quickly identify deviations from that state," he tells Scientific American. He compares the effect to a car's check engine light, and adds: "It's nice to see a little light when something's not right." So which trackers do this best? That's next on Snyder's list to study. (One woman found out she was pregnant thanks to her Fitbit.)
President Obama received a briefing last week on a dossier with allegations of compromising material being held by the Russians on his successor, Joe Biden has confirmed. Biden says intelligence chiefs also briefed him on the dossier, but neither his officer nor Obama's requested more information, CNN reports. Bidenwho says he read the entire 35-page report distributed by intelligence agenciestells the AP that Obama wondered: "What does this have to do with anything?" Biden says intelligence leaders responded: "Well, we feel obliged to tell you, Mr. President, because you may hear about it," and because they had told Donald Trump about the dossier. Senators say the Intelligence Committee was also briefed.
Biden tells the AP that Trump shouldn't be publicly attacking intelligence officialsor making comparisons to Nazi Germany. He says it is "very damaging" for a president "to take one of the crown jewels of our national defense and denigrate it," he says. "It plays into, particularly now, the Russian narrative that America doesn't know what it's doing." Biden says at least five foreign leaders have contacted him with their concerns about Trump's criticism of intelligence agencies. He says that he's been sending his own successor, Mike Pence, advice on tricky relationships with foreign leaders and on "the things that could explode most easily." (On Thursday, Obama gave Biden the country's highest civilian honor.)
"If they were going to inconvenience me then I was going to inconvenience them," says Nick Stafford of employees at his local DMV, which received 298,745 unrolled pennies weighing 1,548 pounds on Wednesday. Stafford's payment came after months of butting heads with DMV workers. The Cedar Bluff, Va., man says he attempted to call the Lebanon DMV in September with a "30-second question"an inquiry about registering a new carbut reached a call center in Richmond and was put on hold for more than an hour. He then got a number for the Lebanon DMV through a Freedom of Information Act request, but was told it wasn't for public use, per the Bristol Herald Courier. Employees eventually answered his question, but wouldn't give up the numbers to nine other local DMVs, Stafford saysso he sued for them.
The suits were dismissed Tuesday, but Stafford did end up getting those numbers, which he posted online. And as a further inconvenience, Stafford opted to pay $2,987.45 in sales tax for two cars with penniesfive wheelbarrows full of them. He bought the wheelbarrows for $400 and paid 11 people $10 per hour to break open rolls of pennies over four hours, meaning the scheme cost him $840. DMV workers spent 12 hours counting his pennies, which jammed a coin-counting machine, reports BuzzFeed. Considering such an enormous task, they were surprisingly "respectful and accommodating," Stafford says on his website. "Moral of the story, NEVER, ever, tell a slightly rebellious, yet knowledgeable and well informed tax paying citizen... he is not 'allowed' to call a phone number that HE is already paying for." (This guy paid his speeding ticket in pennies.)
El Salvador, one of the world's deadliest countries, has recorded a rare day without a single homicide. National Civil Police commissioner Howard Cotto said at a news conference Thursday that no murders were reported the previous day in the gang-plagued Central American nation. The last time the country went a full day without any killings was Jan. 22, 2015, according to records kept by the AP. It also happened once in 2013 and on two days the year before that.
The nation of about 6 million people averaged 14.4 murders a day last year. Killings peaked at 104 per 100,000 residents in 2015, the highest rate for any nation not in open war that year. The rate in the US, by comparison, was 3.9; in Canada, it was 1.5. Homicides in El Salvador fell by about 20% in 2016, but it was still one of the most violent countries, with 81.2 murders per 100,000 residents. Warring gangs known as "maras" are involved in drug trafficking, organized crime, and extortion rackets in the country. (Read more El Salvador stories.)
C-SPAN says it's looking into a weird incident Thursday afternoon, when live coverage of Congress was replaced by the Kremlin-funded news channel Russia Today. The bizarre switcheroo happened around 2:30pm when Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters was speaking about the SEC and had mentioned Donald Trump and Russia repeatedly, Politico reports. In video of the switch, Waters is abruptly replaced by a live RT feed for about 10 minutes. C-SPAN says that since RT is one of the networks that it monitors, they believe this was nothing more sinister than "an internal routing issue."
In a statement, C-SPAN said it does not believe it was hacked, but that it takes "network security very seriously and will continue with a deeper investigation, which may take some time." Waters tells the New York Times that she finds the incident very strange. "At a time when our intelligence agencies are very confident and basically have confirmed that Russia hacked the DNC and other political interests, and then we have, while I'm on the floor of the House, talking about Trump and Russia, I get interfered with and interrupted by Russia Today," she says. (In September, Trump was criticized for speaking to RT about the election.)
A suspect is dead and an Arizona state trooper is recovering in the hospital after what authorities say was a rare case of a passerby using deadly force to assist an officer. Authorities say that when the passing motorist arrived at the scene of a vehicle rollover at a rural section of Interstate 10 early Thursday, he found the suspect beating trooper Edward Andersson, who had already been shot, CNN reports. The motorist asked the officer if he needed help, authorities say. When the trooper said yes, the man, who was with his wife, went back to his vehicle for his gun, told the suspect to stop, and then fatally shot the suspect after he refused to comply. Another motorist used the trooper's radio to call authorities.
Police say Andersson, a 27-year veteran of the force, was investigating a separate report of shots fired at the scene when he found the vehicle that had rolled over, reports the Arizona Republic. The trooper was setting down flares when he was ambushed by the suspect, whose shots injured the trooper's gun hand. The suspect was pounding Andersson's head on the pavement when the motorist arrived, authorities say. "My trooper would not be alive without his assistance," Arizona Department of Public Safety Director Frank Milstead says, per the AP. Andersson is being treated for gunshot wounds in the chest and shoulder. Investigators say a woman apparently ejected from the vehicle during the rollover was found dead at the scene. (Read more Arizona stories.)
A 46-year-old Delaware woman had this to say about the 13-year-old she raped: "He is so cute with a nice ass body. I asked him what in the world are u doing with a body like that at 13..." That text, among others and DNA evidence, led to Elaine B. Goodman's arrest; she pleaded guilty to fourth-degree rape in November. And though the Dover woman faced up to 15 years in jail, she was on Thursday sentenced to two years probation, reports the News Journal. Though in an earlier report, Delaware State News predicted she wouldn't be handed the max, it noted that the offense's "presumptive sentencing range" was up to 2.5 years for a first-time conviction.
Judge Robert B. Young called the sex act "an aberration" on Goodman's part, saying that while it was an "egregious" crime, incarceration was not the proper punishment. Per court documents, Goodman and the boy, at the time her daughter's boyfriend, met about 1am on March 15, 2015, drove around the area, then parked and climbed into the backseat before parting around 4:30am. Prosecutors contend the teen is now "hurt, embarrassed and it is affecting his schooling." Per stats cited by RAINN, "1 in 53 boys under the age of 18 experience sexual abuse or assault at the hands of an adult." (Read more rape stories.)
One of the themes emerging from coverage of this week's confirmation hearings is points on which Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees have disagreed with him on major issues. Examples from the New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal:
Retired Gen. James Mattis, the defense chief nominee, "classified Russia as the principal threat to the US and expressed little hope that Washington would develop a substantive partnership with Moscow, as Mr. Trump has suggested." (The Journal) Mattis also said the US must abide by the "imperfect arms-control agreement" with Iran that Trump has threatened to dismantle because "when America gives her word, we have to live up to it and work with our allies." (The Post)
Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson's comments on climate change didn't sync with Trump's prior statements that it is a hoax, saying America must "maintain its seat at the table on the conversations around how to address the threats of climate change, which do require a global response." (The Post) Retired Marine Corps Gen. John F. Kelly, picked to lead Homeland Security, didn't sound enthused about Trump's plan for a border wall with Mexico. "A physical barrier in and of itself will not do the job, he said, adding, it has to be really a layered defense. (The Times) Trump has said he would bring back waterboarding, but his pick to run the CIA, Mike Pompeo, is opposed. Pompeo said he would "absolutely not" follow orders from the president to use the interrogation technique. (The Journal) Attorney General nominee Jeff Sessions also called waterboarding illegal, and, when asked about Trump's proposed ban on Muslim immigrants (one he has since modified to refer to troubled nations, not religion) said, "I have no belief, and I do not support the idea that Muslims, as a religious group, should be denied admission to the United States." (The Times)
On Friday morning, Trump himself didn't sound concerned about the disagreements. "All of my Cabinet [nominees] are looking good and doing a great job," he tweeted . "I want them to be themselves and express their own thoughts, not mine! (Read more President Trump stories.)
Leaving a trail of swastikas in their wake is generally not a goal of consumers, which is why a California company is pulling a version of its "military combat boots" from stores. In a post viewed more than 3 million times, a Reddit user described receiving his Polar Fox boots from Conal International Trading Inc., only to discover that they left a trail of swastikas in his footprints thanks to some oddly shaped tread, something "I didn't get to see when ordering my new work boots," the man wrote, per the Raleigh News & Observer.
Users commented that the boots "weren't the reich size" and were "good for marching into Poland" but not much else. A German magazine also observed that, strangely, Polar Fox was the name given to a German operation to take a Soviet town during World War II. In a statement, Conal International calls the design "an obvious mistake made by our manufacturers in China" and says the boots will be removed from shelves. They have already been scrubbed from Amazon, per the Los Angeles Times. (Read more swastikas stories.)
How high is too high for a pile of chicken manure? Eight feet, apparently. Chicken waste is an excellent fertilizer, but with the growing season still weeks away it's piling up in barns across the South. To reduce the risk of fire from spontaneous combustion, poultry experts are warning farmers that piles 6 to 7 feet high are high enough. One pile caught fire in western Arkansas this week, triggering a wildfire that destroyed a mobile home. "This hit the sweet spot," said Karl VanDevender, a professor and extension engineer for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, after describing the mix of moisture, texture, and decomposition needed to produce a burning pile of waste.
Normal composting at 130 to 145 degrees will kill pathogens, but extra moisture in the stack can help drive temperatures over 170 degrees, raising the risk of a fire, he said. "If you see smoke, it's kind of iffy. If you break in, you may introduce oxygen and set it off. Have water nearby," he said. The manure stack that caught fire Wednesday was 8 or 9 feet high. It set nearby hay ablaze and then flames jumped a highway and raced away on a steady 25 mph wind. It took about four hours to douse the flames; no one was injured. Arkansas is among the nation's leading poultry-producing states, with Georgia and Maryland, reports the AP. (Read more manure stories.)
Chelsea Manning is holding out hope that President Obama will commute her 35-year sentence for leaking government secrets in his final days in office. While that decision awaits, the New York Times provides a look at Manning's life inside a men's military prison in Kansas. It begins at 4:30am, when she rises about a half-hour before men in adjacent cells to put on makeup and female undergarments. Her days are spent in the wood shop working on furniture or similar projects, and her evenings are spent reading and writing. I am always busy," she tells the Times in a written response to questions. "I have a backlog of things to do: legal, administrative, press inquiries, and writinglots of writing. Being me is a full-time job." But it's not an easy job, she says: "I am living through a cycle of anxiety, anger, hopelessness, loss, and depression," Manning wrote in her petition to Obama.
She also says her body has undergone "significant changes" as a result of hormone therapy inside the USDB prison at Fort Leavenworth. She's developed breasts, for example. Manning, who has had speech therapy and counseling but has not been allowed to have sex-reassignment surgery, says she is not abused by other inmates or guards. Its best to keep to yourself and try not to get involved in any drama, she says, adding that's it's trickier in her case because guards are constantly watching her. (She's attempted suicide twice.) "But Im used to it by now. I dont feel threatened by the other prisoners. I have friends. In a tweet Thursday, WikiLeaks again said Julian Assange would agree to extradition to the US if Manning is freed, per AFP. Edward Snowden has also called for Manning's immediate release. (Read more Chelsea Manning stories.)
An incredible story out of Floridaand, now, South Carolina. Kamiyah Mobley, taken from her mother's Jacksonville hospital room when she was just 8 hours old in 1998, has been found alive and healthy in Walterboro, SC. The Times-Union reports her current identity is being withheld, but it's been revealed she was living with Gloria Williams, 51, who has been charged with kidnapping and interference with custody. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office tweets that a recent tip from @MissingKids got the ball rolling again. They found a woman with the same birth date in Walterboro, and DNA tests clinched it. "We believe the victim may have known she was a kidnapping victim," the JSO tweeted, though News4Jax reports Kamiyah grew up believing Williams to be her birth mother.
The case garnered 2,500 tips over the years, was featured on America's Most Wanted, and had a $250,000 reward attached to it. But there were challenges from the start: No picture had yet been taken of the newborn, so the best police had to go on was a composite sketch. On July 10, 1998, a woman believed by the family to be a nurse told Shanara Mobley that her newborn needed to be checked for a fever and removed the child from the room. Surveillance video proved to be too grainy to lead to a clear identification of the suspect. Times-Union reporter Tessa Duvall tweets that Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams says he does not believe Williams was on the initial suspects list. First Coast News reports Shanara Mobley sued what was then University Medical Center and got a $1.5 million settlement. (Read more missing child stories.)
Facebook is currently working on a Journalism Project which will strengthen its ties with the media. It may collaborate closely with more publishing tools and provide training for journalists to use the platform effectively.
Facebook's vice president of global operations and media partnerships, Justin Osofsky shares in a report that the team wants to work with publishers. This will enable these publishers to build their own products in an effective way. This project also will help the publishers to connect with audiences in a different way.
The company is aware of the responsibility that they have especially in delivering news to people. There are more users now that get the latest news from Facebook. This is a big responsibility and the company is working on spreading the latest credible news to the people using the social media platform.
Facebook's Journalism Project is introduced by the director of the product, Fidji Simo. He shares that this project will establish ties with the news industry. The company also aims to provide a collaborative platform for the people.
This new project will provide a venue for open conversations. The company has worked with several news organizations but it seeks to venture further. Facebook is set to have collaboration with a wide spectrum in giving out the news.
Meanwhile, this new Journalism Project of "Facebook" can help the company face the criticisms it got from news dissemination. This new move from the company entails for its responsibility towards any news that is released from the social media platform.
According to a report, the plan for this project was done prior to the fake news criticism that "Facebook" got especially during the presidential elections. As part of this project, the company is going to meet up with different publishers in the U.S. and in Europe.
The meetings will be on how the media can collaborate with "Facebook" in this new project. This way people with the account can get credible news from this platform.
Scientists recently discovered a new species and named it after a Star Wars character. This new species is named "Skywalker hoolock gibbon."
According to a report, the scientists named the new species "Skywalker" since the Chinese characters of its scientific name translates to 'heaven's movement.' The species has been discovered in eastern Myanmar and southwestern China.
The hoolock gibbon is 32 inches tall and does not have a tail. The weight of the gibbons differs, a female weighs 13 pounds and a male weighs 15 pounds. This is according to the Wisconsin Primate Research Library.
Additionally, the "Skywalker Hoolock Gibbons" have white eyebrows, white beard and unusual calls. These species are only 200 in population and they are considered endangered. Another reason why the new species has been named after "Skywalker" is because the scientist who discovered it. This news about the new species getting the name of a Star Wars character has been greeted by Mark Hamill. He plays Luke Skywalker in Star Wars.
Hamill posted a message on his Twitter account acknowledging the discovery of this new species. Meanwhile, there are already hoolock gibbons found in the mountain forests. These are the western and eastern hoolocks.
This new discovery is the third kind of hoolock gibbon. This third and new species of hoolock gibbon has the scientific name Hoolock Tianxing. This then led the scientists to name it Skywalker hoolock gibbon since Tianxing means 'heaven's movement' or 'skywalker.'
Also, the name skywalker refers to the movement of this type of hoolock gibbon. It moves rapidly through the canopy of the forest. This species is also considered a mystical being because of the Chinese belief and these species are highly venerated. They are considered to be above other mortal animals.
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New Delhi:
Internets oldest surviving browser Opera has come up with a new concept browser Neon. According to field experts, the aim of the browser is primarily to try out a few interesting experiment rather than replacing main browser.
Despite being oldest surviving browser on the Internet, Opera is the first one amongst major companies to launch an experimental browser.
After being sold to a consortium of Chinese companies last year, Opera is now doing its part to mix things up with the launch of Opera Neon, an experimental desktop browser for Windows and Mac that tries to reimagine what a modern browser should look like.
Neons homepage looks far different than any other browsers. The moment you open Neon, youll notice that this is not your average browser. There is no task bar or bookmarks bar (though the team kept the concept of the URL bar alive).
Instead of having tabs at the top, you get round bubbles on the right. It automatically grabs your desktops background image and uses that as the background image of your new tabs page
Though it still includes shortcuts to bookmarks and top websites, theyre displayed as floating bubbles that are overlaid on your desktop wallpaper. Theres no discrete address bar either; theres just a line above all the floating balls asking you to type something in. Visually, its very cool.
There are neat little animations as websites are pulled up and minimized back into their bubbles, but the animations are pretty sluggish right now in a way that hampers your ability to use the browser.
The verdict: Try it out if you want to experiment new browser, but it is not yet fit to replace your main browser yet. But Opera Neon sure gives an insight into future possibilities.
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New Delhi:
Allahabad's famous doctor Ashwini Kumar Bansal was shot dead by unknown assailants on Thursday. Dr Bansal is a renowned surgeon and the Director of Jeevan Jyoti Hospital Ram Bagh.
The culprits pretended to be patients to enter the hospital and fired six shots at the doctor's head and shoulder.
According to reports, Dr Bansal was consulting patients when two men entered his chambers. One stood outside while other walked in and shot him in the head.
Reports quoting alleged eye-witness ward boy Shailendra say that the culprit shot six times before hospital staff rushed to help.
The doctor was soon taken Kriti Scanning Centre for emergency care where he passed away.
The local police have registered a case but there was no information about the shooters until Friday morning.
The sources say that Dr Bansal was embroiled in several legal matters. He was also attacked with a bomb three months ago.
BJP state president Keshav Maurya is a stake-holder in Dr Bansal's Jeevan Jyoti Hospital. It is also said that he recenty got into some land battle with Samajwadi Party's strongman and MLA Vijay Mishra.
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New Delhi:
Two officials of a road construction company shot dead in Bihar's Chhapra. Police begin the investigation.
Unidentified assailants shot dead two employees of a road construction company near a village in Bihar's Saran district, a police officer said on Friday.
The assailants raided the camp office near Bhagwanpurvillage last night and shot dead its two employees Lalbabu Mishra (35) and Dharmavir Kumar Rai (34), Superintendent of Police Pankaj Kumar Raj said.
The motive behind the murder of the two road construction company's employees was under investigation, he said.
Also Read: Ramvilas Paswan stable, doctors keep watch over him in ICU
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Lucknow:
Citing Supreme Courts order which outlaws seeking votes in the name of religion or caste, BJP on Friday moved the state Election Commission against Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi following his claims of seeing partys symbol in the photos of gods and saints.
A BJP delegation led by former MLC Shayam Nandan Singh, met the Chief Electoral officer(CEO) of the state, T Venktesh, and requested him to take action against the Congress vice president and his party.
The delegation which also handed over a video footage of Rahul Gandhs speech, alleged that the comments were against the recent Supreme Courts order.
Rahul Gandhis behaviour is not only violative of the apex courts orders but also against section 123 (3) of Representation of the Peoples Act 1951, they said.
The delegation also demanded disqualification the Congress. On Wednesday, Rahul had stated at a party function that he found his partys symbol (hand or palm) in the images of gods.
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New Delhi:
Delhi High Court on refused to stop Nursery admission process in Delhi schools. In its order, the high court said that the criterion of both government and private schools should be included in admission forms uploaded on website.
The Delhi HC also issued notice to Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Government on schools and parents' pleas challenging the new nursery admission norms.
Earlier on , another bench of the high court had pulled up the AAP government for coming out with nursery admission norms at the "eleventh hour" which has not only caused "chaos and confusion" but also wasted "valuable" judicial time.
Also Read: Nursery admissions begin in Delhi amidst confusion over criteria in several schools
Two groups representing private unaided schools have challenged a condition in the letter allotting DDA land to them under which admissions have been restricted to the locality where these institutions are situated.
The two school bodies and some parents have also challenged the Delhi government's nursery admission norms which enforces the clause in the DDA allotment letter, thereby restricting admission in these institutions located on DDA land to their respective neighbourhoods.
The Action Committee of Unaided Recognised Private Schools and Forum for Promotion of Quality Education, who have moved the court, argued that the neighbourhood restriction was?"not reasonable".
More Read: Nursery admissions 2017: Delhi L-G nod to guidelines for schools on DDA
They said that under the Right to Education Act of 2009, 25 per cent of the seats were reserved in private unaided schools for children belonging to poorer sections of society and disadvantaged groups who lived in the neighbourhood.
It said that ever since this reservation under the Act has come into force, it "supersedes and subsumes within it" all prior contractual and other agreements, including the DDA allotment letter.
"So there is no harking back to any letter of allotment," they contended.
The parents have said that while they were not concerned with?the terms of the allotment letter, they were opposed to Delhi?government's decision as it restricted their choice or right to decide where to send their children for study.
"This choice or right cannot be restricted by an executive order," they said.
Meanwhile, Delhi government has said that by a circular of , they have extended that last date for submission of applications to from.
The admission process had started from .
298 private unaided schools on DDA land were affected by the nursery admission guidelines which state that such institutes "shall not refuse admission to the residents of the locality".
Defining what neighbourhood would mean, the guidelines say that students residing within one km of the school will be?preferred and if seats are not filled, preference will be given to students residing within 1-3 kms of the school.
"Students residing beyond 6 kms shall be admitted only in case vacancies remain unfilled even after considering all the students within 6 km area," as per the guidelines.
The first list of selected candidates, including those in the wait list, along with marks allotted under point system, will be announced by schools on , as per the admission schedule released by the Delhi government.
With inputs from PTI
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New Delhi:
Amid growing chorus for holding Jallikattu this year during Pongal, animal welfare body PETA on Thursday said the purpose of festival is to thank the nature which cannot be achieved by tormenting bulls and causing injuries and deaths to people and bulls.
PETAs remarks came on a day when the Supreme Court rejected a plea urging it to pass judgement on bull taming sport Jallikattu before the harvest festival of Pongal on Saturday.
The court had reserved its verdict on a batch of petitions challenging Centres notification allowing the sport.
The Tamil Nadu government has also asked the Centre to consider promulgating an ordinance for removing the legal impediments to enable the conduct of the sport.There is so much more to Pongal festival than taunting bulls, including praying, singing songs, garlanding and decorating bulls, eating sweets, providing God with offerings, and more.
Also read | Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu: SC rejects plea, calls it unfair to ask the bench to pass an order
The purpose of the festival is to thank the nature and celebrate life (something that cant be achieved by tormenting bulls and causing human and bull injuries and deaths), Director of Veterinary Affairs of PETA Indiam Manilal Valliyate said.
Among the types of cruelty banned under Indian law are dogfighting, cockfighting, bullfighting, bull racing, the use of certain species of animals in performances such as for circuses and film and more.
Cruel practices inherent in bull races, bullfighting, and Jallikattu are prohibited under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the use of bulls in performances was banned by the then Environment Ministry in 2011. Bulls across the nation are afforded this protection not only those in Tamil Nadu.
In 2014, the Supreme Court confirmed that spectacles such as bull races, bullfights, and Jallikattu violate Indian law. While Jallikattu is more prevalent in Tamil Nadu, bullfights are more common in Goa and bull races in Maharashtra, Punjab, and elsewhere, he said.
There has been a growing chorus for holding bull taming sport Jallikattu, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the Centre to consider promulgating an ordinance to enable the conduct of the sport.
AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala has also written a letter to the Prime Minister, noting that the ban on the bull taming sport had caused resentment in the state.
A 27-member delegation led by Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai met Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave on Wednesday and also submitted a memorandum to the Prime Ministers Office in this regard.
Also read | Lohri, Pongal, Makar Sakranti: India celebrates harvest festivals
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New Delhi:
Harvest festivals Lohri and Bogi Pongal are being celebrated across the nation on Friday. While Lohri is primarily associated with Punjabi culture, Pongal is predominantly a Tamil festival, celebrated in Tamil Nadu and parts of South East Asia. Pongal is a four-day festival and first day is called Bogi Pongal.
Lohri and Bogi Pongal will be followed by Makar Sakranti and Thai Pongal along with beginning of Bihu festival on Saturday.
Lohri 2017: Significance and ritual
Celebrated on January 13 every year, Lohri commemorates the passing of the winter solstice. The festival represents the longest night before the winter solstice as it was originally celebrated on the night before winter solstice followed by the shortest day of the year which is observed in Magh, in the Hindu lunar calendar.
On this day, people lit a bonfire and distribute food made of Til (sesame seeds), peanuts and jiggery, including gazak, rewari, patti, puffed corns and rice, etc.
In pics: Harvest festival Lohri marks end of winter
Bogi Pongal 2017: Significance and ritual
Pongal is a four days festival and the first day is known as Bogi Pandigai. On this day people clean their homes and light bonfire to discard unused items.
The most important day of Pongal is known as Thai Pongal. Thai Pongal which is the second day of the four days festivity is also celebrated as Sankranti.
Thai Pongal day is celebrated by boiling freshly harvested rice with fresh milk and jaggery in a new clay pot. While boiling the concoction, people let the milk spill over the pot as an auspicious sign of material abundance and prosperity.
Later the concoction of rice, milk and jaggery, known as Pongal, is topped with brown sugar, Ghee, cashew nuts and raisins. Freshly cooked Pongal is first offered to the Sun God as a gratitude for good harvesting and later served on banana leaves to the people present in the home for the ceremony. Traditionally Pongal is cooked at sunrise at an open place.
Thai Pongal is the first day of Thai month according to Tamil Solar Calendar. Thai is the tenth solar month in Tamil Calendar. Thai Masam is known as Makar in other Hindu calendars.
Next day of Thai Pongal is known as Mattu Pongal. Cattles are decorated and worshipped on Mattu Pongal day. The last and final day of Pongal is known as Kaanum Pongal. It is time for family reunions in Tamil Nadu.
Makar Sakranti 2017: Significance and ritual
Makara Sankranti 2017 is one of the most celebrated festivals in India but astrologically, it is the day when Sun begins its movement away from the tropic of Capricorn and towards the northern hemisphere. Sun will start appearing to rise towards North-East for next 6 months.
This year, Sun moves into Capricorn (Makara Rasi) at 05:15 IST on 14 January 2017.As Makara Sankranti in 2017 happens before sunrise on 14th January, all rituals should be done after Sunrise on same day and completed before noon. On this day, people take bath in holy water across nation and offer prayers to Sun God. The day is associated with auspicious beginning and donations.
Bihu 2017: Significance and ritual
Assam is set to celebrate Magh Bihu starting from Saturday January 14. The origin of the term Bihu came from the Sankrit word that means Vishu.
It is the cheerful festival of Assam that is celebrated by the locals irrespective of caste, creed and beliefs. In a year Assamese celebrate three different kinds of Bihu festival that is Bohaag Bihu in the middle of April month, Maagh Bihu in the middle of January month and Kaati Bihu in the middle of October month.
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Khagaria:
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday to order liquor ban in all BJP-ruled states in order to create a "favourable environment" for prohibition in the entire country.
"I thank Prime Minister for praising bringing prohibition in Bihar. I also praise him (PM) for effectively implementing liquor ban in his home state Gujarat during 12 years of his chief ministership," he said addressing 'Chetna Sabha' here.
"I urge the PM to implement prohibition in the entire country and to create a favourable environment for it he should get liquor ban promulgated in the BJP-ruled states," Kumar said.
During th 350th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh in Bihar, PM Modi had lauded Kumar for effectively implementing prohibition in the state and had appealed to all political parties and social groups to join the campaign to ensure its success.
Kumar, whose government declared Bihar a dry state in April last year, has taken it on a mission mode and is moving across Bihar through his 'Nishchay Yatra' to get the feedback from people on banning trade and consumption of alcohol, both domestic and Indian-Made Foreign Liquor.
He also spoke about the praise by Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama for prohibition. The Dalai Lama, who is in Bodh Gaya in connection with Kalachakra Puja being attended by devotees of 80 countries, has also praised Kumar for trying to ensure complete ban on liquor and urged followers not to touch it.
Kumar highlighted the positive results of prohibition from April 2016, when it was imposed, to November 2016 while claiming that there had been a substantial drop in heinous crimes like murder, dacoity, kidnapping and loot besides road accidents.
He said there was increase in the sales of milk, sweets, readymade clothes and sewing machines among other items from money saved from liquor consumption.
Kumar appealed to people to participate in the mammoth human chain on January 21 to express their commitment to liquor ban and welcomed the support extended to it by BJP. "All protests against prohibition will vanish when everybody unites against it," he said.
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New Delhi:
Delhiites on Friday woke up shivering morning as the minimum temperature was recorded at 4 degrees Celsius, two degrees below normal.
Chilly winds continued to make inclement weather more difficult for people, as poor visibility in the morning affected rail services. Flight services, however, were not affected as such.
Northern states reeled under nippy cold wave conditions on Friday with mercury dipping below the freezing point in many areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, while two persons died due to cold in Himachal Pradesh.
In Delhi mercury plummeted to 2 degree Celsius on Thursday.
Rail services were hit by poor visibility in the morning.Twenty-five trains delayed, eight rescheduled and two trains were cancelled due to fog.
Cold wave continues in Kanpur, people gather around temporary alcoves pic.twitter.com/x5uEmUiyxX a ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 13, 2017
The drop in temperature has also created hazardous conditions in terms of air quality as particles are trapped in lower atmosphere. Air quality was recorded at 405 (Hazardous) around Sector 11 in Gurugram.
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Patna:
Union Minister and LJP president Ramvilas Paswan, who was admitted to the ICU of a hospital in Patna late on Thursday evening after he complained of breathlessness, is stable now, doctors attending on him said on Friday.
Paswanjis health is stable now, Doctor Pramod Kumar, head of cardiology unit of Paras HMRI Hospital where the minister is admitted told PTI.
Kumar is among the team of doctors keeping a close watch over the 70-year-old Minister.
Doctor Sanjeev Kumar of AIIMS Patna, another member of the team treating the minister, also said that Paswans health condition is stable now.
A team of doctors are examining him, he said.
RC Meena, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Paswan, said that a decision to shift the minister to Delhi would be taken later in the day as per recommendations of the doctors attending on him.
Ashraf Ansari, spokesman of LJP said, party workers were thronging the hospital after hearing of Paswans health condition.
Bihar LJP president Pashupati Kumar Paras, who is brother of the minister, had said that after a complaint of breathlessness, Paswan was taken to the hospital around 8:30 PM on Thursday and admitted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Paswan, Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs, earlier arrived in Patna hospital on Thursday on a four-day tour of the state during which he had some political engagements in Patna, Khagaria, Begusarai and Mokamah before hosting Makarsankranti feast in Patna on January 15.
Doctor Sanjeev Kumar of AIIMS Patna had last night said that Paswan was suffering from Left Ventricular Failure caused by drop of oxygen in the body but was stable and responding to treatment.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar personally talked to the doctors to enquire about the health of Paswan.
Governor Ramnath Kovind and RJD president Lalu Prasad also enquired about the health of Paswan.
Prasad, accompanied by his sons Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, who is Health Minister of Bihar, paid a visit to the Paras Hospital to see Paswan.
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New Delhi:
The Supreme Court on Friday refused to pass any fresh order to stop cockfights in Andhra Pradesh.
A bench comprising Chief Justice JS Khehar and Justice DY Chandrachud declined to pass the order when it was submitted that the Andhra Pradesh High Court direction in this regard is not being followed.
The fresh plea of activist Gauri Maullekhi was mentioned by senior advocate Siddharth Lights who said the HC order banning cockfights in the state is not being followed by the state administration.
The request is declined, the bench said.
Cockfights are popular in Andhra Pradesh during the Sankranti festival. Betting worth crores of rupees takes place during the traditional sport.
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New Delhi:
The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to accord an urgent hearing to a plea challenging deportation of two Sudan nationals to their strife-torn homeland.
We will hear at 2 PM, a bench comprising Chief Justice JS Khehar and Justice DY Chandrachud said when senior advocate Colin Gonsalves sought an urgent hearing on the plea of the Sudan nationals.
He said they might be killed if deported to Sudan, facing internal strife.
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New Delhi:
Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Friday said that soldiers must raise their grievances internally rather than putting them up on social media.
Addressing a press conference Rawat referred to BSF jawans video who had complained about poor food quality and near starvation situations faced by the troops.
Whoever has any complaint can tell me directly, the Army Chief said. Grievance boxes have been placed in Army HQs, whoever has a complaint can submit there, we will address, he added.
After BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav put up a video on social media complaining about the alleged substandard food that is being given to troops, other personnel have also come forward reporting their plight.
The Army Chief reiterated on using the suggestion and grievance boxes in the Army headquarters for any complaints.
This press conference, which is held on eve of the Army Day, is very relevant to us, as I would like to reach every jawan through you (media). We are one team and we work as one force to ensure India is secure and peaceful, he said.
He also stressed on the need to counter the enemy who will try their tactics to destroy Indias secular fabric.
ALSO READ | Watch | BSF Jawan narrates agony on 'poor food', blames senior officials of persecution
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New Delhi:
A series of explosions ripped through a military airport on the western outskirts of Damascus overnight on Friday, Syrian state TV reported.
According to reports at least 10 people killed and 17 was injured in suicide bombing in Damascus.
An English Daily correspondent heard several explosions and saw a large fire inside the Mazzeh military airport, with smoke visible across the capital. State news agency SANA also reported the blasts and said that ambulances were rushing to the scene.
SANA TV, which is close to the regime, said the airport had been bombed. Syrian sources have reported several Israeli air strikeson Syrian territory in the course of the civil war, including in the Mazzeh area. Contacted by AFP, the Israeli army had no comment on the report.
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Mr. Ciruli is the Director of the Crossley Center for Public Opinion Research at the University of Denvers Josef Korbel School of International Studies. He is an adjunct professor teaching public opinion and foreign policy. The Crossley Center conducts research and presents live and virtual programs on foreign policy, politics, public policy and public opinion.
Mr. Ciruli holds a law degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. and a bachelors degree cum laude in political science from UCLA. He is a member of the American Association of Public Opinion Research (AAPOR), and is the past-president of the Pacific Chapter of AAPOR (PAPOR). Mr. Ciruli is a board member of the Social Science Foundation of the University of Denver Josef Korbel School of International Studies and past-president of the Georgetown Law Alumni Board and the Denver Athletic Club.
DANBURY - Four New York men who police say where shooting a handgun at a park in the citys downtown Thursday afternoon have been arrested.
Police said they were responding to reports that several gunshots had been heard near the water tower in Tarrywile Park when they found four young men who initially refused to raise their hands when instructed by officers but were later taken into custody.
Australia immigration policy unsustainable: HRW
Australia,Immigration/Law/Rights, Fri, 13 Jan 2017 IANS
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Canberra, Jan 13 (IANS) Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Friday urged Australia to take action to end the "unsustainable" policy of processing asylum applications in third-party countries.
HRW's Australia director Elaine Pearson told Efe news that Australia is responsible for the situation of asylum seekers and refugees who have been in limbo for over three years in processing centres on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island and Nauru.
Around 2,000 people, including women and children, who tried to reach Australia by sea, are still waiting for their asylum applications to be processed at these Australian offshore centres, Pearson said.
However, once they are approved and recognized as refugees, they will be sent to third-party countries.
Various human rights organisations have for years criticized Australia for this policy.
According to NGO reports, the mental problems suffered by some of the asylum seekers are exacerbated by long periods in detention, in addition to alleged sexual harassment and other physical and psychological abuses they faced in the centres.
Pearson said that Australia must urgently find a suitable solution, as the conditions at the centres in both Papua New Guinea and Nauru make it impossible to receive refugees. Papua New Guinea's Supreme Court declared its centre illegal in 2016.
Australia recently agreed with the US to receive an indefinite number of refugees, but with the upcoming change in the US presidency, this solution is "quite improbable", according to the HRW's Australia director.
The UN has also criticized the existence of these detention centres and describes the precarious living conditions to which the asylum seekers are subjected to as "inhumane".
Many of the migrants detained in Nauru and Papua New Guinea have fled conflicts from countries and territories such as Afghanistan, Darfur, Pakistan, Somalia and Syria, while others have faced discrimination in their homelands or were stateless peoples such as the Rohingya minority in Myanmar.
--IANS
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"Possible" to clear IS bastion in Iraq before summer: Hollande
France,Terrorism, Fri, 13 Jan 2017 IANS
Paris, Jan 13 (IANS) The international coalition and local forces fighting the Islamic State (IS) terrorists could take back Mosul, the group's stronghold in Iraq before summer after making major advances in the city area, French President Francois Hollande said on Thursday.
"In Iraq, the coalition operation allowed to reconquest of a large part of the lost territory thanks to the help of Iraqi forces and Peshmergas," Xinhua quoted Hollande as saying.
"IS is retreating and the objective is to oust it from Mosul ... I think it's possible ... to liberate the city before summer," he added.
France was one of the first European countries to join the US-led coalition against IS. Its fighter jets have bombed the group in Iraq since 2014.
--IANS
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Akbar condoles death of UAE diplomats in Kandahar attack
Delhi,National,Terrorism,Diplomacy, Fri, 13 Jan 2017 IANS
New Delhi, Jan 13 (IANS) Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar on Friday condoled the death of several UAE nationals and injuries to the UAE ambassador to Afghanistan in a terrorist attack earlier this week.
Condoling the deaths, Akbar said in a tweet: "Shared pain, anguish of UAE over barbaric terrorist attack on their diplomats in Kandahar. Conveyed condolences to UAE people and leadership."
He went to the United Arab Emirates embassy here to offer his condolences.
UAE's envoy to Kabul Juma Mohammed Abdullah Al Kaabi and several other UAE diplomats were wounded in a "terrorist attack" in the Governor's compound in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province on Tuesday. The blast left nine people dead and 16 others wounded.
India on Thursday in a statement said: "We offer our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wish speedy recovery to those injured in the attack."
--IANS
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Pakistan concerned over 'nexus' between Indian, Afghan spy agencies
Pakistan,Indo-Pak/Pakistan,Politics,Terrorism,Diplomacy, Fri, 13 Jan 2017 IANS
Islamabad, Jan 13 (IANS) Pakistan on Friday expressed concern over the "nexus" between the Afghan spy agency and India's Research and Analysis Wing, saying that foreign elements were exploiting the already worsening situation in the country.
"The activities of Indian spy agency RAW and its nexus with Afghan agency NDS (National Directorate of Security) remain a matter of deep concern for Pakistan," Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said in a news briefing.
In May 2015, the spy agencies of Pakistan and Afghanistan signed an agreement on intelligence sharing and coordinated operations. Islamabad has earlier too alleged that Indian and Afghan intelligence agencies support terrorism in Pakistan.
Zakaria rejected allegations that Pakistan was giving safe haven to terror networks in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), saying the country does not allow its territory to be used for attacks against any other country.
He instead blamed Afghanistan saying it was "infested" with a number of terrorist organisations due to its instability.
This, he added, created space for terrorist elements such as Haqqani network's leadership, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, the Islamic State, and Al Qaeda, among other terrorist organisations.
"It is, therefore, not appropriate to blame others for the adversities due to the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan. The oft repeated claims regarding safe havens are, therefore, more of a rhetoric than anything else," the spokesperson said.
Zakaria reiterated that Pakistan remains committed to peace efforts in Afghanistan as it was not only in the interest of the region but more importantly, itself.
--IANS
ahm/rn
Protest held outside Pakistan embassy in Kabul
Israel,Indo-Pak/Pakistan,Politics,Terrorism,Diplomacy, Fri, 13 Jan 2017 IANS
Kabul, Jan 13 (IANS) Dozens of protestors gathered outside the Pakistan embassy in Kabul on Friday to demonstrate against Islamabad for "continuing to support the insurgents".
The demonstrators carried slogans against the Pakistans Army's intelligence arm, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Afghan media reported.
A number of Afghanistan Green Trend (AGT) members held a demonstration outside the embassy in protest over Islamabad's perceived role in terrorism, Tolo News reported.
The protestors accused Pakistan embassy of changing into a "nest of spies in Afghanistan" and said the "ISI supports insurgents and had a hand in recent terrorist attacks in the country".
"ISI is responsible for the attacks. We know it and we have witnessed it," Fahim Kohdamani, a member of AGT, was quoted as saying.
The protest came days after major terror attacks hit the country killing dozens of people in Kandahar and Kabul, including five officials of the United Arab Emirates.
The protestors reportedly branded the embassy in Kabul as a "spy den".
--IANS
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Obama lifts some sanctions on Sudan
United States,Diplomacy, Fri, 13 Jan 2017 IANS
Washington, Jan 13 (IANS) US President Barack Obama announced on Friday that he would lift some of the economic sanctions on Sudan, citing recent "positive actions" by the government of the African country.
In an executive order, Obama said there has been "a marked reduction in offensive military activity, culminating in a pledge to maintain a cessation of hostilities in conflict areas in Sudan," Xinhua news agency reported.
He also recognised the Sudanese government's steps toward the improvement of humanitarian access throughout the country, as well as cooperation with the United States on addressing regional conflicts and the threat of terrorism.
The executive order will take effect in six months provided that the positive actions are sustained over the period of time, Obama said in a letter to Congress.
In conjunction with the move, the US Treasury Department on Friday announced an amendment to the sanctions regimes against Sudan, allowing US persons to do transactions with individuals and entities in Sudan, and unblocking the property of the government of Sudan subject to US jurisdiction.
"Treasury's sanctions are aimed at encouraging a change in behavior, and in the case of Sudan, our sanctions were intended to pressure the Government of Sudan to change the way it treats its people," said Adam Szubin, Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury.
Friday's actions "recognize the positive steps taken by the Government of Sudan over the past several months and aim to further incentivize the Government of Sudan to continue to improve its conduct," Szubin added.
Despite Washington's easing of economic sanctions against Sudan, the African country remains on the US blacklist of State Sponsors of Terrorism -- along with Iran and Syria.
--IANS
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Providing training to help thousands of Canadians manage first 72 hours of disaster
WATERLOO, ON, Jan. 12, 2017 /CNW/ - With natural disasters happening at an increased frequency and severity, now more than ever, Canadians need to be able to successfully cope when disaster hits. The Insurance Bureau of Canada recently reported that the record insured damage valued at $4.9 billion in 2016 is part of an upward trend that shows no signs of stopping, and is having a staggering effect on our communities across the country. This serves as a powerful reminder of how important it is to be prepared before catastrophe strikes.
To help Canadians develop their preparedness plan, Economical Insurance has renewed its partnership with the Canadian Red Cross, and will provide $450,000 over the next three years for the national disaster management program. This partnership will help deliver at least 175 emergency preparedness sessions in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton, Mississauga, Toronto, Ottawa, Moncton, and Halifax.
"The first 72 hours are the most crucial after a disaster," said Conrad Sauve, president and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross. "Thanks to Economical, thousands of Canadians will have the knowledge and tools to be safer and better prepared for emergencies."
"Our partnership with the Canadian Red Cross shows our commitment to helping those who need it most in times of distress," said Rowan Saunders, President and Chief Executive Officer of Economical Insurance. "We are honoured to continue to partner with the Canadian Red Cross in all the important work they do to better prepare Canadians to cope with disasters."
Economical began its partnership with the Canadian Red Cross in 2013 after the Southern Alberta floods. Over the past three years, this partnership has delivered emergency preparedness training to approximately 15,600 Canadians, instructing people on how to plan and prepare for the first 72 hours following a major disaster.
For more information on how to prepare for an emergency and how to take care of yourself and your loved ones, visit www.redcross.ca/ready.
About the Canadian Red Cross
Here in Canada and overseas, the Red Cross stands ready to help people before, during and after a disaster. As a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement which is made up of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 190 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies the Canadian Red Cross is dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and throughout the world.
About Economical Insurance
Founded in 1871, Economical is one of Canada's leading property and casualty insurers with more than $2.1 billion in annualized premium volume and $5.5 billion in assets as September 30, 2016. Based in Waterloo, this Canadian-owned and operated company services the insurance needs of more than one million customers across the country. Economical conducts business under the following brands: Economical Insurance, Economical, Western General, Economical Select, Perth Insurance, Sonnet, Economical Financial, and Family Insurance Solutions.
SOURCE Economical Insurance
For further information: Doug Maybee, Manager, Public and Media Relations, Economical Insurance, (T) 519-570-8249, (C) 519-404-0989
Related Links
www.economical.com
Know an innovative youth using science and technology to make the world a better place?
TORONTO, Jan. 12, 2017 /CNW/ - Calling all Canadian innovators between the ages of 14 and 18! The Ontario Science Centre wants to recognize you for making the world a better place through science and technology. Nominations are now open for the 2017 Weston Youth Innovation Award. Now in its ninth year, the annual award recognizes and supports young Canadians who apply science and technology creatively with the goal of making a positive difference locally or even globally.
"As an important contributor to the province's innovation and education ecosystems, the Ontario Science Centre is proud to encourage young Canadians in this area," said Catherine Paisley, Ontario Science Centre Vice-President, Science Education and Science Experience. "The Weston Youth Innovation Award is a prestigious honour that provides a platform for talented young innovators to not just tell their stories but to showcase their work to the broader public and to inspire others. In fact, the calibre of work that we've been receiving from the candidates over the past nine years has been truly remarkable."
Open to all Canadians aged 14 to 18, this year's recipient will receive a $2,000 prize, travel expenses to attend the award ceremony in Toronto and an Ontario Science Centre membership. In addition, the recipient will be featured in a video animation by the Science Centre's award-winning graphics team that will be broadcast online and in the Weston Family Innovation Centre, a hub for current science in the Science Centre where nearly one million visitors are welcomed each year. It is here where the Centre currently features the 2016 Award Winner Emma Mogus who created the Tongue-Interface-Communication (TiC), a tongue controlled computer mouse, to provide those with communication deficiencies and physical limitations the opportunity to participate fully in society. Learn more about the TiC here: http://bit.ly/WYIA2016.
"Winning the 2016 Weston Youth Innovation Award was truly an honour," added Mogus, "for me the best thing about science is knowing that my ideas can have an impact on a global scale. This award gave me the opportunity to further develop the TiC and ensure it assists those who will benefit most from its use. The support from the team at the Ontario Science Centre was phenomenal from the incredible animation on YouTube to the publicity outreach that helped me share my story with millions of people."
Do you know an innovative youth who might qualify for the Weston Youth Innovation Award? Please contact [email protected].
Youth are invited to put their names forward, and teachers and community leaders are asked to encourage potential candidates to apply.
Completed application packages must be received by March 17, 2017. An external jury will make a selection in May 2017 and the winner will be announced on the website by June 2017.
Detailed information about the Weston Youth Innovation Award and past winners can be found at www.OntarioScienceCentre.ca/innovationaward.
The Weston Youth Innovation Award was established in 2008 to encourage and recognize young Canadian innovators and was named in recognition of The W. Garfield Weston Foundation's $15 million lead gift to the Ontario Science Centre's Agents of Change initiative. This national award builds on the Foundation's longstanding tradition of support to educational initiatives for Canadian youth.
About the Ontario Science Centre
The Ontario Science Centre has welcomed more than 51 million visitors since it opened in 1969, implementing an interactive approach adopted by science centres around the world. Today, the Science Centre is a leader in free-choice science learning and a key player in Ontario's innovation ecosystem, offering lifelong learning through hands-on, engaging experiences. It is a prime venue for public dialogue about science, technology and society. The Ontario Science Centre is an agency of the Government of Ontario funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. As a publicly assisted organization, the Science Centre relies on generous individuals, corporations and foundations who share a commitment to science and education for additional operating support. For more information about the Ontario Science Centre, please visit www.OntarioScienceCentre.ca
About The W. Garfield Weston Foundation
The W. Garfield Weston Foundation is a private Canadian family foundation, established in the 1950s by Willard Garfield Weston and his wife Reta. In 1924 Garfield inherited his father's company and during his life established baking and retail businesses throughout Canada and in many parts of the world. The founders believed that as the funds are generated through the hard work and success of these Canadian companies, grants should be given in Canada for the benefit of Canadians. For three generations, The W. Garfield Weston Foundation has maintained a family tradition of supporting charitable organizations across Canada. Today the Foundation directs the majority of its funds to projects in the fields of land conservation, education, and scientific research in Canada's North. In addition, it provides funds to further Canada's research in neuroscience.
Ce communique de presse est disponible en francais sur notre site Web.
Social Media Links
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/OntarioScienceCentre
Instagram: @OntarioScienceCentre | #OntarioScienceCentre
Twitter: @OntScienceCtr | #ScienceNow
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/user/OntarioScienceCentre
SOURCE Ontario Science Centre
For further information: Media contacts: Anna Relyea, Director, Strategic Communications, 416-696-3273 | c: 416-668-1967, [email protected]; Jefferson Darrell, Media Relations Officer, 416-696-3154, [email protected]; Andrea Mus, Media Relations Officer, 416-696-3191 | c: 416-895-5482, [email protected]
Related Links
https://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
A father and son team in the START-UP NY program have invented a liquid metal printing machine that could represent a significant transformation in manufacturing. A breakthrough idea five years ago by former University at Buffalo student Zack Vader, then 19, has created a machine that prints three-dimensional objects using liquid metal.
Vader Systems is innovating and building the machines in a factory in the CrossPoint Business Park in Getzville. Zacks father Scott, a mechanical engineer, is the CEO. Zack is the chief technology officer. His mother, Pat Roche, is controller.
The machine is so novel it represents a quantum leap in the ability to print three-dimensional objects in metal. Other metal printers exist, but most use a process of laying down powered metal and melting it with a laser or electron beam. In that process, some particles of the powder do not get melted, creating weakened spots.
Manufacturers are very interested in the Vader machine, with one automotive parts maker expressing an interest in eventually buying at least 50 of them. A printer with multiple nozzles could cost more than $1 million.
Two products printed with Vader Systems machine. Credit: Douglas Levere.
University of Buffalo has been a source of intellectual assistance, grants and personnel for the startup as it transforms from a brilliant idea into an industry.
The Vaders were working on their invention in the basement of their home in Amherst when Scott decided to reach out to UB for help. We were working alone in our basement and tackling some pretty deep technical problems, he said.
We knocked at the door of the university and they welcomed us in, he said. They set up an impressive first meeting with faculty experts within UB, and they said, What are you trying to do? What are your problems and how can we help?
The Vaders now have three faculty advisors, are part of the START-UP NY tax-free entrepreneurial program and have won grants from UBs Center for Industrial Effectiveness (UB TCIE), UBs Center for Advanced Biomedical and Bioengineering Technology (UB CAT) grant and a National Grid grant through UB.
In addition, and perhaps most importantly, Scott Vader said, access to university students for internships has helped the company grow. Vader Systems already has hired three mechanical engineering graduates.
This is what makes really good young engineers, to go from the theory and being able to mix in an internship with a local industry, he said. They realize that the lab they took is something a company really needs.
Inspiration spawned by disappointment
Zack Vader, now 24, started focusing on metal printing when his plans to hire a company to 3-D print parts for a microturbine generator were stymied. No company could print the parts he needed, so he decided to make his own metal printer. His breakthrough came when he thought to expose molten metal in a confined chamber with an orifice to a pulsed magnetic field. The transient field induces a pressure with the metal that ejects a droplet. That was the key to making droplets of liquid metal eject from a nozzle.
Professor Edward P. Furlani, PhD, in UBs Chemical and Biological Engineering and Electrical Engineering departments, said that Vaders process mimics drop-on-demand inkjet printing and is based on the principles of magnetohydrodynamics, i.e. the manipulation of conductive fluids using a magnetic field. In Vaders device, an electrically-pulsed magnetic field permeates liquid metal in an ejection chamber and creates circulating electrical currents that interact with the magnetic field to produce a pressure that squeezes a droplet out of the ejector nozzle.
Its a transformative technology, Furlani said. Its very exciting interdisciplinary engineering. I think its application base will continue to broaden and expand for the foreseeable future.
Ciprian N. Ionita, PhD, a research assistant professor in the Biomedical Engineering Department a joint effort of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UB foresees the Vader Systems printer ultimately printing out custom stents and other surgical devices right in the hospital.
This is a game changer, he said. The metal powder used in the current metal printing processes is a contaminant that is difficult to clean up and can be toxic inside the body.
The Vader printer also will be valuable making custom knee and hip replacements, he said.
Cheaper, faster, better
The third UB professor advising the Vaders, Chi Zhou, an assistant professor in the Industrial Systems Engineering Department and a 3-D printing expert, said another advantage of the Vader system is that it is much, much cheaper than using powered metal.
I can see at this stage that it can complement traditional metal printing, but later, maybe 10 years later, it can dominate the metal printing market because it can print better quality, cheaper and faster, Zhou said.
Zhou has helped write original open-source software to control the printer. If they want to add functionality, we can. We have the source code, he said.
One of the most fascinating qualities of a 3-D printer is that a complex part is just as cheap to make as a simple part.
Complexity does not add cost, Zack Vader said, which is the opposite of traditional manufacturing. That makes the machines very attractive to companies making many complex parts.
Steel printing on the horizon
On a Vader machine, a strand of aluminum is fed into a heat element that melts it at 750 degrees Celsius (1,382 degrees Fahrenheit). The liquefied metal is then passed to a ceramic tube that forms an ejection chamber and has a submillimeter orifice. A magnetic coil surrounds the tube and receives a short-lived electrical pulse to create a pressure within the tube that ejects a droplet of liquid metal through the orifice. The ejected drop is projected downward onto a heated platform that maneuvers to create solid 3-D shapes based on layer-by-layer deposition and the coalescence of the droplets.
Zack Vader said plans are to modify the device, adding nozzles to make it faster. Eventually the machines will be able to melt and print steel at 1,400 C (2,552 F).
As the machine evolves, the Vaders plan to expand their operation into an assembly line manufacturing facility. Applications for the device run the gamut. Scott Vader said the automotive industry may be interested in making parts that are now solid metal into hollow and honey-combed structures. The hollow parts would be lighter, stronger and much cheaper.
And as for the tiny generator that Zack Vader was hoping to print, it may emerge again someday, now that the technology to make it is advancing.
Thats just been put on the shelf for a while, he said.
Femi Fani-Kayode, one of the leaders of thought in Nigeria, writes on the actors in the on-going genocide in Southern Kaduna. This is the first of a 2-part article.
When you take everything away from a man or a people, including their humanity, their loved ones, their land, their possessions, their faith, their God, their self-respect, their identity and their dignity and you put them and theirs under the fire and sword morning, day and night you cannot expect them not to voice their pain and not to scream and a shout.
And when the screaming and shouting goes unheeded you cannot expect them not to hit back and attempt to break the yoke of torment, subjugation, tyranny and slavery.
No matter how powerful you are and how long you have been killing them and all that are theirs, one day they will rise up, pull you down from your giddy heights and cut open your throats.
If history teaches us nothing else, it teaches us this. The morale of the tale is as follows: mind how you insult and mock your victims and those that you treat with contempt, kill at will and hold in bondage because one day their time will come.
It is in this context that I view the shameful call by the Council of Imams for the arrest of the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and Christian leaders in Southern Kaduna for asking the people to defend themselves from genocide.
The call is not only reckless and provocative but it is also self-seeking and dangerous. They must stop this nonsense.
The facts are as follows. 808 Christians were butchered on Christmas eve and Christmas day by the Muslim Janjaweed Fulani militia in Southern Kaduna. Not one of the butchers and bloodthirsty murderers have been identified, apprehended, killed or arrested since then by our security forces.
The Christians of Nigeria are still in mourning and the people of Southern Kaduna are still in trauma.
Yet there have been no soothing words or expressions of regret, consolation or solidarity from any Sunni Muslim group in the country since the pogrom took place.
Only threats and insults from the Council of Imams. The only exceptions are the Shiite Muslims who have consistently expressed outrage about what is going on in Southern Kaduna and who have themselves also been subjected to mass murder and genocide in Kaduna state simply because they are not Sunnis.
You first butcher the flock and then you say that the shepherd dare not complain or attempt to protect those that are still left behind and alive. What type of monsters are these?
The Supreme Council Of Islamic Affairs made matters worse by saying that those that killed 808 Christians in Southern Kaduna on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were unknown elements.
Really? This, perhaps, is the biggest insult of all. It is rather like saying that those that perpetuated the holocaust against the Jews which resulted on the cold-blooded murder of 6 million Jews were unknown elements. It is insensitive and it is callous.
It represents the greatest perversion of truth and most bestial denial of decency and justice that Nigeria has witnessed in many years.
It is falsehood and pefidy, cooked up and served by a group of unconscioble and uncontrollable dark and evil men who believe that they can get away with anything and that they are a law into themselves.
Meanwhile, Miyetti Allah, an umbrella organisation that speaks for the Fulani herdsmen and the Janjaweed militia, have said that the mass murder of Christians that took place in Southern Kaduna on Christmas eve and Christmas day were reprisal and revenge killings for the murder of their kith and kin by the Christians of Southern Kaduna in 201. Need we look any further for who the culprits are?
In his own contribution the Minister of Internal Affairs, General Dambazzau, who is himself a Fulani Muslim, has roundly condemned CANs call on the Federal Government to do its job and protect the people of Southern Kaduna and their counsel to the Christians to defend themselves where and when the government fails to do so. I ask again, what type of monsters are these?
And why has our President refused to call them to order? Is it because he shares the same faith and comes from the same region as them? Is it because the President himself is not only a Muslim and a Fulani man but also the Life Patron of Miyetti Allah?
Professor Wole Soyinka provides profound insight into the matter. He said:
Religion in the history of this continent has been a disastrous venture, a disaster in many zones and continues to be even so today. In this very nation in Southern Kaduna, over 800 souls were brutally extinguished suddenly.
While the issue of grazing lands versus farming is unquestionably part of the conflict, it is equally undeniable that religious differences have played crucial role in the conflict. And yet some weeks before the latest outrage, the governor of that state was quoted to have claimed that peace was nigh since he had sent funds to the earlier wave of killers and they had agreed to end their killing spree.
What astonished me was not the admission by the governor but the astonishment of others at such governmental response to atrocity. There was nothing new about it. Has appeasement to religious forces not become a Nigerian face of justice and equity? First lethargy and then appeasement.
Wasnt Boko Harams Muhammed Yusuf not a beneficiary of appeasement in a similar fashion?
Southern Kaduna has reminded us once again that the monster always lying waiting to pounce under the guise of religion. If you ask why General Buhari did not act fast enough when these events take place, which degrade us as human beings, well it is perhaps he has been waiting for the governor of that state to send money to the killers first for them to stop the killing.
Whatever the reasons are for the indifference of our President and the callousness and insensitivity of the Council of Imams, the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, Miyetti Allah, Governor Nasir El Rufai, General Dambazzau and all those that support them, it would be wise for them to appreciate the fact that the patience of the rest of the country is fast running out and that they are set to provoke a chain of ugly events the end of which will not augur well for them or their cause.
Nothing reflects this better than the words of Bishop David Oyedepo of Winners Chapel, who is one of the most influential and powerful clerics in the country, when he said,
Since when has it become a crime for Christians to say they can defend themselves?
Must the North always rule? If Nigeria will break let it break. No marriage is by force.
I curse every Islamic northern forces sponsoring this uprising of Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram in Jesus name.
You catch anyone that looks like them, kill him! There is no reporting to anybody. Kill him! Pull off his neck! And we spill his blood on the ground. What nonsense.
They said why should Christians say they could defend themselves, hold it! What stupid statement, why should Christians say they could defend themselves? So, they should watch for you to put a knife to their necks? You think we are dummies? What! What?
All those zeros census they are fake. Where are the human beings? Where are they? We go around the place. Where are they? Weve never had a successful census in this country. Where are they?
Dont mistake only those in politics as in power. The anointed in the Lord are the ones in power. By divine ordination, dont mistake that. There was a king in the land but Elijah was determining the events of the nation. If I say it will not rain here for three years, it will not drop.
What nonsense! Who born their mother, who born their father? They are too small. Come! Get excited and walk in confidence. Any devil that misbehaves around you will be slain by the fire!
Again Darius Ishaku, the governor of Taraba state, said, The people of Southern Kaduna must wake up from their slumber and defend themselves. You cant just lie down and allow yourselves to be annihilated by other groups. You have a constitutional right to self-defense and now is the time to use it. The government alone cannot do it.
Clearly the drums of war and conflict are already beating in our nation and no-one takes a greater share of the blame for this than those identifiable forces that are encouraging, sponsoring, protecting and covertly supporting these barbaric and murderous Fulani militias and herdsmen. They are all, to the last man, nothing but monsters and beasts. (TO BE CONCLUDED).
Femi Fani-Kayode is a lawyer, a Nigerian politician, an evangelical christian, an essayist, a poet and he was the Special Assistant (Public Affairs) to President Olusegun Obasanjo from July 2003 until June 2006. He was the minister of culture and tourism of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from June 22nd to Nov 7th 2006 and as the minister of Aviation from Nov 7th 2006 to May 29th 2007. He tweets from @realFFK
Jammeh Blocks Barrows Inauguration
The Political Party of Gambias President Yahya Jammeh, filed a request on Friday with the Supreme Court for an injunction aimed at blocking the swearing in of his rival.Jammeh lost an election last month and has refused to accept his defeat.The question of whether Gambia can install opposition figure Adama Barrow as president is seen as a test case for African democracy in a region accustomed to coups and political unrest.Barrow, who won the poll and has received the support of the international community, has said he will go ahead with his inauguration on Jan. 19 despite Jammehs rejection of the result.Supreme Court Chief Justice Emmanuel Fagbenle, confirmed receipt of the petition, which was filed by Jammehs Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC).It is filed today with the court registrar, said Fagbenle, who did not say when a decision on the petition might be made.Aziz Bensouda, the secretary general of the Gambia Bar Association, said an injunction would be unconstitutional.The inauguration of the president-elect should be held when Jammehs term officially ends the court does not have any mandate to put an inauguration on hold, he said.The election defeat of Jammeh, a former coup leader, after 22 years of increasingly authoritarian rule was celebrated across the tiny West African nation, and the incumbent initially accepted the result.However, in a u-turn a week later that drew international condemnation, he denounced what he claimed was widespread fraud.The APRC filed a challenge to the poll results, but the Supreme Court was unable to hear the petition after several judges failed to show up.Fagbenle adjourned the hearing until Jan. 16.The Supreme Court, which rights campaigners say is heavily influenced by Jammeh, has not sat in over a year.Two chief justices have been dismissed since 2013 and one of them was jailed.The court hired four foreign judges from Nigeria and Sierra Leone to hear Jammehs appeal legal sources said that the judges had not yet arrived in Gambia.Regional bloc ECOWAS has sought to negotiate Jammehs peaceful departure and Nigerias President Muhammadu Buhari is leading a mediation mission to Gambia.Nigerias lower house of parliament approved a motion to authorise Buhari to offer Jammeh asylum if he steps down.However, ECOWAS has also hinted at possible military action if he stays beyond the end of his term in office next week, raising the prospect of violence.The U.S. Department of State, which has already advised against travel to Gambia, warned American citizens to avoid the capital Banjuls city centre.Embassy staff was required to be off the streets by 6 p.m. (1800 GMT) until further notice.
A prominent ex-militant leader, Africanus Ukparasia, yesterday, vowed to resist renewed threats by the Niger Delta Avengers to begin attacks on oil installations in the region. Ukparasia, formerly known in the creeks of the Niger Delta region as General Africa warned the avengers to stay away from the region especially his home state, Bayelsa.The former commander of the Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) reportedly spoke in Yenagoa when he patrolled the creeks of Bayelsa.The former creek warlord, who chairs the Bayelsa State Waterways Security Task Force (BSWSTF), said he would not joke with his mandate to secure the creeks of the state and stop the nefarious activities of avengers and their ilk.He said the gods of Bayelsa would not allow avengers to cause chaos, and further degrade the states environment.He noted that his task force was ready to deal decisively with anybody, who tried to turn the state into a theatre of a needless war and destruction of lives and property.Ukparasia said he would not fold his arms and watch a ragtag group to give the military reasons to invade Niger Delta communities.We advise Bayelsans to report any suspicious movement in their communities as it is the duty of all to be vigilant against the nefarious activities of criminals who cause problems to give the military reason to invade our communities for innocent people to suffer, he said.He said the task force would no longer allow the destruction of oil facilities in Bayelsa, with the attendant consequences of low federal allocation and nonpayment of salaries.He also advised youths not to fall for the antics of some persons deceiving them to buy firearms to partake in a phantom arms buy-back programme of the Federal Government.He said: The Waterways Security Task Force headed by me was legally established by the Federal Government in collaboration with the Bayelsa state Government to stop crime and criminal activities along the waterways of Bayelsa state.We pledge to work with the security agencies to maintain peace and order in the state. We, hereby, warn that anyone trying to sabotage the peace in the state will be decisively dealt with as no stone will be left unturned to maintain the peace currently being enjoyed in the state.We call on the security agencies to watch the activities of some undesirable elements in our society to avert any possible breakdown of law and order, he said.Ukparasia further commended the Governor of Bayelsa, Mr. Seriake Dickson, for his commitment to the peace and stability in the Niger Delta region.He said that if all the Niger Delta governors had been committed to the peace of the region like Dickson, the Niger Delta would have been one of the most peaceful regions in the country.He also advised Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state to imitate Dickson by working with all persons that could bring peace to the region regardless of party affiliations.It was also gathered that following the renewed threats by avengers, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), summoned all the former Niger Delta agitators to an emergency meeting.A statement by PAPs Media Consultant, Mr. Wabiye Idoniboyeobu, said the meeting held in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, on Wednesdadding that all the ex-agitators vowed to maintain the peace in the region.The statement said: The meeting which had the sole focus of fostering peace and stability in the Niger Delta region, was well attended, and had leaders, state coordinators and members from all the nine Niger Delta States.The meeting can be tagged a huge success, as all the leaders present, pledged their support for the current administrations, Agricultural Empowerment Programmes for beneficiaries.The ex-agitators, in a unanimous voice, resolved to protect the sovereignty of the country and expose anyone found vandalizing oil and gas installations within their communities, siting its negative effect on the environment and the mindset of investors.One of the leaders, Pastor Ruben Wilson, was quoted as thanking Boroh for his unbiased coordination of the amnesty programme.He said that under Borohs watch the programme transformed from a political tool, to a well coordinated reintegration platform for the repentant agitators of the Niger Delta region.
Nigerias number 1 Ponzi scheme, MMM Nigeria, is back. This is according to a statement issued by the official Twitter account. This i...
MMM Nigeria Is Now Open A Day Earlier Than Promised: https://t.co/rbSTk7LB6i January 13, 2017
This is to officially inform you that MMM Nigeria is open for business a day earlier than promised! Lets go there Nigerians, the post said.This time around the Russian Ponzi scheme is back with new conditions, which includes encouraging its members to use bitcoin for transactions.Upon resumption, the scheme says its members will now be able to pay and receive money in bitcoins, the digital currency.MMM cites bitcoins steady growth in value as a reason for participants to adopt the currency.In a month, not only 30 percent will be added to your initial amount, but, it can increase itself due to Bitcoin price growth, MMMs letter to its participants partly reads.Last week, MMM promoters issued instructions to its participants whose accounts were frozen, to perform Promo Tasks: A New Tool for MMM Community Development.In the MMM message, subscribers were told to perform tasks, both online and offline, to promote the scheme and drive traffic and participation by the time the restriction on the account is lifted.See a copy of the statement attached.MMM, which before suspending operation on December 14 had over 3 million participants in the country, made inroads into the Nigerian investment market in 2015.MMMs decision to suspend the accounts of its patrons in 2016 threw millions of Nigerians into anguish.
The Lagos State High Court sitting in the Igbosere area of Lagos Island will on March 23 deliver judgment in the trial of four men charged...
The Lagos State High Court sitting in the Igbosere area of Lagos Island will on March 23 deliver judgment in the trial of four men charged with the gruesome murder of Cynthia Osukogu, a postgraduate student of Nassarawa State University.Justice Olabisi Akinlade fixed the date on Thursday after counsel to the Lagos State government and those who represented the defendants adopted their final written addresses.The late Cynthia Osokogu was murdered on July 22, 2012 at Cosmilla Hotel, Lake View Estate, Festac Town in Lagos by men she allegedly met and became friends with on the popular social media platform, Facebook.Those accused of the crime are Okwumo Nwabufo aged 38; Ezike Nwabufo aged 28; Orji Osita, 37; and Ezike Nonso, 29.They were all arraigned before the court on a six-count charge of conspiracy, murder, stealing, reckless negligence and possession of stolen goods, charges brought against them by the Lagos State government.The offences are said to contravene sections 221, 249, 285 and 327 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.One of the defence counsel, Victor Opara urged the court to dismiss the charges against the defendants because the state had failed to link them to the crime.The lawyer also argued that it is the law that in any situation where the prosecution fails to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, the court must rule in favour of the defendants.However, the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution, Mrs Idowu Alakija urged the court to convict the defendants on the strength of the evidence the state has placed before it.
Several people are feared dead after multiple explosions rocked Madagali town in the northern part of Adamawa State.
Several people are feared dead after multiple explosions rocked Madagali town in the northern part of Adamawa State.According to eyewitnesses, three female suicide bombers were responsible for the explosions that occurred on Friday morning at a crowded motor park on the outskirt of the town.Madagali, is 350 km from Yola, the state Capital.Although volunteers and security men were seen evacuating bodies from the scene, the number of casualties are yet to be determined.This attack is coming barely two weeks after the Nigerian Army repelled an attack by fleeing Boko Haram terrorists in Gulak village in the same Madagali Local Government Area.While the Local Government Chairman, Yusuf Mohammed, commended the security agencies and local vigilantes, he also sought more support to secure the area.
Former spokesperson to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has commended Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church for spea...
Former spokesperson to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has commended Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church for speaking against the killings in Southern Kaduna.Omokri in a Facebook live video on January 13, said: "May God bless Bishop David Oyedepo. Other men of God have been unwilling to talk and say the truth, they just kept quiet. Theyve been comfortable in their corners; theyve buried their heads in the sand. Thank God for Bishop David Oyedepo.''Let me warn that nothing must happen to Bishop David Oyedepo as a result of this truth he has said on this video. Because in Nigeria, we are being pushed to the wall. Look at what has happened in southern Kaduna; nobody even knows the extent of the damage of the killings and destruction in southern Kaduna.Human lives have ceased to have any value. I went and did some research and I was just reading how the military were sent after people who stole cattle but then human beings are dying, where are they (Military)?"And then when the president of the Christians Association, Rev. Ayokunle Samuel speaks out, when other people who have the fear of God in them speak out, what does the Kaduna state council of Imams say? Calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to go and arrest the President of CAN because he has shown sympathy. These are people that have not even spoken publicly to condemn the carnage, the death, the destruction that is going on in Southern Kaduna.What do they want to happen to that country? President Muhammadu Buhari, is this how to build unity? Dont forget, not all of us can just forget history. A man who does not know what happened before he was born will forever remain a child."President Muhammadu Buhari in October 2000 to be precise, you went to Agodi in Ibadan, to the governors, then Lam Adeshina was the governor, this happened on the 13 of October, 2000, you went and you laid a very bitter complaint, you went with Marwa, he was on your party, and a couple of other people, and you complain to the governor, you said that Fulanis were being killed in Shaki, Oyo state and you were very sad, very angry, you were bitter why, because Fulanis were killed. You spoke sternly to Governor Lam Adeshina."Now, Im asking you today, President Muhammed Buhari, where is that same anger you displaced in 2000 when people are being killed in Southern Kaduna?Thank God for people like Bishop David Oyedepo that can speak up and say the truth to power. The bible say you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. Nobody is speaking the truth.I want to say a big thank you to Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'adu Abubakar, this is a man who has spoken out for the people of Southern Kaduna. He has condemned the killings. Why cant our President and the governor of Kaduna, Nasir El- Rufai, follow suit.Go and google a video I did about two weeks ago, I warned when the governor of Kaduna state said he has paid money to some foreign Fulanis as compensation so that they would not kill again. I said this thing is going to give rise to more killings, and look at what has happened?Thank God for Bishop David Oyedepo, and we want to warn, we want to warn that nothing must happened to Bishop David Oyedepo. We dont want to hear that he has been arrested or that the license of his university has been revoked or that his C of O has been revoked, nothing must happened to him.I call on other men of God, your callings is not to go to your church to begin to talk about tithe and offerings, and financial breakthrough. People are being killed; lives are being lost, if you do not speak up now, then forever be silent."You have not been called a man of God to go about be talking about financial breakthrough, be buying hummer, be buying limousine, dressed very well and all that. Look, our lord and savior was a man who cared for his flock and when he was going the very last thing he said to Peter, he said Peter, feed my flock.Bishop David Oyedepo is a great man of God who is feeding the flock of our lord Jesus Christ and shame on all other men of God who have kept quiet in a time like this. Shame on them! I call on all in the body of Christ; keep on praying for Bishop David Oyedepo, so that God will continue to protect him. God bless you.
Sudan President Omar Al Bashir has left hospital after undergoing a cardiac catheterization, according to agency report on Friday.
Sudan President Omar Al Bashir has left hospital after undergoing a cardiac catheterization, according to agency report on Friday.The Presidency confirmed that Al Bashir has undergone an exploratory cardiac catheterisation at Royal Care hospital and the results were very reassuring, an official said.He said the president left the hospital immediately after the procedure.The office of the Sudanese president had in November last year denied rumors that Al Bashir had died of heart attack.Taha Othman, the director in Bashirs office, told Al-Arabiya.net that the president was in good health and was resuming his presidential tasks.I am sitting next to President Bashir in Morocco and enjoying the rain. We are getting ready to leave in a while to Guinea to participate in the Arab-African Summit, Othman said.A rumor had circulated on social media platforms claiming that the Sudanese president has died of heart attack.Al-Bashir had been outside the country since November 14.He participated in the United Nations climate change conference (COP22) in Marrakech, Morocco and the Fourth Africa-Arab Summit Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.President Al-Bashir was declared wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) since 2009 on charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Darfur from 2003 to 2008.The situation in Darfur, Sudan, was referred to the ICC in 2005 by the UN Security Council.
There is currently tension in the country, especially among patrons of Ponzi scheme as they count down to tomorrow, January 14, which is b...
There is currently tension in the country, especially among patrons of Ponzi scheme as they count down to tomorrow, January 14, which is believed to be the date the scheme would return.The Mavrodi Mondial Movement is a scheme that assures up to 30% interest on money invested.The ponzi scheme had announced a freeze on accounts of users in December 2016, with the promise to upgrade and return tomorrow, January 14.Recall that the scheme had last week introduced Bitcoin, said to be the worlds best performing currency in 2016, as part of its mode of payment in its comeback plans.Prior to the freeze of MMM, participants were allowed to provide help in bitcoin, but they were paid back in naira.It was said to be the best performing currency in 2016, appreciating by more than 100 percent, from about $400 per bitcoin to over $1,000 per bitcoin. The currency has now fallen to $887 as at last Friday, with China tightening rules to curb capital outflows.At the moment, participants are currently wishing themselves happy cross over night on social media.A social media user, Jide Oluseyi said, we are waiting for the return of MMM. We will be having a special service to cross over to our new year this night in Ejigbo stadium. Happy cross over night Mavrodians, he said on Facebook.Fiery preacher and founder of Omega Fire Ministry, Apostle Johnson Suleman had warned his members against participating in the ponzi scheme, saying that it was demonic.Even the Central Bank of Nigeria had warned against MMM.
Two graduating students of the University of Lagos have also recorded 5.00 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) in 2015/2016 academic s...
Two graduating students of the University of Lagos have also recorded 5.00 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) in 2015/2016 academic session, just like Ayodele Dada recorded the same feat in the previous year.Prof. Rahamon Bello, the Vice-Chancellor (V-C) of the institution, who gave the hint during the 2016/2017 matriculation on Friday, named the two students as Miss Taiwo Bankole and Miss Ajoke Omotuyi.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the V-C had, during the 2014/2015 convocation, had described 5.00 CGPA as a perfect score.According to Bello, both students are from the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science and the Department of Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, respectively.Both students, females, had also posted a `perfect score of 5.00 CGPA, thus matching the record set by Dada in 2014/2015 academic session, he said.The V-C stressed that such feats were achievable by a dint of hard work and not a myth.All it requires is to be focused, disciplined and consistent, Bello said.Giving a breakdown of the number of the matriculating students, the V-C said that 7,882 students, representing 18.69 percent, met the admissions criteria after a thorough screening.He explained that 38,140 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) applicants and 4,310 direct entries, totalling 42, 440 applicants, began the selection process.He said that out of the figure, 25,883 candidates scored 200 and above at the UTME.Accordingly, 19,732 presented themselves for screening.Those offered provisional admissions were 6,506 in the UTME category and 2,238 in the direct entry category, totalling 8,744.Today, after a thorough screening exercise, there are 7,882 of you, representing 18.69 percent of the total number of applicants (UTME and Direct), who have fully scaled the registration procedure.You will from this day, become bonafide students of the University of Lagos, Bello said.He told the matriculating students that gaining admission into the 54-year-old institution was not only noble but also glorious.The V-C added that completing the matriculation process was not the end of their journey to obtain tertiary education.It is the first step of a journey that will determine your future.It, therefore, requires you all to be determined, diligent, focus and resilient.You must show the zeal to acquire academic excellence for which this university is reputed.Shun cultism, indecent and immoral behaviours and other vices that can mar or abruptly end your sojourn here; as all forms of misconduct and misbehaviours will not be condoned, Bello warned.He urged the students to work hard to distinguish themselves in their academics as the university had a motivational package for scholars.NAN reports that the high point of the event was a breakfast meeting between the management of the university and the students.The university registrar, thereafter, administered the matriculation oath on the students on faculty basis.The students had early in the week, taken on a familiarisation tour of the university as part of the orientation.
Mikaila Ulmer is a 7th grader from Austin, TX, and the CEO of her own business.
When Ulmer was four years old, she was stung by two bees within a week. Naturally, she was upset, but she also decided to learn more about what had hurt her. She came to realize that bees are a critical part of how flowers get pollinated and plants grow, and she learned that the bee population is in danger.
Around the same time, her great-grandmother Helen, who lived in Cameron, South Carolina, sent her family a cookbook from the 1940s. In it, Ulmer discovered a recipe for Flaxseed Lemonade. She decided that if she could make lemonade with honey bought from local beekeepers, she could help the bee population.
That fall, her mom and dad encouraged her to make a product the lemonade for a local children's business competition, the Acton Children's Business Fair, and Austin Lemonade Day.
Ulmer's lemonade was a hit. "The first time I sold it, I thought, 'This is only going to be a one-time thing. I am going to do it once, get the money, donate some and then save some and then use the rest to buy this awesome toy that I wanted.' I do not remember what it was!" Ulmer tells CNBC.
But though she was exhausted, Ulmer adds, "I realized I am really enjoying doing this."
Six months later, she and her family made more lemonade and sold it. Then, when Ulmer was seven, a local pizza shop asked to carry her lemonade.
"It seemed like no many how many lemons I squeezed, we would always sell out," says Ulmer.
Bit by bit, distribution expanded. Soon, Whole Foods started carrying Me & the Bees Lemonade.
Shortly after Ulmer's product hit the shelves of Whole Foods, Ulmer appeared on ABC's hit reality show "Shark Tank." The People's Shark, Daymond John, offered a $60,000 investment for a 25 percent stake in her company.
The visibility helped the business. In the year after the show aired, sales grew by 231 percent, says Ulmer.
Being a middle-school CEO has benefits and drawbacks. Ulmer gets help from her parents: Her mom assists with marketing and her dad with the finance operations. But Ulmer also has to do her homework first before working for her company. (Her favorite subjects in school are science and Spanish, she says.)
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Ulmer's business responsibilities include doing trade show demos, media interviews, business presentations, workshops about bees and about entrepreneurship, depositing her money in the bank, putting in money orders, depositing checks, checking the business email and posting on social media.
Ulmer's entrepreneurial ambitions have taken her far. She has introduced the President of the United States at The United State of Women Summit and this weekend, she is traveling to New York City because she was selected as an honoree by the National Retail Federation Foundation. She will be recognized alongside the likes of Boxed Wholesale CEO Chieh Huang as one of the People Shaping Retail's Future 2017.
Here are Ulmer's top three tips for dreamers, doers and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Build a business you are passionate about
"The more passionate you are about what you do, the more fun you will have while doing it and then also, the better you will do it, the easier it will be and the more successful your company will be," she says.
"That's why it's important to not only chose a business that will make a lot of money, will be a big hit, but a business that hopefully will make a lot of money and will be a big hit, but you are also interested in, that you have fun with and that you see a problem in the world that needs to be solved."
You don't have to go it alone
"A lot of entrepreneurs think they have to do it all by themselves and when they are in times of trouble, they won't ask for help. It is important to ask for help when you need it because there are people who support your mission and support what you do and so it is definitely important for you to go and ask them for help if you need it," Ulmer says.
"There is always help back at the hive."
Think like a kid
"Dream big, and not only dream big, but also dream like a kid. When a kid has a dream and they want it to come true, they will do whatever it takes to do so. They don't see the obstacles in the way, they will just fight hard to make it come true.
"Sometimes you have to get into that mindset and dream like a kid," she says. It will "put you into a better goal setting stage for your business."
Currently, Me & the Bees Lemonade is sold in 20 states. In 2016, it sold more than 300,000 bottles of lemonade. Ten percent of profits go to charities including Heifer International, the National Park Services and the Sustainable Food Center of Austin.
Ulmer has ambitious plans: She wants to expand geographically as well as into other products. And she wants to lead the nonprofit arm of the operation, though she wants to be sure to finish college, too. First, of course, she has to graduate from middle school.
More From CNBC
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Limited BABA is set to bolster its foothold in the logistics space.
In its latest push into logistics, the Chinese e-commerce group reportedly has plans to set up a logistics centre in Bulgaria, Xinhua for timely delivery of goods in Europe. Alibaba also plans to offer Bulgarian food and commodities through its online platform.
Per the Chinese news agency report, representatives of Alibaba Group along with GS-Solar Company and GoldPoly Group had met the Bulgarian prime minister Boyko Borissov to explore the various investment opportunities in the country.
The government said, Alibaba Group's ideas for investments are linked to setting up a logistics center to back up their operations in Europe.
In the last one year, the stock has outperformed the Zacks Internet-Commerce industry. It has returned 37.91% compared with the industrys return of 31.81%. The stock jumped 2.16% in yesterdays trading.
Alibabas Ongoing Efforts in the Logistics
The move underscores Alibabas growing interest in the global logistics business. The company has been exploring this space with investments in couriers and warehouses in recent years.
It has also opened its own logistics service known as Alibaba Logistics. This service assists Chinese brands and merchants with the transportation of goods around the world after they have been sold on one of Alibaba's marketplace sites, such as Taobao or Tmall.
The company has also started leasing containers on ships, allowing Alibaba Logistics to facilitate first-mile shipping for third-party merchants on its marketplace.
Just last week, Alibaba sealed a partnership with Maersk, a unit of Denmark's A.P. Moller-Maersk and the worlds biggest container shipping line, to offer online reservation of space on the latters vessels. The service eliminates freight forwarders from the booking process and limits their services to haulage.
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The company is leaving no stone unturned to extend its e-commerce reach to mobile, video and distribution business with its eyes now set on China ships.
Our Take
Timeliness has become one of the most important factors in the e-commerce space. As competition intensifies, Alibaba needs to up its game. With the integration of its own logistics service platforms, Alibaba could build a solid logistics platform for small and medium-sized Chinese businesses.
Alibaba Group Holding Limited Price and Consensus
Alibaba Group Holding Limited Price and Consensus | Alibaba Group Holding Limited Quote
Zacks Rank and Stocks to Consider
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Itron delivered a positive earnings surprise of 30.55% on average in the past four quarters.
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Cognex posted a positive earnings surprise of 24.92% in the trailing four quarters.
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WASHINGTON (AP) The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol has issued a subpoena to Donald Trump. The nine-member panel sent a letter to the former president's lawyers on Friday, demanding his testimony under oath by mid-November and outlining a series of corresponding documents. The decision by lawmakers to exercise their subpoena power comes a week after the committee made its final case against the former president, who they say is the "central cause" of the multi-part effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election. It remains unclear how Trump and his legal team will respond to the subpoena, if at all.
(Adds comments from JBS, Marfrig)
By Pedro Fonseca and Brad Haynes
RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Brazilian police raided homes and offices on Friday in a corruption investigation of loans that state bank Caixa Economica Federal extended to meatpacking, finance, toll road and real estate firms between 2011 and 2013.
Brasilia-based federal Judge Vallisney Oliveira issued an arrest and search warrant on grounds that a former minister to President Michel Temer allegedly colluded with a former lower house speaker to grant loans to several companies in exchange for bribes.
Oliveira wrote that the ex-minister, Geddel Vieira Lima, then vice president at Caixa, and former Speaker Eduardo Cunha allegedly steered loans to companies in a graft scheme including meatpackers JBS SA and Marfrig Global Foods SA .
Lima resigned from the cabinet in November amid allegations he had pressured another minister to approve a real estate project. His lawyers did not reply to a request for comment.
Shares of JBS, Brazil's biggest meatpacker, fell 2 percent on Friday. Marfrig shares fell over 2 percent before rebounding to trade up 1 percent.
Representatives for JBS and Marfrig said their companies' offices were not raided and they denied any wrongdoing.
Representatives for Marfrig said the company borrowed from Caixa at market rates without any special privileges.
Caixa said in a statement that the bank is collaborating with authorities. A presidential press representative declined to comment.
Police said a statement that the latest investigation followed from text messages discovered on a cell phone in a December 2015 raid on the home of Cunha, then speaker of Brazil's lower house.
Cunha is now in prison on separate corruption allegations. His lawyers dismissed the latest allegations as "absolutely unfounded."
The police raid on Friday was the latest case raising questions about investment protocols at Caixa, where politically appointed management has long held sway.
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Federal prosecutors have previously said they were investigating Caixa for potentially corrupt investments at the Rio de Janeiro "Marvelous Port" development linked to last year's Olympics.
That project is an 8 billion reais ($2.49 billion) makeover of the city's dilapidated waterfront, including five 38-story office buildings to be built by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's real estate company.
The pension fund for oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA's employees called in December for an investigation of losses on investments managed by Caixa's asset management unit.
Brazil's federal audit court also blocked Caixa in August from selling bad loan portfolios due to alleged irregularities.
($1 = 3.22 reais) (Additional reporting and writing by Brad Haynes and Guillermo Parra-Bernal in Sao Paulo; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Leslie Adler)
SAO PAULO, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Renova Energia SA has agreed to sell a wind farm project to the local unit of AES Corp for about 650 million reais ($204 million) as part of efforts by the Brazilian renewable power company to repay debt and ease a cash crunch.
Renova has entered into a binding agreement to sell the Alto Sertao II project to AES Tiete Energia SA, a subsidiary of AES Brasil SA, it said in a Friday securities filing.
Reuters had reported this month that Renova was in advanced talks with AES Brasil over Alto Sertao II.
($1 = 3.1878 reais) (Reporting by Ana Mano and Guillermo Parra-Bernal; editing by Jason Neely)
A drive-by storm blew through the North Platte area Wednesday night, slipping away just before the midnight hour with barely a trace.
The narrow band came down through the Panhandle across the Sandhills and through central Nebraska.
It was a very narrow band, only about a 30- to 40-mile wide band of snow, said Bill Taylor, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in North Platte. It is rather difficult to forecast those. We knew the band was going to be someplace, we just didnt know where.
Taylor said this type of storm usually breaks off from a larger system.
They are usually mid- to upper-level storms that come in through Alaska and come down, Taylor said. You basically get these disturbances from the Pacific that combine with the cold arctic air.
It was not a big storm, and North Platte was on the southern edge of the storm.
There were accumulations of 2-3 inches with the band, Taylor said. But North Platte had .7 of an inch recorded here.
The atmosphere was very cold so there wasnt much moisture in the snowfall, Taylor said.
It was a dry snow and it can accumulate pretty rapidly, Taylor said.
Although this storm was small, a larger storm is expected beginning Sunday night after temperatures warm up a bit over the weekend.
Friday we should be in the mid-20s, with a warmup Saturday and Sunday into the mid-30s, Taylor said. There is a potential storm Sunday into Monday.
Taylor said it would be more of a classic winter storm. Freezing rain is expected to the south and east and snow on the northeast side of the storm.
It will cover a wide area and the type of system that would produce some wind with the snow, Taylor said. This will be a wet snow not much arctic air at this point. Temperatures will remain in the 30s.
Can't see the video? Click here.
A Federal Emergency Management Agency Region VII press release on Thursday said emergency management professionals are urging residents and business owners to be ready for everything from icy roads and power outages to possible flash flooding.
Preparing for an emergency before it strikes can literally save your life or property, said Beth Freeman, administrator of the Kansas City, Missouri, office of FEMA. With dangerous winter weather around the corner, were urging residents and business owners in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa to take this storm seriously, get ready now and stay informed."
Kane Elgey's honour of being named the Gold Coast Young Citizen of the Year is not only a great individual reward but a significant marker in the club winning back the support of the local community, according to club CEO Graham Annesley.
Nominated and presented with the award by none other than Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, Elgey was left stunned when it was announced he was the recipient, the award recognising his great contribution to the community while out for the entire 2016 season with a knee injury.
A Gold Coast product with an active interest in community work, Elgey is the latest in a growing line of Titans players to have made significant and lasting contributions to the Gold Coast community.
Former players such as Preston Campbell, Luke Douglas and Matt Srama were tireless contributors while recent recruits such as Chris McQueen (animal welfare) and Konrad Hurrell (special needs children) have joined the likes of Elgey and William Zillman in throwing themselves into community programs in which the club is involved.
It was a bedrock of the Titans' early years on the Gold Coast and given the community fallout from the failed Centre of Excellence, community engagement along with a winning team has seen the re-emergence of Titans' merchandise on the streets of the GC.
The collapse of the Titans' property arm in 2012 left subcontractors with unpaid debts totalling more than $1.5 million and created a negativity that manifested itself through large sections of the Gold Coast's construction industry.
But even in the wake of the Centre of Excellence's failure, a drugs scandal that rocked the club and a financial position that led to the NRL stepping in and taking over as owners of the club's licence, Annesley said that the community work continued and that Elgey's award on Thursday night was a sign of how the club is now viewed by prominent Gold Coast leaders.
"Even during the club's difficult times the players were still out there day in and day out doing more than would normally be expected at most NRL clubs and that's continued through to this day," Annesley told NRL.com.
"It is incredibly important to all clubs but more so in our current environment. We are trying to rebuild trust within the community and the players play a big role in that because they are such a public face of the club.
"From my experience, even when I was at the NRL, this club has always gone above and beyond in the community in terms of the work that the players do.
"It's great that senior leaders of our city are recognising the fantastic work that sportspeople play in the community and the contribution they make to the social fabric of our society."
Due to celebrate his 23rd birthday on Saturday, Elgey was still in something of a state of shock on Friday but said that being active in the community became his major priority once he suffered his ACL injury in January last year.
"I set a goal at the start of the year after I did my knee to give to the community because that's all I could do," Elgey told Titans TV.
"Getting out to my junior club back at Tugun was a big thing and going to see kids in schools and a bit of charity work as well. I'm big on the charity work with a bit of a background in losing my dad, so that's a big thing for me.
"Last year not playing footy all year was pretty tough and getting out in the community giving back to my junior club, getting out to schools and seeing the kids it's not that big to me but when I go there and see the kids smile I guess they get a bit out of it. That's pretty cool."
Nines the litmus test in Elgey's comeback
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Already a member of the club's leadership group despite having played just 16 NRL games, Elgey's background as a Gold Coast kid with excellent community standing and rare rugby league talent places him in a position to have a major influence on the success of the Titans for the next decade.
And Annesley couldn't hope for a better young half to be steering the club's fortunes.
"Kane epitomises everything that's good about the Gold Coast," Annesley said.
"He's a local kid and his ambition has been to make it in the NRL. He was the under-20s Player of the Year and burst onto the scene in the NRL itself in 2015 and then he had this horrendous setback in the off-season last year that kept him out for the entire season.
"But he never for a moment dropped his head. He worked incredibly hard to get back on the field better than ever and from what I have been told by the training staff his leg's as strong as it can possibly be and I expect him to pick up where he left off.
"Not only was he spending a lot of time trying to get himself back on the field while he wasn't playing he was spending an enormous amount of time in the community and that's what was recognised last night.
"He epitomises the type of culture that we want here at the club. He's a good kid, he doesn't get into trouble, he's focused, he's conscientious, he's respectful and he works hard, both on and off the field.
"You couldn't really ask for anything more."
By Allison Lampert and Andrea Hopkins MONTREAL, OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian auto industry executives are asking government ministers on Wednesday to mitigate the costs of reducing carbon emissions under a new program designed to help fight climate change, two sources familiar with the matter said. The demand has taken on greater urgency with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's talk of rolling back environmental regulations, which would subject automakers in Canada to costs not imposed in the United States, the sources said. At a meeting in Detroit on Wednesday, executives will urge federal and Ontario government ministers to ensure that the province's cap-and-trade program will not hurt the Canadian auto industry's long-term competitiveness with U.S. rivals. Under the program, which came into effect on Jan. 1, companies that are the biggest polluters must buy permits if they exceed set limits on greenhouse gas emissions. Automakers and other large companies are exempt from the plan until 2020 and some want that exemption to be extended, a third source said. They also want federal and provincial governments to share the cost of investments in new technology that would cut emissions and energy consumption, the person added. All three sources spoke on condition of anonymity before the closed-door meeting. Canada's automakers, the country's largest exporters, received a boost in 2016, after they agreed to C$2 billion ($1.5 billion) in investments during union negotiations. "This could be more burdensome for manufacturers, if Canada is doing cap-and-trade but Trump is cutting back regulations," said one of the sources. Stephen Carlisle, managing director of General Motors Co in Canada, said automakers are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but described potential higher costs from cap-and-trade after 2020 as "headwinds." He would like governments to support automakers which invest in technological improvements to reduce energy consumption and emissions. Jerry Dias, president of Unifor, which represents Canadian autoworkers, noted a deal this week by the Ontario and Canadian governments to defray up to 17 percent of Honda Motor Co's C$492 million investment to modernize its Alliston paint shop. The investment, which would reduce Honda's emissions and energy costs, could serve as a model for other automakers, he said. The Honda investment "fits in well with the direction we're going in," said Ontario Economy Minister Brad Duguid in an interview on Tuesday. Duguid said Ontario would ensure cap and trade is "done in a way that they (companies) are not placed at a competitive disadvantage with other jurisdictions." (Reporting By Allison Lampert; Editing by Richard Chang)
James Corden presides over his late-night show's "Carpool Karaoke" segment, but the series spin-off will have a succession of hosts.
Celebrity pairs including Alicia Keys and John Legend, Ariana Grande and Seth MacFarlane, and Blake Shelton and Chelsea Handler will be featured on the 16-episode series to be released weekly on Apple Music. A debut date has yet to be announced.
Corden, who will appear with Will Smith on one episode, said he was proud "The Late Late Show" has created a segment that works so well it will stand on its own. Make that two bits: A project based on his "Drop the Mic" rap battle segment is set for TBS this year.
"I'm incredibly proud we have a late-night talk show that 18 months ago a majority of the room were going, 'Who the h... is this guy?'" Corden told a meeting Monday of the Television Critics Association.
The British Corden was a U.S. TV newcomer when he took over as host of CBS' "Late Late Show" in 2015, but he'd already won a 2012 Tony Award for Broadway's "One Man, Two Guvnors."
His karaoke segments, in which Corden drives while a pop-star passenger joins him in song, has become a viral sensation. Does he have advice to those who will take the wheel for the new series?
"This is only a waste of time if you don't enjoy it," he said. "That enjoyment, that joy, that sort of unbridled freedom of singing in a car, is the glue that holds it all together."
Driving and singing aren't an issue, he said: The rule is head in a straight line.
"I'd rather do it here than in London. That's much harder," Corden said.
GRIFFITH An employee at the Pagoda Inn told police a man entered the restaurant Tuesday night and pointed a gun at him, but fled after the employee rushed the man with a chair.
Griffith police responded just before 9 p.m. to the restaurant, 1105 E. Ridge Road. The employee described the encounter as an attempted armed robbery, police said.
The employee told police the man entered the restaurant and displayed a semi-automatic handgun before ordering the employee to raise his hands.
The employee grabbed a nearby chair and rushed the man, who exited the restaurant and ran east and then south near Glenwood Street before the employee lost sight of him, police said.
No one was in the restaurant at the time, no one was hurt and nothing was taken, police said.
The suspect was described as black and about 5 foot 9 with a slender build and a young-sounding voice. He was wearing gloves, a black face mask over most of his face, and dark clothing.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Kevin Strbjak at 219-924-7503, ext. 252. To remain anonymous, call 219-922-3085.
VALPARAISO A 22-year-old Union Township man is charged with raping a woman in August at his home in the 700 West block of County Road 50 North.
The woman told police that after having consensual sex with Edward Halper IV during the early morning hours of Aug. 20, he later forced her to have sex again despite her pleas for him to stop.
The woman said Halper slapped her in the face, grabbed her hair and slammed her head into the wall, according to charging information filed in court.
"Halper continued to hold her down to the bed saying that she should stop crying or the people upstairs will think that he is raping her," according to court records.
The woman said she continued to cry and ask Halper to stop, but the attack did not end until one of his friends entered the room, police said.
The woman's account was supported by two other men at the residence at the time of the alleged attack.
While Halper initially denied having sex with the woman a second time, he later admitted to it, but said the woman never resisted, police said. He then said the woman did tell him to stop a few times, but he continued having sex anyway.
He said he slapped her and pulled her hair playfully.
VALPARAISO The Indiana Dunes Tourism Board has a new makeup and direction in the wake of the heated controversy over refurbishing and privatizing the 86-year-old pavilion at Indiana Dunes State Park.
Developer Chuck Williams, who is behind the pavilion project, has been replaced on the tourism board by the Porter County Board of Commissioners. So has former Portage Mayor Doug Olson.
Neither Williams nor Olson sought reappointment, but Porter County Commissioner Jim Biggs, R-North, said he would not have supported their return anyway.
Biggs, who was just elected back to the Board of Commissioners after a 16-year absence, said while campaigning he heard from lots of people angry over the way the pavilion project was handled and the tourism board's role in the process.
Biggs said he was disappointed the tourism board was not more in tune with the feelings of the public on the issue, especially considering one of its members was involved in the project.
"I think everyone involved in that should have known better," he said. "I heard my constituents loud and clear that they would like to see changes."
Those changes came this week in the form of the appointment of Portage attorney Patrick McEuen and the return of Jesse Harper to the board.
Commissioner Jeff Good, R-Center, told him the two new appointments mean reconstituting the board to focus more on putting "heads in beds" at hotels in the county and promoting county venues and the county as whole.
Indiana Dunes Tourism Executive Director Lorelei Weimer said her office's mission is to attract visitors to the county and get them to extend their stay once there.
The dunes are the state's top tourism attraction, drawing in 3 million visitors a year 80 percent of them from outside Northwest Indiana, she said.
The bureau already had been working to get these visitors to spend money elsewhere in the county through an effort known as, "shake off the sand south of the dunes," Weimer said.
The South Shore commuter rail line issued an apology Thursday night after some passengers became stuck for up to five hours on trains unable to move because of ice on overhead lines.
Michael Noland, president and general manager of the South Shore Line, also acknowledged in a letter that communication "was not what it should be."
"We need to provide updates in a timely and informative fashion, and we fell short of that responsibility," Noland wrote.
The South Shore Line was operating on a full weekday schedule Friday, a day after an ice storm caused the rail line to suspend service and return stalled trains east to their originating stations, said John Parsons, spokesman for South Shore operator Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District.
The line's first rush-hour train did not experience any issues Thursday, but the eight westbound trains that followed were affected by "a severe flash-freeze situation on the western portion" of the line, officials said. Trains lost power, or became underpowered as they lost contact with overhead wires.
Crews attempted to resolve the issues, but a decision was made to suspend service and return riders to their originating stations. A continuing buildup of ice on overhead wire and train pantagraphs hampered efforts to return passengers "within a reasonable amount of time," Noland wrote.
Passengers on westbound Trains 104 and 6 waited the longest: up to five hours, Parsons said.
The South Shore Line will investigate the service disruption and communications to determine what it can do better next time, Noland wrote.
"We all know that extreme weather events like that which occurred (Thursday) can happen again, and we assure you that we will bettered prepared to respond," the letter said.
neocam asteroid hunter spacecraft discovery nasa jpl caltech
On January 4, NASA announced two new space missions to explore the solar system: Lucy, a probe that will visit swarms of ancient asteroids lurking near Jupiter, and Psyche, which will orbit the all-metal core of a dead planet.
These winners of the Discovery program, as it's known, will each get $450 million to build their robots, plus a rocket to launch them.
"This is what Discovery Program missions are all about boldly going to places we've never been to enable groundbreaking science," Thomas Zurbuchen, the associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, said in a Jan. 4 press release.
But in a pile of rejected finalists, sitting alongside two conceptual missions to Venus, is a space telescope that might one day save countless lives from a killer asteroid: a threat Zurbuchen himself has said is "not a matter of if but when."
It's called the Near-Earth Objects Camera, or NEOCam, and it promises to discover tens of thousands of rogue space rocks roughly 460 feet (140 meters) in diameter or bigger. That size is no accident: Congress passed a law in 2005 charging NASA as one of its seven explicitly stated goals to find 90% of such near-Earth objects (NEOs) by 2020.
meteor crater view
Asteroids and comets of this size are notoriously difficult to detect, yet can slug our planet or explode in our atmosphere with the energy of least 60 megatons' worth of TNT. That's more powerful than the strongest nuclear weapon ever detonated.
"You do that over a city, and it's a very, very bad day," Mark Sykes, director of the Planetary Science Institute and a scientist on the NEOCam team, told Business Insider. "It's important to look at your neighborhood, from a planetary defense standpoint."
While NASA did commit to partially fund NEOCam for a year, it's effectively the space agency's third pass on launching the telescope in a decade. (The mission was submitted in two previous rounds of Discovery.)
Story continues
Meanwhile, NASA is running years behind its Congressional mandate to find NEOs, and Earth is mostly blind to threats that might one day level a city.
Just this past Monday, for instance, an asteroid possibly as large as a 10-story building flew past Earth closer than the moon at 9.8 miles per second (15.7 kilometers per second) and yet astronomers only learned of its existence 2 days beforehand.
We live on a moving target for killer space rocks
near earth asteroid 1950 da nasa jpl
Astronomers like to say Earth is drifting through a cosmic shooting gallery.
It's no wonder why.
Any space rock that zooms within 125 million miles (200 million kilometers) of the sun is considered an NEO, and so far humanity has located about 15,500 such objects. Relative to Earth's orbit, the average one is about 30 million miles (50 million kilometers) away and moving between 27,000 mph (12 kilometers per second) and 45,000 mph (20 kilometers per second) akin to flying the length of Manhattan once a second.
About 9% of these NEOs, or some 1,759 space rocks, are called "potentially hazardous" objects (PHOs), meaning they come within 4.6 million miles (7.48 million kilometers) of Earth.
Their sizes vary wildly, so a strike could mean anything from broken windows, like the 2013 asteroid-caused air burst over Chelyabinsk, Russia, to global extinction, like the impact that helped wipe out the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.
The animation below, by Scott Manley, shows what the playing field looks like these days, and it is not comforting. Planets are teal (Earth is the third one from center), yellow and red show NEOs (red means they cross Earth's orbit), and green shows more distant, main-belt asteroids:
But these are just the ones we know about.
Roughly 72% of all NEOs that are 460 feet (140 meters) or larger have not been found, according to the "National Near-Earth Object Preparedness Strategy", a report published by the White House's National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) in December 2016. This amounts to about 25,000 nearby asteroids and roughly 2,300 hazardous ones.
That doesn't mean we shouldn't be worried about smaller space rocks, though; in fact, quite the opposite.
"An asteroid much smaller, just 45 meters [150 feet] across, exploded in 1908 over Tunguska with an explosive energy of several megatons and destroyed an area as large as New York City," Roger Blandford, a physicist at Stanford University, wrote in a September 2015 op-ed for Space News. "Congress calls these smaller asteroids 'city killers,' and although they are 30 times more numerous, we have located less than 1% of them."
In raw numbers, "over 300,000 objects greater than 40 meters [130 feet] in size could be an impact hazard to the Earth and have not yet been detected," according to NSTC's report.
The chart below, recently created by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Caltech, sums up the gaping holes (in green) of NEO survey efforts thus far:
near earth asteroid census chart graphic wise nasa jpl
Tunguska event-like asteroids strike Earth about once every 100-200 years, and Chelyabinsk explosions should occur as much as once a decade, according to a 2013 study in Nature.
Which is why scientists desperately want to find and, if necessary, deflect or destroy these rogue space rocks.
"There's nothing out there that is anywhere near ready to [detect small NEOs], except for NEOCam," Sykes said.
How NEOCam could help save Earth
asteroids asteroid field star nasa jpl 717846main_pia16610_full
If you're a space rock, you reflect sunlight.
Telescopes that are looking in the right place at the right time can see you as a dot sneaking across the blackness of space. This allows scientists to calculate your mass, speed, orbit, and the odds that you'll smack into Earth.
If you're a small NEO, though, you aren't very bright. This means a telescope has to be big, see a lot of the sky, and use very advanced hardware to find you as a needle in an ever-growing haystack of data. Yet such big, bad telescopes are expensive and take a very long time to build and calibrate.
Take the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), for example, which is one of Earth's best current hopes of finding killer asteroids. The project broke ground in 2015 and is expected to cost upwards of $465 million to build. Based on its current construction schedule, it won't be fully operational until late 2021, at the soonest, or able to fulfill the 90% detection goal set by Congress until the mid-2030s more than a decade behind-schedule.
LSST, like all ground-based observatories, also comes with two major limitations.
The first: "You can't see asteroids near the sun. You're blinded by the sky," Sykes said. "Right now we have to wait until those pop out in front of us. To get those guys, you really need to be in space where you're not blinded by the sky."
Sykes said the other snag is that ground-based telescopes mainly rely on visible light for detection.
"If [an asteroid] has a dark surface, it's going to be very hard to see," he said.
neocam infrared camera sensor teledyne
NEOCam goes after these two problems by being in space, where no atmospheric gases get in the way, and by using an advanced, high-resolution infrared (IR) camera.
IR light is a longer wavelength of light that's invisible to our eyes, but if a source is strong enough say, a roaring fire we can feel it as warmth on our skin.
Asteroids warmed by the sun, radioactive elements, or both emit infrared light, even when they're coasting through the void, or are too dark for ground-based telescopes to see. Which means NEOCam could spot them merely by their heat signatures.
The approach works. The prime example is NASA's 8-year-old Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) telescope, which has found at least 230 NEOs and 42 PHOs from orbit.
However, it's a less powerful telescope, has a smaller field of view, an older camera that requires cryogenic cooling (NEOCam's does not), and wasn't designed solely to hunt asteroids. While scientists gave it a new mission to do so in 2013, renaming the project NEOWISE, the telescope is scheduled to end operations in March 2017.
"[A] space-based observatory, working in concert with observations from ground-based telescopes, may be the best approach to detecting, tracking, and characterizing the NEO population," the NSTC's December 2016 report states. "This combination would more rapidly complete the survey of objects larger than 140 meters [460 feet] while greatly improving our understanding of the hazard from the 50-140 meter [160-460 feet] NEO population."
The NEOCam team proposed to launch in 2021 and find two-thirds of missing objects in the larger-than-460-feet (140 meters) category within 4 years, or about a decade ahead of LSST's schedule.
However, according to a recent study in The Astronomical Journal, neither NEOCam nor LSST alone would ever achieve Congress' 90% detection mandate only by working together, the research found, could the observatories achieve that goal over a decade.
This would help address the NSTC's concern on the issue:
"Finding NEOs as early as possible is the first priority for planetary defense, in order to give adequate time to make decisions and implement courses of action. This fact must be stressed: the earlier a NEO threat is detected, the better the emergency response to the threat will be."
So if launching a more-capable replacement for NEOWISE is a top priority, why didn't NASA pick NEOCam?
The forces keeping NEOCam grounded
near earth object asteroids neos nasa m15 091b
Only NASA knows why it didn't pick NEOCam for launch, but it isn't telling anyone, not even Sykes and his colleagues at least not yet.
The space agency first wants to debrief the NEOCam team on the snags it saw with its Discovery program proposal, a meeting that a NASA representative said will happen on January 18.
"The Discovery review process identified strengths and weaknesses for all 5 mission proposals. As with Lucy and Psyche, NEOCam will be asked to address any issues that were raised in the review," David Schurr, deputy director of NASA's planetary science program, told Business Insider in an emailed statement.
During the debriefing, the space agency will "work and negotiate with the NEOCam team" on a funding level for the next year, Jim Green, director of NASA's planetary science division, told reporters during a Jan. 4 teleconference call.
"Whether it's a drip or a flood, we'll find out soon," Sykes said.
After that year of funding runs out, however, all bets are currently off: NASA will have to "look for money" under a new presidential administration, according to Green, if it wants to keep the project alive. ("No flow, no go," Sykes said.)
The hangup with NEOCam is not likely any lack of engineering prowess "the rumor is that there were no major weaknesses [with the proposal]," one source who asked not to be named told Business Insider but rather a bureaucratic technicality: a case of trying to jam a square peg into a round hole.
psyche asteroid nasa discovery mission linda elkins tanton youtube
That's because NASA's Discovery program is keen on pulling off scientific firsts within the solar system.
A never-before-attempted mission to the metal core of a dead planet fits the bill, while a space-based asteroid detector is arguably something humanity already tried with WISE (the NEO hunter launched in 2009).
But Sykes contends that NEOCam is a truly unique, science-focused mission that could "vastly [increase] our knowledge of near-Earth and main-belt asteroids, comets and interplanetary dust," adding that its "planetary defense benefit would have been a bonus."
Another bonus, according to Sykes: It could help NASA pull off its next planned era of human exploration visiting near-Earth asteroids by locating most of the remaining NEOs of interest.
"If we want to send people beyond low-Earth orbit, an asteroid costs much less than the surface of the moon or Mars," Sykes said. "We can identify targets that are quick-turnaround times of weeks or months, to minimize the radiation exposure [in deep space] to astronauts."
In addition, finding perhaps tens of thousands of new NEOs would lay more groundwork for efforts to mine asteroids for precious metals, gather fuel for deep-space exploration, and other novel (and scientific) human endeavors.
Former astronaut Ed Lu, who's also a co-founder of the B612 Foundation a group dedicated to launching its own NEO-detecting space telescope, called Sentinel has grown impatient with the delays.
To get an asteroid hunter off the ground, Lu said, NASA needs to try something new, and fast.
"[T]here should be an open competition based on a planetary defense rather than a science requirement, as with the Discovery mission," Lu told Business Insider in an email. "Detecting dangerous asteroids is a concern of national security, not just science."
Blandford, the Stanford physicist, hit this message home in his Space News op-ed.
"[P]lanetary defense is currently treated as a scientific issue, and forced to compete with other science missions," he wrote, "instead of being seen as a long-term imperative for the protection of humanity."
This article was updated to include information provided after the original publication.
Kelly Dickerson and Paul Szoldra contributed to this post.
NOW WATCH: This Cold War-era technology could safely power the world for millions of years
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Some eastbound South Shore commuter service lines have been restored with a limited number of trains operating from Chicago, an NICTD spokesman said Thursday night.
Trains 15, 119, 19, 121, 123 and 101 will operate from Chicago. The westbound Train 22 will be the only one operating between Michigan City and Millennium Station.
All other services for tonight have been cancelled, said John Parsons, spokesman for the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District.
Earlier in the day, trains kept losing contact with ice-covered overhead wires, forcing NICTD to suspend services until weather conditions improved. Eight out of the district's nine westbound morning rush-hour trains were affected. Crews worked to return passengers on stopped westbound trains to their originating stations.
Some trains lost power and others were underpowered, Parsons said. Trains that lose power also lose heat, he said.
Parsons said one train lost heat and was stuck west of the Torrence Avenue bridge and the Hegewisch station in Chicago. That train was returned to the Hegewisch station, and passengers were able to enter the station for a break, he said.
Metra was honoring South Shore tickets Thursday, and updates on delays were to be posted at mysouthshoreline.com, according to a NICTD alert.
Freezing rain Thursday also wreaked havoc for drivers, causing temporary closures of the Indiana Toll Road.
Indiana State Police shut down the Toll Road in both directions in Lake County early Thursday after icy conditions caused multiple crashes. All lanes were reopened about 7 a.m., though police cautioned ramps might remain slick.
Indiana State Police for the Lowell Post also responded to slide-offs and spin-outs on Interstate 80/94 throughout the morning.
A freezing rain advisory for Lake, Porter, Newton and Jasper counties and Chicago's south suburbs expired at 9 a.m., though the National Weather Service warned some slick spots might remain on roads. A freezing rain advisory for LaPorte County was extended until noon, according to the National Weather Service.
Sidewalks, driveways and parking lots covered in ice posed a risk to anyone walking.
A wintry mix of precipitation is possible during several weather systems expected through Monday morning, forecasters said. The additional precipitation could create a flooding risk.
HAMMOND Dozens of people arrested last May outside the BP Whiting Refinery emerged Friday from Lake Superior Court to cheers from fellow environmental activists and immediately joined another protest that took them to the steps of the federal building.
The activists marched several blocks to deliver a letter from 350 Indiana-Calumet, 350 Indiana-Bloomington and their allies to Sen. Joe Donnelly's office in Hammond.
The letter asks the senator to work to block many of President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks.
Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson, Environmental Protection Agency administrator nominee Scott Pruitt, Secretary of Interior nominee Ryan Zinke and Secretary of Energy nominee Rick Perry will stand in the way of a "just transition to clean energy," the activists said.
A spokesman for Donnelly issued the following statement on behalf of the senator: "Climate change is a serious issue, and I am committed to developing smart policies that protect our environment while also ensuring an economic climate that promotes job creation. I am in the process of carefully reviewing the records and qualifications of each of these nominees."
East Chicago "is in the throes of an environmental disaster," and Mike Pence Indiana's former governor and now vice president-elect has been a no-show, they said.
That pronouncement was met with a cry of "failure!" as the group's letter was read aloud.
Before marching to the U.S. District Courthouse, the group began with speeches by several people.
John Halstead, a Merrillville attorney, said a shift to cleaner energy sources that is fair to all people offers the best hope for an environmentally and economically sustainable future.
"The power of the people is greater than the people in power," he said.
Sheilah Garland, a political organizer for National Nurses United who has participated in meetings about East Chicago's lead crisis, told those assembled a resistance movement is growing.
"It's a moral fight, and we have the moral high ground to win," she said.
The 41 people arrested in May during the Break Free from Fossil Fuels protest at the BP Refinery entered into a pretrial agreement Friday, defense attorney Roy Domiguez said. Charges will be dismissed if they commit no new offenses during the next 180 days.
The activists' First Amendment rights to protest and assemble were not affected, though Domiguez has advised them to avoid arrest during the 180 days.
Speakers encouraged the group to attend an #Earth2Trump event from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, 4046 W. Armitage Ave., in Chicago. The event is billed as a roadshow "to empower defenders of civil rights and the environment" to resist the Trump agenda.
VALPARAISO The Porter County Museum's downtown presence will expand with the acquisition of an office building that previously had been a longtime gas station on the courthouse square.
The Porter County Museum Foundation today takes possession of 20 Indiana Ave., which most recently was a title insurance office.
It will serve as a permanent home for the foundation, and provide office space for the museum staff, said foundation chairwoman Joanne Urschel.
The building is adjacent to the two buildings directly to the west now occupied by the museum, which are undergoing restoration and used to be the city's police station, and many years ago city hall and a music store.
The property sits directly across Franklin Street from the current museum, which is housed in the former Porter County Jail.
Museum director Kevin Pazour said the foundation had been considering the purchase of the building for about two years, about the time restoration work began on the two adjacent buildings.
Most recently, the building was home to Fidelity Title Insurance Co., which had leased the space from 1st Source Bank, which owned the property.
Prior to becoming an office building, the lot was a longtime gas station, owned for many years by Max Hildreth and the Hildreth family, Pazour said.
And, to the surprise of the museum staff, a part of the sales building from the 1932 service station remains intact inside the building.
Pazour said he hopes the exterior of the current building could be re-made to capture the essence of that 1932 building, with similar white enamel brick and other architectural features, and to restore some of the original building inside the current structure.
The corner building will be used for office and presentation space, which was a remaining concern in the museum's expansion plans to 16 and 18 Indiana Ave.
Pazour said the building is already ADA compliant, is climate controlled and has restrooms on the first floor, features 16 and 18 Indiana do not yet have.
Urschel said a donation from a single source paid for the building, but the source of that donation will be made public at a later date.
"We're really excited about, because it gives our foundation a home," Urschel said.
"We've worked for many years to become the professional organization we are now."
Urschel praised Pazour's efforts secure the building for the foundation and lead the expansion of the museum.
"Im just so proud of Kevin and his vision, for being realistic and supporting it and making sure it happened," she said. "He's so easy to work with and he has so many good ideas."
Pazour said he hopes people will come forward with pictures and stories about the old service station to help preserve its history.
As divisive and rhetorically inflammatory as he's been, President-elect Donald Trump continues demonstrating his administration will possess a Hoosier-friendly attitude.
This should provide some hope to those who continue to dwell on the negative in the wake of an often ugly presidential campaign.
The latest sign of Trump's Hoosier deference came in the naming of recently retired U.S. Sen. Dan Coats, R-Indiana, as the president-elect's pick for national intelligence director.
Trump has hurled all sorts of criticism at national intelligence agency's lately, taking particular aim at their contention that Russians worked to influence the election through hacking and perpetuating "fake news."
Without wading into that quagmire of claims, its more productive to see Trump's pick of Coats as intelligence director as a clear vote of confidence in yet another Hoosier leader.
Trump clearly feels Coats can bring improvement to an arena the president-elect has criticized.
Coats has clearly demonstrated the deep subject matter expertise and sound judgment required to lead our intelligence community, Trump recently said of the former Indiana senator.
Coats, 73, is a Capitol Hill veteran whose resume includes time in both the U.S. House and Senate representing the Hoosier state. Coats also served as ambassador to Germany under President George W. Bush and worked for international law firm King & Spalding.
He also should help ease fears of a completely Russian-friendly administration. Coats has been a vocal critic of Russia in the past, pushing for punishing the nation after it annexed Crimea in 2014.
In fact, Coats was among lawmakers banned from traveling to Russia because of his critical stances.
Coats, of course, is the second-leading Hoosier picked by Trump for key government positions. Former Indiana Gov. Mike Pence will be Vice President Pence come inauguration day.
The uncertainty much of our nation feels over an impending Trump presidency is obvious. But we look forward to seeing what fortunes his administration will hold for our home state, from which he's clearly drawing trusted allies and advisers.
As an independent voter, I try to follow Martin Luther Kings advice of judging people by the content of their character, which explains my angst at my choices in the November elections.
Many appear to be looking forward to the independence of Donald Trump. Before jumping to any conclusions, pay attention to actions. Trump appointed Mitch McConnells wife to his cabinet. After rightly calling out Hillary Clinton on speaking with Goldman-Sachs, he hired people from Goldman-Sachs. Mike Pence wrote an op-ed about how he has improved Indianas economy in the same issue that points out that the middle class in Indiana is shrinking.
Had Hillary Clinton won, I would have been able to make similar observations.
Citizens must be vigilant. Support things that are positive and call out leaders when they overstate their own importance and wisdom. When all is said and done, a lot more is said than done.
Terry Ferrari, Dyer
They once were seen as a symbol of a city in decline, and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani drove them from the streets, but NY1's Ruschell Boone found a squeegee guy once again cleaning windshields, trying to earn some money.
To some New Yorkers, it's a jarring sight, at the at the foot of the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge: a man washing windshields, hoping for tips, what New Yorkers call a squeegee man.
Richard Hayes works this stretch of pavement several times a week. He says his job as a part-time cook does not pay enough to make ends meet.
"By the time I come home with that, I pay my aunt my rent, pay half of the cable, but food, I just might have enough carfare and maybe $30, $40 left out of that check. So I got to come out here anyway," he said.
Hayes averages about $10 an hour washing windows. He accepts whatever the drivers give him.
"Slow money is better than no money," he said.
Squeegee guys were common at bridge and tunnel entrances in the 1980s and '90s. But some were aggressive, intimidating drivers.
When he took office, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani launched a crackdown, calling them symbols of a city in decay.
Hayes was on the streets on and off during that time as well. Back then, he was arrested dozens of times, but since he's been back, the police have left him alone..
"I do it respectfully, so no one would have a reason to call the police on me," he said.
He also says police are not as aggressive as they used to be, but he has to leave when they come around. If another squeegee person shows up, there is an agreement, he says, to try to keep drivers from complaining.
"Only two people in the street at one time," he said. "Sometimes, we're each like, I'll do a light, like, this light here, I'll wash windows on this light and the next guy will do the next light.
Some residents don't like the idea of the squeegee people but most people NY1 spoke with say he has become a fixture here. A few were concerned that our attention would bring him unwanted trouble, but Hayes says he wanted to tell his story.
"Because then it brings an awareness to people. Because a lot of people criticize us," he said.
Hayes is hoping to leave the block, and the city, one day soon. He says New York has gotten too expensive for him, so his ultimate goal is to save up enough money to move down south.
But with the cash coming in slowly, he's not sure when that will happen.
Prosecutors have arrested and charged dozens of people for allegedly arranging illegal gas meter hookups for landlords across Brooklyn and Queens.
They say Weldon "Al" Findlay, a former National Grid employee, was the mastermind of the operation, which charged landlords and developers $1,300 to $2,500 per job.
He allegedly enlisted six current National Grid employees in the operation, who created fake accounts with the utility, then made flimsy installments with plastic piping.
"For pure greed, a gas meter was put in place without any assurances of the quality of work, without any inspection being conducted," said acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.
"All told, our investigation shows we believe hundreds of thousands of dollars exchanged hands over the course of the alleged conduct," said Mark Peters, commissioner of the Department of Investigation.
Prosecutors say a similar dangerous connection led to the deadly gas explosion in the East Village that killed two people and destroyed three buildings back in March of 2015.
More than $2 billion in disability benefits will be given to Marine Corps veterans exposed to contaminated water while serving at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
A NY1 investigation last year found hundreds of thousands of service members were exposed to toxins at the base, when chemicals seeped into the groundwater.
The Obama administration has agreed to provide disability benefits to any personel who served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1953 and December 1987.
Cash payouts from the Veterans Association will be distributed over the next five years to military members who developed one of eight diseases.
A NY1 exclusive report showed the V-A had previously denied close to 90 percent of claims connected to conditions at the base.
Even though the race for governor is not until next year, there is already talk of which Republicans might challenge Andrew Cuomo, including state Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan. Zack Fink filed the following report.
Sources tell NY1 that Republican Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan has begun having conversations about running for governor against Democratic incumbent Andrew Cuomo in 2018.
"This Republican, Flanagan, knows that this is a moderate Republican state at best. He has shown himself over time to be a leader, lead the Senate in a way where they are getting stuff done. And that says to me he should consider running," said Tom Doherty, a Republican strategist.
The Long Island lawmaker is coming off a good year. With Hillary Clinton at the top of the ticket last November, some observers thought Democrats would win control of the state Senate. They were wrong. Under Flanagan's leadership, Republicans actually gained a seat.
But running for governor, or any statewide office, is a far different sort of challenge.
"Name recognition is least important here," said Hank Sheinkopf, a Democratic strategist. "What's important more so, if we look at state races and local races last fall, was geography. John Flanagan comes from a part of the state, Sufflok County, and the New York City suburbs, which are very important in a gubernatorial race. And he can probably do better than people think."
But Cuomo is sitting on roughly $20 million, and he still has almost two years to raise more, which could be a hurdle for Flanagan.
"I think the one thing Flanagan understands is you have to raise money. And as Senate majority leader, he's had to raise a lot of money to hold onto the state Senate," Doherty said. "Running a race against an incumbent governor in New York is $25 million-plus. It starts there."
In a statement, a spokeswoman for Republican State Chairman Ed Cox says, "He believes any and all of the people being mentioned as potential candidates wopuld do a better job than our current Governor whose record is steeped in corruption and broken promises."
At least three other Republicans are considering getting into the race, including Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, who ran in 2014.
A spokesman for Flanagan would not confirm or deny. He said Flanagan is honored to serve as majority leader, and with the new legislative session getting underway, the only thing he is focused on is doing the people's business.
SANTIAGO (Reuters) - The chairman of Codelco, Chile's state-run copper miner, was being treated in the hospital for minor injuries after receiving a package that exploded at his home on Friday.
Oscar Landerretche "is in a good state of health after being a victim today of the explosion of an artefact that he received at his home," said Codelco, the world's largest copper miner.
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said in comments to journalists that Landerretche had received some injuries on his arms and abdomen, and that his family had been unhurt.
"This was unacceptable and of course specialist police forces are investigating," she said.
It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack. Chile, which returned to democracy in 1990 after a 17-year dictatorship, is normally one of Latin America's most stable countries.
However, there have been a number of low-level attacks by anarchist groups in recent years. In September 2014 several people were injured after a device exploded next to a metro station.
Landerretche is a 44-year-old economist who has led Codelco's board, a government-appointed position, for the last two years. The miner is part-way through an ambitious investment programme but has struggled to turn a profit against a backdrop of low global copper prices.
Copper industry workers said he was well respected and they were baffled as to the reason behind the attack.
"We copper workers reject this kind of act," said Codelco union leader Raimundo Espinoza.
"I don't think Oscar is the kind of person who has enemies," said copper mining veteran and ex-Codelco chief executive Diego Hernandez to CNN Chile.
(Reporting by Antonio de la Jara and Rosalba O'Brien; Editing by Chris Reese and David Gregorio)
This year it is expected to take in $16.8 billion in revenue, well over twice the $7.5 billion it received in 2004. Next year, revenue is expected to rise by a third again, almost all because of oil.
Economists say the government simply has more money than it can spend.
Yet it seems powerless to address even the basic issues of clean water and sewers that would make such epidemics entirely preventable a paradox that critics attribute to corruption, incompetence or the hangover of a 27-year civil war that flooded the capital with refugees, or all three.
"We are talking about a government that has the means," said Stephan Goetghebuer, East Africa coordinator for Doctors Without Borders. "There are a lot of things they could be doing. The living conditions are really terrible, and they are terrible even if you compare them to other places in Africa."
Sebastiao Veloso, Angola's health minister, said the scope of the problem defied a quick fix. "We just do our best," he said. "The lack of infrastructure is a very complicated administrative problem. We are doing our part at the Ministry of Health, and the rest of government must do its part. We are pressuring the government, because otherwise these epidemics will continue."
Only one in six Luandan households is lucky enough to have running water, and for many of them, it comes from a community standpipe, according to Development Workshop, a nonprofit group in Angola. The often-contaminated river water from trucks that roam the slums costs up to 12 cents a gallon a hefty sum in a nation where two-thirds of the people live on less than $2 a day, and up to 160 times the price paid in better-off neighborhoods with piped water.
So the poor ration their water use, limiting themselves to about two gallons a day per person for drinking, bathing, washing clothes and cleaning. That is far below the five-gallon daily minimum recommended by the United Nations and one twenty-sixth the average use in Western countries, according to Doctors Without Borders.
In an attempt to beat back the epidemic, the government, with the help of the United Nations, is distributing a limited amount of free clean water. The few distribution points are easy to spot. Hundreds of people rise before dawn to set their plastic buckets in lines that stretch for blocks. The crowds remain long after the water is gone.
LUANDA, Angola, Aug. 3 (Agence France-Presse) Holden Roberto, one of the fathers of Angolas independence and a staunch opponent of President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, died on Thursday at his home in Luanda. He was 84.
The cause was cardiac arrest, his party, the National Liberation Front of Angola, announced. He was sent to Paris in January for treatment of severe heart problems.
His contributions in helping free Angola from centuries of Portuguese rule were hailed by both Angolas main opposition party, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola, Unita, and the governing party, the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola, or M.P.L.A.
Holden Alvaro Roberto was born on Jan. 12, 1923, in the former Sao Salvador, now known as Mbanza Congo, in northern Angola.
WASHINGTON When I heard the news Thursday that Charles G. Taylor, the former president of Liberia, had been found guilty of war crimes in Sierra Leone, I immediately telephoned one of the people whose life had been ripped apart by his soldiers: my sister Eunice, back home in Liberia.
Before Mr. Taylor unleashed the tsunami of rape, murder, torture and dismemberment that would engulf Sierra Leone, killing more than 50,000 people and causing hundreds of thousands to flee, there was Liberia.
It was in Liberia that Mr. Taylors rebels arrived in June 1990 at the Firestone rubber plantation (they still called it plantation) outside Monrovia, where Eunice was working. The fighters were intent on the revenge killings that would claim hundreds of thousands of civilians from Liberias rival ethnic groups. Eunice, then 27, ran outside in time to see about 20 men grabbing her co-worker Harris Brown and dragging him outside.
Why? He happened to be Krahn, the same ethnic group as that of the countrys hated president at the time, Mr. Taylors predecessor.
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone The health statistics in this battered land, still scarred from a decade of civil war, are so alarming that for a decade, donors have opened their wallets to help improve some of the worlds worst rates of maternal and infant mortality. This is the third-most dangerous place on earth to have a baby, and one of the most perilous to be a baby.
Millions of donor dollars later, health statistics show that the crisis for mothers and babies, as the British government called it, may be lessening. But one crisis appears to have spawned another: In a place where most of the population lives on less than a dollar a day, the incoming rush of health care aid has been dazzling.
Too dazzling, apparently.
Last month, the countrys 29 top health officials found themselves indicted by Sierra Leones anticorruption agency on charges of misappropriating a half-million dollars in grants from a global vaccine provider, GAVI Alliance, started by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The amount may not seem huge in some places, but in Sierra Leone, one of the least developed nations in the world, it looms particularly large, and the list of suspects is stunning.
The countrys top doctor the chief medical officer, Dr. Kizito Daoh was among those indicted. So were the director of primary health care at the Health Ministry, the permanent secretary at the Health Ministry and the ministrys program manager for reproductive health. Much of the ministrys leadership, the key agency in tackling some of the continents worst health outcomes, now finds itself charged with wrongdoing, including eight doctors.
To the Editor:
Danes Rethink a Welfare State Ample to a Fault (front page, April 21) paints a picture of Denmark that we take issue with: a picture of a country forced into reforming an unsustainable economic model that fosters a lazy population and inhibits innovation and growth.
That is not the case. Danish government works consistently to reform our welfare state, most recently with the agreement on a long-term, ambitious growth plan aiming to create a substantial number of new jobs by 2020. This plan is part of securing our model for the future.
Throughout the global financial crisis, Denmark has maintained its A.A.A. rating, and many international investors consider the Danish krone to be a safe haven. Average employment rates in Denmark remain higher than in the United States and other countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Denmark consistently ranks among the most competitive economies in the world, most recently in the Global Competitiveness Report for 2013.
Syrian rebels, frustrated by the Wests reluctance to provide arms, have found a supplier in an unlikely source: Sudan, a country that has been under international arms embargoes and maintains close ties with a stalwart backer of the Syrian government, Iran.
In deals that have not been publicly acknowledged, Western officials and Syrian rebels say, Sudans government sold Sudanese- and Chinese-made arms to Qatar, which arranged delivery through Turkey to the rebels.
The shipments included antiaircraft missiles and newly manufactured small-arms cartridges, which were seen on the battlefield in Syria all of which have helped the rebels combat the Syrian governments better-armed forces and loyalist militias.
Emerging evidence that Sudan has fed the secret arms pipeline to rebels adds to a growing body of knowledge about where the opposition to President Bashar al-Assad of Syria is getting its military equipment, often paid for by Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Saudi Arabia or other sympathetic donors.
MEXICO CITY The Honduran government has granted almost 7 percent of its territory to the indigenous Miskito communities who live on the land, an initiative intended to help them protect their forests.
The title agreement, which gives the Miskito people ownership of 760,000 hectares (about 2,930 square miles) of their traditional land, represents an acknowledgment of the rights of the most neglected citizens in one of the hemispheres poorest countries.
The title is just the first step, said David Kaimowitz, the director of natural resources at the Ford Foundation, who has been working with the Miskito communities. The title wont guarantee that drug traffickers and oil palm growers wont move in, but it gives them a handle to resist these incursions.
It is also an action that Mr. Kaimowitz and other experts say will help preserve the regions dense pine forests and tropical rain forests. Conservation groups maintain that indigenous people have been the best stewards of their own forests. Honduras is following Nicaragua, Belize and Panama, which have all handed over title to forestland to indigenous communities.
Cory Booker
Sen. Cory Booker forcefully denounced President-elect Donald Trump's pick for attorney general on Wednesday in a passionate testimony that broke with longstanding Senate tradition.
The New Jersey Democrat assailed the record of Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, saying the Republican's voting record suggests a "hostility" toward civil rights and criminal justice reform.
"Sen. Sessions has not demonstrated a commitment to a central requisite of the job: to aggressively pursue the congressional mandate of civil rights, equal rights, and justice for all of our citizens," Booker said before the Senate Judiciary Committee. "In fact, at numerous times in his career, he has demonstrated a hostility towards these convictions and has worked to frustrate attempts to advance these ideals."
Booker's much-publicized testimony was unprecedented in that it may have been the first time one sitting senator testified against another nominated for a Cabinet post.
Booker acknowledged the unusual move during his testimony.
"I believe, like perhaps all of my colleagues in the Senate, that in the choice between standing with Senate norms or standing up for what my conscience tells me is best for our country, I will always choose conscience and country," he said.
Democrats and civil rights advocates have pounced on Sessions' record, which includes criticism of the Voting Rights Act, which banned racial discrimination at the polls, as well as concern over the Justice Department's promotion of minority rights.
"The next attorney general must bring hope and healing to this country, and this demands a more courageous empathy than Sen. Sessions' record demonstrates," Booker said.
"If one is to be attorney general, they must be willing to continue the hallowed tradition in our country of fighting for justice for all, for equal justice, for civil rights," he added.
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Meanwhile, some Republican lawmakers remained skeptical of Booker's intentions, including Rep. Chris Collins, a vocal Trump supporter.
"It's not surprising at all that Cory Booker is the one pulling this off," Collins said on Tuesday. "What Cory Booker is doing is nothing but being self-serving, grabbing the headlines."
Sessions' nomination, however, is expected to be approved by the Republican-controlled Senate.
Watch Booker's testimony:
WATCH: Complete statement from Senator @CoryBooker, first Senator to testify against fellow Senator's cabinet nomination. pic.twitter.com/ZNqhL3cjQF CSPAN (@cspan) January 11, 2017
NOW WATCH: Here's how Jesus Christ is depicted in Islam
More From Business Insider
But some companies still overlook the emotional component when creating their employee wellbeing plan, said Ofer Leidner, co-founder and president of Happify , a science-based software platform for employee happiness and emotional wellbeing.A core number of companies are starting to realize theres another layer to the overall employee wellbeing that has been previously neglected the emotional wellbeing component, he said.For years, corporations have invested a tremendous amount of time and money in physical fitness, but have neglected emotional fitness.He cited a study done by Gallup that found that the total cost for lost productivity due to stress and behavioural health can go as high as US$550 billion annually.Clearly, he said, emotional health is a major issue and the smartest companies are the ones that address it in a preventative way.They are pre-empting the problem by giving employees access to benefits and plans that help them develop skills like resilience, grit, gratitude and more, he said.By providing highly accessible and scalable solutions to help people address their emotional wellbeing, these companies are taking steps to prevent employees from developing elevated levels of stress.He said that the most effective emotional wellness plans have four major characteristics:1) Plans need to be accessible to employees anytime, anywhere;2) Plans should be adaptable to each personality and employee;3) Programmes should leverage widely used technology to both scale service and easily measure outcomes of results in order to reach a large number of employees; and4) Methods used should ensure that users remain connected and interested in the program.Gamifying a stress management plan doesnt inherently make the plan more effective, said Ledner when asked about Happifys use of gamification in their programmes.But, it makes the plan more enjoyable and encourages people to use it more often, which, in turn, creates better results.A gamified plan is like a treadmill with a television. The television doesnt make you run better on the treadmill, but it does make the treadmill and more fun and thus, more likely that youll use it.He also added that when creating their emotional wellness plans, employers should watch out for certain peak stress times during the year.Some peak stress times they have identified in their research include the holidays, summertime when most workers go on vacation and those left behind have to take on extra work, and during budgeting season when finance and accounting departments usually work longer hours.Employers need to recognise when different departments are sensitive to increased period of stress and then develop plans to pre-empt these periods, he said.For instance, ahead of budgeting season, employers should deploy specific strategies that help reduce the cognitive and emotional load on the staff.If these employees will feel isolated during this period, find opportunities to foster connections between them and different departments to help generate the benefits of socialisation and personal connections, he added.This article is from HRD Singapore by Lauren Acurantes.
SANTA ANA A 26-year-old man raped his estranged wife in a hallway outside a room where their two young sons slept in Santa Ana, punched her in the head, cutting her with a blade, and then fled in her car, a prosecutor told jurors Thursday.
Luis Javier Cervantes attorney, however, said that while his client was guilty of hitting his wife and taking her car, he did not rape the victim.
Cervantes is charged with spousal rape, sexual penetration, assault with intent to commit a sex offense, assault with a deadly weapon and car theft, all felonies.
Cervantes and the victim met while students at Santa Ana High School and began dating when they were about 16, according to Senior Deputy District Attorney Whitney Bokosky. They have two sons, one born in 2007 and another in 2009, she added.
They dropped out of high school and would live with relatives, Bokosky said.
They had issues, and dropping out of high school wasnt helpful, she said. He had major jealousy issues.
Cervantes also struggled with drug and alcohol dependency, Bokosky said.
The two married in 2011, and by the next year police came to their home when the two got into a physical struggle, Bokosky said.
Cervantes, high on drugs and fueled by jealousy, punched his wife in the face and choked her before slamming and easel across her back, Bokosky said. The case was eventually dropped because the victim declined to continue cooperating with authorities, she said.
In mid-April 2015, the woman kicked Cervantes out of the 1-bedroom apartment where they were living in Santa Ana with her mother and the couples sons, Bokosky said.
The two had another argument with the defendant constantly accusing (the victim) of cheating on him, Bokosky said.
Early April 29, 2015, the woman drove her mother to her job at midnight and then returned home with her two sons and put them to bed, Bokosky said.
Cervantes, meanwhile, had gotten into the apartment and waited for her in the bathroom next to the room where they slept, Bokosky said.
He has a knife in his hand and shows her the butt of a gun, Bokosky said. Hes high and smells and she becomes even more afraid of him.
Cervantes allegedly told his estranged wife to take off her clothes and, She asks him, Are you going to rape me? Bokosky said.
Cervantes demanded she take off her clothes and then he raped her, Bokosky said. The defendant then said he wanted to win her back and that hes so depressed he wants to kill himself, Bokosky said.
Cervantes demanded to look at her phone, but she kept putting him off and attempted to talk him off the ledge, Bokosky said.
The victim tried but failed to call 911 during the exchange and at some point the defendant punched his wife in the head, cutting her with the blade in his hand, Bokosky said. The woman soon realizes theres a lot of blood as it pools around her on the floor, Bokosky said.
The defendant also realizes how badly he has injured his wife and calls his brother, Bokosky said.
He flees to save himself, Bokosky said. He has no car so he picks up her keys and takes her car.
The victim then managed to dial 911 and police arrested the defendant a day later, Bokosky said. The victim required about 11 staples in her head, Bokosky said.
Cervantes attorney, Christian De Olivas, told jurors that his client is not guilty of spousal rape, or of sexually assaulting the victim with his fingers. De Olivas conceded his client is guilty of assault and car theft.
This is a case about passion, De Olivas said. I feel bad for the victim she is a victim. He didnt rape her and he didnt break into the house.
The defense attorney acknowledged that Cervantes is a jealous man and began seeing things that were not there.
De Olivas said his client had a box cutter in his hand when he slugged his wife, not a knife.
That is why the victim didnt die, De Olivas said.
Cervantes went to his wifes apartment to reconcile with her and to see the children, De Olivas said.
The defense attorney said the woman did not mention rape in her call to a 911 dispatcher.
Also, she was more concerned about her car than rape, De Olivas said.
Barack Obama isnt handing Donald Trump any portfolio of foreign-policy successes as he passes the baton the next president. Trump is about to step into a world that his peace-prize-winning predecessor has made measurably more unstable and dangerous than it was eight years ago.
Hell inherit the Obama administrations full-dress messes (Syria, Ukraine, critically dysfunctional relations with Russia) and some unresolved problems on the way to becoming messes (North Korea, the South China Sea).
Related: Looks Like Flynn Is Manipulating Trump on Russia. Wheres His Pink Slip?
What should Trump do? In what order should he and Rex Tillerson, who will shortly be confirmed as secretary of state, unpack the trunkful of crises and near-crises the departing president hands them?
You dont get a lot of think-tank-worthy grand strategy from Trump and his foreign policy people. The new president remains a seat-of-the-pants man, as his Wednesday press conference at Trump Tower made plain. Tillerson, if his confirmation hearings are any guide, is more of a pragmatist than critics on the Democratic side seem to think.
But if Trump and Tillerson are smart enough to spot a couple of quick, astute moves open to them, they can establish a new policy framework that will make it a great deal easier to cope with the tangled web Obama and his State Department leave behind.
Not coincidentally, the key strategies involve Russia and China. Like it or not, these two prominent nonWestern powers will have a lot to say about what the 21st century is going to look like. They already do, indeed.
Related: Trump Acknowledges Russia Role In U.S. Election Hacking
Lets look across one ocean at a time:
U.S.Russian relations. Its obvious now that Trump faces a brutish battle with some elements of the national security apparatus and the Pentagon that oppose his preference for a neo-detente with Moscow. Trump should stick to his guns; better relations with Russia are the key to too many problems to count.
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Remember, Trumps opponents are the same people who scuttled Secretary of State Kerrys ceasefire efforts in Syria last year by refusing to work jointly with the Russian military. Now look: Russia, Turkey, and Iran have pushed through a new ceasefire while effectively pushing the U.S. out of the picture.
Kerry was startlingly blunt on this point when Charlie Rose interviewed him earlier this week. Talking to Russia, as the outgoing secretary put it, is essential to any solution in Syria. That goes for getting beyond the long stalemate in Ukraine, too. And lets not miss whats going on in Europe in this connection.
Brexit, weak economies, the migrant crisis, right-wing populism, and a full calendar of elections this yearFrance, the Netherlands, Germany, probably Italyare turning the Continents gaze inward. Its losing interest in Ukraine, Crimea, sanctions, NATO, and American-style geopolitics altogether. Obamas legacy on this score, reflecting a consistently overplayed hand, is a wider Atlantic.
Related: Trump Train Headed for a Brick Wall in US-Russia Relations
The takeaway: Theres plenty of work to do across the Atlantic and in the Middle East. A better relationship with Moscow is not the Rosetta Stone, but it can open doors to resolving several problems in need of quick attention.
U.S.China relations. Team Trump is not wrong to complain there are problems in the transPacific economic relationship. Theyre just wrong to put it first on the list. Doing so will exacerbate the two real crises-in-the-making.
First, a consensus prioritizing on North Korea was forming in Washington even before the November elections, and it will be waiting for Trump when he occupies the Oval Office. Kim Jong-uns New Years Day announcement that the North will shortly test its first intercontinental ballistic missile more or less forces Trump to choose among the three alternatives now on the table:
Trump can tell the Chinese, Either you bring Pyongyang into line, or we go to war. But this alternative is flawed. Washington consistently over-estimates Beijings leverage over the North and pushing an ultimatum of this kind risks serious damage to SinoU.S. ties. More grimly, Pyongyang is capable of destroying significant parts of Seoul in response to direct military intervention. Probability: Low to zero.
Trump can do nothing. In view of Kims claim to be testing an ICBM, this takes on a brand-new level of risk. Probability: Again, low to zero.
Related: China Just Gave Trump a 999-Foot-Long Middle Finger
Trump can swallow hard and revive efforts to negotiate a treaty with Pyongyang. The record of failure is long and awful, but this is now the least bad option. Nobody has yet found anything better than the six-party format structured in the past: It brings the U.S., China, Japan, South Korea, and (please note) Russia to the table with the North.
Second, Trump appears to care more about trade and investment relations than sharpening tensions on security and sovereignty questions. And he is right to suggest its time to abandon the Clinton-era principle of good relations at any cost.
But Defense Secretary Ash Carter dumped a big mess in Trumps lap by needlessly worsening tensions over policing the South China Sea. This has made time a lot shorter on the security side. Sending an aircraft carrier through the Taiwan Strait this week is merely the latest of Beijings signals to this effect.
Lets hope Trump understands the imperative: Its time to stop telling the bristly Xi Jinping that the seas off Chinas coast are Americas alone to secure. Its a bankrupt proposition, long, long past its sell-by date.
Trumps takeaway: Try altering our economic ties with China while focusing attention elsewhere on more urgent areas.
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Cha Chas Latin Kitchen, a gourmet Mexican restaurant with an outlet in downtown Brea, is opening a second location in Irvine.
The restaurant is replacing a recently closed IHOP at the Market Place in Irvine.
Cha Chas is expected to open in June, co-owner Peter Serantoni said.
This will be the third restaurant and second Cha Chas for Serantoni and his business partner Don Myers. The two have been scouting locations for a second Cha Chas for quite some time, he said.
Though Serantoni is not mall guy, he said he couldnt pass up an opportunity to open at the Market Place, home to a large number of successful restaurants including Lazy Dog, BJs Pizza, Snooze, TAPS Fish House & Brewery and Snooze.
Everyone seems to be doing well there, said Serantoni, who lives in San Francisco. If you have a decent product, you can do really well there.
Menu details are still in the works. But Serantoni, who also operates a restaurant consulting business in San Francisco, said diners in Irvine can expect a more adventurous menu compared to Brea. He plans to add braised meat dishes and more seafood options. He also plans to grind corn in-house for making his own tortillas, and other masa-based dishes like sopes and gorditas.
Beyond that, the menu will be virtually the same as Brea, he said.
Were not going to stray too far off the reservation, he said.
The restaurant is 4,200 square feet, but Cha Chas plans to add a 1,300-square-foot patio. Cha Chas is the second downtown Brea concept to add a location at the Market Place. In June 2015, TAPS opened a location where Buca di Beppo operated at the Market Place.
Contact the writer: nluna@scng.com
A pair of shoplifters have been targeting elderly customers since the end of last year at retail stores from Orange County to Central California, and law enforcement agencies are asking for the public to help identify them, officials say.
On Dec. 15, the couple, a man often seen wearing medical scrubs and a woman, are suspected of stealing from several senior citizens at a Home Goods store in the 27000 block of Antonio Parkway in Ladera Ranch, the Orange County Sheriffs Department said in a statement released Thursday.
One victim, the statement said, who was in a wheelchair, had her purse stolen from a shopping cart, which was being pushed by her husband. The victims credit card was later used to make purchases in Ladera Ranch and San Juan Capistrano.
Two weeks later, on Dec. 30, surveillance cameras captured footage of the couple entering a Ralphs supermarket in Dana Point and after several failed attempts to steal from other customers grabbing an elderly womans purse from her cart as she turned to grab produce, the statement said. Someone then tried unsuccessfully to withdraw money from that victims bank account.
Law enforcement believes the suspects have stolen from shoppers in Southern and Central California. Lt. Mark Stichter, the spokesman for Orange County Sheriffs Department, said he could release the names of the other cities because hed need those agencies permission to do so.
But he did say the department is working with those agencies to identify the suspects.
It is a good reminder to stay alert when shopping, Stichter said. Keep your purse on your person. Keep your purse closed or locked.
Anyone with information on the suspects can call investigators at 714-628-7170. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-847-6227.
Contact the writer: 714-796-6979 or chaire@scng.com
Two Orange County doctors, who were subject to separate undercover investigations, face California Medical Board discipline for improperly prescribing dangerous drugs without a medical reason.
According to legal documents recently made public, Dr. Jeffrey Dove Olsen of Newport Beach and Dr. Mark Anthony Wimbley of Irvine face potential loss of their licenses.
The board documents say that in 2013 and 2014, undercover operatives, including an agent for the Drug Enforcement Administration, visited Wimbleys office and secretly recorded their appointments. In two instances, Wimbley gave the phony patients powerful opiates without a physical exam in exchange for cash, the documents say.
Wimbleys attorney, Ray McMahon, declined to comment Thursday.
The doctor advised two other patients, who also received opiates, on how to avoid suspicion when filling prescriptions at the pharmacy, according to the documents. Additionally, Wimbley is accused of seeing 20 actual patients but never performing physical exams or diagnostic tests before prescribing them painkillers.
According to the documents, Wimbley was charged in 2015 with 12 felony counts of prescribing controlled substances without a medical reason. A year later, he reached an agreement with the Orange County District Attorneys office not to prescribe certain controlled substances. The Orange County Superior Court website indicates that a pretrial hearing in the criminal case is scheduled for February.
In October, the documents say, the board also ordered him not to prescribe such drugs, pending the outcome of the boards disciplinary action.
In the accusation against Olsen, board documents say an undercover operative met him at a dental office in 2013 where he prescribed him opiates without a medical reason. In 2015, he prescribed opiates and other addictive drugs to two confidential sources during a joint appointment where the friends admitted they were sharing medication, the documents say.
Olsen said Thursday that the accusation was unfair and the result of entrapment.
It depicts me and my practice in a light thats not fair or honest or responsible at all, Olsen said. They used tactics that are more used for trying to pursue and prosecute drug dealing rather than a physician in practice.
To look up a doctors disciplinary record, visit mbc.ca.gov.
Contact the writer: cperkes@scng.com 714-796-3686
As the Dodgers head toward the first workout of spring training on Feb. 16, we are providing a breakdown of how they stand with their roster. Today, the starting rotation:
2016 RECAP
The Dodgers used 15 starting pitchers after using a major-league high 16 in 2015. Veterans Brandon McCarthy, Scott Kazmir and Hyun-Jin Ryu were marginalized (or made invisible) by injuries. Rich Hill was acquired at midseason and didnt even pitch for his new team for nearly a month because of blister problems. Even ace Clayton Kershaw spent 75 days on the DL with a mildly herniated disc in his back. That left rookies (Kenta Maeda, Julio Urias, Ross Stripling, Brock Stewart and Jose DeLeon) to pick up the slack and they combined to start a major-league high 70 games.
HOW IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW
Theyre putting the band back together. Of the 15 pitchers who started at least one game for the Dodgers in 2016, 11 are expected back in training camp this spring. Hill re-signed as a free agent, joining Kershaw and Maeda to form the front three. A rotation spot awaits the precocious 20-year-old Urias. Beyond that, a rotating door will likely usher a wide assortment of starters into the rotation at various times. That uncommon depth should allow the Dodgers to absorb the likely limitations in starts and innings theyll get from a number of starters either planned (to limit the innings on young arms like Urias) or unplanned (to injury-prone veterans).
THE NEXT LAYER
Even after sending three young pitchers (Jharel Cotton, Frankie Montas and former first-round pick Grant Holmes) to Oakland for Hill and outfielder Josh Reddick last July, the Dodgers farm system is fat with pitching prospects. Urias, Stripling, Stewart and DeLeon made their big-league debuts last season and figure to contribute to various degrees this year. Behind them, another wave is building. Right-hander Trevor Oaks is the most likely to be seen in Los Angeles this season but Walker Buehler and Yadier Alvarez are blue-chippers on the way. Buehler underwent Tommy John surgery almost immediately after being drafted in the first round in 2015 and is set for his first full pro season. Signed as a teenager out of Cuba that same summer, Alvarez spent last season hitting 100 mph in Class-A.
MOVES THEY COULD MAKE
With so much inventory, the Dodgers would gladly unload veterans McCarthy or Kazmir and get out from under the remainder of their contracts. But that appears unlikely at this point (unless one or the other is attached to prospects in a larger deal). DeLeon has reportedly been offered to the Minnesota Twins in trade talks for second baseman Brian Dozier. Those talks were tabled when the Twins set their sights on Buehler and Alvarez (or young first baseman Cody Bellinger) as additions to the deal.
Contact the writer: bplunkett@scng.com
A second California appellate court decision has found that public employees pensions, often considered sacrosanct, can, indeed, be reduced for current workers.
In Cal Fire Local 2881 v. CalPERS, the union representing state firefighters challenged the states Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) over the elimination of airtime purchases, which allowed employees to purchase up to five years worth of service credits, the maximum allowed under federal law, for the purposes of calculating their pensions.
As with numerous local airtime purchase programs, the states program was supposedly designed to be cost neutral, but ended up being a windfall for those who took advantage of it. Citing a California Public Employees Retirement System study, Review of Additional Retirement Service Credits, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Evelio Grillo noted that in selling airtime to state employees CalPERS was selling $1.00 worth of benefits for between $0.72 and $0.89.
Pensions are intended to provide retirement stability for time actually worked, Gov. Jerry Brown argued in his Twelve Point Pension Reform Plan in 2011, some of which was incorporated into PEPRA. Employers, and ultimately taxpayers, should not bear the burden of guaranteeing the additional employee investment risk that comes with airtime purchases.
The Third Division of the First District Court of Appeals agreed that the state had a right to put an end to such benefits. While plaintiffs may believe they have been disadvantaged by these amendments, the law is quite clear that they are entitled only to a reasonable pension, not one providing fixed or definite benefits immune from modification or elimination by the governing body, the appeals court panel unanimously held.
The decision comes on the heels of the Marin Association of Public Employees v. Marin County Employees Retirement Association ruling, rendered by the same courts Second Division in August, which similarly upheld a PEPRA provision prohibiting pension spiking.
The appellate court rulings challenge what has become known as the California Rule, now adopted by at least 12 states, which maintains that pension benefits in effect the day a government employee is hired must be honored throughout the employees entire career, and cannot be reduced without an offsetting benefit not even on a purely prospective basis.
Unions point to a 1955 state Supreme Court decision that stated, changes in a pension plan which result in disadvantage to employees should be accompanied by comparable new advantages. But, in both the Marin and Cal Fire decisions, the appeals court notes that there is a big difference between the word should and the word must.
As we have said before, all benefits earned for work already performed must be honored. But, as in the private sector, future benefits on a going-forward basis should be fair game for alteration, particularly as economic and fiscal conditions, and the health of the pension fund, change. For the sake of taxpayers pocketbooks and many public workers future employment we hope the California Supreme Court will reject the California Rule and allow for reasonable adjustments to future pension benefits.
SANTA ANA A Best Buy supervisor who alerted authorities after a Geek Squad technician said he found child pornography on a respected Newport Beach doctors computer denied that the FBI paid them for their efforts during courtroom testimony Thursday.
Attorneys hoping to get prosecutors evidence against Mark Rettenmaier thrown out questioned FBI agents and Best Buy employees who described a close working relationship between federal investigators and computer-repair managers who were classified as informants and at times earned $500 payments for helping to kick-start child pornography investigations.
The Rettenmaier investigation began when the doctors broken computer was sent to a national Best Buy Geek Squad facility in Kentucky for repairs. Technicians found what authorities described as a photo of a naked pre-pubescent girl.
Best Buy employees notified the FBI, and a subsequent search warrant of several of Rettenmaiers electronic devices, including an iPhone, turned up more than 800 photos of naked or partially undressed underage girls, federal prosecutors say in a court filing.
Rettenmaiers attorneys are challenging the legality of the computer searches. U.S. District Court Judge Cormac J. Carney this week allowed the defense to call witnesses to explore the relationship between the FBI and Best Buy, as well as the actions of the FBI agents.
Best Buy officials say their employees occasionally run across suspected child pornography in the normal course of their repairs, at which point they have a legal and moral obligation to contact law enforcement.
FBI Agent Richard Boswell and the other agents denied asking the Best Buy managers or techs to do anything outside of their normal work duties.
I took up their time, and they provided us with useful information, Boswell said when asked why the FBI paid the managers, adding that some were reluctant to take the payments.
Justin Meade, the Best Buy technician supervisor who contacted the FBI about Rettenmaiers computer, said he wasnt paid by the agency. Receiving the money would have violated the chains policy.
Meade also denied ever specifically looking for child pornography on clients computers, saying that doing so would be unethical and illegal.
Along with the relationship between Best Buy and the FBI, Rettenmaiers attorneys are also challenging whether the photo that led to the search warrant can be considered child pornography, and argue that the image was found in an area on the doctors computer where deleted files are kept, meaning he may not have been aware of the photo.
A hearing date has not yet been set for Carney to announce his decision over whether the evidence should be thrown out.
Q. Honk, we hear the loudest motorcycle noises imaginable whenever some of these hogs roll by. They seem to think other people enjoy their deafening-loud, modified tail pipes. Why dont the police cite loud motorcycles, and incidentally, loud cars as well?
John Jaeger, Irvine
A. Your towns finest say they do cite for such violations, John.
In fact, we have a few officers who are experts in these types of cases, Sgt. Michael Wright of Irvines Traffic Division told Honk in an email. The problem with most noise complaints regarding vehicles is that proving the citations in court can be difficult.
This requires a decibel-machine reading that is not easy to obtain at the time of the offense, he added. (But) we do stop and cite violators.
Q. Hi Honk. Is it legal to dial an outgoing number by pushing the buttons on a cell phone while driving? Do you have to use voice control to dial the number? It seems like talking on the phone in speaker mode is legal while driving, but dialing the numbers by pressing buttons might be a problem unless you pull over, come to a complete stop, dial the number, then continue driving. Can you clear this up?
Mark Schrimmer, Irvine
A. Mark, think of Honk as the chlorine dumped into an algae-infested, green pool yes, he can clear this one up.
The law for basic smart phones tightened up on Jan. 1.
In the old days, officers gave ol Honk several interpretations for when you could get busted using a cell when driving and putting the phone up to an ear was a certain citation if caught.
Now, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles, if you are driving and want to talk on the phone, it must be properly mounted onto the windshield, the dashboard or the center console.
The drivers hand may only be used to activate or deactivate a feature or function on the device with the motion of a single swipe or tap of the drivers finger, but not while holding it, says an email sent out by Artemio Armenta from the DMVs Sacramento headquarters.
Tino Olivera, an officer and spokesman for the California Highway Patrol in Orange County, agreed with that interpretation. He said drivers can tap the number in, if the phone is where it should be, so long as you are not distracted.
Honkin fact: Blue lines, between the traditional double-yellow striping, are popping up in New Jersey downtowns, oftentimes near the local police station to honor the men and women in blue. But the feds have said that is against roadway guidelines.
Mayors dont usually do things that are also illegal, but if you want to call this line illegal, thats all right with me, Mahwahs Mayor William LaForet told NBC 4 out of New York City.
To ask Honk questions, reach him at honk@ocregister.com. He answers only those questions that are published.
WASHINGTON Human Rights Watch on Thursday released its annual report on threats to human rights around the world, and for the first time in the 27 years it has done these surveys, the United States is one of the biggest. The reason: the rise of Donald Trump.
Eight days before Trump is to be sworn in as president, the human-rights advocacy group declared that his path to power, in a campaign marked by misogynistic, xenophobic and racist rhetoric, could cause tremendous harm to vulnerable communities, contravene the United States core human rights obligations, or both.
This is not the first time Human Rights Watch has cast the United States as a bad actor. After the terrorist attacks in September 2001, it took the administration of President George W. Bush to task for waterboarding and other interrogation techniques widely considered to be torture.
But Kenneth Roth, the organizations executive director, said in an interview: This is a more fundamental threat to human rights than George Bush after 9/11. I see Trump treating human rights as a constraint on the will of the majority in a way that Bush never did.
Roth cited a familiar list of policies Trump embraced during the campaign: mass deportations of unauthorized immigrants, a ban on Muslims entering the United States, and an openness to reintroducing techniques like waterboarding. Trump has since expressed second thoughts about torture, after a meeting with Gen. James N. Mattis, his nominee for defense secretary, who told him it was ineffective.
Trumps seeming change of heart did not console Roth, because the president-elect said he would still consider ordering the use of these techniques if thats what the American people want. Roth said this suggested to him that Trump would place himself, and his interpretation of the public will, above laws or treaties forbidding torture.
Human Rights Watch places Trumps rise in the context of a populist movement sweeping the Western world, most notably in the British vote to leave the European Union. Beyond the West, the report explores the rise of authoritarian leaders in Turkey and Egypt and the growing appeal of strongmen in Russia and China.
I wouldnt say Trump is a trendsetter as much as riding the populist wave, Roth said.
Populist leaders are less susceptible to naming and shaming, the traditional way human rights groups pressure countries engaged in abuses, he said. Some leaders like the new Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte, who has ordered the execution of thousands of suspected drug dealers revel in their flouting of rules and norms.
Trumps nominee for secretary of state, Rex W. Tillerson, said during his confirmation hearing Wednesday that human rights should remain a priority for the United States. But he declined to condemn Dutertes drug war in the Philippines.
America and the people of the Philippines have a long-standing friendship, he said. And I think its important that we keep that in perspective in engaging with the government of the Philippines, and they have been an ally, and we need to ensure they stay an ally.
Trumps rise poses another problem for Human Rights Watch. Much of its advocacy has focused on pressing the United States to use its influence to curb human-rights abuses abroad. If the Trump administration is not receptive to these efforts, Roth said, the United States will cease to play that role.
Even now, Human Rights Watch regularly faults the Obama administration. The report notes that the United States lifted a ban on the sale of lethal arms to Vietnam even though the country had made little progress in protecting human rights and that it continued to give military aid to Egypts authoritarian government.
As it confronts the populist wave in the United States and Europe, Roth said, Human Rights Watch is shifting its emphasis from the White House and foreign governments to the public. In Washington, officials said, it also planned to lobby Congress more aggressively.
Our recommendations are not so much to governments as to people, Roth said. Were trying to issue a wake-up call to Western publics to stand up.
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IRVINE Authorities took possession of 19 puppies from a woman arrested this week after selling several sick puppies that later died to families in Irvine and elsewhere, police said on Friday.
The Irvine Animal Care Center was evaluating the 19 puppies to determine if they are healthy and can made available for adoption.
They are being tested for an array of illnesses, said Kim Mohr, a spokeswoman for the Irvine Police Department: We suspect they werent properly cared for.
Megan Ann Hoechstetter, 42, Irvine police say, set up a fake rescue organization online to sell animals she may have obtained from distributors in Mexico.
Hoechstetter was booked on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges related to crimes against animals, police said. She was later released and scheduled for a court hearing this afternoon.
At least six puppies that Hoechstetter sold later died, Mohr said, and the number that could climb.
Weve been inundated with calls since news broke, she said.
According to the website, Pawlosophy is a 100 percent nonprofit organization run entirely by dedicated volunteers who offer their time and resources to house, train, transport and care for these animals.
The site says the nonprofit has placed hundreds of animals into loving homes.
Hoechstetter had six puppies with her, in a large case in a vehicle, when detectives placed her under arrest in Irvine, Mohr, said. Thirteen additional puppies were recovered from a motel room in Cypress where Hoechstetter was living, Mohr added.
Anyone with tips about this case was asked to contact Kim Cherney, the animal services supervisor, at 949-724-7091 or at kcherney@cityofirvine.org.
Contact the writer: jsudock@scng.com
HANOI Secretary of State John F. Kerry returned to Vietnam on Thursday for his fourth and final visit as the top U.S. diplomat, his presence embodying the transformation of the two countries from enemies to partners.
Even as his nominated successor, Rex Tillerson, was answering questions at his confirmation hearing Wednesday, Kerry was already in the air for the 22-hour journey from Washington to Southeast Asia. It is the final trip overseas for the most traveled secretary of state in U.S. history, with his latest flight pushing him just past 1.4 million miles.
After two days in Vietnam, Kerry goes to Paris for a Middle East peace conference of foreign ministers and to London for dinner with Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. He will end the trip at an economic forum in Davos, Switzerland, then return to Washington with barely a day and half left to savor what he has characterized as the job of a lifetime.
The Vietnam stop is particularly meaningful for Kerry, aides said. His fate has been linked to this country for almost 50 years, since he first arrived in 1968 as a young Navy lieutenant battling communist insurgents.
When Kerry was a U.S. senator from Massachusetts, he and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who was shot down over Hanoi as a Navy pilot and held as a prisoner of war, played a central role in normalizing relations between the United States and Vietnam.
In Vietnam at the close of his career in public office, Kerry will meet with government and ruling Communist Party officials and review the arc of the bilateral relationship in a policy speech. The capstone will be a riverboat trip in the Mekong Delta, where he captained a Swift Boat patrol vessel during the Vietnam War. Aides said he will go to the spot in the river in Ca Mau province where he earned a Silver Star.
The United States has been providing aid to help maintain the health of the river so it can continue as an economic engine of the region. It is being undermined by hydroelectric dams upriver and the impact of climate change an issue to which Kerry is expected to devote much of his post-government life.
Kerry arrived in Hanoi late Thursday, checking in at a hotel not far from the prison where McCain was held.
He is scheduled to meet Friday morning with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son. Aides traveling with Kerry say that among the topics they will discuss are climate change, North Korea and Chinas actions in the South China Sea all issues that will fall to a new administration to deal with starting Jan. 20.
In a sign of the remarkable degree to which relations have changed between Vietnam and the United States, the secretary of the Communist Party of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, will host a dinner for Kerry on Friday night. By next year, the United States plans to send Peace Corps volunteers to Vietnam for the first time.
(c) 2017, The Washington Post.
ANAHEIM Detectives are looking for a 35-year-old transient, considered armed and dangerous, who is accused of fatally shooting a man at a motel who intervened into an argument and told the suspect to leave, police said Thursday.
Authorities said that the suspect, Luke Theodore Lampers, fled by taking along a woman he was associated with at gunpoint.
Lampers is suspected of shooting motel guest Douglas Navarro, 49, of Anaheim during a 7:30 p..m. Wednesday dispute at the Crystal Inn on Lincoln Avenue, just east of Brookhurst Street, said Anaheim Sgt. Daron Wyatt.
Lampers appparently then forced Brianne Deese, 23, with whom he may have had a romantic relationship with at at one point, into his car before fleeing, police said.
Officers performed CPR on Navarro. He was then taken to a local hospital in critical condition, where he died.
Just before the shooting, Lampers had arrived at the motel with Deese, Wyatt said. He then got into a verbal argument with some motel residents, at which point Navarro intervened, told the suspect to leave and was shot. The cause of the dispute was under investigation.
Lampers is a transient who bounces around to different cities, Wyatt said. The car is an orange 2011 Nissan Cube, with a California License plate number of 6SOY425.
Wyatt warned that people should not approach Lampers or his vehicle instead call 911. To report tips anonymously, calls can be made to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS.
Contact the writer: 714-796-6979 or chaire@scng.com
Repeal of Obamacare has become a mantra of the new administration; one of many decrees to clean the proverbial swamp. Not so fast we hear from some in the GOP and the political left. And theyre probably correct to be cautious rather than cavalier and concentrate on fixing health care. Repeal gets us nowhere. Its campaign rhetoric. The GOP needs to focus on a replacement that works to bring an opportunity for every American to purchase the affordable medical and health care that they need and want.
Passing the ACA settled the debate about a persons right to health care insurance and the GOP understands that. With the stroke of the presidents pen the nation shouldered the obligation of making sure patients are insured. The problem, of course, is the law that Congress passed is only about insurance, not about care and it does not work.
The ACA is a finance system that offers a benefit package that is too expensive for most Americans even with the government subsidy. But more importantly, it does not allow access to health care. In fact, the ACA regulations and exchanges often stand in the way of care because of the narrow networks and paper work that are necessary to navigate before care is offered.
The nations physicians have found that in spite of wanting to be there for all their patients and signing on to the exchanges, they cannot find other professionals who have also signed on leaving them empty when it comes to consultations or further care. Imagine my personal frustration when I found a mass in my godsons neck. The ultrasound was done immediately for $175 and the biopsy followed for $500. Within 48 hours we had a diagnosis of cancer with nowhere to go because the surgeon who I called does not take Obamacare and he needs surgery. In spite of calling his primary physician and giving her instructions on what to do, were still waiting (a week later) for the paperwork. He has no appointment with a surgeon or an oncologist. The system does not work. Like most government bureaucracies, process takes precedence over results. The GOP can fix things by replacing the ACA with a functional alternative.
Complete repeal of the ACA without a suitable replacement would be a disaster for the country and the GOP. If full repeal moves forward without a replacement, millions of insured patients would find their insurance to be even more useless than it is now as the narrow exchange networks will become vacuous.
The GOP would be wise to vote for a replacement that allows for the marketplace to repeal Obamacare in effect. Legislation repealing the individual mandate and the employer mandate would be a start so long as the legislation also replaces the current lavish benefit package that includes fertility care (even for males) with a minimal essential benefit looking more like a catastrophic only policy. That would be a signal to insurers to offer a panoply of plans with all kinds of benefit opportunities that encourage real competition. This legislation has been written and is ready to roll out. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, and Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., have worked for over 18 months with over 500 physicians from all over the nation to construct a plan that works.
This legislation offers tax credits to every American citizen with generous HSAs that allow the marketplace to effectively bury Obamacare as less expensive policies offering more choices would be available for purchase. No one would be forced to lose his or her insurance. Turning this entitlement into a defined contribution program rather than a defined benefit program would allow the federal government to calculate the yearly outlay and allow for a more sustainable entitlement.
The bill offers generous HSA opportunities. We will need to see prices publicly posted to encourage competition and accountability among physicians and health care facilities. Lower cost and higher quality will find their home in a competitive transparent marketplace.
Most importantly, it fixes the problems found with the ACA because patients and doctors will no longer be tied to useless paperwork but can work together on behalf of quality care. Supporting this focused legislation will allow the GOP the opportunity to become the champion of the hard working American family.
The health of the every individual living in this country is serious business. Their health is my solemn responsibility as their trusted physician. I am hopeful that our elected leadership can leave their egos at home and come together to pass a reform package that will allow Americas citizens to make their own choices about their life and their health in a marketplace where physicians are challenged to compete.
In the end, Americans deserve affordable health care. Its within our reach if Congress moves forward with the Sessions/Cassidy bill and really fixes health care.
Marcy Zwelling-Aamot, MD FACEP is chair of the National Physicians Council for Healthcare Policy.
COSTA MESA Alexis Nava Teodoro said he attended a community forum at Whittier Law School on Thursday afternoon to build bridges.
The Santa Ana immigrant rights activist said he is one of many who are concerned about the steps a Donald Trump administration might take to make matters worse for immigrant families, particularly those who are undocumented.
We need a coalition of resistance in Orange County, he said. We need to narrow our resistance and come together as one so we can work together to protect each others rights.
Teodoros sentiments were echoed during the forum, which was organized by Asian Americans Advancing Justice and attended by the public and members of 26 Orange County agencies representing law schools, Latinos, Asian Americans, Muslims and other minority communities.
Panelists discussed a range of issues, from the repeal of the Affordable Care Act and the fear of mass deportations to an increase in hate crimes and incidents nationwide.
Though the focus has been on anti-Muslim hate in recent months, there also is a legitimate fear in Asian American communities that they could soon become targets, said Karin Wang with AAAJ.
She noted that Trumps campaign vilified China as the economic boogeyman just as Japan was in the 1980s, a sentiment that led to the attack and murder of a Chinese man in Michigan by Caucasian autoworkers who thought he was Japanese.
What I fear is that this election has normalized Trumpism, Wang said. He campaigned on vilifying certain segments of the population and won, leaving these communities vulnerable. We need to stand up for one another because anyone could be next.
Among immigrants, the most vulnerable are undocumented immigrants who have been convicted or charged with committing a crime, said Carlos Perea, an immigrant rights activist.
The criminalization of a community, be it Latinos or doing that with a Muslim registry, should be unacceptable, he said.
The repeal of the Affordable Care Act is also a huge concern among Asian Americans, Wang said, adding that the Asian American community in California saw a 59 percent drop in those uninsured after ACA passed. About 32,000 Asian Americans in Orange County benefit from the Affordable Care Act, she said.
If you have health care through Medicare or Medicaid, you should be concerned too because the changes to those programs are also coming, she said.
Panelists emphasized the need to support legitimate news organizations that do in-depth investigative journalism and engage with others, especially those who might not agree with a certain viewpoint.
You need to have those hard conversations with people and educate them, said Stephen Lee, professor of law at UCI Law School. We all need to engage people who might not hold our views and be a source of information for them.
Panelists ended the event with a call to action.
The way to help Trump succeed with keeping up his promises is by remaining silent and neutral, said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations local chapter. What we need to do is show up, be there and support truth and justice.
Contact the writer: 714-796-7909 or dbharath@scng.com
SANTA ANA Police were searching for a 23-year-old developmentally disabled man who went missing Thursday morning, authorities said Friday.
Arturo Elias Caceras was last seen leaving his parents home in the 1000 block of West Bishop Street in Santa Ana at 8 a.m. on Thursday. He was headed to Santa Ana College, Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.
He has a bus pass, Bertagna said, but he never showed up for class at Santa Ana College and didnt return home Thursday.
Caceras is described as Hispanic, about 5-foot-8-inches tall, 230 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. His family says he has the mental capacity of a 10-year-old.
The Orange County Sheriffs Departments helicopter, Duke, flew over Santa Ana through the night Thursday and into Friday morning. Pilots were making announcements over the choppers public-address system, while patrol officers searched as well.
Anyone who believes they know Caceras whereabouts can call Cpl. Mike Judson at 714-245-8331 or the Santa Ana Police Departments main line at 714-834-4211.
Contact the writer: 714-796-7802 or jsudock@scng.com
A SWAT standoff and officer-involved shooting in Lake Elsinore late Wednesday began when a man started shooting at a California Highway Patrol officer who tried to pull him over, then continued shooting as other officers chased him down I-15, according to the CHP.
No CHP officers were injured during the chase. But the outcome of the officer-involved shooting following the SWAT standoff with Riverside County sheriffs deputies is still unclear; a sheriffs spokesman would not say Thursday morning, Jan. 12, whether anyone had been injured or killed.
A sergeant with the Riverside County Coroners Office could not confirm whether staff responded to an incident in that area Wednesday night. A Cal Fire spokeswoman said the Sheriffs Department summoned firefighter-paramedics at 9:20 p.m. Cal Fire personnel were later told they could leave and never examined any patients.
The southbound I-15, which was closed overnight for the investigation, was fully reopened by 7 a.m. Thursday.
Investigators remained into Thursday afternoon at the scene of the shooting, on Villa Roma near Villa Milano close to the Lake Elsinore-Canyon Lake border.
Asked whether the suspect was dead, one investigator replied, Im sorry, Im not authorized to say anything.
About 8:50 p.m. Wednesday, a CHP officer pulled over a man believed to be under the influence of alcohol on the southbound 15 near Indian Truck Trail, CHP Officer Dan Olivas wrote in a news release early Thursday.
The driver complied, but once the officer began to speak with him, he became extremely uncooperative, making threats and furtive movements in his vehicle, Olivas wrote.
The CHP officer took cover behind a freeway barrier as the man got out of his vehicle and began shooting at the patrol vehicle, ultimately disabling it with gunfire.
A nearby CHP unit came to help and began chasing the suspect, who continued firing repeatedly as the pursuit went on, Olivas wrote.
The man exited the freeway at Railroad Canyon Road. The CHP stayed with him through city streets until he stopped in front of a home at Villa Milano and Villa Roma and went inside.
What followed isnt yet clear. Riverside County sheriffs deputies arrived and the SWAT team was called out, and homes in the area were evacuated. Sheriffs spokesman Deputy Mike Vasquez confirmed at 10:20 p.m. that an officer-involved shooting had occurred.
Vasquez could not provide any additional details Thursday morning about the Sheriffs Departments actions, and declined to release the suspects name, age and whether he is alive or injured.
Two residents on an adjacent street said they heard gunfire but didnt know the suspect.
At noon Thursday, Villa Roma was closed to all but residents as patrol cars blocked off the street in the Tuscany Hills neighborhood, whose winding, hilly roads with Italian-sounding names are lined with newer, one- and two-story custom-built homes.
At one end, near Via Palmieki Court, investigators examined a black Ford SUV. Two forensic investigation trucks were parked nearby, and as a steady rain fell, two investigators huddled near surveying equipment under a green tent.
Meanwhile, detectives worked under two additional green tents in an elevated yard overlooking the house where the shooting happened.
A deputy in a patrol car blocking a road said he had been on the scene since 9 p.m. Wednesday and didnt know how long investigators would be there.
Staff writer Brian Rokos contributed to this report.
BEIRUT The U.N. envoy for Syria said Thursday that a cease-fire was largely holding with some exceptions, as opposition activists reported a mounting number of government airstrikes, including a raid in the northern Aleppo province that killed at least six civilians.
Speaking to reporters in Geneva, Staffan de Mistura said he was concerned that fighting northwest of Damascus that has cut off the capitals clean water supply would further escalate and derail proposed negotiations between the government and the opposition in Astana, Kazakhstan, later this month.
The talks are sponsored by Russia and Turkey, which support opposing sides of the Syrian civil war. But the status of the meeting, planned for Jan. 23, is not clear. Rebels say the governments continued campaign for the Barada Valley, the capitals main source of water, has cast the talks in doubt.
The U.N. says the capital has suffered from a water shortage affecting 5.5 million consumers since December 22.
The leader of one of Syrias largest rebel factions, the ultraconservative Ahrar al-Sham, said in remarks aired Thursday that the violence in the valley and daily airstrikes on rebel-held areas are signs of a collapsing truce.
De Mistura said five villages in the Wadi Barada area have reached an arrangement with the government, but two villages, including one which holds the source of water, al-Fijeh, have not.
There is a danger, a substantial danger, imminent danger, that this may develop into a further military escalation, further imperiling the water supply, he said.
He also said the cease-fire, which came into effect Dec. 30, should widen humanitarian access to besieged areas, but that unfortunately, that is not the case.
The opposition-run Syrian Civil Defense, a search and rescue group also known as the White Helmets, said its workers pulled the bodies of three children and three adults from the rubble of an airstrike on the village of Babka in the opposition-held countryside west of the once-contested city of Aleppo.
It was not clear who was behind the raid and others like it in the Aleppo countryside. Syrian and Russian aircraft regularly bombed the province before the cease-fire went into effect. The U.S. is believed to be behind a series of strikes in the neighboring Idlib province that activists say have killed several Al-Qaida-linked militants.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported four children among the dead.
The raid followed a day of strikes on two opposition pockets outside the capital, Damascus. The strikes on the Ghouta region, where pro-government forces are waging a ground offensive against rebels, were the first since the cease-fire came into effect, according to the Observatory. Another six civilians were killed in an airstrike on the Barada Valley Wednesday.
In Damascus itself, a suicide bomber killed at least seven people near a sporting club in an upscale neighborhood housing security offices, Syrian state TV reported. The target of the attack was not immediately known.
It is not clear how the ongoing violence may affect the talks expected on Jan. 23 in Astana, Kazakhstan. Little is clear about what is on the agenda of the negotiations or who will be attending.
We had clearly rejected this truce because it is tied to an unspecific political solution that we were not part of drafting, Ali al-Omar, the head of Ahrar al-Sham, said in his first recorded interview, which was posted online. The guarantor is Russia, an occupying force to Syria that came in support of the regime. Additionally, other factions were excluded from this truce, which is a pretext for continued attacks by the government and its allies.
The government says the Fatah al-Sham Front, an al-Qaida-linked group allied with Ahrar al-Sham, and the Islamic State group are excluded from the truce. Moscow has pushed for declaring Ahrar al-Sham a terrorist group, despite the fact that it is taking part in a Turkey-backed operation against the IS group in northern Syria.
The Russian military said Thursday it had sent four warplanes to Syria and withdrawn six others as part of an ongoing rotation of forces.
Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said six Su-24 bombers have flown back to Russia and some other warplanes are preparing to leave the Hemeimeem air base in Syrias coastal province of Latakia.
At the same time, Konashenkov said that four Su-25 ground attack jets have arrived at Hemeimeem, which serves as the hub for the Russian air campaign in Syria.
In December, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the military to scale back its presence in Syria. Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov and accompanying ships left the eastern Mediterranean last week and are heading back to their home base.
SANTA ANA Two men charged with murder in connection with a triple homicide in Fullerton last year pleaded not guilty on Friday.
Frank Felix, 25, of Sun Valley and Joshua Acosta, 21, of Ft. Irwin both appeared briefly in Orange County Superior Court and were ordered back to court for a pre-trial hearing on March 24.
The pair are accused of killing Christopher Yost, 34, his wife, Jennifer Yost, 39, and their friend Arthur Boucher, 28, who were all found dead in the Yosts Fullerton home on Sept. 24.
A 17-year-old girl was arrested in connection with the triple-killing but later released and has not been charged.
The three victims were found dead in the Yost home in Fullerton.
Prosecutors accuse Acosta and Felix of entering the house in the early morning hours, with Acosta shooting the three victims. Authorities have not released a possible motive for the killings.
Two of the couples daughters, ages 6 and 9, were home when police arrived. Authorities said the younger girl had called 911, saying her parents had died.
Acosta, Felix, and Jennifer Yost were apparently in the Southern California furry community, people who congregate online and meet at conventions with some dressing up in colorful animal costumes.
Contact the writer: kpuente@ocregister.com
Chiengora the art of spinning dog hair to make warm clothing items has been around for thousands of years, and is still used today by people in extremely cold climates near the Arctic Circle. Now one Chicago-area woman wants to make Chiengora clothing available to dog lovers looking for a way to always stay close to their beloved pet.
Jeannie Sanke, from Evanston, Illinois, started practicing Chiengora Chien is French for dog and Gora is derived from angora two years ago, and has since created all kinds of custom pieces from dog hair, including sweaters, ponchos, mittens and fluffy cup holders. She sells her creations on the Etsy online store, and regularly posts photos of her newest items on her Facebook page, Knit Your Dog. Most of her clients are dog lovers who want to feel their pets fur on their skin as often as possible, and especially owners who have lost their loyal friend and want something special to remember them by.
Photo: Knit Your Dog/Facebook
Sanke says that unlike the hair of sheep, goat, or alpacas, dog hair should never be cut, but brushed off, as clipped dog fur cannot be spun into a thread. She also informs potential clients that hairs from dogs shiny outercoat their waterproof guard cannot be used either, and since the undercoat hair is often a different color, the resulting item may not be the same shade as their pet. Long-haired, rough-coated breeds like Golden Retriever, Chow Chow or Pekingese have perfect wool for Chiengora, but she can also work with shorter hair, by combining it with longer fibers like sheep or alpaca wool.
Photo: Knit Your Dog/Facebook
After receiving the dog hair from her clients, Jeannie puts it through a complex process to make it ready for knitting, and more importantly, get rid of the smell. She starts off by washing it, before moving on to carding, a technique that untangles hairs and aligns them so they can be spun properly. She then spins the fur and washes it again to set the twist before knitting it. Finally, she washes it again, to ensure that the dog smell leaves the fibers completely.
Photo: Knit Your Dog/Facebook
People are always afraid that its going to smell like dog, and it doesnt, Sanke told FOX6. Just the same way that a merino sweater doesnt smell like a sheep (and) a cashmere sweater doesnt smell like a goat.
Photo: Knit Your Dog/Facebook
Dog fur clothing is apparently very comfortable and 50 percent warmer than that made from sheep wool. But for most people, the most important thing is being able to feel close to their beloved pets all the time.
Photo: Knit Your Dog/Facebook
The touch of a creature that they love, wrapped around them, is much more immediate to people than a diamond pressed from ashes, Sanke said. Its still them, you can touch them. Even after theyre gone you can still have them.
ANNUAL Trolley Watch figures have confirmed a dramatic increase, year on year, in the number of patients on trolleys at Midlands Regional hospital, Tullamore between 2006 and 2011.
ANNUAL Trolley Watch figures have confirmed a dramatic increase, year on year, in the number of patients on trolleys at Midlands Regional hospital, Tullamore between 2006 and 2011.
According to annual analysis from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation [INMO], the figure in 2006 stood for the Tullamore hospital at 64 patients, decreasing in 2007 to 34, rising to 95 in 2008 while decreasing to 77 patients in 2009.
There was a significant increase in 2010 when the figure rose to 766 and continued to rise to 1,857 patients annually.
However, there was a welcome reduction for the Tullamore hospital with a slight decrease in the number of patients on trolleys during the month of December when compared to December 2010.
In this regard, the Executive Council acknowledged the efforts and initiatives, spearheaded by the Special Delivery Unit [SDU], in the Department of Health, in providing additional supports and resources to allow for this improvement.
The Executive Council is now calling upon the Minister for Health to further review the Annual Service Plan for 2012. This revision must allow the SDU continue this work with particular emphasis on protecting the earmarked funding, which allows for the opening of closed beds in some hospitals and additional community supports, which are due to end on February 29.
The survey results also confirm that there are now 2,229 public beds, acute and non acute, closed across the country of which 59 beds were closed at the Midlands Regional hospital, Tullamore. These figures are in light of a further 555 non acute beds will close in 2012.
Speaking on the annual survey results, INMO General Secretary Liam Doran said: The INMO identified, in mid 2011, that the numbers on trolleys were at record levels and were now a daily reality in some hospitals that had previously avoided this indignity to patients. It is a reality that this level of overcrowding was a direct result of a combination of increased demand for treatment, bed closures, cutbacks in community services and difficulties with the Fair Deal scheme.
Against, this very stark background the INMO welcomes the reduction, in patients on trolleys, in December. This reduction came about as a result of the opening of closed beds, ring fenced funding for some community supports and the prioritisation of this problem, by local management, under the direction of the new SDU. This work is welcome and must be continued throughout 2012.
Lady Liberty To Be Depicted As Black Woman On U.S. Gold Coin For The First Time Ever Abel Shifferaw
UPDATE: The $100 gold coin that features a black Lady Liberty is now available for purchase for $1,640.
Read the original story below.
The United States Mint has unveiled a new gold coin on what is their 225th anniversary.
The coin which depicts Lady Liberty, a depiction that until now has been reserved for white women, will feature the image of an African-American woman. The theme of the Mints 225th anniversary is Remembering our Past, Embracing the Future.
The 24-karat gold coin, which is worth $100, will be rolled out in April. The coin will not be in wide circulation as it is mainly for collectors.
The Mint also plans to roll out gold coins featuring women from different backgrounds in the future. The depictions will include Asian-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, and Indian-Americans so as to reflect the cultural and ethnic diversity of the United States.
The move to include diversity on the U.S.s currency picked up steam last year when news was released that abolitionist Harriet Tubman will grace the $20 bill. Tubman will be the first African-American to be on a U.S. paper bill. Rhett Jeppson, the Principal Deputy Director of the United States Mint, wrote in a press release posted to the U.S. Mints website:
Agricultural News
Cattle Organizations Praise Scott Pruitt- Say He Will Bring Common Sense to EPA as Administrator
The Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association (OCA) fully supports President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Attorney General Scott Pruitt for Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. The organization has sent a letter of support for Pruitt to Oklahoma Senators Jim Inhofe and James Lankford (click on the Letter to Inhofe and Lankford link below to read the full letter.)
"It is time that the EPA has a leader who understands that agriculture and environment are not opposing terms clashing against each other, but rather America's farmers and ranchers are the original stewards of the precious natural resources our Country so enjoy ---Pruitt is such a leader," said OCA President, Charlie Swanson.
According to Swanson, General Pruitt is a common-sense, science based public servant.
"We admire that he firmly supports the United States Constitution and will respect the role, responsibility and proper authority of the Agency he has been chosen to lead," Swanson said.
In addition to the letter to the Oklahoma Senators- the OCA organized a letter of support that was signed by 37 state cattle organizations that represent cattle producers from coast to coast- also offering support for Scott Pruitt. The Cattle Industry letter was sent to the Chairman and the Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, who will host Pruitt in his Confirmation Hearing on January 18th.
In the letter, the cattle organizations told the lawmakers "General Pruitt will bring a science based, common sense approach to the strategies and objectives of the EPA. Mr. Pruitt understands the importance of sound win-win policy that will translate into EPA strategies that work to protect the environment while improving America's agriculture productivity. He knows firsthand that farmers and ranchers are the original stewards of the environment with an unparalleled commitment to responsible natural resource management that yields multi-generational improvement. Simply put, Mr. Pruitt sees clearly that agriculture and environment are not opposing terms but rather are complementary. He will work to cultivate that relationship which will lead to the United States leading in food and fiber production while improving the environment in which it is accomplished."
Click on the LINK below to read the full letter from the state cattle organizations that offers support for the confirmation of Scott Pruitt to serve as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in the Donald Trump Administration.
00170_Pruitt_Support_Letter_-_Jan_2017.pdf
00171_Letter_to_Senators_Inhofe_and_Lankford_-_Pruitt_for_EPA.pdf
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A screen displays the ticker information for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV at the post where it's traded on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., January 12, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
By Gilles Guillaume, Simon Carraud and Agnieszka Flak
PARIS/MILAN (Reuters) - European carmakers were drawn into a widening probe of diesel emissions testing on Friday, with French prosecutors examining Renault and British authorities seeking answers from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV.
Volkswagen's (VOW_p.DE) admission that some of its diesel vehicles were fitted with software designed to hide their true level of emissions has highlighted that most cars spew out far higher levels of health-threatening nitrogen oxide (NOx) in everyday driving conditions than in laboratory tests.
Shares in Renault fell more than 4 percent to their lowest level in around a month after a source at the Paris prosecutor's office said it had launched a judicial investigation into possible cheating on exhaust emissions at the French carmaker.
Renault said it respected all laws concerning exhaust emissions, adding that its vehicles did not have software enabling them to cheat on emissions standards.
The French clampdown follows allegations by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday that Fiat Chrysler, like Volkswagen, was potentially using illegal software to hide excess diesel emissions.
No manufacturer other than VW has been found to have installed software designed solely for the purpose of circumventing emissions tests, but regulators in Britain and Germany say that carmakers have made extensive use of a "thermal window" which allows manufacturers to turn down pollution-control systems for the sake of protecting an engine.
German investigators said they had found that some carmakers defined the "thermal window" in such a way that exhaust treatment systems were switched off most of the time.
Switching off or throttling back emissions treatment systems in cold weather reduces the risk of condensation building up in catalytic converters, which may otherwise cause rust and reduce exhaust-filtering effectiveness in the long run.
It also improves engine performance and stretches the intervals between refilling vehicles with urea, an expensive substance needed to extract NOx from exhaust fumes.
Story continues
Regulators across the globe are now seeking to determine when a "thermal window" engine management system becomes an illegal "defeat device."
Under U.S. law, there is an obligation for manufacturers to declare their emission control strategy. This has been the basis for EPA action against Volkswagen and now against Fiat Chrysler.
NEW TESTING REGIME
The European Commission said it had been informed about the "worrying" EPA allegations and would look at what implications they might have for the European Union.
"We will now work with the EPA, national member state authorities and of course Fiat in order to establish potential implications for vehicles sold in the EU," it said.
The European Commission has limited powers to force polluting cars off European roads, since vehicle licensing in the EU is still conducted on a national level.
But European regulators have introduced a more stringent testing regime designed to reflect everyday driving conditions in the wake of the VW scandal that will take effect this year.
Under the revised Real Driving Emissions (RDE) cycle, the disparity between road and laboratory test results will be narrowed.
SEEKING INFORMATION
Britain on Friday said it was urgently seeking information from the EPA over its allegation that Fiat Chrysler used hidden software to allow excess diesel emissions to go undetected.
"We are urgently seeking further information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency... and will also be seeking information from the manufacturer regarding vehicles in the UK market," a spokesman at the Department for Transport said.
Fiat Chrysler Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne angrily rejected the allegations on Thursday, saying there was no wrongdoing and Fiat never attempted to cheat emissions rules with software detecting a vehicle was in test mode.
Fiat's volatile shares surged 7 percent in Europe, after falling sharply in U.S. trading on Thursday, and were trading 5 percent higher at 1453 GMT.
The automaker's stock has risen by around 70 percent this year since Donald Trump's election, on expectations of less stringent emissions policies under the next U.S. administration.
But carmakers continue to face scrutiny in Europe. Earlier this week the European Commission called on Italy to cooperate with a German probe investigating allegations that the Fiat 500X, Fiat Doblo and Jeep Renegade models were equipped with illegal cheating software. Fiat rejects the allegations.
Germany's motor vehicle authority KBA began testing the vehicles of several foreign manufacturers as part of a blanket probe of vehicle emissions after the Volkswagen scandal first came to light.
And the country's transport ministry asked the European Commission to investigate Fiat's emissions after being stonewalled by Italian authorities.
(Additional reporting by Alissa de Carbonnel in Brussels and Costas Pitas in London; Writing by Edward Taylor; Editing by Alexander Smith)
A long-vacant building across the street from the Siena-Francis House homeless shelter is about to undergo a $2 million makeover into a home for small businesses.
The former Safety Service truck repair shop at 1605 Nicholas St. has sat empty for years, remaining solid but mainly providing shade for people hanging out near the shelter.
But now, as north downtown development momentum continues, the owner thinks the time is right to put it back to work. Omaha attorney Duane Dowd and investment partners from Omaha and Denver propose to renovate the nondescript but sturdy old garage and create spaces for seven businesses. They hope to have what theyre calling The Hub open by fall.
Theyre seeking $300,000 in tax-increment financing to help pay for the project. The Omaha Planning Board voted earlier this month to recommend that the City Council approve the TIF request.
The developers considered knocking down the building and erecting housing, but decided against it, said Adam Watson, who is working with Dowd on The Hub.
Dowds partners on the project are Stephen Elken and Michael Opatowski of Denver. They and Watson also are partners on Farnam 25, a project to redevelop the former Smoke Pit BBQ building into businesses and a new restaurant or brewery. Elken and Opatowski also are principals in a partnership that owns and manages a cluster of property at 50th Street and Underwood Avenue in Dundee that includes a CHI Health Clinic and KFAB.
In north downtown, developers recently erected apartments, the Nichol Flats, on the southeast corner of 16th and Nicholas Streets. Thats near the TipTop building, home to apartments and offices.
Along with such redevelopments over the years as the Hot Shops and Mastercraft, the area north of Cuming Street has become a draw to entrepreneurial and creative people, building on the north downtown revival south of Cuming Street.
We think its a good work-live area, Watson said. We think this (1605 Nicholas) is a better location to work at than to live at.
The homeless shelter, with its related foot traffic, might be a little too close for comfort for apartments, Watson said. But for businesses, hes confident that it will not be a problem.
We feel we can successfully co-inhabit the area, Watson said.
The developers plan to build a parking lot with security fencing and lighting next to the building. In their application to the city for TIF, the partners say the proximity to the Campus for Hope and Siena-Francis House requires increased costs in regards to fencing, landscaping and security.
Even so, Watson said recent steps by Siena-Francis certainly helped developers decide that the timing is right for The Hub. Siena-Francis acquired and cleared an auto salvage yard along 16th Street and is raising money to expand and improve Campus for Hope.
Siena-Francis Executive Director Mike Saklar said hed be glad to see the old building put back to use.
We always try to be good neighbors, Saklar said. We serve a lot of homeless people. Theres a lot of foot traffic. I dont envision any problems, but were glad to work with neighbors to address issues should they arise.
There are other businesses nearby already, such as Omaha Neon Sign Co. and Standard Printing Co. They said they have few problems with the homeless shelter and welcome the new development.
Theres a lot going on to our east and to the south, said Bryan Morhardt, general manager at Standard Printing. Any time theres development, I think thats good for the neighborhood and good for business in the neighborhood.
The old Safety Service building is basically a shell: About 14,000 square feet of open space inside a steel frame, concrete-block walls and an open-ceilinged roof.
Watson said the developers plan to leave most of the steel posts and beams exposed up to the roof timbers when they put in walls for office spaces, plus restrooms and a hallway.
Standing this week in a shaft of sunshine from an old skylight, Watson said theyll recondition the skylights and install new windows and garage doors. That will bring in lots of natural light and preserve an industrial-chic look.
The partners envision The Hub attracting small professional tenants, such as accountants or architects, or tech businesses. Maybe a small commissary would move in, such as a bakery, to make food for delivery to other local businesses, Watson said.
Theres so much positive stuff going on in this area, Watson said. Were so lucky to have this building.
LINCOLN The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled Friday that it was not inappropriate to give a 105- to 125-year prison sentence to an Omaha man who was 15 when he participated in two murders.
Juan Castaneda was initially sentenced to life in prison for his involvement in a gang-related 2008 robbery spree that left two people dead and another wounded.
He was ordered resentenced after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that juveniles convicted of murder should not automatically receive life sentences without the possibility of parole due to an inability to comprehend the consequences of their actions.
Nebraska has 27 killers who were juveniles when sentenced to mandatory life terms. About half have been given new sentences that give them a chance for release, albeit when most of them would be of retirement age.
After taking testimony in February, Douglas County District Judge Peter Bataillon gave Castaneda a sentence that would make him eligible for parole from prison in 2061. If he is not paroled, Castaneda would be released from prison in 2071, when he would be 78 years old.
Castaneda appealed the sentence as excessive and a de facto life sentence. At the resentencing hearing, his attorney, Douglas County Public Defender Tom Riley, argued that Castaneda had put the gang life behind him; had stabilized a mental illness, schizophrenia; and was unlikely to commit any further crimes.
Riley said that Castanedas participation in the murders was minimal. Another gang member, Eric Scrappy Ramirez, then 17, had been the gunman during the random spree, which covered three separate locations in less than an hour.
But also testifying at the February hearing was the father of Tari Glinsmann, who was shot and killed at the end of the spree. Castaneda had pulled the 27-year-old woman from her car as she finished her shift at a convenience store at 52nd and Leavenworth Streets. She was then shot by Ramirez.
The father characterized the murder as a sport, because Castaneda, Ramirez and another gang member, Edgar Blackie Cervantes, left without taking any money.
The Supreme Court, in its ruling Friday, said that the new sentence given to Castaneda for eight convictions was at the low end of the allowable ranges. The court rejected an argument that the new sentence was vindictive because several of the sentences were to be served consecutively rather than concurrently.
Police have arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with the Wednesday shooting of a Nebraska Furniture Mart worker that they believe occurred during a robbery.
Ryan Blaha was booked on suspicion of first-degree felony assault, two counts of attempted felony assault, three counts of use of a weapon to commit a felony and robbery. Police announced the arrest late Thursday.
Blaha shot Jared Clawson, 37, early Wednesday and fired upon two of his coworkers, police allege.
Clawson, who was critically injured, told police he had been shot three times by a man who, after firing the shots, drove away to the north in a sport utility vehicle. Police had searched for a 1995 to 2001 green Ford Explorer.
Police said the assailant used a shotgun in the attack.
The shooting occurred in a parking lot on the south side of the Marts electronics building. When police arrived, they found Clawson on his hands and knees near a loading dock on the side of a trailer. He is a building engineer at the store at 700 S. 72nd St.
The two other co-workers, both men, are ages 36 and 32.
The 36-year-old was walking into work when someone shot at him, according to a police report.
In a phone interview, the 32-year-old man said he dodged gunfire in the parking lot when someone in an SUV drove through, firing about 20 shots.
LINCOLN Gov. Pete Ricketts proposed budget for the next two years closes a shortfall projected at nearly $900 million, without raising taxes and while prioritizing K-12 education and the states troubled prison system.
The plan, unveiled Thursday during the governors State of the State address, also includes state spending cuts now and tax cuts in the future.
State senators on Thursday called Ricketts proposed budget a good start but some expressed concerns about how his planned cuts could affect college students and some of the states most vulnerable people.
Ricketts told state lawmakers that the states fiscal situation is an opportunity to put Nebraska grit to work.
His plan would hold state spending virtually flat for the next two budget years.
Lets roll up our sleeves and do what needs to be done to chart a course for future prosperity, he said.
Cuts to the University of Nebraska would prompt tuition increases and possibly the carving back of programs, staff and services, the University of Nebraskas president warned.
At least one outside group accused the governor of modeling his plan after policy in Kansas, a state facing severe budget woes, while another group said his proposal hit all the right notes.
Speaker of the Legislature Jim Scheer of Norfolk said he thought Ricketts proposal was reasoned, without taking a hatchet to any one area.
Overall, he was pretty close to being on track, he said. I think the citizens expect us to tighten the reins and meet our obligations.
Its a proposal, said Sen. John Stinner of Gering, chairman of the Legislatures budget-crafting Appropriations Committee. Lets treat it as a proposal.
The two-year budget plan comes a week after Ricketts, a conservative Republican, announced plans for cutting the previously approved budget for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30.
The cuts announced Thursday would be for the next two fiscal years, July 1 through June 30, 2019. The cuts needed in those years would be smaller than announced if lawmakers approve the governors proposed cuts for the current year.
Overall state spending would grow an average of 0.9 percent through the two-year budget period.
These are lean times, Ricketts said, adding that Nebraskans expect state government to tighten its belt.
His new spending plan now heads to the Appropriations Committee, while his tax proposals will be considered by the Revenue Committee.
His proposal would spare the Department of Correctional Services and state aid to schools, though the K-12 education growth is about half the growth projected for the two years under the current school aid formula.
Ricketts plan also would cut payments for those who care for abused and neglected children, Medicaid recipients, and developmentally disabled and mentally ill people. It would also cut higher education, with the ax falling hardest on community colleges.
Meanwhile, his tax plan would ease property taxes for farmers and ranchers starting in 2019 and reduce the top individual income tax rate starting in 2020.
In all, the spending proposals would close the projected budget gap by reducing state spending, using higher state tax revenues expected because of Amazons decision to start collecting sales taxes on online purchases in Nebraska, tapping several cash funds and, for the current year, taking $92 million from the cash reserve fund.
The projected shortfall equals about 6.3 percent of the budgeted and projected state spending during that same period.
Ricketts said he would leave the cash reserve at $510 million by June 30, 2019, by transferring $17.5 million from the general fund into the reserve. That assumes that revenues for the current fiscal year come in as projected.
Under his proposal, NU would get a $12.2 million, or 2.1 percent, cut in its budget for the first year of the biennium. More than half of that amount, $6.8 million, would be restored in the second year.
NU President Hank Bounds said the numbers dont reflect the negative effects the proposal would have.
With required health insurance increases, staff raises some of which are determined by union negotiations and other increasing costs, the NU system would face a deficit of $50 million or more over two years, Bounds said. That means tuition increases and potentially cuts to programs, staff and services, he said.
Bounds said increasing tuition, which would discourage students from enrolling in NUs schools, would impair the states ability to attract companies.
Taking the foot off the accelerator right now will have a chilling effect on our ability to produce more and better graduates ... and keep more and better jobs in the state of Nebraska, he said.
Omaha Sen. Burke Harr said hes concerned the cuts could mean tuition increases, which can prompt higher dropout rates and lead to students taking more time to graduate.
We want them in high-paying jobs as fast as possible, he said. This might be a penny wise, a pound foolish.
Harr noted that he looks forward to working with Ricketts and having full and fair debate in areas where they may disagree.
Community colleges would see a 3 percent cut in the first year and flat funding for the second year.
Ricketts said the disparate treatment is the result of steep increases in the property taxes paid to the community colleges over the past decade.
We felt like they could absorb it, he said.
Community colleges there are six across the state, including Metro Community College in Omaha have the authority to levy property tax. NU, which includes institutions in Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney and Curtis, and the three state colleges Peru, Wayne and Chadron dont have the power to levy property taxes.
Randy Schmailzl, president of Metro, said his college was lumped in with the five other community colleges. Some of those, he said, have benefited from hefty farmland valuation increases over the past six years.
They have received a windfall of property tax revenue, he said, while Metro is urban and suburban and hasnt enjoyed such a windfall.
It could be worse, said Michael Baumgartner, executive director of the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education. I think well be able to work our way back up from this.
The bulk of the budget cuts $34 million in the first year of the biennium would come from aid to individuals, which includes $24 million in Medicaid provider rates alone.
While the governors proposal generally would not reduce services or cut people off from benefit programs, it would cut the rates paid to doctors, hospitals, therapists, developmental disability providers, public health departments and others who care for people getting state benefits.
We wouldve preferred not to do that, but it is what it is, said Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston, chair of the Health and Human Services Committee. Were going to try to make sure that we dont cut into critical services.
Sen. Bob Krist of Omaha called proposed cuts to provider rates very bad.
The developmental disability community depends upon those providers, and those providers are the core, he said.
Under Ricketts plan, state aid to K-12 education would grow by 2.7 percent on average. Ricketts called the current school aid formula flawed. And senators, he said, should be prepared for claims that his proposal doesnt fully fund education.
I think they got more than they ever thought they would get if they get it, said Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte, chairman of the Education Committee, noting that he can work with the proposal.
John Lindsay, a lobbyist for the Omaha Public Schools, said the education community understands that the state has fiscal problems and is willing to help out. But he said educators dont want to see funding go to a level that it hurts student achievement.
Scheer argued that K-12 education should be pleased.
Thats sort of like going in and asking your boss for a raise and you were sort of hoping for a 10 percent raise, but you walk out with a big frown if you got 5 percent, he said. I dont think so.
Under his plan, Ricketts would put an additional $20 million into the state prison system to increase staff and add programs for inmates.
He also would take $75 million from the states cash reserve fund for a prison expansion project in Lincoln for elderly and seriously mentally ill inmates and $1.1 million for security system upgrades.
Nebraska Democratic Party Chairwoman Jane Kleeb said Ricketts plan follows the model of Kansas, where Gov. Sam Brownback overhauled the state budget and slashed personal income taxes.
Modeling our state after Kansas is a lose-lose (situation) for everyone, she said. We need a hard hat revolution to create jobs, keep young people from leaving our great state and to ensure working-class families can stop treading water.
Nebraskas chapter of Americans for Prosperity, meanwhile, praised Ricketts for focusing on controlling spending and cutting taxes.
Matt Litt, the groups state director, called Ricketts address right on target.
LINCOLN Gov. Pete Ricketts proposals for future income and property tax cuts met with criticism aplenty and also some praise on Thursday.
Some detractors said his plan to phase in cuts to the top individual income tax rate would go too far, potentially harming state services to benefit the states wealthiest citizens.
Others said his proposal to change how farmland and ranchland are valued would do too little to reduce the share of taxes paid by property taxpayers.
But Ricketts said the proposals would provide lasting, fair and structural property tax reform and make Nebraska more competitive with neighboring states.
In his third annual State of the State speech Ricketts called on lawmakers to favor the taxpayer against special interests.
Almost universally, Nebraskans tell me they are tired of government taking their money, he said.
Ricketts said his plan represents the Nebraska way: spending cuts now, as the state faces a nearly $900 million budget shortfall, and tax cuts in future years, when the revenue picture is expected to look brighter.
His income tax plan would not kick in until 2020 at the earliest. The plan would cut the top individual income tax rate from 6.84 percent to 5.99 percent in eight steps.
The cuts could be done over eight years, but each would take effect only if state tax revenues were projected to grow by more than 3.5 percent that year. If a cut was deferred in one year it would take place in the next year that meets the trigger.
Ricketts said Nebraskas top tax rate discourages investment in the state and chases away good people. He said all of Nebraskas neighboring states except Iowa have lower or no income taxes.
The top rate applies to the portion of an individuals income that exceeds $29,830 per year. For married couples, the rate applies to the portion of income that exceeds $59,660.
Ricketts said more than half of Nebraska married couples exceed that level.
We have an opportunity here to give a tax break to middle-class Nebraskans and to do this in a way that is responsible, he said.
State Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion, the Revenue Committee chairman, introduced the plan on behalf of the governor as Legislative Bill 337.
The governor also proposed a property tax plan that aims to ease taxes for farmers and ranchers, starting in 2019.
Toward that end, he proposed changing how agricultural land valuations are set. Instead of being assessed based on market price, ag land would be assessed based on its earning potential.
The method would take into account the yield potential of ag land and current prices for crops and livestock.
If implemented for 2017, he said, it would have reduced ag land valuations by about $2.2 billion, off of a $105 billion base.
That is a much more fair way to value ag land, Ricketts said, noting that it is common in other farm states.
Sen. Lydia Brasch of Bancroft, the Agriculture Committee chairwoman, introduced the plan on behalf of the governor as LB 338.
Speaker of the Legislature Jim Scheer of Norfolk praised the proposals, calling the budget cuts now, tax cuts later strategy a wise approach.
Business groups also welcomed the plans, particularly the income tax cuts.
The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Lincoln Chamber praised the governors support for income tax reduction. Both have called for reducing the top rate, which would boost Nebraskas ranking in national tax comparisons.
Bob Hallstrom, state director of the Nebraska Federation of Independent Business, said the group appreciated the continuing commitment of Gov. Ricketts to provide property and income tax relief and to manage the state budget by controlling spending.
But Sen. Kate Bolz of Lincoln was skeptical about the income tax plan.
She said she cant justify tax cuts that benefit some of the richest Nebraskans while making budget cuts that impact middle-class Nebraskans. Cutting higher education, for example, could drive up tuition costs. Cutting human services programs could harm vulnerable people.
There are more questions than answers, Bolz said.
Others raised similar concerns, among them the Lincoln-based OpenSky Policy Institute and the Omaha-based Holland Childrens Movement. John Cavanaugh, chief operating officer of the Holland organization, said Nebraska should not exacerbate future revenue problems at a time of budget woes.
Limiting the states future ability to invest in children and adapt to unforeseen crisis is unwise, he said.
Renee Fry of OpenSky said the governors plan would offer little tax savings for middle-class Nebraskans. The effective rate of taxation in Nebraska is lower than the rate listed in law, because of credits and deductions allowed by the state.
A 2015 report by the State Department of Revenue put the effective rate of state income taxes at between 1.7 percent and 5 percent.
Sen. Burke Harr of Omaha warned about basing tax cuts on tax revenue projections from the states official forecasting board, noting that the situation can change quickly.
For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, for example, state revenues fell $95 million short of the boards November 2015 projections.
The property tax plan, meanwhile, garnered praise from Shane Greckel, president of the Knox County Farm Bureau, who attended the governors speech.
This bill will transform our property tax system to a projected income instead of property sales, he said, urging other farmers and ranchers to get behind the proposal.
But Steve Nelson, president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation, said the plan was a Band-Aid solution that would provide minimal relief to ag producers.
He said the Farm Bureau likes the idea of including some measure of income potential in ag land valuation and has supported the idea in the past.
However, he said the change would not ease the overall property tax burden on Nebraskans.
The actions outlined today fall short of moving Nebraska toward overdue tax reform that reduces Nebraskas overreliance on property taxes to fund government services, Nelson said.
The Farm Bureau and five other agricultural organizations are pushing for changes to rebalance Nebraskas tax system so that sales, income and property taxes provide equal shares of government revenue.
Nelson said he expects to see several legislative bills that would carry out the groups goals.
Sen. Tom Briese of Albion introduced two such measures Thursday: LB 312 would extend sales taxes to more goods and services, while LB 313 would increase the state sales tax rate. Both would put the additional revenue into a special property tax credit fund.
Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte also plans to introduce a property tax proposal this year. He said the governors plan isnt fast enough for him.
A new coalition, Reform for Nebraskas Future, also is calling for a revenue-neutral plan to reduce property taxes. Mark Fahleson, the groups chairman, said a recent poll by the group shows that property taxes are a top concern for urban and rural Nebraskans alike, while few cite a similar concern about income taxes.
Bengaluru: Two arrested in Banaswadi molestation case
Bengaluru
oi-Oneindia
By Oneindia
Bengaluru, Jan 13: The Banaswadi police on Friday arrested two people for allegedly teasing and assaulting a woman who was returning from gym at around 9pm on January 4.
Additional Commissioner of Police (East division) Hemant Nimbalkar said that they have arrested two persons and also recovered the Honda active scooter involved in the crime. The arrest was made after the police verified the CCTV footages in the area and managed to identify the duo. According to police, the collar pulling molestation accused also have a previous criminal record.
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The accused were identified as Nanda and Amin. The incident occurred on January 4 when the woman was allegedly attacked by two strangers while she was returning from the gym. The two men apparently followed the victim and pulled her T-shirt at which she screamed for help, forcing them to flee in panic after seeing some people.
Earlier, on the New Year eve, mass molestation of women was reported in Brigade Road and M G Road, where thousands had gathered to celebrate the New Year.
OneIndia News
India, Mongolia relations: Important facts need to know about
Feature
oi-Jagriti
A new chapter is set to start between India and Mongolia as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit country on May 17. PM Modi will reach Mongolia on second leg of his three nation tour on Sunday. He will be the first Indian prime minister to visit mineral rich nation. Even after sharing stronger ties no prime minister from India has ever visited Mongolia.
Below are the important facts need to know about India and Mongolia relation
Mineral rich country Mongolia and India share centuries old cultural and historical relations.
Diplomatic relations were reciprocated between India and Mongolia in on December 24, 1955.
India was the first country outside the Socialist bloc to establish diplomatic relations with Mongolia.
Cultural agreement between India and Mongolia was in 1961.
India supported Mongolia in having UN and NAM memberships.
2015 marks the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Mongolia.
India and Mongolia cooperate in the defence sector. There is India-Mongolia Joint Working Group for defence cooperation which meets annually.
Joint India-Mongolia military exercise Nomadic Elephant' is held every year.
The first India-Mogolia joint military exercise was held in 2004.
Government of India provides 40 scholarships per year to Mongolian nationals for pursuing higher studies in India.
A large number of Indian literary work including Panchtantra, Ramayana, Shakuntala, Ritu Samhara, Kamasutra, Godaan, Gaban and Kati Patang have been published in Mongolian language.
Hindi films are fairly popular in Mongolia. The serial Mahabharata, dubbed in Mongolian, has been telecast on Ulaanbaatar TV.
According to Mongolian Immigration figures, Indian community in Mongolia is modest, numbering about two hundred.
120 BJP councillors arrested outside Kejriwal's residence
India
oi-IANS
By Ians English
New Delhi, Jan 13: The Delhi Police on Friday arrested over 120 BJP councillors from outside Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence, where they were staging a protest.
They were demanding the release of funds for salaries of the striking sanitation workers. The agitating group was led by Subhash Arya, a senior BJP councillor who demanded the release of the municipal funds from Kejriwal as per the Fourth Delhi Finance Commission (FDFC).
The police had to forcibly remove the agitators, who were take to the Civil Lines and Maurice Nagar police stations. The protest came in the wake of a week-long strike by sanitation workers of East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) who did not receive their salaries in the last few months.
The striking workers, too, had staged a demonstration against Kejriwal on January 9, at the EDMC headquarters in Shahdara by burning his effigy. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has cited lack of budget for the non-payment of workers' salaries.
The Delhi Government was accused by the MCD for this budget crisis since the former failed to finalise the relevant clauses in the FDFC 2009, which would have been a shot in the arm for the financially infirm municipal body. The MCD is controlled by the BJP who has a majority in the civic body.
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Story first published: Friday, January 13, 2017, 17:02 [IST]
Advocate shot dead in Bengaluru
India
oi-Anusha
The Bengaluru police arrested a 78-year-old man for allegedly shooting dead an advocate on Friday. The victim, identified as Amit Keshav Murthy, died of bullet injuries at a private hospital in Peenya police limits. An alleged extra-marital affair is said to have led to the murder. Police have arrested 78 year old Gopalakrishna Gowda and his son for Amit's murder.
An injured Amit was admitted to a private hospital by Shruti Gowda whose relative's opened fire at Amit. Shruti is said to have admitted him in the hospital and left the spot. Police who arrived at the hospital traced Shruti's residence using her car registration number that was recorded by cameras installed at the hospital.
Arriving at her residence, police found Shruti dead. Police claim that the woman had committed suicide after her family learnt of her alleged affair with Amit. Amit is said to be the son of a Nelamangala based advocate. Local police have registered a case and investigations are underway.
OneIndia News
Afghan national detained near Army Chief's residence
India
oi-PTI
New Delhi, Jan 13: An Afghan national was on Friday detained after he was found roaming near the Army Chief's residence in Chanakyapuri area of Lutyens Delhi, police said.
The man, identified as Kamaal Fariyadi, was roaming around Kashmir House and the Army Chief's residence this evening and was detained by security men posted there who found his movement suspicious, a senior police officer said.
He was later handed over to Delhi Police for further interrogation, he said. Currently, he is being jointly interrogated by Delhi Police's Special Cell, IB and district police to ascertain the reason for his visit there, he said, adding that he has not spoken much during questioning. Sources said that it is suspected that he might be mentally disturbed.
PTI
Uttar Pradesh:
Demonetisation and the Samajwadi Party split are the two major issues in UP. Uttar Pradesh would be one state that would bear in mind the decision on demonetisation when it goes to polls.
The next issue is the SP split. The SP would be the biggest loser as a result of this split. It stands to lose its core vote bank including the 20 per cent Muslims in the state to the BSP.
While the feud has give state Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav a clean image, it is to be seen if the people would vote for him. Caste is a major player in UP. Will parties restrain from using this card during their election rallies? The Supreme Court had clearly said that caste, religion and language cannot be cited during the elections and if violated could lead to the disqualification of a candidate.
Caption: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and newly unanimously elected party's national president Akhilesh Yadav with his supporters during Samajwadi party national convention in Lucknow in this photograph taken on January 2. Photo credit: Nand Kumar/PTI
Punjab:
Drugs and anti-incumbency will be key issues during the Punjab elections. The sings of anti-incumbency was writ large during the 2014 general elections. The AAP had put up an impressive performance as a result of which they were enthused to contest the 2017 assembly polls. The AAP would be a major player and the Punjab polls is likely to be a three corner contest with the Congress and BJP-Akali combine.
Drugs are a major issue in Punjab. The ruling Akali Dal has often been accused of doing very little to curb this problem. The Congress and the APP have made it a poll issue and promise to wipe out the mafia. This would also be a major factor during the elections.
The other issue is of farmers' suicides. Punjab comes second after Maharashtra in the number of farmers' suicides. Several farmers have been pushed to take the extreme step. The allegations against the ruling dispensation is that the farmers were not provided enough aid.
Caption: Aam Aadmi Party National Convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal with AAP Punjab Convener Gurpreet Guggi during a rally of upcoming Punjab assembly elections 2017 at Adampur in Jalandhar in this photograph taken on January 11. Photo credit: PTI
Goa:
Goa:
The Goa assembly elections will see the AAP making its debut. Political pundits say that it would not be right to write off the AAP. While this party would one factor, the bigger issue for the BJP is the RSS revolt. Former state head of the RSS, Subhash Velingkar had quit the organisation and announced an alliance with the Shiv Sena and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party. This alliance will contest in 37 out of the 40 constituencies and could affect the BJP.
Caption: Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar addressing BJP cadres at the party office at Panaji in Goa in this photograph taken on December 31, 2016. Photo credit: PTI
Uttarakhand:
Uttarakhand saw a lot of political instability following a revolt against CM of the state Harish Rawat. This led to the imposition of President's Rule in the state, but the government was reinstated by the Supreme Court after two months. Will Rawat earn the sympathy vote or will issues such a corruption ruin his chances?
Caption: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat with Congress MP Pradeep Tamta during a press conference at party office in Dehradun in this photograph taken on January 9. Photo credit: PTI
Manipur:
The biggest factor in Manipur is that of anti-incumbency. The Congress has ruled this state for 15 years and the BJP would try to pull of an Assam in Manipur as well. While the BJP is training its guns in this state, pollsters point towards the decision by CM, Okram Ibobi Singh to carve out 8 new districts. This is likely to help the Congress retain Manipur.
The other factor is Irom Sharmila. After breaking her fast that lasted 16 years, she decided to come on to the poll stage and challenge none other than the CM himself. She is new to politics and political experts say that a win is unlikely. Her presence would once again raise the issue regarding the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
Caption: Irom Chanu Sharmila offers prayer at Kangla fort in Imphal, Manipur. Photograph: PTI
You know what the Beltway scolds think: Incoming president Donald Trump is flouting 60 years of tradition and sabotaging the sanctity of the White House.
Hes cutting corners on ethics rules. Appointing people without government experience to his Cabinet. Intervening personally in matters like defense budgeting and antitrust reviews that are typically handled by lower-ranking functionariesand doing it before he even takes office! The whole federal bureaucracy may seize up.
Or, it may heave and quake and settle into some new and improved routines. Americans are disgusted with sclerotic and unresponsive government dominated by self-dealing crony capitalists. That includes many voters who cant stand Trump. If the incoming president joins the swamp instead of draining it, hell flame out soon enough and earn a sharp rebuke from an electorate that is unsure of him to start with. But the moment may be right for a business leader to take the helm of government, and Trump could be just the beginning of a new wave of corporate poobahs who see fresh pathways to political power.
A different kind of outsider
Trump is breaking the mold in Washington because the mold was formed around career politicians borne of the hidebound bureaucracy Americans are now sick of. Sure, there were outsiders such as Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton who came from far beyond Washington. But Trump is unique in two ways: First, hes never held office (unlike Reagan or Clinton) and instead of politicking, he has spent his entire career building a family business. Second, that business is privately owned by Trump and his family, rather than publicly owned, which makes divestment much trickier than if Trump simply had to sell shares in a public company, and quit.
Ethics purists say Trump should sell his entire stake in the Trump Organization, to eliminate the chance his business can profit from his presidency. The goal is certainly valid, but the method violates common sense. The company would cease to be the Trump Organization without Trump, and most Americans would probably find the sacrifice excessive.
Story continues
Theres nothing in the US Constitution or any of the nations other founding documents that says a career businessperson cant become president, or a businessperson who does become president must come from a publicly traded company with ties that can be easily dissolved. How about this, instead: Why dont the ethics pros suggest some new rules that apply to people who come from a world other than theirs? Didnt voters just say theyre sick of career bureaucrats who become deaf to the concerns of ordinary people? Didnt they just reject the inside-the-Beltway status quo?
When Michael Bloomberg was mayor of New York City, he relinquished operational control of the self-named company he owned three-quarters of. But he didnt put that ownership stake in a blind trust, and when he ended his final term as mayor he returned to running his company. There were no major conflicts of interest involving Bloomberg, L.P. during Bloombergs three terms as mayor. Trump seems to be mimicking that, even though the presidency is obviously on a different level than any mayorship.
Bringing business sensibility to government
If this sounds like a blind defense of Donald Trump, think again. Trumps unlikely success undoubtedly caught the attention of other business figures with political ambition who may have declined to run for president or other high office because they figured they couldnt win. Trump proved political outsiders with a successful business record can win. Howard Schultz, the former Starbucks (SBUX) CEO, is a Democrat who advised Hilary Clinton and has activist impulses himself. Even though he says hes not planning to run for president, hes got to be thinking that maybe he could be a more compelling Democratic candidate in 2020 than the handful of usual senators and governors, who are probably angling for the nomination already.
Some other big business names who could run: Facebook (FB) Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg, entrepreneur Mark Cuban, Meg Whitman, the CEO of Hewlett-Packard Enterprises (HPE) (who already ran once for governor of California), JP Morgan Chase (JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon, or even Bloomberg. Some of those figures would have an easier time disengaging from their businesses than Trump, by resigning and selling shares in public companies. But if they won, it would be with a similar mission to apply business sensibility to government and make it more productive.
Trumps critics could turn out to be right. His business interests might generate unending controversy that wrecks his credibility and political capital. His outsider Cabinet might lack the political skills to get things done. His end-runs around bureaucratic procedure might produce illegitimate results. But Trump deserves the chance to prove that a business leader can become a good political leader. If he does, there might be others.
Rick Newman is the author of four books, including Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman.
Big setback for Ktaka: SC stays Akrama Sakrama
India
oi-Anusha
The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the property regularisation scheme of the Karnataka government, popularly called the 'Akrama-Sakrama'. A petition by Namma Bengaluru foundation challenged the Karnataka high court order that allowed the scheme to be implemented. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India J S Khehar ordered the interim stay.
Bengaluru-based civic activism organisation Namma Bengaluru foundation filed an appeal against the Karnataka high court order dated December 13, 2016. The Karnataka high court had dismissed the organisation's petition challenging the Akrama Sakrama scheme that allows regularisation of illegally constructed buildings in Bengaluru.
Karnataka had defended this scheme stating that it was a one-type measurement scheme which had been upheld by the Supreme Court while hearing a matter relating to Tamil Nadu. The petitioners had however argued that the scheme was unconstitutional. Some of the petitioners also said that the fee fixed for the regularisation was discriminatory.
OneIndia News
Induction of Congress MLAs into BJP is death of Parrikar's legacy, says outgoing Goa deputy CM
Swaraj, Parrikar, Ananth Kumar: BJP has lost some of its tallest leaders recently
BSF food row: Now, army men to feast on chicken, courtesy Manohar Parrikar
India
oi-Oneindia
By Oneindia Staff Writer
New Delhi, Jan 13: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has taken a 'smart' decision. Probably, fearing another revolt over food, this time by army personnel, Parrikar has promised to serve jawans 'good quality' chicken.
[Also Read: If BSF jawan was alcoholic and offender, why post him at a sensitive border]
Recently, the viral video of Border Security Force constable Tej Bahadur Yadav--which captured in details poor quality food served to the paramilitary force--'shocked the nation'.
The revelation by Yadav has put the BSF in the dock. Now, Prime Minister's Office has sought a report from the Home Ministry on the entire food controversy, highlighted by Yadav.
As a cautionary move, Parrikar has decided to feed his men well.
When reporters during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit asked Parrikar to comment on the BSF food row, he politely refused to say anything as the paramilitary force comes under the HM.
However, he spoke about the kind of food served to army personnel.
Parrikar said he has ordered serving of only Food Safety and Standards Authority of India -approved chicken.
"We have supplied frozen chicken to 26 centres. Now we have issued direction that in next two years FSSAI-approved frozen chicken is supplied to every unit. So that quality automatically improved," he added.
Parrikar said, "We have been continuously evaluating the satisfaction level for the food being served in the Indian Army has increased or not. I am myself monitoring it."
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Story first published: Friday, January 13, 2017, 11:16 [IST]
Great tolerance, the CBI is sitting idle in Goa says its SP
CBI files final report in coal case against Naveen Jindal
India
oi-IANS
By Ians English
New Delhi, Jan 13: The CBI on Friday filed the final report on its further probe in the coal block allocation against former Congress MP and industrialist Naveen Jindal and others.
However, special Judge Bharat Parashar pulled up the probe agency for not filing the report in a proper format and listed the matter for further hearing for January 23.
The case relates to the allocation of Jharkhand's Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block to Jindal Steel and Gagan Sponge. Besides the industrialist, former Minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayana Rao, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda, former Coal Secretary H.C. Gupta and others are among the accused.
The Central Bureau of Investigation in April 2015 filed a chargesheet against Jindal, Koda, Rao and Gupta. The other accused in the case include Jindal Realty Director Rajeev Jain, Gagan Sponge Directors Girish Kumar Juneja and R.K. Saraf and Sowbhagya Media's Managing Director K. Ramakrishna.
Five private companies -- four based in Delhi and one in Hyderabad -- were also named in the chargesheet. The companies are Jindal Steel and Power Ltd, Gagan Sponge Iron Pvt Ltd, Jindal Reality Pvt Ltd, New Delhi Exim Pvt Ltd and Sowbhagya Media Ltd. The accused have denied the charges.
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Story first published: Friday, January 13, 2017, 17:21 [IST]
Everything you wanted to know about Haj subsidy
India
oi-Vicky
By Vicky
The topic of debate today is on Haj subsidy. A controversy over the subsidy for Haj pilgrimage broke out just a day after Saudi Arabia ha increased India's Haj quota. The committee will look into the 2012 verdict of the Supreme Court which had ordered gradually reducing and then abolishing Haj subsidy all together.
The bench headed by Justice Aftab Alam had observed in the 2012 verdict that there is no justification for charging pilgrims an amount that is much lower than even the normal air fare for a return journey from Jeddah. The court had added that the subsidy money may be more profitably used for upliftment of the community in education and other indices of social development.
SC order of 2012 on Haj subsidy:
The bench observed, as regards the Haj subsidy, from the figures for the past 19 years given in the affidavit filed by the Union of India, it appears that the amount has been increasing every year. This is on account of increase both in the number of pilgrims and the travel cost/air fare.
While quoting statistics, the court said that in the year 1994, the number of pilgrims going for Haj from India was as low as 21,035; in 2011, the number of pilgrims increased to 1,25,000. In the year 1994, the cost of travel per pilgrim was only Rs.17,000; in the year 2011, it went up to Rs.54,800. As a result, the total Haj subsidy that was Rs.10.51 crores in the year 1994 swelled up to Rs.685 crores in the year 2011.
It is clear that the Government of India has no control on the cost of travel for Hajj. The air fare to Jeddah for travelling for Haj is increased by airlines to more than double as a result of the regulations imposed by the Saudi Arabian authorities. It is stated in the affidavit that in the year 2011, the air fare for Haj was Rs 58,800, though the normal air fare to and from Jeddah should have been around Rs 25,000.
In the same paragraph, it is also stated that for the Haj of 2011, each pilgrim was charged Rs 16,000, towards air fare. In other words, what was charged from the pilgrims is slightly less than 2/3rd of the otherwise normal fare, the Bench led by Justice Alam also observed.
No justification:
SC stated that it saw no justification for charging from the pilgrims an amount that is much lower than even the normal air fare for a return journey to Jeddah.
"As regards the difference between the normal air fare and increased fare, we appreciate the intent of the Government of India to provide subsidy to cover the additional burden resulting from the stringent regulation imposed by the Saudi Arabian Authorities."
"We also take note of the fact that the grant of subsidy has been found to be constitutionally valid by this court. We are also not oblivious of the fact that in many other purely religious events there are direct and indirect deployment of state funds and state resources. Nevertheless, we are of the view that Haj subsidy is something that is best done away with."
"This court has no claim to speak on behalf of all the Muslims of the country and it will be presumptuous for us to try to tell the Muslims what is for them a good or bad religious practice. Nevertheless, we have no doubt that a very large majority of Muslims applying to the Haj Committee for going to Haj would not be aware of the economics of their pilgrimage and if all the facts are made known a good many of the pilgrims would not be very comfortable in the knowledge that their Haj is funded to a substantial extent by the government," the court said.
OneIndia News
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Story first published: Friday, January 13, 2017, 10:45 [IST]
Hafiz Saeed's surgical strike claim riddled with factual holes
India
oi-Vicky
By Vicky
Hafiz Saeed, who decided to term the Akhnoor terror attack a surgical strike against India, got many of his facts wrong. To begin with he stated that the mujahideens cleaned up 10 rooms, killed 30 soldiers and cleaned up the entire camp.
He called it 'their version of a surgical strike' although not once did he utter that it was his outfit, the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, which carried out the attack. He spoke about cleaning up 10 rooms, destroying the camp and killing 30. However, the fact of the matter is that three soldiers died after the terrorists set ablaze and shot at a camp.
There were two camps at the point where the terrorists entered. They managed to spot only one camp with four workers due to poor visibility. The other camp which had 10 workers completely skipped the eye of the terrorists. In all four persons were killed in the attack.
Saeed also claims that the terrorists carried out the attack and successfully returned to Pakistan. However, intelligence inputs suggest that the four terrorists are still holed up in India.
Intelligence agencies who have analysed the speech made by Saeed at a rally in Muzzafarabad say there is an element of desperation in him. We are looking at it in two ways. He feels that the leadership in Pakistan has failed to respond to India after the surgical strikes. Hence he has taken it upon himself to lead from the front and in the bargain show Nawaz Sharif in poor light. In his speech he does say that Modi responds to him, not Sharif.
The other is sheer desperation and an attempt to get the Kashmir bogey running again. The unrest has come to an end and Saeed with such a speech is only trying to provoke his terrorists into carrying out more attacks in India.
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Story first published: Friday, January 13, 2017, 17:10 [IST]
High-level panel to look into Haj subsidy issue: Naqvi
India
oi-PTI
New Delhi, Jan 13: The government has formed a high-level panel to look into the Haj subsidy issue in light of a 2012 Supreme Court order on gradually reducing and abolishing subsidy given to pilgrims by 2022, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said here on Friday.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event, the Minister of State for Minority Affairs (Independent Charge) said the panel, inter alia, is expected to figure out if the pilgrims can travel to Saudi Arabia paying less or equally if there is no subsidy.
"Questions and issues about Haj subsidy have been raised from time to time. We have formed a high-level committee to study in detail different aspects related to the subsidy," Naqvi said. The committee is doing its work and will hold talks with various stakeholders and furnish its recommendations "soon", he added.
"We have given a free hand to the committee to conduct its study. But the thing which needs to be looked into is whether the Hajis (pilgrims) can travel spending less or paying equal charges in the absence of subsidy," he said. Saudi Arabia had two days ago increased India's Haj quota by 34,500.
This means, around 1.70 lakh devotees can undertake the pilgrimage from India. Naqvi made the remarks on the sidelines of his meeting with representatives of the Anglo-Indian community. Lauding the community for its contribution towards nation building, Naqvi said his ministry will work for their empowerment in a dedicated manner.
The community representatives, including MLAs from various states, hailed the meeting with the Union minister as "historic step". "I am happy that we had very fruitful and constructive discussions with representatives of Anglo-Indians from different parts of the country. The Ministry will work dedicatedly for their empowerment," he added.
PTI
Glimpses of celebrations of Magh Bihu
As part of the celebrations of Bhogali Bihu the Mejis (temporary bamboo and hay structures) are set on fire, which is belived to be the end of evil things.
Jitendra Singh greets nation on Bihu
The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jitendra Singh wished the people on this occasion as it is the beginning of new year. He also said that dance performances by artists symbolize the unity in diversity of Indian culture.
About Bihu festival:
Bihu is the biggest post-harvest festival of Assam and other parts of the North-East and it coincides with the other festivals such as Pongal, Lohri and Makar Sankranti.
Artists perform from various states:
On this occasion, the artists from Song and Drama Division of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting presented dance performances from various states which symbolized the rich Indian culture as well as unity in diversity.
International Kiss Day 2021: Here are some of best quotes to share with your loved ones
'Kiss and run' prankster detained by crime branch
India
oi-Oneindia
By Oneindia
New Delhi, Jan 13: A Youtube prankster who kissed random girls on a street have been detained by crime branch from Gurugram on Friday.
The accused maintains a Youtube channel called 'The Crazy Sumit' where he has over 150,000 subscribers and uploads the videos of showing him approaching girls on the streets on some pretext and then running away after kissing them. The perpetrator, whose full name is yet unknown, also uploaded an 'apology' video on the same channel two days ago, saying the act was staged and he had no clue that the matter will escalate to the level.
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Story first published: Friday, January 13, 2017, 14:02 [IST]
Meet Arnab Goswami's investors: Rajeev Chandrashekhar, Mohandas Pai
India
oi-Anusha
The BJP-backed MP and media honcho Rajeev Chandrashekhar, is learnt to be one of the investors in former Times Now Editor-in-chief, Arnab Goswami's new venture named Republic. A report in the Indian Express claims that records from the registrar of companies office lists out all investors in the venture including Goswami and his wife.
Another key investor, it is learnt, is industrialist Mohandas Pai. Pai and Chandrashekhar have been regular guests on Arnab's prime time shows in his previous news channel.
Chandrashekhar, an NDA MP already owns Asianet Online Private Limited and is a director in Goswami's new venture. It is to be noted that Goswami was a guest at an event organised by Chandrashekhar's company in Bengaluru over the weekend. Along with this, the Goswami-owned SARG Media Holding Private Limited is said to be the other key investor.
Who has invested how much?
Chandrashekhar is said to have invested Rs 30 crore in the venture. SARG, which is jointly owned by Goswami and his wife Samyabrata Ray Goswami have said to have received Rs 26 crore in investments since November 2016 through various channels. Goswami's new venture, Republic is being launched by a company called ARG Outlier. Fourteen individuals and companies are said to have invested in the venture
The largest investor in SARG is Ranjan Ramdas Pai of Aarin Capital partners which was co-founded by Mohandas Pai, the report said. The company is said to have invested Rs 7.5 crore. Ramakanta Panda, owner of Asian heart institute in Mumbai is said to have invested Rs 5 crore and Hemendra Kothari is said to have put in Rs 2.5 crore. The investor list also includes Naresh and Shobhana Ramachandran of TVS Tyres, Niranjan Shah of SRF transnational holdings. Sameer Manchanda of DEN networks and two of his associates are said to have invested Rs 2.5 crore.
OneIndia News
Government ready to talk to farmers but not on repeal of laws: Narendra Singh Tomar
Minister Paswan 'out of danger', says aide
India
oi-IANS
By Ians English
Patna, Jan 13: Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, who was admitted to hospital here on Thursday after developing breathing problems, has shown improvement in his health but was yet to be discharged.
A close aide of Paswan told that the Minister was "out of danger" and he was expected to leave for Delhi on Saturday morning. "Paswan-ji will reach Delhi at around 1 p.m. on Saturday, where he will go for further medical consultation," the aide said.
Paswan, who heads the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), was admitted to the ICU of Paras Hospital on Thursday and was being kept under observation. RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejasvi Yadav visited Paswan at the hospital on Thursday.
IANS
FILE PHOTO - Jesse Litvak, a former managing director at Jefferies Group Inc., walks to U.S. District Court in for his hearing New Haven, Connecticut, U.S., July 23, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo (Reuters)
By Jonathan Stempel
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (Reuters) - The fate of a former Jefferies Group bond trader being tried a second time for defrauding clients now lies with a federal jury, after prosecutors and the defense battled over whether he told his customers "lies" or merely employed sales "banter" they knew to shrug off.
Jesse Litvak, 42, was "motivated by greed," and it was no excuse that other traders might have similarly deceived their own customers, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Francis told jurors in New Haven, Connecticut in his closing argument on Friday.
"Even a child knows that 'Billy did it too' isn't an excuse for bad behavior," Francis said. "A grown man knows that lying to cheat people is the wrong thing to do."
In contrast, defense lawyer Dane Butswinkas emphasized how Litvak's customers were sophisticated investors who relied on a bevy of computer models and economists, and that Litvak's "banter" was not so material to their decision making.
"They're very skeptical about things they cannot verify," Butswinkas told jurors. "These are people who are crossing T's and dotting I's."
The five-man, seven-woman jury resumes deliberations on Jan. 17.
Litvak had worked in Jefferies' office in Stamford, Connecticut, and was first charged in January 2013.
His case signaled the start of a federal crackdown on suspect negotiating tactics by bond traders, and its outcome could affect cases against six other former traders.
Prosecutors accused Litvak of misleading customers including AllianceBernstein and Soros Fund Management about bond prices from 2009 to 2011, to make more money for his employer and himself.
They said this caused customers to overpay for bonds they bought and be paid less for bonds they sold, leading to roughly $2.25 million of improper profit for Jefferies, a unit of Leucadia National Corp